The Smithfield–Selma Leafs were a

minor league baseball Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...

team based in

Smithfield, North Carolina Smithfield is a town in and the county seat of Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, its population was 11,292. The town is located near North Carolina's Research Triangle and is abou ...

, in partnership with

Selma, North Carolina Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2010, its population was 6,073, and as of 2018 the estimated population was 6,913. Selma is part of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area. The area has a populatio ...

. From 1946 to 1950, the Smithfield–Selma Leafs teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level

Tobacco State League The Tobacco State League was a Class D level American minor baseball league that played for five seasons (1946–1950) in Organized Baseball in the state of North Carolina. The Red Springs Red Robins won two league championships. History The ...

and hosted home games Legion Park in Smithfield.

History

Smithfield, North Carolina first hosted minor league play in 1946, with the team playing in partnership with neighboring

. The "Smithfield–Selma Leafs" became charter members of the six–team Class D level

. The Angier–Fuquay Springs Bulls, Clinton Blues, Dunn–Erwin Twins, Sanford Spinners and Wilmington Pirates teams joined Smithfield–Selma as charter members in Tobacco State League play. In their first season of minor league play, the 1946 Smithfield–Selma Leafs qualified for the playoffs. The Leafs ended the season with a record of 58–62 to place third in the six–team Tobacco State League regular season standings. Playing under manager Mike Balas, the Leafs finished the 1946 Tobacco State League regular season 13.5 games behind the first place Sanford Spinners. In the first round of the playoffs, Smithfield–Selma lost to the Clinton Blues 4 games to 1. The playoffs were eventually won by the Angier-Fuquay Springs Bulls. In 1947, H.G. Johnson was reported to be president of the Smithfield–Selma Leafs, with J. W. Best serving as vice–president and Peggy Johnson serving as business manager. Continuing Tobacco State League play, the 1947 Smithfield–Selma Leafs finished last in the league standings. Smithfield–Selma finished in eighth place and did not qualify for the playoffs as the league expanded to eight teams. Playing under managers Micke Balas and Joe Eonta in the eight–team league, Smithfield–Selma ended the regular season with a 46–79 record. The Leafs finished 40.0 games behind the first place Sanford Spinners in the regular season standings. In the playoffs, the Sanford Spinners became the league champions. In 1948, the Smithfield–Selma Leafs qualified for the Tobacco State League playoffs. The Leafs ended the regular season in fourth place with a 73–65 record, playing under managers Sam Narron and Virgil Payne. The Leafs finished 8.0 games behind the 1st placed Sanford Spinners in the final Tobacco State League regular season standings. Leaf pitcher Aaron Osofsky led the Tobacco State League with 24 wins and a 24–5 season record. In the first round of the playoffs, the Leafs were defeated by the Sanford Spinners 4 games to 1. The

Red Springs Red Robins The Red Springs Red Robins were a minor league baseball team based in Red Springs, North Carolina. From 1947 to 1950, the Red Springs Red Robins played exclusively as members of the Class D (baseball), Class D level Tobacco State League, winning ...

then defeated Sanford in the Finals to win the championship. The 1949 Smithfield–Selma Leafs placed 5th in the eight–team Tobacco State League and did not qualify for the playoffs. Smithfield–Selma ended the regular season with a record of 70–65, playing under managers Virgil Payne, Claude Weaver and Paul Kluk. The Leafs finished 11.0 games behind of the first place Dunn-Erwin Twins in the regular season standings. Smithfield–Selma did not qualify for the playoffs, won by the

. In their final season, the 1950 Smithfield–Selma Leafs folded during the season, which was also the final one for the Tobacco State League. On August 16, 1950, the franchise permanently folded. At the time the Leafs folded, the team had a 49–62 record, playing under manager Marvin Lorenz. The Tobacco State continued the season with seven teams after the Leafs folded. The final playoffs were won by the Rockingham Eagles. The Tobacco State League permanently folded following the 1950 season. Smithfield, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league team.

The ballpark

The Smithfield–Selma Leafs minor league teams were noted to have played home games at Legion Park. The ballpark was reportedly located at Buffalo Street & 7th Street, Smithfield, North Carolina. Smithfield NC 3rd x Market SW corner 1

Timeline

Year–by–year records

Notable alumni

* Mike Balas (1946–1947, MGR) * Sam Narron (1947), (1948, MGR)

References

{{reflist, 2

External links

Selma - Baseball Reference
Defunct minor league baseball teams Professional baseball teams in North Carolina Defunct baseball teams in North Carolina Baseball teams established in 1946 Baseball teams disestablished in 1950 Tobacco State League teams