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| From Major Leagues by David Pietrusza: Also in January 1915 the Feds lashed out on another front, endeavoring to form their own farm system. In early 1914 John Montgomery Ward had proposed “eastern” and “western” circuits, but nothing came of his pronouncement. In June of that year rumors circulated that the Feds were out to lasso the Class D Atlantic League, centered largely in New Jersey. Again nothing happened, and the Atlantic League folded at season’s end. The league they did choose was the existing New England—based Colonial League. Each club in this economically operated Class C “trolley league” had travelled by interurban transit to its games and returned home by nightfall to cut down on travel expenses. Its franchises were Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford, Pawtucket, Taunton and Woonsocket—all one-time members of the New England League. Reports persisted throughout 1914 that the Colonial League was playing footsie with the Feds. In August 1914 the Boston Red Sox cancelled an exhibition with Woonsocket due to the Fed rumors. In January 1915 Gilmore and Ward met with representatives of the circuit in New Haven to formalize matters. Woonsocket was dropped and three clubs—New Haven, Hartford and Springfield—from the defunct Class B Eastern Association were added. The Feds would supply six players to each club; in return each Colonial League team would recompense the Feds $200 per month per player. If the player’s salary exceeded that amount, the Feds would pay the difference. Most of the Feds’ deficit for 1914 ($25,000), it was revealed, had been picked up by Brooklyn’s Ward brothers. In 1915 the arrangement was formalized with a member of the family, William S. Ward, being named league treasurer. The Colonial League still avoided overnight trips, but was, nonetheless, in poor financial shape. Minor league ball—whether organized or outlaw—was in the doldrums in 1915. By July 10, both Fall River and Taunton had disbanded. Standings on July 10: W L PCT. Hartford 23 18 .561 New Bedford 23 18 .561 New Haven 24 19 .558 Springfield 21 19 .525 Brockton 21 21 .500 Pawtucket 19 20 .487 Fall River 22 24 .478 Taunton 14 28 .333 Play resumed as a six-club league on July 11, but without much improvement at the gate. Pawtucket drew so poorly it had to play all of its last month’s games on the road and was renamed the “Orphans.” Playing talent was fair at best. Former major league second baseman Jim Delahanty (he’d started the 1915 season with the Brookfeds) managed the strong Hartford club and paced the circuit in batting with a .379 mark. United States League alumnus “Big Jeff” Pfeffer had managed Pawtucket in 1914. Former A’s outfielder Danny Murphy appeared for both New Haven and Pawtucket in 1915. The most-noteworthy player to graduate from Colonial ranks was hard-hitting Brockton outfielder Merwin “Jake” Jacobson, who became a star for the great Orioles teams of the 1920s and eventually made it briefly to the big leagues. Also graduating to higher ranks was outfielder Mike Menosky, farmed to New Haven by Pittsburgh, who played nine seasons of major league ball. Second half standings: CLUB W L PCT. Hartford 55 42 .567 Brockton 57 44 .564 New Bedford 56 45 .554 New Haven 52 50 .510 Springfield 47 50 .485 Pawtucket 37 57 .394 Peace, Peace, But There Is No Peace! Peace talks were held again in April 1915. Sporting News editor J. G. Taylor Spink arranged for Ban Johnson and Phil Ball to meet at McTeague’s Restaurant in St. Louis. Two weeks later the duo got together again at Comiskey Park. Ball was heard to mutter something about the pity of the battles being fought in the courtroom and not on the diamond, but nothing came of the conferences. Player raids continued in 1915. From the A’s the Feds got pitchers Chief Bender and Eddie Plank; from the Braves outfielder Leslie Mann and third baseman Chuck Deal; from the Cardinals versatile Lee Magee; from the Pirates, first baseman “Big Ed” Konetchy and third baseman Harry “Mike” Mowrey; from the Phils infielder Milton Reed; from the Giants, pitcher “Hooks” Wiltse; from the Red Sox, pitcher Hugh Bedient and second baseman Steve Yerkes; from the Reds, infielder Marty Berghammer; from the Tigers, pitcher Alex Main; from Brooklyn, catcher Bill Fischer and outfielder Jack Dalton; from the White Sox, infielder Harry Lord; from the Senators rapidly aging second baseman “Germany” Schaefer. |
| The Colonial League |