ALBERTA MAJOR BASEBALL LEAGUE
The A.M.B.L. diminished in size from seven entries within two divisions in 1974 to one four-team loop in 1975. Edmonton and Calgary dropped from two to one club each while Lethbridge, affiliated with the Montreal Expos, opted for professional baseball with a team in the Pioneer Baseball League, a short-season circuit, that in 1975 had 20-year old future Hall-of-Famer Andre Dawson on its roster.
Barrhead Cardinals
Calgary Jimmies
Edmonton Tigers
Red Deer Generals
(May 31) Barrhead clouted five home runs but Red Deer ending up winning the game, 14-12, thanks to an eight-run outburst in the 6th inning. Pete Duncan had two hits in the inning, a triple and double, and added another two-bagger in the 8th. Gary Pierson also had three hits for Red Deer and Blair Hanna contributed a two-run homer. Mike Mukanik crushed two round trippers for Barrhead with Terry Hendley, Gary Picone and Randy Rasmussen adding single homers.
Cardwell (1-0), Pasutto (8) and Ledbetter
Hendley (0-1), Hamagami (6) and Branton
(May 31) Edmonton Tigers laid one on Calgary Saturday, trouncing the Jimmies 13-2 with a 13-hit attack. The only bright spot for the Jimmies was Rob Roy with a pair of doubles and a single. Wayne Kirby registered the pitching win.
Brown, Kirby (W 1-0) (4), Freeth (7) and xxx
Peterson (L 0-1), xxx and xxx
(June 1) Barrhead's Terry Hendley, who reached on an error in the 9th and stole home to tie the score, threw the ball away on a potential double-play ball in the bottom of the 9th to allow Red Deer to plate the winning run in a 5-4 decision. The Generals' Bob Bridges had a brilliant pitching outing for the first seven innings, allowing just one hit and compiling 11 strikeouts as Red Deer took a 4-0 lead. But Bridges tired in the 8th as Barrhead scored a pair. Wayne McKee took over in the 9th and allowed two for the tie, but picked up the win as the Generals rallied in the bottom of the frame.
Lychak, Henry (L 0-1) (9) and Branton
Bridges, W. McKee (W 1-0) (9) and Ledbetter
(June 1) Edmonton Tigers downed the Jimmies 6-1 to sweep the weekend set in Calgary. Wayne Kirby, with Triple-A experience in the Mets' farm system, went five innings to post the win for the Tigers. Teenager Ernie Camacho went the distance in taking the loss for Calgary. He allowed nine hits and fanned 14. Only one of the runs against him was earned.
Kirby (W 2-0), Brown (6) and xxx
Camacho (L 0-1) and xxx
(June 3) Ron Peterson held Red Deer to seven hits in pitching Calgary Jimmies to a 4-2 victory in Alberta Major League play Tuesday. Jimmies pounced on three Generals' hurlers for 13 hits, four by Ron Johnston. Dave Morris added three. Peterson set down 12 by strikeouts and did not issue a base on balls
Peterson (W 1-1) and Price
Cardwell, Pasutto (L 0-1) (4), McKee (7) and Ledbetter
(Photo right - Al McKee's determination wasn't enough as Red Deer lost to Calgary. The Advocate, Red Deer, June 4, 1975)
(June 5) John "Boom Boom" Self bashed a grand slam homer in the 8th inning to give the Calgary Jimmies a 12-8 victory over Red Deer. Rob Roy added a two-run homer in the 6th. Newcomer Richard Givens picked up the win working in relief. Ernie Camacho started for the Generals and worked into the 7th compiling 12 strike outs.
Comstock, McKee (L 1-1) and Ledbetter
Camacho, Ohrn (7), Ouellette (8), Givens (W 1-0) (8) and Price
The Barrhead Cardinals rode the six-hit pitching of Terry Hendley to down the Edmonton Tigers 9-2
Brady (L 0-1), Freeth (7), Thompson (8) and Franchuk
Hendley (W 1-0) and Kane
(June 7) Fred Cardwell scattered eight hits and fanned 10 in hurling Red Deer to a 5-3 win over Camrose in the first game of a best-of-three Canadian Senior playoff. A bunt single by Cardwell, a sacrifice and Wayne Commodore`s double plated the first Generals`run in the third inning. A four-run rally in the 6th put the game on ice. The Generals padded their lineup with four members of the Edmonton Tigers -- Orv Franchuk, Dave Sowinski, Lorne Niven and Commodore -- to replace Americans who are not eligible for the Canadian senior playoffs. All four later returned to Edmonton to help the Tigers down the Gens in a night game.
D. Lindstrand (L), Wilson (6) and Andreassen
Cardwell (W) and Franchuk
(June 7) Hours after beating Camrose in the Alberta senior playoffs at Red Deer, the Generals traveled to Edmonton to take on the Tigers. Wayne Commodore, who helped the Generals to the win over Camrose, belted a homer and triple and scored a pair to lead the Tigers to a 3-1 win over Red Deer. Ray Brown was solid on the hill for Edmonton, holding the visitors to nine hits and fanning 13. Al McKee had a double and triple for Red Deer.
Bridges (L 0-1) and Ledbetter
Brown (W 1-0) and Brusegard
(June 8) Wayne Commodore belted a homer in the first inning to launch a 13-hit Red Deer attack as the Generals cruised to a 13-4 triumph Sunday to sweep their series over Camrose Cubs. Gord Graves had a three-run homer and triple for the winners. Wayne McKee went the distance, allowing ten hits, for the win. Richard Faushaug took the loss.
(Photo - Wayne McKee mows down the Cubs. The Advocate, Red Deer, June 9, 1975)
W. McKee (W) and McCook
Faushaug (L), Kadatz (4) and Andreassen
(June 10) Red Deer Generals fell behind 7-4 then roared back with 8 runs in the last four innings to dump the Jimmies 12-8 at Calgary. Sore armed Pete Duncan returned to mound duties after acupuncture treatment and blanked the Jimmies over four innings to get the win. Duncan and catcher Gary Ledbetter led a 14-hit attack each with three safeties.
A. McKee, Duncan (W 1-0) (5) and Ledbetter
Town, Givens (1), Swan (L 0-1) (6) and Johnston, Price (7)
In Edmonton, Ray Brown hit a two-run homer in the 7th inning to give the Tigers a 3-1 victory over Barrhead Cardinals. Losing pitcher Terry Hendley had given the Cards a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a solo homer. Erol Akchurin, picked up from Lac La Biche just hours before the game, led Edmonton with three hits. Wayne Kirby won his third straight with a four-hitter.
Hendley (L 1-3) and McDonald
Kirby (W 3-0) and Niven
(June 11) A five-run 7th inning carried Red Deer Generals to an 8-5 win over Edmonton Tigers Wednesday at Great Chief Park. Held to one-hit over the first six innings by Ray Brown, the Generals used five hits, two of them homers, to put five runs on the scoreboard. Gary Ledbetter and Blair Hanna each had a two-run blast. Red Deer added more in the 8th on an Al McKee homer and back-to-back doubles by Ledbetter and Gord Graves. Generals used three hurlers with Fred Cardwell allowing just an unearned run through four innings. Wayne McKee allowed three hits, including a Wayne Commodore homer, in his three innings. Don Pasutto was nicked for five hits and three runs. Brown had a four-bagger for the Tigers in the 9th.
(Photo - Edmonton's first baseman Rafael Jackson is about to tag Red Deer's Al McKee. The Advocate, Red Deer, June 12, 1975)
Brown (L 1-1), Brady (7) and Franchuk
Cardwell, W. McKee (W 2-1) (5), Pasutto (8) and Ledbetter
(June 12) Right-hander Mark Lee had an impressive debut in the AMBL tossing a five-hit, complete game as Red Deer topped Barrhead 4-2. Gary Ledbetter (right) and Al McKee each had four hits to pace the Generals' 11-hit attack. For Ledbetter his 11 hits in his last 16 at bats raised his average to .406. Del Schaffrick had a four-bagger for the Cardinals.
Lee (W 1-0) and Ledbetter
Van De Keere (L 0-1) and McDonald
At Edmonton, Jimmies' Ernie Camacho fired a two-hitter in blanking the Tigers 3-0. The 19-year-old right-hander fanned 15. Both Camacho and losing pitcher Doug Thompson had no-hitters for the first five innings before the Jimmies broke through for three hits and a run in the 6th.
Camacho (W 1-1) and Price
Thompson (L 0-1), Brady (7) and Franchuk
ALBERTA BASEBALL ASSOCIATION SENIOR BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
In the past few years, the AMBL and Sunburst League reps have met best-of-three “super series” at the beginning of August to determine the province’s selection for the Canadian championships. But since the national finals will be staged early this year because of the Intercontinental Cup Series, featuring eight of the top baseball countries in the world, scheduled for August in Montreal and Moncton NB, the A. B. A. finals were also pushed up to June 14 – 15 at Red Deer’s Great Chief Park. In 1975, Alberta’s rep for the Canadian senior finals in Vancouver were determined from a four-zone final in a double-knockout event.
The Calgary Jimmies of the AMBL were declared as winner by acclamation of the Southern Zone as were Altario Mets of the East-Central Zone. The road to qualification was tougher for the west-central zone champions, the AMBL’s Red Deer Generals, who ousted the Camrose Cubs of the Sunburst Baseball League. The northern zone qualifier, the Edmonton A’s of the Sunburst circuit, also had a battle on their hands before sidelining the St. Albert Willowbrook Saints, also from the Sunburst loop, while the Barrhead Cardinals of the AMBL, after winning twice, were disqualified for usage of ineligible players within their double round-robin affair.
Altario Mets (east-central zone)
Calgary Jimmies (southern zone)
Edmonton Athletics (northern zone)
Red Deer Generals (west-central zone)
(June 14) John Self had three hits to lead the Jimmies to a 7-6 win over Edmonton A's in the tourney opener. Randy Town picked up the win with relief help from Ron Peterson. 19-year-old Tom Erasmus took the loss.
Town (W), Peterson (9) and Price
Erasmus (L) and Symington
(June 14) Wayne McKee fired a one-hitter as Red Deer demolished Altario 14-0. McKee got 16 ground ball outs and fanned five as Altario failed to get a ball out of the infield. Gord Graves led a 16-hit Generals' attack with two doubles and two singles.
W. McKee (W) and McCook
Greenan (L), Charlton (2), G. Forrester (7) and Heck
(June 14) Brian Betts smashed two home runs and a single as Edmonton trounced Altario 11-0. Winning pitcher Doug Homme also had a circuit blow.
Craft (L), Buchner (5) and Adams
Homme (W), Botts (9) and Symington
(June 15) Red Deer got a homer from Ken Nelson and strong pitching from Al McKee and Don Pasutto to edge Edmonton A's 3-1. McKee allowed just seven hits in his 7 1/3 innings, fanning 13. Pasutto got the Generals out of a one-out bases-loaded jam in the 8th and retired five straight batters in an outstanding relief appearance.
L. Anderson (L) and Symington
A. McKee (W), Pasutto (8) and McCook
Calgary's John Self is out at second as Pete Duncan of Red Deer applies the tag. Self's running
didn't matter as his grand slam homer was enough for a 4-2 win over the Generals. The Advocate,
Red Deer, June 16, 1975
(June 15) John Self crushed a grand slam homer in the first inning and it proved to be all the Calgary Jimmies would need in a 4-2 win over Red Deer. Ron Peterson held the Generals to eight hits to claim the win. Fred Cardwell was outstanding after the first inning allowing seven hits overall.
Cardwell (L) and Franchuk
Peterson (W) and Price
(June 15) Pete Duncan, again working with an ailing arm, went the distance with a nine-hitter as Red Deer downed Calgary 8-5 to force a sudden-death final match. Wayne Commodore, who had four hits, belted a pair of homers to lead the Generals' 13-hit offensive. Ken Nelson also had a four-bagger.
Ohrn (L), Ouellette (4) and Prince
Duncan (W) and Franchuk
Red Deer's Orv Franchuk tries to score the hard way but Calgary's Al Price held on to prevent
a third inning run. The Advocate, Red Deer, June 17?, 1975
(June 16) Calgary Jimmies will be Alberta's representative in the Canadian Senior Baseball Championships in Vancouver next month. Calgary downed Red Deer 8-4 Monday to eliminate the Generals from the competition. Ron Peterson, who had beaten the Generals yesterday in a complete game effort, went the distance with an eight-hitter. Jimmies scored a pair in the first inning on two errors and a walk and never looked back. Rob Roy and Ken Grove belted homers for the winners. Wayne Commodore had a four-bagger for the Generals.
Peterson (W) and Price
W. McKee (L), Pasutto (4), Cardwell (7) and Franchuk
(June 14) Gary Ledbetter broke a scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the 9th to hand Red Deer a 3-0 triumph over the Tigers at Edmonton.
Bob Bridges (left) had a seven-hitter for the win, Wayne Kirby allowed just five hits in taking his first loss of the season. Kirby had a two-hit shutout into the 9th when Grant Becker led off with a single and, with one out, Wayne Commodore reached on an error. That brought Ledbetter to the plate.
Bridges (W 1-1) and Ledbetter
Kirby (L 3-1) and Franchuk
Red Deer 6-3
Calgary 4-3
Edmonton 4-4
Barrhead 1-5
(June 17) The red hot Gary Ledbetter poled a pair of homers, one which traveled an estimated 470 feet, to lead Red Deer to a 9-3 win over Calgary Jimmies. Pete Duncan and Marty Coil also had homers for the Generals. Rich Givens and Al Price clouted four-baggers for Calgary. Duncan led all hitters with four safeties. Mark Lee (right) scattered eight hits in winning his second of the season. Starter Randy Swan took the loss.
Swan (L 0-2), Givens (8) and Price, Johnson (7)
Lee (W 2-0) and Ledbetter
(June 17) Edmonton Tigers and Barrhead tied 5-5 in 10 innings in a game to be completed later.
(June 21) Wayne Kirby held Calgary to three hits Saturday as Edmonton Tigers shutout the Jimmies 2-0. Kirby, a former pro, fanned 11 and walked a pair in registering his third win of the season. Richard Givens allowed just three hits in taking the loss. He had 8 strikeouts. Serge Jutras, picked up from the Expos farm system just hours before Saturday's game, walked to lead off the 6th inning and scored the winning run when Ray Brown reached on a fielder's choice.
Givens (L 1-1) and Price
Kirby (W 4-1 ) and Franchuk
(June 21) Keith Van De Keere was a one-man show for Barrhead as the left-hander held the Generals to seven hits, tripled twice and scored a pair as the Cardinals shutout Red Deer 2-0. Gary Hawkey delivered two run-scoring singles and Dave Robb had four hits. Pete Duncan had three hits for the Gens.
Cardwell (L 1-1) and Ledbetter
Van De Keere (W 1-1) and McDonald
(June 22) Sloppy defensive play by Calgary, which led to four unearned runs in the first five innings, helped Edmonton Tigers to a 5-2 victory Sunday. Wayne Commodore had a triple and single and Marty Maxwell a double and single to account for four of the Edmonton runs. Rich Givens had two of Calgary's six hits. Ray Brown went seven innings for the win, allowing just three hits. Les Ohrn was the loser in his first start of the season.
Ohrn (L 0-1), Peterson (8) and xxx
Brown (W 2-1), Tim Brady (7) and xxx
(June 22) Red Deer took a 3-run lead in the first inning and coasted to a 12-1 triumph over Barrhead. Catcher Gary Ledbetter led the Generals with three hits, three runs and three runs batted in. Pete Duncan worked the first seven innings for his second win of the season.
Foster (L 0-2), Henry (2) and McDonald
Duncan (W 2-0), Coil (8) and Ledbetter
(June 23) Red Deer Generals overcame a 5-0 first inning deficit to notch an 11-8 victory over Edmonton Tigers Monday at Great Chief Park. After a disastrous opening frame, in which Wayne McKee walked two, uncorked two wild pitches, made a throwing error and gave up a run-scoring double to Marty Maxwell and two-run homer to Rafael Jackson, McKee settled down to go the distance for his third win of the summer. Al McKee powered the Generals comeback with two homers and a single to drive in three. Pete Duncan and Gary Ledbetter each had two hits and two runs batted in. Jackson had his second homer of the game in the 8th for the Tigers.
Freeth, Brady (L 1-2) (6) and Niven
W. McKee (W 3-1) and
Ledbetter
(June 24) Calgary Jimmies are looking for pitching. 19-year-old Ernie Camacho has unexpectedly left the team. Club manager John Elick said the hard-throwing Californian had been talking about leaving for some time because he was homesick and disenchanted with things such as pitching mounds and lodging conditions. The Jimmies, four and six on the season, meet the Red Deer Generals at Foothills tonight.
(June 24) Red Deer Generals rapped 15 hits off three Calgary hurlers en route to a 10-6 victory at Foothill Stadium. Don Pasutto (left) was the winning pitching working the first five innings. Marty Coil homered for the Generals. Calgary had four-baggers from John Self and Rich Givens. Ron Peterson was saddled with the loss.
Pasutto (W 1-1), Cardwell (6) and Ledbetter
Peterson (L 1-2), Givens (6), Forgie (8) and Price
In a gem of a pitcher's duel, Edmonton Tigers edged Barrhead 2-1 in 15 innings. The teams combined for just nine hits. Doug Thompson had a no-hitter for nine innings but gave way to Ray Brown in the 12th and Brown picked up the win. Brian Hamagami of the Cards didn't allow a hit until the 7th. It was scoreless until the 11th when both teams plated runs. In the bottom of the 15th, Brown walked, advanced on a sacrifice and came around to score on a throwing error.
Hamagami, Hendley (L 1-4) and McDonald
Brown (W 3-1) and NIven
(June 28) Edmonton Tigers shaded the Jimmies 2-1 in 10 innings at Calgary as Ray Brown tossed a two-hitter.
Ray Forgie (L), Peterson (10) and Price
Ray Brown (W) and Nevin
(June 29) Bob Papworth's seventh inning homer gave Calgary Jimmies a 6-5 victory over Edmonton Tigers. Richard Givens had earlier smacked a homer for the Jimmies while Commodore rapped one for Edmonton.
Ohrn (W), Peterson (9) and Price
Freeth (L), Brady (6) and Nevin
(June 29) Red Deer Generals got three singles, four walks, a sacrifice and an error to score four times in the tenth inning to down Barrhead 6-2. Generals received outstanding relief pitching as Don Pasutto and Mike Baker tossed 6 1/3 innings of two-hit ball after the Cardinals had taken a 2-1 lead. Grant Becker opened the game for Red Deer with a triple and scored on Phil Urabe's double. Barrhead tied it in the second as Keith Van De Keere doubled and scored an an error. Gary Picone gave Barrhead the lead in the third when he singled, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly to centre. The lead held until the 7th when Gord Graves cracked a homer down the right field line.
W. McKee, Pasutto (4), Baker (W 1-0) (8) and Ledbetter
Lychak (L 0-1), Henry (10), Hamagami (10) and McDonald
(July 3) Red Deer Generals brought out the heavy lumber to Great Chief Park Thursday pounding out 19 hits in a 17-2 trouncing of Calgary Jimmies. Marty Coil, who pitched the final four innings, belted a pair of homers and a single driving in six. He also scored three times. Gary Ledbetter cracked a four-bagger for the Gens while John Self had a homer for the Jimmies. Phil Urabe went five-for six and knocked in three while Grant Becker added four hits and scored five times. Don Pasutto worked five innings to pick up the win.
Peterson (L 1-4) and Price
Pasutto (W 2-1), Coil (6) and Ledbetter
(July 3) At Barrhead, the Edmonton Tigers took a pair from the Cardinals 6-5 and 12-1 as Wayne Kirby got both wins and Keith Van De Keere was saddle with both setbacks. The first game was the completion of a 5-5, 10-inning, tie on June 17th. Kirby threw four scoreless innings before Wayne Commodore led off the 14th with a homer off Van De Keere..
xxx, Kirby (W) (11) and xxx
xxx, Van De Keere (L) (11) and xxx
In the regularly scheduled contest, the Tigers scored five in the first inning and cruised to the 12-1 triumph. Ray Brown ripped a leadoff homer to kick off the onslaught and Raphael Jackson had a two-run shot
Kirby (W) and xxx
Van De Keere (L), xxx and xxx
(July 5) Barrhead Cardinals had a pair of four-run innings en route to a 9-6 victory over Calgary Jimmies. Brian Hamagami held Calgary to eight hits in pitching for the win.
Ohrn (L 1-2) and Price
Hamagami (W 1-0) and McDonald
(July 5) Playing manager Marty Coil belted a three-run homer in the 10th inning to hand Red Deer a 5-2 win over Edmonton Tigers. Left-hander Bob Bridges scattered eight hits for the win.
Bridges (W 2-1) and Ledbetter
Brown (L 4-2) and Franchuk
(July 6) Fred Cardwell had a five-hit shutout as Red Deer whipped Edmonton Tigers 8-0. Catcher Gary Ledbetter provided the power, a three-run homer in the 6th inning. Shortstop Phil Urabe went four-or-five to bring his current hit streak to 10 hits in his last 15 at bats.
(Photo - Phil Urabe makes an off-balance throw to nail a runner at first. It was one of ten chances he handled flawlessly Sunday. The Advocate, Red Deer, July 7, 1975)
Thompson (L 0-2), Freeth (7) and Brusegard, Niven (7)
Cardwell (W 2-1) and Ledbetter
(July 6) Terry Hendley's 10th inning homer gave Barrhead a 4-3 victory over Calgary Jimmies. The Cardinals had tied the score at 3-3 with a run in the bottom of the 9th. Reliever Keith Van De Keere was the winner, in relief.
Forgie (L 0-1) and Price
Lychak, Van De Keere (W 2-3)
(6) and McDonald
Red Deer 14-4
Edmonton 11-8
Calgary 5-11
Barrhead 4-11
(July 8) In an exhibition game at Great Chief Park, the Generals whipped the Berkeley, California, Bears 8-1 in a game in which Al McKee provided the highlights with sparkling defensive plays. McKee helped the offense with a homer, but drew applause with an exceptional catch in the seventh when reached over the wall to take a home run away from Tim Martin. In the eighth he raced to deep right-centre to rob Randy Hooper of an extra base blow. McKee made eight putouts in centre. Left-hander Mike Baker tossed a two-hitter in blanking the Californians over the first five innings.
Gary Ledbetter had a homer and single for the winners. Generals had nine hits off Martin and reliever Matt Orvick.
(Photo - Some nifty pitching by Mike Baker helped the Generals top the California nine. The Advocate, Red Deer, July 9, 1975)
Martin (L), Orvick (6) and Thomas
Baker (W), Pasutto (6), Bridges (8) and Ledbetter
(July 11) Al McKee of the Red Deer Generals has a substantial lead atop the batting race in statistics released Thursday. McKee has a .421 average over 57 at bats far ahead of the runner up, Dave Morris of the Calgary Jimmies at .357. Keith Van De Keere of Barrhead Cardinals is third, at .341. Bob Bridges of Red Deer leads the pitchers with an ERA of 1.29, ahead of Wayne Kirby of the Edmonton Tigers, at 1.67. Gary Ledbetter, who's no longer with the Red Deer club, continues to lead in runs with 15, home runs with six and RBI with 19. He carries a batting average of .305, 10th in the league.
G AB R H AVE
McKee, Red Deer 15 57 14 24 .421
Morris, Calgary 11 42 4 15
.357
VanDeKeere, Barr 11 44 6 15 .341
Graves, Red Deer 14 56 8 19 .339
Niven, Edmonton 12 59 8 30 .338
Self, Calgary 12 42 6 14 .333
McDonald, Barr 11 46 6 15 .326
Pierson, Red Deer 9 34 5 11 .324
Commodore, Edmonton 16 62 12 19 .306
Ledbetter, Red Deer
15 59 15 18 .305
G IP W L ERA
Bridges, Red Deer 4 35 2 1 1.29
Kirby, Edmonton 8 54 5 2 1.67
Thompson, Edmonton 3 26 0 1 1.73
Brown, Edmonton 8 53 3 2 2.38
Camacho, Calgary
3 25 2 1 2.88
(July 15) Keith Van De Keere was a pitching and hitting star for Barrhead Tuesday in a 6-4 victory over Red Deer. He went the distance on the hill and clouted a bases-loaded triple in the first inning to set the Cards on the path to another in the win column. Generals starter Wayne McKee had walked the bases full before facing his mound opponent. Ken Nelson provided the highlights for the Generals with a homer and triple.
W. McKee (L 3-2), Coil (2), Bridges (8) and Pomicpic
Van De Keere (W 4-3) and McDonald
(July 17) Former New York Yankee Jim Bouton was impressive over a five-inning stint for the Calgary Jimmies in a 5-4 loss to Red Deer. Bouton allowed just three hits, one a homer to Al McKee, and left with a 2-1 lead. Bouton is to be with the Jimmies until the 26th including the tournaments in Lacombe and Calgary. The Jimmies took the lead in the third on John Self's two-run single and added a pair in the 8th on Rich Given's homer with a man aboard. The Generals rallied in the bottom of the 9th. Pete Duncan led off the frame with a homer over the centrefield wall. Blair Hanna followed with a single and, after an out, Gord Graves drew a walk and Reg Pomicpic singled to score Hanna with the second run. Grant Becker loaded the bases with a single and Phil Urabe drilled one through the hole on the right side to score the tying and winning runs. Bob Bridges went the route for the win, his third.
(Photo - Jimmies' Jim Bouton pitched five impressive innings. The Advocate, Red Deer, July 18, 1975)
Bouton, Peterson (L 1-5) (6) and Price
Bridges (W 3-1) and Pomicpic
(July 18) Brian Hamagami had a solid outing, tossing an eight-hitter, in leading the Barrhead Cardinals to a 5-1 victory over Red Deer Generals. Terry Hendley and Keith Van De Keere clouted homers for the winners. Blair Hanna had a circuit blow for the Gens.
Hamagami (W 2-0) and McDonald
Cardwell (L 2-2), Pasutto (7) and Pomicpic
(July 19) Red Deer Generals had a three-run 8th inning to break a 5-5 tie and notch an 8-5 victory over Edmonton Tigers. Gord Graves led a 15-hit offense with three safeties. Marty Coil picked up the win, his first, in relief.
Baker, Coil (W 1-0) (7) and Pomicpic
Kirby (L 6-3), Brown (8), Thompson (9) and Bringhurst
In Calgary, former major leaguer Jim Bouton fired a two-hit shutout as Calgary Jimmies trounced Barrhead 7-0. He fanned three and didn`t walk a batter.
Bouton, author of the best-seller "Ball Four", is on a 10-day holiday from his work as a radio-tv announcer in New York. It was his second appearance in the AMBL having hurled five innings against the Jimmies in his debut.
Rich Givens belted a three-run homer for the Jimmies and Rick Dalton had a two-run shot.
(Photo - Jim Bouton, with cap flying, hurls a two-hit shutout against Barrhead. Calgary Herald, July 21, 1975)
Bouton (W 1-0) and Price
Lychak (L 0-2) and McDonald
(July 20) Red Deer clinched the AMBL pennant Sunday with a 9-3 win over the second place Edmonton Tigers. Generals scored three in the second and another three in the third to cruise to the win. Bob Bridges worked six innings for the victory. Pete Duncan belted a two-run homer for Red Deer and Bob Thompson had a four-bagger for the Tigers. Gord Graves had three hits and a walk for the Generals.
(Photo - Bob Bridges pitched Red Deer to a win to clinch first place for the Generals. The southpaw went six innings. The Advocate, Red Deer, July 21, 1975)
Brown (L 4-3), Thompson (7) and Bringhurst
Bridges (W 4-1), Cardwell (7) and Pomicpic
Calgary Jimmies received strong, six-hit, complete games from Ray Forgie and Ron Peterson to sweep a double-header from Barrhead by identical, 4-3, scores. In the first game, Rich Dalton knocked in Bob Papworth and Joe Morello in the 9th inning to come from behind for the win. In the second game, Jimmies again came from behind with three runs in the 7th inning on hits by Ron Johnston, Rich Johnson, Dalton and Rich Givens. Winning pitcher Ron Peterson had a one-hitter until a Barrhead uprising in the 7th which gave the visitors a 3-1 lead.
Hendley (L 2-5) and McDonald
Forgie (W 1-1) and Price
Stephen Henry (L), Van De Keere (7) and McDonald
Peterson (W 2-5) and Price
Red Deer 17-6
Edmonton 11-13
Calgary 9-12
Barrhead 8-14
(July 29) Don Pasutto shackled Calgary Jimmies on three-hits Tuesday night as the league-leading Red Deer Generals blanked the Jimmies 4-0. Generals touched losing pitching Rich Givens for eight hits, three by Blair Hanna. The big blow was a two-run homer by Phil Urabe in the 3rd inning.
Givens (L 2-2) and Price
Pasutto (W 3-1) and Pomicpic
Edmonton Tigers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 6-1 win over Barrhead. Ray Brown fired a three-hitter for his 6th victory of the season. Wayne Commodore had three hits for the winners.
Lychak (L 0-3) and McDonald
Brown (W 5-3) and Brusegard
(July 30) Edmonton Tigers took a pair from Calgary Jimmies, 10-5 and 3-0, to clinch second place in the AMBL. Ron Peterson, who flew in from Calgary just before the game to give the Jimmies the minimum nine players, absorbed both losses while going 12 innings and throwing 199 pitches. Wayne Kirby registered the win in the opener, his seventh. Serge Jutras and Darrell Zelinski each had three hits for the Tigers.
Peterson (L 2-6) and Price
Kirby (L 7-3), Henderson (1) and Bringhurst
Tigers scored three in the first inning and that was all the scoring in the 3-0 decision in the second game. Tim Brady threw no-hit ball for five innings before Calgary loaded the bases in the seventh and final inning only to have Ray Brown relieve and pick up a save for Edmonton.
Peterson (L 2-7) and Price
Brady (W 2-2), Brown (7) and Bringhurst
Red Deer rode the arm of Bob Bridges and the home runs bats of Grant Becker and Pete Duncan to a 6-3 win over Barrhead. Bridges tossed two-hit ball for six innings before giving way to Mike Baker. Becker had a lead-off homer in the first inning and Duncan clouted a three-run blast in the third.
Van De Keere (L 4-4) and McDonald
Bridges (W 5-1), Baker (7) and Pomicpic
(July 31) Edmonton Tigers wrapped up their regular schedule with a 5-3 win over Barrhead. Doug Thompson pitched a six-hitter for the win. Tigers, which has clinched second place, trailed 1-0 before rebounded with single runs in the 4th and 5th innings. Ray Brown belted a homer for Edmonton while Lon Bruscard had three hits and Darryl Zelinski had a pair. Terry Hendley was the losing hurler allowing ten hits.
Thompson (W) and xxx
Hendley (L) and xxx
Red Deer 19- 6
Edmonton 15-13
Calgary 9-15
Barrhead 8-17
(August 4) The Jims closed the regular season at Foothills Stadium Monday splitting a double-header with the pennant winning Red Deer Generals who took the opener 4-2 with Calgary winning by the same score in the second encounter. Rick Dalton swung the big stick for the Jimmies going four-for-five in the two seven-inning tilts, including a two-run, game-winning, double in the finale. In the first game, the first four Generals all connected for singles to bring in two runs. Ron "Doc" Peterson held Red Deer to eight hits in taking the mound decision in the second game.
Baker (W) and Coil
Forgie (L) and Price
Peterson (W) and Price
Cardwell
(L) and Pomicpic
PLAYOFFS
SEMI-FINALS (best-of-five series) Calgary vs Red Deer & Barrhead vs Edmonton
(August 7) It was bound to happen again. Cardinals vs Tigers. Extra innings. Barrhead error, Tigers win.
During one stretch this season, the teams went to extra frames three straight games. The first game was suspended and the Tigers finally won in 14 innings. They took the next one in 11 innings on a Barrhead error and the following one in 15 innings again on a Barrhead miscue.
It was the 11th inning Thursday, when Cardinal shortstop Mike Lester booted one allowing Ray Brown to score from second to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory in the first game of a best-of-five semi-final playoff. It was the eighth straight triumph for the Tigers after losing 10 of 11 at one point in the schedule. Tiger's manager John Noce noted Edmonton got good showings from junior players picked up for the series. Doug Stewart and Ernie Hee, up from the Blue Willows of the Sunburst League, provided key hits. Barrhead hurler Terry Hendley had no-hit the Tigers until the bottom of the eighth when Marty Maxwell singled and Stewart followed with a run-scoring double. Cards tied the game in the top of the ninth when Jim McDonald led off with a single, advanced on a passed ball and scored on another passed ball with the bases loaded. In the 11th, Brown reached on an error to Lester, advanced on a single by Hee and scored when Wayne Commodore's grounder proved too much for Lester. Wayne Kirby ended with 12 strikeouts and an eight-hitter. Hendley yielded just five hits and fanned ten.
Hendley (L) and McDonald
Kirby (W) and Bringhurst
(August 7) Bob Bridges tossed a seven-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts in pitching Red Deer Generals to a 4-0 win over the Calgary Jimmies in the opening game of their best-of-five semi-final series. Generals took advantage of two Calgary errors to plate a pair in the second and added two more in the fifth on three hits and an error. Rich Givens was saddled with the loss. Pete Duncan and Grant Decker each had two hits for the winners.
Givens (L) and Price
Bridges (W) and Pomicpic
(August 8) Vic Frey made an impressive debut in the Alberta Major League Friday. The former batting champion in the Sunburst League, currently hitting .198 with McCauley Cardinals, was picked up by Edmonton Tigers Friday and responded with a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Tigers a 6-4 win over the Barrhead Cardinals and a 2-0 game lead in the semi-final; series. Mike Lester got the Cards on the board with a solo homer in the first inning, but the Tigers took a 3-1 lead on Wayne Commodore's two-run blast in the fourth. Barrhead chipped away and tied the game in the eighth as Lester reached on an error and scored on Gary Picone's double. In the 10th Lorne Niven walked and, with two out, Frey slammed one over the left field wall.
Brown (W) and Niven
Van De Keere (L) and McDonald
(August 9) Ken Nelson cracked two home runs, one a grand slam, and drove in six to lead the Red Deer Generals to an 11-1 romp over Calgary Jimmies. Winning pitcher Pete Duncan also had a circuit blow. Les Ohrn, the Calgary starter was tagged for nine hits, three of them homers, and walked four. Duncan allowed just four hits in going the distance.
Duncan (W) and Pomicpic
Ohrn (L), Peterson (6) and Price
(August 9) Barrhead remained alive in their playoff series with Edmonton edging the Tigers 5-4 capitalizing on three eighth inning errors to score three times to come from behind for the win. Cardinals managed just three hits off losing pitcher Tim Brady. Brian Hamagami was the winner, holding Edmonton to four hits.
Brady (L) and Niven
Hamagami (W) and McDonald
(August 10) Red Deer Generals erupted for eight runs in the seventh inning Sunday to bury the Calgary Jimmies 9-4 to win their semi-final series in straight games. The uprising came after Calgary starter Ray Forgie, who hit a two-run homer in the fourth to stake Calgary to a 4-1 lead, twisted his knee and was forced to leave the game. Ron Peterson, charged with five of the runs, was handed the loss. Don Pasutto was shaky early but recovered to go the distance for the win. Al McKee led Red Deer's nine-hit attack with three singles, a pair in the wild seventh inning. Grant Becker and Peter Duncan each had two hits for the Generals.
Forgie, Peterson (L), Givens and xxx
Pasutto (W) and xxx
(August 10) In spite of trailing Edmonton two games to one in their semi-final series, the Barrhead Cardinals have advanced to the league final. The Cards protest of the Tigers use of an ineligible player was upheld by league officials in a special meeting Sunday and the series awarded to Barrhead. It is the second year in a row a club has been given a berth in the league final. Last year it was the Tigers advancing when Red Deer was disqualified. Import Stu Bringhurst was the player at the centre of the dispute. The Generals' manager Bob Worobetz said "It isn't the best of the league but if we let things like this go on clubs will be using all kinds of Americans".
FINALS (best-of-seven series) Barrhead Cardinals vs Red Deer Generals
(August 12) Bob Bridges fired a five-hit shutout to extend his scoreless streak to 33 consecutive innings as Red Deer Generals whipped Barrhead Cardinals 8-0 in the opening game of the Alberta Major League final. Bridges hasn't allowed a run since the Lacombe Tournament. He whiffed seven and walked one. A five-run fourth inning was all the Generals needed. Peter Duncan powered the offense with a three-run homer and a run-scoring double.
Van De Keere (L) , Robb (6) and McDonald
Bridges (W) and Pomicpic
(August 13) Mike Baker came to the rescue of the Red Deer Generals Wednesday replacing injured Pete Duncan on the mound and tossing an eight-hitter in a 4-2 win over Barrhead for a 2-0 lead in the final series. Pitching ace Bob Bridges, the designated hitter, cracked a three-run homer in the second to lead the winners. Baker was handed the game ball when Duncan came down with a sore shoulder. He struck out four and walked two. Brian Hamagami allowed eight hits in taking the loss. Cardinals got on the scoreboard in the fourth when Gary Picone led off with a double and scored on singles by Dave Robb and Mike Mukanik. In the fifth Gary Hawkey and Picone hit back-to-back doubles. Blair Hanna had three hits for the Generals.
Baker (W) and Coil
Hamagami (L) and McDonald
(August 14) Trailing 2-0 after seven innings, Red Deer Generals plated a pair in the eighth and got the winner in the ninth to shade Barrhead 3-2 to go up 3-0 in the Alberta Major Baseball League final series. Don Pasutto accentuated the pitching depth of the Generals in going the route for the win. Red Deer had earlier lost the services of Fred Cardwell to the Canadian National team and Pete Duncan came down with a sore arm. Ken Lychak had silenced the usually potent bats of the Generals pitching no-hit ball into the sixth and blanking Red Deer until the eighth. Reg Pomicpic was the hero for the Gens as he lined a single to left in the ninth to score Duncan. Cardinals took the lead in the first inning as Mike Lester reached on an error and scored on Gary Picone's single to centre. In the fourth Keith Van De Keere connected on a knuckle ball and send it over the fence for the second Barrhead run. Ken Nelson got the Generals going in the eighth with a walk followed by Bob Bridges' single. Both runners came home on Grant Becker's single.
Lychak (L) and McDonald
Pasutto (W) and Pomicpic
(August 16) Bob Bridges, lost his scoreless streak in the first inning giving up three runs, but the Red Deer Generals exploded on offense to whip the Barrhead Cardinals 11-4 to sweep the best-of-seven final in four straight games. Bridges gave up seven hits and walked nine in the rough outing. It was a 4-4 game until the seventh when the Generals broke the deadlock with three runs. Shortstop Phil Urabe walked, went to second on Marty Coil's single and came home on two wild pitches. Al McKee and Pete Duncan also walked and one run scored when Blair Hanna was hit by a pitch. Reg Pomicpic's sacrifice fly scored the third marker. Duncan and Coil each had two hits and two walks for the Generals. Dave Robb punched out three hits for Barrhead. Hanna had the game's only homer.
Bridges (W) and Pomicpic
Van De Keere (L), Hamagami (7), Hendley (9) and McDonald
WHEAT BELT BASEBALL LEAGUE
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