Shelby Farmers

[2] In 1937, the Shelby "Cardinals" became charter members of the reformed the eight–team Class D level North Carolina State League.

[3] The Cooleemee Weavers, Landis Sens, Lexington Indians, Mooresville Moors, Newton-Conover Twins (Cleveland Indians affiliate), Salisbury Bees (Boston Bees affiliate) and Thomasville Chair Makers teams joined with Shelby in beginning league play on April 30, 1937.

In the finals, Mooresville defeated the Shelby Cardinals 4 games to 3 to capture the 1937 North Carolina State League Championship.

[7][8] Floyd Beal of Shelby led the North Carolina State League with both 21 home runs and 107 RBI.

[7] Frank Crespi played for the Selby Cardinals in 1937 in his first professional season at age 19, hitting .314 with 11 home runs.

drafted into the United States Army in early 1943, Crespi qualified for a deferment as he was the sole supporter of his elderly mother.

"[10] While playing in an Army baseball game in Kansas during his service, Crespi suffered a compound fracture of his left leg.

[10][12] it was reported that a total of 23 operations were performed on Crespi's leg and he was unable to return to his playing career following his honorable military discharge.

[13] The Shelby Cardinals continued North Carolina State League play in 1938, before the franchise relocated during the season.

[19] The Gastonia Cardinals, Hickory Rebels, Lenoir Indians, Newton-Conover Twins and Statesville Owls teams joined with Shelby in beginning league play on April 28, 1939.

[27] The Colonels ended their season with a 16–54 record, playing under managers Lou Haneles and Art Patchin as the team disbanded July 19.

[29] The Anderson A's New York Giants affiliate, Asheville Tourists (Brooklyn Dodgers), Charlotte Hornets (Washington Senators), Knoxville Smokies and Spartanburg Spartans (St. Louis Browns) teams joined Shelby in beginning league play on April 24, 1946.

In the playoffs, Shelby lost in the first round as the eventual champion Charlotte Hornets defeated the Cubs 4 games to 2.

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

[46] McKee had been a star player as a youth in American Legion baseball in Shelby, playing with Smokey Burgess.

[48][7][49] In 1950, the Shelby Farmers again placed seventh in the eight-team Western Carolina League final regular season standings.

With their seventh place finish in the eight–team league, Shelby again missed the playoffs, won by the Lenoir Red Sox over Newton-Conover in the finals.

Coble was a former major league player, who had his baseball playing career interrupted by his service in the United States Army.

In April 1943, Staff Sergeant Coble was assigned to the Officer Candidate School in Miami Beach, Florida.

[55] Coble had managed the Tifton Blue Sox of the Georgia State League in 1950, prior to being hired by Shelby.

[56] After two consecutive seventh place finishes, the 1951 Shelby Farmers won the Class D level Western Carolina League championship under Dave Coble.

In the Finals, the Shelby Farmers defeated Morganton Aggies 4 games to 3 in the seven-game series and claimed the championship in the eight-team league.

In the final, the Farmers defeated Lincolnton in a seven-game series to win the Western Carolina League championship.

[63][7] The renamed Shelby "Clippers" partnered with the Forest City Owls, Hickory Rebels (Chicago Cubs affiliate), High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms, Lexington Indians, Lincolnton Cardinals, Marion Marauders, Mooresville Moors, Salisbury Rocots (Boston Red Sox affiliate) and Statesville Blues teams in beginning Tar Heel League play on April 24, 1953.

[64] The Shelby franchise continued play in the 1953, and the Clippers finished the 1953 season in third place in the ten–team Tar Heel League.

[72] The Forest City Owls, Hickory Rebels, Marion Marauders and Shelby Clippers teams continued Tar Heel League play.

The Clippers were managed by Harold Kollar, finishing 16.0 games behind the first place Hickory Rebels in the final standings of the partial season.

[78] Today, the ballpark is still in use, now known as "Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium," hosting high school and youth teams.