Provincial Senior Baseball League (1958-1970)

Background

The Provincial Senior Baseball League of 1958-1970, also referred to in press accounts as the Quebec Provincial League, was the last of several baseball circuits that operated under the Provincial League moniker in Eastern Canada during the 20th century.

The prior version of the Provincial League, which folded in 1955, was a more conventional Minor League Baseball loop, in that it was part of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues governing body and its member teams held affiliations with Major League Baseball organizations. By contrast, this last edition of the league was independent of the rest of the Minor League Baseball ecosystem. Records of the 1958-1970 independent era remain very spotty in the internet age, as you’ll see from the incomplete franchise roster below.

The Provincial League typically played a short schedule each year beginning in May. Press accounts put the 1961¹CANADIAN PRESS. “Provincial Loop Set To Operate With Four Clubs.” The Gazette (Montreal, QC). April 19, 1961 and 1970²²WIRE REPORTS. “Cash, trophy for teams in Provincial ball league”. The Gazette (Montreal, QC). May 6, 1970 schedules at just 36 games per team.

The Provincial League’s playoff champions claimed the Yvon Ellyson Trophy, named for the circuit’s long-time president, Yvon Ellyson of Sherbrooke.³WIRE REPORTS. “Cash, trophy for teams in Provincial ball league”. The Gazette (Montreal, QC). May 6, 1970

The league disbanded in late 1970 after two of its five remaining members – Quebec City and Trois-Rivieres – accepted invitations to join the Class AA Eastern League of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues. The Quebec Indians became a Montreal Expos farm club known as the Quebec Carnavals in the move, while the Trois-Rivieres Aigles kept their name and became a Cincinnati Reds affiliate. Another long-time Provincial League city – Sherbrooke – joined the Eastern League in 1972 as a Pittsburgh Pirates farm team.

Provincial Senior Baseball League Franchises

[etable]

Franchise, Years Active, League Champions

Acton Vale Castors, 1958-1959 & 1965-1966, None

Coaticook Canadiens, 1965-1967, None

Drummondville Royals, 1958-1960 & 1965-1970, 1965

Granby Cardinals, 1965-1969, 1966-1968

Granby Coca-Cola, 1958-1959, None

Lachine Mets, 1965-1969, 1967

Plessisville Braves, 1958-1969, 1962-1963

Quebec Athletics, 1963-1964, None

Quebec Indians, 1958-1970, 1960-1964-1969

St. Hyacinthe Maskoutains, 1958-1959, None

Sherbrooke Alouettes, 1965-1970, None

Sorel Royals, 1958, None

Thetford Mines Miners, 1958-1970, None

Trois Rivieres Eagles, 1969-1970, 1970

Trois Rivieres Phillies, 1958-1959 & 1961, 1958-1959 & 1961

Trois-Rivieres Royals, 1962, None

Victoriaville Vics, 1958-1960, None

Waterloo 7-Up, 1958-1959, None

[/etable]

Provincial League Shop

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