ESTEVAN - Estevan Minor Baseball paid tribute to one of its most successful teams during Friday's opening ceremonies for the Baseball Saskatchewan 11U AA Tier 2 B and the 15U AA Tier 1 provincial championships at Mel Murray Cactus Park.
Members of the 1997 Estevan Utility Mine bantam AAA team tossed out the ceremonial opening pitches. Coaches Mel Murray and Terry Mehler threw the pitches to members of the Estevan 11U AA Tier 2 Brewers squad, and then Darcy Henry, Brian Murray and Steve Bachorcik did the same with the Estevan 15U AA Brewers.
MC Kevin Sliva noted that Murray and Mehler coached together for 15 seasons at all levels of the sport, and took two teams to national tournaments.
"In those 15 years, as Mel said, there was not even a single disagreement between the two, which is amazing," said Sliva.
The 1997 team won provincial final at home, 13-10 over the Saskatoon Cardinals. Nick Tarnes hit a walk-off, grand-slam home run.
"Nick said before that, 'Don't count us out. We're not done yet.' He knew what was going to come," said Sliva.
The team went on to finish fourth at the national championship.
Sliva noted the 1997 season was also marred by tragedy, as Shawn Sopko, a 13-year-old member of the team, died in a car accident. The team dedicated the season to him, and they wore a patch with his No. 18 on their jerseys.
It was the second provincial title for some members, as they also won the 1994 peewee AAA provincial title. Sliva noted many players from the 1997 squad had been together since tee ball.
Sliva also used the opening ceremonies to pay tribute to Murray for all of the work he has done over the years. Sliva pointed out Murray is a member of the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and a life member of the Western Canada Baseball Hall of Fame.
Murray thanked Jen Lozinsky for the work she put in to make the weekend tournaments happen. He pointed out she isn't in Estevan this weekend, as she is watching her daughter's softball provincials.
The opening ceremonies also featured the marching in of the teams and speeches by dignitaries.
