The SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs were a minor league baseball team based in Smithfield, North Carolina, in partnership with Selma, North Carolina. From 1946 to 1950, the SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs teams played exclusively as members of the Class D level Tobacco State League and hosted home games Legion Park in Smithfield.
Smithfield, North Carolina first hosted minor league play in 1946, with the team playing in partnership with neighboring Selma, North Carolina. The "SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs" became charter members of the sixâÂÂteam Class D level Tobacco State League. The AngierâÂÂFuquay Springs Bulls, Clinton Blues, DunnâÂÂErwin Twins, Sanford Spinners and Wilmington Pirates teams joined SmithfieldâÂÂSelma as charter members in Tobacco State League play.
In their first season of minor league play, the 1946 SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs qualified for the playoffs. The Leafs ended the season with a record of 58âÂÂ62 to place third in the sixâÂÂteam Tobacco State League regular season standings. Playing under manager Mike Balas, the Leafs finished the 1946 Tobacco State League regular season 13.5 games behind the first place Sanford Spinners. In the first round of the playoffs, SmithfieldâÂÂSelma lost to the Clinton Blues 4 games to 1. The playoffs were eventually won by the Angier-Fuquay Springs Bulls.
In 1947, H.G. Johnson was reported to be president of the SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs, with J. W. Best serving as viceâÂÂpresident and Peggy Johnson serving as business manager.
Continuing Tobacco State League play, the 1947 SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs finished last in the league standings. SmithfieldâÂÂSelma finished in eighth place and did not qualify for the playoffs as the league expanded to eight teams. Playing under managers Micke Balas and Joe Eonta in the eightâÂÂteam league, SmithfieldâÂÂSelma ended the regular season with a 46âÂÂ79 record. The Leafs finished 40.0 games behind the first place Sanford Spinners in the regular season standings. In the playoffs, the Sanford Spinners became the league champions.
In 1948, the SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs qualified for the Tobacco State League playoffs. The Leafs ended the regular season in fourth place with a 73âÂÂ65 record, playing under managers Sam Narron and Virgil Payne. The Leafs finished 8.0 games behind the 1st placed Sanford Spinners in the final Tobacco State League regular season standings. Leaf pitcher Aaron Osofsky led the Tobacco State League with 24 wins and a 24âÂÂ5 season record. In the first round of the playoffs, the Leafs were defeated by the Sanford Spinners 4 games to 1. The Red Springs Red Robins then defeated Sanford in the Finals to win the championship.
The 1949 SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs placed 5th in the eightâÂÂteam Tobacco State League and did not qualify for the playoffs. SmithfieldâÂÂSelma ended the regular season with a record of 70âÂÂ65, playing under managers Virgil Payne, Claude Weaver and Paul Kluk. The Leafs finished 11.0 games behind of the first place Dunn-Erwin Twins in the regular season standings. SmithfieldâÂÂSelma did not qualify for the playoffs, won by the Red Springs Red Robins.
In their final season, the 1950 SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs folded during the season, which was also the final one for the Tobacco State League. On August 16, 1950, the franchise permanently folded. At the time the Leafs folded, the team had a 49âÂÂ62 record, playing under manager Marvin Lorenz. The Tobacco State continued the season with seven teams after the Leafs folded. The final playoffs were won by the Rockingham Eagles. The Tobacco State League permanently folded following the 1950 season.
Smithfield, North Carolina has not hosted another minor league team.
The SmithfieldâÂÂSelma Leafs minor league teams were noted to have played home games at Legion Park. The ballpark was reportedly located at Buffalo Street & 7th Street, Smithfield, North Carolina.