Armin Gitzel was an outstanding pitcher, outfielder, infielder, hitter, and base runner. He was a key force on the Miami team that won six consecutive Provincial championships from 1952 through to 1957. He continued his Senior playing career in the South Central Border League with the Carman Cardinals through 1961 and then with Graysville’s league championship teams of 1962 and 1963. A highlight for Gitzel was leading Carman to a league championship against Plum Coulee in 1957. In the final game he struck out 15 batters and also smashed a long home run. For many years he was prominent in the tournaments in rural communities such as Fannystelle, St. Claude, Treherne, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Carman, and Morden.

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.

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.

Nelson Woods was a good outfielder in 1940s and 1950s, and played on district junior team in 1948 which won Fort Qu’Appelle (Saskatchewan) tournament over Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Notre Dame. Nelson coached both juvenile and midget teams to Western Canada titles in mid-1960s. He also umpired for twelve years in MSBL, and was in the Canadian senior championship in 1970. Nelson was also prominent in hockey and in curling, and in 1980 he won silver at Canadian Senior Curling Championships.Served as councillor & mayor of Hamiota 19690-73 and was Reeve of the RM of Hamiota 1989-92

Bob Wilson played in the Brandon After Little League, Pony League, Brandon Athletics, and for one year Bob joined the Cloverleafs in 1957. For the next 21 years Bob won the Central Manitoba Baseball crown four times from 1957-60, won M.S.B.L. title six times and the Manitoba senior A crown five times (66, 69, 70, 71, 76). Bob played in the Canadian championships at Kenosee (1971), took silver at the Canadian championships in Edmunston, N.B. in 1973, and was named to M.S.B.L. first all star team nine times and the second all star team three times. Bob had a 17 year batting average of .306 in M.S.B.L., and was named to the M.S.B.L. forty year all star team as an outfielder.

Wimpy Williamson played 25 years with the Belmont A’s as a right fielder and terrific power hitter. Wimpy played 2-3 tournaments a week in North Dakota, southern Manitoba, and southeastern Saskatchewan. He won July 1st tournaments in both Neepawa and Morden. Wimpy was part of the Belmont team that won the Central Manitoba Baseball Association (8 leagues) championship in 1952. He played against touring teams, including Muskogee Cardinals. Wimpy loved baseball and roll-your-own cigarettes.

Bob Williamson was an excellent second baseman and later outfielder for 24 years with Riverside in the M.S.B.L. Bob was on the first all star team eleven times, second all star team seven times, and was the batting champion twice, in 1977 (.442) and in 1982 (.415). Hal was also a M.S.B.L. champion eight times, and a Manitoban champion five times (73, 74, 78, 81, 82). Bob played for Team Manitoba several times (won bronze at Canadians in 1976), holds two M.S.B.L. records, for 42 runs scored in 1980 and hit by pitch in 1982. Bob won the Ab Richardson award for dedication to baseball in 1992, became a M.S.B.L. Honorary Life Member in 2000, and was named the 40th anniversary second all star team as an outfielder. Bob Williamson also directed the Belmont operation for Riverside for many years. Bob was known as a fierce competitor, a fine player, and a “great team” man. Willie joins his father Wimpy in the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Dennis was considered a strong fielder and a consistent hitter. He threw a mean left-handed curveball and perfected the “Wiebe Pickoff”. Dennis was considered a great team player with great determination and great passion. Dennis was a member of four teams already inducted in the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame: 1964-1969 Rivers Comets, 1967 Brandon Parklane Juniors, 1966-1971 Brandon Cloverleafs and the 1988-1992 Giroux Athletics. Dennis was named Manitoba Senior Baseball League All-Star 1st Baseman in 1973 and 1974.

 

 

Dennis Wiebe, Newspaper Article 1970

Dennis Wiebe Newspaper Article 1974 (2)

Dennis Wiebe Newspaper Article, 1974

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

Roland Minor Baseball in the mid 1960’s. 1970-75 Carman Goldeyes Junior team Centre fielder, winning several Provincial Junior Championships. 1976-1989 played centre field for the Goldeyes Senior team. Nicknamed Billy “White Shoes” or “Whitey” and was known for his gracefulness and made all the plays look easy. Perennial All Star out in centre field. Consistently among league leaders in batting average and home runs in the Redboine Senior Baseball League. Voted team MVP of Carman Goldeyes on numerous occasions. Played against touring national teams from Japan, Korea, and Canada’s national team. Played on the Manitoba Intermediate Border League Championship Team that gold in Alberta.

 

Bill Whitehead Newspaper Article 1971

Bill Whitehead Newspaper Article 1972

Bill Whitehead Newspaper Article 1972 (2)

Bill Whitehead Newspaper Article 1974

Bill Whitehead Newspaper Article 1974 (2)

Bill Whitehead Newspaper Article 1975

These newspaper articles belong to the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections, Winnipeg Tribune Collection

Tony Tascona played as an under age player at midget and juvenile levels, then played junior with Elmwood Giants and St. Boniface Native Sons. Tony was with the Brandon Greys in 1948 when they won the Manitoba Senior Baseball title, and then for the next season went to Winnipeg Reos. Tony was a good fielder, hitter, and excellent bunter. Tony was also a strong hockey player, but he left sports as a young man to pursue a career in art. Tascona has received many awards for artistic endeavors. Tony became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1996.