1938 Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
1938 BC Interior
1938 Vancouver Island
VICTORIA BASEBALL ASSOCATION
After virtually two seasons of inactivity, senior amateur baseball in the form of the Victoria Baseball Association was rekindled in British Columbia’s Capital City.
Eagles **, Navy, Pitzer & Nex, Victoria Club *
* winners of the Humphries Cup (regular season series pennant winner)
** winners of the Rithet Cup (city championship playoff series winner)
HUMPHRIES CUP RESULTS
(June 8) Pushing over a pair of markers in their half of the sixth, Pitzer & Nex eked out a 7 to 6 victory over the winless Eagles in a Victoria Baseball Association encounter at Royal Athletic Park. Opposing hurlers, loser Lloyd Jones and winner Harry Harding, were each nicked for four safeties. Jones whiffed eight while Harding fanned seven.
Jones (L) and Cosier
Harding (W) and Scott
(June 10) Driving over the tying marker in the eighth inning, the Navy balltossers came from behind to gain a 5 – 5 draw with the Victoria Club. The Clubbers collected 13 safeties from the southpaw slants of Ernie Woodward, ace Navy twirler, four more than the Sailors secured from the combined offerings of Chuck Rowe and “Sonny” Walker. Woodward sent eleven back to the dugout via the strikeout route while Rowe fanned seven and Walker one.
Woodward and Groven
Rowe, Walker (9) and Kuwabara
(June 13) Forging to the front in the third frame on the strength of Jimmie Patterson’s two-run single, the Eagles won their first game of the season, a 5 to 2 triumph over the Victoria Club. Clare Tang, a former Prince Albert pitcher, went the route for the Birdmen, surrendering eight hits, the same number of safeties surrendered by losing heaver “Sonny” Walker. The Feathered Tribe pulled off two timely double plays which broke up rallies by the Clubbers.
Walker (L) and Kuwabara
Tang (W) and Cosier
(June 17) Despite outhitting the Pitzer & Nex aggregation by a healthy 14 to 8 margin, the best the Victoria Club could do was earn a 4 – 4 tie with the Gasmen. Outfielder Pollard of the Clubbers, representing the potential winning run, was thrown out at the plate in the bottom of the ninth on an accurate throw from the outer pasture following a Lloyd Jones’ two-out pinch-hit single.
L. Murray and Scott
R. Maitland and Given, T. Maitland
(June 18) Plating the deciding run in the bottom of the ninth stanza, the Eagles nosed out the Navy nine 2 to 1. It was playing-manager Bill Bridgewood’s clutch pinch-hit single that dove in Earl Barnswell from the hot corner with the deciding tally. Southpaw Lloyd Jones set the Sailors down on seven widely scattered hits, three of which were garnered by third baseman Bill Smith, and breezed nine in taking the hillock triumph. Barnswell picked up a brace of base raps for the winners.
Woodward (L) and Groven
Jones (W) and Cosier
(June 20) Speedball hurler Lloyd Cann set the Eagles down on four hits while breezing ten in pitching the Victoria Club to an 8 to 1 conquest of the Birdmen at Royal Athletic Park. The Clubmen lit into the offerings of three chuckers for 15 base blows. Fly chaser Lawrence Given led the winners offensively with a three-hit performance.
Tang (W), Davies, Barnswell and Cosier, Bridgewood
Cann (W) and Kinnear
(June 24) The Victoria Club baseballers scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning, breaking a 3 – 3 tie, en route to a 5 to 3 decision over Pitzer and Nex. Winning heaver “Sonny” Walker allowed eight safeties and fanned nine. Taking the knoll loss was young Lorne Murray who punched out five while yielding nine base knocks.
L. Murray (L) and Scott
Walker (W) and Kuwabara
(June 27) Lacing out a timely three-bagger with two mates aboard in the eighth round, fly shagger McIntyre of the Navy nine drove in the tying markers which paved the way for the Swabbies’ eventual 9 to 8 victory over the first-place Victoria Club pastimers. At this point ace flinger,“Sonny” Walker, of the Clubbers was seconded to the hill to replace starter Chuck Rowe. Coming in cold, Walker walked the first batter to face him and then uncorked a wild pitch which allowed McIntyre to cross the plate with what proved to be the winning counter. Portsider Ernie Woodward earned the hillock triumph with a fine relief effort after assuming mound duties in the opening canto when the Clubbers drove starter Crawford to the showers with a six-run outburst.
Crawford, Woodward (W) (1) and Lister
Rowe (L), Walker (9) and Kuwabara
(June 28) Aided by three circuit-clouts, the touring African Zulu Giants chalked up their 26th straight victory when they defeated an all-star aggregation from the Victoria Baseball Association by a score of 11 to 5.
Lulu (W), Rusto and Maccam
Cann (L) and Bridgewood
(June 29) Hammering out a dozen base blows from the offerings of a tandem of Navy hurlers, the Pitzer & Nex balltossers checked in with a 9 to 2 win over the Sailors in the final game of the Humphries Cup schedule. Harry Harding, husky right hander of the Gasmen, toed the rubber for the first seven innings of the encounter, taking the rest of the evening off with a comfortable lead and a two-hit performance. The P & N win moved them into a tie with the Victoria Club, forcing a sudden-death playoff for the coveted trophy.
Harding (W), Hornsby (8) and Scott
McIntyre (L), Crawford and Lister
Humphries Cup
Final Standings W L Pct.
Victoria Club 4 2 .667
Pitzer & Nex 4 2 .667
Navy 2 4 .333
Eagles 2 4 .333
(July 1) The Merritt-Gordon diamondeers of the Vancouver Commercial League split an exhibition doubleheader with the Victoria All-Stars, taking the first game 9 to 6 and dropping the second 14 to 7.
Humphries Cup first-place tie-breaker
(July 4) Hard-throwing Ray Maitland allowed six hits and rang up 18 strikeouts in pitching the Victoria Club to a 10 to 6 triumph over Pitzer & Nex in a sudden-death showdown for the Humphries Cup. A five-run fifth inning for the Clubbers spelled the difference in the game.
R. Maitland (W) and T. Maitland
L. Murray (L) and Scott
RITHET CUP RESULTS
(July 6) The Rithet Cup portion of the Victoria Baseball Association season got underway at Royal Athletic Park and saw the Eagles blank the Navy 9 to 0. Getting away with a trio of markers in the first frame and adding to their total in the succeeding three panels, the Birdmen had little trouble in picking up the victory. Newcomer Ken Torroville captured the mound decision over former Port Arthur, Ontario flinger, McEwan.
McEwan (L) and Lister
Torroville (W) and Condon
(July 8) Humphries Cup finalists, Pitzer & Nex and the Victoria Club, renewed their rivalry at Royal Athletic Park in their latest round of combat with the Clubbers edging the Gasmen 9 to 8.
Harding (L) and xxx
Walker (W) and xxx
(July 9) Packing too much power with the willow and carrying a pair of chuckers who handcuffed their hosts, the Superior Meat Market team of the Bellingham Community Baseball League had little difficulty in sweeping an exhibition double-bill from the Victoria All-Stars, grabbing the opener 6 to 1 and then taking the late event 9 to 1. The Washingtonians rapped out 27 base knocks during the course of the day.
Baker (W) and Smith
L. Murray (L), Walker and Kinnear
Dunlap (W) and Smith
R. Maitland (L) and T. Maitland
(July 11) Spanking the sphere when bingles meant bacon, the Victoria Club balltossers defeated the Eagles 7 to 4 in Rithet Cup action at Royal Athletic Park. The Clubbers hammered out an even dozen base knocks from the portside slants of veteran Lloyd Jones. Aided with a pair of smart twin-killings by his mates, 18-year old Chuck Rowe turned in a solid performance on the knoll for the victors, yielding seven safeties.
Jones (L) and Condon
Rowe (W) and T. Maitland
(July 13) Bringing their heavy artillery into action in the very first inning when they drove across five markers, the Pitzer & Nex aggregation slammed the Eagles 7 to 3 in a Rithet Cup skirmish. Maurice Hornsby pitched the Gasmen to the convincing win.
Hornsby (W) and Scott
Torroville (L), Davies (1) and Condon
(July 15)) The red-shirted Pitzer & Nex nine picked up their second Rithet Cup win, clobbering the Navy contingent 14 to 4. The Gasmen hammered out 17 base knocks including a circuit-clout by Rabey. Holding a 9 to 0 lead after three innings of play, P & N manager Roy Barnes gave starter Harry Harding the rest of the evening off.
McIntyre (L), Southern/Southern (3) and Cosier
Harding (W), McLeod (4) and Scott
(July 16) The Victoria Club defeated the Navy nine 27 to 7.
No game details or batteries located in Victoria Daily Colonist.
(July 17) A smart, hustling Port Angeles WA ball club took a stranglehold on the John Hart International Baseball trophy when they defeated the Victoria All-Stars 10 to 0 at Port Angeles. The hosts outhit the Victorians by a 12 to 7 margin and fielded flawlessly behind the steady hurling of Eddy Erickson.
Walker (L), T. Maitland (8) and Kinnear
Erickson (W) and McLennan
(July 18) Pitzer & Nex won their third in a row, trouncing a weakened Eagles squad 15 to 5 at the Caledonia Avenue ball lot. Harry Harding scattered ten safeties in taking the hillock verdict over Gordon Donaldson, a newcomer from Nelson. The Gasmen sent 15 batters to the plate in the third canto when they plated 11 runs. Rabey belted a sixth-inning solo home run for the winners.
Donaldson (L), Davies (3) and Cosier
Harding (W) and Kinnear
(July 20) Reeling off their fourth consecutive triumph, the red-hot Pitzer & Nex contingent defeated the Victoria Club 7 to 5. The Gasmen bunched their hits in the first and fourth frames when they scored all their runs. Lonnie Murray held the tough Victorias to nine scattered bingles and fanned eight in turning back speedballer Lloyd Cann in their mound duel.
L. Murray (W) and Kinnear
Cann (L) and Given
(July 22) Showing plenty of hustle behind the fine hurling of Stan Davies, the Eagles pounced on the Victoria Club for a 6 to 2 victory at Royal Athletic Park. The Birdmen took control of the joust by scoring four times in the fifth stanza. Barney Barnswell, Eagles’ third baseman, nailed a bases-empty round-tripper in the opening canto.
Rowe (L) and Kuwabara
Davies (W) and Bridgewood
(July 23) The Port Angeles WA squad of baseballers took possession of the Hart trophy for 1938 when they broke even with the Victoria All-Stars in a doubleheader. The Capital City Clan captured the matinée contest 9 to 7 to even the series at a game apiece but then the Americans roared back to pummel the Victorians 13 to 4 in the rubber match.
Cox (L), Loghry (3) and Black
L. Murray (W) and Kinnear
Erickson (W) and McLennan
Walker (L), R. Maitland (5) and Kuwabara
(July 24) Visiting Nanaimo for a two-game exhibition set, the Victoria Club pastimers of the Victoria Baseball Association dropped a 4 to 3 decision to begin things and then played to a 12 – 12 tie with their hosts from the Coal City in the late match.
Rowe (L) and Kinnear
J. Naylor (W) and T. Naylor
Restell, R. Maitland, Walker and George
Davies, Wilson and T. Naylor
(July 27) The barnstorming African Zulu Giants, adorned in grass skirts, trounced the Victoria All-Stars 14 to 5 before 2,000 paying customers at Royal Athletic Park in the first of a two-game exhibition series.
Chief Bolo (W) and Maccam
L. Murray (L) and Scott
(July 28) Smashing three home runs, the African Zulu Giants concluded their two-game set in the Capital City by handing the Victoria All-Stars an 11 to 5 setback.
Lulu (W), Rusto and Maccam
Cann (L) and Bridgewood
(July 29) Driving Lloyd Jones, veteran portsider, from the slab with a barrage of base knocks in the first inning, the Victoria Club went on to defeat the Eagles 11 to 7 in Rithet Cup action. Although hit hard at times, “Sonny” Walker went the distance for the Clubbers to chalk up the hillock triumph.
Jones (L), Donaldson (1), Lansdale and Cosier, Bridgewood
Walker (W) and George
(August 1) The cellar-dwelling Navy nine posted their initial Rithet Cup triumph, defeating the leading Pitzer & Nex squad 13 to 9. The Swabbies dug themselves out of a 6 to 0 first-inning hole and gathered a nine-spot in the sixth panel to highlight the comeback win. McIntyre belted a solo homer for the winners while Maurice Hornsby lifted a two-run shot over the fence for the Gasmen. Clint Hodges, until recently the playing-manager for the Kelowna entry in the South Okanagan League, made his first appearance for the Sailors.
McLeod (L), Harding and Scott
Southern (W) and Hodges
(August 4) Making their final appearance of the season at Royal Athletic Park, the African Zulu Giants continued their dominance over the Victoria All-Stars, hammering the Victorians 19 to 5. The tourists lit up a pair of All-Star chuckers for four home runs.
Rusto (W) and Gracia
Cann (L), Walker (4) and Hodges, Scott
(August 7) The Victoria Club defeated the Navy by a 20 to 4 count. The victory for the Clubbers vaulted them into a tie with Pitzer & Nex for top spot in the Rithet Cup series. Game details and batteries not found in Victoria Daily Colonist.
(August 8) Young Stan Davies set the Navy squad down on three hits as the Eagles blanked the Blue Jackets 6 to 0 in the last scheduled Rithet Cup match. Both Davies and defeated heaver Ernie Murray fanned seven opposing batters.
Davies (W) and Cosier
E. Murray (L) and Lister
Rithet Cup
Final Standings W L Pct.
Pitzer & Nex 4 2 .667
Victoria Club 4 2 .667
Eagles 3 3 .500
Navy 1 5 .167
FIRST-PLACE TIE-BREAKER (sudden-death game)
Pitzer & Nex vs Victoria Club
(August 10) Coming from behind after trailing by three runs in the first two frames, the Victoria Club turned back Pitzer & Nex 7 to 3 at Royal Athletic Park to gain a bye into the Rithet Cup finals. Winning tosser Ray Maitland, recovering from a bad start, settled down and whiffed nine while completing a seven-hitter.
R. Maitland (W) and T. Maitland
Hornsby (L) and Scott
(August 13) The Victoria All-Stars took both ends of an exhibition doubleheader from the visiting Port Townsend WA baseballers, taking the matinée attraction 14 to 5 and coming back with a 10 to 2 triumph in the evening encounter. Ted Maitland blasted a home run for the Victorians in the opener.
Glen (L), A, Black and Boketo
Walker, McLeod, Rowe and Kinnesr
Younce (L) and A. Black
Cann (W) and Bridgewood, Cosier
(August 16) The bearded Colored House of David aggregation slammed out ten base knocks, including two circuit-drives and four doubles, in powering their way to an 8 to 3 exhibition game conquest of the Victoria All-Stars. Ted Maitland drilled a four-base swat for the hosting Stars.
Mosley (W), Sampson and McCray
Jones (L), R. Maitland and Bridgewood
RITHET CUP SEMI-FINALS (best-of-three)
Eagles vs Pitzer & Nex
(August 17) Aided by Axel Kinnear’s circuit-smash, Pitzer & Nex got away to a three-run lead in the opening panel and went on to score a 6 to 3 triumph over the Eagles in the opener of the Rithet Cup semi-finals. Winning chucker Les McLeod limited the Birdmen to six scattered base raps and punched out ten of their batters.
Davies (L) and Bridgewood
McLeod (W) and Scott
(August 19) Playing-manager Bill Bridgewood’s single in the bottom of the sixth inning drove in Earl Barnswell with the deciding tally as the Eagles edged Pitzer & Nex 9 to 8 to deadlock their semi-final series at a game apiece. Stan Davies was credited with the hurling triumph in a relief role.
Harding (L), Hornsby (6) and Scott
Jones, Davies (W) (6) and Bridgewood
(August 20) Spotting Pitzer & Nex six runs in the second frame and slicing the lead as the game progressed, a fighting Eagles’ ball club came from behind to earn a 13 – 13 tie in the third game of the Rithet Cup semi-finals. Shortstop Barney Barnswell of the Birdmen drove in the tying marker with a two-out triple in the final canto. The Gasmen connected for 15 base blows, including a three-run homer by Jim Nimos, while the Feathered Tribe picked up 13 safeties.
McLeod and Scott
Davies, Torroville (2) and Bridgewood
(August 22) With Stan Davies tossing a three-hitter, the Eagles shutout Pitzer & Nex 9 to 0 to win their semi-final series and advance to play the Victoria Club for the Rithet Cup. The Birdmen lit up two hurlers from the Gasmen for 11 safeties including three round-trippers. Outfielder Steve Dunc led in the power department with a brace of dingers while Bill Bridgewood connected for one tater.
Hornsby (L), Harding (2) and Scott
Davies (W) and Bridgewood
RITHET CUP FINALS (best-of-three series)
Eagles vs Victoria Club
(August 28) Lloyd Cann, Victoria Club speedball hurler, held the Eagles to four scattered singles in heaving the Clubbers to a 2 to 1 victory in the opening tussle of the Rithet Cup finals. Veteran southpaw Lloyd Jones of the Feathered Tribe yielded eight base raps in absorbing the hillock defeat. Breaking a 1 – 1 tie, the Clubmen scored what proved to be the winning counter in the fifth round when Ted Maitland singled, stole second and raced across the dish on a one-bagger by fly chaser Pollard.
Jones (L) and Bridgewood
Cann (W) and Kuwabara
(August 31) Handcuffing the Victoria Club batters with a grand exhibition of hurling, young Stan Davies, star flinger of the Eagles, heaved his Feathered Tribe mates to an 8 to 1 victory in the second game of the Rithet Cup championship series. It was the first triumph for the Birdmen in the finals and left the best-of-three series deadlocked at a game each. Davies was in great form as he held the Clubbers to just one hit while breezing eight of their batters. Losing twirler Chuck Rowe whiffed six and was nicked for 11 safeties.
Rowe (L) and Given, T. Maitland
Davies (W) and Bridgewood
(September 5) Defeating the Victoria Club 7 to 5 in ten innings, the Eagles captured the 1938 Victoria Baseball Association championship at Athletic Park. With the victory, their second in the best-of-three series, the Birdmen gained possession of the coveted Rithet Cup. Finishing in third place during the Cup series, the Eagles defeated Pitzer and Nex in the first round of the playoffs and then topped things off with an upset triumph of the favored Victoria Club squad, winner of the Humphries Cup. The Feathered Tribe got away to a three-run lead in the first inning and held on well into the ninth when the Clubmen squad deadlocked the count at 5 - 5. In the tenth chapter, Erickson came through with a timely double that drew in a brace of tallies to give the Eagles a two-run cushion heading into the bottom of the frame. When the Victorias failed to respond to the challenge of the two-run deficit, the Big Birds stormed the diamond to celebrate their championship conquest. The winners collected just five hits off losing pitcher Lloyd Cann but made them count. Both winning pitcher Stan Davies and Cann whiffed ten batters.
Davies (W) and Bridgewood
Cann (L) and Kuwahara
COMOX VALLEY TWILIGHT LEAGUE
(May 25) Union Bay grabbed an early 8 to 0 lead and hung on to defeat the Courtenay Juniors 9 to 8 at Lewis Park. Bill Marshall, toeing the rubber for Union Bay, went the route on the hill and was never in any difficulty except for the fifth frame when the Juniors chased across seven tallies. He finished with a five-hitter, whiffing six along the way. Marshall also stroked two of his squad’s six safeties and swiped a pair of bases as well. Second baseman Anderton of the Courtenay nine drove in three of his team’s counters with a three-bagger.
W. Marshall (W) and Coe
Pratt (L), Rickett (3) and Mitchell, Coe
(May 29) Despite being outhit by a 14 to 10 margin, the Royston Lumbermen took advantage of a five-run seventh-inning rally to emerge with a 7 to 4 triumph over invading Union Bay. Relief pitcher Shig Kiyono had an impactful base knock in that frame, a two-run triple, his third hit of the afternoon, which tied the score and opened the door toward victory. The Nippons then laid down three perfect bunts and, aided by a free pass, pushed home three more counters. Kiyono also had a double in his trio of safeties. Three of the Shipping Point diamondeers, infielders Magnone and McKay as well as catcher Coe, had three-hit performances in defeat. One of Magnone’s knocks was a circuit-clout while Coe’s total included a double.
W. Marshall (L) and Coe
Yano (W), Kiyono (8) and Kumabe
(May 29) A group of Cumberland baseballers, comprised of players from the Cubs and Tigers of the Twilight League, journeyed to Port Alberni to participate in a three-team doubleheader with the Kingsways and Waterfronts of the Upper Island loop. The Cumberlanders, without the services of some of their elite players, presented a weakened lineup and were no match for the Port Alberni aggregations, taking an 18 to 0 drubbing against the Kingsway nine in the afternoon tilt before dropping the nightcap to the Waterfronts 12 to 7.
xxx (L), xxx, xxx and xxx
Hawkins (W) and xxx
J. Davis (L) and xxx
Proudlove, xxx (4) and xxx
(June 1) The Cumberland Cubs chalked up a deserved 6 to 3 win over the Courtenay Juniors in a Twilight League game at Lewis Park. The Cubs, with a 10 to 6 advantage in base hits, established an early lead which they never relinquished. Top swatter in the contest was Cumberland’s Ty Conti who slammed a double and two one-baggers.
Herchuk (W), Doebak/Doeback (6) and Bates
Rickson (L), Payne (6) and Thomson
(June 5) The Royston Lumbermen captured their third straight win in the early campaign, setting down the rookie-laden Cumberland Tigers 9 to 6. The hustling Bengals, who enjoyed an 11 to 10 margin in base hits, led 6 to 1 after three innings were in the books, thanks mainly to home runs by catcher Horace Calnan, a two-run dinger, and a solo shot by fly chaser Nicols. In the fourth, however, the Nippons went to work on losing flinger Doug Baird and, before the stanza had ended, put up a six-spot on the scoreboard to take control of the game. Hot-hitting Royston shortstop Shig Kiyono banged out three hits, including two doubles, to challenge for the top batting average in the Twilight League. Playing-manager Archie McMillan was best with the lumber for the Cumberlanders, stroking a double and single.
Yano (W), Kiyono (4) and Kumabe
Baird (L), Robertson (4), Nicols (7) and Calnan
(June 9) The Lumbermen from Royston kept their winning streak intact when they doubled the Cumberland Cubs 6 to 3. The Nippons went ahead 3 to 0 in the opening chapter when they bunched three of their six hits off losing chucker, right hander Tommy Doeback/Doebak. The Baby Bears fought back and, at the end of the third canto, knotted the count after banging five safeties off Tats Iwasa. Another three-run splurge in the fifth panel paved the way for the Royston victory as shortstop Shig Kiyono, who had assumed mound duties in a relief role in the fourth, blanked the Cumberlanders for the remainder of the contest.
T. Iwasa, Kiyono (W) (4) and xxx
Doeback/Doebak (L) and xxx
(June 12) Unleashing a 16-hit offensive attack against three pitchers, the Union Bay baseballers swamped the Cumberland Tigers 17 to 4 at the Recreation Grounds. It was a disastrous third inning that was the undoing for the youthful Bengals. During that round, the Bay Boys pounded the apple all over the lot to score a dozen runs. Don Marshall cuffed a double and two singles for the Shipping Point Gang in support of winning pitcher “Sandy” Auchinvole. Teammate Magnone was next in line with a triple and single. Leland Bannerman had two of the Tigers’ eight base raps, one of which was a four-ply clout in the sixth stanza.
Auchinvole (W) and Searle
J. Davis (L), Nicols (3), Baird (7) Harvey
Standings W L Pct.
Royston Lumber 4 0 1.000
Union Bay 3 1 .750
Cumberland Cubs 1 1 .500
Courtenay Juniors 0 3 .000
Cumberland Tigers 0 3 .000
(June 19) In a battle between the two Cumberland clubs, the red-capped Cubs prevailed over the Tigers by a 7 to 4 count. The Cubs put on a solid defensive performance, especially in the outer pasture, and played errorless ball. At the dish, the Cubbies had an 11 to 7 edge. Infielder “Chut” Bobba of the victors and Tigers’ shortpatcher John Bannerman both nicked the apple for a double and single while fly chaser Hughie Irvine of the Red Caps checked in with a brace of one-baggers.
Baird (L), Nicols (5) and McMillan
Tobacco (W), Watson (5) and Bates
(June 19) Union Bay came out of the gate afire and used the momentum to nose out the Courtenay Juniors 6 to 5. With the triumph, the Baymen emerged right on the heels of league-leading Royston. Four big Union Bay markers in the opening frame were too much for the Juniors to overcome although they made things plenty hot for the eventual winners. Magnone, handling the hot corner spot for the Shipping Point Boys, drilled a home run off losing twirler Bob Rickson in the third frame, a smash which aided “Sandy” Auchinvole in chalking up his third pitching victory of the season.
Rickson (L) and xxx
Auchinvole (W) and xxx
(June 22) A four-run eruption in the fifth chapter, followed by another trio in the sixth, enabled Royston to preserve their unbeaten record in the Twilight League as they doubled the Courtenay Juniors 8 to 4 at Lewis Park. The loss for the ever-improving Juniors was their fifth in as many starts. The Lumbermen trailed 4 to 1 before their less-experienced rivals began to fall apart defensively. For the victorious Japanese, shortstop Shig Kiyono was once again their offensive sparkplug, gathering three hits and a walk in four plate appearances which produced three RBI’s. His teammate, outfielder E. Yoshikuni, doubled and singled as did second baseman Dargie of the Courtenay nine. The most productive hitter for the Juniors, however, was backstop Wally Thomson who delivered a triple plus a two-bagger which drove in a brace of runs.
T. Iwasa (W), Yano (5) and Kiyonaga
Payne (L), Rickson (7) and Thomson
(June 24) Homestanding Union Bay and the Royston Lumbermen battled for two extra innings before the Baymen plated a counter to romp home with a 5 to 4 decision and, in the process, hand the Nippons their first defeat of the season. Bill Marshall bested Shig Kiyono in a great pitching duel wherein most of the runs came as a result of erratic fielding. Marshall yielded four scattered singles and fanned nine while Kiyono was nicked for seven bingles while whiffing nine. Marshall opened the second round of overtime with a single and reached second on a passed ball. A costly blunder by infielder Yoshikuni then allowed him to scamper home with the winning tally.
Kiyono (L) and xxx
W. Marshall (W) and xxx
(June 26) The Cumberland Cubs took over the runner-up spot in the Twilight League standings when they took Union Bay into camp by an 11 to 8 count. The Baby Bears jumped into a 4 to 0 lead in the opening stanza, in large part on the strength of a four-ply clout by Ty Conti, and never looked back. The Shipping Point Squad outhit the Cubs by a 13 to 10 margin but were only able to close the gap to a single counter in the fifth, the closest they would come to knotting the score. Infielder “Chut” Bobba stroked three singles for the Cumberlanders and swiped a pair of bases. Coe of the Baymen launched a home run and a single, pilfering a brace of sacks as well.
Auchinvole (L) and Coe, Searle
Tobacco (W), Watson (6) and Bates
(July 3) A new leader in the Twilight League emerged following a three-team double-dip at Cumberland’s Recreation Grounds. The Cumberland Cubs were the beneficiary of a double victory, taking down the Royston Lumbermen 9 to 3 to begin the afternoon and then following up with a 3 to 0 blanking of their cross-town rivals, the Cumberland Tigers, in the sunset event. The Cubs held a modest 3 to 1 lead through most of the opener but put the game on ice with consecutive three-spots in both the eighth and ninth cantos. Both contingents racked up 11 bingles. Leading swatter in the contest was keystone sacker Westfield of the Cubbies who bashed the horsehide for a two-bagger and three singles. Teammate Vic Bono had the game’s only round-tripper, a two-run shot in the ninth frame.
Watson (W), Tobacco (8), P. Bono (9) and Conti
Kiyono (L) and Kiyonaga
Timmy Tobacco of the Cubs stymied the Tigers of two safeties, both singles off the bat of playing-manager Archie McMillan, in the nightcap. The winners scored all three of their runs in the fourth frame when they bunched three of their five safeties off losing twirler “Bud” Combs. Vic Bono had two of his squad’s five base raps, a double and a single.
Tobacco (W) and Conti
Combs (L), J. Davis (6) and Calnan
(July 10) Union Bay trimmed the Cumberland Cubs 14 to 9 to move into a first-place tie with the Cubbies for supremacy in the Twilight circuit. Both clubs showed up well with the lumber although winning tosser “Sandy” Auchinvole was able to more effectively scatter opposition base blows. Marshall, Magnone and Coe each connected for a four-bagger for the Baymen while Coe also clipped the orb for a triple. Peter "Double" Bono of the Cumberlanders also stung the apple for a circuit-clout.
Tobacco (L), P. Bono (2), Watson (9) and xxx
Auchinvole (W) and xxx
(July 17) The lowly-placed Courtenay Juniors upset Union Bay 8 to 7 in a free-hitting battle that lasted eleven innings. The slugfest at Lewis Park produced 31 base knocks, 17 of them by the Juniors. Dunc Marshall of the Baymen also nailed the first home run of the season at the Lewis facility. Tied at 7 runs apiece, the teams failed to settle things in the tenth frame but, in the eleventh with one out, outfielder Bell of Courtenay singled, advanced to the keystone station on a sacrifice by George McKee and scooted home on first baseman Gordon’s hot single through short. Prior to his one-bagger in the second round of overtime, Bell had belted a triple and a double. Wally Thomson played a stellar game at shortstop for the Juniors. His defensive work was brilliant, notwithstanding his performance in the batter’s box where he came through with two doubles and a single, sending home three of his club’s runners. Magnone, Bill Marshall and McCartney of the Shipping Point Gang, as well as Dargie of the victors, all collected three singles.
Auchinvole (L) and Searle
Payne, Rickson (W) (5) and Harper
(July 27) Baseball fans at Cumberland were treated to a rarity, a no-hit, no-run game, at the Recreation Grounds when Timmy Tobacco, lean southpaw of the Cubs, blanked the Union Bay nine 6 to 0 in a seven-inning encounter. Aided by a solo homer from leadoff batter Ty Conti to begin the bottom of the opening inning, Tobacco pitched masterful ball, fanning ten of the Shipping Point diamondeers while issuing three walks. The victory for the Cubbies bounced them back into top spot in the Twilight circuit.
Auchinvole (L), W. Marshall (4) and Searle
Tobacco (W) and Conti
(July 31) Doubleheader action within the Twilight loop saw the Royston Lumber squad nose out the Cumberland Tigers 6 to 5 in a tightly contested, ten-inning match to leadoff things which was followed by a contest in which the Cumberland Cubs got past the Courtenay Juniors 9 to 7. In taking the nip-and-tuck matinée encounter, Matsukura of the Nippons rapped out an overtime double then raced home with the tie-breaking marker when K. Yoshikuni singled. The youthful Bengals played well, and deserved a better fate, outhitting the more-experienced Lumbermen by a 12 to 10 count. Matsukura had a single in addition to his tenth-frame two-bagger. Losing chucker John Davis ripped a double and two singles while Tiger playing-manager Archie McMillan belted a home run to go along with a double.
J. Davis (L) and McMillan
T. Iwasa, Yano (W) (7), Kiyono (10) and Kumabe
The Cubs produced in the pinches in earning the second-game win. Having spotted the Courtneyites a 5 to 0 second-inning lead, the pace-setters settled down and eventually solved the offerings of “Spit” Quinn, lacing his fire-powered fastball for six bingles which, along with four free tickets, allowed them to plate seven big tallies to take the lead. Ty Conti, slugging young backstop of the Baby Bears, ripped out a sweet two-bagger with the bases crowded during that comeback. Henry Watson, in chalking up his fourth successive mound victory, worked nicely after a shaky start until the ninth when he needed the help of Timmy Tobacco to squelch an uprising by the Juniors. Third sacker Peter Bono picked up a brace of two-baggers for the winners while shortstop Wally Thomson laced three singles for Courtenay.
Quinn (L) and Harper
Watson (W), Tobacco (9) and Conti
(August 3) The Cumberland Cubs fattened their lead atop the Twilight League with a 10 to 8 victory over the Courtenay Juniors in a rather wild-and-wooly, hitter-dominated game at Lewis Park. The combatants produced 25 base blows, 15 of which went to the Cumberlanders. Shortstop “Chut” Bobba of the victorious nine claimed four of those safe swats, all being singles. Picking up three one-baggers apiece were Henry Watson and third baseman Westfield of the Cubs as well as outfielder Bell of the Juniors.
Tobacco, V. Bono (W) (3) and Conti
Rickson (L) and Thomson, Harper
(August 7) The Courtenay Juniors, a vastly improved team as the league schedule draws to a close, took an 8 to 5 victory from the slumping Royston Lumbermen at Lewis Park. Outhit by the Nipponese 12 to 9, the Courtenay nine were effective in the pinches. The Juniors scored all their runs in two innings, the fourth and the sixth, when they were able to bunch base raps with ducks on the pond. First sacker Gordon supplied the winners with a triple and double while fly chaser Matsukura was best with the baton for the Lumbermen, stroking a triad of one-baggers.
T. Iwasa (L), Yano (7) and Kumabe
Payne (W), Rickson (8) and and Harper
(August 7) Union Bay kept right on the heels of the league-leading Cumberland Cubs when they trounced the Cumberland Tigers 13 to 7 at the Recreation Grounds. Infielders Magnone and McKay of the Shipping Point aggregation as well as Bengals’ catcher Horace Calnan and outer pasture guardian Miller all collected a double and single in this skirmish wherein the hitters dominated the pitching corp.
Auchinvole, W. Marshall (W) (3) and Coe
Baird (L) and Calnan
(August 11) In the final league fixture for both teams, hosting Union Bay snatched a much-needed victory, setting down the Cumberland Cubs 7 to 5. The win for the Shipping Point Boys allowed them to tie the Cubs for top spot in the Twilight circuit, setting up a three-game playoff series for the championship. A two-out, two-run triple by keystone sacker McKay in the fifth round sent the Baymen in the lead to stay. Don Marshall lifted a first-inning solo four-bagger for the winners. “Sandy” Auchinvole snatched the hillock triumph from Henry Watson.
Watson (L) and Conti
Auchinvole (W) and Coe
(August 14) The Cumberland Tigers and Royston Lumber rung down the curtain on the Twilight ball loop in a game wherein the lowly Bengals blasted out 16 hits to emerge with a rare victory, an impressive 12 to 5 triumph over the Nipponese Lumbermen. Veteran “Dud” Gibson, back in harness after a long hiatus, blasted a two-run homer and a single to spark the Cumberland nine. He also robbed two of the Nippons of hits with great running catches in the outer pasture. In the last stanza, Gibson relieved Tiger starter and winner Doug Baird on the rubber to aid his team to the win. Teammate Johnny Davis singled three times while catcher Kumabe of Royston drilled a brace of one-baggers and stole a pair of bases.
Baird (W), Gibson (7) and McMillan
Matsukura (L), Yano (4), T. Iwasa (4) and Kumabe
Final Standings W L Pct.
Cumberland Cubs 10 4 .714
Union Bay 10 4 .714
Royston Lumbermen 7 7 .500
Courtenay Juniors 4 9 .308
Courtenay Tigers 3 10 .231
TWILIGHT LEAGUE FINALS (best-of-three series)
Union Bay vs Cumberland Cubs
(August 21) A split-venue twin-bill between Union Bay and the Cumberland Cubs attracted a large turnout of fans but resulted in a division of winners, setting up a third and deciding contest. The Cubs captured the opener at Union Bay 6 to 2 while the Shipping Point nine responded with an 8 to 2 triumph in the nightcap tilt staged at Cumberland’s Recreation Grounds. Winning pitcher Henry Watson blanked the Baymen for eight cantos of the matinée encounter before yielding a brace of counters in the final stanza. He also paced his squad at the dish, garnering three of his team’s nine safe swats. Cumberland teammate Vic Bono supplied some support by cranking out a solo homer. First baseman Don Marshall had a double and single for the vanquished nine.
Watson (W) and Conti
Auchinvole (L), W. Marshall (3) and Coe, Searle
The Cubs appeared determined to make a sweep of things as they jumped into an early 2 to 0 lead in the second joust. Bill Marshall, who had pitched seven innings of solid relief during the initial skirmish, again took the mound for Union Bay in their do-or-die match and, in spite of the early deficit, hung in there until his mates responded with a two-out rally in the fifth panel that netted them four big runs. After taking the lead, Marshall showed his mettle by twice, in the fifth and sixth, putting out fires with the potential tying marker on base. The Shipping Point nine sewed up the game by adding a four-spot in the final round. Infielders Magnone and McKay each accumulated three safeties for the victors while shortpatcher “Chut” Bobba smashed a double and two singles for the Cubbies.
W. Marshall (W) and Searle
Tobacco (L), V. Bono (5), Watson (7) and Conti
(August 31) The Cumberland Cubs were in great form as they hammered the slants of three Union Bay pitchers for 13 base knocks in easily capturing the third and rubber game of their Twilight League final series by a lopsided 16 to 1 score. The discouraging play of the hosting Baymen was accentuated by their nine-error performance afield. Offensively, the Shipping Point Gang was limited to just five hits by winning tosser Timmy Tobacco.
Tobacco (W) and Conti
W. Marshall (L), Auchinvole (4), Dunc Marshall (6) and Searle
UPPER ISLAND LEAGUE
This newly-formed 1938 association wound up with three clubs, one from Courtenay along with two Port Alberni squads, all of which brought in imported talent. An attempt to entice a fourth team, a Cumberland entry, failed as the Cumberlanders felt they would be at a major disadvantage in trying to compete against the augmented semi-pro opposition.
The triumvirate of franchises in 1938 eventually wound up playing just as often, if not more, against exhibition-game opponents than between themselves. Probably the prime reason that this loosely-organized circuit began to sag after getting off to a reasonably good start was the dominance displayed by the Courtenay Circle F’s over the twin entries from Port Alberni. The Circle F’s went undefeated in their matches against Alberni opposition and found that exhibition-game opponents presented just as much, or more, of a challenge in addition to providing an increase in fan interest.
Teams in the 1938 Upper Island Baseball League
Courtenay Circle F’s
Port Alberni Kingsways
Port Alberni Waterfronts
(April 24) Lacking in sufficient practice time before battle, the Courtenay Circle F’s took a 12 to 5 exhibition-game drubbing from the professional Vancouver Maple Leafs of the class B Western International League at Lewis Park. Despite utilizing the services of pitcher Roy Holden of the Leafs for the first part of the game, the Circle F’s sagged in the middle innings as the pros lit up the scoreboard and took an insurmountable lead. The Courtenay baseballers were only outhit by a 12 to 10 margin but it was their inept defensive play which put them behind the eight-ball. Ralph Salhammer had a triple and two singles for the winners while teammate Jack Colbern ripped a double and a brace of one-baggers. For the Circle F’s, brothers Sam and Pete Telosky both nicked the apple for a double and single.
Bazinski/Blasinski (W), Brysch, Colbern and Clifford, Salhammer
Holden (L), Guidolin, McKee and A. Telosky
(May 8) A two-out, muffed fly ball in the bottom-of-the-ninth inning kept the Courtenay Circle F’s, two runs down and without any runners on base at the time, on life support and they embraced the opportunity by pulling out a last-ditch 9 to 8 victory over the Port Alberni Kingsways in the opening game of the newly-formed Upper Island Baseball circuit. A two-out single by Pete Telosky followed the crucial error, leaving runners at the corners. Two consecutive walks then forced a run in to bring the Circle F’s to within one tally of tying things. With the sacks fully populated, Pete Hawryluk then ended the storybook comeback by drilling a long single into right-center field which drove in a pair including the winner. The hitters on both squads appeared to be well ahead of the pitchers, in terms of game shape, in this contest. They combined for a whopping 31 base blows with the Kingsway swatters garnering 16 of them. Of the 31 base knocks, nine triples and two doubles were recorded. Shortstop Boyes of the Kingsways led all baton bludgeoners with a three-bagger and a trio of singles. Fellow Port Alberni infielders Vallee and Lowrie/Lowry both checked in with a triple and a pair of one-baggers while Courtenay fly chaser Sam Telosky tripled twice.
Houbregs, Lowrie/Lowry (L) and P. Wylie
McKee, Guidolin (W) (2) and A. Telosky
(May 15) A three-team double-bill in Port Alberni saw the invading Courtenay Circle F’s knock off both the hosting Waterfronts and Kingsways. The Courtneyites walked all over the Waterfronts 15 to 4 in the matinée joust but had to extend themselves to nose out the pesky Kingsways 2 to 1 in the finale. The Circle F’s just about had everything go their own way in the opener. They led from the start and put things out of reach for the Waterfronts following a grand-slam circuit-clout by Bill McKee in the sixth panel. Outfielder Sam Telosky also homered for the winners, a solo shot in the fifth. Telosky ripped a pair of singles as well to share hitting honors for this game with his brother, catcher Andy Telosky, and fly chaser Miles of the Waterfronts who also had three hits.
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
Proudlove (L), Shouldice (6) and D. Kendrick
The Kingsways chased a run across in the opening canto of the nightcap but the Circle F’s responded with a singleton in the third to tie things up. Things stayed that way until the top of the eighth when winning pitcher Hank Guidolin of the Courtenay nine plated the winner, his second run of the fracas. Guidolin fanned ten in going the route, giving up eight bingles including a double and single to first baseman Patterson. Shortstop Pete Hawryluk got Guidolin out of a major jam in the fifth as he engineered a smart twin-killing to retire the side with two runners aboard and only one out. Losing chucker Lowrie/Lowry was touched for seven safeties, two of which were singles by Sam Telosky.
Guidolin (W) and A. Telosky
Lowrie/Lowry (L) and P. Wylie
(May 22) Twice at Lewis Park, the Courtenay Circle F’s lost the lead to the Port Alberni Waterfronts and twice they got themselves out of particular tough spots. Then, when runs were badly needed in the seventh panel, they bunched their hits to chase home five runs and take the game 7 to 4. In winning their fourth straight in the Upper Island loop, the Courtenay nine split 22 hits right down the middle with the visitors. Accumulating three singles apiece were Port Alberni catcher D. Kendrick as well as Courtenay’s Sam Telosky. Pete Hawryluk of the Circle F nine and the Waterfronts’ keystone sacker McGarrigle both belted a triple and single.
Brown (L) and D. Kendrick
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
(June 5) A select group of players from the two Cumberland teams in the Comox Valley Twilight circuit, the Cubs and the Tigers, were no match for the heavy-hitting Courtenay Circle F’s of the Upper Island loop who hammered the Cumberlanders 16 to 0 in a game designed to make a decision relative to entry into the latter association of clubs. The whitewashing was more than enough to convince the Cumberlanders to opt out of the Upper Island League which was replete with imported diamondeers. The home-grown Cumberland players managed just two hits in the whitewashing while the Circle F’s piled up 20 base blows, six by second baseman Chuck Morgan and four off the bat of winning tosser Hank Guidolin.
Davis (L) and Conti, Calnan
Guidolin (W) and A. Telosky
(June 19) The Courtenay Circle F’s scored nine runs in the first frame en route to a 10 to 2 verdict over the Port Alberni Kingsways in a game which was closer than the final score would indicate. After their disastrous opening canto, the Kingsways played on par with the Courtenay nine. A feature of the contest was the sensational play of the Telosky brothers. Pete, at third base for the Circle F’s, knocked down two hot shots which were labeled for extra bases while Sam, in the middle garden, pulled down flies destined to be gappers. Both siblings also contributed two safeties at the dish with one of Pete’s swats being a triple. Meanwhile, brother Andy, the field-general catcher of the Courtenayites, had three hits including a triple and scored two runs. Port Alberni’s R. Patterson led his team offensively with a three-bagger and a single.
Lowrie/Lowry (L), Houbregs (1) and P. Wylie
Guidolin (W) and A. Telosky
(June 26) Continuing their winning ways against Upper Island League opposition, the Courtenay Circle F’s ventured to Port Alberni for twin-bill action and rolled over the Kingsways 15 to 6 before doubling the Waterfronts 6 to 3.
After a shaky start which saw the Kingsways record a first-inning four-spot, the Courtenay nine settled down to business and handled the remainder of the opening game pretty much as they liked. The Circle F’s piled up 18 base hits with Andy and Pete Telosky registering four apiece. Second baseman Chuck Morgan picked up three safeties including a grand-slam home run. Infielder J. Wylie of the Kingsways also hit for the circuit.
Guidolin (W) and A. Telosky
Lowrie/Lowry (L), Houbregs (4) and P. Wylie, R. Patterson
The Circle F’s started slowly again in the second match and trailed 3 to 1 after five innings were in the books. Beginning in the top of the sixth, however, they turned on the heat to add five markers without a reply and finish as easy winners. “Buster” McNeil struck out eight while surrendering an equal number of hits in taking the hillock triumph. The Courtenay nine delivered a 12-hit offense which saw outfielder Bill McKee lead the way with a double and two singles.
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
McGuire (L) and D. Kendrick
(July 1) Steady mound work in a relief role by “Buster” McNeil enabled the Courtenay Circle F’s to turn in an 8 to 6 victory over Twigg Island Dairy, a Vancouver Commercial League team, at Lewis Park. McNeil came on in relief of Circle F starter Hank Guidolin in the third stanza and, although greeted abruptly by the Dairymen in that frame, settled down for the major portion of the remaining innings. The Circle F’s outhit the youthful Vancouverites, guided by veteran “Peggy” Duff, by an 11 to 10 margin. Sam and Pete Telosky both had a double and a single for the winners while Twigg Island outfielder Joe Naples smashed a pair of triples.
Peterson (L) and Duff
Guidolin, McNeil (W) (3) and A. Telosky
(July 10) The Courtenay Circle F’s stretched their current winning streak to ten straight games when they took an easy encounter from the Port Alberni Waterfronts at Lewis Park 11 to 3. Courtenay was never in danger after the second inning when they grabbed a seven-run lead. “Buster” McNeil cruised to the knoll triumph, surrendering six safeties while ringing up an equal number of strikeouts. Pete Telosky was the big sticker for the victors, collecting three hits, one of them being a long three-bagger. Teammate Bill McKee followed with a triple and single. Hot corner custodian V. Kendrick was the top swatter for the Waterfronts, drilling a double and single.
McGuire (L) and D. Kendrick
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
(July 17) Keeping their winning streak intact, the Courtenay Circle F’s pulled off a double-win at Chemainus, clobbering the Athletics of the District League 14 to 5 and then continuing their heavy hitting with a 13 to 6 mauling of the Longshoremen. Home runs by Pete Hawryluk, Bill McKee and Chuck Morgan sparked the invaders in the opening skirmish. Hawryluk also added a pair of singles to his offensive output while McKee’s total of swats included a one-bagger with his dinger. Teammate Sam Telosky contributed a brace of doubles. R. Gore of the A’s was best with the willow for the Chemainus nine, stroking three singles.
Guidolin (W) and A. Telosky
Berkey, (L), Gore (4), Work (6) and W. Hagg
The Circle F’s had a huge second inning in the nightcap when, aided by six Longshoremen errors, they delivered five base hits which produced eleven runs. In the fourth round, Bill McKee connected for his second round-tripper of the day. Courtenay’s “Buster” McNeil pitched a five-hitter to earn the mound decision and experienced only one bad inning, the third, when he yielded three singles which, combined with a trio of fielding miscues, allowed a quartet of Stevedores to cross the plate. McKee ripped a pair of singles in addition to his tater while shortpatcher Pete Hawryluk slapped out a triad of one-baggers.
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
H. Jackson (L), W. Jackson (3) and Somerville
(July 31) The lengthy winning streak of the Courtenay Circle F’s was finally ended at Lewis Park by the Victoria Eagles who edged past the hosts 5 to 4 in the abbreviated nightcap of an exhibition twin-bill, showing a complete reversal of form from the afternoon game when they were routed 20 to 0 by the Courtenayites. Lloyd Cann, picked up by the Eagles from the Victoria Club squad of the Capital City circuit, was battered around unmercifully in the initial frame of the curtain-raiser as the Circle F’s jumped into an 8 to 0 lead. Courtenay’s “Buster McNeil, on the other hand, was in superb form on the hillock as he limited the Birdmen to just two singles and rang up nine strikeouts in posting the whitewash win. Speedy shortstop Pete Hawryluk provided McNeil with all the offense he would need by nailing a brace of home runs to go along with a one-bagger. Sam Telosky also had three safeties for the victors, all singles.
Cann (L), Torroville (5) and Bridgewood
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
Overconfidence was probably a factor in the downfall of the Circle F’s in the seven-inning wrap-up fixture. The Eagles caught the hosting nine napping and jumped into a 5 to 0 lead after three innings. After the uprising had sent starter and loser Hank Guidolin to the showers, Bill McKee came to the rescue and shut the door on the Feathered Tribe for the remainder of the game. The Courtenay baseballers made a desperate attempt to tie things up but fell one run short as Victoria pitcher Stan Davies, except for the sixth inning, had the game well under control, finishing with a six-hitter. Middle infielders Barney Barnswell and Jack Blake led the Victorians’ 15–hit offense with three singles each.
Davies (W) and Cosier
Guidolin (L), McKee (3) and P. Telosky
(August 14) The Courtenay Circle F’s were outhit and outplayed in all departments of the game by the Twilight League All-Stars in an exhibition match at Lewis Park but managed to sneak through with a 9 to 8 victory. Lack of control by All-Stars’ pitcher Timmy Tobacco and a costly error by third baseman Shig Kiyono in the seventh inning gave the Courtenayites their marginal victory. Tobacco, who issued seven free passes in the 6-2/3 innings he worked, had a two-run margin in his favor as he went to the mound in that fateful frame. After Kiyono’s two-out, bases-loaded fielding miscue which allowed a run to score and narrow the gap to one, Circle F catcher Andy Telosky drove in what proved to be the tying and winning tallies with a two-bagger. Ty Conti of the Twilighters was the big man with the stick in this fracas, cuffing four safeties including a triple. His teammate, outfielder McKay, ripped three singles. For the victors, Telosky had another two-bagger in addition to his crucial seventh-canto blow. Sidekicks Don Marshall and fly chaser Thomson both clipped the horsehide for a triple and single.
Tobacco (L), Davis (7) and Conti
McKee, McNeil (W) (7) and P. Telosky, A. Telosky
(August 17) The Courtenay Circle F’s took the measure of the touring African Zulu Giants 3 to 2 in an exciting 12-inning exhibition fixture before a large crowd at Lewis Park. “Buster” McNeil, on the rubber for the Circle F’s pitched a great game, limiting the grass-skirted barnstormers to five scattered hits while fanning a dozen. Lorne Kerr scored the winning tally in the bottom of the third session of overtime after reaching base with a pinch-hit single. Courtenay keystone sacker Chuck Morgan was the only batter from either team to notch more than one safety, singling twice.
Knucredi (L) and Rosto, Grace
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
(August 28) A home run by leadoff hitter Sam Telosky in the top of the opening panel set the tone for the remainder of the exhibition game at Powell River in which the invading Courtenay Circle F’s crushed their hosts 22 to 8. Of the 24 hits garnered by the visitors, 11 went for extra bases. The Papertowners started off well, getting to Hank Guidolin for a quartet of counters in their first turn at bat but, after that, it was a walkaway for the Courtenayites. Aside from his leadoff circuit-jack, Telosky managed to amass three more hits, one of which was a double. Brother Pete Telosky also collected four safeties including a double and triple. Not far behind was outfielder Bill McKee who creamed the orb for a brace of three-baggers plus a single. Catcher Norm Hill was the the top hickory hacker for Powell River, spanking the sphere for a triple and two singles.
Guidolin (W), McNeil and A. Telosky
Lidberg (L), Dore and Hill
(September 15) The Courtenay Circle F’s wound up a very successful season at Lewis Park by taking the Chemainus All-Stars into camp in a pair of seven-inning exhibition tussles, shutting them out 4 to 0 in the early clash and then, coming from behind, staging a sixth-inning rally to win out 8 to 5 in the late skirmish. “Buster” McNeil pitched both games for the Circle F’s, earning a twin hillock triumph. In the opening fracas, McNeil whiffed ten while limiting the Chemainus nine to just three hits, two of these base raps coming in the final inning. His mates collected nine safeties off losing twirler Jack Naylor as Chuck Morgan led the way with a triple and single. Shortstop Pete Hawryluk followed with a brace of one-baggers.
Naylor (L) and Somerville
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky
Not as dominant in the evening fixture as his mates provided ragged defensive support, McNeil still made a tough battle of it, fanning seven, and helped to win his own game by punching out a long three-bagger in the sixth round to drive the tying counter across the plate. Second baseman Chuck Morgan then came through with his second triple of the game, and his third of the day, to drive in the winner and extend the uprising. The Chemainus pastimers outswatted the visitors 11 to 7 in this final game of the campaign. Morgan had a single to go along with his pair of three-baggers while first baseman Hally Dixon ripped a brace of singles. Outfielder E. Jackson clubbed a double and single for the vanquished nine.
W. Jackson (L), Berkey and Somerville, W. Jackson
McNeil (W) and A. Telosky, P. Telosky
CHEMAINUS & DISTRICT LEAGUE
The 1938 Chemainus & District League encompassed four local squads plus a fifth entry from Duncan. This loop abounded with sibling combinations, in particular players bearing the surname Jackson which made it difficult to determine one from another. League games were scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (doubleheaders) although the occasional Sunday was devoted to inter-city exhibition games involving an all-star aggregation from the loop.
REGULAR SEASON
(May 8) Athletics vs Longshoremen
Green Lantern vs Nippons
(June 14) Green Lantern 14, Nippons 13
(June 16) Nippons 3, Athletics 2
WP – Kawaguchi LP – Gore
Standings W L Pct.
Longshoremen 7 2 .778
Green Lantern Hotel 6 3 .667
Athletics 6 4 .600
Duncan Texaco 2 6 .250
Nippons 2 8 .200
(June 19) Green Lantern 2, Longshoremen 1
Naylor (W) and E. Jackson
Berkey, Haley Jackson (L) (6) and Somerville
(June 19) Nippons 5, Duncan Texaco 0
Okada (W) and Higashi
J. Gailus (L), Smythe and Erickson, Smith
(June 21) Athletics vs Duncan Texacos
(June 23) Green Lantern 5, Longshoremen 4
Work (W) and E. Jackson
W.(Bill) Jackson, Berkey (L) (3) and Somerville
W. Jackson (Green Lantern) – 3-run home run
(June 26) Longshoremen 5, Nippons 2
H. Jackson (W) and W. Jackson
Kawaguchi (L), H. Okada and Izumi
(June 26) Green Lantern 10, Duncan Texaco 2
Shillito (W) and E. Jackson
E. Pratt (L), Smythe and B. Pratt
(June 28) Longshoremen 2, Duncan Texaco 3
Berkey (L) and Somerville, W. Jackson
P. Bruce (W) and B. Pratt
P. Bruce (Duncan) – home run
Dan Wyllie (Longshoremen) – two-run double
(July 7) Nippons 7, Duncan Texacos 6
Gailus (L) and Strougler
H. Okada (W) and T. Higashi
PLAYOFFS
SEMI-FINALS (best-of-three series)
Athletics vs Green Lantern Hotel
(August 7) The Green Lantern Hotel nine are one game up in their semi-final clash with the third-place Chemainus Athletics as a result of their opening game 12 to 8 conquest of the A’s. The Hotelmen, who finished in second-place behind the pennant-winning Longshoremen during the regular campaign, pushed across nine runs in their first three turns at bat to take control of things and take the opener in the best-of-three series. Jack Naylor yielded eight hits and fanned seven in going the distance on the rubber for the win.
Naylor (W) and E. Jackson
Clarke (L), L. Jackson (2) and W. Hagg
(August 10) The Chemainus Athletics plated eight runs in the third inning to swamp the Green Lantern Hotel 12 to 7 and tie up their semi-final series at a game apiece. Starter Ralph Gore picked up the knoll decision for the A’s, besting Cy Shillito, the Green Lantern opening tosser, who was driven to the showers in the fateful third. The Athletics hammered out 15 safeties, seven more than the Hotelmen.
Gore (W), L. Jackson (6) and W. Hagg
Shillito (L), McGladery (3) and E. Jackson
(August 12) Playing smart ball behind the two-hit pitching of southpaw Jack Naylor, the Green Lantern Hotel blanked the Chemainus Athletics 5 to 0 in the third and final game of the preliminary round of playoffs to advance to the finals of the Chemainus Baseball League. The Hotelmen pounded out ten safeties from the offerings of Ralph Gore, bunching their hits in the third and fifth panels when they did all their scoring. Both of the A’s hits were drilled by Bill Clarke, a double in the opening stanza and a single in the sixth round.
Gore (L) and W. Hagg
Naylor (W) and E. Jackson
FINALS (best-of-five series)
Green Lantern Hotel vs Longshoremen
(August 14) The Chemainus Longshoremen scored three times in the sixth canto to earn a 9 to 6 victory over the Green Lantern Hotel in playoff action. Both teams turned a pair of double plays with the Stevedores ending the game with a smart two-way killing by the Garner brothers, shortpatcher Joe to initial sacker Tom.
Work, Naylor (W) (1) and E. Jackson
Berkey, H. Jackson (W) (4) and Somerville
(August 18) One big inning, the third, when they touched home plate for all six of their runs, engineered the Chemainus Longshoremen to a 6 to 5 victory over the Green Lantern Hotel and a two games to none lead in the final series. Winning tosser Haley Jackson whiffed a dozen Hotelmen in spinning a five-hitter. Losing chucker A. "Babe" Work was touched up for eight safeties, four of them coming in the fateful third panel, a round in which his mates committed four bobbles.
H. Jackson (W) and Somerville
Work (L) and E. Jackson
(August 19) Bringing their heavy artillery into action in the final two frames, a fighting Green Lantern Hotel band of diamondeers staved off elimination by defeating the Chemainus Longshoremen 6 to 4 in the third game of their tussle for the league championship. In arrears by four runs, the Green Lantern nine pushed across a total of six counters in their last two turns at bat, a booming triple by Laidlaw driving in the the runs that got them back in the contest. Jack Naylor, on the hill for the victors, got off to a bad start but settled down and finished with a five-hitter, fanning nine along the way. Losing twirler Lowell “Shorty” Berkey was nicked for eight safeties while whiffing 14.
Naylor (W) and E. Jackson
Berkey (L) and Somerville
(August ?) Result of game 4, apparently won by the Chemainus Longshoremen, not found.
MID-ISLAND INTER-CITY & EXHIBITION GAMES
(May 29) Allowing invading Chemainus only a lone ninth-inning tally, southpaw Jack Naylor showed great form in pitching the Nanaimo All-Stars to a 6 to 1 decision over the visitors at Robins’ Park. The game was scoreless until the fifth canto when the hosts opened things up with a four-spot.
Cave (L), Milmore and E. Jackson
J. Naylor (W) and T. Naylor
(August 5) The touring African Zulu Giants blanked the Chemainus All-Stars 4 to 0 in an exhibition encounter which drew a record-breaking crowd.
Knucredi (W) and Gracia
Bruce (L), H.Jackson (6) and A. Telosky
NANAIMO SENIOR LEAGUE
Senior-level baseball was revived in Nanaimo for the 1938 season with the formation of a three-team district loop and an offshoot all-star squad of players from within that circuit for inter-city competition. The three entries in the Nanaimo association of teams were the Merchants and Miners from the city proper plus the small mining village of Harewood just a couple of miles south of the Hub City. A schedule consisting of two halves was approved for the neophyte league which saw the Merchants cop first-half honors. An earlier planned second-half did not materialize, however.
The Nanaimo all-star aggregation, augmented occasionally with outside reinforcements, duked it out from time-to-time in weekend skirmishes against opposition from Chemainus, Port Alberni and Victoria as well as engaging in a pair of late-season exhibition matches with the touring African Zulu Giants.
Teams in the 1938 Nanaimo & District Baseball League
Harewood
Nanaimo Merchants
Nanaimo Miners
(May 22) In the opening game of the rejuvenated Nanaimo baseball loop, the Miners trounced the Merchants 10-3 Sunday at Robins Park. A seven-run first inning for the Miners set the stage for the easy win. J. Moretti was the winning hurler.
J. Moretti (W) and Naylor
E. Moretti (L) and Manson
(May 26) Nanaimo Merchants crushed Harewood 16-7 Thursday at Robins Park.
J.Moretti (W) and Naylor
Nichol (L) and Manson
(June 2) Harewood chalked up an 8-4 victory over the Nanaimo Miners Thursday. Nichol pitched for the winners
Nichol (W) and Manson
Wilson (L) and Naylor
(June 14) Nanaimo Miners almost blew an 9-1, eighth inning lead Thursday at Robins' Park before settling down to edge Harewood 9-8. Harewood sent 11 batters to the plate in the ninth to score seven times.
Wilson (W) and Naylor
Nichol (L) and Ballance
(June 21) Nanaimo Merchants handed the Miners a seven run lead in the second inning before roaring back to notch a 10-9 victory Tuesday evening. A three-run seventh inning for the Merchants provided the margin of victory.
E. Moretti (W) and T.Naylor
A.Wilson (L) and T.Shaw
(June 28) A five-run fifth inning carried Harewood to an 11-8 win over the Nanaimo Merchants who had built an 8-4 lead after three innings of the seven inning contest.
Nichol, Moretti (W) and xxx
McVicar, Biggs and xxx
(July 12) Nanaimo Merchants downed Harewood 7-2 Tuesday to advance to the playoff for the first half championship against the Nanaimo Miners.
E.Moretti (W) and Naylor
Nichol (L) and Shaw
The Miners and Merchants tied for top spot in the first-half standings, setting up a best-of-three playoff series.
1938 Nanaimo & District Baseball League first-half playoffs
(best-of-three series) Nanaimo Miners vs Nanaimo Merchants
(July 21) Playing errorless ball behind the five-hit pitching of E. Moretti, the Nanaimo Merchants marked up the initial win in the first-half finals, defeating the Nanaimo Miners by a score of 4 to 3 at Robins Park. A. “Lefty” Wilson, hurling for the Miners, also surrendered five safeties but three errors by his mates helped to bring about his downfall. A two-run sixth inning, aided by three hits, an overthrow and a passed ball, broke a 2 – 2 tie and propelled the Merchants to the triumph.
E. Moretti (W) and T. Naylor
Wilson (L) and Shaw
(July 26) The Nanaimo Merchants won the first-half championship of the Nanaimo & District Baseball league when they edged the Nanaimo Miners 4 to 3 at Robins Park. It was the Merchants’ second straight victory. Biggs earned the mound decision over J. Moretti in the highly-contested skirmish.
J. Moretti (L) and Shaw
Biggs (W) and T. Naylor
Second-half play never got underway leaving the first-half winners, the Nanaimo Merchants, as overall de facto champions of the league for 1938.
Inter-City & Exhibition game results
(May 29) Allowing invading Chemainus only a lone ninth-inning tally, southpaw Jack Naylor showed great form in pitching the Nanaimo All-Stars to a 6 to 1 decision over the visitors at Robins’ Park. The game was scoreless until the fifth canto when the hosts opened things up with a four-spot.
Cave (L), Milmore and E. Jackson
J. Naylor (W) and T. Naylor
(June 5) The Nanaimo All-Stars chalked up their second win of the season when they defeated the visiting Port Alberni Kingsways of the Upper Island League 7 to 2. Portside flinger Jack Naylor limited the Alberni nine to four scattered base hits and struck out 15 in going the distance for the knoll triumph. The Hub City swatters rang up 13 base blows in recording the win.
Lowry (L), Gailus and Wylie
J. Naylor (W) and T. Naylor
(July 10) The Port Alberni Kingsways of the Upper Island circuit extracted revenge for their loss in Nanaimo in early June when, playing on their home turf, they blasted the visiting Coal City nine 18 to 12 and 8 to 1 in exhibition doubleheader action. The Port team racked up 20 base blows to 13 for Nanaimo in the high-artillery opening affair. George Porteous stroked a two-run homer in a losing cause.
J. Naylor (L), W. Clarke (4), Nestman (7) and T. Naylor
Lowry (W), Patterson and Wylie
In the finale, the Kingsways started right in where they left off in the first game and jumped into a 3 to 0 first-inning lead. Two chuckers split the pitching duties for the Kingsways with Phil Houbregs getting credit for the win. Wylie drilled a two-run four-bagger for the winners.
J. Naylor (L) and T. Naylor
Houbregs (W), Wylie (4) and Wylie, Mitchell
(July 24) Visiting Nanaimo for a two-game exhibition set, the Victoria Club pastimers of the Victoria Baseball Association, reinforced with a few pickups from other Capital City teams, dropped a 4 to 3 decision to begin things and then played to a 12 – 12 tie with their hosts from the Coal City in the late match. The teams were tied 3 – 3 entering the bottom-of-the-ninth frame of the opener when Nanaimo catcher Tom “Toss” Naylor led off with a single, moved to second on a walk to Ed Davis and scored the walkoff winner on an infield error by Victoria shortstop “Barney” Barnswell. Both teams clipped the orb for seven safeties. Winning chucker Jack Naylor rang up ten punchouts in going the route.
Rowe (L) and Kinnear
J. Naylor (W) and T. Naylor
The second-game slugfest produced 30 base blows, 17 off the bats of Nanaimo players. Eleven members from the Nanaimo squad got into the game and ten of them had at least one base rap. Leading swatter in the contest was catcher Ray George of the Victorians who stung the sphere for four safeties.
Restell, R. Maitland, Walker and George
Davies, Wilson and T. Naylor
(July 31) The visiting Port Alberni Longshoremen of the Upper Island Baseball League took both ends of an exhibition doubleheader from the Nanaimo All-Stars, capturing the matinée tilt with ease by a 13 to 3 count before being pressed in a second-game, 12-inning thriller in which they squeaked out a narrow 2 to 1 win.
The Stevedores ran roughshod over losing twirler Jack Naylor and his fielding-challenged mates in the curtain-raiser, banging out 15 base blows. Eight errors by Nanaimo made things even easier for the Port aggregation. Winning flinger Jimmy Proudlove went the distance, surrendering eight hits, three of which were garnered by All-Star second baseman T. Shaw. Outfielder Paul led the Waterfronts at the dish, stinging the pill for a triad of safe swats.
Proudlove (W) and Rooney
J. Naylor (L) and T. Naylor
Playing flawlessly afield behind the nine-hit pitching of McGuire in the late encounter, the Waterfronts broke a 1 – 1 tie in the top of the third round of overtime to triumph. Up until the fateful twelfth, the Hub City Gang had also played errorless ball but, in that frame, two middle-infield mistakes nullified a steady pitching performance by losing flinger Paul and allowed the Alberni nine to grab the lead. Outfielder Fraser had three base raps for the victors while Nanaimo’s Ed Davis and fly chaser Rafter also connected for a trio of bingles with two of Davis’ knocks and one of Rafter’s being two-baggers.
McGuire (W) and Wylie
Bruce (L) and T. Naylor
(August 6) The Nanaimo senior baseball team, augmented by four players from the Courtenay Circle F’s of the Upper Island circuit, went down to a 4 to 1 defeat at the hands of the African Zulu Giants in an exhibition encounter in the Coal City. A complete Courtenay battery of “Buster” McNeil and Andy Telosky plus second baseman Chuck Morgan and shortstop Pete Hawryluk bolstered the mid-island team but were not enough to spur them on to victory. The grass-skirted comedians collected 11 hits while the hosts were only able to gather five safeties.
Dea (W) and Gracia
McNeil (L) and A. Telosky
(August 21) The African Zulu Giants doubled the Nanaimo All-Stars 6 to 3 in the final exhibition tilt of the season. Winning pitcher Lulu tossed a six-hitter, fanned five and was the leading hitter in the contest, going three-for-four at the platter.
Lulu (W) and Maccam
Okada (L), Hodges and T. Naylor