Waxahachie Athletics

The Waxahachie Athletics was the final moniker of the minor league baseball franchise based in Waxahachie, Texas from 1914 to 1916. Waxahachie teams played as members of the Class D level Central Texas League from 1914 to 1916. Baseball Hall of Fame member Ross Youngs played for the 1915 Waxahachie Athletics.

Waxahachie Athletics
1914–1916
Waxahachie, Texas
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass D (1914–1916)
Previous leagues
Central Texas League (1914–1916)
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsNone
Minor league titles
League titles 1 1914
Team data
Previous names
Waxahachie Buffaloes (1914)
Waxahachie Athletics (1915–1916)
Previous parks
Jungle Park (1914–1917)

History

The Waxahachie Buffaloes were formed in 1914, playing as charter members of the Class D level Central Texas League, which formed as six–team minor league. The six charter members of the Central Texas League were the Corsicana Athletics, Ennis Tigers, Hillsboro, Texas, Italy, Texas, Waxahachie Buffaloes and West, Texas.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

In their first season of league play, the 1914 Waxahachie Buffaloes won the Central Texas League championship, playing home games at Jungle Park. After the Buffaloes and other league members began play on May 10, 1914, the league did not complete the season. The Central Texas League was scheduled to play a split schedule, but the second half was shortened, when the league folded on July 25, 1914. Overall, Waxahachie had a 35–23 overall record, which was the best overall record in the league, 4.5 games ahead of West. The Waxahachie Buffaloes won the first half standings with a 26–15 first half record and West won the shortened second half standings and a playoff was held after the league stopped play. In the playoff, the Waxahachie Buffaloes won the championship when they defeated West 3 games to 2. The managers were Luther Burleson and Dee Poindexter.[2][5][7][8][9]

After winning the championship the previous season, the 1915 Waxahachie Athletics finished last as the Central Texas League reformed. After beginning play on May 17, 1915, the Central Texas League again folded before the season ended. Joining the Waxahachie Athletics in the 1915 Central Texas League were the Corsicana A's, Ennis Tigers, Kaufman Kings, Mexia Gassers and Terrell Cubs. The Central Texas League folded on July 24, 1915, before the conclusion of the season. At the time the league folded, the Athletics had a 27–34 overall record under manager Anson Cole, finishing 8.0 games behind the 1st place Ennis Tigers in the six–team standings. At age 18, Baseball Hall of Fame member Ross Youngs played for the 1915 Athletics, hitting .274 in 106 at bats.[1][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

The Waxahachie Athletics played their final season as the 1916 Central Texas League again reformed after folding the previous season. The Athletics finished in 5th place overall after the Central Texas League began their third season of play on April 28, 1916 and disbanded on July 16, 1916. The league members joining Waxahachie in 1916 were the Ennis Tigers, Marlin Marlins, Mexia Gassers, Temple Governors and Terrell Terrors. At 26–35, the Athletics finished 10.0 games behind the 1st place Temple Governors under manager Dee Poindexter, a Waxahachie native. After the season, the Waxahachie franchise permanently folded and Waxahachie has not hosted another minor league team.[1][17][18][19][13][20][21][22]

The ballpark
Entrance to Richards Field

The Waxahachie teams hosted home games at Jungle Park from 1914 to 1916. Opened in 1909, the ballpark was renovated in 1914 and later hosted spring training for the Detroit Tigers from 1916 to 1918, the Cincinnati Reds in 1919, and the Chicago White Sox in 1921. Today, the ballpark is named Richards Park and is home to the Waxahachie High School baseball team. The ballpark has a Texas Historical Marker and is located at 301 South Hawkins, Waxahachie, Texas.[23][24][7][25][26][27][28]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
19141Waxahachie BroncosClass DCentral Texas League
1915–19162Waxahachie Athletics

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/Notes
191435–231stLuther Burleson / Dee PoindexterLeague disbanded July 24
League Champions
191527–346thAnson ColeLeague disbanded July 24
191626–355thDee PoindexterLeague disbanded July 16

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Central Texas League - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  2. "1914 Central Texas League (CTL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. "1914 Central Texas League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. Reichard, Kevin (November 4, 2008). "Central Texas League".
  5. "Waxahachie Buffaloes - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  6. "Central Texas League (D) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/article89905717.html
  8. "Waxahachie Buffaloes Statistics and Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  9. "1914 Waxahachie Buffaloes Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "1915 Central Texas League (CTL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  11. "1915 Central Texas League (CTL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1915 Central Texas League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. "Waxahachie Athletics - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  14. "1915 Waxahachie Athletics Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  15. "1915 Waxahachie Athletics Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. "Ross Youngs Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  17. "1916 Central Texas League (CTL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  18. "Temple Governors - BR Bullpen". www.baseball-reference.com.
  19. "1916 Central Texas League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  20. "1916 Waxahachie Athletics Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  21. "1916 Waxahachie Athletics Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  22. "Dee Poindexter Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  23. "Richards Park". www.waxahachiecvb.com.
  24. [email protected], Travis M. Smith |. "Dirt, baseball and history: The story behind those little jars of Richards Park sand". Waxahachie Daily Light.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  25. [email protected], Marcus S. Marion |. "THE HOUSE THAT PAUL BUILT: Waxahachie honors 100 years of city's beloved sports landmark". Waxahachie Daily Light.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  26. "Waxahachie Indian Baseball – Expect to Win".
  27. "Major League Spring Training in Waxahachie, Texas 1916-1921".
  28. "Paul Richards Park Image". www.waymarking.com.
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