ElRoy 'Weed' Vidlund
2026 Glenn Carlson Honoree
Watertown, MN
Watertown, MN
ElRoy was a lifelong resident of Watertown, MN. He was born in Hollywood Township and raised on a farm in Watertown Township about eight miles from town. He developed a love for baseball at an early age and played baseball and basketball at Watertown High School, graduating in 1943.
ElRoy served in the Navy during World War II from 1944-1946. After being honorably discharged, he went to play winter ball for a semi-pro team in Arkansas where he garnered interest from several professional scouts. However, he came back to Watertown in 1947 to play for the Red Devils under their newly installed lights. ElRoy was Watertown’s second baseman for 25 years from 1943-1967 and was known as a hard-nosed, left-handed hitting lead-off hitter who helped the Red Devils win a state title in 1951. He also managed the team his last four seasons, from 1964-1967.
After his playing career, ElRoy began umpiring and was a member of Northwest Umpires for over 25 years. He worked amateur and high school baseball as well as high school softball, including many games and tournaments for the modified leagues at Hollywood Sports Complex. ElRoy had a reputation for being confident and fair as well as professional and respectful. When umpiring, he always hustled to get in position to make the right call.
ElRoy was a life-long member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown where he served as an usher and also served on the Watertown City Council from 1969-1981. He was instrumental in keeping the baseball park at its current location at Highland Park when the city was considering a new housing development on that site. ElRoy found information that proved the land had been donated and designated as a ball field, effectively saving Highland Park for future generations of ball players.
ElRoy's love of the game was beyond measure. He once said he would rather play ball than eat; it was a way of life for him. Now, his love of baseball and other Minnesota sports carries on with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
ElRoy passed away in 2014 at the age of 87. His wife, Dorothy, preceded him in death in 2008. They are survived by their three daughters, Kathleen (Darrell) Carlson, Mary (Steve) Volz and Jane (Wade) Juntunen, along with eight grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
ElRoy served in the Navy during World War II from 1944-1946. After being honorably discharged, he went to play winter ball for a semi-pro team in Arkansas where he garnered interest from several professional scouts. However, he came back to Watertown in 1947 to play for the Red Devils under their newly installed lights. ElRoy was Watertown’s second baseman for 25 years from 1943-1967 and was known as a hard-nosed, left-handed hitting lead-off hitter who helped the Red Devils win a state title in 1951. He also managed the team his last four seasons, from 1964-1967.
After his playing career, ElRoy began umpiring and was a member of Northwest Umpires for over 25 years. He worked amateur and high school baseball as well as high school softball, including many games and tournaments for the modified leagues at Hollywood Sports Complex. ElRoy had a reputation for being confident and fair as well as professional and respectful. When umpiring, he always hustled to get in position to make the right call.
ElRoy was a life-long member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown where he served as an usher and also served on the Watertown City Council from 1969-1981. He was instrumental in keeping the baseball park at its current location at Highland Park when the city was considering a new housing development on that site. ElRoy found information that proved the land had been donated and designated as a ball field, effectively saving Highland Park for future generations of ball players.
ElRoy's love of the game was beyond measure. He once said he would rather play ball than eat; it was a way of life for him. Now, his love of baseball and other Minnesota sports carries on with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
ElRoy passed away in 2014 at the age of 87. His wife, Dorothy, preceded him in death in 2008. They are survived by their three daughters, Kathleen (Darrell) Carlson, Mary (Steve) Volz and Jane (Wade) Juntunen, along with eight grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.