Atlantic League (1896-1915)

"This article refers to the original incarnations of the Atlantic League, which operated between 1896 and 1915. For the modern league, see Atlantic League of Professional Baseball"

The Atlantic League was a name used by two minor league baseball organizations that operated off and on between 1896 and 1915 in the Northeastern United States. In total, there have been three incarnations of the Atlantic League, with the most recent beginning play in 1998.

Incarnations

Minor League 1896-1900

The first Atlantic League lasted from 1896-1900 and was the successor of the Pennsylvania State League 1892-1895.

Cities Represented

*Allentown, PA: Allentown Peanuts 1898-1900
*Elmira, NY: Elmira 1900
*Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg 1900
*Hartford, CT: Hartford Bluebirds 1896-1897; Hartford Cooperatives 1898
*Jersey City, NJ: Jersey City 1900
*Lancaster, PA: Lancaster Maroons 1896-1899
*New Haven, CT: New Haven Texas Steers 1896
*New York, NY: New York Metropolitans 1896
*Newark, NJ: Newark Colts 1896-1900
*Norfolk, VA: Norfolk Jewels 1897-1898
*Paterson, NJ: Paterson Silk Weavers 1896-1898; Paterson Giants 1899
*Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Athletics 1896-1897; Philadelphia Athletics 1900
*Reading, PA: Reading Coal Heavers 1897-1900
*Richmond, VA: Richmond Bluebirds 1897-1899
*Scranton, PA: Scranton Miners 1899; Scranton Miners 1900
*Wilkes-Barre, PA: Wilkes-Barre Coal Barons 1899-1900
*Wilmington, DE: Wilmington Peaches 1896

In 1896 New Haven moved to Lancaster July 3, while New York was expelled July 13 and replaced by Philadelphia. In 1899 Paterson disbanded on July 4, and Scranton followed on July 9. In 1900 Philadelphia moved to Harrisburg, and Newark and Jersey City disbanded Jun2. The league disbanded June 12, 1900.

Minor League, 1914

In 1914 there was a class D league known as the Atlantic League which lasted one year. The league had been known as the New York-New Jersey League a season earlier. The title was won by the Poughkeepsie Honey Bugs. Internal politics and poor financial agreements hindered the league, which made it to the year's end, but folded before it could try another run in 1915.

Cities Represented

*Bloomfield, NJ & Long Branch, NJ: Bloomfield-Long Branch Cubans
**Asbury Park, NJ: Asbury Park Sea Urchins
*Danbury, CT: Danbury Hatters
*Middletown, NY: Middletown Middies
*Newark, NJ: Newark
**Long Branch, NJ: Long Branch Cubans
*Newburgh, NY: Newburgh Hillclimbers
*Paterson, NJ: Paterson Silk Citys
*Perth Amboy, NJ: Perth Amboy Pacers
*Poughkeepsie, NY: Poughkeepsie Honey Bugs

Bloomfield-Long Branch moved to Asbury Park July 2. Newark moved to Long Branch July 22.

Hall of Fame Alumni

*Jack Chesbro, 1897-1899 Richmond Bluebirds
*Honus Wagner, 1896-1897 Paterson Silk Weavers