Connecticut League
defunct American baseball league
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
Willimantic expelled September 3. League played two games each week: Wednesdays and Saturdays
1885 Connecticut State League (Continuation of the Southern New England League)
New Britain disbanded September 8
1888 Connecticut State League President: J. Howard Taylor
Bridgeport transferred to Stamford in May, then disbanded June 27.
“Connecticut League” enters the record as defunct American baseball league. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Connecticut, League and defunct can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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