Minor league baseball started in Watertown, New York in 1888. The
Watertown team played as a member of the four–team 1888
Eastern International League. On August 10, 1888, Watertown was in 2nd place in the league under manager Lee Kingsley when the team disbanded with 14–26 record, causing the league to fold. Professional baseball returned in 1936, when the
Watertown Grays, also known as the "Bucks," became charter members of the
Class C level
Canadian–American League, playing as an affiliate of the
Boston Bees. Watertown drew 41 total fans on opening day in bad weather. Watertown finished with a record of 35–52 under manager Admiral Martin, placing fifth in the six–team Can-Am League. The league 1946 league standings also included the Brockville Pirates (43–36),
Ogdensburg Colts (38–45), Oswego Netherlands (32–51), Ottawa Senators (53–37) and Perth Blue Cats/Royals (50–30). On June 24, 1936, Watertown had a record of 13–15 when the franchise briefly moved to
Massena, New York before returning to Watertown. The
Massena Grays compiled a 4–9 record while based in Massena, before the franchise relocated back to Watertown on July 12, 1936. In 1946, minor league play resumed when the
Watertown Athletics became charter members of the Class C level
Border League. The six–team league standings featured the
Auburn Cayugas (72–44), Granby Red Sox (54–60), Kingston Ponies (58–55),
Ogdensburg Maples (50–68), Sherbrooke Canadians (46–71) and Watertown Athletics (69–51). The Watertown Athletics qualified for the 1947 playoffs. With a 70–54 regular season record to place second in the Border League, as manager
Bob Shawkey led the team into the 1947 Playoffs. There, the Ogdensburg Maples defeated the Watertown Athletics 4 games to 3 in the first round of the playoffs to end their season. Watertown season attendance was 53,600. Manager Fred Gerken led the team to a 63–65 record and a fourth place regular season finish. In the Playoffs, the Watertown Athletics defeated the Geneva Robins 4 games to 3. In the Finals, the Ogdensburg Maples swept the Watertown Athletics 4 games 0. The season attendance was 65,590, an average of 1,025. In the playoffs, the Athletics fell in the first round, as the Ogdensburg Maples defeated the Watertown 4 games to 1. The Athletics had a total season attendance of 65,329, an average of 1,021 per game. The season attendance to that date was 18,055, an average of 694. The Border League folded permanently on July 10, 1951. ==The ballpark==