| Jamestown Giants | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1914-1915) |
| League | Interstate League (1914-1915) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) | 1914 |
| Conference titles (1) | 1914 |
| Team data | |
| Name | Jamestown Giants (1914) Jamestown Rabbits (1915) |
| Ballpark | Allen Park* (1914-1915) |
The Jamestown Giants were a minor league baseball team based in Jamestown, New York. In 1914 and 1915, Jamestown teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Interstate League, with the Giants winning the 1914 league championship. Jamestown played as the "Rabbits" in 1915, with the team folding before the end of the season.
Minor league baseball began in Jamestown with the 1890 "Jamestown" team who won the championship in the independent New York-Pennsylvania League. [1] [2] The Giants were immediately preceded in minor league play by the 1906 Oil City-Jamestown Oseejays, who were members of the Class D level Interstate League. [3]
The Jamestown "Giants" rejoined the six team, Class D Interstate League, which reformed for the 1914 season. The Bradford Drillers, Hornell Green Sox, Olean Refiners, Warren Bingoes and Wellsville Rainmakers teams joined Jamestown in beginning league play on May 22, 1914. [4]
The Giants won the league pennant and championship in their first season of play. The Giants ended the Class D level Interstate League regular season in first place in the six–team league. With a record of 59–40, Jamestown was managed by Joe Lohr. [5] In the final standings, the Giants finished 1.0 game ahead of the second place Bradford Drillers (59-42). The league held a playoff, which was won by Jamestown, defeating Bradford 4 games to 3 to claim the championship. [6] [7]
In 1915, the renamed "Jamestown Rabbits" continued Class D level Interstate League play, but folded before the end of the season, which saw two teams have a contentious tie in the final league standings. [8] On August 20, 1915, the Jamestown franchise folded. The Rabbits ended their season with a 28–42 record playing their partial season under manager Bill Webb. [9] The Olean White Sox with a 52–30 record (.634) ended the season in a first-place statistical tie with the Wellsville Rainmakers, who finished 54–32 (.628). Wellsville had captured the second half title of the split season schedule and Olean had captured the first half title. [7] [10] Following the conclusion of the regular season, Olean refused to play in a playoff with Wellsville and the title was awarded to Wellsville. [7] [11] Pitcher Lefty Webb, who played for Jamestown and then Hornell led the league with both 14 wins and 152 strikeouts in 1915. [7]
Following the folding of the Jamestown Rabbits in 1915, manager Billy Webb formed an independent semi-pro team called "Billy Webb's Spiders." [12]
In 1916, the Interstate League continued play without a Jamestown franchise. [13] Jamestown next hosted minor league baseball over two decades later, when the 1939 Jamestown Jaguars, began play as members of the Class D level Pennsylvania–Ontario–New York League, starting a long tenure for the Jamestown franchise in the league. [14]
The name of the Jamestown home minor league ballpark is not directly referenced. [15] Allen Park hosted organized baseball in the era. [16] Today, the 35-acre Allen Park is still in use as a public park with a ballfield and other amenities. It is located at 311 Hughes Street in Jamestown. [17] [18]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 | 1 | Jamestown Giants | Class D | Interstate League |
| 1915 | 1 | Jamestown Rabbits |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 | 59–40 | 1st | Joe Lohr | Won league finals |
| 1915 | 28–42 | NA | Bill Webb | Team folded August 14 |
The Interstate League was the name of five different American minor baseball leagues that played intermittently from 1896 through 1952.
The Clear Lake Fish Eaters were a minor league baseball team based in Clear Lake, Iowa. Clear Lake teams played as members of the Independent level Iowa State League in 1912 and the Class D level Central Association in 1917, with the 1917 team playing a brief season as the "Rabbits.". Both teams hosted home minor league games at the Clear Lake City Ball Park.
The Belton Braves were a minor league baseball team based in Belton, Texas. In 1914 and 1915, the Braves played as members of the Class D level Middle Texas League, winning the league championship in both seasons of play, with league permanently folded during the 1915 season. The Belton Braves hosted home games at the Belton Baseball Park.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Findlay, Ohio between 1895 and 1941, playing under four nicknames and hosting games in four ballparks. Findlay teams played as members of the Interstate League in 1895, Buckeye League in 1915 and Ohio State League from 1937 to 1941. The Findlay Browns were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns in 1937 and 1938. Baseball Hall of Fame member Bud Fowler played for the 1894 Findlay Sluggers.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Webb City, Missouri in various seasons between 1887 and 1912. Under numerous nicknames, Webb City teams played as members of the 1887 Southwestern League, 1891 Southwestern Missouri League, the Missouri Valley League in 1903 and 1905, Western Association from 1906 to 1909 and 1912 Missouri-Kansas League. Webb City hosted home minor league games at Sunset Park for the duration of their minor league play.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Ottawa, Illinois in various seasons between 1890 and 1915. Ottawa minor league teams played as members of the Illinois-Iowa League in 1890 and 1891, Illinois-Missouri League in 1914 and the Bi-State League in 1915. Ottawa hosted home minor league games at Lincoln–Douglas Park.
The Coudersport Giants were a minor league baseball team based in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. In 1905, the Giants played as members of the Class D level Interstate League, winning the league championship in their final season of play. Previously hosting the 1904 Coudersport minor league team of the independent Southern Tier League, Coudersport played home minor league games at Morgan Park.
The DuBois Miners were a minor league baseball team based in DuBois, Pennsylvania. From 1905 to 1907, the Miners played as members of the Class D level Interstate League. In their three seasons of play, the Dubois Miners hosted home minor league games at City Park.
The Kane Mountaineers were a minor league baseball team based in Kane, Pennsylvania. From 1905 to 1907, the Mountaineers played as members of the Class D level Interstate League, with the Kane Ballpark hosting minor league home games.
The Franklin Millionaires were a minor league baseball team based in Franklin, Pennsylvania. In 1907 and 1908, the Millionaires played as members of the Class D level Interstate League. Baseball Hall of Fame member Joe McCarthy played for the 1907 Franklin Millionaires.
The Punxsutawney Policemen were a minor league baseball team based in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. In 1906 and 1907, the Policemen played as members of the Class D level Interstate League, before folding during the 1907 season. The Policemen hosted home games at the Punxsutawney Diamond.
The Oil City Cubs were a minor league baseball team based in Oil City, Pennsylvania. From 1906 1908, Oil City teams played as members of the Class D level Interstate League, winning the 1907 league championship. The 1906 team played as the "Oil City-Jamestown Oseejays." Oil City hosted home minor league games at the Sedwick Grounds. The 1898 and 1941 Oil City Oilers teams preceded and succeeded the Interstate League Oil City teams.
The Jackson Convicts were a minor league baseball team based in Jackson, Michigan. From 1906 to 1915, Jackson teams played as members of the Southern Michigan League for the duration of the league but did not claim a league championship in their tenure. In 1914 and 1915, Jackson played one season each known as the "Chiefs" and "Vets." Jackson teams hosted home minor league teams at Keeley Park. The team "Convicts" nickname corresponded to Jackson serving as home to the Michigan State Prison in the era.
The New Bedford Whalers were a minor league baseball team based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Between 1895 and 1933, New Bedford teams played as members of the New England League, Colonial League (1914–1915), New England League and 1934 Northeastern League, winning the 1910 and 1933 league championships. New Bedford was nicknamed the "Whalers" in each season, with the exceptions of the "Browns" in 1896 and the "Millmen" in 1928. New Bedford hosted home minor league games at Olympic Field beginning in 1893 through 1898 and at Sargent Field from 1903 until their final season of 1934.
The Warren Bingoes were a minor league baseball team based in Warren, Pennsylvania and Warren County, Pennsylvania. From 1914 to 1916, Warren teams played as members of the Class D level Interstate League, with the 1916 team nicknamed as the "Warriors." The 1908 Warren "Blues" preceded the Bingoes in Interstate League play. Warren hosted home minor league games at Russell Park.
The Wellsville Rainmakers were a minor league baseball team based in Wellsville, New York. From 1914 to 1916, the Rainmakers played as members of the Class D level Interstate League, winning the 1915 league championship. Wellsville hosted home minor league games at Island Park.
The Olean Refiners were a minor league baseball team based in Olean, New York. From 1905 to 1908 and again from 1914 to 1916, Olean teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Interstate League, winning the 1908 league championship. Olean played as the "Candidates" in 1908 and the "White Sox" in 1915 and 1916, winning a contested pennant in 1915. Olean hosted home minor league games at Interstate League Park. The "Refiners" nickname corresponds to the Oil industry in the Olean area in the era.
The St. Marys Saints were a minor league baseball team based in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. In 1916, the Saints played as members of the eight-team Class D level Interstate League, finishing in second place before the league folded following the season. St. Marys hosted home minor league games at Memorial Park.
The Bradford Drillers were a minor league baseball team based in Bradford, Pennsylvania. From 1905 to 1908 and again from 1914 to 1916, the Drillers played exclusively as members of the Class D level Interstate League. While the team did not win a league title, the Drillers finished in second or third place in six of seven seasons in league play. Bradford hosted home minor league games at Edgar Thompson Park. The "Drillers" nickname corresponds to the oil industry in region in the era of the team.
The New Castle Quakers were a minor league baseball team based in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The Quakers played as members of the 1895 Iron and Oil League before becoming members of the Class D level Interstate League from 1896 to 1900, winning the 1899 league title. New Castle hosted home minor league games at Pearson Park through 1897 before moving to the new Cascade Park.