DISTRICT OF ALBERTA, NORTH WEST TERRITORIES
An elite group of baseballers representing Calgary embarked upon an extensive tour through the province of Manitoba and the District of Assiniboia, N.W.T. during the summer of 1904, playing a series of exhibition games and piling up an impressive record against strong competition, winning seven of ten. Included in their itinerary of contests was a three-game series against the Brandon club, reigning champions of Manitoba. The Calgarians responded by taking two of the three skirmishes. Probably their most outstanding offensive performance of the trek was against the much-heralded pitcher Bert Orr, hurling for Regina, whom they lit up for 22 base hits.
In spite of their success on the diamond, the Calgary organization had some off-field issues which plagued them. At the conclusion of their lengthy road-trip, at a men’s smoker held in recognition of the team’s achievements, a drunken brawl broke out which ultimately resulted in charges of aggravated assault as well as being drunk and disorderly laid against the participants. Then, in mid-September, allegations arose that the team had, during the course of a Dominion Day weekend trek, boarded a train in Strathcona and journeyed to Red Deer without tickets, a situation which had the C.P.R. conductor in charge at the time, facing dismissal.
Territories - Manitoba Championship
(July 26) In the first of a series of three games for the baseball championship of Manitoba and the North West Territories, Calgary downed Brandon 7-3 Tuesday at Brandon. The game was nip and tuck until the last inning when Calgary pulled away with three runs. Calgary had taken an early lead with two hits and two runs in the initial stanza. Andy McCartney tossed a six-hitter for the win.
McCartney (W) and Whitney
O'Connor (L) and Brennan
(July 27) Bert Orr hurled an outstanding game, a two-hitter Wednesday, as Brandon downed Calgary 4-2 in the second game of their three game series.
Miller (L) and Whitney
Orr (W) and Brennan
(July 28) Calgary scored four runs in the first inning then held off a late rally by Brandon to notch a 6-5 victory to win the challenge series for the Territories-Manitoba baseball championship. Orr, the Brandon second baseman, made four boots in the initial frame as Calgary took the big lead. The home squad rallied in the ninth and had a runner on third with two out and O'Connor at the plate. It took three policemen and the umpire to keep the crowd from the playing field as they cheered for a hit and the victory. But Harold Jamieson, on the hill for the Albertans got a grounder to Jack McCreary at third who threw to first for the final out. O'Connor, believed to be a professional import, pitched a four-hitter for Calgary with no walks and six strikeouts but came away with the loss. Catcher Herb Whitney had two hits and two runs for the winners. Calgary errors, they made five, helped Brandon mount a last inning rally which fell just short.
Jamieson (W) and Whitney
O'Connor (L) and Brennan
(July 30) The Winnipeg Metropolitans upset the touring Calgary baseball nine Saturday 3-2 as ace pitcher W.P. Fillmore held the visitors to just five hits. The thrilling exhibition was one of the best games of the season. He allowed Calgary to plate pair in the first inning then pitched shutout ball the rest of the way. He walked one and fanned ten. Mets got one run back in the bottom of the first, added one in the third and scored in the winner in the bottom of the eighth and final frame. The game was called because of darkness. The winner came home with two outs on a throw to second base which escaped the fielder in the semi-darkness allowing the runner to romp all the way home. . Calgary, the champions of Alberta, had already taken two of three from Brandon. Jack McCreary led the winners with three hits.
A.McCartney, Miller (L) (4) and Whitney
Fillmore (W) and Harkness
(August 01) Calgary rebounded from a loss in Winnipeg Saturday to whip Portage La Prairie 11-1 Monday. The visitors scored three in the first inning and coasted to the win behind the solid hurling of Harold Jamieson.
Jamieson (W) and Whitney
Birnie (L), Ross and Morrison
(August 3) Virden downed Calgary 6-1 in an exhibition match in the Manitoba city Wednesday. O'Connor and Brennan, the battery for Brandon in the challenge series, turned up for Virden.
Jamieson (L) and Whitney
O'Connor (W) and Brennan
(August 5) Calgary took the game and the $100 purse Friday in Regina. The touring Calgary Tigers topped the locals 12-5 behind a 22-hit attack. George Miller hurled for the winners besting Bert Orr for Regina.
Miller (W) and xxx
Orr (L) and Bremner
(August 6) Adam Esch cracked four hits Saturday in another big offensive display by Calgary leading the club to a 12-2 romp over Regina in the Territorial capital. It was the Tigers second straight lop-sided win over Regina. George Miller again handled the pitching for Calgary. O'Connor pitched for Regina.
Miller (W) and xxx
O'Connor (L) and xxx
(August 8) In a game soured by an injury to Jack Buscombe, Calgary defeated Moose Jaw 5-3 Monday. Buscombe, the left fielder, suffered a broken leg. Harold Jamieson did the hurling for the winners.
Jamieson (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(August 9 ) Calgary defeated Maple Creek
(August 10) The Calgary nine arrived back in the city Wednesday and was met with a heroes welcome. The club won seven of the ten games on their tour.
(May 13) In an early-season slugfest at the Strathcona Fair Grounds, the local squad demolished visiting Edmonton by a 29 to 9 score. A large part of the ragged performance could be placed on lack of practice.
Currie (L) and Till
Stokes (W) and T. Dobson
(May 21) Playing in chilly conditions, Wetaskiwin won their home opener, defeating Strathcona 14 to 13.
Stokes (L) and T. Dobson
Pittman (W) and Gouchee
(May 24) With a purse of $125 at stake, the visiting Red Deer squad took the field and laid an 11 to 5 defeat on the Calgary baseballers. Winning pitcher Andy McCartney fanned 16 while tossing a eight-hitter. Red Deer backstop Martin led the winners at bat, slamming two triples. Keystone sacker Radis of the Calgarians nailed two doubles and a single.
A. McCartney (W) and Martin
Roberts (L), Boyer (5) and Whitney
(May 24) Fort Saskatchewan clipped Edmonton 15 to 13 in a Victoria Day exhibition of baseball, taking the victor’s purse of $75. The game was close and hard-fought with the Fort team having a slight advantage defensively.
Curry (L) and Brown
Steeves (W) and Atkinson
(May 27) Edmonton and Strathcona met on the Strathcona Grounds with the home team winning 14 to 8. A five-run fourth inning boosted the homesters to their victory.
Magirl (L) and Till
Stokes (W) and T. Dobson
(June 1) Wetaskiwin outclassed Strathcona to the tune of 12 to 7 as the homesters were guilty of making ten errors.
Pittman (W) and Gouchee
Stokes (L) and T. Dobson
(June 14) Innisfail whipped Olds 15 to 2 , banging out 20 hits along the way. Third baseman Carter, shortstop Handley, catcher Dodd and keystone sacker Kremer all laced out three hits for the victorious nine.
Wanless (W) and Dodd
Brower (L) and Henderson
(June 24) Calgary slipped by Wetaskiwin 5 to 3 in a well-played contest at the Calgary Exhibition Grounds, With the score knotted at 2 – 2 entering the seventh frame, the Cow Towners plated three counters on a run-scoring double by Radis and an outfield muff which allowed two more to score. Collecting three hits apiece were third baseman Jack McCreary of the winners as well as fly chasers Currie and Price of the vanquished nine.
Pittman (L) and Gouchee
Miller (W) and Whitney
(June 25) Exploding for six runs in the fifth inning, Calgary went on to hand Wetaskiwin a 16 to 3 setback. George Miller struck out seven and issued an equal number of safeties in taking the mound decision. Outfielder Jack Buscombe had three hits for the winners, including a double.
Pittman (L), Currie (6), Nelson (7) and Gouchee
Miller (W) and Whitney
(June 29) A five-run seventh inning carried the Calgary diamondeers to a 7 to 4 triumph over invading Nanton. Third baseman Windsor of the visitors ripped three singles to lead all batters.
McFarlane (L) and Parton
Boyer (W) and Whitney
(July 1) Before a large crowd at Red Deer, Calgary notched a 6-4 victory over the home nine.
(July 8) Calgary captured an exciting 12 to 10 victory over Red Deer. Catcher Martin and outfielder Northey of the losers both rang up a trio of safeties.
A. McCartney (L) and Martin, Bain
Miller (W), Jamieson (6) and Whitney
(July 9) Facing a shortage of rested pitching arms, regular catcher Herb Whitney volunteered to toe the rubber for Calgary and did a superb job as the Cow Towners defeated Red Deer 5 to 2. Both teams registered seven base hits. Jack McCreary, donning the shin guards and mask, lit up Red Deer pitching for two doubles and a single. Martin of the losers, also given the day off as backstop, stroked a two-bagger and a brace of singles.
A. McCartney (L), Peacock (5) and Bain, Edgington
Whitney (W) and McCreary
(July 13) The Strathcona nine copped the medals put up by the Orangemen, downing the Edmonton squad 15 to 9 in a seven-inning fracas played on the Strathcona Grounds.
Magirl (L) and Till
Stokes (W) and T. Dobson
(July 25) The Edmonton diamond pastimers easily defeated Strathcona nine 20 to 6 on the Hudson’s Bay Grounds. Shortstop Deeton had a home run for the Edmontonians.
Stokes (L), Dobson (2) and T. Dobson
Archibald (W) and Till
(July 29) The Strathcona baseball team laid a thorough 11 to 5 defeat on the Fort Saskatchewan contingent. Dobson’s batting was the feature of the game.
Steeves (L) and Atkinson
Dobson (W) and T. Dobson
(August 4) Before a very large turnout at the Agricultural Park Grounds, the hosting Fort Saskatchewan nine captured the Shera Cup, edging Edmonton 8 to 7. A fine defensive play by Fort third sacker Simons with two on base and two out in the ninth canto saved the bacon for the winners.
Archibald (L) and Till
Steeves (W) and Atkinson
(August 5) A day after losing the battle for the Shera Cup, invading Edmonton knocked off the hosting Fort Saskatchewan nine 8 to 2 in a one-sided affair.
Stokes (W) and T. Dobson
Samis (L), Steeves (6) and Steeves, xxx (6)
(August 11) Edmonton baseballers proved to be poor hosts as they defeated the visiting Fort Saskatchewan nine 8 to 6 in an exhibition tussle. The game was hotly contested and ended with a successful hidden-ball trick when Edmonton first baseman Fidler applied a tag to unsuspecting baserunner Simonds.
Steeves (L) and Atkinson
Magirl (W) and Till
(August 16) Visiting Edmonton clobbered Strathcona 13 to 2 in a hastily-arranged exhibition match. Magirl pitched a splendid game for Edmonton and received perfect support.
Magirl (W) and Till
Stokes (L) and T. Dobson