Category: 1971

National Slow Pitch Softball League (NSPSL)

  • 1971
  • December 17, 2018

This league was the idea of Detroit’s Ed Dreslinski, who invested a large amount of his own money and also procured corporate sponsors such as Coca-Cola, American Tobacco Company and General Motors to take care of transportation costs. All lodging would be taken care of through a deal with Holiday Inn. Each player was insured for $200,000. The league would have 8 teams in the league and play a 28 game schedule. The league would use a Red, White and Blue Softball.

Some information was found on games during the season. Either the league folded before it finished or no info is
available on the winner. The league started with 8 teams and soon thereafter, 2 teams dropped out leaving 6 left.

These are the records I could locate.

1971 National Slowpitch Softball League NSPSL (as of July 18)

1. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI 15- 3 .833
2. Copper Hearth, Milwaukee, WI 10- 4 .715
3. County Sports, Levittown, NY 10-11 .476
4. Toledo Keys, Toledo, OH 8-10 .444
5. Jims Hard Hats, Pittsburgh, PA 10-13 .435
6. York Barbell, York, PA 7-13 .350

– Merchants, Phoenix City, AL 3- 3 N/A (dropped out)
– Piledrivers, VA Beach, VA 2- 4 N/A (dropped out)

Little Caesars of Detroit was 25-3 on August 8th, they defeated County Sports of NY 13-9 to clinch the League Title. Bob Auten and Bill Cole both hit 3-run HRs to lead the way. There was no playoff.

1971 ASA Industrial Men’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1971 held at York, Pennsylvania on August 1-9.

Champion – Pharr Yarn Red, McAdenville, North Carolina
Runner Up – AMF, Incorporated, York, Pennsylvania

Mac Richardson (15-24, .625, HR, 9 RBI) and Bob McMahan (14-24, .583, 9 RBI, 7-0 pitching) led Pharr Yarn another Industrial National Championship. Pharr Yarn won the final 11-2, behind McMahan’s pitching and Ken Mitchem’s 3-run Home run. Ed Reider was the high man for AMF in the tournament (13-28, .481), along with John King (11-25, .440) and Carl Stambaugh (9-21, .429). Ed Finnegan of Avco-Lycoming has such a fantastic tournament for his team, even though they finished 4th, he was named the Tournament MVP.

  • MVP – Ed Finnegan, Avco-Lycoming (25-36, .694, 13 RBI, 17 Runs) – won award, even though his team finished 4th
  • HR Leader – Dave Evilsizer, Pabst International (11-29, .379, 12 RBI) – 4
  • Batting Leader – Ed Finnegan, Avco – .694

ASA INDUSTRIAL MAJOR ALL AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

  • P – Bob McMahan, Pharr Yarn (.583)
  • P – Bill Bansak, Avco-Lycoming (.581, 14 RBI)
  • C – Tom Hall, Riegel Rifles
  • 1B – Mac Richardson, Pharr Yarn (.625)
  • 2B – Terry Togio, Avco-Lycoming (.606)
  • 3B – Nick Mescher, Pabst International (.519, 2 HR)
  • SS – Ed Finnegan, Avco-Lycoming
  • OF – Emery Klemstine, Norfolk Fire Department (.636)
  • OF – Larry Holbrooks, Riegel Rifles
  • OF – Jim Dobbs, Avco-Lycoming (2 HR, 18 RBI)
  • OF – Eugene West, Pharr Yarn
  • UTIL – Whitey Tucker, Riegel Rifles

ASA INDUSTRIAL MAJOR ALL AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

  • P – Carl Stambaugh, AMF
  • C – Raymond Barron, Local #14
  • 1B – Jim Vessels, Bennett Motors
  • 2B – Dick Wade, Pabst International
  • 3B – Joe Brown, Pabst International
  • SS – John King, AMF
  • OF – Rich Dobbs, Avco-Lycoming
  • OF – Bob Weller, Norfolk Fire Department
  • OF – Ken Mitchem, Pharr Yarn
  • UT – Ed Reider, AMF

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Pharr Yarn Reds, McAdenville, NC (7-0)
2. AMF, lnc. York, PA (7-2)
3. Riegel Rifles, Trion, GA (4-2)
4. AVCO/Lycoming, Stratford, CT (7-2)
5t. Pabst, Springfield, OH (6-2)
5t. Pharr Yarn Greens, McAdenville, NC (3-2)
7t. Norfolk Fire Department, Norfolk, VA (5-2)
7t. Bruce-Johnson, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
9t. Bennett Motors, Evansville, IN (3-2)
9t. Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
9t. Burlington-Northern, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
9t. Dupont Fibers, Waynesboro, VA (2-2)
13t. Delta Airlines, Atlanta, GA (2-2)
13t. Local #14, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Waco’s, Louisville, KY (2-2)
13t. Link A. C., Binghamton, NY (3-2)
17t. Lawrence Township Fire Department, Lawrence Township, NJ (2-2)
17t. A. H. Robins, Richmond, VA (1-2)
17t. Walker’s, WV (1-2)
17t. Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY (1-2)
17t. RTE Corp., Waukesha, WI (1-2)
17t. Westinghouse, Pensacola, FL (1-2)
17t. Pittsburgh Post Office, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
17t. Delaware Association of Police, Wilmington, DE (1-2)
25t. Wilson & Co., Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
25t. Great Lakes Steel, Detroit, MI (1-2)
25t. Pepsico, New York, NY (1-2)
25t. Local #1098, Cleveland, OH (1-2)
25t. Kenney Manufacturing, Warwick , RI (0-2)
25t. Raytheon, Worcester, MA (0-2)
25t. Local #149, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
25t. ACCO, York, PA (0-2)
33t. Rohm & Haas, Knoxville, TN (0-2)
33t. Eaton Manufacturing., Bottle Creek, MI (0-2)
33t. Afees, Kansas City, KS (0-2)
33t. Nassau County Police Department, Mineola, NY (0-2)
33t. Arodmoc, Corpus Christi, TX (0-2)
33t. ACIC Rebels, St Louis, MO (0-2)
33t. Clinton Manufacturing, Clinton, SC (0-2)

1971 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1971 held at Parma, Ohio.

Champion – Virginia Beach Pile Drivers, Virginia Beach, Virginia (100-22)
Runner Up – Little Caesar’s, Southgate, Michigan (112-10)

Bert Smith hit a 3-run homer to spark the Piledrivers to a 9-4 win in the Championship Game over Little Caesars, who lost their opening round game to Howard’s Furniture and won 8 straight games before being beaten in the final.

Bob Auten (11 HR, 19 RBI), Tex Collins (7 HR, 18 RBI), Bill Cole (6 HR, 10 RBI), Gary LaDue (4 HR, 10 RBI), Bob Malicki (5 HR, 15 RBI) and Mike Gouin (8 HR, 17 RBI) all led Little Caesars back to the final.

Johnny Dollar (14-23, .609, 14 RBI), Nick Sessoms and Lynwood Strickland all played a big role in the Piledrivers championship run. MVP Bert Smith came up big when it counted once again. He was 15-22 for a .682 average with 7 HR and 22 RBI.

  • MVP – Bert Smith, Pile Drivers
  • HR Leader – Jim Pucket, Little Caesar’s – 13
  • Batting Leader – Bill Gatti, Jiffy’s Club – .867

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Griever, Stroh’s (13-14, .929, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 10 Runs)
P – Bob Auten, Little Caesars (20-38, .526, 11 HR, 19 RBI, 17 Runs)
C – Dave Lane, Trailways (12-18, .667, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 8 Runs)
C – Tex Collins, Little Caesars (13-25, .520, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Terry Smith, Stroh’s (11-13, .846, 10 HR, 19 RBI, 11 Runs)
2B – Nick Sessoms, Piledrivers (14-25, .560, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 14 Runs)
3B – Bill Cole, Little Caesars (16-32, .500, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 13 Runs)
SS – Don Jones, Howard’s (9-16, .563, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Bill Gatti, Jiffy Club (13-15, .867, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Bert Smith, Piledrivers (15-22, .682, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Andy Loya, Gene-Angelo’s (12-19, .632, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Jim Puckett, Little Caesars (21-30, .700, 13 HR, 26 RBI, 22 Runs)
UT – Ed Green, Pacific Standard Life (12-14, .857, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 9 Runs)
UT – Lynwood Strickland, Piledrivers (9-19, .474, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (9-18, .500, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 Runs)
P – Joe Yacabet, Gene-Angelo’s (11-18, .611, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
C – Myron Rozmark, Maplewood Plumbing (8-13, .615, 5 HR, 7 RBI, 6 Runs)
C – Preston Powell, Non Ferrous (10-18, .556, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
1B – Emory Lucas, Century Tire (23-30, .767, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 17 Runs)
2B – Carl Tomsic, Gene-Angelo’s (12-18, .667, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 6 Runs)
3B – John DeVoss, Pacific Standard (10-12, .833, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
SS – Bob Malicki, Little Caesars (18-32, .523, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Johnny Dollar, Piledrivers (14-23, .609, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Tommy Maiden, Howard Furniture (12-18, .667, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
OF – Jerry Marcum, Al Stokes VW (12-20, .600, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Corky Rogers, Warren Motors (12-17, .706, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 12 Runs)
UT – Bob Rosin, Non Ferrous Metals (9-17, .529, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 6 Runs)
UT – Steve Loya, Gene-Angelo’s (13-21, .619, 9 HR, 14 RBI, 12 Runs)

OTHERS

Tom Taylor, Century Tire (17-29, .586, 10 HR, 21 RBI, 15 Runs)
Bob Voss, Little Caesars (21-36, .583, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 18 Runs)
Gary Ladue, Little Caesars (19-35, .543, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 17 Runs)
Gene Fisher, Howard Furniture (8-17, .471, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 8 Runs)
Ron Potter, Jiffy Club (8-17, .471, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 8 Runs)
Mike Gouin, Little Caesars (18-40, .450, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 15 Runs)
Cobbie Harrison, Jiffy Club (9-20, .450, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Steve Massong, Century Tire (9-20, .450, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 9 Runs)
Mike Nye, Warren Motors (10-23, .433, 8 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
Tony Mazza, Little Caesars (13-34, .382, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 11 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Pile Drivers, Virginia Beach, VA (6-0)
2. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI (8-2)
3. Non-Ferrous Metals, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
4. Century Tire, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
5t. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC (3-2)
5t. Gene’s-Angelo’s, Parma, OH (3-2)
7t. Al Stokes Volkswagon, Houston, TX (3-2)
7t. Maplewood Plumbing, St. Paul, MN (3-2)
9t. Warren Motors, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
9t. Stroh’s, Springfield, OH (2-2)
9t. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. Trailways, Knoxville, TN (3-2)
13t. Brookline YMC, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
13t. Virginia Door, Norfolk, VA (2-2)
13t. Pacific Standard Life, Davis, CA (2-2)
13t. Clutch Specialty, Mobile, AL (2-2)
17t. Al’s Green Tavern, Rochester, NY (1-2)
17t. Green Belt Shell, Washington, DC (1-2)
17t. Johnny Mac’s Sport, St. Louis, MO (1-2)
17t. Copper Hearth, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Taylor Brothers, Providence, RI (1-2)
17t. Eastway Construction, Eastlake, OH (1-2)
17t. Queen City Motors, Burlington, VT (1-2)
17t. Valley Merchants, Langdale, AL (1-2)
25t. Cagles Cardinals, Lawton, OK (0-2)
25t. South-Shore Outdoor, Long Island, NY (0-2)
25t. Taggares, Othello, WA (0-2)
25t. Priced Rite Trophy, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. Wilmer-Bilgere, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
25t. Daly Drive-In, Westland, MI (0-2)
25t. Heidelberg, Tacoma, WA (0-2)
25t. Curve Form, Youngstown, OH (0-2)

1971 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1971 held at Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 27-September 5.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Spencer’s, Englewood, Colorado
Runner Up – LaTapatia, El Paso, Texas

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Gil Aragon, Schaefer-Smith Insurance
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – Chuck Coldera, Hustlers – .600
  • Most RBI – Don Frazier, Nitehawks – 5

1971 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Roger Teske, Spencer’s (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 15 K, 1 BB)
P – Paul Lopez, LaTapatia (4-1, 2.18 ERA, 35 K, 5 BB)
P – Gil Aragon, Schaefer-Smith Insurance (4-2, 2.45 ERA, 65 K, 6 BB)
C – Jack Palmore, LaTapatia C .286
C – Butch Chambers, Schaefer-Smith Insurance C .278
IF – Don Frazier, Spencer’s IF .455
IF – Bob Robinson, Carolina Hawks IF .429
IF – Bill Crumm, Schaefer-Smith Insurance IF .421
IF – Bill Manning, LaTapatia IF .400
IF – Don Sears, Spencer’s IF .364
OF – John Wilson, Spencer’s OF .556
OF – Frank Van Patton, Hustlers OF .417
OF – Bob Brozovich, Spencer’s OF .400
OF – Denny Ferch, Lux Club OF .333

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nighthawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Spencer’s, Englewood, CO
3. LaTapatia, El Paso, TX
4. Oregon Clothing, Oshkosh, WI
5t. Schaefer-Smith Insurance, Phoenix, AZ
5t. Hustlers, Hawthorne, CA
7t. Carolina Hawks, Columbia, SC
7t. Quickick, Tulsa, OK
9t. Clearfield Cheese, Wellsville, UT
9t. Trail Liquor, Lamar, CO
9t. Burger-Chef, Clarksburg, WV
9t. Fair-Way Motors, Reno, NV
13t. Sports Shop, Rock Island, IL
13t. Kingsport Club, Kingsport, TN
13t. Cowboys, Clovis, CA
13t. White Glove, Houston, TX
17t. Oklahoma Army National Guard, Oklahoma City, OK
17t. Reeg Motor Sales, Huntington, IN
17t. Lux Club, Dubuque, IA
17t. W.M. Heitgras Co., Tulsa, OK
17t. Tally-Page, Phoenix, AZ
17t. Dallas-Ft. Worth All Stars, Dallas, TX
17t. Beavers, Granite Falls, NC

1971 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1971 held at Las Vegas, Nevada.

1970 East World Champ played the 1970 West World Champ in the 1971 World Series best of 7 series Accurate Welding of Milwaukee, WI (EAST) —– defeated —– Goettl’s Metals of Phoenix, AZ (WEST) – (4 games to 0)

Accurate Welding was 75-22 on the season. They also played Little Caesars in a USSSA vs ASA match of champions. Playing by ASA rules, Accurate emerged victorious 14-13. Accurate shocked USSSA people by how dominating they really were in the series. They collected 68 hits total in the four games, including 5 HRs on the big 300′ fences. They outscored their opponent by a 45-10 margin.

  • MVP – James Mortl, Accurate Welding (12-15, .800, 6 RBI)
  • Home Run Leader – Carl Bruce, Accurate Welding (8-11, .727, 14 RBI) – 3
  • Batting Leader – James Mortl, Accurate Welding – .800

USSSA MAJOR WORLD SERIES ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

No All-World Team was selected – just a best of 7 series between 2 teams. The East and West selected All World Teams in their respective Tournaments.

GAME SCORES

  • Game 1 – Accurate Welding 17 vs. Goettl’s Metals 3 – Accurate had 25 hits. Jim Mortl was 4-4, Carl Bruce (HR), Jim Warras (HR) and John Wegner had 3 each.
  • Game 2 – Accurate Welding 13 vs. Goettl’s Metals 0- Accurate dominated again with 22 hits. Jim Mortl, John Wegner and Gary Perkins had 3 hits apiece.
  • Game 3 – Accurate Welding 8 vs. Goettl’s Metals 1 – Accurate had only 11 hits, but still managed to emerge victorious. Jim Mortl led Accurate with 2 hits.
  • Game 4 – Accurate Welding 7 vs. Goettl’s Metals 6 – Goettl’s scored 5 runs in the 5th inning to take a 6-5 lead. Carl Bruce of Accurate hit a 2-run homer to win it 7-6.

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Accurate Welding, Milwaukee, WI (4-0)
2. Goettl’s Metals, Mesa, AZ (0-4)

1971 World Series Stats (at least 10 ABs)

Jim Mortl, Accurate (12-15, .800, 6 RBI)
Carl Bruce, Accurate (8-11, .727, 3 HR, 14 RBI)
Gary Perkins, Accurate (7-11, .727, 3 RBI)
Gene Cupertino, Accurate (6-12, .500, 3 RBI)
Dick Polgar, Accurate (6-12, .500, 4 RBI)
Jim Warras, Accurate (5-10, .500, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
John Wegner, Accurate (7-14, .500, 2 RBI)
Daryl Greenmeier, Accurate (5-11, .455, 1 RBI)
Ron Stanton, Accurate (3-11, .273, 1 HR, 3 RBI)

*No Stats available for Goettl’s Metals

Larry Harrell
Jack Beavers
Adam Bauer
Denny Bush
Bruce Simmons
Fred Goettl
Bill Wright
Rick Gardner
Hank Goettl
Randy Gill
Paul Digarnde
Skip Hancock
Greg Witherspon
Jerry Beavers
Jim Kelly

1971 East Worlds held at Louisville, Kentucky.

Champion – Accurate Welding, Milwaukee, WI
Runner Up – Ace Movers, Milwaukee, WI

Accurate defeated Ace Movers 12-4 in the winner’s bracket finals on the strength of home runs from Carl Bruce and John Wegner. Ace came back to score a couple on run scoring doubles off the bats of John Gross and Willie May. John Wegner hit his second HR of the game and Darryl Greenmeier’s triple put the game out of reach. Accurate defeated Fairdale AC of KY 13-1 and Feldotts of IL 8-5 to reach the final. Ace defeated 6th Ward of Pittsburgh 22-7 and the Iron Dukes of New Castle PA 5-4 to gain their final berth. The Milwaukee Commandos (Robert’s Lounge) were playing the powerful Hicksville Astros of New York in the loser’s bracket. Hicksville was leading 1-0 when it started to rain hard. After 6 hours of rain, it was called and Accurate declared the champ, with Ace second and Hicksville awarded third and the Commandos fourth.

  • East MVP – John Wegner, Accurate Welding (10-18, .556, 4 HR, 13 RBI)
  • East HR Leader – Larry Chiapetta, Hicksville Astros
  • East Batting Leader – Darrell Greenmeir, Accurate Welding (12-16, 6 RBI) – .750

1971 USSSA EAST ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Mike Fox, Ace Movers
Catcher – Willie May, Ace Movers (12-17, .706)
First Base – Oscar Steadman, Hicksville Astros
Second Base – Jim Mortl, Accurate Welding (10-22, .455, 7 RBI)
Third Base – Carl Bruce, Accurate Welding (11-17, .647, 2 HR, 9 RBI)
Shortstop – Mike Foley, Hicksville Astros
Outfield – John Wegner, Accurate Welding (10-18, .556, 4 HR, 13 RBI)
Outfield – Darrell Greenmeier, Accurate Welding (12-16, .750, 6 RBI)
Outfield – Arlis Jones, Commando’s
Outfield – Jim Sieloff, Ace Movers

EAST FINAL STANDINGS (top-10 listed, 38 total teams …. rain shortened)

1. Accurate Welding, Milwaukee, WI (6-1)
2. Ace Movers, Milwaukee, WI (4-1)
3. Hicksville Astros, Hicksville, NY (6-1)
4. Milwaukee Commandos, Milwaukee, WI (7-1)
5. Iron Dukes, New Castle, PA (3-2)
6. Feldotts Plateau, Napierville, IL (3-2)
7. Sports Center, Covington, KY (5-2)
8. Queen City Patterns, Miamitown, OH (4-2)
9. Milwaukee Forging, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)
10. Sixth Ward Club, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)

1971 USSSA West Worlds held at Azusa, California.

Champion – Johnson’s Big Apple, Phoenix, AZ
Runner Up – Berg Ford, Mesa, AZ

Big Apple won five straight games to win the Western Worlds. All were close games as they beat in order; Bemco 5-2, VB Morgan Trucking 6-4, Kerr’s Sporting Goods 4-3 and Glenwood Motors 5-3. In the Championship, they defeated Berg Ford 9-3. Weekes earlier, Berg defeated Big Apple to win the Arizona USSSA State Championship. Berg also played a series of close games to reach the title game. They won 10-9 over the Carpetbaggers, 6-3 over Bit of Italy, both from California. Then Glenwood Motors beat Berg 7-6 to send them to the losers bracket. There, they eliminated Blinky’s 2-0, Kerr’s 6-4 and Glenwood Motors 2-0. Pitcher Benny Crittenden hurled the two shutouts. Shortstop Vince Peralta sparkled on defense and drove in the deciding runs in some of the close games.

  • West MVP – Vince Paralta, Big Apple
  • West HR Leader – Elby Bushong, Kerr Sporting Goods
  • West Batting Leader – Jack Beavers, Goettl’s Metal ( .623)

1971 USSSA WEST ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Benny Crittenden, Berg Ford (.529)
Catcher – Elby Bushong, Kerr Sp. Goods (.400)
First Base – Ken Novak, Glenwood Motors (.450)
Second Base – Dave Hibbert, Berge Ford (.563)
Third Base – Jack Beavers, Goettl’s (.623)
Shortstop – Vince Peralta, Big Apple (.471)
Shortstop – Gordon Loveless, Berg Ford (.341)
Outfield – Joe Contraras, Big Apple (.333)
Outfield – Dan McMann, Blinky’s (.500)
Outfield – Frank Wilson, Glenwood Motors (.474)
Outfield – Frank Valunzuela, Big Apple (.385)

FINAL RESULTS

1. Johnson’s Big Apple, Phoenix, AZ (5-0)
2. Berg Ford, Mesa, AZ (5-2)
3. Glenwood Motors, Glenwood, CA (4-2)
4. Kerr Sporting Goods, Phoenix, AZ (3-2)
5t. Goettl’s Metals, Mesa, AZ (4-2)
5t. Nevada Test Site Bears, Nye County, NV (4-2)
7t. Bit of Italy, Huntington Park, CA (3-2)
7t. V.B. Morgan Truckers, Lakewood, CA (2-2)
9t. Austin & Wolfe Refrigeration, Phoenix, AZ (2-2)
9t. Honeywell, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
9t. Bemco, Industry, CA (1-2)
9tt. Foothill Dairy, Azusa, CA (2-2)
13t. Shakey’s, CA (2-2)
13t. Motorola Blue, AZ (2-2)
13t. Bohunks, CA (1-2)
13t. Carpet Baggers, NV (0-2)
17t. Garrey Room, CA (0-2)
17t. Motorola White, AZ (0-2)
17t. So. Phoenix Merchants, AZ (0-2)
17t. Sierra Produce, NV (0-2)
17t. Wonder World, NV (0-2)
17t. The Pitcher, AZ (0-2)

1971 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1971 held at Louisville, Kentucky.

Co-Champion – Troy Redman, Troy, Michigan
Co-Champion – St. Patrick’s Knights of Columbus, Detroit, Michigan

  • No MVP or all tournament team was named and no other information available

This was the first year of the ASA A Men’s Slow Pitch National Championships. The Class “A” meet drew-a field of 26 teams In its first outing. Teams came from Kansas, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, Delaware, Rhode Island, Indiana, Illinois, Virginia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Michigan and six metro areas.

The winners bracket final between Troy Redmen and St. Patricks was tied 6-6 in the fifth inning when torrential rains came and washed away the rest of the tournament. Troy and St. Pats were awarded Co-Champs and Des Speilhaus of Wisconsin and Fairport Merchants of Rochester third and fourth respectively. Both were alive in the losers bracket.

Jefferson County Merchants and 5&10 Tap were awarded 5th and 6th as they were still alive as well, but did not advance as far as the other two teams with one loss. Also, Fairport defeated Jefferson County head-to-head. In the final few games played:

Winner’s bracket – Fairport Rochester Merchants defeated Jefferson County Merchants 4-1. Troy Redmen defeated Fairport Rochester Merchants 15-5. St. Patricks K of C defeated Milwaukee 5&10 Tap 10-3. In Loser’s Bracket games; Des Speilhaus eliminated Schumachers 12-4. Jefferson Merchants eliminated Corbin Pepsi Cola.

Also, Fairport Merchants defeated Jefferson County head-to-head. In the final few games played: Winner’s bracket – Fairport Merchants defeated Jefferson County Merchants 4-1. Troy Redmen defeated Fairport Merchants 15-5. St. Patricks K of C defeated Milwaukee 5&10 Tap 10-3. In Loser’s Bracket games; Des Speilhaus eliminated Schumachers 12-4. Jefferson Merchants eliminated Corbin Pepsi Cola.

FINAL STANDINGS

1t. Troy Holy Name Redmen, Troy, OH (4-0)
1t. St. Patrick’s K of C, Detroit, MI (4-0)
3. Des Spielhaus, River Falls, WI (6-1)
4. Fairport Merchants, Rochester, NY (2-1)
5t. Jefferson County Merchants, Louisville, KY (4-1)
5t. 5&10 Tap, Milwaukee, WI (2-1)
7t. Schumacher SWBT, St. Louis, MO (4-2)
7t. American Savings, Pekin, IL (3-2)
9t. Pepsi Cola, Corbin, KY (2-2)
9t. Wayside, Buffalo, MN (2-2)
9t. Shoney’s Big Boy, Richmond, VA (2-2)
9t. St. Elizabeth, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
13t. Minnesota Mutual, St. Paul, MN (1-2)
13t. Moore Painting, Orlando, FL (1-2)
13t. Milford Merchants, Milford, MI (1-2)
13t. Howard Johnson’s, Lexington, KY (1-2)
17t. Mack’s Lounge, Newport, RI (1-2)
17t. Local 851, Joliet, IL (1-2)
17t. Digby Dodgers, Indianapolis, IN (1-2)
17t. Hicks Chevrolet, Kansas City, MO (0-2)
17t. Embalmers, Wilmington, DE (0-2)
17t. Red Roosters, Grand Island, NE (0-2)
17t. Moody Blues, Louisville, KY (0-2)
17t. Portland AC, Bowling Green, KY (0-2)
25t. Keilwood, Brownsville, KY (0-2)
25t. Jet Sets, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)

 

 

1971 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1971 held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Champion – East End Debs, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (52-6)
Runner Up – Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jeri Reidel of the Debs hurled a 9-0 shutout over the Pittsburgh Orioles to win the Championship. The Orioles managed just six hits off Reidel. She helped her own cause by going 3-4 and scoring 2 runs herself. Reidel pitched all the games for the Debs and went 5-0, allowing just 6 runs in those 5 games. It was a Pittsburgh affair as the Orioles had to beat Pittsburgh Baierl Chevrolet in the losers bracket final to reach the Debs. Pittsburgh teams finished 1, 2, 3 and 5. Georgetown Village of Ohio was 4th and Penn Hills of Pittsburgh was 5th. 22 teams entered this event, making it the largest Women’s World Championship to date. 5 of the teams were from PA. 4 were from KY, NY and VA. 2 from Maryland, while 1 each from OH, IN and NC.

  • MVP – Jeri Riedel, East End Debs (allowed 6 runs in 5 games)
  • Batting Leader – Jeri Riedel, East End Debs
  • Batting Leader – Janet Schmidt, East End Debs
  • HR Leader – Dottie Galligan, Indiana Majorettes – 3

1971 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Jeri Reidel, Debs (3-4 in final)
P – Olivia Jones, Orioles (0-3 in final)
C – Sue Anderson, Debs (2-4 in final)
C – Pat Miller, Baierl Chevrolet
1B – Sue Dixon, Orioles (1-3 in final)
2B – Jan Kasnevica, Baierl Chevrolet
3B – Bonnie Perella, Debs (2-4 in final)
SS – Debbie Cecerie, Orioles (1-2 in final)
SS – Dottie Galligan, Indiana Majorettes
SF – Debbie Lesesne, Orioles (0-3 in final)
OF – Janet Schmitt, Debs (3-4 in final)
OF – Jody Manore, Georgetown
OF – Jean Deliman, Baierl Chevrolet
Manager – James Reidel, Debs

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 22 total teams)

1. East End Debs, Pittsburgh, PA (5-0)
2. Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
3. Baierl Chevrolet, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
4. Georgetown Village, Toledo, OH (4-2)
5. Penn Hill, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)

1971 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1971 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (57-0)
Runner Up – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California (67-14)

Joan Joyce of Raybestos beat Nancy Welborn of Orange Lionettes 1-0 in the Championship game. Joyce tossed a no-hitter and struck out 10 Lionettes. Welborn scattered six hits, walked none and struck out only one batter. Joyce and Donna Lopiano each had two hits in the championship game to lead the Brakettes. The Brakettes went through the tournament winning five straight games, 4 of them by shut out and outscored their opponents by a 15-1 margin. The only run of the game was registered in the bottom of the 4th inning when Pat Harrison smashed a double to score Joyce. The throw was on time at the plate, but catcher Nancy Ito couldn’t hold onto the ball as Joyce and her aggressive base running jarred the ball loose at the plate.

24 games of the total 34 games in the tournament were shutouts. – Brakettes Pitchers went 5-0, 37 IP, 51 K, 5 Hits, 1 Run, 0 ER.

  • Co-MVP – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Co-MVP – Donna Lopiano, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Marilyn Bradley, Pekinettes – 1
  • Batting Leader – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes – .467
  • Bertha Tickey Pitching MVP Award – Nancy Welborn, Orange Lionettes
  • Erv Lind Defensive MVP Award – Stephany Tenny, Orlando Rebels

1971 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Jean Daves, Orlando Rebels (4-2, 51 IP, 39 K, 3 shutouts)
P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0, 34 K, 21 IP, 0 ER, 2 no-hitters; 7-15, .467, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
P – Nancy Welborn, Orange Lionettes (6-2, 46 K, 53 IP 1 ER)
C – Mary Jane Boyd, Telford PA Wanderers
C – Peggy Kellers, Raybestos Brakettes
1B – Donna Lopiano, Raybestos Brakettes (2-0, 17 K, 0 ER, no-hitter; 7-16, .438 average)
2B – Rose Marie “Rosie” Adams, Raybestos Brakettes
3B – Billie Moore, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Sharron Backus, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Willie Roze, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Cyndi Lillock, Santa Clara Laurels
OF – Carol Lichtenberger, Plainfield Schaeferettes
OF – Diane Kalliam, Santa Clara Laurels (6-14, .429)
UTIL – Stephany Tenny, Orlando Rebels

1971 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Dot Elliott, Lorelei Ladies
P – Pat Whitman, Telford PA Wanderers
P – Charlotte Graham, Santa Clara Laurels (3-2, 34 IP, 3 ER, 13 K)
C – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes
C – Janice White, Lorelei Ladies
1B – Pat Dierking, Telford PA Wanderers
2B – Veronica Maurek, Telford PA Wanderers
3B – Sandy Ware, Lorelei Ladies
SS – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes
OF – Snookie Mulder, Orlando Rebels
OF – Diane Haataia, Orange Lionettes
OF – Cecilia Ponce, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Mickey Davis, Orange Lionettes
UTIL – Bobbie Damron, Lorelei Ladies

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (5-0) (New England)
2. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (3-2) (Host)
4. Santa Clara Laurels, Santa Clara, CA (3-2) (North Pacific Coast)
5t. Telford Wanderers, Telford, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
5t. Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA (3-2) (South Atlantic)
7t. Pekin-Lettes, Pekin, IL (2-2) (West Central)
7t. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
9t. Little Devils, Birmingham, AL (1-2) (Southern)
9t. Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Jolo’s, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Schafferettes, Plainfield, NJ (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Wooster Lumber Girls Girls Wooster, OH (1-2) (East Central)
13t. Houston Laurels, Houston, TX (0-2) (Texas)
13t. Moose Lodge, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Teamsterettes Local 696, Topeka, KS (0-2) (Western)
17t. Anaheim Stars, Anaheim, CA (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
17t. Gulfettes, Bloomington, MN (0-2) (Northern)

NOTES

Alaska Champ – Tesoro Toppers #5, Anchorage, AK did not attend. Canada Champ – Kitchener Kieswetters, Kitchener, Ontario did not attend.

1971 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1971 held at Meador Park in Springfield, Missouri on September 10-18.

Champion – Welty Way, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Runner Up – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut

A four-run fourth inning and, Jerry Ralfs’ five-hitter Sunday gave Welty Way a 4-3 decision over the Raybestos Cardinals in the finals of the Amateur Softball Association Nationals tournament.

The big blow for the Iowa ASA champions was a three run home run by Mike Pallesen. Roger Aceto’s infield hit the first of the game for Welty Way and a walk to Ed White preceded the homer.

Gary Morow’s infield hit later in the inning sent home what proved to be the winning run. A walk and John Muench’s single get up what proved to be the winning run.

Raybestos Cardinals, seeking its third straight title, collected five hits off veteran Ralfs who also struck out six. Three errors helped Stratford to three runs in the sixth.

Clearwater Bombers won 62 consecutive games during the regular season.

Raybestos Cardinals announced after the tournament that they were disbanding, even though they would form a team again in 1972. They notified the players via a letter to the players.

  • MVP – Ty Stofflet, Rising Sun Hotel
  • Batting Leader – Al Yaeger, Raybestos Cardinals  – .455
  • Home Run Leader – N/A
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award  – Roy Burlison, Anixter Bombers

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Roy Burlison, Anixter Bombers (3-2, 35 K in a 16 inning game, 98 K total, 43 IP)
P – Ty Stofflet, Rising Sun (3-2, Perfect Game, 43 IP, 79 K, 33 K in a 16 inning game, and was 6-20, .379 batting)
P – Jerry Ralfs, Welty Way (3-0, 17 IP, 22 K)
C – Don Benedict, Raybestos Cardinals
C – Dick Zuccato, Welty Way
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Bob Barron, Anixter Bombers
3B – Chuck Page, Masterbilt Motors
SS – John Anquillare, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Al Yaeger, Raybestos Cardinals (10-22, 2 RBI, 6 Runs)
OF – Mike Pallesen, Welty Way (3-run HR difference in 5-2 championship game victory)
OF – Carl Walker, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Bruce Pitts, Armed Forces
UTIL – Mike McElrath, Wiegand Engineers

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jay Bob Bickford, Sports Clubs of America (3-2)
P – Al Lewis, Raybestos Cardinals (2-0)
P – Richie Stephens, Welty Way (2-0, 35 IP, 30 K)
C – Marvin Harris, Masterbilt Motors
C – Pat Whitten, Wiegand Engineers
1B – Robbie Robinson, Armed Forces
2B – Phillip Johnson, Armed Forces
3B – Jerry Jenkins, Anixter Bombers
SS – John Muench, Welty Way
OF – Gary Stephenson, Masterbilt Motors
OF – Paul Price, Rising Sun
OF – Bill LeSeuer, Sports Clubs of America
OF – Cliff Rice, Welty Way
UTIL – Mickey Herbert, Chuck’s Dairy

OTHERS

Dick Norenburg, Raybestos Cardinals (3-1)
Metro Szeryk, Raybestos Cardinals (2-1)
Dick Brubaker, Anixter Bombers (No Hitter with 19 K in a 7 inning game)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Welty Way, Cedar Rapids, IA (5-0) (Western)
2. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (6-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Anixter Bombers, Skokie, IL (4-2) (West Central)
4. Rising Sun Hotel, Reading, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
5t. Masterbilt Motors, Oklahoma City, OK (4-2) (Southwestern)
5t. Sports Clubs of America, Mesa, AZ (3-2) (Cactus)
7t. Armed Forces, USA (4-2) (Armed Forces)
7t. Wiegand Engineers, Fort Worth, TX (2-2) (Texas)
9t. Chuck’s Dairy, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Northern)
9t. Falstaff Brewers, Fall River, MA (1-2) (New England)
9t. Shell Oilers, Nashville, TN (1-2) (South Atlantic)
9t. Little Brauhaus, Poughkeepsie, NY (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (1-2) (Southern)
13t. Scenic Riley, Springfield, MO (1-2) (Host)
13t. Muzio Bakery, Sacramento, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Lakewood Truckers, Lakewood, CA (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
17t. Nothdurft Tool, Detroit, MI (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Pay ‘n Pak, Seattle, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
17t. Puueo Poi, Hilo, HI (0-2) (Hawaii)
17t. Hagestad VW, Englewood, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)

NOTES

Alaska Champ – Alaska Builders Cache, Anchorage, AK did not attend. Hawaii Champ – Midas Muffler, Oahu, HI listed as champ, but Puueo Poi, Hilo, Hi attended.

1971 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1971 held at Petersburg, Virginia.

Champion – Sportarama, Hicksville, New York
Runner Up – Sol Mintz, Washington, Pennsylvania

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

1971 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

Jack Eneix, Sol Mintz
Stan Majesky, Sol Mintz
Denny Brown, Sol Mintz

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Sportarama, Hicksville, NY (7-1)
2. Sol Mintz, Washington, PA (9-2)
3. Renzie Lounge, Pittsburgh, PA (5-2)
4. Reichert’s News, Milwaukee, WI (4-2)
5t. Muldowney’s Too, NY (5-2)
5t. Gus’s Manor Inn, MD (4-2)
7t. Etna Hotel, Arnold, PA (5-2)
7t. Roman Carousel, Queens, NY (3-2)
9t. Surry Colonials, Surrey, VA (4-2)
9t. New York Life, Hicksville, NY (4-2)
9t. Tim Tam AC, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. Nitecap Rest, Poughkeepsie, NY (3-2)
13t. Blawnox AC, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)
13t. Union 76, Covington, KY (3-2)
13t. New Rainbow Tavern, Bristol, PA (2-2)
13t. Jerry-Earl’s, Rochester, NY (3-2)
17t. Russell’s Nursery, NY (2-2)
17t. St. Anthony, New Kensington, PA (2-2)
17t. William F. DeCarbo, New Castle, PA (3-2)
17t. Redwood Lounge, Lancaster, PA (2-2)
17t. Ramsey Lounge, Rochester, NY (2-2)
17t. The Crest, WI (2-2)
17t. Brooklyn Dodgers, Baltimore, MD (2-2)
17t. Big L’s All Stars, New Rochelle, NY (2-2)
25t. EJ Gibbons, OH (2-2)
25t. Halls & Hostetters 66, VA (2-2)
25t. First National Bank, FL (2-2)
25t. Creative Investment Services, FL (1-2)
25t. Jockey Club, Westport, CT (1-2)
25t. Timmel’s Tavern, WI (1-2)
25t. The Place, Poughkeepsie, NY (1-2)
25t. Ponderosa, OH (1-2)
33t. Tax Saver, Detroit, MI (1-2)
33t. Lum’s Restaurant, Rochester, NY (1-2)
33t. Ports Sport Shop, Baltimore, MD (1-2)
33t. Apollo Softball, Kittanning, PA (1-2)
33t. Baldwin AC, Baldwin, NY (0-2)
33t. DeGregory’s, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
33t. West End Grill, Newburg, NY (0-2)
33t. Buckingham Palace, OH (0-2)
33t. Clingesmith TV, New Castle, PA (0-2)
33t. VA-Car Furniture, Roanoke, NC (0-2)
33t. Local 1058, MI (0-2)
33t. Rappl’s, NY (0-2)
33t. KY Model Shop, Louisville, KY (0-2)
33t. Squires, Petersburg, VA (0-2)
33t. Doyle’s Texaco, Roanoke, NC (0-2)
33t. Kingsmen AC, VA (0-2)
49. Little Messels, NC (0-2)