This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Find sources: "DeLand Red Hats" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR(October 2012)
The DeLand Red Hats were a minor-league baseball team in DeLand, Florida that played in the Florida State League (FSL) from 1936–1954. They played in Conrad Park, near Stetson University.
After the FSL was re-organized in 1936 the Red Hats were called simply the DeLand Reds and were affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds as a Class D team.[1] In 1938 they moved into the Chicago White Sox organization. In 1939 they were renamed the Red Hats, and featured many players who were to be Washington Senators, such as starting pitcher Mickey Haefner. As a result, the Senators made DeLand part of its minor-league organization in 1940. The club was unaffiliated the next season and, during World War II, was part of the Florida East Coast League, as the FSL ceased operations temporarily. The major-league St. Louis Browns used Conrad Park in 1942 for spring training, for only that year, but were not affiliated with the club otherwise. In fact, the Red Hats would not be affiliated with any major-league organization again, even after returning to the FSL in 1946.
1950s Championsedit
The biggest Red Hats star may have been Al Pirtle,[2] a career minor-leaguer and FSL star, whom they acquired in 1950. Pirtle never made the majors,[3][4] but his presence heralded a four-year run of success for the club. The team in 1950 posted a record of 82-57 while Pirtle batted .345 and had 38 doubles.[5] After several playoff disappointments, they finally won their first FSL championship that year. They came back in 1951 even stronger, winning 90 games and a second FSL title.[5] Now clearly the best team in the league, 1952 was their best year statistically, with a terrific 95-40 (.703) record.[6] However, they lost the first playoff round and would not three-peat. In 1953 they won a more modest 78 games, but made it back to the FSL championship series again. As it happened, they would not win their third title, losing to the Daytona Beach Islanders.
1954 would prove to be the final season for the Red Hats. Attendance was down all across the FSL, a trend attributed to television,[7] and the DeLand club was relocated to Gainesville.
The ballparkedit
DeLand teams played at Conrad Park. The ballpark was also home of several other clubs, notably the Sun Caps and the Suns, the Stetson University Hatters, and the Daytona Cubs. The original Conrad Park was razed in 1998 and the site today is home to Melching Field at Conrad Park.
^"Conrad Park - Deland Florida - Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats". Digitalballparks.com. 2001-08-11. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
^"Al Pirtle". Baseball in Wartime. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
^In fact, Pirtle played his entire seven-year career in Class D ball; despite a .333 batting average, he stayed in the FSL, because he liked living in Florida and had business interests there.
^ ab"Conrad Park - Deland Florida - Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats". Digitalballparks.com. 2001-08-11. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
^"Conrad Park - Deland Florida - Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats". Digitalballparks.com. 2001-08-11. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
^"Conrad Park - Deland Florida - Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats". Digitalballparks.com. 2001-08-11. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
^"Conrad Park - Deland Florida - Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats". Digitalballparks.com. 2001-08-11. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
January 01, 1970
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This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources DeLand Red Hats news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2012 The DeLand Red Hats were a minor league baseball team in DeLand Florida that played in the Florida State League FSL from 1936 1954 They played in Conrad Park near Stetson University DeLand Red Hats1936 1954 1936 1942 1946 1954 Deland FloridaMinor league affiliationsPrevious classesClass DLeagueFlorida State League 1946 1954 Previous leaguesFlorida East Coast League 1942 Florida State League 1936 1941 Major league affiliationsPrevious teamsWashington Senators 1940 Chicago White Sox 1938 Cincinnati Reds 1936 1937 Minor league titlesLeague titles2 1950 1951 Team dataPrevious namesDeLand Red Hats 1939 1954 DeLand Reds 1936 1938 Previous parksConrad Park Contents 1 Early years 2 1950s Champions 3 The ballpark 4 Notable alumni 5 Year by year results 6 ReferencesEarly years editAfter the FSL was re organized in 1936 the Red Hats were called simply the DeLand Reds and were affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds as a Class D team 1 In 1938 they moved into the Chicago White Sox organization In 1939 they were renamed the Red Hats and featured many players who were to be Washington Senators such as starting pitcher Mickey Haefner As a result the Senators made DeLand part of its minor league organization in 1940 The club was unaffiliated the next season and during World War II was part of the Florida East Coast League as the FSL ceased operations temporarily The major league St Louis Browns used Conrad Park in 1942 for spring training for only that year but were not affiliated with the club otherwise In fact the Red Hats would not be affiliated with any major league organization again even after returning to the FSL in 1946 1950s Champions editThe biggest Red Hats star may have been Al Pirtle 2 a career minor leaguer and FSL star whom they acquired in 1950 Pirtle never made the majors 3 4 but his presence heralded a four year run of success for the club The team in 1950 posted a record of 82 57 while Pirtle batted 345 and had 38 doubles 5 After several playoff disappointments they finally won their first FSL championship that year They came back in 1951 even stronger winning 90 games and a second FSL title 5 Now clearly the best team in the league 1952 was their best year statistically with a terrific 95 40 703 record 6 However they lost the first playoff round and would not three peat In 1953 they won a more modest 78 games but made it back to the FSL championship series again As it happened they would not win their third title losing to the Daytona Beach Islanders 1954 would prove to be the final season for the Red Hats Attendance was down all across the FSL a trend attributed to television 7 and the DeLand club was relocated to Gainesville The ballpark editDeLand teams played at Conrad Park The ballpark was also home of several other clubs notably the Sun Caps and the Suns the Stetson University Hatters and the Daytona Cubs The original Conrad Park was razed in 1998 and the site today is home to Melching Field at Conrad Park Notable alumni editMickey Haefner 1939 Harry Rice 1938 1939 Bama Rowell 1954 Year by year results editSeason Name Record Notes 1936 Reds 60 80 First season of new FSL became Reds minor league affiliate 1937 Reds 79 61 Made playoffs lost first round 1938 Reds 54 86 White Sox minor league affiliate for one season 1939 Red Hats 69 69 Independent team co op made playoffs lost first round 1940 Red Hats Washington Senators minor league affiliate for one season 1941 Red Hats 78 47 Made playoffs lost in second round championship to Leesburg Anglers 1942 Red Hats 13 13 FSL suspended operations in May due to World War II 1943 Red Hats Joined Florida East Coast League for duration of war 1944 Red Hats 1945 Red Hats 1946 Red Hats 68 68 Resumption of FSL made playoffs lost first round 1947 Red Hats 80 58 Made playoffs lost first round 1948 Red Hats 50 90 1949 Red Hats 64 70 1950 Red Hats 82 57 FSL champions 1951 Red Hats 90 50 FSL champions 1952 Red Hats 95 40 Made playoffs lost first round 1953 Red Hats 78 56 Made playoffs lost in championship to Daytona Beach Islanders 1954 Red Hats 77 62 Team moves to Gainesville Florida after season 8 References edit Conrad Park Deland Florida Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats Digitalballparks com 2001 08 11 Retrieved 2012 10 27 Al Pirtle Baseball in Wartime Retrieved 2012 10 27 In fact Pirtle played his entire seven year career in Class D ball despite a 333 batting average he stayed in the FSL because he liked living in Florida and had business interests there Al Pirtle Minor Leagues Statistics amp History a b Conrad Park Deland Florida Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats Digitalballparks com 2001 08 11 Retrieved 2012 10 27 Conrad Park Deland Florida Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats Digitalballparks com 2001 08 11 Retrieved 2012 10 27 Conrad Park Deland Florida Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats Digitalballparks com 2001 08 11 Retrieved 2012 10 27 Conrad Park Deland Florida Former Home of the DeLand Red Hats Digitalballparks com 2001 08 11 Retrieved 2012 10 27 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title DeLand Red Hats amp oldid 1218003552, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
