Pittsburgh Rebels

History Brief

GM Jim Beeman set-up his first club in Newton for the inaugural TCBA league in 1902. By the conclusion of the 1905 season, however, despite on-field success, the Buccs were out of treasure, and the team was sold to Pittsburgh native Joe Elinich. In 1921, the franchise was obtained by another marauding seaman, Dan Warren. He took control of original Franchise #21 and moved to a naval base in Norfolk, operating as the Pilots until 1935. At that time, Grump Warren, unable to balance his duties within the Anglican Church with TCBA responsibilities, returned franchise ownership back to “Bucc” Beeman. The team returned to Newton, changing the franchise nickname from Pilots to Indians. In 1943, Beeman sold his interest in Franchise #21 to Don Hirsch, who moved the team to Ocala, Florida. Jim Lafargue’s Jersey developers purchased the team in 1951, establishing the team on the Jersey shore until disbanding in 1954, at which time Grump Warren reclaimed the franchise. Warren operated the franchise until 2012, when he sold Franchise #21 to Edinburg’s James MacEachern and retired to a monastery.