When people talk about the big league, the minor leagues, and the junior leagues, you can come up with a lot of different names for them. It can also be called different names. For example, when I was a kid, the game between the New York Yankees and the Red Sox could be called the World Series or the Fall Classic.

What Does it Mean When Someone Says Bush League?

Someone who is not a professional in their sport often plays that sport in the “bush league” and is not considered “pro”.
If a person is not good enough to play in the professional league they can often be called a “bush league”.

What is the Origin of the Phrase Bush League?

What is the difference between a shortstop and a second baseman? The major difference between a shortstop and a second baseman is the position they play on the field. At shortstop, the second baseman plays behind the shortstop.

Bush is an interesting region to say the least. The phrase can be related to the fact that the area is still largely un-urbanized, unlike rural areas in other countries.

Minor League Baseball in the Early 20th Century

So minor league baseball are subpar when you compare it to Major League Baseball. Since Minor League teams and players did not make as much money as Major League teams, they were amateurs. Since Minor League baseball was desperate to attract fans to the stands, they would hold gimmicky promotions to lure spectators to the seats.

What are Examples of Bush League Baseball?

A: You must not be very good at sport, because you are using this phrase to complain about a play you can’t even remember.

B: You had better be good at sport, otherwise you’ll have to deal with the complaints of a bush league player.

Pitchers / Defense

Hitter / Runner

Recent Bush League Moments

In 2016 the Dodgers were tied 2-2 with the Diamondbacks in the ninth inning when Yasiel Puig attempted a sliding catch in centerfield, while sprinting at full speed, on a line. Unfortunately for Puig, his momentum knocked Braves’ centerfielder Ender Inciarte into the wall, causing Inciarte to sustain multiple injuries. During the postgame press conference, fans and commentators alike called for Puig to be held accountable for his dangerous play.

The runner attempted to steal second base, but was chased down, and was now a bush league player in the league. In retribution, the opposing pitcher threw the ball at the runner, and the runner was either hit or threw at by the hitter.

Conclusion on Bush League Baseball

There is a big difference between a bush league game played in the backyard and an actual game played on a baseball field. The latter can be more dangerous if players and coaches are not aware of the boundaries of a baseball field, in case of injuries. During the first half, coaches in the field were giving instructions to players from the dugout. At one point, they stopped mid-speech and noticed someone playing with a baseball on the field, and immediately walked off.