| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1889 |
| Ceased | 1889 |
| No. of teams | 13 (total) |
| Country | United States |
| Last champion(s) | Harrisburg Ponies (1889) |
The Middle States League was a minor league baseball league that operated in the Northeast United States in 1889.[1] 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.[2][3] It was a racially integrated league that included two African American teams, the Cuban Giants and New York Gorhams. The Harrisburg Ponies won the league pennant.[2]
The Middle States League began play on April 28, 1889, and ended the season on September 10, 1889.[4]
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.[5]
1889 Middle States League
schedule
President: Charles P. Mason / William H. Voltz
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg Ponies | 64 | 19 | .771 | - | James Farrington |
| Cuban Giants | 55 | 17 | .764 | 3.5 | Cos Govern |
| York Hayseeds | 45 | 28 | .616 | 14.0 | Henry Myers / Joseph Devine / J. W. Hedrick / W. E. Whorl / Smyser |
| Norristown | 18 | 22 | .450 | NA | Barney Stevenson / J. C. Smith |
| New York Gorhams | 14 | 20 | .412 | NA | Benjamin Butler |
| Lancaster Dutch | 10 | 15 | .400 | NA | Terrence Connell |
| Norwalk | 12 | 19 | .387 | NA | James Donnelly |
| Wilmington Quicksteps | 4 | 9 | .308 | NA | Thomas Kane |
| Lebanon Dutch Grays | 6 | 16 | .273 | NA | Joseph Buck |
| Hazleton Pugilists | 10 | 27 | .270 | NA | Harry Foote |
| Reading Actives | 6 | 17 | .261 | NA | Edgar Cuthbert |
| Philadelphia Giants | 2 | 24 | .077 | NA | Charles Mason |
| Shenandoah Hungarian Rioters | 1 | 14 | .071 | NA | J. J. Monaghan |
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.