Team History
"As the 1993 Harrisburg Senators were named one of the top 100 minor league teams of all-time, Baseball America looked into the History of teams from Harrisburg.
Baseball in Harrisburg dates back to 1907, when the local team played in the class "D" Tri-State League. After the 1952 season, the then Harrisburg Senators and the class "B" league they played in at the time called it quits, but not before the team created some shocking controversy....
You play ball like a.... GIRL!
In 1952 the club signed twenty-four-year-old Eleanor Engle, a local (yes, female) stenographer to play shortstop, saying "She can hit a lot better than some of the fellows." For four days in June, Engle suited up for the Senators, but she never played. What an uproar! Even the team manager didn't want a "girl" playing on the team.
Eventually NAPBL president George Trautman voided her signing. Some thought the whole thing was a publicity stunt, but a reporter, after watching her practice wrote the Eleanor "...scooped up hard grounders and threw to first base like a pro."
Modern Day Incarnations
In 1987, the sport came back to a brand-new ballpark. The Eastern League franchise was named in honor of the previous tenants, linking the modern day to the past. The Senators have been phenomenally successful... over the past 12 years they have sent up more than 100 players to the Major Leagues.
Following their long tradition of baseball excellence, in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 the Senators proved they were a force to contend with by winning the Eastern League Championship! Harrisburg is the first team in league history to win four Eastern League titles in a row.
Harrisburg Senators Chronology
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1880s 2016 |
Harrisburg "Patriot" News carries Major League baseball scores on page one daily Metro Bank Park renamed FNB Field |