Minor league baseball began in Narrows, Virginia and neighboring Pearisburg, Virginia, when the New River Rebels joined the eight-team Appalachian League in 1946, which expanded adding four new teams in 1946, including the Rebels. The New River ballclub was founded by player/owner Shannon Hardwick. "I was interested in being in professional baseball so I went to Columbus, Ohio, after I got out of the Navy in November of 1945," Hardwick, an area native, reflected in 1996. "The national baseball association was meeting there and I applied for the franchise and was successful in getting it for the New River Valley. A group of us incorporated, and I served as the business manager for the first three years." The 1946 New River Rebels were an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The Rebels finished 83–40, finishing ahead of league members Bluefield Blue-Grays, Bristol Twins, Elizabethton Betsy Cubs, Johnson City Cardinals, Kingsport Cherokees, Pulaski Counts and Welch Miners. Sitting in 1st place in Appalachian League regular season, playing under Manager Jack Crosswhite, the team played against the league all–stars in the All-Star game on July 19, 1946. The New River Rebels defeated the Appalachian League All-Stars 9–8 in the game at Ragsdale Field. The Rebels would remain in first place at the conclusion of the 1946 regular season. In the 1946 playoffs, the New River Rebels defeated the Pulaski Counts 3 games to 2. In the league Finals, the New River Rebels defeated the Elizabethton Betsy Cubs 4 games to 2 and captured the 1946 Appalachian League Championship. In their initial season, the 1946 New River Rebels drew 39,037 fans, an average of 635. Owner Shannon Hardwick was also a pitcher, helping the 1946 Rebels with a 24–3 record and a 3.53 earned run average. His 1946 record also included a 19-game win streak. The 1947 New River Rebels defended their Appalachian League Championship. The Rebels finished the regular season 64–60, under Jack Crosswhite. In the playoffs, the New River Rebels defeated the Bluefield Blue-Grays 3 games to 1. In the 1947 Finals, the- New River Rebels defeated the Pulaski Counts 4 games to 2 to claim their second consecutive championship. The season attendance was 39,596. Playing under Jack Crosswhite, the team finished 48–78 in 1948 and 52–69 in 1949, missing the playoffs both seasons. The 1950 season was the New River Rebels final season in the Appalachian League. The team finished 31–95, last in the league, under Managers Floyd Brooks and Worlise Knowles. Their attendance was 24,000 for the season, an average of 381. As attendance and sponsorship had both declined, the franchise folded. Since the New River Rebels folded after the 1950 season, the cities have not hosted another minor league team. "Even though it didn't last too long there are some great memories," Shannon Hardwick said.
The ballpark
The Rebels played at Ragsdale Field. The ballpark was located at 125 Woodland Avenue in Narrows, Virginia, where the Narrows High Schoolfootball stadium stands today. The baseball home plate was where the scoreboard stands.
