The Southwest Iowa League was a minor league baseball league that played in the 1903 season. The Class D level, six–team Southwest Iowa League League consisted of teams based in the Southwest

Iowa Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...

region. The Southwest Iowa League played only the 1903 season, folding on August 29, 1903.

History

The Southwest Iowa League began minor league play on May 29, 1903, as a Class D level four–team league, under the direction of league president E.H. Whiteside. The Southwest Iowa League was designed to play two separate half seasons for the league standings. The roots of the Southwest Iowa League began at a January 26, 1903 meeting held in

Shenandoah, Iowa Shenandoah is a city in Page and Fremont counties in Iowa, United States. The population was 4,925 at the time of the 2020 U.S. Census. Once referred to as the "seed and nursery center of the world," Shenandoah is the home to Earl May Seed Compan ...

. There, a board of directors was established for the desired league. Original plans called for an eight–team league, with clubs to be formed among several interested Iowa towns and two Nebraska cities: Nebraska City and Plattsmouth. At the January 26 meeting, it was established that interested cities needed to apply for membership and provide a $100 application fee. On March 25, 1903, the new league was formalized at a meeting held at the Hotel Johnson in Red Oak, Iowa. The new league was named the Southwest Iowa League and E.H. Whiteside, of

Atlantic, Iowa Atlantic is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Iowa, United States, located along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 6,792 in the 2020 census, a decline from the 7,257 population in 2000. History Atlantic was founded ...

was elected president. At the conclusion of the meeting, Four Iowa teams in Atlantic, Clarinda, Iowa, Shenandoah and Red Oak were ultimately chosen as the charter member franchises.

Council Bluffs, Iowa Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The city is the most populous in Southwest Iowa, and is the third largest and a primary city of the Omaha–Council Bluffs ...

and Nebraska City were originally selected for membership, but backed out when it was decided to disallow playing games on Sunday. Glenwood, Iowa and

Malvern, Iowa Malvern is a city in Mills County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,046 at the time of the 2020 census. The Wabash Trace—a railroad converted to a bicycle trail—passes through Malvern. The Mills County Fair is held here, although Gle ...

could not raise the application fees. Creston, Iowa was concerned about the league's $400 monthly salary limit and declined to field a team. The Southwest Iowa League structured a 42–game schedule for each team. Each team was to have two home games at home and two road games each week. Ten percent of gate receipts were to go to the league. The remaining revenue was to be divided 60/40 between the home team and visitors. Home teams were to provide local umpires. The early 1903 season was greatly affected by rainy weather. After resuming play, Creston fielded team that played competitively against Shenandoah in two exhibition games outside of league play. After beginning the 1903 season as a four–team league, the Southwest Iowa League expanded to a six–team league during the season. At a June 25, 1903 meeting, umpiring selection was taken over by the league, while the Creston Cyclones and a team from Osceola, Iowa were selected to join the league as expansion teams. The

franchise folded on July 18, 1903, weeks after winning the Southwest Iowa League first half championship with a 13–5 record. Shenandoah had a 22–14 overall record. The Creston Cyclones franchise permanently folded on August 29, 1903, with a 24–19 overall record. The

team won the second half title and had the 1903 Southwest Iowa League best record, finishing 1st with a 34–26 record, 3.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Clarinda, Iowa team and 9.5 games ahead of the 3rd place Red Oak Blue Indians. The Southwest Iowa League permanently folded after the 1903 season and had no playoffs. On August 28, 1903, Red Oak had failed to appear to play at Atlantic and announced their intention to fold. Umpiring concerns, game protest disputes and financial struggles plagued the league and it permanently folded on August 29, 1903.

1903 Southwest Iowa League teams

1903 Southwest Iowa League standings

Shenandoah won the first half title. Atlantic won the second half title.
Osceola and Creston joined for the second half June 29; Shenandoah disbanded July 18; Creston disbanded August 29.

References

{{Professional Baseball Defunct minor baseball leagues in the United States Baseball in Iowa Baseball leagues in Iowa 1903 establishments in the United States 1903 disestablishments in the United States Sports leagues established in 1903 Sports leagues disestablished in 1903