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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.

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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

  • Anniston, Alabama: Anniston Moulders 1913–1917
  • Gadsden, Alabama: Gadsden Steel Makers 1913–1914
  • Gadsden, Alabama, Alabama City, Alabama & Attalla, Alabama: Tri-Cities Triplets 1917
  • Griffin, Georgia: Griffin Lightfoots 1915–1916; Griffin Griffs 1917
  • LaGrange, Georgia: LaGrange Terrapins 1913–1915; LaGrange Grangers 1916–1917
  • Newnan, Georgia: Newnan Cowetas 1913–1916
  • Opelika, Alabama: Opelika Opelicans 1913; Opelika Pelicans 1914
  • Rome, Georgia & Lindale, Georgia: Rome Romans 1914–1916; Rome-Lindale Romans 1917
  • Selma, Alabama: Selma River Rats 1914
  • Talladega, Alabama: Talladega Indians 1913–1914; Talladega Tigers 1915–1917

    • 1913 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: W. J. Boykin

    No Playoffs Scheduled

    1914 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: W. J. Boykin

    #Gadsden became a road club August 3.

    1915 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: C. L. Bruner

    The league disbanded July 14.

    1916 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Dick Jemison

    1917 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Dick Jemison / Dred Johnson

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

    Cities represented, teams & stats 1928–1930

  • Anniston, Alabama: Anniston Nobles 1928–1930
  • Carrollton, Georgia: Carrollton Frogs 1928; Carrollton Champs 1929–1930
  • Cedartown, Georgia: Cedartown Sea Cows 1928–1929; Cedartown Braves 1930
  • Gadsden, Alabama: Gadsden Eagles 1928–1929
  • Huntsville, Alabama: Huntsville Springers 1930
  • Lindale, Georgia: Lindale Dragons 1928; Lindale Collegians 1929; Lindale Pepperells 1930
  • Talladega, Alabama: Talladega Indians 1928–1930

    • 1928 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: C. I. Scarborough

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

    1929 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: C. I. Scarborough

    Playoff: Carrollton 4 games, Lindale 0.

    1930 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: L. H. Carre

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

    Cities represented, teams and statistics: 1946–1951

  • Alexander City, Alabama: Alexander City Millers 1947–1951
  • Carrollton, Georgia: Carrollton Hornets 1946–1950
  • Griffin, Georgia: Griffin Pimientos 1947–1949; Griffin Tigers 1950; Griffin Pimientos 1951
  • LaGrange, Georgia: LaGrange Troupers 1946–1951
  • Newnan, Georgia: Newnan Brownies 1946–1950
  • Opelika, Alabama: Opelika Owls 1946–1951
  • Rome, Georgia: Rome Red Sox 1950–1951
  • Tallassee, Alabama: Tallassee Indians 1946–1948; Tallassee Cardinals 1949
  • Valley, Alabama, Lanett, Alabama & West Point, Georgia: Valley Rebels 1946–1951

    • 1946 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Carl W. East

    #Represented Valley-Lanett(AL)-West Point(GA)
    Playoff: Tallassee 3 games, Carrollton 2; Valley 3 games, Newnan 2;
    Finals: Tallassee 3 games, Valley 2.

    1947 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Arthur R. Decatur

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

    1948 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Arthur R. Decatur

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

    1949 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Arthur R. Decatur

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

    1950 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Arthur R. Decatur

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

    1951 Georgia–Alabama League

    President: Arthur R. Decatur

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

    References

    Georgia–Alabama League Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA