Connecticut League Explained

The Connecticut League, also known as the Connecticut State League, was a professional baseball association of teams in the state of Connecticut. The league began as offshoot of the original Connecticut State League, which dates back as far as 1884. In 1891, the Connecticut State League included the Ansonia Cuban Giants, a team made up of entirely African-American ballplayers, including future Hall of Famers Frank Grant and Sol White. In 1902, it was a Class D league with teams in eight cities. In 1905, the league became Class B, which lasted until 1913, when the league became the Eastern Association due to several teams outside of the state entering the league. Also a Class B league, it survived two more seasons, then folded after the 1914 season.

Connecticut League teams

Cities represented

Ansonia Cuban Giants 1888, 1891; Ansonia Welcomes 1896

Bridgeport Giants 1888; Bridgeport Victors 1895-96; Bridgeport Misfits 1897; Bridgeport Orators 1898-1912

Bristol 1891; Bristol Braves 1897; Bristol Bellmakers 1899-1900; Bristol Woodchoppers 1901

Danbury 1888; Danbury Hatters 1898

Derby Angels 1896-1898, 1900-1901; Derby Lushers 1899

Hartford 1884; Hartford Babies 1885; Hartford Bluebirds 1895; Hartford Senators 1902-1912

Holyoke Paperweights 1903-1906; Holyoke Papermakers 1907-1912

Meriden 1884 1888, 1891, 1908; Meriden Maroons 1885; Meriden Silvermen 1895; Meriden Bulldogs 1897-1898; Meriden Silverites 1899-1905

New Britain 1884-1885, 1891; New Britain Rangers 1898; New Britain Perfectos 1908-1912

New Haven Edgewoods 1896; New Haven Students 1898; New Haven Blues 1899-1908; New Haven Black Crows 1909; New Haven Prairie Hens 1910; New Haven Murlins 1911-1912

New London Whalers 1898-1907

Northampton Meadowlarks 1909-1911

Norwalk 1888

Norwich 1891; Norwich Jackroses 1899; Norwich Witches 1900; Norwich Champs 1901; Norwich Reds 1902-1903, 1905-1907; Norwich Indians 1904

Portland 1891

Rockville 1884

Southington 1891

Springfield Ponies 1902-1912

Stamford 1888

Torrington Tornados 1896; Torrington Demons 1897

Waterbury 1884, 1885, 1888, 1891; Waterbury Brassmen 1895; Waterbury Indians 1897; Waterbury Pirates 1898 Waterbury Rough Riders 1899-1902; Waterbury Authors 1906-1908; Waterbury Invincibles 1909; Waterbury Finnegans 1910; Waterbury Champs 1911; Waterbury Spuds 1912

West Haven 1891

Willimantic 1884

Winsted Blues 1896

Worcester Reds 1904[2]

Yearly standings

No Classification 1884 to 1891

1884 Connecticut State League

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterbury3413.723-S.F. Williams / Pheron Minor
Meriden2522.5329.0Albert Boardman / George Lynn
Rockville2225.46812.0J. Kelly /
Middleton / Talcott
Hartford2027.42614.0Charles Soby
New Britain1730.36217.0Winchester /
P.J. Markley / John A. Flynn
Willimantic 1718.486NABill Thomas
Willimantic expelled September 3.
The league played two games each week: Wednesdays and Saturdays

1885 Connecticut State League
(Continuation of the Southern New England League)

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden Maroons82.800-Bill Thomas
Waterbury32.6002.5Jack (DA) Jones
Hartford Babies36.3334.5Jack Remsen
New Britain 26.2507.0William Siering
New Britain disbanded September 8

1888 Connecticut State League
President: J. Howard Taylor

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden93.750-NA
Waterbury107.5881.5Thomas Guest
Norwalk97.5632.0NA
99.5003.0Bullen
Ansonia Cuban Giants47.3644.5Cos Govern
Danbury 413.2357.5L.F. Abbott
Bridgeport transferred to Stamford in May, then disbanded June 27.
Danbury disbanded June 5.
The league disbanded July 25.

1891 Connecticut State League
President: A.W. Lang

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden104.7142.5Thomas Reilly
Waterbury209.690-Harry Durant /
Tom Hayes / W.R. Mattison
New Britain1411.5608.0Frank Cox
Hartford 1211.5225.0M.E. Fitzgerald
Ansonia Cuban Giants810.4446.5John Brigh
Bristol-Plainville1215.4447.0E.F. Belden
Norwich1013.4357.0H.F. Reddy
Southington57.4176.5James Prior
Portland 310.2319.0Charles Edwards
West Haven18.1119.0E.P. Thomas
Hartford disbanded June 10; Portland disbanded June 10.

Class B 1894 to 1896

1894 Connecticut State League
Standings unknown

1895 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bridgeport Victors83.727-Jim O'Rourke
Meriden Silvermen43.5712.0Miller / Reilly
Hartford Bluebirds44.5002.5John Henry / A.F. Moran
Waterbury Brassmen06.0005.5Durant

1896 Connecticut State League
President: D.W. Porter (aka Naugatuck Valley State League)

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bridgeport Victors2515.625-Jim O'Rourke
Torrington Tornados2416.6001.0T.M. Burn /Candy Cummings
Derby Angels2218.5503.0William Callahan / Joseph Veitch
New Haven Edgewoods2218.5503.0T.R. Greist
Winsted Blues1525.37510.0Eugene McCarthy
W.A. Parsons / James Eaton
Ansonia Welcomes1228.30013.0Thomas Houlihan

Class F 1897 to 1907

1897 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden Bulldogs5224.684-Jack Chapman
Derby Angels4031.5637.5
Bridgeport Misfits3337.47114.0Jim O'Rourke
Torrington Demons3139.44316.0Ralph Bottenus / Dennis Houle
Waterbury Indians3443.44216.5John Fruin
E.O. Herendeen / Roger Connor
Bristol Braves2946.37320.5O.F. Strunz / Pete Hall

1898 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterbury Pirates5538.591-Roger Connor
New Haven Students5640.5830.5Chippy McGarr / Thomas Reilly
M.B. Yaw / Mike Hickey / Conrad Miller
Danbury Hatters5143.5434.5Jack Rose
Bridgeport Orators5145.5315.5Tom Ivers / Jim O'Rourke
Meriden Bulldogs4648.4899.5
New London Whalers4152.44114.0Benjamin Kinney / John Puhl
2333.411NA
1438.269NAClaude Gilbert
New Britain disbanded June 23.
Derby disbanded June 25.

1899 Connecticut State League - schedule
President: Tim Murnane

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
New Haven Blues5538.591-Thomas Reilly
Waterbury Rough Riders5343.5523.5Roger Connor
5143.5424.5Billy Lush / Larry Battam
Bristol Bellmakers4845.5167.0John Gunshannon
4648.4899.5A.R. Penny / George Courtney
New London Whalers4552.46412.0George Bindloss
Bridgeport Orators4355.43814.5Jim O'Rourke
Norwich Jackroses4158.41417.0Jack Rose / Jack Chapman
No Playoffs. 1900 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norwich Witches6433.660-
New Haven Blues5839.5986.0
5741.5827.5Jim O'Rourke
Bristol Bellmakers4847.50515.0James Cooney
4748.49516.0A.R. Penny
Conrad Miller / Thomas Reilly
Waterbury Rough Riders4353.44820.5Roger Connor
Derby Angels3660.37527.5
New London Whalers3264.33331.5Willis Jones / Tom Hernon
No Playoffs.
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bristol Woodchoppers6341.606-
Bridgeport Orators6143.5872.0Jim O'Rourke
6246.5743.0Jack Tighe
Meriden Silverites5648.5387.0W.R. Reilly
5654.50910.0
Waterbury Rough Riders4760.43917.5Roger Connor
New London Whalers4563.41720.0Tom Hernon / John Shea
Derby Angels3772.33028.5
No Playoffs.

Class D 1902 to 1904

1902 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke / Sturgis Whitlock

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
New Haven Blues7039.642-Jim Canavan
Springfield Ponies6545.5915.5Roger Connor
5754.51414.0John Shea
Hartford Senators5755.50914.5
5359.47318.5Jim O'Rourke
Norwich Reds5158.46919.0Harry Davenport
Meriden Silverites5158.46919.0Conrad Miller / Tom Tucker
Waterbury Rough Riders3773.33633.5George Harrington
No Playoffs.

1903 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Holyoke Paperweights6637.641-Pete Woodruff / Daniel O'Neill
Meriden Silverites6242.5954.5Sam Kennedy
5947.5578.5Jim O'Rourke
5751.52811.0John Shea / Charles Humphrey
Norwich Reds5450.51912.0Dennis Morrissey
New Haven Blues5257.47717.0Jim Canavan
Springfield Ponies4164.37026.0Roger Connor
Hartford Senators3077.28038.0Thomas Reilly
No Playoffs:
12 Holyoke games (8-4) were deducted after the season due to ineligible player violations.

1904 Connecticut League
President: Jim O'Rourke

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bridgeport Orators7145.612-Jim O'Rourke
Springfield Ponies6946.6001.5Daniel O'Neill
6947.5952.0
Holyoke Paperweights5855.51311.5Frank Fitzpatrick
P. Prindiville / Fred Winkler
5660.48315.0Charles Humphrey
Hartford Senators5361.46517.0William Kennedy
5362.46117.5Mal Kittridge / Robert Tracey
Jack Tighe / Fred Crolius
Meriden Silverites3184.27039.5Sam Kennedy
Worcester (26-11) moved to Norwich June 21.
No Playoffs.

Class B 1905 to 1912

1905 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Holyoke Paperweights7935.693-Jesse Freysinger
Springfield Ponies7444.6277.0Daniel O'Neill
6450.56115.0Jim O'Rourke
Hartford Senators5856.50921.0William Kennedy
4964.43429.5Sam Kennedy
New London Whalers4968.41931.5Charles Humphrey
New Haven Blues4670.39734.0
Norwich Reds4274.36238.0
No Playoffs. 1906 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norwich Reds7253.576-George Allen / Jack Tighe
Springfield Ponies7056.5562.5Daniel O'Neill
6857.5444.0William Slack
Hartford Senators6257.5217.0Bert Daly / J.H. Clarkin
6053.48811.0Harry Durant
Holyoke Paperweights5865.47213.0Tom Fleming
Tommy Dowd / M. Prindiville
Bridgeport Orators5472.42918.5Jim O'Rourke
New London Whalers5374.41720.0Charles Humphrey / Sam Kennedy
No Playoffs.

1907 Connecticut State League
President: W. J. Tracey

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Holyoke Papermakers8342.664-Tommy Dowd
Waterbury Authors7747.6215.5Harry Durant
7249.5959.0Daniel O'Neill
Norwich Reds7151.58210.5August Soffel
6655.54515.0James Clarkin
Bridgeport Orators4875.39034.0Jim O'Rourke
New Haven Blues4480.35538.5Cornelius Danaher
New London Whalers3193.25051.5Sam Kennedy / Charles Page
No Playoffs.

1908 Connecticut State League
President: W. J. Tracey

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Ponies8441.672-Daniel O'Neill
Hartford Senators8442.6670.5Tommy Dowd / Thomas Connery
6363.50021.5
New Britain Perfectos6164.48823.0Charles Humphrey / William Hanna
6066.47624.5Jack Tighe / Fred Winkler
Bridgeport Orators5571.43729.5Jim O'Rourke
Meriden Silverites5472.42930.5Charles Cheney
Waterbury Authors4284.33342.5Harry Durant
No Playoffs.

1909 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Hartford Senators7444.627-Thomas Connery
Holyoke Papermakers6853.5627.5Mike McCormack
6455.53310.5William Hanna
Waterbury Invincibles6461.51213.5Michael Doherty
6063.48816.5John Zeller
New Haven Black Crows5965.47618.0Phil Corcoran
Northampton Meadowlarks5468.44322.0Rdward Bowler / Gil Edwards
Bridgeport Orators4478.36132.0Jim O'Rourke
No Playoffs.

1910 Connecticut State League - schedule
President: W.J. Tracy]

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterbury Finnegans7052.574-Michael J. Finn
Bridgeport Orators6752.5631.5Gene McCann
6955.5562.0William Hanna
New Haven Prairie Hens6755.5493.0
6458.5256.0Tom Connery
Springfield Ponies5868.46014.0John Zeller
Northampton Meadowlarks5073.40720.5Bill Luby
Holyoke Papermakers4678.37125.0Pop Foster
No Playoffs.

1911 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Ponies7145.614-John Zeller
Bridgeport Orators7147.6021.0Gene McCann / Robert Tracey
6852.5685.0Tom Connery
New Haven Murlins5661.48015.5Pop Foster / George Cameron
5366.44419.5Daniel O'Neill
Waterbury Champs4575.37528.0Carl Pace / Frank McPartlin
2124.467NABill Luby
Holyoke Papermakers1631.340NAWade Moore
Northampton and Holyoke disbanded June 26.
No Playoffs.

1912 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
New Haven Murlins7641.650-Jerry O'Connell
Hartford Senators6751.5689.5Tom Connery
6155.52614.5Gene McCann
Holyoke Papermakers5758.49618.0Daniel O'Neill
5070.41727.5John Zeller
3975.34235.5Jack Hoey
New Britain (12-22) moved to Waterbury June 15.
No Playoffs.[3] [2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Worth, Richard. Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Dictionary, 1869-2011. February 21, 2013. McFarland. 9780786491247. Google Books.
  2. Book: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball . Lloyd Johnson . Miles Wolff . Third . . 2007 . 978-1932391176.
  3. Web site: Connecticut State League (E) Encyclopedia and History. Baseball-Reference.com.

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