Wessington Springs Saints Explained

Wessington Springs Saints
Firstseason:1920
City:Wessington Springs, South Dakota
Class Level:
  • Class D (1920)
League:
Majorleague:
    Nickname:
    • Wessington Springs Saints (1920)
    Ballpark:Wessington Springs City Park (1920)
    Classnum:0
    Leaguenum:0
    Leaguechamps:None
    Divnum:0

    The Wessington Springs Saints were a minor league baseball team based in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. In 1920, the Saints briefly played as members of the Class D level South Dakota League, hosting home minor league games at the Wessington Springs City Park.

    History

    In 1920, Wessington Springs, South Dakota first hosted minor league baseball when the "Wessington Springs Saints" began play as charter members of the eight–team, Class D level South Dakota League. The Aberdeen Boosters, Huron Packers, Madison Greys, Miller Climbers, Mitchell Kernels, Redfield Reds and Sioux Falls Soos teams joined Wessington in beginning league play on May 18, 1920.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

    The "Saints" nickname corresponds to Wessington being home to the Wessington Springs College/Seminary in the era. Opened in 1887, the college closed in 1964.[7]

    The Wessington Springs Saints finished in fourth place in the 1920 South Dakota League, before the league reorganized during the season. The South Dakota league disbanded on July 17, 1920, and changed names to the Dakota League, but Wessington Springs did not field a franchise. Wessington Springs ended the 1920 season with a record of 49–48, as Matt McGrath served as manager. The Saints finished 12.0 games behind the first place Mitchell Kernels in the final standings.[8] [9] [10]

    The 1920 Saints were the final minor league team hosted in Wessington Springs.[11]

    The ballpark

    The Wessington Springs Saints played minor league home games at Wessington Springs City Park.[12] Still in use as a public park, Wessington Springs City Park is located on Dakota Avenue South, Wessington Springs, South Dakota.[13]

    Notable alumni

    No Wessington Springs Saints alumni reached the major leagues.[14]

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: South Dakota League (D) Encyclopedia and History. Baseball-Reference.com.
    2. Web site: South Dakota League / Dakota League. Kevin. Reichard. November 5, 2008.
    3. Web site: Minor League history: (South) Dakota League. January 30, 2016.
    4. Web site: Dakota Life: America's pastime goes way back, way back in South Dakota. Lee Zion. Lee.zion@capjournal.com. Capital Journal.
    5. Web site: Baseball in the West. Gregory. Lalire. March 31, 2011. HistoryNet.
    6. Web site: 1920 South Dakota League (SDL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    7. Web site: (254)Wessington Springs Seminary. lost-colleges.
    8. Web site: 1920 South Dakota League (SDL) Standings on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    9. Web site: Wessington Springs, South Dakota Encyclopedia. Baseball-Reference.com.
    10. Book: The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball . Lloyd . Johnson . Miles . Wolff . Third . . 2007 . 978-1932391176.
    11. Web site: Register Team Encyclopedia. Baseball-Reference.com.
    12. Web site: Wessington Springs City Park in Wessington Springs, SD minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com. www.statscrew.com.
    13. Web site: Things to Do. Wessington Springs, South Dakota.
    14. Web site: 1920 Wessington Springs Saints Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com.