| Clear Lake Fish Eaters | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Independent (1912) Class D (1917) |
| League | Iowa State League (1912)<br /Central Association (1917) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Team data | |
| Name | Clear Lake Fish Eaters (1912) Clear Lake Rabbits (1917) |
| Ballpark | Clear Lake City Ball Park (1912, 1917) |
The Clear Lake Fish Eaters were a minor league baseball team based in Clear Lake, Iowa. Clear Lake teams played as members of the Independent level Iowa State League in 1912 and the Class D level Central Association in 1917, with the 1917 team playing a brief season as the "Rabbits.". Both teams hosted home minor league games at the Clear Lake City Ball Park.
Clear Lake, Iowa first began minor league baseball play in 1912, when the Clear Lake Fish Eaters became members of the 1912 Iowa State League. The league had reformed as a five–team Independent League, playing a split–schedule. The Emmetsburg, Estherville, the Fort Dodge Boosters, and Mason City Cementmakers teams joined Clear Lake in beginning league play on may 23, 1912. [1] The Fish Eaters finished the with a record of 11–24 in the first–half standings, playing under managers Dick Wells and M. Bacon. Clear Lake played two games in the second–half before the franchise folded on July 12, 1914. The Iowa State League folded permanently after the 1914 season. [2] [1]
In 1917, Clear Lake resumed minor league play during the season. The Clear Lake Rabbits became members of the Class D level Central Association. [3] [4] On July 24, 1917, the Central Association member Cedar Rapids Rabbits moved to Clear Lake with a 38–48 record. Based in Clear Lake the team compiled a 1–4 record in finishing the remainder of the season. The Cedar Rapids/Clear Lake team ended the season with an overall record of 39–52. The Rabbits placed fourth in the Central Association standings, playing the season under managers Bill Collins, Doc Andrews and Doc Shanley. [5] [6]
The Central Association folded after the 1917 season. [5] Clear Lake, Iowa has not hosted another minor league team. [7]
Both Clear Lake teams played at Clear Lake City Ball Park. The ballpark was located within the City Park, located on the lakefront and near downtown. City Park is still in use today as a public park. The address of the ballpark was 1st Avenue North & North 3rd Street, Clear Lake, Iowa. [8] [9]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 1 | Clear Lake Fish Eaters | Independent | Iowa State League | Clear Lake City Ball Park |
| 1917 | 1 | Clear Lake Rabbits | Class D | Central Association | |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 11–24 | NA | Dick Wells / M. Bacon | Clear Lake disbanded July 14 |
| 1917 | 39–52 | 4th | Warren Collins / Doc Andrews / Harry Shanley | Cedar Rapids (38–48) moved to Clear Lake July 27 |
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 are league alumni.
The Rockford Rox was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Rockford, Illinois, between 1871 and 1949. In an era of early baseball, Rockford hosted teams in numerous leagues beginning in 1871. From 1916 to 1923, the Rox played in the Class B level Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, and from 1947 to 1949, they played in the Class C level Central Association. The Rockford Rox were preceded by the Rockford Red Sox (1901–1904) and Rockford Wakes (1914–1916) in the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. Several other Rockford teams played in various leagues leading up to the Rox. The Rockford Rox were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds from 1947 to 1949.
The Springfield Browns was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Springfield, Illinois between 1931 and 1950. Springfield teams played as members of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1931–1932), Mississippi Valley League (1933), Central League (1934), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League and Mississippi-Ohio Valley League (1950), winning the 1939 league championship. Hosting home games at Reservoir Park, Lanphier Park and Jim Fitzpatrick Memorial Stadium, Springfield teams were an affiliate of the 1931 St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Cardinals (1933–1934), 1935 Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns.
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 Evansville Evas was a primary nickname of an early minor league baseball teams in Evansville, Indiana between 1877 and 1931. Early Evansville teams played as members of the League Alliance (1887), Central Interstate League (1889-1890), Interstate League (1891), Northwestern League (1891), Illinois-Indiana League (1892), Southern Association (1895), Central League (1897), Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1901–1902), Central League (1903–1911), Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League (1912), Central League (1913–1917) and Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League (1919–1931). Evansville was a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers from 1928 to 1931.
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 A's were preceded in Kewanee by the Kewanee Boilermakers, who played from 1908 to 1913.
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.
The Butte Miners was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball franchise based in Butte, Montana. Butte minor league teams played as members of the Montana State League, Pacific Northwest League (1902), Pacific National League (1903–1904), Montana State League (1905), Northwestern League (1906–1908), Inter-Mountain League (1909), Montana State League (1909), Union Association (1911–1914), Northwestern League (1916–1917) and Montana State League (1925). Butte hosted home minor league games at the Mt. Columbia Grounds.
The Marlin Marlins were a minor league baseball team based in Marlin, Texas in 1916 and 1917. Succeeded by the Marlin Bathers in 1923, Marlin teams played as members of the Class D level Central Texas League in 1916 to 1917 and Texas Association from 1923 to 1925, hosting home games at Marlin City Park.
The Emmetsburg team was a minor league baseball team based in Emmetsburg, Iowa. in 1912, Emmetsburg played the season as members of the Independent level Iowa State League, placing fourth in their only season of minor league play. Emmetsburg hosted minor league home games at Harrison Park.
The Estherville team was a minor league baseball team based in Estherville, Iowa in 1912. The Estherville team was without a known moniker, common in the era. Estherville played the 1912 season as members of the Independent level Iowa State League, winning the league championship. Estherville hosted home minor league games at Riverside Park.
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 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 Fort Dodge, Iowa, playing various seasons between 1904 and 1917. Fort Dodge teams played as members of the Class D level Iowa State League from 1904 to 1906 and in 1912, before joining the Central Association from 1916 to 1917. Fort Dodge hosted home minor league games at Riverside Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in South Bend, Indiana in various seasons beginning in 1888 through 1932, setting the foundation for the current franchise, who began play in 1988. South Bend teams played as members of the Indiana State League (1888), Central League (1903–1912), Southern Michigan League (1914–1915) and the Central League under numerous monikers. These South Bend teams directly preceded South Bend becoming a Midwest League franchise in 1988. They remain in minor league play today as the South Bend Cubs.
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.
The Rochester A's were a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, Minnesota. In 1958, the A's played a partial season as an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics in the Class B level Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League. Rochester relocated to Winona, Minnesota on June 29, 1958, and the combined team finished in fifth place. Rochester hosted home minor league games at Mayo Field.
The Lebanon Pretzel Eaters were a minor league baseball team based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. In 1892, the Pretzel Eaters played a partial season as members of the Class B level Pennsylvania State League, hosting minor league home games at Penryn Park. The team folded before the end of the Pennsylvania State League season.