(February 28) From a $63 series of advertisements in The Sporting News, the Swift Current baseball club has received 230 applications for positions on the 1951 team. Responses have come from as far away as Southern California and Florida. A players' committee is to screen the applications and whittle them down to about 30 prospects. In the end, about 18 to 20 players are to be invited to Swift Current for a tryout.
(April 4) Swift Current announced the hiring of Jim Ryan as playing-manager of the town's ball club. Ryan, who'll play first base, managed the Edmonton Cubs of the Alberta Big Four League last season. He is reported to be bringing two or three top players from Alberta. Among the newcomers is Alex Palica, a right-handed pitcher, brother of Erv Palica of the Brooklyn Dodgers (and Ambrose Palica, who has pitched in the Pacific Coast and International Leagues, and Nick, the only non-pitcher in the family who played in the Southeastern League last season). Alex pitched with the Seattle Rainiers in 1945, Vancouver Caps in 1946 and Durham, South Carolina the last two seasons. Also bound for mound work is "Buck" Tinsley, a Montanan with Class AA experience who was an All-Star with Farnham of the Provincial League last season. Another pitcher coming later is Johnny Mulholland who is finishing his university education at McGill. When Palica drives from California, he is to bring along Bob Hobbs, an outfielder-shortstop who has slugged over .300 in four professional seasons and hit 22 home runs last season.
(April 11) Swift Current Indians announced the signing of Robert J. Maren, a pitcher-outfielder from Des Moines, Iowa. Maren was reported to have played with the House of David the last two seasons. The 29-year-old has played for six seasons in the minor league systems of the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. Also joining the Indians is catcher Harry Monroe from Worthington, Minnesota. Monroe played in the Florida International League last season and has managed in Great Falls, Montana and played with Rapid City, South Dakota.
(April 19) The April 19th edition of The Leader Weekly News (Leader, Saskatchewan) carried a story from Swift Current's The Sun on Sceptre baseball.
" ... Sceptre, the smallest town on the continent to have a 'big league team' is at it again ... Alex Maxwell, who managed the Swift Current Indians in 1950 is at the helm of the Sceptre club this year. It is also reported that Sceptre may have one of the biggest pitching names in the colored baseball world ... perform for them, none other than Chet Brewer, the successor to the crown once held by Satchel Paige. Chet was negotiating with Swift Current early last season, but then decided to accept a fabulous offer from the Mexican league. Again this spring he contacted this club, but his asking price was too high for the local executive to consider. If persistent reports are right, he will perform for Sceptre."
(May 3) Regina Caps announced the acquisition of two more import pitchers. Frank Joyner and Eli Merritt both spent 1950 with the Philadelphia Colored Giants the same club which produced manager Bob Wright. 27-year-old Merritt was ranked by Wright as the Giants' #1 pitcher for the last two seasons. The lefthander reportedly won 23 games with only one defeat last season after a 20-2 campaign in 1949. Joyner finished at 17-3 last season with Philadelphia. He formerly played with the Raleigh Tigers of the Negro Southern Association. Other imports signed by Regina include catcher Bob Turner, infielder Roland Miles, pitcher Carl Higginbotham and shortstop Bennie Horowitz. Wright started his career with the Philadelphia Pals and later joined the Bacharach Giants a touring club which saw action in Winnipeg. In recent years he has managed the Philadelphia Colored Giants.
(May 9) Estevan manager Baldy Benson announced the signing of four members of the 1950 Southern league champions for the 1951 season. Pitcher Al Lefty Bryant returns along with catcher-outfielder Leroy Pettus, the versatile Wilbur Greene and pitcher Mel Torgenrud.
(May 16) Swift Current Indians downed Sceptre 4-2 in an exhibition match before 15-hundred fans at Swift Current. Jim Ryan's entry in the Western Canada Baseball league scored three in the second inning to take the win. Alex Palica, the California hurler, gave up eight hits to outshine Chet Brewer the outstanding Sceptre twirler. Palica fanned ten. Harry Monroe, Baldy Smith and Ken Hughes each had two hits for the Indians. Roy Schappert had a pair for Sceptre. Sceptre had Pedro Osorio and Bob Prescott in the lineup. Both had come all the way from Panama.
Palica (W) and Munroe
Brewer, C Jacobson (7) and Kjarsgaard
(May 16) The Valley Miners of Drumheller opened the 1951 season with a 4-2 win over Delisle. Jimmy McKinnon was on base four times for the Miners who held the Gems scoreless until the ninth. The exhibition contest drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, many of whom cheered for Delisle which included two former stars of the Miners hockey team - Max and Doug Bentley.
(May 17) Eston Ramblers pleased the home crowd with a 6-4 win over Swift Current. Clint McNeil fired a four-hitter for the win. Seven errors by the Indians sealed the win for the Ramblers.
McNeil (W) and xxx
Stephenson (L), Mulholland (7) and xxx
(May 18) Swift Current downed Sceptre 5-2 as Vern Callihan pitched a five-hitter, whiffing eight. Kenny Hughes had three hits for the winners.
Price (L), Jacobson (7) and xxx
Callihan (W) and xxx
(May 19) Nearly 46-hundred fans, the largest Regina crowd in years, watched the Caps edge Sceptre 6-5 in an exhibition tilt at Taylor Field. Jackie Fulton's three-run homer in the second inning sent Regina into a lead they never relinquished. Jackie McLeod had a homer for Sceptre. Frank Joyner went seven innings for the win. Chet Brewer took the loss.
Brewer (L) and Glasser
Joyner (W), Chadwick (8) and Kyle
(May 19) Swift Current Indians whipped Eston Ramblers 13-1 for their third straight home victory. Ken Nelson and Ken Hobbs paced the 14-hit attack with three hits apiece. Buck Tinsley and McIvor combined to hold Eston to four hits.
H Stevenson (L), McKinnon, Terry, McNeil and B Stevenson
Tinsley (W), McIvor (6) and Monroe
(May 19) Edmonton Oilers took a pair from Delisle Gems, 11-5 and 9-6. In the second game, Delisle's Bert Forbes blasted a homer on the first pitch of the game. Bill Gadsby had four hits for the Oilers.
(May 20) Edmonton's Oilers downed Delisle 3-2 to sweep the three-game weekend exhibition series. Al Purvis picked up the win in relief of starter Dick Lowe. Neil Courtoreille went the distance for Max Bentley's Gems. Oilers won the first two games on Saturday, 11-5 and 9-6. Bill Gadsby, the Chicago Black Hawks hockey star, had four hits in five trips for the winners.
Courtoreille (L) and xxx
Lowe, Purvis (W) (5) and xxx
(May 21) Estevan Maple Leafs topped Minot Mallards 9-7 to square the exhibition series at a game apiece. Leafs broke loose for five runs in the seventh. Wilbur Greene, with a double and two singles, paced the winners. Elmer Hester drove in a pair with two singles. Jack Bruton drove in five runs for the Mallards with four singles in five trips to the plate. Minot committed seven errors.
Bryant, Young and Landrum
B Wiles, Cathey (6) and C Wiles
(May 22) After piling up a huge 7 - 0 lead in the first three innings, the Swift Current Indians had to fight back a gallant Cap rally to eke out a skin-tight 8 - 7 decision over the Reginans in the opening game for both teams in the new W.C.B.L. The Tribe started quickly, swatting lefty Eli Merritt's pitches all over the lot for a single counter in the 1st and three each in the second and third. Dave Chadwick took over for Merritt and held the Speedy Creek crew to one run and five hits in the last 6 frames. Alex Palica, older brother of Brooklyn Dodgers' pitcher Erv Palica, started for the Indians and received credit for the win but wasn't around at the finish, giving way to Bill Stevenson after the Caps had reduced the lead to 7 - 5. Walter "Butch" Buttgereit, the long-time Wilcox Cardinal, paced the Caps' 15 hit attack going three for 5 including a double. Gus Kyle hit safely three times in four attempts. Swift Current first sacker Jim Ryan and outfielder Bob McIvor each went three for four to lead the Indians at the dish.
Palica (W), Stevenson (5) and Munroe
Merritt (L), Chadwick (4) and Kyle
(May 22) Trotting across four runs in the seventh inning, the Estevan Maple Leafs went on to score an 8 - 5 victory over the Indian Head Rockets in their Western Canada Baseball League opener. Starter Mel Torgenrud of the Maple Leafs, although requiring relief help, picked up the win. Jim Morrow started on the hill for Indian Head but he also failed to go the route and was saddled with the defeat. LeRoy Pettus had three hits in five trips for Estevan and catcher Lee Landrum drove in five runs. Tom Alston knocked in three for the Rockets with a homer.
Morrow (L), Blackman/Blackmon (7) and Barnhill
Torgenrud (W), Greene (7) and Landrum
(May 22) In a slugfest at Sceptre Park on Tuesday, Sceptre topped Eston 14-12. Hal Price, who relieved Cliff Jacobson in the seventh frame, picked up the win. Herb Stevenson, who followed Andy Porter on the mound, was the loser. Sceptre had 13 hits, including a homer by Doug Scott.
Porter, Stevenson (L) and xxx
Jacobson, Price (W) (7) and xxx
(May 23) Johnny Mulholland pitched a gem for Swift Current, holding Indian Head to just three hits, but dropped a 3-1 decision as a passed ball and an error accounted for all the Rockets' scoring. Peanuts Davis held the Indians to four hits in registering the win.
Mulholland (L) and Nelson
Davis (W) and xxx
(May 24) Gull Lake Sports Day .
(May 24) Indian Head swept a pair, one an exhibition game, from the Indians at Swift Current. Rockets won the opener 10-6 and came back with a 4-2 win in the exhibition contest. Bob McIvor led the Indians with three hits in the first game. The Rockets sewed up the first game in the sixth when they scored three times to take a commanding 8 - 2 lead. Each team clouted out 13 hits in the tussle. Longest blows were triples by Tom Alston of the Rockets and by two Indians, Ken Nelson and Ken Hughes. Johnny Coleman, the first of three Indian Head chuckers picked up the win while the Indians' starter, Vern Callihan, who had relief help from Wimpy Stephenson took the loss. Rockets held Swift Current to four hits in the second game.
Coleman (W), Blackman/Blackmon, Davis and Barnhill
Callihan (L), Stephenson (7) and Ken Nelson
xxx and xxx
McIvor (L) and xxx
(May 24) Art Worth was the thorn in the side of the Regina Caps as the Moose Jaw Canucks swept a double bill from the Queen City nine by scores of 5 - 4 and 5 - 2. Patrolling right field in the afternoon tilt, Worth belted a three run homer to give the Canucks the margin of victory. In the nightcap, he performed on the mound and limited the Cap sluggers to 9 scattered safeties. The Caps outhit the Canucks in the opener but Murray O'Flynn, who was on the hill for Moose Jaw, bore down in the clutch to gain the triumph. Caps' starter and loser Lloyd Woolley lasted 6 innings before heading for the showers. Jackie McLeod had two hits for the Canucks while Pee Wee Collins and Jimmy Randolph duplicated the feat for the Caps.
Woolley (L), Higginbotham (7) and Kyle
O'Flynn (W) and Harford
In game 2, Carl Higginbotham, who had finished the opener as a reliever, started on the hill for the Caps but was shelled in the third when Moose Jaw plated three runs to hang the defeat on him. Worth pitched a complete game for Moose Jaw and had a shutout for 8 innings. Left fielder Bob Dill cranked out a home run for Moose Jaw. Players with two hits in this game were Art Stone, Bob Turner and Barry Wolstencroft of the Caps and Jim Harford and Bob Dill of the Canucks.
Higginbotham (L), Merritt (3) and Kyle
Worth (W) and Harford
(May 25) Unleashing a 9 run outburst in the top of the ninth, the Swift Current Indians swamped the Estevan Maple Leafs 16 - 7. Entering the final frame deadlocked, the Tribe plated their feast on four hits and 6 Leaf miscues. Lefty Allan Bryant, who completed the entire game on the hill for Estevan, was the victim of the onslaught and took the loss. Wimpy Stephenson picked up the win in relief.
Palica, Stephenson (W) (4) and Nelson
Bryant (L) and Landrum
(May 25) Regina Caps got in the win column after beginning the season with three straight losses. 20-year-old Carl Coons, from Cardinal, Ontario, tossed a seven-hitter as the Caps pulled out a 6-3 victory over Moose Jaw. Coons, who pitched for Oshawa in the Ontario Senior league in 1950, fanned five and walked two. 17-year-old Berlyn Hodges, son of the Moose Jaw manager, allowed just eight hits in a losing cause. Pitchers Coons and Hodges were the only players to collect two hits in this game.
BHodges (L) and Harford
Coons (W) and G Kyle
(May 26) The Moose Jaw Canucks came through in the clutch to wrap up win number three in four starts when they squeezed out a narrow 7 - 6 victory over the Indian Head Rockets. After blowing an early four run lead, the Canucks chalked up a photo finish win when shortstop Gerry Parker led off the bottom of the ninth with a triple and scored the winner on a tag up, fly ball out to center field by catcher Jim Harford. Moose Jaw's Al "Lefty" Erfle gave up twelve hits in his complete game victory. Jesse Blackman/Blackmon was tagged for the loss. Horace Latham, stocky Rocket third baseman, was the game's leading hitter going three for 5 at the plate. Charlie Robinson drove in a pair for the Rockets while Art Worth and Harford each had two RBI
Jenkins, Blackman/Blackmon (L) (1), Davis (9) and Barnhill
A. Erfle (W) and Harford
(May 26) For the second straight night, the Swift Current Indians and Estevan Maple Leafs put on a slugfest with the Indians coming out on top by a king-sized count of 19 - 13. The Indians cut loose with two 7 run innings to win handily. Four homers were slugged during the game. Bob Hobbs and manager Jim Ryan connected for the Tribe while Lee Landrum and Wilbur Greene did the same for the Leafs. Starter Buck Tinsley picked up the win for Swift Current while Elmer Hester, the first of three Estevan chuckers, was pinned with the defeat.
Tinsley, McIvor (W) (5) and Nelson
Hester (L), Greene (2), Young (4) and Landrum
(May 26) Regina Caps upset the star-studded Minot Mallards 8-1 in an exhibition game at Regina. 21-year-old Al Vogt, from Odessa, held the visitors to seven hits. Second baseman Rollie Miles sparked the Caps with three hits, one being a double. Ted Zack chipped in with 2 safeties including a triple.
Cathey (L) and Wiles
Vogt (W) and Kyle
(May 26) Edmonton Oilers trounced the Great Falls Montana Airlifters 15-6 in an error-filled game at Edmonton. Oilers won the first two games 5-4 and 5-3. There were 18 errors in the Saturday game, 11 by the Airlifters. The Edmonton club has won six straight to start the season.
(May 27) Minot won the second game of its weekend series with Regina taking the Caps 9-5. Cowboy McHenry and Sugar Cain handled the pitching for the Mallards while Tony Maze, Frank Joyner and Dave Chadwick split the mound chores for Regina.
McHenry, Cain and xxx
Maze, Joyner, Chadwick and xxx
(May 30) Swift Current Tournament
(May 30) The Swift Current Sun had some good things to say about Indian Head :
"We can't finish this dissertation without a good word for that very progressive town of Indian Head which with some 1500 population supports and classy team like the Rockets, an all-colored aggregation. They dropped $8500 last year, Editor Phil Flude of the News told us, but the folks are in the ring again this year. They get quite a kick out of their club. They nearly didn't have them. Some 2500 miles away last week, in North Carolina, the team bus went down a 300 foot embankment, with the players plunging out to safety. Then to maintain their schedule here, they piled eight into the manager's big Hudson car; hired a taxi in which another eight players jammed themselves and arrived in Estevan to open the season Monday night. Sixteen big ballplayers in two cars. But they made it. Yup, the taxi brought them all the way from Nawth Carolina." (May 30, 1951)
(May 30) The Swift Current Sun reported some friction between members of the ball club. Catcher Harry Monroe and pitcher Buck Tinsley had apparently left the team.
(May 31) The Regina Caps turned back the Indian Head Rockets 9 - 3 as Lloyd "Monty" Woolley pitched a complete game eight hitter. The Caps batting attack produced hits in bunches in defeating the Rockets' Joe Leal. Clean-up hitter "Butch" Buttgereit was the top man with the stick as he paced the Caps' offense with three hits in four trips. Regina's Barry Wolstencroft and both Tom Alston and Clement Varona of the Rockets each had a brace of base raps.
Woolley (W) and Turner
Leal (L) and Barnhill
(May 31) Aided and abetted by costly flubs and spotty twirling, the Estevan Maple Leafs dumped the Moose Jaw Canucks by a 9 - 5 count. Moose Jaw starter Jackie McLeod was shelled from the mound early and absorbed the loss. Lefty Bryant went all the way for the Leafs to pick up the win. Jack Bruton, Estevan's clean-up hitter, had a double and 2 singles. Wayne Brock of the Canucks also had a double and a pair of singles.
Bryant (W) and Landrum
McLeod (L), Hodges (4), Worth (7) and Harford
(June 1) Edmonton Oilers registered their seventh straight win, 14-5 in exhibition action against Kamloops at Edmonton. Jerry Seaman got credit for the win although he needed help from Lefty Belter in the 5th when the Kamloops Elks scored four times. Bill Gadsby was the big gun for the Oilers driving in four runs. His bases-loaded double in the fourth inning keyed a seven-run outburst by Edmonton.
McQuarrie, Gatien (4) and Stewart
Seaman (W), Belter (5) and Kortgard
(June 1) The Sceptre team left on a three-week tour taking in tournaments in North Battleford, Edmonton, Lloydminster, Camrose, Lacombe, Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
(June 1) Regina Caps fought back from a 7-1 deficit to shade Estevan 11-10 in 10 innings. Caps had rallied for two in the bottom of the ninth to tie. Roland Miles drove in Eli Merritt with the winner. Merritt was the winning pitcher with 7 1/3 innings of three-hit relief. He also had three hits in four trips to the plate. Walter Butch Buttgereit had a triple, double and single to drive in four runs. Albert Young had three hits for the Maple Leafs.
J Bruton, WGreene (L) (9) and Landrum
Maze, Merritt (W) (3) and Turner, Kyle (9)
(June 1) Bud Ellington's tenth inning single gave Medicine Hat Mohawks a 5-4 win over Moose Jaw Canucks in the Mohawks' first start in the newly-formed Western Canada Baseball league. The first sacker's line drive came with Gene Jacobs on base with a single and Nat Bates who reached on an error. Mohawks had a chance to win in the ninth when they loaded the bases with one out, but reliever Jackie McLeod forced Tony Nunez to hit into a fielder's choice and then fanned Joe Mocha. Rudy Garcia went the route for the 'Hawks allowing seven hits. He fanned six and allowed three bases on balls. McLeod, who relieved starter Berlyn Hodges in the second inning, was charged with the loss.
B Hodges, McLeod (L) (2) and Harford
R Garcia (W) and Bechelli
(June 2) Freddie Sheppard clouted a homer, triple and two doubles to lead Estevan Maple Leafs to a come-from-behind 10-8 win over Regina Caps at Taylor Field. Leroy Pettus also had four hits for the Leafs while Jack Burton added three safeties and three RBI. Jimmy Randolph drove in four runs for the Caps.
WGreene (W) and Landrum
Vogt, Merritt (L) (7) and Turner
(June 2) Jim Morrow pitched a five-hitter over eight innings to lead Indian Head to a 7-2 win over Saskatoon. Peanuts Davis took over in the 9th to preserve the win and delight the crowd with his antics. Bob Herron, working with the sore shoulder, took the loss.
Morrow (W), Davis (9) and xxx
Herron (L), Coben (4) and xxx
(June 2) Medicine Hat split a doubleheader with Moose Jaw, dropping the opener 5-0 before taking the second game 3-2. Art Worth hurled both games for Moose Jaw. After blanking the Mohawks on seven hits in the first game, he held a 2 - 1 lead in the last inning of the finale until some shaky fielding by his infield enabled Medicine Hat to score 2 runs. Gerry Parker had two hits, one a triple, and drove in a pair for Moose Jaw in the first game. Bud Ellington paced the Mohawks in the second tilt with two hits, one a homer.
Worth (W) and Harford
Bates (L) and Bechelli
Worth (L) and Harford
Stavrianoudakis (W) and Bechelli
(June 3) Medicine Hat Mohawks shaded the powerful Eston ramblers 7-6 in the first of two. The clubs tied 4-4 in the nightcap.
(June 3) Indian Head Rockets took a pair from Delisle Gems, 16-9 and 11-4 before a crowd of 1,200 at Delisle. Horace Latham and 45-year-old playing manager Jim Williams belted homers to lead the Rockets in the first game. Latham pounded two more homers in the second game. Max Bentley went three for four with a double for the Gems in the nightcap.
xxx and xxx
Brown, Courtoreille and Reg Bentley
xxx and xxx
Booker, Marshall Severyn and Shirley
(June 4 ) The hard-hitting Estevan Maple Leafs scored their second straight victory over the Regina Caps when they walloped the Capital City crew 14 - 11. Lefty Bryant, in relief of starter Wilbur Greene, picked up the win. Cliff "Lefty" Harrison, who came on for Carl Coons, took the loss. Big hitters for Estevan were outfielder Joe Page who had a double and 2 singles and first baseman Jack Bruton with a home run and triple. Leaf second sacker Toby Simms also had a round-tripper for the winners. Clean-up hitter Butch Buttgereit slammed a home run, double and single in four trips for the Caps.
WGreene, Bryant (W) (4) and Landrum
Coons, Harrison (L) (5) and Turner
(June 4) Indian Head downed North Battleford Beavers 9-1 behind the nifty mound work of Jesse Blackman/Blackmon. It gave the Rockets a clean sweep of their four-game series in the north. Jim Williams had a pair of homers on the jaunt.
(June 4) Sceptre halted the Edmonton Oilers winning streak trouncing the Oilers 11-2 with a 14-hit attack. It was the first loss for the Oilers after nine wins to start the season. Bob Prescott paced the winners with four hits including a two-run homer in the sixth inning. He had a total of five runs batted in. Three of the safeties went to shortstop Len Karlson. Cliff Jacobson went the route on an eight-hitter for the win. Hal Forss took the loss.
Jacobson (W) and xxx
Forss (L), Thorseth (6) and xxx
(June) On the tour of Northern Saskatchewan and Alberta, Sceptre ran into hockey-like weather but managed to split a twin-bill with North Battleford, losing the opener but taking a 7-4 victory in the second game. They downed Vegreville 17-10 and beat Edmonton Oilers 11-2. They dropped a 4-2 decision to Morinville at the Lloydminster Tournament.
(June 6) Lloydminster Tournament
(June 6) Regina announced the release of two imports, outfielder Bob Ennals and pitcher Frank Joyner. Arrangement were made for both players to join the Dauphin Redbirds. Indian Head announced the acquisition of three players, Henry Red Cameron, Les Witherspoon and John Ford.
(June 7) Edmonton Oilers whipped Sceptre Indians 15-4 in an exhibition match at Edmonton. Lefty Ed Belter went six innings for the win. Cy Thorseth finished up. Chet Brewer failed to get out of the first inning as the Oilers scored three runs before Hal Price relieved.
Brewer (L), Price (1) and xxx
Belter (W), Thorseth (7) and xxx
(June 9) Estevan Maple Leafs rallied for six runs in the eighth inning to dump Moose Jaw 8-4. Mel Torgenrud was the winner scattering nine hits and striking out 7. Torgenrud also had 2 of the 8 Maple Leaf hits off loser Murray O'Flynn. Wayne Parker and O'Flynn led Moose Jaw with a pair of base raps.
O'Flynn (L) and Harford
Torgenrud (W) and Landrum
(June 10) Indian Head Rockets topped the Edmonton Oilers 7-4 before 5,000 fans at Edmonton.
(June 10) Lacombe Tournament
(June 11) Regina Caps had no shortage of hitting stars as they overwhelmed Moose Jaw 20-6 at Taylor Field. Walter Butch Buttgereit knocked in six runs with four hits, including a pair of triples. Newcomer George Galloway also had four hits. He drove in three. Rollie Miles clubbed a three-run homer. Four Caps -- Pee Wee Collins, Miles, Buttgereit and Galloway -- each scored four times. Dave Chadwick pitched into the ninth to pick up the win.
A Worth (L), B Hodges (4) and Harford
Chadwick (W), Vogt (9) and Turner
(June 12) The Regina Caps staged a thrilling last inning finish to count a pair of markers and edge the Estevan Maple Leafs 4 - 3. Pee Wee Collins' squeeze bunt scored pinch-runner Art Stone from third base with the winning run. Earlier in the inning, winning pitcher Eli Merritt singled cleanly into right field to bring around Barry Wolstencroft with the tying marker, Merritt, the strong armed southpaw, went all the way to post the win, allowing eight hits and fanning 8. Fastballer Elmer Hester started for Estevan but was removed for losing pitcher Wilbur Greene in the fifth. Collins, Rollie Miles and Walt Buttgereit had two hits each for the Caps as did LeRoy Pettus of the Maple Leafs.
Hester, Greene (L) (5) and Landrum
Merritt (W) and Turner
(June 13) Medicine Hat is off to a 2-1 start from its opening series against Moose Jaw. In exhibition action, the Mohawks downed Eston 7-6 and played to a 4-4 tie. Bud Ellington, who's tenth inning single gave the Mohawks a win in their league opener, belted two homers during the 'Hawks five game stint.
(June 13) Nipawin Tournament
(June 13) Camrose Tournament
(June 13) Mohawk's boss Brick Swegle announced the acquisition of five new players from California -- outfielder Johnny Perasso, infielders Johnny Kane and Ray White, catcher John Noce and pitcher Bud Watkins. The late arrivals bring to 26 the number of players on the Medicine Hat roster.
( ) Indian Head manager Jim Williams has picked lefthander Daniel Jenkins to start tonight's game against Medicine Hat. A native of Durham, NC, the 6-1, 185-pounder is expected to go about five innings. Williams will then throw in Cuban Toribio Leal, 5-6, 135-pound lefty who has played in Havana and Mexico. Missing from the Mohawks will be Lou Pisani, Jim Peterson and Tony Nunes who have been sent to Colonsay of the North Saskatchewan league.
(June 14) Moose Jaw Tournament
(June 14) Jesse Blackman/Blackmon and Edward "Peanuts" Davis combined on a three-hitter as Indian Head Rockets blanked Medicine Hat Mohawks 6-0 in the opener of a three-game series. Bill Rehder gave up just seven hits and one earned run in a losing cause. Mohawks, returning from a strenuous tournament tour in Northern Alberta, made eight errors. Lester Witherspoon led the Rockets with two hits, including a triple, and scored three times. The win moved the Rockets out of a three-way tie with Estevan and Regina into sole position of second place behind Swift Current.
Blackman/Blackmon (W), Davis (6) and Cameron
Rehder (L) and Noce
"Davis provided the comic relief needed to keep the fans interested in the game. 'Peanuts' would go into an exaggerated wind-up, twirling his glove and kicking his leg into the bleachers, then throw the ball. If the ump never called the pitch a strike Davis would rant and rave on the mound, making chicken-like squawks. Davis, however, is an outstanding pitcher even with his parodies. He has played with Jackie Robinson's All-Stars and chucked against two of baseball's all-time greats -- Bob Feller and Satchel Paige." (Medicine Hat News, June 15, 1951)
(June 14) Edmonton Oilers defeated Swift Current Indians 4-2 in exhibition action at Edmonton.
(June 15) Right-hander Jerry Seaman hurled a two-hit shutout and scored the only run on Barry Robertshaw's single as Edmonton Oilers downed Swift Current for the second straight night, 1-0.
(June 15) A seven-run second inning carried Regina Caps to a 12-9 win over the Maple Leafs at Estevan. It was the fifth win of the week for the Caps. Five hits and four Estevan errors figured in the outburst. Gus Kyle's bases-loaded single was a key hit. Walter Buttgereit belted a two-run homer for Regina in the seventh. Fred Sheppard went 4 for 5 and Jack Bruton had three hits for the Leafs. Lee Landrum cracked a two-run homer.
Vogt (W) and Kyle
Torgenrud (L), Bruton (2) and Landrum
(June 16) Moose Jaw's slumping Canucks dropped their fourth successive game 8 - 4 to the Estevan Maple Leafs and, in doing so, consolidated their hold on the basement position in the W.C.B.L. The shorthanded Canucks, having only 9 regular players and an untried bench player, started out well but faded in the middle innings in this 8 inning contest that was shortened by darkness. The Leafs got to the slants of loser Art Worth in the fifth, scoring 5 and breaking the game open. Dave Thomas picked up the complete game win for Estevan and helped at the plate with two RBI . First sacker Wilbur Greene with a triple and single led the Maple Leafs offensively. Moose Jaw shortstop Gerry Parker and catcher Jim Harford both had 2 safeties in a losing cause, one of Harford's being a three bagger.
Thomas (W) and Burleson
Worth (L) and Harford
(June 16) Kensaston Tournament
(June 18) Lafleche Tournament
(June 17) The Mohawks and Indian Head split a twin-bill at Medicine Hat. The home club trounced the Rockets 14-4 in the opener but came out on the short end of an 11-2 count in the nightcap. However, the Rockets might end up with two wins. They protested the 'Hawks win saying the club had more than 18 players dressed and in the dugout.
Medicine Hat pounded out 17 hits in their 14-4 first game victory, three apiece by catcher John Noce and second baseman Willie Reed, who each scored three times. Shortstop Johnny Kane drove in five runs with a pair of hits. Rudy Garcia held the Rockets to seven hits, three by right fielder Shedrick Green.
Coleman (L) and Cameron
Garcia (W) and Noce
Horace Latham belted a grand slam homer as the Rockets whipped the Mohawks 11-2 in the second game. In was one of three hits by the Indian Head second baseman. He drove in five runs and scored four times. Lester Witherspoon went 4 for 5 and Tom Alston, Jim Williams, Henry Cameron and pitcher Jim Morrow each had two hits. Morrow, who had 10 strikeouts, allowed just seven hits in gaining the win. Al Endriss, with a triple, and Ray Perasso, with a double, had the only extra base hits for the Mohawks.
Morrow (W) and Cameron
Bates (L), Stavrianoudakis (6) and Noce
(June 19) Medicine Hat Tournament
(June 19) A five-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning carried Estevan to a 7-6 win over Regina Caps at Nicholson Field. The outburst featured doubles by Lee Landrum and Albert Young and singles by Leroy Pettus, Jake Page and Jack Bruton. Mel Torgenrud, who took over from Wilbur Greene in the fifth, picked up the win. Caps' pitcher, lanky Dave Chadwick, was in cruise control for the first 6 innings but in the seventh he began to weaken, giving up a pair of tallies. Then, in the eighth, he blew a tire as the Rockets had their big inning and took the lead for good. Gus Kyle had three hits to lead the Caps offensively. Jack Bruton hit a round tripper for the Leafs.
Chadwick (L) and Kyle
WGreene, Torgenrud (W) (5) and Landrum
(June 20) Bill Rehder, the 6-foot, 5-inch lefthander, fired a four-hitter as Medicine Hat dumped Edmonton 6-2 in the opener of a three-game series. Rehder had 8 strikeouts and 6 walks. Al Endriss led the Mohawks at the plate with two hits, a triple and single.
Rehder (W) and Noce
Lowe (L), Devine (8) and Warwick
(June 21) Nat Bates scattered nine hits as the Medicine Hat Mohawks downed the Oilers 7-3 for their second straight win in the exhibition series.
Bates (W) and Noce
Thorseth (L) and Kortgard
(June 21) North Battleford Tournament
(June 21) Indian Head Rockets moved into a tie for first in the Western Canada loop when they downed Estevan 7-5 before 14-hundred fans at Indian Head. The Rockets share the top rung with Swift Current. Clemente Varona paced the winners with three hits. Les Witherspoon and Red Cameron each had a pair. Pee Wee Davis went the route to get the win. Lefty Bryant was saddled with the loss. LeRoy Pettus, Fred Sheppard, Jake Page and Jack Bruton each delivered a brace of safeties for Estevan.
Bryant (L), Lombard (5) and Burleson
Davis (W) and Barnhill
(June 21) Regina and Swift Current battled to a 4-4 draw in a game called after 11 innings because of darkness. For the first four frames the offenses took over as the Indians got one in the 1st and three in the fourth and the Caps got a pair in their half of the 1st and another two in the third. Both pitchers, 20-year-old Johnny Mulholland for the Indians and Eli Merritt for the Caps, pitched hitless ball over the last four innings. Merritt was one of three batters to collect three hits. The others were the Caps' Jimmy Randolph and Ray Steele, the California student who was outstanding for the Indians at second base.
Mulholland and Hobbs
Merritt and Turner
(June 22) The Swift Current Indians came through with a 5 run rally in the seventh inning to clip the Regina Caps 6 - 3. The Reginans looked like money in the bank until losing pitcher Al Vogt suddenly lost his control in the seventh. Reliever Dave Chadwick couldn't put out the fire quickly enough and the game slipped away. Winner Bob Maren tossed steady ball for Swift Current in going the route. Outfielder Ken Hobbs had three hits for the Tribe to lead all hitters. Swift Current fans had their first look at newcomers Crouch at third, Bent McNabb catching, Del Young at shortstop and Ray Steele at second. Jim Ryan knocked in a pair for the winners.
Vogt (L), Chadwick (7) and Turner
Maren (W) and McNab
(June 22) Estevan edged Moose Jaw 10-9 in a closely fought W.C.B.L. tussle. Wilbur Greene clouted a home run and single to pace the Leafs' 13 hit attack off 2 Moose Jaw twirlers. LeRoy Pettus and catcher Gerry Burleson each hammered out a double and single. Mel Torgenrud, who took over mound duties in the fourth, was the winning hurler. Sharing the hurling chores for the Canucks were loser Lefty Erfle, who was shelled in the third, and newcomer Dick Stone. Murray O'Flynn drove in three runs for Moose Jaw with a homer.
A. Erfle (L), Stone (3) and Harford
Bryant, Torgenrud (W) (4) and Burleson
(June 23) Estevan Maple Leafs strengthened their hold on third place in the Western Canada Baseball league with a 6-2 win over the cellar-dwelling Moose Jaw Canucks. Jack Bruton held the Canucks to seven hits. Loser Murray O'Flynn gave up 11 Maple Leaf hits. Jackie McLeod hit a triple and single to pace the visiting Canucks. For the winners, Jake Page and Wilbur Greene both had a double and a single.
O'Flynn (L) and Harford
Bruton (W) and Landrum
(June 24) Prince Albert Tournament
(June 26) Lloyd Woolley doled out five carefully spaced hits in pitching the Regina Caps to a 5 - 1 victory over the Estevan Maple Leafs. Woolley was staked to a first inning 4 - 0 lead and had things well under control throughout the remainder of the game. Estevan's Henry McHenry also went the distance and took the loss. Woolley and Rollie Miles of the Caps both had two hits as did Jake Page of the Leafs. Outfielder John McDaniels homered for the Caps.
McHenry (L) and Burleson
Woolley (W) and Turner
(June 27) Biggar Tournament
( ) Medicine Hat announced several roster moves. Five players have been released -- catcher Dick Bechelli, infielder Tom Gillio, outfielders Bob Castagnetto and Jim Olsen and pitcher Stan Jarvis. Pitcher-outfielder Tom Sorenson has been loaded to the SAR Flyers. The club earlier chopped Lew Wigley, Dick Meister, Lou Pisani, Jim Peterson and Tony Nunes. Wigley and Meister have returned to California while the latter three have been farmed out to Colonsay. Castagnetto was believed to be joining Indian Head while Jarvis is to suit up with Sceptre Panthers. Sorenson has just graduated from Benecia, CA high school and is to enroll at Oregon State University this fall. He pitched a 5-4 win over Athabaska on a recent road trip of northern Alberta.
(June 27 ) Medicine Hat arrived in town last night after an absence of nine days to open a three-game series against Estevan Ramblers. This will mark the third home series for the Mohawks who took two of three from Moose Jaw June 1 and went 1-2 against the Indian Head Rockets last time out. On the road, the Mohawks took two of three from Edmonton Oilers and downed the Ligon All-Stars and lost to North Battleford in the Prince Albert tournament. Their scheduled games with Moose Jaw and Swift Current were rained out.
(June 27) The bats came to life for Medicine Hat as the Mohawks pounded out 26 hits for 23 runs in taking both games of a twin-bill from Estevan, 18-6 and 5-0 and in the process, vaulted from fourth to second place in the W.C.B.L. standings.
"Crowds at both games were noticeable by their absence. A maximum for 80 people turned out to the opener and approximately 400 to the nightcap. With a winning club like "Brick" Swegle has, who can blame him for crying the blues over the sparse turnouts to the games? No doubt he is wondering if he has to give away a free car with every ticket before the stands will be packed. If he doesn't have a full house tonight, seeing as it is "ladies night," there isn't a person could blame him if he folded the Mohawks and took them back to California." (Medicine Hat News, June 28, 1951)
Al Endriss belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the first and the Mohawks never looked back in trouncing Estevan in the opener. Medicine Hat had an 8-0 lead after two innings. Pumpsie Green also homered for the 'Hawks while Gene Jacobs drove in five runs with a pair of doubles and a single. John Noce had three hits and scored twice. Endriss, Green, Willie Reed and Bud Ellington each scored three times. Reed and Ellington had triples for the winners. Bud Francis, who went the first five innings, picked up the win.
Torgenrud (L), Lombard (2) and Landrum
Francis (W), Mocha (6) and Noce
Nat Bates tossed a five-hitter in the nightcap to blank the visitors 5-0. Al Endriss scored what proved to be the winning run on a comedy of errors in the fourth inning. He got on base on a miscue by centrefielder Fred Sheppard, then scored on another error by Sheppard and one by catcher Lee Landrum. Willie Reed's fifth inning double plated two more runs. In the seventh, Reed singled, stole second and third and scored on a drive by Endriss who was outstanding in the field with several circus catches.
Bryant (L) and Landrum
Bates (W) and Noce
STANDINGS
Swift Current 4 - 2
Medicine Hat 5 - 3
Indian Head 6 - 4
Regina 7 - 7 1.0
Estevan 9 - 10 1.5
Moose Jaw 4 - 9 3.5
(June 28 ) Medicine Hat made a clean sweep of their series against Estevan when they whipped the Maple Leafs 7-2. Wednesday, Mohawks had battered Estevan 18-6 and 5-0. Mohawks moved into a tie for top spot with Swift Current Indians. Ladies' Night drew fewer than 400 fans, although a threat of rain and chilly winds likely kept many supporters at home. Bud Watkins scattered six hits, allowing just one earned run, to pick up the win. Al Endriss paced the hitters with a triple and two singles. Pumpsie Green and Ray White each drove in a pair.
Bruton (L) and Landrum
Watkins (W) and Noce
(June 29) Indian Head scratched out a run in the bottom of the ninth to gain a 5-5 tie with Medicine Hat. The game was called after nine innings because of darkness. Bob Prescott, the Rockets new infielder from Panama, scored the tying marker on a ground out by Charlie Harris. Mohawks led 3-0 after two innings but Prescott got Indian Head on the scoreboard with a homer in the third. Mohawks increased their margin to 4-1 in the fourth but Les Witherspoon triple and scored for the Indians in the bottom of the inning. More than 1,000 fans were treated to a pitching duel between Chet Brewer, making his first home start for the Rockets, and the Mohawks Cliff Allmon. Witherspoon was the leading hitter for the Rockets with 2 safeties. For the Mohawks, Willie Reed hit three for four.
Rockets received news they were awarded a protested game earlier in the season at Medicine Hat.
Allmon, Rehder and Noce
Brewer, Blackman/Blackmon (9) and Cameron
( ) Mohawks whipped Saskatoon 55's 10-1 in an exhibition tilt in Saskatoon. Bill Rehder fired a six-hitter for the win. Medicine Hat had just eight hits but took advantage of four errors. A six-run uprising in the fifth broke a 1-1 deadlock. Hawks scored three more in the sixth before Charlie Beene took over on the hill and pitched hitless ball the rest of the way.
Rehder (W) and Noce
Stavrianoudakis (L), Hannah (5), Rumball (6), Beene (6) and Watrous
(July 1) Roland Miles socked a pair of homers Sunday as the Caps beat Rockets 9-2 in an exhibition match at Carlyle Lake. Jimmy Randolph and John McDaniels also had four baggers for the Queen City crew.
(July 2) The power-packed Indian Head Rockets shaded the Regina Caps 7 - 5 in the opener of a twin bill in W.C.B.L. play, allowing the Rockets to consolidate their hold on first place. Jim Morrow pitched a complete game win for the Rockets. Caps' starter Carl Coons was driven from the hill in the third and Eli Merritt took over, completing the game.
Coons (L), Merritt (3) and Kyle
Morrow (W) and Cameron
The nightcap of the double dip was a thrilling see-saw encounter that was called at the end of 9 with the teams deadlocked 5 - 5. A sensational steal of home by Pee Wee Collins in the ninth frame enabled the Caps to walk off with a tie. The Caps were led at the plate by their clean-up man, Walter Buttgereit, who enjoyed a perfect night with four hits and a walk. He also drove in three runs. For Indian Head, Pedro Osorio had three hits.
Vogt, Chadwick (8), Merritt (9), Maze (9) and Turner
Leal, Blackman/Blackmon (3), Brewer (8) and Cameron
(July 2) Saskatoon Optimist Tournament
(July 3) The Regina Caps and the Indian Head Rockets played another doubleheader and the results were the same as 24 hours previous in that Indian Head came away with a win and a tie. In the opener, the Rockets led all the way to post a 7 - 4 triumph. Lefthander John Coleman pitched into the ninth for the win. Carl Coons suffered the loss. Indian Head catcher Henry Cameron had three hits in the victory. Pedro Osorio drove in three markers for the Rockets.
Coleman (W), Davis (9), Blackman/Blackmon (9) and Cameron
Coons (L) and Turner
In the second game, the Caps tossed away a big 5 run lead in the ninth, sending the game to extra innings. There was no scoring in the tenth and the contest ended 7 - 7. Dave Chadwick and Peanuts Davis both pitched the entire 10. Tom Alston of the Rockets led all hitters with four base knocks. Regina's Pee Wee Collins had three. John McDaniels knocked in a pair with a homer.
Davis and Cameron
Chadwick and Kyle
(July 3) Medicine Hat vs. Eston Ramblers ??
(July 3) Medicine Hat fought to a 7-7, twelve-inning tie with North Battleford. Bill Rehder started for the Mohawks, giving way to Bud Francis.
(July 4) Medicine Hat opens a three-game series against the Caps tomorrow. The two teams meet in a double-header today at Regina. Mohawks have played nine league games to date with a 6-3 record but one of the wins was protested by Indian Head. Walter Buttgereit will be leading the Caps. He had a four for four against the Rockets July 3rd.
Al Endriss is out of the lineup after receiving a bad spike wound when the Mohawks lost to Colonsay in the Saskatoon tournament.
(July 4) Regina shutout Medicine Hat for 16 straight innings in sweeping both ends of a doubleheader at Regina, 3-0 and 4-2.
Al Vogt fired a three-hitter in blanking the 'Hawks 3-0 while Tony Maze and Eli Merritt combined to hold the visitors to six hits in the second game.
Gus Kyle gave the Caps the only run they would need when he led off with a single in the fourth inning and came around to score on a pair of errors.
Caps got away to a 2-0 lead in the second frame of the nightcap as Barry Wolstencroft tripled with two out. Ted Zack followed with a double and Maze with another triple.
Allmon (L) and Noce
Vogt (W) and Kyle
Barclay (L) and Noce
Maze (W), Merritt (6) and Kyle
The high winds sent the wedding of Caps' pitcher Carl Coons and Miss Valeria Ann Keeler indoors. They were married Wednesday afternoon
(July 4 ) Indian Head scored three runs in the first inning of each game and went on to trounce Swift Current 9-5 and 13-1 in a twin-bill at Swift Current. In the opener, Rockets put seven on the board in the first three frames against Alex Palica before Vern Callihan could come to the rescue. Jesse Blackman/Blackmon started for the Rockets and pitched shutout ball for three innings before being pulled with a 7-0 lead. Jim Morrow finished up.
Blackman/Blackmon, Morrow (W) (4) and Cameron
Palica (L), Callihan (3) and Macnab
Toribio Leal fired a two-hitter for the win in the nightcap as his teammates connected for 17 hits. Pedro Osorio led the Rockets with a homer, double and two singles. Tom Alston, Les Witherspoon and Shedrick Green rapped out doubles.
Leal (W) and Barnhill
Mulholland (L), Johnson and Macnab
(July 5) The league leading Indian Head Rockets trounced the Swift Current Indians 9 - 5 to sweep their three game series. The potent power of the Rockets at the plate, aided by 6 Indians' miscues, was the downfall of the Tribe who were only able to get 6 base knocks off winner Lefty Dan Jenkins and 2 relievers. Johnny McManus went the distance for the Indians, giving up 10 hits in his losing performance. Rockets' second baseman Bob Prescott was the hitting star of the game, banging out three hits in 5 trips.
Jenkins (W), Coleman, Davis and Barnhill
McManus (L) and McNab
(July 5) The Medicine Hat Mohawks shook off their losing streak when they beat the Regina Caps 5 - 1 in the opener of a three-game series. Mohawks opened up with their big guns in the third inning, blasting starter and loser Lloyd Woolley off the mound with a three-hit, three-run barrage. Medicine Hat's Nat Bates picked up the pitching victory, allowing the Caps but six hits. Rollie Miles, Caps' second sacker, stole the batting honors for the night when he hit three for four. He was closely followed by the Mohawks' Johnny Kane who went two for three and Chet Carr with two for four. Carr also had three RBI's for Medicine Hat.
Woolley (L), Galloway (3) and Kyle
Bates (W) and Noce
( ) Medicine Hat released three players to make way for new additions. Owner-manager Brick Swegle announced the departure of coach Joe Mocha, outfielder Gene Jacobs and pitcher Rudy Garcia. All have signed on with the Sceptre Nixons. Mohawks have acquired pitcher Curt Barclay of Missoula, Montana and Pete Beiden of Fresno State who will coach the club when he arrives in two or three weeks. Pitcher Don Barnett is rumoured to be joining the Mohawks.
Sceptre owner Red Nixon said the deals to obtain the three players were all "above board". He inferred that two of his players -- Pedro Osorio and Bob Prescott -- were taken by the Indian Head Rockets on a "dirty deal." He said that after he had paid $916 in transportation costs to bring the players from Panama, the two players, along with Chet Brewer, went to the Rockets.
(July 6) Sceptre Tournament
(July 6) Moosomin Tournament
(July 6) Dave Chadwick fired a three-hitter as Regina downed Medicine Hat 5-1 in the second game of a three-game series at Medicine Hat. Caps got all the runs they needed in the first inning as Gus Kyle doubled to drive in Roland Miles and George Galloway singled to score Kyle. Three of the Caps' runs against Bud Watkins were unearned. Bud Ellington scored the only run for Medicine Hat when he tripled and scored on a passed ball.
Chadwick (W) and Kyle
Watkins (L) and Noce
The three-game series concludes tomorrow. Caps will start Carl Coons, a 19-year-old southpaw who was married Wednesday. Mohawks will counter with Cliff Allmon whose last appearance in Medicine Hat was in the tournament as he pitched the 'Hawks to a 14-3 win over Lethbridge Cubs
(July 7) The Estevan Maple Leafs regained their winning ways with an 11 - 3 win over the last place Moose Jaw Canucks. The Leafs led 9 - 0 after the sixth and coasted to victory behind Henry McHenry's nine hitter. McHenry and outfielder Fred Sheppard with three hits led the batting barrage for the Maple Leafs. Wes Richardson took the loss, lasting until the fifth. Estevan's LeRoy Pettus and Wayne Brock of the Canucks both had a pair of hits.
Richardson (L), Brock (5) and Harford
McHenry (W) and Landrum
(July 7) Moose Jaw announced the acquisition of two players, infielder Dwight Rip Collins from Oklahoma and outfielder Lowell Hodges. Pitcher Murray O'Flynn and outfielder Jackie McLeod left the club last week. O'Flynn returned to his home in Spokane for business reasons while McLeod left at his own request to join the Eston Ramblers of the Northern league.
(July 7) Carl Coons pitched a six-hitter besting Cliff Allmon who was making his first start for the Mohawks, as the Regina Caps downed Medicine Hat 7 - 3. The Caps went ahead early and were never really seriously threatened. Pee Wee Collins had a pair of hits for the winners. Johnny McDaniels' triple for Regina was the game's longest base blow.
Coons (W) and Kyle
Allmon (L) and Noce
(July 8) Indian Head Rockets whipped Swift Current in both ends of a double-header, 12-3 and 13-5. The sweep gave the Rockets a 15-3 record on the season. The club pounded out 16 hits in each contest. Indians jumped into a 3-0 lead in the first game chasing starter Dan Jenkins in the opening frame. But Jesse Blackman/Blackmon shutdown the Indians the rest of the way. Jenkins was also chased early in the second game as Swift Current tied the contest 4-4 with a run in the third. Jim Morrow took over and held the Indians in check. Bob Prescott homered for the Rockets in the opener while the Rockets got five circuit blasts in the evening game. Tom Alston belted a pair with others going to Les Witherspoon, Pedro Osorio and Morrow. One of the day's features was a triple play. With runners on first and second, Alston speared a line drive, doubled the runner off first and threw to second to complete the triple.
Callihan (L), Mulholland (4) and Macnab
Jenkins, Blackman/Blackmon (W) (1) and Barnhill
Johnson (L), Nelson (5) and Macnab
Jenkins, Morrow (W) (4) and Barnhill
(July 8) Indian Head Rockets trounced Estevan 13-7 in an exhibition match at Carlyle Lake. Dan Jenkins tossed the first three innings for the Rockets with Peanuts Davis finishing up.
(July 9) After eight consecutive losses, Moose Jaw Canucks broke the spell with a 10-6 win over Estevan at Exhibition Park, Moose Jaw. Canucks built up an 8-0 lead then weathered an Estevan comeback attempt to take the victory. Newcomer Rip Collins sparked the Canucks with a double and two singles. Gerry Parker chipped in with three hits and two RBI. Art Worth went the distance for the win. He had a three-hit shutout through six innings before tiring in the latter frames. He helped at the plate with a two-run double.
Lombard (L) and Landrum
Worth (W) and Harford
(July 9) Indian Head Rockets wiped out a 6-0 deficit with two, three-run innings to salvage a 6-6 tie with Medicine Hat Mohawks. The game was called after nine innings because of darkness. A two-run homer by Bobby Prescott was the key hit in the Rockets' rally. Each club was held to five hits. Al Endriss had a pair for the Mohawks and Pedro Osorio two for the Rockets. Horace Latham, injured earlier in the season, made a timely return to the Rockets' lineup, playing shortstop. Last weekend the Rockets lost the services of shortstop Clement Varona when he broke his leg in the Moosomin tournament.
Barclay and Noce
Jenkins, Blackman/Blackmon (1), Leal (3), Morrow (9) and Cameron, Barnhill\
(July 9) Swift Current Indians, with a disappointing, last place showing, announced a major shake-up including the release of playing-coach Jim Ryan. Others who have departed include pitchers Alex Palica, Bob Maren and Johnny Mulholland, catcher Brent Macnab, third baseman Crouch and outfielder Bob Hobbs. John McManus, who is set to return to his university position in Nova Scotia after the holidays, takes over the club.
Remaining with the club are pitchers McManus, Al Johnson and Vern Callihan, Del St. John, Del Young SS, Ray Steele 2B, Bill Clovinski OF, Ken Nelson OF, Cliff Beisel 3B and Eddie Lang OF. Catcher Jack Mowbray is also expected to join the team, as is "Lefty" Strong, a good local hurler, and there is a report Jackie McLeod may return.
The executive also announced a reduction in admission fees, from 75 cents for adults down to 60 cents. High school students will pay 25 cents and public school children 15 cents.
(July 10) Medicine Hat rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to shade Estevan 3-2 at Nicholson Field in Estevan. Nat Bates hurled a seven-hitter for the Mohawks. Lefty Bryant held the Mohawks to just one hit during the first seven innings but was nicked for three singles and a double during the 'Hawks eighth inning outburst. Collins Jones of the Maple Leafs had three hits. Leafs scored in the third on a double by Junior Walter and a passed ball. Bud Ellington walked and John Kane singled to start the Mohawks' rally. Pumpsie Green doubled to score the first run and Kane notched the equalizer. Ray Perasso's drive plated Green with the winner.
Bates (W) and Noce
Bryant (L), McHenry (9) and Landrum
(July 10) In a season dominated by the hitters, fans in Moose Jaw saw a pitchers' duel as Dick Stone, the Canuck newcomer and former major leaguer, took on Walter Buttgereit who made his first start of the season. The Canadian kid won out as Regina squeezed out a 1-0 victory. There were just twelve hits in the game, six by each side. The only run came in the fifth inning when second baseman Roland Miles belted a triple to drive in Pee Wee Collins.
Buttgereit (W) and Kyle
Stone (L) and Harford
(July 11) Foam Lake Tournament
(July 11) Moose Jaw manager Clint Hodges announced the club had signed Alex Palica of the Swift Current Indians to play for the Canucks for the remainder of the season. Palica's brother Erv is a member of the mound staff of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
(July 11) Regina Caps busted loose for 17 hits to crush Moose Jaw 14-8 at Taylor Field. Canucks took a 3-0 in the top of the first inning but the Caps quickly responded. Pee Wee Collins belted Lefty Erfle's first pitch for a homer and Roland Miles hit the second for a double as Regina went on to score three of their own. Bob Hobbs, who started the season with Swift Current, had three hits for the Caps including a pair of triples. He drove in four markers. Gus Kyle and Jimmy Randolph each had three hits. Dave Chadwick went the distance for the win. Dick Stone emerged as Moose Jaw's best hitter in this game as he came through with three base raps. Collins and Miles each had two steals for the Caps.
Erfle (L) and Harford
Chadwick (W) and Kyle
(July 11) Estevan took a pair from Medicine Hat, 4-3 and 7-6 as Henry McHenry picked up both wins with sterling relief efforts. McHenry relieved Buddy Lombard in the seventh inning of the opener and held off the Mohawks and, at night, took over from Mel Torgenrud in the second frame and went the rest of the way. Maple Leafs rallied to win both tilts. A two-run seventh inning was decisive in the first game. Key hits came from Freddie Sheppard and McHenry. Leroy Pettus had doubled in the third to plate Sheppard and Collins Jones. Leafs won the nightcap with a four-run rally in the eighth inning. Jack Bruton led off with the single and scored on Gerry Burleson's triple, Wilbur Greene brought the Leafs to within a run with a single and Lombard followed with a walk. Al Endriss relieved starter Bud Francis but delivered two wild pitches allowing Greene and Lombard to score the tying and winning runs. Ray White of the Mohawks had the only homer.
Allmon (L) and Noce
Lombard, McHenry (W) (7) and Landrum
Francis (L), Endriss (8) and Noce
Torgenrud, McHenry (W) (2) and Landrum
(July 12) A pair of one-hit shutouts highlighted the $1,500 Brandon invitational tournament as Elmwood captured the top prize.
(July 12) The Swift Current Indians turned back the Moose Jaw Canucks 2 - 0 in a W.C.B.L. encounter earmarked by the superlative pitching of Indians' hurler Vern Callihan who scalped the Canucks with a brilliant three-hitter. The Tribe scored both of their runs in the top of the 1st, the only tallies of the game. Portsider Art Worth went the distance for the Canucks and took the loss. John Mulholland of the Indians rapped out three base knocks to lead all hitters.
Callihan (W) and St. John
Worth (L) and Harford
(July 13) Newcomer Bob Hobbs was the key figure as the Regina Caps swept a twin bill from his former team, the Swift Current Indians, by scores of 13 - 5 and 10 - 4. In the matinee attraction, Hobbs sent the Caps on their way with a bases loaded triple, one of two for his three hit game, in the third inning. In this match, the Caps' Al Vogt got the pitching win although requiring relief help from Eli Merritt. John Mulholland of the Tribe was the loser. Pee Wee Collins and Gus Kyle also contributed a trio of safeties for the winners. Jimmy Randolph drove in three for Regina.
Mulholland (L) and St. John
Vogt (W), Merritt (6) and Kyle
The Caps had to come from behind to win the evening tilt. During this encounter, Hobbs drove in the Caps' first run and then capped the day's work by socking a two run homer in the eighth. Eli Merritt was again the Caps' fireman and, this time, got the win. Speedy Creek's Vic "Lefty" Wall took the loss. Swift Current catcher Del St. John had three hits to lead all batters.
The Regina Leader-Post noted Hobbs' outstanding performance since donning a Caps' uniform :
In three games with the Regina Caps since coming over from Swift Current, Hobbs has 15 plate appearances (11 official at-bats) and has amassed one home run, four triples, one double, two singles, three walks, one hit-by-pitch, flied out twice and grounded into a fielder's choice. He has driven in 10 runs, scored 10 himself and stolen two bases.
Wall (L), Johnson (7) and St. John
Galloway, Merritt (W) (3) and Kyle
(July 13) Saskatoon 55s downed Kamsack 4-1 to take top prize in the Kamsack tournament.
(July 13) Jack Bruton of the Estevan Maple Leafs, who has 20 base hits in 46 at bats for a .435 average, is the first half batting leader in the W.C.B.L. Indian Head's Lester Witherspoon is second, hitting the ball at a .421 clip. Jake Page of the Estevan Maple Leafs ranks next with a .410 average. Then comes Bob Hobbs (Swift Current and Regina) and Walter "Butch" Buttgereit of the Regina squad, both with .379 averages. Gus Kyle and Rollie Miles of the Caps each have stung the horsehide at a .375 pace.
(July 14) Pitcher Dick Stone's performance in a double dip was the main factor in a Moose Jaw Canucks' sweep of the Swift Current Indians by scores of 7 - 4 and 9 - 3. Stone limited the Tribe to five hits in the matinee to pick up the complete game win. The Canucks broke a 4 - 4 tie with a three run outburst in the top of the eighth to pull out the win. Shortstop Rip Collins touched off the rally with a double and scored the winner on Berlyn Hodges' single.
In the evening encounter, Stone went to the mound to rescue young Wes Richardson in the top of the 1st when Swift Current had scored three times and had the bases loaded with none out. He quickly retired the side and pitched shutout ball thereafter.
Stone (W) and xxx
Olheiser (L), Wall (9) and xxx
Richardson, Stone (W) (1) and xxx
McManus (L), Wall, Straub, Johnson and xxx
(July 14) Ray Perasso's sixth inning triple drove in Johnny Kane with what proved to be the winner as Medicine Hat shaded Regina 3-2 to gain a split of a twin-bill at Regina. Caps scored a 10-9 triumph in the opener, taking a 10-3 lead and holding off a late charge by the visitors.
Mohawks had just six hits in the nightcap but scored a pair in the1st inning on a single by Pumpsie Green, double by Al Endriss and an outfield error. Pee Wee Collins scored for the Caps in the third on a four-base error and Barry Wolstencroft batted in Jim Randolph with a sixth inning double. Regina had a strong threat in the ninth, but Bob Hobbs filed out with runners on second and third. Bud Francis topped Butch Buttgereit in a mound duel. Regina second baseman Roland Miles, experimenting as a switch-hitter, had a double and three singles for the Caps.
Francis (W) and Noce
Buttgereit (L) and Kyle
Miles crushed a homer and triple to lead the Caps to their afternoon victory. Miles, Bob Hobbs and Gus Kyle each drove in a pair of runs. Mohawks outhit the Caps 18 to 11. Carl Coons was the winner in relief. Mohawk's starter Nat Bates was forced to leave the game in the fifth inning after being struck over the right eye by a line drive off the bat of Art Stone.
Bates, Rehder (L) (5), Watkins (9) and Noce
Galloway, Coons (W) (4), Chadwick (9) and Kyle, Turner (8)
Mohawks' Ray White reached base eight times in nine at bats in the twin-bill. He had two triples, four walks, hit by a pitch and reached on an error.
(July 14) Indian Head Rockets scored eight in the 1st and went on to wallop Estevan 21-0 for the Rockets 16th win in 19 games. Tom Alston and Bobby Prescott each had three hits. Bee Bee Green belted a three-run homer in the 1st and Les Witherspoon blasted a two-run homer in the fifth. Chet Brewer pitched a gem -- a three-hitter with 14 strikeouts.
Lombard (L), WGreene and Landrum
Brewer (W) and Cameron
(July 15) Swift Current downed Moose Jaw 9-4 in exhibition action. Bob Maren, who was slated to leave the club, stayed on and pitched the victory. Indians had Jackie McLeod in the lineup at first base.
xxx and xxx
Maren (W) and xxx
(July 16) The Indian Head Rockets kept blazing along in W.C.B.L. wars when they dumped the Medicine Hat Mohawks 8 - 6 in an abbreviated contest called after 5 1/2 innings because of darkness and threatening rain. Catcher Henry (Red) Cameron and outfielder Pedro Osorio belted home runs as the Rockets registered their 14th win in succession in league play and their 17th victory out of 20 games played this campaign. Jim Morrow was the winning pitcher as he limited Medicine Hat to six hits. Loser Bud Watkins gave up 7 safeties, including a pair by Osorio.
Watkins (L) and Noce
Morrow (W) and Cameron
(July 16) Estevan Maple Leafs erupted for nine runs in the 1st inning en route to a 13-2 win over Swift Current Indians. Included in the onslaught were triples from Leroy Pettus, Bill McCullough and Wilbur Greene. Curly Andrews added a double. Collins Jones, the only player not to score in the 1st inning, led off the second with a homer. Junior Walton also had a four-bagger. Lefty Allan Bryant held the Indians to seven hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. Andrews and McCullough, former members of the Ligon All-Stars, played their first games with the Leafs.
McManus (L), Nelson (2) and St. John
Bryant (W) and Landrum
(July 17) Indian Head Rockets swept a twin-bill from the Caps at Regina, 6-2 and 4-3. Toribio Leal, the 135 pound southpaw, pitched a five-hitter and fanned nine in the opener to register the win. Dave Chadwick took the loss for the Caps. Les Witherspoon of the Rockets was the only player on either side to produce two hits.
Leal (W) and Barnhill
Chadwick (L), Coons (8), Merritt (9) and Kyle
Ed Peanuts Davis and Chet Brewer pitched the Rockets to the second game win with Davis getting credit for the victory. Carl Coons suffered the loss and that third sacker Charlie Robinson of the Rockets led all batsmen with a trio of base knocks.
Davis (W), Brewer (7) and xxx
Coons (L) and Kyle
(July 17) Medicine Hat rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to take a 7-4 decision from Estevan. A double by Al Endriss, a single from Bud Ellington and two Leaf errors accounted for the winning margin. Although touched for 14 hits, Nat Bates went the distance for the Mohawks. He had four strikeouts and two walks. Jack Bruton went the route for the home club allowing right hits with six strikeouts and four bases on balls. Fred Sheppard and Leroy Pettus belted triples for the Indians while Junior Walton added a double and two singles.
Bates (W) and Noce
Bruton (L) and Landrum
STANDINGS
Indian Head 19 - 3
Regina 16 - 13 6.5
Estevan 13 - 15 9.0
Medicine Hat 9 - 12 9.5
Moose Jaw 7 - 14 11.5
Swift Current 5 - 12 11.5
(July 19) Indian Head Tournament
(July 20) Hal Price tossed a two-hitter and fanned thirteen as Sceptre and Regina Caps battled to a 1-1 tie in an exhibition match at Taylor Field. A comedy of errors led to Regina's only run. Price struck out Art Stone, leading off the third, but catcher Grant Warwick dropped the third strike. Warwick made a wild throw to first as Stone scampered down the base path. Another miscue by the third basemen allowed Stone to pull up safety at third. A sacrifice fly brought in the run. Sceptre got its only run in the sixth when Del St. John led off with a single and Cap pitcher George Galloway proceeded to walk three straight batters.
Price (W) and Warwick
Galloway (L) and Turner
(July 20) The revamped Swift Current Indians downed Moose Jaw 5-4 to move out of the basement in the Western Canada league standings. Bolstered by members of the Sceptre touring club, the Indians built up a 4-0 lead then stopped a Canucks' rally in the ninth to take the win. Joe Mocha's three-run homer in the third was a key hit for the Indians. Roy Schappert, with a double in the eighth, drove in Mocha with the winning run. Alex Palica had two triples and three singles in five at bats for Moose Jaw. Ken Nelson went 4-5 for the Indians. The Swift Current and Sceptre clubs decided to join forces for the rest of the season.
C Jacobson (W) and Garay
Worth (L) and Harford
(July 20) Les Witherspoon's two-run double in the 11th inning gave Indian Head a 5-3 win over Estevan. It was the Rockets' 20th win in 23 starts. Witherspoon had singled and scored the Rockets' first run in the 1st inning. Fred Sheppard's homer tied the count. Curly Andrews and Sheppard drove in Leaf markers in the seventh while Indian Head notched single runs in the eighth and ninth to force extra innings. Shedrick Green scored in the eighth on two Estevan errors and Red Cameron scored in the ninth on a hit by Jesse Blackman/Blackmon. Blackman/Blackmon went the distance on the hill holding the Leafs to five hits. He fanned twelve. Henry McHenry gave up nine hits.
Blackman/Blackmon (W) and Cameron
McHenry (L) and Landrum, Burleson
STANDINGS
Indian Head 20 - 3
Regina 16 - 13
Estevan 13 - 16
Medicine Hat 9 - 12
Swift Current 6 - 12
Moose Jaw 7 - 15
(July 21) Walter Buttgereit's pitching and hitting led Regina Caps to a 4-1 win over Medicine Hat before 1,400 fans at Taylor Field in Regina. Buttgereit held the Mohawks to four hits while he knocked in the winning run with a seventh inning double. He later scored an insurance run. Nate Bates went the distance for the Mohawks allowing eight hits. Mohawks' regular catcher, Joe Noce, was out of the lineup serving a one-game suspension following a dispute with an umpire during a game in Estevan. Lloyd Woolley was released by Regina and is expected to join Estevan.
Bates (L) and Green
Buttgereit (W) and Turner
(July 21) Estevan Maple Leafs took a pair from Swift Current, 11-6 in 13 innings, and 8-3. Jack Bruton, who came on in relief in the ninth inning of the first game, picked up the win. Leafs were helped by eight errors by the Indians. Buddy Lombard, who went eight innings in the first game, came back to go the distance in the evening contest. Del St. John led the Indians with three hits in the first game and a pair in the second.
Lombard, Bruton (W) (9) and
Callihan, Wall (4), Johnson (7), Jarvis (L ) ( ) and xxx
Lombard (W) and xxx
Mulholland (L), Garcia (4)and xxx
(July 21) Indian Head Rockets ran their winning streak to 19 games by take a pair from Moose Jaw, 11-2 and 8-6. Peanuts Davis tossed a seven-hitter for the first game win and the Rockets pounded out 13 hits to win the second contest. Tom Alston, Bob Prescott and Shedrick Green each had three hits in the opener. Prescott clouted a homer to pace the hitters in the evening game. Art Worth had the lone four-bagger in the first game.
Palica (L) and Harford
Davis (W) and Cameron
B Hodges (L) and Harford
Leal (W) and Cameron
(July 22) Estevan dumped Swift Current 8-5 to complete a three-game, weekend sweep. Santa Fe Morris made his initial start for the Maple Leafs and stopped the Indians on an eight-hitter.
Morris (W) and xxx
McManus (L), C Jacobson (9) and xxx
(July 23) Veteran Dick Stone fired a five-hitter to lead Moose Jaw to a 5-1 victory over Medicine Hat. Stone fanned eight batters and gave up just one base on balls. Shoddy fielding did in the Mohawks as they committed five errors allowing the Canucks to tally five unearned runs. Cy Thorseth, up from the Southern League for his debut with the Mohawks, allowed just seven hits, whiffed seven and walked four. Outfielder Art Worth led Moose Jaw with three hits.
Thorseth (L) and Noce
Stone (W) and Harford
(July 23) In a thriller from the get-go, the powerful Indian Head Rockets nailed their 20th straight W.C.B.L. victory, scoring a last inning run to edge the Estevan Maple Leafs 4 - 3. Les Witherspoon's bottom of the ninth RBI single off loser Lefty Bryant won the game for the Rockets. Witherspoon had three of the 8 Indian Head safeties to lead all hitters. Winning chucker Chet Brewer had 7 strikeouts in his mound performance, surrendering six hits.
Bryant (L) and Burleson
Brewer (W) and Barnhill
(July 23) The Regina Caps strengthened their hold on second place in W.C.B.L. wars, sweeping a doubleheader from the Swift Current Indians by scores of 13 - 3 and 7 - 2. In the opener, lanky winner Dave Chadwick and homebrew reliever Walter Buttgereit combined for an easy afternoon of work in shutting down the Tribe on five hits.
Chadwick (W), Buttgereit (4) and xxx
xxx and xxx
Southpaws Tony Maze and Carl Coons hurled a five hit job for the Caps in the 8 inning nightcap. Maze picked up the win but was forced to leave the game early when struck on the pitching arm on a ball hit by rival pitcher Vic "Lefty" Wall. Walter Buttgereit had a towering home run for Regina to go along with a double and single. Cliff Beisel sparked the Indians attack with a double and single while catcher Al Powell poled out a triple.
Maze (W), Coons (5) and Turner
Wall (L) and A. Powell
(July 23)
(July 24) Medicine Hat handed the Swift Current Indians their third straight double defeat dropping the cellar-dwellers 8-3 and 8-5. Indians lost a pair to Estevan on Saturday and two to Regina on Monday.
Bud Francis tossed a six-hitter for the win in the 1st game. A four-run 1st inning for the Hawks proved enough for the victory. The big hits were a triple by the Indians Ed Garay and a double by the Mohawks Al Endriss.
Francis (W) and Noce
Jarvis (L), Jacobson and Garay
Medicine Hat scored three in the ninth to take the second game 8-5. Bud Ellington, Johnny Kane and John Noce each connected twice for the winners. Cliff Allmon went the distance for the win. Gene Jacobs led the Indians with three hits. Joe Mocha, Ken Nelson and Rudy Garcia each had two safeties. Jacobs, Mocha, and Garcia all started the season with the Mohawks.
Allmon (W) and Noce
Garcia (L) and Nelson
(July 24) Outfielder Bob Hobbs had 6 RBI's to spark the second place Regina Caps to a 9 - 1 thrashing of the Moose Jaw Canucks. Hobbs had a third inning double and a seventh inning grand slam homer off the slants of portsider Art Worth to seal the one-sided victory. Right-hander George Galloway gave up seven hits, two to Lowell Hodges of the Canucks, in picking up the win. Rollie Miles had three hits for the Caps.
Worth (L) and Harford
Galloway (W) and Turner
STANDINGS
Indian Head 22 - 3
Regina 19 - 14 7.5
Estevan 16 - 16 10.0
Medicine Hat 11 - 14 10.5
Moose Jaw 8 - 18 15.5
Swift Current 6 - 19 17.0
(July 25) Jim Greenblat, in his Looking 'Em Over sports column in the Swift Current Sun, had some notes on the strange season in the Saskatchewan community.
"Well, this has been a funny baseball year. We start out with the Indians and finish up with the Nixons. In a deal completed late Thursday night at Regina, when President Doug Robinson, Jack Kohn and Lou Plowman conferred with Merlin Nixon, the 1951 Indian franchise was taken over by the man who has been operating the Sceptre club of late months. His Sceptre club will be known as the Swift Current Nixons, and he has culled several of the outstanding players out of our team, added a dash of his own, shook them together, added pepper and salt and comes up with an outstanding club that should provide us with some snappy ball for the remainder of the season."
The deal was ratified at an executive meeting in The Pic on Friday night. Outside of a few tournament commitments, the Nixons will play out the Western Canada league schedule and this means that for the remainder of the season game will come thick and fast. It is possible that the 1952 season may see Nixon here again with the franchise, at least that seems to be the trend of conversation at the present time.
Who is Nixon? Well, he is a young man who will probably be heard of considerably in the future in Saskatchewan sport world. He is a son of the fabulous curler of Abbey, Mel Nixon, so well known in Swift Current because he has been attending (and winning at) bonspiels here for years. Merlin, the talk goes, made himself some nice dough in oil up Alberta way, and loving baseball decided to get into the act and took over the Sceptre franchise. He operates the club now, with Fergie Shields managing for him.
... The man whom Jim Ryan fired after a fracas in Regina back in May, catcher Harry Monroe, went to Yorkton where he is doing a fine job. Here is what The Enterprise says about him now: "The work Harry Monroe is doing for the kids in his 100-odd player league is what counts. Here a foundation is being laid for baseball that will pay off in the days ahead." Some fans said Monroe was "a little cocky," when with the team here. His cockiness might have been preferable." (The Sun, July 25, 1951)
(July 25) In a game called after five innings because of rain, Indian Head clobbered Moose Jaw 10-0. Jim Morrow tossed a two-hitter and belted a homer and single for the winners. The Rockets' Tom Alston, Jesse Blackman/Blackmon and Charlie Harris all chipped in with a pair of hits.
Morrow (W) and Cameron
B Hodges (L), W Richardson (4) and Harford
(July 25) At Medicine Hat, the Mohawks whipped Swift Current 11-1 and 9-3. Bud Watkins held the Indians to three hits in the opener and helped his cause with two hits. Al Endriss had three hits, drove in a pair and had two stolen bases. Mohawks, who had ten hits, capitalized on 11 walks issued by losing pitcher Al Johnson. In the nightcap, Nat Bates pitched a three-hitter for the win. Johnny Kane punched out three hits for the Hawks and Endriss added a pair. The Indians had a make-shift lineup as most of their regulars were in at the Estevan tournament a commitment made before the club entered the loop.
Al Johnson (L) and Lang
Watkins (W) and Noce
Travis (L), Young (2), Schappert (8) and J Johnson
Bates (W) and Noce
STANDINGS
Indian Head 23 - 3
Regina 19 - 14 7.5
Estevan 16 - 16 10.0
Medicine Hat 13 - 14 10.5
Moose Jaw 8 - 19 15.5
Swift Current 6 - 20 17.0
(July 25) Estevan Tournament
(July 26) Regina Caps ended Indian Head's 22-game winning streak. After losing 7-5 in the first game of a double-header, Caps downed the Rockets 5-3. Lefty Eli Merritt held the Rockets to six hits. Walter Buttgereit knocked in one of two eighth inning runs and scored the other as the Caps upset the league leaders. Merritt cracked a triple and scored the Caps' first run in the third inning. Regina broke a 1-1 deadlock in the fourth on John McDaniels' two-run homer. In the opener, Jesse Blackman/Blackmon belted a pair of homers to lead the Rockets.
Chadwick (L) and Turner
Coleman (W) and Barnhill
Merritt (W) and Turner
Davis (L) and Barnhill
(July 26) Curt Barclay pitched a five-hitter and pounded a two-run homer and a run-scoring single as Medicine Hat ran their winning streak to five league games downing Estevan 5-2. It was Barclay's second straight win over the Leafs. The win gave the Mohawks a 14-14 mark, Estevan 16-17. Barclay, making his first start since winning twice in one day at the Indian Head tournament, was superb in holding the Leafs to a double and four singles.
McHenry (L) and Burleson, Landrum (8)
Barclay (W) and Noce
Brick Swegle, Mohawks' owner said he was hopeful of gaining credit for another win. The league president had ordered Moose Jaw and the Mohawks to play a postponed game on Monday, but although the Mohawks were dressed and ready to play at Moose Jaw the Canucks didn't show up.
STANDINGS
Indian Head 23 - 4
Regina 20 - 14 6.5
Medicine Hat 14 - 14 9.5
Estevan 16 - 17 10.0
Moose Jaw 8 - 19 15.0
Swift Current 6 - 20 16.5
(July 27) Regina Caps whipped Swift Current 9-1. Roland Miles and Bob Hobbs of the Caps both had two hits, one of Hobbs' raps being a double. Al Vogt, Carl Coons and Dave Chadwick each threw three innings for the Queen City brigade with Vogt picking up credit for the win. Loser Johnny McManus lasted four innings on the hill and left trailing 9 - 0. John Mulholland led the Tribe with the hickory, slamming out a double and a single.
McManus (L), Price (5) and Umarre
Vogt (W), Coons (4), Chadwick (7) and Turner
(July 27) In a darkness shortened 7 inning game, the Moose Jaw Canucks registered a major upset when they toppled the pace setting Indian Head Rockets 3 - 2. Winning pitcher Alex Palica was the top gun for the Canucks as he pitched the entire 7 innings, giving up eight hits and fanning four. He also proved valuable offensively as he socked out two hits in three trips off loser Toribio Leal. Jim Harford and Rip Collins also had a brace of safeties for the Moose Jaw nine. Pedro Osorio, Les Witherspoon and Bob Prescott all contributed two hits for the Rockets.
Palica (W) and Harford
Leal (L) and Barnhill, Cameron (7)
(July 27) Medicine Hat won their sixth straight league game downing Estevan 8-7 in a free-swinging contest at Medicine Hat. After blowing an early 2-0 lead, Mohawks erupted for four in the seventh to notch the come-from-behind victory. Al Endriss knocked in four runs to pace the Mohawks. Collins Jones had three hits for the Maple Leafs. Bill Rehder scattered 13 hits and suffered through six Mohawk errors to pick up the win.
Woolley, Lombard (L) (5) and Landrum, Burleson (1)
Rehder (W) and Noce
STANDINGS
Indian Head 25 - 5
Regina 22 - 14 6.0
Medicine Hat 15 - 14 9.5
Estevan 16 - 19 11.5
Moose Jaw 9 - 19 15.0
Swift Current 6 - 22 18.0
(July 27) Larry Bolger is expected to arrive tonight to help bolster the Medicine Hat lineup. He's scheduled to pitch the Wednesday afternoon game against Regina. Curt Barclay is to pitch the nightcap. Righthander Don Barnett is to arrive in a day or two unless he signs a pro contract. If that occurs, Brick Swegle hopes to land Truman Clevenger, another of the Fresno State products. Following the Wednesday twin-bill with Regina, the Mohawks face Swift Current Thursday and Friday.
(July 27) In the first of a three-game exhibition series at Edmonton, Saskatoon 55's edged Edmonton Oilers 8-7.
(July 28) Saskatoon 55's outslugged Edmonton Oilers 14-10 in an exhibition match in Edmonton.
(July 28) Regina Caps swept a twin-bill at Swift Current, 6-4 and 6-3. Caps took a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning of the opener and held on for the win. Al Vogt went the distance for the win. The Indians jumped out to a 3-1 lead after one inning in the second game, but reliever Dave Chadwick shut them down on one-hit for the last eight innings and the Caps rallied with two in the third, another pair in the fourth and a singleton in the fifth for the victory.
Vogt (W) and Turner
Maren (L) and Powell
Maze, Chadwick (W) (1) and Turner
Callihan (L) and Powell
(July 28) The Rockets and Mohawks split a twin-bill at Medicine Hat. Mohawks won the opener by forfeit when Indian Head manager Jim Williams failed to leave the field after a protest over a called strike. Mohawks were leading 2-0 in the ninth inning when the game was called. Rockets rebounded for a 9-5 win in the second game behind Chet Brewer's eight-hitter. Jesse Blackman/Blackmon was working on a two-hitter in the first game for the Rockets. Bud Francis allowed seven, three to the Rockets' first sacker, Tom Alston. Pumpsie Green took care of the Mohawks' offense in the first inning, belting a triple to knock in Willie Reed, then scoring on a drive by Al Endriss. In the second contest, Les Witherspoon led the Rockets with two hits and three RBI. Red Cameron had three hits. Green had two hits, including a triple for Medicine Hat. Chet Brewer held the Hawks to eight hits.
Blackman/Blackmon (L) and Cameron
Francis (W) and Noce
Brewer (W) and Cameron
Allmon (L), Watkins (4) and Noce
(July 28) Dick Stone fired a complete game six-hitter as Moose Jaw trounced Estevan 8-1. Lowell Hodges and Art Worth had triples for Moose Jaw. Lefty Bryant, who was ejected in the third inning for arguing balls and strikes, was tagged with the loss. Willie Greene had three hits for Estevan. Gerry Parker and Alex Palica each had two RBI for Moose Jaw.
Bryant, Lombard (L) (3), Woolley (4) and Burleson
Stone (W) and Harford
Indian Head 27-6
Regina 24-14
Medicine Hat 16-15
Estevan 16-20
Moose Jaw 10-19
Swift Current 6-25
( ) Brick Swegle announced more reinforcements for the Mohawks. Fred Bartels, a 6-4, 200-pound first sacker, and second baseman Franny Oneto join recent additions Larry Bolger, Pete Beiden and Truman Clevenger. All the newcomers are from Fresno State University. Bud Ellington, the regular first baseman, is required to leave for California to resume his studies.
(July 29) In exhibition action, Edmonton Oilers held off a ninth inning rally by Saskatoon to down the 55's 11-9 before 3,000 fans at Edmonton. Oiler starter Lefty Belter was coasting along with an 11-2 lead with two out in the ninth when the 55's roared back with seven runs before reliever Jerry Seaman got the final out. Bob Herron, the first of four Saskatoon moundsmen, took the loss. Shortstop Len Karlson and outfielder Bill Gadsby each had two-run homers for the winners. Herron and Gem catcher Sherman Watrous belted homers in the fourth inning.
Herron (L), xxx, xxx, xxx and xxx
Belter (W), xxx (9), Seaman (9) and xxx
(July 29?) Medicine Hat whipped the SAR Flyers 11-5 in an exhibition match at Athletic Park. Nate Bates went the route for the win. Alex Biko was the loser.
Biko (L), Sorenson and xxx
Bates (W) and xxx
(July 29) Sceptre Nixons, playing with seven pitchers in the lineup, tangled with Eston at Clearwater Lake. Eston won the opener 4-2 and the two teams fought to a 9-9 tie in the second contest.
(July 29) Saskatoon Exhibition Tournament
(July 29) Johnny Coleman threw an effective six-hitter for the Rockets as Indian Head grabbed a 6 - 3 victory over the Swift Current Indians. Hal Price of the Indians tossed seven hit ball but his mates flubbed the ball 7 times to keep him in difficulty.
Coleman (W) and Barnhill
Price (L) and Garay
(July 30) Staging a 5 run outburst in the eighth inning, the Regina Caps racked up an 8 - 3 victory over the Estevan Maple Leafs. Southpaw Eli Merritt stymied the Leafs with a nifty four-hitter and 6 strikeouts. three hits, two errors and a pair of walks issued by loser Jack Bruton figured in the Caps' big 5 run blast during the eighth. Barry Wolstencroft with two for two and Pee Wee Collins with two for 5 led the Regina attack while Wilbur Greene had a brace of singles for Estevan.
Merritt (W) and Turner
Bruton (L) and Burleson
(July 30) The Swift Current Indians dropped their 13th straight game at home when they were hammered 13 - 4 by the Moose Jaw Canucks. Lefty Art Worth scattered 10 hits in handcuffing the Tribe in this tussle called after 7 innings because of darkness. Indians' starter Johnny McManus was battered from the hill in the second frame and absorbed the defeat.
Worth (W) and Harford
McManus (L), Mocha (2), Garcia (5) and Garay
(July 30) Staging a 5 run outburst in the eighth inning, the Regina Caps racked up an 8 - 3 victory over the Estevan Maple Leafs. Southpaw Eli Merritt stymied the Leafs with a nifty four-hitter and 6 strikeouts. three hits, two errors and a pair of walks issued by loser Jack Bruton figured in the Caps' big 5 run blast during the eighth. Barry Wolstencroft with two for two and Pee Wee Collins with two for 5 led the Regina attack while Wilbur Greene had a brace of singles for Estevan.
Merritt (W) and Turner
Bruton (L) and Burleson
Indian Head 27-6
Regina 24-14
Medicine Hat 16-15
Estevan 16-20
Moose Jaw 10-19
Swift Current 6-26
(July 31) Rosetown Tournament
(July 31) Jim Williams, playing-manager of the Indian Head Rockets, was suspended for six games and fined $50 for an assault on an umpire on a street in Medicine Hat last Saturday. The assault took place following the first game of a double-header against the Mohawks. it was in the aftermath of a ninth inning rhubarb when Williams disputed a called strike by umpire E.C. Terry and was ordered to leave the ball park. When Williams refused to leave, the game was forfeited to the Hawks. A short time later, Terry said he was walking down a street away from the park when the Rockets' bus pulled up to a stop and Williams got out of the bus and crossed the street where he used violent language and threw a punch at Terry.
(July 31) Moose Jaw Canucks swept a pair from Medicine Hat, 7-2 and 2-1 at Exhibition Park in Moose Jaw to notch their fifth victory in five days. In the afternoon tilt, Alex Palica fired a four-hitter while his mates took advantage of eight Mohawks' errors. All the Canucks runs were unearned. Medicine Hat had taken a 1-0 lead in the third inning on John Noce's homer and added a marker in the fourth on walks to Ray White and Noce and Willie Reed's single. Canucks took the lead with three in the fifth and wrapped up the win with a four-run outburst in the seventh. Palica fanned 11 and walked 9. Bud Watkins allowed eight hits in taking the loss.
Watkins (L) and Noce
Palica (W) and Harford
Berlyn Hodges was the hero for Moose Jaw in the nightcap. His double in the final inning drove in Art Worth, who had singled, with the winning run. Worth had given the Canucks the early lead with a towering homer in the second. Johnny Kane's scored the only run for the Mohawks on a fifth inning single by Ray White. In his first appearance for the Canucks, Terry Mulholland, the former Swift Current hurler, held the Hawks to five hits in gaining the win. Cliff Allmon was the hard-luck loser.
Allmon (L) and Noce
Mulholland (W) and Harford
STANDINGS
Indian Head 27 - 6
Regina 25 - 14 5.0
Medicine Hat 16 - 17 11.0
Estevan 16 - 21 13.0
Moose Jaw 13 - 19 13.5
Swift Current 6 - 25 20.0
(August 1) Reports from Edmonton suggest Red Nixon, the owner of the Sceptre Nixons, now playing under the banner of the Swift Current Indians also runs the Indian Head Rockets.
( ) There is unofficial word that five Mohawks may be released or leave the team. The changes are due to the addition of new players from California and to school commitments. Al Endriss and Bud Ellington are due to leave to resume studies. Others who may be departing -- Ray White, Ray Perasso, Bud Francis and Johnny Noce. Francis is one of the club's top pitchers with a 6-1 won-lost record. In his last appearance in Medicine Hat he shutout the Indian Head Rockets 2-0.
(Aug 1) Curt Barclay tossed a five-hit shutout to salvage a split with Regina as Mohawks won 5-0 after dropping an 11-7 match in the afternoon. Barclay walked one and fanned four as the Mohawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first and never looked back. The game was called after 7 1/2 innings because of darkness. Ray Perasso's booming, two-run double was the key hit.
Coons (L) and Turner
Barclay (W) and Green
Mohawks had twelve hits and drew 10 bases on balls but left 17 runners stranded in losing 11-7 in the first game of the twin-bill. Second baseman Jimmy Randolph knocked in three runs for the Caps with a pair of hits, one of them a double. Butch Buttgereit, the winning pitcher, had a triple and single.
Buttgereit (W) and Turner
Rehder (L), Francis (5), Watkins (5) and Green
STANDINGS
Indian Head 27 6
Regina 26 15
Medicine Hat 17 18
Estevan 16 21
Moose Jaw 13 19
Swift Current 6 25
(Aug 2) Virden Tournament
(Aug 2) Dick Stone tossed a seven-hitter as Moose Jaw shaded Regina 2-1 for the Canucks sixth straight victory. All the scoring came in the sixth inning. Regina's Bob Hobbs scored in the top of the frame before Alex Palica and Wayne Brock crossed the plate in the bottom of the inning for the Canucks. Losing pitcher Al Vogt lasted on the hill until the seventh. Alex Palica's three hits paced the Canucks' attack. Art Worth of the Mill City nine had two hits as did Rollie Miles and George Galloway of the Reginans.
Vogt (L), Chadwick (7) and Turner
Stone (W) and Harford
(Aug 2) With Bud Francis hurling a four-hitter, Medicine Hat took the opener of a three-game set from the Swift Current Nixons, 3-2 at Athletic Park. Francis went seven innings, for his sixth win against one loss, before leaving with a strained back. Both runs against him were unearned. Bud Watkins finished up. Stan Jarvis and Vern Callihan held the Mohawks to six hits. Mohawks took the early lead on a bases loaded walk to John Noce which plated Johnny Kane. After the Nixons had knotted the count in the third, Ray Perasso drove in Pumpsie Green, who had singled, to give Medicine Hat a 2-1 edge. In the fifth, the margin moved to 3-1 as Green singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on Kane's long fly ball to left.
Jarvis (L), Callihan (4) and Garay
Francis (W), Watkins (8) and Noce
(Aug 3) Tisdale Lions Club Tournament
(August 3) Medicine Hat took a pair from Swift Current Nixons 8-4 and 10-2. In the opener, Nat Bates, suffering arm woes, struggled giving up nine hits and six bases on balls. However, sharp infield defense by Johnny Kane, Willie Reed and Pumpsie Green helped Bates out of trouble. The right-hander won his own game with a two-run single in the fourth inning to bring the Mohawks back from a 4-3 deficit.
In the second game, the Mohawks broke a 2-2 tie with a pair in the third frame. Ray White, filling in at first base, tripled in Ray Perraso and came around to score on an error. A six-run outburst in the seventh inning put the game on ice. Curt Barclay's three-run, inside the park homer highlighted the offensive. Lefty Bill Rehder tossed a a three-hitter for the win. Rudy Garcia took the loss.
" ... Barclay made a mastermind out of Brick Swegle, by plastering Garcia's pitch for an inside the park homer that scored three runs. Barclay, who until last night gave the appearance of being the slowest man on two feet, was put in as a pinch-hitter for Cliff Allmon. He picked out the first pitch and smacked a 400-foot drive into centre field that Genial Gene Jacobs couldn't reach. Barclay then ran around the bases like a frightened deer, nearly knocking over White who was ahead of him." (Medicine Hat News, August 4, 1951)
McManus (L), Callihan (6) and Garay
Bates (W) and Noce
Garcia (L) and Garay
Rehder (W) and Noce
STANDINGS
Indian Head 27 6 --
Regina 26 16 5.5
Medicine Hat 18 18 10.5
Estevan 16 21 13.0
Moose Jaw 14 19 13.0
Swift Current 6 26 20.5
(Aug 4) Swift Current stopped Moose Jaw's winning string at seven games with a 3-0 win in the second game of a twin-bill. Canucks won the opener 7-6. Alex Palica's solo homer with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning was the margin of victory in the first game. Palica had earlier driven in three runs with a double and single. Roy Schappert sparked Swift Current to victory in the evening tilt with a two run homer in support of winning hurler Joe Mocha. For the Canucks, Palica, Wayne Brock and loser Johnny Mulholland had a brace of hits each.
Nelson (L) and St. John
Worth (W) and Harford
Mocha (W) and St. John
Mulholland (L) and Harford
(August 6) Southpaws Dick Stone of Moose Jaw and Lefty Bryant of Estevan hurled 10 innings apiece as the Canucks and the Maple Leafs battled to a scoreless draw. Bryant gave up only three singles, two to Alex Palica, while Stone limited the Leafs to four scattered hits. In the strikeout department, Stone fanned twelve Maple Leaf hitters while Bryant sent third strikes past 11 Canuck batsmen.
Stone and Harford
Bryant and Landrum
(August 07) Edmonton Red NIxon Tournament
(Aug 07) A short-handed Regina Caps squad, bolstered for four recruits from the Royal Caps of the Southern league, scored a 6-1 win over Estevan. However, an hour after the game, the league announced the game had been awarded to the Leafs because of the Caps' use of ineligible players. Although their work in the end proved to be in vain, Jimmy Ross, Lou Lysack, Buddy Rogers and Spear Salloum of the Southern League Royal Caps showed they could hold their own in W.C.B.L. competition. The Southern League quartet had four of the Caps' six hits . Ross swung the bat at a two for three clip including a triple. Lysack, working behind the plate, clouted a double. Rogers and Salloum shone defensively at third and second base respectively with Rogers completing an unassisted double play. Salloum added a single in his W.C.B.L. debut.
The game had its lighter moments. With two out and the bases loaded, Estevan's rightfielder Bill McCullough stunned the remaining fans with a steal of third. McCullough was surprised and embarrassed to discover the bag already occupied by teammate Collins Jones. Jones was tagged out to end the frame.
Woolley (L) and Landrum
Coons (W) and Lysack
(Aug 07) The president of the Western Canada Baseball league announced fines and forfeits in an attempt to clamp down on clubs which failed to meet league commitments in order to take part in tournaments. Three of the six clubs were penalized as a result of participating in Edmonton's $7,300 tournament. Regina Caps were fined $250 for using unregistered players in a league camp against Estevan. The match, which the Caps won, was forfeited to the Leafs. Indian Head was fined $250 for their failure to field a team at Moose Jaw. The game was handed to the Canucks. And, Swift Current was fined for failing to keep a date with Medicine Hat. The game was forfeited to the Mohawks.
(Aug 07) The league standings including forfeited games announced Tuesday.
STANDINGS
Indian Head 27 7 --
Regina 26 17 5.5
Medicine Hat 21 18 8.5
Estevan 17 21 12.0
Moose Jaw 16 20 12.0
Swift Current 7 31 22.0
(August 8) The Moose Jaw Canucks continued their drive for a berth in the W.C.B.L. playoffs by gaining a 7 - 2 decision over the Swift Current Indians. The game was plagued by a continuous light drizzle of rain and had to finally he halted after 6 innings. Moose Jaw's Alex Palica was credited with the win, setting down his former mates on only 6 safe blows. The Canucks managed but five hits off loser Rudy Garcia yet made the most of each hit plus were aided by two Indians' errors.
Palica (W) and Harford
Garcia (L) and Garay
(Aug 8) NBC Tournament Saskatchewan, Opening Round
(Aug 10) Bob Hobbs and Dave Chadwick clouted home runs to led Regina Caps to a 4-1 win over Estevan. Walter Buttgereit held the Maple Leafs to four hits in gaining the mound decision over Lloyd Woolley. Maple Leaf shortstop Collins Jones was the only player to collect two safeties.
Buttgereit (W) and McDaniels
Woolley (L), McHenry (7) and Landrum
(Aug 10) Veteran Chet Brewer scattered nine hits to pace Indian Head to a 7-1 win over Moose Jaw Canucks. Pedro Osorio had three hits to lead the Rockets' offensive. Lindsay Carswell, just back from injury, had two hits and score three times for the Rockets. Johnny Mulholland toiled on the mound for the Canucks. He was nicked for twelve hits while fanning four.
Mulholland (L) and Harford
Brewer (W) and Cameron
(August 10) 18-year-old Cuban southpaw Armando Suarez held the California Mohawks to three hits and fanned 11 as Brandon scored a 1-0 exhibition victory. Suarez bested lefthander Bill Rehder who allowed just five hits. Mohawks, based in Medicine Hat, play in the Western Canada league. The game's only run scored in the third inning when Rehder hit Ian Lowe with the bases load to force home Bus Vasquez who had reached on an error. Only one Mohawks reached as far as second base -- Fran Oneto who was sacrificed to second by Al Endriss after drawing a walk in the fourth. The two clubs are to play again tonight and Sunday.
Rehder (L) and Noce
Suarez (W) and Rodriguez
(Aug 11) Former major leaguer Dick Stone pitched a five-hit shutout as Moose Jaw beat Estevan 6-0. Stone fanned twelve and walked one in completely handcuffing the Soo Liners. The Canucks plated three unearned tallies off loser Henry McHenry in the early stages. In the eighth, Moose Jaw added three more on Rip Collins' triple, a single by catcher Jim Harford, a double by Art Worth and an RBI squeeze bunt by Lowell Hodges.
McHenry (L) and Landrum
Stone (W) and Harford
(August 11) Another outstanding pitching duel highlighted the second exhibition match between Brandon and the California Mohawks. Curt Barclay held the Greys to four hits as the Mohawks triumphed, 4-1. In defeat, the Greys Amancio Ferro pitched a brilliant game, allowing just three hits and while notching 15 strikeouts. Two of the three hits came in the fourth inning when the Mohawks scored twice. They added a pair in the fifth without a hit and scored their final tally in the ninth on two walks, a hit and an error.
"Curt Barclay, rated by the Mohawks as their top moundsman, went the route and served up one of the biggest assortment of pitches the Greys have faced this year. He allowed only four hits, two of them by Ferro, and struck out five. Barclay had both a sweeping and sharp curve, a beautiful change of pace, effective knuckle ball and mixed in the occasional blazing fastball." (Brandon Sun, August 13, 1951)
Barclay (W) and Noce
Ferro (L) and Rodriguez
(August 12) In an exhibition game at Clear Lake, California Mohawks downed Brandon 4-2 to take two of the three weekend games. Bud Watkins went the distance for the win besting Bus Vasquez who took to the hill for the Greys. Brandon took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on four hits including Rafe Cabrera's triple. Mohawks tied in the sixth inning on a single by Al Endriss, Fred Bartels' double and an error. John Noce's seventh inning single plated the winner.
Watkins (W) and Noce
Vasquez (L) and Rodriguez
(August 13) Regina Caps appear to have worked out a deal to save the club. Cliff Ehrle, Regina hotel owner and chief supporter, says the players will stick with the team and be given their room and board, plus transportation home at the end of the season. The Caps have been beset by financial problems and recently lost five players -- Dave Chadwick, Bob Turner, Roland Miles (in Edmonton trying out with the football Eskimos), Eli Merritt and Jimmy Randolph.
(Aug 13) Moose Jaw Canucks scored three in the seventh inning to shade Regina 5-4. Alex Palica not only pitched the Canucks to the win but continued his sparkling work at the plate with three hits in four at bats. Johnny McDaniels of the Caps had the only homer of the game. McDaniels and George Galloway both were able to solve Palica for two hits.
Palica (W) and Harford
Coons (L) and McDaniels
(Aug 13) Medicine Hat dumped Indian Head 7-4 in the second game of a double-header to gain a split on the day's play. Jim Morrow handcuffed the Mohawks with a three-hitter in the opener as the Rockets won 2-0. John Noce had two hits and two walks to lead the Mohawks to the second game victory. Curt Barclay's triple was the longest blow of the contest while Shedrick Green belted three hits in a losing cause. Pete Beiden, coach at Fresno State in California, joined the Mohawks for the games and was to remain for the rest of the season.
Bates (L) and Green
Morrow (W) and Cameron
Allmon (W) and Noce
Davis (L), Blackman/Blackmon (4) and Barnhill, Cameron (6)
STANDINGS
Indian Head 29 9 --
Regina 27 18 5.5
Medicine Hat 22 19 8.5
Moose Jaw 19 21 11.0
Estevan 18 23 12.5
Swift Current 7 32 22.5
(August 14) Two long home runs by catcher Lee Landrum sparked the Estevan Maple Leafs to a 6 - 5 victory over the Indian Head Rockets. Pedro Osorio and Horace Latham cracked homers for Indian Head. Lefty Allan Bryant pitched seven hit ball for Estevan, fanning 9, to earn the win. Indian Head's "Peanuts" Davis also went the route in taking the loss, surrendering 9 safeties and fanning four. Besides his two circuit blasts, Landrum also had a single to lead all Leaf swingers. Fred Sheppard and LeRoy Pettus had two hits for Estevan as did Henry Cameron and Charlie Robinson of the Rockets.
Davis (L) and Cameron
Bryant (W) and Landrum
(August 14) Vern Callihan pitched a sharp three hit game to ignite the Swift Current Indians to a 2 - 1 win over the Medicine Hat Mohawks. It was a scoreless duel until the Tribe tallied a pair of runs in the fifth. Losing pitcher Bud Francis started on the hill for Medicine Hat but didn't get past the sixth.
Francis (L), Watkins (6) and Noce
Callihan (W) and Garay
(August 14) Moose Jaw consolidated its hold on fourth place in the Western Canada Baseball League with a 2-1 win over Regina Caps. It was the Canucks second win over Regina in as many nights. An overthrow at third base by catcher Johnny McDaniels allowed Canucks' third sacker Gerry Parker to score the winning run. Johnny Mulholland was the winning pitcher and, along with Art Worth, had two hits for the Canucks. Pee Wee Collins and Bob Hobbs had a brace each for the Capital City boys.
Vogt (L) and McDaniels
Mulholland (W) and Harford
(August 14) The rejuvenated Moose Jaw Canucks meet Medicine Hat Thursday in the first game of a two-game set. Canucks are battling to retain fourth spot and a berth in the playoffs. Moose Jaw holds a game-and-a-half lead over the fifth place Estevan Maple Leafs. Canucks have five games left, Leafs four.
Dick Stone a likely starter against the Mohawks Thursday. Since he joined the club the Canucks have climbed from the bottom to near clinching a playoff spot. In Stone's last appearance he blanked the Maple Leafs 6-0 to stretch his shutout streak over Estevan to 19 innings.
(August 15) National Baseball Congress Saskatchewan Tournament
(Aug 15) Dick Stone fired a two-hit shutout as Moose Jaw scored an 8-0 win to salvage a split of a double-header with Medicine Hat. Mohawks won the opener 6-0. Stone extended his scoreless streak to 31 consecutive innings with his masterful work. The soft-spoken Oklahoman hasn't given up a run since August 2nd when the Regina Caps plated a marker in the sixth inning of a contest won by the Canucks 2-1. Stone, who had a no-hitter into the seventh, faced only 30 batters and sent down 10 via the strikeout route. Mohawks' second baseman Willie Reed spoiled the no-hit bid with a single in the seventh. He also had the other Medicine Hat safety with a hit in the ninth. Alex Palica had two hits and drove in three for the winners. Art Worth had three safeties and knocked in a pair. Al Endriss belted a pair of triples and a single to lead the Mohawks to the first game victory. Larry Bolger scattered nine hits for the win and clouted a third inning homer. First baseman Fred Bartels had two hits, one a homer, scored twice and drove in a pair. He also had a stolen base.
Bolger (W) and Noce
Worth (L) and Harford
Rehder (L), Bates (6) and Noce
Stone (W) and Harford
(Aug 15) Henry (Cowboy) McHenry carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning and finished with a two-hit performance as Estevan edged Swift Current 2-1 in the opening game of a double-header. The second game ended in a 2-2 tie. McHenry's mound rival, Hal Price, broke up the no-hitter with a double and scored on a single by Barney Fox. McHenry fanned six and didn't walk a batter. Leafs scored in the second inning as Collins Jones doubled to drive in Lee Landrum. In the eighth, Curly Andrews belted a triple and scored on a double by Leroy Pettus. Price also pitched a masterpiece, allowing just three hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Indians got off to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning of the second game as Ed Garay drove in Ken Nelson and Fox scored on an infield out. Jones doubled and scored for the Leafs first run in the fourth. Leroy Pettus scored the second run as part of a double steal.
Price (L) and Garay
McHenry (W) and Landrum
Jarvis and Garay
Woolley and Landrum
STANDINGS
Indian Head 29 10
Regina 27 19 5.5
Medicine Hat 23 21 8.5
Moose Jaw 21 22 10.0
Estevan 20 23 11.0
Swift Current 6 33 23.0
(Aug 16) The league-leading Indian Head Rockets and cellar-dwelling Swift Current Indians split a twin-bill at Indian Head. Indians won the opener 7-2 with a six-run outburst in the top of the ninth inning. Cliff Jacobson held the Rockets to nine hits. Rockets bounced back to thrash the Indians 17-4 in the second game as Lindsay Carswell and Bee Bee Green each had three hits.
Jacobson (W) and Garay
Coleman (L) and Barnhill
Jacobson (L), Garcia, Mocha and Garay
Blackman/Blackmon (W) and Barnhill
(August 17) The Medicine Hat Mohawks clinched third place in the W.C.B.L. with a 16 - 2 pasting of the Moose Jaw Canucks. Nat Bates pitched six-hit ball for the Mohawks to pick up the win. Alex Palica, who started for the Canucks, was tagged with the defeat. Catcher Pete Beiden was the hitting star driving home six runs with three hits -- triple, double and single. His triple, a long drive to left, was a bases-loaded blast in the fifth inning.
Palica (L), B. Hodges (6) and Harford
Bates (W) and Beiden
(August 17) Jim Morrow fired a one-hit shutout as Indian Head downed Regina Caps 4-0 in a darkness shortened 7 inning tilt. Johnny McDaniels' fifth inning triple was the only hit surrendered by Morrow who fanned 10 in the goose egg victory. Lefty Carl Coons gave up only six hits for the Caps in taking the loss but two of those were triples. Pedro Osorio and Les Witherspoon had two hits each for the Rockets, one of Witherspoon's being a three bagger.
Morrow (W) and Cameron
Coons (L) and McDaniels
(August 19) Medicine Hat Tournament
(August 18) The Estevan Maple Leafs gained an even break with the Indian Head Rockets in a W.C.B.L. doubleheader as the Leafs took the opener 9 - 5 but dropped the aftermath 4 - 3. Third sacker Jerry Burleson hammered out a home run, double and three singles to spark the Leafs' 14 hit attack in the opening tussle. Estevan catcher Lee Landrum and Rockets' center fielder Pedro Osorio also poked out four baggers. Osorio picked up three of the 10 hits that Estevan winner Lefty Bryant allotted. "Peanuts" Davis was saddled with the loss.
Davis (L) and Cameron
Bryant (W) and Landrum
In the nightcap, the Rockets' boomed out twelve hits to give winning portsider John Coleman all the cushion he needed. Loser Lloyd Woolley lasted into the third before giving way to Henry "Cowboy" McHenry. Osorio punched out three hits to lead the Rockets while Bob Prescott and Tom Alston each had a pair. Best hitter for Estevan was Curly Andrews with two hits.
Coleman (W) and Barnhill
Woolley (L), McHenry (3) and Landrum
(August 18) Art Worth shutout Medicine Hat on five hits and Moose Jaw scored a 2-0 win. Worth fanned seven. Cliff Allmon took the loss, the second straight game in which the 'Hawks have failed to score for Allmon.
Worth (W) and Harford
Allmon (L) and xxx
(Aug 20) On Dick Stone Night in Moose Jaw, the Canucks pitcher-outfielder belted a pair of triples to knock in two runs and scored a pair to lead Moose Jaw to a 9-1 win over Indian Head in the second game of the double-header. Rockets won the first game 8-4. The southpaw hurler, who played in left in the evening game, received dozens of gifts from local fans -- a mantle radio, a Stetson hat, set of silverware, chinaware, a sweater, leather jacket, sport shirts, dress shirts and two cigarette lighters. Stone received so many shirts that he gave one to each member of the club. "Down around Oklahoma, we pride ourselves on our southern hospitality, but we could learn a few pointers up here", he drawled.
Rip Collins went three for three and had two stolen bases for the Canucks as Alex Palica silenced the Rockets' bats with a three-hitter. Indian Head scored three runs in the 1st frame of the opening game and went on to an 8-4 win although outhit by the Canucks 11-10. Bee Bee Green had two hits, one a triple, and two RBI for the Rockets.
Leal (W) and Cameron
L Hodges (L) and Harford
Blackman/Blackmon (L), Morrow (5) and Barnhill
Palica (W) and Harford
FINAL STANDINGS
Indian Head Rockets 33 12
Regina Caps 27 19 6.5
Medicine Hat Mohawks 24 22 9.5
Moose Jaw Canucks 23 24 11.0
Estevan Maple Leafs 20 24 12.5
Swift Current Nixons 8 34 23.5
(August 20) Walter "Butch" Buttgereit cooled off the red-hot Medicine Hat Mohawks as the Regina righthander led the Caps to a 6 - 1 triumph and a one game lead in the best of 5 W.C.B.L. semi-final. Buttgereit tossed a sparkling three-hitter at the Mohawks, striking out 5 along the way in the seven inning contest. Loser Nat Bates pitched into the fourth before reliever Bud Francis took over. Buttgereit and Pee Wee Collins led Regina's offense with two hits each. Johnny McDaniels had a home run for the Caps.
Bates (L), Francis (4) and Green
Buttgereit (W) and Kyle
(August 21) Moose Jaw Canucks rallied with two runs in the eighth inning to upset Indian Head Rockets 3-2 in the first game of their best of five semi-final series. Dick Stone picked up the win. Chet Brewer was the loser. Honours in the hitting department went to Rockets' outfielder Henry "Red" Cameron who blasted two singles and a double in four trips. Shortstop Rip Collins led the Canucks going two for 5.
Stone (W) and Harford
Brewer (L) and Barnhill
(August 21) The Medicine Hat Mohawks evened their best of 5 semi-final with the Regina Caps at one game each with a convincing 10 - 3 triumph over the Queen City contingent. Neither Caps' starter and loser Al Vogt or reliever Carl Coons could hold the bats of the Mohawks in check as the Gas City crew found the range with twelve safeties. Big Larry Bolger was more than capable on the Medicine Hat hill, spacing six hits for the complete game victory. Willie Reed, Fred Bartels, Pumpsie Green and Ray White led the Mohawk arsenal with two hits.
Bolger (W) and Noce
Vogt (L), Coons (2) and Landrum
(August 22) Pedro Osorio smashed a grand slam home run in the seventh and final frame to spark the Indian Head Rockets to a 6 - 2 win over the Moose Jaw Canucks , squaring the best of 5 semi-final at a game apiece. Heading into the seventh, which proved to be the last inning of this darkness shortened battle, the Canucks led 2 - 1 , a narrow margin which looked pretty good considering that that Canucks' pitcher Art Worth was working smoothly on the mound. However, the power-laden Rockets prevailed when it mattered most, sending Worth to defeat and providing Jim Morrow with the win.
Morrow (W) and Barnhill
Worth (L) and Harford
(August 22) Walter "Butch" Buttgereit fired his second straight victory of the WCBL semi-finals as Regina Caps shaded Medicine Hat 4-3 to take a 2-1 game lead in the best-of-five series. Buttgereit helped his own cause belted a triple in the third inning and scoring the first run. The Caps managed only four hits off loser Curt Barclay. Larry Bolger led the Mohawks with the pine, ripping a pair of safeties off the offerings of Buttgereit.
Buttgereit (W) and Landrum
Barclay (L) and Noce
(August 24) Indian Head Rockets erupted for five runs in the eighth inning to down Moose Jaw Canucks 5-3 to take a 2-1 game lead in their semi-final series. Rockets belted out four hits in the eighth off losing pitcher Dick Stone, one of them a two-run triple by pinch-hitter Jesse Blackman/Blackmon. John Coleman, who relieved Toribio Leal after Canucks had gone ahead 3-0 in the fifth inning, picked up the win. Pedro Osorio and Tom Alston each had two hits to led the Rockets. Rip Collins, Art Worth and Stone each had a brace of base knocks for Moose Jaw.
Leal, Coleman (W) (5) and Cameron, Barnhill (3)
Stone (L) and Harford
(August 27) The Moose Jaw Canucks were awarded the fourth game of their best of 5 W.C.B.L. semi-final when the Indian Head Rockets arrived at the Moose Jaw diamond 10 minutes after the scheduled game start. Manager Jim Williams indicated that the Rockets' bus experienced tire trouble en route to Moose Jaw.
(August 28) Medicine Hat announced Tuesday they would not be continuing their Western Canada Baseball League semi-final with Regina. The Mohawks have forfeited the series to allow the team to go to Edmonton for a best-of-three series with Sceptre Nixons for the Alberta semi-pro title.
(August 29) Alberta Championship
(August 29) Following the announcement by the Medicine Hat Mohawks of their withdrawal from the remainder of the playoffs, management of the Regina Caps in turn folded their tent and sent all import players home, abandoning any hope of entering a final series against the winner of the Indian Head - Moose Jaw semi-final.
(August 30) The W.C.B.L. has suspended operations for the balance of the season, it was announced by Cliff Henderson, president of the 6 team semi-pro circuit. The prolonged damp weather causing the indefinite postponement of playoff contests resulted in a financial mess and the eventual withdrawal of the Regina Caps whose import players were sent packing. Medicine Hat had earlier forsaken playoff aspirations to enter the Alberta portion of the National Baseball Congress championship. And just yesterday, the Moose Jaw Canucks pulled out leaving only the Indian Head Rockets, runaway regular season winners, left standing.
(Sept) Medicine Hat and Eston shared the top prize money as rain forced the cancellation of the prairie's biggest tournament, the $7,300 Edmonton event.
(September 06) National Baseball Congress Western Canada Tournament