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Florida State League

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This article is about the Single-A league. For the summer rookie league, see Florida Complex League.
Florida State League
ClassificationSingle-A (2022–present)
Low-A (2021)
Class A-Advanced (1990–2020)
SportBaseball
Founded1919 (105 years ago) (1919)
No. of teams10
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)		Palm Beach Cardinals (2024)
Most titlesSt. Petersburg Saints (8)
Official websitewww.milb.com/florida-state

The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. The league temporarily operated for the 2021 season as the Low-A Southeast before reassuming its original moniker in 2022.

Each league member is affiliated with a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and most play in their affiliate's spring training facility.

History

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The league originated in 1919 with teams in Bartow, Bradenton, Lakeland, Orlando, Sanford, and Tampa, Florida. The league closed down in 1928 and resumed play in 1936. It has continued uninterrupted, except for a four-year (1942–1945) suspension during World War II.

Initially, the FSL was classified as a Class D circuit, roughly equivalent to a Rookie-level league today. It was elevated to Class C from 1921 to 1924, roughly equivalent to an Advanced Rookie league in the pre-2021 classification system and a Rookie-level league today. It reverted to Class D from 1925 to 1928. The league went dormant from 1929 to 1935, but was revived as a Class D circuit from 1936 to 1941. After another period of inactivity from 1942 to 1945, it continued at Class D from 1946 to 1962.

When the minor leagues were reconfigured in 1963, the FSL was reclassified as a Class A league, placing it three steps below the majors. There it continued until the next reorganization in 1990 when it was elevated to Class A-Advanced, remaining at the third rung on the minor league ladder.[1]

The championship series' first cancellation was in 2001, when playoffs were canceled after the September 11 attacks. Afterwards, the 2004 playoffs were canceled due to the threat of Hurricane Ivan. Years later, the 2017 FSL Championship finals were canceled on September 5, due to the threat of Hurricane Irma. The winners of the division series playoff games were named co-champions.[2] This marked the third time since 2000 that the championship series game was canceled.[3][4] In 2019, the end of the season and playoffs were cancelled due to the threat of Hurricane Dorian.[5]

The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.[6][7] As part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, the Florida State League was demoted to Single-A, four rungs below the majors, and temporarily renamed the "Low-A Southeast" for the 2021 season.[8] Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the Low-A Southeast was renamed the Florida State League effective with the 2022 season.[9]

Current teams

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Division Team MLB affiliation City Stadium Capacity
East Daytona Tortugas Cincinnati Reds Daytona Beach, Florida Jackie Robinson Ballpark 4,200
Jupiter Hammerheads Miami Marlins Jupiter, Florida Roger Dean Stadium 6,871
Palm Beach Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals Jupiter, Florida Roger Dean Stadium 6,871
St. Lucie Mets New York Mets Port St. Lucie, Florida Clover Park 7,160
West Bradenton Marauders Pittsburgh Pirates Bradenton, Florida LECOM Park 8,500
Clearwater Threshers Philadelphia Phillies Clearwater, Florida BayCare Ballpark 8,500
Dunedin Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays Dunedin, Florida TD Ballpark 8,500
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Minnesota Twins Fort Myers, Florida Hammond Stadium 9,300
Lakeland Flying Tigers Detroit Tigers Lakeland, Florida Joker Marchant Stadium 8,500
Tampa Tarpons New York Yankees Tampa, Florida George M. Steinbrenner Field 11,026
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
75km
50miles
Tarpons
10
Flying Tigers
9
Mighty Mussels
8
Blue Jays
7
Threshers
6
Marauders
5
Mets
4
Cardinals
3
Hammerheads
2
Tortugas
1
Current team locations:
  East Division
  West Division

1
Daytona Tortugas
2
Jupiter Hammerheads
3
Palm Beach Cardinals
4
St. Lucie Mets
5
Bradenton Marauders
6
Clearwater Threshers
7
Dunedin Blue Jays
8
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
9
Lakeland Flying Tigers
10
Tampa Tarpons

Complete teams list

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Teams of the early FSL (1919–1928)

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Teams of the modern FSL (1936–present)

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League timeline

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Palm Beach CardinalsJupiter HammerheadsFlorida Fire FrogsKissimmee CobrasBrevard County ManateesDaytona TortugasBaseball City RoyalsSt. Lucie MetsCharlotte Stone CrabsCharlotte RangersKissimmee CobrasVero Beach Devil RaysDunedin Blue JaysDunedin Blue JaysPompano Beach CubsPompano Beach MetsKey West CubsWinter Haven Red SoxWinter Haven Red SoxJacksonville Beach Sea BirdsCocoa AstrosCocoa AstrosCocoa AstrosOcala YearlingsLeesburg AthleticsSt. Augustine SaintsPalatka RedlegsPalatka AzaleasGainesville G-MenDeLand Sun CapsDeLand Red HatsWest Palm Beach ExposWest Palm Beach IndiansWest Palm Beach SheriffsFort Lauderdale YankeesFort Lauderdale TarponsFort Myers MiracleMiami HustlersSarasota RedsSarasota Sun SoxSarasota GullsFort Myers Mighty MusselsFort Myers RoyalsFort Myers PalmsClearwater ThreshersDaytona Beach IslandersJacksonville IndiansSt. Petersburg SaintsSt. Petersburg SaintsDaytona Beach IslandersDaytona Beach IslandersDaytona Beach IslandersDaytona Beach IslandersTampa TarponsTampa Tarpons (1957–1988)Tampa SmokersSanford GreyhoundsSanford GreyhoundsSanford GreyhoundsOrlando RaysOrlando RaysOrlando RaysOrlando RaysLakeland TigersLakeland IndiansLakeland PilotsLakeland HighlandersBradenton MaraudersBradenton GrowersBartow Polkers

Past champions

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Main article: List of Florida State League champions

Awards

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Florida State League Hall of Fame

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The Florida State League Hall of Fame began in 2009.[10]

Main article: Florida State League Hall of Fame

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Florida State League (Adv A) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. ^ "Championship Series Cancelled". MiLB.com. September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  3. ^ Norris, Josh (September 5, 2017). "Florida State League cancels its Championship Series". Baseball America. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  4. ^ Kirkland, Gary (March 19, 2005). "Are the minor leagues returning to Gainesville?". gainesville.com. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  5. ^ Kolakowski, Ryan (August 29, 2019). "Hurricane Dorian prompts Florida State League to cancel rest of season". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  6. ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  7. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  10. ^ "FSL Hall of Fame – Florida State League About". Florida State League.
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