| Newton–Conover Twins | |
| Firstseason: | 1937 |
| Lastseason: | 1962 |
| Allyears: | 1937–1940, 1948–1952, 1960–1962 |
| City: | Newton, North Carolina |
| Class Level: | Class D (1937–1940, 1948–1952, 1960–1962) |
| League: | North Carolina State League (1937–1938) Tar Heel League (1939–1940) Western Carolina League (1948–1952, 1960–1962) |
| Majorleague: | Cleveland Indians (1937) Milwaukee Braves (1961) |
| Nickname: | Newton–Conover Twins (1937–1940, 1948–1952, 1960–1962) |
| Ballpark: | Newton-Conover High School Stadium (1937–1939) American Legion Field (1940, 1948–1952, 1960–1962) |
| Leaguenum: | 0 |
| Leaguechamps: | None |
| Confnum: | 2 |
| Wildcardnum: | 3 |
The Newton–Conover Twins were a minor league baseball team based in Newton, North Carolina. The team was operated in partnership with neighboring Conover, North Carolina. Newton–Conover Twins teams played as members of the North Carolina State League in 1937 and 1938, Tar Heel League in 1939 and 1940 and the Western Carolina League from 1948 to 1951 and again from 1961 to 1963.
The Twins played home minor league games at Newton-Conover High School Stadium through 1939 and then at American Legion Field in 1940, Both ballparks were located in Newton, Carolina and are still in use today.
Newton–Conover teams played as a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians in 1937 and Milwaukee Braves in 1961
The professional baseball partnership between Newton, North Carolina and Conover, North Carolina began on January 18, 1937, when the Newton–Conover "Twins" franchise was accepted into the North Carolina State League. The "Twins" moniker was in reference to the two cities. Twins games were broadcast locally on WNNC radio, with Earl Holder serving as announcer for seven of the teams' seasons.[1]
Minor league baseball play began for Newton and Conover in the 1937 season, when the Newton–Conover Twins began play as members of the eight–team Class D level North Carolina State League. The North Carolina State League had reformed for the 1937 season, with the Newton–Conover franchise joining the Cooleemee Weavers, Landis Sens, Lexington Indians, Mooresville Moors, Thomasville Chair Makers, Salisbury Bees and Shelby Cardinals in league play.[2] [3]
In their first season of play, the 1937 Newton–Conover Twins were minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.[4] The Twins finished last in the 1937 North Carolina State League standings. Playing under managers Phil Lundeen, Buz Phillips and Ray Lindsey, Newton–Conover had a final record of 36–73 to finish in eighth place. The Twins ended the season 38.0 games behind the first place Mooresville Moors in the final regular season standings. Newton–Conover did not qualify for the playoffs, which were won by Mooresville.[2] [5]
Continuing North Carolina State League play in 1938, the Newton–Conover Twins did not qualify for the playoffs.[6] Finishing with a 46–66 record, the Twins placed sixth in the regular season standings. Led by managers Rube Wilson, Clarence (Gracie) Allen and Mack Arnette, Newton–Conover ended the season 29.5 games behind the first place Thomasville Tommies. The Twins did not qualify for the playoffs, in which Thomasville and Mooresville were declared co–champions. After the 1938 season, the Twins left the North Carolina State League and moved to a new league.[2] [7]
In 1939, Newton–Conover continued hosting minor league play, joining a newly formed Class D level league. The Twins became charter members of the six–team Class D level Tar Heel League. The Gastonia Cardinals, Hickory Rebels, Lenoir Indians, Shelby Nationals and Statesville Owls teams joined Newton–Conover in beginning league play as charter members.[2] [8] [9]
The 1939 Newton–Conover Twins finished last in their first season of Tar Heel League play.[10] Newton–Conover placed sixth with a 36–69 record. Mack Arnette, Chick Suggs and Red Matheson served as managers as the Twins finished 34.5 games behind the first place Gastonia Cardinals in the final regular season standings. The Twins did not qualify for the playoff won by Gastonia.[2] [11] Pitcher Ralph Fox of the Twins, led the Tar Heel League with 17 wins on the season.[2]
In 1940, the Twins folded before the completion of the Tar Heel League season.[12] On July 19, 1940, the Newton–Conover Twins and Shelby Nationals folded from the six–team league. The Twins had compiled a 27–45 record under managers Charles Hager and Ginger Watts at the time the team folded. The Tar Heel League permanently folded following the 1940 season.[2] [13] Twins pitcher Frank Motley led the Tar Heel League with 174 strikeouts.[2]
In 1948, Newton–Conover resumed minor league play in another newly formed league. The "Twins" were reformed and joined as charter members of the eight–team Class D level Western Carolina League. The Forest City Owls, Hendersonville Skylarks, Lenoir Red Sox, Lincolnton Cardinals, Marion Marauders, Morganton Aggies and Shelby Farmers teams joined the Twins as charter franchises in beginning league play on April 30, 1948.[14] [15] [16]
In their first Western Carolina League season, the 1948 Twins placed second and advanced to the league finals.[17] Newton–Conover ended the regular season with a 67–43 record to finish the regular season in second place. Manager Eddie Yount began a four-season stint with the team as the Twins finished 2.0 games behind the Lincolnton Cardinals. In the playoffs, the Twins defeated the Forest City 4 games to 2. Advancing, Newton–Conover lost in the Finals 4 games to 3 to Lincolnton.[2] [15] [18] The Twins' player/manager Eddie Yount led the Western Carolina League with both 43 home runs and 140 RBI as teammate Ray Lindsey led the league with 21 wins and 255 strikeouts.[2]
The 1949 Newton–Conover Twins won the Western Carolina League pennant.[19] The Twins ended the regular season with a record of 72–36 to capture first place in the regular season standings, playing under returning manager Eddie Yount. Newton–Conover finished 4.0 games ahead of second place Lincolnton Cardinals in the regular season standings. The Twins lost in first round of the playoffs to the Rutherford County Owls, 4 games to 2.[2]