Rick Morrice was born March 3, 1951 in Eston where he attended school and played all his minor sports.
At 16, Morrice was asked to go with the Eston Ramblers to represent Saskatchewan at the first Canadian Summer Games in Halifax.
After graduating from high school, Morrice attended the University Center in Williston, N.D. from 1968 to '71 on a partial baseball scholarship, taking recreation. He began his baseball career as a pitcher, but ended up a catcher.
Following his education, Morrice returned to his roots in Eston, joining the Ramblers again while working and eventually owning a clothing store.
Morrice played for the Eston Ramblers for 20 years, then carried on in the capacity of coach or manager until the team folded in 1993. The Ramblers played in three leagues during his playing years including: Mid West, Northern Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League.
Morrice helped the Ramblers win six Saskatchewan Major League Championships as well as several major tournaments in Eston, Kindersley, Unity, Lacombe, Alta., and four consecutive tournaments at Lac La Biche, Alta.
Over the years Eston brought in import players from the United States and Morrice was instrumental in helping find these players. He spent many hours through the winter contacting college coaches to find players to fill the upcoming season's roster. Many of these young players had the privilege of playing with and for Morrice. He was a leader and mentor for the team and also wore many hats as part of the Ramblers. Along with playing and coaching, Morrice also served the team as manager, grounds-keeper, equipment manager and travel secretary. Many hot Sundays when double headers were played, Morrice would be behind home plate. He was always there for the team.
Morrice also had the opportunity to play baseball with the Saskatoon Korchinsky T-Birds, as that team went on to compete at the Canadian Junior Championships.
Later in his career, Morrice was chosen for the all-star team to play against Japan when Japan did a Canadian tour in 1977.
When the Eston Ramblers baseball team folded, he went on to play with the Eston Oldtimers for years, winning a provincial championship.
Morrice managed the Eston Ramblers' senior hockey team to three league championships and a provincial C title.
Presently, Morrice is the recreational director for the Town of Eston, and is playing in his 30th year with the Eston Red Ribbon Oldtimers hockey team. He loves a good game of golf and farms with his son.
Many of those who knew Morrice as a baseball player had only positive things to say about him as a player and a person.
"As a team player, Rick Morrice always gave 100 per cent and was a team leader," said Reg Andrew a teammate of Morrice.
"Rick Morrice was easy to umpire behind," said Brian Watson, an experienced umpire. "He gave umpires the opportunity to make the calls. He never had a short fuse. He respected a well-umpired game. Rick would put his team in the best position to succeed. He was always a good teammate."
"Undoubtedly, Rick Morrice was one of the most passionate people about baseball," said Rev. David Tumback, Ramblers' president for three seasons. "His commitment to the game as a player, a coach, a spectator and supporter was one of the greatest contributions to the game that I have ever witnessed. That same commitment was also witnessed in his desire to give back to the community as a businessman and volunteer."
Rick Morrice will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame during the 27th annual induction, Aug. 20.
