Category: USSSA

1976 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1976 held at Petersburg, Virginia.


Champion – Sweeney’s Chevrolet, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Squirrel Hill Softball Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


Sweeney’s came through the loser’s bracket to win five straight on the last day to capture the USSSA Worlds. They defeated Squirrel Hill from Pittsburgh 3-1 in 9 innings and then the final championship game 10-4.


  • MVP – Jenny Johnson, Sweeney’s Chevrolet (.556)
  • Batting Leader – Jenny Johnson, Sweeney’s – .556
  • HR Leader – Bev “Bunny” Fajerski,, Stan’s Auto – 1 (The only HR of the tournament)

1976 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Peg Carney, Sweeney’s Chevrolet
C – Jo Woods, Sweeney’s Chevrolet
1B – Donna Doellman, Avoca Park
2B – Donna Hodnick, Squirrel Hill
3B – Annette Johnson, Squirrel Hill
SS – Jenny Johnson, Sweeney’s Chevrolet
OF – Rita Belavic, Stan’s Auto Sales
OF – Debbie Zarin, Squirrell Hill
OF – Bev “Bunny” Fajerski, Stan’s Auto Sales
OF – Carmen King, Real Estate One
UT – Joyce Miller, Fred Hill Builders
UT – Debbie Scruggs, Associate Consumers
UT – Lynn Putman Gendron, Real Estate One


FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 62 total teams)

1. Sweeney’s Chevrolet, Cincinnati, OH
2. Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA (37-5)
3. Stan’s Auto Sales, New Castle, PA (55-8)
4. Real Estate One Stingers, Redford, MI
5t. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI

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

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

OTHERS:

  • Mickey McCarty, Taylor Brothers (8-12, .667, 4 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
  • Jim Mitchell, Uniroyal (4-6, .667, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • Al Gibson, Uniroyal (5-8, .625, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 Runs
  • Buddy Slater, Taylor Brothers (5-8, .625, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Dennis Horvath, Little Caesars (9-15, .600, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Gary Bauman, Little Caesars (8-14, .571, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • Bob Voss, Snyders (9-16 .563, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • Chuck Drewicz, Snyders (8-15, .533, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • Denny Brown, Joe’s Army & Navy (8-15, .533, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
  • Matt Partridge, Snyders (5-10, .500, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 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 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • Braxton Speller, Snyders (8-17, .471, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
  • Arlis Jones, Transport Oil (8-17, 471, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Elby Bushong, Kerr-Copper State (3-7, .429, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3 Runs)
  • Dennis Myers, Kerr-Copper State (3-7, .429, 2 Runs)
  • Buck Buchanon, Taylor Brothers (3-7, .429, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Rick Scherr, Taylor Brothers (5-12, .417, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Cal Carman, Uniroyal (3-8, .375, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • Bill Ferguson, Taylor Brothers (4-11. .364, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Dick Bartel, Taylor Brothers (4-11, .364, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • Mike Gouin, Little Caesars (5-15, .333, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
  • Bert Smith, Little Caesars (5-16, .313, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 Runs)
  • Jim Foxy Nelson, Joe’s Army & Navy (4-17, .235, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 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 the 1977 USSSA Major World Series.

1976 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1976 held at Tullahoma, Tennessee.


Champion – Forrest Hills Bowling, Rockford, Illinois
Runner Up – California Eagles, California, Pennsylvania


  • MVP – Clarence Horn, Forrest Hills Bowling
  • HR Leader – Bob Wade, Thurmer’s Bar – 9
  • Batting Leader – N/A

1976 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

Dave Fortune, Etna Hotel
Sam Rocca, California Eagles
Jeff Lorenzotta, Al’s Cafe
Al Greiver, Horn’s Lounge
Rod Shives, Forrest Hills Bowling
John Paul, Al’s Cafe
Clarence Horn, Forrest Hills Bowling
Jim McManuc, California Eagles
Bob Wade, Thurmer’s Bar
Don Cox, Forrest Hills Bowling


FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Forrest Hills Bowling, Rockford, IL (7-0)
2. California Eagles, California, PA (6-2)
3. Etna Hotal, Arnold, PA (9-2)
4. Al’s Cafe, Library, PA (4-2)
5t. Horn’s Lounge, Baltimore, MD (4-2)
5t. Lake-to-Lake Dairys, Sheboygan, WI (6-2)
7t. Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, MO (7-2)
7t. Rainbow Sports, Walled Lake, MI (5-2)
9t. Arrow Transfer, Chattanooga, TN (3-2)
9t. CFW Construction, Fayetteville, TN (3-2)
9t. Marylabd National Bank, Frederick, MD (3-2)
9t. Renton Firemen, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
13t. Audioland, Fraser, MI (4-2)
13t. Bruners Diamond Bar, WI (4-2)
13t. Ram Neuse Mobile Homes, Kinston, NC (5-2)
13t. Rule Construction, Maryville, TN (3-2)
17t. Irwin Construction, Farmersville, IL (2-2)
17t. Chamberlain Garage, Hampton, VA (2-2)
17t. Trimaldi Landscaping, Rochester, NY (2-2)
17t. Keller Chrysler-Plymouth, Tullahoma, TN (3-2)
17t. Gaze Realty, Brockport, NY (4-2)
17t. MM&S Stars, Maysville, KY (2-2)
17t. Honney’s Pizza, Niagara Falls, NY (3-2)
17t. Kynor Construction, McKeesport, PA (2-2)
25t. Chilly’s, Monongahela, PA (3-2)
25t. Rock Ridge Rockets, Kenley, NC (2-2)
25t. St. John’s Amoco, Columbia, MD (3-2)
25t. Larimore Lounge, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
25t. Smith Clayton Dodge, Dayton, TN (2-2)
25t. Commack Sports Center, Smithtown, NY (2-2)
25t. Thor’s U-Haul, Racine, WI (2-2)
25t. Anderson Drillers, Maumee, OH (3-2)
33t. Car Center, Baltimore, MD (1-2)
33t. Braun’s, Red Bud, IL (1-2)
33t. Wolverine Aluminum, Lincoln, MI (2-2)
33t. J&K Sales, Detroit, MI (1-2)
33t. Bob’s Bird Cage, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
33t. Kirby Sweepers, McKeesport, PA (1-2)
33t. Ralph’s Mobile Homes, Gaston, NC (1-2)
33t. Baron’s, Menomee Falls, WI (1-2)
33t. Right Spot, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
33t. Lake Shore House, Great Point Farms, MI (2-2)
33t. Wintonaire, Rochester, NY (1-2)
33t. Skillets Fine Foods, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
33t. Marsillio’s Light-Up, Detroit, MI (1-2)
33t. Loggers, Hecker, IL (1-2)
33t. Goins Janitor, Knoxville, TN (1-2)
33t. Clemente’s. Lincoln Park, MI (1-2)
49t. Alexander’s Inn, Cabot, PA (1-2)
49t. Moody’s, Smithfield, VA (1-2)
49t. Decora’s Restaurant, Towson, MD (1-2)
49t. Valley Sports, Syracuse, NY (0-2)
49t. Richie’s on Broadway, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
49t. Westside Athletics, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
49t. Smokey’s, Mason, OH (1-2)
49t. Les Langes Campers, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
49t. Dixon Music Company, Dalton, GA (0-2)
49t. Lendy’s, Lynchburg, VA (0-2)
49t. Heidel’s II, Jackson, WI (0-2)
49t. Jim’s Auto Body, Oaklynn, NJ (0-2)
49t. Deleware Chiefs. Muncie, IN (0-2)
49t. American Looking Glass, Los Angeles, CA (0-2)
49t. Stallings Oil, Rocky Mount, NC (0-2)
49t. Pep’s Steak House, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
65t. Smithfield Merchants, Smithfield, VA (0-2)
65t. South Milwaukee Arcade, Milwaukee, WI (0-2)
65t. Adray Appliance, Dearborn. MI (0-2)
65t. Robo Wash, Virginia Beach, VA (0-2)
65t. Factory Furniture, Winchester, TN (0-2)
65t. Velvet Textile, Blackstone, VA (0-2)
65t. Office Lounge, Muncie, IN (0-2)
65t. Insurance Corner, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
65t. Virginia Merchants, Newport, VA (0-2)
65t. Fredonia, Fredonia, TN (0-2)

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)

1975 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1975 held at Detroit, Michigan.


Champion – Negrich Brothers, Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Runner Up – Kynor Construction, McKeesport, Pennsylvania


  • MVP – Bill Sepich, Negrich (6-0 Pitching, 11-21, .524)
  • HR Leader – Tom Miller, Negrich Brothers – 3
  • Batting Leader – N/A

1975 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

Chud Cunningham, Negrich Brothers (14-24, .583)
Bob Haye, Negrich Brothers (8-21, .381)
Bob Isenberg, Negrich Brothers (16-22, .727)
John Sepich, Negrich Brothers (10-22, .455)
Tom Miller, Negrich Brothers (9-21, .429, 3 HR)


FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Negrich Brothers, Kittanning, PA
2. Kynor Construction, McKeesport, PA
3. Alexander’s Inn, Saxonburg, PA
4. Honey’s Pizza, Niagara Falls, NY
5t. Chillies Place, Monongahela, PA

OTHER TEAMS

Thurmers Bar, St. Louis, MO
Buena Vista, Independence, VA
Queen City Patterns, Miamitown, OH
Seaway, Trenton, NJ


Negrich Brothers Scores

W 9-1 Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, MO
W 6-4 Buena Vista, Indenepnence, VA
W 11-3 Queen City Patterns, Miamitown, OH
W 10-8 Seaway, Trenton, NJ
W 19-14 Honey’s Pizza, Niagara Falls, NY
W 22-13 Kynor Construction, McKeesport, PA

Negrich Brothers Stats

Bob Isenberg 16-22 .727
Gary Smith 13-21 .619
Chud Cunningham 14-24, .583
Ed Lemmon 13-24 .542
Bill Sepich 11-21 .524
John Sepich 10-22 .455
Tom Miller 9-21 .429
Denny Marken 9-22 .409
Bob Haye 8-21 .381
Lee McCullough 6-17 .353
Marty Henry 3-5 .600
Jim Nelson 1-2 .500
Bob Beuth 1-3 .333

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.

1974 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1974 held at Kinston, North Carolina.


Champion – Queen City Patterns, Miamitown, Ohio
Runner Up – Roscoe Cairns, Washington, Pennsylvania


  • MVP – Jerry Wilcon, Queen City Patterns (14-26, .538, 5 HR)
  • HR Leader – Bill Carnes, Douglas Auto
  • Batting Leader – N/A

1974 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Ken Boatright, Queen City (8-20, .400)
C – Jim Duke, Queen City (12-21, .571)
1B – Tom Daskovitch, Etna Hotel
2B – Mike Mahalek, Dooley’s
SS – Cliff Winette, Roscoe Cairns
3B – Bill Schmidt, Roscoe Cairns
OF – Steve Rogers, Queen City (12-26, .462)
OF – Jerry Wilson, Queen City (14-26, .538, 5 HR)
OF – Bucky Bolyard, Roscoe Cairns
OF – Tom Stone, Westside Sports


OTHERS

Jim Kuhn, Queen City (14-24, .583, 3 HR, 14 RBI)
Jerome Youngblood, Queen City (12-27, .444, 5 HR, 21 RBI)


FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Queen City Patterns, Miamitown, OH (6-0)
2. Roscoe Cairns, Washington, PA (9-2)
3. Etna Hotal, Arnold, PA
4. Dooley’s Clothing, Elkhorn, WI
5t. Frazier’s Bombers, Roanoke Rapids, NC
5t. Westside Sports, Plymouth, MI
7t. Car Center, Baltimore, MD

OTHER TEAMS

Bill’s Shamrock, Redbud, IL
Indiana Lanes, Wyandott, MI
Greenert’s AC, Kentucky
Planters National Bank, Nashville, TN
Sportsville, Wilson, NC
Douglas Auto, Racine, WI
Car Center, Baltimore, MD
Montgomery Ward, Rocky Mount, NC
Ram Neuse, Kinston, NC
Williams Billiards, Wilson, NC
Bucci Furniture, Vandergrift, PA