THE 1950 INDIAN HEAD ROCKETS
The story of the 1950 Indian Head Rockets begins in the fall of 1946 with the formation of a service club dedicated to promoting community activities.
(1946 - September 19) The Indian Head News reported that more than “50 young fellows of town and country” had decided to “organize a young men’s community service club having its principal objective “Indian Head’s greatest need”.
The formal constitution of the group, its name and objectives were left to a further gathering. J.E. Robison, a town councillor and a past president of the Board of Trade, voiced “keen enthusiasm” for the new community organization. [Indian Head News, 19 September, 1946]
(1946 - October 10) The “young men’s community service club” in Indian Head is to be called “The Rockets”. A selection committee also chose a slogan “Need--Heed--Speed”. The group expressed the view that “The Rockets” conveyed something of the enthusiasm shown by the organization to date, with the idea that it was “heading higher” [Indian Head News, 10 October, 1946]
1949
The team that ultimately would be chosen to represent the community in the summer of 1950 was a well established organization playing Negro League ball out of Jacksonville, Florida. They were not the first choice, but quickly became prairie favourites. In the fall of 1949, major league all-stars were among the opponents of the Jacksonville Eagles.
(1949 - May 7) "Based on their diamond successes here [Jacksonville, Fla.], in other sections of the State, and in parts of North Carolina and Georgia, the Jacksonville Eagles appear to be shaping up into a formidable club. The Eagles, members of the American association the past three years, have appeared in several exhibition tilts under Big Jim Williams, player-manager.
Listed among top-rate hurlers are Lefty Joe Coleman, ace of the mound corps; Lefty Jenkins, another crack tosser, who is just about ready to toe the slab in earnest; and Righthander Morrow, who is said to be as fast as Bob Feller.
The Eagles have in the outfield such heavy stickmen as George (Trickshot) Washington, Manager Williams and Duke Cleveland.
The infield boasts Henry Thompson, team captain at the keystone; Tyree at the initial sack; Horace Latham in shortstop and White at the hot corner." [The Afro-American, 07 May]
[* That would be Johnny Coleman, Jim Morrow, Tom Tyree & Charles White, and Henry Thompson ought to be Henry Smith, who was the 2B and captain with the Eagles]
(1949 – October 09) The Tampa Rockets are set to take on the Jacksonville Eagles at the 22nd Street Park. Eagles won last week’s game 8-3 at Jacksonville. Dirk Gibbons, who had a 19-4 record last season for Tampa in the regular season is to hurl for the Rockets.
(1949 - October 12) The Jackie Robinson All-Stars opened their barnstorming tour Wednesday afternoon with an 11-3 victory over the Jacksonville Eagles at War Memorial Stadium at Newport News. Larry Doby belted a homer for the Stars and Jackie Robinson collected three hits, including a triple, stole two bases and scored twice. The All-Stars rapped 19 hits, 10 off reliever Jim Morrow.
In the evening, at Tar Park at Norfolk, Virginia, the Eagles upset the All-Stars 4-2, scoring a pair of runs off Don Newcombe, thanks to two errors, one by Newcombe, the Brooklyn Dodger star. Several thousand fans were turned away as a crowd of about 12,000 jammed the ball park. “On the mound for the Jacksonville Eagles, who opposed the All-Stars, was a diminutive hurler answering to the name of Lefty Jenkins and he proceeded to uncork a brilliant job that completely handcuffed the Robinsonmen … Jenkins displaying a sweeping curve and a sneaky fast ball had the All-Stars pounding the ball into the ground or popping into the air”. [New Journal and Guide, 22 October, 1949]
1949 – November) On a cool evening in Columbus, Georgia, the Jackie Robinson All-Stars downed the Jacksonville Eagles 5-2. Before game time, with 2,000 fans shivering in their overcoats in 40-degree weather, Robinson left the playing field for the press box to announce “due to the extreme cold weather, it is impossible for the players to put on their top performance. Any person who would like his money back will receive a refund at the box office”. Everybody remained. The Robinson tour has been a hit. In the first three weeks on the road the show has attracted 148,561 customers for a haul of $5,942 per game. When the club left New York, the team had hoped to draw 100,000. So far, the All-Stars have won 19 and lost 6. [The New York Age, 19 November, 1949]
(1949 November 3) Roy Campanella cracked a three-run homer in the first inning and the Jackie Robinson All-Stars topped Jacksonville Eagles 6 -2 at Columbus, Georgia. Eagles out-hit the All-Stars 13-10.
(1949 – November 05) Before 3,000 spectators, one of the largest crowds ever to jam Municipal Stadium in Thomasville, Georgia, the Jackie Robinson All-stars dumped Jacksonville Eagles 11-4. Among the fans were the relatives of Robinson, who hails from nearby Cairo, Ga, where he visited for the first time since he was a child.
(1949 – November 5) At Albany, Georgia, Saturday, the Robinson All-Stars blanked the Jacksonville Eagles 10-0 before a crowd of 1,200. Some two to three hundred fans got their money back when Jackie Robinson failed to appear, sidelined with a severe cold. Larry Doby left in the sixth inning when hit by a pitch, but not before smacking a homer in the fifth.
(1949 – November 6) With Jackie Robinson out with a cold, the Robinson All-Stars didn’t miss a beat in crushing the Jacksonville Eagles in both games of a double-header, 18-5 at Savannah, Georgia then 15-2, before a crowd of more than 5,000 at Jacksonville. Roy Campanella, in charge of the team with Robinson absent, led the way in the night game with a homer, two doubles and a single. Don Newcombe, the Brooklyn Dodger hurler, was in both games. The wins, wrapping up the All-Stars’ tour, gave them a 25-6 record.
(1949 - November 7) A scheduled game between the Robinson All-Stars and Jacksonville Eagles at Plant Field in Tampa was cancelled Monday because of the illness and departure of Robinson for New York for a medical checkup.
1950
(January 26) After readers of the Indian Head News were startled to see an obituary notice for the Rockets organization (posted in the January 19th edition of the paper), residents began the work to revitalize the service club, founded in 1946.
In its January 26th edition, the News reported “There’s nothing wrong with the Rockets that a little stimulation and a few altered policies won’t fix”.
More than 40 “young fellows” decided Monday night to revive “The Rockets” at a meeting which was “supposed to have seen the organization dead, buried and its estate divided among the beneficiaries”.
“A howling wind, stinging snow and 20-below weather (it was the worst night of the winter) didn’t keep the Rockets at home. They came in at the “death” and decided on vibrant life”. Among the events the Rockets helped produce were the annual baseball tournaments, begun in 1947. [Indian Head News, 26 January, 1950]
(February 23) Nipawin announced its second annual baseball tournament for July 11-12. It’s to be invitation only, with eight teams to be accepted. Total prize money is $2,550, with $1,200 for the champion.
(March 26, 27, 28) The Washington Homestead Grays, legendary Negro League team was scheduled to play the Eagles on these three dates at Jacksonville.
(April 2) Owensboro-Evansville Braves of the Negro Southern League were to meet the Eagles at Jacksonville
(April 4) New York Cubans were lined up agains the Eagles at Lincoln Park in Palm Beach, Fla. It was noted that a special section would be provided for white fans.
(April 9-10) The Eagles were scheduled against the New York Cubans at Dorsey Park in Miami.
(April 13) Eston is the first confirmed entry for “Canada’s Greatest” baseball tournament, the Indian Head classic, July 19-20. “Colored imports, liberally sprinkled with district surprises will make up the club according to a letter from Eston. The Ramblers will have Cliff Jacobson, former Sceptre star, doing main mound duty. Also, on the roster are Glen Gilkerson and Ira Gardiner. “Three colored stars include Herbie Stevenson, who pitched the all-star game at the Dodgers’ camp in Regina last year and Bobbie Stevenson, formerly with Winnipeg Ramblers and Elmwood Giants.” [Indian Head News, 13 April, 1950]
(April 16) Left-hander John Coleman, rated the best lefty in the Negro American Association last season has signed with the Raleigh Tigers of the Negro Southern American Association. Coleman was on the staff of the Jacksonville Eagles last season.
(April) The Philadelphia Stars of the Negro American League picked up four victories in their first five games of their spring training exhibition tour as they prepare for the start of the regular schedule on May 8th. Stars split a pair of one-run decisions with the Jacksonville Eagles, losing 4-3 and winning 8-7.
(April 28) The Indian Head News announced that the community had “bought” a professional baseball team of 12 players, complete with a playing manager “through ex-big league star Rogers Hornsby of Chicago”. The players would come from those released from major American teams. “The deal is being handled jointly by the Rockets and the Athletic Association, these organizations having voted separately Friday to underwrite the financing”. The report said “It is the largest sports venture probably ever attempted by Indian Head, involving $6,000 to $7,000 per month in ball players’ salaries.” Jim Robison, of the Athletic Association and Mr. Hornsby agreed that a team could be had for less money but that would mean a drop in the calibre of players. “Indian Head had asked for an all-white team, he said, which had been “all right” with Mr. Hornsby. It appears the team will play 20 games a month, mainly on the road so accommodation did not appear to be a major problem. [Indian Head News, 28 April, 1950]
(May 3) The Jacksonville Eagles took advantage of a porous Raleigh defence to score four in the ninth inning to down the Grays 7-5 in action at Chavis Park. The home side had rallied for fours runs on five hits in the eighth to go ahead 5-3. Haggy Smith of the Grays had the only homer. Frank Tillman was best for the Eagles with two hits. (The Grays added Roland Miles to their roster for the game, he would later be a football star in the Canadian Football league with Edmonton.)
(May 6) In a story on Indian Head’s determination to have a baseball team, the Regina Leader- Post suggested the team would be called the Chiefs.
The semi-pro team is being selected for Indian Head by former Major League star Rogers Hornsby.
"Hornsby, present manager of Dallas Texans, holds an annual pre-season school in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and he has lined up a starry aggregation of former pro players and rookies for the Indian Head Chiefs ... Names of the players will be released about May 15." (The Leader-Post, 06 May)
(May 7) Eagles vs New York Black Yankees ar Centennial Field in Bainbridge, Ga.
(May 11) The well organized baseball program at Indian Head made arrangements with Regina radio station CKRM to air special half-hour shows to promote the baseball tournament. The programs would run five evenings a week.
(May 11) Baseball boosters from Indian Head are planning a trip to Wichita, Kansas, home of the National Baseball Congress and the huge semi-pro tournament and to complete arrangements with Rogers Hornsby to bring a team to the Saskatchewan community. Jim Robison, chairman or the Rockets committee and Mayor of Indian Head, is to be among them. The team is expected to arrive in Indian Head June 1st.
(May 11) Eagles vs New York Black Yankees at Golden Park, Columbus, Ga.
(May 12) Eagles vs New York Black Yankees at Golden Park, Columbis, Ga.
(May 18) Indian Head representatives left for Wichita to finalize arrangements for a ball team for this summer. The team is expected to play about 60 games.
(May 18-19) The New York Black Yankees continued their late inning mastery of the Jacksonville Eagles. In recent games, the Yankees won 10-8 at Gadsden, Alabama, and 9-7 at Albany, Georgia before an 8-8 stand-off at Macon, Georgia. The two clubs are also scheduled to play at Bainbridge, Ga., Waycross, Columbus, Charleston, S.C., West Palm Beach, Miami and Jacksonville.
Yankees got a pair in the top of the 10th inning to down the Eagles 10-8, out-hitting Jacksonville 15-10. Martin and Jesse Blackman hurled for the Eagles. Again, in the Albany contest, Yankees notched a pair in the 10th for a 9-7 triumph belting out 15 hits off Daniel Jenkins. In the tie, which went 11 innings, Yankees came from behind with two in the eight for the draw. Walter Calhoun allowed just eight hits in going the distance. (Benjamin “Honey” Lott, later to play in the Mandak League and in Lloydminster, was one of the stars for the Yankees)
(May 19) Eagles vs Raleigh Grays
(May 20) An item in the Baltimore Afro-American noted the passing of Carl (Bubber) Ford, businessman, fraternalist, churchman, and sports promoter who died last week. He was a native of Alexanderville but had lived in Jacksonville for 42 years. Ford was former owner-president of the Jacksonville Eagles and owner of the Lenape Billiard Parlors.
(May 21) One big inning in each game carried the Brooklyn Bushwicks to a sweep of a twin-bill over the Jacksonville Eagles, the Negro Florida champions. The double-header at Dexter Park drew 4,150 fans to see the home side win 8-3 and 9-5. In the opener, the Bushwicks got on the scoreboard in the second inning as lefty Daniel Jenkins walked three and gave up three hits and the Eagles committed two errors. Eddie Horai and Roy Triebel each had three hits for Brooklyn. In the second game, Brooklyn smacked five hits off Jim Morrow in the seventh inning to score five times to salt away the win. Mike Ovaduke had three hits, scored three and knocked in a pair for the winners. Triebel added three more hits. Red Cameron replied with three safeties for the Eagles. Bushwicks outhit the Eagles 14-7 in the first game while the visitors had 14 safeties to 12 for Brooklyn in the second game.
(May 23) Durham Rockets vs Jacksonville Eagles. (Former Durham players Lefty Jenkins, Holly/Haulie Pane and Louis Green). Jim Williams was the former skipper of the Durham Eagles, now into his third season at the helm of the Eagles.
(May 25) The Indian Head News figured that some $66,750 might be up for grabs in prize money on the tournament trail this summer. The paper provided a list of the known tournaments to date.
Humboldt June 20-21 $2,000
Melfort June 28-29 $3,300
Sceptre May 24 $2,000
Fort Qu'Appelle May 24 $600
Lloydminster June 6-7 $4,600
Prince Albert June 10-11 $3,000
Camrose June 13-14 $3,500
Shaunavon June 15-16 $2,000
Lacombe June 20-21 $3,750
Moosomin June 29
Outlook June 30-July 1 $4,000
Foam Lake July 4-5 $4,000
Nipawin July 18-19 $4,000
Indian Head July 19-20 $4,000
Saskatoon July 234-28
Regina
Moose Jaw
Carlyle
Rosetown
Brandon
Coleman $5,000
“From a one-town venture in 1947, with Indian Head putting up the then unheard-of sum of $2,000 in prize money for tourney baseball, and with the rest of the province hanging pop-eyed on the outcome, the baseball tournament idea has grown all across the three prairie provinces.
No other town, that first year, wanted any part of it. But the fans came in droves to see baseball. In fact, they overflowed throughout the whole town and into the country for miles around. Some of the “doings” hit major sports headlines, news reels and Dominion-wide networks—and the big-money baseball tournament was “in”.“ [Indian Head News, 25 May, 1950]
(May 30) Lincoln Boyd, former Negro All-American halfback from Alabama A&M, will be in the lineup for the Atlanta Brown Crackers when they take on the Memphis Red Sox tomorrow. Boyd, the right fielder, is currently hitting .354.
(June 1) About the time the team was to have arrived in Canada, the negotiations on which team would fill the Indian Head uniforms took an abrupt turn. The Indian Head News revealed it was to be a 16-player all-colored team, “a complete unit, including five pitchers and playing manager … To be named “The Rockets”.
The story said the final deal was not made through Rogers Hornsby, as origina lly intended, although his lieutenants were of “great help” in lining up the new team
.
Four town representatives – Jim Robison, George Ferguson, Kernie Coulthard and Les Booker travelled thousands of miles in Kansas and adjoining states “in a two-week, action-packed sortie” following talks with Hornsby. Once back home, the group received approval of their proposal.
“Great and near-great were met by the four emissaries as they talked ball, ball and then more ball. They found Wichita the centre of the baseball universe, staging the largest tournament in the world … They had a fine talk with Tommy Baer, owner of the famous Kansas City Monarchs … had a interview with Jack Baer, manager and coach of the Oklahoma University baseball club … Mickey Flynn, big league talent scout … Chas. Stis, scout for the St. Louis Browns, and Ray Dumont, president of the National Baseball Congress (who) acted for Hornsby.”
“Indian Head’s Rocket ball club will be based here for three months. They have their own 26-passenger bus … have two complete uniforms apiece, plus all equipment. Right now emblems and the wording “Indian Head” is being prepared for their uniforms … Locally, arrangements are proceeding at a fast clip to house the 16-man team in rooms above the Chas. Koo café.”
“The team faces a heavy schedule of exhibition and tournament play. Three Alberta tourneys already are entered. Latest bid is to a major Liberal rally at Fort Qu’Appelle at which Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent will speak.” [Indian Head News, 01 June]
(June 1) Indian Head’s central baseball committee set total prize money of $4,000, just $1,500 of which is earmarked for “first booty” for the 1950 tournament. Just 16 teams are to be accepted this year. Previously 22 teams had been accommodated. Deadline for entries is July 4th.
(June 6-7) The now Indian Head Rockets missed their first opportunity for a big payday Tuesday when they failed to appear at the Lloydminster Tournament with a first prize of $2,000. Road conditions or bus problems held up the Indian Head team from reaching the border city in time for the first draw and they lost by default to the nine from Mundare, Alberta and lost their $100 deposit. Delisle whipped the Edmonton Oilers 10-0 to win the championship.
(* The paper had identified the tournament as Lethbridge, but the dates correspond to Lloydminster and there is no record of such a tournament in Lethbridge that summer.)
(June 8) The Indian Head News reported some recent success for the Jacksonville Eagles in exhibition games en route to Canada. The Rockets shutout the New York Black Giants 2-0 and tied the Philadelphia All-Stars 6-6. The paper also reported a 1-0 win for the Eagles over the New York Cubans and a 3-2 victory from the Brooklyn Bushwicks.
(June 8) The paper, reporting that bus trouble had halted the Rockets at Atlanta, Georgia, noted that the 17-man team “now sails under Rocket colors, with Rocket crests “Indian Head” stitched into their uniforms and painted on the side of the big 26-passenger bus”.
“Manager of the club is Jim Williams, who is a utility man when he takes his turn on the diamond. The Rockets are well stocked with pitchers with six available. There are two catchers to handle the slants.
The right-handed hurlers are Jesse Blackman, James Marrow, Andrew Williams, and Cotshel Green, while Daniel Jenkins and Fred Calhogh throw from the port-side. Catchers are Lewis Green and Red Cameron.
George Washington is the Rocket first-sacker and Horace Latham handles second base. Holly Pane will play third and Blackman can also take a turn at the hot corner. Youngest member of the club is Spike Tillman, a speedy 17-year-old shortstop. Utility infielders are Colin Randolph and Rupert Collins.
Slated for outfield duty are Lindsay Caldwell, Cliff Quarterman and Red Cameron.”
(* Obviously, a little problem with the names – Jesse Blackman/Blackmon, Jim Morrow, Alexander Williams, Water Calhoun, Louis Green, Hubert Collins)
(June 9) Rockets scheduled to play at Macklin SK
(June 9) The Saskatoon All-Stars lambasted two pitchers for 15 hits Friday to whip the touring Muskogee Cardinals 11-0 in an exhibition tilt at Cairns Field. Sherman Watrous, Chuck McCullough and Harry O’Brien each smacked three hits for the All-Stars. Gordie Howe had a pair of safeties and scored three times. Bob Herron pitched four no-hit innings for Saskatoon. Cameron Mitchell, the stage and movie actor, retired the first six men to face him and allowed one of the two Muskogee hits in his three innings of work.
(June 10) A scheduled double-header between the Indian Head Rockets and the Saskatoon All-Stars was postponed Saturday when the American club was still tied up on the road on the way to Canada. Apparently, the team bus broke down at Minot, North Dakota.
(June 11-12) Rockets at Loughheed, Alta
(June 13-14) In their first action in Canada, at the Camrose, Alberta, Tournament, the Rockets got off to a good start with a 14-4 triumph over Kelsey as Jim Morrow went the route in the seven-inning contest. Lincoln Boyd cracked a homer for the winners. But, in their next outing, Indian Head dropped a tough 2-0 decision to Sceptre as lefty Hal Price, a 24-year-old import from the Twin City Colored Giants and most recently with Brandon and Elmwood in Manioba, tossed the shutout to best Daniel Jenkins and knock Indian Head out of the running for the $2,000 top prize. Sceptre went on to top Kamloops 2-0 in the final. Bert Olmstead, the National Hockey League winger, fired a four-hit shutout, after pitching three scoreless innings in the semi-final.
(June 11) In a post in the paper of the 15th, the Indian Head News summarized the Rockets first workout on home turf.
“Almost in a twinkling, spectators grew into hundreds Sunday afternoon when Indian Head’s all-colored 17-man baseball team limbered up in practice at the exhibition grounds. The railbirds admitted they had an eyeful, and more.
In fact, old ball fans are still chattering about those deep outfield throws, lightning double-play shifts, sharply controlled base snaps and the occasional dazzler zipping past home plate when first this pitcher and then the other cut loose.
The boys, it was conceded, have the stuff. Jim (bossman) Williams drove them hard. He had kinks of 15 playless days to iron out. The boys responded.”
(June 16) Canadian Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent accepted an invitation to attend a monster basket picnic at Fort Qu’Appelle on July 8th. A sports program at the event will be highlighted by a double-header between the Regina Caps and the Indian Head Rockets.
(June 16-17) Rockets scheduled at Stettler, Alberta.
(June 17) The St. Louis Black Cardinals and the Swift Current Indians split a twin bill Saturday at Westend Park. The season’s largest crowd saw the Indians trounce the visitors 13-5 in the nightcap after dropping a 5-4 decision in the opener.
(June 18) Rockets at Camrose
(June 19) Rockets at Ponoka
(June 21) At the big Lacombe Tournament, again the Rockets won their opener but dropped their second game and failed to advance. Indian Head crushed Westlock 13-1 behind the hurling of right-hander Jim Morrrow. But, then, unheralded Stettler beat the Rockets 11-6 (in what the Edmonton Journal called an “astonishing upset”), as 38-year-old Negro League veteran Walter Calhoun and left-hander Dan Jenkins toiled on the mound for the Rockets. The California Mohawks and Sceptre split first prize money when rain prevented the championship game. [Edmonton Journal, 22 June]
(June 22) The Indian Head News had some news (although no scores) of Rockets’ exhibition games around the Lacombe Tournament. "During the Alberta sortie they disposed of Lougheed, Bawlf, Wetaskiwin and the United States Airforce club from Laddfield (sic), Alaska, with boxcar scores".
(June 22) Lefty Vic Wall allowed just one hit Thursday as Swift Current Indians down Muskogee Cardinals 8-2 in the seven inning contest.
(June 22) In a five-inning game, shortened by rain, Delisle downed the Indian Head Rockets 5-0 behind a one-hitter by import hurler Joe Hollin Chretien. Walter Calhoun took the loss, yielding eight hits.
(June 23) In their home debut, the Indian Head Rockets drew a crowd of 1,200 Friday night to watch their home club notch a 5-3 victory over the Regina Caps. The late starting game (Rockets encountered more bus trouble on the return from Delisle) was called after six innings because of darkness. Alexander Williams and Jesse Blackman/Blackmon pitched for the Rockets. Ira Wells went the route for Regina.
(June 24) Indian Head Rockets swept a twin-bill from Swift Current Indians, 8-6 and 3-1 before 2-thousand fans at West End Park in Swift Current. Rockets scored four runs in the top of the 9th inning of the opener then held off a rally by the Indians to take the victory. Jim Morrow pitched a five-hitter for the win. Hubert “Pee Wee” Collins, Lincoln Boyd and Frank “Spike” Tillman each swatted two hits for the Rockets.
Southpaw Dan Jenkins fired a three-hitter in the second game as Indian Head plated two runs in the 6th inning, which held up for the win. The 22-year-old Boyd, with a season of Negro League ball and one with Brandon under his belt, led the Rockets with three hits. With the team bus still broken down the drivers were Jack Watts, Chas. Bonner, George Ferguson and Gordon Glenn
(June 26) The newspaper headline read “Wild scenes for 2,170 fans”. Before the largest crowd of the season at Taylor Field, Regina Caps and Indian Head Rockets fought to a 3-3 draw in a game called after nine innings because of darkness. Tony Maze, just back from service with the North Battleford Beavers, went the route for the Caps while Pancho Gray and Dan Jenkins handled the pitching chores for the Rockets. Frank Tillman, the youngest of the Rockets at just 17 years, had three hits for Indian Head while Gus Kyle paced the Caps with a triple and double.
(June 27) Playing at home, the Indian Head Rockets blanked Swift Current 6-0 Tuesday behind the three-hit pitching of former New York Black Yankee Pancho Gray. Rockets punched out ten hits. It was the Rockets third straight win over the Indians.
(June 27) The Leader-Post reported “Big Jim Williams isn’t too please with his club and has reinforcements on the way”.
(June 28) Indian Head pounded out 17 hits in a 6-3 win over Lumsden. Jim Morrow led the attack with four hits. Lefty Walter Calhoun tossed a six-hitter for the Rockets. He fanned nine. Six others – Lindsey Carswell, Hubert (Pee Wee) Collins, Frank Tillman, George Lipscomb, Jesse Blackmon and Calhoun each produced two safeties.
(June 29) Outfielder Lincoln Boyd, dropped by the Indian Head Rockets, was picked up by the Regina Caps and scored three times in his first game with his new club, a 16-5 win over Carrot River Loggers.
(June 29) Indian Head won third place money at the Moosomin Tournament downing the Elmwood Giants 7-4 in the consolation final. Jim Morrow went the route for the victory. The Rockets dropped their opening game 8-6 to Brandon Grey who went on to capture top prize of $2,000 defeating Carman 6-5 in the final. Carman had reached the final with a 5-2 victory over the Elmwood Giants. An 8th inning triple by Armando Vasquez scored the tying run and Vasquez notched the winner on an infield out. Frank Watkins bested Johnny Wingo on the hill.
It was a hit-fest between Brandon and the Rockets with 26 hits registered on the scorecard. Greys got homers from Charlie Peete and Rafe Cabrera, while George Lipscomb belted one out for Indian Head.
(June 30 Rockets scheduled against the Ligon All-Stars at Foam Lake.
(July 1) Regina Caps and the Rockets divided a Dominion Day double header that highlighted the annual Indian Head Sports Day. Rockets took the opener 6-5 and Caps got a 4-3 win in the other. In the first game, Caps scored a pair in the ninth to tie at 5-5 before the Rockets came through in the 11th for the win. Alex Williams, Daniel Jenkins and Pancho Gray handled the mound work for the Rockets. Import hurler Joe Searcie was on the hill for the Caps. Regina had 15 hits, including a fourth inning homer by Ken Charlton. A ninth inning run gave Caps the second game 4-3. Jesse Blackman/Blackmon and Jenkins allowed nine hits while Lefty Harrison yielded eight safeties before giving way to Tony Maze in the seventh.
(July 2) The youngest member of the Rockets was the hero as Indian Head shaded Regina Caps 7-6 in exhibition play. Frank Tillman, the 17-year-old led off the seventh inning with a double and came around to score the winning run. It was one of three hits for the Rockets’ shortstop. Walter Calhoun and Pancho Gray, who relieved in the seventh, handled the mound work for the winners. Bill Clary yielded nine hits in taking the loss.
(July 3) At the Lancer Tournament, Indian Head finished second, losing to Sceptre 4-2 in 11 innings in the final game. Rockets had advanced by beating Swift Current 4-0. Eston finished third.
(July 4-5) More than 12,000 fans watched California Mohawks turn back the Indian Head Rockers 5-2 on Wednesday in the final of the Foam Lake Tournament. Jake Abbott went the route on the hill for the Mohawks besting the Rockets' Jim Morrow. The college kids broke on top in the first inning and added another run in the second to go ahead 2-0. The scoring ended in the third as the Mohawks scored three and the Rockets got a pair. From then on it was shutout ball from the two hurlers. It was the third tournament victory for the California club.
Indian Head’s Hubert Collins suffered an ankle injury to add to the team’s growing list of casualties. Lindsey Carswell played in the tourney with a broken cheekbone. Rockets topped Estevan 12-7 to advance to the final. The Mohawks crushed Carrot River 11-0 to reach the championship game. In the opening round Indian Head scored a 9-2 win over Yorkton, then trounced Kamsack 17-9.
On opening day, Kamsack Cyclones stunned the defending champion Delisle 2-1, Eston Ramblers topped Saskatoon Legion 5-4, California Mohawks edged Gull Lake 5-3, Sceptre over Muskogee Cardinals 8-4 and Ligon All-Stars trounced Watson 9-1. Estevan Maple Leafs eliminated Sheho 7-3 and Carrot River Loggers over Elfros 9-2.
(July 6) Indian Head Rockets swept a double-header from Sceptre at the Whitewood Sports Day. Rockets won the opener 7-0 and took the second tilt 12-3. George Lipscomb banged out four hits in the second game for the Rockets while Walter Calhoun, Isiah Quarterman and Jesse Blackman/Blackmon had triples. Calhoun tossed a four-hitter for the win while the Rockets had 13 hits off Eddy DeBarnabo and Hal Price.
There's been no published explanation for why the Indian Head Rockets discarded outfielder Lincoln Boyd early in the 1950 season.
Boyd, who played with Brandon Greys in 1949 (hitting .,300 in limited time) and the Atlanta Brown Crackers, went on to join the Regina Caps and had a sensational season, hitting .436 while leading the league in triples and tying for the lead in home runs. He did not have enough at bats to qualify for the batting title.
A former Negro All-American halfback from Alabama A&M,
Boyd went on to play pro ball for a few seasons before disappearing from the public eye.
In 1955, with Clovis Pioneers in the West Texas - New Mexico League, hit .340 .447 .678 with 33 doubles and 44 home runs. The following season he set an incredible individual act with grand slam home runs in consecutive at bats, driving in a total of 11 runs in a 17-12 victory. There is no record of Boyd after the 1956 season.
Rockets Page One >>> Rockets Page Two >>>