One championship season is an accomplishment on the baseball diamond, but for one group of players from Lashburn one championship wasn't enough. That is why the Lashburn Linnets/Cardinals will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum later this summer.
Little Baseball began in Lashbrun in 1953 and that was the beginning of a strong community minded sport and many successes.
In 1956, the Lashburn Linnets entered provincial playoffs and beat Saskatoon, Wilkie, Scott and Prince Albert to win the North West Championship. The Linnets hosted the provincial final later that year in September and beat the Langenburg Little Leaguers, the southern champions to capture Lashburn's first baseball provincial title.
The Lashburn Chamber of Commerce along with the Town of Lashburn, sponsored a sportsman's banquet in December of that year, in honour of the Lashburn Linnets.
The team was awarded the C.M. Fines Trophy. Monsignor Athol Murray of Notre Dame College in Wilcox, was guest speaker.
In 1957, the provincial finals were held in Fox Valley. The Linnets won the series with Wally Pruden pitching a perfect game in the first match. During that game, only three players handled the ball - the pitcher, Wally Pruden, the catcher, Clifford Coolidge and the first baseman Garry Chamberlain.
The Linnets were the recipients of the C.M. Fines Trophy for the second consecutive year.
Upon their return to Lashburn, they were escorted into town by the fire truck loudly blowing the siren, and the main street covered with banners, flags and coloured lights. The streets were lined with cars blowing their horns and fans cheering loudly.
In 1958, Lashburn entered the Pony League, with the same boys moving up from Little League. This team however, called themselves the Lashburn Cardinals, and went on to win the 1958 Saskatchewan provincial championship receiving the Jordan Trophy.
In 1959, some of the boys advanced to the Babe Ruth League. They again won the 1959 Northern Championship. The provincial finals were again held in Lashburn and the home team won again and earned the 1959 provincial championship.
In winning the four provincial championships, this team had won 38 of 46 baseball games played in provincial competition.
A banquet was held in honour of this great team, with Premier Tommy Douglas as the guest speaker.
The Lashburn Linnets/Cardinals will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, in the Team Category, at the 27th annual induction Saturday, Aug. 20 in Battleford.
