Central League (1897)
SportBaseball
Founded1897
Ceased1897
PresidentGeorge Simons
No. of teams6
CountryUnited States
Last
champion(s)		Evansville Brewers

The Central League was a Class C league of minor league baseball that operated in the United States in 1897.[1] Representatives met to organize in Evansville, Indiana, on January 20, 1897.[2] George Simmons was elected president, secretary, and treasurer.[2] While the exact league lineup was not finalized at the meeting,[2][3] it was resolved that the circuit was to consist of six teams who would pay a $500 deposit to guarantee they would play the entire season, and player salaries were capped at $900 per team.[2] Officials met again on February 7 in Evansville to solidify the league's membership, and franchises were granted to clubs in Cairo, Illinois; Evansville, Terre Haute, and Washington, Indiana; Paducah, Kentucky; and Nashville, Tennessee.[4][5]

It was reported the Nashville Centennials franchise relocated on June 4, 1897.[6]

Severe financial problems throughout the circuit forced the league to disband on July 20. As of July 19, the final day of play, the Evansville Brewers were in first place with a 41–30 (.577) record, making them the de facto league champions.[7]

League standings

Central League standings (as of July 19)[7]
Team Games Won Lost Win % Finish GB
Evansville Brewers 71 41 30 .577 1st —
Nashville Centennials/Henderson 70 39 31 .557 2nd 1+1⁄2
Washington Browns 65 33 32 .508 3rd 5
Terre Haute Hottentots 67 31 36 .463 4th 8
Paducah Little Colonels 68 31 37 .456 5th 8+1⁄2
Cairo Egyptians 69 30 39 .435 6th 10

References

  1. ^ "1897 Nashville/Henderson Centennials Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d "Central League Organized". The Indianapolis Journal. Indianapolis. January 21, 1897. p. 26. Retrieved March 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Work Says It Is a Go". The Nashville American. Nashville. January 27, 1897. p. 6. Retrieved March 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Central League Organized". The Indianapolis Journal. Indianapolis. February 8, 1897. p. 5. Retrieved March 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "1897 Central League". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  6. ^ "Looking Back: The 1897 Nashville Centennials". MiLB.com.
  7. ^ a b "Baseball News". The Paducah Sun. Paducah, Kentucky. July 20, 1897. p. 1. Retrieved March 11, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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