The Eastern Illinois League was a Class-D league in Minor League Baseball that existed during the 1907 and 1908 baseball seasons. The league president as of 1907 was L. A. G. Shoaff. According to the 1908 Spalding Guide, the league got its start in Pana, IL and the league's "godfather" was Joe Adams, also known as "Old Wagon Tongue." In 1907, teams had a salary limit of $600.
Cities represented Centralia, Illinois: Centralia White Stockings (1907) Charleston, Illinois: Charleston Broom Corn Cutters (1907); Charleston Evangelists (1908) Danville, Illinois: Danville Speakers (1908) Linton, Indiana: Linton (1908) Mattoon, Illinois: Mattoon Giants (1907-1908) Pana, Illinois: Pana Coal Miners (1907-1908) Paris, Illinois: Paris Colts (1907); Paris Parisians (1908) Shelbyville, Illinois: Shelbyville Queen Citys (1907-1908) Staunton, Illinois: Staunton Speakers (1908) Taylorville, Illinois: Taylorville Tailors (1907-1908) Vincennes, Indiana: Vincennes Alices (1908)
Standings & statistics
1907 Eastern Illinois League President: Charles Welvert / L.A.G. Schoaff Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersMattoon Giants 7424.627--Hank O'Day Charleston Broom Corn Cutters7149.5924 Nig Langdon Taylorville Tailors 6058.50814 Phil Ketter / Mike Ryan Centralia White Stockings /Paris Colts5167.43223Red Kelly / Bob Shaw Pana Coal Miners5170.42124½Joe AdamsShelbyville Queen Citys5069.42024½ J.B. Young Centralia (6-27) moved to Paris June 20.
Player TeamStat TotPhil KetterTaylorvilleBA.284Bill BartleyCharlestonRuns51Phil KetterTaylorvilleHits111 Andy Lotshaw CharlestonHR10Grover LowdermilkMattoonW33Grover LowdermilkMattoonSO458Grover LowdermilkMattoonERA0.93
1908 Eastern Illinois League President: L.A.G. Schoaff Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagersDanville Speakers /Staunton6527.707-- W.C. Dithridge Taylorville Tailors5639.58910½ Mike Ryan Shelbyville Queen Citys 5243.54714½ Joe Adams Vincennes Alices4748.49519½ Pop Lloyd Paris Parisians4348.47321½Erickstone / Eckson / Dan Jenkins / Skipper RobertsPana Coal Miners /Linton2570.26341½ Sunday Hawker / Nig Langdon / ButtsMattoon Giants 3245.416NALefty Russell / George KizerCharleston Evangelists 3737.500NAKid Madden Pana (18-44) moved to Linton July 17, for the second half.Danville (42-18) moved to Staunton July 17, for the second half.Charleston and Mattoon disbanded July 30.Shelbyville disbanded August 20, causing the league to disband.
Player TeamStat Tot Art Ahring CharlestonBA.355Tom FlemingDan/StaRuns57Buck StanleyParisHits93 Andy Biltz ShelbyvilleHR6 Ralph Grimes Dan/StaW19Joe JenkinsPar/Pan/StaSO139Chet CarmichaelVincennesPct.800; 16-4
Sources The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball:Second Edition.
References
External links Baseball Reference