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 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 Rockland Base Ball Club — 1884. Rockland, Maine
Cities represented Ansonia, CT: Ansonia Cuban Giants 1888, 1891; Ansonia Welcomes 1896 Bridgeport, CT: Bridgeport Giants 1888; Bridgeport Victors 1895–96; Bridgeport Misfits 1897; Bridgeport Orators 1898–1912 Bristol, CT: Bristol 1891; Bristol Braves 1897; Bristol Bellmakers 1899–1900; Bristol Woodchoppers 1901 Danbury, CT: Danbury 1888; Danbury Hatters 1898 Derby, CT: Derby Angels 1896–1898, 1900–1901; Derby Lushers 1899 Hartford, CT: Hartford 1884; Hartford Babies 1885; Hartford Bluebirds 1895; Hartford Senators 1902–1912 Holyoke, MA: Holyoke Paperweights 1903–1906; Holyoke Papermakers 1907–1912 Meriden, CT: Meriden 1884 1888, 1891, 1908; Meriden Maroons 1885; Meriden Silvermen 1895; Meriden Bulldogs 1897–1898; Meriden Silverites 1899–1905 New Britain, CT: New Britain 1884–1885, 1891; New Britain Rangers 1898; New Britain Perfectos 1908–1912 New Haven, CT: New Haven Edgewoods 1896; New Haven Students 1898; New Haven Blues 1899–1908; New Haven Black Crows 1909; New Haven Prairie Hens 1910; New Haven Murlins 1911–1912 New London, CT: New London Whalers 1898–1907 Northampton, MA: Northampton Meadowlarks 1909–1911 Norwalk, CT: Norwalk 1888 Norwich, CT: Norwich 1891; Norwich Jackroses 1899; Norwich Witches 1900; Norwich Champs 1901; Norwich Reds 1902–1903, 1905–1907; Norwich Indians 1904 Portland, CT: Portland 1891 Rockville, CT: Rockville 1884 Southington, CT: Southington 1891 Springfield, MA: Springfield Ponies 1902–1912 Stamford, CT: Stamford 1888 Torrington, CT: Torrington Tornados 1896; Torrington Demons 1897 Waterbury, CT: Waterbury 1884, 1885, 1888, 1891; Waterbury Brassmen 1895; Waterbury Indians 1897; Waterbury Pirates 1898 Waterbury Rough Riders 1899–1902; Waterbury Authors 1906–1908; Waterbury Invincibles 1909; Waterbury Finnegans 1910; Waterbury Champs 1911; Waterbury Spuds 1912 West Haven, CT: West Haven 1891 Willimantic, CT: Willimantic 1884 Winsted, CT: Winsted Blues 1896 Worcester, MA: Worcester Reds 1904
Standings & statistics No Classification 1884 to 1891 1884 Connecticut State League Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Waterbury3413.723-S.F. Williams / Pheron Minor Meriden2522.5329 Albert Boardman / George LynnRockville2225.46812 J. Kelly / Middleton / Talcott Hartford2027.42614 Charles Soby New Britain1730.36217 Winchester / P.J. Markley / John A. Flynn Willimantic 1718.486NABill Thomas Willimantic expelled September 3. League played two games each week: Wednesdays and Saturdays
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotTom LovettWaterburyW26
1885 Connecticut State League (Continuation of the Southern New England League) Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Meriden Maroons82.800-Bill ThomasWaterbury32.6002½ Jack (DA) JonesHartford Babies36.3334½ Jack Remsen New Britain 26.2507 William Siering New Britain disbanded September 8
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJohn MeisterMeridenBA.429John Flynn MeridenW5John MeisterMeridenRuns13 John Flynn MeridenSO35John MeisterMeridenHits18 John Flynn MeridenPCT1.000 5–0Bill Thomas MeridenHR2
1888 Connecticut State League President: J. Howard Taylor Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Meriden93.750- NAWaterbury107.5881½ Thomas GuestNorwalk97.5632 NABridgeport Giants / Stamford 99.5003 Bullen Ansonia Cuban Giants47.3644½ Cos GovernDanbury 413.2357½ L.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 standingsWLPCTGB Managers Meriden104.714- Thomas Reilly Waterbury209.6902½Harry Durant /Tom Hayes / W.R. MattisonNew Britain1411.5608 Frank Cox Hartford 1211.5225 M.E. Fitzgerald Ansonia Cuban Giants810.4446½ John Brigh Bristol-Plainville1215.4447 E.F. BeldenNorwich1013.4357 H.F. Reddy Southington57.4176½ James Prior Portland 310.2319 Charles Edwards West Haven18.1119 E.P. Thomas Hartford disbanded June 10; Portland disbanded June 10.
Class B 1894 to 1896 1894 Connecticut State LeagueStandings unknown
1895 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersBridgeport Victors83.727-Jim O'Rourke Meriden Silvermen43.5712 Miller / Reilly Hartford Bluebirds44.5002½ John Henry / A.F. Moran Waterbury Brassmen06.0005½ Durant
1896 Connecticut State League President: D.W. Porter (aka Naugatuck Valley State League) Team StandingsWLPCTGB Managers Bridgeport Victors2515.625-Jim O'Rourke Torrington Tornados2416.6001 T.M. Burn /Candy Cummings Derby Angels2218.5503 William Callahan / Joseph Veitch New Haven Edgewoods2218.5503 T.R. Greist Winsted Blues1525.37510 Eugene McCarthy W.A. Parsons / James Eaton Ansonia Welcomes1228.30013 Thomas Houlihan
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJim O'Rourke BridgeportBA.437Dick MansfieldLee ViauBridgeportTorringtonW1515John DohertyPop FosterBridgeportBridgeportRuns5050Dick Mansfield BridgeportSO127John DohertyBridgeportHits70Dick MansfieldBridgeportERA1.95Thomas IversBridgeportHR5Dick Mansfield Lee ViauBridgeportTorringtonPCT.682 15–7.682 15–7
Class F 1897 to 1901
1897 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Meriden Bulldogs5224.684-Jack ChapmanDerby Angels4031.5637½ Jerry Denny Bridgeport Soubrettes3337.47114 Jim O'Rourke Torrington Demons3139.44316 Ralph Bottenus / Dennis Houle Waterbury Indians3443.44216½ John Fruin / E.O. Herendeen Roger Connor Bristol Braves2946.37320½ O.F. Strunz / Pete Hall No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJim O'Rourke BridgeportBA.405Patsy CunninghamBridgeportRuns94Jim O'RourkeBridgeportHits130 Terry Rogers BridgeportHR12 Terry Rogers BridgeportSB40
1898 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersWaterbury Pirates5538.591-Roger Connor New Haven Students5640.583½ Chippy McGarr / Thomas ReillyM.B. Yaw / Mike Hickey / Conrad Miller Danbury Hatters5143.5434½ Jack Rose Bridgeport Orators 5145.5315½ Tom Ivers / Jim O'Rourke Meriden Bulldogs4648.4899½ Jack Chapman New London Whalers4152.44114 Benjamin Kinney / John Puhl Derby Angels 2333.411NA Jerry Denny New Britain Rangers 1438.269NAClaude Gilbert New Britain disbanded June 23. Derby disbanded June 25.No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotFreddy ParentNew HavenBA.326 Dick Mansfield WaterburyW24Freddy ParentNew HavenRuns96 Phil Corcoran W.B. MorrisBridgeportDanburyPct.739; 17–6.739 17–6Freddy ParentNew HavenHits125Roger Connor WaterburyHR5
1899 Connecticut State League - schedule President: Tim Murnane Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers New Haven Blues5538.591-Thomas Reilly Waterbury Rough Riders5343.5523½ Roger Connor Derby Lushers 5143.5424½ Billy Lush / Larry Battam Bristol Bellmakers4845.5167 John Gunshannon Meriden Silverites 4648.4899½ A.R. Penny / George Courtney New London Whalers4552.46412 George Bindloss [ Bridgeport Orators 4355.43814½ Jim O'Rourke Norwich Jackroses4158.41417 Jack Rose / Jack Chapman No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotRoger ConnorWaterburyBA.392 Charles McDonald New HavenW26Roger ConnorWaterburyRuns79 Charles McDonald New HavenPct.703; 26–11Freddy ParentNew HavenHits138Pete WoodruffNew Lond/BridgeHR11
1900 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Norwich Witches6433.660-Fred Doe New Haven Blues5839.5986 Jim Canavan Bridgeport Orators 5741.5827½ Jim O'Rourke Bristol Bellmakers4847.50515 James CooneyMeriden Silverites 4748.49516 A.R. Penny Conrad Miller / Thomas Reilly Waterbury Rough Riders4353.44820½ Roger Connor Derby Angels3660.37527½ Jerry Denny New London Whalers3264.33331½ Willis Jones / Tom Hernon No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotHi LaddDerbyBA.371 Danny Murphy NorwichHits138 Danny Murphy NorwichRuns112 Danny Murphy NorwichHR14
1901 Connecticut State League President: Tim Murnane Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Bristol Woodchoppers6341.606-Doc Reisling Bridgeport Orators 6143.5872 Jim O'Rourke Norwich Champs 6246.5743 Jack TigheMeriden Silverites5648.5387 W.R. Reilly New Haven Blues 5654.50910 Jim Canavan Waterbury Rough Riders4760.43917½ Roger Connor New London Whalers4563.41720 Tom Hernon / John Shea Derby Angels3772.33028½ Jerry Denny No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotPatsy DoughertyBridgeportBA.375 Danny Murphy NorwichRuns104 Danny Murphy NorwichHR12Hi LaddDerbyHits171Pete WoodruffNorwich/New LondonHR12
Class D 1902 to 1904
1902 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke / Sturgis Whitlock Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers New Haven Blues7039.642-Jim CanavanSpringfield Ponies6545.5915½ Roger ConnorNew London Whalers 5754.51414 John Shea Hartford Senators5755.50914½ Doc Reisling Bridgeport Orators 5359.47318½ Jim O'Rourke Norwich Reds5158.46919 Harry DavenportMeriden Silverites5158.46919 Conrad Miller / Tom TuckerWaterbury Rough Riders3773.33633½ George Harrington No Playoffs.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotDanny HoffmanSpringfieldBA.336Ed WalshMeridenPct.750; 15–5Tuck TurnerNorwichRuns110Red LongNew LondonShO7 H.E. Slater WaterburyHits147 Bob Drew MeridenHR7
1903 Connecticut State League President: Sturgis Whitlock Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Holyoke Paperweights6637.641-Pete Woodruff / Daniel O'Neill Meriden Silverites6242.5954½ Sam Kennedy Bridgeport Orators 5947.5578½ Jim O'Rourke New London Whalers 5751.52811 John Shea / Charles Humphrey Norwich Reds5450.51912 Dennis Morrissey New Haven Blues5257.47717 Jim CanavanSpringfield Ponies4164.37027 Roger Connor Hartford Senators3077.28038 Thomas Reilly No Playoffs: 12 Holyoke games (8–4) were deducted after the season due to ineligible player violations.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotClaude RossmanHolyokeBA.385Claude RossmanHolyokeHits158Emil BatchHolyokeRuns98 Jack Tighe NorwichHR5Tom BannonNew LondonSB75
1904 Connecticut League President: Jim O'Rourke Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Bridgeport Orators 7145.612-Jim O'Rourke Springfield Ponies6946.6001½ Daniel O'Neill New Haven Blues 6947.5952 Jim Canavan Holyoke Paperweights5855.51311½ Frank Fitzpatrick P. Prindiville / Fred WinklerNew London Whalers 5660.48315 Charles Humphrey Hartford Senators5361.46517 William Kennedy Worcester Reds / Norwich Indians 5362.46117½ Mal Kittridge / Robert Tracey Jack Tighe / Fred CroliusMeriden Silverites3184.27039½ Sam Kennedy Worcester (26–11) moved to Norwich June 21.No Playoffs.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotPop FosterBridgeportBA.376Pop FosterBridgeportHits158 Royal Clark BridgeportRuns101Emil BatchHolyokeHR7Bill FoxenHartfordSO's180
Class B 1905 to 1912 1905 Connecticut State League President: Jim O'Rourke