Tuesday, May 26, 2009

5-26-09: The Connecticut League

Upon hearing the news that Eric Gagne has signed for the Quebec Capitales of the Can-Am league, I did some snooping on the Can-Am league's website and found something interesting.

Apparently, in the early 1900's, it went by the name of the Connecticut State league, with teams in various cities and towns throughout Connecticut and a few in central Massachusetts.

Here were the teams, with a few of my favorites in bold:

    * Bridgeport Orators - 1902-1914. AKA: Crossmen (1913), Bolts (1914)
    * Hartford Senators - 1902-1914.
    * Meriden Silverites - 1902-1905.
    * New Haven Blues - 1902-1914. AKA: Black Crows (1909), Prairie Hens (1910), Murlins (1911-1912), White Wings (1913-1914)
    * Springfield Ponies - 1902-1914.
    * Waterbury Rough Riders - 1902.
    * New London Whalers - 1902-1907.
          o New Britain Perfectos - 1908-1914, New Britain/Waterbury Spuds (1912), Waterbury Contenders (1913), Waterbury Frolickers (1914)
    * Norwich Reds - 1902-1907.
          o Worcester/Norwich Reds in 1904
    * Holyoke Paperweights - 1903-1911. AKA: Papermakers (1907-1911)
    * Northampton Meadowlarks - 1908-1911. Team based in Meriden in 1908.
    * New London Planters - 1913-1914.
    * Pittsfield Electrics - 1913-1914.

They just don't make team names like that anymore. A fascinating little bit of minor league baseball history.

No comments: