Alton Blues

The Alton Blues were a minor league baseball team based in Alton, Illinois in 1917. The Alton Blues played as members of the Class B level Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League.

Alton Blues
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass B (1917)
LeagueIllinois-Indiana-Iowa League (1917)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameAlton Blues (1917)
BallparkSportsman's Park (1917)

History

Minor league baseball began in Alton, Illinois in 1917.[1] The Alton Blues became members of the Class B level Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. The Blues replaced the Davenport Blue Sox in the league, which was commonly called the "Three–I League."[2] The Alton Blues were joined by the Bloomington Bloomers, Hannibal Mules, Moline Plowboys, Peoria Distillers, Quincy Gems, Rockford Rox and Rock Island Islanders in the 1917 league play.[3]

The Blues were so named, simply because of blue trim on their uniforms.[1]

On July 8, 1917, the Alton Blues had a record of 18–44 when the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League League received approval to cease play, with the Alton Blues in 8th place. The Blues were managed by player/manager Harry Bay and Jim Duggan as Alton finished 23.0 games behind the 1st place Peoria Distillers.[4] The Alton Blues finished behind the Peoria Distillers (43–23), Rockford Rox (39–21), Hannibal Mules (39–27), Rock Island Islanders (36–26), Moline Plowboys (27–38), Quincy Gems (27–38) and Bloomington Bloomers (25–37) in the 1917 league standings.[5][3]

After the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League League shortened the 1917 season, the league did not play in 1918 due to World War I. World War I greatly reduced the number of available players and many minor leagues folded nationwide in 1918.[6] The Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League returned in 1919 as a six–team league without Alton and a lineup of the Bloomington Bloomers, Evansville Evas, Moline Plowboys, Peoria Tractors, Rockford Rox and Terre Haute Browns. Alton, Illinois has not hosted another minor league team.[2][1][3]

In 2021, organized baseball returned to Alton, Illinois as the Alton River Dragons franchise began play.[7] The River Dragons became members of the Prospect League, a summer collegiate baseball league.[8]

The ballpark

The 1917 Alton Blues were noted to have played minor league home games at Sportsman's Park.[9] While the Alton Blues played there, it was nicknamed "Three-I League Park." The ballpark was built in 1911. Today, the Alton Police Department occupies the site. The location is 1700 East Broadway, Alton, Illinois.[10][11]

(2008) Aerial view of Alton Illinois

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
191718–448thHarry Bay / Jim DugganLeague folded July 8

Notable alumni

See also

Alton Blues players

References
  1. Emery, Tom; Telegraph, For the (May 20, 2017). "A league of their own: Alton had minor league baseball a century ago". Alton Telegraph.
  2. "Three-I League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "1917 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (IIIL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. "1917 Alton Blues Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "1917 Alton Blues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. "1919 Illinois-Iowa-Indiana League (IIIL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. "Home Page | Prospect New Team - Pointstreak Sites". www.pointstreaksites.com.
  8. "Alton River Dragons | Prospect Collegiate Baseball LLC". www.prospectleague.com.
  9. "Sportsman's Park in Alton, IL history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "Madison County ILGenWeb". www.facebook.com.
  11. "Home | Alton Police | City of Alton". www.cityofaltonil.com.

Alton - Baseball Reference
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