Author: Dan Pfeffer

Joe Walker

  • ASA
  • November 8, 2018

Joe Walker longtime player rep for Central Virginia ASA. Joe was the chairperson of the Tidewater, Virginia Softball Hall of Fame. He also won an ASA C National Championship with CA/JO in 2008.

Joseph Orlando Walker, died November 8, 2018 in a local hospital. He was a native of Brooklyn, New York and a lifelong resident of Chesapeake. He was the son of the late Olga Rose Caldwell and William Howard Walker and was preceded in death by his brothers William Howard Walker, Jr., and Patrick D. Caldwell. Joe was a graduate of Great Bridge High School, a Veteran of the United States Navy and was a retired Longshoreman with the International Longshoreman Association.

He had been a very active member of the local Softball Program for most of his adult life. He was the District commissioner of the Tidewater VA ASA Softball since 2012 and has been a national council member of the USA/ASA Softball Association for 33 years. He was inducted into the Tidewater ASA hall of Fame in 1989 as an individual and he had 2 teams (Old Dominion Roofing/Siding-2001 and CA/Jo Softball-2011) inducted as well. His CA/JO team won the Men’s class C National Championship in 2008 in Oklahoma City.

He was a member of the ILA and was an avid Animal lover. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 44 years and high school sweetheart, Carol Anne Gray Walker and his daughter Elizabeth Ashley Basinger and her husband and his beloved granddaughter, Savanna Rose Basinger, all of Chesapeake, and 3 Sister-in-laws and 1 Brother-in-law and 4 nephews and one great nephew.

A memorial service will be held in the Chesapeake Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 1416 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322 on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 3:00 PM. The Reverend Tracy Gregory will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society or to Wounded Warriors. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com

1982 USPL All Pro Team

P-  Dana Andry, Cleveland (MVP)              (139-225, .618, 65 HRs, 128 RBIs, 125 Runs, 46-17 Pitching) – MVP
P-  Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee                 (.514,  7 HRs)
C-  Charles Mitchell, Detroit                         (59 HRs, 133 RBIs)
1B- Dennis Graser, Milwaukee                   (43 HRs, 122 RBIs)
2B- Mike Macenko, Cleveland                    (110-250, .440, 63 HRs, 140 RBIs, 122 Runs)
3B- Bill Gatti, Kentucky                                (97-175, .554, 46 HRs, 109 RBIs,  97 Runs)
SS- Greg Whitlock, Kentucky                       (125-236, .535,  5 HRS,  57 RBIs,  80 Runs)
SS- Paul Wright, Cleveland                           (105-185, .566,  1 HRs,  31 RBIs,  66 Runs)
OF- Steve Blanchett, Cleveland                  (134-240, .558, 42 HRs, 120 RBIs, 115 Runs)
OF- Ken Parker, Kentucky                             (114-211, .540, 36 HRs, 107 RBIs,  84 Runs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee                        (.572, 40 HRs, 125 RBIs,  24 2Bs)
OF- Derek Gallagher, Milwaukee                (.560)
OF- Ron Dorsey, South Jersey                     (.547, 47 HRs,  95
OF- Joe Young, Lima Steele’s                       (.476, 40 HRs, 106 RBIs)

World Series MVP – Dick Laba, Milwaukee Schlitz (16-24, .667)

1983 – The Pro League was going to take a year off and reorganize, but then decided to Disband. Players that played could play USSSA and NSPC in 1983, Players had to sit out a year to play ASA in 1984

1981 USPL All Pro Team

P-    Black Ron Jones, Cincinnati                (.424,26-10 Pitching, 5.54 ERA)
P-    Steve Stewart, Kentucky                       (48-136, .353,  0 HRs, 25 RBIs, 30 Runs, 35-20 Pitching)
C-    Joe Martone, New England                  (.472, 20 HRs, 62 RBIs)
1B-   Dennis Graser, Milwaukee                  (87-174, .500, 26 HRs, 76 RBIs, 19 2Bs)
2B-   Tony Salamone, Cincinnati                (84-179, .469, 62 Runs)
3B-   Bill Gatti, Kentucky (MVP)                 (110-177, .622, 38 HRs, 99 RBIs, 85 Runs, 37 BBs) – Triple Crown – MVP
SS-   Greg Whitlock, Kentucky                     (100-211, .474,  2 HRs, 37 RBIs, 63 Runs)
IF-   Tom Zaccardo, Rochester                     (92-194, .474, 15 HRs, 62 RBIs)
LF-   John Regent, Pittsburgh                       (21 2Bs
LCF-  Hal Ward, Cincinnati                          (.524, 11 HRs, 11 2Bs, 3 3Bs)
RCF-  Ron Dorsey, South Jersey                  (89-174, .511, 34 HRs, 75 RBIs, 73 Runs)
RF-   Dave Whitlock, Kentucky                    (82-185, .443, 19 HRs, 65 RBIs, 59 Runs, 10 3Bs)
OF-   Bob Bryant, South Jersey                    (78-170, .464, 20 HRs, 64 RBIs)
OF-   Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati                          ( .434, 17 HRs, 83 RBIs)
EH-   Ralph Calitri, New England                (.505, 20 HRs, 60 RBIs)

Manager-  Cobbie Harrison, Kentucky     (10 HRs, 51 RBIs)
Rookie of the Year –  Hal Ward, Cincinnati
World Series Co-MVP – Greg Whitlock, Kentucky (18-31, .581, 5 RBIs, 3 2Bs, 14 Runs)
World Series Co-MVP – Bill Gatti, Kentucky (14-26, .538, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 12 Runs, 2 3Bs)

1980 ASPSL All Pro Team

P- Greg Birko, Pittsburgh                               (.455,  29-13 Pitching)
P- Steve Stewart, Kentucky                          (46-153, .301,  2 HRs, 19 RBIs, 32 Runs, 40-14 Pitching)
C- Jim Foxy Nelson, Pittsburgh                    (17 HRs, 68 RBIs)
1B- Pete Castle, Rochester                           (83-191, .435,  9 HRs, 57 RBIs)
2B- Nick Nikitas, Kentucky                            (102-222, .464,  1 HRs, 29 RBIs, 82 Runs)
3B- Bill Gatti, Kentucky (MVP)                  (90-186, .483, 21 HRs, 81 RBIs, 74 Runs, 48 BBs) – MVP
SS- Greg Whitlock, Kentucky                        (93-214, .435,  2 HRs, 42 RBIs, 49 Runs)
OF- Rich Brown, Rochester                           (107-216, .494,  2 HRs, 22 RBIs, 14 2Bs, 11 3Bs, 60 Runs) – Runner-up MVP
OF- Pat Paulsen, New England                    (.403   3 HRs)
OF- Bob Shuster, Rochester                         (78-185, .421, 21 HRs, 59 RBIs)
OF- Jack Roudenbush, Kentucky                   (97-208, .464,  3 HRs, 48 RBIs, 55 Runs)
Utility (SS)- Denny Brown, Pittsburgh       (.492)
Utility (OF)- Pat Benzing, Pittsburgh
Utility (OF)- Randy Elliott, Pittsburgh (.470)
Utility (IF)- Gary Hartman, Phila.

1980 World Series MVP –  Don Brown, Rochester (5-4 pitching, .500)

1979 ASPSL All Pro Team

P – Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee (107-192, .557,  9 HR,  69 RBI, 56 Runs, 37-18 Pitching)  – MVP
P – Phil Schroer, Kentucky ( 86-179, .480,  0 HR,  55 RBI, 56 Runs, 40-8 Pitching, 3.84 ERA)
P – Don Brown, Rochester ( 95-177, .536,  0 HR,  38 RBI, 43 Runs, 30-21 Pitching)
C – Bill Gatti, Kentucky ( 88-165, .533, 20 HR,  79 RBI, 80 Runs, 46 BB)
1B – Dennis Graser, Milwaukee (108-222, .486, 22 HR,  87 RBI, 86 Runs, 14 2B)
2B – Donnie Rardin, Kentucky (112-217, .516,  0 HR,  43 RBI, 80 Runs, 12 2B, 8-7 Pitching)
3B – Doug Gerdes, Detroit (104-208, .500, 31 HR,  97 RBI, 78 Runs)
SS – Rick Trudeau, Detroit (106-193, .549,  1 HR,  34 RBI, 56 Runs)
SS – Denny Brown, Pittsburgh (.504)
OF – Ronnie Ford, Detroit (100-162, .617, 43 HR, 122 RBI, 88 Runs, 20 BB)
OF – Mike Nye, Detroit ( 90-179, .503,  8 HR,  51 RBI, 78 Runs, 18 BB)
OF – Phil Higgins, Milwaukee (119-224, .531, 18 HR,  89 RBI, 91 Runs, 19 2B, 7 3B)
OF – Barry Glaser, Pittsburgh (.527)
OF – Roger Wilt, Cleveland
OF – Gene Parrish, Minnesota (.511)
OF – Mike Lafever, Cincinnati
OF – Gary Richter, Trenton (.501)

1979 World Series MVP – Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee (19-24, .792, 6 RBI, 10 Runs, 3 Doubles, HR)
1979 All Star Game East Co-MVP – Barry Glaser, East (Pittsburgh) – (5-8, .625)
1979 All Star Game East Co-MVP – Fred Miller, East (Cleveland) – (5-8, .625, 2 HR, 2 3B, 5 RBI)
1979 All Star Game West MVP – Gene Parrish, West (Minnesota) – (4-6, .667, 2 RBI)

1978 ASPSL All Pro Team

P- Chuck Drewicz, Detroit                             ( 73-123, .593,  4 HRs,  29 RBIs,  62 Runs, 25- 5 Pitching)
P- John Locke, Minnesota                             (131-225, .582, 65 HRs, 136 RBIs, 117 Runs, 24-15 Pitching)
C- Jim Bizzell, Cleveland                                 (120-212, .566, 45 HRs, 108 RBIs,  91 Runs)
C- Benny Holt, Chicago                                   (121-230, .526, 50 HRs, 130 RBIs, 101 Runs)
C- Bob McMahon, Minnesota                     (134-241, .556, 59 HRs, 120 RBIs, 108 Runs)
IF/1B- Joe Russell, Minnesota                     (149-251, .549, 53 HRs, 141 RBIs, 117 Runs)
IF-1B- Jack Roudenbush, Detroit                (113-195, .579, 20 HRs,  83 RBIs,  97 Runs)
IF/1B- Doug Gerdes, Detroit                        (127-217, .585, 53 HRs, 112 RBIs, 110 Runs)
IF/2B- Gary Bello, New England                  (120-219, .548, 21 HRs, 101 RBIs, 101 Runs, 23 2Bs)
IF/2B- Rick Page, Rochester                         (105-208, .482, 24 HRs,  94 RBIs,  89 Runs, 15 2Bs, 11 3Bs)
IF/3B- Donnie Rardin, Cincinnati                (130-238, .546,  8 HRs,  69 RBIs,  97 Runs, 14-16 Pitching)
IF/3B- Gary Geister, Detroit                         (124-208, .596, 45 HRs, 106 RBIs, 103 Runs)
IF/SS- Denny Brown, Pittsburgh                 (146-240, .608,  1 HRs,  46 RBIs, 101 Runs, 22 2Bs)
IF/SS- Don Ragozzine, New England          (142-239, .585,  5 HRs,  63 RBIs, 105 Runs)
OF- Ronnie Ford, Detroit (MVP)                              (165-256, .645, 80 HRs, 201 RBIs, 152 Runs) – MVP
OF- Mike Foley, New Jersey                         (129-229, .563, 35 HRs, 109 RBIs,  90 Runs)
OF- Mike Nye, Detroit                                    (161-246, .654, 33 HRs, 110 RBIs, 159 Runs, 38 2Bs, 9 3Bs)
OF- Bill Gatti, Kentucky                  (125-214, .584, 54 HRs, 132 RBIs, 131 Runs, 38 BBs)
OF- Mike Gouin, Detroit                                (131-218, .601, 28 HRs,  90 RBIs, 108 Runs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee                        (145-255, .569, 49 HRs, 137 RBIs, 135 Runs, 23 2Bs)
OF- Fred Miller, Kentucky                             (128-233, .549, 57 HRs, 141 RBIs, 107 Runs)
OF- Mike O’Brien, Cincinnati                        (141-256, .551, 22 HRs,  86 RBIs, 124 Runs, 48 2Bs, 9 3Bs)
OF- Dale Palm, Minnesota                            (137-223, .614, 70 HRs, 166 RBIs, 124 Runs)
OF- Ken Parker, Milwaukee                          (123-194, .634, 37 HRs, 121 RBIs,  93 Runs)
OF- Gene Parrish, Minnesota                      (165-262, .634, 23 HRs,  90 RBIs, 148 Runs, 35 2Bs, 6 3Bs)
OF- Johnny Dollar, Philadelphia ( 97-170, .571, 15 HRs,  81 RBIs,  84 Runs)

World Series  MVP – Bert Smith, Detroit (15-16; .940, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 11 Runs)
All-Star Game MVP – Denny Brown, APSPL All-Stars (Pittsburgh)- (6-7, .857)

1977 ASPSL All Pro Team

P- Phil Schroer, Kentucky                              ( 76-142, .535,  4 HRs,  53 RBIs,  53 Runs, 15-5 Pitching)
P- Tom Gorski, Milwaukee                           (112-224, .500, 22 HRs,  75 RBIs,  80 Runs, 17-8 Pitching)
P- Tony Mazza, Detroit                                   ( 61-139, .461,  2 HRs,  25 RBIs,  45 Runs, 23-6 Pitching,
C- Benny Holt, Chicago (MVP)                                   (149-216, .690, 89 HRs, 187 RBIs, 144 Runs, 25 BBs) – Chicago MVP – Won Triple Crown – MVP
C- Mike Applin, Cincinnati                             (107-190, .563, 41 HRs, 104 RBIs,  82 Runs) – Cincinnati MVP
C- Bill Gatti, Kentucky                                    ( 97-180, .539, 48 HRs, 127 RBIs,  95 Runs, 35 BBs, 10 SFs) – Kentucky MVP
1B- Doug Gerdes, Detroit                             (126-237, .599, 60 HRs, 124 RBIs, 125 Runs)
1B- Joe Russell, Minnesota                          (119-217, .548, 35 HRs, 111 RBIs,  98 Runs, 11 SFs)
1B- Tom Miller, Pittsburgh                           ( 99-182, .544, 52 HRs, 124 RBIs,  82 Runs, 23 BBs, 9 SFs) – Pittsburgh MVP
2B- Buddy Haines, Chicago                           (124-205, .605, 42 HRs, 100 RBIs, 101 Runs)
2B- Doug Czaplewski, Milwaukee                              (123-204, .603,  1 HRs,  43 RBIs,  92 Runs)
2B- Donnie Rardin, Kentucky                       (119-222, .536,  4 HRs,  51 RBIs,  81 Runs, 17-5 Pitching)
3B- John Copenhaver, Baltimore                               (112-187, .599, 36 HRs,  95 RBIs,  94 Runs)
3B- Jim Dillard, Milwaukee                           (117-215, .544, 34 HRs, 117 RBIs, 102 Runs)
3B- Bill Speaks, Columbus                            (108-203, .532, 17 HRs,  97 RBIs,  72 Runs, 14 SFs) – Columbus MVP
SS- Ronnie Ford, Detroit                (145-239, .607, 85 HRs, 184 RBIs, 150 Runs, 25 BBs)
SS- Tom Pappas, Columbus                          (109-181, .602,  0 HRs,  45 RBIs,  68 Runs)
SS- Ricky Linz, Cincinnati                                ( 91-155, .587,  1 HRs,  33 RBIs,  60 Runs)
OF- Mike Nye, Detroit                                    (170-258, .659, 36 HRs, 104 RBIs, 147 Runs, 30 2Bs, 12 3Bs) – Detroit MVP
OF- Bert Smith, Detroit                                  (103-201, .512, 53 HRs, 122 RBIs,  90 Runs)
OF- Gene Parrish, Minnesota                      (140-225, .622, 22 HRs,  83 RBIs, 115 Runs, 21 2Bs) – Minnesota MVP
OF- Mike Gouin, Detroit                                (119-212, .561, 35 HRs, 124 RBIs, 103 Runs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee                        (130-211, .611, 41 HRs, 131 RBIs, 120 Runs, 25 2Bs, 10 3Bs) – Milwaukee MVP
OF- Jay Smith, Baltimore                               (113-201, .562,  2 HRs,  48 RBIs,  81 Runs)
OF- Lawrence Hutcherson, Baltimore      (109-183, .596, 45 HRs, 129 RBIs,  93 Runs) – Baltimore MVP
OF- John Spadaccino, New Jersey                             ( 93-169, .550, 32 HRs,  97 RBIs,  90 Runs, 32 BBs) – New Jersey MVP
OF- John Dollar, Baltimore                            ( 70-134, .522,  5 HRs,  50 RBIs,  62 Runs)
OF- Ken Parker, Milwaukee                         (133-244, .545, 37 HRs, 109 RBIs, 104 Runs)
OF- Frank Cammailere, New York                              ( 78-150, .520, 16 HRs,  54 RBIs,  50 Runs) – New York MVP
OF- Rick Petrunyak, Cleveland                    (112-208, .538, 16 HRs,  70 RBIs,  92 Runs, 32 2Bs)
OF- Bobby Reid, Cleveland                           (107-200, .535,  8 HRS,  53 RBIs,  95 Runs, 30 2Bs, 15 3Bs)

World Series  MVP – Mike Nye, Detroit (12-20, .600, 2 HRs, 3 2Bs, 4 RBIs, 10 Runs)

1987 NSPC All-National Team

Bill Blake, Smythe Sox (14-23, .609, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 9 Runs) – MVP
Bruce Meade, Smythe Sox (13-21, .619, 5 HRs, 11 RBIs, 7 Runs)
Bill Gatti, Smythe Sox (13-24, .542, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 9 Runs)
Greg Whitlock, Smythe Sox (10-23, .435, 2 RBIs, 6 Runs)
Cecil Whitehead, Smythe Sox (9-20, .450, 3 RBIs, 7 Runs)
Mike Parrott, Smythe Sox (10-19, .526, 4 RBIs, 5 Runs)
Mauro Chiti, County Sports (8-13, .615, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
Ron Hargrove, County Sports (8-17, .471, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 8 Runs)
Mike Cellura, Capitol Insulation (8-15, .533, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 8 Runs)
Larry McGee, Capitol Insulation (9-13, .692, 8 RBIs, 1 Run)
Scott Smith, County Sports – Defensive MVP
Manager Award – John Cooke, Smythe Sox

1987 NSPC National Championship Tournament Final Standings

  1. Smythe Sox, Houston, TX                                         6-1
  2. County Sports, Levittown, NY                                 3-2  (This was an “A” team)
  3. Capitol Softball Club, Northridge, CA   2-2
  4. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC                2-2
  5. Ritch’s Auto Salvage, Harrisburg, NC                    1-2
  6. Vernon’s, Jacksonville, FL                                         1-2
  7. Lighthouse, Stone Mountain, GA                          0-2
  8. Snyder’s Softball Club, Wixom, MI                        0-2

1983 NSPC All-National Team

  • NSPC
  • November 8, 2018

Craig Elliott, Elite Coatings (16-20, .800, 11 HRs) – MVP
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer  (12 HRs)
Fred Trice, Elite Coatings  (14-17, .824)
Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings
Steve Williams, Elite Coatings
Charles Wright, Elite Coatings
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers
Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers
Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers
Denny Jones, Jerry’s Caterers – Defensive MVP
Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer
Russell Bradley, Howard’s/Western Steer
Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer

1982 NSPC All-National Team

  • NSPC
  • November 8, 2018

Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (10 HRs, 23 RBIs) – MVP
Charles Wright, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (11 HRs)
Bill Pollack, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Clyde Guy, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Steve Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers
Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers
Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers
Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
Mac Stalcup, Rule and Lee – Defensive MVP