Diamond
The first diamond I ever layed eyes on was Pembroke School,it was old,run down,and it had discker blades for bases,rather innovative,concave shaped ,a safety feature ,for sure,the diamond was next to the village cemetery,I would go and watch the senior room boys play there and have fun!Mostly Id go home and throw a rubber ball against the barn,that way I would learn to field as well,rather innovative ,at my age I thought!! We played against area schools as co-ed and learned the main principals of softball and soccer at school,we also had track and field events,just wish we would've had the fall sponges they have today! The first time I held a ball ,it sure felt BIG,,I did have short fingers!!!!!Over the years the ball evolved to a standard size,thank goodness! For my part a baseball sized ball would have been perfect!The diamond was in rough shape and no lime was invented so all things were left up to our own discretion. Lots of cheating,no!!!!!! I remember the equipment bag was a potato bag,had 2 or3 balls and at tops 3 bats and a couple old gloves,I think the Sawatzkys owned that,so you have to respect the fellas for giving dreams to some younger boys and girls. I was one of them!Here is a look at the Pembroke Kings 1942-43,Pete Teichroeb-catcher, Jake Sawatzky-pitcher, Abe Friesen-1st, Jake Neudorf-2nd, Jack Schmidt- SS,John Janzen( Catcher as well)-3rd,outfield was Jake Janzen,Pete neudorf,and Jake Teichroeb,The boys played ball against Hague,Gruenthal,Blumenheim,Neuhorst,and would go to Rosthern and Warman sports days for evening matches ,as the main attraction!All the boys had where Sweaters and running shoes!The boys had one more thing,a desire to learn the game and play it,these guys gave us the hope and dreams to pursue the game,Later on.Im told Mr.Miller moved in, and he was a good ball player and coach,that improved the scene a lot:For transportation they paid 10 cents to the Janzen boys and with the two ton truck ,off they went ,to,PLay BAll,way to go guys ,and,thanks!Thanks a lot!!!!!This info came from my oldest brother Abe,Pete, a little younger is going to give me info on the follow-up to the Kings,the Wings,look for the addition of Hochstadt players added like the Peters girls and boys,hera is where brother Pete started to pitch and so on ! I sincerely salute the early years of this game,Brother Abe was great hitter and bro Pete was a pitcher !! thanks guys!!
Oddities
Growing up was a tough chore for most of us ,yet pleasant as well,I remember some incidents of significant consequences,I believe each one was supported by a real good licking from papa !I was 5 years old
,we recieved the Free Press and the Western Producer in the mail,Ford had an ad in there pushing their new 1949 Ford cars and I said,one day I will own one,till then my Red Flyer wagon would do!The wagon was in good shape ,except for one wheel,was bent,John Zacharias said he had an extra wheel and we would install,he went home to get it ,then we had to remove a cutter pin/nail from the axle,we got our axe and we decided to hammer and fix,boom!!! I had my head too close to Johns strikes,and he hit me on the head,between the left eye and temple,I must have been out cold,all I remember John hi-tailing it ,to tell my mom and he was out of there.
Dr.Mom fixed me up some how ,she used ointment,wonderoil,and tore strips from an old sheet and bandaged me up ,I was put to bed and rested and slept till supper time,later on Mom and Dad decided to go for a walk around the village ,a good 2 hour walk,as we approached the Zacharias home John and Harry were playing tag,their parents sitting in the shade,when John saw me ,he came running to me ,and gave me a hug,and whispered :",boy,am I glad you are alive,I thought I had hurt you so bad!! ",wow ,our friendship continued thru the years ,playing ball together.,in the Saskatoon League!
The Sawatzkys had a real olympic sized dugout ,which was used by the bigger boys to swim and so on,Dad always told me not to go there ,it was to deep and had very sharp dropoff edges ,so stay away boy,one day temptation took over and I jumped in to try and swim ,I had been watching the senoir boys for weeks and it looked pretty easy!As I approached the edge I fell in and really had to swim,to no avail,I could not keep going,Pete Zacharias was a good swimmer ,he was there and saw I was goin gone ,I remember Pete jumping in and he and John Klassen pulled me out and saved my life,Pete and I would later on in life be pitching partners and opponents for years to come,now the story gets muddy,Petes dad and my dad worked together in Saskatoon,and Mr.Zacharias told my dad what had happened,when dad came home and we had finished supper,dad said,I want to see you at the woodpile,so I went,he quized me and gave oppotunity to tell my story,he went and got a harness strap and asked me to bend over the wood chuck,and I recieved the hardest lashing for the disobedience,Dad was not mad,only stern and the message was clear,=-=obey boy obey,so I did,and was glad for it !!! 1954
Love is a burning thing,except when you burn down the chicken koop!!!! We had a sloppy looking chicken shelter ,Ill call it,it was not an entirely closed koop,3 walls ,some chicken wire and a quater roof for shade and protection from the elements,I was getting instructions on how to smoke,roll a Daily Mail,matches and light it and smoke it ,no inhaling ,what a site,however I dropped my butt on the gound and thought we had put it out ,not the case ,we went away for a walk ,looked back and saw smoke ,we ran back,and by" golly nacn ah mole eint",fire ,we got pails of water and got it out ,however,KFC had begun,several chickens died and the koop was half gone,when mom and dad came home from Watrous,Dad delivered another one of his belt wavin spankings,I was a nice boy ,dont you ever forget it,just so darn inquisitive and daring ,we had some chicken to eat and ,actually,mom said it was time to build a real koop ,thats what my oldest brother came and did ,a nice koop for a good purpose,I also recieved many spankings in school,I dont know why,or what for ,I was a good boy !!!1954
EdnaA note here to thank someone ,who gave of herself,a lot of loneliness,being with and growing up a young family! I speak,of course,of wife Edna! She let me work hard at my beloved Fastball,allowed me to travel,gave me grocery money,I;m sure,and was there at all times ,cheering me on .I also chose a demanding career in the Media,a lot of public appearances and the likes,she ,also allowed me space and time for that! That takes a special person,unselfish,loving and devoted to me and my endeavours,I will always be grateful and thankful for that. Thanks,Edna,you;ve earned your odd Bingo nite!!!
Leagues I played inNeuanlage Pembroke
Warman Public and High,Saskatoon Commercial Saskatoon Senior A
Rostherm FFc Coach,Stoon Special Mens
Inter-City Fastball League For Weyburn
Western Major Professional League
Swift Current and District Fastball League
Swift Current Men's Senior League
Can-Am central Fastpitch League
Moose Jaw Legends 40 plus<> Provincials
Can-Am Fastpitch League
Medicine Hat Fastball League
Calgary Oldtimers Classics
Calgary Industrial League Co-coach,Sr,A
Calgary Juniors Coach,Provincials
Brandon Travel League uct
Billy Graham SURE You can be sure God has forgiven you, and that someday you will go to be with Him inheaven through all eternity. And God wants
you tohave this assurance, because Hedoesn't want you to be filled with doubt and insecurity. The key is to realize thatyour salvation doesn't depend on you and what you have done; it depends only on Christ and what He has done for you.
We mourn the passing of Ruth,she will rest in Peace!June14/07,the same day my mom passed on in 1978.CJF BGEA
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after and influenced by the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons (1496-1561). As one of the historic peace churches,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mennonites
WarriorsWarman Warriors,it was a fine school team,that played against other schools .Like ,Osler,Dalmeny,Langham,Aberdeen,Sutherland ,and the likes!!! the team was well coached by ,Peshko,Altman,Klotz and Hamm.
The team was a success and soon started tourney play in the big city,Saskatoon, and ventured to places like Rosthern,Blaine Lake,Radisson,Maymount,Delisle.The Warriors had two pitchers,Ed Regier and Red Friesen,then known as Corney Friesen!
we won more games than we lost for sure ,won local Sports Day Shield and soon moved up to the saskatoon Commercial League!After playing in the D division we moved up a notch to the B division ,and in 1967 the Warriors became the Warman Gems and played in Saskatoon A Mens League,Warman Sports Day,was the event of the year, track and field,ball,ice cream,the capper was ,that after the Municipal Sports events were over ,we would be treated to Senoir Ball Game!These guys were teachers,farmers,and they were good .Most played in Saskatoon League,from teams like Osler Monarhs,CNR Carmen,Nighthawks,Merchants,and so on
My idol was Carl "Iron Hand"Ens,a fast windmiller,a new style that inspired me. Carl was born in Neuhorst,was a teacher,student, preacher,and a very close friend!His brother Denny of Ens Toyota now ,played as well along with Guenthers,Dreidgers,Friesens and so on.
Other names that inspired me were Kuzmas,Kozaks,Bentleys,Zacharias,Podeleski,Swiderski,Strumm,Hulme,even sportscasters and writers like,Saunders,Elloitt,Norris,Waugh,Cooke,Wood,and Paul Hack of early CJWW.
However it all started to take shape in the Warman Diamond,practicsing like the blazes,never tiring of Firing that Ball!!!
Dont forget these were the start of,"MY TENDER YEARS",quoting uncle JGJanzen of Warman,a writer and musician.
Pats/Gems
After school ball was over we all went our separate ways ,some left the area ,some quit ball and some joined a Saskatoon team,I did that. I played fore the Pats,in Com A,coached by Smoky Shinkaruk,Pats were an aggressive,cocky bunch of ball outlaws! A real scrappy bunch,fight to win ,win to fight ,all was a go with these guys,who often were compared to the infamous Knighthawks,of the old A league,that were suspended for years ,maybe lifetime for some ,Im not sure about that!!The Pats were very much hated by fans ,teams and umpires!More ------- The Warman Gems coached by Ernie Hildebrand and managed by Pete Berg Sr,.line -up included,Darryl Guenther,Ed Regier and Friesen as pitchers,catchers were Arlie Regier andTed Glemsner.Infielders are Gary Peters,Dick Stoez,Al Leedahl,Jake Giesbrecht, and Garry Guenther,Pete Berg,Bud Berg,rounding out the team are outfielders,Neil andHenry Unruh,Al Friesen,Bill Neudorf,Bill later became MLA and is deceased.,also playing with us was Daryll Lubineki of the Quaker Hockey fame,and now with the Prince Geroge Cougars of the WHL.The Gems kept improving each outing ,gaining confidence and would become a bonafied A ball team,adding Reg Pendelton to the coaching staff ,he had college baseball experience and helped us a lot with plans ,strategy and learning to win ,having the opposition ,earning a victory from the Gems ,became harder and harder, each year!Saskatoon Pats,coached by Smoky Shinkaruk,what a team,full of rookies,veterans,and very competitve.We were mean.The likes of FrankLausher,DennisHuber,Doug Johns,Harry and John Zacharias,all very determind and dedicated!
We very very cocky and the umpires watched us like hawks,many
brawls and ,sorry,to say,even fights with the umps!Some of our games
were played at the airport base,and the umps were Force people,they
took no bull.One game against Melfort ,we cleared the benches,what a
sight,eveyone was fighting,I started as well, Smoky gets me out ofthere,he doesent want me hurt.however I did get it on with the
umpire,had him crawling up the backstop wire,several of us got
suspensions,including me,that was not the way to behave.two years with
the Pats ,and I had interest shown to me from some A ball teams and had
some decisions to make!I also played on other teams for wekends,one
time I went with brother Pete's team to Delisle,home of the Famous
Bentley bothers of the NHL.We had a good tourney,one game ,Pete even
was catcher and I pitched ,that was a thrill!However,meeting the Pro
hockey players was the highlite of the weekend,Max.Doug,Al
Bentley,Bill Remenda,are all
pleasant memories for me.
Gordie Howe Fastball Field
Gordie Howe Fastball FieldSaskatoonThis was the very best park,anywhere,and it was a pleasure to play our games there.The A league had teams from Warman,College Lads,Merchants,Braves and Hectors! The league was very competive and all looked and acted like pro's!os ,all had nice uniforms,MerchantsGreen,Lads Blue and Gold,Warman Brown and Yellow,Braves in there Wine and Grey, and the Hectors were in Red and White!the umpires were all first class and Saskatoon had the best League anywhere,the hardest league to get out of, and qualify for the provincials.Several hilights of the year was the annual Merchants Tourney,in June,Teams came from Sask.,Ab.,Man.,BC.,montana and washinton and the odd time from Colorado and Utah!!!the league also hosted The King and his Court,Donkey ball,the California Cuties ,all events with a flair for entertainment,fantastic crowds!!!The league games attracted between 800 -1200 per doubleheader and for special events or final playoffs,2500-3000 wonderful fans jammed the place ,oh,how sweet allthe media coverage,games on thur nites were TV taped and replayed on Saturdays ,it was good!
I played here::Weyburn--Battleford--Saskatoon--Prince Albert--Gronlid--Melfort--Star City--Pembroke--Warman--Osler--Pashendale--Hague--Dalmeny--Langham--Maymont----Richard---Clouston--Abeerdeen==Ituna---Bruno--Karokie--Smuts--Humbolt--Seamans--Yellowknife--Calahoo--Spruce Grove--Edmonton--Calgary--Camrose--Wataskiwin--Duck Lake--Regina--Saskatoon--Rush Lake-- Casper---Brandon--Portage---Winnipeg---Gimli--Herbert--Neville--Burnham---Kyle--Conquest--Central Butte--Morse--Yorkton--- Melville---Weyburn---Estevan---Plentywood--Havre--Missoula--Great Falls--Grasswood---Red Deer--Kelowna--Victoria---Vancouver---Blaine---Tacoma---Lethbridge---Medicine Hat---Redcliff---Brooks---Upshaw---Sutherland---Rosetown---Minot--Grand Forks---Bengough---Lake Alma--Fillmore--Sedley---Cupar---Wolsley--Rivers---Oak River--Vanguard---Toronto---Ancastor---Burlington-http://www.radiorecollections.com/chooradio1.html
Swift Current--Las Vegas---Palmdale---Lancaster--Edwards Base---Corona---Los Angeles---Chula Vista--Nogales---Tempe--Phoenix--Flagstaff---Colarado Springs---Salt Lake City Oceanside----Neuhorst---PA Penetenchry--Muenster---Estevan---Scottsdale---Shell Lake--Blaine Lake---Rosthern Laird----Waldheim---Smuts--Alvena---Wymark---Elrose--High River--Midale---Oxbow---Saco---Nogales,Mex---Arm River--Two Hills--Lloydminster---Cochan Beach---Leask---Lashburn---Whitkow---Ogema---Oak Lake---Carberry----Cabri-- Moose Jaw--Chaplin-- Pennant--Tribune--Unity--Wilkie--Stettler--Abbey--Consul--Dodsland--Donavon--Delisle--Asquith--Fiske--Brock--Glaslyn--Lang--Milden--Conquest--Milestone--Parkbeg--Acadia Valley Leask Schellbrook Avonlea Notre Dame Yuma Exshaw Daysland Three Hills Wymark Shilo Yellowgrass Cupar Grenfell Pipestone,sorry I missed a few places Im sure!!!,Witkow top
The first diamond I ever layed eyes on was Pembroke School,it was old,run down,and it had discker blades for bases,rather innovative,concave shaped ,a safety feature ,for sure,the diamond was next to the village cemetery,I would go and watch the senior room boys play there and have fun!Mostly Id go home and throw a rubber ball against the barn,that way I would learn to field as well,rather innovative ,at my age I thought!! We played against area schools as co-ed and learned the main principals of softball and soccer at school,we also had track and field events,just wish we would've had the fall sponges they have today! The first time I held a ball ,it sure felt BIG,,I did have short fingers!!!!!Over the years the ball evolved to a standard size,thank goodness! For my part a baseball sized ball would have been perfect!The diamond was in rough shape and no lime was invented so all things were left up to our own discretion. Lots of cheating,no!!!!!! I remember the equipment bag was a potato bag,had 2 or3 balls and at tops 3 bats and a couple old gloves,I think the Sawatzkys owned that,so you have to respect the fellas for giving dreams to some younger boys and girls. I was one of them!Here is a look at the Pembroke Kings 1942-43,Pete Teichroeb-catcher, Jake Sawatzky-pitcher, Abe Friesen-1st, Jake Neudorf-2nd, Jack Schmidt- SS,John Janzen( Catcher as well)-3rd,outfield was Jake Janzen,Pete neudorf,and Jake Teichroeb,The boys played ball against Hague,Gruenthal,Blumenheim,Neuhorst,and would go to Rosthern and Warman sports days for evening matches ,as the main attraction!All the boys had where Sweaters and running shoes!The boys had one more thing,a desire to learn the game and play it,these guys gave us the hope and dreams to pursue the game,Later on.Im told Mr.Miller moved in, and he was a good ball player and coach,that improved the scene a lot:For transportation they paid 10 cents to the Janzen boys and with the two ton truck ,off they went ,to,PLay BAll,way to go guys ,and,thanks!Thanks a lot!!!!!This info came from my oldest brother Abe,Pete, a little younger is going to give me info on the follow-up to the Kings,the Wings,look for the addition of Hochstadt players added like the Peters girls and boys,hera is where brother Pete started to pitch and so on ! I sincerely salute the early years of this game,Brother Abe was great hitter and bro Pete was a pitcher !! thanks guys!!
Oddities
Growing up was a tough chore for most of us ,yet pleasant as well,I remember some incidents of significant consequences,I believe each one was supported by a real good licking from papa !I was 5 years old
,we recieved the Free Press and the Western Producer in the mail,Ford had an ad in there pushing their new 1949 Ford cars and I said,one day I will own one,till then my Red Flyer wagon would do!The wagon was in good shape ,except for one wheel,was bent,John Zacharias said he had an extra wheel and we would install,he went home to get it ,then we had to remove a cutter pin/nail from the axle,we got our axe and we decided to hammer and fix,boom!!! I had my head too close to Johns strikes,and he hit me on the head,between the left eye and temple,I must have been out cold,all I remember John hi-tailing it ,to tell my mom and he was out of there.
Dr.Mom fixed me up some how ,she used ointment,wonderoil,and tore strips from an old sheet and bandaged me up ,I was put to bed and rested and slept till supper time,later on Mom and Dad decided to go for a walk around the village ,a good 2 hour walk,as we approached the Zacharias home John and Harry were playing tag,their parents sitting in the shade,when John saw me ,he came running to me ,and gave me a hug,and whispered :",boy,am I glad you are alive,I thought I had hurt you so bad!! ",wow ,our friendship continued thru the years ,playing ball together.,in the Saskatoon League!
The Sawatzkys had a real olympic sized dugout ,which was used by the bigger boys to swim and so on,Dad always told me not to go there ,it was to deep and had very sharp dropoff edges ,so stay away boy,one day temptation took over and I jumped in to try and swim ,I had been watching the senoir boys for weeks and it looked pretty easy!As I approached the edge I fell in and really had to swim,to no avail,I could not keep going,Pete Zacharias was a good swimmer ,he was there and saw I was goin gone ,I remember Pete jumping in and he and John Klassen pulled me out and saved my life,Pete and I would later on in life be pitching partners and opponents for years to come,now the story gets muddy,Petes dad and my dad worked together in Saskatoon,and Mr.Zacharias told my dad what had happened,when dad came home and we had finished supper,dad said,I want to see you at the woodpile,so I went,he quized me and gave oppotunity to tell my story,he went and got a harness strap and asked me to bend over the wood chuck,and I recieved the hardest lashing for the disobedience,Dad was not mad,only stern and the message was clear,=-=obey boy obey,so I did,and was glad for it !!! 1954
Love is a burning thing,except when you burn down the chicken koop!!!! We had a sloppy looking chicken shelter ,Ill call it,it was not an entirely closed koop,3 walls ,some chicken wire and a quater roof for shade and protection from the elements,I was getting instructions on how to smoke,roll a Daily Mail,matches and light it and smoke it ,no inhaling ,what a site,however I dropped my butt on the gound and thought we had put it out ,not the case ,we went away for a walk ,looked back and saw smoke ,we ran back,and by" golly nacn ah mole eint",fire ,we got pails of water and got it out ,however,KFC had begun,several chickens died and the koop was half gone,when mom and dad came home from Watrous,Dad delivered another one of his belt wavin spankings,I was a nice boy ,dont you ever forget it,just so darn inquisitive and daring ,we had some chicken to eat and ,actually,mom said it was time to build a real koop ,thats what my oldest brother came and did ,a nice koop for a good purpose,I also recieved many spankings in school,I dont know why,or what for ,I was a good boy !!!1954
EdnaA note here to thank someone ,who gave of herself,a lot of loneliness,being with and growing up a young family! I speak,of course,of wife Edna! She let me work hard at my beloved Fastball,allowed me to travel,gave me grocery money,I;m sure,and was there at all times ,cheering me on .I also chose a demanding career in the Media,a lot of public appearances and the likes,she ,also allowed me space and time for that! That takes a special person,unselfish,loving and devoted to me and my endeavours,I will always be grateful and thankful for that. Thanks,Edna,you;ve earned your odd Bingo nite!!!
Leagues I played inNeuanlage Pembroke
Warman Public and High,Saskatoon Commercial Saskatoon Senior A
Rostherm FFc Coach,Stoon Special Mens
Inter-City Fastball League For Weyburn
Western Major Professional League
Swift Current and District Fastball League
Swift Current Men's Senior League
Can-Am central Fastpitch League
Moose Jaw Legends 40 plus<> Provincials
Can-Am Fastpitch League
Medicine Hat Fastball League
Calgary Oldtimers Classics
Calgary Industrial League Co-coach,Sr,A
Calgary Juniors Coach,Provincials
Brandon Travel League uct
Billy Graham SURE You can be sure God has forgiven you, and that someday you will go to be with Him inheaven through all eternity. And God wants
you tohave this assurance, because Hedoesn't want you to be filled with doubt and insecurity. The key is to realize thatyour salvation doesn't depend on you and what you have done; it depends only on Christ and what He has done for you.
We mourn the passing of Ruth,she will rest in Peace!June14/07,the same day my mom passed on in 1978.CJF BGEA
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after and influenced by the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons (1496-1561). As one of the historic peace churches,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mennonites
WarriorsWarman Warriors,it was a fine school team,that played against other schools .Like ,Osler,Dalmeny,Langham,Aberdeen,Sutherland ,and the likes!!! the team was well coached by ,Peshko,Altman,Klotz and Hamm.
The team was a success and soon started tourney play in the big city,Saskatoon, and ventured to places like Rosthern,Blaine Lake,Radisson,Maymount,Delisle.The Warriors had two pitchers,Ed Regier and Red Friesen,then known as Corney Friesen!
we won more games than we lost for sure ,won local Sports Day Shield and soon moved up to the saskatoon Commercial League!After playing in the D division we moved up a notch to the B division ,and in 1967 the Warriors became the Warman Gems and played in Saskatoon A Mens League,Warman Sports Day,was the event of the year, track and field,ball,ice cream,the capper was ,that after the Municipal Sports events were over ,we would be treated to Senoir Ball Game!These guys were teachers,farmers,and they were good .Most played in Saskatoon League,from teams like Osler Monarhs,CNR Carmen,Nighthawks,Merchants,and so on
My idol was Carl "Iron Hand"Ens,a fast windmiller,a new style that inspired me. Carl was born in Neuhorst,was a teacher,student, preacher,and a very close friend!His brother Denny of Ens Toyota now ,played as well along with Guenthers,Dreidgers,Friesens and so on.
Other names that inspired me were Kuzmas,Kozaks,Bentleys,Zacharias,Podeleski,Swiderski,Strumm,Hulme,even sportscasters and writers like,Saunders,Elloitt,Norris,Waugh,Cooke,Wood,and Paul Hack of early CJWW.
However it all started to take shape in the Warman Diamond,practicsing like the blazes,never tiring of Firing that Ball!!!
Dont forget these were the start of,"MY TENDER YEARS",quoting uncle JGJanzen of Warman,a writer and musician.
Pats/Gems
After school ball was over we all went our separate ways ,some left the area ,some quit ball and some joined a Saskatoon team,I did that. I played fore the Pats,in Com A,coached by Smoky Shinkaruk,Pats were an aggressive,cocky bunch of ball outlaws! A real scrappy bunch,fight to win ,win to fight ,all was a go with these guys,who often were compared to the infamous Knighthawks,of the old A league,that were suspended for years ,maybe lifetime for some ,Im not sure about that!!The Pats were very much hated by fans ,teams and umpires!More ------- The Warman Gems coached by Ernie Hildebrand and managed by Pete Berg Sr,.line -up included,Darryl Guenther,Ed Regier and Friesen as pitchers,catchers were Arlie Regier andTed Glemsner.Infielders are Gary Peters,Dick Stoez,Al Leedahl,Jake Giesbrecht, and Garry Guenther,Pete Berg,Bud Berg,rounding out the team are outfielders,Neil andHenry Unruh,Al Friesen,Bill Neudorf,Bill later became MLA and is deceased.,also playing with us was Daryll Lubineki of the Quaker Hockey fame,and now with the Prince Geroge Cougars of the WHL.The Gems kept improving each outing ,gaining confidence and would become a bonafied A ball team,adding Reg Pendelton to the coaching staff ,he had college baseball experience and helped us a lot with plans ,strategy and learning to win ,having the opposition ,earning a victory from the Gems ,became harder and harder, each year!Saskatoon Pats,coached by Smoky Shinkaruk,what a team,full of rookies,veterans,and very competitve.We were mean.The likes of FrankLausher,DennisHuber,Doug Johns,Harry and John Zacharias,all very determind and dedicated!
We very very cocky and the umpires watched us like hawks,many
brawls and ,sorry,to say,even fights with the umps!Some of our games
were played at the airport base,and the umps were Force people,they
took no bull.One game against Melfort ,we cleared the benches,what a
sight,eveyone was fighting,I started as well, Smoky gets me out ofthere,he doesent want me hurt.however I did get it on with the
umpire,had him crawling up the backstop wire,several of us got
suspensions,including me,that was not the way to behave.two years with
the Pats ,and I had interest shown to me from some A ball teams and had
some decisions to make!I also played on other teams for wekends,one
time I went with brother Pete's team to Delisle,home of the Famous
Bentley bothers of the NHL.We had a good tourney,one game ,Pete even
was catcher and I pitched ,that was a thrill!However,meeting the Pro
hockey players was the highlite of the weekend,Max.Doug,Al
Bentley,Bill Remenda,are all
pleasant memories for me.
Gordie Howe Fastball Field
Gordie Howe Fastball FieldSaskatoonThis was the very best park,anywhere,and it was a pleasure to play our games there.The A league had teams from Warman,College Lads,Merchants,Braves and Hectors! The league was very competive and all looked and acted like pro's!os ,all had nice uniforms,MerchantsGreen,Lads Blue and Gold,Warman Brown and Yellow,Braves in there Wine and Grey, and the Hectors were in Red and White!the umpires were all first class and Saskatoon had the best League anywhere,the hardest league to get out of, and qualify for the provincials.Several hilights of the year was the annual Merchants Tourney,in June,Teams came from Sask.,Ab.,Man.,BC.,montana and washinton and the odd time from Colorado and Utah!!!the league also hosted The King and his Court,Donkey ball,the California Cuties ,all events with a flair for entertainment,fantastic crowds!!!The league games attracted between 800 -1200 per doubleheader and for special events or final playoffs,2500-3000 wonderful fans jammed the place ,oh,how sweet allthe media coverage,games on thur nites were TV taped and replayed on Saturdays ,it was good!
I played here::Weyburn--Battleford--Saskatoon--Prince Albert--Gronlid--Melfort--Star City--Pembroke--Warman--Osler--Pashendale--Hague--Dalmeny--Langham--Maymont----Richard---Clouston--Abeerdeen==Ituna---Bruno--Karokie--Smuts--Humbolt--Seamans--Yellowknife--Calahoo--Spruce Grove--Edmonton--Calgary--Camrose--Wataskiwin--Duck Lake--Regina--Saskatoon--Rush Lake-- Casper---Brandon--Portage---Winnipeg---Gimli--Herbert--Neville--Burnham---Kyle--Conquest--Central Butte--Morse--Yorkton--- Melville---Weyburn---Estevan---Plentywood--Havre--Missoula--Great Falls--Grasswood---Red Deer--Kelowna--Victoria---Vancouver---Blaine---Tacoma---Lethbridge---Medicine Hat---Redcliff---Brooks---Upshaw---Sutherland---Rosetown---Minot--Grand Forks---Bengough---Lake Alma--Fillmore--Sedley---Cupar---Wolsley--Rivers---Oak River--Vanguard---Toronto---Ancastor---Burlington-http://www.radiorecollections.com/chooradio1.html
Swift Current--Las Vegas---Palmdale---Lancaster--Edwards Base---Corona---Los Angeles---Chula Vista--Nogales---Tempe--Phoenix--Flagstaff---Colarado Springs---Salt Lake City Oceanside----Neuhorst---PA Penetenchry--Muenster---Estevan---Scottsdale---Shell Lake--Blaine Lake---Rosthern Laird----Waldheim---Smuts--Alvena---Wymark---Elrose--High River--Midale---Oxbow---Saco---Nogales,Mex---Arm River--Two Hills--Lloydminster---Cochan Beach---Leask---Lashburn---Whitkow---Ogema---Oak Lake---Carberry----Cabri-- Moose Jaw--Chaplin-- Pennant--Tribune--Unity--Wilkie--Stettler--Abbey--Consul--Dodsland--Donavon--Delisle--Asquith--Fiske--Brock--Glaslyn--Lang--Milden--Conquest--Milestone--Parkbeg--Acadia Valley Leask Schellbrook Avonlea Notre Dame Yuma Exshaw Daysland Three Hills Wymark Shilo Yellowgrass Cupar Grenfell Pipestone,sorry I missed a few places Im sure!!!,Witkow top