| Year | Champion | Runner-up | MVP |
| 2011 | Vision Softball, Chicago, IL | Pure Smack, Elk Grove, IL | Brian Davis, Vision |
| 2012 | No Fear, Chicago, IL | Gladiators, Chicago, IL | Adrian Alejandro, No Fear |
| 2013 | Nature Boys, Mt. Prospect, IL | Brick, Berwyn, IL | John Ecchardt, Nature Boys |
| 2014 | Young Guns, IL | Rewind, IL | John Reece, Young Guns |
| 2015 | Smackout, Summit, IL | Solutions, Chicago, IL | Kris Stohlmiller, Smackout |
| 2016 | Yep, IL | Blitz, IL | Sean Keanne, Yep |
| 2017 | Hammer the Clam, Whiting, IN | Lose One, IL | Bobby Schuch, Hammer the Clam |
| 2018 | Smackout, Summit, IL | Donuts, IL | Mark Kasper, Smackout |
| 2019 | HOF Concessions, Marshalltown, IA | Bananas, IL | Sam Rogers, HOF Concessions |
| 2020 | YDT, Forest Park, IL | Pharaohs, IL | Jack Doss, YTD |
| 2021 | Ball Busters | Smoke | Tony DiVincenzo, Ball Busters |
Category: Other
Slow Pitch Softball Association Men’s 16″ Major Nationals
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | MVP |
| 2011 | Flashback, Mt. Prospect, IL | Windy City, Mt. Prospect, IL | Jake Olson, Flashback |
| 2012 | Windy City, Franklin Park, IL | Jynx, Chicago, IL | MVP-not listed |
| 2013 | Windy City, Franklin Park, IL | Impact, Mt. Prospect, IL | Mark Holstein, Windy City |
| 2014 | Signature, Forest Park, IL | Oldtimers, IA | Chris Geron and Mark Holstein, Signature (Co-MVP’s) |
| 2015 | Flashback, Mt. Prospect, IL | Tito’s 45’s, Forest Park, IL | Anthony Coia, Flashback |
| 2016 | Tito’s 45’s, Forest Park, IL | Flashback, Mt. Prospect, IL | Keith Filkins, Tito’s 45’s |
| 2017 | Tito’s 45’s, Forest Park, IL | Hexx, Forest Park, IL | Bill Smith and Joe Yarus, Tito’s 45’s |
| 2018 | Signature, Forest Park, IL | Psychopaths, Lomita, CA | Eric Davis, Signature |
| 2019 | Flashback, Mt. Prospect, IL | Old Timer Tavern, Marshalltown, IA | Ralph Lawrence and Justin Symkowski, Flashback (Co-MVP’s) |
| 2020 | Signature, Forest Park, IL | Tito’s 45’s, Forest Park, IL | Angelo Alysia and Anthony Scarlata, Signature (Co-MVP’s) |
| 2021 | Tito’s 45’s, Forest Park, IL | Flashback, Mt. Prospect, IL | Chris Lentine and Anthony Sanchez, Tito’s (Co-MVP’s) |
1987 National Slo Pitch Conference
Champion – Smythe Sox, Houston, Texas
Runner-Up – County Sports, Levittown, New York
Playing in a Baseball Stadium and billing this as the Super Bowl of Softball, County Sports went through the winners bracket undefeated, beating Capitol Insulation 17-14. The Smythe Sox, who lost their very first game had to come all the way back through the losers bracket, eliminating national powers Lighthouse 12-8, Ritch’s 14-5, Howards 10-3, Capitol Insulation 7-6 (in 9 innings on a walk off homer from Smythe’s Bill Blake). In the first final, Smythe jumped out to a 6-0 lead and defeated County Sports 9-3. Doug Brown, Bill Gatti, John Grissom and Bill Blake drove in two runs each to provide the runs for the Sox.
The Final Game was a 4-1 Smythe Sox win in which both teams combined for just 11 hits. Smythe got all its runs in the second inning as Blake, Cecil Whitehead and Bruce Meade all singled to account for the first run. Britt Hightower’s single scored the second run. Mike Parrott hit a long sac fly ball to get the final two runs in. None of the 8 teams batted over .500 and in fact the average for all the teams was .394 with just 23 total home runs, 24 doubles and 13 triples. 7 of the 15 games were single digit games. Smythe Sox hit 16 of 23 total HRs and had 6 of the total 13 triples. Their team average was .452 (109-241) as compared to the scrappy County Sports squad who batted .377 (61-162). Capitol batted .421 and had 2 HRs. Vernons batted .375 with 3 HRs.
Of the 15 total games played, 6 games saw both teams in single digits Only 2 games all weekend saw both teams score double digits runs. Vernons beat Smythe Sox 15-11 and County Sports beat Capitol 17-14. Capitol had a 13-0 lead after three innings and County Sports came back win that game which was the winner’s bracket final.
AWARDS
- MVP – Bill Blake, Smythe Sox (14-22, .636, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 9 Runs)
- HR Leaders – Bruce Meade, Smythe Sox (13-21, .619, 11 RBI, 7 Runs) – 5
- HR Leaders – Bill Blake, Smythe Sox – 5
- Batting Leader – Bill Blake, Smythe Sox- .636
- Outstanding Defensive Player – Scott Smith, County Sports
ALL NATIONAL TEAM
Bill Blake, Smythe Sox (14-23, .609, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 9 Runs)
Bruce Meade, Smythe Sox (13-21, .619, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 7 Runs)
Bill Gatti, Smythe Sox (13-24, .542, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 9 Runs)
Greg Whitlock, Smythe Sox (10-23, .435, 2 RBI, 6 Runs)
Cecil Whitehead, Smythe Sox (9-20, .450, 3 RBI, 7 Runs)
Mike Parrott, Smythe Sox (10-19, .526, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Mauro Chiti, County Sports (8-13, .615, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
Ron Hargrove, County Sports (8-17, .471, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 8 Runs)
Mike Cellura, Capitol Insulation (8-15, .533, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 8 Runs)
Larry McGee, Capitol Insulation (9-13, .692, 8 RBI, 1 Run)
Scott Smith, County Sports
Manager Award – John Cooke, Smythe Sox
OTHERS:
Curtis Williams, Howard’s (5-6, .833, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
Kenny Broadwell, Ritch’s Salvage (8-11, .727, 7 Runs)
Darrell Misenheimer, Ritch’s Salvage (7-10, .700, 5 RBI, 1 Run)
Chip Sheffield, Lighthouse (4-6, .667, 1 RBI, 1 Run)
Stan Harvey, Howard’s (5-9, .556, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Baxter Burris, Ritch’s Salvage (5-9, .556, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 Runs)
Ron Ford, Vernons (5-9, .556, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
John Grissom, Smythe Sox (8-15, .533, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Gary Richter, County Sports (8-17, .471, 4 RBI, 7 Runs)
Cruz Martinez, Capitol (6-13, .462, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Doug Brown, Smythe Sox (11-26, .423, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 Runs)
Kevin Daugherty, County Sports (7-17, .412, 2 RBI, 5 Runs)
Rick Wheeler, Smythe Sox (9-25, .369, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 8 Runs)
John Davide, County Sports (5-14, .357, 4 RBI, 2 Runs)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s (4-12, .333, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
Clyde Guy, Howard’s (3-10, .300, 4 RBI, 1 Run)
Mark Heirlmeier, Smythe Sox (6-21, .286, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Bill Pollock, County Sports (4-14, .286, 8 RBI, 3 Runs)
Britt Hightower, Smythe Sox (6-22, .273, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Sylvin Little, Lighthouse (1-6, .167)
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Smythe Sox, Houston, TX (6-1)
2. County Sports, Levittown, NY (3-2)
3. Capitol Softball Club, Northridge, CA (2-2)
4. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (2-2)
5t. Ritch’s Auto Salvage, Harrisburg, NC (1-2)
5t. Vernon’s, Jacksonville, FL (1-2)
7t. Lighthouse, Stone Mountain, GA (0-2)
7t. Snyder’s Softball Club, Wixom, MI (0-2)
After the tournament the NSPC is disbanded and never held a tournament again.
1983 National Slo-Pitch Conference
Champion – Elite Coatings, Gordon, Georgia
Runner-Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina
After Howard’s eliminated Steele’s and then Jerry’s in the losers bracket, Elite defeated Howard’s 24-16 to capture the NSPC Championship. They went undefeated winning 4 straight They broke the game open in the 4th inning with 9 runs on Homers by Craig Elliott, Bill Gatti and Bill Pollock. Elliott was named the MVP for the second straight year. He was second in both the HR and Batting title, trailing Rick Scherr in HR 12 to 11 and in batting to teammate Fred Trice .824 to .800.
AWARDS
- MVP – Craig Elliot, Elite Coatings (16-20, .800, 11 HR)
- HR Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s – 12 (.747)
- Batting Leader – Fred Trice, Elite (14-17) – .824
- Outstanding Defensive Player – Denny Jones, Jerry’s Caterers
ALL NATIONAL TEAM
Craig Elliott, Elite Coatings (16-20, .800, 11 HRs)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (12 HRs)
Fred Trice, Elite Coatings (14-17, .824)
Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings
Steve Williams, Elite Coatings
Charles Wright, Elite Coatings
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers
Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers
Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers
Denny Jones, Jerry’s Caterers
Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer
Russell Bradley, Howard’s/Western Steer
Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer
STANDINGS
1. Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA (4-0)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (5-2)
3. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (2-2)
4. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH (3-2)
5t. No. 1 Electric, Gastonia, NC (3-2)
5t. Cable TV, Garland, TX (3-2)
7t. Southwestern Fabricators, Detroit, MI (1-2)
7t. Unique Cleaners, Maryville, TN (1-2)
9t. Miller Beer, Detroit, MI (1-2)
9t. Memory Lane, Maryville, TN (1-2)
9t. Budget Rentals, Johnson City, TN (0-2)
9t. Jim Lane’s, Maryville, TN (0-2)
There was no NSPC held in 1984, 1985, or 1986.
1982 National Slo-Pitch Conference
Champion – Ken Sanders Ford, Birmingham, Alabama
Runner-Up – Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, Florida
In 1982, There were 6 regional divisions; National (3 teams), Eastern, Northern, Atlantic, Southern and Western (6 teams each). Each division held their own qualifiers and kept their own regular season division standings. The 3 teams from the National division were automatically awarded berths to the National Championship Tournament and the other 5 division winners plus some wildcards were also awarded berths to the National Championship Tournament.
York Barbell/Ken Sanders had to come through the losers bracket and defeat undefeated Jerry’s twice. To get there, They had to beat Rule & Lee (beat them 5-4 on a dramatic Craig Elliott walk off HR in 8th inning) and also Elite (beat them 22-9 on Craig Elliott’s 2 HRs and 8 RBIs). The First game of the Finals was a 24-14 victory over Jerry’s. Craig Elliott (4-4, 2 HRs, 3B, 2 2Bs and 8 RBIs) and Charles Wright (4-5, 2 HRs and 6 RBIs). The final championship game was a slugfest as York/Sanders came out on top 35-27. Craig Elliott was 5-5 with 3 HRs. James Boyette, Bill Pollock and Charles Wright had 4 hits each and accounted for 4 HRs and 14 RBIs. Steve Williams had 2 HRs and 5 RBIs and Ricky Huggins hit 3 HRs with 7 RBIs. For Jerry’s, Bruce Meade was 6-6, 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. The tournament was played on a baseball field at the World’s Fair in Knoxville, TN. In the 19 games played, only 92 HRs were hit.
AWARDS
- MVP – Craig Elliot, York/Ken Sanders (19-29, .655, 10 HR’s, 23 RBIs) – 9-9, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs in final 2 games
- HR Leader – Charles Wright, Ken Sanders (19-27, .704) – 11
- Batting Leader – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers (20-25) – .800
- Outstanding Defensive Player – Mac Stalcup, Rule and Lee
ALL NATIONAL TEAM
Craig Elliott, York/Sander’s (19-29, .655, 10 HRs, 23 RBI) – (9-9, 4 HR, 11 RBI and 11 runs scored in final championship games)
Charles Wright, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (19-27, .704, 11 HR) – (8-9, 4 HR, 11 RBI and 11 runs scored in final championship games)
Bill Pollack, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (4-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI and 6 Runs scored in final game)
Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (3 hits in each final game with 5 RBI and 6 Runs scored)
Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (7-9 in final championship games)
Clyde Guy, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (2 HR, 5 RBI in final championship games)
Steve Williams, York Barbell/Ken Sander’s (3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI and 5 runs scored in final game)
Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers (6-6, 2 HR, 5 RBI and 6 Runs scored in final game)
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers (4-4, HR and 6 RBI in first final)
Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers (4-6, HR, 4 RBI and 4 runs scored in final game)
Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers (5-5, 2 HR in final game)
Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
Mac Stalcup, Rule and Lee
Stats from Both Championship Games
Craig Ellott, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (9-9, 1.000, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 11 Runs)
Charles Wright, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (8-9, .889, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 11 Runs)
Bruce Meade, Jerry’s Caterers (8-10, .800, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 Runs)
Curtis Williams, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (7-9, .778, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 4 Runs)
Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers (7-9, .778, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 Runs)
Mike Nye, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (6-9, .667, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
Danny Basso, Jerry’s Caterers (6-9, .667, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 Runs)
Bill Pollock, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (6-10, .600, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Mike Bolen, Jerry’s Caterers (6-10, .600, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers (6-10, .600, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 7 Runs)
James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers (6-10, .600, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs)
James Boyett, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (5-9, .556, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Denny Jones, Jerry’s Caterers (4-8, .500, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
Joey Raby, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (4-8, .500, 4 RBI)
Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers (2-4, .500, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Bill Meyer, Jerry’s Caterers (5-11, .454, 4 RBI)
Joel Todd, Jerry’s Caterers (4-9, .444, 3 RBI, 1 Run)
Ricky Huggins, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (4-10, .400, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7 Runs)
Clyde Guy, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (4-10, .400, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Steve Williams, Ken Sanders/York Barbell (3-8, .375, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Miles Schexnaydre, Jerry’s Caterers (0-3, .000)
York/Sanders Trip to the Title
- Beat TNEMAC 13-7
- Lost to Elite 10-12
- Beat Southside 12-2
- Beat Rule/Lee 5-4
- Beat Elite 22-9
- Beat Jerrys 24-14
- Beat Jerrys 35-27
STANDINGS
1. York Barbell/Ken Sander’s, York, PA (#3 National Division) (6-1)
2. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (#2 National Division) (4-2)
3. Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA (Southern Division Champ) (2-2)
4. Rule and Lee, Maryville, TN (Host Team-Southern Division) (3-2)
5t. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (#1 National Division) (2-2)
5t. Southside Sports, Louisville, KY (Southern Division at-large) (2-2)
7t. Fabmasters, Lexington, NC (Atlantic Division Champ) (0-2)
7t. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY (Eastern Division Champ) (0-2)
9t. Garrett and Houck, Oklahoma City, OK (Western Division Champ) (0-2)
9t. TENEMEC, Indianapolis, IN (Northern Division Champ) (0-2)
Carolina A’s, Shelby, NC (Atlantic Division at-large) No Show
(** Qualified for National Championship Tournament)
1982 Final Regular Season Standings
1982 Regular Season NSPC Qualifying Tournaments Listed (Each Division was separate)
Location/Division and Top Teams with available info (MVP, ODPA, HR, Batting Leaders)
National Division
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (24-7) **
2. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (18-6) **
3. York Barbells/Ken Sanders, York, PA (21-9) **
Atlantic Division
1. Fab Masters, Lexington, NC (10-2) **
2. Carolina A’s, Shelby, NC (9-3) **
3. Gastonia Heat/No #1 Electric, Gastonia, NC (3-9)
4. World of Wheel’s, Kannapolis, NC (2-10)
May 15-16, Fayetteville, NC (Atlantic Division Championship)
1. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (4-0)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (3-1)
3. Fabmasters, Lexington, NC (1-3)
4. Carolina A’s, Shelby, NC
AWARDS
- MVP – Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers
- Rick Scherr, Howard’s and Harold Kelley, Jerry’s – 6 HR
- ODPA – Denny Jones, Jerry’s
May 29-30, Clemmons, NC (Atlantic Division Round Robin)
1. Fabmasters, Lexington, NC (4-0) **
2. Carolina A’s, Shelby, NC **
3. World of Wheels, Kannapolis, IN
4. Gastonia-No.1 Electric, Gastonia, NC
July 10-11, Burlington, NC (Atlantic Division Round Robin)
No information available or not held
Eastern Division
1. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY (8-4) **
2. County Sports/Steele’s, Levittown, NY (7-5)
3. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT (7-5)
4. Farrell’s Maintenance, Lancaster, PA (4-8)
5. Stan’s Place, Nashua, NH (4-8)
July 24-25, New Britain, CT (Eastern Division Championship)
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
County Sports/Steele’s, Levittown, NY
Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT
Farrell’s Maintenance, Lancaster, PA
Stan’s Place, Nashua, NH
Simsbury Raiders, Simsbury, CT
Dack Industries, Bristol, CT
May 22-23, Rochester, NY (Eastern Division Round Robin)
1. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY (3-1) **
2. Stan’s Place, Nashua, NH (3-1)
3. County Sports-Steele’s, Levittown, NY (2-2)
4. Farrell’s Maintenance, Ephrata, PA (1-3)
5. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT (1-3)
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
June 26-27, York, PA (Eastern Division Round Robin)
1. York Barbells/Ken Sanders, York, PA (6-0)
Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY
County Sports/Steele’s, Levittown, NY
Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT
Farrell’s Maintenance, Lancaster, PA
Stan’s Place, Nashua, NH
Hoffman Blue, York, PA
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
Northern Division
1. TNEMEC, Indianapolis, IN (4-0) **
2. Lo-Temp Brazing, Toledo, OH (0-4)
Synders Softball Club, Detroit, MI forfeited
Danny’s Drilling, Newark, OH forfeited
Triangle Sports, Minneapolis, MN forfeited
Kenmark NY Eastern/Steele’s, Akron, OH forfeited
June 12-13, Dayton, OH (North Division Championship)
1. York Barbell/Ken Sander’s, York, PA
2. TNEMEC, Indianapolis, IN **
3. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
4. Lo-Temp Brazing, Toledo, OH
AWARDS
- MVP- Bill Pollack, York-Sanders
- Craig Elliott, York-Sanders – 13 HR
- ODPA- Rick Scherr, Howard’s
May 22-23, Site TBD (Northern Division Round Robin)
No information available or not held
June 26-27, Indianapolis, IN
1. TNEMEC, Indianapolis, IN (4-0)
2. Lo-Temp Brazing, Toledo, OH (0-4)
Synders Softball Club, Detroit, MI
Triangle Sports, Minneapolis, MN
Danny’s Drilling, Neward, OH
Kenmark NY Eastern/Steele’s, Akron, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – Kenny Brooks, TNEMAC (16-19, .842)
- Gil Janek, TNEMAC – 8 HR
- Lloyd Allison, TNEMAC – .822
Southern Division
1. Elite Coatings, Gordon, GA (14-2) **
2. Rule and Lee, Maryville, TN (11-8) ** (at large team and host for NSPC National)
3. Fred Weber/St. Louis Merchants, St. Louis, MO (6-10)
4. Southside Sports, Louisville, KY (3-11) **
5. T&K, Lexington, KY (4-12)
Unique Cleaners, Maryville, TN forfeited
May 22-23, Hendersonville, TN (Southern Division Championship)
No information available or not held
April 24-25, Louisville, KY (Southern Division Round Robin)
1. Elite Coatings, Gordan, GA **
2. Southside Sports, Louisville, KY **
3. T&K, Lexington, KY
4. Rule & Lee, Maryville, TN **
AWARDS
- MVP- Chip Sheffield, Elite Coatings
- ODPA – Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings – 8 HR
June 19-20, Macon, GA (Southern Division Regional)
No information available or not held
Western Division
1. Garrett and Houck, Oklahoma City, OK (11-1) **
2. Cable TV, Garland, TX (6-6)
3. Taylor Brothers Jewelers, Dallas, TX (4-8)
4. Stone City Stars, San Antonio, TX (3-9)
Pierson’s, Houston, TX forfeited
Slocum Construction, Alexandria, LA forfeited
July 3-4, San Antonio, TX (West Division Championship)
1. York Barbell-Ken Sanders, York, PA (6-1)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (3-2)
3. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (4-2)
4. Taylor Brothers Jewelers, Dallas, TX (2-2)
5t. Hill Country Car Ctr, San Marcos, TX (2-2)
5t. Cable TV, Garland, TX (1-2)
7t. Stone City Stars, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
7t. Garrett & Houck, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
9t. Steve Dillard Auto, Austin, TX (0-2)
9t. Lufkin Raiders, Lufkin, TX (0-2)
9t. Auto Transmission, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
AWARDS
- MVP – Craig Elliott, York-Sanders – 21 HR
- Charles Wright, York-Sanders – 21 HR
- ODPA – Richard Wilborn, Howard’s
P – Craig Elliott, York-Sanders
C – Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s
1B – Bill Pollock, York-Sanders
2B – Charles Wright, York-Sanders
3B – Ricky Huggins, York-Sanders
SS – Danny Basso, Jerry’s
OF – Bruce Meade, Jerry’s
OF – Dick Bartel, Howard’s
OF – Mike Nye, York-Sanders
OF – Mike Cellura, Howard’s
UTIL – Rick Scherr, Howard’s
UTIL – Russell Bradley, Howard’s
June 12-13, Garland, TX (Western Division Round Robin)
1. Garrett and Houck, Oklahoma City, OK (5-1) **
2. Cable TV, Garland, TX
3. Taylor Brothers Jewelers, Dallas, TX
4. Stone City Stars, San Antonio, TX
AWARDS
- MVP – Glen Bourquin, Garrett and Houck (.679, 6 HR)
- Peter Ortega, Garrett & Houck – 9 HRs
- ODPA – Homer Salizar, Garrett & Houck
May 15-16, Moore, OK (Western Division Round Robin)
No information available or not held
Regular Season MVP winners
- Craig Elliott, York-Sanders
- Bill Pollack, York-Sanders
- Mike Parrott, Jerry’s Caterers
- Glen Bourquin, Garrett and Houck
- Chip Sheffield, Elite Coatings
- Kenny Brooks, TNEMAC
Regular Season ODPA Awards
- Denny Jones, Jerry’s Caterers
- Cecil Whitehead, Elite Coatings
- Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
- Richard Wilborn, Howard’s/Western Steer
- Homer Salizar, Garrett & Houck
1981 National Slo-Pitch Conference
Champion – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina
Runner-Up – Nationwide Advertising Services, Cleveland, Ohio
There were 8 teams entered in the 1981 regular season. The 8 teams were seeded according to season record in the national championship tournament. Howard’s won 6 out of the 7 regular season tournaments and finished second the other one.
After Howard’s beat Steele’s 31-10 in the semi-finals (Ed Roth 4 HR, Dick Bartel 3 HR, Don Arndt and Stan Harvey, 2 HR each), Howards then beat Nationwide Advertising Services 14-12 in winners bracket final as Dick Bartel hit two 3-run homers. Nationwide Advertising Services then eliminated York Barbell/Ken Sanders 17-13 as Mike Macenko and Dana Andry each homered twice. Howard’s then won the title as Tom Beall’s 3-run home run blew the game open for Howards as they won the championship 16-4.
AWARDS
- MVP – Dick Bartel, Howard’s/ Western Steer (9-13, .692, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
- HR Leaders – Ed Roth, Howard’s (8-11, .727, 12 RBI) – 7
- HR Leaders – Harold Kelley, Jerry’s (10-12, .833, 12 RBI) – 7
- Batting Leader – Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers (10-12, 7 HR, 12 RBI) – .833
- Co-Outstanding Defensive Players – Mike Nye, York/Sanders
- Co-Outstanding Defensive Players – Doc Booker, NAS
ALL NATIONAL TEAM
Dick Bartel, Howard’s/Western Steer (9-13, .692, 6 HR, 15 RBI)
Mike Nye, York Barbell’s/Ken Sander’s (10-14, .714)
Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer (8-11, .727, 7 HR, 12 RBI)
Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers (7 HRs) (10-12, .833, 7 HR, 12 RBI)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer (8-12, .667, 1 HR)
Mike Cellura, Howard’s/Western Steer (7-12, .583)
Stan Harvey, Howard’s/Western Steer (8-13, .615, 3 HR, 10 RBI)
Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising (8-16, .500, 5 HR)
Marty Rolnick, Nationwide Advertising (9-16, .563, 4 HR)
Benny Holt, Nationwide Advertising (8-11, .727, 3 HR)
Craig Elliott, York Barbell’s/Ken Sander’s (8-13, .615, 6 HR, 12 RBI)
Herman Rathman, Steele’s Sports (8-14, .571, 5 HR)
Doc Booker, Nationwide Advertising
STANDINGS
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (#1 seed) (3-0)
2. Nationwide Advertising, Cleveland, OH (#2 seed) (3-2)
3. York Barbell/Ken Sanders, York, PA (#4 seed) (2-2)
4. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH (#5 seed) (2-2)
5t. Shimers, Minneapolis, MN (#6 seed) (1-2)
5t. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (#7 seed) (1-2)
7. Snyder’s/Stroh’s, Detroit, MI (#3 seed) (0-2)
NOTE: #8 seed, Gartenhaus could not make the tournament.
REGULAR SEASON NSPC LEADERS
- HR Leader – Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising – 46
- RBI Champion – Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising – 94
- Batting Leader – Bill Ferguson, Howard’s/Western Steer – .643
| 1981 Final Regular Season Standings | Record | Pct | 1st | 2nd |
| 1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC | 18 – 4 | 0.818 | 6 | 1 |
| 2. Nationwide Advertising, Cleveland, OH | 37 – 15 | 0.712 | 7 | 2 |
| 3. Snyder’s/Stroh’s, Detroit, MI | 22 – 16 | 0.579 | 1 | 6 |
| 4. York Barbell/Ken Sanders, York, PA | 12 – 9 | 0.571 | 1 | 3 |
| 5. Steele’s Sports, Gradton, OH | 8 – 23 | 0.258 | 0 | 1 |
| 6. Shimers, Minneapolis, MN | 4 – 12 | 0.250 | 1 | 0 |
| 7. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL | 3 – 11 | 0.214 | 0 | 1 |
| 8. Gartenhouse, Plainville, CT | 1 – 17 | 0.056 | 0 | 1 |
| NA. *Fabmasters, Lexington, NC | NA | 0 | 1 |
*Non-conference team
ALL NSPC FIRST TEAM
| POS | PLAYER, TEAM | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG |
| P | Dana Andry, Nationwide Advertising | 140 | 50 | 59 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 57 | .421 |
| C | Jim Bizzell, Nationwide Advertising | 186 | 83 | 96 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 84 | .516 |
| 1B | Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising | 174 | 83 | 100 | 4 | 1 | 38 | 80 | .575 |
| 2B | Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising | 197 | 97 | 102 | 15 | 7 | 46 | 94 | .518 |
| 3B | Bill Ferguson, Howard’s-Western Steer | 70 | 26 | 45 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 15 | .643 |
| SS | Charles Wright, Nationwide Advertising | 123 | 56 | 66 | 11 | 0 | 23 | 43 | .537 |
| OF | Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 84 | 42 | 51 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 12 | .607 |
| OF | Dick Bartel, Howard’s-Western Steer | 81 | 43 | 45 | 5 | 1 | 24 | 54 | .556 |
| OF | Rick Petrunyak, Nationwide Advertising | 162 | 84 | 88 | 15 | 5 | 31 | 62 | .543 |
| OF | Braxton Speller, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 151 | 66 | 81 | 11 | 2 | 31 | 92 | .536 |
| UT | Rick Scherr, Howard’s-Western Steer | 69 | 49 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 49 | .623 |
| UT | Stan Harvey, Howard’s-Western Steer | 83 | 40 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 44 | .518 |
ALL NSPC SECOND TEAM
| POS | PLAYER, TEAM | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG |
| P | Buddy Slater, Howard’s-Western Steer | 49 | 14 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .408 |
| C | Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers | 42 | 13 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 16 | .500 |
| 1B | John Geckle, Steele’s Sports | 97 | 33 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 24 | .546 |
| 2B | Dennis Myers, Shimers | 48 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 22 | .521 |
| 3B | Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Sanders | 81 | 34 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 19 | .568 |
| SS | Rick Trudeau, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 160 | 46 | 86 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 31 | .538 |
| OF | Jim Gendron, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 140 | 55 | 77 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 45 | .550 |
| OF | Ron Ford, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 81 | 36 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 35 | .519 |
| OF | Larry Garrard, Steele’s Sports | 106 | 29 | 54 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 24 | .509 |
| OF | Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers | 56 | 24 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 26 | .482 |
| UT | Chuck Drewicz, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 144 | 47 | 83 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 31 | .576 |
| UT | Russell Bradley, Howard’s-Western Steer | 90 | 40 | 48 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 15 | .533 |
1981 REGULAR SEASON OFFICIAL STATS
| BATTING LEADERS (MIN 35 AB) | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG |
| Bill Ferguson, Howard’s-Western Steer | 70 | 26 | 45 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 15 | .643 |
| Rick Scherr, Howard’s-Western Steer | 69 | 49 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 49 | .623 |
| Mike Nye, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 84 | 42 | 51 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 12 | .607 |
| Chuck Drewicz, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 144 | 47 | 83 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 31 | .576 |
| Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising | 174 | 83 | 100 | 4 | 1 | 38 | 80 | .575 |
| Curtis Williams, York Barbell/Sanders | 81 | 34 | 46 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 19 | .568 |
| Dick Bartel, Howard’s-Western Steer | 81 | 43 | 45 | 5 | 1 | 24 | 54 | .556 |
| Carl Tini, Gartenhaus | 63 | 19 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 10 | .556 |
| Jim Gendron, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 140 | 55 | 77 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 45 | .550 |
| John Geckle, Steele’s Sports | 97 | 33 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 24 | .546 |
| Rick Petrunyak, Nationwide Advertising | 162 | 84 | 88 | 15 | 5 | 31 | 62 | .543 |
| Tim Sweeney, Jerry’s Caterers | 37 | 12 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .541 |
| Rick Trudeau, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 160 | 46 | 86 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 31 | .538 |
| Charles Wright, Nationwide Advertising | 123 | 56 | 66 | 11 | 0 | 23 | 43 | .537 |
| Braxton Speller, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 151 | 66 | 81 | 11 | 2 | 31 | 92 | .536 |
| Russell Bradley, Howard’s-Western Steer | 90 | 40 | 48 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 15 | .533 |
| Ted Larson, Shimers | 51 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6 | .529 |
| Rich Amsden, Nationwide Advertising | 63 | 27 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 27 | .524 |
| Dennis Myers, Shimers | 48 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 22 | .521 |
| Jerry Pugh, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 50 | 15 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | .520 |
| Carl Parrish, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 106 | 38 | 55 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 40 | .519 |
| Ron Ford, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 81 | 36 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 35 | .519 |
| Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising | 197 | 97 | 102 | 15 | 7 | 46 | 94 | .518 |
| Stan Harvey, Howard’s-Western Steer | 83 | 40 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 44 | .518 |
| Jim Bizzell, Nationwide Advertising | 186 | 83 | 96 | 6 | 5 | 36 | 84 | .516 |
| John Locke, Shimers | 45 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 18 | .511 |
| Larry Garrard, Steele’s Sports | 106 | 29 | 54 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 24 | .509 |
| Gary Geister, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 126 | 49 | 64 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 32 | .508 |
| Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers | 42 | 13 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 16 | .500 |
| Chic Downing, Steele’s Sports | 57 | 13 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 24 | .491 |
| Cliff Carpenter, Steele’s Sports | 51 | 23 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | .490 |
| Bill Meyer, Jerry’s Caterers | 43 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 11 | .488 |
| John Brenner, Steele’s Sports | 105 | 37 | 51 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | .486 |
| Joel Todd, Jerry’s Caterers | 35 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 11 | .486 |
| Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers | 56 | 24 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 26 | .482 |
| Steve Howard, Howard’s-Western Steer | 81 | 26 | 39 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | .481 |
| Fred Miller, Nationwide Advertising | 96 | 30 | 46 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 21 | .479 |
| Al White, Steele’s Sports | 88 | 31 | 42 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 46 | .477 |
| John Eckstein, Snyders-Strohs | 99 | 29 | 47 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 16 | .475 |
| Joe Young, Jerry’s Caterers | 51 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 20 | .471 |
| Don Arndt, Howard’s-Western Steer | 79 | 30 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 38 | .468 |
| Tom Beall, Howard’s-Western Steer | 77 | 36 | 36 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 43 | .468 |
| Dan Roberts, Gartenhaus | 58 | 18 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | .466 |
| Billy May, Snyders-Strohs | 104 | 34 | 48 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 34 | .462 |
| Benny Holt, Nationwide Advertising | 139 | 44 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 44 | .460 |
| Denny Helmig, Steele’s Sports | 59 | 17 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | .458 |
| Fred Trice, Jerry’s Caterers | 46 | 18 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 15 | .457 |
| Richard Wilborn, Howard’s-Western Steer | 77 | 21 | 35 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 33 | .455 |
| James Boyett, Jerry’s Caterers | 53 | 21 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 24 | .453 |
| James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers | 53 | 18 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 16 | .453 |
| Mark Brown, Nationwide Advertising | 124 | 45 | 56 | 4 | 1 | 22 | 51 | .452 |
| Lacy Brumley, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 67 | 21 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 33 | .448 |
| Frank Kessler, Snyders-Strohs | 156 | 55 | 69 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 55 | .442 |
| Henry McBeth, Steele’s Sports | 91 | 22 | 40 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 35 | .440 |
| Mike Turk, Snyders-Strohs | 105 | 26 | 46 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 22 | .438 |
| Steve Ammons, Jerry’s Caterers | 48 | 14 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 18 | .438 |
| Tom Tasha, Gartenhaus | 48 | 12 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .438 |
| Bill Pollock, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 69 | 22 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 33 | .435 |
| Ozzie Matthews, Gartenhaus | 49 | 14 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 24 | .429 |
| Garry Morris, Shimers | 42 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | .429 |
| Craig Seaman, Snyders-Strohs | 124 | 44 | 53 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 34 | .427 |
| Roger Wilt, Nationwide Advertising | 143 | 43 | 61 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 47 | .427 |
| Scott Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 68 | 15 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 19 | .426 |
| Jerry King, Steele’s Sports | 78 | 25 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 22 | .423 |
| Dana Andry, Nationwide Advertising | 140 | 50 | 59 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 57 | .421 |
| Gordie Handervidt, Shimers | 53 | 0 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 7 | .415 |
| Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 73 | 40 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 45 | .411 |
| Buddy Slater, Howard’s-Western Steer | 49 | 14 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .408 |
| Al Carfora, Gartenhaus | 42 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 14 | .405 |
| Dave Jacubs, Nationwide Advertising | 57 | 19 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 14 | .404 |
| Myles Schexnaydre, Jerry’s Caterers | 45 | 12 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | .400 |
| Denny Ellis, Shimers | 35 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | .400 |
| Doc Booker, Nationwide Advertising | 137 | 46 | 53 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 55 | .387 |
| Roger Mayo, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 52 | 16 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 33 | .385 |
| Fred Ryan, Nationwide Advertising | 90 | 30 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 28 | .378 |
| Larry Hutcherson, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 70 | 28 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 28 | .371 |
| Tom Lynch, Gartenhaus | 62 | 18 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 28 | .371 |
| Glen Bourquin, Shimers | 39 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Jim Bowen, Shimers | 40 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | .305 |
| BATTING LEADERS (LESS THAN 35 AB) | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG |
| Mike Cellura, Howard’s-Western Steer | 26 | 13 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 14 | .615 |
| Dave Zychowski, Gartenhaus | 28 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .536 |
| Buck Buchanan, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 16 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .375 |
| Denny Jones, Steele’s Sports | 21 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .238 |
| Herman Rathman, Steele’s Sports | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .133 |
| HOME RUN LEADERS | HR |
| Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising | 46 |
| Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising | 38 |
| Jim Bizzell, Nationwide Advertising | 36 |
| Rick Petrunyak, Nationwide Advertising | 31 |
| Braxton Speller, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 31 |
| Dick Bartel, Howard’s-Western Steer | 24 |
| Charles Wright, Nationwide Advertising | 23 |
| Rick Scherr, Howard’s-Western Steer | 22 |
| Mark Brown, Nationwide Advertising | 22 |
| Frank Kessler, Snyders-Strohs | 22 |
| Stan Harvey, Howard’s-Western Steer | 21 |
| Dana Andry, Nationwide Advertising | 20 |
| Benny Holt, Nationwide Advertising | 19 |
| Roger Wilt, Nationwide Advertising | 19 |
| Don Arndt, Howard’s-Western Steer | 17 |
| Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 17 |
| Doc Booker, Nationwide Advertising | 17 |
| Tom Beall, Howard’s-Western Steer | 16 |
| Lacy Brumley, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 14 |
| Bill Pollock, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 14 |
| Fred Ryan, Nationwide Advertising | 14 |
| Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers | 13 |
| Tom Lynch, Gartenhaus | 13 |
| Fred Miller, Nationwide Advertising | 12 |
| Joe Young, Jerry’s Caterers | 12 |
| Richard Wilborn, Howard’s-Western Steer | 12 |
| James Boyett, Jerry’s Caterers | 12 |
| Rich Amsden, Nationwide Advertising | 11 |
| Ron Ford, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 11 |
| Gary Geister, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 11 |
| Al White, Steele’s Sports | 11 |
| Roger Mayo, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 11 |
| Larry Hutcherson, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 11 |
| Billy May, Snyders-Strohs | 10 |
| Henry McBeth, Steele’s Sports | 10 |
| RBI LEADERS | RBI |
| Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising | 94 |
| Braxton Speller, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 92 |
| Jim Bizzell, Nationwide Advertising | 84 |
| Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising | 80 |
| Rick Petrunyak, Nationwide Advertising | 62 |
| Dana Andry, Nationwide Advertising | 57 |
| Frank Kessler, Snyders-Strohs | 55 |
| Doc Booker, Nationwide Advertising | 55 |
| Dick Bartel, Howard’s-Western Steer | 54 |
| Mark Brown, Nationwide Advertising | 51 |
| Rick Scherr, Howard’s-Western Steer | 49 |
| Roger Wilt, Nationwide Advertising | 47 |
| Al White, Steele’s Sports | 46 |
| Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 45 |
| Jim Gendron, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 45 |
| Stan Harvey, Howard’s-Western Steer | 44 |
| Benny Holt, Nationwide Advertising | 44 |
| Charles Wright, Nationwide Advertising | 43 |
| Tom Beall, Howard’s-Western Steer | 43 |
| Carl Parrish, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 40 |
| Don Arndt, Howard’s-Western Steer | 38 |
| Ron Ford, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 35 |
| Henry McBeth, Steele’s Sports | 35 |
| Billy May, Snyders-Strohs | 34 |
| Craig Seaman, Snyders-Strohs | 34 |
| Lacy Brumley, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 33 |
| Bill Pollock, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 33 |
| Richard Wilborn, Howard’s-Western Steer | 33 |
| Roger Mayo, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 33 |
| Gary Geister, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 32 |
| Chuck Drewicz, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 31 |
| Rick Trudeau, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 31 |
| HR FREQUENCY | AB | HR | HRF |
| Rick Scherr, Howard’s-Western Steer | 69 | 22 | 3.136 |
| Dick Bartel, Howard’s-Western Steer | 81 | 24 | 3.375 |
| Stan Harvey, Howard’s-Western Steer | 83 | 21 | 3.952 |
| Joe Young, Jerry’s Caterers | 51 | 12 | 4.250 |
| Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising | 197 | 46 | 4.283 |
| Craig Elliott, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 73 | 17 | 4.294 |
| Harold Kelley, Jerry’s Caterers | 56 | 13 | 4.308 |
| Mike Cellura, Howard’s-Western Steer | 26 | 6 | 4.333 |
| James Boyett, Jerry’s Caterers | 53 | 12 | 4.417 |
| Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising | 174 | 38 | 4.579 |
| Don Arndt, Howard’s-Western Steer | 79 | 17 | 4.647 |
| Roger Mayo, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 52 | 11 | 4.727 |
| Tom Lynch, Gartenhaus | 62 | 13 | 4.769 |
| Lacy Brumley, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 67 | 14 | 4.786 |
| Tom Beall, Howard’s-Western Steer | 77 | 16 | 4.813 |
| Braxton Speller, Snyder’s-Stroh’s | 151 | 31 | 4.871 |
| Bill Pollock, York Barbell/Ken Sanders | 69 | 14 | 4.929 |
| Fred Trice, Jerry’s Caterers | 46 | 9 | 5.111 |
| Jim Bizzell, Nationwide Advertising | 186 | 36 | 5.167 |
| Rick Petrunyak, Nationwide Advertising | 162 | 31 | 5.226 |
| Greg Fuhrman, Jerry’s Caterers | 42 | 8 | 5.250 |
| Al Carfora, Gartenhaus | 42 | 8 | 5.250 |
| Dennis Myers, Shimers | 48 | 9 | 5.333 |
| Charles Wright, Nationwide Advertising | 123 | 23 | 5.348 |
| Mark Brown, Nationwide Advertising | 124 | 22 | 5.636 |
| Rich Amsden, Nationwide Advertising | 63 | 11 | 5.727 |
| Steve Ammons, Jerry’s Caterers | 48 | 8 | 6.000 |
TOURNAMENT 1 HELD AT YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
1. Nationwide Advertising Services (NAS), Cleveland, OH
2. York Barbell-Ken Sanders, York, PA
AWARDS
- MVP- Mike Macenko, NAS (10-15, .667, 8 HR)
- Mike Nye, York-Sanders – .786
- ODPA- Curtis Williams, York-Sanders
TOURNAMENT 2 HELD AT BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
2. Fabmasters, Lexington, NC
AWARDS
- MVP/ODPA- Russell Bradley, Howard’s (.684)
- James Boyett, Jerry’s Caterers – 8 HR
- Craig Elliott, York-Sanders – 8 HR
- Tommy Spoon, Fabmasters – .727
TOURNAMENT 3 HELD AT FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
1. Snyder’s-Stroh’s, Detroit, MI
2. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
AWARDS
- MVP- Rick Trudeau, Snyder’s-Stroh’s (.727)
- Braxton Speller, Snyder’s-Stroh’s – 2 HR
- Rich Petrunyak, NAS – 2 HR
- Dennis Myers, Shimers – 2 HR
- John Geckle, Steele’s Sports – .900 (9-10)
- ODPA – Tony Haley, Steele’s Sports
TOURNAMENT 4 HELD AT MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
1. York Barbell-Ken Sanders, York, PA
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
AWARDS
- MVP- Craig Elliott, York-Sanders (.692, 15 HR)
- Don Brewer, AAMCO – 16 HRs
- John Smith, Miller Lite Royals – .700
- ODPA-Mac Stalcup, LeAlCo
TOURNAMENT 5 HELD AT WILLOUGHBY, OHIO
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
2. Snyder’s-Stroh’s, Detroit, MI
AWARDS
- MVP – Rick Scherr, Howard’s – 8 HR
- Fred Miller, NAS – .615
- ODPA – Richard Wilborn, Howard’s
TOURNAMENT 6 HELD AT PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
1. Shimers, Minneapolis, MN
2. Snyder’s-Stroh’s, Detroit, MI
AWARDS
- MVP – Dennis Myers, Shimers (5-6, .833, 4 HR, 11 RBI)
TOURNAMENT 7 HELD AT LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
2. Nationwide Advertising Services, Cleveland, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – Mike Cellura, Howard’s (.632, 4 HRs)
- Jim Bizzell, Nationwide Advertising Services – 6 HR (.727)
- ODPA – Chuck Drewicz, Snyder’s-Stroh’s – .750
TOURNAMENT 8 HELD AT WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN
1. Nationwide Advertising Services, Cleveland, OH
2. Snyder’s-Stroh’s, Detroit, MI
AWARDS
- MVP – Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising Services (9-13, .692, 5 HR, 12 RBI)
- Jim Gendron, Snyder’s-Stroh’s – .769 (10-13)
TOURNAMENT 9 HELD AT WILLOUGHBY, OHIO
- Nationwide Advertising Services, Cleveland, OH
- York Barbell-Ken Sanders, York, PA
AWARDS
- MVP – Roger Wilt, Nationwide Advertising Services(6 HR, 14 RBI)
- Chuck Drewicz, Snyder’s-Stroh’s – 700
- ODPA- Rick Trudeau, Snyder’s-Stroh’s (.667)
TOURNAMENT 10 HELD AT EDEN, NORTH CAROLINA
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
2. York Barbell-Ken Sanders, York, PA
AWARDS
- MVP – Don Arndt, Howard’s (.781, 10 HR)
- Craig Elliott, York-Sanders – 12 HR (21 RBI)
- Joe Young, Jerry’s Caterers – 12 HR
- Steve Ammons, Jerry’s Caterers – 12 HR
- Lacy Brumley, York-Sanders – .842 (11 HR)
TOURNAMENT 11 HELD AT HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
2. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL
AWARDS
- MVP – Dick Bartel, Howard’s (8 HRs)
- Craig Elliott, York-Sanders – 9 HRs (20 RBIs)
- Maxie Garrett, LeAlCo – .857 (18-21)
- ODPA – Roger Gibson, Nashville All-Stars
TOURNAMENT 12 HELD AT NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT
1. Nationwide Advertising Services, Cleveland, OH
2. Gartenhaus Café, Plainville, CT
AWARDS
- MVP – Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising Services (11-17, .647, 6 HR)
- Jim Bizzell, NAS – .667
- John Geckle, Steele’s Sports – .667
- ODPA – Cliff Carpenter, Steele’s Sports
TOURNAMENT 13 HELD AT ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
1. Nationwide Advertising Services (NAS), Cleveland, OH
2. Snyder’s-Stroh’s, Detroit, MI
AWARDS
- MVP- Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising Services (10-13, .769, 7 HR, 12 RBI)
- Benny Holt, NAS – 7 HR
TOURNAMENT 14 HELD AT MIAMI, FLORIDA
1. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
2. Nationwide Advertising Services, Cleveland, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – Stan Harvey, Howard’s (.857, 8 HR, 15 RBI)
- Stan Harvey and Ed Roth, Howard’s – 8 HR
- Bill Ferguson, Howard’s – .867 (13-15)
TOURNAMENT 15 HELD AT EAST DETROIT, MICHIGAN
1. Nationwide Advertising Services, Cleveland, OH
2. Snyder’s-Stroh’s, Detroit, MI
AWARDS
- MVP – Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising Services (23-27, .852, 12 HR, 27 RBI)
TOURNAMENT 16 HELD AT WILLOUGHBY, OHIO
1. Nationwide Advertising Services (NAS), Cleveland, OH
2. Snyder’s-Stroh’s, Detroit, MI
AWARDS
- MVP – Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising Services (8 HR)
- Tim Sweeny, Jerry’s – .750
REGULAR SEASON MVP WINNERS
- Mike Macenko, Nationwide Advertising Services (3 times)
- Steve Blanchette, Nationwide Advertising Services (3 times)
- Russell Bradley, Howards’s
- Rick Trudeau, Snyder’s
- Don Arndt, Howard’s
- Stan Harvey, Howard’s
- Dennis Myers, Shimers
- Mike Cellura, Howard’s
- Roger Wilt, Nationwide Advertising Services
- Dick Bartel, Howard’s
- Craig Elliott, York-Sanders
REGULAR SEASON ODPA WINNERS
- Curtis Williams, York-Sanders
- Russell Bradley, Howard’s
- Tony Haley, Steele’s Sports
- Mac Stalcup, LeAlCo
- Richard Wilborn, Howard’s
- Chuck Drewicz, Snyder’s-Stroh’s
- Roger Gibson, Nashville All-Stars
- Cliff Carpenter, Steele’s Sports
1980 National Slo-Pitch Conference
Champion – Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, California
Runner-Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina
There were 20 Teams entered in the 1980 Season. The eight teams with the most point totals were awarded berths in the National Championship Tournament.
Campbell’s defeated Howard’s 25-8 in the winners bracket. Howard’s then eliminated Steele’s 34-15 to get another crack at Campbell’s. Led by Rick Scherr (4 for 4), Howards beat Campbell’s 15-13 to force the final championship game. Campbell’s left no doubt as they won the title 19-7. Elby Bushong hit 2 HR and had 8 RBI to lead the way.
AWARDS
- MVP – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (15-17, .882, 5 HR)
- HR Leader – Al White, Steele’s (15-20, .750) – 10
- Batting Leader (at least 15 At Bats) – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets – .882
- Outstanding Defensive Player – Steve Howard Howard’s/ Western Steer
ALL NATIONAL TEAM
Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (15-17, .882, 5 HR)
Elby Bushong, Campbell’s Carpets (14-21, .667, 8 HR, 17 RBI)
Greg Fuhrman, Campbell’s Carpets (18-22, .818, 6 HR)
Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (11-15, .733)
Dennis Myers, Campbell’s Carpets (11-18, .611, 7 HR, 17 RBI)
John Geckle, Steele’s Sports
Larry Garrard, Steele’s Sports (17-22, .773)
Al White, Steele’s Sports (15-20, .750, 10 HR)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s/Western Steer
Stan Harvey, Howard’s/Western Steer (9 HR)
Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer (21-28, .750)
Steve Howard, Howard’s/Western Steer
Paul Wright, Ken Sanders
OTHERS:
Bruce Meade, Dave Carroll Sports (11-12, .917, 5 HR)
Doug Gerdes, Softball City (9-12, .750)
Lacy Brumley, Ken Sanders (14-20, .700, 7 HR)
Rager Mayo, Ken Sanders (14-21, .667, 6 HR, 20 RBI)
Richard Wilborn, Campbell’s (9-15, .600, 6 HR)
Mighty Joe Young, Steele’s (14-25, .560, 8 HR, 22 RBI)
Charles Wright, Ken Sanders (8 HR)
Ray Fleetwood, Howards (8 HR)
Don Arndt, Howards (7 HR)
1980 NSPC National Championship Tournament Final Standings
1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (#4 seed) (4-1)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (#3 seed) (4-2)
3. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH (#5 seed) (3-2)
4. Ken Sander’s Subaru, Birmingham, AL (#6 seed) (3-2)
5t. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (#1 seed) (1-2)
5t. Softball City, Detroit, MI (#2 seed) (1-2)
7t. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC (#9 seed) (1-2)
7t. Shimers, Minneapolis, MN (#7 seed) (0-2)
9. Hillcrest-Fashion Rite, Cleveland, OH (#8 seed) (0-2)
OFFICERS
- President – George “Doc” Linnehan
- Vice President – Randy Gorrell
- Secretary – Gary Wilcher
- Treasure – Gary Wilcher
- Executive Board Member – Richard Howard
- Executive Board Member – Jim Snyder
- Executive Board Member – Gary Wilcher
- Executive Board Member – Dave Robinson
- Executive Board Member – Gary Coats
- Public Relations – Jerome Earnest
| FINAL STANDINGS | Record | Pct | 1st |
| 1. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL | 19 – 4 | .826 | 3 |
| 2. Softball City, Detroit, MI | 25 – 9 | .735 | 3 |
| 3. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC | 16 – 7 | .696 | 0 |
| 4. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA | 15 – 7 | .682 | 1 |
| 5. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH | 23 – 11 | .676 | 1 |
| 6. Ken Sanders Subaru, Birmingham, AL | 17 – 11 | .607 | 1 |
| 7. Shimers, Minneapolis, MN | 11 – 8 | .579 | 0 |
| 8t. Hillcrest-Fashion Rite, Cleveland, OH | 14 – 14 | .500 | 1 |
| 8t. Dave Carroll’s, Sherrill’s Ford, NC | 11 – 11 | .500 | 2 |
REGULAR SEASON MVP WINNERS
- James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers
- Richard Wilborn, Howard’s/Western Steer
- Larry Hall, Dave Carroll Sports
- John Geckle, Steele’s Sports
- Craig Seaman, Softball City
| 1980 Final Regular Season Standings | Record | Pct | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| 1. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL | 19-4 | .826 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2. Softball City, Detroit, MI | 25-9 | .735 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC | 16-7 | .696 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 4. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA | 15-7 | .682 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 5. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH | 23-11 | .676 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 6. Ken Sanders Subaru, Birmingham, AL | 17-11 | .607 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 7. Shimers, Minneapolis, MN | 11-8 | .579 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 8. Hillcrest-Fashion Rite, Cleveland, OH | 14-14 | .500 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 8. Dave Carroll’s, Sherrill’s Ford, NC | 11-11 | .500 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 10. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI | 18-24 | .429 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 11. Han Hansen, Toledo, OH | 10-16 | .385 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12. York Barbells, York, PA | 8-13 | .381 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 13. Teamsters 293, Cleveland, OH | 8-20 | .286 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 14. Bunca and Frey, Kalamazoo, MI | 6-18 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT | 4-13 | .235 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 16. Friarson’s, Jackson, MS | 1-10 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NA. G.B. Wilcher, Seymour, IN (withdrew from Conference) | NA | ||||
| NA. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC (withdrew from Conference) | NA | ||||
| NA. Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA (withdrew from Conference) | NA | ||||
| NA. St. Louis Merchants, St. Louis, MO (withdrew from Conference) | NA |
TOURNAMENT 1 HELD ON APRIL 26-27 AT CLEMMONS, NORTH CAROLINA
1. Ken Sanders Ford, Phoenix City, AL (4-1)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
3. Dave Carroll’s, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
MVP- not listed
TOURNAMENT 2 HELD ON MAY 3-4 AT MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
1. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (5-0)
2. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL (4-1)
3. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrills Ford, NC
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
- Bruce Meade, Dave Carroll Sports (.800, 11 HR)
- Mike Parrott, Dave Carroll Sports – .833
TOURNAMENT 3 HELD ON MAY 10-11 AT NICEVILLE, FLORIDA
1. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (4-1) beat Howard’s head to head)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (4-1)
3. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL
AWARDS
- MVP- James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers (.800, 7 HR)
- Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer (.684) – 8 HR
TOURNAMENT 4 HELD ON MAY 17-18 AT EDEN/BURLINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA
1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (4-1)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
3. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL
AWARDS
- MVP – Richard Wilborn, Campbell’s Carpets – 6 HR
TOURNAMENT 5 HELD ON MAY 17-18 AT CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
Rained out and never rescheduled.
TOURNAMENT 6 HELD ON MAY 24-25 AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
1. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL
2. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA
3. Hillcrest-Fashion Rite, Cleveland, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
- James Boyett, Jerry’s Caterers – 2 HR
- Fred Winston, Jerry’s Caterers – 2 HR
TOURNAMENT 7 HELD ON MAY 31-JUNE 1 AT MARIETTA, GEORGIA
1. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrills Ford, NC (4-1, beat Jerry’s head to head)
2. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (4-1)
3. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL
AWARDS
- MVP – Larry Hall, Dave Carroll
- Lacy Brumley, Ken Sanders – 18 HR
- Kenneth Carlton, Jerry’s – .833
TOURNAMENT 8 HELD ON JUNE 7-8 AT YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
1. Softball City, Detroit, MI (4-0)
2. York Barbell, York, PA
3. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
TOURNAMENT 9 HELD ON JUNE 7-8 AT DAYTON, OHIO
1. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH (5-0)
2. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA
3. Teamsters #293, Cleveland, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – John Geckle, Steele’s
- Dennis Myers, Campbell’s Carpets – 12 HR
TOURNAMENT 10 HELD ON JUNE 7-8 AT DENTON, TEXAS
Cancelled
TOURNAMENT 11 HELD ON JUNE 21-22 AT DETROIT/WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN
1. Softball City, Detroit, MI (4-1, beat Snyder’s head to head)
2. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI (4-1)
3. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – Craig Seamon, Softball City (11-18, .611, 12 RBI)
- Joe Young, Steele’s – 5 HR
- John Eckstein, Snyder’s – .765
TOURNAMENT 12 HELD ON JUNE 28-29 AT CLEVELAND, OHIO
1. Softball City, Detroit, MI (7-1)
2. Hillcrest-Fashion Rite, Cleveland, OH
3. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
- Joe Young, Steele’s (37 RBI) – 15 HR
- Mike Macenko, Hillcrest (14 HR) – .765
TOURNAMENT 13 HELD ON JUNE 28-29 AT SEYMOUR, INDIANA AND CINCINNATI, OHIO
Cancelled
TOURNAMENT 14 HELD ON JUNE 28-29 AT CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Cancelled
TOURNAMENT 15 HELD ON JULY 12-13 AT TOLEDO, OHIO
1. Hillcrest-Fashion Rite, Cleveland, OH (6-1)
2. Shimers, Minneapolis, MN
3. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
- Joe Young, Steele’s (30 RBI) – 12 HR
- Phil Wolak, Softball City – .818
TOURNAMENT 16 HELD ON JULY 26-27 AT YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
Cancelled
TOURNAMENT 17 HELD ON JULY 26-27 AT LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
1. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
2. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
3. Hans Hansen, Toledo, OH
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
- Bruce Meade, Dave Carroll – 6 HR
TOURNAMENT 18 HELD ON JULY 26-27 AT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
Cancelled
1979 National Slo-Pitch Conference
Champion – Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Runner Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina
Starting in 1979 national qualifiers were held and point totals accumulated according to tournament finishes. These were reflected in the regular season standings. The 8 teams with the most point totals were awarded berths in the national championship tournament. There were 22 teams entered in the NSPC for the 1979 season. Point system as follows: 12 points for 1st, 8 points for 2nd, 6 points for 3rd, 4 points for 4th. Standings based on average points per event.
Nelson showed its power by defeating Campbell’s 28-9 in the semi-finals. Herman Rathman hit 4 HR, Mike Parrott and Joe Young both hit 3 HR to lead Nelsons. Nelson then defeated Howards in the winners bracket final 27-23. Howards eliminated Campbell’s in the losers bracket 19-7 and then beat Nelsons 25-21, forcing the final Championship game. Nelson jumped out to a 20-2 lead, only to hold on to finally beat Howard’s 25-20 and win the title.
OFFICERS
- Commissioner – Tony Cloniger
- Executive Director – Dave Carroll
- President – Jim Snyder
- Vice President – RT Nelson
- Vice President – Campbell Strange
- Secretary – Jerome Earnest
- Treasurer – Richard Nelson
AWARDS
- MVP – Joe Young, Nelson’s Painting (13-23, .609, 9 HR, 21 RBI)
- HR Leader – Rick Scherr, Howard’s (21 RBI) – 11
- Batting Leader (at least 15 At Bats) – Paul Wright, Ken Sanders (12-15) – .800
- Outstanding Defensive Player – not awarded
ALL NATIONAL TEAM
Mighty Joe Young, Nelson’s Painting (14-23, .609, 9 HR, 21 RBI)
Rick Scherr, Howard’s Furniture (11 HR, 21 RBI)
Paul Wright, Ken Sander’s (12-15, .800)
Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting (12-23, .522, 6 HR. 8 RBI)
Mike Parrott, Nelson’s Painting (17-24, .708, 7 HR, 17 RBI)
Bill Ferguson, Nelson’s Painting (15-22, .682, 7 HR, 15 RBI)
Chic Downing, Nelson’s Painting (12-21, .571, 7 HR, 10 RBI)
Ed Roth, Howard’s/Western Steer (15-24, .625, 6 HR)
Mike Jacobs, Howard’s/Western Steer (.600)
Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer (22-30, .733, 9 HR)
Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets (10 HR, 21 RBI)
Jerry King, Campbell’s Carpets (13-20, .650, 6 HR)
Craig Elliott, Ken Sander’s (11-13, .836, 6 HR)
OTHERS
Herman Rathman, Nelson’s (7 HR)
Buddy Slater, Nelson’s (gave up less than 10 runs a game pitching)
STANDINGS
1. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (#2 seed) (4-1)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (#3 seed) (4-2)
3. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (#1 seed) (3-2)
4. Ken Sanders Ford, Birmingham, AL (#4 seed) (2-2)
5t. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH (#6 seed) (1-2)
5t. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC (#7 seed) (1-2)
7t. Irving Sports Center, Irving, TX (#5 seed) (0-2)
7t. Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH (#9 seed *) (0-2)
The 8 seed, Capitol Insulation could not make the tournament, so #9 seed, Greater Cincinnati Sports went in place.
REGULAR SEASON MVP WINNERS
- Roger Mayo, Ken Sanders
- Dave Carroll, Dave Carroll Sports
- Larry Ellis, Ken Sanders
- Tom Beall, Howard’s/Western Steer
- Mike Parrott, Nelson Painting
- Greg Fuhrman, Campbell Carpets
- Jerry King, Campbell Carpets
- Chic Downing, Nelson Painting
- Mike Cellura, Campbell Carpets
- Craig Elliott, Ken Sanders
|
1979 |
Total | Total | Total | Avg. | # 1st’s | # 2nd’s | # 3rd’s | # 4th’s |
| Regular Season standings (Top 8 make finals) | Record | Events | Points | Event | (12 Pts) | (8 Pts) | (6 Pts) | (4 Pts) |
| 1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA | NA | 4 | 44 | 11.00 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma, City, OK | NA | 5 | 52 | 10.40 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC | NA | 8 | 50 | 6.25 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 4. Ken Sanders Ford, Birmingham, AL | NA | 8 | 48 | 6.00 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4. Irving Sports Center, Irving, TX | NA | 3 | 18 | 6.00 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 6. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH | NA | 6 | 32 | 5.33 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 7. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC | NA | 9 | 44 | 4.89 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 8. Capitol Insulation, North Hollywood, CA | NA | 3 | 14 | 4.67 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1* |
| 9. Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH | NA | 5 | 20 | 4.00 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 10. American Reality, Sacremento, CA | NA | 4 | 12 | 3.00 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 11. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC | NA | 5 | 14 | 2.80 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2* |
| 12. York Barbells, York, PA | NA | 8 | 16 | 2.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 13. St. Louis Merchants, St. Louis, MO | NA | 4 | 6 | 1.50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2* |
| 14. G.B. Wilcher Contractors, Seymour, IN | NA | 7 | 10 | 1.43 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15. Trenton Capitols, Trenton, NJ | NA | 3 | 4 | 1.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 16. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL | NA | 5 | 4 | 0.80 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 17. Snyders Softball Club, Novi, MI | NA | 5 | 2 | 0.40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1* |
| 18. Gartenhaus, Plainville, CT | NA | 3 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18. Taylor Brothers, Corpus Christi, TX | NA | 3 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18. Hillcrest Tavern, Cleveland, OH | NA | 4 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18. Burnette and Carroll, Chattanooga, TN | NA | 6 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18. LeAlCo, Lebanon, TN | NA | 6 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NA. DM Racing, Jacksonville, FL (non-conference team) | NA | 1 | NA | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| NA. Softball City, Detroit, MI (non-conference team) | NA | 1 | NA | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| * – each team tied for 4th once and split the 4 points | ||||||||
| NA – Non Conference teams received no points |
TOURNAMENT 1 HELD ON APRIL 7-8 AT JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
1. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL
2. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK
3. DM Racing, Jacksonville, FL
4. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC
AWARDS
- MVP – Roger Mayo, Ken Sander’s Ford (.704, 17 HR)
- MVP – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s Painting (27-30, .900, 17 HR)
TOURNAMENT 2 HELD ON APRIL 14-15 AT CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
1. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
2. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC
3. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC
4. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL
AWARDS
- MVP- Dave Carroll, Dave Carroll Sports (9-13, .692)
- Gene Jones, Dave Carroll Sports (14-16, .875)
- Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture – 8 HR
- Ray Fleetwood, Howard’s Furniture – 8 HR
TOURNAMENT 3 HELD ON APRIL 28-29 AT CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
1. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL
2. Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH
3. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC
4. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC
AWARDS
- MVP- Larry Ellis, Ken Sander’s Ford
- Roger Mayo, Ken Sander’s Ford – 11 HR
- Al White, American Reality – .852
TOURNAMENT 4 HELD ON MAY 5-6 AT WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA
1. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC
2. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA
3. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
4. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL
AWARDS
- MVP – Tom Beall, Howard’s Furniture – 9 HRs
- Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets – .652
TOURNAMENT 5 HELD ON MAY12-13 AT MARIETTA, GEORGIA
1. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK
2. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL
3. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
4. York Barbell, York, PA
AWARDS
- MVP- Mike Parrott, Nelson’s Painting (.766, 22 HR, 52 RBI)
- Joey Raby, Dave Carroll Sports (19-23) – .826
TOURNAMENT 6 HELD ON MAY 12-13 AT CONCORD, CALIFORNIA
1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA
2. Irving Sports, Dallas, TX
3. American Reality, Concord, CA
4. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC
AWARDS
- MVP – Greg Fuhrman, Campbell’s Carpets – 8 HR
- Greg Fuhrman, Campbell’s Carpets – 8 HR
TOURNAMENT 7 HELD ON MAY 19-20 AT BOWIE, MARYLAND
1.Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA
2. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK
3. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC
4. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
AWARDS
- MVP – Jerry King, Campbell’s Carpets – (.850, 12 HR)
- Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets (.780) – 12 HR
TOURNAMENT 8 HELD ON JUNE 2-3 AT SPRINGFIELD, OHIO
1.Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK
2. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
3. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
4. Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH
AWARDS
- MVP- Chic Downing, Nelson’s Painting (.792, 11 HR)
- Jerome Webb, Ken Sander’s Ford – 12 HR
TOURNAMENT 9 HELD ON MAY 9-10 AT BOWIE, MARYLAND
1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA
2. Dave Carroll Sports, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
3. American Reality, Concord, CA
4. Trenton Capitols, Trenton, NJ
AWARDS
- MVP – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s Carpets – 9 HR
- Denny Jones, Campbell’s Carpets – .694
TOURNAMENT 10 HELD ON JUNE 8-10 AT CLEVELAND, OHIO
1. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL
2. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
3. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC
4. G.B. Wilcher Contractors, Seymour, IN
AWARDS
- MVP – Craig Elliott, Ken Sander’s Ford (.833, 9 HR)
- Charles Wright, Ken Sander’s Ford – 9 HR
TOURNAMENT 11 HELD ON JUNE 23-24 AT CINCINNATI, OHIO
1. York Barbell, York, PA
2. Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH
3. Irving Sports, Dallas, TX
4. G.B. Wilcher Contractors, Seymour, IN
AWARDS
- MVP – not listed
- Rick Linz, GCS (14-19, .737)
TOURNAMENT 12 HELD ON JULY 14-15 AT BOWIE, MARYLAND
Tournament 12 was rained out, rescheduled, and eventually cancelled.
TOURNAMENT 13 HELD ON JULY 14-15 AT DETROIT, MICHIGAN
1. Capitol Insulation, North Hollywood, CA
2. Steele’s Sports, Lima, OH
3. Softball City, Detroit, MI
4. Irving Sports, Dallas, TX
AWARDS
- John Geckle, Steele’s (.684, 5 HR)
NOTES
Some additional qualifiers were not listed at all in the results.
1978 National Slo-Pitch Conference
Five tournaments were originally scheduled, but the one in Triangle, NC was cancelled. Teams scheduled to play in Triangle were Howard’s/Western Steer, Howard and Carroll, Poindexter Lumber, Ken Sander’s Ford, and Taylor Brothers. NSPC Tournament number 3 was originally scheduled for Rochester, NY, but was relocated to Detroit, MI.
Info on the 4 tournaments played in 1978 are as follows: Campbell’s Carpets of Concord, CA won 2 out of 4 at-large berth tournaments and were widely recognized as the 1978 NSPC champions. No runner-up or MVP was named. Howard & Carroll of Sherrills Ford, NC and Howard’s Furniture of Denver, NC each won a tournament also.
The NSPC tournaments also included some local teams in the individual tournaments.
Campbell’s Carpets of Concord, CA won 2 out of 4 at-large berth tournaments to claim rights to the “Unofficial” National Championship. No runner-up or MVP was named. Howard & Carroll of Sherrills Ford, NC and Howard’s Furniture of Denver, NC each won a tournament also.
OFFICERS
- Commissioner – Tony Cloniger
- Executive Director – Dave Carroll
- President – Jim Snyder
- Vice President – RT Nelson
- Secretary – Gary Wilcher
- Treasure – Richard Nelson
CHARTER MEMBERS
- Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK
- Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC
- Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA
- Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA
- Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI
- Howard & Carroll, Sherrill’s Ford, NC
- Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC
- Taylor Brothers Jewelry, Corpus Christi, TX
- Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AZ
- Pepsico-County Sports, Levittown, NY (Dropped out)
- Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (Dropped out)
- Mazzola-Castle, Rochester, NY (Dropped out, team joined Pro League-APSPL – Rochester Zeniths)
SCORING SYSTEM
12 points for 1st, 8 points for 2nd, 6 points for 3rd, 4 points for 4th. Standings based on total qualifiers entered divided by total points. Ties broken by most tournament championships or highest finishes.
REGULAR SEASON MVP WINNERS
- Mike Cellura, Campbell’s
- Denny Jones, Campbell’s
ODPA AWARD WINNERS
- Ricky Page, Campbell’s Carpets
- Gene Jones, Howard & Carroll
- Marty Monterosso, Greater Cincinnati Sports
- Don Furnald, Capitol Insulation
| 1978 | Total | Total | Avg. | # 1st’s | # 2nd’s | # 3rd’s | # 4th’s | Total | Total | |
| Regular Season standings | Events | Points | Event | Score | (12 Pts) | (8 Pts) | (6 Pts) | (4 Pts) | Record | RF-RA |
| 1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 0.083 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 – 2 | 285 – 152 |
| 2. Howard & Carroll, Sherrill’s Ford, NC | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0.083 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 – 0 | 122 – 78 |
| 3. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 0.125 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 – 3 | 170 – 134 |
| 4. Taylor Brothers Jewelry, Corpus Christi, TX | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 0.143 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 – 4 | 125 – 175 |
| 5. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK | 4 | 24 | 6.0 | 0.167 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 – 8 | 405 .-333 |
| 6. Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0.250 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 – 4 | 129 – 121 |
| 7. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 0.250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 – 4 | 70 – 118 |
| 8. *Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH | 1 | 8 | 0.0 | 0.125 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 – 2 | 99 – 95 |
| 9. *Dubose Insurance, Pensacola, FL | 1 | 6 | 0.0 | 0.167 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 – 2 | 43 – 68 |
| 10. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 – 6 | 130 – 161 |
| 10. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AZ | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 – 2 | 61 – 66 |
* Non-Conference Member
TOURNAMENT 1 HELD ON JUNE 10-11 AT TRIANGLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Cancelled and never made up, the NSPC decided to go with just the 4 remaining events. Howard’s, Poindexter, Howard & Carroll, Ken Sanders and Taylor Bros. were entered
TOURNAMENT 2 HELD ON JULY 15-16 AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (5-1)
2. Taylor Brothers Jewelry, Corpus Christi, TX (2-2)
3. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (2-2)
4. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC (2-2)
5t. Capitol Insulation, North Hollywood, CA (1-2)
5t. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI (1-2)
7. Dodge City West, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
AWARDS
- MVP – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s (13 HR, 3 HR and 8 RBI in the Championship Game)
- HR Leaders – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s – 13
- HR Leaders – Denny Jones, Campbell’s – 13
- Batting Leader – Denny Jones, Campbell’s (25-33, 13 HR, 27 RBI) – .758
- ODPA – Ricky Page, Campbell’s Carpets
NOTES
Campbell’s Carpets came out of the loser’s bracket to beat Taylor’s twice 16-13 and 30-13. Mike Cellura hit 3 HRs and had 8 RBIs in the championship. The fences were 300 feet and there was a 20 foot high sign-board fence 10 feet behind the 300 foot fences. Cellura and Jones both hit balls over that.
SCORES
Campbell 21 Dodge City 16
Snyders 16 Poindexter 1
Capitol 16 Nelson 15
Taylor 19 Capitol 18
Campbell 30 Snyder 19
Taylor 23 Campbell 15
Poindexter 27 Dodge City 15 eliminated
Nelson 26 Snyders 25 eliminated
Poindexter 14 Capitol 10 eliminated
Nelson 26 Poindexter 6 eliminated
Campbell 21 Nelson 12 eliminated
Campbell 16 Taylor 13
Campbell 30 Taylor 13 eliminated
TOURNAMENT 3 HELD ON JULY 22-23 AT MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA
1. Howard & Carroll, Sherrill’s Ford, NC (4-0)
2. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2)
3. Dubose Insurance, Pensacola, FL (1-2)
4. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC (2-2)
5t. Ken Sander’s Ford, Phoenix City, AL (1-2)
5t. Barbeque Kitchens, Atlanta, GA (1-2)
7. Carolina A’s, Shelby, NC (0-2)
Taylor Brothers Jewelry, Corpus Christi, TX (had to withdraw)
AWARDS
- MVP – No MVP Awarded (just HR and Batting leaders)
- HR Leader – Tom Beall, Howard & Carroll – 10
- Batting Leader – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s (21-25, 9 HR) – .840
- ODPA – Gene Jones, Howard & Carroll
NOTES
H&C beat Nelson’s in the Championship 38-30. Don Clatterbaugh was 6-6 with 4 HR. Micky Morrison had 3 HR and 7 RBI. Tom Beall won the HR trophy with 10 dingers, edging out Bruce Meade, Joel Todd and James Abercrombie, all of Nelsons who had 9. Bruce Meade’s 21-25 (.840) won the batting title over Luther Ates of Dubois. Ates turned in a 15-18 performance (.833). Gene Jones of H&C had a great tournament as he went 20-25 (.800). Other HR totals for the weekend include: James Boyette and Clatterbaugh of H&C 7, Harold Kelley of Nelsons 7. Steve Williams of Dubose 5, Roger Brown of Carolina A’s 4. For Howard’s, it was Don Arndt, Rick Scherr, HT Waller and Bill Howes all with 6.
SCORES
Howard’s 34 Nelson’s 23
H&C 39 BBQ Kitchen 15
Ken Sanders 23 Carolina A’s 9
Dubose 25 Howard’s 20
H&C 24 Ken Sanders 19
H&C 21 Dubose 14
BBQ Kitchen Carolina A’s 13-12 eliminated
Nelson’s Ken Sanders 33-19 eliminated
Howard’s BBQ Kitchen 25-5
Nelson’s Howard’s 32-19 eliminated
Nelson’s Dubose 27-4 eliminated
H&C – Nelson’s 38-30
TOURNAMENT 4 HELD ON JULY 29-30 AT DETROIT, MICHIGAN
1. Campbell’s Carpets, Concord, CA (4-1)
2. Greater Cincinnati Sports, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
3. Taylor Brothers Jewelry, Corpus Christi, TX (2-2)
4. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (2-2)
5t. Softball City, Detroit, MI (1-2)
5t. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI (0-2)
7. Lonnie’s, Detroit, MI (0-2)
AWARDS
- MVP – Denny Jones, Campbell’s – (9 HR, 33 RBI, including the winning RBI in the 21-20 championship)
- HR Leader – Mike Cellura, Campbell’s – 10
- Batting Leader – Bruce Meade, Nelson’s (13-14) – .929
- ODPA – Marty Monterosso, Greater Cincinnati Sports
NOTES
Campbell’s Carpets went 4-0 on the weekend, including a 21-20 victory over Greater Cincinnati Sports in the final game behind Mike Cellura’s 2 HR. Greater Cincinnati Sports was the surprise team of the tournament. Tom Riccardi hit 9 HRs for them on the weekend. Cellura (10) and Denny Jones (9) led Campbell’s. Gordon Wheeler chipped in with 8. Campbell’s had a couple of offensive explosions during the weekend. They defeated Softball City by a 51-2 score. Cellura (4), Jones (3) and John Tercheria (3) led that onslaught. They beat Taylor Brothers 47-9. Jones and Wheeler hit 4 each, while Randy Barlich had 3.
SCORES
Campbells 22 Lonnie’s 10
Softball City 19 Nelsons 16
Taylor Brothers 7 Greater Cincinnati Sports 6
Campbells 51 Softball City 2
Taylor Brothers 20 Snyders 16
Campbells 47 Taylor Brothers 9
Nelson 19 Lonnie’s 12 eliminated
Greater Cincinnati Sports 10 Softball City 6 eliminated
Nelson 30 Snyders 19 eliminated
Greater Cincinnati Sports 20 Nelson 10 eliminated
Greater Cincinnati Sports 22 Taylor 21 eliminated
Greater Cincinnati Sports 12 Campbells 11
Campbells 21 Greater Cincinnati Sports 20 eliminated
TOURNAMENT 5 HELD ON AUGUST 5-6 AT LAKEWOOD, OHIO
1. Howard’s Furniture, Denver, NC (4-1)
2. Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA (3-2)
3. Nelson’s Painting, Oklahoma City, OK (2-2)
4. Poindexter Lumber, Winston-Salem, NC (0-2)
5. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI (0-2)
AWARDS
- MVP – No MVP Awarded (just HR and Batting leaders)
- HR Leader – Charlie Mitchell, Nelson’s – 8
- Batting Leader – Lonnie Parker, Snyder’s (9-11) – .818
- ODPA – Don Furnald, Capitol Insulation
NOTES
Stan Harvey led Howards’s to the championship of the last NSPC tournament of the year as he blasted 4 HRs to lead the onslaught over Capitol Insulation 26-9. Howard’s hit 12 in the game. Don Arndt, Rick Scherr and HT Waller all had 2 each. Charlie Mitchell won the HR title with 8. He hit 4 in one game. In that same game, James Abercrombie also hit 4 for Nelson’s, while Joel Todd hit 3. Stan Harvey was close behind Mitchell with 7 homers total.
SCORES
Howard’s 11 – Snyder’s 8
Capitol 18 – Nelson’s 15
Howard’s 21 – Poindexter 10
Howard’s 10 – Capitol 6
Nelson’s 36 – Snyder’s 20
Nelson’s 31 – Poindexter 12
Capitol 36 – Nelson’s 15
Capitol 16 – Howard’s 7
Howard’s 26 – Capitol 9
Bill E. Ruth
A Softball Legend Dies
Sept. 8, 2021
Bill E. Ruth (1934 – 2021)
It is with a great deal of sadness that Senior Softball USA announces the death of longtime SSUSA President Bill Ruth.
Bill, 87, died this morning after suffering a major stroke a few days ago in his home in Kent, Washington.
Bill has sponsored, managed and played on Senior Softball teams for almost 30 years. In fact, he has either played or managed baseball, softball, basketball and soccer teams for more than 60 years. His teams played at the highest level for many years.
Bill was also President of the Independent Sports Association (ISA), and was a partner in fishing lodges in Alaska, as well as a gold mine near the Yukon. Bill’s main business was in real estate throughout the Northwest and in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.
Bill was elected into four Hall of Fames: The USSSA (Washington) Hall of Fame, the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame, the SSUSA Hall of Fame, and the ISA Hall of Fame.
Bill became President of Senior Softball USA in 2000 and was a guiding voice behind the growth of SSUSA in both America and around the world.
Bill was a very close friend and partner, a fierce competitor with a wry sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye every time he, his wife Susan and I started a new adventure.
Terry Hennessy
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Softball-USA
William E. Ruth was born in Seattle at Providence Hospital to Walter and Zella Ruth. He lived in Riverton until age 7 when his family moved to a small farmhouse off the Benson Highway in Renton (now Kent). Bill graduated from Kent Meridian High School and went on to graduate from Washington State University.
Bill’s business ventures took him to many places. Real estate developments in the Pacific Northwest and Mexico, Fishing lodges in Alaska and Softball adventures throughout the US, Europe and Asia.
Bill is survived by his wife, Susan; brother Jerry A. (Cynthia) Ruth; children Jon (JB) Ruth, Demarest (Bruce) Sherwood, Steven (Debbie) Hehr, Starlene (Michael) Ward, Koranne (Michael) Randow and ‘adopted sons’ Brent Freeman and Jake Call; 8 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren. Preceded in death by brother John W. Ruth in 2008.
Bill was a fierce competitor with a wry sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye.