Altoona Rail Kings

Altoona Rail Kings were a former Independent baseball team, playing their home games at Veterans Memorial Field in Altoona, Pennsylvania averaging nearly 1,200 fans per game.[1]

Altoona Rail Kings
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesIndependent (1996-1997)
LeagueHeartland League (1997)
DivisionNorthern Division
Previous leagues
North Atlantic League (1996)
Team data
Previous names
Altoona Rail Kings (1996-1997)
Previous parks
Vets Field (1996-1997)

They played two seasons, 1996 in the North Atlantic League, and 1997 in the Heartland League. In 1996, the Rail Kings finished 36-42. In 1997, they finished 22-14 in the Northern Division's first half, and 14-22 in the second. The Rail Kings were a formidable opponent during their time in Altoona, finishing second and third place in their respective leagues.[2] They did make the playoffs, losing in two straight games to the Anderson Lawmen.

When the Pittsburgh Pirates-affiliated AA franchise was awarded to Altoona, the Rail Kings relocated to Huntington, West Virginia, for the 1998 season. They retained the Rail King name but redesigned their logo to feature a crowned H rather than an A.

The Kings remained in the Heartland League. The Huntington Rail Kings did not finish the 1998 season, closing due to poor attendance. The Altoona Curve arrived in Altoona in 1999.

Today, the Rail Kings name lives on at Blair County Ballpark, where the best seats are designated "Rail King." The Rail Kings' mascot was R.K. Two other names considered for the team were used later by affiliated teams: the Spikes, now used by State College, and the Curve, used by the current AA team.

Players for the initial season included:

  • Jeff Andrews
  • Eric Burroughs
  • Mike Cacciotti
  • Peter Dallas
  • Howard Hill
  • Mark Hilyard
  • Anthony Iasparro
  • Karun Jackson
  • Farley Love
  • Travis Maxwell
  • Carlos Mirabal
  • Tim Mitchell
  • Paul Neatrour
  • Manny Perez
  • Billy Reed
  • Stanley Scales
  • Ray Schmittle
  • Anthony Sharer
  • John Smith
  • Doug Smyly
  • Tony Webster
  • Eric Yelding
  • Tommy Seasoltz (batboy)

Management included:

  • Owner/President: Eric Reichert
  • General Manager: Mike Richmond
  • Director of Media Relations: Dave Shannon
  • Director of Sales and Marketing: Shawn McIntire
  • Account Executive: Eddie Depp
  • Manager: Tommy Hearn
  • Coach: Michael Richmond
  • Athletic trainer:Bryant Musselman

References
  1. "Royal memories: Two decades later, Altoona Rail Kings still hold place in city's baseball history". altoonamirror.com. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  2. Finoli, David (2008). Baseball in Altoona: From the Mountain City to the Curve. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-5537-9.
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