The Estevan Steel Reef under-11 Brewers used their home tournament this past weekend to pay tribute to one of the long-time volunteers with the Estevan Minor Baseball Association.
Mel Murray, who was a coach and an executive member with minor baseball until he retired in 2008, performed the honourary coin toss prior to a game between the Brewers and the Yorkton Cardinals on May 4.
It was the perfect time to do it. The Brewers are coached by Darcy Henry, who played baseball for Murray when Henry was a boy, while the Cardinals are coached by Murray’s son Brian.
Henry’s son Broden plays for the Brewers, while Brian Murray’s son Cohen is part of the Cardinals.
Darcy Henry said he wanted to recognize Mel Murray for being a huge part of minor baseball in Estevan.
“He was awesome,” said Henry. “He got us all of the best uniforms, all of the best diamonds, and he pretty much built everything down here (Cactus Park). He was very positive, and pretty much taught us everything we know about baseball. It was just a blast growing up and playing baseball for him.”
Mel Murray is a member of the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame for his local contributions.
But Henry said Murray also liked to play a very aggressive style of baseball, and played to win the game.
Henry said it would be weird coaching against Brian Murray, but they would still be friends after the game.
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