Ron Shewchuk of Minnedosa has been involved in the umpiring programs of Manitoba, Baseball Canada, and international baseball for the past 35 years. On the field, Ron has umpired over 50 Provincial, MSBL, and Western Canadian championships and 900 professional games. In 13 national championships he always worked the gold medal game either behind the plate or at first base. Internationally, Ron has worked eight championships including the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He has earned Baseball Manitoba and Baseball Canada Umpire of the Year awards. Ron has also made significant contributions to the provincial and national umpire programs through his extensive supervisory and administrative involvement.

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

Over the years the community of Warren produced some strong teams and the Senior team from 1974-79 has added to the vaunted history of that community. By focusing on the fundamentals of good defence, quality pitching and timely hitting, they met their competition head on. Warren played in the Interlake Baseball League which consisted of 10 teams from 1968-79 winning championships in 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1979. Warren also played in many tournaments for several years highlighted in 1976 by winning the Holland tournament over the Carman Goldeyes.

The years 1993-2000 were part of the Mohawks winning the Border League championship for 11 consecutive seasons and for 13 of 14 years beginning in 1987. In 1994 they went a perfect 24-0 in regular schedule and league playoffs which earned them the Manitoba Baseball Team of the Year. The Mohawks competed in the majority of Provincial Senior B Championships and were a dominant supplier of players to the roster for Provincial A teams during this era. Mohawk players competed with the A team at the Western Canadian Championships in 1993, 1994, and 1997.

The Brandon Marlins entered the MSBL in 1995 under the coaching of the late Neil Andrews to keep the league viable as it was down to three senior teams. After some growing pains the Marlins won their first league championship and provincial title in 1999. The Marlins repeated as champions in 2001 with a powerful team that set a record for runs scored with 171 in an MSBL 18 game schedule while racking up a .344 team batting average. The Marlins continued their success with league and provincial titles highlighted by playing in front of their home fans in 2006. From 1998-2004 the Marlins hosted a three day Canada Day tournament for senior teams from Manitoba, Sask., and the USA with the Marlins winning in 2004.

 

Trevor Procter was an outstanding player at all levels from the 1986 Midget Western and Canadian championships to nine Senior Western and Canadian Nationals while winning three silver and one gold. Trevor was a very versatile player who mainly played third base and was voted defensive player of the year three consecutive seasons in Junior with Legion 141. As an 18 year old pickup he hit .571 at the 1988 Senior Western Canadians in Kamloops, BC. He had a lengthy and successful career in the Redboine Senior League and with the Stonewall Blue Jays of the WSBL. He was a member of multiple League and provincial championship teams. Trevor took up coaching minor ball in his home town of Woodlands and has been instrumental in keeping baseball alive in the community. Several of his coached teams have made provincial appearances over the last 15 years but more importantly he has inspired and motivated many children to continue playing baseball.

 

Terry Mayert was well known for his abilities and competiveness during his lengthy career in the South West Baseball League from 1978-98. He spent most of his career with the Reston Rockets where he won league top pitcher and MVP awards along with 13 all star selections as an outfielder or pitcher.  He made numerous appearances at Provincials with South West teams and attended three Western Canadians including a 1983 championship title. In the double knockout finals of the 1981 Provincial A tournament he was called on to pitch and defeated the Neepawa Farmers in game one and lost 1-0 in game two while pitching all 14 innings. He has already been inducted as a team member of the Deloraine Royals and Waskada Orioles for his contribution to their provincial playoff success.

Jason has posted an extensive resume as a player, coach, and builder for the great sport of baseball in Manitoba. He had an outstanding junior career from 1987-92 with the Elmwood Giants and excelled as a pitcher, first baseman, and power hitter. Jason had a four year career at Mayville State and was All-conference in 1993.  He began his Senior career in 1993 and from 1995-2004 was player-coach with the Carillon Sultans of the Winnipeg Senior League. The Sultans won five league championships and the 2003 Provincial Senior A title. Jason was player-coach of the Franklin Border Kings of the Border East League from 2005-11 and won four more league championships. His still active coaching career involves success at all levels from Grass Roots & High Performance to Junior, Senior, and Provincial teams. He also still contributes to Baseball Manitoba and Minor Baseball in clinician and executive capacities.

Doug Freeth was a hard throwing strikeout starting pitcher who dominated the Manitoba Junior Baseball League from 1969-72 with the St. Boniface Legionnaires Junior. Pitching for Manitoba in 1973 at the Canada Summer Games in Burnaby, B.C he threw 15 innings of shutout ball including a nine inning 1-0 victory against New Brunswick and five scoreless innings in the gold medal game against B.C. He pitched professionally in the Rookie League for the Edmonton Trappers in 1974 and for Manitoba senior teams in St.Boniface, Souris and Teulon from 1973-78. A physically imposing and all around athlete at 6’5″ Doug was also on the 1976 CIAU Canadian Champion University of Manitoba basketball team.

 

Doug Freeth 2018-05-08

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

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Troy has had one of the most outstanding careers in baseball for a Manitoba born player. His dominating minor career where he often played above his age category earned him MBA minor player of the year awards in 1990 and 92′. Troy was drafted as a catcher in 1993 by the Minnesota Twins and rose through the Twins minor league system from the Rookie classification to AA from 1993-98. in 96′ he set an A Ball record by going 25 games and 75 at bats without striking out. Troy asked for his release from the Twins to sign with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in ’98. His offensive and defensive talents were on full display for local fans to admire until retirement in 2000. Troy batted .332 with a .940 OPS while committing only 5 errors in almost three full seasons as a Goldeye. In 1999 Troy also played for Team Canada in the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg winning Bronze Medal. Since his Goldeyes retirement Troy has played for several Manitoba Senior teams and at Canada Senior Tournament.