The 1939 Iowa Amateur Athletic Association state tournament demonstrated tremendous growth in the promotion of amateur and league baseball in Iowa. Qualifying team came from organized member leagues with each member league able to enter its league champion or the team with the highest winning percentage on August 21st in the state tournament. To qualify as a member league, the league itself needed to be a member with the league having a minimum of four teams playing at least a ten-game schedule. In addition, each team within the league also had to be a member of the Association with the winner of the state tournament qualifying for entry in the American Baseball Congress if the state association had a minimum of 100 member teams.[1]
The additional substance resulted in eight more teams participating in the tournament. The eleven league winners were Rudd, Bondurant, J.I. Case of Burlington, Ewinger Philco of Burlington, Brown’s Oilers of Danville, Keokuk Bulldogs, Bancroft, Baldwin-Patterson Post (Des Moines), Policyholders Mutual, Veterans Hospital and the pending winner of the Chambers Zephyrs – Triplett Paint match up. The managers of the qualified teams gathered at the Des Moines City Hall on August 25th to make the tournament brackets.[2]
First round match ups scheduled for August 27th featured Rudd versus Bondurant and Bancroft facing the winner of the International League as determined by the outcome of a game between the Chambers Zephyrs and the Triplett Paints. The Keokuk Bulldogs drew the Baldwin-Patterson Post. Brown’s Oilers, Ewinger Philcos, Mutual Policyholders and J.I. Case received first round byes entering the tournament the following Saturday.[3]
Sundays action kicked off with the early morning (10 a.m.) grudge match between Chambers and Triplett to earn the right to play the North Kossuth League winners from Bancroft at 2:30.[4] Chambers won the game with a Taylor once again catching for the Chambers team. Presumably this was still Ed Taylor, the “laughing killer.”
Rudd battered Bondurant relief pitcher Russ Beatty for seven runs on six hits in the seventh to turn the opening game a rout. Bernard Thrist started for Bondurant giving up four runs on six hits in six innings before giving way to Beatty.[5]
Bancroft used young Wesley Patterson against the veteran Chambers team. Chambers led the game after the top of the fifth 3 to 1 before Bancroft’s Lawrence Becker tied the game up with a double. The game staying tied until the seventh. In the seventh (and final) inning, Walter Menke doubled into left plating his brother Ralph with the winning run to prevent Chambers from returning to the Baseball Congress. The first three batters in the Bancroft lineup were Menkes with A. Menke, R. Menke and W. Menke listed in the box score.[6]
The final game of the first round featured the Keokuk Bulldogs against one of Des Moines other amateur entries – the Mutual Policyholders. The game ended via a 10-run rule at the end of six innings when two runs scored aided by an error and three wild pitches by relief pitcher Al Anus. Smith threw a shut-out for the Bulldogs as Keokuk advanced via a 10-0 win.
Second round games would begin the following Saturday with the semifinals taking place the next day (Sunday). The finals were originally scheduled to take place on Labor Day at League Park,[7] but the best laid plans were forced to change as League Park management had already booked Satchel Paige’s Kansas City Colts and the House of David for a holiday game. The tournament final was moved to Sunday night at 8 p.m., forcing the finalists to play three games in two days with the semi-finals and finals on Sunday expanding to nine inning regulation games.[8]
The home-town Veterans Home team set back the Brown’s Oilers from Danville behind the pitching and hitting of former Roosevelt high ace Ray Lewis. Danville took an early lead with a single run in the second inning. Lewis blasted a double in the fifth to score two runs and a triple in the sixth to plate two more. On the mound, he held Danville to six total hits with Danville’s catcher Davey gathering in three of them. Danville’s Wellington only give up five hits, but he also issued four walks to aid the Veterans Home cause. The Des Moines team advanced to the semi-finals with a 4 to 1 victory.[9]
The Ewinger Philco team held a 2-1 lead going into the sixth inning. Each team scored a run in the sixth to reach a score of 3-2 with one inning of regulation to play. Rudd scored three in the top of the seventh to win the game 5 to 3. Ro. Finch started for Rudd before giving way to Schoenborn. The Rudd team also featured a M. Finch and Ra. Finch at short and third respectively. Interestingly, Swan went the distance for Ewinger Philco giving up eight hits but only one of the Rudd runs was earned.[10]
Wes Patterson and the Bancroft Lions set back the other remaining Des Moines based aggregation – the Policyholders – in the third game of the day. Bancroft’s lineup once again featured Al Menke, Ralph Menke and Walter Menke in the top three positions. Fifth place hitter Bill Welp essentially put the game out of reach in the first inning with a three-run homer scoring Ralph and Walter Menke ahead of him. Patterson pitched five innings before giving way to Callie for the final two. The Des Moines Register credited the former Des Moines Demon Walter Menke as starring for Bancroft. Welp had the home run and a single while Walter Menke had a single and double.[11]
The sponsor-less Keokuk Bulldogs, named an “orphan team” by the Des Moines Register, set back the J.I. Case team from Burlington in the final game of the day. Swede Ecklund, a 25-year-old foundry worker, hurled five hit ball for Keokuk while fanning eight. He allowed runs in only the second and sixth innings to limit any damage from the Burlington based team. Keokuk pounded out ten hits in seven innings with Whitaker and Londie each gathering in two a-piece.[12]
The Sunday games were extended to nine inning regulation games with the Veterans Home facing off against Rudd in the early game. Rudd got off to a great start against Marvin Clintock knocking him from the box with a four-run, six hit attack in the first third of an inning. Fortunately for the Veterans Home team, they borrowed pitcher Orville Dunagan from Ellis Insurance to pitch in the tournament. Dunagan battled to keep the Home in the tournament, throwing eight and 2/3rds innings while scattering all but three of the ten hits he gave up. He and his mates tied the game in the fifth only to fall down two runs in the seventh. In the seventh, Dan Sherman and Jim Burken received free passes before Bob McCormack singled to fill the bases. Dunagan helped his own cause with a double to plate all three runs as well as three other hits in the game. Veterans Home added insurance runs in the eighth when McCormack doubled home Mel Bowen and Sherman. Rudd used three pitchers in the game: Schoenborn, Kraupa, and Ristau.[13] Perhaps the Kraupa was a Arleigh “Lefty” Kraupa of later Southern Minny fame.
Dietering started for Bancroft in their semi-final game allowing two runs in four innings of work. Only one of the runs was earned against him. Callie relieved him and gave up two runs on one hit in two innings for Bancroft. Again, only one of the runs was earned. Wes Patterson was called in for long relief to shut down the Keokuk attack. Meanwhile, Keokuk’s 19-year-old Lawrence Smith was throwing a no-hitter through six innings with Lions reaching base only by an error and a walk. Unfortunately for Smith, the wheels came off in the seventh as Bancroft bunched together six of the eight total hits to score the five runs needed to take the lead. Patterson shut the door while contributed two hits of his own to advance Bancroft into the finals.[14]
Patterson started the final game giving up seven hits and a run in the sixth (or seventh) on a double by Ray Lewis. Lewis started for the Veterans Home and held the potent Bancroft attack to five hits and an unearned run through nine innings. Al Menke started the tenth with a walk and advanced to second when brother Ralph beat out a bunt. Walt Menke reached based when Carl Marxer fumbled his bunt attempt to fill the bases. Lawrence Becker slammed a triple down the right field line as “the Menke’s swarmed across the plate with three scores.”[15] Five more runs scored on a throwing error by catcher Bob Wilding, a double by Joe Murray, two Des Moines errors, Maynard (Rabbit) Bolster’s triple and a sacrifice fly by Marvin Ackerman.[16]
The Veterans Home team showed its mettle in the bottom of the inning with three straight hits. Bob Duff was nipped at first on a close play to end the game. Lewis deserved a better fate tossing no hit ball for five innings after Bancroft scored in the second on an error, passed ball and a single off shortstop Bob McCormick’s glove. On the day, Wes Patterson pitched fourteen innings giving up only three runs with two of them scoring after the championship was well in hand.[17]
State baseball commissioner Joe Campbell announced the first and second teams from the tournament with Al and Walt earning family bragging rights by earning first team honors. Ralph made the second team.
The Town of Bancroft held a homecoming of sorts on September 17th to honor ex-Bancroft pitcher Joe “Lefty” Hatten. Hatten spent the season with Crookston in the Northern League with expectations of a promotion to the Minneapolis Millers of the American Association the following year. Bancroft’s opponent, the Mankato Key City Beverage team also gave a number of are players a homecoming of sorts as Squire Riddle of Burt and John Menke formed a potential battery for the Mankato nine. The homecoming also worked as fundraiser for the Bancroft team to help defray the cost of participating in the Baseball Congress.[18]
Joe Hatten, coming off a 303 strike out season at Crookston, struck out 14 in the game. Hatten gave up only four hits while his mates hit seven. Bancroft won 5 to 1.[19] Unfortunately for Bancroft, Hatten was ineligible to participate in the Congress. Making matters worse, Vernon Godfredson, a regular pitcher for Bancroft, was unable to travel to Michigan due to competing with the high school team in an area tournament. Bancroft was able to draft Fred Kucker of Burt, Wayne Alderson of Fenton, and Eddie Wichtendahl of Lotts Creek under tournament rules.[20]
Wesley Patterson got the start for Bancroft against Superior Body Works of Lima, Ohio in the first round of the Baseball Congress in Battle Creek. Even so, it was the Bancroft offense that got things started in fine fashion for the Iowans. Bancroft loaded the bases in the first inning on Ralph Menke’s single, a hit bats men and a walk. Cather Bill Welp singled to plate two Lions. Patterson led off the second with a walk and scored on Al Menke’s triple. Menke scored on an errant throw to the infield. Bancroft’s final run scored after Walt Menke walked and stole second and third in front of Welp’s second hit. On the day, Patterson scattered eight hits. The final score was 6 to 4 but only one of Lima’s runs was earned.[21]
Draftee Alderson started against Battle Creek’s Post Products team and didn’t fare well. The Post Products team pounded out 15 hits against Alderson and Dietering. Each Menke (Al, Ralph and Walt) had one hit with Al and Walt’s hits being doubles.[22] Most of Bancroft’s offense occurred in the fifth with the Menke’s playing a central role in the offense. Ackerson got things started with a single and Dietering followed suit. Al Menke reached on a fielder’s choice. Ralph Menke forced Ackerson at the plate on a bunt attempt. Walt Menke followed with his double to score Dietering and brother Al. Ralph scored on a wild pitcher and Walt scored on Welp’s single. Battle Creek’s Freddie Louden tightened up and held the hard-hitting Lions to eight hits and six runs on the day.[23]
Things started roughly for Patterson against Fresno in the third round. Fresno scored a run without a hit on a hit bats men and two walks. Fortunately, Patterson regained his composure and threw a five-hitter on the day. Meanwhile he and his mates redeemed themselves at the plate with 18 hits that helped plate 15 runs. Bancroft broke things open in the third with three runs. The eighth inning featured eight runs started by Ralph Menke when he reached on a two-base error through short. Walt Menke followed with a double. Becker and Welp each followed up with singles. Murray and Marvin Anderson also singled while Frazier dropped Patterson’s shot to center. Al Menke tripled, and Ralph Menke singled to round out the round out the hits in the inning. Welp, Ralph and Walt Menke each had three hits on the day.[24]
The games were coming fast and furious as Frank Lichliter got the call to the mound against Fremont, Nebraska the next day. He lasted four and one-third before giving way to Patterson. Fremont’s Eddie Stanek held a 6-3 advantage going in to the ninth inning. Patterson drew a walk to start the ninth and advanced to third on Lichliter’s single over second base. Al Menke homered over the center field wall to tie the game. Things fell apart in the bottom of the inning with Leonard Gilamnn reaching on an infield hit. Marvin Christensen followed with a bunt after which Welp threw past first to advance both runners. Patterson threw a high and wild pitch over Welp’s head that allowed Gilamann to cross the plate with the winning run.[25] In fairness to Patterson, it was his third game in less than a week.
Like Ed Taylor the year before, Bancroft’s William Welp drew deserved recognition for his hitting prowess during the year’s Baseball Congress. Welp batted .429 to help Bancroft advance to the fifth round. He was named to the Second Team of the tournament’s All-American Team.[26]
Bancroft returned to Iowa to claim the Kossuth County League title by beating Burt on October 1st. Bancroft won the first half and led in the second half when they were forced to withdraw to enter the state tournament. Burt beat Fenton in September to claim the second half title. In the dust up to settle the championship, Patterson was on the mound with Walt Menke behind the plate. The game featured the only triple play of the season when Glenn Thaves of Burt lined out to second with both base runners on the move.[27] The many Menkes and the Bancroft Lions were just getting started as they would feature in many in state tournaments in Minnesota and Iowa into the 1940s. Next month, we’ll see how they did on the Iowa side of the border in 1940 as brother John continued to play on the Minnesota side of the border moving from Mankato to Albert Lea where he was named MVP of the Minnesota state baseball tournament
[1] “Aug. 25 Deadline in Iowa Ball Meet,” Des Moines Tribune, August 17, 1939, 13.
[2] “Amateur Ball Pilots to Meet,” Des Moines Register, August 25, 1939, 7.
[3] “Iowa Baseball Pairings Made,” Des Moines Register, August 27, 1939, 9.
[4] “Baseball Meet to Start Today,” Des Moines Register, August 27, 1939, 13.
[5] “Des Moines Nines Lose in Iowa Meet,” Des Moines Register, August 28, 1939, 7.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid., “State Amateur Baseball Meet Ends Labor Day,” Des Moines Tribune, August 28, 1939, 11.
[8] “Iowa Amateur – Baseball Final Set for Sunday,” Des Moines Register, August 31, 1939, 18.
[9] “Nip Danville, 4-1 Veterans Capture State Meet Game,” Des Moines Tribune, September 2, 1939, 8.
[10] “Keokuk, Rudd, Bancroft Gain,” Des Moines Register, September 3, 1939, 19.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] “Bancroft is State Champ in Baseball,” Des Moines Register, September 4, 1939, 8.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid, 7.
[16] Ibid, 7-8.
[17] Ibid.
[18] “Homecoming for Bancroft, Sunday,” Algona Upper Des Moines, September 14, 1939, 1.
[19] “Bancroft Lions Win Behind Ace in Sunday Game,” Globe-Gazette (Mason City, IA), September 18, 1939, 9.
[20] “Bancroft to Start Jaunt Early Friday,” Glabe-Gazette (Mason City, IA), September 21, 1939, 15.
[21] “Bancroft Wins in Baseball Play, 6-4,” Des Moines Register, September 24, 1939, 29.
[22] “Battle Creek Rips Bancroft,” Des Moines Register, September 25, 1939, 6.
[23] “Bancroft is Loser in Go at U.S. Meet,” Globe-Gazette (Mason City, IA), September 25, 1939, 11.
[24] “Bancroft Rips Fresno, 15-3, in U.S. Meet,” Des Moines Register, September 26, 1939, 9.
[25] “Hawkeyes are Eliminated,” Battle Creek Enquirer, September 28, 1939, 18.
[26] Battle Creek Enquirer, October 2, 1939, 9.
[27] “Bancrofters Win Kossuth League Title,” Kossuth County Advance (Algona, IA), October 3, 1939, 1.
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