Softball History USA

1947 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1947 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Jax Maids, New Orleans, Louisiana
Runner Up – Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, Arizona

From 1945 through 1947, The New Orleans Jax record was 143-20. 11 of the losses came against men’s teams.

The ASA Executive Board was polled to take away the Jax Maids title away from them after the team announced its intentions to turn professional before the tournament started. The committee voted 6-4 to forfeit the Jax title and give it to the runner up, Arizona Ramblers. Eventually this was overturned as there was no proof that any Jax player signed a contract or played a professional. They simply said they were going to turn professional. They have won the title 5 of the last 6 years. This action led the Jax Maids to leave ASA and play in the rival NSC.

In October, the Jax Maids traveled to Phoenix to challenge the A-1 Queens, NSC Womens Champs in a 10 game series. The Queens defeated the Jax squad 6 games to 3.

Both Olympia and Freda Savona had 3 hits to lead the Jax. Lottie Jackson had 2 hits and Evelyn Stech’s 2-run single was the go ahead hit in the 5th inning. Lottie Jackson was 2-0 for the Jax Maids.

Amy Peralta May, Arizona Ramblers (4-2, with 2 shutouts, beaten 6-4 in final by Nina Korgan) – Peralta and Dot Wilkinson each had two hits for the Ramblers. Margie Law was 1-0 pitching the other game for the Ramblers.

Ruth Elston, Toronto Peoples Credit Jewelers (3-2, including a 1-0 perfect game)

A Special note on Nina Korgan as she had one of the more incredible streaks in ASA pitching history. From 1941 through and including this 1947 National, her team won the championship 6 of the 7 years. She pitched and won every final championship game victory and in that span racked up a record of 21-0 with 18 Shutouts, 5 No-Hitters, of which one was a perfect game. She had two shutout streaks of 7 from 1941-42 and then 8 from 1945 through 1947. She twirled 168 innings in that span, striking out 254 batters and surrendering only 6 runs on 35 hits. Teammate Lottie Jackson was the other Jax pitcher and all she has done in the same span is go 8-2 with 6 shutouts, including a 2 no hitters. The only two games she lost were in relief and both by 1-0 scores. Both hurlers always played as they were both great hitters as well.

Nina Korgan, Jax Maids, 9-0 since 1945 Nationals, pitched 8 straight shutouts before winning 6-4 final. As a team, they have not lost since the Fall of 1945. They have won 92 straight games since the 1945, finishing up on a winning streak, In 1946, they went 56-0 and then won in the beginning of this season until the streak reached 92 games, before losing . It had become very hard to find opposition beside men’s teams, that the team has played a series of intra squad games over the last three years.

Korgan went 3-0, pitched 2 shutouts, then won final game 6-4 with 8 K and would have won the MVP award.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jax Brewery Maids, New Orleans, LA (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (5-2) (South Pacific Coast)
3. J&K Shoes, Columbus, OH (2-2) (East Central)
4. Peoples Credit, Toronto, ON (3-2) (Canada)
5t. Teagues Used Cars, Fort Worth, TX (3-2) * (Southwestern)
5t. Fresno Rockets, Fresno, CA (3-2) (North Pacific Coast)
7t. Caterpillar Dieselettes, Peoria, IL (1-2) (West Central)
7t. Garvin’s Grill, Washington DC (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Cardinalettes, Perth Amboy, NJ (0-2) (Mid-Atlantc)
9t. Walker Realty, Des Moines, IA (1-2) (Western)
9t. Raglan Ramblers, Nashville, TN (0-2) (Southern)
9t. Cleveland Rangers, Cleveland, OH (0-2) (Host)
DQ. Stamford Nutmegs, Stamford, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic) – disqualified after the first game

NOTES

Erv Lind Florist, Portland, OR withdrew – could not attend due to girls going back to school. Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament.

1947 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1947 held at Elks Field in Lakewood, Ohio on September 11-14.

Champion – Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, Indiana (113-19)
Runner Up – People’s Credit Jewelers, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bill West, Zollner Pistons (3-0, no-hitter, 16 IP, 35 K, pitched 4-0 no-hitter in final with 17 K and 2 Intentional Walks to Toronto’s leading hitter, Doug Adams), the 4 runs were attributed to the 3 doubles by Chick Goldberg and Bernie Kampschmidt’s 2 RBI singles (He was 3-3 in the game).

Zollner Pistons – Elmer Rohrs (2-0, no hitter, 16 IP, 34 K), Diz Kirkendall (1-0, 1-hit shutout, 15 K) – Piston hurlers had 84 Strikeouts in 39 Innings – 5 games. The no-hitter that Rohrs threw was a 10-inning 2-0 victory in which he had 21 strikeouts.

Russ Johnston, People’s Credit (5-1, no-hitter, 3 shutouts, lost final to Zollner’s Bill West 4-0)

Jim Ramage, Zollner (had 5 RBI in one game with a HR and a single. Had a HR in another game as well. He and Hughie Johnston both ended up with 2 HR each in the tournament)

Herb Dudley, Blackburn Bombers (3-2, Had 60 K in first 3 starts, 75 K in his first 4 starts, hurling 2 shutouts, winning 3-1 and losing 1-0. Then Bombers were them eliminated by the eventual runner, People’s Credit of Toronto 6-0. He finished up with an incredible 77 K in 44 IP, giving up 8 runs, 6 in the last game. Dudley also hit a homer over the center field fence in the opening game)

Roy Stephenson of Grumman Yankees went 3-2, 3 shutouts, 2 1-hitters.

  • MVP – Hughie Johnston, Zollner Pistons (3-run homer to win winner’s bracket and then another HR in championship game)
  • Batting Leader– N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, IN (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. People’s Credit Union, Toronto, ON (5-2) (Canada)
3. Hanford Kings, Hanford, CA (4-2) (North Pacific Coast)
4. Blackburn Bombers, Clearwater, FL (3-2) (Southern)
5t. Kovakos Grill, Washington DC (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
5t. Grumman Yankees, Bethpage, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Hi-Way Inn, Harlinger, TX (2-2) (Southwestern)
7t. Stratford Roofers, Stratford, CT (2-2) (North Atlantic)
9t. Palmer Commerce Loan, St. Joseph, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Ralph Tires, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Casa Biascoecha, San Fuerce, Puerto Rico (2-2) (Atlantic Ocean)
9t. Thomas Ice Cream, South Bend, IN (0-2) (West Central)
13t. Tucker Blue Grass, Cleveland, OH (1-2) (Host)
13t. Hudson House Grocery, Portland, OR (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. San Pedro AC, Long Beach, CA (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
13t. Thompson Foods, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17. Farmers Supply Store, Fargo, ND (0-2) (Northern)

NOTE

Mexico did not send a team to nationals.

1946 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1946 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Jax Brewery Maids, New Orleans, Louisiana
Runner Up – Chicago Matchettes, Chicago, Illinois

Matchettes went 5-2, 5 shutouts, they gave up 2 runs the entire tournament both 1-0 losses to Jax Maids. The Matchettes beat Lind & Pomeroy in the semi finals as Marge Nichols and Bernice Maxwell combined for a no-hitter. But the Jax Maids were too strong as Nina Korgen pitched a 1-0 no-hitter. They scored the game’s only run in the 4th inning as Jax Hazel Gill was hit by a pitch, sacrificed to second and then scored on an error to give Korgan all the support she needed. Nichols was 3-0 with 3 shutouts and 36 K’s. Maxwell was 2-2, both wins via shutout and she suffered the two 1-0 defeats.

Chicago Match Corp had a team in the Men’s final as well as they were also defeated. Zollner Pistons beat them 2-0 in the final.

Lottie Jackson, Jax Maids was 2-0, won her games 7-3 and 3-1.

Vera Miller, Fresno Roma Wines went 1-2, pitched a perfect game.

Nina Korgan, Jax Maids was 3-0, 3 shutouts, 25 IP, 19 K, 0 runs allowed, 3 hits and had a 1-0 no-hitter in final. She would have been named MVP.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jax Brewery Maids, New Orleans, LA (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Chicago Matchettes, Chicago, IL (5-2) (West Central)
3. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (3-2) (Northwestern)
4. Atlas Electric, Tulsa, OK (4-2) (Southwestern)
5t. Emmert Grains, Cincinnati, OH (2-2) (East Central)
5t. Buena Park Lynx, Buena Park, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
7t. Simpson Girls, Toronto, ON (2-2) (Canada)
7t. DX Oilers, Topeka, KS (2-2) (Western)
9t. Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Stamford Nutmegs, Stamford, CT (1-2) (North Atlantic)
9t. Roma Wines, Fresno, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Puritas Springs Park, Cleveland OH (1-2) (Host)
13t. Takoma Decorators, Washington DC (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. Brooklyn Celtics, New York, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Southern Dairy Maids, Nashville, TN (0-2) (Southern)

NOTES

Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament.

1946 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1945 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, Indiana (93-7)
Runner Up – Chicago Match Corporation, Chicago, Illinois

Jim Chambers of Chicago Match was 6-2, 6 shutouts, 2 no hitters in a row, 117 K, 72 IP, gave up a total of 2 runs in 7 games), won first game 1-0, the team then lost to Zollner 6-0 to put them in the losers bracket. Chambers went back to the mound and then pitched a 19 inning 2-1 victory with 40 K in the next game, He then shutout his next 4 opponents, including 2 no-hitters, the second one over the Cowboys of Hollister, CA in semi finals 4-0, before losing to Zollner again 1-0 in the final). Chambers had a string of 55 consecutive scoreless innings. Jim Chambers was 50-7 record with 1026 Ks.

Zollner Pistons defeated Chicago Match 2-0 in 10 innings. Curley Armstrong of Zollner Pistons led off the top of the 10th with a HR. Ed Robitalle walked and later scored making the final 2-0, which held up with Bill West on the hill. West had 17 K in the final.

Curley Armstrong, Zollner Pistons had 3 HR.

Bill West, Zollner Pistons (2-0; hurled 10 inning 2-0 shutout in championship w/17 Ks) – total 17 IP, 30 Ks, 3 hits and 0 runs given up. West finished the year 32-0.

Leo Luken, Zollner Pistons (2-0; Won a game in relief 2-1 in the 11th inning and pitched a 7-0 2-hit shutout with 12 Ks). Diz Kirkendall was 1-0, hurling a shutout and striking out 23 total in 17 innings.

Zollner’s won 5 straight games going undefeated with a total run margin of 25-1 in 40 innings. Pistons outhit their rivals 41-12.

Chicago Match Corp. had a team in the men’s and women’s final where the Matchettes lost to the Jax Maids.

Larry Bollig of Denver Public Service was 3-2, 2 no hitters, collecting 32 Ks in the 2 games, he also had 19 more Ks in a 1-0 loss to Grumman.

Roy Stephenson, Grumman Yankees pitched a 13 inning 1-0 shutout and struck out 24 batters. He went 2-2

Future “King and his Court” Superstar Eddie Feigner was the hurler for the Longview, WA  team and he went 1-2.

  • MVP – Jim Chambers, Chicago Match
  • Batting Leader– N/A
  • HR Leader – Jim Ramage, Zollner Pistons – 4

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, IN (5-0) (Defending Champs)
2. Chicago Match Corporation, Chicago, IL 6-2 (West Central)
3. Hollister Cowboys, Hollister, CA (3-2) (North Pacific Coast)
4. Grumman Yankees, Bethpage, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
5t. Torrence Insurance, Longview, WA (2-2) (Northwestern)
5t. Denver Public Service, Denver, CO (3-2) (Rocky Mountain)*
7t. Slush Pumps, Houston, TX (2-2) (Southwestern
7t. Kavokas Grill, Washington DC (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Knights of Columbus, Springfield, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Nickel Plate Grill, Cleveland OH (2-2) (Host)
9t. Ferguson Auditors, Columbus, OH (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Jockey Club, Mexico City, Mexico (1-2) (Mexico)*
13t. Monowatt Electric AC, Providence, RI (0-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Burtner Furniture, Greensboro, NC (0-2) (Southern)
13t. Funk Jewelers, Phoenix, AZ (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
13t. Bell Thread, Hamilton, ON (0-2) (Canada)
17. Don Q Rums, San Juan, Puerto Rico (0-2) (Atlantic Ocean) did not show up

* -won a game by forfeit

NOTES

Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament.

1945 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1945 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Jax Maids, New Orleans, Louisiana
Runner Up – Crofton Athletic Club, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jax Maids went 5-0, giving up 0 runs and only 6 total hits, they didn’t give up a hit until the third game. Hitting stars in the Championship game were Dot Pitts and Dot Walker both with 2 RBI, Freda and Olympia Savona both had 2 hits.

Once again, the Jax Maids played games against Men’s teams, so their overall record is no indication of their talent. (They were 7-11 vs Men’s teams), and these were not counted in the team’s record listed above, if so, they would be 22-3.

The Savona sisters, Freda and Olympia were both 2-4 in the final game, accounting for 3 of the 5 runs. Olympia Savona was 6-11 with 3 Runs scored, 2 RBIs, 3 Doubles in the 3 games that had box scores. 2 games are unaccounted for.

Alma Wilson, Crofton AC went 4-2.

Lottie Jackson, Jax Maids went 2-0, also pitched a no-hitter, allowed 0 Runs and 3 hits, 13 IP and struck out 10.

Marge Wood, Erin Brews went 4-2, with 3 shutouts, gave up 5 runs and 17 hits in 6 games for a total 55 IP, 66 K.

Nina Korgan, Jax Maids went 3-0, 1 save, 3 shutouts, no-hitter, allowed 3 hits; pitched a 5-0 two-hit shutout in final. In total 22 IP, 28 K. Korgan was 1 for 2 at the plate in the final game as well and would have been named MVP.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jax Maids, New Orleans, LA (5-0) (Southwestern)
2. Crofton Athletic Club, Toronto, ON (5-2) (Canada)
3. Rex Hanover, Gastonia, NC (3-2) (Southern)
4. Erin Brews, Cleveland, OH (4-2) (Host)
5t. Denton A-1 Queens, Phoenix, AZ (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
5t. Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (2-2) (Rocky Mountain
7t. Capitol Maids, Washington DC (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. Foxhead 400’s, Chicago, IL (1-2) (West Central)
9t. Lind & Pomeroy Florists, Portland, OR (1-2) (Defending Champ)
9t. Moraine Product Girls, Dayton, OH (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Boeing Bomberettes, Seattle, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Marlin-Chesneys, Topeka, KS (0-2) (Western)
13t. Stamford Nutmegs, Stamford, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Brooklyn Celtics, New York City, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)

NOTES

Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament. North Pacific Coast Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament.

1945 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1945 held at Lakewood Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on September 12-17.

Champion – Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, Indiana (72-4)
Runner Up – M&S Orange Beverage Company, Flint, Michigan (50-7)

Charles Justice of M&S Orange was 7-2, 7 shutouts, 74 Ks, 69 IP; lost 1st game of tournament to Zollner’s 3-2, then pitched 7 consecutive shutouts, including the 1-0 victory in the first final. The winning run was scored by Justice himself. They went on to lose in the final championship game 1-0. All total, gave up 4 runs in 9 games and also had a streak of 55 scoreless innings. He hurled 49 innings in the the last two days. Justice is listed as the MVP in some sources and also Most Valuable Pitcher in other sources. One of Justice’s Shutouts was a combined effort as Percy McCracken started the game and Justice relieved him in the 4th inning, hurling 1-hit ball the rest of the way and Flint scored 4 runs in the top of the 10th to win, giving Justice the 4-0 victory. Justice also hurled a 19 inning 1-0 victory over Tip Top Tailors as Bill Pack hit a HR to win the game. Justice struck 27.

Hughie Johnston, Zollner (6-22, .273, 3 doubles, 3 Runs, 6 RBI). Some newspapers sources said he was the MVP, but the performance of Justice was just too incredible to ignore.

Leo Luken, Zollner Pistons (4-0, 33 K, 28 IP, 3 Shutouts; pitched 1-0 final, beating Charlie Justice). Charlie Justice beat Zollner’s Dizzy Kirkendale 1-0 in first final to force the championship showdown with the Pistons prevailing 1-0 as Chick Goldberg’s base hit scored Neal Barille (6 runs scored, 4 RBIs in the tournament) with the winning run. Detroit went 6-1 to win the event, outscoring their opponents 23-6. Dizzy Kirkendall, Zollner (2-1, 29 K, 24 IP, 1 Shutout).

The Zollner Pistons team won a record 50 straight games during the season in 1945. They finished the season 72-4 and the pitching staff threw 451 scoreless innings out of a possible 464 innings played.

Leo Luken was 35-0 on the year. Luken’s first victory of the tournament was a 1-0 shutout over Phelps-Dodge of New Jersey for the ASA National Industrial Championship. The final was part of the bracket as a play-in game. Kirkendall finished the season 29-3, including 17 straight wins at one point. The Pistons pitching staff of Luken, Kirkendall and Corgan threw 451 scoreless innings out of a total of 464 innings played during the season.

Some sources state that M&S players, Charlie Justice (pitcher), Bobby Wright (catcher) and Bill Hamilton (first base) were named to the All World Fast Pitch Team by a local publication.

  • MVP – Charles Justice, M&S Orange Beverage Company
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, IN (6-1) (West Industrial Champ)
2. M&S Orange Beverage Company, Flint, MI (7-2) (West Central)
3. Stove Machinists, Tacoma, WA (3-2) (Northwestern)
4. O.S. Stapley Hardware, Phoenix, AZ (4-2) (South Pacific Coast)
5t. Tip Top Tailors, Toronto, ON (2-2) (Canada)
5t. Houston Slush Pumps, Houston, TX (2-2) (Southwestern)
7t. Coors Beer, Salt Lake City, UT (2-2) (Rocky Mountain)
7t. Westinghouse, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2) (East Central)
9t. Merced AFB, San Francisco, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Ritter’s Dental, Rochester, NY (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
9t. Phelps Dodge, Elizabeth, NJ (1-2) (East Industrial Champ)
9t. Monowat Electric, Cranston, RI (1-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Kavokas Grill, Washington DC (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. DF Giants (Gigantes), Mexico City, Mexico (0-2) (Mexico)
13t. Buck’s Bar, Omaha, NE (0-2) (Western)
13t. Coast Guard Repair Shop, Miami, FL (0-2) (Southern)
17. Quincy Club, Cleveland, OH (0-2) (Host)

NOTES

Hammer Field Raiders, Fresno, CA – Defending Champs – Disbanded. Westinghouse, Pittsburgh, PA went in place of Old Reliables, Columbus, OH, who could not attend. Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament. Puerto Rico did not attend due to World War II transportation restrictions.

1944 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1944 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Lind & Pomeroy Florists, Portland, Oregon (44-8)
Runner Up – Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, Arizona

2-time defending champ, Jax Maids lost 2 straight, to Erin Brews of Cleveland 1-0 in 14 inn. and Arizona Ramblers 1-0 in 8 inn. They had a tough time finding suitable competition, playing mostly Men’s Military Base teams, playing a limited schedule, they were 30-5 against men and 14-3 versus women teams for a total combined record of 44-8.

Nira Deputy’s single scored Dottie Moore with the winning run for Portland in the 11th inning of the final. Deputy was 3-5 in the final game.

Alyse Johnson, Lind & Pomeroy went 2-0, 12 IP, hurled a 1-hit shutout and a combined 9-0 no hitter with Betty Evans, Johnson got the win as she entered in the 3rd inning. She did not give up a hit in the 12 innings she pitched.

Lind & Pomeroy went 5-0 and did not give up a run, outscoring their opponents 27-0.

Marge Wood, Erin Brews went 4-2, 60 IP, 70 K, 3 shutouts.

Amy Peralta May, Arizona Ramblers (5-2 hurling 59 innings, pitched 3 shutouts, including 2 no-hitters. She gave up only 4 runs in the 59 innings she pitched. She also went 11 for 19 at the plate.

Louise Curtis, Arizona Ramblers (1-0, pitched 6 innings to gain win, Amy Peralta came in and pitched the last inning).

Betty Evans, Lind & Pomeroy (3-0, 3 shutouts, 25 IP, 42 K, 2 no-hitters), pitched a no hitter in the semis and a 1-0, 11 inn. 3-hitter in final. The 3 hits she gave up in the final game were the only hits she surrendered in the entire tournament. She would have been named the MVP.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Home Run Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Amy Peralta May, Arizona Ramblers – . 577

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Lind & Pomeroy Florists, Portland, OR (5-0) (Northwestern)
2. Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (6-2) (Pacific Coast)
3. Stamford Nutmegs, Stamford, CT (3-2) (North Atlantic)
4. Erin Brews, Cleveland, OH (4-2) (Host)
5t. Jeep Bars, Omaha, NE (2-2) (Western)
5t. Sunday Morning Class, Toronto, ON (2-2) (East Canada)
7t. Neons, Vancouver, BC (2-2) (West Canada-British Columbia)
7t. Chicago Rock-olas, Chicago, IL (2-2) * (West Central)
9t. Douglass Air Cargoettes, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2) (Southwestern
9t. American Yarn, Mount Holly, NC (1-2) * (Southern)
9t. Fink & Hine, Springfield, MO (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Ambrosias, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. United Typewriters, Washington DC (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. Van’s TNT Girls, Rochester, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Jax Brewer Maids, New Orleans, LA (0-2) (Defending Champ)
13t. Moose Jaw Royals, Regina, SK (0-2) (West Canada)

* indicates wins by forfeit.

NOTES

The Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament. South Atlantic Region disbanded in 1943. South Atlantic States merged with Southern Regional States. Moose Jaw Royals, Regina, SK did not show up.

1944 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1944 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Hammer Airfield Raiders, Fresno, California (58-4)
Runner Up – Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, Indiana (76-12)

Al Linde put on one of the greatest single performances in the history of the ASA Nationals on the mound, in the field and at the plate. He was 4-0 in 41 IP, 74 Ks, 4 shutouts, 2 no-hitters and gave up only 5 hits, he also had 2 game winning walk off hits and made a diving catch and then doubled the runner off of second to save another game. Linde was 37-1 on the season with 15 no hitters. He now has 93 no hitters in his career.

Kermit Lynch, Raiders (1-0, 11 IP, beat Briggs 6-0 on a 2-hitter) – Lynch was 21-3 on the year with 14 no hitters. Linde and Lynch combined for a total of 52 shutouts in the teams total of 58 wins. 29 of the shutouts were no hitters.

Harry Goorabian, Raiders drove Bob Nugent with the winning run in the championship with a base hit up the middle.

Zollner Pistons; Leo Luken (3-0), Stan Corgan (1-2, took the loss in the 12 inning final 1-0, while striking out 16 batters). The only 2 Pistons that got hits were Monday Cielenski and Chick Goldberg.

Warren “Fireball” Gerber (3-1 with a shutout for third place Ferguson Auditors), Diz Kirkendall was 1-1 for the Auditors with a shutout, but lost the 3-2 elimination to the Pistons.

  • MVP – Al Linde, Hammer Airfield Raiders (Pitched 12-inning 1-0 two-hitter in final w/21 Ks)
  • Defensive MVP– Tony Iacovitle, Hammer Airfield Raiders (threw out player at the plate to keep Zollner from scoring)
  • HR Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hammer Airfield Raiders, Fresno, CA (5-0) (Defending Champs)
2. Zollner Pistons, Fort Wayne, IN (4-2) (West Central)
3. Ferguson State Auditors, Columbus, OH (4-2) (East Central)
4. Market Inn, Salt Lake City, UT (4-2) (Rocky Mountain)
5t. Tip Top Tailors, Toronto, ON (3-2) (Canada)
5t. Monowatt, Electric, Cranston, RI (2-2) (North Atlantic)
7t. Kodak Park, Rochester, NY (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Delchamps, Mobile, AL (2-2) (Southern)
9t. Briggs Bombers, Detroit, MI (1-2) (Industrial Champ)
9t. Cummings Construction, Baltimore, MD (1-2) (Central Atlantic)*
9t. Martin Bombers, Omaha, NE (1-2) (Western)*
9t. Leece & Neville, Cleveland, OH (1-2) (Host)
13t. OS Stapleys, Phoenix, AZ (0-2) (Pacific Coast)
13t. Ardmore Army Air Field, Ardmore, OK (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Portland Merchants, Portland, OR (0-2) (Northwestern)

* won a game by forfeit

NOTES

Merced Army Air Field, San Francisco, CA (Military Service) did not show up. Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament. South Atlantic Region Disbanded in 1943. South Atlantic States merged with Southern Regional States. Puerto Rico and Mexico did not attend due to World War II transportation restrictions.

1943 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1943 held at Detroit, Michigan.

Champion – Jax Brewery Maids, New Orleans, Louisiana
Runner Up – Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, Arizona

Jax Maids collected 17 hits in the 7-0 final. All their players are employed by their sponsor and most do clerical work, one is even a chemist for the firm. They were offered contracts ranging from $65 to well over $100 a week to play in the new All-American Girls Baseball League in 1944, but all 15 refused, because they did not want to break up the team.

Nina Korgan pitched a 7-0 one-hitter in final striking out 9, and went 2-4 with 2 RBI. She beat Amy Peralta of Phoenix. Olympia Savona was 2-3 with 2 runs scored. Dottie Pitts drove in 2 runs and Freda Savona was 3-3 with 2 RBI.

Freda Savona was 7-15, 6 Runs, 6 RBI, 3 Doubles and 2 HR, and won the batting title

Lottie Johnson, Jax Brewery Maids went 1-0, pitched a 6-0 no hitter.

Amy Peralta May, Ramblers went 4-2, 2 shutouts.

Olympia Savona went 5-17, .294, 3 runs for Jax Brewery Maids.

Nina Korgan, Jax Brewery Maids went 4-0, 28.2 IP, 54 K, 3 shutouts, 8 hits, 1 run and would have been named MVP.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Freda Savona, Jax Maids – .467

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jax Brewery Maids, New Orleans, LA (5-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Arizona Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (4-2) (Pacific Coast)
3. Local #50 Bomberettes, Detroit, MI (5-2) (Host)
4. Caterpillar Dieselettes, Peoria, IL (3-2) (West Central)
5t. Western Mutuals, Vancouver, BC (2-2) (West Canada-British Columbia)
5t. American Yarn, Mount Holly, NC (2-2) (South Atlantic)
7t. Erin Brews, Cleveland, OH (2-2) (East Central)
7t. Sunday Morning Class, Toronto, ON (2-2) (Canada)
9t. Douglass Air Cargoettes, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Westport Girls, Baltimore, MD (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Moose Jaw Royals, Regina, SK (1-2) (West Canada)
9t. Arians, Linden, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Denver Dry Goods, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Monowatt Electric Girls, Providence, RI (0-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Huntsville Arsenal, Huntsville, AL (0-2) (Southern)

NOTES

Marlin-Chesneys, Topeka, KS (could not attend – Holy Trinity, Topeka, KS was scheduled to go in place, but they backed out as well). Douglass Aircraft Cargoettes, Oklahoma City, OK went in place of Richey Grocerettes, Houston, TX, who could not attend. Northwestern Champ – Victory Girls, Seattle, WA (could not attend). Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament. Sunday Morning Class, Toronto, ON went in place of Canada Champ – Simcoe Basic Training Stars, Ontario, who could not attend.

1943 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1943 held at Detroit, Michigan.

Champion – Hammer Airfield Raiders, Fresno, California (25-3)
Runner Up – Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, Michigan

(Unofficial MVP by Newspaper accounts) – Kermit Lynch, Raiders (3-0; 3 shutouts, including 1-0 win in finals, also drove in Dalton Moore with a triple to account for the only run of the game)

Al Linde, Raiders (1-1 pitching with a shutout, and played OF when he wasn’t hurling)

Ed Figelski, Briggs Beautyware (Pitched a 14 inning no hitter, winning 1-0 and having 27 Ks in the opening game, then came back in the first championship game to shut out Hammer Field 4-0 to force the final showdown, Big Ed had 10 Strikeouts to finish with 37 total in the 2 games he pitched. Ed Pearl was the pitcher of record in the final championship game for the Briggs Bombers and he only gave up 1 hit, but just happened to be Kermit Lynch’s RBI triple. Pearl was 2-2, Figelski was 2-0 and Ted Bankey was 1-0 for the Bombers.

Russ Johnston, Canadian Dental Corp. was 3-2 with no hitter.

The Zollner Pistons never made it out of the Regionals having been beaten by Midland Dow AC and then eliminated by the Peoria Caterpillars.

  • MVP – Kermit Lynch, Hammer Airfield Raiders
  • Batting Leader – Ed “Tyranski” Tyson, Briggs Beautyware (9-19) – .473
  • HR Leader – N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hammer Airfield Raiders, Fresno, CA (5-1) (Military Service)*
2. Briggs Bombers, Detroit, MI (5-2) (Host)
3. Coca-Cola, Cincinnati, OH (3-2) (East Central)
4. Martin Bombers, Omaha, NE (4-2) (Western)*
5t. Canadian Army Dental Corp, Toronto, ON (3-2) (Canada)
5t. Public Service, Denver, CO (2-2) (Rocky Mountain)
7t. Dow Chemical, Midland, MI (2-2) (West Central)
7t. Kodak Park, Rochester, NY (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
9t. Camp Wallace, Galveston, TX (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Garvin’s Grill, Washington DC (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Teamsters, Tacoma, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Phalanx Fraternity, Phoenix, AZ (1-2) (Pacific Coast)
13t. United Wire, Providence, RI (0-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Burtner Farms, Greensboro, NC (0-2) (South Atlantic)

* won a game by forfeit

NOTES

8th Naval District, New Orleans, LA (Southern) did not show up. Deep Rock Oilers, Tulsa, OK – Defending Champs – Disbanded. Phalanx Fraternity, Phoenix, AZ went in place of O.S. Stapley, Phoenix, AZ, who could not attend. Northern Region did not send a team or did not hold a tournament. Puerto Rico (Atlantic Ocean) and Mexico did not attend due to World War II transportation restrictions.