Chambers said the greatest disappointment of his career was knowing that someday I would have to stop playing and not being able to see my old friends. Chambers was born November 27, 1922 in Aurora, IL and passed away on March 28, 2016. The Greater Washington Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame held its 52nd Annual Hall of Fame Awards Banquet on Saturday, November 5, 20146. The first of two additions to the National Softball Hall of Fame/USA Softball Headquarters was started July 5, 1976 and completed July 13, 1977 for an additional 4,350 square feet of space. One of fast pitchs all-time best shortstops, Nolan Whitlock came through in the clutch time and time again for the Clearwater, FL Bombers between 1953-1959. Who can forget the pair of homers he hit off Hall of Famer Harvey Sterkel in the 1954 national for a 7-6 victory. One of the forgotten premier pitchers in men's fastpitch softball for 30 years, 50's, 60's, and 70's. Pitched against the best teams available during that time including Decatur, Maroa, Bloomington, Rileys, Perfect Windows, Venetian Blinds, Springfield Saputos, and many others. During his career, Kronewitter compiled a won-loss record of 262-42 with 11 no-hitters, 28 one-hitters and 39 two-hitters. 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 In national championship play, Stephenson was 23-18, 15-2 in state tourneys and 40-3 in regionals. Ticket information will be released in the coming weeks. Jesus "Jessie" Adamez Player, St. Paul. Meeting recently in Decatur, Illinois the USA Softball Association of Illinois Executive Committee voted to induct eleven individuals and three teams/organizations into their Softball Hall of Fame. Martin initiated many softball programs, including National Softball Week in 1951 and the Mens and Womens Major Fast Pitch All-Star Series. In 1936 she batted .560 playing for Santa Ana, CA. North American Fastpitch Association. It isnt often that a softball player appears in Ripleys Believe It or Not. But Chicago Match fast pitch pitcher Jim Chambers did in 1946 for striking out 40 Springfield, MO players in a 2-1 19 inning win in the losers bracket of the ASA Mens National Championship. As executive-secretary-treasurer of the ASA, Martin traveled thousands of miles promoting softball in the United States as well as internationally. 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. Another threat at the plate in the slow pitch game, Fleetwood blasted over 2,000 home runs in his 26-year career from 1969-1994. The National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum has over 400 members with two categories of membership: players and non players. "I am thrilled to join the world of women's professional fastpitch softball! and the 1988-89 Region XXIV and Great Rivers . The National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum has over 400 members with two categories of membership: players and non players. Garcia played major fastpitch softball for more than 20 years from 1964 through 1985, locally, statewide, and nationally. Led by Hall of Fame member Ken Clark, Sikorsky Aircraft had over 50 players earn All-American honors totaling over 200 selections. In four nationals, she had a fielding percentage of 1.000. With over 100 home runs hit in a single season for 11 consecutive years (1971-1981), Fleetwood earned four All-American honors and was named to the 1970 All-Decade Team in addition to an honorable mention to the All-Century Team. umpire utterings; deputy/district uic; umpire assignments; hall of fame. In 1954, she was named national tourney MVP after batting .316. Kay Rich, Los Angeles, California Womens Fast Pitch Shortstop. Known for not only his contribution on the field, but off the field as well, Craig contributed to the reformat of National Umpire Schools in 2018, which has proved to be a huge success for the USA Softball Umpire Program. She earned ASA All-America honors no less than 11 times including 1948 when she was named as an outfielder. Annual inductions are held at the USA Softball Annual Meeting. . The youngest player to play for the renowned Clearwater, FL Bombers, Bobby Forbes made the Bombers in 1941 at age 14. Margaret Dobson once held the record for the highest batting average in an ASA Womens Major Fast Pitch National Championship, batting .615 (eight-for-13) in the 1950 national championship. Marjorie Law, Phoenix, Arizona Womens Fast Pitch Many Positions. Your donations help keep this history of softball alive through exhibit updates, upkeep and restoration projects. Here are this years inductees into the Hall of Fame. The organizations press release is published below in its entirety. He was born October 2, 1913 in Rochester, NY and passed away April 24, 2003 at age 89. Stratton was named to the World All-Star team. Nolan Whitlock, Rossville, Georgia Mens Fast Pitch Shortstop. He had been a year earlier, making eight putouts and recording 12 assists. She followed with a .350 average in 1951 and a .343 average in 1953. Born July 12, 1938 in Middlefield, CT, Stratton said her greatest thrill in softball was winning the 1958 national championship. A 35-year employee of Kodak Park before retiring in 1971, Castle said being a member of the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame and two national championship teams are the biggest thrills of his softball career. He compiled a 40-1 record for Ferguson Auditors of Columbus, OH in 1939, and hurled the team to a third place in the national championship five years later. Wojie passed away June 10, 1979 at age 56. Born in Sloan, Iowa November 4, 1910, Crain moved to Iowa City, IA at age 11. The present facility was officially dedicated May 26, 1973 and has since had two additions. 2021 Men's Major Fast Pitch National Championship, August 6-8, 2021 | USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. At 14, he was eligible to participate in "The Big Spring Fast Pitch Men's Softball League" on a team "Valley Homes" managed by his uncle. He did remain, however, as an employee and worked for the company for 42 years. It didnt matter to Kay Rich if opposing pitchers were throwing from 35 feet or 38 feet. Iowa Men's Fast Pitch Hall of Fame (https://sites.google.com/site/iowamensfastpitchhof) Click Here to Email HOF The Iowa Softball Association Hall of Fame was established in February 1972 by then Softball Commissioner, Ron Findley, to honor those outstanding softball players Rosemary passed away on September 7, 2018. In 1968, he was named to Mishawkas school board and four years later was elected president. Following the meeting a staff member will contact you regarding the next steps. "We are excited to bring this prestigious National Championship to the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex," said USA Softball Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Craig Cress. USA Softball of Michigan Hall of Fame Members. 2016 Inductees. West lost in the first round, 1-0 in 14 innings despite striking out 26 batters and allowing two hits. He played in the first International Softball Congress State. Stratton batted .272 (61 x 224) in 10 national championships and also played first base and the outfield. Softball Umpires of Maryland in MFSA Hall of Fame. Ruth said to the catcher, If youre catching those, you might as well catch them in front of the plate because I cant hit them. Baker died December 27, 1997 at age 85. USA Softball National Office Certified . Castle also is a member of the NY state ASA Hall of Fame and the Monroe County sports Hall of Fame. In 1947, he hit the first homer out of the new Zollner Stadium, a 260-foot blast. During his career with the Bombers Hunter won 275 games and lost only 19 before hip and back problems forced him to retire after the 1958 season after helping the Bombers win four national titles and place runner-up four other times. Ruth was born August 23, 1917 in Taber, Alberta, Canada and passed away March 20, 2001 at age 83. youth slowpitch news; tournaments; . He was barely 5'6 inches tall and perhaps weighed 150 pounds, but Muck was a mountain of a man as a fast pitch softball player. Clarence Buck Miller Mens Fast Pitch Pitcher. He batted .120 in the 1956 national tourney, .211 in 1957, .222 in 1959 and .416 in the 1961 national tourney. She attained full professor status at Portland State in 1968. Born April 4, 1928, Contel played on three national championship teams (1953, 1954 and 1957) and was near perfection defensively in national championship play. Office: (570) 286-7070. . In 2023, the ISC will honor players Brad Rona, Todd Twachtmann, Richard "Dick" Helmuth, manager Dean Kane, along with Bob Welby Award recipient Bob Nydick. Known as Cotton Top or Cotton because of her striking blonde hair, Hart was the youngest player ever to play for the Caterpillar Dieselettes (1947-1955) at 16. On Sunday, USA Softball announced its 2020 Hall of Fame class, which includes seven men and just two womenlegendary softball Olympians Lovieanne Jung and Natasha Watleywho both happen to be women of color. Craig Brown Player, St. James/Mankato. 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. Ramage passed away December 6, 1993 at age 73. She would get her share of hits and hit for a high average during a brilliant 21-year career that established her as one of the greatest all-around players in softball history. In 1956, he batted .417 in the national tourney and was again perfect defensively. In the national tourney, he recorded five shutouts between an opening 7-0 loss and a 1-0 defeat in the finals to champion Briggs Beautyware of Detroit, MI. But it was at third base that earned Jeanne a spot in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame. Leading many standout athletes over the years, Stratton coached Hall of Famers Joan Joyce and Sue Enquist both of which have made their mark on the sport of softball across the globe. In 1954, he logged a 3-1 record with 59 strikeouts in 36 innings. But no one else expected us too. Mens Fastpitch Hall of Fame: 2021 : 2019; Eddie Roberts : 2016; Rick Anderson: 2015 Called by his manager, Bernie Kampschmidt, the best shortstop Id seen play the game of fast pitch, Jim Boogie Ramage was a member of four ASA national championship teams, including three with Fort Wayne (1945-47) and one with the Nick Carr Boosters of Covington, KY (1939).Although 5-foot-7 inches tall and weighing around 160 pounds, Ramage had a quick, strong arm to go along with his solid hitting. The National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum has over 400 members with two categories of membership: players and non players. Fill out this form to be on Extra Inning Softball notifications list and be the first to get important updates and news specifically for coaches. Law passed away March 2, 2000 at age 76. Each person who is inducted into the Hall of Honor will receive a certificate of recognition. She, however, came back to play the 1967 season before retiring for good. Click here for the Donor QuestionnaireForm, Warren Fireball Gerber, Columbus, Ohio Mens Fast Pitch Pitcher. Umpires. Visitors are also provided a glimpse of softballs history when it was part of the Olympics. Under his tutelage, the Brakettes have won over 2,300 games with a dazzling .917 winning percentage and 16 national championship titles. 2014 Bill Prunkl. Following the induction, they will also be recognized at halftime of the semifinal game. 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. He moved there when he was five after being born in Cincinnati . She worked for the Jackson Brewing Company until retiring in 1978. Hunter passed away November 7th, 2000 at age 75. It was particularly good for me because it was my first year with the team. In ASA national championship play, Hunter lost only three of 23 games, striking out 236 batters. In six of those championships she had a .984 fielding percentage with 185 putouts, one assist and only three errors. She batted .444 in the 1949 national championship when the distance from home plate to the pitchers mound was 35 feet. Led by Hall of Fame member Ken Clark, Sikorsky Aircraft had over 50 players earn All-American honors totaling over 200 selections. He also is a member of the Memphis Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. His dominance at the plate earned him four All-American honors and honorable mentions to the 1980 and 1990 All-Decade Teams as well as the All-Century Team. 2023 SportsEngine, Inc. . Counting the National Softball Hall of Fame/USA Softball Headquarters and the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex, there is 28,406 square feet of space. Wares also spent seven years as girls softball coach at NESCO High School in Zearing, posting a 214-94 record. In 1959, he hit 12 homers to lead the Bombers. Its second purpose is to help bring attention to the sport of softball to the people of Illinois. Within the player category, there are five categories: Men's/Women's Fast Pitch, Men's/Women's Slow Pitch and Modified Pitch. The first of two additions to the National Softball. With softball now an Olympic sport, it was appropriate to have a room to display the memorabilia and chronicle softballs long road to Olympic recognition, said Don Porter, executive director of the ASA. West had been a pick-up player after losing 1-0 on a no-hitter in the state tournament. Miller finished the tourney with 101 strikeouts. USA Softball was founded in 1933 and has evolved into the strongest softball organization in the country. Jeanne Contel, Oakland, California Womens Fast Pitch Third Base. Wilmes, a centerfielder from Johnston, Iowa, earned 2021 NFCA Third Team All-American honors and led the Tigers at the dish in 2019 and 2022. Kronewitter was born January 11,1911 in Mishawka, IN and passed away December 13, 1987. For more information on the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex or to view the full list of 2023 events coming to Oklahoma City, visit USASoftball.com. The team was a dominant force in 16 national championship tournaments held in Phoenix at softball fields which he built. Due to the volume of offers we receive, we cannot accept the donation of an artifact without a completed artifact description form. Through our vast collection of artifacts, the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum strives to educate the public about softballs rich history. The USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex will then host five consecutive events, beginning August 6-7 with the Men's Major Fast Pitch National Championship followed by the USA Softball All-American Games, a prestigious tournament intended to provide national exposure to elite athletes in the 12-Under Junior Olympic (JO) Fast Pitch division. In ASA national championship play, Gerber fashioned a 7-3 record and hurled 50 no-hitters and four perfect games. The National Softball Hall of Fame is the ultimate goal for any player, coach, umpire or administrator who aspire to greatness in the sport. Rich passed away on July 1, 2017. Ramage, who joined the Pistons after the 1940 season, remained with them until the team disbanded after the 1954 season. In 1950, he smashed 15 homers, the highest of his career, and followed with a .316 average in 1952 and a .323 average in 1954, the last year of the Pistons. 1,193 people like this 1,219 people follow this mnmensfastpitch@gmail.com Sports league Photos See all Page transparency See all Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a Page. 2019 Ali Andrzejewski, Soccer Tom Davis, Sportscaster Steve Krulevitz, Tennis Jim Margraff, Football Rob Shek, Lacrosse . 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. Bob Sprentall, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Mens Fast Pitch Outfield. Of particular note for fastpitch fans is the inclusion of Valerie Arioto, one of this years honorees after starring at Cal where she was a 1st Team All-American in 2012 and then helping Team USA win championships at the WBSC World Championships and the Pan American Games. Prolonged and meritorious performances while a member of Softball Canada at the national and international level will be recognized. The opening of the Olympic Gallery is certainly a milestone in the history of softball, Porter said. Byron Eugene Martin, Newark, New Jersey Meritorious Service. The Hall of Honor was established to recognize and honor all of the players, umpires, teams, sponsors, media, and many others that were part of this great game of Fast Pitch Softball. Nina won four games in that tourney with three of them one-hitters. The National Softball Hall of Fame was officially dedicated May 26, 1973 in Oklahoma City. An intense player who had a so what attitude when he did something outstanding on the softball diamond, Leroy Hess wore the Aurora, IL Sealmasters uniform from 1946-1963. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY The legendary roster of the National Softball Hall of Fame will increase by nine with the selection of the Class of 2023 inductees set to be enshrined at the 42ndAnnual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 28 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. In 1950, Hunter joined the famed Clearwater, FL Bombers and achieved a record of 41-2, including winning two games and striking out 29 in the national championship. 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