Eastern Shore League

From BR Bullpen

The Eastern Shore League was a class D league that was the starting point for Jimmie Foxx, among others. Based in Maryland, the league played from 1922 to 1928, was revived in 1937, shut down in 1942 for World War II, returned after the war, then finished operations completely in 1949. During the three separate eras of the league it was represented by 14 cities - 7 from Maryland, 5 from Delaware and 2 from Virginia. Cambridge, MD and Salisbury, MD were represented all 16 active years of the league.

There were two cities that won the championship three times. Parksley, VA took the title in 1922, 1924 and 1927. Salisbury, MD won out in 1937, 1938 and 1948. Only six teams answered the call in 1949, and this proved to be the last show for a very classy minor league.

During the first chapter of the league, 1922 - 1928 the winner of the Eastern Shore League engaged into Interleague post-season play with the champions of the Blue Ridge League. This match-up was called the Five-State Championship. Each league was to win the title three times each. The Eastern Shore League won out in 1923, 1924, and 1927. The Blue Ridge League team came out ahead in 1922, 1925 and 1926. No Interleague play was held in 1928.

Cities Represented[edit]

Teams & Statistics[edit]

1922-1928[edit]

1922 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: Walter B. Miller

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Parksley Spuds 42 25 .627 0 Poke Whalen
Cambridge Canners 37 32 .536 6 Herb Armstrong
Crisfield Crabbers 36 32 .529 6.5 ____?____ (8/__)/John Bernard Ryan/ Jack Ryan (ryanja01)
Laurel Blue Hens 34 34 .500 8.5 Sam Frock (8/__)/ Ducky Davis
Pocomoke City Salamanders 29 41 .414 14.5 Jack Ryan (ryanja02) (8/__)/ Sam Frock
Salisbury Indians 27 41 .397 15.5 Izzy Hoffman (7/__)/ George Eichnor

No Playoffs Scheduled.

Five State Championship, Martinsburg, BRL, 4 games, Parksley, ESL, 0.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Joe Tagg Crisfield BA .329 Bill Klingehoffer Parksley W 15
Jake Flowers Cambridge Runs 50 Bill Klingehoffer Parksley SO 158
Herbert Fisher Parksley Hits 83 Bill Klingehoffer Parksley Pct .750; 15-5
Jake Flowers Cambridge HR 14
William McKnight Pocomoke City HBP 37


1923 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: M.B. Thawley

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Dover Senators 51 24 .680 0 Jiggs Donahue
Cambridge Canners 47 26 .644 3 Herb Armstrong
Laurel Blue Hens 42 30 .583 7.5 Poke Whalen
Salisbury Indians 34 39 .446 16 Burt Shipley
Parksley Spuds 31 45 .408 20.5 Thomas Whalen
Crisfield Crabbers 26 47 .356 24 Carl Dittmar / George Hammen
Pocomoke City Salamanders ## 27 37 .422 NA James Sharp
Milford Sandpipers # 9 19 .321 NA Bob Clark / John McCloskey

#Milford withdrew July 14 rather than forfeit all of its games due to an ineligible player.
##Pocomoke City disbanded August 21.

Five State Championship, Dover, ESL, 4 games, Martinsburg, BRL,2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Harvey McDonald Dover BA .388 Oscar Shertzer Cambridge W 13
Harvey McDonald Dover Runs 60 Ted Firth Parksley SO 133
Harvey McDonald Dover Hits 95 Charles Humphreys Dover Pct .800; 12-3
Chick Tolson Salisbury HR 27


1924 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: J. Harry Rew

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Parksley Spuds 46 34 .575 0 Thomas Whalen
Cambridge Canners 45 35 .563 1 James Sharp
Salisbury Indians 44 36 .550 2 Al Burris
Crisfield Crabbers 41 39 .515 5 Joe Riley
Dover Senators 41 39 .515 5 Jiggs Donahue
Easton Farmers 23 57 .281 23 Frank Baker

No Playoffs Scheduled.

Five State Championship, Parksley,ESL, 4 games, Martinsburg, BRL, 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Ralph Mattis Parksley BA .322 Clint Brown Parksley W 17
Fred Fitzberger Salisbury Runs 58 Bunny Hearne Salisbury SO 175
Art Sullivan Dover Hits 97 Tom Glass Cambridge Pct .700; 14-6
Roy Zanzallari Crisfield HR 24


1925 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: M. B. Thawley

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Cambridge Canners 51 38 .573 0 Ted Smith
Parksley Spuds 48 42 .533 3.5 Thomas Whalen
Salisbury Indians 46 44 .511 5.5 Homer Smoot
Dover Dobbins 46 44 .511 5.5 Jiggs Donohue
Crisfield Crabbers 42 48 .467 9.5 Marty Breslin / Herb Armstrong
Easton Farmers 36 53 .404 15 Frank Baker / Charles Gault / Buck Herzog

No Playoffs Scheduled.

Five State Championship, Hagerstown, BRL,4 games, Cambridge, ESL,3.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Victor St. Martin Parksley BA .363 Ted Firth Parksley W 21
Victor St. Martin Parksley Runs 78 Ted Firth Parksley SO 131
Phil Voyles Salisbury Hits 119 John Trippe Cambridge Pct .783; 18-5
Victor St. Martin Parksley HR 25
Charlie Fitzberger Salisbury HR 25


1926 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: J. Harry Rew

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Crisfield Crabbers 63 21 .750 0 Dan Pasquella
Salisbury Indians 57 29 .670 7 Jack White
Dover Senators 40 46 .465 24 Jiggs Donohue
Parksley Spuds 40 46 .465 24 Win Clark
Cambridge Canners 32 54 .372 32 Thomas Whalen
Easton Farmers 24 60 .286 39 Buck Herzog

34 Easton wins were reversed August 16.
19 Parksley wins were reversed August 22.
23 Dover Wins and 22 Cambridge wins were reversed September 2.
All due to salary limit violations.

Five State Championship, Hagerstown, BRL, 4 games, Chrisfield, ESL, 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Tony Rensa Crisfield BA .388 Ted Firth Parksley W 21
Bill Hohman Easton Runs 69 Ted Firth Parksley SO 143
Floyd McDougall Parksley Hits 113 A.L. Carlton Easton Pct .765; 13-4
Red Aikens Cambridge Hits 113
Eddie Stack Parksley HR 22


1927 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: J. Harry Rew

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Parksley Spuds 60 28 .681 0 Lester Bangs
Salisbury Indians 48 38 .552 11 Thomas Whalen
Crisfield Crabbers 44 43 .506 15.5 Dan Pasquella
Cambridge Canners 41 47 .466 19 William Johnson
Easton Farmers 36 48 .462 22 Ted Cather / Jiggs Donahue
Northampton Red Sox 30 55 .353 28.5 Jack Sauter

Five State Championship, Parksley, ESL, 4 games, Chambersburg, BRL, 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bill Bickham Parksley BA .361 Cecil Rose Crisfield W 17
Mike McCallister Parksley Runs 71 Stephen Toner Salisbury SO 132
Bill Bickham Parksley Hits 119 Clint Brown Parksley Pct .800; 16-4
Paul Richards Crisfield HR 24


1928 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: J. Harry Rew

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Northampton Red Sox 22 9 .710 0 Lester Bangs
Salisbury Indians 22 10 .688 .5 Thomas Whalen
Crisfield Crabbers 14 17 .452 8 Billy Lush
Cambridge Canners 13 19 .406 9.5 Jiggs Donahue
Easton Farmers 13 20 .394 10 Dan Pasquella
Parksley Spuds 12 21 .364 11 John Pasquella

No Player Statistics Available.

The League Disbanded July 10.

1937-1941[edit]

1937 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: J. Thomas Kibler

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Salisbury Indians # 59 37 .615 0 Jake Flowers
Easton Browns 56 41 .577 3.5 George Jacobs
Cambridge Cardinals 53 43 .552 6 Fred Lucas
Centreville Colts 52 43 .547 6.5 Patsy O'Rourke
Federalsburg Athletics 52 45 .536 7.5 George Short
Pocomoke City Red Sox 42 55 .433 17.5 Vic Keene
Crisfield Crabbers 40 57 .412 19.5 Dan Pasquella / Bob Clark
Dover Orioles 32 65 .330 27.5 Bob Roetz / Jiggs Donohue

#Salisbury had 21 wins reversed June 19 due to veteran player limit
violations, yet still won the pennant.
Playoffs: Salisbury 2 games, Cambridge 1.Centreville 2 games, Easton 1.
Finals: Salisbury 3 games, Centreville 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Jerry Lynn Salisbury BA .342 Joe Kohlman Salisbury W 25
Alex Pitko Centreville Runs 103 Joe Kohlman Salisbury SO 257
Frank Treschock Salisbury Hits 131 John Davis Cambridge ERA 2.02
Frank Treschock Salisbury RBI 84 Joe Kohlman Salisbury Pct .962; 25-1
Alex Pitko Centreville HR 20


1938 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: Harry S. Russell

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Salisbury Indians 65 47 .580 0 Jake Flowers
Cambridge Cardinals 61 51 .545 4 Joe Davis
Milford Giants 60 52 .536 5 Val Picinich
Dover Orioles 58 54 .518 7 Wes Kingdon / Walter Millies
Federalsburg Athletics 56 56 .500 9 Charley Moss
Easton Cubs 55 56 .495 9.5 George Jacobs
Centreville Colts 51 60 .459 13.5 Joe O'Rourke
Pocomoke City Red Sox 41 71 .366 24 Joe Boley / Wes Kingdon

Playoffs: Salisbury 2 games, Milford 0. Cambridge 2 games, Dover 0.
Finals: Salisbury 3 games, Cambridge 1.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sid Gordon Milford BA .352 Johnny Bassler Salisbury W 17
George Reisinger Dover Runs 110 Joe Davis Cambridge W 17
Sid Gordon Milford Hits 145 Bill Yarewick Milford SO 207
Jim Conlan Salisbury RBI 99 Joe Davis Cambridge ERA 2.02
Bill Phillips Federalsburg HR 31 Joe Davis
John Bassler
Cambridge
Salisbury
PCT .773 17-5
.773 17-5


1939 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: Harry S. Russell

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Federalsburg A's 83 38 .686 0 27,000 Sammy Holbrook
Cambridge Cardinals 68 51 .571 14 34,000 Fred Lucas
Dover Orioles 62 57 .521 20 23,500 Ray Brubaker/Wes Kingdon/Walt Millies
Centreville Colts 62 60 .508 21.5 21,000 Dave Cobble/Cap Clark
Salisbury Senators 59 59 .500 22.5 23,000 Vic Keene /Spud Nachand
Easton Yankees 51 68 .429 31 32,000 Ray Powell
Milford Giants 49 69 .416 32.5 19,000 Earl Smith / Val Picinich
Pocomoke City Red Sox 43 75 .364 38.5 12,000 Wes Kingdon /Jake Flowers

Playoffs: Cambridge 3 games, Centreville 0. Dover 3 games, Federalsburg 0.
Finals: Cambridge 4 games, Dover 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Martin Steinman Milford BA .378 Les Hinckle Federalsburg W 27
Irving Kolberg Federalsburg Runs 111 Les Hinckle Federalsburg SO 309
Francis Walsh Centreville Hits 163 Les Hinckle Federalsburg ERA 2.49
Francis Walsh Centreville RBI 129 Les Hinckle Federalsburg PCT .818 27-6
Henry Schluter Dover HR 29


1940 Eastern Shore League - [1]
President: Harry S. Russell

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Dover Orioles 72 48 .600 0 Cap Clark
Centreville Red Sox 68 48 .586 2 Ed Walls
Milford Giants 72 52 .581 2 Bubber Jonnard
Salisbury Cardinals 65 58 .528 8.5 Gus Brittain / Ed Kobesky
Federalsburg A's 57 67 .460 17 Sam Nisonoff /Joe Maynard
Cambridge Canners 52 67 .437 19.5 Hugh Poland
Easton Yankees 48 69 .410 22.5 Ray Powell
Pocomoke City Chicks 50 75 .400 24.5 Poke Whalen

Playoffs: Milford 3 games, Dover 2. Salisbury 3 games, Centreville 2.
Finals: Salisbury 4 games, Milford 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Lloyd Rice Federalsburg BA .363 Jorge Comellas Salisbury W 21
Paul Gaulin Dover Runs 102 Jocko Thompson Centreville SO 268
Bob Maier Salisbury Hits 146 Jocko Thompson Centreville ERA 1.56
Fred Lutz Easton RBI 81 Guy Johnson Dover PCT .846 11-2
Ed Kobesky Salisbury HR 18


1941 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: Harry S. Russell

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Milford Giants 66 42 .611 0 Hal Gruber
Cambridge Canners 61 45 .575 4 Everett Johnston
Easton Yankees 57 53 .518 10 Dallas Warren
Centreville Red Sox 54 52 .509 11 Ed Walls / Eddie Popowski
Salisbury Cardinals 51 59 .464 16 John Wedemeyer /Bob Maier
Federalsburg A's 35 73 .324 31 Joe O'Rourke

Playoffs: Milford 3 games, Centreville 0. Easton 3 games, Cambridge 0.
Finals: Easton 4 games, Milford 3.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Gordon McKinnon Milford BA .344 Bill Boland Milford W 20
Gordon McKinnon Milford Runs 98 Chris Hayden Milford SO 188
Art Flesland Milford Hits 157 Joe Ostrowski Centreville ERA 1.71
Art Gunning Milford RBI 67 Bill Boland Milford PCT .800 20-5
Tommy Koval Cambridge HR 16

1946-1949[edit]

1946 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: J. Thomas Kibler

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Centreville Orioles 88 37 .704 0 Jim McLeod
Milford Red Sox 77 49 .611 11.5 Walter Millies
Dover Phillies 68 57 .544 20 Hank Lehman
Salisbury Cardinals 61 64 .488 27 Hal Contini
Easton Yankees 59 66 .472 29 Jack Farmer
Seaford Eagles 58 68 .460 30.5 Walter Youse / Joe Becker
Cambridge Dodgers 53 73 .421 35.5 Jimmy Cooney / Barney DeForge
Federalsburg A's 37 87 .298 50.5 Lew Krausse

Playoffs: Centreville 4 games, Dover 3. Milford 4 games, Salisbury 2.
Finals: Centreville 4 games, Milford 1.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Sid Langston Salisbury BA .353 Richard Waldt Centreville W 17
Jimmy Stevens Centreville Runs 132 Stanley Coulling Centreville W 17
Fred Pacitto Centreville Hits 164 Mike Gast Centreville SO 182
Don Marshall Dover RBI 110 Barney DeForge Cambridge ERA 2.48
Don Marshall Dover HR 29 Mike Gast Centreville PCT .762 16-5


1947 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: J. Thomas Kibler

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Cambridge Dodgers 91 34 .728 0 62,118 Roy Nichols
Seaford Eagles 74 49 .602 16 54,637 Bob Westfall
Dover Phillies 68 56 .548 22.5 33,676 Dick Carter
Federalsburg A's 62 63 .496 29 29,781 Pep Rambert
Milford Red Sox 62 64 .492 29.5 29,581 Walter Millies
Rehoboth Beach Pirates 49 75 .395 41 30,521 Gordon McKinnon / Doug Peden
Easton Yankees 48 78 .381 43.5 42,618 Joe Antolick
Salisbury Cardinals 45 80 .360 46 51,739 Harold Contini

Playoffs: Cambridge 4 games, Dover 3. Seaford 4 games, Federalsburg 0.
Finals: Seaford 4 games, Cambridge 3.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Pep Rambert Federalsburg BA .376 Chris Van Cuyk Cambridge W 25
Bob Stramm Cambridge Runs 129 Chris Van Cuyk Cambridge SO 279
Bob Stramm Cambridge Hits 162 Chris Van Cuyk Cambridge ERA 1.93
Tim Thompson Cambridge Hits 162 Chris Van Cuyk Cambridge Pct .926; 25-2
Ducky Detweiler Federalsburg HR 29
Ducky Detweiler Federalsburg RBI 133


1948 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: Dallas Culver

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Salisbury Cardinals 89 32 .736 0 59,164 Gene Corbett
Milford Red Sox 81 43 .653 9.5 21,947 Clayton Sheedy
Easton Yankees 71 50 .587 18 37,780 Dallas Warren
Cambridge Dodgers 65 61 .516 26.5 31,737 Bob Vickery / Stew Hofferth
Rehoboth Beach Pirates 60 65 .480 31 21,845 Doug Peden
Seaford Eagles 56 70 .444 35.5 31,850 Bob Westfall / Socks Seibold
Federalsburg A's 49 76 .392 42 22,901 Ducky Detweiler
Dover Phillies 26 100 .206 65.5 10,079 Guy Glaser / Grover Wearshing

Playoffs: Teams played a round-robin series. Cambridge (4-2). Milford (4-3).
Easton (3-4) and Salisbury (2-4).
Finals: Milford 4 games, Cambridge 1.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Donald Maxa Easton BA .382 John Andre Seaford W 21
Norm Zauchin Milford Runs 126 John Andre Seaford SO 228
Ray Jablonski Milford Hits 172 Edward Black Salisbury ERA 2.23
Norm Zauchin Milford RBI 138 Herb Moford Salisbury PCT .833 20-4
Norm Zauchin Milford HR 33


1949 Eastern Shore League - schedule
President: Dallas Culver

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Easton Yankees 68 52 .567 0 38,651 Jack Farmer
Federalsburg Feds 63 56 .529 4.5 30,139 Carl McQuillen
Salisbury Cardinals 60 59 .504 7.5 39,063 Gene Corbett
Rehoboth Beach Sea Hawks 56 63 .471 11.5 22,358 Bill Sisler / Johnny Watson
Seaford Eagles 56 64 .467 12 35,519 Paul Galin
Cambridge Dodgers 55 64 .462 12.5 29,434 Merle Strachan

Playoffs: Teams played a round-robin series. Federalsburg (4-1). Rehoboth Beach (4-2).
Easton (2-4) and Salisbury (1-4).
Finals: Rehoboth Beach 4 games, Federalsburg 3.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Gordon Bragg Easton BA .362 Babe Pinelli Rehoboth Beach W 18
Bob Westfall Federalsburg Runs 126 John Andre Rehoboth Beach SO 240
Bob Westfall Federalsburg Hits 158 Duke Markell Seaford ERA 2.17
Bob Westfall Federalsburg RBI 113 Duke Markell Seaford PCT .909 10-1
Bob Westfall Federalsburg HR 19

League Records 1922-1949[edit]

Batting
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Harold Contini Salisbury G 127 46 Harvey McDonald Dover BA .388 23
Spider Wilhelm Federalsbur AB 518 47 Tony Rensa Crisfield BA .388 26
Jimmy Stevens Centreville Runs 142 46 Ray Jablonski Milford HITS 172 48
Norm Zauchin Milford RBI 138 48 Norm Zauchin Milford 2B 44 48
Tom Clancy Dover 3B 15 25 Norm Zauchin Milford HR 33 48
Norm Zauchin Milford EBH 82 48 Norm Zauchin Milford TB 323 48
Whitey Koppenhaver Salisbury SAC 22 48 Don Nicholas Cambridge SB 82 48
Bobby Tripp Dover BB 133 47 William McKnight Pocomoke HBP 37 22
Hal Harrigan Milford SO 137 39


Pitching
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Leonard Baker Federalsbur GA 41 49 John Andre Seaford CG 29 48
Les Hinckle Federalsbur CG 29 39 Les Hinckle Federalsburg W 27 39
Newell Valentine Pocomoke L 17 39 Howard Smith Cambridge L 17 40
Joe Kohlman Salisbury PCT .986 37 Jocko Thompson Centreville ERA 1.56 40
Ken Raffensberger Cambridge IP 298 37 George Corneilius Salisbury WS 20 37
Chris Van Cuyk Cambridge ShO 9 47 Les Hinckle Federalsburg SO 309 39
Andrew Schultz Salisbury BB 165 49 Steve Colosky Cambridge HB 20 40
Bill Fogg Dover WP 21 47

Hall of Fame Alumni[edit]

Source[edit]

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Second and Third Editions.
SABR Minor League Database
Paper of Reference TSN 1923-1927
Pat Doyles Old-Time Data
References from ESBL History by William W. Mowbry

Further reading[edit]

  • James P. Holl: "Baseball Braggin' Rights: The Five-State Series, 1922-1927", in Bob Brown, ed.: Monumental Baseball: The National Pastime in the National Capital Region, The National Pastime, SABR, Number 39, 2009, pp. 36-42.
  • Barry Sparks: "Comebacks and Fisticuffs: The Eastern Shore League, 1922-1949", in Bob Brown, ed.: Monumental Baseball: The National Pastime in the National Capital Region, The National Pastime, SABR, Number 39, 2009, pp. 57-62.