Clayton Ermel inducted into Sask Baseball Hall of Fame

Clayton Ermel was introduced to baseball starting in the Tee Ball division, Minor Baseball League in Lloydminster, then 3 years in the Mosquito Division in Saskatoon, returning to Lloydminster Merchants, Pee Wee Division. He continued to play for local Lloydminster teams for the remainder of his baseball career. His father, Robert Ermel, coached his minor ball and played an integral role in developing Claytons skills and fostering his passion for the game. His brother Shayne, an elite pitcher, mentored and was an inspiration to Clayton.

Clayton also supported the game he loved by umpiring for over 25 years as well as guest coaching at pitching for Lloydminster minor ball. As a member of the Lloydminster Bears, Clayton helped build new diamonds in Lloydminster for the 1997 Alberta Summer Games. Then in 2012 and 2019, when the Border City Blue Jays hosted and organized the Senior AA Tier 2 Provincial Championships, Clayton also coached and managed the Blue Jays.

In 1995 Clayton was a player with the Lloydminster Merchants, the Provincial and Western Canadian Pee Wee AA Tier1Champions.

In 2002 he played with the Lloydminster Twins, the Provincial Senior AA Tier 2 Champions as well as the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League [NSRBL] Champions! Clayton was the closing pitcher of the final game.

In 2003, Clayton was one of the founding playing members of the Border City Blue Jays and played, coached and managed from 2009 to 2021, with the team winning the Provincial Senior AA Tier 2 Championship in 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2018. Also, the Jays were the NSRBL League Champions in 2015 and 2018.In the 2015 League semi-final game, Clayton pitched the complete game shutout leading the team to the championship.

During the 18 years with the Border City Blue Jays, Clayton was nominated multiple times for League MVP and played in several NSRBL All-Star Games.

Over the years, Clayton was picked up by many teams to play in tournaments across the province, most notably with the Regina Ghosts in 2013 and 2014, for the Western Canadian Twilite Series. In the 2013 tournament, Clayton hit a two-run home run to take the lead and win the game. The Ghosts won the tournament both years.

Clayton’s success with the Ghosts led him to take the Jays to the annual event from 2015 to 2019, winning the tournament in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Clayton Ermel continues to make his home in Lloydminster.