Softball History USA

1960 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1960 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (54-7)
Runner Up – Erv Lind Florist, Portland, Oregon

Bertha Ragan threw a 2-hit shutout as Stratford won the title 2-0. Portland’s Louize Mazzucca also only gave up 2 hits, but didn’t have the magic she had as she only had 5 strikeouts. She had previously in this tournament pitched 3 no hitters. Millie Dixon of the Brakettes drove in the both runs with a double in the bottom of the first inning to give the Brakettes a 2-0 lead that Bertha Ragan held on to until the end, registering 10 K.

This is the second straight year that Ragan has beat Mazzucca in the Championship game. Ragan has had 8 straight shutouts in the past 2 years. Mazzucca, who can’t beat that Brakette jinx has had 5 no hitters in the past 2 years and has gone 7-4.

In the Championship game, all the runs that Bertha Ragan would need came in the bottom of the first inning. Micki “Stratton” Macchietto and Joan Joyce both were on base via base hits and up stepped Millie Dixon. She laced a double to give the Brakettes a 2-0 lead that Bertha Ragan made last. Ragan had 10 strikeouts and pitched a 2-hitter. Louise Mazuca took the loss for the Florists. She was second in the MVP voting to Ragan. She was 4-2, struck out 75 batters in 43 innings and tossed three no-hitter in the tournament.

Marion Fox, Toronto (3-1), Teddy Hamilton, Orange Lionettes (3-1) and Lorene Ramsey, Pekinettes (3-2) all won 3 games in the tournament.

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – N/A – no home runs were hit
  • Batting Leader – Dot Wilkinson, PBSW Ramblers – .444
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lorene Ramsey, Pekin-Lettes
P – Bertha Ragan Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes (4-0, 4 straight shutouts, 47 K, 28 IP, pitched a 2-hit 2-0 shutout in final with 10 K). In the past 3 years of national play, Ragan-Tickey has been 12-0 with 11 shutouts. In 103 innings, she has struck out 147 batters and given up only 1 run, which was unearned.
P – Louise “Chris” Mazzuca, Erv Lind Florists (4-2, 75 K, 43 IP, 4 shutouts, 3 no-hitters…. she has tossed 5 no hitters in the past two Nationals)
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers (8-18, 6 RBI, 2 Runs, 2 Doubles)
1B – Jean Bonham, Phoenix Ramblers
2B – Estelle “Ricki” Caito, Orange Lionettes
3B – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes
SS – Susan Bea Thomas, Pekin-Lettes
OF – Hap Beryl Piper, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Odette Griffin, Orange Lionettes
OF – Ann DeLuca, Raybestos Brakettes
UTIL – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (2-0, 1 shutout, 29 Ks 14 IP)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Marion Fox, Peoples Credit Jewelers
P – Teddy Hamilton, Orange Lionettes
P – Gerry Boudreau, Caggiano All-Stars
C – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes
1B – Donna Baxter, Orange Lionettes
2B – Carol Fowler, Peoples Credit Jewelers
3B – Dorothy “Dot” Dobie, Erv Lind Florists
SS – Kay Rohrer, Phoenix Ramblers
OF – Mary Archer, Peoples Credit Jewelers
OF – Ruby Wienecke, Peoples Credit Jewelers
OF – Mary Hartman, Raybestos Brakettes
UTIL – Shirley Topley, South Hill Queens

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (4-2) (Northwestern)
3. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (4-2) (South Pacific Coast)
4. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (4-2) (Cactus)
5t. Pekin-Lettes, Peoria, IL (3-2) (West Central)
5t. People’s Credit Jewelers, Toronto, ON (3-2) (East Canada)
7t. Kansas City Dons, Kansas City, KS (2-2) (Western)
7t. Caggiano All-Stars, Lynn, MA (2-2) (New England)
9t. Olney Kaydettes, Philadelphia, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. South Hill Queens, Vancouver, BC (2-2) (West Canada-British Columbia)
9t. Crest Fence, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. National Cash Register Girls, Dayton, OH (1-2) (East Central)
13t. Falstaffers, Houston, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Legal Finance Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA (1-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. Hartford Laurelettes, Hartford, CT (1-2) (Host)
13t. Burrey Biscuit Mauraders, Plainfield, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
17t. Fresno Rockets, Fresno, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)
17t. St. Paul Rockettes, St. Paul, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Al-Ettes, Pine Bluff, AR (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. National Security Ins., Birmingham, AL (0-2) (Southern)

NOTES

West Canada-Alberta Champ – Premier Steelers, Alberta did not attend.

1960 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1960 held at Jones Beach State Park in Jones Beach, New York on September 16-23.

Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Delta Merchants, Stockton, California

The Clearwater Bombers became the first Men’s team to win 5 Championships, breaking the record of 4, previously held by Briggs Beautywear of Detroit. The Bombers came out of the loser’s bracket to then shutout Canton, NC 1-0 behind a combined effort of Bobby Spell (5.2 IP) and Bill Massey in relief (1.1 IP). Then Bobby Spell struck out 19 as he hurled a 9-inning 1-0 win in the first final as Ricky Tomlinson (11-33, .333 in the tournament) tripled in the 9th and scored on Buster Zeigler’s single. Tomlinson (11-33, .333 total) was 2-4 in the game with a double and a triple.

In the final championship game, Bill Massey pitched a 1-0 no hitter with 13 K.  The Bombers scored the only run in the game in the 6th inning as Buster Zeigler tripled and then scored on a wild pitch.  The wins by Spell and Massey over Bill Simoni of Stockton were the first 2 defeats he had in the tournament after a 5-0 start. He was named the MVP.

Teams were housed in the City of Long Beach with a welcome luncheon at noon on Friday at the Marine Dining Room where tournament officials greeted the managers, and the tournament draw was held. Two clubs, the defending champion Aurora Sealmasters, last year’s champions, and the host Musicaro squad didn’t have to draw. The tournament almost didn’t happen. After hurricane Donna, the main stadium was under four feet of water and the dugouts weren’t even visible. Officials stated that six or eight men were working on the fields, and they would be in top shape for the tournament. Pumps went to work and slowly the salt water was dumped back into the ocean. The grass had to be well washed with fresh water. By Friday night, everything was back in shape.

  • MVP – Bill Simoni, Delta Merchants
  • Batting Leader – Frank Doucette, Gardena Merchants (6-10, 6 RBI, 1 Run) – .600
  • Home Run Leader – Lafayette Horton, Peter’s Sausage of Detroit (3-21, .143, 4 RBI, 3 Runs) – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bill Simoni, Delta Merchants (5-2, 3 Shutouts, 53 K, 58 IP, gave up only 4 runs) – Pitched his team to the championship games, only to lose two straight 1-0 games.
P – Bobby Spell, Clearwater Bombers (4-0, 49 K, 34 IP, 4 Shutouts)
P – Harvey Sterkel, Sealmasters (5-2, 108 K, 92 IP, 4 runs)
C – Tony Esposito, Flat Iron Athletic Club
1B – George Haley, Delta Merchants
2B – George Caloia, Peter’s Sausage
3B – Babe Lolly, Delta Merchants
SS – Richard “Ricky” Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Bill Bearden, Champion YMCA
OF – John “Buster” Ziegler, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Charles Poindexter, Champion YMCA
UT – Jerry Fleming, DeJur Cameramen

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bill Massey, Clearwater Bombers (3-1, 54 K, 45 IP)
P – Wade Garrett, Champion YMCA (5-1, 65 K, 45 IP, 2 Shutouts)
P – Gene Barr, A&A Shopette
C – Ed Riddell, Clearwater Bombers
1B – George Adam, DeJur Cameramen
2B – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Gene Roberti, DeJur Cameramen
SS – Ray Phillips, Delta Merchants
UT – Faye Dunbar, Teamsters Local 886

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (7-1) (Southern)
2. Delta Merchants, Stockton, CA (5-2) (North Pacific Coast)
3. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (5-2) (South Atlantic)
4. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (5-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. A&A Shopette, Springfield, MO (2-2) (Western)
5t. Teamsters Local #880, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2) (Southwestern)
7t. Peter’s Sausage, Detroit, MI (4-2) (East Central)
7t. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (2-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Flat Iron Athletic Club, Philadelphia, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Gardenia Merchants, Gardenia, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
9t. U.S. Air Force, USA (1-2) (US Air Force)
9t. U.S. Navy White Caps, Norfolk, VA (1-2) (US Navy)
13t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (1-2) (New England)
13t. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. 7-Up, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. M&H Cleaners, Pasadena, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Hausske-Harlan Furniture, Peru, IN (0-2) (West Central)
17t. Zeb Pearce, Mesa, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Musicaro’s Restaurant, Massapequa, NY (0-2) (Host)
17t. Our Chapel of Memories, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Club 10, Manzanillo, Cuba (0-2) (Cuba)
17t. Mission Orange, Trail, BC (0-2) (West Canada-British Columbia)

NOTES

Peter’s Sausage, Detroit, MI went in place of – East Central Champ – Club 500, Detroit, MI, who could not attend. Our Chapel of Memories Mortuary, Denver, CO went in place of Rocky Mountain Champ – Sunnyside Grocery, Denver, CO, who could not attend. A&A Shopette, Springfield, MO went in place of – Western Champ – Barnes Store, Springfield, MO, who could not attend. East Canada Champ – did not send a representative. West Canada – Edmonton Champ – Calgary Orioles, Alberta did not attend. Puerto Rico Champ – Refrescos FRYA, Pio Piedras, Puerto Rico could not attend – had to withdraw due to Hurricane Donna.

1960 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1960 held at Richmond, Virginia.

Champion: Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, North Carolina (35-0 record)
Runner Up: Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, Virginia

The High Point Glass Rockets completed their undefeated season by sweeping through the National Tournament in three straight games. Pitcher Peggy Andrews allowed only 18 hits in 21 innings. She surrendered just 3 runs and pitched a 2-0 shutout in the Championship Game. Andrews also wielded a hot bat also.  Phyllis Snipes got the Glass Rockets on the board early with a HR. Snipes was 6-10 in the tournament (.600).

Heidel’s Hall Nancy Conners started off the tournament tossing a 3-hitter over St. Patrick’s of Louisville, KY as Heidel’s banged out 28 hits in an 18-1 triumph. Heidel’s Hall is the former Dana Gardens team.

A young lady by the name of Nancy Oldham started out her Hall of Fame career playing for the High Point Carolina Glass Rockets. In the Glass Rockets quarter final victory over the Virginia Dairy Maids, Frances Cook belted a 3-run homer in the 7th inning to give the Rockets the win.

ALL TOURNAMENT AWARDS

  • N.F. Jacobs and Son MVP Award – Peggy Andrews, Rockets (P), (3-0, allowed 3 total runs and 18 hits in 21 innings, pitched 2-0 shutout in final)
  • Hillerich & Bradsby Outstanding Hitter Award – Frances Cook, Glass Rockets (LF)
  • Hillerich & Bradsby Outstanding Hitter Award – Jeannette Pease, Pearl Laundry (RF)
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Peggy Andrews, Rockets
  • Rockingham Manager Award – Louise Pete Brown, Glass Rockets
  • Batting Leader – Phyllis Snipes, Glass Rockets (6-10, 1 HR) – .600
  • Slow Pitch Softball Queen – Faye Kelley. Eddie Mooer’s Blue Jays

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC (3-0)
2. Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA (2-1)
3t. Heidel’s Hall, Covington, KY (2-1)
3t. Clearview Lake, Cincinnati, OH (1-1)
5t. BPW Hoosiers, New Albany, IN (0-1)
5t. Virginia Metals, Orange, VA (0-1)
5t. Eddie Mooer’s Blue Jays, Richmond, VA (0-1)
5t. Virginia Dairy, Richmond, VA (0-1)
9. St. Patrick’s, Louisville, KY (0-1)

NOTE: The tournament was single elimination format.

SCORES

Single Elimination

Play-in Game

Heidel’s Hall, Covington, KY 18 St. Patrick’s, Louisville, KY 1 (Nancy Conners 3-hitter, Heidels 28 hits)

First Round/Quarterfinals

Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 12 BPW Hoosiers, New Albany, IN 5
Clearview Lake, Cincinnati, OH 7 Virginia Metals, Orange, VA 3
Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC 5 Virginia Dairy, Richmond, VA 2
Heidel’s Hall, Covington, KY 11 Eddie Mooer’s Blue Jays, Richmond, VA 3

Semi Finals

Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 8 Clearview Lake, Cincinnati, OH 1
Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC 4 Heidel’s Hall, Covington, KY 1

Championship

Carolina Glass Rockets, High Point, NC 2 Pearl Laundry Pollyannas, Richmond, VA 0

1959 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

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

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

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

1959 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

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

FINAL STANDINGS

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

1959 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Yorkshire Restaurant, Newport, Kentucky
Runner Up – Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, Kentucky

Yorkshire won their first two games, then lost to Grande-Caruso of PA 11-2. They then won the next seven straight games behind the pitching of Walt Wherry, who only surrendered 27 runs in the final 7 games of the tournament.

In the loser’s bracket semifinal, Yorkshire came back to win in dramatic fashion as Don Rardin’s 3 run homer late in the game, beat Sheffield Bronze 3-2. They then got their revenge on the Grande-Caruso squad with a 6-4 win in the losers bracket final then had to defeat undefeated Duffy’s twice. Duffy’s had beaten New Kensington’s Grande-Caruso 8-6 as Ish Cornett’s home run with brother Al Cornett aboard iced the game in the last inning.

Yorkshire Restaurant became the first team in the history of the Slow Pitch Nationals to come through the loser’s bracket and win the title. The first final was over quick as Yorkshire won 11-1.

In the 10-6 final, Yorkshire jumped out to a 5-0 lead and never looked back as Myron Reinhardt delivered a 2-run homer with Rardin aboard. This was followed by consecutive doubles by Walt Wherry and Bill Beiger, along with singles from Coleman Arthur, Tom Kuhlman and Ralph Champman for 3 more runs. Wherry had a single, double and a triple in the game, while Reinhardt had a Homer and 2 singles. Yorkshire picked up Myron Reninardt and Walt Wherry from Gatliff for the Nationals.

  • MVP – Walt Wherry, Yorkshire Restaurant
  • HR Leader – George Rosewicz, Grande Caruso – 4
  • Batting Leader – Richard Rader, Sunbeam Sandwich – .833

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Walt Wherry, Yorkshire (7-0 Pitching and 12-27, .444, HR, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
P – Chuck Jacobs, Sheffield Bronze (Pitched 2 shutouts, 3-14, .214, )
C – Jack Bickerstaff, McAdenville Reds (11-25, .440, HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
1B – Robert Kranscik, Grande-Caruso (11-26, .423, HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
2B – Don Rardin, Yorkshire (20-34, .588, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 12 Runs)
3B – Ray “Whitey” Brown, Yorkshire (11-31, .355, HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
SS – Michael “Dick” Batten, Grande-Caruso (4-16, .250, 1 Run)
SF – Andy “YaYa” Massetta, Sheffield (8-18, .444, HR, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
LF – Ishmeal Cornett, Duffy’s (11-26, .423, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 8 Runs)
CF – Myron Reinhardt, Yorkshire (7-21, .333, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs – played with injury and had to sit out some games)
RF – Austin “Al” Cornett, Duffy’s (10-27, .370, 4 RBI, 7 Runs)

BATTING LEADERS (15 at bat minimum)

Richard Rader, Sunbeam Sandwich (15-18, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs) – .833 – Set the national tournament batting record
Irv Adams, East Side Sports (13-18, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 Runs) – .733
Nolan Shepard, Bob Reese Ford (12-18, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs) – .667
Don Rardin, Yorkshire (20-34, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 12 Runs) – .588
Art Falsetti, Grande Caruso (10-17, 2 RBI, 5 Runs) – .588
Carroll Beale, McAdenville (13-23, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 Runs) – .565
Ted Burliend, Waljo Builders (10-18, 1 RBI, 6 Runs) – .556
Clint Boisel, Sunbeam (11-20, 1 HR, 6 RBI) – .550
Jim Passabet, Waljo (8-15, 3 RBI, 5 Runs) – .533
Ron Elkind, Ghize (10-19, 1 HR, 6 RBI) – .526
Mason Leeper, McAdenville (15-29, 7 RBI, 5 Runs) – .517
Dave Stucky, Sunbeam (10-20, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 8 Runs) – .500
Cotton Perrin, Electric Motor Service (9-18, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs) – .500
John Stariha, Krivan (8-16, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs) – .500

OTHERS

George Rosewicz, Grande Caruso (9-22, .409, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
James Vieburg, Westrums (10-14, .714, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
Joe Goodwin, Waljo Builders (9-14, .643, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1 Run)
Steve Massong, Hamilton Tailors (5-8, .625, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Dave Burke, Duffy’s (8-14, .571, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Bernie Roeckers, Hamilton Tailors (4-8, .500, 4 Runs)
Sam Minnitti, Hamilton Tailors (4-8, .500, 2 Runs)
Ron Engler, Krivan Club (7-15, .467, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Dave Demko, Sheffield (9-20, .450, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Bill Campo, McAdenville (11-25, .440, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Joe Gauci, East Side Sports (7-16, .438, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
Roy Lombardo, East Side Sports (8-19, .421, 5 RBI, 2 Runs)
Will Sasseville, Ghize Chevrolet (9-23, .391, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
JD McDonald, McAdenville (12-31, .387, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
Charles Conley, Yorkshire (13-34, .382, 1 HR, 3 RBI)
Patsy Mastrocinque, Grande Caruso (8-21, .381, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 8 Runs)
George Coloia, East Side Sports (5-14, .357, 3 Runs)
Ron Annotico, Sheffield (6-17, .353, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs)
Bill Braden, Duffy’s (9-28, .321, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 Runs)
Tom Kuhlman, Yorkshire (7-26, .269, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
Frank Matoh, Sheffield (5-20, .250, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
Walt Roeckers, Hamilton Tailors (2-8, .250, 3 RBI, 1 Run)
George Corona, East Side Sports (4-17, .235, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Yorkshire Restaurant, Newport, KY (9-1)
2. Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, KY (6-2)
3. Grande Caruso, New Kensington, PA (5-2)
4. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
5t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (6-2)
5t. Waljo Builders, Armonk, NY (4-2)
7t. Carney Auditors Bird Nest, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
7t. Westrum’s, Minneapolis, MN (3-2)
9t. Ghize Chevrolet, Spencer, MA (4-2)
9t. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (3-2)
9t. Sox’s Inn, Detroit, MI (3-2)
9t. 5&10 Tap, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
13t. Krivian Club, Springdale, PA (3-2)
13t. Electric Motor Service, Knoxville, TN (3-2)
13t. Bob Reese Motors, Toledo-Lucas County, MI (3-2)
13t. Sunbeam Sandwich Shop, Springfield, OH (3-2)
17t. Ed Tate Sporting Goods, Dayton, OH (1-2)
17t. Wayne Lee’s Restaurant, Pascagoula, MS (1-2)
17t. Meneitos, Havana, Cuba (1-2)
17t. Viking A.C., Wantagh, NY (1-2)
17t. Fourth Avenue Office Sales, Fargo, ND (1-2)
17t. Colucci Tile, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
17t. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
17t. Willie’s Tavern, Mobile, AL (1-2)
25t. Bernsen Silk Mills, Buena Vista, VA (1-2)
25t. Shaw Lounge, St. Louis, MO (1-2)
25t. Club 185, Columbus, OH (1-2)
25t. Stewart Truckers, Toledo, OH (1-2)
25t. Venus Beverage, Biloxi, MS (1-2)
25t. Kennedy Drugs, Savannah, GA (1-2)
25t. Cincy Mat Stoppers, Staten Island, NY (0-2)
25t. PNA #83, South Bend, IN (0-2)
33t. Contract Plating, Stratford, CT (0-2)
33t. Ted’s Portway, Richfield, MN (0-2)
33t. Emmanuel Restaurant, Rochester, NY (0-2)
33t. Douglas Tire Company, Providence, RI (0-2)
33t. Jednote #831, Tarentum, PA (0-2)
33t. Club Snafu, Sheboygan, WI (0-2)
33t. VFW Post #8006, Florence, MA (0-2)
33t. Capri Lounge, Trenton, NJ (0-2)

1959 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Richmond, Virginia.

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

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

The Pollyannas also play fastpitch and have won their league multiple times as well as attending the Virginia ASA fastpitch state championships and ASA Regional Championships.

ALL TOURNAMENT AWARDS

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

FINAL STANDINGS (Single Elimination)

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

SCORES

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

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

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

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

1959 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

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

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

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

FINAL STANDINGS

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

NOTES

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

1959 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Clearwater, Florida.

Champion – Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, Illinois
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida

Aurora Sealmasters lost their first game and had to win 9 straight in the loser’s bracket to claim the title. Harvey Sterkal had to defeat Bobby Spell in the first final, Sterkal hurled a 2-hit shutout and struck out 6 batters, as Ned Wickersham’s Sacrifice Fly in the bottom of the 6th inning was the deciding blow.  In the Final game, Sterkal came right back and pitched another 1-0 shutout, this one lasting 10 innings. Sterkal struck out 7 batters in defeating the Bomber’s Bill Massey.  Don Ropp scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th. These 2 runs Aurora scored were the first two runs surrendered by the Bomber’s Pitching staff as they had 5 straight shutouts up to this point.

  • MVP – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters
  • Batting Leader – Clyde Miller, Champion YMCA – .500
  • Home Run Leader – Jake Farland, Hyster-Calico Cat – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters (8-1, 108 Ks, 66 IP, including two 1-0 games to win title, the final game lasting 10 innings)
P – Bobby Spell, Clearwater Bombers (3-1, 29 IP, 36 K, 3 shutouts)
P – Roy Stephenson, DeJur Camerman (3-2, 34 IP, 32 K)
C – Leroy Hess, Aurora Sealmasters
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Richard “Ricky” Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Bobby Holcomb, Champion YMCA
OF – Bob Sprentall, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Clyde Miller, Champion YMCA (6-12, 2 RBI)
UT – Jake Farland, Hyster-Calico Cat (5-13, .385, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bill Massey, Clearwater Bombers
P – Jack Hutchinson, Hyster-Calico Cat (3-2, 34 IP, 44 K)
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (4-1, 28 IP, 28 K)
1B – Joe Lewis, Clearwater Bombers
2B – George Fowler, DeJur Camerman
3B – Don Ropp, Aurora Sealmasters
3B – Billy Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals
3B – Sam Potter, Barnes Store
SS – John Davis, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Ed Worrell, Hyster-Calico Cat
OF – Bill Baroff, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Raymond “Ned” Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters
UT – Jerry Fleming, DeJur Camerman

OTHERS

Bill Massey, Clearwater Bombers (2-1, 23 IP, 34 K, 2 shutouts)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (9-1) (West Central)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (5-2) (Host)
3. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (4-2) (Defending Champ)
4. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (5-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
5t. Hyster-Calico Cat, Portland, OR (3-2) (Northwestern)
5t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (2-2) (South Atlantic)
7t. Johnny’s Used Cars, Baltimore, MD (4-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. U.S. Air Force All Stars, USA (3-2) (US-Air Force)
9t. Selph Plumbing, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
9t. Barnes Store, Springfield, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Big Shots, La Mesa, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
9t. Madden Construction, Bossier City, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Harry Rich, Miami, FL (1-2) (Southern)
13t. Burgermeisters, Sacramento, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Global Post VFW, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Club 500, Detroit, MI (1-2) (East Central)
17t. Dominic’s, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
17t. U.S. Navy All Stars (0-2) (US-Navy)
17t. Carlings Pilseners, Vancouver, BC (0-2) (West Canada)
17t. Club 10, Manzanillo, Cuba (0-2) (Cuba)
17t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (0-2) (North Atlantic)
17t. Kirtland Flyers, Albuquerque, NM (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Pepsi-Cola, Montreal, Quebec (0-2) (East Canada)

1958 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

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

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

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

1958 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

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

FINAL STANDINGS

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

1958 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1958 held in Cleveland, Ohio.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

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

OTHERS

Sam Minnitti, Hamilton Tailors (6-2 Pitching)

FINAL STANDINGS

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