Tombstone
Formed:
Re-Formed: November 15, 19461ASSOCIATED PRESS. “Return Western Baseball Loop”. The Journal (Rapid City, SD). November 16, 1946
Disbanded: February 15, 19592ASSOCIATED PRESS. “Western Circuit in ‘Hibernation'”. The Tribune (Albuquerque, NM), February 16, 1959
First Game:
Last Game: September 14, 1958
Seasons:
States:
Leadership
Trophy Case
Background
The last edition of the operated from 1947 to 1958 with Class A status in six states across the Great Plains and the Southwestern U.S.
In December 1958 most of the Western League’s eight ball clubs lost their Major League working agreements. As a result, league President O.M. Hobbs announced a one-year suspension of operations on February 15th, 1959, with a hoped for re-launch in 1960.
Five of the league’s eight franchises moved to other leagues for the 1959 season. Amarillo joined the Texas League. Des Moines, Lincoln, Sioux City and Topeka joined the Three-I League. The Western League never re-formed.
Western League Franchise List
| Franchise | Years Active | League Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque Dukes | 1956-1958 | None |
| Amarillo Gold Sox | 1956-1958 | None |
| Colorado Springs Sky Sox | 1950-1958 | 1958 |
| Denver Bears | 1947-1954 | 1952 |
| Des Moines Bruins | 1947-1958 | 1953-1954 |
| Lincoln A's | 1947-1952 | None |
| Lincoln Chiefs | 1953-1958 | 1956-1957 |
| Omaha Cardinals | 1947-1954 | None |
| Pueblo Bruins | 1958 | None |
| Pueblo Dodgers | 1947-1957 | 1947-1949 |
| Sioux City Soos | 1947-1958 | 1948-1950-1951 |
| Topeka Hawks | 1956-1958 | None |
| Tulsa Oilers | 1919-1929 & 1932 | 1919-1920-1922-1927-1928-1929 & 1932 |
| Wichita Indians | 1950-1955 | 1955 |
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