Several Cheney Studs grin engagingly when caught by the camera on July 5, 1957. They are standing in front of a private airplane owned by the Cheney Lumber Co. A horse, the logo for both the lumber company and the baseball team Ben Cheney sponsored, is painted on the side of the plane. The players may have been preparing to fly out for an upcoming baseball game. Photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Airplanes;

The 1956 Tacoma Cheney Studs baseball team. The team was made up of the best amateur players from local high school and college teams. Bottom row, third from left, is Joe Budnick, Studs manager and University of Washington coach. The 1956 Studs contained many of the team members from the previous year, plus several new outstanding players. To the right of Joe Budnick are Luther Carr, George Kritsonis and George Grant. In the back row, third from the right is Ron Dodge. Other players included Mel Manley, Monte Geiger, Pete Walski and Gary Moore. The team won the Seattle City League Crown, finished second in Tacoma's City League and third in the Northwest International League. They lost to Tacoma's Shoemen in the Washington State Amateur Baseball Championship. The Shoemen came from behind to win 5 straight games, including one double header, to be the representative for the state. The Shoemen continued on to win the Amateur World Series, the American Amateur Baseball Congress, in 1956.

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

The Cheney Studs were the proud recipients of the Coca-Cola Bottler Award as the 1955 American Baseball Congress National Runner-up. Here sponsor Ben Cheney (R) stands with Studs coach, Joe Budnick; they are jointly gripping the large and heavy trophy. Cheney owned and operated Cheney Lumber but was also well known for his love of sports and generosity in sponsoring teams in a variety of activities. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

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

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;

A trio of young ladies appear to be crooning into the microphone at the Seattle banquet honoring the Washington Cheney Studs baseball team. The October 30, 1955, gathering was to acknowledge the feats of the young amateur players, and award them with trophies and new jackets. A portrait of sponsor Ben Cheney graces the occasion. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

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

Group portrait-- Washington Cheney Studs. Members of the Cheney Studs baseball team and their coaches gather in front of a portrait of benefactor Ben Cheney and the massive trophies awarded them at the September American Baseball Congress tournament. The players were being honored at a banquet held in Seattle on October 30, 1955. Trophies and new jackets with the Cheney Studs logo were given to the team at that time. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

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

Pictured on September 6,1955, is a member of the Cheney Studs, a baseball farm team. The young player appears to be looking intently off in the distance as he leans on a wooden bat. Until his death in 1971, Ben Cheney sponsored thousands participating in the sports of baseball, football, basketball and bowling in the Pacific Northwest. Cheney was instrumental in obtaining the Pacific Coast League franchise for Tacoma in 1960; the team would be called the Tacoma Giants with the San Francisco Giants as their parent club.

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

Making a road trip easier and more comfortable, the Cheney Studs baseball team traveled by private railroad car in early September, 1955. The team was sponsored by Ben Cheney, owner of Cheney Lumber. Three young players are shown here enjoying the passing scenery. The team may have been on their way to Watertown, S.D., to compete in the initial rounds of the American Baseball Congress national tournament. They would be successful and eventually play in the championship match against defending champs Houston in Battle Ground, Michigan, where the Studs wound up in second place.

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

In September, 1955, the Richards Studio accompanied local philanthropist and baseball aficionado Ben Cheney to Battle Creek, Michigan. His Cheney Studs team, composed of local high school and college level stars, participated in baseball tournaments there. Mr. Cheney is shown in this September 21, 1955, photograph sharing the 1955 Coca Cola Bottler Award for the American Baseball Congress Northwest Sectional Champions with Studs player George Grant. The table beside him is filled with smaller individual trophies to be given to team members; two of the Studs, Bob Jacobs and Dick Minice, hold trophies in their hands. Coach Joe Budnick is holding the large trophy awarded to the Studs as National Runner-up in the A.B.C. tournament. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 9-25-55, B-14)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Awards; Budnick, Joe; Grant, George; Jacobs, Bob; Minice, Dick;

Ben Cheney gets a geography lesson as a member of the 1955 Cheney Studs baseball team smilingly points to South Africa on the globe as the next destination for some members of the amateur team. Mr. Cheney loved sports and sponsored a variety of teams. His Cheney Studs had recently returned from Battle Ground, Michigan, as the national runner-up in the American Baseball Congress tournament. Team members are photographed wearing their new letterman jackets. Three of the Studs were named to the fourteen-man United States amateur baseball team chosen to tour South Africa on a three month goodwill, exhibition tour. From left to right are: Ben Cheney, Pitcher Monte Geiger of Bremerton, First baseman Ron Dodge of Olympia, Coach Joe Budnick, and Shortstop Dick Naish of Seattle. Geiger, Dodge and Naish were selected out of thousands of applicants. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 10-6-55, B-9, TNT 11-5-55, p. 8. TNT 11-7-55, p. 22)

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

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);

A 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. This is possibly Fred Emerson, outfielder, for the Studs and student at the University of Washington. Emerson was 18 years of age, 5'11", 180 pounds and originally from Kent, Wa. The Studs finished second in 1955 at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress. They were scouted heavily by the professional teams. Those scouts felt that the team was the best behaved, quietest and had the most major league prospects of any team in the playoffs. Ben Cheney emphasized that the young men on his team finish college before turning professional to better prepare them for life.

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

Ron Dodge; 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 players in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Ron Dodge was one of the catchers for the 1955 team. He was 19 years of age, 6 feet tall and 170 pounds. During the school year he attended the University of Oregon. He was a native of Olympia, Washington. The 1955 Studs team placed second in the nation at the 1955 nationals of the American Baseball Congress from an initial field of 2,500 teams.

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

Young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team, possibly Dick Minice. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The average age of the team in 1955 was 19 years of age. The Studs finished second nationally in the American Baseball Congress from an original field of 2,500 teams across the country. They qualified for the nationals by winning the Cascade League flag with 16 wins and no losses, the state tournament in 4 straight wins and a 5 game sweep at the Northwest series. They lost at nationals to Houston, Texas, who won for the second year in a row.

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

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;

A 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. This is possibly Fred Emerson who played outfield for the Studs. During the school year, Fred attended the University of Washington. He was 18 years of age, 5'11", 180 pounds and a native of Kent, Wa. After a stellar winning season, the Studs finished second at the American Baseball Congress in Battle Creek, Michigan, behind the team from Houston, Texas.

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

The 6th Avenue Colts fielded two baseball teams in the summer of 1954, participating in both the Bantam and the PeeWee divisions. Seventeen beaming boys and their head coach and manager, Si Hovee, posed with banners on a sunny day in June. All the players are dressed in regulation uniforms with the team emblem sewn on. The teams were sponsored in the Tacoma Recreational Baseball League by the Greater 6th Avenue, Inc., a business and civic organization. The 6th Avenue merchants paid $500 out of their own pockets for the boys to participate in the city's united baseball program, as a way to help them keep busy in wholesome activities. The PeeWee Colts ended up being the PeeWee League Champs as they were undefeated in regular play and won the PeeWee Tournament at Peck Field. At the far left in the second row is Brian Cloherty. He went on to play at Bellarmine High, Seattle Univ., and Eastern Washington State (now Eastern Washington University). (TNT 6-30-54, B-7 - Ad, TNT 8-22-54, C-19)) TPL-8619 (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banners--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Cloherty, Brian; Hovee, Si;

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;

A young baseball player is shown just completing his throw in an August 29, 1954, photograph. The logo on his cap indicates that he is a member of the Cheney Studs, an amateur team sponsored by local lumberman and philanthropist, Ben Cheney. The young man is in a uniform with "Seattle" on the jersey instead of the customary pinstriped Studs uniform. The Cheney Studs had teams in other cities besides Tacoma, including Medford, Oregon, and perhaps in Seattle as well. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

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

ca. 1926. Dressed in pinstriped uniforms are the Cammarano Bros. baseball team, circa 1926 or 1927. The Cammarano Bros. were Tacoma bottlers and distributors of carbonated beverages and beer. They sponsored employee baseball teams for many years who competed in local leagues. Names of the above players were not given. (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) TPL-10407

Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Uniforms;

A large crowd fills Lincoln Bowl to watch a City League baseball game on May 29, 1924. Lincoln High School looms in the background. The match on early Thursday evening pitted Fern Hill against the Longshoremen. Fern Hill vaulted into the City League lead over the 23rd Streeters with a 5-3 victory. Longshoremen pitcher Claxton only allowed 5 hits but was charged with three wild pitches and a hit batter. (TNT 5-30-24, p. 18-article) This photograph ran in the News Tribune's June 3, 1924, edition (p. 15) but the one of the teams was misidentified. TPL-3200

Baseball--Tacoma--1920-1930; Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma); Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "Tigers," members of the South Tacoma Business Men's Club independent baseball team, pose outdoors for a team picture on April 27, 1924. All but one are wearing complete baseball attire, including caps. They would open their season against the Northern Pacific Shopmen on May 4, 1924, in the brand new baseball park at South 72nd & Lawrence. A big parade would precede the game. The Northern Pacific Shopmen would go on to win a high scoring game, 11-9. From L-R, top row, Cliff Wescott; Elmer Booth; O. Capps; Roy Hilliard; Bryon Furseth; Ed Putnam. Kneeling L-R: Ted Fosdick; Archie Genin; Lud Radike; Bishop; Brown. (TNT 4-29-24, p.12; TDL 5-4-24, C-1) G53.1-024; TPL-7766

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Uniforms; South Tacoma Business Men's Club (Tacoma);

Members of the Tacoma Railway & Power Company baseball team and their "mascot" stare stoically at the camera in an April 30, 1925, photograph. L-R back row (last names only given): Bonney, Rice, Kaperick, Pyfer, Hull, Fagon, James, Gordon (Captain). Middle row (L-R): Pryor, Arnold, Kendziora, Hendry, Berry, Billsborrow. Front row (L-R); Mynhier, Williams, Kennedy, "Jargo Jr."-mascot, Purcell, Wharton, Berg. Behind them are the covered stands of Athletic Park, located on Sprague Avenue between 14th & 15th Streets, where fans could watch games in comfort. The TR & P team competed in the 6-team Commercial League in 1925; they were joined by teams from the Rhodes Bros., City Lumber, American Institute of Banking, Harmon & Co. and Washington Coop. Egg. The Commercial League opened their 1925 season at Athletic Park on April 27th, matching up the previous year's champs, the TR & P with the league runner-up, Rhodes Bros. This time Rhodes Bros. came up winners in seven innings with a 5-2 score. (TDL 4-26-25, C-2, 5-2-25, p. 6; TNT 5-19-25, p. 17) G53.1-038 TPL-10076

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On April 21, 1928, the McKinley Hill Presidents baseball team, providing excellent advertising for the Arthur Bryant Motor Co. Chevrolet dealership, lounged on the two new Chevys parked inside the Lincoln Bowl. The Chevys were probably part of the parade of businesses that led the way to the Lincoln Bowl for the opening day of the 1928 Tacoma City League baseball season. With 2000 fans in attendance, the Washington Co-ops, the 1927 champions, defeated the McKinley Hill Presidents, who were 1927's runners-up. Elwood "Andy" Anderson of the Co-ops outdueled "Ocky" Haugland of the Presidents, 4-2. (TDL 4-22-28, C-1) G53.1-027; TPL-461

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Baseball--Tacoma--1920-1930; Chevrolet automobile; Signs (Notices); Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma);

In June of 1929 Robert F. Bown, the principle of Stewart Jr. High, declared his school's baseball team "the best athletic team ever produced at the south side intermediate." It is easy to understand the pride he held for his team. Not only had Stewart won the city crown with a 5-0 record, they had also defeated Fife Junior High, Clover Park Junior High and Stadium High School. The Stewart team captured their title with a resounding defeat of rival Gray, 21-1. Posed in front of the school on June 7, 1929, as listed in the News Tribune are: third row (rear), coaches H.A. Post, W.C. Cohoon and S.S. Todd, physical director; second row, Howard Berry, Ernest Holm, Clarence Zachow, Clyde Olsen, Verne Kampbell and Arnold Doersam; first row, Howard Converse, Louis Mazza, Charles Mazza, (Capt.) Tommy Mazza, Leonard Brunstad, Albin Semion and Harvey Christlaw. (TNT 5-29-29, p. 12-article; TNT 6-14-29, 6-B) G46.1-023

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma);

The Cammarano baseball team poses for a group picture on May 1, 1930. The Cammarano Bros., sponsors of the team, were bottlers of beer and carbonated beverages. Photographed at the start of the 1930 baseball season, the Cammaranos joined other company or union sponsored teams. Baseball in Tacoma was heavily followed; the local newspapers often gave more coverage to homebased teams than the national big leaguers. Making his managerial debut was third baseman Al Greco, believed to be the third from left in back row. He would face off against former teammate Sammy Cappa, manager of the Kay Street team, in the May 1, 1930, doubleheader at Lincoln Bowl. The Cammarano Bros. would be shut out by the Kay Streeters, 4-0. (TDL 5-2-30, p. 8) TPL-10070; G53.1-008

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