SOUTHERN LEAGUE
The tide begins to turn ever so slowly in favor of the Allies as 1943 proves to be a pivotal time in World War II. Back in southern Saskatchewan, for reasons unknown, a four-team circuit referred to as the Regina City League is formed in the spring of 1943 to replace the Southern League. Encompassing three of the 1942 clubs from the Southern League, with the Regina Commandos taking over for the R.C.M.P. squad, it could not really be considered a Queen City league only as the Wilcox-based Notre Dame Hounds played their home games at Lane Field, some thirty miles from the outskirts of Regina.
(May 30) The Regina Commandos, sponsored by Regina Industries, opened the new baseball campaign with an 8 to 6 win over their hosts, the Notre Dame Hounds. "Lefty" Hill struck out 14 Hounds while tossing a six-hitter for the win. Wolfe led the Regina batters, going three for four. First baseman Mel Clark of the Collegians also had three hits including a home run.
Hill (W) and Wolff, Clements
Ludgate (L), Germann (3) and Smith
(June 1) Percy Booker was throwing smoke at his old mates as he pitched the Regina Army to a 9 to 3 win over the Regina Red Sox at Park de Young. The first three Sox batters in the first inning all slashed out hits off Booker for a trio of runs. Not another Crimson Hose runner reached first base until the eighth when Booker issued a walk. A ninth inning error also landed an Army runner at first. The lanky righthander ended with a three-hitter and 17 strikeouts. He also did well with the hickory, drilling a double and single as the Soldiers banged out a total of nine hits off three Redleg pitchers.
Booker (W) and Baer
Johnson (L), Straub (7), Draper (9) and F. Petryna, Brown (9)
(June 5) The Regina Army won their second straight game by taking a 6 to 4 decision from the Regina Commandos. Although he wasn't pitching in this one, Percy Booker still landed the knockout punch for the Soldiers. Stepping up to bat in the last of the sixth with the score tied and two mates on base, Booker delivered a sharp single to drive in both and sew up the match. The Commandos had the night's hottest slugger in outfielder Rawluk who had a double plus a brace of singles. Both Walter Steele of the winners and the Commandos' Wilson singled twice.
Hill (L) and Wolff, Clements (1)
Eyolfson, Zabolotney (3) (W) and Thompson
(June 6) In a wild game played in Wilcox, the Notre Dame Hounds outlasted the Regina Red Sox 12 to 11. The two teams had seven runs apiece after the first two frames. A six run fifth inning finally established a lead that the Hounds didn't relinquish. Notre Dame's Lorne Downey and Steve Petryna of the Red Sox both had three singles in this free-for-all. Ernie Frank of the Dogs and Ken Charlton of the Redlegs followed with a pair of one-baggers each.
Alexander, Draper (1) (L), Johnson (5), Straub (8) and Charlton
Downey, Germann (2) (W) and Smith
(June 8) Big Guy Ludgate, who answers an army call soon, left his Collegiate teammates something to remember him by with a sparkling one-hit pitching job that led the Notre Dame Hounds to a smashing 8 to 0 blanking of the Regina Industries Commandos. Ludgate faced only 28 batters, fanned 12 and didn't walk a single Commando. Meanwhile, the overworked "Lefty" Hill was toiling again for the Commandos and, although he gave up only four hits before Grant Warwick took over in the eighth, the portsider walked eight and equally inadequate defensive work by his mates made things easier for the Hounds. Frank Smith of the Dogs was the only hitter to pick up a pair of base knocks, slamming a double and single.
Ludgate (W) and Smith
Hill (L), Warwick (8) and Wolff
(June 12) Baffled by the three hit chucking of Mel Richardson who fanned nine, the Regina Red Sox remained winless as they were blanked 4 to 0 at Park de Young by the Regina Industries Commandos. Richardson, Grant Warwick and Willie Homeniuk all singled twice for the winners off loser Art "Lefty" Straub.
Richardson (W) and Wolff
Straub (L) and F. Petryna, Charlton
(June 13) In an extremely exciting match played in Wilcox, the Regina Army maintained their hold on first place by overcomong the Notre Dame Hounds 3 to 2 in a twelve-inning battle. The Militia Men plated the winner in the third extra frame after losing hurler Frank Germann issued his only walk of the game to Percy Booker. Following a passed ball and an infield out, Booker scored when Drescher hit a clean single. Roseborsky, first baseman Kyle and Drescher each had two hits for the Soldiers with one of Roseborsky's being a two-bagger. Germann tossed the entire 12 innings for the Hounds, striking out 14.
Booker, Eyolfson (7) (W) and Baer
Germann (L) and Smith
(June 15) Making every hit count, the Notre Dame Hounds moved into second spot with a 5 to 2 decision over the winless Regina Red Sox. Each team pounded out eight hits but the Hounds came through in the clutches to fashion their winning margin. Frank Smith and Norm Brown both had two hits off loser "Smokey" Johnson with one of Smith's being a booming triple. Al Rittinger with three singles and Steve Petryna with two were the class of the Red Sox' swatters.
Ludgate (W) and Smith
Johnson (L) and Charlton
(June 17) The unbeaten Regina Army staggered to a 10 to 8 triumph over the Regina Commandos at Park de Young to consolidate their perch at the top of the heap. Geiger, Kyle and Wally Cherneshenko of the Soldiers all laced three singles. George Drew had a triple and single for the Commandos.
Booker (W), Eyolfson (7), Zabalotney (7) and Neubauer, Baer (7)
Hill (L), Richardson (2) and Wolff
(June 19) Regina Army's baseballers lost their first game of the season as the largest crowd of the spring at Park de Young watched the snappy Notre Dame Hounds ring up a 9 to 5 victory. The victory strengthened the Hounds' hold on second spot. Notre Dame had a total of eight runs on the scoreboard before the Army knew what hit them. Guy Ludgate with a six-hitter cruised to the pitching win.
Ludgate (W) and Frank
Zabolotney (L), Booker (2) and Neubauer
(June 22) The Regina Red Sox finally picked up a victory as they handed the Regina Army an 11 to 5 drubbing at Park de Young. The Soldiers suffered their second consecutive setback as Art "Lefty" Straub had things in control from the hill by spinning a five-hitter. Al Rittinger had a double and single for the winners. "Lefty" Alexander and George Cullen of the Red Sox as well as the Army's Drescher all picked up two singles.
Straub (W) and F. Petryna
Cherneshenko (L), Eyolfson (3) and Halko, Neubauer (6)
(June 24) A sixth-inning home run by rookie outfielder Johnny Wilson provided the only run of the game as the Regina Red Sox blanked the Notre Dame Hounds 1 to 0 at Park de Young. Both pitchers, Guy Ludgate of the Hounds and "Smokey" Johnson of the Red Sox, who struck out 12 to win his first game of the season, were stingy with the hits, surrendering only five apiece. Wilson shared honors for hitting with Frank Smith, the Notre Dame catcher, each poking two safeties.
Ludgate (L) and Smith
Johnson (W) and F. Petryna
(June 25) In a game that appeared at one stage to be a one-sided onslaught but developed into a wild and wooly affair in the last of the ninth, the Regina Red Sox won their third straight contest 14 to 11 over the Regina Industrial Commandos. In their last turn at bat, the Commandos, trailing by ten runs, put seven on the board to make things interesting. Ken Charlton boomed a pair of circuit clouts for the winners while the Commandos' George Drew was far ahead of every other batter as he had a five-hit performance including a double. Charlton also picked up a double while Grant Warwick of the losers had a triple, double and single in this pitchers' nightmare.
Straub (W) and F. Petryna
Richardson (L), Devine (4) and Clements
Standings (as of end of June 25)
W L Pct.
Regina Army 5 2 .714
Notre Dame Hounds 5 3 .625
Regina Red Sox 3 5 .375
Regina Commandos 2 5 .286
(June 26) With elongated Percy Booker turning in another spectacular mound performance, the Army baseballers of Regina whipped the Regina Commandos 5 to 1 before the largest Park de Young crowd of the summer. Booker fanned 17 batters, set the Commandos down in order in seven of the nine frames and was touched up for only two singles. Loser Mike Purcello of the Commandos pitched reasonably well, giving up seven hits, two to the Army third sacker Baer.
Booker (W) and Drescher
Purcello (L) and Wolff
(June 27) The three-game winning streak of the Regina Red Sox came to an abrupt end when they suffered a 5 to 1 loss at the hands of the Notre Dame Hounds at Lane Field in Wilcox. Ralph Hogg made his first appearance of the season for the Hounds and allowed only five hits, two of them being a double and single off losing hurler "Lefty" Alexander. Second baseman Bob Donald picked up three singles for the winners.
Alexander (L), S. Petryna (7) and F. Petryna
Hogg (W) and Smith
(June 29) The Notre Dame Hounds nosed out the Regina Army 8 to 7 to shove the Soldiers out of the league lead for the first time this season. Away flying with eight runs in the first two innings, the Hounds saw their lead practically vanish on the wings of a five-run Army uprising in the fifth which narrowed the gap to a single tally. At that point, husky Guy Ludgate took over mound chores and set the Militia Men down in order over the last four frames. Don Metz also did a bang up job for the Army in relief, blanking the winners after being summoned in the second frame. Catcher Frank Smith led the booming bats of the Hounds with a double and two singles. Carl Weisshaar contributed a triple and single while Chuck McCullough ripped a double and one-bagger. For the Soldiers, first baseman Mel Clark, a former Hound, had a three-bagger plus a single.
Frank (W), Ludgate (6) and Smith
Eyolfson (L), D. Metz (2) and Drescher
(July 3) Piling up a healthy lead in the early innings, the Regina Red Sox continued their climb upward as they trimmed the cellar-dwelling Regina Commandos 6 to 3. Although he was hit freely, Bill "Smokey" Johnson was good enough in the pinches to earn the pitching win over Don Devine. Johnson also did well with the bat, drilling a double and single. Grant Warwick hit a triple and single to lead the Commandos' offense.
Johnson (W) and Charlton
Devine (L), Hill (5) and Warwick, Clements
(July 4) The Regina Army regained first place when they pushed two runs across in the ninth inning to win a close 5 to 3 victory over the Notre Dame Hounds. Don Metz was steady on the mound for the Army as he went the distance allowing six hits and striking out nine. Loser Guy Ludgate had the misfortune of defensive meltdowns by his mates at inopportune times. Third baseman Campbell of the Army was the game's most productive hitter with a double and a single.
D. Metz (W) and Drescher
Ludgate (L) and Smith
(July 6) "Lefty" McNab hurled three-hit ball for the Regina Industries Commandos at Park de Young yet his own erratic play ruined the pitching performance as the fast-rising Regina Red Sox clicked for a 4 to 2 victory. McNab's errant throw to first base after fielding Fred Petryna's slow ground ball in the fourth frame sent two unearned runs scurrying home and gave the Red Sox a two-run lead, a cushion they never relinquished. The Commandos collected five hits off winner "Smokey" Johnson but the big righthander's curve ball had them swinging at bad ones. Richy Eisler of the Sox had the only two-hit output of any player in this contest.
McNab (L) and Clements
Johnson (W) and F. Petryna
(July 8) The Regina Army turned loose their ace-in-the-hole chucker on the Regina Red Sox up at Park de Young and the lanky Percy Booker didn't let them down as he halted the improving Sox 6 to 3 with a four-hit, ten strikeout mound chore. Booker also picked up a couple of base hits, both singles, off losing hurler Art "Lefty" Straub. Ken Charlton of the Sox lit up Booker for a ninth-inning bases-empty four-bagger.
Straub (L) and F. Petryna
Booker (W) and Drescher
(July 10) The Regina Red Sox avenged their defeat at the hands of the Regina Army two nights ago when the soundly whipped the Militia Men 7 to 1. The Crimson Hose breezed to victory behind the solid four-hit twirling of "Smokey" Johnson who has been mighty effective the last two weeks. Al Rittinger with a double and two singles provided Johnson and the Sox with plenty of offensive ammunition.
D. Metz (L) and Drescher
Johnson (W) and Charlton
(July 11) Frank Germann came through with a no-hit performance in leading the Notre Dame Hounds to a 3 to 1 victory over the Regina Commandos, a win which put the Collegians back into a first place tie with the Regina Army. No one Hound batsman had more than a single hit off loser Mike Purcello who finished with a six-hitter.
Purcello (L) and Clements
Germann (W) and McCann
(July 13) The up-and-coming Regina Red Sox stopped the Regina Army for a second straight time when they took a 6 to 3 decision from the Soldiers at Park de Young. The loss for the Militia Men dropped them into second place, a half game behind the Notre Dame Hounds. Percy Booker struck out 15 and gave up only six hits in tasting defeat for the first time this season. "Lefty" Straub won it with a five-hit performance. Slick fielding second baseman Richy Eisler of the Scarlet Hose had a double plus a pair of singles in pacing the winners at the dish.
Booker (L) and Drescher
Straub (W) and S. Petryna
(July 15) The red-hot Notre Dame Hounds put some distance between themselves and the second-place Regina Army by pouring out a 6 to 4 win over the Soldiers at Park de Young. The Hounds blasted out six runs in the first two innings, driving loser Percy Booker from the hill. Frank Germann, even with control problems, was good enough to subdue the Army on six hits. Don Metz did a bang-up job in relief of Booker and also picked up a double and single. Outfielder Heisler of the Dogs was their biggest offensive threat as he slammed a three-bagger and single.
Germann (W) and McCann
Booker (L), D. Metz (2) and Drescher
(July 16) Playing erratic defensive baseball, the Regina Industries Commandos went down to defeat 10 to 4 at the hands of the Regina Red Sox at Park de Young. The Sox opened up a big lead in the early innings against loser "Lefty" McNab and Mike Purcello's fine pitching later in the game couldn't undo the damage.
McNab (L), Purcello and xxxx
Johnson (W) and xxxx
Standings (as of the end of July 16)
W L Pct.
Notre Dame Hounds 8 4 .667
Regina Red Sox 8 6 .571
Regina Army 7 6 .538
Regina Commandos 2 9 .182
(July 20) Mike Purcello was a one-man show for the Regina Commandos but it wasn't enough as he eventually ran out of gas in the ninth as the Commandos dropped an 8 to 4 decision to the Regina Army. Purcello whiffed 18 of the Soldiers and led his team with the hickory, slamming a home run and double. His defensive support was shabby for the most part. Weakening in the ninth after fanning a pair, he gave up a three-run homer to Walter Steele which sealed the victory for the Army. Steele also ripped a double for the winners. Don Metz tossed a fine seven-hitter to pick up the mound win.
D. Metz (W) and Drescher
Purcello (L) and Clements
(July 24) The tail-end Regina Commandos crushed the Regina Army team 9 to 1 for their first triumph in some time. The loss for the favored Soldiers dropped them into third place in the circuit. "Lefty" McNab shut the Militia Men down on three hits in earning the win. Losing hurler Fricke got along well for five frames but weakened considerably from the sixth inning on. McNab and shortstop Don Devine both singled twice for the Commandos.
McNab (W) and Clements
Fricke (L) and Drescher
(July 27) The hitting of Don Metz and the pitching of Percy Booker hoisted the Regina Army back into second place as the Soldiers came from behind to tame the Regina Red Sox 7 to 6. Metz blasted out the game's deciding blow in the bottom of the ninth, shooting a sharp single down the third base line to score "Red" Tilson. It was the fourth safety in five tries for Metz, who included a double in his barrage against loser "Smokey" Johnson. Booker came to the rescue of starting pitcher Metz in the fourth and was immediately met with a three-run Redlegs' production. However, from there on he shut down the losers to earn the win.
Johnson (L) and Rittinger
D. Metz, Booker (4) (W) and Neubauer
(July 28) Figures published in the Regina Leader-Post of this date reveal that Grant Warwick of the Regina Commandos currently leads all batters in the league with an average of .375. Only four hitters in the loop have averages of .300 or better.
Batters with .300 or better averages AB H Aver.
Grant Warwick (Regina Commandos) 24 9 .375
Frank Smith (Notre Dame Hounds) 38 13 .342
George Drew (Regina Commandos) 53 18 .340
Ken Charlton (Regina Red Sox) 33 10 .303
(July 29) The Regina Commandos posted a 4 - 4 tie with the pace-setting Notre Dame Hounds, coming within an eyelash of upsetting the Wilcox Collegians. The Hounds out-hit the Reginans 8 to 7 as shortstop Norm Brown cracked a double and single to lead all hitters.
A. Downton and Smith
McNab and Clements
(July 30) Revelling in their new-found role as spoilers, the Regina Industries Commandos came through and drubbed the Regina Red Sox 8 to 1 at Park de Young. The Commandos broke the game open by posting a five spot off loser "Lefty" Straub and reliever Steve Petryna in the fourth inning. Mel Richardson picked up the complete game win. Willie Homeniuk slammed a solo home run for the winners.
Richardson (W) and Clements
Straub (L), S. Petryna (4) and Rittinger
(July 31) The Regina Red Sox collected three runs in the last of the ninth inning to salvage a 6 to 5 triumph over the Notre Dame Hounds. The Collegians appeared headed for victory after Frank Germann blasted a three-run homer in the first. They counted again in the sixth and seventh and held a two-run lead heading home. After the Red Sox tied the score in the ninth, Ken Charlton kept the pressure on by singling with two out. With some nifty base-running, he wound up on third and sprinted home with the deciding run when a pitch got away from Notre Dame catcher "Corky" McCann. Chuck McCullough and McCann, with three hits apiece, had the best batting production of all players participating in this game.
Germann (L) and McCann
Johnson (W) and Rittinger
(August 1) Behind the no-hit pitching of Aubrey Downton, the Notre Dame Hounds strengthened their position as league-leaders as they blasted out an 8 to 1 decision over the Regina Industries Commandos in Wilcox. Downton struck out seven and had his sinker ball working to perfection as not a single ball was hit off his slants into the outfield. At the plate, Downton poled out a long double for the only extra-base hit of the contest. Ernie Franks, Chuck McCullough and Frank Germann all singled twice for the Dogs.
McNab (L), Gerein (4) and and Clements
A. Downton (W) and McCann
(August 3) Regina Army baseballers waited seven innings before pouncing on the Notre Dame Hounds at Park de Young but, in the eighth, they cut loose and clawed out a 4 to 1 win from the Collegians. The Hounds held a 1 to 0 lead right from the opening frame and were looking good behind the solid pitching of Frank Germann. However, once Al Walters led off the eighth with a booming double, the fireworks began and the Soldiers prevailed. Percy Booker did a nice job on the hill, delivering a six-hitter for the win. Three of the blows off Booker were drilled by Hounds' shortstop Norm Brown who racked up a double and two singles. Walters had a single to go along with his two-bagger.
Germann (L) and Smith
Booker (W) and Drescher
(August 5) The Regina Commandos hung a two-run, bottom of the final-inning rally on the Notre Dame Hounds to take an eight-frame thriller 3 to 2. The loss jolted the Collegians out of first place in the loop. For the Commandos, it was an evening of surprises. First of all, they installed 16-year old Jim Arnold on the hill and the youngster came through with flying colors, striking out seven and working his way out of serious difficulty when challenged. To top it off, they played heads up ball all the way, slugging it out with the Hounds for five scoreless innings and then had enough steam left to pick up the tying and winning counters just before darkness halted proceedings. Frank Germann handled the hurling chores for the Hounds, whiffing 12 Commandos along the way, but two hits and an error in the last frame caused his downfall. Outfielder "Lefty" McNab of the Commandos with a pair of doubles and a single was the game's hitting leader.
Arnold (W) and Clements
Germann (L) and McCann
(August 6) The Regina Commandos served notice that they'll be a team to be reckoned with come playoff time as they picked up their second win in two nights, setting down the Regina Army 6 to 1. Although out-hitting the Commandos by a 7 to 4 margin, the Soldiers were never able to put a sustained drive together. Second sacker Chenko of the Army was the only player in either line-up to have a multi-hit game, stroking a pair of singles.
Gerein (W), Lowe (6) and Clements
Eyolfson (L), Tilson (6 ) and Drescher
(August 8) The front-running Notre Dame Hounds closed out the regular season schedule by taking a lop-sided 9 to 1 win over the Regina Red Sox at Regina's Central Park. The Sox played poorly, commiting seven errors in the abbreviated seven-inning game. Veteran chucker Bill Vogeli, making his first appearance in the league this season, limited the Sox to three singles while fanning seven. Frank Smith spanked a home run for the Hounds and added a pair of sinles as well. Vogeli's batterymate, Ted Schwindt, punched out a pair of singles.
Straub (L) and Charlton
Vogeli (W) and Schwindt
FINAL STANDINGS W L Pct.
Notre Dame Hounds 11 7 .611
Regina Army 10 8 .556
Regina Red Sox 9 9 .500
Regina Commandos 6 12 .333
(August 10) The Regina Leader-Post reported this date that the Army baseballers of Regina have declined to enter the playoff picture, leaving the three other clubs to compete for the playoff championship. The pennant-winning Notre Dame Hounds will get a bye into the final series while the Regina Red Sox and Regina Commandos will battle it out in a best of five series to provide an opponent for the Hounds.
SEMI - FINAL PLAYOFF SERIES
(August 10) Lacking power at the plate to drive in runs, the Regina Commandos took it on the chin 2 to 1 from the Regina Red Sox in the inaugural playoff game at Park de Young. The Commandos just didn't have it after the Red Sox established their edge with a second-inning run. They threatened repeatedly, twice with runners at second and third, but had feeble results in driving them home. Although beaten, "Lefty" McNab came off slightly best in the pitching duel. He gave up only four hits to "Smokey" Johnson's eight. McNab also pasted a brace of singles. Grant Warwick of the Commandos, with a double and single, had the best batting production of any player.
McNab (L) and Clements
Johnson (W) and Charlton
(August 12) Slim Mike Purcello, a former Regina Commando, trotted out to the Park de Young mound, twirled one of his better games for the Regina Red Sox and escorted them to a 6 to 2 triumph over the Commandos, giving the Red Sox a two-game edge in their series. Purcello had no mercy on his old sidekicks. He gave up three hits, fanned thirteen and, in the last seven frames, faced only 22 batters. He had the Commandos in full retreat. The Red Sox won it all in an astonishing fifth inning with alert baserunning capped by George "Lefty" Alexander's bases-loaded double that cleared the sacks. Sox' outfielder Jackie Fulton's three single output topped all batters in this contest.
Purcello (W) and Charlton
Richardson (L) and Clements.
(August 14) Smothering a dying rally, the Regina Red Sox sprinted into the league finals by whipping the Regina Commandos 6 to 3 on a wind-swept Park de Young diamond. It was their third straight victory. "Smokey " Johnson was the winning twirler and had the Commando bats well under contol until the final frame when they came alive for a pair of runs. The Red Sox had losing hurler Jim Arnold working to hold them in check although the Commandos' defense was less than stellar in this game. First baseman Ernie Downton of the Commandos had a double and single to emerge as the contest's top batter. The Red Sox will now engage the Notre Dame Hounds in a best-of-five round for the league crown.
Arnold (L) and Clements
Johnson (W) and Charlton
FINAL PLAY - OFF SERIES
(August 17) It was gift night at Park de Young and the Notre Dame Hounds, in a generous mood, proceeded to blow the inaugural game of the league final series by handing the Regina Red Sox a 5 to 2 verdict. The Hounds, usually an airtight fielding aggregation, excelled in the miscue department. They booted the ball eight times to ruin Frank Germann's four-hit mound effort. The Hounds found Mike Purcello an able rival for Germann on the hill and scraped up only five safeties. Germann and Regina outfielder Jackie Fulton were the best with the bat, both coming through with a double and single.
Purcello (W) and Charlton
Germann (L) and Smith
(August 19) The Notre Dame Hounds, who pack dynamite in their bats at times, teed off on "Smokey" Johnson's slants for twelve base blows en route to a 6 to 2 win over the Regina Red Sox. The Hounds tied the series primarily through their five-run explosion in the second inning of this game. Winning hurler Frank Germann took care of business with the bat as well, slamming a double and a pair of singles. Red Sox catcher Ken Charlton also ripped a two-bagger and a brace of singles.
Germann (W) and Schwindt
Johnson (L) and Charlton
(August 21) The Regina Red Sox regained the lead in their best-of-five final series when they got by the Notre Dame Hounds 8 to 3 at Park de Young. The Hounds had a big edge in base hits, 8 to 4, but were only able to string them together in the first frame when they scored three times. Loser Bill Vogeli issued five walks while winner Mike Purcello was walk-free. It wasn't that the Red Sox did much damage with the hickory but they gobbled up everything that came their way. With the bases on balls, a hit batter and four Notre Dame errors, they kept the Hounds in continual trouble. Norm Brown and Frank Smith of the Dogs both had three base hits with Brown's total including a double and Smith's a pair of two-baggers.
Purcello (W) and Charlton
Vogeli (L) and Schwindt
(August 24) Basement dwellers for a good part of the early season, the Regina Red Sox climbed all the way to the loop playoff championship as a reward for the hustling brand of baseball they have displayed all summer. The Sox uncorked a fifth-inning attack to clinch the title. They scored four times and made those runs stand up for a 4 to 1 decision over the Notre Dame Hounds. The Reginans prevailed three games to one in the series with pitcher Mike Purcello picking up all three wins. The Hounds gambled in their last stand, bringing in veteran Ralph Hogg to do the chucking. For the first four innings he had the upper hand, then suddenly in the fifth his old arm gave out and Frank Germann had to make a rescue attempt but failed to stop the inherited runners from advancing. Jackie Fulton, Steve Petryna and outfielder Schwenekker all singled twice for the Redlegs while Notre Dame first sacker Frank Smith had a double and single off Purcello.
Hogg (L), Germann (5) and Schwindt
Purcello (W) and Charlton
EPILOGUE TO 1943 SEASON
For the most part, things went off without a hitch in this 1943 circuit. The weather was a good as it can get in the spring and summer and the teams all fulfilled their league obligations although the Army team did not enter the playoffs. The Regina Red Sox again prevailed in this so-called Regina City League which was, in reality, the Southern League in disguise. The inscription on the Red Sox team photo which celebrated their 1942 and 1943 triumphs did not mention a City League title whatsoever but referred to their achievement as the south Saskatchewan baseball championship, more of a reference to the name of the loop from which they were spawned.
The first known fatality of a former Southern League player in the European conflict occurred during the off-season. Army Lieutenant Robert "Bob" C. Emerson, a first baseman for a number of seasons with the Moose Jaw Athletics (1936), Moose Jaw Canucks (1939) and Moose Jaw Elks (1941) was killed in action on December 23, 1943. Bob's younger brother, Bill, was also a member of several of the Moose Jaw Southern League teams and played right up until 1950.