The Indiana State League was an Independent level minor league baseball league that played in the 1888, 1890, 1896 and 1900 seasons. The Indiana State League consisted of teams based exclusively in Indiana. The Indiana State League permanently folded after the 1900 season.
History The Indiana State League first began minor league play in 1888. The league began play on May 11, 1888, as an Independent six–team league with members Elkhart, Fort Wayne, Frankfort, Lafayette, Logansport Oilers and Marion. After the season began, the Lafayette, Indiana franchise withdrew on June 12, 1888, to join the Central Interstate League and were replaced by the South Bend Green Stockings. The 1888 Indiana State League folded mid–season, on June 18, 1888. The Logansport Oilers were in first place with a 10–3 record when the Indiana State League stopped play in 1888.
The Indiana State League expanded and played as an eight–team league in 1890 under league president McCullough. The 1890 member teams were Anderson, Bluffton, Elkhart, Fort Wayne Reds, Kokomo, Marion/Logansport, Muncie and Peru. During the season, Marion relocated to Logansport on July 6, 1890. Elkhart disbanded June 26, 1890 and Bluffton disbanded June 30, 1890. Anderson finished first in the league standings with a 38–25 record.
The 1896 Indiana State League briefly formed as a six–team Independent level league. The Logansport Ottos were the 1896 league champions with a 4–2 record under manager M.A Ryan. The league began play on July 26, 1896, and the season ended on August 4, 1896.
In the final season of play, the Indiana State League reformed as a six–team league for the 1900 season. The president was Edward E. Hill. During the season, Elmwood moved from Logansport. Elwood and Muncie both disbanded on June 10, 1900, causing the entire league to fold. The Wabash Farmers were in first place with a 19–9 record when the league disbanded. Anderson and Marion joined Interstate League in August 1900.
Cities represented Anderson, Indiana: Anderson (1890, 1896); Anderson Tigers (1900) Bluffton, Indiana: Bluffton (1890) Elkhart, Indiana: Elkhart (1888, 1890) Elwood, Indiana: Elmwood (1896); Elwood Wanderers (1900) Fort Wayne, Indiana: Fort Wayne (1888); Fort Wayne Reds (1890) Frankfort, Indiana: Frankfort (1888) Kokomo, Indiana: Kokomo (1890); Kokomo Blues (1896); Kokomo Wildcats (1900) Lafayette, Indiana: Lafayette (1888) Logansport, Indiana: Logansport Oilers (1888); Logansport Ottos (1896); Logansport (1900) Marion, Indiana: Marion (1888); Marion Veterans (1900) Muncie, Indiana: Muncie (1890, 1900) Peru, Indiana: Peru (1890) South Bend, Indiana: South Bend Green Stockings (1888) Wabash, Indiana: Wabash Farmers (1900)
Standings & statistics 1888 Indiana State League Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Logansport Oilers103.769-A.B. RoyceElkhart 108.5663 Dave CarpenterLafayette88.4754 Charles Tacleton Marion56.4554½Jake Aydelott Frankfort49.3085 S. BennettFort Wayne37.3007 Billy MyersSouth Bend Green Stockings101.000NA Bootsey Johnson
1890 Indiana State League Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Anderson3825.603-Charles FaatzMuncie 3329.5325½Benjamin DrischellFort Wayne3330.5246 Billy Meyers / Milton ScottKokomo2929.5006½SmithMarion/Logansport2929.5006½Bob BerryhillPeru2535.41711½Charles Farrell /Leo Johnson / LombardBluffton2521.543NAJake AydelottElkhart1428.338NANA
1896 Indiana State League Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Logansport Ottos42.667-M.A. RyanElwood 42.667-HuffmanKokomo Blues44.5001 NA Connersville22.5001½ O. M. HemplemanRushville 26.3333 NAAnderson11.3500NANickolas Ivory 1900 Indiana State League Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Wabash Farmers199.679-NewbergerAnderson Tigers 189.667½Harry QuinnMarion Veterans1712.5862½C. Brozier Muncie1117.3938 F.L. WachtellKokomo Wildcats816.3339 Edward HillLogansport/Elwood Wildcats717.34610 John Ray
External links Indiana State League - Baseball Reference
References