1947 marked the inaugural of what would become one of the highlights of a prairie summer.  The small community of Indian Head had held a tournament in July with 29 teams competing in junior and amateur categories. The weather was perfect. More than 10-thousand people turned out.  With that success, organizers decided to try promoting another tourney, with higher-level competition, to be held in August.  And, with prize money -- $2,000.  

The two-day event drew an estimated 15-thousand fans with George Ligon's Colored All-Stars "from California, or some other spot south of the snowline" walking away with the title. They whipped the Wilcox Cardinals 13-0 in the final. The inaugural tournament featured a no-hitter by Jack Devine of Marquis. 

One of the featured performers in the 1947 event was Bert Shepard, a minor league pitcher before serving in the Second World War.  When his fighter plane crashed in Germany, doctors amputated his right leg.  While in a POW camp, Shepard, with an artificial leg, learned to walk and pitch. Back home in 1945, he suited up as pitching coach of the Washington Senators. In a remarkable achievement, Shepard took the mound on August 5th, 1945 against Boston.  He pitched five and one third innings (three hits, one walk, two strikeouts, 1.69).  At Indian Head, Shepard, lined up with Williston, North Dakota,  pitched a three-hitter against the Ligon's, but lost 1-0. 

MANITOBA SENIOR LEAGUE  
1947 Photo Gallery 
1947 Winnipeg Reos 
1947 CUAC Blues  

NORTH SASKATCHEWAN LEAGUE  
Saskatoon Cubs
Saskatoon Army & Navy
North Battleford Beavers
Delisle Commodores
Colonsay Monarchs
1947 Photo Gallery 
1947 North Battleford Beavers  

NORTHEASTERN SK LEAGUE  
NESL History

BIG FOUR LEAGUE  
Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Cubs
Calgary Purity 99
Calgary Buffaloes
1947 Game Reports  
1947 Alberta Photo Gallery

FOOTHILLS LEAGUE  
Claresholm, Stavely, Parkland, High River

  
The Winnipeg Free Press reported another victory for the Delisle Commando baseball club, its 79th win in 80 games in the final of the Yorkton Knights of Pythias Tournament.  Delisle featuring the Bentley brothers, edged Viscount 3-1 to take top money for the 25th time in 26 tournaments.    (Winnipeg Free Press, August 1, 1947)

" ... The fabulous Bentley sports family of Delisle are enacting the starring role in baseball this summer.  No fewer than five Bentleys, headed by Max and Doug, are on their town's team which is holding down first place in the Northern Saskatchewan league.  Max himself tossed a one hit ball game a few weeks ago.  Too bad they couldn't make Peterson's Osborne tournament."  (Winnipeg Free Press, August 2, 1947)

1947 was the initial season of the Big Four Intercity League which, for four summers, would provide top notch baseball in Edmonton (Cubs and Eskimos) and Calgary (Buffaloes and Purity 99). The Purity 99s downed the Eskimos in six games to capture the championship.

(May 17)   In the opening game of the Big Four Baseball League season, Edmonton Cubs shaded Calgary Purity 99 3-2.  Andy "Pinch" Chlovechok had two hits for the winners.

(August 15)   In the first game under the lights at Edmonton's Renfrew Park, Edmonton Eskimos topped Calgary Buffaloes 6-1.  Stewart of the Esks provided the game's highlight with an inside-the-park homer in the third inning.
 

Game Reports

Aug 4, 1947 ... Roy Minish tossed a seven-hitter and fanned 19 as Brandon Greys topped Minot Legionaires 7-0 in the opener of an exhibition doubleheader.  Dave McConachie led the Greys with three hits including a triple.  Jack Thompson had four safeties for Minot.

Dart
Minish

Ed Claussen had 14 strikeouts in the 7-inning nightcap as Minot won, 4-1. 

Claussen
Mathesuis