Altoona Rail Kings

The Altoona Rail Kings were a member of the North Atlantic League in 1996, the first pro baseball team in the city in 65 years. They were 36-42 under Tommy Hearn and drew 33,019 fans, 2nd in the league. All-Stars for Altoona were 2B Billy Reed (.323, a league-best 18 doubles), SS Karun Jackson (.282) and P Ray Schmittle (7-7, 3.18).

When the NAL folded, the Rail Kings joined the Heartland League for the '97 season. They had the best first-half record in the north (22-14) but fell to 14-22 in the second half and then were knocked out in two playoff games by the Anderson Lawmen. Richmond's team drew 30,632 fans, third in the 8-team league. Eric Burroughs (.349) was second in the league in average. In 1998, the club relocated to Huntington, West Virginia and was known as the Huntington RailKings before folding before the season's halfway point.

Sources: 1997-98 Baseball Almanacs