Sweetwater Swatters
Encyclopedia
The Sweetwater Swatters were a West Texas League
(1920-1922) and Longhorn League
(1949-1951) baseball team based in Sweetwater, Texas
, USA. They began as the Gorman Buddies
in 1920, however they moved to Sweetwater partway through the season.
Multiple major league baseball players spent time either player for or managing the team, including Guy Sturdy
, Dick Gyselman
, John Bottarini
, Fred Besana
, Pop-Boy Smith
and Joe Bratcher
.
West Texas League
The West Texas League was a class-D minor league baseball league that existed from 1920 to 1922 and from 1928 to 1929.-1920-1922:The following teams played in 1920:*Abilene Eagles*Ranger Nitros*Mineral Wells Resorters*Cisco Scouts...
(1920-1922) and Longhorn League
Longhorn League
The Longhorn League was the name of a Minor league baseball circuit that operated from through in the Southwestern United States. In , it was renamed the Southwestern League and operated through before changing its name to the Sophomore League....
(1949-1951) baseball team based in Sweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater, Texas
Sweetwater is the county seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,415 at the 2000 census.-History:Sweetwater received a U.S. post office in 1879. The Texas and Pacific Railway started service in 1881, with the first train arriving on March 12 of that year, beginning...
, USA. They began as the Gorman Buddies
Gorman Buddies
The Gorman Buddies were a West Texas League baseball team based in Gorman, Texas, USA that played for part of the 1920 season. Before the season ended, they moved to Sweetwater, Texas to become the Sweetwater Swatters. They are the only professional team to come out of Gorman, Texas.Major league...
in 1920, however they moved to Sweetwater partway through the season.
Multiple major league baseball players spent time either player for or managing the team, including Guy Sturdy
Guy Sturdy
Guy Sturdy was a professional baseball player. He was a first baseman over parts of two seasons with the St. Louis Browns. For his career, he compiled a .288 batting average and one home run in 66 at-bats, with 13 runs batted in.After his playing careers, Sturdy managed in the minor leagues for...
, Dick Gyselman
Dick Gyselman
Richard Ronald Gyselman was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Boston Braves in 1933 and 1934.-External links:...
, John Bottarini
John Bottarini
John Charles Bottarini was a right-handed catcher for the Chicago Cubs during the 1937 season. He did not see much playing time as the Cubs were anchored behind the plate by future Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett...
, Fred Besana
Fred Besana (baseball)
Frederick Cyril Besana was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Baltimore Orioles in 1956. He also played in the minor leagues for eight seasons....
, Pop-Boy Smith
Pop-Boy Smith
Charles Ossie "Pop-Boy" Smith was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Chicago White Sox in 1913 and the Cleveland Indians from 1916 to 1917.-External links:...
and Joe Bratcher
Joe Bratcher
Joseph Warwick Bratcher was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1924.-External links:...
.