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Nebraska State League

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Nebraska State League
ClassificationClass B (1892)
Class D (1910–1915, 1922–1923, 1928–1938, 1956–1959)
SportMinor League Baseball
First season1892
Ceased1959
PresidentHenry A. Sievers (1910–1911)
A.C. Felt (1912–1913)
Clarence J. Miles (1914–1915, 1922–1923)
Richard R. Grotte (1923)
James E. Beltzer (1928–1931)
Robert C. Russell (1932)
James E. Beltzer (1933)
J. Roy Carter (1934–1938)
Mike Hollinger (1956–1959)
No. of teams22
CountryUnited States of America
Most titles4
McCook
Grand Island
Related
competitions
Tri-State League

The Nebraska State League (NSL) was an American professional minor league baseball league with five incarnations between 1892 and 1959. The Nebraska State League formed five times: in 1892, from 1910 to 1915, from 1922 to 1923, from 1928 to 1938 and from 1956 to 1959. League teams were based in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. The 1892 league was a Class B level league, and the league was a Class D level league in all subsequent seasons.

History

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Early seasons

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The charter 1892 teams were the Beatrice Indians, Fremont, Grand Island Sugar Citys, Hastings, Lincoln Giants/Kearney and Plattsmouth. The league played just one season as a Class B level league before disbanding.[1]

In 1889, a touring African-American baseball team called the "Lafayettes" was formed in Nebraska. In 1890, William Pope formed the Lincoln Giants. Pope had signed the best of the Lafayette players and the team subsequently folded. In 1892, the Lincoln Giants sought to join the Nebraska State League. Those against allowing black players in the league caused the Lincoln Giants to fold, with many of their players picked up by the other Nebraska State League teams.[2][3]

The Nebraska State League in 1892 was racially integrated. Baseball Hall of Fame member Bud Fowler played for Kearney and was elected captain of the team.[3] John W. Patterson, John Reeves, Frank Maupin, A.S. Kennedy, William Myers and F. Long played for Plattsmouth. George Taylor, played for Beatrice. The 1892 Nebraska State League was classified as a Class B level league and folded after the 1892 season.[citation needed][clarification needed][4][5]

The Nebraska State League reformed in 1910 as an eight–team Class D level league. The Columbus Discoverers, Fremont Pathfinders, Grand Island Collegians, Hastings Brickmakers, Kearney Kapitalists, Red Cloud, Seward Statesmen and Superior Brickmakers were the member franchises as the league resumed play.[6]

In 1915, the Nebraska State League ran into financial difficulties as franchises struggled to remain solvent. Both Columbus and Kearney disbanded on June 4, 1915. After Grand Island withdrew June 28 and Norfolk disbanded June 29, the league folded on June 29, 1915. Kearney began the season 2,000 in debt and sold season tickets to eliminate the debt, but with 2,000 season tickets sold, the gameday gate money was minimal and the franchise was also affected by the city becoming "dry" and became unable to make its financial obligations to visiting teams. Kearney had logistical issuer as visiting teams were reluctant travel to Norfolk, as the train fares for the trip were expensive. Norfolk had agreed to pay extra to visiting clubs to make up the difference in train fares. Grand Island manager Harry Claire and player Crosby were given suspensions for the rest of the year due to gambling accusations and the team was also fined. The Grand Island franchise folded instead of paying the fines.[7]

After folding following the 1915 season, the Nebraska State League reformed and played the 1922 and 1923 seasons with the Beatrice Blues, Fairbury Jeffersons, Grand Island Champions, Hastings Cubs, Lincoln Links and Norfolk Elk Horns as members of the six–team Class D level league.[8] The league evolved into the 1924 Tri-State League.[9][10]

In 1928, the Nebraska State League resumed play as an eight–team Class D level league. The Beatrice Blues, Fairbury Jeffersons, Grand Island Champs, Lincoln Links, McCook Generals, Norfolk Elks, North Platte Buffaloes and York Dukes were the 1928 league members. The league would play continually through the 1938 season.[8]

1956 to 1959 seasons

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The Nebraska State League formed for the final time in 1956. The league teams were all major league affiliates, as the Class D level eight–team league resumed play. The league members all took the monikers of their affiliate, as the Grand Island A's, Hastings Giants, Holdrege White Sox, Kearney Yankees, Lexington Red Sox, McCook Braves, North Platte Indians and Superior Senators were the 1956 franchises.[11]

Originally 12 cities had showed interest in hosting a team in the 1956 Nebraska State League. Thie interest occurred after the eight major league teams had agreed to affiliate with the league. The Nebraska cities of Ogallala, Alma, Broken Bow and Norton, Kansas, were not granted franchises.[12]

The 1956 league schedule was designed to start on July 1 and end on Labor Day. The league structure began when representatives of the league held a meeting in Kearney, Nebraska, at the Fort Kearney Hotel in early June. The 1956 schedule was created by Harold George, secretary of the league. George was formerly an executive in the Western League. Mike Hollinger, a former manager of the semi–pro Kearney Irishmen team was named president of the League. Hollinger operated a bowling alley in Kearney.[12]

In structuring the 1956 league, revenue and expenses were divided between Major League Baseball, the individual Major League parent clubs and each of the league franchises. League franchises committed to selling at least $5,000 in tickets and 500 season tickets before the season started. Kearney sold 760 season ticket books, McCook followed with 741. Holdrege sold 690, North Platte 673, Lexington 665, Grand Island 656, Hastings 632 and Superior 559. The league was owned by Major League Baseball. Season tickets were sold for $10.00 each. The revenue from the first 500 tickets per franchise went to the Nebraska State League ($5,000 per team). 25% of each season ticket went to the hosting team. Concessions were split evenly between the hosting team and the league. Each team city supplied a lighted home ballpark park and a groundskeeper. The official score keeper for each game was paid $2.50. Player and manager salaries and travel costs were handled by the parent major league affiliate, with Yellow Diamond and Continental Motor lines were hired as vendors to provide bus services. Players were allotted $2.25 per day for meal money. The league selected the Rawlings baseball as the official ball for the league, with the Major League affiliates providing balls. KGFW radio in Kearney paid $500.00 for radio rights to all Kearney games.[12]

The last Nebraska State League of 1956–1959 was stable largely because its clubs were farm teams for the major leagues. Its final season has become well known through the book A False Spring by Pat Jordan, who played in the league for McCook.[citation needed][13]

The Nebraska State League was a Class B level league in the 1892 season and afterwards was exclusively a Class D level league.[clarification needed][4][5]

Cities represented

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Standings & statistics

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1892

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1892 Nebraska State League

Team W L GB Pct. Manager
Beatrice Indians 27 20 .574 NA
Grand Island Sugar Citys 25 25 3.5 .500 Pa Rourke
Lincoln Giants /
Kearney, NE
18 21 5.0 .462 NA
Hastings, NE 17 20 5.0 .459 NA
Fremont Pathfinders 11 18 9 .379 NA
Plattsmouth, NE 11 24 11 .314 NA

League disbanded in July.

1910 to 1915

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1910 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Fremont Pathfinders 63 43 .594 16,966 Pug Bennett
Columbus Discoverers 59 48 .551 4.5 14,110 Joe Dolan
Kearney Kapitalists 60 51 .541 5.5 14,946 Clarence Murphy
Grand Island Collegians 60 52 .536 6.0 20,129 Buck Beltzer
Superior Brickmakers 56 54 .509 9.0 13,150 Dennis Bockewitz
Seward Statesmen 50 62 .446 16.0 10,251 John Fink
Red Cloud "Indians" 47 62 .431 17.5 10,126 B.F. Grant
Hastings Brickmakers 42 65 .398 21.5 14,318 George Harms

Playoffs: None Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Fred Jarrott Red Cloud BA .326 Win Noyes Kearney W 24
Leo Cook Hastings Runs 88 Win Noyes Kearney SO 323
Fred Jarrott Red Cloud Hits 126 Frank Green Kearney Pct .900; 9–1
Fresco Thompson Fremont HR 10 Archie Turpin Fremont SB 75

1911 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Superior Brickmakers 70 40 .636 Dennis Bockewitz
Fremont Pathfinders 69 43 .616 2.0 Pug Bennett
Hastings Third Citys 54 58 .482 17.0 Rudy Kling
Seward Statesmen 53 57 .482 17.0 John Fink
Grand Island Collegians 52 60 .464 19.0 Howard Armstrong
Columbus Discoverers 52 60 .464 19.0 Joe Dolan
Kearney Buffaloes 48 64 .429 23.0 Clarence Murphy
York Prohibitionists 48 64 .429 23.0 George Harms / Lefty Davis

Playoffs: None Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Norm Coyle Superior BA .354 Al Orth Hastings W 23
Nick Allen Superior Runs 95 Harry Smith Fremont SO 235
Norm Coyle Superior Hits 153 Jim Stevens Superior Pct .750; 18–6
George Harms York HR 21

1912 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Hastings Third Citys 67 44 .604 Bert Shaner
Fremont Pathfinders 66 45 .595 1.0 Pug Bennett
Kearney Kapitalists 63 49 .563 4.5 Harry Berte
Columbus Discoverers 56 54 .509 10.5 Jim Palmer / Willie Wilson
Seward Statesmen 53 59 .473 14.5 Bill Zink
Grand Island Collegians 52 59 .468 15.0 Jim Cockman
York Prohibitionists 45 66 .405 22.0 Lefty Davis
Superior Brickmakers 43 69 .384 24.5 Dennis Bockewitz

A Kearney win over Hastings was reversed at the 1913 spring meeting, giving Hastings the championship.
Playoffs: None Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Pug Bennett Fremont BA .360 Joe Lotz Kearney W 26
Charles Block York Runs 116 Bert Shaner Hastings Pct .773; 17–5
Bill Zink Seward Hits 139

1913 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Kearney Kapitalists 67 45 .598 Harry Berte
Hastings Third Citys 64 48 .571 3.0 Bert Shaner
York Prohibitionists 57 55 .509 10.0 Gid Gardner
Fremont Pathfinders 56 56 .500 11.0 Curt Welch
Superior Brickmakers 54 58 .482 13.0 Dennis Bockewitz
Columbus Discoverers 54 58 .482 13.0 John Gondling /
Red Smith / Jack Kraninger
Seward Statesmen /
Beatrice Milkskimmers
52 60 .464 15.0 Bill Zink
Grand Island Collegians 44 68 .393 23.0 O.J. Firestine / Jack Forrester

Seward (27–37) moved to Beatrice July 21.
Playoffs: None Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Homer W. "Dolly" Gray Kearney BA .411 R.N. Maples Kearney W 17
Swat McCabe Hastings Hits 155 L.R. Plympton Kearney W 17
Ted Reed Columbus Pct .737; 14–5 Berney Everton York W 17

1914 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Grand Island Islanders 66 46 .589 Harry Claire
Beatrice Milkskimmers 65 47 .580 1.0 Frank Coe
Hastings Reds 64 48 .571 2.0 Pug Bennett
York Prohibitionists 60 52 .536 6.0 Maury Pierce
Superior Brickmakers 54 58 .482 12.0 James Feeney / F.H. Bigby
Norfolk Drummers 52 60 .464 14.0 Warren Cummings / Babe Towne
Columbus Pawnees 49 63 .437 17.0 Jake Kraninger
Kearney Kapitalists 38 74 .339 28.0 Harry Berte

Playoffs: None Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jake Gettman Hastings BA .336 John McDonnell Beatrice W 21
Clint Neff Beatrice Runs 80 Dazzy Vance Hastings SO 194
Fred Payne Grand Island Hits 134 Dazzy Vance Hastings Pct .810; 17–4
Clint Neff Beatrice HR 19

1915 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Beatrice Milkskimmers 35 18 .660 John Fillman
Hastings Reds 30 27 .526 7.0 Pug Bennett
York Prohibitionists 25 31 .446 11.5 Maury Pierce
Fairbury Shaners 22 31 .415 13.0 Bert Shaner
Norfolk Drummers 24 13 .649 NA Babe Towne
Grand Island Champions 16 16 .500 NA Harry Claire
Kearney Buffaloes 4 10 .286 NA Grover Matney
Columbus Pawnees 3 13 .188 NA Frank Justus

Columbus and Kearney disbanded June 4; Grand Island and Norfolk disbanded June 28.
The league folded July 18.

1922 to 1923

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1922 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Elk Horns 70 48 .593 Bert Adams / Runt Marr
Lincoln Links 70 49 .588 0.5 O.A. Beltzer
Fairbury Jeffersons 69 49 .585 1.0 George Segrist
Beatrice Blues 53 63 .457 16.0 R. Kirchner / Ducky Holmes
Hastings Cubs 52 67 .437 18.5 Al Smith
Grand Island Champions 40 78 .339 30.0 Ed Willett

Playoff: Fairbury 4 games, Norfolk 3.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Runt Marr Norfolk BA .364 Bill Bailey Lincoln W 23
Runt Marr Norfolk Runs 116 Fred Wigington Hastings SO 260
Runt Marr Norfolk Hits 167 L.W. Jenney Fairbury Pct .773; 17–5
Claude Mitchell Norfolk HR 21

1923 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Lincoln Links 71 64 .526 O.A. Beltzer
Norfolk Elk Horns 68 66 .507 2.5 Ed Reichle
Grand Island Champions 68 66 .507 2.5 Leo McDonnell / Boser
Hastings Cubs 65 66 .498 4.0 Pug Bennett
Beatrice Blues 64 68 .485 5.5 Ed Willett / Matty McGrath
Fairbury Jeffersons 63 69 .477 6.5 George Segrist

Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Fred Conkey Lincoln BA .390 Art Stokes Lincoln W 23
Fresco Thompson Grand Island Runs 91 Art Stokes Lincoln SO 207
Fred Conkey Lincoln Hits 169 Edward Shupe Grand Island Pct .720; 18–7
Jimmy Hudgens Fairbury HR 13

1928 to 1938

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1928 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
McCook Generals 71 49 .592 Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Lincoln Links 66 54 .550 5.0 Bob Brown
Beatrice Blues 64 56 .533 7.0 Hal Brokaw
North Platte Buffaloes 64 57 .529 7.5 Joe Pizer
York Dukes 58 62 .483 13.0 Art Rasmussen
Norfolk Elkhorns 55 66 .455 16.5 Lefty Wilkus
Grand Island Champs 52 68 .433 19.0 Davey Claire / Alf Pierpoint /
Thomson / Clay Schoonover
Fairbury Jeffersons 51 69 .425 20.0 Lee Fairchild

Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
John Stoneham McCook BA .396 Ernest Krenk Lincoln W 20
Herb Pember McCook Runs 116 Harlan Pyle McCook W 20
Herb Pember McCook Hits 172 Joe Wilman York SO 164
Walt Cookson North Platte HR 19 Ernest Krenk Lincoln ERA 2.57

1929 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
McCook Generals 74 42 .638 Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Fairbury Jeffersons 70 51 .579 6.5 Preston Gray
Lincoln Links 68 51 .571 7.5 Bob Brown / Les Nunamaker
York Dukes 61 53 .535 12.0 Art Rasmussen
Norton Jayhawks 54 60 .474 19.0 Hal Brokaw
Grand Island Islanders 54 62 .466 20.0 Clay Schoonover / Bob Brown
Norfolk Elkhorns 43 73 .371 31.0 Lefty Wilkus
North Platte Buffaloes 42 74 .362 32.0 Joe Pizer

Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
John Stoneham McCook BA .410 Andy Bednar McCook W 21
Herb Pember McCook Runs 117 Stanford Primm Fairbury W 21
Herb Pember McCook Hits 194 Vito SanFilippo Fairbury SO 201
Joe Smith Norfolk HR 15 Jean Jones Norton ERA 2.15

1930 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
McCook Generals 85 34 .714 Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Fairbury Jeffersons 68 51 .571 1.0 Preston Gray
Grand Island Islanders 62 58 .517 23.5 Kenzie Kirkham
York Dukes 60 59 .504 25.0 Art Rasmussen
North Platte Buffaloes 60 60 .500 25.5 Baldy Fowlkes
Norfolk Elkhorns 56 65 .463 30.0 Hal Brokaw
Lincoln Links 56 66 .459 30.5 Les Nunamaker
Norton Jayhawks 33 87 .275 52.5 Earl Harrison / Frank Sidle

Norton suspended operations August 25; final seven games were forfeited to scheduled opponents.
Playoffs: None Scheduled.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Washington Seelman North Platte BA .373 Vito SanFilippo Fairbury W 23
Ed Taylor Lincoln Runs 125 Vito SanFilippo Fairbury SO 243
Washington Seelman North Platte Hits 174 Jim Cameron McCook ERA 2.25
Mike Kreevich McCook HR 15 Jim Cameron McCook Pct .925; 19–2

1931 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Grand Island Islanders 66 41 .617 Sonny Brookhaus
McCook Generals 59 50 .541 8.0 Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Lincoln Links 55 51 .519 10.5 Les Nunamaker
North Platte Buffaloes 53 55 .491 13.5 Bart Green / Frank Owens
Norfolk Elkhorns 47 58 .448 18.0 Joe McDermott
York Dukes 42 67 .385 25.0 Pop Gleason / Bob Brown

Playoffs: Grand Island 4 games, North Platte 1.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ignatius Walters McCook BA .400 Harry Matuzak McCook W 18
Roy Kippert Grand Is/McCook Runs 117 Harley Hagan Lincoln SO 189
Ignatius Walters McCook Hits 193 Robert Pickering Grand Island ERA 2.56
Sebastian Wagner Norfolk HR 22

1932 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Elkhorns 75 35 .682 Joe McDermott
Beatrice Blues 59 46 .562 13.5 Dick Reichle / Sonny Brookhaus
Grand Island Islanders 59 52 .532 16.5 Sonny Brookhaus / Gus Getz
North Platte Buffaloes 49 61 .454 26.0 Frank Owens
Lincoln Links 45 60 .429 27.5 William Rumler / Bob Sanquist
McCook Generals 37 70 .346 36.5 Gene Bailey / Jack Hruska

Playoffs: Beatrice 2 games, Lincoln 1. Finals: Beatrice 4 games, Norfolk 3.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Walt Gannon Norfolk BA .355 Otto Davis Norfolk W 24
Johnny Cross Beatrice Runs 100 Pat Flanagan McCook SO 261
Walt Gannon Norfolk Hits 150 Luke Bucklin Norfolk ERA 1.89
Bill Swinger Beatrice HR 16

1933 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Norfolk Elks 60 45 .571 Joe McDermott
Beatrice Blues 60 46 .566 0.5 Sonny Brookhaus
Sioux Falls Canaries 57 49 .538 3.5 Rex Stucker
Lincoln Links 34 71 .324 26.0 Elmer "Doc" Bennett / Joe Hruska

Playoffs: Beatrice 5 games, Norfolk 4.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Don Gutteridge Lincoln BA .360 Wilmer Schroeder Sioux Falls W 20
Larry Getz Beatrice Runs 100 Mike Pociask Beatrice SO 195
Ray Bertram Norfolk Hits 152 Sam Conaway Sioux Falls ERA 2.43
Howard Moore Beatrice HR 19

1934 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Lincoln Links 69 41 .627 Cy Lingle / Pug Griffin
Norfolk Elkhorns 60 49 .550 8.5 Joe McDermott
Sioux Falls Canaries 50 60 .455 19.0 Rex Stucker
Beatrice Blues 38 67 .362 28.5 Sonny Brookhaus

Playoffs: None Scheduled

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Buck Ewing Norfolk BA .360 Jack Farmer Norfolk W 19
Frank Morehouse Lincoln Runs 99 Tom Seats Lincoln SO 221
George Silvey Norfolk Hits 143 Nels Potter Lincoln ERA 1.71
Bill Swinger Beatrice HR 14

1935 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux Falls Canaries 72 40 .643 Ralph Brandon
Norfolk Elkhorns 58 49 .542 11.5 Pat Patterson
Lincoln Links 50 64 .439 23.0 Cy Lingle
Beatrice Blues 42 69 .378 29.5 Charley Stis / Bennie Warren

Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Sioux Falls 3.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ash Joerndt Beatrice BA .331 Claude Bradford Sioux Falls W 17
Justin Keenoy Beatrice Runs 100 Orie Arntzen Norfolk SO 184
Ash Joerndt Beatrice Hits 153 Tony A. Johnson Sioux Falls ERA 2.14
Bill Swinger Beatrice HR 22 John Grilli Norfolk RBI 102

1936 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux Falls Canaries 71 49 .592 Ralph Brandon
Mitchell Kernels 68 50 .576 2.0 Cliff Knox
Norfolk Elks 63 57 .525 8.0 Joe McDermott
Beatrice Blues 56 65 .463 15.5 Sonny Brookhaus
Lincoln Red Links 26 38 .406 NA Pid Purdy
Fairbury Jeffs 19 44 .302 NA Eddie Brown

Lincoln and Fairbury disbanded July 16.
Playoffs: Sioux Falls 3 games, Beatrice 2: Mitchell 3 games, Norfolk 1. Finals: Mitchell 4 games, Sioux Falls 2.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Marvin Pelton Mitchell BA .373 Charlie Wagner Sioux Falls W 21
Bill B. James Norfolk Runs 137 Robert Swan Sioux Falls SO 267
Bert Haas Beatrice Hits 178 Charlie Wagner Sioux Falls ERA 3.08
Bill B. James Norfolk HR 29 Dexter Savage Norfolk RBI 128

1937 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux Falls Canaries 83 36 .697 Ralph Brandon
Mitchell Kernels 75 41 .647 6.5 Cliff Knox
Beatrice Blues 54 61 .470 27.0 Lee Riley
Norfolk Elks 50 65 .435 31.0 Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Fairbury Jeffs 48 70 .407 34.5 Sonny Brookhaus
Grand Island Red Birds 40 77 .342 42.0 Joe McDermott

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Lee Riley Beatrice BA .372 Charlie Wagner Sioux Falls W 25
Frank Mahacek Sioux Falls Runs 129 Murry Dickson Grand Island SO 209
James Guyman Mitchell Hits 175 Bobby Swan Sioux Falls ERA 2.35
James Guyman Mitchell HR 22 Harold Schmiel Sioux Falls RBI 140

1938 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Sioux City Cowboys 70 47 .598 Pete Monahan
Norfolk Elkhorns 67 49 .578 2.5 Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Beatrice Blues 62 54 .534 7.5 Lee Riley
Lincoln Links 52 64 .448 17.5 Pug Griffin
Grand Island Cardinals 49 67 .422 20.5 Joe Hassler
Sioux Falls Canaries 49 68 .419 21.0 Ralph Brandon

Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Sioux City 2.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Lee Riley Beatrice BA .365 Don Fisher Sioux Falls W 21
Ralph Fallon Sioux City Runs 124 Don Fisher Sioux Falls SO 242
Marion DeJarnett Lincoln Runs 124 Cletus Voss Sioux Falls ERA 2.33
Ned Tighe Norfolk Hits 161 Lee Riley Beatrice RBI 122
Pete Monahan Sioux City HR 19

1956 to 1959

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1956 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Lexington Red Sox 41 22 .651 28,393 Danny Doyle
Grand Island Athletics 35 28 .556 6.0 30,915 Art Mazmanian
Kearney Yankees 35 28 .556 6.0 30,943 Randy Gumpert
McCook Braves 35 28 .556 6.0 32,224 Bill Steinecke
Superior Senators 34 29 .540 7.0 22,860 Charles Ray Baker
Holdrege White Sox 33 30 .524 8.0 24,326 Skeeter Scalzi
North Platte Indians 24 39 .381 17.0 28,578 Spencer Harris
Hastings Giants 15 48 .238 26.0 28,713 Gene Thompson

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bill Fries Kearney BA .394 Ted Ellis Lexington W 11
Deron Johnson Kearney Runs 70 Dick Allen McCook W 11
Jimmie Hall Superior Runs 87 Gary Peters Holdrege SO 142
Deron Johnson Kearney RBI 78 Ted Ellis Lexington ERA 1.76
Deron Johnson Kearney HR 24

1957 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Grand Island Athletics 33 22 .600 26,982 Art Mazmanian
Holdrege White Sox 33 23 .589 0.5 21,581 Frank Parenti
Lexington Red Sox 33 23 .589 0.5 24,218 Jack Kaiser
Kearney Yankees 30 26 .536 3.5 23,349 Randy Gumpert
Hastings Giants 29 26 .527 4.0 21,863 Leo Schrall
McCook Braves 27 29 .482 6.5 25,844 Bill Steinecke
Superior Senators 27 29 .482 6.5 19,796 Charles Ray Baker
North Platte Indians 11 45 .196 22.5 21,207 Rudy York

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
James Wasem Holdrege BA .366 Wayne Coughtry Lexington W 11
Don Bonomini Holdrege Runs 58 Leonardo Ferguson Kearney SO 149
Jackie Creed Lexington Hits 71 Leonardo Ferguson Kearney ERA 1.68
Milt Campo Kearney RBI 59 Milt Campo Kearney HR 17

1958 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
North Platte Indians 41 22 .651 18,766 Mark Wylie
McCook Braves 40 23 .635 1.0 17,372 Bill Steinecke
Grand Island Athletics 33 30 .524 8.0 18,762 Art Mazmanian
Kearney Yankees 33 30 .524 8.0 14,147 Randy Gumpert
Lexington Red Sox 30 33 .476 11.0 12,838 Jack Kaiser
Holdrege White Sox 29 34 .460 12.0 11,565 George Noga
Hastings Giants 24 39 .381 17.0 11,522 Leo Schrall
Superior Senators 22 41 .349 19.0 8,953 Hal Keller

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ron Debus Grand Island BA .393 Ceferino Foy McCook W 10
Larry Bulla North Platte Runs 68 Larry Gansauer North Platte W 10
Jerry McNertney Holdrege Hits 84 Bill Spanswick Lexington SO 1.42
J. Keith Williams North Platte RBI 72 Larry Del Margo Kearney ERA 2.25
J. Keith Williams North Platte HR 12

1959 Nebraska State League

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
McCook Braves 43 19 .694 19,788 Bill Steinecke
Holdrege White Sox 39 23 .629 4.0 11,963 Frank Parenti
Grand Island Athletics 32 30 .516 11.0 16,716 Art Mazmanian
Kearney Yankees 27 35 .435 16.0 13,141 Jim Gleeson
Hastings Giants 23 39 .371 20.0 10,235 Leo Schrall
North Platte Indians 22 40 .355 21.0 14,275 Mark Wylie

Playoffs: None Scheduled.

Player statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ike Futch Kearney BA .319 Anthony Filicchia Grand Island W 11
Frank Saia McCook Runs 63 Dennis Overby McCook SO 136
Woody Huyke Hastings Hits 71 Paul Chenger McCook ERA 2.13
Boyd Coffie Kearney RBI 63 Woody Huyke Hastings HR 12

Hall of Fame alumni

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Sources

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References

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  1. ^ "1892 Nebraska State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1892 Lincoln Giants/Kearney Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. ^ a b "Nebraska Minor League Baseball before 1900". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  4. ^ a b "Nebraska State League (B) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ^ a b "Truth in the Minor League Class Structure: The Case for the Reclassification of the Minors – Society for American Baseball Research".
  6. ^ "1910 Nebraska State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. ^ "Nebraska State League 1915". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  8. ^ a b "Nebraska State League (Short-Season D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. ^ "Nebraska State League 1922". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  10. ^ "Tri-State League 1924". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  11. ^ "1956 Nebraska State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ^ a b c "Nebraska State League 1956". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  13. ^ "A False Spring". Nebraska Press.
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