From Hamiota, Randy Robertson was a top minor-age player. He was on teams that won provincial championships at Beaver, Bantam, and Midget levels. His Souris team won a silver medal at Western Canadians in 1979 and Robertson was the all star catcher. As a Midget in 1982, he was selected to attend an elite development camp in Edmonton. In 1984, Robertson was selected to attend a try-out for the Team Canada Youth Team. In the MSBL, his career lasted only from 1984 through to 1989, but his lifetime average was .352 and his 25 stolen bases in one season set a League record never to be matched. He was part of a Hamiota Red Sox team that won three MSBL pennants and one championship. In Hamiota, Robertson coached minor ball from 1985 through 1988 and he also ran a camp for elite young players.

As both a player and a builder, Bruce Stephens belongs in the Hall of Fame. He was part of his hometown Cardale’s 1968 Manitoba and Western Canadian Midget champion. In 1972, he was on Manitoba’s Junior representative at Nationals. That same year, he was a rookie and the all star catcher in the MSBL with Binscarth Orioles, who were both League and Provincial champions. In 1973, Stephens moved to Deloraine. For many seasons he played for and coached the Royals of the South West League. He was a perennial all star as well as five time League batting champion. His Royals won the 1983 Western Canadian title. While playing, Stephens also coached minor ball. He led Deloraine’s first Provincial championship Pee Wee team. He represented Manitoba at Westerns and Nationals ten times as a player or coach. He also served Baseball Manitoba as Treasurer and for many years as a coaching clinician.

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.

Barry Wowk played with Angusville Cardinals from 1974-83, Souris Cardinals in 1984 and 86, and the Brandon Cloverleafs from 1987-91. Barry served as coach/manager for the following Team Manitoba teams: in the Western Canadian’s at Brandon in 1991, Kamloops in 1992 and Red Deer in 1994. Barry served as President of the M.S.B.L. from 1997 to the present and was selected to the M.S.B.L. Honour Society in 1999 and the MBA Honour Society in 2002. Barry was a player/manager of the Simplot Millenium Baseball Park in 2000-01 and continues to be a very active baseball catcher for various Canadian and U.S. teams in competitions in Arizona, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

Ellis played in M.S.B.L. for 22 years with the Hamiota Red Sox and had a batting average of .272 and was named to all star team six times and never at the same position (2nd, C, 3rd, OF & Utility). Ellis won Manitoba title in 1964 and 1979 and won three provincial minor crowns with Hamiota in 1957,60, and 66. Woods played with Team Toba in Western Canadians at North Battleford in 1974 and was a team leader in developing computer programs at the Midget Nationals in Stonewall and at the 1999 Pan Am Games. Woods also coached the Shoal Lake high school basketball tour of Finland and Sweden in 1980’s and served the Winnipeg High School Hockey League as scheduler, Statistian and Commissioner.

Bob started at age 14 and for most of the next 35 years he was catcher and often manager of the Binscarth Buffaloes-Orioles. Bob was the force behind baseball in Binscarth. In the 1960s the Binscarth club contended annually for North West League championship. Bob joined M.S.B.L. in 1972 and for next 14 years never missed the playoffs. Binscarth won M.S.B.L. four times (1972, 1977, 1982, 1984) and took two Manitoba championships. Bob also played with Balmoral Orioles and Carman Cubs in Winnipeg Senior League – he was with Carman`s 1963 city championship team. Bob coached Selkirk juniors in 1989-90. He was inducted into M.B.A. Honour Society in 1993.

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

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.

Player/builder. Regarded as father of Brandon Cloverleafs, which began play in 1946 and was first team inducted into Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. From 1951 to 1958 he was manager, recruiter, accountant, league representative, virtually everything, including player. He was a great catcher, .300 hitter, good base runner, outstanding leader. Helped Carman Cubs win Winnipeg Senior title in 1963. Was also a top fastball player with Brandon A.N.A.F. Vets and Winnipeg Kiewels. Excellent basketball and hockey player, was Western Manitoba Athlete of the Year in 1954. Now plays slow pitch softball with Manitoba ReMax 65+ who won World Championships in 1998.

Cliff was an outstanding catcher in his prime, and in his later years he played third, first and was a designated hitter with Riverside Canucks. Cliff was named the M.S.B.L. first all-star team 14 times, played on six M.S.B.L. championship teams and five Manitoba championship teams. Cliff was M.S.B.L. MVP in 1964 and 1970, and won the league batting title in 1972 with a .394 average. Cliff`s average over 25 years was .314. Seafoot was also a very good goalie with the Souris Elks in hockey. He was considered a great team player in both baseball and hockey.

 

 

Cliff Seafoot Newspaper Article, 1970

Cliff Seafoot Newspaper Article, 1971

Cliff Seafoot Newspaper Articles, 1972

Cliff Seafoot Newspaper Article, (2) 1972

Cliff Seafoot Newspaper Article, (3) 1972

Cliff Seafoot Newspaper Article, 1974

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