For many years, sports commentators and others have referred to an event as being "bush league" in nature. But exactly what is a bush league, and where did the term originate? Here are some interesting facts about the concept of the bush league and its use over the last several decades.

In its broadest sense, the phrase “bush league” has come to mean an action, event, or individual as being amateurish in nature, rather than being of professional quality. The original application of the name of bush league was firmly rooted in the great American pastime of baseball. Early in the development of baseball as a national sport, a number of smaller leagues began to spring up in rural communities. These smaller leagues were never meant to compete with the major leagues, but were envisioned as a way of creating minor league baseball teams. Minor league teams filled a void for that people lived far away from large cities. While it might be impossible to attend a baseball game between two major league teams, a person could enjoy a lively game between two local teams.

Local minor league parks simply did not rival the expanse and majesty of the major league fields. In fact, minor-league fields with bushes all around the perimeter were often the rule of thumb. This led to minor league associations being referred to as bush leagues. The concept also played on the fact that the players who made up the teams were usually employed in various lines of work and played baseball on the side. Because the teams were composed of players who did not embrace baseball as their profession, the quality of the play was often perceived as being inferior in some manner. This sense of inferiority came to be closely identified with the concept of being bush league in nature, and to this day is used to refer to something that is not quite professional in quality.

There are variations on the bush league theme, such as the use of the phrase “Busch League” to refer to the NASCAR Busch Series events, which are seen to be somewhat amateur in their nature as well. Interestingly enough, minor league baseball has gained a great deal of popularity in recent years, with the result that many major league teams mentor or sponsor a minor league team. The relationship often gives the major league team the chance to develop talented players for addition to the major league later on. In addition, many cities prepare impressive stadiums for the use of their minor league teams. The use of the term “bush league” to refer to minor league sports has been in decline for a number of years, which has meant that many young people today are completely unaware of the connection of the phrase to baseball.