The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee region. The league's season starts in June, after major league teams have signed players that they selected in the annual amateur draft, and ends in September. Earlier incarnations of the league operated, more centrally around Tennessee, from 1911 to 1914 and 1921 to 1925 at the Class D level.