Trying to recall the events of 65 years could be an impossible task, but with the help of some old-time team members, here’s what they have.
Who were those Inglis Regals? These dozen energetic men must have been trouble-makers as they had a reputation of being heavy, if not fierce hitters. They must have been wealthy, because they were said to be rulers of fields of diamonds. And they stole bases.
Late in the school term of 1957, the Inglis Town Committee was about to celebrate their annual picnic at the south end of the village, and they were attempting to get entries for a softball tournament. A teacher at the High School had a bright idea that there was enough to form a team. There was Peter Cheropita, Geordie Galatiuk, Bev Berrington, Matt Matskiw, Willard Liske, and Don Schmitke. Added from the town were Garry Gaber, Ken Gaber, Walter Werschler, Clifford Tetzlaff.
They say that Don Schmitke pitched four games, and won them all.
After mulling it over with the team Peter Cheropita came up with the name “Inglis Regals”
—And a dynasty was born.
For the love of the game they set out on their journey traveling throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba making a huge name for themselves. They were obviously very good, as by the end of the year they had enough money in the kitty to buy some bats and balls. Before next season started, they had enough money left over that they dared to buy twelve fleece-lined jerseys.
Added to the team were three graduates of the Rochedale School; Bob Galatiuk, Ray, and Rod Ungarian. Jim Bulbuck was another key addition.
Their catcher, Bev Berrington refused to wear a mask, even with Jim Bulbuck firing his bullets. He said he was hit once in the neck, but never got hit in the face. He was sadly missed when he left to play hockey with the Flin Flon Bombers.
A fifteen year old spark plug, Rod Ungarian now stepped in and held that position for many years. He was noted for his strong arm and fiery nature. His way of letting Ray know to add more speed was to fire bullets back to the pitching mound. A memorable playoff game at the beach against Dauphin. These Regals were down one run and Rod came flying in with his spikes on the high side. While Rod was down, the catcher, Patty Fitzpatrick, gave him a boot in the rear end for his troubles. This immediately sparked a gathering of an unruly mob. Cooler heads prevailed before any serious damage was done.
Their goal was to become among the best teams in the province.
To get to that stature, they had to play against the tougher competition. They would travel many miles to go to the $200 dollar tournaments, bypassing those closer to home, but with less prize money.
Because of High School graduations, yearly turnover of the roster was common. Especially after that first year, they had a hard time finding enough players to field a team. Names such as Ernie Galatiuk, the Onufreiciuc’s Jimmy, Peter and David, Jim Poclitaar, Murray More, Bruce Mintenko, Audie Zimmer, Walter Zimmer, Chuck Nelson, Cam Collins, Steve Woytowich, Robert Mitchell, Gerald Brook, Glen McKenzie were all names that appeared on their roster line-ups over the years.
To be the best you had to play the best! In Manitoba, that included the Russell Rockets, Dauphin and Brandon. In Saskatchewan, it was the Yorkton Co-op, the Grenfell Gems and Regina Lions.
Ideally they would meet them in the final game. At other times, meeting them in the early draw, a loss would mean they might go home out of the prize money. As heartbreaking an early loss the risk was worth the final outcome!
Going to a fastball tournament, July 1 in Saltcoats, they only had nine players. The hungry “9” climbed into Ken Gaber’s 1952 blue Chev. Apparently they managed to arrive on time, no flat tires, all ready to play. Ray Ungarian was the only pitcher that day, and he added four victories to his record. As tournament victors, they were happy campers coming home that day.
Jim Bulbuck was added to their roster two weeks later at a tournament in Rhein, SK. Their first game was against Yorkton Co-op, who were the elite team in the area. They had 16 players, outfitted in new leather jackets and new uniforms. Nobody gave the Regals a chance. But Yorkton did not know that in Jim Bulbuck, they had the best pitcher in the area. The Inglis Regals won the game 8-0 in four innings (mercy rule applied). The Regals continued the day, winning the tournament.
Shortly after, with the same line-up, they played four games in St. Lazare. Ray U. pitched games 1 and 3, while James pitched games 2 and 4. In the final game they played the Brandon 7-Up team beating them 2-0 in seven innings. Billy Houston pitched against them – Billy Huston was one of the first and great windmill pitchers in the area who would eventually be inducted into the Manitoba softball Hall of fame. The highlight of this day was that they did not have a run scored against them in all four games. There was one play that is remembered by every member of the team. When on defence and with a runner at third base, a long, long fly ball was hit to Bob Galatiuk in left field. The runner tagged up and ran for home as soon as the ball was caught. Bob threw an unbelievably perfect strike to Rod at home plate and tagged the runner a foot short of the base.
Before every game, each team took the infield for a warm-up. Many of these teams were so very impressive. Outfitted in new uniforms, skilfully scooping up the ground balls and strong arms firing the ball to first base. Every Regal couldn’t help but be intimidated. Then the game would start and just as we started out to take the field, Garry Gaber would loudly bark out “C,mon guys. Let’s take them in three innings.” That simple statement turned the focus off them and onto their job. It was what these “INGLIS REGALS” did that mattered most, that would decide the winner.
Another memorable moment occurred at a Saltcoats tournament. Jim Bulbuck was pitching, but this day he could not find the strike zone. Nobody was out. Jim walked three straight batters, to load the bases. Steve Woytowich was on the roster that day, and he immediately started warming up on the sidelines with a team member. The next batter hit a sharp line drive in the hole between Garry Gaber and Ken G. It was a sure hit and all three runners took off for the next base. All of a sudden, there was a streak of blue, Garry dove for the ball and caught it, inches off the ground. (Out #1) He rolled to his back, and tossed it to Ken at second base (Out #2). The runner from first base was about 25 feet from second base and it was an easy toss to first base for a triple play. Steve W. saw the boys running off the field, tossed the ball to the ground, and said, “I guess the boys don’t need me.”
At a tournament in Gerald, SK. in 1960, their semi-final game was against the Sask. Provincial champs, the Regina Lions, which they won 9 – 7. Next they were up against their nemesis, the Grenfell Gems in the final game; they were the previous years champions. The Regals again prevailed, 6 -5 in nine innings. For the record, the score sheet of every hit and error of that day is on display at the “WESTMAN BORDER FASTBALL MUSEUM”; an achievement that speaks volumes!
But each new week they encountered another challenge.
Another play of the year candidate took place in Dauphin when one of our pitchers, Audie Zimmer was actually playing in the outfield at the time. There was a well hit ball heading for the wall. Audie had a long way to go to get under it, so he got into high gear. He also had to keep his eye on the wall which he was fast approaching. He turned his head to track the ball and to his horror, he had already overrun it by about five feet. In a split second reflex action he reached backward and made a barehanded grab of the ball. There was no juggling. The ball stuck to his hand like glue.
Ray Ungarian’s style of pitching resulted in many ground balls hit toward third base. Some versions of this story claim it was a 7 inning game where Chip assisted on 17 groundouts. But, Chip says it was just a 5-inning game and he only handled 11 groundouts. He added that Ken Gaber handled 2 or 3 at shortstop.
Still, they had not achieved their goal of being provincial champs. In 1966 they had their best and final chance when the playoffs were held in Winnipeg. Their first game was a night game under the lights at Winnipeg Stadium against Thompson; an experience they would never forget. The second day they remained undefeated and had to wait to see who would give them the final challenge the next day. By the end of the day they learned that it would be the Winnipeg Toastmaster Tigers with pitcher Gerry Edmonds. This was a team they had whipped 7-1 in the round-robin.
Perhaps it was the premature celebrating that evening, but over-confidence was certainly a factor as they trounced our Regals 8-1. This was their first loss which meant they had to play one more game. By now Winnipeg had the momentum, and Inglis could not get their “A” game back; they lost 4-1. The provincials were not meant to be.
From the spotlights of Charlie Krupp Stadium to those championship performances held in Gerald, Saskatchewan and many other ball diamonds throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Those Inglis Regals were feared wherever they played, for generations to follow the bar that was set at a very high standard.
Asessippi Beach was the Home of the Inglis Regals. These memoirs written above are gathered in the anecdotes gleaned from the memory banks of ten pensioners, senile and decrepit as they may be, friends they consider to be the best friends they’ve ever had. Alas, only 10% can be proven by historical record
By: Travis Longman