Southpaw Signed
OAKLAND, Feb. 20—Fred Besana, 18, left-handed pitching star from Lincoln—near Sacramento—has been signed to a Wenatchee baseball club contract and leaves tomorrow for
Mesa to work out with the Oaks and the Wenatchee team. The Washington club is an Oakland farm team.
Besana stands 6 feet-1 inch, weighs 175, and according to Oakland president Clarence (Brick)
Laws, is a speed thrower and a far better than average hitter.
[Besana went through the Oaks system and played in Vancouver, where Oakland moved in 1956. That year, he finished 1-13]
CAPS SIGN TWO
VANCOUVER, B.C., Feb. 22—Righthanders Lou Schinn and Jim Cobb have been signed Capilanos of the of Sacramento by Vancouver Western International baseball league, manager Bob Brown said Wednesday.
Both will pitch in spring training with the Caps at Penticton, B.C., starting March 25.
ONTARIO Calif., Feb. 23 — Manager Del Baker thinks he's found another starter for the San Diego Padres pitching staff this season.
The hurler is John Marshall, a rookie up from Bremerton in the Western International league.
Marshall's speed and poise featured yesterday's drills here. The rookie won 22 games for Bremerton last year.
EL CENTRO, Calif., Feb. 23 —Catcher Roy Partee was expected to sign his 1950 contract with the San Francisco Seals today, leaving only two players on the Seal holdout list.
Outfielder Walt Judnich and shortstop Dick Briskie, rookies up from Yakima, are the holdouts.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Tri-City Situational
Professional Baseball Slated For Tri-City Area This Year
By Don Carlson
KENNEWICK—On April 18, 1950, the Tri-City Braves Baseball club will open the season in their new $100.000 park in the Kennewick highlands and professional baseball for the Tri-City area will be an enjoyable reality.
Dick Richards, vice-president and general manager of the club which was organized late in 1949, said:
“Baseball fans in the Tri-City area deserve the best in baseball entertainment — and the Braves will strive to furnish this for them. We are looking forward to giving the fans a successful, enjoyable season.”
Professional baseball for the area germinated in the summer of 1949 when a group of business-like sportsmen, upon learning that the Wenatchee Chiefs were interested in a new location, formed the Tri-City Baseball association. Les Babcock, Kennewick businessman, was elected president. The group sold stock in the association and succeeded in getting the owners of the franchise of the Chiefs, a Western International league team, to transfer to the Tri-City area. Construction of the baseball park started immediately.
A First-Division Club
The Chiefs, a first division ball club, were handicapped by a small population center in Wenatchee, and the owners agreed that the Tri-City area would be an ideal home location.
General Manager Richards said:
“The Tri-City area has long been in need of professional baseball because of the limited entertainment facilities. The Braves feel they have the responsibility of giving the fans here a winning ball club and we are hoping the fans will assume the responsibility of actively supporting the team.”
Richards has put a major portion of his life on the diamond, and he has seen the sport from both the player's and manager's angle. In 1927 he played as an infielder with Albany in the New York-Pennsylvania, league and next with Havana in the Cuban Winter league (batting .311). In 1929 he suffered a back injury while playing with Columbus (Ohio) in the American association and his playing career came to an untimely close.
Having worked in vaudeville the nation over, in the movies in Hollywood, and the advertising game in San Francisco, Richards returned to baseball in the early forties by organizing boys' baseball leagues in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In 1945 Richards returned to professional baseball when with Vern Johnson the purchase of the Yakima franchise was completed.
In 1948 the Yakima franchise was sold to the San Francisco Seals and a syndicate was formed to purchase the Wenatchee Chiefs, now transferred to the Tri-City area as the Braves.
Train In California
Spring training for the Braves begins in Lindsay, California on March 20, and the association hopes to have the park in the Kennewick Highlands completed by April 1.
The $100,000 park will be one of the best-lighted fields on the West coast, which, the owners feel, will spur attendance for the 80 home games to be played by the Braves.
The park will seat about 10,000 fans, and will include grandstands, 625 box seats, concession space, an adequate parking lot outside the grounds, modern locker rooms, and a press box. Distances from home plate to the right and left field fences will be 340 feet, and to center, 400 feet—or as Richards put it “a mighty clout.”
-Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Sun., Feb. 19, 1950
By Don Carlson
KENNEWICK—On April 18, 1950, the Tri-City Braves Baseball club will open the season in their new $100.000 park in the Kennewick highlands and professional baseball for the Tri-City area will be an enjoyable reality.
Dick Richards, vice-president and general manager of the club which was organized late in 1949, said:
“Baseball fans in the Tri-City area deserve the best in baseball entertainment — and the Braves will strive to furnish this for them. We are looking forward to giving the fans a successful, enjoyable season.”
Professional baseball for the area germinated in the summer of 1949 when a group of business-like sportsmen, upon learning that the Wenatchee Chiefs were interested in a new location, formed the Tri-City Baseball association. Les Babcock, Kennewick businessman, was elected president. The group sold stock in the association and succeeded in getting the owners of the franchise of the Chiefs, a Western International league team, to transfer to the Tri-City area. Construction of the baseball park started immediately.
A First-Division Club
The Chiefs, a first division ball club, were handicapped by a small population center in Wenatchee, and the owners agreed that the Tri-City area would be an ideal home location.
General Manager Richards said:
“The Tri-City area has long been in need of professional baseball because of the limited entertainment facilities. The Braves feel they have the responsibility of giving the fans here a winning ball club and we are hoping the fans will assume the responsibility of actively supporting the team.”
Richards has put a major portion of his life on the diamond, and he has seen the sport from both the player's and manager's angle. In 1927 he played as an infielder with Albany in the New York-Pennsylvania, league and next with Havana in the Cuban Winter league (batting .311). In 1929 he suffered a back injury while playing with Columbus (Ohio) in the American association and his playing career came to an untimely close.
Having worked in vaudeville the nation over, in the movies in Hollywood, and the advertising game in San Francisco, Richards returned to baseball in the early forties by organizing boys' baseball leagues in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In 1945 Richards returned to professional baseball when with Vern Johnson the purchase of the Yakima franchise was completed.
In 1948 the Yakima franchise was sold to the San Francisco Seals and a syndicate was formed to purchase the Wenatchee Chiefs, now transferred to the Tri-City area as the Braves.
Train In California
Spring training for the Braves begins in Lindsay, California on March 20, and the association hopes to have the park in the Kennewick Highlands completed by April 1.
The $100,000 park will be one of the best-lighted fields on the West coast, which, the owners feel, will spur attendance for the 80 home games to be played by the Braves.
The park will seat about 10,000 fans, and will include grandstands, 625 box seats, concession space, an adequate parking lot outside the grounds, modern locker rooms, and a press box. Distances from home plate to the right and left field fences will be 340 feet, and to center, 400 feet—or as Richards put it “a mighty clout.”
-Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Sun., Feb. 19, 1950
Clint Cameron and Other Chiefs
Clint Tried Salt-water Heel Cure
By Frank T. Blair
IF YOU'RE A BALL PLAYER AND COME UP with a bad heel, you're due for trouble. Ask Joe DiMaggio of the Yanks who has had the most noted ailing heel in baseball and missed a flock of games as a result. Or ask Clint Cameron, the former Hollywood catcher, who will spend a few weeks in Long Beach before joining the Wenatchee club of the Western International League for spring training.
Cameron, who played with the Long Beach Service Stars during several of the war years, coming up from San Diego with his Navy pal, Eddie Bockman, for some Sunday games at Recreation Park, was going well with the Hollywood Stars several years ago when he suffered a heel injury. He reinjured the heel several times and submitted to operations. But he never did fully shake off the .in jury which played a part in his eventual release by the Stars.
Clint is going to spend some time on the local beach each day for the next few weeks in the hopes that the salt water will do things—all of them good—for his touchy heel. He played first base and the outfield for Wenatchee last year and clouted the ball for a gaudy .380 to lead the Western International League batters. With one exception, Cameron's .380 average was the highest registered in 1949 in the minors from Class AAA to Class B, inclusive.
Cameron, a left-handed batter, is a fine natural hitter, as Hollywood fans know. Even on the days when he wasn't catching for the Stars several years ago, he was used frequently as a pinch hitter. Clint is one of my favorite ball players, a swell guy who always has a good word to say for his fellow players.
Pitcher Bill Caplinger of this city was one of Clint's Wenatchee teammates last season. “Bill was one of the toughest guys to hit in the league,” reports Cameron. “The boys on the other teams said that ‘Cap’ and his screwball were really rough. He got a shoulder injury a couple of months before the close of the season and had to leave our club.”
Another Cameron teammate at Wenatchee was Hal Rhyne Jr., whose father played shortstop for Bill Feistner's local Shell Oil teams more than 20 years ago. The elder Rhyne, who was sold by the Seals to the Pittsburgh Pirates, is now employed at
Folsom Prison and lives in a home just outside the prison walls.
“Young Hal hit at about a .500 clip for a couple of months last season,” said Cameron, who is high in praise of the youthful infielder, who will be given a trial at first base by the Sacramento Solons this spring. Rhyne's .360 gave him fourth place in league averages.
- Long Beach Press-Telegram, Wed., Feb. 8, 1950
By Frank T. Blair
IF YOU'RE A BALL PLAYER AND COME UP with a bad heel, you're due for trouble. Ask Joe DiMaggio of the Yanks who has had the most noted ailing heel in baseball and missed a flock of games as a result. Or ask Clint Cameron, the former Hollywood catcher, who will spend a few weeks in Long Beach before joining the Wenatchee club of the Western International League for spring training.
Cameron, who played with the Long Beach Service Stars during several of the war years, coming up from San Diego with his Navy pal, Eddie Bockman, for some Sunday games at Recreation Park, was going well with the Hollywood Stars several years ago when he suffered a heel injury. He reinjured the heel several times and submitted to operations. But he never did fully shake off the .in jury which played a part in his eventual release by the Stars.
Clint is going to spend some time on the local beach each day for the next few weeks in the hopes that the salt water will do things—all of them good—for his touchy heel. He played first base and the outfield for Wenatchee last year and clouted the ball for a gaudy .380 to lead the Western International League batters. With one exception, Cameron's .380 average was the highest registered in 1949 in the minors from Class AAA to Class B, inclusive.
Cameron, a left-handed batter, is a fine natural hitter, as Hollywood fans know. Even on the days when he wasn't catching for the Stars several years ago, he was used frequently as a pinch hitter. Clint is one of my favorite ball players, a swell guy who always has a good word to say for his fellow players.
Pitcher Bill Caplinger of this city was one of Clint's Wenatchee teammates last season. “Bill was one of the toughest guys to hit in the league,” reports Cameron. “The boys on the other teams said that ‘Cap’ and his screwball were really rough. He got a shoulder injury a couple of months before the close of the season and had to leave our club.”
Another Cameron teammate at Wenatchee was Hal Rhyne Jr., whose father played shortstop for Bill Feistner's local Shell Oil teams more than 20 years ago. The elder Rhyne, who was sold by the Seals to the Pittsburgh Pirates, is now employed at
Folsom Prison and lives in a home just outside the prison walls.
“Young Hal hit at about a .500 clip for a couple of months last season,” said Cameron, who is high in praise of the youthful infielder, who will be given a trial at first base by the Sacramento Solons this spring. Rhyne's .360 gave him fourth place in league averages.
- Long Beach Press-Telegram, Wed., Feb. 8, 1950
Feb. League Meeting
WIL Moguls Vote Bonus Finish Deal
TACOMA, Feb. 3 — Western International baseball league directors meeting here today adopted a 150-game schedule for the coming season, to open April 18 and closing Sept. 10.
Victoria will open at Spokane, Vancouver at Tri-Cities, Yakima at Wenatchee and Tacoma at Salem, all on April 18. A week later for other inaugural home dates, Spokane will be at Tacoma, Salem at Victoria, Wenatchee at Vancouver and Tri-Cities at Yakima.
The directors voted a bonus arrangement whereby $6,000 will be split among the four leading teams at the end of the season.
The money will be divided so that $2,250 will go to the top team, $1,500 to the second, $1,250 for third and $1,000 for fourth, the money to be split among the players.
The board also voted for repeal of a National Association regulation which requires that member leagues obtain their umpire replacements through the National Association. WIL leaders believe each league should be allowed to choose promising umpire material from amateur and semi-pro ranks in their own territory.
The board welcomed one new member, George Clark, recently named business manager of the Wenatchee club. Joe Brownlow, who has been acting as the Chief's business head, was also present.
TACOMA, Feb. 3 — Western International baseball league directors meeting here today adopted a 150-game schedule for the coming season, to open April 18 and closing Sept. 10.
Victoria will open at Spokane, Vancouver at Tri-Cities, Yakima at Wenatchee and Tacoma at Salem, all on April 18. A week later for other inaugural home dates, Spokane will be at Tacoma, Salem at Victoria, Wenatchee at Vancouver and Tri-Cities at Yakima.
The directors voted a bonus arrangement whereby $6,000 will be split among the four leading teams at the end of the season.
The money will be divided so that $2,250 will go to the top team, $1,500 to the second, $1,250 for third and $1,000 for fourth, the money to be split among the players.
The board also voted for repeal of a National Association regulation which requires that member leagues obtain their umpire replacements through the National Association. WIL leaders believe each league should be allowed to choose promising umpire material from amateur and semi-pro ranks in their own territory.
The board welcomed one new member, George Clark, recently named business manager of the Wenatchee club. Joe Brownlow, who has been acting as the Chief's business head, was also present.
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Salem Ownership
Salem May Take Over WIL Team
SALEM, Ore., Jan. 26—Twelve Salem businessmen offered yesterday to take over operation of the Salem baseball club of the Western International league.
Howard Maple, leader of the group, said the offer was made to the Portland Beavers, owner of the Salem team. He refused to say how much money was offered to the Beavers, or who the others in the group are.
Maple, who has been negotiating with the Beavers for months, said he thinks he has made an offer which the Beavers can accept.
SALEM, Ore., Jan. 26—Twelve Salem businessmen offered yesterday to take over operation of the Salem baseball club of the Western International league.
Howard Maple, leader of the group, said the offer was made to the Portland Beavers, owner of the Salem team. He refused to say how much money was offered to the Beavers, or who the others in the group are.
Maple, who has been negotiating with the Beavers for months, said he thinks he has made an offer which the Beavers can accept.
Braves Add to Roster
Braves Get First Sacker
KENNEWICK, Wash., Jan. 17—Latest acquisition for the Tri-City Braves is Bill Haschak, first basemen, purchased from Waterloo of the Three-I league.
The 25-year-old first sacker hit .318 to top his club and finish third in the league. In 337 times at bat Haschak collected 53 runs with 107 hits. Fleet on the bags he stole 15 bases.
Although Haschak is not a long ball hitter he got 10 doubles, three triples and two four baggers last year. He drew 29 walks and drove in 31 runs.
In 1948 he played first base for Hot Springs, hitting .314 and was the second best fielding first basemen in the league. Dick Richards, general manager of the Braves, said that Haschak had been purchased outright from the Chicago White Sox.
KENNEWICK, Jan. 29—Quentin White, described as one of the hottest baseball prospects in the Northwest, was signed to a Tri-Cities Braves contract yesterday. The 20-year-old first baseman bats and throws left handed. He will report to the Braves spring training camp in Lindsey, Calif., on March 18.
Last year the six-foot, shock-headed youth nailed down the initial sack position with the Boise Pilots of the Pioneer class 'C' league. However, an appendicitis operation shortly after he season opened benched him.
A native of Spokane, White played high school baseball four years with Lewis and Clark. In 1947, he represented Spokane in the Brooklyn Dodgers sponsored East-West boys game.
In the past three years he has never hit below .325 and his fielding average has hovered consistently at the 1.000 mark. Prior to signing with the Braves White had received offers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox.
KENNEWICK, Wash., Jan. 17—Latest acquisition for the Tri-City Braves is Bill Haschak, first basemen, purchased from Waterloo of the Three-I league.
The 25-year-old first sacker hit .318 to top his club and finish third in the league. In 337 times at bat Haschak collected 53 runs with 107 hits. Fleet on the bags he stole 15 bases.
Although Haschak is not a long ball hitter he got 10 doubles, three triples and two four baggers last year. He drew 29 walks and drove in 31 runs.
In 1948 he played first base for Hot Springs, hitting .314 and was the second best fielding first basemen in the league. Dick Richards, general manager of the Braves, said that Haschak had been purchased outright from the Chicago White Sox.
KENNEWICK, Jan. 29—Quentin White, described as one of the hottest baseball prospects in the Northwest, was signed to a Tri-Cities Braves contract yesterday. The 20-year-old first baseman bats and throws left handed. He will report to the Braves spring training camp in Lindsey, Calif., on March 18.
Last year the six-foot, shock-headed youth nailed down the initial sack position with the Boise Pilots of the Pioneer class 'C' league. However, an appendicitis operation shortly after he season opened benched him.
A native of Spokane, White played high school baseball four years with Lewis and Clark. In 1947, he represented Spokane in the Brooklyn Dodgers sponsored East-West boys game.
In the past three years he has never hit below .325 and his fielding average has hovered consistently at the 1.000 mark. Prior to signing with the Braves White had received offers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox.
More New Managers
Ad Liska Will Manage Salem In WI League
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 14—Ad Liska, who came within two games of winning 200 contests for the Portland Beavers in the Coast league, today became manager of the Salem club in the Class B Western International league.
William Mulligan, general manager of the Portland club, announced Liska's appointment to head the Portland farm club.
It meant the end of the veteran right-hander's quest for 200 Coast league wins. He started last season with 194 victories, but managed to win only four while losing 11.
Liska came to the Beavers in 1936. His record in the 14-year span encompassed 198 wins, 184 losses.
He still may get more victories in the Western International loop. Mulligan said that Liska, now 42, would be a playing manager.
Wenatchee Gets Manager
WENATCHEE, Wash., Jan. 21—Rupert Thompson, former major and Pacific Coast league outfielder slugger, will manage the Wenatchee Chiefs of the Western International league this summer.
Club officials announced his signing a contract Friday. He has managed in Salt Lake City in the Pioneer League the past three seasons and will be a playing manager.
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 14—Ad Liska, who came within two games of winning 200 contests for the Portland Beavers in the Coast league, today became manager of the Salem club in the Class B Western International league.
William Mulligan, general manager of the Portland club, announced Liska's appointment to head the Portland farm club.
It meant the end of the veteran right-hander's quest for 200 Coast league wins. He started last season with 194 victories, but managed to win only four while losing 11.
Liska came to the Beavers in 1936. His record in the 14-year span encompassed 198 wins, 184 losses.
He still may get more victories in the Western International loop. Mulligan said that Liska, now 42, would be a playing manager.
Wenatchee Gets Manager
WENATCHEE, Wash., Jan. 21—Rupert Thompson, former major and Pacific Coast league outfielder slugger, will manage the Wenatchee Chiefs of the Western International league this summer.
Club officials announced his signing a contract Friday. He has managed in Salt Lake City in the Pioneer League the past three seasons and will be a playing manager.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
