1923 Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
1923 BC Interior
1923 Vancouver Island
VICTORIA SENIOR AMATEUR LEAGUE
Teams
Automotives
C.P.R.
Eagles
(May 12) The C.P.R. balltossers celebrated the opening of the Victoria Amateur Baseball League season by romping home on the long end of a 5 to 2 score in their match against the Eagles. Much of the glory for the success of the Railroaders must be attributed to winning pitcher Norm Forbes who was in super-form, holding the Feathered Tribe to two lonely hits while ringing up 17 strikeouts. The winners got to “Red” McDonald, the Eagles’ twirler, for four big counters in the second stanza to grab control of the contest. Leading he eight-hit offense of the Trackmen was third sacker “Poke” Gravlin who nailed a pair of two-baggers. Catcher Art Minnis was equally potent with the stick, pounding a triple and single. Minnis’ three-bagger in the second panel drove in a brace of tallies.
Forbes (W) and Minnis
McDonald (L) and McGinnis
(May 15) Piling up a 7 to 0 lead after three innings were in the books, the C.P.R. diamond troopers brushed off a five-run outburst by the Automotives in the fourth stanza and went on to an 8 to 5 triumph over the Mechanics. The winners amassed ten base knocks to seven for the Automotives. Stroking a double and a one-bagger each were Art Minnis and Haley Jackson of the Railroaders while outfielders L. Moser of the Grease Monkeys and George Allan/Allen of the Trackmen both laced a brace of singles.
Parfitt (L) and Ross
McIntyre (W), Forbes (4) and Townsley
(May 19) The Eagles evened their record at a win and a loss by trouncing the Automotives 7 to 2. Winning moundsman Johnny Kerr pitched a four-hitter while breezing five. The Motormen got to him for their only runs in the fourth when losing tosser J. Todd nailed a two-run single. Keystone sacker Herb Cummins and flychaser Roy Robinson stroked a brace of bingles each for the Feathered Tribe.
Kerr (W) and McGinnis
Todd (L), Parfitt (8) and Ross
(May 22) A spirited comeback in the game’s late stages allowed the Eagles to emerge with a 9 to 8 triumph over the previously undefeated C.P.R. diamond troopers. Trailing 8 to 4 as they came to bat in the bottom of the ninth panel, the Lodgemen rallied to tie the match 8 – 8 and force extra innings. Then, in the tenth, they pushed across the winning tally after Johnny Cummins began the frame by reaching the initial station on a base on balls by losing pitcher Tommy Moffat. After Norm Forbes replaced Moffat on the bump, Cummins started for second on a theft attempt and wound up reaching the hot corner sack on a poor peg by catcher Townsley while Roy Robinson was fanning for the first out. The Railroaders failed to move all of their infielders in to cut the potential winning marker off at the plate and it cost them as Jimmy Cummins hit a ground ball to second baseman Art Minnis who was unable to catch Johnny at the dish. The Trackmen had a slight 11 to 10 margin in base hits acquired as their first sacker Haley Jackson led the way with a home run and two singles. Catcher F. McGinnis of the Birdmen and C.P.R.’s “Poke” Gravlin both picked up a double and one-bagger.
McIntyre, Moffat (L) (9), Forbes (10) and Townsley
McDonald (W) and McGinnis
(May 24) The C.P.R. squad grabbed a 6 to 5 decision from the invading Port Angles WA club in a highly-contested exhibition game. The Railroaders collected 11 hits to 7 for the Washingtonians. “Poke” Gravlin, Art Minnis, Haley Jackson and outfielder Percy Chambers all had two bingles for the victors.
Irving (L) and Garrison
Moffat (W) and Townsley
(May 25) The Sailors from the U.S.S. Omaha trimmed the Automotives 6 to 2 in exhibition action. Winning hurler Wisinski held the Motormen to just four hits.
Wisinski (W) and Smith, McDonald
Moser (L), Beek (7) and Ross
(May 26) The University of Washington baseball club and the C.P.R. aggregation battled to a 1 – 1 stalemate in exhibition play. The game was called after nine innings to allow the Collegians to catch a ferry. Both teams stroked seven base hits.
Wright and Lindsay
Saunders and Townsley
(May 29) Haley Jackson’s big war club raised havoc with the Automotives as the C.P.R. first baseman led his team to a 5 to 3 victory over the Mechanics. Jackson walloped the horsehide for a pair of home runs plus a double, driving in all five of the Railroaders’ runs. Winning moundsman Norm Forbes struck out 13 and chucked a three-hitter.
Forbes (W) and Townsley
Parfitt (L) and Ross, Prescott
(June 2) The Eagles grabbed a share of top spot in the Victoria Amateur Baseball League when they dumped the winless Automotives 12 to 3. “Red” McDonald, on the mound for the Feathered Tribe, was a mystery to the Motormen, limiting them to three hits while whiffing nine. He was ably supported by his mates who banged out 14 hits, four of them doubles. First baseman Hy Green led the way with three hits, all singles, and was followed by shortstop Herb Cummins and second sacker Murty Dunn who both laced a pair of singles. Top swatter for the Mechanics was third sacker “Hap” Gandy with a brace of one-baggers.
Beek (L), Parfitt (4) and Newman
McDonald (W) and McGinnis
C.P.R. 3 – 1 .750
Eagles 3 – 1 .750
Automotives 0 – 4 .000
(June 4) The Eagles were too good for visiting Nanaimo Coal City, blasting the Miners 12 to 5 in an exhibition tilt. The Birdmen lit up losing flinger George “Lefty” Kaye and his successor, Wes Stickney, for a dozen base knocks. Meanwhile Johnny Kerr, who ascended the hillock in relief of starter Pauline in the second panel, breezed along to earn the mound decision for the Clubmen. Third baseman Frank Moore, outfielder G. Coleman and catcher F. McGinnis led the Feathered Tribe with the baton, each acquiring three hits with a pair of doubles included in McGinnis’ sum of swats. Kaye led the visitors with a single and triple.
Kaye (L), Stickney (4) and Gartner, Piper
Pauline, Kerr (W) (2) and McGinnis
(June 5) The fast-stepping C.P.R. club was blanked 3 to 0 by the soaring Eagles who took over first place in the loop. Jack Noble heaved his first game of the campaign for the Lodgemen and held the Railroaders to four hits, two each by Falconer Campbell and Roy Copas. Noble was accorded gilt-edged support in the field and was aided immensely with the offensive support of flychaser Roy Robinson who laced the pill for a quartet of singles. The Feathered Tribe’s three counters were all scored in the fifth on Noble’s single to right field, Herb Cummins’ free ticket to first, outfielder A. Porter’s bingle and Robinson’s Texas Leaguer over short.
Noble (W) and McGinnis
Forbes (L) and Townsley
(June 12) The cellar-dwelling Automotives shifted into high gear and ran down the Eagles 8 to 2, a loss for the Birdmen which cut their lead atop the standings to a half-game. Ray Parfitt’s steady pitching was the key ingredient in aiding the Mechanics to their first triumph of the season. Parfitt held the Eagles’ sluggers to five lonely bingles, two off the bat of Murty Dunn, while issuing nary a free pass. In addition, he fanned seven and added a few runs to the Motormen’s total by poling out two singles. “Hap” Gandy, outfielder Eddie Newman and catcher Bobby Ross also had two safeties apiece for the Grease Monkeys.
Kerr (L), Noble (3) and McGinnis
Parfitt (W) and Ross, Prescott
(June 14) The Eagles chased across four big runs in the eighth inning to take down the C.P.R. clan 10 to 6 and, in the process, extend their lead on the top rung of the Victoria Amateur League ladder. “Red” McDonald was on the slab for the Clubmen and pitched a fine game. He had only one bad inning, the fourth, when the Trackmen pushed across three runs on three singles and a hit batsman. Norm Forbes pitched the majority of the game for the Railroaders but was as wild as a March hare, walking no less than ten Birdmen in his eight innings on the bump. Flychaser D. Richdale of the Birdmen was the lone player in the contest to acquire plural hit totals, smacking the horsehide for a triad of bingles. On top of that, he swiped a pair of bases.
McDonald (W) and McGinnis
Forbes (L), Saunders (9) and Whyte
(June 16) In spite of collecting only three base hits, the Automotives capitalized on their opportunities sufficiently to down the visiting Friday Harbor WA nine 3 to 1 in an exhibition encounter. The visitors amassed nine hits but winning tosser Zaccarelli kept them well scattered. Shortstop W. Scribner of the Washingtonians was the only swatter to hit safely twice, singling on two occasions.
Inthout (W) and McMillan
Zaccarelli (L) and Prescott
(June 19) The C.P.R. balltossers lit up a pair of Automotives’ chuckers for 17 base blows en route to a 13 to 6 trouncing of the Motormen. Falconer Campbell had four singles for the winners. Leading in the power department for the Railroaders was “Poke” Gravlin who creamed the orb for a single, double and home run. Flychaser Bob Whyte was no slouch either with the hickory, collecting three one-baggers.
Saunders (W) and Minnis
Parfitt (L), Todd (7) and Prescott
(June 21) The Eagles stretched their lead in the Amateur Baseball League by downing the cellar-dwelling Automotives 5 to 1. Jack Noble was on the mound for the Clubmen and had the Mechanics eating out of his hand. He allowed only five hits and rang up ten strikeouts. Losing chucker T. Zaccarelli was stung for just six base raps but had four wild heaves, each time with a runner on third base. Keystone sacker Murty Dunn led the Birdmen in hitting, picking up a pair of singles, an output replicated by first baseman H. Fetherston of the Grease Monkeys.
Zaccarelli (L) and Prescott, Newman
Noble (W) and McGinnis
(June 23) A snappy West Seattle Athletic Club nine had only six hits but took advantage of ten fielding miscues by the Eagles to overwhelm the Birdmen 9 to 4 in an exhibition skirmish. The Clubmen had seven safeties off the slants of winning tosser Biccum who breezed 13 of them in going the route. Second baseman Murty Dunn of the vanquished nine had a double and single, the only player in the game to garner more than one hit.
Biccum (W) and Duff
Kerr (L), McDonald (6) and McGinnis
(June 25) In a heavy-hitting, loosely-played exhibition tilt in the Coal City, the Automotives got past Nanaimo 13 to 9. Catcher F. McGinnis, on loan from the Eagles, had three hits for the Victorians, a production equalled by second sacker Paul Courtenay of the Miners.
Moser (W) and McGinnis
Stickney (L) and Shillingford
(June 26) The first-place Eagles’ pride was given a rather nasty jolt by the C.P.R. contingent who thrashed the Birdmen 10 to 1. The win for the Railroaders moved them to within a half-game of the leaders. Norm Forbes did the flinging for the Trackmen, surrendering four safeties while whiffing ten. Art Minnis had a double and single for the winners while second baseman Murty Dunn singled twice for the Feathered Tribe.
McDonald (L) and McGinnis
Forbes (W) and Minnis
Eagles 6 – 3 .667
C.P.R. 5 – 3 .625
Automotives 1 – 6 .143
(June 28) Smacking out five homers, two triples and a pair of doubles in their 18-hit offensive thrust, the C.P.R. baseballers demolished the Automotives 19 to 5, a win which enabled them to move into a tie for first place in the Victoria Amateur Baseball League. First sacker Haley Jackson paced the onslaught, hammering three home runs and a single. Catcher Colin Campbell and infielder “Poke” Gravlin nailed the other two round-trippers while Harry Copas came through with a double and two singles.
Parfitt (L), Todd (5) and Ross
Saunders (W) and C. Campbell
(July 1) Falconer Campbell of the C.P.R. tops the hitters in the Victoria Senior League in statistics through games of June 26th. In seven games, Campbell has run up an average of .423 to best teammate Art Minnis who has compiled a .409 mark. Murty Dunn of the Eagles is third at .357. Haley Jackson of the C.P.R. leads in total bases, 23, and runs, 10. Also of the rail crew, Roy Copas is the leader in steals, with six.
(July 2) The C.P.R. diamond troopers captured a pair of exhibition tussles from the visiting Vancouver Lumber Company squad, taking the opening fracas 5 to 3 and the finale 20 to 6. Winning flinger Roy Webster made his debut with the Trackmen and set the Lumbermen down on six hits in the matinée tilt. Haley Jackson provided plenty of offensive support for Webster, slamming a double and three singles.
Robinson (L) and Thorpe
R. Webster (W) and Ross
The Railroaders secured 16 safe blows in the late tussle, played in a drizzling rain. Roy Copas of the winners went five-for-five at the platter, all one-baggers, while Haley Jackson spanked the sphere for a home run, double and single.
Traeger (L), Robinson (3) and Thorpe
Moffat (W) and Worthington
(July 3) The Automotives allowed the C.P.R. baseballers to leapfrog past the Eagles into top spot in the Victoria Amateur Baseball League when they posted a rare win, a 7 to 5 triumph over the Birdmen. The Mechanics were outhit by an 11 to 5 margin but made their hits count when bingles meant bacon. First baseman H. Fetherston of the Grease Monkeys led all swatters with a double and single.
McDonald (L) and McGinnis, Potts (6)
Moser (W) and Ross
C.P.R. 6 – 3 .667
Eagles 6 – 4 .600
Automotives 2 – 7 .222
(July 6) The C.P.R. balltossers plucked the feathers from the Big Birds, crushing the second-place Eagles 16 to 1 to move a game and a half ahead of their closest pursuer. Norm Forbes was on the slab for the Railroaders and pitched his best game of the season, allowing only two hits while whiffing eight. Shortstop Harry Copas had four of the 14 safeties garnered by the Cee Pees.
Forbes (W) and C. Campbell
Noble (L), Kerr (5) and McGinnis, Potts (5)
(July 10) Plating four counters in the fifth frame, first-place C.P.R. extended their margin atop the Victoria Amateur circuit by stopping a stubborn Automotives nine 8 to 6. The Trackmen garnered 10 safeties to 6 for the Mechanics. “Red” McIntyre struck out seven and walked three in going the route for the hillock decision. Infielders A. Webster and “Poke” Gravlin had two safe swats apiece for the Cee Pees.
McIntyre (W) and C. Campbell
Moser (L) and Ross
(July 12) The Eagles pulled out a 6 to 1 victory over the Automotives in a Victoria Amateur League tussle. The game was close until the sixth panel when the Feathered Tribe of baseballers put up a three-spot on the scoreboard to take control of things. “Red” McDonald rang up a dozen whiffs while surrendering but four hits in grabbing the slab decision. Flychaser D. Richdale had three of the ten hits collected by the Birdmen.
Parfitt (L) and Ross
McDonald (W) and Potts
(July 17) The Eagles had their talons sharpened and dug them into the C.P.R. to the tune of 15 to 10 in an action-packed Victoria Amateur loop skirmish, the result of which left the Big Birds a half-game behind the Trackmen. Both teams stung the horsehide with intensity with the Cee Pees having a slight 11 to 10 advantage. The loss for the Railroaders was essentially due to the wildness of their pitchers who doled out ten walks as well as hitting a batter. A six-spot in the seventh chapter sealed the deal for the Clubmen. Murty Dunn paced the winners offensively with four bingles, including a double. C.P.R. catcher Colin Campbell had a brace of base swats one of which was long drive to the middle pasture which went for a home run when the ball was momentarily lost in the grass.
Noble, McDonald (W) and McGinnis
Forbes, Saunders (L), Webster (7) and C. Campbell
(July 19) With an 18 to 1 massacre of the Automotives, the C.P.R. gang of baseballers increased their margin atop the Victoria Amateur circuit to a full game over the Eagles. The outclassed Mechanics were only able to muster two safe hits off the slants of winning tosser Norm Forbes who fanned nine in going the route. Infielder “Poke” Gravlin was the leading willow wielder for the Railroaders, accumulating two doubles and a single. Teammate Bob Whyte picked up a triple and one-bagger.
Zaccarelli (L), Moser (3) and Newman, Ross
Forbes (W) and Minnis
(July 21) The Seattle Wanderers grabbed the long end of a 7 to 5 score from a depleted C.P.R. squad in exhibition action. Missing four of their regulars from the lineup, the Railroaders matched the Puget Sounders in base hits acquired, both teams registering eight. The visitors had a 6 to 0 lead after five innings were in the books but the Trackmen made a late comeback attempt which fell short. In the eighth canto, the Washingtonians brought in one-armed “Lefty” Gaylor to pitch in a relief role. Corner outfielder Hornig had two doubles and a home run for the Wanderers. Winning chucker J. Hillingrin also connected for a round-tripper. Lacing three singles for the Cee Pees was hot corner patroller “Poke” Gravlin.
J. Hillingrin (W), Gaylor (8) and Sullivan
Saunders (L) and Worthington
(July 24) The Eagles closed to within a half-game of the league-leading C.P.R. nine when they disposed of the last-place Automotives by a score of 12 to 7. The Big Birds doubled the base hit totals of the Mechanics, swatting 14 safeties to 7 for their opponents. Leadoff hitter D. Richdale of the victors led all baton swingers with four base knocks, including a triple and double.
Kerr, McDonald (W) (2) and McGinnis
Parfitt (L), Moser (4) and Ross
(July 26) The C.P.R. diamondeers earned a clean-cut 8 to 2 win over the pursuing Eagles squad in Victoria Amateur League play to distance themselves a game-and-a-half in front of the challenging Big Birds. Roy Copas led the nine-hit attack of the Cee Pees with a double and single while “Poke” Gravlin had a bases-empty circuit-clout. Norm Forbes yielded six safeties, all singles, and struck out eight in besting mound opponent, “Red” McDonald.
Forbes (W) and Minnis
McDonald (L) and McGinnis
C.P.R. 10 – 4 .714
Eagles 9 – 6 .600
Automotives 2 – 11 .154
(July 28) The Eagles travelled to Nanaimo for an exhibition tilt with the Coal City nine and were clobbered 11 to 0. No game details or batteries were located.
(July 31) The C.P.R. aggregation clinched the 1923 Victoria Amateur Baseball League pennant by drubbing the hapless Automotives 13 to 3. Although both teams scratched out ten hits, the Railroaders played errorless ball while the Mechanics mussed up six chances. Art Minnis and Colin Campbell of the victors both went yard with dingers. Teammate Roy Copas picked up a double and single. For the Car Men, H. Fetherston drilled a triple and double. With the 1923 pennant firmly entrenched in the hands of the Cee Pees, the three remaining games in the schedule were cancelled.
A. Webster (W) and Minnis
Moser (L) and Newman
Final Standings
C.P.R. 11 – 4 .733
Eagles 9 – 6 .600
Automotives 2 – 12 .143
(August 26) W.H. Haley Jackson of the C.P.R. has been crowned batting champion of the Victoria Senior Baseball League. Jackson, who also led the loop in hits, 23, runs, 23, home runs, 6, and total bases, 43, cracked the horsehide at a .411 clip to finish well ahead of teammate Falconer Campbell, at .389 and Murty Dunn of the Eagles, .370. Roy Copas of the C.P.R. was best in steals, with seven.
VICTORIA COMMERCIAL BASEBALL LEAGUE
Teams :
Hudson’s Bay
Native Sons
Sidney
Spencer’s
For the first part of the season, game results for this league appeared regularly in the Victoria Colonist. In early July, however, these reports became sporadic and then, later in the month, fizzled to a halt. Not until mid-September was it known the end result of the schedule. In the September 19th edition of the Colonist, under a photo of the trophy won by the 1923 pennant winners, mention was made that the Native Sons (Sons of Canada) were the 1923 Commercial Baseball League champions, having won eleven times in twelve starts.
(May 16) A closely contested battle between rival retailers ushered in the opening of the 1923 Victoria Commercial Baseball League. When the dust had settled, it was the Hudson’s Bay contingent that came out on top, 11 to 9, over the Spencer’s aggregation in a somewhat ragged, yet exciting, ten-inning thriller. Winning hurler “Jock” Stewart’s booming double off Joe Smith in the top of the extra frame drove in both the lead and insurance tallies.
Richardson, Stewart (W) (6) and Wade, Taylor
Smith (L) and Donaldson
(May 18) The Sons of Canada opened their 1923 campaign by scoring a decisive 16 to 4 victory over Sidney. Home runs by Hilton of the Sons and Lines of Sidney highlighted the swatfest.
May (L), Sylvester (3), May (6) and Simpson
Curtis (W) and Hilton
(May 30) Invading Spencer’s easily routed Sidney 19 to 11 in a high-scoring Commercial League affair. The Storemen scored 13 times in the first inning to put the game on ice.
Smith (W) and Donaldson
May (L), Sylvester (1) and Volger
(June 1)
(June 6)
(June 8) The Native Sons came from behind to defeat Spencer’s 6 to 4 in a tightly-contested fracas at Central Park.
Smith (L) and Donaldson
Curtis (W) and Hilton
(June 13) Spencer’s moved past the Hudson’s Bay nine into second place by virtue of a 9 to 7 win over the Baymen.
Lee, Smith (W) (6) and Donaldson
Stewart (L) and Pollock
Sons of Canada 3 – 0 1.000
Spencer’s 2 – 2 .500
Hudson’s Bay 1 – 2 .333
Sidney 0 – 2 .000
(June 15) A six-run explosion in the third inning propelled the first-place Sons of Canada to 11 to 7 triumph over winless Sidney.
Curtis (W) and Hilton
Lines (L) and Williams
(June 20) Spencer’s handed the Sidney squad a 10 to 7 setback. Outfielder Givens of the Storemen belted a home run in the second inning.
Smith (W) and Donaldson
Williams (L) and Lines
(June 22) The Sons of Canada maintained their unblemished record in the Commercial League by defeating the Hudson’s Bay nine 16 to 14 at Central Park. It took a four-run eighth inning for the Native Sons to pull out the victory. Infielder Price of the Department Store team smashed a long four-bagger in a losing cause.
Curtis, Miller (W) and Plows, Hilton
Taylor (L) and Stewart, Pollock
(June 27) Spencer’s Commercial League team added another victory to their credit when they defeated bottom-feeding Sidney 13 to 7.
Williams (L), Simpson (6) and Lines
Givens, Smith (W) (4) and Donaldson
(June 29) The Sons of Canada tasted defeat in league play for the first time this season when they were upended 13 to 9 by Spencer’s. Youthful chucker, Ernie Leigh, went the distance for the mound triumph.
Leigh (W) and Donaldson
Curtis (L) and Hilton
Sons of Canada 5 – 1 .833
Spencer’s 5 – 2 .714
Hudson’s Bay 1 – 3 .250
Sidney 0 – 5 .000
(July 4) Spencer’s baseball nine continued their recent winning streak when they took down the Hudson’s Bay team 9 to 7. Winning flinger Joe Smith was wild at times but effective in the clutch. Losing moundsman “Jock” Stewart was let down by defensive lapses on the part of his teammates. Shortpatcher McLellan/McLennan of the Baymen made a couple of outstanding snares of line drives.
Smith (W) and Donaldson
Stewart (L) and Pollock
(July 6)
(July 11)
(July 13) The Sons of Canada halted the recent surge by Spencer’s, slapping down the Retailers 16 to 1. Winning hurler J. Curtis was in top form and received splendid support from his teammates.
Curtis (W) and Hilton
Smith (L), Leigh (6) and Donaldson
(July 18)
(July 20)
(July 25)
(July 27)
LOWER ISLAND BASEBALL
(July 18) In a game featuring both heavy hitting and snapping fielding, Duncan defeated Chemainus 6-4. Bert Doney was the winning hurler.
Dunse (L) and McBride
Doney (W) and Brown.
(July 27) Playing at home, Duncan held the Automotives of Victoria to a 2-2 tie when the game was called after seven innings on account of darkness. Lou Owens made his debut for the locals and his speed and curves held the visitors at bay for the most part. Victoria pushed across a pair in the fourth frame. In the fifth, A.Dirom cracked a homer for Duncan to knot the score.
Beech and Turpell
Owens and Brown
(July 30) Duncan got off to a great start in their match against Cowichan as Bert Doney slammed the first pitch of the game for a home run. However, that was one of few highlights for the home squad as the Cowichan Natives went on to dazzle the local nine in posting a 10-3 victory. Alex Johnnie had a circuit clout for the winners and Ed Williams went the distance for the mound victory.
Ed Williams (W) and C.Thorne
Doney (L) and Brown
UPPER ISLAND BASEBALL
NANAIMO CITY LEAGUE
Teams :
Native Sons
Owls
Wellington
(May 9) Nanaimo Owls visited Granby Wednesday and came away with a 9-5 victory. Paul Courtenay picked up the win while reliever Dodds took the loss for Granby.
Courtenay (W) and xxx
Sinclair, Dodds (L) (5) and xxx
(May 20) Native Sons blanked the Owls 5-0 Sunday as Tommy Allen held the Owls to four hits while the Sons racked up 12 safeties. The game featured some outstanding work in the field, especially from right fielder Red Perry of the Sons.
Cramb (L) and Piper
Allen (W) and Neave
(June 10) On the Cricket Field Sunday, the Native Sons crushed the Owls 9-5 in the City Baseball League contest. Sons jumped out to a big lead with a seven-run eruption in the third inning. The offensive included two-baggers by Neave, Ernie Edmunds and Shepherd, a single by Shillingford, a sacrifice, two walks and an error. Tommy Allen had a no-hitter for five innings before the Owls broke loose for six hits and five tallies in the sixth. Allen settled down to blank the Owls on two hits the rest of the way.
Allen (W) and xxx
Cramb (L) and xxx
(June 17) In a high-scoring affair, Wellington slipped by Native Sons 12-10 Sunday winning the first half pennant to assure a place in the end of season playoffs. Wellington needed a ninth inning rally to cop the victory. Trailing 10-8, Sons plated a pair to tie the game. But, in the bottom of the frame with one down, T. Zaccarelli and Hendricks punched out singles and both scampered home on Dunbar's single for the triumph. Wellington rapped out for 14 hits and drew four walks. McDonald was hit hard but received better support in the field to post the mound triumph.
McDonald (W) and xxx
Allen (L), Edmunds, Allan (9) and xxx
(July 15) For the third straight time, Native Sons topped the Owls, this time 8-3. Tommy Allen scattered ten hits in going the distance for the pitching win. He fanned 12. Staunt started for the Owls and took the loss. Native Sons scored a pair in the first on singles by Allen and Shillingford and a pair of outfield errors and led all the way. They added two in the sixth, three in the seventh and one more in the eighth.
Allen (W) and Neave
Staunt (L), Parks (7) and Piper
(July 22) Native Sons spotted Wellington a 5-0 lead after two innings than blanked them the rest of the way in rebounding for a 6-5 victory Sunday. Sons racked up four runs in the third inning then got singletons in the sixth and the eighth for the win. Tommy Allen got over a shaky start and allowed Wellington just four hits after the second inning and collected ten strikeouts with no walks. McDonald allowed ten hits in taking the loss. He fanned seven and walked a pair.
A.McDonald (L) and E.John
T.Allen (W) and E.Neave
(July 22) After their first game victory, the Native Sons took on Port Alberni in an exhibition game and found the going much tougher as they went down to a 12-0 defeat as the visitors pounded out 14 hits off three Sons' hurlers. Port Alberni took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and piled it on with six in the fifth and two more in the eighth. Nasland fired a six-hit shutout for Alberni.
Naslund (W) and xxx
Courtenay (L), Edmunds, Rice and Neave
MID-ISLAND BASEBALL LEAGUE
Teams in the 1923 Mid-Island Baseball League :
Granby
Ladysmith
Nanaimo Coal City
(May 13) George "Lefty" Kaye had 11 strikeouts in the first four innings and a no-hitter into the sixth in pitching Nanaimo to a 10-6 victory over the Victoria Eagles at Nanaimo. The home squad had a big first inning, scoring six times, to put the Eagles behind the eight ball. Nanaimo ran up an 8-0 lead, with two in the third, before Victoria got on the scoreboard with one in the sixth. Kaye ended up with a three-hitter with 14 strikeouts and five walks. The winners collected 12 hits off a pair of Eagles' hurlers.
McDonald (L), Kerr (2) and Coleman
Kaye (W) and Gardiner
(May 23) Playing at Nanaimo, the Vancouver Young Liberals scored all four of their runs in the first inning, helped by Nanaimo errors, and held on to shade the host club 4-3.
(May 24) Thursday morning, it was Nanaimo which got the jump in the first inning, with a pair of runs, but the Vancouver Young Liberals roared back with a 14-hit attack to dump the locals 12-9 in the second game of the exhibition series. After Nanaimo had scored four times in the eighth to take a 9-6 lead, the Young Liberals rallied with three in the eighth and three more in the ninth for the win.
Wood, Kaye (L) (7) and Shillingford
Simmons, Richardson (W) and McDonald
(June 3) Nanaimo was a big hit in their first game of the Mid-Island League crushing Ladysmith 22-5. Knarston led the winners with three doubles and a single while Lefty Kaye handled the mound duties racking up 11 strikeouts with just one free pass.
Kaye (W) and xxx
xxx and xxx
(June 4) Victoria Eagles pounded out 12 hits, including four doubles Monday to trounce Nanaimo 12-5. Lefty Kaye started for the coal miners but last just four innings. Eagles took over in the second inning scoring three times. Frank Moore singled, Coleman was hit by a pitch, McGinnis doubled to plate Moore and Coleman came home on an error. A fielder's choice brought in the third run. McGinnis paced the winners with three hits, two of them doubles. Moore and Coleman each had three safeties. Kaye had a two-run triple and single for Nanaimo. Johnny Kerr, who relieved in the second inning, went the rest of the way for the win.
Pauline, Kerr (W) (2) and McGinnis
Kaye (L), Stickney (5) and Gartner, Piper
(June 6) At the Central Sports Grounds Wednesday, Nanaimo rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to slip by Granby 9 to 8. Down a run going into their final at bats, Ernie Edmunds led off the stanza for the home club with a single, Beattie laid down a bunt and Kaye followed with another filling the bases. With Rice at the plate a pitch got by catcher Bassett and Edmunds romped home with the tying run. In an effort to nab Edmunds Bassett's throw was wide and before the ball could be retrieved Beattie was in with the winning marker. Bud Wood picked up the pitching win in relief of Lefty Kaye.
Corbett, Stickney and Bassett
Kaye, Wood (6) and Gartner
(June 23) Behind Lefty Kaye's three-hit shutout, Nanaimo came away with a 2-0 victory Saturday. Kaye went the distance racking up ten strikeouts. Corbett tossed a seven-hitter in taking the loss. Nanaimo got its first run in the third inning on a bases-loaded single by Rice. In the eighth, Rice smacked a double and scored on a single by Zaccarelli.
Corbett (L) and Bassett
Kaye (W) and Gartner
(June 24) Victoria Automotives walked away with a 13-9 decision in an tight offensive match-up Sunday. Victoria pushed across four runs in the seventh inning to break a 9-9 tie. Nanaimo out-hit the winners 12 to 11 and in a rarity, did not have a single strikeout. Paul Courtenay was a star for the home team with three hits and outstanding work in the field.
xxx and xxx
xxx and xxx
(June 27) Playing at Ladysmith, Nanaimo chalked up another victory Wednesday downing the home nine 6-3 with Lefty Kaye again hurling solid ball for the winners. Kaye had a shutout through eight innings before giving up four hits in the ninth as Ladysmith broke loose for three runs. Nanaimo had plated three in the top of the ninth to go ahead 6-0. Walks to Bailey and Gardiner, singles by Wes Stickney, Kaye and Woods and a two-bagger by Billy Rice brought in the three tallies.
Kaye (W) and Gardiner
Simpson (L) and Bassett
(June 29) One big inning handed Vancouver's Hanbury nine an 8-6 victory over Nanaimo. Hanbury's seven run outburst in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie. Nanaimo battled back with three in the seventh on singles by Zaccarelli, Gartner and Kaye and a two-bagger by Billy Rice. Reliever Wes Stickney singled to start a rally in the eighth. Zaccarelli reached on an error and both scored on a single by Piper. They got a double by Rice in the ninth but failed to score. Norm Goodall went the distance for the winners. Each team had ten hits.
Goodall (W) and Daniels
Wood, Stickney (L) (6) and Piper
(July 11) Lefty Kaye twirled a five-hit shutout and whiffed 14 Wednesday as Nanaimo crushed Ladysmith 10-0. The winners collected 12 hits and were further helped by seven Ladysmith errors. Ed Gartner paced the winners with a pair of three-baggers and a single, scoring four times. Knarston added a double and single. Billy Rice brought the fans to their feet in the sixth trying to stretch a triple into a homer but was thrown out at the plate missing out on the $5 prize for the first home run on the Sports Ground.
Corbett (L) and Bassett
Kaye (W) and Gartner
(July 16) Hometown Ladysmith fell behind 5-0 in the eighth inning before roaring back with four in the eighth, one in the ninth to tie and one in the extra frame for the 6-5 victory. It was the first extra inning game of the season. Wes Stickney for Nanaimo had a no-hitter for the first seven innings. However, in the eighth Ladysmith got three straight hits for one run and Gibbons drove one to the right field fence. While the outfielders searched for the ball he scampered all the way home, with two runners ahead of him. They added another in the ninth to knot the count at 5-5. Corbett went all ten innings for the win allowing eight hits. Stickney took the loss.
Stickney (L) and Gartner
Corbett (W) and Bassett
(July 18) Nanaimo plated three runs in the third inning to overcome an early Ladysmith lead and went to to post a 4-1 Mid-Island League victory at the Central Sports Grounds at Nanaimo. In the big inning, Nanaimo got singles from Paul Courtenay, Bailey and Gartner after Wes Stickney had started the rally with a free pass. Gartner banged a double in the seventh to drive in the final run. Lefty Kaye was superb on the hill for the winners tossing a three-hitter with just one walk and 13 strikeouts. Corbett also fanned 13 in firing a six-hitter for the losers.
Corbett (L) and Bassett
Kaye (W) ands Gartner
(July 22) Nanaimo clinched the Mid-Island championship Saturday with an easy 12-1 victory over Ladysmith. Wes Stickney held the visitors to just three hits, with one walk and ten strikeouts. Owen, Ladysmith's new hurler, took the loss.
Owen (L) and xxx
Stickney (W) and xxx
(July 23) The BC Amateur Baseball Association has set out the schedule for the provincial playoffs. Nanaimo, the winner of the Mid-Island League is to take on the winner of the Comox Valley League with the first game set for Nanaimo. The winner of this series moves on to challenge the winner of the Victoria League and then the survivor takes on the Mainland champions for the BC crown. .
(August 5) The Timber Wolves from Kelso, Washington, hung an 8-0 shutout on the Nanaimo nine Sunday as Liston fired a two-hitter to blank the locals. Kelso scored a pair in the first inning and added two more in the third to coast to the win. Wes Stickney went the route for Nanaimo giving up nine hits. Nanaimo had its best chance to breakthrough in the fifth when Paul Courtenay reached when hit by a pitch and Ernie Edmunds followed with a single. But as Stickney drove a single to right, Courtenay was cut down at the plate.
Listen (W) and Ubanks
Stickney (L) and Gartner
COMOX & DISTRICT BASEBALL LEAGUE
Teams
Courtenay
Cumberland
Powell River
(May 27) Courtenay kicked off the 1923 season of the Comox & District League with an easy 14-4 win over Powell River. The game was scheduled for Powell River, but transportation could not be arranged. Rain spoiled an otherwise good game. Larson was the winning hurler for Courtenay. Garneau took the loss.
Garneau (L) and xxx
Larson (W) and xxx
After defeating Powell River, Courtenay visited Cumberland and captured another victory topping the miners 8-5.
Smith (W) and xxx
King (L) and xxx
(June 10) Cumberland pounded out 15 hits Sunday to down Courtenay 7-4. First baseman Henry "Toots" Plump led the winners with four hits, Danny Bannerman had three. Cummings, the Courtenay shortstop, collected four hits for the losers. Jimmy Dangerfield was tagged for 13 hits but managed to go the distance for the win. He fanned with and walked two.
Hunden (L) and Brown
Dangerfield (W) and Richards
(June 16) Cumberland shaded Powell River 8-7 in a game at the Recreation Grounds at Cumberland.
xxx and xxx
Larson (W) and Richards
(June 24) Playing at Powell River, the local nine defeated Cumberland 8-5. Garneau and Jeff Davis combined to pitch the victory for the paper makers.
Larson (L) and Richards
Garneau, Jeff Davis (5) and Frank Flett
(July 14) A change in the C.P.R. Sunday train schedule has forced Powell River to drop out of play in the Comox & District League. The railway announced it would discontinue to run double trips on Sunday to Powell River. It means only Courtenay and Cumberland are left to contest the title.
(July 15) In the opening game of a best-of-five series between Cumberland and Courtenay it was Courtenay notching the victory 11-8. The winners poked 14 hits off a pair of visiting hurlers.. Andy Robinson, who started on the hill for the winners, cracked a homer and two singles . Cummings, who finished the mound work, also had three hits.
Larson (L), Davis (6) and Richards
A.Robinson, Cummings (W) (3) and Downey
(July 22) Courtenay has taken a two to nothing lead in their best of five series with Cumberland following a 6-2 victory at Courtenay.
J.Davis (L) and Mitchell
Brown (W) and Downey
(July 29) In an exhibition game at Courtenay, the local nine upended visiting Port Alberni 14-2.
Myles (L) and xxx
E.Brown (W), J.Cummins (7) and Downey, R.Brown (7)
(August 5) Cumberland scored early and often Sunday in crushing host Port Alberni 18-3 in an exhibition game. Tucker James cracked a homer for the winners.
King, Robertson and Richards
xxx and xxx
(August 12) Alberni dumped Cumberland 9-6.
VANCOUVER ISLAND B.C.A.B.A. PLAYDOWNS
SEMI-FINAL SERIES
Courtenay (Comox District League champions) vs Nanaimo (Mid-Island League champions) - best two-of-three series
(August 1) With Lefty Kaye in splendid form, Nanaimo blanked Courtenay 3-0 in the opening game of a best-of-three provincial semi-final series. Kaye fired a two-hitter and racked up 12 strikeouts with three free passes. Cummings, for Courtenay allowed just four hits and fanned nine. Kaye got out of a tight situation in the eighth to preserve the win. Courtenay loaded the bases with one out but Kaye got a strikeout and a ground out to end the inning.
Cummings (L) and Downey
Kaye (W) and Piper
(August 4) Nanaimo whipped Courtenay 9-3 Saturday to advance in the provincial baseball championship series. Nanaimo broke a 2-2 draw with four runs in the seventh inning. With one out, Wes Stickney started the rally drawing a walk and Beattie followed with a single. Winning hurler Lefty Kaye doubled to drive in two runs. Billy Rice's single scored Kaye and Rice came home on an error. Nanaimo added three more in the eighth on singles by Stickney, Beattie, Kaye and Gartner.
Kaye (W) and Gartner
Hunden (L), Cummings (8) and Downey
VANCOUVER ISLAND FINALS
Nanaimo Coal City (Mid-Island League champions) vs Victoria C.P.R. (Victoria Amateur League champions) – best-of-three series
(August 11) Before the season's largest crowd, Nanaimo and Victoria CPR staged one of the best played games seen in Nanaimo in years with the home squad, held without a hit for eight innings, scoring the only run in the ninth inning to win the opening game in their provincial playoff series. With one out in the final frame, Gardiner cracked Nanaimo's first single of the game and Beattie laid down a sacrifice to get him to second. Lefty Kaye reached when his infield grounder was fumbled and Piper smacked a two-bagger to bring in the lone marker. Both Kaye, the winning hurler and Norm Forbes, the loser, twirled two-hitters.
Forbes (L) and Minnis
Kaye (W) and Piper
(August 18) In another outstanding playoff match, Nanaimo went 14 innings to edge Victoria CPR 6-4 to win their best-of-three series in two straight games. Victoria took a 3-0 lead with one in the first and a pair in the fourth, but Nanaimo rallied for four in the sixth to take the lead. Victoria's singleton in the seventh tied it at 4-4 and the teams battled through six scoreless stanzas before Nanaimo broke through in the top of the 14th. On hits by Piper, Billy Rice and Bailey, combined with a fielder's choice, Nanaimo loaded the bases with one out. After Norm Forbes got a strikeout for the second out, Ernie Edmunds connected for a single driving in the winning run and an insurance marker. Kaye blanked the CPR in the bottom of the frame for the hard-earned victory. Both Kaye and Forbes went the distance.
Kaye (W) and Piper
Forbes (L) and Minnis
1923 PROVINCIAL FINALS
Nanaimo Coal City (Vancouver Island champions) vs Vancouver Young Liberals (Lower Mainland champions) – best-of-three series
(September 3) In yet another thriller, Vancouver Young Liberals pushed across a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to shade Nanaimo Coal City 3-2 in the first game of a best-of-three series for the provincial senior championship. Nearly four-thousand fans attended the game, a record for amateur ball in Vancouver. Nanaimo took the early lead scoring in the first inning as Beattie led off with a single, advanced on a single by pitcher Lefty Kaye and came home as Piper laid down a bunt. They went ahead 2-0 in the fourth as Wes Stickney and Billy Rice singled and Paul Courtenay's grounder got past Jack Fraser. Vancouver rallied for a pair in the sixth for a 2-2 tie. Ernie Paepke, who had walked, stole second, advanced on a throwing error and romped home as Charlie Miron singled. Miron got to second on an outfield error and came all the way home on Nanaimo's third throwing error of the inning. In the ninth, Hec Cann was safe at second as his fly ball dropped between Beattie and Bailey in left centre field and advanced to third on an infield grounder. He scampered home with the winner as Tat Larson grounded out to second. Larson held Nanaimo to seven hits for the pitching win. He had just three strikeouts but had no free passes. Lefty Kaye had a six-hitter with eight strikeouts and five walks.
Kaye (L) and Piper
Larson (W) and Richardson
(September 5) Vancouver Young Liberals and Nanaimo battled to a 5-5 ten-inning draw in the second game of their provincial senior series before a large crowd at Nanaimo. The game was called after ten innings as it became too dark to continue play. Nanaimo out-hit the visitors 11-8 but fell behind 5-0 before rallying to tie. Wes Rice had three hits to lead all batters. Vancouver took the lead in the first inning with a pair of runs. Charlie Mattock singled to score Orville Falconer, who had led off with a two-bagger, and then scored himself on an error. They erupted for three in the fourth frame. Pitcher Alex Simons cracked a two-run double and Ernie Paepke drove in one with another two-bagger. Nanaimo got two back in the fifth when Billy Rice singled, Paul Courtenay smacked a double and Ernie Edmunds drove both home with a single. In the seventh, Piper led off with double and Wes Stickney drew a free pass. Rice's safety brought both home. They got the tying marker in the eighth with Piper knocking in Gartner with a single. Kaye and Stickney, on the hill for Nanaimo, combined for 13 strikeouts and just one walk.
Simons, Arthur (9) and xxx
Kaye, Stickney (4) and Piper
(September 8) Tat Larson fired a five-hit shutout Saturday as Vancouver Young Liberals topped Nanaimo 4-0 to win the amateur baseball championship of British Columbia, defeating Nanaimo two games to none in the final series. One game was tied. Liberals cracked 12 hits, two apiece by Ernie Paepke, Bill Giguere, Charlie Miron and Jack Fraser. After three scoreless innings, Liberals notched singletons in the fourth and fifth and got a pair in the sixth. Larson had seven strikeouts and three walks.
Kaye (L), Stickney (6) and Piper
Larson (W) and Whyte