The Middle States League was a minor league baseball league that operated in the

Northeast United States The Northeastern United States, also referred to as the Northeast, the East Coast, or the American Northeast, is a geographic list of regions of the United States, region of the United States. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast ...

in 1889. A total of 13 teams competed in the league, though several joined the original 8-team lineup after its April 28 start and several folded before its September 10 close. It was a racially integrated league that included two African American teams, the

Cuban Giants The Cuban Giants were the first fully salaried African-American professional baseball club. The team was originally formed in 1885 at the Argyle Hotel, a summer resort in Babylon, New York. Initially an independent barnstorming team, they played ...

and

New York Gorhams The New York Gorhams were a Negro league baseball team that played from 1886 to 1892. During their short existence the Gorhams grew to be one of the most successful black professional clubs in the country and challenged the supremacy of the Cuban ...

. The Harrisburg Ponies won the league pennant.

History

The Middle States League began play on April 28, 1889 and ended the season on September 10, 1889. During the 1889 season there were many franchise changes. Norwalk entered the Middle States League on June 12 and disbanded July 3. Lancaster disbanded on June 15. Reading disbanded June 18. The Norristown team entered the Middle States League on June 20 and disbanded August 21. Philadelphia disbanded June 25. Lancaster disbanded on August 20. Shenandoah entered the Middle States League on July 17 and disbanded on August 6. Lebanon entered the league on August 9. Wilmington entered the Middle States League on August 22 and disbanded on August 30. York disbanded on September 3.

Teams

* Harrisburg Ponies * Hazleton Pugilists * Lancaster Dutch * Lebanon Dutch Grays *

*Norristown *Norwalk *

Philadelphia Giants The Philadelphia Giants were a Negro league baseball team that played from 1902 to 1911. From 1904 to 1909 they were one of the strongest teams in black baseball, winning five eastern championships in six years. The team was organized by Sol Whi ...

* Reading Actives * Shenandoah Hungarian Rioters * Trenton Cuban Giants * Wilmington Peach Growers * York Hayseeds

Standings & statistics

1889 Middle States League
schedule
br /> President: Charles P. Mason / William H. Voltz Norwalk entered the league June 12 and disbanded July 3; Lancaster disbanded June 15
Reading disbanded June 18; Norristown entered the league June 20 and disbanded August 21
Philadelphia disbanded June 25; franchise based at Lancaster, PA; disbanded August 20
Shenandoah entered the league July 17 and disbanded August 6
Lebanon entered the league August 9; Wilmington entered the league August 22 and disbanded August 30
York disbanded September 3
The Cuban Giants played in Trenton and Hoboken. The New York Gorhams played in Hoboken and Easton.

References

External links

Stats Crew
Baseball leagues in Connecticut Baseball leagues in Delaware Baseball leagues in New Jersey Baseball leagues in Pennsylvania Defunct independent baseball leagues in the United States Sports leagues established in 1889 Defunct minor baseball leagues in the United States Sports leagues disestablished in 1889 1889 establishments in the United States 1889 disestablishments in the United States {{baseball-competition-stub