Category: ASA

1964 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1964 held at Omaha, Nebraska.

Champion: Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio (43-5)
Runner Up: Rutenschrorer Florist, Cincinnati, Ohio

Rutenschorer Florist lost their first game, 2-1 to Steele Concrete of NC, but then won 7 straight games to get to the final, outscoring their rivals 75-20 along the way, only to lose 4-0 to league rival Dana Gardens with Dot Bailey on the mound in the championship final. Bailey was 5-0 and gave up 13 runs in the five games, including two shutouts.

The third place team Steele Concrete of Graham, NC came into the National Tournament with a 36-2 Record. Becky Rogers (17 years old) has pitched and won all 36 games. Another 17 year old, Gail Whitesell, leads the team with 16 home runs, while Short-fielder Shirley Comer is considered the best fielder in the south.

Steele’s went 4-2 in this national to finish their season with a 40-6 record. Dana Gardens won the final game 4-0. Their first run was scored when Flo Hill tripled and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Norma Eschenbrenner.

Patricia Dixon of WFLI was unofficially named a second MVP.

  • MVP – Alberta Kohls Sims, Dana Gardens (8-15, .533)
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Dot Bailey, Dana (5-0, including 4-0 shutout win in the final, she gave up only 13 runs in the 5 games, which included 2 shutouts)
  • Batting Leader – Not listed
  • Home Run Leader – Not listed

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens (5-0 pitching)
P – Becky Rogers, Steele Concrete (4-2 pitching, 1 shutout)
C – Eileen Weigert, Windy’s Girls
1B – Carol Riley, Buddies Sports
2B – Jan McCunn, Phil-Queens
3B – Carol Weiss, Rutenschroer Florist
SS – Patricia Dixon, WFLI
SF – Alberta Kohls, Dana Gardens (8-15, .533)
OF – Shirley Comer, Steele Concrete
OF – Ida Hopkins, Cadillac Music
OF – Jean Lenzer, Rutenschroer Florist
OF – Norma Eschenbrenner, Dana Gardens (7-17, .412)
UT – Carol Smith, Rutenschroer Florist
UT – Becky Rogers, Steele Concrete (4-2 Pitching)
UT – Gail Whitesill, Steele Concrete
UT – Lucille Fox, Colony Club
UT – Diana Sue Adams, BPW Hoosiers
UT – Jean Chapman, American Welding
UT – Marilyn Pohl, Art’s Aces

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Sarah Hasting, Phil-Queens (2-2 Pitching)
C – June Neal, Hillbillies
1B – Judy Compton, Rutenschroer Florist
2B – Joan Murphy, BPW Hoosiers
3B – Marlene Menchen, Dana Gardens
SS – Nancy Tapp, Dana Gardens
OF – Chris Padget, Buddies Sports
OF – Marlene Sternberger, New Bethel
OF – Mary Ann Bartholomew, Butte Merchants
OF – Jane McCabe, Rutenschroer Florist

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (5-0)
2. Rutenschroer Florist, Cincinnati, OH (7-2)
3. Steele Concrete, Graham, NC (4-2)
4. BPW Hoosiers, Louisville, KY (4-2)
5t. Colony Club, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
5t. Windy Tap Girls, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
7t. Buddies Sports, Tallahassee, FL (4-2)
7t. American Welding, Columbus, OH (3-2)
9t. Cadillac Music, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
9t. Phil-Queens, Omaha, NE (2-2)
9t. WFIL, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
9t. Hillbillies, Clay, WV (2-2)
13t. Art’s Aces, Omaha, NE (2-2)
13t. Austin Merchants, Austin, MN (2-2)
13t. New Bethel, Detroit, MI (1-2)
13t. Riviera Club, Des Moines, IA (1-2)
17t. Point Avantis, Minneapolis, MN (1-2)
17t. Lanettes, Dighton, KS (1-2)
17t. Butte Merchants, Butte, MT (1-2)
17t. J.A. Chauvin, Gretna, LA (0-2)
17t. Dixie Darlings, Kansas City, KS (0-2)
17t. Flamingo Club, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
17t. Mutual All-Stars, Lincoln, NE (0-2)
17t. Long Lines, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
25t. Henderson Sports, Savannah, GA (0-2)
25t. Monroe Royals, Monroe, MI (0-2)

1963 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1963 held at Jones Beach State Park in Jones Beach, New York.

Champion – Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, Kentucky (56-6)
Runner Up – Skip Hogan Athletic Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (62-13)

After Gatliff’s had dismantled Skip Hogan’s 15-2 in the winner’s bracket final, the Pittsburgh squad came back to defeat the defending national champs, East Side Sporting Goods of Detroit 5-2 in the loser’s bracket final. This gave them another crack at Galiff’s. Skip Hogan won he first final 16-6 as they hit 6 home runs in the game. Jimmy Watts had 2 HRs and 2 doubles, Bill Downey also had 2 homers, including 4 RBI. Pitcher Lou DelMastro had a double, triple and a 3-run homer, good for 5 RBI. Ron Diulus had the other homer. After a 10 minute break, Gatliff’s came out. Bob Harrison of Gatliff hit home runs in his first two at bats, giving them a 3-0 lead. The Hogans came back with hits from Mike Kovach and Paul Tomasovach. Joe Bull Yimin scored them both with a double. After Ron Diulus hit a single, moving Yimin to third, while Dilius went to second on the throw, Louie DelMastro scored them both with a hit to make the score 4-3 in favor of Hogan’s (DelMastro collected 7 RBIs in the two championship games). In the 5th inning, Skip Hogan’s made 3 errors and Bob Harrison scored the last two runners of the inning to give Gatliff a 9-4 lead. Tomasovich hit a 2-run HR in the 6th, but it wasn’t enough as Gatliff won the title 9-6. For Pittsburgh, Jimmy Watts had 5 HR on the Tournament. The legendary Myron Reinhardt was awarded the MVP award for his clutch hitting and overall excellence and leadership.

  • MVP – Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff Auto Sales (16-30, .533, 4 HR)
  • HR Leaders – Lou Russo, Musicaro Foods (13-21, .619) – 6
  • HR Leaders – Jim Galloway, Musicaro Foods (15-24, .625) – 6
  • Batting Leader – James Mortl, Lud & Angie’s, Milwaukee (18-25) – .720
  • Outstanding Defensive Player – Ken Bryson, Sills Sports Shop, Miami

1963 ASA MEN’S OPEN SLOW PITCH ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM

P – Lou Delmastro, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (6-2)
C – Lou Russo, Musicaro’s (13-21, .619, 6 HR)
C – Myron Reinhardt, Gatliff Auto Sales (16-30, .533, 4 HR)
1B – Jim Galloway, Musicaro’s (15-24, .625, 6 HR)
2B – Don Whitford, Gatliff Auto Sales
3B – Bill Shuman, Karp Motors
SS – George Caloia, East Side Sports
OF – Jimmy Watts, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (5 HR)
OF – Paul Tomasovich, Skip Hogan Athletic Club
OF – Emelio Zeke Sinicola, Musicaro’s (10-20, .500 3 HR)
OF – Walt Roeckers, Bud’s Cafe
OF – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto Sales (14-27, .519, 2 HR)

OTHERS

James Mortl, Lud & Angie’s, Milwaukee (18-25, .720)
Jim Puckett, East Side Sports (17-26, .654, 1 HR)
Bill Downey, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (15-23, .652, 4 HR)
F. Battista, Bill Elliott’s (16-25, .640, 1 HR)
Paul Nutley, Bud’s Cafe (14-22, .636)
Joe Gauci, East Side Sports (16-28, .571)
Paul Nutley, Bud’s Cafe (14-22, .636)
Ron Diulis, Skip Hogan Athletic Club (8-13, .615, 1 HR)
Bill Armfield, TWUA (6-10, .600)
Gene Cupertino, Lud & Angie’s (7-12, .583, 2 HR)
Frank Frietag, Strand Tavern (11-19, .579)
Joe Gauci, East Side Sports (16-28, .571)
Stan Smiley, Cote Saint Luc (6-11, .545)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (7-1)
2. Skip & Hogan A.C., Pittsburgh, PA (7-2)
3. East Side Sporting Goods, Detroit, MI (6-2)
4. Musicaro Foods, Massapequa Park, NY (5-2)
5t. Bill Elliott’s, Pittsburgh, PA (5-2)
5t. Lud & Angie’s, Milwaukee, WI (5-2)
7t. Karp Motors, Savannah, GA (5-2)
7t. Hamilton Tailors, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
9t. TWUA Textile Workers, Leaksville, NC (4-2)
9t. Quinn Packing, Providence, RI (3-2)
9t. Lach’s Bar, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
9t. Sills Sporting Goods, Hialeah-Miami, FL (2-2)
13t. Strand Tavern, Waukesha, WI (4-2)
13t. Homer’s Boys, Louisville, KY (2-2)
13t. Westrum’s, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
13t. VFW-World War Vets, Parkersburg, WV (2-2)
17t. Polish Hall, Madison, IL (3-2)
17t. Cote Saint Luc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (2-2)
17t. Fitzgerald Funeral Home, St- Louis, MO (2-2)
17t. Earl’s Furniture, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
17t. Dick’s Market, Richmond, CA (2-2)
17t. Silver Springs Sports, Washington, DC (1-2)
17t. DeLoe’s Recreation, Hutchinson, KS (1-2)
17t. Wilsman Trucking, Hamilton, OH (1-2)
25t. Bernson Silk Mills, Buena Vista, VA (2-2)
25t. Local #20, Toledo, OH (2-2)
25t. St. Anthony’s, Wilmington, DE (1-2)
25t. Club 149, Trenton, NJ (1-2)
25t. Grande-Leah, New Kensington, PA (1-2)
25t. Indiana Avenue Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
25t. Pabst Blue Ribbon, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
25t. St. Charles Ramblers, New Orleans, LA (0-2)
33t. Stotz Garage, Valhalla, NY (1-2)
33t. Mt. Carmel Rec, Worcester, MA (1-2)
33t. Trio’s Restaurant, Bridgeport, CT (1-2)
33t. Professor Erny’s Music, Lafayette, LA (0-2)
33t. Ted’s Portway, Richfield, MN (0-2)
33t. Thompson State Builders, Cocoa, FL (0-2)
33t. Burgies, Davis-Sacramento, CA (0-2)
33t. Troubadours Social Club, Boston, MA (0-2)
33t. South Bend Merchants, South Bend, IN (0-2)
33t. Monroe Greenhouse, Monroe, MI (0-2)
33t. Babylon Republican Club, Babylon, NY (0-2)
33t. Willie’s Tavern, Mobile, AL (0-2)
33t. Fox Lake Merchants, Chicago, IL (0-2)
33t. Al Green’s Tavern, Rochester, NY (0-2)

1963 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1963 held at Cincinnati, Ohio.

Champion: Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio (42-1)
Runner Up: Windy Tap, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dana Gardens won their first 4 games by the scores of 22-3, 15-2, 24-0 and 10-3 (71-8 run advantage with 19 HR), before being sent to the losers bracket by defending champ Art’s Aces 6-3. Art’s went on and won the winners bracket final over Fieldcrest Mills. After Fieldcrest eliminated Satellite Beach and Steele Concrete, Dana Gardens defeated them in a hard fought semi final 6-3 on the strength of Anita Gardner’s grand slam homer. In the first final with the score tied at 1 in the 7th inning, Cindy Windburn started off the inning with a single, went to third on Donna Wolfe’s single and then scored the winning run on Anita Gardner’s Sac Fly to win 2-1. The Final Championship game ended just as close. Dana Gardens defeated Art’s Aces 1-0 on a double by Norma Eschenbrenner and an RBI single by Cindy Windburn. Dot Bailey pitched the 2-1 and 1-0 championship game wins. She only gave up 6 hits in the final game. Barbara Kelley was the pitcher for Art’s Aces and what proved to be two final games dominated by the two best pitchers in the county. This was Dana Garden’s 4th Championship title in 5 years Dana Gardens came into the tournament with a 35-0 undefeated record, They finished 7-1 in the event and 42-1 on the season. The Satellite Comets in their first year of competition finished the year 51-3.

  • MVP – Not awarded
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens (4-0 pitching, including a 15-1 win in the finals. She also twirled a 16-0 shutout earlier in the tournament, gave up only 7 runs in 4 games.)
  • Batting Leader – Karen Kuhnheim, Dana Gardens (went 7-8 in the final two games)
  • HR Leader – Karen Kuhnheim, Dana Gardens

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens
C – Betty Bynum, Pharr Yarn
1B – Janet Kouris, Ohio Furniture
2B – Judy Anderson, Volkwagonettes
3B – Joan Neuser, Windy Tap
SS – Gloria Hill, Dana Gardens
SF – Karen Kuhnheim, Dana Gardens (7-8, 2 HR, 10 RBI in final two games)
OF – Norma Eschenbrenner, Dana Gardens (13-23, .576)
OF – Marcy Suszek, Windy Tap
OF – Alberta Kohls, Dana Gardens (12-25, .480)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (4-0)
2. Windy Tap, Milwaukee, WI (3-1)
3t. Pasquale’s, Cincinnati, OH (3-1)
3t. Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH (2-1)
5t. BPW Hoosiers, Louisville, KY (2-1)
5t. Ross Wagonettes, Lakeland, FL (1-1)
5t. Pharr Yarn, McAdenville, NC (1-1)
5t. Hillbillies, Clay, WV (1-1)

-Consolation Teams-

9. Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 1-1 (5-1)
10. Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH 0-1 (3-2)
11t. Nebraska Phillips 66 Queens, Council Bluffs, IA 1-1 (3-2)
11t. Mapleton Hotel, West Oconomowoc, WI 0-1 (2-2)
13t. Omaha Rockets, Omaha, NE 1-1 (2-2)
13t. Rice Potato Chips, Moselle, MS 0-1 (1-2)
13t. Williamson-Garrison, TN 0-1 (1-2)
13t. Monroe Royals, Monroe, MI 0-1 (1-2)
17t. Pope’s Inn, Grove City, OH 1-1 (1-2)
17t. Richmond Blue Jay’s, Richmond, VA 1-1 (1-2)
17t. Steele Concrete, Graham, NC 0-1 (0-2)
17t. St. Stephens, Detroit, MI 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Broadrick Drugs, Dalton, GA 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Arsenal All-Stars, Pittsburgh, PA 0-1 (0-2)
17t. The Point, Minneapolis, MN 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Ellisville Cardinals, St. Louis, MO 0-1 (0-2)

SCORES

First Round

Nebraska Phillips 66 Queens, Council Bluffs, IA 2 – Monroe Royals, Monroe, MI 1
BPW Hoosiers, Louisville, KY 15 – Ellisville Cardinals, St. Louis, MO 0
Pasquale’s, Cincinnati, OH 21 – The Point, Minneapolis, MN 5
Pope’s Inn, Grove City, OH 9 – Mapleton Hotel, W. Oconomowoc, WI 4
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 18 – Arsenal All-Stars, Pittsburgh, PA 2
Omaha Rockets, Omaha, NE 3 – Williamson-Garrison, TN 0
Richmond Blue Jay’s, Richmond, VA 7 – Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH 4
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 6 – Broadrick Drugs, Dalton, GA 5

Second Round

Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 16 – Nebraska Phillips 66 Queens, Council Bluffs, IA 0
BPW Hoosiers, Louisville, KY 3 – Steele Concrete, Graham, MC 2
Pasquale’s, Cincinnati, OH 11 – Rice Potato Chips, Moselle, MS 10
Ross Wagonettes, Lakeland, FL 4 – Pope’s Inn, Grove City, OH 2
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 20 – St. Stephens, Detroit, MI 3
Hillbillies, Clay, WV 5 – Omaha Rockets, Omaha, NE 4
Windy Tap, Milwaukee, WI 6 – Richmond Blue Jay’s, Richmond, VA 4
Pharr Yarn, McAdenville, NC 10 – Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 9

Quarterfinals

Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 3 – BPW Hoosiers, Louisville, KY 1
Pasquale’s, Cincinnati, OH 11 – Ross Wagonettes, Lakeland, FL 5
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 11 – Hillbillies, Clay, WV 0
Windy Tap, Milwaukee, WI 9 – Pharr Yarn, McAdenville, NC 5

Semifinals

Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 14 – Pasquale’s, Cincinnati, OH 5 — Karen Kuhmheim’s had 2 singles, a double and a home run for Dana Gardens
Windy Tap, Milwaukee, WI 3 – Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 0 — Dolores Sanz hurled the shutout for Milwaukee

Championship

Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 15 – Windy Tap, Milwaukee, WI 1

CONSOLATION SCORES

Consolation Flight 1st Round

Monroe Royals defeated Ellisville Cardinals
Mapleton Hotel defeated The Point 8-4
Williamson-Garrison defeated Arsenal All Stars
Ohio Furniture defeated Broadrick Drugs

Consolation Quarter Finals

Mapleton Hotel defeated Monroe Royals 11-3
Ohio Furniture defeated Williamson-Garrison
Consolation Semi-Final
Ohio Furniture defeated Mapleton Hotel 8-0

Consolation Flight 1st Round

Nebraska Phillips 66 Queens defeated Steel Concrete 4-3
Rice Potato Chips defeated Pope’s Inn
Omaha Rockets defeated St. Stephens
Dairy Cottage defeated Richmond Blue Jays

Consolation Quarterfinals

Nebraska Phillips 66 Queens defeated Rice Potato Chips 12-6
Dairy Cottage defeated Omaha Rockets

Consolation Semifinal

Dairy Cottage defeated Nebraska Phillips 66 Queens 10-2

Consolation Flight Championship

Dairy Cottage defeated Ohio Furniture 8-1 (WP-Sandy Conway gave up only 4 hits)

1963 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1963 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (56-2)
Runner Up – Erv Lind Florists, Portland, Oregon

The championship game went into the 8th inning as Jackie Rice (Portland) and Joan Joyce (Stratford) were engaged in a pitchers dual. In the top of the 8th inning, the Brakettes Micki Stratton hit an inside HR down RF line to give the Brakettes the one run they would need to win as Joyce shut down the Florists in the bottom of the 8th to bring the title back to Stratford. Rice gave up 6 hits and struck out 4 fo Portland and Joyce only gave up one hit (to Marilyn Piper) and struck out 14 in the game.

Canadian legend Marion Fox of Toronto National Torches lost the 2 games she pitched. She got into a serious car crash in December of 1963 and never pitched in another national again.

Carol Lee of Whittier Gold Sox batted .438, 7-16, 3 RBI, 2 Runs and won the batting title.

  • MVP – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Kathryn “Sis” King, Phoenix Ramblers – 2
  • Batting Leader – Carol Lee, Whittier Gold Sox – .438
  • Outstanding Pitcher – N/A

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (4-0, 3 shutouts, 1 ER, 34 IP, 66 K; including a 1-hit 8-inning 1-0 shutout in final with 14 K)
P – Jackie Rice, Erv Lind Florists (4-1, 3 Shutouts, 29 K, 36 IP, only surrendered 2 ER)
P – Maxine Mabel Bennet, Fresno Rockets (3-2, only gave up 1 earned run in 5 games)
C – Laura Malesh, Raybestos Brakettes
C – Harriet Leeke, Whittier Gold Sox
1B – Gloria May, Fresno Rockets
2B – Donna Lopiano, Raybestos Brakettes
3B – Jeanne Contel, Fresno Rockets
SS – Carolyn Fitzwater, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Chris “Pettina” Miner, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Kay Williamson, Orange Lionettes
OF – Marlene Piper, Erv Lind Florists (2-1 pitching, 9-23 .391 hitting)
OF – Kathryn “Sis” King, Phoenix Ramblers (6-15, .400, 4 RBI, 5 Runs, 3 Doubles)
UTIL – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bertha Ragen-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes (2-0, 20 IP, 33K, 2 shutouts, 1 no hitter)
P – Jan Berkland, Minneapolis Comets
P – Billie Harris, Phoenix Ramblers
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers
C – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes
1B – Thelma Keith, Phoenix Ramblers
2B – Gerry Murphy, Fresno Rockets
3B – Bobbi Geldmacher, Houston Blues
SS – Beverly Danaher, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Pat Harrison, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Darlene May, Whittier Gold Sox
OF – Jan Howard, Whittier Gold Sox
OF – Rosemary “Micki” Stratton, Raybestos Brakettes
UTIL – E. Louise Albrecht, Whittier Gold Sox

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (6-0) (Host)
2. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (6-2) (Northwestern)
3. Whittier Gold Sox, Whittier, CA (3-2) (South Pacific Coast)
4. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (4-2) (Cactus)
5t. Minneapolis Comets, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Northern)
5t. Fresno Rockets, Fresno, CA (3-2) (North Pacific Coast)
7t. Houston Blues, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
7t. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (3-2) (Defending Champ)
9t. OHSE Meat Company, Topeka, KS (1-2) (Western)
9t. Buddy’s Pizza, Detroit, MI (2-2) (East Central)
9t. Southeastern Supply Co., Indianapolis, IN (1-2) (West Central)
9t. Spudnut Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Tennessee Belles, Nashville, TN (1-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. Marauders, Elizabeth, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. National Torches, Toronto, ON (0-2) (East Canada)
13t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (0-2) (Southern)
17t. Cochituate Motors, Cochituate, MA (0-2) (New England)
17t. Oklahoma City Ruf-Nex, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Vrginia Pollyannas, Richmond, VA (0-2) (Central Atlantic)

NOTES

West Canada-Alberta Champ – Calgary Comets, Alberta did not attend. West Canada-British Columbia Champ – Victoria Vicettes, Victoria, BC did not attend.

1963 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1963 held in Clearwater, Florida.

Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, Illinois

Eddie King, Bombers (1-0, 31 IP, 32 K – 25 innings of scoreless relief pitching as Bombers defeated Portland 4-3 in 31 innings). Weldon Haney started the game, and King relieved him in the 5th and struck out 25 batters in the next 25 innings and for good measure, he drove in the winning run in the 31st inning.  King finished up the tournament 1-0, with 32 Ks, in 31 IP. Jack Hutchinson of Portland lasted 29 innings before tiring. He struck out 23 batters. Don Ellison came in to pitch the final 2 innings and took the loss for Portland. This was the longest game in ASA National Championship History.

Ricky Tomlinson of the Bombers led off the bottom of the 9th with a single to left. Jerry Curtis, up next, also singled and on the same play, an outfield throwing error enabled Tomlinson to score the winning run in the 1-0 final.  Haney defeated Aurora’s Sterkal in another one in a long line of Bombers vs Sealmasters classics. Sterkal was the losing pitcher. He came into this event with a 29-6 career ASA National Tournament record, but a couple of bad breaks, and he was 3-2. In the first 35 games played in this tournament, there were 24 shutouts, including 12 (1-0) scores. And 14 of 17 losers bracket games were shutouts.

  • MVP – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Joe Higgins, Mesa Mitchan Construction – .455
  • Home Run Leader – Bill McDonald, Jim Pattison Softball (2-6, .333, 2 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Bill Parker, Clearwater Standard Oil (1-5, .200, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Al DeWall, Whitaker Buick (1-5, .200, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – George Fowler, Local #55 Climate Control (1-10, .100, 2 RBI, 1 Run) – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers (5-0, 5 Shutouts, 57 K, 40 IP, including a 1-0 9 inning 3-hit shutout with 11 K in the final)
P – Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers
P – Johnny Spring, Aurora Sealmasters (2-0, 28 IP, 42 K, 0 ER)
C – Bobby Kuykendall, Clearwater Bombers
C – George Kinder, Oxnard Merchants
1B – Bill Dickson, Aurora Sealmasters
2B – Bob Barron, Aurora Sealmasters
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Ricky Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters (7-31, .226, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – Bob Farney, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Al Summerford, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ben Breskovich, Oxnard Merchants
UT – Don Ropp, Aurora Sealmasters

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Harvey Sterkel, Oxnard Merchants (2-2, 29 IP, 41 K)
P – Jack Newman, Oxnard Merchants (3-1, 29 IP, 30 K)
C – Leroy Jarvis, Motif Homes
C – Cliff Smith, Aurora Sealmasters
1B – George Price, Champion YMCA
2B – Gus Colagerakis, Champion YMCA
3B – Ben Osuna, Oxnard Merchants
SS – John Davis, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Bub Butler, McKee Ramblers
OF – Clyde Miller, Champion YMCA
OF – Chalie Dobson, Motif Homes
OF – Dave Harbin, Oak Grove Food Center
UT – Joe Higgins, Michen Construction (5-11, .455, 2 Runs)

OTHERS

Charlie Richard, Aurora Sealmasters (3-0, 17 IP, 32 K)
Ed Johnson, Local #57 Engineers (1-2, 20 IP, 26 K, threw a 1-0 no hitter with 10 K)
Joe Tucker, Oak Grove Food Center (3-1, 22 IP, 21 K)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (7-2) (West Central)
3. Oxnard Merchants, Oxnard, CA (3-2) (South-Pacific-Coast)
4. Motif Homes, Oklahoma City, OK (5-2) (Southwestern)
5t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (2-2) (South Atlantic)
5t. Whitaker Buick, St. Paul, MN (2-2) (Northern)
7t. Maddox Ice, Denver, CO (3-2) (Rocky-Mountain)
7t. Oak Grove Food Center, Birmingham, AL (3-2) (Southern)
9t. Michen Construction, Mesa, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
9t. Billy Betz Flatiron AC, Philadelphia, PA (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. McKee Ramblers, Portland, OR (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Local #55 Climate Control, Huntington, NY (1-2) (Mid Atlantic)
13t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (1-2) (New England)
13t. Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, MI (1-2) (East Central)
13t. Adams Milk, Springfield, MO (0-2) (Western)
13t. Jim Pattison Softball, Vancouver, BC (0-2) (West-Canada)
17t. Standard Oil, Clearwater, FL (0-2) (Host)
17t. Merced Monarchs, Merced, CA (0-2) (North-Pacific-Coast)
17t. J.H. Rose Truckline, Houston, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Bacardi Club, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (0-2) (Puerto Rico)

NOTES

East Canada Champ – no representative was listed.

1962 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

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)

1962 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1962 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California (41-11)
Runner Up – Whittier Gold Sox, Whittier, California (33-14)

Orange Lionettes defeated the Pekin-Lettes 5-0, then lost to the Brakettes 2-1, putting them in the losers bracket. It was there that this team did the improbable, reeling off 7 straight wins to capture the title. They won 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 4-1, 3-0, and then beat the Whittier Gold Sox 2 straight in the finals 3-2 and 1-0. By winning this championship, the Lionettes won their 6th championship, most amongst women’s teams. Ginny Hanselman hurled the 3-2 win in the first final.

Carol Gilmore outdueled MVP Louise Albrecht in a 13 inning 1-0 classic. The championship winning run was scored in the bottom of the 13th as Ricky Caito led off the inning with a triple, the next 2 batters were intentionally walked. Gilmore his a ground ball and the force play at home was good, but the catcher’s throw to first to try to double up Gilmore was late and then Johanna Moore, walked intentionally earlier, raced home with the winning run.

Ricki Caito, Orange Lionettes (started off the big 13th inning with a triple, then Johnna Moore and Sally Carman were intentionally walked to load the bases. Carol Gilmore came up and grounded to first, the throw to home was on time to get Caito, but the catcher tried to get Gilmore at first, but overthrew the bag allowing Moore to race home with the championship winning run.

Bertha Ragan-Tickey went 1-0, 16 IP, 27 K.

Ginny Hanselman (3-1, 25 IP, 10 K, 4 ER, including a no hitter and a perfect game).

  • MVP – E. Louise Albrecht, Whittier Gold Sox
  • HR Leader – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes – 1
  • Batting Leader – Janet Dicks, Reading Crystalettes – .429
  • Outstanding Pitcher – N/A

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (3-2, 31 IP, 63 K, 6-17, .353, 1 HR 2 Runs, 3 RBI)
P – E. Louise Albrecht, Whittier Gold Sox (5-2, 5 consecutive shutouts, 59 IP, 35 K, lost 3-2 and 1-0 in the 13 inning final)
P – Carol Gilmore, Orange Lionettes (5-0, 44 IP, 21 K, 5 Shutouts, WP in final game)
C – Arlene Eischens, Minneapolis Comets
C – Carol Lee, Whittier Gold Sox
1B – Shirley Topley, Orange Lionettes
2B – Carolyn Fitzwater, Erv Lind Florists
3B – Joan Paulson, Minneapolis Comets
SS – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes
OF – Janet Dicks, Reading Crystalettes (6-14, 3 Runs, 1 RBI)
OF – Darlene May, Whittier Gold Sox
OF – Chris “Pettina” Miner, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Audrey Betz, Reading Crystalettes
UTIL – Sharron Backus, Whittier Gold Sox

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Pat Whitman, Reading Crystalettes
P – Marion Fox, Filtro Electric Perks
P – Jan Berkland, Minneapolis Comets
C – Rosemary “Micki” Stratton, Raybestos Brakettes
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers
1B – Betty Cahill, Filtro Electric Perks
2B – Chris Ambord, Whittier Gold Sox
3B – Kay Williamson, Orange Lionettes
SS – Mildred Dixon, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Mary Thompson, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Beverly Ebbecke, Minneapolis Comets
OF – Colleen Riley, Whittier Gold Sox
OF – Joyce Moxley, Filtro Electric Perks
UTIL – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (8-1) (South Pacific Coast)
2. Whittier Gold Sox, Whittier, CA (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (4-2) (Host)
4. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (4-2) (Northwestern)
5t. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
5t. Reading Crystalettes, Reading, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. Takashimaya Department Store, Osaka (2-2) (Japan)
7t. Filtro Electric Perks, Toronto, ON (2-2) (East Canada)
9t. Old Dutch Brewerettes, Lorain, OH (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Cochituate Motors, Cochituate, MA (1-2) (New England)
9t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (1-2) (Southern)
9t. Minneapolis Comets, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Northern)
13t. Marauders, Elizabeth, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Pekin-Lettes, Peoria, IL (1-2) (West Central)
13t. Rebecca Methodist Girls, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Arnold Taylor Girls, Dallas, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Ohse Meat Company, Topeka, KS (0-2) (Western)
17t. Tennessee Belles, Nashville, TN (0-2) (South Atlantic)
17t. Fresno Rockets, Fresno, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)

NOTES

Rocky Mountain Champ – Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT could not attend due to financial reasons. West Canada Champ – Premier Steelers, Edmonton, Alberta did not attend.

1962 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1962 held in Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut

The Bombers swept past 6 straight opponents outscoring their opponents 28-8 to win their sixth championship. They beat the Cardinals 3-2 in the winners bracket final as Weldon Haney outdueled Bill Massey. Then after Stratford eliminated Detroit and star hurler Bonnie Jones 3-1 in the losers bracket final, behind the great pitching of John Spring.

The Rayestos team got what they wanted, another crack at the Clearwater squad. John Spring started for Raybestos and they spotted him with a 1-0 lead after scoring a run in the top of the first, courtesy of George Adam’s single that scored Frankie Williams. Then Doug Mason slapped a single to score Jerry Curtis to tie the score in the 6th inning. Bill Massey came in to pitch in relief of Spring. The score was tied 1-1. In the top of the 8th, Raybestos scored a run as Bill Massey’s hit scored Frankie Williams to take a 2-1 lead. Clearwater came up and in the bottom of the 8th, Doug Mason’s single tied the score at 2 apiece. Ray Mink then hit a looping single to score Mason with the championship winning run. Haney was the MVP with a 5-0 record. Eddie King won the other game for the Bombers.

  • MVP – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers – .444
  • Home Run Leader – Frankie Williams, Stratford Cardinals – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers (5-0, 52 K, 42 IP)
P – Harvey Sterkal, Aurora Sealmasters (3-0, 39 K, 22 IP, 0 ER, 3 shutouts; also 4-10, .400 hitting)
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (3-0, 33 K, 29 IP, 1 ER)
C – Bobby Kuykendall, Clearwater Bombers
C – Jake Farland, Portland Bucks
1B – George Adams, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Frank Williams, Raybestos Cardinals (8-24, .333, 5 RBI, 7 Runs, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple)
3B – Jim Rubbelke, Whitaker Buick
SS – Eddie Mathias, Whitaker Buick
OF – Howard Johnson, Club 500
OF – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Bob Butler, Portland Bucks
OF – Ben Breskovich, Mary All Stars
UT – Bill Massey, Raybestos Cardinals

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bonnie Jones, Club 500 (3-1, 25 IP, 28 K)
P – Jack Hutchinson, Portland Bucks
P – George Ulmer, Flat Iron Athletic Club (2-2)
C – Don Drake, Aylco Club
C – Clifford Smith, Aurora Sealmasters
1B – Herm Taggert, Flat Iron Athletic Club (5-12, .417, 2 2B, 3B, 4 RBI)
2B – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers (8-18, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Ricky Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Paul Delgobbo, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Phil Gatto, Portland Bucks
OF – Billy Parker, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ron French, Raybestos Cardinals
UT – Al Thompson, DeJur Cameramen

OTHERS

Ed Johnson, Club 500 (1-1, 9 innings, 21 K)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-0) (Southern)
2. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-2) (Host)
3. Club 500, Detroit, MI (4-2) (East Central)
4. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (4-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Aylco Club, Decatur, IL (3-2) (West Central)
5t. Whitaker Buick, St. Paul, MN (4-2) (Northern)
7t. Portland Bucks, Portland, OR (3-2) (Northwestern)
7t. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (2-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Flat Iron Athletic Club, Philadelphia, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Bayou Bombers, Lake Charles, LA (2-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Maddox Ice, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Mary All Stars, San Pedro, CA (2-2) (Couth Pacific Coast)
13t. Ralph Motors LTD, Calgary, Alberta (0-2) (West Canada)
13t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (0-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. JH Rose Truckline, Houston, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. YMI, Stockton, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
17t. Fleck’s Falstaff, Cedar Rapids, IA (0-2) (Central)
17t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (0-2) (New England
17t. Sabourin Mountain Park, Hull, Quebec (0-2) (East Canada)
17t. Bicardi Club, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (0-2) (Puerto Rico)
17t. Whitthorne’s Glass House, Tucson, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)

1962 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1962 held at Cincinnati, Ohio.

Champion: Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio (45-1)
Runner Up: Rutenschrorer Florist, Cincinnati, Ohio

Dairy Cottage came back to defend their crown. During the 1961 season, Jean Shaffer was the leading hitter with a .531 average. She was followed by Connie Cash (.493), Cindy Winedurn (.471). Dana Gardens, which until tournament time was known as Tappass Musical Bar won the Cincinnati Metro ASA title over the same team they beat here in the National, Rutenschrorer. Last year (1961), they were known as Heidel’s Hall as they won the consolation flight in the 1961 Womens National Championship. In this year’s championship game, Dana Gardens Pitcher Dot Bailey got Rutenschrorer out with no runs after they loaded the bases in the first inning. The Dana Gardens defense turned the first of their 4 double plays in the game. Norma Eschenbrenner and Alberta Kohls had back to back hits to ignite Dana and get them started as they scored 6 runs in the first inning as they rolled to a 7-0 Championship game win. Dana Gardens previously had shutout the Covington Dukettes 8-0 in the Semi-Finas. . Dot Bailey surrendered only 5 runs in her 5 pitching victories, three of them by shutout.

  • MVP – Not awarded – (newspaper accounts all said it would have been Dot Bailey by virtue of her pitching and hitting)
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens (5-0 pitching, including shutout in both semi-final 8-0 and final 7-0, she surrendered only 3 runs in 5 games.)
  • Batting Leader – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens (11-16) – .688
  • Home Run Leader – Donna Moulton, Omaha Royals – 3

ASA MAJOR WOMEN’S SLOW PITCH ALL AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

P – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens
C – Lavern Zurick, Dana Gardens
1B – Betty Dvorak, Dairy Cottage
2B – Marlene Menchen, Rutenschroer Florist
3B – Carol Zimprich, Windy Tap
SS – Nancy Oldham, Hickory Grove
SF – Jean Shafer, Dairy Cottage
OF – Betty DeSanto, Ohio Furniture
OF – Phyllis Robinson, Monroe Merchants
OF – Alberta Kohls, Dana Gardens (7-17, .412)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (5-0)
2. Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH (4-1)
3t. Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY (2-1)
3t. Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY (2-1)
5t. Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE (2-1)
5t. Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH (1-1)
5t. BPW Hoosers, Louisville, KY (1-1)
5t. O’Jay Mills, Gordon, GA (1-1)

-Consolation Teams-

9. Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS 0-1 (4-1)
10. South Carolina State, SC 0-1 (3-2)
11t. Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 1-1 (3-2)
11t. Hickory Grove Redettes, Hickory Grove, NC 0-1 (1-2)
13t. Windy Tap Girls, Milwaukee, WI 0-1 (1-2)
13t. Hill Top Bar, Pittsburgh, PA 0-1 (0-2)
13t. Hillbillies, Clay, WV 0-1 (0-2)
13t. Nile Straight, TN 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Michigan State, MI 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Detroit, MI 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Ford Girls, St. Louis, MO 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Pinewood Park, West Palm Beach, FL 0-1 (0-2)

SCORES

Single Elimination

First Round
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 7 Pinewood, FL 1
Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 8 St. Louis, MO 5
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 5 Detroit, MI 0
Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE 11 Michigan 0

Second Round
Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH 2 Hickory Grove, NC 1
BPW Hoosers, Louisville, KY 4 Hillbillies, Clay, WV 2
O’Jay Mills, Gordon, GA 5 Hill Top Bar, Pittsburgh, PA 4
Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY 11 Nile Straight, TN 6
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 10 Windy Tap, Milwaukee, WI 6
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 14 Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 1
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 10 South Carolina 2
Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE 11 Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS 8

Quarterfinals
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 5 Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH 3
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 4 BPW Hoosers, Louisville, KY 2
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 11 O’Jay Mills, Gordon, GA 3
Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY 6 Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE 3

Semifinals
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 8 Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY 0
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 3 Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 2

Championship
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 7 Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 0

Consolation Bracket

First Round
Windy Tap Girls, Milwaukee, WI W – Pinewood Park, West Palm Beach, FL L
South Carolina State, SC W – Michigan State, MI L
Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH W – Ford Girls, St. Louis, MO L
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 13 – Detroit Metro, MI 2

Second Round
Hickory Grove, NC W – Windy Tap Girls, Milwaukee, WI L
South Carolina State, SC W – Hill Top Bar, Pittsburgh, PA L
Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH W – Hillbillies, Clay, WV L
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 18 – Nile Straight, TN 8

Semifinals
South Carolina State, SC W – Hickory Grove, NC L
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 3 – Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 2

Consolation Final
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 2 – South Carolina State, SC 1 (Kathleen Bilicko was Winning Pitcher as Branda Babuchuna’s Walk Off HR in 7th won the Game)

1961 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1961 held at Louisville, Kentucky

Champion – Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Plateau Athletic Club, New York City, New York (68-9)

Hamilton Tailors eliminated Gatliff’s 11-1 behind Sam Minitti’s Pitching. Then the Tailors had to win both games in the finals to repeat as ASA Open National Champions.

Sam Minnitti pitched a 5-2 victory in the first game and also hit a 3-run home run to win the game in the 7th inning. Then he came back and pitched 3-hit shutout against the powerful New York City team to clinch the championship 2-0. Minnitti gave up only 7 total hits in both games. He also went 7-1 overall as a pitcher and in 8 games, only gave up 22 runs, including a shutout and three 1-run games. Somehow he was not named the MVP.

Jim Harper of 4th place Ready-Mix from Knoxville was named MVP. Minnitti was named Most Valuable Pitcher. Counting the 1960 Nationals where he was 9-1, Minniti had a 16-2 pitching record in the back to back titles. Becoming only the second team to perform this feat.

Gatliff’s of Kentucky won two straight in 1956 and 57. Plateau AC won its first 5 games, defeating The Tailors along the way 9-8 to send them to the losers bracket. Plateau’s stars were Bob Beier and George O’Neill, who both started off the tournament with 8 straight hits and Morty Weinberg, who excelled in short field and hit 2 HR also.

  • MVP – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete
  • Most Valuable Pitcher Award – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors
  • HR Leader – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto – .650

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors (7-1, pitching and 2 HR)
C – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete – won award, even though his team finished 5th.
1B – Harry Phillips, Wilsman Trucking
2B – Bob Beier, Plateau AC
3B – Virgil Hoffman, Duffy’s Tavern
SS – Ron Cutter, Hamilton Tailors
SF – Mort Weinberg, Plateau AC (2 HR)
OF – Leo Wilham, Gatliff Auto Sales
OF – Ron Annotico, Sheffield Bronze
OF – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto Sales (13-20, .650)

OTHERS

Joe Okruhlica, Wilsman Trucking (11-21, .524, 10 Runs)
Jim Wessell, Wilsman Trucking (10-24, .417, 1 HR, 5 Runs)
Dick Bonar, Wilsman Trucking (10-24, .417, 3 HR, 8 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (7-1)
2. Plateau Athletic Club, Maspeth, New York, NY (5-2)
3. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (5-2)
4. Krivian Club, Springdale, PA 4-2
5t. Ready-Mix Concrete, Knoxville, TN (5-2)
5t. Wilsman’s Trucking, Hamilton, OH (5-2)
7t. Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, KY (4-2)
7t. Daly Drive-In, Detroit, MI (3-2)
9t. French Town Bar, Monroe, MI (4-2)
9t. Kelly’s Jet System Hamburger, Richmond, VA (4-2)
9t. Knights of St. John, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. Johnson Construction Company, Macon, GA (2-2)
13t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Al’s Green Tavern, Rochester, NY (2-2)
13t. Mike’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
13t. Freightways, Toledo, OH (2-2)
17t. Seawall Restaurant, Bridgeport, CT (3-2)
17t. Mobile All-Stars, Mobile, AL (2-2)
17t. Otto Candies, New Orleans, LA (2-2)
17t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (1-2)
17t. Mt. Carmel, Worcester, MA (1-2)
17t. 5 and 10 Tap, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Carter Sporting Goods, Tallahassee, FL (1-2)
17t. Field Shop, Miami, FL (1-2)
25t. Olden A.A., Trenton, NJ (2-2)
25t. Burch’s Blue Note, Hopkins, MN (1-2)
25t. Antonelli’s Restaurant, Warwick, RI (0-2)
25t. V&M Foods, Pass Christian, MS (0-2)
25t. Gold Bond Stamps, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
25t. U.S. National Bank, Omaha, NE (0-2)
25t. South Bend Merchants, South Bend, IN (0-2)
25t. Tip Toe Inn, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
33t. Peterson’s, Big Bend, WI (0-2)
33t. Stan’s Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
33t. Reno County, South Hutchinson, KS (0-2)
33t. Charlies Mustangs, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
33t. Dougies Restaurant, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
33t. Indiana Avenue Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)