Wayne Strueby remembers joining the Marysburg Royals as a 14-year old in 1968.

His father, Isidore, was on the team; Isidore’s brother, Sylvester, coached. Their other brothers all played at some point as well.

In fact, a Strueby has been on the team in each season of its 100-year history. Strueby’s fondest memory is coaching the Royals to a provincial championship in 2011 with seven sons and nephews on the team.

“We have a big family and there were lots of boys and they all played ball,” said Strueby, who played infield until 1994.

“Baseball is just a great game. All your friends were playing, it was great to be around the guys and you always enjoy the competition. At that time we had a really good local league here and lots of good local rivalries. It was just a lot of fun.”

The team formally started in 1918, though baseball had been played in Marysburg as far back as 1906.

There’s been a Royals team every year since then, even through the world wars and the Dirty Thirties. They now play in the Saskatoon Senior Baseball League.

On their Twitter profile, the team says it plays in “God’s country,” and they give back by holding an annual kids baseball camp.

The Royals are more than just a team for the hamlet of Marysburg, which has a population almost small enough to count on two hands.

“In our little community it’s one of the last things left, really. It gives a connection, I guess, one thing that’s left yet out there. We’re struggling to keep things going and that is one thing that’s still going.”