Webb City Goldbugs

The Webb City Goldbugs was a primary name of the minor league baseball teams based in Webb City, Missouri between 1887 and 1914. Webb City teams played as members of the Southwestern League (1887), Southwestern Missouri League (1891), Missouri Valley League (1903, 1905), Western Association (1906–1909), Missouri-Kansas League (1912) and Western Association (1914).

History[]

Minor league baseball began in Webb City, Missouri in 1887. The Webb City Stars played as charter members of the 1887 Southwestern League. Webb City placed 5th in the six–team league with a record of 10–11, playing under manager James Ellis. The Southwestern League folded after the 1887 season.^[1][2][3]

Webb City returned to minor league baseball when the Webb City team played as member of the 1891 Southwestern Missouri League. Webb City ended the 1891 season with a 10–14 record, finishing in 4th place in the seven–team league.^[4][5]

In 1903, the Nevada Lunatics of Nevada, Missouri, members of the Independent Missouri Valley League relocated to Webb City July 16, 1903. The team became the Webb City Goldbugs. On July 19, 1903, the Webb City Goldbugs disbanded after playing four games based in Webb City. The Nevada/Webb City team had a record of 21–43 under manager A. B. Cockerell when the team folded.^[6][7][8]

In 1905, Webb City returned as a member the Class C level Missouri Valley League. The 1905 Webb City Goldbugs ended the season with a record of 47–54, placing 5th in the Missouri Valley League, playing under manager Elmer Meredith. The team played home games at Sunset Park in Webb City. The Missouri Valley League permanently folded after the 1905 season, as the league was renamed the Western Association.^[7][9][10]

Webb City continued play in the 1906 Class C level Western Association. The 1906 Webb City Goldbugs finished with a 57–79 record, placing 7th in the Western Association under manager Dick Rohn.^[11][12][13]

The 1907 Webb City Goldbugs finished 65–70 in the Western Association. The team was 6th in the Western Association. The 1907 managers were Dick Rohn and George Dalrymple.^{[14][12][15][16][17]}

Webb City became the Webb City Webbfeet in 1908, continuing play in the Western Association. The 1908 Webb City Webbfeet finished with a record of 66–69 and placed 6th in the Western Association final standings. The manager was Larry Milton. On August 12, 1908, Fred Burnham of the Webfeet pitched a no–hitter against the Hutchinson Salt Pickers in a 5–0 Webb City victory.^{[18][19][20][21]}

The Webb City Webbfeet continued play in 1909 and relocated during the season. On July 18, 1909, the Webb City franchise moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma. The Webb City/Sapulpa Oilers team finished the season with an overall record of 64–59. The team placed 5th in the Western Association under managers Perry Reinker and Frank Everhart.^{[22][18][12][23][24]}

In 1912, minor league baseball returned as the Webb City team played as a charter member of the Independent level Missouri-Kansas League. The Webb City team finished with a record of 7–6 and placed 3rd in the four–team league.^[25][26]

Webb City partnered with neighboring Joplin, Missouri for a 1914 team, which played home games in Joplin. The Joplin-Webb City Miners played as a member of the 1914 Western Association. The Joplin-Webb City Miners record was 22–46 when the franchise moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma on July 10, 1914.^[27][12][28]

Webb City, Missouri has not hosted another minor league team.^[29]

The ballpark[]

Webb City minor league teams reportedly played at home games at Sunset Park. The ballpark was located on West Broadway in Webb, City, Missouri.^[30]

(2010) Downtown. Middle West Hotel. National Register of Historic Places. Webb City, Missouri

Timeline[]

Year-by-year record[]

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Category:Webb City (minor league baseball) players
Webb City Goldbugs players
Webb City Stars players
Webb City Webfeet players

References[]

External links[]

• Baseball Reference Bullpen