Author: Dan Pfeffer

1977 ASPSL All Pro Team

P- Phil Schroer, Kentucky                              ( 76-142, .535,  4 HRs,  53 RBIs,  53 Runs, 15-5 Pitching)
P- Tom Gorski, Milwaukee                           (112-224, .500, 22 HRs,  75 RBIs,  80 Runs, 17-8 Pitching)
P- Tony Mazza, Detroit                                   ( 61-139, .461,  2 HRs,  25 RBIs,  45 Runs, 23-6 Pitching,
C- Benny Holt, Chicago (MVP)                                   (149-216, .690, 89 HRs, 187 RBIs, 144 Runs, 25 BBs) – Chicago MVP – Won Triple Crown – MVP
C- Mike Applin, Cincinnati                             (107-190, .563, 41 HRs, 104 RBIs,  82 Runs) – Cincinnati MVP
C- Bill Gatti, Kentucky                                    ( 97-180, .539, 48 HRs, 127 RBIs,  95 Runs, 35 BBs, 10 SFs) – Kentucky MVP
1B- Doug Gerdes, Detroit                             (126-237, .599, 60 HRs, 124 RBIs, 125 Runs)
1B- Joe Russell, Minnesota                          (119-217, .548, 35 HRs, 111 RBIs,  98 Runs, 11 SFs)
1B- Tom Miller, Pittsburgh                           ( 99-182, .544, 52 HRs, 124 RBIs,  82 Runs, 23 BBs, 9 SFs) – Pittsburgh MVP
2B- Buddy Haines, Chicago                           (124-205, .605, 42 HRs, 100 RBIs, 101 Runs)
2B- Doug Czaplewski, Milwaukee                              (123-204, .603,  1 HRs,  43 RBIs,  92 Runs)
2B- Donnie Rardin, Kentucky                       (119-222, .536,  4 HRs,  51 RBIs,  81 Runs, 17-5 Pitching)
3B- John Copenhaver, Baltimore                               (112-187, .599, 36 HRs,  95 RBIs,  94 Runs)
3B- Jim Dillard, Milwaukee                           (117-215, .544, 34 HRs, 117 RBIs, 102 Runs)
3B- Bill Speaks, Columbus                            (108-203, .532, 17 HRs,  97 RBIs,  72 Runs, 14 SFs) – Columbus MVP
SS- Ronnie Ford, Detroit                (145-239, .607, 85 HRs, 184 RBIs, 150 Runs, 25 BBs)
SS- Tom Pappas, Columbus                          (109-181, .602,  0 HRs,  45 RBIs,  68 Runs)
SS- Ricky Linz, Cincinnati                                ( 91-155, .587,  1 HRs,  33 RBIs,  60 Runs)
OF- Mike Nye, Detroit                                    (170-258, .659, 36 HRs, 104 RBIs, 147 Runs, 30 2Bs, 12 3Bs) – Detroit MVP
OF- Bert Smith, Detroit                                  (103-201, .512, 53 HRs, 122 RBIs,  90 Runs)
OF- Gene Parrish, Minnesota                      (140-225, .622, 22 HRs,  83 RBIs, 115 Runs, 21 2Bs) – Minnesota MVP
OF- Mike Gouin, Detroit                                (119-212, .561, 35 HRs, 124 RBIs, 103 Runs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee                        (130-211, .611, 41 HRs, 131 RBIs, 120 Runs, 25 2Bs, 10 3Bs) – Milwaukee MVP
OF- Jay Smith, Baltimore                               (113-201, .562,  2 HRs,  48 RBIs,  81 Runs)
OF- Lawrence Hutcherson, Baltimore      (109-183, .596, 45 HRs, 129 RBIs,  93 Runs) – Baltimore MVP
OF- John Spadaccino, New Jersey                             ( 93-169, .550, 32 HRs,  97 RBIs,  90 Runs, 32 BBs) – New Jersey MVP
OF- John Dollar, Baltimore                            ( 70-134, .522,  5 HRs,  50 RBIs,  62 Runs)
OF- Ken Parker, Milwaukee                         (133-244, .545, 37 HRs, 109 RBIs, 104 Runs)
OF- Frank Cammailere, New York                              ( 78-150, .520, 16 HRs,  54 RBIs,  50 Runs) – New York MVP
OF- Rick Petrunyak, Cleveland                    (112-208, .538, 16 HRs,  70 RBIs,  92 Runs, 32 2Bs)
OF- Bobby Reid, Cleveland                           (107-200, .535,  8 HRS,  53 RBIs,  95 Runs, 30 2Bs, 15 3Bs)

World Series  MVP – Mike Nye, Detroit (12-20, .600, 2 HRs, 3 2Bs, 4 RBIs, 10 Runs)

1987 NSPC All-National Team

Bill Blake, Smythe Sox (14-23, .609, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 9 Runs) – MVP
Bruce Meade, Smythe Sox (13-21, .619, 5 HRs, 11 RBIs, 7 Runs)
Bill Gatti, Smythe Sox (13-24, .542, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs, 9 Runs)
Greg Whitlock, Smythe Sox (10-23, .435, 2 RBIs, 6 Runs)
Cecil Whitehead, Smythe Sox (9-20, .450, 3 RBIs, 7 Runs)
Mike Parrott, Smythe Sox (10-19, .526, 4 RBIs, 5 Runs)
Mauro Chiti, County Sports (8-13, .615, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
Ron Hargrove, County Sports (8-17, .471, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 8 Runs)
Mike Cellura, Capitol Insulation (8-15, .533, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 8 Runs)
Larry McGee, Capitol Insulation (9-13, .692, 8 RBIs, 1 Run)
Scott Smith, County Sports – Defensive MVP
Manager Award – John Cooke, Smythe Sox

1987 NSPC National Championship Tournament Final Standings

  1. Smythe Sox, Houston, TX                                         6-1
  2. County Sports, Levittown, NY                                 3-2  (This was an “A” team)
  3. Capitol Softball Club, Northridge, CA   2-2
  4. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC                2-2
  5. Ritch’s Auto Salvage, Harrisburg, NC                    1-2
  6. Vernon’s, Jacksonville, FL                                         1-2
  7. Lighthouse, Stone Mountain, GA                          0-2
  8. Snyder’s Softball Club, Wixom, MI                        0-2

1983 NSPC All-National Team

  • NSPC
  • November 8, 2018

Craig Elliott, Elite Coatings (16-20, .800, 11 HRs) – MVP
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer  (12 HRs)
Fred Trice, Elite Coatings  (14-17, .824)
Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings
Steve Williams, Elite Coatings
Charles Wright, Elite Coatings
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers
Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers
Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers
Denny Jones, Jerry’s Caterers – Defensive MVP
Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer
Russell Bradley, Howard’s/Western Steer
Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer

1982 NSPC All-National Team

  • NSPC
  • November 8, 2018

Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (10 HRs, 23 RBIs) – MVP
Charles Wright, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (11 HRs)
Bill Pollack, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Clyde Guy, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Steve Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s
Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers
Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers
Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers
Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
Mac Stalcup, Rule and Lee – Defensive MVP

1981 NSPC Regular Season All Stars

  • NSPC
  • November 8, 2018

First Team

P             Dana Andry, Nationwide Advertising
C             Jim Bizzell, Nationwide Advertising
1B           Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising
2B           Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising
3B           Bill Ferguson, Howard’s-Western Steer
SS           Charles Wright, Nationwide Advertising
OF          Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sanders
OF          Dick Bartel, Howard’s-Western Steer
OF          Rick Petrunyak, Nationwide Advertising
OF          Braxton Speller, Snyder’s-Stroh’s
UT          Rick Scherr, Howard’s-Western Steer
UT          Stan Harvey, Howard’s-Western Steer

Second Team

P             Buddy Slater, Howard’s-Western Steer
C             Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers
1B           John Geckle, Steele’s Sports
2B           Dennis Myers, Shimers
3B           Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Sanders
SS           Rick Trudeau, Snyder’s-Stroh’s
OF          Jim Gendron, Snyder’s-Stroh’s
OF          Ron Ford, York Barbell/Ken Sanders
OF          Larry Garrard, Steele’s Sports
OF          Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers
UT          Chuck Drewicz, Snyder’s-Stroh’s
UT          Russell Bradley, Howard’s-Western Steer

Regular Season Batting Leader – Bill Ferguson, Howard’s-Western Steer – .643
Regular Season HR Leader – Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising – 46
Regular Season RBI Leader – Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising – 94
Regular Season HR Frequency Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s-Western Steer – 3.136

1981 NSPC All-National Team

Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer (9-13, .692, 6 HRs, 15 RBIs) – MVP
Mike Nye, York Barbell’s/Ken Sander’s (10-14, .714) – Co-Defensive MVP
Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer (8-11, .727, 7 HRs, 12 RBIs)
Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers (7 HRs) (10-12, .833, 7 HRs, 12 RBIs)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (8-12, .667, 1 HR)
Mike Cellura, Howard’s/Western Steer (7-12, .583)
Stan Harvey, Howard’s/Western Steer (8-13, .615, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs)
Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising (8-16, .500, 5 HRs)
Marty Rolnick, Nationwide Advertising (9-16, .563, 4 HRs)
Benny Holt, Nationwide Advertising (8-11, .727, 3 HRs)
Craig Elliott, York Barbell’s/Ken Sander’s (8-13, .615, 6 HRs, 12 RBIs)
Herman Rathman, Steele’s Sports (8-14, .571, 5 HRs)
Doc Booker, Nationwide Advertising – Co-Defensive MVP

1980 NSPC All-National Team

  • NSPC
  • November 8, 2018

Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (15-17, .882, 5 HRs) – MVP
Elby Bushong, Campbell’s Carpets (14-21, .667, 8 HRs, 17 RBIs)
Greg Fuhrman, Campbell’s Carpets (18-22, .818, 6 HRs)
Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (11-15, .733)
Dennis Myers, Campbell’s Carpets (11-18, .611, 7 HRs, 17 RBIs)
John Geckle, Steele’s Sports
Larry Garrard, Steele’s Sports (17-22, .773)
Al White, Steele’s Sports  (15-20, .750, 10 HRs)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
Stan Harvey, Howard’s/Western Steer (9 HRs)
Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer (21-28, .750)
Steve Howard, Howard’s/Western Steer – Defensive MVP
Paul Wright, Ken Sander’s

1979 NSPC All-National Team

Joe Young, Nelson’s Painting (14-23, .609, 9 HRs, 21 RBIs) – MVP
Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (11 HRs, 21 RBIs)
Paul Wright, Ken Sander’s (12-15, .800)
Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting (12-23, .522, 6 HRs. 8 RBIs)
Mike Parrott, Nelson’s Painting (17-24, .708, 7 HRs, 17 RBIs)
Bill Ferguson, Nelson’s Painting (15-22, .682, 7 HRs, 15 RBIs)
Chic Downing, Nelson’s Painting (12-21, .571, 7 HRs, 10 RBIs)
Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer (15-24, .625, 6 HRs)
Mike Jacobs, Howard’s/Western Steer (.600)
Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer (22-30, .733, 9 HRs)
Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (10 HRs, 21 RBIs)
Jerry King, Campbell’s Carpets (13-20, .650, 6 HRs)
Craig Elliott, Ken Sander’s (11-13, .836, 6 HRs)

2018 ASA Men’s Super Slow Pitch Nationals

2018 held at Freedom Park in Ridgeland, Mississippi on September 29-30.

Champion – H. Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton, Cicero, New York
Runner Up – Team Racks/Yahhh!, Phoenix, Arizona

The 2018 USA Softball Super Nationals featured 5-star studded teams and ended up being played all in one day (Friday, September 28th) because of rain during the week that swamped the beautiful fields at Freedom Park in Ridgeland, Mississippi. So the tournament began Friday morning at 9 AM Central time and used 2 fields the entire day. The weather was in the mid to high 70’s and humid but nice and it was overcast. Each game used 3 umpires and the 52 core Dudley ZN ball with a 16 home runs per team limit. Rosters were not restricted since this is USA Softballs top classification. The defending champions WC Monsta and H. Auto a team that has won multiple Super titles were the favorites.

As the day turned to night the “if” game began with a frustrated H. Auto team taking some angry swings and jumping on Team Racks to the tune of 20 runs in the top of the 1st inning.

In the bottom of the inning with 2 on and 2 out for Racks Daniel Cayton was caught stealing by H. Auto catcher Bryson Baker on a straight steal of 2nd base. You don’t see that too often. Racks did score 8 runs in the inning but can only wonder what could have been! In the top of the 2nd the Racks infield nearly turned a triple play with a hard grounder to AJ Montano at middle infield who tagged the runner on 2nd, stepped on 2nd, and then threw it too high to first base. But the umpires only gave them one out.

The next batter grounded into a double play, so it didn’t matter and it looked like Racks was back in the game. But in the bottom of the 2nd Bubba Mack at 3rd base for H. Auto made an incredible scoop of a hard shot and got an out then they turned a double play to hold Racks scoreless. In the 3rd and 4th innings Racks outscored H. Auto 17-13 highlighted by a Ben Dunn assist from center field to 2nd base to get a batter trying to stretch a single into a double, AJ Montano hit a towering home run that went over the lights in left center, and only a great diving play by H. Auto shortstop Jeff Keske halted the Racks rally with Racks trailing 36-28.

H. Auto added 3 runs in the top of the 7th but their inning was cut short by a phenomenal running catch by Ben Dunn in left center field. The Super title came down to the bottom of the 7th inning and Racks trailed by 12 with 4 homers to hit. They batted around the lineup and used 3 homers to score 9 runs but came up 3 runs short and H. Auto won the Super Nationals.

Brian Wegman and Steele Lewis each had 6 hits in the win, Bryson Baker collected 10 RBI, and Sam Christensen went 6 for 6 (all base hits) in the loss.

  • MVP – Bryson Baker, H. Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • HR Champion – Jason Martel, Team Racks/Yahhh – 11
  • Batting Champion – Donnie Hammonds, T’s 13/Monsta – .900

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Travis Clark, H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton (12-21, .571, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 Runs)
P – Bill Pinkham, Team Racks/Yahhh! (21-29, .729, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 15 Runs)
IF – Jeff Keske, H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton (12-17, .706, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Runs)
IF – Adam Ussery, Team Racks/Yahhh! (23-29, .793, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 23 Runs)
IF – Greg Connell, H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton (14-19, .737, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 13 Runs)
IF – Daniel Cayton, Team Racks/Yahhh! (17-27, .630, 9 HR, 15 RBI, 20 Runs)
IF – AJ Montano, Team Racks/Yahhh! (23-32, .719, 10 HR, 22 RBI, 20 Runs)
OF – Jeremy Yates, H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton (14-18, .778, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Brandon Dillon, Team Racks/Yahhh! (17-29, .586, 9 HR, 19 RBI, 17 Runs)
OF – Brian Wegman, H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton (15-20, .750, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 14 Runs)
UT – Donnie Hammonds, Ts 13/Monsta/Ductech (18-20, .900, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 15 Runs)
UT – Bryson Baker, H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton (15-21, .714, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 14 Runs)
UT – Jason Martel, Team Racks/Yahhh! (20-29, .690, 11 HR, 21 RBI, 21 Runs)
UT – Joey Bulens, Ts 13/Monsta/Ductech (14-18, .778, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 11 Runs)
UT – Ronald “Bubba” Mack, H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton (14-20, .700, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 14 Runs)

OTHERS

Shannon Smith, Team Racks/Yahhh! (23-31, .742, 9 HR, 23 RBI, 18 Runs)
Orlando Castillo, T’s 13/Monsta (13-19, .684, 7 HR, 13 RBI, 15 Runs)
Tyler Marshburn, T’s 13/Monsta (13-19, .684, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12 Runs)
Dale Brungardt, Team Racks/Yahhh! (18-30, .600, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 16 Runs)
Ben Dunn, Team Racks/Yahhh! (18-30, .600, 9 HR, 26 RBI, 18 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. H, Auto/RDD/All In/Sprizzi/Easton, Cicero, NY (3-1)
2. Team Racks/Yahhh!, Phoenix, AZ (4-2)
3. T’s 13/Monsta/Ductech, Omaha, NE (2-2)
4. WC Monsta, Eastvale, CA (0-2)
5. Comatose/S2N/Monsta, Beloit, WI (0-2)

 

Danny Basso

Softball legend Danny Basso has passed away. He played for many years with Nelson’s Painting Service.

Daniel Carl “Danny” Basso, aka “Papa D”, died unexpectedly in San Angelo, Texas at the age of 66 years old with his loving wife by his side.

Danny is survived by his wife May Basso; children Chris Basso and wife Laura, Jennifer Matthews and husband Chris, Stephanie Cravens and husband David; grandchildren Collin Cravens, Kendall Cravens, Cooper Matthews, Jillian Matthews, and Piper Gatlin; sister Susie Hutchinson of Pearland, Texas, and brothers Mike Basso of Pearland, Texas, and James Whitfield of Rowlett, Texas, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Steve and Mary Pat Schifani, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Constance and James Basso of Pearland, Texas.

Danny was born on April 9, 1952 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky to Constance and James Basso.  He graduated from Mt. Carmel High school in 1970, followed by three and a half years at the University of Houston. He married Alicia Cotrone in 1974. Over the next several years they welcomed Chris and Jennifer in to the world and began raising their family in Houston, Texas.  In 1995, Danny married May Schifani and later moved to League City, Texas in 2005.  His children remember Danny as the “rock” of the family who supported and guided them throughout their lives and always encouraged them to pursue their dreams.  His grandchildren will always remember Papa D as the gentle giant and prankster that he was, and will miss him dearly.

Danny was a great baseball player and later professional softball player.  Beginning in 1975 and over the course of the next 10 years, Danny played for many different teams across the largest professional softball leagues around while traveling throughout the United States.  After retiring from softball, Danny began his long and successful career as a sporting goods salesman, where he formed many lifelong friendships, ending his career with Barcelona.  He was a dedicated and selfless family man who loved his kids and grandkids more than words can describe.  He was an avid outdoorsman; enjoying golf, hunting and fishing with his family and friends, and always loved and talked about the beautiful Texas hill country.

A celebration of life followed by rosary service is scheduled for 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, October 22, 2018 at Mary Queen Catholic Church, 606 Cedarwood Dr., Friendswood, Texas.  A funeral mass is scheduled for 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Mary Queen Catholic Church with Rev. Sibi Kunninu, M.S. officiating, with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Danny’s life.

The family would like to thank all of our friends and family for your prayers, support, and help throughout this tragic time.

Condolences can be sent to the Basso family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.