Williamston Martins

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Williamston Martins
1937–1941
Williamston, North Carolina
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1937–1941)
LeagueCoastal Plain League (1937–1941)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1939
Wild card berths (1)1937
Team data
NameWilliamston Martins (1937–1941)
BallparkTaylor Field (1937–1941)

The Williamston Martins were minor league baseball teams based in Williamston, North Carolina between in 1937 and 1941. The Williamston Martins played as exclusively as members of the Coastal Plain League.

History[]

The Williamston "Martins" moniker was first used by a semi–pro team that played in an Independent league named the Coastal Plain League prior to minor league play.[1]

Minor league baseball began in Williamston, North Carolina in 1937. The 1937 Williamston Martins, became charter members of the eight–team Class D level Coastal Plain League. Williamston joined the Ayden Aces, Goldsboro Goldbugs, Greenville Greenies, Kinston Eagles, New Bern Bears, Snow Hill Billies and Tarboro Combs in playing the first season of Class D level baseball for the league.[2][3]

The Williamston use of the "Martins" moniker corresponds with the city of Williamston being the county seat of Martin County, North Carolina.[4]

Beginning Coastal Plain League play on May 6, 1937, the Williamston Martins finished the regular season in 2nd place. The Martins ended the season with a record of 55–41, playing under manager Arthur Hauger in the eight–team Coastal Plain League. The Martins finished 6.0 games behind the 1st place Snow Hill Hill Billies in the final standings to qualify for the four–team playoffs. Williamston lost in the 1st round of the playoffs, as the Tarboro Combs defeated Williamston 3 games to 0. Snow Hill won the championship.[5][6][7][8][9]

Continuing minor league play, the 1938 Williamston Martins placed 5th in the eight–team Coastal Plain League standings and did not qualify for the playoffs. Playing under returning manager Arthur Hauger, the Martins finished the 1938 season with a record of 56–56 in the Coastal Plain League. Williamston finished 7.0 games behind the 1st place New Bern Bears in the final standings, missing the playoffs, which were won by New Bern. Williamston pitcher James Rollins led the league with 202 strikeouts.[10][11][7][8][12]

The Williamston Martins won the 1939 Coastal Plain League Championship. In the regular season, the Martins placed 3rd with a record of 65–57, playing under manager Paul O'Malley, finishing 9.0 games behind the 1st place Greenville Greenies. In the 1st round of the playoffs, Williamston defeated the Goldsboro Goldbugs 4 games to 1 to advance. in the Finals, the Williamston Martins won the championship, defeating the Kinston Eagles 4 games to 1. Pitcher Harry Swain of Williamston led the league with 186 strikeouts. [13][14][15]

In the season following their championship, the 1940 Williamston Martins finished last in the Coastal Carolina League. The Martins placed 8th in the eight–team league, with a record of 47–78, playing under managers Dixie Parker and Harry Swain. Williamston finished 29.5 games behind the 1st place Wilson Tobs in the final league standings. Player/manager Harry Swain of Williamston again led the Coastal Carolina league with 215 strikeouts as a pitcher.[16][15][17]

In their final season of play, the 1941 Williamston Martins did not qualify for the Coastal Carolina League playoffs. The Martins finished the 1941 season with a record of 56–61 to place 6th in the eight-team standings under manager Frank Rodgers. Williamston finished 31.0 games behind the 1st place Wilson Tobs in the final regular season standings. After the 1941 season playoffs, won by Wilson, the Coastal Carolina League folded due to World War II. When the league resumed play in 1946, Williamston did not field a team.[18][19][15]

Williamston, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league team.[20]

The ballpark[]

The Williamston Martins teams were noted to have played home minor league games at Taylor Field. The ballpark reportedly had a capacity of 3,000 and dimensions (Left, Center, Right) of 290–320–340. The ballpark was noted to have been located behind the former Williamston High School at North Smithwick & Grace Street, Williamston, North Carolina.[21]

(2015) Old Martin County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places. Williamston, North Carolina

Timeline[]

Year(s) # Yrs. Team Level League
1937–1941 5 Williamston Martins Class D Coastal Plain League

Year–by–year records[]

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs/Notes
1937 55–41 2nd Arthur Hauger Lost in 1st round
1938 56–56 5th Arthur Hauger Did not qualify
1939 65–57 3rd Paul "Red" O'Malley League Champs
1940 47–78 8th Dixie Parker / Harry Swain Did not qualify
1941 56–61 6th Frank Rodgers Did not qualify

Notable alumni[]

See also[]

Williamston Martins players

References[]

  1. ^ "1935 Coastal Plain League (CPL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  2. ^ "1937 Coastal Plain League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. ^ "1937 Coastal Plain League (CPL) minor league baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  4. ^ "Martin County, NC". www.martincountyncgov.com.
  5. ^ "1937 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. ^ "1937 Williamston Martins minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  7. ^ a b "Williamston Martins - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  8. ^ a b "Coastal Plain League – BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  9. ^ "1937 Williamston Martins Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. ^ "1938 Coastal Plain League (CPL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. ^ "1938 Ayden Aces minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. ^ "1938 Williamston Martins Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. ^ "1939 Snow Hill Billies minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  14. ^ "1939 Williamston Martins Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. ^ a b c "Coastal Plain League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  16. ^ "1940 Williamston Martins minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. ^ "1940 Snow Hill Billies Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  18. ^ "1941 Williamston Martins minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  19. ^ "1941 Williamston Martins Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. ^ "Williamston, NC - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  21. ^ "Taylor Field in Williamston, NC minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.

External links[]

Baseball Reference Bullpen

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