SOUTHERN LEAGUE
A promising beginning in the spring of 1938 eventually gave way to a puzzling and disappointing ending, exposing the fragile condition of the Southern League.
A Regina team, the Senators, had joined three of the returning ball clubs from 1937, the Weyburn Beavers, Broadview Buffaloes and Notre Dame Hounds. The Moose Jaw franchise, which a year previous had been in a dysfunctional state, did not apply for re-entry so the loop began the season with four teams.
For the first three weeks of the campaign, the member teams were closely bunched, all playing reasonably well where any one team seemed capable of defeating any other. This caused some early excitement as the highly favored Broadview Buffaloes were right there with everyone else and had not seemed unbeatable. Once they hit their stride, however, and got to the front of the pack, the Buffs stellar play seemed to kill interest as they breezed far ahead of everyone else. Frankly speaking, the Broadview team was just too good for the rest of the league members, something which wasn't their fault. They packed them in wherever they played until the fans became accustomed to watching them win and commenced to stay away. The Buffs kept things humming at various tournaments and got the best of most of the touring clubs that came along. The net effect on the other Southern League teams was, stangely, that they just stopped playing scheduled games in late July, failing to meet league commitments. Naturally, without the gate revenue from these additional games, each club took a big financial hit.
The next bizarre situation that arose in the summer of 1938 was the South Saskatchewan senior baseball playoff picture. Only one team from the Southern League, last season's provincial champion Weyburn Beavers, made application to enter. The powerful Broadview squad, expecting much of the same treatment from the S.A.B.A. as in 1937, chose to pass on this option and, instead concentrate on more exhibition games. There seemed to be much apathy within the remainder of southern Saskatchewan as only one other senior team, the club from Liberty, had registered. As the days in August quickly evaporated, the two teams bickered over playing dates with no common ground being found. Finally, the S.A.B.A. had to step in and make a ruling, one which favored Weyburn's playing agenda, Once the Liberty aggregation informed the S.A.B.A. that they were unwilling to accept this decision, the Beavers were awarded the south Saskatchewan title by default. Since Weyburn had travelled north and spent close to a week in Saskatoon for the provincial final in 1937, the shoe was now on the other foot and the northern representative, the Wilkie Outlaws, were advised to make the trek southward for the north - south final series. Unbelievably, the Wilkie club declined to do so and, instead, walked away from the opportunity. So, without ever suiting up for a single playoff game, the Weyburn Beavers were handed the 1938 Saskatchewan senior baseball championship.
The following constitutes a condensation of the 1938 Southern League games that were played until the July 31 dissolution:
GAME REPORTS
(May 29) The 1938 Southern League got underway at Wilcox when the Weyburn Beavers split a doubleheader with the Notre Dame Hounds in a pair of hard-fought contests. In the first game, the Hounds won 5 to 4 and in the second encounter, the Beavers blanked the collegians 3 to 0.
Down 4 to 3 in the seventh inning of the opener, the Hounds loaded the bases and then scored a pair when Weyburn catcher Istrati threw wild to first base on a pickoff attempt. Both squads banged out seven safeties. Hot corner custodian, Tucker, of the Beavers led all batters with a trio of singles. Outfielder Scott of the Dogs came through with a brace of one-baggers.
L. Wilder (L) and Istrati
Young, Singleton (7) (W) and Brown
Ralph Hogg tossed a three-hit gem in the follow-up joust as the Beavers pounded out nine base hits, seven of them off loser Herb Singleton. Weyburn backstop Istratti slapped out three singles for the winners.
Hogg (W) and Istrati
Singleton (L), Reynoldson (6) and Brown
(June 1) Broadview's import-gilded Buffaloes got away flying in the Southern League race with a 7 to 5 victory over the Regina Senators before well over 1,000 fans. Broadview looked highly capable in every department. Their coloured pitcher George Alexander fanned 13 Reginans to earn the mound triumph. Alexander's batterymate, Lionel Decuir rapped out three hits, one for two bases. Another coloured import at first base, Sonny Harris, was the night's best slugger with a home run and double off loser Alex Rosnoski. Senators' catcher Dave Clayton picked up a two-bagger and single.
Alexander (W) and Decuir
Rosnoski (L) and Clayton
(June 1) The Weyburn Beavers and Notre Dame Hounds divided a Southern League twin-bill at the Exhibition grounds in Weyburn with Notre Dame taking the matinee event 6 to 3 and the Beavers capturing the twilight game by a score of 4 to 2.
The Hounds got out of the gate quickly in the afternoon affair, plating four runs off Les Wilder in their opening turn at bat. They never relinquished the lead that they had established as winning chucker Stan Young kept the Beavers from bunching their hits.
Young (W) and Brown
L. Wilder (L) and Istrati
Ralph Hogg earned the mound win in the follow-up game, tossing a five-hitter with six strikeouts. Herb Singleton relinquished only four safeties while fanning five but was saddled with the defeat.
Singleton (L) and Brown
Hogg (W) and Istrati
(June 4) The Regina Senators got some payback for their earlier setback in the Queen City when they came to Broadview and slipped by the home-standing Buffaloes 4 to 3. Regina's young chucker, Johnny Grossman, a home-grown product, made his mound debut in the Southern League and didn't disappoint. Besides twirling like a polished veteran, Grossman got things going offensively in the ninth frame when the score was deadlocked at 3 - 3. After singling, he swiped second and romped home with what proved to be the winning run as Murray Armstrong cracked out a two-bagger. Both Grossman and losing hurler Ramie gave up seven base hits. Mark Hanna and Jack Campbell collected two each for the Sens while "Red" Boguille of the Bisons also came through with a brace.
Grossman (W) and Clayton
Ramie (L) and Decuir
(June 5) In a three-team doubleheader staged in Wilcox, with both games featuring the Broadview Buffaloes, the Notre Dame Hounds prevailed 7 to 6 in the first contest while the Buffaloes gained a split in the day's proceedings by taking down the Weyburn Beavers 9 to 4 in the late encounter.
The Hounds staged an exciting ninth inning rally in the first game, overcoming a 6 to 1 deficit, as Bob Browns smashed a bases-loaded triple off reliever George Alexander to win it. The uphill battle for the Dogs gave Stan Young the pitching win. Sonny Harris touched Young up for a double and single while first sacker "Tub" Demers of the collegians registered a pair of singles.
Webb, Alexander (9) (L) and Decuir
Young (W) and Brown
It wasn't until the late innings of the finale that the Buffaloes recovered from the shock of their first-game loss. Held scoreless by Weyburn chucker Art "Lefty" Walter for six innings, the Bisons broke through for nine counters during a seventh and eighth inning batting spree to run away with the game. Broadview pitcher George Alexander evened his record for the day by earning the seven-hit victory with a ten strikeout performance. Both he and "Red" Boguille poked out a pair of singles for the winners. Ralph Hogg duplicated that output for the Dam Builders.
Alexander (W) and Decuir
Walter (L) and Istratti
(June 7) Weyburn's Beavers split a Regina doubleheader with the host Senators, edging by the Sens 4 to 3 in the initial contest but then suffering through a 14 to 5 blowout in the floodlight game.
Away flying in the first inning of the opener, the Beavers were never headed although the Senators did make it close with a last-inning comeback attempt and did manage to out-hit the Soo Line visitors 9 to 6. "Jersey" Campbell had a triple, double and single off the slants of winning tosser "Lefty" Walter. Teammate Mark Hanna of the Sens produced a double plus a pair of singles. Catcher Istrati of the Beavers topped the hitting chart for the visitors with three singles off loser Alex Rosnoski.
Walter (W) and Istrati
Rosnoski (L) and Clayton
The Senators responded quickly in the owl encounter, picking up a brace in their first at bat and turning the game into a route in the later innings. Rookie pitcher Les Cowley went the distance for the Reginans, fanning six to register his first win. Weyburn starter Ralph Hogg was stung with the defeat. Regina's Cliff Hogg started his brother's downfall by driving in the first four runs, one of them with his first inning triple. Hogg, Murray Armstrong and third sacker Hack Ferris all had three hits in the 16-hit Regina barrage. Les Wilder was Weyburn's best stickman, also registering a trio of raps.
Hogg (L), Thompson (6), Hogg (9) and Istrati
Cowley (W) and Clayton
(June 11) A Southern League double-dip in Broadview failed to improve the standing of either club as the host Buffaloes and the Regina Senators divided the spoils, the Regina outfit copping the matinee attraction 4 to 3 while the evening game was dominated by the homesters 22 to 3.
A new addition to the Senators' pitching staff, Gordon, held the Buffs to nine scattered hits as the Queen City visitors eked out the win in the first game. He also helped himself to two hits, including a double. "Red" Bougille, tagged with the loss, also did well at the plate, gathering three base knocks for the Buffs.
Gordon (W) and Clayton
Bougille (L) and Decuir
The Buffaloes unleashed a murderous attack on the Regina pitching in the second tussle, accumulating a total of 24 base blows. George Alexander, the coloured ace of the Buffs, had an easy time, striking out nine and while limiting the Sens to six well spaced hits. Lionel Decuir homered for the winners but shortstop Wilson of the Mainliners had an amazing game with the bat, drilling five base hits which included a triple and double. Third baseman Sheeran also had a field day at the dish, garnering a double and three singles.
Grossman (L), Rosnoski (3), Armstrong (4) and Clayton
Alexander (W) and Decuir
(June 12) The Notre Dame Hounds stayed atop the highly crowded Southern League ladder when they split a twin-bill with the Weyburn Beavers in Wilcox. The collegians dropped the ten-inning opening game 3 to 1 but made a strong comeback in the evening encounter to defeat the Soo Liners 4 to 2.
With the score tied 1 - 1 in the top of the tenth, winning tosser Ralph Hogg of the Beavers won his own game when he cracked out a long two-out triple to drive in a pair of counters. Hogg chalked up 14 strikeouts along the way, holding the Dogs to six scattered singles. Weyburn's Elmer Lach had a double and single in pacing all hitters
Hogg (W) and Istrati
Singleton (L) and Brown
The follow-up event was also a close one. The Hounds put on a smart display of bunting which helped them come away with the victory. Two portsiders, Weyburn's Art Walter and Stan Young of the collegians hooked up in this joust with Young emerging as the winner. Bob Browns, Notre Dame's peppery third baseman, had a perfect three for three game at the plate.
A. Walter (L) and Istrati
Young (W) and Brown
(June 14) The Regina Senators squeezed into a narrow lead atop the Southern League ladder as a result of their 8 to 5 win over the Notre Dame Hounds. The Reginans grabbed an early lead and weathered a late comeback attempt by the Dogs as "Rosy" Rosnoski got the pitching win over "Smokey" Reynoldson. Shortstop Murray Armstrong of the Senators had a triple and single while Notre Dame's Stan Young responded with a double and one-bagger.
Rosnoski (W) and Clayton
Reynoldson (L), Singleton (7) and Brown
(June 17) The Notre Dame Hounds tightened their grip on second place in the Southern League when they edged out the fighting Weyburn Beavers 4 to 3 in a closely fought encounter. John "Smokey" Reynoldson notched the pitching win for the Hounds by spinning a four-hitter. He also whiffed 13 batters, a feat equalled by losing chucker Art Walter. Reynoldson also won his own game when he drove in the tying and go-ahead markers with a seventh-inning double. "Tub" Demers of the collegians kicked in with a double and single.
Walter (L) and Istrati
Reynoldson (W) and Brown
(June 17) Slightly-built Les Cowley set Broadview's prized Buffaloes on their ears when he pitched the Regina Senators to a 3 to 1 win over the Mainliners at Park de Young. The victory consolidated Regina's slim lead atop the Southern League. Cowley worked hard for his second-straight Southern league triumph, holding the hard-hitting visitors to five hits and turning back their exciting ninth-inning comeback attempt that ended with the bases loaded. Harold Horeak, a Broadview product, led the Senators' batting attack, slamming a double plus a brace of singles.
Ramie (L) and Decuir
Cowley (W) and Clayton, Horeak (5), Rosnoski (6)
Southern League standings (as of end of June 17)
W L Pct.
Regina Senators 5 3 .625
Notre Dame Hounds 5 4 .556
Broadview Buffaloes 3 4 .429
Weyburn Beavers 4 6 .400
(July 18) The Broadview Buffaloes and Regina Senators battled to a 3 - 3 tie in nine innings of Southern League baseball in the Mainline town. Dick "Lefty" Webb turned in a fine mound job for the Bisons, striking out 12 Senators and holding them to two hits. His hill opponent, Johnny Grossman, was touched for five safeties. Broadview's Sonny Harris poled out a long home run in the eighth with no one aboard to tie the game up.
Grossman and McKenzie
Webb and Decuir
(July 19) The Broadview Buffaloes stepped into second place in the southern league when they swept through a doubleheader against the Notre Dame Hounds, winning 6 to 1 in both games. The double defeat dropped the Hounds into third place.
George Alexander held the Hounds in check with a six-hitter to capture the opening game win. Stan Young tasted defeat for the first time after reeling off three Southern League wins. Catcher Lionel Decuir paced Broadview's ten-hit assault off Young with a triple and single. He was closely followed by teammates "Red" Boguille and Mack Sinclair who both contributed a double and single. Outfielder Glynn Crew lit Alexander up for a bases-empty circuit clout in the eighth.
Alexander (W) and Decuir
Young (L) and Brown
The outstanding feature of game two was the two-hit twirling by Broadview's Dick "Lefty" Webb. Buffaloes' shortstop Wilson and first baseman Sonny Harris both had a pair of singles off loser Herb Singleton.
Webb (W) and Decuir
Singleton (L) and McFarlane
(June 20) Broadview's thundering herd of Buffaloes are monarchs of the Southern League after visiting Park de Young and walloping the Regina Senators 9 to 2 in the opener of a double-bill and then coming from behind to snatch a 12-inning 8 to 7 decision in the nightcap.
The Buffs had the opening game in the bag as early as the first inning when Sonny Harris poled out a two-run homer. Winning hurler "Red" Bouguille closed out the matinee onslaught with a bases-empty dinger in the ninth. Catcher Lionel Decuir of the Bisons led all batters with a double and three singles.
Boguille (W) and Decuir
Gordon (L), Rosnoski (3) and McKenzie
The Senators showed to better advantage under the lights and were actually leading 7 to 1 at the end of the seventh before the Buffs got to Johnny Grossman for five eighth inning runs to narrow the gap to one. A ninth inning tally off Regina reliever Les Cowley knotted the count.The winning counter in the 12th began with Sonny Harris singling off Cowley, his steal of second followed by George Alexander's clean single which brought him home. Harris also had a three-run homer in the eighth. The Senators squandered numerous scoring opportunities, out-hitting Broadview by a 19 to 9 margin and leaving 13 baserunners stranded. Regina outfielder Joe Haberman had four singles.
Ramie (W) and Decuir
Grossman, Cowley (9) (L) and McKenzie
(June 27) The Weyburn Beavers trimmed the Regina Senators 4 to 1 to move into a tie with the Reginans in the Southern League standings. It was a clean-cut win for the Beavers who earned all their runs and gave excellent defensive support to winning pitcher Art "Lefty" Walter. The Weyburn portsider held the Senators to five hits while striking out eight. Beavers' outfielder Leflar had a triple and single off loser Johnny Grossman while first baseman Les Wilder had a double and single.
Grossman (L) and Ambrosi
A. Walter (W) and Istrati
(June 27) The Broadview Buffaloes stretched their lead in the Southern League when they knocked off the visiting Notre Dame Hounds twice, 4 to 1 and 4 to 3, in a doubleheader.
The first game was pretty well decided in the first frame when the Buffs scored three times off loser Jones. Two players from each squad, Glynn Crew and Stan Young of the Hounds as well as Broadview's George Alexander and Roy Schappert , each had two hits.
Jones (L) and Brown
Ramie (W) and Decuir
Both teams chalked up nine hits in the closely fought evening battle. The Hounds had an opportunity in the ninth when, with two on base, Nick Metz lined a solid drive into right field and only a sensational catch by Broadview's George Alexander saved a sure home run. First baseman "Tub" Demers had four safe blows for the Dogs while Alexander countered with a trio of raps for the Mainliners.
Crew (L) and Brown
Isaacson (W) and Decuir
(June 29) The Regina Senators moved up within hailing distance of the Broadview Buffaloes in the Southern League ball chase with a pair of 10 to 4 victories over a wobbly Weyburn Beavers team who were minus a few of their regulars.
Newcomer Mike Gaspar, making his first pitching start, had 12 strikeouts as he held the Beavers to four hits in the opener. Regina took a slim lead in the first inning and sewed the game up in the sixth with four runs off the slants of losing pitcher "Lefty" Walter. Joe Haberman, Cliff Hogg and third baseman Deacon all recorded a triple and single in this contest.
A. Walter (L) and Kawuza
Gaspar (W) and Ambrosi
The Beavers took a three run lead in the top of the first frame of the second encounter but the Senators gradually whittled down the margin and then won the game going away. Although he fanned 14, loser Ralph Hogg was hit hard, especially in the later innings. Winner "Rosie" Rosnoski turned in a capable mound performance for the Sens, whiffing 13 while being touched for nine safeties. Mark Hanna and Cliff Hogg both accumulated a double and a pair of singles for the Reginans. Weyburn's E. Walter led the arsenal of the visitors with a brace of doubles plus a single.
Hogg (L) and Kawuza
Rosnoski (W) and McKenzie
(July 9) The Broadview Buffaloes shutout the visiting Weyburn Beavers 3 to 0 in a well played Southern League game in Broadview. Broadview's John Isaacson and Weyburn's Ralph Hogg hooked up in a well-pitched match with the main difference being the extra-base blows surrendered by Hogg. Buffaloes' second sacker Roy Schappert with a thrre-bagger and a single was the only player on either side who managed a two-hit game.
Hogg (L) and Kawuza
Isaacson (W) and Wilson
(July 10) The Broadview Buffaloes made the Southern League a runaway race when they travelled to Wilcox and took two games from the Notre Dame Hounds by scores of 5 to 4 and 8 to 0.
The first game was a tight encounter with the Hounds enjoying a 7 to 5 advantage in hits. After the Buffs plated five tallies in the fourth frame, Notre Dame was never able to catch up although they had their opportunities. Lionel Decuir, normally the Broadview catcher, took a turn on the mound and got the win, Loser Herb Singeton pitched a fine game and also had three hits to lead batters from both clubs. Shortstop Nick Metz pounded a three-run homer in the third for the Dogs.
Decuir (W) and Wilson
Singleton (L) and Brown
The Buffaloes had things well under contol in the follow-up affair as "Red" Bouguille blanked the Hounds. Sonny Harris belted a two-run homer for the Buffs. Notre Dame first baseman "Tub" Demers did well with the hickory in this one, slamming a double and two singles.
Boguille (W) and Decuir
Young (L), Olsgard (7) and Brown
Southern League standings (as of end of July 10)
W L Pct.
Broadview Buffaloes 12 4 .750
Regina Senators 7 6 .538
Weyburn Beavers 5 9 .357
Notre Dame Hounds 5 10 .333
(July 11) In a loosely-played Southern League game in Weyburn, the hometown Beavers took a 9 to 8 verdict from the Notre Dame Hounds. Free hitting was the feature of this contest with a total of 28 safeties being recorded. Stan Young of the Hounds wound up the night collecting four base knocks, all singles. Les Wilder picked up a double and a pair of one-baggers for the winners.
Adolph (L), Olsgard (6) and McFarlane
Hogg (W) and Istrati
(July 15) The Regina Senators registered a 6 to 4 win at the expense of the Weyburn Beavers in a Southern League fixture in the Soo City. Both pitchers of record were nicked for eleven base hits. Harold Horeak of the Senators was the best hitter on the field, drilling four hits in five times at bat.
Grossman (W) and xxxx
A. Walter (L) and xxxx
(July 17) The Notre Dame Hounds broke out of their prolonged losing streak by taking the first game of a doubleheader against the Regina Senators 10 to 9 but then took another loss in the second half of the twin-bill, falling to the Reginans 10 to 2.
The Senators piled up a 9 to 3 lead by the fifth inning of the matinee game. The Hounds fought back and eventually went ahead to stay in the sixth. Shortstop Nick Metz hit a pair of doubles and a single to lead the Hounds' 15-hit attack against a pair of Regina hurlers. Willie Olsgard picked up the complete game mound win for the Dogs.
Cowley (L), Grossman (7) and Nicholson
Olsgard (W) and McFarlane
Alex "Rosy" Rosnoski of the Senators and John "Smokey" Reynoldson of the Hounds both gave up ten hits in the finale but the Reginans ran away with the contest aided by five Notre Dame fielding miscues. Joe Haberman and Rosnoski both had a double and single in the win. Reynoldson drilled three singles for the collegians while shortstop Nick Metz poled out a triple and double.
Rosnoski (W) and Nicholson
Reynoldson (L) and McFarlane
(July 18) The Weyburn Beavers and Broadview Buffaloes split a twin-bill in the Soo-Line city, the visitors taking the matinee affair by a one-sided score of 9 to 0 while the Beavers took the nightcap 5 to 4.
Sonny Harris of the Buffs took the hill for the first time this season and came away with a four-hit shutout win. The Beavers played poorly and made things easy for the invaders.
Harris (W) and xxxx
A. Walter (L) and xxxx
Pitcher Ralph Hogg of the Beavers was hurling near top form in the late game, whiffing ten Buffs while allowing six hits. The Weyburnites picked up eleven safeties off loser Lionel Decuir and gave themselves a cushion by scoring four times in the fifth.
Decuir (L) and xxxx
Hogg (W) and xxxx
(July 25) In a slow-moving affair at Park de Young in which both teams seemed to lack energy, the Broadview Buffaloes prevailed 9 to 7 over the Regina Senators to further consolidate their hold on the top rung of the Southern League ladder. Roy Schappert , Broadview second baseman, led all hitters with a pair of doubles and a single. Catcher Lionel Decuir wasn't far behind as he laced a pair of two-baggers.
Alexander (W) and Decuir
Grossman (L) and Clayton
(July 29) The Broadview Buffaloes are still riding high in the Southern League and even the Regina Senators have given up hope of catching the pace-setting mainliners. In spite of having an imported pitcher on the hill, big Ralsh of the House of Alexander, the Senators still couldn't halt the Buffs who plated six runs in the seventh stanza to walk off with a 10 to 3 victory. Dick "Lefty" Webb tossed a solid seven-hitter for the mound win, picking up seven strikeouts along the way. Sonny Harris of the Buffs cranked out a homer and double in support of Webb. Broadview's Ramie, playing second base in this game, picked up three base blows, one being a double. Catcher Lionel Decuir was next in line with a triple and single.
Webb (W) and Decuir
Ralsh (L) and McKenzie, Donahue
(July 31) Broadview's hard-hitting Buffaloes chalked up another Southern League victory at Lane Field in Weyburn when they blanked their Soo-Line hosts, the Beavers, 8 to 0. John Isaacson pitched air-tight ball for the visitors, fanning twelve while allowing only three scattered hits. Isaacson also grabbed the hitting honors by drilling a double and single off loser Art Walter
Isaacson (W) and Decuir
A. Walter (L) and Istrati
Southern League standings (as of end of July 31)
W L Pct.
Broadview Buffaloes 16 5 .762
Regina Senators 9 9 .500
Weyburn Beavers 7 12 .368
Notre Dame Hounds 6 12 .333
No further league games were ever played although Broadview continued with exhibition and tournament games during August.
EPILOGUE TO 1938 SEASON
1938 has to be considered another year of regression for the Southern League and, in general, senior amateur baseball throughout southern Saskatchewan. While junior leagues flourished in the south country, teams and leagues encompassing their older brethren seemed to be taking a step backward. The brand of baseball dished up in the Southern League was second to none in the province but the member teams seemed to lack any sort of committment to the overall welfare of the circuit, preferring to steer in the direction of their own parochial interests. The league, consumed with either dealing or avoiding problem areas, hasn't even bothered to tabulate statistical data now for the past few seasons.