Carberry Royals 1946 - Inducted: 1998
Back Row: Ed Strain, Johnny Maroniuk, Roy Meneer, Barney Strain, Ivan Grant, Cliff Holloway, Alex Baron
Front Row: Tommy Inverarity, Arnold McFarlane, Wilbur Strain, Claude Reid.Bat Boy: Ivan Strain
Missing: Tommy Dickson, Harvey McFarlane, Roy Minera, Clarence Strain
The 1946 Carberry Royals are the first team inducted into a special category for teams from communities with less than 1000 people. The team travelled nearly 3200 miles and won almost $3500 in tournaments held in various places in southern Manitoba. They travelled by truck with the body of a bus on the back.
Belmont A's 1952 - Inducted: 1999
Back Row, left to right: W.G. Glen Cumming, Glen Stephenson, Ron Gray, Harvey Gray (Coach), Babe (James) Gordon, Harvey (Wimp) Williamson, Roy Gislason, Neil Cline.
Middle Row: Dick Myers, Dan Hyrich, Leo Stephenson, Henry Nicholson.
Front Row: Bub English, Grant Stephenson, Lloyd (Dudley) Lambkin, Tommy Lee, Ronny Mathers (bat boy) Lorne Lambkin (fan).
Missing: Lloyd Danridge.
In 1935 Belmont had 2 teams, a senior club and a high school team, but only one set of uniforms. Played off for the the uniforms and the high school team won so they got the uniforms and thus began Belmont A's. Successive coaches were Reg Sadler (teacher), Alex Reid, Lloyd Mathers and Harvey Gray. First tournament always was May 24th at Ninette. Played 4 tournaments a week in July, no Sunday ball except at Notre Dame, often played 3 successive days. Harvesting in August curtailed play. Won $300 at July 1st tournaments in Morden and Neepawa, lost in finals to Neepawa in first inter league play-offs (1951) won Central Manitoba Baseball Association crown at Neepawa (1052). Belmont A's were highly respected and successful in 30s, 40s and 50s in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan due to great pitching and hitting. In 1946 Belmont A's tied Brandon Greys 4-4 at Kinsmen Stadium. "Babe" Gordon, Lloyd Dandridge and Neil "Dozer" Cline were great chuckers.
McConnell, 1949-54 - Inducted: 2000
Back Row: Lorne Richardson, Lionel Brown, Ray Asselstine, Jim Scott Jr., Harold Pollock, Doug Pollock, Jim Scott Sr.
Front Row: Elgin Hyndman (Manager), George Pollock, Allan Asselstine, Harvey Pollock, Glennis Scott.
Perennial contenders in the Mid-West League and a great tournament team. Averaged about 65 games a year and only about 10 losses. Had a strong group of pitchers including Murray Richardson, Ross Pollock, Harold Pollock, Ray Asselstine, Gladwyn Scott, Glennis Scott. The main catcher for 25 years was Jim Scott (Sr.) Special events included playing the travelling (Negro) Muskogee (Oklahoma) Cardinals at Rossburn, playing the tough Holar (Saskatchewan) team at Russell, and playing in the 1955 Indian Head tournament with $1,000 as the top prize.
Eden Baseball Team 1949-1954 - Inducted: 2001
Inset: LF Neil Jackson, RF Barney Thurston, P Ron McGorman, SS Richard Hanke, P Claire McGorman
Back Row: C Harry Smithson, Mgr. George Wilkinson, 1st B Harold McFadyen, P Doug Birch, 2nd B John Jackson, CF Merv Chorneyko, 3rd B Bill Jackson
Front Row: P Duane Yerex, LF Russ Ivey, P Mel McGorman, RF Gordon Lang, C Gordon McGorman, SS Roy Kilburn
Missing: Russ Ivey, Ross Graham, Ron Sewchuk, Ron Roe, Brian Tricket, Cliff Doble, Nelson Rainkie, Ted Smithson, Wayne Berg, Jim Schmall, Clair McGorman, Ken Kennedy
In the early 1940's, Eden schoolteeacher W.J. McLaughlin taught the fundamentals of baseball to a group of farm boys and a team developed that became a local dynasty. The Eden team became well known on the sports day cicuit in the 40's, and the formation of the Neepawa and District League in 1950 gave them an opportunity to show off their skills for the next twenty years. Thry won five league chamionships, in 1950, 1953, 1958, 1961, 1966. The 1950 team featured renowned players such as Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Mel McGorman, Mel's brothers Gordon and Claire, Roy Kilburn, Merv Chorneyko, Russ Ivey, Gordon Lang, Harry Smithson, George Wilkinson, Harold McFadyen, Doug Birch, John Jackson, and Bill Jackson.
Tin tournament play, Eden was especially tough at home. They won their own tournament six times during the 1950's. They also performed very well at Neepawa tournaments, appearing in seven finals, from 1948-1965, and winning two of them.
Plum Coulee Pirates 1955-1960 - Inducted: 2002
Front Row (L-R): Barry Mulvenny, C.F.; Richard Clark, Catcher; Alvin Toews, Mascot; Ron Toews, Pitcher; Glen Unger, 3rd base; Allan Harder, L.F.
Back Row (L-R): Fred Karlenzig, gate collecting; Jake Penner, Playing Coach; Brian Toews, 1st base; Brian Kehler, 2nd base; Henry Neufeld, S.S.; Vern Loeppky, Outfield; Rodney Friesen, Statistics; P.P. Toews President
Missing: Garry Dyck, Peter Dyck, Johnny Friesen, Peter Hildebrand, Peter Kutcher, Bob Loeppky, Cal Mantey, Hugo Mantey, Hank Neufeld, Frelan Loewen, Bill Toews, Elmer Wiebe, Cornie Wiens, Lyle Wilcox
The Plum Coulee Pirates were a prominant team in southern Manitoba in the 1950's, but thier bset year was probably 1955. They won tournaments at Winkler, Vita, Carman, St. James, Plum Couleem and two in Manitou. They also won the Southeastern Manitoba League championship with a pair if 1-0 wins in a best of three series against Miami (Miami tooj game 2, 2-0.
The Plum Coulee Pirates were a great tournament teaqm and were well known and respected. They won 7 tournaments in 1955, and in 1956 was equally as good, especially when pilot Mound picked the two best teams to play at their fair day. Belmont from the west and Plum Coulee from the east. plum Coulee won 6-4, in a tremendous game.
The Pirates were a very well balenced team with great speed, good pitching and strong hitting.
Chatfield Cardinals 1952-1957 - Inducted: 2003
Back Row (L-R):John Kempa, George Ledochowski, Joe Ledochowski, Norris Pawlychka, Paul Ledochowski, Art Lavalee
Front Row: Dan Ledochowski, Gordie Lavalee, Eddie Iwanusiw, Peter Genyk, Steven Banera.
During the early 1950's, players from the Wheathill, Buffalo Lake, and Chatfield areas joined togther to form a baseball team in Chatfield. From 1949 to 1954, the team was in their building stage. By 1952, Chatfield has established a very strong and dominant baseball team that played in weekend tournaments. Chatfield played in tournaments throughout central Manitoba. Some of the interlake towns with baseball tournaments that Chatfield took part in were: Arborg, Ashern, Broad Valley, Eriksdale, Fisher Branch, Hodgson, Inwood, Gimli, Lundar, Poplarfield, Oak Point, St. Laurent, Siglunes, Stonewall, Teulon, and Woodlands. Chatfield also ventured out to bigger tournaments such as Vita and Notre Dame de Lourdes. In these distant tournaments, Chatfield played against well known Manitoba teams such as Fort Whyte, Precious Blood, St. Boniface, Brandon, Carman, and teams from the United States.
Chatfield also had their own tournaments. In 1955 they held three tournaments in Chatfield and won all of theri tournaments. At most tournamentsChatfield was usually in the finals and very rarely would they go home without any of the prize moeny.
Angusville Cardinals 1963-1968 - Inducted: 2004
Back Row: Currnie Chuchmuch, Barry Wowk, Henry Hrubeniuk, Wayne Luba, Stan Furman, Joe Blackbird, Bryan McCauley
Front Row: Lawrence Parobec, Bill Sidoryk, Johnny Parobec, Richard Gallent, Merril Kiliwnik, Jack Kostuik
Additional Players from 1963-1968 (missing)
Martin Chalaturnyk, Nelson Dagg, Ross Graham, Bill Hodgson, Leighton Kachur, Tony Kalechyn, Tom Kearns, Marion Kotelniski, Don Luhowy, Larry Mann, Peter Onufreichuk, Clinton Pushka, Ken Siwak, Jim Wood, Jerry Verbiwski.
Key figures in founding the team and marketing it were school principal Martin Chalaturnyk and dedicated coach Johnny Parobec. Parobec played, coached or managed for four decades. The Angusville Cardinals were always a top contender in the North West League, and travelled extensively throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan to play tournaments- Saltcoats, Langenburg, Churchbridge, Spy Hill, Madge Lake, Binscarth, Gilbert Plains, Gradview, Oak River, Cardale, Birtle, etc. The Cardinals won one provincial intermediate championoship in 1965 and lost in two provincial finals in 1963 and 1968. Later the Angusville Cardinals noved to senior caliber ball and competed very well for nine years in MSBL.
The top news story from Angusville in 1963 was when the Angusville Cardinals won the Ab Richardson trophy, which was presented at their banquet. This was awarded to Angusville as runners-up for the Provincial Baseball championship. During the playdowns, after winning the North-Western Baseball League, they defeated all opposition until they finially lost our in the third and deciding game of the final chamionship serier with Pilot Mound.
The Cardinals relied upon the pitching skills of left handers Jack Kostuik, Brian McCauley, Currnie Churchmuch and right handers Stan Furman, Henry Hrubeniuk, Joe Blackbird, Richard Gallant. Catching duties were shared by Bill Sidoryk and Barry Wowk until a sharp shooter named Merril Kilwnik appeared on the scene.
The team was spear headed by Team Manager John Parobec whose love and dedication for the game prompted recruitment of players from neighboring communities. John's playing, coaching, and managerial skills mared a period of four decades in the Angusville Community.
The following year of 1964, the Cardinals won the Juvenile Championship. Once again, the year 1965 brought well-deserved honors for the Cardinal team. Angusville Cardinals won the Manitoba Intermediate Baseball Championship by defeating Pilot Mound Pilots 4-3 in 13 innings. Currnie Churchmuch provided the heroics with a home run in the bottom of the thirteenth inning. The champs received the D. Stark and Son Trophy, and the F. Clement & Sons Trophy.
The Cardinals did extensive travel to tournaments taking top prize money in Rehin, Saltcoats, Spyhill, Langenburg, Churchbridge, McNutt, Calder, Mag Lake, Binscarth, Gilbert Plains, Gradview, Oak River, Cardale, Notre Dame De Lourdes, Sommerset, etc.
In 1966 the Cardinals had a terrific season only to be beat out by the Binscarth Orioles in the league finals.
In 1968 the Cardinals once again won the Northwest Leage and proceeded to the Provincial Finals only to lose to the Thompson Reds in the third and deciding game. In 1968 ball players were in abundance thus resulting in the formation of a junior team followinf in the footsteps of the Cardinals.
Other notable years were 1972 when the Angusville Cardinals won the Senior "B" Provincial Championships.
The Cardinals later joined the Manitoba Senior Baseball League where their presence was known for nine years.
Pilot Mound Pilots 1963 - Inducted: 2005
Back Row:Albert Legary (manager), Ted Robbins, Dave Pinkerton, Rod Collins, Gary MacDonald, Jim Gwynne, Tom Mooney, Brian Hodgson
Front Row: Bill Legary, Gerry McCoy, Conrad Delorme, Lyall Delorme, Ron McCoy, Craig Hughson, Lloyd Lambkin (coach)
Coach Jim McCoy beside the trophy
The Pilots, in the early and mid-sixtes, were always the team to beat in the Manitoba Border League which extended from Manitou to Cartwright. They were always a power house in League and Tournament play and had good pitching and solid hitting. As one opponent said, "most of them were left-handed, consistent hitters". They won Border League Championships in 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1967.
Their outstanding year was ub 1963 when they captured the Manitoba Intermediate B Championship. In the Manitoba Final they scored a 3-0 victory over Angusville with Brian Hodgson giving another oustanding performance by tossing a no hitter.
The Siglunes Seals 1953-1958 - Inducted: 2005
Back Row: Flovent Sigfusson, Ivan Larson, Lorman Larson, Hermie Johnson, Skapti Sigfusson, George Demyer
Front Row: Hal Sviestrop, Charles Freeman, Gisli Sigfusson, Oscar Sviestrup
Manager: Marvin Sveistrup
Missing: Eggert Eggertson, Keith Halldoorson, Herman Johnson, Ronald Larson, Stephen Reykdal, Sigmar Sigfusson, Kenneth Sveistrup, Dave Eggertson (manager)
The Siglunes Athletic Association was an organiztion the spanned over sixty year, from the 1920's to the 1980's, and was designed to support athletics in a large area of the west central Interlake of Manitoba. It covered a large rural area from the school districts of Siglunes, Vogar, Hayland, Darwin, and the Narrows. It;s most important function was to organize an annual sports day and to sponser a baseball team that would compete successfully against the best senior baseball teams in the province.
For Three generations the rosters of the Siglunes Seals Baseball team reflected many of the same names- Freeman Johnson, Larson, Sigfusson, and Sveistrup. As the players of each generation matured, so did the calibre of the teams improve. Such was the case with the team in the late '20's, the one in the '50's, and finially with one in the '70's.
The nuleus of the roster that made up the Seals team during this period started out as a junior team in 1947. Most of them were 14 and 15 years of age. Unfortunatly, there was little competition for a team in this category, with Ahern being the only center that could offer any. The following year, in order to get some playing experience, this junior squad began entering some senior tournaments. One by one individual players were called up to plau with the senior team.
By the early 1950's the Seals were a dominant team at tournaments stretching from Gypsumville in the north to Warren in the south, and every village and town in between. In 1953 the teams record stood at 32 wins and only 3 losses. The following year it played 26 games and lost only the last one. At this time three different trophies were available for open competition in the Interlake- the Kirwan Cup, sponsored by A. W. Kirwan, the localMLA, the Anderson Trophy, sponsored by James Anderson, and the Drery Cup. In 1953 the Seals won them all. No team from the Interlake had more plaques on those trophies than Siglunes. At one stretch on July 1, 2, and 3 in 1959 the team took first place at tournaments at Ashern, Grahamdale, and Siglunes. Total prize money was $325.00.
The Seals also held their own against many teams from larger urban centers from outside the Interlake. Teams such as the Dauphin Redbirds, Neepawa Cubs, St. Bonoface Native Sons, Transcona Atomics and Fort Whyte were just some of the teams that the Seals met and defeated at tournaments. The Siglunes Sports Day, held on the first Sonday in July each year, and attracting some of the top teams in the province, was consistently won by the home team. From 1953 to 1956 the Seals won theri own tournament by defeating Poplar point, Warren, Plumas, and Chatfield in the final games of those four tournaments.
During the period from 1953 to 1959 the personnel of the Siglunes Seals changed very little. Only at shortstop did players change when Charles Freeman, Eggert Eggertson and Keith Halldorson successively starred at that position. For most of the time other members of the team included pitchers Sigmar (Siggi)and Flovent Sigfusson, Lorman Larson, and Stephan Reykdal, catcher Gisli Sigfusson, first-base Ivan Larson, second-base Marvin Svistrup, third-base willie Paul, and outfielders Hal and Kenneth Sveistrup, Skapti Sigfusson, Ronald Larson and Herman Johnson. Team managers during this time were Dave Eggertson and Oscar Sveistrup.
Without exception, all Siglunes Seals were from farm backgrounds. This meant that Sunday was usually the only day for practice or games. This fact made the teams' success all the more extraordinary. Any costs incurred were the responsibility of each player- gloves, transportation, entry fees, etc. Every cent earned by the team was turned back to the Siglune Athletic Association, which in turn provided uniforms, bats, and some other equipment. Such a relationship suited everyone just fine - the community, the fans, and particularly the players, who played for the love of the game, rather than for monetary gain.
Lyleton, 1955-1960- Inducted 2006
Picture:
Back Row: Glenn Murray, Lorne Lilley, Allen Lee, Bill Minshull, Bud McRae, Ted Gardner Front Row: Irv Skelton, Bob Melvin, Scottie McRae, Ivan Murray, Barry Edgar, Gord Peddon
Missing: Bill Cobb, Herb Edgar, Allen Edgar, Andy Lang, Alec McKenzie, Floyd Miner, Cecil Murray, Don Murray, Bobby Murray, Keith Murray, Ollie Pateman, Marcel Raymond, Gerald Reynolds, Jack Ross, Vern Tingey
Lyleton dominated the Southwest League and western Manitoba tournament play for half a dozen years.
The team ran an annual Dominion Day tournament which still flourishes.
Lyleton featured five Murray brothers, and Barry Edgar, Ted Gardner, and Ollie Pateman. Other driving forces of the team included Ted Waiser and Cecil Murray.
Snowflake, 1948-52- Inducted 2006
Picture: Top inset: Keith Brown, Morley Handford, Kitch Handford, Maurice Didkowski, Mike Didkowski, Lorne Sando, Wilbur Booker, John Harms Top Row: Jack Booker, Milton Rinn, Henry Harms, Bud Handford, Neil Rinn Bottom Row: Lloyd Hurst, Pete Harms, Dave Harms, Alex Shield, Ralph Motheral, Lloyd Maxwell
The Snowflake team won four straight Border League titles from 1948-51 and were finalists in 1952.
The team was also very prominant in tournament play in southern Manitoba in the later 1940s and early 1950s.
A highlight of the team was a victory in a big Morden July 1st tournament. The team was led by Dave Harms, Ralph Motheral, and Kitch Handford.
Fisher Branch Falcons, 1954-59- Inducted 2007
Picture: Inserts (L-R): Bill Kartushyn, Peter Kapusta, Steve Grywinski, Joe Pawlyk, George Savage, Don Hoerle, Ted Malenchak, Delbert Mealy, Walter Derkach, Metro Labchuk, Rene Rivard, Norman Klowak, Harry Beck, Frank Skibinski Top Row: John Obelnicki, Harry Malkowich, Paul Kuryk, Myrs Kubas, Vic Watson Bottom Row: Ron Anderson, John Kuryk, Chubby Barrett, Freddie Schmidt, Metro Melnyk (Coach)
The Fisher Branch Falcons were a very good small community team which excelled in tournament baseball.
Their best season was in 1957 when they won $1600 in prize money by winning 13 of 14 tournaments at Lundar, Eriksdale, Arborg, Ashern, Teulon, Chatfield, Fisher Branch, Beausejour, Hodgson, Oak Point, Moosehorn, Poplarfield, and Keewatin.
The team was managed by Metro Melnyk who kept the team together with strict expectations and led by pitchers like John Obelnicki and Deb Mealey.
Elkhorn Blue Sox, 1959-64- Inducted 2007
Picture: Top Inserts (L-R): Larry Clarke, Roy Lund, Jim Shackel, Brian Fowler (bat boy), Bob Attwood, Arnold Lund Back Row: Jake Sanheim, Jerry Jones, Ron Lund,Gordie Oliver, Bill Chapple, Wally Remple, Bob Duke Front Row: Lloyd Leslie, Earl Lund (coach), Doug Lund, Ritchie Sanhzzeim, Jack Day
The Elkhorn Blue Sox were formed in 1959 and played in the Pipesonte Albert League which they won in 1962-63-64.
The League consisted of Reston, Grand Clairiere, Sinclair and Cromer.
The Elkhorn Blue Sox had their best season in 1963 when they won nine consecutive tournaments with twenty seven straight wins. They won thirty nine and lost one during 1963.
Several players, Doug Lund, Jack Day and Bill Chapple advanced to play in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League from Elkhorn.
Waskada Orioles, 1971-1976- Inducted 2008
Picture: Back Row: Keith Kontzie, Murray Cameron, Hugh Newton, Craig Mackie, Murray Stewart, Ron Russell, Perry Kalynuk, Bob Renwick, Larry Millar, Murray Smart, Larry Meggison, Jim Kirkup, Tom Sclater Front Row: Norm Reid, Don Wickham, Roy Kontzie, Doug Hooper, Murray McMillan, Bob Dickson, Ron Stewart, Tim Palmer
The Waskada Orioles won the South West League crown in 1971, 73, 75, and 76. They were perennial provincial and Western Canada Senior AA contenders.
The team won silver medals in 1979 and Lloydminister, and bronze medals at the 1976 Manitoba Games in Neepawa.
The Orioles won many tournaments in Southwest Manitoba, in Saskatchewan at Redvers, Alida Storthoakes, Wawota and in Landsford North Dakota.
Vita Cubs, 1955-1960- Inducted 2008
Picture: Inserts (L-R): George Eliuk, John Korchak, Ray Van Kooten, Paul Kraynyk, Victor Bosyk, Michael Zushman, Eugene Kruk, Eugene Bodnarchuk (coach), Bill Fosty, Steve Domitruk, Robert Muzyka, Bobby Bordun, Eugene Smook, John Storozuk, Lawrence Zaporozan Back Row: Emile Picklyk, John Cesmystruk, Morris Cesmystruk, Lawrence Pachniosky, John Kalenchuk, Bill Andreychuk, Wally Tostowaryk, Eugene Podolsky (manager) Front Row: Maurice Rybuck, Stanley Pachnowsky, Florian Pachniosky, Alex Derewianchuk, John Chobotar, Peter Derewianchuk, Steve Derewianchuk, Rudy Pankiewich Missing: Willie Domitruk, Bill Picklyk, Emil Stasiuk, Roman Stecky, Maurice Yaremchuk, Russel Zushman
Prior to 1955, during and after this six period, the Cubs played extensively in tournament baseball and enjoyed considerale success. In 1955, the Cubs joined the States Dominion League and were Champions of the League, which consisted of Dominion City, Grunthal, Tolstoi, Woodmore, Rosa, Ridgeville And St. Pierre.
In the following year, they were pennant winners in the same League. In 1957, they joined the NW States League, then in 1958 the Cubs joined the new South East Border League, won the pennant, but lost to Grunthal in the finals.
In 1959, they won the League Championship and in 1960, they lost to Tolstoi in the League Finals.
Carberry Royals, 1979-84 - Inducted 2009
Picture:
Picture: Insets: Harvey Allen, Andy Chuchmuch, Lloyd Grierson John McNeill, John Watts, Jack Lupton, Al McNiven, Bill Old, Drew Ruckle, Bill Plowman (treasurer) Back row: Blair Salt, Rob Kommer, Warren Oliver, Albert Naismith, Kelly Murray, John Burke, Leonard Birch, Rick Roberts, Malcolm McDonald (coach) Middle: Don Scott. Front row: Elvin Hajnrych, Jim Elliot,Jeff Scot, Jim Snaith, Ian Scott, Jim Scott, Jack Elliot, Brian Salt
During the six years from 1979-1984, the Carberry Royals won five Santa Clara Baseball League titles losing n the finals the other year. This group of entirely locl players was managed by Malcolm McDonald. They won 159 game over this span losing only 62 times. They owned their own bus, enjoyed playing together, creaed considerable community interest and had a large fan base.