Class A Short Season

Class A Short Season (officially Short-Season A)[1][a] was a level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States[b] from 1965 through 2020.

[2][3] Nine of the 22 active short-season teams were organized into new leagues at the High-A classification level.

[6] In December 1965, the Northwest League announced that it would play an 85-game schedule starting in late June 1966, limiting teams to no more than two veteran players on their 25-man rosters.

The late start of the season was designed to allow college baseball players to complete their college seasons in the spring, be selected in the MLB draft in June, signed, and then be immediately placed in a competitive league.

Second-year pros were often assigned to "extended spring training" in Florida or Arizona during April and May, before reporting to their short-season leagues.