Virginia Ore Diggers

From 1913 to 1916, the "Ore Diggers" played exclusively as members of the Class C level Northern League.

Baseball Hall of Fame member Rube Waddell played for the 1913 Virginia Ore Diggers in his last professional season.

[1] In the spring of 1912, a group of Virginia, Minnesota businessmen organized in an attempt to secure a professional baseball team for the city.

The group entered into negotiations with several other regional cities who established the Central International League.

The Duluth White Sox, Grand Forks Flickertails, Minneapolis, Minnesota, St. Paul Millers, Superior Red Sox, Winnipeg Maroons and Winona Pirates teams joined Virginia in beginnins league play.

The Ore Diggers lost the opener 5–2 to Winnipeg, with the game shortened to eight innings so the Canadian club could catch its train.

"[4] In their first season of play, the 1913 Virginia Ore Diggers finished in last place in the Northern League standings.

With a record of 30–87, the Ore Diggers finished in eighth place, playing under managers Spike Shannon, Braggo Roth and Edward Stewart.

[5][9] The 1915 Virginia Ore Diggers finished in sixth place in the final Northern League standings.

Playing under returning manager John Sundheim, the Ore Diggers finished 22.5 games behind the first place Fargo-Moorhead Graingrowers in the final standings.

On July 10, 1916, Virginia had a record of 28–32 and had won 11 of their previous 16 games, playing under manager Lefty Davis.

[16] Ewens Field and Stadium was in existence as a high school football and track facility until it was torn down in 2020.