The Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-05-18, Page 16L_-
s Il�ja fl as .een
over t. ;Te years i
"Take me out to the ball
game,
Take me out with the crowd,
Buy me some peanuts and
cracker jack,
I don't care if I ever get
back."
That familiar old song has
been sung in ball parks all
over the continent for the
past 100 years. Baseball is a
summertime tradition, an
institution even, and like
most other communities,
Wingham has a rich baseball
history, from the early days
right up to the present.
Almost any given era can
boast its own championship
team and the arguments
abound about who, for.
example, is the best pitcher,
Colvin, Coultes or Daer. But
as one local fan pointed out,
it's impossible to compare
one era with another because
the teams can't play each
other. However, everyone
has his own established
opinion.
Naturally, it is impossible
to talk to people about
baseball in the early days of
the town, but a look through
the earliest editions of the
newspaper prove that
organized baseball ,was
being played in Wingham in
1885.
Brief references are made
to baseball games in those
early papers. Obviously
there was no such thing as
night games and no means of
transportation except by
horse and buggy or the train.
Therefore, baseball games
would be all -day affairs,
especially if the teams had to
travel to or from places like
Goderich.
By 1901, the game ap-
peared to be well-established
in Wingham and the paper
reported the local "baseball
boys" were in a league with
Palmerston, Harriston and
Drayton. There even were
matches between the
Liberals and the Con-
servatives, as well as games
on special 'holidays like
Dominion Day, the 12th of
July and Labor Day, often
complete with bands,
parades and picnics.
By 1914, Wingham was at
the top of a league which
consisted of teams from
Lucknow, Teeswater and
Kincardine. In fact, the local
club took the Lakeside
division championship of the
Northern League that year,
under the leadership of its
super sluggers Telfer and
McLean. The old files of the
newspaper are an excellent
source of information, but
unfortunately sports reports
provided only last names.
Wingham produced
championship teams also in
1921 and 1923. Telfer and
McLean again were
prominent players, as were
Aitchison and Sherbondy.
A recreational softball
league also had been
established in the meantime.
A newspaper article from
1925 said large crowds
watched as teams such as
Lloyds, Gurneys and the
Manufacturers battled it out
for top spot.
BALL IN THE '30s
But it was during4he 1930s
that things really, opt going,
according to two veteran
Wingham ball players Omar
Haselgrove and Jack Colvin.
Money was tight during
the Depression years. But
people still wanted en-
tAsICLBlI TIEATU
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tertainment and often it
came in the form of baseball.
For the mere sum of 25
cents, plus five cents tax,
local hardball fans could
take in the battles of
Wingham's Central and
Bruce League teams. The
games even were broadcast
sometimes over local radio.
The Central League,
formed in the. early 1930s,
was a friendly league, ac-
cording to Andy Scott, a
member. They played teams
such as Brussels and Ford-
wich featuring local players
like John Cruickshank and
Haselgrove and coached by
"Zic" Cowan. The Central
League team provided good
baseball, but did not achieve
the fame of Wingham's
Hurons or The Tribe and its
"boy wonder" Jackie Colvin.
People around town still
talk about what a good
pitcher Colvin was and how
he easily could have made it
into the major leagues. But
they also talk about that day
in 1935 when he threw out his
pitching arm in the third
inning of a playoff game.
Colvin still lives in
Wingham and said he
remembers coming to town
in the fall of 1934 to look for
work. He had established
quite a reputation as a hard-
ball pitcher in his native
Hanover and was playing
against men in their 20s and
30s when he was only 17: His
reputation preceded him and
the Wingham ball teams
were eager to sign him up.
WORKED AT FACTORY
In those days, it was not
uncommon for good ball
players to be enticed to town
by dangling carrots, like
jobs, in front of their noses.
WINNER OF
4
ACADEMY AWARD
ONE OF
THE YEAR'S
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PANEATAL
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Spend an
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SAT. -SUN. -MON., MAY 21-23
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OPEN 7DAYS
A WEEK
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DUE TO CHANGES IN THE ONTARIO
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4,11121tMIER T'HEAi`RES
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Colvin was no exception.
Someone got him a job at
Lloyd Doors and he was paid
two and one-half cents more
per hour than his fellow
employees to compensate for
the time he spent playing
baseball.
"The Tribe" as the Hurons
were nicknamed, had their
best season ever that year,
mostly due to the efforts of
Colvin. His season record
was 93 strike outs in 47 and
two-thirds innings and he
had only two runs scored
against him, neither of which
was earned.
In fact, he even did battle
with the famous Lefty
Goldsmith from Southamp-
ton, "a mighty sweet
hurler", according to the
local press. Goldsmith was
so good he easily could have
made it to the major leagues,
but since they did not pay
very much at the time, he
found it more lucrative to
live in Southampton and be
paid to play ball there. But
he and Colvin went the
distance, only to have the
more -experienced Gold-
smith finally win. out in the
end.
But there was no doubt
about it: Colvin was a sweet
hurler himself. So sweet that
his coach had him pitch all
the home games and often
put him in as relief during
away games. Colvin pitched
almost constantly; too
much, according to Mr.
Haselgrove and others who
insist he was never given
sufficient time to rest his
pitching arm.
In one of the few games in
which Colvin did not pitch,
the Hurons were playing
Clinton. A man from Acton
ground
nig he his
Winghamuntil
the top of the ninth inning
when he allowed two men on
base with nobody out. The
pitcher was pulled' and
replaced by Colvin who
threw nine balls to strike out
three men and win the game.
THROWS OUT ARM
With strong pitching like
that, it was no wonder The
Tribe ended the season bn
top of the league. They were
playing off with Clinton
when, in the third inning in
front of over 300 local fans,
Chief Indian Colvin's arm
suddenly went limp. He said
he couldn't even put it in his
pocket. It must have been a
scene reminiscent of "Casey
at the Bat" that day in
Wingham, . because without
Colvin and his famous .pit-
ching arm, the series was
lost.
Looking back at that year,
Colvin said perhaps if he'd
had a pitching coach or
hadn't played so much, his
arm 'would have held up. But
it didn't so, at 20 years of
age, Jackie Colvin retired
from competitive hardball.
Next: Baseball in the
Forties.
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393-5938
The Wingham Advance -Times, May 18, 1983—Page 15
4
0
NN
THE CENTRAL LEAGUE team from Wingham provided good baseball
for local fans in the mid and late 1930s. There were two hard ball
leagues in town then, the Central and Bruce leagues. This
photograph, taken around 1940, shows team members: back, Harold
Improve record to 24
Wingham BPs spoil
_ _ _ __.. . ..ws.summer bathrt.Lait—oilt
Wild, John Cruickshank, Billy Groves, Omar Haselgrove, Millan
Moore, "Zic" Cowan, coach, and Bob Groves; front, Mac Groves,
Lawrence Thorpe, George Johnston and Andy Scott. (Photo courtesy
of Andy Scott)
Recreation Report
BY RENNIE ALEXANDER
Rec. Director
By Peter Bauer
The Wingham Bob Foxton
BPs spoiled Teeswater's bid
for a victory in its home
opener by .dumpingtheir
opponents 9-3 at Teeswater
Sunday afternoon.
The BPs jumped into a
quick six -run lead in the first
inning on three hits, two
walks and a fielding .error.
They added one -run each in
the second, fourth and ninth
innings.
Teeswater replied with a
run in the third inning and
two in the eighth.
Don Edgar earned the win,
with Dave Burns coming in
in relief for the save. D.
Millen took the loss.
Unfortunately, the BPs fell
victim to the visiting
Chepstow Aces in their own
home opener, dropping a 2-0
decision last Tuesday night.
After playing scoreless- ball
for six innings, the BPs
made two costly errors
fielding the ball and another
mental mistake.
Terry O'Hagan got things
going as he singled to right
foeld. Kevin Carter did not
pick up the ball cleanly, and
O'Hagan ended up on second
base.' Don Hehn then at-
tempted a sacrifice bunt.
Bruce Skinn was there
quickly, but his throw was
high and Hehn was safe on
the play, with O'Hagan
scoring from second.
Hehn was sacrificed to
second by Art Stanley and
scored on Doug Lang's
single.
Vince Mullen earned the
win, allowing five hits while
striking out 17. Ron Riley
took the loss for Wingham,
giving up two runs on six hits
DRtrvn-iikr THEATRE
CLINTON
189 BEECB STREET 482-7030
THIS WEEKEND MAY 20 21 22
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY
BOX OFFICE OPENS AT I1:00 PM/FIRST SHOW AT DUSK
ENJOY IT AGAIN
llit�A ®® PARENTAL
11 GUIDANCE
e ExTRFt-7Y.RRe,SrRIAc �--.'..,1__ .
ND FEATURIElmommomm
Another World,
Another Time...
In the Age of Wonder.
P Waite
and two errors while striking
out two and walking one.
Dave Burns came on in the
eighth and gave up one hit.
The BPs rebounded
quickly from that loss to
trounce Belmore 11-2 at
Belmore Thursday night.
The BPS struck fast in the
Sheri. Walden
wins tourney
Sheri Walden, a member
of the Youth Bowling Council
League at the Wingham
lanes, placed first 'in the
Senior division at the YBC
Bowler of the Year Tour-
nament Zone Round held
Sunday at the local bowling
alley.
Two Meaford bowlers, Neil
Lambe and Tracy Nolan,
captured the Bantam and
Junior divisions respec-
tively.
The provincial finals will
be held August 13 and 14 in
Toronto. All competitors will
be treated to a home game of
the Toronto Blue Jays and a
banquet following the
bowling tournament.
Duplicate
bridge club
The duplicate bridge club
met last Thursday evening
above the fire hall. The
Howell system was played
and the following were
winners: first, Connie Mc-
Minn and Louise ' Welwood;
second, Janet Day and
Yvonne McPherson; third,
Jean Hodgins and Noni
Elliott; and, fourth, Ruth
Currie and Jim Alcorn.
ION,
Friday and Saturday
May 20 & 21
STING II
-ALSO -
"An Amazing
Accomplishment in
Fantasy"
DARK CRYSTAL
ADULT
�CCONPANIMENT
Sunday, May 22 Only
(Holiday Special)
1. THE DRAGON
IS DEAD
2. NAUGHTY
CO-EDS
3. THE TIGRESS
4. HOT LOVE
ACTS
R
AOPAITTANGa
first inning as Bruce Skinn
reached first base safely on
an error by the second
baseman. He advanced to
second on Ben Blackwell's
sacrifice bunt and scored as
Ron Smith blasted one to left
centre field, making it 2-0
after one inning.
In the third inning Skinn
scored the only BP run as he
smashed one to right centre
field and scored easily.
Belmore got that one back in
its half of the inning as Ken
Schneider punched one over
the head of the right fielder
for the third home run of the.
game.
However, that was as close
to the BPs as they would
come, as Wingham struck
for three more runs in the
fourth inning and four more
in the fifth. The final run
came in the ninth, when
Smith singled and scored on
a Bob Pegg triple.
Dave Burns earned the
win, giving up two runs on
four hits while striking out
11. Ed Daer came on in the
final inning and retired the
side in order.
Belmore went through
three pitchers, with Bob
Graham taking the loss.
Gord. Lane_came into the
game in the fifth, but was
pounded for four runs. Dave
Eadie came on in the sixth
inning and allowed just one
run through the final four
innings, but the game was
already out of reach.
Well, almost, but it is time
to get things rolling by
dusting off the roller skates
d
an getting ready for
another summer full of fun.
Teen roller skating starts
on Saturday, May 21, 8:30-11
p.m. at the Lockridge
Memorial Arena. Adult
roller skating starts Thurs-
day, May 26, 8-10:30 p.m.
Make plans to have a good
time here, where fun and
friendship go hand in hand.
The ball games this week
are as follows:
Josephine Street Park
Thursday, 9 p.m., Jr. fast -
Monday; : 7 & 9 p.m.,
Industrial slow -pitch;
Tuesday, 8:30 p.m., BPs
vs. Lucknow;
Wednesday, 7 & 9 p.m.,
Industrial slow pitch.
Riverside Ball Park
Thursday, 7 & 9 p.m.,
ladies slow pitch;
Friday, 7 p.m.; Midget
boys hardball vs. Kin-
cardine;.
Sunday, 7 & 9 p.m.,
Industrial slow pitch;
Wednesday; 7 p.m., Pee
Wee boys vs. Bluevale;
Wednesday, 9 p.m.,
Industrial slow pitch.
1
WINGHAM B.P. FASTBALL SCHEDULE
HOME
May 24 Lucknow at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
May 24 Belmore at Wingham 2:00 p.m.
June 7 Teeswater at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
June 14 Clifford at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
June 21 Palmerston at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
July 5 Chepstow at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
July 10 Palmerston at Wingham ' 2:00 p.m.
July 12 Chesney at Wingham . 8:30 p.m.
July 19 Lucknow at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
July 26 Belmore at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 2 Teeswater at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 9 Clifford at Wingham 8:30 p.m.
AWAY
May 18 Wingham at Clifford 8:30 p.m.
May 31. Wingham at Chepstow 8:30 p.m.
June 1 Wingham at Palmerston 8:30 p.m.
June 9 Wingham at Chesley 8:30 p.m.
June 15 Wingham at Lucknow 8:30 p.m.
June 20 Wingham ai' Beimore ' . 9:00 p.m.
June,28 Wingham at Teeswater 8:30 p.m.
July 13 Wingham at Clifford 8:30 p.m.
July 20 Wingham at Palmerston 8:30 p.m.
July 21 Wingham at Chepstow 8:30 p.m.
July 28 Wingham at Chesley 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 10 Wingham at Lucknow 8:30 p.m.
�4
WIN SECOND HALF—The Fordwich Mixed Bowling League held its annual dinn3r
and trophy presentation at the Anglican Church in Fordwich. Winners of the second
half of the regular season are: back, Bill Gilmer, Weert Klaassen; front, Jean Ashley,
Debbie Fall's and Theresa Wilson. Absent is Bruce Kennedy.