| Williamston Martins | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1937–1941) |
| League | Coastal Plain League (1937–1941) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) | 1939 |
| Wild card berths (1) | 1937 |
| Team data | |
| Name | Williamston Martins (1937–1941) |
| Ballpark | Taylor Field (1937–1941) |
The Williamston Martins were a minor league baseball team based in Williamston, North Carolina. From 1937 to 1941, the Martins played as exclusively as members of the Coastal Plain League, winning the 1939 league championship. Williamston hosted home minor league games at Taylor Field.
The Williamston "Martins" moniker was first used by a semi–pro team that played in an Independent league named the Coastal Plain League prior to minor league play. [1]
Minor league baseball began in Williamston, North Carolina in 1937. The 1937 Williamston Martins, became charter members of the eight–team Class D level Coastal Plain League. Williamston joined the Ayden Aces, Goldsboro Goldbugs, Greenville Greenies, Kinston Eagles, New Bern Bears, Snow Hill Billies and Tarboro Combs in playing the first season of Class D level baseball for the league. [2] [3]
The Williamston use of the "Martins" moniker corresponds with the city of Williamston being the county seat of Martin County, North Carolina. [4]
Beginning Coastal Plain League play on May 6, 1937, the Williamston Martins finished the regular season in second place. The Martins ended the season with a record of 55–41, playing under manager Arthur Hauger in the eight–team Coastal Plain League. The Martins finished 6.0 games behind the first place Snow Hill Billies in the final standings to qualify for the four–team playoffs. Williamston lost in the first round of the playoffs, as the Tarboro Combs defeated Williamston 3 games to 0. Snow Hill won the championship. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Continuing minor league play, the 1938 Williamston Martins placed fifth in the eight–team Coastal Plain League standings and did not qualify for the playoffs. Playing under returning manager Arthur Hauger, the Martins finished the 1938 season with a record of 56–56 in the Coastal Plain League. Williamston finished 7.0 games behind the first place New Bern Bears in the final standings, missing the playoffs, which were won by New Bern. Williamston pitcher James Rollins led the league with 202 strikeouts. [9] [10] [7] [11]
The Williamston Martins won the 1939 Coastal Plain League Championship. In the regular season, the Martins placed third with a record of 65–57, playing under manager Paul O'Malley and finishing 9.0 games behind the first place Greenville Greenies. In the first round of the playoffs, Williamston defeated the Goldsboro Goldbugs 4 games to 1 to advance. in the Finals, the Williamston Martins won the championship, defeating the Kinston Eagles 4 games to 1. Pitcher Harry Swain of Williamston led the league with 186 strikeouts. [12] [13] [7]
In the season following their championship, the 1940 Williamston Martins finished last in the Coastal Carolina League. The Martins placed eighth in the eight–team league, with a record of 47–78, playing under managers Dixie Parker and Harry Swain. Williamston finished 29.5 games behind the first place Wilson Tobs in the final league standings. Player/manager Harry Swain of Williamston again led the Coastal Carolina league with 215 strikeouts as a pitcher. [14] [7] [15]
In their final season of play, the 1941 Williamston Martins did not qualify for the Coastal Carolina League playoffs. The Martins finished the 1941 season with a record of 56–61 to place sixth in the eight-team standings, playing the season under manager Frank Rodgers. Williamston finished 31.0 games behind the first place Wilson Tobs in the final regular season standings. After the 1941 season playoffs, won by Wilson, the Coastal Carolina League folded due to World War II. When the league resumed play in 1946, Williamston did not field a team. [16] [17] [7]
Williamston, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league team. [18]
The Williamston Martins teams played home minor league games at Taylor Field. The ballpark reportedly had a capacity of 3,000 and dimensions (Left, Center, Right) of 290–320–340. The ballpark was noted to have been located behind the former Williamston High School at North Smithwick & Grace Street, Williamston, North Carolina. [19]
| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937–1941 | 5 | Williamston Martins | Class D | Coastal Plain League | Taylor Field |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 55–41 | 2nd | Arthur Hauger | Lost in 1st round |
| 1938 | 56–56 | 5th | Arthur Hauger | Did not qualify |
| 1939 | 65–57 | 3rd | Paul "Red" O'Malley | League Champs |
| 1940 | 47–78 | 8th | Dixie Parker / Harry Swain | Did not qualify |
| 1941 | 56–61 | 6th | Frank Rodgers | Did not qualify |
The Caruthersville Pilots were a minor league baseball team located in Caruthersville, Missouri. The Pilots played as exclusively members of the Class D level Northeast Arkansas League from 1936 to 1940 after a Caruthersville team had played in the 1910 league. Caruthersville won league championships in 1910, 1936 and 1939. For their duration, the Caruthersville Pilots were a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals and hosted home games at the American Legion Park.
The Concord Weavers were a minor league baseball team based in Concord, North Carolina. Between 1936 and 1951, Concord teams played as a member of the Independent level Carolina League from 1936 to 1938 and the Class D level North Carolina State League from 1939 to 1942 and 1945 to 1951, winning two league pennants and one championship. The franchise played as the Concord Nationals from 1949 to 1950 and Concord Sports in 1951, with Concord teams hosting minor league home games at Webb Field.
The Pennington Gap Miners was the final moniker of minor league baseball teams representing Pennington Gap, Virginia. Between 1937 and 1951, Pennington Gap teams played as members of the Class D level Appalachian League from 1937 to 1940 and the Mountain States League from 1948 to 1951, winning the 1937 league championship. The team was initially called the "Bears." Pennington Gap was a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Browns from 1938 to 1940. Pennington Gap teams played home minor league games at Leeman Field.
The Albuquerque Cardinals were a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque teams played exclusively as a member of the Arizona-Texas League in 1932 and from 1937 to 1941, winning three league championships. The team played as the Albuquerque "Dons" in 1932 before the league folded, resuming play in 1937. The franchise became known as the Albuquerque "Cardinals" while serving as a minor league affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals from 1937 to 1941. The Dons and Cardinals hosted home minor league games at Tingley Field
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 Greenville Greenies was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Greenville, North Carolina between 1928 and 1951. Greenville teams played as members of the Eastern Carolina League from 1928 to 1929 and Coastal Plain League from 1934 to 1941 and 1946 to 1951.
The Mooresville Moors were a minor league baseball team based in Mooresville, North Carolina. Between 1936 and 1953, the Mooresville Moors teams played as members of the 1936 Carolina League, the North Carolina State League from 1937 to 1942 and 1945 to 1952 before playing a final season in the 1953 Tar Heel League. The Mooresville Moors won six North Carolina State League Championships. For one season, the team became known as the Mooresville "Braves," playing the 1945 season as a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. The Moors and Braves hosted minor league home games at Mooresville Park.
The Snow Hill Billies were minor league baseball teams based in Williamston, North Carolina. From 1937 to 1940, the Snow Hill Billies played exclusively as members of the Coastal Plain League, winning the 1937 league championship. The Billies played home minor league games at Snow Hill Park.
The Fostoria Red Birds were a minor league baseball team based in Fostoria, Ohio from 1937 to 1941. First known as the Fostoria Cardinals in 1936, Fostoria teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Ohio State League and for their entire existence, the franchise played as a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Fostoria hosted minor league home games at Redbird Park.
The Fremont Reds were a minor league baseball team based in Fremont, Ohio. From 1936 to 1941, Fremont teams played as members of the Class D level Ohio State League, winning two league championships. From 1936 to 1938, The Fremont Reds were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, before playing from 1939 to 1941 at the Fremont Green Sox. The Fremont Reds and Green Sox teams hosted home minor league games at Anderson Field, which is still in use today.
The Lenoir Red Sox was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Lenoir, North Carolina. Between 1937 and 1951, Lenoir teams played as members of the 1937 and 1938 Carolina League, 1939 and 1940 Tar Heel League, 1946 and 1947 Blue Ridge League and the Western Carolina League from 1948 to 1951, winning three league championships. Lenoir hosted home minor league games at the Lenoir High School Field. The 1940 Lenoir Reds were a minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and the Lenoir Red Sox were an affiliate of the New York Giants from 1949 to 1951.
The Ayden Aces were a minor league baseball team based in Ayden, North Carolina. In 1937 and 1938, the Aces played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Coastal Plain League, hosting home games at the Ayden High School Park.
The Edenton Colonials were a minor league baseball team based in Edenton, North Carolina. In 1951 and 1952, the Colonials played as members of the Class D level Virginia League in 1951 and Coastal Plain League in 1952, winning the 1952 league championship in their final season of play. The Edenton Colonials hosted home games at the Historic Hicks Field.
The Kannapolis Towelers were a minor league baseball team based in Kannapolis, North Carolina. From 1936 to 1941, the Towelers played as a member of the independent Carolina League from 1936 to 1938 and the Class D level North Carolina State League from 1939 to 1941, winning league pennants in 1937, 1939 and 1940. Kannapolis hosted minor league home games at the Kannapolis Ballpark.
The Newton–Conover Twins were a minor league baseball team based in Newton, North Carolina. The team was operated in partnership with neighboring Conover, North Carolina. Newton–Conover Twins teams played as members of the North Carolina State League in 1937 and 1938, Tar Heel League in 1939 and 1940 and the Western Carolina League from 1948 to 1951 and again from 1961 to 1963. The Twins played home minor league games in Newton, Carolina.
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 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 Easton, Maryland between 1924 and 1949. Easton teams played as exclusively as members of the Class D level Eastern Shore League from 1924 to 1928, 1937 to 1941 and 1946 to 1949.
The New Bern Bears were a minor league baseball team based in New Bern, North Carolina. Between 1937 and 1952, with a break during World War II, the Bears teams played as exclusively as members of the Coastal Plain League, winning three league championships with six playoff appearances. New Bern hosted minor league home games at Kafer Park.
The Oswego Netherlands were a minor league baseball team based in Oswego, New York, United States. From 1936 to 1940, the Netherlands played as members of the Class C level Canadian-American League, serving as a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians in 1937 and 1938 and Washington Senators in 1939. The Oswego Netherlands hosted minor league home games at Otis Park. At age 17, Baseball Hall of Fame member Bob Lemon played for the 1938 Oswego Netherlands in his first professional season.