The Sweetwater Sports were a minor league baseball team based in Sweetwater, Texas. In 1947 and 1948, the "Sports" played exclusively as members of the Class D level Longhorn League, qualifying for the 1947 playoffs. The Sports evolved to become the Sweetwater Swatters in 1949, continuing the franchise's tenure of play as members of the Longhorn League.
| Sweetwater Sports | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1947–1948) |
| League | Longhorn League (1947–1948) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Wild card berths (1) |
|
| Team data | |
| Name | Sweetwater Sports (1947–1948) |
| Ballpark | City Park (1947–1948) |
The Sweetwater Sports teams hosted minor league home games at City Park, known today as Newman Park.
History
editThe Sports were preceded in minor league play by the 1922 Sweetwater Swatters, who ended a tenue of playing as members of the Class D level West Texas League.[1][2]
Minor league baseball resumed in Sweetwater in 1947, when the Sweetwater "Sports" became charter members of the six-team Class D level Longhorn League.[3] The Ballinger Cats, Big Spring Broncs, Midland Indians, Odessa Oilers and Vernon Dusters joined Sweetwater in beginning Longhorn League play on April 23, 1947.[4][5][6]
In their first season of play, the Sports qualified for the Longhorn League playoffs. With a 63–67 record, Sweetwater placed fourth in the Longhorn League regular season, reaching the four-team playoffs. The Big Spring Broncs defeated Sweetwater in seven games in their first round series. Managed by Ronald Murphy, the Sports finished 18.5 games behind first place Big Spring in the regular season standings.[7][2][8] Sports' player Bob Cowsar led the Longhorn with 37 home runs and 176 RBI, while also topping the league with 209 total hits.[2]
In 1948, the San Angelo Colts and Del Rio Cowboys franchises joined the Longhorn League, as the league expanded from six teams to eight teams.[9] The Sweetwater Sports placed sixth in the eight–team league with a 64–76 record, playing under player/manager Clarence Gann and did not qualify for the four-team playoffs.[10][11][2] The Sports finished 22.5 games behind the first place Big Spring Broncs in the regular season standings, as the Midland Indians were the eventual league champion. Sweetwater's Kenneth Peacock led the Longhorn League with 34 home runs and 162 RBI. Pitcher Clarence Gann had 207 strikeouts to lead the league.[2]
In 1949, the franchise renamed, as the Sweetwater Swatters and the franchise continued play as members the Longhorn League.[11][2]
The ballpark
editThe Sweetwater Sports hosted minor league home games at City Park. The ballpark was also called "Sportsman's Park". Today, the site is called Newman Park.[12] Newman Park still hosts baseball, along with other amenities and the park is located at 1000 Jack Hazard Drive.[13]
Timeline
edit| Year(s) | # Yrs. | Team | Level | League | Ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947–1948 | 2 | Sweetwater Sports | Class D | Longhorn League | City Park |
Year–by–year records
edit| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | 63–67 | 4th | Ronald Murphy | Did not qualify |
| 1948 | 64–76 | 6th | Clarence Gann | Did not qualify |
Notable alumni
edit- No Sweetwater Sports players advanced to the major leagues.[3]
References
edit- ^ "1922 Sweetwater Swatters minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- ^ a b "1947 Sweetwater Sports Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Longhorn League (C) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ Vernon by Preston Cary. Arcadia Publishing (2013)p. 102. ISBN 978-0-7385-9546-7.
- ^ "1947 Longhorn League (LL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1947 Vernon Dusters Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1947 Vernon Dusters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1948 Longhorn League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1948 Sweetwater Sports minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ a b "1949 Sweetwater Swatters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "City Park in Sweetwater, TX minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "Parks & Recreation | City of Sweetwater, TX". www.sweetwatertx.gov.