1955 Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
1955 BC Interior
1955 Vancouver Island
City (Vancouver) League (7 inning games)
(May 1) In an exhibition match at Maillardville, Collingwood held off a late rally by Maillardville to notch a 10-9 win.
Elliott, Bonner (4) and Sparrow
White, Lesage (2) and Baldwin
(May 6) Right-hander Art Bull (right) fired a four-hitter and helped the offense with three hits and two runs batted in as the White Spots kicked off the new season with a 9-1 thumping of the New Westminster Lucky Royals. Catcher Neil Kelly also had three hits, one a triple.
Bull (W) and Kelly
Gillespie (L), Moses (6), Cousins (7) and Bannerman
(May 6) Tied 5-5 in regulation play, Marpole North Stars broke loose with ten unearned runs in the 8th inning and chalked up a 10-5 victory over Collingwood Legion. The North Stars had four hits, five walks and five errors in their huge outburst against four Collingwood pitchers. Winning pitcher Jack Mills was the leading hitter for the winners with three safeties which resulted in four runs. Collingwood's Gary Pennington had a busy day. He pitched in a high school game, then played outfield for the Collies, collecting three hits, and then hurled the final inning.
Mills (W) and Yanchuk
Parsons (L), Elliott (7), Shamro (7), Pennington (7) and Sparrow.
(May 9) Marpole North Stars scored all their runs in a wild 2nd inning in crushing the Lucky Royals 9-1. The Stars bunched seven of their nine hits in the big frame. Winning pitcher John Carpenter led the offense with three hits, one a bases-clearing double.
Cousins (L), Chizeweski (2) and Bannerman
Carpenter (W) and Weston
(May 9) The White Spots blew a 6-1 lead and needed a run in extra innings to shade Collingwood 7-6. Dave Devlin had two hits, one a triple, and knocked in two runs for the Spots. Reliever Bill Whyte was credited with the win. In spite of the loss, Collies voiced their pleasure with the solid pitching debut of utility player Tom Smith. Called into action when scheduled starter Kerry Parsons hurt his arm in the pre-game warmup, Smith went the distance allowing nine hits and four earned runs.
Smith (L) and Sparrow
E. Keeley, Cairns, Whyte and Kelly
(May 16) Collingwood Legion shaded Marpole 3-2 in City Senior Baseball League action Monday night. Carl Homenuke (left) pitched into the 7th inning for the win. Kerry Parsons finished up. The pair held the North Stars to three hits. Ed Ledlin (right) and Bob Johnson each had two hits for the winners.
Homenuke (W), Parsons (7) and Eriksson
Smith (L), Mills (3) and Weston
(May 16) White Spots scored three in the first, added four in the second and coasted to a 10-5 victory over the Lucky Royals in City Senior League play. The Spots clubbed five triples, three by Dave Devlin. Cece Stein added three singles.
Williams (L), Chizewski (3), Moses (5) and Bannerman
Johnson (W), Keeley (5) and Kelly
(May 20) Collingwood fought back from an early 5-0 deficit to shade the White Spots 8-7 in City Senior League action Friday at Capilano Stadium. Frank Vaselenak paced the attack with three hits and three runs batted in. Gary Pennington also had three RBI. Kerry Parsons picked up the win in a relief role.
Bull, Whyte (L) (7) and Kelly
Wild, Parsons (W) (3) and
(May 20) The Lucky Royals blew a 6-3 lead before rallying with a run in the bottom of the 7th and final inning to edge Marpole North Stars 8-7. Down 7-4, the Stars rallied with three in the top of the 7th. Joe Yanchuck clouted a two-run double and scored on a triple by Jack Mills to tie. The Royals rebounded as Mike Trotzuk singled, advanced on a sacrifice and scored the winner on an error.
Carpenter, Noble (L) (5) and Yanchuck
Moses, Gillespie (W) (7) and
Bannerman
(May 23) White Spots downed Marpole North Stars 4-1 as Earl Keeley went the distance allowing just six hits.
Matthews (L), Mills (5) and Yanchuck
E. Keeley (W) and Kelly
(May 23) Mike Trotzuk singled in the tying run in the first extra inning then knocked in the winner in the 10th as the Lucky Royals shaded Collingwood 6-5. Trotzuk had four hits in the game. Collies were leading 4-1 going into the 7th and supposedly final inning when they fell apart defensively, making five errors, as the Royals scored three times to knot the count. In the 8th, the first extra frame, Collingwood went ahead 5-4 as Frank Vaselenak singled, stole second and went to third on Paul Massey's pinch-hit single. Ed Sparrow's safety plated the run. Royals came through in their half of the inning as pinch-hitter Ron Homen walked advanced to third on Butch Dow's single and scored on Trotzuk's single. In the bottom of the 10th, Don McIntyre opened with a single and advanced on a sacrifice and came home on Trotzuk's fourth hit.
Elliott, Parsons (L) (6) and Sparrow
Gillespie, Chizewski (W) (8) and
Bannerman
(June 5) The White Sports scored their seventh win in eight outings Saturday, downing Marpole North Stars 5-1 at Queen's Park Arena. Doug Cairns fired a four-hitter for the win. A pair of singles by Neil Kelly and doubles by Leon Brandolini (right), Jack Hatch and coach Les Brown provided Cairns with ample support. It was Marpole's 6th straight loss.
Noble (L) and Bellamy
Cairns (W) and Nelly
(June 5) New Westminster Lucky Royals shaded Collingwood Athletics 4-3. Down 3-0 after two innings Royals tied it in the 3rd after Collingwood starter Ed Wild walked three consecutive batters. Ron Homen and Russ Hodgson followed with singles. Wild's wildness set up the winner in the 6th when he walked Ron Schultz, who advanced to second on a balk and scored on Dave Milne's single.
Wild (L) and Sparrow
Gillespie, Cousins (W) (3) and Bannerman
(June 8) At New Westminster, the Lucky Royals shaded the Marpole North Stars 12-11 in a 25-hit slugfest. Trailing 11-5, the Royals erupted with seven runs in the 7th inning to capture the victory. The big inning feature five walks, four hits and two sacrifice flies. Butch Dow's (left) fly ball scored Ron Homen with the deciding run. Ed Lorenz belted a two-run homer for the Stars.
Moses, Callihan (W) (6), Chizeweski (7) and Bannerman
Noble (L), Day (7) and Sibson
(June 10) White Spots scored five late runs to down Collingwood 6-2. It was the Spots eighth win in nine games. Tied 1-1, White Spots plated a pair in the 6th and another three in the 7th for the win. Earl Keeley held the Athletics to just five hits. Lyall Levy had three of the Spots ten hits.
Kelley (W) and Kelly
Elliott (L), Parsons (7) and Sparrow
(June 10) The Lucky Royals took advantage of Marpole defensive lapses to notch a 2-1 triumph Friday. Down 1-0, Julian Chizewski reached on an error and advanced on a wild pitch. Don McIntyre's single plated the tying marker, McIntyre went to second base on a wild pick off throw and made it all the way home as the throw to try and nab him a third was well off the mark. The loss was the 9th straight for Marpole. Don Cousins held the North Stars to six hits and compiled 10 strikeouts. Wally Day was the tough-luck loser, allowing just four hits.
Day (L) and Bellamy
Cousins (W) and Smythe
(June 13) Gary Pennington (left) of Collingwood was named the City League's "Hustler" for the month of May. The outfielder is to be presented with a gold watch.
(June 20) Ivan Eriksson drove in four runs with three singles as Collingwood stopped the league-leading White Spots 6-2 Monday at Capilano Stadium. Kerry Parsons twirled a four-hitter for the win. The right-hander fanned 11 and walked just one.
Parsons (W) and Sparrow
Keeley, Whyte (4), Cairns(7) and Kelly
(June 20) Lucky Royals topped the Marpole North Stars 3-1 as Larry Popein (right) provided the offense with a triple and single, two runs batted in and a stolen base. Bill Gillespie tossed a five-hitter to register the win.
Gillespie (W) and Smythe
Mills (L) and Bellamy
(June 24) Ron Curby fired a four-hitter to lead Marpole to a 6-2 decision over White Spots. He also helped the offense with two hits, one a double.
Cairns (L), Bull (2) and Kelly
Curby (W) and Yanchuk
(June 24) Lucky Royals defeated the Collies 7-3 as catcher Arnie Bannerman had the big blow, a bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning.
Moses (W) and Bannerman
Shamro (L), Wild (3), Smith (5) and Sparrow
(August 9) Lucky Royals scored the game`s only run on an error by 15-year-old shortstop Jack Wheelhouse (left) in the 6th inning to nab a 1-0 win over Collingwood. Bill Gillespie, with a three-hitter, bested Kerry Parsons in a pitching duel. Parsons allowed just four safeties. Wheelhouse was an emergency replacement as the Collies found themselves with just eight players at game time. Collingwood manager Alex MacGillivray noticed the Babe Ruth star and hustled the youngster into the dressing room to put own the manager`s own uniform. Wheelhouse handled six chances with ease, a couple which appeared to be heading for hits. At the plate, he got two of the club`s three hits.
Gillespie (W) and Bannerman
Parsons (L) and Sparrow
(August 12) White Spots scored two runs in the 8th and final inning to edge Collingwood 4-3. Doug Cairns and Bill Whyte combined on a six-hitter for the winners. Lefty Walt Shamro gave up just six hits but walked eight in taking the loss.
Cairns, Whyte (W) (6) and Kelly
Shamro (L) and Sparrow
(August 12) The North Stars and Lucky Royals fought to an 8-8 extra inning tie to conclude the regular season.
Mills, Matthews (7) and Bellamy
Cousins, Williams (3), Chizeweski (5), Gillespie (7) and Bannerman
(August 20) A big five-run 3rd inning carried the North Stars to a 7-4 victory over White spots to advance to the league final series against the winner of the series between the Lucky Royals and Collingwood. Down 2-0, North Stars combined an error, single, two walks and Roy Hammond`s bases-clearing triple to score five and take the lead for good.
Whyte (L) and Kelly
Drummond (W), Curby (6) and Bellamy
(August 20) Collingwood also benefited from a five-run 3rd inning on the way to a 6-2 win over Lucky Royals. Clare Bonner tossed a four-hitter and survived seven walks for the victory.
Cousins (L), Williams (3), Moses (6) and Bannerman
Bonner (W) and Sparrow
(August 23) Lucky Royals scored four runs in the first inning and made them stand up for a 6-3 win over Collingwood in the deciding game of their semi-final series. Bill Gillespie scattered nine hits in going the route for the pitching win. Frank Vaselanak had a double and triple in a losing cause for the Collies.
Parsons (L) and Sparrow
Gillespie (W) and Bannerman
(August 27) Lucky Royals captured the City Senior League title Saturday with a 6-4 victory over the North Stars at Capilano Stadium. Mike Trotzuk's eighth inning single drove in the game winning run. Bill Gillespie twirled a five-hitter while striking out 12, including fanning the side in the 9th.
Gillespie (W) and Bannerman
Matthews, Drummond (L)(5) and Bellamy
Vancouver Industrial League (7 inning games)
(May 9) Nick Craig, the top hurler in the Industrial Baseball League last season, got away to a flying start Monday night firing a five-hitter as the Longshoremen topped the Firemen 4-1 in the opening game of the 1955 season.
McLennan (L) and Johnson
Craig (W) and Miller
(May 13) In Industrial League play Friday night at Powell grounds, Fireman whipped Western Bridge 11-5 getting circuit blows from winning pitcher Ian McLennan, Ken White and Harry Robinson.
Brooks, McLennan (1) and Robinson
Thrower, Venturato (1), Gingrich (4) and Taylor
(May 14) Nisei punched out 12 hits Saturday and walloped CYO 14-3. Ron Montgomery tossed a six-hitter for the win.
Bren (W), Edwards (1), Russell (1), Butterworth (5) and O'Donnell
Montgomery and Oikawa
(May 15) Boilermakers tripped up CYO 9-4 riding home runs by Oredye and Bill Protopappas.
Hammond (W), Baserin (6) and Caswell
Sherban (L) and O'Donnell
(May 15) Western Bridge and Longshoremen played to a 1-1 tie. Nick Craig pitched a four-hitter for the Longshoremen while Bob Gingrich allowed just eight to the Westerns.
Gingrich and Taylor
Craig and Miller
(May 16) Blanked for four innings, Nisei scored five runs in the 5th and final inning to down the Boilermakers 5-4 Monday night.
Putnam, Singbush (5), Hammond (5) and Caswell
Franks, Homma (5) and Oikawa
(May 17) CYO and the Firemen battled to an 8-8 draw in Industrial League action at the Powell Street Grounds Tuesday. Pete Proctor, veteran softball pitcher, went four for four for the baseball Firemen including a two-run homer. Cal Murphy had given CYO the lead with a grand slam homer in the 3rd.
Charkow, Russell (3), Charkow (4) and Sikorski
Connell and Robinson
(May 19) Western Bridge whipped CYO 10-5 Thursday at Powell Grounds. Gary Zailo held CYO to seven hits to register the win. Bill O'Donnell belted a homer for the Westerns in the 6th.
Zailo (W) and Taylor
Buhm (L), Butterworth (2), Russell (7), Edwards (7) and Sikorski
(May 20) Ian McLellan provided the pitching with an outstanding two-hit shutout and Pete Proctor and Harry Robinson powered the offense, each driving in five runs as the Firefighters clobbered the Boilermakers 16-0 Friday night. Robinson belted a grand slam homer and a double and Procter had a bases-loaded double and two-run single.
Basiren (L) , Singbush (4), White (5) and Caswell
McLellan (W) and Robinson
(May 21) Longshoremen topped CYO 4-3 Saturday behind Nick Craig's three-hitter.
Butterworth (L) and Sikorski
Craig (W) and Miller
(May 22) Firemen trounced Nisei 10-1 Sunday with a 12-hit attack against two Nisei hurlers. Brooks and Connell combined on a three-hitter for the winners.
Brookes, Connell (4) and Robinson
Homma, Paialunga (4) and Oikawa
(May 23) Boilermakers scored three in the sixth inning to salvage a 4-4 tie with Western Bridge.
Putnam and Melville
Gingrich and Taylor
(May 25) Boilermakers dumped CYO 10-5 Wednesday in the Industrial League. Boilermakers scored nine of their runs in the first three innings. Bill Protopappas belted a two-run homer and Ken Landerman had a two-run triple.
Fitch, Sherban (4) and Sikorski
Cliff, Hammond (4) and Melville
(May 26) George Bogdanovitch's grand slam homer in the 5th inning provided the Westerns with an 8-7 win over Nisei Thursday night at Powell Grounds. The big blow followed Ron Curby's run-scoring single. Seichi Tahara (right) hit a two-run homer for Nisei.
Franks, Montgomery (5) and Oikawa
Zailo (W) and Taylor
(May 30) Matt Yanchuk's three-run homer in the bottom of the 7th and final inning gave Western Bridge a 5-2 win over Longshoremen and first place in the Industrial Baseball League. Yanchuk's blast followed a walk to Bill Taylor and Ernie Gurniak's single. Crouch had earlier homered for the Bridge.
Drew, Digby (7) and Miller
Gingrich and Taylor
(June 7) Western Bridge fell behind 5-0 in the first inning then roared back with a six-run 3rd frame and notched a 10-8 win over Boilermakers in the Industrial League. Winning pitcher Gary Zailo and outfielder Matt Yanchuk slugged homers for Bridge. Bill Caswell led the losers with a homer and double.
Gingrich, Venturato (1), Zailo (3), Gurniak (6) and Taylor
Putnam, Cliff (3), Hammond (6) and Caswell, Maxwell (6)
(June 8) Fireman scored four runs in the final inning to overcome a two-run deficit and down Longshoremen 6-5 Wednesday. The Firefighters combined four consecutive singles with a walk for their markers. Longshoremen replied with a run in their half of the frame, but Ian McLennan, who pitched a four-hitter, escaped the jam. Vic Freiheit belted a homer for the losers.
McLennan (W) and Johnston, Maxwell (6)
Craig, Digby (5), Boucher (7) and Miller
(June 10) Behind 4-0 after just a half inning of play, Nisei rebounded with five runs in their half of the first and another four in the second en route to an 11-6 win over Western Bridge. Ken Paialunga fanned 12 in a complete game victory. Gary Zailo of Western Bridge had the only home run. Seichi Tahara had a pair of doubles for Nisei.
Thrower, Gingrich (1), Venturato (2), Curby (5) and Taylor
Paialunga (W) and Oikawa, Okana (6)
(June 11) Nick Craig Jr. pitched and batted the Longshoremen to a 7-2 win over the Boilermakers. On the mound, Craig allowed just three hits while fanning a dozen. At the plate, he had a two-run homer and a single.
Craig (W) and Webber
Putnam (L), Cliff (1), Basiren (5) and Caswell
(June 12) Nisei exploded for six runs in the 2nd inning and whipped the Longshoremen 10-5. Ron Montgomery went the distance for the win.
Boucher (L), Drew (2) and Miller
Montgomery (W) and Oikawa
(June 12) Western Bridge beat the Firefighters 9-4. Ian McLennan's grand slam homer was the only highlight for the Firemen. Gary Zailo survived the homer and allowed just six other hits for the mound triumph.
McLennan (L), Proctor (4) and Kenning, Maxwell (3)
Zailo (W) and Taylor
(June 14) Gary Zailo played just four innings but knocked in five runs with a three-run homer and a single to lead Western Bridge to a 7-0 win over Longshoremen in Industrial League action at Powell Grounds Tuesday. Zailo left the game in the fourth with a sore hand. Doug Adams also had a four-bagger for the winners. Bob Gingrich had a two-hit shutout for the victory. He fanned five and walked six.
Gingrich (W) and Taylor
Craig (L), Drew (6) and Miller
(June 15) Nisei took over second place in the Industrial League Wednesday downing Boilermakers 7-4 in an extra inning. Bob Miyagashima's two-run triple and a following sacrifice fly scored three runs for the win. Ken Paialunga and Ron Montgomery combined to hold the Boilermakers to seven hits. Doug Cutler had a two-run triple in the first inning for the losers.
Paialunga, Montgomery (8) and Okana
Putnam, Cliff (5), Basiren (8) and Melville
(June 16) Merv Maxwell and Bobo Sikorski provided the power to drive last place CYO to a 10-4 triumph over Firefighters in Industrial League action Thursday night. Maxwell clouted a pair of inside-the-park homers, good for three runs batted in, while Sikorski crushed a grand slam homer and knocked in six runs on the night.
Butterworth (W) and Sikorski
Brooks (L), McLennan (3) and Johnson
(June 20) Nick Craig Jr. fanned the first eight men to face him and finished with 13 strikeouts and a four-hitter as Longshoremen topped CYO 6-4 in Industrial League play Monday night. The big blow against Craig was a three-run homer by CYO catcher Bob Sikorski in the final frame. Brewer took the loss.
Brewer (L) and Sikorski
Craig (W) and Miller
(June 24) Boilermakers scored in just two innings but whipped CYO 12-2 at Powell Grounds Friday. The Boilers had two big, six-run, innings, the first and fourth. Catcher Jim Caswell and pitcher Grant Hammond did most of the first inning damage. Caswell had a two-run homer and Hammond and two-run triple. Hammond pitched a five-hitter and fanned 11 for the win.
Russell (L), Butterworth (1), Johnson (4), Mitchell (6) and Sikorski
Hammond (W) and Caswell
(June 25) Nisei and Westerns fought to a 9-9 draw Saturday night. The game was called after six innings because of darkness.
(June 26) Ron Montgomery (left) tossed a no-hitter Sunday as Nisei crushed CYO 13-0. It was the first no-hit effort in three years in the Industrial League. Ernie Thrower of the Boilermakers had the last one in 1952. The right-hander struck out 10 and walked three over seven innings. George Oikawa and Tad Kitagawa paced the offense each with two-run doubles.
(June 26) Longshoremen moved into sole possession of third place with a 7-6 win over Boilermakers. Vic Freiheit led the attack with a two-run homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the second.
(July 3) More than a 1,000 fans jammed the Coalman baseball diamond Sunday to watch the Alberta Niseis top the Vancouver Niseis 9-4 in a thrill-packed contest called after eight innings because of inclement weather. The scheduled three-game series was whittled down to the single game because of rainy conditions. The game was moved from Henderson Park in Lethbridge to the Coalman park. The Alberta nine broke up a 2-2 tie with a seven-run explosion in the seventh inning. Catcher Hans Pung cracked a two-run double to ignite the rally. Pung, winning pitcher Willie Yahiro, Yosh Kunimoto each had two hits for the winners. Seichi Tahara poked a pair for Vancouver.
Wakabayashi (L), Paialunga (7) and Okana
Furukawa, Yahiro (W) and Pung
(July 6) Sparked by batterymates Ron Montgomery and Azu Oikawa, Vancouver Nisei extended their unbeaten streak to nine games (eight wins and a tie) with a 6-2 win over the Firemen Wednesday. Al Patrick allowed just three hits in a losing cause by handed out eight free passes. Oikawa, the league's top hitter, connected for a double and single. The club added seven steals to its league-leading total of 49 in 15 games. Oikawa had two, including a steal of home. Montgomery yielded five hits and racked up 13 strikeouts in winning his fifth of the season.
Montgomery (W) and Oikawa
Patrick (L) and Maxwell
(August 6) Western Bridge and Boilermakers fought to a 6-6 tie Saturday. at the Powell Grounds.
Zailo and Kozak
Parks and Caswell
(August 7) Hubbo Matsuzaki was the hero as Nisei swept a weekend series over CYO winning 7-4 Sunday afternoon and posting a 6-4 decision in the night contest. Matsuzaki drove in the winning runs in the opener with a two-run single in the 8th and made Nisei the victors with a grand slam homer in the final frame in the nightcap.
Paialunga (W) and Oikawa
Butterworth (L) and Addison
Montgomery (W) and Oikawa
Cliff, Russell (8) and Craig
(August 8) Ian McLennan shook off a third inning beaning to hurl the Firefighters to a 7-2 win over CYO in Industrial League play Monday. McLennan pitched a six-hitter for his 12th win of the season. He was hit on the head by a Jim Russell pitch in the third frame. After a ten-minute rest period, he resumed pitching.
Russell (L) and Addison
McLennan (W) and Johnson
(August 9) Nisei captured their third straight win Tuesday night downing Longshoremen 10-6 at Powell Grounds. George Oikawa and Frank Kika each had two-run singles to pace the winner`s attack. Merv Franks survived ten hits to go the distance for the win.
Harrison, Craig (2) and Miller
Franks (W) and Oikawa
(August 10) Nisei moved to within two-and-a-half games of first place Western Bridge Thursday when Boilermakers forfeited their scheduled game.
(August 12) Nisei downed Boilermakers 4-2 Friday to climb to within just a game and one half of first place in the Industrial League. Hubbo Matsuzaki`s eighth consecutive hit, a single, drove in Frank Kika with the winning run in the 5th inning.
Hammond (L), Basiren (6) and Protopappas
Montgomery (W) and Oikawa
(August 20) Western Bridge, down 2-0 in their semi-final set, got into the win column with a 7-4 victory over Longshoremen Saturday night. A six-run, 3rd inning proved to be the difference. Bill Taylor had a homer for the winners, Vic Freiheit and Ron Hemmerling clouting four-baggers for the Longshoremen.
Harrison, Drew (3) and Miller, Webb (6)
Zailo, Gurniak (4) and Taylor
(August 21) Nisei downed Firemen 8-5 to take a 2-0 game lead in their best-of-five semi-final. It was a makeup game for Friday's rain out. A three-run rally in the 8th and final inning gave the Nisei the victory. Ron Montgomery scattered eight hits for the win. Seichi Tahara's homer led the offense.
Montgomery (W) and Oikawa
Connell, McLennan (L) (4) and Robertson.
Sunday night the clubs fought to an 11-11 draw in a game which featured 25 hits, 14 by the Nisei who had a homer from Dan Okano and doubles by Seichi Tahara, George Oikawa and Frank Kika. Ken White and Pete Proctor belted homers for the Firefighters while White and Harry Robinson added two-baggers.
Wirochowsky, McLennan (5) and Robinson
Paialunga, Homma (4) and Oikawa
(August 23) Nisei whipped Firefighters 12-3 Tuesday to take the semi-final series 3 games to 0 with one tied. Down 2-1 after two innings, Frank Kika's three-run homer in the 3rd powered the Nisei to the victory. Ken Homma also had a home run for the winners. Jack Connell replied for the Firefighters Ron Montgomery went the distance for the win.
Montgomery (W) and Oikawa
Connell (L), Wirochowsky (5) and Robinson
(August 24) A four-run rally in the bottom of the 7th and final inning bought Western Bridge a 7-7 tie and another life in its semi-final series with Longshoremen. Ray Hilworth and Frank Kozak drew walks to lead off the 7th and Pete Eades doubled for one run. Both Eades and Kozak then scored on Doug Adam's single and with two down, Nick Craig walked George Bogdanovitch to force in the tying run. Catcher Bill Taylor had a homer and double for Western Bridge.
Harrison, Craig (7) and Miller
Gurniak, Thrower (4) and Taylor.
(August 25) Western Bridge downed Longshoremen 7-3 Thursday night to take the best-of-five semi-final series 3 games to 2. Bridge opened with a four-run first inning and that was enough for the win. Doug Adams and Ray Hilworth each had a double and single and each drove in a pair. Bob Gingrich wen the distance for the win.
Gingrich (W) and Taylor
Drew (L), Craig (1), Hemmerling (5) and Miller, Webb (5)
(August 27) Nisei trounced Western Bridge 10-1 to take a 2-0 game lead in their final series. Seichi Tahara fired a two-hitter for the pitching win while George Oikawa and Frank Kika bashed home runs.
Gurniak (L) Gingrich (3), Thrower (4), Venturato (6) and Taylor
Tahara (W) and Oikawa
(August 28) With a run in the 7th and final frame, Nisei has taken a stranglehold on the Industrial League playoff final with a 7-6 win on Sunday. Nisei now lead the best-of-seven series 3-0. Nisei, who won with just five hits, survived homers by Matt Yanchuk and Chick Venturato. Western Bridge had taken advantage of seven Nisei errors.
Homma, Paialunga (5), Tahara (W)(6) and Oikawa
Zailo and Taylor
(August 30) Western Bridge topped Nisei 8-5 Tuesday.
(August 31) Western Bridge whipped Nisei 13-2 Wednesday to stave off elimination in the Industrial League final series. The winners pounded out 16 hits of Ron Montgomery and Ken Paialunga while Gary Zailo and Ernie Gurniak combined to hold the Niseis to just four. Gurniak led the offense with two doubles and a single driving in three runs.
Montgomery (L), Paialunga (4) and Oikawa
Zailo, Gurniak (W) (2) and Taylor
(September 2) It was quite the night at Powell Grounds as Nisei whipped Western Bridge 11-2 in the deciding game of the best-of-seven series for the Industrial League title.
Nisei had a man sent to hospital, another beaned, had a half-hour delay and hit three home runs, all in five innings. The game was held up in the third inning as Mush Uyesugi, the Nisei shortstop and manager, was struck on the left temple by a line drive foul off the bat of teammate George Oikawa while sitting on the bench awaiting a turn at bat. Play was suspended for thirty minutes while Uyesugi received attention at the diamond. He was taken to hospital and later released when the injury was deemed not serious. The teams then decided to play just five innings instead of the usual seven. On resumption of play, Oikawa, still at bat, was beaned, but continued to play. The next batter, Tom Nishi, replacing Uyesugi, belted a homer to erase a 2-1 Bridge lead. The next batter, Seichi Tahara also had a four-bagger. Frank Kika, who had a double in the 4th, clouted a three-run homer in the 5th. Ron Montgomery, who had a no-hitter earlier in the season, allowed just one hit in pitching the victory. Three Nisei errors accounted for the runs against him.
Montgomery (W) and Oikawa
Gingrich (L), Zailo (3), Gurniak (4) and Taylor
[Photo above - Nisei captain Seichi Tahara (left) and pitcher Ron Montgomery are all smiles after the Nisei's 11-2 victory over Western Bridge to capture the Industrial League championship. Montgomery fired a one-hitter Friday as Nisei won the deciding game in the best-of-seven series, 4-3. Vancouver Sun, September 3, 1955]
Northwest Semi-Pro League :
(May 1) In exhibition action Sunday at Central park, Blaine Air Force edged South Burnaby 3-2 scoring the tying and winning runs in the 9th inning. Hoover scattered seven hits for the win.
Hoover (W) and Benstone
Wakabayashi, Lapthorne (3), Ruck (7) and Beckett
(May 8) Bellingham All-Stars of the Northwest Semi-Pro loop split a pair of exhibition games Sunday. Stars were crushed 16-5 by the Burnaby Athletics in an afternoon game at Central Park. In a slugfest in the evening, the Americans topped the Whalley Chiefs 13-11. Jackson of Bellingham and Ken Spees of Whalley belted homers.
Campbell, Arnin (4), Martin and Gates
MacKay (W) and Beckett
Loeffler, Martin (2) and Zender
Drummond, K. Spees (4) and I. Spees
(May 15) One of local baseball's better known brother combos, Ken and Ivan Spees, led the way as Whalley Chiefs dumped Deming 13-3 in Northwest Semi-Pro action at Bolivar Stadium Sunday. Ken pitched a four-hitter and shared batting honours with Ivan. Both belted two-baggers. Whalley, which took advantage of eight Deming errors, opened with a seven run first inning.
Red Zender, Jackson (1), Loeffler (3), and Dick Zender
Ken Spees and Ivan Spees
In an afternoon game, Deming walloped Burnaby Athletics 10-6 at Central Park. Ken Jackson led a 12-hit attack with two doubles that drove in four runs. Les Whittles also doubled while Bill Kinder was best for Burnaby with three singles.
Conover and Zender
Wakabayashi, Lapthorne (4), Ruck and Beckett
(May 22) In the Northwest Semi-Pro circuit Blaine Boosters ran up a pair of victories Sunday downing South Burnaby Athletics 5-2 in the afternoon and Whalley Chiefs 3-2 in the twilight match at Bolivar Stadium.
Bob McEwan's two-run homer in the 8th inning was the margin in the opener while Bill Reames hurled a six-hitter and clouted a game-winning double in the second game.
Noyes (W) and Farra
MacKay (L) and Beckett, Mitchell (8)
Reames (W) and Farra
Drummond (L) and I. Spees
(May 31) The South Burnaby Athletics beat Bellingham Bells 7-3 in a Northwest Semi-Pro game at Central Park Tuesday night. Ken MItchell paced the attack with a pair of hits. Rod MacKay (left) held the visitors to five hits in posting the win. Bruce Randall accounted for all the Bellingham scoring with a two-run homer in the 6th inning.
McLennan (L), Birk (7) and Gates
MacKay (W) and Mitchell
(June 12) In the Northwest Semi-Professional Baseball League Sunday, Blaine took a pair, downing Burnaby A's 7-3 and Whalley 19-5. In the opener, the visitors erased a 2-1 Burnaby lead with a six-run outburst in the 7th inning. Blaine combined two doubles, five walks and two errors in their six run frame. Bill Reams survived ten hits to post the win. Ken Swalwell of Burnaby had the big blast, a homer in the 4th to give the locals a 2-1 lead.
Reams (W) and Brady
Lapthorne, Ruck (7) and Kuhiwis
A 13-run 3rd inning powered Blaine to their 19-5 triumph over Whalley in the second game. Following the game, Whalley team sponsors and management held a closed meeting. There were rumours the club might fold.
Reimer, Silverthorne (5), Bishop (8) and Brady, Padovan (8)
K. Spees, Drummond (3), Smith (3) and I. Spees
(June 13) The Northwest Semi-Professional Baseball League is down to four teams following the withdrawal of the Whalley Chiefs. Manager Ken Van Hatten said, "We just weren't strong enough." "To continue", said Van Hatten "meant importing players and we were in no position to do that." Whalley had won just one of their six games.
(June 21) Roy Wakabayashi is set to take the hill for Burnaby Athletics tonight when they take on the Bellingham Bells in a Northwest Semi-Pro League game at Central Park.
(July 5) Burnaby A's again failed to climb out of the cellar Tuesday dropping a 4-3 decision to the Bellingham Bells at Central Park. Bruce Randall's single drove in the tying and winning runs in the 8th inning to give pitcher Neil Aronsen his 5th win of the season.
Aronsen and Gates
MacKay (L) and Spees
Bellingham Bells 8 - 3
Deming Loggers 7 - 4 1.0
Blaine Boosters 4 - 5 3.0
Burnaby Athletics 2 - 9
6.0
(July 17) Dick Zender and Les Whittles each pounded a pair of homers Sunday to pace Deming Loggers to an 11-5 victory of South Burnaby. The sluggers combined to knock in seven runs, four by Whittles.
(July 24) Blaine Boosters topped South Burnaby 4-1 Sunday on the three-hit pitching of Warren Noyes. Jack Brady provided the only offense Blaine would need with a two-run homer.
Noyes (W) and Brady
Wakabayashi (L), Ruck (1) and Spees
DEWDNEY LEAGUE
(May 1) Larry Walker fashioned a five-hitter with 13 strikeouts Sunday to lead Haney Timbermen to a 7-2 victory over Chilliwack Monarchs. One of the runs against Walker came on Archie McLennan's homer in the seventh. Harry Fisk, the Haney catcher, slammed a two-run circuit shot in the 8th.
Walker (W) and Fisk
Collins (L), Goody and Usher
(May 5) A porous defense hurt Chilliwack Thursday as eight Monarchs' errors helped Mission City Aces notch a 7-2 win over the Monarchs who out-hit the visitors eight to three. Forsyth pitched a complete game win for the Aces. Bugsy Usher, of the Monarchs, led the hitters with a three-for four game. Gordon Coverley added a pair.
Forsyth (W) and Gibb
Thompson (L), Goodey (5), Collins (6) and Usher
(May 8) Before an overflow crowd of 800, Chilliwack Monarchs captured their home opener Sunday trouncing Mission 10-4 behind the three-hit pitching of rookie Pat Collins who helped the offense with a two-run single in the fourth and knocked in a run in the Monarch's eight-run rally in the sixth inning. Archie McLellan, Harp Owen and Cece Salmon each had two hits for the winners. The opening ceremonies featured a band, majorettes, princesses and a Cherry Carnival queen.
Masse, Matheson and Davies
Collins (W) and Usher
In an evening exhibition tilt, Charlie Scott pitched the Monarchs to a 5-2 victory over Mission in a seven-inning game.
(May 15) Port Moody took both games of Sunday's double-header at Chilliwack downing the Monarchs 10 to 7 and 3-2. Jerry Payne led the visitors in the opener crushing a pair of home runs. Jack Lasure added a third circuit clout for Port Moody belting a two-run shot in the seventh inning for the winning run. Harp Owen starred for the Monarchs with a bases-loaded triple in the first inning and a run-scoring three-bagger in the second. Monarchs out-hit the visitors 14 to 9.
xxx and xxx
Scott, Thompson (5) and Usher
Chilliwack again out-hit Port Moody, this time 8 to 4, but dropped a 3-2 decision in the second game. In the ninth inning the Monarchs had a run in and two on with only one out but couldn't bring in the tying marker. Stan Dagneau went the route on the mound for the winners. Pat Collins took the loss yielding just four hits.
S.Dagneau (W) and J.Cameron
Collins (L) and Usher
(May 22) Sunday's exhibition game turned out to be a surprise to both teams, Chilliwack Monarchs and Kerrisdale Merchants. Monarchs looked forward to a baseball game, while Kerrisdale came prepared to play softball. The Monarchs ended up loaning a pitcher and catcher to the visitors but the Monarchs still ran away with a 13-0 victory. A scheduled second game was cancelled. Monarchs' secretary Vic Harms said the Kerrisdale manager was anxious for a game between the two clubs but nobody clicked to the difference until the team arrived.
(June 9) Chilliwack Monarchs failed to capitalize on two late opportunities in dropping a 5-4 decision to the Aces at Mission. Trailing 5-1 in the fifth, Bud Goodey closed the gap with a solo homer. They added two runs in the sixth but left the bases loaded. In the eighth again they loaded the sacks but came away empty handed.
Thompson (L) and xxx
Forsyth, Matheson, Ivovitch, Tanner and xxx
(June 10) Capitalizing on eight Chilliwack errors and 15 walks, Haney Timbermen whipped the Monarchs 11-4 Friday. Chilliwack blew an early 3-1 lead as starter Charlie Scott walked four straight to begin the fifth inning and Haney took a 5=3 lead. Wishlove was the winning pitcher allowing eight hits.
Wishlove (W) and Fisk
Scott, Collins (5), Price (6) and Usher
(June 12) After a 9-8, 11-inning, defeat in the opener of a twin-bill, Chilliwack bounced back for a 19 to 9 victory in the second contest over Port Coquitlam.
Coquitlam took the lead in the first inning of the opening game as Ron Gilbertson walked in three runs before being pulled in favour of Marv Thompson. After trailing most of the way Monarchs tied the match 8-8 in the seventh inning. In the 11th, shortstop Don Currie came through with his second hit of the game to drive in Frank Nick, who had walked, with the winning run. Doug Madden, with just one previous hit on the season, clouted a three-run homer for the winners in the fifth. Fred Sabatine went all the way for the pitching win.
Sabatine (W) and Madden
Gilbertson, Thompson (L) (1) and xxx
Harp Owen slammed a double and four singles to pace the Monarchs to their 19-9 win in the second game. Alex Fast added a home run, Doug Kerley had three hits, one a double, and Bugsy Usher had two singles and a pair of free passes.
xxx and xxx
xxx and Usher