 Riding the wave of increased popularity in minor league baseball of any level, the independent All-American Association opened play in June 2001 with teams in six cities.With the city's population count reaching 200,000, Montgomery was a logical choice for a franchise, and the city heartily welcomed the return of professional baseball to Alabama's capital city.In 2001, the Wings were part of the All-American Association; when the league folded, the Southeastern League of Professional Baseball picked them up for the 2002 season.