SASKATOON & DISTRICT LEAGUE
(May 29) The new kids on the block, at least in the 1949 edition of the Saskatoon & District Baseball League, the Prince Albert Veterans made their entry into the new season by losing 9th inning leads in both games of a doubleheader against the visiting Saskatoon Legion. They still came away with a 1 - 1 tie in the nine inning opener but blew an 8 - 6 lead in the finale before losing 9 - 8.
In the first of two, the Vets held a 1 - 0 lead behind Ray Friesen entering the final stanza. Saskatoon pitcher Stan Currie's slow infield grounder scored Leo Kelsey from third with the tying marker. Both Friesen and Currie worked the entire game and each surrendered seven hits.
Currie and Sasseville
Friesen and Zwack
While the afternoon fixture was a pitcher's duel, the nightcap was a slugger's contest with the Legion banging out 13 hits to the Veterans 10. Don Mitchelmore, in relief of starter Johnny Grossman, got the win over Ed Knaive, the second of three Prince Albert twirlers. Bobby Sasseville had a three-bagger for the winners while teammate Julius Swick had a double.
Grossman, Mitchelmore (5) (W) and Sasseville
Berezowsky, Knaive (3) (L) Hunter (9) and Zwack
(May 29) The Saskatoon Cubs came up with a surprise win in their 1949 debut before an overflow crowd at Cairns Field when they knocked off the 1948 champion Delisle Commodores 11 - 4. The Cubs emerged from a sloppily played opening inning with a 4 - 2 lead and never looked back. They put the game away with a four-run 5th inning primarily on the strength of Bill "Slim" Burke's three-run homer. Also included in the Baby Bears 12 hit barrage were a pair of doubles by Vic Ring, a triple by Doug Scott as well as three singles in five trips by second baseman Bernie Almas. Shortstop Dick Piper collected two of the five Delisle hits, a double and single. Prior to the start of the game, Max Bentley of the Commodores was presented with the Roly Howes trophy in recognition of his being the 1948 batting champion of the Saskatoon & District Baseball League.
M. Coben (L), Yaroscho (5) and Reg Bentley
Scott (W), Jones and McKay
(June 4) The Delisle Commodores came away with a tie and a win in a twin bill played at Colonsay. The first game was called at the end of nine innings with the score 7 - 7 while the Commodores captured the late encounter 11 - 8.
Max Bentley's 9th inning three-run dinger salvaged the opening game deadlock for the Commodores with the host Colonsay Monarchs. The Ship Captains made nine bobbles in the tie game, mainly due to a new Colonsay field which is yet a bit rough.
Coben, Yaroscho and Reg Bentley
Johnson and Rosher
In the owl encounter, Delisle broke away to a 6 - 0 lead in the first two innings but needed a five-run splurge in the top of the 9th to stave off a strong rally by the Colonsay nine. Bennie Griggs got the complete game win for Goose Lake boys.
Griggs (W) and Reg Bentley
Langager (L), Folk and Turner
(June 4) A total of 30 base hits was produced as the Saskatoon Legion ended up on the short end of a 12 - 9 count to their Beaver hosts from North Battleford. The Beavers, out-hit 16 - 14, put on a great 4th inning offensive display, scoring seven times before the Legion boys were able to retire the side. The Beavers' Pete Prediger had a super performance at the dish, lacing out five hits in as many times at bat. Legion outfielder Merv Clouston went four for six. Roy Dean of North Battleford and Saskatoon's Cal Mills clouted four-baggers for their respective clubs.
Mitchelmore (L), Parker (5), Pizzey (5) and Sasseville
Marshall (W), L. Dean (8) and Prediger
(June 5) It was a hitter's paradise at Cairns Field as the Saskatoon Cubs defeated the Prince Albert Veterans 13 - 9. The clubs collected a total of 27 hits including three triples and four doubles. After falling behind 4 - 0 in the opening frame, the Cubs pecked away at the lead, cutting it to a single run and then exploded for eight markers in the 5th to ice the victory. Eric Falk took the pitching win while Ray Friesen of the Vets suffered the loss. Doug Boettcher had a pair of triples for Prince Albert while Jerry Webster had a three-bagger for Saskatoon.
Friesen (L), Logue (5) and Zwack
Newbold, Falk (1) (W), Burke (9) and McKay
(June 5) The Saskatoon Legion gained revenge for yesterday's defeat by shutting out the North Battleford Beavers 7 - 0 in the finale of a weekend series. Tall Stan Currie kept the North Battleford hitters well in check and pitched a neat seven-hitter for the win. Cal Mills and Jules Swick both had three for five efforts in the batter's box and both clouted triples for the Legion. North Battleford outfielder Ernie Hoeft was best for the Beavers with two hits. Matt Meredith, normally an outfielder and back-up catcher for the Beavers, temporarily suited up for Saskatoon in this game as the Legion regular catcher, Bobby Sasseville, was on the shelf due to a leg injury.
Currie (W) and Meredith
Taylor (L), L. Dean (7) and Prediger
(June 7) The Saskatoon Cubs remained undefeated as they tucked away their most important win so far this season by edging the Saskatoon Legion 6 - 5. The victory was the third straight for the Cubbies without a loss and this time they barely held off a 9th inning rally by the Legion to keep their record unblemished. Fastballer Slim Burke was called into action in the top of the 9th after the Legion had scored twice to bring the count to 6 - 5 and had the tying run on the paths. Burke enticed pinch hitter Johnny Grossman to ground out to end the game. Ben Jones, a Legion star last season, chucked 8 2/3 innings to pick up the win for the Cubs. The Legion found themselves behind 6 - 0 after six innings and couldn't quite finish climbing the steep comeback hill. John Carpenter tossed the entire game for the Legion boys and was tagged with the loss. He also contributed a double and two singles to lead the Legion offense. Teammate Merv Clouston also had three hits as did Cubs' shortstop Jerry Walker. Outfielder Merv Derksen of the Baby Bruins had a pair of doubles.
Carpenter (L) and Sasseville
Jones (W), Burke (9) and McKay
(June 8) Delisle moundsman Bennie Griggs tossed a neat three-hitter as the Bentley-studded Delisle Commodores breezed to a 12 - 1 victory over Kamloops in the final game of the Lloydminster baseball tournament to win first prize money of $2,000.
(June 10) The Saskatoon Legion plated a pair of 9th inning runs to edge their hosts, the Colonsay Monarchs, 4 - 3. Both pitchers, winner Stan Currie of Saskatoon and Lorne Johnson of the Monarchs, surrendered 11 hits in complete game efforts. Cal Mills 9th inning single drove in George Parker with the winning tally. Parker had a perfect night at the plate for the Legion, going five for five. Reg Pendleton had three hits for the Monarchs. Colonsay players had the game's only two home runs, one hit by Paul Hrynkiw and the other by Len Breckner.
Currie (W) and Sasseville
Johnson (L) and Turner
(June 12) The Delisle Commodores were hitting hard and often as they swept a Sunday double bill from the North Battleford Beavers by 7 - 2 and 10 - 6 scores. Top hitter for the day was Commodores' shortstop Dick Piper who collected seven hits in nine trips including a double and triple.
In the opener, Bennie Griggs took the win over Bob Marshall as the Navy Skippers out-hit the Beavers 14 - 6. Piper went three for five as part of his productive day.
Marshall (L) and Prediger
Griggs (W) and Reg Bentley
The Goose Lake nine pounded out 15 hits off loser George Taylor and reliever Les Dean in the wrap-up game. Piper had a perfect four for four performance to cap off the double bill. Dean slammed a grand-slam home run for the Beavers while Delisle outfielder Bert Coben blasted a bases-loaded triple.
Taylor (L), L. Dean (3) and Prediger
Maroniuk (W), M. Bentley (9), Griggs (9) and Reg Bentley
(June 12) The Colonsay Monarchs won their first game of the new season in a thrilling, come-from-behind manner as they shaded the Saskatoon Legion 7 - 6. Paul Hrynkiw's two-run homer in the 9th tied the contest and then, in the top of the 10th, Eddie Nalywako and Tommy Turner combined a double and single for the winning edge. Johnny Folk got the complete game mound win for the Monarchs. Saskatoon's Lefty Currie was the loser in relief. Bobby Sasseville, peppery Legion catcher, had a bases-empty home run for the losers. Colonsay's Nalywako and Harry O'Brien of the Legion both had a trio of hits to lead their respective clubs in the batter's box.
Folk (W) and Turner
Grossman, Currie (9) (L) and Sasseville
(June 12) The Prince Albert Veterans evened their Saskatoon & District Baseball League record at two wins and two losses by taking a doubleheader from the previously undefeated Saskatoon Cubs by scores of 10 - 9 in the 11 inning opener and 6 - 0 in the follow-up contest.
Hungry for a victory, the Vets hammered three Saskatoon pitchers for 20 hits in the matinee but, even with all the hitting, they had to go two extra innings to get the win. The Prince Albert crew scored three in the bottom of the 9th to send the game to extras. The Cubs picked up a single tally in the top of the 11th but the Veterans were not to be denied and came through with the tying and winning runs in their half of the 11th, the deciding marker resulting from Doug Boettcher's long fly to left field that enabled Don Johnstone to race home. Not only did Lefty Logue, the last of three Prince Albert pitchers, pick up the hurling win but he also had an outstanding effort at the dish, hitting for the cycle.
Burke, Falk (5), Scott (9) (L) and McKay
Knutson, Friesen (7), Logue (10) (W) and Zwack
Dick Berezowsky's fast breaking ball mystified the Cubs in the nightcap as the Prince Albert hurler limited his rivals to five well-scattered hits, one a double by Jerry Webster. In this game, outfielder Joe Nishnik of the Vets belted a two-run homer plus a double. Berezowsky and Arnold Casey of the Vets also had two-baggers.
Falk (L), Scott (7) and McKay
Berezowsky (W) and Zwack
(June 14) The Saskatoon Legion hammered out 18 base hits to clobber their intra-city foes, the Saskatoon Cubs, 11 - 4 and, in doing so, climbed past their arch-rivals into 2nd place in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League. Big John Carpenter limited the Cubs to five hits in the complete game win. Aside from his pitching, the Legion moundsman also did a tall job within the batter's box, lacing out four singles in five trips, twice driving in runs. Ben Jones, the Cubs' starter, suffered the loss. Bobby Sasseville and Jules Swick each went three for five at the dish for the winners.
Jones (L), Scott (5), Newbold (7) and McKay
Carpenter (W) and Sasseville
(June 15) The Delisle Commodores and Prince Albert Veterans split a doubleheader at Delisle with the home club, the current leaders in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League, winning the first game 11 - 5 while the Vets rebounded to take the tightly-played nightcap 3 - 2. The results left the standings unchanged with Delisle still at the top and Prince Albert tied for third with the Saskatoon Cubs.
Big John Yaroscho struck out 13 Veterans and kept the visitors to five hits as Delisle triumphed in the opener. Delisle's seven-run second inning virtually assured them of victory. Doug Bentley clouted a four-bagger in the 2nd and Reg Bentley followed suit in the 3rd.
Knutson (L), Hunter and Wilson
Yaroscho (W) and Reg Bentley
Prince Albert plated all three of their runs in the top of the 1st inning and hung on from there to capture the second game victory which featured dandy pitching by both loser Murray Coben of Delisle and young Dick Berezowsky of the Veterans. Coben had a three-hitter while Berezowsky surrendered five. Coben was also the game's top swatter, belting out a triple and double.
Berezowsky (W) and Wilson
M. Coben (L) and Reg Bentley
(June 16) The North Battleford Beavers emerged from the basement of the Saskatoon & District Baseball League by defeating the Saskatoon Legion 3 - 2 in an exciting game. Although out-hit 12 - 6 by their hosts, the Beavers used outstanding defensive plays to prevail as the Legion stranded 13 runners. North Battleford scored all three of their runs in the 3rd inning, utilizing four solid hits while taking advantage of two Legion errors. Saskatoon's Harry O'Brien went four for four to top all batsmen. Teammates George Parker and Stan Currie, the losing chucker, had two hits as did Emile Francis of the Beavers.
L. Dean (W) and Prediger
Currie (L) and Sasseville
(June 17) The Colonsay Monarchs handed the Saskatoon Cubs a 13 - 1 drubbing in a Saskatoon & District Baseball League game played at Colonsay. The hosts mauled a pair of Cubs' pitchers for 18 hits in the one-sided contest. Lloyd Coffin of the Monarchs was the game's leading hitter with a four for five performance including a triple. Les Rosher belted a round-tripper for the winners. Bernie Almas' triple accounted for the lone Saskatoon run.
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(June 18) The North Battleford Beavers defeated the Prince Albert Veterans 10 - 4 in the opener of a two-game weekend series in North Battleford. The hosts blew the game wide open by scoring nine times, and blasting starter Knute Knutson from the hill, in the opening frame. Bob Ferry of the Beavers and Prince Albert's Arnold Casey were the best batters of the day, each with three hits out of four attempts. Bob Marshall went the distance for the mound win.
Knutson (L), Logue (1) and Zwack
Marshall (W) and Prediger
(June 19) With rain ever threatening, 2,500 fans at Cairns Field witnessed the Delisle Commodores' 4 - 0 whitewashing of the Saskatoon Legion. Bennie Griggs of the Ship Skippers tossed an effective four-hitter, striking out eight, for the shut-out win. Dick Butler with a double and single and Doug Bentley with two singles led Delisle's offense. Losing pitcher John Carpenter was best at the plate for Saskatoon with a pair of singles.
Griggs (W) and Reg Bentley
Carpenter (L) and Sasseville
(June 19) As was the case the previous day, the Prince Albert Veterans let the host North Battleford Beavers get off to a good 1st inning start and, again, it cost them as they dropped a 5 - 1 verdict to the home-town Beavers as the two-game weekend set-to wrapped up. North Battleford's three-run uprising in the initial frame was all the offense they needed to subdue the Vets for the second consecutive day. Les Dean threw a two-hitter at Prince Albert for the convincing win. Loser Ray Friesen gave up six safeties. North Battleford's Ernie Hoeft was the only batter on either team to get two hits.
Friesen (L) and Zwack
L. Dean (W) and Prediger
(June 21) Baseball-hungry Saskatonians over-flooded the seating capacity at Cairns Field and standing room only around the perimeter of the diamond and outfield fence was the order of the evening as the touring Ligon Colored All-Stars defeated a Saskatoon club composed of players from both the Cubs and Legion of the Saskatoon & District Baseball League by an 8 - 3 score. Jack Woods twirled a five-hitter for the winners. Ligon's combed a trio of Hub City hurlers for 14 hits. Toby Simms, lively Ligon shortstop, belted two triples.
Woods (W) and Holland
Grossman (L), Currie (4), Jones (7) and Sasseville, Huckaby (7)
(June 22) The Colonsay Monarchs remained in third place in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League as they split a doubleheader with the visiting Prince Albert Veterans, squeaking by the Vets 5 - 4 in the 10-inning opener and then dropping the late encounter 7 - 3.
Prince Albert forced extra innings by plating a 9th inning run to tie the afternoon game 4 - 4 and then Colonsay scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Catcher Tommy Turner of the Monarchs had a three-run homer. Johnny Folk got the pitching win in relief.
Berezowsky (L) and Wilson
Johnson, Folk (9) (W) and Turner
Archie Hunter turned in a nifty six-hit effort for Prince Albert in game two. Reg Pendleton of Colonsay and Don Johnston of the Vets had the game's only extra-base hits, both getting doubles.
Hunter (W) and Wilson
Folk (L) and Turner
(June 23) The high-flying Delisle Commodores broke loose for five markers in the 8th inning to went on to drub the Saskatoon Cubs 8 - 2. The victory lengthened Delisle's lead atop the Saskatoon & District circuit and dropped the Cubs into the basement. The game was a tightly played affair until the fatal, from the Cubs' perspective, 8th when, leading 3 - 2 , the Goose Lakers blew the game wide open with five solid hits which produced an equal number of runs. Murray Coben got the win although Max Bentley replaced him briefly to pitch to one Saskatoon batter in the 7th. Eric Falk took the loss. Doug Bentley of the Commodores and Saskatoon's Dunc McKay each had a trio of hits.
M. Coben (W), M. Bentley (7), M. Coben (7) and Reg Bentley
Falk (L), Jones (8) and Huckaby
(June 24) In a flip-flop of venues, with the Goose Lake line-town hosting this game, the Delisle Commodores once again prevailed over the their Bridge City opponents, the Saskatoon Cubs, and walked away with a 7 - 3 decision in a game cut short by a cloudburst after seven innings had been played. The Cubbies out-hit Delisle in the abbreviated contest. Dick Butler drilled a bases-empty home run for Delisle as did teammate John Yaroscho.
Burke, Ferry (2) (L) and Huckaby
Scholdendorf, Yaroscho (3) (W) and Reg Bentley
(June 26) The Prince Albert Veterans bowed 3 - 1 to the visiting North Battleford Beavers in the top half of a scheduled double dip and lost their chance for a comeback when rain forced cancellation of the night game. The initial contest was called off early because of the wet stuff while the Vets were batting in the 7th frame. In this abbreviated game, the Beavers capitalized on losing pitcher Dick Berezowsky's first inning ineffectiveness as they got to the youthful fireballer for four hits and a walk to jump into an early 3 - 0 lead. Both Berezowsky and winner Pete Koslowski gave up six hits and two bases on balls. three players, Beavers' outfielder Bob Ferry as well as Arnold Casey and Joe Nishnik of the Vets, each had two hits. The only extra-base hits of the game were garnered by Casey and teammate Andy Zwack who both poled out doubles.
Koslowski (W) and Prediger
Berezowsky (L) and Zwack
(June 28) A 9th inning defensive collapse by the Saskatoon Legion infielders led to four North Battleford runs and a devastating loss for the Legion to the Beavers by a 6 - 3 count. Heading into the top of the final frame, the Legion, behind big John Carpenter's pitching, held a 3 - 2 margin and appeared headed for victory. However, three Legion errors, sandwiched around a brace of North Battleford hits, turned the tables and gave the Beavers the lead. Emile Francis' double drove in the tying and winning runs, both of which were unearned. Bobby Dawes and Bobby Sasseville paced the Legion boys at the plate with three hits apiece, one of Dawes' being a double.
Koslowski, L. Dean (2) (W) and Prediger
Carpenter (L) and Sasseville
(July 1) The Delisle Commodores defeated the Sceptre Panthers 7 - 4 to win first prize money in the first annual Saskatoon Optimist baseball tournament. Delisle's tall southpaw, Murray Coben, picked up the win in relief. The Commodores scored a single run in the 8th and two more in the 9th to break a 4 - 4 tie and take the top money. Dick Butler and Max Bentley both had three hits off loser Lefty Arnold.
Bogestie, M. Coben (7) (W) and Reg Bentley
Arnold (L) and Grant
(July 2) In an error-studded game which often resembled a "Keystone Kops" routine, the Saskatoon Cubs outlasted the North Battleford Beavers 15 - 10 in the first joust of a weekend set-to. When the dust had settled following this marathon, the Cubs had collected 19 hits and the Beavers 14. Les Dean had a home run for North Battleford. Garnering triples were Lefty Hornyak and Stewart of the Cubs. Doubles were aplenty with Saskatoon's Bernie Almas and Dunc McKay stroking out a pair each. Not only was this game a comedy of errors but a number of oddities occurred: a Cubs' batsman struck out and yet wound up scoring a run; a ball not in play was found in the outfield and relayed in to get a runner at third base; Cubs' pitcher Stewart was called out for interfering with the Beavers' shortstop; and North Battleford's Matt Meredith was called out for throwing his bat after being hit by a pitched ball.
Stewart (W), Hornyak (8) and Huckaby
Grant (L). Francis (6), E. Dean (8) and Prediger
(July 3) Dave "Lefty" Logue handcuffed the Saskatoon Legion hitting power on six hits and broke up a 1 - 1 ball game in the bottom of the 8th when he blasted a home run over the right field wall at Cairns Field as the visiting Prince Albert Veterans downed the Legion 3 - 1. Loser John Carpenter also gave up six safeties. Carpenter had the edge in strikeouts, 7 against 6. Bobby Dawes with a triple and single was one of three players with two hits, the others being teammate Bobby Sasseville and Prince Albert's Arnold Casey.
Logue (W) and Zwack
Carpenter (L) and Sasseville
(July 3) In marked contrast to the vaudeville show of the previous day, the second game of the weekend series was a nip-and-tuck affair which saw the North Battleford Beavers prevail 9 - 8 over the Saskatoon Cubs. Herb Brown went all the way on the mound for North Battleford to pick up the win. Lefty Hornyak, out of the bullpen, was hit with the loss. The lone home run of the contest was slugged by Beavers' outfielder _____ Sothman. Merv Derksen of the Cubs followed with a triple. Les Dean, Don Grant and Pete Prediger had two-baggers for the Beavers as did Saskatoon's Hornyak and _____ Stewart.
Farthing, Newbold (1), Hornyak (6) (L) and McKay
Brown (W) and Prediger
(July 5) The Legion boys of Saskatoon waited until the 8th inning before making their move. Trailing their city cousins, the Saskatoon Cubs, 4 - 0 at that point, the Legion bagged four counters in the 8th and then tacked on a pair in the 9th to come away with a hard-fought 6 - 4 win. Harry O'Brien sparked the Legion from the batter's box with a 4 for 5 evening. Fellow Legionnaire Bobby Dawes followed with a pair of base raps while Ray Hamilton and Les Farthing of the Cubbies also collected a brace. The win moved the Legion out of a last place tie and into fifth spot in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League, one game ahead of the Cubs.
Grossman, Currie (7) (W) and Sasseville
Burke (L), Falk (9) and McKay
(July 5) The July 5th edition of the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix reports that, as of and including games of June 24, Cal Mills' .436 average is tops for all hitters in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League. In 39 trips to the plate, Mills has amassed 17 hits. Colonsay's Reg Pendleton currently follows Mills and is stinging the ball at a .406 pace. Doug Bentley's .395 average is good for third spot and puts him slightly ahead of his brother and Delisle Commodores' teammate, Max, the defending batting king, who is belting the ball at a .370 clip.
Top 10 Hitters (games up to June 24) AB R H AVE
Cal Mills (Saskatoon Legion) 39 6 17 .436
Reg Pendleton (Colonsay Monarchs) 32 12 13 .406
Doug Bentley (Delisle Commodores) 38 11 15 .395
Max Bentley (Delisle Commodores) 27 11 10 .370
Lefty Logue (Prince Albert Veterans) 31 4 11 .355
Bernie Almas (Saskatoon Cubs) 31 4 11 .355
Dick Piper (Delisle Gems) 34 9 12 .353
Don Grant (North Battleford Beavers) 23 4 8 .348
Harry O'Brien (Saskatoon Legion) 29 1 10 .345
Pete Prediger (North Battleford Beavers) 29 4 10 .345
(July 6) The Colonsay Monarchs bounced into 2nd place in the Saskatoon & District League rankings by sweeping a doubleheader at home against the North Battleford Beavers by 7 - 5 and 3 - 1 counts. Both contests were shortened affairs. The opener went six innings before rain halted play while the second ended after eight innings when darkness set in.
The Monarchs banged out 12 hits in the matinee affair off loser Les Dean. Johnny Folk was Colonsay's leading hitter going three for three including a three-bagger. Les Rosher and Lloyd Coffin of the Monarchs had a pair of hits as did _____ Winfield of the Beavers.
L. Dean (L) and Meredith
Johnson, Senko (3) (W) and Rosher
The Beavers managed only three hits off the Colonsay tandem of Ted Senko and winner Johnny Folk in the follow-up contest, two of them by Les Dean. Lloyd Coffin rapped a pair of bingles for the Monarchs.
Rompett (L) and Meredith
Sankow, Folk (3) (W) and Rosher
(July 6) The Delisle Commodores won their third money tournament of the season as they edged the Sceptre Panthers 6 - 5 to claim top prize money at Foam Lake's event. Max Bentley picked up the pitching win in relief of starter John Yaroscho. Cliff Jacobson, the third Sceptre chucker, took the loss. Murray Coben plated the winning run in the 8th. After reaching base on a single and ultimately advancing to third, Coben then scored on Lefty Arnold's error.
(July 9) It took 11 innings of hard-fought baseball but the Saskatoon Legion took the measure of the Colonsay Monarchs 3 - 1. After taking the lead in the top of the 11th, the Legion boys ended the game with a sparkling double play in the bottom of the frame with Colonsay threatening. John Carpenter got the win with a seven-hitter, surrendering three hits to Reg Pendleton. Loser Johnny Folk struck out 14 and limited the Legion to six hits. There were no extra-base hits the entire game.
Carpenter (W) and Sasseville
Folk (L) and Rosher
(July 10) The North Battleford Beavers moved back into second place in the Saskatoon and District Baseball League when they humbled the Saskatoon Cubs 9 - 0. The Beavers blasted Jerry Green for 16 hits including a pair of doubles by winning pitcher Les Dean. Don Grant paced North Battleford's hitting brigade with a 4 for 5 performance. Dean tossed a complete game five-hitter. Bob Ferry, Emile "Cat" Francis , Elton Dean and _____ Winfield all had two hits for the winners.
L. Dean (W) and Prediger
Green (L) and McKay
(July 13) Delisle Commodores upset Mort Cooper and the Moose Jaw Canucks 8-3 in an exhibition match at Saskatoon before more than 4,.500 fans. Cooper, a former major league hurler, allowed the Gems a run in the 3rd and three in the 4th before heading to the showers. Bennie Griggs tossed three scoreless frames for Delisle before leaving with a sore arm. Murray Coben picked up the win allowing just one hit over four scoreless innings. He was forced to leave in the 8th after suffering an ankle injury when he tripped and fell after clouting a triple.
Cooper (L), Thorseth (5), Inkster (8) and Smith
Griggs, Coben (W) (4), Yaroscho (8) and Reg Bentley
(July 13) The Ligon All-Stars whipped the North Battleford Beavers 13-3 in a game held up for 15 minutes due to a third-inning rain storm. The Ligon's took the lead for good with a five-run third inning. Toby Simms, Fred Bankhead and Les Dean blasted homers.
(July 14) Dick Berezowsky, 19-year-old pitcher from Wakaw who plays with the Prince Albert Vets of the Saskatoon and District league, signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Berezowsky is to go to San Bernardino, California next year for spring training. He was the only player to be signed from more than 200 who attended a tryout camp at Taylor Field. Others who came in for praise were catchers Jim Ross, 18, Wayne Klinck, 14, and Jerry Montgomery, 15. Peter McMurtry of Regina was mentioned as a first base or outfield prospect. Two pitchers, 17-year-old Herb Stevenson of Eston and 17-year-old Chuck Holdaway of Rosetown were also given consideration.
(July 14) The Colonsay Monarchs re-claimed second spot in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League standings by hammering the tail-end Saskatoon Cubs 9 - 0. The hapless Cubs played sloppily and made no less than 12 fielding miscues. Colonsay built up a 6 - 0 lead after three innings and coasted from there. The Monarchs produced eight hits in support of southpaw Lorne Johnson, the winning hurler. Ray Hamilton garnered two of the three Saskatoon safeties. Paul Hrynkiw and Len Breckner both had a pair for the winners.
Johnson (W), Busa (6) and Folk
Burke (L), Newbold (2), Falk (9) and McKay
Standings, end of July 14 W L Pct
Delisle Commodores 7 2 .778
Colonsay Monarchs 6 4 .600
North Battleford Beavers 8 6 .571
Saskatoon Legion 6 7 .462
Prince Albert Veterans 5 7 .417
Saskatoon Cubs 4 10 .286
(July 16) The Colonsay Monarchs shut-out the Saskatoon Cubs 2 - 0 in a game played at Colonsay in which the pitchers were dominant.
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(July 17) The North Battleford Beavers and Delisle Commodores divided the spoils in a Sunday double-bill played in North Battleford which saw the Beavers register a 12 - 11 win in the afternoon game while the Ship Captains took a 6 - 5 decision in the 10 inning nightcap.
Commodores' catcher Reg Bentley's overthrow to second base after an outfield relay to the plate allowed the hosts to score the winner and pick up the matinee victory. Les Dean pitched the complete game triumph for the Beavers. High winds blowing out aided the launching of five home runs in this game with Dick Piper, Bev Bentley and Eddie Brown of Delisle and Pete Prediger and Don Grant of North Battleford all connecting.
Yaroscho, M. Bentley (5), M. Coben (9) (L) and Reg Bentley
L. Dean (W) and Prediger
Bev Bentley singled in the winning run in the 10th inning of the closing game to drive in his uncle, Max Bentley, who had previously doubled. Max had three hits for the winners as did North Battleford's catcher Pete Prediger. Second sacker Eddie Brown of the Commodores homered. Delisle hurler Murray Coben redeemed himself for the first game loss by picking up the victory in the nightcap.
M. Coben (W) and Reg Bentley
McDonald (L), Brown (2) and Prediger
(July 18) The Prince Albert Bohemians of the Hi-Way Baseball League edged the Ligon All-Stars 3-2 as Lefty Logue, on loan from the Prince Albert Vets of the Saskatoon and District League, tossed a seven-hitter besting Ed Woods of the All-Stars. Marvin Ligon had the only extra base hit, a triple.
Logue (W) and xxx
Woods (L) and xxx
(July 18) The Delisle Commodores came from behind with a 4-run splurge in the 6th inning to nudge the Sceptre Panthers 6 - 5 in an exhibition game. Clarence Grant, Sceptre catcher, was the game's leading hitter going 4 for 5. Eddie Brown and Doug Bentley of Delisle as well as Fergie Shields of Sceptre each had a pair of hits.
Yaroscho, M. Coben (2) (W) and Reg Bentley
Jacobson (L) and Grant
(July 21) The Colonsay Monarchs moved closer to clinching a playoff spot in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League as they defeated the Saskatoon Legion 6 - 2. The win solidifies Colonsay's hold on second place. They sit 1/2 game behind the leading Delisle Commodores and have a two game lead on the 3rd place North Battleford Beavers. Veteran Johnny Folk limited the Legionnaires to but five hits, one a two-run circuit clout by Harry O'Brien. The Colonsay chucker also hung up 10 strikeouts. The Monarchs rang up nine hits off loser Stan Currie, two each coming off the bats of Paul Hrynkiw and Lorne Johnson.
Folk (W) and Rosher
Currie (L) and Sasseville
(July 24) The North Battleford Beavers picked up their 10th win of the campaign in a rain-shortened, five-inning game when they set down the Saskatoon Cubs 6 - 2. North Battleford's Fred Hilker got the pitching win in the abbreviated contest. Emile Francis and Don Ferry both had a brace of hits for the winners.
Hilker (W) and Prediger
Green (L) and Shirley
(July 24) At Prince Albert, the second place Colonsay Monarchs split a twin card with the Veterans, winning the opener 4 - 0 and losing the follow-up game 6 - 2. The even break pulled the Vets into a 4th place tie with the Saskatoon Legion.
Monarchs' pitcher Clarence Smith handcuffed the Veterans all the way to pick up the shutout win in game 1. The Monarchs plated two runs in the 3rd and another pair in the 4th for all the game's scoring. Len Breckner's double was the contest's only extra-base hit.
C. Smith (W) and Klotz
Berezowsky (L), Leslie (3) and Zwack
In the evening joust, Prince Albert catcher Andy Zwick was a one-man show as he clouted three doubles, drove in half his team's runs and tallied a fourth himself. Lefty Logue stymied the league runners-up, going the distance with a six-hitter while fanning five.
Senko (L), Folk (6), Johnson (8) and Klotz
Logue (W) and Zwack
(July 31) In a twin bill at Delisle, the Saskatoon Legion broke even with the league-leading Commodores, dropping the first game 5 - 4 and later lambasting their hosts 11 - 1 in the finale.
John Yaroscho picked up the complete game win in the opener. No game details available.
Grossman, Carpenter (2) (L) and Sasseville
Yaroscho (W) and Reg Bentley
The Legion made game two a runaway as George Parker drilled two triples in support of winning pitcher Stan Currie.
Currie (W) and Sasseville
xxxx and xxxx
(July 31) The Colonsay Monarchs, by virtue of a doubleheader sweep of the North Battleford Beavers by 5 - 2 and 2 - 1 scores at Abbott Field, moved to within 4 percentage points of the top-dog Delisle Commodores in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League. The Beavers played both games without their regular, hard-hitting catcher Pete Prediger who remains in hospital with severe burns to his arms and back after gasoline ignited while he was offering assistance to occupants of a stalled car.
The Monarchs came through with a three-run outburst in the top of the 10th frame for their first game, extra-inning victory. Les Rosher's two-run double broke the tie and sent the Monarchs into the lead. Rosher then scored Colonsay's 6th run on a wild pitch by losing chucker Herb Brown.
C. Smith, Senko (9) (W) and Klotz
Brown (L) and Ryan
Johnny Folk came through with clutch pitching in the evening encounter to lead the Monarchs to their narrow win. Both he and loser Fred Hilker gave up six hits. Folk struck out 10 while Hilker fanned eight.
Folk (W) and Klotz
Hilker (L) and Ryan
(July 31) The bottom-feeding Saskatoon Cubs came up with one of their best performances of the season to trim the Prince Albert Veterans 8 - 3. The Baby Bears collected 14 hits to overwhelm Prince Albert chuckers Bob Leslie and Lefty Logue. Eric Falk tossed a five-hitter for the win. Cubs' backstop Mike Dubyk led all swatters with three base hits. Jerry Webster belted a homer and triple for the winners. Vic Ring and Falk also had three-baggers.
Leslie (L), Logue (3) and Zwack
Falk (W), Hornyak (9) and Dubyk
(August 2) The Saskatoon Cubs emerged with their second consecutive stellar performance to squeeze past the Saskatoon Legion 5 - 4 and, in doing so, threw the race for the 4th and last playoff spot wide open. The loss left the Legionnaires only 12 percentage points ahead of the Prince Albert Veterans for the final post-season berth. The Cubbies trailed 4 - 2 when the 8th inning started. Pinch hitter Eric Falk's single scored the tying and winning markers after the Baby Bruins had trimmed the margin to a single counter on Jerry Webster's RBI single following Mike Dubyk's lead-off triple. Webster and Cal Mills of the Legion tied for the hitting honors, both slapping three singles in four at-bats.
Newbold, Green (6) (W), Falk (8) and Dubyk
Currie (L), Carpenter (8) and Sasseville
(August 7) The hopes of a playoff spot for the Prince Albert Veterans faded immensely as the Delisle Commodores whipped the Anavets twice by scores of 8 - 2 and 7 - 5.
Delisle scored five in the top of the 8th off Lefty Logue to seal the victory for Johnny Maroniuk in game 1. Eddie Brown, Dick Butler and Reg Bentley all had doubles for Delisle as did Logue for the Vets.
Maroniuk (W) and Reg Bentley
Logue (L) and Zwack
The Commodores scored five times in the 5th inning of the owl encounter to forge ahead for good. Delisle's Max Bentley and Andy Zwack of the Veterans both had three-baggers.
Griggs, Donaroscoe (3) (W) and Reg Bentley
Berezowsky (L), Friesen (6) and Zwack
(August 7) The Saskatoon Cubs rang up their 3rd win in a row, defeating the 2nd place Colonsay Monarchs 7 - 5. The win lifted the Cubs out of the league cellar, one game ahead of the Prince Albert Veterans. Tied 5 - 5, the Cubs scored single tallies in the 7th and 8th to take the game. Rookie catcher Jim Shirley, up from the junior ranks, swatted three for five for the Cubbies. Colonsay center fielder Reg Pendleton went 2 for four.
Johnson, Senko (1) (L) and Klotz, Rosher (4)
Green, Hornyak (6) (W) and Shirley
(August 8) Following a valiant late-season splurge, the Saskatoon Cubs were officially eliminated from any playoff possibilities after dropping a 6 - 3 decision to the Delisle Commodores. Bennie Griggs of Delisle gave up eight hits in the complete game pitching performance. The Commodores' Dick Butler had the contest's longest blow, a triple.
Newbold, Falk (4) (L) and Shirley
Griggs (W) and Reg Bentley
(August 10) Delisle won the top prize of $1,200 in the Saskatoon "Little World Series" baseball tournament by defeating the Colonsay Monarchs 4 - 0 in the final game. Both pitchers, Colonsay's Ted Senko and Johnny Maroniuk of the Commodores threw four-hitters but the superior defensive play of the Goose Lake nine proved to be the difference.
Senko (L) and Shirley
Maroniuk (W) and Reg Bentley
(August 11) Darkness after nine innings halted a game between Delisle and the Saskatoon Legion with the score deadlocked 7 - 7. The Legionnaires had a 7 - 3 lead after the 3rd frame but the Commodores patiently put together two in the 4th and single markers in the 5th and 6th stanzas to tie it up. Delisle out-hit the Legion 12 - 10.
Yaroscho and Reg Bentley
Carpenter and Sasseville
(August 12) The Prince Albert Veterans slipped by the North Battleford Beavers 3 - 2 in a 10-inning battle and were able to cling to their hope of advancing to the Saskatoon & District Baseball League playoffs. Johnny Boden singled home Joe Nishnik with the winning run for the Vets in the extra frame. North Battleford out-hit the Anavets 11 - 7.
Sirota, Taylor (2), Sirota (3) (L) and Meredith
Logue (W) and Zwack
(August 12) The home-town Delisle Commodores clinched first place in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League by defeating the 2nd place Colonsay Monarchs twice in a Sunday doubleheader by 3 - 1 and 13 - 4 scores.
The Commodores scored a pair of 7th inning runs off loser Johnny Folk to break a 1 - 1 stalemate and wrap up the matinee, clinching the title in the process.
Folk (L) and Klotz
M. Coben (W) and Reg Bentley
The heavy artillery of the Goose Lake boys burst the dam with eight big runs in the 6th inning of the finale to register the sweep. Bert Coben's grand slam homer sparked the 6th inning outburst. Paul Hrynkiw had a four-bagger for the Monarchs.
C. Smith, Johnson (5) (L), and Klotz
Griggs, Yaroscho (3) (W) and Reg Bentley
(August 16) The Legion of Saskatoon defeated the Prince Albert Veterans 6 - 2 in a Saskatoon & District Baseball League encounter to move 1 1/2 games ahead of the Vets for the final playoff spot. The same two teams meet again tomorrow in Prince Albert. Tied 2 - 2, the Legionnaires broke through for four runs in the bottom of the 8th to gain the victory. Stan Currie scattered six hits for the win. George Parker, Ted Connor and Merv Clouston had two hits each for the winners as did Arnold Casey and Lefty Logue of the Vets.
Berezowsky (L) and Casey
Currie (W) and Sasseville
(August 17) The Prince Albert Veterans retained an opportunity for playoff action when they defeated the Saskatoon Legion 4 - 2 to move 1/2 game behind the Legion for the last playoff spot. It was the final league game for the boys from " the gateway to the north". The Legionnaires have a make-up game with Delisle remaining. Lefty Logue threw a five-hitter for the win. He also drove in a pair of runs with two hits including a triple. Johnny Boden also had a pair of hits for the Anavets.
Carpenter (L) and Sasseville
Logue (W) and Zwack
(August 19) The Veterans of Prince Albert got a huge assist from the Delisle Commodores as the Navy Skippers knocked off the Saskatoon Legion 9 - 4 to force a 4th place tie-breaker between the Legion and Vets. Eddie Brown and Doug Bentley each hit three for five for Delisle with Brown's total including a triple and double. Cal Mills had a double and a pair of singles in three trips for the Legionnaires.
Yaroscho (W) and Reg Bentley
Currie (L), Grossman (7) and Sasseville
(August 21) The Saskatoon Legion qualified for the 4th and last playoff berth in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League by defeating the Prince Albert Veterans 7 - 1. The Legion boys coasted to victory behind the southpaw offerings of Stan Currie who limited Prince Albert to five hits. Loser Dave "Lefty" Logue gave up a dozen safeties. Harry O'Brien had a double and three-bagger for Saskatoon.
Currie (W) and xxx
Logue (L) and xxx
Final Standings W L Pct
Delisle Commodores 15 4 .789
Colonsay Monarchs 11 8 .579
North Battleford Beavers 10 10 .500
Saskatoon Legion 9 12 .429
Prince Albert Veterans 8 13 .381
Saskatoon Cubs 7 13 .350
(Includes result of fourth place tie-breaker)
PLAYOFFS :
(August 21) The 2nd place Colonsay Monarchs travelled to North Battleford to face the 3rd place Beavers in one semi-final match-up and came from behind in the late innings to defeat their hosts 6 - 5 in the first game of their best-2-out-of-3 series. Colonsay was down 5 - 0 entering the 7th inning but picked up 4 in that frame and then tacked on the tying and winning markers in the top of the 9th. Les Rosher's two-run, 9th inning dinger sewed up the victory for the Monarchs. Rosher's three hits led Colonsay at the plate, a feat matched by North Battleford's Emile Francis.
Folk, L. Smith (6) (W) and Klotz
Brown (L) and Ryan
(August 24) Belting two Saskatoon Legion pitchers for 13 hits and an 11 - 2 victory, the Delisle Commodores stepped into a one game lead in their best-of-three Saskatoon & District Baseball League semi-final. Behind lefthander Murray Coben's four-hit, 11 strikeout performance, the defending league champions made it look all too easy in setting down the Legionnaires. Max Bentley had a three-run homer and four RBI's to power the winners from the batter's box. Brother Doug Bentley went three for four.
Carpenter (L), Grossman (8) and O'Brien
M. Coben (W) and Reg Bentley
(August 24) The Colonsay Monarchs whitewashed the North Battleford Beavers 9 - 0 to wrap up their semi-final round in two straight games and end the Beavers' season. Ted Senko pitched a three-hitter for the shutout win, striking out 13 in the process. He also had a two for four effort at the dish. Ed Nalywako socked a home run and triple for the Monarchs. Don Grant had a pair of hits for the Beavers.
Brown, L. Dean (1) (L) and Meredith
Senko (W) and Klotz
(August 26) The Delisle Commodores headed into the last lap of the current playoffs by posting a 3 - 1 win over the Saskatoon Legion to give them the two-out-of-three semi-final series in straight games. The Commodores will now meet the Colonsay Monarchs in a three-out-of-five series for the championship of the Saskatoon & District Baseball League. Pitchers Johnny Yaroscho of Delisle and Stan Currie of the Legion each gave up six hits to the opposition. Delisle jumped into an early 2 - 0 lead and the Legion crew was never able to catch up. Max Bentley's double was the game's only extra-base blow. He, along with brother Doug, had a pair of hits for the Commodores while George Parker and Cal Mills matched that performance for Saskatoon.
Yaroscho (W) and Reg Bentley
Currie (L) and Sasseville
(August 28) The Delisle Commodores took a 2 - 0 lead in the best-of-five series for the Saskatoon & District Baseball League crown when they downed the Colonsay Monarchs 5 - 1 and 6 - 2 in a Sunday playoff doubleheader.
The Goose Lake Liners shelled two Colonsay moundsmen for 10 hits in taking the opener. Murray Coben threw a three-hitter to pick up the win.
Johnson (L), Schmidt (5) and Rosher
M. Coben (W) and Reg Bentley
In the second encounter, Colonsay roared ahead with single counters in the 1st and 3rd innings. Delisle went scoreless until the 5th when they notched a run and then plated another single tally in the 6th to tie the game. A four-run explosion in the 8th then carried them to victory.
Senko (L) nd Klotz
Yaroscho (W) and Reg Bentley
(August 30) Owing to harvesting operations, the Colonsay Monarchs have found it impossible to field a team and, consequently, have forfeited their final series to the Delisle Commodores, giving the Goose Lake club its' second consecutive Saskatoon & District Baseball League championship.
Batting Wrap Up
The NHL Bentley brothers, Doug and Max, were the top two hitters in the Saskatoon & District Baseball League for the 1949 season. Doug, the center fielder for the league champion Delisle club, clipped opposing pitchers for 34 hits in 83 times at the plate to win the batting title with a healthy .410 average. Max, the Commodores' third baseman, wound up with a .389 average coming on 28 hits in 72 times at bat.
Top Ten Hitters AB R H Ave
Doug Bentley (Delisle Commodores) 83 19 34 .410
Max Bentley (Delisle Commodores) 72 21 28 .389
Pete Prediger (North Battleford Beavers) 60 11 22 .367
Cal Mills (Saskatoon Legion) 83 10 29 .349
Lefty Logue (Prince Albert Veterans) 64 9 22 .344
Les Dean (North Battleford Beavers) 70 15 24 .343
Don Grant (North Battleford Beavers) 67 14 23 .343
John Carpenter (Saskatoon Legion) 41 5 14 .341
Harry O'Brien (Saskatoon Legion) 74 14 24 .324
Dick Butler (Delisle Commodores) 82 16 26 .317
Runs - Max Bentley (Delisle) and Reg Pendleton (Colonsay) - tied with 21
Hits - Doug Bentley (Delisle) - 34
Doubles - Reg Pendleton (Colonsay) and Les Dean (N-Battleford) - tied with 6
Triples - Merv Clouston (Saskatoon Legion) - 3
Home Runs - Paul Hrynkiw (Colonsay) - 3
(September 1) In a hastily arranged dialogue, representatives of the Moose Jaw Purity Canucks, 1949 Southern League Champions, have agreed to enter into a best-of-five series with the Delisle Commodores, 1949 Saskatoon & District Baseball League champions, to determine a make-shift, but unofficially sanctioned, provincial winner.
(September 3) The Delisle Commodores swept a doubleheader from the Moose Jaw Purity Canucks at Cairns Field in Saskatoon by scores of 6 - 4 and 4 - 3 to open a best-of-five provincial playoff.
The Commodores managed only three hits off Moose Jaw's Lefty Lauer in game 1 but still were able to pullout the victory as the Canucks played sloppily on defense. Delisle's only earned run of the game came in the opening frame when Max Bentley drove home Dick Piper who had led off the inning with a single. Moose Jaw's Pete Polupski had a two-run homer off Commodores' complete game winner Murray Coben. Ray Jones of the Canucks had an RBI double.
Lauer (L) and Peterson
M. Coben (W) and Reg Bentley
Johnny Maroniuk pitched the victory for Delisle in the nightcap. The Purity Canucks got off to a flying start in the opening inning with two runs on a walk, a double by third baseman Norm Brown and Ray Nutzhorn's single. The Commodores got one back in the bottom of the frame off losing pitcher Elmer Torgerson's slants on singles by Jimmy Shields and Doug Bentley. Delisle went ahead in the 3rd, scoring twice while Moose Jaw evened the score in the top of the 7th on Ray Nutzhorn's RBI single. Consecutive bottom of the 7th singles by the Bentley brothers, Doug and Max, plated the winning run for the Goose Lake boys.
Torgerson (L) and Peterson, Smith (3)
Maroniuk (W) and Reg Bentley
(September 7) The Delisle Commodores laid claim to being the best baseball club in Saskatchewan in 1949 after splitting a twin bill with the Moose Jaw Purity Canucks in the Mill City. After dropping the first game 5 - 3, the Saskatoon & District Baseball League champions came back to score an 8 - 3 victory in the evening contest. The completed series marked the resumption of the north-south set-to which had been in mothballs for a number of seasons.
In the matinee showdown, the Canucks lambasted Delisle hurler Johnny Yaroscho for 12 hits. Bill Emerson, Norm Brown, Elmer Torgerson, Wally Smith and winning chucker Lefty Lauer all had a brace of hits for Moose Jaw. Max Bentley led Delisle's offense garnering three base blows while Commodores' catcher Reg Bentley had a pair.
Yaroscho (L) and Reg Bentley
Lauer (W) and Smith
Murray Coben pitched the clinching triumph for Delisle scattering six Moose Jaw hits while his mates unloaded their heavy wood at the expense of starter and loser, Cy Thorseth, and reliever Elmer Torgerson, clubbing them for a grand total of 18 hits. Max Bentley, Eddie Brown and Reg Bentley were the big stickers, each slamming out three safeties. One of Max's was a 3rd inning, bases-empty home run. Moose Jaw's Torgerson also cranked a four-bagger with no one on. Winning pitcher Coben, Bev Bentley and Doug Bentley each had two hits as did Canucks' outfielder Bill Emerson.
M. Coben (W) and Reg Bentley
Thorseth (L), Torgerson (3) and Germann
Battle River League
Marsden captured the pennant with eight wins and a tie to shade Cut Knife.
W L T PTS
Marsden 8 3 1 17
Cut Knife 8 4 0 16
Neilburg 7 5 0 14
Maidstone 6 4 2 14
Lloydminster 6 6 0 12
Waseca 4 7 1 9
Lashburn 2 10 0 4
Swift Current
After a number of seasons with minimal or no senior level baseball, interest in reviving the sport at that echelon in Swift Current and area rose dramatically in 1949. A team of locals laid a solid foundation for a comeback of the game that had practically died away during the war years. Managed by Ernie Mugliston, the Swift Current aggregation played a full season, primarily in tournament and exhibition play. Without any regular import involvement, the Speedy Creekers were able to hold their own except when facing most of the import-laden squads. The re-established July tournament once again was a highlight for southwest Saskatchewan fans. With the youthful talent that was honed at Swift Current’s West End Park in 1949, the prospects for 1950 appear bright.
Garry League
The same five entries from the Garry League of the previous season returned to the circuit’s diamonds to battle it out in 1949. The Yorkton Cardinals captured the regular season pennant but, once again, got bounced in a sudden-death semi-final playoff encounter. Sheho and Willowbrook met up in the league final with the underdog Willowbrook team prevailing by a 3 to 2 score.
(August 7) Ralph Fennel, Willowbrook's import hurler was instrumental in the victories. Fennel was on the mound and had a pair of hefty hits in leading Willowbrook to a 10-6 win over Yorkton in a sem-final. Sheho downed Theodore after coming from behind to defeat Jack Hart (the league's MVP) and his teammates in a see-saw battle in the other semi-final. In the championship game, Fennel again provided strong mound work and scored the winning run as Willowbrook bested George Homenuik of Shebo in a 3-2 final.
Border League
The eight-team Border League once again saw the Estevan Maple Leafs capture the pennant. In the semi-final playoff tournament, however, the Leafs were sidelined 9 to 8 by the lowly Flaxton ND club who went on to battle it out with Crosby, Columbus and the Portal Internationals for the 1949 league crown.
(June 29) Estevan Maple Leafs upset league-leading Crosby, North Dakota, 2-1 Wednesday. Frank John poked a pair of two-baggers and scored both runs for the winners. the longest hit of the day was a triple by Riveland of Crosby. Chapman and Burpe combined to hold the Americans to three hits while fanning 14. Ralph had a three-hitter for Crosby. With the win Estevan moved into a tie with Crosby, each with five wins and a loss.
Chapman, Burpe (6) and xxx
Ralph (L) and xxx
(August 28) The pennant-winning Estevan Maple Leafs bowed out of the Border League playoffs Sunday at Crosby losing 9-8 to the lowly Flaxton nine who took an early lead the Leafs could not overcome.
Gough (L), Verpe and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
In other games, Crosby defeated Coteau while Portal trounced Noonan 11-3 and Columbus blanked Lignite 5-0. Tournament finals are scheduled for Columbus next Sunday.