Category: ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch

1966 held at Parma, Ohio

Champion – Michael’s Lounge, Detroit, Michigan (72-11)
Runner Up – County Sports, Levittown, New York (81-9)

After losing to two-time defending champ, Skip Athletic Club 13-5 in their first game and then a rain delay in which more then 2 inches of rain fell, County Sports won 10 straight games the last 31 hours to reach the finals.

Michael’s Lounge, behind MVP Mike Axelson, beat Swing Inn of Cleveland 20-4 in the winner’s bracket finals and then sat back as County Sports beat Cleveland’s Swing Inn in a 18-17 slug fest behind the home run heroics of Jim Galloway.

In less than ideal conditions, Big Jim Galloway (11 HR) and pitcher Bill Brown (.690 batting average) led County Sports, who scored 174 runs and gave up 87 runs in that span, all the way back to the finals. All total, they scored 179 runs and hit 41 HR.

All those game took its toll on the Long Islanders as Michael’s Lounge defeated them 10-0 in the championship. Michael’s had 14 hits to County Sports. MVP Mike Axelson went 5-5 with 3 HR in the Championship game to lead Michael’s.

• MVP – Mike Axelson, Michael’s Lounge
• Outstanding Pitcher Award – Bill Brown, County Sports
• HR Leader – Jim Galloway, County Sports – 11
• Batting Leader – Mike Axelson, Michael’s Lounge – .793

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bill Brown, County Sports (10-2 Pitching and 20-29, .690, 8 HR, 24 RBI, pitched all 12 games and gave up less then 10 runs a game)
C – Howie Krause, Swing Inn (14-24, .583, 3 HR, 11 RBI)
IF – Mike Axelson, Michael’s Lounge (23-29, .793, 5 HR, 12 RBI)
IF – Jim Galloway, County Sports (20-41, .488, 11 HR, 29 RBI, tied all time national tournament HR record)
IF – Bob Harrison, Wilsman Trucking (11-23, ,478, 8 HR, 15 RBI)
IF – Wally Galba, Michael’s Lounge (14-24, .583, HR, 10 RBI)
IF – Steve Loya, Swing Inn (16-24, .667, 5 HR, 12 RBI)
OF – Mike Gouin, Michael’s Lounge (11-21, .524, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
OF – Stu Levine, Helf-Erie Sheet Metal (16-21, .762, 10 RBI)
OF – Fred Maas, Copper Hearth (14-19, .737, 19 RBI)
OF – Mort Weinberg, NYC Titans (13-21, .619, 3 HR, 9 RBI)

OTHERS

Charles Forte, County Sports (29-37, .784)
Gerry Lyle, Jo’s Pizza (17-25, .740)
Ed Nadolski, Michael’s Lounge (15-24, .625)
Lou Del Mastro, Skip Athletic Club (8-15, .533, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Bob Brunner, Wilsman Trucking (13-25, .520, 4 HR, 9 Runs)
Ray Zawaszki, Wilsman Trucking (15-29, .517, 10 Runs)
George Siford, Skip Athletic Club (8-16, .500, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
Mike Kovach, Skip Athletic Club (9-18, .500, 2 RBI, 6 Runs
Gene Branham, Wilsman Trucking (14-28, .500, 11 Runs)
Al Waltz, Michael’s Lounge (11-22, .500)
Don Nuxhall, Wilsman Trucking (11-23, .478, 4 HR, 8 Runs)
Paul Tomasovich, Skip Athletic Club (8-17, .471, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Bill Cole, Michael’s Lounge (12-27, .444)
Jim Puckett, Michael’s Lounge (10-23, .435)
Miller Adams, Skip Athletic Club (3-7, .429, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 Runs)
Tom Trompics, Michael’s Lounge (8-19, .420)
Tex Collins, Michael’s Lounge (10-24, .417)
Jim Wessell, Wilsman Trucking (10-26, .385, 3 HR, 9 Runs)
Len Mackalavage, County Sports (4 HR, 17 RBI)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Michael’s Lounge, Detroit, MI (7-0)
2. County Sports, Levittown, NY (10-2)
3. Swing Inn, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
4. Wilsman Trucking, Hamilton, OH (6-2)
5t. Copper Hearth, Milwaukee, WI (4-2)
5t. NYC Titans, Maspeth-Queens, NY (4-2)
7t. Helf-Erie Sheet Metal, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
7t. Vigilant AA, York, PA (6-2)
9t. Brookline Young Men’s Club, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
9t. Jo’s Pizza, Milton, FL (3-2)
9t. Seymour Merchants, Seymour, IN (3-2)
9t. Gonzalez Mexican Foods, Richmond, CA (3-2)
13t. B.B. Stone Insurance, Georgetown, KY (4-2)
13t. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (4-2)
13t. Yuci’s Boys Club, Port Chester, NY (4-2)
13t. Skip Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)
17t. Blair’s Tavern, Wilmington, DE (3-2)
17t. Family Tavern, Washington, DC (3-2)
17t. Mt. Carmel, Joliet-Chicago, IL (2-2)
17t. Chadwick Construction, Meriden, CT (2-2)
17t. Falstaffers, Rock Hill, SC (2-2)
17t. St. Louis Metro, MO (2-2)
17t. J.P. Clyde, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
17t. Stonefingers, Parkersburg, WV (2-2)
25t. Spearville AMPRO, Dodge City, KS (2-2)
25t. Mass. State-Worcester, MA (2-2)
25t. Duff’s/Westrum’s, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
25t. Livingston All Stars, Newark, NJ (2-2)
25t. Holden, Worcester, MA (2-2)
25t. Huffman Oil, Burlington, NC (2-2)
25t. The Texans, San Antonio, TX (2-2)
25t. Mike’s Bar, Toledo, OH (2-2)
33t. Sportsland, Battle Creek, MI (1-2)
33t. M.B. Hagen Company, Hopkins, MN (1-2)
33t. Earl’s Tap, Providence, RI (1-2)
33t. Granite City, Madison, IL (1-2)
33t. Donaldsville Independents, New Orleans, LA (1-2)
33t. Hayes, Birmingham, AL (1-2)
33t. City Glass, Omaha, NE (1-2)
33t. Standard Industrial Laundries, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
33t. Players Tavern, Tacoma, WA (1-2)
33t. Twi-Lite Drive-In, Great Falls, MT (1-2)
33t. Mark’s Brothers, Miami, FL (1-2)
33t. First Federal Savings & Loans, Mobile, AL (1-2)
33t. Weeks Dairy, Dover, NH (0-2)
33t. Gene Lobe Rich Heat, Bremerton, WA (0-2)
33t. Icore Industries, Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (0-2)
33t. Falstaff Bar, Fort Smith, AR (0-2)
49t. Okay Tires, Twin Falls, ID (0-2)
49t. Berry Brothers, Fredericksburg, VA (0-2)
49t. Becker’s, Waukesha, WI (0-2)
49t. Haskin’s Sporting Goods, Burlington, IA (0-2)
49t. Townhouse Motor Inn, Kansas City, MO (0-2)
49t. Jacksonville Metro, FL (0-2)
49t. Elliot Sales, Rome, GA (0-2)
49t. Canton Butane, Canton, MS (0-2)
49t. Bankers Life Insurance, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
49t. Hillcrest Lounge, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
49t. Strats, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
49t. Ragu Foods, Rochester, NY (0-2)
49t. R.I.T.C., Buffalo, NY (0-2)
49t. Taco Bell, Mesa, AZ (0-2)

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)

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)

1962 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

Champion – Skip Hogan Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (55-11)
Runner Up – East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, Michigan (49-3)

Plateau Athletic Club eliminated Sheffield Bronze 6-5 on a walk-off single by George O’Neil. Then East Side Sporting Goods, behind the hot bat of Bill Cole (triple and single) eliminated Plateau Athletic Club 5-1 to reach the final. Paul Tomasovich electrified the crowd in his first at bat when he hit a home run over the 30 foot high fence in right center.

East Side Sporting Goods came back with Bill Cole’s double being the big blow to take a 4-1 lead. The Pittsburgh crew came back in the 5th inning as Ron Kaintz and Mike Kovach both had back-to-back run scoring singles. They both scored on Jimmy Watts’ triple tying the score at 4 each. Skips winning run came in the 6th as Mike Orlando’s double plated Billy Caye who had singled. Bimbo McKenzie chipped in with 2 hits, including a RBI Double.

The magical pitching of Lou Del Mastro kept the Detroit bats quiet in the top of the 7th to preserve a 5-4 championship for Skip Hogan. John Stone of Milwaukee set a new home run record with 11. Paul Tomasovich led Skip Hogan for the weekend (12-18, .667, with 4 doubles, 3 triples, 2 HR and 6 RBI). Del Mastro (9-15, .600, 4 doubles, 4 triples, while scoring 10 runs) and Kovach (9-17, . 529). Skip Hogan finished the season with a 39-6 record.

• MVP – Bill Cole, East Side Sporting Goods
• HR Leader – John Stone, Enterprise Bar – 11
• Batting Leader – Bill Cole, East Side Sporting Goods – .758

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Lou Delmastro, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (5-0 pitching, 9-15, .600, 4 2B, 4 3B, 8 RBI, 10 Runs)
C – Bill Cole, East Side Sporting Goods (22-29, .758)
1B – John Stone, Enterprise Bar (11 HR, 19 RBI – the 11 home runs set the national tournament home run record)
2B – Bob Beier, Plateau Athletic Club
3B – Wally Galba, East Side Sporting Goods
SS – Mike Kovach, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (9-17, .529)
SF – Mort Weinburg, Plateau Athletic Club
OF – Gene Gedeon, Sheffield Bronze (17-23, .739)
OF – Jim Pucket, East Side Sporting Goods (14-24, .587, 10 HR)
OF – Mike Orlando, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (11-15, .733)
OF – Paul Tomasovich, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (12-18, .667, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

HONORABLE MENTION

Vin Brannigan, Plateau Athletic Club
Neil O’Neill, Plateau Athletic Club

OTHERS

Carel Cosby, Wilsman Trucking (9-16, .563, 5 Runs)
Skeeter Payne, Wilsman Trucking (9-16, .563, 5 Runs)
Joe Okruhlica, Wilsman Trucking (9-18, 7 Runs)
Dick Bonar, Wilsman Trucking (9-18, .500, 5 Runs)
Walt Wherry, Johnnies Car Wash (6-9, .667, HR, 1-1 Pitching)
Don Rardin, Johnnies Car Wash (6-9, .667, HR)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Skip & Hogan Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, PA (6-0)
2. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (5-2)
3. Plateau Athletic Club, Maspeth, NYC, NY (6-2)
4. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
5t. Wilsman Trucking, Hamilton, OH (3-2)
5t. Stotz Garage, Valhalla, NY (4-2)
7t. TWUA Textile Workers, Leakesville, NC (5-2)
7t. St. Clair Merchants, Cleveland, OH (4-2)
9t. Enterprise Bar, Milwaukee, WI (5-2)
9t. Grande-Leah, New Kensington, PA (5-2)
9t. Mt. Carmel Rec, Worcester, MA (3-2)
9t. Bud’s Cafe, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
13t. University City Blackhawks, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
13t. Holcomb’s Ten, San Antonio, TX (2-2)
13t. Hartman Plumbing, Toledo, OH (2-2)
13t. Mike’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN (3-2)
17t. Savannah Motors, Savannah, GA (2-2)
17t. Merchants, Woodland, CA (2-2)
17t. Ready Mix Concrete, Knoxville, TN (1-2)
17t. N&S Auto, Rochester, NY (1-2)
17t. Knights St. John, Louisville, KY (1-2)
17t. Hamilton Tailors, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
17t. Club 149, Trenton, NJ (1-2)
17t. Sills Sporting Goods, Hialeah-Miami, FL (2-2)
25t. Broward Sports Shops, Ft Lauderdale, FL (2-2)
25t. Club Grill, Westport, CT (1-2)
25t. Johnny’s Car Wash, Covington, KY (1-2)
25t. South Bend Merchants, South Bend, IN (1-2)
25t. V&M Foods, Pass Christian, MS (1-2)
25t. Bernson Silk Mills, Buena Vista, VA (1-2)
25t. Willie’s Tavern, Mobile, AL (0-2)
25t. Reno County, South Hutchinson, KS (1-2)
33t. Bursch’s Blue Notes, Hopkins, MN (0-2)
33t. Lafayette Building Assoc., Lafayette, LA (0-2)
33t. Red Bull Transfer, Omaha, NE (0-2)
33t. Avenue Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
33t. Joliet DX, Chicago-Joliet, IL (0-2)
33t. Pabst Blue Ribbon, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
33t. Blair’s Tavern, Wilmington, DE (0-2)
33t. Russo’s, Providence, RI (0-2)
33t. Bridge City, New Orleans, LA (0-2)
33t. Miller High Life, Sheboygan, WI (0-2)
33t. Concrete Service, Great Falls, MT (0-2)

1953 held at Deer Creek Common in Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport Recreation Field in Newport, Kentucky on September 3-5.

Champion – Shield’s Contractors, Newport, Kentucky (45-3)
Runner Up – Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Shield’s Contractors beat Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants 13-12 in winners bracket finals, Myron Reinhardt was 4-5, HR, double, and 4 RBI. Also leading Shield’s attack were Ted Stegeman (3-5, 3 doubles), John Henry (3-5), Al Rinehard (3-5, HR, 2B, and 4 RBI) and Don Heilman (double, triple, 3 RBI). The Merchants came back and beat Wolf’s Cafe of Cincinnati 6-1 in the loser’s bracket final to get another crack at the Kentucky squad.

Shield’s then beat Pittsburgh 13-1 in the championship game. Myron Reinhardt’s HR and 4 RBI led the way for Shield’s to capture the very first ASA Slow Pitch National Championship. Shield’s pitcher Roland Vorhees gave up only 5 hits and one run. Al Rinehard  (2 Doubles) and Bo Stuntebeck each had three hits in the title clincher.

Most of the teams entered were from the Ohio River Valley and Northern Kentucky. For the Merchants, Mike Sabbio was 4-8 with a HR and 3 RBI in the final two games Pittsburgh played, both losses to Shields.

The MVP was not awarded by many say Myron Reinhardt would have won easy, leading the tournament in average, home runs, and leading Shield’s to the title by going 11 for 16, .688 with 4 home runs.

• MVP – N/A
• HR Leader – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Contractors – 4
• Batting Leader – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Contractors – .688

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Shield’s Contractors, Newport, KY (4-0)
2. Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)
3. Wolf’s Café, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
4. D&G Café, Newport, KY (3-2)
5t. Baldwin Piano, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
5t. Club 42, Louisville, KY (2-2)
7t. Soddy Daisy Merchants, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
7t. Prestonia Athletic Club, Louisville, KY (1-2)
9t. Homestead Café, Hamilton, OH (0-2)
9t. Schwedes Furniture/Charley Geigers, Lakewood, OH (0-2)