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A legendary baseball team that helped break racial barriers on the prairies was honoured in Regina, 75 years after stepping up to the plate.
The Indian Head Rockets, were an all-African American and Latino team that played in Saskatchewan during the 1950s.
The team was celebrated at Wednesday’s Regina Red Sox game at Currie Field, with two surviving members, Nat Bates and Willie Reed, both 94 years old, in attendance.
“They couldn’t believe we’d be interested in bringing them back 75 years,” Gary Brotzel, Regina Red Sox president, said.
“They had nothing but good things to say about the community. They were treated as equals. They could eat anywhere, go anywhere. It wasn’t like what they were dealing with in California in the 1950s.”
Listen to Gary Brotzel and Don Jewitt on The Evan Bray Show:
The tribute, organized by the Indian Head Museum and the Regina Red Sox, included a pre-game ceremony and a historical display at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.
Brotzle said the idea for a tribute game came from Robyn Jensen at the Indian Head Museum.
“We were thrilled when Robyn approached us about doing something,” he said. “This is a pretty cool event. Honouring one of Saskatchewan’s most legendary baseball teams.”
The Rockets drew record crowds in the 1950s and became known not just for their talent, but cultural and community impact. Their return brought strong emotions for both the fans and the players.
“They were both getting emotional,” said Brotzel. “Nat said it was like digging up old bones.”
Nat Bates, top row, fourth from left and Willie Reed, bottom row, fourth from left played on the Indian Head Rockets in the 1950s. (Indian Head Rockets/Western Canada Baseball website)
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One key figure behind the team’s success was Dick Jewitt, an executive member and public announcer at Rockets games. His son, Don Jewitt, joined the Evan Bray show and shared some of the family history.
“I’ve come to realize that his participation was pretty significant,” he said. “He was the voice of the Rockets, doing play-by-play at games that drew at least a thousand people, with cars lined around the outfield.”
Don Jewitt said his father might have even named the team.
“He is in the minutes for making the motions to name them the Rockets,” he said.
Dick Jewitt, second from left in the very back row, was a local official at the time and played a key role in the team’s development. (Indian Head Rockets/Western Canada Baseball website)
The field in Indian Head is now named Jimmy Robinson Field after one of the original organizers. Jewitt said the community’s support left a lasting mark.
“Every kid in town playing ball is a Rocket,” he said. “So it’s left quite a legacy for us all.”
