Mason City Claydiggers

The Mason City Claydiggers was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Mason City, Iowa between 1912 and 1917. Mason City played as a member of the Class D level Iowa State League in 1912 and Central Association from 1915 to 1917. The franchise played as the Mason City Cementmakers in 1912.

History[]

Beginning in 1902, Mason City hosted numerous semi–pro teams in the years before minor league baseball, playing as the "Hubs" and "Claydiggers."^[1][2]

Minor league baseball began in Mason City with the 1912 Mason City Cementmakers, who joined the Independent level Iowa State League.^[3]

The Mason City Cementmakers won the 1912 Iowa State League Pennant. Mason City finished with a record of 38–27, placing 1st overall in the five–team Iowa State League overall standings under manager Frank Barber. Mason City finished ahead of the Fort Dodge Boosters (34–25), Estherville, Iowa (28–22), Emmetsburg (24–38) and Clear Lake Fish Eaters (11–24) in the overall standings. However, Mason City did not play in the playoffs as the league played a split season schedule and Mason City did not win either of the half seasons. The Iowa State League permanently folded after the 1912 season.^[4][5][6][7]

In 1915, Mason City returned to minor league play. The Mason City Claydiggers began play as members of the Class D level Central Association, replacing the Galesburg Pavers, who had folded. Mason City hosted the league opener at Mason City on May 6, 1915, where the Claydiggers were defeated 2–0 by the Muscatine Muskies. In attendance for the opener were Iowa Governor George W. Clark, Adjutant General Guy E. Logan and Central Association President M. E.Justice. Mason City Mayor Truman Potter threw out the first pitch.^[2][8]

In their first season of play in the Central Association, the Mason City Claydiggers ended with a record of 58–63, finishing in 4th place in the regular season standings under manager Harry Bay. The 1915 league standings were led by the 1st place Burlington Pathfinders (81–38), followed by the Muscatine Muskies (63–57), Keokuk Indians (51–52), Mason City Claydiggers (58–63), Cedar Rapids Rabbits (54–62), Marshalltown Ansons (46–67), Waterloo Jays (52–74) and Clinton Pilots (13–69). Mason City finished 24.0 games behind the 1st place Burlington team.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

The Mason City Claydiggers finished in 6th place in the eight–team Central Association in 1916. Mason City had a record of 50–73 under returning manager Harry Bay, finishing 26.5 games behind the 1st place Marshalltown Ansons.^{[13][8][14][15]}

The 1917 season was the final one for the early Central Association. The league folded after the 1917 season and reformed in 1947. The 1917 Claydiggers finished with a 54–38 record, placing 2nd in the Central Association under Manager Dan O'Leary. Mason City finished 7.0 games behind the 1st place Marshalltown Ansons. The league received permission and ceased play on August 7, 1917. The league did not return to play in 1918.^{[8][16][17][18][8]}

Mason City was without a minor league team until 1994. The Mason City Bats played as members of the Independent level four–team Great Central League. The Bats finished with a record of 19–41, placing 4th in the standings.^[19][20]

Ballpark[]

Mason City teams reportedly played home minor league games at Hanford Park. After the Claydiggers folded, the grandstands were disassembled and the lumber used at the local fairgrounds. Hanford Park was located at the southwest corner of Pierce Avenue & Highway 106, Mason City, Iowa.^[1][2]

(1910) Sacking machines, Portland Cement Co. Mason City, Iowa

Timeline[]

Year-by-Year Record[]

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Mason City Claydiggers players

References[]

External references[]

• Baseball Reference Bullpen