1939 Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
1939 BC Interior
1939 Vancouver Island
WEST KOOTENAY BASEBALL LEAGUE
A new entry from Salmo, augmented with a sprinkling of external recruits, decided to test its strength in the 1939 West Kootenay loop, expanding the membership within the circuit to four teams. The small mining town decided to go with the name Miners, the same appellation utilized by the defending league champions from Rossland. Trail’s team maintained the Cardinals’ moniker, stressed youth and, with the odd exception, went with a completely revamped lineup of junior-age players while the Nelson senior squad retained most of their veteran players from a year previous and remained without a team moniker.
Conceded little chance of keeping pace with their well-experienced opponents, the youthful Trail Cardinals fooled the dopesters by taking the runner-up spot in the loop. The upstart Salmo nine surprised everyone by finishing first while the 1938 champions from Rossland, late in getting organized and playing much of the way with a depleted roster, came in dead last. It didn’t matter, however, as all four squads entered the playoffs.
One of the junior-age rookies on the Trail Cardinals squad, playing in his first season of senior-level competition in 1939 was the versatile Andy Bilesky, known primarily at that stage of his life as a long-distance runner. He would, in later years, gain national recognition as an accomplished, no-nonsense coach in Little League baseball in Trail and was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ontario, in 1984. Ray Ferraro, TSN hockey analyst and 18-year NHL player, who played on Trail’s 1976 Canadian Little League champions, cited Bilesky as the best coach, amateur or professional, that he ever had in any sport.
(May 7) The Nelson Seniors blanked the youthful Trail Cardinals 2 to 0 in a well-played pre-season exhibition clash at Butler Park. Nelson’s playing-manager Jake Alles crossed the dish with the visitors’ first run in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Al Euerby. In the ninth, Gordon Richardson doubled home Alles with the Lakesiders’ second tally. The Cards, playing with an entirely junior-aged lineup, threatened in both the eighth and ninth rounds but were unable to push any runs across. Vic Howard, posting six punch outs, grabbed the shutout mound win over Dave Ewing who fanned four. Alles, with two doubles, led all bludgeon hackers
Howard (W) and Richardson
Ewing (L) and Kendall
(May 14) The Salmo Miners bunched their hits and pecked away at four Nelson chuckers to come away with a 7 to 3 decision over the senior diamond troopers from the Lakeside City in a pre-season exhibition tilt in Salmo. First sacker Ray Humble led the winners with the lumber, smacking four safeties including a three-run homer. Teammate Johnny Thompson and Nelson playing-manager Jake Alles both lit up the horsehide for a double and single. George Niblow went the route for the Miners, tossing an eight-hitter for the mound victory.
Smith (L), Howard, Callas (5), Brown (7) and Richardson
Niblow (W) and McDougall
(May 21) Metaline Falls WA whitewashed the hosting Nelson nine 4 to 0 in a well-attended exhibition contest in the Lakeside City. “Butch” Aubertin, chucking for the Washingtonians, struck out 17 Nelson batters. Earl Miller had a brace of doubles for the Americans.
Aubertin (W) and Kinney
Smith (L), Brown (1) and Richardson
(May 21) Under dull skies and drizzling rain, the invading Salmo Miners outclassed the Trail Cardinals 6 to 1 in WKBL play at Butler Park. Big right-hander Ted Clever of the Salmo nine muzzled the teen-age band of Redbirds effectively, punching out 14 of them. Archie McDougall of the winners went yard with a dinger in the seventh canto when he lit into a meatball served up by losing twirler Dave Ewing. At that point, Ewing was given the hook and co-manager “Rube” DeMore ascended the hillock, breaking the mold of the, up-to-then, all-junior Cardinal roster. Catcher McDougall had a three-bagger in addition to his circuit-clout for the Sheep Creek Boys.
Clever (W) and McDougall
Ewing (L), DeMore (7) and xxx
(May 24) Showing a decided edge over their younger opponents at the plate, the Colville WA baseballers licked the Trail Cardinals 7 to 3 in an exhibition tilt played in the Stevens County town. First sacker Andy Bilesky drove in the Redbirds’ first two counters with a fourth-inning double. Bilesky then touched the platter for Trail’s third run in the ninth on an infield error.
Fleming (L), Ewing (6) and DeMore
Adams (W) and Graham
(May 28) A nine-run barrage in the sixth frame lifted the Salmo Miners to an 11 to 7 conquest of the Nelson Seniors at Recreation Park. The Miners collected 14 base blows as Ray Humble led the willow wielders with a four-hit total which included a home run and five RBI’s. Next in line with the baton was Salmo flychaser L. Henderson who clipped the apple for three singles. Playing-manager Jake Alles was top dog with the stick for the losers, claiming a double and triple.
Clever (W), Humble (8) and McDougall
Birt, Brown (L) (6), Howard (6) and Richardson
(May 29) Trail’s Cardinal baseball nine, a bunch of juniors who are fast developing into a smooth-clicking ball club, topped the Nelson Seniors 15 to 11 in a WKBL slugfest played in the Lakeside City. The swatting bee produced 35 base blows, 19 of them by the youthful Redbirds. With co-manager “Rube” DeMore” as the only non-teenager in the Smelter City lineup, the Cards marked up nine runs in the first two frames to take control of the contest. Veteran DeMore, donning the mask, belly pad and shin guards, provided leadership from behind the dish for his young guns by driving in six runs on two doubles, a triple and a one-bagger. Fly chaser Gerald Simpson also did a grand job at the plate for Trail with four successive singles. Leading the Nelsonites offensively were second baseman Roy Anderson and losing flinger Vic Howard who both stroked a trio of safeties.
Ewing (W) and DeMore
Howard (L), Brown (3), Birt (9) and Richardson
(June 11) Scoring five big counters in the sixth panel, the Trail Cardinals came from behind to drop the Nelson Seniors 8 to 6 at Butler Park. Outfielder Don Michaely’s three-run triple sparked the Trail outburst in the game-changing sixth. The Lakesiders accumulated 13 safe swats to 11 for the Silver City squad. First sacker “Doc” Chodorcoff and Steve Smith of the vanquished nine both ripped the orb for a triad of safeties. Gathering a brace of base raps were Ken Stanton and Mike Wolfe of the Redbirds as well as Nelson’s Walt Gelling and losing elbower Beattie Guthrie.
Guthrie (L) and Richardson
Ewing, DeMore (W) (6), Wolfe (8) and Simpson
(June 18) Despite holding a 6 to 5 edge in base hits, the defending champion Rossland Miners dropped their 1939 WKBL opener 3 to 0 to the vastly-improved Nelson Senior baseballers. Largely a battle between opposing moundsmen, southpaw Steve Smith of Nelson and Miner veteran “Red” Tulloch, the game was also marked, however, by several sizzling outer pasture defensive plays, in particular by Johnny Gidinski of the Mountain Towners and Vic Nelson of the hosting Lake City nine. In going the distance, Smith rang up 8 whiffs to 3 for Tulloch. Other than the bottom of the second panel, when the Nelsonites put up a three-spot, only goose eggs adorned the scoreboard during this well-executed opener. First baseman ”Doc” Chodorcoff drilled a double and a single for the victors, driving in one of their counters. Both Rossland’s “Duke” Scodellaro and Vic Howard of the Lakesiders registered a pair of one-baggers.
Tulloch (L) and Petrunia
Smith (W) and Richardson
(June 18) The Salmo Miners, playing on their home lot, won an abbreviated, six-session ballgame from the Trail Cardinals 5 to 3. A torrential downpour washed out any chance the Redbirds had of making a comeback. Victorious moundsman Ted Clever tamed the Cards on five hits while fanning nine. Ray Humble, first sacker for the Sheep Creek nine, belted a mammoth three-run four-ply clout in the third panel. Sammy Saprunoff drove in two of the three Cardinal tallies while drilling a brace of singles.
Wolfe (L), Ewing (5) and Simpson
Clever (W) and Kelly
(June 21) Sporting plenty of new blood, the invading Trail Cardinals pushed the Rossland Miners off their pedestal of last season when they administered a 13 to 3 hammering to the Mountainmen. Both contingents stung the pill with authority, the Redbirds having a 12 to 11 edge, but the Silver City batters tended to deliver more in the clutch, especially when given so many opportunities by a highly porous Miner defense. In this offensive show of strength, winning pitcher Dave Ewing sparkled, stroking a double and three singles while driving in a brace of counters. Teammate Julie Bilesky also drove in a pair while accumulating a double and a pair of one-baggers while his brother, Andy Bilesky, belted the game’s lone four-bagger, a solo shot in the fifth. For the vanquished nine, shortstop Doug Norris picked up three safeties, two of them being doubles.
Ewing (W) and Simpson
Wynn (L), Gibson (6) and Petrunia
(June 25) Although outhit by a nine to five margin, the Trail Cardinals gave a polished defensive performance, especially in the outer garden, and made their blows count as they edged the visiting Nelson Seniors 3 to 2 at Butler Park. Catcher Gerald Simpson drove in the first two Trail runs with a fourth-inning double. Julie Bilesky’s ground out in the fourth stanza plated Ken Stanton with the Redbirds’ third counter. Playing-manager Jake Alles drove in both of the Nelson tallies, one in each of the fourth and eighth chapters. Alles was top gun with the baton in the contest, slapping the horsehide for two doubles and a single.
Guthrie (L) and Richardson
Ewing (W) and Simpson
Standings W L Pct.
Salmo Miners 3 0 1.000
Trail Cardinals 3 2 .600
Nelson 1 3 .250
Rossland Miners 0 2 .000
(July 2) It was only an exhibition tilt, staged as part of Rossland’s Dominion Day Weekend Carnival, but it was important in that the hosting Miners finally pounded out their initial victory of the campaign, defeating the Trail Cardinals 14 to 5. Both teams, in particular the Mountain Men, were missing key regulars from their lineup. The Rosslanders got off to a good start with catcher George Petrunia lighting up losing flinger Andy Bilesky for a two-run dinger in the bottom of the initial round. The Miners then blew the doors off the barn in the fourth when they posted a six-spot. Rossland infielder Rico Martin picked up three of his team’s 14 base raps, one of which was a double. Bilesky topped the Smelter Towners at the dish, stroking four bingles as part of the 11-hit Trail attack.
A. Bilesky (L), Saprunoff (4), Stanton (7) and Simpson
Hartnett (W), Wynn (6) and Petrunia
(July 2) The Nelson senior nine trimmed the hosting Salmo Miners 6 to 2 in a Dominion Day exhibition match. The Nelsonites collected 13 hits including a solo four-bagger by Gordon Richardson. Ray Humble of the Miners also had a bases-empty dinger. Beattie Guthrie notched the hillock triumph, fanning nine while surrendering seven safeties.
Guthrie (W) and Richardson
Clever (L) and McDougall
(July 9) With the heart of their roster not available to play, the Rossland baseballers were easy prey for the Salmo pastimers in the first battle of the Miners, a one-sided 13 to 1 conquest by the newcomers to the circuit. The win entrenched loop-leading Salmo more soundly than ever ahead of the pack in the WKBL with five wins in as many starts. Rossland catcher/skipper George Petrunia was forced out of the lineup early in the contest with a split finger. To make matters worse, first baseman Russ Wynn was sidelined with a broken bone in his left hand and pitching ace “Red” Tulloch was on furlough in Alberta, leaving the Golden City squad in dire straits for the initial Combat of the Namesakes. The Rosslanders kept the game close for five innings, holding Salmo down to a 2 to 1 lead, but finally imploded and the rout was on. Salmo took their win largely by merit through the steady pitching tactics of Ted Clever.
Gibson (L) and Petrunia, Scodallero
Clever (W) and xxx
(July 9) The Nelson Seniors laid an 8 to 3 licking on the Trail Cardinals in a free-hitting tussle played in the Lakeside City. The victory for the Nelson nine pulled them to within a half-game of the second-place Silver City youngsters in the WKBL standings. Eight doubles and four triples were among the 26 base blows recorded by the foes. Beattie Guthrie yielded ten hits and struck out five in posting the complete-game knoll triumph over Dave Ewing. Top swatters in the contest were Jesse Seaby of the Lakesiders and Trail’s Julie Bilesky who both poked out a triad of safeties.
Ewing (L) and Simpson
Guthrie (W) and Richardson
(July 16) A brilliant slinging exhibition by Nelson’s youthful southpaw hurler Vic Howard, who held the hosting Rossland Miners to five hits, no runs and left them sitting dis-concertedly at the bottom of the WKBL with an 0 – 4 record, told the story of the visiting Lakesiders’ 4 to 0 blanking of the Mountain Men. Howard’s record for the game showed a ten-strikeout list, no walks and no Miners past the second base mark. The shutout for the Nelson nine was their second in two games against the Rosslanders. Walter Flood, on the knoll for the Gold Diggers, did a creditable job in taking the loss, surrendering eight safeties while fanning six, but his mates were unable to provide him with any sustained offensive support. Fly chaser Jesse Seaby, who slapped out a brace of bingles, drove in the first Nelson run in the third panel. A Rossland error in the same frame allowed a second tally to cross the dish. A bases-loaded walk to second baseman Roy Anderson in the fifth forced in the third counter while Howard was credited with an RBI in the ninth, bringing home the fourth marker for the winners. Middle pasture guardian Bert Gibson, who notched a couple of one-baggers, was the only Golden City batter to have much success facing Howard.
Howard (W) and Richardson
Flood (L) and Scodellaro
(July 16) An unexpected two-run round-tripper by seldom-used outfielder Jake McLeod in the bottom-of-the-ninth frame erased a 5 to 4 deficit and gave the Trail Cardinals a 6 to 5 walkoff win over the pace-setting Salmo Miners. The defeat for the neophyte Miners was their first in league action. Fellow Smelter City fly chaser Brick Edmunds had opened the ninth panel by greeting losing elbower Ted Clever with a ripping single, setting the stage for McLeod’s heroics. The Sheep Creek nine nicked winning tosser Dave Ewing for 14 safeties but, other than the opening stanza when he was roughed up for three runs, Ewing managed to keep himself out of a deep hole the rest of the game, receiving scintillating defensive support from his mates. In absorbing his initial mound loss of the campaign, Clever was pelted for nine safe swats which included three by Redbird first sacker Andy Bilesky. One of Bilesky’s base knocks was a two-run four-ply clout in the opening round.
Clever (L) and Kelly
Ewing (W) and Michaely
(July 23) Displaying a balanced offensive attack, the visiting Salmo Miners trounced the Nelson Seniors 11 to 6. The Miners used eleven players in their victory and every one of them had at least one base hit. Overall, the Sheep Creek nine held a 13 to 7 advantage in attained bingles. For the Lakesiders, however, playing-manager Jake Alles was a one-man wrecking crew, hammering the apple for the cycle: a home run, triple, double and single. Both Alles and winning pitcher George Niblow drove in three runs.
Niblow (W), Humble (8) and Kelly
Guthrie (L), Smith (5) and Richardson
(July 28) The Trail Cardinals of the WKBL took the hosting Grand Forks Red Shirts into camp by the tune of 6 to 0 in an exhibition encounter. Pitcher Dave Ewing of the Redbirds was spectacular in hurling a no-hit, no-run victory.
Ewing (W) and Michaely
Anderson (L), Cooper and Wolfram
(July 30) Last season’s West Kootenay Baseball League champions, the Rossland Miners, poled out their long-awaited first victory of the campaign when they overcame an early Trail Cardinals’ lead to smother the Smelter Towners 12 to 5. The game was ragged at times yet provided plenty of entertainment for those in attendance. Playing-manager George Petrunia of the Miners hammered two triples and a double in making life miserable for Redbird starter Dave Ewing and his successor, co-manager “Rube” DeMore. The Cards got off to a great start and sent five runners across the dish before “Rusty” Wynn took over on the hillock for Walter Flood in the third round and stopped the bleeding. Once the offense of the Red Mountaineers got into gear, they showed a balanced attack with every player touching home plate at least once. The oddest Rossland tally allowed Bert Gibson to round the sacks with a fluke home run when the sphere he had spanked for a safety became lost in the rough outer pasture as the Trail fly chasers were pursuing it.
Flood, Wynn (W) (3) and Petrunia
Ewing (L), DeMore (3), Monaldi (8) and Michaely
(July 30) The first-place Salmo Miners padded their already healthy lead atop the WKBL standings by knocking off the invading Nelson pastimers 10 to 8. The Lakesiders proved to be a tough foe and held an 8 to 6 lead until the last part of the tussle when the Miners, backed by an air-tight defense, pulled ahead to stay.
xxx (L) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
(August 2) The Rossland Miners made it two in a row against the Trail Cardinals, overwhelming the Redbirds 16 to 7 in a WKBL fixture that had been previously postponed. Taking an early lead, the Golden City squad laid the hickory on the horsehide for a total of 15 base blows, roughing up 16-year old Joey Monaldi and two Smelter Town relievers along the way. Meanwhile, Walter Flood, on the bump for the Rosslanders, was being nicked for 13 bingles. Doug Norris was the big noise offensively for the winners as he waved the wand for a home run, a triple and two doubles. Infielder Rico Martin of the Mountainmen poled three singles and a two bagger while Bert Gibson launched a four-bagger. Sammy Saprunoff of the Cards lit into Flood’s offerings for a triple and double while teammate Andy Bilesky stroked a double and two singles.
Flood (W) and Petrunia
Monaldi (L), Wolfe (4), DeMore (8) and DeMore, Michaely (4)
(August 2) Blasting the offerings of starting pitcher Al Donaldson for four counters in the fifth stanza, the Trail Cardinals of the WKBL coasted to an 8 to 2 exhibition win over the Columbia-Giant squad of Grand Forks. Andy Bilesky’s bases-loaded two-bagger was the crucial blow for the Cards in their fifth inning outburst. Winning tosser Joe Monaldi gave up only four hits while fanning six in his five cantos of mound work.
Monaldi (W), Ewing (6) and Michaely
Donaldson (L), Matheson (6) and McCabe
(August 3) A group of colored funsters known as the Broadway Clowns cleansed the teen-aged Trail Cardinals 12 to 2 in an exhibition match at Butler Park. The tourists rang up 20 safeties in their bombardment of the overanxious youngsters, playing first-rate baseball all the way. In defeat, Sam Saprunoff of the Redbirds pounded out a circuit-smash while outfielder Coleman, winning pitcher “Sardine” Douglas and shortstop Saunders ripped four-baggers for the winners.
Douglas (W) and xxx
Ewing (L) and xxx
(August 6) With old timer and co-manager Louis “Rube” DeMore on the hillock, the youth-laden Trail Cardinals trounced the homestanding Nelson Seniors 8 to 2. The win for the Cards pulled them out of a two-week funk and moved them a game-and-a-half in front of the Lakesiders in the WKBL standings. The veteran DeMore struck out 11 Nelsonites while limiting them to five safeties. He also lit up losing twirler Beattie Guthrie for a three-run homer. Guthrie had 16 punchouts before being given the hook in the eighth panel. Leading the ten-hit Trail offense were Ken Stanton, Sam Saprunoff, Mike Wolfe and Barss Dimock who each collected two safeties.
DeMore (W) and A. Bilesky
Guthrie (L), Harris (8) and Richardson
(August 6) The Salmo Miners showed Rossland fans why they are at the top of the WKBL standings when they overcame a late 5 to 4 deficit to carry away a 6 to 5 victory over their last-place namesakes. Carrying a one-run lead into the ninth inning, it appeared that the Rosslanders were headed for their third straight victory until the storm broke. During a top-of-the-ninth rally, Cede Eshe of the Salmoites scored the tying run while the Golden City infielders were turning a double play. Immediately following the twin-killing, Esche barely beat the relay throw to home plate, preventing a triple play. First baseman Scribner then followed with a clutch single to drive in pinch-runner White with what turned out to be the winning marker. 20-year-old Ray Humble struck out 16 Rossland batters while yielding nine hits in copping the mound triumph over “Rusty” Wynn. Infielder Archie McDougall had four of the 13 bingles surrendered by Wynn while Rico Martin of the Mountaineers hit three doubles and a single.
Humble (W) and Lindstrom
Wynn (L) and Petrunia
Standings W L Pct.
Salmo Miners 7 1 .875
Trail Cardinals 5 5 .500
Nelson 3 6 .333
Rossland Miners 2 5 .286
(August 13) With scheduled starting pitcher Dave Ewing nabbed by a forest ranger and hustled off to fight a fire, the Trail Cardinals’ starting pitching assignment was turned over on short notice to co-manager “Rube” DeMore who found it difficult to cope with the strong south wind blowing across the Butler Park diamond. It wasn’t that his control was affected, for he walked only two batters all afternoon, but the wind played the devil with his hooks which seldom dipped and swerved with their usual precision. He went the route, however, as the visiting Nelson Seniors, behind the solid seven-hit chucking of Vic Howard, edged the Redbirds 4 to 3 to move within a half-game of the Cards for second spot. Although he did a fine job on the hillock, allowing the visitors eight safeties, southpaw DeMore surrendered three doubles, bunched in the fourth stanza, which produced the winning edge for the Lakesiders. Howard whiffed 13 Trailites in his complete-game effort. The top swatter in the contest was first sacker Mike Wolfe of the Smelter City nine who collected two doubles and a single.
Howard (W) and Richardson
DeMore (L) and A. Bilesky
(August 13) Storming back with eight runs in the eighth inning, the never-say-die Salmo diamond pastimers erased a 7 to 3 deficit and went on to down Rossland 11 to 8 in the third episode of the 1939 battle of the Miners. Outhit 14 to 10 by the visiting Mountain Men, the Salmoites were steadier on defense and made the invaders pay in spades for their sloppiness afield. Only two of Salmo’s runs were earned while the Golden City Gang merited seven of their eight counters. Third baseman Cede Esche of the victors topped all willow wielders with a three-hit performance which included a triple, double and single. Picking up two safeties each were Ray Humble and outfielder Henderson of the winners as well as Rossland’s Johnny Cameron, Doug Norris, Rico Martin, George Petrunia and Walter Flood.
Flood, Wynn (L) (8), Wilson (8) and Petrunia
Clever, Humble (W) and Kelly
(August 20) Lacking a full-time moundsman to be a front-of-the-rotation- stopper, co-managers “Wish” Milburn and “Rube” DeMore of the otherwise all-junior Trail Cardinals, enticed veteran portsider Cliff Bogstie out of mothballs to assume that all-important role with the Redbirds for the remainder of the WKBL season. The move paid immediate dividends for the Cards as they travelled to Salmo and edged the front-running Miners 9 to 8 with the rusty Bogstie going the route on the knoll. Backed by the heavy hitting of his supporting cast, the smooth left-hander was able to survive a ten-hit assault by the Sheep Creek nine. The Silver City aggregation had to surge from behind a 6 to 2 deficit in the fourth frame to grasp the victory. The loss for the runaway-leading Salmoites was only their second in WKBL action.
Bogstie (W) and xxx
Clever (L), Niblow (6) and Kelly
(August 20) The Rossland Miners welcomed back “Red” Tulloch to the fold when, on their home turf, they pasted the Nelson WKBL entry 11 to 5. The win for the Miners was their first of the season over the Lakesiders who they are chasing for third place in the Kootenay loop. Trailing 2 to 1 as they came to bat in the bottom of the sixth session, the Mountain Men erupted for a six-spot to take control of things. Key hits by Tulloch, Rico Martin, Merle Wilson and Art “Chow” Sdao drove in the six-pack of tallies. Tulloch mowed down nine Nelsonites via the strikeout route and clouted a long home run in the eighth panel as well. Sdao also belted a four-ply clout in the eighth with one aboard to go along with his two-run double in the sixth. Third baseman Walt Gelling socked a homer for Nelson but no mates adorned the cushions at the time.
Howard (L) and Richardson
Tulloch (W) and Petrunia
(August 27) A 6 to 4 victory over the Rossland Miners by the Nelson band of senior baseballers assured the Lakesiders of third place in the WKBL final standings and relegated the defending champion Mining Towners to the cellar. Vic Howard tamed the Miners on eight bingles while striking out seven in going the route on the bump for the Nelson victory. Tick Hall made his first appearance of the season in the Rossland lineup in this contest but that gain was offset by the absence, once more, of star chucker, “Red” Tulloch. Merle Wilson, the regular third baseman for the Golden City aggregation and former member of United Distillers Limited of the Vancouver Senior circuit, was seconded to the hillock to fill in for Tulloch and was worked over for a dozen base knocks which included five doubles. Nelson infielder Walt Gelling thrived on Wilson’s slants, nailing a double and two singles to go along with a pair of RBI’s. Jake Alles wasn’t far behind, cuffing a brace of two-baggers which also knocked in a couple of tallies. Playing-manager George Petrunia, who had the index finger of his throwing hand spiked during a slide at the keystone station, didn’t let the nagging injury affect his performance at the dish. The Miners’ backstop doubled and singled twice. In the outer pasture, “Duke” Scodellaro hauled in everything that came his way. His third-inning catch of Alles’ long clout was nothing short of spectacular. Again, in the seventh, the “Duke” picked up Gelling’s single and threw out Gord Richardson at the plate. Within the batter’s box, Scodellaro poked two singles, stole a base and plated two of the Rossland runs.
Howard (W) and Richardson
Wilson (L) and Petrunia
Final Standings W L Pct.
Salmo Miners 8 2 .800
Trail Cardinals 6 6 .500
Nelson 5 7 .417
Rossland Miners 3 7 .300
PLAYOFFS
SEMI-FINALS
Rossland Miners vs Salmo Miners and Nelson vs Trail Cardinals (both best-of-three series)
(September 3) With “Red” Tulloch finally back in the lineup to stay and “Tick” Hall comfortable in his return at shortstop, a well-balanced group of Rossland Miners opened their playoff drive with an impressive 11 to 3 conquest of the first-place Salmo Miners. Away in Alberta for virtually all of the latter part of the regular season with the exception of one appearance, Tulloch’s veteran presence was felt immediately as, in his initial pitching assignment of the year against the pennant-winners, he held them to seven well-scattered hits, right on their own lot. Hall, after a long layoff and playing in just his second game of the campaign for the Golden City nine, fielded spectacularly at the shortpatch slot, figured a in a brace of double plays and banged out a pair of base hits including a double. The Salmoites used three chuckers in trying to slow down the slugging Red Mountaineers and were collectively cuffed for ten safe swats. The game was packed with superlative defensive plays by both teams although the homesters appeared weak at times in making the routine out. Initial sacker Bert Gibson was the heavy hitter for the winners, smashing a run-producing triple in the second frame and a three-run round-tripper in the sixth panel. Tulloch, in support of his steady mound effort, bashed a solo inside-the-park homer in the third. Ted Clever and Harry Leibscher were best with the lumber for the Salmo baseballers, each slapping out two singles, a feat replicated by second baseman Johnny Cameron of Rossland.
Tulloch (W) and Petrunia
Niblow (L), Humble (7), Clever (8) and Kelly
(September 3) The Trail Cardinals slugged their way to an impressive 14 to 2 victory over the Nelson senior baseball nine in a free-hitting WKBL playoff skirmish which marked the opening game of a best-of-three semi-final round. Back in the saddle and looking comfortable in being there, portsider Cliff Bogstie pitched in a cool and confident manner for the youthful Redbirds but it was the powerful hitting of his teenage teammates that decided the outcome of the game. Bogstie struck out 16 Lakesiders and co-manager “Rube” DeMore, who took over mound duties in the ninth, whiffed three more as the Trailites amassed a dozen base blows to eight for the Nelson nine. The Cardinal offense was of a cooperative nature with every player cracking at least one bingle and each one crossing the dish at least once. Ken Stanton, Mike Wolfe and Sammy Saprunoff all clicked for round-trippers while Stanton added a two-bagger to go along with his tater.
Howard (L), Smith (5) and Richardson
Bogstie (W), DeMore (9) and A. Bilesky
(September 10) Facing elimination, the Salmo Miners, league-leaders in the 1939 WKBL, roughed up Rossland pitching ace “Red” Tulloch for five base knocks and scored three times in the top of the ninth inning to force a 4 – 4 tie with the hosting Miners in the second meeting of their semi-final showdown. With a little better luck and a lot more illumination, the Salmo squad could have won the game and evened the series as they plated a pair in the top of the tenth inning but saw their lead nullified when darkness prevented the homesters from taking their overtime turn at bat. Ted Clever went the route on the bump for the pennant-winners, allowing six bingles while whiffing eight. The Red Mountaineer hurling tandem of starter Merle Wilson and reliever Tulloch were nicked for eight Salmo safeties while collectively fanning five. Wilson was instrumental in giving the Rosslanders a seventh-inning cushion with a two-run single. Earlier, he had doubled only to be called out when he slid over the keystone sack.
Clever and Kelly
Wilson, Tulloch (9) and Petrunia
(September 10) Hurling ace Cliff “Lefty” Bogstie’s effective five-hit twirling engineered the over-achieving Trail Cardinals to a 7 to 2 triumph over hosting Nelson and a two-game sweep of their WKBL semi-final series. Bogstie punched out a dozen Nelsonites in his route-going knoll victory. The Cards bunched their hits effectively to score all their runs in the second and fourth sessions. Ken Stanton and Barss Dimock contributed doubles to the Redbirds’ eight-hit attack against losing flinger Vic Howard. Defensively, the youngsters played error-free while the Lake City squad fumbled three times.
Bogstie (W) and A. Bilesky
Howard (L) and Richardson
(September 17) The hosting Salmo Miners bowed gracefully out of the WKBL playoff picture when the retooled Rossland Miners, bottom-feeders during the regular campaign, took them down to the tune of 4 to 1 in game three between the semi-final combatants. Short three of their regular players, the Salmoites put up a grand battle to stay in the running before a large crowd of hometown fans. Both aggregations spanked the sphere for seven safeties but a two-run edge, earned in the top of the first inning, was sufficient to carry the Rosslanders to the victory. The homesters were inferior to the Golden City nine when it came to defense, however, booting the ball five times. Big Ted Clever, considered the league’s best curveball artist, was sharp in defeat, punching out eight Rossland batters and collecting a brace of singles. The fast-stepping Miner nine from Red Mountain territory was literally hot with their fielding and backed winning chucker “Red” Tulloch, who whiffed five, to the hilt. Their only blemish was a lone passed ball by catcher George Petrunia on a third strike. Tulloch equalled Clever’s two-single output at the dish as did Salmo first baseman Ray Humble.
Tulloch (W) and Petrunia
Clever (L) and Kelly
(September 17) While the Rossland Miners were advancing to the WKBL finals with their win over Salmo, the Trail Cardinals, the other finalist, were busy clicking for a similar win, a 4 to 1 conquest of the previously-eliminated Nelson Seniors, in an exhibition tilt played in the Lakeside City. Cliff Bogstie fanned nine and held the Nelson sluggers to a four-hit diet in taking the mound decision. Andy Bilesky and Barss Dimock stroked a double and single for the victors while teammate Julie Bilesky singled twice. Second sacker Roy Anderson had a brace of one-baggers for the Lakesiders.
Bogstie (W) and A. Bilesky
Howard (L) and Richardson
FINALS Rossland Miners vs Trail Cardinals (best-of-five series)
(September 24) The Trail Cardinals had two bad innings in the opening game of the West Kootenay Baseball League finals but that was all the Rossland Miners needed to snare a 6 to 0 win. Taking advantage of first and seventh-inning control lapses by Trail’s Cliff “Lefty” Bogstie, the Miners plated a trio of tallies in each round to soundly decision the Smelter Towners. The Miners’ middle infield was spectacular, pulling off four double plays in backing up the solid seven-hit pitching of winning flinger Merle Wilson who rang up five strikeouts and showed his best with his penchant for keeping the Trail safeties scattered. Except for his command issues during the three-run uprisings, Bogstie also looked good on the slab as he recorded 15 punchouts. The lanky portsider was nicked for six safeties but walked an equal number. Playing-manager George Petrunia of the Golden City Gang poled the longest blow of the contest, a long three-bagger, but was thrown out at the plate trying to stretch it into an inside-the-park homer. The Miner catcher did, however, lead all swatters with two runs-batted-in.
Wilson (W) and Petrunia
Bogstie (L) and A. Bilesky
(October 1) The Rossland Miners went two up in the West Kootenay League finals when they packaged four first-inning hits with a Trail error to score four times en route to a narrow 4 to 3 verdict over the Cardinals. Miner backstop George Petrunia’s double, which drove in a brace of markers, was the key base blow during the opening-canto assault against losing flinger Cliff Bogstie who settled down thereafter, issuing only one more safety during the remaining eight innings. Not only did the Trail portsider become almost invincible from the second frame on, he also wound up with 14 strikeouts, bringing his total of whiffs to 29 in the two losses. To his credit, Bogstie went the route despite pitching with pain in his shoulder from the seventh inning on. Offensively, the Cardinals were flat, garnering only four safe raps including a double and single by Bogstie. Winning tosser Merle Wilson, who started on the hill because ace chucker “Red” Tulloch of the Mining Towners was unable to play because of an injured leg, did not give up a hit as he shared pitching duties with Bert Gibson.
Bogstie (L) and A. Bilesky
Wilson (W), Gibson (5) and Petrunia
(October 8) Cliff Bogstie whiffed 19 while his Trail Cardinal mates were pouncing on three Rossland pitchers for 11 hits as the Silver City nine remained in contention for the WKBL crown with a 15 to 3 drubbing of the visiting Miners. Five errors by the Mountain Men contributed to the one-sided score. Bogstie was dominant on the knoll, limiting the Rosslanders to just five bingles. In four of the nine frames, the first, third, fifth and sixth, he struck out the side. All told, he has recorded 48 punchouts in the three contests. Co-manager Louis DeMore smacked two doubles and a single for the winners. Heaviest hitter in the fracas was first baseman Mike Wolfe of the Redbirds who creamed the orb for a pair of home runs, one of which was of the grand-slam variety.
Wilson (L), Wynn (4), Norris (8) and Petrunia
Bogstie (W) and A. Bilesky
(October 15) Under ideal playing conditions, the Trail Cardinals evened up the best-of-five WKBL finals at two games apiece with a 10 to 6 triumph over the Rossland Miners in an error-filled match in the Mountaineer Town. Both clubs started to boot the horsehide in the opening stanza and, from then on, it was just a case of which club would donate the most muffs over nine rounds. Trail kept their fumbles to five compared to eight by the Mining Towners. Discounted as a weak-hitting team all season, the Cards had a 9 to 8 edge in base hits acquired with Ken Stanton, “Rube” DeMore and outfielder Gerald Simpson of the victors all picking up a brace. One of Simpson’s blows was a fifth-inning circuit-clout. Infielders Rico Martin and “Tick” Hall of the vanquished nine also registered two safeties. Winning hurler “Lefty” Bogstie, sore arm and all, helped his mates along with eight strikeouts, his lowest total in the four skirmishes.
Bogstie (W) and A. Bilesky
Tulloch (L) and Petrunia
(October 22) Roughly five months ago, a band of youngsters known as the Trail Cardinals were conceded less than a ghost-of-a-chance of gaining a berth in the West Kootenay senior finals. Regarded as a bunch of rookie performers, the over-achieving Redbirds were crowned 1939 champions of the West Kootenay Baseball League when they edged out the previous titlists, the Rossland Miners, 3 to 1 in the final game of the best-of-five series. The Cards’ triumph is unique in that every player on the roster is of junior age except for “Rube” DeMore, who doubles as a co-skipper, and pitching ace Cliff Bogstie. Most of the players have not yet passed the 18-year mark and, barring the two veterans, all learned their baseball in Trail, most recently under the astute tutorage of co-managers “Wish” Milburn and DeMore. The Rosslanders won the first two games only to have the youthful Redbirds come back to capture the remaining three. Once again, it was lanky southpaw Bogstie who threw the proverbial monkey wrench into the Miner machinery. His pitching performance was domineering and, backing him up, when a Golden City batter connected with one of his offerings, was an almost airtight Cardinal defense. Bogstie was nicked for just four base raps and was credited with 15 more strikeouts which brought his total for the five games to 71. Losing chucker “Red” Tulloch yielded eight safeties with fly chaser Sammy Saprunoff leading the Silver City swatters with two doubles and a single. A delay of about 20 minutes in the second frame marred the finale. A close play at the dish involving a sliding “Tick” Hall so infuriated Tulloch that he unleashed a stream of remarks which were anything but complimentary. Plate umpire Don Stewart banned the red-thatched Miner hurler for his comments but, after a cooling-off period, relented when Tulloch stepped forward, apologized and shook hands with the arbiter.
Tulloch (L) and Petrunia
Bogstie (W) and A. Bilesky
EAST KOOTENAYS
(June 14) Cranbrook scored five runs in the seventh inning to defeat Kimberley 17 to 7. Gourley tossed for the home side and Dicken for Kimberley.
Dicken (L) and xxx
Gourley (W) and xxx
(June 18) In the Idaho-Kootenay League, Creston made it three straight wins in a romp, 14-2 over Copeland, Idaho. Browell went the route for the winners.
Guthrie (L) and Elinson
Browell (W) and Telford
(June 25) Kimberley defeated Cranbrook 10-6. Baribeau, the Kimberley southpaw, went the route for the winners.
Baribeau (W) and xxx
S.Young, xxx (6) and xxx
(July 1-2) Kimberley downed Cranbrook 5-3 Sunday to take $150 first prize money at the Cranbrook Dominion Day Tournament. Morgan went the route for the winners besting Stan Young of Cranbrook.
Morgan (W) and xxx
Young (L) and Lewis
In semi-final action, Kimberley, with Loraas and Keiver doing the hurling, whipped Sandpoint, Idaho 14-1.
Loraas, Keiver and xxx
Kirkhover, Hanford and xxx
Eliminated earlier were three Idaho teams, Kellogg, Sagle and Couer D'Alene.
(July 9) Eureka, Montana, with seven substitutes in their lineup because of regulars being called out for forestry duty in Montana, suffered two embarrassing defeats in BC, losing 23-0 to Kimberley and 16-1 to Cranbrook.
(July 16) Cranbrook notched a 9-5 win over Sandpoint, Idaho, Sunday at the Cranbrook diamond. The home squad scored five runs in the fifth inning, three on Thompson's homer, and coasted home. Stan Young went the distance on the hill for the winners.
Kirkhover, Rockwell, Olsen and xxx
Young (W) and xxx
(August 13) In a three-team double-header at Cranbrook Sunday, the visiting Lethbridge All-Stars were handed a pair of losses. Kimberley scored a 6-1 victory and Cranbrook won, 11-5. Loraas went the first five innings for Kimberley to post the win. Stan Young fanned nine in pitching Cranbrook to the triumph, the team's 16th win in 21 games.
xxx and xxx
Loraas (W), Keiver (6) and xxx
Ponech (L) and xxx
Young (W) and xxx
(September 4) In the annual Cranbrook Labor Day tournament, the homesters won first prize over the holiday weekend, taking out Fernie 6 to 4 in the tourney final, a game shortened to seven innings because of darkness. Previously, they had defeated the Lethbridge Galt Miners 7 to 0 and Coleman 18 to 7 in eleven innings. Other teams entered in the event were Michel and Blairmore.
CROW'S NEST PASS
Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals
Coleman Pucksters
Elk Valley Senators
Fernie Seniors
Hillcrest Miners
Natal-Michel Buffaloes
(May 28) Blairmore notched a victory in kicking off the new season at home downing Fernie 5-4. Jerry "Tiny" Herman scattered six hits in going the route for the Cardinals. Blairmore scored four runs in the second inning and added the winner in the fourth.
J.Guzzi (L), D. Guzzi and Maffioli
Herman (W) and A.Chala
(June 4) Playing at Natal, the Buffaloes came from behind to beat Hillcrest 7-4 behind the outstanding relief pitching of Elligott, who shutout the Miners on three-hits after taking over from Tommy Krall in the fourth inning. Trailing 4-0, Natal-Michel rallied in the seventh with three successive hits, including a triple by Andy Krall to knot the count at 4-4. The Buffs added three in the eighth for the win. Eddie Seaman took the loss. It was the second straight win for the Buffs.
Seaman (L), Draper (8) and xxx
T.Krall, Elligott (W) (4) and xxx
(June 4) Blairmore edged Fernie 2-1. Coleman topped Elk Valley 8-3.
(June 11) Elk Valley produced five straight hits to plate three runs in the ninth inning to edge Fernie Seniors 7-6 Sunday before a large crowd at Natal. The Senators built up a 4-0 lead with a pair in the fifth and another two in the sixth. In the seventh, Fernie went on a scoring spree netting six runs. Bob Halko went the route for the winners, racking up 12 strikeouts.
Halko (W) and xxx
Guzzi, Bossio (L) and xxx
(June 11) Blairmore Cardinals defeated Natal-Michel 9-2 and Hillcrest swamped Coleman 19-5.
(June 18) Fernie Seniors blanked league-leading Hillcrest 5-0 Sunday in a game shortened to six innings because of rain. The home squad got the only run they needed in the first inning when Henry Hughes singled to centre and scored on a two-bagger by Guzzi. They added more in the fourth on a three-run homer by Johnny George and wrapped up their scoring in the fifth on a passed ball. John Guzzi got the shutout with a three-hitter and seven strikeouts. Eddie Seaman allowed five hits and fanned ten in taking the loss.
Seaman (L) and Elick
J.Guzzi (W) and Anselmo
(June 21) Three costly errors in the early innings cost Blairmore as Hillcrest came away with a 5-4 victory.
Draper, Elick and Elick, Beranek
Herman (L) and A.Chala
(June 25) Coleman downed Fernie 8-5, Hillcrest topped Elk Valley 9-3. The Natal-Michel game with Fernie was rained out.
(June 30) Scoring all their runs in the first two innings, Hillcrest, the league-leaders, nosed out Elk Valley 6-5 Friday in a game called at the end of five innings due to rain. Miners erupted for five runs in the second and added another in the third to go ahead 6-0. Senators responded with a rally in the bottom of the third as Cliff Richards, the Hillcrest starter, forced in a run with three straight walks and Hillcrest added to the total with three runs off Skinny Price as Hampton cracked a double. Eddie Seaman came in to allow one more run before retiring the side.
Richards (W), Price, Seaman and xxx
Halko (L), and xxx
(July 5) Coleman Pucksters slugged 16 hits Wednesday to crush the Fernie Seniors 13-1. Shortstop Bill Field led the winners with four hits and a walk in six trips. Fraser and Dave Kemp each had three safeties. Norman "Dutch" Schnepf, the Coleman hockey star, fired a five-hitter, three by Wilfred Parsons, for the pitching win.
Schnepf (W) and Gate
Price, Bossio, J.Guzzi, D.Guzzi and Anselmo
(July 9) Norman Schnepf, Coleman's new pitching sensation captured his second win in two starts Sunday when the Pucksters smothered Elk Valley 14-6 to take over the league lead. After a shaky start that saw Coleman commit six errors and Elk Valley take a 3-run lead, the Pucksters found the range in the third scoring five runs and coasted to the win cranking out 21 hits.
Salish (L) and Travis
Schnepf (W) and Gate
(July 9) Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals pushed across three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a double, two singles and a fielder's choice to edge Fernie 6-5. It was the Cards' third straight win.
D.Guzzi (L) and Anselmo
Dobek, Herman (W) and A.Chala
(July 12) Tommy Krall fired no-hit ball for six innings but had to pitch out of trouble in the final three frames as Natal-Michel downed Fernie 4-1 Wednesday evening at Fernie. In the seventh Fernie had the bases loaded with two out but Krall fanned Wilfred Parsons to end the threat. Fernie loaded the sacks again in the eighth but Guzzi flied to centre to end the inning. In the ninth,an outstanding throw from Sid Little in the outfield to the plate on Mike Tymchuk's single caught Henry Hughes to end another threat. The Buffaloes got on the scoreboard in the second inning as Tom Krall rapped a triple to left and came home on an error. In the fourth,. Chala, who had doubled, scored on a single by Tom Krall. After Chizmar reached, Andy Krall then singled to plate a pair. Hughes drove in Fernie's lone run with a single in the seventh.
T.Krall (W) and Weaver
Harrington, Guzzi and Anselmo
(July 14) Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals sent the cellar-dwelling Elk Valley Senators to their sixth straight defeat, 5-3. Cards took advantage of costly errors in the last two innings to come from behind for the win. John Dobek picked up the pitching decision in a relief role.
Herman, Dobek (W) and xxx
Anderson (L) and xxx
(July 14) John Krall allowed just six hits, all in the sixth inning, in pitching Natal-Michel Buffaloes to a 10-6 triumph over the league-leading Hillcrest Miners. Krall fanned eight.
xxx and xxx
J.Krall (W) and xxx
(July 16) Hillcrest Miners snapped a three-game losing streak with a 7-1 victory over Fernie.
(July 16) In a thriller at Natal, after nine scoreless innings, Coleman Pucksters came away with a 2-1 victory Sunday. John "Tosin" Krall had a two-hitter until the tenth when he allowed three hits and committed a costly error on a bunt to allow the Pucksters to score two. The Buffaloes scored in the bottom of the tenth when Bing Weaver walked, advanced on an infield out and scored on Katrichak's single but Norman Schnepf got the final outs to end the rally. Buffaloes were robbed of a run in the first inning when Weaver was racing home from second but was hit by a batted ball. In the ninth with the bases loaded, Dunn of Coleman made an outstanding catch of Chizmar's liner to end a threat.
Schnepf (W) and xxx
J.Krall (L) and xxx
Coleman 9 - 3
Blairmore 8 - 4 1.0
Hillcrest 7 - 5 2.0
Natal-Michel 6 - 5 2.5
Fernie 2 - 8 6.0
Elk Valley 2 - 9 6.5
(July 23) Elk Valley and Fernie played to a 4-4 draw and Blairmore and Coleman battled to a 5-5 tie in 10 innings. Natal-Michel shellacked the Hillcrest Miners 16-7 in a seven-inning affair.
(July 26) Pitcher "Moose" Giacamuzzi was the hitting story as Blairmore Cardinals crushed Fernie 20-8 Wednesday at Fernie. Giacamuzzi, who went seven innings, yielded eight hits and fanned ten in his mound work. He paced a 21-hit attack with five hits, two of them doubles. Blairmore scored two in the first inning on a walk and two errors then put the game on ice with six runs in the fourth on six hits and a walk. They added four runs in each of the seventh, eighth and ninth frames.
Giacamuzzi (W), Herman (8) and North, A. Chala
Price (L), Harrington, J.Guzzi and Maffioli
(July 26) Hillcrest ran wild in the initial stanza rapping seven hits in an 11-run outburst and cruised to an 18-6 victory over Elk Valley in a seven inning contest. Ed Seaman slammed a homer and Steve Beranek and Lefty Beaver cracked three-baggers. Jake Anderasuk led the winners with four hits in five attempts. Harry Draper scattered eight hits in chalking up his fourth win without a loss.
Volpatti (L), Payne, Halko and Billy
Draper (W) and Elick
(July 26) Natal-Michel Buffaloes broke a 9-9 tie with a run in the ninth to slip by league-leading Coleman 10-9. Paul Chala was hit by a pitch, stole second and third and scored on a long fly ball. Tom Krall scattered ten hits in going the distance for the winners. He cracked the game's only homer with a long blow in the third inning with a man aboard.
T.Krall (W) and Weaver
Marconi, Fields (4), Schnepf (L) (9) and xxx
(July 30) Natal-Michel wiped out Fernie's 2-1 lead with four runs in the bottom of the second inning and romped to a 7-2 victory Sunday at Natal. It was the Buffaloes eighth win in their last nine games. Tom Krall allowed 11 hits but managed to go the distance for the winners. One of the hits against him was a homer by Marshall Anselmo. Michael White and Katrichak each had three hits for the Buffs.
J.Guzzi (L), Harrington (8) and xxx
T.Krall (W) and xxx
(August 2) Hillcrest moved into second place over Blairmore Wednesday in downing the Cardinals 11-6 as Skinny Price went the route for the win.
Price (W) and Elick
Herman (L) and North
(August 9) In a pitching duel at Elk Valley, the Senators and first place Coleman fought to a scoreless, ten inning tie. Andy Anderson of Elk Valley, making a sensational comeback after being on the sidelines for more than a month with a sore arm matched pitches with Coleman ace Frenchy Marconi. Both allowed just three hits. Marconi racked up 11 strikeouts, Anderson had eight. Darkness prevented further play.
Marconi and xxx
Anderson and xxx
(August 11) Hillcrest rapped 12 hits and capitalized on eight Elk Valley errors in crushing the Senators 15-1 Friday. Skinny Price pitched a six-hitter for the winners for his fourth straight victory.
Price (W) and Elick
Anderson (L) and Billy
(August 16) Blairmore Columbus Club Cardinals whacked 18 hits Wednesday to stomp Hillcrest 13-6. The Miners collected 12 hits off winning hurler John Dobek, but made six errors to hurt their chances.
Dobek (W) and Vejprava
Price, Seaman, Elick and Elick, Beranek
(August 16) Visiting Fernie made a game of it for three innings holding the Pucksters to a 1-1 tie before Coleman revved up the offense to notch an easy 12-1 triumph. Norm Schnepf scattered nine hits to post the pitching win.
Harrington (L), Guzzi and Maffioli
Schnepf (W) and Gate
(August 20) In an exhibition series at Lethbridge, Natal-Michel dropped a double-header to the Miners 3-2 and 11-2. Walter Johnston tossed a four-hitter for the Miners in the first game to best Tom Krall who yielded seven safeties. Johnston fanned 11. Michael White of the Buffaloes slugged the only homer. In the nightcap, Lethbridge jumped into a four-run lead in the first inning and coasted to the triumph. Stan Chervinski fired a five-hitter for the winners and Luciani of the Miners had the only four-bagger.
T.Krall (L) and Weaver
Johnston (W) and Witwicki
J.Guzzi (L), J.Krall (1) and Weaver
Chervinski (W) and Wray
(August 27) Playing before the largest crowds of the season at the Natal Ball Park Sunday, the Natal-Michel Buffaloes split a double-header with the Lethbridge Galt Miners losing the opener 5-4 and crushing the visitors 14-3 in the nightcap. Buffs played sparkling baseball behind the pitching of the Krall brothers, Tom and John. In the first game the Buffs, trailing 5-1, came within one of tying the count in the eighth inning as they punched out four straight hits against Art Lewis scoring three runs and had the tying run cut down at home plate on a close play.
Art Lewis (W) and Wray
T.Krall (L) and Weaver
Buffaloes rapped 12 hits off a pair of Miners' hurlers to run away with the win in the second game. A seven-run third inning put the game out of reach. John Krall held the home squad to eight hits and led the offense knocking in three runs with a pair of timely hits.
S.Chervinski, M.Slavich and Wray
J.Krall (W) and Weaver
Final Standings P W L T Pts
Natal-Michel 20 14 - 6 - 0 28
Coleman 19 13 - 5 - 1 27
Hillcrest 20 13 - 7 - 0 26
Blairmore 20 10 - 8 - 2 22
Fernie 19 3 -13 - 3 9
Elk Valley 20 2 -16 - 2 6
No intra-league playoffs were held but the Coleman Pucksters entered the 1939 Alberta Intermediate baseball playdowns and emerged as provincial champions, defeating the Wrentham Arctics in the final series.