# Springfield Ponies

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> Source revision: 1344756750
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{{short description|Professional baseball franchise}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2026}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox Minor League Baseball
| name = Springfield Ponies
| firstseason = 
| lastseason = 
| allyears = 1893–1900, 1902–1932, 1934, 1939–1943
| city = Springfield, Massachusetts
| logo = 
| caplogo = 
| class level = A (1893–1900, 1919–1932, 1939–1943)<br>B (1902–1914, 1916–1918, 1934)<br>[Independent](/source/Independent_baseball_league) (1915)
| league = {{ubl|
 |[Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1938%E2%80%93present)){{sup|3}} (1939–1943)
 |[Northeastern League](/source/Northeastern_League) (1934)
 |[Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1916)){{sup|2}} (1916–1932)
 |[Colonial League](/source/Colonial_League_(baseball)) (1915)
 |[Eastern Association](/source/Eastern_Association_(baseball)) (1913–1914)
 |[Connecticut State League](/source/Connecticut_State_League) (1902–1912)
 |[Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1884)){{sup|1}} (1893–1900)
 }}
| majorleague = [New York Giants](/source/New_York_Giants_(baseball)) (1943)<br>[Washington Nationals](/source/History_of_the_Washington_Senators_(1901%E2%80%931960)) (1939)<br>[New York Yankees](/source/New_York_Yankees) (1932)
| pastnames = {{ubl
 |Springfield Rifles (1932, 1942–1943)
 |Springfield Nationals (1939–1941)
 |Springfield Green Sox (1917)
 |Springfield Tips (1915)
 |Springfield Maroons (1895)
 }}
| ballpark  = [Hampden Park](/source/Pynchon_Park)
| leaguenum    = 2<!--times won playoffs-->
| leaguechamps = 1895, 1927
| pennum       = 4<!--times finished atop standings-->
| pennants     = 1895, 1908, 1911, 1932
}}
'''Springfield Ponies''' was the primary name of [minor-league baseball](/source/Minor_League_Baseball) teams based in [Springfield, Massachusetts](/source/Springfield%2C_Massachusetts), that played between 1893 and 1943. The team competed as the Ponies through its history, except for single seasons as the Maroons (1895), Tips (1915), and Green Sox (1917), and three seasons each as the Rifles (1932, 1942–1943) and Nationals (1939–1941). The team played its home games at [Pynchon Park](/source/Pynchon_Park) (also known as Hampden Park).{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

The team was a member of several baseball leagues, including three that were known as the Eastern League. The team's longest tenure was in the second [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1916)), in which it played from 1916 to 1932. During most of its history, the team had no [farm-team](/source/farm_team) arrangement with a [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) team, as much of its history antedated formal affiliations. When operating as the Rifles, the team was affiliated for one season with the [New York Yankees](/source/New_York_Yankees) (1932) and for one season with the [New York Giants](/source/New_York_Giants_(baseball)) (1943). When operating as the Nationals, it was affiliated with the [Washington Nationals](/source/History_of_the_Washington_Senators_(1901%E2%80%931960)) for the 1939 season.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

The team finished atop league standings three times at the end of a full regular season (1895, 1908, and 1911) and once at the end of a truncated regular season (1932). The team won playoff series twice (1895 and 1927), although it played mostly in leagues without postseasons.

Three of the team's managers were later inducted to the [National Baseball Hall of Fame](/source/National_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame) in recognition of their major-league playing careers: [Roger Connor](/source/Roger_Connor) (manager in 1902–1903), [Billy Hamilton](/source/Billy_Hamilton_(baseball%2C_born_1866)) (manager in 1914), and [Rabbit Maranville](/source/Rabbit_Maranville) (manager in 1941). Two fellow inductees played for Springfield late in their careers: [Dan Brouthers](/source/Dan_Brouthers) (1896–1899)<ref name=dan/> and [Jim O'Rourke](/source/Jim_O'Rourke_(baseball)) (1903, 1907).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=orourk003jam |title=Jim O'Rourke Minor Leagues Statistics & History |website=[Baseball-Reference.com](/source/Baseball-Reference.com) |accessdate=April 1, 2021}}</ref> Brouthers had a .415 [batting average](/source/Batting_average_(baseball)) in 126 games for the Ponies in 1897.<ref name=dan>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=brouth001den |title=Dan Brouthers Minor Leagues Statistics & History |website=[Baseball-Reference.com](/source/Baseball-Reference.com) |accessdate=April 1, 2021}}</ref>

==Earlier teams==
Prior to 1893, teams from Springfield competed in six minor-league seasons, each in a different league:<ref name=encyc/>{{rp|75}}
* 1878 in the [International Association](/source/International_Association_for_Professional_Base_Ball_Players)
* 1879 in the [National Association](/source/National_Association_(1879%E2%80%931880))
* 1884 in the [Massachusetts State Association](/source/Massachusetts_State_Association)
* 1885 in the Southern New England League
* 1887 in the [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1884))

These early teams were simply known as Springfield or the Springfields. The teams of 1879, 1885- and 1887 failed to complete their seasons.

==Records by season==
The following table lists each season between 1893 and 1943, when teams from Springfield competed primarily as the Ponies.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! League !! Class !! Record !! Finish !! Manager !! Postseason (games) !!  Ref.
|-
| 1893 || [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1884)){{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|64|44|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || [Thomas E. Burns](/source/Tom_Burns_(baseball)) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|163}}
|-
| 1894 || Eastern League{{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|57|54|record=y}} || 4th of 8 || Thomas E. Burns || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|165}}
|-
| 1895{{dagger}} || Eastern League{{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|79|36|record=y}} || bgcolor=gold|1st of 8 || Thomas E. Burns || bgcolor=gold|defeated [Providence Grays](/source/Providence_Grays_(minor_league)) (4–2) || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|167}}
|-
| 1896 || Eastern League{{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|54|64|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || Thomas E. Burns || did not qualify || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|170}}
|-
| 1897 || Eastern League{{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|68|55|record=y}} || 4th of 8 || Thomas E. Burns || did not qualify || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|173}}
|-
| 1898 || Eastern League{{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|48|63|record=y}} || 7th of 8 || [Billy Lush](/source/Billy_Lush_(baseball)) / [Billy Barnie](/source/Billy_Barnie) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|176}}
|-
| 1899 || Eastern League{{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|52|56|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || [Tom Brown](/source/Tom_Brown_(center_fielder)) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|179}}
|-
| 1900 || Eastern League{{sup|1}} || A || {{winpct|61|63|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || Thomas E. Burns || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|181}}
|-
| 1901 || colspan=6 align=center|''no team'' || {{nbsp}}
|-
| 1902 || [Connecticut State League](/source/Connecticut_State_League) || B || {{winpct|65|45|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || [Roger Connor](/source/Roger_Connor) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|187}}
|-
| 1903 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|40|61|record=y}} || 7th of 8 || Roger Connor || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|190–191}}
|-
| 1904 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|69|46|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || Daniel O'Neill || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|193}}
|-
| 1905 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|74|44|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || Daniel O'Neill || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|198}}
|-
| 1906 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|70|56|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || Daniel O'Neill || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|203}}
|-
| 1907 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|72|49|record=y}} || 3rd of 8 || Daniel O'Neill || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|207–208}}
|-
| 1908 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|84|41|record=y}} || bgcolor=gold|1st of 8 || Daniel O'Neill || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|213}}
|-
| 1909 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|60|63|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || John Zeller || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|219}}
|-
| 1910 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|58|68|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || John Zeller || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|224}}
|-
| 1911 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|71|45|record=y}} || bgcolor=gold|1st of 8 || John Zeller || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|231}}
|-
| 1912 || Connecticut State League || B || {{winpct|50|70|record=y}} || 5th of 6 || John Zeller || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|237}}
|-
| 1913 || [Eastern Association](/source/Eastern_Association_(baseball)) || B || {{winpct|60|70|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || [Frank Corridon](/source/Frank_Corridon) / Jack O'Hara || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|242–243}}
|-
| 1914 || Eastern Association || B || {{winpct|63|61|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || [Billy Hamilton](/source/Billy_Hamilton_(baseball%2C_born_1866)) / Simon McDonald || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|252}}
|-
| 1915{{dagger}} || [Colonial League](/source/Colonial_League_(baseball)) || Ind. || {{winpct|47|50|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || Henry Ramsey || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|260}}
|-
| 1916 || [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1916)){{sup|2}} || B || {{winpct|70|53|record=y}} || 3rd of 10 || [John Flynn](/source/John_Flynn_(baseball)) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|263}}
|-
| 1917{{dagger}} || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || B || {{winpct|48|57|record=y}} || 7th of 8 || William Carey / John O'Hara || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|267}}
|-
| 1918 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || B || {{winpct|21|35|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || [Freddy Parent](/source/Freddy_Parent) || ''league suspended July 22'' || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|269–270}}
|-
| 1919 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|54|52|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || [Ed Holly](/source/Ed_Holly) / Jack O'Hara || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|271}}
|-
| 1920 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|74|63|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || John Flynn || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|277}}
|-
| 1921 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|70|82|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || John Flynn || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|280}}
|-
| 1922 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|77|76|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || [John Hummel](/source/John_Hummel) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|284}}
|-
| 1923 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|76|77|record=y}} || 4th of 8 || [Patsy Donovan](/source/Patsy_Donovan) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|288}}
|-
| 1924 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|87|66|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || Eugene McCann || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|292}}
|-
| 1925 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|76|76|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || Eugene McCann || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|296}}
|-
| 1926 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|78|71|record=y}} || 4th of 8 || Eugene McCann || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|300}}
|-
| 1927 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|86|68|record=y}} || 2nd of 8 || [Joe Benes](/source/Joe_Benes) || bgcolor=gold|defeated [Albany Senators](/source/Albany_Senators) (3–0) || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|305}}
|-
| 1928 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|78|73|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || Joe Benes || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|309}}
|-
| 1929 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|71|83|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || [George J. Burns](/source/George_Burns_(outfielder)) || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|314}}
|-
| 1930 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|78|89|record=y}} || 3rd of 8 || [Kid Gleason](/source/Kid_Gleason) || did not qualify || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|321}}
|-
| 1931 || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|65|74|record=y}} || 3rd of 8 || Frank "Bud" Stapleton || none held || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|325}}
|-
| 1932{{dagger}} || Eastern League{{sup|2}} || A || {{winpct|53|26|record=y}} || bgcolor=gold|1st of 8 || [Billy Meyer](/source/Billy_Meyer) || ''league disbanded July 17'' || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|329}}
|-
| 1933 || colspan=6 align=center|''no team'' || {{nbsp}}
|-
| 1934 || [Northeastern League](/source/Northeastern_League) || B || {{winpct|41|62|record=y}} || 6th of 8 || [Bobby Murray](/source/Bobby_Murray_(baseball)) || did not qualify || <ref name=encyc>{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball |editor1-first=Lloyd |editor1-last=Johnson |editor2-first=Miles |editor2-last=Wolff |edition=Third |publisher=[Baseball America](/source/Baseball_America) |date=2007 |isbn=978-1932391176}}</ref>{{rp|337}}
|-
| 1935–<br>1938 || colspan=6 align=center|''no team'' || {{nbsp}}
|-
| 1939{{dagger}} || [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1938%E2%80%93present)){{sup|3}} || A || {{winpct|74|66|record=y}} || 3rd of 8 || [Spencer Abbott](/source/Spencer_Abbott_(baseball)) || lost in first round || {{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
|-
| 1940{{dagger}} || Eastern League{{sup|3}} || A || {{winpct|68|69|record=y}} || 5th of 8 || Spencer Abbott || did not qualify || {{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
|-
| 1941{{dagger}} || Eastern League{{sup|3}} || A || {{winpct|50|85|record=y}} || 8th of 8 || [Rabbit Maranville](/source/Rabbit_Maranville) || did not qualify || {{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
|-
| 1942{{dagger}} || Eastern League{{sup|3}} || A || {{winpct|33|107|record=y}} || 8th of 8 || [Les Bell](/source/Les_Bell) || did not qualify || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|388}}
|-
| 1943{{dagger}} || Eastern League{{sup|3}} || A || {{winpct|46|88|record=y}} || 7th of 8 || Spencer Abbott || did not qualify || <ref name=encyc/>{{rp|392}}
|}
{{dagger}} designates a year in which the team's nickname was not Ponies: 1895 as Maroons, 1915 as Tips, 1917 as Green Sox, 1939–1941 as Nationals, and 1932/1942/1943 as Rifles.

==See also==
*[Springfield Cubs](/source/Springfield_Cubs), a baseball team based in Springfield from 1948 to 1953
*[Springfield Green Sox players](/source/%3ACategory%3ASpringfield_Green_Sox_players)
*[Springfield Maroons players](/source/%3ACategory%3ASpringfield_Maroons_players)
*[Springfield Nationals players](/source/%3ACategory%3ASpringfield_Nationals_players)
*[Springfield Ponies players](/source/%3ACategory%3ASpringfield_Ponies_players)
*[Springfield Rifles players](/source/%3ACategory%3ASpringfield_Rifles_players)
*[Springfield Tips players](/source/%3ACategory%3ASpringfield_Tips_players)

==References==
{{reflist}}

Category:1893 establishments in Massachusetts<!--year specific to Ponies-->
Category:1934 disestablishments in Massachusetts<!--year specific to Ponies-->
Category:Baseball teams established in 1893<!--year specific to Ponies-->
Category:Baseball teams disestablished in 1934<!--year specific to Ponies-->
Category:Defunct baseball teams in Massachusetts
Category:Defunct Eastern League (1938–present) teams
Category:Defunct minor league baseball teams
Category:Northeastern League teams
Category:Professional baseball teams in Massachusetts
Ponies
Category:Connecticut League teams
Category:Defunct Connecticut State League teams
Category:Eastern League (1916–1932) teams
Category:Defunct Eastern Association teams

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Springfield Ponies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Ponies) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Ponies?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.