Vancouver 1950 Preview

Caps to Aim at Yakima
By Alf Cottrell
(Vancouver, B.C. Daily Province)
PENTICTON, B.C., Apr. 3—Bob Brown, the poor man’s Connie Mack, is authority for the statement that his 1950 Vancouver Capilanos are ready to take dead aim at the powerhouse Yakima squad, front runners of 1949.
In fact, the veteran Vancouver executive says the Capilano slogan for 1950 is “Beat — out of Yakima!”
Bill Brenner, ex-U.S. army air force major, is back in the managerial driving seat. Summarizing the prospects of his 1950 squad, Brenner says it appears potentially stronger than the team did at this time last year.
Last season the Caps cut close to the bone in most departments. That was so they could lavish strength on the pitching staff. The pattern hasn’t been altered.
Four of 1949’s mound staff are back: Hunk Anderson, Bob Snyder, Carl Gunnarson and Bob Costello. Of the new pitchers, Paul Spurlock, Kevin King, Steve Kuljis and Mike Kanshin were in the Seattle Rainiers’ camp at Palm Springs this season.
Spurlock. an outsize right-hander was with Medford in the Far West league last season. King was with El Centro in the Sunset loop. Kanshin won 12 and lost 12 with tailed
Riverside of the same circuit. Kuljis is a Bellingham semi-pro.
Brenner says he doesn't see how any of these can miss. All are big. Each has poise. Other young pitchers due to stick for a while at least are Bob Brunner, bought from the St. Louis Browns; Harry Nygard with Idaho Falls last year and Lee Shinn.
Seven other young pitchers sent in by various scouts friendly to Owner Bob Brown are trying out. With these, the spring pitching staff has made up more than half the squad.
The catching staff is headed by Brenner himself. There are few better in the Coast league. He will be helped by Earl Motsinger and Bill Heisner. Motsinger, who was with Springfield in the Three-Eye League last year, was bought from the St. Louis Browns. Heisner is on option from the Rainiers.
The Caps have lanky Bob McLean, who stands six-five, back at first base. Ray Tran will operate again at shortstop and galloping Jimmy Robertson at third.
The new face in the infield is at second base. It is the property of 19-year-old Jimmy Moore. Last year, his first in professional ball, he spent with Great Falls, fielding sensationally and hitting .299. The Caps feel sure about him; this is no other second base candidate.

Capilanos-Great Falls To Link Again

Selectrics Look To Other Clubs for Help
BALTIMORE, Dec. 11 — Several teams have promised to help the Great Falls Selectrics in finding players for next year, General Manager Nick Mariana said.
Mariana, here for the minor league meetings said the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast league and the Vancouver club of the Western International league both have assured him they would help out wherever possible.
The Selectrics had a working agreement with Seattle during their first two seasons with the Pioneer league. The club cancelled that arrangement after the end of the 1949 season and sought to complete a tie-up with the Cleveland Indians of the American league.
The Indians announced this week they could not make such an arrangement this year. But Mariana reported "we may also receive some help from Cleveland, anyway. It depends upon whether or not the Indians will have a surplus of talent from the West Coast."
Mariana said the new Kennewick entry to the Western International league may assist the Great Falls club.
He emphasized that the Selectrics are in no desperate need of help, however. "We are in a much better position today on the matter of players than we were when we started the season in 1949," he said.