Major League Baseball created the Arizona Fall League in 1992 to serve as a "graduate school for coveted prospects." It has certainly worked out that way when you consider the following:

• Over 1000 former Arizona Fall League players have reached the majors
• Nearly 40% of the players on the 2003 Major League opening day rosters were Arizona Fall League graduates
• Arizona Fall League alumni have won Rookie of the Year honors in 9 of the past 10 seasons
• 22 Arizona Fall League alumni were selected to play in the 2003 Major League All Star Game

The 2003 USA Baseball Olympic Qualifying Team played 12 exhibition games in preparation for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games Baseball Qualifying Event that was held November 1 to 11 in Panama City, Panama.Unfortunately the USA team did not qualify.