The Opening weekend for the 20th season of American Association baseball saw records fall off the field. Over 63,654 attended games in the four days (each of the six home teams hosting three games), breaking the Opening Weekend record of 61,382, set in 2022. The defending champion Kane County Cougars led the way with the largest crowd of the weekend, 7,032 Saturday against Sioux City.
“The data tells the story, the effort our teams put in during the offseason to build momentum and awareness from the start of the season literally paid off, and that bodes really well for what we think will be a record season in every aspect for our league,” American Association Commissioner Josh Schaub said. “From new brands and media partners to the innovative promotions our clubs are creating, we are set up for success in every aspect of our business in 2025 and beyond.”
Image via Chicago Dogs | Matt Zuro
Among the off-season partnerships the AAPB has announced are an agreement with Carbliss as the league’s first-ever Founding Partner and its official “Ready to Drink” beverage; Champro, the official uniform supplier for the BCL; an extension with VensureHR as the exclusive and preferred supplier in the payroll category for the league; Unbeaten, RYZ Network and FuboTV as broadcast partners; CAPX as official hat; and IAS Branding as preferred promotional partner.
The MLB Partner League began its slate, in which each of the 12 teams play 100 regular season contests, on Thursday with Kane County and Cleburne (Texas) opening the season at home. Milwaukee, Chicago, Kansas City and Fargo-Moorhead also hosted series over the weekend. Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Gary SouthShore, Lincoln and Lake Country will begin their home slates this week, while Winnipeg will do so on May 20.
About the American Association
The American Association of Professional Baseball (www.aabaseball.com and www.aabaseball.tv) is a Major League Baseball Partner League that operates in nine states and one Canadian province. Formed in 2006, the league consists of twelve member clubs with many beginning play in 1993. By the end of 2024, over 57 players with American Association experience had made their debut with MLB clubs after having first played in the American Association.