The Nebraska State League changed its name
to the Western League as the former league folded.
It was a class "D" league like the NSL while the former Western League
was a class "A" league.
1940 was not a good year for the league. Four teams started the season.
Sioux City moved to Mitchell on July 21st. Norfolk took the league
title but Sioux Falls won the playoffs four games to two.
|
Standings 1940 President: Roy Carter |
|||
| Standings | Wins--- | Losses- | GB |
| Norfolk Yankees (NYY) | 73 | 39 | -- |
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 59 | 58 | 16 ½ |
| Worthington Cardinals (STL) | 50 | 59 | 21 ½ |
| Sioux City Soos/Mitchell Kernels | 44 | 70 | 30 |
| |
|||
| BA: John Lucas, Worthington, .356 | |||
| Runs: T. Duby Norfolk, 112 | |||
| Hits: Leo Bohanan, Sioux Falls, 158 | |||
| RBI's: Fred Schenk, Norfolk, 97 | |||
| HRs: Russell Burns, Norfolk, 17 | |||
| Wins: Frank Wagner, Sioux Falls, 17 | |||
| SOs: Frank Wagner, Sioux Falls, 193 | |||
| ERA: Fred Whales, Norfolk, 1.36 | |||
The league went to a quarter system in 1940. Norfolk won the first, second and fourth quarter, with Sioux Falls winning the third. The Yankees finished the season with an eight game winning streak while Sioux Falls lost six of their last seven.
The Yankees were managed by "Doc" Bennett. This was their third straight championship season under his management. He also managed three straight champions from 1928-1930 at McCook.
The All Star team was dominated by Norfolk with three of the four infielders coming from the Yankees.
Norfolk Yankees 1940 Western League Regular Season Champions