Waxahachie Athletics

The Waxahachie Buffaloes were formed in 1914, playing as charter members of the Class D level Central Texas League, which formed as six–team minor league. The six charter members of the Central Texas League were the Corsicana Athletics, Ennis Tigers, Hillsboro, Texas, Italy, Texas, Waxahachie Buffaloes and West, Texas.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

In their first season of league play, the 1914 Waxahachie Buffaloes won the Central Texas League championship, playing home games at Jungle Park. After the Buffaloes and other league members began play on May 10, 1914, the league did not complete the season. The Central Texas League was scheduled to play a split schedule, but the second half was shortened, when the league folded on July 25, 1914. Overall, Waxahachie had a 35–23 overall record, which was the best overall record in the league, 4.5 games ahead of West. The Waxahachie Buffaloes won the first half standings with a 26–15 first half record and West won the shortened second half standings and a playoff was held after the league stopped play. In the playoff, the Waxahachie Buffaloes won the championship when they defeated West 3 games to 2. The managers were Luther Burleson and Dee Poindexter.[2][5][7][8][9]

After winning the championship the previous season, the 1915 Waxahachie Athletics finished last as the Central Texas League reformed. After beginning play on May 17, 1915, the Central Texas League again folded before the season ended. Joining the Waxahachie Athletics in the 1915 Central Texas League were the Corsicana A's, Ennis Tigers, Kaufman Kings, Mexia Gassers and Terrell Cubs. The Central Texas League folded on July 24, 1915, before the conclusion of the season. At the time the league folded, the Athletics had a 27–34 overall record under manager Anson Cole, finishing 8.0 games behind the 1st place Ennis Tigers in the six–team standings. At age 18, Baseball Hall of Fame member Ross Youngs played for the 1915 Athletics, hitting .274 in 106 at bats.[1][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]

The Waxahachie Athletics played their final season as the 1916 Central Texas League again reformed after folding the previous season. The Athletics finished in 5th place overall after the Central Texas League began their third season of play on April 28, 1916 and disbanded on July 16, 1916. The league members joining Waxahachie in 1916 were the Ennis Tigers, Marlin Marlins, Mexia Gassers, Temple Governors and Terrell Terrors. At 26–35, the Athletics finished 10.0 games behind the 1st place Temple Governors under manager Dee Poindexter, a Waxahachie native. After the season, the Waxahachie franchise permanently folded and Waxahachie has not hosted another minor league team.[1][17][18][19][13][20][21][22]

Entrance to Richards Field

The Waxahachie teams hosted home games at Jungle Park from 1914 to 1916. Opened in 1909, the ballpark was renovated in 1914 and later hosted spring training for the Detroit Tigers from 1916 to 1918, the Cincinnati Reds in 1919, and the Chicago White Sox in 1921. Today, the ballpark is named Richards Park and is home to the Waxahachie High School baseball team. The ballpark has a Texas Historical Marker and is located at 301 South Hawkins, Waxahachie, Texas.[23][24][7][25][26][27][28]

• Earl Smith (1916)
• Ross Youngs (1915) Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame 1972

• Baseball Reference Bullpen