farm system
Quick Summary
In baseball, a "farm system" refers to the practice of a major league club owning or being affiliated with several minor league teams. These minor league clubs, also called farm teams, serve as a training ground for prospective major league players. This system was devised in 1919 by Branch Rickey, who managed the St. Louis Cardinals, as a way to develop talent from within rather than solely acquiring established players. The minor leagues are organized into various classifications based on playing skill, such as AAA, AA, and A. While the purpose has evolved from local entertainment to talent development, minor league teams continue to draw significant attendance.123
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Branch Rickey…baseball executive who devised the farm system of training ballplayers (1919) and hired the first Black players in organized baseball in the 20th century.
Read More…baseball executive who devised the farm system of training ballplayers (1919) and hired the first Black players in organized baseball in the 20th century.
Read More
baseballThe minor leagues…be known as the “farm system”; as the price of established players increased, the Cardinals began “growing” their own, signing hundreds of high-school boys. Other major league clubs followed suit, developing their own farm clubs that were tied into the minors. In 1949 the minor leagues were tremendously popular:…
Read More…be known as the “farm system”; as the price of established players increased, the Cardinals began “growing” their own, signing hundreds of high-school boys. Other major league clubs followed suit, developing their own farm clubs that were tied into the minors. In 1949 the minor leagues were tremendously popular:…
Read More