Kerley was a star shortstop in Muny circles for 12 years and coached youth at the Affton Athletic Association for an additional seven years. A right-handed thrower and hitter, Clay was a standout on such strong clubs as the Swarthout Cubs, St. Louis Union Printers, Borbein-Young, and in the military service. Kerley was chosen to the Muny All Star Team (North) in 1941 and 1942, and in 1944 he was selected as an All Star for the U.S. Army Signal Corp. Club. In 1946 Clay Kerley, playing for the Union Printers in the Union Printer’s International Baseball League national tournament, was chosen for the MVP Award, along with the Ed Springmer, Sr. Memorial Medal and a trophy presented by the Boston Herald-Traveler newspaper.