FOOTHILLS BASEBALL LEAGUE
(May 29) Claresholm travelled to Granum for the league opener and came away with a 15 to 13 verdict over the hosts. Both teams piled up 16 base hits as the pitchers were not in best form. Second baseman Hansen belted a three-run homer for the losers.
Lomheim (W) and Edlund
McKenzie (L), Deman (1), Flemming (5) and Asplund
(May 29) Stavely at Nanton – rained out
(May 31) The Claresholm Huskies grabbed a 9 to 0 lead after three frames and coasted to a 13 to 3 victory over Nanton in the Huskies’ home opener. “Bus” Berg blasted a three-run round-tripper for the winners.
Buck (L), Denoon (3) and McKenzie
Matson (W), Wallis (6), Keats (9) and Edlund
(June 5) The Claresholm Huskies won their third consecutive Foothills League contest, knocking off the invaders from Granum 13 to 2. Claresholm’s 15-hit assault included a triple by Grice and two-baggers off the bats of J. Lomheim and J. Hutchison. Granum collected only three base knocks, all off the slants of winning twirler Lomheim.
Deman (L), Flemming, McKenzie and Asplund
Lomheim (W), Keats (8) and Edlund
(June 5) The Champion Red Socks ventured into Blackie and were whitewashed 5 to 0. Loose defensive play played a major role in their defeat.
Steeves (L) and F. Watts
Baker (W) and Woolridge
(June 7) Claresholm tasted defeat for the first time this season as they took it on the chin 11 to 4 from a determined Champion squad. Walker gave up seven base hits and whiffed eight in pitching the complete game win for the Red Socks.
Keats (L) and Edlund
Walker (W) and Watts
(June 9) The Nanton Rangers broke open a tight contest with a four-run seventh inning to down Stavely 6 to 0. McLaren earned the shutout mound win.
Rea (L), LaSota and Chilton
McLaren (W) and McKenzie
(June 10) Blackie took advantage of Claresholm’s recent slump and thumped the Huskies on their home turf 16 to 2. The fifth and sixth innings were a merry-go-round for Blackie as 20 batters paraded to the plate. Baker tossed a six-hitter in breezing to the hillock victory.
Baker (W) and Woolridge
Lomheim (L), Keats and Grice, Edlund
(June 14) Stavely fought back from a 6 to 2 deficit, staging a late-inning comeback to defeat the homestanding Claresholm Huskies 9 to 6. Winning pitcher “Happy” Rea had a hot bat, going five-for-five at the dish and driving in four runs.
Rea (W) and Doyle
Wallis (L) and Edlund
(June 19) The Champion Red Socks scored four times in the eighth inning to overpower the Claresholm Huskies 9 to 7 in a loosely played Foothills League match. The Crimson Hose held a 10 to 8 advantage in base hits garnered. Reg Wallis belted a four-bagger for the Huskies.
Walker, Steeves (W) (7) and Watts
Lomheim (L), Wallis (9) and Edlund
(June 21) Nanton avenged an earlier defeat at the hands of Granum by taking down the visitors 10 to 8. The Nanton aggregation locked the game up with an eight-run fourth inning.
xxx (L), xxx (5) and xxx
McLaren (W), Kitchen (6) and xxx
(June 21) It was payback time for the Claresholm Huskies as they travelled to Stavely and handed the hosts an 11 to 8 defeat, settling the score for a blown game of a week earlier. With Stavely ahead by a 6 to 5 count entering the seventh frame, Reg Wallis, who had taken over mound duties for the Huskies in the sixth, blasted a bases-empty home run to knot the count. A five-run eighth-inning, highlighted by R. Matson’s two-run triple, sealed the deal for Claresholm.
Matson, Wallis (W) (6) and Edlund
Monkman (L), Derochie (8) and Chilton, Doyle
(June 26) After taking an early five run lead, the Claresholm Huskies coasted to an easy 14 to 4 victory over Stavely. Lomheim picked up the hurling win and was never in any danger although he did surrender a grand-slam circuit-blast to Stavely infielder Hughes.
Lonheim (W) and xxx
xxx (L), Haynes and xxx
(June 28) Reg Wallis rang up 15 strikeouts as the Claresholm Huskies defeated Blackie 8 to 6, the only setback that Blackie has suffered so far this season.
Wallis (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
(July 5) Claresholm closed out the Foothills League schedule with a 6 to 1 decision over the hosting Nanton Rangers. The Huskies finished with a 6 win and 4 loss campaign which earned them third place in the standings. Claresholm will now face the second-place Champion Red Socks in a best-of-three semi-final series with the winning team advancing to play the first-place Blackie club which posted an 8 win, 1 loss and 1 tie record in league action.
xxx (W) and xxx
Denoon (L) and xxx
PLAYOFFS
Semi-finals
(July 15) In the initial game of the Foothills League semi-finals, the Claresholm Huskies decimated the visitors from Champion 7 to 0. In spite of the intense heat, Claresholm hurler Reg Wallis looked sharp in posting the four-hit shutout, disposing of eight Champion batters via the strikeout route.
Walker (L), Steeves (1) and Latiff
Wallis (W) and Edlund
(July 24) The Champion Red Socks evened their semi-final series with the Claresholm Huskies by edging the Sled-Dogs 6 to 5 in a thrilling encounter at Champion. The Scarlet Stockings roared out to a 5 to 0 lead in the second frame and appeared to be in complete control. Claresholm crept back into contention by plating three counters in the sixth, another in the eighth and then tied the game in the top of the ninth on second sacker R. Hill’s clutch two-out single. A pair of errors in the bottom of the frame allowed Champion to score an unearned run and salvage the win. The Huskies held a 12 to 8 margin in base hits.
Matson, Wallis (L) (2) and Edlund
Steeves (W) and Hargreaves
(July 31) Claresholm pulverized the visiting Champion Red Socks 17 to 4 in a seven-inning encounter to take their semi-final playoff series two games to one. The Huskies blasted 21 base raps off a pair of Champion twirlers. Claresholm flinger Reg Wallis breezed to the mound win with a four-hitter and also hit a three-run homer.
Steeves (L), Rhodes (7) and Hargreaves
Wallis (W) and Edlund
Finals
(August 15) Reg Wallis struck out 13 while limiting the pennant-winners to three hits as the Claresholm Huskies took a one-game lead in the Foothills Baseball League finals with a 4 to 3 triumph over Blackie. “Bus” Berg’s two-run round-tripper staked the Huskies to a second-inning lead. In the fifth, Blackie scored three times to go ahead by a single counter. Catcher Woolridge’s double drove in a pair of those tallies. Claresholm responded in the bottom of the seventh. After singling with one out, stealing second and moving to third on a passed ball, Wallis crossed the plate with the tying run on Don Grice’s perfect squeeze bunt down the first-base line. The speedy lead-off hitter promptly pilfered both second and third and came romping home with the go-ahead marker on a passed ball.
Baker (L) and Woolridge
Wallis (W) and Edlund
(August 21) Blackie squared the Foothills Baseball League championship finals with a convincing 15 to 1 shellacking of a shorthanded Claresholm crew. Regulars “Bus” Berg and R. Matson of the Huskies failed to arrive for the game as the vehicle they were travelling in broke down in transit. As well, ace chucker Reg Wallis was unavailable for the contest and did not make the trip.
Lomheim (L), Keats and Edlund
xxx (W) and Woolridge
(September 1) Matching their skills on a neutral diamond in Nanton, the Claresholm Huskies edged past Blackie 3 to 2 to capture the 1935 Foothills League championship, winning the final series two games to one. Blackie held a 2 to 1 edge heading into the top of the ninth inning. A dramatic two-out rally by the Huskies pulled the game out of the fire. Claresholm’s J. Hutchison was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by Mike Bowie. Down to his last strike, Don Bingham lobbed a soft liner over losing pitcher Spears’ head which Blackie second baseman Addeman was unable to corral as both runners, moving on the play, easily reached the platter. With one retired, Blackie had the potential tying run on third in their last turn at bat but victorious pitcher Reg Wallis fanned the final two batters to end the game and the series.
Wallis (W) and Edlund
Spears (L) and Woolridge
EDMONTON SENIOR BASEBALL
The demand for senior amateur player personnel in Edmonton was significantly higher than that of Calgary in 1935. In addition to Edmonton’s entry (the club to which the majority of the elite players joined) in the hastily formed Northern Alberta Baseball League along with Mirror, Ponoka and Wetaskiwin, two separate local leagues comprising a total of eight teams initially operated within the Capital city, often competing for the same players, many of whom played in the two intra-city loops and a few of whom actually participated in the entire trio of circuits.
In late June, the Edmonton Senior Baseball League acknowledged that the intense rivalry for available players made it impossible for its four teams to continually make their scheduling commitments and that an effort would be made to merge the quartet of franchises into a pair of quality clubs who could then compete in an inter-city league. The end result, however, saw only one team, the newly organized Shasta Royals, emerge from the remnants of the loop. The newcomers initially played only exhibition tilts, including a no-hit, no-run game tossed by Herman Loblick. They then took over the Edmonton Bushers’ interests in the four-team Northern Alberta Baseball League for the remainder of the season and entered the provincial senior playdowns as Edmonton’s representative.
Shasta Royals : Eaton “Buck” P/1B, Fenton Dave 3B, Hopper “Red” 1B, Horne Phil OF/1B, King Wilbur MGR, Levinson Harry 1B, Loblick Herman P, McHugh Ed OF, Moon “Pep” 2B, Mydansky Fred “Lefty” P, Ozust Paul 2B, Paul OF, Reynolds Archie “Specs” OF, Robinson Cliff C, Shandro Joe SS, Stewart Gordon OF, Stewart Kenny C, Stout C, Wilkie Glen P, Thompson Harry P, Williamson “Bud” 1B
(July 6) Righthander Herman Loblick of the Edmonton Shasta Royals tossed a no-hit, no-run game as the Capital City gang whitewashed Wainwright 7 to 0 in an exhibition game played in Edmonton. Only 28 Wainwright batters faced Loblick in the nine-inning contest.
P. Spornitz (L) and C. Spornitz
Loblick (W) and Robinson
Rosters of teams in the 1935 Edmonton Big Four Baseball League
Empire Hotel : Bartley 3B, Brant Tommy 3B/P, Cruthers Reg P/OF, Colville Jack SS/C, Davis 1B/OF, Gillies OF, Goyan Eddie OF/SS, Grassic/Grassick Ab SS, Green Bill C/2B/SS/OF/MGR, Hague 2B, Henderson OF, Ibson Eddie OF, Kelly Jim OF/3B/2B, Lunde Bill OF, McMillan Jack OF/1B, Morgan Ralph P, Ryan OF, Smith Albert “Sliver” 1B, Wilkie Glen P/OF, Woywitka Nick 2B/SS/3B, Yarmoluk Pete 1B/SS
Gibbons : Backlin SS, Burton/Buxton SS, Cruthers Bobby SS, Fraser Gordon OF, Gladue P/OF, James Clark OF/P, Langan 2B/OF, MacDonnell/McDonnell A. 2B/C/SS/3B, MacDonnell/McDonnell Chris C/2B, McBride Gordon P/OF, McKernan Doug 1B, McNeely 2B, Milligan Jack 3B/OF, Nadeau OF, Owen 3B, Samis OF
National Home Furnishers : Abel/Able George 2B/3B/P, Bowen Wilf P/OF, Coughlin Tony P, Cundall OF, Demchuk “Chuck” SS/2B/1B/OF, Denovan/Donovan Denny 1B/3B, Guenette OF, Henning Johnny C/2B/1B, Lloyd OF, MacFarlane/McFarlane 3B/SS/2B, Malcolm C/SS, McAthey “Mickey” P, Montgomery OF/1B, Pankey Boe C, Pankey Mike 2B, Phillips OF, Pritchard OF, Stetwell OF, Thompson Harry P/OF, Tree Wally 3B/2B/OF/SS, Wagner Walter SS, Williams OF/3B
York Hotel : Adams C, Alderdice Cliff 1B, Alderdice H. P/OF, Armstrong OF, Ball D. OF, Ball Ken OF/1B/P, Buchanan C, Bunnin 2B/3B, Caldwell Ken OF, Cowan “Bud” SS/P, Cruthers Bobby 2B/P, Cruthers Reg 1B, Chiliback OF, Eaton “BucK” P, Elaschuk Steve 3B/P, Fenton 3B, Henderson OF/SSLloyd OF, Martel/Martell OF/SS, Paul P/2B/3B, Reynolds OF, Rimstad Louis OF/P, Rudiger OF, Runge OF, Ryde OF, Scotweld Tommy P/3B, Shandro SS, Stanley 3B, Stewart OF, Strynadka C/2B, Williams Freddie 3B/P, Wride OF
Rosters of teams in the 1935 Edmonton Senior Baseball League
Army & Navy Cubs : Colville Jack C/OF, Conklin Tony OF/P, Davis OF, Green Bill OF, Ibson Eddie OF, Kelly Jim 3B, McGuire “Specs” P/OF/C, McMillan Jack OF/P. Wilkie Glen P, Wismer Harold SS, Yarmoluk Pete 1B
Crescents : Adams C. C, Brockie OF, Cruthers Bobby 2B, Cruthers Reg 1B, Cushing OF, Grossman S. SS, Johnson D. 3B, Pankey Mike 3B, Paull R. P, Reeve “Curly” C, Reynolds Archie OF, Scotweld Tommy P/3B/OF, Sheen OF, Stewart Gordon OF
Royals : Brant Tommy 3B, Caldwell Ken ”Red” OF, Creighton Ken, Diggins E. OF, Eaton “Buck” P, Elaschuk Steve P, Green Bill C, Kokura Freddy SS, McCathey Jack P/OF, McHugh Ed OF, Rimstad “Phatz” 1B, Shandro Joe SS/2B, Therrien Nestor P, Williamson 1B, Woywitka Nick 2B
South Side Athletics : Aicher Cliff OF, Armstrong Bob OF, Hambly Stan 1B, Martell Paul “Rabbit” OF, McKinley D’Arcy C, Moon “Pep” 2B/MGR, Packwood C/3B, Penton Dave SS, Pocock P, Watt Bob, Wynn “Rusty” P
CENTRAL ALBERTA LEAGUE / NORTHERN ALBERTA LEAGUE
The 1935 Central Alberta Baseball League operated as a temporary four-team circuit (scheduling games for only a two-week period during June) as at least one member team was more interested in playing independent of the others. In mid-June, the Camrose Cubs ventured solely into exhibition game and tournament play. The remaining three clubs also concentrated on a litany of exhibition encounters but, as well, joined with an Edmonton entry to form a new Northern Alberta loop. Come playoff time, the former CABL/now NABL conducted a final playoff series between the Wetaskiwin and Ponoka teams. For provincial senior amateur playdowns, the Ponoka Panthers registered to participate in the southern district while the Mirror Imperials and Wetaskiwin Wizards, a.k.a. the Braves, elected to compete against northern Alberta competition.
CENTRAL ALBERTA
(June 3) Ponoka defeated Wetaskiwin 7 to 2 in the first game of the Central Alberta League. Both complete game pitchers, winner “Duke” Baer and loser “Kip”Anderson of the Wizards/Braves had plenty of zip on their offerings with Baer fanning twelve while Anderson whiffed ten. Baer gave up just four safeties, one being a triple to his mound opponent. Baer’s battery mate, Ralph Butler, also banged out a three-bagger.
Baer (W) and Butler
K. Anderson (L) and Henderson
(June 7) Erupting for six runs in the seventh inning to break open a tie game, the visiting Ponoka Panthers downed the Camrose Cubs 10 to 4 to spoil the 1935 Central Alberta Baseball League home opener for the Cubbies.
Baer, Charlie Lewis (W) and xxx
Carruthers, Emory Hanson (L) (6), Emil Hanson (8) and Rosland
(June 10) Four Wetaskiwin pitchers could not check the Mirror Imperials as the visitors walloped the homesters 22 to 6 in a Central Alberta Baseball League fixture.
Tulloch (W) and Ray
Johnson (L), Anderson (5) Rutten (7), Schneck and Hodges
(June 12) Breaking through with a devastating attack that produced seven runs in the fourth inning, the Ponoka Panthers drubbed the Camrose Cubs 9 to 2 in Central Alberta League action. Outfielder Charlie Lewis drilled four safeties in spearheading Ponoka’s 15-hit attack.
Carruthers (L), E. Hanson (4) and Stolee
Malles (W), Baer (7), Marsh (9) and Butler
NORTHERN ALBERTA
(June 16) The opening game of the Northern Alberta Baseball League saw the Wetaskiwin Wizards/Braves plating five seventh-inning counters in knocking off the Edmonton Bushers 8 to 5. Eddie Kronfeld paced Wetaskiwin at the dish with a four-hit performance. Phil Horne blasted a round-tripper for the Bushers.
Johnson (W), Rattlesnake (8) and Nichols
Loblick (L), Anderson (7) and Hodges
(June 18) In a battle of left-handers that was nip and tuck all the way, “Buster” Mutch of the Mirror Imperials carved out a well merited 3 to 2 win for himself over “Kip” Anderson of the Edmonton Bushers in the second game of the NABL schedule. Tied at a pair of runs apiece entering the seventh, the visiting Imperials' outfielder Wiggins singled to drive in what turned out to be the winning run. Mirror held an 11 to 5 advantage in base hits with catcher Ray accounting for three of them. Anderson belted a two-run homer in support of his pitching effort.
Mutch (W) and Ray
Anderson (L) and Nichol
(June 19) Sol Myers' three-run circuit-clout in the seventh frame propelled the undefeated Ponoka Panthers to a tight 8 to 7 win over the visiting Edmonton Bushers. “Duke” Baer, in a relief effort, picked up the mound victory for Ponoka.
Johnston (L) and Nichol
Crellin, Charlie Lewis (1), Baer (W) (4) and Butler
(June 22) The Edmonton Bushers took down Wetaskiwin 5 to 2 on the loser’s home turf. Robinson, the mound artist for the visitors, fanned ten while allowing six base raps in besting Jimmy Rattlesnake.
Robinson (W) and Henderson
Rattlesnake (L) and Nichols
(June 22) A timely single by Sol Myers in the 10th inning gave Ponoka a 2 to 1 verdict over the Mirror Imperials and a one-game lead in their Calgary Brewery trophy challenge series. It was a pitcher’s battle all the way . In addition to his fine six-hit mound performance, winning chucker Cy Malles led the Panthers’ batting attack with a brace of safeties. Catcher Henderson was the leading Mirror swatter crashing out a pair of hits, one of these a triple.
Malles (W) and Butler
Olive (L) and Henderson
(June 23) Albert “Sliver” Smith of the Edmonton Bushers was in fine form as he teased the Wetaskiwin nine on a four-hitter as the Capital City crew whitewashed the visitors 7 to 0. Third sacker Dave Fenton had three hits for the winners while teammate Paul Ozust picked up a pair.
Eaton (L) and Nichols
Smith (W) and Henderson
(June 24) The Ponoka Panthers defeated the Mirror Imperials 8 to 1 in winning their Calgary Brewery trophy series. “Duke” Baer, the portside flinger, breezed to the six-hit, complete-game mound triumph. Shortstop Sol Myers had a perfect day at the dish for the Felines, going four-for-for, a total which included two triples, a double and a single.
Baer (W) and Butler
Mutch (L), Wiggins (5) and Henderson
(June 26) The Edmonton Journal reported that Isaac “Ike” Davis had arrived in Wetaskiwin to take charge of the Wizards/Braves as playing-manager for the balance of the 1935 season.
(June 27) Playing-manager “Ike” Davis’ debut as skipper of the Wetaskiwin crew in the NABL was an unsuccessful one as the invading Mirror Imperials eked out a thrilling 1 to 0 victory. Winning moundsman “Red” Tulloch surrendered only two scratch singles while losing tosser, Les Webber, making his first appearance in a Wetaskiwin uniform, was touched for only a double and two singles. After two had been retired in the top of the fifth inning, Mirror’s “Buster” Mutch doubled and was sent home for the game’s only tally when catcher Ray singled.
Tulloch (W) and Ray
Webber (L) and R. Anderson
(June 27) Cy Malles’ effective seven-hit pitching stymied the Edmonton bats as the Bushers were throttled 5 to 1 by the visiting Ponoka Panthers.
Malles (W) and Butler
K. Anderson (L) and Henderson
(July 2) Lady Luck smiled once again on the Ponoka Panthers as they hobbled through with a 4 to 3 victory over the Mirror Imperials in a ten-inning NABL game. For eight innings, the visitors were easy prey for big right-hander “Red” Tulloch who held them at bay with five hits. A pair of ninth-inning fielding miscues by the Imperials, followed by a double off the bat of Ponoka first baseman Ted Sweet, allowed the Cats to tie the game. In the tenth, the Felines scored the final tally on hits by Eddie Crellin and Sol Myers. Tulloch was outstanding in defeat, striking out nine and allowing but five hits. “Buster” Mutch of Mirror had a home run in the seventh inning while Tulloch and Ponoka’s “Duke” Baer both hit triples.
A. Crellin (W) and Butler
Tulloch (L) and Henderson
(July 4) The Ponoka Panthers fell prey to Wetaskiwin’s heavy sluggers in an NABL fixture in Wetaskiwin dropping a 7-3 decision. The loss was the Panthers first of the campaign and generated bad blood between the two squads, reflected in pushing and shoving in the sixth frame. A free-for-all ensued with several players taking part in the melee. Ponoka had an early lead but Wetaskiwin eventually tied the match and, in the seventh, took a two-run lead. Another pair of markers in the eighth sealed the deal for the homesters. Wetaskiwin held a 10 to 8 margin in base hits.
Baer (L) and Butler
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
(July 5) The Mirror Imperials rallied with a pair of ninth-inning runs to edge the Ponoka Panthers 5 to 4 in NABL action. Relief tosser, playing-manager Cy Malles of the Cats, surrendered a ninth frame base-on-balls followed with a two-bagger by winning hurler “Red” Tulloch and a single by catcher Ray which gave the Imps the lead. Tulloch wound up with two hits in the game as did Eddie Crellin and Sol Myers of Ponoka.
Tulloch (W) and Ray
A. Crellin, Malles (L) (8) and Charlie Lewis
(July 5) A first-inning uprising lifted the visiting Wetaskiwin club to a 6 to 4 victory over the Edmonton Bushers. The invaders jumped all over loser “Sliver” Smith for five first-inning runs on five hits, a lead they never relinquished. Playing-manager “Ike” Davis picked up three base raps for the winners.
Rattlesnake (W) and McKinley
Smith (L), Eaton (3) and Henderson
(July 7) Wetaskiwin defeated the Mirror Imperials 3 to 1 in a Northern Alberta League game played in Mirror. Winning hurler John McKay was touched for seven safeties and had eight strikeouts. Losing chucker Brooks struck out six and allowed five base raps. The teams played scoreless ball until the fifth inning when Mirror tallied their only run, “Buster” Mutch crossing the plate on a safe hit by Wiggins. In the sixth, Wetaskiwin put the game on a safe footing when McKay and Eddie Bergen scored on two hits and a wild throw. Clelland then scored the clincher on Jimmy Rattlesnake’s base blow.
McKay (W) and Black
Brooks (L) and Ray
(July 9) Lester Webber, a 20 year old Californian pitching for Wetaskiwin, hurled a no-hitter as the “Ike” Davis led squad shutout the replacement Edmonton NABL entry, the Shasta Royals, 4 to 0. Webber faced only 28 batters in his masterpiece. Loser Glen Wilkie pitched admirably as well, giving up just four hits with only two runs being earned.
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
Wilkie (L) and Stout
(July 10) Hobbled by an ankle injury, starry catcher Ralph Butler of the Ponoka Panthers blasted a pinch-hit two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Panthers to a narrow 5 to 4 win over the visiting Edmonton Shasta Royals. “Duke” Baer with a six-hitter outlasted Edmonton’s “Buck” Eaton to earn the mound win. Charlie Lewis had a four-bagger for the winners.
Eaton (L) and Robinson
Baer (W) and Hodges
(July 11) Manager “Ike” Davis and his Wetaskiwin baseballers chalked up their fourth straight triumph in the NABL when they picked on Mirror for a 7 to 3 victory. Young California giant, Lester Webber, had no difficulty in breezing to the decisive mound win over “Smiley” Brooks of the Imperials. “Kip” Anderson was the hitting star of the game for the winners.
Brooks (L) and Henderson
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
(July 12) “Red” Tulloch, making a great comeback this season, proved his pitching ability at Renfrew Park when he hurled the Mirror Imperials to a 4 to 2 triumph over the Edmonton Shasta Royals. Tulloch faced only 30 batters, allowing five hits, and was able to subdue any potential Edmonton rally. Loser Herman Loblick was nicked for ten safeties including a doubles by Tulloch. “Buster” Mutch, Al Chapman and Jimmy Henderson each singled twice for the winners.
Tulloch (W) and Henderson
Loblick (L) and Robinson
(July 14) Nearly back at full strength again after a tough run of injuries, the Ponoka Panthers halted Wetaskiwin’s eight-game winning streak with a 10 to 5 trouncing. Three home runs featured the encounter with “Kip” Anderson, making his debut in a Panther uniform, connecting for Ponoka while Eddie Kronfeld and Lester Webber did the honours for Wetaskiwin.
xxx (L) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
(July 21) “Kip” Anderson’s long eighth-inning single drove in Sol Meyers from second base with the lead run and gave the Ponoka Panthers a 4 to 3 win over the Mirror Imperials in the Cats’ final home game of the NABL schedule. With Cy Malles pitching for Ponoka and “Red” Tulloch hurling for Mirror, the game was more or less a pitcher’s battle all the way. Three home runs were hit during the contest. Tulloch and F. Chapman connected for the Imps while catcher Ralph Butler slammed one out for the Panthers. Butler also had a brace of singles and swiped a pair of bases.
Tulloch (L) and Ray
Malles (W) and Butler
(July 21) Although out hit by an 11 to 7 margin, the Wetaskiwin diamondeers took a close 3 to 2 verdict from the Edmonton Shasta Royals at Renfrew Park. Wetaskiwin broke a 2 – 2 tie in the eighth on singles by Pete McCready and Eddie Kronfeld followed by a sacrifice on the part of playing-manager “Ike” Davis. Eddie Bergen had a double and single for the winners.
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
Loblick (L) and Robinson
(July 22) The Mirror Imperials turned in a 5 to 3 victory over the Ponoka Panthers. Veteran left-hander Bill “Buster” Mutch scattered six singles in going the distance for the mound victory. The Imps collected ten base blows off loser “Duke” Baer. Mutch, along with battery mate Henderson, had three hits for the winners, a feat duplicated by shortstop Sol Myers of the Panthers.
Baer (L) and Butler
Mutch (W) and Henderson
(July 24) Two unearned runs in the lucky seventh and a four-cushion circuit-wallop in the ninth gave the Ponoka Panthers a 3 to 1 win over the Edmonton Shasta Royals. The game at Renfrew Park featured an elegant pitching duel between “Lefty” Mydansky for the homesters and Cy Malles for the invaders. With both hurlers in the best of form, there was no scoring action until the seventh frame. Edmonton’s defensive lapse in that inning allowed the visitors to jump into a 2 to 0 lead. The Shasta Royals got one back in the eighth when Ed McHugh lashed a double into right field, his third hit in four times up, and Kenny Stewart followed with a timely single. Ponoka catcher Ralph Butler settled the issue in the ninth when he flailed one of Mydansky’s choicest offerings well out of the park. Malles recorded eight strikeouts in earning the mound win.
Malles (W) and Butler
Mydansky (L) and K. Stewart
(July 25) The Edmonton Shasta Royals defeated the hosting Wetaskiwin nine 5 to 2 in an NABL game shortened to eight innings because of darkness. Stating pitcher Harry Thompson was effective for the visitors, limiting the homesters to seven hits, Loser Jimmy Rattlesnake had a bad night as he walked five in 2 1/3 innings.
Thompson (W) and xxx
Rattlesnake (L), Webber (3) and xxx
(July 29) A passed ball by Ponoka catcher Ralph Butler in the bottom of the ninth frame allowed the winning marker to score as the homestanding Wetaskiwin Braves edged the Ponoka Panthers 4 to 3. The game was scoreless for seven innings before the opposing moundmen began to weaken. Winning tosser Les Webber struck out nine while hard-luck loser Cy Malles fanned eight. Butler had a triple and double in the losing effort.
Malles (L) and Butler
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
(July 31) Capitalizing on their opponent’s errors, Wetaskiwin defeated the Mirror Imperials 8 to 2 in an exhibition game played in Camrose.
McKay (W) and xxx
Tulloch (L) and xxx
(August 4) The Ponoka Panthers smashed their way to a convincing 9 to 4 home win over the Mirror Imperials. Winning chucker “Duke” Baer was touched for six hits while ringing up six strikeouts. Sol Myers and Ralph Butler hit circuit-clouts for the winners while “Red” Tulloch hammered a four-bagger for the Imperials.
Mutch (L), Tulloch (8) and Ray
Baer (W) and Butler
(August 4) Out of action for ten days because of adverse weather conditions, the Edmonton Shasta Royals could not do anything right and were jolted 8 to 3 by the visiting Wetaskiwin Wizards. The Shasta Royals fell behind early and were never able to recover. Defensively, they kicked the horsehide all over the diamond, committing eight miscues. Winning pitcher John McKay limited the Edmontonians to two hits while whiffing seven. Pete McCready had a four-bagger and a single for the Wizards.
McKay (W) and R. Anderson
Mydansky (L) and Robinson
(August 5) Trailing 4 to 3 entering the seventh inning, Wetaskiwin rallied with three runs to defeat the Ponoka Panthers 6 to 4 in the initial game of the Calgary Brewery challenge series. Wetaskiwin held a 12 to 8 advantage in base hits. Pete McCready of the winners blasted a home run, triple and a pair of singles. Ponoka catcher Ralph Butler contributed a double and three one-baggers.
Malles (L) and Butler
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
(August 8) The Ponoka Panthers hammered the visiting Wetaskiwin squad 11 to 0 to even the Calgary Brewery challenge series at one game apiece. Panther southpaw “Kip” Anderson tossed a five-hitter to earn the shutout victory. He also contributed three base hits including a round-tripper. Also homering for Ponoka were Clint Hodges, Ralph Butler and Sol Myers.
Rattlesnake (L), Davis (8) and R. Anderson
K. Anderson (W) and Butler
(August 9) Eight runs in a disastrous first-inning did in the Ponoka Panthers as they were routed 10 to 4 by the Wetaskiwin Wizards in the third and final game for the Calgary Brewery trophy. Catcher Ray “Mutt” Anderson had a home run and single for the winners.
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
Malles (L), Baer (1) and Butler
(August 11) Regular infielder Sol Myers turned one of his infrequent appearances on the mound into a rousing success as he tossed a complete game four-hitter in leading the Ponoka Panthers past the Edmonton Shasta Royals 3 to 1. The Capital City crew got on the scoreboard early, plating their only counter in the opening frame on a squeeze play. Loser “Lefty” Mydansky was sailing along with things under control until the top of the eighth inning when “Kip” Anderson lit him up for a two-run single to put the visitors ahead. Ralph Butler’s scratch single through the shortstop area brought home the third and final Ponoka run.
Myers (W) and Butler
Mydansky (L) and Robinson.
PLAYOFFS
(August 19) The Wetaskiwin Wizards took the first game of the Northern Alberta Baseball League championship series by defeating the Ponoka Panthers 7 to 2. The Wizards knocked Ponoka starter and loser “Kip” Anderson from the hill by plating a five-spot in the third inning. John McKay did the mound work for Wetaskiwin, fanning five while giving up four safeties. Ray “Mutt” Anderson tripled for the winners while teammates Pete McCready and Les Webber banged out two-baggers.
K. Anderson (L), Baer (3) and Butler
McKay (W) and R. Anderson
(August 20) Wallowing in the depths of their worst batting slump of the season, the Ponoka Panthers lost the second game of the NABL championship series to Wetaskiwin by a 5 to 2 count. Jimmy Rattlesnake went the distance on the hill for Wetaskiwin, claiming his first win over the Panthers all season. Four of the Wizards’ runs were of the unearned variety. Rattlesnake’s battery mate, catcher Ray “Mutt” Anderson was the only swatter on either team to collect more than one base hit as he came through with a double and single. What was supposed to have been a best-of-three series has now, with the approval of both teams, been extended to a best-of-five affair.
Rattlesnake (W) and R. Anderson
Malles (L) and Butler
(August 22) After dropping the first two games of the NABL championship series, the Ponoka Panthers lashed out at Wetaskiwin and hammered their way to a 12 to 8 win in seven innings. The Panthers blasted the offerings of three Wetaskiwin hurlers, none of whom was able to stem the Ponoka attack. The 14-hit offensive production marked the Panthers’ return to batting form after their recent slump. Ponoka’s hurling was done by Sol Myers, the regular shortstop, who had a fairly easy time with the invaders after a weak first inning in which he was nicked for four runs. Cy Malles of the winners and Pete McCready of the defeated visitors both rapped out home runs.
Schneck (L), Webber, Kronfeld and xxx
Myers (W) and xxx
(August 29) The Ponoka Panthers gave their arch-enemies, the Wetaskiwin Wizards/Braves, a 6 to 1 trouncing in the fourth game of their NABL final series, a contest that produced plenty of fireworks. Wetaskiwin scored their one and only run in the first inning. From then on, however, winning moundsman “Duke” Baer held the invaders off the board with his assortment of southpaw slants. In all, he yielded only five hits that were well scattered throughout the seven-inning encounter. Regular first baseman Eddie Kronfeld toed the rubber for the visitors and did an adequate job with the exception of a couple of streaks of wildness. The Panthers were able to garner six hits off Kronfeld, three of these being credited to catcher Ralph Butler, a home run, a double and a single. In the seventh inning, Pete McCready of the Wizards/Braves was called out on strikes by the plate umpire. An angry McCready whirled and threw his bat at the arbiter, prompting an ejection order. McCready further responded with a clenched left fist and knocked the official down. Police ultimately intervened and escorted McCready from the ball park. An indefinite suspension by the Alberta Baseball Association ensued, ending McCready’s season and forcing him out of the 1935 Alberta Senior finals set to begin September 1.
Kronfeld (L) and R. Anderson
Baer (W) and Butler
This series for 1935 NABL supremacy and bragging rights was put on hold as both teams were involved in Alberta provincial senior playoffs, considered to have higher priority (see 1935 Alberta Senior Amateur Baseball Championships). With the bad blood that had developed between the players and management of these two clubs during the provincial championship series in early September, this less significant NABL showdown was never resumed nor completed.
RED DEER VALLEY BASEBALL LEAGUE
Standings as of end of Sunday, August 18, 1935
East Coulee* 15 – 4 .789
Hanna 11 – 6 .647
Nacmine 10 – 7 .588
Wayne 10 – 8 .555
Rosedale 5 – 14 .263
Drumheller Jrs. 2 – 14 .125
* clinched 1935 pennant
CALGARY BASEBALL LEAGUE
Calgary was void of any professional or semi-pro baseball during the summer of 1935.
A three-team amateur City League began on June 27 with ten games scheduled for each entrant. The Pirates emerged as the pennant winners.
CROW'S NEST PASS LEAGUE
(May 31) Phil Houbregs was the big noise for Blairmore as he led the Canucks to an 8 to 3 win over the visitors from Coleman. Using a deceptive change of pace, Houbregs fanned 12 Coleman batters while allowing seven base knocks. At the dish, he clouted a home run, triple and double to lead the winners’ 14-hit onslaught. Joyce belted a four-bagger for the losers.
Yagos (L) and Anderson
Houbregs (W) and Van Duren
(June 3) The Bellevue baseball nine lost its opening league game on home turf to the Hillcrest Miners by a 6 to 2 score. Plagued by a porous defence, Mills, the starting Bellevue chucker, was driven from the hill in the fifth frame. Complete game winner, Elick, was touched for only four hits.
Elick (W) and Makin
Mills (L), Pozzi (5) and Gatto
(June 7) Breaking up a tie game with two runs in the eighth and another in the ninth, the Bellevue nine won their first of the campaign with a 9 to 7 victory over Hillcrest. Both chuckers were hit freely but Hillcrest’s defense was the most porous and eventually led to their downfall.
Mills (W) and Gatto
Price (L) and Elick
Blairmore 2 – 0
Bellevue 1 – 1
Hillcrest 1 – 2
Coleman 0 – 1
(June 10) Playing errorless ball behind the two-hit mound performance of Houbregs, their ace pitcher, the Blairmore Canucks took a stranglehold on first place in the Crow’s Nest Pass Baseball League by defeating the Hillcrest Miners 11 to 0 in Blairmore. For six innings, Houbregs and losing twirler Tabor staged a great hurling duel but Tabor faltered in the seventh and eighth frames as the Canucks blew things wide open. Houbregs wound up with a two-hitter and rang up 15 strikeouts. Tony Vejprava had a double and single for the winners, the one-bagger resulting because of his failure to touch second base on an apparent home run.
Tabor (L), Grant (8) and Elick
Houbregs (W) and Van Duren
(June 12) Bellevue moved into sole possession of second place in the CNP Baseball League with a late-inning 6 to 4 win over the invaders from Coleman.
Gates, Kapalka (L) (4) and Atkinson
Mills (W) and Gatto
(June 19) A six-run outburst in the fourth frame propelled the undefeated Blairmore Canucks to a 9 to 1 thrashing of the Bellevue Brigade. Phil Houbregs was once again a tower of strength on the mound for Blairmore.
Mills (L) and Gatto
Houbregs (W) and Van Duren
(June 21) Playing in adverse weather conditions, the Hillcrest nine narrowly defeated Coleman 14 to 13 in a game smeared with a bushel of errors. First baseman Connors singled home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Yagos, Kapalka, Atkinson (L) and Richards
Price, Tabor (4), Price (W) (6) and Elick
(June 24) The Blairmore Canucks had their winning streak snapped when the hometown Bellevue baseballers handed them a 9 to 5 setback. Lund of Bellevue and Shannon of Blairmore both belted home runs.
Shannon (L), Herman (4), Houbregs (7) and Van Duren
Mills (W) and Morris
(July 3) By virtue of a hard-fought 4 to 3 win over Bellevue, the Hillcrest Miners went into undisputed possession of second place in the Crow’s Nest Pass Baseball League. In spite of coming up on the short end of the score, the Bellevue club out-hit Hillcrest 8 to 6 and pulled off a pair of sparkling double plays.
Price (W) and Elick
Mills (L), Hortak (5) and Gatto
(July 3) The invaders from Coleman edged past the Blairmore Canucks 3 to 2. Both pitchers went the route, each surrendering six base blows. Defensive miscues led to all the scoring in this contest.
Yaggos (W) and Richards
Herman (L) and Van Duren
(July 12) Playing almost airtight ball after a wild first inning, the Hillcrest nine unleashed an exciting tenth-inning rally, scoring twice, to snatch a 6 to 4 victory over the Bellevue squad in a regular Crow’s Nest Pass fixture, maintaining a clean slate in the second half of the schedule with three victories in as many starts.
xxx (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
PLAYOFFS
(August 2) Allowing but five scattered hits while fanning ten opposing batters, Houbregs led the pennant-winning Blairmore Canucks to a tight 5 to 4 win over the runner-up Hillcrest Miners in the first game of the best-of-five series for the championship of the 1935 Crow’s Nest Pass Baseball League. Houbregs also had a stellar game offensively, smashing a two-run circuit clout plus a sizzling two-bagger off the slants of losing chucker Tabor. Shannon of the Canucks and Elick of the Miners also blasted home runs. Blairmore held a 10 to 5 advantage in base hits.
Tabor (L) and Elick
Houbregs (W) and Vejprava
(August 12) Facing elimination, the Hillcrest Miners responded with a close 4 to 3 victory over the Blairmore Canucks in a game featuring numerous disputed umpire decisions. Blairmore holds a two games to one lead in the best-of-five series. The Canucks’ ace twirler, Phil Houbregs, was forced out of the game with a sore arm in the second inning. Both teams garnered eight base hits. Elick belted a home run for the winning Miners.
Tabor (W) and Makin
Houbregs, Herman (L) (2) and Vejprava
(August 14) The Blairmore Canucks were crowned Crow’s Nest Pass Baseball League champions for the second consecutive year when they belted the Hillcrest Miners 12 to 5 to take the final series three games to one. The contest was essentially decided in the fifth canto when the Canucks tallied five counters. Both teams had seven hits in the loosely-played game which was conducted in poor weather conditions and terminated after eight innings when darkness prevailed.
Houbregs, Shannon (W) (4) and Vejprava
Elick (L), Richards (6) and Makin
_________________________________________________________________________________
1935 Alberta Senior Amateur Baseball Championships
Eight senior amateur baseball clubs registered to participate in the 1935 Alberta playdowns, four each from the southern district and the northern half of the province.
Southern Alberta teams – Medicine Hat Royals (defending provincial champions), Lethbridge Galt Miners, Calgary Elks, Ponoka Panthers
Northern Alberta teams – Edmonton Shasta Royals, Mirror Imperials, Vegreville, Wetaskiwin Wizards/Braves
The Medicine Hat Royals and Lethbridge Galt Miners were drawn to face each other in opening-round southern district action, a best-of-five affair.
(August 7) The upstart Lethbridge Galt Miners took both ends of a playoff doubleheader from the Medicine Hat Royals before large crowds in the Gas City. The scores were 12 to 7 and 5 to 4. The Royals are now faced with the daunting task of taking three consecutive games or lose the coveted Alberta championship which they won last year. A wild six-run outburst in the fifth frame of the opener staked the Miners to a lead they never relinquished. Lethbridge pounded loser Rex Bray and reliever Bill Hosie for 17 hits while the Hatters picked up 11 safeties off the steady hurling of Alex Yanosik.
A. Yanosik (W) and Toccoli
Bray (L), Hosie (5) and H. Blaney
The follow-up game went eleven innings and saw the Miners forge ahead on a well-placed hit by Steve Smerek which plated Orlando Luciani who had reached base on a Royals’ error. Lethbridge’s “Dutch” Holman outlasted Herb “Lefty” Thacker to pick up the mound triumph in this nail-biter.
Holman (W) and Toccoli
Thacker (L) and H. Blaney
(August 14) Winning the third game by an 8 to 3 score, the Lethbridge Galt Miners swept their best-of-five series with the Medicine Hat Royals and advanced into the second round of the Alberta senior baseball playdowns. It was the seventh inning which saw the Miners unleash their arsenal with a five-run outburst to pull away from the Royals. The winners blasted two Hat chuckers for 15 base knocks with George Yanosik leading the charge with a double and a pair of singles.
A. Yanosik (W) and Harris
J. Pennington (L), Thacker (7) and H. Blaney
The Calgary Elks faced off against the Ponoka Panthers in another southern area series, this one being a best-of-three showdown.
(August 12) The Ponoka Panthers sunk their claws into the Calgary Elks in the first game of their southern Alberta playoff series, taking down the Cowtowners by a 5 to 1 count. Panther portsider Kip Anderson tossed a four-hitter for the mound triumph. Ponoka collected seven base blows of the slants of losing twirler Uffelman. Calgary catcher Blackadar was the only batter on either squad to register two hits.
Uffelman (L) and Blackadar
Anderson (W) and Butler
(August 13) The Calgary Elks were eliminated from further play in their quest for Alberta supremacy when they were hammered 16 to 4 by the Ponoka Panthers at Ponoka. With the win, the Panthers advance into the southern Alberta final series against the Lethbridge Galt Miners. “Duke” Baer took the hill for the winners and, while he lacked his usual control, still rang up eleven strikeouts. With the lumber, he also belted a triple and double. Calgary second sacker, “Buck” Lapp, drilled a round-tripper in a losing cause.
Hanisko (L), Gaetz (3), Beddom (6) and Blackadar
Baer (W) and Butler
The Wetaskiwin Wizards and Mirror Imperials were bracketed as opponents in first-round northern play in a best-of-three series.
(August 11) The invading Wetaskiwin Wizards defeated the Mirror Imperials 4 to 3 in the opening game of the initial round of northern Alberta playoffs. Bill “Buster” Mutch, veteran Mirror southpaw chucker, hurled brilliant ball throughout the whole game and, had he received any kind of support, the verdict would have easily been reversed. In addition to his fine pitching performance, Mutch hit safely twice out of three times and stole three bases. Winning chucker Jimmy Rattlesnake also pitched well, striking out ten and allowing eight hits.
Rattlesnake (W) and R. Anderson
Mutch (L) and Ray
(August 13) The Wetaskiwin Wizards captured the first round of the northern Alberta senior playoffs, defeating the Mirror Imperials by an identical 4 to 3 score and taking the series in two straight games. The contest featured a pitcher’s battle between Wetaskiwin’s Jimmy Rattlesnake and Wiggins of the Imperials, five hits being gathered off each. It was Rattlesnake’s second playoff mound win in three days. Teammate Pete McCready’s triple was the longest hit of the game,
Wiggins (L) and Henderson
Rattlesnake (W) and R. Anderson
Another opening-round northern district matchup featured the Edmonton Shasta Royals playing the team from Vegreville in a best-of-three competition.
(August 18) The Edmonton Shasta Royals began their journey down the 1935 playoff trail with a smashing 10 to 1 triumph over the Vegreville nine at Renfrew Park. Grabbing a 3 to 0 cushion in the third frame, the Edmontonians were never headed. “Buck” Eaton tossed a five-hitter to grab the hillock victory. Third baseman Dave Fenton picked up three singles for the winners.
Sellands (L), Boutillier (6) and Frederking
Eaton (W) and Robinson
(August 19) The Shasta Royals of Edmonton marched into the northern Alberta senior amateur finals when they defeated Vegreville 7 to 5 to grab the series in two straight games. The Wetaskiwin Wizards are the next opponent awaiting the Shasta Royals. Vegreville started off like gangbusters, battering Edmonton starter Harry Thompson from the hill with three first-inning runs. The Shastas came back in their half of the third to score three times and, added to the single tally they picked up in the second, they had a 4 to 3 lead which was carried safely throughout the engagement. Dave Fenton, Cliff Robinson, Harry Levinson, “Red” Hopper and Joe Shandro each had a brace of safeties for the victors.
Thompson, Eaton (W) (1) and Robinson
Boutillier (L) and Frederking
Northern Alberta Finals
(August 25) An error, stolen base and a perfectly executed squeeze play gave Wetaskiwin a 2 to 1 triumph over the Edmonton Shasta Royals in the opening game of the northern Alberta provincial finals. The uprising came in the fifth inning with the Shastas holding a 1 to 0 lead thanks to Harry Levinson’s RBI triple in the opening frame. With one batter retired, Wetaskiwin’s Pete McCready was the beneficiary of a two-base outfield error. Playing-manager “Ike” Davis followed with a single off hard-luck loser Glen Wilkie to plate McCready with the tying run, a play which allowed Davis to reach second base. After a base on balls, Davis pilfered third and scored the tie-breaker standing up as winning twirler Lester Webber laid down a superb bunt. Both Webber and Wilkie were in fine form as Edmonton had five hits while the winners collected only four. Levinson had a single to go along with his three-bagger while Davis produced a double along with his run-scoring single.
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
Wilkie (L), Eaton (6) and Robinson
(August 26 ) The Edmonton Shasta Royals lost the second game in the provincial semi-final playoffs when they dropped a 5 to 2 decision to the hosting Wetaskiwin Wizards. Playing-manager “Ike” Davis singled three times for the winners and also drew a base on balls to finish with a perfect evening at the dish. Vern Larson, a roster addition from the Camrose Cubs, had a pair of one-baggers for Wetaskiwin as did teammates Roy Bonham, picked up from the Mirror Imperials, and Les Webber as well as Phil Horne of the Edmontonians.
Mydanski (L) and Robinson
McKay (W) and R. Anderson
(August 27) Faced with the spectre of elimination, the Edmonton Shasta Royals responded to live another day when they raced to a 7 to 1 triumph over Wetaskiwin in the third game of the northern Alberta senior finals. With Emerson “Buck” Eaton pitching three-hit ball and with the rest of his mates hitting when it would do the most good, the Shastas never looked back after they established a two-run lead in the second inning. The game’s top hitter was Edmonton catcher Cliff Robinson who picked up a double and single. The game was halted after 6 1/2 innings of play because of darkness.
Rattlesnake (L), Davis (6) and R. Anderson
Eaton (W) and Robinson
(August 30) Les Webber, the Santa Maria, California teenager who is to get a tryout in the Boston Red Sox organization, tossed a three-hit shutout as the Wetaskiwin Wizards/Braves blanked the Edmonton Shasta Royals 5 to 0 in game 4 of their Northern Alberta final series, knocking the Royals out of further provincial play. The win sends the Wizards/Braves into the 1935 provincial finals against the southern representatives, the Ponoka Panthers. Losing flinger “Buck” Eaton was lit up for eight hits including a home run, triple and single by Jimmy Rattlesnake. He was also touched for a one-bagger and a long triple by Wetaskiwin outfielder Roy Bonham who was tagged out at the plate while attempting an inside-the-park dinger.
Eaton (L) and Robinson
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
Southern Alberta Finals
(August 25) The Ponoka Panthers ripped their way to two straight wins over the Lethbridge Galt Miners to take a stranglehold on the southern Alberta championship series. The Cats won the first game 6 to 5 with a dramatic ninth-inning rally and then coasted to a 10 to 2 victory in the nightcap. Ponoka pitcher “Duke” Baer had an uphill struggle in posting the opening match win. A five-hit final frame, aided by a crucial infield error on a routine double-play ball, allowed the Ponokans to erase a three-run deficit and score four times for the victory.
Baer (W), Malles (9) and Butler
A. Yanosik (L) and Harris
In the second game, Panther hurler Cy Malles struck out 17 Lethbridge batters and allowed only three hits as the Miners absorbed the most decisive drubbing they have taken for a long time.
Malles (W) and Butler
Ringland (L), Randle (8) and Harris
(August 26) The Ponoka Panthers wrapped up the southern Alberta senior baseball championship for 1935 when they cut the Lethbridge Galt Miners to ribbons in a 12 to 1 rout to sweep the best-of-five series in three straight games. After four scoreless innings, Lethbridge took a brief 1 to 0 lead in the fifth, a margin which quickly disappeared once the booming Ponoka bats found their rhythm. In the sixth, the Miners began to crack as the Panthers as six runs scored on six hits. Sol Myers, the Panthers’ regular shortstop drew the hurling assignment and held the Miners to five scattered hits. Kip Anderson and Ralph Butler led the Panther swatters at the platter as both manufactured a double plus a pair of one-baggers.
Myers (W) and Butler
Holman (L) and Harris
Provincial Finals
(September 1) Wetaskiwin and Ponoka split a playoff doubleheader on the Ponoka diamond as the two teams began a best-of-seven series for the Alberta senior baseball championship. Wetaskiwin captured the matinee affair 12 to 7 but Ponoka roared back to annihilate the northern representatives 23 to 2 in the six-inning nightcap. No further game details or complete batteries available.
xxx (W) and xxx
Baer (L) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
(September 2) A heated rivalry has become even more intense as the Wetaskiwin Wizards/Braves found themselves without the services of outfielder Pete McCready who was suspended indefinitely by the Alberta Baseball Association for his alleged attack on an umpire during an NABL game. With the departure of Roy Bonham from Wetaskiwin, manager “Ike” Davis has brought in Harry Levinson from the Edmonton Shasta Royals for the provincial final series against Ponoka, a move which incensed the Panthers and led to their protesting of all games in which Levinson participated. Thus far, Wetaskiwin has forged ahead in the series two games to one after taking the third encounter 5 to 4 on their home turf. Although losing hurler Cy Malles pitched five-hit ball, his Panther teammates erred on five occasions which paved the way for the narrow loss. Winning tosser Les Webber was touched for seven safeties including a double and single by Panthers’ backstop Ralph Butler. Vern Larson of the winners also had a two-bagger and a single.
Malles (L) and Butler
Webber (W) and R. Anderson
(September 3) Game 4 of the Alberta championships was again completed under protest by the Ponoka Panthers who dropped the contest 4 to 1 to the Wetaskiwin Wizards/Braves. To complicate matters, the Panthers then refused to continue the series until the Alberta Baseball Association had ruled on the legitimacy of their protest. In the game itself, a snappy affair, winning hurler Jimmy Rattlesnake effectively scattered six Ponoka hits to earn the complete game win. Eddie Kronfeld led the Panthers/Braves with the timber, accounting for a double and single. Teammate Harry Levinson, a pickup from the Edmonton Shasta Royals and the centre of the controversy, drilled a brace of singles as did “Kip” Anderson and outfielder Eddie Crellin of the Cats. Should the protested result stand, Wetaskiwin will hold a three games to one lead in the series.
Myers (L) and Butler
Rattlesnake (W) and R. Anderson
(September 6) The Edmonton Journal reported this date that the Alberta Baseball Association awarded the provincial senior baseball championship to the Ponoka Panthers. Wetaskiwin was disqualified for using an ineligible player, Harry Levinson of the Edmonton Shasta Royals. For their part, Ponoka did not claim the provincial championship by default. Their request was to have those games in which Levinson participated re-played. Wetaskiwin, however, refused to do so and disbanded. From their standpoint, they had proved to be the superior team on the diamond by winning three of four games.
Thus, in the end, either Wetaskiwin or Ponoka could claim the 1935 title, with one team disqualified but the other team declining the championship.