Four Northern League teams to join Saints' league in 2011

The St. Paul Saints are about to get some new company.

A source confirmed Tuesday that Winnipeg, Gary, Kansas City and Fargo-Moorhead of the Northern League will join the American Association for the 2011 baseball season. The American Association league meetings are taking place in Texas and wrap up Wednesday, when an official announcement is expected.

It will be up to the remaining four Northern League teams what course to take now. The Saints were a part of that league from their most recent inception in 1993 through 2005.

The addition of the new teams makes the American Association a 14-team independent league. There will be three divisions:

Fargo-Moorhead, Winnipeg, Sioux Falls and St. Paul in the North Division.

Gary, Kansas City, Lincoln, Sioux City and Wichita in the Central Division.

El Paso, Fort Worth, Pensacola, Shreveport and Grand Prairie in the South Division.

Northern League teams had to carry a minimum of four rookies. American Association rules have a requirement of five rookie players.

It is expected the American Association salary cap will grow from $100,000 to $115,000.

BRIAN STENSAAS

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To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas -- community, classroom, character and competition.

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