Category: 1959

1959 ASA Industrial Men’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1959 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Jake Sweeney Turbine Jets, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – St. Bernard Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, Ohio

The Turbine Jets defeated Proctor & Gamble 7-6 in the championship game behind the clutch hitting of Dick Luken, who had two clutch doubles  to lead the Jets to the title. Chuck Knothe, Pete Kennedy and Don Meeker also had two hits each for the Jets. Don Sawyer hit 2 home runs for  the P&G squad.  Luken ended up batting .500 (6-12), with 2 home runs in the tournament. Turbine’s Ray Hein relieved starter Jack Youngbluth in the 4th of the final game and blanked P&G the rest of the way. The Jets finished the season with  24-2 record.

  • MVP – Thomas Rizzo, P&G (3-10, .300, 4 RBIs, 2 Runs)
  • HR Leader – Fred Cieslik, Allen-Bradley – 4 (7-14, .500, 6 RBI, 9 Runs)
  • Batting Leader – Bernie Kennetz, Pittsburgh Firemen – .692 (9-13, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)

ASA MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ALL AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

  • P – Ray Hein, Turbine Jets, Cincinnati, OH (1-5, .200, RBI, Run)
  • C – Dick Luken, Turbine Jets, Cincinnati, OH (6-12, .500, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
  • 1B – Charles Payne, Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH (7-24, .292, HR, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • 2B – Harold Allen, Medussa Eagles, Wampum, PA (10-26, .385, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • SS – Blair Walker, Wix Corporation, North Carolina (8-24, .333, 5 Runs)
  • 3B – Milton Kress, Turbine Jets, Cincinnati, OH (3-12, .250, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
  • SF – Thomas Rizzo, Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH (MVP)
  • LF – Larry Engelbrink, Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH (8-25, .320, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • CF – Leon Terry, Wix Corp. (9-23, .391, HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
  • RF – Walt Kunz, Turbine Jets, Cincinnati, OH (3-12, RBI, 2 Runs)

BATTING LEADERS

Don Meeker, Jake Sweeney Turbine Jets (8-11, 1 RBI, 3 Runs) – .727
Bernie Kennetz, Pittsburgh Firemen (9-13, 2 RBI, 5 Runs) – .692
Howard Hetterich, Hamilton Bendix (9-15, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6 Runs) – .600
Earl Swartz, Milwaukee Allen-Bradley (7-12, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs) – .583
Bill Mauney, Gastonia Wix (11-20, 6 RBI, 5 Runs) – .550
Doyle Huey, Little Rock US Time (7-13, 3 RBI, 6 Runs) – .538
Dewey Browning, Hamilton Bendix (9-18, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 Runs) – .500
Fred Cieslik, Allen-Bradley (7-14, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 9 Runs) – .500
Dick Luken, Jake Sweeney Turbine Jets (6-12, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs) – .500
O. Sirlouis, Cleveland East Ohio Gas (7-14, 2 RBI, 5 Runs) – .500
Ralph Mitchell, Cleveland East Ohio Gas (6-12, 3 RBI, 3 Runs) – .500
J. Liberatore, Cleveland East Ohio Gas (6-12, 3 RBI, 2 Runs) – .500

OTHERS

Kenny Tilla, Chewton Medusa Eagles (10-25, .400, 3 HR, 5 RBI)
Mario Bonofiglio, Tirabassi (3-8, .375, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Hal Wiggins, Proctor & Gamble (6-19, .316, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
Frank Deluca, Lycoming (0-3, .000, 1 Run)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jake Sweeney Turbine Jets, Cincinnati, OH (5-0)
2. St. Bernard Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati., OH (5-2)
3. Wix Corporation, Gastonia, NC (6-2)
4. Chewton Eagles-Medusa Cement Co., Wampum, PA (6-2)
5t. Pneumatic Tool, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
5t. Pittsburgh Firemen, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
7t. Bendix Corporation, Hamilton, OH (3-2)
7t. Allen-Bradley, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
9t. U.S. Time Corporation, Little Rock, AR (3-2)
9t. East Ohio Gas Company, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
9t. Westinghouse Atomic Fuel, Cheswick, PA (2-2)
9t. U.A.W. Local #1336, Louisville, KY (2-2)
13t. Tirabassi & Sons, Kenosha, WI (1-2)
13t. Lockheed Jet Stars, Marietta, GA (1-2)
13t. Reese’s, Syracuse-Rochester, NY (1-2)
13t. Police AA, Columbus, OH (1-2)
17t. Local #717, Warren, OH (1-2)
17t. Ohio Fuel Gas, Mich-Lucas City, Toledo, OH (1-2)
17t. Combustion Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
17t. Mayrose Meats, St. Louis, MO (1-2)
17t. Meadowbrook National Bank, New York, NY (0-2)
17t. York City Police, York, PA (0-2)
17t. Lycoming, Stratford, CT (0-2)
17t. Parks and Recreation, Detroit, MI (0-2)
25t. U.S. Gypsum, Staten Island, NY (0-2)
25t. Lockheed Saber Jets, Mobile, AL (0-2)

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)