Fort Worth Cats (Texas League)

The Fort Worth Cats were a professional minor league baseball team based in Fort Worth, Texas, that played in the Texas League at various times throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The team's name, "Cats," is a shortened form of "Panthers," a nickname Fort Worth acquired in the late 19th century due to its slow progress in building a new courthouse. A journalist quipped that the city moved like a panther, leading to the adoption of the name.

The Cats had a long and storied history in the Texas League, beginning in the early 1900s. They were affiliated with several Major League Baseball teams over the years, providing a developmental ground for future major league players. The team played in several ballparks in Fort Worth, including LaGrave Field, which became synonymous with the Cats. LaGrave Field underwent various renovations and reconstructions throughout its history.

The Fort Worth Cats experienced periods of success, winning several Texas League championships. They were known for their local fan base and contribution to the baseball culture of the Fort Worth area. The team ceased operations in the Texas League after the 2014 season, replaced by the relocated Frisco RoughRiders.

Later, a different independent baseball team, also called the Fort Worth Cats, played in the United League Baseball and subsequently the American Association of Professional Baseball. This later incarnation of the Cats was not directly related to the historical Texas League franchise, although it adopted the same name and played at LaGrave Field.