| any association of professional sports teams other than the major leagues, esp. when the member teams are associated with or controlled by major-league teams, which use them as training and proving teams for promising players. |
[mahy-ner-leeg] 
| 1. | of or pertaining to a minor league. |
| 2. | of little import or consequence: a painter with a minor-league talent. |
| minor league n. A league of professional sports clubs that are not in the major leagues but are usually owned by or affiliated with major-league teams. |