Eastern Shore League
ClassificationClass D (1922–1927, 1937–1941, 1948–1949)
SportMinor League Baseball
Inaugural season1922
Ceased1949
PresidentWalter B. Miller (1922)
M.B. Thawley (1923, 1925)
J. Harry Rew (1924, 1926–1928)
J. Thomas Kibler (1937)
Harry S. Russell (1938–1941)
J. Thomas Kibler (1946–1947)
Dallas Culver (1948–1949)
No. of teams14
CountryUnited States of America
Most titles3
Parksley Spuds (1922, 1924, 1927)
Salisbury Cardinals (1937, 1938, 1948)
Related
competitions
Blue Ridge League

The Eastern Shore Baseball League was a class D minor league baseball league that operated on the Delmarva Peninsula for parts of three different decades. The league's first season was in 1922 and the last was in 1949, although the years were not consecutive, and featured teams from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. The first incarnation lasted from 1922 to mid-1928 (disbanded in July), the second from 1937 to 1941, and the third from 1946 to 1949. Though the level of play was competitive and many future major leaguers gained experience in the ESBL, funding the league remained a constant problem for the rural franchises.

Future major leaguers who played in the ESBL include notables such as: Frank "Home Run" Baker, Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Vernon, and Don Zimmer.

The Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland, pays homage to ESBL players and locals who made the major leagues. Perdue Stadium is the home of the class A Delmarva Shorebirds, an Orioles farm team.

History

Founding

The class D "Eastern Shore League" was started in 1922 using teams from the pre-existing Eastern Shore League, a group which had been playing baseball since the 1890s. The first meeting of the class D league was held on October 8, 1921, in Salisbury, Maryland where it was decided that the seven teams that completed the 1921 season would be joined by an eighth team for the 1922 season. The seven teams that completed the 1921 season were Cambridge, Crisfield, Laurel, Pocomoke City, Princess Anne, Salisbury, and Snow Hill. Four towns attended the meeting to seek expansion teams; Dover and Milford in Delaware, Berlin in Maryland, and Parksley in Virginia. Dover and Milford withdrew their request after it was decided that only one new team would be added for 1922. The Parksley team was nominated by Pocomoke City and the Berlin team by Snow Hill, with Berlin winning the vote 4 to 3.[1] At this meeting, a $1,750 a month salary limit was put in place and it was decided to divide gate receipts 50/50 with a guarantee of at least $60 per game. It was also announced that three town, Berlin, Cambridge, and Princess Anne, would build new ballparks.[2]

The Board of Directors met on October 22, 1921, and elected Walter B. Miller of Salisbury as the first President of the league. It was decided upon a 70-game schedule, five games at home and five games on the road, versus each team in the league for the 1922 season, with the final day being Labor Day. A general admission fee of 40 cents, including war tax, was set, and it was decided that each team should post an $875 guarantee by March 1, 1922, in order to assure the team would finish out the season. At this point, it was decided that having three teams in Worcester County would be too many. The director for each of the three teams, Berlin, Pocomoke City, and Snow Hill, volunteered for their team to withdraw. A vote was held and Snow Hill was eliminated, with the opening for the eighth team in the inaugural season being offered to Parksley, Virginia.[3][4]

A meeting of Snow Hill residents was held shortly after where resolutions were passed protesting Snow Hill's removal from the league and it was reported that President Miller would call the Board of Directors back together to reconsider Snow Hill's removal.[5] By early November, it was reported that the residents of Snow Hill were so angered by their team being removed from the 1922 season, there was concern of it affecting elections in Worcester County that fall, as Snow Hill residents stated they would not support any candidate from Pocomoke City due to the Pocomoke City delegation not supporting Snow Hill to remain in the league.[6] This was refuted later, stating it was merely the opinion of a few young men in the heat of anger and the story had been spread to affect the election.[7]

In mid-November, President Miller announced that the Eastern Shore League was admitted by the National Association of Professional Baseball Clubs and that arrangements were being made for the winner of the league to face the winner of the Blue Ridge League.[8] By November 29, Snow Hill fans had threatened legal action, requesting an injunction to prevent the league from playing any scheduled games until Snow Hill was allowed to return to the league, saying that the league's organizational meeting was held at Snow Hill's suggestion.[9] On December 13, it was announced that Princess Anne was dropping out of the league because it could not find an adequate location for a new ballpark at a reasonable price, and that the former ballpark at Washington High School was too small for the league.[10] Speculation then began that Snow Hill may re-enter the league, that Princess Anne could be replaced by Milford or Dover in Delaware, or Easton, Maryland, who had been invited to the first meeting and declined, or that the league could contract and play as a six-team league for 1922, with Cambridge being mentioned as a possible contraction candidate.[11][12] At a meeting on January 5, 1922, it was announced that the decision by Princess Anne to withdraw was final and the representative of the Berlin team offered to withdraw, since Berlin was the last team added to the league. The league accepted the withdrawal under the terms that if the league expanded to eight teams again, Berlin would be added back.[13]

1922 Season

The opening game of the inaugural season was played on June 9, 1922, between the Laurel Blue Hens and Cambridge Canners in Laurel.[14]

Cities represented

Cities representedTeamsYear(s)
Cambridge, MarylandCambridge Canners1922–1928,
1940–1941
Cambridge Cardinals1937–1939
Cambridge Dodgers1946–1949
Centreville, MarylandCentreville Colts1937–1939
Centreville Red Sox1940–1941
Centreville Orioles1946
Crisfield, MarylandCrisfield Crabbers1922–1928,
1937
Dover, DelawareDover Dobbins1923-1926
Dover Orioles1937–1940
Dover Phillies1946–1948
Easton, MarylandEaston Farmers1924–1928
Easton Browns1937
Easton Cubs1938
Easton Yankees1939–1941,
1946–1949
Federalsburg, MarylandFederalsburg Little A's1937–1941
Federalsburg A's1946–1948
Federalsburg Feds1949
Laurel, DelawareLaurel Blue Hens1922–1923
Milford, DelawareMilford Sandpipers1923*
Milford Giants1938–1941
Milford Red Sox1946–1948
Northampton, VirginiaNorthampton Red Sox1927–1928
Parksley, VirginiaParksley Spuds1922–1928
Pocomoke City, MarylandPocomoke City Salamanders1922–1923*
Pocomoke City Red Sox1937–1939
Pocomoke City Chicks1940
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware  Rehoboth Beach Pirates1947–1948
Rehoboth Beach Sea Hawks1949
Salisbury, MarylandSalisbury Indians1922–1928,
1937–1938
Salisbury (MD) Senators1939
Salisbury Cardinals1940–1941,
1946–1949
Seaford, DelawareSeaford Eagles1946–1949
  • The Milford team disbanded on July 3, 1923
  • The Pocomoke City team disbanded on August 21, 1923

Standings & statistics

1922 to 1928

1922 Eastern Shore League[15]
Team W L PCT
Parksley Spuds 42 25 .627
Cambridge Canners 37 32 .536
Crisfield Crabbers 36 32 .529
Laurel Blue Hens 34 35 .493
Pocomoke City Salamanders 29 41 .414
Salisbury Indians 27 41 .397
1923 Eastern Shore League[16]
Team W L PCT
Dover Dobbins 51 24 .680
Cambridge Canners 47 26 .644
Laurel Blue Hens 42 30 .583
Salisbury Indians 34 39 .446
Pocomoke City Salamanders 27 37 .422
Parksley Spuds 31 45 .408
Crisfield Crabbers 26 47 .356
Milford Sandsnipers 7 14 .333
1924 Eastern Shore League[17]
Team W L PCT
Parksley Spuds 46 34 .575
Cambridge Canners 45 35 .563
Salisbury Indians 44 36 .550
Crisfield Crabbers 41 39 .513
Dover Senators 41 39 .513
Easton Farmers 23 57 .281

1925 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Cambridge Canners5138.573-Ted Smith
Parksley Spuds4842.5333.5Thomas Whalen
Salisbury Indians4644.5115.5Homer Smoot
Dover Dobbins4644.5115.5Jiggs Donohue
Crisfield Crabbers4248.4679.5Marty Breslin / Herb Armstrong
Easton Farmers3653.40415.0Frank Baker /
Charles Gault / Buck Herzog

No Playoffs Scheduled.
Five State Championship: Hagerstown (Blue Ridge League) 4 games, Cambridge 3.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Victor St. MartinParksleyBA.363Ted FirthParksleyW21
Victor St. MartinParksleyRuns78Ted FirthParksleySO131
Phil VoylesSalisburyHits119John TrippeCambridgePct.783; 18–5
Victor St. MartinParksleyHR25
Charlie FitzbergerSalisburyHR25

1926 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Crisfield Crabbers6321.750-Dan Pasquella
Salisbury Indians5729.6707.0Jack White
Dover Senators4046.46524.0Jiggs Donohue
Parksley Spuds4046.46524.0Win Clark
Cambridge Canners3254.37232.0Thomas Whalen
Easton Farmers2460.28639.0Buck Herzog

34 Easton wins were reversed August 16; 19 Parksley wins were reversed August 22; 23 Dover Wins and 22 Cambridge wins were reversed September 2. All due to salary limit violations.
Five State Championship: Hagerstown (Blue Ridge League) 4 games, Chrisfield 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Tony RensaCrisfieldBA.388Ted FirthParksleyW21
Bill HohmanEastonRuns69Ted FirthParksleySO143
Floyd McDougallParksleyHits113A.L. CarltonEastonPct.765; 13-4
Red AikensCambridgeHits113
Eddie StackParksleyHR22

1927 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Parksley Spuds6028.681-Lester Bangs
Salisbury Indians4838.55211.0Thomas Whalen
Crisfield Crabbers4443.50615.5Dan Pasquella
Cambridge Canners4147.46619.0William Johnson
Easton Farmers3648.46222.0Ted Cather / Jiggs Donahue
Northampton Red Sox3055.35328.5Jack Sauter

Five State Championship: Parksley 4 games, Chambersburg (Blue Ridge League) 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bill BickhamParksleyBA.361Cecil RoseCrisfieldW17
Mike McCallisterParksleyRuns71Stephen TonerSalisburySO132
Bill BickhamParksleyHits119Clint BrownParksleyPct.800; 16–4
Paul RichardsCrisfieldHR24

1928 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Northampton Red Sox229.710-Lester Bangs
Salisbury Indians2210.6880.5Thomas Whalen
Crisfield Crabbers1417.4528.0Billy Lush
Cambridge Canners1319.4069.5Jiggs Donahue
Easton Farmers1320.39410.0Dan Pasquella
Parksley Spuds1221.36411.0John Pasquella

The League Disbanded July 10.
No Player Statistics Available.

[18]

1937 to 1941

1937 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Salisbury Indians5937.615-Jake Flowers
Easton Browns5641.5773.5Doc Jacobs
Cambridge Cardinals5343.5526.0Fred Lucas
Centreville Colts5243.5476.5Patsy O'Rourke
Federalsburg Athletics5245.5367.5George Short
Pocomoke City Red Sox4255.43317.5Vic Keene
Crisfield Crabbers4057.41219.5Dan Pasquella / Bob Clark
Dover Orioles3265.33027.5Bob Roetz / Jiggs Donohue

Salisbury had 21 wins reversed June 19 due to veteran player limit violations
Playoffs: Salisbury 2 games, Cambridge 1.Centreville 2 games, Easton 1.
Finals: Salisbury 3 games, Centreville 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Jerry LynnSalisburyBA.342Joe KohlmanSalisburyW25
Alex PitkoCentrevilleRuns103Joe KohlmanSalisburySO257
Frank TreschockSalisburyHits131John DavisCambridgeERA2.02
Frank TreschockSalisburyRBI84Joe KohlmanSalisburyPct.962; 25–1
Alex PitkoCentrevilleHR20

1938 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Salisbury Indians6547.580-Jake Flowers
Cambridge Cardinals6151.5454.0Joe Davis
Milford Giants6052.5365.0Val Picinich
Dover Orioles5854.5187.0Wes Kingdon / Walter Millies
Federalsburg Athletics5656.5009.0Charley Moss
Easton Cubs5556.4959.5George Jacobs
Centreville Colts5160.45913.5Joe O'Rourke
Pocomoke City Red Sox4171.36624.0Joe Boley / Wes Kingdon

Playoffs: Salisbury 2 games, Milford 0. Cambridge 2 games, Dover 0.
Finals: Salisbury 3 games, Cambridge 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Sid GordonMilfordBA.352John BasslerSalisburyW17
George ReisingerDoverRuns110Joe DavisCambridgeW17
Sid Gordon MilfordHits145Bill YarewickMilfordSO207
Jim ConlanSalisburyRBI99Joe DavisCambridgeERA2.02
Bill PhillipsFederalsburgHR31Joe Davis
John Bassler
Cambridge
Salisbury
PCT.773 17-5
.773 17–5

1939 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Federalsburg A's8338.686-27,000Sammy Holbrook
Cambridge Cardinals6851.57114.034,000Fred Lucas
Dover Orioles6257.52120.023,500Ray Brubaker /
Wes Kingdon / Walt Millies
Centreville Colts6260.50821.521,000Dave Cobble / Cap Clark
Salisbury Senators5959.50022.523,000Vic Keene / Spud Nachand
Easton Yankees5168.42931.032,000Ray Powell
Milford Giants4969.41632.519,000Earl Smith / Val Picinich
Pocomoke City Red Sox4375.36438.512,000Wes Kingdon / Jake Flowers

Playoffs: Cambridge 3 games, Centreville 0. Dover 3 games, Federalsburg 0.
Finals: Cambridge 4 games, Dover 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Martin SteinmanMilfordBA.378Les HinckleFederalsburgW27
Irving KolbergFederalsburgRuns111Les HinckleFederalsburgSO309
Francis WalshCentrevilleHits163Les HinckleFederalsburgERA2.49
Francis WalshCentrevilleRBI129Les HinckleFederalsburgPCT.818 27–6
Henry SchluterDoverHR29

1940 Eastern Shore League
1940 Eastern Shore League schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Dover Orioles7248.600-Cap Clark
Centreville Red Sox6848.5862.0Ed Walls
Milford Giants7252.5812.0Bubber Jonnard
Salisbury Cardinals6558.5288.5Gus Brittain / Ed Kobesky
Federalsburg A's5767.46017.0Sam Nisonoff / Joe Maynard
Cambridge Canners5267.43719.5Hugh Poland
Easton Yankees4869.41022.5Ray Powell
Pocomoke City Chicks5075.40024.5Poke Whalen

Playoffs: Milford 3 games, Dover 2. Salisbury 3 games, Centreville 2.
Finals: Salisbury 4 games, Milford 2.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Lloyd RiceFederalsburgBA.363Jorge ComellasSalisburyW21
Paul GaulinDoverRuns102Jocko ThompsonCentrevilleSO268
Bob MaierSalisburyHits146Jocko ThompsonCentrevilleERA1.56
Fred LutzEastonRBI81Guy JohnsonDoverPCT.846 11–2
Ed KobeskySalisburyHR18

1941 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Milford Giants6642.611-Hal Gruber
Cambridge Canners6145.5754.0Everett Johnston
Easton Yankees5753.51810.0Dallas Warren
Centreville Red Sox5452.50911.0Ed Walls / Eddie Popowski
Salisbury Cardinals5159.46416.0John Wedemeyer / Bob Maier
Federalsburg A's3573.32431.0Joe O'Rourke

Playoffs: Milford 3 games, Centreville 0. Easton 3 games, Cambridge 0.
Finals: Easton 4 games, Milford 3.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Gordon McKinnonMilfordBA.344Bill BolandMilfordW20
Gordon McKinnonMilfordRuns98Chris HaydenMilfordSO188
Art FleslandMilfordHits157Joe OstrowskiCentrevilleERA1.71
Art GunningMilfordRBI67Bill BolandMilfordPCT.800 20–5
Tommy KovalCambridgeHR16

[18]

1946 to 1949

1946 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Centreville Orioles8837.704-Jim McLeod
Milford Red Sox7749.61111.5Walter Millies
Dover Phillies6857.54420.0Hank Lehman
Salisbury Cardinals6164.48827.0Hal Contini
Easton Yankees5966.47229.0Jack Farmer
Seaford Eagles5868.46030.5Walter Youse / Joe Becker
Cambridge Dodgers5373.42135.5Jimmy Cooney / Barney DeForge
Federalsburg A's3787.29850.5Lew Krausse Sr.

Playoffs: Centreville 4 games, Dover 3. Milford 4 games, Salisbury 2.
Finals: Centreville 4 games, Milford 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Sid LangstonSalisburyBA.353Richard WaldtCentrevilleW17
Jimmy StevensCentrevilleRuns132Stanley CoullingCentrevilleW17
Fred PacittoCentrevilleHits164Mike GastCentrevilleSO182
Don MarshallDoverRBI110Barney DeForgeCambridgeERA2.48
Don MarshallDoverHR29Mike GastCentrevillePCT.762 16–5

1947 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Cambridge Dodgers9134.728-62,118Roy Nichols
Seaford Eagles7449.60216.054,637Bob Westfall
Dover Phillies6856.54822.533,676Dick Carter
Federalsburg A's6263.49629.029,781Pep Rambert
Milford Red Sox6264.49229.529,581Walter Millies
Rehoboth Beach Pirates4975.39541.030,521Gordon McKinnon / Doug Peden
Easton Yankees4878.38143.542,618Joe Antolick
Salisbury Cardinals4580.36046.051,739Harold Contini

Playoffs: Cambridge 4 games, Dover 3; Seaford 4 games, Federalsburg 0.
Finals: Seaford 4 games, Cambridge 3.

Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pep RambertFederalsburgBA.376Chris Van CuykCambridgeW25
Bob StrammCambridgeRuns129Chris Van CuykCambridgeSO279
Bob StrammCambridgeHits162Chris Van CuykCambridgeERA1.93
Tim ThompsonCambridgeHits162Chris Van CuykCambridgePct.926; 25–2
Ducky DetweilerFederalsburgHR29
Ducky DetweilerFederalsburgRBI133

1948 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Salisbury Cardinals8932.736-59,164Gene Corbett
Milford Red Sox8143.6539.521,947Clayton Sheedy
Easton Yankees7150.58718.037,780Dallas Warren
Cambridge Dodgers6561.51626.531,737Bob Vickery / Stew Hofferth
Rehoboth Beach Pirates6065.48031.021,845Doug Peden
Seaford Eagles5670.44435.531,850Bob Westfall / Socks Seibold
Federalsburg A's4976.39242.022,901Ducky Detweiler
Dover Phillies26100.20665.510,079Guy Glaser / Grover Wearshing

Playoffs: Teams played a round-robin series. Cambridge (4–2). Milford (4–3). Easton (3–4). Salisbury (2–4).
Finals: Milford 4 games, Cambridge 1.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Donald MaxaEastonBA.382John AndreSeafordW21
Norm ZauchinMilfordRuns126John AndreSeafordSO228
Ray JablonskiMilfordHits172Don BlackSalisburyERA2.23
Norm ZauchinMilfordRBI138Herb MofordSalisburyPCT.833 20–4
Norm ZauchinMilfordHR33

1949 Eastern Shore League
schedule

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Easton Yankees6852.567-38,651Jack Farmer
Federalsburg Feds6356.5294.530,139Carl McQuillen
Salisbury Cardinals6059.5047.539,063Gene Corbett
Rehoboth Beach Sea Hawks5663.47111.522,358Bill Sisler / Johnny Watson
Seaford Eagles5664.4671235,519Paul Galin
Cambridge Dodgers5564.46212.529,434Merle Strachan

Playoffs: Teams played a round-robin series. Federalsburg (4–1). Rehoboth Beach (4–2). Easton (2–4). Salisbury (1–4).
Finals: Rehoboth Beach 4 games, Federalsburg 3.

Player statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Gordon BraggEastonBA.362Babe PinelliRehoboth BeachW18
Bob WestfallFederalsburgRuns126John AndreRehoboth BeachSO240
Bob WestfallFederalsburgHits158Duke MarkellSeafordERA2.17
Bob WestfallFederalsburgRBI113Duke MarkellSeafordPCT.909 10–1
Bob WestfallFederalsburgHR19

[18]

Notable players

Selected bibliography

  • The Eastern Shore Baseball League by William Mowbray (1989) remains the most comprehensive source for ESBL history.
  • Mike Lambert has published the Eastern Shore League with Arcadia Publishing in April 2010.
  • Mike Lambert has published a second book "Eastern Shore League Extra Innings" with Arcadia Publishing in April 2023.

Sources

References

  1. "Class D Baseball League Is Assured Eastern Shore". The Baltimore Sun(Baltimore, Maryland). October 9, 1921.
  2. "Class D Baseball League Assured Eastern Shore". The Daily Banner(Cambridge, Maryland). October 12, 1921.
  3. "Miller To Pilot Eastern Shore League Next Season". The Baltimore Sun(Baltimore, Maryland). October 23, 1921.
  4. "Miller Heads Shore League". The Evening Journal(Wilmington, Delaware). October 24, 1921.
  5. "Snow Hill People Are Indigant". Democratic Messenger(Snow Hill, Maryland). October 29, 1921.
  6. "Baseball Feud Seen As Election Factor". The Baltimore Sun(Baltimore, Maryland). November 3, 1921.
  7. "Baseball Propaganda A Political Trick". Worcester Democrat and the Ledger-Enterprise(Pocomoke City, Maryland). November 5, 1921.
  8. "Eastern Shore League Enters Organized Ball". The Baltimore Sun(Baltimore, Maryland). November 20, 1921.
  9. "Snow Hill Threatens Court Action Over Game". The News(Frederick, Maryland). November 29, 1921.
  10. "Princess Anne Out Of League". The Evening Journal(Wilmington, Delaware). December 13, 1921.
  11. "Princess Anne Jolts Shore League". The News Journal(Wilmington, Delaware). December 15, 1921.
  12. "Shore League Is In Muddle". The Evening Journal(Wilmington, Delaware). December 19, 1921.
  13. "Shore League To Be Six-Club Affair". The News Journal(Wilmington, Delaware). January 7, 1922.
  14. "Laurel Team To Cross Bats With Cambridge At New Community Park Friday Afternoon". The Daily Banner(Cambridge, Maryland). June 7, 1922.
  15. "Cambridge Ends Season In Second Place". The Daily Banner(Cambridge, Maryland). September 5, 1922.
  16. "Eastern Shore League". The Baltimore Sun(Baltimore, Maryland). September 4, 1923.
  17. "Eastern Shore League". The News Journal(Wilmington, Delaware). September 2, 1924.
  18. 1 2 3 The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN 978-1932391176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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