Shelbyville Queen Citys

The Shelbyville Queen Citys were a minor league baseball team based in Shelbyville, Illinois in 1907 and 1908. The Shelbyville Queen Citys played exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Illinois League.

History[]

Minor league baseball began in Shelbyville, when the 1907 Shelbyville Queen Citys became charter members of the Eastern Illinois League, which formed under league president L. A. G. Shoaff as a six–team Class D level league. The 1908 Spalding Guide indicated the league was founded in Pana, Illinois and the league's "godfather" was Joe Adams, also known as "Old Wagon Tongue," who would later manage the Shelbyville team. In 1907, Shelbyville and the other league teams had a salary limit of $600 for their rosters. The Centralia White Stockings, Charleston Broom Corn Cutters, Mattoon Giants, Pana Coal Miners and Taylorville Tailors joined Shelbyville as charter members of the league.^[1][2]

The use of the "Queen Citys" misspelled moniker likely derives from Shelbyville being referred to as the "Queen City" in the region.^[3][4]>^[5]

After beginning league play on May 12, 1907, the Shelbyville Queen Citys finished the 1907 Eastern Illinois League season in 6th place, last in the six–team league. The Queen Citys finished with a 50–69 record playing under six managers: Bob Higgins, C.S. Walls, Harry Patton, Kling, Pearl Holycross and Edward Doak. Shelbyville finished 24.5 games behind the 1st place Mattoon Giants in the final Eastern Illinois League standings.^[6][7][8]

It was reported by the Associated Press that the Eastern Illinois League teams in Charleston, Mattoon, Pana and Paris were supported, “In great part from saloon interests.” This would soon affect Shelbyville and the other league members, as local prohibition would soon occur in the league cities.^[9]

Shelbyville continued play in the 1908 Eastern Illinois League, but folded during the season. An evangelical movement led by former major league player Billy Sunday promoted a ballot item on April 7, 1908 that sought to abolish alcohol in the region. After the election, six of the Eastern Illinois League’s eight franchise cities voted to become dry and the league began to suffer financially, as Sunday games and support from saloons were eliminated. Affected by finances, the Charleston Evangelists and Mattoon Giants folded on June 30, 1908, leaving six teams. On July 17, 1908, the Pana Coal Miners relocated to Linton, Indiana and the Danville Speakers moved to Staunton, Illinois in efforts to remain viable. On August 20, 1908, the Shelbyville franchise folded. Andy Biltz of Shelbyville was leading the league in home runs with 6. Shelbyville had a record of 52–43 under manager Joe Adams when the franchise folded. With five remaining teams, the Eastern Illinois League permanently folded on the same date. Shelbyville was in 3rd place, 14.5 games behind the 1st place Staunton team when the league permanently folded.^{[6][10][11][9][12][13][14][15]}

Shelbyville, Illinois has not hosted another minor league team.^[16]

Ballpark[]

As the only public park in Shelbyville in the era, the team played home games in Forest Park, which was established in 1857 and has also been home to a fairgrounds, a horse racing track, a public pool, an aquarium and other amenities in its existence. The Chautauqua Auditorium is located within Forest Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Still in use today as a municipal park, with baseball and softball fields, Forest Park is located on North East 9th Street, Shelbyville, Illinois.^{[17][18][19][20]}

(2013) Shelbyville Chautauqua Auditorium in Forest Park,. An icosahedral structure built in 1903, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shelbyville, Illinois.

Timeline[]

Year-by-year records[]

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Shelbyville Queen Citys players

References[]

External references[]

• Baseball Reference Bullpen