The Austin Pioneers, based in Austin, Texas, were one of eight founding franchises of the Big State League in 1947, and their name came from a fan. Owner Edmund P. Knebel, a Seven-Up bottling magnate, held a naming contest drawing nearly five hundred submissions, with fans voting "Pioneers" the winner. Knebel spent $200,000 of his own money in nine weeks to build Disch Field on a city-owned tract, and the Pioneers opened on April 27, 1947, defeating the Wichita Falls Spudders 12-6 with Governor Beauford Jester throwing out the first ball.
The Pioneers never won a Big State League pennant across nine seasons but became the circuit's perennial attendance leader, drawing a franchise record of 188,193 fans in 1949. After the 1955 season, the Big State League sold Austin's territorial rights to the Class AA Texas League, and the franchise became the Austin Senators and later the Braves, operating through 1966.
The Big State League was a Class B circuit that ran from 1947 through 1957, fielding teams exclusively from across Texas. Named for the state's reputation as the nation's largest, the league stretched from the Gulf Coast to the plains of West Texas, bringing professional baseball to cities the higher-classification Texas League had never reached.
Retro Baseball Revival celebrates historic baseball teams with unique apparel, honoring their legacy and bringing history to one-of-a-kind clothing with our old school retro baseball tees from defunct Minor League Baseball teams. All of our high quality apparel is designed, printed, and shipped within the USA. This collection features 100% original designs based on the history and nicknames of historic minor league teams.
Our crewneck sweatshirts are classics that anyone is sure to recognize. They are thick, durable Gildan brand crews. They are a cotton/poly blend that stands the test of time.
Size Guide: True to size
- Made with a medium-heavy fabric blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester (8.0 oz/yd² (271.25 g/m²)), this sweatshirt feels cozy and is the perfect choice for those colder months.
- The classic fit along with the crew neckline deliver a comfy wearing experience with a clean-cut style. Meanwhile, the double-needle stitching at the shoulder, armhole, neck, waistband, and cuff seams add top-tier durability.
- Say goodbye to itchiness thanks to the gray, pearlized tear-away label.
- Made using 100% ethically grown US cotton. Gildan is also a proud member of the US Cotton Trust Protocol ensuring ethical and sustainable means of production. The blank shirt's dyes are OEKO-TEX-certified dyes with low environmental impact.
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F); Non-chlorine: bleach as needed; Tumble dry: low heat; Do not iron; Do not dryclean.
