The South Atlantic League, nicknamed the SALLY League, was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the Southern United States intermittently from 1904 to 1963. Initially Class C league, it was elevated to Class B in 1921, Class A in 1946, and Double-A in 1963. The circuit was renamed the Southern League in 1964, and the league elected to maintain a new set of records from that season onward.
History
The original South Atlantic League was founded in 1904 by Charles W. Boyer and J.B. Lucy as a Class C league. After a year of dormancy in 1918, it continued at that classification from 1919 to 1920 before being elevated to Class B in 1921. The Great Depression caused the league to shut down from 1931 to 1935, but it returned at Class B from 1936 to 1942. Three more years of dormancy occurred during World War II, but the SALLY League was revived as a Class A circuit from 1946 to 1962.
In 1963, it was reclassified as a Double-A league. The circuit reorganized as the Southern League in 1964. To distance itself from its history at lower classifications, the newly-named league elected to start with a clean slate and not maintain records prior to the 1964 season. Thusly, the 51-year history of the league was retired with the South Atlantic League name.
In 1980, the Western Carolinas League resurrected the name as it became the current South Atlantic League.
All-time teams
Albany Babies
Asheville Tourists
Augusta Dollies
Augusta Georgians
Augusta Rams
Augusta Tigers
Augusta Tygers
Augusta Tourists
Augusta Wolves
Augusta Yankees
Charleston ChaSox/White Sox
Charleston Palmettos/Pals
Charleston Rebels
Charleston Sea Gulls/Gulls
Charlotte Hornets
Chattanooga Lookouts
Columbia Comers/Commies/Combers
Columbia Gamecocks
Columbia Gems
Columbia Reds
Columbia Senators
Columbia Skyscrapers
Columbus Foxes
Columbus Pirates
Columbus Red Birds/Cardinals
Gastonia Combers
Gastonia Pirates
Greenville Spinners
Jacksonville Braves
Jacksonville Jays
Jacksonville Jets
Jacksonville Tarpons
Jacksonville Tars
Knoxville Appalachians
Knoxville Smokies
Lynchburg White Sox
Macon Brigands
Macon Dodgers
Macon Highlanders
Macon Peaches
Montgomery Grays
Montgomery Rebels
Nashville Vols
New Orleans Bucks
New Orleans Kings
New Orleans Jacks
New Orleans Generals
Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides
Savannah Athletics
Savannah Indians
Savannah Pirates
Savannah Redlegs
Savannah Reds
Savannah White Sox
South Atlantic League Orphans
Spartanburg Pioneers
Spartanburg Spartans
Champions
League champions were determined by different means throughout the league's history. Playoffs were held in most seasons, while in others the champions were simply the regular season pennant winners.
References
1904 establishments in the United States
1963 disestablishments in the United States
Defunct minor baseball leagues in the United States
Sports leagues established in 1904
Sports leagues disestablished in 1963
Baseball leagues in Tennessee
Baseball leagues in Georgia (U.S. state) Baseball leagues in South Carolina Baseball leagues in North Carolina Baseball leagues in Florida Baseball leagues in Virginia Baseball leagues in Alabama