1944 Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
1944 BC Interior
1944 Vancouver Island
Victoria Senior Amateur Baseball League
A five-team circuit, the 1944 Victoria Senior Amateur Baseball League was comprised of three service teams from various branches of the military, a team representing a shipbuilding contractor plus one civilian club sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
(May 12) Victoria’s senior baseballers opened the season at Royal Athletic Park with the Navy, behind the steady hurling of young Jimmy Ingamells, beating the Army 4 to 2. Ingamells, a 21-year old right-hander from Hamilton, struck out seven, gave away two free passes and limited the Soldiers to just three hits. The Tars collected seven safeties off losing twirler Lloyd Cann with outfielder Gil Bruce picking up two of them.
Cann (L) and Sawchuk, Emard (1)
Ingamells (W) and Parkins
(May 15) Eagles vs Army – rained out
(May 17) The two top teams from last season, the V.M.D and Navy, played to a 4 – 4 deadlock in a seven-inning tilt. Tommy Musgrave, working on the hill for the Machinery Depot, whiffed ten Sailors and allowed only four hits while issuing six walks. Johnny Wright was the starting moundsman for the Swabbies but lasted only an inning when the Shipbuilders got to him for three runs. He was relieved by “Lefty” Pawluk who allowed only one run for the remaining six frames. V.M.D. outfielder Maurice Duffy connected for three singles while Musgrave drilled a pair. Navy catcher Ted Parkins blasted a two-run homer.
Wright, Pawluk (2) and Parkins
Musgrave and Patterson
(May 19) A second 4 – 4 tie game this week in the Victoria Senior League took place at Athletic Park, this time featuring the Eagles and R.C.A.F. It was the first appearance of the season for both squads. Bobby Prior worked the full route on the slab for the Lodgemen, surrendering seven safeties, fanning eight and issuing five free passes. His mates banged ten hits off the Fly Boys’ Bill Surphlis as Earl Barnswell led the way with a triple and single. Smacking a double and single for the Birdmen were outfielder Jack Stratton and catcher Funk. Billy Adshead of the Airmen also had a two-bagger and single.
Surphlis and Ingram
Prior and Funk
(May 20) Out of the Senior League double-bill at Athletic Park, the V.M.D. were the only team to come through with a win, although it took them two extra innings to do it, beating the Army 12 to 8 in eleven frames. The late game between the Eagles and Navy ended in a 6 – 6 stalemate. The Shipbuilders did all their damage after two were out in breaking the first-game deadlock. Leading the 15-hit attack for the winners was second sacker “Scotty” Robinson who laced four one-baggers. His teammate, hot corner custodian Bill Rafferty, singled three times. Top swatter for the Infantrymen was infielder Vic Valentine who doubled and singled twice.
Shillito (W) and Patterson
McCully (L) and Emard
The Eagles were able to salvage a tie by scoring once in the bottom of the ninth. Catcher Funk of the Birdmen scored the equalizer after reaching base on a contested trapped catch that was ruled a single. Outfielder
Al
Duz of the Shipmen and shortstop Harris of the Birds both garnered three base knocks with a triple included in Harris’ output. Navy outfielder Gil Bruce homered and doubled.
Ball and Bartko
Shouldice and Funk
(May 22) Playing under windy and wet conditions, the Eagles won their first of the campaign, blanking the Army nine 6 to 0 in a game shortened to six innings because of the weather conditions. Bobby Prior, young Eagle hurler, held the Troops to three scattered hits in posting the shutout. The Boys in Khaki produced a brother-act battery, with George Merlevede pitching and Gus catching. Both are former members of the St. Boniface entry in the Greater Winnipeg senior loop. Playing-manager Jack Stratton’s first-inning triple was the longest clout of the game. Charlie Stroulger, next man up, sent him home on a single through the box which produced the game’s first run and the only tally that the Birdmen would need.
Prior (W) and Funk
George Merlevede (L) and Gus Merlevede
(May 24) The Bellingham Bells of the Vancouver City Baseball League split a Victoria Day exhibition doubleheader with a pair of Victoria opponents. The Bells knocked off the Navy team 5 to 2 in the afternoon game but dropped the evening decision to V.M.D. 4 to 0. Former Pacific Coast Leaguer, Big John Marshall chalked up ten strikeouts in winning the opener on a six-hitter. Shortstop Jimmy Gilday was the big noise at the plate for the visitors. The ex- Seattle Rainier stroked four hits in five tries. Mickey Bartko had two hits for the Sailors.
Marshall (W) and Padovan
Ingamells (L) and Parkins
Reinforced with some troops from the Army Brigade, V.M.D. went ahead in the second stanza of the late match on “Bud” Werstine’s two-run homer and never looked back.
McGhie (L) and Padovan
Musgrave, Cann (W) (5) and Patterson
(May 26) Behind the four-hit pitching performance of “Speedballer” Lloyd Cann, Army baseballers crashed into the win column with an 11 to 2 verdict over the R.C.A.F. The Troops poked out a total of 17 safeties, including a two-run line-drive homer by classy shortstop Vic Valentine, the season’s longest four-bagger. Army playing-manager Doug Peden and outfielder Lutcher both rapped out four hits for the victors with one of Peden’s blows being a double. “Bud” Werstine and Cann had three base blows apiece including a two-bagger. Outfielder Watson of the Airmen topped the offense for the losing side, poking a double and single.
Barlow (L), Surphlis (5) and Ingram, Adshead
Cann (W) and Emard, Kouri
(May 27) The Navy and V.M.D. climbed aboard the winning van in a Victoria Senior Baseball League twin-bill with the Sailors beating the R.C.A.F 12 to 8 in a wild affair while the Shipbuilders edged past the Eagles by a razor-thin 1 to 0 verdict. The matinee attraction featured 25 base hits and 12 fielding miscues. Mickey Bartko and Dick Latiff of the Navy both had three hits with one of Bartko’s drives being a triple while a double was included in Latiff’s total. Shortstop Birk of the Airmen singled three times.
Ray (L) and Adshead
Pawluk (W), Ball (5) and Parkins
The nightcap turned out to be just the opposite from the afternoon game. It was one of the best fixtures of the year as opposing pitchers Tommy Musgrave and Ray Maitland were in top form. The Shipyard Gang scored the game’s only run in the fourth frame when Frank Warshawski’s hard-hit liner up the middle caromed off Maitland’s glove, allowing Maurice Duffy to score from third base. Outfielder Bill Bridgewood of the Eagles was the only player on either team to register two hits.
Maitland (L) and Funk
Musgrave (W) and Patterson
(May 29) Pounding the ball all over Athletic Park, the V.M.D. baseball club won their third straight game by drubbing the R.C.A.F. 10 to 2. The Shipbuilders pounded losing chucker Billy Surphlis for 14 safeties, many of them of the extra-base variety. “Scotty” Robinson led the hit parade with two doubles and a triple. Teammate Maurice Duffy and catcher Billy Adshead of the Flyers both laced three one-baggers. Winning tosser Cy Shillito was touched for five hits in the seven frames that he pitched.
Shillito (W), France (8) and Patterson
Surphilis (L) and Adshead
(May 31) Navy vs Army – rained out
(June 2) Bryan Forster’s R.C.A.F. baseball nine finally came to life as they garnered 14 base blows in registering their first win of the campaign, a 14 to 2 pasting of the Eagles. Gerry/Jerry Ray, working on the hill for the Airmen, allowed five hits, struck out the same number and walked one. Seven of the Flyers each laced a brace of base knocks with Forster, Jack Justice, Billy Adshead, “Pop” Pay, Buckley, Birk and Ray all contributing to the total. Both of Pay’s blows were doubles while one of Forster’s drives went for two bases. Shortstop Charlie Stroulger of the Birds also connected for a pair of doubles.
Ray (W) and Adshead
Shouldice (L), Prior (7) and Funk
(June 3) A screaming bottom-of-the-ninth single into centre field by Jimmy Naughton, his third hit of the game, plated Ray Moretti and gave the Navy a walkoff 3 to 2 win over the V.M.D. nine in the opener of a double bill at Athletic Park. The nightcap between the Army and Eagles ended in a nine-inning 3 – 3 deadlock. Losing flinger Tommy Musgrave had dropped Moretti’s easy pop fly to set the stage for Naughton’s blow in the early game. In the top of the ninth, Musgrave had driven in the tying run for his team. Jimmy Ingamells went the route on the rubber for the Tars, allowing only five hits and whiffing four. During the final inning, he was hit hard on the left leg with a hard drive by Steve Yaholnitsky, new V.M.D. shortstop from Yorkton, but refused to quit and finished the game. Aside from Naughton, “Barney” Barnswell of the Shipyard Crew also picked up a trio of safeties.
Musgrave (L) and Patterson
Ingamells (W) and Sparrow
The Army baseballers had a 6 to 4 edge in base blows in the tightly-fought second game. “Bud” Werstine and catcher "Shorty" Emard of the Men in Khaki as well as second baseman Gar Taylor of the Lodgemen each rang up two hits.
McCully and Emard
Prior and Funk
Standings W L Pct.
Navy 3 0 1.000
V.M.D. 3 1 .750
Eagles 1 2 .333
R.C.A.F. 1 3 .250
Army 1 3 .250
(June 5) The R.C.A.F. ball club moved into third place in the Victoria Senior Amateur Baseball League by lambasting the Navy diamondeers 12 to 4. Flexing their batting muscles for the second straight encounter, the Fly Boys pounded 15 hits off four Navy ball tossers. The leading willow wielders were winning pitcher Billy Surphlis and third baseman Birk who both cracked a double and a brace of singles while teammate Watson collected three one-baggers.
Pawluk (L), Crosato (3), Johnson (7), Ball (7) and Sparrow
Surphlis (W) and Switch
(June 9) Trailing 7 to 4 as they came to bat in the top of the ninth canto, the Eagles erupted for four counters to nip the Navy squad 8 to 7. The Lodgemen took advantage of a couple of Swabbie errors and showed a lot of fight to finish on the long end of the score. Ray Maitland, Birdmen chucker, earned his first win of the season, taking the decision from Jimmy Ingamells. Young “Toad” Garnet of the Eagles walked off with the hitting honours for the night, picking up four singles. His teammate, veteran catcher Funk, as well as the Navy’s Jack Walker both singled three times.
R. Maitland (W) and Funk
Ingamells (L) and Sparrow
(June 10) The R.C.A.F. contingent won their third game in a row by copping the first game of a Royal Athletic Park double-dip from the Army 6 to 4. The victory enabled the Airmen to even their record at three wins against three losses. In the nightcap of the twin-bill, the Victoria Machinery Depot, last season’s city champions, took a firmer grip on first place by checking in with a 4 to 1 triumph over the Eagles. The Flyers were in the drivers’ seat from the second inning on of the matinee tussle after they rang up a three-spot. Leading the way with the lumber for the winners were outfielder Watson and playing-manager Bryan Forster who both stroked a trio of safeties with one of Watson’s being a two-bagger.
Cann (L) and Emard
Surphlis (W) and Adshead
Timely hitting by the Shipyard nine spelled the difference in the sunset encounter. V.M.D. hurler Cy Shillito had one of his best nights on the rubber, allowing only seven well scattered hits. Maurice Duffy checked in with a double and three singles while “Barney” Barnswell contributed a triple, double and single. Playing-manager Jack Stratton led the Birdmen at the dish with a double and a brace of singles.
Shillito (W) and Harney
Prior (L) and Funk
(June 12) The V.M.D. and R.C.A.F. diamondeers battled to a 3 – 3 nine-inning draw at Royal Athletic Park in the fifth no-contest this season for the Victoria Senior League. Billy Adshead, who of late has been the regular catcher for the Flyers, took to the hill in relief of starter Bill Barlow in the fifth frame, getting his club out of a big hole by fanning both of the batters to face him. Besides dousing the fire that he had encountered, Adshead was responsible for the two runs that tied the contest in the sixth canto when he ripped one off the outfield wall to drive in one counter and later stole home with the equalizer. Nary a run did he surrender to the Shipbuilders during his 4 2/3 innings of mound work. Skipper Bryan Forster tripled and singled for the Fly Boys while Bill Surphlis of the Airmen and V.M.D. pitcher Tommy Musgrave both singled twice.
Barlow, Adshead (5) and Adshead, Switch (5)
Musgrave and Harney
(June 13) Navy vs Army – rained out
(June 16) Down by a 9 to 1 score entering the last half of the third inning, the R.C.A.F. kept their hot streak alive by coming from behind with two big rallies in the fourth and seventh innings to down the Eagles 14 to 10. The Airmen out slugged the Birds in this encounter, accumulating a 15 to 13 advantage in base hits in which shortstop Jack Justice and first sacker “Pop” Pay both hit two-run homers for the winners. Justice also nailed a double plus a one-bagger. Starting pitcher Bobby Prior of the Eagles drilled a triple and a pair of singles in a losing cause while playing-manager Jack Stratton singled three times.
Prior, R. Maitland (L) (4) and Garnet
Surphlis, Appleby (W) (5) and Switch
(June 17) V.M.D. edged out a ten-inning 4 to 3 win over Navy in the first game of a two-game agenda. The second event saw the Army squad finally come to life, running roughshod over the Eagles 13 to 5. Jimmy Crosato, on the hill for the Sailors, lost his own ball game by plunking Reg Patterson on the back with the bases loaded in the bottom of the extra-frame of the early game. Longest hit of the game was an inside-the-park homer by outfielder Noel Morgan of the winners in the second stanza. Morgan wound up with three base blows, a production equalled by teammate “Barney” Barnswell as well as Crosato and outfielder Jack Walker of the Tars, the latter’s output including a double.
Crosato (L) and Sparrow
Shillito (W) and Harney
“Shorty” McCully toiled eight frames on the rubber for the Troops in the late encounter, giving way to Bill Prior in the ninth after tossing a six-hitter. Shortstop Harry Holness of the Men in Khaki led the offense with a double and a brace of singles. Eagles’ outfielder Joe Travis singled on three occasions.
Shouldice (L), Bobby Prior and T. Maitland
McCully (W), Bill Prior (9) and Gus Merlevede, Emard
(June 19) Coming out of a losing streak, the Navy finally put a stop to the winning splurge of the R.C.A.F by taking out the Flyers 10 to 8 at Royal Athletic Park. Both clubs collected 14 base knocks in the heavy-hitting affair. Ray Moretti was the big noise in the Bluejackets’ triumph, socking a home run plus a pair of doubles. Teammate “Lefty” Pawluk also had three hits, all singles.
Appleby (L) and Surphlis
Ingamells (W) and Sparrow
(June 21) Led by Tommy Musgrave’s right arm and big bat, the V.M.D. ball club increased their lead atop the Victoria Senior Amateur baseball League by shutting out the Army nine 7 to 0. Besides turning in a superb five-hitter on the mound, Musgrave was the top man at the plate for the victors, going four for four. Also contributing mightily to the Shipbuilders’ 18-hit offense were outfielder Maurice Duffy who blasted a pair of triples and a single as well as first baseman “Babe” Work who singled three times.
Musgrave (W) and Harney
Cann (L), George Merlevede (8) and Gus Merlevede
Standings W L Pct.
V.M.D. 6 1 .857
Navy 4 3 .571
R.C.A.F. 4 4 .500
Army 2 5 .285
Eagles 2 5 .285
(June 23) The Navy contingent see-sawed their way to a darkness-shortened, seven-inning 16 to 11 victory over the Eagles, strengthening their hold on second place in the VSABL. The lead changed hands four times in this free-scoring encounter with the Sailors finally settling things with a six-spot in their final turn at bat when the Birdmen imploded. Losing pitcher “Lefty” Medansky was partly responsible for his own defeat by getting himself in hot water with two bad pegs on bunts. Leading the way with the stick was playing-manager Jack Stratton of the Lodgemen who had a double plus a pair of one-baggers. Fellow Eagle Joe Travis picked up a triple and a single. A trio of Swabbies, Ray Moretti, Jack Walker and Moe Sparrow, each had a double and single. Outfielder Gil Bruce of the Tars cracked a three-run circuit-clout in fourth frame.
Ingamells, Crosato (W) (5) and Sparrow
Prior, Medansky (L) (4) and T. Maitland
(June 24) Fans at Royal Athletic Park got their money’s worth as a doubleheader produced great competition with both games taking extra innings to produce a winner. In the afternoon fixture, the Army edged out R.C.A.F. in eleven innings while, in the nightcap,the V.M.D. nine kept their win streak alive with a story book finish to beat the Eagles 12 to 9 in ten frames. Art Chapman’s single just inside the right field foul line drove in Harry Holness with the winning tally in the bottom of the second overtime stanza to give the Infantrymen the opening game triumph. Bill Prior made his first start of the season on the hill for the Troops and heaved winning ball all the way, giving up only seven hits with the majority of them well scattered. Playing-skipper Doug Peden had three base blows for the winners, one of which was a double.
Appleby (L) and Surphlis
W. Prior (W) and Gus Merlevede
Reg Patterson’s three-run walkoff homer in the extra-frame settled matters in the late game and solidified the Shipyard Gang’s hold on top spot in the circuit. Patterson also had a pair of doubles in his three-hit performance. Yet, there were three other swatters who had four hits in this encounter. Patterson’s V.M.D. teammate Maurice Duffy ripped a brace of two-baggers as well as singling twice, an output equalled by “Toad” Garnet of the Eagles. Bill Bridgewood, in his first stint behind the plate for the Birdmen, picked up three one-baggers and a double.
R. Maitland (L) and Bridgewood
Douglas, Shillito (W) (8) and Harney
(June 25) Scoring five times in the third inning, the Nanaimo Army baseballers nosed out the Victoria Army in an exhibition encounter.
Banton, Montan and Rapatoni
George Merlevede, Cann, Gus Merlevede and Kouri
(June 26) R.C.A.F. edged out V.M.D. 2 to 1 to put a stop to the league-leaders’ winning streak. Bert Appleby drove in the winning marker with a seventh-inning single, breaking a 1 – 1 tie. Billy Surphlis, on the mound for the Airmen, held the Shipbuilders to six well-scattered hits. Losing flinger Tommy Musgrave allowed eight base blows while whiffing ten. Billy Adshead led the Flyers at the dish with a double and single. Shortstop Percy Switch of the winners and first baseman “Babe” Work of the Machinery Depot both picked up a pair of singles.
Musgrave (L) and Harney
Surphlis (W) and Adshead
(June 28) The Army ball club won their second straight game by drubbing Navy 12 to 6 to move closer to the third-place R.C.A.F. squad in the Victoria Senior Amateur Baseball League. All the losers’ runs were scored in the last two innings after they had trailed 12 to 0. Top hitters in the game were outfielders Eddie Shepherd of the Army brigade and Jack Walker of the Shipmen who both had three singles.
Cann (W), McCully (9) and Gus Merlevede
Ball (L) and Sparrow
(June 30) The Eagles came out of a long losing streak to defeat the R.C.A.F. 9 to 3 in a VSABL encounter at Royal Athletic Park. Jimmy Levy, making his first appearance on the mound for the Lodgemen, took the mound decision by a comfortable margin in spite of walking 15 Flyer batters. The Birdmen teed off on losing flinger Bert Appleby’s slants for nine runs and 14 hits before he was sent to the showers after seven frames on the hill. Outfielder Joe Travis led the Eagles with the stick, accumulating four singles. His teammate, “Toad” Garnet, chipped in with a trio of one-baggers.
Appleby (L) Morry (8) and Surphlis
Levy (W) and T. Maitland, Bridgewood
(July 1) Playing before 3,200 fans, the Victoria All-Stars swept the first two games of the annual series with the Port Angeles WA team for the John Hart Trophy, taking the opening contest 12 to 2 and following that up with an 11 to 0 whitewash in the late tilt. Tommy Musgrave of the Stars turned in a five-hit mound performance in the lid-lifter, fanning seven of the American all-service nine, and did not issue a walk. Shortstop Percy Switch had a big game with the bat for the Victorians, smacking four base hits. Losing heaver “Bull” Davis crashed the game’s only homer.
Davis (L), Varner and Horton
Musgrave (W) and Surphlis
Lloyd Cann tossed a brilliant one-hitter in the nightcap. Port Angeles’ “Bull” Davis, in a pinch-hitting role, robbed Cann of a no-hitter when he lined a sharp single with one out in the ninth. Third baseman “Bud” Werstine led the 14-hit attack of the Capital City Crew with a triple and double.
Giesy (L) and Staeger
Cann (W) and Sparrow
(July 3) A game which began as the “Battle of the pitching Priors” ended with neither of them involved in the decision. The Eagles’ Bobby Prior lasted only two-thirds of an inning while Bill Prior of the Army nine endured seven frames before being sent to the showers. In the end, relief chucker Ken “Shorty” McCully took the mound decision for the Khaki Brigade as he singled through the box into centre field to score a pair of counters that brought a close 9 to 8 victory for the Troops over the Birdmen. Sammy Kennedy paced the victors’ 13-hit assault with four base blows including a pair of doubles.
W. Prior, McCully (W) (8) and Gus Merlevede
R. Prior, Shouldice (L) (1) and Funk
(July 5) Playing on a wind-swept diamond, the second-place Navy team unleashed a powerful display of hitting to hand the league-leading V.M.D. nine a convincing 13 to 3 defeat. Cy Shillito, mound winner of five straight for the Shipbuilders, suffered his first defeat of the season. Speedballer Jimmy Crosato earned the hillock triumph for the Tars, yielding ten hits, three of them going to “Babe” Work whose total included a triple. Catcher Moe Sparrow was the leading swatter for the Sailors, clubbing an inside-the-park three-run homer as well as two singles.
Shillito (L), Douglas (5) and Harney
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
Standings W L Pct.
V.M.D. 7 3 .700
Navy 6 4 .600
Army 5 5 .500
R.C.A.F. 5 6 .455
Eagles 3 8 .273
(July 7) The cellar-dwelling Eagles proved they are a contender when they can get some pitching as they came up with a clean-cut 8 to 2 win over the second-place Navy team. “Lefty” Medansky, showing a sizzling fastball and airtight control, held the Navy to two runs and four hits before he retired from the hill after six cantos with a sore arm. Joe Travis and Gar Taylor led the Eagles’ stickers with a brace of doubles and a single each.
Medansky (W), R. Maitland (7) and Bridgewood
Ball (L), Ingamells (7) and Sparrow
(July 8) In two of the most exciting games of the season, the Army and Air Force nines came through with one-run victories in doubleheader action at Royal Athletic Park. The thrill-packed first game saw the Khaki Gang win their fourth straight, taking a 4 to 3 over decision over V.M.D. In the sunset match, R.C.A.F. prevailed 2 to 1 over the Navy. In spite of being out-hit 13 to 8, the Infantrymen were able to cash in on their opportunities to snatch the opener. Manager Doug Peden proved to be the hero for the Troops, launching a towering two-run circuit-blast with two out in the eighth stanza. Peden had a single to go along with his four-bagger. “Scotty” Robinson of the Shipyard nine was the game’s top offensive player, slamming a triple and two singles. Fellow Machine Depot player, Maurice Duffy, laced a trio of one-baggers.
Cann (W) and Gus Merlevede
Musgrave (L) and Harney
The second game was an airtight pitching duel between Bill Surphlis of the Airmen and “Lefty” Pawluk of the Navy. Pawluk lost a tough one as he did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and only six during the game. The winning run was scored in the eighth when outfielder Birk of the Flyers singled home Percy Switch who had received credit for a triple when Ray Moretti of the Tars tried unsuccessfully to make a shoestring catch of his liner. Switch also picked up a single while Moretti had a triad of singles. Navy’s Jack Walker was also prominent with the stick, clubbing a pair of doubles.
Pawluk (L) and Parkins
Surphlis (W) and Adshead
(July 9) The league-leading V.M.D. nine came out of their three-game losing streak to hand the R.C.A.F. a 5 to 2 setback. The Shipyarders had only five hits off the slants of losing flinger Bert Appleby but took advantage of a second-inning meltdown by the Airmen to cash in five unearned runs. The Fly Boys had several chances to get back into the ball game but could not capitalize on them. Cy Shillito captured his sixth mound decision of the season with a seven-hitter. Appleby and outfielder Birk of the vanquished nine were the only players to accumulate two base hits.
Appleby (L) and Adshead
Shillito (W) and Patterson
(July 12) Backing up Wilf Shouldice’s sparkling pitching with some sensational defensive work in the clutch, a hustling Eagles ball club defeated the league-leading V.M.D. squad 5 to 2. Much of the game’s excitement was packed into the sixth and eighth innings when the Shipyard aggregation made two promising rallies, only to see them nipped in the bud by some alert play on the part of the Eagles’ infield. Shouldice finished with a seven-hitter while his teammates picked up nine raps from the offerings of losing twirler Tommy Musgrave. Second baseman Gar Taylor and outfielder Joe Travis of the winners both singled twice while “Babe” Work had a double and single for the losing side.
Musgrave (L) and Patterson
Shouldice (W) and Bridgewood
(July 14) A towering two-run homer by outfielder Sammy Kennedy gave the Army club a closely-fought 4 to 3 victory over the R.C.A.F. Kennedy personally accounted for all the Army scoring, driving in their first two counters with a stinging single in the opening frame. He also had a third base rap, another single. Although touched for nine hits and having three errors by his mates to contend with, winning tosser Lloyd Cann turned in a steady performance, striking out nine batters in the pinches. Cagey second sacker/manager Bryan Forster of the Airmen, playing one of his best games, roamed far and wide to handle ten chances without an error, beefed at the umpires in his own inimitable style and came up with three hits, including a double, to spearhead his club’s losing fight.
Cann (W) and Sawchuk
Surphlis (L) and Switch
(July 15) Squeezing across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth frame, the Navy defeated the Army 5 to 4, a victory which allowed them to climb into a second-place tie with the Troops. An infield error allowed shortstop Jimmy Naughton to reach the initial bag safely in leading off the ninth. A sacrifice bunt moved him to second base and, as the Army board of strategy was in the process of issuing an intentional walk to the dangerous Jack Walker, the Soldiers neglected to keep their eye on the aggressive Naughton who took off and stole third. The Khaki Clan responded by issuing a second intentional free pass to load the sacks. On the second pitch to the next batter, Ted Parkins, Naughton broke for the plate and, although the ball was thrown high and wide in an attempt to forestall the squeeze, Parkins managed to get his bat on it as Naughton breezed safely across home. Walker led the Tar swatters with a double and single while “Bud” Werstine and Art Chapman of the Infantry both singled twice. Another feature of the game was an opening stanza triple play pulled off by the Soldiers.
McCully (L) and Sawchuk
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
(July 16) The Victoria All-Stars retained possession of the John Hart International Baseball trophy at Port Angeles WA when they broke even with the American nine. Playing in the Port Angeles ball park for the first time, the Victoria club won the matinee attraction 6 to 3 and then dropped the nightcap 6 to 1. Lloyd Cann, Army hurler, pitched effectively for the All-Stars in winning the first game. Billy Surphlis, Airforce tosser, opened on the mound in the night event but finally gave way to relief pitcher “Lefty” Medansky of the Eagles. Unaccustomed to playing under the lights, the Victoria players turned in a wobbly performance with all six Port Angeles runs being unearned.
(July 17) Taking advantage of the wildness of southpaw Tony Maze and some more bad baseball by the Army nine, the Eagles came up with their third straight victory, defeating the Soldiers 6 to 4. Pitching his first ball game in two years, Maze showed the effect of his long layoff as he walked seven, uncorked two wild pitches and seemed to tire in the late innings. On the credit side, his heater was blazing as he set down eleven Lodgemen on strikes while yielding just six hits. Scrappy Bill Bridgewood was the only Eagle to light him up for more than one safety, with two hits in five tries. Winning chucker Ray Maitland was nicked for eight base blows including a four-bagger and two singles by outfielder Eddie Shepherd. Second sacker Eddie Cross of the Army also smashed a home run, a fourth-inning solo shot.
R. Maitland (W) and Bridgewood
Maze (L), McCully (9) and Sawchuk
(July 19) Big Reg Patterson’s booming single off the outfield wall with two-out in the seventh inning sent a pair of V.M.D. runners across the plate with the tying and winning runs and brought the Shipbuilders a 5 to 4 triumph over the Navy. Playing under new manager Laurel Harney, the Shipyard aggregation were fortunate to win as they were out hit 12 to 9 and dodged many a bullet as the Navy nine failed to take advantage of their numerous scoring opportunities. Cy Shillito, in notching his seventh pitching win of the season, failed to display his usual form and just managed to stagger through. Infielder Ted Parkins of the Sailors emerged as the game’s top swatter, slapping a double and a brace of one-baggers.
Ingamells (L) and Sparrow, Bartko (1)
Shillito (W) and Harney
(July 21) Six big runs by the Navy in a wild first-inning uprising proved too much for the Eagles to overcome as they dropped a 9 to 7 verdict to the Sailors. The game was wild and wooly from the start with baserunners clogging the sacks in every inning as the opposing hurlers allowed 23 hits, gave up 12 bases on balls and had eight errors made behind them. Shortstop Charlie Stroulger of the Lodgemen smacked a pair of doubles and a single to lead all batters. Outfielder Jack Walker of the Tars and second baseman Gar Taylor of the Birdmen both picked up three singles.
Crosato (W), Johnson (8) and Sparrow
Shouldice (L) and Bridgewood
(July 22) In two VSABL fixtures played at Athletic Park, the Army upset the top-place V.M.D. nine 5 to 2 in a matinee attraction and the R.C.A.F. nosed out the Eagles 2 to 1 in the nightcap. Settling down after three hits and an error cost him two runs in the first inning of the opener, pitcher Lloyd Cann of the Soldiers was complete master of the situation from there on, holding V.M.D. to five scattered hits and no runs in the last eight frames. In the meantime, the Troops got to losing chucker Stan Douglas for five runs and gave Cann steady support. Army outfielder Sammy Kennedy had a double and single to lead all hitters at the plate.
Douglas (L) and Harney
Cann (W) and Sawchuk
The evening encounter saw the Eagles drop another tough decision when Bob Prior, making his first mound start in some time, threw a four-hitter in his best effort of the season but failed to win as his mates didn’t take advantage of the scoring chances they had. The Airmen, meanwhile, received some good pitching of their own as portsider Bert Appleby tossed a six-hitter at the Big Birds while his defense was solid. Outfielder Ossie Degrow of the Fly Boys broke up a 1 – 1 tie in the top of the ninth, singling home the winning marker. “Toad” Garnet, Lodgemen first sacker, was the only willow wielder with more than one hit in this contest as he singled twice.
Appleby (W) and Adshead
Prior (L) and Bridgewood
(July 24) The playoff hopes of the Eagles ball club were practically wiped out after they dropped a free-scoring 13 to 9 decision to the V.M.D. nine at Athletic Park. A bunting attack against starting hurler “Lefty” Medansky, six bad errors by the Clubmen and timely hitting by the Shipyard Crew combined to offset some heavy hitting by the Birdmen against the offerings of V.M.D. moundsman Cy Shillito. First baseman “Babe” Work led the winners offensively with four singles. Top dogs with the bat for the Eagles were outfielder Charlie Restell who picked up two singles and a double as well as shortstop Charlie Stroulger who had two doubles.
Medansky (L), Shouldice (4), R. Maitland (7) and Bridgewood
Shillito (W) and Harney
Standings W L Pct.
V.M.D. 10 6 .625
Navy 8 7 .533
Army 8 7 .533
R.C.A.F. 7 8 .467
Eagles 6 11 .353
(July 26) The V.M.D. ball club took a stranglehold on the top rung of the Victoria Senior circuit when they nosed out the R.C.A.F. nine 6 to 5 in a nip-and-tuck battle at Athletic Park. Both teams used a pair of chuckers and each tandem was touched for a dozen base blows. The Shipbuilders broke a 5 – 5 tie in the eighth canto on a gift run. Noel Morgan got credit for a fluke hit when his high infield pop fell in safely behind the mound. Morgan broke for second on the next pitch, continued on to third as the throw from catcher Billy Adshead was low and went into the outfield and crossed the platter when Watson threw wildly trying to head him off at third. Morgan previously had a triple and double, accumulating three hits in total. The Airmen’s top batter was outfielder Buckley who had a trio of singles.
Kirchner, Douglas (W) (2) and Harney
Surphlis, Appleby (L) (7) and Adshead
(July 28) The R.C.A.F. were buried under an avalanche of base hits, 22 of them, and found themselves on the short end of a 17 to 4 beating at the hands of an unmerciful Army squad in regular VSABL action. While the Troops were pasting the horsehide all over the lot, they received some fancy chucking from their portly southpaw Tony Maze who was scored on in only one inning and set down 14 Fly Boys on strikes. Shortstop Kouri led the Khaki massacre, slamming four one-baggers. Next in line was “Bud” Werstine who drilled a double and a pair of singles. Coming through with a trio of singles were outfielder Art Chapman and Bill Prior, in a non-pitching role.
Maze (W) and Sawchuk
Appleby (L), Surphlis (4), Adshead (6) and Adshead, Surphlis (6)
(July 29) Fielding their regular line-up and living up to all advance notices, a colourful ball club representing the U.S. Coast Guard of Seattle WA easily captured both ends of an exhibition doubleheader from the Victoria All-Stars by scores of 15 to 2 and 6 to 1. Every player in the Seattle line-up showed the benefit of his past pro experience and each gave a polished performance. Marvin Rickert homered and had two doubles for the visitors in the opener.
Lang (W) and Leovich
Cann (L), Shillito (8) and Harney
Don Strode and Ray Orteig blasted four-baggers in the late game for the Americans.
Chesnes (W), Bray (4), Rivera (7) and Leovich, Warren
Musgrave (L) and Adshead
(July 31) Navy moved into a second-place tie with Army as they jolted the Eagles 9 to 5 in a VSABL fixture. A sterling relief performance by lanky Navy twirler Jimmy Ingamells was the highlight of this game. Regular first sacker Bobby Wiegand had a fling at the pitching aspect of the game and found out quickly that he is better suited at his usual station. Although his mates provided him with plenty of run support and actually staked him to a huge lead, he was shelled from the hill after surrendering all five Eagle tallies in his two innings plus of mound work. Ingamells then took over and held the Lodgemen to two hits and no runs the rest of the way. Shortstop Ted Parkins led the 14-hit Navy offensive thrust, singling three times. Punching out a brace of one-baggers each were Dick Latiff, Ken Van Hatten and Gil Bruce of the the Tars as well as Gar Taylor of the Birdmen.
Wiegand, Ingamells (W) (3) and Bartko
R. Maitland (L) Prior (3) and Funk
(August 2) Turning in one of their best performances of the season, the Navy baseball club turned back the Army nine 6 to 1 before the largest crowd of the campaign. Right-hander Jimmy Crosato held the hard-hitting Soldiers to five hits in taking the complete game decision. Sharing the spotlight with Navy’s Crosato were teammates Gil Bruce who rapped out four base hits and swiped a pair of bases, Ken Van Hatten who banged out a two-run round-tripper and Eddie Runge who laced out three well-tagged blows.
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
Maze (L), Cann (2) and Sawchuk
(August 4) In a wild comedy of errors and just plain bad baseball, the Eagles kept their faint playoff hope alive when they defeated a weakened R.C.A.F. club 12 to 9 at Athletic Park. Forced to field a team without five regulars, the Airmen played pathetically as their makeshift lineup booted the ball 13 times and gave the Eagles eleven unearned runs. Fattening their batting averages in this contest were “Toad” Garnet, Charlie Stroulger and Ted Maitland of the Birdmen as well as McBain and Percy Switch of the Flyers, all of whom singled three times.
R. Prior (W) and Funk
Appleby (L) and Adshead
(August 5) V.M.D. and the Army turned in shutout wins in doubleheader action at Athletic Park. The Shipyard Workers turned back the challenging Navy club 5 to 0 in the matinee attraction while the Soldiers had little difficulty in applying the whitewash brush to the Eagles in the nightcap, winning 8 to 0. With Cy Shillito showing his best effort of the season with a four-hitter, V.M.D. practically assured themselves of a first-place finish in the Victoria loop. “Babe” Work had three base blows for the victors, one of which was a circuit-clout. Reg Patterson also homered for the winners.
Ingamells (L), Wiegand (8) and Sparrow
Shillito (W) and Harney
The Soldiers’ Bill Prior gave up only six hits in the sunset tussle, no two of which came in the same inning. His mates went on the offensive and piled up an early lead for him, leaving him in cruise control. Army Third baseman “Bud” Werstine had a superlative game at the dish, completing the cycle by hitting a home run, triple, double and single.
W. Prior (W) and Sawchuk
Arts (L), R. Maitland (5), T. Maitland (6) and Funk
(August 6) The Army and Navy teams of the Victoria Senior Baseball League marked up a pair of victories over the visiting Fort Worden WA Army nine. The local Troops nosed out the U.S. club 9 to 8 in the early game while the Navy won 11 to 6. Both games attracted 2,000 fans. Army was forced to push over three runs in the last of the ninth to escape with their victory in the matinee game. Third baseman “Bud” Werstine of the Soldiers had an inside-the-park home run.
xxx, xxx (L) and xxx
Medansky, Maze (W) and xxx
In the evening tussle, the Navy nine, behind the pitching od Tommy Musgrave, gained a 5 to 2 lead after two innings and were never in danger. Navy collected 13 hits of three Fort Worden pitchers. Second baseman Ken Van Hatten and outfielder Jack Walker paced the Swabbies attack, each banging out three hits.
Bush (L), Nelson, Dougherty and xxx
Musgrave (W), Wiegand (7) and xxx
(August 7) Behind the solid hurling of Billy Surphlis, a weakened R.C.A.F. nine pulled off an upset and assured themselves a berth in the playoffs when they edged past the strong Navy nine 4 to 2. Playing-manager Bryan Forster of the Flyers outdid any of his previous performances as he roamed all over the infield to throw out runners, and figured in two double plays at crucial moments to cut off scoring threats. First baseman “Pop” Pay was the hitting hero, driving in three runs with two hard-hit singles. Jack Walker had a double and a single for the Swabbies.
Pawluk (L), Brown (8) and Sparrow, Bartko
Surphlis (W) and Adshead
(August 9) Pushing over five big runs in the ninth inning, a strengthened R.C.A.F. ball club came from behind to defeat the first-place V.M.D. squad 7 to 5. With gaping holes in their infield plugged by the addition of Gar Taylor and “Toad” Garnet, both former Eagles, and their outfield strengthened with the acquisition of Charlie Restell, also picked up from the Birdmen, the Airmen survived one bad inning to come storming back from a 5 to 0 deficit. Taylor doubled in the winning marker and plated the insurance tally on Buckley’s second single of the game. Also collecting a brace of one-baggers were “Pop” Pay of the Fly Boys as well as Reg Patterson and Charlie Stroulger of the Shipbuilders.
Appleby (W) and Adshead
Douglas (L) and Harney
(August 11) Playing before one of the largest crowds of the season, a fighting Navy ball club came from behind with four runs in the last two innings to edge out the Army nine 7 to 6. Gil Bruce’s hard one-out single drove in the tying marker. Bruce then raced around the bases and plated the winner following Jack Walker’s base blow which was not fielded cleanly in the outfield. Walker wound up as the game’s leading hitter, picking up four base hits including a double. Top swatter for the Troops was outfielder Sammy Kennedy who had three hits including a brace of two-baggers. Navy third sacker Dick Latiff blasted a solo four-bagger to lead-off the game.
Medansky (L) and Sawchuk
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
(August 12) Army defeated the V.M.D. 5 to 3 in the last scheduled game in the VSABL. The victory moved the Soldiers into a second-place tie with the Navy, necessitating a tie-breaker playoff. Portsider Tony Maze picked up the mound victory with 7 2/3 innings of work on the hillock. During his stint on the rubber, Maze held the mighty Shipbuilders to just three hits while fanning six. Wild, but not as erratic as usual, the portly southpaw also walked nine, with four coming in the eighth frame when he was given the hook. Within the batters’ box, he helped himself, garnering a pair of singles. His teammate, third baseman “Bud” Werstine, provided much of the offense for the winners, belting a home run and a single.
Maze (W), Cann (8) and Sawchuk
Kirchner (L), Shillito (9) and Harney
Final standings P W L Pct.
V.M.D. 20 12 8 .600
Navy 20 11 9 .550
Army 20 11 9 .550
R.C.A.F. 20 9 11 .450
Eagles 20 7 13 .350
Second-place tie-breaker
(August 14) Barely staving off a typical Navy rally in the ninth-inning, Army won the second-place tiebreaker when they defeated the Sailors 6 to 5. Veteran chucker Lloyd Cann went the distance for the Troops, just managing to hang on for the win. The biggest thorn in his side was Tar outfielder Gil Bruce who lit him up for four hits while driving in a pair of runs. The sixth inning proved fatal to Navy hopes when the Infantrymen took advantage of Shipmen errors to count four times. Outfielders Sammy Kennedy and Eddie Shepherd of the Khaki Clan both had three hits.
Cann (W) and Sawchuk
Ingamells (L), Brown (8) and Bartko
PLAYOFFS
Semi-finals (best-of-five)
(August 16) Before 2,500 fans at Athletic Park, a steady Navy club edged out V.M.D. 2 to 1 in the opener of their semi-final series. Base knocks were scarce as winning flinger Jimmy Crosato tossed a four-hitter while Shipyard chucker Cy Shillito yielded seven bingles. The Shipmen garnered the winning tally in the eighth when, after an infield error allowed Dick Latiff to reach base, Jack Walker doubled him home. Latiff led the Tars offensively with a double and single. “Babe” Work starred offensively and defensively for the losers, singling twice, driving in their only run and making several difficult pickups at first base.
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
Shillito (L) and Harney
(August 18) With Tony Maze in great form on the mound, Army captured an easy 12 to 1 decision over a weakened R.C.A.F. club in the first game of the second semi-final series. The Airmen made numerous defensive miscues which, combined with Army hitting power, gave the Soldiers nine unearned runs. Having little trouble with his control for a change, Maze was impressive in winning on a five-hitter, whiffing a total of 14 Airmen and giving free passes to only three. The Khaki southpaw was also impressive with the stick, clubbing a home run and a triple. Army playing-manager Doug Peden picked up four hits including a triple while outfielder Sammy Kennedy contributed three singles.
Surphlis (L), Appleby (6) and Switch, Surphlis (6)
Maze (W) and Sawchuk
(August 19) V.M.D and Army chalked up semi-final playoff victories in a doubleheader run off at Athletic Park. The Shipyarders tripped up Navy 7 to 5 in a thrill-packed, eleven-inning encounter to tie their series at a game apiece while Army took a stranglehold on the second series with the R.C.A.F., downing the Fly Boys 9 to 3. To sturdy Cy Shillito must go the major credit for the V.M.D. win in the opener. Coming back on two day’s rest, the spunky right-hander pitched superbly over nine innings after relieving Stan Douglas in the second canto. Charlie Stroulger also played a big role in the triumph, getting two hits, laying down three sacrifice bunts and driving in the winning run with a fly to the outfield (not scored as a sacrifice fly in that era of baseball). Also picking up two hits for the winners were Reg Patterson, “Barney” Barnswell and Maurice Duffy. Dick Latiff and Moe Sparrow both had three hits for the Tars.
Douglas, Shillito (W) (2) and Harney
Pawluk, Ingamells (2), Johnson (L) (10) and Sparrow
The Flyers made a contest of it in the late encounter for six innings before bowing out to the superior hitting of the Troops. Eddie Cross, Art Chapman, Sammy Kennedy, Doug Peden and winning flinger Lloyd Cann of the Army each had two base blows. Playing-manager Bryan Forster led the Airmen with the willow, garnering a triad of base knocks.
Cann (W) and Sawchuk
Appleby (L) and Surphlis
(August 21) With Royal Athletic Park jammed to capacity, Jimmy Crosato, star of the Navy pitching staff, hurled his club to a one-game advantage over the V.M.D. baseballers in the Rithet Cup semi-final series when he turned in a brilliant three-hit mound performance as his team recorded an impressive 11 to 0 triumph. The game was close for six innings with the Sailors leading 1 to 0. Five-spots for the Tars in both the seventh and ninth innings, however, blew the game wide open. Gil Bruce led the 14-hit Navy attack with three hits, one being a double, and batted in a trio of baserunners. Ken Van Hatten with two doubles, Dick Latiff and Ray Moretti with a double and single apiece as well as Moe Sparrow and Ted Parkins with a brace of one-baggers were all prominent in the Bluejackets’ offensive thrust. “Babe” Work singled twice for the Shipbuilders.
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
Douglas (L), Work (7) and Harney
(August 23) Hopelessly outclassed, the R.C.A.F. diamondeers bowed out of the VSABL championship in three straight games when they were pummeled 16 to 4 by the Army nine. Eight runs by the Army in a big first inning settled any doubts there might have been about the outcome. Winning tosser Bill Prior never had to extend himself given the huge lead he constantly had. He wound up with a nine-hitter and an equal number of strikeouts. Prior also struck a trio of mighty blows on his own behalf, initially cleaning the bags with an opening stanza triple and later cracking out a double and single. Eddie Cross and Julian Sawchuk also picked up three safeties for the winners with one of Sawchuk’s blows going for three bases. “Toad” Garnet’s triple in the seventh was the big blow for the vanquished nine, breaking the shutout. He also drilled a double and single.
Appleby (L), Surphlis (1) and Surphlis, Forster (1)
W. Prior (W) and Sawchuk
(August 25) Hurling his second straight shutout and his third win of the series, Jimmy Crosato, ace of the Navy pitching staff, led his club into the finals of the Victoria senior baseball championship when he set the pennant-winning V.M.D. squad down on four hits as the Sailors prevailed 5 to 0 before the largest crowd of the season at Athletic Park. Navy will now meet Army for the Rithet Cup in a best-of-seven series. Losing twirler Cy Shillito pitched with all he had, surrendering eight hits, but without any offense from his mates, his fate was sealed. Leadoff batter Ray Moretti of the Sailors, singling twice, was the only player in the game to garner more than one hit.
Shillito (L) and Harney
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
In a vote of fans, Bryan Forster of the R.C.A.F has been selected as the league's Most Valuable Player. Forster the Flyers playing-manager received 73 votes to just 32 for the runner-up, outfielder Jack Walker of the Navy. Forster was chosen as the second baseman for the All-Star team to meet the powerful Seattle Coast Guard in a double-header on Saturday. Walker won the right-field spot with Gil Bruce of Navy in centre field and Maurice Duffy of V.M.D. in left. Laurel Hardy of V.M.D. was named the team's catcher and manager. V.M.D. teammates Tommy Musgrave and Cy Shillito were chosen as the pitchers with Eddie Runge of Navy at first base, Dick Latiff, also a Navy man, at third, and Charlie Stroulger of V.M.D. playing shortstop. Percy Switch of R.C.A.F. was selected as a utility player.
Post-season exhibition doubleheader
(August 26) Seattle Coast Guard captured two one-run decisions from the Victoria All-Stars in an exhibition doubleheader. Both contests, an 8 to 7 afternoon tilt and 9 to 8 evening affair, were attended by capacity crowds. Unfortunately for the Capital City squad, Navy players chosen for the team refused to play. Ray Orteig struck out 16 and held the Victorians to six hits in the opener but his defense was porous, allowing the homesters to stay close. Outfielder Don Strode of the winners batted in a trio of runs with three safeties while Orteig also had three base raps. Eddie Shepherd and “Bud” Werstine led the hosting nine with two singles each.
Orteig (W) and Leovich
Cann (L) and Harney
Marv Rickert of the Coast Guarders was loaned to the All-Stars for the second encounter and took to the hill. A first baseman by trade, he kept the Victoria nine in the game although experiencing difficulties in the fourth and fifth frames. Doug Peden of the Victorians and Jack Warren of the Yanks both hit home runs. Warren had five hits in total while Charlie Stroulger of the Stars cracked out four safeties including a double.
Lang, Rivera (W) (3) and Leovich, Volk
Rickert (L) and Harney
Finals (best-of-seven)
(August 30) The Navy baseball team took the first game of the best-of-seven series for the Victoria senior baseball crown when they bowled over the Army nine by a top-heavy score of 16 to 4. Replete with hot arguments and with the noisiest and largest crowd of the season on hand, close to 3,000, the contest produced many a thrill despite the one-sided score. Ken Van Hatten and manager Tony Hamilton of the Sailors were both ejected from the game. Both teams went with their ace starting chucker and wound up using a tandem. In winning tosser Jimmy Crosato’s case, his exit was a result of having a huge ten-run lead at the time so as to save him for further use later in the series. Seven runs by the Tars in a wild third inning basically sewed up the result. Heading the 15-hit Navy assault was Jack Walker with a triple and single. Gil Bruce and Moe Sparrow both had a double and singles as did Harry Holness of the Soldiers.
Crosato (W), Pawluk (7) and Sparrow
Cann (L), McCully (3) and Sawchuk
(September 1) The Army baseballers have conditionally evened up the best-of-seven Victoria senior baseball finals with a come-from-behind 5 to 4 triumph over the Navy in a wild contest before close to 3,000 rabid and noisy fans. The game, hard fought and tense all the way, wound up being played under protest by the Navy team after a budding seventh-inning rally of theirs was nipped during a controversial decision at the keystone sack. Gil Bruce, Navy baserunner at first, running on a two-out full count, was automatically entitled to second base on the fourth ball called but, running hard and sliding into second on a throw from the Army catcher, was called out by the base umpire who had lost track of the count. This decision was then reversed. Bruce, however, also seemingly unaware of the count, wandered off the bag to take up his outfield position and was then tagged out a second time, with the out decision being sustained on this occasion. Fans from both camps became all steamed up and several fights broke out. As far as the game itself, southpaw Tony Maze of the Soldiers turned in a great exhibition on the mound, striking out eight and holding the Navy to nine hits. Ted Parkins was the only Navy player to pick up more than one hit off Maze. Losing flinger Jimmy Ingamells pitched great ball for five frames but the power of the Khaki attack finally caught up with him. Sammy Kennedy belted a two-run round-tripper for the Soldiers while teammates Doug Peden and Eddie Shepherd both had a double plus a pair of singles.
Maze (W) and Sawchuk
Ingamells (L), Brown (8) and Sawchuk
(September 2) Pounding the ball hard, especially with runners on the sacks, the Navy diamondeers took a two games to one lead over the Army for the Victoria senior title when they buried the Troops 14 to 1 at Athletic Park. The Sailors lambasted the offerings of losing twirler Lloyd Cann and a pair of relievers for 15 base knocks. Jimmy Crosato kept his record of having pitched all the Navy wins in the playoffs intact although he was pulled with an eleven-run lead to save his arm for later games. Hot corner custodian Dick Latiff of the Tars batted in four runs with a home run, triple and a single while his infield mate, second sacker Ken Van Hatten, picked up a trio of singles. Army catcher Julian Sawchuk picked up a triple and double in leading his team’s offensive production.
Crosato (W), Brown (8) and Sparrow
Cann (L), McCully (4), Peden (7) and Sawchuk
(September 4) Snatching a doubleheader victory on Labor Day before more than 5,500 fans jammed into Athletic Park, the Army squad forged into a three games to two lead over the Navy in their battle for senior baseball supremacy in Victoria. Left-hander Tony Maze of the Soldiers pitched both wins, a 4 to 1 morning game triumph followed by a 12 to 7 victory in the afternoon event, and went the distance on each occasion. Maze allowed eight hits in the first contest and seven in the second. In each engagement, the portsider struck out seven. Over the course of the 18 innings that he toiled on the hill, Maze was not charged with giving up a single earned run, a remarkable feat. “Bud” Werstine and Art Chapman both had two hits for the winners in the opener with one of Werstine’s raps going for two bases. Ray Moretti picked up three singles for the Sailors. Pending the outcome of the Navy protest of the second game of the series when a misinterpretation of the rules by the umpires cut off a Navy rally, the Troops now are either one or two wins away from capturing the championship.
Maze (W) and Sawchuk
Ingamells (L) and Sparrow
It looked as though the Army team would rob Maze of any chance of marking up a double win as they booted the ball around, allowing Navy to take a 6 to 3 lead in the early innings of the follow-up match. But the Boys in Khaki seemed inspired by the efforts of the portly southpaw and dug in to blast out enough base hits to win. The Army’s Doug Peden and “Bud” Werstine both had three hits in support of Maze’s mound work while Sammy Kennedy had a two-run four-bagger. Outfielder Ray Moretti of the Tars solved Maze’s slants for a brace of doubles.
Crosato (L), Pawluk (7) and Sparrow
Maze (W) and Sawchuk
(September 6) With the announcement by league officials that the protested game of September 1 would be replayed in its entirety, the two combatants took the field and, after nine innings of baseball, the Army aggregation emerged with a 6 to 2 victory over the Navy nine. Now, sporting an official three games to two lead in the Victoria senior showdown, the Khaki Clan can close down the playoffs with one more win. Playing before 3,700 fans, veteran Lloyd Cann led the Soldiers to the triumph with his six-hit pitching effort. Ken Van Hatten, with two doubles, was the only Navy batter to have much success at the plate. A four-run sixth-inning outburst sewed up the win for the Troops. Failing to hit in the pinches, the Shipmen let several good scoring opportunities slip away. Navy twirler Jimmy Crosato hurled well enough to win the average game as only three of the runs charged to him were of the earned variety. Playing-manager Doug Peden led the winners offensively with a double and single.
Cann (W) and Sawchuk
Crosato (L) and Sparrow
(September 7) A fighting Navy club, rallying behind a courageous mound effort by Jimmy Ingamells, deadlocked the Rithet Cup playoffs at three games each when they hung on to register a 4 to 2 triumph over the Army before 3,000 howling spectators. Refusing to quit when the breaks went against them in the early stages of the game, the Sailors kept punching and with a wild four-run burst in the sixth frame, finally came out on top. Dick Latiff’s two-run triple was the big blow of that canto for the winners. Army base hits outnumbered those garnered by the Tars by a 13 to 9 margin but Ingamells was able to dig himself out of several holes and persevered to the end. Tony Maze started on the hill for the Troops but the strain of too much work seemed evident as he was unable to cut loose with the rapid velocity normally associated with his offerings. Latiiff had a single to go along with his three-bagger in leading the Swabbies at the dish. Outfielder Valentine paced the Army nine offensively with a double and a single.
Ingamells (W) and Sparrow
Maze (L), Cann (6) and Sawchuk
(September 8) Once more coming from behind, a battling Navy baseball nine captured the final game of the extremely exciting Victoria senior baseball finals, and with it the Rithet Cup, when they defeated the Army by a 5 to 4 score. Attendance records went out the window as over 4,000 howling fans jammed into Royal Athletic Park to view the Tars’ championship run. Often criticized for being a group of complainers, the Navy club won the series on fight and resilience. Second sacker Ken Van Hatten of the Sailors singled to drive in the winning tally in the last frame with two out and two strikes against him. He previously had made the defensive play of the game, a leaping eighth-inning snare of a line drive with the bases-loaded. Prior to his walkoff heroics, Van Patten had also acquired two other hits, a double and a single. The Soldiers held a 4 to 0 lead after three frames and appeared well on their way to victory. Faced with the four-run deficit, the Bell Bottom Battlers went to work in the fourth and cut the lead to two. The Bluejackets then tied the contest in the fifth, plating another pair of counters. With a sore arm from overwork during the playoffs, winning pitcher Jimmy Crosato was touched for Army hits in every inning but, refusing to crack, fought his way through after a rough start. He was lit up for 12 hits including a home run by Khaki outfielder Vic Valentine plus three hits each by Doug Peden and losing flinger Lloyd Cann.
Cann (L) and Sawchuk
Crosato (W) and Sparrow
Post-championship exhibition games
(September 16) Playing under the lights at Capilano Stadium, the first such experience for most of the team, the Victoria Navy squad lost a 10 to 2 decision to the Vancouver City League champion Norvans in an exhibition match. Labouring under the artificial lighting, the Tars made seven errors. Carl Gunnarson tossed a complete game four-hitter for the Shipbuilders.
Crosato (L), Ingamells and Sparrow
Gunnarson (W) and Reigner
(September 23) Engaging in the second and third games of a three-game exhibition series with the Norvans, champions of the Vancouver City circuit, the Victoria Navy nine went down to a 3 to 1 defeat in the first contest and tied the visitors 4 – 4 in the second half of the double bill. In spite of being out hit 9 to 6 by the Navy, the Norvans were able to win the matinee tussle by plating a pair of ninth-inning counters
Purcello (W) and Henry
Crosato (L) and Sparrow
Ed Runge’s long double in the eighth stanza drove in the tying marker for the Tars in the late encounter. The Sailors once more had an edge in base hits, collecting seven safeties to six for the Norvans.
Gunnarson and Henry
Ingamells, Brown (9) and Sparrow
NANAIMO
Wartime baseball in Nanaimo had a mixture of military and civilian involvement in 1944. A short-season loop, initially referred to as the Army, Navy & Civilian Baseball League, graced the diamonds of the Hub City during that summer. The local civilian entry, Nanaimo Bombers, played within the circuit along with five service teams and also scheduled games with military teams from Victoria. In the end, the service baseballers from Prince Edward Island seemed to thrive within the Island atmosphere at the opposite extreme of the country and proved to be the class of the circuit.
Teams in the Nanaimo Army, Navy & Civilian Baseball League
Brigade Headquarters
Fusiliers
Nanaimo Bombers
Ordnance
Prince Edward Island Highlanders
Royal Rifles
(May 24) Toss Naylor and Mel Briggs combined on a four-hit shutout Wednesday in the Nanaimo Bombers 13-0 trouncing of the Victoria Athletics. Naylor fanned 14 in his seven innings of work and Biggs added five more in his two frames. Naylor also notched the only run the Bombers would need this day smacking a triple in the second inning and scoring on Tommy Garner’s sac fly. The winners had just nine hits but were helped by five Victoria errors.
Kirchner (L), Page (7) and C.Hodges
T.Naylor (W), Biggs (8) and Edmunds, T.Naylor
(May 28) In a delight for fans in Nanaimo, the Bombers and the Victoria Navy put on one of the finest displays witnessed in many moons Sunday at the Central Sport Grounds. Navy edged the locals 3-2. Trailing 2-1 going into the ninth, the classy bluejackets rallied for a pair for the win. Dick Latiff singled through shortstop and scampered all the way to third as the ball eluded Norm Kirk in centre field. After Wright was hit by a pitch, Lefty Pawluk singled to bring in the tying run and Wright made it all the way home with the Navy’s third marker. Pawluk, with an eight-hitter, was the winning hurler besting Toss Naylor. Latiff, with three for four, was the leading hitter.
Pawluk (W) and Sparrow, Parkins (9)
T.Naylor (L) and Edmunds
(June 10) Victoria Navy captured the first game of a weekend double header at Nanaimo downing the Bombers 8-3. The sailors punched out 13 hits Saturday night running up a 6-1 lead after three innings. Right fielder Jack Walker rapped a double and two singles to lead the winners. Ray Moretti, a local boy now with the Navy squad, poked the game’s only homer. Four of the visitors had two hits apiece, Gil Bruce, Ted Parkins, Dick Latiff and winning hurler Lefty Pawluk.
Pawluk (W) and Sparrow
T.Naylor (L) and Edmunds
(June 11) Again, Navy of Victoria got off to a quick start with five runs in the first three innings and went on to down Nanaimo 9-6 Sunday to sweep the weekend double header. Gil Bruce poked a pair of hits and scored twice for the winners and Bob Weigand also had two safeties. Jack Walker cracked a homer. Vern Thompson collected two hits and two runs for Nanaimo and Toss Naylor added a pair. Navy used four hurlers with starter Jimmy Crosato going six frames for the win.
Crosato (W), Johnson (7), Weigand (7), Ingamels (8) and Sparrow
Biggs (L) and T.Naylor
(July 5) In a superb pitching battle as the Sports Grounds Wednesday, left-hander Banton fired a one-hitter for the Prince Edward Island Highlanders in a 1-0 victory over Ordnance. The game was called after seven innings. Montanari allowed just five hits and rang up 15 strikeouts in taking the loss. Banton fanned ten. The only run came in the sixth inning when Buckowsky singled and scored on Webb’s smash to deep right field.
Banton (W) and Rapatoni
Montanari (L) and Jackson
(July 14) The PEI Highlanders crushed Duncan Army 17-1 Thursday in a Services exhibition match. Already with a 6-1 lead, PEI added seven more in the fifth and three in the sixth of the abbreviated encounter called after seven frames. Highlanders rapped four Army hurlers for 16 hits while Peters, on the hill for the Atlantic club tossed a three-hitter. The only run off him came as a result of an error in the third inning.
Cramps (L), Amero, Roff, Sniedmiller and Ireland
Peters (W) and Rapatoni
(July 19) A six-team Army, Navy and Civilian baseball circuit was announced with seven-inning games scheduled for Wednesday nights and Sunday afternoons. Nanaimo Bombers will compete in the loop with the PEI Highlanders, Fusiliers, Ordnance, Brigade HQ, and Royal Rifles. Playoff games are to be nine inning contests.
(July 19) In the opening match of the Armed Services mid-season league, Prince Edward Island Highlanders downed Fusiliers 11-6 Wednesday at the Sports Grounds. Handing the Fusiliers a four run advantage after three innings, PEI roared back with one in the fourth, seven in the fifth and three more in the sixth for the victory. Montanari, who yielded 14 hits, managed to rack up a complete game victory. He had 13 strikeouts. The originally scheduled game between the Royal Rifles and Ordnance was cancelled at the last moment for military reasons.
Bellefleur (L), Coulombe, Cossetti and Vezina
Montanari (W) and Rapatoni
(July 23) Nanaimo Bombers defeated Brigade Headquarters 8-3 Sunday in an Armed Services League match at the Sports Grounds. The other half of the scheduled double-header between Fusiliers and Ordnance was cancelled. Camp officials said the Fusiliers had requested the cancellation late Saturday. With a pair of doubles, a hit batsman and an error Bombers pushed across three runs in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 deadlock. Lefty Biggs picked up the pitching win in a relief role.
Thompson, Biggs (W) (3) and T.Naylor
Helmer (L), Prevost (5), David (5) and Seeley
(July 26) The PEI Highlanders scored four times in the third inning and it proved enough in a 4-2 win over Nanaimo Bombers. Leading off, Minor singled and advanced to second on an error. Simpson and Buckowsky laced out successive singles, which, combined with another miscue at the keystone sack, accounted for the four markers. Nanaimo got one back in the bottom of the third as Red Naylor singled and came home on a pair of errors. In the fourth, Norm Kirk doubled, stole third was knocked home by Lefty Biggs. Each team had six hits with Banton picking up the win.
Banton (W) and Cecile
Biggs (L) and Naylor
(August 2) The crack PEI nine pounded out 12 hits and capitalized on 11 Nanaimo errors Wednesday in crushing the civilian squad 12-5. PEI’s ace southpaw, Montanari went just three innings, handing over mound duties to Peters with the Highlanders leading 7-2.
Montanari (W), Peters (4) and Cecile
Naylor and Edmunds
(August 6) Scoring four times in the first inning, PEI Highlanders cruised to a 12-4 victory over Brigade. Banton, the PEI twirler had a shutout for six innings before the losers got all four of their markers in the seventh and final frame. PEI had just seven hits but four went for extra bases.
Banton (W) and Cecile
Rosedale (L), Doumont, and Seeley
(August 13) Fusiliers trounced Nanaimo Bombers 9-2 behind the five-hit pitching of Bellefleur. Getting to Lefty Biggs for three consecutive doubles in the second inning, Fusiliers took a 2-0 lead and boosted it to 3-0 in the fourth. Bombers managed a singleton in the fourth as Norm Kirk got a life on an error and scored on Vern Thompson’s triple. Fusiliers advanced to a 5-1 advantage in the fifth on a triple, single, walk and an error. Two more bobbles, coupled with a double and two singles gave the solider's four more in the ninth. Bombers got their second and last run in the ninth when Hamilton reached on an error and crossed the plate when Red Naylor and Zaccarelli hit safely.
Biggs (L) and Naylor
Bellefleur (W) and Vezina
PLAYOFFS
(August 21) In a sudden-death semi-final, Nanaimo Bombers upset the Fusiliers 11-4 Monday. After two scoreless frames, Bombers plated a pair in the third and were never headed. Toss Naylor, the Nanaimo hurler, got himself into a heap of trouble in bottom of the third giving up three walks and a single for one run. With the bases loaded he fanned Bellefleur and Giguere to end the threat. Bombers added a run in the fourth and three in the fifth with Wib Jordan’s two-run triple highlighting the big inning. Tommy Garner had a big day for the winners with five hits in five at bats, one of them for two bases. Toss Naylor and Lefty Biggs combined to hold the Fusiliers to three hits in the seven inning contest.
Naylor, Biggs (5) and G.Syrotuck, T.Naylor (5)
Bellefleur (L), Menard (6) and Giguere
(August 23) The Highlanders of Prince Edward Island captured the championship of the Armed Services League edging Nanaimo Bombers 1-0 in a sudden-death clash for the championship, A seventh inning double by winning pitcher Montanari proved to be the difference. With two out and catcher Cecile on second by virtue of a single and a passed ball, Montanari tagged one into deep right field. Red Naylor made a dive for the ball and knocked it down but was unable to cut off the run. Each team had five hits in the well played game. Toss Naylor recorded eight strikeouts to four for Montanari.
T.Naylor (L) and Edmunds
Montanari (W) and Rapatoni
Cowichan Valley
Senior level baseball was revived in Duncan during the spring and summer of 1944. Initially, two teams were organized but then an additional four followed bringing the total to six, five of the clubs being civilian teams and the other from the local Army base. A league was formed which spanned a June to August time frame. Occasional exhibition games, primarily with military teams from other parts of the Island, also took place.
Teams in the 1944 Duncan Baseball League
Army
City Service
Concos
I.W.A.
Native Sons
Olympic Club
(May 14) Concos, sponsored by Garner Brothers Construction, whipped the Olympics 16-7 Sunday in the opening game of the regular schedule.
(May 18) Concos downed the Olympics 4-1 in a game called after six innings because of darkness. Joe Garner hurled the win for Concos besting Willis White.
J.Garner (W) and xxx
W.White (L) and xxx
(May 21) Wet and cold weather spoiled the day for ball fans on Sunday for a double-header between Victoria Eagles and the Concos. Eagles captured both games, winning the opener 4-3 and taking the second contest 13-9. For the locals, a highlight of the first game was the three-hit performance by Ed Mould.
(June 1) City Service dumped the Olympics 9-1 Thursday.
(June 4) In a twin-bill Sunday, Concos crushed the Duncan Indians 26-2 in the first game while Victoria Intermediates edged the Duncan Olympics 1-0. Pte. Lou Cody of the Duncan Army unit pitched for Victoria as their pitcher failed to reach the game on time because of car trouble.
(June 11) In the first of a Sunday double-header, Concos trounced City Service 15-1 led by Tommy Garner’s four hits. In the evening game Olympics defeated Nanaimo intermediates 10-5.
(June 13) Army shaded the Native Sons 7-6 in league action Tuesday as Pte. Amero picked up the pitching win.
(June 18) Duncan Concos upset Victoria RCAF 10-5 in the first game of a double-header Sunday then managed a 12-12 tie in the second game. Concos came from behind a 10-5 deficit to get the draw.
(July 2) Native Sons whipped the Olympics 11-6.
(July 3) The Duncan Army unit topped the Small Arms Training School 1-0 Monday at Nanaimo. Captain C. Olson starred for the winners pitching a no-hitter and belting a homer for the only run.
(July 4) Army trounced IWA 14-5 Tuesday behind the hurling of Pte. A.G. Kramps. A spectacular catch by Pte. C.C. Cadham of Army was the highlight of the game.
(July 9) City Service downed Concos 14-10.
(July 11) The Tuesday game between Concos and Army generated wide interest with a number of heavy wagers reportedly laid. Concos had no difficulty in disposing of the solider's 14-1.
(July 20) Native Sons downed the Olympics 4-1.
(July 23) In an Army vs Army contest Sunday afternoon, the Victoria Army nine downed the Duncan soldiers 14-1. In the evening, Victoria topped City Service 8-1.
(July 25) Concos defeated IWA 12-7 on Tuesday. Tommy Garner’s three-bagger was a game highlight.
(July 27) Olympics nipped Duncan Army 6-5.
(July 28) City Service and Native Sons battled to an 8-8 draw.
(July 31) Victoria Army took both games of Sunday’s twin bill from the Concos 6-4 and 8-6.
(August 2) Duncan Army went on a batting spree Tuesday to swamp IWA 17-2.
City Service 5 – 1
Concos 6 – 2
Army 4 – 3
Olympic Club 3 – 4
Native Sons 3 – 6
IWA 1 - 6
(August 3) Olympics edged City Service 4-2.
(August 6) On Sunday afternoon City Service defeated Army 5-3 and in the evening Concos shaded the Olympics 3-1.
(August 8) Concos crushed the cellar-dwelling IWA 12-1 Tuesday.
(August 9) In a six inning contest, a revitalized Army squad upended City Service 11-4.
(August 13) At Athletic Park Sunday Concos trounced Army 10-4 in the afternoon while City Service downed Olympics 6-1 in the evening game.
(August 15) City Service blanked the Olympics 5-0.
(August 17) Concos clobbered Army 11-2 as the Army squad suffered two pre-game injuries to pitcher Pte. Kramps and second baseman Pte. Roff who collided while chasing a fly ball. They were taken to Duncan hospital and after treatment were allowed to return to barracks.
City Service 8 - 2
Concos 7 - 3
Army 6 - 4
Olympic Club 5 - 5
Native Sons 3 – 7
IWA 2 – 8
( ) Awards for outstanding players in the Duncan Baseball League have been announced by Mr. W.P. Fance, secretary of the loop. Willis White of the Olympics was awarded the City of Duncan Challenge Cup for his selection as Most Valuable Player.
Pte. L.J. Amero, Army, was winner of the Fance Trophy as the player showing the greatest degree of sportsmanship.
(August 20) City Service took a 2-0 game lead in the best-of-five playoff for the league championship taking both games of Sunday’s double-header from Concos 12-6 and 10-5.
Xxx and xxxx
xxx and xxx
G.Cosgrove (W) and xxx
S.Bruce (L), J.Garner (7) and xxx
(August 22) Concos got back in the series with a 7-0 shutout City Service behind the hurling of Lefty Biggs.
Mutch (L) and xxx
Biggs (W) and xxx
(August 24) City Service captured the league title Thursday edging Concos 5-3 in what was said to have been the best game of the season. Cosgrove bested Lefty Biggs in the pitching matchup.
(September 3) In post-season play, City Service defeated the Duncan All-Stars 7-4 in the first game of a double-header. Courtenay Army shaded Duncan Army 6-5 in the second game.
The league champs took their tilt after trailing 2-0 in the first inning as the All-Stars took advantage of three walks by Noble to plate a pair. Lundquist took over in the first and pitched solid ball the rest of the way. Toss Naylor went the route for the All-Stars. The servicemen rallied for three runs in the ninth inning for the win. Buster Mutch of the winners and Joe Garner of the All-Stars had the big blows, each with a triple.
Noble, Lundquist (W) (1) and xxx
T.Naylor (L) and xxx
Comox Valley
Civilian teams from Elk River and Campbell River engaged in a few exhibition matches with Comox Valley-based military units during the spring and summer of 1944.
(April 30) In the opener of the 1944 baseball season, a game arranged by the YMCA War Services, the Prince Edward Highlanders whipped the Courtenay Navy 19-4. Montanari fanned 15 for the army squad in going the distance for the pitching win. The winners hammered three Navy chuckers for 14 hits. Three hits, five errors and a walk in the top of the first inning produced eight runs for the visitors.
Montanari (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(June 4) A pair of former Courtenay hurlers hooked up in a dandy pitching duel as Campbell River edged Elk River Tiber, Camp 8, 2-1 Sunday. John Haramboure fashioned a two-hitter for Camp 8 but lost to Don Marshall, who tossed a four-hitter for the winners.
Haramboure (L) and Buchanan
Marshall (W) and Herd
(June 15) The Campbell River Oldtimers made their debut at the local ballyard Thursday and, while showing there’s still some good ball hidden in those creaking joints and sore arms, dropped the contest to the local senior squad. Fred Hopton started for the losers, and after an absence of 16 years, showed he still had plenty of stuff in the four innings he worked. Manager Jack Ryan, who caught for the Lamb Logging Company as far back as 1933, finished the game in good style. Don Herd and Benton handled the mound work for the winners.
Hopton, Ryan and xxx
Herd, Benton and Calnan
(June 18) In their second start of the season, the Campbell River Oldtimes threw a scare into the fast stepping Elk River nine, forcing the youngsters into eleven innings of ball before dropping a 14-7 decision. John Haramboure went the distance for the winners.
Haramboure (W) and Buchanan
O’Hallorhan (L) and Ryan
(June 21) The Elk River Timber Company, Camp 8, visited Campbell River Wednesday and took a seven inning drubbing from the local squad. Haramboure, starting on the hill for the losers found the going rough in nearly every inning being touched for 11 safeties. Dunc Marshall, making his initial start for the “River” allowed just six hits, four in the sixth inning when the visitors netted four markers.
Haramboure (L) and xxx
Dunc Marshall (W) and xxx
(June 25) Campbell River dropped a 12-10 contest to a combined Elk River/Campbell River Oldtimers squad Sunday.
O’Hallorhan (W), Haramboure (9) and Buchanan
Herd (L), Marshall (9) and Tetti
(July 9) In seven, error-filled, innings Sunday, Comox Navy clobbered Campbell River 22-14.
Zink, Watson (5) and xxx
Haramboure, O’Hallorhan, D.Herd and xxx
(July 16) Campbell River pulled out a 3-1 triumph over Elk River Timber in a well-played game on Sunday. In contrast to last Sunday’s boot-fest, only two errors were made, both by the loggers.
Haramboure (L) and Buchanan
Herd (W) and Calnan
(July 23) The Royal Canadian Navy squad from Comox made their second appearance at Campbell River Sunday and came away with another victory, downing a combined ERT-Campbell River team 7-5. The Navy nine whiped out a two-run deficit with a big five run rally in the eighth inning. The local infield made four errors to make it easy for the sailors.
Arnie (W) and xxx
Haramboure (L) and xxx
(August 6) In a thrilling contest at Campbell River, the locals eked out a 2-1 decision over the Elk River loggers. Veteran Dunc Marshall hurled shutout ball for seven innings to get credit for the win. Don Herd tossed the last two frames, giving up the lone ERT marker. A double-play got the winners out of trouble in the ninth. Haramboure went the route for the loggers. “Nip” Masters of Campbell River was a star of the game with several sensational fielding plays while holding down the keystone sack.
Haramboure (L) and xxx
Marshall (W), Herd (8) and xxx