Kentucky Rifles/Pikeville Cubs

[Grand Slam]

does anyone have any info about these teams. I am interested about the history of the teams, old players etc any info will be greatly apperciated!!!

[rallo316]

Greg Maddux played for the Cubs.

[rallo316]

the Rifles were a part of the White Sox i believe.

[Panther Thunder]

gene davis knows basically everything about them and there is an exhibit in the big sandy heritage museum.

[Grand Slam]

gene davis knows basically everything about them and there is an exhibit in the big sandy heritage museum.

where is that located?

[ComfortEagle]

Is that the "museum" that's in an old train car?

[jammin' jamey]

I read a great article written by Rick Bentley in the App-News Express some years ago about Greg Maddux and Bentley's interview with the former Pikeville Cubs pitcher while in Atlanta. Maddux recalled climbing "the steps" to the players dorms. It was a great article.

According to Wikipedia, the Pikeville Brewers played as a member of the Appalachian League in 1982. They became the Pikeville Cubs for the 1983-1984 season. As a side note, the Paintsville Yankees produced Jose Rijo (his first playing stop in America after signing a contract as a teenager in the Domican) and played in Paintsville from 1979 til 1982.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_League

More on the Cubs...
The Pikeville Cubs replaced the Pikeville Brewers (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pikeville_Brewers) in 1983 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1983). They were 4th of 7 teams that year at 33-37, getting outscored 413-394. Only 4,998 fans came out, fewest in the Appalachian League, and the team lacked any All-Stars. The player who went on to the best career was one of the weaker performances, OF Jacob Brumfield (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jacob_Brumfield) (.881 fielding percentage, .257/~.391/.354, 8 for 13 in SB). Greg Bell (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Greg_Bell&action=edit) (5-2, 1 Sv, 3.36) was fourth in the league in ERA and tied for the lead with two shutouts. In 1984 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1984), the Cubs remained in the middle of the pack, 5th of 8 teams, at 34-34 and were outscored 340-302 with the league's weakest offensive attack. They had a couple All-Stars, 2B Bryan House (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Bryan_House&action=edit) (.270/~.380/.411, 19 for 27 in SB) and LHP Tim Rice (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Tim_Rice&action=edit) (6-4, 2.53, 4th in the Appy in ERA). Three other pitchers were in the top 10 in ERA with Greg Maddux (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Greg_Maddux) (6-2, 2.63, 5th, a league-leading 8 hit batters and tied for the lead with two shutouts), Steve Maye (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Steve_Maye&action=edit) (7-2, 2.90, 6th) and Jeff Pico (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jeff_Pico) (2-3, 3.31, 10th). OF Dwight Smith (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Dwight_Smith) (.904 fielding, .236/~.406/.303) was 4th with 52 walks and led with 39 steals (caught only 7 times). Turnout had again been the lowest (5,511) and no minor league team has been located in Pikeville since (as of 2006 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2006)). The club had a lasting impact in giving Maddux the start on the road to glory.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pikeville_Cubs

Here is what little bit I could find on the Paintsville Yankees: http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Paintsville_Yankees

[jammin' jamey]

Another interesting thread about the Paintsville Yankees...

http://www.bluegrassrivals.com/forum/showthread.php?p=402762

[Brittany0121]

All I know is my dad and uncle say they remember watching Maddux, and B.J. Surhoff I believe it was. I'd have to ask them to be sure.

[More Cowbell]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_League

More on the Cubs...
The Pikeville Cubs replaced the Pikeville Brewers (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pikeville_Brewers) in 1983 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1983). They were 4th of 7 teams that year at 33-37, getting outscored 413-394. Only 4,998 fans came out, fewest in the Appalachian League, and the team lacked any All-Stars. The player who went on to the best career was one of the weaker performances, OF Jacob Brumfield (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jacob_Brumfield) (.881 fielding percentage, .257/~.391/.354, 8 for 13 in SB). Greg Bell (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Greg_Bell&action=edit) (5-2, 1 Sv, 3.36) was fourth in the league in ERA and tied for the lead with two shutouts. In 1984 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/1984), the Cubs remained in the middle of the pack, 5th of 8 teams, at 34-34 and were outscored 340-302 with the league's weakest offensive attack. They had a couple All-Stars, 2B Bryan House (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Bryan_House&action=edit) (.270/~.380/.411, 19 for 27 in SB) and LHP Tim Rice (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Tim_Rice&action=edit) (6-4, 2.53, 4th in the Appy in ERA). Three other pitchers were in the top 10 in ERA with Greg Maddux (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Greg_Maddux) (6-2, 2.63, 5th, a league-leading 8 hit batters and tied for the lead with two shutouts), Steve Maye (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bpv/index.php?title=Steve_Maye&action=edit) (7-2, 2.90, 6th) and Jeff Pico (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jeff_Pico) (2-3, 3.31, 10th). OF Dwight Smith (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Dwight_Smith) (.904 fielding, .236/~.406/.303) was 4th with 52 walks and led with 39 steals (caught only 7 times). Turnout had again been the lowest (5,511) and no minor league team has been located in Pikeville since (as of 2006 (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2006)). The club had a lasting impact in giving Maddux the start on the road to glory.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pikeville_Cubs

Here is what little bit I could find on the Paintsville Yankees: http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Paintsville_Yankees

It sounds like poor attendance was the reason the team left and why no team has been back since. To me this is more evidence that this town is not big enough for a pro sports team, and is why I don't see the CBA team (the Miners) lasting very long.

[Panther Thunder]

where is that located?
Its on the main road downtown by the old empty train. It is an actuasl museum with lots of interesting stuff.

[Scotty doesn't know]

It sounds like poor attendance was the reason the team left and why no team has been back since. To me this is more evidence that this town is not big enough for a pro sports team, and is why I don't see the CBA team (the Miners) lasting very long.

I agree, but hopefully it can succeed if not for a while then a couple years. I would like for this thing to bring in some good concerts. :D I guess that is what I am more excited about.

[Grand Slam]

very good info jj wwas they any local players on the teams

[rallo316]

i was bat boy for the Cubs and Greg Maddux is a nice guy but i never thought he would be a pitcher in the show a few cy young later i guess i was wrong.

[PLAYBOY5]

i was bat boy for the Cubs and Greg Maddux is a nice guy but i never thought he would be a pitcher in the show a few cy young later i guess i was wrong.
Just slightly rong rallo, lol. But I can def. see where you are coming from for thinking that! Hard to believe that a guy with his stuff and style has been as successful as he has been! Did you know the hardest pitch that Maddux has EVER thrown has been clocked at 94. And he only did it once! Just goes to show you what mechanics and location can do for a pitcher! Glavine is the same way! Just 2 very smart pitchers!

[Grand Slam]

i was bat boy for the Cubs and Greg Maddux is a nice guy but i never thought he would be a pitcher in the show a few cy young later i guess i was wrong.

were they any locals ralo

[jammin' jamey]

very good info jj wwas they any local players on the teams

I couldn't tell you exactly. Believe it or not, I was in 1st grade and really hadn't discovered the full enjoyment of America's pastime when the minor league teams were around! :)


It sounds like poor attendance was the reason the team left and why no team has been back since. To me this is more evidence that this town is not big enough for a pro sports team, and is why I don't see the CBA team (the Miners) lasting very long.

Poor attendance was probably the biggest reason for the team's departure, however you have to agree that Pikeville is a growing town and is better suited to handle a professional sport in town than they were 20+ years ago.

[Scotty doesn't know]

I couldn't tell you exactly. Believe it or not, I was in 1st grade and really hadn't discovered the full enjoyment of America's pastime when the minor league teams were around! :)




Poor attendance was probably the biggest reason for the team's departure, however you have to agree that Pikeville is a growing town and is better suited to handle a professional sport in town than they were 20+ years ago.

True, but I still don't think it will keep this team here for more than 2 or 3 years.

[rallo316]

were they any locals ralo
no locals on the cubs the Pulaski Braves had a pitcher from Winchester.

[Grand Slam]

where did the teams play in pikeville

[rallo316]

Pikeville high school.

[Grand Slam]

boy they have a nice field to play on now if they were still around

[bball fan]

i was bat boy for the Cubs and Greg Maddux is a nice guy but i never thought he would be a pitcher in the show a few cy young later i guess i was wrong.
Some 15th region basketball ties to pro-baseball in Paintsville also. Bill Mike Runyon played for the Paintsville Highlanders, then the Yankees came to town the next year. I have seen a group picture of the Paintsville Yankees when they had Jose Rio, Orestes Destrada, and Dan Pasqua. John Pelphrey and Bart Williams were the bat boys. If I am not mistaken they played there home games at Johnson Central's field.

[rallo316]

Some 15th region basketball ties to pro-baseball in Paintsville also. Bill Mike Runyon played for the Paintsville Highlanders, then the Yankees came to town the next year. I have seen a group picture of the Paintsville Yankees when they had Jose Rio, Orestes Destrada, and Dan Pasqua. John Pelphrey and Bart Williams were the bat boys. If I am not mistaken they played there home games at Johnson Central's field.
that is pretty cool did not know about John Pelphery and Bart Williams.

[Grand Slam]

yeeah i thought so too

[PLAYBOY5]

2 pretty good bat boys, that is for sure! LOL, Did Pelphrey or Bart play baseball in high school?

[FOX SPORTS]

All I know is my dad and uncle say they remember watching Maddux, and B.J. Surhoff I believe it was. I'd have to ask them to be sure.
Surhoff cam a little later

[FOX SPORTS]

i was bat boy for the Cubs and Greg Maddux is a nice guy but i never thought he would be a pitcher in the show a few cy young later i guess i was wrong.
Really, you were a bat boy for the Cubs?...I was around that team quite a bit too.

[Panther Thunder]

2 pretty good bat boys, that is for sure! LOL, Did Pelphrey or Bart play baseball in high school?
John did and was a good short-stop/ pitcher

[rallo316]

Really, you were a bat boy for the Cubs?...I was around that team quite a bit too.
there was kid he had black hair but i never talked to him much is that you?

[PLAYBOY5]

Did Shawon Dunston play at Pikeville for the Cubs? Seems like I had heard that somewhere a few years back.

[FOX SPORTS]

there was kid he had black hair but i never talked to him much is that you?
Not a kid then, a little older.

[bigpun]

The Long Rifles had a guy named Billy Brice that I think played 1st base. He could kill the ball! He was definitely my favorite Rifle.

[Mr.Kimball]

The Long Rifles had a guy named Billy Brice that I think played 1st base. He could kill the ball! He was definitely my favorite Rifle.

I dont think that the Long Rifles were part of the Appalacian League. They came later on.

[Mr.Kimball]

Not a kid then, a little older.

Come on, tell us the "Rest of the Story". :D

[FOX SPORTS]

You’re right.
The Kentucky Rifles, which were shared by Paintsville and Pikeville, were in the Frontier League.
The Frontier League was and still is an independent baseball league with no major league affiliation.

The Rifles played the Paintsville portion of their home games at Charlie Adkins Field and were the reason and cause that Paintsville’s field got a grass infield for the first time….it was skinned before that season, with the sod turf still very new when the first game was played there.

I believe the year was ’92 or ’93, maybe ’94.

[Mr.Kimball]

You’re right.
The Kentucky Rifles, which were shared by Paintsville and Pikeville, were in the Frontier League.
The Frontier League was and still is an independent baseball league with no major league affiliation.

The Rifles played the Paintsville portion of their home games at Charlie Adkins Field and were the reason and cause that Paintsville’s field got a grass infield for the first time….it was skinned before that season, with the sod turf still very new when the first game was played there.

I believe the year was ’92 or ’93, maybe ’94.If I am not mistaken, Johnnie LeMaster was the driving force behind the Rifles having a team in the area.

[FOX SPORTS]

If I am not mistaken, Johnnie LeMaster was the driving force behind the Rifles having a team in the area.
You're right.
And he was the manager for a period as well.