Category: ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch

1980 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1980 held at Montgomery, Alabama.


Champion – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California (118-12)
Runner Up – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina (135-25)


Campbell’s Carpets captured the ASA National Championship on their way to winning the Triple Crown of Softball in 1980. This was the second straight year a team has won the Triple Crown. With all the high averages, home runs, etc. It was a little guy who captured the imagination of the crowd as Pitcher Buddy Slater was named the National Tournament MVP for Campbell’s.

It was reported that Slater had hurled 9 no-hitters this past season in Slow Pitch Softball. The 38 year old Slater beat Howard’s twice in this tournament; once 23-14 in the winner’s bracket finals and then when Howard’s won a slug fest over third place team Jerry’s Caterers 36-32 in the lower’s bracket final to get another crack at Campbell’s, Slater did it again, holding down the Howard’s bats in route to a 20-15 Championship Game victory.

In the 23-14 Campbell’s win over Howard’s, 9 different Campbell players hit home runs. In the 36-32 Howard’s victory over Jerry’s, Pitcher Mickey Morrison hit 4 HR and collected 9 RBI. Ed Roth also hit 4 HR with 7 RBI and Stan Harvey had 3 HR with 7 RBI to lead Howard’s. Jerry’s Pitcher, Craig Elliott hit 4 HR with 8 RBI to lead the Miami based squad.
Stan Harvey of Howard’s won the Batting championship with an amazing 30-38 performance (.789).  Howard’s Tom Beall was 25-35 (.714) with 17 HR to win the Home Run Award. 10 of Beall’s homers came in the first 2 games. Don Arndt and Ed Roth of Howard’s had 16 ad 15 HR respectively.

Campbell’s averaged close to 26 runs per game in its 6 game march to the title. They gave up only 11 runs per game, mostly due to the crafty pitching of Slater, who was 14-24 in the event (.500), and pitched all of Campbell’s games to finish 6-0.

Other stars for Campbell’s were Jerry King (21-30, .700 with 8 HR), Dick Bartel (20-30, .667 also with 8 HR), and Steve Williams (13-25, .520 and he hit 5 HR). Two of Williams’s HR came in the Championship Game. Greg Fuhrman and Dennis Myers both hit 9 HR, but were left off the All-America squads.


  • MVP – Buddy Slater, Campbell’s Carpets
  • HR Champion – Tom Beall, Howard’s Furniture -17
  • Batting Champion – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture – .789

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Buddy Slater, Campbell’s Carpets (11-22, .500, 6-0 pitching record)
P – Craig Elliott, Jerry’s Catering
C – Ernie Hicks, York Barbell (21-27, .778)
C – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (16 HR)
1B – Ed Roth, Howard’s Furniture (24-34, .706, 15 HR)
2B – James Boyett, Jerry’s Catering
3B – Jerry King, Campbell’s Carpets (21-30, .700, 8 HR)
SS – Steve Williams, Campbell’s Carpets (13-25, .520, 5 HR)
OF – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (30-38, .789)
OF – Ron Dorsey, York Barbell (14 HR)
OF – Tom Beall, Howard’s Furniture (25-35 .715, 17 HR, 37 RBI)
OF – Dick Bartel, Campbell’s Carpets (19-28, .677, 8 HRs)
UT – Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Catering

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Rick Leek, York Barbell
P – John Durkett, Teamsters #293
C – John Hale, Frierson Building Supply
C – Fred Winston, Jerry’s Catering
1B – John Geckle, Steele’s Sports (19-27, .704, 7 HR)
2B – John McAndrew, York Barbell (13-17, .765, 7 HR)
3B – Mike Lynch, Irving’s Sports
SS – John Rogers, DuBose Insurance
OF – Calvin Davidson, Friarson’s
OF – Doug Broxson, DuBose Insurance
OF – Richard Willborn, Campbell’s Carpets
OF – Ray Fleetwood, Howard’s Furniture
UT – Joel Tood, Jerry’s Catering


OTHERS

Bill Pollock, York Barbell (21-23, .636, 12 HR)
Greg Fuhrman, Campbell’s Carpets (9 HR)
Dennis Myers, Campbell’s Carpets (9 HR)
Charles Mitchell, GB Wilcher (14-18, .778)
Joe Young, Steele’s (9 HR)
Tim Haley, Steele’s (9 HR)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Campbell Carpets, Concord, CA (6-0)
2. Howard’s-Western Steer, Denver, NC (6-2)
3. Jerry’s Catering, Miami, OH (5-2)
4. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH (6-2)
5t. Teamsters #293, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
5t. DuBose Insurance, Pensacola, FL (3-2)
7t. Frierson Building Supply, Jackson, MS (4-2)
7t. York Barbell, York, PA (4-2)
9t. Irving Sports Center, Irving, TX (4-2)
9t. Wichita TMI, Wichita, KS (4-2)
9t. Thompson’s-O’Bannon Bank, Springfield, OH (2-2)
9t. Camera Shop, Fort Worth, TX (3-2)
13t. GB Wilcher, Seymour, IN (2-2)
13t. Hillcrest-Fashionrite, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Gartenhaus Cafe, Plainville, CT (3-2)
13t. Dan Belew, Turlock, CA (2-2)
17t. Manning’s, St. Paul, MN (1-2)
17t. Fluid Engineering, Lubbock, TX (1-2)
17t. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
17t. Le-Al-Co, Lebanon, TN (1-2)
17t. St. Louis Merchants, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
17t. Hans Hansen, Toledo, OH (2-2)
17t. Nelco Manufacturing, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
17t. Trainham Chevrolet, Beaverdam, VA (1-2)
25t. Cannon & Lee Painting, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. Thibodaux Merchants, Thibodaux, LA (1-2)
25t. Southside Automotive, Louisville, KY (0-2)
25t. Bunca & Frey, Kalamazoo, MI (0-2)
25t. Diaboloes, Alburquerque, NM (0-2)
25t. Miller Lite Metros, Montgomery, AL (0-2)
25t. Red Door Diplomats, Mansville, NJ (0-2)
25t. Mustang Softball Club, Wauseon, OH (0-2)
33t. Moose #212, Hagerstown, MD (0-2)
33t. Shimers, Bloomington, MN (0-2)
33t. Pizza Baron Fords, Portland, OR (0-2)
33t. Steamex, Grand Rapids, MI (0-2)
33t. Chisholm Sports, Maiden, MA (0-2)
33t. Ruth Real Estate, Seattle, WA (0-2)

1979 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1979 held at York, Pennsylvania.


Champion – Nelco Manufacturing, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (92-18)
Runner Up – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California (103-16)


Nelco Manufacturing had a slim chance of winning this event. Most thought it was gonna be another Howard’s-Campbell final.  But these two teams met in a first round matchup. ASA’s residency rule limited Nelson’s Painting to just local guys from Oklahoma, so only 6 of the players on the USSSA/NSPC Nelson’s team were eligible to play.

Campbell’s defeated Howard’s 17-16 in that first round matchup. The North Carolina squad then reeled off 8 straight wins in the loser’s bracket before meeting Campbell’s in the loser’s bracket final. The Howard’s boys suffered the same fate, only this time, it wasn’t as close in the 27-8 decision Nelco want undefeated (7-0) as they defeated Campbell’s in the Championship game 14-13 on the strength of Bruce Meade’s double that drove in the tying and winning runs in the game.

Meade was 5-5 in that game and finished the tournament 25-35 with a .714 batting average, including 7 HR and 18 RBI.  Nelco’s “Mighty” Joe Young was the tournament MVP as he batted only .559 (19-34), but had 10 HR and 30 RBI.  He also hit a grand slam in Nelco’s 18-15 winner’s bracket final victory over Campbell’s. The Nelso’s Painting team went on to win the NSPC and USSSA Championships to win the first Triple Crown of Slow Pitch Softball for Sponsor RT Nelson.

Note: Craig Elliott of Ken Sanders Ford hit 3 HR in one inning and 9 consecutive HR during the tournament — a record that has yet to be broken.


  • MVP – “Mighty” Joe Young, Nelco Manufacturing
  • HR Leader – David Beaird, Ken Sanders Ford – 14
  • Batting Leader – David Beaird, Ken Sanders Ford – .810

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (13-18, .722, 10 HR, 21 RBI, 8 BB)
P – Earl Chambers, Nelco Manufacturing (18-32, .563, 10 RBI)
C – Dean Brunken, Nelco Manufacturing (22-31, .710, 5 HR, 14 RBI)
C – Bob Brindamour, Shimers (.750, 5 HR, 23 RBI)
1B – Ed Berg, Nelco Manufacturing (19-30, .633, 7 HR, 21 RBI)
2B – Denny Hogan, Howard’s Furniture (21-35, .600, 8 HR, 17 RBI)
3B – Ed Roth, Howard’s Furniture (23-39, .590, 10 HR, 30 RBI)
SS – Russell Bradley, Campbell’s Carpets (22-31, .710, 1 HR, 14 RBI)
OF – David Beaird, Ken Sanders Ford (17-21, .810, 14 HR, 31 RBI)
OF – Tom Beall, Howard’s Furniture (23-29, .793, 7 HR, 25 RBI)
OF – Joe Young, Nelco Manufacturing (19-34, .559, 10 HR, 30 RBI)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelco Manufacturing (25-35, .714, 7 HR, 18 RBI)
UTIL – Dale Chenault, Dave Carroll Sports (13-18, .722, 4 HR, 15 RBI)
UTIL – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (15-27, .556, 12 HR, 15 RBI)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Steve Kurman, County Sports (14-23, .609)
P – Greg Fuhrman, Campell’s Carpets (.457, 7 HR)
C – Ray Fleetwood, Howard’s Furniture (19-37, .513, 9 HR)
C – Lynn Navarre, Hans Hansen (11-16, .688)
1B – Harold Kelly, Dave Carroll Sports (.657)
2B – Jerry King, Campbell’s Carpets
3B – John Braxton, Dave Carroll Sports (14-22, .636)
SS – Paul Wright, Ken Sanders Ford (12-17, .708)
OF – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (.543, 8 HR)
OF – Gary Perkins, Hans Hansen (.650)
OF – Charles Pierce, Campbell’s Carpets (20-30, .667)
OF – Joel Todd, Nelco Manufacturing (6 HR)
UTIL – Terry Perryman, Nelco Manufacturing
UTIL – Steve Williams, American Realty (14-21, .667)


OTHERS

Mike Macenko, Hillcrest (9-11, .818)
John Geckle, Steele’s (12-15, .800, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
Don Arndt, Howard’s (11-14, .786, 4 HR)
Curtis Williams, Ken Sanders Ford (13-19, .684, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Runs)
Ken Slenker, York Barbell (13-19, .684, 7 HRs, 20 RBI, 11 Runs)
John Davide, York Barbell (15-23, .652, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 15 Runs)
Braxton Speller, Softbal City (16-25, .640, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
Denny Ellis, Shimers (17-27, .630)
Craig Seaman, Softball City (16-26, .615, 4 HR)
Mike Jacobs, Howard’s (28-46, .609, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 26 Runs)
Chan Baker, County Sports (14-23, .609, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 7 Runs)
Lou Russo, York Barbell (14-24, .583, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
Dick Bartel, Campbell’s (18-32, .563, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 14 Runs)
Marty Rolnick, County Sports (11-20, .550, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 13 Runs)
Pete O’Leary, County Sports (14-23, .542, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 8 Runs)
Rick Pinto, Softball City (10-20, .500, 3 RBI, 8 Runs)
Don Clatterbaugh, Dave Carroll’s (11-22, .500, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 13 Runs)
Stan Harvey, Howard’s (19-38, .500, 11 HR, 25 RBI, 15 Runs)
Buddy Slater, CC Brick (7-15, .467, 3 RBI, 6 Runs)
Richard Wilborn, CC Brick (11-25, .440, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 8 Runs)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s (17-39, .436, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 18 Runs)
Al White, American Realty (9-21, .429, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
James Boyett, Dave Carroll (9-22, .409, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nelco Manufacturing, Oklahoma City, OK (7-0)
2. Campbell Carpets, Concord, CA (5-2)
3. Howard’s-Western Steer, Denver, NC (8-2)
4. Shimer’s, Minneapolis, MN (6-2)
5t. Hans Hansen, Toledo, OH (3-2)
5t. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrills Ford, NC (3-2)
7t. Softball City, Detroit, MI (4-2)
7t. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (3-2)
9t. American Realty, Concord, CA (4-2)
9t. County Sports, Levittown, NY (4-2)
9t. Dr. Bernards, Portland, OR (3-2)
9t. York Barbell, York, PA (3-2)
13t. Robert’s Display Data, Baltimore, MD (2-2)
13t. C&C Brick & Lumber, San Antonio, TX (3-2)
13t. John Thell Builders, Providence, RI (2-2)
13t. Mustangs, Wauseon, OH (2-2)
17t. Midstate Oil, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Bunch Brothers, Arab, AL (2-2)
17t. O’Bannon Bank, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Indiana Coal, Evansville, IN (1-2)
17t. Frierson Building Supplies, Jackson, MS (2-2)
17t. Steele’s, Lima, OH (1-2)
17t. Bob’s American, Ephrata, PA (2-2)
17t. Chuck’s Off-Sale, Wahpeton, ND (1-2)
25t. Ensign Homes, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2)
25t. GB Wilcher, Seymour, IN (1-2)
25t. Dan Belew Insurance, Turlock, CA (1-2)
25t. Ross Insurance, Houston, TX (1-2)
25t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (0-2)
25t. North Central BJ’s, Waterloo, IA (0-2)
25t. Kentucky Sporting Goods, Lexington, KY (0-2)
25t. Maggini Outlaws, Riverside, CA (0-2)
33t. Olympic Sports Center, Seattle, WA (0-2)
33t. Gallina’s Auto Center, Monroe, MI (0-2)
33t. Gartenhaus Cafe, Plainville, CT (0-2)
33t. Trenton Caps, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
33t. BYM Club, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
33t. Diablos, Albuquerque, NM (0-2)
33t. Hamilton Bryan, Wichita Falls, TX (0-2)
33t. Red Jenkins Amoco, Richmond, VA (0-2)

1978 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1978 held at Elk Grove, California.


Champion – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California (93-15)
Runner Up – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina (133-30)


Campbell’s Carpets realized their three year dream of an ASA National Championship by holding off the mighty Howard’s Furniture in the championship.  Campbell’s advanced to the finals with a convincing 41-12 win over American Realty. Denny Jones was 5-5 with two walks in the game. He also hit 3 HR as did Mike Cellura and Tom Sandau.

Howard’s, sent to the loser’s bracket by Ken Sander’s Ford behind 4 HR each from Craig Elliott and Roger Mayo. Howard’s then came back from the loser’s bracket, defeating Nelson’s Painting 25-21, despite 5 HR from Curtis Williams of Nelson’s. Don Arndt and Stan Harvey hit 3 each for Howard’s.

After Howard’s defeated American Realty in the loser’s bracket final, they out-homered Campbell’s 22-8 in the first final on their way to a 42-26 to force the “if” game. Arndt and Harvey led Howard’s once again as they each hit 4 HR in the game.  Campbell’s put that game behind them and defeated Howard’s 26-20 in the winner take all final game.

Mike Cellura hit 4 HR in the game and Denny Jones shipped in with three. Jones, Cellura and Tom Sandau combined for 12 hits and 8 HR. Campbell’s set a record by scoring 86 runs in a game in their victory over AAFCO.

The Carpetmen scored 17 runs in the first inning, 20 in the 4th and 25 in the 6th inning, before finally winning 86-21. Denny Jones, Charles Pierce and Ron Masterson each collected 8 hits in the game. Among Pierce’s 8 hits were 5 HR. He also had 11 RBI. Denny Jones, Russell Bradley and Randy Barlich all drove in 9 runs.

Right before the tournament started, Campbell’s leading Al White was hampered by double vision and could not play. John Sandau stepped in and batted .720, made some great defensive plays and was named to the All American team. In another scoring outburst, Ken Sanders Ford won its first game 63-9 on the strength of a Nation  home run record of 27 for one game. On another note, the legendary Bruce hit 5 home runs in one game.


  • MVP – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets
  • HR Leader – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture – 23
  • Batting Leader – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbells  – .944

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (27-44, .614, 20 HR, 42 RBI)
P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (25-39, .641, 14 HR)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard’s Furniture (28-48, .583, 14 HR, 40 RBI)
C – John Tercheria, Campbell’s Carpets (25-39, .647, 8 HR)
1B – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 23 HR, 45 RBI) – set a new national tournament HR record with 23.
2B – H.T. Waller, Howard’s Furniture (24-44, .545, 11 HR)
3B – Tom Sandau, Campbell’s Carpets (25-36, .694, 12 HR, 31 RBI)
SS – Russell Bradley, Campbell’s Carpets (21-35, .600, 4 HR)
OF – Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (34-41, .829, 18 HR, 40 RBI)
OF – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (30-42, .714, 21 HR, 36 RBI)
OF – Mike Jacobs, Howard’s Furniture (31-42, .736, 8 HR)
OF – Randy Barlich, Campbell’s Carpets (30-40, .750, 15 HR, 41 RBI)
UTIL – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbell (17-18, .944, 12 HR, 19 RBI) – set all time national tournament batting record at .944.
UTIL – Mark Koller, American Realty (21-32, .655, 7 HR)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Gordon Wheeler, Campbell’s Carpets (19-39, .487, 12 HR)
P – Charles Mitchell, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
C – Brad Krebs, York Barbell (12-17, .706)
C – Herman Rathman, Nelson’s Painting (14 HR)
1B – Eddie Corum, Campell’s Carpets (25-40, .625, 7 HR)
2B – James Abercrombie, Nelson Painting (11 HR)
3B – Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (36-51, .706, 12 HR)
SS – Terry Perryman, Nelson’s Painting (18-28, .643)
OF – Curtis Williams, Howard’s Furniture (27-42, .642, 10 HR)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting (23-32, .719, 12 HR)
OF – Dean Brunken, Nelson’s Painting (11 HR)
OF – Charlie Pierce, Campbell’s Carpets (28-40, .700, 9 HR)
UTIL – Rich Latimer, Dallas Merchants (18-23, .783)
UTIL – Willie Willis, American Realty (15-23, .652)


OTHERS

Roger Mayo, Ken Sanders Ford (27-39, .692, 10 HR)
Denny Hogan, Howards Furniture (12 HR)
Len Larabee, Mid State Oil Derby (14-19, .737, 5 HR)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (7-1)
2. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (9-2)
3. American Realty, Sacramento, CA (4-2)
4. Nelson Painting Service, Oklahoma City, OK (5-2)
5t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
5t. Dallas Merchants, Dallas, TX (3-2)
7t. Steele’s, Lima, OH (5-2)
7t. York Barbell, York, PA (4-2)
9t. AAFCO, San Jose, CA (2-2)
9t. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (3-2)
9t. Chromomalloy, Abilene, TX (3-2)
9t. Non-Ferrous Metal Fab, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
13t. Port City Ford, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Bunca & Frey Softball Club, Kalamazoo, MI (2-2)
13t. Dick Joseph Auto Body, Springfield, OH (3-2)
13t. Burnetts & Associates, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Midstate Oil-Derby, Springfield, MA 1-2
17t. Lou Ana Foods, Opelousas, LA (1-2)
17t. Era-American Realty, Concord, CA 0-2
17t. Decathlon, Jackson, MI (1-2)
17t. Dubose Insurance, Pensacola, FL (2-2)
17t. Manning’s, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
17t. Sunset Lounge, White Bear Lake, MN (1-2)
17t. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT (1-2)
25t. Fliteline Motors, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
25t. Rule Conststruction, Oliver Springs, TN (0-2)
25t. Associated Glass, Fairfax, VA (0-2)
25t. Newberry’s Sporting Goods, Portsmouth, VA (0-2)
25t. MCU Sports, Boise, ID (0-2)
25t. Trenton Caps, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
25t. Trainham Chevrolet, Richmond, VA (1-2)
25t. Buck’s Car, Billings, MT (0-2)
33t. Neiderhauser, Cedar Falls, IA (0-2)
33t. Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
33t. GB Wilcher, Seymour, IN (0-2)
33t. Central Delivery Service, Shawnee Mission, KS (0-2)
33t. Wayne and Phil’s, Bartonville, IL (0-2)

1977 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1977 held at Parma, Ohio.


Champion – Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (111-18)
Runner Up – Ken Sanders Ford, Birmingham, Alabama (97-17)


ASA revamped the regional structure this season. Instead of having 30-31 regional championships as had been the practice since 1967, the national ASA formed 15 Regions. These were said to be more evenly set up as the old system sometimes had no team represent a particular region, or a four team tournament and then other regions had 25 teams playing for the one berth. The Regional Champion and in many cases, the runner-up team earned berths to the National Championships. Some Regions were awarded an extra “at-large” berth if they had a larger number of ASA teams registered.

Nelson Painting came from losers bracket to defeat KSF twice; 24-23 and 26-25. Ironically, Nelson was put in the losers bracket by KSF 21-20. On the way to the finals, Nelsons eliminated Jerry’s Catering 30-14 and Howard’s Furniture 27-10, then had to defeat KSF twice. Nelson, trailing 23-20 in the 7th inning of the first championship game, scored 4 runs to win 24-23. Henry Koper led off the inning with his 5th home run of the game. Bruce Meade and Herman Rathman both flied out, then Al White singled and Mighty Joe Young hit a 2-run homer to tie the game. it was his second of the game. Dean Brunken came up and drilled a homer to give Nelsons the lead and they got KSF out in the bottom of the 7th to force the “if” game. Nelsons was leading 26-19 in the bottom of 7th, needing just 3 outs to win, but it wasn’t easy. Sidney Cooper, Charles Wright and Greg Smith all hit 2-run homers to get KSF within one run 26-25, but it wasn’t meant to be. Nelson held on for a 26-25 win. Herman Rathman hit 3 homers and had 8 RBI in the final game.

Bruce Meade, Henry Koper and Joe Young all had 2 HR for Nelsons. James Abercrombie and Charles Wright each hit 3 HR for KSF in the final game.

The powerful Nelson team had 6 players hit more then 10 HR, Meade (22) and Rathman (22) tie for the lead, Koper (15), Young (12), White (11), Bill Howes (11). KSF had Elliott (18), James Abercrombie (15) and Wright (12). 3rd place Howard’s had Don Arndt (13), Stan Harvey (12) and HT Waller (11). Greg Fuhrman hit 16 for 4th place Jerry’s Caterers.

For some reason, Mighty Joe Young was not selected to the All America team despite going 32-38 (.667) with 12 HR and 29 RBI.


  • Co-MVP – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford
  • Co-MVP – Bruce Meade, Nelson Painting
  • HR Leader – Herman Rathman, Nelson Painting – 22
  • HR Leader – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting – 22
  • Batting Leader – Larry Franklin, Mid-State Oil – .762

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders Ford (26-36, .722, 18 HR, 32 RBI, 24 Runs)
P – Henry Koper, Nelson Painting (34-52, .635, 14 HR, 29 RBI, 33 Runs)
C – James Abercrombie, Ken Sanders Ford (19-28, .679, 15 HR, 29 RBI, 24 Runs)
C – John Tercheria, Campbell’s BAM (15-20, .750, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Herman Rathman, Nelson Painting (32-50, .640, 22 HR, 39 RBI, 29 Runs) – set the national tournament home run record with 22.
2B – Jorge Milian, Jerry’s Catering (32-44, .727, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 33 Runs)
3B – Al White, Nelson Painting (36-49, .735, 11 HR, 19 RBI, 28 Runs)
SS – Charles Wright, Ken Sanders Ford (18-34, .529, 12 HR, 24 RBI, 17 Runs)
OF – Bruce Meade, Nelson Painting (32-50, .640, 22 HR, 40 RBI, 33 Runs) – set the national tournament home run record with 22.
OF – Scott McManis, Port City Ford (14-19, .737, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 12 Runs)
OF – Curtis Williams, Jerry’s Catering (25-43, .581, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 21 Runs)
OF – Richard Willborn, Ray Carpenter (21-29, .724, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 16 Runs)
UTIL – Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Catering (26-43, .605, 16 HR, 33 RBI, 29 Runs)
UTIL – Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (18-28, .643, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 15 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Donald Svenson, Ohio Sealants (9-18, .500, 8 RBI, 4 Runs)
P – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (19-34, .559, 13 HR, 16 RBI, 19 Runs)
C – Matthew ‘Chic’ Downing, Fliteline (12-20, .600, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 11 Runs)
C – Ray Fleetwood, Warren Motors (12-21, .571, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 17 Runs)
1B – James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers (27-44, .614, 10 HR, 22 RBI, 20 Runs)
2B – Mike Macenko, Hillcrest Tavern (15-21, .750, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 11 Runs)
3B – Frank Sorrells, Jerry’s Catering (26-43, .605, 12 HR, 27 RBI, 26 Runs)
SS – Terry Perryman, Nelson Painting (27-51, .529, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 23 Runs)
OF – Bob Birdsey, Gartenhaus (10-19, .526, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Sidney Cooper, Ken Sanders Ford (24-35, .686, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 23 Runs)
OF – Jim Underhill, Jerry’s Catering (26-44, .591, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Bill Howes, Nelson Painting (22-38, .579, 11 HR, 26 RBI, 19 Runs)
UTIL – Larry Franklin, Midstate Oil (16-21, .762, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 9 Runs)
UTIL – Mike Parrott, Port City Ford (13-21, .619, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)


OTHERS

“Mighty” Joe Young, Nelson’s (32-48, .667, 12 HR, 29 RBI, 25 Runs)
Ted Larsen, Manning’s (8-8, 1.000, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Lou Russo, Pepsico (6-8, .750, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
Joe Kilby, Haven Tavern (11-15, .733, 3 RBI, 4 Runs)
Anthony Guiliano, St. Margarets (8-11, .727, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
Ted Hocevar, Ohio Sealants (13-18, .722, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Arnold Hawkins, Rule Construction (10-14, .714, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Jerry King, Dubois Chemical (5-7, .714, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
Mike Leadbetter, Trainham (14-20, .700, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Richard Mummaw, Warren Motors (15-22, .682, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs)
Mike Jacobs, Warren Motors (18-27, .667, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 15 Runs)
Garland Dewitt, Mid-State Oil (13-20, .650, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Runs)
David Beaird, Ken Sanders (20-35, .571, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 19 Runs)
Greg Smith, Ken Sanders (20-35, .571, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 18 Runs)
Tony Cloniger, Howards (16-28, .571, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 14 Runs)
Shane Hammell, Ken Sanders (19-34, .559, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 15 Runs)
Ed Green, Campbell’s/Bam (10-18, .556, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Dean Brunken, Nelson’s (25-45, .556, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 19 Runs)
Buddy Salda, Nelson’s (19-36, .528, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 16 Runs)
Gene Fisher, Howards (15-29, .517, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 18 Runs)
Denny Hogan, Howards (17-33, .515, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 17 Runs)
Stan Harvey, Howards (16-32, .500, 12 HR, 26 RBI, 14 Runs)
Joe Konicki, Marone Travel (4-9, .444, 1 RBI, 3 Runs)
Roger Mayo, Ken Sanders (15-34, .441, 6 HR, 9 RBI, 15 Runs)
Ed Roth, Warren Motors (11-25, .440, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (9-1)
2. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (5-2)
3. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (5-2)
4. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (7-2)
5t. Campbell’s Bay Area Merchants, Richmond, CA (3-2)
5t. Gartensenhaus, Plainville, CT (3-2)
7t. Trainham Chevrolet, Rickmond, VA (4-2)
7t. Warren Motors, Jacksonville, FL (4-2)
9t. Ohio Sealants, Parma, OH (4-2)
9t. Ray Carpenter, San Antonio, TX (4-2)
9t. Fliteline, Fort Smith, AR (3-2)
9t. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Port City Ford, Truck Sales, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. Central State Painting, Kansas City, MO (2-2)
13t. Black Aces, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
13t. The Haven Tavern, Tacoma, WA (2-2)
17t. York Barbell, York, PA (1-2)
17t. Armed Forces, Dayton, OH (1-2)
17t. Midstate Oil, Jefferson City, MO (3-2)
17t. Bunca & Frey, Lamamazoo, MI (1-2)
17t. Rule Construction, Oakridge, TN (2-2)
17t. Holy Name Society, Lakewood, OH (2-2)
17t. Surplus City Diablos, Alburquerque, NM (1-2)
17t. Richfield VFW, Richfield, MN (1-2)
25t. Ron Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. St. Margaret’s Club, New Castle, PA (1-2)
25t. Marrone Travel, Westbury, NY (1-2)
25t. Pepsico Incorporated, Levittown, NY (1-2)
25t. Sunset Lounge, White Bear Lake, MN (0-2)
25t. Chico’s, Spokane, WA (1-2)
25t. Mitchell Brothers, Antioch, CA (0-2)
25t. Fraser’s Pub, Ann Arbor, MI (1-2)
33t. Goodrich Service Center, Midland, TX (0-2)
33t. Super Auto, Napa, CA (0-2)
33t. Decathlon, Jackson, MS (0-2)
33t. Taylor Brothers Construction, Providence, RI (0-2)
33t. Dubois Chemical, Columbus, OH (0-2)
33t. Ohio Players, Dayton, OH (0-2)
33t. Miracle’s, Richmond, IN (0-2)
33t. Manning’s, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
33t. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Indianapolis, IN (0-2)

1976 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1976 held at Jacksonville, Florida.


Champion – Warren Motors, Jacksonville, Florida (94-2)
Runner Up – Paul Johnson Company, Indianapolis, Indiana


The championship game started well for Warren Motors right from the start, they won coin flip and elected to hit first. They proceeded to score 19 runs in the first inning.  Paul Johnson was stunned. Ray Fleetwood hit two 3-run homers and then a solo shot in that inning to account for 7 RBI. By the time the game was over, Warren had 37 hits and 14 Home Runs and the final score was 35-19 in favor of Warren Motors.

Fleetwood ended up with 4 HR and Mike Nye was 6-6. The Florida team, who entered the tournament with an incredible 88-2 record, went 6-0 to finish the season with the best record of all time in slow pitch softball (94-2). At one point during the season, Warren Motors won 78 games in a row.

Co-MVP Mike Nye, fittingly won the batting title going 23 for 29 for a .793 average. Nye finished the season with the highest season batting average of all time (.769), a mark which would stand for almost 20 years.  On a side note – This is the second straight year that Long Island’s Mike Foley finished lost the Batting Champion by .004 of a percentage point. In 1975, Foley lost out .737 to .733 and this year, he lost by .004 again as Mike Nye’s .793 edged out Foley’s .789 average.


  • Co-MVP – Ronnie Ford, Warren Motors
  • Co-MVP – Mike Nye, Warren Motors
  • HR Leader – Kenneth Carlton, Green Machine – 13
  • Batting Leader – Mike Nye, Warren Motors  – .793

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lonnie Turner, Warren Motors (13-22, .591, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 15 Runs)
P – Jim Anthony, Paul Johnson Company (16-31, .516, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 10 Runs)
C – Ed Douglas, Green Machine (17-27, .630, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 15 Runs)
C – Bruce Meade, Warren Motors (17-27, .630, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 15 Runs)
1B – Doyle Newby, Bunch Brothers (15-22, .682, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 11 Runs)
2B – Bob Rinehart, Duggan & Duggan (16-28, .571, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 12 Runs)
3B – Kenneth Carlton, Green Machine (19-29, .655, 13 HR, 31 RBI, 17 Runs)
SS – Ronnie Ford, Warren Motors (22-30, .733, 12 HR, 25 RBI, 21 Runs)
OF – Mike Nye, Warren Motors (23-29, .793, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Ray Fleetwood, Warren Motors (21-32, .656, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 15 Runs)
OF – Reggie Soehlig, Warren Motors (18-26, .692, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Jerry King, Dubois Chemical (13-20, .650, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
UTIL – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (14-19, .737, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 11 Runs)
UTIL – Jack Sample, Duggan & Duggan (13-22, .591, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 9 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – John Reilly, Preston Machine (9-16, .563, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
P – Buddy Slater, Ray Carpenter Company 15-27, 556, 4 RBI, 10 Runs)
C – Greg Fuhrman, York Barbells (10-15, .667, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 9 Runs)
C – Dillard Quick, Bunch Brothers (13-23, .565, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
1B – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (11-17, .647, 8 HR, 11 RBI, 10 Runs)
2B – Louis Giovanini, Paul Johnson Company (no info in rule book, stats stop at .500)
3B – Ledon Green, Warren Motors (15-26, .577, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 15 Runs)
SS – Randy Bright, Paul Johnson Company (18-32, .563, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Dick Bartel, Ray Carpenter Company (16-25, .640, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Denny Hogan, Howard’s Furniture (11-17, .647, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – David Brown, Duggan & Duggan (13-23, .565, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
OF – Phil Eads, Paul Johnson Company (no info in rule book, stats stop at .500)
UTIL – Mike Foley, Pepsico (15-19, .789, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 12 Runs)
UTIL – John Johnston, Beef Corral (12-19, .632, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 8 Runs)


OTHERS

Gordon Wheeler, Jerry’s (11-14, .786, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 10 Runs)
Larry Chiapetta, Pepsico (12-18, .667, 2 RBI, 8 Runs)
Roger Snatchko, BYM Club (11-17, .647, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6 Runs)
Ray Corky Kruel, BYM Club (11-17, .647, 1 RBI, 6 Runs)
Bill Gatti, Jiffy Club (7-11, .636, 4 HRs, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
Gary Richter, Pepsico (12-19, .632, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 8 Runs)
Richard Wilborn, Ray Carpenter (16-26, .615, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 12 Runs)
Herman Rathman, Snodgrass & Sons (6-10, .600, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)
Roger Mayo, Bunch Brothers (14-24, .583, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Runs)
Randall Symonds, Green Machine (17-30, .567, 4 RBI, 15 Runs)
HT Waller, Howard’s (10-18, .556, 7 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Lou Russo, Pepsico (7-13, .538, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Bert Smith, Howard’s (10-19, .526, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Runs)
Eddie Corum, Duggan and Duggan (12-23, .522, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
Ron Patterson, Duggan and Duggan (14-27, .519, 8 HR, 16 RBI, 15 Runs)
John Davide, Pepsico (8-16, .500, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
Ed Finnegan, Pepsico (7-14, .500, 1 RBI, 7 Runs)
Cobbie Harrison, Jiffy Club (7-14, .500, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6 Runs)
Al White, Jerry’s (6-12, .500, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 9 Runs)
Steve Loya, Pyramid (5-10, .500, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 4 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Warren Motors, Jacksonville, FL (6-0)
2. Paul Johnson Company, Franklin, IN (6-2)
3. Duggan & Duggan, Chattanooga, TN (4-2)
4. Bunch Brothers, Arab, AL (4-2)
5t. Green Machine, Starke, FL (5-2)
5t. Dubois Chemical, Columbus, OH (4-2)
7t. Ray Carpenter Co., San Antonio, TX (4-2)
7t. Preston Machine, Ansonia, CT (4-2)
9t. Beef Corral, Lakewood, OH (3-2)
9t. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (2-2)
9t. Don Simpson’s Cafe, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
9t. BYM Club, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
13t. Pete Nicholosi, Lafayette, LA (2-2)
13t. York Barbell, York, PA (2-2)
13t. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (2-2)
13t. First Pacific Corp, Salem, OR (2-2)
17t. Pyramid Cafe, Cleveland, OH (1-2)
17t. Gartenhaus, Plainesville, CT (2-2)
17t. Pepsico Incorporated, Levittown, NY (2-2)
17t. Goshen Hutch Trucking, Goshen, OH (1-2)
17t. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (1-2)
17t. Midstate Oil, Jefferson City, MO (1-2)
17t. Addies, Silver Spring, MD (1-2)
17t. Snodgrass & Sons, Wichita, KS (1-2)
25t. T-Wright’s, Hopkins, MN (0-2)
25t. MCU Sports, Boise, ID (0-2)
25t. Bay Area Merchants, Pinole, CA (0-2)
25t. Jet Trophies, Rye, NY (0-2)
25t. Aristocrat Inn, Waukesha, WI (0-2)
25t. Arizona Tortilla, Phoenix, AZ (0-2)
25t. Armed Forces, USA (0-2)
25t. Favorite Knits, Parma, OH (0-2)
33. Goofy’s, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)

1975 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals


1975 held at Cleveland, Ohio.


Champion – Pyramid Cafe, Lakewood, Ohio
Runner Up – Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, North Carolina


Pyramid Cafe became the first team from Cleveland to win the coveted ASA Slow Pitch National Championship. They have had a couple runner-up finishes from Sheffield Bronze in 1958 and 1960, then Swing In finished third twice in 1965 and 1966.  But other than that, its been one heartbreak after another. This year was different, this year, Steve Loya’s name became legendary.

Winners Bracket Semi-Finals, Howard’s Furniture led 10-9 in bottom of 7th, Steve Loya comes up and hits a 3-run walk off home run to win the game 12-10. Dave Jakubs had 2 HR and 5 RBI in the Howard’s victory. Jakubs had 13 RBI in the tournament.

Winners bracket final – Pyramid losing to Poindexter Lumber 9-8 in bottom of 7th inning, once again, Steve Loya hits a walk off homer, this, time a 2-run shot to give Pyramid a 10-9 win.

Poindexter went on to eliminate Howards 13-2 to get another crack at Pyramid.  Poindexter defeats Pyramid 14-8 to send the championship to the “if” game. The game started at 2:00 AM as mist was covering the field. Poindexter jumped out to a 7-6 lead, but Pyramid came back to take a 10-7 lead, added another run to make the final score 11-7.
Cleveland had its first Slow Pitch National Championship.

Fittingly, Steve Loya was the MVP. He played the whole weekend with 8 stitches in his wrist, due to a work accident that sliced his wrist down to the bone.  He wasn’t sure he was going to be able to play!


  • MVP – Steve Loya, Pyramid Café
  • HR Leaders – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture – 7
  • HR Leaders – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture  – 7
  • Batting Leader – Dave Rumppe, Cambridge Square – .737

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Carroll Bonneau, Coastal Rental (8-15, .533, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
P – John Reilly, Preston Machine (12-26, .462, 10 RBI, 9 Runs)
C – Steve Loya, Pyramid Cafe (12-27, .444, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 11 Runs)
C – John Crotty, Preston Machine (16-26, .615, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 6 Runs)
1B – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture (15-27, .556, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 14 Runs)
2B – Dave Obholz, Buck Alley Lumber (9-16, .563, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
3B – Dave Jakubs, Pyramid Cafe (12-27, .444, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
SS – Dave Rumppe, Cambridge Square (14-19, .737, 3 RBI, 10 Runs)
OF – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (17-27, .629, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Mickey Morrison, Poindexter Lumber (19-32, .594, 6 RBI, 15 Runs)
OF – Roger Snatchko, BYM Club (15-24, .625, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Gene Parrish, Goofy’s (9-14, .643, 2 Runs)
UT – Mike Foley, Empire County Sports (11-15, .733, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
UT – Roger Brown, Howard‘s Furniture (no information listed in rule book)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Tony Fein, Cambridge Square (9-16, .563, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
P – Chuck Musgrave, Pyramid Cafe (6-14, .429, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard’s Furniture (12-25, .480, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
C – Wayne Hauser, Poindexter Lumber (11-28, .393, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 7 Runs)
1B – Andy Loya, Pyyramid Cafe (13-24, .542, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
2B – Ray Corky Kruel, BYM Club (10-21, .476, 4 RBI, 9 Runs)
3B – Mike Robertson, Poindexter Lumber (15-26, .577, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
SS – Don Ragozzine, Preston Machine (22-32, .688, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Duane Butch Singer, Plaza 76 (8-13, .615, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
OF – Richard Lee, Tate Chrysler (8-14, .571, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – Jim Sibert, Pyramid Cafe (13-22, .591, 8 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – Gary Markland, Poindexter Lumber (13-23, .565, 7 RBI, 13 Runs)
UT – Jim Galloway, Empire County Sports (11-18, .611, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
UT – Russell Mundy, Poindexter Lumber (16-27, .592, 15 RBI, 10 Runs)


OTHERS

Oscar Steadman, Empire County Sports (3-3, 1.000)
Ron Soft, Buck Alley Lumber (11-16, .688, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 9 Runs)
Sam Molnar, Preston Machine (14-2, .636, 10 RBI, 7 Runs)
Jon Johntony, Beef Corral (10-16, .625, 7 RBI, 9 Runs)
Chic Downing, Buck Alley Lumber (12-20, .600, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 10 Runs)
Ron Ford, Copher Brothers (6-11, .545, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
David Beaird, Tom’s Foods (7-13, .538, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
Bert Smith, Howards (17-32, .531, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 14 Runs)
Denny Hogan, Howards (11-21, .524, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 12 Runs)
Dick Jones, Preston Machine (18-35, .514, 7 RBI, 14 Runs)
Tony Cloniger, Howards (13-26, .500, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 10 Runs)
Bruce Meade, Copher Brothers (5-10, .500, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
Ken Nichols, Poindexter (15-31, .484, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 11 Runs)
Larry Chiapetta, Empire County Sports (8-17, .471, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
Mike Parrott, Coastal Rental (7-15, .467, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs)
John Davide, Empire County Sports (6-13, .462, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Bill Malloy, Empire County Sports (6-13, .462, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
Joe Konicki, Empire County Sports (5-11, .455, 2 RBI, 1 Run)
Joe Czarnecki, Preston Machine (12-28, .429, 8 Runs)
Don Clatterbaugh, GL Howards (3-7, .429, 4 RBI)
Lou Russo, Empire County Sports (8-19, .421, 1 RBI, 7 Runs)
Gary Richter, Empire County Sports (7-17, .412, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
Herman Rathman, Buck Alley Lumber (6-15, .400, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 5 Runs)
Dave Carroll, Howard’s (7-19, .368, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Pyramid Cafe, Cleveland, OH (6-1)
2. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC (6-2)
3. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (5-2)
4. Preston Machine, Hamden, CT (6-2)
5t. BYM Club, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
5t. Bell Pick Up, Wyoming, MI (3-2)
7t. Cambridge Square, Des Moines, IA (3-2)
7t. Tate Crysler, Pasadena, MD (3-2)
9t. Buck Alley Lumber, Wichita, KS (3-2)
9t. Goofy’s, Minneapolis, MN (3-2)
9t. Fiori’s Music, Santa Rosa, CA (3-2)
9t. Empire County Sports, Levittown, NY (3-2)
13t. Coastal Renting, Houston, TX (2-2)
13t. Plaza 76, Mansfield, OH (2-2)
13t. Beef Coral-Holy Name, Lakewood, OH (2-2)
13t. Teamsters #293, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
17t. Tom’s Foods, Phoenix City, AL (2-2)
17t. Stuart National Bank, Stuart, FL (1-2)
17t. Rockholt Furniture, Decatur, TN (1-2)
17t. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
17t. Desjardins, Milton, VT (1-2)
17t. Flite-Line OBX, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
17t. Copher Brothers, Bradenton, FL (1-2)
17t. Dugout Hal’s, Ithaca, NY (1-2)
25t. MCU Sports, Boise ID (1-2)
25t. Wilsman Trucking, Hamilton, OH (0-2)
25t. Atlantic Sales, Portsmouth, VA (0-2)
25t. Farnsworth Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. Sports West, Hopkins, MN (0-2)
25t. Sportsworld, Lexington, KY (0-2)
25t. Slitz of Fondy, Fond du Lac, WI (0-2)
25t. G.L. Howard Athletics, Richmond, VA (0-2)
33t. Kwajalein Islands, Marshall Islands (0-2)
33t. Tower Grove Bank, St. Louis, MO (0-2)

1974 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1974 held at York, Pennsylvania.


Champion – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina (117-14)
Runner Up – Jerry’s Catering, Miami, Florida (92-12)


With its 18-6 victory over Jerry’s Catering of Miami in the final game, Howard’s Furniture became the first team to win back-to-back titles since Jim’s Sports Shop of Pittsburgh turned the trick in 1964-65.

The 1974 meet was no home run derby, but a true test of overall ability. Only 116 HR were hit in 67 games at this year’s National in York with the 300′ fence and a more restricted flight ball and very windy conditions, compared to the 727 in 67 games during last year’s national in Cleveland. Howard’s alone hit 126 last season.

Jerry’s came out of the loser’s bracket winning seven straight games, scored 5 runs in the 6th inning to come back and beat Howard’s in the first game of finals 13-12, to force the ‘if’ game.

Howard’s came back to win the Championship via a 18-6 win. Howard’s had hit 1246 home runs in their 137 games during the season. They only hit 23 in the 8 games they played this weekend. Gene Fisher led Howard’s with 7. Stan Harvey (5), Don Arndt (4), Bert Smith (4) and HT Waller (2) all future hall of famers were held way below their average.

Even the greatest home run hitter in national tournament play, Jim Galloway only mustered 1 HR in his 20 at bats. Of the 28 players selected for the All-America teams, 14 or half of them did not hit one single HR. And the other 14 players hit 46 total.

The first game ended Jerry’s 13-12, Berth Smith hit a 3 run homer with Dennis Hogan and HT Waller on base to make the score 13-12 and then the two Howards legends Don Arndt and Stan Harvey both flied out trying to tie the score with a HR. Eventual MVP Roger Brown was 1 for 4.

In the clinching game, H.T. Waller was 4 for 5, with a two run triple scoring Tommy Maiden and Dennis Hogan to give Howards a 4-2 lead.  Howards then piled up another 12 runs to win going away

In the two Final games,

  • HT Waller was 6-9 with 3 RBI and 5 runs scored.
  • Bert Smith was 5-8 with a 3-run homer, 7 RBI and 2 runs scored.

The three Howards Hall of Fame legends that tried to hit HR all weekend with a dead ball were:

  • Stan Harvey was 2 for 8.
  • Gene Fisher was 3-8 with a solo HR and 3 runs scored.
  • Don Arndt was 4 for 8 with a HR, 2 RBI, and 4 runs scored.

Roger Brown was named MVP, who went 1 for 4 in the first game and 2 for 3 in the second game with 2 RBI, and scored 2 runs total in both games. He was 3 for 7 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored in the total tournament. He did have the highest average of all the Howard’s players going 16-25 (.640), an inside the park home run, 8 RBI and 8 Runs scored.  He did play a great left field. As everybody was trying to hit home runs, he got a lot of balls.


  • MVP – Roger Brown, Howard’s Furniture
  • HR Leader – Al White, Jerry’s Catering – 10
  • Batting Leader – Ron Waldron, Adair Landscaping – .733

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Ernie Yaroshuk, Jerry’s Catering (15-32, .469, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
P – David Carroll, Howard’s Furniture (13-29, .448, 5 RBI, 10 Runs)
C – Ron Patterson, Thurman Bryant (11-21, .524, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 7 Runs)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard’s Furniture (12-28, .429, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
1B – Al White, Jerry‘s Catering (22-38, .579, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 18 Runs)
2B – Dan Denton, Champion Landscaping (11-19, .579, 8 RBI, 7 Runs)
3B – Butch Adams, Howard‘s Furniture (11-21, .524, 5 RBI, 8 Runs)
SS – Ron Waldron, Adair Landscaping (11-15, .733, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
OF – Stan Harvey, Howard’s Furniture (15-31, .484, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Roger Brown, Howard‘s Furniture (16-25, .640, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 9 Runs) – plus played tremendous left field with diving catches, throwing out runners.
OF – James Washington, Jerry’s Catering (24-41, .585, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 17 Runs)
OF – David Johnson, Champion Landscaping (14-23, .609, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
UT – Mike Foley, Empire County Astros (12-22, .545, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 8 Runs)
UT – John Davide, Empire County Astros (11-17, .647, 7 RBI, 5 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Al Culbertson, Champion Landscaping (7-21, .333, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
P – Clyde Stafford, Wilsman Trucking (5-14, .357, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
C – Al Jones, Champion Landscaping (9-14, .643, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs)
C – Rich Powell, Jerry’s Catering (17-46, .370, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 14 Runs)
1B – Don Arndt, Howard’ Furniture (19-32, .594, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 13 Runs)
2B – Dave Brizzie, Jerry’s Catering (16-32, .500, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 10 Runs)
3B – Dave Jakubs, Pyramid Cafe (8-18, .444, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
SS – Ed Finnegan, N.E. Sports Center (13-18, .722, 3 RBI, 8 Runs)
OF – Matt Kruger, Schlitz of Fondy (10-17, .588, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 Runs)
OF – Jim Wessel, Wilsman Trucking (12-20, .600, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – George Pringie, Jerry’s Catering (25-47, .532, 10 RBI, 17 Runs)
OF – Tom Maiden, Howard’s Furniture (16-27, .593, 7 RBI, 8 Runs)
UT – Dave Rumppe, Cambridge Square (11-13, .846, 3 RBI, 6 Runs)
UT – Huck Smith, Thurman Bryant (14-24, .583, 7 RBI, 10 Runs)


OTHERS

Micky Morrison, Champion Landscaping (12-22, .545, 3 RBI, 9 Runs)
Bert Smith, Howard’s (17-32, .531, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 14 Runs)
Lou Russo, Empire County Sports (9-17, .529, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
HT Waller, Howard’s (18-35, .514, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 14 Runs)
Jorge Millan, Jerry’s (19-40, .475, 6 RBI, 14 Runs)
Richard Wilborn, Anchor Lounge (6-13, .462, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
Larry Chiapetta, Empire County Sports (10-22, .455, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 Runs)
Mike Gouin, Little Caesars (3-7, .429, 2 Runs)
Don Clatterbaugh, Howard’s Athletics (3-7, .429, 2 Runs)
Denny Hogan, Howard’s (15-36, .417, 7 RBI, 13 Runs)
Andy Loya, Pyramid (7-17, .412, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)
Jim Galloway, Empire County Sports (8-20, .400, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
Bob Harrison, Wilsman Trucking (7-18, .389, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
Henry Koper, Nelson’s (5-13, .385, 4 RBI, 1 Run)
Steve Loya, Pyramid (7-19, .368, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Buddy Slater, Anchor Lounge (4-12, .333, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Mike Axelson, Little Caesars (2-6, .333, 1 RBI)
Jim Pucket, Little Caesars (2-6, .333)
Bill Cole, Little Caesars (2-6, .333, 1 Run)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (7-1)
2. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (9-2)
3. Champion Landscaping, King’s Mountain, NC (4-2)
4. Thurman Bryant, Chattanooga, TN (5-2)
5t. Schlitz of Fondy, Fond du Lac, WI (3-2)
5t. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (3-2)
7t. Wilsman Trucking, Hamilton, OH (4-2)
7t. Empire County Astros, Levittown, NY (4-2)
9t. Adair Landcaping, Orlando, FL (2-2)
9t. Cambridge Square, Seattle, WA (2-2)
9t. Sorrento Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
9t. Nelson Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2)
13t. Pyramid Cafe, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Anchor Lounge, San Antonio, TX (2-2)
13t. Armed Forces, Washington, D.C., USA (2-2)
13t. Hello Dolly Lounge, White Bear Lake, MN (1-2)
17t. Artichoke Joe’s, San Bruno, CA (1-2)
17t. North End Sports Center, Bridgeport, CT (1-2)
17t. Associated Insurance Agency, Wichita, KS (1-2)
17t. Ern-Els Lounge, Baltimore, MD (1-2)
17t. Ron’s Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2)
17t. Non-Ferrous Metals, Cleveland, OH (1-2)
17t. New Era Dye, York, PA (2-2)
17t. Maplewood Plumbing, Maplewood, MN (1-2)
25t. Triton Petroleum, Wichita, KS (0-2)
25t. Best Products, Richmond, VA (0-2)
25t. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI (0-2)
25t. Playboy Lounge, Kenewick, WA (0-2)
25t. Howard’s Athletics, Richmond, VA (0-2)
25t. Medico Tile, Manchester, NH (0-2)
25t. Jim’s Sports Shop Hard Hats, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
25t. Tom’s Foods, Columbus, GA (0-2)
33t. Steele’s Automotive, Lima, OH (0-2)
33t. Big Z, Trenton, NJ Forfeit

1973 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals


1973 held at Cleveland, Ohio.


Champion – Howard’s Furniture, Denver, North Carolina (104-18)
Runner Up – Empire County Astros, Levittown, New York (66-19)


County Sports beat Howard’s in the winner’s bracket final 44-32 as County Sports hit 24 home runs in the game, 14 HR in one inning off Don Arndt, but Howard’s came back to eliminate Little Caesars 27-14 and then Howard’s scored 53 runs off Pitcher Jim Galloway in the two final games as they beat County Sports 27-26 and again 29-11 to win the title.

Bert Smith broke HT Waller’s HR record of 16 set in 1969. Smith hit 21 HR. HT Waller (20), Stan Harvey (19), Don Arndt (18) and Gene Fisher (13) of Howard’s all bettered the record also. 727 total HR were hit in the 67 tournament games. Smith hit 7 in a row at one point and was named the National MVP for the third time in his career.

For County Sports, Jim Galloway and Mike Foley both hit 16 HR, John Davide and Larry Chiapetta hit 14 each, Joe Konicki (11), Bill Malloy (10). Third Place Little Caesars also had some impressive numbers, led by Jim Puckett (18), Mike Axelson (12) and Tex Collins (11).

This national provided some of the offensive greatest slugfests of all time. Long Island’s Jim Galloway has made the All America team for the 8th time in 11 years …. at 7 different positions (1963-1B, 1964-OF, 1966-IF, 1967-3B, 1968-2B, 1969 & 1972-UT, 1973-P).


  • MVP – Bert Smith, Howard’s Furniture
  • HR Leader – Bert Smith, Howard’s Furniture – 21
  • Batting Leader – Bob Boysen, Duff’s Inn – .833

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard Furniture (29-43, .674, 18 HR, 23 RBI, 28 Runs)
P – Jim Galloway, Empire County Astros (30-41, .732, 16 HR, 28 RBI, 26 Runs)
C – Joe Konicki, Empire County Astros (27-36, .750, 11 HR, 23 RBI, 25 Runs)
C – Tex Collins, Little Caesars (20-37, .541, 11 HR, 19 RBI, 20 Runs)
1B – Bob Voss, Little Caesars (19-30, .633, 10 HR, 18 RBI, 16 Runs)
2B – Bob Boysen, Duff’s Inn (15-18, .833, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
3B – Mike Axelson, Little Caesars (30-39, .769, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 26 Runs)
SS – John Davide, Empire County Astros (26-30, .667, 14 HR, 30 RBI, 23 Runs)
OF – Jim Puckett, Little Caesars (23-41, .561, 18 HR, 33 RBI, 20 Runs)
OF – Bert Smith, Howard’s (25-34, .735, 21 HR, 38 RBI, 28 Runs) – 21 home runs sets the national tournament record
OF – Mike Foley, Empire County Astros (29-41, .707, 16 HR, 35 RBI, 27 Runs)
UTIL – Stan Harvey, Howard’s (23-34, .657, 19 HR, 26 RBI, 23 Runs)
UTIL – Ron Potter, Jiffy Club (17-25, .680, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 13 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Phil Schroer, Jiffy Club (19-26, .731, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 17 Runs)
P – Tony Mazza, Little Caesars (23-41, .548, 5 RBI, 19 Runs)
C – Gene Fisher, Howard Furniture (21-37, .658, 13 HR, 20 RBI, 20 Runs)
C – Frank Sorrells, Smith Plumbing (16-24, .667, 8 HR, 13 RBI, 14 Runs)
1B – Cobbie Harrison, Jiffy Club (16-27, .592, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 10 Runs)
2B – HT Waller, Howard Furniture (27-39, .692, 20 HR, 25 RBI, 27 Runs)
3B – Jim Kuhn, Queen City Pattern (12-17, .706, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 10 Runs)
SS – Nick Sessoms, Virginia Doors (18-23, .783, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Mike Gouin, Little Caesars (32-43, .744, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 25 Runs)
OF – Larry Chiapetta, Empire County Astros (24-37, 649, 14 HR, 25 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Gary Richter, Empire County Astros (22-31, .710, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 19 Runs)
OF – Tommy Maiden, Howard Furniture (18-40, .450, 8 HR, 12 RBI, 15 Runs)
UTIL – Mac Chandler, Non Ferrous Metal (18-27, .667, 10 HR, 19 RBI, 17 Runs)
UTIL – Bill Malloy, Empire County Astros (23-37, .622, 10 HR, 17 RBI, 24 Runs)


OTHER PLAYERS

Bill Tolbert, Smith Plumbing (18-23, .783, 12 HR, 20 RBI, 6 Runs)
Johnny Dollar, VA Door (16-23, .696, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 12 Runs)
Steve Loya, Champion Sports (6-9, .667, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
Tony Cloniger, Howard’s (21-32, .656, 13 HR, 22 RBI, 18 Runs)
Bill Gatti, Jiffy Club (17-26, .654, 8 HR, 17 RBI, 18 Runs)
Preston Powell, Non Ferrous (16-25, .640, 10 HR, 23 RBI, 16 Runs)
Roger Wilt, Non Ferrous (17-27, .630, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 16 Runs)
Henry Koper, Major Brands (10-16, .625, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 7 Runs)
Denny Hogan, Howards (23-38, .605, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 18 Runs)
Ed Finnegan, North End Sports (6-10, .600, 2 RBI, 6 Runs)
Bob Malicki, Little Caesars (21-36, .583, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 17 Runs)
Bill Cole, Little Caesars (20-35, .571, 9 HR, 19 RBI, 19 Runs)
Bob Shugman, Empire County Astros (18-34, .529, 5 RBI, 16 Runs)
Lou Russo, Empire County Astros (19-37, .514, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 15 Runs)
Joe Gauci, Little Caesars (1-2, .500, 1 Run)
Joe Petrillo, Empire County Astros  (14-31, .452, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 13 Runs)
Craig Elliott, Valley Merchants (7-16, .438, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (7-1)
2. Empire County Astros, Levittown, NY (6-2)
3. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI (7-2)
4. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (4-2)
5t. Non-Ferrous Metal Fab, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
5t. Buck Smith Plumbing, Fort Walton Beach, FL (3-2)
7t. Southern Fastener, Mobile, AL (4-2)
7t. Virginia Doors, Chesapeake, VA (3-2)
9t. Decatur Oxygen, Decatur, IL (3-2)
9t. BYM Club, Pitteburgh, PA (2-2)
9t. Major Brands, Oklahoma City, OK (2-2)
9t. Scott County Merchants, Stamping Ground, KY (4-2)
13t. Duff’s Inn, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
13t. Valley Merchants, Phoenix City, AL (2-2)
13t. Queen City Pattern, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
13t. Joe’s Merchants, Redwood City, CA (3-2)
17t. Hopkins 908, Hopkins, MN (1-2)
17t. Cee Bass Realty, Portsmouth, VA (1-2)
17t. North End Sports, Bridgeport, CT (1-2)
17t. Greenbelt Shell, Fulton, MD (1-2)
17t. Number One Lounge, Cleveland, OH (1-2)
17t. Wilsman Truckers, Hamilton, OH (1-2)
17t. Carlucci Brothers, Port Chester, NY (1-2)
17t. Rudder COnstruction, Knoxville, TN (1-2)
25t. Hasco Incorporated, Salem, OR (1-2)
25t. Austin & Austin, Greely, CO (0-2)
25t. Champion Sports, Parma, OH (0-2)
25t. KCOR Radio, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
25t. Mit-Way, Emporia, KS (0-2)
25t. Worthington Steel, Columbus, OH (0-2)
25t. Domestic Walls, Worcester, MA (0-2)
25t. Armed Forces All Stars, USA (0-2)
33t. Triton Brothers, Wichita, KS (0-2)
33t. Buck’s Bar, Billings, MT (0-2)

1972 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1972 tournament held at Drew Memorial Softball Complex in Jacksonville, Florida on September 2-4.


Champion – Jiffy’s Club, Louisville, Kentucky (80-12)
Runner Up – Triton Petroleum, Wichita, Kansas


Jiffy Club of Louisville, Ky., completed a 6-0 record Monday to win the national slow pitch softball tournament.

Jiffy defeated Triton Petroleum of Wichita, Kan., 24-14, in the finals after winning by 23-15 over the same team in the winners’ bracket finals or the double-elimination event.

It was Jiffy’s first title after many national appearances.

Warren Motors of Jacksonville finished third, suffering both losses to the surprising Triton team which was competing in its first national tourney.

Triton dumped Warren, 16-14, in the third round, then clipped the Jacksonville power by 19-17 in the losers’ bracket finals after Warren got past such teams as Long Island, N.Y., Empire Astros, 21-20, Little Ceasar’s of Detroit, 27-26, and Howard’s Furniture of Denver, N.C., 19-15, along with Mr. D’s of Seattle, Wash., 17-5.

in the Warren-Little Caesar’s game, the Jacksonville team jumped out 15-0 in the first three innings only to see the Detroit giants come back with 19 runs in the next two innings. Warren rallied for eight runs in the top of the seventh on four home runs and held on.

Howard’s finished in fourth place while Mr. D’s and Shaeffer Post of Trenton, N.J., tied for fifth and Little Ceasar’s and Stauffer of Warren, ID., tied for seventh. Shaeffer won six straight in the losers’ bracket before falling to Howard’s, 11-8.

Defending champion Virginia Beach, Va., was only 1-2, losing first to Jo’s-Smith of Milton, 33-31, and then to Rudder Construc-tion of Knoxville, Tenn. Jo’s-Smith tied for ninth while Valley Merchants of Phenix City, Ala., tied for 12th along with Rudder. Jerry’s of Miami, another Southern entry, was down the list at 1-2, losing both of its games to Little Ceasar’s.

H. T. Waller’s national home run record survived an early onslaught. He hit 16 while playing with runner-up Jo’s in 1969. Don Arndt of Howard’s, after hitting 12 in his first four games, ended up with 15 while Bill Gatti of Jiffy, who hit six in one game, and Al White of Warren both hit 14. Wailer played with Virginia Beach this year, hitting seven in the three games while going 12 for 13. Toby Harrison was the top hitter of the tournament (on 15 or more at bats) with an .827 mark for Jiffy.


  • MVP – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture
  • HR Leaders – Bill Gatti, Jiffy Club – 14
  • HR Leaders – Al White, Warren Motor’s – 14
  • Batting Leader – Cobbie Harrison, Jiffy Club – .906

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard Furniture (21-28, .750, 13 HR, 23 RBI, 19 Runs ) – won the MVP award, even though his team finished 4th.
P – Bob Auten, Little Caesars (12-21, .571, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12 Runs)
C – Van Jenkins, Warren Motors (22.34, .647, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 21 Runs)
C – Randall Elser, Stauffer’s Realty (14, 23, .609, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Cobbie Harrison, Jiffy Club (29-32, .906, 13 HR, 22 RBI, 24 Runs)
2B – Ron Yates, Howard Furniture (13-23, .565, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
3B – Doug Majhers, Triton Petroleum (20-27, .747, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 15 Runs)
SS – Mike Casey, Jiffy Club (15-29, .517, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Jack Davis, Mr. D’s (16-23, .696, 8 HR, 18 RBI, 15 Runs)
OF – Bill Gatti, Jiffy Club (20-28, .714, 15 HR, 28 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Reggie Soehlig, Warren Motors (24-37, .649, 11 HR, 21 RBI, 21 Runs)
OF – John Spadaccino, Schaefer Post (23-32, .719, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 16 Runs)
UT – Jim Galloway, Empire County Astros (16-23, .696, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 15 Runs)
UT – Stan Patykula, Schaefer Post (20-30, .667, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 15 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Dennis Parrish, Warren Motors (17-33, .519, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 13 Runs)
P – Joe Sims, Jiffy Club (no info)
C – Dan King, Jiffy Club (19-30, .633, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 17 Runs)
C – Preston Powell, Non Ferrous (12-19, .632, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Al White, Warren Motors (30-36, .833, 14 HR, 33 RBI, 26 Runs)
2B – Frank Sorrells, Jo’s-Smith (10-15, .667, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
3B – Bill Malloy, Empire County Astros (17-23, .739, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 16 Runs)
SS – Steve Dixon, Warren Motors (no info)
OF – Joe Lowry, Jiffy Club (22-32, .688, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 20 Runs)
OF – Steve Shurina, Empire County Astros (17-23, .739, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Larry Migliaccio, Schaefer Post (18-31, .581, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 16 RBIs)
OF – Ron Kasa, Schaefer Post (19-31, .631, 11 HR, 23 RBI, 20 Runs)
UT – Mac Richardson, Howard Furniture  (14-22, .636, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 11 Runs)
UT – Larry Berger, Triton Petroleum (19-28, .679, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 14 Runs)


OTHERS

H.T. Waller, Piledrivers (12-13, .923, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
Phil Higgins, Copper Hearth (6-8, .750, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
Bill Cole, Little Caesars (18-25, .720, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 12 Runs)
Bert Smith, Piledrivers (10-14, .714, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 11 Runs)
Phil Schroer, Jiffy Club (19-27, .704, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 24 Runs)
Ron Potter, Jiffy Club (19-28, .679, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 14 Runs)
Roger Brown, Howard Furniture (17-26, .654, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 17 Runs)
Mike Foley, Empire County Astros (17-27, .630, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 15 Runs)
Mike Gouin, Little Caesars (17-27, .630, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 14 Runs)
Artie Kearns, Schaeffer Post (15-24, .625, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 14 Runs)
Gary LaDue, Little Caesars (15-24, .625, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
Tony Mazza, Little Caesars (17-29, .586, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 14 Runs
Tex Collins, Little Caesars (14-24, .583, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
Rick Scherr, Copper Hearth (7-12, .583, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Gene Fisher, Howard Furniture (15-26, .577, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 15 Runs)
Gary Richter, Empire Astros (12-21, .571, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 6 Runs)
Mike Nye, Warren Motors (21-37, .568, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 22 Runs)
Jim Puckett, Little Caesars (10-18, .556, 2 HR, 5 HR, 6 RBI)
Randy Gorrell, Howard Furniture (15-27, .556, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 16 Runs)
James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers (6-11, .545, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 6 Runs)
Darrell Leake, Warren Motors (21-38, .533, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 19 Runs)
Lou Russo, Empire County Astros (13-26, .520, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 15 Runs)


FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (6-0)
2. Triton Petroleum, Wichita, KS (5-2)
3. Warren Motors, Jacksonville, FL (6-2)
4. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (4-2)
5t. Mr. D’s, Seattle, WA (3-2)
5t. Schaeffer Post 458, Trenton, NJ (6-2)
7t. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI (4-2)
7t. Stauffer’s Realty, Warren, OH (4-2)
9t. Greenbelt Shell, Fulton, MD (2-2)
9t. Non-Ferrous Metals, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
9t. Empire County Astros, Levittown, NY (3-2)
9t. Jo’s Pizza-Smith Plumbing, Milton, FL (2-2)
13t. Valley Merchants, Phoenix City, AL (2-2)
13t. Virginia Doors, Chesapeake, VA (2-2)
13t. Turner Welding, San Antonio, TX (2-2)
13t. Rudder Construction, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
17t. Cee Bass Realty. Portsmouth, VA (1-2)
17t. Copper Hearth, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Hauck’s Cafe, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
17t. Pizza Hut, Wichita, KS (1-2)
17t. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (1-2)
17t. Ronnie’s, Greenwich, CT (1-2)
17t. Downtown Ford, Sacramento, CA (1-2)
17t. Indian Lake Piledrivers, Virginia Beach, VA (1-2)
25t. Brookline Young Men’s Club, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
25t. Priced Rite Trophies, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. Stroh’s Beer, Springfield, OH (0-2)
25t. Maplewood Plumbing & Heating, Maplewood, MN (0-2)
25t. Village Inn Pizza, Bozeman, MT (0-2)
25t. M&C Trucking, Worcester, MA (0-2)
25t. T.A.O., Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
25t. Armed Services All Stars, USA (0-2)
33. Lakeshore Sands, Euclid, OH (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)