Central New Jersey League

The Central New Jersey League was a minor league baseball league that played in 1891 and 1892. The n Independent level Central New Jersey League member teams were based exclusively in New Jersey.

Central New Jersey League
ClassificationIndependent (1891–1892)
SportMinor League Baseball
Inaugural season1891
Ceased1892
PresidentUnknown (1891–1892)
No. of teams4
CountryUnited States of America
Most titles2
Plainfield Crescent Cities (1891–1892)
Related
competitions		South New Jersey League (1895–1897)

Baseball Hall of Fame member Willie Keeler played in the 1891 and 1892 league seasons as a member of the Plainfield Crescent Cities, leading the 1891 league in hitting.

History

The Central New Jersey League was formed for the 1891 season as an Independent level minor league. The exact teams, records and statistics of the 1891 season are unknown.[1]

Baseball Hall of Fame member Willie Keeler played as a member of the 1891 Plainfield team and led the team to the championship. It was reported Keeler hit .376 to lead the league while making $60.00 per month.[2]

The Central New Jersey League continued play in the 1892 season, as an Independent level league with four teams beginning league play on May 26, 1892. The Elizabeth team from Elizabeth, New Jersey, the Plainfield Crescent Cities from Plainfield, New Jersey, Somerville West Ends from Somerville, New Jersey and Westfield Athletics from Westfield, New Jersey were the 1892 league members.[3][4][5][6]

The season concluded on September 24, 1892, with the Plainfield Crescent Cities and Somerville West Ends in a tie for first place with both holding 12–6 records. The Elizabeth and Westfield franchises both disbanded on September 3, 1892. Plainfield disbanded before the playoff against Somerville could be played. Elizabeth and the Westfield Athletics were tied with 5–11 records when the franchises disbanded.[3]

Willie Keeler continued play as a member of the 1892 Plainfield Crescent Cities. At age 20, Keeler left the Plainfield team in June to join Birmingham of the Eastern League before making his major league debut later in the 1892 season. Keeler debuted with the New York Giants on September 30, 1892 at the Polo Grounds.[5][7][2][8]

The Central New Jersey League permanently folded as a minor league following the 1892 season. A 1911 league playing as the "Central New Jersey League" had Plainfield and Somerville as members. Likely, this league was a semi–pro league.[9]

Central New Jersey League teams
Team name(s) City represented Ballpark Year
Elizabeth Elizabeth, New Jersey Unknown 1891 to 1892
Plainfield Crescent Cities Plainfield, New Jersey Crescent League Base Ball Grounds[10] 1891 to 1892
Somerville West Ends Somerville, New Jersey Unknown 1891 to 1892
Westfield Athletics Westfield, New Jersey Unknown 1891 to 1892

Year-by-year standings

1891 Central New Jersey League standings

The complete 1891 league standings are unknown. It was reported the Plainfield Crescents won the 1891 Championship.[2]

1892 Central New Jersey League standings
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManager(s)
Plainfield Crescent Cities126.667-Charles Reed
Tom Keller / J.W. "Chick" Hoffer[11][5]
Somerville West Ends126.667-Mack[12][13]
Elizabeth511.3126.0NA[14]
Westfield Athletics511.3126.0E E. Codding[15][16]

[3]

Notable league alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Central New Jersey League (No Classification) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "Willie Keeler – Society for American Baseball Research".
  3. "1892 Central New Jersey League (CNJL) minor league baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "1892 Central New Jersey League (CNJL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "1892 Plainfield Crescent League Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1892 Central New Jersey League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. "Willie Keeler Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. Martin, Andrew (April 9, 2021). "A Dying Wee Willie Keeler Reflects on His Baseball HOF Career". Medium.
  9. "The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey on September 2, 1911 · Page 1". Newspapers.com.
  10. "Crescent League Base Ball Grounds in Plainfield, NJ minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "1892 Plainfield Crescent Cities minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1892 Somerville West Ends minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "1892 Somerville West Ends Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "1892 Elizabeth Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. "1892 Westfield Athletics minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. "1892 Westfield Athletics Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. "1892 Plainfield Crescent Cities minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
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