York Dukes

The York Dukes were a Minor League Baseball team in York, Nebraska. The York Dukes played in the Class D Nebraska State League from 1928–1931. Previously, the York Prohibitionists had played in the Nebraska State League from 1911–1915.

York Dukes
1911–1931
(1911–1915, 1928–1931)
York, Nebraska
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass D (1928–1931, 1911–1915)
LeagueNebraska State League (1928–1931, 1911–1915)
Major league affiliations
Previous teams
  • Independent
Minor league titles
League titles None
Team data
Previous names
  • York Dukes (1928–1931)
  • York Prohibitionists (1911–1915)
Previous parks
Leavitt Stadium (1928–1931)
Parks Park (1911–1915)

Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Dazzy Vance pitched for York in 1912.

History

The team was given the York Dukes moniker after a naming contest held by the local paper, the York Daily News. Previously, the York Prohibitionists had played in the Nebraska State League from 1911–1915.[1][2][3]

York had been awarded the Red Cloud, Nebraska franchise in 1911 after one year of Nebraska State League play. The York team started without any players from the Red Cloud franchise and without a nickname. York was then a dry town and did not allow Sunday baseball to be played. After the team played their first away game against the Pathfinders from Fremont, Nebraska, a Fremont sportswriter gave them the nickname York Prohibitionists and the name stuck.[4]

In 1912, with Dazzy Vance on the roster, the Prohibistions drew 1,700 fans to Parks Park on opening day.[5]

At the beginning of the 1915 season, the Kearney Buffaloes and Columbus Pawnees folded, leaving the league with just six teams. Then at the end of June, the Grand Island Champions withdrew from the league and the Nebraska State League then disbanded on June 29th with York in 3rd place.[6]

In 1928, when the franchise returned to the reformed Nebraska State League, the York Dukes, playing at Leavitt Stadium, drew 9,434 fans for the season. They had an average daily attendance of 205 fans on weekdays and 637 fans on Sundays, with the Sunday baseball ban having been lifted. The name "Dukes" was selected in a naming contest by the local newspaper and Mr. Ezra McCormick of 128 Blackburn won the prize of two free tickets to the opening game for submitting the Dukes name. Other entries included Beavers, Panthers, Tommies, Plezalls and HillToppers.[7][3]

After the 1931 season, the York franchise relocated to become the Beatrice Blues in Beatrice, Nebraska.[8]

The ballparks

The York Dukes' home field was Leavitt Stadium, located within East Hill Park. The Prohibitionists had played at Parks Park, which was located near downtown York.

Leavitt Stadium is still in use. Today, the park the is home to the York College Panthers baseball team. Levitt Stadium hosted the 2001 American Legion Nebraska State Baseball Tournament and is also home for local Legion Teams. The ballpark is located at 921 East 6th street, between East 6th and East 8th Street in York, Nebraska.[3][9][3][10][4][11]

Dazzy Vance, 1922

Notable alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame alumni

Notable alumni

Year-by-year record

(from York Prohibitionists - BR Bullpen, York Dukes - BR Bullpen)

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
191154–605thGeorge Harms / Lefty Davisnone
191245–667thLefty Davisnone
191357–553rdFrank Gardnernone
191460–524thJim Piercenone
191525–313rdJim Piercenone
192850–625thArt Rasmussennone
192961–534thArt Rasmussennone
193060–594thArt RasmussenNone
193142–676thVern "Pop" Gleason/Bob Brownenone

References
  1. "York, Nebraska Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com.
  2. "1912 York Prohibitionists Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com.
  3. "York Nebraska East Hill Park Baseball". nebaseballhistory.com.
  4. "Nebraska Minor League Baseball; York Prohibitionists". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  5. "Nebraska Minor League Baseball; York Prohibitionists". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  6. "Nebraska Minor League Baseball York Prohibitionists". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  7. "York Dukes 1928-1931". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  8. "York Dukes 1931". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  9. "Locations / Levitt Stadium / York, NE". www.cityofyork.net.
  10. "Nebraska Minor League Baseball; York". www.nebaseballhistory.com.
  11. http://www.ycpanthers.com/d/2016-17/Baseball_Facilities.pdf
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