1925 Vancouver, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley
1925 BC Interior
1925 Vancouver Island
OKANAGAN SENIOR BASEBALL
(July 16) In exhibition action Penticton defeated Summerland, the Okanagan International League pennant winners, 10-6 Thursday on the Summerland diamond. A six-run inning provided the margin of victory for Penticton. The winners combined walks by Ritchie, the Summerland hurler, hit batters, hits and errors in the big frame. Lockwood and McKenzie, the Penticton hurlers turned in some good heaving. Summerland took the title and the Roe Cup owing to the default of the Oroville team in the final game of the season.
KOOTENAY INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
All four KIBL entrants from the 1924 season, including pennant-winning Rossland, threw their hats into the ring for a second go-round in 1925.
(May 10) Nelson manhandled Trail to the tune of 15 to 1 in a pre-season exhibition tilt played in the Lakeside City. The winners grabbed 15 base knocks including a home run by “Scotty” Notman while the Smeltermen managed seven safeties. Notman had three other bingles in addition to his dinger. Shortpatcher Dick Whitehead stood out defensively for the victors, making a number of outstanding plays.
DeMore (L), Loeske (5), Kraft and Blair
Kozak (W), Scanlan and Lindstrom
(May 17) The balltossers from Ione WA dropped a close 9 to 8 decision to the hosting Nelson nine in a seesaw contest before a large crowd. Shortstop Dick Whitehead sparked Nelson’s 15-hit offense with a triple and two doubles. Eric Chapman, in relief of starter Bert Whitehead took the pitching verdict from “Chief” Hull who ripped a double and two singles at the dish.
Hull (L) and Ellersick
B. Whitehead, Chapman (W) (8) and Lindstrom
(May 24) Playing on their home turf, “Chief” Hull and the Ione WA diamondeers gained revenge for their defeat of 24 hours earlier when they doubled the Nelson seniors 6 to 3. Hull fanned nine and limited the invading Nelsonites to five base raps. Both Hull and losing twirler Addie Scanlan, who was nicked for seven safeties, pitched the entire game without issuing a single base on balls. Outfielder Hale of the winners as well as Nelson’s “Scotty” Notman and Dick Whitehead all stroked a pair of safe swats.
Scanlan (L) and Lindstrom
Hull (W) and Ellersick
REGULAR SEASON
(May 31) Opening day play featured homestanding Rossland thrashing Metaline Falls WA 19 to 6 while invading Trail was trounced 14 to 4 by Nelson. The Mining Towners garnered 16 base knocks in picking up where they left off last season. Fly chaser Jones accumulated four of them, all singles, while “Dutch” Singer ripped a double and two singles. Donnie Dewar laced a triad of one baggers and sibling K. Dewar a triple and double. Ernie Johnson, Rossland backstop, sustained a badly smashed thumb in the fourth inning on a foul tip and will be out of the lineup indefinitely.
DeHuff (L), Ogle and Blanchard
Marsters (W) and E. Johnson, Molisky (4)
The Lakesiders took command of their home opener by plating a five-spot in the opening canto. They went on to out slug the Silver City nine with 14 base blows to 11 for the visitors. Shortstop Dick Whitehead of the victors led all willow wielders with a brace of doubles plus two singles. His teammate, catcher Lindstrom, stung the pill for three one-baggers, a feat matched by first sacker Conrad of the Trailites. Nelson’s hot corner custodian “Scotty” Notman was best in the power department, creaming the orb for a triple and double.
Bjorklund (L), DeMore (1) and Marshall
Scanlan (W) and Lindstrom
(June 7) Defending KIBL champion Rossland won for the second straight time, coming from behind to edge Trail 9 to 8. Nelson travelled to Metaline Falls and was bounced 9 to 7 by the Washingtonians. A ninth-inning collapse by the hosting Smelter Towners, who led throughout, allowed the Rossland crew to snatch victory from defeat. A pair of bases on balls, a double by Donnie Dewar, a hit batter and an infield error opened the door for the dramatic comeback triumph by the Golden City squad. Both teams had nine safeties. Dewar had another two-bagger earlier in the contest while outfielder Copak and keystone sacker K. Dewar of the winners as well as flychaser “Patsy” Morgan and third baseman Langley of Trail all rang up two-hit totals.
Nelson, Marsters (W) and Molisky
Demidoff (L), DeMore (9) and Marshall
In spite of outhitting their American hosts by a 13 to 7 margin over the course of the contest, the invading Lakesiders also booted the ball far more frequently and fell behind by a 9 to 1 count after seven stanzas had been played. Rallies in the eighth and ninth panels were insufficient, however, in pulling them out of that hole. In defeat, Nelson moundsman “Slim” Kraft whiffed 14. Both he and winning tosser McLean also did well with the baton, each picking up two base hits. Second baseman McLellan of the vanquished nine was top dog with the hickory in this fracas, registering a trio of bingles.
Kraft (L) and Lindstrom
McLean (W) and Dunn
(June 14) Undefeated Rossland remained at the top of the KIBL by hammering winless Trail 22 to 3 in the Golden City. The Rosslanders collected 21 hits off the slants of four Trail pitchers. Imports Herb Rotchford and Leo Burke, both from the college ranks at Gonzaga, led the offensive attack for the winners, each pelting the horsehide for five safeties. Right behind them came Donnie Dewar who had four base blows including a home run. Winning moundsman “Skid” Marsters allowed three hits and one run in five frames before retiring for the day with a comfortable lead.
Dembro (L), Demidoff (3), xxx, xxx and xxx
Marsters (W), Kozak (6), Molisky (9) and E. Johnson
In the other league tussle, Nelson humbled the invading Metaline Falls nine 16 to 6. It was a heavy-hitting affair with the Lakesiders accumulating 16 of the 27 base blows manufactured in the contest. Three of the Washingtonians, outfielder Skivington, catcher Dunn and second baseman Siegel, each ripped the apple for a trio of safe swats. Every player in Nelson’s lineup had at least one base rap with catcher Lindstrom leading the way with three singles. Keystone sacker McLellan showed the best power swing, cuffing the horsehide for a brace of doubles. Winning hurler “Slim” Kraft rang up ten whiffs in going the route.
DeHuff (L), Schurch (5) and Dunn
Kraft (W) and Lindstrom
(June 21) Nelson’s diamond pastimers annihilated the visiting Trail nine 18 to 1. It was the first time playing together for most of the Silver City squad and they appeared unsure of themselves defensively and passive at the plate.
McDaniels (L), Routledge and Blair
Kraft (W) and Lindstrom
(June 28) Rossland kept rolling along, knocking of their closest challenger, the Nelson nine, 4 to 1. “Skid” Marsters, with a seven-hitter, took the mound decision over “Slim” Kraft. The infield defense of the Mountain Men was the feature of the contest as they pulled off four fast double plays. Leo Burke led the nine-hit attack of the winners, clipping the orb for a double and two singles. Leadoff hitter Mickey Argue was the top baton swinger for the Lakesiders, collecting a triad of one-baggers.
Kraft (L) and Lindstrom
Marsters (W) and E. Johnson
Trail’s rejuvenated senior balltossers showed some improvement but still continued in free-fall, dropping a 9 to 8 verdict to the hosting Metaline Falls squad. The Smoke Stack nine had a decided edge offensively over their American hosts, outswatting Metaline Falls by a 16 to 8 margin. Unfortunately for the Trailites, the Washingtonians bunched their hits more efficiently and delivered them in more timely fashion. Second baseman Howard stroked four singles in a losing cause, catcher Blair three doubles and outfielder Griffith/Griffiths three one-baggers, the latter output matching that as achieved by DeHuff, hot corner patroller for the Pend Oreille county club.
Routledge (L), Ryan (8) and Blair
Walser (W) and Dunn
(July 5) In Kootenay International Baseball League action Sunday, Rossland absorbed its first loss while Trail finally got a victory. Nelson topped Rossland 6 to 5 before the home fans and Trail won at home over Metaline Falls, WA, by an 11 to 10 count. In stinging the Golden City baseballers with their initial defeat of the campaign, the Lakesiders lit into the offerings of Don MacKenzie, a Rossland product back from the U.S.college ranks with the University of Washington Huskies, for 16 base blows including five doubles. Einar Kraft, on the hill for the winners, gave up ten safeties and fanned seven while McKenzie breezed 11. Flychaser Hughie Horswill was dialed in at the plate for the Nelsonites, slapping out four singles in five attempts. His outer pasture buddy, Mickey Argue, delivered three one-baggers while Herb Rotchford paced the Mining Towners offensively with a triple and two singles.
MacKenzie (L) and E. Johnson
Kraft (W) and Lindstrom
After five straight losses, the Silver City diamondeers finally triumphed in a see-saw affair in which play was ragged at times. The Smoke Stackmen outswatted the Cement Factory nine by a 13 to 10 margin but were in arrears for most of the game. Trail’s starting flinger Routledge had a double and single before he was given the hook. His teammate, first baseman Ryan replicated that output. Garnering a brace of one-baggers each were third baseman DeHuff and outfielder Skivington of the Washingtonians as well as shortstop Buckley, catcher Blair and flychasers Benson and Griffith of the victorious nine.
Walser (L) and Dunn
Routledge, Long (W) and Blair
(July 12) Hosting Rossland plated six second-inning markers, a three-spot in the seventh stanza and two more insurance tallies in the eighth canto to take down the newly-strengthened Trail aggregation 11 to 7 at the Recreation ball park. Don MacKenzie, who came on in relief in the fourth stanza, struck out 13 in going the rest of the way for the mound triumph. Rossland’s starting twirler, “Skid” Marsters, had five whiffs which gave their pitching corps 18 punchouts during the joust. Several errors at inopportune times played a pivotal role in the demise of the Smelter Towners who had forged ahead 7 to 6 entering the bottom of the seventh chapter. Trail first baseman Ryan singled three times in a losing cause. Acquiring a pair of safe swats apiece were Bill Molisky of the Mountain Men and Trail backstop Gibson. Warren “Tick” Hall belted a four-bagger for the vanquished nine who out-hit their opponents 10 to 8.
Long (L) and Gibson
Marsters, MacKenzie (W) (4) and E. Johnson
Metaline Falls stung the pill hard and often, snowing under the visiting Nelson aggregation 13 to 6. There were several new faces in the lineup of the Washington state contingent, among them a few players from the Trail Intermediate Shieks. The Washingtonians took control of the game by scoring four times in each of the fifth and sixth innings. Winning pitcher Al Pradolini had nine punchouts and, for good measure, went yard with a four-ply tater.
Kraft (L), Scanlan (7) and Lindstrom
Pradolini (W) and Allen
Standings W L Pct.
Rossland 5 1 .833
Nelson 4 3 .571
Metaline Falls 3 3 .500
Trail 1 6 .143
(July 19) Rossland’s diamond troopers maintained their hold on first place in the KIBL when they travelled to Trail and hammered the Smelter City aggregation 10 to 2. The Trailites managed just five hits during the clash, three off the bat of outfielder Drew, but it was their shoddy defensive work at crucial times which doomed them. Shortstop Herb Rotchford had two of Rossland’s seven safeties, one of which was a two-bagger.
Marsters, MacKenzie (W) and Gorton
Long (L) and Gibson
Runner-up Nelson edged past third-place Metaline Falls WA 7 to 6 in the other league fracas. The Cement Factory Gang grabbed an early 3 to 0 lead which quickly evaporated. For the balance of the skirmish, they trailed but made a valiant attempt to knot the count in their last turn at bat. Einar “Slim” Kraft, who doused the flames of the opening-frame Metaline Falls uprising, pitched the remainder of the game for the victors, allowing just four hits while punching out 17. Outfielder Hunt, with a double and two singles, had three of the Lakesiders’ eleven base hits.
Pradolini (L) and Dunn
Scanlan, Kraft (W) (1) and Lindstrom
(July 26) Rossland’s crack nine avenged their their lone defeat so far this season when they crushed the invading Nelson squad 10 to 3. Catcher Ernie Johnson of the Mining Towners blasted a four-bagger in support of his batterymate, winning chucker Don MacKenzie.
Scott (L), Kraft (5) and Lindstrom
MacKenzie (W) and E. Johnson
Metaline Falls, playing with a number of Trail Intermediate Shieks’ members in their lineup, clipped the bottom-feeding Trail seniors 7 to 4 in the Washington town. Big Al Pradolini breezed 13 in copping the mound verdict. Both he and losing chucker R. Hall were touched for six bingles. First sacker Drew of the Trail nine and outfielder Louis DeMore of the hosts, with a double and single each, were the only swatters to accumulate plural hit totals.
R. Hall (L) and Blair
Pradolini (W) and Dunn
(August 2) A cool and collected band of Rossland diamondeers won their third out of four meetings with Nelson, pounding the Lakesiders 11 to 5 right on their home turf. The Rosslanders spanked the sphere for 21 safeties and led all the way after scoring once in the top of the initial canto. Every player in the Rossland lineup collected at least one safety as outfielder Lauriente led the way with five bingles including a home run and a double. Third baseman Bill Molisky wasn’t far behind, cuffing the orb for a double and three one-baggers. Not to be outdone, shortstop Herb Rotchford chipped in with a triple, double and single.
Marsters (W), MacKenzie (6) and E. Johnson
Kraft (L) and Lindstrom
Meanwhile, Metaline Falls continued their late-season charge for second spot in the KIBL when they dumped homestanding Trail 7 to 4. The invaders took kindly to the offerings of Trail starting pitcher Routledge, building up an early lead while sending him to the showers in the fourth frame. Outfielder Louis DeMore and third baseman Bill DiPasquali, recruits from the Trail Intermediate Shieks, paced the American squad offensively, each picking up a triple and two singles. First baseman Ryan and hot corner guardian Buckley, who made a pair of acrobatic defensive plays, both belted home runs for the Silver City nine.
Hull (W) and Dunn
Routledge (L), R. Hall (4) and A. Hall
(August 9) Metaline Falls baseballers were trimmed 6 to 1 by the hosting Rossland entry in KIBL action. The victory for the repeat pennant-winning Rosslanders was their ninth in ten starts.
Hull (L) and Dunn
Marsters (W) and Molisky
In the other KIBL event of the afternoon, a ragged and hard-hitting affair, hosting Nelson bludgeoned their way past cellar-dwelling Trail, creaming the Smelter City nine 15 to 10. Both teams stung the horsehide with authority in this contest but loose defensive play on the part of the Smelter Towners was the decisive factor in their downfall. In total, the Trailites booted the ball on ten occasions. Nelson’s baton swingers racked up 15 base blows to 14 for the visitors. Infielder “Scotty” Notman paced the winners at the dish with four singles. The leading Trail batter was flychaser Benson with a three-hit output, a triple being part of his swatting production. He was closely followed by initial sacker Ryan who laced a triad of one-baggers. Mickey Argue, patrolling the middle pasture for the Lakesiders, cranked a four-ply circuit-jack.
R. Hall (L) and A. Hall
Kraft (W), Gillette and Lindstrom
(August 16) The Kootenay International Baseball League wound up Sunday with Trail downing Nelson 3 to 1 and Rossland taking both ends of a doubleheader over Metaline Falls, WA, 4 to 3 and 6 to 0. Rossland finished atop the standings with 11 wins in 12 games. Nelson finished at .500 with six wins, Metaline Falls five and Trail just two.
The Silver City nine finished the season on a high note, coming from behind to earn just their second win of the campaign. R. Hall, on the mound for the winners, was nicked for just four safeties while punching out 14 Lakesiders. In the pinches, he was almost invincible. Middle pasture patroller Drew led the Smoke Stackers six-hit offensive output with a home run and a single.
Kraft (L) and Lindstrom
R. Hall (P) and Gibson
Don MacKenzie, with a two-hitter and 12 punchouts in the opener, and “Skid” Marsters were the complete-game winners for the Golden City baseballers at Metaline Falls. Hurling both contests for the Pend Oreille county nine was slab artist Hull.
MacKenzie (W) and E. Johnson
Hull (L) and Dunn
Marsters (W) and E. Johnson
Hull (L) and Dunn
Final Standings W L Pct.
Rossland 11 1 .917
Nelson 6 6 .500
Metaline Falls 5 7 .417
Trail 2 10 .167
BOUNDARY INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE
Coverage of play within this third-year loop ended prematurely at the end of June in the Grand Forks Gazette as the local Kettle River entry struggled to stay out of the BIBL basement for most of the season. No standings were ever published and, as it became crystal clear that neither of the British Columbia entries were in contention for the BIBL pennant, game results for 1925 ceased to be included in the Gazette. As a result, it is unknown as to which of the three Washington state teams finally captured the flag.
(April 26) Heavy hitting and poor defensive play defined the BIBL opener which saw Curlew come out on the long end of a 16 to 12 verdict with Grand Forks. The Butter Towners crushed the offerings of losing pitcher Galipeau for 16 solid hits and were aided along with seven boots by the Forkmen. Merle Nelson got credit for the hillock triumph. Galipeau had a triple to go along with two singles for the conquered nine.
Galipeau (L) and Foote
Nelson (W), Milton (7) and Brown
(May 10) Grand Forks collected 13 hits en route to a 12 to 6 doubling of the Malo WA baseballers. Up until the eighth and ninth innings when he weakened considerably, winning hurler Ken Henderson had the Indian sign on the Malo balltossers.
Perkins (L) and Cundy
Henderson (W), Galipeau (9) and Atwood
(May 17) Hosting Midway went on a rampage in the third inning, scoring all seven of their counters in a 7 to 3 BIBL victory over Grand Forks. Winning pitcher Wilts had only one bad inning, the seventh when the Kettle River visitors plated their three tallies, and finished with a seven-hitter while ringing up 13 punchouts.
Henderson (L), Crowe (3) and Atwood
Wilts (W) and Turner
(May 31) The visitors from Republic battered the hosting Grand Forks nine 14 to 5. No game details or batteries were published.
(June 7) In a game that lacked pep and sustained action, the Curlew diamond troopers walked all over homestanding Grand Forks 8 to 3. Winning tosser Merle Nelson faced only 33 Grand Forks batters in the nine-inning lacklustre event.
Nelson (W) and Brown
Henderson (L) and Foote
(June 21) The Grand Forks baseball team broke into the winning column when they journeyed to Malo and captured a 13 to 10 ten-inning decision from the Washingtonians. No game details or batteries were printed.
(June 28) An 11 to 10 triumph over hosting Midway allowed the Grand Forks entry in the BIBL to escape from being left in the cellar position. No other details were shown in the published snippet.
EAST KOOTENAY / SELKIRK LEAGUE
(May 3) The East Kootenay Amateur Baseball League opened with Lumberton, Wycliffe and Kimberley coming out as winners. At Kimberley, the home team had no difficulty in beating Cranbrook while Lumberton trounced Wardner and Wycliffe took the measure of the Concentrator.
(May 10) Lumberton took a trip to the Concentrator and came out on the long end of an 18 to 8 score. Kimberley travelled to Wardner and prevailed 3 to 2.
In the third contest, hosting Cranbrook defeated Wycliffe 5 to 4.
Jahren (L) and Hinton
Woodman WL) and Barth
(May 17) Winning pitcher Pennington tossed a five-hitter as invading Kimberley blanked Wycliffe 1 to 0. Results of the other two scheduled games were not located.
Pennington (W) and Vaughn
Jahren (L) and Hinton
(May 31) First-place Kimberley beat Concentrator 9 to 4 while Wycliffe doubled Lumberton 4 to 2. Cranbrook, meanwhile, gained an undivided hold on second place in the East Kootenay loop by overcoming a 4 to 0 deficit to decision visiting Wardner 6 to 4.
Standings W L Pct.
Kimberley 4 0 1.000
Cranbrook 3 1 .750
Wycliffe 2 2 .500
Lumberton 2 2 .500
Wardner 1 3 .250
Concentrator 0 4 .000
(June 7) Kimberley remained undefeated, clobbering Lumberton 25 to 5. Homestanding Cranbrook dumped winless Concentrator 12 to 4 while Wycliffe took over sole possession of third place with a 6 to 4 triumph over Wardner.
(June 14) It took ten innings for Wycliffe to subdue the Concentrator nine 6 to 4.
E. Staples, Jahren (W) (8) and xxx
Nagle (L) and xxx
Lumberton got past Wardner 11 to 7 as winning pitcher Bob Mitchell ripped a pair of triples.
Mitchell (W) and Lavoie
F. Thompson (L), Daw and H. Thompson
The result of the scheduled Kimberley-Cranbrook game was not found.
(June 21) Wycliffe scored eight runs in the opening inning and swamped Cranbrook 16 to 2. The win moved Wycliffe into second place in the EKBL. Winning pitcher Jahren held Cranbrook to six hits and also clubbed a circuit-clout.
Woodman (L), Logan and Hogarth
Jahren (W) and Hinton
Playing on their own lot, Lumberton won a highly-contested game, 4 to 1, from the Concentrator.
Nagle (L) and McMahon
Mitchell (W) and Lavoie
Wardner gave hosting Kimberley a great battle, losing out by only one run, 6 to 5. The Miners scored all six of their counters in the first two frames and drew goose eggs the rest of the game. The win was Kimberley’s seventh straight.
Reed (L) and H. Thompson
C. Musser (W), Crerar and Vaughn
(June 28) The Kimberley baseballers met their first defeat of the campaign, a 10 to 8 setback at the hands of hosting Wycliffe. It was the fourth consecutive victory for second-place Wycliffe. Lumberton journeyed to Cranbrook and came away with a 4 to 2 win, a victory which allowed them to take over sole possession of third place. Wardner prevailed over winless Concentrator 6 to 4 in the third clash of the day.
Standings W L Pct.
Kimberley 7 1 .875
Wycliffe 6 2 .750
Lumberton 5 3 .625
Cranbrook 4 4 .500
Wardner 2 6 .250
Concentrator 0 8 .000
(July 5) Lumberton edged past Wycliffe 2 to 1 to gain a share of second place. Kimberley clinched top-spot in the standings with a win over the Concentrator aggregation while visiting Cranbrook prevailed 14 to 11 over Wardner.
(July 8) In a rescheduled contest, originally slated to be played July 12th, the cellar-dwelling Concentrator nine ended their season on a successful note, doubling the invading Cranbrook squad 4 to 2.
(July 12) In the final two games of the season, Wycliffe went down to defeat against Wardner and pennant-winning Kimberley toppled Lumberton.
Final Standings W L Pct.
Kimberley 9 1 .900
Wycliffe 6 4 .600
Lumberton 6 4 .600
Cranbrook 5 5 .500
Wardner 3 7 .300
Concentrator 1 9 .100
(July 13) A tragedy occurred during a ball game at Wycliffe Sunday. Damon Foster, an infielder with the local team died in hospital Monday from injuries received when struck on the head during batting practice before the scheduled game with Wardner. While stooping to pick up a bat he was struck by another bat that flew from the hands of teammate Ingie Johren who was hitting fly balls to the outfielders.. He was 42. Foster, from Iowa, was recognized as one of the best all-around athletes to graduate from Davenport high school. He was a member of the track, football, basketball and baseball teams.