Balboa High School - Zonian Yearbook (Balboa, Canal Zone Panama)

Page 65 text:

l u SOFTBALL Early in January the boys, softball season started off with a bang as someone hundred and seventy' would-be players re- ported for action. The sport was given a royal send-off by the boys' band under the direction of Mr. Swanson. Even the school officials tore themselves away from their work long enough to give the occasion their recognition. Beginners were inspired by seeing last year's champs presented with letters. Mr. Edward Pease, mathematical wizard, organized the players by allowing each boy who wanted to manage a team to choose his group and submit the list to the sponsor. In this man- ner an eight-team league of boys who wanted to play regularly was formed and given the imposing title of National League. For the pleasure of those who could not report regularly, Mr. Pease organized what he called the Free-Lance League. As the season drew to a close, the race for the gold balls, emblems of the winning team of the National League, b-ecame a three cornered one. The Cubs, the Giants, and the Dodgers were well matched, but the real battle was between the Cubs and the Giants. In a hard fought, exciting game on February 5, the Giants cracked up, and the Cubs came through with a -deci- sive victory. The Cub players who received the gold balls were: Culbert Shedlock, Manager, Jack Siler, Buddy Wahl, Roger Adams, Harry Dockery, Arthur Luse, Tod L.ipzinsk1,.Donald Fero, John Latimer, -Stanley Whaler, the Walbridge twins, and Walter Friday. -l Lau

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BASKPI'1'l4ALL The athletic schedule of Balboa High School underwent a radical change last fall with the introduction of intramural athletics. This new system gave an opportunity for all boys to participate in sports rather than merely the few who were varsity material. The first sport to fall under the intramural program was basketball. One hundred and twenty boys responded to the call, and under the direction of Mr. Ward, language teacher, ten teams were organized and a playing schedule made out. Early in the intramural games, Arroyo's Los Macs and Michaelson's 'Sixty-Niners forged ahead, and throughout the season these two teams set the pace. In the end, The Sixty- N iners came out one game short and Los Macs were set for the series with Cristoba1's winning team. Unfortunately for us, however, in spite of Arroyo's brilliant shooting and Huff's con- sistent floor game, Los Macs fell under when they met the boys from the Gold Coast. All the games of the series were very closely played, Balboa losing two of them by one and two point margins. l Although it must be admitted that some of the students, especially the varsity men, have not been in favor of intramural games, after all is said and done it is more Profitable to have a large number rather than a select few receive this training in playing the game.

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L ii ff-rw: we vb fi, SWIMMING It has been repeatedly shown that the average high school boy of the Canal Zone is a better swimmer than the average boy of the States. Of 'the graduates of Balboa High School, Eddie Wood, Henry Brewerton, Robert Smith, George Haldeman, Ro- bert Wempe and William Grant are only a few of the many boys who have reflected credit on the Canal Zone by their swim- ming in the States. During the past season, the get-'together meets held during the school term have afforded an opportunity for mediocre swimmers to bring honors to themselves and to their classes, as the stars were limite-d to entering only a few events. Aft-er several hard fought games, the seniors succeded in winning the inter-class water polo competition with the juniors. The boys who should be given special honor for the pro- gress they have made in swimming this year are: Roger Adams, Albert Wempe, Martin Wempe, James Roth, Harry McElhone, Bob Erickson, Bob Hampton, Vernon Snyder, and Ned Dwelle. As swimming director, it has not been Coach Grieser's pur- pose to produce a few outstanding stars, but to encourage a large number of student to enjoy swimming and to learn to be effective life-savers. Coach Grieser is to be commended for his success in achieving his purpose.