The Endcliffe Royals were formed as an idea in the spring of 1965 for a young group of farm boys interested in playing fastball by two neighbouring fathers; Bill Zimmer and Jim Ungrin.
The two gathered their sons, several local friends and relatives from the Endcliffe, Cracknell and Inglis school districts for an initial team practice at a central location. This site happened to be Ungrin’s cow pasture along Highway 83, five miles north of Russell, Manitoba, where a rudimentary diamond was paced out amongst the gopher mounds and cow patties. In all the excitement and enthusiasm, the team’s name was chosen, and it was decided to enter as The Endcliffe Royals into the upcoming tournament in MacNutt, Saskatchewan.
The first line-up consisted of Bill Zimmer and Jim Ungrin as player coaches; Dale Zimmer, Harold Zimmer, Brian Zimmer, Edgar Zimmer, Allan Zimmer, Gordon Zimmer, Earl Nernberg, Larry Nernberg, Gerald Nernberg and Barry Ungrin. The MacNutt Tournament proved to be a daunting experience for the up-start team (average age 15.5 years). The opposition teams on that day were older, bigger, stronger and royally gave the Royals a whooping as they suffered a humiliating loss. Later in June, they played again in a tournament (more like a Sunday picnic) organized by Uncle Herman at Shevlin, Manitoba. Here, the Royals had more fun playing against opponents more closely matched in age and skill. The team spent the rest of the season as spectators watching their uncle’s team, the Inglis Regals, play their higher calibre of fastball at Sunday tournaments.
In the spring of 1966, the young Royals determination and desire to play fastball was even greater. Three seventeen-year-old teammates from the Russell High School team were recruited; Tom Fenton (1st base), Wayne Collins (catcher), and Doug Bily (pitcher) along with Wayne Bulishak from Cracknell. The Royals also had two quality pitchers: Doug Bily and Edgar Zimmer, both hurling an accurate high-speed windmill pitch. Mid-week practices, either at the Endcliffe School or at Asessippi Beach, were held in preparation for the Sunday Tournaments. The Royals entered tournaments close to home in the circle of communities in all directions of Endcliffe; the “Circuit” included MacNutt, Langenberg, Binscarth, Asessippi, Bield, Sandy Lake and St. Lazare. Each location attracted many different entrants and the team gained exposure to hundreds of different ball players. As their skill and confidence improved, the team started to win a few games, earning prize money which was used to buy new bats and balls. Soon, red uniforms were ordered from Winnipeg and delivered through the Endcliffe Post Office before its final closure.
In 1967, the roster basically remained unchanged; however, Wayne Collins left the team and Harold Zimmer replaced him as the new catcher. Brian Zimmer also moved into his new role as a pitcher developing his unique and different style of pitching “junk”. Brian was soon able to control and effectively hurl four different pitches including a fastball, a curve ball, a change-up to and the daunting knuckleball. Team growth was evident in all aspects of the game, especially at the pitching position. Team rivalries strengthened with the teams that they played more often against including the Inglis Regals, Oakburn Orioles, Bield Orioles, Sandy Lake Comets, Shevlin Panthers, Langenburg Braves and Beulah. The fastball craze had hit the Royals, with parents, relatives and fans following them to watch and cheer the team on.
A highlight of the 1967 season was the exhibition game played between the Endcliffe Royals and the Russell Rockets during the Russell Fair activities. A match up between the young guns and the retiring veteran players, including Cam Collins on the mound; the Rockets were the local fastball stars of the early 60’s that some watched as kids growing up.
More of the same was on the schedule during the 1968 season as they basically played the “Circuit” with the opening tournament at MacNutt followed by Langenburg, Churchbridge, Asessippi, Togo, Hoopers Lake and Old Fort Ellice (St. Lazare) being the main locations. Walter Zimmer had a cameo at the Togo tourney and Ray Hainstock at Hoopers Lake.
In August, the Royals held their first very own tournament with eight teams attending on two diamonds at the Endcliffe school. This tournament was a sporting and financial success due to the hard work of our parents and siblings. The Royals won the tournament and financially used the revenue to buy a set of Royal Blue Windbreakers.
In terms of competitive level, the team had quickly moved from the laughing stocks to serious contenders. This all occurred over the years without any adult coaching or the assistance of a manual. However, the team does recognize the contributions of their parents and mentors; Uncles and the Inglis Regals. They learnt from the Regals patterning their style of play and copying “tricks” from their playbook and, they even had the advantage of using their playground at Asessippi Beach. Their influence on the youngsters will never be denied.
The 1969 season started off with great excitement. The Royals advanced to the Finals at the MacNutt tournament, only to lose the game in a close contest to the experienced Fenwood Flyers team. As the season played on in the “Circuit”, it became evident that the Royals had become a formidable force to be reckoned with. The Royals were winning many more games, the team sported the top ranked three person pitching bullpen in the region.
The 1969 season was shaping up to be the best so far. Because of their junior age status, the Royals registered for the Provincial Junior Playdowns and bolstered the lineup by adding Wayne Kozmeniuk of Roblin and Gerald Liske from Shevlin, along with Walter Zimmer as coach to their line-up. The Royals were the only Junior entry, so the category was dropped, and their registration was moved up a level into the Men’s category. Without objection the team plunged ahead making plans to play in the Men’s Provincial Playdowns the August long weekend in Winnipeg. The school bus driver, Vic Ferguson was hired to transport the team to Winnipeg, with rooms booked at the Maryland Hotel and games to be played at nearby Charlie Krupp Stadium.
On the days of the event, the weather was great (dry and hot). All the teams were highly motivated and fiercely competitive. The Royals were able to play three closely fought full-length games (1 win and 2 losses). The team watched who they would compete against, and to watch elite, high calibre fastball players and teams from the best leagues in Manitoba. They knew that they fit-in and they did well.The Royals came home with pride and cherished memories of the satisfying experience.
In 1970 many veterans left the team and they recruited new players to the Royals. Wayne Bulishak left because of his hand injury, Earl Nernberg headed west, Gerald Nernberg, Tom Fenton and Dale Zimmer left the community for employment in other centers. Joining the Royals were Tom Kearns and Dave Falkevitch along with Geordy Galatiuk and Ray Ungarian coming over from the Regals. Youngsters like Kelvin Nernberg and Clifford Zimmer were getting their start. This team played through the regular Sunday Tournaments with the highlight of the season being a trip to Boissevain, MB to participate in the Provincial Men’s Playdown. Dale Zimmer was able to rejoin the Royals and helped out as an assistant coach. As always, the calibre of play was great, intense and very competitive. The Royals record again was (1 win and 2 losses).
The spring of 1971 saw even more defections of veterans from the club. Harold Zimmer, Edgar Zimmer, Tom Kearns all obtained employment with Simplot in Brandon. They joined Chuck Nelson with the Simplot Blues fastball team which played in the Brandon Centennial Fastball League and in fact were the league champions in 1971 and 1972. In 1972 Edgar pitched a 20 strikeout, 2 hit game and was a perennial all-star in the league until 1975, also in 1975 Edgar shared a no-hitter with Brian Zimmer.
Note: These former Royals along with Brian Zimmer assisted the Blues in winning the 1971 Provincial “C” Championship title which was held at Curran Park in Brandon.
Back to the Royals, which now were facing a bleak situation with only a few experienced players left – Brian Zimmer and Doug Bily (pitchers). The Royals began re-organizing and recruiting. Henry Winder and Jim Wondrasek joined, adding experience along with new budding young prospects (Kelvin and Daryl Nernberg along with Clifford Zimmer) all with pitching aspirations. Although the season lacked the familiar success of previous years the Royals did flash and highlighted the season by winning the Old Fort Ellice (St. Lazare) tournament against the home team, the St. Lazare Saints. Brian Zimmer pitched a remarkable game in the winning match.
At the end of the season, Brian moved to Brandon to obtain employment. In the spring of 1972 Brian joined the Simplot Blues and extended his fastball career for at least another dozen years.
The 1971 season was also the last season for Larry Nernberg as he headed West to Saskatchewan, playing in Regina, Swift Current, Yorkton and finishing his fastball career with IMC in Esterhazy.
In 1972, Allan Zimmer was the only ball player standing from the original group of excited kids with high dreams and aspirations, milling about on Ungrin’s cow pasture. This first version of the Endcliffe Royals had come to an end, but there was still another chapter to this story to come. The next generation of ball players picked up the torch and rebuilt, playing under: The Endcliffe Royals.