CALGARY
Senior amateur baseball in Alberta had a more of a rural than urban flavor to it in 1938.
The province’s most populous city, Calgary, had no senior baseball whatsoever.
EDMONTON SENIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE
Final Standings W L Pct.
Cardinals 12 7 .632
Arrows 11 9 .550
Belmonts 8 11 .421
Columbus Club 7 11 .389
The pennant-winning Cardinals and runner-up Arrows qualified to meet in a best-of-seven playoff series for the 1938 league championship
Playoffs
(August 28) In a wild slugging opener, punctuated by two major rallies, the Cardinals emerged victorious with an 12 to 9 win over the Arrows. Continuous outbreaks of temper and a fighting spirit on both sides which reached fever heat were the diamond ingredients which heralded this first game in the Edmonton Senior League final series. After four innings, it appeared that the Arrows, holding an 8 to 2 lead, were on their way to triumph. A seven-run outburst in the third in which Redbird starter Tommy Brant was sent packing, gave the Busmen what appeared to be a safe margin. The Cards, however, erupted for six counters in the fifth frame to knot things and then plated three more in the sixth to assume a lead they held throughout the remainder of the tussle. The Army & Navy crew held a 17 to 11 advantage in base hits. Leading the Cardinal assault were Walt Rimstad and Brant, each accumulating three hits in five trips to the plate. The Fenton brothers, Dave and Al, led the Arrow storm troopers, each clouting safely twice with one of Dave’s being a round-tripper. Playing-manager Ralph Morgan of the Cards earned the mound decision with an excellent 6 2/3 innings of relief work.
Eaton (L), Johnson (6) and Kilburn
Brant, Morgan (W) (3) and Lutz
(August 30) The Arrows rebounded from their first-game loss to up-end the Army & Navy Cardinals 11 to 4 in the second game of the Edmonton senior series, a contest shortened to 5 1/2 frames as darkness prevented further play. After an erratic start in which they had to overcome a 3 to 0 Redbird lead, the Arrows played winning baseball, belting the offerings of both losing twirler Tommy Brant and reliever George Fowler for 13 hits. Winning chucker Bud Foley hurled a steady game for the Arrows throughout. Leading the Arrow offensive attack was third baseman Norm Fairhurst who delivered three singles. Bill Lupul followed with a three-bagger and single. Dave Brockie and Phil “Hippo” Lutz both singled twice for the losers.
Brant (L), Fowler (3) and Lutz
Foley (W) and Kilburn
(September 1) Arrow Busses played winning baseball at Renfrew Park and came away with a narrow 4 to 3 victory over the Army & Navy Cardinals in the third game of their city series. Walter Johnson’s steady seven-hit pitching, supported by catcher Cliff Kilburn’s three-hit performance, were key ingredients in the Arrow triumph. The Busmen needed only a pair of two-run jamborees to cop the win in the seven-inning joust. Two of Kilburn’s trio of one-baggers drove in runs for the winners. Losing pitcher Ralph Morgan was the only consistent hitter for the Cards, pasting the horsehide for three hits in four tries.
Johnson (W) and Kilburn
Morgan (L) and Lutz
(September 4) Behind Tommy Brant’s four-hit pitching, the Cardinals squared the Edmonton senior baseball finals at two-games each with a 3 to 1 triumph over the Arrows. The Busmen held a razor-thin 1 to 0 lead after seven frames but the Cards tied things up in the eighth on outfielder Doug Stewart’s solo-homer and then plated a pair of ninth-inning counters to emerge victorious. Shortstop Fred Kokura paced the nine-hit offense for the winners with three safeties.
Brant (W) and Lutz
Eaton (L) and J. Lupul, Kilburn
(September 5) The hustling Arrow Busses nine are a game out in front in the bitter best-of-seven senior baseball finals with the Army & Navy Cardinals after decisioning the Redbirds 5 to 4 in game five. The Colville brothers, Neil and Mac, of New York Ranger hockey fame, spearheaded a three-run eighth-inning rally which erased a 3 to 1 deficit and sent the Arrows in front for good. Both smashed triples during the outburst. Harold Wismer of the Cards ripped three singles in a losing cause.
Johnson (W) and Kilburn
Morgan (L) and Lutz
(September 11) The Army & Navy Cardinals teed-off on two Arrow hurlers at Renfrew Park, unloading their heaviest hitting barrage of base knocks since the start of the series, and beat the Busmen by a score of 10 to 7. Their win sent the Edmonton senior baseball championship to a seventh and deciding game. The Redbirds roared out of the gate, clubbing loser “Buck” Eaton from the mound in less than an inning. Continuing their spree against Walter Johnson, the Redbirds held an 8 – 0 lead after 2 1/2 frames. The Arrows chipped away at the lead throughout the remainder of the contest but the margin was just too great to overcome. Winning tosser Tommy Brant and reliever Ralph Morgan each had a triple and single for the Cards. Second sacker Harold Wismer contributed a double and single, a feat duplicated by Bill Lupul and Jack McGill of the Arrows.
Brant (W), Morgan (8) and Lutz
Eaton (L), Johnson (1) and Kilburn
(September 18) The Arrows captured the 1938 Edmonton Senior Baseball League championship by scoring a ninth-inning counter to edge the Cardinals 5 to 4 in the seventh game of their playoff series. The Cardinals were defending champions and also pennant-winners during the current campaign. Emerging from the grueling series as the Arrow hero was Walter Johnson who elbowed three of the four Arrow triumphs. Although losing chucker Ralph Morgan surrendered four fewer hits than Johnson, a four-run fifth frame did him in as he failed to scatter the base blows that he gave up. The Busmen hustled their way to the championship in the top of the ninth, clubbing Morgan for three base raps, with Johnny Lupul’s one-bagger driving home Jack McGill with the winning tally. McGill wound up with three singles. Harold Wismer paced the Cards at the plate with a double and a pair of singles. He was also involved in a seventh-inning collision at home plate which sent Arrow catcher Cliff Kilburn to the hospital with fractures to two small bones in one of his legs.
Johnson (W) and Kilburn, J. Lupul (7)
Morgan (L) and Lutz
FOOTHILLS BASEBALL LEAGUE
(May 29) Nanton defeated Little Chicago 9 to 8 in the opener for both teams.
Malmberg (W) and xxx
Sheelan (L), Woolsie (8) and xxx
(May 29) Champion made an auspicious start in the Foothills League with a 10 to 0 whitewashing of Stavely at Champion. The winners scored nine runs in the first inning.
Weatherby (L), Hutchinson (1) and Webster
Walker (W), Gibson and Woolridge
(May 29) Picture Butte beat the Lethbridge Galt Miners 8 to 0 in an afternoon tilt while the teams remained deadlocked 3 – 3 after a ten-inning evening encounter. Ernie Luciani had a home run in support of winning pitcher Russ Finley in the opener.
Finley (W) and Toccoli
Young (L), Bateman (8) and Stewart
Lethbridge’s Mike Seaman had three hits in the second contest, one being a round-tripper.
Holman and Toccoli
Yanosik and Stewart
(June 1) Lethbridge Galt Miners handed a lop-sided 22 to 1 trouncing to Nanton at Adams Park. The Miners banged out 22 hits including three homers and three triples. Steve “Chic” Smerek struck out 13 in taking the mound win. Smerek, as well as Ted Chervinski and Mike Hunt, all had circuit clouts.
Malmberg (L), Jones, Kitchen and McKenzie
Smerek (W) and Stewart, Hunt
(June 5) The Lethbridge Galt Miners and Stavely divided a double-bill played in Stavely. The hosts won the opener 6 to 5 while the Miners took the nightcap 6 to 0. Stavely scored once in the eighth and added a pair in the ninth to snatch the matinee contest away from the invaders.
Teel (L) and Hunt
O’Connor (W) and Rea
Art Lewis picked up the shutout mound win in the sunset encounter.
Lewis (W) and Hunt
Hutchinson (L), Beatty (3) and Rea, Webster
(June 8) Champion split two ragged encounters with the Lethbridge Galt Miners, dropping the first game 10 to 6 but rebounding with a convincing 20 to 4 victory in the late encounter.Poor weather conditions contributed to numerous defensive miscues by both clubs.
Bateman (W) and Stewart
Campkin (L) and Woolridge
Stewart (L), Luciani and Seaman, Stewart
Walker (W), Robinson and Woolridge
(June 10) Nanton defeated Stavely 7 to 2 in Nanton.
Rae (L) and McDonald
Malmberg (W) and McKenzie
(June 10) Picture Butte held undisputed top position in the Foothills Senior Baseball League after defeating the colourful Champion nine by a 5 to 1 score. Both teams had nine base hits. Champion relief pitcher Roy Robinson recorded 14 strikeouts after entering the game in the third inning.
Watson (W) and Toccoli
Campkin (L) Robinson (3) and Woolridge
(June 12) Champion notched a 7 to 3 win against Nanton in Champion. Winning pitcher Walker had a great three-hit performance while striking out eight. Malmberg fanned 12 but was lit up for 14 base blows.
Malmberg (L) and McKenzie
Walker (W) and Woolridge
(June 15) Picture Butte came from behind to tie the Lethbridge Miners 4 – 4 in a nine-inning contest. Mel Star’s single drove in the tying counter in the eighth.
Teel and xxx
Finley and xxx
(June 15) Stavely, with a steady mound performance by “Irish” O’Connor plus an airtight defense, defeated the visiting Champion Red Sox 7 to 1.
Campkin (L) and Woolridge
O’Connor (W) and Rea
(June 19) The visiting Lethbridge Galt Miners won both ends of a double-bill from Nanton by scores of 7 to 0 and 12 to 1. Only the first game counted in the standings as the late tussle was strictly of the exhibition variety. Ted Chervinski had a circuit clout for the winners in the opener.
Lewis (W) and Stewart
Malmberg (L) and McKenzie
Nicholas (W) and Hunt
Jones (L) and McKenzie
Foothills League standings including games of June 19
P W L T Pct.
Picture Butte 6 4 0 2 1.000
Lethbridge 9 4 3 2 .571
Champion 7 3 4 0 .429
Stavely 6 2 4 0 .333
Nanton 4 1 3 0 .250
(June 26) The team from Nanton travelled to Stavely and was beaten twice by 7 to 0 and 12 to 2 scores.
Malmberg (L) and McKenzie
Beattie (W) and McDonald
Jones (L), Haney and McKenzie
Haynes (W) and McDonald
(June 26) Capacity crowds of more than 3,000 at Adams Park witnessed a doubleheader sweep by the Lethbridge Galt Miners over the Champion Red Sox. The Coal Heavers edged past Champion 5 to 4 in the first tussle and then recorded a 7 to 3 win in the late game. The Miners broke a 4 – 4 deadlock with a run in the bottom of the ninth inning when second sacker Smerek drilled an RBI single.
Robinson (L) and Woolridge
Teel (W) and Stewart
Lethbridge’s Art Lewis fanned nine in picking up the second game mound triumph.
Walker (L) and Woolridge
Lewis (W) and Stewart
(June 29) Picture Butte remained undefeated in Foothills League play as they hung a 6 to 4 defeat on their arch-rivals, the Lethbridge Galt Miners. Ernie Luciani of the Butte nine belted a home run.
Nicholas (L), Teel (4) and Stewart
Holman (W), Watson (7) and Toccoli
(June 29) Nanton erased a four-run deficit and defeated Champion 5 to 4 in a Foothills League game played in Nanton. Bill Dawson’s three-run homer in the ninth tied the game . M. McKenzie then singled and plated the winning marker on winning chucker Ted Malmberg’s triple.
Walker (L) and Woolridge
Malmberg (W) and McKenzie
(July 1) Picture Butte increased their lead in the Foothills Baseball League when they sneaked out a 2 to 1 win over the Galt Miners at Lethbridge’s Adams Park. The Sugar City gang scored the winning tally in the ninth after a series of Miner miscues.
Finley (W) and Toccoli
Lewis (L) and Stewart
(July 10) The Lethbridge Galt Miners took both ends of a doubleheader from Stavely, winning the afternoon tilt 9 to 3 and then taking the late encounter 5 to 2.
Haynes (L) and McDonald
S. Chervinski (W) and Stewart
O’Connor (L) and Rea
Bateman (W) and Hunt
(July 26) Picture Butte maintained its undefeated record in the Foothills Baseball League when they played to a 5 – 5 tie with the Lethbridge Galt Miners. The Butte Brigade held a 12 to 9 advantage in base hits. Orlando Luciani had a four-bagger for Lethbridge.
Yanosik and Stewart
Finley, Holman, E. Toccoli and Fromerie
(August 3) The Picture Butte baseball team clinched first place in the Foothills Baseball League by defeating Stavely 5 to 2. Lanky “Specs” Watson of the Butte Gang pitched a three-hitter while recording 12 strikeouts.
Haynes (L) and McDonald
Watson (W) and Toccoli, Fromerie
CENTRAL ALBERTA LEAGUE
(August 7) Stettler won the Central Alberta League championship for 1938 by defeating Clive 1 to 0 in the final game of the best-of-three series. Clive won the first game 6 to 4 while Stettler took the second game 6 to 2. The final game featured a brilliant hurling duel between Clive’s Clarence Johnson and Eddie Kronfeld, the Stettler southpaw. In addition to his fine mound work, Kronfeld scored the game’s only run. In the second inning, he singled, stole second and came home on Bill Chapman’s single up the middle. In the fifth frame, Clive filled the bases with none down. Kronfeld then proceeded to retire the side. In the ninth, Clive’s first batter singled but Kronfeld pulled off a sensational catch to rob the next batter of a line-drive hit and threw to first for a double play. A single, a passed ball and a walk then put the tying run at third base but the Stettler portsider fanned the next Clive hitter to end the game.
Red Deer City League
Final Standings W L Pct.
Elks 7 2 .778
Beavers 4 4 .500
Junior Hockey Club 4 5 .444
North Red Deer 2 6 .250
CROW'S NEST PASS LEAGUE
1938 Final Standings P W L Pct.
Blairmore Canucks 19 16 3 .842
Natal Miners 18 13 5 .722
Hillcrest 17 8 9 .471
Elk Valley Senators 19 8 11 .421
Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals 19 7 12 .368
Lundbreck* 20 4 16 .200
* Lundbreck played only a half-schedule – wins or loses by Lundbreck or against Lundbreck counted as two in standings
(May 25) Hosting Lundbreck came from behind to dump the Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals 10 to 6. Cards jumped out front with four runs in the first inning but the Oilers drew into a tie in the fourth and pull away in the late going.
Giacomuzzi, J. Marchiniak, J. Dobek and A. Chala
Kubasek, J. Evans and Gatto
(May 25) The hosting Blairmore Canucks defeated Hillcrest 9 to 2 in their season opener.
Draper, Tabor, Price and J. Elick
Marcolin, Yagos and Gates
(May 29) A ninth-inning spurt allowed the Blairmore Canucks to down Hillcrest 9 to 8.
(May 29) Elk Valley held off a Lundbreck rally in the ninth inning Sunday to hang on for an 8-7 verdict. Lefty Brandies had things well in hand until the final frame when the Senators needed to bring in Sadlish to put down a Lundbreck rally after four runs had crossed the plate. He struck out the last man with the winning run on base. Elk Valley rapped 11 hits off the Evans brothers while Brandies allowed just five.
M.Evans, J.Evans and Gatto
Brandies (W), Sadlish (9) and Turlik
(May 29) Tom Krall hurled four-hit ball for the second consecutive game to come away with a 9-4 victory for Natal Miners over the Columbus Club at Blairmore to spoil the home opening ceremonies for the locals. Krall had a shaky start giving up a run in the first and a pair in the second but settled down to blank Columbus Club the rest of the way. A four-run rally in the sixth proved to be decisive for Natal.
T.Krall (W) and Weaver
J.Dobek (L), Giacomuzzi and Kubik
(June 01 Blairmore came from behind with five runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by J. Brown's three-run homer, and went on to a 12-6 win over Elk Valley Senators. Canucks rapped 13 hits
Mills, Marconi and Gates
Lemm, Sadlish and Turlik
(June 01) Hillcrest and the Blairmore Canucks battled to a 13 – 13 tie.
(June 5) With a 12-hit attack, Hillcrest Seniors handed Natal Miners their first defeat of the season, 6-3 in Sunday action at Natal. Hillcrest reliever Seaman racked up 12 strikeouts. Tom Krall fanned ten in his stint for the Miners.
Tabor, Seaman and Elick
Halko, T.Krall, L.Krall and Weaver
(June 6) An all-Blairmore tussle saw the Canucks double the Columbus Club 10 to 5 in a loose-defensive struggle.. The Clubbers outswatted the Canucks by an 11 to 8 margin.
Yagos, Herman, Marconi and Vejprava
A. Chala, J. Dobek, Kubik and Martinek
(June 7) The Natal Miners edged Hillcrest 6 to 5 in Crow’s Nest League action.
Standings, including games of June 7
Blairmore Canucks 4 - 0
Natal Miners 2 - 1
Elk Valley Senators 4 - 2
Hillcrest 1 - 2
Lundbreck 2 - 4
Blairmore Columbus
0 - 4
(June 12) Reeling off four double plays, the Blairmore Canucks won their fifth in a row, downing the Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals 7 to 3.
J. Dobek, Giacomuzzi, Chala and Kubik
Marcolin (W) and Gates
(June 12) With a record crowd on hand at Natal, the Miners posted their fourth win in five games, downing arch rival Elk Valley 14-9. Tom Krall picked up his fourth win of the young season with a six-hit effort. He fanned 12. Miners sent Senators' starter Kirkpatrick to the showers in the first inning.
Kirkpatrick, Brandies (1) and McGuire, Krause
T.Krall and Billy, Weaver
(June 15) Trailing 8-4, the Natal Miners erupted for five hits for five runs in the bottom of the final frame to edge Blairmore Columbus Club 9-8. Zeith, the Miner's leading hitter, knocked in the winning marker. Tom Krall, who took over mound duties in the eighth, picked up the win his fifth of the season.
O'Connor and A. Chala, Kubik
J.Krall, T.Krall (8) and Weaver
(June 19) Following six consecutive losses, the Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals finally hit the win column with a 7 to 5 decision over Lundbreck. Cecchini of the Cards had the game’s most important base blow, a timely two-out bases-loaded bingle which drove in the winning and insurance markers.
Chala, Kubik (W) and Giacomuzzi
Evans, Pozzi (L) and Gatto
(June 22) The Hillcrest senior baseball team defeated the Elk Valley Senators 11 to 2.
(July 01) Blairmore Dominion Day Tournament
(July 7) Hillspring and the Blairmore Canucks battled for 12 innings to a 5 – 5 draw in an exhibition game played at the Blairmore Stadium.
Wolfe and Henderson
Mills, Kemp, Shannon, Giacomuzzi and Gates
(July 10) In an exhibition game played in Hillcrest, the hosting nine of the Crow’s Nest Pass circuit defeated Hillspring 9 to 3.
(July 11) Bunching their hits effectively, invading Hillspring trimmed the Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals 10 to 4 in an exhibition encounter.
Wood (W) and Campbell
Giacomuzzi (L), Schlosser, Kubik and E. Chala
(July 12) Pounding two Lundbreck hurlers for 13 safeties, the Blairmore Canucks prevailed 13 to 7 over the Oilers to improve their standing atop the Crow’s Nest Pass loop.
J. Evans (L), M. Evans and Milnes
Yagos, Gates and Field
(July 15) The hosting Elk Valley Senators split a three-team double-bill at the Elk Valley grounds. The Solons knocked off the Hillspring team 6 to 4 in an exhibition encounter but the dropped a regular Crow’s Nest Pass lLague contest to the Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals 6 to 2.
Henderson (L), Oliver and Campbell
Lemm (W) and McGuire
Dobek (W) and A. Chala
R. Halko (L), Little and Sadlish
(July 17) Tom Krall gave up a run in the first inning then bore down to pitch shutout ball the rest of the way as Natal cruised to an 11-1 victory over Lundbreck Oilers. Krall chalked up his eighth win of the season fanning ten along the way. Natal rapped 14 hits off a pair of Oilers' hurlers, Evans brothers, Mike and Mart.
Mike Evans, Mart Evans and Eisacker
T.Krall (W) and Zeith
(July 19) Playing their second game of the afternoon, the Elk Valley Senators dropped a 6 to 2 verdict to the high-flying Blairmore Canucks. The Canucks’ victory was their third straight over the Sens. Paul Yagos earned the knoll triumph, firing an eight-hitter. “Dinah” Gates, locked in at the dish, stroked three bingles for the winners.
xxx (L) and xxx
Yagos (W) and xxx
(July 27) After blowing an early 6-0 lead, the Elk Valley Senators scored a pair in the bottom of the eighth to escape with an 8-7 victory over Natal Thursday at the Elk Valley park. Lemm picked up the win holding Natal to eight hits. Tom Krall took the loss allowing just six hits.
T.Krall (L) and Weaver
Lemm (W) and Hampton
(July 28) The last-place Elk Valley Senators picked up another rare victory, a 19 to 10 win against the Hillcrest seniors. The Senators blew the game open with an 11-run outburst in the third inning.
Elick, Price, Bamborough and Richards
Brandies (W), Sadlish and Little
(July 29) Touching two Columbus Club hurlers for 12 safeties, Hillcrest dropped the Cardinals 10 to 4 at Blairmore.
Price, Seaman, Draper, Slugg and Elick
Dobek (L), Schlosser and E. Chala
(August 1) The Elk Valley Senators handed the Natal Miners their second setback of the season, an 8 to 7 loss at the Elk Valley ball park.
T. Krall (L) and Weaver
Lemm (W) and Hampton
(August 2) In the latest battle of Blairmore, the Canucks prevailed 5 to 4 over the Columbus Club. Although being nicked for 12 base knocks, Paul Yagos whiffed 14 Cardinals in earning the hillock decision. A pair of doubles by Shannon were the big offensive blows for the winners. Pirie had a three-run two-bagger for the Clubbers plus a single.
A. Chala (L) and Kubik
Yagos (W) and Gates
(August 3) A pair of Natal hurlers gave up 14 hits and eight runs Sunday but had an easy time as Natal batters hammered five Hillcrest pitchers for 30 hits in a record-breaking 35-8 victory. Lefty Brandies, late of the Elk Valley nine, chalked up his first win for the Miners giving up four runs in his five innings of work. "Skinny" Price started for the Seniors but was gone after one inning.
Price (L), Tabor, Draper, Bamborough, Elick and Slugg
Brandies,(W) T.Krall (6) and Weaver
(August 5) Staging a late comeback, the Natal Miners fell just short in dropping a 9 to 8 decision to the Blairmore Canucks. Paul Chala ripped a bases-clearing double in a losing cause. The Miners had the potential tying run on base in the ninth canto when winning tosser “Tiny” Herman whiffed A. Androlick to end the game.
Brandies (L) and Weaver
Herman (W) and Gates
(August 9) A pair of home runs by Columbus Club fly chaser Cecchini featured the Crow’s Nest Pass Baseball league game at Blairmore in which the Cardinals edged the Natal Miners 14 to 13. One of Cecchini’s four-ply blasts was of the grand-slam variety.
T. Krall, Brandies, J. Krall and Weaver
A. Chala (W) and Kubik
(August 10) Pincher Creek Tournament
(August 14) The Blairmore Canucks knocked off their town-rivals, the Columbus Club Cardinals 8 to 2 in Crow’s Nest Pass League action. Winning tosser “Tiny” Herman aided his mound cause by ripping three safeties.
Herman (W) and Vejprava
Giacamuzza (L), A. Chala (8) and E. Chala
(August 15) Invading Natal bombarded the Elk Valley Senators to the tune of 16 to 4. The Miners sewed the game up with a ten run outburst in the fourth frame.
L. Krall, B. Volpatti (W) (2), T. Krall and Weaver
Lemm (L), Zoratti, Payne, Turlik and Hampton
(August 17) Two big innings, the first and fourth, in which they plated six counters each time, enabled the Blairmore Canucks to defeat the Hillcrest Seniors 14 to 5 in a free-hitting game at Blairmore. Shannon, Canucks’ third baseman, had a perfect evening at the plate, securing four safeties in addition to a walk.
Richards (L), Draper and Elick
Herman (W) and Vejprava
Standings W L Pct.
Blairmore Canucks 14 3 .824
Natal Miners 10 5 .667
Hillcrest Seniors 8 8 .500
Elk Valley Senators 8 10 .444
Blairmore Columbus Club 6 12 .333
Lundbreck Oilers* 4 12 .250
* Lundbreck win and loss totals doubled to reflect half-schedule
(August 22) The hosting Natal Miners plated seven opening-inning counters en route to a 14 to 3 thrashing of the Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals.
Giacamuzzi (L), A. Chala and E. Chala
T. Krall (W), B. Volpatti and Weaver
(August 25) The Natal Miners captured a 15 to 9 verdict over the Elk Valley Senators in a replay of an earlier season game between the two opponents.
Halko (L), Lemm and Eberts
T. Krall (W), Volpatti and Weaver
(August 26) Behind the three-hit pitching of Andy Chala, the Blairmore Columbus Club hammered the Hillcrest Seniors 11 to 3 in a CNPBL contest. Chala also starred at the dish, belting a two-run homer in the first round to go along with a pair of singles. The Cardinals played well defensively with the work of 15 year-old Kanik at shortstop particularly impressive.
Price (L), Tabor and Baranek
A. Chala (W) and Giacamuzza
(August 31) The Lundbreck Oilers announced that they would be forfeiting their final two league games, one each to the Blairmore Canucks and Natal Miners.
The pennant-winning Blairmore Canucks and runner-up Natal Miners qualified to meet in a best-of-five final series for the J. K. Ringland trophy, emblematic of 1938 Crow baseball supremacy.
(September 1) Using two players from the Columbus Club Cardinals, the Blairmore Canucks defeated the Natal Miners 7 to 4 in a protested game played at the Natal ball perk. The league executive later threw out the result of the game.
Yagos (W) and Gates
T. Krall (L) and Weaver
(September 2) Five home runs were included in the barrage of hits at the Blairmore ball yard that saw the Blairmore Canucks and Natal Miners play to a 16 – 16 draw. The game was terminated after eight innings when darkness prevented further play. Kemp and Gates hit round-trippers for the Canucks while each of the three Krall brothers responded for the Miners.
J. Krall, T. Krall (6) and Weaver
Herman, Yagos and Gates, Vejprava
(September 6) Scoring seven times in their first turn at bat and adding two more in the second frame, the Natal Miners blasted the Blairmore Canucks 16 to 4 to take a one game lead in the CNP final series. Weaver and A. Krall had circuit-clouts for the winners.
T. Krall (W) and Weaver
Yagos (L), Rae (6) and Vejprava, Gates
(September 13) Playing before a record crowd in Blairmore, the hometown Canucks took an early lead and staved off a late comeback by Natal to defeat the invading Miners 11 to 10. The result tied the best-of-five series at a game apiece.
Marconi (W) and Brown
T. Krall (L), J. Krall and Weaver
(September 16) The Natal Miners hammered the homestanding Blairmore Canucks 21 to 3 to take a two games to one lead in the CNP baseball finals. Included in Natal’s 19-hit offensive outburst was a home run by Paul Chala. Tom Krall allowed nine hits in earning the mound win.
T. Krall (W) and Weaver
Yagos (L), Her man (3), Vangotsinoven (7) and Brown, Gates
(September 20) Playing before a large crowd at the Natal ball park, the Natal Miners trounced the Blairmore Canucks 11 to 3 to earn their third victory in the best-of-five series for the Crow’s Nest Pass Baseball League championship and win the J. K. Ringland trophy for 1938. Tommy Krall took his third playoff mound win and banged out four base hits in the process.
Yagos (L) and Gates
T. Krall (W) and Weaver
(September 25) The Natal Miners added a second crown to their impressive string of championships this season when they downed the Elk Valley Senators 12 to 5 and 11 to 1 to capture the George Fisher Trophy, emblematic of the Natal-Michel championship. Tommy Krall was the winning tosser in both games, the first as a complete game starter and the finale as a late-inning reliever.
Anderson (L) and Kraus
T. Krall (W) and Weaver
J. Krall, T. Krall (W) (7) and Weaver
Halkro (L) and Kraus
(October 2) Natal Miners, the Crow's Nest champions have added to their laurels winning the Goddard Cup by defeating Hillcrest Seniors 5-3 in the finals Sunday. It was the third cup in three weeks for Natal having previously won the J.K. Ringland Cup for the Crow's Nest title and the George Fisher Cup, emblematic of the Natal-Michel baseball championship.
Hillcrest had advanced with a 10-5 victory over Elk Valley. In the final, John "Tosin" Krall pitched his first win of the season allowing just six hits. He bested Harry "iron-Arm" Draper who went the distance for the losers after going five innings in relief in the first game. He was nicked for ten hits by the Miners, including a game-winning homer by P.Zeith in the seventh inning.
Draper (L) and Elick
J.Krall (W) and Weaver
Skinny Price and Draper combined to hold off the Senators in the semi-final, a 10-5 win for the Seniors. They allowed 12 hits while Hillcrest rapped 13 off Halko for Elk Valley.
Price, Draper (5) and Elick
Halko and Krause
ALBERTA SENIOR PLAYOFFS
Only six teams registered with the Alberta Amateur Baseball Association for the 1938 senior amateur playdowns. Vying for the northern Alberta championship were the Westlock Bushers plus teams from Provost and Alix with Provost receiving a bye. The defending Alberta champion Lethbridge Galt Miners attempted to repeat as southern representatives but had to face intense competition from the winner of the series between the Medicine Hat Monarchs and Picture Butte.
Northern Alberta semi-finals (Westlock Bushers vs Alix)
(August 11) Alix captured their first-round series with Westlock in the northern Alberta senior baseball playoffs by turning back the Bushers 9 to 5 at Westlock.
Neis (W), Johnson and Houston
Johnson (L) and Downing
Game scores from previous games in series not found in print.
Southern Alberta semi-finals (Picture Butte vs Medicine Hat Monarchs)
(August 17) Picture Butte and the Medicine Hat Monarchs split a playoff doubleheader in the first two games of a best-of-five series. Playing in the Gas City, the visitors took the first game, pounding out a 10 to 2 victory, while the Monarchs came back in fine style to cop the nightcap 4 to 3. Onofrychuk with four hits and Luciani with three paced Picture Butte’s 14-hit attack in the opener.
Finley (W) and Toccoli
Riddle (L) and Hosie
Veteran Wilf Pennington fanned ten in earning the second-game win and squaring the series. Hosie’s bases-loaded triple in the third inning was the game’s big hit.
Malmberg (L) and Toccoli
Pennington (W) and H. Blaney
(August 21) The Picture Butte nine won the right to meet the Lethbridge Galt Miners in the final round of the southern Alberta senior baseball championships by defeating the Medicine Hat Monarchs 5 to 3 and 7 to 3 in a playoff double-bill at Picture Butte. Winning tosser Ted Malmberg of the Miners held the Hatters to five hits in the initial contest, whiffing eight along the way. Batterymate Rigo Toccoli led the way with the lumber, going four for four at the dish.
Pennington (L) and H. Blaney
Malmberg (W) and Toccoli
The Butte Battalion laced 12 base blows in the late tussle in wrapping up the series. Winning moundsman Russ Finley limited the Monarchs to five safeties.
Riddle (L) and H. Blaney
Finley (W) and Toccoli
Northern Alberta finals (Provost vs Alix)
(August 19) The Alix senior baseball All-Stars took both ends of a doubleheader played in Stettler against the Provost nine, managing to edge through with a close 2 to 1 decision in the matinee game and then going on to trounce the visitors 15 to 4 in the late encounter. Alix now has a stranglehold in the best-of-five northern series. A dropped fly-ball allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate for Alix in the opener.
xxx (L) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
Five Provost pitchers were bombarded by the Alix hitters in the second contest.
xxx (L), xxx (1), xxx (2), xxx (4), xxx (4) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
(August 21) Alix All-Stars won the right to advance into the finals of the provincial senior baseball playdowns when they defeated the Provost team 6 to 2 in the third game of their best-of-five series. It took extra innings for the game to finally end as the score was knotted 2 – 2 after nine frames had been played.
xxx (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
Southern Alberta finals (Picture Butte vs Lethbridge Galt Miners)
(August 28) Picture Butte and the Lethbridge Galt Miners divided their Southern Alberta playoff double-bill with the Sugar City squad taking the opener 6 to 0 while the Coalers responded with a 3 to 0 blanking in the sundown event. Russell Finley tossed a four-hitter for the Butte nine in the opener. Ernie Luciani drove in three Picture Butte runs with a triple and single.
A. Yanosik (L), A. Lewis and Stewart
Finley (W) and Toccoli
Roy Robinson, on the mound for Lethbridge, shut the homesters down on two hits in the late contest.
Robinson (W) and Stewart
Malmberg (L) and Toccoli
(August 31) The Lethbridge Galt Miners and Picture Butte nine again split a Southern Alberta playoff twin-bill. In the afternoon game, Picture Butte came out on the long end of a 4 to 2 score and in the evening fixture, Lethbridge won 4 to 0. The best-of-five series is deadlocked at two games each. The possibility of protests on both game results appeared. The Miners claim as their grounds for the first game, the illegal use of resin by the Picture Butte hurler, Finley. Picture Butte contemplated a counter-protest on the evening fixture.
Finley (W) and Toccoli
Robinson (L), Teel (6) and Stewart
Malmberg (L), Watson (6) and Toccoli
A. Yanosik (W) and Stewart
(September 1) Picture Butte and the Lethbridge Galt Miners failed to produce a winner as the two clubs battled to a 1 – 1 tie in the fifth game of their series which was called after seven innings because of darkness. The Sugar City gang held a 5 to 4 advantage in base hits. Jimmy Paul of Picture Butte and Orlando Luciani of the Miners were the only players to pick up two hits.
Lewis and Stewart
Holman and Toccoli
(September 2) The Lethbridge Galt Miners supposedly captured the southern Alberta senior baseball championship by defeating Picture Butte 6 to 4 in game six of an argumentative best-of-five showdown. However, based upon the protest and counter-protest arising from games three and four, the result of one of those games was thrown out, that being the fourth game Lethbridge win which, technically, leaves the series still at a two games apiece deadlock with one tie. A new development further complicated the situation in that the northern Alberta representative from Alix defaulted the provincial series. Under these circumstances, the AABA ordered Lethbridge and Picture Butte to begin a new series, another best-of-five affair, for the provincial crown. In the game itself, overshadowed by all of the bickering, King Chervinski of the Miners had a fifth-inning round-tripper and also robbed Picture Butte’s “Shorty” Star of a circuit clout with a sensational outfield catch with an outstretched arm over the fence.
Watson, Malmberg (L) (5), Holman (5) and Toccoli
A. Yanosik (W), Teel (8) and Stewart
Alberta senior baseball championship (Picture Butte vs Lethbridge Galt Miners)
(September 11) Picture Butte and the Lethbridge Galt Miners continued their long stretch of bitterly-fought playoff encounters, playing the first two games of a best-of-five series to decide the senior baseball championship of Alberta. After edging the Miners 4 to 3 in the first game, the Sugar City nine allowed errors to rob them of a sweep and a chance to break the even standing in doubleheader playoff action between these two teams. Lethbridge prevailed by a 5 to 2 margin in this follow-up event. Tailing throughout the initial game, the Miners made things interesting in the ninth and had the potential tying run thrown out at the plate to end the game.
Robinson (L) and Stewart
Finley (W), Holman (6) and Toccoli
The Miners took advantage of a two-out error to score twice in the fourth inning of the second tilt, maintaining that lead throughout the remainder of the game.
A. Lewis (W) and Stewart
Watson (L) and Toccoli
(September 18) Picture Butte and the Lethbridge Galt Miners each won and lost during a doubleheader at Adams Park which again evened their series. The Butte Boys won the afternoon game 11 to 7 with the Miners coming back strong to take the nightcap 5 to 1. Second sacker E. Karren drilled four singles for the Sugar Towners in the lid-lifter.
Malmberg (W) and Toccoli
Robinson (L), Yanosik (2) and Stewart
Art Lewis tossed a seven-hit complete game to earn credit for the mound win in the late encounter.
Holman (L) and Toccoli
A. Lewis (W) and Stewart
(September 19) After eleven consecutive face-to-face playoff matches against their arch-rivals from Lethbridge, Picture Butte’s hustling ball club finally disposed of the Galt Miners at Adams Park by whipping their adversaries 5 to 2 to take possession of the Alberta senior baseball championship for 1939. Picture Butte first baseman Ernie Luciani, a former Miner star, set the tone for the game by staking the new champions to a 1 to 0 lead with a first inning home run. Winning chucker Russ Finley allowed ten hits but scattered them so widely that Lethbridge received scarcely any benefit. Fifteen Miner batters retreated to the dugout after being rung up as Finley strikeout victims.
Finley (W) and Toccoli
A. Lewis (L), A. Yanosik (2), Teel (5) and Stewart
ALBERTA INTERMEDIATE PLAYOFFS
(August 3) The Lethbridge Intermediate All-Stars whipped the Foremost Elks twice to take a two-game lead in their best-of-five series. The scores were 12 to 7 and 20 to 6. Lethbridge’s Andy Young had a home run in the opener.
Medhurst (L) and Nolan
Young (W) and J. Harris
Lethbridge accumulated 22 base hits in the second encounter. E. Harris and Dave Hunt had circuit clouts for the winners while L. Medhurst ripped a dinger for the Elks.
Whitney (L) and Bohnet
Ponech (W) and J. Harris
(August 7) The Foremost Elks were eliminated from further play in the Alberta intermediate baseball playdowns after suffering a 5 to 3 loss to the Lethbridge Intermediate All-Stars in a ten-inning game.
Christensen (W) and Harris
Whitney (L) and Bohnet
(August 17) The Cardston Maple Leafs and Lethbridge Intermediates stood all square at the end of their playoff doubleheader played in the Temple City. The All-Stars checked in with a 12 to 7 win in the matinee event while the Leafs scored a 4 to 3 victory in the follow-up joust. Harvey Vickery paced Lethbridge’s 15-hit assault in the opener with a triple, double and two singles.
Young (W) and Harris
Cahoon (L) and McKenzie
In the second game, the Maple Leafs scored the winning run on an RBI single by outfielder Grant Thomas. Winning flinger Rulon Leavitt of Cardston tossed a four-hitter.
Ponech (L) and harris
R. Leavitt (W) and Bohne
(August 21) The Lethbridge Intermediate All-Stars sailed into the finals of the Alberta intermediate baseball playdowns by taking both games of a double-dip from the Cardston Maple Leafs, the scores being 13 to 2 and 10 to 7.
In the free-swinging matinee tilt, the Stars ripped into losing twirler Ab Cahoon for four first-inning tallies and were never headed. Owen Bohne of the Temple City nine led the batters of both teams by collecting four singles.
Cahoon (L) and McKenzie
Fenn (W), Christensen (8) and J. Harris
The Maple Leafs jumped out to a 6 to 0 lead in their first turn at bat in the sunset event but the Stars patiently pursued and eventually went ahead in the fifth frame, a lead they never relinquished.
R. Leavitt (L) and Bohne
Brown, Christensen (W) (1) and J. Harris
(August 28) The Intermediate All-Stars from Lethbridge left Brooks with a stranglehold on the Alberta intermediate title, winning both games against the local Irrigators, 7 to 3 and 10 to 4. Lethbridge’s Andy Young was the leading batter of the day, plating five runs on a pair of triples, two singles and a free pass.
Young (W) and J. Harris
James (L) and Burroughs
Ponech (W) and J. Harris
Swain (L) and Burroughs
(September 9) Receipt of a telegram from the Brooks Irrigators baseball club, defaulting the remainder of their series with the Lethbridge Intermediates, established the All-Stars as 1938 Alberta intermediate titlists.