Tombstone
Formed: 1947
Disbanded: February 5, 19521ASSOCIATED PRESS. “Central League Officially Folds”. The Palladium-Item (Richmond, IN). February 6, 1952
First Game: April 28, 1948
Last Game: September 9, 1951
Seasons: 4
States: 4
(IN, MI, OH, WV)
Leadership
President:
- 1948-1951: Thomas J. Halligan
Trophy Case
Background
The Central League of 1948-1951 was a Class A congregation that operated in the Upper Midwestern states of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. London, Ontario was also mentioned as a potential member during the league’s formation in late 1947, but the Central League never ended up crossing the border in to Canada.2UNITED PRESS. “New State Ball Unit Seen Assured in ’48”. The Enquirer (Battle Creek, MI). September 4, 1947
The league launched with six cities in April of 1948. Three of the original Central League cities – Fort Wayne in Indiana and Grand Rapids and Muskegon in Michigan – were also home to All-American Girls Professional Baseball League franchises. Perhaps unsurprising, AAGPBL attendance began to decline after the 1948 season, though the women’s league would ultimately manage the outlive the Central League by three years.
The Central League disbanded after four seasons in February 1952. The league was one of the early victims of a sharp contraction in the Minor Leagues due in parts to the rapid spread of household television ownership, air conditioning and the westward expansion of Major League Baseball during the 1950’s.
Central League Franchise List
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | CENTRAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Senators | 1949-1951 | Never |
| Dayton Indians | 1948-1951 | 1948 & 1951 |
| Flint Arrows | 1948-1951 | 1950 |
| Fort Wayne Generals | 1948 | Never |
| Grand Rapids Jets | 1948-1951 | 1949 |
| Muskegon Clippers | 1948-1951 | Never |
| Saginaw Bears | 1948-1950 | Never |
| Saginaw Jackrabbits | 1951 | Never |
##
