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.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Pre-Season - April 2, 1950
Braves Dropped By Tulare 13-7 Despite Warner, Wilson Homers
By DON BECKER
HERALD SPORTS EDITOR
LINDSEY, Cal., April 2, — The Tri-City Braves lost a Sunday afternoon contest to the Tulare Aztecs 13-7 despite homers in the fifth and sixth by Centerfielder Jungle Jim Warner and Shortstop Artie Wilson.
Wilson, with two bingles in three trips to the plate, and Warner with two for five, lead the Braves at the plate.
Monday night at 8, the Braves meet the Tulare All-Stars with either Lou McCollum or Cy Greenlaw slated for the mound chores.
In this afternoon's contest, Joe Orrell, who was charged with the loss, started and was relieved in the fourth by Bill Caplinger.
Cliff Hussey went to the hill in the ninth followed Shoeman and Petersen.
The Braves' big inning came in the third when a pair of singles and a double by Warner, Catcher Nick Pesut and Neil Bryant. A pair of passes to Wilson and Johnny Scherger followed. A fly to centerfield by Quint White brought across three more runs.
Three errors marred the fielding turned in by the Braves. They got eight hits and gave up 11. The rough spots afield are at first and third.
Johnny Scherger, Kennewick star trying to land a berth with the Braves, brought the crowd to its feet when he made a sensational attempt to stop a home run by Jerry Womanc, Aztec first baseman. Scherger went up the fence and the ball brushed his fingertips.
The winners scored three in the second, three in the fourth, one in the fifth and six in the ninth.
Outfielder Clint Cameron is still sidelined with a heel injury which hasn't shown the expected improvement following an operation.
Pesut and Warner are very popular with the fans. Pesut, a wise-cracking type of ball player, had the crowd of 500 which basked in the warm sun chuckling all the time at his antics.
Squirmin' Herman Homers for Yakima
HEALDSBURG, Calif., April 3, — Herman Wedemeyer smashed a 540-foot homer Saturday and hit a single with the bases loaded to lead the Yakima Bears of the Western International League to 9 to 5 baseball victory over the San Francisco Police Department.
Wenatchee Chiefs Down Caps Twice
PENTICTON, B.C., April 3, (UP) — The Wenatchee Chiefs had two wins under their belts today following a week end sweep of their series with the Vancouver Capilanos in Western International league exhibition baseball play.
The Chiefs slugged out wins of 10-3 and 11-3 in the home-and-home training camp series here and at Oliver, B. C.
On The Inside
By DON BECKER
HERALD SPORTS EDITOR
LINDSAY, Calif., April 2—The Braves dropped one today, 11-7. But don't let these training camp games worry you too much about the outlook for our team. The veterans are just rounding Into physical condition, and the youngsters are pretty wild, both at the plate, the
mound, and afield. Fundamentally they have the makings of a good team, their pitching staff in particular will be the predominant characteristic we feel.
Just to give you a couple of examples of what we mean, before we left the hotel for the ball park, there were 15 signed mound artists. We haven't checked since the game ended, but it wouldn't be surprising to find another one or two had checked in here.
But most of all you're probably wondering how our local boys are making out. Before we grabbed a handful of train for this sun-drenched spot (it's really lovely) we promised to bring you up to date on what they had been doing, how they look, and all the rest.
Today was our first look at the Braves in action and Johnny Scherger was the only one of the four in the lineup. At the plate he drew a walk, grounded out to inning, the first baseman, and went down swinging twice. Afield it was quite a different story. He started and finished the game in left field and came up with one of the most sensational plays of the game, when he ran up the side of the fence and stabbed his gloved hand over the top trying to nail a home run ball. The fact that it ticked past the end of his glove doesn't detract from the great effort he made.
GETTING EYE BACK
Johnny tells us that he's getting his hitting eye back. It's taking time, but he clobbered the ball for a double in the Saturday night game, so you can see in another week or ten days he'll probably be getting his share.
As we mentioned before we didn't get a chance to watch Kenny Michelson, Les Logg, or Jim Doyle today, so all we can tell you is what they, and what Charlie Peterson, the Braves boss had to say. First to quote "Pete". "It's too early to tell yet just how any of the players will round out. I'm satisfied with the progress they are making, because if I weren't, the club would release them."
Now as to the players themselves. Both Kenny and Les said much the same thing that Pete did. It's just too early to know. Les said his arm feels good and that in another week or two he would probably be able to go the full route if called upon to do so. Kenny expressed much the same thought. Jim Doyle has been having a little trouble getting his hitting sights adjusted to baseball.
He tells you that himself. But if he ever zeros in, the way he did in softball, "he'll moider the bums."
The two most popular players with the fans are Nick Pesut and Jim Warner. Clint Cameron, another fence buster is temporarily out of the lineup. The recent operation on his heel has not yet completely healed. However, he did step into a game Saturday night as a pinch hitter and belt a triple. Mention Cameron's name to any of the players and you can see a look of deep respect for a top player come into their eyes.
WOT A CHARACTER—THIS PESUT
But you'll love this character Pesut. He stands about six feet even, maybe six one, and weighs 230 pounds. The opening greeting we got from him was "If I'd known you were coming I'd baked a cake, Don." When you see him walk off the field loaded down with a catcher's equipment, baking a cake enters the realm of the fantastic.
But the fans love him. For example here's what happened today. Warner opened with a single, and Pesut did the same thing. Neil Bryant, who followed, lashed a double deep into left center. Warner made it to home okay, but Pesut lumbering along like a ship weaving in a storm was nearly run over by Bryant.
Finally Pesut pulled up at third and when Petersen stepped over near the base to talk to him you could hear Pesut's voice ring out, "Honest Pete I thought I had a saddle on and would just let Bryant ride the rest of the way in." Now, how are you going to argue with a character like that. Yes sir, you'll love this guy Pesut.
You wouldn't think, for instance, that the fact that Jim Warner won the 1949 WIL home run crown would be too well known down here would you? After all this is quite a ways from the league's territory. Yet when you move through the stands and Warner comes to the plate, you can hear them, "That's Jim Warner, the home run king." Jungle Jim they call him on the team. He hits a terrific ball with lots of sock in it.
BROKE BAT FIRST TIME UP
The first time up he broke the bat, so when he was due the second time he called for another of his own. Someone went to the clubhouse to get it for him. That was the time he caught the ball amidships and rode it out of the park, about a 350 foot blow. But when he found out that he had hit the four-bagger with his best bat he had it sent back to the clubhouse with definite instructions that it was never to be brought out again for a practice game.
By DON BECKER
HERALD SPORTS EDITOR
LINDSEY, Cal., April 2, — The Tri-City Braves lost a Sunday afternoon contest to the Tulare Aztecs 13-7 despite homers in the fifth and sixth by Centerfielder Jungle Jim Warner and Shortstop Artie Wilson.
Wilson, with two bingles in three trips to the plate, and Warner with two for five, lead the Braves at the plate.
Monday night at 8, the Braves meet the Tulare All-Stars with either Lou McCollum or Cy Greenlaw slated for the mound chores.
In this afternoon's contest, Joe Orrell, who was charged with the loss, started and was relieved in the fourth by Bill Caplinger.
Cliff Hussey went to the hill in the ninth followed Shoeman and Petersen.
The Braves' big inning came in the third when a pair of singles and a double by Warner, Catcher Nick Pesut and Neil Bryant. A pair of passes to Wilson and Johnny Scherger followed. A fly to centerfield by Quint White brought across three more runs.
Three errors marred the fielding turned in by the Braves. They got eight hits and gave up 11. The rough spots afield are at first and third.
Johnny Scherger, Kennewick star trying to land a berth with the Braves, brought the crowd to its feet when he made a sensational attempt to stop a home run by Jerry Womanc, Aztec first baseman. Scherger went up the fence and the ball brushed his fingertips.
The winners scored three in the second, three in the fourth, one in the fifth and six in the ninth.
Outfielder Clint Cameron is still sidelined with a heel injury which hasn't shown the expected improvement following an operation.
Pesut and Warner are very popular with the fans. Pesut, a wise-cracking type of ball player, had the crowd of 500 which basked in the warm sun chuckling all the time at his antics.
Squirmin' Herman Homers for Yakima
HEALDSBURG, Calif., April 3, — Herman Wedemeyer smashed a 540-foot homer Saturday and hit a single with the bases loaded to lead the Yakima Bears of the Western International League to 9 to 5 baseball victory over the San Francisco Police Department.
Wenatchee Chiefs Down Caps Twice
PENTICTON, B.C., April 3, (UP) — The Wenatchee Chiefs had two wins under their belts today following a week end sweep of their series with the Vancouver Capilanos in Western International league exhibition baseball play.
The Chiefs slugged out wins of 10-3 and 11-3 in the home-and-home training camp series here and at Oliver, B. C.
On The Inside
By DON BECKER
HERALD SPORTS EDITOR
LINDSAY, Calif., April 2—The Braves dropped one today, 11-7. But don't let these training camp games worry you too much about the outlook for our team. The veterans are just rounding Into physical condition, and the youngsters are pretty wild, both at the plate, the
mound, and afield. Fundamentally they have the makings of a good team, their pitching staff in particular will be the predominant characteristic we feel.
Just to give you a couple of examples of what we mean, before we left the hotel for the ball park, there were 15 signed mound artists. We haven't checked since the game ended, but it wouldn't be surprising to find another one or two had checked in here.
But most of all you're probably wondering how our local boys are making out. Before we grabbed a handful of train for this sun-drenched spot (it's really lovely) we promised to bring you up to date on what they had been doing, how they look, and all the rest.
Today was our first look at the Braves in action and Johnny Scherger was the only one of the four in the lineup. At the plate he drew a walk, grounded out to inning, the first baseman, and went down swinging twice. Afield it was quite a different story. He started and finished the game in left field and came up with one of the most sensational plays of the game, when he ran up the side of the fence and stabbed his gloved hand over the top trying to nail a home run ball. The fact that it ticked past the end of his glove doesn't detract from the great effort he made.
GETTING EYE BACK
Johnny tells us that he's getting his hitting eye back. It's taking time, but he clobbered the ball for a double in the Saturday night game, so you can see in another week or ten days he'll probably be getting his share.
As we mentioned before we didn't get a chance to watch Kenny Michelson, Les Logg, or Jim Doyle today, so all we can tell you is what they, and what Charlie Peterson, the Braves boss had to say. First to quote "Pete". "It's too early to tell yet just how any of the players will round out. I'm satisfied with the progress they are making, because if I weren't, the club would release them."
Now as to the players themselves. Both Kenny and Les said much the same thing that Pete did. It's just too early to know. Les said his arm feels good and that in another week or two he would probably be able to go the full route if called upon to do so. Kenny expressed much the same thought. Jim Doyle has been having a little trouble getting his hitting sights adjusted to baseball.
He tells you that himself. But if he ever zeros in, the way he did in softball, "he'll moider the bums."
The two most popular players with the fans are Nick Pesut and Jim Warner. Clint Cameron, another fence buster is temporarily out of the lineup. The recent operation on his heel has not yet completely healed. However, he did step into a game Saturday night as a pinch hitter and belt a triple. Mention Cameron's name to any of the players and you can see a look of deep respect for a top player come into their eyes.
WOT A CHARACTER—THIS PESUT
But you'll love this character Pesut. He stands about six feet even, maybe six one, and weighs 230 pounds. The opening greeting we got from him was "If I'd known you were coming I'd baked a cake, Don." When you see him walk off the field loaded down with a catcher's equipment, baking a cake enters the realm of the fantastic.
But the fans love him. For example here's what happened today. Warner opened with a single, and Pesut did the same thing. Neil Bryant, who followed, lashed a double deep into left center. Warner made it to home okay, but Pesut lumbering along like a ship weaving in a storm was nearly run over by Bryant.
Finally Pesut pulled up at third and when Petersen stepped over near the base to talk to him you could hear Pesut's voice ring out, "Honest Pete I thought I had a saddle on and would just let Bryant ride the rest of the way in." Now, how are you going to argue with a character like that. Yes sir, you'll love this guy Pesut.
You wouldn't think, for instance, that the fact that Jim Warner won the 1949 WIL home run crown would be too well known down here would you? After all this is quite a ways from the league's territory. Yet when you move through the stands and Warner comes to the plate, you can hear them, "That's Jim Warner, the home run king." Jungle Jim they call him on the team. He hits a terrific ball with lots of sock in it.
BROKE BAT FIRST TIME UP
The first time up he broke the bat, so when he was due the second time he called for another of his own. Someone went to the clubhouse to get it for him. That was the time he caught the ball amidships and rode it out of the park, about a 350 foot blow. But when he found out that he had hit the four-bagger with his best bat he had it sent back to the clubhouse with definite instructions that it was never to be brought out again for a practice game.
Pre-Season - April 1, 1950
Tri-City Braves Beat Fresno 9-0
LINDSAY, Calif., Apr. 1—The Tri-City Braves, with Outfielder Clint Cameron leading the way banged out a 9-0 win today over Fresno at Lindsay, California where they are training.
Cameron smashed a long homer with bases full to give the Braves a win. Lou McCollum and
portsiders Charles Stiglich and Cy Greenlaw shared the mound chores.
In a telegram to Verne Johnson, secretary of the club, General Manager Dick Richards said his hurlers looked good. Previously, the Braves had lost a wild contest to Fresno 24-10. However, the rookies were playing the first game.
Richards said he expected to be home within the next few days to see everything gets in tip-top shape for the opener April 18 against the Vancouver Capilanos.
NON WIL MINOR LEAGUE NEWS
Wot? No Pants? Ask The Stars
HOLLYWOOD, April 1, (UP) —A stunned crowd of baseball fans saw the game's first new look in 111 years today—shorts for the players.
Nine knobby-kneed Hollywood stars trotted self-consciously on Gilmore Field for a game with Portland wearing T-shirts, long blue stockings and shorts to the knees.
“I have given this matter careful thought,” said Manager Fred Haney, who ordered the revolutionary change. “I am firmly convinced that the new shorts will add to both the comfort and efficiency of my ball club in hot weather.”
The temperature was 78 today for the new uniforms' debut.
Haney, who got the idea from a sportswriter's column, said he was first in the country to try it out. But he expected other ball clubs to snap up his idea.
The new garb is not only cooler, but it's lighter, hence increasing a runner's speed almost enough to make a double a triple.
“The weight of knickers increases three times during a game through absorbing perspiration,” he explained.
Stretching Imaginations
Hollywood Shows Up in Shorts
By Bob Meyers
HOLLYWOOD, April 1 (AP) — The Hollywood Stars trotted out onto the field Saturday wearing the first radical change in uniform in the 111-year history of baseball.
The players wore shorts.
Some fans gasped, some jeered, some cheered and the rival Portland club of the Pacific Coast League subject the movie town team to unbridled ribbing.
But the Hollywood manager, Fred Haney, a veteran of some 30 years in the national pastime, stuck by his guns.
The scanty pants and the light rayon shirts with elbow-length sleeves are here to stay — on hot days, anyhow — Haney declared. The shorts end a few inches above the players' knees. They wear regulation baseball stockings rolled just below the knee.
Rickey Approves
What's more, he went on, none other than Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers has seen and examined the outfits. Haney said some of the Dodger farm clubs, particularly in the South, will soon don the radical garb.
Vice president Bob Cobb of Hollywood put it this way: “This is the best thing that's happened to
baseball since they quit wearing handlebar mustaches at the turn of the century.”
The pants are equipped with the usual, though shorter, sliding pads. They are of the same flannel material as the club's regular, long-pant uniforms.
Only On Warm Days
Hollywood will use them only on warm days and nights.
The players, to a man—and they seemed sincere—were enthusiastic about the freedom afforded, but conceded they fully expert a nationwide razzing.
“Let 'em raze us, they'll all be wearing them in another year or so,” they said.
The Stars were introduced to their first ribs by their rivals Saturday, Portland, and manager Bill Sweeney.
Just before the game, Sweeney burst out of the Portland dugout and raced to home plate to greet the scanty-panted Haney. Sweeney was wearing a flaring skirt and a grotesque lady's bonnet on his head. He carried a floor mop, and promptly embraced Haney, himself a gag-loving gentleman.
The crowd enjoyed it.
LINDSAY, Calif., Apr. 1—The Tri-City Braves, with Outfielder Clint Cameron leading the way banged out a 9-0 win today over Fresno at Lindsay, California where they are training.
Cameron smashed a long homer with bases full to give the Braves a win. Lou McCollum and
portsiders Charles Stiglich and Cy Greenlaw shared the mound chores.
In a telegram to Verne Johnson, secretary of the club, General Manager Dick Richards said his hurlers looked good. Previously, the Braves had lost a wild contest to Fresno 24-10. However, the rookies were playing the first game.
Richards said he expected to be home within the next few days to see everything gets in tip-top shape for the opener April 18 against the Vancouver Capilanos.
NON WIL MINOR LEAGUE NEWS
Wot? No Pants? Ask The Stars
HOLLYWOOD, April 1, (UP) —A stunned crowd of baseball fans saw the game's first new look in 111 years today—shorts for the players.
Nine knobby-kneed Hollywood stars trotted self-consciously on Gilmore Field for a game with Portland wearing T-shirts, long blue stockings and shorts to the knees.
“I have given this matter careful thought,” said Manager Fred Haney, who ordered the revolutionary change. “I am firmly convinced that the new shorts will add to both the comfort and efficiency of my ball club in hot weather.”
The temperature was 78 today for the new uniforms' debut.
Haney, who got the idea from a sportswriter's column, said he was first in the country to try it out. But he expected other ball clubs to snap up his idea.
The new garb is not only cooler, but it's lighter, hence increasing a runner's speed almost enough to make a double a triple.
“The weight of knickers increases three times during a game through absorbing perspiration,” he explained.
Stretching Imaginations
Hollywood Shows Up in Shorts
By Bob Meyers
HOLLYWOOD, April 1 (AP) — The Hollywood Stars trotted out onto the field Saturday wearing the first radical change in uniform in the 111-year history of baseball.
The players wore shorts.
Some fans gasped, some jeered, some cheered and the rival Portland club of the Pacific Coast League subject the movie town team to unbridled ribbing.
But the Hollywood manager, Fred Haney, a veteran of some 30 years in the national pastime, stuck by his guns.
The scanty pants and the light rayon shirts with elbow-length sleeves are here to stay — on hot days, anyhow — Haney declared. The shorts end a few inches above the players' knees. They wear regulation baseball stockings rolled just below the knee.
Rickey Approves
What's more, he went on, none other than Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers has seen and examined the outfits. Haney said some of the Dodger farm clubs, particularly in the South, will soon don the radical garb.
Vice president Bob Cobb of Hollywood put it this way: “This is the best thing that's happened to
baseball since they quit wearing handlebar mustaches at the turn of the century.”
The pants are equipped with the usual, though shorter, sliding pads. They are of the same flannel material as the club's regular, long-pant uniforms.
Only On Warm Days
Hollywood will use them only on warm days and nights.
The players, to a man—and they seemed sincere—were enthusiastic about the freedom afforded, but conceded they fully expert a nationwide razzing.
“Let 'em raze us, they'll all be wearing them in another year or so,” they said.
The Stars were introduced to their first ribs by their rivals Saturday, Portland, and manager Bill Sweeney.
Just before the game, Sweeney burst out of the Portland dugout and raced to home plate to greet the scanty-panted Haney. Sweeney was wearing a flaring skirt and a grotesque lady's bonnet on his head. He carried a floor mop, and promptly embraced Haney, himself a gag-loving gentleman.
The crowd enjoyed it.
Sunday, 5 August 2007
Pre-Season - March 30-31, 1950
Wenatchee Ball Manager Is Ill
OLIVER, B.C., March 31.—(UP)—Wenatchee Chiefs' baseball team Manager Tommy Thompson has been stricken with an infected throat but still was able to direct his Western International League squad through its second intra-squad game of spring training yesterday.
Following the contest, Thompson announced his pitchers for the weekend series with the Vancouver Capilanos would be righthanders Howie Davos, Wendall Clifton and Alton Lee with southpaws Leroy Stevens, Tom Bresinger and Pete Younie. Each will work three innings.
The Caps and Chiefs meet here Saturday and at Penticton, B.C., Sunday.
Salem Trains At Corvallis
SALEM, March 31—The Salem Senators are now at spring training at nearby Corvallis with over 40 aspirants in camp. Few are holdovers from the 1949 Western International League team, however.
Working out daily under new Senator Ad Liska are the following men:
Pitchers Bill Osborn, John Burak, Bob Stevenson and Ken Wyatt, who have worn Senator spangles before; Ludwig Lew, obtained from the Cincinnati chain; Stan Gilson, 14-game winner with Klamath Falls last season; and rookies Ken Courtin, Walt Lord, Fred Owens, Gene Valentine, Dick Walbet, Vic Wiletjo, Bill Parrish, Joe Alexander, Charles Indermuehle, Tom Payne and Len Nurrall.
Catchers are Bill Beard, the club manager last year, Buster McMillan, Tom Entwhistle, Bill Courahe and Neal McInnis. Outfielder are Claude Buckley, Mel Wasley, Orrin Snyder and Hal Zurcher, who were with Salem last season, and rookie Marv Diercks. Infielders are Dick Bartle and Wayne Peterson, holdovers, Bob Haddock and Nick Nuil, up from the Cal State League and rookies Ted Yeamans, George Sprick, Joe Kronberg and Stover Paulus.
Liska expects additional help from the Portland Beavers later on.
The Senators open a ten-game exhibition schedule with Oregon State and Corvallis next Friday. They open WIL play at Salem with Tacoma April 18.
Rain Limits Indian Drills
LEWISTON, Idaho, Apr. 1—Rain by the buckets forced the Spokane Indians to continue their spring baseball training inside Friday.
The tribe was scheduled to meet Northern Idaho College of Education in the first practice game but took to a gymnasium for calisthenics instead. Weather permitting, the Indians will play Great Falls of the class C Pioneer league Saturday. Great Falls is also training here.
The Indians open the Western International league season at home April 18 against Victoria.
OLIVER, B.C., March 31.—(UP)—Wenatchee Chiefs' baseball team Manager Tommy Thompson has been stricken with an infected throat but still was able to direct his Western International League squad through its second intra-squad game of spring training yesterday.
Following the contest, Thompson announced his pitchers for the weekend series with the Vancouver Capilanos would be righthanders Howie Davos, Wendall Clifton and Alton Lee with southpaws Leroy Stevens, Tom Bresinger and Pete Younie. Each will work three innings.
The Caps and Chiefs meet here Saturday and at Penticton, B.C., Sunday.
Salem Trains At Corvallis
SALEM, March 31—The Salem Senators are now at spring training at nearby Corvallis with over 40 aspirants in camp. Few are holdovers from the 1949 Western International League team, however.
Working out daily under new Senator Ad Liska are the following men:
Pitchers Bill Osborn, John Burak, Bob Stevenson and Ken Wyatt, who have worn Senator spangles before; Ludwig Lew, obtained from the Cincinnati chain; Stan Gilson, 14-game winner with Klamath Falls last season; and rookies Ken Courtin, Walt Lord, Fred Owens, Gene Valentine, Dick Walbet, Vic Wiletjo, Bill Parrish, Joe Alexander, Charles Indermuehle, Tom Payne and Len Nurrall.
Catchers are Bill Beard, the club manager last year, Buster McMillan, Tom Entwhistle, Bill Courahe and Neal McInnis. Outfielder are Claude Buckley, Mel Wasley, Orrin Snyder and Hal Zurcher, who were with Salem last season, and rookie Marv Diercks. Infielders are Dick Bartle and Wayne Peterson, holdovers, Bob Haddock and Nick Nuil, up from the Cal State League and rookies Ted Yeamans, George Sprick, Joe Kronberg and Stover Paulus.
Liska expects additional help from the Portland Beavers later on.
The Senators open a ten-game exhibition schedule with Oregon State and Corvallis next Friday. They open WIL play at Salem with Tacoma April 18.
Rain Limits Indian Drills
LEWISTON, Idaho, Apr. 1—Rain by the buckets forced the Spokane Indians to continue their spring baseball training inside Friday.
The tribe was scheduled to meet Northern Idaho College of Education in the first practice game but took to a gymnasium for calisthenics instead. Weather permitting, the Indians will play Great Falls of the class C Pioneer league Saturday. Great Falls is also training here.
The Indians open the Western International league season at home April 18 against Victoria.
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Pre-Season, March 29, 1950
Indian Rookie Long HitterLEWISTON, March 29 —The Spokane Indians went through a three-hour batting drill at their spring training camp Wednesday and found a long-ball hitter in a newcomer named George Stassi.
Stassi, a 200-pound outfielder from the Texas Big State league, smashed several long drives into the outer stretches during his turn at the plate. Stassi, 26, hit .310 and socked 22 homers when he played in the Sunset league in 1947, his best year.
The Indians open their Western International league season April 18 at home against Victoria and with less than three full weeks of training left, Manager Alan Strange, stepped up the tempo a bit.
Spokane plays its first practice game Friday against Northern Idaho College of Education here. The local collegians have already lost three straight to the Washington State college.
An ex-WSC hurler. Ward Rockey, was one of the new faces in cap Wednesday. In three years with the Cougars he won 11 and lost one and was the ace WSC right hander.
Pitchers Jim Holder, a semi-pro performer last year at Enumclaw, Wash., and Marvin Johnson, who played with Memphis in a negro league last season, have looked impressive in early workouts.
Spring Training Opens for Salem
CORVALLIS, Ore., Mar. 29—The Western International baseball league Salem Senators open spring training on the Oregon State fields here Thursday for a third straight year.
Manager Ad Liska checked in Wednesday and said he expects 30 to 40 players in the camp by the weekend.
Expected here Thursday were catchers Bill Beard. Buster McMillan and Bob Courage and pitchers Ken Wyatt, Bob Stvenson, Ludwig Lew, Stan Gilson, Gene Valentine, Dick Waibel, Johnny Burak, Bill Osborn, Ken Courtin, Walt Lord and Vic Willetjo.
Rosters Expand
Portland Farms Eight to Salem
RIVERSIDE, Calif., March 24 — The Portland Beavers cut eight players from their squad today, sending them to their Western International league farm at Salem.
They are John Burak, Forest Grove pitcher who was with Salem part of last season; pitcher Dick Warbel, ex-university of Oregon; pitcher Gene Ballantyne; pitcher Bob Stephenson who was with Salem in 1948; catcher Bob Courage, with Salem last year; shortstop Ted Yeaman. ex-Portland semi-pro player; outfielder Orrin Snyder, with Salem last year; and outfielder Marv Diercks, Seaside.
Seattle Sends Tran Down Line
PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Mar. 27—Len Tran, rookie second baseman, was optioned by Seattle yesterday to Birmingham of the Southern Association.
Tran figured heavily in Rainiers' strategy for the coming season off his past performances with Vancouver in the Western International league, but general manager Earl Sheely said the rookie had lost considerable weight and appeared nervous during spring training.
In other moves, the Seattle management shipped Bill Heisner, promising young catcher, to Vancouver and sent pitcher Gene Kelly to Raleigh, N. C.
Wedemeyer Signs
YAKIMA, Wash., March 28—Herman Wedemeyer, the Honolulu flash who starred in football at St. Mary's and among the pros will make his professional baseball debut with the Yakima Bears of the Western International league.
Wedemeyer, who worked out briefly with the San Francisco Seals, signed with Yakima yesterday.
He is a centerfielder.
RIVERSIDE, Calif., March 24 — The Portland Beavers cut eight players from their squad today, sending them to their Western International league farm at Salem.
They are John Burak, Forest Grove pitcher who was with Salem part of last season; pitcher Dick Warbel, ex-university of Oregon; pitcher Gene Ballantyne; pitcher Bob Stephenson who was with Salem in 1948; catcher Bob Courage, with Salem last year; shortstop Ted Yeaman. ex-Portland semi-pro player; outfielder Orrin Snyder, with Salem last year; and outfielder Marv Diercks, Seaside.
Seattle Sends Tran Down Line
PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Mar. 27—Len Tran, rookie second baseman, was optioned by Seattle yesterday to Birmingham of the Southern Association.
Tran figured heavily in Rainiers' strategy for the coming season off his past performances with Vancouver in the Western International league, but general manager Earl Sheely said the rookie had lost considerable weight and appeared nervous during spring training.
In other moves, the Seattle management shipped Bill Heisner, promising young catcher, to Vancouver and sent pitcher Gene Kelly to Raleigh, N. C.
Wedemeyer Signs
YAKIMA, Wash., March 28—Herman Wedemeyer, the Honolulu flash who starred in football at St. Mary's and among the pros will make his professional baseball debut with the Yakima Bears of the Western International league.
Wedemeyer, who worked out briefly with the San Francisco Seals, signed with Yakima yesterday.
He is a centerfielder.
Who Wants to Play in Spokane?
Spokane Indians Trim Three Vets Off Roster
SPOKANE, March 20 — Three veteran baseball players were trimmed from the roster of the Spokane Indians Monday—a roster that, so far, has only one name on the dotted line.
John Conant right handed pitcher, is the single player under contract for the Western International league team.
Manager Alan Strange announced Monday that outright releases have been given to Ken Richardson, third baseman; Jack Calvey, shortstop; and Tuck Stainback, centre fielder. All were regulars.
PREFERS SCHOOL
SPOKANE, Wash, March 22. (U.P.)—Former UCLA football and baseball star Skip Rowland today said he would pass up playing baseball with Spokane's Western International League baseball entry this season to work on his master's degree at the California school.
WERBOWSKI TO REPORT
SPOKANE, March 22 — When the Spokane Indians open spring training Monday at Lewiston, Idaho, Pitcher Bill Werbowski will be among those present, Owner Roy Hotchkiss said. But Hotchkiss said the 20-game winner has not yet signed a contract. Werbowski, with a 20-11 record last year, has a total of 52 victories in three seasons with the Western International league club.
Spring Drills Indians Open
SPOKANE, March 27 — The Spokane Indians open spring baseball training at Lewiston, Idaho, today with a squad of 23 players, most of them rookies.
Manager Alan Strange said Saturday the team would work out twice a day to get ready for the Western International league opener here April 18 against Victoria.
They are Pitchers John Conant, Bill Werbowski, Jim Neeley, and Dick Bishop, catcher Joe Rossi and Ed Nulty, a utility infielder.
Strange said he expected other veterans to report before training ends April 16.
He listed as holdouts pitchers Ken Kimball and Lee Howard, infielder George Valine, and Paul Raby, who hit .340 as an outfielder last season.
SPOKANE, March 20 — Three veteran baseball players were trimmed from the roster of the Spokane Indians Monday—a roster that, so far, has only one name on the dotted line.
John Conant right handed pitcher, is the single player under contract for the Western International league team.
Manager Alan Strange announced Monday that outright releases have been given to Ken Richardson, third baseman; Jack Calvey, shortstop; and Tuck Stainback, centre fielder. All were regulars.
PREFERS SCHOOL
SPOKANE, Wash, March 22. (U.P.)—Former UCLA football and baseball star Skip Rowland today said he would pass up playing baseball with Spokane's Western International League baseball entry this season to work on his master's degree at the California school.
WERBOWSKI TO REPORT
SPOKANE, March 22 — When the Spokane Indians open spring training Monday at Lewiston, Idaho, Pitcher Bill Werbowski will be among those present, Owner Roy Hotchkiss said. But Hotchkiss said the 20-game winner has not yet signed a contract. Werbowski, with a 20-11 record last year, has a total of 52 victories in three seasons with the Western International league club.
Spring Drills Indians Open
SPOKANE, March 27 — The Spokane Indians open spring baseball training at Lewiston, Idaho, today with a squad of 23 players, most of them rookies.
Manager Alan Strange said Saturday the team would work out twice a day to get ready for the Western International league opener here April 18 against Victoria.
They are Pitchers John Conant, Bill Werbowski, Jim Neeley, and Dick Bishop, catcher Joe Rossi and Ed Nulty, a utility infielder.
Strange said he expected other veterans to report before training ends April 16.
He listed as holdouts pitchers Ken Kimball and Lee Howard, infielder George Valine, and Paul Raby, who hit .340 as an outfielder last season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
