The New York State League was a minor league baseball league that played between 1885 and 1917. The league began play as an Independent level league before playing from 1902 to 1917 as a Class B level league. League franchises were based in New York and Pennsylvania. John H. Farrell served as president of the league from 1897 to 1917.
The first New York State League in 1885, was actually the second of the many names the International League used before settling on its longterm moniker.
The second New York State League was a six team league for one season in 1889. Oneida was expelled from the league on July 12, and Seneca Falls disbanded August 19.
The third and longest running New York State League was a solid league that lasted from 1899 through 1917. The league was classified as a Class B league in 1902 when the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues was formed. The loop, which also had teams in Pennsylvania, was also remarkably stable in terms of membership for any minor league of that era. Binghamton and Utica lasted the whole 19-year run.[1][page needed]
Baseball Hall of Fame members Grover Cleveland Alexander (1910 Syracuse Stars), Johnny Evers (1902 Troy Trojans) and Bucky Harris (1917 Reading Pretzels) played in the league.[2][3][4]
1885 New York State League
Elmira entered the league July 10 and disbanded July 26; Albany disbanded July 27.
1889 New York State League
Oneida was expelled July 12; Seneca Falls disbanded August 19.
1890 New York State League
Oneonta disbanded September 3; Cobleskill disbanded September 20
1894 New York State League
Albany and Pittsfield disbanded July 3
1895 New York State League
Albany and Troy disbanded May 20; Gloversville and Johnstown disbanded July 4
1897 New York State League
Cortland joined the league June 2; Batavia (11–33) transferred to Geneva July 25
1898 New York State League
Palmyra (25–35) disbanded July 22, franchise to Johnstown (4–4) Aug 6, Johnstown disbanded August 16; Lyons disbanded August 12
1899 New York State League
Auburn (27–43) moved to Troy August 1.
1900 New York State League
Oswego (20–45) moved to Elmira July 30.
1901 New York State League
Cortland (22–34) moved to Waverly July 11.
1902 New York State League
1903 New York State League
1904 New York State League
Schenectady (20–39) moved to Scranton July 17.
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1905 New York State League
1906 New York State League
1907 New York State League
1908 New York State League
Amsterdam–Gloversville–Johnstown (1–8) reorganized and became 'Johnstown-Gloversville' (11–54) May 18, then moved to Elmira (24–42) July 22.
1909 New York State League
1910 New York State League
1911 New York State League
1912 New York State League
1913 New York State League
1914 New York State League
1915 New York State League
1916 New York State League
Troy (8–27) moved to Harrisburg June 20; Albany (51–57) moved to Reading August 21.
1917 New York State League
Harrisburg and Utica disbanded July 4.
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