Norfolk Jewels

The Norfolk Jewels were a minor league baseball team based in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1897 and 1898, the Norfolk Jewels played as members of the Atlantic League in both seasons. The Jewels were immediately preceded by the 1896 Norfolk Braves of the Virginia League.

Norfolk Jewels
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass A (1897)
Class B (1898)
LeagueAtlantic League (1897–1898)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameNorfolk Jewels (1897–1898)
BallparkBain Field* (1897–1898)

History

The 1896 Norfolk Braves played as a member of the Virginia League, preceding the Jewels in minor league play.[1]

The 1987 Norfolk Jewels began play as members of the eight–team, Class A level, Atlantic League.[2] Norfolk joined the Hartford Bluebirds, Lancaster Maroons, Newark Colts, Paterson Silk Weavers, Philadelphia Athletics, Reading Coal Heavers and Richmond Bluebirds in beginning league play on April 26, 1897.[3]

The Norfolk Jewels placed 5th in the 1897 Atlantic League standings.[4] The Jewels ended the season with a record of 66–72, playing the season under managers Charlie Schafer and Billy Smith.[5] Norfolk finished 25.5 games behind the 1st place Lancaster Maroons in the final standings. No playoffs were held.[6]

In their final season of Atlantic League play, the Jewels finished last.[7] Norfolk ended the 1898 with a record of 47–79 to finish in 8th place.[8][9] Led by manager Charley Jewell, the Jewels finished 35.5 games behind the 1st place Richmond Bluebirds.[6]

The Jewels were succeeded in Norfolk by the 1900 Norfolk Phenoms, who resumed minor league play as members of the Virginia League.[10]

The ballpark

The name of the home ballpark of the 1897 and 1898 Norfolk Jewels is not directly referenced. Bain Field in Norfolk, was originally called "League Park." The date League Park was constructed is unknown, but newspaper coverage for baseball games there started as early as 1894.[11][12][13]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
18971Norfolk JewelsClass BAtlantic League
18981Class A

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/notes
189766–725thCharlie Schafer / Billy SmithNo playoffs held
189847–798thCharley JewellNo playoffs held

Notable alumni

See also

Norfolk Jewels players

References
  1. "1896 Norfolk Braves Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "1897 Atlantic League (AL) Minor League Baseball on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  3. "1897 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  4. "1897 Norfolk Jewels Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  5. "1897 Norfolk Jewels minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN 978-1932391176.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. "1898 Atlantic League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  8. "1898 Norfolk Jewels Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1898 Norfolk Jewels minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  10. "1900 Norfolk Phenoms Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "Baseball", The Norfolk Landmark, Norfolk, Virginia, volume XXXVIII, number 137, June 9, 1894, page 1.
  12. "The Second Waterloo: For the Hill City Boys at Hill Park.", Norfolk Virginian, Weekly Virginian and Carolinian, Norfolk, Virginia, volume LVII, number 137, April 26, 1894, page 3.
  13. "League Park, Norfolk, VA". www.projectballpark.org.
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