The AlabamaâÂÂFlorida League was a low-level circuit in American minor league baseball that existed from 1936 through 1939 and 1951 through 1962. The temporary absence of clubs based in Florida caused the league to change its name to the Alabama State League in 1940âÂÂ1941 and from 1946 to 1950.
History
The AlabamaâÂÂFlorida League was founded in 1936. In 1940 the league changed its name to the Alabama State League. In 1951, the Alabama State League switched its name back to the AlabamaâÂÂFlorida. The AlabamaâÂÂFlorida League played 12 more seasons after reforming. The AlabamaâÂÂFlorida League was a Class D level league for its duration.
The Class D loop's longest serving members included clubs in Andalusia, Brewton, Dothan, Enterprise, Greenville, Ozark and Troy, all in Alabama, and the Florida cities of Fort Walton Beach, Graceville and Panama City.
Montgomery, Alabama, the largest city to be represented in the league, was a member for six seasons (1957âÂÂ1962).
In , the league's final year, the Pensacola Senators, a Washington Senators farm club managed by Wayne Terwilliger, won the pennant by 22 games and led the league in attendance. It was the only AlabamaâÂÂFlorida League team to post a winning record.
AlabamaâÂÂFlorida League teams
- Abbeville, AL: Abbeville Red Sox 1936 ** The team disbanded on August 10, 1936
- Andalusia, AL: Andalusia Reds 1936; Andalusia Bulldogs 1937âÂÂ1938; Andalusia Rams 1939; Andalusia Arrows 1953; Andalusia-Opp Indians 1954; Andalusia Dodgers 1962 (** The Dodgers moved to Ozark on July 10, 1962)
- Columbus, GA: Columbus Foxes 1958
- Crestview, FL: Crestview Braves 1954âÂÂ1956
- Donalsonville, GA: Donalsonville Indians 1955; Donalsonville Seminoles 1956
- Dothan, AL: Dothan Boll Weevils 1936; Dothan Browns 1937âÂÂ1939; Dothan Browns 1951âÂÂ1952; Dothan Rebels 1953âÂÂ1954; Dothan Cardinals 1955âÂÂ1956; Dothan Cardinals 1958âÂÂ1960; Dothan Phillies 1961âÂÂ1962
- Enterprise, AL: Enterprise Browns 1936; Enterprise Boll Weevils 1951âÂÂ1952 (** The Boll Weevils moved to Graceville on July 5, 1952)
- Eufaula, AL: Eufaula Millers 1952âÂÂ1953
- Evergreen, AL: Evergreen Greenies 1937âÂÂ1938 (** The team moved from Ozark at start of 1937 season's second half on June 29, 1937)
- Fort Walton Beach, FL: Fort Walton Beach Jets 1953âÂÂ1962
- Graceville, FL: Graceville Boll Weevils 1952; Graceville Oilers 1953âÂÂ1958 (** The Boll Weevils moved from Enterprise on July 5, 1952)
- Greenville, AL: Greenville Lions 1939
- Headland, AL: Headland Dixie Runners 1951âÂÂ1952
- Montgomery, AL: Montgomery Rebels 1957âÂÂ1962
- Ozark, AL: Ozark Cardinals 1936âÂÂ1937; Ozark Eagles 1951âÂÂ1952; Ozark Dodgers 1962 (** The Cardinals moved to Evergreen at start of 1937 season's second half on June 29, 1937. The Dodgers moved from Andalusia on July 10, 1962)
- Panama City, FL: Panama City Papermakers 1936; Panama City Pelicans 1937âÂÂ1939; Panama City Fliers 1951âÂÂ1961
- Pensacola, FL: Pensacola Dons 1957âÂÂ1959; Pensacola Angels 1960; Pensacola Senators 1961âÂÂ1962
- Selma, AL: Selma Cloverleafs 1957âÂÂ1962
- Tallahassee, FL: Tallahassee Citizens 1951
- Tallassee, AL: Tallassee Indians 1939
- Troy, AL: Troy Trojans 1936âÂÂ1939
- Union Springs, AL: Union Springs Springers 1936âÂÂ1937; Union Springs Red Birds 1938
AlabamaâÂÂFlorida League champions
1936: Andalusia Reds<br/> 1937: Andalusia Bulldogs<br/> 1938: Troy Trojans<br/> 1939: Tallassee Indians<br/> 1951: Dothan Browns<br/> 1952: Ozark Eagles<br/> 1953: Dothan Rebels<br/> 1954: Graceville Oilers<br/> 1955: Panama City Fliers<br/> 1956: Donalsonville Seminoles<br/> 1957: Graceville Oilers<br/> 1958: Dothan Cardinals<br/> 1959: Selma Cloverleafs<br/> 1960: Pensacola Angels<br/> 1961: Selma Cloverleafs<br/> 1962: Selma Cloverleafs
Alabama State League teams
External links
References
- Johnson, Lloyd and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997.