Written by Mark Linnemann
All I can say is thank you Mark for all the kind words you said in your article – Steve Dimitry
While doing some research for this month’s SOFTBALL NEWS, I stumbled across a softball website that ought to be of interest to virtually every softball fan – young and old, slow pitch or fast pitch, men’s or women. In fact, it appears to fill some sizeable voids even within the websites of the major softball organizations themselves. The site is published by Steve Dimitry and is called “Steve Dimitry’s Slow Pitch Softball History Page.” “All the information you ever wanted to know about slow pitch softball is in here,” touts the introduction. “Just click on the link to the left to go wherever you want to visit. This site covers all the national championships of all the softball organizations past and present from men to women to seniors and every other class imaginable. All the softball hall of fames and all-time teams are listed along with the yearly team rankings and individual national leaders. Some of the old-time tournament classics of yesteryear are documented along with today’s major NIT’s and some of the more prominent invitational tournaments around the country.
Bill Plummer of the ASA offers his official description of softball history for all kids doing school projects on the subject matter. There are some stats of the legends of the game complete with many photos. A complete list of softball links and a message board is available also as is a page of thanks for all the people that have helped and contributed to this site. Thanks for stopping by – Steve.” Surfing the “The Softball History” website is comparable to opening a softball encyclopedia. To the best of my knowledge, it is the most comprehensive, all-embracing, all-inclusive and extensive treatment of the game since its inception. There are websites and books and magazines and newspapers that might treat selected subjects more broadly, but I can’t imagine one that tackles the game in general more effectively. Some of the softball organizations have vast websites with superior graphics and more bells and whistles. But they are limited to covering their own activities, while the “Softball History” site has no such restrictions. For today’s player, there is a “2002 Schedule Page” showing where all the top NIT’s and National Champion-ships are scheduled this year for the Men’s Super, AA and A World Series. And in case you forgot about what happened last year, click on the “2001 National Softball Review page to refresh your memory” on who won those events last year, along with the final rankings and the national statistical leaders. I’m not a big fan of the upper-most level of the game, but for the handful of people who like to follow this when big time wrestling and NASCAR aren’t available, here ya’ go!
Want to find the ASA, USSSA, ISA, NSA, and SSAA regional, national, world and world series champions from the very first national tournaments all the way to the present day? Just click on the appropriate “National Champs” site. Some even list the runners-up and statistical leaders. ASA’s site has their Men’s Super Division all the way down to class D, plus the Church and Industrial divisions. Regular season and playoff results from the NSPC (National Slow Pitch Conference) from 1978 through 1987 are available for the “super” program enthusiast, plus a plethora of information on the pro leagues of the late seventies and early eighties. The APSPL (American Professional Slo-Pitch League) and UPSL (United Professional Slow Pitch League) site includes playoff and World Series results, final league standings, All-Pro teams, league statistical leaders, All-Time All-Pro, league MVP pictures and even team logos.
In terms of local flavor, the Cincinnati Suds are shown as winning their division twice, once in 1978 with a 40-24 mark, and again in 1981 with the league’s best record, 43-15. Both years the Suds went down in the semi-finals, including 1981 in a heartbreaking one run loss in the deciding game to the Kentucky Bourbons. Four of the five games were decided by a run. The Bourbons, who featured ex-Suds Mike LaFever and Mike O’Brien, went on to win the league crown. Cincinnati all-pro selections included outfielder Mike O’Brien in 1978, and pitcher Black Ron Jones, second baseman Tony Salamone, outfielder Hal Ward and utility player Jim Tuttle in 1981. Ward (2nd) and teammate Jim Kuhn (8th) were also among the league batting leaders in 1981, and Tuttle finished second in the league in RBIs. On the “Final National Team Rankings” page, Greater Cincinnati dominated the rankings and “Player of the Year,” category. In fact, area teams finished ranked number one nationally nine out of the first eleven years from 1953 through 1963. National “Players of the Year” included Myron Reinhardt (1953, ’54), Walt Wherry (1955, ’59), Hal Wiggins (1956), Don Rardin (1958) and Sam Minniti (1961). Greater Cincinnati “ruled” again during the fifties on the “All-Time Teams and Honors” page. Greater Cincinnati “Player of the Century” Myron Reinhardt was named “Player of the Decade,” while Tom Imfeld (Lang’s Pet Shop ’55, ’57), Vern Roberts (Gatliff ’56 MVP), John Drees (Waldeck’s Tavern ’54), Don Heilman (Shield’s Contractors ’54), Don Rardin (Gatliff ’56, 59 and Yorkshire ’60), Bo Stuntebeck (Shields ’54 and Lang’s ’55), Bob Trainor (Waldeck’s ’54, ’55), Whitey Brown (Lang’s ’56, Yorkshire ’59, Gatliff ’64), Myron Reinhardt (Shields ’54, Yorkshire ’59, Gatliff ’56, ’57, ’63), Walt Wherry (Keeneland Bar ’54, Lang’s ’55, Boone’s Bar ’58, Yorkshire ’59), Hal Wiggins (Lang’s ’56, Gatliff ’61, ’63), Gene Dittoe (Lang’s ’55) and John Henry (Gatliff ’58) were named to the “Team of the Decade.” Sam Minniti (Hamilton Tailoring ’60, 61), Bob Harrison (Gatliff ’64, Wilsman Trucking ’66) and Hudson Knock (Gatliff ’64, ’65) were the only area “All-Decade” picks in the sixties.
Other pages of interest to Greater Cincinnati softballers might be “Classic National Invitational Tournaments.” Here the “Stroh’s/Hudepohl” Springfield NIT and Ohio Valley Classic (Cincinnati) are chronicled, listing past champions and individual award winners, many of whom will be familiar names to area players and fans. A “Women’s History” page is steeped in Greater Cincinnati accomplishments, especially during the fifties, sixties and seventies with ASA championships by Dana Gardens (’57, ’62, ’63 and ’66), Dairy Cottage (’61), Escue Pontiac (’68), Rutenschroer Florist (’70), Riverside Ford (’72), Sweeney Chevrolet (’73), and Sorrento’s Pizza (’76), and then again in the seventies and eighties with USSSA “A” World Champions Sweeney Chevrolet (’76), Northside K of C (’85) and Empress Chili (’86, ’87, ’88). There is even a Master’s page heralding the achievements of teams and players from eleven organizations and ages 35 all the way to 80 and over, plus a “Fast Pitch,” “Origins of Softball” page, and a “Softball Links” page that is an incredible gateway to over 200 links to organizations, information pages, personal pages, message boards, company pages and softball search engines. Steve Dimitry has made an unmatched contribution to the game of softball with his “Softball History” website. It fills a huge void in the preservation of the game’s history and traditions, and the legacies of its great players, teams and sponsors.
The Hudepohl Softball Hall of Fame in Cincinnati is loaded with great players. Just take a look at this of members and also their selections for all-decade and all-century players. It reads like a list of who’s who in National Softball History: (renamed The Norwood-Sorrento’s Hall of Fame in 1985)
Men’s Slow Pitch
Myron Reinhardt- Shield’s, Gatliffs
Don Rardin- Gatliffs, IBM
Walt Wherry- Langs, Gatliffs, Yorkshire
Steve Massong-Hamilton, Century Tire
Al Rinehard- Gatliffs
Frank Harvey- Gatliffs, Century Tire
Ray Whitey Brown- Gatliffs
Hal Wiggins- Langs, Gatliffs
Bill Goedde- Dick Luken, Century Tire
Karl Nageleisen-G.E. Turbine Jets
Tom Taylor- Gatliffs, Century Tire
Barry Norman- Gatliffs, Century Tire
Clyde Soapy Stafford- Gatliffs, Carlisle Const.
Jim Kuhn- Queen City Pattern, Suds
Don Whitford- Gatliffs
Rick Linz- Bushleman’s, Suds, GCS
Leo Osterday- Bushleman’s, MW Tribble, VIP
Bo Stuntebeck- Langs, Gatliffs
David Ray Penick- Carlisle Const., Gatliffs
Paul Nutley- Hamilton Tailors, Century Tire
Earl Berryman- Langs, Gatliffs
Davey Johnson- GCS, Jay’s
Mike O’Brien- Suds, Jay’s, Bushleman’s, MW Tribble
Bill Schlesinger- Century Tire, Sorrento’s
Mike LaFever- Suds, Jay’s, Bushleman’s, MW Tribble
Lee Sledge- Century Tire, Rolling Hills, Suds, MW Tribble
Mike Burns- Fisher Bros, Bushleman’s
Ron Cutter- Hamilton, Schott-Lippert Buick, Jake Sweeney,
Butch Hays- Rolling Hills, Suds, Universal AC, Fisher Bros.
Tony Salamone- Savannah Café, Suds, GCS, MW Tribble, VIP, Watanabe
Ron Red Jones- Sorrento’s, Century Tire, Jay’s
Jim Nageleisen- Carlisle Const., Rolling Hills
Mike Sullivan- VIP, Watanabe
Denver Gabbard- Rolling Hills, Sorrento’s, Century Tire
Marty Monterosso- Jay’s, Bushleman’s, MW Tribble
Sonny Rider- Carlisle Const., Gatliffs, Rolling Hills
Galan Kelly-Hal Manufacturing, Fisher Brothers/Stroh’s
Hudson Knock- Gatliff’s, Carlisle Construction, Rolling Hills Lakers
Paul “Micky” McMullen- Sorrento’s Pizza, Columbus All-Americans (Pro), Bushelman Construction, M. W. Tribble
Kevin Birkofer – Cincinnati Pipefitters Local 392 Blue (Industrial)
John Earls- Watanabe
Scott Hein- VIP Limousine
Mark Huber- Cincinnati Suds, Bushelman, Pipefitters Local 392 Blue (Industrial)
Michael Kinnett- Watanable Optical, Planet Softball, EMR/Worth
Bob Long- Sorrento’s, Hal Manufacturing, Queen City Pattern
Walt Roeckers- Hamilton Tailors, Tom Sweeney Imports
Dave Beamer- Sorrento’s, Queen City Pattern, Bushleman’s
Ken Ewald- Savannah Cafe, Greater Cinn. Sports, Sorrento’s, Bushelman, M. W. Tribble,
John Steele- Watanabe, Perkin’s
Gary Mounts- Century Tire, Sorrento’s, Jay’s, Foxy Lady
Dick Jones- Abrams Texaco, Eddie’s Cafe, Century Tire, Sorrento’s
Dale Overmann- Universal Insurance, Joseph’s Chevrolet (Senior Softball)
Randy Lewis- Watanabe Optical
Dick Ernst- 9x Senior Softball All-World- (inducted in National Senior Softball Hall of Fame)
Billy Carter- Hal Manufacturing, Bohemian Lounge, Hauck’s Cafe, Simpson’s Cafe
Ron Garnett- 50 World Championships-Senior Softball
Pat Wright- Buckeye Merchants, Dick Luken, Eddie’s Cafe, Century Tire, Stan’s Roofing
Tim Barker- F&C Athletics
Marvin Doyle- Backstop, Watanabe, EMR
Tom Kasee- Abrams Texaco, Century Tire, Sorrento’s, Universal AC
Brian May- Watanabe, Reece/Roosters, Benfield/Reece, Combat/Dan Smith/Aubrey’s
Pat Shanks- Watanabe, Perkin’s, EMR
Jim Wessel- Wilsman Trucking, Joseph Chevrolet, Nothdurft, Florida Investment Properties -(inducted in National Senior Softball HOF)
Women’s Slow Pitch
Alberta Kohls Sims, Dana Gardens
Norma Eschenbrenner Ante, Dana Gardens
Donna Wolfe, Dana Gardens
Marsha Repogle, Rutenshorer, Riverrside, Sweeney, Sorrento
Jenny Johnson Kappes, Dana, Tri-State, Famous, Sorrento, Empress (Player of Century)
Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens
Irma Richardson, Dana, Escue, Sweeney
Bev Beck, Dana, Rutenschrorer, Riverside, Sorrentos, Rebels
Jan Deters, Tri-State, Famous Recipe, Sorrento’s, Empress
Anita Gardner Rieskamp, Dana Gardens
Gloria Hill, Dana, Escue
Carol Weiss Kiradjieff, Rutenschorer
Velma Kay (VK) Lehmann, Famous Recipe, Empress
Pam Patrus, Sweeney, Tri-State, Famous, Empress
Sharon Graham, Tri-State, Famous Recipe, Empress
Mary Strotman, Empress
Lyn Rose, Famous Recipe
Sue Malcolm, Riverside Ford, Sorrento’s
Brenda Ryan, Northside Knights of Columbus
Tina May Tuck, Famous Recipe, Empress
Mary Jane “M.J.” Ranz, Northside K of C, Empress Chili, Kinder Sharks
Marilyn Booher, Rutenschrorer, Sorrentos
Theresa Hirschauer, Empress, Kinder Sharks, Ty-1-On 35+
Carol Smith, Rutenschrorer, LaRosa’s, Ohio Cardinals 50+/55+
Colleen Needham (Manager)- Famous, Empress, N. Cinn. Sports Med, Ohio Cardinals
Marsha Friedhoff- Rutenshroer Florist, Dana Gardens, Escue Pontiac
Theresa Shepherd, Empress Chili, Cannon’s, ABP/Kinder, Kinder-08
Reenie Fitzgerald- Senior Softball-Ohio Cardinals (36+, 50+, 10 All-Worlds, 4 MVPs)
All-Century Team
Player of the Century – Myron Reinhardt
First Team Second Team Third Team Honorable Mention
P- Walt Wherry (39) Black Ron Jones (35) Jim Burbrink (21) Steve Hicks (20)
P- Dave Penick (35) Billy Carter (20)
P- Dick Thielmeyer (19)
P- Gary Nelson (10)
P- Sam Minnetti (10)
C- Myron Reinhardt (30) Randy Lewis (22) Sonny Rider (16) Jerry Daugherty (15)
C- Don Cleaver (13)
C- Mike Tolliver (8)
C- Carl Waldbillig (6)
C- Ty Burdick (5)
1B- Barry Norman (26) Hudson Knock (20) John Earls (19) Ken Ewald (16)
1B- Emery Lucas (19) Ed Gampfer (5)
2B- Ray Whitey Brown (25) Tony Salamone (18) Galen Kelly (12) John Steele (10)
SS- Rick Linz (29) Ron Cutter (24) Tom Kasee (12) Dave Turner (6)
SS- Karl Nageleisen (24)
3B- Jim Kuhn (21) Mike Sullivan (20) Steve Roeder (8) Marvin Doyle (7)
3B- Lee Sledge (20)
OF- Tom Taylor (88) Mike Burns (63) Hal Ward (17) Pat Shanks (5)
OF- Steve Massong (73) Paul Nutley (59) Jerome Youngblood (16) Joe Penwell (5)
OF- Mike O’Brien (72) Bill Schlesinger (41) Bob Massong (10)
OF- Hal Wiggins (71) Jack Collins (38) Randy DeAngelis (8)
OF- Leo Osterday (70) Mike Kinnett (36) Randy Atha (6)
OF- Mike LaFever (65) Jim Nageleisen (35) Paul Ange (6)
OF- Marty Monterosso (29)
OF- Denver Gabbard (27)
Util.- Don Rardin (100) Butch Hays (59) Homer Ruth (40) Kevin Blanton (5)
Util.- Bill Goedde (92) Walt Roeckers (54) Larry Shircliff (29) Ron Troxell (5)
Util.- Red Ron Jones (79) Mark Huber (52) Mike Smith (29)
Util.- Don Whitford (76) Davey Johnson (50) Terry Childs (28)
Util.- Bo Stuntebeck (70) Paul McMullen (47) Greg Sandy (27)
Util.- Clyde Stafford (67) Billy Jackson (47) Rory Orr (22)
Util.- John Coorey (47)
Mgr- Al Brausch (50) Bob Fennell (30) Dave Watanabe (14)
Mgr- Reed Hughes (42) Ron Baird (28) Joe Nagy (12)
Mgr- Tommy Rowan (34) Don Schachleiter (28) Jay Hopkins (6)
Mgr- Matty Carrelli (34)
Sponsor-Joe Gatliff Mtrs (52) Sorrento’s Pizza (47) Hudepohl Brewing Co. (30)
Sponsor-Jay Hopkins (52) Carlise Const. (39) VIP Limousine (27)
Sponsor-Bushleman Const. (48) Century Tire (33) Hill & Griffith (26)
Sponsor- Snodgrass Dist. Co. (26)
Sponsor- Westside Café (26)
Sponsor- Stan’s Roofing (26)
Sponsor- Watanabe Optical (26)
Player- Myron Reinhardt
CINCINNATI SOFTBALL NEWS ALL-DECADE 1970-1979
FIRST TEAM
Player of The Decade- Tom Taylor
Pitcher- Black Ronnie Jones
Catcher- Jerry Daugherty
First Base- Huddy Knock
Second Base- Galan Kelly
Third Base- Jim Kuhn
Shortstop- Rick Linz
Outfield- Tom Taylor
Outfield- Mike LaFever
Outfield- Hal Ward
Outfield- (Tie) Jerome Youngblood
Outfield- (Tie) Bill Schlesinger
Utility- Tom Kasee
Utility- Lee Sledge
Utility- Dave Johnson
Utility- Red Ron Jones
Manager- Reed Hughes
SECOND TEAM
Player of The Decade- Rick Linz
Pitcher- Billy Carter
Catcher- Mike Tolliver
First Base- Emery Lucas
Second Base- Pat Wright
Third Base- Dan Pillow
Shortstop- Butch Hays
Outfield- Sonny Rider
Outfield- Paul Ange
Outfield- Mike O’Brien
Outfield- Mike Arthur
Utility- Steve Massong
Utility- Bill Goedde
Utility- Mike Costello
Utility- Jim Nageleisen
Manager- Tom Rowan
CINCINNATI SOFTBALL NEWS ALL-DECADE 1980-1989
FIRST TEAM
Player of The Decade- Leo Osterday (15)
Pitcher- Mark Huber (10)
Catcher- Don Cleaver (15)
First Base- Ken Ewald (9)
Second Base- Tony Salamone (12)
Third Base- Mike Sullivan (13)
Shortstop- Rick Linz (11)
Outfield- Leo Osterday (16)
Outfield- Marty Monterosso (14)
Outfield- (Tie) Chuck Atha (12)
Outfield- (Tie) Jack Collins (12)
Outfield- (Tie) Mike O’Brien (12)
Utility- Paul McMullen (9)
Utility- Larry Shircliff (9)
Utility- Carl Waldbillig (9)
Utility- (Tie) Dave Johnson (8)
Utility- (Tie) Bob Massong (8)
Manager (Tie)- Ron Baird (9)
Manager (Tie)- Jay Hopkins (9)
SECOND TEAM
Player Of The Decade- Don Cleaver (15)
Pitcher- Steve Hicks (6)
Catcher- Joe Griffith (6)
First Base- Ed Gampfer (7)
Second Base- Ed Coyle (5)
Third Base- Steve Roeder (6)
Shortstop- Wayne Berrman (7)
Outfield- Bob Miller (6)
Outfield- Rory Orr (6)
Outfield- Scott Hein (5)
Outfield- Tim Baumer (5)
Utility- Bill Jackson (7)
Utility- Jim Tillman (6)
Utility- Doug Hicks (6)
Utility- Don Mills (6)
Utility- Scott Donley (6)
Utility- Mike Harvey (6)
Manager- Steve Massong (5)
CINCINNATI SOFTBALL NEWS ALL-DECADE 1990-1999
FIRST TEAM
Player of The Decade (Tie) John Earls (16)
Player of The Decade (Tie) Randy Lewis (16)
Pitcher Gary Nelson (13)
Catcher Randy Lewis (16)
First Base John Earls (16)
Second Base John Steele (13)
Third Base Marvin Doyle (10)
Shortstop Dave Turner (11)
Outfield Mike Kinnett (13)
Outfield Pat Shanks (13)
Outfield Ty Burdick (11)
Outfield Joe Penwell (10)
Utility Mike Smith (11)
Utility Kevin Blanton (10)
Utility Jim Burbrink (10)
Utility Homer Ruth (10)
Manager Dave Watanabe (13)
SECOND TEAM
Second Base- Tony Salamone (6)
Third Base- Mike King (8)
Shortstop- Mitch Kroell (7)
Outfield- Darrell Hall (9)
Outfield- Jack Collins (8)
Outfield- Dan Houchin (8)
Outfield- Doug Riley (8)
Utility- Bob Massong (7)
Utility- Rory Orr (7)
Utility- Mark Smith (7)
Utility- Mike Sullivan (7)
Utility- Jeff Click (6)
Utility- Dan Duggins (6)
Utility- Robert Lane (6)
Utility- Brian May (6)
Manager- Jay Hopkins (5)
CINCINNATI SOFTBALL NEWS ALL-DECADE 2000-2009
FIRST TEAM
Player of The Decade- Jason Roesch (16)
Pitcher- Frank Gruber (9)
Catcher- Jon Jamison (12)
First Base- Tom Ellis (9)
Second Base- Jason Brown (10)
Third Base- Mike Kinnett (10)
Shortstop- Jeff Click (14)
Outfield- Jason Roesch (16)
Outfield- Johnny Miller (12)
Outfield- Jimmy Carter (11)
Outfield- Pat Shanks (11)
Utility- Kevin Atwood (10)
Utility- Darrell Hall (10)
Utility- Brad Reckart (9)
Utility- John Steele (9)
Utility- Brian May (9)
Manager- Dave Watanabe (6)
SECOND TEAM
Player of The Decade- Jeff Click (14)
Pitcher- Bob Noeth (7)
Catcher- Steve Bosch (6)
First Base- Kevin Greene (8)
Second Base- George Farris (8)
Third Base- (tie) Homer Matheny (7)
Third Base- (tie) Tommy Stevens (7)
Shortstop- Brian Wegman (6)
Outfield- Michael Rogers (8)
Outfield- Ryan Minges (7)
Outfield- Sean Mullins (6)
Outfield- Larry Wert (6)
Utility- Shane Spicer (7)
Utility- Steve Spille (7)
Utility- Marvin Doyle (6)
Utility- Jeff Edington (6)
Manager- Terry Walton (5)
Players of the Decades
Decade- First Team Second Team
1970s Tom Taylor Rick Linz
1980s Leo Osterday Don Cleaver
1990s (tie) John Earls and Randy Lewis
2000s Jason Roesch Jeff Click
Manager of the Decade
Decade- First Team Second Team
1970s Reed Hughes Tom Rowan
1980s Ron Baird Steve Massong
Jay Hopkins
1990s Dave Watanabe Jay Hopkins
2000s Dave Watanabe Terry Walton
Cincinnati Area All-Century Team (Votes)
Player of the Century – Myron Reinhardt
P- Walt Wherry (39)
C- Myron Reinhardt (30)
1B- Barry Norman (26)
2B- Ray Whitey Brown (25)
3B- Jim Kuhn (21)
SS- Rick Linz (29)
OF- Tom Taylor (88)
OF- Steve Massong (73)
OF- Mike O’Brien (72)
OF- Hal Wiggins (71)
OF- Leo Osterday (70)
OF- Mike LaFever (65)
UT- Don Rardin (100)
UT- Bill Goedde (92)
UT- Ron Red Jones (79)
UT- Don Whitford (76)
UT- Bo Stuntebeck (70)
UT- Clyde Stafford (67)
MGR- Al Brausch (50)
MGR- Reed Hughes (42)
MGR- Tom Rowan (34)
MGR- Mayy Carrelli (34)
Sponsor-Joe Gatliff Motors (52)
Sponsor-Jay Hopkins (52)
Sponsor-Bushelman Construction (48)
Second Team
P- Black Ron Jones (35)
P- Dave Penick (35)
C- Randy Lewis (22)
1B- Hudson Knock (20)
2B- Tony Salamone (18)
3B- Mike Sullivan (20)
3B- Lee Sledge (20)
SS- Ron Cutter (24)
SS- Karl Nageleisen (24)
OF- Mike Burns (63)
OF- Paul Nutley (59)
OF- Bill Schlesinger (41)
OF- Jack Collins (38)
OF- Mike Kinnett (36)
OF- Jim Nageleisen (35)
OF- Earl Berryman (35)
OF- Marty Monterosso (29)
OF- Denver Gabbard (27)
UT- Butch Hays (59)
UT- Walt Roeckers (54)
UT- Mark Huber (52)
UT- Dave Johnson (50)
UT- Paul McMullen (47)
UT- Billy Jackson (47)
UT- John Coorey (47)
MGR- Bob Fennell (30)
MGR- Ron Baird (28)
MGR- Don Schachleiter (28)
Sponsor-Sorrento’s Pizza ((47)
Sponsor-Carlisle Construction (39)
Sponsor-Century Tire (33)
Third Team
P- Jim Burbrink (21)
C- Sonny Rider (16)
1B- John Earls (19)
1B- Emery Lucas (19)
2B- Galan Kelly (12)
3B- Steve Roeder (8)
SS- Tom Kasee (12)
OF- Marty Monterosso (29)
OF- Hal Ward (17)
OF- Jerome Youngblood (16)
OF- Bob Massong (10)
OF- Randy DeAngelis (8)
OF- Randy Atha (6)
OF- Paul Ange (6)
UT- Homer Ruth (40)
UT- Larry Shircliff (29)
UT- Mike Smith (29)
UT- Terry Childs (28)
UT- Greg Sandy (27)
UT- Rory Orr (22)
MGR- Dave Watanabe (14)
MGR- Joe Nagy (12)
MGR- Jay Hopkins (6)
Sponsor-Hudepohl Brewing Company (30)
Sponsor-VIP Limousine (27)
Sponsor-Hill & Griffith (26)
Sponsor-Jack Snodgrass Distributing Co. (26)
Sponsor-Westside Café (26)
Sponsor-Stan’s Roofing (26)
Sponsor-Watanabe Optical (26)
Honorable Mention
P- Steve Hicks (20)
P- Billy Carter (20)
P- Dick Thielmeyer (19)
P- Gary Nelson (10)
P- Sam Minnetti (10)
C- Jerry Daugherty (15)
C- Don Cleaver (13)
C- Mike Tolliver (8)
C- Carl Waldbillig (6)
C- Ty Burdick (5)
1B- Ken Ewald (16)
1B- Ed Gampfer (5)
2B- John Steele (10)
3B- Marvin Doyle (7)
SS- Dave Turner (6)
OF- Pat Shanks (5)
OF- Joe Penwell (5)
UT- Kevin Blanton (5)
UT- Ron Troxell (5)
THE GREATER CINCINNATI MEN’S SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL ALL CENTURY TEAM:
THE 47 YEAR SPAN (1953-2000) IN THE GAME OF SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL HAS SEEN A PROGRESSION FROM WOOD BATS TO ALUMINUM BATS AROUND 1970 TO SOPHISTICATED DOUBLE WALL ALLOY BATS TODAY. THE GAME HAS MOVED FROM OPEN FIELDS TO EQUIDISTANT 300 FOOT FENCED IN PARKS. THIRTY YEARS AGO THERE WERE 3 DOMINANT POWER HITTERS IN GREATER CINCINNATI AND TODAY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF HOME RUN HITTERS. THE 1977 CINCINNATI SUDS PLAYERS RECEIVED $1500 PER YEAR FOR A 16 WEEK (64 GAME) SEASON. TODAY THE PREMIER “AMATEURS” RECEIVE WHATEVER IT TAKES TO INDUCE THEM TO PLAY.
OUR AREA HAS PRODUCED NUMEROUS GREAT TEAMS AND GREAT PLAYERS. IN FACT, LOCAL TEAMS WON 9 OF THE FIRST 11 ASA MAJOR WORLD TOURNAMENTS FROM 1953 TO 1963. SIX OF THESE WORLD CHAMPS WERE FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY AND 3 FROM CINCINNATI. THIS EARLY DOMINANCE LED TO THE INDUCTION OF 4 NORTHERN KENTUCKY PLAYERS INTO THE ASA NATIONAL HALL OF FAME. THEY ARE MYRON REINHARDT, DON RARDIN SR., WHITEY BROWN, AND HAL WIGGINS. THIS IS THE REASON OUR TEAM OF THE CENTURY HAS A DISTINCT NORTHERN KENTUCKY FLAVOR.
AGAINST THIS BACKDROP, A PANEL OF MEMBERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE HUDEPOHL GREATER CINCINNATI SOFTBALL OF FAME HAS CHOSEN A TEAM OF THE CENTURY FOR SLOW PITCH PLAYERS. THE PANEL WAS COMPOSED OF MARK LINNEMANN, EDITOR OF THE CINCINNATI SOFTBALL NEWS AND CHAIR OF THE HUDEPOHL HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE, TOM TAYLOR, HALL OF FAMER AND HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE MEMBER, AND BOB FENNELL, TOM ROWAN, AND COACH MIKE BURNS, ALL OF WHOM ARE MEMBERS OF THE HUDEPOHL HALL OF FAME.
HOW THE TEAM WAS CHOSEN: OUR PANEL CREATED A LIST OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS AT EACH POSITION. THEN EACH PANELIST SECRETLY RANKED THE PLAYERS AT EACH POSITION IN ORDER FROM TOP ON DOWN. FROM THE COMPOSITE GENERATED, WE CHOSE 3 TEAMS OF THE CENTURY, EACH HAVING A 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, PITCHER, CATCHER, 6 OUTFIELDERS PLUS TIES, AND 6 UTILITY PLAYERS PLUS TIES. THERE WAS ALSO AN ALL CENTURY HONORABLE MENTION LISTING. WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE YEAR 2000 HALL INDUCTEES, WE NOW HAVE 32 MALE SLOW PITCH PLAYERS, 8 MEN’S SLOW PITCH MANAGERS, AND 5 MEN’S SPONSORS. ALL OF THESE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS MADE ONE OF OUR ALL CENTURY TEAMS. AFTER ALL, THEIR CAREERS WERE LOOKED AT UNDER A MICROSCOPE PRIOR TO THEIR INDUCTION INTO THE HUDEPOHL HALL OF FAME.
THE FIRST TEAM:
MYRON REINHARDT WAS CHOSEN AS GREATER CINCINNATI PLAYER OF THE CENTURY. THE FIRST INDUCTEE INTO THE ASA NATIONAL HALL OF FAME IS ALSO OUR UNANIMOUS CHOICE. MYRON SET A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE AND GENTLEMANLY BEHAVIOR WHICH WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE EQUALLED. MYRON WAS AN ASA ALL WORLD SELECTION 5 TIMES. HE WAS ON 5 WORLD CHAMPION ASA TEAMS INCLUDING SHIELDS (1953), YORKSHIRE (1959), AND GATLIFF MOTORS (1956, 1957, 1963). HE PLAYED EVERY POSITION IN HIS CAREER. BRAVO, MYRON.
WALT WHERRY, THE MULTI-TALENTED NORTHERN KENTUCKIAN, DOMINATED AT PITCHER. THE FORMER PITTSBURGH PIRATE MAJOR LEAGUER WAS PICKED BY RALPH KINER OF THE PIRATES AS HAVING THE STRONGEST THROWING ARM IN 25 YEARS IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES. WALT DIRECTED HIS PLAYERS FROM THE MOUND JUST AS HE LATER DIRECTED THE CINCINNATI SUDS PLAYERS HE MANAGED. THE 6 TIME ALL WORLD PITCHER EASILY OUTDISTANCED “BLACK” RON JONES AND DAVID PENICK.
BARRY NORMAN WON OUT AT 1ST BASE OVER HUDDY KNOCK, EMERY LUCAS AND JOHN EARLS. BARRY WAS A 2 TIME ALL WORLD ASA PLAYER AND WAS SMOOTH AS SILK AROUND THE BAG. HE HIT NOTHING BUT LINE SHOTS THROUGH THE INFIELD FOR A CAREER .600 PLUS AVERAGE. BARRY WAS A MEMBER OF 4 ASA WORLD CHAMPION TEAMS. REST IN PEACE HUDDY AND JOHN. WELCOME BACK, EMERY.
RAYMOND “WHITEY” BROWN WAS A UNANIMOUS CHOICE AT 2B. THE LEGENDARY NORTHERN KENTUCKY ASA NATIONAL HALL OF FAMER HAS STATIONED HIMSELF UNFLINCHINGLY IN FRONT OF GROUND BALLS NEARLY 50 YEARS. AMAZINGLY HE WAS A 3 TIME ASA WORLD TOURNAMENT MVP WITH LANG’S IN 1956, YORKSHIRE IN 1959, AND GATLIFF IN 1964. WHITEY STILL HITS FOR POWER AT AGE 70! THE GREAT TONY SALAMONE BACKS UP WHITEY WHEN HE GETS TIRED.
RICKY LINZ WAS A NEAR UNANIMOUS CHOICE AS SHORTSTOP OF THE CENTURY. THE SMOOTH FIELDER WAS PICKED FIRST TEAM OF THE SEVENTIES AND THE EIGHTIES IN CINCINNATI. THE FORMER CINCINNATI SUDS LEADER HIT FOR A PHENOMENAL AVERAGE AT THE TOP OF THE LINEUP OF OUR FINEST AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL TEAMS. HE WAS ASA ALL WORLD, USSSA ALL WORLD, AND ALL PRO. RICK BEAT OUT RON CUTTER AND KARL NAGELEISEN, BOTH HUDEPOHL HALL OF FAMERS AND TWO OF THE PREMIER SHORTSTOPS IN THE COUNTRY.
JIM KUHN WON THE NOD AS 3B OF THE CENTURY. POSSESSED OF SURE HANDS, HE STUCK HIS NOSE IN FRONT OF EVERYTHING HIT HIS WAY. JIM WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL PERCENTAGE HITTER. THE 1973 USSSA ALL-WORLDER WAS THE SUDS PLAYER WITH THE DIRTIEST UNIFORM. IN THE CLOSEST RACE OF ALL, THE BIG RETIRED CINCINNATI POLICEMAN NOSED OUT EQUALLY SURE HANDED MIKE SULLIVAN OF VIP, AND THE POWERFUL ORIGINATOR OF THE 3B POSITION, LEE SLEDGE.
TOM TAYLOR WAS A NEAR UNANIMOUS CHOICE AS OUTFIELDER OF THE CENTURY. THE FORMER SUDS PLAYER WAS PLAYER OF THE DECADE FOR THE SEVENTIES. THE 1968 USSSA MAJOR ALL WORLDER HAD AN EXCEPTIONAL ARM IN RIGHT FIELD AND WON MVP IN 5 NATIONAL TOURNEYS AND ALSO 25 NATIONAL HOME RUN CHAMPIONSHIPS INCLUDING THE FIRST 2 USSSA MAJOR WORLD TITLES IN 1968 AND 1969.
STEVE MASSONG WAS THE SECOND PICK IN THE OUTFIELD. THE “HAMMER” WAS AN ABSOLUTE ROCK IN THE FIELD AS A MEMBER OF 2 ASA WORLD CHAMPIONS (HAMILTON TAILOR’S OF 1960 AND 1961). HIS DEFENSE WAS IMPECCABLE, HIS ARM STRONG, BUT THE BEST PART WAS THAT HE WAS THE GREATEST HITTER IN THE FIRST 47 YEARS OF CINCINNATI SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL (AND PROBABLY THE NEXT 47 YEARS TOO).
MIKE O”BRIEN WAS THE NEXT OUTFIELDER CHOSEN. “OB” WA S SUPERSTAR AS AN AMATEUR AND AS A PROFESSIONAL . HE WAS THE PROFESSIONAL CINCINNATI SUDS MVP IN 1978. HE HAD EXCEPTIONAL SPEED AND ARM. THE SURPRISE WAS THAT HE WAS A 170 POUND POWERHOUSE, LEADING THE CITY IN HOMERS IN 1986, 1987, AND 1988 LONG BEFORE “JUICED” BATS CAME ON THE SCENE.
HAL WIGGINS (R. I. P.- WIGGY) WAS A NATIONAL ASA HALL OF FAMER, INDUCTED IN 1986. THE 3 TIME ALL WORLD PLAYER PATROLLED THE OUTFIELD WITH SPEED AND GRACE. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THREE WORLD CHAMPION TEAMS (1956, 1961, AND 1963). THE HIGH PERCENTAGE HITTING LEFTY PLAYED INTO HIS SIXTIES BEFORE WE LOST HIM.
LEO OSTERDAY WAS THE STRAW THAT STIRRED VIP’S 5 CITY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS. THE LEFT-HANDED LEAD-OFF MAN WAS PLAYER OF THE DECADE FOR THE 1980S AND COULD BE COUNTED ON TO HIT .650. HE WAS AN ALL CITY SELECTION 16 STRAIGHT TIMES. THE ASA AND USSSA ALL WORLD OUTFIELDER WENT TO THE WALL AS WELL AS ANYONE SINCE THE LATE PAUL ANGE.
MIKE LaFEVER ROUNDS OUT THE 1ST TEAM IN THE OUTFIELD. WITHOUT DOUBT, “FEVER” IS THE MOST EXCITING PLAYER IN LOCAL HISTORY. HE WAS HONORED AS THE FIRST CINCINNATI SOFTBALL NEWS PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN 1976. THE 1981 SUDS MVP AND 1988 USSSA ALL WORLDER COULD RUN DOWN ANYTHING IN THE OUTFIELD, HIT FOR A HIGH AVERAGE, AND WOULD BURN YOU IF YOU CHEATED ON HIM.
BUT THE GUYS IN THE OUTFIELD BETTER BEWARE BECAUSE MIKE BURNS HAS THEM LACED UP AND WITH HIS SPEED AND PERCENTAGE HITTING, HE IS READY TO PLAY.
THE UTILITY PLAYERS:
DON RARDIN SR. WAS UNANIMOUSLY NAMED AS UTILITY PLAYER OF THE CENTURY. THE 3 TIME ASA ALL WORLD SELECTION AND 1966 INDUSTRIAL WORLD TOURNEY TEAMER WAS THE 2ND PLAYER INDUCTED INTO THE ASA NATIONAL HALL OF FAME. THIS EXCEPTIONAL HITTER WAS A MEMBER OF 5 ASA WORLD CHAMPION TEAMS, WINNING WITH GATLIFF MOTORS, YORKSHIRE, AND HAMILTON TAILORS. DON WENT ON TO STAR IN LEXINGTON WITH IBM ALSO. HE PITCHED BUT LIKE MANY GATLIFF PLAYERS, HE ALSO PLAYED MANY OTHER POSITIONS.
BILLY GOEDDE PLAYED ALL OF THE POSITIONS AND PLAYED ALL OF THEM WELL. HE WAS A GREAT HITTER AND GREAT DEFENSIVE PLAYER. IN 1968 HE WAS SELECTED ASA ALL WORLD AFTER LEADING THE TOURNAMENT WITH AN .815 AVERAGE. HE WAS ON CITY CHAMPIONS IN 1958, 1960 AND 1961. BUT MOST OF ALL, THIS 3 TIME TOURNAMENT MVP WAS THE ULTIMATE TEAM PLAYER, HARD-NOSED COMPETITOR, AND CATALYST OF THE TEAMS ON WHICH HE PLAYED.
“RED” RON JONES WAS A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER AT AGE 18. THE TAFT HIGH GRADUATE PLAYED EVERY POSITION IN SOFTBALL WELL AND ALWAYS HIT THE BALL SHARPLY AND WITH POWER. HE WAS A MEMBER OF 5 CINCINNATI METRO CHAMPS (EDDIE’S, CENTURY, SORRENTO’S). HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE 1988 BUSHELMAN MASTERS WORLD CHAMPIONS. HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME KNOWS NO BOUNDS. RED HAS NOW ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS A TEXAS LEGEND ALSO.
DON WHITFORD WAS A KEY COG IN THE GATLIFF MOTORS MACHINE. DON STARTED EVERY GAME IN THE HISTORY OF THE JOE GATLIFF TEAM . THIS EXCEPTIONALLY SPEEDY LEADOFF MAN SET THE TABLE FOR ONE OF THE GREAT TEAMS OF ALL TIME. HE PITCHED AND PLAYED OUTFIELD IN 8 WORLD TOURNAMENTS. THE LEFTY WAS A MEMBER OF WORLD CHAMPION TEAMS (1956, 1957, AND 1963).
RALPH “BO” STUNTEBECK WAS PRIMARILY A SECOND BASEMAN. HE WAS A CONSISTENT LINE DRIVE HITTER, CARRYING A PHENOMENAL .600 LIFETIME AVERAGE. BUT WHEN NEEDED, HE HAD THE POWER TO HIT THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK. BO PLAYED ON 3 ASA WORLD CHAMPIONS (SHIELDS IN 1953, LANG’S IN 1955 AND GATLIFF IN 1957). BO WAS A 2 TIME ASA ALL WORLD PICK (SHIELDS IN 1954 AND LANG’S IN 1955).
CLYDE “SOAPY” STAFFORD HAS BEEN A PREMIER PITCHER ON THE LOCAL SCENE FOR MANY YEARS. THIS MEMBER OF 7 CINCINNATI METRO CHAMPIONS WAS ON THE GREAT GATLIFF TEAMS OF 1959 AND 1960. HE COACHED THE SUDS IN 1980 AND HAS WON INNUMERABLE HONORS AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS. THE SOAP BEHIND “SOAPY’S FIVE” IS STILL A DOMINANT SENIOR PLAYER NATIONALLY.
MANAGERS:
ANYONE WHO IS AROUND THE GAME OF SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL KNOWS THAT A FIRM HAND IS NEEDED AT THE MANAGERIAL REINS. PLAYERS AT THE UPPER ECHELONS OF THE GAME AT TIMES NEED FIRM DIRECTION, LEST THEIR EGOS GET IN THE WAY OF TEAM GOALS. OUR FIRST TEAM SELECTIONS USED DIFFERENT TACTICS BUT ALL GOT THE DESIRED OUTCOME-WINNING.
THE GREAT AL BRAUSCH WAS PICKED AS MANAGER OF THE CENTURY. HE LED HIS WORLD CHAMPION GATLIFF PLAYERS BY EXAMPLE. WHEN I PLAYED FOR AL IN 1966, WE SAID A PRAYER BEFORE THE GAMES. THIS ASA NATIONAL HALL OF FAMER’S EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY WAS EMULATED BY HIS CLASSY PLAYERS.
REED HUGHES WAS A FIERY MOTIVATOR. HIS (AND MATTY CARRELI’S) 1961 WORLD CHAMPION HAMILTON TAILOR’S OBVIOUSLY RESPONDED TO HIS EMOTIONAL LEADERSHIP. HE HAD CITY CHAMPIONS WITH TOM SWEENEY IN 1964, EDDIE’S IN 1969, CENTURY TIRE IN 1970 AND 1971. HIS CENTURY TIRE’S 1971 ASA MAJOR WORLD THIRD PLACE FINISH WAS THE HIGHEST SINCE 1965. WE MISS YOU, REED.
TOM ROWAN MANAGED FOR 10 YEARS, AND WAS RUNNERUP MANAGER OF THE SEVENTIES TO REED HUGHES. HE WAS AT THE HELM OF THE PREMIER TEAMS OF HIS TIME, GUIDING DASE’S PLACE, SAVANNAH, AND GREATER CINCINNATI SPORTS. TOM WON 2 ASA METRO TITLES AND A PHENOMENAL 4 CONSECUTIVE USSSA DIVISIONAL CROWNS. HE WON IN 1979 IN SHEBOYGAN AND WAS THE LIMA STEEL’S MANAGER IN 1982.
MATTY CARRELLI WAS BORN IN ITALY AND METEORICALLY ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS OF MANAGING SLOW PITCH. HIS HAMILTON TAILORS WON THE ASA WORLD IN 1960 AND 1961. HE WON METRO CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 1959, 1960, 1963, AND 1966 WITH STANDARD INDUSTRIAL. NUMEROUS ALL WORLD PLAYERS FLUORISHED UNDER HIS GUIDANCE.
SPONSORS:
JOE GATLIFF MOTORS WITH ASA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 1956, 1957, AND 1963 WAS NAMED A CO-WINNER AS SPONSOR OF THE CENTURY. THE 4 ASA NATIONAL HALL OF FAMERS (REINHARDT, RARDIN, BROWN, AND WIGGINS) ALL PLAYED FOR GATLIFF AND ALL ARE MEMBERS OF OUR HALL.
THE OTHER CO-WINNER WAS JAY HOPKINS. JAY IS THE LONG-TIME PLAYER, CO-MANAGER OF THE EIGHTIES, AND SPONSOR OF TOP LEVEL TEAMS FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS IN CINCINNATI. HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME AND HIS RECOLLECTION OF ALMOST ALL THAT HAS TRANSPIRED IN LOCAL SOFTBALL SINCE THE SIXTIES ENDEAR HIM TO THOUSANDS OF LOCAL FANS.
JOHN BUSHELMAN CONSTRUCTION WAS A PREMIER SPONSOR FOR YEARS IN CINCINNATI. YOU COULD FIND JOHN IN HIS WIFE’S BAR (JULIE’S IN SHARONVILLE) WHERE HE WOULD TALK ABOUT THE GAME UNTIL YOU GOT TIRED OF TALKING. HIS FINE TEAMS WON THE 1982 AND THE 1984 METRO TITLES. THEY ALSO WERE THE MIDWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONS IN BOTH 1982 AND 1983. JOHN UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY IN FLORIDA.
NOTE:
TOM TAYLOR, THE AUTHOR OF THIS PIECE AND THE CHAIR OF THE TEAM OF THE CENTURY COMMITTEE WAS A PLAYER FROM 1957-1988, INCLUDING 1977 AND 1978 WITH THE CINCINNATI SUDS. HE COACHED WOMEN’S SOFTBALL FOR 10 YEARS, AND BRIEFLY COACHED MEN’S SLOWPITCH IN 1999. HE WAS A TEAM MATE OF 26 OF HIS 31 FELLOW HUDEPOHL HALL OF FAMERS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE HUDEPOHL HALL IN 1988 AND SERVES ON THE HUDEPOHL HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS.
Tom Taylor HOFs Inductions (Incredible List)
1988 – Norwood-Sorrento’s Greater Cincinnati Softball HOF
1992 – Northern Kentucky Sports HOF
2002 – Sorrento’s Hamilton County Sports HOF
2008 – Dayton-Miami Valley Senior Olympics HOF
2009 – Ohio Senior Olympics HOF
2009 – Ohio ASA HOF
2009 – Kentucky Softball HOF and Honor
2014 – Ohio USSSA HOF
2015 – Greater Cincinnati USBC Bowling HOF
2016 – Ohio All-Time Slow Pitch Softball All-State Team HOF
2018 – Butler County Softball HOF
Tom Taylor
GREATER CINCINNATI WOMEN’S SLOW PITCH ALL-CENTURY
FIRST TEAM
Player of The Century- Jenny Johnson-Kappes
Pitcher- Dot Bailey
Catcher- Jan Deters
Catcher- Irma Richardson
First Base- Marsha Replogle Helton
Second Base- Sharon Graham
Third Base- Sue Malcolm
Third Base- Anita Reiskamp-Gardner
Shortstop- Jenny Johnson-Kappes
Outfield- Alberta Kohls-Sims
Outfield- Norma Eschenbrenner-Ante
Outfield- Karen Kuhnheim
Outfield- V. K. Lehmann
Outfield- Missy Merrell
Outfield- Brenda Ryan
Utility- Pam Patrus
Utility- Donna Wolfe
Manager- Commie Currens
Sponsor- Empress Chili
SECOND TEAM
Pitcher- Amy Flaugher
Pitcher- Shirley Patterson
Catcher- Jenny Hammerle
Catcher- Laverne Zureick
First Base- Wanda Evans
Second Base- Bev Beck
Third Base- Carol Weiss-Kiradjieff
Shortstop- Gloria Hill
Outfield- Theresa Hirschauer
Outfield- Peggy Meacham
Outfield- Carol Smith
Outfield- Chris Winters
Utility- Mary Jane Ranz
Utility- Mary Strotman
Manager- Merle Williams
Sponsor- Rutenschroer Florists
THIRD TEAM
Pitcher- Peg Carney
Catcher- Martha Kidd
First Base- Becky Calahand
First Base- Jan Worley
Second Base- Jean Dowell
Shortstop- Shelly Cummins
Shortstop- Sherry Tabb
Outfield- Kate Arlinghaus
Outfield- Mary Bierman
Outfield- Marsha Friedhoff
Outfield- Tina May-Tuck
Outfield- Jane Scheper Meier
Utility- Sharon Tice
Utility- Cathy Walz
Manager- Bill Goedde
Manager- Don Johnson
Sponsor- Sorrento’s Pizza
HONORABLE MENTION
Kathy Ante Porter
Jeannine Bohn
Marilyn Booher
Rhonda Klette
Joan McGannon
Barb Meadows
Arlene Naumann
Robin Ryan
Theresa Shepherd
Vickie Stambaugh
Cindy Winburn
Cincinnati News Player of the Year Winners & Runner-ups
Player of the Year Runner-up – Player of the Year
1977 Mike LaFever, Rockcastle Motors Jim Kuhn, Hal Manufacturing
1978 Hal Ward, Greater Cincinnati Sports
Ron Jones, Strohs
1979 Rick Linz, Greater Cincinnati Sports Jack Robinson, Bushleman’s Construction
Hal Ward, Greater Cincinnati Sports
1980 Galen Kelly, Bushleman’s Construction Davey Johnson, Hammers
Steve Hicks, Bushleman’s Construction
1981 Mike Tolliver, Jay’s Steve Hicks, Bushleman’s Construction
1982 Mickey McMullen, Bushleman Construction Joe Griffith, Knights
1983 Leo Osterday, Bushleman’s Construction Jack Collins, Bushleman’s Construction
1984 Bob Massong, Bushleman’s Construction Leo Osterday, Bushleman’s Construction
1985 Jack Collins, M.W. Tribble Mike Sullivan, VIP Limousine
Mike O’Brien, Jay’s
1986 Mike O’Brien, Jay’s Mike Sullivan, VIP Limousine
Don Cleaver, VIP Limousine
1987 Scott Hein, VIP Limo/Express Transport Mike Sullivan, VIP Limo/Express Transport
Mike Harvey, Jay’s
Bob Cole, F&C Athletic
1988 Steve Roeder, VIP/Express Transport Larry Shircliff, VIP/Express Transport
1989 Billy Jackson, VIP/Express Transport Steve Roeder, VIP/Express Transport
Marty Monterosso, Jay’s
1990 Marty Monterosso, Jay’s Homer Ruth, VIP/Express Transport
1991 Tony Salamone, Greg Back/Kipling’s Doug Riley, Greg Back/Kipling’s
Tim Clemmons, Jay’s
1992 Mike Kinnett, Watanabe/Scarlato’s/Easton Doug Riley, McCluskey Chevrolet-GEO
1993 Tommy Thompson, Jay’s/Worth Mike Kinnett, Watanabe/Scarlato’s/Easton
1994 Randy Lewis, Watanabe/Scarlato’s/Easton Mike King, Hosea Worldwide
1995 Mike Kinnett, Watanabe/Scarlato/Perkin’s Joe Penwell, Backstop/Easton
1996 Jim Kearns, Lovill/Easton Joe Penwell, Backstop/Easton
John Steele, Watanabe/Scarlato/Perkins
1997 John Steele, Watanabe/Scarlato/Perkins Marvin Doyle, Backstop/Easton
1998 Randy Lewis, Watanabe/Scarlato/Perkins Tom Ellis, First American Title
1999 Mark Smith, Watanabe/ Perkins/Bike Tony Sharkins, Perkins Roofing/TPS
2000 Jack Collins, EMR/Meiner’s Cafe/Worth Kevin Atwood, Perkins Roofing/TPS
2001 Marvin Doyle, EMR/Worth Jason Roesch, Cooper/Pohlman/Worth
Steve Spille, Perkins/TPS
John Steele, Perkins/TPS
2002 John Steele, Perkins/Watanabe/TPS Marvin Doyle, Cooper/Specialty Vending
2003 Brian May, Watanabe/K&G/TPS Tom Ellis, Watanabe/K&G/TPS
Darrell Hall, DLB/Arnold/Superior
Jon Jamison, Luckey Homes/Rite Rug
2004 Brian Wegman, Watanabe/New/K&G Shane Hatfield, Alpine/Easton
Mike Kinnett, EMR/Worth
Johnny Miller, EMR/Worth
2005 Brian May, Watanabe/Superior/CHL/B&A Jon Jamison, Arnold/Freeze
2006 Brad Reckart, Watanabe/Superior/B&A Kevin Greene, Storm/Wessel/Nixco/Flanagan’s
Frank Gruber, A&K Tile/Wessel/GRK/Blitz
2007 Jon Jamison, Freeze/Arnold/JAC/Putter’s Jason Roesch, Blitz/Watanabe/ Wessel/Easton
2008 Jimmy Carter, Blitz/Watanabe/Wessel Shane Spicer, EAP/Real Estate Title/Wessel
2009 Jon Jamison, Blitz/Watanabe/Weller Jason Brown, EAP/Tiger Fitness/Easton
2010 Brad Tabler, Blitz/Watanabe/Weller Jon Jamison, Blitz/Watanabe/Weller/Minges
2011 David Kessler, Blitz/Weller/Watanabe Chris Taylor, Seminoles/Schmoe’s/Clutch
2012 Brad Reckart, Blitz/ Watanabe/K&G Roger Drake, PRI/Easton
2013 — No more info available on the Player of the Year, The USSSA Tri-State Conference started
— in 2012 and the TSC awarded Player of the Year and MVP accolades
Tri-State Conference MVP Winners & Runner-ups
2012 Roger Drake, Pure Romance/Easton Chris Riddle, Cooper/Shinetime
2013 Tyler Collins, Cooper/Yuengling/Easton Brad Tabler, 3rd Street
2014 Nick Weimer, Cincysoftball/Buffalo Joe Mike Marksbury, Vicious Sports – (Class-D)
2015 – no information available
2016 – no information available
ASA Cincinnati Open/Major Metro Championship
Year Champ – Runnerup
1953 Baldwin Piano Wolf’s Cafe (Wolf’s went to Nationals also)
1954 Waldeck’s Tavern Cincinnati Firefighters (Firefighters went to Nationals also)
1955 Tresler Comets Baldwin Piano (Baldwin went to Nationals also)
(Waldeck’s went to National as 1954 defending National Champ)
1956 Eureka Bar ???
1957 Rosmarin Reality ???
1958 Hamilton Tailoring Bud’s Cafe
1959 Hamilton Tailoring Bud’s Cafe
1960 Hamilton Tailoring ???
1961 Tip Toe Inn ???
(Hamilton Tailors went to National as 1960 defending National Champ)
1962 Bud’s Café ???
(Hamilton Tailors went to National as 1961 defending National Champ)
1963 Hamilton Tailoring Bud’s Café (Bud’s Cafe went to Nationals also)
1964 Tom Sweeney’s Pontiac ???
1965 Gatliff Auto (Newport, KY) ???
1966 Standard Industrial Laundries ???
1967 Abrams Texaco ???
1968 Buckeye Merchants Dick Luken Volkswagen
(Dick Luken went to National in place of Merchants)
1969 Eddie’s Cafe Dick Luken Volkswagen
1970 Century Tire ???
1971 Century Tire ???
1972 Hauck’s Cafe Century Tire
1973 Queen City Pattern Century Tire
1974 Sorrento’s Pizza Century Tire
1975 Sorrento’s Pizza Stan’s Roofing
1976 Don Simpson’s Cafe Rumpke
1977 Franz Cafe ???
1978 Hal Manufacturing ???
1979 Greater Cincinnati Sports ???
1980 Sorrento’s Pizza Greater Cincinnati Sports
1981 Quality Manufacturing Knights ???
1982 Bushelman Construction ???
1983 Brogan Oil/Joe & George/Red Sox ???
1984 Bushelman Construction ???
1985 Bushelman Construction M.W. Tribble
1986 F&C Athletic ???
1987 VIP Limousine/Express Transport M.W. Tribble
1988 VIP Limousine/Express Transport ???
1989 VIP/Express Transport ???
1990 VIP/Express Transport ???
1991 VIP/Express Transport Greg Black Transportation/Kiplings
1992 J.R. Express ???
1993 Jay’s Watanabe Optical
1994 UDF/Clifton Medical/Worth ???
1995 Backstop/Easton ???
1996 Watanabe Optical ???
1997 Watanabe Softball/TPS ???
1998 Watanabe/Perkins/Scarlato’s/TPS ???
1999 Watanabe/Perkins/Scarlato’s/TPS ???
Year Champ – Runnerup
2000 Perkins/TPS Watanabe Softball/TPS
2001 Perkins/Watanabe/Corken/TPS EMR/Worth
2002 Perkins/Watanabe/TPS EMR/Worth
2003 Watanabe/K&G/Scarlato’s/TPS Perkins/TPS
2004 Watanabe/New/K&G/TPS EMR/Worth
2005 Watanabe/Kattus/Tiny/WHW/Alpine/TPS EMR/Kubota Group/Worth
2006 Wessel Sports/A&K Tile/Blitz Watanabe/Kattus /Superior/CHL/TPS
2007 Blitz/Watanabe/TTP/Wessel/A&K/Easton ???
2008 Blitz/Watanabe/Bull/Wessel/Easton ???
2009 EAP/Tiger Fitness/Easton Blitz/Watanabe/Bull/Minges/Wessel/Easton
2010 Blitz/Watanabe/Minges/Weller/Easton EMR/Belly’s Party Bus/Red’s Boys
2011 Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/Easton ???
2012 Blitz/Weller/Watanabe/K&G/Wilson ???
2013 3rd Street/ Weller/Louisville Slugger Fred’s Boys/Louisville Slugger
2014 Premier/Louisville Slugger Cincysoftball.com
2015 EMR Premier/Louisville Slugger
2016 no more information available
Norwood Sorrento’s Hall of Fame
* in ASA or USSSA National HOF
| INDUCTED | INDUCTEE | CATEGORY |
| 1985 | Raymond “Whitey” Brown* | Player |
| Al Brausch* | Manager | |
| John Bushelman | Sponsor | |
| Ed Clott* | Special Service | |
| Russ Cupito | Umpire | |
| Commie Currens* | Manager | |
| Ray Ernst* | Umpire | |
| Norma Eschenbrenner Ante* | Female Player | |
| Al Goodman | Special Service | |
| Reed Hughes | Manager | |
| Jenny Johnson* | Female Player | |
| Bernie Kampschmidt* | Male Player | |
| John Kinsella | Sponsor | |
| Alberta Kohls Sims* | Female Player | |
| Steve Massong | Male Player | |
| Jim Ramage* | Male Player | |
| Don Rardin* | Male Player | |
| Myron Reinhardt* | Male Player | |
| Marsha Jean Replogle | Female Player | |
| LeRoy Rutenschroer* | Sponsor | |
| Lou Sandmann | Special Service | |
| Don Schachleiter | Manager | |
| Walt Wherry | Male Player | |
| Donna Wolfe* | Female Player | |
| 1986 | Dot Bailey | Female Player |
| Bill Cappel | Special Service | |
| Matty Carrelli | Manager | |
| Elmer Gerwin | Special Service | |
| Frank Harvey | Male Player | |
| Kathryn “Sis” King* | Female Player | |
| Al Rinehard | Male Player | |
| Dan Romanello | Umpire | |
| Jack F. Snodgrass | Sponsor | |
| Norb “Cyclone” Warken* | Male Player | |
| Don Wickersham | Special Service | |
| 1987 | Ray Feldhaus | Special Service |
| Bill Goedde | Male Player | |
| Sam Monterosso | Umpire | |
| Joe Nagy | Manager | |
| Eddie Vollmer | Special Service | |
| Hal Wiggins* | Male Player | |
| 1988 | Bev Beck | Female Player |
| Willie DeLuca | Sponsor | |
| Jan Deters* | Female Player | |
| Karl Nageleisen | Male Player | |
| Mary Jane Tabeling Stille | Female Player | |
| Tom Taylor | Male Player | |
| 1989 | Anita Gardner Rieskamp | Female Player |
| Barry Norman | Male Player | |
| Clyde Stafford | Male Player | |
| Les Treitel | Umpire | |
| 1990 | Bill Gourley | Male Player |
| Gloria Hill | Female Player/Manager | |
| Jim Kuhn | Male Player | |
| Don Whitford | Male Player | |
| 1991 | Charlie Leftin | Male Player |
| Rick Linz | Male Player | |
| Carol Weiss Kiradjieff | Female Player | |
| Richard Zureick | Umpire | |
| 1992 | Dick Goedde | Manager |
| Leo Osterday | Male Player | |
| Dave Penick | Male Player | |
| Bo Stuntebeck | Male Player | |
| 1993 | Roger Grein | Manager |
| Erma Johnson | Female Player | |
| Ron Jeffers | Umpire | |
| V. K. Lehmann* | Female Player | |
| Paul Nutley | Male Player | |
| 1994 | Earl Berryman | Male Player |
| Dave Johnson | Male Player | |
| Tom Rowan | Manager | |
| Bill Rumpke | Special Service | |
| Tom Rumpke | Special Service | |
| Walt Stepaniak | Special Service | |
| 1995 | Ron Baird | Manager |
| Sharon Graham* | Female Player | |
| Mike O’Brien | Male Player | |
| Bill Schlesinger | Male Player | |
| 1996 | Don Johnson | Manager |
| Mike LaFever | Male Player | |
| Pam Patrus* | Female Player | |
| Lee Sledge | Male Player | |
| 1997 | Mike Burns | Male Player |
| Ron Cutter | Male Player | |
| David Greek | Sponsor | |
| Mary Strotman | Female Player | |
| 1998 | Butch Hays | Male Player |
| Sue Malcolm | Female Player | |
| Tony Salamone | Male Player | |
| Ray Stroschen | Umpire | |
| 1999 | Ron Jones | Male Player |
| Jim Nageleisen | Male Player | |
| Brenda Ryan* | Female Player | |
| Mike Sullivan | Male Player | |
| 2000 | Max Dixon | Special Service |
| Bob Fennell | Manager | |
| Denver Gabbard | Male Player | |
| Joe Kiradjieff | Sponsor | |
| 2001 | None | N/A |
| 2002 | Jim Anaruma | Umpire |
| Tina May-Tuck* | Female Player | |
| Marty Monterosso | Male Player | |
| Sonny Rider | Male Player | |
| 2003 | Jack Collins | Male Player |
| Martha Kidd | Female Player | |
| Fred Meinking | Umpire | |
| Dick Thielmeyer | Male Player | |
| 2004 | Galan Kelly | Male Player |
| Hudson Knock | Male Player | |
| Micky McMullen | Male Player | |
| M. J. Ranz | Female Player | |
| 2005 | Kevin Birkofer | Male Player |
| Marilyn Booher | Female Player | |
| John Earls | Male Player | |
| Scott Hein | Male Player | |
| 2006 | Dave Beamer | Male Player |
| Ken Ewald | Male Player | |
| Bob Long | Male Player | |
| Walt Roeckers | Male Player | |
| Carol Smith | Female Player | |
| 2007 | Theresa Hirschauer | Female Player |
| Mark Huber | Male Player | |
| Mike Kinnett | Male Player | |
| Jerry Meyer | Special Service | |
| 2008 | Dick Jones | Male Player |
| Gary Mounts | Male Player | |
| Colleen Needham* | Manager | |
| Dave Neiheisel | Sponsor | |
| John Steele | Male Player | |
| Ken Williams | Special Service | |
| 2009 | Dan DeClaire | Sponsor |
| Dick Ernst | Senior Player | |
| Jerry Fick | Umpire | |
| Marsha Friedhoff | Female Player | |
| Randy Lewis | Male Player | |
| Dale Overmann | Male Player | |
| 2010 | Tim Barker | Male Player |
| Billy Carter | Male Player | |
| Marvin Doyle | Male Player | |
| Ron Garnett | Senior Player | |
| Danney Saylor | Special Service | |
| Theresa Shepherd | Female Player | |
| Pat Wright | Male Player | |
| 2011 | Reenie Fitzgerald | Female Player |
| Tom Kasee | Male Player | |
| Brian May | Male Player | |
| Bob Owens | Speclal Service | |
| Pat Shanks | Male Player | |
| Jim Wessel | Senior Player | |
| 2012 | Chuck Atha | Male Player |
| Shelly Cummins | Female Player | |
| Gerry Scaringi | Male Player | |
| Loyd Smith | Male Player | |
| Dave Watanabe | Manager | |
| Merle Williams | Manager | |
| 2013 | Jeannine Bohn | Senior Player |
| Bobby Hays | Manager | |
| Joe Penwell | Male Player | |
| Ray Vaughn | Umpire | |
| Butch Whitaker | Male Player | |
| Chris Winter | Female Player | |
| 2014 | Jeff Click | Male Player |
| Bob Massong | Male Player | |
| Shirley Patterson | Female Player | |
| Mike Smith | Male Player | |
| Jim Spelbrink | Senior Player | |
| Vickie Stambaugh | Female Player | |
| John Tomlinson | Sponsor | |
| 2015 | Tim Klemm | Umpire |
| Red Moore* | Manager/Sponsor | |
| Jason Roesch | Male Player | |
| Walt Shroyer | Senior Player | |
| Jan Worley | Senior Player | |
| George Young | Sponsor | |
| 2016 | Tim Cocco* | Male Player |
| Amy Flaugher | Female Player | |
| Jack Hatter | Senior Player | |
| Jon Jamison | Male Player | |
| Bob Shad | Sponsor | |
| Eron Smith | Manager | |
| 2017 | Bill Brown | Senior Player |
| Don Holden | Sponsor | |
| Bob Kroell | Umpire | |
| Bobby Noeth | Male Player | |
| Missy Merrell | Female Player | |
| Mike Tribble | Manager |
