Opelousas Indians

The Opelousas Indians was the primary name of the minor league baseball franchise based in Opelousas, Louisiana in 1907, 1932 and 1934–1941. The Indians were members of the Class C Evangeline League (1934-1941) and played at Elementary School Park.

Opelousas Indians
1907–1941
(1907, 1932, 1934–1941)
Opelousas, Louisiana
Minor league affiliations
Previous classes
  • Class D (1907, 1932, 1934–1941)
Previous leagues
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
Minor league titles
League titles 1937
Team data
Previous names
  • Opelousas Indians (1907)
  • Opelousas Orphans (1932)
  • Opelousas Indians (1934–1941)
Previous parks
  • Elementary School Park (1907, 1932, 1934–1941)

Earlier, the Opelousas Indians played in the Gulf Coast League (1907) and the Opelousas Orphans played a portion of the 1932 season in the Cotton States League. Opelousas was an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians (1935–1937, 1939).

History

Minor League baseball began in Opelousas in 1907 when the Opelousas Indians played one season in the early Gulf Coast League. The 1907 Indians finished 6th with a record of 48–67.[1]

In 1932, the Opelousas Orphans were briefly members of the Class D Cotton States League. The Port Arthur Refiners moved to DeQuincy, Louisiana on June 19, 1932. Shortly after, the DeQuincy Railroaders moved to Opelousas on July 7, 1932. The Opelousas Orphans were 1–5 when the team disbanded on July 10, 1932, with an overall record of 17–45, playing in the three cities. The Cotton States League then disbanded on July 13, 1932.[2][3][4][5]

In 1934, the Opelousas Indians became founding members of the newly formed Class D Evangeline League. Fellow founding members were the Alexandria Aces, Lafayette White Sox, Lake Charles Lakers, New Iberia Cardinals and Rayne Red Sox. On May 20, 1934, Indians pitcher Wallace Pate threw a no–hitter in a 1–0 7–inning victory over the Lafayette White Sox.[6][7]

The Indians remained in the Evangeline League from 1934 to 1941, winning the 1937 Evangeline League Championship. The team made the playoffs in each of its first four seasons. The Opelousas Indians were an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians (1935–1937, 1939).[1]

On May 22, 1935, Opelousas Indians pitcher Everett Albritton threw a no–hitter in a 3–0 victory over the Jeanerette Blues.[7]

After the 1941 season, the Opelousas Indians permanently disbanded. The Rayne Rice Birds had disbanded near the end of the 1941 season. Subsequently, the 1942 Evangeline League dropped from eight teams to six teams, playing until the league disbanded on May 30, 1942.[6]

The ballpark

The Orphans and Indians played at Elementary School Park. The ballpark had a capacity of 3,500 after an expansion in 1939. It had dimensions of (Left, Center, Right): 360–450–360 (1936) and 362–400–362 (1939). The ballpark was located at 1218 East Leo Street, Opelousas, Louisiana.[8][9]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Opelousas Indians - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "DeQuincy Railroaders - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  3. "Port Arthur Refiners - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  4. "Cotton States League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  5. "Opelousas Orphans - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. "Evangeline League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  7. "Minor League No-Hitters 1930-1939 - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  8. "Elementary School Park in Opelousas, LA history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. "Evangeine League - Defunct Class D". digitalballparks.com.
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