The Virginia League was a minor league baseball affiliation which operated in Virginia and North Carolina from 1906 to 1928. It was classified as a "C" league from 1906 to 1919 and as a "B" league from 1920 to 1928, folding in June.
The most famous alumni to come out of the league were World War II hero, General Frank A. Armstrong (the highest-ranking military officer to have played professional baseball), and Hall of Fame members Rick Ferrell, Sam Rice, Chief Bender, Pie Traynor, and Hack Wilson. Chief Bender, Art Devlin, Gabby Street and Zinn Beck served as managers in the league.
Virginia League Champions †
1906 - Lynchburg Shoemakers 1907 - Norfolk Tars 1908 - Richmond Colts 1909 - Roanoke Tigers 1910 - Danville Red Sox 1911 - Petersburg Hustlers 1912 - Roanoke Tigers 1913 - Petersburg Goobers 1914 - Norfolk Tars 1915 - Rocky Mount Carolinians 1916 - Newport News Shipbuilders 1917 - Newport News Shipbuilders 1918 - Richmond Colts 1919 - Petersburg Goobers 1920 - Portsmouth Truckers 1921 - Portsmouth Truckers 1922 - Wilson Bugs 1923 - Wilson Tobacconists 1924 - Richmond Colts 1925 - Richmond Colts 1926 - Richmond Colts 1927 - Portsmouth Truckers 1928 - Norfolk Tars
† Playoffs were not held at the end of most seasons. In those cases, the Champions listed were the teams who ended the regular season in first place. Complete team list (1906-1928)
Danville Bugs (1911) Danville Red Sox (1906–1910, 1912) Hopewell Powder Puffs (1916) Kinston Eagles (1925–1927) Lynchburg Shoemakers (1906–1912, 1917) Newport News Shipbuilders (1912–1922) Norfolk Mary Janes (1920) Norfolk Tars (1906–1919, 1921–1928) Petersburg Broncos↑ (1926–1928) Petersburg Goobers (1910, 1912–1921, 1924) Petersburg Hustlers (1911) Petersburg Trunkmakers (1923) Portsmouth Foxes (1916) Portsmouth Pirates (1912–1913) Portsmouth Truckers (1906–1910, 1914–1915, 1917, 1919–1928) Richmond Colts (1906–1914, 1918–1928) Roanoke Tigers (1906–1914) Roanoke Rapids‡ (1916) Rocky Mount Broncos↑ (1924–1925) Rocky Mount Carolinians (1915) Rocky Mount Tar Heels (1916–1917, 1920–1923) Suffolk Nuts (1919–1920) Suffolk Tigers (1915) Suffolk Wildcats (1921) Tarboro Tarbabies (1921) Wilson Bugs (1920–1922,1924–1927) Wilson Tobacconists (1923)
↑ Also spelled "Bronchos."
‡ This team had no known nickname.
Standings & statistics 1906 to 1919 Class C 1906 Virginia League Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerLynchburg Shoemakers 7236.667- John J. Grim Norfolk Tars6244.5859 Win Clark Richmond Colts5754.51416½ Charles Shaffer Danville Red Sox5058.46322 John Benny / Frank Doyle Portsmouth Truckers4463.41127½Ernest Landgraf / Barley KainRoanoke Tigers4272.36833C.R. Williams / George Kelley Con Strouthers / Red McMahon No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotWin ClarkNorfolkBA.303Walter MoserLynchburgW24 Fred Dingle NorfolkRuns71 Charles Schuman PortsmouthSO234 A.N. Bowen LynchburgRuns71Walter MoserLynchburgPCT.750 24-8Win ClarkNorfolkHits117 Willie Fetzer DanvilleHits117 Willie Fetzer DanvilleHR5
1907 Virginia League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerNorfolk Tars 6748.583-Robert Pender Danville Red Sox6758.5365 James McKevitt Lynchburg Shoemakers6562.5128 John J. Grim Richmond Colts6262.5009½ Charles Shaffer / John Wells Ralph ReeveRoanoke Tigers6262.5009½Win Clark / Walter Brodie Portsmouth Truckers4677.37425 Charles Moss / Win Clark No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Jacob Henn DanvilleBA.284Bill OteyNorfolkW22Guy Titman RichmondRuns67Bill OteyNorfolkSO197 Jacob Henn DanvilleHits131 Hal Bertrand NorfolkPCT.818 9-2 Jacob Henn DanvilleRBI69 Jacob Henn DanvilleHR8
1908 Virginia Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerRichmond Colts 8741.680- Perry Lipe Danville Red Sox7452.58712 Robert Stafford Roanoke Tigers6367.48525 Charles Shaffer / Elmore Hines Portsmouth Truckers5771.44530 Steve Griffin / Andy LawrenceLynchburg Shoemakers5276.40635Al Orth / John J. Grim Robert WestlakeNorfolk Tars5278.40036Robert Pender No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Jacob Henn DanvilleBA.290 Martin Walsh DanvilleW30 Perry Lipe RichmondRuns65 Dutch Revell RichmondSO199Bill Hessler RoanokeHits133Jack QuinnRichmondPCT1.000 14-0Jacob Henn DanvilleRBI72Jacob Henn DanvilleHR8
1909 Virginia League Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerRoanoke Tigers 7349.598-Frank Shaughnessy Norfolk Tars7249.595½ Robert Pender / Win ClarkRichmond Colts6361.50811Perry Lipe Danville Red Sox6062.49613 Robert Stafford Portsmouth Truckers4972.40623½ Maurice White / Thomas Guiheen Lynchburg Shoemakers5074.40324Al Orth / Dickinson Andy Lawrence No playoffs held.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotCharles Seitz NorfolkBA.328 Dutch Revell RichmondW29Charles Seitz NorfolkRuns73 Walt Doane RoanokeSO208Charles Seitz NorfolkHits154 John Fox NorfolkPCT.769 20-6Charles Seitz NorfolkRBI78 Dutch Revell RichmondSHO15Frank ShaughnessyRoanokeHR5
1910 Virginia Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerDanville Red Sox 6945.605-Steve GriffinRoanoke Tigers6852.5674 Frank Shaughnessy Norfolk Tars5856.51311Win Clark Lynchburg Shoemakers5760.48713½ Dick Smith Richmond Colts4967.42221 John Lawler Portsmouth Truckers Petersburg Goobers4768.40922½ Robert Stafford / John Grim Portsmouth (23-31) moved to Petersburg July 5. No playoffs held.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotJoe HollandRoanokeBA.291 Harvey Bussey DanvilleW23Watt PowellRoanokeRuns69 Dutch Revell RichmondSO198Joe Holland RoanokeHits133 Walt Doane RoanokePCT.923 12-1Joe HollandRoanokeRBI73Watt PowellRoanokeHR3Joe HollandRoanokeHR3Red MunsonNorfolkHR3
1911 Virginia Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerPetersburg Hustlers 6851.572- Henry Busch Norfolk Tars6754.5542 Charlie Babb Roanoke Tigers6356.5295Frank Shaughnessy Richmond Colts5563.46612½ J.W. Sullivan / Bradley George ComanLynchburg Shoemakers5665.46313Otis Stocksdale Danville Bugs5070.41718½ Joseph Laughlin / G. Schrader No playoffs held.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotBruno BlockNorfolkBA.330Earl HamiltonPetersburgW21Frank ShaughnessyRoanokeRuns93Andy BruckmillerPetersburgW21Frank ShaughnessyRoanokeHits160 Joe Finneran NorfolkW21Mickey KeliherPetersburgRBI84 James Pool NorfolkW21Ralph MattisRichmondHR9 James Pool NorfolkSO207Joe VancePetersburgPCT1.000 11-0
1912 Virginia League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerRoanoke Tigers 8155.596-Buck Pressley Petersburg Goobers7954.594½ Henry BuschRichmond Colts7755.5792 Steve Griffin Portsmouth Pirates6563.50812Lou Castro Norfolk Tars6765.50812 Charles Shaffer Newport News Shipbuilders4684.35432 John J. Grim / Buck HookerDanville Red Sox /Bluefield 1629.356NADavid GastonLynchburg Shoemakers 1134.244NAOtis Stocksdale / James Kelly Hugh MacKinnonDanville moved to Bluefield June 10 and moved back to Danville (1-1) June 13.; Danville and Lynchburg disbanded June 15. No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotSteve Griffin RichmondBA.356Erskine MayerPortsmouthW26Steve Griffin RichmondRuns97Erskine MayerPortsmouthSO273Steve Griffin RichmondHits167Erskine MayerPortsmouthPCT.743 26-9Steve Griffin RichmondRBI97Frank BurkeRichmondHR12
1913 Virginia League Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerPetersburg Goobers 8946.659- Henry Busch Roanoke Tigers8257.5909 Buck Pressley Richmond Colts7460.55214½ Steve Griffin Portsmouth Pirates5777.42531½ Lee Garvin Newport News Shipbuilders5383.39036½ Paul Davis / Harry Matthews Norfolk Tars5183.38137½Charles Shaffer / George Kirscher Ray Ryan No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotRalph MattisRoanokeBA.300Doc AyersRichmondW29Tinsley GinnRoanokeRuns94Doc AyersRichmondSO390Ralph MattisRoanokeHits157Doc AyersRichmondPCT.784 29-8Ralph MattisRoanokeRBI78Tom TennantPortsmouthHR7 Jim Barnett PetersburgHR7 Ducky Eberts RichmondHR7
1914 Virginia League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerNorfolk Tars 9348.660-Buck Pressley Richmond Colts7856.58211½ Ray RyanNewport News Shipbuilders7069.50422Matt Broderick / Harry Matthews Harry Spratt Roanoke Tigers6572.47426 Otto Mills / Harry Welcher Petersburg Goobers6374.46028 Henry Busch Portsmouth Truckers4696.32447½Jesse Tannehill / Joe Holland Pryor McElveen No playoffs held
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotBuck ThrasherNorfolkBA.325Cliff MarkleNorfolkW31 Art Smith NorfolkRuns96Cliff MarkleNorfolkSO265 Cecil Gray RichmondHits169Cliff MarkleNorfolkERA2.53 Cecil Gray RichmondRBI94Sam RicePetersburgPCT.818 9-2Pryor McElveenPortsmouthHR8
1915 Virginia Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerRocky Mount Carolinians 7448.607- Ray RyanPortsmouth Truckers6858.5408 Win Clark Norfolk Tars6656.5418 Red McMahon Newport News Shipbuilders6362.50412½ Carl Carnes / Brooke CristSuffolk Tigers5962.48814½ Harry Welcher / George KelleyPetersburg Goobers4084.32335 Harry Busch Playoff: Rocky Mount 4 games, Portsmouth 1.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotBuck ThrasherNorfolkBA.348Roy GardinierNewport NewsW20Charles BittleRocky MountRuns117Roy GardinierNewport NewsSO216Buck ThrasherNorfolkHits150Al LeakeRocky MountERA2.42Buck ThrasherNorfolkRBI100Al LeakeRocky MountPCT.737 14-5Carl GrayRocky MountHR15
1916 Virginia League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerNewport News Shipbuilders 7939.669- Brooke Crist / Fred PaynePortsmouth Truckers7642.6443 James Fox Rocky Mount Tar Heels6160.50419½ Ray Ryan Petersburg Goobers5468.44327 George Kelly / William Helfrich Norfolk Tars3877.33039½ Red McMahon / Buck Pressley Hopewell Powder Puffs 3052.366NAWin Clark / R. Barrett Hopewell disbanded July 22; Roanoke Rapids was added August 14; Roanoke Rapids was dropped August 16, after winning its only game. Playoff: Newport News 4 games, Portsmouth 1.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotManuel CuetoPortsmouthBA.321William WoodPortsmouthW22Al MoorePortsmouthRuns71Clarence TeagueRocky MountSO205Manuel Cueto PortsmouthHits126John VossNewport NewsERA1.89Rasty WaltersNewport NewsRBI100John VossNewport NewsPCT.792 19-5Rasty WaltersNewport NewsHR15
1917 Virginia Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerNewport News Shipbuilders 105.667-Fred PaynePortsmouth Truckers97.5631½ James Fox Lynchburg Shoemakers77.5002½ Joe Stanley Norfolk Tars79.4383½Art Devlin Petersburg Goobers68.4293½ Hamilton Reynolds Rocky Mount Tar Heels69.4004 Ray Ryan League disbanded May 15.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTotHarry HartsellNorfolkBA.378Frank JarmanRocky MountW4Brooke CristPortsmouthRuns29 Louis MagalisNorfolkW4Harry HartsellNorfolkHits48Carl RayNewport NewsW4Brooke CristNewport NewsRBI14Carl RayNewport NewsSO57Brooke CristNewport NewsHR3Carl RayNewport NewsPCT1.000 4-0Bob WoodPortsmouthERA1.27
1918 Virginia League schedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerRichmond Colts 2921.580- George Stinson Newport News Shipbuilders2821.571½ Roy Whitcraft Petersburg Goobers2722.5511½ Burleigh Emery Norfolk Tars1333.23914 Art Devlin League folded in late June.
+Player statistics Player TeamStat TotPlayerTeamStatTot Curt Daughton Newport NewsBA.328Edwin TomlinNewport NewsW10 Curt Daughton Newport NewsRuns38 George JacksonRichmondSO83 Curt Daughton Newport NewsHits62Chet LlewellynNewport NewsERA2.48 Curt Daughton Newport NewsRBI46Joe TrivettNewport NewsPCT.800 4-1 Curt Daughton Newport NewsHR3
1919 Virginia Leagueschedule Team standingsWLPCTGB ManagerPetersburg Goobers 6247.569-Amby McConnellRichmond Colts6050.5452½ Frank Dobson / Chief BenderPortsmouth Truckers5751.5284½ Eddie Hooper Norfolk Tars5853.5235 William SchwartzSuffolk Nuts4958.45812Rube OldringNewport News Shipbuilders4269.37821 Roy Whitcraft No playoffs held