Wahpeton–Breckenridge Twins

The Wahpeton–Breckenridge Twins were a minor league baseball team based in Wahpeton, North Dakota and Breckenridge, Minnesota. In 1921 and 1922, the Twins played as members of the Class D level Dakota League, having been preceded by the 1897 Wahpeton–Breckenridge Methodists.

Wahpeton–Breckenridge Twins
Minor league affiliations
ClassClass D (1921–1922)
LeagueDakota League (1921–1922)
Major league affiliations
TeamNone
Minor league titles
League titles (0)None
Team data
NameWahpeton–Breckenridge Twins (1921–1922)
BallparkChahinkapa Park* (1921–1922)

History

The Twins began minor league play in 1921 and caused a change in the league name. The South Dakota League changed names to become the "Dakota League", after adding the Wahpeton–Breckenridge Twins franchise, based in neighboring border cities in North Dakota and Minnesota.[1][2][3]

Baseball play on Sunday had been illegal in North Dakota until the law was repealed in 1920, a positive for early professional teams, who needed the revenue from Sunday crowds to be financially viable. Wahpeton, North Dakota newspaper publisher Robert J. Hughes formed the new Wahpeton–Breckenridge franchise, hiring Roy Patterson as manager.[2]

The 1921 Dakota League remained an eight–team Class D level league, with 13–player rosters for each team. The Twins joined the Aberdeen Grays, Huron Packers, Madison Greys, Mitchell Kernels, Redfield Red Sox, Sioux Falls Soos and Watertown Cubs in beginning league play on May 20, 1921.[4][1][5][6]

In their first season of play, the Twins ended the season in 3rd place. With a record of 55–43, the Twins finished 10.5 games behind the 1st place Mitchell Kernels in the final standings.[1][7] Roy Patterson managed the Twins.[8]

The Twins played their final season in 1922.[9] The Dakota League continued play as an eight–team Class D level league, adding the Fargo Athletics, Jamestown Jimkotans and Valley City Hi-Liners as new league franchises. The Wahpeton–Breckenridge Twins, Aberdeen Grays, Mitchell Kernels, Sioux Falls Soos and Watertown Cubs returned as members.[10][1]

With a record of 42–55, playing under returning manager Roy Patterson, the Twins finished in 7th place.[11] Mitchell defended their championship and ended the 1922 season with a 60–37 record to finish 18.0 games ahead of the Twins in the final standings.[12][13][1]

The Twins did not return to play in 1923, as the Dakota League split into two four–team partner leagues to condense travel. The new 1923 leagues were called the North Dakota League and South Dakota League.[3][1]

Wahpeton–Breckenridge has not hosted another minor league team.[14][15]

The ballpark

The name and location of the home minor league ballpark for the Wahpeton–Breckenridge Twins is not directly referenced.[16] Chahinkapa Park in Wahpeton was in use in the era, having been purchased from the Federal Government in 1903. Coincidently, the Twins' owner, Robert J. Hughes was the director of the park, which evolved to host a zoo.[17]

Timeline
Year(s)# Yrs.TeamLevelLeague
1920–19212Wahpeton–Breckenridge TwinsClass DDakota League

Year–by–year records
YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs/notes
192155–433rdRoy PattersonNo playoffs held
192242–557thRoy PattersonNo playoffs held

Notable alumni

References
  1. Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
  2. "North Dakota Baseball History". North Dakota Baseball History.
  3. "Curt Eriksmoen: Baseball league had short run in '20s". Bismarck Tribune.
  4. "1921 Dakota League (DL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  5. "1921 Dakota League (DL) on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  6. "1921 Dakota League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  7. "1921 Dakota League (DL) Minor League Baseball Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  8. "1921 Wahpeton-Breckenridge Twins Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1922 Wahpeton-Breckenridge Twins Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  10. "1922 Dakota League". Baseball-Reference.com.
  11. "1922 Wahpeton-Breckenridge Twins minor league baseball Statistics on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  12. "1922 Dakota League (DL) Standings on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  13. "1922 Aberdeen Grays Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. "Breckenridge, Minnesota Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  15. "Wahpeton, North Dakota Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  16. "Unknown in Wahpeton, ND minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com". www.statscrew.com.
  17. "About Us". September 12, 2011. Archived from the original on 12 September 2011.
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