The 1968 Elks All-Stars were undefeated Kansas Elks State Champions. The team was an All-Star team chosen from the 10 team El Dorado Junior League (13 and 14 year olds). The Kansas Elks organization used to sponsor district and state tournaments for 13-14, similar to American Legion for 15-18.
In El Dorado, the players would compete on different teams during the Junior League regular season and post-season tournament through July. Then, the Elks team was chosen. In 1968, the Elks played and won 3 games before the district tournament.
In the 5 team district tournament at Iola, El Dorado shutout Chanute 10-0 in the semi-finals, with Forrest Lowry pitching a one hitter. El Dorado pounded out 13 hits including triples by Dave Hall and Dave Carson and a pair of doubles by Rick Scott.
Wes Blanton went the distance in the championship game as El Dorado downed Humboldt, 10-4. Extra base hits in that game were a triple by Hall and a double by Carson.
The state tournament was held at Central Park Stadium (now McDonald Stadium) in El Dorado. District champions and runners-up qualified for the tournament. El Dorado opened the tourney by blasting Pratt, 18-8, then knocked out Manhattan, 17-6 and blanked Humboldt in the championship game, 10-0. Manhattan downed Leavenworth, 7-6 in the third place game. Other teams in the tournament were Liberal, Hays and Russell.
Lowry was the starting and winning pitcher against both Pratt and Humboldt. He threw 5 innings against Pratt and a complete game 4-hitter against Humboldt. He also helped his cause at the plate against Humboldt with two singles and a triple in four at bats with 3 RBI's.
Blanton was the winning pitcher against Manhattan and John Michal and Mark Singleton pitched in relief against Pratt. Jim Jackson and Chris Carmichael shared catching duties. Hall had a triple and two home runs in the state tournament including a grand slam against Manhattan. Bob Smith also had a triple and made some outstanding plays at shortstop. Other extra base hits in the tourney included a triple by Lynn Butler and a double by Scott.
The manager was Bob O'Neal and he was assisted by Jim Lawson. Other players were Robert Ball, Kevin Hays, Bill Smith, Joe Spellman, Dave Sundgren and Wayne Unruh. Batboys were Tony Butler and Hal Lawson and scorekeeper was Bobby O'Neal.
El Dorado had previously been Elks State Champions in 1964 and 1966.
