Central League (minor league)

Defunct American baseball league

For other uses, see Central League (disambiguation).

Central LeagueClassification| Independent (1900)
Class B 1903-1917, 1920-1922, 1928-1930, 1932, 1934
Class C 1926
Class A 1948-1951

|

Sport| Minor League Baseball
First season| 1900
Ceased| 1951
President| William F.H. Schmidt (1900)
George W. Bement (1903-1904)
Frank R. Carson (1905-1911)
Louie Heilbroner (1912-1915)
Emerson Dickerson (1916-1917)
Harry W. Stahlhefer (1917)
Emerson Dickerson (1921-1926)
L.J. Wylie (1928-1929)
Donald C. Jacobs (1930)
Frederick Howell (1932)
Emerson Dickerson (1934)
Thomas J. Halligan (1948-1951)
No. of teams| 37
Country| United States of America
Most titles| 5
Dayton
Related
competitions| Central League (1888); Central League (1897)

The Central League was a minor league baseball league that operated sporadically in 1900, from 1903-1917, 1920-1922, 1926, 1928-1930, 1934, and 1948-1951\. In 1926, the league merged mid-season with the Michigan State League and played under that name for the remainder of the season.[1] The Central League later reformed in 1928.

The Central League hosted teams from 37 cities over its six decades of league play. Teams from the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were represented.

## Minor League class history[edit]

Before the current minor league baseball classification system was introduced in 1963, minor leagues/teams were classified from Class D up to Class Triple-A. The following is a list of the various classifications that the Central League had during its years of operation:

* Class B: 1903-1917, 1920-1922, 1928-1930, 1932, 1934
* Class C: 1926
* Class A: 1948-1951

## Cities represented[edit]

The following are cities and former teams that made up the Central League.

* Akron, Ohio: Akron Rubbermen 1912; Akron Tyrites 1928-1929, 1932
* Anderson, IN: Anderson Orphans 1903
* Bloomington, IL: Bloomington Blues 1900
* Canton, Ohio: Canton Red Stockings 1905; Canton Chinamen 1906-1907; Canton Statesmen 1912; Canton Terriers 1928-1930, 1932
* Charleston, WV: Charleston Senators 1949-1951
* Danville, IL: Danville Champions 1900
* Dayton, Ohio: Dayton Veterans 1903-1917; Dayton Aviators 1928-1930; Dayton Ducks 1932; Dayton Indians 1948-1951
* Decatur, IL: Decatur Commodores 1900
* Erie, PA: Erie Sailors 1912, 1915, 1928-1930, 1932
* Evansville, IN: Evansville River Rats 1903-1910, 1913-1915; Evansville Strikers 1911; Evansville Evas 1916-1917
* Flint, MI: Flint Arrows, 1948-1951

* Fort Wayne, IN: Fort Wayne Railroaders 1903-1905; Fort Wayne Billikens 1908-1910; Fort Wayne Brakies 1911; Fort Wayne Railroaders 1912, Fort Wayne Champs 1913; Fort Wayne Railroaders 1914; Fort Wayne Cubs 1915; Fort Wayne Chiefs 1917, 1928-1930, 1932, 1934; Fort Wayne Generals 1948
* Grand Rapids, MI: Grand Rapids Orphans 1903-1905; Grand Rapids Wolverines 1906-1909; Grand Rapids Raiders 1910 Grand Rapids Furniture Makers 1911; Grand Rapids Grads 1911; Grand Rapids Bill-eds 1913; Grand Rapids Black Sox 1912, Grand Rapids Champs 1914 Grand Rapids Black Sox 1915-1917; Grand Rapids Joshers 1920-1921; Grand Rapids Billbobs 1922; Grand Rapids Black Sox 1926; Grand Rapids Tigers 1934; Grand Rapids Jets 1948-1951
* Ionia, MI: Ionia Mayors 1921-1922
* Jackson, MI: Jackson Mayors 1921
* Jacksonville, IL: Jacksonville Reds 1900
* Kalamazoo, MI: Kalamazoo Celery Pickers 1920-1922, 1926
* Lansing, MI: Lansing Senators 1921-1922
* Lima, OH: Lima Buckeyes 1934
* Lansing, MI: Ludington Mariners 1920-1922
* Ludington, MI: Ludington Tars 1926
* Marion, OH: Marion Oilworkers 1903-1904
* Muskegon, MI: Muskegon Reds 1916; Muskegon Muskies 1920-1922; Muskegon Reds 1926, 1934; Muskegon Clippers 1948-1950; Muskegon Reds 1951
* Newark, Ohio: Newark Skeeters 1911
* Peoria, IL: Peoria Distillers 1900, 1904, 1917; Peoria Tractors 1934
* Richmond, IN: Richmond Quakers 1917; Richmond Roses 1930
* Saginaw, MI: Saginaw Bears 1948-1950; Saginaw Jacks 1951
* South Bend, IN: South Bend Greens 1903-1909 South Bend Bronchos 1910; South Bend Bux 1911; South Bend Benders 1911, South Bend Benders 1912, 1916-1917; South Bend Twins 1932
* Springfield, IL: Springfield 1900; Springfield Red Birds 1934
* Springfield, Ohio: Springfield Babes 1905-1907; Springfield Reapers 1912-1914, 1916-1917; Springfield Buckeyes 1928; Springfield Dunnmen 1929; Springfield Blue Sox 1930
* Terre Haute, IN: Terre Haute Hottentots 1900, 1903-1909; Terre Haute Stags 1910; Terre Haute Miners 1911; Terre Haute Terre-iers 1912-1914; Terre Haute Highlanders 1915-1916
* Wheeling, WV: Wheeling Stogies 1903-1912, 1915-1916
* Youngstown, Ohio: Youngstown Steelmen 1912; Youngstown Buckeyes 1932
* Zanesville, Ohio: Zanesville Infants 1908-1909; Zanesville Potters 1910-1912

## Standings & statistics[edit]

1900 Central League

1900 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Bloomington Blues | 64 | 34 | .653 | - | George Reed
Danville Champions | 57 | 44 | .564 | 8.5 | Charles Leverenz
Decatur Commodores | 46 | 51 | .474 | 17.5 | Frank Weikart
Terre Haute Hottentots | 48 | 61 | .440 | 21.5 | Jap Poor / Roy Montgomery
Bill Krieg
Peoria Distillers | 29 | 25 | .537 | NA | Alfred Lawson / Bill Krieg
Springfield /
Jacksonville Reds | 15 | 43 | .259 | NA | Harry Wilson / W.D. Highfield
Jim Hackett

Peoria disbanded July 8; Springfield (4-14) transferred to Jacksonville May 21; Jacksonville disbanded July 8.
Playoffs: Danville defeated Bloomington

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|

Red Wright | Danville | BA | .329
Fred Abbott | Danville | Runs | 91
Charles Elsey
Red Wright | Bloomington
Danville | Hits | 130
Frank Huelsman | Peoria/Danville | HR | 5
Clarence Jessup | Terre Haute | SB | 32

[2]

## 1903 to 1917[edit]

1903 Central League

1903 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Fort Wayne Railroaders | 89 | 49 | .645 | - | Bade Myers
South Bend Green Stockings | 88 | 50 | .638 | 1.0 | Angus Grant
Marion Oilworkers | 71 | 65 | .522 | 17.0 | John Grim
Wheeling Stogies | 69 | 68 | .504 | 19.5 | Barley Kain / Ted Price
Evansville River Rats | 64 | 68 | .485 | 22.0 | Tom News / Thomas McKinley
Ed Ashenbach
Dayton Veterans | 61 | 76 | .445 | 27.5 | Henry Youngman
Terre Haute Hottentots | 58 | 80 | .420 | 31.0 | Lou Walters / Peter Somers
William M. James
Ed Biecher
Anderson /
Grand Rapids Orphans | 58 | 92 | .343 | 42.0 | McVey Lindsey

Anderson (15-12) moved to Grand Rapids May 30

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|

Jack Bonner | Evansville | BA | .329
Ed Coffee | South Bend | Runs | 105
Jack Bonner | Evansville | Hits | 172

1904 Central League

1904 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Fort Wayne Railroaders | 87 | 51 | .630 | - | Bade Myers
Terre Haute Hottentots | 77 | 62 | .554 | 10.5 | Frank Warrender
South Bend Greens | 75 | 65 | .536 | 13.0 | Angus Grant
Wheeling Stogies | 71 | 66 | .518 | 15.5 | Ted Price
Dayton Veterans | 68 | 69 | .496 | 18.5 | John Spaatz / Charles Jewell
Hub Knoll
Marion Oilworkers /
Peoria Distillers | 61 | 75 | .449 | 25.0 | John Grim / Mike Lawrence
Grand Rapids Wolverines | 58 | 82 | .414 | 30.0 | John Flannery / John Morrissey
Evansville River Rats | 56 | 83 | .403 | 31.5 | Frank Schoeller / Robert Berryhill
Frank Cross

Marion (12-15) moved to Peoria (27-33) May 30; Peoria returned to Marion July 31; Evansville disbanded September 6

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Charles Cogswell | South Bend | BA | .354 |  | Cy Alberts | Fort Wayne | W | 22
Bert Dennis | Fort Wayne | Runs | 92 |  | Elmer Moffit | South Bend | SO | 233
[John Geyer | Grand Rapids | Hits | 165 |  | William Pearson | Grand Rapids/Dayton | PCT | .714 20-8
George McConnell
Dick Knox | Wheeling
Evansville | HR | 9

1905 Central League

1905 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Wheeling Stogies | 81 | 55 | .596 | - | Pop Schriver
Grand Rapids Orphans | 75 | 59 | .560 | 5.0 | John Ganzel
South Bend Greens | 77 | 62 | .554 | 5.5 | Angus Grant
Evansville River Rats | 71 | 67 | .522 | 11.5 | Jimmy Ryan
Dayton Veterans | 70 | 64 | .514 | 10.0 | Hub Knoll
Springfield Babes | 66 | 68 | .493 | 14.0 | Jack Hendricks
Fort Wayne Railroaders
Canton Red Stockings | 56 | 79 | .415 | 24.5 | Bade Myers / George Williams
Terre Haute Hottentots | 47 | 89 | .345 | 34.0 | Frank Warrender / Bert Dennis

Fort Wayne (31-41) moved to Canton July 10

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

John Connors | South Bend | BA | .338 |  | Walt Miller | Grand Rapids | W | 24
John Connors | South Bend | Runs | 96 |  | Elmer Moffit
George Miller | South Bend
Wheeling | PCT | .677 21-10
John Connors | South Bend | Hits | 184
Jimmy Ryan | Evansville | HR | 10

1906 Central League
1906 \- schedule

1906 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Grand Rapids Wolverines | 99 | 52 | .656 | - | John Ganzel
Springfield Babes | 91 | 60 | .603 | 8.0 | Jack Hendricks
Canton Chinamen | 85 | 63 | .574 | 12.5 | Bade Myers
Dayton Veterans | 78 | 71 | .523 | 20.0 | John Thornton / James Barrett
Hub Knoll / McKinley / Ed McLean
Wheeling Stogies | 75 | 77 | .493 | 24.5 | Pop Schriver
Evansville River Rats | 65 | 82 | .442 | 32.0 | Jimmy Ryan / John Walker
Harry Stahlhefer
South Bend Greens | 62 | 88 | .413 | 36.5 | Angus Grant
Terre Haute Hottentots | 44 | 106 | .293 | 54.5 | Jack Boyle / Frank Warrender
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

John Ganzel | Grand Rapids | BA | .323 |  | Ralph Willis | Canton | W | 27
Goat Anderson | South Bend | Runs | 100 |  | James Freeman | Evansville | SO | 214
Goat Anderson | South Bend | Hits | 169 |  | Roy Hale | Dayton | PCT | .856 12-2
John Ganzel | Grand Rapids | HR | 13

1907 Central League

1907 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Springfield Babes | 86 | 49 | .637 | - | Jack Hendricks
Wheeling Stogies | 77 | 57 | .575 | 8.5 | Ted Price
Canton Chinamen | 69 | 64 | .519 | 16.0 | Bade Myers
Evansville River Rats | 69 | 69 | .500 | 18.5 | Punch Knoll
Dayton Veterans | 66 | 71 | .482 | 21.0 | Ed McKean / E. Richardson
Mal Kittridge
Terre Haute Hottentots | 65 | 72 | .474 | 22.0 | Jack McConnell / Don Cameron
Grand Rapids Wolverines | 60 | 77 | .438 | 27.0 | Cuppy Groeschow / Elmer Bliss
South Bend Greens | 53 | 86 | .381 | 35.0 | Angus Grant
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Champ Osteen | Springfield | BA | .338 |  | Rube Marquard | Canton | W | 23
Joe Collins | Springfield | Runs | 96 |  | Matt Muldowney | Springfield | PCT | .783 18-5
Champ Osteen | Springfield | Hits | 170 |  |  |  |  |
Larry Lejeune
Ike Francis
Bill Richardson | Springfield
Grand Rapids
Dayton | HR | 7

1908 Central League

1908 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Evansville River Rats | 84 | 56 | .600 | - | Punch Knoll
South Bend Greens | 80 | 60 | .571 | 4.0 | Angus Grant
Dayton Veterans | 77 | 63 | .550 | 7.0 | Bade Myers
Fort Wayne Billikens | 75 | 65 | .536 | 9.0 | Jack Hendricks
Grand Rapids Wolverines | 68 | 71 | .489 | 16.5 | Bobby Lowe
Zanesville Infants | 67 | 73 | .479 | 17.0 | Marty Hogan
Terre Haute Hottentots | 63 | 75 | .457 | 20.0 | Lew Drill
Wheeling Stogies | 44 | 95 | .317 | 39.5 | Ted Price / Tom Fleming
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Charles French | Evansville | BA | .339 |  | Charles Wacke | Evansville | W | 27
Bert Noblett | Grand Rapids | Runs | 92 |  | John Rowan | Dayton | SO | 232
Charles French | Evansville | Hits | 170 |  | Charles Wacker | Evansville | PCT | .771 27-8
Punch Knoll | Evansville | HR | 12
Midge Craven | South Bend | SB | 87

1909 Central League

1909 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Wheeling Stogies | 83 | 50 | .624 | - | Bill Phillips
Zanesville Infants | 75 | 58 | .564 | 8.0 | Roy Montgomery
Fort Wayne Billikens | 71 | 66 | .518 | 14.0 | Jack Hendricks
Grand Rapids Wolverines | 67 | 65 | .508 | 15.5 | Joe Raidy
Terre Haute Hottentots | 65 | 73 | .471 | 20.5 | Cuppy Groeschow
South Bend Greens | 64 | 72 | .471 | 20.5 | Angus Grant
Evansville River Rats | 58 | 78 | .426 | 26.5 | Punch Knoll
Dayton Veterans | 56 | 77 | .421 | 27.0 | Bade Myers
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Arista DeHaven | Terre Haute | BA | .336 |  | John Fisher
Bill Kenworthy | Wheeling
Zanesville | W | 24
Curley Blount | Fort Wayne | Runs | 92 |  | Bucky O'Brien | Evansville | SO | 180
Arista DeHaven | Terre Haute | Hits | 173 |  | Bill Phillips | Wheeling | PCT | .800 12-3
Punch Knoll
Hank Butcher | Evansville | HR | 11

1910 Central League

1910 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

South Bend Bronchos | 88 | 50 | .638 | - | Ed Wheeler / Midge Craven
Fort Wayne Billikens | 79 | 58 | .577 | 8.5 | Jimmy Burke
Dayton Veterans | 74 | 63 | .540 | 13.5 | Punch Knoll
Evansville River Rats | 70 | 67 | .511 | 17.5 | Angus Grant
Terre Haute Stags | 63 | 74 | .460 | 24.5 | Cuppy Groeschow
Zanesville Potters | 61 | 76 | .445 | 26.5 | Roy Montgomery
Grand Rapids Raiders | 60 | 77 | .438 | 27.5 | Joe Raidy
Wheeling Stogies | 52 | 82 | .388 | 34.0 | Bill Phillips
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Larry LeJeune | Evansville | BA | .328 |  | Buck Sterzer | Evansville | W | 28
Larry LeJeune | Evansville | Runs | 81 |  | Walt Justis | Dayton | SO | 177
Del Young | Fort Wayne | Hits | 166 |  | William Robertson | Fort Wayne | PCT | .800 20-5
Larry LeJeune | Evansville | HR | 18

1911 Central League

1911 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Dayton Veterans | 86 | 51 | .628 | - | Punch Knoll
Fort Wayne Brakies | 83 | 54 | .606 | 3.0 | Doc Casey
Zanesville Potters | 74 | 58 | .561 | 9.5 | Joe Raidy
South Bend Benders /
Grand Rapids Grads | 73 | 61 | .545 | 11.5 | Ed Smith
Evansville Strikers /
South Bend Bux | 62 | 72 | .463 | 22.5 | Angus Grant / Harry Arndt
Wheeling Stogies | 56 | 73 | .434 | 26.0 | Roy Montgomery
Grand Rapids Furniture Makers /
Newark Skeeters | 59 | 78 | .431 | 27.0 | Doc Parker / John Pendry
Terre Haute Miners | 45 | 91 | .331 | 40.5 | Ed Wheeler / Angus Grant
Jock Somerlott

Grand Rapids (25-36) moved to Newark June 27; South Bend (42-36) moved to Grand Rapids July 13; Evansville (54-54) moved to South Bend August 11

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Joe Connelly | Zanesville/Terre Haute | BA | .355 |  | Jack Compton
George Harden | Dayton
Fort Wayne | W | 22
Ed Justice
Marion Kilpatrick | Fort Wayne
Dayton | Runs | 96 |  | George Harden | Fort Wayne | SO | 172
Ray Spencer | Dayton | Hits | 176 |  | Charles Alberts | Fort Wayne | PCT | .800 16-4
Albert Durham
Punch Knoll
Hubert Hadley
Emil Grefe | Wheeling
Dayton
Evansville/South Bend
Evansville/South Bend | HR | 11

1912 Central League

1912 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Fort Wayne Railroaders | 77 | 52 | .597 | - | Frank Shaughnessey
Youngstown Steelmen | 74 | 54 | .577 | 2.5 | Bill Phillips
Erie Sailors | 75 | 55 | .577 | 2.5 | Billy Gilbert
Springfield Reapers | 72 | 54 | .571 | 3.5 | Charley O'Day / Jack Pendry
Dayton Veterans | 73 | 56 | .565 | 4.0 | Punch Knoll
Wheeling Stogies | 66 | 61 | .520 | 10.0 | Goat Anderson
Canton Statesmen | 64 | 66 | .492 | 13.5 | Ed Gremlinger
Akron Rubbermen | 59 | 68 | .465 | 17.0 | Lee Fohl
Grand Rapids Black Sox | 58 | 68 | .460 | 17.5 | Ed Smith / Bert Annis
Terre Haute Terre-iers | 59 | 70 | .457 | 18.0 | Angus Grant / John Nee
Zanesville Potters | 52 | 78 | .400 | 25.5 | Willus Kelley / John Pendry
Martin Hogan
South Bend Benders | 41 | 88 | .318 | 36.0 | Harry Arndt
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Larry LeJeune | Grand Rapids | BA | .361 |  | Buck Sterzer | Erie | W | 24
Frank Gilhooley | Erie | Runs | 104 |  | Earl Moseley | Youngstown | SO | 235
Larry LeJeune | Grand Rapids | Hits | 168 |  | Fred Sherry
Lou Schettler
Ted Goulait | Youngstown
Erie
Springfield | PCT | .769 10-3
Larry LeJeune | Grand Rapids | HR | 25

1913 Central League
1913 \- schedule

1913 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Grand Rapids Bill-eds | 92 | 48 | .657 | - | Ed Smith
Fort Wayne Champs | 77 | 63 | .550 | 15.0 | Jimmy Burke
Springfield Reapers | 67 | 71 | .486 | 24.0 | Joe Stanley
Dayton Veterans | 62 | 77 | .446 | 29.5 | John Nee
Terre Haute Terre-iers | 60 | 79 | .432 | 31.5 | Goat Anderson
Evansville River Rats | 60 | 80 | .429 | 32 | Punch Knoll
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Larry LeJeune | Grand Rapids | BA | .346 |  | Jeff Pfeffer | Grand Rapids | W | 25
George Brautigan | Springfield | Runs | 99 |  | Jeff Pfeffer | Grand Rapids | SO | 232
Pop Shaw | Dayton | Hits | 175 |  | Sherry Smith
William Riley | Grand Rapids | PCT | .818 9-2
Bill Keene | Springfield | HR | 15

1914 Central League

1914 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Dayton Veterans | 85 | 49 | .634 | - | John Nee
Evansville River Rats | 73 | 54 | .575 | 8.5 | Punch Knoll
Fort Wayne Railroaders | 64 | 70 | .478 | 21.0 | Harry Martin
Terre Haute Terre-iers | 61 | 71 | .462 | 23.0 | Larry Quinlan
Grand Rapids Champs | 58 | 72 | .446 | 25.0 | George Hughes / James Jones
Springfield Reapers | 42 | 67 | .385 | 35.5 | Joe Stanley

Springfield disbanded August 8

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Jack Sheehan | Terre Haute | BA | .340 |  | Jake Fromholtz | Evansville | W | 23
Arista DeHaven | Dayton | Runs | 96 |  | Paul Fittery | Evansville | SO | 249
Jack Sheehan | Terre Haute | Hits | 179 |  | Paul Fittery | Evansville | PCT | .759 22-7
Howard Baker | Evansville | HR | 15

1915 Central League

1915 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Evansville River Rats | 72 | 50 | .590 | - | Punch Knoll
Grand Rapids Black Sox | 68 | 54 | .557 | 4.0 | Bill Essick
Youngstown Steelmen | 66 | 56 | .541 | 6.0 | Curley Blount
Terre Haute Highlanders | 66 | 58 | .532 | 7.0 | Rufus Gilbert
Erie Sailors | 64 | 58 | .525 | 8.0 | Larry Quinlan
Fort Wayne Cubs | 62 | 60 | .508 | 10.0 | Bade Myers
Wheeling Stogies | 50 | 76 | .397 | 24.0 | Pop Schriver / Arch Riley
Dayton Veterans | 43 | 79 | .352 | 29.0 | Jack Compton
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Tom Miller | Erie | BA | .336 |  | Earl Ainsworth
Lou Schettler | Fort Wayne
Youngstown | W | 24
Red Smyth | Fort Wayne | Runs | 84 |  | Art Nehf | Terre Haute | SO | 218
Stump Edington | Grand Rapids | Hits | 142 |  | Art Nehf | Terre Haute | ERA | 1.38
Fred Bratchie | Fort Wayne | HR | 10

1916 Central League

1916 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Grand Rapids Black Sox | 77 | 55 | .583 | - | Bill Essick
Dayton Veterans | 73 | 57 | .562 | 3.0 | John Nee
Springfield Reapers | 74 | 58 | .561 | 3.0 | Joe Dunn
Wheeling Stogies | 65 | 64 | .504 | 20.5 | Harry Smith
Evansville Evas | 63 | 66 | .488 | 22.5 | Punch Knoll
Terre Haute Highlanders | 62 | 71 | .466 | 25.5 | Rufus Gilbert
South Bend Benders | 56 | 77 | .421 | 31.5 | Ben Koehler / Lee Tannehill
Muskegon Reds | 55 | 77 | .417 | 32.0 | Bade Myers

Grand Rapids played some games at Battle Creek, MI
Playoffs: Dayton 4 games, Springfield 2

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Ray Spencer | Dayton | BA | .343 |  | Nick Lakaff | Dayton | W | 25
Ray Spencer | Dayton | Runs | 84 |  | Ted Turner | Evansville | SO | 203
Ray Spencer | Dayton | Hits | 170 |  | Dixie McArthur | Grand Rapids | ERA | 1.56
Earl Sykes | Dayton | HR | 18 |  | Socks Seibold | Wheeling | PCT | .739 17-6

1917 Central League

1917 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Grand Rapids Black Sox | 80 | 44 | .645 | - | Bill Essick
Springfield Reapers | 74 | 50 | .597 | 6.0 | Joe Dunn
South Bend Benders /
Peoria Distillers | 66 | 55 | .545 | 12.5 | Harry Smith / William Jackson
Muskegon Reds | 65 | 57 | .533 | 14.0 | Jimmy Hamilton
Evansville Evas | 56 | 61 | .479 | 20.5 | Punch Knoll
Richmond Quakers | 46 | 70 | .397 | 30.0 | Bade Myers / Joe Evers
Larry Gilbert
Dayton Veterans | 44 | 68 | .393 | 30.0 | John Nee
Fort Wayne Chiefs | 47 | 73 | .392 | 31.0 | Carl Vandagrift

South Bend (26-35) moved to Peoria July 8
Playoffs: Grand Rapids 4 games, Peoria 3

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Frank Walker | Springfield | BA | .370 |  | Paul Carpenter | Grand Rapids | W | 23
Frank Walker | Springfield | Runs | 94 |  | Paul Wachtel | Muskegon | SO | 176
Frank Walker | Springfield | Hits | 161 |  | Guy Hoffman | Peoria | PCT | .786 11-3
Frank Walker | Springfield | HR | 10

[2]

## 1920 to 1926[edit]

1920 Central League
1920 \- schedule

1920 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Grand Rapids Joshers | 76 | 50 | .603 | - | Josh Devore
Kalamazoo Celery Pickers | 64 | 60 | .516 | 11.0 | Rube Vickers / George Tomer
Ludington Mariners | 62 | 62 | .500 | 13.0 | Punch Knoll
Muskegon Muskies | 47 | 77 | .379 | 28.0 | Doc White
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Lance Richbourg | Grand Rapids | BA | .415 |  | William Shoup | Ludington | W | 20
Harry Carey | Grand Rapids | Runs | 91 |  | John Bogart | Ludington | SO | 199
Davey Claire | Ludington | Hits | 137 |  | Frank Rose | Grand Rapids | PCT | .704 19-8
Vincent Tydeman | Ludington | HR | 11

1921 Central League

1921 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Ludington Mariners | 87 | 42 | .674 | - | James Sharp
Kalamazoo Celery Pickers | 69 | 58 | .543 | 16.0 | George Tomer / Grover Prough
Lansing Senators | 65 | 63 | .508 | 21.5 | Newt Hunter
Muskegon Muskies | 63 | 67 | .485 | 24.5 | Davey Claire
Grand Rapids Joshers | 59 | 71 | .454 | 28.5 | Josh Devore / Louis Wolfe
Jackson Mayors /
Ionia Mayors | 44 | 86 | .338 | 43.5 | Dan Jenkins / Bill Hartwell

Jackson (27-45) moved to Ionia July 20

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Harry Purcell | Jackson/Ionia | BA | .380 |  | William Shoup | Ludington | W | 25
Joe Napier | Ludington | Runs | 112 |  | Lawrence Reno | Lansing | SO | 133
Harry Purcell | Jackson/Ionia | Hits | 176 |  | William Shoup | Ludington | ERA | 2.71
Grover Prough | Kalamazoo | RBI | 97 |  | Clarence Brown | Ludington | PCT | .758 22-7
Joseph Hamel | Ludington | HR | 21

1922 Central League

1922 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Ludington Mariners | 77 | 53 | .592 | - | Amby McConnell / Andy Woehrs
Grand Rapids Billbobs | 73 | 55 | .570 | 3.5 | Bobby Wells
Muskegon Muskies | 67 | 62 | .519 | 9.5 | Danny Claire / Carrington Sweeney
Kalamazoo Celery Pickers | 61 | 67 | .477 | 15.0 | Grover Prough
Lansing Senators | 60 | 67 | .472 | 15.5 | Newt Hunter
Ionia Mayors | 47 | 81 | .367 | 29.0 | Carrington Sweeney / Ray Dunn
William Wilcox

Playoffs: Grand Rapids 5 games, Ludington 3

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Leo Payne | Grand Rapids | BA | .370 |  | Oscar Johnson | Ludington | W | 25
Howard Pennington | Grand Rapids | Runs | 109 |  | Wilcy Moore | Grand Rapids | SO | 158
Harry Schwab | Ludington | Hits | 190 |  | Wilcy Moore | Grand Rapids | ERA | 1.92
Charles Miller | Lansing | HR | 12 |  | Oscar Johnson | Ludington | PCT | .758 25-8

1926 Central League

1926 Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Kalamazoo Celery Pickers | 16 | 8 | .667 | - | Boss Schmidt
Ludington Tars | 12 | 12 | .500 | 4.0 | Ovid Nicholson
Muskegon Reds | 12 | 13 | .480 | 4.5 | Buck Wheat
Grand Rapids Black Sox | 10 | 17 | .370 | 9.0 | Jess Runser / John Devereaux

League merged with the Michigan-Ontario League to form the Michigan State League, which began play June 15

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Stanley Sykes | Muskegon | BA | .391 |  | Frank Negake
John Oravetz | Ludington
Muskegon | W | 5
Harry Harding | Kalamazoo | Runs | 25 |  | Victor Ferretti | Ludington | SO | 30
Harry Harding | Kalamazoo | Hits | 34 |  | Harvey Freeman
Fred Hutton | Kalamazoo | PCT | 1.000 4-0
Eddie Radtke | Ludington | HR | 4

[2]

## 1928 to 1930, 1932, 1934[edit]

1928 Central League
1928 \- schedule

1928 Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Erie Sailors | 79 | 59 | .563 | - | Buzz Wetzel
Dayton Aviators | 76 | 59 | .563 | - | Everett Booe
Fort Wayne Chiefs | 72 | 62 | .537 | 3.5 | Punch Knoll
Akron Tyrites | 67 | 65 | .508 | 9.5 | John McCloskey
Springfield Buckeyes | 67 | 66 | .504 | 10.0 | Joseph Dunn
Canton Terriers | 43 | 90 | .323 | 33.0 | Joe Agler / Dan O'Leary

Playoffs: Fort Wayne 4 games, Erie 2

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

James Jordan | Dayton | BA | .362 |  | Alex McColl
Bert Grimm | Akron | W | 19
James Jordan | Dayton | Runs | 130 |  | Edgar Clough | Dayton | SO | 130
James Jordan | Dayton | Hits | 212 |  | Alex McColl | Akron | ERA | 2.73
James Jordan | Dayton | HR | 27 |  | Marvin Gudat | Dayton | PCT | .727 16-6

1929 Central League
1929 \- schedule

1929 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Canton Terriers | 80 | 58 | .580 | - | James Hamilton
Erie Sailors | 78 | 61 | .561 | 2.5 | Jocko Munch
Dayton Aviators | 68 | 69 | .496 | 11.5 | Merito Acosta
Fort Wayne Chiefs | 68 | 70 | .493 | 12.0 | Everett Booe
Springfield Dunnmen | 59 | 77 | .434 | 20.0 | Joseph Dunn
Akron Tyrites | 58 | 76 | .433 | 21.0 | John McCloskey
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Charles Hostetler | Akron | BA | .360 |  | Axel Lindstrom | Canton | W | 24
Ken Hogan | Erie | Runs | 125 |  | Carl Schoof | Erie | SO | 120
John Reider | Fort Wayne | Hits | 185 |  | Fred Pipgras | Canton | ERA | 2.51
John Reider | Fort Wayne | RBI | 134 |  | Earle Browne | Dayton | PCT | .773 17-5
Tripp Sigman | Canton | HR | 41

1930 Central League
1930 \- schedule

1930 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Springfield Blue Sox | 82 | 55 | .599 | - | Joseph Dunn
Erie Sailors | 76 | 63 | .547 | 7.0 | Jocko Munch
Fort Wayne Chiefs | 72 | 67 | .518 | 11.0 | Punch Knoll
Canton Terriers | 65 | 73 | .471 | 17.5 | Heine Groh
Richmond Roses | 63 | 75 | .457 | 19.5 | John McCloskey
Dayton Aviators | 56 | 81 | .409 | 26.0 | Norman Cullop
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Pat Wright | Fort Wayne | BA | .419 |  | Robert Kline | Erie | W | 23
Leroy Jones | Fort Wayne | Runs | 162 |  | Clyde Hatter | Dayton | SO | 217
Pat Wright | Fort Wayne | Hits | 228 |  | Gus Goeckel | Springfield | ERA | 3.14
Pat Wright | Fort Wayne | RBI | 169 |  | Gus Goeckel | Springfield | PCT | .792 19-5
Pat Wrigh | Fort Wayne | HR | 52

1932 Central League
1932 \- schedule

1932 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Erie Sailors | 85 | 56 | .603 | - | Chief Bender / Bill McCorry
Fort Wayne Chiefs | 77 | 60 | .562 | 6.0 | Bill Wambsganss
Dayton Ducks | 77 | 64 | .546 | 8.0 | Ducky Holmes
Youngstown Buckeyes | 70 | 69 | .504 | 14.0 | Tony Citrano
South Bend | 29 | 57 | .337 | NA | Jess Altenburg / Clarence Roper
Whitey Belber
Akron Tyrites /
Canton Terriers | 28 | 60 | .318 | NA | John McCloskey / Roy Grimes

Akron (19-34) moved to Canton June 21; Canton disbanded July 21; South Bend disbanded July 21 Playoffs: Dayton 4 games, Fort Wayne 0

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Babe Phelps | Youngstown | BA | .372 |  | Marvin Duke | Erie | W | 23
Pep Young | Erie | Runs | 128 |  | Marvin Duke | Erie | SO | 176
Babe Phelps | Youngstown | Hits | 199 |  | Marvin Duke | Erie | ERA | 2.36
Babe Phelps | Youngstown | HR | 26 |  | Marvin Duke | Erie | PCT | .852 23-4

1934 Central League

1934 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Fort Wayne Chiefs | 19 | 4 | .826 | - | Bill Burwell
Springfield Red Birds | 14 | 12 | .538 | 6.5 | Joe Mathes
Grand Rapids Tigers | 11 | 13 | .458 | 8.5 | Earl Wolgamot
Peoria Tractors | 11 | 13 | .458 | 8.5 | Frank Murphy
Muskegon Reds | 4 | 9 | .308 | NA | Cy Boothby
Lima Buckeyes | 0 | 8 | .000 | NA | Jess Orndorf

Lima disbanded May 26; Muskegon disbanded May 30; League disbanded June 10

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Paul O'Malley | Grand Rapids | BA | .389 |  | Allan Baringer | Fort Wayne | W | 5
Ralph Rhein | Fort Wayne | Runs | 26 |  | Claude Passeau | Grand Rapids | SO | 50
Ralph Rhein | Fort Wayne | Hits | 37 |  | Norm Jung | Fort Wayne | PCT | 1.000 4-0
Ralph Rhein | Fort Wayne | HR | 6

[2]

## 1948 to 1951[edit]

1948 Central League

1948 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Flint Arrows | 89 | 49 | .645 | - | Jack Tighe
Dayton Indians | 84 | 55 | .604 | 5.5 | Joe Vosmik
Muskegon Clippers | 73 | 66 | .525 | 16.5 | Bennie Huffman
Fort Wayne Generals | 64 | 76 | .457 | 26.0 | Boom-Boom Beck
Saginaw Bears | 55 | 85 | .393 | 35.0 | Robert Finley
Grand Rapids Jets | 52 | 86 | .377 | 37.0 | Milton Galatzer / Jack Knight

Playoffs: Fort Wayne 3 games, Flint 2; Dayton 3 games, Muskegon 1
Finals: Dayton 4 games, Fort Wayne 2

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Herb Conyers | Dayton | BA | .354 |  | Charles Sipple | Dayton | W | 18
Richard Lane | Muskegon | Runs | 121 |  | Bill Evans | Muskegon | SO | 187
Louis Farotto | Saginaw | Hits | 185 |  | Alex Nedelco | Flint | ERA | 2.08
Homer Johnson | Muskegon | RBI | 109 |  | William Morgan | Dayton | PCT | .765 13-4
Joe Morjoseph | Dayton | HR | 31

1949 Central League

1949 Team Standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Dayton Indians | 80 | 57 | .584 | - | Oscar Melilo
Flint Arrows | 77 | 62 | .554 | 4.0 | Jack Tighe
Grand Rapids Jets | 70 | 66 | .515 | 9.5 | Jack Knight
Charleston Senators | 67 | 68 | .496 | 12.0 | Joe Beggs
Muskegon Reds | 60 | 79 | .432 | 21.0 | Red Ruffing
Saginaw Bears | 58 | 80 | .420 | 22.5 | Bob Finley

Playoffs: Charleston 3 games, Dayton 1; Grand Rapids 3 games, Flint 2
Finals: Grand Rapids 4 games, Charleston 2

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Bill Higdon | Muskegon | BA | .330 |  | Charles Sipple | Dayton | W | 19
Everett Robinson | Grand Rapids | Runs | 91 |  | Jose Santiago | Dayton | SO | 233
Stuart Locklin | Dayton | Hits | 169 |  | Ernie Funk | Flint | ERA | 2.13
Ron Bowen | Saginaw | RBI | 123 |  | Sanford Lambert | Grand Rapids | PCT | .800 12-3
Ron Bowen | Saginaw | HR | 25

1950 Central League

1950 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Flint Arrows | 80 | 53 | .602 | - | Gene Desautels
Muskegon Clippers | 75 | 64 | .540 | 8.0 | Robert Finley
Dayton Indians | 69 | 63 | .523 | 10.5 | Dolph Camilli
Grand Rapids Jets | 64 | 68 | .485 | 15.5 | Jack Knight
Charleston Senators | 58 | 73 | .443 | 21.0 | Joe Beggs
Saginaw Bears | 56 | 81 | .409 | 26.0 | Hank Camelli

Playoffs: Flint 3 games, Grand Rapids 1; Muskegon 3 games, Dayton 2
Finals: Flint 4 games, Muskegon 1

Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Joe Rowell | Dayton | BA | .344 |  | Ernie Funk | Flint | W | 22
Louis Urcho | Muskegon | Runs | 112 |  | William Abernathie | Dayton | SO | 171
Ron Bowen | Muskegon | Hits | 169 |  | Jimmy Wallace | Saginaw | ERA | 2.05
Ron Bowen | Muskegon | RBI | 128 |  | James Vitter | Dayton | PCT | .800 12-3
Ron Bowen | Muskegon | HR | 28

1951 Central League

1951 Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers

|
|
|
|
|

Dayton Indians | 87 | 50 | .635 | - | Jimmy Crandall
Muskegon Clippers | 86 | 54 | .614 | 2.5 | Jimmy Gleeson
Saginaw Jacks | 79 | 58 | .577 | 8.0 | Bert Niehoff
Charleston Senators | 69 | 70 | .496 | 19.0 | Ernie White
Grand Rapids Jets | 53 | 82 | .393 | 33.0 | Jack Knight / Everett Robinson
Flint Arrows | 38 | 98 | .279 | 48.5 | Steve Bysco
Player statistics Player | Team | Stat | Tot |  | Player | Team | Stat | Tot

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Jim Greengrass | Muskegon | BA | .379 |  | Emil Patrick | Muskegon | W | 20
Ed Krage | Muskegon | Runs | 128 |  | Ryne Duren | Dayton | SO | 238
Oscar Khederian | Saginaw | Hits | 185 |  | Calvin Howe | Grand Rapids | ERA | 2.33
Ed Krage
Ron Bowen | Muskegon | RBI | 114 |  | Bob Freels | Dayton | PCT | .773 17-5
Ed Krage | Muskegon | HR | 31

[2]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Ball Park Digest  Archived October 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
2. ^ a b c d e The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN 978-1932391176.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: others (link)

## External links[edit]

* https://web.archive.org/web/20071022210728/http://www.ballparkdigest.com/leagues/central_league.htm

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