Description
Under the tutelage of Middleton Cardinal H&D League star, Herbie McLeod of Springhill, the Bantam Cardinals swept to the Nova Scotia title with a very impressive 16 straight wins with no losses. Playing primarily against Midget teams from the Valley communities of Annapolis Royal, Aylesford, Berwick and Kentville, the Cardinals, behind the pitching of Gordon Francis and Tremaine “Turk” Rafuse, provided Middleton baseball fans with great action throughout the season.
In the championship series, the Cards faced the Amherst Red Sox. In game one in Middleton, they rode the 18 strikeout performance of Francis, who allowed only two Amherst hits, for a 7-2 victory. In game two in Amherst, not to be outdone by his teammate Francis, Rafuse threw a one-hitter and notched 14 strikeouts while his younger brother Bob was the heavy hitter as Middleton drubbed Amherst 10-1.
The bases were well guarded by Bev Bruce, Bob Montgomery and Ron Rawding with Eric Wright at shortstop and Neil Fisher behind the plate. Outfield duties were handled by Roy Dowell, Sunny Dowell, Ken Perkins, Bob Rafuse and Ted Marshall. With a season without a defeat, what could the Bantam Cardinals do for a sequel?
