Sumter Braves


The Sumter Braves were a minor league baseball team located in Sumter, South Carolina. The team played in the South Atlantic League, and were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves. Their home stadium was Riley Park.

History

In 1984, the Anderson Braves relocated to Sumter. In 1991, the affiliate shifted to Macon, Georgia and became known as the Macon Braves, eventually becoming today's Rome Braves of Rome, Georgia. An expansion team was awarded to Sumter right after the Sumter Braves relocated and as an affiliate of the Montreal Expos, and Sumter became known as the Sumter Flyers. In 1992, the franchise relocated to Albany, Georgia as the Albany Polecats, eventually becoming today's Delmarva Shorebirds of Salisbury, Maryland.
Notably, 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tom Glavine pitched for Sumter in 1985.

The ballpark

Sumner teams played at Riley Park. Located at Church Street & DuBose Street, 29150. It is still in use today as home to the University of South Carolina Sumter Fire Ants and Morris College Hornet baseball teams. The Sumter Chicks of the Tri-State League, Sumter Indians and Sumter Astros of the Western Carolinas League and the Sumter Braves and Sumter Flyers of the South Atlantic League all played at Riley Park.

Notable alumni

[Baseball Hall of Fame] alumni

Sumter Braves

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
198572-636thBuddy BaileyLost in 1st round
198677-603rdBrian Snitker
198775-623rdBuddy Bailey
198864-739thNed Yost
198960-8111thNed Yost
199073-697thNed Yost

Sumter Flyers

YearRecordFinishManagerPlayoffs
199164-7510thLorenzo Bundy