Category: ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch

1964 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1964 held in Sunnyvale, California.


Champion – Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Local 138 Engineers, Levittown, New York


Local 138 behind the 3-hit shutout of Herb Dudley over Lakewood, CA and then relieved Richie Surhoff in the second game to win a 5-2 decision over Sunnyvale CA to make it to the finals. In the first final, Dudley hurled a 1-0, 1-hit shutout and then in the final championship game, Bonnie Jones defeated the great Herb Dudley 1-0 in an 8-inning thriller.


  • MVP – Bonnie Jones, Burch Gage & Tool (5-0, 36 IP, 41 K, 1 ER, 43 IP, 3 Shutouts)
  • Batting Leader – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters (7-16, 3 RBI, 2 Runs) – .438
  • Home Run Leader – Carl Walker, Burch Gage (5-18, .278, 4 RBI, 4 Runs) – 3
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award – Bonnie Jones, Burch Gage & Tool

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bonnie Jones, Burch Gage and Tool
P – Herb Dudley, Local 138 Engineers (4-1, 39 IP, 41 K, 3 Shutouts)
P – George Pearson, Lancers (4-1, 40 IP, 50 K, 3 Shutouts)
C – Bob Kuykendall, Clearwater Bombers
C – Tom Hernan, Local 138 Engineers
1B – Carl Walker, Local 57
2B – Ben Gonzales, Sunnyvale Stars
3B – Sam Gee, Burch Gage and Tool (.350)
SS – Al Aloisi, Local 138 Engineers
OF – Sam Lombardo, Burch Gage and Tool (.400 )
OF – Ron Weathersby, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Raymond “Ned” Wickersham, Sealmasters
OF – John Hefferan, Local 138 Engineers
UT – Vern Grafton, Sunnyvale Stars (4-2, 35 IP, 20 K)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Metro Szeryk, Local 57 (4-1, 33 IP, 37 K)
P – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers (2-0, 20 IP, 19 K)
P – Charles Richard Jr., Sealmasters
C – John Noce, Sunnyvale Stars
C – Don Drake, Sealmasters
1B – Al Thompson, Local 138
2B – Bill Parker, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Don Ropp, Sealmasters
SS – Manuel Ortega, Lancers
OF – George Nevins, Local 138
OF – Farrel Forbes, Federal Old Line
OF – Bruce Cranshaw, Local 57
OF – Ben Breskovich, Lancers
UT – Ray Phillips, Sunnyvale Stars


OTHERS

Richie Surhoff, Local 138 Engineers (2-1)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, MI (5-1) (East-Central)
2. Local 138 Engineers, Levittown, NY (6-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
3. Sunnyvale Stars, Sunnyvale, CA (4-2) (Host)
4. California Lancers, Lakewood, CA (5-2) (South-Pacific-Coast)
5t. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (3-2) (West-Central)
5t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (4-2) (New-England)
7t. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (2-2) (Northwestern)
7t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (3-2) (Defending Champ)
9t. Charlies Trading Post, Atlanta, GA (1-2) (South-Atlantic)
9t. Fraser Arms, Vancouver, British Columbia (1-2) (West-Canada)
9t. Roger Mauro Rambler, Englewood, CO (1-2) (Rocky-Mountain)
9t. DeVille Motors, St. Louis, MO (1-2) (Western)
13t. Wood City Motors, Cloquet, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. Oak Grove Food Center, Birmingham, AL (0-2) (Southern)
13t. Fresno Rockbusters, Fresno, CA (1-2) (North-Pacific-Coast)
13t. Motif Homes, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Stripling Blake Roofing, Austin, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. U.S.S. Sperry, San Diego, CA (0-2) (US Navy)
17t. Skippers, Baltimore, MD (1-2) (Central-Atlantic)
17t. Hays Roofing, Phoenix, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)


NOTES

Alaska Champ – Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK did not attend. East Canada Champ – Oshawa Tony’s, Toronto, Ontario did not attend. Puerto Rico Champ – Ponce Cement, Ponce did not attend.

1963 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1963 held in Clearwater, Florida.


Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, Illinois


Eddie King, Bombers (1-0, 31 IP, 32 K – 25 innings of scoreless relief pitching as Bombers defeated Portland 4-3 in 31 innings). Weldon Haney started the game, and King relieved him in the 5th and struck out 25 batters in the next 25 innings and for good measure, he drove in the winning run in the 31st inning.  King finished up the tournament 1-0, with 32 Ks, in 31 IP. Jack Hutchinson of Portland lasted 29 innings before tiring. He struck out 23 batters. Don Ellison came in to pitch the final 2 innings and took the loss for Portland. This was the longest game in ASA National Championship History.

Ricky Tomlinson of the Bombers led off the bottom of the 9th with a single to left. Jerry Curtis, up next, also singled and on the same play, an outfield throwing error enabled Tomlinson to score the winning run in the 1-0 final.  Haney defeated Aurora’s Sterkal in another one in a long line of Bombers vs Sealmasters classics. Sterkal was the losing pitcher. He came into this event with a 29-6 career ASA National Tournament record, but a couple of bad breaks, and he was 3-2. In the first 35 games played in this tournament, there were 24 shutouts, including 12 (1-0) scores. And 14 of 17 losers bracket games were shutouts.


  • MVP – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Joe Higgins, Mesa Mitchan Construction – .455
  • Home Run Leader – Bill McDonald, Jim Pattison Softball (2-6, .333, 2 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Bill Parker, Clearwater Standard Oil (1-5, .200, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Al DeWall, Whitaker Buick (1-5, .200, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – George Fowler, Local #55 Climate Control (1-10, .100, 2 RBI, 1 Run) – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers (5-0, 5 Shutouts, 57 K, 40 IP, including a 1-0 9 inning 3-hit shutout with 11 K in the final)
P – Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers
P – Johnny Spring, Aurora Sealmasters (2-0, 28 IP, 42 K, 0 ER)
C – Bobby Kuykendall, Clearwater Bombers
C – George Kinder, Oxnard Merchants
1B – Bill Dickson, Aurora Sealmasters
2B – Bob Barron, Aurora Sealmasters
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Ricky Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters (7-31, .226, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – Bob Farney, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Al Summerford, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ben Breskovich, Oxnard Merchants
UT – Don Ropp, Aurora Sealmasters

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Harvey Sterkel, Oxnard Merchants (2-2, 29 IP, 41 K)
P – Jack Newman, Oxnard Merchants (3-1, 29 IP, 30 K)
C – Leroy Jarvis, Motif Homes
C – Cliff Smith, Aurora Sealmasters
1B – George Price, Champion YMCA
2B – Gus Colagerakis, Champion YMCA
3B – Ben Osuna, Oxnard Merchants
SS – John Davis, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Bub Butler, McKee Ramblers
OF – Clyde Miller, Champion YMCA
OF – Chalie Dobson, Motif Homes
OF – Dave Harbin, Oak Grove Food Center
UT – Joe Higgins, Michen Construction (5-11, .455, 2 Runs)


OTHERS

Charlie Richard, Aurora Sealmasters (3-0, 17 IP, 32 K)
Ed Johnson, Local #57 Engineers (1-2, 20 IP, 26 K, threw a 1-0 no hitter with 10 K)
Joe Tucker, Oak Grove Food Center (3-1, 22 IP, 21 K)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (7-2) (West Central)
3. Oxnard Merchants, Oxnard, CA (3-2) (South-Pacific-Coast)
4. Motif Homes, Oklahoma City, OK (5-2) (Southwestern)
5t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (2-2) (South Atlantic)
5t. Whitaker Buick, St. Paul, MN (2-2) (Northern)
7t. Maddox Ice, Denver, CO (3-2) (Rocky-Mountain)
7t. Oak Grove Food Center, Birmingham, AL (3-2) (Southern)
9t. Michen Construction, Mesa, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
9t. Billy Betz Flatiron AC, Philadelphia, PA (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. McKee Ramblers, Portland, OR (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Local #55 Climate Control, Huntington, NY (1-2) (Mid Atlantic)
13t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (1-2) (New England)
13t. Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, MI (1-2) (East Central)
13t. Adams Milk, Springfield, MO (0-2) (Western)
13t. Jim Pattison Softball, Vancouver, BC (0-2) (West-Canada)
17t. Standard Oil, Clearwater, FL (0-2) (Host)
17t. Merced Monarchs, Merced, CA (0-2) (North-Pacific-Coast)
17t. J.H. Rose Truckline, Houston, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Bacardi Club, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (0-2) (Puerto Rico)


NOTES

East Canada Champ – no representative was listed.

1962 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1962 held in Stratford, Connecticut.


Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut


The Bombers swept past 6 straight opponents outscoring their opponents 28-8 to win their sixth championship. They beat the Cardinals 3-2 in the winners bracket final as Weldon Haney outdueled Bill Massey. Then after Stratford eliminated Detroit and star hurler Bonnie Jones 3-1 in the losers bracket final, behind the great pitching of John Spring.

The Rayestos team got what they wanted, another crack at the Clearwater squad. John Spring started for Raybestos and they spotted him with a 1-0 lead after scoring a run in the top of the first, courtesy of George Adam’s single that scored Frankie Williams. Then Doug Mason slapped a single to score Jerry Curtis to tie the score in the 6th inning. Bill Massey came in to pitch in relief of Spring. The score was tied 1-1. In the top of the 8th, Raybestos scored a run as Bill Massey’s hit scored Frankie Williams to take a 2-1 lead. Clearwater came up and in the bottom of the 8th, Doug Mason’s single tied the score at 2 apiece. Ray Mink then hit a looping single to score Mason with the championship winning run. Haney was the MVP with a 5-0 record. Eddie King won the other game for the Bombers.


  • MVP – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers – .444
  • Home Run Leader – Frankie Williams, Stratford Cardinals – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers (5-0, 52 K, 42 IP)
P – Harvey Sterkal, Aurora Sealmasters (3-0, 39 K, 22 IP, 0 ER, 3 shutouts; also 4-10, .400 hitting)
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (3-0, 33 K, 29 IP, 1 ER)
C – Bobby Kuykendall, Clearwater Bombers
C – Jake Farland, Portland Bucks
1B – George Adams, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Frank Williams, Raybestos Cardinals (8-24, .333, 5 RBI, 7 Runs, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple)
3B – Jim Rubbelke, Whitaker Buick
SS – Eddie Mathias, Whitaker Buick
OF – Howard Johnson, Club 500
OF – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Bob Butler, Portland Bucks
OF – Ben Breskovich, Mary All Stars
UT – Bill Massey, Raybestos Cardinals

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bonnie Jones, Club 500 (3-1, 25 IP, 28 K)
P – Jack Hutchinson, Portland Bucks
P – George Ulmer, Flat Iron Athletic Club (2-2)
C – Don Drake, Aylco Club
C – Clifford Smith, Aurora Sealmasters
1B – Herm Taggert, Flat Iron Athletic Club (5-12, .417, 2 2B, 3B, 4 RBI)
2B – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers (8-18, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Ricky Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Paul Delgobbo, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Phil Gatto, Portland Bucks
OF – Billy Parker, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ron French, Raybestos Cardinals
UT – Al Thompson, DeJur Cameramen


OTHERS

Ed Johnson, Club 500 (1-1, 9 innings, 21 K)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-0) (Southern)
2. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-2) (Host)
3. Club 500, Detroit, MI (4-2) (East Central)
4. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (4-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Aylco Club, Decatur, IL (3-2) (West Central)
5t. Whitaker Buick, St. Paul, MN (4-2) (Northern)
7t. Portland Bucks, Portland, OR (3-2) (Northwestern)
7t. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (2-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Flat Iron Athletic Club, Philadelphia, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Bayou Bombers, Lake Charles, LA (2-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Maddox Ice, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Mary All Stars, San Pedro, CA (2-2) (Couth Pacific Coast)
13t. Ralph Motors LTD, Calgary, Alberta (0-2) (West Canada)
13t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (0-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. JH Rose Truckline, Houston, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. YMI, Stockton, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
17t. Fleck’s Falstaff, Cedar Rapids, IA (0-2) (Central)
17t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (0-2) (New England
17t. Sabourin Mountain Park, Hull, Quebec (0-2) (East Canada)
17t. Bicardi Club, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (0-2) (Puerto Rico)
17t. Whitthorne’s Glass House, Tucson, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)

1961 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1961 held in Clearwater, Florida.


Champion – Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, Illinois
Runner Up – Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, Michigan


Aurora Sealmasters ace Harvey Sterkal pitched a 2-0, 3-hit shutout in the championship game to defeat the Detroit squad and Tournament MVP Bonnie Jones. Detroit won their first game 5-2 over Homestead, FL, then were defeated 3-0 by Stratford Cardinals. Bonnie Jones then reeled off 7 consecutive shutouts to lead the Burch Gage into the finals. He beat Dutch Elbers and his 7-Up team of St. Paul, MN 1-0 in the loser’s bracket finals before his magic arm wore out against the Sealmasters in the 10th straight game he pitched. He surrendered 5 hits and only had 5 strikeouts in the final.


  • MVP – Bonnie Jones, Burch Gage & Tool
  • Batting Leader – Leroy Hess, Sealmasters – .462
  • Home Run Leader – Bill Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Bill Parker, Homestead – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Rick Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers -1
  • Home Run Leader – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers -1
  • Home Run Leader – Howard Johnson, Burch Gage & Tool – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Paul Ruggerello, Burch Gage & Tool – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Dick Furrer, Thurmer’s Bar – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Ben Harrison, Jackson Sporting Goods – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Bob Farney, Aurora Sealmasters – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Red Bert, Standard Oilers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Jim Ivey, Combustion Engineers – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters (3-0, 42 K, 21 IP, 1 ER, pitched 2-0, 3-hitter in championship game, had 2 shutouts total)
P – Chuck “Carlie” Richards, Aurora Sealmasters (2-0, 21 K, 18 IP, 0 ER, 2 shutouts).
P – Bonnie Jones, Burch Gage & Tool (8-2, 7 shutouts, 77 IP, 88 K, 7 runs, 5 ER, lost final game to Harvey Sterkal 2-0)
C – Leroy Hess, Aurora Sealmasters (6-13, 3 RBI, 1 Run)
C – Ed Ketterer, Burch Gage & Tool
1B – Sam Lombardo, Burch Gage & Tool
2B – Jerry Schaber, 7-Up
3B – Bill Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals
SS – Ricky Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Howie Johnson, Burch Gage & Tool
OF – Paul Ruggurello, Burch Gage & Tool
OF – Bob Farney, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Jim Duncan, Raybestos Cardinals
UT – Cy Phelps, Burch Gage & Tool

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Dutch Elbers, 7-Up (3-2, 38 IP, 27 K)
P – Ritchie Stephen, Gardenia Merchants
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals
C – Dick Furrer, Thurmer’s Bar
C – Harry Hancock, Standard Oil
1B – Bill Dickson, Aurora Sealmasters
2B – Bob Barren, Clearwater Bombers (4-13, .308, was 2-3 with a run scored in the championship game)
3B – Don Ropp, Aurora Sealmasters
SS – George Caloia, Burch Gage & Tool
OF – Med Walsh, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Jim Ivey, Combustion Engineers
OF – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Phil Portell, Thurmer’s Bar
UT – Tom Moore, Clearwater Bombers


OTHERS

Gene Barr, Clearwater Bombers (1-0, no-hitter)
Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers (2-1, no-hitter)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (5-0) (West Central)
2. Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, MI (8-2) (East Central)
3. 7-Up, St. Paul, MN (3-2) (Northern)
4. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (3-2) (New England)
5t. Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, MO (4-2) (Western)
5t. Standard Oil, Clearwater, FL (3-2) (Host)
7t. Gardenia Merchants, Gardenia, CA (3-2) (South Pacific Coast)
7t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (3-2) (Defending Champ)
9t. Combustion Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (2-2) (South Atlantic)
9t. DeJur-Amsco Camera, Long Island City, NY (1-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Homestead, Miami-Dade, FL (2-2) (Southern)
9t. Ponce Cement, Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2) (Puerto Rico)
13t. Jackson Sporting Goods, Pasadena, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Independent Merchants, Opelousas, LA (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Zeb Pearce, Mesa, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Flat Iron AC, Philadelphia, PA (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
17t. Park National Hotel, Sudbury, Ontario (0-2) (East Canada)
17t. Calgary Orioles, Calgary, Alberta (0-2) (West Canada)
17t. Our Chapel of Memories, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Burgermeister Burgies, Stockton, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)


NOTES

U.S. Navy Champ – West Coast Packers, Pacific Fleet did not attend.

1960 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1960 held in Jones Beach, New York.


Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Delta Merchants, Stockton, California


The Clearwater Bombers became the first Men’s team to win 5 Championships, breaking the record of 4, previously held by Briggs Beautywear of Detroit. The Bombers came out of the loser’s bracket to then shutout Canton, NC 1-0 behind a combined effort of Bobby Spell (5.2 IP) and Bill Massey in relief (1.1 IP). Then Bobby Spell struck out 19 as he hurled a 9-inning 1-0 win in the first final as Ricky Tomlinson (11-33, .333 in the tournament) tripled in the 9th and scored on Buster Zeiglers single. Tomlinson (11-33, .333 total) was 2-4 in the game with a double and a triple.

In the final championship game, Bill Massey pitched a 1-0 no hitter with 13 K.  The Bombers scored the only run in the game in the 6th inning as Buster Zeigler tripled and then scored on a wild pitch.  The wins by Spell and Massey over Bill Simoni of Stockton were the first 2 defeats he had in the tournament after a 5-0 start. He was named the MVP.


  • MVP – Bill Simoni, Delta Merchants
  • Batting Leader – Frank Doucette, Gardena Merchants (6-10, 6 RBI, 1 Run) – .600
  • Home Run Leader – Lafayette Horton, Peter’s Sausage of Detroit (3-21, .143, 4 RBI, 3 Runs) – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bill Simoni, Delta Merchants (5-2, 3 Shutouts, 53 K, 58 IP, gave up only 4 runs) – Pitched his team to the championship games, only to lose two straight 1-0 games.
P – Bobby Spell, Clearwater Bombers (4-0, 49 K, 34 IP, 4 Shutouts)
P – Harvey Sterkel, Sealmasters (5-2, 108 K, 92 IP, 4 runs)
C – Tony Esposito, Flat Iron Athletic Club
1B – George Haley, Delta Merchants
2B – George Caloia, Peter’s Sausage
3B – Babe Lolly, Delta Merchants
SS – Richard “Ricky” Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Bill Bearden, Champion YMCA
OF – John “Buster” Ziegler, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Charles Poindexter, Champion YMCA
UT – Jerry Fleming, DeJur Cameramen

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bill Massey, Clearwater Bombers (3-1, 54 K, 45 IP)
P – Wade Garrett, Champion YMCA (5-1, 65 K, 45 IP, 2 Shutouts)
P – Gene Barr, A&A Shopette
C – Ed Riddell, Clearwater Bombers
1B – George Adam, DeJur Cameramen
2B – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Gene Roberti, DeJur Cameramen
SS – Ray Phillips, Delta Merchants
UT – Faye Dunbar, Teamsters Local 886


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (7-1) (Southern)
2. Delta Merchants, Stockton, CA (5-2) (North Pacific Coast)
3. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (5-2) (South Atlantic)
4. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (5-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. A&A Shopette, Springfield, MO (2-2) (Western)
5t. Teamsters Local #880, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2) (Southwestern)
7t. Peter’s Sausage, Detroit, MI (4-2) (East Central)
7t. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (2-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Flat Iron Athletic Club, Philadelphia, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Gardenia Merchants, Gardenia, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
9t. U.S. Air Force, USA (1-2) (US Air Force)
9t. U.S. Navy White Caps, Norfolk, VA (1-2) (US Navy)
13t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (1-2) (New England)
13t. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. 7-Up, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. M&H Cleaners, Pasadena, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Hausske-Harlan Furniture, Peru, IN (0-2) (West Central)
17t. Zeb Pearce, Mesa, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Musicaro’s Restaurant, Massapequa, NY (0-2) (Host)
17t. Our Chapel of Memories, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Club 10, Manzanillo, Cuba (0-2) (Cuba)
17t. Mission Orange, Trail, BC (0-2) (West Canada-British Columbia)


NOTES

Peter’s Sausage, Detroit, MI went in place of – East Central Champ – Club 500, Detroit, MI, who could not attend. Our Chapel of Memories Mortuary, Denver, CO went in place of Rocky Mountain Champ – Sunnyside Grocery, Denver, CO, who could not attend. A&A Shopette, Springfield, MO went in place of – Western Champ – Barnes Store, Springfield, MO, who could not attend. East Canada Champ – did not send a representative. West Canada – Edmonton Champ – Calgary Orioles, Alberta did not attend. Puerto Rico Champ – Refrescos FRYA, Pio Piedras, Puerto Rico could not attend – had to withdraw due to Hurricane Donna.

1959 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Clearwater, Florida.


Champion – Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, Illinois
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida


Aurora Sealmasters lost their first game and had to win 9 straight in the loser’s bracket to claim the title. Harvey Sterkal had to defeat Bobby Spell in the first final, Sterkal hurled a 2-hit shutout and struck out 6 batters, as Ned Wickersham’s Sacrifice Fly in the bottom of the 6th inning was the deciding blow.  In the Final game, Sterkal came right back and pitched another 1-0 shutout, this one lasting 10 innings. Sterkal struck out 7 batters in defeating the Bomber’s Bill Massey.  Don Ropp scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. These 2 runs Aurora scored were the first two runs surrendered by the Bomber’s Pitching staff as they had 5 straight shutouts up to this point.


  • MVP – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters
  • Batting Leader – Clyde Miller, Champion YMCA – .500
  • Home Run Leader – Jake Farland, Hyster-Calico Cat – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters (8-1, 108 Ks, 66 IP, including two 1-0 games to win title, the final game lasting 10 innings)
P – Bobby Spell, Clearwater Bombers (3-1, 29 IP, 36 K, 3 shutouts)
P – Roy Stephenson, DeJur Camerman (3-2, 34 IP, 32 K)
C – Leroy Hess, Aurora Sealmasters
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Richard “Ricky” Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Bobby Holcomb, Champion YMCA
OF – Bob Sprentall, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Clyde Miller, Champion YMCA (6-12, 2 RBI)
UT – Jake Farland, Hyster-Calico Cat (5-13, .385, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bill Massey, Clearwater Bombers
P – Jack Hutchinson, Hyster-Calico Cat (3-2, 34 IP, 44 K)
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (4-1, 28 IP, 28 K)
1B – Joe Lewis, Clearwater Bombers
2B – George Fowler, DeJur Camerman
3B – Don Ropp, Aurora Sealmasters
3B – Billy Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals
3B – Sam Potter, Barnes Store
SS – John Davis, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Ed Worrell, Hyster-Calico Cat
OF – Bill Baroff, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Raymond “Ned” Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters
UT – Jerry Fleming, DeJur Camerman


OTHERS

Bill Massey, Clearwater Bombers (2-1, 23 IP, 34 K, 2 shutouts)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (9-1) (West Central)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (5-2) (Host)
3. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (4-2) (Defending Champ)
4. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (5-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
5t. Hyster-Calico Cat, Portland, OR (3-2) (Northwestern)
5t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (2-2) (South Atlantic)
7t. Johnny’s Used Cars, Baltimore, MD (4-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. U.S. Air Force All Stars, USA (3-2) (US-Air Force)
9t. Selph Plumbing, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
9t. Barnes Store, Springfield, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Big Shots, La Mesa, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
9t. Madden Construction, Bossier City, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Harry Rich, Miami, FL (1-2) (Southern)
13t. Burgermeisters, Sacramento, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Global Post VFW, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Club 500, Detroit, MI (1-2) (East Central)
17t. Dominic’s, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
17t. U.S. Navy All Stars (0-2) (US-Navy)
17t. Carlings Pilseners, Vancouver, BC (0-2) (West Canada)
17t. Club 10, Manzanillo, Cuba (0-2) (Cuba)
17t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (0-2) (North Atlantic)
17t. Kirtland Flyers, Albuquerque, NM (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Pepsi-Cola, Montreal, Quebec (0-2) (East Canada)

1958 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1958 held at Parade One in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 16-19.


Champion – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut
Runner Up – McDonald Scots, Lake Charles, Louisiana


The two tournament favorites, Clearwater Bombers and Aurora Sealmasters were both victims of huge upsets in the loser’s bracket.

Host team Minneapolis Soo Line eliminated the Bombers and their invincible pitcher John Hunter 1-0 and then a Canadian team, Montreal Dow eliminated the Sealmasters 1-0, even though Aurora hurler Harvey Sterkal only gave up one hit.

Pitcher Bobby Spell of Lake Charles lost a heartbreaker to John Spring of Raybestos 1-0 in the championship game. The Scots won 5 games to get to the final. Before that point, their only loss was a 14 inning 1-0 defeat at the hands of McDill AFB. Spell pitched the Scots to 2-0 victories over both Seattle Federal Insurance and Long Island’s DeJur Cameramen to get to the championship.

In the final, Chuck Shearer doubled to lead off the inning, then was sacrifices to third by John Spring and in an ironic twist, scored on a passed ball by Catcher Max Trahan’s passed ball. Traham was voted the Tournament MVP. Bill Smith batted .346 to lead the Lake Charles bats.

The McDonald Scots made the trip to the Nationals with only 10 players so left-handed first baseman Max Trahan, who had never caught a game in any big game or tournament and had not been behind the plate as a catcher at all in over five years had to catch every single inning of every game. He went 6-28, .214 with 2 RBI. He had 89 total chances, with only 2 passed balls and 1 error. he also had 9 assists.


  • MVP – Max Trahan, McDonald Sports
  • Batting Leader – Dominick Golio, DeJur Cameramen – .421
  • Home Run Leader – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Ed Tickey, Raybestos Cardinals – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Stevens, McDonald Sports (3-28, .107, 1 RBI, 3 Runs) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Juillerat, Federal Old Line Insurance (3-14, .214, 1 RBI, 2 Runs) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Williams, Haynes Stakes (4-13, .308, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Thomas, Steinbergs (2-19, .105, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Diote, U.S. Air Force (1-12, .083, 3 RBI, 2 Runs) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Holly Wormsby, U.S. Air Force – 1
  • Umpire of the Tournament – Bernard Iassogna, Connecticut

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (5-0, 29 IP, 50 K, 5 shutouts, including 1-0 perfect game in final, 12 K, 67 total pitches, he gave up only 1 unearned run and 6 hits in the entire tournament)
P – Bobby Spell, McDonald Sports (5-2, 2 ER, 56 IP, 2 Shutouts, lost 1-0 final on a passed ball) Won 5 straight in the loser’s bracket with a 10 man roster. When he allowed his first earned run of the tournament, it broke a string of 12 consecutive national tournament games without allowing an earned run.
P – Roy Stephenson, DeJur Cameramen (3-2, 33 IP, 44 K)
C – Rejean Denoncourt, Dow Brewery
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals (6-18, .333. 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
2B – Frank Williams, Raybestos Cardinals
3B – Andy Fontenot, McDonald Sports
SS – Bubba Ward, Haynes Stakes
OF – Dominick Golio, DeJur Cameramen (8-19, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
OF – Bill Smith, McDonald Sports
OF – Med Walsh, Sealmasters
UT – Bill Massey, U.S. Air Force


HONORABLE MENTION

P – Bob Fesler, Federal Old Line Insurrance
C – Ed Tickey, Raybestos Cardinals (3-16, .188, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)
C – Max Trainham, McDonald Sports
1B – Dan Kelly, DeJur Cameramen
SS – Gene Roberti, DeJur Cameramen
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Fred Irthum, Soo Line
OF – Bill Baroff, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Holly Wormsby, U.S. Air Force (1-15, .067, 1 RBI, 1 Run)
OF – Al McCoy, Dow Brewery


OTHERS

Herb Dudley, Clearwater Bombers (1-0, 10 IP, 11 K)
Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers (0-1, 7 IP, 10 K)
John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (0-1, 3 IP, 3 K)
Harvey Sterkal, Aurora Sealmasters (1-2, 26 IP, 33 K)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-0) (North Atlantic)
2. McDonald Sports, Lake Charles, LA (7-2) (Southwestern)
3. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (3-2) (Northwestern)
4. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (5-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
5t. Haynes Stakes, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
5t. U.S. Air Force (2-2) (US-Air Force)
7t. Dow Brewery, Montreal, QB (3-2) (East Canada)
7t. Carling Pilseners, Vancouver, BC (2-2) (West Canada)
9t. Burgermeister Burgies, Sacramento, CA (2-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Northwest Paper, Cloquet, MN (1-2) (Northern)
9t. Soo Line, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Host)
9t. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (1-2) (West Central)
13t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (1-2) (Defending Champ)
13t. Steve Flowers, Casper, WY (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Myron Conwell, Washington, D.C. (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. Ansberg-West Morticians, Toledo, OH (1-2) (East Central)
17t. Cairo All-Stars, Cairo, GA (1-2) (South Atlantic)
17t. Gregorian Enterprises, San Gabriel, CA (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
17t. Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, MO (0-2) (Western)
17t. Harry Rich, Miami, FL (0-2) (Southern)
17t. San Juan Builders, Farmington, NM (0-2) (Cactus)


NOTES

Steve Flowers, Casper, WY went in place of Rocky Mountain Champ – Bongo Lounge, Salt Lake City, UT, who could not attend.

1957 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1957 held at Clearwater, Florida.


Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Aurora Sealmaster Bearings, Aurora, Illinois


The championship game was decided in the 18th inning as Joe Lewis hit a double and then scored the winning run on Jerry Curtis’ single to right field. Herb Dudley and Harvey Sterkal had an incredible pitching duel up to that point. Sterkal gave up only 3 hits, but 2 came in the 18th.


  • MVP – Herb Dudley, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Al McCoy, Norristown Blocks – .462
  • Home Run Leader – Knobby Rosa, Dixie Lilly – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Don Dwyer, Sealmasters – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Thomas, Steinberg’s – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Ollie Johnston, Meenan – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Owens, U.S. Navy – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Campbell, U.S. Navy – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Grantham, News-Leader Parrots – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Andrews, Fuel Oilers – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Herb Dudley, Clearwater Bombers (4-0, 50 IP, 48 K, 1 Save 4 Shutouts – won 18 inning championship game 1-0, had 12 K)
P – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmaster Bearings (4-2, 55 IP, 93 K, 2 Shutouts – lost 18 inning 1-0 final and registered 24 K)
P – Percy McCracken, Steinberg’s (5-0, 36 IP, 34 K, 3 ER)
C – Leroy Hess, Aurora Sealmaster Bearings
1B – Bobby Curtis, Dixie Lilly
2B – Frank Williams, Raybestos Cardinals
3B – Jim Duncan, Madden Company
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers (3-21, .143, 2 RBI, 1 Run)
OF – Bob Sprentall, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Raymond (Ned) Wickersham, Sealmasters
OF – Buddy Atchison, Steinberg’s
UT – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers


HONORABLE MENTION

P – Gibby Wesolowski, Steinberg’s
P – Wade Garrett, Champion YMCA (2-0, 18 IP, 24 K, 1 shutout, 0 ER)
P – Hugh Sutherland, Steinberg’s
P – Roy Stephenson, DeJur
P – Cal Miller, Norristown Blocks (2-1, no hitter)
1B – Joe Lewis, Clearwater Bombers
2B – Don Dwyer, Aurora Sealmaster Bearings (6-26, .231, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
2B – Al McCoy, Norristown Blocks (6-13, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
3B – Gene Usmiller, Clearwater Title
3B – Knobby Rosa, Dixie Lilly (4-17, .235, 3 RBI, 2 Runs)
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Bobby Moore, Champion YMCA
SS – Richard “Ricky” Tomlinson, Steinberg’s
OF – Al Rothenberger, Madden Company
OF – Carl Boles, U.S. Navy


OTHERS

Bobby Spell, Clearwater Bombers (2-0, 1 shutout, no-hitter, 13 IP, 21 K, 0 Runs)
Gibby Weslowski, Steinberg’s (2-1, 30 IP, 36 K, 1 ER)
Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers (5-25, .200, 3 RBI, 2 Runs)
Thomas, Steinberg’s (2-19, .105, 1 RBI, 1 Run)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Aurora Sealmaster Bearings, Aurora, IL (4-2) (West Central)
3. Steinberg’s, Montreal, QC (7-2) (East Canada)
4. Dixie Lily, Miami, FL (4-2) (Southern)*
5t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (3-2) (North Atlantic)
5t. Holly Produce, Houston, TX (2-2) (F) (Texas) – (one forfeit loss)
7t. Norristown Blocks, Norristown, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (2-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Madden Construction, Bossier City, LA (3-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Clearwater Tile, Clearwater, FL (2-2) (Host)
9t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (2-2) (South Atlantic)
9t. Walden Heating, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Fuel Oilers, Vancouver, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. US Navy, Norfolk, VA (1-2) (US Navy)
13t. Fifth Army, Fort Riley, KS (1-2) (US Army)
13t. News-Leader Parrots, Springfield, MO (1-2) (Western)
17t. Belmont Club, St. Paul, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Club 10, Manzanillo, Cuba (0-2) (Cuba)
17t. Dover AFB, Dover, DE (0-2) (US Air Force)
17t. Teamsters, Cleveland, OH (0-2) (East Central)
17t. El Paso Operations, Farmington, NM (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Redwood City Merchants, Redwood City, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)

* Includes a win by forfeit


NOTES

South Pacific Coast Champ – Convair, San Diego, CA did not attend. West Canada Champs – Baysel Wranglers, Calgary, Alberta did not attend. Holly Produce of Houston lost their last game to Miami on a forfeit after it was found they had ineligible players.

1956 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1956 held in Sacramento, California.


Champion – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida


John Hunter of the Bombers out dueled John Spring of Raybestos 2-1 in the winners bracket final, Raybestos then had to defeat the Aurora Sealmasters and MVP Pitcher Harvey Sterkal, which they did, winning 1-0 and got another shot at Hunter and the Bombers in the Final. Hunter dashed that dream, winning his 4th game of the tournament by a 14-9 score. Eddie King came in for relief help. King also pitched an earlier game in the tournament and tossed a no-hitter for the Bombers. There were 44 total home runs hit in this tournament compared to 1955 when there were 8 were hit.


  • MVP – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters
  • Batting Leader – Bobby Forbes, Clearwater Bombers – .471
  • Home Run Leader – Joe Lazarra, White Pot Coffee – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Ed Tickey, Raybestos Cardinals – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Don Ropp, Aurora Sealmasters – 2
  • Home Run Leader – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Richie Surhoff, Meenan Oilers – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Gordy Neilson, Federal Old Line Insurance – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Jacobs, White Coffee Pot – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Jack McLeod, Raybestos Cardinals – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Pete VanArthos, Meenan Oilers – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Harvey Sterkel, Stephens-Adamson Sealmasters (5-1, 5 shutouts, including 2 one-hitters, 97 K, 51 IP)
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (5-19, .263, 5 RBI, 7 Runs, also 3-1 pitching)
P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (4-0, 28 IP, 45 K)
C – Ed Riddell, Clearwater Bombers
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Bill Manary, News-Leader Parrots
3B – Don Ropp, Sealmasters (8-25, .320, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers (5-16, .313, 6 RBI, 5 Runs hit 2 HR in 14-8 championship game)
OF – Bob Sprentall, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Pete Van Arthos, Meenan Oilers
OF – Bobby Forbes, Clearwater Bombers (8-17, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
UT – Richie Surhoff, Meenan Oilers (3-12, .250, 3 RBI, 2 Runs, also 2-1 Pitching)


HONORABLE MENTION

P – Sam Hemphill, White Coffee Pot
P – Weldon Haney, Lake Jackson Gators (2-0)
C – Leroy Hess, Stephens-Adamson Sealmasters
C – Ed Tickey, Raybestos Cardinals (5-16, .313, 2 RBI, 6 Runs)
1B – Joe Lewis, Clearwater Bombers
2B – Don Dwyer, Stephens-Adamson Sealmasters
3B – Gordy Neilson, Federal Old Line
3B – Stan Priebe, Coca-Cola All-Stars
SS – Jack McLeod, Raybestos Cardinals
SS – Pat Campagna, Meenan Oilers
OF – Booker Thomas, Fisher Brothers Tomato Kings
OF – Joe Lazzara, White Coffee Pot (6-12, .500, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
OF – Raymond “Ned” Wickersham, Stephens-Adamson Sealmasters


OTHERS

Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers (1-0, no hitter)
Howie Wieland, Raybestos Cardinals (2-1)
Billy Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals (6-17, .353, 10 RBI – set record for RBI in the Men’s Major National Tournament)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (5-0) (Southern)
2. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Stephens-Adamson Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (6-2) (West Central)
4. News-Leader Parrots, Springfield, MO (3-2) (Western)
5t. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (4-2) (Northwestern)
5t. Meenan Oilers, Levittown, NY (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Texas Gators, Lake Jackson, TX (3-2) (Texas)
7t. Atlantic Submarine Fleet, Norfolk, VA (2-2) (US-Navy East)
9t. Fisher’s Tomato Kings, Montreal, Quebec (2-2) (East Canada)
9t. Lincoln Heat Treatment, Detroit, MI (2-2) (East Central)
9t. Miramar Jets, San Diego, CA (2-2) (US-Navy Western)
9t. Anderson Furniture, San Diego, CA (1-2) (South Pacific Coast)
13t. Merchants, Redwood City, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Coca Cola All-Stars, Sacramento, CA (2-2) (Host)
13t. White Coffee Pot, Baltimore, MD (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. American Bank, Baton Rouge, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Madero Tamaulejas, Tampico (1-2) (Mexico)
17t. New Bar, St. Paul, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Sewart AFB, Smyrna, TN (0-2) (US-Air Force)
17t. Lawson Plumbers, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Arvada Merchants, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Mexico City College (0-2) (Mexico City Metro)
17t. Columbus Auto Body, New Haven, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)


NOTES

West Canada did not attend a representative. US Army did not send any information.

1955 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1955 held in Clearwater, Florida.


Champion – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida


After being so close for a while now, the Raybestos Cardinals finally reached the summit. They won their first National Crown and defeated the Clearwater Bombers in doing so. The Bombers were knocked into the loser’s bracket and had to win three straight to claim the crown. They defeated the Trenton Democratic Club of Baltimore 2-0 in 10 innings. Then in the first final, the Bombers won another 2-0 battle behind John Hunter’s 3-hit shutout and Harry Hancock’s double. But, when it came down to the Final game for the title, Howie Wieland hurled the 10 inning 2-0 victory and for good measure, he delivered the double that produced the two runs. Hunter went 9 innings in the final game and Eddie King came in to pitch the 10th inning and gave up the winning runs and was charged with loss.


  • MVP – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Marion Cook, Standard Parts – .500
  • Home Run Leader – Ben Karrless, Lackland AFB War Hawks – 1
  • Home Run Leader – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Jim Ellis, Clearwater Bombers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Frank Binkley, State Farm Insurance – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Palmer, Coca Cola – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Perry, Yellow Cab Merchants – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Tony Pagluica, Raybestos Cardinals – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (3-1, 36 IP, 34 K, 3 Shutouts)
P – Harvey Sterkel, Merchants
P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (4-0, 44 IP, 47 K, pitched the winners bracket final, winning 1-0)
C – Ernie Bertolini, Trenton Democratic Club
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Don Miles, State Farm Insurance
3B – Billy Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers (.318)
OF – Bob Sprentall, Clearwater Bombers (.304)
OF – Frank Binkley, State Farm Insurance
OF – Jim Ellis, Clearwater Bombers
UT – Tony Pagliuca, Raybestos Cardinals


HONORABLE MENTION

P – Clarence “Buck” Miller, Standard Parts (2-2, 24 IP, 41 K)
P – Howard Wieland, Raybestos Cardinals (2-0, 17 IP, 18 K, pitched 2-hit shutout and drove in both runs in 2-0 championship)
P – Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers (2-1, 10 IP, 15 K)
C – Marion “Rabbit” Cook, Standard Parts (8-16, 3 RBI)
2B – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Jack McLeod, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Bill Baroff, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Ray Gawerecki, Hanley’s Real Estate
OF – Ben Karass, Lackland AFB


OTHERS

Herb Dudley (1-0, 12 IP, 12 K)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (6-1) (North Atlantic)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Trenton Democratic Club, Baltimore, MD (4-2) (Central Atlantic)
4. State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL (4-2) (West Central)
5t. Standard Parts, Memphis, TN (3-2) (Southwestern)
5t. Haney Real Estate, Omaha, NE (2-2) (Western)
7t. Yellow Cab Merchants, Denver, CO (2-2) (Rocky Mountain)
7t. Coca Cola, Sacramento, CA (2-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Roth’s Rangers, Clearwater, FL (2-2) (Host)
9t. Hilliard’s Cafe, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
9t. Canton YMCA, Canton, NC (1-2) (Southern)
9t. Lackland AFB War Hawks, San Antonio, TX (1-2) (Air Force)
13t. McAllister Studebakers, Albuquerque, NM (0-2) (Cactus)
13t. Hispano Americana, Manzanillo, Cuba (0-2) (Cuba)
13t. New Bar, St. Paul, MN (0-2) (Northern)
13t. Flame Show Bar, Detroit, MI (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Shamrock Tavern, Longview, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
17t. Kodak Park AA, Rochester, NY (0-2) (Mid Atlantic)


NOTES

South Pacific Coast Champ – Anderson Furniture, San Diego, CA did not attend. Fisher Brothers, Montreal, Quebec were supposed to go in place of Canada Champ – Lew Kanes, Windsor, ON but could not attend. US Army Champ – First Army, Fort Monmouth, NJ did not attend. US Navy Champ – Submarine Bs, New London, CT did not attend.