Eugene Larks

Eugene Larks
1950 – 1951 Eugene, Oregon
Minor league affiliations
Class	Class D (1950–1951)
League	Far West League (1950–1951)
Major league affiliations
Team	Unaffiliated (1950) Pittsburgh Pirates (1951)
Team data
Name	Eugene Larks (1950–1951)
Ballpark	Bethel Park (1950–1951)

The Eugene Larks were a class-D minor league baseball club, based in Eugene, Oregon for the 1950 and 1951 seasons. ^[1] The team played in the Far West League and was an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1951. The Far West League disbanded after the 1951 season, and so did the Larks. ^[2]

The team was named after the state bird of Oregon, the western meadowlark. ^[3]

The Larks played in northwest Eugene in 4,000-seat Bethel Park, on the northwest corner of Roosevelt Boulevard and Maple Street ( 44°03′52″N123°08′43″W / 44.0644°N 123.1454°W / 44.0644; -123.1454 ). Its outfield is present-day Lark Park.

Eugene had previously been home to the 1904 Class-D Eugene Blues, who played in the Oregon State League. ^[1] Eugene was without a team until 1955, when the Eugene Emeralds began play. In 2025, the Emeralds celebrated their 70th anniversary in Eugene, though the team plans to move after the 2025 season. ^{[1] [4]}

Season-by-season

Year	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1950	62-77	6th	Lou Vezilich	Did not qualify
1951	51-70	4th	Duster Mails / George Matile Cliff Dapper	Did not qualify

References

1. "Eugene, Oregon Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
2. Sumner, Benjamin Barrett (2000). Minor league baseball standings : all North American leagues, through 1999. Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland. p. 302. ISBN   978-0-7864-0781-1 . Retrieved June 30, 2025.
3. "Eugene Larks Name for Club". The Register-Guard. Eugene, OR. February 24, 1950. p. 10. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
4. Corser, Bobby (March 18, 2025). "Eugene Emeralds announce departure after failing to secure funding for new ballpark". KATU. Retrieved June 30, 2025.