Ohio State League
Introduction 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.
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 through1951.The Portsmouth Cobblers won four Ohio State League championships.Baseball Hall of Fame member Ed Delahanty played for the 1887 Mansfield team.
Cities represented *Akron, Ohio:  Akron Acorns 1887, 1889*Canton, Ohio:  Canton 1887, 1898*Charleston, West Virginia:  Charleston Senators 1913–1916*Chillicothe, Ohio:  Chillicothe Infants 1910–1912; Chillicothe Babes 1913–1916*Columbus, Ohio:  Columbus Buckeyes 1887*Coshocton, Ohio: Coshocton 1898*Dayton, Ohio:  Dayton Indians 1946–1947*Findlay, Ohio:  Findlay Browns 1937–1938; Findlay Oilers (baseball) 1939–1940; Findlay Browns 1941*Fostoria, Ohio:  Fostoria Cardinals 1936; Fostoria Red Birds 1937–1941*Frankfort, Kentucky:  Frankfort Old Taylors 1915–1916*Fremont, Ohio:  Fremont Reds 1936–1938; Fremont Green Sox 1938–1941*Hamilton, Ohio:  Hamilton Mechanics 1911; Hamilton Maroons 1913*Huntington, West Virginia:  Huntington Blue Sox 1913–1914 Huntington Boosters 1916*Ironton, Ohio:  Ironton Orphans 1912; Ironton Nailers 1913–1915*Kalamazoo, Michigan:  Kalamazoo Kazoos 1887*Lancaster, Ohio:  Lancaster Lanks 1908–1911*Lexington, Kentucky:  Lexington Colts 1913–1916*Lima, Ohio:  Lima Cigarmakers 1908–1912; Lima Pandas 1939–1941; Lima Red Birds 1944; Lima Reds 1945; Lima Terriers 1946–1947*Mansfield, Ohio: Mansfield 1887; Mansfield Pioneers 1908–1909; Mansfield Brownies 1912; Mansfield Tigers 1936; Mansfield Red Sox 1937; Mansfield Braves 1939–1941*Marion, Ohio:  Marion Diggers 1908–1912; Marion Presidents 1937; Marion Diggers 1944; Marion Cardinals 1945–1946; Marion Cubs*Massillon, Ohio: Massillion 1898*Maysville, Kentucky: Maysville 1913–1914; Maysville Angels 1915; Maysville Burley Cubs 1916*Middletown, Ohio:  Middletown Red Sox 1944; Middletown Rockets 1945–1946*Muncie, Indiana:  Muncie Reds 1947*Newark, Ohio:  Newark 1889; Newark Newks 1908–1911; Newark Skeeters 1912; Newark Moundsmen 1944–1947*Newport, Kentucky: Newport Brewers 1914*New Philadelphia, Ohio:  New Philadelphia Red Birds 1936*Paris, Kentucky: Paris 1914*Piqua, Ohio:  Piqua Picks 1911*Portsmouth, Ohio:  Portsmouth Cobblers 1908–1915; Portsmouth Truckers (1916)*Richmond, Indiana:  Richmond Roses 1946–1947 *Salem, Ohio: Salem 1898*Sandusky, Ohio:  Sandusky Suds 1887; Sandusky Sailors 1936–1937*Springfield, Ohio:  Springfield Reapers 1908, 1911; Springfield Giants 1944–1947*Steubenville, Ohio:  Steubenville Stubs 1887*Tiffin, Ohio: Tiffin 1889;  Tiffin Mud Hens 1936–1941*Wheeling, West Virginia:  Wheeling 1887; Wheeling Nailers 1898*Youngstown, Ohio: Youngstown 1889*Zanesville, Ohio:  Zanesville Kickapoos 1887; Zanesville Clay Diggers 1898; Zanesville Dodgers 1944–1947
Standings & statistics ===1887, 1889, 1898==='''1887 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersKalamazoo Kazoos7334 Al BuckenbergerZanesville Kickapoos5846.55813.5Patrick Welsh / Pete McShannicWheeling5348.52517.0Jack Cronin / William English / Tom Nicholson / Henry MyersSandusky Suds 5349.52017.5 George CurryColumbus Buckeyes 5055.47622.0W.A.Calhoun / John Morrissey / Jim Gifford / Buck WestMansfield4656.45124.5Sandy McDermott / Bob Allen / Frank O'BrienCanton2214.611NA H.H. Kerr / William Zecher Akron Acorns 3260.348NA A.B. Showers / Charlie Morton / Sandy McDermott / Bill IrwinSteubenville Stubs 934.209NAParson Nicholson / Pete Woods / Jimmy Wood+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotEd HutchinsonColumbusBAMother WatsonKalamazooW29 Ed Stapleton Kalamazoo Runs Bill IrwinAkron/KalamazooSO283 John Crogan HitsMother WatsonKalamazooPct763: 29-9 Ed Stapleton KalamazooHR12'''1889 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Akron Akrons179Harry Roberts / Charles Pike Youngstown1314.4814.5 Harry Smith  Newark 811.421NA Joe Somers  Tiffin 812.400NATom Cahill / Son Lease '''1898 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGB Managers Canton108John Durham Massilllon65.5450.5 Frank Vogt / Ray MarkelZanesville Clay Diggers33.5001.0 Charley Jewell Wheeling Nailers89.4711.5 Joseph Starr  Salem48.3333.0 D.R. Gannon  Coshocton 86.571NA C.F. Prince  ===1908 to 1916==='''1908 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersLancaster Red Roses9257 Kurt Ellston / Paddy FoxLima Cigarmakers8067.54411.0Nick Kahl / Jim JacksonMarion Diggers7871.52314.0 Charles O'Day Mansfield Pioneers 7673.51016.0 Cal McVey / Tim FloodNewark Newks 7475.49718.0Bob Berryhill / Harry EellsSpringfield Reapers / Portsmouth Cobblers  46103.30946.0 Ed Ranskick / John Quinn +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotHughie TateMarionBAKirby WhiteLancasterW28Hughie TateMarion Hits Walt JustisLancasterSO293Curly BrownRunsCharlie PickettLimaPct700: 21-9Frank FoutzLimaHRJim RileyLimaSB80'''1909 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersLima Cigarmakers7950 Lee FohlMarion Diggers7159.5468.5 Charles O'Day  /Jack LewisMansfield Pioneers6358.52112.0Tim FloodPortsmouth Cobblers 4876.38728.5 William Doyle / Jack McCallister / Charles O'Day Lancaster Lanks 5353.500NAPaddy FoxNewark Newks 4664.418NAHomer Davidson / Erve Wratten +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Red Farrell MarionBAEd ZmichMarionW21Joe StanleyMarion Hits Andy NelsonLimaPct.800; 8-2 Charles Fink RunsEd WillettMarionHR6'''1910 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersPortsmouth Cobblers8652 Pete ChildsLima Cigarmakers8256.5944.0 Alfred Newnham Marion Diggers8058.5806.0Jack LewisNewark Newks 5880.42028.0 Bob Berryhill / Charles Riehl / Hank O'DayLancaster Lanks 5582.40130.5 Al McClintock / Guy Sample / Heinie PeitzChillicothe Infants 5285.38033.5Goat Cochran / Harvey Grubb / Louis Kibler / Zeke Wrigley+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotHank O'DayPortsmouthBATed GoulaitMarionW24Dick BreenPortsmouth Hits John Henry LloydLimaPct.769; 10-3Dick BreenRunsFrank NesserLimaHR6'''1911 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersSpringfield Reapers8455 Charley O'DayMarion Diggers8059.5764.0Jack LewisPortsmouth Cobblers7861.5616.0Pete ChildsChillicothe Infants 7862.5576.5 Zeke WrigleyNewark Newks/Piqua Picks7265.52611.0 Alfred Newnham Lima Cigarmakers 6277.44622.0Frank NesserLancaster Lanks5384.38730.0Charles Riehl / Gus Epler Hamilton Mechanics4892.34336.5 James Barton +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotBert BlueNewark/PiquaBARoy AshenfelderHamil/SpringW24Bert BlueNewark/Piqua Hits H. McCall MarionPct.800; 8-2W. ColliganRunsBilly KellyMarionHR12'''1912 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersPortsmouth Cobblers8152 Pete ChildsMansfield Brownies7267.51812.0Barry McCormick / Walter East / Ted EasterlyNewark Skeeters7068.50713.5John Grim / Billy Murray / Barry McCormickMarion Diggers / Ironton Orphans 6572.47418.0 Fred Johnston / Fred Odwell / Charley Moore Lima Cigarmakers6473.46719.0Zeke WrigleyChillicothe Infants 5777.42524.5Jack Ryan / Jesse Tannehill / Alfred Newnham +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotWaldo JackleyMar/IronBAGeorge BoehlerNewarkW27Frank NesserLima Hits Sandy BurkMar/IronPct.769; 20-6 John Shovelin Runs Waldo Jackley Mar/IronHR11'''1913 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersChillicothe Babes8349  Alfred Newnham Charleston Senators8450.6270.0Buzz WetzelPortsmouth Cobblers8355.6013.0Pete ChildsHuntington Blue Sox6868.50017.0 Sam Wright / S. Redman Lexington Colts6870.48318.0Bill Reynolds / W. McKernan / Rex DawsonIronton Nailers 6375.45623.0 Al McClintock / Archie Osborn Hamilton Maroons5579.44129.0Zeke WrigleyMaysville Angels3896.28446.0 George Moore +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotCarl RayCharlestonBAEd DonaldsPortsmouthW30John BagganPortsmouth Runs Ed DonaldsPortsmouthPct.789; 30-8Frank NesserHitsCarl RayCharlestonHR33'''1914 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersPortsmouth Cobblers8653 Pete ChildsCharleston Senators7962.5608.0Buzz Wetzel / Biddy BeersChillicothe Babes7364.53312.0Alfred Newnham Lexington Colts6668.49317.5 Howard GuynIronton Nailers3533.514NADick SmithHuntington Blue Sox 3947.453NAJohn Siegle / Nixey CallahanMaysville Angels 3051.370NAHarry Chapman / Ray Montgomery Newport-Paris 1949.279NAFred Applegate / Red Munson+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Wilbur Crouch Lexing/PortsBA Abel ApplegateCharlestonW22John BagganPortsmouth Runs Paul CarterPortsmouthW22John BagganHitsErnie CalbertHunting/CharlesHR17'''1915 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersPortsmouth Cobblers7142 Chet SpencerLexington Colts6348.5687.0 Howard Guyn Chillicothe Babes / Huntington Babes / Maysville Angels 5855.51313.0Josh DevoreCharleston Senators5863.47917.0 Biddy BeersFrankfort Old Taylors4565.40924.5Pat Bohen / Jack HaydenIronton Nailers4769.40525.5 Dick Smith Playoff: Portsmouth 4 games, Maysville 1.+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotRalph SharmanPortsmouthBA Hubert Test PortsmouthW21 Pickles Dillhoefer Portsmouth Runs Howard McGranerChil/HuntPct.800: 12-3Ralph SharmanHits Ernie Calbert IrontonHR13'''1916 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersPortsmouth Truckers4719 Chet SpencerCharleston Senators / Chillicothe Babes 2935.45317.0Bill PowellMaysville Burley Cubs2636.41919.0Jimmy JonesFrankfort Old Taylors 2435.407NA Howard "Ducky" HolmesHuntington Blue Sox 2238.367NACharlie DeArmond /Ezra MidkiffLexington Colts3924.619NA Howard Guyn +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Stewart DiltsPortsmouthBAJohn Ferguson PortsmouthW12 Stewart Dilts Portsmouth Runs Paul CarpenterChil/CharlSO95 Stewart Dilts Hits Rube Lindholm FrankfortHR6===1936 to 1941==='''1936 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersTiffin Mud Hens6035 Myles ThomasSandusky Sailors5147.52010.5Chappie GeyganFostoria Cardinals 4550.47415.0 Harry Aldrick  / George SilveyFremont Reds4256.42919.5 Marty PurtellNew Philadelphia Red Birds 26.250NAGeorge SilveyMansfield Tigers 28.200NAJack Orr+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJohn ZipayFostoriaBAEdward BastianTiffinW18John ClementsTiffin RunsSteve VargoFostoriaSO156Jack SuydamHits Charles CroninTiffinERA3.27John ClementsTiffinRBIJohn ClementsTiffinHR37'''1937 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersMansfield Red Sox5924 Dewey StoverSandusky Sailors / Marion Presidents 6130.6702.0Chappie GeyganTiffin Mud Hens 4338.53115.0Emilio Palmero / Al EckertFindlay Browns4347.47819.5 Grover HartleyFremont Reds3655.39627.0 Howard Bohl Fostoria Red Birds2068.22741.5John Cavanaugh / Tom Jenkins / Rex Bowen / Harry Aldrick+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotDewey Stover MansfieldBA Gordon Mann Sand/MarW18-2Johnny BarrettMansfield Runs Marion Spence Sand/MarW18Johnny BarrettHits Charles Cronin TiffinSO178Chappie GeyganSand/MarRBI Gordon Mann Sand/MarERA2.30'''1938 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersFostoria Red Birds5541 Jack FarmerFremont Reds/Green Sox 5143.5433.0Chappie GeyganFindlay Browns 4454.44912.0Grover HartleyTiffin Mud Hens4456.44013.0 Tony Rogala+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotPeter Kraus FostoriaBA Glen Fletcher Free/FindW15Peter Kraus Fostoria Runs Jack FarmerFostoriaSO164Peter Kraus HitsFrederick BergerFostoriaPct.818; 9-2Del WilberFindlayRBIChappie GeyganFremontHR18'''1939 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersFindlay Oilers6862 Grover HartleyFremont Green Sox 6663.5121.5Chappie GeyganFostoria Red Birds 6663.5121.5Jack FarmerLima Pandas6466.4924.0 Dick WardTiffin Mud Hens6466.4924.0Jim LawrenceMansfield Braves6169.4697.0Ray French+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotHank EdwardsMansfieldBA Glen Fletcher FindlayW22Hank EdwardsMansfield Runs Fred Berger FostoriaSO231Hank EdwardsHitsRed EvansLimaPct.846; 11-2Del WilberFindlayRBIHank EdwardsMansfieldHR18'''1940 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersLima Pandas8534 Merle SettlemireFindlay Oilers 7046.60313.5Grover Hartley / George Ruley Mansfield Braves 5959.50025.5 Dewey Strong Tiffin Mud Hens5064.42932.5 Myles ThomasFostoria Red Birds4473.37640.0Bobby JonesFremont Green Sox4375.36441.5Ray Caldwell / Garland Sewell +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotGene WoodlingMansfieldBAFrank BiscanLimaW26 John Cindric Lima Runs Frank BiscanLimaSO243 Stanley Mazgay HitsMerle SettlemireLimaPct.1000; 15-0 John Cindric LimaRBI150John Cindric LimaHR39'''1941 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersFremont Green Sox6934 Chappie GeyganMansfield Braves 6740.6264.0 Alex Clowson Tiffin Mud Hens 5055.47620.0 Charles LeCrone / Harry TaylorFostoria Red Birds4957.46221.5 Lee Ellison / Jim CroninLima Pandas4364.40228.0Otis Brannan / Merle SettlemireFindlay Browns3765.36331.5Grover Hartley+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJohnny GerlachTiffinBA J.G. Stasaitis FremontW19Jim PruettFostoria BA Don Bayliss TiffinSO198Johnny GerlachHits Lloyd Fisher FremontPct.857; 18-3 Henry Miesle FremontRBI Ed Mutryn MansfieldHR22'''No League play 1942 & 1943 due to WW II. '''===1944 to 1947==='''1944 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersSpringfield Giants7654 Earl WolgamotNewark Moundsmen 7158.5504.5Clay BryantMiddletown Red Sox 6661.5208.5Red BarnesLima Red Birds6562.5129.5 Runt Marr / Leo NorrisZanesville Dodgers5871.45017.5Jack KnightMarion Diggers5080.38526.0Grover Hartley+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Luke Majorki NewarkBANed GarverNewarkW21 Neal Reside Lima Runs Ned GarverNewarkSO221Neal Reside HitsNed GarverNewarkERA1.21Harvey Zernia LimaRBI Eddie VolanNewarkHR20'''1945 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersMiddletown Rockets8950 Ivy GriffinZanesville Dodgers7466.52915.5 Jack Knight / Morris Mikesell / Ray Hayworth / Eric McNair / Clay BryantLima Reds 7268.51417.5 Cap Crossley Springfield Giants6475.46025.0 Earl WolgamotMarion Cardinals6277.44627.0Grover Hartley / Wally SchangNewark Moundsmen5782.41032.0Mickey O'Neil+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotAlbert KaiserNewarkBA Ray Janikowski MiddletownW25William ScottMiddletown Runs Ray JanikowskiMiddletownSO274Albert KaiserHitsRay JanikowskiMiddletownERA1.71Troy BolickSpringfieldRBIAlbert KaiserNewarkHR12'''1946 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBManagersSpringfield Giants8257 Don Ramsey Zanesville Dodgers 7860.5653.5Clay BryantRichmond Roses 7663.5476.0Merle SettlemireNewark Moundsmen7465.5328.0 Bob BokenLima Terriers6771.48614.5 Charlie E. Moore Marion Cardinals6376.45319.0Wally Schang / Bob KlineDayton Indians5879.42323.0 Frank Parenti / Ival GoodmanMiddletown Rockets5683.40326.0 Mike Blazo +'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Maynard DeWitt ZanesvilleBA Hardy Holt ZanesvilleW23 Maynard DeWitt Zanesville Runs Merlin Williams LimaSO275 Maynard DeWitt Hits Ewen Bryden SpringfieldERA2.14 Wayne Reside Lima/SpringRBI Wayne Reside Lima/SpringHR21'''1947 Ohio State League'''Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagersZanesville Dodgers8950102,250 Clay BryantMarion Cubs 7960.56810.092,088Nelson BurbrinkMuncie Reds 7562.54713.051,834 Mike Blazo Springfield Giants7365.52915.572,462 Don Ramsey Richmond Roses6272.46324.553,050 Rex Carr Dayton Indians6273.45925.065,420Ival GoodmanNewark Moundsmen6476.45725.558,935 Eddie Dancisak Lima Terriers4793.33642.556,466Merle Settlemire+'''Player statistics'''Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotNelson BurbrinkMarionBAClayton LambertZanesvilleW23 Robert Verrier Richmond Runs Clayton LambertZanesvilleSO232Jack Maisch Hits Edward Post MuncieERA2.02 Ed Fowler NewarkRBI Bob Montag MuncieHR14
League records 1887–1951 BattingPlayer TeamStat TotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYrBill HenrySpringfieldGA141Joe Pattison SpringfieldGA1411946John Zipay FostoriaBA.419Andrew Rellick SpringfieldAB5851950 Marvin Stender MarionRuns158 Henry Edwards MansfieldH2091939 John Cindric LimaRbi150 Jim Engleman Newark2B621950 Charles Frey Marion3B20Keith Jones Richmond3B201950 John Cindric LimaHR39 Jim Engleman NewarkTB3501950 Maynard DeWitt ZanesvilleSB110 Wayne Yoder SpringfieldBB1421949Charles Hopkins NewarkSO1361947PitchingPlayer TeamStat TotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr Joe Bielemeier ZanesvilleCG31Richard McEvoyNewarkG551948Ed DonaldsPortsmouthW30Bob Jenkins NewarkL191944Bob McCormick ZanesvilleL19Merle Settlemire (15-0)LimaPct1.0001940Walt JustisLancasterSO293 Merlin Williams LimaIP3071946 Joe Bielemeier ZanesvilleShO7Merle SettlemireLimaWS151940 Bob Purcell SpringfieldBB182Ned GarverNewarkERA1.211946See 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 EditionImage is user created not original.
External links * Baseball Reference* 12/6/45 TSN 1945 recap by President Colley