The Shelbyville Queen Citys were a minor league baseball team based in Shelbyville, Illinois. In 1907 and 1908, the Shelbyville Queen Citys played exclusively as members of the Class D level

Eastern Illinois League The Eastern Illinois League was a Class-D league in Minor League Baseball that existed during the 1907 and 1908 baseball seasons. The league president as of 1907 was L. A. G. Shoaff. According to the 1908 Spalding Guide, the league got its start ...

and hosted home games at Forest Park.

History

Minor league baseball began in Shelbyville, when the 1907 Shelbyville "Queen Citys" became charter members of the Eastern Illinois League. The league was formed under the leadership of league president L. A. G. Shoaff as a six–team Class D level league. The 1908

Spalding Guide There have been several Baseball Guides since the 19th century - the '' Spalding Guide'' and ''Reach Guide'' were the primary ones for decades. The two merged eventually and then were replaced by the Guides put out by ''The Sporting News''. The main ...

indicated the league was founded in

Pana, Illinois Pana is a small town in Christian County, Illinois, United States. A small portion is in Shelby County. The population was 5,199 at the 2020 census. History The area around Pana was first organized as Stone Coal Precinct in 1845. The county's ...

and the league's "godfather" was Joe Adams, also known as "Old Wagon Tongue," who would later manage the Shelbyville team. In 1907, Shelbyville and the other league teams had a salary limit of $600 for their rosters. The Centralia White Stockings, Charleston Broom Corn Cutters, Mattoon Giants, Pana Coal Miners and Taylorville Tailors joined Shelbyville as charter members of the league. The use of the "Queen Citys" nickname corresponds with Shelbyville being referred to as the "Queen City" in the region. After beginning league play on May 12, 1907, the Shelbyville Queen Citys finished the 1907 Eastern Illinois League season in last place, placing sixth in the six–team league. The Queen Citys finished with a 50–69 record playing under six managers during the season. Bob Higgins, C.S. Walls, Harry Patton, Kling, Pearl Holycross and Edward Doak all served time as managers of the team. Shelbyville ended the season 24.5 games behind the first place Mattoon Giants in the final Eastern Illinois League standings. It was reported by the Associated Press that the Eastern Illinois League teams in Charleston, Mattoon, Pana and Paris were supported, “In great part from saloon interests.” This would soon affect Shelbyville and the other league members, as local prohibition would soon occur in the league cities. Shelbyville continued play in the 1908 Eastern Illinois League but the team folded during the season. An evangelical movement led by former major league player Billy Sunday promoted a ballot item on April 7, 1908, that sought to abolish alcohol in the region. After the election, six of the Eastern Illinois League’s eight franchise cities voted to become dry and the league began to suffer financially, as Sunday games and support from saloons were eliminated. Affected by finances, the Charleston Evangelists and Mattoon Giants folded on June 30, 1908, leaving six teams. On July 17, 1908, the Pana Coal Miners relocated to Linton, Indiana and the

Danville Speakers Danville or Dansville may refer to: ;Canada *Danville, Quebec ;United States *Danville, Alabama *Danville, Arkansas *Danville, California *Danville, Georgia *Danville, Illinois *Danville, Indiana *Danville, Iowa * Danville, Kansas *Danville, Kentu ...

moved to

Staunton, Illinois Staunton is the second largest city in Macoupin County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 5,054. History Name origins A man named Stanton bought land in the area, and then decided to move on and gave the land to ...

in efforts to remain viable. On August 20, 1908, the Shelbyville franchise folded. Andy Biltz of Shelbyville was leading the league in home runs with 6. Shelbyville had a record of 52–43 under manager Joe Adams when the franchise folded. With five remaining teams, the Eastern Illinois League permanently folded on the same date. Shelbyville was in third place, 14.5 games behind the first place Staunton team when the league permanently folded. The Eastern Illinois League did not return to play in 1909. Shelbyville, Illinois has not hosted another minor league team. Shelbyville Chautauqua Auditorium

The ballpark

The name of the Shelbyville Queen Citys ballpark is not directly referenced. As the only public park in Shelbyville in the era, Forest Park hosted the public events in the city in the era. Still in use today as a public park, Forest Park was first established in 1857 and has been home to a fairgrounds, a horse racing track, a public pool, an aquarium and other amenities in its existence. The Chautauqua Auditorium is located within Forest Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Still in use today as a municipal park, with baseball and softball fields, Forest Park is located on North East 9th Street in Shelbyville.

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

* Joe Adams (1908, MGR) *

Cecil Coombs Cecil Lysander Coombs (March 18, 1888 - November 25, 1975) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Chicago White Sox in 1914. He went on to manage in the minor leagues following his playing career. Playing career Coomb ...

(1907–1908) * Bob Higgins (1907, player/MGR) *

Lou Lowdermilk Louis Bailey Lowdermilk (February 23, 1887 – December 27, 1975), was an American politician and a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in and with the St. Louis Cardinals. Lowdermilk had a 4–5 record with a 3.38 ERA, in 20 career games, ...

(1907) *

Harry Patton Harry Claud Patton (June 29, 1884 – June 9, 1930) was a baseball pitcher. He played one game for the St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Ma ...

(1907) *

Larry Pratt Lawrence D. Pratt (born November 13, 1942) is the executive director emeritus of Gun Owners of America, a United States-based firearms lobbying group, and a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Early life Pratt was born in Cam ...

(1907) *

Hosea Siner Hosea John Siner (March 20, 1885 – June 10, 1948) was a Major League Baseball player. He played one season with the Boston Doves The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originated in Boston, Massachusetts. This ...

(1907) * Shelbyville Queen Citys players

References

{{Reflist

External links

Shelbyville - Baseball Reference
Defunct minor league baseball teams Defunct baseball teams in Illinois Baseball teams established in 1907 Baseball teams disestablished in 1908 Eastern Illinois League teams Shelby County, Illinois