# Texas–Southern League

The Texas-Southern League was a sports league of minor league baseball teams that operated from 1895 to 1899, primarily in Texas.$^{:168}$ During the 1896 season, the league renamed itself as the Texas Association. History of the Texas-Southern League / Texas Association prior to 1900 follows.

## History

In 1895, the league began with eight teams: the Austin Senators, Dallas Steers, Fort Worth Panthers, Galveston Sand Crabs, Houston Magnolias, San Antonio Missionaries, Sherman Orphans, and Shreveport Grays.$^{:168}$ In early August, the Austin, Houston, and San Antonio teams disbanded; Shreveport also dropped out, so the league would have an even number of teams remaining.$^{:168}$ The league played a split season, with Dallas winning the first half, and Fort Worth winning the second half.$^{:168}$ In a postseason series, Fort Worth defeated Dallas, seven games to six.$^{:168}$
In 1896, the league again began with eight teams: the returning Austin, Fort Worth, and Galveston teams were joined by the Dallas Navigators, Denison Indians, Houston Buffaloes, San Antonio Bronchos, and Sherman Students.$^{:171}$ The Students disbanded in June and were replaced by the Paris Midlands.$^{:171}$ In early August, four teams (Dallas, Denison, Fort Worth, and Paris) disbanded.$^{:171}$ The league played a three-part split season, with Fort Worth, Houston, and Galveston each winning segments.$^{:171}$ Fort Worth dropped out of the playoffs, leaving Houston to defeat Galveston for the championship, five games to two.$^{:171}$ Notable players in the league included Kid Elberfeld and Harry Steinfeldt.
The 1897 league consisted of eight teams: the returning Austin, Galveston, Houston, Paris, and San Antonio teams were joined by the Dallas Defenders, Fort Worth Colts, and Sherman-Denison Tigers.$^{:173}$ During July, the Sherman-Denison team moved to Waco, while Austin, San Antonio, and Houston dropped out of the league in August.$^{:173}$ The winners of the two split seasons, San Antonio and Galveston, were declared league co-champions.$^{:173}$ Notable players in the league included Warren Wallace Beckwith.
The 1898 league had six teams: the Austin, Galveston, Houston, and San Antonio teams were joined by the Dallas Colts and Fort Worth Panthers.$^{:178}$ At the end of April, Fort Worth disbanded and Dallas was dropped from the league, while in May, Austin and San Antonio disbanded.$^{:178}$ Austin and Galveston each won a half of the split-season, but no playoffs were held and no champion was declared.$^{:178}$
In 1899, the final season of the league, four teams competed, all of which returned from the prior year: Austin, Galveston, Houston, and San Antonio.$^{:180}$ Galveston won both halves of the split season, and was declared league champion.$^{:180}$

## Results by season

| Season | League name | Teams | Class | Season dates | Split season winners | Playoffs |
| 1895 | Texas-Southern League | 8 | B | April 20–September 2 | Dallas Steers Fort Worth Panthers | Fort Worth over Dallas (7–6 games) |
| 1896 | Texas-Southern League Texas Association† | 8 | C | April 18–September 5 | Fort Worth Panthers Houston Buffaloes Galveston Sand Crabs | Houston over Galveston (5–2 games) |
| 1897 | Texas Association | 8 | C | April 17–August 22 | San Antonio Bronchos Galveston Sand Crabs | None held; Galveston & San Antonio co-champions |
| 1898 | Texas Association | 6 | C | April 9–May 16 | Austin Senators Galveston Sand Crabs | None held; no champion declared |
| 1899 | Texas Association | 4 | C | April 16–July 5 | Galveston Sand Crabs Galveston Sand Crabs | None held; Galveston champion |
† Name changed during July