Rich starred in an era when high average hitters were rather the exception instead of the rule. This website is powered by SportsEngine's Sports Relationship Management (SRM) software, but is owned by and subject to the USA Softball of Michigan privacy policy. Softball History USA 2023. Clarence Buck Miller Mens Fast Pitch Pitcher. Through our vast collection of artifacts, the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum strives to educate the public about softballs rich history. Known as one of the top hitters in the 1980-90s, Tucker slugged over 2,000 home runs during his career with over 100 tallied in a single season nine times during a 10-year span including 413 during the 1987 season. He was captain of the 1934 Bendix team and had a 3-1 record in three ASA national (then called world) championships. In 1952, the distance from home plate to the pitchers mound was increased from 35 to 38 feet and Kay again batted .400, with six of her eight hits for extra bases and a tourney-leading 17 total bases. One of the finest fielding left-handed first baseman in womens fast pitch, Ruth Lefty Sears fast pitch career spanned 1936-1955 with all part one season, 1948, spent with the renowned Orange, CA Lionettes. There were no inductees into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 1962. Born April 4, 1928, Contel played on three national championship teams (1953, 1954 and 1957) and was near perfection defensively in national championship play. The 1941 national tournament with the Midgets turned out to be one of the best of her career. umpires. Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, where he played baseball in the Detroit and Boston farm systems, Sprentall made his mark playing softball for the renowned Clearwater, FL Bombers. After starting his career in 1940, Hunter led Nashville teams to city championships in 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946 and 1948 and to state championships in 1943-1944. Waller, Chipley, FL Second Base (Jos Pizza House MVP-1969, Howards Furniture), 1999 Bruce Meade, Bradenton, FL Outfielder-Catcher (Warrens, Nelsons MVP-1977, Jerrys MVP-1982, Elite, Steeles, Vernons), 2000 Bill Gatti, Louisville, KY Catcher (Jiffy Club, Elite, Marlton Trucking, Ritchs Major MVP-1989), 2000 Dennis Graser, Waukesha, WI First Base (Elite, Steeles, Starpath, Ritchs-Superior, Spectrum), 2001 Rick Scherr, Sherrills Ford, NC, Third Base-First Base (Howards MVP-1981, 1983, 1984, Superior-Apollo, Ritchs-Superior), 2001 Don Clatterbough, Mechanicsville, VA, Outfield (Bradleys, Blantons, Kirks/Ritchs, Starpath), 2002 Ronnie Ford, Jacksonville, FL Outfielder (Warren Motors MVP-1976, Elite Coating, Jerrys, Vernons ASA Class-A MVP-1990), 2007 Mike Macenko, Brooke Park, OH Second Base (Hillcrest Tavern, Steeles Sports MVP-1987, 1990, Sunbelt/Worth, Ritchs-Superior), 2010 Mike Shenk, Ephrata, PA Third Base (Taylor Brothers, Shen Valley, Lighthouse, Team TPS, Ritchs-Superior, Long Haul/TPS), 2012 Jerry King, Maysville, KY Third Base (DuBoise Chemical, Campbells Carpets, Steeles Sports, Dannys Drilling), *2014 Craig Elliott, Wadley, AL Pitcher (Toms Foods, Ken Sanders MVP-1978, Elite Coatings, Steeles Sports MVP-1985, MVP-1986, Stewarts), 2015 John Davide, Centereach, NY Short Stop (Empire County Sports, Pepsico), 2017 Mark Martin, Orlando, FL (Lawson Auto Parts, Goldman Brothers, Bell Corp, Bell II), 2017 Willie Simpson, Chicago, IL (Bobcats 16-inch MVP-1976, 1977), *2018 Charles Wright, Ellerslie, GA (Ken Sanders, York/Sanders, Elite, Steeles, Ritchs Salvage MVP 1989, Ritchs/Kirks, Ritchs-Superior MVP 1993, Sunbelt), 2018 Ricky Huggins, Pembroke, GA (Elite Major MVP-1981, Howards, Thompsons Class-A MVP-1985, Lighthouse MVP-1998, Vernons Major MVP-1992, Shen Valley, JWM Major MVP-1999), 2018 Todd Joerling, New Melle, MO (Steeles, Bell, Sunbelt, Team Easton MVP-1999, Dan Smith), 2019 Ron Parnell, Highland, CA (Capitol Insulation, Steeles, Ritchs-Superior, Team Easton), 2019 Britt Hightower, Houston, TX (Smythe Sox, Ritchs Salvage, Ritchs/Kirks, Ritchs-Superior), 2019 Mike Nye, Jacksonville, FL (Warren Motors MVP-1976, York/Sanders, Jerrys, Vernons, Marlton Trucking, Ritchs Salvage), 2020 Cecil Whitehead, Valdosta, GA (Elite Coatings, Ritchs/Kirks, Ritchs/Superior), 2020 Curtis Williams, Florida (York Barbell/Ken Sanders, Howards/Western Steer, Vernons, Lighthouse, Sunbelt), 2020 Doug Roberson, Royal Palm Beach, FL (Steeles, Superior/Apollo Def-MVP-1990, Ritchs-Superior, Team TPS, Hague/Resmondo), 2020 Carl Rose, Valdosta, GA (Lighthouse, Sunbelt, Dan Smith, Hague/Resmondo), 1976 William J. Pharr, McAdenville, NCSponsor Pharr Yarn Reds, 1977 * George (Doc) Linnehan, Levittown, NYManager/Sponsor County Sports, Empire County Astros, 1977 Bud Gagel, Louisville, KYManager Jiffy Club, 1977 Bobby Lutz, Denver, NCManager Howards Furniture, 1977 * Bob Hoffman, York, PAOwner/Sponsor York Barbell, 1982 * Richard Howard, Denver, NCHowards Furniture/Western Steer, 1983 * Percy Hedgecock, Dayton, ORManager Satellite Beach Comets, 1984 Al Brausch, Newport, KYManager Gatliff Auto Sales, 1984 Bill Caye, Pittsburgh, PAManager Skip Hogan AC, Jims Sport Shop, 1988 William (Red) Jenkins, McAdenville, NCSponsor Pharr Yarn Reds, 1988 Roy Lombardo, Detroit, MIManager East Side Sports, Michaels Lounge and Little Caesars, 1989 * Tom Beck, Tidewater, VAManager Virginia Beach Piledrivers, 1990 * Bill Svochak, Detroit, MIManager Dees Sports Shop/Parks n Recreation, 1992 Fred and Carl Nothdurft, Detroit, MISponsor Nothdurft Tool & Die, 1992 Jerry Pendergast, Miami, FLSponsor Jerrys Caterers, 1994 Woody and Pat Bell, Tampa, FLSponsor Bell Corporation, 1998 * Dave Neale Sr., Brook Park, OHManager Hillcrest Tavern, Nationwide Advertising and Steeles Sports, 1999 * Bill Plummer III, Syracuse, NYASA National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum Manager, 1999 Immor Clyte Franklin Jr., Baltimore, MDSponsor Angle Inn, 2003 Eugene Kwalek, Shelton, CTManager Sikorsky Aircraft, 2007 David Hank Bassett, Monticello, KYManager T&K/Basset Products, Starpath, Starpath/LeAlCo, 2009 RB Thomas, Nokesville, VAManager/Sponsor Thomas Engineering, 2011 Gary Tharaldson, Fargo, NDSponsor Tharaldsons, 2012 Leon Grunalt, Warren, MIManager Budweiser, Nothdurft, 2016 Terry Peterson, Omaha, NESponsor Ts 13, 2018 John Daniels, Albertville, MNSponsor Long Haul Trucking. The family lived briefly in Canada before moving to Detroit. He also promoted college basketball and boxing for four years at the National Guard Armory in Indianapolis. Then, in 1956, his two homers in the finals beat the Raybestos Cardinals. She, however, came back to play the 1967 season before retiring for good. the history of softball literally unfolds right before your eyes as you walk through the Softball Hall of Fame. Home / Hall of Fame / Hall of Fame Members. The National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum is a permanent shrine to former and past players of the sport who have had exceptional careers and have been a major factor in growing the game of softball. Office: (570) 286-7070. asapahof@verizon.net. Clarence Buck Miller intended to be a baseball pitcher, but wound up instead as one of the all-time great fast pitch pitchers in a career that started in 1940 and ended in 1957. If your object is chosen, the donated material will be recommended to the Executive Director for consideration. The team was a dominant force in 16 national championship tournaments held in Phoenix at softball fields which he built. Your support is critical to these efforts. 2023 Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees: Allyson Fournier Caron, E15. In 1937, Gerber and former Columbus, OH State Auditor star pitcher Ralph Solt went 17 innings with Solt winning 1-0. Leroy Hess, Aurora, Illinois, Mens Fast Pitch Catcher. Two years later, he led the Sealmasters to another title and a 74-9 won-loss record. The first floor highlights the colorful history of softball on story boards and panels with cases filled with memorabilia of past Hall of Famers. Roy Stephenson, Hicksville, New York Mens Fast Pitch Pitcher. He started playing softball in 1937 and was originally an outfielder before switching to shortstop for the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. "I am thrilled to join the world of women's professional fastpitch softball! The proposed inductee can be nominated by anyone. mens sp news; tournaments; team roster; womens slowpitch . She earned ASA All-America honors no less than 11 times including 1948 when she was named as an outfielder. He fanned more than 10, 000 batters and hurled 58 no-hitters. A 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, Stephenson started playing softball in 1938 with the Shamrocks of New Rochelle. Recognized for their dedication to the sport, Doug Lindaman and Jim Craig will join the meritorious service category following extensive careers serving in numerous roles within USA Softball. The Grumman Yankees, softballs version of the New York Yankees, narrowly missed winning the ASA national title in 1951. Led by Hall of Fame member Ken Clark, Sikorsky Aircraft had over 50 players earn All-American honors totaling over 200 selections. During four years in the circle for head coach Cheryl . A native of Kokomo, IN, Martin played football and basketball at Indiana University, majoring in commerce and finance. Sprentall passed away on April 18, 2013. John Hunter, Nashville, Tennessee Mens Fast Pitch Pitcher. Also on display is a timeline of events, from the game as it was in the early days to the continued growth today. When Nina Tiger Korgan joined a local softball team after her high school graduation in Council Bluffs, IA, only one position was vacantpitcher, because she got the date mixed up and almost missed practice. Butler County Softball Hall of Fame. Each year, Louisiana USSSA and Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame, Inc. celebrate those individuals who have greatly contributed to any and all of the Louisiana USSSA programs. An Asterick * signifies being Deceased. Pete Mercer. MEN'S FAST PITCH . Hess worked for Sealmaster 37 years. degrees and a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon and retired from Portland State University in 1992 where she was executive vice president emeritus. Four times he was named an ASA All-American: 1955, 1956, 1957 and 1959. Ironically her highest batting average in national championship play came in her last championship, .348 in 1965. She worked for the Jackson Brewing Company until retiring in 1978. Lawrie and the rest of the Pac-12 Hall of Honor class will officially be inducted on Friday, March 3 during a private ceremony as part of the week-long Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas. August 12-19, 2023 ISC World Tournament ISC News ISC Welcomes Ric Thompson as New US Central Regional Commissioner Ric Thompson Joins ISC as New Regional Commissioner Ashland Invitational is 2024 Qualifier Ashland Invitational July 21-23 Joseph "T. Joe" Gautreaux. 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