When Towns Had Teams (Jim Baumer)
Chapter 1: War Is Over: Let the Games Begin
Baumer opens his book in post-World War II Maine, when a confluence of factors lead to the brief resurrection of semi-professional baseball in the Pine Tree State.
The Auburn Asas, Augusta Millionaires, Brewer Bluebirds, Eastport Lobsters, Farmington Flyers, Kennebunkport Collegians, Portland Pilots, Presque Isle Indians, and Sanford Goodalls are most of the teams mentioned in this opening chapter. And the Down East League, North Franklin League, Northeast League, Timber League, and Twin City League are most of the leagues mentioned in the chapter.
Ultimately, it was relatively high overhead costs* of running these teams, inconsistent leagues and schedules, and the 1954 debut of televised Red Sox games that led to the downfall of semi-professional baseball in most of Maine by the 1960s.
According to Baumer, here are some of the costs incurred by the Augusta Athletic Association to field a team (Augusta Millionaires) in 1949:
$30,000: Renovation of Capitol Park to accommodate up to 2,000 spectators
$16,000: Lights for night games
$1,800: Baseballs
$1,200: Insurance
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