Tag Archives: aapb

American Association Adds SI TV, Sports Illustrated’s 24/7 Streaming Channel, as Broadcast Partner

The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) today announced that Sports Illustrated’s 24/7 streaming television channel, SI TV, has been added as a broadcast partner for the remainder of the 2026 season, adding to the record footprint for the leading MLB Partner League. American Association games will now be available in over 36 million homes, a 72% increase from just last season.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Sports Illustrated and SI TV, adding another premium viewing option for our fans. This latest partnership shows the strength of everything we’re building — our broadcast, our storytelling and our quality of play,” said Joshua Schaub, American Association Commissioner. “We’re proud to join the SI TV lineup as we head down the stretch of a record-breaking season for us on every level.”

“The American Association has built a quality league and we’re pleased to offer exciting AAPB action on SI TV as the season heads into its stretch run,” said Steve Cannella, Editor in Chief of Sports Illustrated. “This partnership continues our push to expand SI TV’s content offering and provide fans with more live game programming.”

The addition of SI TV, for 20 games during the last portion of the season follows last month’s addition of Fan Duel Sports Networks, as well as MLB Network carrying the 2026 All-Star Game from Lincoln, Nebraska on July 15. The AAPB’s coverage now includes: NBC Regional Sports Networks, Marquee Sports Network, NESN, Sportsnet Pittsburgh, Silver State Sports Network and Unbeaten Sports. As well as Gray Media, RYZ, Bally’s Corporation, NLSE, FTF Sports (For the Fans), and SLVR Sports and Entertainment.
About the American Association of Professional Baseball

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. Through the 2025 season, 483 player contracts have been transferred to MLB organizations. In addition, 60 AAPB alumni have reached the Majors, including 17 participating in 2025.

American Association to Expand into Blaine, Minn., at new ‘The Farm’ Sports/Entertainment District

Bader Companies, Elevage and the City of Blaine today announced The Farm as the official name of the new sports and entertainment district now under construction in Blaine. The Farm will bring together a new era of sports, entertainment, dining, shopping, hospitality, residential living, medical services, and community gathering spaces into a premier, world-class destination in the heart of Blaine. It is anticipated to open in early 2028.

The Farm will transform 70 acres of undeveloped land into a marquee destination designed to bring athletes, fans, families, residents, and visitors together. Inspired by the site’s agricultural roots, the name reflects both the history of the land and the development’s vision to grow the area into a place where community, entertainment, and athletics come together. The Farm was created to be a place where community and athletes can grow, inspired by its location alongside the National Sports Center, where young talent is cultivated and competitors from across the country come to train and compete.

This district is designed as a live, work, play development to create an immersive experience that extends beyond game day. From shopping and dining to community events, live concerts, and baseball games, every aspect of the development has been thoughtfully planned to create a destination that remains vibrant throughout the year.

“The Farm was inspired by a vision to build on Blaine’s strong sports legacy and create a destination that delivers lasting value for the community,” said Co-Developers Bader Companies and Elevage. “We see The Farm as more than a development, it’s an opportunity to create a landmark destination that attracts visitors, drives investment, supports local businesses, and contributes to Blaine’s continued growth and vitality for years to come.”

“The Farm represents one of the most significant private investments in Blaine’s history and reflects the confidence developers have in our community’s future,” said Mayor Tim Sanders. “This transformative project will create jobs, attract new businesses and visitors, expand entertainment and dining options, and build on Blaine’s reputation as a premier destination for sports and recreation. We are excited to see this vision take shape and the lasting impact it will have on our community for generations to come.”

Anchoring the development will be SCHEELS, the company’s second location in the Twin Cities metro, joining Eden Prairie, and sixth in the state. The 250,000-square-foot, one-of-a-kind experiential retail destination will feature an indoor Ferris wheel, a 16,000-gallon saltwater aquarium with over 600 fish, specialty shops, and unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages.

Complementing these attractions will be upscale restaurants, retail offerings, a hotel, residential housing, a medical office, public gathering spaces, and a state-of-the-art baseball and event stadium that will welcome the return of American Association Professional Baseball to Minnesota as the home of the state’s newest professional team. Together, these experiences will create a premier destination that delivers a pro-caliber fan experience and a hub of activity for the community unlike anything else in Minnesota.

“The addition of Blaine, Minnesota, is the latest step in our strategic growth as a league,” said Josh Schaub, Commissioner of the American Association of Professional Baseball. “We welcome Robb Bader, TWAN, Corey Burstad and their team, and most importantly, the fans of Minnesota, to the American Association in a community and business partnership that, like many of our other franchises, goes well beyond the baseball diamond.”

For project updates and announcements, visit TheFarmNSC.com

American Association To Induct Three To Hall Of Fame

The American Association of Professional Baseball will welcome three new members to the league Hall of Fame on Tuesday, July 14 at a dinner banquet held in conjunction with the 2026 American Association All-Star Game in Lincoln, NE.

The three newest members of the American Association Hall of Fame, as selected by a vote of league clubs, are Lincoln Saltdogs owner Jim Abel, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks manager and former RedHawks and Major League catcher Chris Coste, and longtime American Association standout Nate Samson, who spent eight seasons with the Sioux City Explorers and also played for the Winnipeg Goldeyes, St. Paul Saints, and Lincoln Saltdogs.

“We are proud to induct three of the finest individuals ever to be part of the American Association,” said American Association Commissioner Joshua Schaub. “This class, like the ones before it, reflects the very fabric of our league and has helped shape it into what it is today. Without their vision, leadership, and excellence, we would not be where we are now.”

Abel leads this year’s group of inductees as the original and current owner of the Lincoln Saltdogs. Abel’s vision created a partnership between NEBCO, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the City of Lincoln that led to the development of Haymarket Park and the establishment of the Saltdogs organization beginning with the 2001 season. Abel is the Chairman & CEO of NEBCO, Inc., whose businesses span the state of Nebraska with interests in heavy construction and the manufacture of concrete building products as well as real estate development and recreation.

Coste went from an overlooked Division III baseball player to a Major League talent, lighting the path for many others to follow. The Fargo native hit .323 over four seasons with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, earning post-season all-star honors as a catcher three times and helping to lead the squad to the 1998 league championship. Coste reached Major League Baseball after 12 years in the minors in 2006 and won a World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. As a manager, he led Fargo-Moorhead to the AAPB title and earned Manager of the Year honors in 2022 and guided the RedHawks to the 2023 Baseball Champions League title. He also authored the book “The 33-Year Old Rookie” about his journey to Major League Baseball.

Samson was a stalwart in the American Association for a decade. Second in AAPB history with 815 hits, Samson played 10 seasons with Winnipeg (2013), Sioux City (2014, 2016-19, 2021-22), St. Paul (2020) and Lincoln (2022-23). A three-time postseason all-star at shortstop, he led the league with a .340 average in 2018, while his 141 hits that season were a Sioux City club record. Samson’s 318 RBI over seven seasons with the Explorers are also a Sioux City AAPB career record, while his 329 runs scored, 509 games played, 634 hits and 107 doubles are second in Explorers AAPB history. A durable player, he appeared in 98 or more of his club’s 100 games in four different seasons.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Banquet presented by Sampson Construction and Crete Carrier will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at Lincoln Station Great Hall in Lincoln, NE.