The Central League was a low-level 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.Ball Park Digest 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
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 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 1900 Central League 1900 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersBloomington Blues6434.653-George ReedDanville Champions5744.5648½Charles LeverenzDecatur Commodores4651.47417½Frank WeikartTerre Haute Hottentots4861.44021½Jap Poor / Roy Montgomery Bill KriegPeoria Distillers 2925.537NAAlfred Lawson / Bill KriegSpringfield / Jacksonville Reds1543.259NAHarry 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 TeamStat TotRed WrightDanvilleBA.329Fred AbbottDanvilleRuns91Charles ElseyRed WrightBloomingtonDanvilleHits130Frank HuelsmanPeoria/DanvilleHR5Clarence JessupTerre HauteSB32
1903 to 1917 1903 Central League 1903 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersFort Wayne Railroaders8949.645-Bade MyersSouth Bend Green Stockings8850.6381Angus GrantMarion Oilworkers7165.52217John GrimWheeling Stogies6968.50419½Barley Kain / Ted PriceEvansville River Rats6468.48522Tom News / Thomas McKinley Ed AshenbachDayton Veterans6176.44527½Henry YoungmanTerre Haute Hottentots5880.42031Lou Walters / Peter Somers William M. James Ed BiecherAnderson / Grand Rapids Orphans 5892.34342McVey Lindsey Anderson (15-12) moved to Grand Rapids May 30 +Player statistics Player TeamStat TotJack BonnerEvansvilleBA.329Ed CoffeeSouth BendRuns105Jack BonnerEvansvilleHits172 1904 Central League 1904 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersFort Wayne Railroaders8751.630-Bade MyersTerre Haute Hottentots7762.55410½Frank WarrenderSouth Bend Greens7565.53613 Angus GrantWheeling Stogies7166.51815½Ted PriceDayton Veterans6869.49618½John Spaatz / Charles Jewell Hub KnollMarion Oilworkers / Peoria Distillers 6175.44925 John Grim / Mike LawrenceGrand Rapids Wolverines5882.41430 John Flannery / John MorrisseyEvansville River Rats 5683.40331½Frank 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 TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotCharles CogswellSouth BendBA.354Cy AlbertsFort WayneW22Bert DennisFort WayneRuns92Elmer MoffitSouth BendSO233[John GeyerGrand RapidsHits165William PearsonGrand Rapids/DaytonPCT.714 20-8George McConnellDick KnoxWheelingEvansvilleHR9 1905 Central League 1905 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersWheeling Stogies8155.596-Pop SchriverGrand Rapids Orphans7559.5605 John GanzelSouth Bend Greens7762.5545½Angus GrantEvansville River Rats7167.52211½ Jimmy RyanDayton Veterans7064.51410 Hub KnollSpringfield Babes6668.49314 Jack HendricksFort Wayne Railroaders Canton Red Stockings 5679.41524½ Bade Myers / George WilliamsTerre Haute Hottentots4789.34534 Frank Warrender / Bert Dennis Fort Wayne (31-41) moved to Canton July 10 +Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJohn ConnorsSouth BendBA.338Walt MillerGrand RapidsW24John ConnorsSouth BendRuns96Elmer MoffitGeorge Miller South BendWheelingPCT.677 21-10John ConnorsSouth BendHits184Jimmy RyanEvansvilleHR10 1906 Central League 1906 - schedule 1906 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersGrand Rapids Wolverines9952.656-John GanzelSpringfield Babes9160.6038 Jack HendricksCanton Chinamen8563.57412½Bade MyersDayton Veterans7871.52320 John Thornton / James Barrett Hub Knoll / McKinley / Ed McLeanWheeling Stogies7577.49324½Pop SchriverEvansville River Rats6582.44232 Jimmy Ryan / John Walker Harry StahlheferSouth Bend Greens6288.41336½Angus GrantTerre Haute Hottentots44106.29354½Jack Boyle / Frank Warrender
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJohn GanzelGrand RapidsBA.323Ralph WillisCantonW27Goat AndersonSouth BendRuns100James FreemanEvansvilleSO214Goat AndersonSouth BendHits169Roy HaleDaytonPCT.856 12-2John GanzelGrand RapidsHR13 1907 Central League 1907 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersSpringfield Babes8649.637-Jack HendricksWheeling Stogies7757.5758½Ted PriceCanton Chinamen6964.51916 Bade MyersEvansville River Rats6969.50018½Punch KnollDayton Veterans6671.48221 Ed McKean / E. Richardson Mal KittridgeTerre Haute Hottentots6572.47422 Jack McConnell / Don CameronGrand Rapids Wolverines6077.43827 Cuppy Groeschow / Elmer BlissSouth Bend Greens5386.38135 Angus Grant
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotChamp OsteenSpringfieldBA.338Rube MarquardCantonW23Joe CollinsSpringfieldRuns96Matt MuldowneySpringfieldPCT.783 18-5Champ OsteenSpringfieldHits170Larry LejeuneIke FrancisBill RichardsonSpringfieldGrand RapidsDaytonHR7 1908 Central League 1908 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersEvansville River Rats8456.600-Punch KnollSouth Bend Greens8060.5714 Angus GrantDayton Veterans7763.5507 Bade MyersFort Wayne Billikens7565.5369 Jack HendricksGrand Rapids Wolverines6871.48916½Bobby LoweZanesville Infants6773.47917 Marty Hogan Terre Haute Hottentots6375.45720 Lew DrillWheeling Stogies4495.31739½Ted Price / Tom Fleming
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotCharles FrenchEvansvilleBA.339Charles WackeEvansvilleW27Bert NoblettGrand RapidsRuns92John RowanDaytonSO232Charles FrenchEvansvilleHits170Charles WackerEvansvillePCT.771 27-8Punch KnollEvansvilleHR12Midge CravenSouth BendSB87 1909 Central League 1909 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersWheeling Stogies8350.624-Bill PhillipsZanesville Infants7558.5648 Roy MontgomeryFort Wayne Billikens7166.51814 Jack HendricksGrand Rapids Wolverines6765.50815½Joe RaidyTerre Haute Hottentots6573.47120½Cuppy GroeschowSouth Bend Greens6472.47120½Angus GrantEvansville River Rats5878.42626½Punch KnollDayton Veterans5677.42127 Bade Myers
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotArista DeHavenTerre HauteBA.336John FisherBill KenworthyWheelingZanesvilleW24Curley BlountFort WayneRuns92Bucky O'BrienEvansvilleSO180Arista DeHavenTerre HauteHits173Bill PhillipsWheelingPCT.800 12-3Punch KnollHank ButcherEvansvilleHR11 1910 Central League 1910 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersSouth Bend Bronchos 8850.638-Ed Wheeler / Midge CravenFort Wayne Billikens 7958.5778½ Jimmy BurkeDayton Veterans 7463.54013½Punch KnollEvansville River Rats 7067.51117½Angus GrantTerre Haute Stags6374.46024½Cuppy GroeschowZanesville Potters6176.44526½Roy MontgomeryGrand Rapids Raiders6077.43827½Joe RaidyWheeling Stogies5282.38834 Bill Phillips
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotLarry LeJeuneEvansvilleBA.328Buck SterzerEvansvilleW28Larry LeJeuneEvansvilleRuns81Walt JustisDaytonSO177Del YoungFort WayneHits166William RobertsonFort WaynePCT.800 20-5Larry LeJeuneEvansvilleHR18 1911 Central League 1911 Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersDayton Veterans 8651.628-Punch KnollFort Wayne Brakies 8354.6063 Doc CaseyZanesville Potters 7458.5619½Joe RaidySouth Bend Benders / Grand Rapids Grads 7361.54511½Ed SmithEvansville Strikers / South Bend Bux 6272.46322½Angus Grant / Harry ArndtWheeling Stogies 5673.43426 Roy MontgomeryGrand Rapids Furniture Makers / Newark Skeeters 5978.43127 Doc Parker / John PendryTerre Haute Miners 4591.33140½Ed 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 TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJoe ConnellyZanesville/Terre HauteBA.355Jack ComptonGeorge HardenDaytonFort WayneW22Ed JusticeMarion KilpatrickFort WayneDaytonRuns96George HardenFort WayneSO172Ray SpencerDaytonHits176Charles AlbertsFort WaynePCT.800 16-4Albert DurhamPunch KnollHubert HadleyEmil GrefeWheelingDaytonEvansville/South BendEvansville/South BendHR11 1912 Central League