Wessington Springs Saints
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name =Wessington Springs Saints
| firstseason =1920
| lastseason =
| allyears =
| city =Wessington Springs, South Dakota
| logo =
| caplogo =
| class level = {{plainlist|
- Class D (1920)
}}
| league ={{plainlist|
- South Dakota League (1920)
}}
| majorleague = {{plainlist|
None
}}
| nickname ={{plainlist|
- Wessington Springs Saints (1920)
}}
| ballpark =Wessington Springs City Park (1920)
| classnum = 0
| leaguenum = 0
| leaguechamps =None
| divnum = 0
}}
The Wessington Springs Saints were a minor league baseball team based in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. In 1920, the Saints briefly played as members of the Class D level South Dakota League, hosting home minor league games at the Wessington Springs City Park.
History
In 1920, Wessington Springs, South Dakota first hosted minor league baseball when the "Wessington Springs Saints" began play as charter members of the eight–team, Class D level South Dakota League. The Aberdeen Boosters, Huron Packers, Madison Greys, Miller Climbers, Mitchell Kernels, Redfield Reds and Sioux Falls Soos teams joined Wessington in beginning league play on May 18, 1920.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/league.cgi?code=SDAK&class=D|title=South Dakota League (D) Encyclopedia and History|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://ballparkdigest.com/20081105997/minor-league-baseball/news/south-dakota-league-dakota-league|title=South Dakota League / Dakota League|first=Kevin|last=Reichard|date=November 5, 2008}}{{Cite web|url=https://dutchbaseballhangout.wordpress.com/2016/01/30/minor-league-history-south-dakota-league/|title=Minor League history: (South) Dakota League|date=January 30, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.capjournal.com/news/dakota-life-america-s-pastime-goes-way-back-way-back-in-south-dakota/article_34a262b8-1e3f-11e6-a4d9-57538b0b8f9a.html|title=Dakota Life: America's pastime goes way back, way back in South Dakota|first=Lee Zion|last=Lee.zion@capjournal.com|website=Capital Journal}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/baseball-in-the-west-2.htm|title=Baseball in the West|first=Gregory|last=Lalire|date=March 31, 2011|website=HistoryNet}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/l-DAKL/y-1920|title=1920 South Dakota League (SDL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}
The "Saints" nickname corresponds to Wessington being home to the Wessington Springs College/Seminary in the era. Opened in 1887, the college closed in 1964.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lostcolleges.com/wessington-springs-seminary|title=(254)Wessington Springs Seminary|website=lost-colleges}}
The Wessington Springs Saints finished in fourth place in the 1920 South Dakota League, before the league reorganized during the season. The South Dakota league disbanded on July 17, 1920, and changed names to the Dakota League, but Wessington Springs did not field a franchise. Wessington Springs ended the 1920 season with a record of 49–48, as Matt McGrath served as manager. The Saints finished 12.0 games behind the first place Mitchell Kernels in the final standings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/standings/l-DAKL/y-1920|title=1920 South Dakota League (SDL) Standings on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=Wessington Springs, South Dakota Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball |editor-first1=Lloyd |editor-last1=Johnson |editor-first2=Miles |editor-last2=Wolff |edition=Third |publisher=Baseball America |date=2007 |isbn=978-1932391176}}
The 1920 Saints were the final minor league team hosted in Wessington Springs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=Register Team Encyclopedia|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
The ballpark
The Wessington Springs Saints played minor league home games at Wessington Springs City Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-2888%7C|title=Wessington Springs City Park in Wessington Springs, SD minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}} Still in use as a public park, Wessington Springs City Park is located on Dakota Avenue South, Wessington Springs, South Dakota.{{Cite web|url=https://wessingtonsprings.com/things-to-do|title=Things to Do|website=Wessington Springs, South Dakota}}
Year–by–year record
| class=wikitable | ||||
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 49–48 | 4th | Matt McGrath | No playoffs held |
Notable alumni
No Wessington Springs Saints alumni reached the major leagues.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi|title=1920 Wessington Springs Saints Statistics|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/team.cgi?city=Wessington%20Springs&state=SD&country=US Wessington Springs - Baseball Reference]
Category:Professional baseball teams in South Dakota
Category:Defunct baseball teams in South Dakota
Category:Baseball teams established in 1920
Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1920