The Newport News Shipbuilders were a minor league baseball team based in Newport News, Virginia. The Shipbuilders first played as members of the Virginia League in 1900 and the 1901 Virginia-North Carolina League. Newport News then resumed minor league play in the 1911 season as a member of the short lived Tidewater League before the Shipbuilders returned to the Virginia League, playing in the league from 1912 to 1922. The Shipbuilders won consecutive Virginia League championships in 1916 and 1917. The Newport News Shipbuilders teams hosted minor league home games at Lincoln Park and Horowitz Park.
History
1900 & 1901: two leagues and a tornado
Minor league baseball began in Newport News when the 1894 Newport News-Hampton Deckhands played a partial season as members of the Virginia League. The Newport News "Shipbuilders" followed as the next minor league team based in Newport News, beginning play in 1900.
The 1900 Newport News "Shipbuilders" began play as members of the six–team, Class D level Virginia League. Newport News joined the Hampton Crabs, Norfolk Phenoms, Petersburg Farmers, Portsmouth Boers and Richmond Bluebirds in beginning league play on April 30, 1900.
The Newport News "Shipbuilders" nickname corresponds to local industry, history and geography. Located the Virginia Peninsula and the James River, the city has long been home to the shipbuilding industry. Today, it hosts the Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipbuilding company and Newport News Shipbuilding, the largest military ship building company in the United States. Newport News is home to The Mariners' Museum and Park. The museum is located at 100 Museum Drive in Newport News, Virginia.
On July 11, 1900, the Virginia League folded after Petersburg and Richmond had already folded in mid-June. The Shipbuilders placed fourth in the Atlantic League standings in the shortened season. When the league folded, Newport News ended the season with a record of 23–39, playing the season under managers Hunter Harvey, Mike Trost and Kid Weaver. The Shipbuilders finished the season 22.0 games behind the first place Norfolk Phenoms, who were led by Christy Mathewson, in the final standings.
In 1901, the shipbuilders were affected by a natural disaster as the team played in a newly named league. In 1901, the Virginia League evolved into the Class C level Virginia–North Carolina League. The Virginia League cities of New Port News Portsmouth and Richmond franchises continued play in the 1901 Virginia–North Carolina League, joining three new franchises.
The new Virginia–North Carolina League began was formed on February 18, 1901. In a league meeting at the Monticello Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia, W.H. Cunningham was elected president and E.H. Doran selected as secretary. The league was formed with six teams, four from Virginia and two from North Carolina, resulting in the name change for the league.
The six-team Virginia–North Carolina League began play on April 16, 1901. The Norfolk Skippers, Portsmouth Browns, Raleigh Senators, Richmond Bluebirds and Wilmington Giants teams joined the Shipbuilders in league play.
On May 1, 1901, a tornado hit Newport News, Virginia. Home attendance was diminished as a result. On June 21, 1901, the team relocated from Newport News to Charlotte, North Carolina with a 32-21 record. Completing the season as the Charlotte Hornets, the team ended the season in third place with a 50-55 overall record, 9.0 games behind first place Raleigh. Ed Ashenback served as manager in both locations. The Virginia-North Carolina league did not return to play in 1902.
1911: Tidewater League
The Shipbuilders were succeeded by the 1911 "Newport News" team, resuming minor league play as members of the Class D level Tidewater League. which began league play on May 11, 1911. The six–team league was composed of charter teams, all without known monikers, representing Elizabeth City, North Carolina and the Virginia cities of Hampton, Newport News, Old Point Comfort, Portsmouth and Suffolk.
On May 4, 1911, Newport News pitcher Ralph Davie threw a no-hitter. Davie defeated Norfolk at Norfolk by the score of 12-0 in the game. Davie walked one hitter.
The Tidewater League regular season ended on August 1, 1911. The Elizabeth City and Portsmouth teams had folded earlier the season. Newport News was in fourth place when the season ended, playing under manager Hugh Shannon. Newport News ended with a final record of 10–11 finish 7.0 games behind the Tidewater League champion Suffolk team.The Tidewater League permanently folded after the 1911 season.