Lewiston Inks Vets, Pact

Broncs Sign Four Players
LEWISTON, Idaho, Feb. 19 — The Lewiston Broncs of the Western International Baseball League have signed three former Spokane player and one former Tri-City player for their 1953 squad, Manager Bill Brenner reported today.
The former Spokane players are Ken Richardson who played at third base for the Indians in 1949 and 51 and part of last season for Yakima, Outfielder Mel Wasley who topped Spokane's hitting with a .336 average and was the WIL's home run champ two seasons ago, and infielder Larry Barton who was manager at Visalia of the California League last year. He hit 21 homers and posted a .329 average with Spokane in 1949.
Clint Cameron, who played at first base for Tri-City in 1950 and '51 and with Modesto of the California League last year, was the fourth player signed. A catcher-outfielder-first baseman, he won the 1949 WIL batting crown with a .380 average at Wenatchee.
Barton, Wasley and Cameron are left-handed hitters with good batting averages that indicate the Broncs plan to take advantage of their short right field barrier this year.
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LEWISTON, Idaho, Feb. 19 — A verbal agreement between Grand Forks, N.D., of the Class C Northern Baseball League and Lewiston of the Class A Western International League was announced Thursday by Lewiston Manager Bill Brenner.
Under the agreement, Brenner said he hopes to send Grand Forks at least six players during the 1953 season either outright or on option. In return, the North Dakota club will sell Lewiston any six players on its roster at the end of the season at the minimum purchase price of $200 each, he said.

1953 Spring Training Sites

Calgary Will Train In Porterville
McClatchy Newspapers Service
PORTERVILLE, Tulare Co., Jan. 26— The Calgary, Alberta, baseball team, a new member of the class A Western International League, will conduct its Spring training in Porterville.
Confirmation of the deal was contained in a telegram received here by Arnold Bremler from Gene Lillard, a former Pacific Coast League player and California League manager, who is piloting the Calgary entry.
Bremler said the Lewiston, Ida., Broncs, originally scheduled to return to Porterville for Spring training, will work out at home as an economy measure.
Bremler and Harry Britton are attempting to arrange for the Edmonton team from Canada to train in Wasco. The Wenatchee Wash., team of the Western International League will train in Lindsay.

Four WIL Teams To Train At Pacific Northwest Sites
LEWISTON, Idaho, Jan. 28 — The Lewiston Broncs of the Western International Baseball League will hold spring training at home this year, President James B. McMonigle announced Wednesday.
He said he now has 20 men on the tentative Bronc roster and expects about 30 by the time spring drills begin March 25.
Lewiston's usually favorable spring weather that often sends tha temperature up into the 70's in March and April, was a big factor in the decision, McMonigle said. Last year the Broncs trained in California.
The Yakima and Tri-City teams also have announced they will train in their own backyards this year.
McMonigle said Lewiston expects to schdule exhibitition games with those teams and with Washington State College and the University of Idaho.

SPOKANE, Jan. 28 — If spring brings fair weather, the Spokane Indians of the Western International Baseball League will practice at home this year. If not, they will go to Lewiston, Owner Roy Hotchkiss said Wednesday.
He said it will be less expensive than going to California as the team has in past years and also will give the local players a chance to break into baseball for the few openings that may come up.
“The only real object in going South is to get near the big camps where we can pick up some players. We don't need them this year,” said Hotchkiss.
This will be Spokane's first year under a new working agreement with the Philadelphia Phillies which may be expected to provide some players.
Pitchers will be asked to report the last week in March, Hotchkiss said, and the others a short time later.

Lewiston Selling Stock

Broncs To Sell $30,000 Stock
LEWISTON, Idaho, Nov. 21, 1952—Directors of the Lewiston baseball club re-elected James B. McGonigle as president Thursday and made plans for a $30,000 stock sale on their Western International League entry.
McGonigle, a local automobile dealer, will serve one year. Five directors were named for five-year terms.
The stock sale will be launched soon to complete payments for capital improvements on the ball park and to insure a second start for the 1953 season, directors said.
Lewiston replaced Tacoma in the WIL last year.