The Beck family of Lang was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, in the family category on Saturday, August 17, in Battleford.
Russell Beck was born on the farm west of Lang, in 1914. His parents had moved to Canada from Iowa in 1911.
Russell married Marguerite Wade in 1936, and they had eight children, a family which has now grown to 149 direct descendants.
Russell was a well-known baseball player, capable of handling most positions on the diamond. He started playing senior baseball in 1933. He played his last games in the League Championship against Avonlea in 1972. Russell was appointed coach of the Lang Senior team in 1934, holding this position until the end of 1979.
The Beck children were all involved in baseball or softball in some way. Joan, the oldest, became a scorekeeper, doing a great job for many years. Her two children played minor ball through their school years.
The oldest son, Bill, played minor ball in Lang, Next in line was Gary, who played his minor ball in Lang. Daughter Marilyn was a great Lang Angels fan, and enjoyed watching the game.Arlene played softball for years in Lang, then she and husband Bernie worked tirelessly in Minor baseball in Milestone where all five of their children played. Youngest son, Ray, played minor baseball in Lang, starting to play senior ball in 1967. He was a left-handed power-hitting batter, a pitcher and an infielder, having been on many championship teams, including the 1989 Senior Provincial “C” Champions.In 2007, Ray was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. Carla played minor ball in Milestone before moving to the city where she coached her children for a short time.Donna, the youngest of the Beck children, played minor ball all through her school years. She and husband Glen Winkler, who played senior ball in Lang for several years, live in Meadow Lake where they were instrumental in getting Meadow Lake on the baseball map.
There are now close to 25 Beck offspring that will be playing the game of baseball. The legacy passed down from Russell and Marguerite to their children and grandchildren has baseball bred into them.
