Olean Ball Team Named "Oilers"

OLEAN LEAGUE TEAM NAMED OILERS
BY CONTEST WINNER HENRY KUBIC

Since Olean derived its name from oil, and since oil is the principal industry, the Olean baseball team in the Pony League would now be known as the Oilers.

This was the decision reached by the officials of the Brooklyn Baseball Club, who were the holders of the Olean franchise. On an April day in 1939, both Jake Pitler, local manager, and Branch Rickey, Jr., head of the Brooklyn farm team, sent telegrams to Spencer F. Harris announcing the decision.

The winner of the season pass for suggesting the name was Henry 'Hank' Kubic, 1105 River Street, Olean. Mr. Kubic was not the only one who suggested that name, but his choice was the first received, being dated Sunday, April 16, 1939.

A complete list of all the names submitted was passed along to the Brooklyn officials for their judgment, and the final choice was made by them. Among the suggestions offered by the local fans were: Dodgers, Oilers, Mustangs, Colts, Cats (for Cattaraugus County), Raven, also several others. When the list had been narrowed down to a few names, it was sent from Brooklyn to Jake Pitler at Paducah, Kentucky, for his consideration.

While the Brooklyn office was considering the name question, a local committee began preparations for the home opening of the Olean Oilers on May 11, against Bradford. This would be an occasion to be remembered.

Arrangements were planned to welcome the Olean baseball club while the squad of twenty Olean Oilers were traveling in two station wagons from Paducah, Ky. to Olean While making the trip to their home field, the Olean team was scheduled to play two exhibition games against the Dayton Wings and the Dayton Delcos.

Plans for the opening game were being made under the general chairmanship of George M. Bartholomew. A parade that would include the ball players, the officials of the Olean and Bradford teams, as well as civic officials would form at 2:30 p.m. at Sullivan and North Union Street moving through the business section to Bradner Stadium.

The Marshall of the parade was Tiffany A. Eaton, who was also the chairman of a committee that provided a color guard and arrangements for the flag-raising ceremony prior to the game.

Copy of season pass courtesy his son Tom Kubic

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