In this edition the Arkansas State League is placed in the foot light.
The Arkansas State League had several runs. The first Arkansas State League operated just one season in 1894 followed by a second edition in 1897.
The league that started in 1908 was a Class D league and lasted two seasons before it dissolved.
The cities that had teams in this league were:
Alexandria, LA: Alexandria Hoo Hoos 1909
Argenta, AR: 1908; Argenta Shamrocks 1909
Brinkley, AR: Brinkley Infants 1908
Ft. Smith, AR: Ft. Smith Soldiers 1909
Helena, AR: Helena Ponies1908; Helena Hellions 1909
Hot Springs, AR: Hot Springs Giants1908; Hot Springs Vaporites 1909
Jonesboro, AR: Jonesboro Zebras 1909
Monroe, LA: Monroe Municipals 1909
Newport, AR& Batesville, AR: Newport Pearl Diggers 1908; Newport-Batesville Pearl Diggers 1909
Pine Bluff, AR: Pine Bluff Tigers 1908
Poplar Bluff, MO: Poplar Bluff Tigers 1908
Texarkana, TX: Texarkana 1909
Like happened in so many leagues teams moved or dissolved mid season. In this case the Poplar Bluff Tigers were replaced by the Brinkley Infants on June 8 1908.
In both years the team that finished on top of the league was declared winner. In 1908 the Hot Spring Giants finished on top with a 9.5 lead over the Newport Pearl Diggers. In 1909 the Jonesboro Zebras won with the slimmest possible margin of half a game over the Helena Helions.
In 1934 a fourth edition of the Arkansas State League was started.
The following cities had teams in the league that lasted two seasons:
Bentonville, AR: Bentonville Officeholders 1934-1935
Cassville, MO: Cassville Tigers 1935
Fayetteville, AR: Fayetteville Educators 1934; Fayetteville Bears 1935
Huntsville, AR: Huntsville Red Birds 1935
Rogers, AR: Rogers Rustlers 1934; Rogers Cardinals 1935
Siloam Springs, AR: Siloam Springs Buffaloes 1934; Siloam Springs Travelers 1935
Once again teams folded during the season as the Fayetteville Educators and the Siloam Springs Buffaloes dropped out on August 19. In this case it had quite some impact on the play offs. The Rogers Rustlers won the first half of the season in a one game play off vs the Siloam Springs Buffaloes. But when Siloam and Fayetteville stepped back, the Bentonville Officeholders were declared second half winners. In the championship series the Rogers Rustlers beat the Betonville Officeholders 4-3.
In 1935, Siloam Springs returned to the league with a new team named the Travelers. The Travelers made the play offs but were beaten 4-3 by the Rogers Cardinals.
After the 1935 season, the league renamed itself Arkansas-Missouri League.
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