West Coast-Line

By Russ Bell
DCN Sept. 12, 1962 issue

The Stockton Calif. Joaquin Caballeros held their first contest and the show was a complete success all around. The affair was in conjunction locally with the City Captain Webber Days celebration and featured a night parade with the field contest the next day.

A crowd of 1,000 watched the Richmond Hawks take first place over their big city rivals, the San Francisco Knights of Cathay. The scores were Hawks, 78.20; Cathay, 76.40. In the Srs., the Caballeros, 80.02 and the Sacramento Capatolaiers, 69. A fine exhibition was put on by the Stockton Jrs., the Delta Thunderbirds led by drum major George Ratamoza.

The Napa County Fair featured a huge street parade and a field contest, which was won by Richmond Hawks, 83.4 in the Jrs. The Joaquin Caballeros took first place in the Sr. division with a score of 82.6. This was the first time the Hawks have beaten the Caballeros in points. Led by drum major Frank Rua, the Hawks stepped off the line a little late due to the insistence of the inspection judge on changing the unique style of the Corps presenting their bugles. The music was never better and the concert "No Other Love" and the twist bit with that dancing cymballer De Dotson was a terrific show. The Manhart Sr. Corps took second in the Srs. With a bigger line, this Corps should move up in Corps contests. I like their "St. Louis Blues".

The newest Corps in the North, the Delta Thunderbirds, put on their first field show and had the Hawks all rooting for them on the sidelines. With a very sharp color guard leading a sharp drill with the Corps, Delta plays such numbers as "Besame", "Love Walked In", "Always Chasing Rainbows", and "Never Walk Alone". Drum Major George Ratamoza leads the Corps in a sharp manner and the leaders of this Corps can well be proud of their hard work. John Bouteiller, former N.J. corpsman, is helping with the Corps.

I hope all the eastern fans saw the Knights of Cathay on T.V. Sun., Aug. 19 between halves of the 49er N.Y. Giant pro football game. This will give you a look at two western jrs. as the Hawks appeared last year and are awaiting a call this year to appear perhaps in December.