Category: 2023

Dot Wilkinson

Dorothy (Dot) Wilkinson (1921-2023)

Dot Wilkinson was a true trailblazer in the sport of women’s fast pitch softball, beginning her playing career for the Phoenix Ramblers in 1933 when she was just 11 years old and continuing through 1965. Wilkinson was a force to be reckoned with behind the plate, spending majority of her career as a catcher – a position that allowed her to capitalize on her natural leadership skills. A standout player for the Ramblers, Wilkinson helped lead the squad to national championship titles in 1940, 1948 and 1949, while earning 19 All-American honors throughout her 30-year career.

A member of the National Softball Hall of Fame (1970), Wilkinson collected a variety of accolades throughout her storied career including being enshrined into the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (1990) as well as being the first woman to be inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame (1975).

Dot Wilkinson excelled at softball as well as bowling. In fact, she’s the only member of the National Softball Hall of Fame who is a member of a Hall of Fame in another sport. Twenty years after being inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame, Wilkinson was inducted into the WIBC Hall of Fame for winning a Triple Crown event, the Women’s International Bowling Congress Queens Tournament in 1962 and the WIBC national singles in 1963.

Wilkinson started out playing second base for the PBSW Ramblers and a few years later was switched to behind the plate by coach Ford Hoffman, who told her, “You’re the catcher, you run the team. You’re in a position to see everything that goes on, you can call every play, you can do the whole bit. That’s the place to be.” Before retiring in 1965, Wilkinson earned 19 All-America awards and had some outstanding years for the Ramblers, including:

• 1952 (.374 batting average)
• 1953 (.363 batting average )
• 1957 (.387 average in national championship)
• 1955 (.450 average in national with no errors on 36 chances)
• 1954 (.455 average and 1.000 fielding percentage on 84 chances in national )

Dot said one of her greatest thrills came in 1940 when the Ramblers won their first of three national titles (1948 and 1949). Another thrill came in 1970 when she received her Hall of Fame plaque. If there was a disappointment, Dot said, it was not winning the national tourney in 1964. Retired from real estate sales in 1985, Wilkinson was born October 9, 1921. In 1999, Wilkinson was eighth and the only woman among the top 10 of The Republic’s Arizona Athletes of the Century.

Ron James Boley (1946-2023):

Boley attended Oregon State University where he competed on the football and baseball teams, including the historic 1967 football squad – also known as the Giant Killers – that finished the year ranked seventh in the nation. Following his graduation from Oregon State, he began his tenure with USA Softball as the volunteer coordinator for the men’s fast pitch, men’s and women’s slow pitch and coed softball leagues. He was appointed the USA Softball of Portland Commissioner in 1982 where he oversaw various national championships and was a member of the Region 9 Adult Classification Committee while also serving as the assistant chairman and chairman of the National Classification Committee. Following his retirement as Commissioner for USA Softball of Portland in 2020, Boley remained involved with the organization as a member of the Board of Directors. In 2013, he was recognized for his leadership and contributions to the sport of softball in Portland with enshrinement in the Region 9 Hall of Fame.

Off the field, Boley began a career with the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department where he eventually earned a role as the Sports Supervisor. For 30 years, Boley directed the Portland youth and adult football and basketball leagues while also serving as the director for the American Legion, Connie Mack and adult baseball leagues.

Boley was survived by his wife Vickye Boley and his son Erik.

Remembrances for Boley can be made to the Maurice Lucas Foundation or non-kill animal shelters in his name.