Softball History USA

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
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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.

1975 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1975 held at Kimberly, Wisconsin on August 22-31.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Southern Truck Raiders, Sun City, Arizona

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Jerry Flory, Nitehawks
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Bob Todd, Nitehawks
  • Leading Hitter – Frank DeBois, Knights – .647
  • Most RBI – Denny Stilwell, Southern Truck Raiders – 6

1975 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Gil Aragon, Southern Truck Raiders (4-2, 1.10 ERA, 24 K, 7 BB)
P – Sam Beaver, Tarrant Glass Co. (3-1, 0.00 ERA, 37 K, 2 BB)
P – Bob Todd, Nitehawks (5-0, 0.60 ERA, 34 K, 1 BB)
C – Vic Munoz, Manny’s C .467
C – Butch Chambers, Southern Truck Raiders C .208
IF – Joe Siefried, Jets IF .462
IF – Tim Denson, Tarrant Glass Co. IF .417
IF – Manny Ortega – Manny’s IF .412
IF – Jerry Flory, Nitehawks IF .350
IF – Randy White, Southern Truck Raiders IF .290
OF – Frank DeBois, Knights OF .647
OF – Nick Whittaker, Tulsa OF .467
OF – Jack Johnson, Nitehawks OF .286
OF – Denny Stilwell, Southern Truck Raiders OF .250

1975 ISC SECOND TEAM ALL WORLD

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nighthawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Southern Truck Raiders, Sun City, AZ
3. Tarrant Glass Co., Ft. Worth, TX
4. Manny’s, San Bernardino, CA
5t. Turquoise Kings, Kingman, AZ
5t. Jets, Lakewood, CA
7t. F.M.A. Valley Bank, Salt Lake City, UT
7t. Golfland, Green Bay, WI
9t. Knights, Lakewood, CO
9t. Blues, Denver, CO
9t. Firebirds, Tulsa, OK
9t. Jay’s Carpets, Summerset, PA
13t. Hay’s Roofing, Prescott, AZ
13t. RKT, Fresno, CA
13t. A’s, Lamar, CO
13t. Tommy’s, Oshkosh, WI
17t. Whalens, Dubuque, IA
17t. Jack’s, Little Chute, WI
17t. Ft. Wayne Remodeling, Ft. Wayne, IN
17t. The Bar, Green Bay, WI
17t. Cowboys, Las Vegas, NV
17t. Mosenfelder, Rock Island, IL
17t. Martins Market, Bakersfield, CA
17t. Kristich Sports, Joliet, IL
25t. Gene’s IGA, Logan, WV
25t. All Indians, Cache, OK

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 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals


1975 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Pyramid Cafe, Lakewood, Ohio
Runner Up – Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Pyramid Cafe became the first team from Cleveland to win the coveted ASA Slow Pitch National Championship. They have had a couple runner-up finishes from Sheffield Bronze in 1958 and 1960, then Swing In finished third twice in 1965 and 1966.  But other than that, its been one heartbreak after another. This year was different, this year, Steve Loya’s name became legendary.

Winners Bracket Semi-Finals, Howard’s Furniture led 10-9 in bottom of 7th, Steve Loya comes up and hits a 3-run walk off home run to win the game 12-10. Dave Jakubs had 2 HR and 5 RBI in the Howard’s victory. Jakubs had 13 RBI in the tournament.

Winners bracket final – Pyramid losing to Poindexter Lumber 9-8 in bottom of 7th inning, once again, Steve Loya hits a walk off homer, this, time a 2-run shot to give Pyramid a 10-9 win.

Poindexter went on to eliminate Howards 13-2 to get another crack at Pyramid.  Poindexter defeats Pyramid 14-8 to send the championship to the “if” game. The game started at 2:00 AM as mist was covering the field. Poindexter jumped out to a 7-6 lead, but Pyramid came back to take a 10-7 lead, added another run to make the final score 11-7.
Cleveland had its first Slow Pitch National Championship.

Fittingly, Steve Loya was the MVP. He played the whole weekend with 8 stitches in his wrist, due to a work accident that sliced his wrist down to the bone.  He wasn’t sure he was going to be able to play!

  • MVP – Steve Loya, Pyramid Café
  • HR Leaders – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture – 7
  • HR Leaders – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture  – 7
  • Batting Leader – Dave Rumppe, Cambridge Square – .737

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Carroll Bonneau, Coastal Rental (8-15, .533, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
P – John Reilly, Preston Machine (12-26, .462, 10 RBI, 9 Runs)
C – Steve Loya, Pyramid Cafe (12-27, .444, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 11 Runs)
C – John Crotty, Preston Machine (16-26, .615, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 6 Runs)
1B – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (15-27, .556, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 14 Runs)
2B – Dave Obholz, Buck Alley Lumber (9-16, .563, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
3B – Dave Jakubs, Pyramid Cafe (12-27, .444, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
SS – Dave Rumppe, Cambridge Square (14-19, .737, 3 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (17-27, .629, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Mickey Morrison, Poindexter Lumber (19-32, .594, 6 RBI, 15 Runs)
OF – Roger Snatchko, BYM Club (15-24, .625, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Gene Parrish, Goofy’s (9-14, .643, 2 Runs)
UT – Mike Foley, Empire County Sports (11-15, .733, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
UT – Roger Brown, Howard‘s Furniture (no information listed in rule book)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Tony Fein, Cambridge Square (9-16, .563, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
P – Chuck Musgrave, Pyramid Cafe (6-14, .429, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard’s Furniture (12-25, .480, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
C – Wayne Hauser, Poindexter Lumber (11-28, .393, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 7 Runs)
1B – Andy Loya, Pyyramid Cafe (13-24, .542, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
2B – Ray Corky Kruel, BYM Club (10-21, .476, 4 RBI, 9 Runs)
3B – Mike Robertson, Poindexter Lumber (15-26, .577, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
SS – Don Ragozzine, Preston Machine (22-32, .688, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Duane Butch Singer, Plaza 76 (8-13, .615, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
OF – Richard Lee, Tate Chrysler (8-14, .571, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – Jim Sibert, Pyramid Cafe (13-22, .591, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – Gary Markland, Poindexter Lumber (13-23, .565, 7 RBI, 13 Runs)
UT – Jim Galloway, Empire County Sports (11-18, .611, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
UT – Russell Mundy, Poindexter Lumber (16-27, .592, 15 RBI, 10 Runs)

OTHERS

Oscar Steadman, Empire County Sports (3-3, 1.000)
Ron Soft, Buck Alley Lumber (11-16, .688, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Sam Molnar, Preston Machine (14-2, .636, 10 RBI, 7 Runs)
Jon Johntony, Beef Corral (10-16, .625, 7 RBI, 9 Runs)
Chic Downing, Buck Alley Lumber (12-20, .600, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 10 Runs)
Ron Ford, Copher Brothers (6-11, .545, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
David Beaird, Tom’s Foods (7-13, .538, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
Bert Smith, Howards (17-32, .531, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 14 Runs)
Denny Hogan, Howards (11-21, .524, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
Dick Jones, Preston Machine (18-35, .514, 7 RBI, 14 Runs)
Tony Cloniger, Howards (13-26, .500, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 10 Runs)
Bruce Meade, Copher Brothers (5-10, .500, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
Ken Nichols, Poindexter (15-31, .484, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 11 Runs)
Larry Chiapetta, Empire County Sports (8-17, .471, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
Mike Parrott, Coastal Rental (7-15, .467, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs)
John Davide, Empire County Sports (6-13, .462, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Bill Malloy, Empire County Sports (6-13, .462, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
Joe Konicki, Empire County Sports (5-11, .455, 2 RBI, 1 Run)
Joe Czarnecki, Preston Machine (12-28, .429, 8 Runs)
Don Clatterbaugh, GL Howards (3-7, .429, 4 RBI)
Lou Russo, Empire County Sports (8-19, .421, 1 RBI, 7 Runs)
Gary Richter, Empire County Sports (7-17, .412, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
Herman Rathman, Buck Alley Lumber (6-15, .400, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 5 Runs)
Dave Carroll, Howard’s (7-19, .368, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Pyramid Cafe, Cleveland, OH (6-1)
2. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC (6-2)
3. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (5-2)
4. Preston Machine, Hamden, CT (6-2)
5t. BYM Club, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
5t. Bell Pick Up, Wyoming, MI (3-2)
7t. Cambridge Square, Des Moines, IA (3-2)
7t. Tate Crysler, Pasadena, MD (3-2)
9t. Buck Alley Lumber, Wichita, KS (3-2)
9t. Goofy’s, Minneapolis, MN (3-2)
9t. Fiori’s Music, Santa Rosa, CA (3-2)
9t. Empire County Sports, Levittown, NY (3-2)
13t. Coastal Renting, Houston, TX (2-2)
13t. Plaza 76, Mansfield, OH (2-2)
13t. Beef Coral-Holy Name, Lakewood, OH (2-2)
13t. Teamsters #293, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
17t. Tom’s Foods, Phoenix City, AL (2-2)
17t. Stuart National Bank, Stuart, FL (1-2)
17t. Rockholt Furniture, Decatur, TN (1-2)
17t. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
17t. Desjardins, Milton, VT (1-2)
17t. Flite-Line OBX, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
17t. Copher Brothers, Bradenton, FL (1-2)
17t. Dugout Hal’s, Ithaca, NY (1-2)
25t. MCU Sports, Boise ID (1-2)
25t. Wilsman Trucking, Hamilton, OH (0-2)
25t. Atlantic Sales, Portsmouth, VA (0-2)
25t. Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. Sports West, Hopkins, MN (0-2)
25t. Sportsworld, Lexington, KY (0-2)
25t. Slitz of Fondy, Fond du Lac, WI (0-2)
25t. G.L. Howard Athletics, Richmond, VA (0-2)
33t. Kwajalein Islands, Marshall Islands (0-2)
33t. Tower Grove Bank, St. Louis, MO (0-2)

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)