Radford Rockets
The Radford Rockets were a minor league baseball team based in Radford, Virginia from 1946 to 1950. The Radford Rockets played exclusively as members of the Class D level Blue Ridge League. History. Minor league baseball was first hosted in Radford, Virginia in 1946. The Radford "Rockets" became charter members of the four–team Class D level Blue Ridge League. The Galax Leafs, Mount Airy Graniteers and Salem Friends joined Radford as charter members in beginning 1946 league play, which commenced on May 1, 1946. In their first season of play, the 1946 Radford Rockets finished in 3rd  place in the final Blue Ridge League standings. The Rockets ended the season with a record of 53–55, playing under manager Ed Martin. The Rockets finished the season 19.0 games behind the 1st place Salem Friends/Lenoir Red Sox team. Pitcher Harry Cohick of Radford led the Blue Ridge League with 16 wins. The 1947 Radford Rockets placed 3rd in the regular season standings, as the Blue Ridge League implemented a new playoff system. Radford ended the season with a record of 49–66 under managers Eddie Guinther and Sam Gibson, finishing 22.0 games behind the 1st place Galax Leafs. In  the playoffs, Radford lost in 1st round as the Galax Leafs defeated the Rockets 3 games to 1 in their playoff series. Continuing league play in 1948, the Radford Rockets placed 3rd and qualified for the playoffs as the league expanded to six teams. With a record of 68–55, playing under manager Ray Rudisill, Radford Rockets finished 7.0 games behind the 1st place Galax Leafs in the regular season standings. Radford lost in the 1st round of the playoffs as the Galax Leafs defeated Radford 3 games to 0 in the playoff series. John Moore of Radford led the league  with 193 strikeouts, while teammate Clifton Haywood led the league with 109 runs and 175 total hits. The Radford Rockets finished last in the six–team 1949 Blue Ridge League. The 1949 Radford Rockets ended the Blue Ridge League regular season in 6th place with a 55–71 record, finishing 13.0 games behind the 1st place Mt. Airy Graniteers, while playing under managers Bob Thompson, Frank Cirelli and Garland Braxton. Radford did not qualify for the playoffs. Lloyd Wilcox of Radford led the league with 15 home runs, while Radford teammate John Moore led the league with a 2.11 ERA. In  their final season, the 1950 Radford Rockets placed 4th in the Blue Ridge League standings. The Rockets ended the 1950 season with a record of 52–70, playing under managers Garland Braxton and Stephen Sloboda. Radford finished 34.0 games behind the 1st place Elkin Blanketeers in the six–team Blue Ridge League final regular season standings. In their final games, the Rockets lost their playoff series to the Mount Airy Graniteers 3 games to 1. The Blue Ridge League permanently folded after the 1950 season. Radford, Virginia has not hosted another minor league franchise. The ballpark. The Radford Rockets were noted  to have played minor league home games at the Radford High School Park. It was reported the ballpark was located within Wildwood Park (est. 1929), with the ballpark located on a parcel that adjoins the area behind Radford High School. Today, the Radford High School teams play at a new ballpark constructed in 2011. Radford High School is located at 50 Dalton Drive, Radford, Virginia. External links. Baseball Reference Bullpen