Steve Murfin - Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame

Steve Murfin was nominated for many years of service as an organizer, manager, leader, and community service volunteer in Maryland, his home state.

Murfin has brought teams to the Roy Hobbs World Series for more than 20 years, where they have competed in A, AA, and AAA. In recent years, his teams have competed in the 60s and 65s. There have been years he's managed more than one team across multiple age groups.

Murfin has also played in the World Series for his Orioles teams, winning a Legends A Division Championship in 2013.

His supporters for this honor cited his recruiting and organization skills as examples of what make him a good leader. They also mentioned that Murfin's character helps explain why many players continue to play for him over many years.

He coached the Blake High School baseball team in Maryland for 19 years. He does more than hit fungoes. At season-ending banquets, he hands out awards that he pays for out of his own pocket. In addition, he is one of the radio and PA voices of University of Maryland Athletics.

Whether coaching boys or running a men's team, Murfin's character shines through, according to reference, Mike Ellis.

"Steve treats us as family," Ellis said. "He is loyal to players, and players are loyal to Steve."

Murfin's involvement with adult baseball teams can be traced to attending Baltimore Orioles fantasy camps back in the 1990s and early 2000s. This is all while also working as the Executive Director of the Frederick Memorial Health System benefits office.

The Baltimore Orioles won the Roy Hobbs Senior World Series for the second time under the direction of Steve Murfin in 2023. 

Bottom Row L to R: Charlie Deale, Larry Fryer, Paul Williams, Dave Duncan, Charlie Garrett, Frank Petrucci, Joe Athey, Mike Ellis, Scott Harris.

Top Row L to R: John Gibson, Ron Oates, Mark Flemister, Robb Steel, Steve Murfin, Chuck Schwartz, Sal Velazquez, Paul Smeton, Robin Nye, Mark Benz.

I met Murf about 17 years ago through O’s camp and JSB. He’s one of the most hard working and busiest guys I know who makes it all about others enjoying the great game of baseball. From organizing great events with his colleagues to pulling together teams and coaching at Blake he had given selflessly of his time so others could enjoy the sport and each other. It’s interesting to see he was behind the dish on my JSB poster in my basement from 2009. Congrats Murf!! Well deserved. 

Hey Steven, congrats on your induction in Roy Hobbs, someday I will hope to play in a Roy Hobbs tourney?

Congrats Murf!! I can't think of anyone more deserved of this special award by your peers.

Congratulations Murph and a well-deserved recognition for many years of service to baseball!

As a 2-time Stud, let me congratulate you on your selection to the Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame. You're not a bad ump, either.

I have known you as a key person in JSB Baseball since my first event at Cooperstown in 2017. Your energy and enthusiasm for those of us who play in JSB events is genuine and inspiring. No doubt you spend many hours helping plan and execute the outstanding baseball events we all enjoy. I have played for you 2 times over the past several years. I appreciate your winning attitude and desire to make every game enjoyable for all of us.. When you launched the Winter Classic in 2022 I signed up immediately and had the pleasure of playing with my son on your team and then to top it off, we won the event. My son and I are signed up for the second annual Winter Classic.

Congratulations for your induction!

Way to go Steve and Congratulations!

Congratulations to you, Steve. An honor well-deserved! Thank you for all you do to make my baseball experiences so memorable and enjoyable. 

Well deserved, my friend! It was an honor to be able to attend your induction ceremony. I hope and pray you have many more years doing the things you love most.

Congratulations Steve. Well deserved. Your heart and soul have no limits.

Congrats to you Steve! Well deserved. Anyone near you knows sports is in your DNA. You're a great leader on and off the field. I've played with you, for you, and against you. I can't think of a better guy to earn this award.

I would like to express my most heartfelt congratulations on your wonderful accomplishment. I admire your love and devotion to the sport of baseball. It’s a pleasure to share the filed with you and an honor to call you my friend. 

You Da Man!!

Congratulations on your induction to the Roy Hobbs Baseball Hall of Fame. You're an inspiration to all of us. This is a incredible achievement and well-deserved. 

I've known Steve for 10 years and have been a part of many Stud-Murfin rosters. He has never failed to be enthusiastic, generous and a dedicated team player, as well as a pioneering organizer. I consider it an honor to be able to be part of his teams AND a part of the tournaments that he works tirelessly to put together. Congrats, Mr. Murfin....Well Deserved!!!

Steve, Congratulation on a well-deserved award for all you have done to further the game of baseball. It is a special privilege to have you as a teammate and friend.

Murf: Your election to the Roy Hobbs HoF is so well-deserved, my friend! Congratulations!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Hope to see you on a baseball diamond in 2024. 

Every fall, more than 10,000 baseball players (and their families) on almost 300 teams flock to Fort Myers to play in Roy Hobbs Baseball’s annual World Series. They come to celebrate the great game of baseball, perhaps recapture their youth and engage in two great American pastimes – baseball and capitalism.

They come for the games and camaraderie, the fun and the competition, the sunshine, green grass and swaying palms of Southwest Florida.

They come to relax, to recreate and even relocate … and they make Roy Hobbs Baseball into an economic powerhouse for the Lee County Business Community on an annual basis.

The players come from near and far. From Tallahassee and Nova Scotia, from Florida’s east coast to the Great Northwest, from Chicago and Boston and towns across the fruited plain you’ve never heard of before. They even have come from Canada, Russia, the Ukraine, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

In addition to the annual World Series in Fort Myers, there is also the Blue Ridge Spring Dinger, Peach State Classic, Sea Otter Baseball Classic, and Sunshine Classic.

The Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame is guided by the RH Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, which developed the Mission Statement that has been the guidepost throughout the nomination and election process, which includes voting by the existing members of the HoF. Trustees volunteer for 3-year terms and take the lead in reviewing nominations and the vetting of candidates and interviewing nominators and references. The Trustees prepare the materials that then go to the Members of the Hall of Fame for their vote — candidates receiving votes from 70% of responding Hall of Fame Members are elected. The Trustees then review the remaining candidates and vote themselves, again with a 70% threshold for election. Many candidates take two years to be elected.

“The Roy Hobbs Baseball Hall of Fame is established to recognize and honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the game of baseball through their involvement with Roy Hobbs Baseball for at least 15 years, the Roy Hobbs World Series and their local leagues and teams. Individuals shall have made contributions as players, managers, umpires, sponsors or administrators. Contributions should have been made on and off the field of play, all impacting the dugout; a prime consideration for induction is the individual’s Character and contributions to the game, their teammates and baseball colleagues.”

The celebration of Steve Murfin's Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame induction is proudly brought to you by Baseball 4 Causes, honoring individuals dedicated to serving our community and the great game of baseball.