Elmer Torgerson will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, August 20th in Battleford, Sask.
Elmer Torgerson was born February 28th, 1920, in Brownlee, Saskatchewan and grew up and went to school in the Esbank district where his parents operated a large farm. While growing up, Elmer liked hockey, hunting and fishing, but his passion was baseball. It was in his hometown of Esbank where he began playing the game of baseball on the local junior team. Being big for his age, Elmer pitched his first senior game at the age of 15. He has remained in senior company ever since.
In 1941, Elmer joined the Air Force and served as a wireless air gunner and later, radar. He also received his wings and became a flying officer. After the war, Elmer returned to Esbank to farm with his father and uncle, and, to play baseball, joining the Lake Valley All-Stars and later the Rowletta Lakers.
In 1948, Elmer joined the Moose Jaw Oilers [Oilmen] of the South Saskatchewan Baseball League, winning most games in the league that year as a pitcher, with a total of 5 wins. Elmer, along with Aubrey Downton, pitching for the Wilcox team, pitched in the most games for the league with a total of 10. Elmer tied with Cliff Harrison of the Regina Caps, pitched a total of 8 games, the most games started in the league. He tied with 4 other players for the most complete games pitched- 6 full games!
In 1949 Elmer moved over to the Moose Jaw Purity Canucks where his former Oilmen team-mate Gordon Inkster and Mort Cooper coached and managed the team. It was with this team that Elmer became a well-known player and a fan favourite. He was known for his hard pitching and heavy batting. He often filled in for any other position on the field when needed. Elmer was a very well-rounded ball player indeed. His pitching won the club the South Saskatchewan Baseball League final.
The year 1949 was definitely a baseball year to remember. The Moose Jaw Purity Canucks lost the first 2 games of the final series against the Regina Caps but came back to win in a 5-4 victory in the 6th game played at home, taking the 1949 South Saskatchewan Baseball League Championship!
After winning the championship, Elmer turned his focus to farming and starting a family. In 1953 he married Janet Andrews of Regina. The took over the family farm in Esbank and had four children.
Elmer Torgerson died in 1997.
