BRITISH COLUMBIA
Organized baseball in Vancouver at the elite level was of independent semi-pro stature in 1902 while Victoria and Nanaimo continued to utilize solely amateur players, at least to begin with. Crowds of spectators for early-season Vancouver games against American opposition would reach almost 10% of the city’s population and even more when arch-rival Victoria visited the Powell Street grounds. As the long season progressed, however, attendance waned dramatically.
The following quote from the July 11, 1902 edition of the Vancouver Daily World epitomizes the growth in popularity of baseball in Vancouver:
The American game has certainly received a strong foothold in Vancouver. These fine nights on every vacant lot can be witnessed a struggle, while on the Powell Street grounds, there are generally two games in progress each evening.
Taking a dig at the fans of their diamond foe from the Capital City, a scribe from the Vancouver Daily World opined in the July 18, 1902 publication:
The baseball fever is not limited to Vancouver and its environments. Over in Victoria, it is quite as bad although cricket might be expected to better suit the temperament of the people.
It was not an uncommon occurrence for gamblers to openly ply their trade at the Powell Street grounds during the 1902 season. A brief snippet in the July 31 Vancouver Daily World mentions:
Money was freely bet yesterday, two of the redoubtable backers of the opposing team actually betting on the home team.
(May 03) Vancouver smacked 16 hits and capitalized on 12 errors, all in the infield, to overwhelm Nanaimo 12-3 Saturday. Of the fielding boots, five came at shortstop, three at second, two at third and two at first. Walter Miller paced the offensive with three hits and three scores. George Broadhurst added three safeties and a pair of runs. Frank Forrest held Nanaimo to five hits in going the route for the pitching win.
Greenwell (L) and T.Aitken
Forrest (W) and Malcolmson
(May 10) With 25-hundred fans looking on at the Powell Street Grounds, Vancouver crushed Whatcom, Washington 10-3 Saturday afternoon. After the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, Vancouver second sacker Ike Rockenfield took over and led a 17-hit attack with a "cycle" -- a homer, triple, double and single. Shortstop Henry Jansing and first baseman Walter Miller each had three hits. Frank Forrest gave up 13 hits, four by first sacker Morgan, but pitched shutout ball from the second through the eighth. He fanned nine with no free passes.
Schwanz, Lyons and Holbrook
Forrest (W) and Malcolmson
(May 10) Although the home squad lost, local fans were treated to a splendid exhibition Saturday as the nine from Pendleton, Oregon topped Victoria 7-3. Stovall pitched the win for the visitors.
Stovall (W) and xxx
Holness (L) and Schwengers
(May 14) Pendleton, Oregon took advantage of a third inning throwing error to score a pair and edge Vancouver 3-2 Wednesday. In the third inning, with two on and two out, second baseman Ike Rockenfield made an outstanding stop of an infield grounder but made a wild throw to first and by the time the ball was fished out from among the crowd, Pendleton had two runs. In the fourth, Frank Law belted a triple for Vancouver and scored on Walter Miller's fly ball to centre. Pendleton added a run in the sixth and the locals got their second run in the seventh as Miller came home on Tommy Ballentyne's long hit to centre field. Robert Wilner fired a three-hitter for the win.
Wilner (W) and Brown
Law (L) and Ballentyne
(May 15) Pendleton, Oregon notched its second straight win over Vancouver taking a 4-2 decision Thursday behind Taylor's outstanding five-hit, 16 strikeout performance. Third basemen Schmidt led the winners with three hits.
Taylor (W) and Brown
Forrest (L) Ballentyne
(May 17) Ike Rockenfield doubled to score Henry Jansing in the tenth inning Saturday to send Vancouver to a 3-2 win over Victoria.. Jansing had reached on an error. Victoria had a chance in the bottom of the tenth as Smith singled and stole second with none out but Frank Law got a strikeout, a ground out and a fly ball to end the game. Law scattered ten hits to get credit for the win. Holness allowed just six hits and fanned 12 in a losing cause.
Law (W) and Ballentyne
Holness (L) and Schwengers
(May 23) Vancouver had an easy time over the weekend sweeping a three game series over the Lavitas from Seattle winning 15-1, 9-2 and 10-0. Frank Law did the hurling for Vancouver Friday, Frank Forrest handled the Saturday morning affair and Lester Harvie tossed the shutout in the final game.
(May 27) 1,800 Vancouver baseball fans had a major treat Tuesday in a match against the powerful team from the University of California. The Vancouver Daily World laid it out :
The day was a red letter one, as it marked the date of one of the fastest, most keenly contested and best games of baseball ever witnessed on the local diamond. It was replete with fast fielding, great batting, grand base running and sensational plays ... The best team won, and id the trick in the most approved fashion. The game occupied one hour's actual play, and during the entire match, but two lonesome errors were made. The California boys certainly received a big surprise, in fact they were completely dumbfounded at the work of the locals, with whom they expected to have somewhat of a picnic.
Vancouver, with all four runs in the third inning, beat the collegians 4-2. California got both their runs in the top of the third as Hatch singled and Gardner drew a walk. Kennedy and Adams knocked in the runs. In the bottom of the frame, Heine Jansing and Tommy Ballentyne drew free passes before George Broadhurst cracked a double for one run and Ike Rockenfield drove in a pair with a triple and scored himself on a fly ball. The pitchers, Frank Law for Vancouver and Richard Williams for California threw shutout ball the rest of the way. Law allowed just four hits, Williams five.
Williams (L) and Hatch
Law (W) and Ballantyne
(May 28) Vancouver did it again. They beat the crack college squad from Berkeley, California. This time 5-4 with a run in the ninth inning. The locals opened fast with four runs in the initial stanza. Henry Jansing reached on an error and Tommy Ballentyne singled. Jansing was thrown out at third on George Broadhurst's grounder and an outfield fly made it two out. But Frank Law drew a walk to load the bases and Green sent a scorcher to third but Kennedy's throw to first was way off the mark and before the collegians could recover Vancouver had four runs on the scoreboard. California got two runs in the sixth as Hatch smacked a double and Orval Overall walked. Hamlin's two-a bagger drove in both runners. in the eighth, helped by a crucial error, the collegians tied the count with another pair of runs. In the ninth for Vancouver, Pero cracked a single and Walter Miller followed with a hot grounder up the middle which was fumbled by Hamlin, who in his haste to nab Miller at first, threw wildly as Pero scampered home with the winning marker.
Overall (L) and Hatch
Forrest (W) and Ballantyne
(May 30) Vancouver roared back from an early 8-0 deficit Friday to down Mount Vernon, Washington, 12-11 in ten innings. The game featured more errors, 16, than hits, 13. Ike Rockenfield led the winners with two hits, both two-baggers, and three runs. Shortstop Henry Jansing, who took over on the mound in the second inning, was the winning hurler.
H.Cook (L) and Holbrook
Harvie, Jansing (W) (2) and Ballentyne
(May 31) Behind a 19-hit attack, Vancouver crushed Mount Vernon, Washington, 14-7 Saturday. Henry Jansing and Ike Rockenfield led the hit parade each with four. Pero added three safeties. Four Mount Vernon hurlers allowed a total of seven walks and the squad committed six errors. Frank Forrest, who was combed for 13 hits, managed to go the distance for the pitching win.
Robertson (L), Phillips, H.Cook, C.Cook and Holbrook
Forrest (W) and Malcolmson
(June 05) Nanaimo held off a late rally by Vancouver Thursday to notch a 5-4 victory. Up 5-2 with a run in the top of the ninth, the visitors saw the home club score a pair in the bottom of the final frame to make it interesting. Vancouver out-hit the winners 13 to 12. Greenwell went the route for the pitching win.
Greenwell (W) and xxx
Harvie (L) and xxx
(June 07) The visiting Victoria nine broke a scoreless tie with a run in the top of the sixth but Vancouver responded with four of their own and went on to a 7-1 triumph over Victoria in a controversial finish before 25-hundred fans Saturday. Victoria catcher Schwengers singled to bring in Rithet with the game's first tally after hurlers Frank Law and Holness had pitched strong, shutout ball through five innings. Vancouver quickly tied it in the bottom of the sixth as Ike Rockenfield reached on an error and George Broadhurst brought him home with a two-bagger. Law followed with another long blow to put Vancouver ahead 2-1. Patneaud then followed with a hot liner to McConnell at shortstop who threw wildly to first and Law decided to try to scamper all the way home. On the throw to the plate, The umpire signaled Law safe, which prompted a protest from Victoria. After Victoria Manager Jewell pulled his starter Holness from the game in favour of a one-armed, George Smith, The Vancouver Daily World quoted Jewell as saying "Let us make a farce of it boys, and fix baseball in this town." After Smith walked a pair and the crowd began hooting and hissing, catcher Schwengers took over mound duties for the rest of the game. Law allowed just three hits, no walks and struck out seven in his complete game performance for Vancouver.
Holness (L), George Smith (6), Schwengers (6) and Schwengers, Captain Smith
Law (W) and Ballentyne
Vancouver announced the acquisition of three players from the Lash Bitters team of San Francisco, catcher Burns, pitcher Ernest Nichols and outfield Lent.
(June 14) Vancouver demolished Nanaimo 20-1 in a Saturday fixture at the Powell Street grounds. Ike Rockenfield led a 19-hit offensive with two doubles and a single and four scores. Henry Jansing, back in the lineup after an ankle injury, poked out three hits and scored a pair. George Broadhurst contributed a pair of two-baggers and three runs. Vancouver took the lead with five runs in the first inning, adding three in the second and eleven in the third. Frank Law held the visitors to just four hits. He fanned eight with no free passes. The only run against him came on Vancouver's lone error in the game. Nanaimo compounded its problems issuing ten walks and made 4 errors and had five passed balls.
Zeigler (L), Greenwell, Zeigler and T.Aitken
Law (W) and Ballentyne
(June 21) Vancouver split a weekend double-header in Mount Vernon, Washington losing the Saturday game 4-3 and winning on Sunday 15-9. The home squad pounded 17 hits off Frank Law to post their triumph, scoring the winner in the final frame on a three-bagger with a runner on second. Ernest Nichols, the new Vancouver hurler from California, handled the mound work for the Canadian nine on Sunday.
Law (L) and xxx
xxx (W) and xxx
Nichols (W) and xxx
xxx (L) and xxx
(June 23) Vancouver is scheduled to take on another reputed top college squad, the nine from Stanford University in California. However, none of the names of the team players match up with those on the university's recent lineups.
(June 24) Vancouver had another surprise in store as a team masquerading as Stanford University took on the locals. 19-year-old Ernest Nichols, in his debut on the home grounds, held the visitors to just one hit, that in the first inning, as Vancouver posted a 4-0 shutout. Vancouver combined five hits and four Stanford errors to secure the triumph. Tommy Ballentyne led the winners with a double and single and scored twice. Henry Jansing's lone hit knocked in Ballentyne with a run in the first inning.
Emerson (L) and Kennedy
Nichols (W) and Ballentyne
(June 25) With another strong hurling performance, this time by Frank Law, Vancouver swept its series with Stanford University downing the visitors 11-4 Wednesday. Law, hurt by six errors by his teammates, allowed just four hits. Vancouver had ten off Jerry Freeman, two apiece by George Broadhurst and Tommy Ballentyne. The California boys were hampered by injuries as Kennedy, the Stanford catcher broke a finger and centre fielder Morse injured his knee forcing both from the game. Vancouver had a pair of four-run innings, the third and the fifth, en route to the victory.
Freeman (L) and Kennedy, Miller
Law (W) and Ballentyne
(June 26) Playing at Nanaimo, Vancouver got shutout pitching by Henry Jansing, their regular shortstop, in a 4-0 victory. The game was called after eight innings because of rain. Les Harvie, a former Vancouver moundsman, took the loss for the Black Diamond City team.
Jansing (W) and Ballentyne
Harvie (L) and Aitken
(June 26) The collegians from Berkeley, California downed Grand Forks 7-1.
(June 27) Everett, Washington, came from behind with two runs in the eighth and another in the ninth to top Vancouver 4-2 Friday at the Powell Street Grounds. Left fielder Mahon drove in the two 8th inning markers for the visitors. Winning pitcher Fred Schock knocked in an insurance run in the ninth. Vancouver got both its runs in the sixth on Tommy Ballentyne's circuit blow with Pero aboard. It was the first homer of the season for Vancouver. Schock held the home squad to just five hits and fanned 12. Everett had 11 hits off Ernest Nichols.
Schock (W) and Pringle
Nichols (L) and Ballentyne
(June 28) A five-run outburst in the sixth inning carried Everett, Washington to a 9-7 win over Vancouver and a sweep of their weekend series. The visitors unleashed a 15-hit attack with every batter in the lineup with at least one safety. Winning pitcher McKay was one of four players with two hits for the winners.
McKay (W) and Pringle
Law (L) and Ballentyne
(June 28) Victoria defeated Stanford University 8 to 4.
(June 28) Billy Holmes, the Vancouver outfielder, announced he had signed to play with Everett. It is rumoured that his salary is $150 per month.
(July 01) The University of California exacted revenge on Vancouver taking both ends of Tuesday's double-header 7-2 and 7-3 before a crowd of about 2,000 for the morning/afternoon twin-bill. The collegians had earlier dropped a pair to the BC club. Pitcher Richard Williams was the hero for the Americans hurling a five-hitter while belting a home run for one of California's seven hits. Ernest Nichols fanned 13 in a losing cause. Kennedy had a pair of hits and scored three times for the winners. Adams, the shortstop, also had a pair of safeties and drew applause from the crowd for his work in the field.
Williams (W) and Hatch
Nichols (L) and Ballentyne
Williams also pitched the second game for the collegians holding Vancouver to six hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. Again, Kennedy led the offense with a pair of hits and two scores. Frank Law hurled a six-hitter and had eight strikeouts for Vancouver.
Williams (W) and Hatch
Law (L) and Ballentyne
(July 02) In a dandy battle at the Powell Street Grounds Wednesday, Everett, Washington, topped Vancouver 2-0 before a crowd of 1.500. McKay got the shutout with a three-hitter and ten strikeouts. Everett managed 11 hits off Frank Forrest, three by McKay, one a two-bagger. Everett got the only run it needed this day in the opening frame. Pringle singled, advanced on a throwing error and scampered home on Spencer's safety. They added another in the second as McRae doubled and was knocked in by McKay.
McKay (W) and Pringle
Forrest (L) and Ballentyne
(July 12-13) Playing at Everett over the weekend, Vancouver gained a split, losing 7-4 Saturday while rebounding with a 5-4 victory on Sunday.
Nichols (L) and xxx
xxx and xxx
Law (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(July 18) Vancouver blew an 8-0 lead Friday as the All-California nine scored all twelve runs in the last four innings to down the locals 12-9 in ten innings. The visitors, looking strikingly similar to the Stanford college team, pounded out 18 hits, three apiece by Morse the centre fielder and Egan at third base. Dick and Oscar Boettiger each collected two hits and two runs. Perrine was the beneficiary of the big comeback as he allowed 13 hits but managed to pick up the win. George Broadhurst had three safeties for Vancouver.
Perrine (W) and xxx
Law (L) and Ballentyne
(July 19) In an exciting finish, Vancouver, trailing 4-2, scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday to edge All-California 5-4. Leading of the ninth, Lent reached safely and Frank Law swatted a single. With one out, Ernest Nichols cracked a single to bring in both runners. George Broadhurst followed with a triple to bring in the winning marker. Ernest Nichols held the visitors to seven hits and fanned eight. Elmer Emerson surrendered eight safeties in taking the loss.
Emerson (L) and R.Boettiger
Nichols (W) and Ballentyne
(July 21) In another thrilling contest between All-California and Vancouver, the locals, blanked for eight innings, scored four times in the ninth to pull into a 4-4 draw. The game was called after nine frames by mutual agreement. Henry Jansing, Frank Forrest and Ike Rockenfield all got hits to load the bases. Tommy Ballentyne drove in a pair with a single and George Broadhurst hit safely to knocked in another. Walter Miller singled to bring home the tying marker. Vancouver had the bases loaded with two out when California got the final out. Ballentyne was the game's top hitter with three safe blows.
Perrine and R.Boettiger
Forrest and Ballentyne
(July 23) The Chemawa Native American squad from Oregon were the latest visitors to go down to the tough Vancouver nine losing 11-8 Wednesday. Ike Rockenfield was the local hero slugging a triple and three doubles in five trips to the plate. George Broadhurst cracked a double and two singles and scored three times. Catcher Teabo collected three hits, two of them doubles, for Chemawa and shortstop Raub had two hits and two runs. Frank Law gave up 12 hits in hurling for Vancouver, which made nine errors.
Graham (L) and Teabo
Law (W) and Ballentyne
(July 24) Regan, Chemawa's usual right fielder surprised even his teammates Wednesday taking a turn on the mound for the first time to hold off Vancouver as the Oregon nine notched a 6-5 victory. Regan relieved starter Morris in the fifth inning and went on to claim the pitching victory. Third sacker Laflambois was the leading batsman with a double and two singles for the winners. Tommy Ballentyne smacked three hits for Vancouver.
Morris, Regan (W) (5) and Teabo
Nichols (L) and Ballentyne
(July 25) At the Powell Street Grounds Friday, the All-California squad downed Vancouver 9-7. Vancouver catcher Tommy Ballentyne was injured and pitcher Nicholl, with no experience at the position, took over behind the plate.
xxx and xxx
Law (L) and Ballentyne, Nichols
(July 26) The All-Californians scored four runs in the first inning and coasted to a 5-1 triumph over Vancouver Saturday at the Powell Street Grounds. Elmer Emerson gave up a run in the first frame then blanked Vancouver the rest of the way.
Emerson (W) and Smith
Forrest (L) and Nichols
(July 26) Vancouver announced the acquisition of five players from the All-California squad to bolster its tattered lineup. The Boettiger brothers, Dick and Oscar, from Berkeley High School, pitcher Elmer Emerson, first sacker Jerry Freeman and infielder Smith are slated to join the team.
(July 28) With Dick Boettiger, the first of the new recruits in harness, Vancouver got back in the win column Monday with a 4-2 triumph over All-California. Ernest Nichols hurled for the winners.
Emerson (L) and Smith
Nichols (W) and Boettiger
(July 30) Vancouver scored three runs in the first inning and held off a late charge by Whatcom-Fairhaven to take a 5-3 decision Wednesday. Before a crowd of 1,500 Ernest Nichols fired a seven-hitter for the pitching win. Two newcomers, catcher Dick Boettiger and first baseman Jerry Freeman led the winners each with two hits.
Deane (L) and McRae
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(August 01) Vancouver put on its most devastating offensive show of the season Friday in crushing Chemawa, Oregon 22-3. Jerry Freeman and Walter Miller led a 22-hit assault each with four safeties, each with three doubles. Tommy Ballentyne cracked a home run and a single. Winning pitcher Frank Law added three hits and scored four times. George Broadhurst, Ike Rockenfield, Henry Jansing and Dick Boettiger collected two hits apiece. Oscar Boettiger, with a lone single, was the lone Vancouver batter with fewer than two safeties. Law held the visitors to nine hits and racked up 12 strikeouts.
Morris (L), LaFlambois and Teabo, Raub
Law (W) and R.Boettiger
(August 02) In another one-sided encounter, Vancouver walloped Chemawa, Oregon 13-0 Saturday as Ernest Nichols and Frank Law combined on the shutout. Nichols was injured in the fifth inning trying to score from third base. A throw struck him on the jaw.
LaFlambois (L) and Raub
Nichols (W), Law (6) and xxx
(August 07) With seven runs in the last four innings, Everett, Washington topped Vancouver 12-8 in the first of a two-game series. In a sloppily played contest, there were 15 errors, eight by Vancouver, the visitors pounded out 16 hits, at least one by every batter in the lineup. Walter "Chief" Thornton carried the big stick with a home run and two singles. Mahan also had three hits. Fred Schock held Vancouver to eight hits and rang up 11 strikeouts.
Schock (W) and Pringle
Nichols (L) and R.Boettiger
(August 8) The locals out-hit Everett 12 to 8 Thursday but still went down to an 8-3 defeat at the Powell Street Grounds. They even got a circuit clout by George Broadhurst and three hits from Henry Jansing. But, the visitors took the lead with a three-run fifth inning and added a pair in the seventh and another two in the eighth to win easily. Vancouver's leading slugger, second baseman Ike Rockenfield wasn't in the game.
After the first game there were some ugly rumors heard about the streets, and one of them was that Rockenfield didn't try to play ball in Thursday's game. He heard this and yesterday morning asked Manager Mayo for his release. It was refused, but Rockenfield decided to lay off for the game. (Vancouver Daily World, August 9}
[Rockenfield did not return to the team lining up instead with Tacoma of the Pacific National League. By 1905 he had advanced to the major leagues with the St. Louis Browns.]
McKay (W) and Pringle
Law (L) and R.Boettiger
(August 15) With a pair of runs in the first inning, Vancouver took the lead and cruised to a 9-1 victory over Nanaimo. First sacker Jerry Freeman paced the winners with three hits and three runs. Frank Law yielded just four hits for the pitching win.
Zeigler (L) and Ashman
Law (W) and R.Boettiger
(August 16) Vancouver's ace moundsman Ernest Nichols, who just turned 20 near the end of July, came within a walk of a perfect game Saturday as the locals dumped Nanaimo 13-0. The 22-year-old from San Francisco fired a no-hitter, giving up just a free pass to ruin his bid for a perfecto. He rang up eight strikeouts. The visitors booted the ball nine times, which prompted a particular note in the Vancouver paper :
The Nanaimo infield were stupid. Not only did this portion of the team make errors, but they committed crimes against the noble art of playing the game. There were plays made which we so bad that no errors could be charged for them because the men who made the rules did not imagine that any player would, or could, commit such offences against good play and did not provide penalties.
Catcher Dick Boettiger was the main man for the winners with a home run and two singes. Jerry Freeman added a triple and single.
Graham (L) and Ashman
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(August 22) Victoria cracked out 18 hits Friday, four each by first baseman Rithet and catcher Smith, in a 13-8 victory over Vancouver. Two of Rithet's safeties went for three bases. Schwengers, on the hill for Victoria, surrendered just five hits and one free pass. He had three strikeouts.
Law (L) and R.Boettiger
Schwengers (W) and Smith
(August 23) A three-run first inning by Vancouver set the stage for an easy 9-5 win over Victoria. Vancouver ran up a 9-0 lead before Victoria got on the scoreboard. The winners had just eight hits, compared to 12 for the losers, but took advantage of eight Victoria errors. Oscar Boettiger and Frank Law belted triples for the mainland squad while Captain Smith had three hits for Victoria and McConnell and Rithet each collected two hits and scored twice.
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
Holness (L) and Smith
(August 30) With two runs in each of the first four innings, Vancouver ran away with a 9-2 win over the All-Americans Saturday in the first game of a double-header. The winners had just six hits of Murdock and Wellington but the pair issued a total of 11 free passes. Ernest Nichols tossed a seven-hitter for the win. Tom Ballentyne cracked a two-run homer for Vancouver.
Murdock (L), Wellington and McIntyre
Nichols (W) and xxx
In the second game, Vancouver again scored early with four runs in the first stanza en route to a 7-1 triumph behind the solid hurling of Frank Law. Jerry Freeman connected in the third inning for a homer.
Drinkwater (L) and xxx
Law (W) and xxx
(September 02) In the third game of the series, the All-Americans blew a 3-0 lead in going down to a 4-3 loss to Vancouver. The home squad battled back with singletons in the fifth and sixth innings and a pair in the seventh to take the contest. Vancouver pitcher Frank Law and the Vancouver Captain, Jerry Freeman had a war of words leading to Freeman taking over mound duties.
xxx and xxx
Law, Freeman and xxx
(September 05) A four-run initial stanza set Vancouver on the way to a 13-4 trouncing of the highly rated Everett nine from Washington Tuesday. Third baseman Charles Green led the attack with three hits, including a double and triple. Nine Everett errors also contributed to the easy Vancouver victory. Ernest Nichols held the visitors to seven hits.
McKay (L), Taylor (7) and Pringle
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(September 06) With a crowd of 1,200 looking on, Everett, Washington scored in the ninth inning to defeat Vancouver 5-4 in another dandy encounter between the highly matched teams. Fred Schock held the home squad to five hits and fanned ten for the pitching win helped by a three-hit effort from third baseman Mahon and a pair from catcher Pringle. Frank Law gave up eight hits in a losing cause.
Schock (W) and Pringle
Law (L) and R.Boettiger
(September 13) With a pair of three-run innings, the third and fourth, Vancouver jumped into an early 6-1 lead and were never headed Saturday in a 7-5 win over Victoria. Ernest Nichols allowed just three hits, all by Carter.
McCay (L) and xxx
Nichols (W) and xxx
(September 15) Betting on games was widespread and out in the open. This letter, from the manager of a Seattle team, was published by the Vancouver Daily World September 15, 1902.
Sporting Editor World : I hear that the manager of the Vancouver baseball team is willing to back his team against any team on the Coast, and that he is a betting man. I will bring a team to Vancouver and play him two games any date he wishes for a side bet of $250 a game, $500 on two games, or which is a purse of $1,000, that I can beat him. I will wire security to any bank he sees fit. I would be very much obliged if you will see to this for me.
Yours truly,
Frank Newman, Manager Lavita's
(September 16) In a thriller at the Powell Street Grounds, the locals pulled out a 6-5 ten inning victory over Mount Vernon of Washington.
Excitement is a mild term for the wild state into which the eight hundred or so fans got, as many as five or six times during the engagement ... It was full of sensational plays, fast fielding, hard sticking and general all-around snap. The locals gave as fine an exhibition of the American game as has ever been witnessed on the Powell Street grounds.
In the tenth, left fielder Oscar Boettiger sent a long drive out near the back fence to allow Henry Jansing to romp home from third, running backwards, with the winning marker. Ernest Nichols allowed just seven hits and racked up 11 strikeouts in going the distance for the pitching win. Vancouver collected ten hits off C.Cook, including a pair of two baggers by Charles Green. Nichols added a double and single. Vancouver held a 3-0 lead before the visitors put one on the scoreboard in the sixth and then took a 5-3 advantage with a four-run outburst in the seventh. Vancouver battled back to tie with a run in the eighth setting the stage for the extra inning excitement. It was Nichols' drive which brought in McRae with the tying counter.
C.Cook (L) and Phillips
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(September 19) Faced with a lineup of players from Victoria, Everett, Seattle and Pendleton, the Vancouver nine put another one in their win column Friday downing the Seattle-Everett amalgam 6-2. With two runs in each of the first, third and fourth innings, the home squad put the game on ice early. Frank Law hurled a nice seven-hitter for the winners besting McKay of the visitors. Henry Jansing and Charles Green each poked out a pair of hits for Vancouver.
Rochon (L) and Smith
Law (W) and R.Boettiger
(September 20) 1,200 fans again went away pleased with the play and the result as Vancouver wrapped up its series with Seattle-Everett with a 4-1 victory. Their two runs in the first inning turned out to be enough for the triumph. Ernest Nichols surrendered just five hits, three to Mahon and two to James, with nine strikeouts and no walks. Catcher Dick Boettiger had two hits for the winners.
McKay (L) and Smith
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(September 23) An outstanding contest marked the opening game of the $500 challenge series between Vancouver and Seattle's Lavitas. The home squad's Ernest Nichols fired a five-hitter Tuesday as Vancouver nosed out the visitors 2-1. Nichols fanned nine with no free passes to best lefty Skillman who had six strikeouts and a pair of walks. Vancouver took a 2-0 lead with runs in the first stanza and the fourth, both as a result of errors. Seattle got its lone marker in the fifth.
Skillman (L) and Smith
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(September 24) In an even better game than Tuesday, Seattle Lavitas evened the series with a 1-0 triumph behind McKay's shutout pitching. In the third inning, Wheeler drove the horsehide for a three-bagger and Smith followed with a clean safety to drive in the game's only run. The contest featured some outstanding work in the outfield. Wheeler made a great one-hand running catcher of a long drive to centre by Oscar Boettiger with a man on second. And Vancouver's right-fielder McRae was given an ovation when in the ninth James drove a long fly to the fence which McRae managed to make the grab with his back to the wall.
McKay (W) and Smith
Law (L) and R.Boettiger
(September 25) Winning 6-0, Vancouver took the rubber match of the $500 challenge series over Seattle Lavitas. Ernest Nichols tossed an eight-hit shutout to top the American's left-hander Skillman who gave up nine hits and fanned ten. Charles Green smacked three hits, one a double, for the winners. George Broadhurst had two hits and two runs scored. Schmidt, Williams and Wheeler each had two safeties for the Lavitas.
Skillman (L) and Smith
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(September 26) Seattle Lavitas and Vancouver continued their series Friday with the visitors taking a 7-6 decision. The home nine blew an early 3-0 leaded as Seattle punched home four runs in the fourth inning to take the lead for good. They scored three more in the eighth and held off a ninth inning charge by Vancouver which netted them three runs before the Lavitas put an end to the rally. Brinker fired a five-hitter for the win. Jerry Freeman allowed eight hits in a losing cause. Third sacker Schmidt paced the winners with four safeties, on a two-bagger. Frank Law had a pair for Vancouver.
Brinker (W) and Smith
Freeman (L) and R.Boettiger
(September 27) In the final game of the extended series with the Lavitas, Vancouver again proved to be the dominant team with a 6-3 victory. Frank Law pitched the win for the locals. McKay took the loss.
McKay (L) and xxx
Law (W) and xxx
(October 2) The Seattle Lavitas and Vancouver resumed their rivalry Thursday at the Powell Street Grounds in a thrilling contest won by the Americans 3-2 in 11 innings. McKay was the winning hurler.
McKay (W) and xxx
Law (L) and xxx
(October 3) Ernest Nichols fired a two-hit shutout Friday as Vancouver defeated Seattle Lavitas 5-0. Nichols walked three and fanned nine. A four-run first inning proved enough for the winners who managed just four hits off Ely, who had six strikeouts and one free pass.
Ely (L) and Mackie
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(October 4) In a fast and snappy exhibition, Vancouver again topped Seattle 3-2 in a morning game at the Powell Street Grounds. Attendance was sparse.
(October 4) Behind a 17-hit attack, Vancouver crushed Seattle Lavitas 12-1 Saturday afternoon in the fourth game of the second series with the American nine. Dick Boettiger, playing second base instead of his usual spot behind the plate, smacked four hits in five tries. Winning hurler Frank Law had three hits and Jerry Freeman poked a triple and single. Law yielded just six hits for the pitching win. He fanned seven and walked a pair.
McKay (L), A.Rochon and Mackie
Law (W) and Ballentyne
(October 7) Playing in blustery weather, the visiting nine from Fremont proved too difficult an opposition for Vancouver as the locals, missing Jerry Freeman and Charles Green, went down to a 5-0 defeat. McKay did the twirling for the winners besting Ernest Nichols.
McKay (W) and xxx
Nichols (L) and xxx
(October 8) With a 4-3 win Wednesday, Vancouver evened its series with Fremont. A small turnout saw a snappy exhibition of the game. Frank Law picked up the win.
McKay (L) and Smith
Law (W) and Boettiger
(October 9) With a much better crowd in attendance Thursday, Freemont topped Vancouver 7-4.
(October 10) The charity game for the hospital committee was poorly attended. Vancouver won the game 8-2 over Fremont.
(October 11) Saturday, Vancouver whipped Fremont 15 to 3 before a good sized crowd.
(October 13) The Vancouver Daily World published a few statistics for the 1902 club. Shortstop Henry Jansing had 212 at bats, 52 runs and 50 hits for a .236 average. Ernest Nichols hit .100 in 110 at bats with 9 runs. McRae had 60 at bats and 7 runs and 12 hits. Tommy Ballentyne collected 51 hits and 41 runs in 243 at bats, a .210 mark and Frank Law managed 38 hits in 171 at bats. He scored 24 runs.
(October 23) In the first of a set against the Seattle Clamdiggers of the professional Pacific Northwest League, Vancouver surprised the visitors pulling off a 6-1 victory as ace hurler Ernest Nichols held the pros to just three hits. He racked up 11 strikeouts. Jesse Stovall allowed but five hits, including a pair by Henry Jansing, but was done in by five errors by his teammates. He had 12 strikeouts.
It was a great crowd who witnessed the slaughter. A regular roaring mob of the hottest imaginable sort of baseball fans, and they cheered and rooted as never before in the history of the game in this city. (Vancouver Daily World, October 24, 1902)
Vancouver scored a pair in the first inning, enough for the win on this day. Jerry Freeman worked Stovall for a free pass and, with two out, Henry Jansing reached on an error at first base as Freeman scampered all the way home. Charles Green followed with a single to plate Jansing. They added one in the third as Tommy Ballentyne was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a two-bagger by Jansing and romped home on a passed ball. Seattle got its only marker in the eighth on Ira Harmon's run-scoring triple. But Vancouver came right back with three runs in the bottom of the frame. George Broadhurst reached safely leading off the inning and Jerry Freeman belted a double. Jansing's long blow brought in both runners. Dick Boettiger cracked a single to chase in the third run.
Stovall (L) and Stanley
Nichols (W) and R.Boettiger
(October 24) Vancouver did it again. Up against a tough pro club from Seattle, the locals came through with a 7-1 victory after taking the lead with five runs in the second inning. Frank Law pitched a gem for the winners giving up just five hits, no walks while fanning seven. Jack Hickey racked up 13 strikeouts in a losing cause. George Broadhurst with a pair of doubles and a single and two runs led Vancouver's offense. Jerry Freeman added a pair of hits. Oscar Boettiger had four stolen bases.
Hickey (L) and Stanley
Law (W) and R.Boettiger
(October 25) Through eight innings Saturday Vancouver and Seattle were locked in a 0-0 draw in one of the season's best games at the Powell Street Grounds before a crowd of 1,200 fans. Seattle broke it wide open in the ninth with five runs against Vancouver's ace hurler Ernest Nichols while Ira Harmon was masterful in holding the locals to just two hits in Seattle's 5-0 win. He walked two and whiffed a dozen. Jesse Stovall reached with a free pass and Thomas Kelly laid down a bunt. Fielded nicely by Nichols, he fired wildly to first as Stovall made it all the way home. Third baseman Charles Green erred on George Daly's hot liner and George Babbitt sacrificed the runner to second. In one of the highlight plays, Kelly stole home. After Matt Stanley's long drive to centre, Dalrymple made it home on Harmon's infield grounder. Shaffer's safety scored Stanley for the fourth run and Shaffer himself racked up run number five.
Harmon (W) and Stanley
Nichols (L) and R.Boettiger
It has only been in recent years that the American national game, baseball, has found much favor with the sport loving public of this particular section of British Columbia. Two years ago a semi-amateur club was formed under the management Mr. Dingman and Mr. Lem Fowler and a number of games played with a fair degree of success. In 1901 Mr. Alexander Smith undertook to manage the team, and commenced the importing of players, each of whom received a small salary. A league was formed comprising teams from Nanaimo, Victoria, New Westminster and Vancouver. The locals won the championship and also defeated a number of fast American nines but the season ended up in a big row over a purse of $100 offered by the Westminster Agricultural Society, and the affair was settled in the courts. Early in the present year, the Vancouver Baseball Company, Limited, composed of a number of leading business men was formed, and then, Vancouver launched forth with a purely professional baseball nine. The season opened well, and the promoters met with success. Towards the last of the season the management decided to step down and out of baseball and leased the Powell street grounds to Mr. L. H. Cohn and that gentleman steered the ship successfully through the balance of the season, closing with a visit from the crack Seattle league team, who were beaten by but an eyelash for the Pacific Northwest league pennant. The showing of the locals was most gratifying and a movement is now on foot to have Vancouver in the league next year, and the matter is to come up for discussion early in the new year. Baseball if properly managed should have a successful run in 1903. (Vancouver Daily World, December 20, 1902)