Category: USSSA

1976 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1976 held at Wyandotte, Michigan.

Champion – Snyder’s, Novi, Michigan
Runner Up – Joe’s Army & Navy, Kittanning, Pennsylvania

Joe’s Army & Navy took an early lead on Gary Smith’s homer and Denny Brown’s RBI single. The game went back and forth until the top of the 7th, when Snyder’s trailing 7-5, erupted for four runs to ice the game. Lon Parker, Rick Trudeau and Phil Higgins all hit singles, with Parker scoring on Higgins’ hit. Doug Gerdes, who was 0-3 up to that point, hit a dramatic 3-run homer into a strong wind to give Snyder’s the 9-7 lead. Rick Pinto got Joe’s out in the bottom of the 7th to win the title.  Rick Trudeau (12-17, 706) and Phil Higgins (11-16, .688, 10 RBIs) led the Snyder offense.

  • MVP – Rick Pinto, Snyder’s (8-13, .615, 1 RBI, 6 Runs; 2-3 in Final, 4-0 Pitching)
  • Home Run Leader – Tom Miller, Joe’s Army & Navy  (9-16, .563, 11 RBIs, 9 Runs) – 6
  • Batting Leader – Fred Ryan, Joe’s Army & Navy (12-16, 4 HRs, 8 RBIs, 9 Runs) – .750

1976 USSSA ALL WORLD TEAM

  • Pitcher – Rick Pinto – Snyder’s Softball Club (8-13, .615, 1 RBI, 6 Runs) – also 4-0 Pitching
  • Catcher – Tex Collins – Little Caesars (6-13, .462, 4 HRs, 7 RBIs, 5 Runs)
  • First Base – Tom Miller – Joe’s Army & Navy (9-16, .563, 6 HRs, 11 RBIs, 9 Runs)
  • Second Base – Doug Czaplewski – Transport Oil (6-16, .375, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Third Base – Doug Gerdes – Snyder’s Softball Club (10-18, .556, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 10 Runs)
  • Shortstop – Rick Trudeau – Snyder’s Softball Club (12-17, .706, 7 RBI, 12 Runs)
  • Outfield – Jim Dillard – Transport Oil (6-15, .400, 5 HRs, 11 RBIs, 8 Runs)
  • Outfield – Larry Elkins – Snyder’s Softball Club (7-15, .467, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, 7 Runs)
  • Outfield – Gary Smith – Joe’s Army & Navy (9-15, .600, 3 HRs, 5 RBIs, 3 Runs)
  • Outfield – Fred Ryan – Joe’s Army & Navy (12-16, .750, 4 HRs, 8 RBIs, 9 Runs)
  • Outfield – Dave Rhodes – Snyder’s Softball Club (1-5, .200)
  • Utility – Bill Sepich – Joe’s Army & Navy (4-17, .235, 3 RBIs, 1 Run)
  • Utility – Phil Higgins – Snyder’s Softball Club (11-16, .688, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, 7 Runs)
  • Utility – Dennis Hogan – Little Caesars (9-16, .563, 5 HRs, 5 RBIs, 9 Runs)
  • Utility – Derek Gallagher – Transport Oil (8-19, .421, 4 Runs)

OTHERS:

  • Mickey McCarty, Taylor Brothers (8-12, .667, 4 HRs, 5 RBIs 5 Runs)
  • Jim Mitchell, Uniroyal (4-6, .667, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs)
  • Al Gibson, Uniroyal (5-8, .625, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs, 3 Runs
  • Buddy Slater, Taylor Brothers (5-8, .625, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Bob Voss, Snyders (9-16 .563, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 7 Runs)
  • Chuck Drewicz, Snyders (8-15, .533, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 6 Runs)
  • Denny Brown, Sol Mintz (8-15, .533, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs)
  • Matt Partridge, Snyders (5-10, .500, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 5 Runs)
  • Stan Harvey, Little Caesars (2-4, .500, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • Hank Kosmala, Kerr-Copper State (3-6, .500, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs)
  • Braxton Speller, Synders (8-17, .471, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs, 7 Runs)
  • Arlis Jones, Transport Oil (8-17, 471, 5 RBIs, 4 Runs)
  • Elby Bushong, Kerr-Copper State (3-7, .429, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs, 3 Runs)
  • Dennis Myers, Kerr-Copper State (3-7, .429, 2 Runs)
  • Buck Buchanon, Taylor Brothers (3-7, .429, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 Runs)
  • Rick Scherr, Taylor Brothers (5-12, .417, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs, 4 Runs)
  • Cal Carman, Uniroyal (3-8, .375, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • Bill Ferguson, Taylor Brothers (4-11. .364, 7 RBIs, 4 Runs)
  • Dick Bartel, Taylor Brothers (4-11, .364, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, 4 Runs)
  • Mike Gouin, Little Caesars (5-15, .333, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 5 Runs)
  • Bert Smith, Little Caesars (5-16, .313, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs, 5 Runs)
  • Jim Foxy Nelson, Sol Mintz (4-17, .235, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 4 Runs)
  • Glenn Eichelberger, Uniroyal (0-3, .000)
  • Jim Puckett, Little Caesars (0-3, .000)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, Ml (4-0)
2. Joe’s Army & Navy, Kittaning, PA (3-2)
3. Transport Oil, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
4. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI (2-2)
5t. Taylor Brothers, Corpus Christi, TX (1-2)
5t. Uniroyal, Detroit, MI (1-2)
7t. Kerr-Cooper, Phoenix, AZ (0-2)
7t. Rodeo Room, Anaheim, CA (0-2)

*By winning the 1976 World Series, Snyder’s—-(QUALIFIED for 1977 WORLD SERIES)

Softball Associations Agree on Competition

Two national softball organizations have filed an agreement in U.S. District Court that would allow their 45,000 member teams to compete against each other.

The agreement, which has to be approved by U S. Judge L. Clure Morton, would allow teams to belong to both the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and the U.S. Slo-Pitch Softball Association (USSSA). Nearly one million participants are affected.

The pact resulted from a federal suit the USSSA and a Nashville team filed against the ASA last June. It challenged the MA’s suspension of the team for one year for playing in a USSSA tournament.

The ASA has 35,000 member teams and is headquartered in Oklahoma City. The USSSA, based in Petersburg, Va claims a membership of 10,000 teams.

Details of the accord were related by The Tennessean, Nashville’s morning newspaper, in a copyrighted story in its editions today.

The agreement would require members of each league to join the other in order to compete against each other. However, a team could compete in only one of the associations’ national tournament competition. It would have to decide by June 15 which com-petition it would enter. The agreement also would prevent governing officials from holding office in both groups.

The ASA uses a “restricted flight” ball, 275-foot fences in most parks and 60-foot bases and gives only trophies for tournament championships.

The USSSA uses a “live” ball, 300-toot fences and 65-toot bases. Sponsors of top finishers in its tournaments are awarded money, in some cases as much as $4,000 for a single tournament champion.

1975 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1975 held at Rochester, New York.

Champion – Snyder’s, Novi, Michigan
Runner Up – Sol Mintz, Washington, Pennsylvania

Sol Mintz had to defeat two powerhouse teams in the loser’s bracket to get a crack at the championship game. Synder’s had beaten Sol Mintz 18-17 to send them tot he loser’s bracket. Sol Mintz then beat Uniroyal of Detroit 12-11 (former USSSA Champion Dino’s Pizza) behind the home run power of Big Tom Miller, then beat Copper Hearth 14-10 in the loser’s bracket final behind George Taylor’s four hits and homers from Chuck Yesenchak and Tom Miller. Gary Smith held the bats scoreless in the final to inning.  Now in the finals, Sol Mintz faced Snyder’s Softball Club of Michigan. Rick Pinto hurled a 5-hit shutout to give Snyder’s the championship via a 11-0 victory. Matt Partridge had 3 hits and Doug Gerdes made it look easy with a booming home run among his two hits and 3 RBIs. Jim Mitchell was 9-13 (.692) with 5 HRs and 10 RBIs to lead Snyder’s in hitting. Matt Partridge was 11-17 (.647). For Sol Mintz, Denny Brown was 15-22 (.681), with 13 Runs Scored. Don Matthews (15-23, .652) also had a big weekend.

This was the first All World Team was selected. The previous selections were East, West or Central.

  • MVP – Doug Gerdes, Snyder’s (10-16, .625, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Tom Miller, Sol Mintz  (12-18, .667, 15 RBI, 12 Runs) – 6
  • Batting Leader – Phil Higgins, Copper Hearth (12-16, 3 HR,11 RBI, 10 Runs) – .750

1975 USSSA ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Rick Pinto – Snyder’s Softball Club (5-15, .333, 1 Run) – also 4-0 Pitching
Pitcher – Chuck Drewicz – Copper Heath (7-15, .467, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 Runs)
First Base – Don Matthews – Sol Mintz (15-23, .652, 3 RBI, 13 Runs)
Second Base – Stan Brown – Snyder’s Softball Club (9-14, .643, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
Third Base – Doug Gerdes – Snyder’s Softball Club (10-16, .625, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
Shortstop – Derek Gallagher – Builders Hardware (7-12, .583, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Outfield – Phil Higgins – Copper Hearth (12-16, .750, 3 HR,11 RBI, 10 Runs)
Outfield – Stan Rocca – Sol Mintz (6-24, .250, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
Outfield – Matt Partridge – Snyder’s Softball Club (11-17, .647, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
Outfield – Dan Murphy – Uniroyal (8-14, .571, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Outfield – Dave Rhodes – Snyder’s Softball Club (8-15, .533, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 Runs)

OTHERS

Jim Mitchell, Snyders (9-13, .692, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs)
Jim Yesenchak, Sol Mintz (13-19, .684, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8 Runs)
Denny Brown, Sol Mintz (15-22 . 682, 4 RBI, 13 Runs)
Tom Miller, Sol Mintz (12-18, .667, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
Tom Kaminsky, Uniroyal (9-14, .643, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 8 Runs)
Charlie Pierce, Capitol Insulation (5-8, .625, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
Al Gibson, Uniroyal (8-13, .615, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
Doc Nuebauer, Copper Hearth (9-16, .562, 5 Runs)
Rick Scherr, Copper Hearth (6-12, .500, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
Hank Kosmala, Capitol Insulation (3-6, .500, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Frank Tacone, Mazzola (3-6, .500, 1 Run)
Rick Trudeau, Snyders (8-17, .471, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
Chuck Drewicz, Copper Hearth (7-15, .467, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 Runs)
Lon Parker, Snyders (6-17, 353, 5 Runs)
Elby Bushong, Copper State (3-9, .333, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 Runs)
Jim Mortl, Copper Hearth (5-16, .312, 1 RBI, 6 Runs)
Larry Elkins, Snyders (2-13, .154, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 Runs)
Cal Carman, Uniroyal (1-14, .071)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI (4-0)
2. Sol Mintz, Washington, PA (4-2)
3. Copper Hearth, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
4. Uniroyal, Detroit, MI (2-2)
5t. Builders Hardware, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
5t. Copper State Nut & Bolt, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
7t. Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA (0-2)
7t. Mazzola, Rochester, NY (0-2)

NOTE: By winning the 1975 World Series, Snyder’s qualified for the 1976 USSSA Major World Series.

1975 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1975 held at Southgate, Michigan.

Champion – Real Estate One Stingers, Redford, Michigan
Runner Up – Enrico’s, Cincinnati, Ohio

Marilyn Cech held off the Enrico’s in the championship game and pitched the Real Estate Stingers to an 9-1 victory and the World Championship. Shirley Patterson pitched for Enrico’s. Cech surrendered 12 hits, but only 1 run. Sherry Crane was 4-4 in the Championship game. Cech helped her own cause with a 2-3 game. Six different players had at least 2 hits for the Stingers in the game.

  • MVP – Sherry Crane, Stingers (.619)
  • Batting Leader – Connie Carlson, Heales’ Mfg. – .667
  • HR Leader – Kimba Cornell, Washington Plastic – 3

1975 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Marilyn Cech, Real Estate One
C – Martha Kidd, Enrico’s (.563)
1B – Sherry Crane, Real Estate One (.619)
2B – Bev Beck, Enrico’s (.600)
3B – Ginny Belavia, Pace (.467)
SS – Supe Reidel, Real Estate One (.350)
OF – Pat Bryan, Kolesar, Ins. (.500)
OF – Kris Thompson, Enrico’s (.438)
OF – Bennie Jones, Kelly Tavern (.545)
OF – Connie Carlson, Heales Mfg. (.667)
UT – Evelyn Abell, Loungettes (.500)

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 35 total teams)

1. Real Estate One Stingers, Redford, MI
2. Enrico’s, Cincinnati, OH
3. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY
4. Kolesar Insurance, Louisville, KY
5t. Kelley Tavern, Rochester, NY
5t. Stan’s Auto Sales, New Castle, PA (68-6)

1974 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1974 held on August 24-26 at Howarth Park and Burbank Park in Pinole, California.

Champion – Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Bay Area Merchants (BAM), Richmond, California

Pace Electronics started to make a statement on the very first night of the tournament as they upset Defending Champ, Bay Area Merchants from Richmond CA by a 10-8 score. Winning Pitcher Frank Tacone was 4-4 to lead the Pace squad. Glen Eichelberger hit a 3-run homer for Pace. This dropped BAM into the losers bracket. There, they won five straight games by a combined score of 114-48. Included in those wins were victories over Pace 20-13 (Pace finished in 3rd place) and then 15-9 over Dino’s Pizza in the first game of the finals. Dino’s came back and won the final championship game 10-5 behind the Pitching and Hitting of Joe Patti. Patti went 2-4 in the final game and surrendered only 11 hits to a team that had previously collected 100 hits in it five game winning streak. Tasso Runeliotis had a big 3-run homer to lead Dino’s.

1973 East, Central, West World Champs and Runner-ups along with the 1973 World Series Champ played an 8 team double elimination tournament.

The process of determining the World Series participants the prior year has ended. The East, Central an West Worlds will now be held in the same year as the World Series. To catch up for the 1974 Regional World Champs, the 1975 World Series would include the 1974 East, Central and West World Champs along with the 1975 East., Central and West World Champs along with the 1974 Defending Champion and the Host team.

By winning the 1974 World Series, Dino’s, who became Uniroyal—-(QUALIFIED for 1975 WORLD SERIES)

  • MVP – Joe Patti, Dino’s Pizza (10-16, .625, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 9 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Elby Bushong – (15-29, .529, 17 RBI, 11 Runs)  – 8
  • Home Run Leader – Tom Sandau, BAM (20-29, .670, 16 RBI, 15 Runs) – 8
  • Batting Leader – John Morris, BAM- (15-21, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs) – .714

All-World Team

No All-World Team was selected  – The East and West selected All World Teams in their respective tournaments, the Central did not.

1974 World Series Stats (at least 12 ABs)

John Morris, BAM (15-21,. 714, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
Tom Sandau, BAM (20-29, .690, 8 HR, 16 RBI, 15 Runs)
Bob Woodruff, Capitol (8-12, .667, 1 RBI, 6 Runs)
Joe Patti, Dino’s (10-16, .625, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 9 Runs) – Also 4-1 Pitching
Lou Smith, BAM (16-26, .615, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 12 Runs)
Frank Tacone, Pace (9-15, .600, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
Dan Murphy, Dino’s (10-17, .588, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 2 Runs)
Glen Eichelberger, Pace (8-14, .571, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
Tasso Runeliotis, Dino’s (11-20, .550, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Charlie Pierce, BAM (17-28, .533, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 15 Runs)
Phil Higgins, Slinger (8-15, .533, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 5 Runs)
Bob Rodwell, Dino’s (8-15, .533, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
Steve Ehlke, Slinger (8-15, .533, 4 RBI, 8 Runs)
Elby Bushong, BAM (15-29, .529, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 11 Runs)
Jerry Gilbreath, BAM (14-27, .519, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 12 Runs) – also 3-0 Pitching
Frank Coppa, BAM (13-27, .481, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 13 Runs)
Marv VanCurran, BAM (13-29, .449, 3 RBI, 9 Runs)
Larry Shephard, BAM (11-30, .366, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
Cal Carman, Dino’s (7-21, .333, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)

OTHERS

Rick Scherr, Slinger (6-9, .667, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Bob Mittleberger, Dino’s (5-10, .500, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 Runs)
Hank Kosmala, Capitol (5-11, .455, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
Andy Santillo, Pace (5-11, .455, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
Jerry Johnston, Dino’s (6-17, .352, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 6 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, MI (4-1)
2. Bay Area Merchants, Richmond, CA (5-2)
3. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY (2-2)
4. Slinger Foundry, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
5t. Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA (1-2)
5t. Chandler Redi-Mix, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
7t. Croton Dukes, New Castle, PA (0-2)
7t. Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, MO (0-2)

1974 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1974 held at Royal Oak, Michigan.

Champion – Stan’s Auto Sales, New Castle, Pennsylvania (68-13)
Runner Up – Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan

Luann Grybowski led Stan’s Auto to an undefeated (6-0) run through the Worlds to repeat and win another championship. She pitched a 7-0 shutout over Muxworthy’s of Rochester in the winners bracket semi-final. Linda Argal and Rita Belavic each had three hits in the game. Then defeated Beaumont 5-1. Grybowski’s bases loaded double in the 7th inning was the icing on the cake. . The last few innings were played in the rain. Stan’s sat undefeated, while Sorrento’s Pizza was to play the Loungettes of Louisville. That winner to then play Beaumont for the right to play Stan’s in the Championship. The rains continued and the tournament was called off. Stan’s was awarded the title by being the only unbeaten team, Beaumont was awarded second place because they lost the winner’s bracket final. And Sorrento’s and Loungettes were tied for third. ,Second Basemen Mary West was named the Tournament MVP. Stan’s and Beaumont each placed three ladies on the All-World team.

  • MVP – Mary West, Stan’s Auto (11-23, .478)
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A

1974 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Luann Grybowski, Stan’s Auto (gave up only 7 runs in 6 games, with a shutout)
2B – Mary West, Stan’s Auto (.478)
3B – Linda Argal, Stan’s Auto
OF – Jenny Bellavia, Pace
OF – Evelyn Abell, Loungettes (12-25, .480)

No more information provided.

OTHERS

Patty Palmer, Red Shield (15-26, .577)
Jamie Wadell, Loungettes (12-22, .545)
Lou Wheeler, Loungettes (11-22, .500)

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 74 total teams)

1. Stans Auto Sales, New Castle, PA (6-0)
2. Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI
3. Loungettes, Louisville, KY (6-1)
3. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (5-1)

*The tournament was shortened by rain.

1973 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1973 held at Southgate, Michigan.

CHAMPION – Bay Area Merchants, Richmond, California
RUNNER UP – Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, Michigan

1972 East World Champ played the 1972 West World Champ in the 1973 World Series best of 7 series Bay Area Merchants (BAM) of Richmond, CA defeated Dino’s Pizza of Detroit, MI (4 games to 2).

Bay Area Merchants or BAM as they preferred to be called made history becoming the first Western team to win the USSSA World Series. BAM had to overcome the powerful hitting of Dino’s Pizza. And they did that by matching them blow for blow. Dino’s ended up with 12 Home Runs and BAM had 11. BAM outscored their rivals 58-41 in the 6 game series. Electrifying Charlie Pierce was amazing as he led BAM to the title with his 13-22 hitting performance. He also covered half the outfield himself with his roadrunner type speed. Big Ed Green supplied the power for BAM with 3 titanic blasts. Dino’s Cal Carman and Jerry Johnston both had terrific series for Dino’s. Carman was 9-14 and also walked 9 times as well. Hed led the series in homers with 5. Johnston’s .684 batting average was also tops. Pierce hit when it counted most in the last two games he was 6-8 to lead the team.

  • MVP – Charles Pierce, BAM (13-22, .592, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Cal Carmen, Dino’s (9-14, .643, 8 RBI, 9 Runs) – 5
  • Batting Leader – Jerry Johnson, Dino’s – (13-19, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs) – .684

ALL WORLD TEAM

No All-World Team was selected – just a best of 7 series between 2 teams. The East and West selected All World Teams in their respective Tournaments.

SCORES

  • Game 1 – Bay Area Merchants 15 vs. Dino’s Pizza 11 – Charlie Pierce was 3-3 with 2 HR for BAM; Cal Carmen of Dino’s was 4-4 with 3 HR.
  • Game 2 – Dino’s Pizza 5 vs. Bay Area Merchants 2 – Cal Carmen was 2-2 with 2 HR and 3 RBI for Dino’s; Marv VanCurran was 3-3 for BAM.
  • Game 3 – Bay Area Merchants 17 vs. Dino’s Pizza 5 – Al Green and Jim Heflin combined for 5 hits and 7 RBI for BAM; Joe Patti was 3-4 to lead Dino’s.
  • Game 4 – Dino’s Pizza 15 vs. Bay Area Merchants 14 – Joe Theisen was 4-4 with 2 HR for Dino’s; Mike Matthews was 3-4 with 4 RBI for BAM.
  • Game 5 – Bay Area Merchants 6 vs. Dino’s Pizza 2 – Charlie Pierce was 4-4 with a HR for BAM; Joe Patti and Dan Murphy had an RBI each for Dino’s.
  • Game 6 – Bay Area Merchants 4 vs. Dino’s Pizza 3 – Charlie Pierce was 2-4 to lead BAM; Jerry Johnston was 3-3 to lead Dino’s.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Bay Area Merchants, Richmond, CA (4-2)
2. Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, MI (2-4)

OTHERS (at least 10 AB)

Jerry Johnson, Dino’s 13-19, .684, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Cal Carmen, Dino’s (9-14, .643, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
Charlie Pierce, BAM (13-22, .591, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
Dan Murphy, Dino’s (7-12, .583, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
Al Smith, BAM (8-16, .500, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
Jim Heflin, BAM (10-21, .476, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
Steve Anderson, BAM (7-15, .467, 1 RBI, 3 Runs)
Joe Patti, Dino’s (9-20, 0 HRs, 4 RBI, 6 Runs) – Also 1-3 Pitching
Marv VanCurran, BAM (9-20, .450, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
Ed Green, BAM (9-21, .429, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 8 Runs)
Larry Shephard, BAM (9-21, .429, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
Unknown Klinger, Dino’s (8-19, .421, 2 Runs)
Jerry Gilbreath, BAM (5-12, .417, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Chuck Carcium, Dino’s (5-13, .365, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs) – Also 1-1 Pitching
Frank Coppa, BAM (7-19, .368, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Mike Matthews, BAM (7-21, .333, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 Runs) – Also 4-2 Pitching
Joe Theisen, Dino’s (6-19, .316, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Jim Halsip, Dino’s (3-13, .231, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
George White, Dino’s (3-13, .231, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
John Morris, BAM (2-13, .154, 1 RBI, 3 Runs)
Mario Borrocci, Dino’s (1-10, .100, 1 RBI)

By winning the 1973 World Series, BAM (QUALIFIED for 1974 WORLD SERIES)

1973 East Worlds – Southgate, Michigan.

Champion – Croten Dukes, New Castle, Pennsylvania
Runner Up – Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, Michigan

East MVP – Carl Pia, Croten Dukes (15-20, .750, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 6-0 Pitching)
East HR Leader – Dave Thayer, Snyder’s (22-33, .667, 22 RBI) –  10
East Batting Leader– Carl Pia, Croten Dukes – .750

USSSA EAST ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Carl Pia, Croten Dukes (15-20, .750, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 6-0 Pitching)
P – Cal Carmen, Dino’s Pizza (12-25, .480, 5 HR, 12 RBI)
C – Frank Taccone, Pace Electronics (11-23, .470, 7 HR, 8 RBI)
C – John Pierog, Iron Dukes (11-18, .611, 8 RBI)
1B – Emory Lucas, Rolling Hills (14-26, .538, 8 RBI)
2B – Joe Patti, Dino’s Pizza (14-27, .519, 2 HR, 10 RBI)
3B – Doug Gerdes, Snyder’s (21-33, .636, 9 HR, 27 RBI)
3B – Micky Annarella, Croten Dukes (10-19, .526, 7 RBI)
SS – Randy Huey, Croten Dukes (13-21, .619, 4 RBI)
OF – Dave Thayer, Snyder’s (22-33, .667, 10 HR, 22 RBI)
OF – Ron Blaessig, Pace Electronics (15-22, .682, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
OF – Glenn Eichelberger, Pace Electronics (17-29, .586, 7 HR, 18 RBI)
OF – Joe Thieson, Dino’s Pizza (14-30, .467, 5 HR, 10 RBI)

FINAL STANDINGS

(top-10 listed only, 39 teams played)

1. Croten Dukes, New Castle, PA (6-0) *
2. Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, MI (6-2) *
3. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY (6-2) *
4. Snyder’s Masonary, Redford, MI (6-2)
5t. Rolling Hills, Covington, KY (5-2)
5t. Iron Dukes, New Castle, PA (4-2)
7t. Marasco’s V.F., Milwaukee, WI (4-2)
7t. S&S Builders, New Albany, IN (3-2)
9t. Krivan Club, Springdale, PA (3-2)
9t. Sixth Ward, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)

*Qualified for the 1974 USSSA Major World Series.

1973 USSSA CENTRAL WORLDS (actually held in early 1974)

Champion – Red Bud, Illinois
Runner Up – Slinger Foundry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Third Place – Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, Missouri

Central MVP – Phil Higgins, Slinger Foundry
Central HR Leader– no info
Central Batting Leader – no info

No Central All-Tournament Team was named, only the MVP

1973 Central World Tournament Standings (only 2 teams played in a special playoff to determine the Central Champ)

1. Slinger Foundry, Milwaukee, WI (2-0) *
2. Thurmers Bar, St. Louis, MO (0-2) *

*Qualified for the 1974 USSSA Major World Series.

1973 West Worlds held at Tempe, Arizona

Champion – Double Tree Inn, Phoenix, Arizona
Runner Up – Association, Orange County, California

The Double Tree Inn squad from Phoenix had to win just one more game to win the championship. The Association had other ideas as they took the first game of the final by a 4-3 score to force the final championship game. Third Basemen Bailey had 2 hits to back the pitching of Crawford, the Association’s Pitcher. That was the Association’s 10th game of the tournament. The Phoenix squad came through to capture the final game 13-2. Steve Rogers was 4-5 to lead the Double Tree Offense. Third Basemen Don Jackson who went 2-4 was the defensive star as he made stop after stop to thwart many an extra base hit.

  • West MVP – Don Jackson, Double Tree Inn (10-23, .435)
  • West HR Leader – Jerry Gilbreath, CBAC (12-19, .632) –  8
  • West Batting Leader – Jack Beavers, Goettl’s Metals (11-16) – .688

USSSA WEST ALL-WORLD TEAM

P – Jerry Gilbreath, CBAC (12-19, .632, 8 HR)
C – Mike Cox, Association (12-28, .429, 1 HR)
IF – Jack Beavers, Goettl’s (11-16, .688)
IF – Dave Walski,  Road Runners (10-16, .625)
IF – Lou Smith, Road Runners (8-18, .444, 2 HR)
3B – Don Jackson, Double Tree Inn (10-23, .435)
OF – Lee Elder, Double Tree Inn (11-24, .458)
OF – Bob Woodroof,  Association (15-30, .500)
OF – Dan Furnald, CBAC (12-20, .600)
OF – Mike Watson, Bemco (14-22, .636)

FINAL STANDINGS (top-8 listed only, 33 teams played)

1. Double Tree Inn, Phoenix, AZ (6-1)* (went to 1974 World Series with new sponsor Chandler Redi-Mix)
2. Association, Orange County, CA (9-2)* (went to 1974 World Series with new sponsor Capitol Insulation)
3. Road Runners, Pamona, CA (5-2)
4. CBAC, San Gabriel Valley, CA (6-2)
5t. Bemco, Industry, CA (3-2)
5t. Goettl’s Metals, Mesa, AZ (3-2)
7t. Allen Cleaners, Phoenix, AZ (3-2)
7t. Danny’s Bar, Las Vegas, NV (4-2)

*Qualified for the 1974 USSSA Major World Series.

1973 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1973 held at Colonial Heights, Virginia.

Champion – Stan’s Auto, New Castle, Pennsylvania (120-8)
Runner Up – Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Orioles beat Stans 6-5 to force ‘if’ game, then Stans beat Orioles 2-1. Stan’s Pitcher, Luann Grybowski, Stan’s Auto gave up 10 runs in 7 games (with 2 shutouts) and won final 2-1. They defeated First National Bank of toledo in the winners bracket final, 3-0. There were 48 teams entered in this tournament. In a special not of interest, Carol Aselin, Muxworthy’s Pitcher, hurled a no-hitter against the Nor-Cal A’s, quite an achievement in Slow Pitch Softball. The Orioles were sent to the losers bracket on a 3-1 loss to Stan’s. They won four straight to the finals, including their win in the first final game, before being losing the Championship. Stan’s scored their winning run in the 4th inning of the final game. The game was tied at one each, Veronica Funera opened the inning up with a single, but was forced at second by a grounder by Karen Reinhard (she scored the first run for Stans when she singled and then later scored on a fielders choice off the bat of Terry Waters). After Mary West flied out, Reinhard advanced to third on Lynn Runyon’s single. Terry Waters then got a base hit to bring Reinhard in with the second and deciding run.

  • MVP – Terry Waters, Stans Auto (11-20, .550)
  • Batting Leader – Jackie Goff, Nor-Cal A’s (11-16) – .688
  • HR Leader – N/A (Nor-Cal A’s won the team HR Award, no information on personal numbers)

1973 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Luann Grybowski, Stan’s Auto
P – Jackie Storey, Pittsburgh Orioles
P – Carol Aselin, Muxworthy’s
C – Debbie Ringle, First National (8-19, .421)
1B – Veronica Funera, Stan’s Auto (10-26, .385)
2B – Mary West, Stan’s Auto (10-23, .435)
3B – Terry Waters, Stan’s Auto (11-20, .550)
SS – Bev Bunny Fajerski, Pittsburgh Orioles (16-28, .571)
OF – Vicki Millender, Pittsburgh Orioles (12-28, .428)
OF – Evelyn Abell, Loungettes (10-20, .500)
OF – Clare Mirehood, CT&O Yankees (11-23, .478)
OF – Jackie Goff, Nor-Cal A’s (11-16, .688)
Manager – Mike Sikofolis, Stan’s Auto

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 48 total teams)

1. Stan’s Auto, New Castle, PA (6-1)
2. Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, PA (7-2)
3. First National Bank, Toledo, OH (4-2)
4. Muxworthy Ski Haus, Rochester, NY (4-2)
5t. Nor-Cal A’s, San Francisco, CA (6-2)
5t. CT &O Yankees, Loveland, OH (6-2)

1972 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1972 held at Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

1971 East World Champ played the 1971 West World Champ in the 1972 World Series best of 7 series Marasco Variety Faire of Milwaukee, WI defeated the Big Apple of Phoenix, AZ (4 games to 1).

The big story in this World Series is that the West managed to win a game. Vero McKinn hurled a brilliant 5 hitter to defeat Marasco’s 2-1 in the sceond game. He helped his own cause by going 1-3. Other than that, it was all Marasco’s on Offense. They out scored Big Apple 48 to 10 in the four games they won. The hitting of Dick Polgar, Jim Mortl, John Wegner, Ted Budny, George Mortl, Daryl Greenmeier and Carl Bruce was jus too much for Big Apple to deal with. These seven players were a total of 66-97 for a .680 clip. They also drove in 34 of the total 49 runs scored by  Marasco’s in the five games. Big Apple’s Team Batting Average was .276 (40-145).

  • MVP – Dick Polgar, Marasco’s (10-19, 526, 5 RBI)
  • Home Run Leader – none were hit
  • Batting Leader – George Mortl – Marasco’s (9-14) – .643

USSSA ALL WORLD TEAM

No All-World Team was selected – just a best of 7 series between 2 teams. The East and West selected All World Teams in their respective Tournaments.

Game Scores

  • Game 1 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 13 vs. Big Apple 5 – Darryl Greenmeier and Ted Budny were both 3-3 for Marasco; Pitcher Vero McKinn was 2-4 for Big Apple.
  • Game 2 – Big Apple 2 vs. Marasco’s Variety Faire 1- Vero McKinn was 1-3 and pitched a 5-hitter for Big Apple. Pitcher Jack Moser drove in the only run for Marasco.
  • Game 3 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 12 vs. Big Apple 3 – Greenmeier, Jim Mortl, Dick Polgar and Jack Baird all had 3 hits for Marasco. Vero McKinn had the only RBI for Big Apple.
  • Game 4 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 12 vs. Big Apple 1 – Once again, it was Jim Mortl and Dick Polgar with 3 hits apiece. McKinn and Calderon each had 2 hits for Big Apple
  • Game 5 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 11 vs. Big Apple 1 – George Mortl and Carl Bruce were both 3-3 and combined for 5 RBIs. Richard Lopez was 3-3 for Big Apple.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Marasco’s Variety Faire, Milwaukee, WI (4-1)
2. Big Apple, Phoenix, AZ (1-4)

1972 World Series Stats (at least 10 AB)

George Mortl, Marasco (9-14, .643, 6 RBIs, 6 Runs)
Ted Budny, Marasco (7-11, .636, 6 RBIs, 4 Runs)
John Wegner, Marasco (8-14, .571, 7 RBIs, 6 Runs)
Dick Polgar, Marasco (10-19, .526, 4 RBIs, 5 Runs)
Jim Mortl, Marasco (10-20, .500, 4 RBIs, 8 Runs)
Sal Martinez, Big Apple (5-10, .500, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs)
Daryl Greenmeier, Marasco, (6-14, .429, 1 RBI, 5 Runs)
Carl Bruce, Marasco (6-15, .400, 6 RBIs, 2 Runs)
Alex Calderon, Big Apple (6-17, .353, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs)
Vero McKinn, Big Apple (5-16, .313, 1 RBI, 1 Run)
George Leon, Big Apple (4-13, .308, 2 Runs)
Dennis Meadow, Big Apple (3-11, .273, 1 Run)
Richard Lopez, Big Apple (4-15, .267, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – Also 1-4 Pitching
Jack Baird, Marasco (4-16, .250, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs)
Joe Conteras, Big Apple (3-14, .214, 1 Run)
Birdie Murillo, Big Apple (2-10, .200, 2 Runs)
Vince Peralta, Big Apple (1-14, .071, 1 Run)
Jack Moser, Marasco (2-1 Pitching)
Jim Cody, Marasco (2-0 Pitching)

1972 East Worlds – Petersburg, Virginia.

Champion – Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Rolling Hills, Covington, Kentucky

Rolling Hills of Kentucky lost to Dino’s and was sent to the loser’s bracket. Snyder’s of Detroit and Dino’s of Detroit (both play in the same league incidently) Squared off in the Winner’s Bracket final. The two teams combined for 14 HRs as Dino’s defeated Snyders 24-15. Rolling Hill’s eliminated Mertz Bake Shoppe of Oak Park Michigan in a defensive struggle 3-1 to advance to play Snyders with the winner getting another crack at Dino’s. Rolling Hills prevailed 16-9 to advance to the Championship game. Jerry Johnston of Dino’s was 3-4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs to lead Snyders to a 13-10 title clinching victory. Jim Haislip and Joe Theison both went 2-4 with homers to help Pitcher Cal Carman nail down the victory. Rolling Hills was led by Sonny Rider’s 3-4 performance.

  • East MVP – Cal Carmen, Dino’s Pizza (.740, 8 HR)
  • East HR Leader – Tom Louria, Snyder’s – 10
  • East Batting Leader – Cal Carmen, Dino’s Pizza – .740

1972 USSSA EAST ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Cal Carmen, Dino’s Pizza (.740, 8 HRs)
Catcher – John Hinds, Snyder’s (.627, 9 HRs)
First Base – Hudson Knock, Rolling Hills
Second Base – Jerry Johnson, Dino’s Pizza
Third Base – Dave Holt, 5&10 Tap
Shortstop – Jim Taliseky, Dino’s Pizza
Infield – Hank Cluess, Pinters Net
Outfield – Joe Thiesan, Dino’s Pizza
Outfield – Bill Schlessinger, Century Tire
Outfield – Jim Haislip, Dino’s Pizza
Outfield – Tom Louria, Snyder’s (.654, 10 HRs)
Utility – Dave McLanger, Mertz Bake Shop
Utility – Jim Gum, Rolling Hills

FINAL STANDINGS (top-10 listed only, 58 teams played)

1. Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, MI (7-0)
2. Rolling Hills, Covington, KY (7-2)
3. Snyder’s, Redford, MI (7-2)
4. Mertz Bake Shop, Oak Park, MI (7-2)
5. Century Tire, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
6. Pinter’s Nets, Long Island, NY (4-2)
7. Builders Hardware, Milwaukee, WI (6-2)
8. Iron Dukes, New Castle, PA (4-2)
9. Knights of St. John, Louisville, KY (4-2)
10. Milwaukee Commandos, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)

1972 West Worlds held at Sun City, Arizona.

Champion – Gonzales Mexican Food, Richmond, California
Runner Up – Blinky’s, Fullerton, California

Gonzales ran through the Western Worlds with speed and power. They had six players hit at least .500 and banged out 11 HRs total as a team. They defeated Blinky’s twice; 17-9 in the winner’s bracket final and then in the Championship game, Gonzales prevailed by a 9-6 score. Larry Sheppard of Gonzales had an incredible tournament at the plate as he was 20-22 and scored 15 runs to earn the Most Valuable Player Award.

  • West MVP – Larry Sheppard, Gonzales (20-22, .909, 15 runs)
  • West HR Leader – Leonard Bowen, Bemco – 4
  • West Batting Leader – Larry Sheppard, Gonzales Mexican Food – .909

1972 USSSA WEST ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Mike Matthews, Gonzales (over .500)
Catcher – Leonard Bowen, Bemco (over .600, 4 HR)
Infield – Frank Coppa, Gonzales (over .500)
2B-Larry Sheppard, Gonzales (20-22, .909, 15 Runs, also walked 5 times)
Infield – Rancy Rozati, Blinky’s (over .500)
Infield – Dan Derch, Blinky’s (over .500)
Outfield – Mike Edwards, Bemco (over .500)
Outfield – Amata Sotelo, Bemco over (.600)
Outfield – Bob Woodriff, Blinky’s (over .600)
Outfield – Charles Pierce, Gonzales
Utility – Ed Green, Gonzales

FINAL STANDINGS (top-10 listed only, 16 teams played)

1. Gonzales Mexican Food, Richmond, CA (5-0)
2. Blinky’s, Fullerton, CA (4-2)
3. Bemco, Industry, CA (5-2)
4. Goettl’s Metals, Mesa, AZ (3-2)
5. CBAC, San Gabriel Valley, CA (3-2)
6. Little Big O, Downey, CA (2-2)
7. Carpetbaggers, Las Vegas, NV (2-2)
8. Maloof Rockets, NV (2-2)
9. Spot and Blotter (1-2)
10. Buccaneers (1-2)

1972 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1972 held at Rochester, New York.

Champion – Muxworthys Ski Haus, Rochester, NY (64-4)
Runner Up – Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Stan’s Auto was the big talk of this tournament. They came out of nowhere (actually New Castle, PA) and after winning their first game 19-2, lost 2nd round game to FOP Majorettes 4-3, then won 6 in a row outscoring their opponents 69-13 along the way, before being eliminated by the Pittsburgh Orioles by a 5-1 score. Orioles then beat Muxworthy 11-3 in the first final, setting up the winner take all game where Muxworthy prevailed 9-3. Pat Schmitt came into the tournament with an incredible season under her belt. She batted .507 and hit 21 Home Runs. Muxwortthy’s was 5-1, The Orioles were 5-2, in third was Stan’s Auto at 7-2 and the Louisville Majorettes were fourth. There were 36 teams entered in this years event.

  • MVP – Jenny Bellavia, Muxworthy
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • HR Leader – Veronica Funera, Stan’s Auto – 5

1972 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Carol Aselin, Muxworthy
P – Luann Grybowski, Stan’s Auto (7-2 pitching, gave up 23 runs in 9 games)
C – Pat Schmitt, Muxworthy (11-20, .550)
1B – Veronica Funera, Stan’s (20-36, .556, 5 HR)
1B – Sue Dixon, Pittsburgh Orioles
2B – Linda Donofrio, Muxworthy
3B – N/A
SS – Debbie Cecere, Pittsburgh Orioles
OF – Jenny Bellavia, Muxworthy
OF – Sharon Kowalski, Muxworthy
OF – N/A
OF – N/A
Manager – Duane McCoy, Muxworthy

OTHERS

Lynn Runyon, Stan’s Auto (14-27, .519)

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 36 total teams)

1. Muxworthy’s Ski Haus, Rochester, NY (6-1)
2. Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, PA (5-2)
3. Stan’s Auto, New Castle, PA (7-2) 100-11 season record
4. FOP Majorettes, Louisville, KY
5. Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, PA