Category: ASA

1955 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1955 held at Portland, Oregon.

Champion – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California
Runner Up – PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, Arizona

The Orange Lionettes captured their fourth National championship to move within one of the all time record held by the New Orleans Jax Maids in the 1940’s. The tournament was a one women show as Bertha Ragan-Tickey pitched all five Orange triumphs, 4 of them shutouts (2-0, 3-0, 1-0, 1-0) and the final game, which was a 4-1 victory in which the only run scored by the Ramblers was unearned. This is the 6th straight year that a team from California has won the championship. On another note, this year would mark the last time that Betty Evans Grayson of Erv Lind Florists would play in a National Tournament as she retired after the season. She pitched the Florists over the defending champs, Fresno Rockets 4-1 and then lost the semi-final game to the Ramblers 6-1.

The legendary Nina Korgan of New Orleans Jax Maids fame in the 1940’s, who came out of retirement last year, hurled for the Jurisich Transfer team of New Orleans, LA. She went 1-1 and struck out 25 batters in 18 innings. She pitched last year for the New Orleans team and although lost the Southwestern Regional Final, She was named regional MVP. This year, she led her team to the Regional championship and once again was named Regional MVP. She pitcher in her first ASA National Championship Tournament back in 1935 for the Syracuse, Nebraska Blue Birds.

Carol Nelson, Fresno Rockets (3-2, including a no-hitter).

Erger, Bank of Denver went 5-17, .294, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs.

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes
  • HR Leader – Erger, Bank of Denver – 2
  • Batting Leader – Kay Rich, Leach Motor Rockets – .611

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Margie Law, PBSW Ramblers (4-2, 31 Ks, 42 IP, including a 7-0 no-hitter,  and 6-19 at the plate with a .316 batting average)
P – Norma Jean McDaniel, KC CIO-AFL Dons (2-2, 20 Ks, 28 IP), She also went 7-13, .538 batting.
P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (5-0, 4 shutouts, 1 Unearned Run, 35 IP, 52 K), won final 4-1, her triple drove in 2 runs. She had a no-hitter and a 1-hitter.
C – Dot Wilkinson, PBSW Ramblers (9-20, .450, 3 RBIs, 4 Runs)
1B – Gloria May, Fresno Hacienda Rockets (8-18, .444)
2B – Beverly Cox, Erv Lind Florists
3B – Jeanne Contel, Fresno Hacienda Rockets
SS – Kay Rich, Fresno Hacienda Rockets (11-18, 10 RBI, which set the tournament RBI record, 6 Runs, and she had 5 hits, including a grand slam and 6 RBI in one game)
OF – Jerry Pollard, Fresno Hacienda Rockets
OF – Zada Boles, PBSW Ramblers
OF – Thelma Eisen, Orange Lionettes
UTIL – Harriet Leeke, PBSW Ramblers

HONORABLE MENTION

1B – Virginia Bickle, PBSW Ramblers
3B – Margaret Dobson, Erv Lind Florists
SS – Kay Rohrer, PBSW Ramblers
OF – Carolyn Thome, Caterpillar Dieselettes.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (5-0) (South Pacific Coast)
2. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (4-2) (Cactus)
3. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (4-2) (Host)
4. Hacienda Rockets, Fresno, CA (3-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Bank of Denver, Denver, CO (3-2) (Rocky Mountain)
5t. Tilden U-Drive It, Vancouver, BC (3-2) (West Canada)
7t. RH Hall, St. Petersburg, FL (2-2) (Southern)
7t. CIO-AFL Dons, Kansas City, MO (2-2) (Western)
9t. National Cash Register, Dayton, OH (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Caterpillar Dieselettes, Peoria, IL (1-2) (West Central)
9t. Jurisich Transfer, New Orleans, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Arcade Pontiac, Washington DC (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. Texas Motorettes, Fort Worth, TX (0-2) (Texas)
13t. Airflytes, Seattle, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Muirhead Transfer, Toronto, ON (0-2) (East Canada)
13t. Jet Girls, Alameda, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)

NOTES

North Atlantic – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT could not attend. Mid-Atlantic – Pandoras, New York City, NY did not attend. Northern – Shaper Sales, Minneapolis, MN did not attend. Texas Motorettes, Fort Worth, TX went in place of Texas Champ – Tandy Leatherettes, Forth Worth, TX, who could not attend.

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.

1954 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1954 held at Bonneycastle Field and Brown & Williamson Field in Louisville, Kentucky on September 4-6.

Champion – Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – National Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Waldeck’s Tavern won 6 straight games to capture the title, outscoring their opponents 82-36 along the way. They defeated Peerless Woolens of Georgia 32-7 in the winners bracket final behind the hitting of Jerry Huber, Fred Heimkreiter and John Drees, all of which had five hits. Drees getting a couple homers.

Waldeck’s collected 38 hits in the contest. Waldeck’s then sat back and waited as last year’s runner-up, Pittsburgh National Fruit eliminated defending champs, Shields Contractors 5-4 and then disposed of Peerless Woolens 15-11 in the losers bracket final to get back to the finals.

Waldeck’s Tavern proved to be too strong as it won final 13-7 hitting 8 HR, John Drees went 4 for 4 and hit 4 straight homers while Frank Hiemkrieter, Jim Trainor, Bob Trainor, and Frank Kramer each had 1 to back the pitching of Malio Valvano (Valvano surrendered only 31 runs in 6 games for Waldeck). Drees ended the tournament getting 9 straight hits, including 6 HR.

Pittsburgh pitcher Tony Bova had 2 home runs in a losing cause for the National Fruit Merchants. Mike Sabbio and Bruce Gilbert also hit HR for Pittsburgh. James Caldwell of Shields went 13-18 to lead the tournament in hitting.

Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, delayed due to work commitments, only played the last two games for Shields, yet still made the all-tournament team as he went 6-9 with 3 HR and 2 doubles.

Donnie Key of the Louisville Stars started the tournament with 8 straight hits, before going 2-4 with 2 HR in the third game.

Some sources say the MVP would have been Waldeck’s pitcher, Malio Valvano, pitching Waldeck’s to the title.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – John Drees, Waldeck’s Tavern
  • Batting Leader – James Caldwell, Shields – .722
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Malio Valvano, Waldeck’s Tavern

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Malio Valvano, Waldeck’s Tavern (6-1)
P – Tony Bova, National Fruit Merchants (6-2)
C – Fred Heimkreiter, Waldeck’s Tavern
1B – Don Heilman, Shield’s Realty
2B – Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, Shield’s Realty (6-9, .667, 3 HR)
3B – Charles Geyer, Peerless Woolens
SS – Bob Trainor, Waldeck’s Tavern
OF – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Realty
OF – John Drees, Waldeck’s Tavern (9-9 with 6 HR in last 2 games)
OF – Walt Wherry, Keeneland Bar
OF – Donnie Key, Oertels Stars Brewers (10-15, .667, 2 HR)
MGR – Mike Waldeck, Waldeck’s Tavern

OTHERS

  • James Caldwell, Shield’s Realty (13-18, .722)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, OH (6-0)
2. National Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, PA (6-2)
3. Peerless Woolens, Rossville, GA (3-2)
4. Shield’s Realty, Newport, KY (4-2)
5t. Keeneland Bar, Covington, KY (2-2)
5t. Fire Fighters, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
7t. Oertels Stars Brewers, Louisville, KY (3-2)
7t. Delco, Dayton, OH (2-2)
9t. Klug Trucking, Hamilton, OH (2-2)
9t. Sterling Sters, Louisville, KY (2-2)
9t. Early Times Distillers, Louisville, KY (1-2)
9t. Continental Can, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
13t. Boisel Tire, Springfield, OH (0-2)
13t. Forks of Elkhorn, Frankfort, KY (0-2)
13t. RBM, Knoxville, TN (0-2)
13t. Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
17t. Twin City Automatics, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
17t. Schwedes/Charley Geigers, Lakewood, OH (0-2)

1954 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1954 held at Orange, California.

Champion – Leach Motor Rockets, Fresno, California
Runner Up – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California

Carol Nelson shut out the Lionettes twice to win the title. She beat Bertha Ragan 1-0 on a 3 hitter in the Winner’s Bracket Finals and then after the Orange Lionettes squad survived a 14 inning battle with the Phoenix Ramblers, winning 4-0, Nelson once again got the better of Ragan and the Orange, defeating them 2-0 on a 2 hitter to win the championship for the Rockets. Bertha Ragan got one of the two hits Nelson surrendered This is the second straight year that Carol Nelson was pitched the final championship game for Fresno and won both of them by the identical score of 2-0.

The Lionettes had to defeat the Phoenix Ramblers in the semifinal game to get to the championship round. Bertha Ragan pitched a 14 inning shutout and won 4-0 with the Lionettes scoring 4 times in the top of the 14th off a tired Margie Law of Phoenix.

Lorene Ramsey, Kutis Funeral Home (3-1, 2 Shutouts)

Eloise Bielefeld, Buena Park Lynx (3-1, including a 16 inning no hitter)

Marge Grant, Cannerettes (.500, 6-12, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)

  • MVP – Kay Rich, Leach Motor Rockets
  • HR Leader – Dot Wilkinson, Ramblers – 1
  • Batting Leader – Marge Grant, Cannerettes – .500

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (5-2, 4 shutouts,  also 19 K in her 7 inning game perfect game)
P – Margie Law, Phoenix Ramblers (5-2, 56 IP, 65 K), she also pitched a perfect game and her ERA was 0.63.
P – Carol Nelson, Fresno Leach Rockets (6-0, 40 IP, 31 K, 0.35 ERA; 3 Shutouts, gave up only 2 runs – pitched a 2-0 shutout in the championship game)
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers (10-22, .455, 1, HR, 5 RBI, 10 Runs)
1B – Ruth Sears, Orange Lionettes
2B – Carolyn Brown, Buena Park Lynx
3B – Phyliss Drikow, Kutis Funeral Home
SS – Kay Rich, Fresno Leach Rockets (6-19, .316, 2 RBI, 3 Runs) was 1-3 in the championship with an RBI single that gave the Rockets a 1-0 lead.
OF – Joanne Moore, Buena Park Lynx
OF – Yvonne Anderson, Fresno Leach Rockets
OF – Joann Kammeyer, Orange Lionettes
UTIL – Barbara Prather, Fresno Rockets

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Leach Motor Rockets, Fresno, CA (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (5-2) (Host)
3. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (5-2) (Cactus)
4. Nutrilite Lynx, Buena Park, CA (3-2) (South Pacific Coast)
5t. Kutis Funeral Home, St. Louis, MO (3-2) (Western)
5t. Tandy Leatherettes, Fort Worth, TX (2-2) (Texas)
7t. Cannerettes, Olympia, WA (2-2) (Northwestern)
7t. Crowhurst Motors, Vancouver, BC (2-2) (West Canada)
9t. Dabdoub Motors, New Orleans, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Marchant Calculators, Berkley, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. RH Hall Girls, St. Petersburg, FL (1-2) (Southern)
9t. G&W Construction, West Allis, WI (1-2) (West Central)
13t. Kalyx Cups, Toronto, ON (1-2) (East Canada)
13t. Victor’s Market, Minneapolis, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. Navy Skyraiders, San Diego, CA (0-2) (US Navy)
13t. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)
17t. Arians, Linden, NJ (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
17t. Bank of Denver, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)

NOTES

Central Atlantic Champ – Columbia Girls Club, Washington DC did not attend. East Central Champ – Advance Fireplace, Detroit, MI did not attend. Northwestern – Cannerettes, Olympia, WA went in place of Northwestern Champ – Portland Pennant Shop, OR, who could not attend. West Canada – Crowhurst Motors, Vancouver, BC went in place of West Canada Champ – Govins, Regina, SK, who could not attend.

1954 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1954 held at Parade One in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 18-23.

Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, Michigan

Clearwater’s Bombers, halted thrice at the very doorstep of the ASA World championship in the last six years, crashed the barrier for the second time as they gained revenge on defending champion Briggs Beautyware 4-0, before 6,100 fants on the magnificent one-hitter by southpaw-firing Johnny Hunter.

Bounced into the losers’ bracket when Hunter slammed the door shut on them with a ho-hitter, the Detroiters roared back by defeating State Farm Insurance of Bloomington, IL, 3-0, only to discover Hunter waiting for them again with the same diet of zero pitches in the finale.

The triumph was the fifth in a row without a loss for manager Eddie Moore’s Floridians and they won it like true championship since they twice KO’d Briggs Beautyware which had been aiming for its third consecutive title and fifth in ASA history.

En route to the championship, Clearwater defeated Naval Air Station 7-6, De Jur Amsco 1-0, Penridge Athletic Club, 3-2 and Briggs Beautyware by 1-0 and 4-0.

The Bombers previously won the ASA crown in 1950. In 1949 they dropped an 18-inning final to Tip Tailors of Toronto; in ’51 they lost a double final to Dow Athletic Club of Midland, Mich., with hunter sidelined by an arm injury, and last year Briggs Beautyware came out of the loser’s bracket to hand them a double defeat.

The Bombers were held in check for four innings before uncorking a four-run shower in the fifth against relievers Gerry Deerfield and Al Wierzbicki to bag the championship.

Until the fateful fifth the Bombers were handcuffed by Johnny Spring, hero of Brigg’s title march when he pitched three shutouts on the final day. Spring once against had sparked Briggs through the early rounds with some superb hurling and showed a 5-1 record going into the showdown game.

The umpire in chief for the tournament was George Dickstein who appointed Art Solz, Minneapolis umpire in chief, as the assistant umpire in chief.

  • MVP – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Al Martin, Denver NAS (5-11) – .455
  • Home Run Leader – Tom Brown, Penridge AC (3-14, .215, 4 RBI) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Don Miles, State Farm Insurance- 1
  • Home Run Leader – George Adams, Briggs Beautyware – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Williams, Babbitt Realty – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (3-0, 21 IP, 33 K, no-hitter and 1-hitter in last 2 games)
P – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware (5-1, 43 IP, 60 K)
P – Clarence “Buck” Miller, Standard Parts (3-1, 36 IP, 59 K).
C – Marion Cook, Standard Parts
1B – George Adam, Trenton Democratic Club
2B – Don Miles, State Farm Insurance
3B – Ed Antolini, Naval Air Station Denver
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers
LF – Thomas Brown, Penridge AC
CF – Ken Sommers, De Jur Amsco
RF – Al Martin, Naval Air Station Denver
UT – Frank Harvey, Penridge AC

OTHERS

Herb Dudley, Clearwater Bombers (2-0, 15 IP, 22 K)
Ollie Johnston, DeJur (3-0, 22 IP, 29 K)
Bill Gourley, Penridge AC (3-0, 21 IP, 22 K)
Paul Hoke Wilson, Bloomington Chiefs (2-0)
Wayne Ward, Bloomington Chiefs (2-1)
Howie Wieland, Raybestos Cardinals (1-1)  set a national softball record in the North Atlantic Regionals as he hurled 6 consecutive no-hitters to win the crown.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (5-0) (Southern)
2. Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, MI (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL (4-2) (West-Central)
4. Penridge AC, Cincinnati, OH (3-2) (East-Central)
5t. Standard Auto Parts, Memphis, TN (3-2) (Southwestern)
5t. De Jur Amsco, Long Island, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Babbitt Realty, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
7t. Trenton Democrats, Baltimore, MD (2-2) (Central-Atlantic)
9t. Naval Air Station, Denver, CO (2-2) (Rocky-Mountain)
9t. Renton Cowboys, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. New Bar, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
9t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (1-2) (North-Atlantic)
13t. Broekers Cigars, St. Louis, MO (1-2) (Western)
13t. Jersey Ice Cream, Minneapolis, MN (1-2) (Host)
13t. Casino Espanol, Havana (0-2) (Cuba)
13t. Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX (0-2) (US-Air-Force)
17t. Roughriders, Napa, CA (0-2) (North-Pacific-Coast)
17t. S-Site, Los Alamos, NM (0-2) (Cactus)

NOTES

South-Pacific-Coast Champ – Pepsi Cola Bottlers, San Diego, CA did not attend. East-Canada Champ – Steinberg’s, Montreal, Quebec did not attend. West-Canada Champ – McLean Motors, Vancouver, British Columbia did not attend. US-Navy Champ – US Navy Patrol Squadron 22, Kodiak, AK did not attend.

1954 Clearwater Bombers

1953 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1953 held at Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Champion – Betsy Ross Rockets, Fresno, California
Runner Up – Orange Lionettes, Anaheim, California

The Rocket’s Carol Nelson pitched the 2-0 championship game victory behind the hitting of Betty Schlegal who went 2-2. Kay Rich drove in the first run with a single and then Terry Urrutia’s deep fly to Center Field scored Gloria May to gave the Rockets an insurance run. Nelson gave up four hits and struck out 6. The Lionettes were gunning for their 4th straight championship which would have set a record. The Rockets had a strong pitching staff as Joan Alsup (2-1, shutout), Carol Nelson (3-0, 2 shutouts) and Vera Miller pitched very well in relief

Nonnie Hoehn, Orange Lionettes (2-0, 16 IP, 13 K)

Joy Collicut, Gartens (5-11, .455, 1 RBI)

Jeanne Contel (3 run HR)

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes
  • HR Leader – Bobby Jordan, Orange Lionettes (7-29, .241, RBI, 7 Runs) – 2
  • HR Leader – Bev Mulanet, Raybestos Brakettes (4-15, .267, 3 RBI, 4 Runs) – 2
  • HR Leader – Ann Edmondsen, Raybestos Brakettes (5-14, .357, 4 RBI, 3 Runs) – 2
  • Batting Leader – Mary Baker, Canadian Legion (8-16, 1 RBI, 3 Runs) – .500

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Margie Law, Phoenix Ramblers
P – Joan Alsup, Betsy Ross Rockets
P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (6-2, pitched a 1-0 11 inning shutout in the first final and then lost 2-0 in the final game, she struck out 10 in that game, she had 29 K in 24 IP on final day and 91 K total in 58 innings pitched. Ragan also struck 20 batters in a 7 inning game, falling just one strikeout short of a striking out every batter.)
P – Marion Fox, Gartens Furniture, (3-1, 30 IP, 19 Ks)
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers (7-18, .389, 2 Runs)
1B – Ruth Sears, Orange Lionettes (12-35, .343, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
2B – Mildred Dixon, Orange Lionettes
3B – Jeanne Contel, Betsy Ross Rockets
SS – Kay Rich, Betsy Ross Rockets (6-18, .333, 3 doubles, 2 triples) and
OF – Gloria Barnes, Denver King Soopers
OF – Dena Kuczo, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Laura Malesh, Regina, Canada Legion
UTIL – Mary Archer, Kalyx Cups

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Betsy Ross Rockets, Fresno, CA (5-1) (North Pacific Coast)
2. Orange Lionettes, Anaheim, CA (8-2) (Defending Champ)
3. King Soupers, Denver, CO (3-2) (Rocky Mountain)
4. Garten’s Furniture, Tornoto, ON (5-2) (Host)
5t. Raybestos Brackettes, Stratford, CT (2-2) (North Atlantic)
5t. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
7t. Canadian Legion, Regina, SK (3-2) (West Canada)
7t. Dabdoub Motors, New Orleans, LA (2-2) (Southwestern
9t. Kalyx Cups, Toronto, ON (2-2) (East Canada)
9t. Arians, Linden, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
9t. Greenwood Electric, Des Moines, IA (1-2) (Western)
9t. G&W Construction, West Allis, WI (1-2) (West Central)
13t. Green Jackets, Bremerton, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Construction Hornets, Fort Worth, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Advance Fireplace, Detroit, MI (0-2) (East Central)
13t. Nutrilite Lynx, Buena Park, CA (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
17t. KIHO Cubs, Sioux City, SD (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA (0-2) (Southern)
17t. Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC (0-2) (Central Atlantic)

NOTES

Dabdoub Motors, New Orleans went in place of Southwestern Champ – Baton Rough Solitaires, who could not attend. U.S. Navy Champ – Women Marine Recruit Depot, Pearl Harbor, HI could not attend. U.S. Air Force Champ – Lackland AFB Women Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, San Antonio, TX could not attend.

1953 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1953 held at Miami, Florida.

Champion – Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida

John Spring, Briggs Beautyware (5-1, 41 IP, 47 K, 3 shutouts on final day, including 1-0 losers bracket final victory over State Farm and then; 2-0 and 1-0 shutouts over Clearwater in the finals, Spring only surrendered 5 hits total in the two championship games. He pitched 5 games in 24 hours). In the final 2 games, he defeated two of the greatest pitchers in the game, John Hunter and Herb Dudley.

Paul Hoke Wilson led State Farm Insurance to a third-place finish, lost a 1-0 losers bracket final to John Spring and the Briggs team.

  • MVP – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
  • Batting Leader – Joe Morecraft, Trenton Democrats (6-16, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs, the 6 RBI were in one game) – .375
  • Home Run Leader – Joe Morecraft, Trenton Democrats – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (3-1, 35 K, lost 1-0 one-hitter in the final for first defeat in national play after 10 straight wins)
P – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
P – Paul Hoke Wilson, State Farm Insurance (4-0, 27 IP, 24 K) – led them to a third-place finish, lost a 1-0 losers bracket final to John Spring and the Briggs team. Howie Wieland was 1-1 for State Farm with a no hitter.
C – Jack Sweeting, American Industrial Flyers
1B – George Adam, Trenton Democratic Club
2B – Joe Everett, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Knobby Rosa, American Industrial Flyers
SS – Otto Salzman, State Farm Insurance
OF – Al Linde, Dow Chemical (5-14, .357, 1 Run)
OF – Dave Sayyae, Briggs Beautyware
OF – Bobby Forbes, Clearwater Bombers
UT – Jerry Zarick, Briggs Beautyware

OTHERS

Howie Wieland, State Farm Insurance was 1-1 with a no hitter.
Arno Lamb, AIS Miami Flyers was 3-1.
Herb Dudley, Clearwater Bombers hurled a 3-0 no hitter and then lost a 2-0 game to finish 1-1.
Rocco Palmeri, Briggs Beautyware, solo HR in 4th inning of final championship was only hit off John Hunter to give Briggs a 1-0 win and the title.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, MI (6-1) (Defending Champs)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (4-2) (Southern)
3. State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL (5-2) (West Central)
4. American Industrial Sales (AIS), Miami, FL (4-2) (Host)
5t. Dow Chemical AC, Midland, MI (2-2) (East Central)
5t. Jersey Ice Cream, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Northern)
7t. Elmendorf AFB Rockets, Anchorage, AK (2-2) (US Air Force)
7t. Trenton Democrats, Baltimore, MD (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Kenny Poe Plumbers, Boise, ID (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Gators, Lake Jackson, TX (1-2) (Texas)
9t. Phillips 66 Oilers, Okmulgee, OK (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Kroszer’s Restaurant, Bridgeport, CT (1-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Chapel-of-the-Oaks, Oakland, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Rochester Radio, Rochester, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Heart-of-America Tobacco, Kansas City, MO (0-2) (Western)
13t. Naval Air Station, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)

NOTES

Kenny Poe Plumbers, Boise, ID went in place of Northwestern Champ Tacoma, WA, who could not attend. Cactus Champ – Peterson Brothers, Mesa, AZ who could not attend. South Pacific Coast Champ, Palemar Foods, San Diego, CA did not attend. US Army Champ, Green Hornets, Fort Lee, VA could not attend. US Navy Champ – US Navy Patrol Squadron 42, Kodiak, AK could not attend. East Canada Champ – Northern Electric, Verdun, Quebec could not attend. West Canada Champ – Giorday Fruits, Vancouver, British Columbia could not attend. Casino Espanol, Havana, Cuba did not attend.

1953 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1953 held at Deer Creek Common in Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport Recreation Field in Newport, Kentucky on September 3-5.

Champion – Shield’s Contractors, Newport, Kentucky (45-3)
Runner Up – Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Shield’s Contractors beat Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants 13-12 in winners bracket finals, Myron Reinhardt was 4-5, HR, double, and 4 RBI. Also, leading the Shield’s attack were Ted Stegeman (3-5, 3 doubles), John Henry (3-5), Al Rinehard (3-5, HR, 2B, and 4 RBI) and Don Heilman (double, triple, 3 RBI). The Merchants came back and beat Wolf’s Cafe of Cincinnati 6-1 in the loser’s bracket final to get another crack at the Kentucky squad.

Shield’s then beat Pittsburgh 13-1 in the championship game. Myron Reinhardt’s HR and 4 RBI led the way for Shield’s to capture the very first ASA Slow Pitch National Championship. Shield’s pitcher Roland Vorhees gave up only 5 hits and one run. Al Rinehard (2 Doubles) and Bo Stuntebeck each had three hits in the title clincher.

Most of the teams entered were from the Ohio River Valley and Northern Kentucky. For the Merchants, Mike Sabbio was 4-8 with a HR and 3 RBI in the final two games Pittsburgh played, both losses to Shields.

The MVP was not awarded by many say Myron Reinhardt would have won easy, leading the tournament in average, home runs, and leading Shield’s to the title by going 11 for 16, .688 with 4 home runs.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Contractors – 4
  • Batting Leader – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Contractors – .688

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Shield’s Contractors, Newport, KY (4-0)
2. Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)
3. Wolf’s Café, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
4. D&G Café, Newport, KY (3-2)
5t. Baldwin Piano, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
5t. Club 42, Louisville, KY (2-2)
7t. Soddy Daisy Merchants, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
7t. Prestonia Athletic Club, Louisville, KY (1-2)
9t. Homestead Café, Hamilton, OH (0-2)
9t. Schwedes Furniture/Charley Geigers, Lakewood, OH (0-2)

1952 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1952 held at Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Champion – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California
Runner Up – PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, Arizona

The Lionettes became the first team since the famous New Orleans Jax Maids to win 3 consecutive world championships. The Jax Maids performed the feat in 1945-1947.

The Rambler’s Amy Peralta-Shelton highlighted the first inning with a run scoring double and later scored. Dot Wilkinson and Locha Diaz also had hits and scored runs in the inning as well. This ignited the fireworks over the Fresno Rockets in the semi-final game. The Ramblers scored 4 in that first inning and won the game 8-2 behind the pitching of Margie Law to advance them into the finals against the Lionettes. The Rockets finished third as they lost their first game, then won 5 straight before the loss to the Ramblers. The Ramblers then defeated the Lionettes in the first final 3-2 behind Margaret Dobson’s 2-run homer. Bertha Ragan then came through with the 2-0 pitching gem in the final game, despite 2 hits by Amy Peralta-Shelton. Margie Law hurled the final two games for the Ramblers winning the first and losing the final. Amy May-Peralta-Shelton was 3-6 in the final two games to lead the Ramblers offense. Dot Wilkinson batted .360 for the Ramblers during the tournament.

Amy Peralta Shelton (9-23, .391, 2 RBI, 4 Runs, 1 2B, 2 3B)

Jean Contel, Fresno (9-21, .429, 4 RBI, 1 Run)

Vera Miller, Fresno Rockets (3-0, pitched 2 shutouts and gave up 1 ER in 27 IP)

Carolyn Broady, Buena Park (7-15, .467, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 Runs).

Bea Sanderson, Nortowns (10-22, .455, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs).

Loretta Chushuk, Kansas City Dons (5-10, .500, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – .500

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes
  • HR Leader– Carolyn Broady, Buena Park – 1
  • HR Leader  – Bea Sanderson, Nortowns – 1
  • HR Leader  – Kay Rich, Fresno Rockets – 1
  • HR Leader  – Carolyn Thome, Dieselettes – 1
  • HR Leader – Fortune, NY Pandoras – 1
  • HR Leader – Breen, Nortowns – 1
  • HR Leader – Richmond, Rockets – 1
  • HR Leader – Ray, Buena Park Lynx – 1
  • Batting Leader – Loretta Chushuk, Kansas City Dons – .500

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (6-1, 51 IP, 65 K, 4 shutouts, including a 2-0 championship game win in which she struck out 6)
P – Terry Hiltz, Toronto Nortowns (4-2, 37 IP, 50 K)
P – Margie Law, PBSW Ramblers (5-2, 47 IP, 58 K, 3 Shutouts, no-hitter and two 1-hitters)
C – Dot Wilkinson, PBSW Ramblers
1B – Newlyn Greer, Carpenters Local 1098
2B – Jake Duncan, KC Dons
3B – Lu Mahoney, Buena Park Lynx
SS – Kay Rich, Fresno Rockets (8-20, .400, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 Runs, 17 Total Bases)
OF – Carolyn Thome, Caterpillar Dieselettes (4-18, .222, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 Runs)
OF – Irene Huber, Fresno Rockets
OF – Elaine Harris, Orange Lionettes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange Lionettes, Anaheim, CA (6-1) (Defending Champ)
2. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (5-2) (Cactus)
3. Betsy Ross Rockets, Fresno, CA (5-2) (North Pacific Coast)
4. Nortowns, Toronto, ON (4-2) (Host)
5t. Caterpillar Dieselettes, Peoria, IL (3-2) (West Central)
5t. Merchants, Metamora, OH (2-2) (East Central)
7t. Phoenix Clothier Rockettes, Allentown, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. Nutrilite Lynx, Buena Park, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
9t. Carpenters Local #1098, Baton Rouge, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Goss ON Ross, Dallas, TX (1-2) (Texas
9t. KC Dons, Kansas City, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Pandoras, New York City, NY (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Kalyx Cups, Toronto, ON (1-2) (Canada)
13t. Hanes Hosiery, Winston-Salem, NC (1-2) (Southern)
13t. King Soupers, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Green Jackets, Bremerton, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
17t. Victor’s Market, Minneapolis, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Wallingford Owlettes, Wallingford, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)

1952 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1952 held in Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – American Industrial Sales Flyers, Miami, Florida (113-11)

John Spring of Briggs Beautyware was 5-0, 35 IP, 57 K, the 22 year old Spring pitched a perfect game in the winner’s bracket-finals to defeat Buck Miller and his Memphis squad and then came back with a 2-1 three-hitter in the finals.

Buck Miller of Memphis Corbitt Motors Independents went 3-2, 44 IP, 55 K.

Al Linde of Dow AC was 5-14, .357, 1 RBI, 4 Runs.

George Adam, Briggs went 7-17, .412, 3 RBI, 1 Run.

Miami Flyers Eddie Feigner went 3-1, 30 IP, 47 Ks, 3 shutouts and Arno Lamb 2-1, shutout, lost final game 2-1. Eddie King also pitched for the Flyers in relief.

Eddie Feigner and the Miami Flyers shutout Memphis 3-0 in the semi-finals. The win allowed Miami to play Briggs in the Championship game. Miami started the scoring as Mike Meilecke doubled into left center and scored when Joe Lewis ripped a sharp single to left field to lead 1-0. Raybestos came back as Dave Sayre (2 hits in the game) beat out an infield single. Roy Palmieri hit a sharp grounder that Miami’s second basemen let go off his leg into the outfield, allowing Sayre to score. Palmieri, who went to third on the error, then scored when Miami catcher Jack Sweeting let a pitch go through him for a passed ball in what proved to be the winning run in the 2-1 championship game. Johnny Spring struck out 6 and gave up 4 hits to get the win. Losing Pitcher Arno Lamb struck out 5 and surrendered only 3 hits.

  • MVP – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
  • Batting Leader – Joe Overfield, Lackland AFB (6-11, 2 Runs) – .545
  • Home Run Leader – Johnny Marsden, Lackland AFB – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
P – Clarence “Buck” Miller, Independents
P – Harvey Sterkel, Denver Public Service
C – Ernie Bertolini, Trenton Democratic Club
1B – George Adam, Briggs Beautyware
2B – Whitey Campbell, American Industrial Flyers
3B – Dick Duzik, Dow Chemical
SS – Albert Gaub, Mt. Carmel Guild
OF – Dave Sayyae, Briggs Beautyware
OF – Loren Dinkle, Dow Chemical
OF – John “Buster” Ziegler, American Industrial Flyers
UT – John Marsden, Warhawks (5-13, 5 RBI, 5 Runs – also went 1-0 pitching 11 IP, 12 K)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, MI (6-0) (East Central)
2. American Industrial Sales (AIS), Miami, FL (5-2) (Southern)
3. Corbett Motors Independents, Memphis, TN (3-2) (Southwestern)
4. Trenton Democrats, Baltimore, MD (4-2) (Central Atlantic)
5t. Dow Chemical AC, Midland, MI (4-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Mt. Carmel Guild, Jersey City, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Goss ON Ross, Dallas, TX (2-2) (Texas)
7t. Steinberg’s, Montreal, QC (2-2) (Canada)
9t. Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX (2-2) (US Air Force)
9t. Public Service, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Sterling Beer, Louisville, KY (1-2) (West Central)
9t. Jersey Ice Cream, Minneapolis, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. Napa Merchants, Napa, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Irwin-Jones Dodgers, Tacoma, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Jones Ranchers, Eloy, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
13t. Casino Espanol, Havana (0-2) (Cuba)
17t. Columbus Auto Body, New Haven, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)
17t. Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Sioux City, IA (0-2) (Western)
17t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (0-2) (Host)

NOTES

South Pacific Coast Champ – Plymouth Mo-Parts, San Ysidro, CA did not attend.