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The Wisconsin State League was a class D level baseball league that began in 1905, changing its name to the Wisconsin–Illinois League in 1908 and operating through 1914. The league re–organized under that name in 1926. Another Wisconsin State League began in 1940, shut down during World War II from 1943 through 1945, then operated from 1946 through 1953.

The Class D Wisconsin–Illinois League began play in 1940 with six charter franchises: Appleton Papermakers, Fond du Lac Panthers, Green Bay Bluejays, La Crosse Blackhawks, Sheboygan Indians and Wisconsin Rapids White Sox. In 1942 the league expanded to eight teams, adding the Janesville Cubs and Oshkosh Giants. After play resumed in 1946, La Crosse moved to become the Wausau Lumberjacks and the league operated with those franchises until its demise following the 1953 season.

List of teams

Wisconsin State League (1905–1907, 1922–1925, 1928–1931, 1940–1942, 1946–1953)
Wisconsin–Illinois League (1908–1914, 1926–1927, 1932)

• Appleton, WI: Appleton Papermakers (1891, 1909–1914, 1940–1942, 1946–1953)
• Aurora, IL: Aurora Islanders (1910)
• Beloit, WI: Beloit Collegians (1905); Beloit Fairies (1926–1927)
• Chicago, IL: Logan Squares (1926–1927, 1932); Niesen's Chicago Pyotts (1926); St. Michael's (1926); Duffy Florals (1932); Harley Mills (1932)
• Eau Claire, WI: Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls Orphans (1906); Eau Claire Tigers (1907)
• Fond du Lac, WI: Fond du Lac Mudhens (1891); Fond du Lac Webfoots (1907); Fond du Lac Cubs (1908); Fond du Lac Giants (1909–1910); Fond du Lac Molls (1913); Fond du Lac Mudhens (1911); Fond du Lac Panthers (1940–1942, 1946–1953)
• Freeport, IL: Freeport Pretzels (1905–1909)
• Green Bay, WI: Green Bay Dock Wallopers (1891); Green Bay Colts (1905–1906); Green Bay Orphans (1907); Green Bay Tigers (1908); Green Bay Bays (1909–1914); Green Bay Blue Sox (1941); Green Bay Bluejays (1940, 1942, 1946–1953)
• Janesville, WI: Janesville Cubs (1941–1942, 1947–1953); Janesville Bears (1946)
• Kenosha, WI: Kenosha Twin Sixes (1926–1929)
• La Crosse, WI: La Crosse Pinks (1905–1906, 1908); La Crosse Badgers (1907); La Crosse Boosters (1926); La Crosse Blackhawks (1940–1942)
• Madison, WI: Madison Senators (1905–1914); Madison Blues (1928–1932)
• Manitowoc, WI: Manitowoc Shipbuilders (1928–1931)
• Marinette, WI: Marinette Badgers (1891); Marinette-Menominee Twins (1914)
• Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee Creams (1913); Kosciuszko Reds (1928–1930);Onion Oils/Union Oils (1928); Milwaukee Red Sox (1931–1932)
• Oconto, WI: Oconto Log Drivers (1891)
• Oshkosh, WI: Oshkosh Indians (1905–1914); Oshkosh Giants 1941–1942, 1946–1953)
• Racine, WI: Racine Malted Milks (1909–1911, 1914); Racine Belles (1909–1915); Racine Eskimos (1926); Racine Belles (1929–1930)
• Rockford, IL: Rockford Reds (1908–1910); Rockford Wolverines (1911–1913); Rockford Wolves (1914)
• Sheboygan, WI: Sheboygan Chairmakers (1926–1932); Sheboygan Indians (1940–1942, 1946–1953)
• Two Rivers, WI: Two Rivers Mirrors (1928–1931)
• Wausau, WI: Wausau Lumberjacks (1905–1908, 1912–1914, 1946–1953)
• Wisconsin Rapids, WI: Wisconsin Rapids White Sox (1940–1942, 1946–1953)

Season standings

1891 to 1892

1891 Wisconsin State League

1905 Wisconsin State League

1906 Wisconsin State League
schedule

La Crosse played Freeport on the last day of the season with the pennant in balance. 5,000 fans saw a 0-0 game after nine innings. La Crosse pushed across five runs in the tenth to win.

1907 to 1914

1907 Wisconsin State League
schedule

1908 season (W-I League)

1909 season (W-I League)

1910 season (W-I League)

1911 season (W-I League)

1912 season (W-I League)

1913 season (W-I League)

1914 season (W-I League)

1922 to 1937

1922 season (Wis. State League)

1923 season (Wis. State League)

1924 season (Wis. State League)

1925 season (Wis. State League)

1926 season (W-I League)

1927 season (W-I League)

1928 season (Wis. State League)

1929 season (Wis. State League)

1930 season (Wis. State League)

1931 season (Wis. State League)

1932 season (W-I League)

1933 season (W-I League)

1934 season (Wis. State League) |+First half of the split season:

|+Second half of the split season:

The Madison Blues won the tie-breaker from Wisconsin Rapids to meet Green Bay, the winner of the season's first half. Green Bay prevailed in the final three-game championship series.

1935 season (Wis. State League) |+First half of the split season:

After tying for title of the season's first half, Madison won the first two of a three-game championship series over Sheboygan.

|+Second half of the split season:

Sheboygan won the run-off for title of the season's second half, but were defeated by first half champs Madison after the Blues won the first two of the three-game title series.

1936 season (Wis. State League) |+First half of the split season:

Madison defeated Racine to win the title of the season's first half.

|+Second half of the split season:

Madison clinched the title of the season's latter half on Aug. 23 when they defeated the Racine Belles. The Blues became 1936 State League champions by winning both halves of the split season.

1937 season (Wis. State League) |+First half of the split season:

Madison defeated Sheboygan in a three-game series to win the title of the season's first half.

|+Second half of the split season:

Sheboygan won the three-game tie-breaker series against Madison to win title of the season's latter half. Facing Sheboygan again for the 1937 championship, Blues manager Eddie Lenahan insisted on a single deciding game instead of three. The State League disagreed, declaring that Madison had forfeited the season by refusing to play in a three-game series. The Chairmakers were awarded the 1937 season championship.

References

1. ^ Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
2. "1940 Wisconsin State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
3. "1941 Wisconsin State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
4. "1953 Wisconsin State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
5. "Article clipped from Atchison Daily Patriot". August 20, 1891. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
6. "Locals Finish in Second Place," La Crosse Tribune, Sep. 14, 1908
7. "League Standings in Capsule Form," Racine Journal, Sep. 13, 1909
8. "W.-I. Flag to Appleton," Chicago Examiner, Sep. 8, 1910
9. "League Baseball in Condensed Form," Racine Journal, Sep. 11, 1911
10. "Baseball Results," Monmouth Daily Atlas, Sep. 17, 1912
11. "Here's Best Race in 1913 Baseball," Chicago Examiner, Sep. 8, 1913
12. "Standing of the Teams," Racine Journal, Sep. 14, 1914
13. "Team Standings," Manitowoc Herald News, Sep. 18, 1922
14. "Standings and Results as the Schedule Closes," Sheboygan Press Telegram, Sep. 24, 1923
15. "How They Stand," Appleton Post Crescent, Sep. 22, 1924
16. "Racine Here for a Final Clash Sunday," Sheboygan Press, Oct. 3, 1925
17. "W-I Association Standings," Sheboygan Press, Oct. 1, 1926
18. "Final Standings, Wisconsin State League," Sheboygan Press, Sep. 14, 1927
19. "Two Rivers Cop the Pennant of the Wisconsin State League," Sheboygan Press, Sep. 10, 1928
20. "Team Standings," Racine Journal News, Sep. 3, 1929
21. "Blues Win Pair, in Third Place" Capital Times, Sep. 2, 1930
22. "Chairs Split with Mirros," Manitowoc Evening Times, Sep. 8, 1931
23. "W-I League Standings," Wisconsin State Journal, Sep. 3, 1932
24. "W-I League Standings," Wisconsin State Journal, Dec. 31, 1933
25. "Blues Romp to Victory Over Kaukauna,18-1," Wisconsin State Journal, July 1, 1935
26. "State League Standings (Second Half Final)," Wisconsin State Journal, Sep. 9, 1935
27. "Blues Sweep Series to Cop League Title," Wisconsin State Journal, Sep. 30, 1935
28. ^ "Blues Win First Half Crown in State League," Wisconsin State Journal, July 6, 1936
29. Belles Dropped from Flag Race, Lose 3-2," Racine Journal Times, Aug. 24, 1936
30. "Blues, Chairs Share Honors," Racine Journal-Times, July 7, 1937
31. "Belles Lose Home Final," Racine Journal-Times, Sep. 7, 1937

• Baseball leagues in Wisconsin
• 1940 establishments in Wisconsin
• 1953 disestablishments in Wisconsin
• Defunct minor baseball leagues in the United States
• Wisconsin State League teams