| Classification | Class B (1892) Class D (1910–1915, 1922–1923, 1928–1938, 1956–1959) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Minor League Baseball |
| Inaugural season | 1892 |
| Ceased | 1959 |
| President | Henry A. Sievers (1910–1911) A.C. Felt (1912–1913) Clarence J. Miles (1914–1915, 1922–1923) Richard R. Grotte (1923) James E. Beltzer (1928–1931) Robert C. Russell (1932) James E. Beltzer (1933) J. Roy Carter (1934–1938) Mike Hollinger (1956–1959) |
| No. of teams | 22 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Most titles | 4 McCook Grand Island |
| Related competitions | Tri-State League |
The Nebraska State League (NSL) was an American professional minor league baseball league with five incarnations between 1892 and 1959. The Nebraska State League formed five times: in 1892, from 1910 to 1915, from 1922 to 1923, from 1928 to 1938 and from 1956 to 1959. League teams were based in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. The 1892 league was a Class B level league, and the league was a Class D level league in all subsequent seasons.
The charter 1892 teams were the Beatrice Indians, Fremont, Grand Island Sugar Citys, Hastings, Lincoln Giants/Kearney and Plattsmouth. The league played just one season as a Class B level league before disbanding. [1]
In 1889, a touring African-American baseball team called the "Lafayettes" was formed in Nebraska. In 1890, William Pope formed the Lincoln Giants. Pope had signed the best of the Lafayette players and the team subsequently folded. In 1892, the Lincoln Giants sought to join the Nebraska State League. Those against allowing black players in the league caused the Lincoln Giants to fold, with many of their players picked up by the other Nebraska State League teams. [2] [3]
The Nebraska State League in 1892 was racially integrated. Baseball Hall of Fame member Bud Fowler played for Kearney and was elected captain of the team. [3] John W. Patterson, John Reeves, Frank Maupin, A.S. Kennedy, William Myers and F. Long played for Plattsmouth. George Taylor, played for Beatrice. The 1892 Nebraska State League was classified as a Class B level league and folded after the 1892 season.[ citation needed ][ clarification needed ] [4] [5]
The Nebraska State League reformed in 1910 as an eight–team Class D level league. The Columbus Discoverers, Fremont Pathfinders, Grand Island Collegians, Hastings Brickmakers, Kearney Kapitalists, Red Cloud, Seward Statesmen and Superior Brickmakers were the member franchises as the league resumed play. [6]
In 1915, the Nebraska State League ran into financial difficulties as franchises struggled to remain solvent. Both Columbus and Kearney disbanded on June 4, 1915. After Grand Island withdrew June 28 and Norfolk disbanded June 29, the league folded on June 29, 1915. Kearney began the season 2,000 in debt and sold season tickets to eliminate the debt, but with 2,000 season tickets sold, the gameday gate money was minimal and the franchise was also affected by the city becoming "dry" and became unable to make its financial obligations to visiting teams. Kearney had logistical issuer as visiting teams were reluctant travel to Norfolk, as the train fares for the trip were expensive. Norfolk had agreed to pay extra to visiting clubs to make up the difference in train fares. Grand Island manager Harry Claire and player Crosby were given suspensions for the rest of the year due to gambling accusations and the team was also fined. The Grand Island franchise folded instead of paying the fines. [7]
After folding following the 1915 season, the Nebraska State League reformed and played the 1922 and 1923 seasons with the Beatrice Blues, Fairbury Jeffersons, Grand Island Champions, Hastings Cubs, Lincoln Links and Norfolk Elk Horns as members of the six–team Class D level league. [8] The league evolved into the 1924 Tri-State League. [9] [10]
In 1928, the Nebraska State League resumed play as an eight–team Class D level league. The Beatrice Blues, Fairbury Jeffersons, Grand Island Champs, Lincoln Links, McCook Generals, Norfolk Elks, North Platte Buffaloes and York Dukes were the 1928 league members. The league would play continually through the 1938 season. [8]
The Nebraska State League formed for the final time in 1956. The league teams were all major league affiliates, as the Class D level eight–team league resumed play. The league members all took the monikers of their affiliate, as the Grand Island A's, Hastings Giants, Holdrege White Sox, Kearney Yankees, Lexington Red Sox, McCook Braves, North Platte Indians and Superior Senators were the 1956 franchises. [11]
Originally 12 cities had showed interest in hosting a team in the 1956 Nebraska State League. Thie interest occurred after the eight major league teams had agreed to affiliate with the league. The Nebraska cities of Ogallala, Alma, Broken Bow and Norton, Kansas, were not granted franchises. [12]
The 1956 league schedule was designed to start on July 1 and end on Labor Day. The league structure began when representatives of the league held a meeting in Kearney, Nebraska, at the Fort Kearney Hotel in early June. The 1956 schedule was created by Harold George, secretary of the league. George was formerly an executive in the Western League. Mike Hollinger, a former manager of the semi–pro Kearney Irishmen team was named president of the League. Hollinger operated a bowling alley in Kearney. [12]
In structuring the 1956 league, revenue and expenses were divided between Major League Baseball, the individual Major League parent clubs and each of the league franchises. League franchises committed to selling at least $5,000 in tickets and 500 season tickets before the season started. Kearney sold 760 season ticket books, McCook followed with 741. Holdrege sold 690, North Platte 673, Lexington 665, Grand Island 656, Hastings 632 and Superior 559. The league was owned by Major League Baseball. Season tickets were sold for $10.00 each. The revenue from the first 500 tickets per franchise went to the Nebraska State League ($5,000 per team). 25% of each season ticket went to the hosting team. Concessions were split evenly between the hosting team and the league. Each team city supplied a lighted home ballpark park and a groundskeeper. The official score keeper for each game was paid $2.50. Player and manager salaries and travel costs were handled by the parent major league affiliate, with Yellow Diamond and Continental Motor lines were hired as vendors to provide bus services. Players were allotted $2.25 per day for meal money. The league selected the Rawlings baseball as the official ball for the league, with the Major League affiliates providing balls. KGFW radio in Kearney paid $500.00 for radio rights to all Kearney games. [12]
The last Nebraska State League of 1956–1959 was stable largely because its clubs were farm teams for the major leagues. Its final season has become well known through the book A False Spring by Pat Jordan, who played in the league for McCook.[ citation needed ] [13]
The Nebraska State League was a Class B level league in the 1892 season and afterwards was exclusively a Class D level league.[ clarification needed ] [4] [5]
1892 Nebraska State League
| Team | W | L | GB | Pct. | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Indians | 27 | 20 | – | .574 | NA |
| Grand Island Sugar Citys | 25 | 25 | 3.5 | .500 | Pa Rourke |
| Lincoln Giants / Kearney, NE | 18 | 21 | 5.0 | .462 | NA |
| Hastings, NE | 17 | 20 | 5.0 | .459 | NA |
| Fremont Pathfinders | 11 | 18 | 9 | .379 | NA |
| Plattsmouth, NE | 11 | 24 | 11 | .314 | NA |
League disbanded in July.
1910 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Attend | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont Pathfinders | 63 | 43 | .594 | – | 16,966 | Pug Bennett |
| Columbus Discoverers | 59 | 48 | .551 | 4.5 | 14,110 | Joe Dolan |
| Kearney Kapitalists | 60 | 51 | .541 | 5.5 | 14,946 | Clarence Murphy |
| Grand Island Collegians | 60 | 52 | .536 | 6.0 | 20,129 | Buck Beltzer |
| Superior Brickmakers | 56 | 54 | .509 | 9.0 | 13,150 | Dennis Bockewitz |
| Seward Statesmen | 50 | 62 | .446 | 16.0 | 10,251 | John Fink |
| Red Cloud "Indians" | 47 | 62 | .431 | 17.5 | 10,126 | B.F. Grant |
| Hastings Brickmakers | 42 | 65 | .398 | 21.5 | 14,318 | George Harms |
Playoffs: None Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Jarrott | Red Cloud | BA | .326 | Win Noyes | Kearney | W | 24 | |
| Leo Cook | Hastings | Runs | 88 | Win Noyes | Kearney | SO | 323 | |
| Fred Jarrott | Red Cloud | Hits | 126 | Frank Green | Kearney | Pct | .900; 9–1 | |
| Fresco Thompson | Fremont | HR | 10 | Archie Turpin | Fremont | SB | 75 |
1911 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superior Brickmakers | 70 | 40 | .636 | – | Dennis Bockewitz |
| Fremont Pathfinders | 69 | 43 | .616 | 2.0 | Pug Bennett |
| Hastings Third Citys | 54 | 58 | .482 | 17.0 | Rudy Kling |
| Seward Statesmen | 53 | 57 | .482 | 17.0 | John Fink |
| Grand Island Collegians | 52 | 60 | .464 | 19.0 | Howard Armstrong |
| Columbus Discoverers | 52 | 60 | .464 | 19.0 | Joe Dolan |
| Kearney Buffaloes | 48 | 64 | .429 | 23.0 | Clarence Murphy |
| York Prohibitionists | 48 | 64 | .429 | 23.0 | George Harms / Lefty Davis |
Playoffs: None Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norm Coyle | Superior | BA | .354 | Al Orth | Hastings | W | 23 | |
| Nick Allen | Superior | Runs | 95 | Harry Smith | Fremont | SO | 235 | |
| Norm Coyle | Superior | Hits | 153 | Jim Stevens | Superior | Pct | .750; 18–6 | |
| George Harms | York | HR | 21 |
1912 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings Third Citys | 67 | 44 | .604 | – | Bert Shaner |
| Fremont Pathfinders | 66 | 45 | .595 | 1.0 | Pug Bennett |
| Kearney Kapitalists | 63 | 49 | .563 | 4.5 | Harry Berte |
| Columbus Discoverers | 56 | 54 | .509 | 10.5 | Jim Palmer / Willie Wilson |
| Seward Statesmen | 53 | 59 | .473 | 14.5 | Bill Zink |
| Grand Island Collegians | 52 | 59 | .468 | 15.0 | Jim Cockman |
| York Prohibitionists | 45 | 66 | .405 | 22.0 | Lefty Davis |
| Superior Brickmakers | 43 | 69 | .384 | 24.5 | Dennis Bockewitz |
A Kearney win over Hastings was reversed at the 1913 spring meeting, giving Hastings the championship.
Playoffs: None Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pug Bennett | Fremont | BA | .360 | Joe Lotz | Kearney | W | 26 | |
| Charles Block | York | Runs | 116 | Bert Shaner | Hastings | Pct | .773; 17–5 | |
| Bill Zink | Seward | Hits | 139 |
1913 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney Kapitalists | 67 | 45 | .598 | – | Harry Berte |
| Hastings Third Citys | 64 | 48 | .571 | 3.0 | Bert Shaner |
| York Prohibitionists | 57 | 55 | .509 | 10.0 | Gid Gardner |
| Fremont Pathfinders | 56 | 56 | .500 | 11.0 | Curt Welch |
| Superior Brickmakers | 54 | 58 | .482 | 13.0 | Dennis Bockewitz |
| Columbus Discoverers | 54 | 58 | .482 | 13.0 | John Gondling / Red Smith / Jack Kraninger |
| Seward Statesmen / Beatrice Milkskimmers | 52 | 60 | .464 | 15.0 | Bill Zink |
| Grand Island Collegians | 44 | 68 | .393 | 23.0 | O.J. Firestine / Jack Forrester |
Seward (27–37) moved to Beatrice July 21.
Playoffs: None Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homer W. "Dolly" Gray | Kearney | BA | .411 | R.N. Maples | Kearney | W | 17 | |
| Swat McCabe | Hastings | Hits | 155 | L.R. Plympton | Kearney | W | 17 | |
| Ted Reed | Columbus | Pct | .737; 14–5 | Berney Everton | York | W | 17 |
1914 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island Islanders | 66 | 46 | .589 | – | Harry Claire |
| Beatrice Milkskimmers | 65 | 47 | .580 | 1.0 | Frank Coe |
| Hastings Reds | 64 | 48 | .571 | 2.0 | Pug Bennett |
| York Prohibitionists | 60 | 52 | .536 | 6.0 | Maury Pierce |
| Superior Brickmakers | 54 | 58 | .482 | 12.0 | James Feeney / F.H. Bigby |
| Norfolk Drummers | 52 | 60 | .464 | 14.0 | Warren Cummings / Babe Towne |
| Columbus Pawnees | 49 | 63 | .437 | 17.0 | Jake Kraninger |
| Kearney Kapitalists | 38 | 74 | .339 | 28.0 | Harry Berte |
Playoffs: None Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Gettman | Hastings | BA | .336 | John McDonnell | Beatrice | W | 21 | |
| Clint Neff | Beatrice | Runs | 80 | Dazzy Vance | Hastings | SO | 194 | |
| Fred Payne | Grand Island | Hits | 134 | Dazzy Vance | Hastings | Pct | .810; 17–4 | |
| Clint Neff | Beatrice | HR | 19 |
1915 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Milkskimmers | 35 | 18 | .660 | – | John Fillman |
| Hastings Reds | 30 | 27 | .526 | 7.0 | Pug Bennett |
| York Prohibitionists | 25 | 31 | .446 | 11.5 | Maury Pierce |
| Fairbury Shaners | 22 | 31 | .415 | 13.0 | Bert Shaner |
| Norfolk Drummers | 24 | 13 | .649 | NA | Babe Towne |
| Grand Island Champions | 16 | 16 | .500 | NA | Harry Claire |
| Kearney Buffaloes | 4 | 10 | .286 | NA | Grover Matney |
| Columbus Pawnees | 3 | 13 | .188 | NA | Frank Justus |
Columbus and Kearney disbanded June 4; Grand Island and Norfolk disbanded June 28.
The league folded July 18.
1922 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Elk Horns | 70 | 48 | .593 | – | Bert Adams / Runt Marr |
| Lincoln Links | 70 | 49 | .588 | 0.5 | O.A. Beltzer |
| Fairbury Jeffersons | 69 | 49 | .585 | 1.0 | George Segrist |
| Beatrice Blues | 53 | 63 | .457 | 16.0 | R. Kirchner / Ducky Holmes |
| Hastings Cubs | 52 | 67 | .437 | 18.5 | Al Smith |
| Grand Island Champions | 40 | 78 | .339 | 30.0 | Ed Willett |
Playoff: Fairbury 4 games, Norfolk 3.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runt Marr | Norfolk | BA | .364 | Bill Bailey | Lincoln | W | 23 | |
| Runt Marr | Norfolk | Runs | 116 | Fred Wigington | Hastings | SO | 260 | |
| Runt Marr | Norfolk | Hits | 167 | L.W. Jenney | Fairbury | Pct | .773; 17–5 | |
| Claude Mitchell | Norfolk | HR | 21 |
1923 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Links | 71 | 64 | .526 | – | O.A. Beltzer |
| Norfolk Elk Horns | 68 | 66 | .507 | 2.5 | Ed Reichle |
| Grand Island Champions | 68 | 66 | .507 | 2.5 | Leo McDonnell / Boser |
| Hastings Cubs | 65 | 66 | .498 | 4.0 | Pug Bennett |
| Beatrice Blues | 64 | 68 | .485 | 5.5 | Ed Willett / Matty McGrath |
| Fairbury Jeffersons | 63 | 69 | .477 | 6.5 | George Segrist |
Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Conkey | Lincoln | BA | .390 | Art Stokes | Lincoln | W | 23 | |
| Fresco Thompson | Grand Island | Runs | 91 | Art Stokes | Lincoln | SO | 207 | |
| Fred Conkey | Lincoln | Hits | 169 | Edward Shupe | Grand Island | Pct | .720; 18–7 | |
| Jimmy Hudgens | Fairbury | HR | 13 |
1928 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCook Generals | 71 | 49 | .592 | – | Elmer "Doc" Bennett |
| Lincoln Links | 66 | 54 | .550 | 5.0 | Bob Brown |
| Beatrice Blues | 64 | 56 | .533 | 7.0 | Hal Brokaw |
| North Platte Buffaloes | 64 | 57 | .529 | 7.5 | Joe Pizer |
| York Dukes | 58 | 62 | .483 | 13.0 | Art Rasmussen |
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 55 | 66 | .455 | 16.5 | Lefty Wilkus |
| Grand Island Champs | 52 | 68 | .433 | 19.0 | Davey Claire / Alf Pierpoint / Thomson / Clay Schoonover |
| Fairbury Jeffersons | 51 | 69 | .425 | 20.0 | Lee Fairchild |
Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Stoneham | McCook | BA | .396 | Ernest Krenk | Lincoln | W | 20 | |
| Herb Pember | McCook | Runs | 116 | Harlan Pyle | McCook | W | 20 | |
| Herb Pember | McCook | Hits | 172 | Joe Wilman | York | SO | 164 | |
| Walt Cookson | North Platte | HR | 19 | Ernest Krenk | Lincoln | ERA | 2.57 |
1929 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCook Generals | 74 | 42 | .638 | – | Elmer "Doc" Bennett |
| Fairbury Jeffersons | 70 | 51 | .579 | 6.5 | Preston Gray |
| Lincoln Links | 68 | 51 | .571 | 7.5 | Bob Brown / Les Nunamaker |
| York Dukes | 61 | 53 | .535 | 12.0 | Art Rasmussen |
| Norton Jayhawks | 54 | 60 | .474 | 19.0 | Hal Brokaw |
| Grand Island Islanders | 54 | 62 | .466 | 20.0 | Clay Schoonover / Bob Brown |
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 43 | 73 | .371 | 31.0 | Lefty Wilkus |
| North Platte Buffaloes | 42 | 74 | .362 | 32.0 | Joe Pizer |
Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Stoneham | McCook | BA | .410 | Andy Bednar | McCook | W | 21 | |
| Herb Pember | McCook | Runs | 117 | Stanford Primm | Fairbury | W | 21 | |
| Herb Pember | McCook | Hits | 194 | Vito SanFilippo | Fairbury | SO | 201 | |
| Joe Smith | Norfolk | HR | 15 | Jean Jones | Norton | ERA | 2.15 |
1930 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCook Generals | 85 | 34 | .714 | – | Elmer "Doc" Bennett |
| Fairbury Jeffersons | 68 | 51 | .571 | 1.0 | Preston Gray |
| Grand Island Islanders | 62 | 58 | .517 | 23.5 | Kenzie Kirkham |
| York Dukes | 60 | 59 | .504 | 25.0 | Art Rasmussen |
| North Platte Buffaloes | 60 | 60 | .500 | 25.5 | Baldy Fowlkes |
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 56 | 65 | .463 | 30.0 | Hal Brokaw |
| Lincoln Links | 56 | 66 | .459 | 30.5 | Les Nunamaker |
| Norton Jayhawks | 33 | 87 | .275 | 52.5 | Earl Harrison / Frank Sidle |
Norton suspended operations August 25; final seven games were forfeited to scheduled opponents.
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Seelman | North Platte | BA | .373 | Vito SanFilippo | Fairbury | W | 23 | |
| Ed Taylor | Lincoln | Runs | 125 | Vito SanFilippo | Fairbury | SO | 243 | |
| Washington Seelman | North Platte | Hits | 174 | Jim Cameron | McCook | ERA | 2.25 | |
| Mike Kreevich | McCook | HR | 15 | Jim Cameron | McCook | Pct | .925; 19–2 |
1931 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island Islanders | 66 | 41 | .617 | – | Sonny Brookhaus |
| McCook Generals | 59 | 50 | .541 | 8.0 | Elmer "Doc" Bennett |
| Lincoln Links | 55 | 51 | .519 | 10.5 | Les Nunamaker |
| North Platte Buffaloes | 53 | 55 | .491 | 13.5 | Bart Green / Frank Owens |
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 47 | 58 | .448 | 18.0 | Joe McDermott |
| York Dukes | 42 | 67 | .385 | 25.0 | Pop Gleason / Bob Brown |
Playoffs: Grand Island 4 games, North Platte 1.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ignatius Walters | McCook | BA | .400 | Harry Matuzak | McCook | W | 18 | |
| Roy Kippert | Grand Is/McCook | Runs | 117 | Harley Hagan | Lincoln | SO | 189 | |
| Ignatius Walters | McCook | Hits | 193 | Robert Pickering | Grand Island | ERA | 2.56 | |
| Sebastian Wagner | Norfolk | HR | 22 |
1932 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 75 | 35 | .682 | – | Joe McDermott |
| Beatrice Blues | 59 | 46 | .562 | 13.5 | Dick Reichle / Sonny Brookhaus |
| Grand Island Islanders | 59 | 52 | .532 | 16.5 | Sonny Brookhaus / Gus Getz |
| North Platte Buffaloes | 49 | 61 | .454 | 26.0 | Frank Owens |
| Lincoln Links | 45 | 60 | .429 | 27.5 | William Rumler / Bob Sanquist |
| McCook Generals | 37 | 70 | .346 | 36.5 | Gene Bailey / Jack Hruska |
Playoffs: Beatrice 2 games, Lincoln 1. Finals: Beatrice 4 games, Norfolk 3.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walt Gannon | Norfolk | BA | .355 | Otto Davis | Norfolk | W | 24 | |
| Johnny Cross | Beatrice | Runs | 100 | Pat Flanagan | McCook | SO | 261 | |
| Walt Gannon | Norfolk | Hits | 150 | Luke Bucklin | Norfolk | ERA | 1.89 | |
| Bill Swinger | Beatrice | HR | 16 |
1933 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Elks | 60 | 45 | .571 | – | Joe McDermott |
| Beatrice Blues | 60 | 46 | .566 | 0.5 | Sonny Brookhaus |
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 57 | 49 | .538 | 3.5 | Rex Stucker |
| Lincoln Links | 34 | 71 | .324 | 26.0 | Elmer "Doc" Bennett / Joe Hruska |
Playoffs: Beatrice 5 games, Norfolk 4.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Gutteridge | Lincoln | BA | .360 | Wilmer Schroeder | Sioux Falls | W | 20 | |
| Larry Getz | Beatrice | Runs | 100 | Mike Pociask | Beatrice | SO | 195 | |
| Ray Bertram | Norfolk | Hits | 152 | Sam Conaway | Sioux Falls | ERA | 2.43 | |
| Howard Moore | Beatrice | HR | 19 |
1934 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Links | 69 | 41 | .627 | – | Cy Lingle / Pug Griffin |
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 60 | 49 | .550 | 8.5 | Joe McDermott |
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 50 | 60 | .455 | 19.0 | Rex Stucker |
| Beatrice Blues | 38 | 67 | .362 | 28.5 | Sonny Brookhaus |
Playoffs: None Scheduled
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Ewing | Norfolk | BA | .360 | Jack Farmer | Norfolk | W | 19 | |
| Frank Morehouse | Lincoln | Runs | 99 | Tom Seats | Lincoln | SO | 221 | |
| George Silvey | Norfolk | Hits | 143 | Nels Potter | Lincoln | ERA | 1.71 | |
| Bill Swinger | Beatrice | HR | 14 |
1935 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 72 | 40 | .643 | – | Ralph Brandon |
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 58 | 49 | .542 | 11.5 | Pat Patterson |
| Lincoln Links | 50 | 64 | .439 | 23.0 | Cy Lingle |
| Beatrice Blues | 42 | 69 | .378 | 29.5 | Charley Stis / Bennie Warren |
Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Sioux Falls 3.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Joerndt | Beatrice | BA | .331 | Claude Bradford | Sioux Falls | W | 17 | |
| Justin Keenoy | Beatrice | Runs | 100 | Orie Arntzen | Norfolk | SO | 184 | |
| Ash Joerndt | Beatrice | Hits | 153 | Tony A. Johnson | Sioux Falls | ERA | 2.14 | |
| Bill Swinger | Beatrice | HR | 22 | John Grilli | Norfolk | RBI | 102 |
1936 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 71 | 49 | .592 | – | Ralph Brandon |
| Mitchell Kernels | 68 | 50 | .576 | 2.0 | Cliff Knox |
| Norfolk Elks | 63 | 57 | .525 | 8.0 | Joe McDermott |
| Beatrice Blues | 56 | 65 | .463 | 15.5 | Sonny Brookhaus |
| Lincoln Red Links | 26 | 38 | .406 | NA | Pid Purdy |
| Fairbury Jeffs | 19 | 44 | .302 | NA | Eddie Brown |
Lincoln and Fairbury disbanded July 16.
Playoffs: Sioux Falls 3 games, Beatrice 2: Mitchell 3 games, Norfolk 1. Finals: Mitchell 4 games, Sioux Falls 2.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Pelton | Mitchell | BA | .373 | Charlie Wagner | Sioux Falls | W | 21 | |
| Bill B. James | Norfolk | Runs | 137 | Robert Swan | Sioux Falls | SO | 267 | |
| Bert Haas | Beatrice | Hits | 178 | Charlie Wagner | Sioux Falls | ERA | 3.08 | |
| Bill B. James | Norfolk | HR | 29 | Dexter Savage | Norfolk | RBI | 128 |
1937 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 83 | 36 | .697 | – | Ralph Brandon |
| Mitchell Kernels | 75 | 41 | .647 | 6.5 | Cliff Knox |
| Beatrice Blues | 54 | 61 | .470 | 27.0 | Lee Riley |
| Norfolk Elks | 50 | 65 | .435 | 31.0 | Elmer "Doc" Bennett |
| Fairbury Jeffs | 48 | 70 | .407 | 34.5 | Sonny Brookhaus |
| Grand Island Red Birds | 40 | 77 | .342 | 42.0 | Joe McDermott |
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Riley | Beatrice | BA | .372 | Charlie Wagner | Sioux Falls | W | 25 | |
| Frank Mahacek | Sioux Falls | Runs | 129 | Murry Dickson | Grand Island | SO | 209 | |
| James Guyman | Mitchell | Hits | 175 | Bobby Swan | Sioux Falls | ERA | 2.35 | |
| James Guyman | Mitchell | HR | 22 | Harold Schmiel | Sioux Falls | RBI | 140 |
1938 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City Cowboys | 70 | 47 | .598 | – | Pete Monahan |
| Norfolk Elkhorns | 67 | 49 | .578 | 2.5 | Elmer "Doc" Bennett |
| Beatrice Blues | 62 | 54 | .534 | 7.5 | Lee Riley |
| Lincoln Links | 52 | 64 | .448 | 17.5 | Pug Griffin |
| Grand Island Cardinals | 49 | 67 | .422 | 20.5 | Joe Hassler |
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 49 | 68 | .419 | 21.0 | Ralph Brandon |
Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Sioux City 2.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee Riley | Beatrice | BA | .365 | Don Fisher | Sioux Falls | W | 21 | |
| Ralph Fallon | Sioux City | Runs | 124 | Don Fisher | Sioux Falls | SO | 242 | |
| Marion DeJarnett | Lincoln | Runs | 124 | Cletus Voss | Sioux Falls | ERA | 2.33 | |
| Ned Tighe | Norfolk | Hits | 161 | Lee Riley | Beatrice | RBI | 122 | |
| Pete Monahan | Sioux City | HR | 19 |
1956 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Attend | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Red Sox | 41 | 22 | .651 | – | 28,393 | Danny Doyle |
| Grand Island Athletics | 35 | 28 | .556 | 6.0 | 30,915 | Art Mazmanian |
| Kearney Yankees | 35 | 28 | .556 | 6.0 | 30,943 | Randy Gumpert |
| McCook Braves | 35 | 28 | .556 | 6.0 | 32,224 | Bill Steinecke |
| Superior Senators | 34 | 29 | .540 | 7.0 | 22,860 | Charles Ray Baker |
| Holdrege White Sox | 33 | 30 | .524 | 8.0 | 24,326 | Skeeter Scalzi |
| North Platte Indians | 24 | 39 | .381 | 17.0 | 28,578 | Spencer Harris |
| Hastings Giants | 15 | 48 | .238 | 26.0 | 28,713 | Gene Thompson |
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Fries | Kearney | BA | .394 | Ted Ellis | Lexington | W | 11 | |
| Deron Johnson | Kearney | Runs | 70 | Dick Allen | McCook | W | 11 | |
| Jimmie Hall | Superior | Runs | 87 | Gary Peters | Holdrege | SO | 142 | |
| Deron Johnson | Kearney | RBI | 78 | Ted Ellis | Lexington | ERA | 1.76 | |
| Deron Johnson | Kearney | HR | 24 |
1957 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Attend | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island Athletics | 33 | 22 | .600 | – | 26,982 | Art Mazmanian |
| Holdrege White Sox | 33 | 23 | .589 | 0.5 | 21,581 | Frank Parenti |
| Lexington Red Sox | 33 | 23 | .589 | 0.5 | 24,218 | Jack Kaiser |
| Kearney Yankees | 30 | 26 | .536 | 3.5 | 23,349 | Randy Gumpert |
| Hastings Giants | 29 | 26 | .527 | 4.0 | 21,863 | Leo Schrall |
| McCook Braves | 27 | 29 | .482 | 6.5 | 25,844 | Bill Steinecke |
| Superior Senators | 27 | 29 | .482 | 6.5 | 19,796 | Charles Ray Baker |
| North Platte Indians | 11 | 45 | .196 | 22.5 | 21,207 | Rudy York |
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Wasem | Holdrege | BA | .366 | Wayne Coughtry | Lexington | W | 11 | |
| Don Bonomini | Holdrege | Runs | 58 | Leonardo Ferguson | Kearney | SO | 149 | |
| Jackie Creed | Lexington | Hits | 71 | Leonardo Ferguson | Kearney | ERA | 1.68 | |
| Milt Campo | Kearney | RBI | 59 | Milt Campo | Kearney | HR | 17 |
1958 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Attend | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Platte Indians | 41 | 22 | .651 | – | 18,766 | Mark Wylie |
| McCook Braves | 40 | 23 | .635 | 1.0 | 17,372 | Bill Steinecke |
| Grand Island Athletics | 33 | 30 | .524 | 8.0 | 18,762 | Art Mazmanian |
| Kearney Yankees | 33 | 30 | .524 | 8.0 | 14,147 | Randy Gumpert |
| Lexington Red Sox | 30 | 33 | .476 | 11.0 | 12,838 | Jack Kaiser |
| Holdrege White Sox | 29 | 34 | .460 | 12.0 | 11,565 | George Noga |
| Hastings Giants | 24 | 39 | .381 | 17.0 | 11,522 | Leo Schrall |
| Superior Senators | 22 | 41 | .349 | 19.0 | 8,953 | Hal Keller |
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Debus | Grand Island | BA | .393 | Ceferino Foy | McCook | W | 10 | |
| Larry Bulla | North Platte | Runs | 68 | Larry Gansauer | North Platte | W | 10 | |
| Jerry McNertney | Holdrege | Hits | 84 | Bill Spanswick | Lexington | SO | 1.42 | |
| J. Keith Williams | North Platte | RBI | 72 | Larry Del Margo | Kearney | ERA | 2.25 | |
| J. Keith Williams | North Platte | HR | 12 |
1959 Nebraska State League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Attend | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCook Braves | 43 | 19 | .694 | – | 19,788 | Bill Steinecke |
| Holdrege White Sox | 39 | 23 | .629 | 4.0 | 11,963 | Frank Parenti |
| Grand Island Athletics | 32 | 30 | .516 | 11.0 | 16,716 | Art Mazmanian |
| Kearney Yankees | 27 | 35 | .435 | 16.0 | 13,141 | Jim Gleeson |
| Hastings Giants | 23 | 39 | .371 | 20.0 | 10,235 | Leo Schrall |
| North Platte Indians | 22 | 40 | .355 | 21.0 | 14,275 | Mark Wylie |
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ike Futch | Kearney | BA | .319 | Anthony Filicchia | Grand Island | W | 11 | |
| Frank Saia | McCook | Runs | 63 | Dennis Overby | McCook | SO | 136 | |
| Woody Huyke | Hastings | Hits | 71 | Paul Chenger | McCook | ERA | 2.13 | |
| Boyd Coffie | Kearney | RBI | 63 | Woody Huyke | Hastings | HR | 12 |
The Western League was the name of several American sports leagues in Minor League Baseball. This article concentrates on the Western Leagues that operated from 1900 to 1937 and from 1947 to 1958.
The Beatrice Blues was the final and primary name of the minor league baseball teams located in Beatrice, Nebraska. Beatrice teams played as members of the Nebraska State League in 1892, from 1913 to 1915, 1922 to 1923, 1928, 1932 to 1938, the Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League in 1912 and the Tri-State League in 1924. They were affiliated with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1936 to 1938.
The Superior Senators were a Minor League Baseball team, based in Superior, Nebraska. The Senators played from 1956 to 1958 in the short-season Class D level Nebraska State League as an affiliate of the Washington Senators. From 1910 to 1914, the Senators were preceded in Nebraska State League play by the Superior Brickmakers. Baseball Hall of Fame member Dazzy Vance played for the 1913 Brickmakers
The North Platte Indians were a minor league baseball team based in North Platte, Nebraska. Preceded by the North Platte Buffalos, the North Platte teams played as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League from 1928 to 1932 as the Buffalos and from 1956 to 1959 as the Indians. The North Platte Indians were a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1956 to 1959, winning the 1958 league championship. The Buffalos played home games at the Union Pacific Park and the Indians hosted home games at Bill Wood Field.
The Holdrege White Sox were a minor league baseball team based in Holdrege, Nebraska. The White Sox played as members of the short–season Class D level Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959 as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Holdrege first fielded a team in the 1903 Central Nebraska League, winning the league title. The White Sox hosted home minor league games at Holdrege Fairgrounds Park.
The Hastings Giants was the final nickname of the minor league baseball teams, based in Hastings, Nebraska between 1887 and 1959. The Hastings Giants played in the short-season Class D level Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959. Earlier Hastings teams played as members the Western League (1887), Nebraska State League and Tri-State League (1924).
The Norton Jayhawks were a minor league baseball team based in Norton, Kansas. The "Jayhawks" played in the 1929 and 1930 seasons as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League and were the first and only minor league team based in Norton. The Jayhawks hosted home minor league games at Elmwood Park.
The York Dukes were a minor league baseball team based in York, Nebraska. Between 1911 and 1931, York teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League. The York Prohibitionists preceded the Dukes, playing in the Nebraska State League from 1911 to 1915. The Prohibitionists played home Nebraska State League games at Parks Park, and the Dukes hosted home games at Leavitt Stadium.
The Fremont Pathfinders were a minor league baseball team, based in Fremont, Nebraska. Preceded by a Fremont team in 1892, Fremont teams played exclusively as members of the Nebraska State League. The Pathfinders won league championships in their first season of 1910 and a second in 1912, before folding following the 1913 season, when the franchise relocated and became the Norfolk Drummers. Fremont played minor league home games at the Association Lot.
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 Norfolk Elk Horns or the shortened "Elks" was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Norfolk, Nebraska between 1914 and 1941. The Norfolk minor league teams played as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League, Tri-State League (1924), Nebraska State League (1928–1938) and Western League (1939–1941), winning league championships in 1935 and 1938. The Norfolk minor league teams hosted home games at Athletic Park.
The Red Cloud minor league baseball teams were based in Red Cloud, Nebraska in 1903 and 1910. Red Cloud played as members of the Central Nebraska League (1903) and Nebraska State League (1910). The Red Cloud moniker was cited locally as the "Indians".
The Columbus Pawnees were a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Nebraska. From 1910 to 1915, Columbus teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League for their six seasons of minor league play. The "Pawnees" played in the 1914 and 1915 seasons, after the team was called Columbus "Discovers" from 1910 to 1913. After placing second in their first season, Columbus did not finish above fourth place in their remaining seasons, before the franchise folded during the 1915 season.
The Seward Statesmen were a minor league baseball team based in Seward, Nebraska. From 1910 to 1913, the Statesmen teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League, hosting home games at Fairgrounds Park. During their final 1913 season, the franchise was relocated to Beatrice, Nebraska after a tornado struck the city of Seward.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Grand Island, Nebraska in various seasons between 1892 and 1959. Grand Island teams played as members of the Nebraska State League, Tri-State League (1924) and Nebraska State League, winning three league championships.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Hastings, Nebraska in various seasons between 1887 and 1959, playing under numerous nicknames. The Hastings Giants played in the short-season Class D level Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959. Earlier Hastings teams had played as members the Nebraska State League in 1892, Western League in 1887, the Nebraska State League from 1910 to 1915 and 1922 to 1923 and the Tri-State League in 1924. The Hastings Giants were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants from 1956 to 1957 and San Francisco Giants in 1958 and 1959 while hosting home minor league games at Duncan Field.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Norfolk, Nebraska in various seasons between 1914 and 1941. The Norfolk minor league teams played as members of the Class D level Nebraska State League in 1914 to 1915 and 1922 to 1923, the Tri-State League in 1924, the Nebraska State League from 1928– to 1938 and the Western League from 1939 to 1941. The 1936 Norfolk Elks were a St. Louis Cardinals minor league affiliate, before Norfolk teams played as an affiliate of the New York Yankees from 1937 to 1941, with Norfolk hosting minor league home games at Athletic Park.
The Fairbury Shaners were a minor league baseball team were based in Fairbury, Nebraska. In 1915, the Shaners played as a member of the Class D level Nebraska State League, before the league folded during the season with the Shaners in 4th place. The "Shaners" were nicknamed by local newspapers for their manager Bert Shaner and hosted minor league home games at Fairbury City Park. When the Nebraska State League resumed play in 1922, the Fairbury Jeffersons began play in the reformed league.