The Tifton Tifters were a minor league baseball team based in Tifton, Georgia. In 1917, the Tifters played a shortened season as members of the six team, Class D level Dixie League, hosting home games at the Tifton Baseball Park. The tilters finished last in the league, which folded during the season. The Tilters were succeeded by the 1949 Tifton Blue Sox, who returned to minor league play as members of the Georgia State League.
| Tifton Tifters | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Class | Class D (1917) |
| League | Dixie League (1917) |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Team | None |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (0) | None |
| Team data | |
| Name | Tifton Tifters (1917) |
| Ballpark | Tifton Base Ball Park (1917) |
History edit
In 1917, minor league baseball began in Tifton, when the Tifton "Tifters" became members of the Class D level Dixie League, with the nickname reflecting the city of Tifton and its location in Tift County.[1]
The Bainbridge, Dothan, Eufaula, Moultrie Packers, Quitman and Valdosta Millionaires teams joined the Tifters in beginning league play on May 6, 1917.[2][3]
On July 5, 1917, the Tifters had a record of 18–37 when the Dixie League folded with Tifton in last place. Managed by player/manager Doc Newton, the Tifters ended the season in sixth place and finished 17.5 games behind the first place Moultrie Packers in the final standings.[4] The Tilters finished behind the Moultrie (36–20), Eufaula (31–23), Bainbridge (32–25), Dolthan (25–30), and Quitman (25–32) teams in the 1917 league standings.[5][4]
The Dixie League did not return to play in 1918.[4] In 1949, minor league baseball returned to Tifton, when the Tifton Blue Sox began a tenure as members of the Class D level Georgia State League.[6][7]
The ballpark edit
The 1917 Tifton Tifters hosted minor league home games at the Tifton Base Ball Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 1,700 and was located at North College Avenue & North Ridge Avenue at West 4th Street, Tifton, Georgia.[8] The site is still in use today with ballfields.[9]
Year–by–year records edit
| Year | Record | Finish | Manager | Playoffs/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1917 | 18–37 | 6th | Doc Newton | League disbanded July 5 |
Notable alumni edit
- Guy Lacy (1917)
- Bobby LaMotte (1917)
- Doc Newton (1917, MGR)
- Tifton Tifters players
References edit
- ^ "1917 Tifton Tifters Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1917 Dixie League (DL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1917 Dixie League". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ a b c d Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- ^ "1917 Dixie League (DL) Minor League Baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ "1949 Tifton Blue Sox Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Tifton, Georgia Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Tifton Base Ball Park in Tifton, GA minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
- ^ W 4th St & N Ridge Ave (Map). Google Maps.