| Classification | Class D (1916) |
|---|---|
| Sport | Minor League Baseball |
| Founder | Colonel Nelson W. Russler Fuller Barnard Jr. Charles Boyer |
| Inaugural season | 1916 |
| Ceased | August 16, 1916 |
| Replaced by | Blue Ridge League |
| President | Fuller Barnard Jr. (1916) |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Most titles | 1 Frostburg Demons (1916) |
The Potomac League was a minor league baseball league that played a partial season as a Class D level league in 1916. The Potomac League featured four teams based in West Virginia and Maryland. The Potomac League permanently folded on August 16, 1916 with the Frostburg Demons in first place.
Cumberland, Maryland resident Colonel Nelson W. Russler and Cumberland attorney Fuller Barnard Jr. laid the groundwork the Potomac League at a meeting held in February, 1916. Charles Boyer, president of the Blue Ridge League organized a group of businessmen to garner interest in fielding a league in the area. One year earlier, Cumberland had sought entry into the 1915 Blue Ridge League, but were unsuccessful due to distance. Fuller Bernard became the Potomac League president. [1] [2]
The Potomac League formed for the 1916 season as a Class D level minor league. The Potomac League featured four charter teams. The Cumberland, Maryland based Cumberland Colts, the Frostburg, Maryland based Frostburg Demons, the Lonaconing, Maryland] based Lonaconing Giants and the Piedmont Drybugs, based in Piedmont, West Virginia, were the four league franchises. [3] [4] [5] [6]
The Potomac League began play on May 3, 1916. In the two opening day games, Frostburg and Cumberland played at Cumberland's South End Park, with Cumberland winning 2–0, and 1,500 in attendance. Piedmont and Lonaconing played at Lonaconing Park, with Piedmont winning 5–0. For the season, the league had two umpires, one for each game, Doll Derr and Thomas McNamara. [1]
The Potomac League struggled financially, as Cumberland was the only league franchise turning a profit. [7] On July 23, 1916, the Lonaconing Giants franchise folded. This left the Potomac League with three teams and the schedule was rearranged for the season to continue. [4] [1]
On August 16, 1916, the first place Frostburg Demons franchise folded due to financial reasons. This forced the Potomac League to permanently fold. [4] [8]
The final Potomac League standings were led by the Frostburg Demons, who folded with a record of 33–25. Frostburg was 6.0 games ahead of the second place Lonaconing Giants (26–18), followed by the Piedmont Drybugs (26–30) and Cumberland Colts (23–35). [9] [4]
Following the 1916 season, the Potomac League franchises of Cumberland and Piedmont continued in minor league baseball. Cumberland became a member of the Class D level Blue Ridge League in 1917 and played through 1932. Piedmont, also known as Piedmont/Westernport, played in the 1918 Blue Ridge League. [1] [4]
1916 Potomac League
| Team standings | W | L | PCT | GB | Managers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frostburg Demons | 33 | 25 | .569 | – | Pat Brophy |
| Piedmont Drybugs | 26 | 30 | .464 | 6.0 | Cy Harris / Dutch Kane |
| Cumberland Colts | 23 | 35 | .397 | 10.0 | Tom Russler |
| Lonaconing Giants | 26 | 18 | .691 | NA | James McGuire / Roy Keener |
Lonaconing disbanded July 23.
The league disbanded August 16
| Player | Team | Stat | Tot | Player | Team | Stat | Tot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Phillips | Cumberland | BA | .367 | Ben Schaufele | Piedmont | W | 14 | |
| Roy Keener | Lonaconing/Cumberland | Runs | 51 | John Baylor | Frostburg | SO | 114 | |
| Roy Keener | Lonaconing/Cumberland | Hits | 82 | Bill Stair | Frostburg | Pct | .889; 8–1 | |
| Paul Cobb | Lonaconing/Cumberland | HR | 6 |
The Blue Ridge League was the name of two minor league baseball organizations that operated in the first half of the twentieth century in the United States.
The Martinsburg Blue Sox were an American minor league baseball team based in Martinsburg, West Virginia. They played in the Blue Ridge League between 1915 and 1929 and were an affiliate of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1929.
The Ogdensburg Maples was the final moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Ogdensburg, New York. Between 1900 and 1940, earlier Ogdensburg teams played as members of the Northern New York League in 1900 and 1901 and the Canadian–American League from 1936 to 1940. The Maples played as members of the Class C level Border League from 1946 to 1951. Overall, Ogdensburg teams won three league championships and one pennant. The Maples hosted home games at Winter Park.
The Cumberland Colts were a minor league baseball team based in Cumberland, Maryland between 1916 and 1932. The Cumberland Giants of the Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League in 1906 and the 1907 Cumberland Rooters of the Western Pennsylvania League preceded the Colts. The Colts played as members of the 1916 Potomac League, the Blue Ridge League from 1917 to 1918 and Middle Atlantic League from 1925 to 1932. The Colts were a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees in 1931 and 1932. With the Colts winning league championships in 1918, 1927 and 1931, Cumberland played home games at South End Park and then Community Park.
The Poughkeepsie Colts was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Poughkeepsie, New York. Between 1886 and 1950, Poughkeepsie teams played as members of the Hudson River League, New York State League (1894), Hudson River League (1903–1907), Eastern Association (1909), New York-New Jersey League (1913), Atlantic League (1914) and Colonial League (1948–1950). Poughkeepsie teams won five league championships.
The Elkin Blanketeers were a minor league baseball team based in Elkin, North Carolina. The Blanketeers played as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League from 1949 to 1950 and North Carolina State League from 1951 to 1952, winning the 1950 pennant. Elkin hosted home minor league games at Elkin Memorial Park, where a Blanketeer player was married at home plate in 1950.
The Owosso Colts were a minor league baseball team based in Owosso, Michigan. In 1895, the Colts played as a member of the Class B level Michigan State League, before folding during the season. The Colts hosted home games at the Athletic Association Grounds.
The Adrian Reformers were a minor league baseball team based in Adrian, Michigan. In 1895, the Reformers played as a member of the Class B level Michigan State League, winning the league championship. The Reformers were also known by the Adrian Demons moniker during the 1895 season.
The Manhattan Maroons were a minor league baseball team based in Manhattan, Kansas. From 1909 to 1911, the Maroons played as members of the Class D level Central Kansas League and were followed in the league by the 1912 Manhattan "Elks," before the franchise joined the 1913 Kansas State League. Manhattan teams hosted minor league home games at Athletic Park from 1909 to 1911, before moving to Southside Park.
The Cumberland Valley League was a four–team Independent level baseball minor league that played in the 1896 season. The Cumberland League featured franchises based in Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Cumberland Valley League permanently folded after playing the 1896 season.
The Hanover Raiders were a minor league baseball team based in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Between 1915 and 1929, Hanover teams played exclusively as members of the Blue Ridge League from 1915 to 1917 and 1920 to 1929, winning the 1928 league championship. The 1915 Hanover Hornets preceded the Raiders, as Hanover played minor league home games at McAllister Field and then Young's Field
The Galax Leafs were a minor league baseball team based in Galax, Virginia. From 1946 to 1950, the Galax Leafs played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, winning the 1947 championship and 1948 pennant. The Galax Leafs were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants in 1950. The Leafs hosted minor league home games at Felts Park.
The North Wilkesboro Flashers were a minor league baseball team based in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. From 1948 to 1950, the "Flashers" played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, winning the 1949 league championship. North Wilkesboro hosted home minor league games at Memorial Park. The team nickname was in reference to team manager Harry Lohman, whose nickname was "Flash."
Minor league baseball teams were based in Lawrence, Massachusetts between 1877 and 1946. Lawrence minor league baseball teams played as members of the 1877 New England Association, 1884 Massachusetts State Association, 1885 Eastern New England League, New England League, 1895 New England Association, New England League, Eastern League (1916–1917) and New England League.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Maysville, Kentucky in various seasons between 1894 and 1923. Maysville teams played as members of the Tri-State League in 1894, Blue Grass League from 1910 to 1912, Ohio State League from 1913 to 1916 and Blue Grass League from 1922 to 1923, winning one league championship. Maysville hosted home minor league games at the Maysville Base Ball Park/League Park. Baseball Hall of Fame member Casey Stengel played for the 1910 Maysville Rivermen in his first professional season.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Centreville, Maryland between 1937 and 1946. Centreville teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League in the 1937–1941 and 1946 seasons.
Minor league baseball teams were based in Frankfort, Kentucky in various seasons between 1885 and 1916. Frankfort teams played as members of the Interstate League in 1885, the Blue Grass League from 1908 to 1912 and Ohio State League in 1915 and 1916. Frankfort won Blue Grass League championships in 1908 and 1912.
The Gettysburg Ponies were a minor league baseball team based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. From 1915 to 1917, Gettysburg teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League, beginning play in 1915 as the Gettysburg "Patriots." Gettysburg hosted minor league home games at Nixon Field
The Fort Scott Giants were a minor league baseball team based in Fort Scott, Kansas. From 1901 to 1905, Fort Scott played as a member of the Missouri Valley League, before joining the 1906 Kansas State League.
The Lexington Reds were a minor league baseball team based in Lexington, Kentucky. From 1922 to 1924, Lexington teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Grass League. After two seasons of playing as the "Reds," the 1924 Lexington became known as the "Studebakers" after the team owner reached an agreement with a local car dealership. Lexington hosted minor league home games at Stivers Park.