Thursday, February 29, 2024

Frank Keetz

article about town ball




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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Negro Leagues


Mohawk Giants

Mohawk Giants
1913-5-25 At Schenectady before 3,500, beats Paterson Smart Sets 4-1. Smart Sets were playing in '40s. 
1913-6-08 Before 2,000, lost 8-6 to Pittsfield Electrics.
1913-6-22 Beat Tenth Calvary 7-3
1913-6-25 Beat Rutland 5-0.
1913-7-13 Before 6,000 fans, the largest crowd seen in Schenectady in years, shutouts Troy NYSL on 3 hits. 
1913-7-27 Before 6,000, beat Elmira Colonels 7-3. 
1913-8-01 For Schenectady Mohawk Giants, beats Bennington 12-3.
1913-8-25 Chicago NL refused to play Wickware - ended up beating a Wickware-less Rutland 5-0. 
1913-10-05 Defeated Walter Johnson in 1-0 five-inning game. 

1913-4-20 With Royal Giants v. Wilkes-Barre Barons - left with 6-6 game, which reliever blew in tenth. 

1913-7-24 Accepted money from Lincoln Giants but then wanted to pitch for Chicago American Giants. Teams fighting over him; Wickware is not seen in a good light.
1922-4-13 Joins Homestead Grays

Mohawk Giants pics

Florida Hotel League


1913-1-30 lineup and line given in NY Age. 
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Monday, February 26, 2024

Nisei


1947 Portland Vets
1948 Seattle Nisei Vets

 1948-7-07 Averages, box scores, and all-star team for Northwest Fourth of July tournament. 
    Pic of champion Seattle Vets; Edo Sasaki, Seattle pitcher; and Kay Kiyokawa, Hood River pitcher. 
1948-7-07 Nisei Vets finally did it. 
1948-7-07 pic of Heat Heyamoto (Seattle ss) with Hank Matsubu behind home plate.

Matsubu, Hank 1948 Ontario (OR) A.C. 

1944-5-06 Hank Matsubu - 2nd base in internment camp
1947-8-01 Picture of Wally Yonamine
    "Sad Shiraishi, the former Taiyo A.C. baseball flash, has a drug store in Ontario, Oreg. and also operates a film projector in a movie house there." 
1949-7-20 Northwest Times picks their ideal Nisei all-star team. 
1954-8-25 "Masami Ikeda, McChord Air Base hurler, was named pitcher among the stars in the Washington State semi-pro baseball tournament concluded recently in Bellingham." 

 
Puget Sound League Blue Section
1947-3-04 Northwest Times propose that Nisei Vets combine with Western Giants to make one strong team instead of "two weak teams." 
1948-3-10 Shiro Yamaguchi is baseball chairman of NVC. 
1948-3-17 Team sponsored by Nisei Veterans Committee. Non veteran players will be allowed this year. Expected roster named. They were champions last year. 
1947-4-22 Edo Sasaki k'd 16 for Nisei Vets; standings. 
1947-8-01 Vets captured title. 
    "The live spirit of the hustling Vets should be credited to Shiro Yamaguchi, the pre-war shortstopping ace of the Western Giants, and Joe Kesamaru, the lightning-shifty ex-college and prep star. The two combined their talents to keep the never-say-die Vets much intact." 
1950-5-03 Nisei Vets 3, Teamsters 14. Western Giants 8, Eastlake Merchants 1. 
1951-4-11 Nisei Vets and Western Giants will combine for team in Puget Sound League. 
1952-1-01 "After Richard Tsuji injured his throwing arm, Managers Shoichi Suyama and Joe Kesamaru of NVC called on Sasaki to carry the pitching load, and Sasaki, although off to a slugging start, finished like Citation in the long stretch. A hurler with more stuff on the ball than any Nisei hereabouts today, Sasaki was largely responsible for NVC's rousing second-half comeback in the Puget Sound league last season."
    "Ray Saito, infielder-outfielder for Nisei Veterans - Possibly the most outstanding Nisei baseball player in the Pacific Northwest. Saito was a feared batsman for the N.V.C. outfit in the P.S. circuit. As an outfielder in '51, he was second to none as far as his smooth fielding and timely hitting were concerned. To the Vets he was as valuable, though not as colorful, as Jim Rivera was to the Seattle Rainiers. Saito was the ace in the NVC fly-chasing department." 

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Sunday, February 25, 2024

25th Infantry Wreckers



1913-1-17 Regiment arrives - pics. 
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Bullet Rogan

1915-7-02 Made HI debut for Third Battalion on June 30. 
    "The chief interest in the game was the first appearance on the local diamond of Rogan, late of the Twenty-fourth Infantry, who arrived on the last transport. There is hardly a company commander in the Twenty-fifth Infantry, who has not made a bid for this man's assignment to his company without success. The ultimate assignment of Rogan is still a matter of conjecture. As the recruit company is attached to the First Battalion, his appearance this afternoon with that team was allowed. He played the first three innings at third base and made a great impression. He looks like the classiest infielder the regiment has had in some time. In the fourth he went into the box and here his success was even more pronounced. He had worlds of speed and a quick delivery following a leisurely windup that is in itself puzzling to any batter. At the bat, he had three chances and in each case met the first ball pitched on the nose, but each time in the direction of some fielder."
1915-8-24 Newly elected field captain of 25th Infantry. 
1916-5-10 "The second game between the Machine Gun Company and Company I was all Rogan. He went to the mound for the battery team and the Company I batters seemed greatly in fear of his speed ball.
    Rogan was all smiles and gave them speed or slow balls, floaters or fadeaways and every other kind of pitch known to baseball on demand with the same result for every offering. Two hits of the scratch variety were all the opposing batters could get." 

1917-3-24 On furlough - to pitch for White Sox
1917-3-24 Half of "insular fandom" thinks Rogan is on way - half thinks he is in Honolulu. 
1917-3-24 Will play different position every Sunday
1917-3-26 Beat Western Pool 10-2 - allowed but one hit, a single in the 9th by Jess Orendorff. Joe Pirrone was opposing pitcher. 
1917-3-26 Also hit three triples


1960-8-04 Stengel praises Rogan. 
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Wednesday, February 21, 2024

San Joaquin Valley



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Sacramento Valley




Carmichael

Chico
https://goodoldsandlotdays.com/gallery/semi-pro-teams-by-area/62-colusa

Galt


Oroville
Sacramento
https://goodoldsandlotdays.com/gallery/semi-pro-teams-by-name/grass-valley

Sacramento County League
    1925 6-08 standings
    1946 7-13 averages
    1947 2nd half standings
    1948 final averages

    Davey, Sonny 1946 Carmichael
    Marvelli, Joe 1946 North Sacramento
    Parino, John 1946 Clarksburg
    Stanich, George 1947 Carmichael

    Bradford, Bill  1948 Rio Vista - top pitcher - 6-0
    Westlake, Jim 1946 South Sacramento

    Carmichael Firemen in NBC
    Les Lollis, top pitcher, was black

    1925-6-08 Wives battle on the side-lines
    1947-7-24 Benny Salas ineligible to play bc under suspension by pro club
    1947-8-13 Carmichael eliminate from state tournament
    1947-8-14 Manuel Williams, pitcher of Lincoln, will accompany Carmichael to Wichita

Sacramento Valley League
    1924 7-07 standings
    1936 Marysville Giants
    1954 7-10 standings



    Besana, Fred MLB 1954
    Matzka, Tod 1935

    1932-4-05 Chico has withdrawn - will play until can get replaced
            players were unsatisfied about financial arrangements
            no outright salary this year: players get cut of gate receipts on home games after $50 taken                    for expenses
    1938-3-08 George Lial signs with Marysville Giants. 
    "Incidentally, Vincent Stanich, writing a Sacramento bush ball column, sounded the wrong note when he remarked the Valley League's decision to permit each team as many as four outside men will mean that capital winter leaguer's have struck "pay dirt" once again. 
    None of the valley teams intend to cut the purse strings to get outside talent for the reason that they cannot afford to meet extravagant demands. The old system in vogue a decade ago, wherein top salaries were paid to bring in top pitchers and heavy hitters, cannot be restored. The league rules now ban all forms of outright salary payments, but those winter leaguers who would like to play Sunday ball in the valley, and receive suitable expense allowances, will be accommodated."
    "The senior valley loop has long been compared in caliber to class D leagues, although it cannot claim that rating since games are only played once a week." 
    Valley class B league formed for 23-and-under players. 

               1934-8-12 in Oregon 1934-9-10 Sargent signs w/ Sacramento PCL 
    1935-7-13 Sargent had allegedly spent time with the Kansas City Blues
    1935-7-17 Harold Sargent compared to Dizzy Dean in self-confidence
    1940-8-02 Grass Valley must install lights or else lose franchise
    1954-7-10 1st beauty contest in league history - pic of "Miss Chico Colt"

Sacramento Winter League
    1916-17
    1924-25
    1935-36 1-27 standings six divisions. No boxes. 
    1936-37 
    1940-41 11-10 standings nine divisions. 

    Costa, Jack  1b-of in minors 1936-37 Julius Haberdashers no-hitter a few weeks ago

    1917-2-02 games scheduled. Jim Longus is pitching for Giants, best colored team in the city.
    1934-12-23 misc. 
    1935-11-24 Misc. news and old memories. All star teams from 1930 and 1931. George Lial weighed as much at 14 as he does now. Quartet including Lial used to sing songs at intermission. Jack Stassi trying to sign with a team. 
    "Hugh Duffy, now in Honolulu, was a great catcher, received many pro offers."
    "Bill Essick, scout for the New York Yanks, will be in town soon to look over the prospects in the local Winter League. Essick makes an annual pilgrimage to all the bush leagues in California. It was while he was here last winter that he signed up "Sonny" Davey." 
    1936-1-25 commentary w/full names of batteries and managers. Kettle Wirts is Roma Wine manager. 
    1936-11-22 Tale of 1923-24 league. Rosters listed. Some real good names. 
        Pete Daglia struck out 72 in 3 games - was soon signed by PCL. 
    1937-1-16 After great start Haberdashers are slumping. Lial says they just aren't hitting. 
    1937-11-21 misc. The Julius of Julius Haberdashers is Julius Anapolsky. 
    1937-12-12 Jack Costa has retired. George Lial is NYY scout. 
    1938-1-02 misc.
    1938-10-23 misc. 

    1924-11-02 Dunk, Simpson Printers, throws no-hitter

    1934-8-29 pic of George Lial with dog. He raises purebred wire hair fox-terrier dogs. 
     1934-12-23 six individual pics + team pic of Joe Davis Haberdashery
    1936-1-27 Sonny Davey

    Julius Haberdashers
    https://www.juliusclothing.net/about "Julius was a well-known sponsor for bush baseball, his Coast Division teams won a record 12 National Division Pennants in the Winter Leagues." Nice old pic of store.

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Manitoba

 https://mbhof.ca/pioneers/

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Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Toronto Oslers


https://web.archive.org/web/20230509020954/http://torontoist.com/2014/04/historicist-going-pro/
portrait of Fred Hamilton. Joe Spring - Billy Greer - Tommy Burt- Lou Lister (30s) - Jack Egan
"The Oslers, Hillcrests, and other top teams, therefore, had a difficult relationship with the amateur authorities. “They didn’t only check Toronto’s baseball growth—they ruined it,” the manager of the Oslers, Fred Hamilton, argued years later. “Baseball in this city hasn’t recovered from those old fuddy-duddies yet.”
"According to the amateur code, players couldn’t receive material gain directly or indirectly for athletic performance. So, while the Oslers were in great demand for exhibition matches in places like Iroquois Falls, Ottawa, and Cobalt, touring could be a financial burden on players. Athletes could be reimbursed for actual travel and hotel expenses, but not for time off work. Gifts to players, by rule, couldn’t exceed $35, which meant even accepting a new suit could jeopardize one’s amateur standing. The amateur code also meant never playing against athletes who’d turned professional in any sport, and never attending a pro tryout or training camp. Some enterprising ballplayers might play under assumed names in Detroit or Buffalo on occasion, but by skirting the rules they risked never playing baseball in Toronto again."

"Exercising such independence could create friction between clubs, leagues, and those governing amateur sport. The Oslers’ 1926 mid-season trip west—their second in two years—had so disrupted the Ossington Park League’s schedule that league officials passed a resolution at season’s end that, going forward, no team would be granted leave to travel. Nevertheless, through the winter of 1927, Oslers officials pressed forward in negotiations with officials in Japan to arrange a summer tour of that country, centered around Kobe, where a newspaper was interested in sponsoring their visit.

The Oslers players, who felt they’d achieved all they could in Ontario amateur baseball, declared that they were excited at the prospect of touring Asia—the longest trip any Canadian team had ever planned, even if it meant resigning from the Ossington Park League. Their resignation sent ripple effects across the local amateur baseball scene. Despite having been given notice months in advance, league officials didn’t move forward with alternative plans and remained inactive for the 1927 season—leaving numerous clubs, including Hillcrest, without a league to play in."

"As members of the International Independent Professional League, the Oslers played a full schedule against company-sponsored ballclubs like General Tires and Easter Brands (both of Buffalo), black teams like Elite Elks and John Boli’s All-Stars (also of Buffalo), as well as teams from Lewiston, Youngstown, and the Black Rock suburb of Buffalo. With rosters composed of former minor leaguers, college stars, and long-time barnstorming players from the Negro leagues, the opposition’s calibre of play was high. Some observers felt the league was one of the strongest independent leagues in the United States—although it’s difficult to assess the quality of the opposition since just about every visiting team claimed ownership of some title or crown of dubious merit."\

"The Oslers had hoped to participate in the All-American Semi-Pro Championship. But, when the tournament fell through, they instead played—and lost—an exhibition series against the Cleveland-based Pennsylvania Railroad team reputed to be the best semi-pro ball club in the United States."

"Catcher Clare Hoose moved to Cleveland for work in 1928, but continued playing baseball in that city’s highly rated semi-pro league. A scout for the Cleveland Indians offered him a tryout, but Hoose declined and later returned to the Oslers—a hasty decision he later regretted."

from 1929 tour:
"When they weren’t playing games of bridge or poker on the train, a number of Oslers players defrayed travel costs by washing dishes in restaurants or making lower berths aboard trains."

"Although new baseball clubs and players rose to prominence in Toronto, there were widespread complaints about the declining quality and popularity of the sport since the glory days of the Oslers-Hillcrests rivalry. “Senior hard ball has all gone to pot,” Watson declared in the Star (August 15, 1936). The Oslers’ 1926 championship remained the last provincial amateur title won by a Toronto ball club until 1937. Cuts to city grants providing baseball equipment to clubs meant that there were fewer players on fewer teams. The city’s youth, critics opined, weren’t learning the fundamentals. And players, Watson believed, were too worried about jobs and the family budget during the Great Depression to put on a good show on the diamond. “The rollicking, happy-go-lucky-who-cares-a-hoot boys are gone,” he concluded."

"Sources consulted: Pat Adachi, Asahi: A Legend in Baseball (Coronex Printing and Publishing Ltd., 1992); Thomas Barthel, Baseball Barnstorming and Exhibition Games 1901-1962 (McFarland & Company, Inc., 2007); Ida Clingan, The Virden Story (The Empire Publishing Co. Ltd., 1957) [PDF]; Kevin G. Jones, “Developments in Amateurism and Professionalism in Early 20th Century Sport,” in Journal of Sport History, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Spring 1975); Alan Metcalfe, “The Anatomy of Power in Amateur Sport in Ontario, 1918-1936,” in Journal of History of Sport Vol. XXII, No. 2 (December 1991); and articles from the Buffalo Courier-Express, Buffalo Evening News, Niagara Falls (NY) Gazette, Regina Morning Leader, Toronto Globe, Toronto Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and Windsor Border Cities Star."

1926-6-26 comments on every player on roster.
    Tommy Burt has been with Oslers since they started as junior club 15 years ago. 
1927-5-02 Oslers beat General Tires of Buffalo. Jack Egan at third.
1927-6-27 Dr. Jackie Egan
1929-6-28 leave 6-29 on western tour. roster listed. 

1926-4-23 League opens tomorrow with a double-header. Five-team league. 
   "Ossington Park is on Ossington avenue in the second block above Boor street and below Hallam. Harbord street cards stop outside the door. The usual low amateur ball prices prevail." 
    Comments about teams and players.
    1926-4-27 Beavers will have lefty George "Bunny" Kenney on the mound in their opener against the Hillcrests. He won eight straight games last season.
    From June 27 to July 17 the Oslers will tour western Canada. They plan on playing in Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Vancouver. Have league permission for tour. Work has been started on Ossington Park. 
     1926-5-15 Hillcrests have receded from Toronto picture; Oslers are top team. Hillcrests are still good, just not as good. Review of roster.
    1926-10-12 Season retrospective.
    1926-10-12 team pic
    1927-9-19 Billy Greer may get trial with Maple Leafs.
    "Oslers were a power in amateur ball for many years and they have made an excellent showing since they joined professional company this spring. Over the week-end they defeated the General Tire team of Buffalo in two games to win the championship of their league and they will now meet the Cleveland champions for the inter-city honors. The pitching of Joe Spring and Billy Greer has featured all the Osler victories. 

1927-4-25 "Close to 2000 fans watched the local take the jump into the ranks of professionalism. The team intact jumped and all the regulars played with the exception of Jimmy Fleming. "Irish" Eagleson took his place at second base. "Lefty" Westlake, the old MINT league star, and "Al" Tyson, the player from Oshawa who was refused a card by the O.B.A.A., were also in uniform."
1927-9-09 "Oslers are right now playing better ball than they have shown for the past month. After romping away with everything in the first half of the season the local independents fell into a slump and they were way below form."
    "There is a strong chance that the Oslers and the Leafs will stage a barnstorming tour through Ontario when the International League season is over, the managements of the two clubs are getting together and if everything is suitable the trip will be arranged." 
1927-9-16 Will face General Tires of Buffalo. Joe Spring will go for 12th win. 

1927-4-25 First venture into pro ball. Beat Elite Elks, formerly Pullman Giants, of Buffalo, 12-4. 2K ATT.
1927-6-27 Maple Leafs 12, Oslers 5. Maple Leafs took game seriously. Game would have been different if Billy Greer had started. 
1927-9-05 Joe Spring beat General Tires in 12 innings. International Independent pro. league. 
1927-9-18 Accounts of two wins v. General Tires. Beat vg milb Ed Williams

w/boxes (from Buffalo newspapers):
1927-5-12 Tires have regularly played Oslers to crowds of 4K, 5K in Toronto. General Tires formerly known as Phoenix club. Managed by Walter Newman. 
1927-7-08 in Polish!
1927-7-10 a few weeks ago Oslers lost 12-11 to Maple Leafs. Happy Bob Watson, Canada's Nick Altrock, will come with Oslers. 
1927-8-05 Tires are champs of Western NY, Oslers are champs of Canada. Oslers drew 10K crowd in game against Toronto Maple Leafs last year and beat them 11-10. 
1927-8-06 teams tied 3-3. 
1927-9-17 Tires & Oslers are 6-6 for season. Tomorrow's game will be rubber match. 

1927-7-10 Oslers 7, General Tires 0. 
1927-8-07 Tires 6, Oslers 5. Tires 4, Oslers 3. (no box) Oslers eliminated from championship race.
1927-9-05 Oslers 4, Tires 2. 2K ATT.  9-03: Tires 8, Oslers 4. (no box)
1927-9-17 Oslers 2,Tires 0. (no box)
1927-9-18 Oslers 5, Tires 1. Oslers now 8-6 (?) won series

1928-7-28 Tires 8, Oslers 1. no box
    
Dye, Babe Oslers rf
Lapp, Frankie Buffalo c
O'Malley, John Buffalo of - 5'8" 145

play by play (Star Weekly)
1928-6-08 Buffalo Easter Brand 5, Oslers 0.
1928-7-21 Oslers 4, Lewiston 1. 


1926-6-30 1st of seven games in Winnipeg. Oslers 5, Tammany Tigers 2. 1.5K ATT. 
1926-7-01 Close to 6K ATT. Oslers 5, Arenas 11. Oslers 11, Elks 2. Oslers 4, Columbus 2. 
    Pic of Art Frick, Arenas outfielder. 
1926-7-02 Oslers 3, Norwood 9. Fell before Bill Stobie's "fast breaking spitter." 
1926-7-03 Oslers 9, Arenas 1. Afternoon game called due to rain. 
    4-2 in Winnipeg. 

Joe Breen Canada sports HOF
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Saturday, February 17, 2024

Japanese Baseball Federation

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Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Alaska baseball

 1925-9-04 Ketchikan beat Juneau in three straight games for championship of Alaska. 
\1936-6-04 Douglas opens home season - line-ups - sponsors - drawing
1936-8-29 Juneau will send team to Ketchikan for series of games after receiving guarantee of $250. Rosters listed. teams could do well against most semi-pro and class D teams. 
1947-5-10 Juneau baseball season opens tomorrow. sponsors - drawing.

pics


Jimmy Manning iron man - star - Lingit (indigenous) 

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Monday, February 12, 2024

California Winter League

  https://www.mlb.com/news/california-winter-league-baseball-history

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Saturday, February 10, 2024

Pacific Coast League play by play


LA Herald
1910-6-10 yes for Vernon-Sacramento, no for LA who is playing at Portland.

Seattle Union Record

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Friday, February 9, 2024

Pittsburgh Leagues 1919-1922

1919-5-11G players of Indiana Normal * actually college
1919-5-18G New Kensington Aluminum
1919-6-29G Edgar Thomson Transportation club
1919-8-17G Section K & Z of Westinghouse Twilight League - pictured sitting on building steps
1919-9-21 Westinghouse Machine Works, pennant winners of Westinghouse Electric Interworks League.
1920-8-01 Bar Mill of Duquesne Steel League. 
1920-8-22 Mechanical team, champs of Duquesne Steel League. 
1920-8-29 Oil City, Two Team League.
1920-9-05 McKeesport Tinplate, first half winners of McKeesport YMCA League, and Upper Department of National Tube company, who are neck-and-neck with Tinplate for 2nd half honors. Stats of both teams are given. 

1919-5-04G action shots from 4th opening of New Kensington Aluminum
1919-6-01G Bert Wilson, manager of popular Aluminum
1919-6-08G Jack Onslow, Allegheny Steel manager; Edmondson, Allegheny Steel in action; Bert Wilson of Aluminum again. 
1919-7-13G Al Callahan, ss of South Side
1919-8-17G Russell (Sully) Ross - star pitcher of Braddock of Tri-Borough, whose season closed last week. 
1920-6-06 Weirton WV stars. Incl. James Durkin

1919-7-06G pics & great stuff!
1919-7-27G profile & cartoon of Thayer "Heavy" Torreyson, who began diamond career in 1880. 
    In 1st decade of 20th century, playing for H.L.A.C. of Homewood, knocked a homer through the outfield fence - took a board with it. He helped found the Tri-Borough League, and is manager of its Braddock Business Men. Spends most of his time in his billiards parlor in Braddock. 
1920-6-06 Two-Team League going great; unafraid of threats from OB. Oil City has no millionaire backer - supported greatly by fan donations. General admission ticket is 50 cents, and season ticket for 50 game season is $10. Walter Kinney happy to not travel anymore; has bought an automobile and sent for his wife.
1920-6-06 Some of top independent teams have lost stars to industrial teams. Homestead Grays lost to Munhall Firemen.
1920-8-01 Snapped Up Around The Sandlots.
    "Duquesne has one of the fastest diamonds in this end of the state and it is one of the few parks where good playing conditions exist. The Duquesne field, which was put in by the steel works, is said to have cost in the neighborhood of $50,000." 
1920-8-01 Two-Team League will resume schedule. Oil City was on the road last week- not as successful on the road as Franklin. Franklin averages given.
    "Franklin may be a rich town in some respects, but it's the man on the street and the fellow in the ranks with his four-bit piece who is keeping the Franklin team running. The payroll every two weeks is up in the thousands, those on the inside say. The story is told of one fan whispering to another that Kavanaugh is getting $2,500 for the rest of the season. Just then one of the team officials turned around and remarked: "I don't know exactly what Kavanaugh is getting, but I do know if he's getting only $2,500, he's cheap at that." And the inquiring fans are still wondering what he pulls down.
    Dances, entertainments, carnivals, and other benefits, coupled with boosters and tag days, are keeping the Franklin team on a sound financial basis, and incidentally keeping the town pretty much in the limelight."
    Allegheny Steel have 50-13-1 record. 85,945 people have watched them. 
1920-8-22 Snapped Up Around The Sandlots.
    New Castle Cords becoming known as C team, for seven of players' last names begin with C. 
    New Castle making a real effort to put a good team together; very good players jumping to them. Previously attendance was listless but lately they had 2,200 come out. "L.C. Sturgiss, general superintendent of the New Castle Rubber Company, acting for Bill Ducrsten, president of the company, stated today that the Castle Cords intended to put a team on the field competent to defeat any team in this vicinity."
1920-8-22 O'Donnell and Layden have jumped Franklin to go to New Castle; Franklin okay with that. O'Donnell had been dissatisfied ever since he was fired as manager, and Layden hadn't been playing very well. Layden replaced in center by Johnny Honig of Bethlehem Steel League. 
    "Franklin management and fans feel that they have a grievance against Jimmy Hagan, who is at the head of the office force of the Philadelphia National League team. Hagan came here last week and served the tem- porary injunction on Pitcher Bert Gallia. When he returned to Philadelphia he told the newspaper men that the Two-team League was simply a gambling proposition, and that the team's supporters were gamblers. It is true that there is betting on games when the police are not looking, but the bettors have no connection with the club, official or unofficial. Teams are supported by dyed-in-the- wool fans, who with their predecessors, have maintained a rivalry in baseball between the two towns for 60 years."
1920-8-29 Homestead Steel League review. Schoen Steel won. 
1920-8-29 player fight at Oil City-Franklin game. "Serious trouble" was only prevented by a "heavy wire screen in front of the bleachers along the third base line of the West End park." 
    Manager Brackenridge has played all infield and outfield positions as well as having occasionally pitched. Umpire O'Toole has been snatched from the Two Team League by the Castle Cords. 
    Allegheny Steel is about to play a series with the Baltimore Dry Docks. Account of pitchers' duel between Gene Packard of Agathons and Knetzer of Steelers.
1920-9-05 The proposed post-season series between Franklin, Oil City, Allegheny Steel, and the other top teams has fallen through, but it has been established that there will be good baseball again next year. The Elcos, who represent Ridgway, Johnsonburg, and St. Marys, have signed Herb Moran as next year's manager. 
    "It is probable that before the 1921 season opens the various independent teams will get together and draw up an agreement respecting each others' right as to players. Franklin and Oil City have been bound by such an agreement this year and it has worked out well. 

1919 final standings
Westinghouse Electric Interworks League five teams tied for 2nd. 
1920

1920-8-21 Believed to be most remarkable game in history of West End. Before 3,000 spectators at Denny Grounds, West End and KOKA tied 0-0 in 20-inning game.
1920-8-21 Carnegie Steel of Farrell 2, New Castle Cords 1. Heinie Boll's hitting wins for Farrell. Cords have former Two-Teamers in line-up.

1920-8-01 Eddie Artman, TR

 1919-7-22 Twilight teams enjoying daylight savings
1922-8-20 on the kings of the independent pitchers (has PICS): Elvin Hilty is 35-6, Zip Wenzel 38-6, 
        Frank Speece 25-2 (won 23 inning game a few years back) National Tube has a great staff (w-l not         compiled exclusively with them:
        Johnny McKeeta 12-0 (no-hitter), Walter Rhine 21-5, Earl Carson 15-4, Jimmy Coyne 20-6.
        Alex Pearson 20-4; keeps it up year after year. 
        A LOT of great records given. 
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Saturday, February 3, 2024

Pittsburgh leagues (pre-WWII)

1915-8-01G "Winning Team Demanded By The Town Supporters. That is why Ridgeway pays Howard Camnitz a big league salary - enthusiasm in sport all over the country - greatest in a decade."
    In 1914 the Ridgway club, which was not even very good, cost $2850 a month, 3/4 of payroll spent on pitching. This year Howard Camnitz is getting $650/month + expenses. Also on the pitching staff is the former major leaguer Rube Witherup, playing under the name of Smith. The outfielders are paid $150/month. 
    Johnsonburg & St. Marys also have high-class teams. The three teams are trying to work out a championship format to determine a winner amongst themselves, the creme de la creme. 
    Many other top clubs listed. Pittsburgh Collegians are in 16th year.
    More interest in independent baseball than there has been since 1905. 
1916-5-14 Tomorrow there will be local meeting of National Amateur Baseball Association - players, leagues, & teams invited. Local branch of NABA has 600 individual teams exclusive of leagues. It is expected that around 900 teams, comprising about 15,000 players, will join. Elimination series will be late in season. Barney Dreyfuss and "Hans" Wagner on board of directors of local organization. 
1918-6-02G Hugh Tate, who will be appointed manager of Franklin tomorrow, has been continuously serving in independent ball since 1903. W/pic. A review of the clubs and managers of that graced the sandlots in that far-off day. 
1918-7-07G funny story about Clyde Fullerton getting ball stuck up sleeve at third. w/cartoon. 

1915-6-27G Steubenville Christian Church
1915-9-19G W.H. Mullins, championships of Salem (O.) Shop League
1916-6-11G Westminster College
1916-6-18G Waynesburg College
1917-6-03 Lemington Presbyterian of PRESS Church League. 
1917-6-24G Allegheny Steel
1917-7-01G Pittsburgh Steel of Monessen
1917-7-08G Monongahela. A bit blurry
1917-7-15g Pittsburgh Steel Product at Charleroi
1917-8-05G Superior Steel team of Carnegie
1917-8-12G B&O of Connellsville
1918-5-19G Bethany College
1918-5-26G East Liverpool, O. Athletics
1918-6-02G Youngstown, OH
1918-6-23G Toronto O.  motley uniforms
1918-6-30 Beltzhoover. also motley uniforms. & Taylor Tube of Washington, with positions. 
1918-7-07 Pittsburgh Steel of Charleroi
1918-7-21 Moltrup Steel at Beaver Falls
1918-7-28 Monongahela
1918-8-04 P.J. Sullivan
 
1915-6-13G action shot from Pitt v. W&J (Washington & Jefferson)
1915-6-20G action shots from Allegheny Steel - Pittsburgh Athletics. Jim Culp threw 2-hit shutout.
1915-7-04G Allegheny Steel players & executives
        Davis, catcher of Monongahela
1915-7-11G four stars of Ridgway
1915-8-15G St. Marys stars
1915-8-22G Tim Shea & Bucky Umlauf. 
1916-5-14G Pitcher Art Shaw of Pittsburgh Terminal club scoring from home. 
1916-5-14G Carnegie Tech stars
1916-5-21G two Lawrenceville veterans. 
1916-5-28G Clinton Carter
1916-6-11G Samuel Brennan, Cap. of Hazlewood Collegians. 
1916-6-18G Director & Pres. of New Kensington Aluminum.
    Benny & Claude Jewell of Meadville. Benjamin "Rabbit" Jewell
1916-6-25G Alderman P.J. Sullivan. President & backer of Lawrenceville. 
1916-7-02G stars of New Kensington Aluminum.
        Hugh Tate.
1916-7-09G the ballpark the Aluminum company built at New Kensington. 
1916-7-23G Jeff Kilner, catcher-Cap of Troy Hill Athletics
1916-7-23G Bobby Freese, catcher, New Kensington Aluminum. 
1916-7-30G Action pics from Vandergrift-Allegheny Steel game. Can see smoke stacks in background.
1916-8-06G five players of Pittsburgh Collegians who are graduating into majors.
1916-8-06G Allegheny Steel stars. pros
1916-8-13G Jim Culp, Aluminum. One of top independent pitchers. a veteran. 
1916-8-13G Harry Carlson, Allegheny Steel.
1916-8-20G stars of Altoona
1916-8-20G Altoona's two umpires, who are doing splendidly. Former pros. 
        O.S.W. Fozenbaker, 1b-MG of Keyser, one of top clubs in WV, with his two sons who act as team's mascots.
1916-8-20g stars of Vandergrift, incl. Clyde Fullerton.
1916-8-27G three well-known amateurs.
1916-9-03G Ben Fraley - real name William Froelich - died yesterday of pneumonia. Just last week he had caught a game for Esplen, PA. 
1917-6-24 Bert Wilson, of-MG of Alumnium. Former milb
1917-7-08G Tom Doran, Altoona pitcher
1917-7-08G action shots from Ambridge game - some players of Waynesburg - all rather blurry
1917-7-08G manager, business manager, and captain of Pittsburgh Steel Product
1917-7-15g pic of Jimmy Beeson, Greenfield, prominent player for years
1917-7-15 action pic of Durell, strong catcher of Moltrup Steel team at Beaver Falls. 
1917-7-22g action pic - Tillie Dewar of Monongahela stealing home - and pic of former MLB Ody Abbott
1917-7-29g action pic - Harry Fowler scoring only run for Ambulance Corp in game v. Coraopolis
1917-7-29g pics of five Ambridge players - including Vern Hughes
1917-8-19G Joe Phillips, former milb. Manager of Pittsburgh Steel Products at Charleroi.
1917-8-26 action pics from Franklin v. Ambridge game, incl. Swetonic.
1917-8-26G Tom White, Monongahela outfielder
1917-9-02G stars of Franklin club
1917-9-09G four of Coraopolis
1918-5-05G REALLY COOL. Pic of crowd at 319th Infantry-Graybers game. 
1918-5-12G Martins Ferry, O. MG & pres.
1918-6-02 Jim Clancy, 2b-MG, Central Steel, Massillon 
1918-6-09G Charles C. Judge. 1b-MG of Davis A.A.
1918-6-09G Action pic from Beltzhoover v. Moltrup at Beaver Falls
1918-6-16G four stars of Martins Ferry O. 
1918-6-23 first base plays at Monongahela
1918-6-30 Doyle, second baseman of Ambridge. Former milb - his home is in Cincinnati. 
1918-6-30 Houser, of Steubenville, currently playing 2b for Toronto OH. Has been playing 15 years.
1918-7-21 old-time stars (Karl Kelly and Henny May) with Vandergrift - picture of Ernie Bechtel, 
    a star pitcher a decade ago, now an umpire
1918-7-28 three star pitchers of Pittsburgh Collegians
1918-8-04 Howard Archer, Shook, & MG Johnny Jones Beltzhoover
1918-8-18 pic of Swede Peterson, now with Toronto IL, in Franklin uniform. 
1918-7-18 J.G. (Red) McKenna, former milb, now with Aluminum. 

1915-7-31G Ehmke on mound for Johnsonburg.
1915-8-14 Ambridge finally loses after winning 18 straight. 
1915-9-18G Conemaugh of Johnstown beat Pitcairn, amateur champions of Pittsburgh, 10-8. Will meet winner of Detroit-Cleveland series for second round of national championship. Large excited crowd for game.

1916-5-20G Aluminum opening game. Description of new ball park and roster.
1918-8-17 Aluminum nine won sectional independent championship over Allegheny Steel. Over 5K ATT. Knetzer, Jake Pitler, Onslow, Rheam. 
 
1916-6-11 Ed Mullaney, Vandergrift, former MLB.

Allegheny County League

Inter-County League

1916-5-12 standings & list of players newly signed. 

1916-5-13 5K ATT. 
1916-6-17 Toothman, Pitcairn, comes within an out of a no-hitter.

Railroad League
    1915 9-19 standings

West Penn League

1917-6-03 standings. Hilty with Pitcairn. 
1918-7-21 

Fullerton, Clyde

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Western League

  1898-7-07 -  Columbus WL franchise will move to Denver

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