Edenton Colonials

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Edenton Colonials
1951–1952
Edenton, North Carolina
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1951–1952)
LeagueVirginia League (1951)
Coastal Plain League (1952)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1952
Wild card berths (2)
  • 1951
  • 1952
Team data
NameEdenton Colonials (1951–1952)
BallparkHicks Field (1951–1952)

The Edenton Colonials were a minor league baseball team based in Edenton, North Carolina in 1951 and 1952. The Edenton Colonials played as members of the Class D level Virginia League in 1951 and Coastal Plain League in 1952.

The Edenton Colonials played home games at the Historic Hicks Field, still in use today by the collegiate summer baseball team, the Edenton Steamers.

History[]

Minor league baseball began in Edenton, North Carolina in 1951. The 1951 Edenton Colonials, became members of the six–team Class D level Virginia League. Edenton joined the Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals, Elizabeth City Albemarles, Emporia Rebels, Franklin Kildees and Suffolk Goobers in playing the final season of the league.[1][2]

Beginning Virginia League play on May 4, 1951, the Edenton Colonials finished the regular season in 3rd place. The Colonials ended the season with a record of 63–55, playing under manager Gashouse Parker. The Colonials finished 16.5 games behind the 1st place Colonial Heights-Petersburg Generals in the final regular season standings. In the 1st round of the playoffs, eventual champion Elizabeth City defeated Edenton 4 games to 3. The Virginia League folded at the end of the 1951 season.[1][3][4][5]

In their final season of play, the 1952 Edenton Colonials, became charter members of the eight–team Class D level Coastal Plain League. Edenton joined the Goldsboro Jets, Kinston Eagles, New Bern Bears, Roanoke Rapids Jays, Rocky Mount Leafs, Tarboro Tars and Wilson Tobs in playing the final season of Class D level baseball for the league.[6][7][8]

On July 21, 1952, the local "Chowan Herald" newspaper reported the Colonials had lost 3 of their previous 5 games and were in 3rd place with a 47–42 record. Edmonton had just played to a 0–0 tie with Wilson after the game was rained out. Previously, Edenton had defeated Rocky Mount 2–0 behind the pitching of "Monk" Raines.[9]

The Edenton Colonials won the 1952 Coastal Plain League championship. Playing under managers Gashouse Parker, Vernon Mustian and Tom Inge, the Colonels finished the regular season with a record of 69–55, placing 3rd in the Coastal Plain League regular season standings. The Colonials finished 7.5 games behind the 1st place Kingston Eagles in the final standings. Pitcher John Raines led the Coastal Plain League with 26 wins. In the 1st round of the playoffs, Edenton swept Wilson in 4 games to advance. In the Finals, Edenton defeated the Goldsboro Jets 4 games to 1 to win the championship. The Coastal Plain League permanently folded following the 1938 season.[6][10][8][11]

Edenton, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league team.[12][13]

Today, Edenton plays host to the Edenton Steamers of collegiate summer baseball, members of the Premier Collegiate League.[13][14]

The ballpark[]

The Edenton Colonials teams were noted to have played home minor league games at Hicks Field. The ballpark was constructed in 1939 and is still in use today. Adjacent to John A. Holmes High School, Hicks field was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. The Edenton Steamers continue play at Hicks Field.[15][16][17]

(2019) Downtown, The Chowan Herald in the foreground. Edenton, North Carolina

Timeline[]

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League
1951 1 Edenton Colonials Class D Virginia League
1952 1 Coastal Plain League

Year–by–year records[]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/Notes
1951 63–55 3rd Gashouse Parker Lost in 1st round
1952 69–55 3rd Gashouse Parker
Vernon Mustian / Tom Inge		 League Champions

Notable alumni[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Virginia League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. ^ "1951 Virginia League (VL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. ^ "1951 Edenton Colonials minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. ^ "1951 Virginia League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ^ "1951 Edenton Colonials Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ^ a b "Coastal Plain League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  7. ^ "1952 Coastal Plain League (CPL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ^ a b "1952 Coastal Plain League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. ^ https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83004293/1952-07-31/ed-1/seq-1.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  10. ^ "1952 Edenton Colonials minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. ^ "1952 Edenton Colonials Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ^ "Edenton, NC - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  13. ^ a b "Edenton, North Carolina Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. ^ "Edenton Steamers Baseball Team".
  15. ^ "Hicks Field – Edenton Steamers Baseball Team".
  16. ^ "Hicks Field in Edenton, NC minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. ^ "National Register of Historical Places - NORTH CAROLINA (NC), Chowan County". www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com.

External links[]

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