The 1903 Shenandoah team was the first minor league baseball team based in Shenandoah, Iowa and won a partial league championship. The team was without a formal nickname, common in the era.[1] Shenandoah briefly played as charter members of the 1903 six–team Class D level Southwest Iowa League. The Atlantic, Iowa, Clarinda, Creston Cyclones, Osceola, Iowa and Red Oak Blue Indians teams joined Shenandoah as charter members. Shenandoah was in first place with a record of 22–14 when the franchise folded on July 18, 1903, and the team had won the first half championship in the league. The manager was William Tiley. The 1903 Southwest Iowa League permanently folded after their only season of play.[2][3][4]</ref>[5]
Shenandoah's team "Pin Rollers" nickname corresponds to the city being a leader in the seed and industry in the era, with the pin rollers aiding in planting seeds.[7][8] Shenandoah was known as the "Seed and Nursery Center of the World" and the Earl May Seed Company was founded in the city.[9][10]
The Pin Rollers ended the 1910 season with a record of 47–52, placing third in the MINK league standings. The Pin Rollers finished 11.0 games behind the first place Falls City Colts, while playing the season under Manager E.C. Fishbaugh.[4][11][12][13] Playing home games at the Sportsman's Park, season attendance was 12,599, an average of 255 per home game.[14]
The Shenandoah Pin Rollers played their final season in 1911.[15] The Pin Rollers placed fourth in the Missouri-Illinois-Nebraska-Kansas League final standings with a 49–51 record, playing under manager Fred Wells. Shenandoah finished 10.0 games behind the first place Maryville Comets/Humboldt Infants team in the final standings. The Shenandoah Pin Rollers franchise folded from the MINK league after the season, along with the Clarinda Antelopes.[16][17][4][18]
Shenandoah, Iowa has not hosted another minor league franchise.[19][4]
The ballpark
Shenandoah teams hosted home minor league games at the Sportsman's Park. The 28–acre park is still in use today as a public park. The ballpark hosts Shenandoah High School baseball and softball teams. Sportsman's Park is located on Ferguson Road in the Northern section of Shenandoah, Iowa.[14][20][21][22]
