1894 and 1914 seasons Minor league baseball began in Staunton, Virginia in 1894. The
Staunton Hayseeds became charter members of the
Virginia League. The Virginia League began play as an
Independent level league and fielded six teams, with the
Lynchburg Hill Climbers,
Norfolk Clam Eaters,
Petersburg Farmers,
Richmond Bluebirds and
Roanoke Magicians, joining Staunton in beginning league play. In their first season of minor league play, the Staunton Hayseeds relocated during the season. On August 14, 1894, Staunton, with a record of 36–53 moved to Newport News-Hampton. Finishing with an overall record of 50–64, the combined team placed fourth in the final standings. Playing under managers
George Ziegler, William Donovan and C.A. Gaussen, Staunton/Newport News-Hampton finished 21.0 games behind the first place Petersburg Farmers in the final standings. The 1894 team is also referred to as the "Mountaineers." The franchise did not return to the 1895 Virginia League. Minor league baseball returned to Staunton, Virginia in 1914. On March 3, 1914, at a meeting in
Lynchburg, Virginia, discussions began for the formulation of a six–team
Class D level baseball league in the region. The league teams were tentatively slated to be based in the Virginia cities of Lynchburg, Danville, Charlottesville, Clifton Forge, Staunton and Covington, with a salary limit of $800 (per team) monthly. Lynchburg, was hesitant to commit because of a previous $700 lien on its territory, a result of a previous team in the Virginia League. The league was then formed at a March 12, 1914 meeting, without Danville and Lynchburg franchises. B.F. Donovan, of Clifton Forge, was elected league president. D. R. Ellis, of Covington, was elected as vice–president. The Staunton use of the "Lunatics" nickname corresponds with the
Western State Hospital being located in Staunton in the era. Shortly after the Virginia Mountain League folded, there was an unsuccessful attempt to revive the league and the teams in August, 1914, headed by
Buck Hooker, manager of the Clifton Forge Railroaders. However, following the collapse of the league, the Covington and Clifton Forge teams elected to play a 10–game championship series. Charlottesville did not return to play. The Railroaders captured the unofficial league “title,” winning 7 of the 10 games over Covington. The Staunton, Virginia use of the "Presidents" moniker corresponds to Staunton being the birthplace of President
Woodrow Wilson, born December 28, 1856. Today, Staunton is home to the
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. The 1939 Staunton Presidents finished the Virginia League regular season in third place and qualified for a playoff game. Staunton ended the regular season with a record of 51–36, playing under manager Jimmy Bair and finishing 9.5 games behind the first place and eventual league champion Harrisonburg Turks. In a one-game playoff, Staunton lost to the Lynchburg Grays. Stauton's Warren Huffman won the Virginia League batting title, with a .415 average. Teammate Michael Marko led the league with a 2.52 ERA. Continuing play in the 1940 Class D Virginia League, the Presidents finished last in the four–team league, their first of three consecutive last place finishes. Ending the season with a record of 46–69, Staunton placed fourth in the standings. Led by managers Vernon Brandes and John Brennan, Staunton finished 24.0 games behind the first place Lynchburg Senators and did not qualify for the playoff, won by Lynchburg. ==The ballparks==