Western International League

From BR Bullpen

There briefly was a Western International League in 1922 (after a couple years as the Pacific Coast International League and the Northwest International League). The league was re-established in 1937 with Vancouver as the sole holdover from the 1922 league. After shutting down for 3 years during World War II, the league was again rebuilt in 1946. The league had operated as a Class B from 1922 through 1951 and the National Association promoted it to Class A in 1952. Spokane, WA and Vancouver, BC were represented in all 15 years of the second incarnation (1937-1954). The league changed its name to the Northwest League in 1955. Long-standing members of the various Western International Leagues were Yakima, Vancouver, Tacoma and Spokane; all but Tacoma are still a presence in the Northwest League.

Contents 1 Cities Represented 1.1 1922 2 Teams and Statistics 2.1 1922 3 Cities Represented 3.1 1937-1954 4 Teams and Statistics 4.1 1937-1942 4.2 1946-1951 4.3 1952-1954 A 5 League Champions (1937-1954) 6 Source

[edit] Cities Represented

[edit] 1922

• Calgary, AB Calgary Bronchos 1922, moved from Western Canada League 1920-1921
• Edmonton, AB Edmonton Eskimos 1922, moved from Western Canada League 1921
• Tacoma, WA Tacoma Tigers 1922, moved from Pacific Coast International League 1918-1921
• Vancouver, BC Vancouver Beavers 1922, moved from Pacific Coast International League 1919-1921

[edit] Teams and Statistics

[edit] 1922

1922 Western International League
President: Louis H. Burnett / Deacon White

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Calgary Bronchos	24	16	.600	0	Bill Rodgers
Edmonton Eskimos	23	16	.590	.5	Gus Gleichman
Vancouver Beavers	22	23	.489	4.5	Robert Brown
Tacoma Tigers	16	30	.343	11	Tealey Raymond

Playoff: Calgary 4 games, Edmonton 1.
Playoff took place after the league disbanded June 18. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Adolph Schinkel	Calgary	BA	.354		Al Miller	Edmonton	W	7
John Kerr	Calgary	Runs	43		Ira Colwell	Calgary	W	7
Adolph Schinkel	Calgary	Hits	58		Al Miller	Edmonton	SO	48
Bob Snyder	Tacoma	HR	6		Al Miller	Edmonton	Pct	.778; 7-2

[edit] Cities Represented

[edit] 1937-1954

• Bellingham, WA: Bellingham Chinooks 1938-1939
• Bremerton, WA: Bremerton Bluejackets 1946-1949
• Calgary, AB: Calgary Stampeders 1953-1954
• Edmonton, AB: Edmonton Eskimos 1953-1954
• Kennewick, WA, Richland, WA & Pasco, WA: Tri-City Braves 1950-1954, moved to Northwest League 1955-1960
• Lewiston, ID: Lewiston Broncs 1937; Lewiston Broncs 1954-1954, moved to Northwest League 1955-1968
• Salem, OR: Salem Senators 1940-1942, 1946-1954, moved to Northwest League 1955-1960
• Spokane, WA: Spokane Hawks 1937-1939; Spokane Indians 1940-1942, 1946-1954, moved to Northwest League 1955-1956
• Tacoma, WA: Tacoma Tigers 1937-1942, 1946-1951
• Vancouver, BC: Vancouver Maple Leafs 1937-1938; Vancouver Capilanos 1939-1942, 1946-1954
• Victoria, BC: Victoria Athletics 1946-1951; Victoria Tyees 1952-1954
• Wenatchee, WA: Wenatchee Chiefs 1937-1941, 1946-1954, moved to Northwest League 1955-1965
• Yakima, WA: Yakima Pippins 1937-1941; Yakima Stars 1946-1947; Yakima Packers 1948; Yakima Bears 1949-1954, moved to Northwest League 1955-1964

[edit] Teams and Statistics

[edit] 1937-1942

1937 Western International League
President: Roger Peck

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Spokane Hawks	79	58	.577	0	Bernie DeViveiros
Yakima Pippins	80	61	.567	1	Ray Jacobs
Vancouver Maple Leafs	74	60	.552	3.5	John Kerr
Tacoma Tigers	75	63	.543	4.5	Ed Taylor / Sloppy Thurston
Wenatchee Chiefs	66	72	.478	13.5	Glenn Wright
Lewiston Broncs	38	98	.279	40.5	Don Rader / Babe Tomlinson / Wes Schulmerich

Total Attendance: 500,000
Playoff: Tacoma 4 games, Wenatchee 1. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Wes Schulmerich	Lewiston	BA	.367		Oscar Miller	Yakima	W	24
Henry Bonetti	Wenatchee	Runs	121		Oscar Miller	Yakima	SO	2.34
Harvey Storey	Tacoma	Runs	121		Hank Hulvey	Tacoma	ERA	2.33
Henry Bonetti	Wenatchee	Hits	206		Wes Schulmerich	Lewiston	RBI	117
Wes Schulmerich	Lewiston	HR	28

1938 Western International League
President: F.H. Knickerbocker

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Yakima Pippins	77	55	.583	0	Ray Jacobs
Bellingham Chinooks	68	65	.511	9.5	Ken Penner
Wenatchee Chiefs	66	67	.496	11.5	Glenn Wright
Vancouver Maple Leafs	65	68	.489	12.5	John Kerr
Spokane Hawks	62	72	.463	16	Bernie DeViveiros
Tacoma Tigers	62	73	.459	16.5	Hack Wilson / Hal Rhyne

Attendance: Spokane 200,000
Playoffs: Yakima 3 games, Wenatchee 1; Bellingham 3 games, Vancouver 1;
Finals: Bellingham 4 games, Yakima 3. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
David Goodman	Tacoma	BA	.337		Bill Fleming	Bellingham	W	20
William Lyman	Yakima	Runs	97		Floyd Isekite	Tacoma	SO	2.48
David Goodman	Tacoma	Hits	173		Bill Fleming	Bellingham	ERA	1.79
Wayne McCue	Wenatchee/Vancouver	RBI	85		Jim Tyack	Bellingham	HR	15

1939 Western International League
President: F.H. Knickerbocker

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Wenatchee Chiefs	86	57	.601	0	Glenn Wright
Tacoma Tigers	78	63	.553	7	Hal Rhyne
Vancouver Capilanos	76	63	.547	8	John Kerr
Spokane Hawks	75	69	.521	11.5	Bernie DeViveiros
Yakima Pippins	72	73	.497	15	Ray Jacobs
Bellingham Chinooks	40	102	.282	45.5	Ken Penner

Attendance: Spokane 222,106
Playoffs: Tacoma 3 games, Spokane 1; Wenatchee 3 games, Vancouver 0;
Finals: Tacoma 4 games, Wenatchee 2. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Bill Skelley	Wenatchee	BA	.366		Hub Kittle	Yakima	W	20
Bill Skelley	Wenatchee	Runs	133		Floyd Isekite	Tacoma	SO	2.19
Bill Skelley	Wenatchee	Hits	208		Floyd Isekite	Tacoma	ERA	3.29
Loyd Christopher	Wenatchee	RBI	131		Ray Medeghini	Tacoma	ERA	3.29
Morrison Abbott	Tacoma	HR	37

1940 Western International League
President: Stanley A. Webster

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Spokane Indians	84	59	.587	0	Eddie Leishman
Yakima Pippins	79	67	.541	6.5	Goldie Holt
Vancouver Capilanos	72	71	.503	12	Jimmie Crandall
Tacoma Tigers	72	72	.500	12.5	Hal Rhyne / Bob Garretson
Salem Senators	69	77	.473	16.5	John Griffiths
Wenatchee Chiefs	59	89	.399	27.5	John Kerr / Frank Morehouse

Playoffs: Spokane 2 games, Vancouver 0; Tacoma 2 games, Yakima 1;
Finals: Tacoma 3 games, Spokane 2. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Smead Jolley	Spokane	BA	.373		George Windsor	Spokane	W	20
Ralph Samhammer	Vancouver	Runs	151		Bernard Brewer	Salem	W	20
Smead Jolley	Spokane	Hits	224		Floyd Isekite	Tacoma	SO	225
Smead Jolley	Spokane	RBI	181		Hub Kittle	Yakima	ERA	2.95
Tom Lloyd	Vancouver	HR	28

1941 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Spokane Indians	89	44	.603	0	Ray Jacobs
Vancouver Capilanos	73	64	.533	18	Don Osborn
Yakima Pippins	70	64	.522	19.5	Goldie Holt
Salem Senators	63	69	.477	25.5	John Griffiths
Tacoma Tigers	58	76	.433	31.5	Pip Koehler
Wenatchee Chiefs	51	87	.370	40.5	Ted Mayer

Playoffs: All-Stars 4 games, Spokane 1.
Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Smead Jolley	Spokane/Vancouver	BA	.345		Robert Kinnaman	Spokane	W	22
Pete Hughes	Spokane	Runs	139		Charles Eisenmann	Yakima	SO	204
Levi McCormack	Spokane	Hits	191		Don Osborn	Vancouver	ERA	2.74
Smead Jolley	Spokane/Vancouver	RBI	128		Pete Hughes	Spokane	BB	156
Pete Hughes	Spokane	HR	34

1942 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Vancouver Capilanos	82	56	.594	0	Don Osborn
Tacoma Tigers	77	64	.546	6.5	Pip Koehler
Salem Senators	60	74	.448	20	Charles Peterson
Spokane Indians	58	83	.411	25.5	Ray Jacobs

Playoffs: None Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Jack Richards	Salem	BA	.351		Don Osborn	Vancouver	W	22
Art Lilly	Tacoma	Runs	100		Chet Johnson	Tacoma	SO	177
Clarence Maddern	Vancouver	Hits	178		Don Osborn	Vancouver	ERA	1.63
Vic Buccola	Spokane	RBI	97		Murray Abbott	Vancouver	HR	17

• The league was inactive in 1943, 1944 and 1945 due to WW II.

[edit] 1946-1951

1946 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Managers
Wenatchee Chiefs	89	54	.622	0	Buddy Ryan
Salem Senators	79	63	.556	9.5	Leo Edwards
Bremerton Bluejackets	73	63	.537	12.5	Sam Gibson
Tacoma Tigers	76	67	.531	13	Luther Harvel
Yakima Stars	71	69	.507	16.5	Spencer Harris
Vancouver Capilanos	65	71	.478	20.5	Syl Johnson / Eddie Carnett
Spokane Indians	54	78	.409	29.5	Glenn Wright / Ben Geraghty
Victoria Athletics	49	91	.350	38.5	Laurel Harney

Attendance: Salem, 103,000; Wenatchee, 94,471; Total 780,443.
Playoff: None Scheduled. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Glenn Stetter	Wenatchee	BA	.366		Clarence Federmeyer	Bremerton	W	21
William Barisoff	Bremerton	Runs	133		Robert Jansen	Victoria	SO	296
Bill Garbe	Yakima	Hits	191		Carl Gunnarson	Salem	ERA	3.31
William Barisoff	Bremerton	RBI	155		Dick Adams	Wenatchee	RBI	155
William Barisoff	Bremerton	HR	40

1947 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Vancouver Capilanos	86	66	.566	0	119,303	Bill Brenner
Spokane Indians	87	67	.565	0	287,185	Ben Geraghty
Bremerton Bluejackets	86	68	.558	1	86,522	Alan Strange
Salem Senators	80	68	.541	4	98,247	Jack Wilson
Victoria Athletics	80	72	.526	6	129,862	Ted Norbert
Tacoma Tigers	72	81	.471	14.5	113,783	Red Harwel
Wenatchee Chiefs	59	92	.391	26.5	72,487	Buddy Ryan
Yakima Stars	59	95	.383	28	86,004	Harlond Clift

Playoff: None Scheduled. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Earl Kuper	Tacoma	BA	.389		James Hedgecock	Vancouver	W	21
Art Lilly	Yakima	Runs	141		Bob Costello	Spokane	W	21
Leon Mohr	Vancouver	Hits	216		Bill Woop	Victoria	SO	252
Jack Harshman	Victoria	RBI	142		Joe Sullivan	Bremerton	ERA	2.68
Jack Harshman	Victoria	HR	36

1948 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Spokane Indians	102	64	.614	0	216,074	Buddy Ryan / Dolph Camilli
Bremerton Bluejackets	95	62	.605	2.5	75,195	Alan Strange
Victoria Athletics	93	68	.578	6.5	143,081	Ted Norbert
Tacoma Tigers	84	73	.535	13.5	96,200	Jim Brillheart / Earl Kuper
Vancouver Capilanos	67	80	.456	25.5	116,722	Bill Brenner
Salem Senators	73	88	.453	26.5	77,659	Jack Wilson
Wenatchee Chiefs	69	91	.431	30	81,880	Chuck Cronin
Yakima Packers	52	109	.323	47.5	73,600	Vernon Johnson / Hub Kittle

Playoff: None Scheduled. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Archie Wilson	Victoria	BA	.369		Joe Blankenship	Victoria	W	25
Archie Wilson	Victoria	Runs	137		Lloyd Hittle	Bremerton	SO	201
Archie Wilson	Victoria	Hits	244		Lloyd Hittle	Bremerton	ERA	2.29
Archie Wilson	Victoria	RBI	132		Archie Wilson	Victoria	TB	408
Bill Wilson	Wenatchee	HR	33

1949 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Yakima Bears	99	51	.660	0	133,917	Joe Orengo
Vancouver Capilanos	91	57	.615	7	137,611	Bill Brenner
Spokane Indians	78	71	.523	20.5	186,648	Jim Brillheart
Wenatchee Chiefs	77	73	.513	22	68,668	Charles Petersen
Victoria Athletics	68	84	.447	32	114,544	Ted Norbert / Earl Bolyard
Salem Senators	64	87	.424	35.5	67,495	Bill Beard
Tacoma Tigers	63	88	.417	36.5	49,673	Bob Johnson
Bremerton Bluejackets	60	89	.403	38.5	35,440	Alan Strange

Playoffs: Yakima 3 games, Spokane 1; Vancouver 3 games, Wenatchee 1;
Finals: Vancouver 3 games, Yakima 0. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Clint Cameron	Wenatchee	BA	.380		John Marshall	Bremerton	W	22
James Warner	Wenatchee	Runs	152		Robert Snyder	Vancouver	W	22
James Robinson	Vancouver	Hits	221		James Propst	Victoria	SO	192
Larry Barton	Spokane	RBI	132		Dewey Soriano	Yakima	ERA	2.30
James Warner	Wenatchee	HR	43

1950 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Yakima Bears	92	58	.613	0	117,790	Joe Orengo
Tacoma Tigers	90	58	.608	1	85,777	Jim Brillheart
Tri-City Braves #	83	66	.557	8.5	91,797	Charles Petersen
Wenatchee Chiefs	80	70	.533	12	105,501	Tommy Thompson
Victoria Athletics	66	84	.440	26	110,317	Marty Krug
Vancouver Capilanos	64	82	.438	26	97,276	Bill Brenner
Spokane Indians	63	85	.426	28	116,503	Alan Strange
Salem Senators	57	92	.383	34.5	56,935	Ad Liska

# Represented Kennewick, Richland and Pasco Washington.
No Playoffs Scheduled. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Glenn Stetter	Tacoma/Spokane	BA	.369		Robert Kerrigan	Tacoma	W	26
James Warner	Tri-City	Runs	143		Lloyd Dickey	Yakima	SO	224
Richard Greco	Tacoma	Hits	203		Thomas Kipp	Tacoma	ERA	2.76
Richard Greco	Tacoma	RBI	154		Richard Greco	Tacoma	HR	36

1951 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Spokane Indians	93	49	.655	0	145,739	Alan Strange
Vancouver Capilanos	94	51	.648	.5	164,026	Bill Schuster
Salem Senators	74	68	.521	19	109,976	Hugh Luby
Wenatchee Chiefs	68	75	.476	25.5	64,482	Tommy Thompson
Yakima Bears	63	80	.441	30.5	60,018	Bill Brenner
Tacoma Tigers	63	82	.434	31.5	42,463	Jim Brillheart
Victoria Athletics	62	83	.428	32.5	69,850	Dick Barrett / Robert Sturgeon
Tri-City Braves #	58	87	.400	36.5	64,599	Charles Petersen

# Represented Kennewick, Richland and Pasco Washington.
No Playoffs Scheduled. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
John Ritchey	Vancouver	BA	.346		Robert Snyder	Vancouver	W	27
Edward Murphy	Spokane	Runs	124		Tom Breisinger	Wenatchee	SO	210
Edo Vanni	Spokane	Hits	195		Sol DeGeorge	Salem	ERA	2.57
James Wert	Spokane	RBI	122		Wilbert Hafey	Wenatchee	HR	24

[edit] 1952-1954 A

1952 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Victoria Tyees	94	55	.631	0	105,948	Cecil Garriott
Spokane Indians	91	64	.587	6	104,500	Don Osborn
Vancouver Capilanos	72	69	.511	18	119,533	Bill Schuster / Edo Vanni
Salem Senators	74	78	.487	21.5	83,047	Hugh Luby
Yakima Bears	73	79	.480	22.5	64,044	Dario Lodigiani
Lewiston Broncs	71	82	.464	25	62,366	Bill Brenner
Tri-City Braves #	67	79	.459	25.5	54,022	Charlie Gassaway
Wenatchee Chiefs	58	94	.382	37.5	52,660	Dick Adams

# Represented Kennewick, Richland and Pasco Washington.
No Playoffs Scheduled. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Walt Pocekay	Wenatchee	BA	.352		Ben Lorino	Victoria	W	24
Milt Smith	Lewiston	Runs	126		Jehosie Heard	Victoria	SO	216
Walt Pocekay	Wenatchee	Hits	203		Cal McIrvin	Victoria	ERA	2.28
Granville Gladstone	Victoria	RBI	126		Cecil Garriott	Victoria	HR	17

1953 Western International League
President: Robert Brown

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Lewiston Broncs	78	55	.586	0	81,914	Bill Brenner
Salem Senators	79	58	.577	1	81,305	Hugh Luby
Edmonton Eskimos	79	61	.564	2.5	92,758	Bob Sturgeon
Vancouver Capilanos	77	64	.546	5	75,877	Harvey Storey
Spokane Indians	75	67	.528	7.5	80,873	Don Osborn
Yakima Bears	70	74	.486	13.5	59,100	Dario Lodigiani / Walt Novick
Calgary Stampeders	59	75	.440	19.5	40,106	Gene Lillard
Tri-City Braves #	59	77	.434	20.5	70,638	Edo Vanni
Wenatchee Chiefs	59	80	.424	22	64,036	Myron McCormick
Victoria Tyees	57	81	.413	23.5	55,352	Cecil Garriott

# Represented Kennewick, Richland and Pasco Washington.
Playoff: Spokane 4 games, Salem 2. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Jack Warren	Tri-City	BA	.354		John Conant	Edmonton	W	24
Charlie Mead	Calgary	Runs	124		John Maryhall	Lewiston	SO	165
Leonard Noren	Yakima	Hits	187		Pete Hernandez	Vancouver	ERA	3.06
Charlie Mead	Calgary	RBI	116		Charlie Mead	Calgary	HR	31

1954 Western International League
President: Robert Abel

Team Standings	W	L	PCT	GB	Attend	Managers
Vancouver Capilanos	74	49	.602	0	55,217	Bill Brenner
Yakima Bears	80	57	.584	1	66,571	Lou Stringer
Lewiston Broncs	77	61	.558	4.5	74,258	Larry Barton
Salem Senators	71	66	.518	10	48,438	Harvey Storey / Hugh Luby
Edmonton Eskimos	62	63	.496	13	67,746	Bob Sturgeon
Tri-City Braves #	56	81	.409	25	57,625	Edo Vanni
Wenatchee Chiefs	54	80	.403	25.5	49,615	George Kelly
Spokane Indians ##	30	24	.556	NA	17,940	Don Osborn
Victoria Tyees ###	43	57	.430	NA	28,561	Don Pries
Calgary Stampeders ##	19	28	.404	NA	9,745	Gene Lillard

# Represented Kennewick, Richland and Pasco Washington.
##Spokane and Calgary disbanded June 21.
###Victoria disbanded August 2. The league named a special team to play the
clubs next scheduled to play Victoria. These games counted in the standings.
The special team went 1 and 8.
Playoff: Vancouver 4 games, Lewiston 0. Player Statistics

Player	Team	Stat	Tot		Player	Team	Stat	Tot
Marvin Williams	Vancouver	BA	.360		Bill Brenner	Vancouver	W	21
Al Heist	Lewiston	Runs	136		Jonathan Briggs	Salem	SO	233
Byron Charlton	Vancouver	Hits	183		Jonathan Briggs	Salem	ERA	2.50
Bob Wellman	Vancouver	RBI	108		Bob Wellman	Vancouver	HR	21
Don Hunter	Calgary/Lewiston	HR	21

[edit] League Champions (1937-1954)

• 1937 Tacoma Tigers
• 1938 Bellingham Chinooks
• 1939 Tacoma Tigers
• 1940 Tacoma Tigers
• 1941 Spokane Indians
• 1942 Vancouver Capilanos

• 1946 Wenatchee Chiefs
• 1947 Vancouver Capilanos
• 1948 Spokane Indians
• 1949 Vancouver Capilanos
• 1950 Yakima Bears
• 1951 Spokane Indians
• 1952 Victoria Tyees
• 1953 Spokane Indians
• 1954 Vancouver Capilanos

[edit] Source

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Second Edition.
Image is user created not original.