Georgia-Florida League
Encyclopedia
The Georgia-Florida League was a minor baseball league that existed from 1935 through 1958 (suspending operations during World War II
) and in 1962–1963. It was one of many Class D circuits that played in the Southeastern United States
during the postwar period — a group that included the Georgia State League
, Georgia-Alabama League
, Florida State League
, and the Alabama State League
.
The GFL's longest-serving clubs represented Moultrie
, Thomasville
and Albany
, all in Georgia
. While it managed to survive the downturn in minor league baseball attendance through 1958 and experienced only a handful of in-season franchise shifts (and no in-season team foldings), its member clubs frequently switched affiliations and identities.
In 1963
, the minor leagues reorganized and the Georgia-Florida League was designated Class A. But there were only four teams in the '63 GFL, and its champion, the Thomasville Tigers, a Detroit
affiliate, attracted only 7,234 fans over the entire course of a home schedule of over 60 games — an average of about 120 fans per game. Attendance woes such as that sealed the league's fate; it folded that autumn and has not since been revived.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
) and in 1962–1963. It was one of many Class D circuits that played in the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
during the postwar period — a group that included the Georgia State League
Georgia State League
The Georgia State League was an American Class D minor league in professional baseball that existed in 1906, 1914, 1920-21 and 1948-56. During its last incarnation, it existed alongside two nearby Class D circuits, the Georgia-Florida League and the Georgia-Alabama League.The version of the GSL...
, Georgia-Alabama League
Georgia-Alabama League
The Georgia-Alabama League was a minor league baseball league that operated in its two namesake states. The circuit first operated from 1913 to 1917, was revived from 1928 to 1930, then returned to operation for a final time from 1946 through 1951. The league's existence thus spanned some 39 years,...
, Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
, and the Alabama State League
Alabama-Florida League
The Alabama–Florida League was a low-level circuit in American minor league baseball that existed from 1936 through 1939 and 1951 through 1962. In 1940–1941 and from 1946–1950, the absence of clubs based in Florida caused the league to change its name to the Alabama State League.The Class D loop's...
.
The GFL's longest-serving clubs represented Moultrie
Moultrie, Georgia
Moultrie is the county seat and largest city of Colquitt County and the third largest in Southwest Georgia behind Thomasville and Albany. As of 2009, Moultrie's population is 15,199 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 6.07 percent....
, Thomasville
Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville is the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, United States. The city is the second largest in Southwest Georgia after Albany.The city deems itself the City of Roses and holds an annual Rose Festival. The town features plantations open to the public, a historic downtown, a large...
and Albany
Albany, Georgia
Albany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
, all in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. While it managed to survive the downturn in minor league baseball attendance through 1958 and experienced only a handful of in-season franchise shifts (and no in-season team foldings), its member clubs frequently switched affiliations and identities.
In 1963
1963 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers beat New York Yankees ; Sandy Koufax, MVP*All-Star Game, July 9 at Municipal Stadium: National League, 5–3; Willie Mays, MVP-Other champions:*College World Series: USC...
, the minor leagues reorganized and the Georgia-Florida League was designated Class A. But there were only four teams in the '63 GFL, and its champion, the Thomasville Tigers, a Detroit
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
affiliate, attracted only 7,234 fans over the entire course of a home schedule of over 60 games — an average of about 120 fans per game. Attendance woes such as that sealed the league's fate; it folded that autumn and has not since been revived.
Member teams
- Albany Cardinals
- Albany Travelers
- Americus CardinalsAmericus CardinalsThe Americus Cardinals were a minor league baseball team that operated in the Georgia-Florida League from 1935-1938. They had affiliation agreements with the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers and Washington Senators...
- Americus Phillies
- Americus Pioneers
- Americus Rebels
- Americus-Cordele Orioles
- Brunswick Cardinals
- Brunswick Phillies
- Brunswick Pirates
- Cordele A's
- Cordele Bees
- Cordele Indians
- Cordele Orioles
- Cordele RedsCordele RedsThe Cordele Reds were a minor league baseball team based in Cordele, Georgia. They played ball in the Class-D Georgia-Florida League from 1936-1942. They were also briefly known as the Cordele Bees from 1939-1940. They had affiliation agreements with the Cincinnati Reds , Brooklyn Dodgers and...
- Cordele White Sox
- Dothan Browns
- Dublin Braves
- Dublin Orioles
- Fitzgerald A's
- Fitzgerald Orioles
- Fitzgerald Pioneers
- Fitzgerald Redlegs
- Moultrie Athletics
- Moultrie Colt .22s
- Moultrie Cubs
- Moultrie Giants
- Moultrie Packers
- Moultrie Phillies
- Moultrie Reds
- Moultrie Steers
- Moultrie To-baks
- Panama City Pilots
- Tallahassee Capitols/Caps
- Tallahassee Pirates
- Thomasville DodgersThomasville DodgersThe Thomasville Dodgers were a minor league baseball team that played in the Georgia-Florida League from 1946 until the league folded in 1958....
- Thomasville Lookouts
- Thomasville Orioles
- Thomasville Tigers
- Thomasville Tomcats
- Thomasville Tourists
- Tifton Blue Sox
- Tifton Indians
- Tifton PhilliesTifton PhilliesThe Tifton Phillies were a Georgia-Florida League baseball team based in Tifton, Georgia, USA that played during the 1956 season. They were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies. They were managed by Wes Griffin and later Edward Miller....
- Valdosta Browns
- Valdosta Dodgers
- Valdosta TigersValdosta TigersThe Valdosta Tigers were a "Class-D" minor league baseball team that operated in the Georgia-Florida League. They went through a number of affiliations and names during their existence from 1941-1958...
- Valdosta Trojans
- Waycross Bears
- Waycross BravesWaycross BravesThe Waycross Braves were a minor league baseball team located in Waycross, Georgia, United States. An affiliate of the Milwaukee Braves, they played in the Georgia-Florida League from 1956 to 1958 and in 1963.-Year-by-year record:...