Sumter Braves Explained

Sumter Braves
Firstseason:1985
Lastseason:1990
City:Sumter, South Carolina
Past Class Level:
  • Class A
Pastmajorleague:
Past League:South Atlantic League (1985-1991)
Pastparks:
Pastnames:
Leaguenum:0
Leaguechamps:None

The Sumter Braves were a minor league baseball team located in Sumter, South Carolina. The team played in the South Atlantic League, and were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves. Their home stadium was Riley Park.

History

In 1984, the Anderson Braves relocated to Sumter. In 1991, the affiliate shifted to Macon, Georgia and became known as the Macon Braves,[1] [2] eventually becoming today's Rome Braves of Rome, Georgia. An expansion team was awarded to Sumter right after the Sumter Braves relocated and as an affiliate of the Montreal Expos,[2] and Sumter became known as the Sumter Flyers.[3] In 1992, the franchise relocated to Albany, Georgia as the Albany Polecats, eventually becoming today's Delmarva Shorebirds of Salisbury, Maryland.[4]

Notably, 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tom Glavine pitched for Sumter in 1985.

The ballpark

Sumter teams played at Riley Park. Located at Church Street & DuBose Street, 29150. It is still in use today as home to the University of South Carolina Sumter Fire Ants and Morris College Hornet baseball teams. The Sumter Chicks (1949–1950) of the Tri-State League, Sumter Indians (1970) and Sumter Astros (1971) of the Western Carolinas League and the Sumter Braves (1985–1990) and Sumter Flyers (1991) of the South Atlantic League all played at Riley Park.[5] [6] [7]

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

Year-by-year record

Sumter Braves

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
1985 72-63 6th Lost in 1st round
1986 77-60 3rd
1987 75-62 3rd Buddy Bailey
1988 64-73 9th
1989 60-81 11th Ned Yost
1990 73-69 7th Ned Yost

Sumter Flyers

Notes and References

  1. http://digitalballparks.com/SALLY/Macon22.html Sumter Braves become Macon Braves, Digitalballparks.com
  2. http://digitalballparks.com/SALLY/Sumter17.html Sumter Braves relocate to Macon and Sumter gets a new franchise, Digitalballparks.com
  3. http://digitalballparks.com/SALLY/Sumter18.html New Sumter team is Sumter Flyers
  4. News: Baker. Kent. South Atlantic League will have Delmarva Shorebirds next season. Baltimore Sun. September 21, 1995.
  5. Web site: Sumter, South Carolina Encyclopedia. Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. Web site: USC Sumter Athletics - University of South Carolina Sumter. uscfireants.com.
  7. Web site: Sports - Morris College. www.morris.edu.