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, CT: Ansonia Cuban Giants 1888, 1891; Ansonia Welcomes 1896
- Bridgeport, CT: Bridgeport Giants 1888; Bridgeport Victors 1895-96; Bridgeport Misfits 1897; Bridgeport Orators 1898-1912
- Bristol, CT: Bristol 1891; Bristol Braves 1897; Bristol Bellmakers 1899-1900; Bristol Woodchoppers 1901
- Danbury, CT: Danbury 1888; Danbury Hatters 1898
- Derby, CT: Derby Angels 1896-1898, 1900-1901; Derby Lushers 1899
- Hartford, CT: Hartford 1884; Hartford Babies 1885; Hartford Bluebirds 1895; Hartford Senators 1902-1912
- Holyoke, MA: Holyoke Paperweights 1903-1906; Holyoke Papermakers 1907-1912
- Meriden, CT: Meriden 1884 1888, 1891, 1908; Meriden Maroons 1885; Meriden Silvermen 1895; Meriden Bulldogs 1897-1898; Meriden Silverites 1899-1905
- New Britain, CT: New Britain 1884-1885, 1891; New Britain Rangers 1898; New Britain Perfectos 1908-1912
- New Haven, CT: 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, CT: New London Whalers 1898-1907
- Northampton, MA: Northampton Meadowlarks 1909-1911
- Norwalk, CT: Norwalk 1888
- Norwich, CT: Norwich 1891; Norwich Jackroses 1899; Norwich Witches 1900; Norwich Champs 1901; Norwich Reds 1902-1903, 1905-1907; Norwich Indians 1904
- Portland, CT: Portland 1891
- Rockville, CT: Rockville 1884
- Southington, CT: Southington 1891
- Springfield, MA: Springfield Ponies 1902-1912
- Stamford, CT: Stamford 1888
- Torrington, CT: Torrington Tornados 1896; Torrington Demons 1897
- Waterbury, CT: 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, CT: West Haven 1891
- Willimantic, CT: Willimantic 1884
- Winsted, CT: Winsted Blues 1896
- Worcester, MA: Worcester Reds 1904
Yearly standings
No Classification 1884 to 1891
1884 Connecticut State League
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury | 34 | 13 | .723 | - | S.F. Williams / Pheron Minor |
| Meriden | 25 | 22 | .532 | 9.0 | Albert Boardman / George Lynn |
| Rockville | 22 | 25 | .468 | 12.0 | J. Kelly / Middleton / Talcott |
| Hartford | 20 | 27 | .426 | 14.0 | Charles Soby |
| New Britain | 17 | 30 | .362 | 17.0 | Winchester / P.J. Markley / John A. Flynn |
| Willimantic | 17 | 18 | .486 | NA | Bill 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 Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meriden Maroons | 8 | 2 | .800 | - | Bill Thomas |
| Waterbury | 3 | 2 | .600 | 2.5 | Jack (DA) Jones |
| Hartford Babies | 3 | 6 | .333 | 4.5 | Jack Remsen |
| New Britain | 2 | 6 | .250 | 7.0 | William Siering |
New Britain disbanded September 8
1888 Connecticut State League
President: J. Howard Taylor
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meriden | 9 | 3 | .750 | - | NA |
| Waterbury | 10 | 7 | .588 | 1.5 | Thomas Guest |
| Norwalk | 9 | 7 | .563 | 2.0 | NA |
| Bridgeport Giants / Stamford |
9 | 9 | .500 | 3.0 | Bullen |
| Ansonia Cuban Giants | 4 | 7 | .364 | 4.5 | Cos Govern |
| Danbury | 4 | 13 | .235 | 7.5 | L.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 Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meriden | 10 | 4 | .714 | 2.5 | Thomas Reilly |
| Waterbury | 20 | 9 | .690 | - | Harry Durant / Tom Hayes / W.R. Mattison |
| New Britain | 14 | 11 | .560 | 8.0 | Frank Cox |
| Hartford | 12 | 11 | .522 | 5.0 | M.E. Fitzgerald |
| Ansonia Cuban Giants | 8 | 10 | .444 | 6.5 | John Brigh |
| Bristol-Plainville | 12 | 15 | .444 | 7.0 | E.F. Belden |
| Norwich | 10 | 13 | .435 | 7.0 | H.F. Reddy |
| Southington | 5 | 7 | .417 | 6.5 | James Prior |
| Portland | 3 | 10 | .231 | 9.0 | Charles Edwards |
| West Haven | 1 | 8 | .111 | 9.0 | E.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 Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Victors | 8 | 3 | .727 | - | Jim O'Rourke |
| Meriden Silvermen | 4 | 3 | .571 | 2.0 | Miller / Reilly |
| Hartford Bluebirds | 4 | 4 | .500 | 2.5 | John Henry / A.F. Moran |
| Waterbury Brassmen | 0 | 6 | .000 | 5.5 | Durant |
1896 Connecticut State League
President: D.W. Porter (aka Naugatuck Valley State League)
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Victors | 25 | 15 | .625 | - | Jim O'Rourke |
| Torrington Tornados | 24 | 16 | .600 | 1.0 | T.M. Burn /Candy Cummings |
| Derby Angels | 22 | 18 | .550 | 3.0 | William Callahan / Joseph Veitch |
| New Haven Edgewoods | 22 | 18 | .550 | 3.0 | T.R. Greist |
| Winsted Blues | 15 | 25 | .375 | 10.0 | Eugene McCarthy W.A. Parsons / James Eaton |
| Ansonia Welcomes | 12 | 28 | .300 | 13.0 | Thomas Houlihan |
Class F 1897 to 1907
1897 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meriden Bulldogs | 52 | 24 | .684 | - | Jack Chapman |
| Derby Angels | 40 | 31 | .563 | 7.5 | Jerry Denny |
| Bridgeport Misfits | 33 | 37 | .471 | 14.0 | Jim O'Rourke |
| Torrington Demons | 31 | 39 | .443 | 16.0 | Ralph Bottenus / Dennis Houle |
| Waterbury Indians | 34 | 43 | .442 | 16.5 | John Fruin E.O. Herendeen / Roger Connor |
| Bristol Braves | 29 | 46 | .373 | 20.5 | O.F. Strunz / Pete Hall |
1898 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury Pirates | 55 | 38 | .591 | - | Roger Connor |
| New Haven Students | 56 | 40 | .583 | 0.5 | Chippy McGarr / Thomas Reilly M.B. Yaw / Mike Hickey / Conrad Miller |
| Danbury Hatters | 51 | 43 | .543 | 4.5 | Jack Rose |
| Bridgeport Orators | 51 | 45 | .531 | 5.5 | Tom Ivers / Jim O'Rourke |
| Meriden Bulldogs | 46 | 48 | .489 | 9.5 | Jack Chapman |
| New London Whalers | 41 | 52 | .441 | 14.0 | Benjamin Kinney / John Puhl |
| Derby Angels | 23 | 33 | .411 | NA | Jerry Denny |
| New Britain Rangers | 14 | 38 | .269 | NA | Claude Gilbert |
New Britain disbanded June 23.
Derby disbanded June 25.
1899 Connecticut State League - schedule
President: Tim Murnane
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven Blues | 55 | 38 | .591 | - | Thomas Reilly |
| Waterbury Rough Riders | 53 | 43 | .552 | 3.5 | Roger Connor |
| Derby Lushers | 51 | 43 | .542 | 4.5 | Billy Lush / Larry Battam |
| Bristol Bellmakers | 48 | 45 | .516 | 7.0 | John Gunshannon |
| Meriden Silverites | 46 | 48 | .489 | 9.5 | A.R. Penny / George Courtney |
| New London Whalers | 45 | 52 | .464 | 12.0 | George Bindloss |
| Bridgeport Orators | 43 | 55 | .438 | 14.5 | Jim O'Rourke |
| Norwich Jackroses | 41 | 58 | .414 | 17.0 | Jack Rose / Jack Chapman |
No Playoffs.
1900 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich Witches | 64 | 33 | .660 | - | Fred Doe |
| New Haven Blues | 58 | 39 | .598 | 6.0 | Jim Canavan |
| Bridgeport Orators | 57 | 41 | .582 | 7.5 | Jim O'Rourke |
| Bristol Bellmakers | 48 | 47 | .505 | 15.0 | James Cooney |
| Meriden Silverites | 47 | 48 | .495 | 16.0 | A.R. Penny Conrad Miller / Thomas Reilly |
| Waterbury Rough Riders | 43 | 53 | .448 | 20.5 | Roger Connor |
| Derby Angels | 36 | 60 | .375 | 27.5 | Jerry Denny |
| New London Whalers | 32 | 64 | .333 | 31.5 | Willis Jones / Tom Hernon |
No Playoffs.
1901 Connecticut State League
President: Tim Murnane
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Woodchoppers | 63 | 41 | .606 | - | Doc Reisling |
| Bridgeport Orators | 61 | 43 | .587 | 2.0 | Jim O'Rourke |
| Norwich Champs | 62 | 46 | .574 | 3.0 | Jack Tighe |
| Meriden Silverites | 56 | 48 | .538 | 7.0 | W.R. Reilly |
| New Haven Blues | 56 | 54 | .509 | 10.0 | Jim Canavan |
| Waterbury Rough Riders | 47 | 60 | .439 | 17.5 | Roger Connor |
| New London Whalers | 45 | 63 | .417 | 20.0 | Tom Hernon / John Shea |
| Derby Angels | 37 | 72 | .330 | 28.5 | Jerry Denny |
No Playoffs.
Class D 1902 to 1904
1902 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke / Sturgis Whitlock
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven Blues | 70 | 39 | .642 | - | Jim Canavan |
| Springfield Ponies | 65 | 45 | .591 | 5.5 | Roger Connor |
| New London Whalers | 57 | 54 | .514 | 14.0 | John Shea |
| Hartford Senators | 57 | 55 | .509 | 14.5 | Doc Reisling |
| Bridgeport Orators | 53 | 59 | .473 | 18.5 | Jim O'Rourke |
| Norwich Reds | 51 | 58 | .469 | 19.0 | Harry Davenport |
| Meriden Silverites | 51 | 58 | .469 | 19.0 | Conrad Miller / Tom Tucker |
| Waterbury Rough Riders | 37 | 73 | .336 | 33.5 | George Harrington |
No Playoffs.
1903 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holyoke Paperweights | 66 | 37 | .641 | - | Pete Woodruff / Daniel O'Neill |
| Meriden Silverites | 62 | 42 | .595 | 4.5 | Sam Kennedy |
| Bridgeport Orators | 59 | 47 | .557 | 8.5 | Jim O'Rourke |
| New London Whalers | 57 | 51 | .528 | 11.0 | John Shea / Charles Humphrey |
| Norwich Reds | 54 | 50 | .519 | 12.0 | Dennis Morrissey |
| New Haven Blues | 52 | 57 | .477 | 17.0 | Jim Canavan |
| Springfield Ponies | 41 | 64 | .370 | 26.0 | Roger Connor |
| Hartford Senators | 30 | 77 | .280 | 38.0 | Thomas 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 Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport Orators | 71 | 45 | .612 | - | Jim O'Rourke |
| Springfield Ponies | 69 | 46 | .600 | 1.5 | Daniel O'Neill |
| New Haven Blues | 69 | 47 | .595 | 2.0 | Jim Canavan |
| Holyoke Paperweights | 58 | 55 | .513 | 11.5 | Frank Fitzpatrick P. Prindiville / Fred Winkler |
| New London Whalers | 56 | 60 | .483 | 15.0 | Charles Humphrey |
| Hartford Senators | 53 | 61 | .465 | 17.0 | William Kennedy |
| Worcester Reds / Norwich Indians |
53 | 62 | .461 | 17.5 | Mal Kittridge / Robert Tracey Jack Tighe / Fred Crolius |
| Meriden Silverites | 31 | 84 | .270 | 39.5 | Sam 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 Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holyoke Paperweights | 79 | 35 | .693 | - | Jesse Freysinger |
| Springfield Ponies | 74 | 44 | .627 | 7.0 | Daniel O'Neill |
| Bridgeport Orators | 64 | 50 | .561 | 15.0 | Jim O'Rourke |
| Hartford Senators | 58 | 56 | .509 | 21.0 | William Kennedy |
| Meriden Silverites | 49 | 64 | .434 | 29.5 | Sam Kennedy |
| New London Whalers | 49 | 68 | .419 | 31.5 | Charles Humphrey |
| New Haven Blues | 46 | 70 | .397 | 34.0 | Jim Canavan / Jack Tighe |
| Norwich Reds | 42 | 74 | .362 | 38.0 | George Allen / Jim Canavan |
No Playoffs.
1906 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich Reds | 72 | 53 | .576 | - | George Allen / Jack Tighe |
| Springfield Ponies | 70 | 56 | .556 | 2.5 | Daniel O'Neill |
| New Haven Blues | 68 | 57 | .544 | 4.0 | William Slack |
| Hartford Senators | 62 | 57 | .521 | 7.0 | Bert Daly / J.H. Clarkin |
| Waterbury Authors | 60 | 53 | .488 | 11.0 | Harry Durant |
| Holyoke Paperweights | 58 | 65 | .472 | 13.0 | Tom Fleming Tommy Dowd / M. Prindiville |
| Bridgeport Orators | 54 | 72 | .429 | 18.5 | Jim O'Rourke |
| New London Whalers | 53 | 74 | .417 | 20.0 | Charles Humphrey / Sam Kennedy |
No Playoffs.
1907 Connecticut State League
President: W. J. Tracey
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holyoke Papermakers | 83 | 42 | .664 | - | Tommy Dowd |
| Waterbury Authors | 77 | 47 | .621 | 5.5 | Harry Durant |
| Springfield Ponies | 72 | 49 | .595 | 9.0 | Daniel O'Neill |
| Norwich Reds | 71 | 51 | .582 | 10.5 | August Soffel |
| Hartford Senators | 66 | 55 | .545 | 15.0 | James Clarkin |
| Bridgeport Orators | 48 | 75 | .390 | 34.0 | Jim O'Rourke |
| New Haven Blues | 44 | 80 | .355 | 38.5 | Cornelius Danaher |
| New London Whalers | 31 | 93 | .250 | 51.5 | Sam Kennedy / Charles Page |
No Playoffs.
1908 Connecticut State League
President: W. J. Tracey
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Ponies | 84 | 41 | .672 | - | Daniel O'Neill |
| Hartford Senators | 84 | 42 | .667 | 0.5 | Tommy Dowd / Thomas Connery |
| New Haven Blues | 63 | 63 | .500 | 21.5 | Bert Daly Billy Lush / George Bone |
| New Britain Perfectos | 61 | 64 | .488 | 23.0 | Charles Humphrey / William Hanna |
| Holyoke Papermakers | 60 | 66 | .476 | 24.5 | Jack Tighe / Fred Winkler |
| Bridgeport Orators | 55 | 71 | .437 | 29.5 | Jim O'Rourke |
| Meriden Silverites | 54 | 72 | .429 | 30.5 | Charles Cheney |
| Waterbury Authors | 42 | 84 | .333 | 42.5 | Harry Durant |
No Playoffs.
1909 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford Senators | 74 | 44 | .627 | - | Thomas Connery |
| Holyoke Papermakers | 68 | 53 | .562 | 7.5 | Mike McCormack |
| New Britain Perfectos | 64 | 55 | .533 | 10.5 | William Hanna |
| Waterbury Invincibles | 64 | 61 | .512 | 13.5 | Michael Doherty |
| Springfield Ponies | 60 | 63 | .488 | 16.5 | John Zeller |
| New Haven Black Crows | 59 | 65 | .476 | 18.0 | Phil Corcoran |
| Northampton Meadowlarks | 54 | 68 | .443 | 22.0 | Rdward Bowler / Gil Edwards |
| Bridgeport Orators | 44 | 78 | .361 | 32.0 | Jim O'Rourke |
No Playoffs.
1910 Connecticut State League - schedule
President: W.J. Tracy]
| Waterbury Finnegans | 70 | 52 | .574 | - | Michael J. Finn |
| Bridgeport Orators | 67 | 52 | .563 | 1.5 | Gene McCann |
| New Britain Perfectos | 69 | 55 | .556 | 2.0 | William Hanna |
| New Haven Prairie Hens | 67 | 55 | .549 | 3.0 | Bill Carrick |
| Hartford Senators | 64 | 58 | .525 | 6.0 | Tom Connery |
| Springfield Ponies | 58 | 68 | .460 | 14.0 | John Zeller |
| Northampton Meadowlarks | 50 | 73 | .407 | 20.5 | Bill Luby |
| Holyoke Papermakers | 46 | 78 | .371 | 25.0 | Pop Foster |
No Playoffs.
1911 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Ponies | 71 | 45 | .614 | - | John Zeller |
| Bridgeport Orators | 71 | 47 | .602 | 1.0 | Gene McCann / Robert Tracey |
| Hartford Senators | 68 | 52 | .568 | 5.0 | Tom Connery |
| New Haven Murlins | 56 | 61 | .480 | 15.5 | Pop Foster / George Cameron |
| New Britain Perfectos | 53 | 66 | .444 | 19.5 | Daniel O'Neill |
| Waterbury Champs | 45 | 75 | .375 | 28.0 | Carl Pace / Frank McPartlin |
| Northampton Meadowlarks | 21 | 24 | .467 | NA | Bill Luby |
| Holyoke Papermakers | 16 | 31 | .340 | NA | Wade Moore |
Northampton and Holyoke disbanded June 26.
No Playoffs.
1912 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
| Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven Murlins | 76 | 41 | .650 | - | Jerry O'Connell |
| Hartford Senators | 67 | 51 | .568 | 9.5 | Tom Connery |
| Bridgeport Orators | 61 | 55 | .526 | 14.5 | Gene McCann |
| Holyoke Papermakers | 57 | 58 | .496 | 18.0 | Daniel O'Neill |
| Springfield Ponies | 50 | 70 | .417 | 27.5 | John Zeller |
| New Britain / Waterbury Spuds |
39 | 75 | .342 | 35.5 | Jack Hoey |
New Britain (12-22) moved to Waterbury June 15.
No Playoffs.
References
- Worth, Richard (February 21, 2013). Baseball Team Names: A Worldwide Dictionary, 1869-2011. McFarland. ISBN 9780786491247 – via Google Books.
- ^ Lloyd Johnson; Miles Wolff, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- "Connecticut State League (E) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
External links
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