1908 - The year that the powerful Chicago Cubs captured a second consecutive world series championship and appeared headed for many more before becoming baseball’s loveable losers by embarking upon a drought of exactly 108 years, the longest such occurrence in all major North American sports.
With the all-Alberta Western Canada loop folding after 1907, the diamonds within that province as well as Saskatchewan were void of any professional action during the summer of 1908 although senior amateur leagues and teams abounded. Only in Manitoba was there representation in a pro-level circuit. The defending Northern-Copper League champion Winnipeg Maroons were dethroned in their quest for a repeat by the Brandon Angels.
The three most populous centres in Saskatchewan all had senior amateur representation although none of the three ever engaged one another in face-to-face competition. New leagues encompassing many of the small communities sprang up throughout the province while, many of those which already existed, experienced growth.
The Regina City League opened its schedule on May 19 with a team known as the Alexandra’s defeating the C.P.R. 8 to 2 at Railway Park where all league games were played. Other clubs in the four-team circuit were the Greys and the Internationals. The Alexandra’s emerged as runaway winners of the league. When it came to inter-city competition, a group of select players from all league teams represented the Queen City. Moose Jaw’s approach, however, was different. Rather than selecting an all-star aggregation, the two top teams, the Delphics and South Hill, took turns carrying the Mill City banner against outside competition.
With pro baseball no longer an option in Saskatoon, a senior amateur team from the Hub City, consisting of players from the 1908 City League teams, embarked upon exhibition matches with diamondeers from Prince Albert and Langham but did not join any league.
A number of teams from southern Saskatchewan were leagueless, the strongest independent club of 1908 being from Caron. They more than held their own against teams from larger communities and had an undefeated record playing against the Moose Jaw and Swift Current representatives.