Category: 1939

1939 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1939 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – JJ Krieg’s Haberdashers, Alameda, California
Runner Up – Kentucky Dairy Maids, Louisville, Kentucky

JJ Krieg’s went undefeated for the second straight year winning all five games by the scores of 5-2, 14-0, 6-5, 1-0, 1-0. They outscored their opponents 27-7. Bessie Johnson has led Kriegs to a 10-0 record in the past 2 National Championships with 5 shutouts, including both finals. They have been reported to have won 102 games in a row during the past two seasons. Johnson pitched every game for the California girls in both Nationals. According to a newspaper account, these Krieg’s Girls achieved all tournament acclaim: (P) Bessie Johnson, (C) Ruby Johnson (1B) Maxine Grolls and (3B)- Bernice Amarel,.

Irma Dutra went 2-3 for JJ Krieg’s and had the winning hit that scored Bertha Levi with the game’s only run. In the semi-finals, JJ Kriegs beat Pony Express Girls from St. Joseph, MO 1-0 in 12 innings. Catcher Ruby Johnson doubled and scored the winning run on a single by Wilda Mae Turner. The Pony Girls pitcher, Nina Korgan (who went 3-1 in the tournament), surrendered six hits and struck out 18 in 12 innings. In the other semi-final, 14 year old Virginia Fraburt defeated Arizona Ramblers and star pitcher Louise Curtis Miller 2-1. Fraburt pitched in the championship game also and although only giving up three hits, lost 1-0.

Little known Amelina (Amy) Peralta played in her first national for the Arizona Ramblers and won the only game she pitched, but was the leading hitter for her team. Louise Miller was 2-1 for the Ramblers as they finished third for the third straight year.

The Alameda Girls have not lost a game since May of 1937.

Bessie Johnson, J.J. Krieg’s went 5-0, pitched 1-0 no-hitter in championship walking 2 and striking out 4, had 3 shutouts during the tournament. She also went 1-3 in the championship game. She would have been named MVP.

Nina Korgan of Thames Pony Express went 3-1 pitching.

Jerry Joyce of Erin Brews went 2-0 with a no hitter and a shutout 14 IP, 32 K.

Cleveland native, Mary Skorich pitched for the Jax Maids of New Orleans and went 2-1.

The Alameda Girls have not lost a game since August of 1937. They ended that season with six straight victories. in 1938, they won the national championship going undefeated at 48-0 and this season they won 49 consecutive games before losing two games in Toronto playing Canadian ASA Rules right before the Nationals.  They won 102 consecutive games over a three year span.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. JJ Krieg’s Haberdashers, Alameda, CA (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Kentucky Dairy Maids, Louisville, KY (4-1) (Kentucky)
3t. Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (3-1) (Arizona)
3t. Thames Pony Express, St. Joseph, MO (3-1) (Missouri)
5t. Jax Maids, New Orleans, LA (2-1) (Louisiana)
5t. Chicago Down Drafts, Chicago, IL (2-1) * (Chicago)
5t. Lavin’s Loans, Cincinnati, OH (2-1) (Cincinnati)
5t. Erin Brews, Cleveland, OH (2-1) (Cleveland)
9t. Higgins Midgets, Tulsa, OK (2-1) (Oklahoma)
9t. Hylex Cleaning Compounds, St. Paul, MN (1-1) (Minnesota)
9t. Russell Sports Shop, Omaha, NE (1-1) (Nebraska)
9t. Dr. Pepper Bottlers, Little Rock, AR (0-1) (Arkansas)
9t. D-X Oilers, Topeka, KS (1-1) (Kansas)
9t. American Insurance, Galveston, TX (1-1) (Texas)
9t. Dailey Clothes, Memphis, TN (1-1) (Tennessee)
9t. Woco Peps, Birmingham, AL (0-1) (Alabama)
17t. Cumiskey’s Coeds, Watertown, WI (1-1) (Wisconsin)
17t. Elkhart Athletics, Elkhart, IN (1-1) * (Indiana)
17t. Kaufman Maids, Reading, PA (0-1) (Pennsylvania)
17t. Farrow Chicks, Peoria, IL (0-1) (Illinois)
17t. Athens Maids, Corning, NY (0-1) (New York)
17t. Ringside Club, Milwaukee, WI (0-1) (Milwaukee)
17t. Kuna Girls, Pocatello, ID (0-1) (Idaho)
17t. Greenwood Electric, Des Moines, IA (0-1) (Iowa)
17t. Pilot Mills, Raleigh, NC (0-1) (North Carolina)
17t. Van Der Voort Hardware, Lansing, MI (0-1) (Michigan)
17t. Moyer Womenstripe Pants, Youngstown, OH (0-1) (Ohio)
17t. Keller Ice Cream, Detroit, MI (0-1) (Detroit)
17t. Dr. Pepper Girls, Miami Beach, FL (0-1) (Florida)
17t. Bison Lassies, Buffalo, NY (0-1) (Buffalo)
17t. Sholls Cafeteria, Washington, DC (0-1) (Washington DC)
17t. Stamford Nutmegs, Stamford, CT (0-1) (Connecticut)
33. Southern Weavers, Greenville, SC (0-1) (South Carolina)

* indicates the team won a game by forfeit. The tournament was single elimination format.

NOTES

Brown Derby Aces, Minot, ND did not show up.

1939 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1939 held at Chicago, Illinois.

Champion – Nick Carr Boosters, Covington, Kentucky (77-10)
Runner Up – Ferguson State Auditor, Columbus, Ohio

Norb Walken was 6-0, had 5 shutouts, 2 no hitters, 99 Ks, 52 IP, including a 5-1, 14 K in final. One of the more amazing things is that in 52 IP, he did not walk a single batter. Since the 1937 National, when “the Cyclone” pitched for Curlee Clothiers and counting last year and this year with Nick Carr’s Boosters, Warken has a 11-1 record with 10 shutouts, 5 no hitters, including a perfect game. He has also struck out 198 batters in 105 innings pitched. In the 11 games he hurled to win the Kentucky states and Nationals, Warken was 11-0 with 161 K in 89 Innings along with 9 shutouts).

Ralph Solt, Ferguson (4-1), Pitched 3 consecutive no hitters, then shutout Briggs 1-0 in 11 innings to advance team to the final. Solt defeated Briggs hurler Ed Pearl in that semifinal. In the other Semi-Final, The Boosters behind The Cyclone (Norb Warken) eliminated the Exchange Club of Salt Lake City 2-0 on a two-hit shutout in 9 innings. Warken had 17 K in the game to defeat Ray Ortiz of the Exchange Club, who finished the tournament 3-1. Warren Gerber (1-0) pitched the other win for Columbus.

The Nick Carr Boosters team had future Zollner Piston players Bill West, Leo Luken, Bernie Kampschmidt and Jim Ramage on their team.

Ed Pearl (2-1) and Ed Figelski (2-0), both led Briggs Beautyware to a top-4 finish. Sam Lombardo led the hitting attack for the Brigg’s squad.

Pohlar’s Cafe of Cincinnati, behind the pitching of Diz Kirkendall went 3-1 as Kirkendall threw 2 no hitters, one was the 1-0 loss to Columbus that eliminated Pohlar’s.

Kermit Lynch made his National tournament debut with the Modesto Merchants and hurled 2 shutouts, going 2-1.

Phoenix native Nolly Trujillo pitched for the Hollister, CA Cowboys and went 3-1.

  • MVP – Norb Cyclone Warken, Boosters
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nick Carr Boosters, Covington, KY (6-0) (Kentucky)
2. Ferguson State Auditors, Columbus, OH (5-1) (Ohio)
3t. Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, MI (4-1) (Detroit)
3t. Exchange Club, Salt Lake City, UT (3-1) (Utah)
5t. Royal Crown Cola, Albuquerque, NM (2-1) (New Mexico)
5t. Hollister Cowboys, Hollister-San Fran, CA (3-1) (San Francisco)
5t. Pohlar’s Cafe, Cincinnati, OH (3-1) (Defending Champ)
5t. Big Six Van Wagoners, Pontiac, MI (2-1) (Michigan)
9t. Deep Rock Oilers, Tulsa, OK (2-1) (Oklahoma)
9t. Ft Lupton Aces, Longmont, CO (2-1) (Colorado)
9t. Thompson Terriers, Cheyenne, WY (2-1) (Wyoming)
9t. Modesto Merchants, Modesto, CA (2-1) (California)
9t. Hammond Civic Center, Hammond, IN (1-1) (Indiana)
9t. Beaty Stores, St. Joseph, MO (2-1) (Missouri)
9t. Tru-Blu Beer, Washington DC (2-1) (Washington DC)
9t. Daily Bowler, Buffalo, NY (1-1) (Buffalo)
17t. People’s Jewelers, Toronto, ON (1-1) (Canada-Ontario)
17t. Esso Service Stations, Columbia, SC (1-1) (South Carolina)
17t. Firestone Tires, Clearwater, FL (1-1) (Florida)
17t. Five Points AC, Birmingham, AL (1-1) (Alabama)
17t. Cities Service Oils, Shreveport, LA (1-1) (Louisiana)
17t. Doss Cafe, Omaha, NE (1-1) (Nebraska)
17t. St. Mary’s A.C., Philadelphia, PA (1-1) (Philadelphia)
17t. Schukei Motors, Waterloo, IA (1-1) (Iowa)
17t. Midland Steel, Cleveland, OH (1-1) (Cleveland)
17t. Kodak Park, Rochester, NY (1-1) (Rochester)
17t. Woco Pep Gasoline, Memphis, TN (1-1) (Tennessee)
17t. Denver Public Service, Denver, CO (0-1) (Denver)
17t. San Juan, Puerto Rico (0-1) (Puerto Rico)
17t. Colbert’s Beverage, St. Paul, MN (0-1) (Minnesota)
17t. Elgin A.C., Elizabeth, NJ (0-1) (New Jersey)
17t. 115 Club, Grand Forks, ND (0-1) (North Dakota)
33t. Atlanta Police, Atlanta, GA (0-1) (Georgia)
33t. Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA (0-1) (Virginia)
33t. York Oil Field Supply, Houston, TX (0-1) (Texas)
33t. Congress AC, Portland, ME (0-1) (Maine)
33t. Papale Construction, Pittsburgh, PA (0-1) (Pittsburgh)
33t. Montana Power & Light, Bozeman, MT (0-1) (Montana)
33t. Fones Hardware, Little Rock, AR (0-1) (Arkansas)
33t. Fairlawn Mules, Pawtucket, RI (0-1) (Rhode Island)
33t. Davis Cash Market, Burlington, VT (0-1) (Vermont)
33t. Romancos, Roanoke Rapids, NC (0-1) (North Carolina)
33t. Home Service Stores, Clarksburg, WV (0-1) (West Virginia)
33t. Phoenix Lettuce Kings, Phoenix, AZ (0-1) (Arizona)
33t. Ke-Nash-A’s Motors, Kenosha, WI (0-1) (Wisconsin)
33t. Caterpillar Tractors, Peoria, IL (0-1) (Illinois)
33t. Park Ridge Merchants, Chicago, IL (0-1) (Chicago)
33t. Luick’s Sealtest Milk, Milwaukee, WI (0-1) (Milwaukee)
33t. Wilson Packers, Kansas City, KS (0-1) (Kansas)
33t. Gas & Electric Company, Cincinnati, OH (0-1) (Cincinnati)
33t. A.G. Spaulding & Bros, Chicopee, MA (0-1) (Massachusetts)
33t. Nate and Leon’s Deli, Baltimore, MD (0-1) (Maryland)
33t. Carpenter Steel, Reading, PA (0-1) (Pennsylvania)
33t. Emeralds, New Britain, CT (0-1) (Connecticut)

NOTES

Natural Laundry, Twin Falls, ID and Davis Beauty Shop, Mitchell, SD withdrew. People’s Jewelers, Toronto, Ontario went in place of Regina Merchants, Regina, Saskatchewan.