Whether league ball or exhibitions or tournaments, semi-pro or amateur, baseball was quite a hit on the prairies and the west coast in 1926. (Even with the typo in the headline.)
More than 80 leagues were in operation and over 500 teams suited up during the summer of '26.
Oh, there were the big circuits - Winnipeg Wesley League, Saskatoon City League, Regina Northside, Vancouver's Senior League, Terminal League and Twilight League, the Edmonton Semi-Pro League, Edmonton Senior Amateur League and the Calgary Senior League.
But, hen there were the Gumbo Twilight League, Long Lake League, Saskatoon Church League, Howe Sound League, Red River League, Pincher Creek League and more than a few that, at least in the papers, had no name.
The teams came from Acme to Zawale. In between fans had a chance to root for Birdview or Broadview, Carrot Creek, Champion, Climax, Czar, Elbow or Eyebrow, Duchess, Enchant or Expanse, Forget, Hustlers or Rustlers, Leader or Liberty, Mozart, Maroons, Pirates or Penzance, Red Cross, Red Sox, Red Deer or Red Willow, Sceptre, Viking or Vulcan and many, many more.
Exhibition and tournament ball highlighted parts of the prairie summer.
The Regina Balmorals, with star acquisition Dodger Lewis, took on all comers, including a team with female players, the whiskered ones from Benton Harbor -- the House of David, Hap Felsch's nine from Scobey, Swede Risberg's Plentywood squad, the Oslers from Toronto, Climax, Shaunavon, Havre, Virden, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Vulcan, Moose Jaw and more. They played more than 60 games. >>> more
After the Regina Balmorals headed west for an extended road swing through Alberta to complete their semi-pro obligations for the 1926 season, the amateur Northside Senior League in Regina came into greater prominence within the Capital City. Having its most competitive season ever, all three teams in the circuit finished with identical records and a .500 winning percentage. In the round-robin playoff format that followed, the Darke's Hardware team emerged as the city representative in the provincial playoffs.
In the Hub City, on the other hand, the Saskatoon Elks waltzed to a comparatively easy city title, registering comfortable leads in both halves of the schedule. The Elks' management had spent considerable time and effort during the off-season recruiting new blood and the additions proved invaluable to the fortunes of the club in 1926.
Bunny Clouston of the Saskatoon Elks captured the City League batting crown with an impressive .413 average. Ted Graham of the North Stars was just a point back at .412 but was deemed not to have played enough to qualify. >>> more
Bleachers 25 cents, grandstand 40 cents for the new semi-pro action at Diamond Park in Edmonton (but up to 50 cents for opening day).
In Alberta, the new ball season featured the formation of a three-team semi-professional league in Edmonton to compete with the senior amateur loop in the capital city.
Calgary also had a strong amateur league and Alberta also featured the Southern Alberta League and the Alberta Southern League.
Pitcher Cliff Osterland of Red Deer had one of those head-shakers. Fired a one-hitter and lost (on errors) 2-1.
Young Leroy Goldsworthy (right), just 19 but in his fourth year of senior ball, had a summer to forget - three wins, nine loses and a tie.
He would go on to play pro baseball and have a long career in the National Hockey League.
What a start to the Alberta Rosebud League season. Thompson of Innisfail fired a no-hitter in the opening game.
After a 9-4 season, including a no-hitter, for Calgary White Sox in 1925, Wilfred "Bill" Walker (left) could hope for something as good going into the new campaign.
How about 11-0, two ties. While he tossed a one-hitter in his second start of the year, the right-hander saved the best for nearly last. In late August in an exhibition game against the powerful Regina Balmorals, Walker had a no-hitter into the 8th inning, finishing with a two-hit effort in a 0-0 tie.
Walker, who seemed to make a point of not living up to his name, fanned 115 and walked just 14 in the 13 starts for which we could find statistics.
On the coast, Vancouver and Victoria dominated baseball play but baseball fans from the Okanagan to the Kootenays cheered on their hometown teams.
Roy Yamamura (right) of the legendary Vancouver Asahi, was in the top five in batting in the Terminal League and led the circuit in hits, runs and stolen bases.
Swatsmith Charlie Miron (left) of the Young Liberals of the Vancouver Senior League added to his laurels capturing the 1926 batting crown with a .375 average. Miron hit ..462 to take the title in 1921, then .400 to win in 1924 and finished second last year.
In the opening game of a playoff series, Hal Puder of the Young Liberals fired a no-hitter to beat the Asahi 7-0. Puder pitched a 3-hit shutout in the third game of the set.
But, the Rossland Miners from the BC Interior upset the Vancouver Young Liberals for the provincial senior championship.
The Asahi, who went from being outsiders to being a novelty to fan favourites (and 1926 champions) took most of the medals awarded following the 1926 Terminal League season.
Pat Worley of the Mount Pleasants was chosen as the Best All Around Player.
Percy Choate of the Ex-King George nine was the Most Valuable Player and teammate Glen Hope won the batting championship.
Then, Reg Yasui of the Asahi was chosen as Best Catcher, Ty Suga as Best Pitcher, Roy Yamamura as Best Infielder, Tom Miyata as Best Outfielder and Sally Nakamura belted the most home runs.
Regina merchants offered prizes in connection with Balmorals' home games, no lump of coal here, but a TON.
MVP - overcoat by Ware's
Top hitter - silk pyjamas by "Mac and Mac"
Best fielding average - suit case, Wood Hardware
Each player with a steal of home - meal ticket, Balmoral Cafe
First homer of the season - season pass, Capitol Theatre
Most homers - Stetson hat, R.H. Williams
Most stolen bases - ton of coal, City Coal Company
Most extra base hits - silk shirt, Warren and Wilkins
First perfect day at bat - box of cigars, Royal Billiards