Altoona Rail Kings

Altoona Rail Kings
Altoona Rail Kings
1996–1997; Altoona, Pennsylvania ;
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes	Independent (1996-1997)
League	Heartland League (1997)
Division	Northern Division
Previous leagues	North Atlantic League (1996)
Team data
Previous names	Altoona Rail Kings (1996-1997)
Previous parks	Vets Field (1996-1997)

Altoona Rail Kings were a former Independent baseball team, playing their home games at Veterans Memorial Field in Altoona, Pennsylvania averaging nearly 1,200 fans per game.^[1]

They played two seasons, 1996 in the North Atlantic League, and 1997 in the Heartland League. In 1996, the Rail Kings finished 36-42. In 1997, they finished 22-14 in the Northern Division's first half, and 14-22 in the second. The Rail Kings were a formidable opponent during their time in Altoona, finishing second and third place in their respective leagues.^[2] They did make the playoffs, losing in two straight games to the Anderson Lawmen.

When the Pittsburgh Pirates-affiliated AA franchise was awarded to Altoona, the Rail Kings relocated to Huntington, West Virginia, for the 1998 season—playing at the St. Cloud Commons, they retained the Rail King name but redesigned their logo to feature a crowned H rather than an A.^[3]^[4]^[5]

The Kings remained in the Heartland League. The Huntington Rail Kings did not finish the 1998 season, closing due to poor attendance. The Altoona Curve arrived in Altoona in 1999.

Today, the Rail Kings name lives on at Blair County Ballpark, where the best seats are designated "Rail King." The Rail Kings' mascot was R.K. Two other names considered for the team were used later by affiliated teams: the Spikes, now used by State College, and the Curve, used by the current AA team.

Players for the initial season included:

Jeff Andrews
Eric Burroughs
Mike Cacciotti
Peter Dallas
Howard Hill
Mark Hilyard
Anthony Iasparro
Karun Jackson
Farley Love
Travis Maxwell
Carlos Mirabal
Tim Mitchell
Paul Neatrour
Manny Perez
Billy Reed
Stanley Scales
Ray Schmittle
Anthony Sharer
John Smith
Doug Smyly
Tony Webster
Eric Yelding
Tommy Seasoltz (batboy)

Management included:

Owner/President: Eric Reichert
General Manager: Mike Richmond
Director of Media Relations: Dave Shannon
Director of Sales and Marketing: Shawn McIntire
Account Executive: Eddie Depp
Manager: Tommy Hearn
Coach: Michael Richmond
Athletic trainer:Bryant Musselman

References

^ "Royal memories: Two decades later, Altoona Rail Kings still hold place in city's baseball history". altoonamirror.com. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
^ Finoli, David (2008). Baseball in Altoona: From the Mountain City to the Curve. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-5537-9.
^ "St. Cloud Commons - Charlie's Ball Parks". Charlie's Ball Parks. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ Viquez, Marc (2023-11-17). "Appy League Returns to Huntington, WV". Stadium Journey. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
^ Casto, James (2018-12-10). "Lost Huntington: The Huntington Cubs". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-09-21.

[1] "Royal memories: Two decades later, Altoona Rail Kings still hold place in city's baseball history". altoonamirror.com. Retrieved 2022-09-21.

[2] Finoli, David (2008). Baseball in Altoona: From the Mountain City to the Curve. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-5537-9.

[3] "St. Cloud Commons - Charlie's Ball Parks". Charlie's Ball Parks. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[4] Viquez, Marc (2023-11-17). "Appy League Returns to Huntington, WV". Stadium Journey. Retrieved 2024-09-21.

[5] Casto, James (2018-12-10). "Lost Huntington: The Huntington Cubs". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved 2024-09-21.

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