| Classification | Independent Class D |
|---|---|
| Sport | Minor League Baseball |
| First season | 1891 |
| Ceased | 1953 |
| Replaced by | Wisconsin–Michigan League Wisconsin–Illinois League |
| President | Thomas Ahern (1891) Hon. A.E. Mountain (1891) John T. Powers (1905–1906) Charles F. Moll (1907) Herman D. White (1940–1942, 1946–1947) Judge Arnold F. Murphy (1948–1951) Dan G.Cisco (1952) Duane F. Bowman (1953) |
| No. of teams | 29 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Most titles | 6 Madison Blues |
| Related competitions | Wisconsin–Michigan League |
The Wisconsin State League was a class D level baseball league that began in 1905, changing its name to the Wisconsin–Illinois League in 1908 and operating through 1914. The league re–organized under that name in 1926. Another Wisconsin State League began in 1940, shut down during World War II from 1943 through 1945, then operated from 1946 through 1953.[1]
The Class D Wisconsin–Illinois League began play in 1940 with six charter franchises: Appleton Papermakers, Fond du Lac Panthers, Green Bay Bluejays, La Crosse Blackhawks, Sheboygan Indians and Wisconsin Rapids White Sox.[2] In 1942 the league expanded to eight teams, adding the Janesville Cubs and Oshkosh Giants.[3] After play resumed in 1946, La Crosse moved to become the Wausau Lumberjacks and the league operated with those franchises until its demise following the 1953 season.[4]