The professional game of baseball is not what most people think. It is a job and it is a business. In fact, it is big business. For players, they must prepare themselves for grueling schedules that play in most cases more than 140 games with only a handful of off days (and these guys are NOT multi-millionaires) Many fans assume that being a baseball player is the life (and MOST players love what they do), but their daily lives are quite extraordinary. They too have wives and children and the daily tasks of common man and woman. However, they have fans that expect them to perform at a high level day in and day out.
Imagine being an accountant, a secretary, teacher or store manager and have fans shouting at you, judging your performance and media reporting on it every day. Sure, for the Major League players it is to be expected, but minor league baseball players are NOT wealthy individuals. They are great athletes working hard for the opportunity to just maybe, someday, get the break needed to get to the Major Leagues.
At the Independent Level, it is a little different. Teams are supported by ownership groups that do not have "farm systems" to call players up when another player goes down. They have salary caps that are not suitable for players to get paid much, and players are only paid during the season. Most of these leagues play in the neighborhood of 100 games (more or less depending on the league) and again have very few off days. These players have a much more difficult path to the Major Leagues (although it is becoming more widely accepted by MLB Teams) as they have to first get their contract purchased by one of the 30 MLB Teams, and then perform well enough to move up the affiliated system. Then............they have to do well enough for the MLB Team to remove one of its current 40 man roster guys to sign this player! So getting there is VERY tough.
International baseball is constantly growing, and quite different depending on the country. For example, Japan is a very high paying league and is full of fringe Major Leaguers as well as some players that have spent many years in MLB and would prefer to go to Japan than to play for less money in the minors once again. Korea is continuing to improve annually and is quite similar to Japan (only less money being spent on foreign players and their rosters accept less imports). Taiwan and Mexico are high compensation leagues as well (generally requiring players to have many years of successful affiliated experience) and there is seemingly becoming an international farm sysytem whereas players will go to Mexico or Taiwan and then in the years to come...........potentially to Korea or Japan where the money is very good. As you turn to the European markets, each league (and there are many) vary quite a lot. The Dutch and Italian leagues are by far the highest levels and pay similar to Independent baseball. In many European counties, there are multiple leagues with different classifications of players. So this also ends up being a starting point for many American players that don't get drafted and can not or have not signed with an Independent Team. With all this being said, it is highly unlikely (but possible) for a player that does not get drafted and then goes to a lower European level to make it to the Major Leagues. But even for those players, it is a one of a kind opportunity and experience that will last a lifetime.
Throughout the year..........we deal with all of these leagues. From the high end players going to the Asian markets, to the lower European Leagues. We do NOT reperesent players, as our goal is assisitng teams find what THEY are looking for. Once players have opportunity, the rest is up to them.
Our events and WIRE SERVICE has resulted in THOUSANDS of players being signed domestically and internationally. We want to help, so contact us and we will do all we can to help your team, league or players get what they are looking for! So keep up with the upcoming events, and get your information on the WIRE SERVICE TODAY!
