The Middle Atlantic League (or Mid-Atlantic League) was a lower-level circuit in American minor league baseball that played during the second quarter of the 20th century.
History The Middle Atlantic League played from 1925 through 1951, pausing for three seasons (1943–45) when the league suspended operations during World War II. The league primarily featured clubs based in the U.S. states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, although it had a team in Maryland and, in its final season, one in New York. Its longest-tenured team, the Johnstown Johnnies from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, played for 19 seasons. The final champions were the 1951 Niagara Falls Citizens.
Throughout its 24-year history, the Middle Atlantic League was designated by the National Association as a Class C level league, one level up from the lowest classification in the era, Class D.
Elmer M. Daily served as president of the Middle Atlantic League for the entirety of its 24 seasons of play.
List of teams
Akron, OH: Akron Yankees 1935–1941 Altoona, PA: Altoona Engineers 1931 Beaver Falls, PA: Beaver Falls Beavers 1931 Beckley, WV: Beckley Black Knights 1931–1934; Beckley Miners 1935 Butler, PA: Butler Yankees 1946–1947; Butler Tigers 1948–1951 Canton, OH: Canton Terriers 1936–1942 Charleroi, PA: Charleroi Babes 1927–1928; Charleroi Governors 1929–1931 Charleston, WV: Charleston Senators 1931–1942 Clarksburg, WV: Clarksburg Generals 1925–1932 Cumberland, MD: Cumberland Colts 1925–1932, 1941–1942 Dayton, OH: Dayton Ducks 1933–1938; Dayton Wings 1939–1940 Erie, PA: Erie Sailors 1938–1939, 1941–1942,1946–1951 Fairmont, WV: Fairmont Maroons 1925; Fairmont Black Diamonds 1926–1931 Hagerstown, MD: Hagerstown Hubs 1931 Huntington, WV: Huntington Boosters 1931–1933; Huntington Red Birds 1934–1936 Jeannette, PA: Jeannette Jays 1926–1931 Johnstown, PA: Johnstown Johnnies 1925–1938, 1946–1950 Lockport, NY: Lockport Locks 1951 New Castle, PA: New Castle Chiefs 1948; New Castle Nats 1949–1950; New Castle Indians 1951 Niagara Falls, NY: Niagara Falls Frontiers 1946–1947; Niagara Falls Citizens 1950–1951 Oil City, PA: Oil City Oilers 1946; Oil City Refiners 1947–1950; Oil City A's 1951 Parkersburg, WV: Parkersburg Parkers 1931 Portsmouth, OH: Portsmouth Pirates 1935–1936; Portsmouth Red Birds 1937–1940 Scottdale, PA: Scottdale Scotties 1925–1930; Scottdale Cardinals 1931 Springfield, OH: Springfield Chicks 1933; Springfield Pirates 1934; Springfield Indians 1937–1939; Springfield Cardinals 1941–1942 Uniontown, PA: Uniontown Cokers 1926; Uniontown Coal Barons 1947–1949 Vandergrift, PA: Vandergrift Pioneers 1947–1950 Wheeling, WV: Wheeling Stogies 1925–1931, 1933–1934 Youngstown, OH: Youngstown Tubers 1931; Youngstown Browns 1939–1941; Youngstown Gremlins 1946; Youngstown Colts 1947–1948; Youngstown Athletics 1949–1951 Zanesville, OH: Zanesville Grays 1933–1937; Zanesville Cubs 1941–1942
League champions
1925 - Johnstown Johnnies 1926 - Johnstown Johnnies -2 1927 - Cumberland Colts 1928 - Fairmont Black Diamonds 1929 - Charleroi Governors 1930 - Johnstown Johnnies -3 1931 - Cumberland Colts -2 1932 - Charleston Senators -2 1933 - Zanesville Grays 1934 - Zanesville Grays - 2 1935 - Huntington Red Birds 1936 - Zanesville Grays - 3 1937 - Canton Terriers 1938 - Portsmouth Red Birds 1939 - Canton Terriers -2 1940 - Akron Yankees 1941 - Erie Sailors 1942 - Erie Sailors -2 1943 - League shutdown due to World War II 1944 - League shutdown due to World War II 1945 - League shutdown due to World War II 1946 - Erie Sailors -3 1947 - Vandergrift Pioneers 1948 - Erie Sailors -4 1949 - Erie Sailors -5 1950 - Butler Tigers 1951 - Niagara Falls Citizens
Standings & statistics 1925 to 1930
1925 Middle Atlantic League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Johnstown Johnnies 6431.674- Norm McNeillCumberland Colts5640.5838½ Tom Ray / Hank McEnroe Jim McGuireClarksburg Cyrians/Ghosts4845.51615Blake Lytle / Harry ShriverFairmont Maroons4753.47019½ Cy Perry / Ira Erret Wheeling Stogies3962.38628 Art Rooney / Frank EastleyScottdale Scotties1841.305NA Joe Brahaney Scottdale joined league July 12.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotMike Martineck JohnstownBA.372 John Schmutte JohnstownW19 Art Rooney WheelingRuns109 Charles Harkins ClarksburgSO123 Art Rooney WheelingHits143 Paul Secrist CumberlandPct.909; 10–1 Mike Martineck JohnstownHR18Art RooneyWheelingSB58
1926 Middle Atlantic League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Fairmont Diamonds6844.607- Joe Phillips Johnstown Johnnies 6343.5942 Norm McNeill Cumberland Colts6248.5645Pat Ragan Clarksburg Generals5651.5239½Harry Shriver / Bill PikeScottdale Scotties5161.45517Mike Mowrey Uniontown Cokers4761.43519 Tommy Ray / Jim McGuire Lee King / John BailJeannette Jays4564.41321½Jack Snyder / Warwick ComstockWheeling Stogies4464.40722Eddie Lennox / John Hummel Playoff: Johnstown 4 games, Fairmont 2.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotDenny SothernCumberlandBA.374Arthur Cousins FairmontW21 Edward Sobb ClarksburgRuns113Buck HopkinsScottdaleSO193 Dewey Stover ClarksburgHits152 Arthur Cousins FairmontPct.750; 21–7 Jack Smith UniontownHR28
1927 Middle Atlantic League Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Cumberland Colts6647.584- Guy Thompson Fairmont Black Diamonds6450.5612½ Joe Phillips Clarksburg Generals6355.5345½ Greasy Neale Wheeling Stogies5955.5187½ Bobby Prysock Scottdale Scotties5754.5148 Moose Marshall Johnstown Johnnies 5755.5098½ Babe Adams / Chief Bender Jeannette Jays4865.42518 Jim Ferguson / Lee Strait Elmer KnetzerCharleroi Babes4275.35926John McIlvain / Warwick Comstock Playoff: Cumberland 4 games, Johnstown 2.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Karl Weber WheelingBA.340 William Helmick FairmontW18 Edward Sobb ClarksburgRuns74Carl FisherJohnstownSO133Karl WeberWheelingHits155 Clral Gillenwater WheelingERA1.66Ed ConleyCumberlandHR16 Chuck Trader Fairmont/WheelingPCT.765 13–4
1928 Middle Atlantic Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Cumberland Colts7549.605- Johnny ByrneFairmont Black Diamonds7051.5783½ Joe Phillips Wheeling Stogies6852.5675 Bobby Prysock Jeannette Jays6554.5467½ Lee Strait Charleroi Babes6260.50812 Bill Phillips Johnstown Johnnies 5559.48215 Chief Bender / Claude Roth Mike ThompsonClarksburg Generals4276.35630 Moose Marshall / Webb Cashion Greasy NealeScottdale Scotties4076.34531 Mike Flaherty Playoff: Fairmont 4 games, Wheeling 2.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Bill Pritchard Clarksburg/WheelingBA.370 Joseph Drugmond CharleroiW23Ed ConleyCumberlandRuns99 Joseph Drugmond CharleroiSO149 Dewey Stover ClarksburgHits165 Charles Herrell CumberlandERA2.23 Bob Holland FairmontRBI96 James Tennant CumberlandPCT.857 12–2 Bob Holland FairmontHR20
1929 Middle Atlantic Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Charleroi Governors6747.587- Bob RiceWheeling Stogies6747.587- Pat Haley Cumberland Colts6553.5514 Johnny Byrne Fairmont Black Diamonds5855.5138½ Joe Phillips Scottdale Scotties5758.49610½ Eddie Dyer Clarksburg Generals5363.45715 Chap Marable Jeannette Jays5066.43118 Lee Strait / Leo Hanley Johnstown Johnnies 4472.37924 Norm McNeil / Marty Fielder Playoff: Charleroi 4 games, Wheeling 1.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotFred LucasCharleroiBA.407 Irvin Rase CumberlandW22George DurningCumberlandRuns96Clarence HeiseScottdaleSO154Fred LucasCharleroiHits178 Irvin Rase CumberlandERA2.63Fred LucasCharleroiRBI113Mike RybaScottdalePCT.909 10–1Fred LucasCharleroiHR21Moose SoltersFairmontHR21Jimmy RippleJeanette3B24
1930 Middle Atlantic Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Johnstown Johnnies 6453.547- Wilbur GoodClarksburg Generals6453.547- Greasy Neale Fairmont Black Diamonds6155.5262½ Del Gainer / Tony Cyran Jim WalshScottdale Scotties5955.5183½ Eddie Dyer Charleroi Governors5857.5045 Dave Lamb Cumberland Colts5959.5005½ Joe Phillips Wheeling Stogies5065.43513 Bobby Prysock / Dan Tapson Jeannette Jays4967.42214½ Dan Pasquella Playoff: Johnstown 4 games, Clarksburg 3.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Joe MedwickScottdaleBA.419 Red ProctorClarksburgW24 Sam Thomas JohnstownRuns125 Ed ChapmanScottdaleSO207Frank DoljackWheelingHits176 Cecil Slaughter FairmontERA3.23 Hal Stricklin CharleroiRBI108 Tommy Thompson JohnstownPCT.720 18–7 Hal Stricklin CharleroiHR31
1931 to 1936 1931 Middle Atlantic Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Charleston Senators8244.651-Dick HoblitzelCumberland Colts8246.6411 Leo MackeyBeckley Black Knights8149.6233Frank WelchScottdale Cardinals7855.5867½Clay Hopper Johnstown Johnnies 7354.5759½Wilbur Good Huntington Boosters6862.52316 Dennis Stuart Fairmont Black Diamonds6560.52016½ Jimmy Walsh / Tony Cyran Clarksburg Generals6663.51217½Red Proctor Hagerstown Hubs / Parkersburg Parkers / Youngstown Tubers 5665.46323½Joe CambriaWheeling Stogies5077.39432½ Dan Tapson / Pat HaleyCharleroi Governors3092.24650 Bill Phillips / Benny Arrigiani Joe FillinghamJeannette Jays / Altoona Engineers / Beaver Falls Beavers3296.25051 Joe Phillips / Kemp Wicker Jeanette (1-11) moved to Altoona May 23; Altoona moved to Beaver Falls July 18; Hagerstown (27-22) moved to Parkersburg June 28; Parkersburg (9-5) moved to Youngstown July 12.Playoff: Cumberland 4 games, Charleston 2.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotBabe PhelpsYoungstownBA.408 Edward Marleau CharlestonW23Sam Thomas JohnstownRuns122 Bill LeeScottdaleSO256Babe PhelpsYoungstownHits178Vito TamulisCumberlandERA1.93 Bill PritchardJohnstownRBI125 William Helmick CumberlandPCT.818 18–4Frank Welch BeckleyHR38
1932 Middle Atlantic League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Charleston Senators7054.565-Danny BooneBeckley Black Knights7054.565- Frank Welch / Cat Milner Johnstown Johnnies 6659.5284½ Karl Weber Cumberland Colts6260.5087 Leo MackeyClarksburg Generals6066.47611Frank Walker / Herbert SmithHuntington Boosters4580.36025½Johnny Stuart Playoff: Charlestown 4 games, Beckley 2.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotFred SingtonBeckleyBA.368 Carl Spencer ClarksburgW18Fred SingtonBeckleyRuns110Wayne LaMasterCharlestonSO177Lou ChiozzaBeckleyRuns110Wayne LaMasterCharlestonERA2.27Lou ChiozzaBeckleyHits187Joe MartinCharlestonPCT.842 16–3Fred SingtonBeckleyRBI110Fred SingtonBeckleyHR29
1933 Middle Atlantic Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Wheeling Stogies7855.586-Jack SheehanZanesville Grays7659.5633 Johnny Walker / Buzz Wetzel Harry Layne / Bert GrimmDayton Ducks7163.5307½ Ducky Holmes Springfield Chicks6764.51110 Jake Pitler Charleston Senators6767.50011½Danny Boone / Watt PowellJohnstown Johnnies 6767.50011½ Karl Weber / Leo MackeyBeckley Black Knights6371.47015½ Eli HarrisHuntington Boosters4689.34133Johnny Stuart / Earl Smith Bernie Neis / Rube Benton Playoff: Zanesville 4 games, Wheeling 1.
+Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Pepper Barry JohnstownBA.361 Rex McDonald SpringfieldW19Eddie WilsonSpringfieldRuns112Al MilnarZanesvilleSO194 Pepper Barry JohnstownHits194Kemp WickerWheelingERA2.00 Mickey Ballande ZanesvilleRBI96 Harry Swain Kemp WickerJohnstownWheelingPCT.700 14–6 Mickey Noonan SpringfieldHR26
1934 Middle Atlantic League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Zanesville Grays7251.585-Buzz Wetzel / Harry Layne Bert Grimm / Earl WolgamotDayton Ducks7154.5682 Ducky Holmes Huntington Red Birds6953.5662½ Eddie DyerBeckley Black Knights6557.5336½ Milt Stock Johnstown Johnnies 6262.50010½Guy Sturdy / Vernon MackieSpringfield Pirates5765.46714½Al DeVormer / Rube BresslerCharleston Senators5567.45116½ Charles Neibergall Wheeling Stogies3981.32531½ Jack Sheehan Playoff: Zanesville 4 games, Dayton 3.