Manitoba’s 1977 Canada Summer Games Team

• INDUCTED 2022

The 1977 Canada Summer Games were held in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Manitoba has won silver in baseball at four different Canada Summer Games, but has never won bronze or gold. The players on Manitoba’s 1977 team came from the Manitoba Junior League, the Redboine League, and the Manitoba Senior League. As it turned out, half the players came from Winnipeg, and the other half were from rural areas. The team jelled under coaches Joe Wiwchar and Gus Beitz, and they finished in their pool with a 4-1 record. Manitoba beat Nova Scotia in the semi-finals, but lost 5-3 to an undefeated British Columbia in the finals. Many members from this 1977 team have previously been inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. All members have positive memories of their teammates, coaches, and supporters. They especially remember the friendly, good-humored people of Newfoundland.