Baseball and high finance? Not on the prairies in the 50s.
The total cost of running the 1956 Saskatoon Gems was a little less than $45,000 -- about the same amount Texas shortstop Alex Rodriguez draws these days for a single at bat (25-million-dollars/624 at bats).
The Lloydminster Meridians managed to survive on a budget of $29,000! The Meridians ended the season with a loss of $1,387.99 while the Gems ran a deficit of $6,074.53.
There were no big radio or television contracts. In fact, there were none. Income came almost entirely from gate receipts.
A major difference between the clubs was in the amount paid for park rental. The Gems ran a tab of $8,429.90 for park fees and taxes. Meridians managed to limit their similar expenses to $1,527.70. The clubs were "in the ballpark" on salaries -- $17,000 by the Gems, $14,000 by Lloydminster. (It appears, however, that the Gems ate and slept nearly twice as well with hotel and meal expenses of $2,700 by Saskatoon, just $1,400 by the Meridians.)
The Gems also ran the Concession Stand at the park, but reported an operating loss of $3.55 on sales of more than $10,000.
At the end of the season, the Gems pleaded with City Hall to write-off $2,076.31 which the club owned the Playgrounds Association (as an agreed upon percentage of season ticket sales). The City turned down the request.
The financial statements follow (in the form presented at the time). Thanks to Jeff O'Brien, City of Saskatoon Archivist, for keeping an eye out for information for Western Canada Baseball.
SASKATOON GEM BASEBALL CLUB
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Baseball)
for the year ended November, 1956
Revenue:
Gate Receipts (including playoff receipts of $2,795.25) $21,166.40
Season tickets 11,009.25
32,175.65
Deduct - Park Rental (Gate Receipts) $ 4,419.74
- Park Rental (Season tickets) 2,0?6.31 $ 6,496.05
- Amusement tax (Gate Receipts) 1,181.16
- Amusement tax (Season tickets) 752.69 1,933.85 8,429.90
Net Revenue from Gate and Season tickets 23,745.75
Share of Receipts re games played in U.S.A. 1,215.30
Lloydminster 100.00
Booster Club Tickets 715.00
Advertising - J. Rak 700.00
- Gem Cafe 300.00
- Other 1,000.00 2,000.00
Players Sales 600.00
Tournament Receipts 1,150.00
Receipt from Optimist Club -re Milwaukee Trip 8l.67
Total Revenue 29,607.72
Less Expenses:
Players Wages 17,004.97
Office Wages and Salaries 2,438.08
Players Transportation 3,347.54
Players Training Expense 637.00
Trainers Fees and Medical Fees 363.00
Hotels and Meals 2,744.71
Mileage Expense 2,811.05
League Fees 250.00
Share of Assessment re W.C.B.L. Loss 170.27
Player Purchases 150.00
Advertising 1,121.30
Audit Fees - Thurmeier, Horborenko & Co. 170.00
Equipment Expense 2,022.30
Umpire Fees 873.00
Postage, Printing and tickets 237.95
Telephone and Telegraph 307.89
Bank Charges 8.98
Office Repairs (Grey Cab Offices) 69.96
Painting Expense (Cairns Field) 281.30
Laundry and Dry Cleaning 203.05
Bat Boys 70.00
Police Service 15.44
Milwaukee 162.25
Booster Club Assessment 485.32
Ball Chasers and Scoreboard keeper 257.10
Sundry Expenses 48.31
Apparent Cash Shortage 44.56 36,295.33
Loss from Operations 6,687.61
Deduct: Estimated Valuation of 1956 additions to
equipment on hand 613.08
Net Loss $ 6,074.53
1956 BASEBALL GATE RECEIPTS
Total Gems' Amusement Park
Gate Share Tax Receipts
Jun-03 127.13 101.71 Collection 20.42
Jun-04 191.50 144.01 11.49 25.75
Jun-06 50.37 40.30 Collection 4.47
Jun-09 2012.00 1535.20 94.45 369.35
Jun-11 697.25 530.00 34.75 119.50
Jun-12 471.00 357.41 24.24 77.35
Jun-18 647.00 482.64 42.26 110.10
Jun-19 492.25 373.54 25.33 81.38
Jun-25 673.25 510.66 34.93 116.66
Jun-27 835.75 634.05 43.19 145.51
Jun-28 607.75 461.13 31.34 102.28
Jun-30 528.75 395.99 33.77 86.99
Jul-01 344.70 270.12 7.05 56.53
Jul-05 799.50 606.52 41.35 139.63
Jul-09 763.00 579.01 39.24 132.75
Jul-10 563.75 427.57 29.29 94.89
Jul-12 702.25 532.07 37.16 121.02
Jul-13 418.75 317.56 21.80 67.39
Jul-14 302.50 229.36 15.81 45.33
Jul-14 359.00 272.45 18.44 56.11
Jul-16 505.75 383.62 26.23 83.90
Jul-19 646.75 490.76 33.30 110.69
Jul-20 905.00 686.64 46.70 159.66
Jul-26 514.00 390.08 26.41 85.51
Jul-30 768.25 583.02 39.48 133.75
Aug-02 771.75 585.98 39.28 134.49
Aug-05 383.90 301.48 7.05 66.37
Aug-08 396.00 300.49 20.39 63.12
Aug-09 1111.00 843.25 56.94 197.81
Aug-10 839.75 637.25 43.19 147.31
Aug-14 408.50 309.74 21.32 65.44
Aug-15 834.75 633.51 42.88 146.36
Aug-17 379.50 287.76 19.82 57.92
Aug-18 175.00 133.10 8.64 21.26
Aug-20 273.50 207.36 14.32 39.82
Aug-21 221.50 166.29 12.39 30.82
Aug-24 694.00 526.65 35.71 118.64
Aug-25 223.50 169.42 11.73 30.35
Aug-27 1116.75 847.91 56.86 119.98
Aug-29 1696.50 1288.22 86.23 310.05
$24,453.10 $18,573.83 $1,234.76 $4,176.66*
(* The figure should have been $4,096.66)
Lloydminster and District Baseball Assn.
Balance Sheet as as Nov. 27, 1956
Assets
Cash on Hand 76.00
Cash in Bank 295.07
Deposits 500.00
Organization Expense 68.02
Franchise 645.00
Total Assets 1584.09
Liabilities and Net Worth
Loans Payable 4840.00
Bank Loans 2800.00
Accounts Payable 1839.04
Account 600 Car 2145.00
Capital Stock 138 shares @5.00 690.00
Total Liabilities 12314.04
Deficit: Balance 25th Oct/55 7196.96
Add Current Loss 1387.99
Add Cost of 600 Car 2145.00
Balance as at Nov 27 10729.95
Total Liabilities and Net Worth
less Deficit 1584.09
Note Inventory
Baseballs 118.75
Bats 200.00
Uniforms 800.00
Tickets and Stationery 100.00
Balance of Tickets on 100.00
600 car
Profit and Loss Statement for the 1956 Season
of the Lloydminster and District Baseball Assn.
Revenues
Gate Receipts/Cash Admits 16,883.43
Reserve seats 710.85
Season Ticket 2,290.00
19,884.28
Less Amusement Tax 1,227.70
Net Gate Receipts 18,656.58
Concession Rental 428.09
Sound System 50.00
Gross Operating Revenue 19,134.67
Less Operating Expenses
Office, Admin. & Advt. 1,420.99
Equipment Exp. 1,888.14
Travelling Exp. 6,642.25
ManDak League 800.00
Meals and Rooms 1,474.68
Ball Chasers 117.00
Exchange and Interest 361.22
Umpires and Gatemen 772.35
Park Rental 300.00
Ground Expenses 522.95
Salaries 14,624.95
Medical 294.94 29,219.47
Net Operating Loss 10,084.80
Auxillary Revenues
Bingo 33.00
W.C.B.L. raffle 906.53
Donations 2,348.45
Sportsmans Dinner 611.75
Grey Cup Film 174.68
Hockey Pool 256.00
Fashion Show 64.00
Crown & Anchor 166.00
Bingo 4 Car 3,386.40
600 Club 750.00
Total Auxillary Revenue 8,696.81
Net Loss 1956 Season 1,387.99
Plus Cost of 600 Club Car