Cassville Tigers
The Cassville Tigers was the initial moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Cassville, Missouri. Cassville teams played as members of the Class D Arkansas State League (1935) and Arkansas-Missouri League (1936). Cassville was an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers (1935) and Chicago White Sox (1936).
Cassville Tigers 1935–1936 Cassville, Missouri | |
Minor league affiliations | |
---|---|
Class |
|
League |
|
Major league affiliations | |
Team |
|
Minor league titles | |
Division titles (1) | 1936 |
Team data | |
Nickname |
|
Ballpark | Cassville Athletic Park (1935–1936) |
History
The Cassville area had hosted semi-professional teams prior to securing a minor league franchise.[1]
For the 1935 minor league season, the Class D Arkansas State League expanded to six teams, adding both the Huntsville Red Birds and Cassville Tigers. Cassville began play as an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, using their moniker.[2][3][4]
The Cassville Tigers began play in the 1935 Arkansas State League, playing home games at Cassville Athletic Park. The Cassville Tigers finished their first season of play with a 54–48 record. The Tigers were 3rd in the Arkansas State League standings under Manager Ed Hawk. Cassville finished behind the 1st place Siloam Springs Travelers and 2nd place Rogers Cardinals in the regular season standings.[5][6][7][2][3][8][9]
The Arkansas State League became the Class D Arkansas-Missouri League in 1936. Cassville continued play as the Cassville Blues, an affiliate of the of the Chicago White Sox. The Cassville Blues finished 3rd in the 1936 Arkansas-Missouri League and advanced to the playoff finals. The Blues had a ended the 1936 regular season with a record of 61–59, playing under Managers Gary Coker, Clifford Clay and Zeke Gansauer. In the Arkansas-Missouri League Playoff Finals, the Siloam Springs Travelers defeated Cassville 4 games to 3.[10][11][12][13][3]
After the 1936 season, both Cassville and the Bentonville Mustangs franchises folded from the Arkansas-Missouri League due to financial reasons. Cassville has not hosted another minor league franchise.[3][14][15][16]
The ballpark
From 1935–1936 Cassville teams played at Cassville Athletic Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 1,000 and dimensions (Left, Center, Right) of: 320–450–385. The facility reportedly featured makeshift bleachers and a chicken wire backstop. Some fans allegedly snuck into the games through the Reed Gym construction area located behind left field. Cassville Athletic Park was located at Mill Street & West 7th Street, Cassville, Missouri.[8][17][1]
Notable alumni
- Ed Hawk (1935, MGR)
Year-by-year records
Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1935 | 54–48 | 3rd | Ed Hawk | None |
1936 | 61–58 | 3rd | Gary Coker | Lost in league finals |
References
- "Bob Mitchell: Cassville's revival of the Baseball Blues". Cassville Democrat. August 14, 2019.
- "Arkansas State League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
- Reichard, Kevin (November 4, 2008). "Arkansas State League / Arkansas-Missouri League".
- "1935 Cassville Tigers Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1935 Arkansas State League (ASL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Cassville Tigers - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Cassville Athletic Park in Cassville, MO history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1935 Cassville Tigers Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1936 Cassville Blues Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "1936 Arkansas-Missouri League (AAL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- "Cassville Blues - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Arkansas-Missouri League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Cassville, MO - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
- "Arkansas-Missouri League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "1936 Cassville Blues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- "Athletic Park (Cassville, MO) - SABR Encyclopedia". encyclopedia.sabr.org.