1951 Game Reports. Manitoba-Saskatchewan     


GREATER WINNIPEG SENIOR LEAGUE

C.U.A.C. Blues
Selkirk Fishermen
St. Boniface Native Sons
St. James Legionnaires
Transcona Railroaders

Playoffs

(August 21)  St. Boniface Native Sons, the pennant winners, took a step toward the league championship Tuesday with a 5-1 verdict over Transcona in the first game of a best-of-seven semi-final series. Pete Rettie was the winning pitcher with a seven-hit effort, racking up nine strikeouts. Mike Genthon took the loss.

(August 22)   Catcher Barry Cuthbert cracked a triple and two singles Wednesday to lead the CUAC Blues to a 14-8 triumph over Selkirk in the first game of their best-of-seven semi-final series.  Frank Yahiro, Stan Shaley and Ken Vicars each collected a pair of singles.

Peterson, McDougall (2) and McConachie
Kanuiga (W) and Cuthbert

(August 26)   CUAC has a commanding 3-0 game lead in their semi-final series after downing Selkirk 5-0 and 5-4 Sunday. Art Tooth was one out away from a no-hitter in the eighth and final inning of the first game when Tommy Ireton ripped a ball which tipped Tooth's glove and went for a single. Jack Mason followed with a two-bagger for Selkirk's only hits. Tooth fanned eight.  Barry Cuthbert led the winners with two triples and a single. In the 5-4 victory, Jack Vicars had two of the six CUAC safeties as the Blues scored a pair in the top of the ninth for the win. Laurie Peterson took the loss.

C.Mattson (L) and McConachie
Tooth (W) and Cuthbert

Parsons, Ryan (4), Kanuiga (9) and Cuthbert
Peterson (L) and McConachie

(August 29)  Gordie Simpson's third inning, three-run homer proved to be the difference as the St. Boniface Native Sons downed Transcona Railroaders 7-2 for a two-game lead in their playoff series. Sons' Fred Dunsmore cracked a homer in the seventh to highlight a four-run outburst. Pete Rettie allowed six hits and whiffed 11 in going the distance for the winners. He was forced to pitch out of some trouble by issuing six walks. Mike Genthon took the loss. Catcher Gus Merlevede and Ken Little each had two hits for the Sons.

Genthon (L) and xxx
Rettie (W) and xxx

(August 29)  Selkirk Fishermen and CUAC Blues battled to a 3-3 draw to prevent the Blues from sweeping their semi-final set. Selkirk blew a 3-0 lead in trying for their first win in the series. Mike Daski drove in all three runs for the Blues with three timely singles. Catcher Barry Cuthbert slammed a pair of doubles. Ron McPherson had a three-bagger for Selkirk.

Mattson and xxx
Ryan, Parsons (3) and Cuthbert

(August 31)   Selkirk Fisherman tripped CUAC Blues 5-2 Friday to stave off elimination in the semi-final series. Blues lead three games to one. Laurie Peterson tossed a four hitter for the win. Bill McInnes and Reg Howard each contributed a double and single for the winners. Mike Daski cracked a triple for the Blues.

Peterson (W) and xxx
Kanuiga, Tooth and xxx

(August 31) Gordie Miller drove in five runs with a three-for-four night as St. Boniface crushed Transcona 9-4 to take a 3-0 game lead in their semi-final.  Eddie Mazur held the Railroaders to seven hits and fanned seven while helping at the plate with two hits. Joe Teres had a triple and two singles for the losers.

Mazur (W) and xxx
Johnson, Dowgan, Guest and xxx

(September 4)   St. Boniface has advanced to the final of the Greater Winnipeg Senior League playoffs smacking Transcona 16-3 to sweep the best-of-seven series.  The Native Sons used two big innings, scoring eight in the third and eight more in the seventh. Bruce Jones set down the Railroaders on six hits. Ken Little, Johnny Warren and Bob Hansford paced an 11-hit attack each with a triple and single.

Bruce Jones (W) and Hudson
Genthon (L), Guest (4), McNabb (7) and xxx

(September 5)   CUAC Blues edged Selkirk 1-0 Wednesday to win a berth in the league final against St. Boniface. Blues took the series four games to one. Stan Shaley scored Jack Raleigh with the lone run in the sixth inning when his bases-loaded grounder to second was bobbled. Shaley had reached with a single and advanced to third on walks to Ken Vicars and Mike Daski. Jack Mason rapped a double and three singles for Selkirk. Wally Kanuiga tossed the shutout.

Peterson, Kaye (6) and McConachie
Kanuiga (W) and Cuthbert

(September 7)   CUAC Blues upset the favoured St. Boniface Native Sons 6-1 in the opening game of the Greater Winnipeg Senior Baseball League final series. Free passes hurt the Sons as losing hurler Don Reid walked ten. He yielded three walks in the first inning when the Blues scored a pair and led the rest of the way. Frank Parsons allowed just five hits in going the distance for the win.

Persons (W) and Cuthbert
Reid (L) and Gus Merlevede

(September 9)   With a sweep of Sunday's playoff double-header, St. Boniface has taken a 2-1 game lead in the league final series. Native Sons edged CUAC Blues 6-5 in the afternoon and 7-3 in the evening. John Warren slugged a homer and triple to pace the afternoon triumph. Reggie Abbott also had a tree-bagger and Ken Little and Bob Hansford each had two hits. Pete Rettie held the Blues to six hits and fanned eight for the mound victory.

Rettie (W) and Gus Merlevede
Tooth (L), Kanuiga (4), Parsons (5) and Cuthbert

Ed Mazur weaved a six-hitter with 11 strikeouts to win the second game. Gordie Simpson and Hansford each contributed a pair of safeties.

Mazur (W) and Gus Merlevede
xxx and Cuthbert

(September 12)   Big Ed Mazur fired a five-hit shutout Wednesday as St. Boniface moved to within a game of the Greater Winnipeg League title with a 5-0 victory. They lead the best-of-seven series three games to one. Mazur aided his own cause with a triple and single.

Kanuiga (L) and xxx
Mazur (W) and xxx

(September 16)   St. Boniface Native Sons completed one of their most successful seasons Sunday when they shaded the CUAC Blues 4-3 to walk off with the Greater Winnipeg Senior League crown four games to one. The Sons went through the regular season with just four losses and then won eight of nine playoff games. Sons jumped into a 4-0 lead then held off a late rally to the win. Sons scored in the first inning and added a pair in the second. They made in 4-0 in the sixth. Blues got one in the eighth and Tommy Hannesson cracked a two-run homer in the ninth. Pete Rettie went all the way giving up seven hits and fanning ten. Ken Little led the winners with three hits.

Rettie (W) and xxx
Tooth (L), Kanuiga (3) and xxx


CENTRAL MANITOBA LEAGUE

Playoffs

(August 10)  Neepawa Farmers downed Belmont 9-3 Friday in the opening game of the Central Manitoba Baseball Association's final series. Three clubs, Belmont, Erickson and Neepawa, champions of their respective district leagues, are engaged in a round-robin playoff.  Neepawa backed Jack Bodnar's solid hurling with a 13-hit attack. In the third, the Farmers combined five hits and an error to rack up four runs and coasted to the win. Doubles by Ray Rush and Dave Alexander, a triple by Clint McKerlie and singles by Bodnar and Roy Davie highlighted the big rally. Bodnar held Belmont to eight hits, fanned six and walked none.

(August 15)    Wednesday at Belmont Park, the home squad stayed in the running for the Southwestern Manitoba title by edging Neepawa 4-3 before a capacity crowd.  Babe Gordon pitched a six-hitter for the win while loser Clint McKerlie gave up eight hits.


MANITOBA-SASKATCHEWAN LEAGUE

(April, 1951)  The organization of a Man.-Sask. Baseball league with possible affiliation to the National Baseball Congress indicates a new deal for organized baseball in this part of the prairies.  Eighteen delegates met in Roblin, Man., on Sunday, April 8, to lay the ground work for this new loop.  Represented were Kamsack, Sask., Yorkton, Sask., Dauphin, Man., Roblin, Man., and Gilbert Plains, Man. (Kamsack Times, April 12, 1951)

Dauphin - A.C. Newton MGR, Gilbert Plains - Orville Minish MGR, Roblin - Fred Newton MGR, Yorkton - Elmer Lang MGR, Kamsack - Russ Valentine MGR

(May 18)  Kamsack delighted the home crowd downing Gilbert Plains 8-7 in the opening game of the new Man-Sask Baseball League.  Cyclones blew a 5-0 1st inning lead but came back with a tally with two outs in the bottom of the final frame to take the victory.  Ken Mohr scored the winner when Orville Minish juggled a toss to first base on Bill Derwores' grounder.  Lefty Lopuck went the distance for the win.

E McDonald and Stempak
Lopuck and Achtymichuk

(May 21) Gilbert Plains trounced the Yorkton Cardinals 11 - 2. The loss for the short-handed Redbirds was their 2nd consecutive in league play. Reinforcements should be in place shortly with regulars Metro Prystai and Steve Yaholnitsky in transit to Yorkton along with a pair of hurlers.

(May 22)  Kamsack downed Yorkton Cardinals 9-7 to take their second straight league contest.  Jack Eisner was the winner in relief of Lefty Lopuck.

(May 22) Taking a 3 - 0 lead in the first 3 innings, Roblin held their edge to the finish to score a 7 - 5 victory over the Dauphin Redbirds in the opening game for the two teams. Lee Fisher, with a 5-hitter, picked up the win over Dauphin starter Eddie Mazur. Earl Shiner, Ed Noble and pint-sized catcher Mostaway each had 2 hits for the winners. For Dauphin, shortstop Ernie Boushy and Tony Wilson, first sacker, led the way with a brace of raps each, one of Boushy's blows going for 3 bases.

Fisher and Mostaway
Mazur (L), Cunningham (6) and McEwen

(May 25)  Roblin exploded for ten runs in the 4th inning of a shortened contest to hand Kamsack a 14-5 trimming. Jasper Goff's homer and Eddie Noble's three-bagger were ti big blows for the winners. Birdsong went the distance for the pitching win. The game was called after 5 1/2 innings because of darkness as the visitors had car trouble on the way and were late in arriving. Poor weather conditions also hampered play with high winds and a temperature of around 45 degrees.

xxx, H. Weitzel and xxx
Birdsong (W) and xxx

(May 25)  Merv Campbell came out of retirement long enough to belt a grand slam homer to give Yorkton Cardinals a 6-5 win over Dauphin in a Manitoba-Saskatchewan league encounter at Yorkton.  Pressed into service by a shortage of players, Campbell later announced he would play no more ball this summer.  Vern Pachal allowed nine hits in taking the mound victory.  Cunningham allowed four hits in taking the loss.  Dauphin out-hit the Cardinals 11 to 4 as Bill Smegelski was the game's best hitter, going 4 for 4. Losing hurler Ben Cunningham kicked in with 3 safeties. For Yorkton, Harry Prystai led the offense with 2 hits.  Harry Monroe joined Yorkton as the club's first American import.  A catcher, Monroe started the season with Swift Current. 

Cunningham and Nash
Pachal and Munroe

(May 28)  Kamsack Cyclones edged out Dauphin 3 to 2 on Monday evening in what was reported as the toughest game to date for the Cyclones.  Both sides played near-perfect ball with Dauphin collecting only six hits and Kamsack tallying for eight good ones.  On the mound for Kamsack was "Lefty" Lopuck who turned in an excellent performance.  Stan Greene, the local slugger, lived up to his reputation when he smacked out a home run that was reported to have left the fans breathless.  (Kamsack Times, May 31, 1951)  In addition to his booming homer, Greene also collected a single off loser Johnny Goran. The Redbirds had 8 hits in total to 6 for Kamsack. For Dauphin, playing manager Lou Bourbonnais, Ernie Boushy and Alex Robertson each had a pair of base knocks.

Lopuck and Achtymichuk, Cottenie (3)
Goran and Nash

(May 31)  The Kamsack Cyclones are heading for a successful season with a well rounded out roster and only one defeat in seven games.  With Coach Lowell Hansen arriving from Saskatoon last week, the Cyclones are now offering one of the most powerful organizations in the Man.-Sask. baseball league and definitely one of the strongest teams ever seen in Kamsack.  Hansen is a veteran of baseball having played with Saskatoon Legion, Viscount and in the Quebec-Ontario armed services during the war.

Other imports on the Kamsack line-up are Dave Whatley, who has seen two seasons with the Cyclones.  Whatley played ball at Oakland, California, during the past winter.  He holds down right field and has a reputation at bat.

Ken Mohr of Neudorf, Saskatchewan, joined the Cyclones earlier this month for his second straight season with this team.  To date, he has done an excellent job of holding down first sack and figures second on the hitting list.

On the pitching staff, Kamsack has Jack Eisner who established a notable reputation for himself on the Kamsack mound last year, Joe Lopuck of Transcona, Man., with a number of years of experience behind him, and Herman Weitzel of Runnymede and the Moose Jaw Junior Canucks.  Youngest man on the staff is Andy Smorodin, Kamsack collegiate boy, who has cut down some of the best batters and is undoubtedly the best pitching prospect in this part of the province.

On the 1951 line-up are such crowd-pleasers as Jimmie McIsaac in his normal third base role, Albert Cottenie and Charlie Achtymichuk who take turns at catching and second base.  Stan Green is still in the outfield and the big man at bat with the highest hitting average.  Bill Derwores continues to work wonders are short stop and "Fergie" Ferguson does his stint for the club.  Newcomers to the club are Les Widdifield, a telegrapher by trade, with a backlog of experience at Watson, Sask., and Richard Weitzel of Runnymede who was on the Roblin roster last season.  Pete Bodnaryk has caught in one game and Bill Chypha made one appearance for the Cyclones.  Both boys were formerly with Stoney Creek Sparks. (Kamsack Times, May 31, 1951)

(May 31)  Kamsack chalked up a 9-8 victory over Dauphin, their second win over the Manitoba club this season.  A bases-loaded triple by Jack Eisner in the 2nd inning was the key hit for the Cyclones. The loss for the Redbirds was their 4th straight setback in league play. Joe "Lefty" Lopuck got the win in relief of Eisner. Stan McPhee went the distance on the hill for the Manitobans in taking the loss. Ernie Boushy went 3 for 5 at the dish for Dauphin and fellow Redbird Keith Myles had two hits. For Kamsack, Bill Derwores, Stan Greene and Ken Mohr each provided 2 base blows.

McPhee and Nash
Eisner, Lopuck (3) (W) and Cottenie

(May 31)  Roblin jumped into a 10-3 lead after 5 innings only to go down to defeat to Yorkton.

Pachal, Merv Campbell (W) (1) and xxx
xxx and xxx

(June 1)  Yorkton whipped Roblin 13-4 as Gunther held Roblin to seven hits. Birdsong went the distance for the losers giving up 12 hits. He belted a three-run homer for Roblin.

Birdsong (L) and xxx
Gunther (W) and xxx

(June 1)  Gilbert Plains and Yorkton played to an 8-8 tie Friday night in a game called at the end of five innings.  The contest was marred by an injury to Orville Minish.

"The game was marred in the fifth inning by one of the meanest and dirtiest plays ever pulled off by a baseball player in these parts.  Orville Minish had already put out a runner at first base and had run about eight feet off the bag toward second base in anticipation of making a play at third when the batter who had been put out at first ran off the base line and deliberately charged him with a flying body check.  Orville was temporarily knocked out, his glasses broken and his face badly cut up, yet nothing was done to the player in question by the umpire in charge.  A number of the Yorkton players came over to the G.P. bench at the end of the game and apologized for the incident." (Gilbert Plains XXX 1951)

(June 4)  Kamsack at Gilbert Plains, Monday,  rained out.

(June 5)  Roy Minish fired a six-hit shutout to lead Gilbert Plains to a 3-0 win over Dauphin Tuesday.  It was the fifth straight setback for the Red Birds.  Lefthander Dave Baux allowed just four hits in a losing cause but was the victim of shoddy defensive play. Gilbert Plains also turned in three double plays to quell Dauphin threats. No Gilbert Plains batter had more than one hit with Eddie McDonald providing a triple. Ray Nash and Tom Wilson each hit safely twice for Dauphin.

R. Minish and Stempak
Baux and McEwen

(June 5) The Yorkton Cardinals led from start to finish as they dumped the hosting Roblin nine 13 to 4. Gunther went the distance on the slab for the winners allowing seven hits. His mound opponent, Jimmy Birdsong, also went the route and was roughed up for 12 base raps although the infield defense provided by his mates was sub-par. Birdsong belted a three-run four-bagger in a losing cause.

Gunther (W) and xxx
Birdsong (L) and xxx

Kamsack        4 1
Roblin         3 2
Yorkton        3 2
Gilbert Plains 2 2
Dauphin        0 5

(June 7) Dauphin won the only game played in their one-day tournament which was wiped out by rain. In that contest, the home-town Redbirds defeated the Yorkton Cardinals 9 - 3. Winning pitcher Frank Joyner had a triple and single in pacing his club at the plate.

Sharpe (L), Campbell (8) and M. Prystai
Baux, Joyner (4) (W) and McEwen

(June 7)  Kamsack Cyclones are scheduled for a busy time this month according to Fred Reusch, club manager.  Aside from ten league games to be played in June, the baseball club is already booked for a trip to Flin Flon for a game on June 9 and a double header the following day.  On June 13, the club is lined up for a four team tournament at Nipawin when North Battleford, Ligon Stars and Saskatoon 55s battle it out with the Kamsack aggregation.  Returning home for a league tournament on the 14th, the Cyclones move to Saskatoon where they are scheduled to play under flood lights against Saskatoon 55 on June 16.  Another double header already booked is at Carman, Man., July 2. (Kamsack Times, June 7, 1951)

(June 7)  Dauphin tournament, Thursday.  Dauphin vs Yorkton, Gilbert Plains vs Kamsack.

Kamsack        4-1
Roblin         3-1
Gilbert Plains 2-2
Yorkton        2-5
Dauphin        0-5

(June 9) In a 6-inning game which featured 18 hits and 15 walks, the Dauphin Redbirds snapped a 5-game losing streak with a 16 - 13 win over Roblin. Dave Baux, in relief, was credited with the victory while Roblin's starter August Leibrecht was hit with the defeat. Goff of Roblin was the game's leading hitter, slamming out two triples and a double. For Dauphin, Lou Bourbonnais and Keith Myles had two hits apiece.

Enalls, Baux (3) (W) and McEwen
Leibrecht (L), Fisher (6) and Mostaway

(June 11) The Dauphin Redbirds racked up their second win of the campaign, defeating Gilbert Plains 5 - 3. Frank Watkins, former Brandon Greys hurler, made his first appearance on the mound in a Dauphin uniform and set down the hometown Gilbert Plains squad on seven hits. Gilbert Plains starter, lefthander Eddie McDonald, took the loss. Dauphin's Alex Robertson led the hit parade with 3 singles. Teammate Stan McPhee clouted a double and single. Catcher John Stempak belted a bases-empty homer for the losers.

Watkins and Bourbonnais
McDonald (L), Parker (5) and Stempak

(June 14) The Dauphin Redbirds walked of with top honors at the Kamsack $1,000 baseball tournament, defeating Roblin 14 - 8 in the final game. Dauphin hitters slammed 20 hits off losing pitcher August Leibrecht and 2 relievers with Ray Nash leading the way with a 4 for 5 performance.

Joyner and McEwen
Leibrecht (L), Jacowsky (4), Lillie (5) and Noble

(June 11)   The Cyclones and Roblin played to a 6-6 tie in Kamsack.  

(June 12)  Following five straight defeats, the Dauphin Redbirds registered their 3rd consecutive Man-Sask League victory when they downed the Yorkton Cardinals by a 5 - 2 score. Frank Joyner, a recent pick-up from the Regina Caps of the Western Canada League, scattered 8 hits to get the mound win. Yorkton starter Jack Sharpe was the loser, giving way to import newcomer Lawrence Koehler in the 4th. Milt Baker of Yorkton was the game's top hitter with a double and 2 singles. Steve Yaholnitsky checked in with 2 singles. Eight different players each registered one hit for the winning Redbirds.

Sharpe (L), Koehler (4) and M. Prystai, Munroe (4)
Joyner and McEwen

(June 15) The Yorkton Cardinals took an 11 - 9 decision over Roblin to move up alongside Kamsack for top standing in the league. Roblin out-hit their Saskatchewan hosts 8 to 6. Big right-hander Lawrence Koehler, an import in his first start, pitched six frames to get the win. Regular catcher Harry Monroe took over mound duties after that. Cardinals' first baseman Steve Yaholnitsky suffered a broken jaw along with two broken teeth in a 6th inning collision at home plate with Ed Noble, the Roblin catcher.

Jacowsky, Liebrech and Noble
Koehler (W), Monroe (7) and Monroe, xxxx (7)

(June)  Major shake-up took place in the Kamsack Cyclones baseball club last week following a heated session of the executive that lasted into the wee hours of the morning.  As a result, Dave Whatley, popular colored boy, was appointed team coach.  Discharged from the club were Coach Lowell Hanson, recently arrived from Saskatoon, and three players, Jack Eisner, Togo, and Bob Clipper and Saul Wilson both formerly with the Eston club.  Imports being retained by the Cyclones include Russ Valentine, a pitcher from Maryland, obtained through the Brandon Greys; Coney Williams, a terrific hitter and one of the best short stops in the west, formerly of Elmwood Giants and Estevan.  The two pitchers from the Giants are Matthew McGowan and Joe Anderson (Kamsack Times, June 21, 1951)

(June 16)  Kamsack downed Saskatoon 6-1 in a late Saturday contest.  The game didn't get underway until 11 o'clock due to the late arrival of the Saskatoon club from the Kenaston tournament.  

(June 17)  A 9th inning rally gave Saskatoon 55s an 8-7 win over Kamsack and a split of their weekend series.  Sherman Watrous drove in the winner.  Coney Williams, Kamsack's shortstop, belted an inside-the-park homer, triple and two singles in five plate appearances.  

(June 18) Frank Watkins, former ace hurler of the Brandon Greys, realized a pitcher's dream when he pitched a no-hit, no-run 8 - 0 victory for the Dauphin Redbirds over Roblin. Only 4 Roblin batters reached base, one on a bases on balls, another as a result of being hit by a pitch and 2 others when errors were made. All seven Dauphin hits were split evenly and no player was able to register more than one, with catcher Jim McEwen's triple being the longest.

Leibrecht and Noble
Watkins and McEwen

(June 20) Andy Lillie, youthful Winnipeger with the Roblin ball team, practically won the $1,000 Yorkton ball tournament single-handed at Jubilee Park, batting .700, made up of two home runs, a double and four singles, driving in five runs and scoring twice himself. His blistering performance at the plate was a huge factor in both the Roblin games, as they first defeated Yorkton 3 - 2 and then knocked out Gilbert Plains in the final 7 - 4. Gilbert Plains had eliminated Kamsack in the 1st round after falling behind 8 - 1 in the 5th inning, tying the count in the 9th and then winning 9 - 8 in an extra frame. The Yorkton - Roblin game also went 10 innings. Sparkling pitching chores were turned in by Ed McDonald and Johnny Alexander of Gilbert Plains, Al Jacowsky and Birdsong of Roblin, Berg and Lawrence Koehler of Yorkton and Matthew McGowan of Kamsack. Harry Monroe's pick-offs on attempted steals of 2nd base against Yorkton were a treat to watch, as was Gilbert Plains' double-play combination.

(June 21) Dauphin - 10 Kamsack - 2

(June 21)  Roblin shaded Gilbert Plains 4 to 3.  August Leibretch was the winner with 8th inning relief by Al Jacowsky who entered with the bases loaded and two outs and fanned the next batter on three pitches. Lyle Parker and Johnny Alexander hurled for Gilbert Plains.

L. Parker, J. Alexander and Stempak
Leibretch (W), Jacowsky (8) and xxx

(June 22)  Gilbert Plains' Johnny Alexander tossed a no-hitter against Roblin.  

(June 22)   Kamsack whipped Yorkton 10-4 at Jubilee Park in Yorkton Friday to move into first place in the league standings.  Matthew McGowan scattered ten hits in going the route for the pitching win.  Guenther and Lawrence Koehler shared the mound work for Yorkton.

Guenther, Koehler and xxx
McGowan (W) and xxx

(June 23)   Roblin topped Kamsack 8-5 as Al Jacowsky settled down after a shaky first inning to hold the visitors at bay until he tired in the 7th. Birdsong finished up, allowing a pair in the 7th and another run in the 8th before putting down the Cyclones.

Valentine, Anderson and Cottenie
Jacowsky (W), Birdsong and Noble, Goff

(June 25) Gilbert Plains - 10 Roblin - 0
No game details or batteries published

(June 25)  Manitoba - Saskatchewan League standings, Monday, June 25th :

Kamsack    9 5 4
Roblin    10 5 5
Dauphin   10 5 5 
Yorkton    8 4 4 
G Plains   7 3 4

(June 27)  Al Jacowsky, pitching for Roblin, fired a no-hitter against Virden in a tournament at Birtle.

(June 28) The Kamsack Times quoted the following batting statistics for players on the Kamsack Cyclones as of June 21.

                     AB  H  Ave
Ken Mohr             70 35 .500
Clarke Drake         13  6 .461
Stan Green           73 31 .424
Dick Weitzel         20  8 .400
Dave Whatley         82 30 .365
Bill Derwores        28 10 .357
Herman Weitzel       29 10 .344
Charles Achtymichuk  61 16 .262
Joe Lopuck           18  4 .222
Koney Williams       32  7 .218
Jim McIsaac          53 10 .188
A. Cottenie          48  9 .187
Matthew McGowan       9  1 .111
Widdifield           20  2 .100
Jack Eisner          14  1 .071
Russ Valentine       16  1 .062

(July 1)  Kamsack shutout Roblin 4-0 at Madge Lake.  Matthew McGowan tossed the shutout for the Cyclones.  In an exhibition match, the clubs tied 7-7.

(July 2)  Kamsack dropped a pair of games in Carman.  With Joe Anderson on the hill, the Cyclones were tied 3-3 after nine, losing in the 11th.  In the evening game, before more than 3,500 fans, Cyclones were crushed 19-2.  Carman scored 10 runs off Russ Valentine, eight off Thomas and a singleton from Joe Lopuck.  

(July 3)  Carman shaded Kamsack 6-5 at Portage La Prairie. Mathew McGowan was on the hill for the Cyclones.

(July 4) The Yorkton Cardinals pounded out an 18 - 4 triumph over the Roblin nine in a regular Man - Sask baseball league fixture at Jubilee Park. Newcomer Bob McIvor, who was recently released by the Swift Current Indians, pitched and batted the Cards to victory. McIvor unloaded two triples and a double in his debut.

League Standings
end of July 4    W L Pct.
Kamsack          6 4 .600
Gilbert Plains   5 5 .500
Dauphin          5 5 .500
Yorkton          5 5 .500
Roblin           6 8 .426

(July 5)  Roblin Tournament

(July 6) The Dauphin Redbirds continued to move up the ladder in Man-Sask League standings as they throttled the Yorkton Cardinals 11 - 5. Frank Watkins picked up the hurling victory over Cardinals' starter Bob McIvor. Keith Myles and Ernie Boushy each hit twice in 5 trips for the winners. McIvor had 3 hits for Yorkton including a triple.

McIvor (L), Koroluk (7), Lillie (8) and Munroe
Watkins and McEwen

(July 12)   Gilbert Plains won its first major tournament of the season downing Yorkton 4-2 in the final of the $1,000 Roblin event.  Eddie McDonald and Johnny Alexander handled the mound duties for the winners.  In the opening round, Al Jacowsky limited his former mates to seven hits as Gilbert Plains downed Roblin 9-3.  

(July 14)  Al Jacowsky scattered eight hits as Gilbert Plains dumped Kamsack 9-3 Saturday.  He fanned ten and allowed no walks.  Gilbert Plains had nine hits off Joe Lopuck of the Cyclones and took advantage of five walks and six errors.  

(July 13)    Kamsack Tournament 

(July 16) With Eddie McDonald slamming a pair of two-run homers and Art DiCesare pitching three-hit ball, Gilbert Plains climbed into sole possession of first place in the Man-Sask Baseball League as they pounded out a 10 - 1 pasting over the Dauphin Redbirds. Loser "Wimpy" Stephenson was tagged for 11 hits. McDonald drilled a triple in addition to his brace of dingers. John Stempak and Frank Hewelko of Gilbert Plains as well as Alex Robertson of Dauphin all hit safely twice.

Stephenson and McEwen
DiCesare and Stempak

(July 17) The Dauphin Redbirds climbed into a tie for second place in the Man-Sask League, only seven percentage points behind the league-leading Kamsack Cyclones, when they scored a 6 - 3 victory over Gilbert Plains. Frank Watkins scattered 7 hits to pick up the win over Johnny Alexander. Bob Enalls led the Dauphin hitting attack with 3 hits while Ernie Boushy followed with a pair. For Gilbert Plains, Murray had 2 safeties.

Alexander and Stempak
Watkins and McEwen

(July 26) The Kamsack Times reported this date that the Cyclones had released 3 players: Koney Williams, Matthew McGowan and Joe Anderson. Williams will play with the Saskatoon 55's for the balance of the season.

League Standings
end of July 25  W L Pct.
Dauphin         8 6 .571
Kamsack         6 5 .545
Yorkton         6 6 .500
Gilbert Plains  7 7 .500
Roblin          6 9 .400

(July 26) Gilbert Plains knocked off the Yorkton Cardinals 8 - 1 as Yorkton chucker Lawrence Koehler had 8 strikeouts to his credit after 4 innings but ran into 5th inning difficulty and, by the time reliever Jim Rothaus took over, the Manitobans had the game under control.

(July 26) Behind a masterful two-hit pitching chore by Wayne "Wimpy" Stephenson, The Dauphin Redbirds banged out a 6 - 2 victory over the touring Ligon Colored All-Stars. Bob Enalls was the only hitter on either team to come up with more than one safety, connecting for a pair.

Kelley and Scott
Stephenson and Nash

(July 27) Pouncing on two Kamsack hurlers for a total of 16 hits, the Dauphin Redbirds assured themselves of no worse than a tie for first place in the Man-Sask Baseball League when they thumped the Cyclones 12 - 0. Frank Watkins set down the visitors on one hit as the Redbirds cruised to the easy win over a shorthanded Kamsack crew. Ken Mohr's 4th inning single spoiled Watkins' bid for a second no-hitter this season. Bob Enalls was Dauphin's leading hitter as he stroked out four singles in five times at bat. Winning chucker Watkins delivered three hits including a pair of doubles.

Smorodin (L), Winitoway (5) and Dundas
Watkins and McEwen

(July 28) The Yorkton Cardinals came up short in their final game of the regular schedule against the Dauphin club, losing 10 - 4, and blew their opportunity to claim top spot in the circuit. The visitors took the lead in the 1st inning and held it throughout the game. Dauphin was potent with the bat, out-hitting the Cards 17 to 5.  Frank Joyner went the route for the Dauphin win holding the Cards to four hits while compiling 11 strikeouts. He helped at the plate with a booming home run over the centre field fence. Yorkton starter Jim Rothaus took the loss giving way to reliever Bob McIvor in the 4th inning.  Ernie Boushy, Lou Bourbonnais and Keith Myles led the Dauphin hitters at bat, each with 3 hits in 5 trips to the plate. Boushy had a triple, double and single. "Wimpy" Stephenson had 2 hits in 3 times at bat, both singles. Catcher Harry Monroe's 3-run double was tops for Yorkton. By virtue of their winning the Man.-Sask. pennant, the Redbirds won the right to represent the league in the National Baseball Congress playdowns for Saskatchewan. 

Joyner and xxxx
Rothaus (L), McIvor (4) and Munroe

At the end of the article in the local paper, the following Dauphin batting marks were noted :

                       AB     H  PCT
 Enalls Bob DA        160    53 .331
 Bourbonnais Lou DA   110    35 .318
 Robertson Alex DA    146    44 .301
 Watkins Frank DA     104    30 .288
 Joyner Frank DA       85    24 .282
 Myles Keith DA       191    53 .277
 Smegelski Bill DA    117    32 .274
 McPhee Stan DA        86    23 .267
 Boushy Ernie DA      185    49 .265
 Nash Ray DA          172    44 .256
 McEwen Jim DA        110    27 .245
 Boughen Herb DA       33     8 .242
 Goran John DA         19     4 .211
 Stephenson Wayne DA   33     5 .152
 Angus Ken DA          14     1 .071

 FINAL STANDINGS    P  W L  Pct.
 Dauphin           16 10 6 .625
 Gilbert Plains    16  9 7 .563
 Yorkton           16  8 8 .500
 Kamsack           15  6 9 .400
 Roblin            15  6 9 .400

Playoffs :

(August 3)   The inability of Kamsack Cyclones to field a team forced the league to rearrange the playoffs.  It was decided to amalgamate the Kamsack and Roblin teams and to group the two Manitoba teams in one semi-final and the two Saskatchewan clubs in the other.  The changes put Dauphin, the pennant winners, against Gilbert Plains in one of the best-of-three semi-finals while the combined Kamsack-Roblin team would meet Yorkton.

(August 3) Although out-hitting their Dauphin hosts 10 to 8, the visiting Gilbert Plains nine dropped the opener of their Man-Sask semi-final series to the Redbirds by a 5 - 3 count. Ernie Boushy led the winners at the plate with a double and single while Eddie McDonald came through with a triple and 2 singles for Gilbert Plains.

DiCesare and Stempak
Watkins and Bourbonnais

(August 4) The Dauphin Redbirds have jumped into a two games to none lead in their semi-final playoff series with Gilbert Plains as they dusted off their hosts 7 - 2 behind winning chucker Frank Joyner's six-hitter. Johnny Alexander was tagged with the setback. Ray Nash and Frank Watkins led the Dauphin hitting attack with two hits each. Lyle Parker of Gilbert Plains also picked up a pair of base blows.

Joyner and Bourbonnais
Alexander and Stempak

(August )  Yorkton downed Kamsack 3-2 in the opening game of the best-of-five semi-final series.  

(August 6)  At Kamsack, the Cyclones whipped Yorkton 13-2 to even the semi-final series at a game apiece.  

(August 7)  Behind the pitching of Bob McIvor of Courtney BC, Yorkton Cardinals dumped Kamsack 10-2 to take a two to one game lead in the best-of-five semi-final series.  Cards scored five runs in the 2nd inning to put the game out of reach.  Harry Monroe and Andy Lillie each had three hits.

Winnitowy (L), Johnston and Cottenie
McIvor (W) and Monroe

(August 7) The Dauphin Redbirds advanced to the Man-Sask League finals when they defeated Gilbert Plains 4 - 1 to sweep their best-of-five series in three straight games. Wayne "Wimpy" Stephenson hurled the Redbirds to victory with a nifty two-hitter. Loser Art DiCesare also pitched well, yielding but five hits. Bob Enalls' 2nd inning triple drove in what proved to be the winning run. Dauphin's Lou Bourbonnais led all hitters with a triple and double.

DiCesare and Stempak
Stephenson and Bourbonnais

(August 9)  The 4th game of the semi-final between Kamsack and Yorkton was scheduled for tonight.  Yorkton won the opener of the best-of-five series, 3-2.  Cyclones captured the second 13-2, while Yorkton won 10-2 in the third contest.

(August 21)  Dauphin downed Yorkton Cardinals 9-4 in the first game of the best-of-five Manitoba-Saskatchewan League final. Wayne Stephenson was the winning pitcher, Ernie Koroluk took the loss.  Metro Prystai had a triple and a double for the Cards. Ray Nash paced the Redbird hitters with a triple and single.

Stephenson and Nash
Koroluk and B. Prystai

(August 22)  Scoring six runs in the 3rd inning, the Dauphin Redbirds downed Yorkton 7-5 to take a two game lead in the Man-Sask final.  Frank Joyner pitched a six-hitter and fanned 11 to get the win.  Carlson was the loser for the Cards.  Ray Nash, Keith Myles, Ernie Boushy and Bob Enalls each had two hits for Dauphin.  Stan Obodiac was the only Yorkton batter with two safeties. 

Carlson and B. Prystai
Joyner and Nash

(August 24) The third game of the Man-Sask League final ended in a 4 - 4 deadlock as darkened skies prevented a winner being declared. The Yorkton Cardinals out-hit the visiting Dauphin Redbirds 7 to 6 as Stan Obodiac and Bill Prystai of the Cards plus Stan McPhee of Dauphin all collected a pair of hits.

Stephenson and Bourbonnais
Koroluk (L), Carlson (7) and B. Prystai

(August 30)   Yorkton Cardinals announced they could no longer field a team for the remainder of the playoffs and Dauphin was awarded the Man-Sask title by default. The Redbirds had won the first two games, 9-4 and 7-5 and the third game was a 4-4 tie in Yorkton on Friday.