Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League
Encyclopedia
The Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League (or KITTY League) was a Class D minor league baseball circuit that went through six different lives. The first KITTY League played from 1903 through 1906. The next one ran from 1910 through 1914. The third try played a single season (1916). The circuit was revived in 1922 and lasted three years. The fifth KITTY League lasted the longest, playing from 1935 through 1955 with a break from 1943-1945 due to World War II
. The league was also known briefly as the Kentucky-Indiana-Tennessee League, for during this time the league contained teams such as the Evansville Yankees from Evansville, Indiana
. Unlike most leagues that were dormant for years in between playing, the KITTY was pretty much the same league from 1903-1955, through its inactive years. Clifton C. Gosnell was league president in 1906, after which the league stopped playing, and was president in 1910-1911 when play resumed. Then Dr. Frank H. Bassett was league president 1912-1914, 1916, 1922-1924, and 1935-1937, through the active times and the inactive. Hopkinsville, Kentucky
was represented for 28 of the 31 active seasons of the KITTY League, while Paducah, Kentucky
made it for 23.
. Several of the names of the old Kitty League teams, such as the Fulton Railroaders, Owensboro Oilers, and Union City Greyhounds, were brought back. Although the league maintains a name similar to the previous league, the new KIT League
is missing any teams from Illinois and has two teams from Missouri.
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...
. The league was also known briefly as the Kentucky-Indiana-Tennessee League, for during this time the league contained teams such as the Evansville Yankees from Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
. Unlike most leagues that were dormant for years in between playing, the KITTY was pretty much the same league from 1903-1955, through its inactive years. Clifton C. Gosnell was league president in 1906, after which the league stopped playing, and was president in 1910-1911 when play resumed. Then Dr. Frank H. Bassett was league president 1912-1914, 1916, 1922-1924, and 1935-1937, through the active times and the inactive. Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Hopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
was represented for 28 of the 31 active seasons of the KITTY League, while Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is the largest city in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase Region and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, halfway between the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Missouri, to the west and Nashville,...
made it for 23.
League name revived
In 2004, the league was reincarnated as a summer collegiate league called the KIT LeagueKIT League
The Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League is a summer collegiate wooden bat league. The league's name is formed from the initials of the states that originally hosted the first iteration of the KIT League...
. Several of the names of the old Kitty League teams, such as the Fulton Railroaders, Owensboro Oilers, and Union City Greyhounds, were brought back. Although the league maintains a name similar to the previous league, the new KIT League
KIT League
The Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League is a summer collegiate wooden bat league. The league's name is formed from the initials of the states that originally hosted the first iteration of the KIT League...
is missing any teams from Illinois and has two teams from Missouri.
External links
- KITTY League - History of the original professional league
- KIT League - Collegiate summer league