The Ohio–Pennsylvania League (1905–1912) was a Class C and Class D level minor league baseball league that featured franchises based in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The league was founded by Charlie Morton and operated for eight seasons, with the Akron Champs winning four league championships.
| Classification | Class C (1905–1911) Class D (1912) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Minor League Baseball |
| Founder | Charles H. Morton |
| First season | 1905 |
| Ceased | 1912 |
| President | Charles H. Morton (1905–1908) Samuel Wright (1909–1910) George L. Moreland (1910–1911) G.Y. Travis (1912) |
| No. of teams | 54 |
| Country | United States |
| Most titles | 4 Akron Champs (1908–1911) |
History
editThe Ohio–Pennsylvania League had its beginnings in March 1905, when league president Charlie Morton invited six prospective members to a meeting in Akron, Ohio.[1] In May 1905, eleven teams joined the Protective Association of Independent Clubs, which formed the basis of the Class C Division Ohio–Pennsylvania League.[1] Ultimately, the league trimmed down to eight teams from the following cities: Akron, Newark, Niles, Youngstown, and Zanesville in Ohio, and Homestead, Lancaster, and Sharon in Pennsylvania.[2]
That September, the Youngstown Ohio Works won the league championship, although sources disagree on the team's final record. As one researcher writes: "The Reach Guide (1906) credits Youngstown with an 84–32 won-lost record where the Spalding Guide of the same year lists a 90–35 record. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (1993) tells a third story, giving Youngstown an 88–35 mark."[1]
In 1912, the league rescinded its membership in the National Association when it placed a franchise in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
By the end of its seven-year lifespan, in 1912, the Ohio–Pennsylvania League had enlisted the membership of no less than 40 ball clubs based in over 20 cities.[1] While the league was disorganized (like many of its counterparts), it provided regional sports teams with an alternative to the established minor-league system.[1] Baseball luminaries who were once connected to the league include Billy Evans,[3] Lee Fohl,[4] Bill Phyle,[4] and Everett Scott.[5] Future Hall-of-Fame infielder George Sisler signed his first professional contract with an Akron club associated with the O-P League, although he never actually played for the team.[6]
Cities represented
edit- Akron, OH: Akron Buckeyes 1905; Akron Rubbernecks 1906; Akron Champs 1907–1911
- Alliance, OH & Sebring, OH: Alliance-Sebring Twins 1912
- Barberton, OH: Barberton Magic Cities 1905
- Braddock, PA: Braddock Infants 1905
- Bridgeport, OH: Bridgeport Giants 1912
- Bucyrus, OH: Bucyrus Bucks 1905
- Butler, PA: Butler Bucks 1905; Butler 1908
- Canton, OH: Canton Protectives 1905 Canton Watchmakers 1908–1909; Canton Deubers 1910–1911
- Connellsville, PA: Connellsville Cokers 1912
- East Liverpool, OH: East Liverpool Potters 1908–1912
- Erie, PA: Erie Sailors 1908–1911
- Fairmont, WV: Fairmont Fairies 1912
- Girard, OH: Girard Sailors 1908
- Homestead, PA: Homestead Steel Workers 1905
- Kent, OH: Kent Kings 1905
- Lancaster, OH: Lancaster Lanks 1905–1907
- Lima, OH: Lima Lees 1905
- Mansfield, OH: Mansfield Giants 1906; Mansfield Pioneers 1907; Mansfield Reformers 1910; Mansfield Brownies 1911
- Marion, OH: Marion Moguls 1906; Marion Drummers 1907
- Massillon, OH: Massillon Farmers 1905
- McKeesport, PA: McKeesport Colts 1905; McKeesport Tubers 1908–1910; McKeesport Tubers 1912
- Mount Vernon, OH: Mount Vernon Clippers 1905
- New Castle, PA: New Castle Outlaws 1906; New Castle Nocks 1907–1912
- New Martinsville, WV:New Martinsville 1912
- Newark, OH: Newark Idlewilds 1905; Newark Cotton Tops 1906; Newark Newks 1907
- Niles, OH: Niles Crowites 1905
- Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh 1912
- Salem, OH: Salem Quakers 1912
- Sharon, PA: Sharon Steels 1905–1906; Sharon Giants 1907–1908, 1912; Sharon Travelers 1911
- Steubenville, OH: Steubenville Factory Men 1905; Steubenville Stubs 1909, 1911
- Steubenville, OH & Follansbee, WV: Steubenville-Follansbee Stubs 1912
- Washington, PA: Washington Patriots 1905
- Wooster, OH: Wooster Trailers 1905
- Youngstown, OH: Youngstown Ohio Works 1905–1906; Youngstown Champs 1907–1908; Youngstown Indians 1909; Youngstown Steelmen 1910–1911
- Zanesville, OH: Zanesville Moguls 1905–1906
League champions
edit- Youngstown Ohio Works (1905)
- Youngstown Ohio Works (1906)
- Youngstown Champs (1907)
- Akron Champs (1908)
- Akron Champs (1909)
- Akron Champs (1910)
- Akron Champs (1911)
- Salem Quakers & Fairmont Fairies (1912)
Standings and statistics
edit1905 to 1908
edit1905 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown Ohio Works | 88 | 35 | .715 | – | Marty Hogan |
| Akron Buckeyes | 66 | 42 | .611 | 14.5 | Frank Motz & Walter East |
| Zanesville Moguls | 51 | 36 | .586 | NA | Fred Drumm |
| Niles Crowites | 52 | 37 | .584 | NA | Charles Crowe |
| Braddock Infants | 23 | 22 | .511 | NA | Don McKim |
| Lancaster Lanks | 36 | 37 | .493 | NA | Fred Killen |
| Homestead Steel Workers | 29 | 32 | .475 | NA | Howard Fisher |
| Newark Idlewilds | 37 | 46 | .446 | NA | Jack Doyle |
| Sharon Steels | 29 | 39 | .426 | NA | Frank Killen |
| McKeesport Colts | 20 | 27 | .426 | NA | Ed Crawford / Frank Motz |
| Mount Vernon Clippers | 16 | 24 | .400 | NA | Bill Goodrich |
| Massillon Farmers | 26 | 41 | .388 | NA | Walter Lipps |
| Canton Protectives | 19 | 40 | .322 | NA | William Delaney |
| Washington Patriots | 3 | 3 | .500 | NA | Dan Kline |
| Lima Lees | 2 | 6 | .333 | NA | Eddie Bailey |
| Bucyrus Bucks | 5 | 12 | .294 | NA | NA |
| Butler Bucks | 1 | 7 | .125 | NA | Ward Buckminister |
| Steubenville Factory Men | 1 | 7 | .125 | NA | Jack Kelley |
| Wooster Trailers | 0 | 2 | .000 | NA | Jess Bowers |
| Barberton Magic Cities | 0 | 3 | .000 | NA | Bill Feignley |
| Kent Kings | 0 | 6 | .000 | NA | Henry Metz |
League was admitted to the National Association July 21
Canton withdrew July 10; Kent withdrew July 31; Butler withdrew Aug 2; Steubenville withdrew Aug 2; Mt. Vernon withdrew Aug 12; Massillon withdrew Aug 24.
1906 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown Ohio Works | 84 | 53 | .613 | – | Marty Hogan |
| Akron Rubbernecks | 83 | 55 | .601 | 1.5 | Walter East |
| Lancaster Lanks | 73 | 66 | .525 | 12.0 | Frederick Gray / Curt Elston |
| New Castle Outlaws | 73 | 67 | .521 | 12.5 | Percy Stetler / Ralph Lindaman / William Smith |
| Zanesville Moguls / Marion Moguls | 71 | 69 | .507 | 14.5 | Ferdinand Drumm |
| Newark Cotton Tops | 65 | 74 | .468 | 20.0 | Gene Bates / Bill Bottenus / Pete Sommers / Walter Snodgrass |
| Mansfield Giants | 59 | 77 | .434 | 24.5 | Carl McVey |
| Sharon Steels | 46 | 93 | .331 | 39.0 | Frank Yoho / Charles Crowe / Dick Glassburner |
Zanesville (58–55) moved to Marion August 28.
No playoffs were scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Thomas | Youngstown | BA | .303 | Fred Ehman | Akron | W | 29 | |
| Fred Abbott | Lancaster | Runs | 83 | Fred Ehman | Akron | PCT | .707 29–12 | |
| Bill Thomas | Youngstown | Hits | 158 |
1907 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown Champs | 86 | 52 | .623 | – | Sam Wright |
| Newark Newks | 86 | 53 | .619 | 0.5 | Bob Berryhill |
| Akron Champs | 83 | 53 | .610 | 2.0 | Walter East |
| Lancaster Lanks | 72 | 62 | .537 | 12.0 | James Breen / Curt Elston / Frank Locke |
| New Castle Nocks | 64 | 74 | .464 | 22.0 | Bill Smith |
| Mansfield Pioneers | 55 | 84 | .396 | 31.5 | Carl McVey |
| Sharon Giants | 55 | 84 | .396 | 31.5 | Rudy Kling / Van Patterson |
| Marion Drummers | 48 | 87 | .356 | 36.5 | Ferdinand Drumm / Robert Quinn / Thomas Mylett |
No playoffs were scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curt Elston | Lancaster | BA | .318 | Buck Thomas | Youngstown | W | 28 | |
| Charlie Starr | Youngstown | Runs | 75 | Ed Asher | Newark | PCT | .714 25–10 | |
| Delos Drake | Marion | Hits | 164 |
1908 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Champs | 81 | 36 | .692 | – | John Breckinridge |
| East Liverpool Potters | 70 | 42 | .625 | 8.5 | Bill Phillips |
| Canton Watchmakers | 65 | 54 | .546 | 17.0 | Ed Murphy / Thomas Lindsay |
| Sharon Giants | 62 | 56 | .525 | 19.5 | Van Patterson |
| Youngstown Champs | 58 | 60 | .492 | 23.5 | Sam Wright |
| New Castle Nocks | 47 | 70 | .402 | 34.0 | Pete Porter / R. Hagan |
| McKeesport Tubers | 44 | 72 | .379 | 36.5 | Bernie McCay / Pat Eastley |
| Girard Sailors / Butler / Erie Sailors |
42 | 79 | .347 | 41 | Daniel Koster / Walter East / Dick Nallin |
# Girard (0–9) moved to Butler May 9; Butler (5–17) moved to Erie June 15.
The season was shortened to September 7.
No playoffs were scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilbur Good | Akron | BA | .370 | Fred Ehman | Akron | W | 25 | |
| Teddy Hinton | Youngstown | Runs | 82 | Bill Phillips | East Liverpool | PCT | .818 18–4 | |
| Jack McAleese | Youngstown | Hits | 150 | |||||
| Harry Bailey | Canton | HR | 8 |
1909 to 1912
edit1909 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Champs | 81 | 40 | .670 | – | Jim Breckinridge / Bill Schwartz |
| East Liverpool Potters | 80 | 45 | .640 | 3.0 | Arch Osborne / John Raley |
| McKeesport Tubers | 73 | 53 | .579 | 10.5 | Bill Thomas |
| New Castle Nocks | 59 | 65 | .476 | 23.5 | Jim Barton / Ferdinand Drumm |
| Canton Watchmakers | 55 | 67 | .451 | 26.5 | Van Patterson |
| Erie Sailors | 48 | 69 | .410 | 31.0 | Milt Montgomery / Red Davis / Matt Broderick |
| Steubenville Stubs | 48 | 73 | .397 | 33.0 | John Hanlon / Jim Lynch / Frank Blair |
| Youngstown Indians | 46 | 78 | .371 | 36.5 | Charles Crowe / William Terry |
No playoffs were scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burt Shotton | Steubenville | BA | .347 | Harry Camnitz | McKeesport | W | 27 | |
| Gene Elliott | McKeesport | Runs | 75 | Arch Osborne | East Liverpool | PCT | .760 19–6 | |
| Burt Shotton | Steubenville | Hits | 154 |
1910 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Champs | 73 | 53 | .579 | – | Lee Fohl |
| Canton Deubers | 72 | 54 | .571 | 1.0 | Ferdinand Drumm |
| East Liverpool Potters | 63 | 61 | .508 | 9.0 | Guy Sample / Henry Lattimore |
| McKeesport Tubers | 64 | 62 | .508 | 9.0 | Duke Servatius / Edward Connors |
| Mansfield Reformers | 60 | 66 | .476 | 13.0 | Paddy Fox |
| New Castle Nocks | 57 | 67 | .460 | 15.0 | Frank Blair / Jim Barton |
| Youngstown Steelmen | 55 | 67 | .451 | 16.0 | Frank Eustace |
| Erie Sailors | 55 | 69 | .444 | 17.0 | Matt Broderick |
No playoffs were scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Warrender | East Liverpool | BA | .341 | Fred Wilhelm | Canton | W | 23 | |
| Fred Dawson | Canton | Runs | 95 | Fred Wilhelm | Canton | SO | 284 | |
| Fred Corbin | Akron | Hits | 150 | Fred Wilhelm | Canton | PCT | .767 23–7 | |
| Duke Servatius | McKeesport | HR | 16 |
1911 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron Champs | 90 | 42 | .682 | – | Jack McCallister / Lee Fohl |
| Youngstown Steelmen | 82 | 50 | .621 | 8.0 | Bill Phillips / W.R. Terry |
| Erie Sailors | 77 | 54 | .588 | 12.5 | Billy Gilbert |
| Canton Deubers | 75 | 59 | .560 | 16.0 | Ferdinand Drumm |
| Mansfield Brownies | 55 | 82 | .401 | 37.5 | Ed Hahn / Les Channell / Frank Reynolds |
| New Castle Nocks / Sharon Travelers |
35 | 101 | .257 | 57.0 | Joe Sugden / Steve Griffin / Bill Thomas / Peter Porter |
| East Liverpool Potters | 63 | 49 | .563 | NA | Alexander Sweeney |
| Steubenville Stubs | 40 | 80 | .333 | NA | John Castle |
New Castle (25–85) moved to Sharon August 12.
East Liverpool and Steubenville disbanded August 20.
No playoffs were scheduled.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Wilson | East Liverpool | BA | .365 | Elmer Brown | Akron | W | 22 | |
| Ezra Midkiff | Akron | Runs | 96 | Ralph McConnaughey | Erie | W | 22 | |
| Ray Miller | Akron | Hits | 162 | Earl Moseley | Youngstown | So | 242 | |
| Hughie Tate | Youngstown | HR | 23 | Elmer Brown | Akron | PCT | .815 22–5 |
1912 Ohio–Pennsylvania League
schedule
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Quakers / Fairmont Fairies |
64 | 44 | .593 | – | Hugh Shannon / Jim Buchanan |
| Steubenville-Follansbee Stubs | 62 | 50 | .554 | 4.0 | Gene Curtis |
| Liverpool Potters / Pittsburg / New Martinsville |
49 | 57 | .462 | 14.0 | Tony Crane / Charles Donnelly |
| Sharon Giants / Bridgeport Giants |
47 | 59 | .443 | 16.0 | Charles Eichenberger / R.M. Paige / Ralph Rainson |
| McKeesport Tubers | 39 | 22 | .639 | NA | Hack Adler / Matthew McGrath / Monte Pfeiffer |
| Alliance-Sebring Twins | 26 | 33 | .441 | NA | Larry Maley |
| Connellsville Cokers | 12 | 21 | .364 | NA | W.C. Wilson / Earle Mack |
| New Castle Nocks | 9 | 22 | .290 | NA | Charles Smith / Jack Murray |
Connelsville and New Castle disbanded June 18; Salem moved to Fairmont July 9; Alliance-Sebring disbanded July 15 due to a player strike; McKeesport disbanded July 17; Sharon moved to Bridgeport August 10; East Liverpool moved to Pittsburgh (2–0) August 14, then to New Martinsville August 18.
The league rescinded its membership to the National Association August 13 when it placed a franchise in Pittsburgh.
Playoff: Fairmont was declared champion when Steubenville-Follansbee was unable to field a team for the playoffs.
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Foster | Connellsville / Alliance / Steubenville-Follansbee |
BA | .377 | Ed Sisley | Steubenville-Follansbee | W | 20 | |
| William Carroll | Salem/Fairmont | Runs | 68 | Ed Sisley | Steubenville | SO | 217 | |
| Harry Edwards | Salem/Fairmont | Hits | 127 | Eddie Bauer | McKeesport | Pct | .789; 15-4 | |
| Charles Donnelly | East Liverpool | HR | 7 | |||||
| Jim McKelvey | Steubenville-Follansbee / Bridgeport |
SB | 40 |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Holl, Jim. "Ohio–Pennsylvania League of 1905". Society for American Baseball Research. Archived from the original on November 7, 2003. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
- ^ Spalding's Official Athletic Library Baseball Guide (New York: American Sports Publishing Co., 1910), p. 219.
- ^ Baker, Jon (July 1, 2005). "In Valley's baseball history, Evans was an early scrapper". The Valley Voice. p. 27.
- ^ a b "News Notes". Sporting Life. December 16, 1905. p. 9.
- ^ "Lewis Everett "Deacon" Scott". 1918 Red Sox. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Santry, Joe; Cindy Thomson. "Ban Johnson". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
- ^ Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.