In 1931, the Hornets were now playing in the Piedmont League, though they were still a class C level ball club. For the '31 season, Guy Lacy managed a club of players like Jim Lyle (left photo) and Fern Bell, and the '31 Bees played against clubs like the Henderson Gamecocks, and Greensboro Patriots. This Hornets club was listed as one of the top 100 Minor league baseball teams back in 2001. The 1951 Hornets club was also in the 2001 top 100 list. 1931 was ranked 56, and 1951 was ranked 36. (top 100 via MiLB.com) The 1931 Bees finished their season with a grand record of 100-37, and were the league champions that year. The Bees made 1st place again in 1932, but lost in the league finals. With Guy Lacy 's second year managing Hornets players like Eddie Wilson and future 1936 Bees manager Blackie Carter, the now class B level ball club finished the season out with a 80-53 record.

At 2:20 am on Saturday, May 4, 1932, Hornets owner Felix Hayman died of a stroke at his home. He was 65. W.M. "Bud" Moore then ended up taking over Hornets operations, but surrendered the franchise in January, 1933.

For the 1933 season, Guy Lacy was in his third season as Hornets manager, but was replaced on May 16 by Johnny Dobbs (right photo). Names like Al Veach, Grant Gillis, and Taffy Wright, would be seen on the field for the '33 season. The Bees were defeated by the Greensboro Patriots, and finished the season with a 80-61 record in 2nd place. For the 1934 season, with Tommy Taylor managing the club, the Hornets made it to the league finals against the Norfolk Tars, but were defeated, leaving the

Hornets again finishing in 2nd place, this time with a 87-51 record.

In 1935, the Hornets became the class B affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox owned the Hornets club, and played an exhibition game in Charlotte vs the Hornets at Robbie's Field. Managed by Frank O'Rourke, future Red Sox players like William Byron Humphreys and Charlie Wagner (left photo) were part of the club's roster for that year. The '35 Hornets would play against clubs like the Cardinals affiliate Asheville Tourists, and the Reds affiliate Wilmington Pirates. The Red Sox wanted Charlotte to play Sunday home games to increase revenue, but the southern bible belt town didn't allow ball games to be played on Sundays, as it was illegal. 

At the end of the 1935 season the Bees had a record of 62-75 in 6th place. After the end of the season, the Red Sox relocated the 1935 Hornets franchise to Rocky Mount, NC, as the Rocky Mount Red Sox. After the 1940 season, they relocated again to Greensboro, becoming the Greensboro Red Sox. After only playing in the 1941 and 1942 seasons, the club disbanded due to World War II.