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Major and Minor League Baseball Education Program

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Educating and empowering athletes

This Baseball Education Program will offer a concise and comprehensive review of the main structures, concepts, rules, and policies related to professional baseball, including Major League Baseball (MLB), Minor League Baseball (MiLB), and other professional leagues worldwide. The program will study and analyze subjects including:

  • Major League Baseball and the Commissioners of MLB; the
  • Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) and its Executive Directors 
  • Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) between MLB/MiLB and the MLBPA
  • Working agreements between MLB and other professional baseball leagues

Para ver esta información en español, haga clic aquí.

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Program details

The educational provided by the Baseball Education Program is critical for active and retired baseball players, as well as all those who aspire to work for MLB teams, baseball unions/associations, talent agencies, media, and companies interested in the international baseball market. This program could be the first step into the academic world for students with no formal or limited education. Courses will be taught in Spanish, but could be offered in English depending on the demand.  Applications open on May 31 and close on August 23, 2024.

What players will learn

Players will learn about U.S. laws and gain a clear picture on the process of signing with a club to further their opportunities in Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball.

Topics

The comprehensive education in the program will give players everything they need to succeed in their careers in baseball and beyond. Each of the eight weeks will focus on a different topic related to sports and the law.

A handful of courses covered:

  • MLB and the Commissioners of MLB: A review of how MLB was created and the evolution of the figure of the Commissioner of Baseball, from Kennesaw Mountain Landis to Rob Manfred.
  • Collective Bargaining: A brief explanation of what Collective Bargaining is and the evolution of the Collective Bargaining Agreements between MLB and the MLBPA and between MiLB and the MLBPA.
  • Free Agency: Free Agency is an employment concept recently incorporated into the CBA that changed how the whole industry operates. This section will review the history of free agency, from the Curt Flood case until the recent creation of rules like Revenue Sharing and the Competitive Balance Tax.
  • New technologies and advanced statistics: A brief explanation of how new technologies and advanced statistics have changed the world of baseball.
  • The Signing of International Baseball Players: The process of signing foreign-born amateur and professional baseball players by MLB teams is regulated by the MLB Rules, the CBA, and working agreements between MLB and other professional baseball leagues. In this section, we will explore: The requirements outlined in the MLB Rules, CBA and working agreements as related to the signing of foreign-born amateur and professional players by MLB teams; the process of ‘buying players’, i.e. buyouts, from other professional baseball leagues; and the international draft.

Eligibility

This Baseball Education Program is designed for Major and Minor League players with no formal or limited education background. The program is also beneficial for individuals who work – or aspire to work – for MLB teams, baseball unions, talent representatives, or anyone with an interest in the international baseball market. Players who have Continuing Education Program funds are eligible to use them for this program. You can check your eligibility here. The program will be taught in Spanish.

Featured speakers

Participants will learn from a selection of distinguished speakers, including:

  • Lou Melendez, Consultant to the MLBPA
  • Arturo Marcano, Lawyer and Author on Professional Baseball
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Application process and deadline

The Major and Minor League Baseball Executive Education will run from September 2 – October 25, 2024.

Applications open May 31 and are due by August 23, 2024.

To apply, submit:

  • Application
  • Personal statement explaining how this program will support their career path

Frequently asked questions about the Major and Minor League Baseball Education Program

The cost of the program is $8,000. Major or Minor League players who have Continuing Education Program funds are eligible to use them for this program. You can check your eligibility here or contact your union representative for details. 

This program will be taught in Spanish but could be made available in English depending on the demand. To view this information in Spanish, click here. 

Participants will receive a printed certificate, signed by ASU’s College of Law’s dean as proof of completion.

The Major and Minor League Baseball Education will run from September 2 – October 25, 2024.

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