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.

Sumter Braves
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class A
Previous leagues
South Atlantic League (1985-1991)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
Previous names
Previous parks

History

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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

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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

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Notable alumni

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Year-by-year record

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Sumter Braves

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

Sumter Flyers

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Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
1991 64-75 10th Lorenzo Bundy

References

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  1. ^ http://digitalballparks.com/SALLY/Macon22.html Sumter Braves become Macon Braves, Digitalballparks.com
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ Baker, Kent (September 21, 1995). "South Atlantic League will have Delmarva Shorebirds next season". Baltimore Sun.
  5. ^ "Sumter, South Carolina Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  6. ^ "USC Sumter Athletics - University of South Carolina Sumter". uscfireants.com.
  7. ^ "Sports - Morris College". www.morris.edu.