Author: Dan Pfeffer

1979 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1979 held at Nashville, Tennessee.

Champion: Bob Hoffman’s Dots, Miami, Florida
Runner Up: Tampa Gremlins, Tampa, Florida

The Dots closed out their final campaign with a 12-6 victory over the Tampa Gremlins in the finals. They have been a dominant force in Slow Pitch during the last eleven years in national play. Since 1969, the Dots have finished in the top-5 every single year, They have won 5 National Championships (1969, 1974, 1975, 1978 and this year 1979), twice been Runner-up, twice been third and throw in a fourth and a fifth. They have had an incredible run. After the season, they decided to disband. The Gremlins had to defeat last year’s runner-up, Atlanta Getz in the loser’s bracket to gain the finals over the powerful Dots.

  • MVP – Rita Lewis, Bob Hoffman’s Dots (12-25, .480, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 13 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Sue Bupp, York Barbellettes (10-17, .588, 10 RBI, 6 Runs) – 4
  • Batting Leader – Pam Nelson, McLaughlin Oil (11-15, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs) – .733

1979 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Robin Murray, Dots
C – Glynda Hester, Getz
1B – Linda Tumlin, Getz
2B – Debbie Wohlers, Gremlin
3B – Rita Lewis, Dots
SS – Chris Padgett, Dots
OF – Ernestine Hamel, Dots
OF – Elaine Honig, Gremlins
OF – Cindy Brogdon, Getz
UT – Jennie Garrison, Getz
UT – Marilyn Booher, Sorrento’s
UT – Sandra VanLandingham, Gremlins
UT – Marlene Brice, Gremlins

1979 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Shirley Patterson, Sorrento’s
C – Terry Combs, Sorrento’s
1B – Laura McEvoy, Hutley’s Chasers
2B – Linda Mueller, All Sports
3B – Cheryl Gardley, Port City
SS – Sue Bupp, Barbellettes
OF – Karen Harris, UPI
OF – Lisa Shermeyer, Barbellettes
UT – Charlene Stemm, Ferry Cap
UT – Charlene Koski, Rebels
UT – Jennifer Gorecki, Self-Serve

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Bob Hoffman Dots, Miami, FL (7-0)
2. Tampa Gremlins, Tampa, FL (7-2)
3. Atlanta Getz, Atlanta, GA (4-2)
4. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
5t. Self-Serve, Solon, OH (4-2)
5t. Rebels, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
7t. Hutley’s Chasers, Huntington, NY 6-2
7t. Port City Ford, Houston, TX (3-2)
9t. Mclaughlin Oil, Columbus, OH (2-2)
9t. Annie’s Guns, Dallas, TX (3-2)
9t. Ferry Cap, Parma, OH (3-2)
9t. Barbellettes, York, PA (3-2)
13t. All Sport Uniform, Roseville, MI (3-2)
13t. Universal Plastics, Cookville, TN (2-2)
13t. Detlefsen Insurance, Burnsville, MN (2-2)
13t. Forrest Datsun, Redwood City, CA (2-2)
17t. Carrao Construction, Las Vegas, NV (2-2)
17t. Getaway Inn, Topeka, KS (2-2)
17t. Spooks, Anoka, MN (1-2)
17t. Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
17t. Hecker’s Girls, New Athens, IL (1-2)
17t. Bernard Hall, Fond-Du-Lac, WI (1-2)
17t. Jefferson Royals, Desoto, MO (1-2)
17t. Stompers, Mechanicsville, VA (3-2)
25t. St. Paul Steamers, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
25t. Cunningham-Kelly Fillies, Nashville, TN (2-2)
25t. Quicksilver, Tulsa, OK (0-2)
25t. George Flowers Playmates, Sacramento, CA (0-2)
25t. L&B Oil, Hutchinson, KS (0-2)
25t. Indian Head Pub Mice, Huntington Station, NY (0-2)
25t. Hartford Road Dairy Queen, Manchester, CT (1-2)
25t. Danielson Insurance, Missoula, MT (0-2)
33t. Redwood Saloon, New Bedford, MA (0-2)
33t. The Junction, Greeley, CO (0-2)
33t. E.M.A.C., El Monte, CA (0-2)
33t. Lufkin Curves, Lufkin, TX (0-2)
33t. Sharpe Electric, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
33t. Great Falls Sponsors, Great Falls, MT (0-2)
33t. Dapco, Dexter, MI (0-2)

1978 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1978 held at Kimberly, Wisconsin on August 18-28.

Champion – Atlee Carpet Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Runner Up – Schaefer-Smith, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Bob Toney, Atlee Carpet Co.
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Gary Watland, All-American Bar
  • Leading Hitter – Hice Stiles, Stevenson Toyota – .545
  • Leading Hitter – Mark Burrup, Grayson Real Estate – .545
  • Most RBI – Bob Tony, Atlee Carpet Co. – 6

1978 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Gary Watland, St. Paul (6-1, 0.29 ERA, 60 K, 7 BB)
P – Terry Stapley, Phoenix (5-1, 1.18 ERA, 45 K, 8 BB)
P – Owen Walford, Saginaw (4-2, 0.12 ERA, 97 K, 10 BB)
C – Dan Hvam, Madison .467
C – John Dutton, Phoenix .364
IF – Bob Toney, Oklahoma City .450
IF – Bryan Sosnowski, Regina .435
IF – James Garner, Oklahoma City .375
IF – Tom Handlen, Oshkosh .364
IF – Walt Coughran, Phoenix .292
OF – Hice Stiles, Lakewood CA .545
OF – Bob Johnson, Bakersfield .529
OF – Greg Cashman, St. Paul .467
OF – Tom Hummel, Oshkosh .400

1978 ISC SECOND TEAM ALL WORLD

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS (Tulsa Firebirds are mission)

1. Atlee Carpet Co., Oklahoma City, OK
2. Schaefer-Smith Inc., Phoenix, AZ
3. Regina, SK
4. All-American Bar, St. Paul, MN
5t. Page Brake, Salt Lake City, UT
5t. Ed Smith Welding, Bakersfield, CA
7t. Bolters, Saginaw, MI
7t. Tommys Angels, Oshkosh, WI
9t. Stevenson Toyota, Lakewood, CO
9t. Mettler’s Bar, Mankato, MN
9t. The Farm Tavern, Madison, WI
9t. Jets, Las Vegas, NV
13t. Tarrant Glass, Ft. Worth, TX
13t. Abel & Rule, Modesto, CA
13t. Raiders, Rock Island, IL
13t. Jets, Lakewood, CA
17t. Park & Smyers, Houston, TX
17t. Grayson Real Estate, Idaho Falls, ID
17t. Tri-Arc, Salt Lake City, UT
17t. The Bar, Green Bay, WI
17t. Stifino’s, Pueblo, CO
17t. La Fiesta, Johnstown, PA
17t. AFB, Holloman, NM
17t. Tony’s, Oshawa, ON
25t. Broker Restaurants, Denver, CO
25t. Pyles, Washington, DC
25t. Maidrite, Cedar Rapids, IA
25t. Turqupise Kings, Mesa, AZ
25t. Modern Piping, Cedar Rapids, IA
25t. Ice Barons, Lakewood, CA
25t. National Cable, Logan, WV
25t. Berards, South Burlington, VT
33t. Adam’s Rib Bar, Fort Wayne, IN
33t. Dornberger Stockman, Sioux Falls, SD
33t. Tahlequah, Tulsa, OK
33t. Toyota, Reno, NV

1978 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Elk Grove, California.

Champion – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California (93-15)
Runner Up – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina (133-30)

Campbell’s Carpets realized their three year dream of an ASA National Championship by holding off the mighty Howard’s Furniture in the championship.  Campbell’s advanced to the finals with a convincing 41-12 win over American Realty. Denny Jones was 5-5 with two walks in the game. He also hit 3 HR as did Mike Cellura and Tom Sandau.

Howard’s, sent to the loser’s bracket by Ken Sander’s Ford behind 4 HR each from Craig Elliott and Roger Mayo. Howard’s then came back from the loser’s bracket, defeating Nelson’s Painting 25-21, despite 5 HR from Curtis Williams of Nelson’s. Don Arndt and Stan Harvey hit 3 each for Howard’s.

After Howard’s defeated American Realty in the loser’s bracket final, they out-homered Campbell’s 22-8 in the first final on their way to a 42-26 to force the “if” game. Arndt and Harvey led Howard’s once again as they each hit 4 HR in the game.  Campbell’s put that game behind them and defeated Howard’s 26-20 in the winner take all final game.

Mike Cellura hit 4 HR in the game and Denny Jones shipped in with three. Jones, Cellura and Tom Sandau combined for 12 hits and 8 HR. Campbell’s set a record by scoring 86 runs in a game in their victory over AAFCO.

The Carpetmen scored 17 runs in the first inning, 20 in the 4th and 25 in the 6th inning, before finally winning 86-21. Denny Jones, Charles Pierce and Ron Masterson each collected 8 hits in the game. Among Pierce’s 8 hits were 5 HR. He also had 11 RBI. Denny Jones, Russell Bradley and Randy Barlich all drove in 9 runs.

Right before the tournament started, Campbell’s leading Al White was hampered by double vision and could not play. John Sandau stepped in and batted .720, made some great defensive plays and was named to the All American team. In another scoring outburst, Ken Sanders Ford won its first game 63-9 on the strength of a Nation  home run record of 27 for one game. On another note, the legendary Bruce hit 5 home runs in one game.

  • MVP – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets
  • HR Leader – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture – 23
  • Batting Leader – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbells  – .944

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (27-44, .614, 20 HR, 42 RBI)
P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (25-39, .641, 14 HR)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard’s Furniture (28-48, .583, 14 HR, 40 RBI)
C – John Tercheria, Campbell’s Carpets (25-39, .647, 8 HR)
1B – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 23 HR, 45 RBI) – set a new national tournament HR record with 23.
2B – H.T. Waller, Howard’s Furniture (24-44, .545, 11 HR)
3B – Tom Sandau, Campbell’s Carpets (25-36, .694, 12 HR, 31 RBI)
SS – Russell Bradley, Campbell’s Carpets (21-35, .600, 4 HR)
OF – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (34-41, .829, 18 HR, 40 RBI)
OF – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (30-42, .714, 21 HR, 36 RBI)
OF – Mike Jacobs, Howard’s Furniture (31-42, .736, 8 HR)
OF – Randy Barlich, Campbell’s Carpets (30-40, .750, 15 HR, 41 RBI)
UTIL – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbell (17-18, .944, 12 HR, 19 RBI) – set all time national tournament batting record at .944.
UTIL – Mark Koller, American Realty (21-32, .655, 7 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Gordon Wheeler, Campbell’s Carpets (19-39, .487, 12 HR)
P – Charles Mitchell, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
C – Brad Krebs, York Barbell (12-17, .706)
C – Herman Rathman, Nelson’s Painting (14 HR)
1B – Eddie Corum, Campell’s Carpets (25-40, .625, 7 HR)
2B – James Abercrombie, Nelson Painting (11 HR)
3B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 12 HR)
SS – Terry Perryman, Nelson’s Painting (18-28, .643)
OF – Curtis Williams, Howard’s Furniture (27-42, .642, 10 HR)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting (23-32, .719, 12 HR)
OF – Dean Brunken, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
OF – Charlie Pierce, Campbell’s Carpets (28-40, .700, 9 HR)
UTIL – Rich Latimer, Dallas Merchants (18-23, .783)
UTIL – Willie Willis, American Realty (15-23, .652)

OTHERS

Roger Mayo, Ken Sanders Ford (27-39, .692, 10 HR)
Denny Hogan, Howards Furniture (12 HR)
Len Larabee, Mid State Oil Derby (14-19, .737, 5 HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (7-1)
2. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (9-2)
3. American Realty, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
4. Nelson Painting Service, Oklahoma City, OK (5-2)
5t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
5t. Dallas Merchants, Dallas, TX (3-2)
7t. Steele’s, Lima, OH (5-2)
7t. York Barbell, York, PA (4-2)
9t. AAFCO, San Jose, CA (2-2)
9t. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (3-2)
9t. Chromomalloy, Abilene, TX (3-2)
9t. Non-Ferrous Metal Fab, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
13t. Port City Ford, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Bunca & Frey Softball Club, Kalamazoo, MI (2-2)
13t. Dick Joseph Auto Body, Springfield, OH (3-2)
13t. Burnetts & Associates, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Midstate Oil-Derby, Springfield, MA 1-2
17t. Lou Ana Foods, Opelousas, LA (1-2)
17t. Era-American Realty, Concord, CA 0-2
17t. Decathlon, Jackson, MI (1-2)
17t. Dubose Insurance, Pensacola, FL (2-2)
17t. Manning’s, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
17t. Sunset Lounge, White Bear Lake, MN (1-2)
17t. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT (1-2)
25t. Fliteline Motors, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
25t. Rule Conststruction, Oliver Springs, TN (0-2)
25t. Associated Glass, Fairfax, VA (0-2)
25t. Newberry’s Sporting Goods, Portsmouth, VA (0-2)
25t. MCU Sports, Boise, ID (0-2)
25t. Trenton Caps, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
25t. Trainham Chevrolet, Richmond, VA (1-2)
25t. Buck’s Car, Billings, MT (0-2)
33t. Neiderhauser, Cedar Falls, IA (0-2)
33t. Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
33t. GB Wilcher, Seymour, IN (0-2)
33t. Central Delivery Service, Shawnee Mission, KS (0-2)
33t. Wayne and Phil’s, Bartonville, IL (0-2)

1978 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1978 held at Southgate, Michigan.

Champion – Little Ceasar’s, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Pace Electronics, Rochester, New York (47-17 prior to World)

All Pace had to do is win one game to repeat their World Championship from 1977.  Sometimes things don’t go to plan as Little Caesars won the first final 15-11 behind 8 errors by Pace to send the tournament to the deciding game. And Little Caesars won 4-2 on a two out bad hop single in the 7th inning that plated the winning runs.

  • MVP – Carolyn Kavalauskus, Little Ceasar’s
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A

1978 ALL WORLD TEAM

Carolyn Kavalauskus, Little Ceasar’s

The rest of the team is not available.

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Little Ceasar’s, Detroit, MI
2. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY

All Sports Uniforms – Detroit, MI, Columbus Roadrunners – Columbus, OH, Proitti’s – Rochester, NY also participated.

1978 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held in Houston, Texas.

Champion – Port City Ford Wreckers, Houston, Texas
Runner Up – Jerry’s Catering, Daytona Beach, Florida (80-18)

  • MVP – Prince Williams, Port City Ford Wreckers (.708, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
  • Batting Champion – Ronnie DuBose, Port City Ford Wreckers – .857
  • HR Champion – Prince Williams, Port City Ford – 6

Jerry’s Caterers of Daytona Beach was formerly the Sub-Tropic squad of Ormond Beach, FL. When Jerry’s did not sponsor a Major team this year, they picked up the sponsorship of the Sub-Tropic team. They went 80-18 on the season.

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bobby Brown, Port City Ford Wreckers
P – Jeff Brelsford, Jerry’s Catering
C – Prince Williams, Port City Ford Wreckers
C – John Schirmer, Midwest Petroleum
1B – Neil Braly, Jerry’s Catering
2B – Ronnie DuBose, Port City Ford Wreckers
3B – John Spikerman, Port City Ford Wreckers
SS – Gerald Keigley, Port City Ford Wreckers
OF – Gary Miller, Midwest Petroleum
OF – Grady Scarborough, Jerry’s Catering
OF – Charles Neal, Port City Ford Wreckers
OF – Roger Clay, Port City Ford Wreckers
UT – Sam Golden, Port City Ford Wreckers
UT – Phil Seifert, Midwest Petroleum

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Mike Oshinski, Steamex of Michigan
P – Willie Perdomo, Disco Sports
C – Max Reed, Jerry’s Catering
C – Gary Hambright, Shipshewana Auction
1B – Doug Stroud, Queen Anne
2B – Larry Hingle, Jerry’s Catering
3B – Kim Preiner, Gilbert Bar
SS – Bob Nelson, Steamex of Michigan
OF – Grover Stephens, Shipshewana Auction
OF – David Bailey, Disco Sports
OF – Chuck Brown, Cody’s/Justus Co.
OF – Dan Greco, Cody’s/Justus Co.
UT – Tommy Haddad, Greens Jewelers Rangers
UT – Bob Kangus, Gilbert Bar

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Port City Ford Wreckers, Houston, TX (7-0)
2. Jerry’s Catering, Daytona Beach, FL (5-2)
3. Midwest Petroleum, Kansas City, MO (6-2)
4. Disco Sports, Richmond, VA (5-2)
5t. Greens Jewelers Rangers, Corpus Christi, TX (3-2)
5t. Shipshewana Auction, Shipshewana, IN (4-2)
7t. Gilbert Bar, Hoyt Lakes, MN (4-2)
7t. Queen Anne, Bono, AR (5-2)
9t. Cody’s/Justus Co., Tacoma, WA (4-2)
9t, R&T Travelers, Ephrata, PA (3-2)
9t. Conti Brothers, Providence, RI (3-2)
9t. Steamex of Michigan, Wyoming, MI (4-2)
13t. Central Ohio Welding, Columbus, OH (3-2)
13t. Addies, Olney, MD (2-2)
13t. Cinema West, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Thompson’s Sporting Goods, Savannah, GA (3-2)
17t. Cannon Welding, Jacksonville, FL (1-2)
17t. Moeller’s Grill, Cincinnati. OH (1-2)
17t. Armed Forces All-Stars, Washington, D.C. (2-2)
17t. Washoe Merchants, Reno, NV (1-2)
17t. Bill Brown Realty, Orem, UT (1-2)
17t. Ridgemen, Paradise, CA (1-2)
17t. Schmos-Paps, Portland, OR (1-2)
17t. Houligans, Eau Claire, WI (1-2)
25t. Preferred Picks, Brooklyn, OH (0-2)
25t. Sports Spot Lounge. Euclid. OH (0-2)
25t. Blue Hills, Kansas City, MO (1-2)
25t. Mid West Steel, Brenham, TX (1-2)
25t. King Ford, Maryville, TN (0-2)
25t. Atwater Ford, Burlington, NC (0-2)
25t. Guvnor’s Pub, West Sayville. NY (0-2)
25t. Solon’s, Walnut Creek CA (1-2)
33t. Jerry’s Steak House, Rice Lake, WI (0-2)
33t. Golden Leaf, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
33t. Bradley Plumbing, Zenio, OH (1-2)
33t. Coulombe & King, Bangor, ME (0-2)
33t. Corners, Bronx, NY (0-2)
33t. UIS-Pascagoula, Pascagoula, MS (0-2)

1978 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (78-8)
Runner Up – Law Equipment, Greeley, Colorado

The Brakettes won their 8th Straight ASA National Championship, a record that will never be broken. Kathy Arendsen was 3-0 and had 40 K in just 21 innings pitched. She hurled a no hitter and only gave up 5 hits in the 3 games. Barbara Reinalda was also 3-0 for the Brakettes. Reinalda is now 16-2 in the last three nationals.

  • MVP – Diane Schumacher, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Dot Richarson, Orlando Rebels – 1
  • HR Leader – Linda Spagnolo, Bauer Brick – 1
  • HR Leader – Susue Gaw, Sun City Saints – 1
  • HR Leader – Venus Jennings, Law Equipment – 1
  • HR Leader – Jill Wiedman, Bankettes – 1
  • HR Leader – Gwen Berner, Shamrocks – 1
  • HR Leader – Deanne Clark, Sun City Saints – 1
  • HR Leader – Chris Mueller, Dave Lee Sports – 1
  • Batting Leader – Reatha Stucky, Wichita Arrows – .533
  • Batting Leader – Pam Rendell-Reinoehl, Santa Clara Golden Bobcats – .533
  • Bertha Tickey Award (Pitching MVP) – Kathy Arendsen, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Erv Lind Award (Defensive MVP) – Mary Faure, Greeley Lawn Equipment

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lou Piel, Greeley Lawn Equipment (5-2, 2 Shutouts)
P – Barbara Reinalda, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0)
P – Kathy Arendsen, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0, 0 ERs, 5 hits, 40 K, 21 IP and no hitter. 4-0 final game 2-hitter, 11 K)
C – Marilyn Rau, Sun City Saints
C – Lana Svec, Ashland Don Coburn Inc.
1B – Diane Schumacher, Raybestos Brakettes (8-20, .400)
2B – Ellen Tomasiewicz, Raybestos Brakettes
3B – Joan Van Ness, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Marlys Taber, West Allis Bankettes
OF – Venus Jennings, Greeley Lawn Equipment
OF – Sue Enquist, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Leslie Bade, West Allis Bankettes
OF – Jeri Findlay, West Allis Bankettes
UTIL – Suzie Gaw, Sun City Saints

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Carol Townsend, West Allis Bankettes
P – Pam Tarrh, Ashland Don Coburn Inc.
P – Paula Noel, Sun City Saints (3-2, 3 Shutouts)
C – Reatha Stucky, Wichita Kansas Arrows (8-15, .533)
C – Debbie Kaminske, West Allis Bankettes
1B – Linda Spagnolo, Bauer Buick Windmills
2B – Maria Miklos, Bauer Buick Windmills
3B – Cindy Renda, Tonawanda Shamrocks
SS – Gwen Berner, Tonawanda Shamrocks
OF – Jackie Tekotte, Frost’s Sporting Goods
OF – Maureen Ahern, Tonawanda Shamrocks
OF – Beth Quesnel, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Chris Abrahamson, Orlando Rebels
UTIL – Lisa Wall, Greeley Lawn Equipment

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Law Equipment, Greeley, CO (5-2) (Rocky Mountain Alpine)
3. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (4-2) (Southern At-Large)
4. Don Coburn Inc., Ashland, OH (4-2) (East Central)
5t. Bankettes, West Allis, WI (3-2) (Great Lakes)
5t. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (3-2) (Rocky Mountain Cactus)
7t. Shamrocks, North Tonawanda, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Arrows, Wichita, KS (3-2) (Northern At-Large)
9t. Shamrocks, Omaha, NE (1-2) (Mid-America At-Large)
9t. Frost Sporting Goods, Springfield, MO (2-2) (Mid-America)
9t. Bauer Buick Windmills, Harvey, IL (2-2) (Midwest)
9t. Golden Bobcats, Santa Clara, CA (1-2) (Pacific Coast)
13t. Orlando Suns, Orlando, FL (1-2) (Southern)
13t. Port City Comets, Port City, TX (0-2) (Texas)
13t. Dave Lee Sports, Portland OR (0-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Precision Plating, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
17t. Ed Meier Ford, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Softball Association, Worcester, MA (0-2) (New England)
17t. Patriettes, Allentown, PA (0-2) (Host)
17t. VIP’s, Topton, PA (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
17t. East Lansing Laurels, Lansing, MI (0-2) (Great Lakes At-Large)

NOTES

South Atlantic Champ – Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA did not attend.

1978 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1978 held at Petersburg, Virginia.

Champion – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina
Runner Up – Howard & Carroll, Sherrills Ford, North Carolina

It was a North Carolina final as Howard’s dumped Howard & Carroll into the losers bracket early with a 25-5 pasting behind Don Arndt and Stan Harvey (2 HR each), Dave Jocobs had 5 hits and 5 RBI to aid in the cause. H&C went through the losers bracket eliminating a tough Corpus Christi Brick & Lumber team 14-13. H&C then revenged the defeat by Howards by beating them 23-15 to set up the final game. James Boyette and Dave Carroll both had 4 hits in the win. Joey Raby had 2 HR and 6 RBI. Howard’s Furniture, who had won two ASA titles already, won it’s first USSSA Championship by defeating H&C 20-15 in the final game. Denny Hogan had a pair of 3-run homers to lead the way. Joey Raby, Don Arndt and Stan Harvey all collected 2 HRs in the game. James Boyette (3 HR) and Tom Beall (2 HR) were the big hitters for H&C. Dave Jacobs was 16-24 (.667) for Howard’s, while Don Arndt and Bill Howes all were 12-19 (.631), both hammering out 5 HR. Stan Harvey hit 9 HR to lead Howard’s. In the Battle of the stats, it was Howard & Carroll with 54 HR to Howard’s Furniture’s 35 HR. But Howards team out hit H&C .550 to .470.

  • MVP – Denny Hogan, Howard’s (12-19, .632, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
  • HR Leader – James Boyett, H&C (18-29, .621, 20 RBI, 15 Runs) – 13
  • Batting Leader – Bill Ferguson, C.C. Brick & Lumber (12-15, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs) – .800

USSSA MAJOR ALL WORLD TEAM

  • Pitcher – Don Arndt – Howard’s Furniture (12-19, .632, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs)
  • Catcher – Gene Fisher – Howard’s Furniture (10-19, .526, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • First Base – Stan Harvey – Howard’s Furniture (11-21, .550, 9 HR, 15 RBI, 11 Runs)
  • Second Base – James Boyett – Howard & Carroll (18-29, .621, 13 HR, 20 RBI, 15 Runs)
  • Third Base – Tony Cloninger – Howard & Carroll (11-19, .579, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 9 Runs)
  • Shortstop – Steve Howard – Howard’s Furniture (8-17, .471, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • Outfield – Dick Bartel – C.C. Brick & Lumber (11-15, .733, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs)
  • Outfield – Denny Hogan – Howard’s Furniture (12-19, .632, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
  • Outfield – Mike Jacobs – Howard’s Furniture (16-24, .667, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 12 Runs)
  • Outfield – Mickey Morrison – Howard & Carroll (13-28, .464, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs)
  • Utility – Ron Woody – Howard & Carroll (12-20, .600, 2 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Utility – Elby Bushong – Capitol Insulation (11-15, .733, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 9 Runs)
  • Utility – Mickey McCarty – C.C. Brick & Lumber (9-15, .600, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Utility – Bill Ferguson – C.C. Brick & Lumber (12-15, .800, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • Utility – Gene Jones – Howard & Carroll (11-25, .440, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
  • Utility – Joey Raby – Howard & Carroll (12-25, .480, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 10 Runs)
  • Manager – Bobby Lutz – Howard’s Furniture

OTHERS

  • John Davide, County Sports (4-5, .800, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • Rick Linz, LaRosa’s (7-10, .700, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
  • Braxton Speller, Snyders (7-10, .700, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • Hank Cluess, County Sports (4-6, .667, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
  • George Chernenko, Snyders (7-11, .636, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Bill Howes, Howard’s (12-19, .632, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Ron Shoquist, Snyders (7-12, .583, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Rick Scherr, Howard’s (10-18, .556, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • Richard Wilborn, CC Brick (8-16, .500, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 9 Runs)
  • Hal Ward, LaRosa’s (5-10, .500, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
  • Marty Rolnick, County Sports (3-6, .500, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)
  • Tom Beall, H&C (12-30, .400, 7 HRs, 16 RBI, 10 Runs)
  • Dave Hardt, H&C (10-24, .416, 3 HRs, 5 RBI, 10 Runs)
  • Don Clatterbaugh, H&C (10-26, .384, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 11 Runs)
  • Rick Pinto, Snyders (3-8, .375, 1 Run)
  • Dennis Myers, Capitol (5-14, .357, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Curtis Williams, Howard’s (5-16, .312, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • Hank Kosmala, Capitol (4-14, .286, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
  • Buddy Slater, CC Brick (4-14, .286, 4 Runs)
  • Lou Russo, County Sports (2-8, .250)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC (4-1)
2. Howard & Carroll, Sherills Ford, NC (5-2)
3. C.C. Brick & Lumber, Corpus Christi, TX (2-2)
4. Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA (2-2)
5t. LaRosa’s Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
5t. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI (1-2)
7t. May Tool, Paramount, CA (0-2)
7t. County Sports, Levittown, NY (0-2)

*By winning the 1978  World Series, Howard’s (QUALIFIED for 1979 WORLD SERIES)

1978 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Springfield, Missouri.

Champion – Billard Barbell, Reading, Pennsylvania
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida

Billard Barbell won its second straight ASA Championship and Pitcher Ty Stofflett was named MVP for the 5th time in the last 8 years. An incredible feat. He went 4-0 and struck out an amazing 61 batters in only 29 innings. He had a no-hitter and two 1-hitters and only gave up 2 ER and 6 hits in 4 games.

  • Co-MVP – Ty Stofflet, Billard Barbell
  • Co-MVP – Ted Hicks, CMI
  • Batting Leader – Ted Hicks, CMI – .632
  • Home Run Leader – N/A
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award – Ty Stofflet, Billard Barbell

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Ty Stofflet, Billard Barbell (4-0, 29 IP, 61 K, 2 Shutouts, No Hitter and 2 one-hitters, 2 ER, 6 Hits. He was 46-1 on the season.)
P – Roy Burlison, CMI (4-2)
P – Joe Lynch, Clearwater Bombers (3-0, also hit 2 HR)
C – Carl Solarek, Billard Barbell
C – Albert “Buck” Delatorre, Clearwater Bombers
1B – Jeff Seip, Billard Barbell
2B – Kent Ingles, Neal’s Truck Parts
3B – Bob Yoder, Billard Barbell
SS – Leon Wood, Clearwater Bombers (12-27, .444)
OF – Ted Hicks, CMI (12-19)
OF – Dallas Rountree, Guanella Brothers
OF – Richard Zeke Delong, Billard Barbell
OF – Ray Truluck, Clearwater Bombers
UT – Calvin Connor, Steve’s Exporters

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Larry Bergh, Billard Barbell (2-0)
P – Mitch Harter, Clearwater Bombers (3 Wins)
P – Jeff Kepner, Steve’s Exporters
C – Jim Nichols, CMI
C – George Papagelis, Raybestos Cardinals
1B – Jim Gosger, Neal’s Truck Parts
2B – Calvin Connor, Steve’s Exporters
3B – Mike Parnow, Guanella Brothers
SS – Evans Telegades, McArdle Pontiac-Cadillac
OF – David Grimes, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Beau Robinson, CMI
OF – Mickey Herbert, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Jim Marsh, Guanella Brothers
UT – John White, Southern Truck Raiders

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Billard Barbell, Reading, PA (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-2) (Southern)
3. CMI, Springfield, MO (4-2) (Host)
4. Guanella Brothers, Santa Rosa, CA (5-2) (Pacific Coast)
5t. Steve’s Exporters, San Antonio, TX (3-2) (Texas)
5t. Peterbilt, Seattle, WA (2-2) (Northwestern)
7t. Neal’s Truck Parts, Grand Rapids, MI (2-2) (Great Lakes)
7t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (2-2) (New England)
9t. Southern Truck Raiders, Phoenix, AZ (2-2) (Rocky Mountain-Cactus-new)
9t. Butt’r Topp, Clear Lake, IA (2-2) (Mid America)
9t. York Barbell, York, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic At-Large)
9t. McArdle Pontiac, Midland, MI (2-2) (Great Lakes At-Large)
13t. Bruce Hanson Printers, Littleton, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain-Alpine-new)
13t. Home Savings & Loan, Aurora, IL (0-2) (Midwest)
13t. Walnut Products, St. Joseph, MO (1-2) (Mid America At-Large)
13t. Poughkeepsie Brewers, Poughkeepsie, NY (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
17t. Sonny’s Exxon, Greenville, NC (0-2) (South Atlantic)
17t. Byerly’s, Minneapolis, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Ohio Caverns, West Liberty, OH (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Wilson Powell Monarchs, Clinton, MD (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
17t. American Bank & Trust, Shreveport, LA (0-2) (Southwestern)

NOTES

Rocky Mountain was renamed Rocky Mountain-Alpine and Cactus was renamed Rocky Mountain-Cactus. Western (eliminated) and reformatted into Mid-America.

1978 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1978 held at Baldwin, New York.

Champion – Manchester Veneer 59’ers, Manchester, Georgia
Runner Up – Nikki’s Lounge, Detroit, Michigan

  • MVP– Chip Sheffield, Manchester Veneer 59ers’ (6 HR)
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A

1978 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

P- Jim Cary, Looking Glass
C – Fred Trice, Manchester Veneer (4 HRs) – 119 HRs on the year
1B – Marcus Walker, Manchester Veneer (18-29, .620, 1 HR)
3B – Skeet Johnson, Manchester Veneer
OF – David Williamson, Manchester Veneer

FINAL STANDINGS (Standings Incomplete)

1. Manchester Veneer 59’ers, Manchester, GA (8-0)
2. Nikki’s Lounge, Detroit, MI
3. Looking Glass, Los Angeles

Other teams participating include:

Skinny Dugan’s Pub, Las Vegas, NV
Heidless, WI
Oakmont, Pittsburgh, PA
Main Street, Indianapolis, IN
Lee Supply, Washington, PA
Trojan Homes, MI
South Boston Bank, VA
CSW Construction, TN
Larry Strothers, NC
M&M Improvement, Detroit, MI
Bigham Tanks, NC
Rocky Mount Merchants, Rocky Mount, NC
Robert’s Importers, Polk County, FL
Horn’s Valley Inn, Batavia, WI
Parkway Liquor, Trenton, NJ

1978 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1978 held at Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 25-28.

Champion – UCLA Bruins (31-3)
Runner Up – Northern Colorado (24-6)

UCLA swept through the Women’s College World Series of Softball undefeated and added the title to the national basketball championship it won earlier this spring.

The Bruins stopped Northern Colorado 3-0 Monday in the title game of the 16-team Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women double-elimination tournament that was plagued by weather throughout its five-day run.

Jan Jeffers stopped the Bears in the trophy game for her third victory in the tourney. UCLA, 5-0 in the meet, got three-hit pitching from Jeffers, who struck out three and walked none. Bruin batters collected six safeties off Brooks Swanson and Lou Piel, who relieved in the third inning.

The champions got all the runs they needed when Gail Edson singled home Jeffers and Sue Enquist in the first inning. UCLA added a run in the fifth when Kathy Maurice singled and Swanson, then playing left field, erred on the pickup attempt to allow Enquist to score from second base.

Piel pitched a three-hitter earlier Monday as Northern Colorado eliminated Minnesota, 3-1. Northern Colorado finished at 5-2 and Minnesota 3-2 in the tournament.

Linda Witt contributed 3-for-3 batting as Piel won her fifth game of the tournament without a loss with the support of Northern Colorado hits.

Witt’s triple drove in two rims in a three run fourth inning and the Bears scored in the fifth when Jan Breckenridge singled home Mary Jackson.

Minnesota loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh inning and a fielder’s choice scored the Gophers’ only run before two fly balls to the infield ended the game. Vicki Swanson was the losing pitcher. The Sunday program ended after one game. Northern Colorado eliminated Texas Woman’s University 7-3 before tourney officials called a halt because of rain and a tornado threat. The funnel cloud did not touch down.

Tournament officials estimated that the total attendance for the event cleared the 10,000 spectator barrier for the first time.

  • Most Outstanding Player – Sue Enquist, UCLA
  • Batting Leader – Sue Enquist, UCLA (8-19) – .421
  • HR Champion – N/A

1978 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. SW Missouri State 11 Massachusetts 2
  2. UCLA 4 Texas Woman’s 0
  3. Arizona State 10 Portland State 0
  4. Utah State 11 South Carolina 0
  5. Southern Illinois 2 Stephen F. Austin 1
  6. Minnesota 2 Cal St Poly-Pomona 1
  7. Nebraska-Omaha 2 Illinois State 1
  8. Northern Colorado 3 Oregon State 0
  9. Texas Woman’s 1 Massachusetts 0
  10. Portland State 10 South Carolina 7
  11. Cal St Poly-Pomona 2 Stephen F. Austin 1
  12. Oregon State 4 Illinois State 2
  13. UCLA 1 SW Missouri State 0
  14. Utah State 2 Arizona State 0
  15. Minnesota 6 Southern Illinois 2
  16. Northern Colorado 3 Nebraska-Omaha 2
  17. Texas Woman’s 4 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  18. Southern Illinois 4 Portland State 1
  19. Cal St Poly-Pomona 1 Arizona State 0
  20. SW Missouri State 1 Oregon State 0
  21. UCLA 7 Utah State 0
  22. Minnesota 4 Northern Colorado 1
  23. Texas Woman’s 3 Southern Illinois 1
  24. Cal St Poly-Pomona 2 SW Missouri State 1
  25. Texas Woman’s 3 Utah State 0
  26. Northern Colorado 4 Cal St Poly-Pomona 3
  27. Northern Colorado 7 Texas Woman’s 3
  28. UCLA 3 Minnesota 0
  29. Northern Colorado 3 Minnesota 1
  30. UCLA 3 Northern Colorado 0

FINAL STANDINGS

1. UCLA Bruins (5-0)
2. Northern Colorado Bears (5-2)
3. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2)
4. Texas Woman’s Tessies (4-2)
5t. Cal-State Poly-Pomona Broncos (3-2)
5t. Southern Illinois Salukis (2-2)
7t. Utah State Aggies (2-2)
7t. SW Missouri State Bears (2-2)
9t. Arizona State Sun Devils (1-2)
9t. Oregon State Beavers (1-2)
9t. Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (1-2)
9t. Portland State Vikings (1-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. Illinois State Redbirds (0-2)
13t. Massachusetts Minutemen (0-2)
13t. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (0-2)