The Big Stone Gap Rebels, Harlan Smokies, Hazard Bombers, Jenkins Cavaliers, Middlesboro Athletics, Morristown Red Sox and Pennington Gap Miners joined the Braves in beginning league play on April 29, 1951.
[1][2] The ballclub was owned by Norton Baseball Club Inc.[3] The 1951 Braves finished their first season of play with a 53–72 record, placing sixth in the regular season, playing under managers Bob Bowman, George Sifft and George Motto.
Sergio Aguilar had a .363 average and Jack Estes led Norton with 15 wins and a 5.08 ERA.
After the 1951 season, both the Jenkins Cavaliers and Pennington Gap Miners franchises folded and the Mountain States League reduced to six teams in 1952.
Eric Doughtie led Norton with 17 wins, while Albert Turner recorded a 4.44 ERA.