Ex-Jays signee Gary Frank to be inducted into Saskatchewan ball hall

Former Toronto Blue Jays signee Gary Frank (Regina, Sask.) will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame on August 18. Photo Credit: Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame

Courtesy of Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame

Gary Frank, of Regina, Sask., will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame, Individual Category, as a Player/Builder Aug. 18 in Battleford for his contribution to Saskatchewan baseball history.

Born in Melville, Sask., on March 22, 1960, Frank played minor baseball in Regina from 1970 to 1978 in multiple league, provincial and national championships. He signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1978, played in the Rookie League, Florida State League and Winter Instructional League 1978-80.

Standing 6-foot-6, weighing 250 lbs., with a low mid-90s, big league calibre fastball, he was an imposing presence on the mound.

In 1981, Frank played senior baseball in Fredericton, N.B., with the Marysville Royals. That team won the gold medal at the national championship, the first national title for the province of New Brunswick. That team was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1982 he played with the Saskatoon Patrick Liners who represented Saskatchewan at the nationals that year. That team was inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame.

Frank played with the Regina Capitals 1983-86. That team won the 1983 provincial and western championships.

From 1987 to 2004 Frank became active in Regina Minor Ball and City Park Baseball, implementing a youth baseball program for the communities of Emerald Park and White City. In the first year the Regina Baseball Association registered six teams, then nine the following year, including two AAA. In 2001, a team from this program won the Regina Bantam AAA championship and another team the provincial Bantam A championship. Frank was also responsible for coaches, umpires, ball diamonds and all areas of the organization.

Frank coached pee wee and bantam teams in the RBA AAA division from 2002-04 and the Bantam Selects from 2004-06, with the team winning gold at the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games.

Frank assisted with the Midget Selects program at various camps and tournaments from 2008-10.

Frank was inducted into the City of Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.