Clifton Forge Railroaders

Clifton Forge, Virginia first began organized baseball, hosting an amateur/semi–professional team in 1890 under the leadership of brothers John, James, and George Mahaney.

[2] On April 6, 1914, Clifton Forge announced that Clarence “Brownie” Erwin, a former Virginia League player, would manage the team, noting that Ervin is reported to be the smallest man to ever wear a professional baseball uniform.

The Clifton Forge Railroaders were joined by the Charlottesville Tuckahoes, Covington Papermakers and Staunton/Harrisonburg Lunatics in the 1914 league play.

Clifton Forge was home to a major maintenance facility for steam locomotives serving the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O), which once employed nearly 2,000 workers.

Playing under managers Clarence Irwin, Harry Bailey, Edward Eschback and Buck Hooker, Clifton Forge finished 8.5 games behind the first place Covington Papermakers in the final standings.

[9][10][11] The Virginia Mountain League was reported to have folded due to poor attendance and the onset of World War I amid "rumors of fixed games.

After winning a final doubleheader against Covington by scores of 5–4 and 5–3, a farewell reception and banquet was held for the Clifton Forge players.