Central Association

Last updated
Central Association
Formerly Iowa State League
Classification Class C (1908–1917)
Class D (1947–1949)
Sport Minor League Baseball
First season1908
Ceased1949
PresidentM. E. Justice (1908–1916)
John F. Ford (1917)
Frank Hern (1947–1948)
Lee A. Thomas (1949)
No. of teams30
Country United States of America
Most titles3
Ottumwa Speedboys (1911–1913)
Related
competitions
Illinois–Missouri League
Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League

The Central Association was an American minor league baseball league. It began operations in 1908, as it was essentially renamed from the 1907 Iowa State League. The Central Association ran continuously through 1917. It was reorganized thirty years later, operating as a Class-C league from 1947-1949, with major league affiliates for most teams. Baseball Hall of Fame members Grover Cleveland Alexander (Galesburg), Jake Beckley (Hannibal), Burleigh Grimes (Ottumwa) and Sam Rice (Galesburg and Muscatine) are league alumni.

Contents

1908–1917 league

In 1908, The Central Association formed with charter members: Burlington Pathfinders (Burlington, Iowa), Jacksonville Lunatics (Jacksonville, Illinois), Keokuk Indians (Keokuk, Iowa), Oskaloosa Quakers (Oskaloosa, Iowa), Ottumwa Packers (Ottumwa, Iowa), Quincy Gems (Quincy, Illinois) and the Waterloo Lulus (Waterloo, Iowa) all had been members of the 1907 Iowa State League. A new team in Kewanee, Illinois, the Kewanee Boilermakers, joined as well.

In 1909, the Oskaloosa Quakers franchise folded and the Hannibal Cannibals (Hannibal, Missouri) moved from the Illinois–Missouri League. In 1910, Jacksonville moved to the Northern Association and Waterloo moved to the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. The Galesburg Pavers (Galesburg, Illinois) and Monmouth Browns (Monmouth, Illinois) joined after having left the Illinois–Missouri League. For the 1911 season, Quincy moved to the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League and the Muscatine Camels (Muscatine, Iowa) formed and joined the league.

For 1913, Galesburg and Hannibal folded, with the Cedar Rapids Rabbits (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), and Waterloo Jays (Waterloo, Iowa) forming to join the league. In 1914, Kewanee and Monmouth folded while the Clinton Pilots (Clinton, Iowa) and Marshalltown Ansons (Marshalltown, Iowa) formed and joined the league. Ottumwa moved to Rock Island, Illinois, as the Rock Island Islanders and then again to Galesburg, as the Galesburg Pavers.

In 1915, Galesburg folded and the Mason City Claydiggers (Mason City, Iowa) formed and joined the league. The Clinton team folded during the season. The league also threw out several wins by Keokuk (1), Marshalltown (5), Waterloo (1), and Clinton (40) after the fact.

Keokuk folded in 1916, while the Clinton Pilots rejoined and the Fort Dodge Dodgers (Fort Dodge, Iowa) formed and joined the league. Burlington moved to become the Ottumwa Packers on July 20, and Muscatine also forfeited 34 wins in 1916.

In the final season, 1917, Muscatine and Ottumwa folded. The Dubuque Dubs in Dubuque, Iowa and the La Crosse Infants (La Crosse, Wisconsin) formed and joined the league. Dubuque moved to Charles City, Iowa on July 4 to become the Charles City Tractorites. Cedar Rapids moved to Clear Lake, Iowa on July 27, finishing the season as the Clear Lake Rabbits. Clinton and La Crosse both folded before the end of the season on July 17. After the season, the league, and all teams in it, folded.

1947–1949 league

In 1947, a new league of the same name was created with major league affiliations. The Clinton Cubs (Chicago Cubs) in Clinton, Iowa; Hannibal Pilots (St. Louis Browns), Hannibal, Missouri; Rockford Rox (Cincinnati Reds), Rockford, Illinois; Keokuk Pirates (Pittsburgh Pirates), Keokuk, Iowa; Burlington Indians (Cleveland Indians), Burlington, Iowa, and the Moline A's, (Philadelphia A's) Moline, Illinois were the charter members of the reformed league.

In 1948, the Moline A's moved to Kewanee, Illinois to become the Kewanee A's in mid-season. In 1949, the Hannibal Pilots folded and the Cedar Rapids Rockets of Cedar Rapids, Iowa formed to join the league. Kewanee captured the 1949 championship. After the 1949 season, Cedar Rapids joined the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, and the rest of the teams, and the league itself, folded.

Cities represented

Standings & statistics

1908 to 1917

1908 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterloo Lulus 8837.704Frank Boyle
Burlington Pathfinders 8341.6694.5Ned Egan
Quincy Gems 7355.57016.5Harry Hofer
Keokuk Indians 5768.45631.0Frank Belt
Jacksonville Lunatics 5669.44832.0 Harry Berte
Oskaloosa Quakers 5175.39837.5 Snapper Kennedy / Taylor Kensel
Kewanee Boilermakers 4879.37841.0Harry Busse /
Andy Steveson / William Connors
Ottumwa Packers 4880.37541.5 Billy Earle / Chuck Fleming
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
John HouseBurlingtonBA.306 Harry Gaspar WaterlooW32
Charles RoseBurlingtonHits146 Harry Gaspar WaterlooSO2.17
Al LinderbeckQuincyRuns75 Harry Gaspar WaterlooPct.889; 32–4
Al LinderbeckQuincyHR10

1909 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Burlington Pathfinders 8351.62036,884Ned Egan
Hannibal Cannibals 8353.6101.030,130Bert Hough / Ben Prout
Keokuk Indians 8057.5844.542,029Frank Belt
Kewanee Boilermakers 7361.54410.031,228William Connors
Waterloo Lulus 6469.48118.533,756Frank Boyle
Quincy Vets 6273.45921.545,527Louis Cook /
Harry Hofer / Fred Bennett
Jacksonville Braves 4684.35435.026,908 Harry Berte
Ottumwa Packers 4891.34537.535,576Hugh Shannon / Arthur Owens
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Fred FenneyOttum/BurlBA.300Collis SpencerBurlingtonW27
George ManushBurlingtonHits149Joe VyskocilHannibalSO209
George ManushBurlingtonRuns91 Burleigh Grimes Ottum/KewPct.742; 23–8
Al LinderbeckQuincyHR10
H.W. GrayJacksonvilleHR10

1910 Central Association
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Quincy Vets 8850.63837,213 Bade Myers
Ottumwa Packers 8057.5847.537,000Ned Egan
Hannibal Cannibals 7760.56210.528,547Bill Prout / Bill Forney
Galesburg Pavers 6967.50718.035,031Bert Hough
Keokuk Indians 6770.49320.528,160Frank Belt
Monmouth Browns 6272.45924.025,000 Lew Drill
Burlington Pathfinders 5681.40931.525,043 Phil Geier
Kewanee Boilermakers 4991.35040.026,307William Connors / Ted Price
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Dan Kerwin HannibalBA.331Charles FanningGalesburgW30
Thomas OwensQuincyHits148Charles FanningGalesburgSO320
Don SennoOttumwaRuns84Charles FanningGalesburgPct.714; 30–12
Thomas OwensQuincyHR9Bill DonahueQuincyHR9

1911 Central Association
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Ottumwa Speedboys 8741.680Ned Egan
Burlington Pathfinders 8144.6484.5Richard Rohn
Galesburg Pavers 6663.51221.5Bert Hough
Keokuk Indians 6464.50023.0Frank Belt
Kewanee Boilermakers 5967.46827.0Jay Andrews
Monmouth Browns 5969.46128.0Claude Starke
Muscatine Camels 4880.37539.0Harry C. Blake /
Lou Walters / Pearl Holycross
Hannibal Cannibals 4581.35741.0 Jake Beckley
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pearl HolycrossMuscatineBA.361 Ray Boyd OttumwaW30
Taylor KenselOttumwaHits163 Ray Boyd OttumwaPct.811; 30–7
George WatsonBurlingtonRuns108A.J. AhringMuscatineSB79
Don SennoOttumwaHR14

1912 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Ottumwa Speedboys 7950.61223,000Ned Egan
Kewanee Boilermakers 7451.5923.019,000 George Pennington / Art Queisser
Burlington Pathfinders 7353.5794.525,000Richard Rohn
Monmouth Browns 7155.5636.518,000Bert Hough /
Jack Corbett / R.L. Noven
Hannibal Cannibals 6761.52311.5NAEddie Herr / Ed Painter
Galesburg Pavers 6167.47717.518,000Ducky Eberts
Keokuk Indians 4976.39228.017,000Art Queisser / Bill Proutt
Muscatine Wallopers 3394.26045.022,000Ed Coleman / Bill Kreig /
Joe Wall / Bill Clayton
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
George ManushOttumwaBA.375Bert DunnOttumwaW26
Harry ShanleyMuscatineHits176Joe SloanKeokukSO197
Harry EllisBurlingtonRuns100 Tom Drohan KewaneePct.800; 24–6
John SullivanOttumwaHR21

1913 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Ottumwa Packers 7254.571Ned Egan
Muscatine Wallopers 6854.5572.0Frank Boyle
Monmouth Browns 6462.5088.0Bert Hough
Keokuk Indians 6263.4969.5George Manush
Burlington Pathfinders 6366.48810.5Richard Rohn
Cedar Rapids Rabbits 5965.47612.0 Belden Hill
Kewanee Boilermakers 5965.47612.0 George Pennington / Frank Richardson
Waterloo Jays 5371.42718.0Jay Andrews
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Dave MilliganCedar RapidsBA.320 George Zackert MuscatineW22
Harry EllisBurlingtonHits156 George Zackert MuscatineSO230
Harry EllisBurlingtonRuns100 George Zackert MuscatinePct.759; 22–7
Elmer Jacobs BurlingtonSO230

1914 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterloo Jays 7851.605Jay Andrews
Burlington Pathfinders 7553.5862.5Tom Hayden / George Manush
Muscatine Buttonmakers 7253.5764.0Frank Boyle
Clinton Pilots 6761.52310.5Bert Hough
Cedar Rapids Bunnies 6460.51611.5 Belden Hill
Keokuk Indians 5276.40625.5 Spencer Abbott / Harry Sweet
Marshalltown Ansons 5276.40625.5Frank Richardson
Ottumwa Packers /
Rock Island Islanders /
Galesburg Pavers
4979.37328.5Ned Egan

Ottumwa moved to Rock Island July 17. However, the National Association would not let the Central Association invade the territory of the Three-I League, so Rock Island moved to Galesburg July 24.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Paddy Siglin WaterlooBA.322Fred MillerBurlingtonW23
John SingletonBurlingtonHits158 George Zackert MuscatineSO305
Walt Meinert BurlingtonRuns94W. HalperCedar RapidsPct.722; 13–5

1915 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Burlington Pathfinders 8138.681Richard Rohn
Muscatine Muskies 6357.52518.5Ned Egan / Jess Runser
Keokuk Indians 5152.49522.0Frank Boyle
Mason City Claydiggers 5863.47924.0 Harry Bay
Cedar Rapids Rabbits 5462.46625.5James Hamilton / Jack Herbert
Marshalltown Ansons 4667.40732.0Frank Richardson / Bob Lynch
Waterloo Jays 5274.41332.5Jay Andrews / Eddie Brennan
Clinton Pilots 1369.159NAGeorge Manush

Clinton disbanded in mid-season.
Wins taken away: Clinton 40, Keokuk 18, Marshalltown 5, Waterloo 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bill Collins Cedar RapidsBA.337 Grover Baichley BurlingtonW23
Walt Meinert BurlingtonHits137Dick BlunkBurlingtonW23
Walt Meinert BurlingtonRuns97 Grover Baichley BurlingtonPct.697; 23-–0
Harmon HagmonBurlingtonHits137 Grover Baichley BurlingtonSO310
Cliff Lee MuscatineHR9
Lyle SoursMuscatineHR9

1916 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Marshalltown Ansons 7750.606Frank Boyle
Clinton Pilots 7351.5892.5Jim Drohan / Larry Brown
Cedar Rapids Rabbits 6264.49214.5Jack Herbert / Billy Collins
Burlington Pathfinders /
Ottumwa Packers
6264.49214.5Richard Rohn / George Boelzle
Waterloo Shamrocks 5867.46418.0 Eddie Brennan
Mason City Claydiggers 5076.39726.5 Harry Bay
Fort Dodge Dodgers 4186.32336.0Paul Turgeon / Babe Towne
Muscatine Muskies 4544.506NANed Egan

Burlington moved to Ottumwa July 20.
Muscatine forfeited 34 wins.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Babe Ellison MuscatineBA.361Dick BlunkOttumwaW24
Babe Ellison MuscatineHits178H. W. FlanaganMuscatineSO266
Charles ReinhartMuscatineRuns104Ken PennerMarshalltownERA1.41
Albert DurhamMusca/MarshHR18

1917 Central Association

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Marshalltown Ansons 6434.653Frank Boyle
Mason City Claydiggers 5438.5877.0 Dan O'Leary
Waterloo Loons 5042.54311.0Ned Egan
Cedar Rapids Rabbits /
Clear Lake Rabbits
3952.42921.5W. Collins /
Jay Andrews / Harry Shanley
Dubuque Dubs /
Charles City Tractorites
4054.42622.0George Hughes
Fort Dodge Dodgers 3757.39425.0 Charley Stis
Clinton Pilots 4033.548NALarry Brown
La Crosse Infants 2943.403NA Mike Malloy / Jay Andrews

Dubuque moved to Charles City July 4; Clinton & La Crosse disbanded July 17; Cedar Rapids moved to Clear Lake July 27.
The season was shortened to August 7 with National Association permission.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bing Miller ClintonBA.337 Red Torkelson MarshalltownW20
Bing Miller ClintonHits106Frank UlchLa Cros/CedarERA1.25
Joe WilkesClin/CharlRuns69
John MokanFt. DodgeHR9

[ citation needed ] [1]

1947 to 1949

1947 Central Association
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Clinton Cubs 7351.58959,553Robert Peterson
Hannibal Pilots 6956.5524.540,490Herb Nordquist
Rockford Rox 6857.5445.567,938Cyril Pfeifer
Keokuk Pirates 6164.48812.544,332 Frank Oceak
Burlington Indians 5272.41921.037,138 Paul O'Dea
Moline A's 5174.40822.527,479Elwood Wheaton

Playoffs: Clinton 3 games, Rockford 2; Hannibal 3 games, Keokuk 1.
Finals: Clinton 4 games, Hannibal 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Edward WiltseeClintonBA.387Charles FunkHannibalW19
Roy Sievers HannibalHits159Charles FunkHannibalSO145
Roy Sievers HannibalRuns121Stan WnetrzakClintonERA1.72
Roy Sievers HannibalRBI141 Roy Sievers HannibalHR34

1948 Central Association
schedule

Team StandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Clinton Cubs 7947.62753,133 Nelson Burbrink / Lee Eilbracht
Burlington Indians 6862.52313.070,359 Paul O'Dea /
Ski Melillo / Bruno Haas
Hannibal Pilots 6762.51913.541,124Walter DeFreitas
Keokuk Pirates 6167.47719.054,694 Phil Seghi
Rockford Rox 5672.43824.043,133Cyril Pfeifer / Paul O'Dea
Moline A's /
Kewanee A's
5374.41726.538,088 Joe Glenn

Moline (17–25) moved to Kewanee June 18.
Playoffs: Clinton 4 games, Burlington 2; Keokuk 4 games, Hannibal 1.
Finals: Clinton 4 games, Keokuk 0.

Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Gus Bell KeokukBA.319Ronald McLelandHannibalW18
Billy Klaus ClintonlHits167Calvin HoweClintonW18
Elzer MarxClintonRuns108Wesley CarrClintonSO163
Dwight MaxhimerClintonRBI105Merrill MerkleHannibalSO163
John TannerKeokukHR23Ronald McLelandHannibalERA2.39

1949 Central Association
schedule

Team StandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Burlington Indians 8148.62857,915 Lloyd Brown
Keokuk Pirates 7454.5786.538,931 Charlie Hargreaves
Kewanee A's 6860.53112.529,482Harold Hoffman
Cedar Rapids Rockets 6367.48518.584,185 Packy Rogers
Clinton Steers 6165.48418.535,764 Adolph Matulis / Joe Blake
Rockford Rox 3891.29543.019,304Robert Dill / Fred Lietz

Playoffs: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Burlington 0; Kewanee 3 games, Keokuk 0.
Finals: Kewanee 4 games, Cedar Rapids 2.

Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Harry Minor KeokukBA.350Walter RushBurlingtonW16
John MillerKewaneeHits158John GraneyClintonSO164
George SopkoKeokukRuns120Harry PritzKeokukERA1.32
John TannerCedar RapidsRBI121
John TannerCedar RapidsHR37

[ citation needed ]

Cedar Rapids beat Burlington 3 games to none, and Kewanee beat Keokuk 3 games to none, in the first round of the playoffs. Kewanee defeated Cedar Rapids 4 games to 2 for the title. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scouting in Iowa</span>

Scouting in Iowa has a long history, from the 1910s to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League was a Minor League Baseball organization that operated for the better part of 60 seasons, with teams based in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. The league began play in 1901 and disbanded after the 1961 season. It was popularly known as the Three–I League and sometimes as the Three–Eye League.

The Mississippi Valley Conference is a high-school athletic conference whose members are located in the metropolitan areas of eastern region of the U.S. state of Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Iowa City and Waterloo-Cedar Falls.

The Western Big 6 Conference is a high school conference in western central Illinois. The conference participates in athletics and activities in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The conference comprises public high schools with large enrollments, as well a private school, in the Illinois Quad Cities, Galesburg, Illinois, and Quincy, Illinois.

The Mississippi Valley League (MVL) was a baseball Class D level minor league that operated from 1922 through 1933. Playing its last year as a Class B level league, the league franchises were based in Iowa and Illinois. Like many leagues at the time, the Great Depression led to its demise. The Mississippi Valley League was founded by Michael H. Sexton, of Rock Island, Illinois, who was then president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.

The Marshalltown Ansons were a minor league baseball team that played in the Central Association from 1914 to 1917 and in the Mississippi Valley League from 1922 to 1928. They were located in Marshalltown, Iowa.

The Illinois–Iowa League was a Minor league baseball league which operated in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana from 1890 to 1892.

The Rock Island Islanders was the primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Rock Island, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities, between 1892 and 1937. Rock Island teams played as members of the Illinois–Iowa League (1892), Western Association (1894), Eastern Iowa League (1895), Western Association (1898–1899), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1901–1911), Central Association (1914), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, Mississippi Valley League (1922–1933) and Western League (1934–1937).

The Kewanee Boilermakers were a minor league baseball team based in Kewanee, Illinois. From 1908 to 1913, the Boilermakers played exclusively as members of the Central Association, hosting home games at Terminal Park. The 1948 Kewanee A's succeeded the Boilermakers in minor league play.

The Kewanee A's were a minor league baseball team based in Kewanee, Illinois in the 1948 and 1949 seasons after the nearby Moline A's relocated to Kewanee. The A's played as exclusively as members of the Central Association, winning the 1949 league championship. The Kewanee A's were a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics.

The Mason City Claydiggers were a minor league baseball team based in Mason City, Iowa. In 1912, Mason City "Cementmakers" were a member of the independent Iowa State League before the "Claydiggers" played as members of the Class D level Central Association from 1915 to 1917. The Cementmakers won the 1912 the league pennant. The Mason City teams hosted minor league home games at Hanford Park.

The Eastern Iowa League was a minor league baseball league that played in the 1890 and 1895 seasons. The eight–team Independent level Eastern Iowa League consisted of teams based in Iowa and Illinois. The Eastern Iowa League permanently folded following the 1895 season.

The Oskaloosa Quakers were a minor league baseball team based in Oskaloosa, Iowa. From 1904 to 1908, the "Quakers" played as members of two Class D level leagues; the Iowa State League from 1904 to 1907 and the 1908 Central Association. The Quakers were the only minor league team hosted in Oskaloosa.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Galesburg, Illinois between 1890 and 1914. Galesburg teams played as members of the Central Interstate League and Illinois-Iowa League in 1890, Eastern Iowa League in 1895, the Illinois-Missouri League in 1908 and 1909 and the Central Association from 1910 to 1912 and 1914. Galesburg hosted home games at Willard Field, Illinois Field and Lombard College Field.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Jacksonville, Illinois, playing in eight leagues under four nicknames in their seasons of play between 1892 and 1910. Jacksonville teams played as members of the 1892 Illinois–Iowa League, Western Association (1894–1895), 1900 Central League, 1906 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League, 1907 Iowa State League, Central Association (1908–1909), 1910 Northern Association and 1910 Illinois–Missouri League. Jacksonville teams hosted minor league home games exclusively at League Park.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Muscatine, Iowa from 1910 to 1916, playing under five different nicknames. Muscatine teams played as members of the 1910 Northern Association and Central Association from 1911 to 1916. Muscatine teams hosted home games at League Field.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Monmouth, Illinois in various seasons between 1889 and 1913. Monmouth teams played as members of the Central Interstate League in 1889, Illinois-Iowa League in 1890, Illinois-Missouri League from 1908 to 1909 and Central Association from 1910 to 1913. Monmouth won the 1909 Illinois-Missouri League championship and hosted home games at the 11th Street Park.

References

  1. 1 2 Lloyd Johnson; Miles Wolff, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN   978-1932391176.