The Brandon Sun from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada • Page 6

THE BRANDON SUN, Tuesday, July 4, gregg drinnan Remember the power-packed Minot Merchants of the 1971 Manitoba Senior Baseball League season? They were the power of the league with four hitters over the .300 mark. Five of the Merchants were on the first all-star team the half-way mark of the schedule. Merchants started to run away with the league last year until they fell apart eventually losing out in the finals to the Brandon Cloverleafs. Reports stated that the ranks of the Merchants were torn with dissension. Two of the players came to blows behind the team's dugout in Riverside during a game last season.

Players quit and came back and quit again. Has this dissension returned to haunt the only American team in the MSBL this season? Thus far the have'' lost Eich Carrier, Gene Roebuck. Bruce Bremer. Bill Cook. Frank Bruels and Tim Kaiser.

All six were being heavily counted on for this year. Carrier, who hit .368 in 1971, good for a tie for the league batting title, disappeared a couple of weeks ago. Cook hit .301 last season and he has recently departed the scene. Roebuck led Minot in runs-batted-in with 18 last year and now he's gone. Frank Bruels didn't dress with the Merchants until late last year but after his two pitching appearances he left the batters talking to themselves.

He started two games and completed both, for two wins. In his 18 innings on the mound he struck out 22. Suddenly Frank Bruels is no longer with Minot. Tim Kaiser started this season with the Merchants and he didn't make Ms first pitching appearance until June 11 at Kinsmen Stadium. He didn't look that badly but obviously wasn't getting enough work.

So he left. And finally there's Bruce Bremer? The league hitters hadn't heard of him until the season began and suddenly they're dreaming about him. Overnight he became the talk of the league. He started five games and made two relief appearances. With a 5-0 record and 86 strikeouts to his credit, Bremer has packed it up and headed for Yorkton.

Last season the whole Minot pitching corps totalled 170 strikeouts and Bremer was on his way to surpassing that. When he left, the Merchants had won eight games and he figured in sk of them. "Bruels and Roebuck are playing in Fargo now," commented. Jim Sullivan, sports editor of the Minot Daily News. "They were offered more lucrative jobs." A story at the Birtle tournament at the weekend was that Bremer was given a job paying $700 a month to pitch for Yorkton.

It's really too bad because Fm sure that I was only one fan among many who were looking forward to seeing Bremer on the mound. Dick Campbell, president of the MSBL, was also wanting to see Bremer in action. "It's too bad that Minot lost Bremer," Campbell said. "I wanted a chance to see him pitch and I know all the fans around the. league wanted to see him.

"His departure, along with the other players Minot. has lost, is definitely going to hurt the Merchants as well as the league." At last season's all-star break, the Merchants had four players.batting over .300. Right now, according to league statistics, after 11 games Larry Muratore is the only Merchant to be hitting over that mark, and the team's batting average is an anemic .227. When was the last time the Minot Merchants committed five errors In one game? Perhaps you were on hand June 11 at Kinsmen Stadium when the Merchants goofed five times in dropping a 9-3 decision to the Cloverleafs. The Merchants of June 11 didn't look like the same team of 1971 that hobbled the ball only 37 times, second lowest in the league.

When was the last time Minot Merchants were handily beaten? How about July 1 at Birtle when Brandon Cloverleafs thumped them 13-4. After scoring seven runs in the second inning the Clover- leafs began to coast and and Minot appeared to have given up. It just did't seem like the same Minot team. They just, "weren't known to give up last year. And what about the financial side of the Merchants? Something must be hurting them because suddenly they schedule a home game, against Dauphin Redbirds, at Kinsmen Stadium in Brandon.

There has also been talk of them wanting to play one or'two home games at Binscarth, where the Orioles have been playing before an average of near 1.000 fans per game. Could it be that the 1973 Manitoba Senior BasebaD League will be without the Minot Merchants? BIRTLE BITS Beruie Graner of Souris Cardinals was injured in the tourney when he got his foot caught in the first base bag. He was taken to hospital for x-rays but nothing more was heard. Irv Powers of the Cloverleafs says the 'Leafs have scheduled a twi-night double-header against the Merchants for Thursday night. Kirsl game will begin at 6:30.

What was the major complaint heard at this year's tournament? I think it would have to be about the condition of Highway 83 from No. 1 to Miniota. Everybody was complaining about it. An oddity is Binscarth first baseman Ron Low. He uses a goaltender's mitt.

Of course he no stranger to the mitt. He figures he has a good chance of grabbing a birth with Toronto Maple Leafs now that Bernie Parent has gone to Philadelphia of the World Hockey Association. Fischer will play REYKJAVIK. Iceland i A i Bobby Fischer hoarded a plane for Iceland Monday to meet Soviet titleholder Boris Spassky for the world chess championship ami a prize pol, sweetened by S130.000 from London bunker. Paul Marshall, iav.ynr in New York for Ki.srlier, said the American a I 1 r.

hod accepted banker James D. Slater's offer of the extra prize money and would be in Reykjavik by the deadline of noon today. Earlier Monday, HIP sponsors of the championship rnakh turned down Fischer's bid for a of the gate reeeipls in addition to the prize inonrv previously agreed on. Offence-crazy Bombers thump Als Gotcha! Louis Scott (24) Winnipeg Blue Bombers clings to the football Monday night after beating Montreal Alouettes' Dick Harris (18) on a pass play to score the Blue Bombers' first touch- down of the game. Winnipeg defeated Montreal 43-10 in the first exhibition game of the season for both teams.

THE MAJORS By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS STANDINGS Tonight is the night for sportsman votes Nolion.nl League fast American League Pittsburgh New York Chicago St. Louts Montreal Philadelphia Cincinnati Houston Los Angeles Atlanta San Francisco San Diego West 43 36 30 Pet. GBL .632 IVa .536 .535 MS 13'A .357 19 .597 Vi .514 6Vi .457 .390 16 .343 Baltimore Dolrolt Boston New York Cleveland Milwaukee Oakland Chicago Minnesota Kansas City California Texas 37 30 37 30 31 34 31 34 77 39 26 40 West 45 -24 41 J8 36 32 33 35 32 39 40 Pet. GBU .552 5 .477 5 .409 9Vi .394 .594 .529 .485 11V? .451 14 .420 16 TODAY National League San Diego (Klrby 5-7 and Caldwell 2-J) at New York (Gentry 3-6 and Ssovsr 10-4), 2 N. 5i.

LbuU (Spinks 5-1 at Cincinnati (Grlmsley 5-i). San Francisco 1-2) at Philadelphia (Champion 4-7) N. Los Angeles (John 7-3) at Wcntres! (Morton 3-7) N. Chicago (Reuschel 3-0 and Pappas 5-5) at Atlanta (McLain 0-0 and Reed 6-8). 2 N.

Pittsburgh (Briies 6-5) at Houston (DIerker 7-4) N. American League Minnesota (Corbln 4-0) at Boston (McGlothlln 0-1). Texas (Cox 1-0) at Cleveland (Perry 12-7). Detroit (Slayback 1-1) at Kansas City (Hedlund 1-5 or Nelson 1-2) N. Baltimore fDobson 9-7) of Chicago (Bahnsen 10-8) N.

(Lonborrj 6-3) nt California (Aiisn N. Now York (Stottlemyrs at Oakland (Holtzman 11-6) N. YESTER'DAY National League New York at Montreal 2, rain. San Fran 000 100 001-- 2 6 0 Phila 400 000 OOx-- 4 5 0 Carrilhers (2-6), Rcberger (1), McMahon (5), Motlltl (7) and Rader; Carllon (10-6) and Baleman. SF--Kingman 2 (50).

Atlanta ill 00) 511-- 13 17 1 Houston 312 000 021-- 1 15 1 Hardin, Jarvis (7-4) Upshaw (7) and Williams, Casanova (7); Rouss, Ray (7-2) (3), Culver (7), York (7), Gibbon (8) and Howard, Stinson HRs: Atl--Evans (10), Aaron (17); Hou--May (15). SI. Louis 000 022 000-- 4 1 0 Cincinnati 000 200 000-- 110 Wise (9-7) and Simmons; Gullet! 13-4), Hall (9) and Bench. HR: SIL-Wise (1). Chicago 000 200 ooo-- 2 6 0 Pittsburgh 000 010 002-- 3 i 2 Hoolon (6-7) and Hundley; Giusii (9) and Sanciulllen.

HRs: Chi-Williams (15); Pqh--SMrgnll (15). American League Texas til Mt 100-- 2 7 0 Kansas City 000 WO 100-- 1 11 2 Paul (3-2), Panther (7), Shellen- back (7) and King; Drago (6-7), Hedlund (8), Fllzmorrls (9) and May. Baltimore 000 004 072-- 15 21 0 Detroit 020 001 000-- 3 3 Palmer (11-4) and Dates; Tlmmer- man (6-7), Seelbach (6), Scherman (6), PcrranoskI (8), Nlekro (8), Zachary (8) and Frechan. HRs: Bal--Oales (2), Grlch (5), Powell (6); Det--Norfhrup (3), G. Brown (5).

Oakland 000 000 140-- 5 10 0 California 000 000 000-- 0 2 1 Hunter (9-4) and Duncan; May (2-6), Rose (8), Fisher and Stephenson. Minnesota Boston Blyleven Strickland ooo ooo no-- 2 11 020 010 41X-- I 10 0 (8-10), Granger (7), (7) and Borgmnnn, Milterwald (5); Tlant (3-2) and FIsk. HRs; Minn--Darwin (V); Bos--Fisk (9). It's that time again! No tile hockey season isn't ready to go again, but it's Sportsman of the Month time again, time to honor West- Man athletes who have contributed something special in the month of June. The Sun, in conjunction with Gondola Pizza on 10th Street, will award one outstanding athlete and one voter with pizza dinners for two (value to Contest rules are simple: Just phone the Sun (727-2451) tonight with your choice for the Sportsman of the Month.

Out-of-town callers may call collect. The switchboard will be open between the hours of a I I Those prospective voters who would rather write than phone may do so, but, letters must be in this office no later than Friday evening. Address mail to Sportsman of the Month Contest, The Brandon Sun. 501 Rosser Brandon. Voles will then be compiled and a draw will l)c held from all those who cast ballots.

The following list is merely a guide. If. by chance, someone's name has been inadvertently omitted, he or she remains eligible. A record that has ttood since the beginning of the Grey Owl golf tournament was broken by Jimmy King last month. A four-undcr-par 48 at the Clear Lake course sent King scurrying after loader Jimmy Doyle, but the Brandon southpaw finished second.

During King also led the BGCC Inter-Club team to the rural Manltlba championship with three-under-par 69 and after 36 holes of the Wllllngdon Cup trials for Manitoba, King Is In good position, only four strokes away from the fourth-place golfer. A Strathclalr girl, Dliftt gained the track and field spotlight on numerous occasions during Junt, especially In the trick meet In Saskatoon. In that affair, Miss McLean won the 200-mttre hurdles and was third In the 110- metre hurdles. In a Winnipeg dual- meet with Saskatchewan, Miss McLean captured tho 200- and lon- metrc hurdle events. For the third year, Brandon's Gerry has been named as manager of Canada's natlonl baseball team.

He will take Canada's best to Nicaragua for the world tournament this fall. For tho umpteenth time, Brandon's Bab Cornell captured the men's club championship at the Brandon Golf and Country Club, beating Jimmy King In a hoad-to-head matchup. Trailing by four strokes five holes to play, Cornell came on and eventually won In a one-hole sudden- death playoff. Striking out three men per Inning for seven Innings Is something else, and although Slmplot's Ed Zlmmtr didn't hit the magic 21 strikeouts, he did hit 20 and It was good enough for a Brandon Centennial Fastball League record--a record that will likely stand for some time to come. Asslnlbolnc Clubbers wero the victims In that name, losing 5-0 on TJmmor's Iwo-hlttcr.

For the second successive year, Brandon's Muriel Clark proved to be the best of the lady golfers In the city and district golf tournament. Trailing the first-day leader, Grace Llndenberg, by three strokes, Clark came back the second day to handily. Speaking of Once Llndentwrg, she accomplished something that Is extremely noteworthy. A hole-ln-one Is an accomplishment, but when It comes In a pressure-packed lourna- menl, then It's something more special. And that's what Mrs.

Llndcnberg did, aclna the fifth hole at the Shilo Golf and Country Club during the first round of the City and District. It war, her first-ever ace and it couldn't have come a better lime. Marshall quoted Fischer as saying of Slater's proposal: "1 gotta accept it. It's a stupendous offer." He said i considered the "incredible a generous and brave." Sinter said in London he i confirmation Fischer'? acceptance: by telephone had been told the ehnllenyer planned to fly to Reykjavik. Fischer must arrive in Reykjavik by noon today (7 a.m.

CDT) tr forfeit, his chance at Spassky and the title. The fir.st. game was to begin at 5 p.m. today (12 noon, OUT i. postponed from the a time Sunday a Fischer's request, STRATO-STREAK DE LUXE CHAMPION SUPER BELTS SOAJ8 Packed with high, performance features a popular price.

F78xl4-15 blockwall Fits Fords, Chevs NOW ONLY F78xI4-15 blackwall Firs Chevs, Fords, You're miles shead with With the purchase of 2 new Firestone tires you will receive a WHEEL ALIGNMENT For Only SC.88 5 FRANK LAWSON SONS LTD. 601-9fh Street Brandon 727-0741 Defence scores, too A (CP) Winnipeg's defence scored two touchdowns and quarterbacks Don Jonas and Tom Pharr threw for four more Monday night as the Blue Bombers thumped Montreal Alouettes 43-10 in the opening game of Canadian Football League's exhibition schedule. Defensive back Grady Cavness intercepted a Jim Chasey pass and returned it 43 yards for one arid defensive tackle Steve Ho well rambled 38 yards with a Sonny Wade fumble for another. Jonas, last year's oul. standing- in the CFL.

threw two touchdown passes, kicked six converts and added a single on a missed field goal. Montreal opened, the scoring at .7:16 of the first quarter on Don Sweet's missed field goal. Winnipeg took tlie lead for good a little more than four minutes later when Jonas marched the Bombers 85 yards in nine plays for a touchdown. Louis Scott made a diviig catch of a seven-yard Jonas pass in the end zone, beating Alouette defender Dickie Harris. Jonas converted to give the Blue Bombers a 7-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Sweet narrowed the score to 74 midway through the second quarter with a 20-yard field goal. But Winnipeg came back with another touchdown, this tune a Jonas pass to Mack Herron from yards out to -cap a 75 -yard drive which took eight plays. Less than a minute later, the Bombers made it 214 with Caness' touchdown. The Als rebounded to score on a nine-yard run by Chasey. convert attempt failed, making the score at the half 21-10 for the Bombers.

who played the entire first half at quarterback for the Als. hit on 10 of 17 pass attempts for 124 yards before giving way to Sonny Wade in the second half. Bolli Casey and Wade had one pass intercepted. Wade mid Jim King Corcoran, who shared second-half duties, completed eight of passes for 73 yards in the second half. Jonas, Pharr and Bob burth, who shared quarterbacking duties for Winnipeg, were good on 20 of 29 for 277 yards and no interceptions throughout the contest.

a Williams scored the only touchdown of the third quarter on the prettiest play of the night. Pharr hit flanker Jim Thorps with a pass on the Montreal 14-yard line and Thorjw drew two Alouetle defenders before flipping the ball to Williams, who ran unmolested into the end zone. Less than two minutes into the final quarter, Bomber defensive back Doug Strong intercepted 'a pass on the Montreal 44-yard line and ran it to the seven. One play a Pharr hit Olan Thompson with a TD pass and Jonas's convert made it 35-10. After Howell's 38-yard run of a Wade fumble, "Jonas closed out the scoring with a 27-yard single off a missed goal.

A I ue te coach Sam Etcheverry he did not regard the loss as a sign of things to come. "I'm optimistic. When you lose by a large score people feel the' team's on a downgrade but we're going just the opposite He blamed the margin of defeat on the turnovers the Als suffered. "It seems to haunt us, giving the ball away. We gave away three touchdowns.

It's the old story of last year and the year before." Etcheverry said his decision on who would be the i quarterback Montreal was still not finalized. Chasey moved the fall well when he was in there during the first half. We'll give the others more opportunity in the next three games." Some cuts from the Als' training camp roster as a result of the game will be made in a day or so, the Montreal coach said. Leafs meet Cards tonight Brandon Cloverleafs have chance to move to within half a game of first place Minol Merchants in the South Division of the Manitoba Senior Baseball League tonight when they take on Souris Cardinals at Kinsmen Stadium. Game time is 7:30.

A loss would put the in third place, half a game behind the Cardinals. In other MSBL games tonight. Riverside Canucks visit Minot, Dauphin Redbirds meet the Red Sox at Hamlota and the red-hot Binscarth Orioltis are in Virden to play the Oilers. tut will, publish a special 34 page edition to honor The City of Brandon on its 90th Anniversary The edition will include historical vignettes and photographs many of which have never before been published; All regular subscribers will receive this special edition with i paper on Friday, July 7. 1972, EXTRA COPIES are available at The Sun circulation desk for lOc per copy.

If you wish to have copies mailed to anywhere in the world complete the accompanying form and send 50c for each copy ordered to CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 50.1 Rosser Brandon Please send copies of the Anniversary i i i in NAME ADDRESS SENDER ADDRESS PHONE.