The Williamsport Millionaires (Tri-State League) in action at Athletic Park, ca. 1905.
The Tri-State League had a reputation as an "outlaw league, laying outside of the National Association of Baseball Leagues.". They played high caliber ball, and paid high caliber salaries. They were infamous for luring talent away from both the minor and majors leagues. Their players included big leaguers such as Jimmy Sebring and Fred "Snitz" Applegate.
Jimmy Sebring, a graduate of Bucknell, resident of Williamsport, was the first player in World Series history to hit a home run.
In 1910, the Atoona times ran an interesting piece on "How They Kept Jim Sebring Down", after he joined the outlaw league.
FORCED TO WASTE AWAY HIS PRIME IN THE TRI- STATE.
James Sebring was a star outfield-er with the Pittsburg Pirates it 1903, in which year his team captured the championship cup of the National league, later to be downed by the Boston Americans in the contest for the world championship honors, says the Baseball Magazine. "Jimmy" played an all star game that season, and was in no small way responsible for the splendid showing of his team. He was one of the features of the post season series. He thought he was entitled to more salary for the season of 1904. He asked for it. His request was not granted and he refused to join his team, going to the outlaws. Forthwith the national commission blacklisted him.
But the life without the pale suited him not. He applied to the commission, baseball's highest tribunal, for reinstatement. Five years he was turned away.
At the close of the season of 1907 the Tristate league ended its life as an outlaw organization, and came in under the nations agreement.
Sebring- who was with Trenton, was not let back. Finally at the close of the season of 1908 Sebring was as to come back. But he had worn out his years of usefulness. Brooklyn passed him up, then Washington. Last winter he died. Thus, because he was not a real big star, or an individual likely to do some injury to organized ball hp was forced to waste away the prime of his baseball life in a minor league at a small salary, when one of the big league teams would have been glad to get him.
On the other hand, consider the case of Robert Unglaub. He had some troubles with the management of the Boston Americans In 1905. He jumped to Williamsport in the Tristate outlaw league. For two years is he was a star there. Boston needed a first baseman in 1907, also a, manager. It occurred to the owners of the Boston team Unglaub might come in handy as a playing Manager. Forthwith the wires were pulled. Through some mysterious means or other—known, only to those on the inside —Bob was reinstated , though his secession was as flagrantly opposed to baseball laws as Sebring's.
Thus it goes. If a player be a star or be particularly desired for home magnate, he can do what he wishes with rules and regulations. But if he be an ordinary player lie has to bear the brunt of official displeasure. "
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James Dennison Sebring was born in Hoytville Pa, on March 25 1882, the son of John R. & Ellen [Ryder] Sebring. [Hoytville is a small town about 40 miles north of Williamsport, in Tioga County]
Sebring attended college at Bucknell University. In 1903, while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he married Elizabeth Milnor, of Williamsport.
He played in the 1903 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the first player in World Series history to hit a home run.
In 363 games over 5 seasons, Sebring compiled a .261 batting average (368-for-1411) with 178 runs, 6 home runs and 168 RBIs. In the 1903 World Series, he batted .333 (10-for-30) with 3 runs, 1 home run and 4 RBI. The home run was the first one in World Series history.
Jimmy Sebring died in Williamsport Hospital, at just 27 years old
Cause of death was listed as acute spinal meningitis.
December 22 1909. He left a wife and young daughter.
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Built in 1890, Athletic Park was replaced by Cochran Elementary School.
The baseball field was named Athletic Park, and it included a racetrack.
On July 4, 1890, the Athletic Park Association had a dedication ceremony for Athletic Park (currently the land that occupies Cochran school and the green space on its north side). Baseball games, bicycle races, music and a fireworks display were all part of the festivities. In the newspaper the next day the reporters mentioned the grand celebration but they also noted a need for a trolley line to be extended to the park to allow citizens of the town easy access to new venue.
His team mate a graduate of Williamsport High School Frederick “Bucky” Veil pitched in that first World Series and was the first relief pitcher in World Series history. They were also team mates at Bucknell.
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