MILTON BASEBALL CLUB (M.B.C.) HISTORY – MEN’S
Researched for Milton Historical Society
August 11, 2006, by Jim Dills
Dates noted are the date of issue, generally of The Canadian Champion, unless otherwise indicated.
ORGANIZATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT
The first recorded organized game of men’s base ball in Milton was played October 31, 1865 between the Milton and Postville (Now, Oakville - NE corner of Trafalgar Rd & Dundas St.) Base Ball Clubs in Milton, ON. The most recent era of Senior Men’s baseball began in 1977, establishing the Milton Senior Baseball Club.
EARLY GAME NOTES FROM THE CANADIAN CHAMPION
August 16, 1866, Sport - Milton and Georgetown played on the Milton Court House Square. Milton winning by a majority of 70 runs. Although the weather was very unfavourable in consequences of rain, yet the contest was keen and spirited. Captain for Milton was D. McGibbon. Milton scoring as follows: D. McGibbon 10 runs, J. Lindsay 8, J. Martin 9, T.J. White 8, E. Morse 6, W. Fallis 8, H. Jones 8, W. Panton 10, N.R. Britton 9. Total 76, Georgetown 6. At the conclusion of the match, the Georgetown club – nothing daunted by their failure, challenged the Milton club to play for $10 a side. The challenge was promptly accepted and $1 put up on each side to bind the bet. Match to take place on Saturday 25th at Georgetown. Cc
September 20, 1866, Sport – Members of the Milton Base Ball Club have been waiting for some time for the $10 which they won from the Georgetown Club at the recent match, and as there seems to be no prospect of receiving it, I think it is but right the conduct of the Georgetown Club should be publsihed. Cc
August 25, 1870, Sport – A base ball club to be called the “Shoe Fly” Club has been formed in Milton and already numbers over 30 members. They are to meet eveery morning and evening for play and will doubtless soon be up in the game, as they have some players from different crack clubs in the Province who will be of great service in instructing the new members. Cricket seems to have been altogether discarded by the Miltonians this year, but on the subject of base ball they are enthusiastic. Any parties wishing to join can call on Mr. Panton, the secretary who will be happy to receive the joining fee. Cc
July 21, 1870, Sport – Base ball game held in Acton, between the Sycamore Club of Milton and Pastimes of Acton, won by Acton by a majority of 32 runs. Pastimes had to play a match the same day with the Mechanics of Brampton, so play lasted only 6 innings. Sycamore 23, Pastimes 62. Cc
June 15, 1871, Sport – Game of baseball between Hamilton Mutuals and Milton Sycamores. Hamilton won. Cc
July 20, 1871, Sport – Exciting baseball game at Brampton between Sycamores of Milton and the Maple Leaf Club of Brampton. Majority for Milton 3.. The Juniors. A baseball match was played Saturday in Georgetown between the Young Beavers of Milton and the Silver Stars of Georgetown. A victory of 4 for the Stars. Cc
September 7, 1871, Sport – The Maple Leafs of Hamilton. The Lumberman’s Club Campbellville played the Leisure Hour Club Haltonville. Grammer School Boys gained a victory over the Young Beavers at Milton. The Sycamores, Milton have challenged the Pastimes of Acton. Cc
October 12, 1871, Sport – Base ball between the Haymakers of the 7th Line and the Wide Awakes of Boyne. Recently organized clubs. Majority for Wide Awakes 2. Cc
November 9, 1871, Sport – Baseball, a game, the last of the season played on October 28 between the Haymakers of Nelson and the Wide Awakes of Boyne resulting in a victory by the former by one run. The weather was rather too cold to be comfortable for the players. Cc
March 28, 1872, Sport – Baseball – Meeting of the Sycamores Base Ball Club at Thompson House for re-organizing and electing officers. Cc
June 13, 1872, Sport – Baseball – Sycamores of Milton defeated Streetsville Birdseyes with a majority fo 44 runs, then treated at the Globe to a sumptuous dinner. Milton players: S. Cook, W. Panton, J. Moat, A. Zimmerman, A. Gillet, Hume, H. Dewsberry, C. McGibbon, J. Coates. Cc
September 5, 1872, Sport – Baseball – Games played by the Maple Leafs of Hamilton against the Sycamores of Milton, with Milton winning by 10 runs. Campbellville Lumbermen against Mountsburgh; the Wide Awakes of Boyne and the Dolly Vardeens of Springfield; the Lumbermen of Campbellville and the Sycamores of Milton; the Young Beavers of Milton (Juniors) against the Silver Stars of Georgetown. Cc
May 1, 1873, Sport – Baseball – Meeting to re-organize Sycamore Baseball Club. Cc
Base ball fields were located at Livingston Flats, and also the Milton Fair Grounds until 1976. Brain Best Park was opened in 1977, with the club moving to Milton Community Park in 2012 to present day.
ORIGINAL MEMBERS: THEN & NOW
During the earliest days, there were 9 players, plus coaches and executives. As time progressed, 25 player rosters, with up to 5 executives/coaches were commonly involved with the club. Many thousands have played over the years.
COSTS: YESTERYEAR & CURRENT
Men’s baseball clubs have routinely maintained themselves as not-for-profit organizations. Player fees were established as per the current costing indexes of rentals, utilities, uniforms, and optional travel events, such as tournaments.
AGE OF PLAYERS
Age of players has altered somewhat in history. The current age range for senior baseball is generally 23 years of age to whenever the individual’s commitments end.
ORIGINAL FOUNDERS & LEADERSHIP ONWARD
With early records incomplete, the historical archives that do exist, list Mr. W. Panton – Secretary, organized a 30-member club in 1866. As time and eras progressed, Milton teams were assembled by Bill Randall in the 1920’s, Conrad Tolektzka in the 1930’s, Dick & Babe Clement, Peter McMullen, Cliff Houston, Art Melanson, Clarence Riddell, and Jim Waldie from the 1940’s through the 1960’s. By the 1970’s, Wayne Marchand had re-coordinated the club, with Glenn Turner taking the reigns during the 1980’s as a player/coach, field manager, general manager, and league executive. Glenn remains the club’s G.M. and de-facto groundskeeper to this day. His name is forever entrenched at Milton Community Park’s (South) diamond, as Glenn was honoured during a Diamond Dedication Day that took place in June 2025. The club’s longest standing field manager, George Moore, has been at the helm of the team since 2000, after his long, successful senior baseball career concluded at age 55. A former educator, George still roams the Milton dugout and cultivates his baseball life’s knowledge to the current staff and players.
INDIVIDUAL & TEAM SUCCESSES
The club have entertained many players who have enjoyed success in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA), as well as earned scholarships from U.S. colleges (NCAA & NAIA), and junior colleges (NJCAA).
Milton Senior teams won Ontario Baseball Association Championship titles in various classifications in 1930, 1949, 1959, 1991, 2001, 2002, & 2005. Teams were OBA Finalists in 1952, 1966, 1986, 1987, 1992, & 2004. The club then moved to the ‘AAA’ level.
Bill Randall managed the club in the 1920’s and was Halton County Baseball Association President in 1945.
Conrad Tolektzka was the Ontario Baseball Association’s Vice President in 1938. Under Conrad’s 6 years of leadership managing the Milton Club, they won various Ontario Provincial Championships, including the Ontario Intermediate ‘B’ in 1930.
Clarence Riddell was President of the Milton Baseball Club, Ontario Baseball Association Vice President, then named President at the 37th OBA Convention with hopes of reviving the senior series in 1954 & 1955. Clarence was also the President of the Halton County Baseball Association in 1948.
Peter McMullen was President of the Milton Baseball Club, and Halton County Baseball Association President from 1949 to 1963; and President of the Ontario Baseball Association from 1957-1959. Peter’s name now adorns Milton Community Park’s (North) diamond, during a Diamond Dedication Day in June 2025.
Jim Waldie was involved with management of the Milton Baseball Club, and with the Ontario Baseball Association Executive, becoming President in 1963 & 1964.
CLUB NAMES, LOGO CHANGES OVER TIME
The Milton Baseball Club has been branded many times over its’ long history. Some early titles included ‘Victorias’, and ‘Shoe-Fly’. In 1870, the club was re-baptized ‘Sycamores’.
From the 1920’s through the 1960’s, the team was known as the ‘Red Sox’. The 1970’s saw the team’s name change to the Merchants, then switched to ‘Royals’ (due to their main sponsor at the time), then back to the current ‘Red Sox’ in 1990 where it has remained to this day.
A simple, block-lettered ‘M’, ‘MM’, and ‘MILTON’ were early logos used initially. The ‘Royals’ logo appeared in the 1980’s, and the ‘Red Sox’ logo was/is used since 1990.
ADDITIONAL MEMORIES OF MEMBERS/PARTICIPANTS
The Dr. Anson Buck Trophy was first donated in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Confederation of the Dominion of Canada to the Halton County Baseball League for annual competition in 1928. The trophy is awarded to the league’s regular season champions. (now COBA – Central Ontario Baseball Association) This crown is allegedly the oldest continuously awarded trophy in any amateur sport in Ontario, possibly Canada. Milton has conquered this award in 1929, 1930-1933, 1949, 1951, 1953-1954, and 2021.
Oldtimers would often recall the parade down Main Street after the 1930 Intermediate ‘B’ OBA Championship victory. This led to subsequent parades in the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s for MMBA OBA Champions.
There had consistently been a great rivalry between Milton and Campbellville during the decades. (1950’s through 1980’s during Campbellville’s COBA membership)
Many players and executives are members of the HCBA/COBA Major Hall of Fame.
