The Massachusetts State Association was a minor league baseball league that played briefly in the 1884 season. The Non-Signatory, Independent level league consisted of franchises based exclusively in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts State Association was an eight–team league that permanently folded after playing a partial 1884 season.
League member Boston Reserves were owned and operated by the major league Boston Beaneaters and may have been the first true baseball farm team.
History Formed for the 1884 season, the Massachusetts State Association began play on May 1, 1884, as an eight–team league, with teams scheduled for one or two games per week. The league was a Non-Signatory Independent level league under president M. H. Nichols. The league lost four teams during the season, on July 21, 1884.
The Massachusetts State Association played in 1884. The charter members were the Boston Reserves and teams from Holyoke, Massachusetts, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Lynn, Massachusetts, Salem, Massachusetts, Springfield, Massachusetts, Waltham, Massachusetts and Worcester, Massachusetts.
The 1884 Boston Reserves were the first minor league baseball team to play in Boston, Massachusetts. The Reserves were owned and operated by the Boston Beaneaters of the National League and may have been the first true baseball farm team.
On July 21, 1884, the Worcester, Waltham, Lynn and Salem teams all disbanded, leaving the Massachusetts State Association with four remaining teams. The league concluded play on August 15, 1884. The Massachusetts State Association standings were led by first place Springfield with a 12–5 record, 1.0 games ahead of the second place Boston Reserves (13–8), followed by Holyoke (7–11) and Lawrence (7–15). Lynn (4–8), Salem (2–11), Waltham (9–6) and Worcester (11–4) had previously folded.
After the season, the Massachusetts State Association permanently folded, playing only the 1884 season.
Massachusetts State Association teams Team nameCity representedBallparkYear(s) activeBoston ReservesBoston, MAUnknownHolyokeHolyoke, MAUnknownLawrenceLawrence, MAAssociation GroundsLynnLynn, MAUnknownSalemSalem, MAUnknownSpringfieldSpringfield, MAPynchon ParkWalthamWaltham, MAUnknownWorcesterWorcester, MADriving Park
Standings & statistics 1884 Massachusetts State Association Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Springfield125.706–Charles Shaw Boston Reserves138.6191 John Morrill / S. R. BrownHolyoke711.3895½ Horace Rescott (5/8) Lawrence715.3187½ Harry Clarke / L. S. Dow /Charles Freleigh / Matthew Barry / Frank Selee Worcester114.733NADavid McGarvey (5/21) / Matthew Barry Waltham96.600NAFrank SeleeLynn 48.333NAWallace Fessenden (7/2) / Edward Chamberlain Salem211.154NAF. W. Doyle Worcester, Waltham, Lynn and Salem disbanded July 21. +Player statisticsPlayer TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Alexander GardnerLawrenceBA.396George FishWaltham/LawrenceW14 Timothy BrosnanSpringfieldRuns24George FishWaltham/LawrenceSO113 Maurice BresnahanWaltham/LawrenceHits37George FishWaltham/LawrencePCT.824 14–3 Michael BradleyEdward ChamberlainHenry ParryLawrenceLynn/BostonWalthamHR1
Notable alumni
Bill Annis, Boston Dick Blaisdell, Lynn Marty Barrett, Boston Jack Carney, Salem Peter Connell, Springfield John Connor, Boston Charlie Daniels, Lawrence Jim Donnelly, Lynn Wally Fessenden, Lynn Jocko Flynn, Lawrence Bernie Graham, Worcester Tom Gunning, Boston Mike Hines, Boston Al Hubbard, Springfield Jerry Hurley, Boston/Lawrence Mike Jordan, Lawrence John Kiley, Lawrence Jim Manning, Boston Chippy McGarr, Worcester Jack McGeachey, Holyoke Cyclone Miller, Springfield George Moolic, Lawrence Gene Moriarty, Boston Billy Murray, Salem Henry Oxley, Lynn Charlie Reilley, Worcester Bill Rollinson, Holyoke Jimmy Ryan, Holyoke Pat Scanlon, Holyoke Mike Sullivan, Lawrence/Worcester Ed Trumbull, Holyoke Tommy Tucker, Holyoke
References
External links Massachusetts State Association - Baseball Reference