Newton Railroaders

The Newton Railroaders were a minor league baseball team based in Newton, Kansas between 1909 and 1924. Preceded by the 1888 Newton team and the 1908 Newton Browns, Newton minor league teams played as members of the Western League in 1888, Central Kansas League in 1908, Kansas State League from 1909 to 1911, Central Kansas League in 1912 and Southwestern League in 1924. The Newton Browns and Railroaders hosted home games at Athletic Park.

Minor league baseball in Newton, Kansas began during the 1888 season. The Newton team played briefly as members of the four–team Independent level Western League. Newton entered the league on June 11, 1888 after the Lincoln franchise had folded a week earlier. Newton compiled a 3–5 record under manager Dick Juvenal in their brief period of play. On June 23, 1888, the Western League folded.^[1][2]

In 1908, Newton resumed minor league play after a twenty-year hiatus. The Newton Browns became charter members of the six–team Class D level Central Kansas League. Ending the season with a record of 25–22, the Browns finished the season in second place, playing under manager Karl Becker. Newton finished 4.5 games behind the first place Minneapolis Minnies in the final standings.^[3][4][5]

On May 26, 1908, at Athletic Park in Newton, Kansas, Newton and the McPherson Merry Macks played a 20–inning game. In a contest lasting 3:15 and ending at 6:45 P.M., Newton defeated McPherson 3–2.^[6]

In 1909, the Newton "Railroaders" continued play in a new league. Newton became members of the reformed eight–team Class D level Kansas State League. Newton joined the Arkansas City-Winfield Twins, Great Bend Millers, Hutchinson Salt Packers, Larned Cowboys, Lyons Lions, McPherson Merry Macks and Wellington Dukes as 1909 league members.^[7]

The Newton, Kansas use of the "Railroaders" moniker corresponds to local industry and culture. The city was reportedly founded in 1871 when the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad extended a main line west from Emporia, Kansas. Newton, Kansas was named after Newton, Massachusetts, home to some of the railroad company stockholders. The Santa Fe Depot in Newton, Kansas is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as is the Railroad Savings and Loan Building. Today, Newton continues to serve the railroad, hosting the Newton Station, which serves 15,000 riders annually as a stop of the Southwest Chief Amtrak line.^{[8][9][10][11]}

In their first season of Kansas State League play, the Newton Railroaders placed sixth in the 1909 Kansas State League.^[12] The Railroaders finished with a 42–54 overall record to end the season to place sixth in the eight–team league. Playing under managers Con Harlow and William Stilwell, the Railroaders finished 18.0 games behind the first placeLyons Lions in the final Kansas State League standings.^[13]

Continuing play as members of the 1910 Kansas State League, the Newton Railroaders finished the season with a record of 56–54 to place fourth under manager Mel Backus.^[14] The Railroaders finished 16.5 games behind the first place Hutchinson Salt Packers in the final 1910 standings of the eight–team league.^[15][16]

The 1911 Newton Railroaders continued play as the Kansas State League folded during the season.^[17] The Kansas State League folded on July 11, 1911. The Railroaders ended the 1911 season with a record of 39–21 record, after the league disbanded on July 11, 1911, due to crop failures and drought. When the league ceased play, Newton was in second place in the standings, as the Railroaders finished 0.5 game behind the first place Great Bend Millers (39–20) in the shortened season.^[18][19]

In 1912, the Newton Railroaders rejoined the Central Kansas League. On July 12, 1912, the Newton franchise moved to Minneapolis, Kansas with a record of 16–11.^[20] Overall, the Newton/Minneapolis team finished the season with an overall record of 50–40 to place third, playing under returning manager William Stilwell. Newton finished 4.0 games behind the first place Great Bend Millers in the final standings. The Central Kansas League folded following the season.^[21]

After a twelve-year gap in minor league play, Newton had a final season playing as members of the 1924 Class D level Southwestern League. The Newton Railroaders played their final season in 1924, relocating twice due to a ballpark issue.^[22] The team won the pennant, finishing with a record of 79–50 under manager John McCloskey. It was reported that a windstorm collapsed the grandstand at Newton's Athletic Park on July 23, 1924, during a game with the Arkansas City Osages. Twenty people were injured. As a result of the damage, Newton moved to Blackwell (7–4) on July 26, 1924. Blackwell moved to Ottawa (13–12) on August 5, 1924. Ottawa then returned to Newton on August 28, 1924. In the playoff Finals, the Arkansas City Osages defeated the Newton Railroaders/Blackwell/Ottawa Gassers 4 gamed to 3. The league folded following the season.^[23][24]

Newton, Kansas has not hosted another minor league team.^[25]

Beginning in 1908, the Newton minor league teams were noted to have played home games at Athletic Park. Reportedly, a windstorm destroyed the grandstand on July 23, 1924 during a game with Arkansas City. Twenty people were injured. Athletic Park is still in use today as a public park containing Fischer Field Stadium, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Athletic Park is located at 701 1st Street, Newton, Kansas.^[23][26][27]

Newton Railroaders players
Newton (minor league baseball) players

• Newton - Baseball Reference