Ogdensburg Maples


The Ogdensburg Maples were a minor league baseball franchise based in Ogdensburg, New York from 1946–1951. Ogdensburg played as members of the Northern New York League, Canadian–American League and Border League. Ogdensburg was an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants.

History

Minor league baseball started in Ogdensburg, New York in 1900. Ogdensburg fielded a team that was a charter member of the Independent five-team Northern New York League. Ogdensburg finished 4–14 5th in the Northern New York League under manager S.H Cook. The Ogdensburg franchise folded from the league after the 1901 season.
The Ogdensburg Colts were charter members of the 1936 Class C Canadian–American League. The 1936 league standings featured the Brockville Pirates, Ogdensburg Colts, Oswego Netherlands, Ottawa Senators, Perth Blue Cats/Royals and Watertown Grays/Massena Bucks.
The 1936 Ogdensburg Colts finished with a Canadian-American League regular season record of 38–45. Their 4th-place finish in the CCL under Managers George Lee and Bernard Fasulo qualified the team for the playoffs. In the 1936 playoffs, the Perth Blue Cats/Royals defeated the Ogdensburg Colts 3 games to 2.
The 1937 Ogdensburg Colts were the Canadian-American League Champions. The Colts were 55–47, 4th in the Canadian-American League regular season. Playing under Manager George Lee, the Ogdensburg Colts defeated the Oswego Netherlands 3 games 1 in the playoff semi-final. In the league Finals, the Ogdensburg Colts and Gloversville Glovers played to a seven-game series, with the colts winning 4 games to 3. The Colts' season attendance was 27,827, an average of 546.
In the 1938 season, the Ogdensburg Colts finished the Canadian-American League regular season 66–52, 3rd in the league, playing under Manager George Lee. In the 1938 Playoffs, the Cornwall Bisons swept the Ogdensburg Colts 4 games to 0. The 1938 Colts' season attendance was 27,016. 458.
The 1939 season was the final one for the Ogdensburg Colts. Ogdensburg finished 60–58, 5th in the Canadian-American League. Their Manager was again George Lee. The 1939 Attendance was 19,849, an average of 336. The Ogdensburg Colts franchise folded after the 1939 season.
Ogdensburg partnered with Ottawa, Ontario in 1940, playing in both locations. The Ottawa-Ogdensburg Senators won the 1940 Canadian-American League pennant. The Ottawa Senators franchise played half their 1940 Canadian-American League season in Ogdensburg. The team was an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Under Manager Cy Morgan, the Senators finished 84–39, 1st in the regular season. In the 1940 Playoffs, the Amsterdam Rugmakers defeated the Ottawa-Ogdensburg Senators in five-games, 4 games to 1. Neither Ottawa or Ogdensburg fielded a team in 1941.
Minor league baseball returned when the 1946 Ogdensburg Maples became charter members of the Class C Border League. The 1946 six-team league standings featured the Auburn Cayugas, Granby Red Sox, Kingston Ponies, Ogdensburg Maples, Sherbrooke Canadians and Watertown Athletics.
In their initial season, the 1946 Ogdensburg Maples finished 50–68,. Led by Manager Bobby Dill, the Maples did not qualify for the playoffs. Resuming play at Winter Park, the 1946 season attendance was 28,395, an average of 481 per home contest.
The Ogdensburg Maples reached the Border League Finals in 1947. Finishing the regular season at 61–65, 4th in the Border League, Manager Steve Yerkes led the Maples to the playoffs. In the 1947 playoffs, the Ogdensburg Maples advanced by defeating the Watertown Athletics in a seven-game series 4 games to 3. In the Finals, the Ottawa Nationals defeated the Ogdensburg Maples 4 games 2. Ogdensburg's season attendance was 63,486, an average of 1,008.
The 1948 Ogdensburg Maples won the Border League Championship. Playing as an affiliate of the New York Giants, the Maples finished 69–60 under Manager Russ Wein. In the playoffs, the Ogdensburg Maples advanced by defeating the Ottawa Senators 4 games to 1. In the 1948 Finals, the Ogdensburg Maples won the championship by sweeping the Watertown Athletics 4 games to 0. The Maples season attendance was 60,116.
The Ogdensburg Maples again advanced to the Border League playoffs in 1949. Finishing in 3rd place with a regular season record of 70–60, the team was again managed by Russ Wein. The Maples lost in the playoffs, defeated by the Geneva Robins 4 games to 3. The season attendance was 58,749.
The 1950 Ogdensburg Maples won their second Border League Championship. After a 2nd place 74–54 finish under Manager Russ Wein, the Maples qualified for the playoffs. In the 1950 playoffs, the Ogdensburg Maples advanced to the Finals by defeating the Watertown Athletics 4 games to 1. In the Finals, the Ogdensburg Maples won the championship by defeating the Ottawa Senators 4 games to 2. The 1950 Maples season attendance was 55,291, an average of 864 per game.
The Border League folded during the 1951 season. Managed by John Sosh and Irvin Schupp, the Ogdensburg Maples had a record of 29–35, and were in 2nd place when the Border League permanently disbanded on July 16, 1951.
Ogdenburg has not hosted another minor league baseball team after the 1951 Ogdensburg Maples and the Border League folded.

The ballpark

The Ogdensburg Colts and Ogdensburg Maples both played at Winter Park. The site had previously hosted a skating rink. The dimensions were 260–450–386. The park seated 1,800 and had no lights when hosting the Colts. Lighting was installed by the Ogdensburg Maples. The ballpark grandstand once collapsed during a game. Today, the park has been renamed to "Father Martin Field." It is still in use. The park is located next to the Knights of Columbus 721 Hasbrouck Street, Ogdensburg, New York, 13669.

Notable alumni