Ohio State League

Last updated
Ohio State League
Classification Independent (1887, 1889, 1898)
Class D (1908–1916, 1936–1941, 1944–1947)
Sport Minor League Baseball
First season1887
Ceased1947
Replaced by Ohio–Indiana League
DirectorL. A. Moore (1887)
PresidentGeorge Clugston (1887)
Charles Voegle (1887)
D.A. Nichols (1889)
George Hammond (1898)
Robert Quinn (1908–1909)
Robert W. Read (1910–1914)
Joseph T. Carr (1915–1916)
Harry Smith (1908–1909)
Paul H. Shank (1938–1940)
Joe Donnelly (1941, 1944)
Frank M. Colley (1945–1947)
No. of teams41
Country United States of America
Most titles5
Portsmouth Cobblers/Truckers
Related
competitions		 Tri-State League

The Ohio State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in numerous seasons between 1887 and 1947, predominantly as a Class D level league. League franchises were based in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

Contents

History

The first "Ohio State League" was a baseball league in 1887 before changing names to the Tri-State League. The Kalamazoo Kazoos won the first league championship. The league played in the 1889 and 1898 seasons.

The first 20th century Ohio State League started in 1908 as a class D loop and ran through 1916.

Another Ohio State League was formed in 1936 and ran through 1947 except for a break in '42-'43 due to World War II. In 1945, the OSL was one of just four class D circuits in operation, yet it was one of the first of dozens of leagues to collapse after World War II.

The class D Ohio–Indiana League was formed in 1948 with eight teams, with seven of the eight cities coming from the Ohio State League. Six teams made their home in Ohio and the remaining two where from Indiana. This league lasted through 1951.

The Portsmouth Cobblers won four Ohio State League championships.

Baseball Hall of Fame member Ed Delahanty played for the 1887 Mansfield team.

Cities represented

Standings & statistics

1887, 1889, 1898

1887 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Kalamazoo Kazoos 7334.682- Al Buckenberger
Zanesville Kickapoos 5846.55813½Patrick Welsh / Pete McShannic
Wheeling 5348.52517.0 Jack Cronin / William English /
Tom Nicholson / Henry Myers
Sandusky Suds 5349.52017½ George Curry
Columbus Buckeyes 5055.47622.0W.A.Calhoun / John Morrissey
/ Jim Gifford / Buck West
Mansfield4656.45124½ Sandy McDermott /
Bob Allen / Frank O'Brien
Canton 2214.611NAH.H. Kerr / William Zecher
Akron Acorns 3260.348NAA.B. Showers / Charlie Morton /
Sandy McDermott / Bill Irwin
Steubenville Stubs 934.209NA Parson Nicholson /
Pete Woods / Jimmy Wood

Stubenville disbanded June 29; Canton entered the league August 4; Akron disbanded September 3.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ed Hutchinson ColumbusBA.395 Mother Watson KalamazooW29
Ed StapletonKalamazooRuns121 Bill Irwin Akron/KalamazooSO283
John CroganWheelingHits184 Mother Watson KalamazooPct763: 29-9
Ed StapletonKalamazooHR12

1889 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Akron Akrons 179.654-Harry Roberts / Charles Pike
Youngstown1314.4814½Harry Smith
Newark811.421NAJoe Somers
Tiffin812.400NA Tom Cahill / Son Lease

Newark disbanded September 16; Tiffin disbanded September 18

1898 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Canton 108.556- John Durham
Massilllon65.545½Frank Vogt / Ray Markel
Zanesville Clay Diggers 33.5001.0Charley Jewell
Wheeling Nailers 89.4711½Joseph Starr
Salem48.3333.0D.R. Gannon
Coshocton86.571NAC.F. Prince

Zanesville entered the league May 30; Conshohockten disbanded June 2
The league disbanded June 5 due to poor weather and Sunday baseball restrictions

1908 to 1916

1908 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lancaster Red Roses 9257.617-Kurt Ellston / Paddy Fox
Lima Cigarmakers 8067.54411.0 Nick Kahl / Jim Jackson
Marion Diggers 7871.52314.0Charles O'Day
Mansfield Pioneers 7673.51016.0 Cal McVey / Tim Flood
Newark Newks 7475.49718.0Bob Berryhill / Harry Eells
Springfield Reapers /
Portsmouth Cobblers 		46103.30946.0Ed Ranskick / John Quinn

Springfield moved to Portsmouth June 16.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hughie Tate MarionBA.320 Kirby White LancasterW28
Hughie Tate MarionHits169 Walt Justis LancasterSO293
Curly Brown LancasterRuns103 Charlie Pickett LimaPct700: 21-9
Frank Foutz LimaHR12 Jim Riley LimaSB80

1909 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lima Cigarmakers 7950.612- Lee Fohl
Marion Diggers 7159.5468½Charles O'Day / Jack Lewis
Mansfield Pioneers 6358.52112.0 Tim Flood
Portsmouth Cobblers 4876.38728½William Doyle /
Jack McCallister / Charles O'Day
Lancaster Lanks 5353.500NA Paddy Fox
Newark Newks 4664.418NA Homer Davidson / Erve Wratten

Newark and Lancaster both disbanded August 23.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Red FarrellMarionBA.316 Ed Zmich MarionW21
Joe Stanley MarionHits142 Andy Nelson LimaPct.800; 8-2
Charles FinkLimaRuns91 Ed Willett MarionHR6

1910 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers 8652.623- Pete Childs
Lima Cigarmakers 8256.5944.0Alfred Newnham
Marion Diggers 8058.5806.0 Jack Lewis
Newark Newks 5880.42028.0Bob Berryhill /
Charles Riehl / Hank O'Day
Lancaster Lanks 5582.40130½Al McClintock /
Guy Sample / Heinie Peitz
Chillicothe Infants 5285.38033½ Goat Cochran / Harvey Grubb /
Louis Kibler / Zeke Wrigley
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hank O'Day PortsmouthBA.324 Ted Goulait MarionW24
Dick BreenPortsmouthHits151 John Henry Lloyd LimaPct.769; 10-3
Dick BreenPortsmouthRuns88 Frank Nesser LimaHR6

1911 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Reapers 8455.604-Charley O'Day
Marion Diggers 8059.5764.0 Jack Lewis
Portsmouth Cobblers 7861.5616.0 Pete Childs
Chillicothe Infants 7862.5576½ Zeke Wrigley
Newark Newks/
Piqua Picks 		7265.52611.0Alfred Newnham
Lima Cigarmakers 6277.44622.0 Frank Nesser
Lancaster Lanks 5384.38730.0Charles Riehl / Gus Epler
Hamilton Mechanics 4892.34336½James Barton

Newark moved to Piqua June 22.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bert Blue Newark/PiquaBA.347Roy AshenfelderHamil/SpringW24
Bert Blue Newark/PiquaHits176H. McCallMarionPct.800; 8-2
W. ColliganMarionRuns119 Billy Kelly MarionHR12

1912 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers 8152.609- Pete Childs
Mansfield Brownies 7267.51812.0 Barry McCormick /
Walter East / Ted Easterly
Newark Skeeters 7068.50713½ John Grim /
Billy Murray / Barry McCormick
Marion Diggers /
Ironton Orphans 		6572.47418.0Fred Johnston /
Fred Odwell / Charley Moore
Lima Cigarmakers 6473.46719.0 Zeke Wrigley
Chillicothe Infants 5777.42524½ Jack Ryan /
Jesse Tannehill / Alfred Newnham

Marion moved to Ironton July 15.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Waldo JackleyMar/IronBA.357 George Boehler NewarkW27
Frank Nesser LimaHits170 Sandy Burk Mar/IronPct.769; 20-6
John ShovelinNewarkRuns80Waldo JackleyMar/IronHR11

1913 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Chillicothe Babes 8349.629-Alfred Newnham
Charleston Senators 8450.6270.0 Buzz Wetzel
Portsmouth Cobblers 8355.6013.0 Pete Childs
Huntington Blue Sox 6868.50017.0 Sam Wright / S. Redman
Lexington Colts 6870.48318.0 Bill Reynolds /
W. McKernan / Rex Dawson
Ironton Nailers 6375.45623.0Al McClintock / Archie Osborn
Hamilton Maroons 5579.44129.0 Zeke Wrigley
Maysville Angels 3896.28446.0George Moore
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Carl Ray CharlestonBA.366 Ed Donalds PortsmouthW30
John BagganPortsmouthRuns105 Ed Donalds PortsmouthPct.789; 30-8
Frank Nesser ChillicotheHits178 Carl Ray CharlestonHR33

1914 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers 8653.723- Pete Childs
Charleston Senators 7962.5608.0 Buzz Wetzel / Biddy Beers
Chillicothe Babes 7364.53312.0Alfred Newnham
Lexington Colts 6668.49317½Howard Guyn
Ironton Nailers 3533.514NADick Smith
Huntington Blue Sox 3947.453NAJohn Siegle / Nixey Callahan
Maysville Angels 3051.370NA Harry Chapman / Ray Montgomery
Newport-Paris1949.279NA Fred Applegate / Red Munson

Ironton disbanded July 5; Newport-Paris disbanded July 5; Huntington and Maysville both disbanded July 22.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Wilbur CrouchLexing/PortsBA.327Abel ApplegateCharlestonW22
John BagganPortsmouthRuns116 Paul Carter PortsmouthW22
John BagganPortsmouthHits182Ernie CalbertHunting/CharlesHR17

1915 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers 7142.628- Chet Spencer
Lexington Colts 6348.5687.0Howard Guyn
Chillicothe Babes /
Huntington Babes /
Maysville Angels 		5855.51313.0 Josh Devore
Charleston Senators 5863.47917.0Biddy Beers
Frankfort Old Taylors 4565.40924½ Pat Bohen / Jack Hayden
Ironton Nailers 4769.40525.5Dick Smith

Chillicothe moved to Huntington July 13; Huntington moved to Maysville July 19.

Playoff: Portsmouth 4 games, Maysville 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ralph Sharman PortsmouthBA.374Hubert TestPortsmouthW21
Pickles Dillhoefer PortsmouthRuns83 Howard McGraner Chil/HuntPct.800: 12-3
Ralph Sharman PortsmouthHits147Ernie CalbertIrontonHR13

1916 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Truckers 4719.712- Chet Spencer
Charleston Senators /
Chillicothe Babes 		2935.45317.0 Bill Powell
Maysville Burley Cubs 2636.41919.0 Jimmy Jones
Frankfort Old Taylors 2435.407NA Howard "Ducky" Holmes
Huntington Blue Sox 2238.367NA Charlie DeArmond /Ezra Midkiff
Lexington Colts 3924.619NAHoward Guyn

Huntington & Frankfort disbanded July 16; Charleston moved to Chillicothe July 13; Lexington disbanded July 16
The league disbanded July 19.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Stewart DiltsPortsmouthBA.420John FergusonPortsmouthW12
[ Stewart DiltsPortsmouthRuns57 Paul Carpenter Chil/CharlSO95
Stewart DiltsPortsmouthHits95Rube LindholmFrankfortHR6

1936 to 1941

1936 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Tiffin Mud Hens 6035.635- Myles Thomas
Sandusky Sailors 5147.52010½ Chappie Geygan
Fostoria Cardinals 4550.47415.0Harry Aldrick / George Silvey
Fremont Reds 4256.42919½ Marty Purtell
New Philadelphia Red Birds 26.250NAGeorge Silvey
Mansfield Tigers 28.200NA Jack Orr

Mansfield and New Philadelphia both disbanded May 26.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
John ZipayFostoriaBA.419 Edward Bastian TiffinW18
John Clements TiffinRuns97Steve VargoFostoriaSO156
Jack SuydamTiffinHits141Charles CroninTiffinERA3.27
John Clements TiffinRBI112 John Clements TiffinHR37

1937 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Mansfield Red Sox 5924.711-Dewey Stover
Sandusky Sailors /
Marion Presidents 		6130.6702.0 Chappie Geygan
Tiffin Mud Hens 4338.53115.0 Emilio Palmero / Al Eckert
Findlay Browns 4347.47819½ Grover Hartley
Fremont Reds 3655.39627.0Howard Bohl
Fostoria Red Birds 2068.22741½ John Cavanaugh / Tom Jenkins /
Rex Bowen / Harry Aldrick

Sandusky moved to Marion June22.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Dewey StoverMansfieldBA.383Gordon MannSand/MarW18-2
Johnny Barrett MansfieldRuns97Marion SpenceSand/MarW18
Johnny Barrett MansfieldHits129Charles CroninTiffinSO178
Chappie Geygan Sand/MarRBI91Gordon MannSand/MarERA2.30

1938 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Fostoria Red Birds 5541.573- Jack Farmer
Fremont Reds/Green Sox5143.5433.0 Chappie Geygan
Findlay Browns 4454.44912.0 Grover Hartley
Tiffin Mud Hens 4456.44013.0Tony Rogala

Playoff: Freemont 3 games, Fostoria 0.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Peter KrausFostoriaBA.372Glen FletcherFree/FindW15
Peter KrausFostoriaRuns100 Jack Farmer FostoriaSO164
Peter KrausFostoriaHits137 Frederick Berger FostoriaPct.818; 9-2
Del Wilber FindlayRBI83 Chappie Geygan FremontHR18

1939 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Findlay Oilers 6862.523- Grover Hartley
Fremont Green Sox 6663.5121½ Chappie Geygan
Fostoria Red Birds 6663.5121½ Jack Farmer
Lima Pandas 6466.4924.0 Dick Ward
Tiffin Mud Hens 6466.4924.0Jim Lawrence
Mansfield Braves 6169.4697.0 Ray French

Playoff: Lima defeated Tiffin in a one-game playoff for fourth place. Freemont won 2nd place by coin toss. Findley 2 games, Fostoria 0; Lima 2 games, Fremont 1
Finals: Lima 4 games, Findlay 3;

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hank Edwards MansfieldBA.395Glen FletcherFindlayW22
Hank Edwards MansfieldRuns135Fred BergerFostoriaSO231
Hank Edwards MansfieldHits209 Red Evans LimaPct.846; 11-2
Del Wilber FindlayRBI145 Hank Edwards MansfieldHR18

1940 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lima Pandas 8534.714- Merle Settlemire
Findlay Oilers 7046.60313½ Grover Hartley / George Ruley
Mansfield Braves 5959.50025½Dewey Strong
Tiffin Mud Hens 5064.42932½ Myles Thomas
Fostoria Red Birds 4473.37640.0 Bobby Jones
Fremont Green Sox 4375.36441½ Ray Caldwell / Garland Sewell

Playoff: Lima 3 games, Mansfield 0; Findley 3 games, Tiffin 1
Finals: Lima 4 Games, Findley 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Gene Woodling MansfieldBA.398 Frank Biscan LimaW26
John CindricLimaRuns141 Frank Biscan LimaSO243
Stanley MazgayFindlayHits175 Merle Settlemire LimaPct.1000; 15-0
John CindricLimaRBI150
John CindricLimaHR39

1941 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Fremont Green Sox 6934.670- Chappie Geygan
Mansfield Braves 6740.6264.0Alex Clowson
Tiffin Mud Hens 5055.47620.0Charles LeCrone / Harry Taylor
Fostoria Red Birds 4957.46221½ Lee Ellison / Jim Cronin
Lima Pandas 4364.40228.0 Otis Brannan / Merle Settlemire
Findlay Browns 3765.36331½ Grover Hartley
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Johnny Gerlach TiffinBA.340J.G. StasaitisFremontW19
Jim Pruett FostoriaBA.340Don BaylissTiffinSO198
Johnny Gerlach TiffinHits137Lloyd FisherFremontPct.857; 18-3
Henry MiesleFremontRBI86Ed MutrynMansfieldHR22

No League play 1942 & 1943 due to WW II.

1944 to 1947

1944 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Giants 7654.585- Earl Wolgamot
Newark Moundsmen 7158.5504½ Clay Bryant
Middletown Red Sox 6661.5208½ Red Barnes
Lima Red Birds 6562.5129½ Runt Marr / Leo Norris
Zanesville Dodgers 5871.45017½ Jack Knight
Marion Diggers 5080.38526.0 Grover Hartley

Playoffs: Newark 3 games, Lima 1;Middletown 3 games, Springfield 2
Finals: Newark 4 games, Middletown 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Luke MajorkiNewarkBA.355 Ned Garver NewarkW21
Neal ResideLimaRuns120 Ned Garver NewarkSO221
Neal ResideLimaHits173 Ned Garver NewarkERA1.21
Harvey ZerniaLimaRBI114Eddie VolanNewarkHR20

1945 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Middletown Rockets 8950.640- Ivy Griffin
Zanesville Dodgers 7466.52915½ Jack Knight / Morris Mikesell /
Ray Hayworth / Eric McNair /
Clay Bryant
Lima Reds 7268.51417½Cap Crossley
Springfield Giants 6475.46025.0 Earl Wolgamot
Marion Cardinals 6277.44627.0 Grover Hartley / Wally Schang
Newark Moundsmen 5782.41032.0 Mickey O'Neil

Playoffs: Middletown 4 games, Springfield 2; Zanesville 4 games, Lima 2
Finals: Zanesville 3 games, Middletown 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Albert KaiserNewarkBA.368Ray JanikowskiMiddletownW25
William ScottMiddletownRuns113Ray JanikowskiMiddletownSO274
Albert KaiserNewarkHits171Ray JanikowskiMiddletownERA1.71
Troy BolickSpringfieldRBI103Albert KaiserNewarkHR12

1946 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Giants 8257.590-Don Ramsey
Zanesville Dodgers 7860.5653½ Clay Bryant
Richmond Roses 7663.5476.0 Merle Settlemire
Newark Moundsmen 7465.5328.0 Bob Boken
Lima Terriers 6771.48614½Charlie E. Moore
Marion Cardinals 6376.45319.0 Wally Schang / Bob Kline
Dayton Indians 5879.42323.0Frank Parenti / Ival Goodman
Middletown Rockets 5683.40326.0Mike Blazo

Playoffs: Zanesville 4 games, Richmond 0; Springfield 4 games, Newark 2.
Finals: Zanesville 4 games, Springfield 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleBA.351Hardy HoltZanesvilleW23
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleRuns151Merlin WilliamsLimaSO275
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleHits187Ewen BrydenSpringfieldERA2.14
Wayne ResideLima/SpringRBI118Wayne ResideLima/SpringHR21

1947 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Zanesville Dodgers 8950.640-102,250 Clay Bryant
Marion Cubs 7960.56810.092,088 Nelson Burbrink
Muncie Reds 7562.54713.051,834Mike Blazo
Springfield Giants 7365.52915½72,462Don Ramsey
Richmond Roses 6272.46324½53,050Rex Carr
Dayton Indians 6273.45925.065,420 Ival Goodman
Newark Moundsmen 6476.45725½58,935Eddie Dancisak
Lima Terriers 4793.33642½56,466 Merle Settlemire

Playoffs: Zanesville 4 games, Springfield 0; Marion 4 games, Muncie 1;
Finals: Zanesville 4 games, Marion 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Nelson Burbrink MarionBA.378 Clayton Lambert ZanesvilleW23
Robert VerrierRichmondRuns127 Clayton Lambert ZanesvilleSO232
Jack MaischLimaHits194Edward PostMuncieERA2.02
Ed FowlerNewarkRBI119Bob MontagMuncieHR14

League records 1887–1951

Batting
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
Bill Henry SpringfieldGA1411946Joe PattisonSpringfieldGA1411946
John ZipayFostoriaBA.4191936Andrew RellickSpringfieldAB5851950
Marvin StenderMarionRuns1581951Henry EdwardsMansfieldH2091939
John CindricLimaRbi1501940Jim EnglemanNewark2B621950
Charles FreyMarion3B201946Keith JonesRichmond3B201950
John CindricLimaHR391940Jim EnglemanNewarkTB3501950
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleSB1101946Wayne YoderSpringfieldBB1421949
Charles HopkinsNewarkSO1361947
Pitching
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
Joe BielemeierZanesvilleCG311945Richard McEvoyNewarkG551948
Ed Donalds PortsmouthW301913Bob JenkinsNewarkL191944
Bob McCormickZanesvilleL191945 Merle Settlemire (15-0)LimaPct1.0001940
Walt Justis LancasterSO2931908Merlin WilliamsLimaIP3071946
Joe BielemeierZanesvilleShO71945 Merle Settlemire LimaWS151940
Bob PurcellSpringfieldBB1821950 Ned Garver NewarkERA1.211946

See the Ohio–Indiana League for 1948-51

Further reading

Sources

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball; Second Edition
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