CUAC Blues 1942

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.

Belmont A’s

Back Row, left to right: W.G. Glen Cumming, Glen Stephenson, Ron Gray, Harvey Gray (Coach), Babe (James) Gordon, Harvey (Wimp) Williamson, Roy Gislason, Neil Cline.
Middle Row: Dick Myers, Dan Hyrich, Leo Stephenson, Henry Nicholson.
Front Row: Bub English, Grant Stephenson, Lloyd (Dudley) Lambkin, Tommy Lee, Ronny Mathers (bat boy) Lorne Lambkin (fan).
Missing: Lloyd Danridge.

In 1935 Belmont had 2 teams, a senior club and a high school team, but only one set of uniforms. Played off for the uniforms and the high school team won so they got the uniforms and thus began Belmont A’s. Successive coaches were Reg Sadler (teacher), Alex Reid, Lloyd Mathers and Harvey Gray. The first tournament always was May 24th at Ninette. Played 4 tournaments a week in July, no Sunday ball except at Notre Dame, often played 3 successive days. Harvesting in August curtailed play. Won $300 at July 1st tournaments in Morden and Neepawa, lost in finals to Neepawa in first interleague playoffs (1951) won Central Manitoba Baseball Association crown at Neepawa (1052). Belmont A’s were highly respected and successful in the 30s, 40s and 50s in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan due to great pitching and hitting. In 1946 Belmont A’s tied Brandon Greys 4-4 at Kinsmen Stadium. “Babe” Gordon, Lloyd Dandridge and Neil “Dozer” Cline were great chuckers.

Riverside Canucks 1973-1978

Manitoba Senior Baseball League & Manitoba Baseball Association Champions

The Riverside Park was originally at the junction of Highway 10 and the Souris River, and the Riverside Canucks functioned for over 50 years (1946-96) as a great tournament club. The four Seafoot brothers; Ken, Morris, Garth, and Cliff were a major part of the Riverside Canucks for many years. Form 1973-1978 Riverside won M.S.B.L. and M.B.A. titles in 1973, 1974 and 1978. From 46-84 teams won 926 times of 1480 games with 17 ties.

Murray Zuk

Zuk played on 4 provincial winners at Hamiota, was the first M.B.A. president from 1969-70 when 4 groups amalgamated, coached and umpired baseball in Souris for many years, and was head coach for the Souris Cardinals Western Canada Juvenile champions in 1967. Zuk was C.F.A.B. director for 4 years, W.C.B.A. Director for 2 year, and was a Cincinnati Red scout for 28 years. He helped several players obtain scholarships, is currently Atlanta Braves Western Canada scouting director, and in 1990 was the assistant coach for the Western Canada Bantam Champion. Zuk was also very involved in figure skating in Manitoba.

Joe Wiwchar

Joe was and still is actively involved as a builder of the sport of baseball. Joe coached from 1953-98 continuously, 1953-65 with Earl Grey C.C. (pony, colt, colt grad), and coached South End Sioux to league title in 1966 and ’67. In 1968 Joe coached the Fort Rouge Mallards (Manitoba-Saskatchewan), reps to Canadian Junior Championships, and in 1971 the Morden Beavers to gold in Manitoba and silver at Westerns. From 1971-98 Joe coached the Morden Mohawks, who won 14 league crowns, the Morden midgets in 1973 and ’75, he coached the Manitoba Juniors to silver medals in Canada Games at St. John’s Newfoundland in 1977. Joe coached the Manitoba Bisons to gold at Westerns and bronze at Canadians. Joe was the recipient of M.B.A. coach of the year in 1986, and volunteer of the year in 1985. From 1986-92 Joe coached the Pembina Valley Orioles juniors. In 1994 Joe chaperoned at World Children`s Baseball Fair in Japan, was coach/coordinator of baseball program (ages 8-40) La Rochelle France (1995-96), coach (’98) and manager (’97) of Manitoba Selects at Blue Jays Cup, and he served the MBA in several capacities from 1968-98.

Johnny Wilson

Johnny Wilson started with senior at 13 years of age and continued till 45 years of age. He played with brother Vic, Horace and cousin Bob with great tournament team from Tamarisk. He started in 1929 and in 1938 was shortstop for Broadview Buffalo team who won South Saskatchewan championship. In 1939 was with Coniston, Ontario, in 40’s he managed Gilbert Plains which included Orville and Roy Minish, Billy Murray, in early 1950’s he managed Grandview Maroons in Northern and Manitoba-Saskatchewan League which included many imports. He was chairman of committee to plan and build new Grandview Ball Park, opening game in 1967 featured Team Canada and Yorkton Cardinals, in 1979 Grandview Centennial Park was renamed “Wilson Memorial Park” to honour the sports contribution of John and Bob Wilson. “Johnny was the best all round ball player, we saw”, said brother Horace. “He was an outstanding shortstop, a big man who was a tremendous hitter and bunter.” Grandview Maroons purchased the Winnipeg Maroons uniforms from Bruno Haas. Johnny was an M.B.A. director, president of North West League, coached extensively, and convened provincial tournaments.

Jack Warwick

Jack Warwick was a great hitter, and a flawless first baseman. In 1943 he played with the Norwood Seniors, in 1944 and ’45 with the St. Boniface Seniors, from 1946-’47 with the Elmwood Giants Juniors, in 1948 with the Washington Senators (played 3.5 months with Fulton, Kentucky. In 1949 Jack played with the Elmwood Giants, 1950 Man Dak League with Willie Wells Sr., Solly Drake, Hal Price, Lyman Bostock on Giants, in 1951 with Selkirk, in 1952 and `53 with Transcona, 1954 St. Boniface Native Sons plus rural tournaments in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Howie Tibbatts

Spike was born into a sports loving family at Binscarth and hit his first homer as a 12 year old catcher for the ladies baseball team at Birtle Sports Day. Howie, along with catcher Vic Murray, formed a dynamic duo in league and tournament play and in early 30’s Howie played with Norwood in Winnipeg Senior League. He whiffed 15 and 13 Dokey Tigers on separate occasions and set an all time Winnipeg record with 19 K’s against the Elks. Spike spent several seasons with Tamarisk, a great tournament team playing out of Grandview, and won over 60 games each year. Spike often pitched 20 innings in a day, and was the winning moundsman when Tarmarisk beat an all star Winnipeg Senior League squad at a Neepawa tournament. Team mate, Vic Wilson, recalls winning two tournaments in one day by juggling their games. In 1939 he went to Margaret as the U.G.G. grain buyer where he performed with the local team plus Fairfax and Belmont, and two great tournament teams. Spike was not only a super pitcher, but a good fielder and an above average hitter. When his playing days were over, he coached hockey, curling and most of all baseball, the game he loved so much.

Bob Thomson

Bob Thomson was a very good pitcher and infielder for 20 years, from the late 40’s to late 60’s. Bob led Miami to many victories in South Central Baseball League and tournament play, and sometimes played with other teams. In 1949 Bob pitched and batted Poplar Point to first prize money at Morden’s popular Dominion Day tournament. Bob was also a very good hockey player who always exhibited skill and sportsmanship. As an athlete and a gentleman, he was a great role model.

Joe Teres

Joe was another tremendous shortstop for 20 years, was a speedy baserunner, a good fielder, and had a great arm. Joe was Mr. Shortstop, and Cincinnati offered him a contract in 1938. Joe joined the City Police Force in 1948 and became the first constable in 1960. Joe was appointed Chief of Police in 1974 while he was active with the East End Hockey program. Joe was president of the Kiwanis Club, and a new elementary school named Joe Teres School in 1988. His life was an example for any boy to follow.