| Altoona Rail Kings | |
| Firstseason: | 1996 |
| Lastseason: | 1997 |
| City: | Altoona, Pennsylvania |
| Past Class Level: | Independent (1996-1997) |
| League: | Heartland League (1997) |
| Division: | Northern Division |
| Past League: | North Atlantic League (1996) |
| Pastnames: | Altoona Rail Kings (1996-1997) |
| Pastparks: | 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. They retained the Rail King name but redesigned their logo to feature a crowned H rather than an A.
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:
Management included: