The Connecticut League , also known as the Connecticut State League , was a professional baseball association of teams in the state of Connecticut . The league began as offshoot of the original Connecticut State League, which dates back as far as 1884. In 1891, the Connecticut State League included the Ansonia Cuban Giants , a team made up of entirely African-American ballplayers, including future Hall of Famers Frank Grant and Sol White . In 1902, it was a Class D league with teams in eight cities. In 1905, the league became Class B , which lasted until 1913, when the league became the Eastern Association due to several teams outside of the state entering the league. Also a Class B league, it survived two more seasons, then folded after the 1914 season.
52-1586: 1884 Connecticut State League Willimantic expelled September 3. The league played two games each week: Wednesdays and Saturdays 1885 Connecticut State League (Continuation of the Southern New England League ) New Britain disbanded September 8 1888 Connecticut State League President: J. Howard Taylor Bridgeport transferred to Stamford in May, then disbanded June 27. Danbury disbanded June 5. The league disbanded July 25. 1891 Connecticut State League President: A.W. Lang Hartford disbanded June 10; Portland disbanded June 10. 1894 Connecticut State League Standings unknown 1895 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke 1896 Connecticut State League President: D.W. Porter (aka Naugatuck Valley State League) 1897 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock 1898 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock New Britain disbanded June 23. Derby disbanded June 25. 1899 Connecticut State League - schedule President: Tim Murnane No Playoffs. 1900 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs. 1901 Connecticut State League President: Tim Murnane No Playoffs. 1902 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke / Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs. 1903 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock No Playoffs: 12 Holyoke games (8-4) were deducted after
104-560: A 46–74 record. The first place Lawrence Barristers (76–47) were 28.5 games ahead of the Brinies in the league standings. On May 29, 1912, Harry Wormwood threw his third Fall River no–hitter against Worcester. Wormwood threw 12–innings of no–hit ball in a game that ended with a 2–2 tie. The 1913 team had a new nickname, becoming known as the Fall River Adopted Sons continued play in the 1913 New England League. Ending
156-614: A major league organization. Four of the six 1945 teams made the crossover: the Pawtucket Slaters (Boston Braves), Lynn Red Sox (Boston Red Sox), Cranston Chiefs (independent) and Lawrence Millionaires (independent). They were joined by the Manchester Giants (New York Giants), Nashua Dodgers (Brooklyn Dodgers) and two other independent teams: the Portland Gulls and Fall River Indians . Its most notable member,
208-587: A scout for Boston and is credited with scouting, recommending and signing Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk . Fisk was the Red Sox's first-round pick in the January 1967 Major League Baseball Draft . The 1947 Fall River Indians continued as an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, a relationship which continued in subsequent seasons. Fall River played under manager Joe Holden and finished
260-435: A semi–pro league with eight franchises. Many players were in the military assigned to nearby bases, including some major league players (often playing under an assumed name). Football Hall of Famer, Major League umpire and NBA coach Hank Soar sometimes played for Pawtucket. Pawtucket's best pitcher in 1945 was once and future major league pitcher Randy Gumpert , pitching under the alias "Ralph Wilson". The teams in 1941 were
312-637: The Brooklyn Dodgers – were the first 20th century leagues (other than the Negro leagues ) to permit African-Americans to play. The following season, Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby would integrate the major leagues. In 1877 a non–classified league first called the "New England League" played with the Fall River Casscades , Lowell Ladies Men , Lynn Live Oaks , Manchester Reds and Rhode Islands as members. The New England League
364-720: The Cincinnati Reds , and the Fall River Indians had the same arrangement with the Chicago White Sox . The still independent Lawrence Millionaires cancelled their home game against Pawtucket on July 14 and became the Lowell "Stars" the following day playing in Pawtucket, wearing the uniforms of a popular semi-pro team of the same name. A name-the-team contest never panned out, and the press began calling
416-469: The Fall River Brinies for the 1911 New England League season. The Brinies ended the 1911 season with a 59–57 season record, as John O'Brien served as manager. The Brinies placed fourth in the standings, finishing 14.0 games behind the first place Lowell Tigers . Fall River had pitchers throw three no–hitters in 1911. On June 7, 1911, Fred Reiger defeated Haverhill 7–2, throwing the first of
468-611: The Fall River Spindles . The Fall River Spindles ended the 1914 season with a record of 62–37, finishing 2.5 games ahead of the second place New Bedford Whalers, as John Kiernan was manager of the championship team. On June 18, 1915, Merdic McLeod, pitching for Fall River, threw a no–hitter against the Springfield Tips in a 3–0 Fall River victory. In 1915, the Colonial League essentially became
520-540: The Nashua Dodgers , was a Brooklyn farm club where, in 1946, African-American players and future Dodger greats Don Newcombe and Roy Campanella made their debuts as part of the handful of men who broke the baseball color line . The players succeeded on the field and were very complimentary in remarks about their Nashua experience in later years. In 1947 the Cranston Chiefs had a working agreement with
572-620: The New Bedford Whalers (which relocated to Cranston, Rhode Island on July 31), Pawtucket Slaters, Lynn Frasers, Worcester Nortons, Woonsocket Marquettes, Quincy Shipbuilders, Fall River , and Manchester (New Hampshire) Dexters. Pawtucket won the championship. 1942 saw seven teams take the field but one, the Fitchburg Blue Sox, dropped out early in the season. Pawtucket, Lynn, Manchester, Worcester, Quincy and Woonsocket all returned and Pawtucket again won
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#1732793065450624-608: The Philadelphia Phillies , Boston Braves , New York Black Yankees , and in other years teams such as the Havana All-Stars, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees , Boston Colored Giants, House of David and the Brooklyn Dodgers . In 1946 with the postwar baseball boom, the New England League was restored to an "affiliated" eight–team Class B level circuit, but only half the teams had ties to
676-606: The war , the League operated with just four teams. Pawtucket, Woonsocket and Quincy were back, joined by the Providence Frigates of Cranston. Providence, which defeated Pawtucket for the championship in 1943, changed ballparks in 1944, moving from Cranston Stadium to Municipal Stadium in Central Falls, Rhode Island . Joining them were Pawtucket, Lynn, Woonsocket and Quincy. Lynn bested Pawtucket 3 games to 2 for
728-411: The 1877 season. Baseball Hall of Fame member Ned Hanlon played for the 1877 Falls River Cascades at age 19. In 1893 the Fall River Indians joined the six–team New England League and won the first of four consecutive league championships. Capturing their first New England League championship, the 1893 Fall River Indians ended the regular season with a 60–30 record playing home games at
780-501: The 1902 New England League standings. The Indians finished with a record of 37–74, as Sandy McDermott served as manager, beginning a five-year tenure. Falls River finished 37.5 games behind first place Manchester. Fall River placed fifth in the 1903 New England League standings. With a 57–56 record, the Indians finished 15.0 games behind the first place Lowell Tigers in the final standings. Sandy McDermott served his second season as
832-438: The 1908 New England League. Fall River had a final record of 53–70 under the direction of manager John O'Brien, finishing 26.5 games behind Worcester in the eight–team league. The 1909 Fall River Indians placed fourth in the New England League, as Worcester again won the championship. With a 71–53, record, Fall City finished 6.0 games out of first place, as John O'Brien again managed the Indians. The Fall River Indians of
884-894: The 1944 championship. In 1945, Cranston returned to the fold joining Pawtucket and Lynn, the return of the Worcester Nortons and two new teams: the New London Diesels and the Lawrence, Massachusetts based Lawrence Millionaires . The Cranston Firesafes defeated Pawtucket for the championship, 4 games to 1. From 1941 to 1945 the member teams regularly played exhibition matches against teams from other leagues. Major league teams, Negro league teams, famous barnstorming teams and military teams all found their way into New England League ballparks. For example, Pawtucket, with once and future major league players such as Danny MacFayden , Bob Whitcher , Ted Olson and Ed Murphy, hosted
936-436: The 1947 season with a record of 49–76, placing sixth in the New England League regular season standings, finishing 37.5 games behind the first place Lynn Red Sox. Season attendance at Fall River Stadium was 57,468, an average of 919 per game. The 1948 Fall River Indians finished last in the New England League. Fall River ended the 1948 season with a record of 38–87, placing eighth in the standings, finishing 47.0 games behind
988-708: The Athletic Grounds beginning in 1893 through 1915 and at Fall River Stadium from 1946 to 1949. The Fall River Indians were a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox from 1946 to 1949. Baseball Hall of Fame members Ned Hanlon in 1877, Nap Lajoie in 1896 and Roger Connor in 1897 played for Fall River teams. In 1877 , minor league baseball began in Fall River, when the Fall River Cascades played in two leagues in their first season. Initially, Fall River became charter members of
1040-402: The Athletic Grounds. Fall River placed first in the standings under manager Mike McDermott, finishing 5.5 games ahead of second place Lewiston. The New England League had no playoffs, using the regular season standings to determine the league champions. On July 5, 1893, Fall River Indian pitcher Ezra Lincoln threw the first Fall River No-hitter in a 9–0 victory over Dover. McDermott and
1092-492: The Fall River Indians defended their championship in 1894 as the New England League expanded to eight teams. The Indians again finished first in the New England League standings, ending the 1894 season 7.5 games ahead of second place Haverhill with a record of 62–35. The 1895 Fall River Indians won the championship again as the New England League became a Class B level league. With Mike McDermott again managing
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#17327930654501144-452: The Fall River Indians finish a close second place. Fall River ended the season with a record of 66–40, finishing 2.0 games behind the first place Concord Marines , who had a 69–39 record. Sandy McDermott again managed the Indians. With the Indians placing sixth in the eight–team 1906 New England League, Sandy McDermott managed the Fall River for the final time. Ending the season with a record of 55–59, Fall River finished 18.0 games behind
1196-472: The Fall city manager as the Indians continued play in the eight–team Class B league. With Sandy McDermott continuing as manager, the Fall River Indians placed third in the 1904 New England League. Fall River ended the season with a 65–60 record in the eight–team league, finishing 18.0 games behind the first place Haverhill Hustlers (82–41) in the final standings. The 1905 New England League standings saw
1248-575: The Indians in 1896, Nap Lajoie hit .429 with 17 triples, 15 home runs, slugging .726 for Fall River. Indians owner Charlie Marston rejected an offer of $ 500.00 from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Lajoie, who was also scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Beaneaters . On August 9, 1896, the Philadelphia Phillies purchased Lajoie and Indian teammate Phil Geier from Fall River for $ 1,500. Phillies' manager Billy Nash originally went to Fall River to sign Geier, but obtained Lajoie when
1300-428: The Indians, Fall River ended the regular season with a 67–39 record. Fall River finished 6.5 games ahead of the second place New Bedford Whalers and 11.0 games ahead of the third place Bangor Millionaires in the final standings of the eight–team league. The Fall River Indians won their fourth consecutive New England League Championship in 1896, with a future Hall of Fame player on the roster. Falls River completed
1352-592: The NEL returned in 1926 with eight clubs in the region's mill towns, but the Great Depression devastated the minor leagues, and the NEL was no exception: it disbanded June 22, 1930 . A 1933 revival was followed the next season by a name change to the Northeastern League – and another shutdown that would last through the 1940 baseball season. The New England League was revived in May 1941 as
1404-468: The NEL was graded Class B, at that time two levels below major league status, equivalent to Class AA today. Disruption caused by the outlaw Federal League and the coming of World War I caused the loop to reorganize in 1916 as the Eastern League , ending the NEL's most long-lived period of operation. The league attempted to revive in 1919 , then closed down in early August. Seven years later,
1456-487: The New England League ended the 1910 season with a record of 61–60. Fall River placed fifth in the standings under manager John O'Brien, finishing 15.0 games behind the first place New Bedford Whalers. On June 8, 1910, Fall River pitcher Harry Wormwood threw an 11–inning no-hitter against the Worcester Busters . Wormwood and Fall River won the game 1–0. The Fall River franchise changed monikers and became
1508-594: The Spindles in their shortened season. In 1946, Fall River returned to minor league play. Fall River returned to play as members the Class B level New England League, which reformed for the 1946 season with eight teams. The Fall River Indians resumed play as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and began playing home games at Fall River Stadium. The Fall River Indians placed seventh in 1946 New England League regular season standings and did not qualify for
1560-511: The best team some 10½ games above second-place Nashua. The Brooklyn Dodgers refused to allow Nashua to participate in any playoffs, wanting to pull the plug on the Nashua operation immediately, thus giving the Portland team a first-round bye in the playoffs, which saw Springfield defeat Pawtucket, 2 games to 0, then Portland taking Springfield in seven games. The league's final regular-season champ
1612-487: The champion Worcester Busters in the final standings. Manager John O'Brien began a six–season tenure as the 1907 Fall River Indians placed fifth in the Class B level New England League. The Indians ended the 1907 season with a record of 56–56, finishing 20.0 games behind the first place Worcester Busters. As the Worcester Busters again won the league championship, the Fall River Indians placed sixth in
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1664-590: The championship in October when the best-of-7 series against Manchester was halted after five games due to poor weather. In the middle of the championship series the Slaters hosted a game against the Boston Red Sox in front of over 9,000 fans. Pawtucket played their first game at the new Pawtucket Stadium (present-day McCoy Stadium ) on July 5 against Lynn with over 6,000 fans in attendance. By 1943, with
1716-441: The eight–team New England Association and also played in the 1877 League Alliance . The Fall River Cascades placed 3rd in the 1877 New England Association, compiling a 19–21 record under manager Jim Mutrie . The New England Association folded after the 1877 season. The Cascades had corresponding play in the 1877 League Alliance , where the team finished 2–12 in alliance contests. The League Alliance structure also folded after
1768-591: The first place Brockton Shoemakers and percentage points behind the second place Pawtucket Tigers . On June 22, 1898, Indians pitcher Tom Flanagan threw a no–hitter. Flanagan defeated the Brockton Shoemakers 5–0. The Fall River franchise folded after the 1898 season and did not return to the 1899 New England League. In 1902, the Fall River Indians resumed play, returning to the eight–team Class B level New England League and playing home games at Athletic Park. The Fall River Indians finished last in
1820-508: The first place Lynn Red Sox. Frank Zubik and Luke Urban were the 1948 managers. Playing at Fall River Stadium, the overall home attendance was 22,589, an average of 361. The Fall River Indians played their final season in 1949. The Fall River Indians played their final game on July 19, 1949, After falling to the Nashua Dodgers 10–5, the Indians withdrew from the league with a 27–42 record. The Lynn and Manchester franchises folded on
1872-580: The franchise to suspend operations. The unaffiliated teams in Lynn and Fall River then also announced they were suspending operations, and on July 20, 1949, the New England League closed out their "first half" with Nashua in first place, followed in order by the other surviving teams: Pawtucket, Portland and Springfield. The "second half" season of 38 games resumed with the four remaining teams and concluded with Pawtucket in first place, followed by Portland, Springfield and Nashua. Both halves combined shows Pawtucket as
1924-588: The minor league feeder for the Federal League , a structure that was a financial downfall for the Colonial League. The league folded after the 1915 season, with defending champion Fall River folding before the end of the 1915 season. The Fall River Spindles disbanded on July 10, 1915. The Spindles ended the 1915 season with a record of 22–24, as the Taunton franchise disbanded with Fall River on July 10. Frank Connaughton and Bill Phoenix served as managers of
1976-463: The playoffs, finishing 53.0 games behind the first place Lynn Red Sox . With a record of 30–94, Falls River placed seventh in the standings, playing the season under manager Jack Burns . Manager Jack Burns returned to the minor leagues as a manager after his major league playing career ended. Beginning in 1955, Burns spent five seasons (1955–59) as a Boston Red Sox coach third base coach under team manager Pinky Higgins . In 1960, Burns then became
2028-598: The same day. The New England League folded following the 1949 season. Minor league baseball has not returned to Fall River. from 1893 to 1915, Fall River teams played home games at the Athletic Grounds . Also known as the "Bedford Street Grounds" (1893–1898), the ballpark had a capacity of 3,000. The Athletic Grounds were located on Bedford Street at Oak Grove Avenue & Beattie Street in Fall River, Massachusetts. The Fall River Indians played home games at Fall River Stadium from 1946 to 1949. The ballpark
2080-672: The same five Eastern New England League clubs in Massachusetts and Maine, plus the addition of the Boston Blues as the sixth team. The first New England League champion was the Portland club. The league was inactive in 1889–1890, then resumed play from 1891 to 1915 (with the exception of 1900) under the presidency of Tim Murnane , the Boston Globe sportswriter. When the minor leagues were assigned classifications in 1902,
2132-973: The season due to ineligible player violations. 1904 Connecticut League President: Jim O'Rourke Worcester (26-11) moved to Norwich June 21. No Playoffs. 1905 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke No Playoffs. 1906 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke No Playoffs. 1907 Connecticut State League President: W. J. Tracey No Playoffs. 1908 Connecticut State League President: W. J. Tracey No Playoffs. 1909 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke No Playoffs. 1910 Connecticut State League - schedule President: W.J. Tracy] No Playoffs. 1911 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke Northampton and Holyoke disbanded June 26. No Playoffs. 1912 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke New Britain (12-22) moved to Waterbury June 15. No Playoffs. Southern New England League The New England League
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2184-487: The season in seventh place, the Fall River Adopted Sons had a 45–76 record under manager Dan Clohecy. Fall River finished 33.5 games behind the champion Lowell Grays . Fall River switched leagues, nicknames and captured the 1914 Colonial League Championship. Fall River did not return to the 1914 New England League, as the franchise joined the 1914 six–team Class C level Colonial League, playing as
2236-428: The season with a record of 68–39 behind manager Charley Marston. The Indians finished 2.5 games ahead of the second place Bangor Millionaires in the final standings. Baseball Hall of Fame member Nap Lajoie left his $ 7.50 per week job as a taxi driver to join the 1896 Fall River Indians. Lajoie played as a center fielder , first baseman and catcher for the Indians, while earning $ 25 per week at age 22. With
2288-502: The six–team New England League final standings with identical records. Baseball Hall of Fame member Roger Connor played for the Fall River Indians in 1897 at age 39, hitting .287 in 47 games after beginning the 1897 season with the St. Louis Browns . The Fall River Indians placed third in the six–team 1898 Class B New England League standings. Fall River ended with a 28–25 record under Manager Phenomenal Smith , finishing 6.5 games behind
2340-426: The team agreed to include him in their asking price. Lajoie made his major league debut shortly after being obtained. The Fall River Indians championship run ended in 1897. Fall River ended the 1897 New England League season with a 47–59 record, as Mike McDermott and owner Charley Marston served as managers. The Indians finished 22.5 games behind the champion Brockton Shoemakers and Newport Colts who tied in
2392-664: The team the Lowell Orphans; after August 18 they became a "road" team. Following the 1947 season the franchise was moved to Springfield as a farm team of the Chicago Cubs , and the Springfield Cubs became the only New England League team to survive the 1949 season, as one of the Cubs' two Class AAA team from 1950–1953. Dewacasino168 the most trusted england league match join us now before it's too late. Nashua
2444-496: The three no–hitters. Fred Blum defeated Lawrence 4–0 in a 7–inning game on July 31, 1911, completing the second no–hitter. On August 28, 1911, Harry Wormwood threw his second Fall River no–hitter and the team's third of the season, pitching a 13–inning no–hitter against Lawrence in a game that ended in a 0–0 tie. The 1912 Fall River Brinies continued play and finished last in the eight–team New England League. With John O'Brien finishing his tenure as manager, Fall River finished with
2496-678: Was a mid-level league in American minor league baseball that played intermittently in five of the six New England states ( Vermont excepted) between 1886 and 1949. After 1901 , it existed in the shadow of two Major League Baseball clubs in Boston and alongside stronger, higher-classification leagues. In 1946 , the NEL, the International League and the Canadian–American League – which all included farm teams of
2548-577: Was next called the Eastern New England League beginning play in 1885 with five teams in Massachusetts and Maine . The five teams, playing an 80 game season were, Lawrence, Haverhill, Biddleford /Newburyport, Portland and Brockton, with Lawrence winning the 1885 championship. The league continued play and shortened its name after the 1885 season. The newly named "New England League" played its first game in 1886 , with
2600-643: Was replaced by Portsmouth July 20; Lynn disbanded July 20; Salem disbanded August 3. Fall River Casscades Minor league baseball teams were based in Fall River, Massachusetts between 1877 and 1949. Fall River teams played as members of the New England Association (1877), League Alliance (1877), New England League (1893–1898, 1902–1913), Colonial League (1914–1915) and New England League (1946–1949), winning five league championships. Fall River hosted home minor league games at
2652-962: Was the Pawtucket Slaters , a farm club of the Boston Braves , but the Portland Pilots, a Phillies affiliate, won the playoffs, thus bookending the championship earned by the Maine city's entry in the NEL's maiden season 63 years earlier. 1886 New England League - schedule President: Jacob C. Morse Newburyport (35-34) moved to Lynn August 14. 1887 New England League - schedule President: Jacob C. Morse Salem disbanded July 9; Haverhill disbanded July 11; Boston (35-18) moved to Haverhill July 11; Lawrence (29-34) moved to Salem July 26. 1888 New England League - schedule President: Edward Chesney Portland disbanded June 9 and
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#17327930654502704-603: Was the most successful member of the postwar league, winning three consecutive playoff championships from 1946-48. But by the middle of 1949 , it became clear that the New England League was not viable. The league began the season with eight teams, but the Providence Grays dropped out on June 20. In mid-July the New York Yankees announced they were withdrawing their support of the Manchester team, forcing
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