The Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inducted the Town of Radville and the Wallin family of Radville at the Hall of Fame and Museum Association annual general meeting on April 22.

The Wallin family, which was inducted in the family category, has been playing baseball in the Radville area for nearly 100 years and over five generations. Some of the sons, grandsons and great-grandchildren have had the opportunity to play baseball in other parts of Canada from Grand Forks, B.C. to Cornerbrook, Nfld. in tournaments and Canadian championships.

The Wallins' history with baseball in Radville began when Elem Wallin arrived in Canada in 1905 and a team called the Buffalo Valley Ball Club was formed in the era of 1908 before the Radville Ball Club started up in 1912.

Elem's playing days came to an end when an errant ground ball struck his cheek bone, dislodging his eye from its socket. Doctors in Weyburn were able to repair the eye, but he was unable to play baseball anymore. Elem kept his vision and was able to watch his sons and grandsons play ball in the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

Elem (who played ball for a total of 10 years in the Radville area), Albert (Elem's younger brother), Arthur (Elem's older brother) and Melvin (played semi-pro ball in Seattle, Wash., in the 1920s and younger brother of Elem) were the first generation of Wallin baseball players.

The fifth generation of Wallins playing baseball include Jesse (currently playing in Radville), Colton (currently playing in Radville) and Matthew (playing with teams in Edmonton).

The Town of Radville was inducted in the community category for its long history with the game of baseball. Since the town's very beginning, Radville has fielded a ball team. In 1911, Radville held their first Sports Day with baseball as the main attraction. The railroad even helped out with the affair by running three special trains to bring people to the Sports Day.

By 1915, a "City Baseball League" was formed and contained four Radville teams. These teams consisted of CNR men, doctors, ministers, business men, teachers, labourers, farmers and just about every available young man in town.

It was in the 1970s that softball became a popular sport in Radville for those who didn't play baseball and some who played both. During the 1980s, there were so many organized ball teams in Radville, for players of all ages, that in the early spring season on almost any evening a ball game could be found underway at every available ball diamond in town.