1948 Western Carolina League – Special Announcement
Welcome Western Carolina League: Yet another pro baseball circuit coming to North Carolina!
Spurred on by the increasing popularity of baseball across the Old North State, yet another professional league will join the fun for the 1948 season. North Carolina’s FIFTH baseball circuit – the
Western Carolina League – will throw out the first pitch in May.
The Western Carolina League will field eight teams in its inaugural season, taking one team from the existing North Carolina State League and adding seven clubs mostly new to the professional level of the sport. Here is the lineup:
Forest City Owls
Hendersonville Skylarks
Lenoir Red Sox – spent 1946, 1947 in the NCSL
Lincolnton Cardinals
Marion Marauders
Morganton Aggies
Newton-Conover Twins
Shelby Farmers
The Western Carolina League will play a 108-game schedule.
While the North Carolina State League sees the WCL as a direct threat to its territory, the new circuit will be at a slight disadvantage financially in comparison at its outset. While the NCSL’s finances are about 65 percent of the flagship Carolina League, the Western Carolina League will operate with finances about 45 percent of the Carolina League.
Fans are already wondering if the Western Carolina League will be allowed to send a representative to the "Champions Playoff." at the end of the season. One step at a time, WCL. One step at a time. Let's get the league off the ground first...
The departure of Lenoir will leave the North Carolina State League with nine teams, but NCSL officials believe they have a plan to fill the void.