Bob Senff was a Winnipegger who moved to Virden in 1971 and in 1980 began to umpire. Over the next thirty years he was a highly respected umpire in Western Manitoba. He worked primarily in the MSBL, but for two years also handled games in the Prairie League of Professional Baseball. He also regularly umpired in other leagues like at Western Canadians, Manitoba Regionals or Provincials, and at National tournaments including the first Women’s National tournament held in St. James. Senff served in administrative positions such as assignor of umpires for Senior leagues, Umpire-in-Chief of the MSBL, and member of the Disciplinary Committee of Baseball Manitoba. He especially remembers umpiring a Senior game in which his two sons played against each other and singing both the Canadian and American National Anthems before umpiring Prairie League games.

• Born in Winnipeg, MB in 1961
• Contributed immensely to baseball in Manitoba as an umpire and an administrator
• Began umpiring in the 1970s
• Umpired all levels of national and international tournaments
• Became the youngest umpire to work in the Olympics in the Atlanta Summer Olympics of 1996
• Glen was the plate umpire for the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Team Canada for the 1992 Exhibition Game
• Throughout his career, Glen developed, instructed, and supervised multiple umpire clinics
• Inaugural recipient of Baseball Canada’s Umpire of the Year in 1993
• President of Baseball Manitoba from 1993-1996 and served on the Board of Directors for 7 years

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.

Member of 1924 Provincial Juvenile Champions Elmwood Giants. Catcher and Captain of the Provincial Champion Junior Giants in 1925 and 1927. 1927 team played undefeated baseball. Catcher for the Elks of the popular Winnipeg Wesley Senior League from 1928-1934. Provincial Champions 1928 and 1929. 1934-39 player/manager of the Norwood team in the Greater Winnipeg Senior League. After WWII Alex played a major role in the reforming of the Giants Organization, Serving as president for a number of years and was instrumental in getting the Giants Senior team into the Winnipeg Senior League in 1947, the Manitoba Senior League in 1949 and the Mandak League in 1950.

 

Alex Turk Newspaper Article 1929

Alex Turk Newspaper Article 1932

Alex Turk Newspaper Article 1935

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

Jack Thompson was born at Shoal Lake and played minor and senior ball there. From 1940-1945 Jack served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in Britain and France. Thompson coached minor ball in St. James during the 50’s and 60’s. From 1973-82 Jack served on the M.B.A. board of directors, from 1976-77 he was president of the Winnipeg Minor Baseball Association, and from 1978-79 he was president of the Manitoba Baseball Association. From 1983-84 Jack was vice president of the Manitoba Junior League, from 1973-79 he was an area scout for the Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and in 1984 Jack was named to the M.B.A. Honour Society. In 1985 Jack started using his own P.A. system to announce minor, junior, and provincial tournaments and he became known as the “Voice of Baseball in Winnipeg”.

Barry Swanton played, coached, managed, administered, and promoted baseball for more than fifty years. He was shortstop and leadoff hitter for many Hamiota teams, and all star at second base for the North division in 1955 in the Manitoba Midget League while playing for CUAC Blues. He was starting center fielder in the 11th annual Tribune Junior league All Star game at the Winnipeg Stadium. Swanton was a founding member of the North Winnipeg Minor Baseball Association. He coached with CUAC or Legion 141 teams for four years. He researched and wrote short histories of Winnipeg Goldeyes, Winnipeg Maroons, and the ManDak League. He also wrote a book in 2006 on the ManDak League as a haven for former Negro League players. Swanton was MBA Vice-President of competition for four years, 1984-1987.

Played for Virden, Souris, Brandon Athletics, Brandon Cloverleafs before becoming an umpire and-then an administrator. Has served M.S.B.L. as Secretary-Treasurer, statistician, or in some other capacity for 35 years.

Born in 1927, Murray played professionally in the Dodgers organization in late 40s and early 50s. He played locally in Carman, Minot, McConnell, Hamiota, Virden, The Pas. Richardson helped organize Oil Dome League while acting as Virden’s Athletic Director, 1958-1967. Also served as Recreation/Athletic Director in North Battleford and Hamiota.

Wayne was a good hitting first sacker for 29 years and was with McAuley M.S.B.L. senior teams for 17 years. Wayne was first team all star three times from 1974-76, and was second team all star 4 times in 1977,79,80 and 82. He was with the Manitoba Champions in 1975 and 1987 and played several times with Team Manitoba and won National bronze in 1976. He served as secretary for the M.B.A from 1987-90. Wayne was president of the Border League from 1987-90 and vice president of M.S.B.L. from 1992-97 and also had administrative and coaching assignments with bantam and midget developmental teams in the Westman region for a number of years. Wayne received the 1988 Canadian Government Celebrations Coaches Medal and was also very active as a hockey player and hockey administrator in the McAuley area.

Paradine played with the Binscarth Orioles in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League from 1981-1990. The Orioles won the league title in 1982, 1984 and 1986. He was named the M.S.B.L. All-star Outfielder five times while playing with the Orioles. He then served as the President of Binscarth Minor Ball for ten years. Paradine was a very successful fastball coach, often coaching three female teams per year. From 1996-2008 had many teams reach the finals, earning provincial gold numerous times in each age category he coached. He is greatly appreciated in his community as he provided many local girls the opportunity to play top calibre ball. All three of his daughters received scholarships to play in the United States.

 

Bob Paradine Newspaper Article 1976

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