Special Category: Gilbert Plains Legion Bantams 1965-1968
Made up almost entirely of local players this small country town youth team dominated the Bantam age baseball classification in Manitoba and Western Canada for an amazing four year period from 1965-68. Organized, managed, and coached by MB Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Mel Stoughton (2016) the team won five Manitoba titles in the four years and captured three Western Canadian championships. Originally a Bantam B classified team from 1965-66 they won the Manitoba and Western Canadian titles both years. After winning the Bantam B provincials again in 1967 they moved up to the Bantam A class for playoffs that season. They then won the provincial Bantam A title while finishing as Western Canada finalists and in 1968 they captured both Manitoba and Western Bantam A championships.
Gilbert Plains Legion Bantam "A”
1968 Manitoba and Western Canadian Champs
Back Row (L-R)
Mel Stoughton (Coach), Wayne Church, Albert Lynch, Ron Matysio, Blaine Stoughton, Dave Burman, Ken Goran, Larry Lagoski, Ricky McFadyen, Brian Lynch (Manager)
Bottom Row (L-R)
Ken Buchy, Dennis Stykalo, Kelly Turner, Jerry Turner, Blaine Hiron
Gilbert Plains Legion Bantam "B”
1965 Manitoba and Western Canadian Champs
Back Row (L-R) Tom Semchuk, Blake Story, Rick Crossley, Albert Lynch, Bernie Maluga, Kelly Turner, Billy Murray
Middle Row (L-R) Chuck Brown (Secretary-Treasurer Manitoba Baseball Association), Mounty Montagne(President of Manitoba Baseball Association), Norm Johnston, Larry Stotski, Herb Andres, Ken Sulik, Blaine Stoughton, Ron Matysio, Bob Brown (1st Vice President Manitoba Baseball Association), Cameron Knott (President Gilbert Plains Legion)
Bottom Row (L-R) Gerald Stoughton (Bat Boy), Marc Smith, Brian Lynch (Manager), Mel Stoughton (Coach), Dennis Kotyk, Randy Currie
Gilbert Plains Legion Bantam "B”
1966 Manitoba and Western Canadian Champs
Back Row (L-R) bBilly Murray, Albert Lynch, Mel Stoughton (Coach), Blaine Stoughton, Bob Urbanowski, Ron Matysio, Brian Lynch (Manager), Larry Lagoski, Kenny Youngston
Bottom Row (L-R) Gerald Stoughton (Bat Boy), Randy Currie, Dennis Kotyk, Reid Dykun, Ken Buchy, Kelly Turner, Bob Marcyniuk, Blaine Hiron
Gilbert Plains Legion Bantam "B”
1967 Manitoba Champs and Western Canadian Finalist
Back Row (L-R) Guy Hewlko, Louis Turner (Assistant Coach), Peter Wiwcharuk, Don Topham, Lloyd Frykas, Larry Lagoski, Blaine Hiron, Mel Stoughton (Coach), Ken Goran, Tom Yuill
Front Row (L-R) Bob Marcyniuk, Gerald Stoughton, Jerry Agar, Mervin Kotak, Larry Balak, Jerry Turner