SSHoF logo1969 Saskatoon Merchants

Team (1987)

Softball

Canadian Senior Men's Softball Champions

1969 Saskatoon MerchantsThe Saskatoon Merchants had a long season in 1969. They started with indoor workouts in April and finished on August 31, winning the Canadian men's softball title. The club started by winning the five-team city league. Then they had to win seven games in a row to win the Saskatchewan championship. That included the two final victories, 4-3 and 3-2, over Weyburn.

Since the Canadian championships were to be played in Saskatoon, the Merchants qualified to be in the event as the host team. The Merchants were 4 and 1 on the round tied with Hull, Quebec. In the tiebreaker contest, Saskatoon whipped Hull 7-0 and became the first Saskatoon team to win the Canadian men's softball title.

Back row: Peter Bacala, Dick McDonald, Ed Swiderski, Ted Luciuk, Nels Rissling, John Stuart, Felix Miller, Bob Bentley, Glen Hersikorn, Ken Rissling **.
Front row: Paul Kuzma, Harry Hopkins, Pete Zacharias, Blaine Knoll, Al Norris, Everett Wood, George Lacoursiere, Bob Lacoursiere **, John Hutchinson, Cam Hutchinson (Bat Boy).

** Deceased