ASSINIBOIA — The name Ken Hamilton has been in several news headlines lately and this August, the Assiniboia man will receive more accolades as he has been selected to be in the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. Induction gala event will take place this summer.
Earlier, the Assiniboia Times outlined Hamilton’s selection as the Baseball Saskatchewan Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Mike Ramage of Baseball Sask. had noted in this award, “Ken has dedicated the past 32 years as a key member of our board serving as zone director, zone governor, 15u supervisor, 18u supervisor, vice-president, president, past president and most recently co-commissioner. Thank you, Ken, for all of your hard work over the years.”
Ramage himself, in that earlier story, noted he was proud to nominate Hamilton for that Baseball Sask. award, stating, “Ken has been a shining example of what a true volunteer board member should look like. We are extremely fortunate and thankful to have had him serve in these important roles over the last 32 years.”
The recent announcement of Hamilton’s upcoming induction into the Sask. Baseball Museum’s Hall of Fame told the Assiniboia Times, “Ken Hamilton has a long resumé with Baseball Sask., Baseball Canada, Western Canada Baseball Association. It all started way back in 1992, when Ken was first asked to help out as a Zone 3 director. He would serve in this capacity for seven years. This basically got his feet wet and led to an amazing volunteer resumé to come. “
Hamilton’s long and impressive resumé includes:
- In 1997, he also added the Bantam 15U Provincial Division Supervisor
- In 2000, was elected as the Zone 3 Governor after Bob Myles took a step back in that position
- In 2002, he became the Midget 18U Provincial Division Supervisor
- In 2004, he was elected as Vice-President for a 2-year term
- In 2006, he was elected as President for a 2-year term as well as being a Board Member of Baseball Canada and Western Canada Baseball Association. Ken was instrumental in Baseball Canada FINALLY passing a membership fee from all Provinces to Baseball Canada to help generate much needed funding to drive future Grass Root Programs such as Winter ball and Rally Cap.
- In 2008, he served a Past-President as well as the Playoff Chairperson overseeing all Provincial Championships.
- In 2010, he was appointed as an important member of the Baseball Sask. Management & Finance Committee, where he has been on ever since.
- In 2016, he served as a Zone 3 Director once again and has also remained there until now
- In 2017, he took on the massive role as Co-Commissioner, where he had the role of discipline and investigating any and all Umpire Ejection Reports. He has been the driving force in this position ever since as well.
“Along the way, Ken has been very involved with the annual Twilite Provincial Championships as a player and then as a coach of the Assiniboia team, “acknowledges Hamilton’s nomination submission
It was also noted that Hamilton has also been an umpire every year, helping out at the local level, providing an experienced and extremely fair umpire, helping mentor younger umpires, players and coaches alike along the way.
“Perhaps the most amazing thing that Ken has done has been helping contribute to the future of Baseball Sask. programming by very generously donating the majority of his mileage expenses for attending meetings to the Baseball Sask. Sport Legacy Program. Over the years, this amount has added up to an astonishing $16,500.”
Baseball Sask. also adds in the SBHOF nomination, “Finally, as Ken steps away from being a member of the Baseball Sask. board of governors and executive committee after an incredible 32-year run, we would like to thank and honor him by nominating him to the Sask. Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He leaves some very big shoes to fill, and we wish him and his amazing wife, Marj, nothing but the best and don’t be surprised if Mike Ramage rings your phone to be a Baseball Sask. rep at an upcoming provincial championship in the Assiniboia area.”
Hamilton will join 10 other individual and three team inductees at the 2025 Induction ceremony that will take place Aug. 16. This will also mark the 40th anniversary of the SBHOF event, which is one of the museums’ biggest events, drawing large crowds and serving as a key fundraiser.
Since 1985, the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Battleford has been honouring people who have made significant contributions to the sport of baseball in the province. Not only are players and teams honoured, but the museum is also home to countless pictures, stories, uniforms, bats, balls and more.
