FARM SYSTEM
OVERVIEW GUIDE

The Farm System: The Journey to Baseball Mastery

Baseball is a technically skilled game — one that demands patience, repetition, focus, and passion. Mastery doesn’t happen overnight; it’s built through hard work, good information, consistent reps, and dedication to developing individual skills that help each player contribute to the team and elevate their baseball IQ.

At The Farm, we believe baseball is more than a sport — it’s a craft. It’s a discipline that mirrors martial arts in its pursuit of precision and self-improvement. Growing up, I studied kung fu and other martial art disciplines, and through that experience, I learned that mastery is achieved over time through effort and commitment.

That’s why we’ve built The Farm System — a structured 12-rank journey inspired by the kung fu belt philosophy, adapted to baseball and The Farm’s own culture. Each step forward is earned, representing growth, skill, and deeper understanding of the game.

Understanding the “Farm System”

The term kung fu (or gong fu) means “a high level of skill achieved through time and hard work.” It’s not limited to martial arts — it’s a mindset that applies to any pursuit of mastery.

Here at The Farm, we’ve turned that philosophy into a clear development pathway. Players advance through 12 Levels, grouped into 4 Divisions — Rookies, Single A, Double AA, and Triple AAA — earning their next custom Farm Hat each time they pass a skills test and demonstrate mastery at their current level.

These hats are more than just rewards — they’re symbols of commitment, work ethic, and pride. Each hat marks a player’s current level in The Farm System and reflects the journey they’ve taken to earn it.

The Hat System

Each level is represented by a custom Farm Hat. Players earn their next hat only after completing the necessary skill assessments and demonstrating readiness for the next challenge.

Each new hat marks more than just a promotion — it’s proof of the player’s hard work, growth, and commitment to the game.

The Meaning Behind the Journey

Every division represents a stage of growth — from learning how to move, to understanding how to think, to mastering how to lead. Just as in kung fu, each step builds upon the last, requiring patience, discipline, and humility.

This is not just a ranking system — it’s a roadmap to becoming the best version of yourself, both as a player and as a person.

At The Farm, we don’t just grow baseball players —

We grow leaders, teammates, and lifelong students of the game.

ROOKIES

(5 - 6 YEARS OLD)

LEVEL 1: WHITE
DOWNTOWN DAIRY COWS

Theme: Starting Strong, Staying Steady

Just like dairy cows are dependable and steady, this stage is all about learning the basics and showing up consistently.
Players focus on activation drills, learning proper warm-up routines, and building good habits like hustle, focus, and respect.
At this level, players set their foundation for mechanics: how to grip, how to stand, how to throw, how to move.
Success is measured by effort, attitude, and being "coachable".

HERO: DAVID ORTIZ (BIG PAPI)

"We cows like to keep things calm and steady in the pasture, but when it's time to make noise, Big Papi was our kind of player. David Ortiz brought joy to the game and power to the plate. Just like us, he was a big presence you couldn't ignore. He carried his team, stayed loyal to his head in Boston, and always had a smile that lit up the stadium. We admire how he stayed grounded in tough moments and came up big when it mattered most. Ortiz reminds us that size, strength, and heart can change the game."

LEVEL 2: GREEN
FARMBOY FARMERS

Theme: Learning to Work the Field

Farmers get up early and put in the daily work - this stage represents commitment and responsibility.
Players begin to connect drills to performance, learning how mechanics produce results (solid contact, cleaner throws, sharper footwork)
Introduction to plate plans and contact awareness: where to hit the ball, how to control at-bats, how to adjust.
Players are expected to take more ownership of their training, asking questions adn being mindful of details.

HERO: CAL RIPKEN JR.

"As farmers, we know the value of showing up every single day. Cal Ripken Jr. was the Iron Man of baseball - 2,632 games in a row! Just like tending to crop and animals, he did the work consistently, with no shortcuts. He wasn't always flashy, but his reliability built something bigger than himself. He turned effort into excellence and became a legend by being steady and dependable. We farmers like Cal because he proved that greatness comes from patience, dedication, and never skipping a day's work."

LEVEL 3: LIGHT BLUE
ROWDY RABBITS

Theme: Quickness, Energy, and Hustle

Rabbits bring speed, agility, and energy - this stage focuses on performing drills at higher tempo.
Players sharpen their reaction time, learning to handle different game situations (different counts, different pitch speeds).
Emphasis on agility and explosiveness: running the bases faster, reacting to ground balls and developing bat speed.
Rowdy Rabbits are expected to compete with intensity while still maintaining farm discipline (attitude, hustle, focus).

HERO: RICKEY HENDERSON

"We rabbits are quick, twitchy, and always ready to run - so we picked Rickey Henderson! He was the fastest, boldest, most daring rabbit to ever play the game. He stole 1,406 bases because no one could catch him, and he had the confidence of a rabbit that owns the whole field. Rickey hopped, darted, and caused chaos everywhere he went. We rowdy rabbits admire him because he made speed into a superpower, and he never stopped moving, just like us. Henderson showed that sometimes the smallest steps turn into the biggest plays."

SINGLE A

(7 - 8 YEARS OLD)

LEVEL 4: ORANGE
PORCH DOGS

Theme: Loyalty, Protection, and Readiness

Porch dogs are loyal protectors - this stage represents teamwork and reliability.
Players demonstrate they can consistently perform fundamentals under pressure in live play.
Emphasis on game awareness, defensive positioning, knowing situations, making smart decisions.
At this stage, players show they are ready to advance - not just playing the game but understanding it.

HERO: PETE ROSE

"Dogs are loyal, scrappy and tough - and that's why we porch dogs picked Pete Rose. They called him 'Charlie Hustle' because he ran to first base on walks and never gave less than everything he had. Like a good porch dog, he was always there for his team, protecting home and fighting for every inch of ground. Rose played the game with grit, dirt on his jersey, and heart bigger than the ballpark. We porch dogs respect him because he wasn't the biggest or the flashiest, but he played harder than anyone. That's loyalty. That's hustle."

LEVEL 5: BROWN
DIRTBAG DONKEYS

Theme: Grit, Work Ethic, Toughness

Donkeys are known for hard work and stubborn resilience. At this stage, players must grind through the work - no shortcuts.
Emphasis on repetition and toughness: longer training reps, pushing through fatigue, staying mentally locked in.
Focus on refining mechanics under pressure, not just when fresh.
Dirtbag Donkeys are about embracing the grind - players learn performance comes from persistence.

HERO: MATT WILLIAMS

"Donkeys are tough wrokers, and Matt Williams was one of the toughest players we've ever seen. He spent 16 years in the big leagues with the Giants, Diamondbacks, and Indians. Every day he brought grit, power, and determination to the field. We like him because he was steady - four-time Gold Glove Winner and five-time All-star - and he always carried his team on his back like a true workhorse. For us donkeys, Matt is family too, because Coach Pryor played with him at UNLV. That makes his toughness and drive even more real. We admire Matt because he showed how hard work can turn into greatness."

LEVEL 6: TURQUOISE
CHAOS CHICKENS

Theme: Controlled Chaos, Adapting Under Pressure

Chickens bring noise, energy, and unpredictability - this stage is about learning to adapt when things don't go perfectly.
Focus on adjustments at the plate (different counts, different pitchers, situational hitting).
On defense, learning to handle chaos (bad hops, game speed, pressure innings).
Chaos Chickens test a player's ability to stay calm in the storm and still perform.

HERO: BABE RUTH

"Chickens can be wild and unpredictable - and nobody was wilder than Babe Ruth! The Bambino was larger than life, hitting home runs that flew farther than anyone thought possible. He played big, he lived big, and he always kept fans guessing what he'd do next. We chaos chickens like him because he made baseball exciting and showed that it's okay to stand out. Sometimes we flap around and cause trouble, and Babe did the same, but when it mattered he delivered like no other. He turned chaos into history."

DOUBLE AA

(9 - 10 YEARS OLD)

LEVEL 7: PURPLE
FLYING PIGS

Theme: Breaking Limits, Doing What Feels Impossible

"When pigs fly" means doing the unexpected, players here begin to separate themselves with special skills.
Emphasis on power, speed, and standout plays - developing gap power, stealing bases, or making highlight-reel defensive stops.
Learning to compete with confidence against stronger opponents.
Flying Pigs are the stage where players realize they can do more than they thought possible.

HERO: SHOHEI OHTANI

"People always said pigs would fly before a ballplayer could dominate as both pitcher and hitter. Well, here we are - Shohei Ohtani proved everyone wrong! That's why we pigs love him. He throws 100 mph and crushes home runs like he's in a video game. He made the impossible possible. We admire him because he works hard, stays humble, and shows that dreams that seem impossible can actually take flight. For us flying pigs, Shohei is proof that anything can happen if you believe and grind."

LEVEL 8: DARK BLUE
GAME DAY GOATS

Theme: The Greatest, Game-Time Performance

The GOAT = "Greatest Of All Time". This level is about delivering when it matters most.
Focus on consistency in competition: producing quality at-bats, Executing situational baseball, and performing under the lights.
Players at this stage demonstrate leadership - lifting teammates, staying vocal, and showing "game day" presence.
Game Day Goats are the standard of the Double-AA Division: trusted performers, ready to lead the herd.

HERO: TOM SEAVER

"We goats love climbing to the top, adn Tom Seaver is the one we look up to. They called him 'The Franchise' because he carried the mets on his back and became one of the greatest pitchers in history. Just like us goats, he was tough, stubborn, and never backed down from a challenge. We like Tom because he worked hard, dominated with consistency, and showed that leadership comes from courage. On game day, he was always ready to climb higher than anyone else."

LEVEL 9: SILVER
THROWBACK THOROUGHBREDS

Theme: Power, Endurance, Tradition

Thoroughbreds are racehorses - fast, strong, and built for the big stage.
At this level, players show endurance and consistency, proving they can sustain success game after game.
Focus on quality innings pitched, reliable at-bats, and minimizing mistakes.
Players begin to track and evaluate benchmarks (ERA, OBP, contact %, strike-to-ball ratios).

HERO: TED WILLIAMS

"As thoroughbreds, we respect grace, speed, and perfection - and Ted Williams was the purest hitter who ever lived. They called him 'The Splendid Splinter', and he dedicated his whole life to mastering the art of hitting. We thoroughbreds admire him because he represented class, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Like a champion racehorse, Ted was built for greatness. He wasn't just playing a game - he was chasing perfection. That's why we call him our thoroughbred hero."

TRIPLE AAA

(11 - 12 YEARS OLD)

LEVEL 10: YELLOW
QUACKERS DUCKS

Theme: Visibility, Noise, and Standing Out

Ducks quack loud - this stage is about getting noticed.
Players must produce results that stand out, such as high on base percentage, multiple quality at-bats, or extra-base hits.
Defensively, they make plays that shift momentum - turning double plays, cutting off extra bases.
Quackers Ducks are the "look at me" stage - stats and impact make noise and get the attention of coaches, recruiters, or scouts.

HERO: WADE BOGGS

"Ducks like to stay steady on the water, and Wade Boggs was the steadiest hitter around. He hit over .300 for 12 straight seasons and made hitting look as smooth as gliding across a pond. We ducks especially like him because he played here in Tampa Bay, finishing his career with the Devil Rays, and even hit his 3,000th hit in Florida. Boggs was consistent, calm, and confident, just like us ducks paddling along. He reminds us that steady effort always adds up to greatness."

LEVEL 11: RED
ROCKSTAR ROOSTERS

Theme: Leadership, Confidence, and Performance Under Pressure

Roosters strut with confidence and announce themselves every morning - this level is about leadership and presence.
Players deliver game-changing results: clutch hits, shutdown innings, stolen bases in critical moments..
They show confidence at the plate and on the mound - commanding respect and showing they can handle big-game situations.
Roosters also begin to lead teammates, setting the tone with their performance.

HERO: YOGI BERRA

"Roosters strut around with personality, and Yogi Berra had more personality than anyone! He was a 10-time World Series Champion, a Hall of Famer, and one of the funniest, most quotable players in baseball history. We roosters like him because he wasn't just a winner - he was a leader who made people laugh and think. Yogi stood tall, puffed his chest, and led his flock with confidence. He showed us that being yourself, even a little silly at times, can still make you a legend."

LEVEL 12: BLACK
BARN CATS

Theme: Mastery, Awareness, and Clutch Play

Barn Cats are survivors - sharp, adaptable, and always ready. This is the elite tier, equal to the black belt in karate.
Players consistently produce results across all areas: high OBP, quality at-bats, low ERA, stolen bases, defensive gems.
They understand the full roadmap of the game, making smart decisions and anticipating plays before they happen.
Barn Cats are the ultimate achievers: mastering fundamentals, producing at a high level, and being recognized as complete players - ready for the next stage of competition (high school, college, or beyond).

HERO: NOLAN RYAN

"Barn Cats are fierce hunters, and nobody hunted hitters like Nolan Ryan. He pitched for 27 years, struck out over 5,700 batters, and threw seven no-hitters. We cats like him because he was fearless, tough, and independent, just like us stalking around the barn. Nolan didn't just pitch - he attacked. he showed that dominance comes from hard work, fierce determination, and never backing down. For barn cats, Nolan Ryan is our king, the ultimate hunter who ruled the game for decades."