Central Kansas League


The Central Kansas League was a Class D level baseball league established in 1908, playing through 1912. Member teams were based exclusively in Kansas. The Central Kansas League evolved from and into the Kansas State League.

History

The original Kansas State League ceased independent operations in 1911, combined with the Central Kansas League. After five seasons of play, the Central Kansas League subsequently changed its name to back to the Kansas State League for the 1913 and 1914 seasons before disestablishing. The league champions in 1909 and 1910 were the Ellsworth Blues.
There is an ongoing debate about whether former US President Dwight Eisenhower played professional baseball in 1911 for the Junction City Soldiers prior to attending West Point.

Cities represented

This is a complete list of the teams which played under the Central Kansas League.

Standings & statistics

1908 Central Kansas League -
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Minneapolis Minnies3119.620-Ben Young
Newton Browns2522.5324½Carl Becker
Ellsworth Blues2522.5324½F.S. Foster
Salina Trade Winners2423.5115½Frank Everhart
McPherson Merry Macks2027.4269½Davis
Little River1830.37512G.W. Hamilton / I.C. Meyer

1909 Central Kansas League
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Ellsworth Blues4423.657-George Seigle
Salina Trade Winners4028.5884½Ernie Quigley
Abilene Red Sox3730.5527F.D. Parent / Affie Wilson
Minneapolis Minnies3632.529½Roy Gafford / Harry Short
Junction City Soldiers3432.5159½Lewis Armstrong / Tom Campbell
Beloit3336.47812Hi Ebright
Clay Center Cubs3237.46413Lee Gramley
Manhattan Maroons1654.22929½Earle Bryant / Murphy
No Playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Tom CampbellJunction CityBA.335Ora WilliamsAbileneW19
James WhalenJunction CityRuns49Ora WilliamsAbileneSO178
Claude JenningsMinneapolisHits72Ora WilliamsAbilenePct.826; 19-4

1910 Central Kansas League -
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Ellsworth Blues5328.654-Dick Ford
Clay Center Cubs4833.5935Lee Gramley
Abilene Reds4433.5717Affie Wilson
Salina Trade Winners4434.5647½Elmer Meredith
Concordia Travelers4338.53110Harry Short
Manhattan Maroons3543.44916½Jim Gardiner
Junction City Soldiers3448.41519½Ernie Quigley /
Thomas Dugan / Cecil Bankhead
Beloit /
Chapman		1862.22534½Ben Dimond / Jim Green
Beloit moved to Chapman July 20.
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
A.B. ConleyAbileneBA.348Paul StokesberryClay CenterW19
Walter WentzClay CenterRuns53Otis PeeblesEllsworthPct.769; 10-3
Mugsy MonroeAbileneHits110----

1911 Central Kansas League
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Concordia Travelers4427.620-Harry Short / Roy Gafford
Junction City Soldiers4031.5634Cecil Bankhead
Clay Center Cubs3338.46511Lee Gramley
Manhattan Maroons2546.35219Dee Poindexter
:eague disbanded July 21.
Playoff: Concordia 4 games, Junction City 3.
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Gilbert BrittonClay CenterBA.347G.H. JepsonJunction CityW21
Claude JenningsClay CenterRuns53G.H. JepsonJunction CityPct.724; 21-8
Gilbert BrittonClay CenterHits90-----
Claude JenningsClay CenterSB30-----

1912 Central Kansas League -
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Great Bend Millers5436.600-Affie Wilson
Manhattan Giants5238.5782Robert Kahl /
Fred Moore / Nick Kohl
Newton Railroaders/
Minneapolis Minnies		5040.5554A. Stillwell
Junction City Soldiers4743.5227Cecil Bankhead
Lyons Lions3654.40018Fred Wilson
Salina Insurgents3159.34423Bert Lamb
Newton moved to Minneapolis July 12.
No Playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Muggsy MonroeNewt/MinnBA.352Fred HaggManhattanW18
Burnham SmithManhattanRuns88Elmer BrownGreat BendW18
Muggsy MonroeNewt/MinnHits118Fred HaggManhattanPct.750; 18-6

Notable players