From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Single-A league. For the summer rookie league, see Florida Complex League.
Florida State League
Classification Single-A (2022–present)
Low-A (2021)
Class A-Advanced (1990–2020)
Sport Baseball
Founded1919 (105 years ago) (1919)
No. of teams10
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)		 Jupiter Hammerheads (2023)
Most titles St. Petersburg Saints (8)
Official website www.milb.com/florida-state

The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league temporarily operated for the 2021 season as the Low-A Southeast before reassuming its original moniker in 2022.

Each league member is affiliated with a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and most play in their affiliate's spring training facility.

History

The league originated in 1919 with teams in Bartow, Bradenton, Lakeland, Orlando, Sanford, and Tampa, Florida. The league closed down in 1928 and resumed play in 1936. It has continued uninterrupted, except for a four-year (1942–1945) suspension during World War II.

Initially, the FSL was classified as a Class D circuit. It was elevated to Class C from 1921 to 1924 before reverting to Class D from 1925 to 1928. The league went dormant from 1929 to 1935, but was revived as a Class D circuit from 1936 to 1941. After another period of inactivity from 1942 to 1945, it continued at Class D from 1946 to 1962. When the minor leagues were reconfigured in 1963, the FSL was reclassified as a Class A league. There it continued until the next reorganization in 1990 when it was elevated to Class A-Advanced. [1]

The championship series' first cancellation was in 2001, when playoffs were canceled after the September 11 attacks. Afterwards, the 2004 playoffs were canceled due to the threat of Hurricane Ivan. Years later, the 2017 FSL Championship finals were canceled on September 5, due to the threat of Hurricane Irma. The winners of the division series playoff games were named co-champions. [2] This marked the third time since 2000 that the championship series game was canceled. [3] [4] In 2019, the end of the season and playoffs were cancelled due to the threat of Hurricane Dorian. [5]

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30. [6] [7] As part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, the Florida State League was demoted to Single-A and temporarily renamed the "Low-A Southeast" for the 2021 season. [8] Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the Low-A Southeast was renamed the Florida State League effective with the 2022 season. [9]

Current teams

Complete teams list

Teams of the early FSL (1919–1928)

Teams of the modern FSL (1936–present)

League timeline

Palm Beach Cardinals Jupiter Hammerheads Florida Fire Frogs Kissimmee Cobras Brevard County Manatees Daytona Tortugas Baseball City Royals St. Lucie Mets Charlotte Stone Crabs Charlotte Rangers Kissimmee Cobras Vero Beach Devil Rays Dunedin Blue Jays Dunedin Blue Jays Pompano Beach Cubs Pompano Beach Mets Key West Cubs Winter Haven Red Sox Winter Haven Red Sox Jacksonville Beach Sea Birds Cocoa Astros Cocoa Astros Cocoa Astros Ocala Yearlings Leesburg Athletics St. Augustine Saints Palatka Redlegs Palatka Azaleas Gainesville G-Men DeLand Sun Caps DeLand Red Hats West Palm Beach Expos West Palm Beach Indians West Palm Beach Sheriffs Fort Lauderdale Yankees Fort Lauderdale Tarpons Fort Myers Miracle Miami Hustlers Sarasota Reds Sarasota Sun Sox Sarasota Gulls Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Fort Myers Royals Fort Myers Palms Clearwater Threshers Daytona Beach Islanders Jacksonville Indians St. Petersburg Saints St. Petersburg Saints Daytona Beach Islanders Daytona Beach Islanders Daytona Beach Islanders Daytona Beach Islanders Tampa Tarpons Tampa Tarpons (1957–1988) Tampa Smokers Sanford Greyhounds Sanford Greyhounds Sanford Greyhounds Orlando Rays Orlando Rays Orlando Rays Orlando Rays Lakeland Tigers Lakeland Indians Lakeland Pilots Lakeland Highlanders Bradenton Marauders Bradenton Growers Bartow Polkers

Past champions

Main article: List of Florida State League champions

Awards

Florida State League Hall of Fame

The Florida State League Hall of Fame began in 2009. [10]

Main article: Florida State League Hall of Fame

See also

References

  1. ^ "Florida State League (Adv A) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. ^ "Championship Series Cancelled". MiLB.com. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  3. ^ Norris, Josh (September 5, 2017). "Florida State League cancels its Championship Series". Baseball America. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  4. ^ Kirkland, Gary (March 19, 2005). "Are the minor leagues returning to Gainesville?". gainesville.com. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  5. ^ Kolakowski, Ryan (August 29, 2019). "Hurricane Dorian prompts Florida State League to cancel rest of season". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  6. ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  10. ^ "FSL Hall of Fame – Florida State League About". Florida State League.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Florida State League.
Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Florida_State_League&oldid=1200745456"