Georgia–Alabama League

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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 & 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 standings W L PCT GB Managers
Gadsden Steel Makers 51 38 .573 0 Elmer Randall
Newnan Cowetas 46 44 .511 5.5 E.S. Bagwell / Ed Shulze
Opelika Opelicans 46 45 .505 6 Ed Ery
Anniston Moulders 45 45 .500 6.5 Chick Hannon
LaGrange Terrapins 42 48 .467 9.5 William "Ducky" Holmes
Talladega Indians 40 50 .444 11.5 Charles Reece

No Playoffs Scheduled

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
George Randall Gadsden BA .410 Ed Ery Opelika W 19
Larry Pezold Gadsden Runs 76 Ed Ery Opelika Pct .792; 19-5
Midge Craven Newnan Hits 121

1914 Georgia–Alabama League

President: W. J. Boykin

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Selma River Rats 60 35 .632 0 W. Guiterrez / Arthur Riggs
Newnan Cowetas 56 37 .602 3 Warren Sanders
LaGrange Terrapins 55 43 .561 6.5 Ed Lafitte
Opelika Pelicans 52 45 .536 9 Kirk Newell / Elmer Steele
Rome Romans 46 50 .479 14.5 Jack Reidy
Anniston Moulders 41 54 .432 19 Bob Ragsdale / Louis Procter
Talladega Indians 37 55 .402 21 Pace / Draper / Howard Baker / Clarence Garrett
Gadsden Steel Makers# 32 60 .348 26.5 Bruce Hayes / Lou Jorda / L. Mills

#Gadsden became a road club August 3.

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Lloyd Howell Newnam BA .332 Jack Reidy Rome Hits 117
Jack Reidy Rome Runs 76

1915 Georgia–Alabama League

President: C. L. Bruner

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Newnan Cowetas 39 20 .661 0 Henry Mathewson
Talladega Tigers 39 22 .639 1 Clarence Garrett
Griffin Lightfoots 32 28 .533 7.5 Doc Martin / Ed Reagan
Rome Romans 27 31 .466 11.5 Art Burleson
Anniston Moulders 22 38 .367 17.5 Elmer Steele
LaGrange Terrapins 18 38 .327 19.5 Ed Lafitte

The league disbanded July 14.

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Don Flynn Newnan BA .358 Jack Nabors Talladega/Newnan W 12
George Cochran Rome Runs 47 Whitey Glazner Anniston SO 101
Don Flynn Newnan Hits 76 Milt Watson Griffin Pct 1.000; 7-0
Don Flynn Newnan HR 15

1916 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Dick Jemison

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Rome Romans 43 22 .662 0 Frank Manush
Newnan Cowetas 41 26 .612 3 Henry Mathewson
LaGrange Grangers 39 29 .574 5.5 Grady Bowen / Ed Lafitte
Talladega Tigers 26 38 .406 16.5 Clarence Garrett
Anniston Moulders 23 39 .371 18.5 Bill Reynolds
Griffin Lightfoots 23 41 .359 19.5 Kid Reagan / Phil Wells

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Don Flynn Newnan BA .365 Joseph Wiley Rome W 15
Don Flynn Newnan Runs 52 Robert Watkins Newnan W 15
Ben Shaw Rome Hits 89 Rufus Nolly La Grange Pct .857; 12-2

1917 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Dick Jemison / Dred Johnson

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Anniston Moulders 13 5 .722 0 Bill Pierre
Griffin Griffs 10 7 .588 2.5 Matty Matthews
Tri-Cities Triplets # 10 8 .556 3 Martin Dudley
Rome-Lindale Romans 9 9 .500 4 Dannie Overton
Talladega Tigers 6 12 .333 7 Ed Goosetree
LaGrange Grangers 5 12 .294 7.5 Heisman Jones

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
W.W. Waldron Griffin BA .388 E.A. Verrett Talladega W 4
W. W. Waldron Griffin Runs 21 Conrad Fields La Grange SO 39
W. W. Waldron Griffin Hits 26 Bennett Tri-Cities Pct 1.000; 3-0

Cities represented, teams & stats 1928–1930

1928 Georgia–Alabama League

President: C. I. Scarborough

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Cedartown Sea Cows 55 34 .618 0 W.F. Kleton / Sherry Smith
Carrollton Frogs 54 34 .614 .5 Paul Fittery
Anniston Nobles 47 42 .528 8 Ben Bruner / Bud Ammons
Talladega Indians 45 43 .511 9.5 Earl Hawkins / Louis Walker
Gadsden Eagles 37 49 .430 16.5 Doc Newton / Joe Schepner
Lindale Dragons 26 62 .295 28.5 Earl Donaldson

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Clark Taliaferro Carrollton BA .392 Paul Fittery Carrollton W 21
Joyner White Carrollton Runs 92 Abe White Carrollton SO 141
Murray Howell Carrollton Hits 152 Paul Fittery Carrollton Pct .913; 21-2
Joyner White Carrollton HR 27 Paul Fittery Carrollton ERA 1.60

1929 Georgia–Alabama League

President: C. I. Scarborough

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Lindale Collegians 60 39 .606 0 Jack Moulton
Carrollton Champs 56 44 .560 4.5 Paul Fittery
Talladega Indians 49 49 .500 10.5 Howard Camp
Gadsden Eagles 49 50 .495 11 Louis Walker
Anniston Nobles 44 56 .440 16.5 Bud Ammons / Verdo Elmore
Cedartown Sea Cows 40 60 .400 20.5 Frank Thrasher / Sherry Smith

Playoff: Carrollton 4 games, Lindale 0.

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bernard Lewis Talladega BA .420 James Soward Gadsden W 17
Charles Knowles Cedartown Runs 92 Abe White Carrollton SO 101
Bernard Lewis Talladega Hits 159 Paul Fittery Carrollton Pct .889; 16-2
Charles Knowles Cedartown HR 25

1930 Georgia–Alabama League

President: L. H. Carre

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Lindale Pepperells 63 38 .624 0 Jack Moulton
Cedartown Braves 60 41 .594 3 Sherry Smith
Anniston Nobles 57 44 .564 6 Paul Fittery / Dixie Walker
Huntsville Springers 35 66 .347 28 Bill Pierre / Thompson / Walton / Dixie Carroll / Hart
Carrollton Champs# 38 46 .452 NA Carl East / Erskine Thomason
Talladega Indians# 33 51 .393 NA Walter Barbare / Cliff Verner

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bernard Lewis Lindale BA .422 Paul Fittery Anniston W 16
Jack Shipley Cedartown Runs 131 Abe White Lindale SO 143
Bernard Lewis Lindale Hits 175 Sherry Smith Cedartown Pct .875; 14-2
George Kelly Cedartown HR 26 Sherry Smith Cedartown ERA 3.34

Cities represented, teams and statistics: 1946–1951

1946 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Carl W. East

Team standings W L PCT GB Managers
Carrollton Hornets 75 55 .577 0 Luther Gunnells
Valley Rebels # 72 58 .554 3 Cat Milner
Tallassee Indians 71 59 .546 4 Joe Heving
Newnan Brownies 68 62 .523 7 George Nix / Lloyd Brown
LaGrange Troupers 59 71 .454 16 Newton Parker / Jack Daniels
Opelika Owls 45 85 .346 30 Jim 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

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Luther Gunnells Carrollton BA .381 John B. Johnson Newnan W 20
Jack Daniels Valley/La Grange Runs 118 John B. Johnson Newnan SO 138
Jack Daniels Valley/La Grange Hits 159 Lloyd Brown Newnan ERA 2.17
Jack Daniels Valley/La Grange RBI 122 Jack Daniels Valley/La Grange HR 30

1947 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Carrollton Hornets 75 49 .605 0 52,245 Red Roberts
Opelika Owls 76 50 .603 0 65,173 Luther Gunnells
Valley Rebels 75 51 .595 1 79,829 Frank Luce
Newnan Brownies 72 53 .576 3.5 80,600 Joe Abreu / Ed Westbrook
Tallassee Indians 62 63 .496 13.5 44,693 John Hill
Griffin Pimientos 53 68 .438 20.5 66,142 Abe White
LaGrange Troupers 46 78 .371 29 55,746 Carl East / Howard Ermisch
Alexander City Millers 39 86 .312 36.5 34,462 Doug Taitt

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Red Roberts Carrollton BA .385 Paul Brock Newnan W 23
Ted Browning Newnan Runs 122 Paul Brock Newnan SO 220
Vern Morgan Valley Hits 184 Jesse Danna Valley ERA 2.15
Ken Guettler Griffin RBI 103 Ken Guettler Griffin HR 25

1948 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Valley Rebels 75 51 .595 0 60,163 Jesse Danna
Carrollton Hornets 73 53 .579 2 53,000 Red Roberts / Oliver Hill
Newnan Brownies 68 58 .540 7 65,257 Norman Veazey
Alexander City Millers 63 63 .500 12 44,053 Ben Catchings / Marvin Chappell / Gunnells
Opelika Owls 62 64 .492 13 59,000 Luther Gunnells / Jim Ball
Griffin Pimientos 55 71 .437 20 63,672 Abe White / Paul Campbell
LaGrange Troupers 54 72 .429 21 53,589 James Acton
Tallassee Indians 54 72 .429 21 34,696 Hugh East / Robert Comiskey

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Fred Campbell Griffin BA .357 William Kallaher Opelika W 23
Robert Edwards Valley Runs 114 Eugene Doerflinger Carrollton W 23
George Bailey Opelika Hits 174 Eugene Doerflinger Carrollton SO 2.33
Fred Campbell Griffin RBI 105 Leon Lindsey Alexander City ERA 2.00
James Acton La Grange HR 14

1949 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Newnan Brownies 74 52 .587 0 56,976 Robert Schmidt
Alexander City Millers 69 57 .548 5 37,373 Red Roberts
Tallassee Cardinals 66 60 .524 8 43,364 Bob Comiskey / Fred Blackwell
LaGrange Troupers 65 61 .516 9 59,952 Claude Cooper
Valley Rebels 62 64 .492 12 52,859 Jesse Danna / Vern Morgan / Bottoms
Opelika Owls 62 64 .492 12 44,885 Jim Ball
Carrollton Hornets 56 70 .444 18 36,029 William Seal / William Rucker
Griffin Pimientos 50 76 .397 24 47,825 Etchison / York / Sanders / Gibson

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joel Chapman Valley BA .351 John McFadden Newnan W 21
John Heusman Alexander City Runs 108 John McFadden Newnan SO 180
J. W. Spruil Valley Hits 153 Elmer Wallace Newnan ERA 2.02
Robert Schmidt Newnan RBI 108 Carl Franson Newnan HR 28

1950 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
LaGrange Troupers 73 48 .603 0 53,781 Claude Cooper
Alexander City Millers 73 53 .579 2.5 36,546 Red Roberts
Carrollton Hornets 66 57 .537 8 26,365 Doc Marshall
Newnan Brownies 62 60 .508 11.5 37,215 Robert Schmidt
Valley Rebels 58 65 .472 16 31,619 Myril Hoag / Jack Daniels
Griffin Tigers 57 64 .471 16 37,167 Abe White / Jack Bearden
Opelika Owls 52 72 .419 22.5 36,912 Bottoms / Bailey / Flemming
Rome Red Sox 49 71 .408 23.5 30,482 Norm Veazey / John Stowe / Myril Hoag

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Eugene Solt Carrollton BA .365 Don Bessent La Grange W 22
Fred DeSouza Carrollton Runs 149 Don Bessent La Grange SO 229
Eugene Solt Carrollton Hits 168 Don Bessent La Grange ERA 2.33
Eugene Solt Carrollton RBI 151 Eugene Solt Carrollton HR 38

1951 Georgia–Alabama League

President: Arthur R. Decatur

Team standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
LaGrange Troupers 67 47 .588 0 33,734 Claude Cooper
Valley Rebels 64 52 .552 4 37,515 George Grant
Rome Red Sox 58 57 .504 9.5 41,000 Leon Culberson
Griffin Pimientos 58 58 .500 10 24,804 Mike Conte / Campbell / Bearden
Alexander City Millers # 33 45 .423 NA 19,737 Sam Demma / Bill Brown
Opelika Owls ## 23 44 .343 NA 18,000 Wheeler Flemming / Gene Bailey

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

Player statistics

Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Campbell Griffin BA .379 Marvin Chappell La Grange W 21
Fred Campbell Griffin Runs 111 Marvin Chappell La Grange SO 120
Claude Shoemake Rome Hits 171 Joe Pennington Valley ERA 2.45
Claude Shoemake Rome RBI 135 Claude Shoemake Rome HR 26

League records 1913–1951

Batting
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Jack Daniels Valley/La Gra G 129 46 Johnny Allen La Grange G 129 46
Bernard Lewis Lindale BA .422 30 McDonald Turner Newnan AB 526 48
Fred DeSouza Carrollton R 149 50 Malvern Morgan Lanett H 184 47
Eugene Solt Carrollton RBI 151 50 John Stowe Rome 2B 39 51
Earl Persons Gadsden 3B 17 29 Eugene Solt Carrollton HR 38 50
Bernard Lewis Lindale EBH 69 30 Eugene Solt Carrollton TB 311 50
Jack Shipley Cedartown SAC 21 29 John Heusman Alexander City SB 85 49
Fred DeSouza Carrollton BB 165 50 Ted Przeworski La Gra/Carroll SO 118 48
Pitching
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Marvin Chappell Alexander City GA 51 49 Paul Brock Newnan CG 28 47
Bill Kallaher Opelika WI 23 48 Paul Brock Newnan WI 23 48
Gene Doerflinger Carrollton WI 23 48 Claude Jackson Opelika L 17 49
John Nabors Talladega/New Pct .933-12-1 15 Paul Fittery Carrollton ERA 1.60 28
Paul Fittery Carrollton Pct .913-21-2 28 Paul Brock Newnan IP 313 47
Marvin Chappell Alexander City ShO 6 49 Gene Doerflinger Carrollton SO 233 48
Mickey Mihalik Newnam BB 149 48

Hall of Fame Alumni

Sources

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

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