Mid-Missouri Mavericks
Encyclopedia
| Mid-Missouri Mavericks | |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Ballpark | None |
| Based in | Columbia, Missouri Columbia, Missouri Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the... |
| Team Colors | red, gold, black |
| League | Frontier League Frontier League The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either... |
| Team Trainer | |
| General Manager | |
| Owners | Gary and Brad Wendt |
The Mid-Missouri Mavericks are a former minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team which played in Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The team was a member of the independent Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
, and has no association with a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
team. From 2003 through 2005 the team played at Taylor Stadium
Taylor Stadium
Ralph and Debbie Taylor Stadium at Simmons Field is a baseball stadium in Columbia, Missouri. It is the home field of the University of Missouri baseball team. It was also the home of the defunct Mid-Missouri Mavericks minor league baseball team of the Frontier League.It originally opened in...
, the current home field of the baseball team of University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. The team suspended operations during the 2006 season in order to pursue financing and construction of a new stadium. The suspension of operations was subsequently extended through the 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons after the bankruptcy of the principal owner, Brad Wendt.
History
The Mid-Missouri franchise has had a checkered history in the Frontier League. They originally entered the league in 1994 as the Newark (Ohio) Buffaloes, renaming themselves the Bison in 1995. They stayed in Newark through the 1995 season, making the postseason in their final season in Newark.The team was sold in 1996 and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
. They enjoyed 3 seasons as the Kalamazoo Kodiaks from 1996–1998, never reaching higher than last place in their division.
Before the 1999 season, the team moved again and became the first Frontier League franchise located in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
as the London (Ontario) Werewolves. They spent 3 seasons in Ontario (1999–2001), winning the Frontier League Championship in 1999, and making the playoffs in 2000. They played their home games at Labatt Memorial Park, believed to be the oldest operating baseball grounds in the world.
After a last place finish in 2001, the team moved again, this time to Canton, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. (This would be the second Frontier League franchise for Canton, after the Canton Crocodiles left for Washington, Pennsylvania following the end of the 2001 season). The team played at Thurman Munson Stadium. They would spend just one season in Canton, finishing fourth in their division before moving to Columbia, Missouri, for the 2003 season.
Former Names
Newark Buffaloes/Bison (1994–1995)
Kalamazoo Kodiaks (1996–1998)
London Werewolves (1999–2001)
Canton Coyotes (2002)
Mid-Missouri Mavericks (2003–Present)
Seasons
As Newark1994: 26-35 4th Place Northern Division
1995: 39-29 2nd Place (No Divisions in 1995):
Lost 1st Round Playoff to Zanesville 2-0
As Kalamazoo
1996: 25-49 4th Place Western Division
1997: 33-47 4th Place Western Division
1998: 25-54 4th Place Western Division
As London
1999: 54-30 1st Place Eastern Division:
Won 1st Round Playoff 2-0 over Johnstown
Won Frontier League Championship 2-0 over Chillicothe
2000: 46-37 2nd Place Eastern Division:
Lost 1st Round Playoff 2-0 to Johnstown
2001: 37-47 5th Place Eastern Division
As Canton
2002: 41-43 4th Place Eastern Division
As Mid-Missouri
2003: 33-57 6th Place Western Division
2004: 28-66 6th Place Western Division
2005: 31-63 6th Place Western Division