The ballpark
The Manistee, Michigan minor league teams hosted minor league teams home games at the Parkdale Grounds. The ballpark was located within the Parkdale Fairgrounds, North of Manistee and Manistee Lake. [20]
| Manistee Champs | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Independent (1890) Class D (1911–1914) |
| League | Michigan State League (1890, 1911–1914) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (3) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Manistee (1890) Manistee Colts (1911) Manistee Champs (1912–1914) |
| Ballpark | Parkdale Grounds (1890, 1911–1914) |
The Manistee Champs were a minor league baseball team based in Manistee, Michigan. The Champs played from 1912 to 1914, after an earlier Manistee team played in 1890, followed by the 1911 Manistee "Colts." The Manistee teams played exclusively as members of the Michigan State League, winning three consecutive league titles from 1911 to 1913, leading to the "Champs" nickname. Manistee was expelled from the Michigan State League in 1914 and moved to Belding, Michigan. Mainstee hosted minor league home games at the Parkdale Grounds.
Organized baseball began in Manistee as early as 1876, when the Manistee town team hosted home games at the Canfield's Ravine ballpark. Admission was free. [1]
Minor league baseball began in Manistee, Michigan in 1890, when the Manistee team became members of the six–team Independent level Michigan State League. [2] The 1890 Michigan State League folded during the season, with Manistee in second place. Manistee had compiled a record of a 16–6 record when the league folded on June 13, 1890. [3] [4] The Michigan State League folded one day after the first place Grand Rapids Shamrocks (17–6) left to join the International League. The Manistee team was managed by John Murphy. [5]
In 1911, minor league baseball returned to Manistee, Michigan, with the team winning a championship. [6] The Manistee Colts returned to play as members of the reformed six–team Class D level Michigan State League. The Manistee Colts and Boyne City Boosters franchises joined four returning 1910 Western Michigan League teams, the Cadillac Chiefs, Holland Wooden Shoes, Muskegon Reds and Traverse City Resorters in beginning Michigan State League play on May 23, 1911. [7] [5]
The Manistee Colts ended the 1911 Michigan State League season with the league championship. [8] With a record of 74–45, the Colts ended the season just 0.5 game ahead of the second place Cadillac Chiefs and Muskegon Reds, who had identical 73–45 records. Managed by Ed R. Somerlott, Earl Zook and Connie Lewis, the Colts won the championship in the league, which did not have playoffs in 1911. Pitcher Ray Williams of Manistee led the league with 25 wins and 169 strikeouts. [7] [9] [5]
In 1912, Manistee won their second consecutive Michigan State League championship. [10] The renamed Manistee "Champs" finished in first place with a record of 83–35. Playing under returning manager Connie Lewis, Manistee finished 4.5 games ahead of the second place Traverse City Resorters in the six–team league final standings. Pitcher Omer Benn of Manistee led the league with 22 wins. [11] [5]
Continuing Michigan State League play, the 1913 Manistee Champs won a third consecutive championship. With a final record of 73–47, the team placed first, playing again under the direction of manager Connie Lewis. Manistee finished 10.5 games ahead of the second place Traverse City Resorters in the six–team league. No playoffs were held in 1913. Grover Prough of Manistee led the league with 14 home runs, while teammate John Radloff led the Michigan State with both 18 wins and 235 strikeouts. [12] [13] [5]
In their final season of play, the Manistee Champs relocated during the season amidst controversy. On September 9, 1914, the Manistee franchise was expelled from the Michigan State League and the team moved to Belding, Michigan with a 56–51 record. The relocated team finished the remainder of the season playing as the Belding Champs. After a 1–13 record while based in Belding, the team placed fourth in the 1914 Michigan State League final standings. [5] The league began the season as a six–team league. On September 1, 1914, the Boyne City Boosters and Traverse City Resorters franchises folded. The Champs ended the season with a record of 57–64 overall record, playing under manager Louis Haidt in both locations. The Manistee/Belding team finished 18.5 games behind the first place and champion Muskegon Speeders in the final league standings. [14] [15] [5]
The Michigan State League folded after the 1914 season with the beginning of World War I. When the league resumed play in 1926, Manistee did not field a franchise. [5] Manistee, Michigan has not hosted another minor league team. [16]
In 1934, the Manistee "Saints" began play as a semi–professional team and have continued uninterrupted play. Today, the Manistee Saints continue play as members of the Great Lakes UBL. [17] [18] [19]
The Manistee, Michigan minor league teams hosted minor league teams home games at the Parkdale Grounds. The ballpark was located within the Parkdale Fairgrounds, North of Manistee and Manistee Lake. [20]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 1 | Manistee | Independent | Michigan State League | Parkdale Grounds |
| 1911 | 1 | Manistee Colts | Class D | ||
| 1912–1914 | 3 | Manistee Champs |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 16–8 | 2nd | John Murphy | League folded June 13 |
| 1911 | 74–45 | 1st | Ed R. Somerlott / Earl Zook / Connie Lewis | League champions |
| 1912 | 83–35 | 1st | Connie Lewis | League champions |
| 1913 | 73–47 | 1st | Connie Lewis | League champions |
| 1914 | 57–64 | 4th | Louis Haidt | Team was expelled (56–61) franchise moved to Belding September 9 |
Manistee (minor league baseball) players
Manistee Colts players
Manistee Champs players
The Michigan State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in various seasons between 1889 and 1941. The league franchises were based exclusively in Michigan, with the league forming on six different occasions. Twenty two different cities hosted teams in the Michigan State league.
The Helena Senators were a minor league baseball team based in Helena, Montana. Between 1892 and 1914, Helena minor league teams played as members of the Montana State League, 1902 Pacific Northwest League, 1903 Pacific National League, 1904 Montana State League, 1909 Inter-Mountain League and Union Association (1911–1914). Helena won league championships in 1892 and 1909.
The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League, known informally as the "MINK" League, was a Class D level minor league baseball league that played from 1910 to 1913. The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League consisted of teams based in the four states, but not always at the same time. The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League permanently folded midway through the 1913 season.
The Falls City Colts were a minor league baseball franchise based in Falls City, Nebraska. From 1910 to 1913, the Colts played exclusively as members of the Class D level Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League, winning the 1910 league championship and placing second in 1911 and 1912. Falls City hosted home minor league games at the Athletic Park.
The Paris Bourbonites were a minor league baseball team based in Paris, Kentucky. The Bourbonites played as members of the Blue Grass League from 1909 to 1912, with Paris joining the Ohio State League in 1914 and the "Bourbons" returning to Blue Grass League play from 1922 to 1924. Paris teams won league championships in 1910, 1911 and 1924 and hosted home minor league games at Bourbon County Park.
The Manhattan Maroons were a minor league baseball team based in Manhattan, Kansas. From 1909 to 1911, the Maroons played as members of the Class D level Central Kansas League and were followed in the league by the 1912 Manhattan "Elks," before the franchise joined the 1913 Kansas State League. Manhattan teams hosted minor league home games at Athletic Park from 1909 to 1911, before moving to Southside Park.
The Mount Clemens Bathers were a minor league baseball team based in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Between 1906 and 1914, the Bathers played as members of the Class D level Southern Michigan League in 1906 and 1907, Border League in 1912 and 1913 and Southern Michigan League in 1914, winning the league championship in 1906. Mount Clemens hosted home minor league teams at Culver Park.
The Ironton Nailers were a minor league baseball team based in Ironton, Ohio. In 1884 and from 1911 to 1915, Ironton teams played as members of the 1884 Ohio State League, the Mountain States League from 1911 to 1912 and Ohio State League from 1912 to 1915. Ironton won the 1912 league championship. Ironton teams hosted home minor league games at Beechwood Park.
The Cadillac Chiefs were a minor league baseball team based in Cadillac, Michigan. In 1910, Chiefs became as charter members of the Class D level Western Michigan League, winning the 1910 league championship. Cadillac then continued play, with the Chiefs becoming members of the Class D Michigan State League from 1911 to 1914. The Chiefs hosted home minor league games at Recreation Park.
The Boyne City Boosters were a minor league baseball team based in Boyne City, Michigan. From 1911 to 1914, the Boosters teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Michigan State League, hosting home minor league games at Maple Park.
The Holland Wooden Shoes were a minor league baseball team based in Holland, Michigan. In 1910 and 1911, the Wooden Shoes played as members of the Class D level Western Michigan League and its successor, the 1911 Michigan State League. The Wooden Shoes hosted home games at the 19th Street Grounds.
The Port Huron Saints was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Port Huron, Michigan between 1883 and 1926.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Lawrence, Massachusetts between 1877 and 1946. Lawrence minor league baseball teams played as members of the 1877 New England Association, 1884 Massachusetts State Association, 1885 Eastern New England League, New England League, 1895 New England Association, New England League, Eastern League (1916–1917) and New England League.
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 Chillicothe, Ohio between 1884 and 1916. Chillicothe teams played as members of the Ohio State League in 1884, Tri-State League in 1894 and Ohio State League from 1910 to 1916.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Maysville, Kentucky in various seasons between 1894 and 1923. Maysville teams played as members of the Tri-State League in 1894, Blue Grass League from 1910 to 1912, Ohio State League from 1913 to 1916 and Blue Grass League from 1922 to 1923, winning one league championship. Maysville hosted home minor league games at the Maysville Base Ball Park/League Park. Baseball Hall of Fame member Casey Stengel played for the 1910 Maysville Rivermen in his first professional season.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Petersburg, Virginia and neighboring Colonial Heights, Virginia in various seasons between 1885 and 1954. Playing under numerous monikers, Petersburg teams played as members of the Virginia League beginning in 1885 and ending in 1951 and the 1954 Piedmont League. Petersburg teams won five league championships. Petersburg teams were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1923 and Cincinnati Reds in 1954.
Minor league baseball franchises were based in Champaign, Illinois and neighboring Urbana, Illinois in various seasons between 1889 and 1914. Champaign and Urbana teams played as members of the Independent level Illinois-Indiana League in 1889 and the Class D level Illinois-Missouri League from 1911 to 1914, winning the 1914 league championship.
The Jackson Convicts were a minor league baseball team based in Jackson, Michigan. From 1906 to 1915, Jackson teams played as members of the Southern Michigan League for the duration of the league but did not claim a league championship in their tenure. In 1914 and 1915, Jackson played one season each known as the "Chiefs" and "Vets." Jackson teams hosted home minor league teams at Keeley Park. The team "Convicts" nickname corresponded to Jackson serving as home to the Michigan State Prison in the era.
The Battle Creek Crickets were a minor league baseball team based in Battle Creek, Michigan. From 1906 to 1915, the Crickets played as members of the Southern Michigan League for the duration of the league, winning the 1913 league championship. The Battle Creek Crickets teams hosted their home minor league games at Athletic Park.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)