1920 Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
1920 BC Interior
1920 Vancouver Island
VANCOUVER CITY LEAGUE
The Asahis, champions of the expired 1919 City International League, and I. L. A. were both new entrants in the 1920 Vancouver City League. Yo Kitagawa, star catcher of the 1919 Nippons, left the team to return to Japan to enter the military.
Asahis, C.P.R., ILA/International Longshoremen’s Association *, Sprott-Shaw (referred to as the Collegians)
* I. L. A. – regular-season City League pennant winner
(May 10) The Asahis took the first game in the City Baseball League at the Powell Street grounds when the Longshoremen were defeated 9 to 4 before a huge opening night crowd. Shortstop Tom Matoba led the Nippons’ ten-hit attack, spanking the horsehide for four one-base hits. Joe Brown homered and doubled for the vanquished nine.
H. Kitagawa (W) and Oda
Crowder (L), Brown (6) and Clark
(May 12) Several timely hits, together with a bevy of costly errors by the opposition, helped the Sprott-Shaw nine grab a 10 to 6 win from the C.P.R. team.
(May 13) The Asahis earned their second straight City League triumph with a hard-fought 10 to 7 conquest of the Sprott-Shaw diamond pastimers. The Collegians grabbed a 5 to 0 first-inning lead, mainly on the strength of a grand-slam home run by outfielder Ruth, but were unable to hold it as the Nippons stormed back with four counters in both the second and third stanzas. Initial sacker Harry Miyasaki of the winners was the only player from either team to accumulate plural hit totals, garnering a pair of bingles.
Furumoto, Uchiyama (W) (1) and Yoshioka
Simons (L) and H. Cross
(May 14) The Longshoremen evened their record at a win and a loss by scoring a 10 to 3 triumph over the C.P.R. The I.L.A. baseballers had ten hits as opposed to four by the Railwaymen. Winning pitcher “Lefty” Lewis, his batterymate Downing plus outfielders Joe Brown and Joe Harman all collected two hits for the winners.
Lewis (W) and Downey
Heffring (L), Basiren (4) and Duncan
(May 17) The C.P.R. nine scored twice in their final turn at bat to edge past the Asahis 2 to 1 at the Powell Street grounds. There were only three hits registered in the entire game, two by the Railroaders. Slabster Basiren got the pitching nod over Yuji Uchiyama of the Nippons.
Furumoto, Uchiyama (L) (4) and Oda
Thurston, Basiren (W) (6) and Mowat
(May 19) In a City League game chock full of thrills from start to finish, the Longshoremen prevailed 11 to 7 over the Sprott-Shaw brigade. The Collegians fell behind early but made a valiant comeback attempt in their final turn at bat which was squelched. Winning hurler Carl Crowder limited the foes to five safeties, two off the bat of catcher Harry Cross. Rival backstop Bill Clark led the I.L.A. nine at the dish, creaming the orb for a triple and two-bagger.
Crawford (L), Simons (1) and H. Cross
Crowder (W) and Clark
(May 21) Playing before 1,000 fans, the Sprott-Shaw team defeated the C.P.R. aggregation by the tune of 6 to 5. Losing twirler H. Abrams of the Trackmen allowed just four hits but the defensive support by his mates was weak. The Collegians plated the winning run in their last turn at bat on a combination of a hit batter, a theft of second and a single by flychaser Art Porter. Reliever Gillies pitched three hitless innings as a fireman to earn the hillock verdict.
Crawford, Gillies (W) (5) and H. Cross
Abrams (L) and Mowat
(May 26) The Asahis won their third game out of four played when they knocked off Sprott-Shaw 8 to 1. The Nippons outhit the Students by a 5 to 3 margin but were out-errored as the Collegians messed up ten defensive chances. Winning tosser Ted Furumoto fanned eight while losing flinger Aserland whiffed seven.
Aserland (L) and H. Cross
Furumoto (W) and Oda
(May 27) I.L.A. moved into a first-place tie with the Asahis after defeating the C.P.R. team 5 to 1 at Recreation Park. Winning moundsman “Lefty” Lewis held the Railway Men to just one safety, a single by first baseman Stedman. The Longshoremen proved no powerhouse at the dish either, acquiring but three safe swats.
Stickney (L) and Mowat
Lewis (W) and Downey
(May 28) Recovering after an offensive famine from 24 hours previous, the C.P.R. band of baseballers knocked off the Asahis 7 to 4, their second triumph over the Nippons this season. Seven bingles erupted off the bats of the Railroaders with flychaser Amos leading the pack with a triple and two-bagger. Winning pitcher H. Abrams twirled a four-hitter and punched out six.
Nagano (L), H. Kitagawa (3) and Yoshioka, Oda (3)
Abrams (W) and Mowat
(June 2) The Asahis were unable to stop the rampaging Longshoremen in City League action, falling 6 to 1 to the league leaders. The I.L.A. swatters collected ten hits in registering the victory, two each by catcher Downey and outfielder Joe Brown. Tom Matoba had two of the Nippons’ five safeties off the slants of winning tosser Eddie Nahanee.
Uchiyama (L) and Yoshioka
Nahanee (W) and Downey
(June 3) Sprott-Shaw moved a full game ahead of the cellar-dwelling C.P.R. nine by dumping the Railroaders 15 to 8 in a heavy-hitting and error-filled skirmish. The Collegians collected 16 hits all told with four-baggers coming off the bats of Harry Cross and infielder Sangster.
Aserland (W) and H. Cross
xxx (L) and xxx
(June 4) Sprott-Shaw won their second in a row by overpowering the Asahi nine 13 to 5. The win for the Students moved them a half-game ahead of the Nippons and into second place in the City League. “Lefty” Simons tossed a five-hitter and fanned six to grab the hillock triumph. Outer pasture guardian Gillies of the Collegians led the hit parade in this scuffle, spanking the sphere for four singles. Teammate Art Porter was next in line, registering a brace of doubles.
Uchiyama (L), H. Kitagawa (1) and Yoshioka
Simons (W) and H. Cross
(June 5) The Longshoremen increased their lead in the City League race to two-and-a-half games, edging the slumping Asahis 10 to 9 at Recreation Park. It was a game with lots of offense and the final inning, in particular, was full of excitement in that both teams staged rallies which produced four runs for each side. An interesting aspect of the game and one which reflects the tactical outlook employed by the Asahis was their strategy in employing Sotaro Matsumiya to lay down four sacrifice bunts, a task which he completed successfully on each occasion.
Crowder (W) and xxx
Furumoto (L) and xxx
(June 7) The I.L.A. balltossers recorded their seventh win in eight starts when they hammered the bottom-feeding C.P.R. squad 9 to 1. The Railroaders played poor defensively and were the victims of eight strikeouts recorded by winning pitcher Stacey Hann.
Hann (W) and xxx
Doran (L), Stickney (3) and Mowat
(June 9) The C.P.R. diamond pastimers won their third game of the campaign and, in the process, moved into a third-place tie with the free-falling Asahis when they subdued the Nippons 6 to 2 at the Powell Street grounds. Aside from the opening stanza when the Asahis got to him for both of their runs, winning pitcher H. Abrams had a good outing on the slab and held the foes to just four safeties, two of which were garnered by Eddie Kitagawa. The Trackmen picked up eight base knocks with outfielder Jimmy Duncan and catcher King both cuffing the apple for a double and single.
H. Kitagawa (L), Furumoto (6) and Oda
Abrams (W) and King
(June 11) The Longshoremen increased their lead atop the City League to 3-1/2 games by burying the Asahis 7 to 2. The loss for the Nippons dropped them into the basement position in the circuit. Winning flinger Stacey Hann limited the offensively-challenged Asahi batters to four hits, two each by infielders Tom Matoba and Bariki Kasahara. One of Kasahara’s blows was a bases-empty home run. Pacing the nine-hit offense of the I.L.A. nine was shortstop “Jumbo” Nahu who connected for a double and two singles.
Nagano (L) and Oda
Hann (W) and Downey
(June 16) After a lengthy drought, the Asahis are finally back in winning mode, taking the measure of the Sprott-Shaw club 9 to 5. Showing some offensive punch for a change, the Nippons racked up ten base hits off a pair of chuckers from the Collegians. Tom Matoba and winning hurler Ted Furumoto both registered three of those base raps. Furumoto punched out a dozen in going the route on the bump. Fitzpatrick and Porter garnered two safeties apiece for the Students.
Aserland (L), Crawford (4) and H. Cross, Fitzpatrick
Furumota (W) and Oda
(June 17) The City League leaders, I.L.A., lost to the lowly C.P.R. squad 5 to 4 at Recreation Park. With some reinforcements on board, the Railroaders plated all five of their counters in the fifth frame and presented a much stronger lineup than in early-season games. Grimmett took the mound victory over Carl Crowder.
Crowder (L) and xxx
Grimmett (W) and xxx
(July 21) Sprott-Shaw upset the top-rung I.L.A. nine 11 to 8 in a game which saw the Longshoremen fall apart defensively, committing nine miscues. Alex Simons earned the hillock win over fellow southpaw, H. “Lefty” Lewis. Middle pasture patroller Art Porter doubled and singled twice for the winners.
Lewis (L) and Harris
Simons (W) and H. Cross
(June 24) Mustering 17 safe knocks, the C.P.R. aggregation won their second match in succession, stomping all over Sprott-Shaw to the tune of 22 to 7. In this slugfest, the Students got to winning tosser H. Abrams for ten bingles. Collecting a triad of base raps apiece for the Trackmen were first baseman Stedham and outfielder Chester Boe. Two of Boe’s hits were triples.
Porter (L), Gillies, Crawford, Simons and Cross, Fitzpatrick, Cross
Abrams (W) and Mowat
(June 28) The suddenly-hot C.P.R nine continued their torrid pace of late, nosing out the league-leading Longshoremen 3 to 2. The clash featured a pitching duel between winning tosser Basiren, who yielded four hits while whiffing nine, and loser Joe Brown of the I.L.A. aggregation, who was nicked for three safeties while fanning nine. First sacker A. McKay of the Longshoreman picked up a pair of singles and was the lone player to acquire more than one hit.
Basiren (W) and Mowat
Brown (L) and G. Warren
(June 30) The C.P.R. diamond pastimers, on fire of late, picked up their eighth win and solidified their hold on the runner-up spot in the City League by stopping the Asahis 9 to 8. The winning counter was scored in the top-of-the-ninth inning and moved the Railroaders to within a half-game of the top-dog Longshoremen.
Basiren (W) and Mowat
H. Kitagawa (L) and Oda
(July 2) First-place I.L.A. put a little more breathing room between themselves and the runner-up C.P.R. nine when they bounced the Sprott-Shaw baseballers 10 to 1 at the Powell Street facility. Carl Crowder starred on the slab for the Longshoremen, twirling a two-hitter, walking two and fanning twelve. I. Warren had two of the six hits garnered by the victors.
Crowder (W) and G. Warren, I. Warren
Simons (L) and Fitzpatrick
Standings W L Pct.
Longshoremen 9 5 .643
C.P.R. 8 6 .571
Sprott-Shaw 6 7 .462
Asahis 5 10 .333
(July 5) Seven errors by the Longshoremen cost them the ball game when they were upset by the Asahis 4 to 1 at the Powell Street grounds. Both winning pitcher Yuji Uchiyama and hard-luck loser Eddie Nahanee limited their foes to just four safeties but the Nippons backed their chucker flawlessly, committing not a single miscue afield.
Uchiyama (W) and Oda
Nahanee (L) and I. Warren
(July 7) The C.P.R. Locomotive, slow starter out of the gate, continued to steamroll down the tracks as the Railroaders won their ninth tussle of the campaign, taking down Sprott-Shaw 3 to 1. Both pitchers, winner H. Abrams and loser “Lefty” Simons, were in fine form, each fanning eight while surrendering six and five hits respectively. Recording two safeties apiece were keystone sacker Bradbury of the Trainmen as well as infielders McKillop and Sangster of the Collegians.
Abrams (W) and Duncan
Simons (L) and Duff
(July 8) Determined to vacate the cellar position in the City Baseball League, the Asahis took care of business, flattening the third-place Sprott-Shaw squad 9 to 2. Winning slabster Yoshioka yielded nine hits, struck out five and allowed no free transportation.
xxx (L) and xxx
Yoshioka (W) and xxx
(July 9) After a great battle at the Powell Street grounds, the Longshoremen affirmed their grip on the top rung of the City League ladder by putting down their closest pursuers, the streaking C.P.R. contingent, 5 to 4. The Railwaymen outhit the I.L.A. nine 10 to 8 and had all three of the game’s extra-base hits. Outfielder Pratt, Joe Brown and first baseman Wilson all singled twice for the winners. For the vanquished nine, flychaser Amos tripled and singled, Chester Boe doubled and singled and Pat Worley delivered two singles. Catcher Jimmy Duncan of the Trackmen creamed the contest’s lone four-bagger.
Brown, Hann (W) (5) and I. Warren
Abrams (L) and Duncan
(July 14) Sprott-Shaw diamondeers met defeat at the hands of the I.L.A. nine, falling 6 to 4 to the Longshoremen. The Collegians started off well but the Dockers did not let the lead stand up long. Poor defensive play by the losers contributed to their downfall. Carl Crowder earned the hillock triumph with a five-hitter.
Crowder (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
(July 15) Pitcher Eddie Nahanee carried the I.L.A. boys to an 8 to 3 City League victory over the Asahis, holding the Nippons to six bingles. The Longshoremen gathered eight safe swats in posting the victory.
(July 16) With Jerry Thurston at the height of his form, the C.P.R. team buried the slump-ridden Sprott-Shaw nine 16 to 1 at the Powell Street grounds. Slabman Thurston not only kept the Students down to two hits but fanned seven and allowed only one batter to reach first on a free pass. The Railwaymen, on the other hand, unmercifully pounded the offerings of “Lefty” Simons for 14 base knocks including three each by catcher Jimmy Duncan, third baseman Pat Worley and first baseman H. Abrams. Two triples and a double comprised Duncan’s sum of swats while Abrams had a three-bagger in his trio.
Simons (L) and Duff
Thurston (W) and Duncan
(July 19) The Asahis, in spite of being outhit by an 8 to 2 margin, doubled the error-prone Sprott-Shaw squad 6 to 3, dropping the Collegians into the City League basement.
(July 21) Any first-place aspirations that the C.P.R. nine had pretty well went down the drain when they suffered a humiliating 20 to 1 pasting at the hands of the league-leading Longshoremen. The Dockers hit and fielded in bang-up style, collecting 14 base knocks and playing error-free afield. Meanwhile, the Railroaders were limited to just four hits while booting the ball nine times.
(July 26) I.L.A. balltossers went two extra innings before they subdued the Asahis 3 to 2 at the Powell Street grounds. The Dockers had a 6 to 4 margin in base knocks.
(July 28) Allowing but three hits, hurler Grimmett of the C.P.R. nine propelled the Railroaders to a 12 to 0 pasting of the Sprott-Shaw band of pastimers. In cruising to the easy win, the Trackmen raked “Lefty” Simons for 14 base knocks including three each by Pat Worley, second baseman Bradbury and outfielder Duncan. Two of Worley’s blows were doubles and one of Bradbury’s a three-bagger. Third sacker Gillies had two of the three safeties, both triples, procured by the Collegians.
Grimmett (W) and Mowat
Simons (L) and Duff
(July 29) Being limited to five hits didn’t prevent the Asahis from touching home plate frequently as the Nippons prevailed 13 to 5 over the inept Sprott-Shaw balltossers who self-inflicted their doom by booting the horsehide on nine occasions.
Yoshioka (W) and Matsumiya
McLaughlin (L), Simons and Gillies, Crawford
(July 30) Top-dog I.L.A. defeated the second-place C.P.R. nine 6 to 1 at the Powell Street grounds to practically seal the deal for pennant supremacy in the City League. Winning pitcher Stacey Hann limited the Trackman to five safeties.
Thurston (L) and Duncan
Hann (W) and Sommerville
(August 6) The Longshoremen bagged 13 safeties and walked all over tail-end Sprott-Shaw at the Powell Street grounds, winning by a score of 16 to 2. Joe Brown had a pair of doubles for the pennant-winning Dockers.
(August 9) Sprott-Shaw continued in free fall, taking an 11 to 7 setback at the hands of the second-place C.P.R. team. Both teams played ragged ball afield but smacked the horsehide with authority. The Trackmen had 13 base blows to eight for the Students. Bradbury of the Railroaders led all baton swingers, connecting for three base knocks. Ab Mortimer, loaned to the Collegians by I.L.A. for this game, drilled a four-ply tater.
Gillies (L) and Ruth
Abrams (W) and Duncan
(August 11) The C.P.R. and Asahi diamond pastimers ended their 1920 Terminal League commitment in a game which had the Railroaders prevailing 6 to 2. The winners collected nine hits off losing pitcher Ted Furumoto while victorious moundsman H. Abrams was combed for four safe blows by the Nippons. Abrams also rapped out a circuit-dinger as part of his work.
Furumoto (L) and Oda
Abrams (W) and Duncan
(August 12) I.L.A. took the last scheduled game of the Terminal League season, scoring a 7 to 3 victory over last-place Sprott-Shaw. The Longshoremen edged the Collegians 6 to 5 in the base hit department. Darkness stopped play in the fifth inning.
Crowder (W) and Sommerville
Crawford (L) and Duff
Final standings W L Pct.
I. L. A. 18 6 .750
C. P. R. 14 10 .583
Asahis 10 14 .417
Sprott-Shaw 6 18 .250
No intra-league playoffs. First-place I.L.A. advanced directly into the lower mainland playoffs.
VANCOUVER TERMINAL LEAGUE
Canux Canucks, Gilmore Athletic Club, Hanbury’s Mill *, Rat Portage Lumber
* Hanbury’s – regular-season Terminal League pennant winner
(May 25) The Terminal Baseball League opened its season before a large crowd at the Powell Street grounds. The event itself was a blowout in which Hanbury’s whitewashed the youthful Canux Canucks 11 to 0. Ferdie Inch, on the slab for the Millmen, stymied the losers on one hit, a single to Dickie Butler, while breezing eleven. Pacing the winners’ nine-hit assault was first baseman Goodall who belted a home run and a single.
Inch (W) and Daniels
Cook (L) and Sliven
(May 27) The Gilmore Athletic Club Nats annexed an impressive win in their inaugural Terminal League appearance, downing the Rat Portage team 15 to 2 at the Powel Street facility. Baden Esplen was on the rubber for the winners and showed quite a bit of stuff, whiffing twelve of the Lumbermen. He was touched for five hits, two off the bat of leadoff hitter Warren. Hot corner custodian Oscar Olson banged out a brace of triples for the Nats.
Esplen (W) and Scott
McArthur (L) and Smith
(June 1) In the heaviest-hitting game of the young season, Hanbury’s outswatted the Rat Portage nine 21 to 12 at the Powell Street grounds. 29 hits were registered in this slugfest, 17 by the winners. Several players had multi-hit performances but only two, outfielder Ralph Calder of the Millmen and losing chucker Tom Payne, recorded three safeties. Calder, along with teammates Goodall and outfielder Leonard, all blasted home runs for the winners while catcher Smith of the Rat Portage squad replicated the feat.
Choate (W), Inch and Daniels
Payne (L) and Smith
(June 3) The Canuck Club came through with its first win of the Terminal League season, downing the Gilmore Athletic Club 6 to 4. Hits were very scarce during the game. Jimmie McLaughlin, twirling for the winners, and Gilmore’s Earl Sager setting their opponents down with 3 and 4 bingles respectively. McLaughlin, outside of being a little wild, heaved a steady game and punched out a dozen batters along the way. Sager’s excellent work on the bump was often hampered by the constant miscues by his teammates.
McLaughlin (W) and Holden
Sager (L) and Scott
(June 8) Undefeated Hanbury’s kept on rolling by posting a 9 to 5 triumph over the Gilmore Athletic Club. Winning pitcher Bill Choate limited the Nats to just four base hits, all singles, while breezing 13. Pacing the offensive thrust of the Millmen was flychaser Ralph Calder who slammed a triple, double and single.
Esplen (L) and Scott
Choate (W) and Scott
(June 15) Tom Payne, with a home run, was the hero for Rat Portage when his team downed the Canux Canucks 12 to 9 in a Terminal League game at the Powell Street grounds. Triples were credited to Stevenson and Diron.
Payne, Thompson and Smith
Blake, Erickson and Hunter
(June 17) Hanbury’s Mill eked out a 2 to 1 verdict over a fighting Gilmore A. C. nine to maintain their perfect record for the season. Ferdie Inch threw a two-hitter and struck out 18 to get the win over Earl Sager from whom the Millmen were only able to nick for four safeties. The Gilmores had both of the game’s double plays.
Inch (W) and Daniels
Sager (L) and Scott
(June 22) Baden Esplen struck out 14 and allowed only one hit in pitching the Gilmore Athletic Club to a 3 to 1 win over the Canux Canucks. Losing flinger Craig was mighty tough on the hill as well, yielding just five safeties.
Esplen (W) and Scott
Craig (L) and Hunter
(June 24) Hanbury’s continued to be the class of the Terminal League, posting a 6 to 1 victory over the Rat Portage Lumber contingent. Both teams registered eight base hits although those of the Millmen were more likely to have occurred with ducks on the pond. Earning the distinction of being the game’s leading hitter was Rat Portage shortstop Jenkins who pounded the pill for a pair of doubles and a single.
Daniels (W) and N. Goodall
Payne (L) and Smith
(June 29) Hanbury’s won their seventh straight in the Terminal League, defeating the Gilmores 7 to 4. Ferdie Inch pitched a good game for the winners, allowing five hits and ringing up 12 punchouts.
Standings W L Pct.
Hanbury’s 7 0 1.000
Canux Canucks 2 3 .400
Gilmore A. C. 2 5 .286
Rat Portage 1 4 .200
(July 6) The Gilmores registered a 10 to 6 triumph over last-place Rat Portage Lumber in Terminal League play. Four counters in the ninth frame did the trick for the Clubmen. Baden Esplen was credited with the pitching win, surrendering eight hits while striking out 16.
Esplen (W) and Scott
Thompson (L) and Smith
(July 8) Hanbury’s continued their impressive march to the Terminal League pennant, dropping the Canux Canucks 14 to 6. There was plenty of offense in this clash which saw third baseman Daniels of the Millmen slam a home run and single while rival hot corner guardian Cameron lit up winning flinger Norm Goodall for a triple and one-bagger.
N. Goodall (W) and B. Raferty
Craig (L) and Slevin
(July 10) The Gilmore Athletic Club baseballers, spearheaded by the superb mound work of Baden Esplen, finally put a halt to the unbeaten streak accumulated by the first-place Hanbury’s nine. The Clubbers raked seven safeties off losing twirler Daniels in blanking the Millmen 4 to 0. Esplen struck out seven and held the powerful league leaders to six bingles, all one-baggers.
Daniels (L) and N. Goodall
Esplen (W) and Scott
(July 15) Hanbury’s rebounded from their initial Terminal League setback this season to narrowly nose out the Canux Canucks 3 to 2. The diamond battle was conspicuous for the fine pitching displayed. Ferdie Inch, for the winners, struck no fewer than 20 of his opponents and allowed only four safeties. Losing flinger Bradbury also had a fine outing and yielded just seven bingles to the league leaders. Tom Payne had a second-inning home run for the Canucks.
Inch (W) and N. Goodall
Bradbury (L) and Dennis
(July 29) Rat Portage Lumber recorded an important victory in Terminal League play, disposing of the Gilmores 7 to 4. The win for the Lumbermen moved them into a second-place deadlock with the Athletic Clubbers as the circuit closed out its regular schedule. Both teams had just four base hits but the Clubmen out-fumbled the Lumbermen 5 to 4.
Robinson (W), Hamilton and Smith
Sager (L) and Scott
Second-place tie-breaker (best-of-three)
Gilmore Athletic Club vs Rat Portage
(August 3) Striking out 13 and allowing only three safe hits, Baden “Babe” Esplen hurled the Gilmore Athletic Club to a 3 to 2 decision over Rat Portage in the opener of their best-of-three series. Shortstop Bill Shaver of Gilmore’s was the only player from either squad to register two hits.
Esplen (W) and Scott
L. Thompson (L) and Smith
(August 5) The Gilmore Athletic Club took the Rat Portage nine into camp by a close 2 to 1 decision to capture their series in two straight contests. Earl Sager secured the mound triumph with a five-hitter. Shortstop Dickie Butler paced the Clubbers at the dish with three base knocks.
Robinson (L) and xxx
Sager (W) and xxx
No intra-league final playoffs – the Hanbury’s Mill nine, representing the Terminal League, proceeded directly into the Lower Mainland Amateur baseball playoffs against I. L. A., champions of the Vancouver City League.
VANCOUVER COMMERCIAL LEAGUE
Arnold & Quigley *, Centrals, Kelly-Douglas Nabobs, Mission Confectionery (generally called the Missions)
* Arnold & Quigley – regular-season Commercial League pennant winner
(May 1) Arnold & Quigley scored a 6 to 0 win against the Centrals in the Commercial League opener at Athletic Park. “Tat” Larson spun a four-hitter and fanned six in posting the shutout victory. Paul Tatman and “Mickey” MacFarlane/McFarlane had two hits apiece for the winners with a double included in Tatman’s total of safeties.
Larson (W) and Foley
Raftery (L), Giguere (3) and Whyte
(May 3) The Missions and the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs played to a 1 – 1 tie in a Commercial League fixture curtailed by darkness. The Confectioners plated their counter in the opening panel when catcher Harry Richardson singled home Ralph Clayton. The Coffee Grinders responded in the fifth on an RBI single by Harry Wilson which drove in Jack Fraser. K-D had five hits to four for the Missions. Wilson and teammate Cam Stewart were the only two batters to accumulate two safe swats.
Delcourt and Richardson
Evans and Hart
(May 5) Arnold & Quigley made it two straight in this year’s Commercial League race when they took the Kelly-Douglas nine into camp 7 to 5. The Clothiers outswatted their foes 5 to 4. A & Q’s Hec Cann was the lone player to register two hits, both being doubles.
Robinson (L) and Blochberger
Larson (W) and Foley
(May 6) The Centrals broke into the win column by thumping the Missions 10 to 4 at Athletic Park. Bill Brand whiffed five and issued an equal number of hits in taking the hillock decision. Outfielder Brown tripled and singled to lead the winners at the plate.
Brand (W) and Whyte
Sager (L), Delcourt (4) and Richardson
(May 10) The Kelly-Douglas baseballers captured their first victory of the campaign, a 13 to 5 pounding of the Centrals. The Coffee Grinders pounded out 15 hits in this slugfest to eight for the Centrals. Keystone sacker Jack Fraser doubled and singled twice for the winners while rival second baseman Bill Giguere clipped the orb for four singles.
Evans (W) and Hart
Jardine (L) and Buchanan
(May 12) Arnold & Quigley administered a severe 20 to 5 licking on the Centrals, punishing losing twirler Bill Brown with 18 base blows.
(May 13) Five errors in the second inning proved fatal for the Missions who went down to a 7 to 4 defeat at the hands of the Nabobs. Lorne Lowery took the mound verdict from Frank Sager. Top hitter in the game was K-D’s Jack Fraser who picked up three safeties.
Lowery (W) and Blochberger
Sager (L) and Richardson
(May 17) The Missions copped their first triumph in the current Commercial League when they took the fast-travelling Kelly-Douglas Nabobs into camp by a score of 7 to 5. “Lefty” Delcourt, on the mound for the Candymen, was wild at times but was able to settle down adequately when the chips were on the line. He gave up five hits and struck out seven. Catcher Harry Richardson and outer pasture patroller Neil Silver both banged out two hits for the winners.
Delcourt (W) and Richardson
Evans (L) and Hart
(May 19) Dropping a 7 to 3 game to the Centrals in the first game of a twin-bill relegated the Missions to the Commercial League cellar once again. In the second match of the day, the top-dog Arnold & Quigley squad nosed out the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs 3 to 2. Sporting their new red uniforms, the Centrals climbed into a 6 to 0 lead after two innings of the opener were in the books. The Confectioners aided their own demise by committing six fielding miscues. Shortpatcher Kenny Macken spanked the pill for a double and single in pacing the winners’ nine-hit attack. Neil Silver of the vanquished nine equalled that output. Bill Brand whiffefd nine and tossed a five-hitter for the mound decision.
Sager (L) and Richardson
Brand (W) and Whyte
Both squads in the finale plated a pair of counters in their opening turn at bat and the score remained deadlocked at 2 – 2 until the top of the ninth panel when the Quigs, who held an 8 to 6 advantage in base hits, scored the winner. Both pitchers of record rang up nine strikeouts. Only one swatter in the contest, catcher Cecil Holt of the Nabobs, managed plural hit totals, singling twice.
Larson (W) and Foley
Lowery (L) and Holt
(May 22) The Nabobs and Centrals battled to a 3 – 3 tie in a ten-inning affair made miserable by cold weather and dampness. Kelly-Douglas chucker Charlie Evans held the Centrals to four bingles while his mates collected seven from the slants of Tom Raftery. Evans also led all willow wielders, slamming a brace of two-baggers.
Raftery and Whyte
Evans and Holt
(May 25) In the best game of the season to date, the Arnold & Quigley nine won their fifth contest of the campaign, a 1 to 0 squeaker over the Missions. Third baseman “Tat” Larson scored the game’s lone run in the fifth frame when he reached base with a one-bagger, was sacrificed to the keystone sack by Sid Elmer and romped home with the ultimate winner on Ernie Paepke’s single off the right field wall. The bingles by Larson and Paepke were the only two-hits yielded by hard-luck losing pitcher “Lefty” Delcourt who whiffed eight of the Clothiers. Winner Art Gourlay surrendered four hits, two to Neil Silver, and punched out four.
Delcourt (L) and Richardson
Gourlay (W) and Finch
(May 26) Arnold & Quigley tasted defeat for the first time this season when they were edged 3 to 2 by the Centrals at Athletic Park. Bill Brand, on the mound for the winners, held the hard-hitting Quigs to four lone bingles. Centrals’ shortstop Kenny Macken was the batting star of the evening, lacing three hits including a triple and double. Syd Whyte’s single in the eighth drove in Macken, who had nailed a three-bagger, with the winner.
Robertson, Larson (L) (8) and Foley
Brand (W) and Whyte
(May 27) The Kelly-Douglas nine moved into second place in the Commercial League by virtue of an 8 to 2 whipping of the Centrals. The Nabobs racked up a dozen base blows including two each by Harry Wilson, Hazen Phillips, Cecil Holt, Jimmie Ralston and winning pitcher “Beaner” Robinson. Third baseman Jack Andrews picked up two of the Centrals’ four safeties.
Brand (L), Carruthers (6) and Whyte
Robinson (W) and Holt
(May 31) Top dog Arnold & Quigley strengthened their hold atop the Commercial League by snatching a 13 to 10 verdict from the Nabobs in a loosely-played fracas. The Kelly-Douglas aggregation posted a slim 12 to 11 advantage in base hits. Top swatters in the scuffle were “Mickey” MacFarlane of the Quigs along with Cecil Holt and Jimmie Ralston of the vanquished nine who each bagged a trio of base raps.
Lowery (L), Corbett (5) and Hart
Larson (W), Gourlay (6) and Foley
(June 1) An errant throw to third base in the last half of the eighth inning by catcher Charlie Finch with two runners on base spelled defeat for the Centrals who were nosed out 3 to 2 by the Missions. Finch’s pickoff attempt sailed into the outer pasture allowing the tying and ultimate winning markers to score. It was a tough break for losing chucker Johnny McWhinney who tossed a four-hitter, struck out ten and was locked in a pitching duel with winner Camille Delcourt. The victorious portside twirler of the Confectioners gave up just three safeties and fanned 15.
McWhinney (L) and Finch
C. Delcourt (W) and Richardson
(June 2) Although outhit by an 8 to 6 margin, the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs strengthened their hold on second place in the Commercial League when they took the hard-hitting Centrals into camp by a score of 8 to 5. Errors at critical moments spelled defeat for the Centrals. Harry Wilson, at third base for the Nabobs, had a good night with the hickory, stroking three hits including a double.
Evans (W) and Hart
Brand (L) and Finch
(June 3) First-place Arnold & Quigley registered another win to their string of victories when they doubled the Missions 8 to 4 at Athletic Park. Johnny Wintemute struck out five in hurling the three-hit win for the Quigs.
Wintemute (W) and xxx
Clayton (L), Stewart (7) and xxx
(June 7) The Missions won an eleven-inning thriller from the Nabobs 3 to 2 to move into third place in the Commercial League. Overtime was required when the Confectioners tied the game 2 – 2 in the ninth. Both Charlie Evans, the Kelly-Douglas starting heaver, and Frank Sager, toeing the rubber for the Mission Confectionery aggregation, were in fine form in this contest. Over the eleven stanza duration, Sager was touched for just five safeties, all singles. In his 10-1/3 innings of mound toil, Evans was touched for only four bingles.
Evans (L), Sparks (11) and xxx
Sager (W) and xxx
(June 9) In spite of being outhit 9 to 6, the Missions pulled off a 9 to 4 victory over the Centrals, a win which moved them into a second-place tie with the Nabobs in the Commercial League. The Centrals stranded 14 baserunners as winning tosser Camille Delcourt was able to come through in the clutch. Neil Silver and Ralph Clayton both banged out a two-bagger and single for the winners. First baseman Ernie Carruthers had two doubles and a single for the losing Hub Men.
Delcourt (W) and Richardson
Buchanan (L) and Finch
(June 11) The Mission Confectonery gang of baseballers reeled off their third straight Commercial League victory, nosing out first-place Arnold & Quigley 8 to 7. It took a three-run outburst in the bottom of the ninth panel for the Missions to achieve the triumph. Camille Delcourt, coming on as a fireman in relief of Frank Sager, copped the mound decision over Willard Bruce. First baseman “Casey” Clarke tripled and doubled for the winners while Sid Elmer was best with the baton for the Clothiers, stroking a double and one-bagger.
Bruce (L) and Foley
Sager, Delcourt (W) and Richardson
(June 15) Rebounding from just their second loss of the campaign, the Arnold & Quigley team strengthened its dominating position in the Commercial League by taking a 7 to 4 verdict over the Nabobs. The Clothiers registered ten base knocks in putting together their victory, two each from Lorne Foley, Sid Elmer, Ernie Joliffe and Paul Tatman. Foley’s two safeties were both doubles. “Tat” Larson whiffed seven and was nicked for five bingles in recording the hillock triumph. Outfielder Cam Stewart, with a double and single, was the only K-D batter to get to him for more than one hit.
Larson (W) and Stevenson
Evans (L) and Hart
(June 16) The Nabobs scored a six-spot in the opening spasm and went on to thump the Missions 11 to 4 in a Commercial League fixture. Both teams racked up 11 base blows in what otherwise was a one-sided affair. Most productive swatters in the skirmish were Ralph Sollaway of Kelly-Douglas, with a triple and two singles, and the Confectioners’ infielder N. Bell who singled on three occasions.
Sager (L), Delcourt (2) and Richardson
Corbett (W) and Blochberger
(June 18) Committing five errors which cancelled out their three-hit advantage in base hits acquired, the Arnold & Quigley contingent of diamondeers went down to a 6 to 4 setback at the hands of the Missions. Camille Delcourt breezed 14 in taking the hillock verdict over another portsider, George Robertson.
Robertson (L) and Foley
Delcourt (W) and Richardson
(June 21) Arnold & Quigley swatters ripped the horsehide for 15 safe blows in romping over the Centrals 13 to 5. The Hub Men were no slouches at the plate either, getting to the offerings of winning pitcher Willard Bruce for ten bingles. “Tat” Larson and first sacker Moran had three safeties each for the winners.
Buchanan (L), Whyte (6) and Whyte, Finch (6)
Bruce (W) and Foley
(June 25) Arnold & Quigley won their eleventh Commercial League game when they defeated the Nabobs 11 to 8. “Tat” Larson allowed seven hits and fanned an equal number in earning the complete game victory.
Lowery, Evans (L) and xxx
Larson (W) and Foley
(June 26) A Commercial League doubleheader ended with the Nabobs edging the Centrals 7 to 6 in the matinee event and Arnold & Quigley doubling the Missions 6 to 3 in the finale. Poor defensive play by both squads hampered adequate pitching in the opener in which each team stroked just four hits. Not one player from either bench was able to muster more than one safety as Norm Corbett decisioned Bill Brand on the rubber. Third baseman Kenny Macken of the Centrals had the contest’s longest blow, a three-bagger.
Brand (L) and T. Jardine
Corbett (W) and Hart
The Quigs plated four markers in the second frame of the late game and remained in front throughout. Hitters on both clubs registered seven hits as Paul Tatman of the Clothiers emerged as the swatting star with three base knocks. Willard Bruce grabbed the slab win while starter Frank Sager of the Confectioners was hit with the loss.
Bruce (W) and Foley
Sager (L), Clayton and Richardson
(June 28) Allowing but one hit while striking out nine, “Lefty” Delcourt carried the Missions to a 2 to 0 whitewashing of the Centrals before a large crowd at Athletic Park. The Confectioners gathered six hits off a pair of Central hurlers. There were no players with plural hit totals in this game.
Giguere (L), Bruce and Stevenson
Delcourt (W) and Richardson
(June 30) A six-spot in the ninth spasm lifted the Missions to an 8 to 5 triumph over the Centrals. Ralph Clayton, with Camille Delcourt providing a last-inning fireman service, took the pitching win from Bill Brand.
Clayton (W), Delcourt (9) and xxx
Brand (L) and xxx
Standings W L Pct.
Arnold & Quigley 12 3 .800
Missions 9 7 .563
Kelly-Douglas 6 8 .429
Centrals 3 12 .200
(July 2) Before a large and enthusiastic crowd at Athletic Park, the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs halted the two-game winning streak of the Missions, nosing out the Confectioners 6 to 5. The hitting was heavy on both sides with the Nabobs banging out 12 safeties to 11 for the Missions. A solid, error-free defense by the Coffee Makers spelt the real difference in the clash. Catcher Leo Hart of the victors led all willow wielders, drilling a double and two singles.
Delcourt (L) and Richardson
Evans (W) and Hart
(July 3) In a game where almost all of the scoring was done in the first three innings, first-place Arnold & Quigley came out as unimpressive 11 to 8 winners over the lowly Centrals. The pitchers of record, Johnny Wintemute and Willard Bruce tightened up after the early stanzas which were replete with lots of hitting and poor defensive play. Both teams wound up with nine base hits, three of which were garnered by Tommy Jardine of the Hub Men.
Bruce (L) and Stevenson
Wintemute (W) and Finch
(July 5) The Nabobs registered 23 base blows in their 19 to 9 blowout win against the Centrals. In defeat, the Hub Men were also active with the lumber, stroking ten base knocks. Kelly-Douglas first baseman Hazen Phillips had a stellar evening at the dish, crushing the orb for a home run and three singles. Fellow Coffee Maker Ralph Sollaway also wound up with a quartet of safeties which included a three-bagger and a double. Coming in with a triad of productive swats each were teammates Leo Hart who bagged a circuit-clout, a triple and a single along with “Babe” Stewart whose three-bingle sum included a brace of two-baggers.
Corbett (W) and Hart
Buchanan (L), Bruce (4) and Stevenson
(July 7) Despite a significant 11 to 6 edge in the swatting department, the Missions fell 3 to 2 at Athletic Park to the runaway-leading Arnold & Quigley battalion. Given air-tight support by his mates, winning moundsman Johnny Wintemute was consistent throughout and minimized the potential damage in critical situations. On the other hand, Missions’ twirler Ralph Clayton had all the best of the pitching honors, striking out 14 and only passing two but three errors and a couple of ivory performances were too much and the Quigs landed on top. The Clothiers’ Ernie Woods and Neil Silver of the Confectioners both slapped out three hits in this affair.
Clayton (L) and Richardson
Wintemute (W) and Foley
(July 9) The Kelly-Douglas Nabobs stepped up into second place in the Commercial League by decisioning the Centrals 5 to 3. With the Hub Men nursing a 3 to 1 lead in the fourth spasm, Charlie Evans stepped into the fray as a firemen for the Coffee Men, dousing the flames and earning the mound verdict over Willard Bruce as his mates added four to their total over the remainder of the fracas. Catcher Leo Hart and second baseman Cecil Holt both stroked a brace of bingles for the winners.
Bruce (L) and Stevenson
Palmer, Evans (W) (4) and Hart
(July 10) Arnold & Quigley scored six times in the ninth inning to dispose of the Centrals 10 to 4 in the opener of a Commercial League double-bill. The second event between the Missions and Nabobs ended in a 2 – 2 tie as the game was cut short after seven innings since Athletic Park had to be vacated for a Mann Cup lacrosse game.
Outfielder Manson was the offensive star for the Quigs in the matinee game, stroking a triple and a brace of one-baggers.
Wintemute, Pepke (W) and Foley
Holt, McDonald (L) (4) and Whyte
Only four hits were manufactured in the shortened finale, two by each side as rival pitchers Lorne Lowery and Camille Delcourt dominated things.
Lowery and Hart
Delcourt and Richardson
(July 14) A benefit game between select players from the Commercial League and the professional Vancouver Beavers of the class B Pacific International League was staged at Athletic Park. The pros prevailed 8 to 1 but the amateurs gave a good account of themselves despite picking up just four base hits. Camille Delcourt went the route on the hill for the All-Stars, surrendering 12 hits, striking out four and walking four.
Delcourt (L) and Hart
Hoagland (W) and Patterson
(July 16) The Missions inflicted a rare defeat upon the Arnold & Quigley nine, thumping the league leaders 11 to 2 at Athletic Park. A seven-run third inning hoisted the Candymen to victory. Frank Sager limited the Clothiers to six hits, including two each by Hec Cann and Ernie Paepke, and fanned eight in taking the complete-game mound decision. The Confectioners lit into a pair of A & Q tossers for 16 safe blows as Neil Silver and shortstop Shaver copped three each. Contributing a brace of bingles apiece for the winners were Ralph Clayton, Harry Richardson, Tommy Jardine and Sager.
Sager (W) and Richardson
Robertson (L), Paepke (3) and Foley
(July 19) The Nabobs got by the Missions 6 to 4 in a well-played Commercial League skirmish at Athletic Park. Although the hits were even at 12 each in this offensively charged-battle, the Coffeemen had the edge in extra-base wallops. Winning slabman Charlie Evans pitched consistent ball and was better able to scatter the hits he surrendered than did loser Camille Delcourt who was not up to his usual form. Top swatter in the clash was “Casey” Clarke of the Candymen who collected a foursome of one-baggers. Leading the way offensively for the Kelly-Douglas nine was Hec Cann who poked three singles. One home run was belted in the fracas, that coming off the bat of Nabob first sacker Hazen Phillips who also contributed a single.
Evans (W) and Hart
Delcourt (L), Clarke (8) and Richardson
(July 20) With an exciting 1 to 0 win over the Centrals, the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs placed themselves in a more secure position when it came to claiming the runner-up spot in the Commercial League standings. The pitching tandem of K-D starter Matheson and winner Charlie Evans limited the Hub Men to just a pair of one-baggers. A wild peg to home plate on a fielder’s choice attempt in the fourth chapter allowed Hazen Phillips to romp across the pan with the lone counter in the contest. Phillips had two of the six base raps procured by the victors.
Matheson, Evans (W) and Hart
Bruce (L) and Whyte
(July 26) Scoring four runs in the eighth inning, the cellar-dwelling Centrals emerged with a 5 to 2 win over the Missions. Winning chucker Willard Bruce struck out eight and gave up ten hits. Frank Sager, who whiffed eight, was nicked for nine safeties in absorbing the loss. Tommy Jardine nailed a double and single for the victors while middle infielders Shaver and N. Bell of the Candymen matched that output.
Sager (L) and Foley
Bruce (W) and Stevenson
(July 27) The Nabobs banged out 13 safeties en route to a 15 to 3 thrashing of the lowly Centrals. Winning pitcher Charlie Evans did his part in consolidating the victory, holding the Hub Men to four hits while punching out nine. His batterymate, backstop Leo Hart, was the big noise at the dish, stroking a triple and three singles. Opposing catcher, Stevenson, cuffed a round-tripper.
Bruce (L), Giguere () and Stevenson
Evans (W) and Hart
(July 28) Arnold & Quigley, league leaders in the Commercial League, took a tumble at Athletic Park when they were whipped 7 to 2 by the Missions. The triumph for the Candymen evened their record for the season at eleven wins and an equal number of loses. Portsider Camille Delcourt was in fine form on the rubber for the Confectioners, ringing up 16 punchouts while yielding just five hits, two of which came off the bat of playing-manager Ernie Paepke of the Clothiers. Matching Paepke’s offensive output was Missions’ outer pasture patroller Falconer.
Wintemute (L) and Foley
Delcourt (W) and Richardson
(July 29) Before the largest crowd of the season at Athletic Park, the Arnold & Quigley diamond pastimers downed a fighting band of Nabobs 2 to 1 to clinch the 1920 Commercial League pennant. The runner-up Coffeemen now trail the Clothiers by three games. “Tat” Larson stymied the K-D nine on one hit, a single by Jimmie Ralston, in copping the route-going mound verdict. The Quigs were only able to touch Charlie Evans for five safeties but that was sufficient to hang the defeat on him. A & Q catcher Lorne Foley’s triple in the fifth panel drove in the tying run and he crossed the pan with the winning tally shortly thereafter on a Nabob fielding miscue.
Larson (W) and Foley
Evans (L) and Hart
(July 31) The Missions hung a 6 to 2 defeat on the Centrals to move 1-1/2 games behind the second-place Nabobs. Frank Sager allowed but five hits in securing the hillock triumph. Syd Whyte, shedding the mask, shin guards and chest protector, took a rare turn on the bump for the Hub Men and did a creditable job in defeat, surrendering six safeties. The game’s longest blow was a three-bagger belted by Camille Delcourt of the Confectioners.
Whyte (L) and xxx
Sager (W) and xxx
(August 2) By defeating the pennant-winning Arnold & Quigley aggregation 3 to 2 at Athletic Park, the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs secured a lock on the runner-up position in the Commercial League and established their right to enter the best-of-five playoff series against the Clothiers. Spectacular defensive plays throughout the contest pulled both pitchers of record, winner Charlie Evans and loser “Tat” Larson, out of holes they had dug for themselves. Outhit by a 9 to 7 margin, the Coffeemen were better able to cash in on their few opportunities. Top swatters in the clash both came from the A & Q dugout, those being shortstop Ernie Joliffe who singled twice and homered as well as skipper Ernie Paepke who clubbed a double to go along with a brace of one-baggers.
Larson (L) and Whyte
Evans (W) and Hart
Arnold&Quigley 16 7
Nabobs 14 9 2.0
Missions 12 11 4.0
Centrals 4 19 12.0
PLAYOFFS
Finals (best-of-five)
Kelly-Douglas Nabobs vs Arnold & Quigley
(August 9) The Arnold & Quigley balltossers drew first blood in the playoff series for the championship of the Commercial League when they trampled all over the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs 11 to 2. After a shaky first inning in which the Nabobs tallied both of their counters, winning flinger “Tat” Larson pitched well, fanning seven while yielding a total of four hits. Leading the 14-hit offense for the Clothiers were Sid Elmer and Ernie Woods, each with a three-hit output. Second sacker Hec Cann had an inside-the-park homer for the vanquished nine.
Larson (W) and Whyte
Evans (L) and Hart
(August 11) Scoring twice in the top of the ninth frame, Arnold & Quigley edged past the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs 7 to 6 to assume a two-game advantage in their final series. Both teams raked in nine base raps with Ernie Woods and Art Gourlay of the Quigs as well as Harry Wilson and Jimmie Ralston of the Coffeemen, each registering a brace.
Gourlay, Larson (W) (6) and Whyte
Bruce, Lowery (L) (7) and Hart
(August 13) Outclassing their opponents in every department of the game, Arnold & Quigley captured the 1920 Commercial Baseball League title by hammering the Kelly-Douglas Nabobs 19 to 4. Outfielder “Dutch Eckart had a huge night at the plate for the victors, slamming a triple and four singles while catcher Syd Whyte contributed a three-base clout, a double and a one-bagger..
Evans (L), Bruce (3), Wilson (4) and Blochberger
Larson (W), Wintemute (8) and Whyte
Arnold & Quigley advance to play the New Westminster League champions in the first round of the Lower Mainland amateur baseball playoffs.
Lower Mainland semi-finals (best-of-three)
Vancouver Arnold & Quigley vs New Westminster B.C. Box
(August 25) Arnold & Quigley drubbed the B.C. Box nine from New Westminster 11 to 2 in the first of a best-of-three showdown. Art Gourlay pitched for the Vancouver team and was in excellent form, allowing but four hits. The Clothiers annexed eleven base blows off a brace of Royal City chuckers as Sid Elmer and Lorne Foley led the way with three base smacks apiece. A & Q baserunners had a field day against the Cardboard Cratemen, swiping eleven sacks with Foley pilfering four of them.
Currie (L), Welsh (8) and McCarger
Gourlay (W) and Whyte
(August 28) By disposing of the B.C. Box Manufacturing team out of New Westminster 3 to 1, the Vancouver Arnold & Quigley aggregation qualified to meet I. L. A. of Vancouver in the Lower Mainland finals. “Tat’ Larson picked up the hurling triumph on a five-hitter. First sacker Lorne Foley poled out a three-ply swat and one-bagger for the Clothiers.
Larson (W) and Whyte
Currie (L) and McCarger
DEWDNEY LEAGUE
Coquitlam, Essondale, Hammond, IOCO, Port Haney, Port Moody *
* Port Moody – regular-season Dewdney League pennant winner
(June 11) Port Haney downed Coquitlam 6 to 1 Friday for its third win in three starts. Ioco topped Hammond 12 to 2 for its first win in three games.
(June 28) Outstanding pitching highlighted Monday's action in the Dewdney League as Port Haney eked out a 1-0 victory over Port Moody in a contest featuring a pair of one-hitters as Maynard Fookes was the winner and Thorburn took the tough loss. It was the first loss of the season for Port Moody and moved Port Haney into a tie with the losers for top spot in the standings each with seven victories and one defeat.
Fookes (W) and Cobb
Thorburn (L) and McCarger
(July 20) Port Haney got by Ioco 10 to 9 Tuesday.
(July 21) Hammond defeated Essondale 3 to 0.
(July 26) Essondale cracked out 16 hits, including home runs by Lewis and Johnson in trouncing Port Haney 11-3 Monday. Williams had a circuit drive for the losers. King fashioned a seven-hitter for the win.
King (W) and Kelly
Fookes (L), Fuller and Cobb
(July 26) Ioco defeated Coquitlam 3 to 2.
Playoff Final
(August 16) Invading Port Haney won the playoff honours in the 1920 Dewdney League when they defeated the hosting Port Moody diamondeers 5 to 4 in a hard-fought battle.
Fookes (W) and Ogilvie
Thorburn (L) and McCarger
LOWER MAINLAND AMATEUR PLAYOFFS
Semi-finals (best-of-three)
I. L. A. (Vancouver City League champions) vs Hanbury’s (Terminal League titlists)
(August 24) The City League champion I. L. A. aggregation blanked the Terminal League’s Hanbury’s Mill nine 8 to 0 in a convincing manner. Winning chucker Stacey Hann fanned 13 and allowed only three safe blows. Loser Ferdie Inch was touched for 13 safeties as Joe Brown, “Jumbo” Nahu and third sacker Harman of the Dockers all collected a trio of raps.
Inch (L) and Daniels
Hann (W) and Sommerville
(August 26) The I. L. A. team knocked the Hanbury’s Mill aggregation, champions of the Terminal League, out of the lower mainland playoffs at the Powell Street grounds by defeating them 5 to 2. The losers out hit the Longshoremen 7 to 5 but poor baserunning did them in. Outfielder Joe Brown slapped out a pair of doubles for the winners.
Lewis (W) and Sommerville
Malley (L) and N. Goodall
Lower Mainland Finals (best-of-three)
Vancouver I. L. A. (City League champions) vs Vancouver Arnold & Quigley (Commercial League champions)
(August 30) Art Gourlay allowed the I. L. A. baseballers only one hit at Athletic Park as the Arnold & Quigley Commercial Leaguers took the first game of the lower mainland finals 6 to 1. The Clothiers looked much the better ball club than the City League champions, blowing the game open with a four-spot in the third frame. They out-hit and out-fielded the Dockers and excelled in the baserunning department. Keystone sacker Ernie Woods lit up the Dockers’ tandem of chuckers for three hits, including a home run.
Lewis (L), Hann (4) and Sommerville
Gourlay (W) and Whyte
(August 31) A miniature donnybrook featured the second game of the lower mainland finals at the Powell Street grounds where Arnold & Quigley clinched the series with a 3 to 2 victory over the International Longshoremen’s Association group of baseballers. A second-inning judgement call at home by the plate umpire, which went against the I. L. A. team, precipitated the free-for-all with fans and players alike swarming onto the field. Once order was restored, the arbiter announced he had reversed his decision and the game resumed without any further disruptions. The game was scoreless for the first six frames but the Quigs got on the scoreboard with a singleton in the seventh panel. In the eighth, they increased their lead when catcher Syd Whyte doubled and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice. Winning tosser “Tat” Larson then singled to drive in the third and eventual winning counter. In the I. L. A. half of the frame, as darkness was falling fast, the Longshoremen came to life and plated a pair but just fell short of tying the contest when the umpire called play for lack of illumination. Complete game mound victor “Tat” Larson whiffed 13 in fashioning a five-hitter. Johnny Wintemute, Lorne Foley and “Mickey” MacFarlane paced the winners’ nine-hit offense with a pair of base raps apiece.
Larson (W) and Whyte
Simons (L) and Sommerville
(September 2) A protest filed by the I. L. A. team of the City League relative to the second game of the final series was upheld by the B.C.A.B.A. which ordered that the game be replayed in its entirety.
(September 3) Racking up 18 base blows to go along with 22 stolen bases, Arnold & Quigley decimated the I. L. A. diamond pastimers 23 to 2 to lay claim to the lower mainland crown once more. The Clothiers scored in every inning but the seventh. Johnny Wintemute had four safe blows for the Quigs.
Hann (L), Simons (3), Crowder (8) and Sommerville
Larson (W), Robertson (7) and Whyte
B.C. Finals (best-of-three)
Victoria Elks vs Vancouver Arnold & Quigley
(September 11) Rain forced postponement of a scheduled B.C. finals doubleheader in Vancouver.
(September 18) Playing in the Capital City, the invading Vancouver Arnold & Quigley brigade and the hosting Victoria Elks divided a twin-bill, the Lower Mainland aggregation capturing the opener 5 to 1 while the Islanders took the finale 8 to 6. The Quigs jumped into an early 4 to 0 lead in the matinee encounter and were never headed as “Tat” Larson limited the Elks to just five hits. Lorne Foley and “Dutch” Eckart had two safeties each for A & Q.
Larson (W) and S. Whyte
Townsley (L), Balcom (3) and Plows, Townsley (3)
The second game was a sloppy encounter with the Elks booting the ball five times and the Clothiers four. The Victorians, out hit by a 9 to 6 margin, were more opportune than the visitors and led throughout after posting a four-spot in the second canto. Winning tosser “Doc” Balcom added nine complete innings to his seven frames of mound toil in a relief role from the early tussle. Outfielder Carroll of the Islanders as well as Ernie Woods, Lorne Foley and Ernie Joliffe of the Clothiers all racked up a brace of swats.
Balcom (W), Gravlin (9) and Townsley
Robertson (L), Gourlay (6) and S. Whyte
No evidence was found in the late September 1920 editions of the Vancouver Sun that a third and final game in this series was ever played.