W L Pct. GB
Spokane ..... 34 19 .642 —
Salem ....... 30 20 .600 2½
Vancouver ... 30 24 .556 4½
Lewiston .... 26 22 .542 5½
Yakima ...... 26 23 .531 6
Edmonton .... 24 25 .490 8
Calgary ..... 22 26 .458 9½
Wenatchee ... 20 29 .409 12
Victoria .... 21 31 .404 12½
Tri-City .... 20 32 .385 13½
AP has different standings for Lew, Edm and Vic
CALGARY — Grand-slam homers by Charley Mead and Gus Stathos gave the Calgary Stampeders an 11-7 victory over the Victoria Tyees in a Western International League game here Monday night.
Trailing 5-2 going into their half of the inning, the Cowboys unloaded five hits, including Mead's homer, and took advantage of two Victoria errors, to go ahead for the first time in the game.
Stathos slammed his in the eight put the issue beyond doubt. Don Hunter also homered for the Stamps, his 22nd of the season. Granny Gladstone hit a round-tripper for Victoria.
Earl Dollins, who was relieved by Bill Bottler in the eighth, was the loser.
Victoria ............ 000 013 102— 7 10 2
Calgary ............ 000 011 54x—11 15 4
Dollins, Bottler (8) and Martin; Kapp and Bricker.
(only game scheduled)
Soriano Holds Talks With Bob Roberts
[Vancouver News Herald, August 18, 1953]
While the Capilanos rested easily in Edmonton, enjoying their first off-day from baseball after 42 successive assignments, club general manager Dewey Soriano hurried to Richland, Washington to meet pitcher Bobby Roberts. Roberts left the club suddenly Thursday.
Soriano insisted the little right-hander was not a “jumper” and had asked permission to make the trip.
“His wife is going to have a serious operation,” Soriano said. “Bob wanted to be with her for a few days before she went under the knife. He did not say he might not rejoin the club and that’s why I’m making this trip to clarify the issue.”
Roberts has won eight and lost two since joining Vancouver from Calgary in July, He has pitched great ball and his loss would be felt by the slim-sized staff which is presently trying to carry the Caps to a second-half WIL championship.
However, Soriano feels that Roberts will rejoin the team. He reasons that Bobby will need the money to pay for such an operation and therefore will have to work out the remainder of the season. Besides which, Soriano now smells the blood of a second-half title and does not want to risk a chance of losing just because he is short-staffed.
Edmonton Has 3,659 Allies
EDMONTON — General Manager John Ducey of the Western International League Eskimos says he has 3,659 allies for the cause of legalized Sunday baseball in Edmonton.
A banner adorning the entrance to Renfrew Park Sunday afternoon mellowed the fans as they passed through the gates to see the Eskimo-Vancouver Caps game, first WIL game held here on the sabbath.
It said, in a gently kidding vein: "We think that this game is worth $1. What do you think?"
It developed that many of the bleacher bugs thought likewise, for the take amounted to a substantial $1,777.50. That averaged 48½ cents a head.
This was something like 12½ cents better than the Caps did recently when they staged a similar WIL offering on a Sunday collection basis. Vancouver fans turned out 5,000 strong for that game.
The Edmonton and Vancouver ball moguls would like to have Sunday ball as a regular diet, like they have it in Toronto, Montreal and in the United States.
Ducey said the best Sunday collection for baseball ever was an average 36 cents a head for a semi-professional playoff game in 1950 in the days of the defunct Calgary-Edmonton Big Four League. Before that, 25 cents a head was about tops.
Showing posts with label Edmonton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edmonton. Show all posts
Sunday, 13 July 2008
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Spring Training, Friday, March 27, 1953
In This Corner
By DICK ZEHMS
Long Beach Press-Telegram Sports Editor [from March 28, 1953]
A touch of the past will be linked with the present and future Sunday in Cressey Park, Compton, when the brand new Edmonton, Canada, Eskimos of the Class A Western-International League play the Compton Pacemakers in an exhibition baseball game.
The touch of the past is John Grady of Gardena. who way back in 1910 helped pitch Edmonton to a league championship. He will throw out the first ball as the Eskimos, out of organized baseball since 1922, return to the great game in this, their first competition with a new club new ownership.
Today the Eskimos wound up their first week of practice under the watchful eye of Manager Bobby Sturgeon at Cressey Park. Tomorrow they embark on a competitive program which will bring them into Recreation Park a week from Sunday for an exhibition game with the Long Beach Rockets.
Mayor Harry Laughran of Compton will catch Grady's first pitch as the new Edmonton club is born.
John Ducey, general manager of the Eskimos and real estate and insurance man in Edmonton, a boom town in the province of Alberta, isn't exactly a stranger in the Southland although he's thousands of miles from home. Ducey, you see, saw John (Beans) Reardon break into baseball as an umpire in the old Canadian League when Edmonton was a member way back in 1920. He recalls avidly how “Beans” started his long and successful career in the officiating game when only one umpire worked a game.
John even goes on to recall how an Edmonton newspaper wrote an editorial on its editorial page predicting a great future for Reardon as an umpire, including a career in the majors. That was 1920. Well, “Beans” retired only a couple of years ago after valiant and faithful service as a National League arbiter.
So perhaps there is a kinship between Edmonton and Long Beach. Ducey also recalls the days of Mike Romero, active in American Legion and kid baseball affairs here for two decades, as a player around 1920-21 for Moose Jaw.
The present Edmonton-Long Beach link is even closer, what with the manager and a number of local boys as candidates for the club.
• • •
EDMONTON'S ESKIMOS WERE ORGANIZED LAST FALL BY DUCEY AND 24 STOCKHOLDERS, each pitching in with enough cash for a 850,000 bank roll. The club was starting from scratch, except that Ducey held a lease for 20 years on the city's 6000-seat stadium, home park of the Eskimos.
“We'll have to do about $150,000 worth of business at the turnstiles to make a go of it this season,” Ducey offered. “I think we will. Edmonton is a good sports town. It's booming. The population is 180,000, and it's growing because of the oil and industrial boom. Our football team, which was coached by Frank Filchok, had a fine year in the pro league, so I can't see any reason why we shouldn't succeed too.
“I think one of our more important advantages is that we are geographically isolated from other population centers so that we will not be competing with counter-attractions. We don't have television as a challenge, and we don't have attractions of other cities to worry about.
“When Bob Sturgeon visited us a few weeks ago he made a fine impression. I think he will give the Edmonton fans a good ball club, good enough to make our first year a successful one even if there are no championships coming our way.”
• • •
ALL THE TIME DUCEY AND I WERE TRADING THOUGHTS, OPINIONS AND SPECULATIONS in the dugout at Cressey Park, "Sturge" was out on the field herding his Eskimo candidates through four hours of drills.
Bob's crew of candidates looks something like this:
Pitchers—Larry Manier, 27 victories with Billings in 1951, and 5-4 record with Denver a:nd Billings last season; Jack Widner, 6-4 with Binghamton last year; John Conant, 18-10 with Spokane in '52; Don Tisnerat, a free agent who pitched for Vancouver in 1951; Jim Eskenberry, in the Pioneer League in '50-51, the armed services last year; Len Chenard, a 19-year-old rookie; George Brown, signed by Babe Herman for Boise, and Vance Thurston, Brooklyn farmhand taking special training witn Edmonton.
Catchers—Dick Morgan, brother of the New York Yankees' Tom Morgan, who was inactive in '52 after serving with Beaumont and Norfolk in '51; Vince Pisani, signed by Paddy Cottrell, Yankees' northern scout, alter serving in the Coast Guard in '52.
Infielders—Bob (Whitey) Thomson, Beaumont in '52; Sam Kenelos [sic], hit .296 as switch hitter for Spokane last year and two years ago played with Sacramento; Fred Downing, 1950-51 Poly High star; Sturgeon, and a first baseman, possibly Babe Herman's son, Don. Babe, incidentally, played with Edmonton in 1921.
Outfielders—Vern Campbell, .270 hitter with Quincy last year; “Lucky” Vital, with the '52 Evansville flag winners; Jim Lytall, free agent; Dan Prentice, who belongs to Pocatello, and Jerry Watts, a rookie who will be released from the Army in three months.
Helping Bob is none other than George Caster, veteran major league pitcher who might serve as a relief pitcher, pitching coach and all-around handyman.
By DICK ZEHMS
Long Beach Press-Telegram Sports Editor [from March 28, 1953]
A touch of the past will be linked with the present and future Sunday in Cressey Park, Compton, when the brand new Edmonton, Canada, Eskimos of the Class A Western-International League play the Compton Pacemakers in an exhibition baseball game.
The touch of the past is John Grady of Gardena. who way back in 1910 helped pitch Edmonton to a league championship. He will throw out the first ball as the Eskimos, out of organized baseball since 1922, return to the great game in this, their first competition with a new club new ownership.
Today the Eskimos wound up their first week of practice under the watchful eye of Manager Bobby Sturgeon at Cressey Park. Tomorrow they embark on a competitive program which will bring them into Recreation Park a week from Sunday for an exhibition game with the Long Beach Rockets.
Mayor Harry Laughran of Compton will catch Grady's first pitch as the new Edmonton club is born.
John Ducey, general manager of the Eskimos and real estate and insurance man in Edmonton, a boom town in the province of Alberta, isn't exactly a stranger in the Southland although he's thousands of miles from home. Ducey, you see, saw John (Beans) Reardon break into baseball as an umpire in the old Canadian League when Edmonton was a member way back in 1920. He recalls avidly how “Beans” started his long and successful career in the officiating game when only one umpire worked a game.
John even goes on to recall how an Edmonton newspaper wrote an editorial on its editorial page predicting a great future for Reardon as an umpire, including a career in the majors. That was 1920. Well, “Beans” retired only a couple of years ago after valiant and faithful service as a National League arbiter.
So perhaps there is a kinship between Edmonton and Long Beach. Ducey also recalls the days of Mike Romero, active in American Legion and kid baseball affairs here for two decades, as a player around 1920-21 for Moose Jaw.
The present Edmonton-Long Beach link is even closer, what with the manager and a number of local boys as candidates for the club.
• • •
EDMONTON'S ESKIMOS WERE ORGANIZED LAST FALL BY DUCEY AND 24 STOCKHOLDERS, each pitching in with enough cash for a 850,000 bank roll. The club was starting from scratch, except that Ducey held a lease for 20 years on the city's 6000-seat stadium, home park of the Eskimos.
“We'll have to do about $150,000 worth of business at the turnstiles to make a go of it this season,” Ducey offered. “I think we will. Edmonton is a good sports town. It's booming. The population is 180,000, and it's growing because of the oil and industrial boom. Our football team, which was coached by Frank Filchok, had a fine year in the pro league, so I can't see any reason why we shouldn't succeed too.
“I think one of our more important advantages is that we are geographically isolated from other population centers so that we will not be competing with counter-attractions. We don't have television as a challenge, and we don't have attractions of other cities to worry about.
“When Bob Sturgeon visited us a few weeks ago he made a fine impression. I think he will give the Edmonton fans a good ball club, good enough to make our first year a successful one even if there are no championships coming our way.”
• • •
ALL THE TIME DUCEY AND I WERE TRADING THOUGHTS, OPINIONS AND SPECULATIONS in the dugout at Cressey Park, "Sturge" was out on the field herding his Eskimo candidates through four hours of drills.
Bob's crew of candidates looks something like this:
Pitchers—Larry Manier, 27 victories with Billings in 1951, and 5-4 record with Denver a:nd Billings last season; Jack Widner, 6-4 with Binghamton last year; John Conant, 18-10 with Spokane in '52; Don Tisnerat, a free agent who pitched for Vancouver in 1951; Jim Eskenberry, in the Pioneer League in '50-51, the armed services last year; Len Chenard, a 19-year-old rookie; George Brown, signed by Babe Herman for Boise, and Vance Thurston, Brooklyn farmhand taking special training witn Edmonton.
Catchers—Dick Morgan, brother of the New York Yankees' Tom Morgan, who was inactive in '52 after serving with Beaumont and Norfolk in '51; Vince Pisani, signed by Paddy Cottrell, Yankees' northern scout, alter serving in the Coast Guard in '52.
Infielders—Bob (Whitey) Thomson, Beaumont in '52; Sam Kenelos [sic], hit .296 as switch hitter for Spokane last year and two years ago played with Sacramento; Fred Downing, 1950-51 Poly High star; Sturgeon, and a first baseman, possibly Babe Herman's son, Don. Babe, incidentally, played with Edmonton in 1921.
Outfielders—Vern Campbell, .270 hitter with Quincy last year; “Lucky” Vital, with the '52 Evansville flag winners; Jim Lytall, free agent; Dan Prentice, who belongs to Pocatello, and Jerry Watts, a rookie who will be released from the Army in three months.
Helping Bob is none other than George Caster, veteran major league pitcher who might serve as a relief pitcher, pitching coach and all-around handyman.
Edmonton Gets Name
It’s Eskimos At Edmonton
EDMONTON, Feb. 1—The Edmonton entry in the Western International Baseball League will be known as Eskimos.
General manager John Ducey announced today that the Eskimos was the name most often suggested in a contest in which fans wrote letters to the club, being 50 per cent more popular than Oilers, the second choice.
EDMONTON, Feb. 1—The Edmonton entry in the Western International Baseball League will be known as Eskimos.
General manager John Ducey announced today that the Eskimos was the name most often suggested in a contest in which fans wrote letters to the club, being 50 per cent more popular than Oilers, the second choice.
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Ducey Delighted
EDMONTON, Jan. 14 (CP)— John Ducey, general manager of the new Edmonton entry in the Western International baseball league, said Wednesday he is pleased with advance
ticket sales for 1953.
Just before leaving for the league's mid-winter meeting at Vancouver, Ducey said that sales opened Monday and despite the bitter weather, $2,000 was taken in the one day.
ticket sales for 1953.
Just before leaving for the league's mid-winter meeting at Vancouver, Ducey said that sales opened Monday and despite the bitter weather, $2,000 was taken in the one day.
Edmonton Club Picks Officers
EDMONTON, Alta., Jan. 1—The Edmonton Baseball Club Ltd., was formed Tuesday night [Dec. 30] at a meeting of interests who were successful in gaining a franchise in the Class A Western International League for 1953.
John Ducey, leading figure in Edmonton Baseball for years and lessee of the city's Renfrew Park, was appointed general manager and one of the club's 21 directors.
Brant Matthews, retired Edmonton hotelman who has been a leading financier of city baseball clubs, was elected president.
Other officers are Cecil Ross, first vice-president; Harry W. Maddison, second vice-president; Ken Samis, secretary; Al Ernst, treasurer; and Brian O'Hanlon, business manager.
Ducey said the directors approved purchase of canvas tarpaulins to cover dirt playing areas. Cost will be about $1,700.
John Ducey, leading figure in Edmonton Baseball for years and lessee of the city's Renfrew Park, was appointed general manager and one of the club's 21 directors.
Brant Matthews, retired Edmonton hotelman who has been a leading financier of city baseball clubs, was elected president.
Other officers are Cecil Ross, first vice-president; Harry W. Maddison, second vice-president; Ken Samis, secretary; Al Ernst, treasurer; and Brian O'Hanlon, business manager.
Ducey said the directors approved purchase of canvas tarpaulins to cover dirt playing areas. Cost will be about $1,700.
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Renfrew Park
City To Spend $45,000 on Edmonton Park
EDMONTON, Dec. 22—City Council has approved plans for a $45,000 renovation at Renfrew Park, home of Edmonton’s entry in the Western International Baseball League.
Work is expected to start as soon as weather conditions permit next spring. It is not known whether it will be completed in time for the city’s first viewing of WIL ball May 11.
Council’s decision, reached Monday at a regular meeting, terminates a 10-year lease negotiated in 1949 between the city and John Ducey, local baseball promoter, by which Ducey operated Renfrew Park at a $1 a year. He was required to make all improvements and pay the city eight per cent of the gate, deducting costs of the improvements. The lease was found inoperable and a new agreement will be negotiated.
EDMONTON, Dec. 22—City Council has approved plans for a $45,000 renovation at Renfrew Park, home of Edmonton’s entry in the Western International Baseball League.
Work is expected to start as soon as weather conditions permit next spring. It is not known whether it will be completed in time for the city’s first viewing of WIL ball May 11.
Council’s decision, reached Monday at a regular meeting, terminates a 10-year lease negotiated in 1949 between the city and John Ducey, local baseball promoter, by which Ducey operated Renfrew Park at a $1 a year. He was required to make all improvements and pay the city eight per cent of the gate, deducting costs of the improvements. The lease was found inoperable and a new agreement will be negotiated.
Edmonton in Yankees Chain
Eskimos Tie Up With Yanks
EDMONTON, Dec. 10, 1952—The Edmonton baseball club will have a “working agreement” with the major league champion New York Yankees in its debut in the class A Western International League next season.
In announcing this association Wednesday, club spokesman John Ducey reported that Edmonton has purchased eight players as a nucleus, six of them from the Yankee chain.
Ducey also said the Edmonton club likely will open its spring training camp at Hanford, Calif., in the last week of March. The Edmonton and Calgary entries in the W.I.L. probably will play pre-season exhibition games.
INCRASE SEATING
Renfrew Park, home of the Edmonton club, now has a seating capacity of 4,350, but Ducey said this will be developed to a capacity of 6,000.
Players purchased from the Yankees are right-handed pitcher Jack Widner, with Binghamton of the Eastern League last season; shortstop Whitey Thompson, from Beaumont of the Texas League; outfielder Lou Vitos, from Boise of the Pioneer circuit; catcher Dick Morgan, also from Beaumont; catcher Harry Eastwood, from Binghamton; and shorstop Gil Trejo, also from Boise.
Ducey said Edmonton paid $2,000 apiece for Widner and Thompson. Their purchase will be outright if they report. The other four are purchased conditionally. Morgan is a brother of rookie pitcher Tom Morgan of the Yankees. He played with Victoria in 1949.
COST $5,000
Purchased outright was right-handed pitcher John Conant from Spokane Indians of the WIL. Edmonton got another right-handed chucker, Larry Manier, from the Pittsburgh Pirates on a provisional reporting and 30-day tryout basis. Manier, last season with Denver of the Western league, had a 23-5 won and lost record with Great Falls of the Pioneer loop in 1951. Edmonton paid $2500 apiece for Conant and Manier. The latter was formerly with Vancouver.Ducey said playing manager Bob Sturgeon, who saw major league service with Chicago Cubs and Boston Braves, will open the season at second base. He was playing-manager at Victoria for the latter part of the 1951 season.
EDMONTON, Dec. 10, 1952—The Edmonton baseball club will have a “working agreement” with the major league champion New York Yankees in its debut in the class A Western International League next season.
In announcing this association Wednesday, club spokesman John Ducey reported that Edmonton has purchased eight players as a nucleus, six of them from the Yankee chain.
Ducey also said the Edmonton club likely will open its spring training camp at Hanford, Calif., in the last week of March. The Edmonton and Calgary entries in the W.I.L. probably will play pre-season exhibition games.
INCRASE SEATING
Renfrew Park, home of the Edmonton club, now has a seating capacity of 4,350, but Ducey said this will be developed to a capacity of 6,000.
Players purchased from the Yankees are right-handed pitcher Jack Widner, with Binghamton of the Eastern League last season; shortstop Whitey Thompson, from Beaumont of the Texas League; outfielder Lou Vitos, from Boise of the Pioneer circuit; catcher Dick Morgan, also from Beaumont; catcher Harry Eastwood, from Binghamton; and shorstop Gil Trejo, also from Boise.
Ducey said Edmonton paid $2,000 apiece for Widner and Thompson. Their purchase will be outright if they report. The other four are purchased conditionally. Morgan is a brother of rookie pitcher Tom Morgan of the Yankees. He played with Victoria in 1949.
COST $5,000
Purchased outright was right-handed pitcher John Conant from Spokane Indians of the WIL. Edmonton got another right-handed chucker, Larry Manier, from the Pittsburgh Pirates on a provisional reporting and 30-day tryout basis. Manier, last season with Denver of the Western league, had a 23-5 won and lost record with Great Falls of the Pioneer loop in 1951. Edmonton paid $2500 apiece for Conant and Manier. The latter was formerly with Vancouver.Ducey said playing manager Bob Sturgeon, who saw major league service with Chicago Cubs and Boston Braves, will open the season at second base. He was playing-manager at Victoria for the latter part of the 1951 season.
Gimme, Says Ducey
Ducey Requests Improved Park
EDMONTON, Nov. 10, 1952—John Ducey, Edmonton baseball promoter, is promising major improvements for Renfrew Park, which will be the home of Edmonton’s entry in the Western International Baseball League next spring.
In a letter to city council, Ducey asks several improvements for 1953. They include a new 14-foot fence, a new electrical scoreboard and an additional 444 box seats and 1,500 bleacher seats.
He also asks the improvement of the car parking facilities and improvement of the park lighting.
EDMONTON, Nov. 10, 1952—John Ducey, Edmonton baseball promoter, is promising major improvements for Renfrew Park, which will be the home of Edmonton’s entry in the Western International Baseball League next spring.
In a letter to city council, Ducey asks several improvements for 1953. They include a new 14-foot fence, a new electrical scoreboard and an additional 444 box seats and 1,500 bleacher seats.
He also asks the improvement of the car parking facilities and improvement of the park lighting.
Who Will Manage Edmonton?
Many Seeking Edmonton Baseball Job
EDMONTON, Nov. 7—John Ducey, operator of Edmonton’s franchise in the Western International Baseball League, said today he has received 10 applications so far for the managerial job of his club.
Ducey said he might have something to say about the managerial choice if Edmonton can manage a partial working agreement with some major league club at the Dec. 1 to 7 meetings in Phoenix, Ariz., of the major and minor leagues.
He left today for Tacoma, Wash., to attend the annual meeting of the W.I.L. Formal acceptance of Calgary and Edmonton will be made by league at Tacoma.
EDMONTON, Nov. 7—John Ducey, operator of Edmonton’s franchise in the Western International Baseball League, said today he has received 10 applications so far for the managerial job of his club.
Ducey said he might have something to say about the managerial choice if Edmonton can manage a partial working agreement with some major league club at the Dec. 1 to 7 meetings in Phoenix, Ariz., of the major and minor leagues.
He left today for Tacoma, Wash., to attend the annual meeting of the W.I.L. Formal acceptance of Calgary and Edmonton will be made by league at Tacoma.
WIL Expands to Alberta
Unanimous Approval Given For Alberta W.I.L. Clubs
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 24, 1952]
Calgary and Edmonton will be part of a 10-team Western International Baseball League next year.
The expected announcement was made from Tacoma yesterday by league president Robert B. Abel, who stated that the election of the two Alberta cities was unanimous and that they had accepted league membership.
Tentative plans were laid at a league meeting in Seattle last week when league officials met with John Ducey and Sam Timmins, representing Edmonton and Calgary, respectively. Final arrangements were made at that time but only Vancouver, Yakima and Victoria delegates had the power to consent to the addition of Calgary and Edmonton. The other five clubs promised their definite answer before yesterday’s deadline. All voted yes.
Enlargement of the W.I.L. brings added schedule and travel problems and efforts are being made to draw up a schedule in time to present it to the annual league meeting, scheduled November 10 in Yakima.
Abel said yesterday that the schedule should start on or about Friday, April 24 and end on Labor Day with approximately 140 games for each club. If it can be done, a balanced schedule will be used. It is the plan to start the season in the southern half of the circuit—Lewiston, Spokane, Wenatchee, Yakima and Tri-City—and move after about 10 days when weather in the northern cities is a bit more stable. Calgary and Edmonton will likely play two weeks on the road, opening at home around May 10.
FAVOR PLAYOFF
“I am also going to recommend that the league play a split season with the winners of the two halves meeting in a post-season series for the championship,” Abel stated. And it is altogether likely that this proposal will be accepted by the clubs, who are now said to be favoring some kind of a league play-off.
This will be the first appearance of Calgary and Edmonton clubs in class “A” baseball. However, both have been in class “B” and “C” leagues in previous years.
PRAIRIES IN WIL
Bob Brown Wins Out
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Oct. 24, 1952]
When Edmonton and Calgary were accepted into the Western International League Thursday, it successfully climaxed a two-year personal crusade by Vancouver’s Bob Brown, who usually gets what he wants, eventually, in his own baseball orbit.
Brown’s plans to include the two prairie cities were received coldly in the spring of 1951, with no only league members but also Edmonton’s John Ducey vetoing the suggestion.
But a combination of circumstances this fall changed the picture, and Ruby Robert pressed his advantage,
Shaky franchises at Tri-City and Wenatchee left the league facing a six-team seup, an unwelcome prospect; a consideration drop in over-all attendance left the teams open to suggestions of new blood; and a clamor in the two Alberta cities by fans and the press for a better class of baseball clinched it.
• • •
Including of the two new clubs makes the Class A WIL the largest league in organized baseball, and Thursday brought a suggestion from President Robert Abel that isn’t new to baseball bur would be novel here.
He said that he will suggest at the Nov. 10 meeting in Yakima that the league play a split schedule, with the first half winners meeting the second half winners at the season’s end. Season would start April 24 and end Labor Day, he said.
This suggestion may end up as just that, though. Facing WIL directors now is a more difficult task: whipping up a schedule for four Canadian teams who don’t play Sunday and six U.S. teams who do, along with such other difficulties as how to get from Salem to Calgary inside 24 hours.
• • •
But these are just a few of the problems facing Sam Timmins and Co. at Calgary and Ducey and his Edmonton associates. They’ve also got to get a couple of ball clubs, and prairie fans aren’t likely to stand still for mediocre teams.
But Brown says Timmins and Ducey have already been in contact with eastern baseball interests.
IT BEATS ME
By Jim Tang
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 24, 1952]
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 24, 1952]
Calgary and Edmonton will be part of a 10-team Western International Baseball League next year.
The expected announcement was made from Tacoma yesterday by league president Robert B. Abel, who stated that the election of the two Alberta cities was unanimous and that they had accepted league membership.
Tentative plans were laid at a league meeting in Seattle last week when league officials met with John Ducey and Sam Timmins, representing Edmonton and Calgary, respectively. Final arrangements were made at that time but only Vancouver, Yakima and Victoria delegates had the power to consent to the addition of Calgary and Edmonton. The other five clubs promised their definite answer before yesterday’s deadline. All voted yes.
Enlargement of the W.I.L. brings added schedule and travel problems and efforts are being made to draw up a schedule in time to present it to the annual league meeting, scheduled November 10 in Yakima.
Abel said yesterday that the schedule should start on or about Friday, April 24 and end on Labor Day with approximately 140 games for each club. If it can be done, a balanced schedule will be used. It is the plan to start the season in the southern half of the circuit—Lewiston, Spokane, Wenatchee, Yakima and Tri-City—and move after about 10 days when weather in the northern cities is a bit more stable. Calgary and Edmonton will likely play two weeks on the road, opening at home around May 10.
FAVOR PLAYOFF
“I am also going to recommend that the league play a split season with the winners of the two halves meeting in a post-season series for the championship,” Abel stated. And it is altogether likely that this proposal will be accepted by the clubs, who are now said to be favoring some kind of a league play-off.
This will be the first appearance of Calgary and Edmonton clubs in class “A” baseball. However, both have been in class “B” and “C” leagues in previous years.
PRAIRIES IN WIL
Bob Brown Wins Out
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Oct. 24, 1952]
When Edmonton and Calgary were accepted into the Western International League Thursday, it successfully climaxed a two-year personal crusade by Vancouver’s Bob Brown, who usually gets what he wants, eventually, in his own baseball orbit.
Brown’s plans to include the two prairie cities were received coldly in the spring of 1951, with no only league members but also Edmonton’s John Ducey vetoing the suggestion.
But a combination of circumstances this fall changed the picture, and Ruby Robert pressed his advantage,
Shaky franchises at Tri-City and Wenatchee left the league facing a six-team seup, an unwelcome prospect; a consideration drop in over-all attendance left the teams open to suggestions of new blood; and a clamor in the two Alberta cities by fans and the press for a better class of baseball clinched it.
• • •
Including of the two new clubs makes the Class A WIL the largest league in organized baseball, and Thursday brought a suggestion from President Robert Abel that isn’t new to baseball bur would be novel here.
He said that he will suggest at the Nov. 10 meeting in Yakima that the league play a split schedule, with the first half winners meeting the second half winners at the season’s end. Season would start April 24 and end Labor Day, he said.
This suggestion may end up as just that, though. Facing WIL directors now is a more difficult task: whipping up a schedule for four Canadian teams who don’t play Sunday and six U.S. teams who do, along with such other difficulties as how to get from Salem to Calgary inside 24 hours.
• • •
But these are just a few of the problems facing Sam Timmins and Co. at Calgary and Ducey and his Edmonton associates. They’ve also got to get a couple of ball clubs, and prairie fans aren’t likely to stand still for mediocre teams.
But Brown says Timmins and Ducey have already been in contact with eastern baseball interests.
IT BEATS ME
By Jim Tang
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 24, 1952]
Prairie cities are becoming increasingly important on the Coast sports scene. Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton may not exactly have “saved” the Pacific Coast Hockey League by becoming members of what is now more aptly known as the Western Hockey League, but there was no future in a five-team Coast league comprised of Victoria, Vancouver, New Westminster, Seattle and Tacoma. The addition of the three prairie centres may the W.H.L. what is recognized as pro hockey’s second league and made it possible not to worry about probably defection at Tacoma and, perhaps, Seattle.
Now, Edmonton and Calgary will try and do the same for the shaky Western International Baseball League and the chances are that the two Alberta cities will eventually make for a far more solid W.I.L.
The first season is hardly likely to be any rousing success. Baseball has proven time and again that 10 teams make for an unwieldy league and the W.I.L. is faced with grave transportation and schedule problems, not to say anything about graver financial situations in most of its eight holdover franchises, with particular emphasis on Tri-City and Wenatchee.
However, there was no other action that could be taken. It was only to be expected that Calgary and Edmonton would have to be given franchises. And when all other eight clubs stated they planned to play at least another season, it had to be 10 teams. The main item was to get the two Alberta cities into the league before they went elsewhere. Both are ripe for professional baseball and both are valuable baseball territories.
But it is not at all likely that the 10-team arrangement will last for more than one season. The situation in several of the smaller W.I.L. centres is not at all good and owners are only hanging on in the hope of something approaching a miracle. Wenatchee and Tri-City and, perhaps, Salem and Lewiston, are just not big enough to support Class “A” baseball and sooner or later two or three will have to recognize that inexorable fact. When that happens, the W.I.L. can become a truly international league with four Canadian and four American teams—but only because it accepted Calgary and Edmonton for next season. It won’t be much longer, probably by 1954, before it will again be an eight-team league. Two of the American teams will likely be Spokane and Yakima. Tacoma is a good bet to be back, perhaps even for the 1953 season. The other American club could be Lewiston or Salem—or Bremerton. Until it happens, the W.I.L. will never really be a sound league. As it is, spread over British Columbia, Alberta, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, it is obvious that changes won’t be long in coming.
Random Harvest
Wenatchee and Lewiston delegates came to the W.I.L. meeting last week with instructions to vote against inclusion of Calgary and Edmonton. They weren’t long in changing their minds. At the same time, Edmonton’s John Ducey had to be persuaded that it had to be a 10-team league, for one season at least...Look for a new manager for the Vancouver Capilanos for next season. It is almost certain that Edo Vanni, who proved no better than Bill Schuster, won’t be back. It’ll be a “name” or, perhaps, Don Osborn, who piloted Spokane Indians last year…Philadelphia Athletics have cut their farm system by four teams. Out is their working agreement with the Tri-City Braves…There is a good chance that the Tri-City franchise may wind up in Tacoma, little chance than it will be moved to Eugene, which could hardly hope to be more than a one-season proposition.
Now, Edmonton and Calgary will try and do the same for the shaky Western International Baseball League and the chances are that the two Alberta cities will eventually make for a far more solid W.I.L.
The first season is hardly likely to be any rousing success. Baseball has proven time and again that 10 teams make for an unwieldy league and the W.I.L. is faced with grave transportation and schedule problems, not to say anything about graver financial situations in most of its eight holdover franchises, with particular emphasis on Tri-City and Wenatchee.
However, there was no other action that could be taken. It was only to be expected that Calgary and Edmonton would have to be given franchises. And when all other eight clubs stated they planned to play at least another season, it had to be 10 teams. The main item was to get the two Alberta cities into the league before they went elsewhere. Both are ripe for professional baseball and both are valuable baseball territories.
But it is not at all likely that the 10-team arrangement will last for more than one season. The situation in several of the smaller W.I.L. centres is not at all good and owners are only hanging on in the hope of something approaching a miracle. Wenatchee and Tri-City and, perhaps, Salem and Lewiston, are just not big enough to support Class “A” baseball and sooner or later two or three will have to recognize that inexorable fact. When that happens, the W.I.L. can become a truly international league with four Canadian and four American teams—but only because it accepted Calgary and Edmonton for next season. It won’t be much longer, probably by 1954, before it will again be an eight-team league. Two of the American teams will likely be Spokane and Yakima. Tacoma is a good bet to be back, perhaps even for the 1953 season. The other American club could be Lewiston or Salem—or Bremerton. Until it happens, the W.I.L. will never really be a sound league. As it is, spread over British Columbia, Alberta, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, it is obvious that changes won’t be long in coming.
Random Harvest
Wenatchee and Lewiston delegates came to the W.I.L. meeting last week with instructions to vote against inclusion of Calgary and Edmonton. They weren’t long in changing their minds. At the same time, Edmonton’s John Ducey had to be persuaded that it had to be a 10-team league, for one season at least...Look for a new manager for the Vancouver Capilanos for next season. It is almost certain that Edo Vanni, who proved no better than Bill Schuster, won’t be back. It’ll be a “name” or, perhaps, Don Osborn, who piloted Spokane Indians last year…Philadelphia Athletics have cut their farm system by four teams. Out is their working agreement with the Tri-City Braves…There is a good chance that the Tri-City franchise may wind up in Tacoma, little chance than it will be moved to Eugene, which could hardly hope to be more than a one-season proposition.
Alberta Closer to Having WIL Teams
WIL President Okays Prairie Ball Entries
TACOMA, Oct. 10, 1952—Western International Baseball League president Robert B. Abel said here today that Calgary and Edmonton, Alta., interests are “ready, willing and clearly able” to enter the class A diamond circuit.
Abel said the two Canadian prairie cities could gain admission to the league by one or two methods, (1) acquisition of existing franchise, or (2) persuading the league directors to expand to 10 teams.
Both Edmonton and Calgary have “baseball populations” i.e.—populations within 10 miles of city limits in excess of 200,000, Abel declared. In that connection, only Vancouver, Victoria and Spokane of the present league alignment have regular potential drawing power.
Consideration of the Calgary and Edmonton bids at an early date was a prime factor in the scheduling of a league meeting for Oct. 17 in Seattle.
PRAIRIE CITIES WANT IN
Travel, Schedule Problems in WIL Bid
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Oct. 17, 1952]
A pair of prairie men, seeking to bring culture—in the form of the Western International League baseball—to Edmonton and Calgary, visited Vancouver briefly Thursday en route to Seattle, where they meet with WIL directors tonight.
The duo, Sam Timmins of Calgary, and Edmonton’s John Ducey, huddled with Bob Brown, Vancouver’s Mr. Baseball and the No. 1 supporter of their pro bid, in an effort to put the boots to what Brown describes as their two main stumbling blocks—1. Transportation; 2. Schedule.
How successful they were should be known later tonight. This much is certain: The WIL and the prairie cities need each other.
• • •
The Class A pro league of which our Capilanos are members has two weak sisters, Wenatchee and Tri-City, both of which are out of their depth.
Edmonton and Calgary are, as Ducey put it, “bustling their britches” as cities and are anxious for something better than the inter-city, you-play-me-I’ll-play-you semi-pro rivalry they’ve had for some years now.
There seems no doubt that the two Alberta centre can hold their own attendance-wise. Not only are there the examples or pro football and pro hockey, but the figures Timmins and Ducey quote for baseball itself are impressive enough.
Keeping in mind that the people are seeing the same faces all the time—just Edmonton vs. Calgary—you can’t argue with these statistics: Calgary, seating just 2700 in Buffalo Park—but with unlimited standing room—drew 186,000 in their best recent season; Edmonton, with 4350 seats in Renfrew Park, pulled in 155,000 cash customers.
They have other figures such as this supplied by Timmins, who was known as “Sad Sam” when he performed capably as a hockey goalie: Box seats—at $100 a throw—are at a premium, with 156 of ‘em being snapped up pronto.
• • •
And there’s no worry about the financial setup, apparently, with some 10 oilmen ready to back the Calgary team, and a similar setup at Edmonton.
That leaves transportation—which Timmins said they haven’t investigated—and the schedule, unwieldy for a 10-team setup, assuming that the WIL’s weak sisters hang on.
With a league stretching from Salem, Ore., to Alberta, it’s obvious Bob Brown and Co. are owners of a king-sized headache.
They’ll be trying to come up with a monarch-size aspiring tonight.
WIL Favors New Entries, Decide Thursday
SEATTLE, Oct. 17—It will be known by next Thursday whether the Class A Western International Baseball League will be expanded to 10 teams to make room for the Canadian prairie cities of Calgary and Edmonton.
League Directors and club representatives decided at an all-day meeting here Friday to leave it up to local directors of the eight current WIL teams whether two more clubs shall be added.
The deadline for action by the local boards is Oct. 23.
Robert B. Abel, league president, said all those in attendance at the Friday meeting reported they would recommend approval by their local directors.
Edmonton, Calgary Clubs Certain in Enlarged W.I.L.
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 18, 1952]
It’s as certain as anything in baseball can possible be at this stage of the season—Edmonton and Calgary are to become members of an enlarged 10-team Western International Baseball League for the 1953 season.
League officials met with John Ducey and Sam Timmins, representing Edmonton and Calgary interests respectively, at Seattle yesterday in an all-day conference. Only the fact that four clubs could not make a decision until their directorates had voted on the matter prevented a definite announcement that Edmonton and Calgary were “in” last night.
However, there is no doubt but that the Alberta cities will be admitted. Representatives of the four clubs in question—Lewiston, Wenatchee, Tri-City and Salem—were all in favor of the enlarged league and approval of their directorates is considered only a matter of form. Only two more favourable votes are needed in any event with Victoria, Vancouver, Spokane and Yakima already on record as supporting the Edmonton and Calgary entries.
Face with the almost positive assurance that they will have 10 teams, league officials are already laying plans for next season, and striving to find means to combat added schedule and transportation difficulties.
BALANCED SCHEDULE
Tentatively, they decided yesterday on a season opening on or about April 26 and closing on Labor Day with approximately 140-145 games for each club. It is their hope to arrange a balanced schedule, which would have every club playing two four-game series in each of the nine other cities. This would make for a 144-game schedule with 72 home games for each team, almost ideal.
However, with no Sunday baseball in Canada and the lengthy distances between such cities as Salem and Edmonton, to say nothing of getting the most out of holiday fixtures, the schedule presents quite a problem. The league will pay $300 or more to anyone who can frame a suitable schedule any anyone who wants to give it a try is welcome to do so. Just mail your entries to the Victoria Baseball Club, who will see that they get to the proper official
TRAVEL BY AIR
Club officials at the meeting were surprised at the cost of transporting their players to Alberta by air. A representative of Trans-Canada Airlines was at the meeting and it seems almost certain that the clubs, particularly those situated on the Pacific Coast, will do considerable travelling by air next season. Needless to state, this will help with the balky scheduling problem.
Some system of play-off is certain for next season. Both the Shaughnessy play-off plan and the split season have been under discussion and it appears that the league will go for the divided season in 1953 with the two winners meeting in a playoff for the league championship.
WEATHER NO PROBLEM
All clubs were favourably impressed with the possibilities at Edmonton and Calgary. Ducey and Timmins stated that it was possible for start their home seasons on or about May 10 and that there was no cold weather problem until late in September. The Alberta entries will play on the road for the first two weeks of the season.
Edmonton’s Renfrew Park and Buffalo Park at Calgary were said to be equipped with suitable lighting. Renfrew Park will seat 4,250 while Buffalo Park has a capacity of 2,800. Both Ducey and Timmins stated that extra seats will be installed if needed. Timmins stated there should be no trouble filling Buffalo Park for every game and has previously initimated the would favor keeping the park at its present capacity on the theory that a shortage of seats would help keep the park full.
TACOMA, Oct. 10, 1952—Western International Baseball League president Robert B. Abel said here today that Calgary and Edmonton, Alta., interests are “ready, willing and clearly able” to enter the class A diamond circuit.
Abel said the two Canadian prairie cities could gain admission to the league by one or two methods, (1) acquisition of existing franchise, or (2) persuading the league directors to expand to 10 teams.
Both Edmonton and Calgary have “baseball populations” i.e.—populations within 10 miles of city limits in excess of 200,000, Abel declared. In that connection, only Vancouver, Victoria and Spokane of the present league alignment have regular potential drawing power.
Consideration of the Calgary and Edmonton bids at an early date was a prime factor in the scheduling of a league meeting for Oct. 17 in Seattle.
PRAIRIE CITIES WANT IN
Travel, Schedule Problems in WIL Bid
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Oct. 17, 1952]
A pair of prairie men, seeking to bring culture—in the form of the Western International League baseball—to Edmonton and Calgary, visited Vancouver briefly Thursday en route to Seattle, where they meet with WIL directors tonight.
The duo, Sam Timmins of Calgary, and Edmonton’s John Ducey, huddled with Bob Brown, Vancouver’s Mr. Baseball and the No. 1 supporter of their pro bid, in an effort to put the boots to what Brown describes as their two main stumbling blocks—1. Transportation; 2. Schedule.
How successful they were should be known later tonight. This much is certain: The WIL and the prairie cities need each other.
• • •
The Class A pro league of which our Capilanos are members has two weak sisters, Wenatchee and Tri-City, both of which are out of their depth.
Edmonton and Calgary are, as Ducey put it, “bustling their britches” as cities and are anxious for something better than the inter-city, you-play-me-I’ll-play-you semi-pro rivalry they’ve had for some years now.
There seems no doubt that the two Alberta centre can hold their own attendance-wise. Not only are there the examples or pro football and pro hockey, but the figures Timmins and Ducey quote for baseball itself are impressive enough.
Keeping in mind that the people are seeing the same faces all the time—just Edmonton vs. Calgary—you can’t argue with these statistics: Calgary, seating just 2700 in Buffalo Park—but with unlimited standing room—drew 186,000 in their best recent season; Edmonton, with 4350 seats in Renfrew Park, pulled in 155,000 cash customers.
They have other figures such as this supplied by Timmins, who was known as “Sad Sam” when he performed capably as a hockey goalie: Box seats—at $100 a throw—are at a premium, with 156 of ‘em being snapped up pronto.
• • •
And there’s no worry about the financial setup, apparently, with some 10 oilmen ready to back the Calgary team, and a similar setup at Edmonton.
That leaves transportation—which Timmins said they haven’t investigated—and the schedule, unwieldy for a 10-team setup, assuming that the WIL’s weak sisters hang on.
With a league stretching from Salem, Ore., to Alberta, it’s obvious Bob Brown and Co. are owners of a king-sized headache.
They’ll be trying to come up with a monarch-size aspiring tonight.
WIL Favors New Entries, Decide Thursday
SEATTLE, Oct. 17—It will be known by next Thursday whether the Class A Western International Baseball League will be expanded to 10 teams to make room for the Canadian prairie cities of Calgary and Edmonton.
League Directors and club representatives decided at an all-day meeting here Friday to leave it up to local directors of the eight current WIL teams whether two more clubs shall be added.
The deadline for action by the local boards is Oct. 23.
Robert B. Abel, league president, said all those in attendance at the Friday meeting reported they would recommend approval by their local directors.
Edmonton, Calgary Clubs Certain in Enlarged W.I.L.
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 18, 1952]
It’s as certain as anything in baseball can possible be at this stage of the season—Edmonton and Calgary are to become members of an enlarged 10-team Western International Baseball League for the 1953 season.
League officials met with John Ducey and Sam Timmins, representing Edmonton and Calgary interests respectively, at Seattle yesterday in an all-day conference. Only the fact that four clubs could not make a decision until their directorates had voted on the matter prevented a definite announcement that Edmonton and Calgary were “in” last night.
However, there is no doubt but that the Alberta cities will be admitted. Representatives of the four clubs in question—Lewiston, Wenatchee, Tri-City and Salem—were all in favor of the enlarged league and approval of their directorates is considered only a matter of form. Only two more favourable votes are needed in any event with Victoria, Vancouver, Spokane and Yakima already on record as supporting the Edmonton and Calgary entries.
Face with the almost positive assurance that they will have 10 teams, league officials are already laying plans for next season, and striving to find means to combat added schedule and transportation difficulties.
BALANCED SCHEDULE
Tentatively, they decided yesterday on a season opening on or about April 26 and closing on Labor Day with approximately 140-145 games for each club. It is their hope to arrange a balanced schedule, which would have every club playing two four-game series in each of the nine other cities. This would make for a 144-game schedule with 72 home games for each team, almost ideal.
However, with no Sunday baseball in Canada and the lengthy distances between such cities as Salem and Edmonton, to say nothing of getting the most out of holiday fixtures, the schedule presents quite a problem. The league will pay $300 or more to anyone who can frame a suitable schedule any anyone who wants to give it a try is welcome to do so. Just mail your entries to the Victoria Baseball Club, who will see that they get to the proper official
TRAVEL BY AIR
Club officials at the meeting were surprised at the cost of transporting their players to Alberta by air. A representative of Trans-Canada Airlines was at the meeting and it seems almost certain that the clubs, particularly those situated on the Pacific Coast, will do considerable travelling by air next season. Needless to state, this will help with the balky scheduling problem.
Some system of play-off is certain for next season. Both the Shaughnessy play-off plan and the split season have been under discussion and it appears that the league will go for the divided season in 1953 with the two winners meeting in a playoff for the league championship.
WEATHER NO PROBLEM
All clubs were favourably impressed with the possibilities at Edmonton and Calgary. Ducey and Timmins stated that it was possible for start their home seasons on or about May 10 and that there was no cold weather problem until late in September. The Alberta entries will play on the road for the first two weeks of the season.
Edmonton’s Renfrew Park and Buffalo Park at Calgary were said to be equipped with suitable lighting. Renfrew Park will seat 4,250 while Buffalo Park has a capacity of 2,800. Both Ducey and Timmins stated that extra seats will be installed if needed. Timmins stated there should be no trouble filling Buffalo Park for every game and has previously initimated the would favor keeping the park at its present capacity on the theory that a shortage of seats would help keep the park full.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Abel's Alberta Trek
Abel and Brown to Scout Alberta WIL Expansion
CALGARY, Oct. 4, 1952—Baseball mogul Harold Cundal has announced he has received word that a delegation representing the Western International League will be in Calgary soon to discuss the possible entry of Calgary and Edmonton in the W.I.L.
The West Coast delegation will meet with Cundal and Sam Timmins of Calgary and John Ducey of Edmonton. It is then to report back to a W.I.L. meeting November 11.
Cundal said the delegation will include Robert Abel of Tacoma, Wash., president of the W.I.L., Reg Patterson, general manager of the Victoria club; and Bob Brown, president and general manager of the Vancouver Capilanos.
Cundal, Timmins and Ducey have been making enquiries for the last few months about the possibilities of Calgary and Edmonton obtaining W.I.L. franchises.
Queried about the report last night, Patterson stated that he knew nothing of the trip as far as he was concerned. He did admit, however, that Abel was planning to make the trip to discuss possibilities with Edmonton and Calgary baseball men and that it was probable he wished another league official to accompany him. Patterson stated that Brown would likely make the trip with Abel.
WIL To Open Arms To Edmonton, Calgary
[Vancouver Province, Oct. 9, 1952]
Chances of Edmonton and Calgary placing entries in the Western International League baseball setup for 1953 are stronger today than they’ve ever been.
WIL President Robert Abel met with representatives from the two prairie cities in Calgary Wednesday, and he reported “they’re very interested.”
Abel met with John Ducey of Edmonton and Harold Cundal and Sad Sam Timmins of Calgary. Vancouver’s Bob Brown, originally slated to make the “missionary” trip, declined when Abel decided to fly.
The WIL prexy reported that the prairie men tendered to him a proposition regarding a 10-team setup and agreed to go along with “any reasonable terms” Abel might suggest.
Abel also said he has contacted all league members about the possible inclusion of the two Alberta cities, in the hope that their entries can be finalized when the WIL meets at Yakima, Nov. 10.
CALGARY, Oct. 4, 1952—Baseball mogul Harold Cundal has announced he has received word that a delegation representing the Western International League will be in Calgary soon to discuss the possible entry of Calgary and Edmonton in the W.I.L.
The West Coast delegation will meet with Cundal and Sam Timmins of Calgary and John Ducey of Edmonton. It is then to report back to a W.I.L. meeting November 11.
Cundal said the delegation will include Robert Abel of Tacoma, Wash., president of the W.I.L., Reg Patterson, general manager of the Victoria club; and Bob Brown, president and general manager of the Vancouver Capilanos.
Cundal, Timmins and Ducey have been making enquiries for the last few months about the possibilities of Calgary and Edmonton obtaining W.I.L. franchises.
Queried about the report last night, Patterson stated that he knew nothing of the trip as far as he was concerned. He did admit, however, that Abel was planning to make the trip to discuss possibilities with Edmonton and Calgary baseball men and that it was probable he wished another league official to accompany him. Patterson stated that Brown would likely make the trip with Abel.
WIL To Open Arms To Edmonton, Calgary
[Vancouver Province, Oct. 9, 1952]
Chances of Edmonton and Calgary placing entries in the Western International League baseball setup for 1953 are stronger today than they’ve ever been.
WIL President Robert Abel met with representatives from the two prairie cities in Calgary Wednesday, and he reported “they’re very interested.”
Abel met with John Ducey of Edmonton and Harold Cundal and Sad Sam Timmins of Calgary. Vancouver’s Bob Brown, originally slated to make the “missionary” trip, declined when Abel decided to fly.
The WIL prexy reported that the prairie men tendered to him a proposition regarding a 10-team setup and agreed to go along with “any reasonable terms” Abel might suggest.
Abel also said he has contacted all league members about the possible inclusion of the two Alberta cities, in the hope that their entries can be finalized when the WIL meets at Yakima, Nov. 10.
Bob Brown on Alberta Expansion
Caps GM Says
Prairies Can Gain WIL Entry
[Vancouver Province, Sept. 30, 1952]
Calgary and Edmonton can gain entry to the Western International League at the annual meeting of that loop on November 10.
That is the opinion of local baseball boss Bob Brown, who returned Monday from a WIL end-of-season conference in Seattle.
“Acceptance of the two Alberta clubs was discussed informally,” said the general manager of the local Capilanos. “The feeling seemed to be in favor of them coming in.”
There was no thought of dropping any of the clubs presently in the WIL, Brown said. If certain clubs which had difficult seasons this year wanted to stay in they could do so. The thought was that the league would expand to 10 clubs if Calgary and Edmonton came in.
“There would have to be responsible backing for the prairie clubs,” he said “I believe they have that now. If they make proper representation at our November 10 meeting, nothing can stop them.
“Of course I’m only one vote, but that is my feeling about the situation.”
Prairies Can Gain WIL Entry
[Vancouver Province, Sept. 30, 1952]
Calgary and Edmonton can gain entry to the Western International League at the annual meeting of that loop on November 10.
That is the opinion of local baseball boss Bob Brown, who returned Monday from a WIL end-of-season conference in Seattle.
“Acceptance of the two Alberta clubs was discussed informally,” said the general manager of the local Capilanos. “The feeling seemed to be in favor of them coming in.”
There was no thought of dropping any of the clubs presently in the WIL, Brown said. If certain clubs which had difficult seasons this year wanted to stay in they could do so. The thought was that the league would expand to 10 clubs if Calgary and Edmonton came in.
“There would have to be responsible backing for the prairie clubs,” he said “I believe they have that now. If they make proper representation at our November 10 meeting, nothing can stop them.
“Of course I’m only one vote, but that is my feeling about the situation.”
WIL October Meeting
W.I.L. Owners Just Talk Alberta Cities Want In
[Victoria Colonist, Sept. 27, 1952]
Faced with grave problems which must be settled long before the start of the next baseball season, officials of the Western International League accomplished little but preliminary discussions at yesterday’s meeting in Seattle.
About the only definite news to come out of the gathering was that plans of Dick Richards, majority stockholder in the Tri-City Braves, to sell his stock to the Tri-City Athletic Association were approved.
League-president Bob Abel stated that it was hoped that the transaction would be completed within 30 days. The association includes residents of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland, and owns the Tri-City ball park.
SET ANNUAL MEETING
The annual league meeting was scheduled for Yakima on November 10 and indications are that it will be a lengthy session.
Much of yesterday’s discussion centred around the possibility of including Calgary and Edmonton in the league for next season.
No announcement was made of league plans concerning Calgary and Edmonton, but a majority of owners are known to favor the inclusion of the two Alberta cities.
TWO TO GO?
Just what arrangements can be made remains a matter for conjecture. It is hardly likely that the W.I.L. will entertain the possibility of a 10-team league, so if Edmonton and Calgary come in it means that two of the present franchises will have ton be moved. The finger points right at Tri-City and Wenatchee, most of the other owners believing they are unable to support class “A” baseball. However, officials from both cities are determined to stay and are conducting all-out campaigns to raise the necessary finances.
READY TO GO
Meanwhile, there was cheering news from Alberta. Edmonton’s John Ducey and Calgary’s Sam Timmins, the former hockey goaltender who is representing Calgary interests, were quoted in a Canadian Press dispatch from Calgary as saying they are ready to enter teams in the W.I.L.
Ducey and Timmins met Wednesday and yesterday with other baseball men from the two cities and agreed that “the two cities are ready for class ‘A’ baseball and we’re all set to give it to them. “We’re certain we can attract anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000 fans in the two cities with class ‘A’ ball,” Ducey said, pointing to the support accorded both hockey and Canadian football in the sports-mad Alberta centres.
“SAY THE WORD”
“All they have to do is say the word and we’re in,” Timmins added, stating that groups of oil-men in each cities are ready and able to give financial support.
Buoyed by this report, the W.I.L. is expected to send a representative to Alberta before the annual meeting to discuss possible arrangements.
There was no word from Seattle regarding the possibility of a full-time president, but it is believed that this will come up for discussions in Yakima. More and more, club owners are realizing the league’s biggest need is a full-time operative at the top. The only question now is whether or not they can find a suitable man.
[Victoria Colonist, Sept. 27, 1952]
Faced with grave problems which must be settled long before the start of the next baseball season, officials of the Western International League accomplished little but preliminary discussions at yesterday’s meeting in Seattle.
About the only definite news to come out of the gathering was that plans of Dick Richards, majority stockholder in the Tri-City Braves, to sell his stock to the Tri-City Athletic Association were approved.
League-president Bob Abel stated that it was hoped that the transaction would be completed within 30 days. The association includes residents of Pasco, Kennewick and Richland, and owns the Tri-City ball park.
SET ANNUAL MEETING
The annual league meeting was scheduled for Yakima on November 10 and indications are that it will be a lengthy session.
Much of yesterday’s discussion centred around the possibility of including Calgary and Edmonton in the league for next season.
No announcement was made of league plans concerning Calgary and Edmonton, but a majority of owners are known to favor the inclusion of the two Alberta cities.
TWO TO GO?
Just what arrangements can be made remains a matter for conjecture. It is hardly likely that the W.I.L. will entertain the possibility of a 10-team league, so if Edmonton and Calgary come in it means that two of the present franchises will have ton be moved. The finger points right at Tri-City and Wenatchee, most of the other owners believing they are unable to support class “A” baseball. However, officials from both cities are determined to stay and are conducting all-out campaigns to raise the necessary finances.
READY TO GO
Meanwhile, there was cheering news from Alberta. Edmonton’s John Ducey and Calgary’s Sam Timmins, the former hockey goaltender who is representing Calgary interests, were quoted in a Canadian Press dispatch from Calgary as saying they are ready to enter teams in the W.I.L.
Ducey and Timmins met Wednesday and yesterday with other baseball men from the two cities and agreed that “the two cities are ready for class ‘A’ baseball and we’re all set to give it to them. “We’re certain we can attract anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000 fans in the two cities with class ‘A’ ball,” Ducey said, pointing to the support accorded both hockey and Canadian football in the sports-mad Alberta centres.
“SAY THE WORD”
“All they have to do is say the word and we’re in,” Timmins added, stating that groups of oil-men in each cities are ready and able to give financial support.
Buoyed by this report, the W.I.L. is expected to send a representative to Alberta before the annual meeting to discuss possible arrangements.
There was no word from Seattle regarding the possibility of a full-time president, but it is believed that this will come up for discussions in Yakima. More and more, club owners are realizing the league’s biggest need is a full-time operative at the top. The only question now is whether or not they can find a suitable man.
Why Calgary & Edmonton Now?
IT BEATS ME
By Jim Tang
By Jim Tang
[Victoria Colonist, Sept. 21, 1952]
Like drowning clutching at straws, W.I.L. owners are buoyed up with the hope that Calgary and Edmonton will save them from going under. Faced with a situation so serious that there is nothing unreasonable in the belief that the league might not be able to operate next season, they are now almost unanimous in the opinion that the Alberta cities would make fine additions.
It’s an excellent idea. The only trouble is that the late converts saw the light about two seasons too late.
That Calgary and Edmonton would be fine additions despite geographical, weather and schedule difficulties seems obvious. That Calgary and Edmonton might want to join a league as shaky as the W.I.L. is today another thought.
Take a look at the record. It is doubtful if Tri-City and Wenatchee can raise enough money to pay their bills and have enough left over to start next season. The same situation exists in Victoria despite all the whistling in the park. Lewiston is ready for 1953 but no one can be certain that the Idaho city can stand another bad year.
That’s half the league in the extremely doubtful class and one wonders how much longer Yakima and Salem can go on taking financial setbacks. Vancouver and Spokane, the league’s two largest population centres, are also unable to show a profit. In fact, Spokane reported a $35,000 loss this season, Vancouver must have lost almost as much, if not more, after a 1951 season in which it is reported to have shown as $50,000 deficit.
Any way you look at it, it doesn’t look at all hopeful. Sure, Calgary and Edmonton would help, but they are in the driver’s seat and know it. The W.I.L., led by Vancouver’s Bob Brown and Spokane’s Roy Hotchkiss, both recent converts, though it a ridiculous idea when the Alberta centres approached the W.I.L. three years ago. Now the W.I.L. has to come with hat in hand and it will consider itself fortunate if it can give away two franchises. There is little hope that they can be sold.
Owners to Blame
Minor-league baseball at its best is a financial risk and it is true that the W.I.L. has its problems with an unbalanced league which has more than half the population centred in two cities but there is no good reason why matters should be as bad as they are. No reason except club owners themselves.
League-president Bob Abel has taken the brunt of the blame and he, it must be admitted, has shown no firm hand in guiding the league. But is must be remembered that he is only a part-time president getting a part-time salary and that the biggest reason he has held the job for so long is that the owners actually didn’t want anyone with convictions of his own.
For instance, two of the big problems in the W.I.L. are bad scheduling and bad umpiring. Both have been with the league ever since it was organized in 1946 and both are the fault of the owners.
The W.I.L. schedule is always a joke. This season, for instance, Spokane played 155 games, Vancouver played 141. This, too, is the fault of the owners. As soon as a scheule is accepted they get together to make private deals and rearrange everything. At least six games were added this season after the “official” schedule was mailed out because certain clubs thought they saw a chance to make a little extra by passing up an off day. Then when bad weather, which must always be expected, forced numerous postponements, these same owners, Victoria included, refused to try to make up these games. And they hollered that the schedule was too long—after lengthening it themselves.
Bad umpiring has cost a lot of fans but the only thing that club owners have done about it in six tears is to get on the telephone every time they think their cause has been hurt by a game official and raise merry cain with Abel. At least there is no evidence of any other move.
Public relations are bad in most cities, almost non-existent in some. Too many club officials have no idea of what constitutes public relations. And too many club officials could never have any. It’s the little things that count, which brings to mind a recent example of what is meant. A Victoria restaurant owner tossed a dinner for the Tyees near the end of the season. Only most of the players attended. Neither the field manager or the business manager was there. That does more harm than a losing season.
The W.I.L. can stay in business—but only if the club owners will go out and get someone to run their business for them. So far, they haven’t been able to do it themselves.
Like drowning clutching at straws, W.I.L. owners are buoyed up with the hope that Calgary and Edmonton will save them from going under. Faced with a situation so serious that there is nothing unreasonable in the belief that the league might not be able to operate next season, they are now almost unanimous in the opinion that the Alberta cities would make fine additions.
It’s an excellent idea. The only trouble is that the late converts saw the light about two seasons too late.
That Calgary and Edmonton would be fine additions despite geographical, weather and schedule difficulties seems obvious. That Calgary and Edmonton might want to join a league as shaky as the W.I.L. is today another thought.
Take a look at the record. It is doubtful if Tri-City and Wenatchee can raise enough money to pay their bills and have enough left over to start next season. The same situation exists in Victoria despite all the whistling in the park. Lewiston is ready for 1953 but no one can be certain that the Idaho city can stand another bad year.
That’s half the league in the extremely doubtful class and one wonders how much longer Yakima and Salem can go on taking financial setbacks. Vancouver and Spokane, the league’s two largest population centres, are also unable to show a profit. In fact, Spokane reported a $35,000 loss this season, Vancouver must have lost almost as much, if not more, after a 1951 season in which it is reported to have shown as $50,000 deficit.
Any way you look at it, it doesn’t look at all hopeful. Sure, Calgary and Edmonton would help, but they are in the driver’s seat and know it. The W.I.L., led by Vancouver’s Bob Brown and Spokane’s Roy Hotchkiss, both recent converts, though it a ridiculous idea when the Alberta centres approached the W.I.L. three years ago. Now the W.I.L. has to come with hat in hand and it will consider itself fortunate if it can give away two franchises. There is little hope that they can be sold.
Owners to Blame
Minor-league baseball at its best is a financial risk and it is true that the W.I.L. has its problems with an unbalanced league which has more than half the population centred in two cities but there is no good reason why matters should be as bad as they are. No reason except club owners themselves.
League-president Bob Abel has taken the brunt of the blame and he, it must be admitted, has shown no firm hand in guiding the league. But is must be remembered that he is only a part-time president getting a part-time salary and that the biggest reason he has held the job for so long is that the owners actually didn’t want anyone with convictions of his own.
For instance, two of the big problems in the W.I.L. are bad scheduling and bad umpiring. Both have been with the league ever since it was organized in 1946 and both are the fault of the owners.
The W.I.L. schedule is always a joke. This season, for instance, Spokane played 155 games, Vancouver played 141. This, too, is the fault of the owners. As soon as a scheule is accepted they get together to make private deals and rearrange everything. At least six games were added this season after the “official” schedule was mailed out because certain clubs thought they saw a chance to make a little extra by passing up an off day. Then when bad weather, which must always be expected, forced numerous postponements, these same owners, Victoria included, refused to try to make up these games. And they hollered that the schedule was too long—after lengthening it themselves.
Bad umpiring has cost a lot of fans but the only thing that club owners have done about it in six tears is to get on the telephone every time they think their cause has been hurt by a game official and raise merry cain with Abel. At least there is no evidence of any other move.
Public relations are bad in most cities, almost non-existent in some. Too many club officials have no idea of what constitutes public relations. And too many club officials could never have any. It’s the little things that count, which brings to mind a recent example of what is meant. A Victoria restaurant owner tossed a dinner for the Tyees near the end of the season. Only most of the players attended. Neither the field manager or the business manager was there. That does more harm than a losing season.
The W.I.L. can stay in business—but only if the club owners will go out and get someone to run their business for them. So far, they haven’t been able to do it themselves.
Ducey Says WIL Poses Problems
Prairie Cities Prepared to Enter W.I.L. Baseball
EDMONTON, Sept. 19—Edmonton and Calgary baseball moguls are interested in catching berths in the Western International Baseball League.
“Calgary and Edmonton are pretty well agreed the step we want to make is to the Western International,” said John Ducey, lessee of Renfrew Park and long-time aspirant for an Edmonton franchise in organized baseball.
“But first of all, certain geographical problems would have to be ironed out,” Ducey said. “If we can’t see our way clear to go into that league, then we’ll revive the old Calgary-Edmonton Big Four for one year. Eventually, though, it’s our intention to move into organized ball.”
DISTRICT LEAGUES
This year the two cities had their own district senior leagues, the winners playing off for the Alberta arc-light championship.
Yesterday, owner Roy Hotchkiss of the Spokane club of the W.I.L. predicted that Calgary and Edmonton would be members of the class “A” circuit next season.
The Spokane Chronicle said rumors are that Tri-City and Wenatchee may be dropped to make room for them. It is understood that Ducey means Tri.City, Wenatchee and Lewiston when he refers to “certain geographical problems.”
OTHER INTEREST
Ducey now is in Great Falls, Mont., to see some playoff games of the class “C” Pioneer League, in which he has also shown previous interest.
“Alberta certainly is prepared for class A baseball and it would be great for both Edmonton and Calgary, although I’m only speaking for the foothills city, to have an opportunity to play in the Western International League,” said Sam Timmins of Calgary’s Buffalo Park.
He pointed out that Alberta is ready to boost the standard of baseball for diamond supporters and it should give the game a tremendous following.
EDMONTON, Sept. 19—Edmonton and Calgary baseball moguls are interested in catching berths in the Western International Baseball League.
“Calgary and Edmonton are pretty well agreed the step we want to make is to the Western International,” said John Ducey, lessee of Renfrew Park and long-time aspirant for an Edmonton franchise in organized baseball.
“But first of all, certain geographical problems would have to be ironed out,” Ducey said. “If we can’t see our way clear to go into that league, then we’ll revive the old Calgary-Edmonton Big Four for one year. Eventually, though, it’s our intention to move into organized ball.”
DISTRICT LEAGUES
This year the two cities had their own district senior leagues, the winners playing off for the Alberta arc-light championship.
Yesterday, owner Roy Hotchkiss of the Spokane club of the W.I.L. predicted that Calgary and Edmonton would be members of the class “A” circuit next season.
The Spokane Chronicle said rumors are that Tri-City and Wenatchee may be dropped to make room for them. It is understood that Ducey means Tri.City, Wenatchee and Lewiston when he refers to “certain geographical problems.”
OTHER INTEREST
Ducey now is in Great Falls, Mont., to see some playoff games of the class “C” Pioneer League, in which he has also shown previous interest.
“Alberta certainly is prepared for class A baseball and it would be great for both Edmonton and Calgary, although I’m only speaking for the foothills city, to have an opportunity to play in the Western International League,” said Sam Timmins of Calgary’s Buffalo Park.
He pointed out that Alberta is ready to boost the standard of baseball for diamond supporters and it should give the game a tremendous following.
Calgary & Edmonton Closer
Spokes Owner Predicts Prairie Cities in WIL
SPOKANE, Sept. 18—The owner of the Spokane Indians baseball club predicted Thursday that Calgary and Edmonton will be members of the Class A Western International League next season.
Roy Hotchkiss said it is necessary to put league teams in the two Canadian cities if the WIL is to improve dropping attendance.
Hotchkiss’ announcement came as a complete surprise as he had been a leading opponant to previous attempt to give the Prairie cities franchises.
Victoria, Vancouver, Salem and Yakima are reported to be in favor of the new setup and Lewiston is not expected to voice an objection. Tri-City and Wenatchee, which suffered drastic financial losses this season, are rumored to be the clubs which will be replaced.
League directors will meet in Seattle a week from tomorrow to discuss possible changes.
If Edmonton and Calgary should replace Tri-City and Wenatchee, it would divide the W.I.L. into four territorial divisions—Victoria and Vancouver; Edmonton and Calgary; Spokane and Lewiston, and Salem and Yakima.
Hotchkiss reported a $35,000 loss at Spokane this year. The Indians, usual leaders at the gate, drew slightly more than 100,000—a drop of 40,000—this year.
SPOKANE, Sept. 18—The owner of the Spokane Indians baseball club predicted Thursday that Calgary and Edmonton will be members of the Class A Western International League next season.
Roy Hotchkiss said it is necessary to put league teams in the two Canadian cities if the WIL is to improve dropping attendance.
Hotchkiss’ announcement came as a complete surprise as he had been a leading opponant to previous attempt to give the Prairie cities franchises.
Victoria, Vancouver, Salem and Yakima are reported to be in favor of the new setup and Lewiston is not expected to voice an objection. Tri-City and Wenatchee, which suffered drastic financial losses this season, are rumored to be the clubs which will be replaced.
League directors will meet in Seattle a week from tomorrow to discuss possible changes.
If Edmonton and Calgary should replace Tri-City and Wenatchee, it would divide the W.I.L. into four territorial divisions—Victoria and Vancouver; Edmonton and Calgary; Spokane and Lewiston, and Salem and Yakima.
Hotchkiss reported a $35,000 loss at Spokane this year. The Indians, usual leaders at the gate, drew slightly more than 100,000—a drop of 40,000—this year.
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