THE FIRST IN MANY WAYS
The initial debut of the mimeographed edition of the
camp publication marks the period from way back in Spring season. . .
April 11 to be exact, thereby paving precedent in so many things. On the
following day, our magic city of Manzanar swung on its recreation
chassis to have its first baseball activity . . . there was a lot of
hustling in preparation for this occasion, as recalled from the Uyemura
brothers, who also set a first in the bungalow monikers known as the
"Giants" . . . As others that gave up their private ways of living, Paul
Uyemura, formerly from elaye and accepted recreation director from Li'l
Tokyo, rendered his services here and assumed the Men's Athletic
Director duties. Endless days labor of draging, scrapping a crudely made
but effective leveler brought about a smooth surface, finally giving
birth to our first baseball battleground. It was where the present
administration now stands. Then we cooked up the first unfamiliar match
in baseball . . . so the North side gang played the Southerners . . .
all of which meant that the rugged Giant killers were to hand down a
favored verdict over the Bainbridge Islanders. Big names to appear into
our small press weekly found Teraji, Tuck Uyemura, Yamane, Kadowaki,
Tamaki, Kunitani and "Salty" Taketomo rostered on the star-studded,
super-dooper Giant lineup while the Bainbridge Yankees feathered their
faith behind power postmen in the trio of Okazakis, Koba, Nagata,
Terayama. Even at that early date, the two "stand-outs" posting pennant
colors were the Giants and Montebello-Pedro combine of Gophers.
BASEBALL NOT THE ONLY THING
Aside from the daily activity of diamond dust, other
flashes that took a major chunk of prominence in the sporting field
were: weightlifting, table tennis, sumo matches, a dab at track which
turned out to be a floogie, due mainly to too much of chamber of
commerce's climatic wishing's and sandy hinderance.
The strangeness of camp life had no effect on the
progressive program, and it wasn't long before "muskeled" marvel's added
magnetism with barbells.
The first of this diversion was staged May 12th when
the Venicemen downed the Mayors somethin' like 2525-2215, made in the
usual events of the press, snatch and clean 'n jerk. Surprises do happen
. . . even here, when all proportioned physique's were seen struggling
to master. . . small, lanky, beanpoles, telegraph poles, barrels and of
course, some of the more magnificent types alias the feminine "awh'er's"
. . . all more than able to boost a par to a couple of bean sacks. But
we're convinced that they're nuttin' but softies compared to that of the
older isseis who in their prime, used to perform unbelievable feats such
as challenging gravity with three to four sacks of "kome" single-handed
. . . well sir, after that one, "weuns" are ready for anything . . .
Burly Samsons made rather acceptable records in their second contest . .
. names of C. Okamoto, G. Okamoto, T. Ajisaka, G. Hashimoto, T. Goto, I.
Okamuro, T. Ukita, G. Eguchi, M. Sakai, Shig, Hank and Tad Tanaka, T.
Kanegai were a few of the top contenders who highlighted majority of the
contests. One negligence was the "Mr. Manzanar" competition that was
intended for a New Year inducement by enthusiasts, and would have been
very pleasing to note just who the perfect male is in camp . . . active
clubs were the Mayors, Venice Barbellers, Southern Cal and Westelaye . .
. a survey revealed about two and a half tons of priority barbells in
action . . . invitational meets of such nature were held continuously
for some time before it was dropped as participants were swept in
baseball fever . . .
TLICKY PEEPLE
The art of self defense . . . how to wingle wangle
wiggle was taught by genuine instructor's and not through catalogue
lessons. Two of the best, formerly from the elaye district, S. Murakami
and S. Tashima, fifth and fourth rank respectively, offered to pass on
knowledge of judoism to the novicemen. . . progress was like a rolling
stone, registration began in May and terminated in August . . . more
than 500 youths signed for dojo practice. . .about that time, a judo
area became a reality and was initiated with a formal ceremony. . . as
this program shifted into action, it was on heavy day and night
schedule... ah but, what fine headway the furlough bug didn't break, for
the next couple of months were silent chapters.
HARD PREPARATION, ONE MEET THRONG
TREATED
After absorbing a slack period, following the finals
of softball, the idea of taking in the cinder season passes as almost
just that. . . three weeks preparation and the bottom fell out...so we
had merely one trackfest and wound up a wonderful season with one . . .
all events were booked as Manzanar records . . . Speed demon Yas Tatsumi
and "Kow" Maruki are privileged owners of two apiece...100 yd.
dash—Y. Tatsumi, 10.2; 220 yd. dash—G. Higashi, 24; 440 yd.
dash—I. Mikuriya, 65; 880 mtr.—Takahashi, 2.24; 1 mile—no
record. In the field events, A shotput—S. Nomura 50' 6-1/2";
broadjump—Y. Tatsumi, 20' 7-1/4"; hop-step-jump—G. Maruki, 41'
6"; high jump—Maruki-Ichien tie for first, 5' 6" . . and that's how
it ended . . . Suggestion for a via Air Mail track meet blew in from the
Chiquita center, but due to the forthcoming time marks that would result
from the two uncomparable cinders, Manzanar's athletes failed to
concur.
IT WAS THE IMPOSSIBLE...ALMOST
Hot days, holidays, Sundays and every available spare
time was spent in clearing the still untamed soil . . . a difficult task
was conquered by the golf addicts as they whiskered off the dense sage
brush on the south side of camp . . . this was accomplished mainly with
the aid of the Army cable trucks... . the troops emerged from under the
brush, tramped back to camp looking more like men from Mars... something
you've never seen and about as black... thus was the beginning saga of
the Manzanar golf course . . .
The initial tourney teed off when the majority of the
camp eligibles were away in the beetfields . . . it was T. Hori,
formerly from the city, who took the first, putting around on the newly
constructed 9 hole sand lot . . . only sixteen particiated for this
scratch affair . . . Harry Oshio came in second with brother Mike Hori
in for the show ticket . . . The same Mr. T. Hori trekked out in the
early morn dew on the date of November 12, to again take the medalist
honor, shooting 71 for the second scratch fray to finish the '42
year....
After a Happy New Year, the club got under way,
having its elections, registering members, outlining by-rules, etc. . .
. James Goto, medical director, the honorary chair . . . bi-monthly
tourneys were slated . . . In the next fair way contest, it was Kaz
Hori, who emerged the winnah over some 50 entries . . . Frank Yamato
copped the one-round handicapper on the same day . . . Kay won the most
recent putting incident . . .
FIREWORKS NOT MISSING
Even though the customary noise making devices were
missing last July 4th, there were more than enough fireworks when the
star-studded American and National league line-ups collided to
inaugurate the initial all-star game to be held on our dusty
grounds.
About this time before taking time out for the
holiday battles, the leaders in each respective league were the Aloha
Ramblers in the American, just a half-game ahead of the trailing
Gophers, the San Fernando Aces who were having an easy time of it in the
National circuit, the Island Marlins in the International race, the Has
Beens in the Manzanar loop and the Pedro Pirates who were on top of the
Owens ladder.
THRONG TREATED
A large portion of the camp population which
witnessed the first All-Star event was not disappointed by all means as
the American aggregation led by keystone sacker Tom Higa's five hits,
one of which won the tussle in the final frame, won over the National
brigade by a 7-6 count on that memorable Independence Day. The National
group backed by such five-pointers as the two Hinos, George Shimizu,
Louie Sugawara and Sam Hasegawa were held to 8 bingles by the winners'
pellet twirler, Tak Taketomo.
The following day found the old hickory stick and the
horsehide in action again as the International and Manzanar outfits
clashed to determine who was going to offer the competition to the
American leaguers. All the former had to throw at the latter was
pitcher-slugger Ben Taketomo and "piano-fingered" Harry Tashima and the
game was in the bag for the International force, 8-3. Duke Murata's
flawless fielding that afternoon was also worth mentioning.
A.L. MEETS MATCH
Then came the final climaxing diamond fest which had
the favored American nine meet a spectacular International ball team
only to be upset with the same Taketomo and Tashima doing most of the
handcuffing. The two winning chuckers limited the opposing enemy
sluggers to two measly safeties with many of the Americaneers going down
the whiff route. And that was that.
TEAMS CONCLUDE SEASON
After that brief "vacation" the members rejoined
their teams and got down to completing the races in their respective
loops. A few rapid passing weeks and the champs were known. The San
Fernando Aces convincingly showed that they have some of the best ball
players in the business by walking off with the National crown dropping
just a single tilt throughout the season. The No. 1 spot in the American
standing wasn't decided until the final fracas when the Pedro Gophers
walloped the Ramblers to fill that vacancy. The International title was
nabbed by the Marlins while the Has Beens encountered no trouble in the
Manzanar jaunt. The youthful Pirates walked home with the Owens'
goodies.
THEY TRIED ANYWAY
The long reigning sport of baseball was given that
added golden finishing touch when Manzanar's Little World Series
featuring the quintet of champs was played off in an attempt to decide
the one and only camp title holder. It started off rather successfully
with the San Fernando Acemen tumbling the Marlins in the series opener
and the Gophs edging the Pirates in the following contest.
Hiram Hino & Co. made it their second win using
the Has Beens as the victims in a 5-1 drubbing. It was next the Marlins
who rode the victory cart with Kaz Kawachi at the reins. Although his
wildness allowed 5 runs the Pirates did not register a single hit off
the lanky deliverer. The Aces and Gophers then met in what was supposed
to be the main bout until an unfortunate incident occurred that halted
all series' progress. It was announced by the guiding department to
recrown the five original loop holders—all blessed with champ
honors. Thus one of this camp's major sports dropped the curtains ending
a season of remembrance.
BRAWNY BICEPS FOR LITTLE BALL
It was the strength of the mighty Manzanar tanned
biceps that the first volley leather was served over the net in decisive
fashion, dating back to a Saturday afternoon, October 17th.
Leading the parade of potentials in the Owens League
were the Oliver Broncos outclassing the mediocre Manza-knights in a
two-gamer. Tabbed the dark horse, the galloping Gaels rode through an
easy set when the Padres failed to make a showing. The youthful Dusty
Niners found the Girls All-Star to their liking as they shook the dust
from their heels.
The favored Manzanar league Scorpions with Sano Bros.
and force were handed their first set-back in their initial appearance.
Lei draped Aloha Ramblers flattened the Platter Turners. . . Rangers
were victim No. 1 for the Vandals . . . unknown Buckeyes shoved the
Pages for their first loss.
