Tri-City Valleycats

Frequently Asked Questions

What level of baseball are the Tri-City ValleyCats?

The Tri-City ValleyCats are a professional minor league baseball team that currently compete at the independent league level. Originally, the ValleyCats were an affiliate of Major League Baseball (MLB), playing in the Class A Short Season New York-Penn League until 2020. In 2021, as part of MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues, the ValleyCats transitioned to the Frontier League, which is an independent league designated as an MLB Partner League. This means they are no longer directly affiliated with an MLB team but remain a high-caliber team featuring talented players seeking to advance their careers. The Frontier League is recognized for its competitive play and serves as a platform for players to showcase their skills to MLB scouts and teams. The ValleyCats have maintained a strong presence in the region, providing fans with exciting baseball action despite the shift in league affiliation.

Where is the Giants AAA team?

The Giants' Triple-A (AAA) team is the Sacramento River Cats. Based in Sacramento, California, the River Cats are the highest minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League (PCL), which is one of the two leagues at the Triple-A level in Minor League Baseball. The River Cats play their home games at Sutter Health Park, a modern ballpark located in West Sacramento. As a Triple-A team, the Sacramento River Cats serve as the final step for Giants prospects before reaching the major leagues. The affiliation with the Giants began in 2015, and since then, many future Giants stars have played for the River Cats on their way to MLB. The River Cats are known for their strong fan support and have a history of competitive success within the Pacific Coast League.

Are the Hudson Valley Renegades AAA?

The Hudson Valley Renegades are not a Triple-A (AAA) team. They are a High-A (High Class A) minor league baseball team, which places them two levels below Triple-A. The Renegades are an affiliate of the New York Yankees and compete in the South Atlantic League, one of the three High-A leagues in Minor League Baseball. Based in Wappingers Falls, New York, the team plays its home games at Dutchess Stadium. As a High-A affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades are an important step in the Yankees' player development pipeline, serving as a proving ground for young prospects on their way to the higher levels of the minor leagues and, ultimately, the majors. The Renegades have a strong local following and are recognized for providing an exciting and family-friendly baseball experience.

What happened to the Fort Worth Cats?

The Fort Worth Cats were a historic minor league baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, but the team ultimately ceased operations. The most recent iteration of the Cats played in various independent leagues, including the Central Baseball League, American Association, and United League Baseball, from 2001 to 2014. After the 2014 season, the team suspended operations due to financial difficulties and issues with their home stadium, LaGrave Field, which fell into disrepair. Efforts to revive the team and renovate the stadium were unsuccessful, and LaGrave Field was eventually condemned. The Fort Worth Cats, once a beloved part of the city's sports landscape, are no longer active as a professional team. Their rich history, which dates back to the early 20th century, remains a fond memory for baseball fans in the region.

What league are the Valley Cats?

The Tri-City ValleyCats currently play in the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league. The Frontier League is recognized as one of the premier independent leagues in North America and is officially designated as an MLB Partner League. The ValleyCats joined the Frontier League in 2021 after Major League Baseball's restructuring of the minor league system led to the disbanding of the New York-Penn League, where the ValleyCats previously competed as a Class A Short Season affiliate. The Frontier League features teams from the Midwest and Northeast United States, as well as Canada, providing a high level of competition for players aiming to reach or return to affiliated baseball. The ValleyCats' participation in the Frontier League allows them to continue offering exciting baseball action and community engagement to fans in the Capital Region of New York.