Southern Association *Defunct

Russwood Park
Memphis Chickasaws
1961-1901

The Southern Assocation was considered one of the “Mother Leagues”. Dating back to 1901, many thought the S.A. was a permanent institution… much the same way the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast Leagues are. After surviving 2 World Wars, the depression and the initial advent of television, the Southern Association suddenly shut down after the 1962 season came to a close. There are rumor of what affected this league and caused its sudden disappearance after so many strong seasons as a leading Minor League Baseball organization. The leading thought however was its refusal to allow black players… even long after Jackie Robinson broke through. Many of the Minor League upper levels were disgusted by the S.A.’s continued prejudice and this may have led to its rather sudden and quite shocking demise. Many of the game’s most classic ballparks had called the Southern Association home including Mobile’s Hartwell Field, Atlanta’s Ponce De Leon Park, Memphis’ Russwood Park, Nashville’s Sulpher Dell and Birmingham’s Rickwood Field. Some moved on to the nearby Double-A Southern League and others never saw play again. The Southern Association was considered a Class A-1 league in its day and ended its existance under a Double-A classification.

Southern Association Baseball Stadium History (Click on Photo for Gallery of that team):

ATLANTA Georgia

Ponce De Leon Park
Atlanta Crackers
1961-1907

NEW ORLEANS LA

Tad Gormley Stadium
New Orleans Pelicans
1959-1958

LITTLE ROCK AR

Ray Winder Field
Little Rock Travelers
1961-1960, 1958-1932

MACON Georgia

Luther Williams Field
Macon Peaches
1961