The Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame will welcome the Sager family into its shrine in June of 2019.

Howie & Oddney Sager of Morden along with their sons Steve and Wayne and daughter Jennifer, who have all made signifcant contributions to baseball and fastball in Morden, will be inducted in the Hall of Fame.

"When I grew up baseball was one of my first loves," said Howie Sager shortly after the news conference to announce next years slate of inductees wrapped up at the Manitoba Hall of Fame in Winnipeg on Monday. "Baseball in the summer time was a key part of my life. I met Oddney at a ball game. We got married and we had kids and they carried on. I was lucky, my wife loved baseball and they all carried on the sport just like we did. Now we sit back and watch them do their job and watch our grandkids play. That's where our lives are now."

Steve Sager had an outstanding career as an all-star third baseman and pitcher in junior and senior baseball and since 2006 has coached minor, high school and senior teams.

Wayne Sager was a talented left-handed pitcher and home run hitter who also had outstanding junior and senior careers and also gave back to the game by coaching after his playing career was over.

Jennifer Sager played 1st base and was named All Canadian at Junior Nationals and has since had a distinguished coaching and clinician career.

"Baseball was always a big part of our family," said Steve. "We practiced lots on the farm playing different types of games. Me and my brother always had home run contests, we had our own pitching mound, so we were always playing throughout the year."

All three Sager ball players witnessed their parents passion for baseball from the dugout.

"They spent a lot of time volunteering in the community especially baseball," Steve said. "They were coaching, held some of the executive positions and made sure baseball went on. My dad organized the July 1st tournament for the Elks for over 20 years. Baseball was a big part of our household."

Armin Gitzel of Carman, who helped Miami win six consecutive Provincial titles from 1950-55, will also be inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.

"It was good ball," said Gitzel whose favourite memory was stealing home off Hall of Famer Glennis Scott. "Just a bunch of guys having fun. About all there was to do those days."

Gitzel also played senior ball in the South Central Border League with the Carman Cardinals from 1954-61 and then with Graysville in 1962 & 63 when they won back-to-back championships.

The 23rd Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held June 1st at the Access Event Centre in Morden which is the home of the Hall of Fame.