История бейсбольной низшей лиги Фитчбурга, Массачусетс

Команды низшей лиги бейсбола базировались в Фитчбурге, штат Массачусетс, между 1877 и 1929 годами. Команды низшей лиги Фитчбурга играли в качестве членов Ассоциации Новой Англии в 1877 и 1895 годах, Лиги Новой Англии в 1899, 1914–1915 и 1919 годах, Восточной лиги в 1922 году и Лиги Новой Англии в 1929 году. Фитчбург принимал домашние игры низшей лиги на стадионе Фитчбург Драйвинг Парк.

Легендарный спортсмен Джим Торп играл за команду «Фитчбург Бустерс» в 1922 году.

В 1877 году в Фитчбурге, штат Массачусетс, началась низшая лига бейсбола. Команда Фитчбурга была членом-учредителем Ассоциации Новой Англии из восьми команд . Окончательный рекорд, состав и статистика команды Фитчбурга 1877 года неизвестны, так как команда распалась в течение сезона. ^{[1] [2]}

Команда 1895 года «Фитчбург» стала членом реформированной Ассоциации Новой Англии из шести команд. 20 июня 1895 года Фитчбург имел результат 12–25, играя под руководством менеджеров Уильяма Дуайера и Уильяма Лаверти, когда команда распалась. Ассоциация Новой Англии окончательно распалась 8 июля 1895 года. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

«Фитчбург» возобновил игру в низшей лиге в составе Новой лиги Англии 1899 года , но в течение сезона переместился. 24 мая 1899 года, когда команда переехала в Лоуренс , у Фитчбурга был показатель 3–7 . Играя под руководством менеджера Эда Нортона, команда Фитчбург/Лоуренс имела общий показатель 3–14, когда франшиза была расформирована 1 июня 1899 года. ^{[6] [7]}

In 1914, Fitchburg rejoined the eight–team Class B level New England League, with the team relocating during the season and finishing last in the standings. On July 30, 1914, the Fitchburg Burghers had a record of 24–52 when the franchise moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, finishing the season as the Manchester Textiles. After a 12–35 record while based in Manchester, the Fitchburg/Manchester team finished the season with an overall record of 36–87 to place eighth in the final league standings. Playing under manager Fred Lake, Fitchburg/Manchester finished 48.0 games behind the first place Lawrence Barristers.^[8][9][10]

The Fitchburg use of the "Burghers" moniker corresponds phonetically, and the word refers to a Burgher being a "privileged citizen" in medieval times.^[11]

On May 25, 1914, it was reported Fitchburg was defeated by the Lowell Grays by the score of 5–3. Lowell pitcher Jimmy Ring made his first professional career start and threw a complete game five–hitter for Lowell.^[12]

The 1915 Fitchburg Burghers franchise resumed New England League play, despite relocating the previous season, as the Manchester Textiles franchise also continued play. The Burghers again finished last in the standings. Fitchburg ended the season with a record of 46–89 to place eighth, playing under manager Hugh McCune. The Burghers finished 28.0 games behind the first place Portland Duffs in the final standings. After the 1915 season, the New England League folded.^[13][14]

The 1919 New England League resumed play as a six-team league. The Fitchburg Foxes placed third in the reformed Class B level league, after the league stopped play on August 2, 1919. The Foxes had a record of 31–36, playing under managers John F. Quinn, Bill Phoenix and Bill Page. Fitchburg was 9.0 games behind the first place Lowell Grays franchise when the league folded.^{[15][16][17][18]}

The Fitchburg Boosters resumed play in 1922. Playing as members of the eight team Class A level Eastern League, Fitchburg relocated during the season as the combined team finished last in the standings. On July 30, 1922, Fitchburg moved to Worcester, Massachusetts with a record of 18–46. After an 29–59 record playing in Worcester, the Fitchburg/Worcester team finished with an overall record of 47–105, to place eighth in the standings. The team was managed by Jack Mack and John Flynn, finishing 54.0 games behind the first place New Haven Indians.^{[19][20][21][22]} Olympic Champion, former major league player and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Jim Thorpe played for the 1922 Boosters, in his final professional baseball season at age 35. It was reported that Thorpe was recruited to Fitchburg by team owner John Kiernan after being released by the Hartford Senators of the Eastern League. Thorpe hit .344 for the season, second in the league, adding 9 home runs in 96 games.^[23]

In 1929, Fitchburg played in their final minor league season. The Fitchburg "Wanderers" had a short appearance as members of the Class B New England League. On July 28, 1929, the Haverhill Hillies moved to Fitchburg with a record of 11–10. After compiling a record of 5–20 while based in Fitchburg, the team relocated to become the Gloucester Hillies on August 25, 1929. the Haverhill/Fitchburg/Gloucester team ended the regular season with an overall record of 39–79. The team placed eighth in the standings, playing under managers Jack Driscoll and William McDonough. The combined team finished 37.5 games behind the first place Manchester Blue Sox. The New England League reduced to six teams in 1930, folding the Gloucester team.^[24][25][26]

Fitchburg, Massachusetts has not hosted another minor league team.^[27]

The Fitchburg minor league teams were reported to played home games at the "Fitchburg Driving Park". Reportedly, manager Fred Lake created a batters eye on the 1914 outfield fence, as the rest of the fence had advertisements. It was noted the ballpark was also known as the "Summer Street Grounds."^{[28][29][30][31]}

^[1]

• Jim Thorpe (1922) Pro Football Hall of Fame

• Lawrence Barristers players
• Fitchburg (minor league baseball) players
• Fitchburg Foxes players

• Fitchburg - Справочник по бейсболу