Now in its 27th season, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its 10 family-friendly ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina.
The Atlantic League is the highest level of professional baseball other than the Major Leagues. Atlantic League players are all highly experienced professionals, having progressed through the developmental levels (A, AA, AAA). Over 40% of Atlantic League players have Major League service time. Like MLB, Atlantic League clubs pay their players to win baseball games, not to apprentice as in the game’s developmental levels.
Baseball operations of the Atlantic League were developed by veteran Baseball Executives including Joe Klein (former GM of the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians), Bud Harrelson (NY Mets player and manager), Sparky Lyle (NY Yankees), Rick Cerone (Boston Red Sox, NY Yankees), and Brooks Robinson (Hall of Famer and 16 time Gold Glove winner), among others.
Today, the Atlantic League is under the direction of President Rick White and during his tenure, the ALPB has been baseball’s innovation leader. Many of the current professional baseball rules were tested in the Atlantic League including the infield shift, Automated Ball-Strike System, enlarged bases, and extra inning rules. In addition, the ALPB became the first modern era league to manufacture its own baseball, Drake. In use since 2022, Drake baseballs have taken another step forward in 2025 with the addition of a QR code that allows clubs to connect directly with their fans.