Enterprise Boll Weevils

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Enterprise Boll Weevils
1936–1952
(1936, 1947–1952)
Enterprise, Alabama
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1936, 1947–1952)
LeagueAlabama-Florida League (1936)
Alabama State League (1947–1950)
Alabama-Florida League (1951–1952)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Conference titles (1)1950
Wild card berths (3)
  • 1936
  • 1947
  • 1949
Team data
NameEnterprise Browns (1936)
Enterprise Boll Weevils (1947–1952)
BallparkPeanut Park (1947–1952)

The Enterprise Boll Weevils was the final and primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Enterprise, Alabama between 1936 and 1952. Enterprise teams played as members of the Alabama-Florida League in 1936, Alabama State League from 1947 to 1950 and Alabama-Florida League in 1951 and 1952.

History[]

Minor league baseball in Enterprise, Alabama began in the 1936 season. The Enterprise Browns team became members of the eight–team Class D level Alabama-Florida League. The Abbeville Red Sox, Andalusia Reds, Dothan Boll Weevils, Ozark Cardinals, Panama City Papermakers, Troy Trojans and Union Springs Springers joined Enterprise in league play, which began on May 12, 1936.[1]

Enterprise placed 2nd in the 1937 Alabama-Florida League regular season standings. With a record of 64–46, playing under managers Shovel Hodge and Vic Walker, the Browns qualified for the playoffs, finishing 4.0 games behind the 1st place Troy Trojans in the final standings. In the playoffs, Enterprise defeated the Ozark Cardinals 2 games to 0. The Enterprise Browns then defeated the Dothan Boll Weevils in a one game playoff. In another one game playoff, Enterprise lost to Andalusia and were eliminated. Pitcher Joe Bingham of Enterprise led the league with 20 wins and 169 strikeouts, while teammate Jim Tennant led the league with 97 RBI. The Enterprise franchise did not return to play in the 1937 Alabama-Florida League.[2][3][4][1]

In 1947, the Enterprise "Boll Weevils" resumed minor league play play. Enterprise became members of the eight–team Class D level Alabama State League, which expanded from six teams. The Andalusia Arrows, Brewton Millers, Dothan Browns, Geneva Red Birds, Greenville Lions, Ozark Eagles and Troy Trojans joined Enterprise in league play.[5]

The Enterprise, Alabama team's use of the "Boll Weevils" moniker corresponds to the boll weevil insect, which is indigenous to the region and a celebrated agricultural foe in the community. The city of Enterprise, Alabama first erected a Boll Weevil Monument in 1919. Today, Enterprise State Community College has adopted the "Boll Weevils" nickname for their athletic teams.[6][7][8][9]

(1947) Boll weevil monument. National Register of Historic Places. Enterprise, Alabama

The Enterprise Boll Weevils placed 3rd in the 1947 Alabama State League and qualified for the playoffs. With a record of 77–61, playing under manager Ben Catchings, the Boll Weevils finished 13.0 games behind the 1st place Greenville Lions in the final regular season standings. In the playoffs, the eventual champion Greenville Lions defeated Enterprise 4 games to 3 in their 1st round series. Enterprise player/manager Ben Catchings led the league in runs scored, with 126.[10][11]

In 1948 Alabama State League play, the Enterprise Boll Weevils placed 6th and did not qualify for the playoffs in the eight–team league. The Boll Weevils finished with a 57–67 overall record to end the season, playing under managers Dolly Lambert and Richard Bixby. Enterprise finished 26.0 games behind the 1st place Troy Tigers in the final Alabama State League standings. Enterprise missed the four–team playoffs, where the Dothan Browns won the championship.[10][12][13]

Continuing play as members of the 1949 Alabama State League, the Enterprise Boll Weevils qualified for the playoffs. Enterprise ended the season with a record of 63–61 to finish in 3rd place in the eight–team league. The team was managed by Russell Taylor. The Boll Weevils finished 18.5 games behind the 1st place Greenville Pirates in the final regular season standings. In the playoffs, Greenville defeated Enterprise 4 games to 1 and advanced to the Finals, where they were defeated by the Andalusia Arrows.[10][14][15]

The 1950 Enterprise Boll Weevils won the Alabama State League pennant in the final season of the league. Finishing with a regular season record of 76–49, Enterprise placed 1st in the final regular season standings, playing under manager Paul O'Dea. Enterprise finished 4.0 games ahead of the 2nd place Dothan Browns in the regular season final standings. In the playoffs, the Boll Weevils were defeated by the Headland Dixie Runners 4 games to 3 in their 1st round series. The Dolthan Browns defeated Headland in the Finals. After the 1950 season, the Alabama State League permanently folded, evolving into a new league in 1951.[10][16][17]

(2015) Boll Weevil monument at Enterprise City Hall. Enterprise, Alabama

The 1951 Enterprise Boll Weevils returned to play as members of the reformed six–team Class D level Alabama-Florida League, as the Alabama League evolved. The Boll Weevils placed 5th in the final standings, missing the playoffs. With a regular season record of 44–76, Enterprise finished 40.0 games behind the 1st place Headland Dixie Runners. The 1951 team was first managed by Dick Hahn, who was replaced on May 11, 1951 by James Guinn. Guinn was replaced as manager on May 17, 1951 by Irvin Fortune. On July 5, 1951 Fortune was replaced as manager by Bill Brightwell, who finished the season.[2][18][19]

Enterprise played their final minor league season in 1952, with the franchise relocating during the Alabama-Florida League season. On July 5, 1952, the franchise relocated to Graceville, Florida, becoming the Graceville Oilers. The combined Enterprise/Graceville team finished last in the final standings. With an overall record of 33–80, playing under managers Shorty Marshall and Red Glover, the team ended their 1952 season 43.5 games behind the 1st place Ozark Eagles in the Alabama-Florida League standings. The Graceville Oilers continued league play in the 1953 season.[2][20][21]

Enterprise, Alabama has not hosted another minor league team.[22][23]

The ballparks[]

Beginning in 1947, the Enterprise Boll Weevils minor league teams were noted to have played home games at Peanut Stadium. The ballpark was reportedly located at Ouida Street & Mill Avenue, Enterprise, Alabama.[24][25]

(2015) Boll Weevil Inn. Enterprise, Alabama

Timeline[]

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League
1936 1 Enterprise Browns Class D Alabama-Florida League
1947–1950 3 Enterprise Boll Weevils Arkansas State League
1951–1952 2 Alabama-Florida League

Year–by–year records[]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/Notes
1936 64–46 2nd Shovel Hodge / Vic Walker Lost in 2nd round
1947 77–61 3rd Ben Catchings Lost in 1st round
1948 57–67 6th Dolly Lambert / Richard Bixby Did not qualify
1949 63–61 3rd Russell Taylor Lost in 1st round
1950 76–49 1st Paul O'Dea League pennant
Lost in 1st round
1951 44–76 5th Dick Hahn (5/11) / James Guinn (5/17) /
Irvin Fortune (7/5) / Bill Brightwell		 Did not qualify
1952 33–80 6th Shorty Marshall / Red Glover Team moved to Graceville July 5

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

  • Enterprise Boll Weevils players
  • Enterprise Browns players

References[]

  1. ^ a b "1936 Alabama-Florida League (AAL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Alabama-Florida League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. ^ "1936 Enterprise Browns Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. ^ "1936 Alabama-Florida League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. ^ "1947 Alabama State League (ASL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. ^ "Mississippi Boll Weevil Management Corporation Home Page". bollweevil.ext.msstate.edu.
  7. ^ "City of Enterprise: History of Enterprise". July 3, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-07-03.
  8. ^ ADAMS, RICKY. "Weevil baseball sweeps, gets swept days apart". Dothan Eagle.
  9. ^ "Enterprise State CC". Enterprise State CC.
  10. ^ a b c d "Alabama State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  11. ^ "1947 Enterprise Boll Weevils Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ^ "1948 Alabama State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. ^ "1948 Enterprise Boll Weevils Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. ^ "1949 Enterprise Boll Weevils Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. ^ "1949 Alabama State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. ^ "1950 Alabama State League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. ^ "1950 Enterprise Boll Weevils Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ^ "1951 Enterprise Boll Weevils Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ^ "1951 Alabama-Florida League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. ^ "1952 Alabama-Florida League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  21. ^ "1952 Enterprise/Graceville Boll Weevils Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  22. ^ "Enterprise, AL - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  23. ^ "Enterprise, Alabama Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  24. ^ "Peanut Stadium in Enterprise, AL minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  25. ^ sports@southeastsun.com, Josh Boutwell. "The History of the Boll Weevil and Enterprise athletics". The Southeast Sun.

External references[]

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