Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Appalachian League?

The Appalachian League is a 10-team summer collegiate baseball league played in the heart of the Appalachian region of the United States and is part of the Major League Baseball (MLB) and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP). The PDP is a collaborative effort between MLB and USA Baseball that establishes a player development pathway for amateur baseball players to professional baseball in the United States.

What is the benefit of playing in the Appalachian League?

Athletes who play in the Appalachian League will benefit from eight weeks of competitive baseball against the top talent in the United States. Appalachian League participants will receive extensive visibility to MLB Club scouts through both in-person observation and state-of-the-art scouting technology, and players will receive instruction from former MLB players and educational programming designed to prepare them for careers as professional athletes. Additionally, the Appy League will be an integral part of the identification and development process for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and other future national teams.

Are there any fees to participate in the Appalachian League?

It is free for athletes to play in the Appalachian League, and there are no additional fees throughout the season. Players who participate will be housed in apartments, dorms or hotels free of charge, and the Appalachian League will reimburse up to $400 for transportation costs for athletes. Players will also receive daily per diem in addition to a pre-game spread and post-game meal on game days at the facilities.

What technology will be used in the Appalachian League? Will it be available to their college coaches?

The Appalachian League, as part of the joint MLB and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP), will use Synergy, AWRE and Trackman. All of the data and analytics aggregated throughout the summer season will be shared with the athletes, their college coaches and MLB scouts. Additionally, this data will be shared with USA Baseball national team coaches and staff as an identification tool for the following year’s Collegiate National Team selection process.

What are the roster sizes for each team?

Each team will maintain a 32-man roster for a total of 320 players in the Appalachian League.

What if my team is still playing in the postseason when the Appalachian League begins?

Athletes will not lose their spot on the roster due to their postseason schedule. If your team is still playing in the postseason when the Appalachian League season begins, your Appy League team will reschedule your arrival date. Players will have five days to report to their Appy League team following their college season.

How can I nominate a player to participate in the Appalachian League? How can I become a coach or manager in the Appalachian League?

To nominate a player to play in the Appalachian League, you must fill out the “Appalachian League Interest Form” or email appyleagueinfo@mlb.com. Coaches interested in serving on a coaching staff for one of the 10 clubs in the Appalachian League should email appyleagueinfo@mlb.com.