Chattanooga Secures Membership in South Atlantic Baseball League

News Summary

Chattanooga has officially secured full membership in the South Atlantic Baseball League, marking a significant milestone for the city. Following a recent meeting among local leaders and league officials, plans for the upcoming season are already in motion, including the establishment of a new baseball diamond projected for completion by 1910. With exciting changes ahead, including an impressive roster and creative scheduling of home games, the baseball community in Chattanooga is abuzz with anticipation.

Chattanooga Set to Step Up in the Baseball World

Exciting times are on the horizon for Chattanooga as it has officially secured full membership in the South Atlantic Baseball League. This big news comes just after the annual meeting held at the lavish Hotel Patten starting February 27, 1909, where Chattanooga’s baseball future was a hot topic of discussion.

Planning for a Bright Season

The atmosphere during the meeting buzzed with anticipation as local leaders including League president Oliver Burnside Andrews and manager Johnny Dodds rolled out the red carpet for visiting league officials. Notable figures from across the region, such as N. E. Cornish and E. S. Dingle, gathered to plot out an exciting season ahead. One of the key focuses was to establish a satisfactory schedule to ensure the local teams have a well-organized and captivating lineup of games. W. A. Jones, the league president, and his right-hand man, E. S. Dingle, envisioned a season that would truly change baseball history forever.

Home Games to Keep Everyone Guessing

Andrews took the lead in organizing a schedule that promises to keep fans on their toes. By spreading out home games and avoiding clusters of consecutive home matches, the goal is to increase Chattanooga’s visibility in the baseball community. Plus, a new resolution was put in place to extend the rain check innings from three to four, making it easier for fans to catch the action later if Mother Nature decides to play tricks.

The meeting wasn’t all about numbers and schedules, though; it also showcased the beauty of Chattanooga and its thriving business scene. The visiting directors even got a taste of local charm with a scenic tour of the famous Chickamauga battlefield after the meeting wrapped up.

Bringing a New Field to Life

In the week following the big meeting, Andrews wasted no time in announcing thrilling plans for a brand new Southern League baseball diamond. While fans will enjoy games on a local field for the upcoming 1909 season, a dedicated field is projected to be ready by 1910. Andrews kept himself busy by consulting leading baseball minds and top construction engineers to ensure that the new field would be special. It’s rumored to be the “most durable” and “attractive diamond in Dixie”, drawing community excitement like never before. With hopes of hosting the 1910 Dixie Championship games, everyone’s eagerly anticipating this marvel of a field.

A Roster to Watch For

As December 7, 1909, approached, the paperwork was finally complete for the franchise, paving the way for an official team to emerge from the Little Rock reserve. This incredible update was authorized with a telegram from Little Rock League president William Kavanaugh, and soon enough, the press reported the assembling of an impressive roster consisting of 34 players ready to make their mark in Chattanooga’s Sally League Club.

Manager Johnny Dobbs and Andrews plan to hold daily meetings with one mission in mind: to clinch that coveted league pennant!

A Contest for a Name

In a fun twist, a contest was even held to name the new baseball field, drawing in nearly 900 submissions from excited baseball fans. A variety of names were floated around, including Patten Field, Lookout Park, and finally, Andrews Field, which emerged as the fan favorite. Credit goes to Miss Irene Bowser for her suggestion, claiming a special season pass for 1910 as her reward.

The Future Looks Bright

With these recent developments, it’s clear that Chattanooga is gearing up to make waves in the baseball world. The upcoming season and the opening of Andrews Field are sure to draw attention and create lasting memories for fans. All of these pieces are set to fall into place, revealing a captivating chapter in Chattanooga’s baseball history. So grab your favorite cap and mitt, because it looks like the city’s baseball journey is just getting started!

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Additional Resources

• Chattanoogan: Chattanooga’s Baseball Park History
• Times Free Press: Say Hey Kid Began Pro Career in Chattanooga
• Nooga Today: Community Benefits Agreement South Broad Chattanooga
• Hits 96: Tennessee Vols to Host Fall World Series Exhibition
• Lookout Landing: A Brief History of the Chattanooga Lookouts
• Wikipedia: South Atlantic League
• Google Search: Chattanooga baseball
• Google Scholar: Chattanooga Baseball History
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
• Google News: Chattanooga baseball news