Officially formed only five days in advance of the scheduled 1931 opener, the Southern League began its historical inaugural season with five teams in the fold, three from Regina and one each from Moose Jaw and Milestone. This loop carried on until 1974 when the three strongest entries at that time decided to forego the Southern League and become part of a new association of province-wide teams known as the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League. With this abandonment, the Southern League could no longer survive and over four decades of excellent baseball and entertainment came to an end.
(May 20) Before 500 fans at Park de Young, the first ever Southern League game was played. The contest, between two Regina charter members of the league, the Balmorals and Rifles, saw the underdog Gunmen hang on to edge the Cafemen 4 to 3 in an exciting encounter. Regina's mayor, James Balfour, tossed out the ceremonial first pitch as the 1931 curtain raiser came to fruition. The nip-and-tuck battle between the two Queen City entrants proved to be highly entertaining with the issue in doubt right up until the final put out. With the potential tying run on third base in the ninth inning, Rifles' centre fielder Del Canning speared a liner off the bat of Balmorals' second sacker Revere "Babe" Brossard to preserve the win. Although out-hit 11 to 6 by the Bals, the Army boys hung on for the win as Alvin Fritz picked up the mound win over "Swainey" Swainson. Outfielder Charlie Bennett and catcher Eric Quist both had a pair of hits for the winners. Left fielder Joe Haberman paced the Balmorals' offense collecting 3 hits including a triple. Losing chucker Swainson added a brace of raps, one being a double.
Swainson (L) and Patton
Fritz (W) and Quist
(May 22) A come-from-behind three run rally in the bottom of the ninth went for naught as the visiting Milestone Sioux plated a pair in the top of the tenth frame to take a 7 to 5 decision from the Regina Shamrocks. Successive hits by the Sioux' Rex Houghtling and Wylie Lafoy in the extra frame drove in the winning and insurance markers. Milestone's Floyd White fanned 19 Irish batters in claiming the pitching win. Shortstop Ted Schwindt of the Soo Liners laced out 4 hits, all singles, in pacing the winners at the dish. First sacker Fred Cochrane had a pair of knocks for the Reginans.
White (W) and Clayton
Milne, Hamilton (6) (L) and Simpkins, Diewold (10)
(May 27) After a lapse of several seasons, inter-city rivalry between Regina and Moose Jaw was renewed at Park de Young when the Balmorals of the Queen City pounded out a 7 to 4 verdict over the All-Stars from the Mill City. Chuck Elwood and Bryan Forsterhad 3 hits apiece for the Bals, one of Elwood's being a 3-bagger and one of Forster's a double. "Swainey" Swainson got credit for the win although he failed to go the distance. Wilf Pennington gave up ten safeties in taking the loss. Jim MacDonald and Chuck Robinson both picked up a brace of hits for the visitors.
Pennington (L) and Toombs
Swainson (W), Dominas (6) and Scott
(May 27) After falling behind 9 to 0 after 2 1/2 innings, the Milestone Sioux battled back to earn a 9 - 9 tie with the visiting Regina Rifles. After the Sioux plated 2 runs in the bottom of ninth to deadlock the score, the game was called as impending darkness prevented the start of an extra frame. Regina outfielder Charlie Bennett led all hitters with a trio of raps, two of which were doubles. Milestone catcher Dave Clayton and outfielder Wylie Lafoy also had a pair of two-baggers.
C. Gustafson, Hogg (9) and E. Gustafson
Ranson, White (2) and Clayton
(May 29) The Regina Rifles picked up their second victory in two starts as a trio of their hurlers combined to blank the Regina Shamrocks 6 to 0. Del Canning, Rifles' centre fielder, was the most proficient wielder of the bat in this contest as he cracked out a single and two doubles in five trips to the plate while the Irish catcher, Nicholson, poled out a pair of singles.
A. Hogg, Shave (3) (W), Fritz (8) and Quist
Wolver (L) and Nicholson
(May 30) A civic send-off prior to the home opener for the Moose Jaw entry in the brand new Southern League was held at the Exhibition Grounds in the Friendly City as the Canadian Legion band led a parade up Main Street and Mayor James Pascoe tossed out the first ball. In the game itself, costly errors and the inability to connect off the slants of Pete Dominas spelled defeat for the Moose Jaw All-Stars as they fell to the visiting Regina Balmorals 5 to 2 in a tussle that bristled with action throughout. Dominas was superb, limiting the homesters to three hits, one being a three-bagger by Sandy Thomson. Wilf "Lefty" Pennington toiled for the Mill Citizens, surrendering 8 safeties, as his mates made costly miscues at crucial times. Diminutive second baseman Revere "Babe" Brossard poled out a fifth inning round tripper for the Restauranteurs and also added a single. Regina third sacker Bryan Forsteralso had a brace of hits.
Dominas (W) and Patton
Pennington (L) and Toombs
(June 1) In a seven inning encounter called prematurely because of darkness, the Milestone Sioux won their second home game of the season by beating the Regina Shamrocks 3 to 2. The Queen City Irish were responsible for their own fate as they were three quarters of an hour late in arriving for the scheduled start. Milestone's Harold Schwindt tossed a two-hitter, both raps coming off the bat of the Shamrocks' shortstop Volhoffer, in recording the mound victory. Eddie Johnston's sixth inning triple drove in the winning run for the Sioux. Milestone shortstop Ted Schwindt had two hits in support of his brother.
Stirrett, Milne (6) (L) and Olson
H. Schwindt (W) and Clayton
(June 1) After a wobbly start, the Regina Rifles protected their unblemished record in Southern League play in edging the improved Moose Jaw All-Stars 6 to 5 at Park de Young. The Moose Jaw artillery rang up five counters off winner Alvin Fritz in the initial two frames. After that, however, the Soldiers' chucker shut the door on the visitors, striking out 13 along the way. Fritz was also potent with the hickory, garnering three hits to share batting honors with Moose Jaw outfielder Al Phillips who also had a trio of safeties. Del Canning, "Jersey" Campbell and Eric Quist all had two hits for the winners.
Wilson, Haigh (3) (L), Pennington (8) and Toombs
Fritz (W) and Quist
(June 5) Led by shortstop Webb Bird's perfect six for six performance at the plate, the Regina Balmorals handed the Milestone Sioux their first defeat of the campaign, bumping the Soo Liners 15 to 6 behind Chuck Elwood's able hurling. Stepping into loser Floyd White's twisters early and often, the Reginans rang up a grand total of 21 hits in this contest. Milestone's Ted Schwindt sparkled for the losers as he banged out four safe hits.
F. White (L) and Clayton
Elwood (W) and Patton
(June 6) The Moose Jaw All-Stars finally broke into the win column, in the process knocking the Regina Rifles fell from the ranks of the unvanquished, by posting a 7 to 2 come-from-behind win in the Mill City. "Lefty" Pennington tossed a six hitter in picking up the win while whiffing nine. Trailing 2 to 0 entering the bottom of the sixth, Moose Jaw tallied once to narrow the gap and then knotted the count with another run in the seventh. In the bottom of the eighth frame, the homesters exploded for five big counters to put the game on ice. Catcher Glen Davis led the locals with three hits including a triple. Other offensive bright lights for the winners included Chuck Robinson with a triple and a single as well as outfielders Danny McKenna and Gordon Wilson who each contributed two singles.
Shave (L), A. Hogg (8) and Siwokowski
Pennington (W) and Davis
(June 9) "Swainey" Swainson fanned 14 in hurling the Regina Balmorals to a 6 to 3 win over their Queen City cousins, the winless Shamrocks. Bill Bannister, taking the hill for the first time in a few years, was unsuccessful in his comeback attempt and suffered the mound defeat for the Irish clan. Webb Bird of the Balmorals and Shamrocks' catcher Tannahill were the top swatters of the night, each producing a pair of doubles. Bals' outfielder Joe Haberman kicked in with a brace of singles.
Swainson (W) and Patton, Scott (6)
Bannister (L), Milne (8) and Tannahill
(June 10) Well placed base hits in the visitors' half of an overtime frame spelled disaster for the Sioux in their Southern League tussle at Milestone with the contingent from Moose Jaw. With the score knotted at one apiece at the end of the regulation nine frames, the Moose Jaw stalwarts took control of the game in the top of the tenth, scoring 3 times off loser Harold Schwindt for a 4 to 1 victory. Wilf "Lefty" Pennington earned the extra-inning win, fanning 14 while tossing a five hitter. Moose Jaw's ten-hit attack featured two-hit performances by "Sandy" Thomson, catcher Glen Davis and outfielder Danny McKenna. Rex Houghtling had a brace of safeties for the Soo Liners.
Pennington (W) and Davis
H, Schwindt (L) and Clayton
(June 12) The Regina Rifles traded positions in the Southern League standings with their intra-city rivals, the Regina Balmorals, as Amadee Bennett handcuffed the Bals on seven well spaced hits in leading the Gunners to a well deserved 4 to 2 win over the Cafemen. The Rifles now hold a half game lead over their second-place victims. Bennett helped win his own game with a double and two singles off the slants of loser Pete Dominas. Teammate "Jersey" Campbell had a triple, double and single to his credit. Outfielder Forsythe laced out three singles for the losers.
A. Bennett (W) and Quist
Dominas (L) and Patton
(June 12) Excluding the Rifles - Balmorals tussle of this date, official batting averages were released by the Southern League for players hitting over .200 and who have participated in four or more games.
AB H Aver.
Elwood (Balmorals) 17 8 .471
Bird (Balmorals) 21 9 .439
Brossard (Balmorals) 12 5 .417
Forster (Balmorals) 22 9 .409
Canning (Rifles) 22 8 .364
Haberman (Balmorals) 21 7 .333
White (Milestone) 13 4 .308
Campbell (Rifles) 20 6 .300
Fritz (Rifles) 10 3 .300
Phillips (Moose Jaw) 20 6 .300
C. Hogg (Balmorals) 22 6 .273
Mitchell (Rifles) 16 4 .250
Diewold (Shamrocks) 12 3 .250
Wylie Lafoy (Milestone) 16 4 .250
Wilson (Moose Jaw) 20 5 .250
Robinson (Moose Jaw) 20 5 .250
Houghtling (Milestone) 21 5 .238
A. Bennett (Rifles) 17 4 .235
S. Gustafson (Rifles) 18 4 .222
Pennington (Moose Jaw) 14 3 .214
Cochrane (Shamrocks) 15 3 .200
Clayton (Milestone) 20 4 .200
Patton (Balmorals) 15 3 .200
(June 13) Blanking the Regina Shamrocks 5 to 0, the Moose Jaw baseball club jumped into a tie for third place in the Southern League with the Milestone Sioux. Two big innings, the third and the fourth, accounted for all five Moose Jaw runs. George Haigh spun a nifty three-hitter and fanned eight in shutting out the Queen City Irish. Outfielder Billy Hodgkinson of the winners and first baseman Fred Cochrane of the Shamrocks were the only two players to register two hits.
Hamilton (L), Wolver (3) and Olson
Haigh (W) and Davis, Toombs
(June 15) A two-run third inning backed up by a sterling hurling performance by Floyd White was all the tonic needed by the Milestone Sioux as the Soo-Liners shut out the league-leading Regina Rifles 2 to 0 at Park de Young. The loss for the Soldiers dropped them into a tie with the Regina Balmorals for top spot in the Southern League. White struck out six in a five-hit whitewash performance. Milestone's Wylie Lafoy drove home the first Sioux run and plated the second one himself on a single by Dave Clayton. Rex Houghtling and Clayton each had a pair of hits for the winners.
F. White (W) and Clayton
C. Gustafson (L), D. Hogg (6) and Quist
Southern League Standings (as of end of June 15)
W L Pct.
Regina Rifles 4 2 .667
Regina Balmorals 4 2 .667
Milestone Sioux 3 2 .600
Moose Jaw All-Stars 3 3 .500
Regina Shamrocks 0 5 .000
(June 17) A dust storm shortened the game at Park de Young in which the visiting Moose Javians edged the Regina Shamrocks 3 to 2. The abbreviated tussle was called during the sixth frame when Moose Jaw had increased their lead even further but the score reverted back to the end of the fifth. Winning pitcher Wilf Pennington struck out ten and surrendered but one hit in the five inning affair.
Pennington (W) and Toombs
Hamilton (L) and Diewold
(June 19) Although their bats produced 16 hits including 2 doubles and a triple, the Regina Shamrocks are still without a win in the Southern League chase. The Irishmen stranded 17 base runners at Park de Young where their poor base-running offset their prowess with the stick as they dropped a 12 to 8 verdict to the Regina Balmorals. Some fine hitting performances were turned in with two of the Shamrocks, Fred Cochrane and Carl Wolver, leading the way. Cochrane slammed out 4 hits, one of which went for 3 bases while Wolver had 4 singles. Johnny Stoyand and Chuck Elwood each stroked three hits for the winning Balmorals.
Wolver (L) and Diewold
Elwood (W) and Scott
(June 20) The Milestone Sioux scored three times in the ninth inning to earn a hard-fought 6 - 6 draw with the home-standing Moose Jaw All-Stars. Darkness prevented the playing of extra innings. Rex Houghtling of the Sioux was the game's top swatter with 3 hits including a two-bagger.
H. Schwindt, Clayton (7) and Clayton, Wayne Lafoy (7)
Pennington and Toombs
(June 22) The Regina Balmorals wiped out the sting of two consecutive defeats from the Regina Rifles when they uncorked all their heavy artillery to hand the Soldier Boys a severe 11 to 0 trouncing at Park de Young. The Bals scored 3 first inning runs off losing hurler Amadee Bennett and never looked back. "Swainey" Swainson tossed a four hitter for the Cafemen to pick up the shut-out win. Balmorals' first baseman Cliff Hogg had a stellar night at the dish, swatting 3 singles and a double. Teammate Revere "Babe" Brossard added a double and a pair of singles.
Swainson (W) and Patton
A. Bennett (L), Shave (3), D. Hogg (8) and Quist, C. Gustafson (8)
(June 24) Continuing their climb in the Southern League standings, the Moose Jaw aggregation invaded Park de Young and came away with a 4 to 0 triumph over the lowly Regina Shamrocks. Southpaw hurler Wilf Pennington hurled the shutout victory, limiting the cellar-dwelling Irish to a pair of singles. Moose Jaw outfielders Danny McKenna and Jim MacDonald both chalked up a pair of hits with one of McKenna's being a two-bagger.
Pennington (W) and Davis
Milne (L), Craddick (7) and Tannahill
(June 24) The Regina Rifles travelled to Milestone and unveiled their new starting pitcher, a hurler named Bill Sneddon. The newcomer calmly tossed a four-hit shutout as the Militia whitewashed the Soo-Liners 4 to 0. Milestone starter Harold Schwindt, driven from the hill in the third frame, suffered the setback. Sneddon and his battery mate Eric Quist both had two hits for the winning Gunners. Eddie Johnston reciprocated for the Sioux.
Sneddon (W) and Quist
H. Schwindt (L), Clayton (3) and Clayton, Wayne Lafoy (3)
Southern League Standings (as of end of June 24)
W L Pct.
Regina Balmorals 6 2 .750
Regina Rifles 5 3 .625
Moose Jaw All-Stars 5 3 .625
Milestone Sioux 3 3 .500
Regina Shamrocks 0 8 .000
Southern League Batting Leaders (as of end of June 24)
AB R H Aver.
Brossard (Balmorals) 20 3 10 .500
Sneddon (Rifles) 4 1 2 .500
Elwood (Balmorals) 29 9 14 .483
T. Schwindt (Milestone) 33 3 15 .455
Fritz (Rifles) 7 0 3 .429
Forsythe (Balmorals) 20 4 8 .400
Wolver (Shamrocks) 10 1 4 .400
Hall (Shamrocks) 5 0 2 .400
Davis (Moose Jaw) 15 2 6 .400
Quist (Rifles) 24 2 9 .375
Ehrle (Milestone) 16 4 6 .375
(June 26) A four run outburst in the first inning proved to be enough as the Regina Balmorals took out the visiting Milestone Sioux by a 6 to 3 count. Balmorals' playing-manager "Casey" Moroschan and Harold Schwindt of the Sioux both laced out a double and single to lead their respective clubs offensively. Cliff Hogg bested his mound opponent Floyd White to earn the victory.
F. White (L) and Clayton
Hogg (W) and Patton
(June 27) At the tail end of a 17 to 5 score, the Regina Shamrocks absorbed their ninth consecutive Southern League defeat and their fourth this season at the hands of the Moose Jaw All-Stars in an encounter played at the exhibition grounds in the Friendly City. The game was sloppily played with mediocre pitching and poor defensive play. "Sandy" Thomson had 3 hits for the winners, all singles. Infielder Fred Cochrane of the Shamrocks drilled 4 safeties including a home run and a triple.
Hamilton (L), Craddick (2) Ferguson (8) and Simpkins
Haigh (W), MacDonald (8) and Davis
(June 29) By downing the luckless Regina Shamrocks 8 to 3 at Park de Young, the Regina Rifles climbed into a tie with Moose Jaw for second place in the Southern League and shoved the woeful Irish into a hopeless position with ten defeats and no victories to their credit. Coasting along with a 7 to 0 lead, winning pitcher Dave Hogg was pulled from the game after six innings. Shortstop Ralph Dakins led the Rifles offensively with a perfect 4 for 4 performance, two of his base blows being doubles. Stan Gustafson also had a perfect night clubbing a double and 2 singles in 3 at bats. For the Shamrocks, clean-up hitter Fred Cochrane led the way banging out 3 safeties in 4 tries.
D. Hogg (W), C. Gustafson (7) and Quist, E. Gustafson (7)
Stirrett (L) and Simpkins
(July 3) The Milestone Sioux came out smoking at Park de Young and hammered the Regina Rifles 14 to 3. Winning hurler Floyd White held the Reginans to 6 hits while sending 8 batters down on strikes. "Doc" Johnston, Eddie Johnston and Ted Schwindt led the hitting parade for the Sioux, slamming out 3 safeties apiece of a pair of Rifles' pitchers.
F. White (W) and Wayne Lafoy
Sneddon (L), A. Bennett (7) and Quist
(July 4) A shorthanded squad of Regina Balmorals forfeited their game to the homestanding Moose Jaw All-Stars at the opening of the sixth inning when Regina outfielder Johnny Stoyand was ejected from the game for continually heckling and disputing the calls of the plate umpire. The Balmorals only had nine players available for the game. When the game broke up, the All-Stars had a 1 to 0 lead over their Queen City foes. "Swainey" Swainson of the Bals and Wilf Pennington of the Stars both hurled the entire 5 innings. Moose Jaw shortstop "Sandy" Thomson had acquired 2 base hits before the sudden conclusion of the game. As a result of default, the Balmorals allowed the All-Stars to move up on even terms with them atop the Southern League ladder.
Swainson (L) and Siwokowski
Pennington (W) and Toombs
(July 8) A ten inning marathon settled nothing as the Regina Balmorals and the homestanding Milestone Sioux battled to a 13 - 13 draw. Both teams used two pitchers as the hitters held the upper hand in this free-scoring contest. Johnny Stoyand and "Babe" Brossard of the Cafemen both rapped out 4 hits with one of Brossard's going for two bases. Dave Clayton led the Sioux at the dish with 4 hits, 2 of them being doubles. Milestone's Eddie Johnston was no slouch either as he slammed out a triple and two singles.
Swainson, Ardell (6) and Scott
F. White and Wayne Lafoy
(July 8) The Moose Jaw All-Stars took over sole possession of first place in the Southern League by virtue of 9 to 6 conquest of the Regina Rifles. The Reginans were charitable with unearned runs as they booted the ball no less than 8 times and made things easy for the visitors who were out-hit 11 to 10. "Lefty" Shave went the distance for the Rifles and was tagged with the mound loss. "Wilf "Lefty" Pennington of the Stars picked up the win in a relief role. "Jersey" Campbell of the Gunners led all swatters as he laced the ball for a pair of doubles and a triple.
Longmore, Pennington (4) (W) and Davis, Toombs (5)
Shave (L) and Quist
Southern League Standings (as of end of July 8)
W L Pct.
Moose Jaw All-Stars 8 3 .727
Regina Balmorals 7 3 .700
Regina Rifles 6 5 .546
Milestone Sioux 4 4 .500
Regina Shamrocks 0 10 .000
(July 9) Making their strongest bid for a victory in Southern League play, the winless Regina Shamrocks were outlucked in the last half of the ninth inning at Park de Young and went down to an agonizing 2 to 1 defeat at the hands of the Regina Rifles. Leading 1 to 0 right from the first frame, the Irish held their advantage until two were down in the last of the fateful ninth and then the wheels came off. Three ninth inning bases on balls loaded the bases and with only one more out needed to register a victory, losing pitcher Jimmy Milne gave up a single to Ralph Dakins which drove in the tying and winning markers. Dakins also had a pair of doubles to go along with his game-winning base hit.
Milne (L) and Tannahill
D. Hogg (W) and Quist
(July 10) Putting up six markers on the scoreboard in the first frame proved to be enough as the Regina Balmorals moved back into a tie for first place in the Southern League by dropping the hard luck Regina Shamrocks 9 to 5. Other than for their opening inning letdown, the Shamrocks worked with a vengeance, outhitting their intra-city cousins by a 12 to 9 count with Irish shortstop Volhoffer leading the way with a pair of singles and a double. Four other players, Webb Bird and Joe Haberman of the Bals as well as Diewold and Johnson of the Rocks, had 2-hit games. Johnson's triple was the game's longest blow.
Ardell (W) and Scott
Hamilton (L), Johnson (1), Hamilton (2) and Tannahill
(July 11) The Moose Jaw All-Stars chalked up their ninth straight win and were held to a tie in a Southern League twin-bill with Milestone.
The first game, a replay of an earlier tie game, went to Moose Jaw in box car fashion by a 15 to 14 count. This contest was a pitcher's nightmare as the two teams banged out a total of 37 base hits to go along with the combined 15 errors. Four home runs were belted, one each by Chuck Robinson, Ed Scott and Gordon Law of the Stars as well as a solo shot by Rex Houghtling of the Soo-Liners. No less than five Sioux (Houghtling, Charles Loucks, Eddie Johnston, "Doc" Johnston and outfielder Orton) and two All-Stars (Law and Billy Hodgkinson) had 3-hit totals.
Wylie Lafoy (L), Cleaver (4) and Wayne Lafoy
Haigh (W), Longmore (8), Pennington (9) and Davis
The evening game went 10 innings before darkness set in. Both teams scored three times in this saw-off which saw both pitchers surrendering 9 hits. Ted Schwindt of the Sioux and "Lefty" Pennington of the Stars hammered home runs. Moose Jaw's Chuck Robinson contibuted a triple and double.
F. White and Clayton
Pennington and Toombs
(July 14) Playing in a dust storm before only a handful of fans at Park de Young, the Regina Balmorals gained an even footing with Moose Jaw at the top of the Southern League when they trounced the hapless Regina Shamrocks 14 to 1 in an 8-inning encounter. Scoring three runs in each of the first and second frames, the Bals put the game out of reach of their outclassed opponents as Chuck Elwood breezed to victory with a 4-hitter. Top batsmen for the Restauranteurs in the one-sided match were second sacker "Babe" Brossard who went 4 for 5 as well as playing-skipper "Casey" Moroschan and outfielder Forsythe who both had a 3 for 4 evening.
Elwood (W) and Scott
A. Nicholson (L), Craddick (3), Ferguson (7) and D. Nicholson
Southern League Standings (as of the end of July 14)
W L Pct.
Moose Jaw All-Stars 9 3 .750
Regina Balmorals 9 3 .750
Regina Rifles 7 5 .533
Milestone Sioux 4 5 .444
Regina Shamrocks 0 13 .000
(July 15) Making a second start on the mound in successive evenings proved to be fatal for Chuck Elwood and the Regina Balmorals as the Bals were trimmed 5 to 1 by the Regina Rifles. The loss was costly for the Cafemen as it dropped them into second spot in the Southern League. Bill Sneddon pitched a 7-hitter and struck out 8 to pick up the mound win for the Soldiers. Elwood started out in fine fashion but began to weaken in the middle innings. The Rifles pulled into the lead in the sixth, scoring twice and then added a pair of insurance counters in the ninth. Three batsmen, Eric Quist of the Rifles as well as Revere "Babe" Brossard and infielder Amundrud of the Balmorals each registered a double and single in this contest.
Sneddon (W) and Quist
Elwood (L) and Scott
(July 15) The Milestone Sioux again came through with a thrilling eleventh hour rally to save themselves a defeat at the hands of the Moose Jaw All-Stars when, with 2 out in the bottom of the ninth, Ted Schwindt and Pete Wilkins crossed the plate to knot the count at 7 to 7. The final out, a close play at third base, almost allowed the homesters an opportunity to win it. Owing to darkness, the game did not go into an overtime frame. Strikeouts were numerous in this game as the two opposing hurlers garnered a total of 23 between them with Moose Jaw's "Lefty" Pennington getting 12 while Floyd White of the Sioux chalked up 11. Milestone's "Doc" Johnston had a 3-hit night at the dish to lead all batters. The Stars' "Sandy" Thomson registered the game's only extra-base blow, a 3-bagger.
Pennington and Toombs, Davis (9)
F. White and Clayton
(July 17) Piling on four second inning runs after a three-run opening frame was all the offense needed by the visiting Milestone Sioux as the beat down the inept Regina Shamrocks 7 to 4 in a Park de Young tilt. Poor defensive play by the Shamrocks had a lot to do with Milestone's early runs although the visitors stung the pill with authority. Floyd White of the Soo-Liners tossed a 5-hitter to pick up the win. Charles Loucks, "Doc" Johnston and Eddie Johnston of the Sioux all picked up a brace of hits. Included in Loucks' total was a double. Responding for the Irish were Bert Fowle and Harvey Stirrett who both had a triple and single.
F. White (W) and Clayton
Milne (L), Hamilton (3) and Alexander-
(July 18) The Moose Jaw All-Stars moved a full game ahead of the Regina Balmorals after posting a 9 to 5 triumph over the Regina Rifles. Although the Reginans out-hit the Mill City crew 15 to 9, they were unable to cash in their chances at the most opportune times. The Stars piled up a comfortable lead in the first 3 frames and were never in danger of losing the decision. The Militia's Charlie Bennett was the top hitter of the day with 3 singles in 4 at bats. Gordon Law and Wilf Pennington each cracked out homers for the All-Stars with "Jersey" Campbell pulling the same feat for the Rifles.
D. Hogg (L), A. Bennett (2) and E. Gustafson
Haigh (W), Pennington (9) and Toombs
Southern League Standings (as of end of July 18)
W L Pct.
Moose Jaw All-Stars 10 3 .769
Regina Balmorals 9 4 .692
Regina Rifles 8 6 .571
Milestone Sioux 5 5 .500
Regina Shamrocks 0 14 .000
(July 20) Elmer "Lefty" White made a surprise appearance on the mound for the Regina Balmorals and the move by Bals' manager "Casey" Moroschan immediately paid dividends as the Bals went into a tie for first place in the Southern League by handing the Moose Jaw All-Stars a 5 to 1 setback. It was Moose Jaw's first defeat in 14 contests. The Stars started off well, scoring their only run on a double by Danny McKenna which was followed by Chuck Robinson's RBI single. But that was all the offense that the Bals' bespectacled southpaw allowed the visitors to muster as he mowed down the Stars with 14 strikeouts. Mound opponent Wilf Pennington was not exactly shabby on the hill either but erratic fielding support put him in jeopardy as costly errors were responsible for four of the Balmoral runs. Regina's Webb Bird and Moose Jaw's Robinson were the only batters to punch out two hits in this contest.
Moose Jaw manager "Pallie" Pascoe lodged a formal protest charging that "Lefty" White was an ineligible player because he was not a resident of the Regina district before June 15 and therefore could not comply with the residence clause that the league had instituted. Supporting the Moose Jaw claim was the fact that White resided in Estevan and that he was registered as a player with the Estevan club for the provincial playdowns. The protest further claimed that Milestone had the first claim to White's services if the Estevan club, by any chance, waived on him.
Pennington (L) and Toombs
E. White (W) and Scott
(July 22) Assisted by timely hits and a multiplicity of errors by Regina Shamrock defenders, the Milestone Sioux shellacked the Irish of Regina by a score of 15 to 3. Milestone's "Doc" Johnston was the game's elite batter with a double and a pair of singles. Winning hurler Floyd White pitched for six innings with a cracked rib, striking out six along the way.
Craddick (L) and Alexander
F. White (W), T. Schwindt (7) and Clayton
(July 24) Making their greatest bid for victory this season, the Regina Shamrocks wound up their 1931 Southern League campaign at Park de Young by coming out on the short end of a 9 to 8 verdict against the Regina Rifles. The Irish went through the entire season without a win and with 16 defeats hung up against them. One run down when they went to bat in the ninth, the Rifles came through with the goods to snatch away what appeared to be the first victory for the Irish clan. Charlie Bennett of the Soldiers wound up as the contest's top hitter, going 3 for 5.
A. Bennett (W) and Quist
Craddick, Milne (5), Craddick (5) (L) and Alexander
(July 24) Now appearing in a Milestone Sioux uniform, Elmer "Lefty" White pitched against the Regina Balmorals, the team for whom he made his Southern Leeague debut but four days previous. Backed by excellent support in the field, the bespectacled portsider had the Bals buffaloed practically from the start as the Sioux rung up an impressive 4 to 2 victory over the Reginans in a 7-inning shortened affair. White fanned 8 and kept clear of walks in producing a 5-hitter. Loser Pete Dominas was touched for 6 Sioux safeties, two each by Rex Houghtling and Ted Schwindt whose totals included a 3-bagger.
Dominas (L) and Scott
E. White (w) and Clayton
(July 28) As a result of the ruling made by Southern League officials, the Moose Jaw All-Stars were awarded a victory following their protest of the Regina Balmorals use of Elmer "Lefty" White on July 20. The Bals originally won the game but now that the Stars have been given credit for the triumph, they are virtually assured a top place finish in the Southern League and a bye in the playoffs. The ultimate status of White within the Southern League is to be investigated further.
(July 31) Jumping between the rain drops, the Moose Jaw All-Stars clinched a bye in the Southern League playoffs when they downed the Milestone Sioux 1 to 0 at the Armories diamond in the Mill City. The inclement weather forced an early conclusion after 7 1/2 innings of play. It was a pitcher's duel from the drop of the hat with two southpaws, Wilf Pennington of the Stars and Elmer White of the Soo-Liners, turning in brilliant performances.
Pennington was in his best form, allowing but 3 scratch singles while fanning 17 Milestone batsmen. White was credited with 11 strikeouts while also giving up a measly 3 hits. The game's only run was of the unearned variety. In the fourth frame, "Smokey" Wilson scampered home from third when Sioux third sacker Rex Houghtling muffed "Sandy" Thomson's grass cutter.
E. White (L) and Clayton
Pennington (W) and Toombs
(August 3) Ted Schwindt's solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Milestone Sioux a hard-fought 2 to 1 win over the Regina Rifles and moved the Soo-Liners into a slight lead by percentage points over the Rifles for third place in the Southern League. Floyd White struck out 11 and pitched a 3-hitter to record the win. Aside from his game winning circuit clout, Schwindt also laced out 3 singles. Teammate Pete Wilkins also belted a trio of one-baggers.
Fritz. A. Bennett (9) (L) and Quist
F. White and Clayton
Southern League Standings (as of end of August 3)
W L Pct.
Moose Jaw All-Stars 12 3 .800
Regina Balmorals 9 6 .600
Milestone Sioux 8 6 .571
Regina Rifles 9 7 .563
Regina Shamrock 0 16 .000
(August 5) The Milestone Sioux clinched a Southern League playoff berth when they took a 10-inning decision from the Moose Jaw All-Stars by a score of 3 to 2. Winning hurler Elmer "Lefty" White was outstanding on the hill as he fanned no less than 20 Moose Jaw batters. His only nemesis was Stars' outfielder Danny McKenna who touched the southpaw up for 4 base hits, one being a triple. Rex Houghtling of the Sioux ran him a close second in the hitting department, stroking 3 hits, one of which was a double, off loser Wilf Pennington.
Pennington (L) and Davis
E. White (W) and Clayton
(August 10) A bombshell announcement emanating from the president of the Saskatchewan Baseball Association decreed that Elmer "Lefty" White, the new star hurler of the Milestone Sioux, is not eligible to take part in games in the Southern League. Officials of the league now have to decide what shall be done about games in which the hurler has already taken part.
(August 11) Playing before packed stands and bleachers and with cars lining both sides of the diamond, the Regina Balmorals toppled the Milestone Sioux 7 to 4 in the last regularly scheduled Southern League game. The Balmorals outshone the Soo-Liners in the hitting category finding losing hurler Floyd White for 13 safe hits while the home boys were only able to garner six safeties off the slants of mound winner "Swainey" Swainson. Cliff Hogg, the Balmorals' first sacker, led all hitters with a 4 for 5 performance, one of the bingles being a double. With the win, the Reginans sewed up second place in the circuit while the loss for the Sioux dropped them into a third place tie with the Regina Rifles who had previously completed their schedule. Milestone and the Rifles will now stage a best two out of three game series to decide who will play the Regina Balmorals in the semi-finals.
Swainson (W) and Scott
F. White (L) and Clayton
FINAL STANDINGS
W L Pct.
Moose Jaw All-Stars 12 4 .750
Regina Balmorals 10 6 .625
Milestone Sioux 9 7 .563
Regina Rifles 9 7 .563
Regina Shamrocks 0 16 .000
THIRD PLACE TIE- BREAKER SERIES
(August 13) The Milestone Sioux took the first game of a best of three series to decide the tie for third place in the Southern League when they administered an 8 to 4 defeat to the Regina Rifles. Extra base hits were a deciding factor in the game with Milestone's Dave Clayton and Charles Loucks each touching losing hurler Alvin Fritz for three baggers. "Doc" Johnston had a two-base hit off the same chucker while Pete Wilkins lit up Rifles' reliever Amadee Bennett with a triple. Clayton bagged hitting laurels for the evening with a 3 for 4 output at the plate. The Rifles' top swinger was Ralph Dakins who belted a pair of doubles.
Fritz (L), A. Bennett (7) and Quist
H. Schwindt (W) and Clayton
(August 15) Committing 8 errors afield sealed the doom of the Regina Rifles as they dropped a 5 to 1 decision to the visiting Milestone Sioux who, in the process, wrapped up the best of three showdown for third place in staight games. Winning pitcher Floyd White gave up 10 safeties, 5 of which were garnered by Rifles' outfielder Del Canning. First baseman "Doc" Johnston inflicted most of the damage against loser Bill Sneddon by scorching the ball for three safe hits. With the sweep, the Soo-Liners will next face the Regina Balmorals in the league's semi-final series.
F. White (W) and Clayton
Sneddon (L) and Quist
PLAYOFF SEMI - FINALS
The league semi-final series began amid a sea of contoversy as the Milestone Sioux travelled to Regina on August 17 for the opener against the Balmorals and, contrary to the Saskatchewan Baseball Association edict issued earlier, the Milestone club pitched Elmer "Lefty" White at Park de Young.
The game ended prematurely in the seventh frame with the Sioux holding a slim 2 to 1 lead. For disregarding the warning, the Sioux were initially suspended by the league and the Balmorals were instructed to begin the league final series against Moose Jaw. What followed, to say the least, was bizarre. The Reginans, believing that they had now qualified for the finals, dutifully took the field in Moose Jaw on August 21 before the largest crowd of the season and took a narrow 3 to 2 decision from the pennant-winning Stars in a game that was shortened to 6 innings because of inclement weather. Before a second game could be played, however, the league moguls decided to rescind the previous suspension against the Milestone club, giving them a second chance to participate in the semi-finals. A further stipulation instructed the Soo-Liners that they would have to finish the season without the services of their ace southpaw, the aforementioned Elmer White. In a nutshell what this meant was that the semi-final series would start all over again and that the results of the two previous games had been nullified.
(August 25) With Floyd White carrying on where his older brother Elmer "Lefty" White was compelled to sign off, the re-instated Milestone Sioux went on the warpath at Park de Young and carried home the scalp of the Regina Balmorals as they took a 4 to 2 decision from the second-place finishers in the Southern League's revised semi-final opener. White limited the Bals to five safe blows of which number Bryan Forster collected two. Losing tosser "Swainey" Swainson yielded five hits before being sent to the showers in the fourth after the visitors had jumped in front by a 4 to 0 margin. Outfielder Pete Wilkins had a big night at the dish, leading the Milestone delegation with three safe swats.
F. White (W) and Clayton
Swainson (L), Elwood (4) and Scott
(August 26) Turning the tables on their hosts, the Regina Balmorals tied up the semi-final playoff in the Southern League at Milestone when Pete Dominas pitched the Capital City outfit to a 5 to 3 victory over the Sioux. Dominas whiffed 10 and gave up 6 hits, coming close to scoring a shutout. The Reginans entered the ninth inning with a 5 to 0 lead but Milestone rallied and scored three times before hostilities ceased. Led by shortstop Webb Bird who collected a brace, the Bals nicked the offerings of starter "Spike" Schwindt and reliever Wylie Lafoy for 8 hits.
Dominas (W) and Scott
H. Schwindt (L), Wylie Lafoy (4) and Clayton
(August 27) Scoring four unearned runs in the first inning, the Regina Balmorals kept out in front of the Milestone Sioux for the duration of their "rubber" match at Park de Young and, by virtue of their 7 to 2 victory over the re-instated Soo-Liners, they gained the right to go into the championship series against the Moose Jaw All-Stars. Aided and abetted with some timely clouting by his mates, Chuck Elwood pitched a masterful game for the Balmorals and twirled himself out of a lot of dangerous situations. He fanned 9 and allowed only four hits with Milestone second baseman Ted Schwindt collecting two. Joe Haberman of the Cafemen picked up 3 of the 13 hits surrendered by loser Floyd White. Two of these were doubles. Webb Bird, Cliff Hogg and "Babe" Brossard all chipped in with two safeties.
F. White (L) and Clayton
Elwood (W) and Scott
PLAYOFF FINALS
(August 31) The Regina Balmorals took the lead in the best-of-3 Southern League final series when they defeated the pennant-winning Moose Jaw All-Stars 6 to 1 before 1,200 fans at the Exhibition Grounds diamond in the Mill City. The visitors picked up a pair of unearned runs in the second frame and then played flawlessly behind the six hit pitching of Cliff Hogg. Bryan Forster's 2-run homer in the 8th frame then sealed the deal for the Reginans. Hogg and losing chucker Wilf "Lefty" Pennington both struck out 11 opposition batters. Bals' playing-manager "Casey" Moroschan, Regina second sacker "Babe" Brossard and Moose Jaw shortstop Johnny Dawson all picked up a pair of hits.
Hogg (W) and Scott
Pennington (L) and Toombs
(September 2) Pallie Pascoe's Moose Jaw baseballers invaded the stomping grounds of Casey Moroschan's Balmoral cohorts and carried off a 6 to 4 victory to tie up the two out of three series for the Southern League title. After falling behind early, the Moose Jaw nine took the lead for good by scoring a pair of markers in the fourth frame. Unlike in the opener of the series, the All-Stars' defense was solid. The winners had 12 hits in total wirth Gordon "Smokey" Wilson leading the way with 3 singles. "Sandy" Thomson, Chuck Robinson, Oak Toombs and Al Phillips each contributed a brace of base blows with one of Thomson's being a 3-bagger and one of Robinson's a double.
Haigh (W), Pennington (8) and Toombs
Elwood (L), Swainson (6) and Bird
(September 4) The Moose Jaw All-Stars picked up the first-ever Southern League playoff crown by downing the Regina Balmorals 5 to 3 in the third game of the title series before approximately 1,500 fans. Johhny Dawson, Stars' shortstop, was the game's big hitter slamming out a double and 2 singles in 4 at bats. "Casey" Moroschan headed the Bals with a double and single. Winning pitcher, Wilf "Lefty" Pennington clubbed the game's only round-tripper, an 8th inning bases-empty shot which provided him with an insurance run.
Swainson (L) and Dominas, Bird
Pennington (W) and Toombs
Saskatchewan Senior Baseball Championship
Having won the inaugural Southern League crown, the Moose Jaw All-Stars now set their sights on further laurels in the form of the 1931 Saskatchewan senior baseball championship.
In order to advance to the provincial final, however, the Stars had to go through a very tough squad from Arcola to earn the overall title as champions of the southern half of the province. The Arcola nine had won the championship of their 6-team league, known as the Border League, which included Estevan and four North Dakota clubs, then had disposed of the Swift Current Indians in a 3-game playoff series to advance to this point. Their pitching staff was acknowledged to be especially strong and included a pair of pick-ups from Estevan, one of whom was no other than the infamous Elmer "Lefty" White whose brief 1931 Southern League exposure, initially with the Regina Balmorals, had resulted in a forfeiture and later with the Milestone Sioux, had brought on a suspension of the club and the ensuing playoff controvery. At any rate, the two clubs met in a best three out of five format with the winner to advance to the provincial playdowns.
Arcola player roster for South Saskatchewan championship series
Boll Cliff C/OF, Berner Johnny "Long John" P/OF, Forgay Bill MGR/UT, Hall 1B, Hanna 2B, Madson 3B, Marchand A. "Deacon" P/3B/OF, Marchand Lou OF/C, Maxwell OF, McLeod Stu 3B, Thompson George SS, White Elmer "Lefty" P/OF, Wiggins Bill OF/P/3B/SS
Moose Jaw player roster for South Saskatchewan championship series
Cawsey Emery OF, Davis Glen C, Dawson Johnny SS, Haigh George P, Hodgkinson Billy OF, Law Gordon 3B, MacDonald Jim 1B, McKenna Danny OF/3B/2B, Nutzhorn Bill P, Pennington Wilf "Lefty" P, Phillips Al OF, Robinson Chuck 2B, Scott Ed OF, Thomson Alexander "Sandy" SS/3B, Toombs Oak C
Game Reports
(September 7) Playing in Estevan before approximately 500 fans, the designated homesters from Arcola and the visiting Moose Jaw All-Stars split a playoff doubleheader.
The Stars came out on the long end of a 7 to 1 count in the afternoon affair as Moose Jaw's ace, Wilf "Lefty" Pennington, outdueled Johnny "Long John" Berner of the Moose Mountain boys. The game was deadlocked 1 - 1 after 6 complete innings but, in the top of the seventh, Moose Jaw's "Big Jim" MacDonald lit up one of Burner's offerings for a 3-run homer and from there on, the Mill City invaders hit "Long John" almost at will, finally driving him to the showers in the ninth. Pennington finished with an 8-hitter and 10 strikeouts. Left fielder Billy Hodgkinson of the Stars had 3 hits, all singles, for the winners.
Pennington (W) and Toombs
Burner (L), Wiggins (9) and Boll
In the twilight contest, the Stars faced a familiar foe, one Elmer "Lefty" White who, as Estevan's pitching phenom, had been picked up by the Arcola contingent upon winning their league crown. White was at his very best in this battle, dispatching no fewer than 21 Moose Jaw batters via the whiff route. He also crossed the plate with the winning tally in the bottom of the ninth inning on a two-out single by Bill Wiggins as Arcola prevailed 2 to 1 in this exciting encounter. Moose Jaw's maestro chucker, "Lefty" Pennington had been summoned from the bullpen in relief of Bill Nutzhorn with two out and runners at first and third and Wiggins laced Pennington's first delivery for the game-winning hit. First sacker Bill Forgay led the victors with a 3-hit performance at the dish.
Nutzhorn (L), Pennington (9) and Davis
White and Boll
(September 9) Moose Jaw and Arcola again divided a crucial twin-bill played this time at the Armories oval in Moose Jaw.
Arcola's A. "Deacon" Marchand took the hill for the visitors in the matinee event and held the All-Stars to 8 hits as the Moose Mountain men prevailed 5 to 4. The "Deacon" also helped his cause with the hickory, slamming a pair of singles. Bill Nutzhorn did the flinging for Moose Jaw but costly errors helped to spell defeat for him. Each club had a batsman with 3 hits in this joust, Cliff Bol for the Arcolans and Al Phillips for the Stars. One of Phillips' blows went for 3 bases.
A. Marchand (W) and Lou Marchand
Nutzhorn (L) and Toombs
With an opportunity to wrap up the series with a victory in the evening encounter, management of the Arcola crew chartered a special plane to fly "Lefty" White and two of his teammates, infielders George Thompson and Stu McLeod, all of whom missed the early game, from Estevan. The trio ariived late, White and his sidekicks entering the dugout during the second frame as Moose Jaw opened up a 2 to 0 lead. The three amigos then took their respective positions in the field to begin the third inning. Whether it was the thrill of the flight or merely his night off, the bespectacled portsider was easy picking for the Stars as they increased their lead by pounding him for a total of seven more runs in the third and fourth stanzas. Meanwhile, sore-armed "Lefty" Pennington was hurling a masterful game. Only in the final two innings did the visitors lambast his offerings but by then it was a case of too little, too late as the Moose Jaw lead had been too significant to overcome and the All-Stars prevailed by a 12 to 8 margin, tying the series and sending it to a fifth game showdown, winner take all. Several hitters sparkled at the plate in this skirmish. Ed Scott, "Sandy" Thomson and Glen Davis drilled 3 safeties each for the Mill City crew while first baseman Hall of the visitors did likewise. "Big Jim" MacDonald of the Stars led in the power depatment as he slammed a pair of triples.
Wiggins (L), A. Marchand (2), White (3) and Boll
Pennington (W) and Davis
(September 10) The Moose Jaw All-Stars earned the right to represent southern Saskatchewan in the provincial senior baseball finals as they administered an 11 to 8 defeat to a gritty band of ballplayers representing Arcola before a paid attendance of 1,137.
Although this fifth and final game of this exciting series was played in Moose Jaw, Arcola was declared as the home team. Batting last, however, made no difference as the game was decided more on defence, or to be more precise, the lack thereof, since errors were numerous and costly on both sides and, as a result, the Stars were credited with only five earned runs as against four for the Arcolans. Moose Jaw's George Haigh went the entire way on the slab for the pitching win and, although touched for twelve base blows, it was only in the fifth and ninth innings that Arcola was able to bunch their hits off him. After teeing off on "Lefty" White the night before, the All-Stars continued their lusty clouting and shelled starter and loser "Long John" Burner from the hill in the second frame. In total, Moose Jaw collected 14 base knocks off Burner and reliever A. "Deacon" Marchand. The Stars got off to a flying start in the first frame, scoring three times, and were never headed. Veteran Moose Jaw first baseman Jim MacDonald led the victors offensively, punching out four singles in five trips to the plate. Infielder "Sandy" Thomson poled out a 4-bagger to compliment his earlier single while Emery Cawsey and Danny McKenna each kicked in with a brace of singles. Arcola's slick first sacker Hall was by far their most potent batter as he laced out 4 hits with one of them being a double.
Haigh (W) and Davis
Burner (L), A. Marchand (3) and Bol, Lou Marchand (3)
With the second of their objectives having now been attained, the newly crowned titlists of the south country from Moose Jaw looked in a northerly direction for a further challenge and found the Saskatoon St. Joseph's Athletic Club, monarchs of the north, waiting in the wings. The Hub City St. Joe's team not only had repeated as northern Saskatchewan champions but the were also the defending provincial title holders and they had no intention of relinquishing their tiara to an upstart group who were known as the "Cats" in their own backyard. The best three out of five series began in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon St. Joseph's player roster for the Saskatchewan senior baseball championship
Abbey Bud SS/1B/2B, Bell Elmer SS/2B/OF, Bennett Alf 2B/P/3B, Bidgood Frank "Lefty" OF, Clark Roy OF, Harris Jimmy OF, Kerr Lorne OF, McCulloch Joe 3B, Morban Phil 2B, Reeve "Curly" C, Sillers Lawrence 1B, Therrien Pete P/OF
Moose Jaw All-Stars player roster for the Saskatchewan senior baseball championship
Cawsey Emery OF, Davis Glen C, Dawson Johnny SS, Haigh George P, Hodgkinson Billy OF, MacDonald Jim 1B, McKenna Danny OF, Nutzhorn Bill P, Pennington Wilf "Lefty" P, Phillips Al OF, Robinson Chuck 2B, Scott Ed OF, Thomson Alexander "Sandy" 3B, Toombs Oak C
Game Reports
(September 14) The Moose Jaw All-Stars, also referred to as the Cats, took a commanding lead in the provincial senior baseball finals for the Leader-Post trophy when they took both ends of a doubleheader from the Saskatoon St. Joseph's club, the present provincial and northern Saskatchewan champions at Cairns Field.
With Wilf "Lefty" Pennington toeing the slab in the opening game, the boys from the Friendly City grabbed an early lead, gradually added to it and came away with a 5 to 2 triumph over their hosts. In the 7 2/3 innings that he worked on the mound, Pennington had the northerners eating out of his hand. The best the Saints could muster off his slants was a scratch single along the third base line. Unfortunately, however, he threw his arm out in the eighth and had to be replaced by George Haigh who yielded the only two Saskatoon markers in the bottom of the ninth. The southerners massaged loser Pete Therrien's offerings for only seven singles, two of them by Chuck Robinson which produced 3 RBI's, but most of them were timely with runners on the base paths. St. Joe's outfielder Lorne Kerr led his team's 4-hit output with a pair of singles.
Pennington (W), Haigh (8) and Toombs
Therrien and Reeve
In the nightcap, a ten inning thriller, Moose Jaw's Bill Nutzhorn and Saskatoon's Alf Bennett locked horns in a tussle in which the southern challengers pulled out a 3 to 1 victory. The northerners picked up a single marker in their first time at bat. Moose Jaw then evened the count in the fourth. Nutzhorn, the Stars' submarine ball artist, hurled great ball throughout and was finally rewarded with a 2-run margin in overtime when shortstop Johnny Dawson drilled a sharp single off Bennett with runners at second and third. St. Joe's nicked Nutzhorn for seven hits in the ten inning contest while Bennett surrendered nine to the eventual winners. Al Phillips and "Sandy" Thomson led the Mill City offensive attack with two hits apiece, each accumulating a double in their total. Saskatoon catcher Curly Reeve and outfielder Roy Clark both had a pair of singles.
Nutzhorn (W) and Davis
Bennett (L) and Reeve
(September 16) The Moose Jaw All-Stars were crowned monarchs of the 1931 Saskatchewan senior baseball domain in the Mill City as as crowd of nearly 1,100 watched them ride roughshod over the Saskatoon St. Joseph's, 1930 titleholders, by a count of 15 to 5. The win gave the Stars a three game sweep of the series and the right to annex the Leader-Post trophy, emblematic of the provincial senior baseball championship, for the next 12 months. Wilfred Pennington, the colorful little southpaw who has been the main cog in the Moose Jaw machine all season, twirled masterful ball, sore arm and all, in setting down the defending champs. Against medical advice, "Lefty" took the mound and, although not as baffling as usual, he kept a dozen hits well scattered and turned back ten batters via the strikeout route. As well, his mates provided him with a truckload of runs off loser Alf Bennett and reliever Pete Therrien. The Stars' "Sandy" Thomson had four base knocks, three of them being doubles. Al Phillips, his sidekick, drilled a home run and triple and had 5 RBI's. Leading the Saskatonians at the dish was infielder Bud Abbey who stroked 3 singles.
Bennett (L), Therrien (2) and Reeve
Pennington (W) and Toombs