The Counts were formed as charter members of the Appalachian League in 1911.[1][2] They played their first game on May 22, a 6–1 loss to the Johnson City Soldiers, before a home crowd of around 500 people.[3] After six further loses, the Counts recorded their first win on May 30, defeating the Knoxville Appalachians, 2–1.[4] Cleveland ended their inaugural season in fifth place, out of six teams, with a 39–56 (.411) record.[5] On August 21, 1912, James Gudger pitched a 2–0 no-hitter against Johnson City.[6] The 1912 team improved to 51–51 (.500), a fourth place finish.[7]
On June 4, 1913, team and league president Walter E. Rodgers surrendered the Counts to the league fearing the circuit would soon collapse due to the recent withdrawal of the Bristol Boosters.[8] The league operated the team until it was transferred to Morristown, Tennessee, as the Morristown Jobbers on June 7.[9] Cleveland played its final games on May 30 as part of a doubleheader with the Rome Romans, winning the first game, 8–0, and losing the second, 6–0.[10] The four remaining games of the series were rained out.[11][12][13][14] The Counts were in second place at 10–8 as of June 4.[15] Combined, the Cleveland/Morristown team finished third at 55–46 (.545).[16]