American Baseball Association

## History

### Founding Era (2000-2004)

In 2000, in an attempt to expand the game of baseball in the entire world, the World Baseball Association created their first ever league, the ABA. Six teams were created for the first ever ABA season. Teams drafted their initial roster in the 2000 Inaugural Draft. The Boston Bandits were declared the first ever ABA Champion after sweeping the Miami Sunbirds in seven games in the 2000 ABA Championship Series. The Bandits were the dominating team early on, also winning the ABA Championship in 2001, once again against the Sunbirds, while posting a league-record 43-17 record at the time. Miami finally got their revenge in 2002, beating the Bandits in seven, winning their first ABA Championship. The ABA finally saw another team in the finals in 2003, with the New York Bombers reaching the finals, but in a losing effort to the Boston Bandits, in 7 games.

Given the initial financial success of the league and in an effort to shake things up a little, the ABA announced two new franchises, the Detroit Titans and the Washington Senators. Both expansion franchises stumbled out of the gate and with some key retirements in Boston, the ABA scene was shaken up. The Dallas Rangers ended winning the ABA Championship in their first ever playoff apperances.

### Pitching Dominance (2005-2014)

Things took a different turn in 2005, in the league ERA and batting averages significantly dipped and home run numbers were down all accross the board. The emphasis on pitching and defense helped different teams to reach the top of the league. The Miami Sunbirds won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006, but new champions emerged in the following years. The Bombers won in 2007 and the Cyclones went back-to-back in 2008 and 2009. Financial numbers were once again good, so the league decided to expand once again.

The Atlanta Storm and Pittsburgh Steel joined the league and 2010 and failed to make an impression, finishing last in their respective division. The Bombers ended up winning their second championship in 4 year. The Detroit Titans then became the first expansion team to win an ABA Championship in 2011 in their first ever playoff appearance. After a lengthy rebuild, the Boston Bandits finally adjusted to the new team building philosophy and won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Then, to complete the circle, the Philadelphia Freedom became the final original six team to win an ABA Championship in 2014.

### The Growing Era (2015-)

With the addition of two new teams, the Charlotte Racers and the Cincinnati Flyers, ABA management decided it was time to add a couple of games to the schedule, going from the original 60 to 72. The new schedule didn't bother the Boston dynasty, who won their sixth championship ring in 2016. The oldest team yet to win a title, the Atlanta Storm, won their first title in 2017, while the Dallas Rangers broke the longest championship drought by winning back-to-back title in 2018 and 2019.

## Hall of Fame

For more information, see ABA Hall of Fame.

## Accomplishments

### Triple Crown

F*or more information, see ABA Triple Crown.*

The ABA Triple Crown is given to a player who lead the league in batting average, home runs and runners batted in over the same season. It can also be given to a pitcher who lead the league in wins, strikeouts and ERA.