Softball History USA

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 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1976 held in Olney, Maryland.

Champion – Reed’s Nuts, Macon, Georgia
Runner Up – Jimmy Harriss Standard Air, Houston, Texas

  • MVP – Charlie Traylor, Jimmy Harriss Standard Air (31-51, .608, 17 HR, 42 RBI)
  • Batting Champion – Tom Dameron, Corner Pub – .833
  • HR Champion – Charlie Traylor, Jimmy Harris Standard Air – 17

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Charlie Traylor, Jimmy Harriss Standard Air
P – Henry Arrington, Reed’s Nuts
C – Mike Bolden, Jimmy Harriss Standard Air
C – Rick Hausfeld, Jammer Lounge
1B – Clyde Zachery, Reed’s Nuts
2B – Lanny White, Jimmy Harriss Standard Air
3B – John Brenner Jammer Lounge
SS – Russ Bradley Carolina A’s
OF – Steve Casteel, Jammer Lounge
OF – Paul Saunders, Jimmy Harriss Standard Air
OF – Richie Flynn, Great Eastern
OF – Pug Churchwell, Reed’s Nuts
UT – Jim Dameron, Corner Pub
UT – Tom Beall, Reed’s Nuts

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jim Benfield, Carolina A’s
P – Charles Arbia, Roman Carousel
C – Denny Erickson, Cheap Charlie’s
C – Hal Eldelmann, Great Eastern Textiles
1B – Gary Dotson, Carolina A’s
2B – Bill Maddox, Reed’s Nuts
3B – Rod Nicholson, Lincoln Douglas Loans
SS – Gary Myrick, Reed’s Nuts
OF – Frank Matthews, Dohmann’s
OF – John Brown, Cannon Welding
OF – Gene McCullough, Carolina A’s
OF – Steve Proniewych, Great Eastern Textiles
UT – John Pinkett, Trenton Capitals
UT – Ray Barrera, Roman Carousel

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Reed’s Nuts, Macon, GA (7-0)
2. Jimmy Harriss Standard Air, Houston, TX (11-2)
3. Roman Carousel, New York City, NY (5-2)
4. Jammer Lounge, Dayton, OH (6-2)
5t. Nikki’s Lounge, Detroit, MI (4-2)
5t. Great Eastern Textiles, Syosset, NY (5-2)
7t. Cheap Charlie’s, St. Paul, MN (7-2)
7t. Vinny’s City Radiator, Tampa, FL (4-2)
9t. Joy’s AC, Cincinnati, OH (3-2)
9t. Levittown Legion, Levittown, NY (3-2)
9t. Dohman’s, Wilkes-Barre, PA (5-2)
9t. Carolina A’s, Shelby, NC (4-2)
13t. Cannon Welding, Jacksonville, FL (5-2)
13t. Corner Pub, Silver Springs, MD (3-2)
13t. Trenton Capitals, Trenton, NY (4-2)
13t. Two Doors-Portsmouth Athletics, Portsmouth, VA (4-2)
17t. Teamsters No. 293, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
17t. Casino Restaurant, Leroy, NY (2-2)
17t. Raiders, Pineville, KY (2-2)
17t. Prairie Schooner Club, Wilmette, IL (4-2)
17t. Moore Point, Orlando, FL (3-2)
17t. Portland A.C., Louisville, KY (4-2)
17t. Stasius Bar, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
17t. Rowan-Walker, Winter Haven, FL (3-2)
25t. Dove McIntire Chevrolet, Indianapolis, IN (2-2)
25t. Gay Pontiac Bomers, Texas City, TX (2-2)
25t. Red Carpet Inn, St. Petersburg, FL (3-2)
25t. Tom’s Plumbing, Arlington, TX (2-2)
25t. Abbey Inn, Austin, TX (3-2)
25t. Citizen’s Club, Jeannette, PA (3-2)
25t. Lincoln-Douglas Loons, Jacksonville, IL (3-2)
25t. Al’s Sporting Goods, Fredericksburg, VA (3-2)
33t. Ruth Realty, Kent, WA (1-2)
33t. Chino’s Lounge, Son Antonio, TX (1-2)
33t. Houligan’s, Eau Claire, WI (1-2)
33t. Lucky Lager. Bremerton, WA (1-2)
33t. Todd Chevrolet, Lakeville, MN (1-2)
33t. Magic City Mobile Homes, Laurel, MS (2-2)
33t. Rudy’s Grafton House, Grafton, MA (2-2)
33t. Quality Towing, Sioux City, IA (1-2)
33t. Thompson’s Super Market, Buchanan, MI (1-2)
33t. Bigham Insulation, Miami, FL (1-2)
33t. Bristol, Edgewater, MD (1-2)
33t. Whitehaven Datsun, Memphis, TN (1-2)
33t. Mid-Region Petroleum, Tulsa, OK (1-2)
33t. Scoreboard Lounge, Colorado Springs, CO (1-2)
33t. Chris’ Restaurant, Gaithersburg, MD (1-2)
33t. Cunningham Kelley, Nashville, TN (2-2)
49t. Richard’s Insurance, Putney, UT (1-2)
49t. Patterson Dental, Kansas City, MO (0-2)
49t. Lynam Drug, Papillion, NE (1-2)
49t. Buckner-Fleming, Charleston, AR (0-2)
49t. Schlitz, Prince George’s County, MD (1-2)
49t. Sallisaw Sooners, Sallisaw, OK (0-2)
49t. Baker’s, Dallas, TX (0-2)
49t. Matt’s Outlaws, Parkersburg, WV (0-2)
49t. Benny’s A.C., Livingston, NJ (1-2)
49t. Hurley’s C.J.’s, Spearfish, SD (0-2)
49t. McDonald’s, Danville, VA (1-2)
49t. Miller’s Green Parrot, Waterloo, IN (0-2)
49t. OK Implement Company, Waterford City, ND (0-2)
49t. Clark & Son’s, East Providence, RI (0-2)
49t. Bell Well Sales, Milwaukee, WI (0-2)
49t. Time Out Lounge, Toledo, OH (0-2)
65t. Clark-Sherwood Contractors, Lafayette, LA (0-2)
65t. Felton Merchants, Felton, DE (0-2)
65t. Bryan Insurance Agency, Decatur, GA (0-2)
65t. Boggs Builders, Anderson, SC (0-2)
65t. Jerry’s, Newburgh, NY (0-2)
65t. Eastland, Hampden, ME (0-2)
65t. Locker Room A.C., Buffalo, NY
65t. Surfside Restaurant, Fairfield, CT (0-2)

1976 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1976 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (44-12)
Runner Up – Plain American, Washington, D.C.

Even with Joan Joyce leaving the team in 1975, the Raybestos Brakettes somehow come up with a new superstar by the name of Barbara Reinalda. All she did was pitch every single inning and lead the Brakettes to a 6-1 record. She only gave up 3 ERs and if that’s not enough, she won the batting crown with a 9-21 performance (.429) and 5 of her 9 hits were doubles. Reinalda won 5 straight games and then lost the first final 1-0 to the Plain Americans. But she came back to pitch in the final Championship game and won 3-2.

  • MVP – Barbara Reinalda, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leaders – Six tied with 1 HR
  • Batting Leader – Barbara Reinalda, Raybestos Brakettes – .429
  • Bertha Tickey Pitching Award – Barbara Reinalda, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Erv Lind Defensive Award – Dorie Anderson, Orlando Rebels

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Barbara Reinalda, Raybestos Brakettes (6-1, 51 IP, 3 ER; 9-21, .429, 5 Doubles)
P – Bessie Phillips, Plain Americans (4-1)
P – Dottie Davidson, Orlando Rebels (3-2)
C – Diane Seery, Raybestos Brakettes
C – Marilyn Rau, Sun City Saints
1B – Diane Schumacher, Raybestos Brakettes
2B – Lydia Estes, Plain Americans
3B – Maureen Ahern, Tonawanda Shamrocks
SS – Debbie Langevain, Northridge Royals
OF – Sue Enquist, Raybestos Brakettes (9-22, .409)
OF – Linda Coats, Sun City Saints
OF – Judy Hoke, Sun City Saints
OF – Susan Bachman, Sun City Saints
UTIL – Nancy Naze, West Allis Bankettes

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Melannie Kyler, Sun City Saints (3-1)
P – Carol Townsend, West Allis Bankettes
P – Paula Noel, Sun City Saints (2-1)
C – Mary Hutton, Plain Americans
C – Janet Leising, Tonawanda Shamrocks
1B – Mary Lou Carroll, Plain Americans
2B – Mary Lou Cushing, Orlando Rebels
3B – Beth Quesnel, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Sue Paylor, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Lisa Dennis, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Becky Rice, Sun City Saints
OF – Betty Wright, Plain Americans
OF – Marge Voith, Plain Americans
UTIL – Marlys Taber, West Allis Bankettes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Plain American, Washington DC (5-2) (Central Atlantic)
3. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (5-2) (Cactus)
4. Shamrocks, North Tonawanda, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
5t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (3-2) (Southern)
5t. Northridge Royals, Los Angeles, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
7t. Lowry Construction, Memphis, TN (2-2) (Southwestern)
7t. West Allis Bankettes, West Allis, WI (3-2) (West Central)
9t. Chico Peppers, Chico, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Travelers, Spokane, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Wichita Arrows, Wichita, KS (1-2) (Western)
9t. Waltham Drifters, Waltham, MA (1-2) (New England)
13t. Warehouse Records, Houston, TX (0-2) (Texas)
13t. Lorelie Ladies, Atlanta, GA (0-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. Precision Plating, St. Paul, MN (0-2) (Northern)
13t. Wyoming Whirlpool, Wyoming, MI (0-2) (East Central)
17. Law Equipment, Greeley, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)

NOTES

Canada Champ – Vancouver Doc’s Blues, Vancouver, BC did not attend

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 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1976 held at Bicentennial Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania on September 15-19.

Champion – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut
Runner Up – Home Savings & Loan, Aurora, Illinois

The Raybestos Cardinals struck for two runs in the top of the ninth inning yesterday to trim Home Savings & Loan and capture the ASA Men’s National Championship.

The victory enabled the Cardinals to sweep all five tournament tests en route to their sixth national title in history.

Al Lewis was chosen as the most valuable player in the event checked Home Savings & Loan on four hits as he gained all five victories for the Redbirds. Home Savings & Loan came in second for the third year in a row.

A walk to Bob Quinn started the winning surge and the hustling second baseman stole second. John Anquillare struck out and Vinnie Caserto drew an intentional walk. Jerry LePenna spoiled the strategy with an RBI single to right field, plating Quinn, and when the throw in went astray, Caserti followed around with the insurance tally.

Only one runner reached third against Lewis, who received flawless fielding suport throughout the tourney sweep. Caserto rapped two doubles and LaPenna singled twice against loser Dick Brubaker, while Bob Quinn had half of Home Savings & Loan’s safeties.

  • MVP – Al Lewis, Raybestos Cardinals
  • Batting Leader – Scott Simons, Sizzler Family Steakhouse – .438
  • Home Run Leader – Vinnie Caserto, Raybestos – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Larry Bergh, Billard Sunners (3-4, .750, 5 RBI, 2 Runs) – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Terry Muck, Home Savings & Loans – 2
  • Home Run Leader – Spencer Thurgood, Sizzler Steak House – 2
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award – Al Lewis, Raybestos Cardinals

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Al Lewis, Raybestos Cardinals (5-0, 37 IP, 35 K, gave up 1 run)
P – Ty Stofflet, Billard Sunners (3-2, 33 IP, 54 K)
P – Dick Brubaker, Home Savings and Loan (4-2, 45 IP, 54 K)
C – Carl Solarek, Billard Sunners
C – Barry Albright, Yingst Auto Sales
1B – Carl Walker, Nothdurft Tool
2B – Ron Hoak, Yingst Auto Sales
3B – Dwight Eck, Yingst Auto Sales
SS – John Anquillare, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Glenn Beamon, LeBlanc Barons
OF – Tom Penders, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Vinnie Caserto, Raybestos Cardinals (6-13, .462, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
OF – Spence Thurgood, Sizzler Family Steakhouse (4-11, .364, 6 RBI, 3 Runs)
UT – Terry Muck, Home Savings and Loan (9-24, .375, 4 RBI, 7 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Edmore “Ed” Johnson, Nothdurft Tool (3-1, 32 IP, 30 K)
P – Barry Parmer, Yingst Auto Sales (2-1)
P – George Killmer, Young America Clothing Stores
C – Andy Anderson, Sizzler Family Steakhouse
C – Bill Leffler, LeBlanc Barons
1B – Darryl Day, Home Savings and Loan
2B – Bob Quinn, Raybestos Cardinals
3B – Bob Yoder, Billard Sunners
SS – Scott Simons, Sizzler Family Steakhouse (7-16, 4 Runs)
OF – Terry Kreider, Yingst Auto Sales
OF – Charles Anderson, Young America Clothing Stores
OF – Mike Summerbell, LeBlanc Barons
OF – Jim Hunter, Sizzler Family Steakhouse
UT – Evans Telegades, Nothdurft Tool

OTHERS

Gary Hutchins, Home Savings & Loans (2-0)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-0) (New England)
2. Home Savings & Loan, Aurora, IL (6-2) (West Central)
3. Yingst Auto Sales, Mount Joy, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
4. Nothdurft Tool Company, Detroit, MI (3-2) (East Central)
5t. Billard Sunners, Reading, PA (4-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Sizzler Steak House, Salt Lake City, UT (3-2) (Rocky Mountain)
7t. Capital Management Investments, Springfield, MO (2-2) (Western)
7t. Young American Clothing Stores, Minot, ND (2-2) (Northern)
9t. Lelanc Barons, Mountain View, CA (2-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Goldie’s Tavern, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Tammy Wynette, Nashville, TN (1-2) (South Atlantic)
9t. Slics Vista Bombers, Vista, CA (1-2) (South Pacific Coast)
13t. Lynch Industries, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (0-2) (Southern)
13t. Campbell Gro-Green, Portales, NM (0-2) (Cactus)
13t. Foster’s, Stephenville, TX (1-2) (Texas)
17t. Da-Ro’s, Buchanan, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
17t. Allentown Patriots, Allentown, PA (0-2) (Host)

NOTES

Armed Forces Champ – no representative was listed. Alaska Champ – Burger King, AK did not attend. Hawaii Champ – Midas Muffler, Oahu, HI did not attend. Canada Champ – Victoria Bates Construction, British Columbia did not attend.

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)

1976 ASA 18-Under Girls Fast Pitch Nationals

1976 held at American Way Park in Memphis, Tennessee on August 5-8.

Champion: Raiders, Sepulveda, California (36-2)
Runner Up: Charolais Queens, McPherson, Kansas (35-3)

An apparent broken arm and a hit batter were the deciding factors in last night’s senior girls (16-18) national softball championship game as the Raiders of Sepulveda, Calif., scratched and clawed its way to a 6-3 victory over Charolais Queens of McPherson, Kan., at American Way Park.

The extra-inning, come-from-behind victory was especially sweet for the Raiders, who lost to Love Park, Ill., in the finals a year ago.

Charolais Queens jumped to a quick 2-0 lead , and was cruising along with a 3-1 margin when misfortune struck in the game of the day, while the Raiders were in their fifth inning. The Charolais Queens were playing their fourth game of the day, while the Raiders were in their second.

Raiders’s Shelley Bly reached first on an error. With one out, she took third when Charolais Queens pitcher, Susan Sundahl, stopped a line drive with her right arm. Miss Sundahl was taken to a local hospital with what officials thought was a fracture. Miss Bly then scored on Nickie Clark’s fielder’s choice to bring the Raiders within one, 3-2.

The Raiders pulled even in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, reliever Michelle Decker hit Lisa Feldman to force the tie.

The Charolais Queens had a chance to win the contest in the seventh when its first two batters singled. But the Raider’s bend-but-never-break defense squashed the rally.

The Raiders, which beat Charolais Queens last year in the semifinals, closed its season with a 36-2 mark while Charolais Queens dropped to 35-3.

Raiders’s sponsor is Memphian Tom Hartzog who has business connections in California.

Lincoln Odyssey, finished third in a field of 42 entries with Hale’s Angels, copping fourth.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raiders, Sepulveda, CA
2. McPherson, KS (5-2)
3. Lincoln Odyssey, Lincoln, NE
4. Hale’s Angels, Tulsa, OK
5t.
5t.
7t.
7t.
9t.
9t.
9t.
9t.
13t.
13t.
13t.
13t.
17t.
17t.
17t.
17t.
17t.
17t.
17t.
17t.
25t.
25t.
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25t.
25t.
25t.
33t.
33t.
33t.
33t.
33t.
33t.
33t.
33t.
33t.
33t.

TEAMS: Trouble, Carlsbad, NM / Bionics, Bartlesville, OK / Middle Valley Tom Boys, Hixon, TN / Tom Boys, Anniston, AL / Raiders, Rockford, IL / Love Park Cougars, Love Park, IL / Tabernacle Kittens, Indianapolis, IN / Broome Dusterettes, Vestal, NY

1976 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1976 held at Dill Softball Center and Al Caniglia Field in Omaha, Nebraska on May 13-16.

Champion – Michigan State Spartans (24-4)
Runner Up – Northern Colorado (19-5)

The eighth Women’s College World Series (WCWS) was held in Omaha, Nebraska on May 13–16, with nineteen college softball teams meeting in the 1976 ASA/AIAW fastpitch softball tournament. Most of the teams had won state championships. This was the last WCWS before the adoption of regional qualifying tournaments. Because college softball had not yet been separated into competitive divisions, large and small colleges competed together in one overall national championship.

Michigan State, the third-place team a year ago, won the Women’s College World Series Sunday with a 3-0 victory over the University of Northern Colorado at Al Caniglia Field.

The final day’s games were moved from Dill Field to the Astro turfed stadium at the University of Nebraska at Omaha because of rain and wet grounds.

Gloria Becksford, who pitched and won all five Michigan State tournament games. allowed Northern Colorado. 5-2 for the tournament, only three hits, all singles, in the championship game.

The three Michigan State runs were all unearned and all scored in the top of the sixth inning. Right fielder Susan Law-son opened the inning with a single and scored one out later when shortstop Carol Hutchins reached on an error.

Centerfielder Nancy Green filed out, but first-baseman Gayle Barrons and left fielder Laury Ward followed with consecutive run-scoring singles.

Earlier in the afternoon, Michigan State and Northern Colorado each defeated the defending champion University of Nebraska at Omaha.

UNO finished third and Arizona State fourth. Both had 3-2 records. Michigan State shut out UNO, 1-0, with Miss Becksford pitching a four-hitter. Then Northern Colorado defeated UNO, 3-2. avenging an earlier 3-2 loss to the Maverettes Phyllis Schachterle, who relieved in the second inning, earned the victory.

Marlene McCauley pitched both games for UNO, dripping her tournament record to 2-2. In Sunday’s first game, Arizona State defeated Tarkio College, 5-4, in a completion of a game suspended in the second inning Saturday afternoon because of rain.

Northern Colorado then eliminated Arizona State with a 13-3 victory. Venus Jennings broke that game open with a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, the only extra-base hit all day.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Diane Spoelstra, Michigan State (7-15, .467)
  • HR Champion – N/A

OTHERS

Gloria Becksford, Michigan State (5-0, 3 straight shutouts)

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. Minnesota 5 Oregon 1
  2. Cal State-Sacramento 5 Utah 1
  3. East Stroudsburg 10 South Carolina 0
  4. Northern Iowa 3 Northern State 1
  5. Nebraska-Omaha 10 Mayville State 0
  6. Tarkio 3 Indiana State 0
  7. Illinois State 7 Northwestern Oklahoma State 0
  8. Northern Colorado 1 Texas-Arlington 0
  9. Michigan State 2 Minnesota 1
  10. Kansas defeated Cal-State Sacramento
  11. Arizona State 14 East Stroudsburg 4
  12. Utah 5 Northern State 1 (Northern State eliminated)
  13. Oregon 11 Mayville State 0 (Mayville State eliminated)
  14. South Carolina 5 Northwestern Oklahoma State 1 (Northwestern Oklahoma State eliminated)
  15. Cal State-Sacramento 6 Minnesota 1 (Minnesota eliminated)
  16. East Stroudsburg 4 Utah 1 (Utah eliminated)
  17. Indiana State 14 Oregon 6 (Oregon eliminated)
  18. Texas-Arlington 3 South Carolina 0 (South Carolina eliminated)
  19. Michigan State 6 Kansas 5
  20. Arizona State 2 Northern Iowa 0
  21. Nebraska-Omaha 3 Tarkio 1
  22. Northern Colorado 5 Illinois State 1
  23. Tarkio 3 East Stroudsburg 0 (East Stroudsburg eliminated)
  24. Illinois State 6 Cal State-Sacramento 3 (Cal-State Sacramento eliminated)
  25. Northern Iowa 10 Indiana State 2 (Indiana State eliminated)
  26. Texas-Arlington 2 Kansas 0 (Kansas eliminated)
  27. Michigan State 2 Arizona State 0
  28. Nebraska-Omaha 3 Northern Colorado 2
  29. Tarkio 5 Illinois State (Illinois State eliminated)
  30. Northern Iowa 6 Texas-Arlington 0 (Texas-Arlington eliminated)
  31. Arizona State 5 Tarkio 4 (Tarkio eliminated)
  32. Northern Colorado 1 Northern Iowa 0 (Northern Iowa eliminated)
  33. Michigan State 1 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  34. Northern Colorado 13 Arizona State 3 (Arizona State eliminated)
  35. Northern Colorado 3 Nebraska-Omaha 2 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  36. Michigan State 3 Northern Colorado 0 (Northern Colorado eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Michigan State Spartans (5-0)
2. Northern Colorado Bears (5-2)
3. Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks (3-2)
4t. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-2)
5t. Tarkio College Owls (3-2)
5t. Northern Iowa Panthers (3-2)
7t. Illinois State Redbirds (2-2)
7t. Texas–Arlington Mavericks (2-2)
9t. East Stroudsburg State Warriors (2-2)
9t. Cal State–Sacramento Hornets (2-2)
9t. Kansas Jayhawks (1-2)
9t. Indiana State Sycamores (1-2)
13t. Utah Runnin’ Utes (1-2)
13t. Oregon Ducks (1-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-2)
13t. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-2)
17t. Northwestern Oklahoma State (0-2)
17t. Northern State Wolves (0-2)
17t. Mayville State Comets (0-2)

1976 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1976 held at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Champion: Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, Ohio (92-8)
Runner Up: Rubi-Otts, Graham, North Carolina (72-8)

Sorrentos lost their very first game of the tournament to the Jacksonville Raiders, then came back through the loser’s bracket and won 10 straight, beating Rubi-Otts twice, 8-3 and 5-2 in the final championship games. Pitcher Shirley Patterson won all 10 games and had an amazing 1.76 ERA. Sorrentos was led by the hot bat of Sue Malcolm who had 18 hits (.545 average). Martha Kidd, Marsha Replogle Ehler and Vicki Stambaugh also contributed big hits and outstanding defensive plays to lead Sorrento’s.

  • MVP – Marylyn Busse, Rubi-Otts (9-22, .409, 2 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Batting Leader – Sue Malcolm, Sorrento’s (18-33, 10 RBI) – .545
  • Home Run Leader – Karen Krause, Warehouse Tapes & Records (5-14, .357) – 2
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher – Shirley Patterson, Sorrento’s (had a 1.76 ERA and led Sorrento’s through the losers bracket after losing their first game and then to the title winning 10 straight games)

1976 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Shirley Patterson, Sorrento’s Pizza
P – Judy Hedgecock, Dots
C – Linda Ares, Dots
C – Martha Kidd, Sorrento’s Pizza
1B – Marsha Replogle Ehler, Sorrento’s
2B – Linda Arford, Spooks
3B – Sue Malcolm, Sorrento’s Pizza
SS – Sheryl Chubb, Rubi-Otts
OF – Vicki Stambaugh, Sorrento’s Pizza
OF – Carol Smith, Dots
OF – JoAnn Avedisian, Sessions TV
OF – Marilyn Busse, Rubi-Otts
UT – Laura Roundtree, Blazers
UT – Beverly Shue, Rubi-Otts

1976 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Wanda Thomas, Spirits
P – Pam Clark, Rubi-Otts
C – Marlen Brice, Gremlins
C – Judy Lockhart, Rubi-Otts
1B – Sandy Patton, Dots
2B – Camille Talley, Warehouse Tape & Record
3B – Linda Wiemers, Spirits
SS – Sherri Amos, Playmates
OF – Nancy Brown, Gremlins
OF – Patti Green, Barbelettes
OF – Elaine Honig, Gremlins
OF – Marlene Gordon, Rubi-Otts
UT – Karren Newman, Dots
UT – Sue Bupp, York Barbelletes

NOTE: Pat Green, Barbellettes (11-19) – .579 (missed by one at bat at winning the batting crown)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (10-1)
2. Rubi-Otts, Graham, NC (5-2)
3. Dots, North Miami, FL (5-2)
4. Gremlins, Tampa, FL (5-2)
5t. Blazers, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
5t. Spooks, Anoka, MN (3-2)
7t. Spirits, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2)
7t. Barbelletes, York, PA (4-2)
9t. Botkins Trophies, Muncie, IN (2-2)
9t. Donnettes, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
9t. Sessions TV, Rhode Island, RI (3-2)
9t. Budweiser, Cookeville, TN (3-2)
13t. Hadisco, Hutchinson, KE (4-2)
13t. BYMC Debs, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
13t. Unpredictables, Las Vegas, NV (1-2)
13t. Playmates, Sacramento, CA (2-2)
17t. Ami-Co Travel, Copiague, NY (2-2)
17t. Progressive Printers, Dayton, OH (1-2)
17t. Warehouse Tapes & Records, Houston, TX (1-2)
17t. Robinettes, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Reeder Sinco GMC, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
17t. CP Dean, Richmond, VA (1-2)
17t. WFLI, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Pavers, Lexington, KY (1-2)
25t. Stars, Rome, GA (0-2)
25t. Spirit of 76, Cleveland, OH (0-2)
25t. Avantis, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
25t. BJs All Stars, Tacoma, WA (0-2)
25t. Auto Parts, Coeur d’Alene, ID (0-2)
25t. Brown’s Tire shop, Manchester, CT (0-2)
25t. Scott Rwuipment, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
25t. Fairway, Blair, NE (0-2)
33t. Fox Valley Lassies, St. Charles, IL (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.