Spring Training, Wednesday, April 21, 1954

Cap Power More Potent This Term, Broncs Find
By CLANCY LORANGER
(Province Sports Writer) [April 21, 1954]
LEWISTON—Idaho—It’s baseball practice, before each new series, to go over the opposition hitters and discuss how to pitch to them.
Last year, when Vancouver Capilanos came to town, the meetings were pretty short. The opposition manager would say “Harvey Storey, low and behind him is his weakness.” Then he’d look over the rest of the batting order and say, “Let’s go.”
But those meetings should take a little longer this year. The Caps, it would appear, have more than a one-man attack.
That was the impression gained here Tuesday when Bill Brenner’s boys took on Lewiston Broncs. The Caps won 11-8, and in the doing rapped out 16 base hits, including four home runs and four doubles.
Leading the parade, again, was new second baseman Marvin Williams who wrested two tremendous wallops over the 330-foot left field barrier, and added a double for good measure, too, as he batted home five runs.
Vancouver’s Arnie Hallgren furthered his bid for the right field job with another of the home runs—his second since he joined the team—and Ellis Daughtery, finally looking like the hitter he was alleged to be, contributed the fourth.
UNFAIR TACTICS?
The Caps’ 3-4-5 hitters, Williams, Daughtery and Ken Richardson, split 10 hits among ‘em, Richardson getting four of the five.
Add a fellow like Bob Wellman (.350 last season) to that group, and you’re liable to have the pitcher’s union picketing you for unfair tactics.
DIAMOND DUST – A lot of the damage the Caps did was against John Marshall, a 21-game winner last year … Vancouver’s pitching was done by Tom Del Sarto, Bill Tompkins and Rod MacKay … Half of Lewiston’s runs came off Tompkins, who lasted less than an inning … Danny Holden continued to have a miserable time, striking out three times and adding an error in left field … The squad was cut by one more man when Chuck Lundgren was recalled by Seattle …
The Caps have a game in Clarkston, Wash., today against Larsen Air Force Base, with Bob Moen and Baz Nagle possible pitching candidates.

Unexpected Arrivals Welcomed by Tyees
[Victoria Colonist, April 21, 1954]
Victoria Tyees, still awaiting expected help, received an unexpected reinforcement yesterday when Tom Perez showed up at Royal Athletic Park and took part in yesterday’s spring-training program.
Perez, a service returnee owned by the San Francisco Seals who can play both in the infield and outfield, hadn’t been expected although his name had been mentioned in talks with the San Francisco management. On being told by the Seals that he would probably be sent to Victoria, he left immediately by car with Mrs. Perez and arrived here yesterday morning, Needless to state, he was welcomed.
Before entering the service, Perez played a season with Visalia in the California State League in 1949. Appearing in the outfield in 111 games and at third base for 28 games, he hit 24 home runs and 21 doubles while compiling a .311 batting average for 511 at bats.
While in the U.S. Army, he played for the championship Fort Ord team. Discharged last year, he played with Macon in the Class “A” Sally League, getting into 38 games at third base and playing 43 in the outfield. He has been with the Seals in spring training and handled himself well yesterday in infield drills. If he proves he can hit WIL pitching, he will fit into the Tyee plans with his ability to play the outfield and give the club infield protection at the same time.
Perez’ arrival boosted the Tyee personnel to 16 players and two or three more are expected today. Veteran-outfielder Dane Clay is due in and shortstop Eddie Lake may also make it. Lake, it appears, has been ducking as much of spring training as possible but promised manager Don Pries yesterday that he would be on his way the minute he could get a plane from Oakland. Also expected in is Don Smith, big southpaw rookie from Fairbanks.
Other player news was still awaiting confirmation yesterday. Portland officials were tied up with the Beavers’ home opener but it shouldn’t be later than tomorrow before the Tyees know for certain just what to expect from the Coast League club. Two or three deals are also ready to be completed.
Tyees will continue their workouts today with their second exhibition game with Farmers Construction scheduled for Royal Athletic Park tomorrow at 6:30. The same clubs meet again Saturday afternoon and on Sunday it’s off to Courtenay for two games there.

Tri-City, Yakima Request Rejected
VANCOUVER, B. C., April 22—British Empire Games officials have been turned down by Tri-City and Yakima of the Western International League on a request to reschedule baseball contests here during games week July 30-Aug. 7.
Bill Brenner, general manager of the Vancouver Capilanos, told games executives Wednesday that he had talked to the two U. S. clubs and was told there were “so many problems that rearrangement is not possible.”
The executive had asked Capilanos to reschedule the two series to follow the actions of other sports which have rearranged or cancelled contests games week.

WEDNESDAY GAMES

MODESTO, Calif., April 21 — Bunching eight of 10 hits in two innings, the Modesto Reds of the California League ran over the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western International loop, 7-1, Wednesday night in an exhibition contest.
Edmonton Manager Bob Sturgeon, ex-Boston Brave and Chicagp Cub, was held hitless.
It was a 0-0 duel until the fourth. Then the Reds' bats, which had been on the weak side, came to life. Bobby Dallas, Frank Kerr, Ted Bell and Earl Mortenson rapped out singles. and three runs were scored.
The Modestans saved up four more of their hits until the eighth, when they pushed across the other four runs.
Edmonton ..... 000 001 000—1 3 0
Modesto ...... 000 300 040—7 10 0
Conant, Widner (6) and Prentice; Mortensen, Roval (6), Stanich (9) and Keir.

CLARKSTON, Wash., April 21—Triples by Nick Pesut and Arnie Hallgren helped Vancouver of ihe Western International League, defeat Larson Air Force Base 11-3 in exhibition baseball Wednesday.
Larson ......... 210 000 0— 3 6 5
Vancouver ... 212 402 x—11 14 1
Mason, Sherwinsky (5) and Nelson; Nagle, Cordell (5) and Pesut, Lundberg (5).

FRESNO, Calif., [Fresno Bee, April 22]—Pinch hitter Bob Thair smashed a 410-foot inside-the-park homer run with one out in the last of the ninth inning last [Wednesday] night to give Fresno State College Bulldogs a 5 to 4 exhibition victory over the Calgary Stampeders in FSC Park.
The well played game last night was witnessed by only a couple of hundred fans but had one of the most dramatic endings of any game this season.
Fresno trailed 4 to 3 going into the last of the ninth. Jack Hannah led off with a walk. Dan Farris bunted but Calgary manager Gene Lillard cut down Hannah at second base. Bill Pearson was inserted to run for Farris.
Phair hit the third pitch solidly on a line corner of right center field. Phair rounded the bases while the Stampeders' desperate relay to the plate was late.
FSC Scores Two In 7th
Fresno was behind, 4 to 1, going into the seventh but rallied for two runs in that frame. Hannah led off with a walk and first sacker Farris lined a triple to left center field. Farris scored on George DeLaTorres’ high hopper to shortstop.
Calgary starting pitcher Bill Kapp held the Bulldogs well in check for the first six frames—giving up one run on six scattered hits. Bill Stites was the victim of the late inning uprisings.
Fresno scored once in the fifth on a double by Hannah and a single by DeLaTorre.
Calgary started fast against Fresno freshman lefthander Bobby Doig but the ex Roosevelt ace settled down after the first frame and pitched brilliant ball for the next four innings.
Stampeders Start Fast
The Stampeders collected three runs in the first on three walks, a triple by outfielder Bill Kahler and a double steal. From the second through the fifth frame Doig held the Canadians to one single.
Orland (Bud) Mecham, freshman righthander from San Diego, pitched the final four frames for Fresno and turned in one of his best jobs of the year. Singles by Kapp and Jim Stack and a fielder's choice accounted for one run in the seventh.
Calgary made only two hits off Mecham in four innings and he walked only two batters.
DeLaTorre with two singles was the only player on either team with more than one hit.

YAKIMA, April 21 — Shutting off a last-inning Yakima rally, the Tri-City Braves handed the Bears their fourth straight exhibition baseball defeat Wednesday, 9-8.
Tri-City had started a rally of its own in the fifth inning, trailing 2-1, when Yakima’s relief pitcher, John Carmichael, gave up three runs on four hits.
The Braves got five more hits off Carmichael in the final three innings for five runs.
The Bears rallied in the ninth as pinch-hitter Dennis Bell walked to first. Singles by Ernie Sites and Herm Lewis followed, but Charlie Mead's fly out to center field ended the burst at two runs.
Catcher Jack Warren of Tri-City led the hitting with two singles and a double in four trips to the plate.
Tri-City ..... 010 030 221—9 10 3
Yakima ....... 020 004 002—8 11 1
Robertson, Thomason (8) and Warren; Rios, Carmichael (5) and Summers.