The Hiawatha Athletics were a minor league baseball team based in

Hiawatha, Kansas Hiawatha (Chiwere language, Ioway: ''Hári Wáta'' pronounced ) is the largest city and county seat of Brown County, Kansas, Brown County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 3, ...

. In 1912, the Athletics played as members of the Class D level

Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League, known informally as the "MINK" League, was a Class D level minor league baseball league that played from 1910 to 1913. The Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas League consisted of teams based in t ...

. The Athletics were immediately precedec in minor league play by the 1910 Hiawatha Indians, who played the season as a member of the short-lived Class D level

Eastern Kansas League The Eastern Kansas League was a minor league baseball league that played in the 1910 season. The six–team Class D level Eastern Kansas League consisted of franchises based exclusively in Kansas. The Eastern Kansas League permanently folded aft ...

. Both Hiawatha teams hosted home minor league games at League Park.

History

Minor league baseball play began in Hiawatha, Kansas in 1910, when the Hiawatha Indians played as charter members of the six–team Class D level

. The 1910 team was also referred to as the "Boosters." The

Seneca Seneca may refer to: People and language * Seneca (name), a list of people with either the given name or surname * Seneca people, one of the six Iroquois tribes of North America ** Seneca language, the language of the Seneca people Places Extrat ...

, Sabatha, Holton,

Horton Hammers The Horton baseball team was a 1910 minor league baseball team based in Horton, Kansas. Horton played as members of the Class D level Eastern Kansas League. The 1910 season was the only season of play for both the league and the Horton, Kansas t ...

and Marysville teams joined Hiawatha in league play. After beginning league play on June 8, 1910, Hiawatha ended their 1910 season with a record of 44–44 to place third in the Eastern Kansas League standings, playing the season under managers Spec Willey, Swift and Pepper Williford. Hiawatha finished 12.5 games behind the first place Sabetha team in the six–team league. The Eastern Kansas League permanently folded after its only season in 1910. Minor league baseball returned to Hiawatha in 1912, with the team finishing last in the standings in a new league. The 1912 Hiawatha Athletics began play as members of the six-team, Class D level

, known informally as the MINK League. Hiawatha replaced the Clarinda Antelopes franchise in the league. The Auburn A's, Beatrice-Fairbury Milkskimmers, Falls City Colts, Humboldt Infants and

Nebraska City Foresters The Nebraska City Forresters were a minor league baseball franchise based in Nebraska City, Nebraska. From 1910 to 1913, the Nebraska City Forresters played exclusively as members of the Class D level Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League, winning ...

teams joined Hiawatha in beginning league play on May 9, 1912. On July 4, 1912, Falls City Colts pitcher Ed Finch threw the Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League's only no–hitter in a 7–0 Falls City victory over the Hiawatha Athletics. The Athletics ended the 1912 season with a record of 35–66, placing sixth in the six–team MINK standings. Hiawatha finished 27.0 games behind the champion Falls City Colts. The Athletics played under managers Robert Kahl and Jack Forester. The Hiawatha franchise permanently folded after the 1912 season as the Missouri-Illinois-Nebraska-Kansas League reduced to four teams for their final season in 1913, with The Beatrice-Fairbury Milkskimmers also folding following the 1912 season. Hiawatha, Kansas has not hosted another minor league team.

The ballpark

The 1910 and 1912 Hiawatha teams played minor league home games at League Park in Hiawatha, Kansas. The location of League Park is unknown.

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

* Clifton Marr (1912)

References

{{reflist, 2

External links

Hiawatha - Baseball ReferenceHiawatha - 1915 Ballpark photo
Defunct minor league baseball teams Professional baseball teams in Kansas Defunct baseball teams in Kansas Baseball teams established in 1910 Baseball teams disestablished in 1912 Missouri-Iowa-Nebraska-Kansas League (minor league) teams Brown County, Kansas 1910 establishments in Kansas 1912 disestablishments in Kansas