Softball History USA

1959 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1959 held at Long Beach, California on August 27-September 5.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Sertoma Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Howard Heuston, Sertoma Club
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – LeRoy Zimmerman, Nitehawks
  • Leading Hitter – Jerry Branson, Lucky Lager – .500
  • Most RBI – N/A

1959 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – LeRoy Zimmerman, Nitehawks 3-0 0.00 50 1
P – Jim Boender, Hamms 4-0 0.00 46 0
P – Jack Randall, Nitehawks 2-0 0.00 26 3
P – Richie Stephens, Comets 3-1 1.28 65 2
C – Jack Palmore, Dautrich Realty .278
C – Charley Toppert, Hamms .238
C – Stan White, Nitehawks .166
IF – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks .429
IF – Larry Silvas, Nitehawks .389
IF – Jimmy Jones, Nitehawks .368
IF – Frank Doucette, Comets .348
OF – Al DeWulf, Hamms .348
OF – Sid Ryan, Hillside Outlaws .333
OF – Jack Lewko, Army & Navy Store .278
UTIL – Paul Humiston, Nitehawks .222
UTIL – Clint Herron, Nitehawks .222

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Comets, Culver City, CA
3. Hamms, Rock Island, IL
4. Realtors, Salt Lake City, UT
5t. Dautrich Reality, El Paso, TX
5t. Harsch Lumber Co., Longmont, CO
7t. Peccole Insurance, Las Vegas, NV
7t. Fats Richfield, Burley, ID
9t. Aetna Rockets, Alamogordo, NM
9t. Army & Navy Store, New Westminster, BC
9t. Caliente 5-10, TiJuana, Mex
9t. Hillside Outlaws, Bremerton, WA
13t. Piobeer Chevrolet, Taft, CA
13t. Twin City Poconos, Stroudsburg, PA
13t. Monty’s Resturant, Ft. Wayne, IN
13t. Coolidge Boosters, Coolidge, AZ
17t. Bills Trim Shop, Arlington, TX

1959 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Richmond, Virginia.

Champion: Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, Virginia
Runner Up: Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, North Carolina

Pitcher Polly Russell of Pearl Laundry had plenty of offensive support as her teammates provided her with 69 runs scored in the 3 games they played and Russell did her part twirling 2 shutouts along with the 10-4 Championship game win. Richmond got 4 runs in the first inning, then Player-Manager Pete Brown hit a HR in the sixth inning to pull the Glass Rockets to within 6-4, but Pearl Laundry scored 4 more runs on 4 hits to make it 10-4  in the seventh.  Louise ‘Pete’ Brown was 8-12 in the tournament (.667). A performance of note was the pitching of the Carolina Glass Rockets Maxine Palmer, who threw a 1-hit shutout in eliminating Garvin’s Grill 1-0. Garvin’s had been the National Runner-up the previous two years. Also noted was Pearl Laundry’s incredible display of offense in its 49-0 victory over Radford Weaving. Margaret Dooley had several hits in this contest which contributed to her Outstanding Hitter Award.

ALL TOURNAMENT AWARDS

  • N.F. Jacobs and Son MVP Award– Phyllis Wright, Carolina Glass Rockets (SF)
  • Hillerich & Bradsby Outstanding Hitter Award  -Margaret Tunie Dooley, Pearl Laundry (1B)
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Polly Russell, Pearl Laundry (3-0, 2 shutouts)
  • Rockingham Manager Award – Earl Scobie Gathright, Pearl Laundry
  • Batting Leader – Louise Pete Brown, Rockets (8-12, .667, 1 HR) – .667

FINAL STANDINGS (Single Elimination)

1. Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA (3-0)
2. Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC (3-1)
3t. Petersburg-Hopewell, VA (2-1)
3t. Blue Jays, Richmond, VA (2-1)
5t. Baltimore Jets, Baltimore, MD (1-1)
5t. Radford Weaving, Radford, NC (1-1)
5t. Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC (0-1)
5t. Rangerettes, Elizabeth, PA (0-1)
9t. Virginia Metal Products, Orange, VA (0-1)
9t. Creeds, Virginia Beach, VA (0-1)
9t. Natick Debs, Natick, MA (0-1)
9t. Payne Oil, Burlington, NC (0-1)
9t. Knotts Island Girls, Knotts Island, NC (0-1)

SCORES

Single Elimination
First Round
Petersburg-Hopewell, VA 13 Natick Debs, Natick, MA 4
Baltimore Jets, Baltimore, MD 5 Creeds, Virginia Beach, VA 1
Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC 7 Virginia Metal Products, Orange, VA 6
BYE- Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC
BYE- Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA
Radford Weaving, Radford, NC 13 Knotts Island Girls, Knotts Island, NC 8
BYE- Rangerettes, Elizabeth, PA
Blue Jays, Richmond, VA 5 Payne Oil, Burlington, NC 0

Quarterfinals
Petersburg-Hopewell, VA 2 Baltimore Jets, Baltimore, MD 0
Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC 1 Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 0
Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 49 Radford Weaving, Radford, NC 0
Blue Jays, Richmond, VA 8 Rangerettes, Elizabeth, PA 6

Semifinals
Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC 14 Petersburg-Hopewell, VA 2
Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 10 Blue Jays, Richmond, VA 0

Championship
Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 10 Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC 4

1959 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (56-7)
Runner Up – Erv Lind Florist, Portland, Oregon

The Brakettes won their second straight championship as Edna Fraser’s base hit scored Mary Hartman with the winning run in the 9th inning of 1-0 Championship game. Bertha Ragan pitched the whole game for the Brakettes and gave up only 1 hit to Margaret Dobson and struck out 13. Micki (Stratton) Macchietto was intentionally walked to get to Fraser, who up to this point did not have a hit in the tournament. She calmly laced a line drive right center field that went to the fence. The Brakettes got four hits (Bev Mulonet, Mary Hartman, Joan Joyce and Fraser) of losing pitcher, Louise Mazucca. Mazzucca struck out 10 Brakettes. She ended the tournament with 91 strike outs in the 51 innings she pitched. She also hurled 2 no-hitters in the tournament. Ragan (4-0 and Joyce (2-0) combined for 80 K in 50 IP. They did not surrender a single run. Raybestos was 5-0, shutting out all 5 opponents.

Bertha Ragan outdueled Louise Mazzucca in the final game 1-0. Mazzucca had already thrown 2 no hitters in the tournament.

Once again, the pitching duo of Noni Hoehn (2-1) and Teddy Hamilton (1-1) led the Orange Lionettes to a 4th place finish.

Eleanor Rudolph of Pekin-Lettes batted .454, 5-11, 1 RBI, 3 Runs and won the batting title.

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Nera White, Sterling Belles – 1
  • HR Leader – Kathryn King, PBSW Ramblers – 1
  • Batting Leader – Eleanor Rudolph, Pekin-Lettes – .454
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes (4-0, 4 shutouts, 1 no-hitter, 47 K, 30 IP, gave up 4 hits, hurled 9 inning 1-hit 1-0 shutout in final with 13 K)
P – Billy Harris, PBSW Ramblers (4-1, 30 IP, 18 K) and Gloria Barnes (2-1, 29 IP, 18 K) pitched for the Ramblers, who went 6-2 to finish 3rd.
P – Louise “Chris” Mazzuca, Erv Lind Florists (3-2, only 2 ER given up, 91 K in 51 IP, including 26 in a 16 inning game, lost final game 1-0 in bottom of the 9th inning, 2 no hitters)
P – Nonie Hoehn, Orange Lionettes
C – Micki “Stratton” Macchietto, Raybestos Brakettes
1B – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (2-0, both shutouts, 33 K, 20 IP)
2B – Kathryn “Sis” King, PBSW Ramblers (5-22, .227, 3 RBI, 2 Runs)
3B – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes
SS – Beverly Mulonet, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Carolyn Thome, Pekin Lettes
OF – Nera “Sally” White, Sterling Belles (5-12, .416, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
OF – Hap Beryl-Piper, Erv Lind Florists

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lorene Ramsey, Pekin Lettes
P – Maureen Galvin, New York Pandoras
P – Bess Phillips, Nashville Sterling Belles
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers
1B – Donna Baxter, Orange Lionettes
2B – Carolyn Fitzwater, Erv Lind Florists
3B – Margaret Dobson, Erv Lind Florists
SS – Darlene Wenner, Pekin Lettes
OF – Kathy Sheriden, Northview Construction
OF – Jean LaBreque, Caggiano All-Stars
UTIL – Gloria Barnes, Phoenix Ramblers

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Erv Lind Florist, Portland, OR (4-2) (Northwestern)
3. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (6-2) (Cactus)
4. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (3-2) (South Pacific Coast)
5t. Pandoras, New York City, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
5t. Sterling Belles, Nashville, TN (2-2) (South Atlantic)
7t. Pekin-Lettes, Peoria, IL (2-2) (West Central)
7t. Northview Construction, Toronto, ON (2-2) (East Canada)
9t. Laurelettes, Hartford, CT (2-2) (Host)
9t. Caggiano All-Stars, Lynn, MA (2-2) (North Atlantic)
9t. Alameda Jets, Alameda, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (1-2) (East Central)
13t. IBEW Girls, Lancaster, PA (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (1-2) (Southern)
13t. St. Louis Blues, St. Louis, MO (0-2) (Western)
13t. Minneapolis Comets, Minneapolis, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Pepsi-Cola, San Antonio, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Spud-Nut Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Al-Ettes, Pine Bluff, AR (0-2) (Southwestern)

NOTES

West Canada Champ – CUAC Blues, Winnipeg, Manitoba did not attend.

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 losers 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)
UTIL – 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
UTIL – 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 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1958 held at Long Beach, California on August 24-September 1.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Condors, Dinuba, California

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – John Ridley, Lake Furniture
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Jack Randall, Nitehawks
  • Leading Hitter – Dick Brubaker, Hamms Beer – .500
  • Most RBI – N/A

1958 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Jack Randall, Nitehawks (3-0, 21 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 32 K, 7 BB)
P – Bryan Voigt, Condors (5-1, 34 IP, 22 H, 3 ER, 38 K, 6 BB)
P – LeRoy Zimmerman, Nitehawks (2-1, 22 1/3 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 28 K, 1 BB)
P – John Ridley, Lake Furniture (6-2, 59 IP, 35 H, 10 ER, 66 K, 16 BB)
1B – Larry Silvas, Nitehawks .346
2B – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks .333
SS – Swede Moore, Lake Furniture .258
3B – Ben Murray, Lake Furniture .333
IF – Clint Herron, Nitehawks .292
OF – Ricardo Mendez, Caliente Race Track .476
OF – Paul Humiston, Nitehawks .286
OF – Ricky Maris, Caliente Race Track .353
OF – Jim Aversing, Hamms Beer .307
C – Irving ‘Red’ Meairs, Nitehawks .417
C – James Kennemer, Q’s Mobil Service .385
C – Dick Helmuth, Condors .304

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Condors, Dinuba, CA
3. Lake Furniture, Bremerton, WA
4. Caliente Race Track, Tijuana, MX
5t. Comets, Culver City, CA
5t. Q’s Mobil Service, Tulsa, OK
7t. Hamm’s Beer, Rock Island, IL
7t. Reyhers Milling Co, McClave, CO
9t. Elites, New Bedford, IL
9t. Crystal Dairy, Remington, IN
9t. Fred M. Nye Co., Ogden, UT
9t. Acme Fence, Ft. Worth, TX
13t. Penn T-V, Providence, RI
13t. Powers Tavern, Davenport, IA
13t. All Stars, Hutto, TX
13t. Army & Navy Stores, New Westminster, BC
17t. Union Furniture Co., El Paso, TX
17t. Miller High Life, Las Vegas, NV
17t. Vasey’s, Tucson, AZ

1958 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1958 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – East Side Sports, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, Ohio

In 1958 the Open and Industrial were combined into one tournament.

East Side defeated Sheffield 8-5 in the winners bracket final on the strength of Frank Panski’s 2 triples, a home run and 4 RBI. accounting for half the teams runs. East Side had just defeated Helf Builders 17-7 on the strength of home runs by Panski, Joe Gauci and George Banchui.

Sheffield advanced to the championship game by defeating Boone’s Bar of Kentucky 10-1 as Ron Annotico hit a pair of 3-Run HR for Sheffield.

In the Championship game, East Side Sporting Goods beat Sheffield 7-4. George Corona of East Side pitched the victory, hit 2 HR and added 4 RBI to lead the Detroit squad to the title George Branchui chipped in with a solo HR for good measure. Corona led the East Side bats in both homers and batting average. East Side’s Joe Gauci, who played the season with Sox’s Inn and was a pickup for East Side for the National Tournament helped the defense turn multiple double plays from his short fielder position. East Side went 6-0 in the tournament.

The Detroit squad won their first game rather easily over Stape Darts 7-1. They then came from behind and defeated Dapper Dan’s of PA 6-5 on a walk off Home Run by pinch-hitter Carl Cantinella. The next game saw the same situation as Detroit defeated defending champ, Gatliff Auto of Kentucky.

Gatliff’s had 17 hits in the game, but only 6 runs, due to the defense of the Detroiters who turned six double plays in the game. With the game tied at six, going into the bottom of the 10th inning, two outs and third basemen Phil Gallo came to bat. He got a hold of one of Vern Robert’s pitches and when it landed on the other side of the left field fence, the East Side team had done it again.

  • MVP – Joe Gauci, East Side Sports (Clutch hits and great defensive plays from short fielder position)
  • HR Leader – Ron Annotico, Sheffield Bronze – 6
  • Batting Leader – Ron Annotico, Sheffield Bronze – .619
  • Industrial MVP –  Milt Kress, Turbine Jets
  • Industrial Home Run Leader – Dick Luken, Cincinnati Firefighters – 6
  • Industrial Batting  Leader – Ralph Rengering, Cincinnati Firefighters (17-25) – .680

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Chuck Jacobs, Sheffield
C – Dick Luken, Cincinnati Firefighters – (Industrial Player)
1B – Frank Panski, East Side Sports
2B – Roy Lombardo, East Side Sports
3B – Milt Kress, Turbine Jets – (Industrial Player)
SS – Walt Wherry, Boone’s Bar
SF – Joe Gauci, East Side Sports
LF – Chuck Comella, Sheffield
CF – Ron Annotico, Sheffield (13-21, .619, 6 HR)
RF – Walt Kunz, Turbine Jets – (Industrial Player)

OTHERS

Sam Minnitti, Hamilton Tailors (6-2 Pitching)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (6-0)
2. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
3. Boone’s Bar, Covington, KY (5-2)
4. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (6-2)
5t. Ghezi Chevrolet, Spencer, MA (4-2)
5t. Helf Builders, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
7t. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (3-2)
7t. Mount Carmel Rec, Worcester, MA (3-2)
9t. Lambrecht’s, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
9t. Dapper Dan’s, Vandergrift, PA (3-2)
9t. Viking Insurance Athletic Club, Wantagh, NY (3-2)
9t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (2-2)
13t. Parker’s Market, Portsmouth, VA (2-2)
13t. Woody’s Market, Dayton, OH (2-2)
13t. Manuel & Poulos Construction, Biloxi, MS (2-2)
13t. Warren Athletic Club, Warren, OH (2-2)
17t. House of Champions, Syracuse, NY (1-2)
17t. Contract Plating, Stratford, CT (1-2)
17t. South Knoxville Merchants, Knoxville, TN (1-2)
17t. Snafu Club, Sheboygan, WI (1-2)
17t. Willie’s Tavern, Mobile, AL (1-2)
17t. Arlington Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
17t. Jordan Motors, San Antonio, TX (1-2)
17t. Scarsdale Black Sox, Scarsdale, NY (1-2)
25t. Cincy Mat Stoppers, Staten Island, NY (0-2)
25t. B&B Tavern, Grove City, OH (0-2)
25t. Northern Scrap Iron, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
25t. Ted’s Place, Toledo, OH (0-2)
25t. South Albany, Albany, GA (0-2)
25t. Stape Darts, Staten Island, NY (0-2)
25t. Homer’s Boys, Louisville, KY (0-2)
25t. Mt. View, Fredericksburg, VA (0-2)

1958 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1958 held at Buena Park, California.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (52-5)
Runner Up – Hacienda Rockets, Fresno, California

Bertha Ragan-Tickey started the game pitching for the Brakettes, she was injured in the third inning and 17 year old first basemen, Joan Joyce came into to pitch and finish the game and get the win. In the end, they combined to throw a no-hitter against the powerful defending champs. Mary Hartman hit a dramatic inside the park home run in 7th inning that won the championship 1-0 for Brakettes. They became the first New England team to ever win an ASA Championship.

Hartman also went 3 for 22, .136, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 Run.

Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (2-0 record- 2-0, 1-0, 7 inning no hitter and combined no hitter, 11.2 IP giving up 0 hits). The no-hitter Joyce hurled was in her very first ASA National Championship game appearance.

Kay Rich, Fresno Rockets (7-23, .304, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)

Robbie Mulkey, Orange Lionettes (5-21, .238, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)

Jo Day of Orange Lionettes went 7-15, 3 RBI with a .467 batting average and won the batting title.

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Batting Leader – Jo Day, Orange Lionettes – .467
  • HR Leader – Mary Hartman, Raybestos Brakettes – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Virginia “Ginny” Busick, Hacienda Rockets (5-2, 60 IP, 59 K. 0.35 ERA) – Struck out 19 batters in a 4-0 16 inning win.
P – Billie Harris, Phoenix Ramblers (5-2, 51 IP, 26 K, 1 ER)
P – Bertha Ragan Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes (4-0, 3 shutouts, 53 K, 45  IP, gave up 1 run, which was unearned)
C – Micki “Stratton” Macchietto, Raybestos Brakettes
1B – Roberta “Robbie” Mulkey, Orange Lionettes
2B – Terry Urrutia, Hacienda Rockets
3B – Jeanne Contel, Hacienda Rockets
SS – Beverly Mulonet, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Audrey Betz, Lancaster IBEW Girls
OF – Tommie Slappey, Hacienda Rockets
OF – Thelma Carlson, Oregon Meadlowlarks
UTIL – Thelma Eisen, Orange Lionettes

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Louise “Chris” Mazzuca, Oregon Meadlowlarks (2-2, 36 IP, 62 K, 2 shutouts) pitched the Oregon Meadowlarks to a fifth place finish. She struck out 26 batters in a losing cause (lost 4-0 in 16 innings) against the Fresno Rockets.
P – Marion Fox, Toronto Northview (2-2, 31 IP, 47 K, no-hitter)
P – Dolores Siegfried, Lancaster IBEW Girls (3-2, 47 IP, 30 K, lost first game against Brakettes, then won 3 straight)
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers
1B – Gloria May, Fresno Rockets
2B – Mildred Dixon, Phoenix Ramblers
3B – Marie Ottaviano, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Marilyn Sypriano, Fresno Rockets
OF – Joan Kammeyer, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Elaine Harris, Orange Lionettes
OF – Sally Carman, Phoenix Ramblers
UTIL – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes

HONORABLE MENTION

C – Kay Rich, Fresno Rockets
C – Lu Wetzel, Oregon Meadlowlarks
1B – Audrey McComsey, Lancaster IBEW Girls
SS – Kay Rohrer, Phoenix Ramblers
OF – Annabelle Lockabay, Orange Lionettes.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (6-0) (Host)
2. Hacienda Rockets, Fresno, CA (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (4-2) (South Pacific Coast)
4. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (5-2) (Cactus)
5t. Meadowlarks, Forest Grove, OR (2-2) (Northwestern)
5t. IBEW Girls, Lancaster, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. Northview Construction, Toronto, ON (3-2) (East Canada)
7t. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (2-2) (East Central)
9t. El-Car Fences, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Marauders, Plainfield, NJ (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
9t. St. Louis Blues, St. Louis, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Tomboys, Atlanta, GA (1-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. Quincy Raiderettes, Quincy, MA (1-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Minneapolis Comets, Minneapolis, MN (0-2) (Northern)
13t. Al-Lettes, Pine Bluff, AR (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. R.H. Hall Girls, St. Petersburg, FL (0-2) (Southern)
17t. Houston Blues, Houston, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Sunnyland Lettes, Peoria, IL (0-2) (West Central)
17t. Napa Independants, Napa, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)

NOTES

Meadowlands, Forest Grove, OR went in place of – Northwestern Champ – Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR, who could not attend. West Canada Champ – CUAC Blues, Winnipeg, Manitoba did not attend.

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 losers 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, despite the fact that 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 losers 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
UTIL – 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)
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
C – Max Trainham, McDonald Sports

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.

1958 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1958 held at Richmond, Virginia.

Champion: Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, Virginia
Runner Up: Garvin’s Grill, Washington, D.C.

Pitcher Polly Russell of Pearl Laundry won all four games to lead the home town team to the National Championship. She shutout the first 3 opponents and then won final game 4-3. Pearl Laundry outscored their opponents 28-4 in the tournament. The outscored their opponents 24-0 in their first 3 games. Pearl Laundry also played Fast-Pitch and lost out in the ASA Regional Tournament to go to the Women’s Fast Pitch National. Regular Pitcher, Maxine Palmer was injured, so Polly Russell filled in and shut their opponents down. Garvin’s Player-Manager Edith Baum was selected as the Most Valuable Player.

  • N.F. Jacobs and Son MVP Award – Edith Carter Baum, Garvin’s Grill (SS)
  • Hillerich & Bradsby Outstanding Hitter Award – Mary Rogers, Pearl Laundry (C)
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Polly Russell, Pearl Laundry (4-0, including 3 shutouts)
  • Rockingham Manager Award – Arthur Mutt Pemberton, Pearl Laundry

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA (4-0)
2. Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC (3-1)
3t. Lakeside Pharmacy Blue Jays, Richmond, VA (2-1)
3t. Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (1-1)
5t. Hebert Candies AA, Natick, MA (1-1)
5t. Adam’s Restaurant, Baltimore, MD (1-1)
5t. Martel’s Furniture, Hampton, VA (1-1)
5t. Virginia Dairy, Richmond, VA (0-1)
9t. Rocknoll Nursery, Cincinnati, OH (0-1)
9t. Virginia Metal Products, Orange, VA (0-1)
9t. Academy Park Rec Center, Portsmouth, VA (0-1)
9t. Mathews Girls, Mathews, VA (0-1)
9t. Legget’s, Fredricksburg, VA (0-1)
9t. Bethlehem Baptist, Richmond, VA (0-1)

NOTE: The format of the tournament was single elimination.

SCORES

Single Elimination
First Round
Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 11 Mathews Girls, Mathews, VA 0
Adam’s Restaurant, Baltimore, MD 7 Legget’s, Fredricksburg, VA 5
Martel’s Furniture, Hampton, VA 15 Bethlehem Baptist, Richmond, VA 5
BYE- Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH
BYE- Virginia Dairy, Richmond, VA
Lakeside Pharmacy Blue Jays, Richmond, VA 5 Rocknoll Nursery, Cincinnati, OH 1
Hebert Candies AA, Natick, MA 10 Academy Park Rec Center, Portsmouth, VA 0
Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 6 Virginia Metal Products, Orange, VA 1

Quarterfinals
Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 7 Adam’s Restaurant, Baltimore, MD 0
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 4 Martel’s Furniture, Hampton, VA 0
Lakeside Pharmacy Blue Jays, Richmond, VA W- Virginia Dairy, Richmond, VA L
Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC W Hebert Candies AA, Natick, MA L

Semifinals
Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 6 Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 0
Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 2 Lakeside Pharmacy Blue Jays, Richmond, VA 0

Championship
Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 4 Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 3

1957 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1957 held at Richmond, Virginia

Champion – Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Garvin’s Grill, Washington, D.C.

Dana Garden’s won the first women’s Slow Pitch event defeating Garvin’s Grill 4-1 in the final behind Nancy Conner’s pitching, Alberta Kohls Hitting and the outstanding play of Betty Hamlin. Nancy Conner pitched all 4 games for Dana Gardens and only gave up 8 runs in the 4 games, also hurling a shutout. She held the Washington DC Garvins Grill squad, who had scored 18 runs in their 3 games to just one run in the 4-1 Championship Game. Third Basemen Betty Hamlin was a force on Offense and Defense. Alberta Kohls was awarded the outstanding hitter award as she had a great tournament at the plate.

  • N.F. Jacobs and Son MVP Award – Nancy Conner, Dana Gardens (P), (4-0 pitching, with a shutout, gave up only 8 runs in 4 games)
  • Hillerich & Bradsby Outstanding Hitter Award – Alberta Kohls, Dana Gardens (OF)
  • Outstanding Player Award – Betty Hamlin, Dana Gardens (3B)
  • Rockingham Manager Award– Commie Currens, Dana Gardens

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (4-0)
2. Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC (3-1)
3t. Dairy Maids, Richmond, VA (2-2)
3t. Legget’s, Fredricksburg, VA (2-2)
5t. Mathews Girls, Mathews, VA (1-1)
5t. Lakeside Pharmacy, Richmond, VA (1-1)
5t. Pollyannas, Richmond, VA (1-1)
5t. Adam’s Restaurant, Baltimore, MD (1-1)
9t. Martel’s Furniture, Hampton, VA (0-1)
9t. Bethel Methodist, Richmond, VA (0-1)
9t. Brown-Foreman, Louisville, KY (0-1)
9t. Southside, Richmond, VA (0-1)
9t. Arrow Blue Jays, Richmond, VA (0-1)
9t. Belnap Belles, Louisville, KY (0-1)
9t. Virginia Metal Products, Orange, VA (0-1)
9t. Herbert Candy Debs, Natick, MA (0-1)

NOTE: The format of the tournament was single elimation.

SCORES

Single Elimination
First Round
Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 2 Martel’s Furniture, Hampton, VA 0
Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 3  Herbert Candy Debs, Natick, MA 2
Legget’s, Fredricksburg, VA 13 Bethel Methodist, Richmond, VA 1
Lakeside Pharmacy, Richmond, VA 10 Belnap Belles, Louisville, KY 5
Dairy Maids, Richmond, VA 19 Brown-Foreman, Louisville, KY 1
Mathews Girls, Mathews, VA 29 Southside, Richmond, VA 10
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 10 Arrow Blue Jays, Richmond, VA 0
Adam’s Restaurant, Baltimore, MD 4 Virginia Metal Products, Orange, VA 0

Quarterfinals

Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 8 Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 5
Legget’s, Fredricksburg, VA 8 Lakeside Pharmacy, Richmond, VA 1
Dairy Maids, Richmond, VA 8 Mathews Girls, Mathews, VA 1
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 2 Adam’s Restaurant, Baltimore, MD 1

Semi Finals

Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 8 Legget’s, Fredricksburg, VA 0
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 7 Dairy Maids, Richmond, VA 6 (8 innings)

Championship

Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 4 Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC 1