The Doubleday Code
So Dark the Con of MLB

Luke Hochevar's No. 1 pick in the June MLB Draft 2006 exposes an old, dark secret of Major League Baseball. If the independent pro leagues outside the MLB system can be home to the draft's top pick for a season and a half, who is a pro, and who is an amateur? Will there be more? [Article]

The Dead Brain Era

For future historians seeking a name for this whacked-out period in baseball history, MLN's senior editor Brian Ross has come up with the perfect moniker: The Dead Brain Era. [Blog]

MLB Draft 2006

Kansas City has the first pick. From there, it's 50 rounds of fun. Once the big pubs have left behind the first few rounds, MLN and our draft analysts dig down into the lower depths of the draft to show you the interesting picks for this year and years to come that may spark as tomorrow's MLB superstars. [Article]

Line Call
As the minor league umpire strike continues, Major League umpires make a stop on the minor league picket lines to show their support. [Article]

Over Friggin' Nickels

In a world of $3.00 gas and $10.00 burgers, can minor league umpires live on $25.00 a day? While the Minors burn, with stats dropping and fights causing teams to be pulled from the field, Minor League Baseball and the umpires union try to make a line call on what's a living wage.
[Article]

Some Strange Umpiring

If the replacement umpires in the Triple-A are the best that Minor League Baseball has to offer, fans in the Class A leagues should be truly worried. Dan Hickling, the Guerrilla Stringer, calls 'em like he sees them. [Blog]

MLN Top Ten Minor League Ballparks

Where are the best places to watch a baseball game? MLN takes you to 10 great places to watch a ballgame, along with places to stay, and eat while in town. Pack your bags! [Article]

The Green Cap

What screws up Major League Baseball most? It's not steroids. It's not the "dilution of talent" because major league baseball has more teams. It's the officially licensed product of moneyball... Sr. Editor Brian Ross examines how the Green Cap keeps mediocre players in the majors, and traps talented newcomers in the minors.

[Blog]

MLN Spring Training Report 2006

As Spring Training draws to a close, MLN begins a series of reports from around baseball on the players to watch both on the fast track to the majors, and the developing talent on their way to new home towns in the minors. [Feature]

When the Message Owns the Media

Leagues and teams that cover themselves are often covering themselves in ways that protect them from an independent media. Is it money, spin control, or something more? [Blog]

Open Source Baseball Directory
MLN introduces the first Open Source directory of players in all sports. Teams have a bit. Minor League Baseball tracks them... in minor league baseball. MLN follows them major to minor, independent to affiliated. What's "Open Source?" You can contribute your stories, magic moments, and more. Check out the first players to roll out! [Section]