ALBERTA MAJOR BASEBALL LEAGUE
(May 16) Calgary Giants introduced lefty starter Tom Changnon who'll take the rubber for the season opener against Lethbridge Lakers. The team also announced the acquisition of non-import right-hander Jim Peterson a 22-year-old University of Calgary student. The 6'4" Peterson pitched with Fairbanks, Alaska in 1970 and made the trek to Wichita for the National Baseball Congress championship. In 1971, he pitched for Rapid City in the Basin League. He also pitched for Chadron State College in Nebraska.
(May 22) A three-run first inning carried the Lethbridge Lakers to a 6-1 victory over Calgary Giants in the Alberta Major Baseball League season opener before 1,356 fans. Two throwing errors contributed to the Giants' early success. Right-hander Al Ferchuk held Calgary to four hits in registering the win. He walked five, fanned eight and drove in a run with one of his two hits. Bob Brown, formerly of the Unity Cardinals, knocked in the first Laker run with a single. Giants' starter Tom Changnon allowed just two hits with six strikeouts. Jim Peterson allowed five safeties and walked a pair.
Changnon (L), J. Peterson (5) and Malloy
Ferchuk (W) and B. Maxwell
(May 24) It was a story of three-run innings as Calgary Jimmies downed Red Deer 6-3. Jimmies had two of the big frames, the Generals just one. Ron Johnston knocked in the first run for the Jimmies with a single and playing manager John Elick plated two more with a bases-loaded shot up the middle.
Ron Peterson pitched shutout ball holding Red Deer to three hits until the 7th inning. Blair Hanna blooped one behind second base for a double. After a walk, Roger Pozzo's towering drive to right fell in safely as rookie right fielder Ken Grove appeared to lose the ball in the lights. One run scored. Brian McCook singled to score another and the Generals engineered a double steal to knot the count. Johnston and Elick put Calgary back atop in the bottom of the 7th. Johnston belted a one-out homer to right and Elick followed later with a two-run shot to left. Peterson, the former Wisconsin ace, had six strikeouts and walked three. Al McKee allowed three runs in the first inning but then settled down to blank Calgary over the next five with 12 strikeouts.
A. McKee, Pasutto (L 0-1) (7) and McCook
R. Peterson (W 1-0) and Johnston
(Photo - High-stepping Al McKee of the Red Deer Generals. The Advocate, Red Deer, May 28, 1973)
Reliever Pat Murphy halted a Blocker rally in the 9th inning as Edmonton Tigers held on for an 8-7 win. Tigers took an 8-5 lead into the final frame but Mickey Hall allowed a lead-off homer to Brian Betts and three straight singles to bring the count to 8-7. Murphy then retired the two men he faced to preserve the victory. Hall, who was credited with the win, struck out ten in 4 2/3s innings of relief.
McCarthy, Winder (L) (4) and Gullett
Homme, Hall (W) (4), Murphy (9) and Franchuk
(May 26) Calgary Jimmies fell behind 3-0 after three innings but rebounded to down Edmonton Blockers 6-4 Saturday. Rookie Ken Grove blasted a tape-measure three-run homer over the left field wall in the 4th frame to pull the Jimmies into a tie. Dave Morris punched out a two-run double in the 6th and Rich Meily added a homer in the 7th. Malcolm Lynn went the distance for the win.
Lynn (W) and Williams
Purcell (L), Berry (7) and Gullett
(May 27) Calgary Jimmies scored two in the 8th and another pair in the 9th to edge Edmonton Blockers 6-5 to sweep the weekend series. Three errors and four free passes helped the Jimmies in the final two frames. Saturday's hero, Ken Grove, contributed two key hits. Gary Malmberg, Ron Johnston and John Elick added two hits apiece for the winners. Bruce Gullett had a two-run double for Edmonton. In a relief role, Ron Peterson picked up his second win of the season.
Gabel, Peterson (W) (6) and Johnston
Henderson (L), Christensen (9) and Gullett
(May 27) At Lacombe, playing manager Nick Testa punched out a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 7th inning to give Red Deer an 8-7 win over Lethbridge Lakers. The game was called after seven because of rain. The Lakers had exploded for six runs in the 5th inning helped by Wayne Commodore's grand slam homer. Roger Pozzo had a homer for Red Deer. Pozzo was the winning pitcher, in relief of starter Wayne McKee.
Ferchuk (L 1-1) and Maxwell
W. McKee, Pozzo (W 1-0) (5) and Testa
(Photo - Generals' new general an instant hero. Catcher Nick Testa delivers game-winning hit. The Advocate, Red Deer, May 28, 1973)
(May 29) Edmonton Tigers shaded Red Deer 4-3 scoring the winning run in the 5th inning on a double by Ron Watamaniuk which plated Jesse Chavez. Tigers, down 3-0, tied the count in the 4th on a double by Warren Sarchuk and Tom Pettigrew's triple. Pat Murphy and Mickey Hall combined on a six-hitter for the win. Al McKee took the loss.
A. McKee (L 0-1) and McCook
Murphy (W 1-0), Hall (7) and Granchuk
(June 2) Calgary Jimmies rallied with a run in the 8th and two in the 9th to slip by Edmonton Tigers 3-2. Tigers' Mickey Hall had allowed only one hit until the 8th when he forced in a run with a bases-loaded walk. Reliever Ernie Hee gave up the lead and the game in the 9th allowing three hits. Dave Morris tied the count with a squeeze bunt and playing manager John Elick drove in the winner. Ron Peterson pitched a four-hitter and had 10 strikeouts for the win.
R. Peterson (W) and Johnston
Hall, Hee (L) (8) and Franchuk
(June 3) Newcomer Joe McIntosh had an outstanding debut for the Calgary Jimmies throwing a four-hit shutout to lead the Jimmies past Edmonton Tigers, 5-0. McIntosh, an import from Washington State, set down 12 by strikeout. Pat Murphy took the loss.
McIntosh (W) and Johnston
Murphy (L), Ewasiuk (8) and Niven
(June 3) Red Deer Generals spoiled the debut of Mel Pettigrew as manager of the Calgary Giants. The Generals had 14 hits and took advantage of eight Calgary errors in a 15-8 romp. Irv Homs led the attack with three hits. Al McKee had held the Giants to one run until the 8th when he gave way to Homs. Al Twa drilled a grand slam homer for Calgary in the 9th.
Vejprava (L), J. Peterson (4) and Edwards
A. McKee (W), Homs (8) and Testa
(June 3) Lethbridge Lakers took a pair from Edmonton Blockers, 8-7 and 11-3. In the seven-inning opener, Lakers scored twice in the bottom of the 7th for the win. Lenn Sakata's bases-loaded single scored the tying and winning runs. Tom Foster helped the Lakers with a two-run double and single. Al Ferchuk picked up the win in a relief role. Rookie Brian Betts belted a homer for the Blockers.
Berry, Currie (L) (6) and Gullett
R. Maxwell, Ferchuk (W) (3) and B. Maxwell
Lakers put on a 13-hit offensive show in the second game to chalk up the 11-3 victory. Mike Davey fired a four-hitter for the win. The left-hander fanned 13. Wayne Commodore had a homer for the winners. Bryan Maxwell poked a triple and double. Brian Betts again led the Blockers with a double and two singles.
Christensen, Henderson (L) (2), McCarthy (7) and Waddle, Gullett (6)
Davey (W) and Whiteaker
(June 5) Lethbridge Lakers announced all four of their imports had decided to return home and manager Ron Taylor said he didn't want any more saying it would be an all-Canadian team. The four players - pitcher Mike Davey, shortstop Tom Foster, catcher Dave Whiteaker and outfielder Lenn Sakata - were from Gonzaga University in Spokane. Davey, as spokesman for the four, said they didn't think the calibre of baseball was that good, they didn't like the schedule and play was too rough around second base.
(June 6) Al McKee's two-out single knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning as Red Deer came from behind to top Edmonton Tigers 8-7 at Great Chief Park. Jesse Chavez had belted a solo homer in the top of the 9th to tie after the Generals had gone ahead with two in the 8th. Roger Pozzo and Irv Homs each had three hits to pace the Generals' 16-hit attack. Don Pasutto was the winner in relief.
Hee, Murphy (5), Hall (L 1-1) (9) and Franchuk
McKee, Pasutto (W 1-1) (6) and Testa
(June 9) Lethbridge Lakers clouted 17 hits and took advantage of six Edmonton errors in downing the Tigers 14-7. It was the 6th win in seven games for the Lakers who jumped on starter Ken Ewasiuk and reliever Ernie Hee for seven runs in the 4th inning. Catcher Bryan Maxwell keyed the outburst with a three-run double. Bob Brown had a big day with five hits and Marty Maxwell, in his debut with the club, had five runs batted in. Bryan Maxwell added two singles to go with his bases-clearing double.
Ferchuk (W) and Bryan Maxwell
Ewasiuk (L), Hee (4), Murphy (5), Franchuk (8) and Niven
(June 9) Calgary Jimmies used the long ball to overcome Edmonton Blockers 7-4. Catcher Ron Johnston clubbed a two-run homer in the 3rd inning and infielder Steve Powers knocked in a pair with a homer in the 7th. Dave Morris had three hits for the Jimmies and Ken Grove and Rich Meily each had a pair. Right-hander Don Davis scattered nine hits in going the distance for the win.
Currie, Berry (L) (6) and Gullett
Davis (W) and Johnston
(June 10) Calgary Giants erupted for ten runs in the 3rd inning and rollicked to a 21-4 triumph at Red Deer. Shortstop Dave Edson led the Giants' 16-hit attack with three safeties. First baseman Stu Heron had a pair of hits and knocked in four. Jim Peterson worked six innings for the win. Rook Barton of the Generals belted the only homer.
Peterson (W 1-0), Vejprava (7), Parks (9) and Edwards
Schoup (L 0-1), Cardwell (3), Homs (6), Testa (9) and Testa, McCook (9)
(June 10) Mickey Hall gave a pitching clinic Sunday as he hurled a four-hitter and ran up 16 strikeouts as Edmonton Tigers whipped Lethbridge Lakers 7-1. Tigers scored a pair in both the first and second innings against losing pitcher Jerry Veres. Lorne Niven, Tim Young, Dave Sowinski and Jesse Chavez led the offense, each with two hits.
Veres (L), Randy Maxwell (5) and Bryan Maxwell
Hall (W) and Franchuk
(June 10) Edmonton Blockers got four gift runs in the first two innings and went on to whip the Calgary Jimmies 9-1. All told the Jimmies made five errors. Catcher Dick Thompson socked a homer and two singles to pace the winners. Right-hander Steve Purcell was the winning pitcher with relief help from Glen Winder. Rich Meily had a homer for the Jimmies. Malcolm Lynn took the loss.
Purcell (W), Winder (7) and Thompson
Lynn (L), Gabel (7) and Johnston
(June 12) Calgary Giants rallied from a 3-0 deficit to shade the Jimmies 4-3. The contest was marred by a 6th inning bench-clearing incident. Jimmies' playing-manager John Elick sparked the outburst by decking Giants' first base coach Gord Vejprava. Elick and Giants' second baseman Dave Edson were ejected. The outburst appeared to have been precipitated by remarks made between the teams. Jimmies scored a pair in the 1st inning on a two-run double by Steve Powers and added a run in the 3rd on a double by Ron Johnston and two Giants' errors. The Giants rebounded against losing pitcher Ron Peterson in the 5th on doubles by Bob Papworth and Stu Heron. A pair of markers in the 5th won it as Edson poked a two-run double. Dave Day picked up the win with a six-hitter.
R. Peterson (L) and Johnston
Day (W) and Edwards
(June 12) Red Deer pounded three home runs in a 6-run first inning and hung on for an 11-10 win over Edmonton Tigers. Winning pitcher Roger Pozzo (left) belted a two-run homer, Ken Nelson had a three-run blast and Laverne Bonham had a solo shot.
Tigers battled back to tie in the 3rd helped by a three-run double from Jesse Chavez. An error and run-producing singles by Nick Testa (right) and Phil Boston put the Generals back in front in their half of the 3rd. Playing manager Testa smashed a two-run homer in the 5th to account for the winning run. Chavez added a homer for the Tigers.
Randy Wolstoncroft, Ewasiuk (L 0-2) (1), Hee (7) and Nevin
Pozzo (W 3-0), Pasutto (8) and Testa
(Photo - Roger Pozzo, The Advocate, Red Deer, June 13, 1973)
(June 17) Irv Homs and Blair Hanna each contributed three hits as Red Deer whipped Calgary Jimmies 8-1. Al McKee set down the Jimmies on five hits for the win.
Al McKee (W 2-1) and Testa
Davis (L 1-1), Lynn (6), Eichelberger (8) and Johnston
(June 17) Ron Stephens and Rich Meily poked 10th inning home runs to give Calgary Jimmies a 5-3 win over Red Deer and a split of their weekend series. Ron Peterson scattered eight hits for the win. Stephens and Meily each had three hits.
R. Peterson (W 4-3) and Johnston
Shoup (L 0-2), Cardwell (9), Shoup (10) and Testa
(Photo - Calgary's Rich Meily slides safely into second with an 8th inning steal. Rook Barton (left) and Ken Nelson are late to the bag.)
(June 17) Calgary Giants and Edmonton Blockers divided a twin-bill at Edmonton. Blockers scored two in the bottom of the 9th in the opener to walk away with a 6-5 victory. Giants took the seven inning second game 4-2.
Andy Skujins' single drove in Bob Turner and Gerry Haig in the extra fame to win the the first game for the Blockers. Al Twa had three hits for the Giants. Larry Nakonechny belted a homer for the losers. Steve Purcell was the winner in relief of starter Bob Currie.
Clayson (L) and Edwards
Currie, Purcell (W) (5) and Gullett
Calgary Giants took a 4-0 lead and held off a late charge by Edmonton Blockers to notch a 4-2 win. Blockers rapped lefty Dave Day for three straight hits in the 6th inning and came away with a pair of runs. In the 7th, fine defensive work by the Giants prevented further scoring. With Rick Johnston on first, Dick Thompson ripped a double off the left field wall but Johnston was thrown out at the plate. Day was the winner with help from Jim Peterson.
Day (W), J. Peterson (7) and Edwards
Bulloch (L), Purcell (6) and Thompson
(June 17) The Lakers and Edmonton Tigers split a pair at Henderson Stadium at Lethbridge. Tigers were handed four unearned runs to take the opener 5-3. Lakers rebounded with a 4-2 victory in the second game.
In the opener, the Tigers plated three in the 3rd on a triple by Dave Sowinski and a home run by Jesse Chavez. Laker errors contributed to the 3rd inning markers and a pair in the 6th. Greg Warzecka added a homer for the Tigers. Howie Heggedal had three hits for Lethbridge. Mickey Hall allowed ten hits but struggled through for the win.
Hall (W) and Franchuk
Ferchuk (L), Taylor (7) and B. Maxwell
Paul Sullivan spaced out nine hits in pitching the Lethbridge Lakers to a 4-2 win over the Tigers in the the second game. Howie Heggedal had a double and single for the Lakers to end the day with five safeties.
Hee (L), Henderson (2) and Niven, Franchuk (3)
Sullivan (W) and B. Maxwell
(June 19) In his first start for the Jimmies, Juan Eichelberger tossed a seven-hitter and clubbed a two-run double as Calgary downed Lethbridge 7-2. Ron Johnston knocked in three runs with a bases-loaded double in the first inning. Lefty Rod Taylor took the loss. He had 12 strikeouts in his seven innings worked. Jims will be without manager John Elick when the club faces the Giants Thursday. AMBL Commissioner Russ Parker has suspended Elick for a day for his attack on an opposing coach June 12th.
Taylor (L), R. Maxwell (8) and B. Maxwell
Eichelberger (W) and Johnston
(June 19) Edmonton Tigers broke loose for four runs in the 7th inning to defeat their city rivals, the Blockers, 9-5. Ron Watamaniuk ripped a two-run single off reliever George McCarthy, Dave Sowinski singled and a walk to Jesse Chavez forced in the fourth run of the inning. Pat Murphy went the distance for the win. Glen Winder took the loss. Bruce Gullett belted a homer for the Blockers.
Winder (L), McCarthy (7) and Gullett
Murphy (W) and Franchuk
(June 20) Jim Peterson fired a five-hitter to help Calgary Giants to a 3-1 victory over Red Deer Generals. Fred Cardwell was the hard-loser, allowing just six hits and one earned run. Giants scored in the first inning on an outfield error and singles by Bob Papworth and John Edwards. Cardwell's wildness cost him in the 5th frame. After giving up a single to lead-off man Tom Malloy, Cardwell walked a pair to fill the bases and Dave Edson drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly to right. Irv Homs provided most of the offense for Red Deer with three hits.
Cardwell (L 0-1), Pasutto (8) and Testa
J. Peterson (W 2-0) and Edwards
(June 21) At Lacombe, Edmonton Blockers took an early 5-1 lead and held on for a 6-5 win over the Red Deer Generals. Left-hander Bob Currie scattered nine hits to capture the win. Fred Seyer's 9th inning homer for the Blockers proved to be the winning run.
- Currie (W 1-1) and Gullett
McKee (L 2-2), Shoup (4), Pasutto (9) and Testa
(June 23) Calgary Giants gift-wrapped a victory for the Edmonton Blockers Saturday. Blockers scored three runs thanks to Giant errors and three more on bases-loaded walks by Calgary starter Jim Peterson to top the match 6-2. Glen Winder held the Giants to six hits in registering the mound triumph. Catcher Bruce Gullett knocked in a pair for the Blockers with two singles.
Winder (W 3-2) and Gullett
J. Peterson (L 2-1), Vejprava (8) and Edwards
(June 24) Calgary Giants managed just four hits but took advantage of five walks and three hit batsmen by Steve Purcell to edged Edmonton Blockers 4-3. Lefty Gord Vejprava picked up the win in a relief role. Giants got the winner in the 6th inning when Al Twa reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a infield single by Paul Gallivan. Mike Bullock belted a homer for the Blockers.
Purcell (L 2-3) and Thompson
Parks, Vejprava (W 1-1) (5) and Edwards
(June 24) Wayne Commodore had a day for the scrap-book leading the Lethbridge Lakers to a double-header sweep of Red Deer Generals, 17-6 and 17-5. Commodore clouted three home runs, a triple and single while drawing three walks and adding a sacrifice fly. He drove in a total of 12 runs.
In the opening game, Commodore stroked consecutive three-run homers to allow Al Ferchuk to coast to the pitching win in spite of giving up 15 hits. Brothers Bryan and Marty Maxwell also had homers for the Lakers.
Cardwell (L 0-2, Pasutto (4) and Testa
Ferchuk (W 4-2) and B. Maxwell
Commodore had another three-run homer in the second game. Howie Heggedal and Bryan Maxwell added two-run homers. Paul Sullivan coasted to his fourth straight win.
Pozzo (L 3-1), Shoup (5) and Homs, Bonham (6)
Sullivan (W 4-0) and B. Maxwell
(June 26) Calgary Giants' lefty Dave Day overcame shaky control to help put down the Lethbridge Lakers 7-3. Day pitched into the 9th inning giving up seven hits and eight free passes before Rod Taylor was called upon for the last two outs. Paul Gallivan, John Edwards and Larry Nakonechny each had three hits, each with a double, for the Giants.
R. Maxwell (L), Taylor (6), Veres (8) and B. Maxwell
Day (W), Biggs (9) and Edwards
(June 26) Playing manager Orville Franchuk doubled in Stu Henderson in the 10th inning to provide the winning marker as Edmonton Tigers edged the Blockers 4-3. Henderson had reached on a bunt single. It was the fourth hit of the game for Franchuk. Les Ohrn picked up the win in relief of starter Mickey Hall.
Hall, Ohrn (W) (8) and Franchuk
Currie (L) and Gullett
(June 27) For the second straight night, Calgary Giants ripped out 15 hits, this time against the Jimmies in a 16-0 blowout. Craig Clayson allowed just two hits in going the distance for the shutout. Dave Edson, John Edwards and Al Twa each had three hits to pace the attack. Twa had four runs batted in.
Clayson (W) and Edwards. McAuley
(6)
Eichelberger (L), Davis (4), Lynn (4), Powers (8) and Williams
(June 27) In Red Deer, the Generals erupted for nine runs in the first inning en route to a 17-2 thrashing of the Edmonton Blockers in a game which featured six home runs. New York City import Irv Homs was the offensive story for the Generals with five hits, two of them homers, and six runs batted in. The outburst increased his league-leading batting average to .454. Mike Shoup and Blair Hanna also poked homers for Red Deer. Edmonton's only runs came on back-to-back homers by Dick Thompson and Brian Betts in the 6th inning. Newcomer Bob Koehler, from Quebec, worked seven innings for the win.
Purcell (L 2-4), Winder (2), McCarthy (7) and Thompson
Koehler (W 1-0), Pasutto (7) and Testa
(June 28) Paul Sullivan chalked up his 5th straight win, without a loss, in pitching the Lethbridge Lakers to a 6-2 win over Calgary Giants. The right-hander allowed just seven hits, all singles. He had nine strikeouts. Giants jumped on Calgary starter Ron Biggs in the first inning. Bob Brown led off with a single and scored on Wayne Commodore's double off the wall in left field. Bryan Maxwell's single gave the Lakers a 2-0 lead. Brown drove in Marty Maxwell with a run in the second. Lakers added three in the 6th as Bryan Maxwell tripled to centre field and came around to score on a single by Ken Nakama. Marty Maxwell knocked in Nakama and scored himself on a pair of infield errors.
Biggs (L), Vejprava (7), Peterson (8) and Edwards
Sullivan (W) and B. Maxwell
(June 28) Pat Murphy hurled a two-hitter as the Edmonton Tigers blanked Red Deer 2-0. Tigers scored both their runs in the 4th inning when then bunched four of their eight hits against tough-luck loser Fred Cardwell. Generals missed an opportunity in the 7th when they loaded the bases on two walks and an error but Phil Boston bounced into a double play to end the threat.
Cardwell (L) and Testa
Murphy (W) and Franchuk
(July 2) Jim Peterson pitched a six hitter as Calgary Giants cruised to an 11-1 victory over Red Deer. It was Peterson's 3rd win of the season, all against the Generals. Giants had an easy time as they punched out 21 hits and the Generals made six errors. Calgary salted away the win with a four-run 2nd inning. Howard Ebel's two-out, two-run triple was the key blow. Doubles by Peterson and Bob Papworth added two more markers.
Koehler (L 1-1), Pasutto (5) and Testa
J. Peterson (W 3-1) and Edwards, McAuley (7)
(July 3) Rob Roy paced a 17-hit Lethbridge attack as the Lakers whipped Calgary Giants 12-7. Roy, the 1972 batting champion, had four hits and two walks and scored four times. His two-run single in the 3rd inning keyed a six-run outburst by the Lakers. It was one of few bright days for the first sacker who was hitting just .205 coming into the game. Shortstop Marty Maxwell also had four hits and added three RBI. Bryan Maxwell and Jim Berlando each had two safeties. Dave Edson, John Edwards and Hy Lewis each had a pair for the Giants. Rod Taylor struggled but picked up the win with relief help from Paul Sullivan.
Taylor (W 1-1), Sullivan (6) and B. Maxwell
Clayson (L 1-2), Day (3), Vejprava (8) and Edwards
(July 3) Red Deer Generals fell behind 4-0 in the first inning then went on to crush Edmonton Blockers 19-8. Ken Nelson, with five hits, and Irv Homs with five runs batted in, led the offensive. Roger Pozzo and playing manager Nick Testa each had three hits. Fred Cardwell had a rough first inning but settled down and didn't allow a base runner from the 2nd to the 6th inning. Bob Currie took the loss.
Cardwell (W 1-3), Pasutto (8) and Testa
Currie (L), Purcell (5), McCarthy (8) and Gullett
(July 5) Rich Meily clouted a homer, double and single to pace Calgary Jimmies to a 7-3 win over Calgary Giants. Juan Eichelberger ably handled the pitching chores holding the Giants to six hits while compiling 11 strikeouts. Ron Biggs took the loss.
Eichelberger (W) and Johnston
Riggs (L), Vejprava (7), Parks (9) and Edwards
(July 6) Al McKee's four-hit pitching helped the Red Deer Generals to a 4-1 triumph over Edmonton Tigers. The only damage against McKee was a 2nd inning homer by Greg Warzecka. It was the only hit McKee allowed until the 7th inning when Ron Watamaniuk got the first of his two hits. Blair Hanna had four hits for the Generals including a first inning homer, a double and two singles. He drove in two runs and scored a pair.
Hall (L 3-2) and Franchuk
McKee (W 3-2) and Testa
(July 7) Calgary Jimmies took an early 7-run lead then held on to down Lethbridge Lakers 11-8. Steve Powers knocked in four runs for the winners with a homer, double and single. Rich Meily and Ken Grove each added a double and single. Tim Negrello had three hits for the Lakers. Ron Peterson was credited with the win. Paul Sullivan was handed his first loss of the season.
Peterson (W), Powers (4), Eichelberger (4), Powers (5), Eichelberger (9) and Johnston
Sullivan (L), R. Maxwell (5) and D. Maxwell
(July 7) Edmonton Tigers scored two runs in the first inning, added another pair in the third and coasted to an 8-3 win over Calgary Giants. Tigers had 18 hits off Jim Peterson and Tom Parks. Pat Murphy fired a four-hitter for the win.
Murphy (W) and Franchuk
Peterson (L), Parks (4) and Edwards
(July 8) Dave Morris drove in Gary Wilson with a double in the bottom of the 9th inning to give Calgary Jimmies 7-6 victory over Lethbridge Lakers. Wilson had singled and advanced on Rick Johnston's sacrifice bunt. Wilson led the offense with three hits. Rich Meily blasted a homer. Bryan Maxwell had two doubles and a single for the Lakers. Malcolm Lynn registered the win. Paul Sullivan lost for the second consecutive day.
Davis, Lynn (W) (6) and Johnston, Williams (7), Johnston (9)
Ferchuk, Sullivan (L) (8) and Brown
(July 8) A four-run 1st inning carried the Edmonton Tigers to a 5-2 win over Calgary Giants. Calgary starter Craig Clayson put himself in a hole walking four in the opening frame. In his first starting assignment in two years, Les Ohrn scattered nine hits to gain the win.
Ohrn (W) and Franchuk
Clayson (L) and Edwards
(July 8) Red Deer took a pair from the Edmonton Blockers, 11-3 and 7-4. Lefty Bob Koehler tossed a six-hitter to win the opener. Mike Shoup drilled a three-run homer with two out in the 7th inning to provide the margin of victory in the second game. Fred Cardwell gave up four runs in the first inning then blanked the Blockers the rest of the way for the win.
Winder (L 3-3), Currie (6) and Thompson
Koehler (W 2-1) and Testa
Currie, Purcell (L 2-5) (7) and Gullett
Cardwell (W 2-3) and Testa
(July 10) Lethbridge Lakers went on the offensive with 21 hits and buried the Calgary Giants 17-10. Marty Maxwell had a big game hitting for the cycle with a homer, triple, double and two singles. Hy Lewis and Stu Heron each added three hits. Down 17-3 in the 9th inning, the Giants tried to make a game of it with a seven-run rally, but still fell well short.
Day (L), Vejprava (3), Lewis (8) and Edwards
Taylor (W), Veres (8), Sullivan (9) and B. Maxwell
(July 10) Edmonton Tigers clubbed three homers to down Red Deer 15-7. Murray Steeves had a two-run homer in the 1st inning and Stu Henderson duplicated the feat in the 5th. Julie Owchar had a three-run homer in the 6th. Mickey Hall went the distance for the win.
McKee (L 3-3), Pasutto (5) and Testa
Hall (W 4-2) and Franchuk
(July 11) Scoring all their runs in the 5th inning, Calgary Giants defeated Edmonton Tigers 5-2. Two hits and a walk loaded the bases for the Giants and losing pitcher Pat Murphy walked in the first run. Paul Gallivan doubled in two more and a throwing error resulted in the 4th and 5th markers. Murphy allowed just three hits and fanned 15, but took the loss. Ron Biggs was the winner with a seven-hitter. Orville Franchuk had a homer for Edmonton.
Biggs (W) and Edwards
Murphy (L) and Owchar
(July 12) A double by Laverne Bonham drove in winning pitcher Bob Koehler in the 7th as Red Deer Generals topped Calgary Jimmies 6-3. Irv Homs followed with a two-run homer for some insurance markers. Blair Hanna also homered for the Generals. Playing manager John Elick had a triple and two singles for the Jimmies.
Eichelberger (L), Davis (7) and Johnston
Koehler (W) and Testa
(July 12) Bob Currie rang up 13 strikeouts as Edmonton Blockers beat the Tigers 5-1. Catcher Bruce Gullett drove in two runs with a triple and single. Ron Watamaniuk led the Tigers with three hits.
Currie (W) and Gullett
Ohrn (L), Ewasiuk (8) and Franchuk
(July 14-15) Barrhead Tournament
(July 14) In the AMBL All-Star Game, the North stars scored three runs in the first inning and went on to down the South 7-1. Al Ferchuk worked five two-hit innings for the win. John Edwards belted a two-run homer for the winners.
Ferchuk, Day (6), Sullivan (8), Clayson (9) and Edwards, B. Maxwell (6)
Homme, Ewasiuk (3), Pozzo (7) and Franchuk, Gullett (3), Testa (7)
(July 16) Lethbridge Lakers scored the winning run on a balk in the 7th inning in a 4-2 victory over Calgary Jimmies. Rob Roy had doubled and advanced to third on an error when Malcolm Lynn was called for the infraction allowing Roy to break a 2-2 tie. Lakers got an insurance run in the 8th as Lynn walked four straight batters. Paul Sullivan went the route for the win. He allowed just five hits.
Lynn (L) and Johnston
Sullivan (W) and B. Maxwell
(July 17) Calgary Giants took advantage of sloppy defense by the Jimmies to notch a 10-5 victory Tuesday night. After falling behind 5-0, the Jimmies scored three in the 7th on a triple by Gary Wilson and two-run single by Steve Powers to pull to within striking distance. But, the Jims fell apart in the 8th to hand the Giants five runs and the ball game. There was an error, two walks, a hit batsman, a bases loaded-double by Larry Nakonechny and another error. Dave Day yielded nine hits in gaining the win.
Day (W) and Edwards
Ron Peterson (L), Davis (9) and Wilson, Johnston (4)
(July 17) Red Deer Generals rode home runs from Mike Shoup and Al McKee to an 8-7 win over Edmonton Tigers. Shoup had a two-run blast in the 2nd and McKee a three-run shot in the 3rd. Julie Owchar and Orv Franchuk had homers for the Tigers. Fred Cardwell was the winner with outstanding relief by Don Pasutto who fired no-hit ball over the last two innings after the Tigers had pulled to within a run.
Chahley (L 0-1), Hall (6) and Franchuk
Cardwell (W 3-3), Pasutto (8) and Testa
(July 18) A pair of two-run homers, by Dave Edson and Larry Nakonechny, in the 3rd inning carried Calgary Giants to a 7-5 victory over Lethbridge Wednesday night. The Lakers had taken a 3-0 lead in the top of the 3rd on Wayne Commodore's two-run homer. They had plated an initial run in the opening frame on Bob Brown's lead-off triple and a double by Howie Heggedal. Hy Lewis and Bob Papworth each had three hits for the Giants. Craig Clayson survived 13 hits to register the win.
Ferchuk (L) and B. Maxwell, Brown (8)
Clayson (W) and Edwards
(July 19) Rob Roy's two-run homer in the 3rd inning capped a five-run Lethbridge outburst as the Lakers downed Calgary Giants 8-4. Bryan Maxwell belted a homer in the 7th. He also had two singles. Randy Maxwell got the win, Ron Biggs took the loss. The defeat left the Giants a game and a half behind the first-place Lakers in the Southern Division.
Biggs (L 1-3), Vejprava (4) and Edwards, McAuley (5)
R. Maxwell (W 1-1), Taylor (6) and B. Maxwell
(July 19) Red Deer Generals overcame an early 2-0 deficit to down Edmonton Blockers 6-3. The Blockers must win all four of their remaining games to have a chance at a playoff spot. They scored twice in the first inning, on just one hit, off Red Deer starter Roger Pozzo, but had just four hits the rest of the game. Al McKee picked up the pitching win in a relief role.
Pozzo, McKee (W 4-3) (4), Pasutto (8) and Testa, Bonham (8)
Currie (L 2-4) and Gullett
(July 19) All six AMBL teams will field teams in a two-day, single-knockout tournament to help determine Alberta's representative in the Canadian "Super Series" slated for Edmundston, New Brunswick, August 11-12. Only those players who qualify as Canadians in the AMBL are eligible to participate. The Lethbridge Lakers, with their All-Canadian squad, are the favourites.
The winner of the tourney will then meet the survivor of the Alberta Baseball Association series.
(July 20) Jesse Chavez, the 1971 batting king in the AMBL, clouted a bases-loaded triple, three singles and drew a walk to lead Edmonton Tigers to a 9-2 pasting of the Calgary Jimmies. Lefty Pat Murphy allowed just five hits, including a homer by Jimmies' playing-manager John Elick. Murphy had 12 strikeouts and walked four.
Murphy (W) and Franchuk
Eichelberger (L) and Johnston, Williams (8)
(July 21) The Kamloops Okonots and Lethbridge Lakers are the latest confirmed entries in the Calgary Tournament scheduled for July 27-29. They'll join the Calgary Giants and Jimmies, Red Deer Generals, Eston Ramblers and Saskatoon Commodores to chase $5,400 in prize money.
The Okonots are reputed to have a strong pitching staff including lefthanders Bob Bridges from Arizona and Norm Meunier from Sacramento, California, and righty June Jermany from the University of Washington. Dick Bass, an outfielder from San Mateo, California, is a key offensive player.
(July 21) In the first round of the AMBL Tournament, Lethbridge, Calgary Giants and Red Deer scored wins to advance.
Lethbridge Lakers shaded Edmonton Tigers 2-1 in a rain-shortened contest. Paul Sullivan allowed just three hits in the six inning game. Lakers had just five hits off Les Ohrn. Marty Maxwell had a double and single to lead the Lakers' offense.
Sullivan (W) and xxx
Ohrn (L) and xxx
Calgary Giants broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the 7th inning and downed Edmonton Blockers 3-1. Jim Peterson, with relief help from Tom Parks, was the winner over Glen Winder.
Winder (L) and Gullett
Peterson (W), Parks (9) and McAuley
Red Deer Generals pounded out 16 hits in defeating Calgary Jimmies 13-9. A six-run 6th inning was key to the victory. Fred Cardwell went seven innings for the pitching win. Malcolm Lynn took the loss.
Lynn (L), Davis (5) and Williams
Cardwell (W), Pasutto (8) and McCook
(July 22) Calgary Giants blew 7-1 and 8-2 leads in dropping the semi-final contest to the Lakers, 10-8 in eleven innings. Lethbridge rallied for three runs in the 7th, another three in the 8th and two in the 11th for the victory. The Giants had a opporunity in the bottom of the 9th with a runner on and no outs but outfielder Wayne Commodore nailed Joe McAuley at the plate when he tried to score on a single to right. Marty Maxwell and Tim Negrello powered the triumph. Maxwell blasted a pair of home runs and a single while Negrello added three doubles and two singles. Stu Heron and Lyle Moffat belted homers for the Giants. Al Ferchuk picked up the pitching win.
Taylor, R. Maxwell (5), Veres (8), Sullivan (8), Ferchuck (9) and B. Maxwell
Lewis, Parks (L) (7) and McAuley
(July 22) Lethbridge Lakers trounced Red Deer 10-4 to capture the AMBL Tournament. A five-run 4th inning put the game on ice. Starter Al Ferchuck claimed the pitching win, his second of the day. Ferchuck and Rod Taylor scattered nine hits, including homers by Roger Pozzo and Al McKee. Bob Brown had a double and single for the winners.
McKee (L), Pozzo (4), Pasutto (7) and McCook
Ferchuk (W), Taylor (5) and B. Maxwell
(July 23) Calgary Jimmies self-destructed, with five errors and three costly passed balls, to hand Lethbridge an 8-7 victory at Foothills Stadium. The loss eliminated the Jimmies from playoff contention. Six of the Laker runs were unearned. Even with the disastrous defensive display, Jimmies had a chance in the bottom of the 9th, with two runs already in and the bases loaded and just one out. But, reliever Randy Maxwell fanned Dave Morris and pinch hitter Juan Eichelberger to save the day. Jimmies out-hit the Lakers, 12 to 9. Ron Stephens, Tim Negrello and Rob Roy each had two hits for the Lakers. Ken Grove was the big man for the Jimmies with a triple, double and two singles.
Veres (W), R. Maxwell (9) and B. Maxwell
Ron Peterson (L) and Williams
(July 25) Before near-record crowds of close to 10,000, the 24th Annual Lacombe Tournament kicked off Wednesday with Alberta teams winning three of four games.
The Calgary Jimmies erupted for six runs in the 7th inning and held on to down Swift Current Indians 6-4. Down 2-0, Jimmies relied on the long ball as Dave Edson crushed a three-run homer and Steve Powers followed up with a two-run shot. Edson is on loan to the Jimmies from the Giants. Brian Dickie clubbed two homers and Harvey Nybo one for the Indians. Don Rogelstad, imported from Vancouver for the tourney, captured the win, Terry Buck took the loss.
Buck (L), Girazian (7) and Nybo
Rogelstad (W), Lynn (9) and Dave Powers
A four-run 6th inning, in which Lethbridge combined four hits with three Kamloops' errors, propelled the Lakers to a 7-5 win over the Okonots. Paul Sullivan scattered nine hits to register the win. John Harr of the BC squad had the only homer. June Jermany took the loss.
Jermany (L), Bridges (6) and Smoke
Sullivan (W) and B. Maxwell
Former Montreal Expo farm hand Dave Croft pitched Kindersley Klippers to a 3-1 triumph over Red Deer. The right-hander allowed just six hits, three of them in the 9th, and whiffed 11. Croft had blanked the Generals until the final frame. Dave Robb, last year with the tourney champion San Mateo Bulldogs, accounted for most of the offense with a homer and a single and two runs batted in.
Croft (W) and Don Jackson
Cardwell (L) and Testa
Stu Henderson's two-run homer with two out in the top of the 9th inning gave Edmonton a 4-3 victory over Saskatoon Commodores in the final game of the opening day. Ron Watamaniuk was on base with a single before Henderson's thrilling blast. Tim Brady, who relieved starter Pat Murphy in the 5th got the win. Vince Rucobo was the tough-luck loser, allowing just six hits. The Commodores had 11. Lee Van Hagen had a triple and double for the Commodores while Hugh McIvor chipped in with three singles.
Murphy, Brady (W) (5) and Gullett
Rucobo (L) and Van Hagen
(July 26) In an awesome display of power, Wayne Commodore crushed four consecutive home runs and a double as Lethbridge whipped Calgary Jimmies 15-6 in semi-final action at the Lacombe Tournament. Commodore, who had seven runs batted in, tagged Juan Eichelberger for round trippers to left-centre and right field then crushed pitches from reliever Don Davis down the left field line and up the left-centre field alley for two more. Catcher Bryan Maxwell had a homer, two doubles and two singles. Rob Roy added a four-bagger. Rod Taylor was the winner in relief.
Eichelberger (L), Davis (3), Lynn (6) and D. Powers
Ferchuk, R. Taylor (4) and B. Maxwell
(July 26) Edmonton Tigers won a spot in the Lacombe final with a 6-4 win over Kindersley Klippers. Mickey Hall needed relief help from Les Ohrn to register the win. Bruce Gullett belted a home for the winners, Terry Ruggles had one for the Klippers.
Hall (W), Ohrn (7) and Gullett
Lysgard (L), Murphy (4) and Don Jackson
(July 26) Lethbridge Lakers claimed $1,200 top prize at the Lacombe Tournament doubling up on Edmonton Tigers, 8-4 in the final. Shortstop Marty Maxwell led a 14-hit attack with a double and three singles. Brother Randy Maxwell pitched into the 7th inning to capture the win. Rob Roy clubbed a two-run homer for the winners while Brian Betts belted one for the Tigers. Marty Maxwell was named tournament MVP. Wayne Commodore, a 26-year-old from Valmarie, Saskatchewan, who never played a game of minor ball and was introduced to the game by the Swift Current Indians in 1966, was retired just once in 10 trips to the plate in Thursday's action.
Ohrn (L), Brady (4), Ewasiuk (6) and Gullett, Franchuk (8)
R. Maxwell (W), Taylor (7) and B. Maxwell
(July 28) Bob Bridges pitched a four-hitter as Kamloops Okonots clipped Calgary Giants 7-1 in the opening game of the 4th Annual Calgary Major Baseball Tournament. Outfielder John Haar socked a two-run homer in the first frame as the Okonots, of the BC Metro Baseball League, jumped out to a 3-0 lead and added single runs in the 3rd and 4th innings. Kamloops added two more in the 9th. Bridges had some control problems, with five walks and a hit batsman, but struck out 11. Harr had three runs batted in with his homer and single. Dick Bass contributed a double and single while John Yanoski and Leo Gauthier each had two singles.
Bridges (W) and Smoke
Clayson (L), J. Peterson (5) and Edwards.
Eston third baseman Terry Ruggles doubled in the winning run in the top of the 10th inning as the Ramblers shaded Lethbridge Lakers 9-8. Eston took advantage of Laker miscues to build a 7-0 lead after 5 1/2 innings. Catcher Larry Muratore and outfielder Al Sasisi each belted two-run homers. The Lakers came storming back with a homer by Rob Roy in the 6th, four runs in the 7th and another three in the 8th to take the lead. Ramblers knotted the count in the 9th as Reg Andrew doubled in Ruggles. Bruce Bremer got the win over Rod Taylor.
Allan, Bremer (W) (7) and Morrice, Muratore (7)
Ferchuk, Purcell (7), Winder (8), Taylor (L) (9) and B. Maxwell
Saskatoon Commodores edged Calgary Jimmies 6-5. Pinch-hitter Zenon Markowsky doubled to drive in the winning run in the 8th inning. Jimmies blew a four-run lead as Saskatoon third sacker Al Mitchell keyed a four-run outburst in the 6th inning with a three-run homer. Commodores took the early lead with an unearned run in the first inning but the Jimmies tied on Dave Croft's homer and charged into the lead with three runs in the 4th. Dave Powers also homered for the Jimmies. Wayne Plummer, the third Commodore hurler, got the victory.
R. Peterson, Eichelberger (L) (6) and D. Powers
Bendetti, Kemp (4), Plummer (W) (8) and Von Hagen, Maxemiuk (5)
Doug Simon ripped a pair of homers and two singles to lead a 17-hit attack as Moose Jaw Devons advanced with a 10-6 triumph over Red Deer. Roy Rowley added two doubles and a single. Roger Pozzo clouted a two-run homer for the Generals and Irv Homs had two doubles. Dave Dupree, the second of three Moose Jaw hurlers picked up the win. Red Deer starter George Bryce was saddled with the loss.
Girazian, Dupree (W) (5), Murphy (8) and Gillies
Bryce (L), Pasutto (7) and Testa
Ned Andreoni's two-run homer in the 8th inning sent Moose Jaw Devons into the final of the Calgary Tournament with a 9-7 decision over Kamloops. Devons, once down 7-1 to the Okonots, chipped away at the margin and scored a pair in the 7th to tie setting the stage for Andreoni's heroics. Lefty Bud Papadakis was the winner with 2 2/3s innings of hitless relief. Doug Simon also had a four-bagger for the winners.
Murphy, Dupree (3), Rowley (3), Papadakis (W) (7) and Gillies
Jermany, Bridges (L) (6) and Smoke
Veteran Vince Roboco blanked Eston Ramblers on two hits as Saskatoon moved into the final with a 2-0 victory. Roboco fanned six and walked three. Commodores took the lead in the 3rd inning on Gary Brandon's triple and an infield hit by Randy Munch. A single by Munch and two Eston errors resulted in the 2nd run in the 6th inning. Saskatoon had just five hits off loser Tim Sipe and reliever Bruce Bremer.
Sipe (L), Bremer (7) and Morrice
Rucobo (W) and Maxemiuk
Moose Jaw Devons managed just four hits but won top money of $1,250 at the Calgary Tournament with a 3-2 win over Sasktoon Commodores in the tourney's finale. Bud Papadakis, winner in relief in the semi-final, fired a seven-hitter for the victory. Devons scored the winner in the 8th inning as Ned Andreoni reached base when hit by a pitch. He advanced on a wild pitch and infield grounder. Clark Gillies' sacrifice fly plated the deciding marker. Commodores had taken the early lead with a run in the 1st inning. Hugh McIvor, who had walked, scored on Ken Haanen's single. Papadakis drove in two runs for Moose Jaw with a single in the 4th before Saskatoon knotted the count in the 7th on a single by Don McLeod, a sacrifice and a single by Gary Brandon. Jeff Benedetti took the loss.
Moose Jaw dominated the tournament awards as Papadakis was named the tourney's top pitcher and Doug Simon, with his 6 for 13, 3 home run tournament, the top hitter. The Devons' playing manager, Ned Andreoni was selected as Most Valuable Player. He had seven hits in 12 at bats and starred at shortstop.
Benedetti (L) and Maxemiuk
Papadakis (W) and Gillies
(July 30) The Alberta Major Baseball League announced it would scrap any remaining make-up games and proceed with the playoffs this week.
Final Standings
Northern
Red Deer Generals 14 11
Edmonton Tigers 12 12 1.5
Edmonton Blockers 7 17 6.5
Southern
Lethbridge Lakers 15 8
Calgary Giants 14 11 2.0
Calgary Jimmies 11 14 5.0
(July 29) Leduc Oilers defeated Altario Mets 4-1 to advance against Lethbridge for the Alberta senior title. Oilers took the best-of-three series in two straight games, having won 12-2 on Saturday.
(July 31) Lethbridge Lakers blew a 5-0 lead then rebounded to down Calgary Giants 8-5 in the opening game of their semi-final series. Ken Nakama ripped a three-run homer in the 8th for the win. Lakers scored four in the first inning driving Calgary starter Craig Clayson, who allowed the first five batters to reach base, from the mound. They added a run in the 3rd. The Giants stormed back with three in the 4th and a pair in the 5th to tie. Lyle Moffat knocked in four of those runs with a double and single. Paul Sullivan went the distance for Lethbridge giving up ten hits, including four to Dave Edson. Rob Roy had a double and three singles for the Lakers.
Sullivan (W) and B. Maxwell
Clayson (L), J. Peterson (1) and Edwards
(July 31) Red Deer Generals and Edmonton Tigers fought to a 5-5 tie in the first game of their semi-final set. Darkness prevented completion of the contest. The sloppy affair produced nine errors, six by the Generals. Red Deer scored a pair in the 8th inning on consecutive singles by Roger Pozzo, Al McKee and Nick Testa and an outfield error to tie. Ken Nelson had an inside-the-park homer for the Generals. The game is to be competed on Wednesday. Both pitchers, Mickey Hall for the Tigers and Fred Cardwell for Red Deer went the full nine innings.
Hall and Franchuk
Cardwell and Testa
(Photo - Tigers' Julie Owchar slides safely into second as the throw arrives too late for Red Deer
shortstop Rook Barton to apply the tag. The Advocate, Red Deer, August 2, 1973)
(August 1) Red Deer Generals downed Edmonton Tigers 6-5 in the completion of Tuesday's suspended game but the Tigers took a 5-4 win in the regular contest to even the semi-final series at a game apiece. With two out in the bottom of the 10th, Laverne Bonham drove in Nick Testa with the winning marker.
Hall, Murphy (L) (10) and Franchuk
Cardwell, Shoup (W) (10) and Testa
The second game also went into extra innings. In the 10th, the Tigers Ron Watamaniuk reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to third on Tim Young's single and scored on an infield throwing error. Red Deer had tied the score at 4-4 in the 9th inning on Nick Testa's two-out single.
Shoup, Pasutto (L) (7) and Testa
Murphy, Ohrn (W) (2) and Franchuck
(August 2) Lethbridge Lakers announced that Sunday's fire at Henderson Stadium would not prevent tonight's playoff contest with Calgary. The blaze leveled the grandstand. A portable unit is to be used for the remainder of the season.
(August 2) Facing elimination from the playoff race, Calgary Giants exploded with a 17-hit attack to bury the Lethbridge Lakers 12-3 and knot their series at a game apiece. Dave Day fired a four-hitter for the win. Randy Maxwell took the loss giving up seven runs in just 3 1/3 innings.
Day (W) and Edwards
R. Maxwell (L), Taylor (4), M. Maxwell (7) and B. Maxwell
(August 2) Red Deer Generals survived a six-run 8th inning by the Edmonton Tigers to take a 13-10 decision and win their semi-final series. The Generals had their own six-run inning, the 4th. Red Deer produced a 17-hit offensive against three Edmonton pitchers. Irv Homs belted a two-run homer for the Generals. Jesse Chavez had a four-bagger for Edmonton. Roger Pozzo picked up the win for the Generals.
Ewasiuk (L), Hee (4), Hall (6) and Franchuk
Pozzo (W), Cardwell (8) and Testa
(August 3) Calgary Giants have advanced to the AMBL final against Red Deer. Giants, helped by five unearned runs in the 9th inning, downed Lethbridge Lakers 7-1. Craig Clayson scattered nine hits for the win. Larry Nakonechny accounted for four of the Giants' markers with a triple and single. Bob Papworth and Lyle Moffat each had two hits.
Clayson (W) and Edwards
Ferchuk (L) and B. Maxwell
(August 8) Calgary Giants pushed home a run in the bottom of the 8th inning to break a 2-2 tie and take the opening game of the AMBL final series from Red Deer, 3-2. Lyle Moffat reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to third on an infield grounder and a wild pitch. He scored as Al Twa's drive to third glanced off the tip of Roger Pozzo's glove. Dave Day won the pitching matchup with Fred Cardwell.
Cardwell (L) and Testa
Day (W) and Edwards
(August 9) With a five-run 5th inning, Red Deer Generals whipped Calgary Giants 9-4 to even their best-of-five final series at a game apiece. Al McKee and Phil Boston each had three hits for the winners. Roger Pozzo picked up the win with help from Don Pasutto in the 8th. Stu Heron poked a homer and single for Calgary.
Clayson (L) and Edwards
Pozzo (W), Pasutto (8) and Testa
(August 10) Rain washed out the third game of the AMBL final at Foothills Stadium. Mike Shoup of Red Deer and Ron Biggs of the Giants were hooked up in a pitching duel when the downpour wiped out the contest after two scoreless innings.
(August 11) Red Deer fell behind 5-0 in the first inning but rebounded to move to within a game of the league title with a 12-9 win over the Calgary Giants. Calgary put a five-spot on the board in the top of the first frame but Red Deer came charging back with a six-run rally in the 3rd to chase Giants' starter Jim Peterson and a five-run outburst in the 5th to hang the loss on reliever Gord Vejprava. Batting champion Irv Homs and Mike Shoup ripped homers for the Generals. Don Pasutto was the winner with 8 1/3 innings of relief hurling.
J. Peterson, Vejprava (L) and Edwards
Shoup, Pasutto (W) (1), Cardwell (9) and Testa
(August 12) Lethbridge Lakers shaded Leduc 8-7 in the opening game of the best-of-three Alberta Senior final series. Rob Roy belted a pair of doubles and Brian Betts added a double and single for the Lakers. Lindstrand had a triple and two singles for Leduc.
Ferchuk, Taylor (5) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(August 13) A three-run 7th inning carried the Lethbridge Lakers to a 5-3 win over Leduc in the deciding game of the Alberta Senior Baseball championship final series. Two of the Maxwell brothers keyed the victory. Randy went the distance with a nine-hitter for the win while shortstop Marty stroked a triple and single. Marv Swanson led the Oilers with a triple and two singles.
R. Maxwell (W) and B. Maxwell
Lindstrand (L) and Porter
In the opening game of the Sunday double-header, Leduc blew a 7-2 lead giving up five 9th inning runs before rebounding with a run in the bottom of the 9th for an 8-7 win to tie the series. Harry Hodgson was awarded the win. Dennis Lindstrand and Doug Beinert each had two doubles for the Oilers.
Winder, Veres (7), Ferchuk (L) (9) and B. Maxwell
Curtis, Hodgson (W) (7), Nelson (8) and Porter
(August 12) The Calgary Giants captured the Alberta Major Baseball title and the right to represent the league at the North American semi-pro championship at Wichita, Kansas, with 4-1 and 9-0 wins over Red Deer Generals. Giants won the final series 3 games to 2 behind the sterling pitching efforts of Dave Day and Ron Biggs. Day held the Generals to 9 hits in the first game while Biggs fired a five-hit shutout in the second.
Giants took the lead in the 2nd inning of the opener on a double by Hy Lewis. In the 3rd, they added to the count on Dave Edson's two-run triple off the top of the right field wall. Al Twa drove in an insurance run in the 8th with a single. Generals notched their only run in the 3rd as Ken Nelson doubled and came around to score on a ground ball and wild pitch. Day walked just one and fanned nine.
Cardwell (L) and Testa
Day (W) and Edwards
A bases-loaded double by Tom Parks keyed a five-run 5th inning for Calgary as the Giants trounced Red Deer 9-0 in the deciding game of their best-of-five final series. It was one of four two-baggers for the Giants in the inning. Ron Biggs allowed just five hits and three walks in blanking the Generals, who had scored 9 and 12 runs in their two wins in the series. Six of the Giants runs were unearned thanks to five Red Deer errors. It was the second AMBL title for the Giants in three years.
Pozzo (L), Shoup (5) and Testa
Biggs (W) and Edwards
(August 12) Lethbridge Lakers captured the Alberta Senior Baseball title downing Leduc Oilers 5-3 Sunday in the third and deciding game of their final series. Leduc had forced the series to the limit with an 8-7 win earlier in the day. Lakers took the opener Saturday, 8-5. With the victory the Lakers won the right to represent the province at the Canadian senior baseball championship at Edmundston, New Brunswick.
Randy Maxwell went the distance for the win in the final over Dennis Lindstrand. Three errors proved costly for the losers. Marty Maxwell and Brian Betts led the offense. Maxwell had a triple and single while Betts added a double and single. Marv Swanson poked a triple and two singles for the Oilers. Lindstrand helped with a triple and single.
R.Maxwell (W) and B.Maxwell
Lindstrand (L) and Porter
Oilers hung in for the 8-7 win in the second game of the series. Lakers had rallied from a 7-2 deficit to tie in the 9th inning. They actually plated six runs in the frame, but one run was disallowed when it was ruled that Tim Negrello had missed third base. Negrello was fined $25 after a rhubarb at the end of the game. Harry Hodgson registered the win while Al Ferchuck, the last of three Lethbridge pitchers took the loss. Dennis Lindstrand and Doug Beinert each had two doubles for the Oilers. Negrello had three singles for the Lakers. Marv Swanson scored the winner in the bottom of the 9th for Leduc following a two-base error.
Glen Winder, Brian Veres (7), Ferchuck (L) (9), and B.Maxwell
Rick Curtis, Hodgson (W), Glen Nelson and Porter
(August 14) Calgary Giants left today for Wichita, Kansas and a date with The Bahamas at the National Baseball Congress tournament. The 32-team competition is already underway. The Giants announced four additions to the team for the event including AMBL batting king Irv Homs from the Red Deer Generals and outfielder Jesse Chavez from the Edmonton Tigers. Two newcomers from the Seattle area will also join the team in Wichita, left-hander Floyd Bannister and outfielder Ken Phelps. Bannister, a third-round draft pick by Oakland in the major league draft, had a sensational season as a high school senior in Seattle. He was 15-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He did not allow an earned run over 112 innings pitched. Phelps, from Washington State University, was drafted as a high school player in the 8th round by Atlanta in 1972.
(August 15) Irv Homs of Red Deer Generals was the only unanimous selection to the 1973 Alberta Major Baseball League all-star team. League managers made the choices. Lefty Pat Murphy of Edmonton Tigers fell a vote short of the maximum.
Catcher - John Edwards, Calgary Giants; First base - Murray Steeves, Tigers and Rob Roy, Lethbridge (tied); Second base - Dave Morris, Calgary Jimmies; Third base - Bob Brown, Lethbridge; Shortstop - Dave Edson,
Giants; Outfield - Homs, Red Deer, Jesse Chavez, Tigers and Wayne Commodore, Lethbridge; Left handed pitcher - Murphy, Tigers; Right handed pitcher - Paul Sullivan, Lethbridge; Manager - Nick Testa, Red Deer.
(August 16) In a stunning turn of events, Russ Parker of Calgary, announced his resignation as commissioner of the Alberta Major Baseball League. Parker said the "purely selfish motives" of all league members have become "impossible to cope with." The AMBL has been operating since 1967 and Parker has been commissioner for the past three years. Parker chastized the Calgary Giants for not having prepared a financial plan for the trip to Wichita and for whining about the lack of AMBL financial support. He also criticized the club for having bolstered their lineup with players from Washington rather than from the AMBL teams.
(August 17) Calgary Giants rode a pair of homers and the four-hit pitching of Craig Clayson to an opening round 8-2 victory over The Bahamas at the National Baseball Congress championship at Wichita, Kansas. Giants took the lead in the first inning on a towering homer by Jesse Chavez. Larry Nakonechny knocked in two with a double in the 2nd and Bob Papworth made it 5-0 with two-run homer in the 5th. The Islanders made the scoreboard in the 7th with two runs on a pair of hits and two Giants' errors. Calgary came back with three in the 7th. Team owner Gordon MacKinnon announced the team would not be using two Washington players, Floyd Bannister and Ken Phelps, after all. Instead, the club has added AMBL stars Mickey Hall of the Edmonton Tigers and Rich Meily of the Calgary Jimmies.
Clayson (W) and xxx
John Williams (L), xxx and xxx
(August 17) Outfielder Irv Homs of the Red Deer Generals has been named the AMBL's most valuable player. The league's batting champion and the only player to receive unanimous support for the all-star team, was selected by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. Dave Edson of Calgary Giants was the runner-up. The George Wesley Memorial Trophy as the most valuable Canadian-born player went to Marty Maxwell of the Lethbridge Lakers. Tied for the runner-up spot were Al McKee of Red Deer and Bob Brown of Lethbridge.
(August 18) The Boulder, Colorado, Collegians trounced Calgary Giants 10-0, in second round play at the National Baseball Congress championship at Wichita. Ed Holman, from Louisiana Tech, blanked the Giants on three hits. He had seven strikeouts and walked just one. Even more embarrassing for Calgary was the halt of the game by the "mercy rule", stopping the contest after a ten run margin. Clay Westlake led the 15-hit offensive driving in four runs with two doubles and a single. Mickey Hall took the loss.
Holman (W) and xxx
Hall (L), Biggs (2) and xxx
(August 19) St. Louis downed Calgary Giants 8-6 to eliminate the Giants from further play at the National Baseball Congress championship. Calgary, which fell behind 6-0 rallied to tie at 6-6 but St. Louis scored a pair in the 8th inning on a bunt and three singles to claim the victory. Rich Meily led the Giants with a home run and a double while veteran Hy Lewis added a pair of doubles.
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(August 23) Superb pitching silenced the bats of the Lethbridge Lakers as the Alberta representatives lost twice in opening action at the Canadian senior baseball championship at Edmundston, New Brunswick. 11 teams from the 10 provinces are vying for the national title.
Manitoba's Dave Rottman (left) allowed just three hits as Manitoba downed the Lakers 4-0. 10 Laker hitters went down via the strikeout route. Three Lethbridge hurlers gave up a total of seven hits.
Rottman (W) and Seafoot
Taylor (L), R. Maxwell (4), Ferchuck (9) and B. Maxwell
In the second game the Lakers faced even better pitching as Val McClure of the host, Edmundston, club fired a one-hitter with 16 strikeouts as the eastern club edged the Lakers 1-0, scoring its lone run in the 9th. Les Ohrn gave up eight hits and fanned 11 in taking the loss.
McClure (W) and Dupuis
Ohrn(L) and Maxwell
In other games Thursday, Ontario downed PEI 4-2, Nova Scotia also defeated the islanders 4-2, Fredericton shutout Quebec 1-0, BC blanked Saskatchewan 2-0 and Quebec bested Newfoundland 4-2.
(August 24) Lethbridge Lakers scored a pair of wins to remain in the hunt for the Canadian senior baseball title. Lakers downed Prince Edward Island 5-0 and squeaked by previously unbeaten Nova Scotia 2-1.
Rob Roy ripped a homer and double to lead the way in the first game. Al Ferchuk tossed a three-hitter for the shutout. John Sullivan took the loss.
Ferchuk (W) and B. Maxwell
John Sullivan (L) and xxx
In the second game, Al McKee also hurled a three-hitter as the Lakers topped Nova Scotia. Tim Negrello drove in Ken Nelson with the winning run in the 9th inning. Bryan Maxwell had earlier homered for the Lakers. Ed Clements was the loser. He gave up just five hits with 12 strikeouts.
McKee (W) and B. Maxwell
Clements (L) and xxx
Nova Scotia trounced Edmundston 10-1, Fredericton dumped Newfoundland 6-1, Ontario shaded Manitoba 5-4 and BC shutout Newfoundland 1-0.
In other games, Nova Scotia topped Ontario 5-0, Saskatchewan trounced Newfoundland 13-2, New Brunswick over BC 7-3, Saskatchewan 7 New Brunswick 2, Manitoba over Nova Scotia 9-6, Manitoba downed Edmundston 4-1 and BC whipped Quebec 20-3.
(August 25) Randy Maxwell continued the trend for the Lakers, with a three-hit pitching performance as Lakers beat Ontario 2-1. Curt MacDonald took the loss allowing just four hits.
R. Maxwell (W) and D. Maxwell
Curt MacDonald (L) and xxx
The Lakers missed the semi-finals as the final playoff positions were decided by runs for and against.
(August 25) British Columbia won the Canadian title for the second straight year downing Manitoba 10-7 in the final. The BC squad opened with a six-run first inning, added two in the second and another pair in the seventh to wrap up the series. George Bryce went the distance, allowing ten hits, for the win.
Bob Thompson's two-run homer narrowed the margin in the bottom of the first and Manitoba made in close in the 4th on Bob Wilson's grand slam homer but the west coast club held on for the win. Catcher Cliff Seafoot had a two-run double and a single.
Bryce (W) and Kissock
Hodgson (L), Neville (1), Ramsey (2), Rottman (7) and C. Seafoot.
The two teams met in the final after picking up wins earlier Sunday in semi-final games. BC edged Nova Scotia 4-3 and Manitoba got by Saskatchewan 4-2. Dave Rottman, who won Manitoba's opening game, gave up seven hits in going the distance for the win.
Hayler (L) and Logan
Rottman (W) and Seafoot
OTHER 1973 ALBERTA LEAGUES/TEAMS/ROSTERS
SUNBURST BASEBALL LEAGUE
Camrose Cubs
Edmonton Blue Willow Juniors
Edmonton Burns’ Shamrocks
Edmonton Canative Sons
Edmonton Weiller-Williams Colts
Fort Saskatchewan
Leduc Oilers
WHEAT BELT BASEBALL LEAGUE
NORTH DIVISION
Fairview Outlaws
Manning Mohawks
Peace River Stampeders
SOUTH DIVISION
Beaverlodge Royals
Dawson Creek Cardinals
Grande Prairie Eskimos
Sexsmith Rainiers
* Fairview and Sexsmith Divisional champions
The last place team in the 1973 Southern Division of the Wheatbelt League has the circuit's top hitter - catcher Dwayne Menard of the Dawson Creek Cardinals. He collected 18 hits in 35 trips to top the league with a .514 average. Jerry Walker of Beaverlodge was the runner-up with a .486 mark.
The top pitchers were Rick McLaughlin of Sexsmith Rainiers and Al Rycroft of Beaverlodge Royals each with 4-1 records.
In the Northern Division, Clint Fystro of Peace River topped the hitters with a .455 average in the team's eight games.. Al Hebert of Peace River led in all pitching categories with 3, wins, 4 complete games, 36 innings and 35 strikeouts.
ALBERTA SENIOR BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
ALBERTA BASEBALL ASSOCIATION SENIOR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS
NORTH ZONE FINAL TOURNAMENT
(July 21-23) The Leduc Oilers clobbered St. Albert Willowbrook 10 to 1 Monday to win the north zone A.B.A. senior baseball title. Leduc bested St. Albert, Cold Lake and Viking in the four-team double-knockout tournament which began Saturday. Leduc won the tourney’s “A” side while St. Albert backed into the “B” side title of the event after the Viking Shamrocks had to forfeit with a number of their players due back at work.
Doug Kadatz slammed a three-run double off losing pitcher Larry Murray during a four-run, third-inning explosion to break open a tight 2 – 0 game. Winning pitcher Rick Curtis twirled a four-hitter. Leduc now advanced to play the central-zone Altario Mets in a best-of-three A.B.A. final series.
PROVINCIAL FINALS
(July 28-29) The northern-zone champion Leduc Oilers of the Sunburst Baseball League captured the 1973 Alberta Baseball Association’s senior baseball championship Sunday by defeating the Altario Mets, representing the central-zone, 4-1 to win the second game in the best-of-three series. The Oilers downed the Mets 12 – 2 on Saturday in the opening game of the best-of-three A.B.A. finals and now move on to face the Lethbridge Lakers, winners of the Alberta Major Baseball League’s all-Canadian tournament, to determine an overall Alberta champion and the Wildrose province’s entry in the Canadian senior baseball championships to be held August 23-26 in Edmundston NB.
ALBERTA SENIOR BASEBALL QUALIFYING SERIES FOR CANADIAN FINALS
(August 11) The Lethbridge Lakers shaded the Leduc Oilers 8 - 7 in the opening game of the best-of-three Alberta Senior final series. Rob Roy belted a pair of doubles and Brian Betts added a double and single for the Lakers. Dennis Lindstrand had a triple and two singles for Leduc.
Ferchuk, Taylor (5) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(August 12) A three-run 7th inning carried the Lethbridge Lakers to a 5 - 3 win over Leduc in the deciding game of the Alberta Senior Baseball championship final series. Two of the three Maxwell brothers keyed the victory. Randy went the distance with a nine-hitter for the win while shortstop Marty stroked a triple and single. Marv Swanson led the Oilers with a triple and two singles.
R. Maxwell (W) and B. Maxwell
Lindstrand (L) and Porter
In the opening game of the Sunday double-header, Leduc blew a 7-2 lead giving up five runs in the top-of-the ninth inning before rebounding with a run in the bottom of the frame for an 8 - 7 win to tie the series. Harry Hodgson was awarded the win. Dennis Lindstrand and Doug Beinert each had two doubles for the Oilers.
Winder, Veres (7), Ferchuk (L) (9) and B. Maxwell
Curtis, Hodgson (W) (7), Nelson (8) and Porter