1920 North Carolina State League — Preseason 2
Marion, Shelby welcome Western Carolina League feeder teams
Developmental League will grow as well
The North Carolina State League’s expansion means the Western Carolina League also will grow in 1920. Let’s meet the two new teams in the Western Carolina League. Marion’s pretty far from Wilmington, the longest haul between the NCLS club and its D-League partner.
Marion Marauders (Wilmington Pirates)
Stadium: Marion Municipal Stadiium, capacity 990
Notes: Marion is actually located between Asheville and Hickory in the NC mountains. The real-life Marauders played in the Western Carolina League and the Tar Heel League in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Shelby Farmers (Fayetteville Highlanders)
Stadium: Shelby Ballpark, capacity 1,025
Notes: Shelby is located about 10 miles north of the South Carolina border and maybe half an hour west of Charlotte. The city has been home to a real life minor league franchise many years, starting with the Shelby Cardinals in the 1930s (played in the second incarnation of the NCSL). The Shelby Farmers played in the Western Carolina League in the 1940s and ’50s. (Side note: my color pick for Shelby matches the colors of John Deere -- couldn‘t resist).