Close-up of spectators in stands at the 1937 season opener for the Tacoma Tigers baseball team. This group was part of the 4,000 fans that crammed into Tacoma Athletic Park to watch the Tigers split the double header with the Vancouver Maple Leaf. (T. Times 5/3/1937, pg. 11)

Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma); Sports spectators--Tacoma--1930-1940;

These young baseball players were listed as the runner-up team in the 1954 Midget League. They posed happily on August 12, 1954, at Jefferson Park, along with their bat boy and coaches. "Schwinn" is printed on the baseball jerseys; the boys played under the team name "Bicycles." They lost in the playoffs with the North Tacoma I.O.O.F. team. Both teams had identical 7-1 records in the final second half. The I.O.O.F. team won the final playoff game, 3-2, although losing pitcher Al Hopkins only allowed three hits. (TNT 8-16-54, p. 12, TNT 8-21-54, p.8)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits;

In June of 1955, while a member of the Washington Cheney Studs, Luther Carr demonstrated his bunting technique for the camera. Luther Carr played for Lincoln High School and had aroused the interest of several major colleges and professional teams. He played baseball, football, basketball and competed in track. An all around athlete, Carr in May of 1955 broke the state prep broadjump record that had stood since 1938. His jump was 23 feet, 9 5/8 inches. Carr turned down many professional sports offers after high school, choosing instead a college sports scholarship with the University of Washington Huskies. While a Husky, Luther scored on some of the most dazzling runs ever seen in Husky Stadium. The Studs, an amateur team made up of the most talented baseball players in the Puget Sound area, played 60 games during the summer of 1955 including several against professional players. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. B-14)

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseballs; African American baseball players; Carr, Luther; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

Unidentified young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The Studs began the season by playing exhibition games against professional farm teams and also the amateur city league. They ended the season by finishing second in the nation, behind Houston, at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

George Kritsonis; young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. George was one of the pitchers for the team and attended Seattle University. He also played outfield for the Studs. He was 18 years old during the season, 6'1" tall and 160 pounds and was a native of Issaquah, Wa. George was voted "Most Valuable Player" of the Northwest series of the American Baseball Congress at Watertown, S.D. The Studs defeated Omaha 12-3 to clinch the Northwest title.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kritsonis, George; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

All eyes are focused on the well-dressed speaker at the awards banquet honoring the Washington Cheney Studs baseball team which was held in Seattle on October 30, 1955. The large trophies won by the amateur team at the American Baseball Congress tournament the previous month, along with smaller individual trophies, are on display before the head table. There is a portrait of sponsor Ben Cheney which is leaning on a chair in front of the stage. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Banquets;

A member of the Cheney Studs baseball team, believed to be coach Joe Budnick, casually poses for a September, 1955, photograph. Dressed in a striped uniform, he sports the Cheney Studs insignia of a horse on his shirt and cap. Ben Cheney, lumberman and philanthropist, enabled thousands of men and children to participate in sports. Cheney Stadium was dedicated in his honor in 1960.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Sporting goods;

Team photo of Cheney Studs. A beaming Ben Cheney (L, second row) stands proudly with his Cheney Studs amateur baseball team in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 21, 1955. The Studs were composed of local high school and college-level stars. They had journeyed to Michigan to participate in the American Baseball Congress tournament where they concluded as national runner-ups. It appears that the Cheney Studs had also been the Cascade, Washington State, and Northwest Regional champions. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Awards;

Young baseball players attempt to relax as they enjoy the comforts of a private railroad car in a September, 1955, photograph. The men are part of the Cheney Studs, an amateur baseball team sponsored by Cheney Lumber. It is possible that the Studs were on their way to Watertown, S.D., for the first rounds of the American Baseball Congress national tournaments.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma;

Ben Cheney sponsored many amateur teams, all sporting the nomenclature, the Cheney Studs. A young baseball player is photographed at dusk on June 19, 1958; he is wearing a pinstriped uniform with the familiar Studs logo. The baseball team was composed of high school and college-level stars in the Puget Sound area. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Jack Murphy (l) and Andy Garnes (r) posed in their Cheney Studs baseball uniforms, on May 16, 1959. The picture order by the Cheney Lumber Co. is labeled "Legion Studs Post 202 at Cheney Field." The Post 202 Legion Studs were District 4 champions in 1957 and 1958 and finished fourth in 1959. They were opening a 40 games schedule in May of 1959. The 16 man travelling squad was managed by Jack Murphy and coached by Andy Garnes. Mr. Murphy was a school teacher for Tacoma public schools and Mr. Garnes, an attorney in Tacoma. (TNT 5/29/1959, pg. 16) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Legion Tacoma Post No. 202 (Tacoma)--Baseball players; Garnes, Andy; Murphy, Jack;

Post #202 Legion Studs baseball team at Cheney Field. The team is flanked by their manager and their coach. Posed in the front row with the team are three small bat boys. The 202 Legion Studs played in the American Legion Jr. Baseball League, finishing the regular season 11-3. They were one of the teams in a four way tie for area champion. A double elimination tournament was held to decide the winner; the Studs were the first team eliminated in the tourney which was won by the Stadium-Bellarmine 138 team. The Studs placed second in the 4th of July tourney in Longview, defeated by Centralia. (TNT 7/6/1959, pg. 17; 7/28/1959, pg. 18)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Legion Tacoma Post No. 202 (Tacoma)--Baseball players;

Line-up of Tacoma Giants baseball team on opening day, April 16, 1960, in the brand new Cheney Stadium. The Giants, managed by John "Red" Davis, were being introduced to the thousands attending the first game held in the new facility. The Tacoma team would be playing the Portland Beavers in day-night matches. Lights installed on six giant towers would provide clear viewing for night games with each tower having a bank of 62 - 1,500 watt bulbs.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Managed by Tommy Heath, the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League are being introduced to the thousands of spectators at Cheney Stadium on April 16, 1960, opening day of baseball. They would be the hometown Tacoma Giants' first opponent in the new stadium which was completed in three months, 14 days. The stadium was finished in time for the Giants' first game; however, the fickle spring weather did not cooperate and a massive windstorm forced postponement until Saturday, April 16th, of the doubleheader between the two Pacific Coast League clubs. They would split the games, with Portland on top in the first game, 7-2 and Tacoma coming back strong in the nightcap, 11-0.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Seattle Cheney Studs baseball team - team photo. Longtime coach Joe Budnick, in dark jacket, is at the extreme right in this August, 1960 photograph. The Seattle team was in Tacoma in late August to compete as tournament favorites in the Washington State Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) matches held at Heidelberg Park. They faced and defeated B & B Hardware in an all-Seattle battle on August 22nd, by rallying for five runs in the 8th inning for a 9-5 victory. The Seattle Cheney Studs then beat Criswells, champions of the Tacoma City League, 7-2 on August 28th at White Center, thereby winning the Washington State Amateur Baseball title for the second straight year. The Cheney Studs are named after Ben Cheney, local lumberman and philanthropist, who sponsored amateur teams in sports including basketball, football, and baseball. No matter what the sport, his teams were always called the Cheney Studs. (TNT 8-22-60, p. 10-article; TNT 8-29-60, p. 19-article)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Budnick, Joe;

Mascot, coaches and baseball players are photographed behind an array of bats in this June of 1966 scene. It may have been taken at Heidelberg Field in Tacoma. The players are all wearing uniforms bearing the logo of the Ben Cheney teams: the Cheney Studs.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Copy of customer's print. Ben Cheney, baseball aficionado, with San Francisco Giants catcher, Tom Haller, during 1963 spring training in Tucson, Arizona. Cheney is wearing a San Francisco Giants uniform while Haller sports his catcher's protective gear. Ben Cheney at that time was the owner of the Tacoma Giants, minor league club affiliate of the S.F. Giants. He enjoyed going to the Big League's spring training in Arizona. Tom Haller would play in the Big Leagues for 12 years, be an All-Star, and later return to the San Francisco Giants as a coach and executive. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Haller, Tom, 1937-2004; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

ca. 1935. City League individual pictures, baseball player on the Cammarano Brothers team.

Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1937. Sales Grange baseball team in front of their sponsor's storefront, Saxton Lumber Co., 6030 South Tacoma Way. The team is believed to be from Parkland and competed in the City League Baseball group. Saxton Lumber Co. was owned by Malcolm N. Saxton. (filed with Argentum)

Baseball players--Parkland--1930-1940; Saxton Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Opening of the 1938 baseball season, May 5. Crowd behind stadium fence watching game.

Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Athletic Park (Tacoma);

Russell H. "Russ" Michael (far right) poses in front of his service station at 3740 So. M. St. with the baseball team that he sponsored. The team had just won the Twilight League Baseball Championship for 1938. Russ Michael opened his station in 1936. He had previously worked at the Michael Brothers Service Station. In the 1950s he started Michael's Oil Service at 1315 So. 38th. Russ Michael died April 14, 1991 at the age of 79.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Awards; Michael, Russell H.;

The 1939 Lincoln High School Baseball Team portrait. Fifteen players in uniform surround team manager Bob Wayno, dressed in casual dark jacket and wearing a baseball cap. The pitcher for the team was Bob Kohant. The team was coached by Eddie Schwartz. (T. Times)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Wayno, Bob;

Diamond T Baseball (boys) Team. In July of 1940, at the commencement of the second half of the Junior League games, Diamond T was in the basement of the standings with no wins and 2 losses. (T. Times 7/16/1940, pg.11)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Western State Hospital "Tillicum Chiefs" of the Twilight League had won 23 games in the 1942 summer season and were in the playoffs for the circuit title. Manager Clink Jacobs (left) gives some tips to his players.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Western State Hospital (Lakewood)--Baseball players;

Lincoln High School boys baseball players. L-R, front row, Don Berge, Frank Dalsanto, John Hansler, Dick Columbine and Louis Raphael. Second row, Al Malanca, John Scalara, Dean Mellar, Bob McGuire, Joe Sharman and George Marcoe. Third row, Milt Hegstrom, Jack Smith, Len Vallor, Vern Kohout, Tony DeLuca, Roy Jacobsen and coach Phil Sorboe. (T.Times, 5/12/1945, p.5) 7" x 11 1/4" format.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Walde Krauklis picture of baseball team. View of Tacoma's 3 and 0' Club playing baseball on Christmas Day, fans are in background cheering them on.

Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic fields--Tacoma; 3 and O' Club (Tacoma);

In July of 1947, Art Spencer, the athletic supervisor of the Metropolitan Park District, presented a trophy to Chuck Miller of the Tacoma Boys' Club baseball team, winners of the Class C City Championship. The team included: (front row) Chuck Miller, Fred Dietrick; Ray Schatz, Bob Morris and Coach Bill Mullen; (back row) John Aires, Larry Hoover, Ron Schiesz, Jim Cartwright, Jack Morris, and Bob Gariepy. (T.Times, 7/11/1947, p.2)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma); Spencer, Art; Miller, Chuck; Dietrick, Fred; Schatz, Ray; Morris, Bob; Mullen, Bill; Aires, John; Hoover, Larry; Schiesz, Ron; Cartwright, Jim; Morris, Jack; Gariepy, Bob;

This publicity photograph for a Tacoma Tigers game against Salem was taken on July 17,1950. Floyd (Lefty) Isekite, one of the great southpaws of the Western International League, demonstrates a pitching grip for Clarence Stave. Stave, peering over his sunglasses, was a retired umpire. Earl Kuper, at the far right, had been a catcher and manager for the Tigers. The three committeemen were promoting Tacoma Athletic Club night, August 1, at Tiger Stadium. (TNT 7-23-50, B-7)

Baseballs; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sporting goods; Isekite, Floyd; Stave, Clarence; Kuper, Earl;

The Tacoma Tigers were starting the Western International League series with a double header against the Salem Senators. The Salem Senators won both games against Tacoma, 7 to 3 and 2 to 1. View of opening day baseball game; the Tacoma Tigers against the Salem Senators at Tiger Ball Park (T.N.T., 4/25/49, p. 16).

Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball umpires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports officiating--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Tiger Ball Park (Tacoma); Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma);

This unidentified Tacoma Tigers "bat person" was all ready for the 1949 season opener scheduled for Friday April 22. Unfortunately, it rained. The first game of the season was not played until Sunday the 24th. On that day the Tigers faced the Salem Senators in a double header. Before a home town crowd of 4,535 fans they lost both games, 7-3 and 2-1. (TNT 04/25/1949, p. 16)

Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Uniforms; Sporting goods; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Tiger Ball Park (Tacoma); Tacoma Tigers (Tacoma);