1938 Northern Baseball League
This newly formed circuit, comprising teams from Aberdeen, Prince Albert, Rosthern and Saskatoon, was consistently referred to as the Northern League in 1938 with no reference whatsoever to the province of Saskatchewan.
(May 19) The Saskatoon Maroons barely worked up a sweat as they chalked up an easy 11 to 1 victory over the Rosthern Wheat Kings in the first-ever Northern Baseball League tilt. The Cairns Field feature was called because of darkness after the Wheaties had taken their turn batting in the eighth inning. Rosthern had only one really bad inning, the second, but it was sufficient to give the Maroons all the runs they needed for the victory. The Hub City pitching tandem of winner Orlando Jantz and reliever “Ace” Corbin limited the visitors to four hits while the Saskatonians roughed up loser Maurice Duffy and fireman Kinky Dehmke for 12 base blows. Gar Parsons led the Maroons' batting parade with two doubles and a single while teammate Pete McCready punched out a two-bagger and a single.
M. Duffy (L), K. Dehmke (2) and J. Duffy
Jantz (W), Corbin (5) and Toombs
(May 26) The Rosthern Wheat Kings evened their season record at a win and a loss by recording a 12 to 9 win over the Aberdeen aggregation. The homestanding Wheat Kings bombarded a pair of Aberdeen chuckers for 17 base hits. Leading the way with three blows each were Hoffman, Maurice Duffy and P. Dueck. One of Hoffman’s raps was a triple while a double was included in Duffy’s total. “Rusty” Jackson singled three times for the losers. First baseman Eugene Hamm slammed a home run for Rosthern and teammate Johancsik picked up a pair of triples.
Rittinger (L), D. Jackson (5) and Bamford
Peters, M. Duffy (W) (5), W. Fast (7) and Dueck, J. Duffy (5)
(May 26) The Saskatoon Maroons marked up their second victory in as many starts in the Northern Baseball League when they squeezed through with a narrow 5 to 4 decision in eight innings over the Prince Albert Bohemians. Most of the excitement in the Cairns Field game came in the eighth inning when the visitors had the tying and lead runners on base. Prince Albert out hit the Maroons 10 to 7 but their willingness to gamble for stolen bases cost them a possible four runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Eddie Major’s first-inning two-run triple got the Maroons off and running. By the end of the third frame, they had a 5 to 0 lead which began to evaporate as the Bohs steadily crept back into the game. Prince Albert second sacker Gordie Robbins led all swatters with three singles. His teammate, “Lefty” Logue, smashed a pair of doubles.
Kowalski (L) and Zwack
Corbin (W), Parsons (8), Booker (8) and Toombs
(May 27) The Prince Albert Bohemians and Saskatoon Maroons played a scoreless but thrilling nine-inning Northern League baseball fixture in Prince Albert, highlighted by the 16 strikeouts accumulated by Boh chucker Teddy Dahl in his two-hit mound performance. “Sliver” Jantz on the hill for the visitors, turned in another fine performance, allowing but six scattered hits while recording six strikeouts. The 0 – 0 stalemate treated the fans to a fine exhibition of baseball. Only Mike Dubyk, with a triple and single, was able to get to Dahl for any offensive production. Andy Zwack with a double and single and Gordie Robbins with a brace of one-baggers led the Brewery Boys at the dish.
Jantz and Dubyk
Dahl and Zwack
(June 1) Aberdeen’s Northern League nine lost their home opener 10 to 6 to the visiting Prince Albert Bohemians. Sid Craddock’s long home run with two runners on the paths started the Bohs on their way to victory in the sixth inning. When that frame was completed, Prince Albert was on top on the long end of a 9 to 3 score. Gord Fowlie got the complete game mound win over Aberdeen starter “Rusty” Jackson. Gord Robbins, Tom Coughlin, Andy Zwack and “Lefty” Logue all singled twice for the winners. D. Wilkinson tripled and singled for the losers while his mate Eugene Hamm picked up a double and a one-bagger.
Fowlie (W) and Zwack
R. Jackson, D. Jackson (L) (2) and Bamford
(June 2) The Saskatoon Maroons continued their winning ways by posting a 4 to 1 decision over the Aberdeen baseballers at Cairns Field. Winning tosser Percy Booker held the visitors to two hits in his 7 2/3 of mound work. The Maroons clicked for 9 base raps off loser Johnny MacKay. Bobby Stark poked a triple and single for the victors while “Bud” Williamson contributed a double plus a single.
MacKay (L) and Bamford
Corbin, Booker (W) (2) and Toombs
(June 3) The Rosthern Wheat Kings tallied an eighth-inning marker to edge the Prince Albert Bohemians 4 to 3 at Bohemian Park. The game had been knotted at 3 – 3 since the third frame. Winning pitcher “Kinky” Dehmke kept the homesters off the scoreboard for the final six innings of this tight game. The Wheaties had a 9 to 6 edge in base hits. Shortstop Johnny Boden of the Brew Crew, with a double and single, was the game’s top hitter.
K. Dehmke (W) and J. Duffy
Logue (L) and Zwack
(June 4) The Rosthern Wheat Kings moved into a tie for top spot in the Northern Baseball League after turning back the Saskatoon Maroons 10 to 9. Both teams now sport a record of three wins against a single loss. It was a thrilling win for the Wheat Kings who came back strong in the final stanza to plate five runs after they had been on the short end of a 9 to 5 count. The game also boasted an unusual free-for-all after winning chucker Maurice Duffy was spiked when retiring a runner at third base. Duffy struck out 13 and walked one while issuing 12 hits. Losing flinger Orlando Jantz was nicked for nine base blows, two of which were circuit clouts, one each by Duffy and Del Peters.
Jantz (L) and xxx
M. Duffy (W) and xxx
(June 6) Aberdeen picked up its first victory in the Northern Baseball League by rallying for three runs in the ninth inning on their home turf to nip the Rosthern Wheat Kings 6 to 5. The Wheaties had forged ahead in the top of the frame by scoring a pair. Hits by Eugene Hamm, August Nowasad and Bill Huckaby were responsible for the Aberdeen runs in the last inning.
W. Fast (L), M. Duffy (9) and J. Duffy
R. Jackson (W) and Bamford
(June 6) The Prince Albert Bohemians moved right back into contention in the Northern Baseball League by hanging a 9 to 3 defeat on the Rosthern Wheat Kings. Poor defensive work on the part of the Wheaties contributed greatly to the easy Prince Albert win. Teddy Dahl fanned eight while surrendering nine hits in taking the hill triumph. Batterymate Andy Zwack and third baseman Sid Craddock provided offensive support for Dahl with a triple and single each, the same output generated by Maurice Duffy of the losers.
Dahl (W) and Zwack
K. Dehmke (L), M. Duffy and J. Duffy
(June 8) Playing in Aberdeen, the Saskatoon Maroons increased their lead in the Northern Baseball League when they hammered out a 10 to 2 victory over the Aberdonians. With long Percy Booker limiting the home club to six hits while striking out 18 batters, the Maroons took kindly to the offerings of Johnny MacKay to collect a total of 17 base blows. Both the Aberdeen runs came as a result of bases-empty homers, one by Wally Bamford in the first inning and the other, a seventh-inning clout by August Nowasad. Mike Dubyk paced the visitors with the stick, clubbing a brace of doubles and a single. Pete McCready followed with a trio of one-baggers.
Booker (W) and Toombs
Mackay (L) and Bamford
(June 14) The Prince Albert Bohemians and Aberdeen failed to reach a decision in their Northern Baseball League fixture when they played to a 2 – 2 draw. The Bohs had a 7 to 5 advantage in base hits during the 10-inning tussle which had to be terminated because of darkness. The teams scored both their runs in a single inning. August Nowasad singled in both Aberdeen counters in the sixth inning. Seventh inning singles by Prince Albert’s Tommy Coughlin and Gord Fowlie drove in the Boh’s markers. Prince Albert’s Stan Kowalski struck out 12 batters while his mound opponent, Wally Bamford, whiffed seven. Shortstop Johnny Boden of the Bohs had a double and single to head the hitting department.
Bamford and Campbell
Kowalski and Zwack
(June 14) Through the generosity of the Rosthern Wheat Kings, the Saskatoon Maroons chalked up another home victory and improved their position atop the Northern Baseball League standings when they outscored the Wheaties 9 to 6. Eight errors, which accounted for seven Maroon runs, were the main reason for the downfall of the visitors who out hit the home club to the tune of 8 to 5. Southpaw Bill Fast struck out five for Rosthern in going the route. Orlando “Sliver” Jantz, on the mound for the Maroons, was frequently in trouble but had the necessary survival skills to stem the tide and record the win. First baseman “Kinky” Dehmke of the Wheat Kings had a double and single, the best production of any hitter on either squad.
B. Fast (L)and Johancsik
Jantz (W) and Dubyk
(June 16) After booting the ball around during their last three games, the Rosthern Wheat Kings came to life and took a well-earned 6 to 4 decision from Aberdeen. Wheat King starter, Bill Fast, retired from the game after pitching to the leadoff hitter in the top of the first. His replacement, “Kinky” Dehmke, was never in trouble until the ninth when loose play got him into a jam after two were out. Rosthern accumulated 11 base hits in claiming the triumph. Bill Dehmke picked up a double and a one-bagger in topping the lumbermen.
R. Jackson (L), Mackay (7) and Campbell
B. Fast, K. Dehmke (W) (1) and Johancsik
(June 16) The Prince Albert Bohemians scored the first shutout victory of the season and handed the league-leading Saskatoon Maroons their first home defeat when they blanked the local nine 3 to 0 at Cairns Field. Effective pitching in the pinches by young Teddy Dahl, coupled with slick fielding by his mates, gave the visitors their margin of victory. The Maroons nicked Dahl for eight hits, three more than Prince Albert collected off Orlando Jantz. But Dahl struck out nine, did not walk a single batter and had only one error behind him while the Saskatoon club was charged with five miscues. Sid Craddock scored a second-inning run for the Bohs when he tripled and raced home after the relay from the outfield got past third base. Andy Zwack’s two-run three-bagger in the third brought in the other Boh counters. Gar Parsons of the Maroons registered a double and a single in a losing cause.
Dahl (W) and Zwack
Jantz (L) and Dubyk, Toombs (8)
(June 18) The Rosthern Wheat Kings climbed within a half-game of the league-leading Saskatoon Maroons when they hammered out a 14 to 3 victory over the Saskatonians at Rosthern. Going into the last half of the sixth inning on the short end of a 3 to 2 score, the Wheat Kings opened up on the Maroons and, before the session was finished, hung up 12 runs on the scoreboard.
Booker (L), Crawford (6), Major (6), McCready (6) and xxx
K. Dehmke (W) and xxx
(June 21) Behind the two-hit pitching of Percy Booker, the Saskatoon Maroons consolidated themselves at the top of the Northern Baseball League when they shut out the Prince Albert Bohemians 10 to 0. The Maroons picked up ten hits off two Bohemian hurlers in taking the one-sided contest. Saskatoon outfielders Bobby Stark and Pete McCready were the heavy hitters of the game. Stark belted a two-run homer to go along with a pair of singles while McCready drilled a double plus a brace of one-baggers.
Booker (W) and Toombs
Fowlie (L), Dahl (4) and Zwack
(June 21) The Rosthern Wheat Kings climbed back into second place in the Northern Baseball League standings when they scored a 5 to 2 victory over Aberdeen. Johancsik, with double and two singles, and Hoffman, with a double and single, were the leading hitters for the winners. Dawson Jackson was the only Aberdonian to secure more than one hit off the Rosthern chuckers.
Friesen, Padavell (W) (2) and Johancsik
R. Jackson, Bamford (L) (1) and Bamford, Campbell
(June 23) The cellar-dwelling Aberdeen team upset the top-dog Saskatoon Maroons 3 to 1 in Northern Baseball League play at Cairns Field. Wally Bamford and Johnny MacKay combined their mound talents to give the visitors their victory. The tandem surrendered eight hits. Bamford allowed the Maroons their only run, a second-inning tally. “Ace” Corbin pitched for the Maroons and had only one bad inning, the sixth, when Aberdeen connected for all three of their hits and runs. Corbin also struck out 11 Aberdeen batters in absorbing the three-hit loss. The Saskatonians threatened to tie the score in the ninth when, with two out, Oak Toombs cracked out his third single of the night and “Buck”Crawford doubled to put the tying runs on the sacks. Corbin, however grounded out to first to end the game.
Bamford, MacKay (W) (3) and Campbell
Corbin (L) and Toombs
Northern Baseball League standings W L Pct
Saskatoon Maroons 6 4 .600
Rosthern Wheat Kings 6 4 .600
Prince Albert Bohemians 3 3 .500
Aberdeen 2 6 .250
(June 24) The Prince Albert Bohemians jumped back into contention for the leadership of the Northern League when they soundly trounced the Rosthern Wheat Kings 11 to 1 at Bohemian Park. Prince Albert moundsman, Teddy Dahl, gave up 11 hits yet still managed to maintain control of the game as he was able to bear down in the pinches. Dahl fanned seven and held the visitors scoreless until the ninth. “Kinky” Dehmke went the route for the Wheat Kings. He was touched for 13 hits and was in hot water almost every inning. Sid Craddock and Doug Lane were the heavy hitters of the evening for the winners with three base blows apiece. One of Craddock’s raps went for three bases. Bill Dehmke singled three times for the losers. Teammate Del Peters picked up a pair of doubles.
K. Dehmke (L) and Johancsik
Dahl (W) and Zwack
(June 27) Prince Albert climbed into first place in the Northern Baseball League standings for the first time this season when they defeated the lowly Aberdeen club 9 to 7 in Aberdeen. The Bohs held the upper hand in base hits with a 14 to 10 margin. Both teams were guilty of numerous errors and those committed by the Aberdonians were especially damaging. Sid Craddock and outfielder Adams had three hits each for Prince Albert off the slants of losing tosser Dawson Jackson. Aberdeen’s Ed Hamm reciprocated with a trio of base raps off winning twirler Stan Kowalski.
Kowalski (W) and Zwack
D. Jackson (L) and Campbell
(June 29) The Rosthern Wheat Kings improved their position in the Northern Baseball League by downing the Prince Albert Bohemians 4 to 1. Left-hander Bill Fast gave up seven hits in taking the mound victory. Prince Albert’s Teddy Dahl suffered his first loss of the season in yielding nine hits. Gord Fowlie of the Bohs topped all hitters with a triple and two singles. Bill Dehmke with a triple and single was Rosthern’s most productive swatter.
Dahl (L) and Zwack
B. Fast (W), K. Dehmke (9) and Johancsik
(July 2) The Saskatoon Maroons strengthened their position at the top of the Northern Baseball League standings when they defeated Aberdeen 6 to 3 at Aberdeen. The game was called after eight innings because of darkness. After loose defensive play by the home club enabled the Maroons to score four runs in the first inning, the game developed into a pitcher’s battle between “Sliver” Jantz and Dunc McKay. Jantz allowed eight hits while striking out 10 batters. McKay yielded seven hits and fanned six batters. Aberdeen’s Eugene Hamm was the game’s top hitter with a four-for-four performance.
Jantz (W) and Dubyk
McKay (L) and Bamford
(July 4) The Prince Albert Bohemians moved back into second spot in the Northern League with a 9 to 0 swamping of bottom-feeding Aberdeen. The Bohs pounded four Aberdeen chuckers for 15 safeties, including a triple and three doubles. Catcher Andy Zwack led the way with a double and two singles followed by winning pitcher Stan Kowalski and second baseman Adams who both had a double and a single.
Bamford (L), MacKay (4), E. Hamm (8), W. Huckaby and J. Hamm, Bamford (4)
Kowalski (W) and Zwack
(July 7) The Rosthern Wheat Kings won their eighth game of the season when they took down the hapless Aberdeen squad 6 to 4 in Rosthern. Winning tosser “Kinky” Dehmke allowed 10 scattered hits and whiffed 12 in going the distance. Catcher J. Cheveldayoff of the Wheat Kings picked up a double and single while fellow receiver Campbell of the Aberdonians came through with a triple and single.
Hunter (L), R. Jackson (6) and Campbell
K. Dehmke (W) and J. Cheveldayoff
(July 8) In a fine pitching display between Percy Booker and Stan Kowalski, the Saskatoon Maroons prevailed 6 to 1 over the Prince Albert Bohemians. Both hurlers were in fine form but the Maroons were able to bunch their six hits and, coupled with some loose defensive work on the part of the home club, turn in the victory. Booker surrendered five hits with no more than one per inning. He whiffed five while Kowalski fanned nine. Bobby Stark’s two-run triple sparked the Maroons to a 2 to 0 first-inning lead. Saskatoon second sacker Eddie Major was the game’s top swatter with a double and a single.
Booker (W) and Toombs
Kowalski (L) and Zwack
(July 9) Scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth frame on hits by the Cheveldayoff brothers, the Rosthern Wheat Kings climbed to within percentage points of the league-leading Saskatoon Maroons when they edged past Aberdeen 5 to 4 on the losing side’s home turf. Bill Fast pitched for the winners, limiting the home club to six hits while striking out nine. Wally Bamford, the Aberdeen moundsman, also set nine batters down on strikes while being nicked for eight hits. Catcher J. Cheveldayoff of the winners lit up Bamford for a double and single to lead all hitters.
B. Fast (W) and J. Cheveldayoff
Bamford (L) and Campbell
(July 11) Aberdeen lost its second Northern Baseball League game in three days by a one-run margin when the Prince Albert Bohemians came through with a 7 to 6 verdict in Aberdeen. Trailing throughout the game, the homesters came through in the last half of the ninth inning with a four-run rally that fell one run short of tying the score. The Jackson brothers shared the mound duties for the home club while “Lefty” Logue tossed an eight-hitter in going the distance for the Bohs, striking out 11 along the way.
Logue (W) and Zwack
R. Jackson (L), D. Jackson (2) and Bamford
Northern Baseball League standings W L Pct.
Saskatoon Maroons 8 4 .667
Rosthern Wheat Kings 9 5 .643
Prince Albert Bohemians 6 5 .545
Aberdeen 2 11 .214
(July 12) The Prince Albert Bohemians decimated the visiting Rosthern Wheat Kings 17 to 1 to move within a half game of the second-place Wheaties. Nine of the Bohemians’ 16 hits went for extra bases. Leading the onslaught offensively was Sid Craddock who blasted a round-tripper, two doubles and a single. Johnny Boden also had a circuit clout to go along with a triple while Doug Lane contributed Prince Albert’s third home run and added a double as well. Stan Kowalski struck out four and gave up six hits in recording the hill triumph.
B. Fast (L), B. Dehmke (4), E. Fast (6), K. Dehmke (7) and J. Cheveldayoff
Kowalski (W) and Zwack
(July 14) Rosthern’s chances of gaining one of the two playoff spots in the Northern baseball League received a rude jolt at Cairns Field as the Saskatoon Maroons tacked a 10 to 6 defeat on the Wheat Kings. Too many walks handed out by losing chucker “Kinky” Dehmke, coupled with timely hitting on the part of the Maroons, spelled defeat for the visitors. Winning tosser Percy Booker was also the leading hitter of the game with three singles.
K. Dehmke (L) and Johancsik
Booker (W) and Toombs
(July 19) The Prince Albert Bohemians defeated the Rosthern Wheat Kings 7 to 0 in a Northern League game played at Blaine Lake. The game started late on account of rain and ended after seven innings of play because of darkness. Stan Kowalski earned the shutout win, firing a four-hitter. His batterymate, Andy Zwack, smacked a triple, double and single in his support. Bohemian second baseman Adams kicked in with a triple and single.
Kowalski (W) and Zwack
Harper (L), K. Dehmke (4) and Johancsik
(July 21) The Prince Albert Bohemians climbed into first place in the Northern League standings for the first time this season when they defeated the Saskatoon Maroons 6 to 4 at Cairns Field. An eighth-inning defensive collapse cost Orlando Jantz and the Maroons the game. They made a valiant ninth-inning attempt at redeeming themselves, having the tying runs on base, but fell short when the visitors pulled off a double play to abruptly kill the rally. Saskatoon had a slight edge, 9 to 8, in base hits. “Lefty” Logue fanned eight Saskatonians in picking up the mound win. Andy Zwack’s three single output led the offensive production of the winners.
Logue (W) and Zwack
Jantz (L) and Toombs
Northern Baseball League standings W L Pct.
Prince Albert Bohemians 10 5 .667
Saskatoon Maroons 9 5 .643
Rosthern Wheat Kings 9 8 .563
Aberdeen 2 12 .143
(July 22) With their 7 to 3 victory over Aberdeen, the sizzling Prince Albert Bohemians clinched a berth in the finals of the Northern Baseball League. Steady pitching by winning chucker Teddy Dahl spearheaded the Bohs’ easy victory. Dahl limited Aberdeen to three scattered hits and had the game under control at all times. The winners bunched 11 hits off loser Dawson Jackson including three for extra bases. The game featured the robust offensive production of Prince Albert’s Andy Zwack and Sid Craddock who both lit up Jackson for a triple and a pair of singles.
D. Jackson (L) and Vandale
Dahl (W) and Zwack
(July 22) The Saskatoon Maroons kept pace with the top-dog Prince Albert Bohemians with a 14 to 5 pasting of the hometown Rosthern Wheat Kings. The loss for the Wheaties spoiled their chances of gaining a playoff berth in the Northern Baseball League finals and clinched one of the two top playoff spots for the Maroons. Percy Booker, with solid offensive support, gave up nine scattered hits and fanned 11 in cruising to the mound win. The Maroons’ 13-hit arsenal was led by catcher Oak Toombs who picked up four singles. Eddie Major was close on his heels with a trio of one-baggers. “Kinky” Dehmke paced the losers at the platter, connecting for a pair of doubles.
Booker (W) and Toombs
Harper (L) and Johancsik
(August 1) The Saskatoon Maroons defeated Aberdeen 5 to 0 in a previously postponed match held in Aberdeen. The victory gave the Maroons a share of first place with the Prince Albert Bohemians. No game details or batteries were reported.
xxx (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
Northern Baseball League standings W L Pct.
Prince Albert Bohemians 11 5 .688
Saskatoon Maroons 11 5 .688
Rosthern Wheat Kings 9 9 .500
Aberdeen 2 14 .125
(August 2) Playing their last home game of the 1938 Northern League schedule, the Saskatoon Maroons took over first place by virtue of an 8 to 2 pasting of the luckless Aberdeen nine. “Ace” Corbin toed the rubber for the Hub City nine, allowing five hits including three doubles and a triple. He was credited with six strikeouts while issuing one base on balls. Leading the offensive charge for the winners was Oakley Toombs with a home run and a double. Eddie Major followed with a brace of three-baggers. Losing pitcher Johnny MacKay proved to be the best hitter for the Aberdeen club, picking up two doubles.
MacKay (L), Bamford (4) and Campbell
Corbin (W) and Toombs
(August 5) Behind the solid relief pitching of Bill Vogeli, the Saskatoon Maroons defeated the Prince Albert Bohemians 3 to 2 at Bohemian Park to wrestle away top spot from the Bohs in the final standings. The visitors gained the right to home field advantage in the best-of-five final series. Strong resentment was expressed by Bohemian management when Saskatoon used four new players who were making their first appearance in the Northern League. Vogeli, one of those making their debut, hurled a steady game after replacing Percy Booker in the third inning and struck out 13 batters. Stan Kowalski turned in a fine performance for the Bohs in suffering the loss. He was touched for just five hits while fanning seven. Prince Albert’s Gord Fowlie was the only batter from either dugout to register two base hits.
Booker, Vogeli (W) (3) and Toombs
Kowalski (L) and Zwack
Final Northern League standings W L Pct.
Saskatoon Bohemians 13 5 .722
x-Prince Albert Bohemians 11 6 .647
Rosthern Wheat Kings 9 9 .500
x-Aberdeen 2 15 .118
x-the remaining tie game between Aberdeen and Prince Albert cancelled.
NORTHERN BASEBALL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
(August 10) Showing a tendency to come through with winning runs in the ninth inning, the Saskatoon Maroons and Prince Albert Bohemians broke even in the first two games of the Northern baseball League finals. The visitors won the matinee fixture 9 to 7 behind the pitching of Teddy Dahl and the Maroons came through in the evening to garner a 5 to 4 decision after a pitcher’s duel between “Lefty” Logue of the Bohs and Orlando “Sliver” Jantz of the Bridge City Boys. Prince Albert catcher Andy Zwack was the hero of the afternoon game. With the score tied at 7 – 7 going into the last frame, Zwack lifted one of Bill Vogeli’s pitches over the right field fence for a two-run homer. The Bohs lit Vogeli up for 14 base knocks as he went the route. Using an effective change-up, Dahl held the Maroons to eight hits, three off the bat of shortstop Garnet Parsons. He also fanned eight Saskatonians. Zwack had a single in addition to his round-tripper.
Dahl (W) and Zwack
Vogeli (L) and Toombs
With Prince Albert protecting a one-run lead going into the last half of the ninth in the second game, the Maroons came to life with a bang to pull the game out of the fire. Percy Booker’s two-run pinch-hit single drove in the tying and winning markers. Each team executed a pair of snappy double plays as pitchers Logue and Jantz battled on fairly even terms. Andy Zwack, with three hits, continued to lead the hitters for Prince Albert. Bobby Stark of the Maroons matched his output, drilling a trio of one-baggers.
Logue (L) and Zwack
Jantz (W) and Dubyk
(August 13) Winning both ends of a doubleheader from the Prince Albert Bohemians, the Saskatoon Maroons captured the Northern Baseball League title along with the right to proceed into the northern S.A.B.A. playdowns. The matinee game went 12 innings before the Maroons annexed a 5 to 1 victory. They also won the nightcap 4 to 2. Both chuckers, lanky Percy Booker of the Hub City gang, and Teddy Dahl of the Bohs hurled the entire 12 frames of the curtain-raiser in which the Maroons held a slight edge in base blows, 7 to 6. During the middle part of this opener, the pitchers were dominant as 34 batters were retired in order. The Saskatonians grouped five of their seven hits in the twelfth stanza which, coupled with two wild pitches, a passed ball, an error, a base on balls and a sacrifice, produced four runs. Dahl had 13 strikeouts to Booker’s eight.
Booker (W) and Dubyk
Dahl (L) and Zwack
The night fixture was as much of a hurling duel as the early game. Prince Albert starting pitcher Stan Kowalski was forced out of the game in the opening inning following an injury. “Lefty” Logue took over and was nicked for six of the eight Saskatoon hits. Bill Vogeli went the full nine innings for the winners, allowing eight hits and fanning 13 batters. The turning point of this game came in the eighth frame when Ian “Ace” Lowe blasted a two-run circuit-clout for the Maroons. Lowe had earlier singled twice for the winners. Andy Zwack once again was the major offensive weapon of the Bohs as he laced a triple and a single.
Vogeli (W) and Dubyk
Kowalski, Logue (L) (1), Dahl (9) and Zwack
1938 Northern S.A.B.A. finals
(August 20) The Saskatoon Maroons and Wilkie Outlaws broke even in the opening games of the Northern Saskatchewan senior baseball finals played at Cairns Field. The Outlaws carried off the honours 5 to 1 in the matinee event behind the steady pitching of young Reinie Kembel but the Maroons rebounded strong in the nightcap to pound out a 5 to 0 verdict fuelled by the three-hit pitching of Orlando “Sliver” Jantz. The Outlaws were strengthened by four pickups from the Neilburg club. Bill Vogeli hurled for the Maroons in the afternoon game as he gave up nine hits while whiffing six. Kembel limited Saskatoon to six scattered singles during which time he fanned eight. Pete Prediger’s heavy hitting featured this tussle as the fiery Outlaw catcher cracked out a home run plus a pair of triples. Gar Parsons singled twice for the losers.
Kembel (W) and Prediger
Vogeli (L) and Dubyk
Veteran Al Flohr took over mound duties for the Outlaws in the late game and, although always in trouble, held the Maroons scoreless for four innings. A two-run wild heave to second base by catcher Prediger in the fifth, started the Maroons on their way to victory. Winning pitcher Jantz turned in easily his best mound performance of the season as he whiffed five, did not issue a base on balls and gave up only three scratch singles, two of them to “Bud” Curry. Flohr rang up seven strikeouts while fashioning a nine-hitter. Mike Dubyk, Ian Lowe and catcher Tyler each collected a pair of hits off the Wilkie hurler.
Flohr (L) and Prediger
Jantz (W) and Tyler
(August 24) The Wilkie Outlaws and Saskatoon Maroons failed to decide the northern senior baseball championship as the Outlaws won the matinee game 18 to 8 but dropped the nightcap 7 to 5. Percy Booker started on the hill for the Maroons in the lid-lifter and, although he fanned ten batters, he was nicked for 11 of Wilkie’s 18 base blows, three of which were circuit-clouts. Second baseman Cam Hunter was his biggest nemesis as the Outlaw keystone sacker blasted a brace of round-trippers plus a double and wound up with ten runs driven in for the game. The other Wilkie four-bagger was notched in the fourth frame by Reinie Kembel. As well as this home run, Kembel also cracked out a triple and single. Al Flohr rang up 16 strikeouts in surviving a 15-hit Saskatoon offense. Ian “Ace” Lowe lit Flohr up for a pair of home runs.
Booker (L), Corbin (8) and Tyler
Flohr (W) and Prediger
The twilight session was a nip-and-tuck affair with the Maroons climbing into a first-inning lead on Mike Dubyk’s solo homer. The Outlaws forged ahead in the second but, after a couple of margin changes, lost the lead for good in the seventh when Saskatoon struck for four big counters. Wilkie held the edge in base hits garnered, collecting ten to Saskatoon’s seven, but was not as effective as the Maroons in bunching their base blows. Aside from his four-bagger, Dubyk also had a triple and single off the slants of loser Reinie Kembel to emerge as the winners’ top swatter. Wilkie’s Cam Hunter paced the losers’ attack against winner Bill Vogeli. The youthful second baseman pounded a triple and a double.
Vogeli (W) and Tyler
Kembel (L) and Prediger
(August 26) Forty one runs, 38 hits and 17 errors tell the tale of the final game of the 1938 northern S.A.B.A. championship series played at Exhibition Park in Wilkie. The homestanding Outlaws went on a rampage and copped the title with a 28 to 15 win over a weakened group of Saskatoon Maroons. Without the services of two of their three top pitchers, Bill Vogeli and Percy Booker, the Hub City nine had to endure a painful whipping with Orlando Jantz being the victim. In spite of taking a thrashing, Jantz had to stay on the hill and face a continued barrage for practically the entire game. Veteran Al Flohr replaced young Reinie Kembel on the rubber for Wilkie in the initial inning after the Maroons jumped all over Kembel for four counters. With the Outlaw offensive machine making mincemeat out of Jantz’ offerings, Flohr cruised to the win. Bud Curry had five hits for the winners, one of which was a home run. Third baseman Tom Besse was next in line with four hits. First sacker M. Ottem cracked out a three-run circuit-jack to go along with a pair of singles. For the Maroons, Mike Dubyk, Gar Parsons and “Buck” Crawford all hit safely three times.
Jantz (L), Corbin (7), Parsons (8) and Dubyk
Kembel, Flohr (W) (1) and Prediger
The one-sided fifth game victory gave the Wilkie team the right to play in the Saskatchewan finals against the southern champion Weyburn Beavers. As it was southern Saskatchewan’s turn to host the entire final series, the Outlaw management balked, hoping to arrange a home-and-home series instead. Their proposal being refused, the Wilkie club unbelievably walked away from the entire series, handing the provincial tiara to Weyburn.
Moose Mountain League
Arcola, Carlyle, Forget & Manor. Forget won the championship
Western League
Final Standings W L GBL
Springside 5 1 ---
Theodore 4 2 1
Willowbrook 2 4 3
Yorkton 1 5 4
Theodore defeated Willowbrook in the semi-final playoffs. Springside then won the best-of-three final series over Theodore two games to none with one game tied.
1938 Northeastern Saskatchewan League
Canora, Norquay, Pelly, Preeceville, Stenen, Sturgis
1938 NESBL playoff tournament
(July 20) Playoffs for the NESBL were partially completed at Norquay. The four teams involved in the 1938 playoff tournament were Pelly, Norquay, Stenen and Canora. Pelly defaulted to Canora and Stenen defeated Norquay 6 to 0 in semi-final action. The final game featuring Canora and Stenen was called because of rain in the fourth inning with no score.
(July 23) The postponed final of the 1938 NESBL playoff tournament was completed in Canora when the local club defeated Stenen 12 to 5 to capture the Morken trophy. Stenen, favoured to win the classic, took an early 5 to 0 lead. Tables were turned and, taking advantage of the breaks, Canora held the visitors scoreless for the remainder of the game while registering 12 runs.
Vic Bailey (L), Kukura and Reiben
Skywork (W) and Walter Ehrlich
1938 Border League
Playoffs
(September 5) Unable to reach an agreement with Estevan as to the number of innings a single umpire could work behind the plate during their scheduled sudden-death Border League playoff final, the Columbus ND team refused to take the field for anything other than an exhibition tilt so there was no 1938 champion declared.