Hi Toms recognize “Starting Line Up” of unsung heroes

The Thomasville Chamber invites the public to an upcoming event at the HiToms stadium, June 14th at 6:00.  This is a night all about Thomasville! The National Anthem singer is from Thomasville, the Mayor will throw out the first pitch, dancers from Bobbies School of Dance will perform, and we will be recognizing in the middle of each inning. The winners will be recognized on the field with authentic throwback jerseys from the HiToms. The folks selected do all kinds of work in Thomasville including the non-profit sector, healthcare, school system, city committees, volunteers etc. Please help us promote this fun night that recognizes those who work hard in Thomasville to make it great.

The original Coastal Plain League competed from 1937 to 1941, and then, like most of baseball’s other minor leagues, suspended operations due to World War II. It would later return in 1946 and continue to operate through 1952. During that time, the original CPL was a Class D league that featured teams in Ayden, Edenton, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Greenville, Kinston, New Bern, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Snow Hill, Tarboro, Williamston, and Wilson. Many big names have come through the ballparks that were and still are in the Coastal Plain League, including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Cal Ripken, Sr.

Furthermore, one of the original clubs, the 1941 Wilson Tobs was voted number 82 of the top 100 teams in the history of minor league baseball. That year, the team had a sparkling 87-30 record (a .744 winning percentage), led the league in six different categories, had two 20+ game winning pitchers, and were managed by a 28 year old pitcher who had a 16-3 record with 19 complete games and three shutouts.

Of the markets that once featured an original CPL Class D club (pictured right), five – Edenton, Fayetteville, New Bern, Rocky Mount, and Wilson – have gone on to later be home to a franchise in today’s Coastal Plain League.