Arlington Railsplitters

History Brief

Expansion Franchise #23 joined the league in 1999 under the guidance of Don Mahley, who had previously owned Franchise #2, based in Annandale, before selling out to speculator John Carter following the 1996 season. The TCBA world was saddened in early 2014 upon the death of Ambassador Mahley, leading to the passing of the franchise to long-time baseball promoter, Don Hirsch. The team was moved to nearby Arlington, in recognition of Mahley’s contributions to TCBA, and renamed the Railsplitters, a reference to the WWII unit with which Don Hirsch’s father served. From one Don to another, then, the torch was passed. Moved to the Atlantic Division, the team’s prior successes under Don Mahley were not to be repeated, however. Over the next eight seasons, the Railsplitters never finished higher than 4th place. With dwindling attendance, Hirsch saw no way up, resigning from TCBA at the conclusion of the 2021 season. The opening did not last long. Jeff Sajdak, a veteran of 58 TCBA seasons with Franchise #14, originally with his Grand Rapids Wolverines from 1902-1921, and then from 1922-1972 with his Siouxland Explorers, after which his team was disbanded due to a league-wide restructuring, scooped up the discounted Franchise #23 and moved it back home to Grand Rapids. Renamed the Chicks, robust pre-season ticket sales hinted at a successful future for Franchise #23.