Nebraska State League


The Nebraska State League was an American professional baseball league with five incarnations. At least, the name was adopted five times: in 1892, from 1910 to 1915, from 1922 to 1923, from 1928 to 1938 and from 1956 to 1959.
The first NSL is fairly well known because it was racially integrated. 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 thanks to the book A False Spring by Pat Jordan.
Once a classification system was put in place, the Nebraska State League was always ranked as a class D league.

1892

The first Nebraska State League was racially integrated with African-American players on at least three teams: Bud Fowler, Kearney; John W. Patterson, Plattsmouth; and George Taylor, Beatrice.
TeamWLGBPct.Manager
Beatrice, NE27200.574NA
Grand Island, NE25253.5.500Pa Rourke
Kearney, NE18215.462NA
Hastings, NE17205.459NA
Fremont, NE, Fremont11189.379NA
Plattsmouth, NE112411.314NA

These were the standings and statistics when the league disbanded in July.

1910-1915

Cities Represented

1910 Nebraska State League

President: Henry A. Sievers
Team StandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Fremont Pathfinders6343.594016,966Pug Bennett
Columbus Discoverers5948.5514.514,110Joe Dolan
Kearney Kapitalists6051.5415.514,946Clarence Murphy
Grand Island Collegians6052.536620,129Buck Beltzer
Superior Brickmakers5654.509913,150Dennis Bockewitz
Seward Statesmen5062.4461610,251John Fink
Red Cloud4762.43117.510,126B.F. Grant
Hastings Brickmakers4265.39821.514,318George Harms
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Fred JarrottRed CloudBA.326Win NoyesKearneyW24
Leo CookHastingsRuns88Win NoyesKearneySO323
Fred JarrottRed CloudHits126Frank GreenKearneyPct.900; 9-1
Fresco Thompson FremontHR10Archie TurpinFremontSB75

1911 Nebraska State League

President: Henry A. Sievers
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Superior Brickmakers7040.6360Dennis Bockewitz
Fremont Pathfinders6943.6162Pug Bennett
Hastings Third Citys5458.48217Rudy Kling
Seward Statesmen5357.48217John Fink
Grand Island Collegians5260.46419Howard Armstrong
Columbus Discoverers5260.46419Joe Dolan
Kearney Buffaloes4864.42923Clarence Murphy
York Prohibitionists4864.42923George Harms / Lefty Davis
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Norm CoyleSuperiorBA.354Al OrthHastingsW23
Nick AllenSuperiorRuns95Harry SmithFremontSO235
Norm CoyleSuperiorHits153Jim StevensSuperiorPct.750; 18-6
George HarmsYorkHR21----

1912 Nebraska State League

President: A.C. Felt
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Hastings Third Citys #6744.6040Bert Shaner
Fremont Pathfinders6645.5951Pug Bennett
Kearney Kapitalists6349.5634.5Harry Berte
Columbus Discoverers5654.50910.5Jim Palmer / Willie Wilson
Seward Statesmen5359.47314.5Bill Zink
Grand Island Collegians5259.46815Jim Cockman
York Prohibitionists4566.40522Lefty Davis
Superior Brickmakers4369.38424.5Dennis Bockewitz
#A Kearney win over Hastings was reversed at the 1913 spring meeting,
giving Hastings the championship.
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Pug BennettFremontBA.360Joe LotzKearneyW26
Charles BlockYorkRuns116Bert ShanerHastingsPct.773; 17-5
Bill ZinkSewardHits139----

1913 Nebraska State League

President: A.C. Felt
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Kearney kapitalists6745.5980Harry Berte
Hastings Third Citys6448.5713Bert Shaner
York Prohibitionists5755.50910Gid Gardner
Fremont Pathfinders5656.50011Curt Welch
Superior Brickmakers5458.48213Dennis Bockewitz
Columbus Discoverers5458.48213John Gondling / Red Smith / Jack Kraninger
Seward / Beatrice #5260.46415Bill Zink
Grand Island Collegians4468.39323O.J. Firestine / Jack Forrester
#Seward moved to Beatrice July 21.
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Homer W. "Dolly" GrayKearneyBA.411R.N. MaplesKearneyW17
Swat McCabeHastingsHits155L.R. PlymptonKearneyW17
Ted ReedColumbusPct.737; 14-5Berney EvertonYorkW17

1914 Nebraska State League

President: Clarence J. Miles
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Grand Island Islanders6646.5890Harry Claire
Beatrice Milkskimmers6547.5801Frank Coe
Hastings Reds6448.5712Pug Bennett
York Prohibitionists6052.5366Maury Pierce
Superior Brickmakers5458.48212James Feeney / F.H. Bigby
Norfolk Drummers5260.46414Warren Cummings / Babe Towne
Columbus Pawnees4963.43717Jake Kraninger
Kearney Kapitalists3874.33928Harry Berte
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Jake GettmanHastingsBA.336John McDonnellBeatriceW21
Clint NeffBeatriceRuns80Dazzy VanceHastingsSO194
Fred PayneGrand IslandHits134Dazzy VanceHastingsPct.810; 17-4
Clint NeffBeatriceHR19----

1915 Nebraska State League

President: Clarence J. Miles
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Beatrice Milkskimmers3518.6600John Fillman
Hastings Reds3027.5267Pug Bennett
York Prohibitionists2531.44611.5Maury Pierce
Fairbury Shaners2231.41513Bert Shaner
Norfolk Drummers ##2413.649NABabe Towne
Grand Island Champions ##1616.500NAHarry Claire
Kearney Buffaloes #410.286NAGrover Matney
Columbus Pawnees #313.188NAFrank Justus
#Columbus and Kearney disbanded June 4.
  1. #Grand Island and Norfolk disbanded June 28.
The league ceased operations July 18.

1922-1923

Cities Represented

1922 Nebraska State League

President: Clarence J. Miles
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norfolk Elk Horns7048.5930Bert Adams / Runt Marr
Lincoln Links7049.588.5O.A. Beltzer
Fairbury Jeffersons6949.5851George Segrist
Beatrice Blues5363.45716R. Kirchner / William "Ducky" Holmes
Hastings Cubs5267.43718.5Al Smith
Grand Island Champions4078.33930Ed Willett
Playoff: Fairbury 4 games, Norfolk 3.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Cliff MarrNorfolkBA.364Bill BaileyLincolnW23
Cliff MarrNorfolkRuns116Fred WigingtonHastingsSO260
Cliff MarrNorfolkHits167L.W. JenneyFairburyPct.773; 17-5
Claude MitchellNorfolkHR21----

1923 Nebraska State League

President: Clarence J. Miles /Richard R. Grotte
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lincoln Links7164.5260O.A. Beltzer
Norfolk Elk Horns6866.5072.5Ed Reichle
Grand Island Champions6866.5072.5Leo McDonnell / Boser
Hastings Cubs6566.4984Pug Bennett
Beatrice Blues6468.4855.5Ed Willett / Matty McGrath
Fairbury Jeffersons6369.4776.5George Segrist
Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Fred ConkeyLincolnBA.390Art StokesLincolnW23
Fresco ThompsonGrand IslandRuns91Art StokesLincolnSO207
Fred ConkeyLincolnHits169Edward ShupeGrand IslandPct.720; 18-7
Jimmy HudgensFairburyHR13----

1928-1938

Cities Represented

1928 Nebraska State League

President: James E. Beltzer
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
McCook Generals7149.5920Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Lincoln Links6654.5505Bob Brown
Beatrice Blues6456.5337Hal Brokaw
North Platte Buffaloes6457.5297.5Joe Pizer
York Dukes5862.48313Art Rasmussen
Norfolk Elkhorns5566.45516.5Lefty Wilkus
Grand Island Champs5268.43319Davey Claire / Pierpoint / Thomson / Schoonover
Fairbury Jeffersons5169.42520Lee Fairchild
Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
John StonehamMcCookBA.396Ernest KrenkLincolnW20
Herb PemberMcCookRuns116Harlan PyleMcCookW20
Herb PemberMcCookHits172Joe WilmanYorkSO164
Walt CooksonNorth PlatteHR19Ernest KrenkLincolnERA2.57

1929 Nebraska State League

President: James E. Beltzer
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
McCook Generals7442.6380Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Fairbury Jeffersons7051.5796.5Preston Gray
Lincoln Links6851.5717.5Bob Brown / Les Nunamaker
York Dukes6153.53512Art Rasmussen
Norton Jayhawks5460.47419Hal Brokaw
Grand Island Islanders5462.46620Clay Schoonover / Bob Brown
Norfolk Elkhorns4373.37131Lefty Wilkus
North Platte Buffaloes4274.36232Joe Pizer
Playoff: No Playoffs Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
John StonehamMcCookBA.410Andy BednarMcCookW21
Herb PemberMcCookRuns117Stanford PrimmFairburyW21
Herb PemberMcCookHits194Vito SanFilippoFairburySO201
Joe SmithNorfolkHR15Jean JonesNortonERA2.15

1930 Nebraska State League

President: James E. Beltzer
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
McCook Generals8534.7140Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Fairbury Jeffersons6851.57117Preston Gray
Grand Island Islanders6258.51723.5Kenzie Kirkham
York Dukes6059.50425Art Rasmussen
North Platte Buffaloes6060.50025.5Baldy Fowlkes
Norfolk Elkhorns5665.46330Hal Brokaw
Lincoln Links5666.45930.5Les Nunamaker
Norton Jayhawks #3387.27552.5Earl Harrison / Frank Sidle
#Norton suspended operations August 25; final seven games
were forfeited to scheduled opponents.
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Washington SeelmanNorth PlatteBA.373Vito SanFilippoFairburyW23
Ed TaylorLincolnRuns125Vito SanFilippoFairburySO243
Washington SeelmanNorth PlatteHits174Jim CameronMcCookERA2.25
Mike KreevichMcCookHR15Jim CameronMcCookPct.925; 19-2

1931 Nebraska State League

President: Robert C. Russell
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Grand Island Islanders6641.6170Sonny Brookhaus
McCook Generals5950.5418Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Lincoln Links5551.51910.5Les Nunamaker
North Platte Buffaloes5355.49113.5Bart Green / Frank Owens
Norfolk Elkhorns4758.44818Joe McDermott
York Dukes4267.38525Pop Gleason / Bob Brown
Playoffs: Grand Island 4 games, North Platte 1.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ignatius WaltersMcCookBA.400Harry MatuzakMcCookW18
Roy KippertGrand Is/McCookRuns117Harley HaganLincolnSO189
Ignatius WaltersMcCookHits193Robert PickeringGrand IslandERA2.56
Sebastian WagnerNorfolkHR22----

1932 Nebraska State League

President: Robert C. Russell
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norfolk Elkhorns7535.6820Joe McDermott
Beatrice Blues5946.56213.5Dick Reichle / Sonny Brookhaus
Grand Island Islanders5952.53216.5Sonny Brookhaus / Gus Getz
North Platte Buffaloes4961.45426Frank Owens
Lincoln Links4560.42927.5William Rumler / Bob Sanquist
McCook Gererals3770.34636.5Gene Bailey / Jack Hruska
Playoffs: Beatrice 2 games, Lincoln 1. Finals: Beatrice 4 games, Norfolk 3.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Walt GannonNorfolkBA.355Otto DavisNorfolkW24
Johnny CrossBeatriceRuns100Pat FlanaganMcCookSO261
Walt GannonNorfolkHits150Luke BucklinNorfolkERA1.89
Bill SwingerBeatriceHR16----

1933 Nebraska State League

President: James E. Beltzer
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Norfolk Elks6045.5710Joe McDermott
Beatrice Blues6046.566.5Sonny Brookhaus
Sioux Falls Canaries5749.5383.5Rex Stucker
Lincoln Links3471.32426Elmer "Doc" Bennett / Joe Hruska
Playoffs: Beatrice 5 games, Norfolk 4.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Don GutteridgeLincolnBA.360Wilmer SchroederSioux FallsW20
Larry GetzBeatriceRuns100Mike PociaskBeatriceSO195
Ray BertramNorfolkHits152Sam ConawaySioux FallsERA2.43
Howard MooreBeatriceHR19----

1934 Nebraska State League

President: J. Roy Carter
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Lincoln Links6941.6270Cy Lingle / Pug Griffin
Norfolk Elkhorns6049.5508.5Joe McDermott
Sioux Falls Canaries5060.45519Rex Stucker
Beatrice Blues3867.36228.5Sonny Brookhaus
Playoffs: None Scheduled
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Buck EwingNorfolkBA.360Jack FarmerNorfolkW19
Frank MorehouseLincolnRuns99Tom SeatsLincolnSO221
George SilveyNorfolkHits143Nels PotterLincolnERA1.71
Bill SwingerBeatriceHR14----

1935 Nebraska State League

President: J. Roy Carter
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Sioux Falls Canaries7240.6430Ralph Brandon
Norfolk Elkhorns5849.54211.5Pat Patterson
Lincoln Links5064.43923Cy Lingle
Beatrice Blues4269.37829.5Charley Stis / Bennie Warren
Attendance: Sioux Falls, 39,300
Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Sioux Falls 3.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ash JoerndtBeatriceBA.331Claude BradfordSioux FallsW17
Justin KeenoyBeatriceRuns100Orie ArntzenNorfolkSO184
Ash JoerndtBeatriceHits153Tony A. JohnsonSioux FallsERA2.14
Bill SwingerBeatriceHR22John GrilliNorfolkRBI102

1936 Nebraska State League

President: J. Roy Carter
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Sioux Falls Canaries7149.5920Ralph Brandon
Mitchell Kernels6850.5762Cliff Knox
Norfolk Elks6357.5258Joe McDermott
Beatrice Blues5665.46315.5Sonny Brookhaus
Lincoln Red Links #2638.406NAPid Purdy
Fairbury Jeffs #1944.302NAEddie Brown
#Lincoln and Fairbury disbanded July 16.
Attendance: Sioux Falls, 74,306
Playoffs: Sioux Falls 3 games, Beatrice 2: Mitchell 3 games, Norfolk 1.
Finals: Mitchell 4 games, Sioux Falls 2.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Marvin PeltonMitchellBA.373Charlie WagnerSioux FallsW21
Bill B. JamesNorfolkRuns137Robert SwanSioux FallsSO267
Bert HaasBeatriceHits178Charlie WagnerSioux FallsERA3.08
Bill B. JamesNorfolkHR29Dexter SavageNorfolkRBI128

1937 Nebraska State League

President: J. Roy Carter
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Sioux Falls Canaries8336.6970Ralph Brandon
Mitchell Kernels7541.6476.5Cliff Knox
Beatrice Blues5461.47027Lee Riley
Norfolk Elks5065.43531Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Fairbury Jeffs4870.40734.5Sonny Brookhaus
Grand Island Red Birds4077.34242Joe McDermott
Attendance: Sioux Falls, 50,000
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Lee RileyBeatriceBA.372Charlie WagnerSioux FallsW25
Frank MahacekSioux FallsRuns129Murry DicksonGrand IslandSO209
James GuymanMitchellHits175Bobby SwanSioux FallsERA2.35
James GuymanMitchellHR22Harold SchmielSioux FallsRBI140

1938 Nebraska State League

President: J. Roy Carter
Team StandingsWLPCTGBManagers
Sioux City Cowboys7047.5980Pete Monahan
Norfolk Elkhorns6749.5782.5Elmer "Doc" Bennett
Beatrice Blues6254.5347.5Lee Riley
Lincoln Links5264.44817.5Pug Griffin
Grand Island Cardinals4967.42220.5Joe Hassler
Sioux Falls Canaries4968.41921Ralph Brandon
Playoffs: Norfolk 4 games, Sioux City 2.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Lee RileyBeatriceBA.365Don FisherSioux FallsW21
Ralph FallonSioux CityRuns124Don FisherSioux FallsSO242
Marion DeJarnettLincolnRuns124Cletus VossSioux FallsERA2.33
Ned TigheNorfolkHits161Lee RileyBeatriceRBI122
Pete MonahanSioux CityHR19----

1956-1959

Cities Represented

1956 Nebraska State League

President: Mike Hollinger
Team StandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Lexington Red Sox4122.651028,393Danny Doyle
Grand Island Athletics3528.556630,915Art Mazmanian
Kearney Yankees3528.556630,943Randy Gumpert
McCook Braves3528.556632,224Bill Steinecke
Superior Senators3429.540722,860Charles Ray Baker
Holdrege White Sox3330.524824,326Skeeter Scalzi
North Platte Indians2439.3811728,578Spencer Harris
Hastings Giants1548.2382628,713Gene Thompson
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Bill FriesKearneyBA.394Ted EllisLexingtonW11
Deron JohnsonKearneyRuns70Richard AllenMcCookW11
Jimmie HallSuperiorRuns87Gary PetersHoldregeSO142
Deron JohnsonKearneyRBI78Ted EllisLexingtonERA1.76
Deron JohnsonKearneyHR24----

1957 Nebraska State League

President: Mike Hollinger
Team StandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
Grand Island Athletics3322.600026,982Art Mazmanian
Holdrege White Sox3323.589.521,581Frank Parenti
Lexington Red Sox3323.589.524,218Jack Kaiser
Kearney Yankees3026.5363.523,349Randy Gumpert
Hastings Giants2926.527421,863Leo Schrall
McCook Braves2729.4826.525,844Bill Steinecke
Superior Senators2729.4826.519,796Charles Ray Baker
North Platte Indians1145.19622.521,207Rudy York
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
James WasemHoldregeBA.366Wayne CoughtryLexingtonW11
Don BonominiHoldregeRuns58Leonardo FergusonKearneySO149
Jackie CreedLexingtonHits71Leonardo FergusonKearneyERA1.68
Milt CampoKearneyRBI59Milt CampoKearneyHR17

1958 Nebraska State League

President: Mike Hollinger
Team StandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
North Platte Indians4122.651018,766Mark Wylie
McCook Braves4023.635117,372Bill Steinecke
Grand Island Athletics3330.524818,762Art Mazmanian
Kearney Yankees3330.524814,147Randy Gumpert
Lexington Red Sox3033.4761112,838Jack Kaiser
Holdrege White Sox2934.4601211,565George Noga
Hastings Giants2439.3811711,522Leo Schrall
Superior Senators2241.349198,953Hal Keller
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ron DebusGrand IslandBA.393Ceferino FoyMcCookW10
Larry BullaNorth PlatteRuns68Larry GansauerNorth PlatteW10
Jerry McNertneyHoldregeHits84Bill SpanswickLexingtonSO1.42
J. Keith WilliamsNorth PlatteRBI72Larry Del MargoKearneyERA2.25
J. Keith WilliamsNorth PlatteHR12-----

1959 Nebraska State League

President: Mike Hollinger
Team StandingsWLPCTGBAttendManagers
McCook Braves4319.694019,788Bill Steinecke
Holdrege White Sox3923.629411,963Frank Parenti
Grand Island Athletics3230.5161116,716Art Mazmanian
Kearney Yankees2735.4351613,141Jim Gleeson
Hastings Giants2339.3712010,235Leo Schrall
North Platte Indians2240.3552114,275Mark Wylie
Playoffs: None Scheduled.
Player Statistics
PlayerTeamStatTotPlayerTeamStatTot
Ike FutchKearneyBA.319Anthony FilicchiaGrand IslandW11
Frank SaiaMcCookRuns63Dennis OverbyMcCookSO136
Woody HuykeHastingsHits71Paul ChengerMcCookERA2.13
Boyd CoffieKearneyRBI63Woody HuykeHastingsHR12

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