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The Montana State League was a minor league baseball league that played various seasons between 1892 and 1925 as an Independent league. As the name implies, the Montana State League consisted of teams based in exclusively in Montana, with the exception of the 1909 season when Idaho and Utah were represented. The Montana State League played just the three documented minor league seasons and had several other seasons of professional play without official records.
| Classification | Independent (1887, 1891) Class B (1892) Independent (1898, 1900, 1905, 1909, 1925) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Minor League Baseball |
| First season | 1892 |
| Ceased | 1925 |
| President | William Henry Lucas (1900) |
| No. of teams | 9 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Most titles | 1 Butte (1892) Great Falls Indians (1900) Helena (1909) |
| Related competitions | Northern Utah League |
The Montana State League first began play as a non–classified league in 1887. The league also played a season in 1891. The teams are unknown in both seasons, with no official records available.[1][2]
In 1892, the Montana State League reformed as six–team Class B level minor league.[3][4] The league played a split–season schedule. The Bozeman and Great Falls franchises disbanded on July 23, 1892, after the conclusion of the first half. The overall standings were led by Helena (29–21), who were followed by the Butte (26–22), Philipsburg Burgers (22–23) and Missoula (18–29) teams.[5] Bozeman had a record of 10–8 and the Great Falls Smelter Cities 6–10 when they folded. Butte won the first–half championship and Missoula won the second–half title. Butte won the overall championship. Helena allegedly forfeited over complaints regarding money and umpiring.[6]
Baseball Hall of Fame member Clark Griffith played for Missoula in 1892. It was reported Griffith pitched so well in one game that Missoula fans showered him with gold coins after the game. Griffith later bought property and built a home in Montana.[7][8][9][10]
After the 1892 season, there were strong allegations of betting and cheating. The league did not return in 1893.[7][9]
The league played a season in 1898 with no records existing and the league was not classified.[11]
In 1900, the Montana State League reformed as a four–team Independent minor league.[12][13] The league president was William Henry Lucas.[14] The overall league standings featured the Anaconda Serpents (34–37), Butte Smoke Eaters (30–40), Great Falls Indians (39–32)[15] and Helena Senators (39–33).[16] Helena won the first–half championship and Great Falls won the second–half title.[8][9][17]
Baseball Hall of Fame member Joe Tinker played for both the Great Falls Indians and Helena Senators in 1900 at age 19.[8][9]
The Montana State League played a season in 1905, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula composed the league. No league standings or records are available.[18]
In 1909, the Montana State League played as a four–team league, adding teams in Idaho and Utah. The league comprised Helena (35–16), the Salt Lake City Cubs (34–17), Butte (20–31) and Boise (13–38).[18]
In 1925, the Montana State League played a final season as a four team Independent minor league. Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula played in the league, which has no official results.[19]
| Team name(s) | City represented | Ballpark | Year(s) active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anaconda Serpents | Anaconda, Montana | Mountain View Park[20] | 1900 |
| Boise | Boise, Idaho | Unknown | 1909 |
| Bozeman | Bozeman, Montana | Unknown | 1892 |
| Butte, Butte Smoke Eaters | Butte, Montana | Mt. Columbia Grounds[21] | 1892, 1900, 1905, 1909, 1925 |
| Great Falls Smelter Cities, Great Falls Indians | Great Falls, Montana | Black Eagle Park[22] | 1892, 1900, 1905, 1925 |
| Helena, Helena Senators | Helena, Montana | Unknown | 1892, 1900, 1905, 1909, 1925 |
| Missoula | Missoula, Montana | Unknown | 1892,1905, 1925 |
| Philipsburg Burgers[23] | Philipsburg, Montana | Unknown | 1892 |
| Salt Lake City Cubs | Salt Lake City, Utah | Unknown | 1909 |
1892 Montana State League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | 29 | 21 | .580 | – | Con Strothers |
| Butte | 26 | 22 | .542 | 1.0 | Jim Powell |
| Philipsburg Burgers | 22 | 23 | .489 | 4.5 | Charlie Hoover |
| Missoula | 18 | 29 | .383 | 8.5 | Marin |
| Bozeman | 10 | 38 | .208 | NA | B.E. Vaile |
| Great Falls Smelter Cities | 6 | 10 | .375 | NA | Meilli |
1900 Montana State League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls Indians | 39 | 32 | .549 | - | Kinsella / John McCloskey |
| Helena Senators | 38 | 33 | .535 | 1.0 | Carl Wood Paddy Ryan / Jack Flannery |
| Anaconda Serpents | 34 | 36 | .485 | 4.5 | Jack Grim |
| Butte Smoke Eaters | 30 | 40 | .428 | 8.5 | James Powell |
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles McIntrye | Anaconda/Helena | BA | .441 | Solly Salisbury | Helena | W | 19 | |
| Dave Zearfoss | Great Falls | Runs | 88 | C.E. Wright | Great Falls | Pct | .696; 16–7 | |
| Dave Zearfoss | Great Falls | Hits | 106 | Bert Schils | Anaconda | HR | 19 |
1909 Montana State League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | 35 | 16 | .686 | – | Unknown[26] |
| Salt Lake City Cubs | 38 | 33 | .535 | 1.5 | Unknown[27] |
| Butte | 20 | 31 | .392 | 7.5 | Unknown[28] |
| Boise | 13 | 38 | .255 | 11.5 | John Strouthers / Joe Marshall[29] |
- Clark Griffith (1900), Mizzoula. Inducted, 1946
- Joe Tinker (1900) Great Falls Indians & Helena Senators. Inducted, 1946
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