Ohio State League

The Ohio State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in numerous seasons between 1887 and 1947, predominantly as a Class D level league. League franchises were based in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.

Ohio State League
ClassificationIndependent (1887, 1889, 1898)
Class D (1908–1916, 1936–1941, 1944–1947)
SportMinor League Baseball
Inaugural season1887
Ceased1947
Replaced byOhio–Indiana League
DirectorL. A. Moore (1887)
PresidentGeorge Clugston (1887)
Charles Voegle (1887)
D.A. Nichols (1889)
George Hammond (1898)
Robert Quinn (1908–1909)
Robert W. Read (1910–1914)
Joseph T. Carr] (1915–1916)
Harry Smith (1908–1909)
Paul H. Shank (1938–1940)
Joe Donnelly (1941, 1944)
Frank M. Colley (1945–1947)
No. of teams41
CountryUnited States of America
Most titles5
Portsmouth Cobblers/Truckers
Related
competitions
Tri-State League

History

The first "Ohio State League" was a baseball league in 1887 before changing names to the Tri-State League. The Kalamazoo Kazoos won the first league championship. The league played in the 1889 and 1898 seasons.

The first 20th century Ohio State League started in 1908 as a class D loop and ran through 1916.

Another Ohio State League was formed in 1936 and ran through 1947 except for a break in '42-'43 due to World War II. In 1945, the OSL was one of just four class D circuits in operation, yet it was one of the first of dozens of leagues to collapse after World War II.

The class D Ohio–Indiana League was formed in 1948 with eight teams, with seven of the eight cities coming from the Ohio State League. Six teams made their home in Ohio and the remaining two where from Indiana. This league lasted through 1951.

The Portsmouth Cobblers won four Ohio State League championships.

Baseball Hall of Fame member Ed Delahanty played for the 1887 Mansfield team.

Cities represented

Standings & statistics

1887, 1889, 1898

1887 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Kalamazoo Kazoos7334.682-Al Buckenberger
Zanesville Kickapoos5846.55813.5Patrick Welsh /Pete McShannic
Wheeling5348.52517.0Jack Cronin / William English /
Tom Nicholson / Henry Myers
Sandusky Suds5349.52017.5George Curry
Columbus Buckeyes5055.47622.0W.A.Calhoun / John Morrissey
/ Jim Gifford / Buck West
Mansfield4656.45124.5Sandy McDermott /
Bob Allen / Frank O'Brien
Canton2214.611NAH.H. Kerr / William Zecher
Akron Acorns3260.348NAA.B. Showers / Charles Hastings /
Sandy McDermott / Bill Irwin
Stubenville Stubbs934.209NAParson Nicholson /
Pete Woods / Jimmy Wood

Canton entered the league August 4; Akron disbanded September 3; tubenville disbanded June 29.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ed HutchinsonColumbusBA.395Mother WatsonKalamazooW29
Ed StapletonKalamazooRuns121Bill IrwinAkron/KalamazooSO283
John CroganWheelingHits184Mother WatsonKalamazooPct763: 29-9
Ed StapletonKalamazooHR12

1889 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Akron Akrons179.654-Harry Roberts / Charles Pike
Youngstown1314.4814.5Harry Smith
Newark811.421NAJoe Somers
Tiffin812.400NATom Cahill / Son Lease

Newark disbanded September 16; Tiffin disbanded September 18

1898 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Canton108.556-John Durham
Massilllon65.5450.5Frank Vogt / Ray Markel
Zanesville Clay Diggers33.5001.0Charley Jewell
Wheeling Nailers89.4711.5Joseph Starr
Salem48.3333.0D.R. Gannon
Coshocton86.571NAC.F. Prince

Zanesville entered the league May 30; Conshohockten disbanded June 2
The league disbanded June 5 due to poor weather and Sunday baseball restrictions

1908 to 1916

1908 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lancaster Red Roses9257.617-Kurt Ellston / Paddy Fox
Lima Cigarmakers8067.54411.0Nick Kahl / Jim Jackson
Marion Diggers7871.52314.0Charles O'Day
Mansfield Pioneers7673.51016.0Cal McVey / Tim Flood
Newark Newks7475.49718.0Bob Berryhill / Harry Eells
Springfield Reapers /
Portsmouth Cobblers
46103.30946.0Ed Ranskick / John Quinn

Springfield moved to Portsmouth June 16.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hughie TateMarionBA.320Kirby WhiteLancasterW28
Hughie TateMarionHits169Walt JustisLancasterSO293
Curly BrownLancasterRuns103Charlie PickettLimaPct700: 21-9
Frank FoutzLimaHR12Jim RileyLimaSB80

1909 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lima Cigarmakers7950.612-Lee Fohl
Marion Diggers7159.5468.5Charles O'Day /Jack Lewis
Mansfield Pioneers6358.52112.0Tim Flood
Portsmouth Cobblers4876.38728.5William Doyle /
Jack McCallister / Charles O'Day
Lancaster Lanks5353.500NAPaddy Fox
Newark Newks4664.418NAHomer Davidson / Erve Wratten

Newark and Lancaster both disbanded August 23.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Red FarrellMarionBA.316Ed ZmichMarionW21
Joe StanleyMarionHits142Andy NelsonLimaPct.800; 8-2
Charles FinkLimaRuns91Ed WillettMarionHR6

1910 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers8652.623-Pete Childs
Lima Cigarmakers8256.5944.0Alfred Newnham
Marion Diggers8058.5806.0Jack Lewis
Newark Newks5880.42028.0Bob Berryhill /
Charles Riehl / Hank O'Day
Lancaster Lanks5582.40130.5Al McClintock /
Guy Sample / Heinie Peitz
Chillicothe Infants5285.38033.5Goat Cochran / Harvey Grubb /
Louis Kibler / Zeke Wrigley
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hank O'DayPortsmouthBA.324Ted GoulaitMarionW24
Dick BreenPortsmouthHits151John Henry LloydLimaPct.769; 10-3
Dick BreenPortsmouthRuns88Frank NesserLimaHR6

1911 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Reapers8455.604-Hank O'Day
Marion Diggers8059.5764.0Jack Lewis
Portsmouth Cobblers7861.5616.0Pete Childs
Chillicothe Infants7862.5576.5Zeke Wrigley
Newark Newks/
Piqua Picks
7265.52611.0Alfred Newnham
Lima Cigarmakers6277.44622.0Frank Nesser
Lancaster Lanks5384.38730.0Charles Riehl / Gus Epler
Hamilton Mechanics4892.34336.5James Barton

Newark moved to Piqua June 22.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bert BlueNewark/PiquaBA.347Roy AshenfelderHamil/SpringW24
Bert BlueNewark/PiquaHits176H. McCallMarionPct.800; 8-2
W. ColliganMarionRuns119Billy KellyMarionHR12

1912 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers8152.609-Pete Childs
Mansfield Brownies7267.51812.0Barry McCormick /
Walter East / Ted Easterly
Newark Skeeters7068.50713.5John Grim /
Billy Murray / Barry McCormick
Marion Diggers /
Ironton Orphans
6572.47418.0Fred Johnston /
Fred Odwell / Charley Moore
Lima Cigarmakers6473.46719.0Zeke Wrigley
Chillicothe Infants5777.42524.5Jack Ryan /
Jesse Tannehill / Alfred Newnham

Marion moved to Ironton July 15.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Waldo JackleyMar/IronBA.357George BoehlerNewarkW27
Frank NesserLimaHits170Sandy BurkMar/IronPct.769; 20-6
John ShovelinNewarkRuns80Waldo JackleyMar/IronHR11

1913 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Chillicothe Babes8349.629-Alfred Newnham
Charleston Senators8450.6270.0Buzz Wetzel
Portsmouth Cobblers8355.6013.0Pete Childs
Huntington Blue Sox6868.50017.0Sam Wright / S. Redman
Lexington Colts6870.48318.0Bill Reynolds /
W. McKernan / Rex Dawson
Ironton Nailers6375.45623.0Al McClintock / Archie Osborn
Hamilton Maroons5579.44129.0Zeke Wrigley
Maysville Angels3896.28446.0George Moore
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Carl RayCharlestonBA.366Ed DonaldsPortsmouthW30
John BagganPortsmouthRuns105Ed DonaldsPortsmouthPct.789; 30-8
Frank NesserChillicotheHits178Carl RayCharlestonHR33

1914 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers8653.723-Pete Childs
Charleston Senators7962.5608.0Buzz Wetzel / Biddy Beers
Chillicothe Babes7364.53312.0Alfred Newnham
Lexington Colts6668.49317.5Howard Guyn
Ironton Nailers3533.514NADick Smith
Huntington Blue Sox3947.453NAJohn Siegle / Nixey Callahan
Maysville Angels3051.370NAHarry Chapman / Ray Montgomery
Newport-Paris1949.279NAFred Applegate / Red Munson

Ironton disbanded July 5; Newport-Paris disbanded July 5; Huntington and Maysville both disbanded July 22.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Wilbur CrouchLexing/PortsBA.327Abel ApplegateCharlestonW22
John BagganPortsmouthRuns116Paul CarterPortsmouthW22
John BagganPortsmouthHits182Ernie CalbertHunting/CharlesHR17

1915 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Cobblers7142.628-Chet Spencer
Lexington Colts6348.5687.0Howard Guyn
Chillicothe Babes /
Huntington Babes /
Maysville Angels
5855.51313.0Josh Devore
Charleston Senators5863.47917.0Biddy Beers
Frankfort Old Taylors4565.40924.5Pat Bohen / Jack Hayden
Ironton Nailers4769.40525.5Dick Smith

Chillicothe moved to Huntington July 13; Huntington moved to Maysville July 19.

Playoff: Portsmouth 4 games, Maysville 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ralph SharmanPortsmouthBA.374Hubert TestPortsmouthW21
Pickles DillhoeferPortsmouthRuns83Howard McGranerChil/HuntPct.800: 12-3
Ralph SharmanPortsmouthHits147Ernie CalbertIrontonHR13

1916 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Portsmouth Truckers4719.712-Chet Spencer
Charleston Senators /
Chillicothe Babes
2935.45317.0Bill Powell
Maysville Burley Cubs2636.41919.0Jimmy Jones
Frankfort Old Taylors2435.407NAHoward "Ducky" Holmes
Huntington Blue Sox2238.367NACharlie DeArmond /Ezra Midkiff
Lexington Colts3924.619NAHoward Guyn

Huntington & Frankfort disbanded July 16; Charleston moved to Chillicothe July 13; Lexington disbanded July 16
The league disbanded July 19.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Stewart DiltsPortsmouthBA.420John FergusonPortsmouthW12
[ Stewart DiltsPortsmouthRuns57Paul CarpenterChil/CharlSO95
Stewart DiltsPortsmouthHits95Rube LindholmFrankfortHR6

1936 to 1941

1936 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Tiffin Mud Hens6035.635-Myles Thomas
Sandusky Sailors5147.52010.5Chappie Geygan
Fostoria Cardinals4550.47415.0Harry Aldrick / George Silvey
Fremont Reds4256.42919.5Marty Purtell
New Philadelphia Red Birds26.250NAGeorge Silvey
Mansfield Tigers28.200NAJack Orr

Mansfield and New Philadelphia both disbanded May 26.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
John ZipayFostoriaBA.419Edward BastianTiffinW18
John ClementsTiffinRuns97Steve VargoFostoriaSO156
Jack SuydamTiffinHits141Charles CroninTiffinERA3.27
John ClementsTiffinRBI112John ClementsTiffinHR37

1937 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Mansfield Red Sox5924.711-Dewey Stover
Sandusky Sailors /
Marion Presidents
6130.6702.0Chappie Geygan
Tiffin Mud Hens4338.53115.0Emilio Palmero / Al Eckert
Findlay Browns4347.47819.5Grover Hartley
Fremont Reds3655.39627.0Howard Bohl
Fostoria Red Birds2068.22741.5John Cavanaugh / Tom Jenkins /
Rex Bowen / Harry Aldrick

Sandusky moved to Marion June22.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Dewey StoverMansfieldBA.383Gordon MannSand/MarW18-2
Johnny BarrettMansfieldRuns97Marion SpenceSand/MarW18
Johnny BarrettMansfieldHits129Charles CroninTiffinSO178
Chappie GeyganSand/MarRBI91Gordon MannSand/MarERA2.30

1938 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Fostoria Red Birds5541.573-Jack Farmer
Fremont Reds/Green Sox5143.5433.0Chappie Geygan
Findlay Browns4454.44912.0Grover Hartley
Tiffin Mud Hens4456.44013.0Tony Rogala

Playoff: Freemont 3 games, Fostoria 0.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Peter KrausFostoriaBA.372Glen FletcherFree/FindW15
Peter KrausFostoriaRuns100Jack FarmerFostoriaSO164
Peter KrausFostoriaHits137Frederick BergerFostoriaPct.818; 9-2
Del WilberFindlayRBI83Chappie GeyganFremontHR18

1939 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Findlay Oilers6862.523-Grover Hartley
Fremont Green Sox6663.5121.5Chappie Geygan
Fostoria Red Birds6663.5121.5Jack Farmer
Lima Pandas6466.4924.0Dick Ward
Tiffin Mud Hens6466.4924.0Jim Lawrence
Mansfield Braves6169.4697.0Ray French

Playoff: Lima defeated Tiffin in a one-game playoff for fourth place. Freemont won 2nd place by coin toss. Findley 2 games, Fostoria 0; Lima 2 games, Fremont 1
Finals: Lima 4 games, Findlay 3;

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Hank EdwardsMansfieldBA.395Glen FletcherFindlayW22
Hank EdwardsMansfieldRuns135Fred BergerFostoriaSO231
Hank EdwardsMansfieldHits209Red EvansLimaPct.846; 11-2
Del WilberFindlayRBI145Hank EdwardsMansfieldHR18

1940 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lima Pandas8534.714-Merle Settlemire
Findlay Oilers7046.60313.5Grover Hartley / George Ruley
Mansfield Braves5959.50025.5Dewey Strong
Tiffin Mud Hens5064.42932.5Myles Thomas
Fostoria Red Birds4473.37640.0Bobby Jones
Fremont Green Sox4375.36441.5Ray Caldwell / Garland Sewell

Playoff: Lima 3 games, Mansfield 0; Findley 3 games, Tiffin 1
Finals: Lima 4 Games, Findley 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Gene WoodlingMansfieldBA.398Frank BiscanLimaW26
John CindricLimaRuns141Frank BiscanLimaSO243
Stanley MazgayFindlayHits175Merle SettlemireLimaPct.1000; 15-0
John CindricLimaRBI150
John CindricLimaHR39

1941 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Fremont Green Sox6934.670-Chappie Geygan
Mansfield Braves6740.6264.0Alex Clowson
Tiffin Mud Hens5055.47620.0Charles LeCrone / Harry Taylor
Fostoria Red Birds4957.46221.5Lee Ellison / Jim Cronin
Lima Pandas4364.40228.0Otis Brannan / Merle Settlemire
Findlay Browns3765.36331.5Grover Hartley
Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Johnny GerlachTiffinBA.340J.G. StasaitisFremontW19
Jim PruettFostoriaBA.340Don BaylissTiffinSO198
Johnny GerlachTiffinHits137Lloyd FisherFremontPct.857; 18-3
Henry MiesleFremontRBI86Ed MutrynMansfieldHR22

No League play 1942 & 1943 due to WW II.

1944 to 1947

1944 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Giants7654.585-Earl Wolgamot
Newark Moundsmen7158.5504.5Clay Bryant
Middletown Red Sox6661.5208.5Red Barnes
Lima Red Birds6562.5129.5Runt Marr / Leo Norris
Zanesville Dodgers5871.45017.5Jack Knight
Marion Diggers5080.38526.0Grover Hartley

Playoffs: Newark 3 games, Lima 1;Middletown 3 games, Springfield 2
Finals: Newark 4 games, Middletown 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Luke MajorkiNewarkBA.355Ned GarverNewarkW21
Neal ResideLimaRuns120Ned GarverNewarkSO221
Neal ResideLimaHits173Ned GarverNewarkERA1.21
Harvey ZerniaLimaRBI114Eddie VolanNewarkHR20

1945 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Middletown Rockets8950.640-Ivy Griffin
Zanesville Dodgers7466.52915.5Jack Knight / Morris Mikesell /
Ray Hayworth / Eric McNair /
Clay Bryant
Lima Reds7268.51417.5Cap Crossley
Springfield Giants6475.46025.0Earl Wolgamot
Marion Cardinals6277.44627.0Grover Hartley / Wally Schang
Newark Moundsmen5782.41032.0Mickey O'Neil

Playoffs: Middletown 4 games, Springfield 2; Zanesville 4 games, Lima 2
Finals: Zanesville 3 games, Middletown 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Albert KaiserNewarkBA.368Ray JanikowskiMiddletownW25
William ScottMiddletownRuns113Ray JanikowskiMiddletownSO274
Albert KaiserNewarkHits171Ray JanikowskiMiddletownERA1.71
Troy BolickSpringfieldRBI103Albert KaiserNewarkHR12

1946 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Springfield Giants8257.590-Don Ramsey
Zanesville Dodgers7860.5653.5Clay Bryant
Richmond Roses7663.5476.0Merle Settlemire
Newark Moundsmen7465.5328.0Bob Boken
Lima Terriers6771.48614.5Charlie E. Moore
Marion Cardinals6376.45319.0Wally Schang / Bob Kline
Dayton Indians5879.42323.0Frank Parenti / Ival Goodman
Middletown Rockets5683.40326.0Mike Blazo

Playoffs: Zanesville 4 games, Richmond 0; Springfield 4 games, Newark 2.
Finals: Zanesville 4 games, Springfield 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleBA.351Hardy HoltZanesvilleW23
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleRuns151Merlin WilliamsLimaSO275
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleHits187Ewen BrydenSpringfieldERA2.14
Wayne ResideLima/SpringRBI118Wayne ResideLima/SpringHR21

1947 Ohio State League

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Zanesville Dodgers8950.640-102,250Clay Bryant
Marion Cubs7960.56810.092,088Nelson Burbrink
Muncie Reds7562.54713.051,834Mike Blazo
Springfield Giants7365.52915.572,462Don Ramsey
Richmond Roses6272.46324.553,050Rex Carr
Dayton Indians6273.45925.065,420Ival Goodman
Newark Moundsmen6476.45725.558,935Eddie Dancisak
Lima Terriers4793.33642.556,466Merle Settlemire

Playoffs: Zanesville 4 games, Springfield 0; Marion 4 games, Muncie 1;
Finals: Zanesville 4 games, Marion 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Nelson BurbrinkMarionBA.378Clayton LambertZanesvilleW23
Robert VerrierRichmondRuns127Clayton LambertZanesvilleSO232
Jack MaischLimaHits194Edward PostMuncieERA2.02
Ed FowlerNewarkRBI119Bob MontagMuncieHR14

League records 1887–1951

Batting
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
Bill HenrySpringfieldGA1411946Joe PattisonSpringfieldGA1411946
John ZipayFostoriaBA.4191936Andrew RellickSpringfieldAB5851950
Marvin StenderMarionRuns1581951Henry EdwardsMansfieldH2091939
John CindricLimaRbi1501940Jim EnglemanNewark2B621950
Charles FreyMarion3B201946Keith JonesRichmond3B201950
John CindricLimaHR391940Jim EnglemanNewarkTB3501950
Maynard DeWittZanesvilleSB1101946Wayne YoderSpringfieldBB1421949
Charles HopkinsNewarkSO1361947
Pitching
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
Joe BielemeierZanesvilleCG311945Richard McEvoyNewarkG551948
Ed DonaldsPortsmouthW301913Bob JenkinsNewarkL191944
Bob McCormickZanesvilleL191945Merle Settlemire (15-0)LimaPct1.0001940
Walt JustisLancasterSO2931908Merlin WilliamsLimaIP3071946
Joe BielemeierZanesvilleShO71945Merle SettlemireLimaWS151940
Bob PurcellSpringfieldBB1821950Ned GarverNewarkERA1.211946

See the Ohio–Indiana League for 1948-51

Further reading

  • Craig Lammers: "Death in the Ohio State League", in The National Pastime – A Review of Baseball History, Society for American Baseball Research, Cleveland, Ohio, number 26 (May, 2006), pp. 125–128.

Sources

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball; Second Edition
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