1946 Page Coming Along

Below, you will see posts on the WIL from the time it was re-organising in mid-1945 to the beginning of spring training of 1946.

If you want game stories from 1946, they are on the main site (click on the link on the right).

Eventually, the rest of spring training and the 1946 season stories will be transfered here.

Jimmy Dumeah Tries Pro Ball Career

With Victoria Club
[Victoria Colonist, April 2, 1946]
Jimmy Dumeah, well known here as a former member of the Royal Canadian Navy baseball team, who is among the 20 players working out with the Victoria Athletics at the Spring training camp at Lewiston, Idaho. Other former local players are Ian Lowe, Tony Maze and Stan Curry. Manager Laurel Harney has listed daily workouts on the field from 10 to 3, and is working on the schedule for exhibition and practice games. Athletics will undergo training until April 24, following which they will break camp and head for Wenatchee, where they are scheduled to open the season on April 26. They make their first home appearance on April 30 at Royal Athletic Park.

Victoria Players Undressed

LEWISTON, Idaho, April 1—Uniform troubles are dogging Laurel Harney, manager of the Victoria Athletics of the Western International Baseball League, who arrived here Saturday with 20 players to set up a spring training camp.
Harney found the most careful plans of a baseball manager can go astray.
He had arranged to have a complete set of new uniforms ready when his team arrived. A checkup with the local supply house disclosed the same old story—back orders too many and lack of materials. Harney is unhappy but hopes the unies will arrive in time to open the season in April.
Harney brought a starting squad of four outfielders, seven pitchers and three catchers including himself. He plans to work behind the plate in relief roles during the season.

Oaks Send Players To Victoria

Baseball Directors To Visit Training Camp at Lewiston
[Victoria Colonist, March 30, 1946]
J.V. Johnson and J.McNeely, directors of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., sponsors of the Victoria Athletics, local entry in the Western International Baseball League, will leave this afternoon for Seattle en route to Lewiston, Idaho, scene of the Athletics’ training camp. Tony Maze, Stan Curry and Ian Lowe, former Victoria amateur baseball players signed by the local club, will accompany the directors to Lewiston. Manager Laurel Harney advised the Victoria office yesterday that he is taking 25 players to training camp. Tommy Burgess, Victoria trainer, is already on the scene. Athletics will train until April 24, two days before they are slated to open the season at Wenatchee.
--
OAKLAND, Cal., March 29—The Oakland baseball club, through general manager Victor Devincenzi, announced today the optioning of the following players:
To Victoria, Western International, Pitchers Leo Jones and Rudy Biale, Infielders Al Steel, Walt Raimondi and Hardy Mollath, and Outfielders Eddie Murphy and Pete Hughes.

Frisco Edwards to Pilot Senators

Former Umpire to Manage Salem Club
SALEM, Ore., March 23—Leo (Frisco) Edwards, for the last seven years one of the top men in the Pacific Coast League’s umpiring corps, was tonight named manger of the Salem Senators, of the Western International Baseball League, by William H. Klepper, general manager of the Portland and Salem clubs.

WIL Schedule Set

Yakima To Open Baseball Season Here
[Vancouver News-Herald, March 15, 1946]
Vancouver baseball fans will get their first look at this year’s edition of the Western International League, Capilanos, on April 30, when Sylvester Johnson’s boys open a seven-game series against Yakima. The Pippins open on a Tuesday, then play Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and two games Saturday. The clubs move to Seattle to wind up their series Sunday.
The Caps, who start their season at Spokane April 26, play at Spokane again and Tacoma before entertaining Wenatchee here starting May 13.
All told, the locals have 75 home games scheduled, but 10 of them are Sunday dates which will be played at Seattle.
The Victoria club opens at home, too, with Tacoma Tigers providing the opposition. Laurel Harney’s hirelings get their W.I.L. baptism at Wenatchee April 26.

Laurel Harney Talks Baseball

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, March 14, 1946]
PRO BASEBALL IS COMING BACK
Professional baseball will make its reappearance in Victoria this Summer after a lapse of more than two decades, thanks to the initiative of Laurel Harney, former playing manager of the Victoria Machinery Depot, city champions.
We are prepared to admit that the support of more than 200 local shareholders of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., the greater number of them businessmen, has actually made the move possible, but the one man who started the ball rolling was the peppery receiver of the shipbuilders, Laurel Harney.
Always a strong supporter of the diamond pastime, a sports which he has more than once tabbed as “the best game in the world,” Laurel Harney deserves the congratulations of every baseball-minded Victorian for the part he has played to place Victoria back into the professional baseball field.
A veteran athlete who has had considerable experience in sports generally as a player, manager and coach, Harney has worked hard to advance the plan to its present stage, and knowing sports and its obstacles, he realizes he still has a lot of hard work ahead of him. But he has the will and determination to succeed, and the ambition and drive to exert every influence to put it over.
Return of the professional diamond pastime will give the city much valuable advertising and go a long way to publicizing this city in the Pacific Northwest. Then too, it will be responsible for giving Victoria a vastly improved and up-to-date baseball park, something sports here have needed for a long time.

Athletics Add Local Baseball Star

Ian Lowe Signed By Victoria Club
[Victoria Colonist, March 13, 1946]
Ian “Ace” Lowe, former batting champion of the Victoria Machinery Depot ball nine, is the latest player to sign a professional baseball contract for the Victoria Athletics, local entry in the Western International Baseball League.
Signing of the ace shortstop of the shipbuilders was announced last night by Reg Patterson, recently appointed business manager of the Athletics.
Lowe played two seasons at the Caledonia Avenue ball lot with the shipbuilders, and in addition to winning the batting championship was the leading home-run hitter. His signed contract was received yesterday from Brandon.
Lowe will report to the Victoria Athletics spring training camp at Lewiston, Idaho, on April 1.

Reg Patterson Hired by Athletics

Business Manager
[Victoria Colonist, March 6, 1946]
Reg Patterson, Popular playing coach of last season’s championship Victoria Machinery Depot baseball nine, who yesterday was named business manager of the Victoria Athletics, local entry in the Western International Baseball League. A veteran of 15 years’ actual playing experience, Patterson broke into the diamond pastime at Alberni in 1930 and played with Port Alberni Elks in the old Vancouver Island League and later the Comox-Alberni circuit. He came to Victoria five years ago and played one season with the Eagles before joining the shipbuilders, with which team he was a regular member for the past four seasons. Patterson’s appointment was announced last night by Laurel Harney, manager of the Victoria Athletics. He will commence his new duties about March 15.

Caps Sign One of the Bellingham Zenders

Now Dick Zender Is On Our Side
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver News-Herald, March 1, 1946]
Vancouver Capilano’s fast-growing baseball roster boasted a new, but familiar name Thursday, when Bellingham’s Dick Zender signed his name to a contract.
Zender, according to Bob Brown, picked off a sizeable bonus for signing, but Ruby Robert, who is infallible in money matters, says he’ll be worth it.
Dick, one of a large crop of Bellingham baseballing Zenders, first became known to Vancouver fans as a member of the pre-war Capilanos, but he didn’t stay along then.
HE’S GROWED
Just a kid at the time, he got homesick and left the club. But he’s a big boy now, and married, and this, plus the fact he’s just completed a stint in the army, undoubtedly has settled him down.
Brown, who leaves today for Seattle Rainiers’ training cap at San Fernando, counts on Zender to put a lot of punch into the Cap lineup. Dick’s forte, as any local pitcher who faced him as a Bellingham bell the last three years will tell you, is long-hitting. And he just loves Cap Stadium’s short right field wall.
All Dick’s ball playing with Bellingham was as an outfielder, but Bob says he’s a good catcher, too. He has a very good arm, says the local sachem and is smart behind the bat as well.

Work Continues on Victoria WIL Park

Carpenters Busy With Alterations at Athletic Park
Additional Grandstand Facilities Will Be Completed in Three Weeks—Lights on Order
[Victoria Colonist, Feb. 27, 1946]
Renovation of Royal Athletic Park for the return of professional baseball this Summer is now in full swing and should be completed in about there weeks, Laurel Harney, manager of the Victoria Athletics, local entry in the Western International Baseball League, announced today.
Parfitt Bros., local contractors, are carrying out the alterations to the seating accommodation, alterations which will provide additional grandstand seating for approximately 3,000 fans. Two new wings are being added to the present grandstand facilities at a cost of $14,000, Harney stated.
Lighting equipment for the ball park has been ordered from the Canadian General Electric and Northern Electric, and when installed, the system will cost approximately $7,000. The lighting will conform favourably with that in use in most Pacific Coast Baseball League parks.
The fixture list finally adopted at the Seattle conclave calls for 143 games, Harney added with Victoria Athletics being billed at home for 71 games and away for the remaining 72 contests. In addition to full weeks at home Victoria will have a number of split-weeks to round out the fixture list. On full weeks at the Caledonia Avenue ball lot the Athletics will play single night games on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with a double-header on Saturdays.
ATHLETICS TO OPEN TRAINING MARCH 1
Manager Laurel Harney stated last night that the Victoria Athletics will open their Spring training camp at Lewiston, Idaho, on March 1, and will break camp on March 24, two days prior to the official opening of the season. Athletics will take between 25 and 30 players to camp for training sessions.
Harney plans to leave for Oakland about March 12, to talk over the player situation with the management of the Pacific Coast League Baseball League team. He announced yesterday that six players have been signed to date: Stan Curry, Al Raimondi, and Joe Blankenship, pitchers; Frank Cirimele, second baseman; Les Mulcahy, catcher, and Tony Moreno, outfielder.
“Lefty” Maze, Army portsider who pitched for the soldiers at Royal Athletic Park prior to going overseas, will go to training camp with the Victoria team Maze, still in the services, has been approached by the local management but must secure his discharge before he can be signed by the Athletics.
While the post-season play-offs have been eliminated this season, the regular $5,000 bonus usually set aside for the play-offs will be available for the teams. It will be divided between the four top teams at the termination of the league schedule. The pennant winner will receive $2,000, with the balance being as follows: second team, $1,200; third team $1,000 and fourth team $800.
Discussing the opposition to the play-offs, Harney said, “Veteran managers are opposed to the plan as the feel that the team winnings the lengthy league schedule should be classified as champions. Then, too, in previous years, bad weather has been encountered during play-off time.”

Vancouver Gets New Players

Bob Brown Signs Young Flychaser For Capilanos
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver News-Herald, Feb. 22, 1946]
Every time the sun comes out, or a birdie sings, Bob Brown signs another ball player.
With a little co-operation from the weatherman, or the birdies, he hopes to have about 25 or 30 men on hand when his W.I.L. Capilanos shove off for spring training at Sunnyside, Wash., April 3.
Already he’s got about eight men, not including Manager Syl Johnson, lined up for the coming season, which opens up April 30.
RAMSEY’S THE NAME
Thursday, he announced the acquisition of Cleve Ramsey, an outfield prospect from Centralia, Wash. Ramsey, a youngster who spent the last couple of years in the army, has had no pro experience, but played a lot of ball in the services as well as high school and semi-pro.
Bob won’ be short of outfield material, because Wednesday we signed Bob Rossier, who was with the Caps in ’42 before joining the army. Already signed are Reg Clarkson, the local all-around athlete Bob expects will shine brightly this year; Neil Owens, from Willamette University; and Dick Andrews, another prewar Capilano.
Andrews may be converted into a pitcher, however. He returned to pitching while in the army, hurling for three years, and he has clippings to prove he didn’t do badly.
THEN THERE’S O’ROURKE
Other signees included Catcher Ray Spurgeon, another Willamette product, and pitchers Connie Higdon, a southpaw, and William John O’Rourke.
O’Rourke, who comes highly recommended by Seattle, was signed some time ago, but Bob has been so busy on the schedule as of late that he must have forgotten about him. In any case, he came across him behind an old sweatshirt or something yesterday, and proudly presented him as a new candidate.
That schedule, by the way, will be getting quite a working over in Seattle this week-end, when the league meets to straighten out a few last details before the opening gun.
Bob, who is chairman of the schedule committee, expects a lot of fireworks on the “split week” proposition. Wenatchee, Yakima, Spokane and Bremerton are said to be in favor of the plan, but Bob, strongly supported by Salem and maybe Victoria, is “agin” it. Salem, as a matter of fact, would like two weeks at home and two on the road, but aren’t expected to get much support there.
The cities are spread around too much, and life is too short, says Robert, to be hopping around like you had itchy feet.
However, “It’s all in a day’s work,” says Bob. “Do you think it will rain much this summer?”

Bremerton Pick Bluejackets As Name

Bremerton Club Signs 19 Players for Tryout
BREMERTON, Wash., Feb. 11—Bremerton will field its first professional baseball team as an entry into the Western International League this year. It will be called the Bluejackets because of the city’s close ties with the United States Navy, will be managed by Sam Gibson, one-time pitching star with the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League.
With their opening game just over two months away the team management has already signed 19 players for tryouts.
Four pitchers included in the list are: Clarence Federmeyer, who played four seasons in the W.I.L. before the war; Gene Holt, who has had some experience with the Seattle Rainiers; Howard Johnson, who was with the Yakima Pippins, and Ray Medeghini, who played with the Tacoma Tigers.
WORKED WITH PHILS
A real catching prospect is young Hollis Hanks, who attracted the attention of big league scouts while he was with the army and who worked out with the Philadelphia Phillies when he got a month’s furlough.
Others who have had pro experience are Bill Reese, who played with the Yakima Pippins in 1940, Bill Scoppetone, an outfielder who played with Oakland in 1942 until he went into the service, and Larry Hayes, speedy outfielder with Wenatchee Chiefs and Portland Beavers.
Some players with amateur and semi-pro, most of them just out of the service, include: Verne Hill and Bob Trouse, who were with the Bellingham Bells last year; Guy Wilson, Nick Gabor, Howell Paul and Hubert Fischer.
The club’s home games will be played at Roosevelt Park, a well lighted place with a seating capacity of 4,000.

Three More Join Athletics

Victoria Club Signs Players
[Victoria Colonist, Feb. 6, 1946]
Manager Laurel Harney’s announcement yesterday that Al Raimondi, former Oakland relief twirler, had affixed his signature to a contract brings to four the number of players signed by the Victoria Athletics for the forthcoming Western International Baseball League pennant race.
Word of the acquisition in the Raimondi came right on the heels of the announcement that Frank Cirimele, second baseman with New Orleans last season, and Tony Moreno, California semi-pro, had signed their contracts. Fourth player in the fold is Stan Curry, young Victoria portsider, who was the first player to be signed by the local club.
Raimondi has been with the Oakland club for the past two seasons, serving mainly in relief roles. A sturdy righthander about 30 years of age, he is counted on to prove a valuable asset to the Victoria entry. Cirimele is expected to be the regular keystone guardian. He had a brief whirl with San Diego last year before moving to New Orleans and is reported to be a good base runner. Moreno is a promising young outfielder who swings from the right side.

Caps Add Players

Capilanos Sign Two More Players
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver News-Herald, Jan. 29, 1946]
It was cold and there was snow on the ground, but as far as Bob Brown was concerned, it might as well have been spring.
“Have you ever been to Sunnyside?” Vancouver’s Mr. Baseball asked the shivering reporter. “It’s wonderful there, a perfect part, always wonderful weather. You’ll like it.”
“I’m s-u-r-r-r-e I wil-l-l,” chattered the reporter.
Anyway, Bob would have you believe, the grass is growing in his outfield, but it would appear there’s no grass growing under the feet of the manger of the Vancouver entry in the Western International baseball league.
LIST IS GROWING
Bob, whose club, under Manager Sylvester Johnson, begins spring training at Sunnyside, Wash., on either April 3 or 5, is fast rounding up a nice nine that he hopes will keep that W.I.L. pennant floating from his flag pole.
Already he has two pitchers, a catcher, and a couple of local boys, Reg Clarkson and George Bogdanovich, lined up for his 1946 squad, and he’s dickering with another outfielder, a second-sacker and two new hurlers.
Monday, he received the contracts of two more youngsters, a pitcher and an outfielder. The chucker is Bill O’Rourke, a Seattle southpaw, who hasn’t played pro ball but has semi-pro experience. O’Rourke, who is about 18 or 19, is described as a good prospect.
The flychaser is Neil Owens, a product of Willamette University, which has already provided Bob with a catcher, Ray Spurgeon. Owens, who is about 21, is just back from overseas. A fastball pitcher, Connie Higdon, signed recently, completes the present roster.
SCHEDULE WORRIES
Opening date in Vancouver won’t be announced until the schedule, which Bob is battling with in his spare time, is approved by the league.
Ruby Robert is having a ltttle trouble with the clubs that want split weeks in their schedule. It’s alright for some cities, says Robert, but the hop between some towns, like Vancouver and Yakima, is too long to make the scheme practicable for everybody.
Bring out the sulphur and molasses, Ma. Those aren’t snowballs the kids are throwing. They’re baseballs.

Tribe Readies For '46 in California

Spokane Indians Set Training Site
SPOKANE, Jan. 27—The Spokane Indians baseball tem will open spring training for Western International League play at Boise Springs, Calif., April 1, Manager Glenn Wright said Saturday.
Wright said the site will be near others teams’ training grounds and that pre-season competition will be available. One other team, Idaho Falls, Idaho, of the Pioneer League, will train at the same site, he said.
Wright said he had signed Robert O. Carson, Omak, 25-year-old left-handed pitcher who has been hurling in army competition.
He said he also was negotiating with Levi McCormack, Lewiston, Idaho star of the pre-war Indians, who had been reported bound for Pacific Coast League play.

Stan Curry First Victoria Athletic

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, Jan. 22, 1946]
ATHLETICS SIGN VICTORIA PLAYER
In keeping with its policy outlined by the club at its inception, that of giving every encouragement to local players, Victoria Athletics, local entry in the Class “B” Western International Baseball League, yesterday signed Stan Curry, former soldier hurler to a professional contract.
Laurel Harney, Victoria manager, announced the signing of the husky 22-year-old Victoria portsider last night, but did not state the terms of the contract. The Athletics’ pilot feels that Curry has the potentialities of a good hurler, and like many more aspiring youngsters will get his chance to make good.
Curry has size and speed and a good curve ball, but lack of control may prove his stumbling block. However, we will get plenty of help in the training camp at Lewiston, Idaho, where the Victoria Athletics will undergo practically a month’s training before opening their 1946 camp at Wenatchee late in April.

Caps Looking at Players

Seattle Rookie Likely To Play For Capilanos
[Vancouver News-Herald, Jan. 14, 1946]
Watts Gulan, a young infielder scouted by “Torchy” Torrance of Seattle Rainiers while Torchy was a merchant sailor during the war, will probably end up Vancouver Capilanos ball club, according to a Seattle announcement
Gulan, who hails from Hastings, Neb., impressed the Rainier vice-president in the south Pacific The Caps recently signed Ray Spurgeon, a catcher. Business manager George Krogh of the Salem Senators has announced the signing of a couple of players for his W.I.L. club. They are Dave Parton, a shortstop from Kalama, Wash., who has played a lot of service ball, and Alfonso Prieto, an outfielder with semi-pro experience.

Victoria WIL Club Gets Name

Local Ball Team Will Be Known as Victoria Athletics
[Victoria Colonist, Jan. 10, 1954]
Victoria’s entry in the reorganized Western International Baseball League will be known as the Victoria Athletics, Manager Laurel Harney announced last night following a meeting of directors to select a winner from the hundreds of entries submitted in the contest conducted by the club to determine a suitable name.
The winning name was submitted by well over a dozen of the entrants and the contest winner will be chosen by lot at the Rotary Club luncheon at the Empress Hotel today at 12:30 p.m. with Mayor Percy E. George making the draw. The winner will receive two box seats to each of the 70 home games to be played at Royal Athletic Park by the Victoria club.

E.A. Irving Wins Baseball Contest
[Victoria Colonist, Jan. 11, 1946]
Two free season seats for home games of the Victoria Athletics, of the Western International Baseball League, were awarded to Edwin A. Irving, 804 Lampson Street, winner of the contest conducted by the club to find a suitable name.
The name of Victoria Athletics was submitted by Mr. Irving and 13 others, and his name was drawn from a hat by Mayor Percy E. George at yesterday’s luncheon meeting of the Victoria Rotary Club.

Who Will Victoria Sign?

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, Jan. 8, 1946]
HARNEY BUSY WITH BASEBALL CONTRACTS
Back in Victoria after attending the Western International Baseball parley at Tacoma over the week-end, Laurel Harney, manager of Victoria’s entry in the Class “B” professional circuit, is busy with players’ contracts and other matters dealing with plans for the coming season.
Chatting yesterday on the player question, Harney made it perfectly clear that the Victoria club is willing and actually anxious to have as many Victoria players as possible make the grade, on the local team. On the very same question, Harney made it known that Gil Bruce, Navy fly-shagger and top sticker in the Victoria Senior League last season, as been offered a contract. While not disclosing any names, Harney added that other players have been contacted with a view to signing contracts.
Victoria will establish its training camp at Lewiston, Idaho, with training scheduled to commence on April 1, but there will be “no fooling.” Harney has not announced the number of players to be taken to the training camp, but it is a foregone conclusion that plenty of baseball talent will be on hand.
The Western International Baseball League will be operated on a straight pennant race this season with the elimination of the post-season play-offs. The Victoria manager had held out for play-offs, but the matter was defeated by other owners at the W.I.B.L. sessions. “Old operators in the W.I.B.L. have always lost money on post-season play-offs because of the lateness of the season and the unfavorable weather,” Harney said last night. “The pool usually set for the play-offs will go to the four top teams and will be divided according to their positions in the pennant race at the conclusion of play,” Harney added.

Ray Spurgeon Returns to WIL

Spurgeon Signs With Capilanos
VANCOUVER, Jan. 7—Bob Brown, manager of Vancouver Capilanos in the Western International Baseball League, announced today he has signed Ray Spurgeon, first-string catcher with Tacoma Tigers in 1942 before entering the United States armed forces.
A distance hitter from the right side, Spurgeon batted .265 in 1942. He is expected to be the Caps’ first-string receiver.

WIL Schedule Released

Capilanos Open Season in Spokane
[Vancouver News-Herald, Jan. 7, 1946]
Vancouver Capilanos will lose the bulk of their early season kinks on the road before they open at home, it was learned Saturday.
The Western International Baseball League directors met here to discuss setting league schedules and establishing admission prices for the revived class B circuit.
The Caps and the league’s other clubs will start the season on Friday, April 26th, with Sylvester Johnson’s charges opening at Spokane. Victoria will open at Wenatchee, Tacoma at Bremerton, and Salem at Yakima. Single games are scheduled for April 26th and doubleheaders Sunday the 28th.
A DAY SERIES
With Monday an off-day, the teams will then shift, Vancouver going to Wenatchee, Victoria to Bremerton, Salem to Spokane and Tacoma to Yakima. The tentative schedule suggested for the loop, closed down by the war since 1942, will be played other than the opening two series. Opening day at Vancouver was not announced.
A day series, with doubleheaders on Sundays and holidays will rule, with split weeks when train conditions make them possible. Vancouver will play some Sunday dates at Seattle when the Coast League Rainiers are away. Admission prices throughout the league will be 75 cents for adults and 25 cents for children in the grandstand. Bleachers seats are 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children, all prices including tax.
TRAIN AT SUNNYSIDE?
The directors voted to follow the National Association on salary and player limits, with a salary limit of $300 not including the manager’s salary. The directors ruled that not more than two players may be carried at one time on the sick list.
Bob Brown expects to start spring training the first or second week of April, and hopes to pitch his tent at Sunnyside, Wash., site of former Capilano pre-season workouts. The last Cap squad trained at home.

Bremerton Hires GM

Thomas Selected
BREMERTON, Dec. 31 —Selection of George Thomas, former Bremerton and Seattle newspaperman, as business manager for Bremerton's entry in the Western International Baseball league, was announced Saturday.

Vancouver to Look at Local Pitcher

Bogdonovich To Try With Caps
[Vancouver News-Herald, Dec. 21, 1945]
George Bogdonovich, promising left-handed pitcher and all-around athletics star, will get a try-out with Vancouver Capilanos pro ball club next summer, it was learned Tuesday.
Bogdonovich played a few games for Arrows of the Senior League last smmer, and showed promise not only as a hurler but also as a hitter, slapping out a home run and a couple of other blows in a game at Bellingham.

Victoria Promised Player Support

Harney Says City Baseball Outlook Good
[Victoria Colonist, Dec. 18, 1946]
Victoria’s baseball prospects in the Western International League look better than ever, Laurel Harney, manager of the city’s entry in the league, said here yesterday on his return from annual meeting of the National Association of Professional Baseball League, held in Columbus, Ohio.
White away he held lengthy discussions with Vic Devincenzi, business manager of the Oakland club in the Pacific Coast League, and Brick Laws, co-owner of the club.
In Harney’s opinion Oakland will do all possible to supply Victoria with good players, and will look upon the Victoria team as a farm club. The Oakland team, which will lend its support to Victoria, has already promised Harney a number of players.
Others in Columbus stated that Victoria had made a good deal in aligning itself with Oakland, since the Oakland team has the reputation of having more players returning from the services than any other club on the Coast.
Harney also was promised support by Ray Kennedy, recently appointed general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kennedy, who spent 13 years in the New York Yankees chain, promised the Victoria manager all assistance possible, and said he would be willing to help the Victoria club with the odd player. Harney said, however, that he was satisfied with the Oakland proposition and preferred to work with one team.
While in Columbus, Harney met “Happy” Chandler, American baseball commissioner; Joe McCarthy, manager of the Yankees, and Billy Southworth, formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals and now at Boston. He also spent some time with Lester Patrick in New York.

Athletic Park to be Victoria WIL Field

Victoria Squad Gets 10-Year Lease on Park
VICTORIA, Dec. 18—Victoria city council Monday approved a 10-year lease of Royal Athletic Park to the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co. Ltd., Victoria’s newly-organized entry in the Western International Baseball League.
Floodlights for night ball will be installed by the club and te cost of bleachers and box seats will be shared equally by the club and city.
The city will receive five percent of gross gate receipts after amusement tax deduction and is guaranteed at least $4,000 annually.
The pro club will have exclusive rights to all concessions subject to one current agreement. From this source the city will receive 20 per cent gross profits for five years and 25 per cent for the remaining five years of the lease.

Indians Will be Independent

Spokane Plays Field
SPOKANE, Dec. 17—Sam Collins, owner of the Spokane Indians in the Western International Baseball League, said Sunday his team will not be affiliated with any one minor or major league team but will obtain players from the New York Yankees, Oakland Acorns and San Diego Padres.

Vancouver Hires Ex-Coast Leaguer as Manager

Brown Secures Johnson as Cap Boss
[Vancouver Province Dec. 8, 1945]
A baseball combination that started here in 1920 will continue in 1946 when veteran pitcher Sylvester Johnson joins Bob Brown as playing manager of the Capilanos of the Western International Baseball League.
The securing of Johnson from the Seattle Rainiers was announced today by Ruby Robert from the National Association meeting in Chicago.
Bob started the chucker in Vancouver and he went up to the majors for 17 years. Not only will his still-useless arm be valuable to the Caps, but Johnson’s experience with pitchers and players as a coach with Seattle the past three years, should help him turn in a good job as boss.
Managers have been hard to find and Bob Brown admits that he is very pleased with securing Cy from Bill Skiff of the Seattle Coasters.
More than 1000 minor league delegates attended the meetings, Brown reports, adding that it was a red-hot session, with the coast league having a good chance to become the third major loop.

Manager, GM Picked for Chiefs

Wenatchee Entry into League to be Reality
WENATCHEE, Dec. 3 — Wenatchee's entry in the Western International baseball league began to take shape Monday, with announcement that Joe Brownlow, local newspaperman, has been chosen as president and general manager. The news came from Yubi Separovich, business manager of the Sacramento baseball association, which owns the Wenatchee franchise.
Brownlow is Sports Editor of the Wenatchee Daily World. He is president of the Wenatchee Junior Chamber of Commerce, which led the fight to bring professional baseball back to the apple capital. Wenatchee was a charter member of the WIL, dropping out in 1941, after five years' operation under four different owners.
Brownlow said Monday that announcement of a field manager for the "Chiefs" would be made later this week.

Ryan to Head Chiefs
SACRAMENTO, Dec. 6 — John (Buddy) Ryan, former manager of the Sacramento Solons, will pilot the Wenatchee, Wash., club in the Western International League. Wenatchee recently was acquired by the Solons as a farm club.

Yakima Has Veteran at Helm

Spencer Harris Named To Pilot Yakima Team
YAKIMA, Dec. 3 – Fred Mercy, Jr., Yakima club owner, has telegraphed from Chicago the news that Coast League veteran Spencer Harris has been appointed manager of the Yakima entry is the revived Western International League.
Mercy is en route to Cleveland with Harris to attend the minor leagues meeting.
Harris formerly played for Philadelphia and Chicago in the American League, Minneapolis of the American Association and with Seattle, Portland, San Diego and Hollywood in the coast loop. He is a Seattle product.

Minors Holding Annual Conclave

Bob Brown Off To Minor Ball Meeting Friday
[Vancouver News-Herald, Nov. 29, 1945]
Bob Brown, in his official capacity as first vice-president of the newly-organized Western International Baseball League, and incidentally as boss of the Vancouver loop in the entry, will leave Friday for Columbia, O., and the National Asssociation baseball meeting Dec. 5, 6 and 7.
[unreadable]is major business will be to cement the tie-ups that most of the W.I.L. clubs have with various Coast League squads, who will be out in force to press their demands for major league status, and a boost in the draft price.
The local baseball magnate, who alternates with league president Bob Able as loop representative at the minor league meeting, expects to have league business well in hand by the time he returns.

Sad Sam Happy He's Employed

Gibson Will Manage Bremerton Ball Club
BREMERTON, Wash., Nov. 24—Samuel (Sad Sam) Gibson, veteran pitcher of the San Francisco Seals and former major leaguer, was signed today as player-manager of the new Bremerton baseball team of the Western International League.
Owner Bill Shepherd announced that Gibson will accompany him to the minor league meeting in Columbus, Ohio, December 5, after which they will decide if the Bremerton club will have contact with a Pacific Coast major league team.

Get Your Entry in Now, Victorians!

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, Nov. 23, 1945]
BASEBALL CONTEST WILL CLOSE SATURDAY NIGHT
With more than 1,000 entries submitted before the deadline Saturday, officials of the Victoria Baseball & Athletic Co., Ltd., sponsors of the local entry in the Western International Baseball League, last night expressed themselves as more than pleased with the success or their contest to select a suitable name for Victoria’s professional baseball team.
Laurel Harney, manager of the local diamond pastimers, announced yesterday that the contest, which opened on October 24, will definitely close tomorrow, and all entries bearing a November 24 postmark will be eligible.
“We have a large selection of names and as soon as the competition closes will get to the job of picking the winning entry. We realize it will be quite a task and will take considerable time. However, we will make our decision as early as possible as we fully appreciate the interest displayed in the competition by baseball fans,” Laurel Harney added.
Entries marked “Baseball Name Contest” should be mailed to the sports department of this newspaper not later than Saturday night in order to qualify for the prize, two box seat tickets at all home league games of the Victoria team.

Spokane Names Manager

Glenn Wright Out of Navy; To Head Spokane Indians
SPOKANE, Nov. 19 — Glenn Wright, former coach and manager at Wenatchee and Seattle, has been named manager of the Spokane Indians baseball team for the 1946 revival of Western International league competition, owner Sam Collins said Monday.
Recently discharged after three years of Navy duty, Wright is a veteran of 28 years of professional baseball. He started playing with Kansas City in 1920, played five years with Pittsburg and for a time with Brooklyn in the National League, and with Chicago White Sox in the American League.
In 1936 he played and coached with Seattle in the Coast League and for the next three years managed the Wenatchee Indians, winning the W-I league title In 1938. He played with the Hollywood Stars for the next three seasons.

Salem Selects Manager

PATCH IS MANAGER
PORTLAND, Ore.. Nov. 16—Tony Patch, San Francisco semipro player, will he manager of the Salem Senators of the revived Western International Baseball League, General Manager William H. Klepper of the Portland Beavers, said today.

Luarel Harney to be Victoria Field Boss

Harney Will Manage Victoria Ball Club
[Victoria Colonist, Nov. 8, 1945]
Laurel Harney, who has played a leading role in the organizing of the Victoria entry in the Western International Baseball League, will manage the local club next year. Confirmation of his appointment was made yesterday by officials of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., owners of the franchise.
A prominent sports figure in Western Canada, Harney starred for Edmonton baseball clubs for many years. He toured with the House of David nine in 1938, and on the strength of his showing was [unreadable]d enough to receive a tryout with the Seattle Rainiers in 1939. In recent years, his baseball activity has been confined to Victoria and local fans know him well as the playing manager of the powerful V.M.D. clubs in 1943 and 1944. Well versed in baseball strategy, Harney believes condition and hustle are of paramount importance and fans are assured the local W.I.B.L. entry will be a fighting ball club.

Victoria Has Club President

Baseball Company Names Officers
[Victoria Colonist, Nov. 7, 1945]
Directors of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., backers of the local entry in the Western International Baseball league, last night named J.V. Johnson, prominent local businessman and a well-known figure in local sports circles, president of the club.
Eric Cox, one of Victoria’s better-known younger businessmen, was named Secretary, and Jim Neely, prominent hotelman, was elected treasurer.

Bremeton to be Independent

Bremerton Franchise Is Held by Inexperienced
BREMERTON, Nov. 5 – Willis W. Shepherd, 37, who has obtained a franchise for Bremerton in the Western International League has disclosed he had never played professional baseball and that, at present, he had no plans for link up with teams in other leagues.
Shepherd, who formerly lived at Spokane, said he might take his club to Sunnyside for spring training. He said he would turf Roosevelt Field here to provide a playing field for his team.

WIL November Meeting - Day 2

Bremerton and Wenatchee Baseball Clubs Will Play Next Season With W.I.L.
V1CTORIA, B. C., Nov. 4—Bremerton and Wenatchee were granted franchises in the Western International baseball league at a meeting of directors here Sunday, bringing the circuit to eight clubs. Previously franchises had been granted to Vancouver, B.C., Victoria, Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima and Salem.
The directors met for three hours Saturday night and four hours Sunday debating the advisability of increasing the membership. Final decision was reached half an hour before the Seattle boat left, taking home the American club representatives.
The Bremerton franchise was granted to W. W. Shepperd, while the Sacramento baseball club was given the Wenatchee rights.
Yubi Separovich of the Sacramento Solons said after the meeting that the Solons and Wenatchee would operate as separate entities.
"Sacramento has 105 players signed up. We propose to give Wenatchee the choice of our surplus players and will help out by giving a straight release to others who may be wanted by other clubs of the W.I.L.," he said.
The Wenatchee and Bremerton franchise requested was the only business transacted Sunday. The schedule will be drawn up later. Opening date of play will be April 30 and the league will close September 8.

W.I Loop Takes In Wenatchee; Bremerton Nines
[Vancouver News Herald, November 5, 1945]
VICTORIA—Eight teams, the largest in the history of the Western International Baseball League, will go to the barrier on April 30, when the current lifts on the first postwar season of the class “B” professional baseball circuit.
Concluding their two-day annual meeting here Sunday afternoon, directors of the W.I.L., after discussions lasting many hours, granted franchises to Wenatchee and Bremerton, boosting the league to an eight-team circuit.
Sacramento Solons, represented by Yubi Separovich, will replace the ball club in Wenatchee, while W.W. Shepheard was granted the franchise in the Navy Yard town of Bremerton.
NO PLAYOFFS
Before Sunday’s decision to increase the loop to eight clubs there were six franchise holders in the Western International baseball league. They were: Vancouver, Yakima, Tacoma, Salem, Spokane and Victoria.
Clubs in the W.I.L. will play 133 games, with 19 weeks of baseball. Directors decided against a play-off system, but a pool will be set aside for division on a pro ratio basis depending on the position the teams finish in the league schedule.
NORGAN PRESENT
Assurance that the Pacific Coast League would be willing to lend all possible help was given by George Norgan, Vancouver, president of the Portland Beavers of the Coast League.
Bob Brown, veteran mentor of the Vancouver Capilanos, was non-committal on his club at this time, other than to state that a number of former members of the Capilanos would be back with the squad. However, with a definite tie-up with Seattle Rainiers, cagey Robert is not the least bit perturbed about the player situation.
NEW PARK?
Frankly, Mr. Brown is more concerned about Vancouver’s ball park. “For the time being we have to continue at Capilano Stadium, but we may be able to finish our season in a new park. At the moment I am keeping my fingers crossed, but as soon as materials and labor become available I shall be able to make a more definite announcement on our park plans,” Brown commented.

WIL November Meeting - Day 1

Additional Clubs Seek Franchises in Pro Baseball Loop
W.I.B.L. Directors in Session Here Adjourn Without Reaching decision—Officers Named
[Victoria Colonist, Nov. 4, 1945]
Robert Abel, Tacoma attorney, was re-elected president of the Western International Baseball League, as the class “B” professional circuit at its annual meeting here at Victoria’s Empress Hotel made plans for the league’s resumption next summer.
At the moment, the league comprises six clubs, Salem, Tacoma, Yakima, Spokane, Vancouver and Victoria, with two additional teams seeking entry. The directors debated the question of admitting the other clubs for more than three hours last night and then adjourned until this morning without reaching a decision.
Yubi Separovich, of the Sacramento Solons, and Joe Brownlow, of Wenatchee, made strong representations for the addition of Wenatchee to the circuit, and W.W. Shepherd, Bremerton, applied for a franchise for the navy yard town.
Also before the meeting were wires from Aberdeen-Hoquiam, representing Gray’s Harbor Baseball Club, and from James Ashe, in behalf of Bellingham. Both wires said influential people were interested in the franchise.
Following lengthy debate on the question of granting franchises to Wenatchee and Bremerton, Robert Abel, president, stated that the matter would be dealt with again at today’s session called for 10 a.m.
Directors of the league decided to open the 1946 season on Tuesday, April 30, with 19 weeks of baseball, closing on Sunday, September 8. The schedule will call for approximately 133 games.
Complete slate of officers elected were: president Robert Abel, Tacoma; first vice-president, R.P. Brown, Vancouver; second vice-president, Sam Collins, Spokane; secretary, George F. Abel, Tacoma; directors, W.T. Straith, Victoria; W.H. Klepper, Portland; Sam Collins, Spokane; E.H. Alexandson, Tacoma; F. Mercey, Jr., Yakima.
The Western International Baseball League last operated in 1942 with four clubs, Salem, Vancouver, Spokane and Tacoma.
Visitors attending the W.I.B.L. meeting were the guests of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., at a dinner last night at the Union Club.
W.T. Straith, K.C., M.L.A., one of the directors of the local club, acted as chairman and welcomed the guests.
Mayor Percy E. George brought greetings from the City Council and the citizens, and assured the baseball officials that every co-operation [line unreadable].
Other speakers were George Norgan, president of the Portland Beavers; Bob Brown, manager of the Vancouver Capilanos; Robert Abel, president of the W.I.B.L., Yubi Separovich, of the Sacramento Solons, and Archie Wills.

Seattle Capilanos

Capilanos May Play On Sunday In Sick Stadium
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver News-Herald, Nov. 3, 1945]
The problem of what to do with your week-ends next summer is practically solved. Bob Brown, Mr. Baseball locally, and Bill Mulligan of Seattle Rainiers have it all figured out.
On the eve of the important meeting of the revived Western International League in Victoria today and Sunday, Mulligan announced in Seattle that plans are underway to have our Vancouver Capilanos play their Sunday home games in Seattle’s Sick Stadium next season while the Suds are on the road.
THE PLACE TO GO
“It would fill the professional baseball void in Seattle while the Rainiers are travelling, and give the Vancouver team a chance for some Sunday attendance in home games,” Mulligan, business manager of the Suds, said.
Here, Brown said that the plan was “pretty definite,” and pointed out that with gas restrictions off, a large Vancouver attendance could be looked for.
“It would also give the Seattle fans a chance to get an early look at their next players,” added Bob, who has a working agreement with the Rainier squad. Among the notable graduates from the Capilanos to the Rainiers are Ford Mullen, Hal Sueme, and Glen Elliot, to name a few.
NEW TACOMA INTERESTS
Another important development, as far as the W.I.L. is concerned, took place in Tacoma Friday, where it was announced that Enoch Alexson had purchased that city’s franchise. Alexson is representing a group of Tacoma businessmen who expect to build a new park there and put baseball on its feet generally.
Alexson will probably attend the weekend meeting, which experts predict will wind up with an eight-team Class B setup being formed.

Victoria Baseball Has Officers

Baseball Directors Will Be Named Today
[Victoria Colonist, Nov. 1, 1945]
Director of the Victoria Baseball & Athletic Co., Ltd., will be elected at a meeting on the Chamber of Commerce commencing at 5 p.m. today. Organized earlier in the year to operate the Victoria club in the Western International Baseball League, the local organization has been operating with pro-tem directors and will name a full slate of officers for the coming season. Anyone who has purchased shares will be eligible to attend the meeting.
The Victoria club will be hosts at the annual meeting of the W.I.B.L. which will be held at the Empress Hotel on Saturday and Sunday. Election of officers, adoption of a 1946 schedule and final arrangements for the resumption of the league will be discussed. Robert Abel, who was president of the loop during its last year of play, will preside.

Name Directors of Professional Ball Club Here
Prominent Businessmen Head Local Entry In Western International Baseball League
[Victoria Colonist, Nov. 2, 1945]
Seven prominent Victoria businessmen were elected to the directorate of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., at a well-attended meeting of shareholders held yesterday in the Chamber of Commerce. Guiding the destinies of the Victoria entry in the Western International Baseball League next year will be J.V. Johnson, James Neely, Ray Parfitt, George Straith, Francis Norton, Eric Cox and Vic Clarke. Mayor Percy E. George was named as honorary president. The directors will elect their own officers at a future date.
Prior to the election of the directors, W.C. Straith, K.C., M.L.A., attorney for the company, gave an account of the organization of the company, the steps taken to obtain a franchise and subsequent plans for the operation of the club. He stressed the fact the club had been organized on a sound basis to ensure the successful continuation of professional baseball here for many years.
Laurel Harney, who first started the move toward organization of a professional baseball club in the city and who is expected to manage the club next year, also spoke to the meeting. Harney pointed out the numerous benefits to be obtained from the operation of a professional club, citing the added tourist attraction and the value of advertising to the city as well as added entertainment for Victoria citizens. He stated that such a club would stimulate interest amongst the youth of the city in the game and give them a definite goal for their athletic aspirations.
Full realizing that solid support from the fans of the city would be needed to make the club a successful venture, Harney stated that there were no doubts on that score and promised that the Victoria entry would be a hustling ball cub, which would always [half a line unreadable] battle.
With the Victoria club as hosts, the W.I.B.L. will hold their annual meeting at the Empress hotel tomorrow and Sunday. W.T. Straith was named to represent the local organization at the meeting, while J.V. Johnson and Vic Clarke were appointed as an entertainment committee to see to the comfort of the visiting delegates.

What to Call Victoria WIL Club?

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 21, 1945]
FANS TO NAME BASEBALL TEAM
The question is frequently asked: “What’s in a name?” To thousands of Victoria baseball fans the name of their professional team in the Western International League will probably be an important item.
Anxious to get a good moniker for their club, officials of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., have decided to stage a name contest, Laurel Harney, one of the prime movers in the baseball plan, announced last night.
The contest will be open to all, with a suitable prize going to the person submitting the winning name. Contestants are invited to file their entries with the sports department of this paper. All entries shuld be marked “Baseball Name Contest.”

Victoria Hosts WIL Meeting

Annual Meeting of W.I.B.L. Scheduled Here in November
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 13, 1945]
Accepting the invitation of the newly formed Victoria entry, the Western International Baseball League will hold its annual meeting here at the Empress Hotel on November 3 and 4, it was announced yesterday by W.T. Straith, of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Club, on behalf of Robert Abel, Tacoma, league president.
Officers will be elected for the coming season, an opening date selected and the 1946 schedule will be adopted at the meeting.
Straith and Laurel Harney will represent the Victoria club at the meeting. Other representatives who will be present include Bob Brown, Vancouver; William Klepper, Salem; E. Collins, Spokane; and H. Mercy, Yakima. Abel will act as a representative for the Tacoma club.

Wenatchee Rejected for WIL

W.I.B.L. to Operate As Six-Team Circuit
[Victoria Colonist, Oct. 2, 1945]
Following a meeting of the board of directors at Seattle on Sunday, it was decided that the revived Western International Baseball League would operate as a six-team circuit in 1946 with Yakima being granted a franchise to round out the loop, Laurel Harney, who represented the Victoria club at the meeting, along with W.T. Straith, reported last night.
With Yakima gaining the sixth franchise, the league will go to the wire next Spring with clubs from Vancouver, Victoria, Salem, Spokane and Tacoma, as well as Yakima. Wenatchee’s bid for a franchise was turned down due to the fact no suitable eighth club was available.
In the meantime, the Victoria entry is moving ahead with plans fro the resumption of professional baseball here. Information on the lighting arrangement at Sick’s Seattle Stadium was obtained and a local electrical company are already negotiating with manufacturers regarding the purchase of the necessary equipment.

Yakima Wants in WIL

Fred Mercy Jr. Among Baseball Club Backers
YAKIMA, Sept. 29—Fred Mercy Jr., Yakima theatre man and sportsman, is leading a movement in that city for a franchise in the Western International Baseball League in 1946.
Yakima was in the loop prior to its wartime recessing and is understood to be viewed as a highly desirable spot in which to field a club again.
Holdover clubs from the previous circuit are Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, B.C., and Salem. Victoria was recently voted the fifth spot and now Wenatchee, Yakima and Bremerton are reported bidding for a sixth. A meeting in Seattle is scheduled today to complete the roster of the league, which played as a Class B organization previously.

Oaks to Help Victoria

Victoria to Get Players From Oakland
[Victoria Colonist, Sept. 25, 1946]
Confident that Victoria will come up with a good team in the Western International Baseball League, Laurel Harney arrived back in the city yesterday after visiting Oakland and San Francisco to look into the player situation.
The local baseball man was in conference with the managers of the Oakland Acorns and San Francisco Seals, and stated last night that an arrangement ha been reached with the former. “We have made an arrangement with Oakland to supply us with enough players for our entry into the Western International League,” Harney said.
Present plans call for Victoria to get six players on option, with the balance of the club being young material. In addition to the arrangement with Oakland, San Francisco promised help after keeping their agreement with Salt Lake City.
“There appears to be plenty of baseball material available, and with so many players returning from the war fronts there will probably be a surplus of players,” Harney intimated. As an indication of the material which will be available during the 1946 season, Haney stated that Sacramento has 122 new players ready to report.
In addition to the arrangement with Oakland, Eddie Leishman, Oakland scout and former manager of the Spokane team in the W.I.B.L., will scout for Victoria during the operation of the Winter League in California.
“Leishman knows the calibre of players needed for the Western International League, and his assistance in lining up additional players for the Victoria team should prove very satisfactory,” Harney stated.
Contrary to expectations, the Victoria team will not do its Spring training at home. Negotiations are now being conducted with Walla Walla, Wash., and Lewiston, Idaho in for the purpose of setting up training quarters.

Who Will Play for Victoria?

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, Sept. 21, 1945]
Judging by the mad scramble for berths in the Western International Baseball League, there is every indication that plenty of diamond material will be available when the Class “B” professional league resumes next Summer after being idle since 1942.
Most pleasing to many Victorians is the fact that W.T. Straith, M.L.A., and Laurel Harney, this city’s baseball ambassadors, were able to sell the directors of the W.I.B.L. on admitting Victoria to the league.
The success enjoyed by the two Victorians who attended the meeting assures hundreds of Victorians the opportunity of seeing professional baseball right in their own backyard. In an “on the street poll” conducted by this department yesterday, we found a very favourable response to the move, with all of those questioned delighted with the proposal.
To the old-timers, of course, professional baseball in Victoria is not new. They recall very vividly the fixtures here in the old Northwest League, and the fact that Victoria sent a number of fine ball players up to the “big time.” Now, almost a quarter of a century later, with the return of the professional baseball pastime, it will be, to a large extent, a new crowd of fans who will follow the sport here.
Victoria is a good baseball town. That has been proven in the past. And with the professional diamond pastime and the added novelty of a lighted ball park Victorians will eagerly away the arrival of the Summer of 1946 and this city’s entry in the Western International Baseball League.

Lookahead to '46

The Bullpen
By CARL ROBERTSON
[Vancouver News-Herald, Sept. 20, 1946]
From all indications, Victoria will be one of the strongest links in the Western International League next season. George Straith, one of the backers of the club, was in town Wednesday and reports that several changes are in store for Royal Athletic Park.
Lights will be installed and the stands will be moved back 25 feet. Additional bleachers will also be constructed.
Strongest in History
At present, Laurel Harney, former House of David star, and probably manager of the Victoria entry, is in Oakland attempting to line up the Coast League club for a working agreement.
Victoria’s population is now over the 100,000 mark and it is a good sports town. Baseball this season has gone over well with packed houses the rule rather than the exception.
As things look now, the W.I.L. will be stronger in 1946 than at any time in its history. Vancouver is owned by the Seattle Rainiers; Salem by the Portland Beavers; Tacoma has a working agreement with San Francisco; Wenatchee may link up with a major league club and Victoria with the Oaks. Spokane has always been one of the strong members of the loop.
New Stadium Soon
Capilano Stadium will probably be enlarges at the beginning of the season but from present indications, our new stadium will probably be ready by mid-season. Site of the new concrete edifice is likely to be the east side of Little Mountain. A spot behind the Great Northern Station is also under consideration.
All in all, everything points to a great baseball season next year.

Victoria in WIL, Other Cities Considered

Victoria Bid Is Approved
TACOMA, Sept. 16—Application of Victoria, B.C., for membership the class B Western International Baseball league was approved by directors meeting here.
Bids for other franchises became so complicated that the directors decided to postpone further action until September 30, when a meeting will be held in Seattle.
Two applications were received to operate in Yakima, one from a group of local businessmen, and the other from Yubi Separovich, business manager of the Sacramento coast league club in behalf of the Solons.
Wenatchee, backed by the St. Louis Cardinals; Bremerton, a surprise contender; and Pasco-Kennewick, the latter by long distance during the meeting, also sought berths.
There are four holdover members from 1942, last year of the league's operation — Vancouver B.C., Salem, Ore., and Spokane and Tacoma in this state.
With five clubs in the circuit and applications from four others it is considered possible that the league will enlarge to eight teams at the Seattle meeting, President Robert Abel indicated.

Accept Victoria Entry in W.I.L.; Colons Make Bid
[Vancouver News-Herald, Sept. 17, 1945]
Victoria Sunday became the second Canadian entry in the Western International Baseball League, which will resume operations next year after a three-year war lapse.
Bid of the Victoria interests, presented by Laurel Harney, well-known puckster and ex-House of David ball player, and William Straith, was accepted at a league meeting in Tacoma on the week-end.
The island city will join Bob Brown’s Vancouver club, Salem, Tacoma and Spokane, the latter four teams being leftovers in the Class B pro loop.
President Bob Abel and the directors were fairly swamped with applications for loop membership, and bidding became so brisk that further action was postponed until Sept. 30, when another meeting will be held in Seattle.
SACRAMENTO INTERESTED
Two applications were received from Yakima interests, one coming from a group of businessmen, and the other from Yubi Separovich, representing the Sacramento team in the Pacific Coast League. Separovich, one of the men who saved the Sacramento franchise when there was talk of moving it here a couple of seasons back, is currently business manager of the Solons.
Wenatchee, which is backed by the St. Louis Cardinals, made a bid as expected; Bremerton was a surprise would-be entrant, and Pasco-Kennewick, who phoned long distance during the meeting, also sought a berth.
Indications were that the loop would expand to eight teams at the Seattle meeting.

Professional Baseball Assured For This City
Victoria Granted Franchise at W.I.B.L. Parley at Tacoma—Many Clubs Seek Entry
[Victoria Colonist, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1945]
Professional baseball will return to Victoria next Summer.
This was assured Sunday at Tacoma when directors of the Class “B” Western International Baseball League accepted the application of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., for a franchise for this city. The successful bid was presented by W.T. Straith, M.L.A., and Laurel Harney.
With the franchise assured, Harney left immediately for Oakland to carry on negotiations with the officials of the Oakland Pacific Coast League team on the question of a player tie-up.
At Sunday’s parley bid for franchises became so complicated that the directors decided to postpone further action until September 30m when a meeting will be held in Seattle.
Two applications were received to operate in Yakima, one from a group of local businessmen, and the other from Yubi Separovich, business manager of the Sacramento Pacific Coast League club in behalf of the Solons.
Wenatchee, backed by the St. Louis Cardinals, Bremerton, a surprise contender, and Pasco-Kennewick, the latter by long-distance during the weekend, also sought berths.
There are four holdover members from 1942, last year of the league’s operation—Vancouver, B.C., Salem, Ore., Spokane and Tacoma.
With five clubs in the circuit and applications from four others it is considered possible that the league will enlarge to eight teams at the Seattle meeting, President Abel indicated.

WIL 1945 Fall Meeting Preview

Victoria Will Seek Entry in Pro Ball Loop
TACOMA, Wash., Sept. 15—Team membership in the class “B” Western International Baseball League, scheduled to re-open next Spring, is expected to be decided at a meeting of franchise holders here tomorrow.
The decision on the league’s geography is up to the holdover franchise owners from the 1942 season, Roger W. Peck, Tacoma; William Ulrich, Spokane; Robert Brown, Vancouver; and William Klepper, representing the Pacific Coast League club which has taken over the Salem, Ore., holdings.
Robert B. Abel, league president, has been assured that Victoria, B.C., and Yakima will have representatives present ready to meet conditions for entry into the league, and the St. Louis Cardinals will make a bid in behalf of Wenatchee.
Bellingham and various other points were reported earlier as interested in joining the circuit, but Abel said he had received no additional word from them.
A half dozen coast and major clubs are expected to have representatives at the meeting.
In addition to the circuit makeup, league deposits, salary limits and other matters are slated to be discussed.

WIL and Others Back in Business

Minor Loops Will Boom Next Year
DURHAM, N. C., Sept. 11 (INS) — Minor league baseball appears headed for a boom year next season—but it may take two years or more before it reaches pre-war levels.
President William C. Bramham of the National Association of Professional Baseball leagues, in announcing the reinstatement of five suspended junior circuits, predicted Monday that “the minor nation's league map will be enlarged appreciably in 1946.”
Some Still Suspended
Bramham said that during the next month or two “the map will be dotted with league meetings called to discuss reorganization.”
Suspended leagues, which folded up during the war but whose reinstatement has been approved are the Texas, Western International, Sally, Canadian-American and Western Association.
Minor leagues still on the suspended list are the Three-I, Middle Atlantic, Northern, Pioneer, Georgia-Florida, Penn State, and Wisconsin State.
Peak Was 44 Loops
Bramham indicated that the majority of these leagues, if not all of them, will attempt to operate next season.
The league association president suggested that it will take from two to three years before the minors will be back to their peak of 44 leagues.

Victoria a Lock For WIL in 1946

Pro Baseball Is Practically Assured Here
[Victoria Colonist, Sep. 7, 1945]
Pleased with the enthusiastic response given to the canvass by local businessmen and confident that the $35,000 objective would be reached before the reorganization of the Western International Baseball League on September 16, directors of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., yesterday expressed the opinion that professional baseball is practically assured for this city.
At the same time it was closed that three other cities, Yakima, Wenatchee and Bellingham, are interested in receiving a franchise in the W.I.B.L. However, league members are opposed to an eight-team circuit, and with four teams after the two spots it is apparent that quite a battle looms.
Laurel Harney and J.V. Johnson, directors of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., will attend the baseball parlay and put up a battle to bring professional baseball to this city.
While not wishing to disclose the amount of capital raised, a spokesman stated last night that more than 50 shareholders are already listed with the local organization. “Our plan is to make it an all-Victoria project, and for that reason, we are confining membership to local residents,” the spokesman added.

Victoria Set to Apply For WIL Franchise

Victoria Company Will Sponsor Pro Ball
Local Businessmen Will Finance Club—Will File Incorporation Papers Today
[Victoria Colonist, August 29, 1945]
Plans for the return of professional baseball moved rapidly yesterday with the announcement by W.T. Straith, K.C., one of a group of local businessmen interested in the move, that incorporation papers of the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co., Ltd., would be filed today with the registrar of companies at the Parliament Buildings.
Capitalized at $50,000, the company is being formed for the purpose of promotion baseball and other sports, but at the moment is primarily interested in the promotion of a professional baseball team in the Western International Baseball League.
Johnny Johnson, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, acted as chairman at the organization meeting, and Eric Cox has been appointed secretary pro tem. The committee working on the plan to raise $35,000, the amount required to finance a club in the W.I.B.L., comprises five Victoria businessmen.
Following filing of the incorporation papers and other financial moves, the directors will meet to make plans to place the stock of the new company on the market. It was made perfectly clear yesterday that no expenses will involved until Victoria has been assured a franchise in the professional league.
The team will be a local enterprise, finances in its entirety by Victoria capital. Complete organization of officers will follow the final awarding of a franchise to this city.
Next meeting of the W.I.B.L. is slate for September 9 at Tacoma, with President Roger [sic] Abel in charge. Laurel Harney, has been working hard on the Victoria project, and one other member will attend the session.
It was stated here yesterday that President Abel would probably visit the city prior to the meeting to look over the situation here.
Laurel Harney stated last night that negotiations have been carried on with Oakland club of the Pacific Coast Baseball League for a player tie-up, and present indications point to a favorable response. The management of the Oakland team is definitely interested, Harney stated, and Victoria, provided it can get the right kind of a deal, is very anxious to make the connection, the local player added.
Discussions with the city authorities will await the final awarding of the franchise. It has been reported, however, that Victoria has the “inside track” on other cities seeking entry into the loop, and with the work progressed to the present stage professional baseball seems assured for this city in 1946.

WIL Reorganisation Meeting Ahead

Four Franchise Groups to Meet
TACOMA, Mon., Aug. 27 — Robert B. Abel, president of the Western International baseball league, announced Monday that he had called a meeting of the four franchise holders in the class B circuit for September 16 at the Tacoma hotel.
Those expected to attend were William Ulrich, Spokane; William Klepper, Salem; Robert Brown, Vancouver, B.C., and Roger W. Peck, Tacoma.
President Abel said that he has been assured that the St. Louis Cardinals would make application for a franchise at Wenatchee and this is expected to bring up the attitude of the present club owners toward major league teams operating farm outfits in the Western International.
Victoria, B.C., Yakima and Bellingham also are expected to seek franchises.

Cash Being Raised for Victoria Franchise

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, Aug. 23, 1946]
MONEY AVAILABLE HERE FOR PROFESSIONAL BALL
First important step towards the return of professional baseball to this city, that of putting up the required cash, has been taken by interested businessmen, according to the latest reports reaching this department.
From a very reliable source, this scribbler learned yesterday that approximately $50,000—that’s a lot of money—is ready to be laid on the line to guarantee the financing of the Victoria project.
Bob Brown, Vancouver baseball impresario, on his visit here a few weeks ago, told this scribbler that Victoria would have to be prepared to lay $25,000 on the line at the Western International Baseball League meeting next month, in making its application for a franchise.
With the finances available, Victoria’s representatives will attend the reorganization session slated for Tacoma, September 9, with Roger [sic] Abel, president, in the chair. Present plans call for a six-team circuit, an according to all reports Victoria has the inside track on some of the other cities seeking a franchise.
Such a move is understandable when careful consideration and study is given to [unreadable few words] the diamond pastime here in recent years. The Victoria Baseball Association teams played to 100,000 in 1944, and that number, according to Bob Brown, is large enough to support a professional baseball club.
No announcement has been made locally on the player situation, but again Bob Brown insisted that a tie-up with a Pacific Coast league or a major league club would be necessary for Victoria to field a team of the calibre required in the Western International Baseball League.
However, there should be a definite improvement in the player situation now that the war is ended. Many fine ball players are being discharged daily from the United States and Canadian armed forces and with new players coming along there should be no difficulty in securing player material.
Pleasing to most Victorians, we think, will be the announcement that the local entry in the Western International Baseball League will be financed by Victoria businessmen. Victorians have built up their own baseball and when a new venture is planned it certainly is encouraging to see those who live in the city getting behind the project with the required financial assistance.

Cards Support WIL Club in Wenatchee

WENATCHEE, Aug. 15—The St. Louis Cardinals will apply for a Western International League franchise for Wenatchee at the circuit's reorganization meeting next monh in Seattle, it was learned Wednesday.
The announcement followed several weeks' work by the local Junior Chamber of Commerce, aimed at bringing baseball back to Wenatchee, which left the W.I.L. in 1941 because of financial difficulties.

Wenatchee WIL Franchise Push

TEAM TO BE FINANCED
WENATCHEE, Aug. 11—A drive will be launched immediately by the Wenatchee Junior Chamber of Commerce to raise a $60,000 fund to finance a Wenatchee team in the Western International Baseball league next spring, officials said.
The Wenatchee Chiefs, members of the league from 1937 to 1941, dropped out of baseball a year before other league teams because of financial difficulties.

Ruby Rubert Pushes For Victoria in WIL

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, Aug. 10, 1945]
VICTORIA IS READY FOR PRO BASEBALL
Take it from Robert Brown, Vancouver, one of the best-known and best-versed men on baseball and baseball promotion in the Pacific Northwest. Victoria is ready for professional baseball and could support a club in the Western International League.
The veteran Terminal City baseball [mogul was in the] city yesterday to look things over for President Robert Abel of the Western International Baseball League. He stepped on the Vancouver boat last night convinced that Victoria, a city in which he played ball more than two decades ago, is ready for professional baseball.
“Victoria as a city, and the Royal Athletic Park as a playing field, are both very favourable, and in my opinion, are ready for a team in the Western International League. When I attend the next meeting of the W.I.B.L. early next month and submit my report, it will certainly be very favorable toward Victoria. I shall recommend that this city be granted a franchise,” Brown said last night.
Speaking of the Caledonia Avenue ball lot, Brown said that a few structural changes would be necessary. One thing the Western International League would insist on would be lights, and in this connection the Vancouver baseball mogul noted that Royal Athletic Park would be very easy to light up for night ball.
With a view to lengthening the distance to the centrefield fence, Brown recommended moving back home plate 25 feet and making the distance to the Pembroke Street wall 331 feet. The radio and press boxes would be placed on top of the grandstand, and improved bleacher seating accommodation would be provided along first and third base.
Getting to the required playing strength of a W.I.B.L. team, Brown stated that “for the club to be strong enough to hold its own in this league it would need affiliation with the Coast League, or a major league club, preferably the former. The shorter distance with the head office would be more beneficial,: he added.
The Vancouver mogul favors a six-team circuit, and certainly would like to see Victoria included in the loop which, he is confident, will resume operations in 1946.
As to the Coast League tie-up, Brown felt such a move would be comparatively easy. The only tie-ups at present, according to his statement, are Vancouver with the Seattle Rainiers and Salem with the Portland Beavers.
During his short stay here Brown, in company with Laurel Harney, well-known Victoria player and coach, called on a number of prominent businessmen with the idea of having them finance the club. “The response was very favorable, and at the member a Victoria-owned club looks quite possible,” Brown added.
In the meantime, Harney will carry on the negotiations locally, and when the meeting of the Western International Baseball League is held in Tacoma soon after Labor Day, Victoria will be represented.
All in all, the situation looks very favorable, and at last there appears to be some real action to get Victoria in the professional baseball field. We feel certain Victorians would welcome the move.

Tacoma Ownership Change May Be Ahead

Dodgers, Seals, Seek Tacoma’s WIL Franchise
SEATTLE, Aug. 7—Brooklyn of the National League or San Francisco of the Pacific Coast circuit may acquire the Tacoma franchise in the Western International League, the Post-Intelligencer said Tuesday night it had learned from Roger Peck, present owner.
Peck was reported as admitting Tom Downey of the Brooklyn system had asked him if the club was available.
Peck said the Western International League would have six or eight clubs in 1946, the article said. It reported Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Wenatchee, Yakima, Lewiston, Idaho; Victoria and Bellingham were seeking berths in the loop. Only Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, B.C., and Salem now hold active franchises.

Victoria Rumours Grow

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, July 24, 1945]
Victoria appears to be the prize baseball plum in the latest gossip about the revival next season of the Western International Baseball League.
Ever since the first news break that efforts would be made to revive the now defunct professional baseball loop, promoters near and far have expressed a keen interest in a franchise for the city.
Clint Hodges, former local baseball player, started the ball rolling quite early. His proposed was followed by a report that George Norgan, president of the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League, was interested in Victoria as a possible farm club for the Beavers.
And now, crowding the already crowded picture, is a report that California interests with major league affiliations, are interested in Victoria. The latest promoters, according to reports, have the dough-ray-me available to make necessary park improvements and install lights at the Caledonia Avenue ball lot.
With so many fingers in the pie, surely some one will be able to pluck the juicy plum and give Victoria professional baseball in 1946.
Revival of the meeting was assured at a meeting of directors at Seattle, Sunday, with six and perhaps eight clubs going after the bunting.
And once again it appears that Victoria, the Capital City of British Columbia, which during the past few years has made great strides in baseball attendance at Royal Athletic Park, will be back in professional ball in 1946.

WIL is Back For 1946

WIL Teams Resume Play
SEATTLE, July 22—The Western International League, which ceased play at the close of the 1942 season, will resume operations as a class B league in 1946, league president Robert D. Abel of Tacoma, has announced.
Abel said the league is assured of six, possibly eight, teams.
Present franchises are located in Vancouver, B. C., Salem, Ore., and Spokane and Tacoma.
Sunday's board of directors meeting was the first for W. H. Klepper of the Portland club of the Pacific Coast League which — Saturday — acquired the franchise of the Salem club.
"The league," the directors said in a statement, "is proud to welcome the Portland baseball club as the owner of the Salem franchise and W.H. Klepper as a member of the Western International League’s board of directors.
Abel said the board had received inquiries from several cities interested in league franchises. These he listed as Victoria, B.C., Bellingham, Bremerton, Yakima, Wenatchee, Pasco-Kennewick in Washington, and Lewiston-Clarkston and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Bellingham, Yakima, Wenatchee and Lewiston all at one time fielded W.I. league teams.
Attending Sunday's board meeting were Bob Brown, Vancouver, B.C., W. P. Ulrich and Hugh Pace, Spokane, Roger W. Peck, Tacoma, Mrs. George Waters, Salem, and Klepper and Abel.

WIL To Resume Next Season
[Vancouver News-Herald, July 23, 1945]
After a lapse of three years, professional baseball will return to Vancouver next year when the Western International League resumes play.
Announcement that the Class B loops would function next season with six or eight teams was made by Bob Abel of Tacoma, president of the WIL, following a meeting of directors in Seattle Sunday.
FARM TEAM
Another hook up with the Coast League was made when Portland of the Coast League, acquired the Salem franchise from Mrs. George Waters. W.H. Klepper, business manager of the Portland Beavers, attended the meeting and was made a director of the league.
George Norgan, prominent Vancouver sportsman, is president of the Beavers and has been seeking the Salem franchise for some time
“The league,” Abel said, “is proud to welcome the Portland baseball club as the owner of the Salem franchise.”
Abel said the board had received inquiries from several cities interested in league franchises. These he listed as Victoria, Bellingham, Bremerton, Yakima, Wenatchee, Pasco-Kennewick in Washington and Lewiston-Clarkston and Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.
Bellingham, Yakima, Wenatchee and Lewiston all at one time fielded W-I League teams.
Attending the board meeting were Bob Brown, Vancouver; W.P. Ulrich and Hugh Page, Spokane; Roger W. Peck, Tacoma; and Mrs. George Waters, Klepper and Abel.

WIL Revival Interest

League Idea To Get Some Consideration
SPOKANE, July 18—The proposal of William P. Ulrich, owner of the Spokane Indians baseball team when the Western International league was operating to permit other cities to join the league so that it may function next year, is being met with both enthusiasm and skepticism in this territory.
Ulrich said he would propose to the league directors at a meeting in Seattle Sunday that neighboring cities jointly support teams to permit the league to function with six or eight teams.
Salem, Tacoma, Spokane and Vancouver, B.C., the four cities operating clubs when war conditions stopped league operations, will be represented at the meeting Sunday. Ulrich's idea is to invite representatives from Victoria, B.C., Vancouver, Wash., Bellingham, Yakima, Wenatchee, Pasco, Kennewick, Clarkston and Lewiston, Idaho. He stated he would suggest cities near enough together jointly sponsor teams to provide adequate backing.
Loyd Harris, Lewiston baseball promoter who fathered the Pioneer league of Idaho and Utah and had a hand in the organization of the Western International League, welcomed the Spokane proposals. However a Lewiston newspaper quotes Harris as saying he would prefer a new compact diamond loop embracing only teams east of mountains.
Harris for some time has been proposing a league which would take in towns in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and Montana. He suggested such a circuit could include Spokane, Wenatchee, Yakima, Walla Walla and Pasco-Kennewick or Richland, Wash., Missoula and Butte, Montana and Lewiston.

WIL Meeting Ahead

Eight Team WIL Next Season—Ulrich
[Vancouver News-Herald, July 17, 1945]
William P. Ulrich, progressive owner of the Spokane franchise in one of the Northwest’s war casualties, the Western International Baseball League, started the ball rolling Monday for a new and better professional loop next season.
Ulrich, who recently bought the Spokane ball park from the city for some $50,000, went on record Monday that he expected the league to function with six or eight teams next year. Salem, Tacoma and Vancouver’s Capilanos were in the league when war conditions stopped operations after the 1942 season.
COMBINE CITIES
Ulrich said he would propose at a league directors’ meeting in Seattle, Sunday, that neighboring cities jointly support teams in the new setup.
He pictured Pasco, Wash., which is now a naval air base, combining with Kennewick; Lewiston and Clarkston, Idaho, forming a club, and Yakima and Sunnyside getting together.
He also said invitations are going out to representatives from Victoria, Vancouver, Wash., Bellingham and Wenatchee.
Bob Brown, owner of the local franchise, figured it was a little early to get excited about next season, but he said he was “satisfied the league would get more applications for franchises that they would be able to accept.”
WANTS NEW NAME
One of the better class rumors circulating has George Norgan and Coley Hall running a pro club in Victoria, and Bob says an Island club would definitely be an asset to the loop. He’s also enthusiastic about Yakima and Vancouver, Wash., but as far Wenatchee, Lewiston, and the Pasco deals—well, hmmm.
One Ulrich suggestion that Brown is in favor of has to do with a new name for the league. Ulrich said he would propose that he loop take its old name, the Northwest League. Bob, who classes the old Northwest League with the present Coast League, likes that idea.
Another high class rumor has Vancouver getting a new baseball stadium next summer. Time and Emil Sick will answer that one.

WIL Return Rumours

It Says Here…
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver News-Herald, July 13, 1945]
Everybody, including Bob Brown, who might be accused of having inside information, is agreement that professional baseball will be back among us next summer.
This state of affairs causes most horsehide fans to leap up and down with glee, but there is a certain element among the local diamond gentry that reached for its handkerchief and has a good sob when the subject comes up.
What’s To Become of …?
These last haven’t had a king-size cry since the Capilanos took over from the old Senior Leaguers. That’s right, they’re the folks who followed Johnny Nestman, Charlie Miron, Art McLarnan and Co., and to them there’ll never be anything quite like the old Senior League. Maybe they’re right at that.
The crying towel, of course, will be out this time, as it was last time, for the lads who are currently providing the baseball entertainment. What, the people want to know, is to become of them?
It’s quite true a number of the local favorites retired when the pros moved in on us last time. But for most of these fellows, it meant they were only retiring gracefully, instead of waiting for 40-inch waists to set it.
A few others, like Ross Edy and Ernie Kershaw, joined the pros, and held their own very nicely.
Bring Out Those Crutches
But there were a few others who had no intention of retiring to the safety of the third base bleachers. These lads wanted to play baseball, and they didn’t care if there were any people in the stands, or even if there were any stands.
They struggled along valiantly, playing good ball, and eventually drawing big, but somewhat non-paying crowds, down to the Powell Street grounds. They finally got their reward when the war shut the professionals down.
It’s for these fellows—Ed Henry, Bruce Thirsk, Ralph Stong, the Hall brothers, Reg Wallis—that the fans are wearing black.
But I wouldn’t drop too many tears for these lads. This is the last year for Coley Hall and Thirsk, anyway, and the last of the old guard have reached the stage that Miron and Straight had reached in the last crisis. Two more years, and they’d be playing in wheel chairs.
Except maybe for Ed Henry. Ed will probably stop playing ball just long enough to pick up his old age pension cheque.
A Spot For Sandy And Reg
However, it isn’t likely that the loyal fans will have to stand in shock of complete new set of faces playing under Vancouver colors.
There’s some bright young talent performing in the Senior League right now that should be able to step into the Western International setup without too much effect.
Sandy Robertson, a kid who can pitch, hit, field and run, is playing his best year to date, and is a great pro prospect. Reg Clarkson can do every Sandy can do, except pitch, is another.
A. & Q.’s Pat Thomas—a great team player—he plays to win, always, would hit pro pitching, despite his awkwardness, and does a nice job at third base.
Smart young men like Jerry Waitman and Danny Galvin, and Bellingham’s Dick Plant and Hal Arnason would be welcomed here, too, even if they were with some other W.I.L. club.
And it would be kind of nice to have a Holden on hand again. We’re not to proud to cheer a Brooklyn man.

Victoria in Re-Formed WIL?

SPORTS SLANTS
By SID THOMAS
[Victoria Colonist, June 27, 1945]
VICTORIA IS READY FOR PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL
Talk of professional baseball in this city next season with a Victoria team playing in the Western International Baseball League is current on the local sports front these days, and as we have said many times before in these columns, we think this city is ready to step out into professional baseball.
However, if Victoria is going to operate in the Western International League next season, now is the time for the preliminary work to be done. We have it from an exceptionally good source that certain local interests are planning to make the move. Then, too, George Norgan, Vancouver sportsman and president of the Portland Beavers, is also interested in this city from a professional baseball viewpoint.
Growth of baseball attendances in recent years, and the support given visiting clubs are a true barometer of interest in the diamond pastime. If the Western International Baseball League plans to resume activities next season, and its chances appear to be good, we feel that Victoria should be a logical city to get a franchise.