TheFlorida State League (FSL) is aMinor League Baseball league based in the state ofFlorida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated atClass A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion toSingle-A followingMajor League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league temporarily operated for the 2021 season as theLow-A Southeast before reassuming its original moniker in 2022.
 | |
| Classification | Single-A (2021–present) Class A-Advanced (1990–2020) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1919 (106 years ago) (1919) |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country | United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Palm Beach Cardinals (2024) |
| Most titles | St. Petersburg Saints (8) |
| Official website | www |
Each league member is affiliated with a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and most play in their affiliate'sspring training facility.
History
editThe league originated in 1919 with teams inBartow,Bradenton,Lakeland,Orlando,Sanford, andTampa, Florida. The league closed down in 1928 and resumed play in 1936. It has continued uninterrupted, except for a four-year (1942–1945) suspension duringWorld War II.
Initially, the FSL was classified as aClass D circuit, roughly equivalent to a Rookie-level league today. It was elevated toClass C from 1921 to 1924, roughly equivalent to an Advanced Rookie league in the pre-2021 classification system and a Rookie-level league today. It reverted 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 aClass A league, placing it three steps below the majors. There it continued until the next reorganization in 1990 when it was elevated toClass A-Advanced, remaining at the third rung on the minor league ladder.[1]
The championship series' first cancellation was in 2001, when playoffs were canceled after theSeptember 11 attacks. Afterwards, the 2004 playoffs were canceled due to the threat ofHurricane Ivan. Years later, the 2017 FSL Championship finals were canceled on September 5, due to the threat ofHurricane 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 ofHurricane Dorian.[5]
The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to theCOVID-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, four rungs below the majors, 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
edit
37miles
Complete teams list
editTeams of the early FSL (1919–1928)
edit- Bartow Polkers
- Bradenton Growers
- Clearwater Pelicans
- Daytona Beach Islanders
- Fort Lauderdale Tarpons
- Fort Myers Palms
- Jacksonville Indians
- Jacksonville Scouts
- Lakeland Highlanders
- Miami Hustlers
- Orlando Bulldogs
- Orlando Caps
- Orlando Colts
- Orlando Tigers
- St. Petersburg Saints
- Sanford Celeryfeds
- Sarasota Gulls
- Sarasota Tarpons
- Tampa Smokers
- West Palm Beach Sheriffs
Teams of the modern FSL (1936–present)
edit- Baseball City Royals
- Bradenton Marauders
- Brevard County Manatees
- Charlotte Rangers
- Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Clearwater Phillies
- Clearwater Threshers
- Cocoa Astros
- Cocoa Indians
- Daytona Beach Admirals
- Daytona Beach Astros
- Daytona Beach Dodgers
- Daytona Beach Islanders
- Daytona Cubs
- Daytona Tortugas
- Deerfield Beach Sun Sox
- DeLand Red Hats
- DeLand Reds
- DeLand Sun Caps
- Dunedin Blue Jays
- Florida Fire Frogs
- Fort Lauderdale Red Sox
- Fort Lauderdale Yankees
- Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Fort Myers Miracle
- Fort Myers Royals
- Gainesville G-Men
- Jacksonville Beach Sea Birds
- Jupiter Hammerheads
- Key West Conchs
- Key West Cubs
- Key West Padres
- Key West Sun Caps
- Kissimmee Cobras
- Lakeland Giants
- Lakeland Indians
- Lakeland Pilots
- Lakeland Flying Tigers
- Lakeland Tigers
- Leesburg Anglers
- Leesburg Athletics
- Leesburg Braves
- Leesburg Dodgers
- Leesburg Gondoliers
- Leesburg Lakers
- Leesburg Orioles
- Leesburg Packers
- Leesburg Pirates
- Miami Marlins
- Miami Miracle
- Miami Orioles
- Ocala Yearlings
- Orlando C.B.s
- Orlando Dodgers
- Orlando Flyers
- Orlando Gulls
- Orlando Rays
- Orlando Senators
- Orlando Seratomas
- Orlando Twins
- Osceola Astros
- Palatka Azaleas
- Palatka Cubs
- Palatka Redlegs
- Palatka Tigers
- Palm Beach Cardinals
- Pompano Beach Cubs
- Pompano Beach Mets
- St. Augustine Saints
- St. Lucie Mets
- St. Petersburg Cardinals
- St. Petersburg Devil Rays
- St. Petersburg Saints
- Sanford Cardinals
- Sanford Celeryfeds
- Sanford Giants
- Sanford Greyhounds
- Sanford Lookouts
- Sanford Seminole Blues
- Sanford Seminoles
- Sarasota Reds
- Sarasota Red Sox
- Sarasota Sun Sox
- Sarasota White Sox
- Tampa Tarpons (1957–1988)
- Tampa Tarpons
- Tampa White Sox
- Tampa Yankees
- Vero Beach Dodgers
- Vero Beach Devil Rays
- West Palm Beach Braves
- West Palm Beach Expos
- West Palm Beach Indians
- West Palm Beach Sun Chiefs
- Winter Haven Mets
- Winter Haven Red Sox
- Winter Haven Sun Sox
League timeline
edit
Past champions
editAwards
edit- Florida State League Most Valuable Player Award (formerly the Player of the Year Award)
- Florida State League Pitcher of the Year Award
- Florida State League Manager of the Year Award
Florida State League Hall of Fame
editThe Florida State League Hall of Fame began in 2009.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Florida State League (Adv A) Encyclopedia and History".Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. RetrievedNovember 11, 2020.
- ^"Championship Series Cancelled".Minor League Baseball. September 5, 2017. Archived fromthe original on September 5, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2017.
- ^Norris, Josh (September 5, 2017)."Florida State League cancels its Championship Series".Baseball America. RetrievedSeptember 6, 2017.
- ^Kirkland, Gary (March 19, 2005)."Are the minor leagues returning to Gainesville?".gainesville.com. RetrievedSeptember 6, 2017.
- ^Kolakowski, Ryan (August 29, 2019)."Hurricane Dorian prompts Florida State League to cancel rest of season".Tampa Bay Times. RetrievedAugust 30, 2019.
- ^"A Message From Pat O'Conner".Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. RetrievedMay 5, 2020.
- ^"2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved".Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. RetrievedJuly 1, 2020.
- ^Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021)."MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues".Major League Baseball. RetrievedFebruary 12, 2021.
- ^"Historical League Names to Return in 2022".Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. RetrievedMarch 16, 2022.
- ^"FSL Hall of Fame – Florida State League About".Florida State League.
External links
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