Sarasota Rookie League

History

The four–team Sarasota Rookie League formed for the 1964 season. League teams played a 59–game schedule, beginning play on July 1, 1964 and ending on August 31, 1964.

The Sarasota Rookie League and Cocoa Rookie League were formed simultaneously in 1964. The new concept was to provide leagues with a short–season schedule that provided attendance options for fans and to assist major league teams in developing beginning professional players while further utilizing spring training facilities. Today, the Florida Complex League continues play under the concept initiated in 1964.

The four Sarasota Rookie League teams were minor league affiliates of the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Braves, New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals. All league games were played in Sarasota, Florida, with teams taking the nickname of their affiliate.

Sarasota Rookie League games were hosted at Payne Park, which was called "Arthur Allyn Park" at the time and contained multiple ballfields. Arthur Allyn was the owner of the Chicago White Sox in 1964 when the league began play. Allyn was highly supportive of the rookie league concept.

The Sarasota Rookie League began play on July 1, 1964, with two games scheduled at 11:15 AM and played simultaneously at Arthur Allyn Park.

Player salaries in the league were between $400 and $500 per month.

The SRL Braves, playing under manager Paul Snyder, won the championship with a 36–23 record. The Braves finished 6.5 games ahead of the 2nd place SRL Cardinals in the final standings.

Leora Montgomery of the SRL Braves was chosen as the league most valuable player.

Following the 1964 season, the Sarasota Rookie League evolved into the six–team Florida Rookie League in 1965.

1964 Sarasota Rookie League teams

• SRL Braves
• SRL Cardinals
• SRL White Sox
• SRL Yankees

Standings & statistics

1964 Sarasota Rookie League

References

References

1. "1964 Sarasota Rookie League (SRL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com".
2. "Minor League Presidents | MiLB.com History | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball".
3. "The Official Site of the Florida Complex League".
4. "1964 Sarasota Rookie League".
5. (2007). "The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball". [[Baseball America]].
6. Bender, Bob. (1964-07-07). "Rookie League Should Aid Sarasota Economy". [[St. Petersburg Times]].
7. (1964-06-27). "Special Ceremonies Mark League Opening". [[St. Petersburg Times]].
8. "1964 Braves Statistics".
9. "1965 Florida Rookie League (FRL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com".
10. "1965 Florida Rookie League".