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.
