C.U.A.C. Blues, 1942 - Inducted: 1999

Front Row: N. Shaley (coach), J. Goodman, T. Hind, N. Melnyk, W. Kormylo (mascot), J. Thomas, T. Kitchur, J. Schettler, G. Belanger, W. Prokopenko.
Back Row: H. Barchuk (manager), Stan Shaley (captain), J. Carrick, B. Ceretti, B. Greaves, P. Kearney, Steve Shaley, M. Bartko, J. Popiel.
Missing: G. England (coach) and B. Antoniuk.

Won 4 successive Manitoba titles. In a very strong league with Norwood, St. Boniface and Transcona. Led by coaches Stan and Nick Shaley, manager Harry Barchuk, pitchers Gord England, Terry Hind, Bert Graves, Reg Sadler, Goerge Belanger, hitters Joe Popiel, Tommy Kitchur, Bill Antoniuk, Bill Ceretti, Joe Goodman, Mike Barthow. The Blues claimed the Baldy Northcot Trophy (emblematic of Winnipeg Senior League Championship) 4 times before crowds of over 3,000 fans.

1967 Canadian Pan Am Games Team - Inducted: 2000

Front Row: Gerry MacKay, coach (Brandon), Bob McKillop (Kitchener), Cliff Seafoot (Riverside), Maurice Oakes (Brandon), Gene Cory (Riverside), Phil Doiron (Moncton), Larry Bachiu (Regina).
Centre Row: Gladwyn Scott, coach (Carman), Irv Doerkson (Unity), Ken Ewasiuk (Edmonton), Ed Tanner (Edmonton), Bob Hunter (Transcona), Lane Jackson (Kindersley), Don Sumner (Brandon).
Back Row: Joe Zeman, manager (Saskatoon), Al Robertson (Hamiota), Ron Smith (Kitchener), Larry Wilson (Hamilton), Tom McKenzie (London), Cam Hurst (Transcona), Glennis Scott (Miami). Missing from the picture - Ross Stone (Unity), Ron Stead (Guelph).

This team included eight Manitobans. They were coaches Gerry MacKay (Brandon) and Gladwyn Scott (Carman), players Gene Cory (Riverside), Bob Hunter (Transcona), Cam Hurst (Transcona), Maurice Oakes (Brandon), Al Robertson (Hamiota), Glennis Scott (Miami). The team trained in Brandon and played exhibition games in Western Manitoba. It was the first truly Canadian national team. Teams in the tournament were Canada, Cuba, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico. The highlight came with the 10-9 victory over the Cubans in a game at Carman. This was Cuba's first loss in twelve years of international competition.

The Bowsman Marroons 1948-1953 - Inducted: 2001

Back Row (L-R): Bob Wastle (transportation), Del Topall, Leland Soura, Art Beals, Ford Hinchcliffe (coach/mgr. ), Bill Brownlee, Johny Zeban, Smitty Leonhard.
Front Row: Billy Brown, Ray Tall, Ernie Woods, Guyle Woods
Seated: Jim Blake (bat boy)

Missing: Don Clark, Ed Woods, Buddy Brass, Bob Burchell, Merlin Nunn, Walter Polkosnik, Jim Laidlaw, Murray Sharpe, Murray Parsons, Kelly Caughlin, George Hanke, Ken Hanke, Glen Woods, Harold Tall, Gordon Cook, Morley Mullin, Leo Langlois, Garry Blaine, Al Seymour, Al Jacques, Aggie Kukulowicz, Jack Denbow, Gene Fedorchuk, John Zeben, Jim Hagemeister, Jack Eisner, Leonard Pigg, Gene Conley, Percy Howard, Al Koonz, Ernie Boushy, Wimpy Stevenson, Ross Struthers

Baseball flourished in the Swan River Valley after World War Two and Bowsman emerged as the pace setter amoung baseball towns. Bowsman Ball Park was located in a natural amphitheatre and it had adequate seating and parking. In 1946 Bowsman purchased its first set of uniforms and later, through efforts of Dennis Ball of hockey fame, puchased uniforms from Winnipeg's Junior Maroons. Bowsman imported talented young players from Winnipeg. Amoung them were Gary Blaine, Al Seymour, Aggie Kukulowicz, and Al Jacques.

From 1952 to 1955 the Manitoba-Saskatchewan League operated with Dauphin, Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Roblin, Yorkton, and Kamsack (with a team imported frmo Sequoia State College in California). In 1953 Bowsman imported three Negro stars, Lenard Pigg, Gene "Tex" Conley, and Percy Howard.

With a good blend of local talent and imports, Bowsman excelled in league play and became prominant at tournaments in Indian Head, Foam Lake, Yorkton, Melville, Kamsack, Delisle, Canora and other places. Bowsman hosted the Muskogee Cardinals, the Ligon All Stars, Satchel Paige's touring team, Notre Dame Hounds,and the Regina Caps (who brought in portable lights). Perhaps 2000 fans would pack the hillsides. Later, Bowsman joined the Polar League with Flin Flon, Creighton, The Pas, Thompson. Baseball was a vital part of the Bowsman community during the post-WW II era.

St. Boniface Legion 43 Legionaires 1982 - Inducted: 2002

St. Boniface Legion 43 Legionaires 1982 Canadian Junior Champions
Back Row: Dave Nichol, Scott Neiles, Mike Thomas, Miles Bond, Kelly Evaniuk, Terry Wallin, Kerry Gibson, Shane Moffat, Ray Meilleur, Rick Lemoine, Debbie Neiles.
Front Row: Jim Devouno, Craig Plysiuk, Mark Hupe, Rob Lebleu, Doug Grieve, Jim Wakeham, Marcel Swerid, Rob Kollesavich, Dino Garroni, Bob Landry.

In 1982 St. Boniface Legion 143 Legionaires won the Manitoba, Western Canada, and Canadian junior championships.

St. Boniface downed the pennant winning St. James A's 3 games to 1 in playoffs for the provincial title. Then they captured the Western Canadian crown at a tournament in Transcona. They advanced to the Canadian Junior championships at Niagara Falls, and edged out Quebec 5-4 in the game for the gold medal.

Thompson Reds 1968-1973 - Inducted: 2003

Back Row (L-R): Manager- Red Sangster, Vern Bentley, Keith Redman, Earl Hodges, Doug Bentley, Forbes Stewart, George Coghill, Barry MacLean, Steve Sobko, Dale McDougall, and President- Ross Papineau.
Front Row: Bernie McLellan, Marcel Champagne, John Stewart, Russell Zushman, Jerry Holmstrom, Ken Hanke, Jack Sangster, and Alex Sutherland.

The Thompson Reds were developed by "Red" Sangster. "Red" developed a top notch team by attracting young athletes to work at Inco and play for the Reds in the Polar League with Flin Flon, The Pas, Bowsman. In 1969 the Reds lost to Binscarth in Senior B provincials. The scores were 1-0 (win), 12-11 (loss) in 19 innings, 5-3 (loss). In 1970 Thompson hosted the Westen Canada Snior B championship.

Blight Bros. - Inducted: 2003

Floyd Blight: May 4, 1927 - September 17, 1993.

Floyd was an excellent pitcher who started playing senior ball at 15 years old. He was a strong power hitter, who was the only player to hit one over the Oakville School, and drilled the longest homer ever hit at the Kenora-Keewatin Tournament. Floyd played 30 tournaments in 1949 throughout June and July. Floyd played mainly for Oakville and Poplar Point, but did some pitching for Portage and Neepawa (at Clear Lake).

Don Blight: Born on February 22, 1930.

"Ding" started playing senior ball at age 14 and played until age 40 with teams like Poplar Point, Portage, Neepawa, MacGregor, Fort Whyte, Carman Cardinals and Oakville. Don started as shortstop, later was catcher, and primarily played tournament base ball.

Ken Blight - Born December 14, 1933.

Ken was a southpaw pitcher who started with Portage at age 24 against Poplar Point. Ken played three years with Oakville in a junior league with Winnipeg Maroons, Portage and MacGregor, in late 40`s and early 50`s. Ken played first base, outfield and pitcher for 17 years, played tournament ball extensively, and pitched a 3-2 win over Winnipeg Buffaloes for Neepawa.

Carman Junior Goldeyes 1969 - Inducted: 2004

Back Row (L-R): Joe Pethybridge (Manager), John Kosowski, Les Lisowski, Carl Watson, Gary Sloik, Mel Smith, Gary McEachern, Blake Fox, Bill North, Gary Toews
Front Row: Fred Walker (Coach), Danny Giesbrecht, Brian Garnett, Dale Pappel, Murray Billing (Bat Boy), Bob Billing, Doug Harrison, John Dell, Don Maskiw, and Barry McKay.

After a 25-3-2 record in the Manitoba Junior League, the Goldeyes advanced to nationals at Sarnia, Ontario. They went 4-0 in round robin play, then lost the gold medal final to the host team from Sarnia. Bob Billing was named to tournamnet all star team at second base. Fred Walker coached and Joe Pethybridge managed. in 1970 Carman hosted junior nationals.

The Pas Teepees 1959-1964 - Inducted: 2005

The Pas TeePees 1959 Polar League Champs
Back Row: Ron Ewing, Brian McTaggart, Harvey Beach, Barry Rowley, Orest Pidskalny (Strocel), Lynn Marlowe, Claude Kozik, Irv Snyder
Front Row: Jimmy Demetruk, Stan Reid, Bill Donaldson, Cliff King, Bernie Lanigan, Ron Cox, Doug White
Bat Boy: Merlin Donaldson

Missing from Picture: Hugh Turnbull, Dale Anderson, Stu Anderson, Don Black, Ron Chalmery, Brad Cox, Norm Engen, Dick LaFramboise, Dennis Madrigga, John Marlow, Don Miller, Jeff Miller, Edgar Rivalin, Ted Rock, Al Wolfe, Elymer Young

After World War II, a senior baseball team in The Pas played exhibition games against teams from northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan communities such as Bowsman, Flin Flon, Nipawin, Melfort, and Sturgis. Touring teams from the USA, including the Ligion Colored All-Stars, also played in The Pas. The team also travelled to tournaments in both provinces.

The players included the brother battery of pitcher Ken Smith and catcher Claude Smith, Arvid (Swede) Grant, Sten Wadelius, Steve Anaka, Rene Raulins, and Rene McKinnon. In later years, they were joined by a younger group that included Claude Kozik, Ron Cox, Cliff (Ticky) King, George Hiatt, and Kenny Gair.

Locally, games were played on The Pas Collegiate Institute grounds until the early 1950's. When the school division decided that it needed a new high school, a decision was made to build it on the school playing field south of the present building. Because there was not another suitable playing facility in the community, the beginning of construction led to the end of organized baseball, not only at the senior level but also for younger teams. While the school opened in the spring of 1954, the town did not have a senior team again until 1956.

Formation of the Polar League
In the Spring of 1956, individuals in Flin Flon and Cranberry Portage decided to get together to see if there was any interest in forming a senior men's baseball league in the north. A major component of the DEW Line had been established in Cranberry Portage so the population of the small community located on Hwy. 10 between The Pas and Flin Flon was on the rise. This meant that the DEW Line people were looking for recreational opportunities for the young men working there.

A meeting was scheduled for a Sunday in Cranberry Portage. Kent Morgan, a teenager from The Pas, was in Flin Flon that weekend to see a SJHL plyoff game so some of the people going to the meeting suggested that he attend on his way home. The discussions indicated that there was interest in forming a league with two teams from Flin Flon and one from Cranberry Portage. Morgan said that he would approach people in The Pas to see if a team could be formed and a playing field found.

Morgan initially contacted Arvid Grant about the idea and Mr. Grant agreed to bring together a group of baseball people to discuss the idea. Once there seemed to be enough interest and it was ddetermined where the team could play its home games, a notice was placed in the local paper, The Northern Mail, by Morgan, who was freelance sports reporter for the paper, to recruit players. Initial practices were held in the small Winton field near The Pas Lumber Company.

In 1960, The TeePees finished first in regular season play and then met Creighton Economy Braves in the semi-final. The series went five games with the TeePees winning the rubber match 10-2. Lynn Marlowe was the winning pitcher and Dick Laframboise had three hits. The final with the Stylers from Flin Flon actually went eight games as the first game ended in a 5-5 tie. The Pas won game two 14-9, but Styler bounced back with a 9-0 victory to even the series. Ron Cox's grand slam homerun was the big blow in the TeePees 6-3 win in game four. Stylers won the next two games 4-1 and 2-1 to move ahead 3-2. Catcher George Konik stole home with the winning run in the second game. The Pas won the championship beating the Stylers 6-1 behind Claude Kozik's first inning three-run homer and then 4-2 in game eight. Marlowe drove in the winning run with a pitch hit sindle in the top of the seventh and pitched the bottom of the inning in relief of winning pitcher Bernie Lanigan. Marlowe with a record of 10-2 on the year was named league MVP.

In 1961, the same two teams reached the Polar League final with Stylers coming out on top in the best-of-seven series 4-1. Stylers Al Longmore was named league MVP. The following season the league expanded to six teams when a second team from The Pas called Trappers was accepted. The second team provide an opportunity for graduates from the minor ball progam in The Pas to compete at a higher level. Coached by Marv Hill and George Hiatt, the young Trappers included Ted and Gerry Rock, Jack Ashely, Norm Engen, Gerry Foster, Paul Bayda, Wally Kowbuz and Gerry Yee. Several later played for the TeePees.

That year the TeePees won their third Polar League crown in four years beating Johnny's Cardinals in the best-of-seven final. The series was tied 2-2, but the Cardianls won a 4-3 battle on Labour Day Sunday to move ahead. The TeePees then fought back the following day in game six to beat the Cardinals 10-5. Don Miller was the winning pitcher with Ron Cox, Harvey Beech, Barry Rowley and Millar leading the way at the plate with two hits. Orest Strocel contributed to the attack with two RBI. The Pas then captured the title with a 7-3 win in the second game of the doubleheader. Millar was the winner in relief of Wally Hausknecht while Rowley and Bill Donaldson led the attack with two hits. The Northern Mail reported that "the fleet-footed Donaldson scored five runs in the DH and played solidly in the outfield" and "second baseman Ron Cox was at his peak Monday. He was particularly brilliant in the second game."

Elmwood Junior Giants, 1978-1980- Inducted 2006

Picture: Back Row (L-R):Les Lazaruk, Kevin Lunney, Jim Lavallee, Brian Hatmann, Al Kinley, (coach), Dave Adams, Joe Sandrk, Al Edie, Ted Nowicki, Ken Kulesycki, Bob Kinley (coach), Gord Menzies (coach), Vince Urso, Bill Kinley Middle Row: Doug Gawiak, Bev Fisher (coach), Carey Lucyk, Steve Stepaniuk, Kerry Fingler, Jim Paton, Bruce Schmidt, Bill Leonard, Dan Bourbonnais, Don Onsowich, David Olsen (coach), Ross Kinley Front Row: Glen Hunter, Daryl McCartney, Ken Johnson, Barry Muckosky, Randy Ladobruk, Jim Shozda, Gord Revel, Carey Candy, Roger Wiesner, Jerry Kollesavich Not in Picture: Tim Kirlin

The Elmwood Junior Giants won three consecutive Manitoba junior championships and after winning Manitoba in 1978 they took Western Prarie Regional title and competed in National championship in Surrey, BC.

In 1979, after the Manitoba victory they went 1-3 at Western Canadians, and in 1980 after Manitoba they moved on to Western Canadians and finished second.

Coached by Al Kinley, Bob Kinley, Gord Menzies, Dave Olsen, and Bev Fisher.

Players on all three teams were Carey Candy, Randy Ladobruk, Glen Hunter, Ken Johnson, Jerry Kollesavich, Barry Muckloski, Jim Paton, and Roger Weisner.

The Ingram Family- Inducted 2007

Picture: 

Al, Doug, and Ken, three brothers, were part of a well known baseball family from the Elmwood/ East Kildonan Area and were highly regarded players in Junior and Senior Leagues in the 1950's and 1960's.

Al played junior baseball with the Morse Place Monarchs and senior baseball with Transcona, CUAC and the Elmwood Giants. He was a League All Star numerous times in his career. Al was also playing manager for the Giants in the late 1950's, who were league finalist for three years.

Doug, a second baseman played junior baseball for Morse Place and the Selkirk Fisherman and senior baseball for the Elmwood Giants, St. Boniface, and the Carman Cubs. He played on seven consecutive Senior finalists teams form 1957-63, winning three championships. He was a great defensive player, who twice had six hits in one game.

Ken, a catcher, played junior baseball for the Giants at age 16. He was an All Star catcher and led the Gaints to three championships. Ken started his senior career with the St. Boniface Native Sons in 1962, who won the championship. He then joined the Transcona Atomics and was the starting catcher for four championships. He was a good hitter and an excellent defensive player and handler of pitchers.

The Cote Family- Inducted 2007

Picture: 

During four decades from the 1940's to the 1970's, the Cote family of nine brothers were synonymous with baseball in Vasser, a small community in south eastern Manitoba and there was a period when they all played for Vasser at the same time.

Lucien, the oldest, possessed a ferocious passion for the game, pitched and played infield. James was an excellent right fielder with a strong arm and was a good hitter. He, along with Lucien, were often recruited by Minnesota teams for tournaments.

Alme played second or shortstop and provided inspiration with his constant chatter. Denis pitched left handed amd had very good arm control. Ovide, a left handed hitting catcher, with a solid physique, had a strong arm. Robert, an outfielder had an excellent batting eye, which allowed him to draw many walks and had the skill and ability to steal bases.

Emilien, a switch hitting, pitcher, was a gifted player and a powerful home run hitter. Emile, a speedy center fielder, was small in stature, but had a great range and was a good base runner. Louise, the youngest, was a right handed hitter and utility player, who along with Emilien, were the victims of a vehicle accident at the age of 22.

Elmwood Junior Giants, 1957-1961- Inducted 2008

Picture:

Members:Don Borys, Al Bosiak, Bruce Chudley, Mac Gordon, Dennis Halford, Clint Hoskins, Ray Hoskins, Jerry Kruk, Gord Lowry, Bill McLennan, Lorne Norburn, Bob Reid, Norm Rogoski, Ray Shuel, Bob Smith, Doug Smith, George Tillbury, Al Tresoor, Ken Tresoor, Tom Trosky, Frank Urso, Mike Washnuk

The Elmwood Giants Junior Baseball Club was one of the dominant teams of the 50's. They won Championships in every 5 year span.

The 1957-61 group appeared in five consecutive junior finals winning three championships. In 1957 they lost a best of seven final in the last game to the Colombus Club. In 1958 and 1959 they defeated CUAC and lost in the final to Clombus Club ub 1960.

They defeated Isaac Brock in the 1961 Junior final. Over this period they also joined with the Elmwood Seniors to win numerous tournaments.They often had to enter under a false name such as Rathwell, to be accetped into tournaments.

The nucleus of this team was a part of a great minor program in the early 1950's that included two bantam, two midget and two juvenile Provincial Championships.

Key players such as Ken Tresoor, Ray Hoskins, CLint Hoskins, Norm Rogoski and Ken Ingram played key roles in their championship years. During this time, the teams were coached by Bob Smith, Al Tresoor, Bob Reid, Mike Wachnuk, Ray Hoskins, Dennis Halford and George Dillbury as Manager. 

 The Robertson Family, Hamiota - Inducted 2009

Picture: 

For many years Hamiota was known as the Baseball Capital of Manitoba. The members of the Robertson family were very instrumental in creating this reputation for Hamiota.

Al Robertson played on Canada's Pan-Am Games teams of 1967 and 1971. He was MSBL batting champion in 1967. In 1985 he won a silver medal as manager of Manitoba's Canada Games team, was named Coach of the Year for both Manitoba and Canada, and won the Brandon Sun's Krug Crawford Award as Western Manitoba's Sportsman of the Year. He has been inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

Lorna Robertson coached Hamiota teams along with Al to provincial titles in Beaver, Bantam, and Bison categories. She was a coach also of two Bison teams that won medals at Western Canadians. She won the Brandon YMCA Woman of Distinction Award in 1985 and was Manitoba Basketball's Coach of the Year in 1993. She has been inducted into the Maniotba Basketball Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

 Jeff Robertson played as a youngster on provincial championship teams in three different age categories. He played on Team Canada at the World Youth Championships at Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1983. In senior ball he was an MSBL first team all-star ten times and Manitoba's Senior Player of the Year in 1989. As a coach, Jeff was on the staff of teams from Manitoba at Western Canadian and National championships, as well as at the Canada Summer Games in both 1989 and 1993. He coached Team Canada at the Four Nations Cup in 1995. He also established the Manitoba High School Baseball championships, and administered them from 1993 through 1998. He was Manitoba Baseball's Manager of the Year in 1998.

Randy Robertson also played on provincial championship teams in three youth categories. He was the all-star catcher at the Western Canadian Beaver championships at Neepawa in 1979, and was on the Manitoba team that won a silver medal at the 1985 Canada Summer Games. He played in the MSBL for six years. His career batting average was .352 in league play and .336 during play offs. In 1987 he came second in batting average, and led the league in both hits and stolen bases. In that year he stole 25 bases, still a one season record. Randy also coached minor teams in Hamiota, as well as development teams in Westman at the Bantam and Midget levels. 

Giroux Athletics, 1988-92 - Inducted 2009

Picture:

Picture: 
L-R Top - Scott Taylor, Don Maskiw, Brian Poole, Brent Harvey, Elgin Gromniski, Jerry Anderson, Jim Heighton. L-R Middle - John Sargent, Wayne Seidler, John Hindle, Henri Turenne, Dennis Person, Roy Seidler, Bob Sim. L-R Bottom - Rick Hefford, Dennis Wiebe, Mel Harvey, Dennis Thomson, Ron Legace, Brian Seidler, Dave Driedger

The tiny hamlet of Giroux has been famous for baseball teams for generations. It fielded a Senior caliber team for 44 years. Another indication of enthusiasm is that from 1988 through 1992 the Giroux Athletics "Twilight" team won four Manitoba Twilight championships and three Western Canadian championships. Special recognition should go to the Seidler brothers Roy, Wayne, and Brian, who were the key organizers of this club. This is the first Twilight team inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.