Henderson Hens

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Henderson Hens
1896–1916
(1896–1897, 1903–1905, 1911–1914, 1916)
Henderson, Kentucky
Minor league affiliations
ClassIndependent (1896)
Class C (1897)
Class D (1903–1905, 1911–1914, 1916)
LeagueKentucky–Indiana League (1896)
Pennyrile League (1896)
Central League (1897)
Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (1903–1905, 1911–1914, 1916)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Team data
NameHenderson (1896–1897)
Henderson Blue Birds (1903–1904)
Henderson Hens (1905, 1911–1914, 1916)
BallparkFairgrounds Park (1903–1905, 1911–1914, 1916)

The Henderson Hens was a primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Henderson, Kentucky in various seasons between 1896 and 1916. Henderson teams played as members of the Kentucky–Indiana League and Pennyrile League in 1896, Central League in 1897 and Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League (1903–1905, 1911–1914, 1916).

Today, Henderson hosts the Henderson Flash, a summer collegiate baseball team.

History[]

Minor league play in Henderson, Kentucky began in 1896, with the team playing in two leagues. The Henderson team began the season in the Pennyrile League, which folded and then restarted on June 22, 1896, as the Kentucky–Indiana League. Henderson had a 9–15 record in the Kentucky–Indiana League when the team disbanded on August 3, 1896. The league folded shortly after, with Henderson finishing 6.0 games behind the 1st place Madisonville. The Henderson managers were Phil Reccius and Coleman.[1][2][3]

In 1897, Henderson resumed minor league play during the season. On June 13, 1897, Henderson became members of the Class C level Central League when the Nashville, Tennessee based team transferred to Henderson with a 21–18 record. The Central League permanently disbanded on July 20, 1897, with Henderson in 2nd place. The Nashville/Henderson team finished with a 39–31 overall record, ending the season 1.5 games behind the 1st place Evansville Brewers.[4][5][6][7]

In 1903, the Henderson Blue Birds became charter members of the eight–team Class D level Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League, which became known informally as the KITTY League. In the first season of play in the new league, the Blue Birds finished with a 48–60 record in the final standings. Henderson placed 4th, finishing 19.0 games behind the 1st place Cairo Egyptians, playing under manager Peter Webber.[8][9][10][11]

The Henderson Blue Birds returned to play and again finished 4th in the 1904 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. Henderson compiled a record of 54–68 under manager Clyde McNutt. The Blue Birds finished 19.5 games behind the 1st place Paducah Indians in the final standings.[8][9][12]

In 1905, the Henderson Hens continued Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League play, but folded during the season. On July 18, 1905, the Hens had a record of 29–47 under managers Jake Zimbro and Hary Kubitz when the franchise folded The league then halted play on August 17, 1905, due to the Yellow Fever epidemic.[9][13][14]

The Henderson Hens rejoined the 1911 Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League during the season. On June 20, 1911, the McLeansboro Miners, with a 19–15 record moved to Henderson. The Hens placed 3rd in the eight–team league with an overall record of 46–43. The team finished 12.0 games behind the 1st place Hopkinsville Hoppers. Miles Bradshaw and Stelle managed the McLeansboro/Henderson team in 1911 [13][9][15]

The 1912 Hens finished 2nd in the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. With a record of 52–48, Henderson finished 17.5 games behind the 1st place Clarksville Rebels in the six–team league. Offa Neal and Ward Snyder managed the 1912 Hens. On July 21, 1912, Fred Ostendorf of Henderson pitched a no-hitter against the Cairo Egyptians. Ostendorf and Henderson won the game 2–0.[13][9][16]

Continuing Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League play, the 1913 Henderson Hens finished with a record of 70–55. The team placed 4th in the standings under managers Dave Anderson and Ward Snyder. The Hens finished 9.0 games behind the champion Paducah Chiefs. On August 7, 1913, Henderson's Tom Rogers threw a no–hitter in a 1–0 Henderson victory over the Owensboro Distillers.[13][9][17][16]

The 1914 Henderson Hens placed 3rd in the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. Under returning manager Ward Snyder, Henderson finished with a 64–58 record. The Hens finished 12.5 games behind the Cairo Egyptians in the six–team league. James Leach of the Hens threw a perfect game in a 7–inning win on August 29, 1914. Leach was victorious over the Cairo Egyptians 1–0. The Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee did not return to play in the 1915 season.[13][9][18][16]

In their final season of play, the 1916 Henderson Hens were in 2nd place when the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League folded. The league disbanded August 4, 1916 with a record of 44–30 under manager Connie Walsh. Henderson finished 6.0 games behind the 1st place Clarksville Volunteers.[13][9][19]

Henderson, Kentucky has not hosted another minor league team. Beginning in 2017, Henderson has hosted the "Henderson Flash", a collegiate summer baseball team who play as members of the Ohio Valley League.[2][20][21]

The ballpark[]

The Henderson minor league teams were noted to have played home games at the Henderson Fairgrounds Park. The ballpark was located at the Henderson Fair Grounds, Fairgrounds Street and Fair Street, Henderson, Kentucky.[22][23]

(2012) North Main, National Register of Historic Places. Henderson, Kentucky

Timeline[]

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League
1896 (1) 1 Henderson Independent Kentucky–Indiana League
1896 (2) 1 Pennyrile League
1897 1 Henderson Class C Central League
1903–1904 2 Henderson Blue Birds Class D Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League
1905, 1911–1914, 1916 6 Henderson Hens

Year-by-Year Record[]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/notes
1896 (1) 7–17 NA Phil Reccius / Coleman Pennyrite League
League folded June 22
1896 (2) 9–15 6th Phil Reccius / Coleman Team folded August 3
1897 39–41 7th NA Nashville (21–18) transferred to Henderson June 13
League folded July 20
1903 48–60 4th Peter Webber None held
1904 54–68 4th Clyde McNutt None held
1905 29–47 -- Jake Zimbro / Hary Kubitz Team folded July 18
1911 46–43 3rd Miles Bradshaw / Stelle McLeansboro Miners (19–15) moved to Henderson June 20
1912 52–48 2nd Offa Neal / Ward Snyder None held
1913 70–55 4th Dave Anderson / Ward Snyder None held
1914 64–58 3rd Ward Snyder None held
1916 44–30 2nd Connie Walsh League folded August 4

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Henderson Hens players
Henderson (minor league baseball) players
Henderson Centennials players

References[]

  1. ^ "Kentucky-Indiana League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. ^ a b "1896 Henderson Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. ^ "1896 Henderson minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. ^ "Central League (US) - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. ^ "1897 Nashville/Henderson Centennials Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ^ "Baseball News". July 20, 1897. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "1897 Nashville/Henderson minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. ^ a b "Henderson Blue Birds - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  10. ^ "1903 Henderson Blue Birds Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. ^ "Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  12. ^ "1904 Henderson Blue Birds Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. ^ a b c d e f "Henderson Hens - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  14. ^ "1905 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. ^ "1911 McLeansboro Miners/Henderson Hens minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  16. ^ a b c "Minor League No-Hitters 1910-1919 - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  17. ^ "1913 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ^ "1914 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  19. ^ "1916 Henderson Hens Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. ^ Flash, Henderson. "2019 Eastern Division Champions". Henderson Flash.
  21. ^ "Ohio Valley League". Ohio Valley League.
  22. ^ "Fairgrounds in Henderson, KY minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  23. ^ Humanities, National Endowment for the (July 1, 1897). "The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, July 01, 1897, Image 3" – via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.

External references[]

Baseball Reference Bullpen

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