International League

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International League

The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball

Minor league baseball

Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in North America that compete at levels below that of Major League Baseball....
league which operates in the eastern United States

United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
. Like the Pacific Coast League

Pacific Coast League

The Pacific Coast League is a minor league baseball league operating in the West, Midwest, and Southeast of the United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball....
, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in American professional baseball. Specifically, Major League Baseball refers to the organization that operates the National League and the American League, by means of a joint organizational structure that has developed gradually between them since 1903 ....
. It was so-named because it had teams in both the United States

United States

Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
(and for several years in the 1950s, in Cuba

Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is a country in the Caribbean. It consists of the island of Cuba , the island of Isla de la Juventud, and several adjacent small islands....
as well.) Its name is currently a misnomer

Misnomer

A misnomer is a term which suggests an interpretation that is known to be untrue. Such incorrect terms sometimes derived their names because of the form, action, or origin of the subject?becoming named popularly or widely referenced?long before their true natures were known....
: since the Ottawa Lynx

Ottawa Lynx

The Ottawa Lynx was a minor league baseball team that formerly competed in the Triple-A International League from 1993 to 2007. The team's home field was Ottawa Baseball Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario....
relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh....
at the end of the 2007 season, the league now has teams only in the United States.

International League was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues: the Eastern League, founded in ; the New York State League, formed in ; and the Ontario League, also organized in 1885.

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Encyclopedia

The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball

Minor league baseball

United States

Pacific Coast League

Major League Baseball

United States

Canada

Cuba

Misnomer

Ottawa Lynx

Allentown, Pennsylvania

History

The International League was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues: the Eastern League, founded in ; the New York State League, formed in ; and the Ontario League, also organized in 1885. The New York State and Ontario leagues merged in to form the International League, and in the Eastern League was absorbed to create a 10-club league.

The league collapsed soon afterwards, when the Northern teams claimed that it was too onerous to travel to the South and formed the International Association. Teams and league names came and went over the years. In , a franchise was awarded to Havana, Cuba, but due to political upheaval in that country it had to be moved — to Jersey City, New Jersey

Jersey City, New Jersey

Jersey City is a City in Hudson County, New Jersey, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the population of Jersey City was 240,055, making it New Jersey's List of municipalities in New Jersey , behind Newark, New Jersey....
— in the middle of the season. Another foray into the Caribbean

Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands , and the surrounding coasts. The region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America....
failed when the newly-created team in San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan is the Capital and largest Municipalities of Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico. As of the United States Census Bureau, it has a population of 433,733, making it the List of United States cities by population city under the jurisdiction of the United States....
, added in , had to be moved to Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston is the Capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the Confluence of the Elk River and Kanawha River Rivers in Kanawha County, West Virginia....
in mid-season.

In , an International League all-star team beat the New York Yankees

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees are a professional baseball based in the Borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of the American League East of Major League Baseball's American League....
in an exhibition game in Rochester, New York

Rochester, New York

Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, New York State, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. The Rochester metropolitan area is the second largest economy in New York State, behind the New York City metropolitan area....
, before 11,000 people. In , the all-stars lost to the Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball based in Cleveland, Ohio, Ohio. They are in the American League Central of Major League Baseball's American League....
in 11 innings before 11,032 fans in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is the Capital , the largest, and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located near the Geographic centers of the United States, Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County, Ohio, although parts of the city also extend into Delaware County, Ohio and Fairfield County, Ohio counties....
, to commemorate the league's 100th anniversary.

The International League and the American Association

American Association (20th century)

The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Minor league baseball#AAA level of baseball in the United States from to and to ....
, another Triple-A league that operated in the Midwest, voted in to play interleague games. The league also split into two divisions that year. The interleague concept ended in , but the two league divisions remained.

In further interleague play, in 1988, the three Triple-A leagues, the other being the Pacific Coast League

Pacific Coast League

Triple-A All-Star Game

The Triple-A All-Star Game is a single baseball game held between the two Minor league baseball#AAA leagues in minor league baseball?the International League and the Pacific Coast League....
. One team was made up of All-Stars from American League

American League

The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada....
affiliates and the other of National League

National League

The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest existent professional team sports league....
affiliates. Beginning in , a team of IL All-Stars faced off against a team of PCL All-Stars.

Also in 1998, with the addition of three new teams from the disbanded American Association and the new Durham Bulls

Durham Bulls

The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team based in Durham, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Minor league baseball#Extant farm system affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays major-league club....
expansion team, the league reorganized into three divisions: the North Division, South Division, and West Division.

At the end of each season, the three divisional leaders and a wild card

Wild card (sports)

The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play....
team square off in best-of-5 playoffs, with the winning team of the finals awarded the Governors' Cup

Governors' Cup

The Governors' Cup is the trophy awarded each year to the champion of the International League, one of the two current Minor league baseball#Farm System level Minor league baseball of Major League Baseball....
, the league's championship trophy.

Since the league champion has met to play the PCL champion in the Bricktown Showdown

Bricktown Showdown

The Bricktown Showdown is a single championship game held annually between the league champions of the International League and Pacific Coast League AAA leagues of minor league baseball to determine an overall champion of class Triple-A baseball....
, a single Triple-A Championship game. Previous class championship series included the Junior World Series

Junior World Series

The Junior World Series was the name given to a postseason series between champions of two of the three high-minor league baseball leagues, modeled on the World Series of Major League Baseball....
and the Triple-A World Series

Triple-A World Series

The Triple-A World Series is an infrequently held contest featuring the champions of each Minor league baseball#Farm System level Minor league baseball of Major League Baseball, with the intent of crowning an overall champion of Triple-A Baseball....
.

Current teams

Division	Team	MLB Affiliation	City	Stadium	Capacity
North	Buffalo Bisons Buffalo Bisons \|name = Buffalo Bisons\|founded = 1979\|city = Buffalo, New York\|misc =\|logo = BuffaloBisons.PNG...	New York Mets New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball based in Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the National League East of Major League Baseball's National League....	Buffalo Buffalo, New York Buffalo , is the second largest city in the state of New York. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River, Buffalo is the principal city of the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area and the county seat of Erie County, New York.... , New York New York The State of New York is a U.S. state in the Mid-Atlantic States and Northeastern United States regions of the United States and is the nation's List of U.S....	Coca-Cola Field	19,500
	Lehigh Valley IronPigs Lehigh Valley IronPigs The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team, serving as the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball....	Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and are the reigning 2008 World Series champions....	Allentown Allentown, Pennsylvania Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.... , Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , often colloquially referred to as PA by natives and Northeasterners, is a U.S. state located in the Northeastern United States and Mid-Atlantic States regions of the United States....	Coca-Cola Park	10,000
	Pawtucket Red Sox Pawtucket Red Sox The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball List of minor league baseball leagues and teams affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League....	Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in . The Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball?s American League East. Since , the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park....	Pawtucket Pawtucket, Rhode Island Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 72,958 at the United States Census, 2000.... , Rhode Island Rhode Island Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a U.S. state in the New England region of the United States....	McCoy Stadium McCoy Stadium McCoy Stadium is a Minor League baseball stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. It is currently home to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League....	10,031
	Rochester Red Wings Rochester Red Wings The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York, New York. The oldest and longest running minor league franchise in the history of professional sports, the team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club....	Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The Twins are a member of the American League Central of Major League Baseball's American League....	Rochester Rochester, New York Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, New York State, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. The Rochester metropolitan area is the second largest economy in New York State, behind the New York City metropolitan area.... , New York New York The State of New York is a U.S. state in the Mid-Atlantic States and Northeastern United States regions of the United States and is the nation's List of U.S....	Frontier Field Frontier Field Frontier Field is a baseball stadium located at One Morrie Silver Way in downtown Rochester, New York. The park opened in 1996, replacing the aging Silver Stadium in northern Rochester, which had been home to professional baseball in Rochester since 1929....	10,868
	Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees	New York Yankees New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball based in the Borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of the American League East of Major League Baseball's American League....	Moosic Moosic, Pennsylvania Moosic is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania six miles south of Scranton, PA and 13 miles northeast of Wilkes-Barre, PA on the Lackawanna River.... , Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , often colloquially referred to as PA by natives and Northeasterners, is a U.S. state located in the Northeastern United States and Mid-Atlantic States regions of the United States....	PNC Field	10,310
	Syracuse Chiefs	Washington Nationals Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball based in Washington, D.C., United States. The Nationals are a member of the National League East of Major League Baseball's National League....	Syracuse Syracuse, New York Syracuse is the fifth largest city in New York State, United States. According to the United States Census 2000, the city population was 147,306, and its Syracuse metropolitan area had a population of 732,117.... , New York New York The State of New York is a U.S. state in the Mid-Atlantic States and Northeastern United States regions of the United States and is the nation's List of U.S....	Alliance Bank Stadium Alliance Bank Stadium Alliance Bank Stadium is an 11,117-seat minor league baseball stadium in Syracuse, New York. The stadium opened on April 10, 1997, and is home to the Syracuse Chiefs, the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals....	11,117
South	Charlotte Knights Charlotte Knights The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League....	Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are a Major North American professional sports teams baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox presently play in the American League's American League Central in Major League Baseball....	Fort Mill Fort Mill, South Carolina Fort Mill is a town in York County, South Carolina county in the U.S. state of South Carolina, and a suburb of the city of Charlotte, North Carolina.... , South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina is a U.S. state in the Southern United States of the United States. It borders Georgia to the south and North Carolina to the north....	Knights Stadium Knights Stadium Knights Stadium is the home of the International League's Charlotte Knights, the Minor league baseball#Extant farm system affiliate of the Chicago White Sox....	10,002
	Durham Bulls Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team based in Durham, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Minor league baseball#Extant farm system affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays major-league club....	Tampa Bay Rays Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball franchise based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Florida, and the reigning 2008 American League Championship Series....	Durham Durham, North Carolina Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County, North Carolina and also extends into Wake County, North Carolina county.... , North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north....	Durham Bulls Athletic Park Durham Bulls Athletic Park Durham Bulls Athletic Park, frequently called the DBAP , is a baseball park in Durham, North Carolina that is home to the Durham Bulls, the Minor league baseball#Levels of Talent affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball....	10,000
	Gwinnett Braves Gwinnett Braves The Gwinnett Braves will be the new Triple-A minor league baseball team of the Atlanta Braves as a part of the International League in 2009. On January 14, 2008, it was announced that the Richmond Braves will move from Richmond, Virginia, to Gwinnett County, Georgia beginning in 2009....	Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the National League East of Major League Baseball's National League....	Lawrenceville Lawrenceville, Georgia Lawrenceville is a city in and the county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, Georgia , in the United States. The 2000 census recorded the city's population as 22,397.... , Georgia Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia is a U.S. state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against United Kingdom rule in the American Revolution....	Gwinnett County Ballpark Gwinnett County Ballpark Gwinnett County Ballpark is a new stadium in Lawrenceville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta in Gwinnett County, that is currently in the construction stages....	10,099
	Norfolk Tides Norfolk Tides The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets....	Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball based in Baltimore. They are a member of the American League East of Major League Baseball's American League....	Norfolk Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk is an independent city in the Virginia in the United States. With a population of 234,403 as of the United States Census 2000, it is Virginia's second-largest incorporated city.... , Virginia Virginia The Commonwealth of Virginia is an United States U.S. state on the East Coast of the United States of the Southern United States. The state is known as the "Old Dominion" and sometimes as "Mother of Presidents", because it is the birthplace of Lists of United States Presidents by place of birth#By state....	Harbor Park Harbor Park Harbor Park is a stadium along the Elizabeth River , in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, USA. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Norfolk Tides minor league baseball team....	12,067
West	Columbus Clippers Columbus Clippers The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians....	Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball based in Cleveland, Ohio, Ohio. They are in the American League Central of Major League Baseball's American League....	Columbus Columbus, Ohio Columbus is the Capital , the largest, and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located near the Geographic centers of the United States, Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County, Ohio, although parts of the city also extend into Delaware County, Ohio and Fairfield County, Ohio counties.... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern United States U.S. state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region , Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads in North America....	Huntington Park Huntington Park (Columbus, Ohio) Huntington Park will be the new stadium for the Columbus Clippers, a Minor league baseball#AAA minor league baseball team in the International League currently affiliated with the Cleveland Indians....	10,000
	Indianapolis Indians Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club....	Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania. They play in the National League Central of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions and played in the first one....	Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis is the Capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. The United States Census estimated the city's population, Indianapolis , Indiana the Unigov, at 795,458 in 2006.... , Indiana Indiana The State of Indiana was the 19th U.S. state admitted into the union. It is located in the Midwestern United States of the United States of America....	Victory Field Victory Field Victory Field is the name of the current minor league baseball stadium that is the home of the Indianapolis Indians of the International League....	15,500
	Louisville Bats Louisville Bats The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League....	Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. They are members of the National League Central of the National League....	Louisville Louisville, Kentucky Louisville is Kentucky's largest city and county seat of Jefferson County, Kentucky. The city's estimated population as of 2006 is listed as 557,789, with a population of 1,233,733 in the Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.... , Kentucky Kentucky The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a U.S. state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is normally included in the group of Southern United States , but it is uncommonly included, geographically and culturally, in the Midwestern United States....	Louisville Slugger Field Louisville Slugger Field Louisville Slugger Field is a baseball stadium in Louisville, Kentucky and is home to the Louisville Bats, the AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds....	13,131
	Toledo Mud Hens Toledo Mud Hens The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are associated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo....	Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit, Michigan in ....	Toledo Toledo, Ohio Toledo is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Lucas County, Ohio. Named after Toledo, Spain, it is located on the western end of Lake Erie, on the Michigan border.... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern United States U.S. state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region , Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads in North America....	Fifth Third Field Fifth Third Field (Toledo) Fifth Third Field is the name of a minor league baseball stadium in Toledo, Ohio. The Ohio-based Fifth Third Bank purchased the naming rights to the stadium....	10,300

Current team rosters

Final 2008 season standings

North Division

North Division	W	L	Pct.	GB
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees	88	56	.611	—
w-Pawtucket Red Sox Pawtucket Red Sox The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball List of minor league baseball leagues and teams affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League....	85	58	.594	2½
Rochester Red Wings Rochester Red Wings The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York, New York. The oldest and longest running minor league franchise in the history of professional sports, the team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club....	74	70	.514	14
Syracuse Chiefs	69	73	.486	18
Buffalo Bisons Buffalo Bisons \|name = Buffalo Bisons\|founded = 1979\|city = Buffalo, New York\|misc =\|logo = BuffaloBisons.PNG...	66	77	.462	21½
Lehigh Valley IronPigs Lehigh Valley IronPigs The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team, serving as the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball....	55	89	.382	33

w-wild card winner

South Division

South Division	W	L	Pct.	GB
Durham Bulls Durham Bulls The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team based in Durham, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Minor league baseball#Extant farm system affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays major-league club....	74	70	.514	—
Norfolk Tides Norfolk Tides The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets....	64	78	.451	9
Charlotte Knights Charlotte Knights The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League....	63	78	.447	9½
Richmond Braves Richmond Braves The Richmond Braves were the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Atlanta Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Atlanta Crackers, had been playing...	63	78	.447	9½

West Division

West Division	W	L	Pct.	GB
Louisville Bats Louisville Bats The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League....	88	56	.611	—
Toledo Mud Hens Toledo Mud Hens The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are associated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo....	75	69	.521	13
Columbus Clippers Columbus Clippers The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians....	69	73	.486	18
Indianapolis Indians Indianapolis Indians The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club....	68	76	.472	20

International League

History

Current teams

Current team rosters

Final 2008 season standings

North Division

South Division

West Division

Playoffs

2008

See also

External links