| Fieldale Towlers | |
| Firstseason: | 1934 |
| Lastseason: | 1936 |
| City: | Fieldale, Virginia |
| Class Level: |
|
| League: |
|
| Majorleague: |
|
| Nickname: |
|
| Ballpark: | Riverside Park (1934–1936) |
| Classnum: | 0 |
| Leaguenum: | 0 |
| Divnum: | 0 |
The Fieldale Towlers was the primary moniker of the minor league baseball teams based in Fieldale, Virginia from 1934 to 1936. Fieldale teams played as members of the Class D level Bi-State League from 1934 to 1936. The Fieldale Towlers were an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers (1936).
Pro Football Hall of Fame member Joe Guyon was player/manager of the 1936 Fieldale Towlers.
The Fieldale Virginians began minor league play as charter members of the 1934 Class D level Bi-State League. The Virginians finished their first season with a record of 36–41, placing 3rd in the six–team Bi-State League regular season under Manager Luther Hodge. The 1934 standings were: Danville-Schoolfield Leafs 53–25, Martinsville Manufacturers 46–29, Fieldale Virginians 36–41, Mount Airy Graniteers 33–43, Leaksville-Draper-Spray Triplets 32–45 and Mayodan Senators 29–46. Fieldale played their home games at Riverside Park.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
The franchise was renamed as the Fieldale Towlers for the 1935 season. The moniker reflected the local industry of towel–producing textile mills. Continuing play in the Bi-State League, the Towlers ended the 1935 season with a record of 50–64, placing sixth in the eight–team Bi-State League regular season. Dixie Parker served as the Fieldale manager in 1935.[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
In their final season, the Fieldale Towlers became an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Fieldale finished the 1936 regular season with a record of 52–62, placing 7th in the Bi-State League standings. Joe Guyon, Red Smith and Jimmie Rimmer all served time as manager in 1936. Joe Guyon had a storied football career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971. The Fieldale franchise folded from the Bi-State League following the 1936 season and were replaced by the South Boston Twins for the 1937 Bi-State League season. Fieldale, Virginak has not hosted another minor league franchise.[6] [7] [3] [12] [13]
From 1934 to 1936 Fieldale teams played home games at Riverside Park. Riverside Park had a ballpark capacity of 1,500, with field dimensions (Left, Center, Right) of: 325–380–325 (1936). Today, the site is known as Fieldale Park and has a baseball field that is still in use. The address is 188 Field Avenue, Fieldale, Virginia, 24089.[14] [15]
| Year(s) |
| Team | Level | League | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 1 | Fieldale Virginians | None | ||
| 1935 | 1 | Fieldale Towlers | |||
| 1936 | 1 | Detroit Tigers |
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 36–41 | 3rd | Luther Hodge | No playoffs held |
| 1935 | 50–64 | 6th | Dixie Parker | No playoffs held |
| 1936 | 52–62 | 7th | Joe Guyon / Red Smith / Jimmie Rimmer | No playoffs held |