FOREMOST TOURNAMENT
(May 20) Willie Walasko sparked Pincher Creek Dominoes to top money in the annual Foremost baseball tournament. Walasko fired two shutouts including the 8-0 victory over Medicine Hat Mercurys 8-0 in the final and a 1-0 win over Grassy Lake in the tournament opener Monday. He compiled 16 strikeouts in his first shutout. Dominoes drew a bye into the title game. Mercurys advanced to the semi-finals with a 7-6 win over Vauxhall Verdants. The hometown Braves were eliminated in dropping a 4-3 decision to the Brooks Sabres. Shore fanned 13 in gaining thewin. Medicine Hat topped Brooks 5-2.
KAMLOOPS TOURNAMENT
(June 2) In a Hollywood ending to the Kamloops Tournament, Buck Buchanan drilled a three-run homer in bottom of the the final inning to give Kamloops Okonots a 5-3 victory over Larson Air Base Sabres of Washington in the championship game of the Diamond Jubilee Tournament at Riverside Park. Down 3-2, with one out, Bob Saklofsky, who had four of the eight Kamloops' hits, singled and Len Fowles worked Bill Barker for a walk. Buchanan, hitless in four previous trips to the plate, had two strikes when he crushed one over the right-field wall as a packed grandstand went wild with excitement. Len Gatin scattered nine hits to claim the pitching win and helped at the plate with a single and double.
Gatin (W) and Anderson
Barker (L) and Ling
Whitey Sherwinsky fired a three-hitter as Larson Air Base Sabres whipped Kamloops Monarchs of the BC Interior League 7-1 to advance to the final of the Diamond Jubilee Tournament. Sherwinsky was a force on offense as well collecting a triple and double. The Sabres took advantage of sloppy defence in the third to score four times on two walks, a single and three errors. Doug Hay took the loss giving up seven hits while compiling a tournament high 11 strikeouts.
Sherwinsky (W) and xxx
Hay (L) and xxx
Larson used the long ball to trounce Vernon Canadians of the Okanagan Mainline League 10-1 in quarter-final action. The winners had just six hits but two were homers. Bert Bush smacked a three-run shot in the 4th and Mike Rodriguez accounted for two runs with a four-bagger in the 6th. Bill Barker went the distance holding Vernon to six hits. The only run against him was unearned.
Wally Leismeister, Ike Jackson and xxx
Barker (W) and xxx
Kamloops Okonots needed an extra inning to put down Revelstoke Spikes. 5-4 in the quarter-finals of the tournament. In the bottom of the 8th and final inning, Kamloops left-fielder Jack Fowles rapped one past Revelstoke third sacker Pradolini to score Gordie Beecroft with the winning run. Fowles had earlier slugged a homer. Okonots Len Gatin hurled a three-hitter for the win. Jim Tasko took the loss.
Tasko (L) and xxx
Gatin (W) and xxx
PRINCE ALBERT TOURNAMENT
(June 10) Saskatoon won the 4th annual tourney in Prince Albert with a 4-2 win over Regina in the final The Gems took home first place money of $1,400. The game was called after four innings by dense smoke and fog from the city dump. Some 3-thousand fans watched the final day of the tournament in sweltering weather, except for a thirty-minute rainstorm.
Morrow (W) and Dean
Latham (L), Pickens (3) and Snead
Gems reached the final with a 15-4 win over Prince Albert. Jim Ryan had a homer and a double for the Gems while Max Bentley added three singles.
Cisnero, Vera (W) (4) and Dean
Pierce (L), Pearson (3), Graham (5) and Ingram
Regina's Horace Latham allowed 18 hits, but went the distance as the Caps shaded North Battleford 10-8 to win a berth in the final. Beavers helped the Caps' offense by making seven errors.
Latham (W) and Snead
Blackman, Weekly (L) (1), Coleman (5) and Green
In opening round action, Saskatoon's Reg Pendleton delivered a two-run pinch hit single in the 8th inning to give the Gems a 6-4 win over Indian Head. Max Bentley had two hits and two runs batted in for Saskatoon. Mario Ruyal homered for the Rockets.
Griggs (W) and Watrous
Conner (L) and Yzquierdo
North Battleford, with a five-run 8th inning, downed Medicine Hat Phillies 6-4. Chuck Holdaway tossed a five-hitter for the win.
Holdaway (W) and Green
Tyler (L) and Lambert
Prince Albert Imperials scored five in the top of the 1st inning and hung on to beat Melfort Juniors 7-4. A two-run homer by Washington was the key hit for the Imperials. 19-year-old Bob Holowaty allowed just three hits after the disastrous first frame.
Long, Pierson (W) (5) and Howard
Holowaty (L) and Fennell
Regina Caps downed Moose Jaw Maples 9-3 as Frank Pickens scattered six hits for the win.
Pickens (W) and Snead
Bruno (L) , Tanner (4) and Douzas
LLOYDMINSTER TOURNAMENT
(June 17) North Battleford won top prize of $1,400 in the Lloydminster tournament downing Delisle 6-1 in the final. The contest was played in heavy rain. The teams went through with the contest to get around a tournament ruling which would have had the clubs split first prize money (with second prize money withdrawn) if the final was washed out.
The Beavers had defeated Grandview, Manitoba 4-0 in a semi-final match. Delisle made the final with a 15-4 trouncing of the Indian Head Rockets.
Morrow (W) and Shirley
Johnson (L), Prats (1), Conner (5) and Miranda
In opening day action, Delisle topped Medicine Hat Phillies 4-2 as Murray Coben and Bennie Griggs combined on a four-hitter.
Bormouth (L) and Lambert
Coben (W), Griggs (9) and Shirley
Indian Head edged Prince Albert Imperials (Ligon All-Stars) 4-3. Two Prince Albert players were taken into custody by the RCMP after a fan was attacked. The fan had heckled the Imperials for protesting an umpire's decision and two players charged into the stands after him.
Long (L) and Howard
Hernandez (W) and Miranda
Johnny Coleman tossed a six-hitter with 14 strikeouts and poked a three-run homer as North Battleford dumped Westlock 10-1. Rollie Miles had three hits for the losers. Marv Rickert, a former major leaguer, was in the lineup for Westlock. In 1952, Rickert had hit .262 with 13 homers in the International League. The previous season, Rickert had blasted 35 homers and driven in 104 in a stint with Baltimore of the IL.
Vern Callihan (L), Stefureak (8) and Roberts
Coleman (W) and Green
Grandview, of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan League, trounced Leduc Oilers 17-7 as Frank Watkins went the distance for the win.
Watkins (W) and Burbage
Kadatz (L), Marshall (6), Brown (9) and Owens
LACOMBE TOURNAMENT
(June 26) In the Lacombe tournament, George Ligon's Negro All-Stars (who were based in Prince Albert) whipped Indian Head 9-2 to take first prize money ($1,400). Percy Howard led the All-Stars with a pair of homers, a two-run shot in the 2nd and a solo homer in the 7th. William Washington had three hits including a two-run homer. Frank Pearson held the Rockets to just three hits in pitching his second game of the day.
Pearson (W) and Howard
Miranda (L), Hernandez (5), White (9) and Yzquierdo, Miranda (6)
Ligon's reached the final with a 9-7 win over Delisle.
Hutton, Dinero (L) (2), Murray (6), Coben (6) and Dean
Pearson, Kelly(W) (6) and Howard
Indian Head clobbered Carstairs Cardinals 29-9 in the other semi-final. Rockets scored ten runs in the opening frame.
Barbon, Prats (W) (3) and Miranda
Kirk (L), Berlando (1), Gazely (5) and Noble.
Delisle Gems gained the last semi-final berth scoring a 5-4, 10 inning win over the Edmonton Pontiacs in the final game of the opening day. Third baseman Jimmy Shields scored the winner on Del St. John's single. Shields had opened the inning with a single and moved to third on a hit by pitcher Lefty Lauer.
Coben, Lauer (W) (7) and Dean
Seaman, Bill Olson (L) (10) and Bob Olson, Shaw (10)
17-year-old Ivory Long tossed a no-hitter as Ligon's dumped the Central Alberta All-Stars 6-0.
Devost (L) , McGregor (8) and Martin
Long (W) and Howard
Carstairs Cardinals upset the New York Harlem Black Yankees 4-0 as Don Kirk tossed a three-hit shutout !
Brown (L) and Shelton
Kirk (W) and Noble
Indian Head scored seven runs in the first inning and held on to top Brooks Buffaloes 9-6.
White, Conner (W) (3), Hernandez (7) and Miranda
Unchelenko (L), White (1) and McBride
GLENBORO TOURNAMENT
(June 27) Behind the standout pitching of Bob "Sliver" Isleifson, Glenboro captured first prize at the baseball tournament at the Glenboro Fair Saturday.
The right-hander hurled both games as Glenboro edged Nesbitt 3-2, then topped Wawanesa in the final. Wawanesa had earlier beaten Patricia.
COURTENAY DOMINION DAY TOURNAMENT
(June 28-July 1) In a thriller, Courtenay Legion playing manager Lyle McKenzie tripled with the bases loaded in the last of the ninth to break a 5-5 tie and hand Legion top money of $600 in the $1,200 Courtenay Native Sons' Canada Day Tournament. The final score was registered as Legion 6, Campbell River Athletics 5. Even with the final run in, McKenzie kept running. Only later did fans figure out why. There was a sports shirt prize offered to the player hitting a homer or triple with the bases loaded. Earl Woods started the rally drawing a walk from reliever Baz Nagle. Lou Coleman beat out a bunt and Freddie Orr received a free pass to fill the sacks and set the stage for McKenzie's dramatic blow into right-centre field.
xxx, Nagle (L) and xxx
xxx and xxx
Farmer Construction, unbeaten in Victoria league play, fell to the Campbell River Athletics 7-0 in semi-final action. Stan Dagnault held Farmer's to five hits in tossing the shutout. The A's John Haramboure paced the hitters with three safeties.
Hodges (L) and Shields
Dagnault (W) and A.Telosky
Courtenay Legion qualified for the final squeezing by Union Bay 5-4 in a ten inning thriller. Dick Downey delivered the winning blow, a two-out single, to score Earl Woods.
Massey, McIver (W) (6) and xxx
R.Pratt, Lewis
(L) (10) and xxx
The eight-team event saw Union Bay clip Parksville Loggers 15-6 in the opening game. The Braves, reinforced by recruits from the Campbell River Cougars, took advantage of three young Loggers' hurlers for 16 hits and 11 walks. Ron Pratt and Lloyd Lewis combined to hurl a two-hitter for Union Bay.
Charlesworth, Mosdell (1), xxx and xxx
R.Pratt, L.Lewis (W) (4) and xxx
Courtenay Legion eliminated Nanaimo Clippers 5-0.
Campbell River Athletics downed Victoria Eagles 7-2
Bernie Anderson's homer in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as Farmer Construction edged Cumberland Cubs 4-3 in first round action. Lefty Bill Garner, the Farmer's ace, went all the way for the win but had several tough challenges. In the seventh, Cubs loaded the bases with one out as Pearce reached on an error and Patterson and Bannerman both drew walks. A smart double-play erased the threat.
Garner (W) and xxx
Grisdale, Somerville (7) and xxx
LETHBRIDGE ROTARY TOURNAMENT (2)
(June 30-July 1) Worland Indians of Wyoming are the champions of the $1,400 Lethbridge Rotary International Tournament.
The American nine, which finished fourth in the inaugural tourney last year, pasted Claresholm Meteors 16-2 Tuesday to reach the semi-finals then marched on to defeat Great Falls Airlifters 5-2 to advance to the final where they whipped Swift Current 9-0 to take top money. A five-run first inning proved enough for Worland.
Young right-hander Jim Brown blanked Swift Current on five hits. The Saskatchewan team had trounced Bonner 10-0 for a berth in the final contest.
Third sacker Jack Troseth led a 13-hit Worland attack driving in three runs with three singles. Chuck Harkins, Andy Cooper and Brown each chipped in with a pair.
In other games, the Airlifters topped the All-Stars 11-3, Bonner beat Lethbridge 8-3 and Bill Martindale tossed a one-hitter as Swift Current overwhelmed Del Bonita 24-0.
Worland 16 Claresholm 2
Stark (W) and Harkins
MacEwen (L), Glenn (6), Ebbner (8), Landrum (9) and Landrum, MacDonald (9)
All-Stars 3 Airlifters 11
Kucheran (L), Martin (6) and Deak
Gordy (W) and McKillop
Bonner 8 Lethbridge 3
Pleasant (W) and Sowre
Jones (L), Bloomquist (5) and Tarnava
Swift Current 24 Del Donita 0
Martindale (W) and Mannerino
Reid (L), Weiss (2), Hess (5) and Rosenberger
Worland 5 Great Falls 2
Gasken (W) and Harkins
Barnes (L), Courtney (1) and McKillop
Swift Current 10 Bonner 0
Abbott (W) and Mannerino
Tabor (L) and Sowre
Worland 9 Swift Current 0
Brown (W) and Harkins
Vogt (L), Martindale (1) and Mannerino
EDSON TOURNAMENT
(June 30-July 1) Little left-hander Joe Weremy was prominent as the Beverly Athletics carted away top money of $1,000 at the Edson Baseball Tournament.
Weremy pitched two of the A's three victories. He fired a three-hit shutout in a 4-0 win over Edson Athletics and then scraped by in an 8-7 triumph over the Edson Truckers in the final.
Mac Yeske's three-hitter was a feature of the 6-0 win over Jasper in the opening round. Other teams competing were from Olds, Hairy Hill, Mackay, Wildwood and Onoway.
SHELLBROOK TOURNAMENT
(July 1) Prince Albert Bohemians captured first money in the baseball tournament held in conjunction with the Shellbrook Ells Annual Sports Day. Bohemians defeated Spruceholm in the final. Six other teams competed - Deer Ridge, Prince Albert Rockets, Sturgeon Valley, White Star and two local teams.
SASKATOON OPTIMIST TOURNAMENT
(July 1) The final game of Saskatoon's 5th annual Optimist Tournament was rained out. Saskatoon Gems and Regina Caps split the top prize money.
Gems' pitcher Ted Wills got Regina leadoff man Johnny Lloyd to foul out and that was all for the final as more than 5-thousand fans headed for cover as a cloudburst turned the diamond into a sea of mud.
Saskatoon reached the final blasting North Battleford 13-0 as Jim Morrow tossed a five-hit shutout and belted a three-run homer.
Coleman (L), Dzingelowski (4), L Dean (6) and Green
Morrow (W) and Shirley, Romay (5)
Regina trounced Kamsack 12-5 scoring six runs in the first inning. Percy Trimont had five hits including a two-run homer.
Zeeben (L), Dodd (1), Bigelow (2) and Bennett
Bruton, Pickens (W) (3) and Trimont
In first round games, Beavers edged Grandview 5-4, Gems blanked Prince Albert 5-0, Regina whipped Yorkton Cardinals 11-2 and Kamsack ousted Delisle, 11-2.
Curtis Tate stole home in the bottom of the 9th as the Beavers shaded Grandview 5-4. Tate had three hits. Art Stone had a two-run homer for North Battleford.
Wylie (L), Watkins (9) and Burbage
Blackman (W) and Green
Bennie Griggs pitched Saskatoon's second shutout, a three-hitter, as the Gems downed the Ligon's All-Stars, representing Prince Albert, 8-0.
Long (L), Peterson (7) and Howard
Griggs (W) and Shirley
Kamsack erupted for seven runs in the 1st inning and went on to trounce Delisle 11-2. Jim Jenkins allowed just four hits to take the win. Max and Doug Bentley accounted for all the Delisle offense, each with two hits. Jack Ladra homered for the Cyclones.
Jenkins (W) and Bennett
Coben (L), Murray (1), Cisnero (2) and J Dean
Newcomer Mike Williams held Yorkton to six hits as Regina scored an 11-1 victory. Williams joined the Caps from the WInnipeg Royals.
Kenny (L), Koroluk (6) and Fennell
Williams (W) and Trimont, Reed (5)
Saskatoon's pitching was a highlight of the tournament. Bennie Griggs tossed a three-hit shutout against Prince Albert's Ligon All-Stars and Jim Morrow hurled a five-hit shutout to beat Nolrth Battleford. Kamsack's Jack Ladra had two homers.
Ned Powers in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, July 2nd, 1953 :
"A real eye catcher during the two-day Optimist baseball tournament was Jack Ladra, the young Hawaiian centre fielder with Kamsack Cyclones ... he filled the requirements of a clean-up hitter, clouting four-for-10 with two home runs included ... in a game against Regina, he twice robbed Charles Gary of extra-base hits and capped off his brilliant fielding with a deadly peg from deep right centre field to third base where Roy Williams was cut down."
PRINCE GEORGE ATHLETIC CLUB TOURNAMENT
(June 30 & July 1) Heavy downpours on Dominion Day washed out all the final games scheduled in the Prince George Athletic Club’s baseball tournament. The tourney’s opener saw the Prince George Athletics defeat Roine’s Lumberjacks 4 to 0. Reg McEachnie’s shutout pitching and a towering home run by Al Franklin were the highlights of this game. The Prince George Merchants copped the second game of the tournament with a come-from-behind 5 to 4 win over the Vanderhoof Cubs. After the Nechako Valley entry had built up a three-run lead, spearheaded by Dave Wall’s circuit-clout, big Bill Fleming, Merchants’ first baseman, took personal charge of the game by banging out a homer and a double to drive in four tallies and score the winning run. After steady showers turned the diamond into a quagmire following one inning of the Willow River Red Sox – Quesnel All-Stars contest, this third tournament game was postponed and resumed in the evening with the teams moving from Connaught Park to Duchess Park where the Sox splashed and slithered their way to a 6 to 1 triumph.
The remaining games among the three surviving teams were never started and an attempt will be made at a later time to complete them with the Prince George Athletics getting the bye through a draw.
(July 4) In the semi-final game of the postponed PGAC Dominion Day tournament, the Willow River Red Sox were threatened right down to the final putout before surviving with a 2 to 0 win over the Prince George Merchants. Sid Delano got the hurling win over Vic Wilejto. Willie McDermid blasted a solo four-bagger for the Sox.
(July 5) The Prince George Athletics grabbed top money of $300 in the final game of the delayed Dominion Day tournament. With ex-Kamloops mound artist Len Gatin on the hill, the Prince George outfit shutout the powerful Willow River Red Sox 4 to 0. Playing their third game of the day after a regularly-scheduled CIBL doubleheader, the A’s were led by Gatin who struck out 17 while allowing just four well-spaced hits. The game marked the first loss for the Red Sox in exhibition or league games this season.
CARMANGAY TOURNAMENT
(July 4) Lee Landrum punched out four hits, a double and three singles, to lead Claresholm over Granum 10-6 to take top prize in the Carmangay baseball tournament. Allie MacDonald gave up 11 hits but went the distance for the win. Chester Long started for the White Sox, giving way to Mat Matthews in the 5th inning. Bob Shearer came on in the 6th and Harold Jones finished. Ward MacDonald had three singles and Dutch Dodd chipped in with a double and single for the Meteors. Roy MacLeod paced the White Sox with a double and two singles.
MacDonald and Landrum
Long, Matthews (5), Shearer (6), Jones (8) and MacLeod
CAMROSE TOURNAMENT
(July 6) The Indian Head Rockets took the $800 first place purse in the Camrose tournament downing Edmonton Pontiacs 5-4 in 10 innings. Mario Penalver was the hero for the Rockets driving in the tying and winning runs in the 10th with a double off the centrefield fence. Edmonton had taken the lead in the top of the 10th taking advantage of a walk, two errors and a single.
Rollie Miles, who scored the first Edmonton run in the 4th, gave the Pontiacs a 3-0 lead with a home run. Jerry Seaman was working on a shutout into the bottom of the 8th inning when leadoff man Marcelino Arozarena got aboard with a single, just the third hit for the Rockets. With one out, Roberto Barbon drew a walk and Penalver load the bases on a bunt single. A sacrifice fly and an error allowed two runs to cross and Pedro Seoane tripled to tie the score.
Jerry Seaman, Bill Olson (L) (8) and Bob Olson
Conner, Johnson (7), Hernandez (W) (9) and Gilberto Yzquierdo
In the opening round, the Rockets topped the Central Alberta All-Stars 7-1 and the Pontiacs whipped the New York Harlem Yankees 11-2.
On June 24th, the tournament had been halted by rain with only one game in the books. The Medicine Hat (Harlem) Yankees edged Leduc 10-9 while Indian Head and the Central Alberta All-Stars were tied 3-3 after seven innings when the rains came.
Leduc, up 9-6 going into the bottom of the 8th, gave up three unearned runs. One of the markers was a steal of home by Evans. The Yankees pushed across the winner in the bottom of the 9th as Johnson singled, moved to second on a safety by Jackson, stole third and scored on a fielder's choice grounder. Pancho Gray went the distance for the win.
Wildshoot, McDonald (L) (6) and Owen
Gray (W) and Henderson
The Central Alberta All-Stars grabbed a 3-0 lead but had to settle for a 3-3 tie as the Indian Head Rockets scored three late runs before rain halted the contest. Wes Johnston's two-run homer was the big blow for the All-Stars.
Hernandez and Miranda
Morris and Martin
The Camrose Canadian reported in August that the tournament had run a deficit of more than $900. D. Mattson reported :
Prize money $2,900.00 Income from all
Advertising, Telephone, sources, 1953 $4,205.23
Telegraph, Postage, etc. 1,006.91
Wages 399.65 Deficit $ 935.85
Equipment, lumber, etc. 477.93
Sundries 356.60
Total Expenses, 1953 $5,141.08
FOAM LAKE TOURNAMENT
(July 8) Frank Germann's Notre Dame Hounds of Wilcox took top prize money of $1,000 in the Foam Lake tournament with a thrilling 4-3, 14-inning win over Melfort Juniors. The game finished at 12:20 a.m. Hap L'Heureux, who came on in relief in the 9th, picked up the win. Bob Holowaty went the distance for Melfort allowing just eight hits and fanning 20. 7-thousand fans watched the final.
In semi-final action, Hounds beat Yorkton Red Sox 16-1 and Melfort got by Colonsay Monarchs, 3-0.
THIRD ANNUAL KAMSACK TOURNAMENT
(July 10) More than 7-thousand fans watched the final of the Third Annual Kamsack tournament as the home town Cyclones beat Indian Head 11-2 to capture top prize in the $3,500 event. Al Bigelow tossed a four-hitter for the Cyclones while catcher Bob Bennett led the offense with three hits. Playing-manager Roy Taylor and shortstop Jim Peterson each had a pair. It was the third game of the day for the Cyclones.
Bigelow (W) and xxx
Hernandez (L), Yzquierdo and xxx
Rockets reached the final with a 4-3, 10-inning win over Saskatoon. Gems' Jim Morrow had tied the game with a homer in the 9th but pitcher Roberto Barbon singled in Juan Prats with the winner in the 10th. Chico O'Farrill had a homer and single for the Rockets.
Cyclones whipped Dauphin Red Birds 22-6 in semi-final action as Jack Ladra belted a three-run homer.
xxx and xxx
Kosteniuk, Taylor and xxx
In quarter-final games, Kamsack downed Moose Jaw Maples 7-4 behind the pitching of Jim Jenkins and a two-run homer by Dick Hayes. while Indian Head dumped Stenen 21-1, Dauphin ousted Bowsman and Gems defeated Grandview 7-0 as Ted Wills hurled the shutout.
In opening round games, Dauphin Red Birds upset Regina Caps 7-4, Moose Jaw trounced Pelly 20-0, Saskatoon came from behind to top Yorkton 8-4, Kamsack scored a 5-1 win over Roblin as John Zeeben and Jim Jenkins shared the mound work, Indian Head down Rhein 9-4 sparked by Chico O'Farrill's homer, Stenen won a 17-14 slugfest over Donwell, and Grandview topped Holar 15-5. Bowsman won by forfeit when Gilbert Plains could not field a team because of transportation problems.
In opening round action, the Dauphin Red Birds pulled off the big upset of the tournament downing Regina Caps 7-4. Moose Jaw trounced Pelly 20-0, Saskatoon came from behind to top Yorkton 8-4, Kamsack scored a 5-1 win over Roblin as John Zeeben and Jim Jenkins shared the mound work and Bill Fisher belted a homer.,, Indian Head down Rhein 9-4 sparked by Chico O'Farrill's homer, Stenen won a 17-14 slugfest over Donwell, and Grandview topped Holar 15-5. Bowsman won by forfeit when Gilbert Plains could not field a team because of transportation problems.
NELSON BONSPEIL TOURNAMENT
(July 11-12) Trail Smoke Eaters needed just two games to walk off the $1,000 top prize in the mid-summer tournament at Nelson. Trail, with a bye to the final after an opening game win over Nelson, downed Kamloops 8-2 to take top money in the six team event. Clubs from Fruitvale, Trail, Nelson, Kamloops, Penticton and Kimberley participated.
Trail broke open a 2-2 tie with a six-run outburst in the 8th inning. They combined three singles, two walks and Sonny Hackett's second homer of the game in the big inning to down Kamloops Okonots 8-2 in the tournament final. The Okonots held a 1-0 lead after six innings behind the two-hit pitching of Len Gatin and Chick Ling's second inning homer but Trail took the lead in the 7th on four-baggers by Hackett and Danny Geronazzo. Kamloops knotted the count with a run in the top of the 8th.,
Gatin (L), Brkich (8) and Ling
xxx and xxx
The Okonots reached the final by downing Kimberley 8-5. Trailing 5-4 after seven innings, Kamloops plated four in the 8th on three hits and a pair of costly errors for the victory. Len Gatin handled the hurling for the winners.
Bodin (L), Pyne (8) and xxx
Gatin (W) and xxx
In a thrilling pitching duel, Kamloops scored in the first inning of their opening game and held on for a 1-0 win over Fruitvale. Johnny Brkich fired a three-hitter and fanned 12 in chalking up the win while lefty Gordon "Fuzzy" Grieves allowed just one hit, a second inning double by Bill MacDonald. The only run came on a bases-loaded walk to catcher Chick Ling which scored second baseman Ron Evenson.
Brkich (W) and Ling
Grieve (L) and xxx
Kimberley came from behind to top Penticton 5-4 in 11 innings. Ken Flaig, a 19-year-old from Spokane, put on a one-man show for the winners hurling the entire 11 frames and knocking out five hits including a home run. Red Mellor unloaded a long triple and sparked Kimberley's rally. Ted Bowsfield, Penticton's star hurler, missed the series when he chipped a bone in his throwing arm a few days prior to the tournament. Penticton imported a former pro hurler, Bob Scott, from Bellingham but he failed to go the distance giving way to playing manager Tom Edwardson in the 7th inning with the bases loaded and none out. Edwardson managed to escape the jam without allowing a run. Athletics had the lead into the last of the ninth before Flaig tied it 3-3 with his circuit blow. Penticton pulled ahead 4-3 in the top of the 11th. Kimberley tied in on a bases-loaded walk and got the winner on a wild throw to the plate.
Scott, Edwardson (L) (7) and xxx
Flaig (W) and xxx
In the Bonspiel Tournament at Nelson, the Trail Smoke Eaters crushed the Nelson Maple Leafs 12-3 before a large crowd at the Civic Recreation Grounds. Pete Boisvert scattered ten hits in going the distance for the winners.
Boisvert (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
CHAMPION LIONS TOURNAMENT
(July 17) Before a record crowd of about 1,000, Champion Red Sox upended the powerful Claresholm Meteors 8-2 to take top money in the Champion Lions Baseball Tournament. Bud Siler fashioned a five-hitter with seven strikeouts in going the distance on the hill for the Sox who opened quickly with four runs in the first inning. A double by Merv Smith and singles by Sev and Livo Pasolli and Siler combined with a free pass and an error to give the Red Sox a big advantage. In the third, Al Buchan's double, three singles and another Claresholm error handed the Red Sox another three markers. Big Hubert Glenn relieved to put out the fire in the third and allowed but two hits the rest of the way. Allie MacDonald took the loss.
A.MacDonald (L), Glenn (3) and W.MacDonald
Siler (W) and Jensen
(July 16) Champion Red Sox upset Stavely 6-5 in 10 innings Thursday to move into the final of the seventh annual Champion Lions Baseball Tournament. Stavely won the Foothills-Wheatbelt League with a 12-2 record, including a pair of wins over the Red Sox. Champion advanced to the second round with a 14-3 romp of Lomond behind the six-hit pitching of Merv Smith who was a Red Sox hero in the semi-final as he relieved starter Don McGill in the seventh inning and blanked Stavely the rest of the way to pick up his second win of the day. Robert Fath singled in the bottom of the extra frame and went to third as the Stavely second sacker missed Sev Pasolli's liner and came roaring home with the winning run as the throw from centre field to home was off the mark. Champion opened with a three spot off Kelley in the first inning but fell behind as Stavely counted once in the third and fourth and three in the sixth. Red Sox plated two in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into the extra frame. Sev Pasolli, Len Rhodes and Bud Siler each produced three hits for the winners.
Kelley, Woodham (L) (9) and Lanman
McGill, Smith (W) (7) and Siler, Jensen (7)
Roger Jensen paced Champion's 16-hit assault against Lomond with a three-run homer and a single while Sev Pasolli banged out a paif of doubles and a single.
Smith (W) and Jensen
Degemstein (L), Ost (2), Rhodes (6) and Domeleski
Stavely blanked Nanton 6-0 in the opening round as Bob Yorgason fired a four-hit shutout. Don Yorgason smacked three hits for Stavely.
Scott (L), Berger (6) and McKenzie
B.Yorgason (W) and Lanman
INDIAN HEAD TOURNAMENT
(July 16) The host team also won the tourney in Indian Head. The Rockets (in reality, the Florida Cubans team which won in 1952) beat Saskatoon 6-2 in the final to take home $1,200 in prize money. Indian Head also captured the event in 1950. A crowd of 65-hundred watched the final action.
A five-run 5th inning carried the Rockets to the victory. Jose Hernandez pitched a five-hitter in gaining the win. Mike Kanshin and Bennie Griggs split the mound duties for the Gems.
Kanshin (L), Griggs and Shirley, Romay
Hernandez (W) and Miranda
In the semi-finals, the Rockets scored in the 1st inning and it held up for a 1-0 win over Moose Jaw. Sammy White tossed a three-hitter for Indian Head.
Garrett (L) and Robinette
White (W) and Miranda
Martinez of Saskatoon pitched a five-inning no-hitter as the Gems trounced Lake Valley 10-0.
Martinez (W) and Shirley
Devine (L), Torgerson and Peterson
In the quarter-finals, Bennie Griggs had a one-hit shutout as Saskatoon got by Weyburn 3-0.
Griggs (W) and Shirley
Shupe (L) and Covert
Regina Red Sox 1 Indian Head 3
Mitchellmore (L) and Turner
Prats (W) and Miranda
Moose Jaw Maples 11 Regina Royal Caps 2
Ralph King (W) and Mannerino
Harrison (L) , Woolley and Lysack
Lake Valley 6 Yorkton 2
Thorseth (W) and Peterson
Dombowsky, Drake, Kinney and Fennell
Opening day:
Fairlight 1 Lake Valley 14
Hoff (L) and Slobodian
Devine (W) and Peterson
Kamsack 1 Moose Jaw 7
Jenkins (L), Bigelow and Zeeben
Bormouth (W) and Mannerino
Notre Dame 5 Indian Head 17
Dombowsky (L), L'Heureux and Padewski
Connor (W) and Miranda
Regina Royal Caps 9 Swift Current 6
Larter, Woolley, Clark (W) and Lysack
Bott, Martindale (L) and Koart
Regina Red Sox 14 Wynyard 7
Richardson (W), McFadden and Turner
Smith (L) and Roberts
Mainline 0 Weyburn 8
Shaw (L), Chatterson and Henderson
Hogg (W) and Covert
Saskatoon 13 Shaunavon 0
Morrow (W) and Shirley, Romay
Gray (L), Olheiser and Cowan
Regina Caps 9 Yorkton Cards 11
Bruton, Donaldson, Peerless, Pickens, Wilder and Snead, Williams, Trimont
Korluk, Kahut and Kinney
NATIONAL BASEBALL CONGRESS
(The governing body of non-professional baseball, The National Baseball Congress, published an annual non-pro handbook. For 1953 it noted three major tournaments -- Indian Head, Camrose and Lloydminster. The Indian Head Rockets won the Indian Head and Camrose tourneys and the Saskatoon Gems won at Lloydminster. By virtue of winning those tournaments, the Gems and the Rockets met for the Saskatchewan title.
(July 22) Saskatoon took a one game lead in the best of three series with a 6-1 victory at Cairns Field in Saskatoon. Right-hander Jim Morrow tossed a four-hitter for the win. Sherman Watrous had three hits for the Gems. Ted Wills drove in three for the Gems with a pinch-hit triple in the 6th inning. Pedro Seone of the Rockets had the only homer.
White (L) and Miranda
Morrow (W) and Snead
(August 7) Saskatoon captured the National Baseball Congress Saskatchewan title with a 6-4 win over Indian Head. Gems won the best-of-three series in two straight games. Mike Kanshin held the Rockets to six hits to pick up the win. He fanned nine and walked one.
Kanshin (W) and Shirley
Roberto Barbon, Jose Hernandez (L) (6) and Reed
CLARESHOLM TOURNAMENT
(July 22-24) Claresholm Meteors copped their second tournament of the season downing Granum in the final of their own tourney. Paul Jones, an import from the Lethbridge Cubs, pitched them to a 7-5 victory. Meteors were allowed to pick up one player from the teams they defeated in the earlier rounds.
A three-run fifth inning proved to be the difference. Wayne Berg doubled in a pair and the eventual winning run came on a wild pitch.
Catcher Lee Landrum poled a bases-empty homer and a single for the winners. Gord Wesley had three hits for Granum.
Claresholm had earlier pulled out an exciting 13-12 victory over Carmangay. Trailing 12-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Meteors rallied for eight runs for the win.
Jones (W) and Landrum
Kucheran (L), Martin (7) and MacLeod
Claresholm 25 Nanton 0
Glenn, W.MacDonald (W) (4) and Landrum
Scott (L), D.Hawks (3), S.Hawks (9) and McKenzie
Carmangay 16 Champion 4
Walasko (W) and Andrekson
S.Pasolli (L), Siler (4), Smith (8), S.Pasolli (9) and Jensen
Carmangay 12 Claresholm 13
Jones (L) and Andrekson
Glenn (W) and Landrum
RCAF 12 Stavely 13
McGill (L), Miller (3) and Miller, Hogan
Yorgason (L), Woodham (6) and Lanman
Picture Butte 5 Granum 12
Kucheran (L) and Deak
Shearer (W) and MacLeod
Stavely 4 Granum 6
Malmberg (L) and Lanman
Martin (W), Long (6) and McLeod
SASKATOON EXHIBITION TOURNAMENT
(July 25) Art Shahzade, Jim Pederson and Jack Ladra each drove in two runs as Kamsack downed Sceptre 8-3 to take first prize money of $800 in the Saskatoon Industrial Exhibition Tournament. Dick Hayes had three hits to go along with his three safeties in the semi-final victory. Al Bigelow scattered twelve hits in going the distance.
Scott (L), Gullickson (4) and J Shields
Bigelow (W) and Bennett
(July 25) Cyclones scored a dramatic 3-1, 10-inning win over Delisle in advance to the final. Down 1-0 in the bottom of the 9th, Dick Hayes homered to send the match into overtime. In the top of the 10th, Art Shahzade's throw from left field cut down Doug Morris at the plate to preserve the tie. Then in the bottom of the inning, with Ron Hager aboard, Jack Ladra blasted one out of the park to give Kamsack the win. John Zeeben bested Don Kirk in a terrific pitchers' duel.
Kirk and McKenzie
Zeeben and Bennett
(July 24) Sceptre beat Melfort 16-8 to win a spot in the final as Bert Olmstead tossed his second complete game in two days. He also belted a homer.
Olmstead and Gullickson
Archibald, Holowaty (5), Eisner (8) and Stewart, Demmans
Several hockey stars were in uniform -- Bert Olmstead tossed a two-hitter in his first game for Sceptre and had a complete game win the following day. Glen Hall played the outfield for Marysburg.
In opening round games :
(July 21) Junior star Bob Holowaty uncorked a four-hitter and fanned sixteen to lead Melfort Juniors to a 10-3 win over Neilburg. Melfort broke open a tight game with six runs in the 8th. Jack Payne had a two-run homer for the winners. Ollie Harris handled the mound work for the Neilburg tossing to veteran catcher Pete Prediger. Ollie's father, Arlo had also worked to Prediger.
Harris and Prediger
Holowaty and Demmans
(July 22) A young Delisle club won a spot in the semi-finals with a 6-3 win over Richlea. Harold Worth tossed a four-hitter for the win and helped at the plate with three singles.
Worth and McKenzie
Herb Stevenson and Ellis
(July 23) Bert Olmstead allowed just two hits to lead Sceptre to a 5-0 win over Marysburg. The Montreal Canadiens hockey star fanned seven and walked three. Hockey goalie Glen Hall was in the outfield for Marysburg.
Teel and Strueby
Olmstead and Speers
(July 23) Kamsack Cyclones advanced with a 10-5 victory over Wynyard as shortstop Jim Peterson had four hits and knocked in a pair of runs. Cyclones put the game on ice in the third inning sending 13 men to the plate in a nine run outburst. Dave Kosteniuk went eight innings for the win.
Arngrimson, Davis (3), Green (3) and Reynolds
Kosteniuk, Taylor (9) and Bennett
KIMBERLEY TOURNAMENT
(July 25-26) The Spokane Builders crushed Fruitvale 14-2 to take top money of $1,000 at the Kimberley Tournament. The Builders had clobbered Trail 12-2 in a semi-final contest as Spokane's imported hurler, Bud Swann of Montana, kept the Smokies at bay. Fruitvale got by Nelson 4-2 to win a finals berth. In opening action, Spokane downed Kimberley 8-6, Nelson defeated Pincher Creek 7-2, Trail topped Windermere 5-1 and Fruitvale shaded Fernie 6-4.
More than 5,000 fans witnessed the two-day tournament.
Fuzzy Grieve pitched Fruitvale to a 6-4 victory over Fernie in the curtain opener Saturday morning.
Nelson Maple Leafs whipped Pincher Creek 7-2 behind Les Hufty's six-hitter and Trail Smoke Eaters topped Windermere 5-1 in the third Saturday contest.
In likely the best game of the tournament, Spokane got by Kimberley 8-6. Les Lilley started for the East Kootenay nine but had control troubles and gave way to Eric Bodin who was outstanding in holding the hard-hitting Spokane crew to three hits. Kimberley knocked Curt Bloomquist out of the box in the ninth and had the tying and winning runs on base when Red Mellor hit into a double play.
Fruitvale knocked Nelson out of the competition with a 4-2 victory as Gordie Crantz went the distance holding the Leafs to six hits.
Spokane made short order of the Trail Smoke Eaters crushing the Smokies 12-2 as Bud Swann hurled a five-hitter for the win.
The final was played before a crowd of about 1,500 with Spokane rapping out 14 hits and jumping into a 9-0 lead in the opening frame. Fuzzy Grieve started for Fruitvale but lasted just four batters before Andy Bilesky, the playing manager took over and went the rest of the way. The new $22,000 stadiu saw eight home runs in the seven games.
ALBERTA BEACH TOURNAMENT
(July 26) Beverly Athletics won the annual Alberta Beach Baseball Tournament Sunday posting victories over St. Albert and Riviere Qui Bar.
In their opener, Max Yeske fanned 13 as the Athletics topped St. Alberta 6-4.
Lefty Joe Weremy then racked up 16 strikeouts and smacked a pair of triples to lead Beverly to a victory over Riviere Qui Bar.
ROSETOWN LEGION TOURNAMENT
(July 29) In the 6th Annual Rosetown Legion Tournament, the Saskatoon Gems walked off with the $1,200 top prize with a 7-2 victory over Kamsack in the final. Gems scored all seven markers after there were two outs in the 3rd inning. Cyclones picked up $700 for their second place finish. 35-hundred fans watched the action.
Bigelow (L), Kosteniuk (3), Hayes (8) and Bennett
Morrow (W) and Shirley
In semi-final games, Gems defeated a junior team from Saskatoon, the Moores, 10-2. The big blow was a grand slam homer by Sherman Watrous.
Jackson (W) and Snead
Cisnero (L) and McKenzie
Kamsack blanked Notre Dame 6-0 on Johnny Zeeben's four-hitter.
Steele (L) and Padewski
Zeeben (W) and Bennett, Jenkins (1)
In the playoff for third money, Notre Dame prevailed 3-2 over Saskatoon Moores (who had gained a bye in the opening round when the Ligon All-Stars failed to show).
Hobson (L) and McKenzie
Dombowsky (W), L'Heureux (9) and Padewski
In the opening round, Gems' Bennie Griggs threw a 1-hitter and Max Bentley and Mario Herrera belted homers as the Gems beat Indian Head 7-1.
Griggs (W) and Shirley
White (L) and Yzquierdo, Miranda ( )
Notre Dame surivived a five-run 8th inning by Richlea to notch a 10-7 win.
L'Heureux (W) and Padewski
H Stevenson (L) and Ellis, Banting ( )
Kamsack scored eight unanswered runs to down Swift Current 8-2.
Abbot (L) and Kort
Zeeben, Jenkins (W) (1) and Bennett
WINNIPEG SENIOR TOURNAMENT
(July 31-Aug 1) Don Collin's two run homer in the fifth was the big blow as St. Boniface Native Sons downed Transcona Railroaders 7-3 in the final of the Senior Baseball Tournament at Osborne Stadium.
Ron Barr and Fred Dunsmore combined on a six-hitter in the championship game after Pete Rettie had tossed six-hit ball in the Sons 7-4 triumph over CUAC Blues. St. Boniface kicked off the tournament crushing Notre Dame 14-0 as Eddie Mazur fashioned a one-hitter.
Transcona made the final downing Fort Whyte 7-6 with the winning run scoring on an error and took advantage of a miscue to shade Beausejour 4-3. Beausejour reached the semi-final with a thrilling 6-3, 12-inning victory over Morden. Bud Juvy, a 17-year-old hurler for Morden turned in a masterful game under the weight of the knowledge that his brother had been killed in a car accident. Wayne Windsor was the winning pitcher.
LETHBRIDGE ROTARY TOURNAMENT
(August 1) Spokane Builders won first prize money of $1,400 at the eight-team, third annual Lethbridge Rotary tournament. Builders topped Great Falls Airlifters 2-1 in a 10-inning thriller. Spokane moved into the final by trouncing Nampa, Idaho Clippers 18-7 while the Airlifters edged Swift Current Indians 8-7. In the first Lethbridge tournament, Worland Indians (Wyoming) whipped Swift Current 9-0 to capture top prize money. The Ligon All-Stars dropped a 4-3 decision to Great Falls, Montana in opening round action.
DAWSON CREEK TOURNAMENT
(August 15) The Willow River Red Sox won the $500 first prize at the Dawson Creek tournament, defeating a team from Donnelly AB 7 to 3 in the tourney finale. Sid Delano hurled a three-hitter in registering the mound win. The Sox had earlier sidelined the host Dawson Creek squad 15 to 2 in the semi-finals behind the chucking of Howie Martin. The CIBL squad was handed their opening match on a platter when the Rycroft AB team failed to put in a scheduled appearance.
GOLDEN TOURNAMENT
(August 29-30) The Kimberley Hotel diamond pastimers won first money of $200 in the eight-team, single-knockout Golden baseball tournament, winning three consecutive encounters. Les Lilley hurled Kimberley to a 9 to 0 opening-game victory over Dawson & Wade Construction as “Red” Mellor homered in support of Lilley. Eric Bodin stopped Windermere 13 to 1 in the second round of play and came back without rest to take down Revelstoke 9 to 5 in the finale of the tourney. Outfielder Doug McDonald made his debut with the Hoteliers and collected a total of seven hits in tournament action.
COURTENAY NATIVE SONS LABOUR DAY TOURNAMENT
(September 5-7) Comox Tigers captured top money of $400 over the weekend at the annual Courtenay Native Sons Labour Day Tournament. Tigers gained a 1-0 upset victory over the favoured Courtenay Legion in the final . Southpaw Ron Pratt held Legion to four scattered hits in hurling the shutout while Shorty McIvor lost with a one-hitter, his second in two days. A throwing error in the second inning allowed Gerry Montgomery to cross home plate with the game's only run. Montgomery reached with the Tigers only hit of the game and went to second on an error. Skip Montgomery's hard hit ball down the third base line was charged by Lou Coleman who made an outstanding pickup but then heaved the ball high over first base to allow the scoring play.
McIvor (L) and xxx
R.Pratt (W) and xxx
Courtenay had just finished pulling out a thrilling 5-4, 12-inning, victory over Campbell River Athletics. Winning hurler Earl Woods proved the hero with a single to drive in Dick Downey with the winning run.
Nagle (L) and xxx
Woods (W) and xxx
Comox had a scare in its semi-final falling behind Parksville 5-1 in the first inning. The Tigers managed a singleton in the third then broke the game wide open with a six run rally in the 8th on four hits and four Parksville errors. Gordon Pratt allowed just three hits after taking over with one out in the first inning and blanking the Loggers the rest of the way.
xxx, xxx, xxx and xxx
Kolybaba, G.Pratt (W) (1) and xxx
Campbell River Athletics had won a semi-final berth downing Victoria Eagles 7-3 behind Baz Nagle's three-hit pitching. The hard-throwing right-hander fanned ten in the six inning contest. Sammy Telosky's crew banged out eight hits, five for extra bases, off a pair of Eagles' hurlers. Andy Telosky had the big blow, a homer.
Nagle (W) and xxx
Donahue (L), Davies and Kubicek, xxx
Parksville Loggers trounced Cumberland Cubs 11-2 behind the five-hit pitching of Jack Charlesworth. The Loggers managed just seven his off Jack Murdock but Cumberland errors paved the way for the easy win.
Charlesworth (W) and xxx
Murdock (L) and xxx
Shorty McIvor allowed just one hit in blanking Victoria's powerful Farmer Construction 5-0. A third inning single by Bernie Anderson was the lone safety by the capital city crew. Courtenay Legion got all they needed in the third inning scoring three times on five consecutive hits off Farmer's ace Norm Forbes. The Vets added two more in the eighth on two walks, a single and an error.
Forbes (L) and xxx
McIvor (W) and xxx
In their opening match, Comox combined eight hits and four Nanaimo errors for an 8-4 win over the Sport Centre nine. Gordon Pratt went the distance for the pitching win.
Pratt (W) and xxx
Robinson (L), Webb and xxx
HILLCREST BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
(September 5-7) Claresholm Meteors scored 37 runs in three games to run away with top money at the Hillcrest Baseball Tournament.
In the final, the Meteors romped to an 18-6 victory over Vauxhall Verdants. They began the tourney trouncing Shelby, Montana, 15-0, then advanced to the final nipping Spring Coulee 4-2.
Blairmore and Spring Coulee split third and fourth money after playing to an 8-8 deadlock in Monday's second game.
Hans Sagstuen and Hubert Glenn combined to limited Vauxhall to six hits in the money game while their teammates pounded out 19 hits off six Verdants hurlers. Lefty Huddle went four-for-four and Davy Davidson added three safeties. Root and Rasmussen hit homers in a losing cause.
Blairmore Canucks, who lost to Vauxhall 6-5 in 11 innings Sunday, were given another chance when Calgary Purity 99s failed to show. They knocked off the Lethbridge Cubs 6-0.
Vauxhall 6 Claresholm 18
Stevenson (L), Batter (3), Baker (3), Root (4), Rasmussen (5), Cyr (6) and Charlton, Blaney (4).
Sagstuen, Glenn (W) (4) and Landrum
WHALLEY BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
(September 6-7) Whalley, of the Lower Mainland League, captured the $200 winner-take-all, Whalley Baseball Tournament crushing Western Bridge of the Industrial Union League 12-5 in the final at Bolivar Stadium Monday.
Harry Robinson knocked in two runs with a double and single.
In Sunday's opener Western Bridge edged Hammond 3-2 behind the hurling of Nick Craig who allowed just two hits. He also drove in the winning run.
CUMBERLAND LABOUR DAY TOURNAMENT
(September 7) Cumberland Labour Day Tournament Alberni copped top prize in the Cumberland Labour Day Tournament defeating Duncan Athletics 8-3. Duncan had reached the final by beating Victoria Skylark Cafe 15-2 and Paige Cleaners 5-0. Lyell Rodger picked up both wins for the Athletics. Tony Folk suffered the loss in the final.
KAMLOOPS LABOUR DAY TOURNAMENT
(September 6-7) Vancouver CYO had just four hits but took advantage of walks and a thrilling stolen base to down Campbell River Cougars 7-6 in the opening game of the Kamloops Labour Day Tournament. Second baseman Armand Paris stole home with two out in the final frame to plate the winning run. Vancouver had blown a 6-0 lead. The coast club scored six times in the first inning, on two singles and five bases on balls, before the Islanders rebounded with one in their half of the first, another in the second and a pair in the 6th. The Cougars knotted the count in the top of the 7th on a bases-loaded walk and Don Marshall's single. In the last of the 7th, Vancouver loaded the bases and Paris scooted home from third for the victory. Art Bull was the winning pitcher in a relief role.
Brewer, Bull (W) (7) and M. Mulhern
Marshall, Turcotte (1), Lund (L) (7) and McDonald
Kamloops Okonots took a 5-2 lead after two innings and coasted to an 11-5 triumph over the Vernon Canadians. Outfielder Jack Fowles and winning pitcher Ron Curby led an 11-hit attack each with three safeties. First baseman Buck Buchanan belted a homer. Curby allowed just five hits in going the distance.
Curby (W) and V. Bellamy
Leismeister (L), Jackson (2) and Brummet
Larson Air Base out of Washington took advantage of six errors by Revelstoke to dump the Spikes 8-1. Ken Fox had three of the winners seven hits. Ralph Mason tossed a five-hitter for the win. He fanned nine and walked none. Shortstop Mike Rodriguez had a homer for Larson.
Mason (W) and Nelson
Tasko (L) and Chisholm
South Burnaby hammered Kelowna Orioles 10-3. Ken Spees held the losers to five hits in going the distance for the pitching victory. Wendell Robinson had two hits and scored a pair for the winners. Ken Amundred of Kelowna had the only circuit blow.
K. Spees (W) and I. Spees
Kielbiski (L), Duggan (5), Mits Koga (5) and Campbell
Vancouver CYO advanced to the tournament final with an 11-5 win over Kamloops. Vancouver managed just seven hits but were handed 14 bases on balls as three Kamloops hurlers tried to halt the offensive. Armand Paris, the hero of CYO's opening win, had two hits and scored three times. Al Heaven had two hits and two runs scored. Vancouver broke a 4-4 tie with a five-run outburst in the 6th inning. Bill MacDonald had three hits for Kamloops while Buck Buchanan and Vince Bellamy each had a pair. Buchanan belted a homer, his second of the tourney.
Gatin (L), Prehara (6), Tanner (7) and Bellamy
Russell, Bull (W) (6), Brewer (7) and M. Mulhern
Larson Air Base blew a 5-0 lead but came back to score in an extra inning to shade South Burnaby Athletics 10-9 to win a berth in the finals. Shortstop Mike Rodriguez knocked in pitcher Danny Schwardt with the winning run. The Larson Sabres rode home runs by Bill Barker, Maurice Dewitt and Ken Fox, their 3-4- and 5 hitters to capture the victory. Dewitt and Rodgiruez led a 13-hit assault, each with three. Art Jaccard led the losers with four hits and Ivan Spees added three.
Sherwinsky, Schwardt (W) (5) and Nelson
Lapthorne, R.Wakabayashi (1), Booth (L) (5) and I. Spees
The only American squad in the tourney, Larson Air Base of Washington, exploded for ten runs in the fifth inning and went on to down Vancouver CYO 13-6 to take top money of $600 in the Kamloops Labour Day Tournament. Winning pitcher Ralph Mason, in relief of starter Bill Barker, was one of four airmen with two hits. Mike Rodriguez had a four-bagger, his second of the tournament.
Barker, Mason (W) and Nelson
Fraser, Russell (L) (5), Bull (5) and M. Mulhern
TRAIL LABOUR DAY TOURNAMENT
(September 6-7) Louie Corrado powered the Trail Smoke Eaters to a 9-6 win over Kimberley Hotel and top money of $1,000 Monday at the Trail Labour Day International Tournament. Playing under the lights, Corrado smashed a homer, triple, and bunt double 
driving in three runs while scoring three himself. His hard bunt skipped by first baseman Red Matthews and second sacker Les Lilley and by the time outfielder Red Mellor had scooped up the ball Corrado was standing at second. Ken Stanton added a pair of doubles to the Smokies attack and Ken Nichol smacked a triple and single. Pete Boisvert gave up just five hits in a route-going performance for the win.
Trail 9 Kimberley 6
WP-Boisvert LP-Swann
[Right - Trail manager Louis "Rube" Demore and final game hero Lui Corrado accept the trophy after winning the Trail Labour Day Tourament. Froim BC Regional Digitized History]
Smokies made the finals by downing Fruitvale 10-3 in the semi-final round. A six-run second inning, helped by four Fruitvale errors, put the game away early. 17-year-old Bob Weilep held the Beavers to six scattered hits and struck out ten.
Fruitvale 3 Trail 10
WP-Weilep LP-Jankola
Sunday afternoon, Kimberley bounced Nelson Maple Leafs out of the tournament with a 5-4 verdict. Spokane import Curt Bloomquist held Nelson to six hits to best lefty Don McKinnon who hurled a fine game for the Leafs. Frank Viro slammed a two-run homer in the first inning for the winners and Red Matthews added two hits.
Nelson 4 Kimberley 5
WP-Bloomquist LP-Don McKinnon
In opening round action, import Gordon Tench had a no-hitter until allowing two singles in the 8th as Fruitvale blanked Parson's Tile of Spokane 6-0. Roy Velling, a former Washington University hurler tossed a four-hitter for the Americans who made six errors.
Spokane 0 Fruitvale 6
WP-Tench LP-Velling
Trail pounded out 15 hits to back Bob McKinnon in a 12-6 win over Nelson Outlaws.
Trail 12 Nelson 6
WP-Bob McKinnon LP-Zaitsoff
Behind 6-5 going into the bottom of the 9th inning, Nelson Maple Leafs exploded for six runs to dump Vancouver Leckies 11-6.
Vancouver 6 Nelson 11
WP-Hufty LP-Zailo
Red Matthews pounded out a homer, double and single and Red Mellor drove in six runs with three hits as Kimberley crushed Sagle 14-3 in their opening game. Frank Viro and Curt Bloomquist both had four-baggers. Bud Swann went the first six innings for the win giving way to Eric Bodin.
KImberley 13 Sagle 4
WP-Swann LP-Turnbull
PENTICTON LABOUR DAY TOURNAMENT
(September 6-7) Before packed bleachers Monday, the Seattle All-Stars topped Vancouver Collingwood 3-1 in the final of the Penticton Labour Day Tournament. With two out in the last of the sixth, Don Ginsberg ripped a double to right and Gail Miller followed with a homer. The next batter, Don Anderson stepped to the plate and crushed one out of the park and Seattle had the ball game. Phil Johnson fired a four-hitter for the Americans besting Carl Homenuke of Vancouver who gave up seven hits.
Homenuke (L) and xxx
Johnson (W) and xxx
Seattle won a finals berth with a 13-8 victory over Penticton taking the lead with a big second inning. Five Penticton errors aided the powerful Seattle offense. Les Edwards, Doug Moore and Bill Raptis provided some excitement for the local fans with homers.
xxx and xxx
Getz (L) , Jordan, Edwards and xxx
In its first of three games Monday, Seattle ran wild with nine runs in the seventh inning to trounce Oroville 14-2. Phil Johnson was the winning hurler for the All-Stars.
Carl Rounds (L), Farmer (7) and xxx
Johnson (W), Newsham and xxx
On Sunday, Vancouver Collingwood clobbered Princeton 20-5 in the day's opening contest. It was close for six innings with Vancouver up 3-2, but the coast club erupted in the 8th inning sending 16 batters to the plate and wound up with 11 runs. Down 20-2 in the ninth, the Princeton nine keep fighting and pushed across three runs.
It was another runaway as Penticton captured its opening decision, 14-3 over Bridgeport. The Athletics scored six runs in the first inning and cruised to the win behind a 20-hit attack. Wendel Clifton went the distance for the win allowing five hits and ringing up 15 strikeouts. Bill Raptis went four-for-four with a homer and scored four times.
Bowers (L), Art Robinson (1) and xxx
Clifton (W) and xxx
OLIVER LABOUR DAY TOURNAMENT
(September 7) With a five-run 8th inning, Omak defeated Summerland Macs 6-2 to win the Oliver Labour Day Tournament. Omak had earlier eked out a 7-6 win over the host Oliver Elks scoring six times in the third inning. Hal Cousins went the route for the Elks. Macs eliminated the highly-touted Vancouver Boilermakers 3-1 in the other semi-final as Wally Day fired a six-hitter and compiled 14 strikeouts.