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.
33-557: 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 ,
66-612: A 74–46 record. The Wisconsin-Illinois League folded after the 1914 season. In 1915, the Rockford Wakes rejoined the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League , where Rockford played from 1915 to 1917 and 1919 to 1923. The Wakes finished with a record of 72–58, to place 3rd in 1915 and 67–66, to place fourth in 1916. The Rockford Rox (1917, 1919–1923) continued play in the "Three-I League", which did not play in 1918 due to World War I . The Rox finished second in
99-693: A new scoreboard. Named the 2013 "Field of the Year" in the state of Iowa by the Iowa Sports Turf Management Association, capital improvements are supported by The Friends of Community Field, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Several Burlington pitchers have thrown no-hitters: Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches [REDACTED] Disabled list ‡ Inactive list § Suspended list updated May 16, 2024 Rockford Rox The Rockford Rox
132-680: A record of 54–47, to place 3rd in 1891. The Hustlers had a record of 46–38 and placed 2nd in 1892. After four teams in the league disbanded during the 1892 season, the Illinois-Iowa league folded when the season concluded. Rockford Forest City (1895–1897) and the Rockford Rough Riders (1899) played os members of the Western Association . In their three seasons, Rockford Forest City finished with records of 66–60 (4th), 44–37 (4th) and 70–55 (3rd), disbanding after
165-685: A record of 57–55 to place fourth in 1901, the Red Sox won the 1902 Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League Championship with a 74–52 record. After finishing last with a 48–76 record in 1904, Rockford folded after the season, replaced by the Peoria Distillers in the 1905 Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. In 1908, the Rockford Reds became charter members of the Wisconsin-Illinois League . The 1908 Reds were charter members of
198-945: The Clinton LumberKings , Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp , and Springfield Lucky Horseshoes . The team began playing in Burlington in 1889 as the Burlington Babies. Teams with various nicknames played until the Burlington Pathfinders were named in 1906, keeping the nickname until 1916 and playing in the Central Association . After a hiatus, the Burlington Bees played in the Mississippi Valley League from 1924 to 1932. The franchise then returned as
231-552: The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League , and the rest of the teams, and the league itself, folded. 1908 Central Association 1909 Central Association 1910 Central Association schedule 1911 Central Association schedule 1912 Central Association 1913 Central Association 1914 Central Association Ottumwa moved to Rock Island July 17. However, the National Association would not let
264-762: 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
297-700: 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
330-646: 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
363-480: The Prospect League , a collegiate summer baseball league, for 2021. The Bees have called historic Community Field , nicknamed "the hive", their home since 1947. The original grandstand portion of the stadium was destroyed in a 1971 fire and rebuilt. The stadium was upgraded again prior to the 2004 season, including a revamped concessions area, partial covering of the grandstand, improved sound system, and
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#1732773043987396-586: The 1880s and 1890s played at several parks that are difficult to locate precisely. By 1901, they were playing at Riverside Park, which was outside the city limits to the north. In 1913, the club abandoned Riverside Park and moved to Kishwaukee Park . Also known as "Rockford Base Ball Park", Kishwaukee Park was located at 15th Avenue and Seminary Street in Rockford. This site would later be developed as Beyer Stadium . [per city directories and local newspapers] Some sources give an erroneous location. In 1947–1949,
429-832: The 1897 season. The Rockford Rough Riders rejoined the Western Association in 1899. The Western Association disbanded on June 16, 1899, with the Rockford Rough Riders in 2nd place with a 20–16 record. The 1901 Rockford Red Sox became charter members of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League (nicknamed the Three-I league). Rockford joined the Bloomington Blues , Cedar Rapids Rabbitts , Davenport River Rats , Decatur Commodores , Evansville River Rats , Rock Island Islanders and Terre Haute Hottentots as fellow charter members. After finishing with
462-663: The 1949 season. After a 29–season absence, minor league baseball returned to Rockford, when the 1988 Rockford Expos began play as members of the Midwest League . The 1871 Rockford Forest Citys played at the Agricultural Society Fair Grounds .The ballpark had no outfield fences, only trees that surrounded the park. It was located at Kilburn Avenue & Mulberry Street, Rockford, Illinois. In 1879, Rockford played at Fairgrounds Park . [per local newspapers] The various Rockford clubs of
495-471: The 1988 Rockford Expos , who began play as members of the Midwest League . Minor league baseball began in Rockford, Illinois with the 1871 Rockford Forest Citys . The Forest Citys, also known as the "Forest City Club," played as members of the 1871 National Association , finishing with a record of 4–21, with Baseball Hall of Fame member Cap Anson on the team. This was one of the first professional leagues. Rockford had previously hosted amateur teams with
528-664: The Burlington Indians in 1947, the same year that their current stadium, Community Field , opened. They won the league championship in 1949, their third and final year in the Central Association . The team joined the Three-I (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana) League in 1952 as the Burlington Flints but was renamed the Bees in 1954. In 1958, Billy Williams played 61 games with the Bees before joining the Cubs. Burlington joined
561-546: The Burlington Pathfinders was killed by a pitched ball in 1906. On June 26 in Waterloo, Iowa, Whitney was beaned by a pitch from Fred Evans of the Waterloo Microbes. He suffered a skull fracture and died that day as a result. The team was first known as the Bees from 1924 to 1932 and again from 1954 to 1981. Starting in 1982, they used the nickname of their major league parent club, before the current Bees nickname
594-648: The Central Association invade the territory of the Three-I League , so Rock Island moved to Galesburg July 24. 1915 Central Association Clinton disbanded in mid-season. Wins taken away: Clinton 40, Keokuk 18, Marshalltown 5, Waterloo 1. 1916 Central Association Burlington moved to Ottumwa July 20. Muscatine forfeited 34 wins. 1917 Central Association Dubuque moved to Charles City July 4; Clinton & La Crosse disbanded July 17; Cedar Rapids moved to Clear Lake July 27. The season
627-1037: The Midwest League in 1962 as a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates . From 1963 through 1974 they were a farm team of the Kansas City (later Oakland) A's ; subsequent affiliations included the Brewers (1975–81), Rangers (1982–85), Expos (1986–87 and 1993–94), Braves (1988–90), Astros (1991–92), Giants (1995–96), Reds (1997–98), and White Sox (1999–2000). The Bees have won the Midwest League Championship four times, in four different decades: 1965 (won both halves), 1977 (defeated Waterloo Indians ), 1999 (defeated Wisconsin Timber Rattlers ) and 2008 (defeated South Bend Silver Hawks ). Catcher Herbert Whitney of
660-744: 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. During this era, Rockford was also home to the women's professional baseball Rockford Peaches of the AAGPBL from 1943 to 1954. The Rox were succeeded in minor league baseball by
693-729: The Wisconsin-Illinois League, along with the Fond du Lac Cubs , Freeport Pretzels, Green Bay Tigers , LaCrosse Pinks, Madison Senators , Oshkosh Indians and Wausau Lumberjacks . The Rockford Reds (1908– 1910) were renamed the Rockford Wolverines (1911-1913) and Rockford Wolves (1914), while remaining in the Wisconsin-Illinois League. The 1911 Rockford Wolverines captured the Wisconsin-Illinois League Championship with
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#1732773043987726-679: 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
759-642: The fictional film A League of Their Own . In 1947, the Rockford Rox returned minor league baseball to Rockford after a 23–year absence. The 1947 Rockford Rox joined the reformed Central Association , along with the Burlington Indians , Clinton Cubs , Hannibal Pilots , Keokuk Pirates and Moline A's . The Rockford Rox were a minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds from 1947 to 1949. The Rockford Rox placed third, fifth and sixth in their three seasons. The Central Association folded after
792-600: The first round of the playoffs. Kewanee defeated Cedar Rapids 4 games to 2 for the title. Burlington Pathfinders The Burlington Bees are a collegiate summer baseball team of the Prospect League . They are located in Burlington, Iowa , and have played their home games at Community Field since 1947. Founded in 1889, the Bees played in Minor League Baseball 's Midwest League from 1962 to 2020. With Major League Baseball 's reorganization of
825-530: The league in 1917, 1921 and 1923. The Rockford franchise folded from the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League following the 1923 season. The next professional team in Rockford were the famed Rockford Peaches , who played in the AAGPBL (1943–1954), when the women's league was formed during World War II . The Peaches claimed AAGPL championships in 1945, 1948, 1949, 1950. The Peaches played in every AAGPL season. They are featured prominently in
858-921: 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. 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
891-616: 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
924-545: The majors. In 2007, the Bees changed their logo and uniforms. Since 2000, the Bees have had three affiliates: the Kansas City Royals (2001–10), Oakland Athletics (2011–12), and the Los Angeles Angels (2013–2020). Following the 2020 season, the Bees were cut from the Midwest League and affiliated baseball as part of Major League Baseball 's reorganization of the minor leagues. They later joined
957-536: The minor leagues after the 2020 season, Burlington was not selected to continue in affiliated baseball. The team was first known as the "Bees" from 1924 to 1932 and again from 1954 to 1981. The Bees nickname was revived for the 1993 season and remains to this day. Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Billy Williams , Paul Molitor and Larry Walker played for Burlington. The Bees play in the Prospect League's Western Conference – Northwest Division along with
990-843: The same name. Rockford played only the 1871 season in the National Association. In 1879, the Rockford White Stockings played in the Northwestern League , where they finished with a record of 13–9. Rockford became members of the Central Interstate League in 1888. On June 26, 1888, the Rockford team had a record of 11–23 when it disbanded. In 1891, the Rockford Hustlers joined the Illinois-Iowa League , where they played two seasons. The Hustlers finished with
1023-520: Was revived for the 1993 season. In addition to Baseball Hall of Famers Billy Williams , Paul Molitor and Larry Walker , many former Burlington players have enjoyed major league success including: Sal Bando , Vida Blue (who struck out a team-record 231 batters in 1968), George Hendrick , Phil Garner , Chet Lemon , Claudell Washington , Rubén Sierra , Kenny Rogers , José Vidro , Ugueth Urbina , Javy López , Mark Buehrle , Mike Moustakas , and Salvador Pérez . Over 100 former Bees have played in
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1056-667: Was shortened to August 7 with National Association permission. 1947 Central Association schedule Playoffs: Clinton 3 games, Rockford 2; Hannibal 3 games, Keokuk 1. Finals: Clinton 4 games, Hannibal 1. 1948 Central Association schedule 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. 1949 Central Association schedule Playoffs: Cedar Rapids 3 games, Burlington 0; Kewanee 3 games, Keokuk 0. Finals: Kewanee 4 games, Cedar Rapids 2. Cedar Rapids beat Burlington 3 games to none, and Kewanee beat Keokuk 3 games to none, in
1089-512: 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
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