Georgia–Alabama League

The Georgia–Alabama League was a minor league baseball league that operated in its two namesake states. The circuit first operated from 1913 to 1917, was revived from 1928 to 1930, then returned to operation for a final time from 1946 through 1951. The league's existence thus spanned some 39 years, but it only fielded teams in 14 seasons. All versions of the Georgia–Alabama League were Class D leagues, the lowest classification in Organized Ball during their years of operation.

Sixteen cities fielded teams in the league at one time or another—nine from Alabama and seven from Georgia. No city was represented in all three of the league's runs. Out of the 14 seasons that the league played, the Georgia teams won eleven titles while the Alabama cities captured only three. Four Georgia teams won two titles each over the league's three eras: Newnan, Georgia, won the first of their two crowns in 1915, then waited some 34 years to collect the second in 1949; Lindale, Georgia, won in 1929 and 1930; Carrollton, Georgia, picked up two back-to-back titles in 1946 and 1947; and LaGrange, Georgia, took the league's last two championships in 1950 and 1951.

Attendance figures were available for the last run of six years, during which the league drew just shy of 2,000,000 fans to the parks. The turnstile count peaked at about 480,000 in 1947 but by 1951 it had dropped to a little over 175,000, which was insufficient to keep the circuit in operation.

Cities represented, teams & stats 1913–1917

1913 Georgia–Alabama League

President: W. J. Boykin

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Gadsden Steel Makers5138.5730Elmer Randall
Newnan Cowetas4644.5115.5E.S. Bagwell / Ed Shulze
Opelika Opelicans4645.5056Ed Ery
Anniston Moulders4545.5006.5Chick Hannon
LaGrange Terrapins4248.4679.5William "Ducky" Holmes
Talladega Indians4050.44411.5Charles Reece

No Playoffs Scheduled

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
George RandallGadsdenBA.410Ed EryOpelikaW19
Larry PezoldGadsdenRuns76Ed EryOpelikaPct.792; 19-5
Midge CravenNewnanHits121

1914 Georgia–Alabama League

President: W. J. Boykin

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Selma River Rats6035.6320W. Guiterrez / Arthur Riggs
Newnan Cowetas5637.6023Warren Sanders
LaGrange Terrapins5543.5616.5Ed Lafitte
Opelika Pelicans5245.5369Kirk Newell / Elmer Steele
Rome Romans4650.47914.5Jack Reidy
Anniston Moulders4154.43219Bob Ragsdale / Louis Procter
Talladega Indians3755.40221Pace / Draper / Howard Baker / Clarence Garrett
Gadsden Steel Makers#3260.34826.5Bruce Hayes / Lou Jorda / L. Mills

#Gadsden became a road club August 3.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Lloyd HowellNewnamBA.332Jack ReidyRomeHits117
Jack Reidy RomeRuns76

1915 Georgia–Alabama League

President: C. L. Bruner

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Newnan Cowetas3920.6610Henry Mathewson
Talladega Tigers3922.6391Clarence Garrett
Griffin Lightfoots3228.5337.5Doc Martin / Ed Reagan
Rome Romans2731.46611.5Art Burleson
Anniston Moulders2238.36717.5Elmer Steele
LaGrange Terrapins1838.32719.5Ed Lafitte

The league disbanded July 14.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Don FlynnNewnanBA.358Jack NaborsTalladega/NewnanW12
George CochranRomeRuns47Whitey GlaznerAnnistonSO101
Don FlynnNewnanHits76Milt WatsonGriffinPct1.000; 7-0
Don FlynnNewnanHR15

1916 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Dick Jemison

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Rome Romans4322.6620Frank Manush
Newnan Cowetas4126.6123Henry Mathewson
LaGrange Grangers3929.5745.5Grady Bowen / Ed Lafitte
Talladega Tigers2638.40616.5Clarence Garrett
Anniston Moulders2339.37118.5Bill Reynolds
Griffin Lightfoots2341.35919.5Kid Reagan / Phil Wells

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Don FlynnNewnanBA.365Joseph WileyRomeW15
Don Flynn NewnanRuns52Robert WatkinsNewnanW15
Ben ShawRomeHits89Rufus NollyLaGrangePct.857; 12-2

1917 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Dick Jemison / Dred Johnson

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Anniston Moulders135.7220Bill Pierre
Griffin Griffs107.5882.5Matty Matthews
Tri-Cities Triplets #108.5563Martin Dudley
Rome-Lindale Romans99.5004Dannie Overton
Talladega Tigers612.3337Ed Goosetree
LaGrange Grangers512.2947.5Heisman Jones

#Represented Gadsden-Alabama City-Attalla, Alabama.
The league disbanded May 23.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
W.W. WaldronGriffinBA.388E.A. VerrettTalladegaW4
W. W. WaldronGriffinRuns21Conrad FieldsLaGrangeSO39
W. W. WaldronGriffinHits26BennettTri-CitiesPct1.000; 3-0

Cities represented, teams & stats 1928–1930

1928 Georgia–Alabama League

President: C. I. Scarborough

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Cedartown Sea Cows5534.6180W.F. Kleton / Sherry Smith
Carrollton Frogs5434.614.5Paul Fittery
Anniston Nobles4742.5288Ben Bruner / Bud Ammons
Talladega Indians4543.5119.5Earl Hawkins / Louis Walker
Gadsden Eagles3749.43016.5Doc Newton / Joe Schepner
Lindale Dragons2662.29528.5Earl Donaldson

Playoff: Talladega 2 games, Anniston 1, for the second half title.
Finals: Carrollton 4 games, Talladega 2.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Clark TaliaferroCarrolltonBA.392Paul FitteryCarrolltonW21
Joyner WhiteCarrolltonRuns92Abe WhiteCarrolltonSO141
Murray HowellCarrolltonHits152Paul FitteryCarrolltonPct.913; 21-2
Joyner WhiteCarrolltonHR27Paul FitteryCarrolltonERA1.60

1929 Georgia–Alabama League

President: C. I. Scarborough

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lindale Collegians6039.6060Jack Moulton
Carrollton Champs5644.5604.5Paul Fittery
Talladega Indians4949.50010.5Howard Camp
Gadsden Eagles4950.49511Louis Walker
Anniston Nobles4456.44016.5Bud Ammons / Verdo Elmore
Cedartown Sea Cows4060.40020.5Frank Thrasher / Sherry Smith

Playoff: Carrollton 4 games, Lindale 0.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bernard LewisTalladegaBA.420James SowardGadsdenW17
Charles KnowlesCedartownRuns92Abe WhiteCarrolltonSO101
Bernard LewisTalladegaHits159Paul FitteryCarrolltonPct.889; 16-2
Charles KnowlesCedartownHR25

1930 Georgia–Alabama League

President: L. H. Carre

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lindale Pepperells6338.6240Jack Moulton
Cedartown Braves6041.5943Sherry Smith
Anniston Nobles5744.5646Paul Fittery / Dixie Walker
Huntsville Springers3566.34728Bill Pierre / Thompson / Walton / Dixie Carroll / Hart
Carrollton Champs#3846.452NACarl East / Erskine Thomason
Talladega Indians#3351.393NAWalter Barbare / Cliff Verner

#Carrollton and Talladega disbanded August 14.
Playoff: Cedartown 4 games, Lindale 3, one tie.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bernard LewisLindaleBA.422Paul FitteryAnnistonW16
Jack ShipleyCedartownRuns131Abe WhiteLindaleSO143
Bernard LewisLindaleHits175Sherry SmithCedartownPct.875; 14-2
George KellyCedartownHR26Sherry SmithCedartownERA3.34

Cities represented, teams and statistics: 1946–1951

1946 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Carl W. East

Team standingsWLPCTGBManagers
Carrollton Hornets7555.5770Luther Gunnells
Valley Rebels #7258.5543Cat Milner
Tallassee Indians7159.5464Joe Heving
Newnan Browns6862.5237George Nix / Lloyd Brown
LaGrange Troupers5971.45416Newton Parker / Jack Daniels
Opelika Owls4585.34630Jim Hitchcock / Zack Sensussler

#Represented Valley-Lanett(AL)-West Point(GA)
Playoff: Tallassee 3 games, Carrollton 2; Valley 3 games, Newnan 2;
Finals: Tallassee 3 games, Valley 2.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Luther GunnellsCarrolltonBA.381John B. JohnsonNewnanW20
Jack DanielsValley/LaGrangeRuns118John B. JohnsonNewnanSO138
Jack DanielsValley/LaGrangeHits159Lloyd BrownNewnanERA2.17
Jack DanielsValley/LaGrangeRBI122Jack DanielsValley/LaGrangeHR30

1947 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Carrollton Hornets7549.605052,245Red Roberts
Opelika Owls7650.603065,173Luther Gunnells
Valley Rebels7551.595179,829Frank Luce
Newnan Browns7253.5763.580,600Joe Abreu / Ed Westbrook
Tallassee Indians6263.49613.544,693John Hill
Griffin Pimientos5368.43820.566,142Abe White
LaGrange Troupers4678.3712955,746Carl East / Howard Ermisch
Alexander City Millers3986.31236.534,462Doug Taitt

Playoff: Valley 3 games, Carrollton 1; Opelika 3 games, Newnan 1;
Finals: Valley 3 games, Opelika 2.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Red RobertsCarrolltonBA.385Paul BrockNewnanW23
Ted BrowningNewnanRuns122Paul BrockNewnanSO220
Vern MorganValleyHits184Jesse DannaValleyERA2.15
Ken GuettlerGriffinRBI103Ken GuettlerGriffinHR25

1948 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Valley Rebels7551.595060,163Jesse Danna
Carrollton Hornets7353.579253,000Red Roberts / Oliver Hill
Newnan Browns6858.540765,257Norman Veazey
Alexander City Millers6363.5001244,053Ben Catchings / Marvin Chappell / Gunnells
Opelika Owls6264.4921359,000Luther Gunnells / Jim Ball
Griffin Pimientos5571.4372063,672Abe White / Paul Campbell
LaGrange Troupers5472.4292153,589James Acton
Tallassee Indians5472.4292134,696Hugh East / Robert Comiskey

Playoff: Valley 3 games, Newnan 1; Carrollton 3 games, Alexander City 2 ;
Finals: Valley 4 games, Carrollton 0.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Fred CampbellGriffinBA.357William KallaherOpelikaW23
Robert EdwardsValleyRuns114Eugene DoerflingerCarrolltonW23
George BaileyOpelikaHits174Eugene DoerflingerCarrolltonSO2.33
Fred CampbellGriffinRBI105Leon LindseyAlexander CityERA2.00
James ActonLaGrangeHR14

1949 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Newnan Browns7452.587056,976Robert Schmidt
Alexander City Millers6957.548537,373Red Roberts
Tallassee Cardinals6660.524843,364Bob Comiskey / Fred Blackwell
LaGrange Troupers6561.516959,952Claude Cooper
Valley Rebels6264.4921252,859Jesse Danna / Vern Morgan / Bottoms
Opelika Owls6264.4921244,885Jim Ball
Carrollton Hornets5670.4441836,029William Seal / William Rucker
Griffin Pimientos5076.3972447,825Etchison / York / Sanders / Gibson

Playoff: Newnan 3 games, Tallassee 2; Alexander City 3 games, LaGrange 1 ;
Finals: Alexander City 4 games, Newnan 2.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Joel ChapmanValleyBA.351John McFaddenNewnanW21
John HeusmanAlexander CityRuns108John McFaddenNewnanSO180
J. W. SpruilValleyHits153Elmer WallaceNewnanERA2.02
Robert SchmidtNewnanRBI108Carl FransonNewnanHR28

1950 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
LaGrange Troupers7348.603053,781Claude Cooper
Alexander City Millers7353.5792.536,546Red Roberts
Carrollton Hornets6657.537826,365Doc Marshall
Newnan Browns6260.50811.537,215Robert Schmidt
Valley Rebels5865.4721631,619Myril Hoag / Jack Daniels
Griffin Tigers5764.4711637,167Abe White / Jack Bearden
Opelika Owls5272.41922.536,912Bottoms / Bailey / Flemming
Rome Red Sox4971.40823.530,482Norm Veazey / John Stowe / Myril Hoag

Playoff: LaGrange 2 games, Carrollton 0; Alexander City 2 games, Newnan 0 ;
Finals: LaGrange 3 games, Alexander City 2.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Eugene SoltCarrolltonBA.365Don BessentLaGrangeW22
Fred DeSouzaCarrolltonRuns149Don BessentLaGrangeSO229
Eugene SoltCarrolltonHits168Don BessentLaGrangeERA2.33
Eugene SoltCarrolltonRBI151Eugene SoltCarrolltonHR38

1951 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
LaGrange Troupers6747.588033,734Claude Cooper
Valley Rebels6452.552437,515George Grant
Rome Red Sox5857.5049.541,000Leon Culberson
Griffin Pimientos5858.5001024,804Mike Conte / Campbell / Bearden
Alexander City Millers #3345.423NA19,737Sam Demma / Bill Brown
Opelika Owls ##2344.343NA18,000Wheeler Flemming / Gene Bailey

##Opelika disbanded July 1; #Alexander City disbanded July 15.

Player statistics

PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Joe CampbellGriffinBA.379Marvin ChappellLaGrangeW21
Fred CampbellGriffinRuns111Marvin ChappellLaGrangeSO120
Claude ShoemakeRomeHits171Joe PenningtonValleyERA2.45
Claude ShoemakeRomeRBI135Claude ShoemakeRomeHR26

League records 1913–1951

Batting
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
Jack DanielsValley/LaGrangeG12946Johnny AllenLaGrangeG12946
Bernard LewisLindaleBA.42230McDonald TurnerNewnanAB52648
Fred DeSouzaCarrolltonR14950Malvern MorganLanettH18447
Eugene SoltCarrolltonRBI15150John StoweRome2B3951
Earl PersonsGadsden3B1729Eugene SoltCarrolltonHR3850
Bernard LewisLindaleEBH6930Eugene SoltCarrolltonTB31150
Jack ShipleyCedartownSAC2129John HeusmanAlexander CitySB8549
Fred DeSouzaCarrolltonBB16550Ted PrzeworskiLaGrange/CarrollSO11848
Pitching
PlayerTeamStatTotYrPlayerTeamStatTotYr
Marvin ChappellAlexander CityGA5149Paul BrockNewnanCG2847
Bill KallaherOpelikaWI2348Paul BrockNewnanWI2348
Gene DoerflingerCarrolltonWI2348Claude JacksonOpelikaL1749
John NaborsTalladega/NewPct.933-12-115Paul FitteryCarrolltonERA1.6028
Paul FitteryCarrolltonPct.913-21-228Paul BrockNewnanIP31347
Marvin ChappellAlexander CityShO649Gene DoerflingerCarrolltonSO23348
Mickey MihalikNewnamBB14948

Sources

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Second Edition via Baseball-Reference.com under GFDL.

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