The Arizona Fall League has wrapped for the year, but the spirit of the season still lingers across the Valley’s quiet diamonds. Each fall, young players from all 30 Major League affiliates gather on local fields to chase the next level of their dream.
Tickets are $14, the pace is easy, and the atmosphere is pure Arizona. It’s the only minor or winter league in the country that combines players from all 30 Major League organizations; each team playing within 30 miles of the others. There are no major headlines; only repetition, correction, and the belief that persistence will pay off.
The league’s legacy stretches far beyond the minor leagues. Even Michael Jordan once played for the Scottsdale Scorpions while briefly pursuing baseball... a reminder that greatness in any form begins with humility and hard work. That same drive runs through every player who steps onto an Arizona Fall League field.
Jack Hurley, a 22-year-old outfielder in the Diamondbacks organization, saw the Fall League as both a challenge and a reminder of why he started.
“I still have a lot of work to do to get to the next level. That is the whole process of the minor leagues. I put my trust into the Diamondbacks and their developers and just try to become a better baseball player every day.”
Raised in State College, Pennsylvania, Jack learned early from his father, who played at Penn State, what it means to work for something bigger than yourself.
“My dad and my mom shaped me into who I am. All the credit to them.”
After his years at Virginia Tech, Jack carried that same mindset into professional baseball.
“Whoever wanted to take me, I was going to be full of gratitude. I'm just glad I am with the Diamondbacks.”
His fall was focused on staying healthy, fine-tuning his swing, and soaking up every bit of knowledge from the players ahead of him. Practicing at Salt River Fields gave him the chance to learn from big-leaguers up close.
“I got to pick Corbin Carroll’s brain. We talked about approach and scouting. That stuff sticks with you.”
As the year winds down, Jack is already setting his sights on what is next.
“There were a lot of ups and downs. I want to focus on the ups and learn from the downs. Swinging at the right pitches, getting the ball in the air, and having fun competing. I am optimistic heading into next year.”
Kyle Amendt, a right-handed pitcher in the same organization, understands that mindset. His journey included junior college in Iowa, a transfer to Dallas Baptist University, and a torn UCL that forced him to sit out an entire year. That experience reshaped his view of success.
“I missed three months this year with a shoulder injury, so proving that I can stay ready means everything.”
His pregame ritual is quiet and simple.
“Before a game, I get in the hot tub, make a ham and cheese sandwich, listen to worship music, and read my Bible. Then it's game time.”
He still remembers the feeling of closing out a one-run championship game in college.
“I struck the last guy out on a fastball up in the zone. Everyone ran out of the dugout. It was awesome.”
The moment is a reminder of why he keeps going.
“It's all the little decisions that build into the big ones. This is a game that not a lot of people get to play, so every day you just stay thankful.”
The Arizona Fall League remains a mirror for baseball’s truth; no shortcuts, only moments to prove yourself.
For Jack and Kyle, the Fall League was more than development. It was a lesson in patience and perspective; a reminder that progress is built through habits, not hype. As the new year begins, the message endures: stay consistent, stay healthy, and keep going. The fields may be quiet now, but spring training will soon return to the Valley, and the dream keeps moving closer to reality.
mlb.com/arizona-fall-league