Two photographs of Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, believed to be taken around 1958. Pictures are courtesy of Chad Evans.
Team president Amy Sache looks on as Les Bennewith, league president (right) congratulations Agassiz Loggers coach Wes Johnson and presents the Trevor Preece trophy on winning the upper valley Senior "B" baseball championship.
Loggers defeated teams from Chilliwack, Hope, and Yarrow to take the title.
Above left - Pitcher Bob Seaman of the Trail Smoke Eaters preparing for an exhibition game in 1958 against one of the top farm clubs of the Los Angeles Dodgers (the first year for the Dodgers out of Brooklyn). The Spokane Indians, of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, traveled up to Trail in July for a contest against the local amateur squad but rain halted the game in the first inning (after Canadian Glen Gorbous had slammed a three-run homer for Spokane). Shortstop Maury Wills, later to set stolen base records in the majors, was among those to suit up for Spokane.
Above right - lefty hurler Tony DeRosa of the Vernon Clippers (who also suited up for Terrrace in tournament play). The 20-year-old from Trail, BC, tossed a no-hit, no-run game on July 6th for the Vernon Clippers of the 1958 OMBL against the Oliver OBC’s.
At the Quesnel Labour Day Tournament, Hank Tostenson the playing-manager of the Kelowna Orioles accepts the Quesnel Jeweller's Trophy from Harvey Copeland, representing the tournament organizers, after downing Willow River Red Sox 3-0 in the final of the eight team event. Ace hurler Les Schaeffer fired a two-hitter for the shutout.
Orioles won top prize of $1,000, their third straight triumph at the Quesnel Labour Day Tournament.
Tony DeRosa of the Terrace Loggers was named the top hitter in the Quesnel Labour Day tournament and was presented with a trophy to mark the selection.
The lefty hurler and outfielder compiled a .700 average in his three games.
DeRosa was outstanding in the first game of the tournament firing a three-hitter with eleven strikeouts as Terrace romped in an 11-1 victory over the Quesnel Firemen. He also led the offfense with three hits.
Prince Rupert second baseman Bill Smith appears to still be awaiting the pitch but the ball is already in the mitt of Willow River catcher Willie McDermid at the $1,000 tournament at Prince George.
Above left - Willow River centre fielder Jim Brown has some batting tips for bat boy Mickey Simms of Armstrong, in town with his parents and brother Tommy on a holiday and taking in the Prince George Tournament.
Above right - Dave Wall of the Vandehoof All-Stars looking good early, but the game ended 15-13.
Above left - Prince George catcher Larry Allan makes it safely to third standing up and would later score as the All-Stars nipped Vanderhoof Quakers 15-13 in the second game of a double-header. They took the slug-fest after winning the opener 6-3.
Above right - Vernon Clippers righthanded chucker Jim Staff after hurling shutout baseball through both games of a doubleheader (including a 7-inning opening game) as Vernon blanked the Princeton Royals 5 – 0 and 2 – 0. The double shutout occurred on Staff’s 19th birthday (July 13, 1958). Staff is flanked by teammates Alex Kashuba and Jim Tooley.
Left - Preparing for the big Labour Day Tournament at Quesnel, veteran chucker George Dye of the Lumbermen has some pitching tips for youngster Larry Travers.
Below left - Quesnel Firemen, also entered in the tournament, see Oscar Festerling and Gene Plamondon setting their sights high.
Below right - Right-hander Charlie Drummond, former Negro League player and pro hurler who reached as high as Triple-A. was a fan favourite playing for Kamloops Okonots at the Kamloops Labour Day Tournament. The following season Drummond teamed up with the legendary Leroy Satchel Paige on the Weller Construction team from Kansas team at the National Baseball Congress Tournament at Wichita. They finished fourth.
Below left - For the 1958 season of the Okanagan Mainline League, the Penticton Red Sox reunited a trio which struck fear into the hears of opposing hurlers the previous season. Left to right - catcher Sam Drossos, playing manager Bill Raptis and shortstop Lloyd Burgart.
Below right - Ray Washburn, destined for a solid Major League career, was a star for the Bellingham Bells at the Kamloops Labour Day Tournament. Washburn won two games including the championship final.
Below left - Kelowna's hard-hitting quartet. The Orioles, the defending champions, rapped seven home runs in a double-header with Bob Campbell (kneeling) leading the way with three circuit clouts. Standing (left to right), Frank Fritz, Bob Radies and centre fielder Bill Martino, who had a pair of four baggers.
Below right - young Summerland native Ray Scott has been an important addition to the Kelowna Orioles.
Below - three stars of the Vancouver CYO, finalists at the Kamloops Labour Day Tournament - left to right - Trevor Swangard, Bobo Sikorski and Hunter Candlish.
Below left - Injured hurler, Kamloops Okonots ace Len Gatin turns over the ball to Gordie Beecroft. Right - Vancouver native Kim Elliott who turned up in the rotation of the Bellingham, Washington, Bells at the Centennial Tournament at Kamloops.
