1906: Charter members Southern Michigan League After minor league baseball began in Jackson with the 1888 Jackson Jaxons of the
Tri-State League, the Convicts were preceded by the 1902 Jackson White Sox, who played a partial season in the
Michigan State League. On February 19, 1906, the
National Commission awarded the
Michigan cities of Jackson and Kalamazoo to the newly formed
Southern Michigan League, after the existing
Interstate League had first claimed the Kalamazoo franchise for that league. Jackson's "Convicts" nickname for the ballclub corresponds to the city being home to the
Michigan State Prison in the era. The first state prison, located in Jackson was built in 1842. Today, the original 1842 prison site houses residential apartments, several art galleries, the Grand River Farmers Market, and the River & Rail food hub. In their first season of play, the Convicts ended the 1906 season with a record of 52–52 to place fourth in the final Southern Michigan League standings. Managed by Mo Meyers and
George Deneau, Jackson finished 17.0 games behind the first place Mount Clemens Bathers. Mount Clemens (69-34) was followed by the second place Kalamazoo White Sox (63–41), who were followed by the Tecumseh Indians (57–47), Jackson Convicts (52–52), Battle Creek Crickets (39–56) and Saginaw (34–60).
1907 to 1915: Southern Michigan League The Jackson Convicts continued play in the 1907 eight-team Southern Michigan League but folded during the season. On July 15,1907, Jackson folded with a record of 17-27 playing the partial season under manager Bruce Haynes. The Tecumseh Indians won the league championship after the league played the remainder of the season with seven teams. Despite folding the previous season, the Convicts returned to play in the 1908 Michigan State League. On June 30, 1908, the Saginaw Wa-was and Jackson played a 20-inning game at Keeley Park in Jackson. Saginaw won the game 5-4. Jackson ended the season with a record of 68–57 and in third place. Led by manager Bo Slear, the Convicts finished the season 4½ games behind the first place
Saginaw Wa-was, as the league held no playoffs. The Convicts were involved in a close championship race in the 1909 Southern Michigan League, which held no playoffs. Jackson ended the season with a final record of 71–52 to place third in the eight-team league. Playing under returning manager, Bo Slear, the Convicts ended the season just 1.0 game behind first place Saginaw. Elmer Criger finished 22-7 to lead the league. Jackson placed seventh in the eight-team Southern Michigan League in 1910. Playing under returning manager Bo Slear, the Convicts finished with a final record of 51-85. Jackson ended the Southern Michigan League season 34½ games behind the first place
Lansing Senators. In 1911, the Southern Michigan League was upgraded from a Class D league to a
Class C league and the Convicts finished in last place. With a record of 39–98 under manager Charley Fox, Jackson finished 48.0 games behind the first place
Kalamazoo Celery Pickers (88-51). John Connors of Jackson won the Michigan State League batting title, hitting .377. Jackson ended the season with a record of 71–55, placing second, as Mo Meyers returned as manager. The Convicts finished 3½ games behind first place
Adrian Lions. Jackson's John Connors had 168 hits to lead the league. Jackson ended the season in third place in the eight-team Southern Michigan League, with a 66-60 record. Mo Myers continued as manager as the Convicts ended the season 15½ games behind first place
Battle Creek Crickets. Jackson continued Southern Michigan League play in 1914 and became known as the "Chiefs." The league expanded to a ten-team league. In the final season of the league, the 1915 six-team Southern Michigan League folded on July 7, 1915, with the onset of
World War I greatly affecting minor leagues. Jackson played as the "Vets" in 1915. When the league folded, the Vets had a record of 29-34 and finished in third place, ending 14.0 games behind first place
South Bend Factors in the final standings. ==The ballpark==