AFL
the Dixie Amateur League. In 1935, the six-team Dixie League stumbled
to the end of the season saddled by debt. Only Troy had managed
to have some financial success. Dothan had grown so dissatisfied
that they announced plans to join the Georgia-Florida League in
1936. The Moultrie franchise was granted permission to be transferred
to Dothan, but the transfer was revoked a short time later. A
battle over the transfer between the Moultrie fans and manager
Bobbie Murray ended up in front of minor league boss, Judge William
P. Bramham. During the proceedings, manager Murray claimed his
expenses for the 126-game season at Moultrie were $7,750. Dothan’s
expenses for the 65-game Dixie League schedule were over $9,000.
The Dixie League owners did not let this fact slip by them. February
19th, 1936, a discussion among owners and supporters of the Dixie
Amateur League planted the seeds for what would become the AFL…….
Ellis Boatner,
a Troy businessman, was elected temporary chairman of the Troy
baseball club. He represented the Troy team in discussions about
the fate of the Dixie League. George Grant, DAL president, also
attended the meeting. The main topic of discussion was whether
the DAL could be expanded to an 8-team league, and what other
cities might be enlisted. The towns discussed as possible entries
were: Union Springs, Ozark, Dothan, Enterprise, Andalusia, Montgomery,
DeFuniak Springs, Luverne, Greenville, Opp, Abbeville, and Eufaula.
Troy fans were enlisted to make contacts in these towns in order
to determine whether interested parties could be found to serve
as representatives for each city in a league meeting to be held
on March 8th in Troy.
On February 27th, a meeting was held at the Troy Court
House to discuss whether the Dixie Amateur League should dissolve
be replaced with a professional Class D league. The attendees
were J. C. Wadington of Dothan, Cliff Green of Montgomery, H.
L. Dowling of Ozark, E. M. McNair of Union Springs, F. W. Fish
of Abbeville, H. L. Suddith of Panama City, and E. E. Anthony
of Troy. The group quickly decided that a professional league
sounded feasible. On the 28th, a town hall meeting was called
by Troy baseball fans to discuss whether Troy should put an application
into the new pro circuit. A meeting was also set for Ozark the
following Sunday to make a final decision on the direction the
Dixie League would go.
Troy baseball fans decided that they were not in favor of changing
the Dixie League into a professional circuit. Many of the fans
were so against professional ball that they preferred no baseball
at all rather than have a pro team in Troy. Ellis Boatner, still
acting as the Troy team temporary president, presided over the
meeting, which George Grant also attended. Grant discussed why
the majority of the DAL teams wished to become professional (money,
of course!), and what conditions Troy would have to meet in order
to join the new league. Boatner was asked to become the official
team president, but he refused. He did agree though to represent
Troy at the league meeting in Ozark.
The Ozark meeting was held on March 1st, and four teams agreed
to create the new professional Class D league. Troy and Abbeville
had representatives at the meeting, but neither rep felt they
had the authority to join the league at that point. The four team
league decided to adapt the constitution and By-laws of the Georgia-Florida
League (with a few modifications) as their own. It was agreed
to also that the league should have 6 to 8 members, play a 90-game
split-season, begin between May 10th and 15th, and run until mid-August.
Other towns were given until March 15th to join. Troy scheduled
another mass meeting for Wednesday, March 4th, to try to finalize
plans to either join or abandon the new league.
On Monday,
March 2nd, the four-team league applied for charter to the National
Association. Abbeville was considered likely to join the other
four cities, but Troy was not as certain. Troy fans liked the
Dixie League’s amateur style of ball, and although the league
was now officially dissolved, the Troy fans were still against
having a pro team in town. Troy had been reasonably successful
financially in 1935 although the other teams were not, and the
town leadership were not interested to a new, more costly baseball
venture.
Ellis Boatner, speaking for the Troy ownership and fans, stated
again that Troy saw no need for in the upstart league. Troy had
enjoyed amateur ball for the past three seasons and why should
things change? George Grant, now officially the temporary league
head, sold the idea of professional ball being far superior to
amateur ball because of total control (ownership) over the players,
less expense, and a longer season in which to make money. Ironically,
no mention of improved product was made. H. L. Dowling, who served
as secretary-treasurer of the Dixie League was given the same
title in the new league’s administration.
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