Gold Medal 1972,Canadian A Mens
Fastpitch Fastball,Media,Fun,Music,more
Leagues I Played in to meet fine People
Neuanlage Pembroke Warman Public and High
Saskatoon Commercial D
Saskatoon CommercialA
Saskatoon Senior A
Rostherm FFc Coach,Stoon Special Mens
Inter-City Fastball League For Weyburn Calgary Juniors Coach,Provincials
Western Major Professional League
Swift Current and District Fastball League
Swift Current Men's Senior League
Can-Am central Fastpitch League
Moose Jaw Legends 40 plus<> Provincials
Can-Am Fastpitch League
Medicine Hat Fastball League
Calgary Oldtimers Classics
Calgary Industrial League Co-coach,Sr,A
Gordie Howe Fastball Field
was the very best park,anywhere,and it was a pleasure to play our games there.The A league had teams from Warman,College Lads,Merchants,Braves and Hectors! The league was very competive and all looked and acted like pros ,all had nice uniforms,MerchantsGreen,Lads Blue and Gold,Warman Brown and Yellow,Braves in there Wine and Grey, and the Hectors were in Red and White!the umpires were all first class and Saskatoon had the best League anywhere,the hardest league to get outof, and qualify for the provincials.
Several hilights of the year was the annual Merchants Tourney,in June,Teams came from Sask.,Ab.,Man.,BC.,motana and washinton and the odd time from Coloradoand Utah!!!the league also hosted The King and his Court,Donkey ball,the California Cuties ,all events with a flair for entertainment,fantasic crowds!!!The league games attracted between 800 -1200 per doubleheader and for special events or final playoffs,2500-3000 wonderful fans jammed the place ,oh,how sweet ,all the media coveage,games on thus nites were TV taped and replayed on Saturdays ,it was GOOD!!!
College Lads:
This was the team!!It had it all,class,speed,desire,coaching,dedication,almost militant for perfection!Our two Generals,Gil Strum and Porky Hulme,were in control. They had the strategy,the back-up,the drills,the pain. the fun! the lineup was ,almost perfect,John Podeleski,the catcher was in charge of the playing team,what a catcher,he taught me how to pitch,find strategy and follow through,Pod controlled the pitches and all ball players knew the pitch coming,they could prepare for a ground ball,fly ball,pitch-out and so on ! Here is where my eyes where opened and started to learn the game.
We were taught to be punctual,dressed to the nine yards,and go thru routines,no idleness allowed,period!!!I was taught to field bunts,cover first if the shift was on,cover home plate as a back up to Pod .Our infield was flawless,Ed Chenowyth,Harv Hildebrandt,Gary and Pete Gueunther,Dale Volden and John Doell. The outfield had Ed Swiderski,Dave Pankratz,Garry Peters,John Doell,Georgr Symchuck(he also caught),our trainers were Paul Kuzma,Chuck Porter and Paul Kostnechenko,all had their work to do and do it well!!
The dress code was strict,we used the Hilltops colours of blue,gold and white,many where ex Toppers and that was our sponsors way of thanking them and honouring them as well. We were sponsored by The College Shop Mens Wear!!!All players and anyone connected to the Lads ,had that pride!!We practised at the UofS indoors from Feb till spring..then we hit the diamond for the real stuff!Oh,yeah,Zacharias and Friesen where the pitchers!! This Is Dedicated to Trainer Paul Kostnechenko who passed away Mar @/2006 Sorry to see Dale Volden pass away @July 10/06,my condolences to the family,I honour him with this College Lads section as well.
When I left the Lads to join Weyburn,their was a lot of anamosty towards me,you should have seen Jack Cookes article in the Star Phoenix,run me down or what,really,I didnt give a dam and was furthering my other dream ,to be in Radio,all I had to offer was my pitching,Weyburn needed it ,I needed them,they had CFSL ,and all was well!I have never regretted that decision and ,Saskatoon political softball scene showed me how clikcy they really where,years later one man ruined our game totally,by buying and importing players,not one team had what is needed to win ,chemistry,ask anyone???
Hildebrandt,Doell,Symchuk,Pankratz,Friesen,Volden,Zacharias,StrummDoerksen,Porky,Guenther (P)Steponchev,Chynoweth,Podaleski,Guenther G,Swiderski
BBGlen Zacharias
CHYNOWETH _ Ed December 14, 1941 - April 22, 2008 Ed Chynoweth, beloved husband of forty-five years to Linda Chynoweth of Calgary and loving father and best friend to Jeff and Dean, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at the age of 66 years. Ed was born on December 14, 1941 in Dodsland, SK. Ed and Linda moved from Saskatoon to Calgary with the Western Hockey League in 1976 and have resided in Calgary ever since. Ed will be remembered as a builder of the game of hockey with the Western Hockey League and the Canadian Hockey League. Besides his loving wife Linda, Ed is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Michele Chynoweth of Cranbrook, BC, Dean and Rebecca Chynoweth of Swift Current, SK; and was also "Poppa" to three grandchildren, Courtney, Ryan and Stella.
WOW:
I had the privilege to play ball and meet many lasting friends,basically,worldwide!This all began in Neuanlage,however,the move to Warman,was the watering for the earlier seeds planted!The Warman connection is very strong,and recently,Warman,was 100 years old! What a job the mayor,alderpersons,town employees and volunteers did to promote and come through with a successful,100 year homecoming and celebration!!Job well done,congrats!!!
I started something there that I hope will flourish and grow,the Warman Wall Of Winners!!!!WOWW!I donated some trophies,my original Gems jacket,College Lads Blazer,and Canadian Team 72 Jacket,these are all very personal and meaningful items,more will be added once I have the script done for my book,"Wildpitch," I"m just starting to gather all the records, keeping material such as scrap books,TV and newspaper archives. We do need assistance in funding,material and interviews from fans and media,etc,I have strong Old Colony Mennonite and General Conference roots and will call upon them as well to help,perhaps MCC will help as well,I will check out all avenues and even take donations. Feed back or suggestions will be respected and appreciated!Thankyou very much!Maybe the Book will be sponsored.
The Town of Warman has changed allot since my days there,its for the better and looks real good. Originally the town was called Diamond,but changed to honor Cy Warman,a writer and railroad man,the diamonds still there in the form of a Gem,I swear the Northern Lights,start there!!All the best and ,please Warman,take care of my families memorabilia and budget for a Museum or a WWOW ,whatever form,its history and needs to be used for the future today,thanks Warman and your welcome!!!©cj
Thanks to Ray and Ralph Ens,Arlie Regier,Lee Hildebrand,Don Yurchuck,Ed Neufeldt,Ron Haichert,Len and Bob Neufeld,Lloyd Neufeld,Richard and Don Dyck,Wally Davis-Mayor,Shane,Michelle,Linda and Bernie Schaffer,John and Cathy Giesbrecht!!!!!
74Stoon
Merchants Prov Champs:Newby,Podeleski,Moore,Hawrilyu,Bates,
Wright,Wagner,Friesen,Kostnichenko,Zacharias,Serada,Koakatilo,Porter,Pavloff,Deeredahl
Friesen Brothers
For George: The Friesen Bros,Band:.,are a fixture in Gospel music ,since the late 50's,or early 60's.All the musicians came upon their talent,naturally,and played it for enjoyment and to entertain. The humble beginnings are always,still there!Pete -fiddle,George -steel guitar,Neil-guitar,Isaac-violin,Abe-mandolin,and John Peters-Bass,started it all,later joined by Jake as bass vocalist. Now John Reimer plays lead guitar and vocals as well. Neil and Ike also plays mandolin and George played Dobro as well.
George,passed away several years ago,at an early age in the mid sixties,too soon ,as far as we all are concerned,but God had plans and followed through with them. George liked fastball as well as music,and hockey,I dare say he was a Leaf fan!The boys put out a new CD,Precious Memories,a Tribute to George,an Honour well deserved ,feel like they are all my own Brothers,as our parents where bothers and sisters,we are double cousins, that is close,and we were very close in our growing up years in Neuanlage. The closeness was further demonstrated as Jake,a well known southpaw pitcher,was Edna and My Bestman at the wedding,music supplied by The Friesen Bros!!Their Dad ,uncle PK,gave me a Softball for a wedding gift,a lovely sense of humour!Peter,jr,was a pitcher as well,horseshoe pitching,and he won many titles,accurate as could be,we discussed sports all the time!
The Brothers,.,play and sing a Bluegrass /Country blend,which is their own unique sound,In closing,Thanks George,we miss you!!This album gets a 5 star ,good work!! Today the boys sort of go in their own ministries,Neil I understand is a freelance guitar and mandolin and singer with several groups,Ike and wife Mary serve at various churches and retirement centers,either as a violinist,duet singing and mandolin as well,Jay is busy with his church and daycare center,I say this,as long as one of them performs,one always will think,"Friesen Brothers"!! Thankyou!
CKSW/CJFB-TV
1956CKSW was launched in Swift Current on June 1, 1956. The radio station began its broadcast history at 1400 kHz and 250 watts of 
power.CKSW originated with a company called Frontier Broadcasting. The company was formed by Bill Forst, a broadcast entrepreneur, and a group of local shareholders. It was the first local radio station in the city, and it arrived during a decade of unprecedented growth in the area.
Within two years of starting the station, Bill Forst left to pursue another local project which involved bringing television to the market. Doug Scott became principal owner after purchasing Bill's shares, and served as general manager of the station for 17 years.
1960sCKSW has been the home of several long and successful careers in broadcasting and the 1960s marked the emergence of several personalities. One of the first to achieve success was June Smith, a popular host who became a household name to local listeners. Another who became familiar to listeners was Wilf Gilbey, who spent a total of 25 years with the station. Power was increased to 1000 watts in 1966.
Art Wallman, however, holds the record for longevity. Art joined CKSW in 1960 and began a remarkable on-air career that lasted for 36 years. "Art Wallman Country" featured regular interviews with friends, listeners and recording artists, and drew fans to the station from across the province.
1970sThis period marked a series of changes in both ownership and management. Golden West Broadcasting became principal owner of CKSW in 1975. The company purchased Doug Scott's shares, and the acquisition of the station marked the first of many that would follow in the province.
. Neil Friesen as Sales Manager,in 1975.Lenn Enns became general manager in 1976The station received national attention when Bev Lockhart hosted the on-air broadcast of a Swift Current Broncos hockey game. This was a major accomplishment, as she became the first female announcer in history to do play-by play of a sports event.
1990sThroughout its existence, CKSW has been a model of consistency. The studios are located at 134 Central Avenue North in Swift Current, and the station has operated from this location since it first received its licence. CKSW moved to 570 kHz in 1977 and increased power to 10,000 watts. This gave the station coverage across the province and allowed it to reach beyond local listeners in the Southwest.
Local programs including "Trading Post" and "Nite Watch" have aired for decades in the same time slot. In an era of continued format and ownership changes, CKSW maintains a consistent and successful balance of programming.
The station has served as the voice of the Southwest for almost five decades and is familiar to listeners in Saskatchewan for its unique blend of news information, country music and inspirational programming. CKSW will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2006. Lee Friesen,Mooseworld .
CBC Affilliate cjfb-tv
Saskatchewan
1957
Bill and Julie Forst demonstrating the station's new video tape machine to sales manager Walter Buffam. (from mid 70's)CJFB-TV was the third television station to be established in Saskatchewan and signed on the air December 23rd 1957 at 6 p.m. The opening of the station was viewed as a Christmas present for the people of Swift Current and Southwest Saskatchewan. The studio and transmitter were built on land overlooking the city and with its 360-foot tower, it became known as Television Hill.
When the station was launched, it was built using state of the art equipment and with a series of transmitters located across the Southwest, CJFB-TV brought television for the first time in history to viewers in Swift Current, as well as to communities in Shaunavon, Eastend, Maple Creek, Val Marie, Pontiex, Riverhurst and Elrose.
CJFB-TV was a unique station in Saskatchewan and its original founders, Bill and Julie Forst, combined to manage the broadcast outlet from beginning to end. Innovative and independent, the Forst family in Swift Current maintained and operated Channel 5 for a total of 45 years.
1970s
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson being interviewed in studio by reporter Don Hoskins. (from mid 60's)CJFB-TV had a long and distinct history in the community. With the leadership and foresight of its original owners, the station pioneered a number of achievements, which were adopted not only by television broadcasters in the province, but also by networks across the country.
The station was the first in Canada to broadcast its own satellite weather information, through the use of antennae-tracking and facsimile equipment that was built and assembled at the station. This type of weather broadcasting was the forerunner in Canada and allowed viewers to gain important information of changing weather patterns and pending prairie storms.
The station is also credited with the creation of the Kinsmen Telethon in the province, an event that has grown to become a provincially televised fundraiser called Telemiracle. This unique broadcast is recognized nationally for the tens of millions of dollars that it has raised for local individuals with disabilities in Saskatchewan.
2002
Throughout its history, the television station was a vehicle for aspiring broadcasters. The training they received at CJFB TV was the beginning of numerous careers, but it was the efforts of long term employees who kept the station active and visible in the community. These included sales manager Walter Buffam, chief engineer Gary Shepherd, news anchor Gord Foth and producer Wade Bergstrom.
CJFB TV closed its local studios on May 31, 2002 and the station's transmitters, towers and land were sold to CBC television. It operates today as a broadcast repeater. Network programming originates from its facilities in Toronto. News and Public affairs are provided through studios in Regina. The transmitter and towers remain on the original site in Swift Current.
CJFB TV held an open house before its closing and invited viewers to tour the facilities for a final time and reminisce about the past. As with their official launch in 1957, people came from across Southwest Saskatchewan. The era of local television was now at an end, but remarkably, the gift that had been presented to the community in 1957 had managed to last for almost half a century.
Source: Julie Forst - Swift Current Telecasting Co. Ltd. NOTE: our condolences to Debbie and Darlene and their families,on the passing of their Father ,Mr,Bill Forst,he was 80,the founder and owner of CJFB-TV,now operated by the CBC.At the time of his passing he resided in Edmonton. cjfJuly27/06Written by Lee Friesen - June, 2002
I was General Sales Manager from 1983-1988 CJF John Ens and I did a fastball telivision final between my Team Garths Carpet and Rush Lake,I was colour man and coached at the same time,this was a 1st for TV in Southwest Sask.I still have video and sound track of it!!! John is now Rev.Ens in Med Hat.
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years at CKSW in Swift Current, where he was recognized with numerous awards and achievements. By itself, his broadcasting career is one to be admired, but what's remarkable is that he achieved all of this despite being unable to walk as a child and unable to read until the age of 20.
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