The Illinois State League (ISL) was a baseball minor league formed in 1947. The Illinois State League operated in 1947–1948 and evolved to become today's Midwest League. The Class D league was composed entirely of new franchises, each located in Southern Illinois. The charter franchises were in the Illinois cities of Belleville, Centralia, Marion, Mattoon, Mount Vernon and West Frankfort.
History The Illinois State League formed in 1947. The first league president was Howard V. Millard. The Illinois State League had the same six franchises in both of its seasons: the Belleville Stags, Centralia Cubs, Marion Indians, Mattoon Indians, Mount Vernon Braves, and West Frankfort Cardinals.
In 1947, the league began play, with a 120–game season played in two halves. There was no championship series in 1947 as the Belleville Stags won both halves and were declared as the champion.
In 1948, the West Frankfort Cardinals finished 85–35 in the regular season, for the best record overall. In the playoffs, West Frankfort swept the Mattoon Indians in three games in the Championship Series to capture the 1948 championship.
The Illinois State League was renamed the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League after the 1948 season. The name change occurred as the Marion Indians moved to the state of Kentucky to become the Paducah Chiefs. Subsequently, the Mississippi–Ohio Valley League operated through 1955. In 1956, the league changed names again to become the Midwest League. The Midwest League has remained in operation since 1956.
All–Star games The Illinois State League held an annual All–Star Game, which featured an all–star team versus the team with the best record in the standings. The first All–Star Game was held on August 12, 1947 at Memorial Stadium in West Frankfort. The Illinois State League All–Stars defeated Belleville 5–1.
The 1948 Illinois State League All–Star Game was July 12, 1948 at Mattoon Baseball Park. The 1948 All–Stars defeated the Mattoon Indians 1–0.
Illinois State League teams: 1947–1948 Team nameCity representedBallparkYear(s) activeBelleville StagsBelleville, IllinoisBelleville Athletic Field to Centralia CubsCentralia, IllinoisFan's Field to Marion IndiansMarion, IllinoisMarion City Park to Mattoon IndiansMattoon, IllinoisMattoon Baseball Park to Mount Vernon BravesMount Vernon, IllinoisVeterans Park to West Frankfort CardinalsWest Frankfort, IllinoisMemorial Stadium to
Standings & statistics
1947 season Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers Belleville Stags7537.670 -18,539Walter DeFreitasCentralia Cubs6052.53615½ 35,000 Chuck Hawley Marion Indians5556.49519½36,705Melvin Ivy West Frankfort Cardinals5260.46423 43,004 Everett Johnston Mt. Vernon Braves4963.43826 38,330 Otto Huber Mattoon Indians4164.39030½ 25,671Frank Parenti No playoffs were played as Belleville won both halves
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Billy KlausCentralia BA.341Robert FreelsBellevilleW19Billy KlausCentralia Hits147Don LiddleMt. Vernon SO190 Billy KlausCentraliaRBI84Ken WildWest FrankfortERA1.73Rip RepulskiWest FrankfortHR10Bob CherekBellevilleRuns90
1948 season Team nameWLPCTGBAttendManagers West Frankfort Cardinals8535.708 -36,656Harold Contini Mattoon Indians7544.6309½ 34,754 Chuck Hawley Marion Indians5366.44531½ 13,697Melvin Ivy Mt. Vernon Braves5266.44132 11.364 Creepy Crespi Belleville Stags5167.43233 6,085Gerald Nemitz / Shan Deniston Centralia Cubs4179.34244 18,211Willard Sellergren / Claude Passeau Playoffs: West Frankfort defeated Marion 3 games to 1; Mattoon defeated Mt. Vernon 3 games to 2; Finals: West Frankfort 3 games, Mattoon 0.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotRichard MartzMarion BA.361Floyd MelliereWest FrankfortW21 Don HazeltonMt. Vernon Hits150 Mike BlyzkaBellevilleSO192 Frank PorrecaWest FrankfortRBI94Floyd MelliereWest FrankfortERA1.77 Paul DetersMarionHR8William BroukalMattoonRuns103
References