Sooner State League

Sooner State League
Classification	Class D (1947–1957)
Sport	Minor League Baseball
First season	1947
Ceased	1957
President	Jack Mealey (1947–1951); Uke Clanton (1952–1955); George Barr (1956–1957)
No. of teams	15
Country	United States of America
Most titles	5 ; McAlester Rockets
Related; competitions	Kansas-Oklahoma-Missouri League

The Sooner State League was a Class D level minor league baseball league that operated from 1947 through 1957. The league owners kept it alive in 1958, anticipating a return to play in 1959. However, when only Ardmore and Paris, Texas, were able to secure working agreements, the league folded on February 12, 1959. It was the last Class D league west of the Mississippi River. The league franchises were based in Oklahoma and Texas.

Cities represented

Ada, OK: Ada Herefords (1947–1954); Ada Cementers (8/3/1954)
Ardmore, OK: Ardmore Indians (1947–1952); Ardmore Cardinals (1953–1957)
Chickasha, OK: Chickasha Chiefs (1948–1952)
Duncan, OK: Duncan Cementers (1947–1948); Duncan Uttmen (1949–1950)
Gainesville, TX: Gainesville Owls (1953–1955)
Greenville, TX: Greenville Majors (1957)
Lawton, OK: Lawton Giants (1947–1951); Lawton Reds (1952–1953); Lawton Braves (1954–1957)
McAlester, OK: McAlester Rockets (1947–1956)
Muskogee, OK: Muskogee Giants (1955–1957)
Paris, TX: Paris Orioles (1955–1957)
Pauls Valley, OK: Pauls Valley Raiders (1948–1954)
Ponca City, OK: Ponca City Cubs (1955–1957)
Seminole, OK: Seminole Oilers (1947–1949); Seminole Ironmen (1950–1951); Seminole Oilers (1954–1957)
Shawnee, OK: Shawnee Hawks (1950–1957)
Sherman, TX & Denison, TX: Sherman Twins (1952); Sherman-Denison Twins (1953)

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Standings & statistics

1947 to 1952

**1947 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Lawton Giants	98	42	.700	–	24,248	Louis Brower
Ada Herefords	86	51	.628	10.5	41,872	Uke Clanton
McAlester Rockets	73	67	.521	25.0	43,657	William Nebroak
Ardmore Indians	72	67	.518	25.5	27,943	Dutch Prather
Seminole Oilers	48	90	.348	49.0	30,003	John Taber / Hugh Willingham
Duncan Cementers	39	99	.283	58.0	8,220	Otto Utt

Playoffs: Ardmore 3 games, Lawton 2; McAlester 3 games, Ada 2; Finals: McAlester 4 games, Ardmore 1.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Russell Hawley	McAlester	BA	.382	Forrest Smith	Ada	W	23
Robert Andrlik	Ardmore	Runs	158	William Donaghey	Ada	SO	244
A.B. Everett	McAlester	Hits	188	Forest Smith	Ada	ERA	2.00
Paul Richardville	Ada	RBI	111	Joseph Galioto	Lawton	PCT	.800 20–5
Howard Weeks	Lawton	HR	11
Paul Richardville	Ada	HR	11

1948 schedule

**1948 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
McAlester Rockets	91	47	.659	–	63,060	Vern Hoscheit
Lawton Giants	77	59	.566	13.0	33,861	Louis Brower
Seminole Oilers	75	62	.547	15.5	40,053	Hugh Willingham
Chickasha Chiefs	73	63	.537	17.0	35,640	Ray Honeycutt
Ada Herefords	63	76	.453	28.5	27,050	Uke Clanton
Ardmore Indians	60	78	.435	31.0	37,944	Donald Smith / Jim Cooke
Pauls Valley Raiders	56	81	.409	34.5	27,071	Dutch Prather / Jennings Poindexter
Duncan Cementers	54	83	.394	36.5	27,066	Jess Welch / Otto Utt

Playoffs: McAlester 3 games, Chickasha 1; Seminole 3 games, Lawton 2; Finals: Seminole 4 games, McAlester 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Cromer Smotherman	McAlester	BA	.347	Bob Giddings	Lawton	W	25
Bob Hyatt	Pauls Valley	Runs	122	Tom Kruta	Ardmore	SO	186
Al Billingsley	McAlester	Hits	190	Buddy Yount	McAlester	ERA	2.11
Howard Martin	McAlester	RBI	122	Buddy Yount	McAlester	PCT	.944; 17–1
Howard Martin	McAlester	HR	19

1949 schedule

**1949 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Pauls Valley Raiders	88	52	.629	–	61,085	Red Phillips
Lawton Giants	87	52	.626	0.5	45,501	Louis Brower
Chickasha Chiefs	78	61	.561	9.5	59,306	Ray Honeycutt
Ada Herefords	69	70	.497	18.5	33,525	Bill Krueger
Duncan Uttmen	65	74	.468	22.5	36,678	Edward Marleau / James Skidgel/ Hosea Pfeiffer
McAlester Rockets	58	82	.414	30.0	56,733	Vern Hoscheit
Ardmore Indians	57	81	.413	30.0	43,348	Dutch Prather / James Skidgel
Seminole Oilers	54	84	.391	33.0	33,258	Hugh Willingham / Paul Schoendienst

Playoffs: Pauls Valley 3 games, Ada 2; Lawton 3 games, Chickasha 0; Finals: Lawton 4 games, Pauls Valley 1.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Pete Runnels	Chickasha	BA	.372	Jim Melton	Pauls Valley	W	23
Kelly Wingo	Chickasha	Runs	123	Joseph Micciche	Lawton	SO	297
Pete Runnels	Chickasha	Hits	188	James Spencer	Lawton	ERA	1.96
A.B. Pearson	Pauls Valley	RBI	123	Joseph Micciche	Lawton	PCT	.769; 20–6
Daryl Spencer	Pauls Valley	HR	23
Bill Milligan	Ada	HR	23

**1950 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Ada Herefords	96	41	.701	–	31,981	Bill Krueger
McAlester Rockets	92	48	.657	5.5	58,048	Vern Hoscheit
Chickasha Chiefs	80	59	.575	17.0	43,759	Ray Honeycutt
Ardmore Indians	75	65	.536	22.5	44,454	Bennie Warren
Pauls Valley Raiders	68	72	.486	29.5	25,848	Red Phillips / Joseph Jacobs
Seminole Ironmen	55	83	.399	41.5	21,366	Kelly Wingo / Lloyd Giger / Dennis Rackley
Duncan Uttmen / Shawnee Hawks	51	85	.375	44.5	15,950	Hosea Pfeiffer / Dutch Prather / Kelly Wingo
Lawton Giants	37	101	.268	59.5	31,817	Louis Brower

Duncan moved to Shawnee August 18.
Playoffs: Ardmore 3 games, Ada 2; McAlester 3 games, Chickasha 0; Finals: McAlester 4 games, Ardmore 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Clinton Weaver	McAlester	BA	.378	William Donaghey	Ada	W	26
Ron Jackson	Ada	Runs	154	Jack Urban	McAlester	SO	279
Jack Taylor	McAlester	Hits	212	Jack Urban	McAlester	ERA	2.15
Stephen Molinari	Ada	RBI	162	Bill Starr	Ada	PCT	.917; 11–1
Stephen Molinari	Ada	HR	39

**1951 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Ardmore Indians	99	40	.712	–	40,742	Bennie Warren
Shawnee Hawks	96	44	.686	3.5	44,428	Lou Fitzgerald
McAlester Rockets	91	48	.655	8.0	42,028	Vern Hoscheit
Pauls Valley Raiders	90	50	.643	9.5	27,580	Louis Brower
Ada Herefords	54	86	.386	45.5	12,779	Stan Galle
Chickasha Chiefs	46	94	.329	53.5	21,107	Kelly Wingo / Jerry Jackson / Chet Bryan / William Reyes
Lawton Giants	46	94	.329	53.5	17,252	Ray Baker
Seminole Ironmen	37	103	.264	62.5	16,915	Ripper Collins / Dutch Prather

Playoffs: Ardmore 3 games, Pauls Valley 0; McAlester 3 games, Shawnee 0; Finals: McAlester 4 games, Ardmore 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Lou Fitzgerald	Shawnee	BA	.379	Dee Sanders	McAlester	W	27
Joe Nodar	Ardmore	Runs	179	Ken Hemphill	Pauls Valley	W	27
Dan Toma	Pauls Valley	Hits	195	Armin Somonte	Ardmore	SO	341
Manuel Temes	Ardmore	Hits	195	Dee Sanders	McAlester	ERA	1.67
Glenn Snyder	Ardmore	RBI	155	Dee Sanders	McAlester	PCT	.871; 27–4
Manuel Temes	Ardmore	RBI	155
Dan Demby	Pauls Valley	HR	30
Don Williamson	Pauls Valley	HR	30

**1952 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
McAlester Rockets	87	53	.621	–	52,395	William Cope
Pauls Valley Raiders	80	59	.576	6.5	34,500	Louis Brower
Chickasha Chiefs	78	62	.557	9.0	27,494	Ray Taylor
Shawnee Hawks	73	67	.521	14.0	44,680	Lou Fitzgerald / James Jolly
Sherman Twins	72	68	.514	15.0	19,815	Bennie Warren
Lawton Reds	63	77	.450	24.0	52,807	Tuck McWilliams
Ada Herefords	57	82	.410	29.5	38,387	Bill Enos / Virl Loman / Jim England
Ardmore Indians	49	91	.350	38.0	24,362	Jackie Sullivan / Royce Mills / Hugh Willingham / Clyde Baldwin / Julian Morgan

Playoffs: McAlester 3 games, Shawnee 1; Pauls Valley 3 games, Chickasha 1; Finals: McAlester 4 games, Pauls Valley 3.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Ray Taylor	Chickasha	BA	.365	Charles Seymour	McAlester	W	25
Vincent Downs	Lawton	Runs	142	Charles Seymour	McAlester	SO	292
Jim England	Ada	Hits	198	Charles Seymour	McAlester	ERA	1.91
Don Williamson	Pauls Valley	RBI	148	Charles Seymour	McAlester	PCT	.806; 25–6
Bob Hertel	McAlester	HR	22
Don Williamson	Pauls Valley	HR	22

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1953 to 1955

**1953 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Ardmore Cardinals	91	46	.664	–	43,000	Bennie Warren
Shawnee Hawks	86	53	.619	6.0	39,441	Boyd Bartley
Ada Herefords	84	54	.609	7.5	36,128	Louis Brower
McAlester Rockets	83	56	.597	9.0	40,485	William Cope
Pauls Valley Raiders	63	74	.460	28.0	18,453	Richard Klaus
Sherman-Denison Twins	61	77	.442	30.5	18,784	Red McCarty
Lawton Reds	47	89	.346	43.5	18,029	Tuck McWilliams
Gainesville Owls	36	102	.261	55.5	20,523	James Grigg / Ernest Shadid / Jesse Landrum

Playoffs: McAlester 3 games, Ardmore 1; Ada 3 games, Shawnee 1; Finals: McAlester 4 games, Ada 1.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Russ Snyder	McAlester	BA	.432	J.L. Rhodes	Ada	W	21
Al Viotta	Ardmore	Runs	159	Don Huffman	Shawnee	SO	250
Russ Snyder	McAlester	Hits	240	James Peterson	Shawnee	ERA	1.94
Al Viotta	Ardmore	RBI	161	Robert Shipman	McAlester	PCT	.813; 13–3
Ron Slawski	Ada	HR	31
Bob Norden	Ada	HR	31

**1954 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Shawnee Hawks	92	48	.657	–	42,189	Jack Banta
Lawton Braves	81	58	.583	10.5	47,431	Travis Jackson
McAlester Rockets	76	64	.543	16.0	53,410	Bunny Mick
Ardmore Cardinals	72	67	.518	19.5	31,090	Bennie Warren / Frank Mancuso
Gainesville Owls	72	68	.514	20.0	14,385	Richard Rigazio
Ada Herefords / Cementers	64	76	.457	28	28,482	Louis Brower / John Densmore
Seminole Oilers	61	79	.436	31.0	16,840	Tom Warren / Ray Taylor
Pauls Valley Raiders	41	99	.293	51.0	29,468	Lloyd Pearson / Bennie Warren

Playoffs: Ardmore 3 games, Shawnee 2; Lawton 3 games, McAlester 2; Finals: Lawton 4 games, Ardmore 0.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Ray Mitchell	Shawnee	BA	.371	Wendell Doss	Lawton	W	24
Bill Fox	Shawnee	Runs	139	Joe Roberson	Shawnee	SO	225
Bill Fox	Shawnee	Hits	193	Joe Roberson	Shawnee	ERA	2.52
Jim Humbert	Shawnee	RBI	136	Tom Warren	Seminole	PCT	.909 10–1
Gene Green	Ardmore	HR	34

**1955 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Lawton Braves	95	44	.683	–	45,554	Travis Jackson
Shawnee Hawks	77	61	.558	17.5	37,817	Jack Banta
Muskogee Giants	74	66	.529	21.5	47,485	Richard Klaus
Paris Orioles	68	69	.496	26.0	44,805	Jimmy Adair
Ardmore Cardinals	65	75	.464	30.5	33,731	Frank Mancuso
McAlester Rockets	65	75	.464	30.5	47,295	Marvin Crater
Gainesville Owls / Ponca City Cubs	56	83	.403	39.0	26,169	Eddie Carnett
Seminole Oilers	56	83	.403	39.0	26,775	Charles Hopkins / Al Evans

Gainesville moved to Ponca City May 19.
Playoffs: Lawton 3 games, Paris 1; Muskogee 3 games, Shawnee 2; Finals: Lawton 4 games, Muskogee 2.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Hal Gordon	Seminole	BA	.345	Bob Dudley	Lawton	W	23
William Caye	Muskogee	Runs	117	Dale Hendrickson	Lawton	SO	256
Walt Massefski	Paris	Hits	178	Dale Hendrickson	Lawton	ERA	1.26
Walt Massefski	Paris	RBI	107	Mike Kirmer	Lawton	PCT	.813 13–3
James Brown	Ardmore	HR	21

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1956 to 1957

1956 schedule

**1956 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Ardmore Cardinals	83	56	.597	–	47,110	J.C. Dunn
Lawton Braves	80	60	.571	3.5	30,550	Travis Jackson
Seminole Oilers	74	66	.529	9.5	31,249	Burl Storie
Paris Orioles	72	67	.518	11.0	37,764	Jimmy Adair / Barney Lutz
Ponca City Cubs	70	70	.500	13.5	20,674	Don Biebel
Muskogee Giants	63	76	.453	20.0	37,983	Richard Klaus
McAlester Rockets	60	79	.432	23.0	32,302	Marvin Crater
Shawnee Hawks	56	84	.400	27.5	24,872	Jack Banta

Playoffs: Ardmore 3 games, Paris 2; Seminole 3 games, Lawton 1; Finals: Seminole 4 games, Ardmore 3.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Russell Gragg	Ponca City	BA	.352	John Bartek	Ardmore	W	21
Robert Stangel	Ardmore	Runs	132	Vincent Kilpela	Ardmore	SO	276
Russell Gragg	Ponca City	Hits	183	[ Mike Mazzamorra	Seminole	ERA	2.28
J.C. Dunn	Ardmore	RBI	134	John Bartek	Ardmore	PCT	.778 21-6
Gene Oliver	Ardmore	HR	39	Mike Mazzamorra	Seminole	PCT	.778 21–6

1957 schedule

**1957 Sooner State League**
Team standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Paris Orioles	74	51	.592	–	33,953	Barney Lutz / Bill Capps
Ardmore Cardinals	74	52	.587	0.5	36,201	J.C. Dunn / Mike Ryba
Muskogee Giants	71	55	.563	3.5	21,253	Andy Gilbert
Shawnee Hawks	64	62	.508	10.5	22,301	Ed Serrano
Greenville Majors	62	63	.496	12	23,066	Tom Gott
Lawton Braves	59	66	.472	15.0	15,065	Travis Jackson
Ponca City Cubs	52	74	.413	22.5	21,253	Don Biebel
Seminole Oilers	46	79	.368	28.0	17,379	Lee Anthony

Playoffs: Paris 3 games, Shawnee 1; Ardmore 3 games, Muskogee 0; Finals: Ardmore 4 games, Paris 0.

**Player statistics**
Player	Team	Stat	Tot	Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Jim McKnight	Ardmore	BA	.340	Jack Curtis	Ponca City	W	18
Dick Simpson	Paris	Runs	116	Jack Curtis	Ponca City	SO	219
Dick Simpson	Paris	Hits	163	John Jeanes	Paris	ERA	2.41
Jim McKnight	Ardmore	RBI	112	Rudy Stoehr	Greenville	PCT	.750 12–4
Bob Beattie	Paris	HR	25

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Hall of Fame alumni

Whitey Herzog, 1949–1950 McAlester Rockets
Travis Jackson, 1954–1957 Manager Lawton Braves
Billy Williams, 1956–1957 Ponca City Cubs

References

McCann, M. (n.d.). Minor League Baseball History. Retrieved April 27, 2007, from https://www.webcitation.org/5knFK7bID?url=http://www.geocities.com/big_bunko/soonerstate4757.htm
Pierce, Peter G., Baseball in the Cross Timbers: The Story of the Sooner State League (Oklahoma Heritage Association 2009)

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.

[encyc-1] Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.

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