The Cumberland Colts were a minor league baseball team based in Cumberland, Maryland between 1916 and 1932. The Cumberland Giants of the Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League in 1906 and the 1907

Cumberland Rooters The Cumberland Rooters were a minor league baseball club that played for a short time in the Western Pennsylvania League in 1907. The team was established in Latrobe, Pennsylvania as a team listed only as Latrobe, prior to the start of the seaso ...

of the

Western Pennsylvania League The Western Pennsylvania League was a Class D level minor league baseball league consisting of teams based in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland that played during the 1907 season. History The Class D level Western Pennsylvania League be ...

preceded the Colts. The Colts played as members of the 1916

Potomac League The Potomac League was a minor league baseball league that played a partial season as a Class D level league in 1916. The Potomac League featured four teams based in West Virginia and Maryland. The Potomac League permanently folded on August 16, ...

, the Blue Ridge League from 1917 to 1918 and Middle Atlantic League from 1925 to 1932. The Colts were a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees in 1931 and 1932. With the Colts winning league championships in 1918, 1927 and 1931, Cumberland played home games at South End Park and then Community Park.

History

1906–1907 Pre–Colts teams

The Colts were preceded by the 1906 Cumberland Giants and 1907

. The Giants were charter members of the Class D level Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League. The Cumberland Giants finished with a record of 50–48, 5th place in the eight–team Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland League. Cumberland was managed by Harry Irvine and Dan Raley. The Giants began play at South End Park. Cumberland briefly had a team during the 1907 season. The

played 25 games in the Class D level

after the Latrobe, Pennsylvania franchise was moved to Cumberland during the season. The Rooters had a record of 5–20 before the franchise moved to

Piedmont, West Virginia Piedmont is a town in Mineral County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Cumberland, MD- WV metropolitan statistical area. The population was 716 at the 2020 census. Piedmont was chartered in 1856 and the town is the subject of '' ...

on June 27, 1907. The franchise folded before the end of the 1907 season. The Latrobe/cumberland/Piedmont team finished with a 18–46 overall record, managed by S. Whaley, William Morrow, Tom Dillon, Don Curtis and Bill Malarkey.

Potomac League 1916 / Blue Ridge League 1917–1918

In 1916, the Cumberland Colts became charter members of the four–team Class D level

and were the foundation franchise for the league. Cumberland's Colonel Nelson W. Russler and Cumberland attorney Fuller Barnard Jr. who became the Potomac League’s president, laid the groundwork for the Potomac League at a meeting in February, 1916. Russler had been a business manager for earlier local Cumberland teams. Charles Boyer, president of the Blue Ridge League organized a group of businessmen to garner interest in fielding a league in the area. One year earlier, Cumberland had sought entry into the 1915 Blue Ridge League, but were unsuccessful due to distance. On August 16, 1916, the Colts were in 3rd place with a 23–35 record when the Potomac League permanently folded. The Colts' 1916 manager was Thomas Russler. The Colts finished behind the Frostburg Demons (33–25), and

Piedmont Drybugs it, Piemontese , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = , demographics1_title2 ...

(26–30). The

Lonaconing Giants Lonaconing is a town in Allegany County, Maryland, United States, located along the Georges Creek Valley. It is part of the Cumberland, MD- WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,214 at the 2010 census. History The first no ...

(26–18) had previously folded on July 23, 1916. The Potomac league struggled financially, as Cumberland was the only league franchise turning a profit. On July 23, 1916, when the Lonaconing Giants franchise folded, this left the Potomac League with three teams and the schedule was rearranged for the season to continue. The league played on until Frostburg folded on August 16, 1916 causing the Potomac League to permanently fold. In 1917, the Cumberland Colts resumed play, as the franchise became members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League in mid–season. On June 20, 1917 the

Chambersburg Maroons The Chambersburg Maroons were a baseball team located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. They called historic Henninger Field their home, and had done so since the club's creation in 1895. They played their last season in 2010, ending 116 years of ex ...

franchise of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania moved to Cumberland with a 16–25 record. The team proceeded to compile a record of 20–38 while based in Cumberland. With an overall record of 36–63, the Chambersburg/Cumberland team placed 6th and last in the Blue Ridge League, playing under managers Eddie Hooper and Brook Crist. The Colts finished the season 26.0 games behind the 1st place Hagerstown Harriers in the final league standings. The Colts continued play at South End Park. Sunday Blue Laws prevented professional baseball from being played in many counties in the region. Allegany County, in which Cumberland is home, did not have Sunday Blue Laws. Cumberland scheduled to play games on Sundays over the protests of the other league teams. Both the Gettysburg and Hagerstown franchised refused to play Sunday games. On August 27, 1917, the

Frederick Hustlers Frederick may refer to: People * Frederick (given name), the name Nobility Anhalt-Harzgerode *Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode (1613–1670) Austria * Frederick I, Duke of Austria (Babenberg), Duke of Austria from 1195 to 1198 * Frederick ...

had defeated Cumberland 5–3. It was reported that the home Cumberland crowd of almost 2,000 rushed the field after the game to attack the umpire. The umpire received a police escort from the field. Blue ridge League President J.V. Jamison, who was present at the game verified that the umpire was escorted safely to an awaiting vehicle and away from the angry fans. The 1918 Cumberland Colts were in 1st place when the four–team Blue Ridge League disbanded on June 18, 1918. The Colts finished 11–6 under Manager Eddie Hooper in the shortened season. When the Blue Ridge League resumed play in 1920 after World War I, Cumberland did not return as a league franchise.

Middle Atlantic League 1925–1932

After a seven–year absence, the Cumberland Colts began play as charter members of the 1925 Class C Middle Atlantic League. The Colts finished with a record of 56–40, placing 2nd overall in the six–team Middle Atlantic League standings. There were no league playoffs in 1925. Cumberland played under managers Thomas Ray, Hank McEnroe and James McGuire. The 1925 Cumberland Colts began play at Community Park. On September 7, 1925 Cumberland pitcher Paul Secrist threw a no–hitter in a 8–0 victory over the

Scottdale Scotties The Scottdale Scotties were a minor league baseball team located in Scottdale, Pennsylvania from 1925 until 1931. The club was a member of the class C Middle Atlantic League. The team was primarily named the Scotties; however, the club was renamed ...

on the last day of the season. The Cumberland Colts finished 3rd in the Middle 1926 Atlantic League regular season standings. Cumberland had a record of 62–48, playing under manager Pat Ragan. The Colts were 5.0 games behind the 1st place

Fairmont Diamonds Fairmont can refer to: Places Canada * Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia, a resort town ** Fairmont Mountain, a summit near Fairmont Hot Springs United States *Fairmont, Illinois *Fairmont, Minnesota *Fairmont, Missouri *Fairmont, Neb ...

in the final standings and 2.0 games behind the 2nd place

Johnstown Johnnies Johnstown may refer to: Places Australia * Johnstown, Queensland, a locality split between the Southern Burnett Region and the Gympie Region, Queensland Canada * Johnstown, Nova Scotia * Johnstown, Ontario, United Counties of Leeds and Grenvi ...

. The 1927 Cumberland Colts were Middle Atlantic League Champions. In the 1927 Middle Atlantic League regular season, the Colts finished 66–47, 1st in the standings, to capture the Pennant under manager Guy Thompson. The Colts finished 2.5 games ahead of the

Fairmont Black Diamonds The Fairmont Black Diamonds were an American minor league baseball team based in Fairmont, West Virginia. They played under several names between 1907 and 1931. They played in the Western Pennsylvania League in 1907, the Pennsylvania–West Virg ...

in the final regular season standings of the eight–team league. In the 1927 Atlantic League playoffs, the Cumberland Colts defeated the Johnstown Johnnies 4 games to 2 to win the championship.
The Colts had the best overall record in the Middle Atlantic League in 1928, but did not qualify for the league playoffs. With a 75–49 record, Cumberland was 1st overall under manager John Byrnes, finishing 3.5 games ahead of the 2nd place Fairmont Black Diamonds. Fairmont was the Middle Atlantic League champion after defeating the Wheeling Stogies in the playoff Final. The league used a spit season schedule to determine the playoff finalists. With a 1929 record of 65–53, the Cumberland Colts placed 3rd in the 1929 Middle Atlantic League regular season standings, finishing 4.0 games behind the

Charleroi Governors Charleroi ( , , ; wa, Tchålerwè ) is a city and a municipality of Wallonia, located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. By 1 January 2008, the total population of Charleroi was 201,593.

and Wheeling Stogies, who tied for 1st with 67–47 records. The Colts' played the season under returning manager John Byrnes.
The 1930 Cumberland Colts placed 6th in the eight–team 1930 Middle Atlantic League regular season standings and did not qualify for the playoffs. The Colts finished with a record of 59–59 under managers Joe Phillips and John Byrnes, finishing 5.5 games behind the Johnstown Johnnies and

Clarksburg Generals The Clarksburg Generals were an American minor league baseball team based in Clarksburg, West Virginia. They played from 1907 to 1910, in 1914 and from 1925 to 1932 under different names. They played in the Western Pennsylvania League in 1907, th ...

, who tied for 1st place with 64–53 records.
The first home night game was played at Community Baseball Park on the evening of August 4, 1930. To add to the event, the local Williams Piano and Furniture Company supplied broadcasting equipment that was used to play music and make announcements during the game. The 1931 Cumberland Colts became an affiliate of the New York Yankees and were the 1931 Middle Atlantic League Champions, as the Middle Atlantic League expanded to a twelve–team league. Cumberland finished with a regular season record of 82–46, placing 2nd in the Middle Atlantic League standings, 1.0 game behind the Charleston Senators under Manager Leo Mackey. In the Playoffs, the top two teams played in the Finals. There, the Cumberland Colts defeated the Charleston Senators 4 games to 2 to capture the championship.
The 1932 season was the final season for minor league baseball in Cumberland. The Cumberland Colts continued play as an affiliate of the New York Yankees and hosted an exhibition game in 1932 against the Yankees with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Ruth hit a home run in the game. The 1932 Cumberland Colts finished 62–60, placing 4th in the six–team Middle Atlantic League under Manager Leo Mackey, 7.0 games behind the 1st place Charleston Senators. The Colts finished play at Community Park. The Cumberland Colts franchise permanently folded after the 1932 season. Cumberland has not hosted another minor league team.

The ballparks

Cumberland minor league teams first played home games at South End Park in 1906 and 1907 and from 1916 to 1918. Also known as Southside Park, the ballpark was located near the C&O Canal & King Street in Cumberland, Maryland. From 1925 to 1932, the Cumberland Colts hosted minor league home games at Community Park. While Cumberland was an affiliate of the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth appeared in an exhibition game at Community Park, hitting a home run. The ballpark was also known as Mid–City Park from 1926 to 1929 and had a capacity of 3,000 in 1926 and 2,400 in 1931. Cumberland md panoramic 1919

Timeline

Notable alumni

Walt Bashore Walter Franklin Bashore (October 6, 1909 – September 26, 1984), born Walter Franklin Beshore, was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. Bashore played for the Philadelphia Phillies in the season. In 10 career games, he had 2 hits in 1 ...

(1930) *

Ivan Bigler Ivan Edward "Pete" Bigler (December 13, 1892 – April 1, 1975) was an American Major League Baseball player. Bigler appeared for the St. Louis Browns The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wis ...

(1917) *

Frank Brazill Frank Leo Brazill (August 11, 1899 – November 3, 1976) was a professional baseball first baseman whose career spanned 19 seasons (1919–1938). During the 1921 and 1922 Major League Baseball (MLB) season he was a member of the Philadelphia Athle ...

(1918) *

Joe Buskey Joseph "Jazzbow" Henry Buskey (December 18, 1902 – April 11, 1949) was an American professional baseball player who played in five games for the Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team bas ...

(1926) *

Swede Carlstrom Albin Oscar (Swede) Carlstrom (October 26, 1886 – April 28, 1935) was a Major League Baseball shortstop. Carlstrom batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. An American of Swedish heritage, Carlstrom was a combat vet ...

(1932) * Joe Cobb (1917) * Rip Collins (1932) * Jess Cortazzo (1926–1927) *

George Durning George Dewey Durning (May 9, 1898 – April 18, 1986) was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1925 Philadelphia Phillies season, its 1925 season. He was officially listed as standing and . In ...

(1929–1930) *

Frank Gleich Frank Elmer Gleich nch(March 7, 1894 – March 27, 1949) was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the New York Yankees. Listed at , 175 lb., Gleich batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born ...

(1927) *

Hanson Horsey Hanson Horsey (November 26, 1889 – December 1, 1949) was an American professional baseball player who played in one game for the Cincinnati Reds during the season. He was born in Galena, Maryland and died in Millington, Maryland at the age ...

(1917) * Lee King (1926) * Pinky May (1932) * Leo Meyer (1917) * Pat Ragan (1926) *

Pete Rambo Warren Dawson "Pete" Rambo (November 1, 1906 – June 19, 1991) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They ...

(1926–1927) *

Denny Sothern Dennis Elwood Sothern (January 20, 1904 – December 7, 1977) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Brooklyn Robins. While his birth name was ...

(1926) * Jim Spotts (1931) *

Elmer Steele Elmer Rae Steele (May 17, 1886 in Poughkeepsie, New York – March 9, 1966 in Rhinebeck, New York) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in the major leagues from 1907 to 1911. He also played for several years in the minor leagues. ...

(1917) * Bob Synnott (1931–1932) *

Vito Tamulis Vitautis Casimirus Tamulis (July 11, 1911 – May 5, 1974) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1934 to 1941. Biog ...

(1931) *

Joe Vitelli Antonio Joseph Vitelli (April 12, 1908 – February 7, 1967) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1944 and 1945. The , right-hander was a native of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. Vitelli is one of many ball ...

(1932) * Kemp Wicker (1932)

References

External links

Baseball Reference
{{Western Pennsylvania League , state=collapsed Defunct minor league baseball teams New York Yankees minor league affiliates Defunct baseball teams in Maryland Baseball teams established in 1916 Baseball teams disestablished in 1932 Cumberland, Maryland Middle Atlantic League teams Blue Ridge League teams Western Pennsylvania League teams Potomac League teams