Tri-City Atoms

The Tri-Cities in southeastern Washington, which include Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco, have fielded a number of minor league baseball teams in the Northwest League and its predecessor, the Western International League.

The Tri-City Braves were a member of the WIL from 1950 through 1954, then became a charter member of the new Northwest League in 1955. The Tri-Cities were continually represented through 1974 under various names (Braves 1955–60, 1962; Angels 1961, 1963–64; Atoms 1965–68; A's 1969; Padres 1970–72; Triplets 1973; Ports 1974).

In 1974, the Ports were an independent team and went 27–57 in front of 21,611 fans. The team was managed by owner Carl W. Thompson, Sr. before folding.

Notable players with the Atoms included Doyle Alexander, Ron Cey, Joe Ferguson, and Ted Sizemore, the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1969.

From 1950 through 1974, home games were held at Sanders-Jacobs Field in Kennewick, located at the northeast corner of Clearwater Avenue and Neel Street (46°12′47″N 119°10′08″W / 46.213°N 119.169°W / 46.213; -119.169). The field was aligned to the northeast and named for Harry Sanders, a Connell farmer, and Tom Jacobs, a former manager and the general manager of the Atoms at the time of his death at age 64 in 1968. The ballpark was demolished in the mid-1970s, shortly after the Ports folded.