Tri-State League (NC-SC-TN)

From BR Bullpen

The last league to use the Tri-State League moniker was a class B league from 1946-1955 in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Asheville, NC and Spartanburg, SC were represented every year of its existence. In 1953, Knoxville, TN dropped out for one year, leaving only two states in the Tri-State League, and did so again in 1955. The league was represented by fourteen cities, seven were from South Carolina, six from North Carolina and the final team hailed from Tennessee. Throughout the leagues ten year stand it fielded six, 8 team leagues, three 6 team affairs and finished out the final year with a 4 team group. The Spartanburg Peaches won three league titles to lead the field, winning in 1947, 1953 and 1955. Overall the league did well in attendance, drawing over five million fans during the ten year period. However 1954 dropped off to some 370,00 paid, the bottom fell out in 1955, although the four team bunch drew some 175,00 and the league failed to re-group for the 1956 season. The league was disbanded after the '55 season and there has been no further activity as of this date.


Cities Represented[edit]

Teams & Statistics[edit]

1946-1947[edit]

1946 Tri-State League-Class B
President: C.M. Llewellyn

Team Standings W L PCT GB Managers
Charlotte Hornets 93 46 .669 - Spencer Abbott
Asheville Tourists 83 57 .593 10.5 Bill Sayles
Knoxville Smokies 73 67 .521 20.5 Dale Alexander
Shelby Cubs 59 81 .421 34.5 Ray Green
Anderson A's 59 81 .421 34.5 Clyde McDowell
Spartanburg Spartans 52 87 .374 41 Francis Kappelman

Attendance: Charlotte, 111,000
Shelby defeated Anderson in a one game playoff for fourth place.
Playoffs: Knoxville 4 games, Asheville 1; Charlotte 4 games, Shelby 2.
Finals: Charlotte 4 games, Knoxville 3.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Dick Bouknight Asheville BA .367 Sonny Dixon Charlotte W 19
Al Kvasnak Charlotte Runs 101 Ralph Germano Spartanburg SO 179
Fred Marsh Knoxville Hits 180 Alex Zukowski Charlotte ERA 1.41
Bill Sayles Asheville RBI 105 Alex Zukowski Charlotte PCT .789 15-4
D. C. "Pud" Miller Spartanburg HR 19


1947 Tri-State League-Class B
President: C.M. Llewellyn

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Spartanburg Peaches 88 51 .633 - 157,435 Kerby Farrell
Anderson Rebels 84 55 .604 4 150,290 Bob Richards
Knoxville Smokies 73 67 .521 15.5 101,189 Dale Alexander
Charlotte Hornets 72 68 .514 16.5 116,729 Spencer Abbott / Cal Ermer
Rock Hill Chiefs 68 71 .489 20 91,042 Dan Carnevale
Asheville Tourists 65 74 .468 23 123,897 Bill Sayles
Fayetteville Cubs 61 78 .439 27 63,081 Clyde McDowell
Reidsville Luckies 45 92 .328 42 59,043 Lee Gamble

Playoffs: Charlotte 4 games, Spartanburg 1; Anderson 4 games, Knoxville 2.
Finals: Charlotte 4 games, Anderson 3.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Smoky Burgess Fayetteville BA .387 James Kleckley Spartanburg W 20
Fred Barocco Anderson Runs 123 Edward Craft Anderson SO 185
Sammy Meeks Charlotte Hits 191 Robert Callan Charlotte ERA 3.08
Al Simononis Anderson RBI 132 James Kleckley Spartanburg PCT .769 20-6
Al Simononis Anderson HR 27


1948-1949[edit]

1948 Tri-State League-Class B
President: C.M. Llewellyn

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Asheville Tourists 95 51 .651 - 122,693 Clay Bryant
Anderson Rebels 77 68 .531 17.5 103,180 Bob Richards
Rock Hill Chiefs 76 70 .521 19 85,621 Ed Freed / Dick Bouknight
Fayetteville Cubs 73 71 .507 21 76,956 Frank Scalzi
Charlotte Hornets 72 74 .493 23 122,211 Joe Bowman
Knoxville Smokies 71 76 .483 24.5 95,164 Dale Alexander / Dave Garcia
Spartanburg Peaches 68 77 .469 26.5 98,993 Kerby Farrell
Florence Steelers 50 95 .345 44.5 72,569 George Motto/ James Martin

Playoffs: Rockhill 3 games, Asheville 1; Fayetteville 3 games, Anderson 1.
Finals: Fayetteville 4 games, Rockhill 1.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Robert Churchill Knoxville BA .406 Red Dwyer Rockhill W 22
Norman Koney Asheville Runs 145 Lacy James Rockhill SO 213
Robert Churchill Knoxville Hits 230 Joe Landrum Asheville ERA 2.77
Floyd Fogg Fayetteville RBI 144 Bob Spicer Fayetteville PCT .818 18-4
Len Cross Spartanburg HR 29
Robert Churchill Knoxville 3B 28

1949 Tri-State League-Class B
President: C.M. Llewellyn

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Florence Steelers 87 59 .596 - 60,124 Jim Martin
Spartanburg Peaches 81 60 .574 3.5 128,490 Kerby Farrell
Asheville Tourists 76 71 .517 11.5 105,899 Ed Head
Rock Hill Chiefs 71 70 .504 13.5 98,237 Dick Bouknight
Knoxville Smokies 72 73 .497 14.5 94,809 Frank Genovese
Sumter Chicks 65 80 .448 21.5 55,309 Wes Livengood / Glen Schaeffer
Charlotte Hornets 62 80 .437 23 94,276 Clyde McDowell
Anderson Rebels 62 83 .428 24.5 85,760 Bob Richards

Playoffs: Florence 3 games, Rock Hill 2; Spartanburg 3 games, Asheville 1.
Finals: Florence 4 games, Spartanburg 2.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Robert Churchill Rock Hill BA .360 Melvin Fisher Florence W 27
Harold Harrigan Anderson Runs 118 John Fitzgerald Florence SO 166
Alexander Driskill Asheville Hits 172 Survern Wright Rock Hill ERA 1.86
Harold Harrigan Anderson RBI 121 Al Aber Spartanburg PCT .750 24-8
Harold Harrigan Anderson HR 43

1950-1951[edit]

1950 Tri-State League-Class B
President: C.M. Llewellyn

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Knoxville Smokies 89 58 .605 - 150,396 Jack Aragon
Asheville Tourists 83 62 .572 5 111,177 Clay Bryant
Spartanburg Peaches 80 63 .559 7 103,056 Kerby Farrell
Rock Hill Chiefs 73 69 .514 13.5 66,589 Dick Bouknight
Charlotte Hornets 72 73 .497 16 104,598 Clyde McDowell / Joe Bird
Anderson Rebels 65 79 .451 22.5 75,881 Bob Richards
Florence Steelers 63 83 .432 25.5 34,991 Jim Martin
Sumter Chicks 53 91 .368 34.5 30,324 Alton Biggs / Vance Carlton

Playoffs: Rock Hill 3 games, Knoxville 0; Asheville 3 games, Spartanburg 0.
Finals: Rock Hill 4 games, Asheville 3.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Robert Churchill Anderson BA .356 Dale Fisher Knoxville W 19
Harvey Gentry Knoxville Runs 116 John Carmichael Spartanburg W 19
Frank Dunlap Sumter Hits 170 Dale Fisher Knoxville SO 202
Jim Martin Florence Hits 170 William Samson Asheville ERA 1.93
Albert Neil Knoxville RBI 146 Charlie Fowler Knoxville PCT .750 12-4
Albert Neil Knoxville HR 33

1951 Tri-State League-Class B
President: Robert E. Hipps

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Charlotte Hornets 100 40 .714 - 112,061 Cal Ermer
Asheville Tourists 85 55 .607 15 71,248 Ray Hathaway
Rock Hill Chiefs 84 55 .604 15.5 71,301 Dick Bouknight
Spartanburg Peaches 73 67 .521 27 67,135 Harry Griswold
Knoxville Smokies 60 79 .432 39.5 55,142 Jack Aragon
Anderson Rebels 59 80 .424 40.5 67,047 Len Schulte / Hillis Layne
Greenwood Tigers 56 81 .409 42.5 48,111 Walt Dixon / Mike Garbark
Greenville Spinners 38 98 .279 60 37,564 Vance Carlson / Burke / Stewart

Playoffs: Spartanburg 3 games, Charlotte 1; Asheville 3 games, Rock Hill 2.
Finals: Spartanburg 4 games, Asheville 0.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Frank Campos Charlotte BA .368 Ralph Butler Asheville W 21
Chris Kitsos Asheville Runs 134 Dave Hillman Rock Hill SO 203
Dusty Rhodes Rock Hill Hits 182 Ralph Butler Asheville ERA 2.68
Albert Neil Spartanburg RBI 154 Harley Grossman Charlotte PCT .833 10-2
Albert Neil Spartanburg HR 44

1952-1953[edit]

1952 Tri-State League-Class B
President: Robert E. Hipps

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Gastonia Rockets 89 50 .640 - 94,788 Hal Van Pelt
Charlotte Hornets 87 51 .630 1.5 96,738 Ivan Kuester
Spartanburg Peaches 83 55 .601 5.5 67,577 Pinky May
Anderson Rebels 67 72 .482 22 80,979 George Hausmann
Asheville Tourists 65 75 .464 24.5 48,039 Bill Hart / George Tesnow
Greenville Spinners 63 76 .453 26 64,704 Ralph DiLullo
Knoxville Smokies 52 88 .371 37.5 50,638 Jack Aragon / Fred Gerken
Rock Hill Chiefs 49 88 .358 39 52,528 Harry Land / Leon Culberson

Playoffs: Spartanburg 3 games, Gastonia 2; Charlotte 3 games, Anderson 1.
Finals: Charlotte 4 games, Spartanburg 1.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Bruce Barmes Charlotte BA .360 Bill Upton Spartanburg W 21
Alex Cosmidis Gastonia Runs 122 Murphy Murszewski Spartanburg SO 239
Bruce Barmes Charlotte Hits 182 Bob Danielson Charlotte ERA 2.62
Carl Powis Anderson RBI 116 Bob Danielson Charlotte PCT .722 13-5
D. Juan Perez Anderson HR 27

1953 Tri-State League-Class B
President: Robert E. Hipps

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Spartanburg Peaches 96 54 .640 - 71,264 Jimmy Bloodworth
Asheville Tourists 83 67 .553 13 64,186 Ray Hathaway
Charlotte Hornets 74 71 .510 19.5 59,630 Pete Appleton
Anderson Rebels 75 74 .503 20.5 78,944 Hillis Layne
Gastonia Rockets 66 81 .449 28.5 69,052 Hal Van Pelt
Rock Hill Chiefs 51 98 .342 44.5 63,542 Jim Burns / Hartman / O'Connell

Playoffs: Charlotte 3 games, Spartanburg 0; Anderson 3 games, Asheville 1.
Finals: Charlotte 3 games, Anderson 0.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Karol Kwak Anderson BA .359 Eugene Law Spartanburg W 24
Joe Fuller Spartanburg Runs 134 Harry Beitsuss Charlotte SO 189
Joe Fuller Spartanburg Hits 228 Fred Kipp Asheville ERA 2.23
James Finn Spartanburg RBI 140 Mark Wylie Spartanburg PCT .933 14-1
Lamar Bowden Spartanburg HR 26

1954-1955[edit]

1954 Tri-State League-Class B
President: Robert E. Hipps

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Asheville Tourists 86 54 .614 - 65,436 Ray Hathaway
Knoxville Smokies 72 66 .522 13 77,975 Pat McGlothin / Lewis Davis
Greenville Spinners 68 72 .486 18 89,595 George Bradshaw / Dickson Hendley
Spartanburg Peaches 66 72 .478 19 34,918 Jimmy Bloodworth
Rock Hill Chiefs 65 75 .464 21 59,180 Lamitina / Kerestes / Early
Anderson Rebels 61 79 .436 25 43,381 Virgil Stallcup / Boiko / Knoke

Playoffs: Asheville 3 games, Greenville 2; Knoxville 3 games, Spartanburg 2.
Finals: Knoxville 3 games, Asheville 1.

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Omer Tolson Rock Hill BA .347 Pete Treece Rock Hill W 26
Jasper Spears Asheville Runs 120 Freddy Rodriguez Greenville SO 221
Jasper Spears Asheville Hits 188 Joseph Pipak Knoxville ERA 2.78
Oscar Sierra Asheville RBI 104 Lester Fessette Asheville PCT .733 22-8
Albert Neil Knoxville HR 22

1955 Tri-State League-Class B
President: Robert E. Hipps

Team Standings W L PCT GB Attend Managers
Spartanburg Peaches 74 44 .627 - 35,925 Spud Chandler
Greenville Spinners 60 55 .522 12.5 50,813 Junior Wooten
Asheville Tourists 53 63 .457 20 53,200 Earl Naylor
Rock Hill Chiefs 45 70 .391 27.5 33,847 Boguskie / Colasinski / Treece

Playoffs: Spartanburg 3 games, Greenville 0;

Player Statistics
Player Team Stat Tot Player Team Stat Tot
Robert Jarvis Spartanburg BA .361 Pete Treece Rock Hill W 17
Paul Jones Spartanburg Runs 106 Freddy Rodriguez Greenville SO 211
Robert Jarvis Spartanburg Hits 157 Freddy Rodriguez Greenville ERA 2.12
Ed Serrano Asheville RBI 86 Freddy Rodriguez Greenville PCT .800 16-4
William Kallas Spartanburg RBI 86
Paul Jones Spartanburg HR 18

League Records 1946-1955[edit]

Batting
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Joe Fuller Spartanburg GA 150 53 James Finn Spartanburg BA 150 53
Robert Churchill Knoxville BA .406 48 Joe Fuller Spartanburg AB 666 53
Norman Koney Ashville Runs 145 48 Robert Churchill Knoxville Hits 230 48
Albert Neil Spartanburg Rbi 154 51 Fred Leonard Gastonia 2B 48 53
Robert Churchill Knoxville 3B 28 48 Albert Neil Spartanburg HR 44 51
Albert Neil Spartanburg EBH 86 51 Albert Neil Spartanburg TB 345 51
Ralph Ellis Greenwood HS 29 51 Harold Kollar Knoxville Sac 23 46
Ziggy Jasinski Knoxville SB 62 49 Pete Meachini Charlotte BB 162 52
Woody Quintano Anderson HBP 14 53 Jack Maupin Knoxville SO 140 49


Pitching
Player Team Stat Tot Yr Player Team Stat Tot Yr
Melvin Fisher Florence GA 55 49 Melvin Fisher Florence CG 29 50
Pete Treece Rock Hill CG 29 54 Melvin Fisher Florence W 27 49
Melvin Fisher Florence L 20 50 Bob Spicer(18-4) Fayetteville Pct .818 48
Alex Zukowski Charlotte ERA 1.41 46 Melvin Fisher Florence IP 351 49
Al Aber Spartanburg WS 16 49 Eugene Law Spartanburg ShO 8 53
Murphy Murszewski Spartanburg SO 239 52 William Miller Knoxville BB 212 49

Hall of Fame Alumni[edit]

Source[edit]

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Second and Third Editions.

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