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April 5, 1948
The inaugural season of the Confederate Baseball Association got underway today at Charlotte's State Fair Park. Carolina Flyers southpaw Tom "Juice" Birt threw the first pitch to Jacksonville Ospreys centerfielder Edwin Peak. (Three pitches later, Peak grounded out to second.) Juice also allowed the first walk to Jacksonville's John Stover and threw the first strikeout to Richard Safford of the Ospreys.
Other CBA firsts:
First hit: Jim Gamble (CAR)
First double: Troy Hartsell (CAR)
First triple: Tom Swaim (TAM)
First homerun: Bob Wall (HOU)
First run: Clifton Sloan (CAR)
First RBI: Troy Hartsell (CAR)
First stolen base: Tony Fairman (HOU)
First win: Tom "Juice" Birt (CAR)
First save: John Klinger (CAR)
On opening day, Carolina topped Jacksonville, 4 to 1. Juice struck out seven in 6 2/3 shutout innings, while Troy Hartsell's 2-run double in the 3rd proved decisive. Elsewhere, Houston took their opener from Tampa, 5-2, with Bob Wall going deep in his first two at-bats of the year.
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