This team included eight Manitobans. They were coaches Gerry MacKay (Brandon) and Gladwyn Scott (Carman), players Gene Cory (Riverside), Bob Hunter (Transcona), Cam Hurst (Transcona), Maurice Oakes (Brandon), Al Robertson (Hamiota), Glennis Scott (Miami). The team trained in Brandon and played exhibition games in Western Manitoba. It was the first truly Canadian national team. Teams in the tournament were Canada, Cuba, the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico. The highlight came with the 10-9 victory over the Cubans in a game at Carman. This was Cuba’s first loss in twelve years of international competition.

Manitoba’s All-Star Dream Team of players was selected by a special MB Baseball Hall of Fame committee for inclusion in the book “The Northern Game, Baseball the Canadian Way” written by Toronto Sun baseball columnist and 2015 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Bob Elliott and published in 2005 by Sport Media Publishing, Toronto.

The 17 members are as follows,

• Almer McKerlie
• Cliff Seafoot
• Bill Carpenter
• Lloyd Brown
• Ian Lowe
• Bill (Snake) Siddle
• Gerry McKay
• Ken Little
• Mark Fisher
• Gord Ledochowski
• Cory Koskie
• Glennis Scott
• Don (Pete) Rettie
• Gerry Falk
• Orville Minish
• Shane Moffatt
• Terry Hind

Floyd Blight

Born on May 4, 1927–September 17, 1993

Floyd was an excellent pitcher who started playing senior ball at 15 years old. He was a strong power hitter, who was the only player to hit one over the Oakville School, and drilled the longest homer ever hit at the Kenora-Keewatin Tournament. Floyd played 30 tournaments in 1949 throughout June and July. Floyd played mainly for Oakville and Poplar Point, but did some pitching for Portage and Neepawa (at Clear Lake).

Don Blight

Born on February 22, 1930.

“Ding” started playing senior ball at age 14 and played until age 40 with teams like Poplar Point, Portage, Neepawa, MacGregor, Fort Whyte, Carman Cardinals and Oakville. Don started as shortstop, later was catcher, and primarily played tournament baseball.

Ken Blight

Born December 14, 1933.

Ken was a southpaw pitcher who started with Portage at age 24 against Poplar Point. Ken played three years with Oakville in a junior league with Winnipeg Maroons, Portage and MacGregor, in late 40`s and early 50`s. Ken played first base, outfield and pitcher for 17 years, played tournament ball extensively, and pitched a 3-2 win over Winnipeg Buffaloes for Neepawa.

Baseball flourished in the Swan River Valley after World War Two and Bowsman emerged as the pacesetter among baseball towns. Bowsman Ball Park was located in a natural amphitheatre and it had adequate seating and parking. In 1946 Bowsman purchased its first set of uniforms and later, through efforts of Dennis Ball of hockey fame, purchased uniforms from Winnipeg’s Junior Maroons. Bowsman imported talented young players from Winnipeg. Among them were Gary Blaine, Al Seymour, Aggie Kukulowicz, and Al Jacques.

From 1952 to 1955 the Manitoba-Saskatchewan League operated with Dauphin, Gilbert Plains, Grandview, Roblin, Yorkton, and Kamsack (with a team imported from Sequoia State College in California). In 1953 Bowsman imported three Negro stars, Lenard Pigg, Gene “Tex” Conley, and Percy Howard.

With a good blend of local talent and imports, Bowsman excelled in league play and became prominent at tournaments in Indian Head, Foam Lake, Yorkton, Melville, Kamsack, Delisle, Canora and other places. Bowsman hosted the Muskogee Cardinals, the Ligon All-Stars, Satchel Paige’s touring team, Notre Dame Hounds,and the Regina Caps (who brought in portable lights). Perhaps 2000 fans would pack the hillsides. Later, Bowsman joined the Polar League with Flin Flon, Creighton, The Pas, Thompson. Baseball was a vital part of the Bowsman community during the post-WWII era.

The Brandon Parkland Juniors represented Manitoba in Junior Championships three consecutive years. They were finalists in 1965 and 1966 in the Western Canadian Championships. In 1967, the team won the Canadian Junior Championship in Saskatoon. During the championship, their record, included victories over Saskatchewan (WP-Russ Reid), Alberta (WP- Mark Fisher), Ontario (WP-Grant Everard, and Mel Smith three run HR) and North Battleford (WP- Mark Fisher). Tournament all-stars included outfielders Marv Robinson, Mel Smith, Bill Fariburn, and pitcher & MVP Mark Fisher. Nine players were three year members of the team

The Canadian Polish Athletic Club sponsored a 12-and-under Little League program in the core area of North Winnipeg.

The CPAC Little League program sent a team of all-stars to the City Championships and won the title in 1965. The all-star team moved on to the Provincial Championship and defeated Brandon in a dramatic single elimination game later that year. After claiming the Provincial Title, the CPAC all-stars made Manitoba baseball history by defeating a team from British Columbia to win the 1965 Western Canada Little Canadian Baseball Championship in Winnipeg.

A film, 1965 Behind in the Count – A Baseball Life, was released recently which outlines the CPAC team. This film can be viewed on the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame Website.

The Carman Goldeyes completely dominated Junior baseball in Manitoba from 1971-1974 as they captured MJBL and Provincial title in all four years. Strong pitching, batting and defence were hallmarks of this team. Comprised of talented, and eager young ball players in their first year of this four year run, many of the players played all four years, and went on to illustrious senior careers. Several have already been inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame as individuals and/or with senior teams.

Carman Goldeyes : 1971 July 3rd Newspaper Article

Carman Goldeyes : 1973 Newspaper Article

Carman Goldeyes 1971

Carman Goldeyes: Winnipeg Tribune July 12, 1971

Carman Goldeyes : 1971 Newspaper Article

These articles were gathered from the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections, Winnipeg Tribune Collection

After a 25-3-2 record in the Manitoba Junior League, the Goldeyes advanced to nationals at Sarnia, Ontario. They went 4-0 in round robin play, then lost the gold medal final to the host team from Sarnia. Bob Billing was named to tournament all-star team at second base. Fred Walker coached and Joe Pethybridge managed. in 1970 Carman hosted junior nationals.

The Coulter team almost did not play the year of 1968. Before the season it seemed there were not enough players. But a trio of “recruits” from nearby Elva helped keep Coulter in the South West League. To earn a spot in League play-offs, the Coulter team had to win their final game, which they managed to do. This was the first of a series of dramatic must win games. They had win-or-go-home victories against both Goodlands and Waskada in League play-offs. Provincial play-offs featured sudden death triumphs over Elgin and Sundown. This put Coulter in the five game Provincial Final against the very good Thompson Reds team assembled by Red Sangster. Coulter was beaten handily in the two games in Thompson and then in the first of the games at home. This was the end of the season for the Coulter Red Sox. But what a season!

Won 4 successive Manitoba titles. In a very strong league with Norwood, St. Boniface and Transcona. Led by coaches Stan and Nick Shaley, manager Harry Barchuk, pitchers Gord England, Terry Hind, Bert Graves, Reg Sadler, Goerge Belanger, hitters Joe Popiel, Tommy Kitchur, Bill Antoniuk, Bill Ceretti, Joe Goodman, Mike Barthow. The Blues claimed the Baldy Northcot Trophy (emblematic of Winnipeg Senior League Championship) 4 times before crowds of over 3,000 fans.

This team was formed from members of the Eastern Manitoba intermediate Baseball League to compete in a provincial playoff to determine the Manitoba Representative at the Western Canadians to be held in Nanaimo. Two separate simultaneous provincial tournaments were held with the two winners, Carman and Eastern All-stars, meeting in a best of three game final series. In their tournament held at Carberry the All-stars lost the first game and were required to win five straight 9-inning games to earn the victory. They also lost the first game against Carman in the finals but Don Maskiw pitched and won two 9-inning games on the same day to secure the trip west.  That trip was almsot cancelled when Air Canada went on strike but a chartered DC3 and a bus ride got them to Nanaimo just four hours before their first game. However, the All-stars were determined and talented as they went undefeated, climaxed by a 10-3 win over B.C for the title. Carl Watson earned the top pitcher award in the tournament and John Hindle earned the top hitter award.

The Elmwood Giants Junior Baseball Club was one of the dominant teams of the 50’s. They won Championships in every 5 year span.

The 1957-61 group appeared in five consecutive junior finals winning three championships. In 1957 they lost a best of seven final in the last game to the Colombus Club. In 1958 and 1959 they defeated CUAC and lost in the final to Columbus Club in 1960.

They defeated Isaac Brock in the 1961 Junior final. Over this period they also joined with the Elmwood Seniors to win numerous tournaments.They often had to enter under a false name such as Rathwell, to be accepted into tournaments.

The nucleus of this team was a part of a great minor program in the early 1950’s that included two bantam, two midget and two juvenile Provincial Championships.

Key players such as Ken Tresoor, Ray Hoskins, Clint Hoskins, Norm Rogoski and Ken Ingram played key roles in their championship years. During this time, the teams were coached by Bob Smith, Al Tresoor, Bob Reid, Mike Wachnuk, Ray Hoskins, Dennis Halford and George Dillbury as Manager.

The Elmwood Junior Giants won three consecutive Manitoba junior championships and after winning Manitoba in 1978 they took Western Prarie Regional title and competed in National championship in Surrey, BC.

In 1979, after the Manitoba victory they went 1-3 at Western Canadians, and in 1980 after Manitoba, they moved on to Western Canadians and finished second.

Coached by Al Kinley, Bob Kinley, Gord Menzies, Dave Olsen, and Bev Fisher.

Players on all three teams were Carey Candy, Randy Ladobruk, Glen Hunter, Ken Johnson, Jerry Kollesavich, Barry Muckosky, Jim Paton, and Roger Weisner.

Made up almost entirely of local players this small country town youth team dominated the Bantam age baseball classification in Manitoba and Western Canada for an amazing four year period from 1965-68. Organized, managed, and coached by MB Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Mel Stoughton (2016) the team won five Manitoba titles in four years and captured three Western Canadian championships. Originally a Bantam B classified team from 1965-66 they won the Manitoba and Western Canadian titles both years. After winning the Bantam B provincials again in 1967 they moved up to the Bantam A class for playoffs that season. They then won the provincial Bantam A title while finishing as Western Canada finalists and in 1968 they captured both Manitoba and Western Bantam A championships.

“On behalf of the Gilbert Plains Legion Bantam id like to congratulate all the other inductees here this evening, also thanks to the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, not only for the honour you have opposed upon the boys but for the outstanding job you have done establishing this museum. I just want to stop here for a minute, I got a letter a couple of months ago with instructions about my speech, and the important part was don’t talk too long, well so I sent it away and it came back with a couple of changes, one change was remember how I was just saying the ‘outstanding museum you have established’ well my first draft I had put down ‘for the outstanding museum you have erected’ now,  they responded ‘maybe use the word establish because due to the age of our committee members the word erected may be offensive’,

To carry on, the players would like to thank so many people who made this induction possible, their parents, their coaches, volunteers, fans, and the legion of Gilbert Plains for their sponsorship. The player would also like to recognize the fine coaches who are no longer with us this evening, and also the players who are no longer with us this evening. The team has received such an outstanding achievement considering they were such a small community, although many of the guys were from Gilbert we cannot overlook the outstanding contribution players from other centers provided during this incredible run, I would like to share a few of these highlights with you,  in 1965 they won the first Manitoba Western Championship. They won the Manitoba title defeating Russell, Oak River, Holland in the finals, in the Westerns at Prince Albert they had 4 wins and 1 loss, the final game ended up being a 2 day event, the game was called off in the second inning, due to rain and a lot of work went into preparing that diamond, for the final 5 innings the next day resulting in the boys not returning home until 2am, and much to their surprise came home to a large crowd just over two hundred, lunch was served and to top it all off a town band was out, can you imagine how happy they must have been tooting their horns at 2am. So then we have a 1966 which was a dominating year, winning again both the Manitoba and Western Canadian titles, in Westerns they went 3-1 bringing their regular season record to an amazing 39 wins and just three losses, in 1967 Gilbert had two teams, one was Bantam B and the other in Bantam A. With both teams winning the Manitoba Championship, however the Westerns did not go as well for Bantam A’s.  Meanwhile the Bantams B won their provincial title beating Brandon in a very exciting game in Clearlake 9-8, with two extra innings, earlier they had defeated  Riverside Hamiota, and then traveled to Lethbridge where they were defeated in the finals by Lethbridge by get this an all Japanese representing Alberta called the Sansees, but anyway! They say good pitching will play over good hitting, this certainly was evident in the 1968 after they made playoffs, In game one of the semi-finals two outstanding pitchers went head to head, Gilbert Plains Blane and Brandons Rick McFadden, Gilbert took game one 4-2, McFadden had two strikeouts 17 with two hits Mcfadden 13 strikeouts following just three hits in game two Gilbert struck out 18 and had a no hitter. In game one of the finals in Winnipeg between Winnipeg,  Stoughton and Winnipeg’s Carry, were mining for 33 strikeouts since Winnipeg took game one in game two the ball was turned over to the young fellow Ken Bouchey and he kept overseeing the line with a five nothing win with thirteen strikeouts. In game three in Winnipeg Carrry M had fifteen strikeouts and just two hits, normally that would have been enough to win any ball game, however Blane had a different idea since he threw another no hitter, striking out 21 of the 23 batters he faced, and scored the only run having a 1-0 win for Gilbert Plains. From there they went on to win their third and final Western Canadian title, and just as an antidote many of  the boys graduated to the midget ranks that year and again won the Manitoba Championship. I would like to thank my wife Linda for helping me getting all these players to Ontario,  British Columbia, and down to the States, as well as listening to things such as ‘are you serious’ ‘i dont believe it’ I know that each one of you at some time in your life have had something given to you only to have that something taken away from you, well tonight you have had something given to you, and that something is an induction into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, and this is something that can never ever be taken away from you, Congratulations 

The tiny hamlet of Giroux has been famous for baseball teams for generations. It fielded a Senior-caliber team for 44 years. Another indication of enthusiasm is that from 1988 through 1992 the Giroux Athletics “Twilight” team won four Manitoba Twilight championships and three Western Canadian championships. Special recognition should go to the Seidler brothers Roy, Wayne, and Brian, who were the key organizers of this club. This is the first Twilight team inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.

Special Team Category – 1966 Hamiota Royals Juveniles

The Hamiota Royals Juveniles of 1966 were Western Canadian champions. This was as far as they could go because no national championship even existed. The players on the team were almost all from Hamiota. A couple of Oak River boys were also on the roster. Once the team won the province two key players were added. They were Lou Morrison of Hartney and Mark Fischer of Riverside.

Hamiota edged out the South End Sioux 1-0 to win the championship of Manitoba. They went on to Western Canadians at Mount Pleasant Park in Regina. In the first two games they beat the Red Deer Ramblers and lost to the Regina Maroons. Then they played Red Deer in the semi-final and won 9-5 behind Mark Fischer on the mound. This meant that Hamiota would meet Regina in the final. Hamiota won handily, 13-2. Lou Morrison struck out 14 batters. Meanwhile, Mel Smith, Dennis Sparling, Rick Robinson, Mark Fischer, Don Coombs, and Dick Coombs led the team at the plate.

This family had a huge impact on minor baseball in Rapid City. Dan was an organizer and often a coach to all four boys at one time or another. The family was presented special sports recognition awards from the Town of Rapid City when the family moved to Winnipeg in 1975.

After moving to Winnipeg, Jim played with the River East Junior team, John and Jerry with the Elmwood midgets and Rob with teams at Gateway and Transcona.

All four boys played with the Elmwood Giants Juniors. Jim and Jerry played on the 1978 Provincial and Prairie Region championship team. Both played on the Elmwood Juniors 1978-79 team that has previously been inducted in the MBHOF.

Rob played for the Elmwood midgets, juniors, and seniors. He played on back-to-back Canadian championship teams with the Manitoba Juvenile All-stars in 1981 and then with St. Boniface who won the Junior Canadian Championship in 1982. He helped Elmwood win the Provincial Junior Championship in 1984 and was named MJBL top pitcher and MVP. Rob went on to play successfully in the MSBL for a number of years.

Dan became heavily involved in umpiring in Winnipeg for about 15 years at many high levels and championships.

The All American Girls Professional Baseball League was a league that operated in cities located on or near Lake Michigan. It began in 1943. The main promoter was Philip Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs, who was worried about the viability of (men’s) pro baseball during World War Two, and decided to establlish an alternate attraction. The league lasted until 1954. Over the years the rules, equipment, and style of play in the league changed from softball to baseball (for example, the size of the ball at the beginning was 12″ in circumference, but at the end it was 9 ¼”). Eleven girls from Manitoba played in the league. All of them were inducted into the Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in 1988. They were inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame at St. Mary’s, Ontario on June 4, 1998

The Oakland Braves were an amalgamation of players from Nesbitt and Wawanessa. Traditionally these two teams had been rivals, but a lack of players brought them together in 1957. The played in the South Central League.

The team was often successful in league and tournament play. Their most notable year was 1961. They won the League Championship game that year, beating the Brandon Cloverleafs 13–0 in the final game. After defeating Cartwright the Oakland Braves advanced to the final series of the South Manitoba Baseball Association. They won the title of Southern Manitoba Champions after defeating Reston in two straight games. Oakland then went on to defeat Rivers in the battle of the Northern and Southern Manitoba Leagues.

In 1991, the Portage Athletics dominated midget baseball in Manitoba. They would go on to easily win the Provincial Championships, earning the right to represent Manitoba at the 1991 Canadian National Championships. Portage quickly realized that if they wanted to compete at the National level that they would need to gather up some top talent midget players from Brandon. The Portage Athletics were determined to lead Manitoba to a National Championship and thats just what they did. Beating Team BC in the championship game by a score of 11-3.