Rutherford County Owls

On July 3, 1936, the franchise was reportedly surrendered to the league after an attack of an umpire occurred at the ballpark in Forest City.

The Hendersonville Skylarks, Lenoir Red Sox, Lincolnton Cardinals, Marion Marauders, Morganton Aggies, Newton-Conover Twins and Shelby Farmers teams joined Forest City as charter members, beginning play on April 30, 1948.

The Owls played as a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and finished 8.5 games behind the first place Newton-Conover Twins in the regular season standings.

[12][13][6][14] In 1950, Rutherford County placed third in the Western Carolina League final regular season standings, continuing as a Chicago Cubs affiliate.

Managed by Rube Wilson, the Owls ended the season with a record of 57–53 to finish 12.0 games behind the first place Newton-Conover Twins in the final regular standings.

Rutherford County's Ken Paschal led the Western Carolina League with 19 home runs.

Forest City finished 3.0 games behind the first place Marion Marauders in the final regular season standings.

[6][24][25] The 1954 Tar Heel League began the season reduced to four teams, Rutherford County Included.

Forest City was managed by Woody Rich and Richard McKeithan, finishing 8.0 games behind the first place Hickory Rebels in the final standings.

The Owls finished their final season with a record of 43–56 to place sixth, playing under managers Jim Poole, Ray Walsh and Len Jackson.

[31] Today, the amateur Forest City Owls, who revived the moniker in 2013, play summer collegiate baseball as members of the Coastal Plain League.

[7] The Rutherford County Owls were noted to have played home minor league games at the Spindale High School Stadium from 1949 to 1952.