Sumter Indians

Sumter Indians
Sumter Indians
1970–1971; Sumter, South Carolina ;
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes	Class A;
Previous leagues	Western Carolinas League
Major league affiliations
Previous teams	Houston Astros (1971); Cleveland Indians (1970);
Team data
Previous names	Sumter Chicks (1949-1950); Sumter Braves (1985-1990); Sumter Flyers (1991); Sumter Indians (1970); Sumter Astros (1971);
Previous parks	Riley Park

The Sumter Indians was a minor league baseball team, based in Sumter, South Carolina, as a member of the Western Carolinas League.

History

The team was formed when the Cleveland Indians relocated their Class-A affiliate, the Monroe Indians, to Sumter in 1970 and Sumter, was home to professional baseball for the first time in 20 years with the arrival of the club. After a last-place, 23-43 first half, the 1970 Indians went 38–26 in the second half, only one and a half games behind the first-place Greenville Red Sox.^{[citation needed]}^[1]

The following season, Sumter was an affiliate of the Houston Astros, becoming the Sumter Astros in 1971. They were replaced in the league in 1972, when the Sumter Astros and Monroe Pirates were replaced by the Charlotte Twins and the Gastonia Pirates in the six team league.^[2]^[1]

The ballpark

Sumner teams played at Riley Park. Located at Church Street & DuBose Street, 29150. It is still in use today as home to the University of South Carolina Sumter Fire Ants and Morris College Hornet baseball teams. The Sumter Chicks (1949-1950) of the Tri-State League, Sumter Indians (1970) and Sumter Astros (1971) of the Western Carolinas League and the Sumter Braves (1985-1990) and Sumter Flyers (1991) of the South Atlantic League all played at Riley Park.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Notable alumni

Buddy Bell (1970) 5 x MLB All-Star
Jackie Brandt (1971, MGR) 2 x MLB All-Star
Jim Kern (1970) 3 x MLB All-Star
John McLaren (1971)

Season results

Year	Team	Record	Finish	Manager	Playoffs
1970	Indians	61-68	4th	Len Johnston	No playoffs
1971	Astros	47-80	5th	Jackie Brandt	No playoffs

^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
^ "Western Carolinas League (A) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
^ "Sumter, South Carolina Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
^ "USC Sumter Athletics - University of South Carolina Sumter". uscfireants.com.
^ "Sports - Morris College". www.morris.edu.

[encyc-1] Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.

[2] "Western Carolinas League (A) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.

[3] "Sumter, South Carolina Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.

[4] "USC Sumter Athletics - University of South Carolina Sumter". uscfireants.com.

[5] "Sports - Morris College". www.morris.edu.

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