Middle States League

Middle States League
SportBaseball
Founded1889
Ceased1889
No. of teams13 (total)
CountryUnited States
Last
champion(s)		Harrisburg Ponies (1889)

The Middle States League was a minor league baseball league that operated in the Northeast United States in 1889.[1] A total of 13 teams competed in the league, though several joined the original 8-team lineup after its April 28 start and several folded before its September 10 close.[2][3] It was a racially integrated league that included two African American teams, the Cuban Giants and New York Gorhams. The Harrisburg Ponies won the league pennant.[2]

History

The Middle States League began play on April 28, 1889, and ended the season on September 10, 1889.[4]

During the 1889 season there were many franchise changes. Norwalk entered the Middle States League on June 12 and disbanded July 3. Lancaster disbanded on June 15. Reading disbanded June 18. The Norristown team entered the Middle States League on June 20 and disbanded August 21. Philadelphia disbanded June 25. Lancaster disbanded on August 20. Shenandoah entered the Middle States League on July 17 and disbanded on August 6. Lebanon entered the league on August 9. Wilmington entered the Middle States League on August 22 and disbanded on August 30. York disbanded on September 3.[5]

Teams

Standings & statistics

1889 Middle States League
schedule
President: Charles P. Mason / William H. Voltz

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Harrisburg Ponies 64 19 .771 - James Farrington
Cuban Giants 55 17 .764 3.5 Cos Govern
York Hayseeds 45 28 .616 14.0 Henry Myers / Joseph Devine /
J. W. Hedrick / W. E. Whorl / Smyser
Norristown 18 22 .450 NA Barney Stevenson / J. C. Smith
New York Gorhams 14 20 .412 NA Benjamin Butler
Lancaster Dutch 10 15 .400 NA Terrence Connell
Norwalk 12 19 .387 NA James Donnelly
Wilmington Quicksteps 4 9 .308 NA Thomas Kane
Lebanon Dutch Grays 6 16 .273 NA Joseph Buck
Hazleton Pugilists 10 27 .270 NA Harry Foote
Reading Actives 6 17 .261 NA Edgar Cuthbert
Philadelphia Giants 2 24 .077 NA Charles Mason
Shenandoah Hungarian Rioters 1 14 .071 NA J. J. Monaghan

Norwalk entered the league June 12 and disbanded July 3; Lancaster disbanded June 15
Reading disbanded June 18; Norristown entered the league June 20 and disbanded August 21
Philadelphia disbanded June 25; franchise based at Lancaster, PA; disbanded August 20
Shenandoah entered the league July 17 and disbanded August 6
Lebanon entered the league August 9; Wilmington entered the league August 22 and disbanded August 30
York disbanded September 3
The Cuban Giants played in Trenton and Hoboken. The New York Gorhams played in Hoboken and Easton.

[5]

References

  1. ^ "1889 Middle States League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "1889 Middle States League". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Middle States League". Baseball History Daily. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  4. ^ "1889 Middle States League (MSL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. ^ a b Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.


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