At the mid-point of the Great Depression, 1934 was the year that Babe Ruth played his last game as a New York Yankee. Ironically, the player who would one day break the Bambino's career home run total, future baseball great Henry Aaron, first saw the light of day in 1934. The St. Louis Cardinals, the "Gashouse Gang" of the major leagues, proved to the baseball world that they could "walk the walk' as well as "talk the talk." A gallon of gas cost but 10 cents as Bonnie and Clyde led lives on the run until they were ambushed in May, just after the onset of the baseball season in southern Saskatchewan. A format similar to the previous season was set in place for the 1934 Southern League campaign. The loop was to get along with three teams for the first-half with the Moose Jaw All-Stars, the two-time titlist Regina Nationals plus a new Queen City entry, the Young Liberals, replacing the Army & Navy squad of 1933. The two Regina entries used different venues as their home fields this season. The Nationals played twilight games at Park de Young while the Young Liberals hosted late games at Floodlight Park.
The original plan was that, after July 1, the Milestone Sioux would join the mix again, bringing the league's strength to four for the second half. First and second half winners would then play a three out of five series for the championship. Inter-league games with the Estevan, Arcola and Carlyle Lake division of the Border League were a consideration but never acted upon. As July approached, the Milestone franchise decided against entering so the circuit operated with the same three clubs that had begun the initial half.
As it turned out, the two-time Southern League and provincial champion Regina Nationals won both halves of the schedule, negating the need for a league playoff. No challenge was forthcoming from the Border League or any other south Saskatchewan area representative so the Nationals went directly into the provincial playdowns against the northern representatives, the Saskatoon All-Stars. After five games of the best four out of seven final series had been played, the Nationals held a commanding three games to none lead with two games tied. Rather than make a return trip to Regina to complete the series, the Saskatoon team defaulted and the Nationals were declared Saskatchewan senior baseball champions once more.
There were no inter provincial playoffs arranged in 1934 so the Nationals had to be content with the odd exhibition game appearance while still basking in their success. Near the end of August, it was announced that a barnstorming band of American League players would be making an exhibition game appearance in Regina on October 9 so this gave, not only the players on the Nationals' roster, but also a few of the Young Liberals' players something to look forward to as they packed their baseball gear away and began to concentrate on football and hockey.
FIRST HALF GAME REPORTS
(May 18) The Regina Nationals, defending provincial champions, lost their third consecutive Southern League opening game. Scoring four times in their first at bat, the Young Liberals, Regina's other team in the loop, hung a 7 to 2 defeat on the Nats at the Park de Young ball yard. Pitcher Hec McLeod, last season's work horse for the Nationals, was the chief dispenser of runs in the first inning blowup. He walked five men, unleashed three wild pitches and allowed one hit which was good enough for the quartet of tallies that the Libs gladly accepted. The score sheet read nine hits apiece when they wound up the contest in semi-darkness which just went to show that McLeod's wildness was the main cause of the Nationals' downfall. The Grits' Cliff Hogg set the pace for the hitters with three clean safeties in four times up. Teammates Bryan Forster and Andy Young as well as the Nats' tandem of Johnny Stoyand and Marty Kokran all cranked out a brace of one-baggers.
Christenson, R. Hogg (4) (W) and Clayton
McLeod (L), Swainson (4), Wilkie (7) and Kokran
(May 21) Manufacturing four runs on but two hits, the Moose Jaw All-Stars won their 1934 opener in the Southern League by beating the Regina Young Liberals 4 to 1 at Floodlight Park. Moose Jaw's "Sandy" Thomson nicked one of Ralph Hogg's curves for a home run with two on board in the third inning to provide the Stars with the ammunition for victory. Other than that mistake, Hogg pitched superbly after entering the game in the fateful third. Maynard Hoffman tossed a six-hitter for the win. He also was lit up for a homer by the Grits' Cliff Hogg but the bases were empty so the damage was minimal. Besides his dinger, the Regina outfielder also had a pair of singles.
Hoffman (W) and Stevers
Dutli, R. Hogg (3) (L) and Clayton
(May 25) Deadlocked at 4 - 4 entering the bottom of the seventh frame, the Regina Young Liberals put a trio of tallies on the scoreboard to walk away with a 7 to 4 win over the Moose Jaw All-Stars. Moose Jaw took a two-run lead in the fourth on Emery Cawsey's home run. The margin swung back and forth until the Grits took the game under control for good in the seventh. An old Stars' player, Danny McKenna, drove home two of the three counters in the seventh with a circuit smash off loser Ralph Marlow. Ralph Hogg picked up the mound win after relieving Libs' starter "Babe" Christenson after six innings.
Marlow (L) and Toombs
Christenson (W), R. Hogg (7) and Clayton
(May 28) A three-way tie from top to bottom in the Southern League resulted following the Regina Nationals' 4 to 3 victory over the Regina Young Liberals at Floodlight Park. Dull moments were few as the Nats' "Lefty" Wilkie outdueled Andy Young, striking out ten along the way. Even in the last of the ninth, the Liberals had two runners on base before the candle flickered out. Young had one bad inning, the second, which cost the Grits the game. Cliff Hogg of the Libs was the big stickman of the evening with three out of four, including a mighty eighth inning home run.
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
Young (L) and Clayton
(May 30) Three big innings propelled the Regina Nationals to an 11 to 5 conquest of the Moose Jaw All-Stars in the 1934 home opener for the Stars. The Reginans had a field day with the bat, collecting 18 safeties off loser Maynard Hoffman. Hec McLeod held the Mill City nine to a half dozen blows in earning the win. "Jersey" Campbell had three singles for the winners while Johnny Stoyand ripped out a pair of doubles. Nats' catcher Marty Kokran contributed a triple and single. Hoffman had a bases-empty homer and a single in support of his pitching effort while his teammate, outfielder Emery Cawsey came through with a double and single.
McLeod (W) and Kokran
Hoffman (L) and Toombs, Stevers (6)
(June 1) Utilizing their batting prowess at the most opportune times, the Regina Nationals roughed up the Moose Jaw All-Stars to the tune of 9 to 4 at Park de Young. The Nats accounted for eleven hits, the same as Moose Jaw, but they came at the right moment and extra-base clouting was the order. The Mill City brigade couldn't touch winning chucker "Swainey" Swainson when hits meant runs. Errors were also major part of the Stars' downfall. Murray Armstrong led the offensive attack of the Reginans off loser George Haigh, slamming a double plus a pair of singles. Nats' backstop Marty Kokran followed with a triple and single. Moose Jaw's top hitter was "Sandy" Thomson who drilled a pair of two-baggers and a single.
Haigh (L) and Toombs
Swainson (W) and Kokran
(June 4) The Regina Nationals continued to add to their Southern League lead when they knocked off their Queen City cousins, the Regina Young Liberals 7 to 5. The Grits turned to their ace but even Ralph Hogg's twirling and a three-run lead that held until the eighth inning wasn't enough to stop the red stockinged Nats. After counting four markers in the third, the Liberals were held rather safe by victorious chucker Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie from that point on. A pair of Joe's, outfielder Haberman and third sacker Trapp, both ripped out four hits off the beleagured Hogg in leading the Nationals' offensive production. A double each was part of that output. Shortstop Murray Armstrong stroked a second inning homer for the winners.
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
R. Hogg and D. Clayton
(June 11) Out-hit nine to five by the visitors, the Regina Nationals pulled one out of the fire by plating a couple of ninth inning tallies to edge the Moose Jaw All-Stars 7 to 6. Without recording an out in the final inning, the Stars committed three consecutive errors which allowed the tying and winning runs to score. Hec McLeod picked up the win while Ralph Marlow was the hard-luck loser. Moose Jaw's Oak Toombs was the only swatter on either nine to have a two-hit game.
Marlow (L) and Stevers
McLeod (W) and Kokran
(June 14) The Regina Nationals won their sixth Southern League game in a row when they handily defeated the Regina Young Liberals 7 to 2. The Liberals started out well, picking up their lone two counters in their first at bat. By the time winning hurler "Swainey" Swainson handed over his job to "Lefty" Wilkie in the seventh, the Grit attack couldn't be heard above a whisper. The portsider breezed through the last three innings without a hit against him. Up until the eighth, the Nats held only a one run cushion but then they exploded for four big tallies off loser Ralph Hogg and his relief help to walk away with the decision. Outfielder Johnny Stoyand paced the Nationals' attack with a pair of doubles and a one-bagger.
R. Hogg (L), Christenson (8) and Clayton
Swainson (W), Wilkie (7) and Kokran
(June 15) Breezing home in the ninth inning with the scoreboard showing 5 to 3 in their favor and with "Babe" Christenson pitching three-hit ball, the Regina Young Liberals then hit the skids in a big way, letting this one get away as the Moose Jaw All-Stars rallied for a 7 to 5 win over their Queen City hosts. Botched relief work out of the Grits' bullpen plus a couple of wild throws in an attempt to catch baserunners cost Christenson and the Reginans the game. All the same, Maynard Hoffman, the Stars' pitcher, deserved to win as he rung up a league record 17 strikeouts and allowed eight hits. Moose Jaw collected only five hits, the longest being "Sandy" Thomson's two-run homer. The Libs' "Babe" Brossard took batting honors for the evening with his three singles.
Hoffman (W) and Toombs
Christenson (L), Steinert (9) and Boll
(June 16) The Moose Jaw All-Stars knocked the Regina Nationals down a few notches from their lofty position atop the Southern League by handing the Reginans a narrow 3 to 2 defeat. Winning tosser Ralph Marlow and loser Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie of the Nats both fired five-hitters in this snappy contest. Wilkie held the edge in strikeouts, registering twelve to seven for the Stars' chucker. Neither team had a batter who was able to collect more than one hit.
Wilkie (L) and Kokran
Marlow (W) and Toombs
First Half Standings (as of end of June 16)
W L Pct.
Regina Nationals 6 2 .750
Moose Jaw All-Stars 3 4 .429
Regina Young Liberals 2 5 .286
(June 18) The Regina Nationals once again proved better on the diamond than their city brothers as they hammered the Regina Young Liberals 9 to 2 at Park de Young. Hec McLeod handcuffed the Grits, allowing six safeties, all singles, in earning the victory. A three-run opening frame outburst off loser Lawrence Steiner carried the Nats to the triumph. Joe Haberman, Murray Armstrong and McLeod all came through with two hits for the winners with one of Haberman's blows falling in for a double. Shortstop Mike Karahan was the only batter in the Grits' line-up who was able to solve McLeod for more than a single base blow.
Steiner (L), Christenson (7) and Boll
McLeod (W) and Kokran
(June 21) The Regina Nationals clinched first-half honors in the Southern League by handing the Moose Jaw All-Stars a 4 to 3 defeat at Moose Jaw's exhibition grounds. A strong start and strong finish gave the Reginans their victory. "Lefty" Wilkie picked up the pitching win by fanning 15 and limiting the homesters to six hits. His Mill City counterpart, Maynard Hoffman, was nicked for seven hits and whiffed a half dozen. Jack "Jersey" Campbell had a pair of RBI's for the Nats as he collected a triple and single. Eddie Scott picked up a pair of singles for the losers.
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
Hoffman (L) and Stevers
(June 22) Scoring twice in the top of the tenth inning, the Regina Nationals emerged with an 8 to 6 win over the Regina Young Liberals to maintain their mastery over their intra-city rivals this season. The Grits had many opportunities to cash in with counters but stranded 14 base runners. Home runs on successive pitches by Marty Kokran and Joe Haberman staked the Nats to an early lead. Kokran, Haberman and third baseman Joe Trapp had three hits apiece for the winners with one of Trapp's being a double. Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie, in a relief role, got credit for the extra-inning victory. Recording a pair of singles each for the Libs were Earl Nicholson, Webb Bird, Cliff Boll and losing chucker Lawrence Steinert.
Swainson, Wilkie (9) (W) and Kokran
Christenson, Steinert (6) (L) and Clayton
(June 23) The Regina Young Liberals carted home a couple of victories in Southern League play at the exhibition grounds following their doubleheader engagement with the Moose Jaw All-Stars.
The Liberals easily won the afternoon game 8 to 1 pounding the Stars' Johnny Carrick, who was making his first mound start of the season, for 14 base blows. Webb Bird and catcher Dave Clayton both ripped out a trio of base raps for the Grits. Emery Cawsey and Eddie Scott each replied with a pair of singles for the losers.
Christenson (W) and Clayton
Carrick (L) and Toombs
Lawrence Steiner got the decision over Ralph Marlow in the follow-up contest as the visitors out-hit the Stars by a 12 to 6 margin. Cliff Boll had a big game with the hickory for the Reginans, stroking four base hits, all singles, and driving in three runs.
Steiner (W) and Clayton
Marlow (L) and Stevers
First half standings (as of end of June 23)
W L Pct.
Regina Nationals 9 2 .818
Regina Young Liberals 4 7 .364
Moose Jaw All-Stars 3 7 .300
(June 26) Looking very ordinary for a first-place team, the Regina Nationals were drubbed 6 to 1 by the visiting Moose Jaw All-Stars at Park de Young in a seven-inning encounter. As dark clouds hovered over the diamond, the Stars shelled loser Hec McLeod for twelve safeties, including three doubles. Winner Maynard Hoffman set the Nats down in one-two-three order most of the way and the only run he gave up was of the unearned variety. Johnny Dawson's three single output paced the visitors at the dish. Pat Stevers and Carrick both had a double and single for the Mill City brigade.
Hoffman (W) and Stevers
McLeod (L) and Kokran
(June 28) The Moose Jaw All-Stars earned second place in the first-half Southern League standings as they edged the Regina Young Liberals 3 to 2 in the last game of the schedule. The Stars won the game by scoring a pair of eighth inning runs off loser Ralph Hogg. Pat Stevers two-out double brought home Jim MacDonald with the winning marker. Johnny Carrick tossed a five-hitter for Moose Jaw to pick up the mound win.
R. Hogg (L) and Clayton
Carrick (W) and Stevers
Final first half standings
W L Pct.
Regina Nationals 9 3 .750
Moose Jaw All-Stars 5 7 .417
Regina Young Liberals 4 8 .333
(June 28) The Regina Leader-Post reported this date that Milestone has decided not to enter the Southern League for the second-half of play.
(July 4) First-half batting statistics from the Southern League published in the Regina Leader-Post give the edge to outfielder Joe Haberman of the Regina Nationals as the circuit's leading hitter. Knocking out 18 base hits in 48 times at bat, Haberman ended the first-half with a .375 average to outdistance Cliff Hogg of the Regina Young Liberals by nine percentage points. Hogg wound up with a .364 mark earned through 12 hits in 33 times at bat. Rounding out the top three was Moose Jaw All-Stars' infielder "Sandy" Thomson who hit the ball at a .342 clip.
SECOND HALF GAME REPORTS
(July 4) Touching "Swainey" Swainson for six safe blows in three innings, the Moose Jaw All-Stars got off on the right foot in the Southern League's second half as they disposed of the Regina Nationals 5 to 2. Swainson was driven to the showers after his three-inning performance as "Lefty" Wilkie held the Moose Jaw contingent to one safety in the remaining five innings. Maynard Hoffman of the Stars held the Nats to five hits to pick up the pitching win. Neither team had a batter who had more than a single hit.
Swainson (L), Wilkie (4) and Kokran
Hoffman (W) and Stevers
(July 6) Andy Young's three-run homer with two out in the seventh stanza gave the Regina Young Liberals a hard-fought 4 to 2 victory over their nemesis, the Regina Nationals. Lanky chucker "Babe" Christenson of the Grits struck out ten in recording the win. "Lefty" Wilkie suffered the loss although he surrendered only four hits, two by Young. Joe Trapp and Marty Kokran both had a brace of singles for the Nats.
Wilkie (L) and Kokran
Christenson (W) and Clayton
(July 9) The first-half kings of the 1934 Southern League, the Regina Nationals dropped their third consecutive game in the back end of the schedule, falling to the visiting Moose Jaw All-Stars 7 to 4. Only four hits came Moose Jaw's way but walks, hit batsmen and wild pitches gave them six gift runs without benefit of a base hit. Ralph Marlow scattered seven Moose Jaw hits in earning the win. Billy Hodgkinson's double and single topped the Stars' offensive output. Art Sihvon had the same production for the Nats.
Marlow (W) and Stevers
McLeod (L), Wilkie (1) and Kokran
(July 11) Collecting 17 hits off the slants of two Grits' chuckers, the Regina Nationals finally broke into the second-half win column as they lambasted the Regina Young Liberals 13 to 4 in Southern league play. Hec McLeod went the distance on the hill for the Nats, whiffing eleven in picking up the win. Johnny Stoyand's four singles led the hitting barrage for the Nationals. Joe Trapp and McLeod weren't far behind, lacing three one-baggers each. "Jersey" Campbell hit the game's only home run. For the Libs, Cliff Hogg poked out a trio of singles.
McLeod (W) and Kokran
Young (L), Christenson (7) and Clayton
(July 13) Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie turned in an artistic pitching job in leading the Regina Nationals to a 4 to 1 vanquishing of the Moose Jaw All-Stars. Only three hits were collected by the Stars off the stylish southpaw. The Nats got to loser Maynard Hoffman for only seven safeties but they included a long home run by Stan Shaley plus a three-bagger and single by Murray Armstrong.
Hoffman (L) and Stevers
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
(July 14) The Regina Young Liberals and Moose Jaw All-Stars exchanged places on the Southern League ladder by virtue of the Liberals' 7 to 4 victory in Moose Jaw. Andy Young's seventh inning circuit clout with two mates aboard was the difference in this joust and made a winner out of righthander Ralph Hogg. Cliff Boll of the Libs had three hits off losing chucker Ralph Marlow. Dave Clayton, Webb Bird, Cliff Hogg and Young all registered a brace of raps for the winners as did Billy Hodgkinson, Oak Toombs and Maynard Hoffman of the Stars.
R. Hogg (W) and Clayton
Marlow (L) and Stevers
(July 16) Playing eleven innings at Park de Young, the two Regina entries in the Southern League failed to produce a winner and, instead, settled for a scoreless draw. Sensational fielding plus superb pitching by both Hec Mcleod of the Regina Nationals and Lawrence "Lefty the Snake" Steiner highlighted this excellent 0 to 0 game. Both chuckers surrendered but four singles and only one batter, shortstop Mike Karahan of the Grits, found the range for two of them.
Steiner and Clayton
McLeod and Kokran
(July 18) The Moose Jaw All-Stars suffered one of their most crushing defeats of the campaign when they were blanked 8 to 0 by the Regina Nationals. Frustrated with their inability to generate much of an offense against Regina hurler "Lefty" Wilkie, umpire baiting began with the resulting ejection of one player and a near-miss by another, only because of his captaincy. The Nats collected eleven hits off losing twirler Maynard Hoffman as Joe Trapp led the way with three singles. Following closely behind were Jack Campbell and Murray Armstrong with a brace of one-baggers each.
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
Hoffman (L) and Stevers, Toombs (7)
(July 19) A penchant for fielding miscues at critical times cost the Moose Jaw All-Stars as they dropped a 4 to 3 decision to the Regina Young Liberals. The Stars committed eight errors behind Ralph Marlow's five-hit pitching with the result that only two of Regina's four runs were earned. Winning pitcher "Babe" Christenson gave up seven hits, with Johnny Dawson and Pat Stevers accounting for two apiece. Mike Karahan led the Grits in batting with a pair of doubles. Cliff Boll followed with two singles.
Marlow (L) and Stevers
Christenson (W) and Clayton
(July 23) The latest battle of Regina produced a familiar theme in that the Young Liberals' team tended to blow a tire at critical junctures, giving the advantage to the Nationals. Such was the case at Park de Young as the crimson-hosed Nationals picked up an 8 to 4 victory over the Grits. The Liberals hit winning hurler Hector McLeod safely seven times, the same number of safeties that the Nats produced but there was no comparison in the fielding, eight errors being chalked up against the losers to a pair for the winners. Joe Haberman with two doubles and Johnny Stoyand with a double and single were the top batsmen for the Nats. The Libs' Cliff Hogg also had a two-bagger and single while "Babe" Brossard kicked in with two singles.
Steiner (L), R. Hogg (7) and Clayton
McLeod (W) and Kokran
(July 24) A gift run in the seventh inning enabled the Regina Young Liberals to take a 3 to 2 verdict from the Moose Jaw All-Stars. Scoring from third base as a rundown between first and second was taking place, winning pitcher "Babe" Christenson plated the run that turned out to be the winner. Both Christenson and losing hurler Maynard Hoffman turned in nine-hit mound efforts. Four players, two from each team, registered a two-hit game. Andy Young of the Grits belted a triple and double and sidekick Cliff Boll had a double and single. For the Mill City crew, third sacker Johnny Carrick came through with a home run and double while "Sandy" Thomson stroked two singles.
Christenson (W) and Clayton
Hoffman (L) and Stevers
Second half standings (as of end of July 24)
W L Pct.
Regina Young Liberals 4 2 .667
Regina Nationals 4 3 .571
Moose Jaw All-Stars 2 5 .286
(July 25) The Moose Jaw All-Stars were on the losing end of a 10 to 0 ambush when they visited Floodlight Park for their set-to with the Regina Young Liberals. Ralph Hogg of the Libs had the tailenders tied up in knots the entire game as he fired a four-hit whitewashing. Leading the 13-hit Regina onslaught was Cliff Boll with three singles. Andy Young was next in line with a double and single while Dave Clayton, Cliff Hogg and "Babe" Brossard all checked in with a brace of singles. George Haigh picked up two of the Stars' four hits.
Marlow (L), Carrick (7) and Stevers
R. Hogg (W) and Clayton
(July 27) In spite of their slim chances for a second-half playoff berth, the Moose Jaw All-Stars played inspired baseball and, behind the pitching of veteran Bill Nutzhorn, tucked away a 6 to 3 decision over the visiting Regina Nationals. Both Nutzhorn, making his first start of the campaign for the Stars, and losing twirler "Lefty" Wilkie were hit for nine base blows. With a brace of triples resulting in a pair of RBI's, Moose Jaw first sacker Johnny Carrick had the hottest hand with the bat for the winners. Maynard Hoffman also drove in a pair with his three-bagger plus a single. Also poling a triple was Art Sihvon of the Nats who stroked a single as well. Rounding out the two-base hit group was Regina third baseman Joe Trapp who came through with a pair of singles.
Wilkie (L) and Kokran
Nutzhorn (W) and Stevers
(July 31) Errors brought home more runs than did base hits as the Regina Nationals took a ragged ball episode from the Moose Jaw All-Stars 6 to 2 and, in doing so, kept their chances of a first-place finish in the Southern League's second-half alive. Presented with two runs without recording a hit in the first inning, the Nats coasted from there as "Swainey" Swainson fired a seven-hitter. Loser Ralph Marlow was stingy with the hits, surrendering only four, two each to Art Sihvon and Joe Haberman, but his mates played without much passion and were tentative afield. One of Haberman's blows went for three bases. Marlow and Oak Toombs had two singles apiece for the losers.
Marlow (L) and Stevers
Swainson (W) and Kokran
(August 2) The Regina Young Liberals are beginning to feel the heat as their pursuers, the Regina Nationals, are closing in on them as the second-half of the schedule winds down. Case in point, at Park de Young the Nats laid a 3 to 0 shutout on their city cousins, a win that gave them a virtual tie for the second-half lead. Once again, it fell to the lot of big Hec McLeod to turn in the necessary mound victory. McLeod quieted the Grits' bats with six scattered raps. "Lefty" Steiner was saddled with the loss. Only one batter from each team had a muliple-hit game. Stan Shaley of the Nats picked up a double and single while the Libs' Bryan Forster had two singles.
Steiner (L) and Clayton
McLeod (W) and Kokran
(August 3) The Regina Nationals trounced the Moose Jaw All-Stars 10 to 0 in six innings to pass the Regina Young Liberals and take over top spot in the Southern League's second half. Moose Jaw turned in one of their worst games ever, committing seven errors. A listless group of Stars was held to two hits by Nats' chucker Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie. Regina's Art Sihvon had a productive time in the batters' box slamming a triple and two singles while driving in three runs. Outfielder Johnny Stoyand let loose with a pair of one-baggers which brought in a pair of counters and Stan Shaley drilled a bases-empty home run.
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
Carrick (L), Hoffman (3) and Stevers
(August 7) Collecting 25 hits off losing pitcher George Haigh, the Regina Young Liberals bombarded the visiting Moose Jaw All-Stars 20 to 3 to regain a share of first place in the second-hald race. This mismatch also produced a ton of errors as both squads booted the ball with regularity. Although not at his top form, Ralph Hogg struck out nine Stars to earn the victory. Andy Young of the Grits had five singles off Haigh while "Babe" Brossard creamed the Moose Jaw hurler for a double and three singles. With four singles apiece were Webb Bird and Mike Karahan.
Haigh (L) and Stevers
R. Hogg (W) and Clayton
(August 8) Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie dominated the Regina Young Liberals as he pitched a three-hitter in leading the Regina Nationals to a 5 to 1 win over their Capital City rivals. Seven hits came the way of the winners, timely ones being their specialty. Leading the way offensively were Joe Trapp and Joe Haberman, both ripping a double and single off loser "Lefty" Steiner.
Steiner (L) and Clayton
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
(August 9) Already eliminated from playoff contention and with their recent performances of sub-par quality, the Moose Jaw All-Stars have called it a season and have forfeited their two remaining games, both scheduled against the Regina Young Liberals.
Second half standings (as of end of August 9)
W L Pct.
Regina Nationals 8 4 .667
Regina Young Liberals 8* 4 .667
Moose Jaw All-Stars 3 11* .214
* totals include two games forfeited by Moose Jaw All-Stars to Regina Young Liberals
(August 13) A 2 to 0 win by the Regina Nationals over the Regina Young Liberals at Floodlight Park assured the Nats of at least a tie for second-half honors in the Southern League. Pitching a six-hit shutout, Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie fanned eleven of the Grits. He also led his team with the stick, slamming a double and two singles. Joe Trapp and Jack "Jersey" Campbell each added a pair of singles to the Nationals' attack.
Wilkie (W) and Kokran
Christenson (L) and Clayton
(August 14) Pitcher Lawrence "Lefty the Snake" Steiner's seventh inning double drove in a pair of runs and allowed the Regina Young Liberals to tie the Regina Nationals 2 to 2 in an 8-inning, darkness-shortened Southern League encounter. The draw kept the Libs still breathing in their quest to cop the loop's second-half pennant. Other than his late-game batting heroics, Steiner also had a fine evening on the hill, whiffing six of the Nats while limiting them to but a pair of hits, both doubles. Outfielder Cliff Hogg of the Grits was the lone batter on either squad with a pair of hits, both being singles.
Steiner and Clayton
Swainson and Kokran
(August 16) Another Southern League ball pennant was hoisted at Park de Young as a capacity house was on hand to watch the Regina Nationals beat the Regina Young Liberals 5 to 3 and do away with the necessity of any playoff. Hec McLeod, replacing "Lefty" Wilkie on the hill after the first frame when the portsider developed a sore arm, surrended only three hits in the remaining eight innings to get the important win. The Grits plated an early run off Wilkie when Andy Young doubled home Mike Karahan who had walked. The Nats replied with two in the second and another pair in the third to establish a lead they never relinquished. One player from each squad was banished for third inning fisticuffs. Four Nationals' batters had a two-hit output, those being Stan Shaley with a triple and single, Joe Haberman and Jack Campbell both with a double and single, and Johnny Stoyand with a pair of singles.
Christenson (L), Steinert (5) and Clayton
Wilkie, McLeod (2) (W) and Kokran
Final second half standings
W L Pct.
Regina Nationals 10 4 .714
Regina Young Liberals 8* 6 .571
Moose Jaw All-Stars 3 11* .214
* totals include two games forfeited by Moose Jaw All-Stars to Regina Young Liberals
With no first-half vs second-half showdown required and no challenges from other south Saskatchewan areas for supremacy of the bottom half of the province, the Nationals move directly into a playoff against the northern representatives, the Saskatoon All-Stars for the provincial title and the Leader-Post cup. The Saskatonians qualified by knocking off Neilburg three games to two in a hotly-contested northern final. The best four out of seven Saskatchewan final is scheduled to begin with a two-game set in Regina.
(August 18) The Regina Leader-Post announced this date that Cliff Hogg, outfielder from the Regina Young Liberals, had the highest batting average in the 1934 Southern League's second chapter. Hogg stung the ball in the July and August portion of the schedule at a .353 clip by accumulating 18 base blows in 51 official at-bats. His average easily outdistanced second place finisher Joe Haberman, the first-half leader, who came in with second-half totals of 19 hits in 59 trips for a .322 mark. Joe Trapp, rookie third baseman of the Regina Nationals had the third best second-half showing with the bat, posting a .305 average.
SASKATCHEWAN SENIOR BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Saskatoon All-Stars player roster for the Saskatchewan senior baseball championship :
Bell Elmer 3B/SS, Corbin "Ace" P, Jantz Orlando P, Jones Ossie P, Kellough Ab 3B, Klinck Johnny P/OF, McCullough Joe SS, Morban Phil C, Parsons Garnet OF, Seed Johnny OF, Stouse John OF, Watkins Ray 2B, Wilson "Hobb" 1B, Wood "Cooney" P/1B
Regina Nationals player roster for the Saskatchewan senior baseball championship
Armstrong Murray SS, Campbell Jack "Jersey" 1B, Kokran Marty C, Haberman Joe OF, McLeod Hector P, Shaley Stan 2B, Sihvon Art OF, Stoyand Johnny OF, Swainson "Swainey" P, Trapp Joe 3B, Wilkie Aldon "Lefty" P
(August 18) Park de Young bleacherites witnessed a pair of one-sided playoff games as the Regina Nationals demolished the Saskatoon All-Stars in the opening two contests of the Saskatchewan senior baseball finals.
The Nats jumped on big Johnny Klinck of the Saskatonians early and finally drove him to the showers in the seventh after their total run production had reached double figures. Hec McLeod breezed through this opener as the Nationals lambasted the Hub City brigade by a score of 14 to 3. Racking up 14 base blows, the Reginans were led at the plate by winning hurler McLeod who pasted the All-Stars' two pitchers for four base raps.
Klinck (L), Corbin (7) and Morban
McLeod (W) and Kokran
Not slowing down a bit once the second encounter got underway, the Queen City contingent connected for ten more hits, this time off Ossie Jones, in earning a 10 to 3 triumph over the overmatched northerners. Assuming his "iron man" role once more, Hector McLeod hurled another nine innings, without any noticeable effort, to bring his total to 18 for the day. Joe Haberman provided a good portion of the Regina offense, pasting a brace of doubles and a single. Art Sihvon and Marty Kokran both had a double and single while Bridge City catcher Phil Morban rocked McLeod for a pair of two-baggers.
Jones (L) and Morban
McLeod (W) and Kokran
(August 21) The Regina Nationals retained their two-game lead in the provincial senior baseball playdown when they were held to a 2 - 2 draw by the Saskatoon All-Stars in the third game of the best of seven series at Cairns Field. Saskatoon's "Cooney" Wood was opposed on the mound by Aldon "Lefty" Wilkie, former Hub City southpaw. Wilkie limited the Stars to five hits while striking out nine batters. Wood was nicked for eight hits while fanning four. He was also the leading batter for the home team with a double and single. "Jersey" Campbell and Marty Kokran of the Nats both singled twice.
Wilkie and Kokran
Wood and Morban
(August 22) Ab Kellough's home run with two out in the ninth inning at Cairns Field was all that prevented the Regina Nationals from winning their third consecutive provincial crown. After winning the first game of a twin-bill, their third win in the series, the Reginans were in a position to wrap things up in the late encounter but let a one-run lead slip away and had to settle for another tie, the second such draw in the series.
The Nationals scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take the opener 6 to 3 behind the five-hit hurling of "Swainey" Swainson. Marty Kokran and Art Sihvon paced the 15-hit Regina attack off three Saskatoon pitchers, slamming three hits apiece with one of Kokran's scored as a triple. Outfielder Garnet Parsons drilled a two-run homer in the third frame for the losers.
Swainson (W) and Kokran
Corbin, Jantz (4) (L), Jones (7) and Morban
With a two-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth, the Nationals' "Swainey" Swainson seemed to be well on his way to duplicating Hec McLeod's role in games one and two. An infield error and a passed ball allowed the Stars to plate their first run in the ninth and set the stage for Kellough to even the count at 2 - 2. At that point, the game ended as darkness prevailed. "Cooney" Wood was on the mound for the Saskatoon nine and was involved in his second 2 - 2 draw in as many starts for him. Three of Saskatoon's five hits off Swainson were collected by Kellough, including his circuit clout. Wood was nicked for twelve Regina hits as Art Sihvon had a field day, pasting him for two doubles plus a brace of one-baggers. With the Nationals now leading the series three games to none with a pair of tied games thrown in, the remaining two games are scheduled for Regina.
Swainson and Kokran
Wood and Morban
(August 28) It was announced following an exchange of messages that the Saskatoon All-Stars had decided to forfeit their remaining two games to the Regina Nationals, thus concluding Saskatchewan's 1934 senior baseball season. The stated rationale for the defaults, as printed in the Regina Leader-Post of this date, stemmed from Saskatoon's reluctance to gamble on their share of the anticipated gate receipts for the Regina games.
EPILOGUE TO 1934 SEASON
There were a couple of disappointing aspects to the 1934 Southern League campaign, those being the failure of the Milestone club to continue operations and the decline in the competitiveness of the Moose Jaw franchise, a team which had always been strong. On the other hand, the two Regina clubs were of high quality, developed an intense rivalry including separate home ball parks, and provided excellent entertainment for the Queen City fans.
With no one prepared to step up and finance another interprovincial playoff set-up, as had been the case in 1932 and 1933, the Regina Nationals' season virtually came to an end at the completion of their series with Saskatoon. The Southern League's record in the four seasons that it had been operational was envious indeed with four provincial titles, the last three by the Nationals, plus the 1932 championship of the prairie provinces.