Atlantic League (1896-1915)
Encyclopedia
This article refers to the original incarnation of the Atlantic League, which operated between 1896 and 1900. For the modern league, see Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League was a minor league
baseball
organization that operated between 1896 and 1900 in the Northeastern United States
. The name has subsequently been reused twice, for another short-lived league
in 1914, and for a modern, independent minor league
.
In 1896 New Haven moved to Lancaster on July 3, while New York was expelled on July 13 and replaced by Philadelphia. In 1899 Paterson disbanded on July 4, and Scranton followed on July 9. In 1900 Philadelphia moved to Harrisburg, and Newark and Jersey City disbanded June 2. The league disbanded June 12, 1900.
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
The Atlantic League was a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
organization that operated between 1896 and 1900 in the Northeastern United States
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
. The name has subsequently been reused twice, for another short-lived league
Atlantic League (1914)
The second Atlantic League was a class D minor league baseball league which lasted one year in 1914. The league had been known as the New York-New Jersey League a season earlier. The title was won by the Poughkeepsie Honey Bugs. Internal politics and poor financial agreements hindered the league,...
in 1914, and for a modern, independent minor league
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
.
History
The first Atlantic League lasted from 1896–1900 and was the successor of the Pennsylvania State League, 1892-1895.Teams
- Allentown, PA: Allentown PeanutsAllentown PeanutsAlentown Peanuts refers to two baseball teams: one that played in the Central League in 1888, and another that played in the Atlantic League from 1898 to 1900. They were based in Allentown, Pennsylvania and had no big league affiliations....
1898-1900 - Elmira, NY: Elmira 1900
- Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg 1900
- Hartford, CT: Hartford Bluebirds 1896-1897; Hartford Cooperatives 1898
- Jersey City, NJ: Jersey City 1900
- Lancaster, PA: Lancaster MaroonsLancaster Red RosesThe Lancaster Red Roses baseball team, originally known as the Maroons, changed its name at the start of the 1906 season during a bitter match with the York, Pennsylvania-based White Roses. Some sources indicate that the rival teams were named for the opposing factions in England's historic Wars of...
1896-1899 - New Haven, CT: New Haven Texas Steers 1896
- New York, NY: New York MetropolitansNew York MetropolitansThe Metropolitan Club was a 19th-century professional baseball team that played in New York City from 1880 to 1887...
1896 - Newark, NJ: Newark Colts 1896-1900
- Norfolk, VA: Norfolk Jewels 1897-1898
- Paterson, NJ: Paterson Silk Weavers 1896-1898; Paterson Giants 1899
- Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Athletics 1896-1897; Philadelphia Athletics 1900
- Reading, PA: Reading Coal Heavers 1897-1900
- Richmond, VA: Richmond Bluebirds 1897-1899
- Scranton, PA: Scranton MinersScranton MinersThe Scranton Miners were an Eastern Professional Basketball League basketball team based in Scranton, Pennsylvania that was a member of the American Basketball League. Arthur Pachter was the Owner and coach for many years...
1899; Scranton Miners 1900 - Wilkes-Barre, PA: Wilkes-Barre Coal Barons 1899-1900
- Wilmington, DE: Wilmington Peaches 1896
In 1896 New Haven moved to Lancaster on July 3, while New York was expelled on July 13 and replaced by Philadelphia. In 1899 Paterson disbanded on July 4, and Scranton followed on July 9. In 1900 Philadelphia moved to Harrisburg, and Newark and Jersey City disbanded June 2. The league disbanded June 12, 1900.
Hall of Fame Alumni
- Jack ChesbroJack ChesbroJohn Dwight Chesbro was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates , New York Highlanders , and Boston Red Sox . His 41 wins during the 1904 season remains an MLB record for the modern era...
, 1897-1899 Richmond Bluebirds - Honus WagnerHonus Wagner-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
, 1896-1897 Paterson Silk Weavers