PRINCE ALBERT CITY LEAGUE
Final Standings G W L Pct.
M & C Repair 16 13 3 .812
Army 13 9 4 .692
Bohemians 14 8 6 .571
R.C.A.F. 15 3 12 .200
Penitentiary 12 2 10 .167
As first-place finishers, the pennant-winning M & C Repair team received a bye directly into the league final series, The remaining four teams initially played sudden-death quarter-final matches followed by a best two-of-three semi-final series, with the winner then going against M & C in a three-game showdown.
QUARTER-FINALS
(August 22) The cellar-dwelling Penitentiary nine came from behind in the eighth inning to best the third-place Bohemians from the Prince Albert City League playoffs when they won their sudden-death quarter-final tussle 5 to 3. The Boh’s started out strong, plating their three counters in the second frame. Entering the eighth, they still led 3 to 1 and appeared ready to move on to the semi-final round. Losing pitcher Shore then loaded the sacks in this fateful frame and, his replacement, Folster, promptly uncorked two wild pitches which allowed the Bighouse Boys to tie the contest. Shore was summoned back to the hill and dished up an inviting serving to Andy Zwack who belted it for a run-scoring triple which gave the House of Correction a one-run lead. First sacker Wyatt later singled home the insurance marker. Folster led all hitters with three singles off winning twirler Murray Coombs, Trask and Potter all had two hits for the winners with one of Trask’s going for three bases.
Murray (W) and Zwack
Shore (L), Folster (8), Shore (8) and Wilson
(August 29) The soldiers of No. 122 C.A.B.T.C. won a decisive “battle of the services” sudden-death game when they blasted out a 7 to 2 victory over the R.C.A.F. at Bohemian Park, eliminating the Fly Boys in the quarter-finals of the City Baseball League playoffs. Winning hurler Vancoughnett and reliever Phillip on the Army mound gave up only four very scattered hits and combined for nine strikeouts. The Khaki gang registered ten base blows off the slants of losing twirler Spencer. “Mooch” Morash topped the swatters with the lumber as he gathered three singles. Both catchers, Newton of the Army and Palmer of the Flyers, as well as R.C.A.F shortstop Kitcher each had a brace of base blows with one of Palmers being a three-bagger.
Spencer (L) and Palmer
Vancoughnett (W), Phillip (6) and Newton
SEMI-FINALS
(August 30) The opening game of the Prince Albert City League semi-finals went to the Army team which downed the Penitentiary crew 6 to 3. The Soldiers broke a 3 – 3 tie with three seventh-inning tallies to claim the triumph. Outfielder Zeller sparked the Army with three hits including two run-producing triples which drove in three counters. Phillip, the mound winner, limited the Pen Patrol to five safeties, three coming off the bat of outfielder Potter including one for two sacks.
Murray (L) and Zwack
Phillip (W) and Newton
(September 1) Army wrapped up the best-of-three Prince Albert City League semi-final playoff series in two straight games by staging a late comeback to eliminate the Penitentiary nine 7 to 5. Trailing 5 to 2 entering the final two innings, the Soldiers rallied with an output of four followed with a single tally to snatch the triumph. Phillip, a first-inning fireman, held the Prison Patrol in check to gain the hill win. His battery mate, Newton, gave him plenty of offensive support, slugging a triple, double and single. Third sacker Lowe followed with a double and single while outfielder Zeller singled twice. No member of the Penitentiary nine had more than one hit.
Vancoughnett, Phillip (W) (1) and Newton
O’Toole (L) and Coombs
FINAL SERIES
(September 3) M & C Repair outplayed the Army at Bohemian Park to take the first round of the City League championship finals by a score of 8 to 2. The regular-season pennant winners were led by pitcher Hunter who limited the Khakis to three hits while fanning six. The Repairmen lit up losing chucker Phillip for 11 safeties. M & C showed no perceptible effects from their long layoff. Outfielder Nalywayko picked up a triple and a single for the winners. First baseman Parker and keystone sacker Menzies both singled twice. Phillip had a brace of one-baggers for the Army.
Phillip (L) and Newton
Hunter (W) and Munro
(September 12) Before crowded stands at Bohemian Park, the Army nine put up the fight of the season by edging the M & C Repairmen, leading contenders for the city championship, 4 to 3 behind the starry hurling of two dark-horses, pitchers Grundy and Prime, who were making their initial mound appearances only after ace twirler, Phillip, had been temporarily called elsewhere by the Army corps. The Khakis tied the game in the bottom of the eighth and won the encounter with a last of the ninth tally. Overall, the Soldiers held an 11 to 5 edge in base hits. Leading off the final frame, outfielder Moroz singled, burned up the trail to second for a stolen base and plated the winner when first baseman Sturgeon peeled off a lusty single. Moroz and teammate Newton both had a pair of singles for the victors.
Hunter (L) and Munro
Grundy, Prime (W) (8) and Newton
(September 19) Before the largest crowd of the season, the Army nine from No. 122 C.A.B.T.C. took the Prince Albert City League title by downing the pennant-winning M & C contingent 4 to 1 at Bohemian Park. The Infantry insurgents out hit the M & C gang by an 11 to 7 margin. Third baseman Scheeran and shortstop Phillip, who relieved winning tosser Prime in the eighth frame, led the champions at the dish with a double and single apiece off losing pitcher Hunter. Catcher Newton and outfielder Carle both singled twice for the winners. Infielders Withers and Menzies were the best at the plate for the vanquished with a brace of one-baggers each.
Prime (W), Phillip (8) and Newton
Hunter (L) and Munro
SASKATOON CITY LEAGUE
Final Standings W L T Pct.
No. 4 S.F.T.S. 7 3 0 .700
Cubs 6 5 1 .545
No. 7 I.T.S. 4 5 1 .444
Aeronauts 2 6 0 .250
Pennant-winning No. 4 S.F.T.S. received a bye into the league final. Last-place Aeronauts were eliminated while the Cubs and No. 4 I.T.S. squared off in a best-of-five semi-final.
SEMI-FINAL SERIES
(August 12) No. 7 I.T.S. took a one-game lead in the best-of-five Saskatoon City League playoffs when they touched three Cub hurlers for eight hits and an equal number of runs to win 8 to 4 behind Alf “Dumie” Dumouchelle’s four-hit pitching. Loser “Ace” Corbin was driven to the showers after 2 2/3 innings. Dumouchelle struck out eight Cubbies in the seven-inning contest. Fisher, Miller and McIntosh all stoked two singles for the winners. Art Moffatt had a triple and single in a losing cause.
Dumouchelle (W) and Sutherland
Corbin (L), D. Bentley (3), Allan (6) and Bamford
(August 14) The Cubs drew on even terms at Cairns Field with No. 7 Initial Training School in their best-of-five semi-final series when they downed the Airmen 6 to 3 behind the seven-hit performance of “Lefty” Arnold. Showing little respect for Lloyd Bennett’s slants, the winners collected 12 hits which included a rousing triple by Gordon Thompson and a two-bagger by Walt Bennett. Doug Bentley was the leading hitter for the Cubs, bagging four hits in four times at bat. Shortstop Ross Allan laced a trio of singles. Fisher, of the Initial Training School nine, singled twice.
Arnold (W) and R. Bentley
Bennett (L) and Sutherland
(August 17) With Alf “Dumie” Dumouchelle limiting his opposition to one hit, the No. 7 Initial Training School moved into the lead in the best-of-five City Baseball League semi-final with a 4 to 1 win over the Cubs in the third game of the series at Cairns Field. Starting southpaw Kabaroff of the Cubbies lasted only one frame before being lifted for “Ace” Corbin who did a creditable job in relief. The winners collected five hits with shortstop Warren being the only batter on the diamond to pick up two hits.
Dumouchelle (W) and Sutherland
Kabaroff (L), Corbin (2) and R. Bentley
(August 19) Scoring four runs in the top of the last inning, the Cubs deadlocked the Saskatoon City League semi-finals at two games each with a 10 to 6 victory over No.7 Initial Training School. Neither club was at full strength for this contest with several members of both squads unavailable. Johnny Folk, with a four-hitter and six strikeouts, picked up the complete game mound win. Control was his main problem as he issued seven free passes, plunked three batters and uncorked two wild pitches, both of which gave the Airmen runs. Bert Bertram, the I.T.S. chucker, also had difficulty locating his pitches as he gave up seven walks and let go one wild pitch. He yielded six hits and fanned five batters. Art Moffatt of the Cubs and outfielder Fisher of the Sevens both singled twice to lead their respective clubs at the platter.
Folk (W) and Bamford
Bertram (L) and Sutherland
(August 21)
The Cubs qualified for the City Baseball League finals with the No. 4 Service Flying Training School Flyers with a close 1 to 0 victory over the No. 7 Initial Training School in the fifth and deciding game of the semi-final series at Cairns Field. The game was a heart-breaker for the Airmen and their starry young pitcher, Alf “Dumie” Dumouchelle, to lose. He walked opposing chucker “Lefty” Arnold with the bases loaded in the bottom of the last inning, forcing in the winning marker. Winning twirler Arnold, working with ease and superb control, limited the Sevens to two singles while fanning 12 batters and issuing two bases on balls. With a count of three and two on him, “Lefty” hit at least five foul balls before he finally drew a walk to send Pete Prediger across the plate with the winning run. Dumouchelle fanned four batters, walked three and surrendered six hits. No batter from either squad was able to muster more than a lone single.
Dumouchelle (L) and Mills
Arnold (W) and Prediger
FINAL SERIES
(August 24) “Ace” Corbin was just about the whole show for a thousand fans at Cairns Field as he pitched and batted the Cubs to an 8 to 1 victory over the No. 4 Service Fling Training School in the first game of a best-of-five series for the Saskatoon City Baseball League championship. Corbin handled the No. 4 offence with no difficulty as he gave up only three hits and did not issue a single base on balls. The Flyers, who have been idle while the semi-finals were completed, did not look sharp. Southpaw “Smiley” Maroniuk started on the hill for them but was given the hook in the third when the Baby Bruins plated three counters. The Cubs collected 11 hits in total. Corbin had reached base in each of his three plate appearances. Maroniuk errantly hit him with a pitch his first time up and then he cracked a double and single off reliever Lloyd Bradley. Ross Allan and Cal Mills both singled twice for the winners. Walt Vandale was the only Flyer to solve Corbin’s offerings, collecting a two-bagger and a single.
Corbin (W) and Bamford
Maroniuk (L), Bradley (3) and C. Vandale
(August 26) The surprising Cubs, with Pete Prediger and Art Moffatt supplying the batting punch and veteran “Ace” Corbin turning in another creditable performance on the mound, defeated the No. 4 Service Flying Training School Flyers 10 to 3 at Cairns Field in the second game of the best-of-five series for the City Baseball League crown. The Baby Bears now own a two-game lead in the final showdown. Another crowd of over a thousand turned out to witness the action. Catcher Prediger contributed a triple and a home run to the Cubs’ cause, both blows coming off losing flinger Johnny Polischuk. Moffatt produced two singles and a triple with his last single driving in two runs. Cliff Vandale with a double and single as well as Ed Gillespie with a pair of one-baggers were the leading hitters for the losers.
Polischuk (L) and C. Vandale
Corbin (W) and Bamford, Prediger (2)
(August 29) The Cubs annexed the 1943 Saskatoon City Baseball League title when they crushed the pennant-winning No. 4 Service Training School Flyers 18 to 2 in the third game of the best-of-five series. It was a bad night for the Fly Boys who were playing with a make-shift lineup as a result of recent graduations at their station. The 16-hit ambush, aided by nine fielding miscues by the Flyers, started early and the game was virtually on ice after the Cubbies had taken a 12 to 2 lead after four frames. Al Flohr fanned four and gave up an equal number of hits in recording the easy mound win. Lloyd Bradley was unmercifully subjected to the complete game pasting. Doug Bentley of the Cubbies had a perfect night at the dish, hitting three singles and a triple. Gordon Thompson, Art Moffatt and Walt Bennett were next in line with three hits apiece. Third baseman Turner collected two doubles for the losers.
Flohr (W) and Prediger
Bradley (L) and Carson
Looking for new fields to conquer, the Saskatoon Cubs responded to a challenge by the Dundurn Army nine for the unofficial championship of the northern half of the province.
Northern Saskatchewan championship series
(September 2) Although out hit nine to six, the Saskatoon Cubs combined three hits in the fourth inning with three Dundurn errors to score five runs, enough to chalk up a 6 to 4 victory in the first game of three-game set for the championship of northern Saskatchewan. “Dumie” Dumouchelle, on the mound for the Cubs, struck out 12 soldiers, walked three and hit two more. Losing flinger Trann, an Edmontonian, retired four Cubs on strikes, issued a single free pass and could not be blamed for the defeat as his mates committed six fielding miscues and were guilty of faulty base-running. The Army contingent went into the lead in the third inning on a booming circuit-clout by outfielder Kreswin and an RBI single by Alex Ruhl later in the frame.Two singles and three errors allowed the Cubs to jump ahead 5 to 2 in the fourth, a lead which they never relinquished. Kreswin and catcher Toccoli of the Army as well as outfielder Bennett of the Cubbies all had two singles.
Trann (L) and Toccoli
Dumouchelle (W) and Bamford
(September 3) In a game marked by light hitting and weak fielding, the Dundurn Military Camp evened up the Northern Saskatchewan senior baseball championship series at one game apiece with a 5 to 2 victory over the Saskatoon Cubs at Cairns Field. The eight-inning contest saw a total of nine hits and nine errors recorded by the two clubs. Alex Ruhl, who toiled on the mound for the Soldiers, allowed only four singles, two of them coming in the fourth stanza, in recording the win. Loser “Ace” Corbin worked six innings off the rubber for the Baby Bears before Lloyd Bradley was summoned to the hill. First baseman Anderson of the Khakis was the only member of either team to record a pair of base blows. One of his safeties went for three bases.
Corbin (L), Bradley (7) and Bamford
Ruhl (W) and Toccoli
(September 11) Before the largest crowd to witness a ball game at Cairns Field this season, the Saskatoon Cubs defeated the Dundurn Army nine by a score of 4 to 2 in a six-inning game to win the Northern Saskatchewan senior baseball championship. Ross “Lefty” Arnold, the Cubs’ hurler, accounted for 14 of the 18 putouts in the abbreviated contest by the strikeout route, while allowing seven hits. Trann, who toiled for the Soldiers, gave up six hits, walked three and fanned a pair. Trailing 1 to 0, the Cubs scored all four of their runs in the third inning when they bunched three doubles, a single, a base on balls and a fielder’s choice. Portsider Arnold fanned three batters in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings. Army backstop Toccoli seemed to have his number, however, and touched him for a triple plus a pair of one-baggers. No one in the Saskatoon lineup had more than one hit. Outfielder Gordon Thompson lit Trann up for a triple while Arnold and Doug Bentley provided doubles.
Trann (L) and Toccoli
Arnold (W) and Prediger
Moose Jaw had no senior baseball in 1943. What few civilian ball players there were from the Mill City and area tended to hook up with the Regina-based teams.