Bonham Boosters

Professional baseball began in Bonham, when the city hosted a team in the 1898 Independent Southwestern League. Bonham finished 6–9 in 1898. The Southwestern League season ran from April 21, 1898 to May 23, 1898.[1][2][3]

In 1911, Bonham became a member of the Texas-Oklahoma League, playing from 1911–1914 and 1921–1922, all six seasons of the league.[4][5][3]

The Bonham Boosters began play in the Class D level Texas-Oklahoma League in 1911. The Boosters finished 54–60, 4th in the league, under Manager Jimmie Humphries. The Boosters finished with the Altus Chiefs (31–44), Ardmore Blues (49–58), Cleburne Railroaders (61–50), Durant Educators (65–46), Gainesville Blue Ribbons, Lawton Medicine Men (17–31) and Wichita Falls Irish Lads (65–38) in the 1911 league standings.[6][7][8][9]

The 1912 Bonham Tigers finished 53–35, 2nd overall in the Texas-Oklahoma League standings under Manager Roy Leslie. The Tigers threw two no–hitters in 1912. On April 30, 1912, Bonham pitcher Wingo Anderson threw a no–hitter in a 9–0 victory over McKinney. Then, on May 25, 1912, Bonham pitcher Reb Russell threw a second Tiger no–hitter, beating Durant 9–1. The 1912 league playoffs did not include Bonham.[10][11][12][4][13]

In 1913, the Bonham Blues finished 5th in the Texas-Oklahoma League with a 56–68 record. The Blues' Manager was again Roy Leslie. On opening day, April 15, 1913, the Bonham Blues opened their new baseball park, playing against the Texarkana Tigers. Bonham won the opener 3–0. Before the game, fans gathered at the town square for a posed photo and a parade to the ballpark. The Bonham Daily Favorite newspaper reported on April 16, 1913 that "Practically every business house in the city closed during the game which began at 3:15 o'clock, and perhaps the largest crowd that ever attended a ball game in Bonham was present. The grandstand and bleachers were full, and the crowd overflowed into right field."[14][15][16][4][17]

Bonham continued play as members of the Texas-Oklahoma League in 1914. On June 22, 1914, Bohnam pitcher Fritz Redford threw a no–hitter in a 7–0 Bonham win over the Sherman Lions. Just a little over a week later, on June 30, 1914, the Bonham Sliders had a 47–58 record under managers Senter Reiney and Kid Nichols when the franchise disbanded. Nichols is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Texas-Oklahoma League folded entirely after the 1914 season.[18][19][20][4][13]

In 1921, the Bonham Favorites joined the reformed Texas-Oklahoma League. The Favorites finished 57–71 under Managers G. D. Pittman and Virgil Moss. Bonham finished 3rd in the league, joining the Ardmore Peps (87–40), Cleburne Generals (51–75), Graham Hijackers/Mineral Wells Resorters (49–79), Paris Snappers and Sherman Lions (48–78) in the 1921 league standings.[21][22][23][4]

1922 was the final year for both the Texas-Oklahoma League and the Bonham franchise. The 1922 Bonham Bingers finished 39–53, 7th in the league. The Bingers' Manager was Les Tullos. Bonham was dropped from the league on July 22, 1922, when the Cleburne franchise disbanded. The 1922 Texas-Oklahoma League season ended on August 6, 1922, with National Association permission, due to a railroad strike. The league did not reform in 1923 and permanently disbanded. Bonham has not hosted another minor league team.[24][25][26][4]

Bohnam teams likely played at Catron Park and Simpson Park. Both parks still exist today as public recreational parks. Catron Park is located at the 400 block of East 3rd Street, Bonham Texas, 75418.[27][28][29][30]

Bonham built a new ballpark for the 1913 season. The name of the 1913 new ballpark is unknown.[17][27]

• Baseball reference