Connecticut League


The Connecticut League, also known as the Connecticut State League, was a professional baseball association of teams in the state of Connecticut. The league was a minor league for most of its existence. It 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 National [Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|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.

Connecticut League teams

Cities represented

Standings & statistics

No Classification 1884 to 1891

1884 Connecticut State League
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterbury3413.723-S.F. Williams / Pheron Minor
Meriden2522.5329Albert Boardman / George Lynn
Rockville2225.46812J. Kelly /
Middleton / Talcott
Hartford2027.42614Charles Soby
New Britain1730.36217Winchester /
P.J. Markley / John A. Flynn
Willimantic1718.486NABill Thomas
Willimantic expelled September 3.
League played two games each week: Wednesdays and Saturdays
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Tom LovettWaterburyW26-----

1885 Connecticut State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden Maroons82.800-Bill Thomas
Waterbury32.600Jack Jones
Hartford Babies36.333Jack Remsen
New Britain26.2507William Siering
New Britain disbanded September 8
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
John MeisterMeridenBA.429John FlynnMeridenW5
John MeisterMeridenRuns13John FlynnMeridenSO35
John MeisterMeridenHits18John FlynnMeridenPCT1.000 5-0
Bill ThomasMeridenHR2-----

1888 Connecticut State League
President: J. Howard Taylor
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden93.750-NA
Waterbury107.588Thomas Guest
Norwalk97.5632NA
Bridgeport Giants /
Stamford
99.5003Bullen
Ansonia Cuban Giants47.364Cos Govern
Danbury413.235L.F. Abbott
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
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden104.714-Thomas Reilly
Waterbury209.690Harry Durant /
Tom Hayes / W.R. Mattison
New Britain1411.5608Frank Cox
Hartford1211.5225M.E. Fitzgerald
Ansonia Cuban Giants810.444John Brigh
Bristol-Plainville1215.4447E.F. Belden
Norwich1013.4357H.F. Reddy
Southington57.417James Prior
Portland310.2319Charles Edwards
West Haven18.1119E.P. Thomas
Hartford disbanded June 10; Portland disbanded June 10.

Class B">Class B (baseball)">Class B 1894 to 1896

1894 Connecticut State League
Standings unknown
1895 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bridgeport Victors83.727-Jim O'Rourke
Meriden Silvermen43.5712Miller / Reilly
Hartford Bluebirds44.500John Henry / A.F. Moran
Waterbury Brassmen06.000Durant

1896 Connecticut State League

President: D.W. Porter
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bridgeport Victors2515.625-Jim O'Rourke
Torrington Tornados2416.6001T.M. Burn /Candy Cummings
Derby Angels2218.5503William Callahan / Joseph Veitch
New Haven Edgewoods2218.5503T.R. Greist
Winsted Blues1525.37510Eugene McCarthy
W.A. Parsons / James Eaton
Ansonia Welcomes1228.30013Thomas Houlihan

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Jim O'RourkeBridgeportBA.437Dick Mansfield
Lee Viau
Bridgeport
Torrington
W15
15
John Doherty
Pop Foster
Bridgeport
Bridgeport
Runs50
50
Dick MansfieldBridgeportSO127
John DohertyBridgeportHits70Dick MansfieldBridgeportERA1.95
Thomas IversBridgeportHR5Dick Mansfield
Lee Viau
Bridgeport
Torrington
PCT.682 15-7
.682 15-7

Class F">Class F (baseball)">Class F 1897 to 1901

1897 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Meriden Bulldogs5224.684-Jack Chapman
Derby Angels4031.563Jerry Denny
Bridgeport Soubrettes3337.47114Jim O'Rourke
Torrington Demons3139.44316Ralph Bottenus / Dennis Houle
Waterbury Indians3443.44216½John Fruin / E.O. Herendeen
Roger Connor
Bristol Braves2946.37320½O.F. Strunz / Pete Hall
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Jim O'RourkeBridgeportBA.405-----
Patsy CunninghamBridgeportRuns94-----
Jim O'RourkeBridgeportHits130-----
Terry RogersBridgeportHR12-----
Terry RogersBridgeportSB40-----

1898 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterbury Pirates5538.591-Roger Connor
New Haven Students5640.583½Chippy McGarr / Thomas Reilly
M.B. Yaw / Mike Hickey / Conrad Miller
Danbury Hatters5143.543Jack Rose
Bridgeport Orators5145.531Tom Ivers / Jim O'Rourke
Meriden Bulldogs4648.489Jack Chapman
New London Whalers4152.44114Benjamin Kinney / John Puhl
Derby Angels2333.411NAJerry Denny
New Britain Rangers1438.269NAClaude Gilbert
New Britain disbanded June 23.
Derby disbanded June 25.
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Freddy ParentNew HavenBA.326Dick MansfieldWaterburyW24
Freddy ParentNew HavenRuns96Phil Corcoran
W.B. Morris
Bridgeport
Danbury
Pct.739; 17-6
.739 17-6
Freddy ParentNew HavenHits125----
Roger ConnorWaterburyHR5----

1899 Connecticut State League -
President: Tim Murnane
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
New Haven Blues5538.591-Thomas Reilly
Waterbury Rough Riders5343.552Roger Connor
Derby Lushers5143.542Billy Lush / Larry Battam
Bristol Bellmakers4845.5167John Gunshannon
Meriden Silverites4648.489A.R. Penny / George Courtney
New London Whalers4552.46412George Bindloss
Bridgeport Orators4355.43814½Jim O'Rourke
[Norwich Jackroses">Bridgeport Orators (baseball)">Bridgeport Orators4355.43814½Jim O'Rourke
[Norwich Jackroses4158.41417Jack Rose / Jack Chapman
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Roger ConnorWaterburyBA.392Charles McDonaldNew HavenW26
Roger ConnorWaterburyRuns79Charles McDonaldNew HavenPct.703; 26-11
Freddy ParentNew HavenHits138Pete WoodruffNew Lond/BridgeHR11

1900 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norwich Witches6433.660-Fred Doe
New Haven Blues5839.5986Jim Canavan
Bridgeport Orators5741.582Jim O'Rourke
Bristol Bellmakers4847.50515James Cooney
Meriden Silverites4748.49516A.R. Penny
Conrad Miller / Thomas Reilly
Waterbury Rough Riders4353.44820½Roger Connor
Derby Angels3660.37527½Jerry Denny
New London Whalers3264.33331½Willis Jones / Tom Hernon
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hi LaddDerbyBA.371Danny MurphyNorwichHits138
Danny MurphyNorwichRuns112Danny MurphyNorwichHR14

1901 Connecticut State League
President: Tim Murnane
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bristol Woodchoppers6341.606-Doc Reisling
Bridgeport Orators6143.5872Jim O'Rourke
Norwich Champs6246.5743Jack Tighe
Meriden Silverites5648.5387W.R. Reilly
New Haven Blues5654.50910Jim Canavan
Waterbury Rough Riders4760.43917½Roger Connor
New London Whalers4563.41720Tom Hernon / John Shea
Derby Angels3772.33028½Jerry Denny
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Patsy DoughertyBridgeportBA.375Danny MurphyNorwichRuns104
Danny MurphyNorwichHR12Hi LaddDerbyHits171
Pete WoodruffNorwich/New LondonHR12-----

Class D">Class D (baseball)">Class D 1902 to 1904

1902 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke / Sturgis Whitlock
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
New Haven Blues7039.642-Jim Canavan
Springfield Ponies6545.591Roger Connor
New London Whalers5754.51414John Shea
Hartford Senators5755.50914½Doc Reisling
Bridgeport Orators5359.47318½Jim O'Rourke
Norwich Reds5158.46919Harry Davenport
Meriden Silverites5158.46919Conrad Miller / Tom Tucker
Waterbury Rough Riders3773.33633½George Harrington
No Playoffs.
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Danny HoffmanSpringfieldBA.336Ed WalshMeridenPct.750; 15-5
Tuck TurnerNorwichRuns110Red LongNew LondonShO7
H.E. SlaterWaterburyHits147Bob DrewMeridenHR7

1903 Connecticut State League
President: Sturgis Whitlock
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Holyoke Paperweights6637.641-Pete Woodruff / Daniel O'Neill
Meriden Silverites6242.595Sam Kennedy
Bridgeport Orators5947.557Jim O'Rourke
New London Whalers5751.52811John Shea / Charles Humphrey
Norwich Reds5450.51912Dennis Morrissey
New Haven Blues5257.47717Jim Canavan
Springfield Ponies4164.3702Roger Connor
Hartford Senators3077.28038Thomas Reilly
No Playoffs:
12 Holyoke games were deducted after the season due to ineligible player violations.
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Claude RossmanHolyokeBA.385Claude RossmanHolyokeHits158
Emil BatchHolyokeRuns98Jack TigheNorwichHR5
Tom BannonNew LondonSB75----

1904 Connecticut League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Bridgeport Orators7145.612-Jim O'Rourke
Springfield Ponies6946.600Daniel O'Neill
New Haven Blues6947.5952Jim Canavan
Holyoke Paperweights5855.51311½Frank Fitzpatrick
P. Prindiville / Fred Winkler
New London Whalers5660.48315Charles Humphrey
Hartford Senators5361.46517William Kennedy
Worcester Reds /
Norwich Indians
5362.46117½Mal Kittridge / Robert Tracey
Jack Tighe / Fred Crolius
Meriden Silverites3184.27039½Sam Kennedy
Worcester moved to Norwich June 21.
No Playoffs.
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pop FosterBridgeportBA.376Pop FosterBridgeportHits158
Royal ClarkBridgeportRuns101Emil BatchHolyokeHR7
Bill FoxenHartfordSO's180----

Class B">Class B (baseball)">Class B 1905 to 1912

1905 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Holyoke Paperweights7935.693-Jesse Freysinger
Springfield Ponies7444.6277Daniel O'Neill
Bridgeport Orators6450.56115Jim O'Rourke
Hartford Senators5856.50921William Kennedy
Meriden Silverites4964.43429½Sam Kennedy
New London Whalers4968.41931½Charles Humphrey
New Haven Blues4670.39734Jim Canavan / Jack Tighe
Norwich Reds4274.36238George Allen / Jim Canavan
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Fred CroliusNew LondonBA.348Carson HodgeHolyokeW24
Ad YaleBridgeportRuns96Carson HodgeHolyokePct.727; 24-9
Fred CroliusNew LondonHits160Chick HartleyHolyokeHR9

1906 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norwich Reds7253.576-George Allen / Jack Tighe
Springfield Ponies7056.556Daniel O'Neill
New Haven Blues6857.5444 0William Slack
Hartford Senators6257.5217Bert Daly / J.H. Clarkin
Waterbury Authors6053.48811Harry Durant
Holyoke Paperweights5865.47213Tom Fleming
Tommy Dowd / M. Prindiville
Bridgeport Orators5472.42918½Jim O'Rourke
New London Whalers5374.41720Charles Humphrey / Sam Kennedy
No 0layoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Frank BurkeNew HavenBA.349Mickey CorcoranNew HavenW26
Ed FitzpatrickSpringfi/New HavenRuns88Mickey CorcoranNew HavenPct.667; 26-13
Hi LaddBridgeportHits157Otto HessSpringfieldShO9
Pop RisingNew LondonHR5-----

1907 Connecticut State League
President: W. J. Tracey
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Holyoke Papermakers8342.664-Tommy Dowd
Waterbury Authors7747.621Harry Durant
Springfield Ponies7249.5959Daniel O'Neill
Norwich Reds7151.58210½August Soffel
Hartford Senators6655.54515James Clarkin
Bridgeport Orators4875.39034Jim O'Rourke
New Haven Blues4480.35538½Cornelius Danaher
New London Whalers3193.25051½Sam Kennedy / Charles Page
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hi LaddBridgeportBA.341Ira PlankNew HavenW26
Mike McAndrewsWaterburyRuns100Ed FarleyWaterburyPct.774; 24-7
Hi LaddBridgeportHits168Lou LapineHolyokeHR8

1908 Connecticut State League
President: W. J. Tracey
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Ponies8441.672-Daniel O'Neill
Hartford Senators8442.667½Tommy Dowd / Thomas Connery
New Haven Blues6363.50021½Bert Daly
Billy Lush / George Bone
New Britain Perfectos6164.48823 0Charles Humphrey / William Hanna
Holyoke Papermakers6066.47624½Jack Tighe / Fred Winkler
Bridgeport Orators5571.43729½Jim O'Rourke
Meriden Silverites5472.42930½Charles Cheney
Waterbury Authors4284.33342½Harry Durant
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Swat McCabeNew BritainBA.320Red WallerBridgeportW23
Hack SimmonsNew HavenRuns78Ray FisherHartfordPct.923; 12-1
Hack SimmonsNew HavenHits155Hack SimmonsNew HavenHR10

1909 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Hartford Senators7444.627-Thomas Connery
Holyoke Papermakers6853.562Mike McCormack
New Britain Perfectos6455.53310½William Hanna
Waterbury Invincibles6461.51213½Michael Doherty
Springfield Ponies6063.48816½John Zeller
New Haven Black Crows5965.47618Phil Corcoran
Northampton Meadowlarks5468.44322Rdward Bowler / Gil Edwards
Bridgeport Orators4478.36132Jim O'Rourke
No playoffs held.
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Swat McCabeNew BritainBA.366Ray FisherHartfordW24
Barry McCormickNorthhamptonRuns95Ray FisherHartfordPct.828; 24-5
Swat McCabeNew BritainHits176Ray FisherHartfordSO243
Cy PerkinsHartfordHR23Eddie FilesHolyokeBB146

1910 Connecticut State League -
President: W.J. Tracy
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Waterbury Finnegans7052.574-Michael J. Finn
Bridgeport Orators6752.563Gene McCann
New Britain Perfectos6955.5562William Hanna
New Haven Prairie Hens6755.5493Bill Carrick
Hartford Senators6458.5256Tom Connery
Springfield Ponies5868.46014John Zeller
Northampton Meadowlarks5073.40720½Bill Luby
Holyoke Papermakers4678.37125Pop Foster
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pop FosterHolyokeBA.342Red WallerBridgeportW21
Bill RodgersWaterburyRuns79Sandy BannisterWaterburyW21
Hi LaddBridgeportHits158Buck O'BrienHartfordSO264
Pop FosterHolyokeHR15M.J. ParkerNew BritainERA1.81

1911 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Ponies7145.614-John Zeller
Bridgeport Orators7147.6021Gene McCann / Robert Tracey
Hartford Senators6852.5685Tom Connery
New Haven Murlins5661.48015½Pop Foster / George Cameron
New Britain Perfectos5366.44419½Daniel O'Neill
Waterbury Champs4575.37528Carl Pace / Frank McPartlin
Northampton Meadowlarks2124.467NABill Luby
Holyoke Papermakers1631.340NAWade Moore
Northampton and Holyoke disbanded June 26
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pop FosterNew HavenBA.325Eddie DentNew havenW21
Wilford GenestSpringfieldRuns95Bugs ReisiglNew HavenSO199
Hi LaddBridgeportHits143Curt WalkerHolyoke/BridgePct.750; 15-5
Pop FosterNew HavenHR7Fred EleyBridgeportHR7

1912 Connecticut State League
President: Jim O'Rourke
Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
New Haven Murlins7641.650-Jerry O'Connell
Hartford Senators6751.568Tom Connery
Bridgeport Orators6155.52614½Gene McCann
Holyoke Papermakers5758.49618Daniel O'Neill
Springfield Ponies5070.41727½John Zeller
New Britain /
Waterbury Spuds
3975.34235½Jack Hoey
New Britain moved to Waterbury June 15.
No playoffs held
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hugh HighHartfordBA.327Bugs ReisiglNew HavenW21
Hugh HighHartfordRuns80Frank GreenHolyokeSO212
Hugh HighHartfordHits145Pop FosterNew HavenPct.750; 15-5
Pop FosterNew HavenHR9Cliff AverettHartfordPct.750; 12-4