Norfolk Jewels Explained

Norfolk Jewels
Firstseason:1897
Lastseason:1898
City:Norfolk, Virginia
Class Level:Class A (1897)
Class B (1898)
League:Atlantic League (1897–1898)
Majorleague:None
Nickname:Norfolk Jewels (1897–1898)
Ballpark:Bain Field
  • (1897–1898)
Leaguenum:0
Leaguechamps:None

The Norfolk Jewels were a minor league baseball team based in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1897 and 1898, the Norfolk Jewels played as members of the Atlantic League in both seasons. The Jewels were immediately preceded by the 1896 Norfolk Braves of the Virginia League.

History

The 1896 Norfolk Braves played as a member of the Virginia League, preceding the Jewels in minor league play.[1]

The 1987 Norfolk Jewels began play as members of the eight–team, Class A level, Atlantic League.[2] Norfolk joined the Hartford Bluebirds, Lancaster Maroons, Newark Colts, Paterson Silk Weavers, Philadelphia Athletics, Reading Coal Heavers and Richmond Bluebirds in beginning league play on April 26, 1897.[3]

The Norfolk Jewels placed 5th in the 1897 Atlantic League standings.[4] The Jewels ended the season with a record of 66–72, playing the season under managers Charlie Schafer and Billy Smith.[5] Norfolk finished 25.5 games behind the 1st place Lancaster Maroons in the final standings. No playoffs were held.[6]

In their final season of Atlantic League play, the Jewels finished last.[7] Norfolk ended the 1898 with a record of 47–79 to finish in 8th place.[8] [9] Led by manager Charley Jewell, the Jewels finished 35.5 games behind the 1st place Richmond Bluebirds.[6]

The Jewels were succeeded in Norfolk by the 1900 Norfolk Phenoms, who resumed minor league play as members of the Virginia League.[10]

The ballpark

The name of the home ballpark of the 1897 and 1898 Norfolk Jewels is not directly referenced. Bain Field in Norfolk, was originally called "League Park." The date League Park was constructed is unknown, but newspaper coverage for baseball games there started as early as 1894.[11] [12] [13]

Timeline

Year(s)
  1. Yrs.
Team Level League
18971Norfolk JewelsAtlantic League
18981

Year–by–year records

Year Record Finish ManagerPlayoffs/notes
189766–72 5thCharlie Schafer / Billy SmithNo playoffs held
1898 47–79 8th Charley Jewell No playoffs held

Notable alumni

See also

Norfolk Jewels players

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1896 Norfolk Braves Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. Web site: 1897 Atlantic League (AL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
  3. Web site: 1897 Atlantic League. Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. Web site: 1897 Norfolk Jewels Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. Web site: 1897 Norfolk Jewels minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
  6. Book: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball . Lloyd . Johnson . Miles . Wolff . Third . . 2007 . 978-1932391176.
  7. Web site: 1898 Atlantic League. Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. Web site: 1898 Norfolk Jewels Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. Web site: 1898 Norfolk Jewels minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
  10. Web site: 1900 Norfolk Phenoms Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. https://www.newspapers.com/image/604960464/ "Baseball"
  12. https://www.newspapers.com/image/605187438/ "The Second Waterloo: For the Hill City Boys at Hill Park."
  13. Web site: League Park, Norfolk, VA. www.projectballpark.org.