ESTEVAN — A long-time supporter and volunteer in the local sports community has received a life member Award from Western Canada Baseball.
Mel Murray was recognized thanks to his 37 years of service with baseball in Estevan and in Saskatchewan. Haley Hayward, who penned an article on Murray for Baseball Manitoba, said Murray is very deserving of this honour.
She noted that in 1985, Murray was elected president of Estevan Minor Baseball and remained in this position until he resigned in 2008. His dedication and passion for the game was obvious during his time with the organization, and he contributed under many different titles, such as a coach, executive member, volunteer and more.
His first experience coaching was with his son’s t-ball squad. He then formed a U11 travelling team and continued coaching through to the 18U division, while also coaching house ball.
In 1994, he guided the Estevan Prairie Coal Haulers 13U team to a provincial title and they went on to participate in nationals in North Bay, Ont. The Estevan team finished fourth. Three years later, Murray’s Estevan 15U team won provincials and again went on to compete in nationals, where they finished fourth again.
After completing the 18U term with his son’s team in 2000, Murray made the decision to return to the U11 level and began developing another travelling team while still coaching house league baseball.
In 2003, he guided the Estevan Luscar 13U AA Haulers to a provincial title and they went on to finish second at Western Canadians in Altona, Man. In 2005, he coached the Estevan 15U AAA Haulers to a provincial title and to nationals in Windsor, Ont., finishing ninth.
In 2008, he submitted a successful bid to host the Western Canada Championships for both 15U and 18U divisions. He coached the 18U team to the gold medal – the first ever for minor ball in Estevan – in his final game as a coach.
Throughout his coaching career, he has also been a major organizer in developing ball diamonds in Estevan. Proactively, Murray took action and was instrumental in strengthening Estevan Minor Baseball and its facilities, beginning the conversation when he noticed areas that needed improvements. The ball diamonds at Cactus Park, as well as the U15 and U18 diamonds at Lynn Prime Park, have all benefitted from his efforts.
He also served 12 years with the parks and recreation board in Estevan and during this time, was appointed chairman of the board for six years. In 1994, he was the recipient of the Merit Award by the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association. Three years later, he was awarded the 小蓝视频east Saskatchewan Volunteer in Sports Award.
Murray went on to also capture the Builder of the Year Award from Saskatchewan Baseball in 2002. This award represented the many hours spent planning, developing and achieving the impressive baseball facility in Estevan. Murray was named Manager of the Year in 2005 and was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
He promoted contributors, both financial and volunteer-based, to become involved. His efforts were successful, and various companies sponsored house teams by providing them with uniforms and equipment. Murray also found sponsors for all the travelling teams from 11U to 18U levels.
His time with the Estevan Minor Baseball executive took place over manyyears. He served as a director of various divisions and his leadership built a strong association in Estevan and the surrounding area. He was the main organizer for numerous provincial championships held in Estevan for all levels.
On top of coaching and field maintenance, he also organized countless events, such as clinics and tournaments, both locally and provincially.
On a provincial level, Mel was involved with Saskatchewan Baseball as a director of various divisions throughout the years, and also served vice-president and president.
And he has played an instrumental part in Estevan hosting three Western Canadian baseball championships. There was the boys U13 and U15 AAA championships, as well as the girls’ tournament, in 2004. Then there was the aforementioned U18 AAA and U15 AAA tournament in 2008, and this past year, Estevan hosted Westerns in the U13, U15 and U18 AA divisions.
More recently, it was when he returned to Cactus Park a few years ago to watch his grandsons play in Estevan that he became very aware that the ballpark was in need of some serious attention. He returned as a volunteer and connected with the president of Estevan Minor Baseball, Joe Williamson, who asked him to be a member at large. Murray was later asked to serve on the executive as director of facilities and maintenance.
Over the past three years, he has done a complete maintenance upgrade to both ball complexes in Estevan. The fields, grounds, fencing, lights and buildings all received upgrades. These facilities are now once again in prime condition to serve the community for several more years.
With the upgrades finished, Estevan was able to resume hosting provincials and Western Canadians. Murray was honoured in 2020, having Cactus Park in Estevan renamed Mel Murray Cactus Park. The 小蓝视频 was held in 2021.
And he was presented with a Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal in November 2022 in honour of all of his work with sports in the community.
