Dennis Hasty’s Pro Softball “Flickr” Page
http://www.detroitcaesars.blogspot.com/
- American Professional Slow Pitch League (APSPL) 1977-1980
- North American Softball League (NASL) 1980
- United Professional Softball League (UPSL) 1981-1982
- All Time Professional Slow Pitch Softball Team
Pro Softball World Series Results
Year |
Champion |
Runner-up |
Result |
World Series MVP |
1977-APSPL |
Detroit Caesars |
Baltimore Monuments |
4-0 |
Mike Nye, Detroit |
1978-APSPL |
Detroit Caesars |
Minnesota Norsemen |
4-0 |
Bert Smith, Detroit |
1979-APSPL |
Milwaukee Schlitz |
Kentucky Bourbons |
5-3 |
Rick Weiterman, Milw. |
1980-APSPL |
Rochester Express |
Pittsburgh Hardhats |
5-4 |
Don Brown, Rochester |
1980-NASL |
Milwaukee Schlitz |
Detroit Auto Kings |
5-2 |
Ken Parker, Milwaukee |
1981-UPSL |
Kentucky Bourbons |
New England Pilgrims |
5-3 |
Bill Gatti, Kentucky |
1982-UPSL |
Milwaukee Schlitz |
Detroit Softball City |
5-1 |
Dick Laba, Milwaukee |
Regular Season League MVP's
Benny Holt, Chicago - 1977 APSPL MVP
Ron Ford, Detroit - 1978 APSPL MVP
Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee - 1979 APSPL MVP
Bill Gatti, Kentucky - 1980 APSPL MVP
Ron Olesiak, Chicago - 1980 NASL MVP
Bill Gatti, Kentucky - 1981 UPSL MVP
Dana Andry, Cleveland - 1982 UPSL MVP
Regular Season Home Run Leaders
Year Home Run Leader HRs
1977-APSPL Benny Holt, Chicago 89
1978-APSPL Ronnie Ford, Detroit 80
1979-APSPL Ronnie Ford, Detroit 43
1980-APSPL Bill Gatti, Kentucky 21
Bob Schuster, Rochester 21
1980-NASL Benny Holt, Cleveland 42
1981-UPSL Bill Gatti, Kentucky 38
1982-UPSL Dana Andry, Cleveland 65
Regular Season RBI Leaders
Year RBI Leader RBIs
1977-APSPL Benny Holt, Chicago 187
1978-APSPL Ronnie Ford, Detroit 201
1979-APSPL Ronnie Ford, Detroit 122
1980-APSPL Bill Gatti, Kentucky 87
1980-NASL Ron Olesiak, Chicago 124
1981-UPSL Bill Gatti, Kentucky 99
1982-UPSL Mike Macenko, Cleveland 140
Regular Season Batting Leaders
Year Batting Leader Avg.
1977-APSPL Benny Holt, Chicago .690
1978-APSPL Mike Nye, Detroit .654
1979-APSPL Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee .557
1980-APSPL Rich Brown, Rochester .494
1980-NASL Ron Olesiak, Chicago .556
1981-UPSL Bill Gatti, Kentucky .622
1982-UPSL Dana Andry, Cleveland .618
1977 APSPL Regular Season Final Standings
Eastern Division Record Pct. GB
Baltimore Monuments 33-20 .623 -
New York Clippers 20-36 .357 14.5
Pittsburgh Hardhats 17-37 .315 16.5
New Jersey Statesmen 16-38 .296 17.5
Central Division Record Pct. GB Kentucky Bourbons 40-16 .714 - Cleveland Jaybirds 32-24 .571 8.0 Cincinnati Suds 30-25 .545 9.5 Columbus All-Americans 16-40 .286 24.0
Mid Western Division Record Pct. GB Detroit Caesars 42-14 .750 - Milwaukee Copper Hearth 39-17 .696 3.0 Minnesota Goofys 24-30 .445 17.0 Chicago Storm 22-34 .393 20.0
1977 Player of the Week Awards Ron Ford, Detroit Lawrence Hutcherson, Baltimore Gene Parrish, Minnesota Phil Higgins, Milwaukee Benny Holt, Chicago Gary Richter, New York Jack Gansheimer, Cleveland Phil Schroer, Kentucky Benny Holt, Chicago Mike Applin, Cincinnati Roger Wilt, Cleveland Donnie Rardin Jr., Kentucky John Spadaccino, New Jersey Mike Nye, Detroit
Top 2 teams in each division made playoffs. Two division winners with best record received byes. The division winner with the worst record played the wild-card with the worst record. The remaining two wild-card teams played. The two winners then matched up with the division winners receiving a bye depending on their seed. The final two teams then met in the World Series.
1977 APSPL Playoffs
1st Round - Detroit and Kentucky (both received a 1st Round Bye)
Baltimore beat New York 15-14, 10-9; (2-0)
Cleveland beat Milwaukee 11-10, 5-9, 14-7; (2-1)
Semi-finals
Baltimore beat Kentucky 6-17, 10-4, 15-10; (2-1)
Detroit beat Cleveland 4-7, 22-5, 8-6; (2-1)
- Playoff MVP - Johnny Dollar, Baltimore (12-16, .750, 8 RBIs)
World Series
Detroit beat Baltimore 18-16, 13-8, 25-16, 28-11; (4-0)
World Series MVP - Mike Nye, Detroit (12-20, .600, 2 HRs, 3 2Bs, 4 RBIs, 10 Runs)
-Note (Detroit) - Doug Gerdes (10-13, .769, 3 HRs, 3 2Bs, 6 RBIs, 8 Runs), Bert Smith (2 HRs, 5 RBIs),
- Ron Ford (3 HRs, 11 RBIs, 10 Runs), Jim Mitchell (2 HRs, 6 RBIs), Gary Geister (6-12, .500, 4 HRs, 12 RBIs, 4 Runs)
-Note (Baltimore) - Larry Hutcherson (10-15, .667, 4 HRs, 10 RBIs), Al Lightner (10-12, .833, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs),
- John Copenhaver (4 HRs, 7 RBIs)
1977 APSPL League Leaders
Batting (150 at bats) Home Runs RBIs Run Scored
Benny Holt, Chicago .690 Benny Holt, Chicago 89 Benny Holt, Chicago 187 Ronnie Ford, Detroit 150
Mike Nye, Detroit .659 Ronnie Ford, Detroit 85 Ronnie Ford, Detroit 184 Mike Nye, Detroit 147
Gene Parrish, Minnesota .622 Al Gibson, Detroit 61 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 131 Benny Holt, Chicago 144
Phil Higgins, Milwaukee .611 Doug Gerdes, Detroit 60 Larry Hutcherson, Balt. 129 Doug Gerdes, Detroit 125
Ronnie Ford, Detroit .607 Ron Olesiak, Chicago 55 Tom Spahn, Chicago 129 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 120
Buddy Haines, Chicago .605 Bert Smith, Detroit 53 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 127 Tom Spahn, Chicago 116
Doug Czaplewski, Milw. .603 Tom Miller, Pittsburgh 52 Doug Gerdes, Detroit 124 Gene Parrish, Minnesota 115
Tom Pappas, Columbus .602 Tom Spahn, Chicago 49 Tom Miller, Pittsburgh 124 Ken Parker, Milwaukee 104
John Copenhaver, Balt. .599 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 48 Bert Smith, Detroit 122 Mike Gouin, Detroit 103
Doug Gerdes, Detroit .599 Larry Hutcherson, Balt. 45 Al Gibson, Detroit 119 Jim Dillard, Milwaukee 102
Larry Hutcherson, Balt. .596 Jack Gansheimer, Cleve. 44 Jim Dillard, Milwaukee 117 Buddy Haines, Chicago 101
Rick Linz, Cincinnati .587 Dana Andry, Cleveland 43 Jack Gansheimer, Cleve. 114 Joe Russell, Minnesota 98
Gary Richter, New York .587 Dale Palm, Minnesota 42 Ron Olesiak, Chicago 112 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 95
Mike Foley, New York .585 Buddy Haines, Chicago 42 Dale Palm, Minnesota 112 Bobby Reid, Cleveland 95
Ron Olesiak, Chicago .581 Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh 41 Joe Russell, Minnesota 111 John Copenhaver, Balt. 94
Bob Boysen, Minnesota .578 Mike Applin, Cincinn. 41 Ken Parker, Milwaukee 109 Ron Olesiak, Chicago 94
Al Gibson, Detroit .569 Phil Huggins, Milwaukee 41 Mike Nye, Detroit 104 Larry Hutcherson, Bal. 93
Mike Applin, Cincinnati .563 Ken Parker, Milwaukee 37 Jim Nelson, Pitsburgh 100 Rick Petrunyak, Cleve. 92
Jay Smith, Baltimore .562 Steve Loya, Cleveland 37 Buddy Haines, Chicago 100 Dana Andry, Cleveland 92
1977 APSPL All Pro Team
P- Phil Schroer, Kentucky ( 76-142, .535, 4 HRs, 53 RBIs, 53 Runs, 15-5 Pitching)
P- Tom Gorski, Milwaukee (112-224, .500, 22 HRs, 75 RBIs, 80 Runs, 17-8 Pitching)
P- Tony Mazza, Detroit ( 61-139, .461, 2 HRs, 25 RBIs, 45 Runs, 23-6 Pitching,
C- Benny Holt, Chicago - LEAGUE MVP (149-216, .690, 89 HRs, 187 RBIs, 144 Runs, 25 BBs) - Chicago MVP - Won Triple Crown
C- Mike Applin, Cincinnati (107-190, .563, 41 HRs, 104 RBIs, 82 Runs) - Cincinnati MVP
C- Bill Gatti, Kentucky ( 97-180, .539, 48 HRs, 127 RBIs, 95 Runs, 35 BBs, 10 SFs) - Kentucky MVP
1B- Doug Gerdes, Detroit (126-237, .599, 60 HRs, 124 RBIs, 125 Runs)
1B- Joe Russell, Minnesota (119-217, .548, 35 HRs, 111 RBIs, 98 Runs, 11 SFs)
1B- Tom Miller, Pittsburgh ( 99-182, .544, 52 HRs, 124 RBIs, 82 Runs, 23 BBs, 9 SFs) - Pittsburgh MVP
2B- Buddy Haines, Chicago (124-205, .605, 42 HRs, 100 RBIs, 101 Runs)
2B- Doug Czaplewski, Milwaukee (123-204, .603, 1 HRs, 43 RBIs, 92 Runs)
2B- Donnie Rardin, Kentucky (119-222, .536, 4 HRs, 51 RBIs, 81 Runs, 17-5 Pitching)
3B- John Copenhaver, Baltimore (112-187, .599, 36 HRs, 95 RBIs, 94 Runs)
3B- Jim Dillard, Milwaukee (117-215, .544, 34 HRs, 117 RBIs, 102 Runs)
3B- Bill Speaks, Columbus (108-203, .532, 17 HRs, 97 RBIs, 72 Runs, 14 SFs) - Columbus MVP
SS- Ronnie Ford, Detroit (145-239, .607, 85 HRs, 184 RBIs, 150 Runs, 25 BBs)
SS- Tom Pappas, Columbus (109-181, .602, 0 HRs, 45 RBIs, 68 Runs)
SS- Ricky Linz, Cincinnati ( 91-155, .587, 1 HRs, 33 RBIs, 60 Runs)
OF- Mike Nye, Detroit (170-258, .659, 36 HRs, 104 RBIs, 147 Runs, 30 2Bs, 12 3Bs) - Detroit MVP
OF- Bert Smith, Detroit (103-201, .512, 53 HRs, 122 RBIs, 90 Runs)
OF- Gene Parrish, Minnesota (140-225, .622, 22 HRs, 83 RBIs, 115 Runs, 21 2Bs) - Minnesota MVP
OF- Mike Gouin, Detroit (119-212, .561, 35 HRs, 124 RBIs, 103 Runs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee (130-211, .611, 41 HRs, 131 RBIs, 120 Runs, 25 2Bs, 10 3Bs) - Milwaukee MVP
OF- Jay Smith, Baltimore (113-201, .562, 2 HRs, 48 RBIs, 81 Runs)
OF- Lawrence Hutcherson, Baltimore (109-183, .596, 45 HRs, 129 RBIs, 93 Runs) - Baltimore MVP
OF- John Spadaccino, New Jersey ( 93-169, .550, 32 HRs, 97 RBIs, 90 Runs, 32 BBs) - New Jersey MVP
OF- John Dollar, Baltimore ( 70-134, .522, 5 HRs, 50 RBIs, 62 Runs)
OF- Ken Parker, Milwaukee (133-244, .545, 37 HRs, 109 RBIs, 104 Runs)
OF- Frank Cammailere, New York ( 78-150, .520, 16 HRs, 54 RBIs, 50 Runs) - New York MVP
OF- Rick Petrunyak, Cleveland (112-208, .538, 16 HRs, 70 RBIs, 92 Runs, 32 2Bs)
OF- Bobby Reid, Cleveland (107-200, .535, 8 HRS, 53 RBIs, 95 Runs, 30 2Bs, 15 3Bs)
OTHERS Having Good Seasons: Jim Mitchell, Detroit ( 79-131, .603, 37 HRs, 77 RBIs, 68 Runs) Doc Booker, Cleveland ( 44- 73, .603, 14 HRs, 47 RBIs, 38 Runs) Gary Richter, New York ( 88-150, .587, 24 HRs, 71 RBIs, 61 Runs) Mike Foley, New York ( 87-154, .585, 32 HRs, 85 RBIs, 62 Runs) Gary Geister, Detroit ( 55- 94, .585, 22 HRs, 56 RBIs, 40 Runs) Ron Olesiak, Chicago (107-184, .581, 55 HRs, 112 RBIs, 94 Runs) Bob Boyson, Minnesota ( 89-154, .578, 3 HRs, 44 RBIs, 64 Runs) Al Gibson, Detroit (112-197, .569, 61 HRs, 119 RBIs, 89 Runs) Nick Sessoms, Baltimore (118-214, .551, 2 HRs, 35 RBIs, 80 Runs, 18-9 Pitching) Jeff Middlestadt, Milwaukee ( 61-111, .550, 30 HRs, 69 RBIs, 52 Runs) Lou Boone, Minnesota ( 40- 73, .548, 14 HRs, 36 RBIs, 37 Runs) Fred Miller, Kentucky ( 26- 48, .542, 12 HRs, 30 RBIs, 20 Runs) Tom Spahn, Chicago (125-231, .541, 49 HRs, 129 RBIs, 116 Runs, 13 3Bs) Roger Wilt, Cleveland ( 88-163, .540, 20 HRs, 69 RBIs, 64 Runs) Rod Warren, Baltimore ( 84-156, .538, 30 HRs, 84 RBIs, 77 Runs) Larry Chiapetta, New York ( 75-142, .528, 12 HRs, 42 RBIs, 60 Runs) Tex Collins, Detroit ( 79-150, .527, 26 HRs, 60 RBIs, 66 Runs) John Dunn, New York ( 73-139, .525, 30 HRs, 68 RBIs, 62 Runs) Dale Palm, Minnesota (101-194, .521, 42 HRs, 112 RBIs, 90 Runs) Greg Wendell, Minnesota ( 93-180, .517, 9 HRs, 57 RBIs, 65 Runs) Mike Krolicki, Chicago ( 95-186, .511, 22 HRs, 75 RBIs, 75 Runs) Dave Shortz, Chicago ( 82-162, .506, 33 HRs, 56 RBIs, 70 Runs) Art Kearns, New Jersey ( 82-163, .503, 0 HRs, 20 RBIs, 43 Runs, 15-29 Pitching) Jack Gansheimer, Cleveland (101-201, .502, 44 HRs, 114 RBIs, 89 Runs) - Cleveland MVP Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh ( 81-166, .488, 41 HRs, 100 RBIs, 65 Runs) Norm Cash, Detroit ( 30- 61, .492, 1 HRs, 7 RBIs, 19 Runs) Dennis Graser, Milwaukee ( 71-146, .486, 18 HRs, 52 RBIs, 66 Runs) Mike O'Brien, Cincinnati (103-212, .486, 12 HRs, 72 RBIs, 68 Runs) Dana Andry, Cleveland ( 98-203, .483, 43 HRs, 97 RBIs, 92 Runs, 11-5 Pitching) Nick Nikitas, Kentucky ( 96-200, .480, 3 HRs, 39 RBIs, 78 Runs) Steve Loya, Cleveland ( 95-197, .480, 37 HRs, 84 RBIs, 82 Runs) Tom Kaminski, Detroit ( 71-148, .480, 26 HRs, 50 RBIs, 68 Runs) Ralph Calitri, Columbus ( 29- 61, .475, 9 HRs, 34 RBIs, 23 Runs) Greg Birko, Pittsburgh ( 94-202, .465, 0 HRs, 26 RBIs, 65 Runs) Jim Galloway, New York ( 66-145, .455, 26 HRs, 58 RBIs, 47 Runs, 8-7 Pitching) Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati ( 49-109, .449, 14 HRs, 52 RBIs, 43 Runs) Goldie Rich, Columbus ( 85-191, .445, 23 HRs, 69 RBIs, 62 Runs) Paul Wenzel, Milwaukee ( 89-200, .445, 6 HRs, 49 RBIs, 83 Runs, 18-5 Pitching) Chuck Winders, Kentucky ( 60-137, .438, 13 HRs, 50 RBIs, 54 Runs) Lou Abel, Pittsburgh ( 74-169, .438, 1 HRs, 32 RBIs, 54 Runs) Cobbie Harrison, Kentucky ( 83-190, .437, 17 HRs, 60 RBIs, 53 Runs) Mike Perfetti, Minnesota ( 76-174, .437, 33 HRs, 68 RBIs, 64 Runs) Tom Taylor, Cincinnati ( 24- 55, .436, 6 HRs, 21 RBIs, 15 Runs) John Locke, Minnesota ( 55-130, .423, 17 HRs, 49 RBIs, 57 Runs) Steve Shurina, New Jersey ( 27- 64, .422, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, 16 Runs) Bob Yurch, Minnesota ( 47-112, .420, 12 HRs, 36 RBIs, 45 Runs) Gary Smith, Pittsburgh ( 83-198, .419, 6 HRs, 37 RBIs, 55 Runs) Bob Overmiller, New Jersey ( 77-187, .412, 23 HRs, 67 RBIs, 56 Runs) Mike Kolb, New Jersey ( 51-124, .411, 16 HRs, 48 RBIs, 43 Runs) Gordie Handevidt, Minnesota ( 49-127, .386, 16 HRs, 54 RBIs, 43 Runs) Bob Harrison, Cincinnati ( 34- 90, .377, 1 HRs, 20 RBIs, 18 Runs) Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee ( 16- 45, .356, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, 13 Runs) Jim Northrup, Detroit ( 20- 61, .328, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 17 Runs) Ed Zolna, Chicago ( 3- 11, .222, 0 HRs, 4 RBIs, 6 Runs, 2-4 Pitching) Paul Tomasovich, Pittsburgh ( 3- 4, .750, 0 HRs, 1 RBIs, 2 Runs) Mike Kovach, Pittsburgh ( 2- 4, .500, 0 HRs, 0 RBIs, 1 Runs)
1977 -> 1978 APSPL Franchise Changes
Disbanded Teams:
New York Clippers
Columbus All-Americans
Baltimore Monuments
New Teams:
Philadelphia Athletics – (recruited some players from the disbanded Baltimore Monuments)
New England Pilgrims – (recruited some players from the disbanded New York Clippers)
Rochester Zeniths – (most of the 1977 USSSA Mazzola-Castle players)
Name Changes:
Milwaukee Schlitz – (from Milwaukee Copper Hearth)
Minnesota Norsemen – (from Minnesota Goofys)
1978 APSPL Regular Season Final Standings Eastern Division Record Pct. GB New England Pilgrims 37-27 .578 - Philadelphia Athletics 29-35 .453 8.0 New Jersey Statesmen 28-36 .438 9.0 Rochester Zeniths 22-42 .344 15.0
Central Division Record Pct. GB Cincinnati Suds 40-24 .625 - Cleveland Jaybirds 32-32 .500 8.0 Kentucky Bourbons 30-34 .469 10.0 Pittsburgh Hardhats 29-35 .453 11.0
Mid Western Division Record Pct. GB Detroit Caesars 49-15 .766 - Minnesota Norsemen 40-24 .625 9.0 Milwaukee Schlitz 38-28 .583 13.0 Chicago Storm 11-53 .172 38.0
1978 Player of the Week Awards Ken Parker, Milwaukee Tom Spahn, Chicago Ron Ford, Detroit Doug Gerdes, Detroit Bill Gatti & Fred Miller, Kentucky Tom Miller, Pittsburgh Ron Ford, Detroit Lawrence Hutcherson, Philadelphia Bert Smith, Detroit Mike Nye, Detroit & Dale Palm, Minnesota Gene Parrish, Minnesota Johnny Dollar, Philadelphia
Top 2 teams in each division made playoffs. The teams were seeded by records. Two teams with best records received byes. The final two teams then met in the World Series.
1978 APSPL All-Star Game @ Cleveland Defending Champion Detroit Caesars - defeated - APSPL All-Stars 14-9 Defending Champion Detroit Caesars - defeated - APSPL All-Stars 8-3 - No information available on APSPL All Star Selections - All-Star Game MVP - Denny Brown, APSPL All-Stars (Pittsburgh)- (6-7, .857) - Detroit Stars - Mike Nye, Grand Slam in 1st game, Doug Gerdes, 2 HRs in 2nd game, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs in both games total.
1978 APSPL Playoffs
1st round - Detroit and Minnesota (both received a 1st Round Bye)
Cleveland beat Philadelphia 10-16, 8-4, 26-22; (2-1)
Cincinnati beat New England 9-6, 4-9, 27-17; (2-1)
Semi-finals
Detroit beat Cleveland 27-22, 30-24; (2-0)
Minnesota beat Cincinnati 28-15, 6-2; (2-0)
- Playoff MVP - Jim Bizzell, Cleveland (15-21, .714, 7 HRs, 16 RBIs)
World Series
Detroit beat Minnesota 22-16, 50-12, 24-16, 26-12; (4-0)
World Series MVP - Bert Smith, Detroit (15-16; .940, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 11 Runs)
-Note (Detroit) - Chuck Drewicz (11-16; .688, 5 HRs, 10 RBIs; 4-0 Pitching)
- Mike Gouin (13-17, .765, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs, 14 Runs), Gary Geister (7 HRs, 14 RBIs, 11 Runs)
- Jim Mitchell (6 HRs, 8 RBIs), Doug Gerdes (6 HRs, 10 RBIs), Mike Nye (5 HRs, 13 RBIs, 15 Runs)
- Note (Minnesota) -
1978 APSPL League Leaders
Batting (150 at bats) Home Runs RBIs Runs Scored
Mike Nye, Detroit .654 Ronnie Ford, Detroit 80 Ronnie Ford, Detroit 201 Mike Nye, Detroit 159
Ronnie Ford, Detroit .645 Dale Palm, Minnesota 70 Dale Palm, Minnesota 166 Ronnie Ford, Detroit 152
Gene Parrish, Minnesota .634 John Locke, Minnesota 65 Fred Miller, Kentucky 141 Gene Parrish, Minnesota 148
Ken Parker, Milwaukee .634 Bob McMahon, Minn. 59 Joe Russell, Minnesota 141 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 135
Dale Palm, Minnesota .614 Fred Miller, Kentucky 57 Mike Applin, Cincinnati 138 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 132
Denny Brown, Pittsburgh .608 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 54 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 137 Mike O'Brien, Cinn. 124
Mike Gouin, Detroit .601 Joe Russell, Minnesota 53 John Locke, Minnesota 136 Dale Palm, Minnesota 124
Gary Geister, Detroit .596 Doug Gerdes, Detroit 53 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 132 Bobby Reid, Cleveland 120
Joe Russell, Minnesota .594 Benny Holt, Chicago 50 Benny Holt, Chicago 130 John Locke, Minnesota 117
Don Ragozzine, N.Eng. .585 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 49 Jim Dillard, Milwaukee 129 Joe Russell, Minnesota 117
Doug Gerdes, Detroit .585 Gary Geister, Detroit 45 John Spadaccino, Trent. 129 Rich Petrunyak, Cleve. 111
Bill Gatti, Kentucky .584 Jim Bizzell, Cleve. 45 Tom Miller, Pittsburgh 128 Doug Gerdes, Detroit 110
John Locke, Minnesota .582 Dana Andry, Cleveland 44 Larry Hutcheson, Phila. 125 Bob McMahon, Minnesota 108
Jack Roudenbush, Det. .579 Larry Hutcheson, Phila. 43 Dana Andry, Cleveland 122 Mike Gouin, Detroit 108
Roger Snatchko, Pitt. .578 Mike Applin, Cincinnati 42 Ken Parker, Milwaukee 121 Fred Miller, Kentucky 107
Johnny Dollar, Phila. .571 Bert Smith, Detroit 42 Bob McMahon, Minnesota 120 Dana Andry, Cleveland 107
Phil Higgins, Milwaukee .569 Tom Miller, Pittsburgh 39 Lou Boone, Minnesota 119 Don Ragozzine, New Eng. 105
Jim Bizzell, Cleve. .566 Jim Dillard, Milwaukee 38 Dana Andry, Cleveland 117 Lou Boone, Minnesota 104
1978 APSPL All Pro Team
P- Chuck Drewicz, Detroit ( 73-123, .593, 4 HRs, 29 RBIs, 62 Runs, 25- 5 Pitching)
P- John Locke, Minnesota (131-225, .582, 65 HRs, 136 RBIs, 117 Runs, 24-15 Pitching)
C- Jim Bizzell, Cleveland (120-212, .566, 45 HRs, 108 RBIs, 91 Runs)
C- Benny Holt, Chicago (121-230, .526, 50 HRs, 130 RBIs, 101 Runs)
C- Bob McMahon, Minnesota (134-241, .556, 59 HRs, 120 RBIs, 108 Runs)
IF/1B- Joe Russell, Minnesota (149-251, .549, 53 HRs, 141 RBIs, 117 Runs)
IF-1B- Jack Roudenbush, Detroit (113-195, .579, 20 HRs, 83 RBIs, 97 Runs)
IF/1B- Doug Gerdes, Detroit (127-217, .585, 53 HRs, 112 RBIs, 110 Runs)
IF/2B- Gary Bello, New England (120-219, .548, 21 HRs, 101 RBIs, 101 Runs, 23 2Bs)
IF/2B- Rick Page, Rochester (105-208, .482, 24 HRs, 94 RBIs, 89 Runs, 15 2Bs, 11 3Bs)
IF/3B- Donnie Rardin, Cincinnati (130-238, .546, 8 HRs, 69 RBIs, 97 Runs, 14-16 Pitching)
IF/3B- Gary Geister, Detroit (124-208, .596, 45 HRs, 106 RBIs, 103 Runs)
IF/SS- Denny Brown, Pittsburgh (146-240, .608, 1 HRs, 46 RBIs, 101 Runs, 22 2Bs)
IF/SS- Don Ragozzine, New England (142-239, .585, 5 HRs, 63 RBIs, 105 Runs)
OF- Ronnie Ford, Detroit - LEAGUE MVP (165-256, .645, 80 HRs, 201 RBIs, 152 Runs)
OF- Mike Foley, New Jersey (129-229, .563, 35 HRs, 109 RBIs, 90 Runs)
OF- Mike Nye, Detroit (161-246, .654, 33 HRs, 110 RBIs, 159 Runs, 38 2Bs, 9 3Bs)
OF- Bill Gatti, Kentucky (125-214, .584, 54 HRs, 132 RBIs, 131 Runs, 38 BBs)
OF- Mike Gouin, Detroit (131-218, .601, 28 HRs, 90 RBIs, 108 Runs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee (145-255, .569, 49 HRs, 137 RBIs, 135 Runs, 23 2Bs)
OF- Fred Miller, Kentucky (128-233, .549, 57 HRs, 141 RBIs, 107 Runs)
OF- Mike O'Brien, Cincinnati (141-256, .551, 22 HRs, 86 RBIs, 124 Runs, 48 2Bs, 9 3Bs)
OF- Dale Palm, Minnesota (137-223, .614, 70 HRs, 166 RBIs, 124 Runs)
OF- Ken Parker, Milwaukee (123-194, .634, 37 HRs, 121 RBIs, 93 Runs)
OF- Gene Parrish, Minnesota (165-262, .634, 23 HRs, 90 RBIs, 148 Runs, 35 2Bs, 6 3Bs)
OF- Johnny Dollar, Philadelphia ( 97-170, .571, 15 HRs, 81 RBIs, 84 Runs)
OTHERS Having Good Seasons: Tom Krenchicki, Trenton ( 60- 90, .667, 0 HRs, 32 RBIs, 46 Runs) Buddy Haines, Milwaukee ( 35- 53, .660, 4 HRs, 18 RBIs, 28 Runs) Tex Collins, Detroit ( 53- 84, .631, 26 HRs, 53 RBIs, 43 Runs) Cliff Yeager, Philadelphia ( 87-140, .621, 3 HRs, 48 RBIs, 53 Runs, 18-20 Pitching) Roger Snatchko, Pittsburgh (137-237, .578, 6 HRs, 81 RBIs, 99 Runs, 38 2Bs) Bob Goodlow, Rochester ( 53- 95, .558, 20 HRs, 59 RBIs, 48 Runs) Barry Glaser, Pittsburgh (120-218, .550, 2 HRs, 59 RBIs, 80 Runs) Fred Miller, Kentucky (128-233, .549, 57 HRs, 141 RBIs, 107 Runs) Mike Lafever, Cincinnati (131-239, .548, 1 HRs, 49 RBIs, 96 Runs) Jim Mitchell, Detroit ( 71-130, .546, 35 HRs, 74 RBIs, 65 Runs) Lou Boone, Minnesota (112-206, .544, 45 HRs, 119 RBIs, 104 Runs) Gordie Handevidt, Minnesota (116-218, .541, 29 HRs, 74 RBIs, 83 Runs) Jim Kuhn, Cincinnati (108-195, .541, 6 HRs, 66 RBIs, 65 Runs) Tommy Spahn, Chicago (118-219, .539, 34 HRs, 101 RBIs, 86 Runs) Roger Wilt, Cleveland (122-228, .535, 32 HRs, 86 RBIs, 89 Runs) Larry Chiapetta, Trenton ( 74-139, .532, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs, 46 Runs) Bert Smith, Detroit ( 91-172, .529, 42 HRs, 104 RBIs, 87 Runs) Dave Holtz, Milwaukee ( 75-142, .528, 16 HRs, 46 RBIs, 40 Runs) Greg Sandy, Cincinnati ( 86-163, .528, 3 HRs, 34 RBIs, 58 Runs) Greg Wendell, Minnesota (118-225, .524, 14 HRs, 73 RBIs, 96 Runs) Paul Wenzel, Milwaukee (112-215, .521, 12 HRs, 73 RBIs, 76 Runs) Bobby Reid, Cleveland (121-233, .519, 24 HRs, 88 RBIs, 120 Runs) Dana Andry, Cleveland (122-235, .517, 44 HRs, 117 RBIs, 107 Runs, 5-3 Pitching) Mike Applin, Cincinnati (120-232, .517, 42 HRs, 138 RBIs, 89 Runs) Nick Nikitas, Kentucky ( 91-176, .517, 2 HRs, 30 RBIs, 80 Runs) Frank Cammailere, New England ( 89-173, .514, 6 HRs, 62 RBIs, 50 Runs) Dave Snatchko, Pittsburgh (112-215, .521, 15 HRs, 83 RBIs, 75 Runs, 26 2Bs, 17-14 Pitching) Bob Yurch, Minnesota ( 85-166, .512, 21 HRs, 59 RBIs, 76 Runs) Mike Krolicki, Chicago ( 89-174, .511, 13 HRs, 59 RBIs, 63 Runs) Ron Olesiak, Chicago ( 54-108, .509, 20 HRs, 47 RBIs, 42 Runs) Jeff Middlestadt, Milwaukee (106-209, .507, 30 HRs, 96 RBIs, 83 Runs) Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati (104-205, .507, 22 HRs, 99 RBIs, 73 Runs) Phil Schrorer, Kentucky (102-201, .507, 3 HRs, 58 RBIs, 73 Runs, 27-26 Pitching) Andy Santillo, Rochester ( 84-166, .506, 0 HRs, 33 RBIs, 40 Runs) Greg Birko, Pittsburgh (115-229, .502, 1 HRs, 29 RBIs, 82 Runs) Doc Booker, Cleveland (101-202, .500, 24 HRs, 97 RBIs, 69 Runs) Rick Trudeau, Detroit (116-232, .500, 4 HRs, 49 RBIs, 83 Runs) Pete Simonelli, Philadelphia (111-222, .500, 9 HRs, 31 RBIs, 65 Runs) Mike Perfetti, Minnesota ( 66-132, .500, 28 HRs, 59 RBIs, 80 Runs) Jim Dillard, Milwaukee (121-243, .496, 38 HRs, 129 RBIs, 103 Runs) Doug Czaplewski, Milwaukee (113-228, .495, 0 HRs, 44 RBIs, 66 Runs) Gary Richter, Trenton (103-209, .493, 12 HRs, 42 RBIs, 72 Runs) Pete Castle, Rochester (100-203, .493, 18 HRs, 59 RBIs, 71 Runs) Joe Pepitone, Trenton (110-225, .489, 14 HRs, 61 RBIs, 51 Runs, 15 2Bs, 7 3Bs) Larry Elkins, Detroit ( 84-173, .488, 27 HRs, 76 RBIs, 73 Runs) John Spadaccino, Trenton (107-220, .486, 36 HRs, 129 RBIs, 91 Runs) Lawrence Hutcherson, Philadelphia (107-220, .486, 43 HRs, 125 RBIs, 84 Runs) Theo Dorsey, Rochester ( 75-155, .484, 9 HRs, 46 RBIs, 46 Runs) Tom Taylor, Cincinnati ( 51-108, .481, 15 HRs, 49 RBIs, 34 Runs) Tony Mazza, Detroit ( 80-168, .476, 3 HRs, 32 RBIs, 62 Runs, 19-10 Pitching) Dennis Graser, Milwaukee ( 89-187, .476, 17 HRs, 60 RBIs, 68 Runs, 17 2Bs) Rich Petrunyak, Cleveland (112-237, .473, 31 HRs, 95 RBIs, 111 Runs) Ralph Calitri, New England ( 98-208, .471, 26 HRs, 105 RBIs, 75 Runs) Dick Laba, Milwaukee ( 75-161, .468, 1 HRs, 42 RBIs, 56 Runs, 14-11 Pitching) Al Gibson, Detroit ( 66-141, .468, 26 HRs, 68 RBIs, 60 Runs) Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh ( 66-144, .458, 19 HRs, 69 RBIs, 53 Runs) Tom Miller, Pittsburgh ( 91-199, .457, 39 HRs, 128 RBIs, 74 Runs) Ed Finnegan, New England ( 64-143, .448, 1 HRs, 32 RBIs, 32 Runs) Mike Levangie, Cincinnati ( 33- 74, .446, 13 HRs, 33 RBIs, 30 Runs) John Regent, Pittsburgh ( 65-170, .441, 15 HRs, 65 RBIs, 60 Runs) Bob Overmiller, Trenton ( 83-144, .438, 14 HRs, 47 RBIs, 42 Runs) Dave Shortz, Chicago ( 68-158, .430, 24 HRs, 59 RBIs, 53 Runs) Cobbie Harrison, Kencutky ( 88-205, .429, 12 HRs, 70 RBIs, 51 Runs) Chuck Winders, Kentucky ( 91-215, .423, 11 HRs, 83 RBIs, 65 Runs) Tom Gorski, Milwaukee ( 85-201. .423, 14 HRs, 57 RBIs, 63 Runs, 5-7 Pitching) Jack Gansheimer, Cleveland ( 79-188, .420, 20 HRs, 74 RBIs, 62 Runs) Mike Kolb, Trenton ( 39- 83, .419, 15 HRs, 33 RBIs, 32 Runs) Jim Galloway, Trenton ( 66-160, .413, 28 HRs, 72 RBIs, 50 Runs, 17-19 Pitching) Jerry Lasponara, Rochester ( 69-167, .413, 12 HRs, 47 RBIs, 47 Runs) John Dunn, Trenton ( 87-213, .408, 34 HRs, 82 RBIs, 72 Runs) Pat Paulsen, New England ( 96-243, .395, 11 HRs, 49 RBIs, 78 Runs) Jim Northrup, Detroit ( 13- 33, .394, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, 12 Runs) Fred Ryan, Pittsburgh ( 64-163, .393, 21 HRs, 67 RBIs, 52 Runs) Billy White Shoes Johnson, Phil. ( 30- 86, .349, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs, 22 Runs) Cal Carmen, Rochester ( 42-137, .307, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs, 31 Runs) Norm Cash, Detroit ( 5- 21, .238, 0 HRs, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs)
1978 -> 1979 APSPL Franchise Changes
Disbanded Teams:
Chicago Storm
New Teams:
Fort Wayne Scouts
Name Changes:
Trenton Champales – (from New Jersey Statesmen)
Cleveland Competitors – (from Cleveland Jaybirds)
1979 APSPL Regular Season Final Standings
Eastern Division Record Pct. GB
Rochester Zeniths 35-27 .565 -
Trenton Champales 30-30 .500 4.0
Philadelphia Athletics 23-41 .359 13.0
New England Pilgrims 21-41 .339 14.0
Central Division Record Pct. GB Kentucky Bourbons 48-15 .762 - Cincinnati Suds 34-30 .531 14.5 Cleveland Competitors 33-31 .516 15.5 Pittsburgh Hardhats 33-31 .516 15.5
Mid Western Division Record Pct. GB Milwaukee Schlitz 40-23 .635 - Detroit Caesars 40-24 .625 0.5 Minnesota Norsemen 32-32 .500 8.5 Fort Wayne Scouts 8-56 .172 32.5
Top 8 teams by record made playoffs. The teams were seeded by records. The final two teams then met in the World Series.
1979 APSPL All-Star Game (@ Louisville, KY)- July 19 East All-Stars - defeated - West All-Stars 11-7 East All-Stars - defeated - West All-Stars 8-3 - East Co-MVP - Barry Glaser, East (Pittsburgh) - (5-8, .625) - East Co-MVP - Fred Miller, East (Cleveland) - (5-8, .625, 2 HRs, 2 3Bs, 5 RBIs) - West MVP - Gene Parrish, West (Minnesota) - (4-6, .667, 2 RBIs)
Eastern APSPL All-Stars Manager- Fred Tomino, Pitsburgh Coach- Mike DeCillis, Rochester Coach- Joe Pepitone, New Jersey P- Greg Birko, Pittsburgh P- Don Brown, Rochester C- Larry Hutcherson, Philadelphia C- Mike Kolb, Trenton 1B- Joe Aversa, Pittsburgh 2B- Rick Page, Rochester 3B- Rick Palmiero, Rochester (replacement) SS- Gary Bello, New England OF- Barry Glaser, Pittsburgh OF- Gary Richter, Trenton OF- Fred Miller, Cleveland OF- Roger Wilt, Cleveland OF- Doc Booker, Cleveland OF- Ron Dorsey, Philadelphia OF- Jerry Lasponera, Rochester (replacement) Western APSPL All-Stars Manager- Mike Basile, Milwaukee Coach- Steve Coffman, Kentucky Coach- Rich Finke, Minnesota P- Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee P- Phil Schroer, Kentucky C- John Locke, Minnesota C- Bill Gatti, Kentucky 1B- Doug Gerdes, Detroit 2B- Tony Mazza, Detroit 3B- Don Rardin, Kentucky SS- Rick Trudeau, Detroit SF- Cobbie Harrison, Kentucky (replacemant for Bill Gatti) OF- Tom Bohte, Milwaukee OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee OF- Tommy Spahn, Fort Wayne OF- Mike LaFever, Cincinnati OF- Gene Parrish, Minnesota OF- Chuck Winders, Kentucky (replacment for Tony Mazza)
1979 APSPL Playoffs
1st round
Kentucky beat Trenton 12-11, 17-1, 14-2; (3-0)
Rochester beat Pittsburgh 6-7, 0-4, 10-9, 10-3, 5-1; (3-2)
Detroit beat Cincinnati 18-8, 7-8, 11-14, 3-1, 7-6; (3-2)
Milwaukee beat Cleveland 15-11, 16-8, 21-2; (3-0)
Semi-finals
Kentucky beat Rochester 22-10, 8-9, 4-3, 8-3; (3-1)
Milwaukee beat Detroit 11-5, 7-4, 5-1; (3-0)
- Playoff MVP - Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee (16-21 .762, 8 RBIs, 6 Runs, 6-0 Pitching)
World Series
Milwaukee beat Kentucky 5-15, 12-2, 16-11, 6-12, 4-3, 6-10, 9-4, 12-8; (5-3)
World Series MVP - Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee (19-24, .792, 6 RBIs, 10 Runs, 3 Doubles, HR)
-Note (Milwaukee) - Doug Czaplewski (12-21, .571), Jim Dillard (14-28, ,500, 6 HRs, 13 RBIs, 13 Runs),
- Dennis Graser (4 HRs, 11 RBIs, 9 Runs), Phil Higgins (3 HRs, 9 RBIs, 11 Runs), Paul Wenzel (10 RBIs)
-Note (Kentucky) - Don Rardin, Jr. (17-33, .515, 9 RBIs, 12 Runs), Bill Gatti (13-26, .500, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs),
- Phil Schroer (14-28, .500), Cobbie Harrison (13-26, .500, 12 RBIs), Dave Whitlock (.429, 9 RBIs, 14 Runs)
1979 APSPL League Leaders
Batting Home Runs RBIs
Rick Weiterman, Milw. .557 Ronnie Ford, Detroit 43 * Ronnie Ford, Detroit 122 *
Rick Trudeau, Detroit .549 Jim Bizzell, Cleveland 37 Doug Gerdes, Detroit 97
Don Brown, Rochester .536 John Locke, Minnesota 33 John Locke, Minnesota 89
Bill Gatti, Kentucky .533 Doug Gerdes, Detroit 31 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 89
Phil Higgins, Milwaukee .531 Dana Andry, Cleveland 31 Cobbie Harrison, Kent. 88
Barry Glaser, Pittsburgh.527 Fred Miller, Cleveland 29 Dennis Graser, Milw. 87
Don Rardin, Kentucky .516 Gary Geister, Detroit 28 Fred Miller, Cleveland 86
Gene Parrish, Minnesota .511 Dave Watson, Cleveland 26 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 79
Denny Brown, Pittsburgh .504 Dennis Graser, Milw. 22 Gary Geister, Detroit 78
Mike Nye, Detroit .503 Mike Kolb, Trenton 22 Ron Dorsey, Phil. 77
Gary Richter, Trenton .501 John Spadaccino, Tren. 20 Jerry Lasponara, Roch. 70
* Note - Ron Ford led the league in HRs and RBIs, despite missing 21 games due to injury. He batted .617,
but was not officially recognized as the Batting Champ due to not enough at bats?
1979 APSPL All Pro Team
P- Rick Weiterman, Milw. - LEAGUE MVP (107-192, .557, 9 HRs, 69 RBIs, 56 Runs, 37-18 Pitching)
P- Phil Schroer, Kentucky ( 86-179, .480, 0 HRs, 55 RBIs, 56 Runs, 40-8 Pitching, 3.84 ERA)
P- Don Brown, Rochester ( 95-177, .536, 0 HRs, 38 RBIs, 43 Runs, 30-21 Pitching)
C- Bill Gatti, Kentucky ( 88-165, .533, 20 HRs, 79 RBIs, 80 Runs, 46 BBs)
1B- Dennis Graser, Milwaukee (108-222, .486, 22 HRs, 87 RBIs, 86 Runs, 14 2Bs)
2B- Donnie Rardin, Kentucky (112-217, .516, 0 HRs, 43 RBIs, 80 Runs, 12 2Bs, 8-7 Pitching)
3B- Doug Gerdes, Detroit (104-208, .500, 31 HRs, 97 RBIs, 78 Runs)
SS- Rick Trudeau, Detroit (106-193, .549, 1 HRs, 34 RBIs, 56 Runs)
SS- Denny Brown, Pittsburgh (.504)
OF- Ronnie Ford, Detroit (100-162, .617, 43 HRs, 122 RBIs, 88 Runs, 20 BBs)
OF- Mike Nye, Detroit ( 90-179, .503, 8 HRs, 51 RBIs, 78 Runs, 18 BBs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee (119-224, .531, 18 HRs, 89 RBIs, 91 Runs, 19 2Bs, 7 3Bs)
OF- Barry Glaser, Pittsburgh (.527)
OF- Roger Wilt, Cleveland
OF- Gene Parrish, Minnesota (.511)
OF- Mike Lafever, Cincinnati
OF- Gary Richter, Trenton (.501)
OTHERS Having Good Seasons: Lawrence Hutcherson, Philadelphia ( .533, 12 HRs, 57 RBIs) Tony Mazza, Detroit ( 76-145, .524, 0 HRs, 21 RBIs, 46 Runs) Cal Carmen, Detroit ( 69-135, .511, 4 HRs, 32 RBIs, 36 Runs) Mike Gouin, Detroit ( 84-168, .500, 14 HRs, 51 RBIs, 61 Runs) Nick Nikitas, Kentucky (100-209, .493, 4 HRs, 27 RBIs, 95 Runs) Mike Kolb, Trenton ( .483, 22 HRs) Greg Birko, Pittsburgh ( .478) Fred Miller, Cleveland ( .477, 29 HRs, 86 RBIs) Jerry Lasponara, Rochester ( 95-200, .475, 16 HRs, 70 RBIs, 57 Runs) John Spadaccino, Trenton ( .469, 20 HRs) Gary Geister, Detroit ( 97-209, .464, 28 HRs, 78 RBIs, 62 Runs) Jim Mitchell, Detroit ( 47-102, .461, 15 HRs, 39 RBIs, 34 Runs) Rick Page, Rochester ( 96-206, .467, 10 HRs, 58 RBIs, 66 Runs, 12 2Bs) Paul Wenzel, Milwaukee ( 87-191, .455, 5 HRs, 44 RBIs, 63 Runs) Doug Czaplewski, Milwaukee ( 72-163, .442, 1 HRs, 23 RBIs, 55 Runs) Jim Dillard, Milwaukee ( 98-223, .439, 10 HRs, 65 RBIs, 74 Runs, 28 2Bs) Dick Laba, Milwaukee ( 71-162, .438, 1 HRs, 31 RBIs, 51 Runs) Cobbie Harrison, Kentucky ( 91-209, .435, 8 HRs, 88 RBIs, 49 Runs) Larry Elkins, Detroit ( 56-131, .427, 14 HRs, 35 RBIs, 34 Runs) Pete Castle, Rochester ( 80-186, .430, 3 HRs, 50 RBIs, 39 Runs) Chuck Winders, Kentucky ( 83-202, .409, 6 HRs, 60 RBIs, 45 Runs) Rich Brown, Rochester ( 89-220, .405, 2 HRs, 42 RBIs, 51 Runs, 8 3Bs) Chuck Drewicz, Detroit ( 56-144, .389, 5 HRs, 29 RBIs, 36 Runs) Greg Whitlock, Kentucky ( 68-172. .386, 0 HRs, 36 RBIs, 34 Runs) Jack Roudenbush, Detroit ( 71-186, .382, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, 50 Runs) Jeff Middlestadt, Milwaukee ( 38-103, .369, 7 HRs, 27 RBIs, 26 Runs) Jim Northrup, Detroit ( 11- 30, .367, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs, 5 Runs) Bert Smith, Detroit ( 44-129, .341, 8 HRs, 39 RBIs, 27 Runs) Dave Whitlock, Kentucky ( 41-131, .313, 0 HRs, 13 RBIs, 20 Runs) Ron Dorsey, Philadelphia ( .433, 16 HRs, 77 RBIs) Joe Pepitone, Trenton ( 50-122, .410, 9 HRs, 30 RBIs) John Locke, Minnesota ( 33 HRs, 89 RBIs) Jim Bizzell, Cleveland ( 37 HRs) Dana Andry, Cleveland ( 31 HRs) Dave Watson, Cleveland ( 26 HRs) Benny Holt, Cleveland ( 4 HRs, 9 RBIs - signed late) Lou Banks, Fort Wayne ( 16 HRs) Sam Sapienza, Trenton ( 27-22 Pitching) Ted Larsen, Minnesota ( 10-15 Pitching)
1979 -> 1980 APSPL Franchise Changes
Disbanded Teams:
Detroit Caesars
Trenton Champales
Fort Wayne Scouts
Name Changes:
Rochester Express (from Rochester Zeniths)
Teams leaving to play in the NASL:
Cleveland Competitors
Milwaukee Schlitz
Another League was formed by Ted Stepien in 1980 called the North American Softball League (NASL). A Couple of the APSPL teams jumped over to that league. The APSPL still existed as a league and also had the backing of ESPN, but the NASL was still the better league according to some, if only financially as Ted Stepien of Cleveland owned 6 of the 8 NASL teams.
1980 APSPL Regular Season Final Standings
Team Record Pct. GB
Kentucky Bourbons 48-16 .750 -
Pittsburgh Hardhats 44-19 .698 3.5
Rochester Express 30-34 .469 18.0
New England Pilgrims 27-37 .422 21.0
Cincinnati Suds 22-40 .355 24.0
Philadelphia Athletics 21-43 .328 27.0
Top 4 teams made playoffs. The teams were seeded by records. The final two teams then met in the World Series.
1980 APSPL Playoffs
Semi-Final round
Pittsburgh beat Kentucky 5-10, 7-5, 4-10, 5-14, 4-1; (3-2)
Rochester beat New England 12-3, 11-3, 12-9; (3-0)
World Series
Rochester beat Pittsburgh 2-8, 8-7, 10-4, 2-5, 7-9, 15-16, 7-6, 9-1, 8-2 (5-4)
World Series MVP - Don Brown, Rochester (5-4 pitching, .500)
- Note (Rochester) - Tom Zaccardo (.500, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs), Steve Re (.444, 5 HRs, 9 RBIs)
- Note (Pittsburgh) - John Regent (3 HRs, 2 3Bs, 11 RBIs), Randy Elliott (2 HRs)
1980 APSPL League Leaders
Batting Home Runs RBIs
Rich Brown, Rochester .494 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 21 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 81
Denny Brown, Pittsburgh .492 Bob Schuster, Rochester 21 Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh 68
Bill Gatti, Kentucky .483 Mike Applin, Cincinnati 17 Chuck Winders, Kentucky 60
Barry Glaser, Pitt. .480 Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh 17 Bob Schuster, Rochester 59
Randy Elliott, Pitts. .470 John Spadaccino, Phila. 14 Cobbie Harrison, Kent. 58
Jack Roudenbush, Kent. .466 Chuck Winders, Kentucky 12 Pete Castle, Rochester 57
Nick Nikitas, Kentucky .464 Steve Re, Rochester 11 Dave Whitlock, Kentucky 54
Greg Birko, Pittsburgh .455 Dave Whitlock, Kentucky 9 Mike Applin, Cincinnati 54
Pete Castle, Rochester .435 Pete Castle, Rochester 9 Len Larabee, New Eng. 54
Greg Whitlock, Kentycky .435 Mike Kolb, Philadelphia 8 Steve Re, Rochester 49
Len Larabee, New Eng. .424 Len Larabee, New Eng. 7 Jack Roudenbush, Kent. 48
Bob Schuster, Rochester .422 John Spadaccino, Phila. 46
1980 APSPL All Pro Team P- Greg Birko, Pittsburgh (.455, 29-13 Pitching) P- Steve Stewart, Kentucky ( 46-153, .301, 2 HRs, 19 RBIs, 32 Runs, 40-14 Pitching) C- Jim Foxy Nelson, Pittsburgh ( 17 HRs, 68 RBIs) 1B- Pete Castle, Rochester ( 83-191, .435, 9 HRs, 57 RBIs) 2B- Nick Nikitas, Kentucky (102-222, .464, 1 HRs, 29 RBIs, 82 Runs) 3B- Bill Gatti, Kentucky - LEAGUE MVP ( 90-186, .483, 21 HRs, 81 RBIs, 74 Runs, 48 BBs) SS- Greg Whitlock, Kentucky ( 93-214, .435, 2 HRs, 42 RBIs, 49 Runs) OF- Rich Brown, Rochester (107-216, .494, 2 HRs, 22 RBIs, 14 2Bs, 11 3Bs, 60 Runs) - Runner-up MVP OF- Pat Paulsen, New England ( .403 3 HRs) OF- Bob Shuster, Rochester ( 78-185, .421, 21 HRs, 59 RBIs) OF- Jack Roudenbush, Kentucky ( 97-208, .464, 3 HRs, 48 RBIs, 55 Runs) Utility (SS)- Denny Brown, Pittsburgh (.492) Utility (OF)- Pat Benzing, Pittsburgh ( Utility (OF)- Randy Elliott, Pittsburgh (.470) Utility (IF)- Gary Hartman, Phila. (
Co-Rookies of the Year Randy Elliott, Pittsburgh (.470) Bob Schuster, Rochester ( 78-185, .422, 21 HRs, 59 RBIs)
OTHERS Having Good Seasons: Barry Glaser, Pittsburgh ( .480) Pete Castle, Rochester ( 83-191, .435, 9 HRs, 57 RBIs) Len Larabee, New England ( .424, 7 HRs, 54 RBIs) Tom Zaccardo, Rochester ( 82-204, .402, 2 HRs, 37 RBIs) Rick Page, Rochester ( 6- 15, .400, 0 HRs, 4 RBIs - out for the season) Don Brown, Rochester ( 68-173, .393, 0 HRs, 19 RBIs, 22-19 Pitching) Cobbie Harrison, Kentucky ( 70-207, .382, 6 HRs, 58 RBIs, 43 Runs) Dave Whitlock, Kentucky ( 66-177, .373, 9 HRs, 54 RBIs, 40 Runs) Steve Re, Rochester ( 65-184, .354, 11 HRs, 49 RBIs) Mike Applin, Cincinnati ( 17 HRs, 54 RBIs) John Spadaccino, Philadelphia ( 14 HRs, 46 RBIs) Gary Richter, New England
1980 NASL Franchise Information
Teams coming from the APSPL:
Cleveland Competitors
Milwaukee Schlitz
New Teams:
Cincinnati Rivermen – (recruited some of the APSPL Cincinnati Suds players)
Lexington Stallions – (recruited some of the APSPL Kentucky Bourbons players)
Pittsburgh Champions – (recruited some of the APSPL Pittsburgh Hard Hats players)
Chicago Nationwide Advertising – (recruited some of the players of the old APSPL disbanded Chicago Storm)
Detroit Auto Kings – (recruited some of the players of the APSPL disbanded Detroit Caesars)
Fort Wayne Huggie Bears – (recruited some of the players of the APSPL disbanded Fort Wayne Scouts)
1980 NASL Regular Season Final Standings
Eastern Division Record Pct. GB
Detroit Auto Kings 35-26 .574 -
Cleveland Competitors 31-32 .492 5.0
Cincinnati Rivermen 25-37 .403 10.5
Pittsburgh Champions 25-39 .391 11.5
Western Division Record Pct. GB Milwaukee Schlitz 47-13 .786 - Chicago Nationwide Advertising 43-19 .694 5.0 Lexington Stallions 30-32 .486 18.0 Fort Wayne Huggie Bears 11-49 .183 36.0
Top two teams in each division made the playoffs, The two division winners then met in the World Series.
1980 NASL All-Star Game (Willoughby, OH)- July 19 West All-Stars beat East All-Stars 10-7 - 1st Game MVP- Phil Higgins, West (3-4, HR, 2 Doubles, 3 RBIs) East All-Stars beat West All-Stars 17-5 - 2nd Game MVP- Mike Turk, East (2 HRs, 4 RBIs)
NASL Eastern All-Stars (stats at time of game - July 19) MGR- Mike Gouin, Detroit P- Dana Andry, Cleveland (.342, 21, 44) C- Benny Holt, Cleveland (.517, 17, 49) 1B-Gary Geister, Detroit (.365, 16, 45) 2B-Tony Mazza, Detroit (.428, 0, 22) 3B-Mike Turk, Detroit (.444, 11, 38) SS-Jim Picard, Pittsburgh (.455, 0, 11) OF-Matt Partridge, Detroit (.489, 6, 28) OF-Doc Booker, Cleveland (.472, 11, 51) OF-Roger Snatchko, Pittsburgh (.519, 11, 49) OF-Mike O'Brien, Cincinnati (.387, 10, 39) Utility Players/Alternates: -------------- 2B-Ed DePompei, Cleveland (.373, 0, 16) OF-Jerry Jarvela, Detroit (.417, 0, 27) OF-Ed Zalewski, Pittsburgh (.427, 10, 36) OF-Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati (.463, 19, 43) 2B-Mark Johnson, Pittsburgh (.370, 0, 19) NASL Western All-Stars (stats at time of game - July 19) MGR- Eddie Zolna, Chicago P- Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee (.503, 7, 52, 22-10 Pitching) C- Willie Simpson, Chicago (.535, 3, 55) 1B-Dennis Graser, Milwaukee (.472, 8, 53) 2B-Lou Banks, Ft. Wayne (.486, 14, 51) 3B-Don Rardin Jr., Lexington (.506, 2, 54) SS-Paul Wenzel, Milwaukee (.443, 1, 40) OF-Ron Olesiak, Chicago (93-161, .579, 24, 101, 13 2Bs, 4 3Bs) OF-Tommy Spahn, Chicago (.544, 12, 76) OF-Phil Higgins, Milwaukee (.497, 10, 63) OF-Curt Dusek, Chicago (.459, 0, 38) Utility Players/Alternates: -------------- P- Phil Schroer, Lexington (.403, 0, 39) SS-Ken Kamradt, Chicago (.472, 1, 51) 2B-Buddy Haines, Chicago (.514, 15, 69) 2B-Cardell Collins, Ft. Wayne (.345, 8, 36) OF-Phil Gowdy, Lexington (.388, 0, 25)
1980 NASL Playoffs
Divisional Championship round
Detroit beat Cleveland 6-4, 8-7, 19-4, 5-10, 14-5; (4-1)
Milwaukee beat Chicago 9-13, 10-7, 17-12, 16-12, 10-17, 22-17; (4-2)
World Series
Milwaukee beat Detroit 19-11, 10-12, 12-16, 22-13, 13-4, 12-3, 11-9; (5-2)
World Series MVP - Ken Parker, Milwaukee (17-29, .586, 16 RBIs)
1980 NASL League Leaders
Batting Home Runs RBIs
Ron Olesiak, Chicago .555 Benny Holt, Cleveland 42 Ron Olesiak, Chicago 124
Don Rardin, Lexington .548 Dana Andry, Cleveland 34 Buddy Haines, Chicago 115
Benny Holt, Cleveland .533 Ron Olesiak, Chicago 34 Dennis Graser, Milw. 98
Tom Spahn, Chicago .527 Mike LaFever, Cinn. 34 Mike Krolicki, Chicago 98
Jake Jakobi, Chicago .520 Gary Geister, Detroit 31 Tom Spahn, Chicago 97
Buddy Haines, Chicago .518 Dennis Graser, Milw. 30 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 95
Ken Kamradt, Chicago .517 Jim Bizzell, Cleveland 29 Benny Holt, Cleveland 95
Paul Campbell, Cinn. .514 Fred Ryan, Pittsburgh 29 Mike LaFever, Cinn. 88
Rick Weiterman, Milw. .510 Buddy Haines, Chicago 27 Jim Bizzell, Cleveland 87
Willie Simpson, Chic. .506 Jerry Gadette, Detroit 24 Dana Andry, Cleveland 85
Paul Wenzel, Milwaukee .496 Jim Tuttle, Cinn. 24 Gary Geister, Detroit 80
1980 NASL All Pro Team
P -Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee (132-259, .510, 13 HRs, 65 RBIs, 45-13 Pitching)
P- Dana Andry, Cleveland ( 34 HRs, 85 RBIs)
P- Mike Krolicki, Chicago ( 98 RBIs, 10 3Bs) 27-6 Pitching as of July 21
C- Benny Holt, Cleveland ( .533, 42 HRs, 95 RBIs)
1B-Dennis Graser, Milwaukee (131-273, .480, 30 HRs, 98 RBIs, 23 2Bs, 6 3Bs)
2B- Buddy Haines, Chicago (142-274, .518, 27 HRS, 115 RBIs, 19 2Bs)
SS- Mike Turk, Detroit (
3B- Donnie Rardin Jr., Lexington (157-286, .548, 20 2Bs, 14 3Bs)
SS- Ken Kamradt, Chicago (149-288. .517)
SS- Paul Wenzel, Milwaukee (127-256, .496)
OF- Ron Olesiak, Chicago - LEAGUE MVP (152-274, .555, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs, 27 2Bs, 9 3Bs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee (127-262, .485, 16 HRs, 95 RBIs, 33 2Bs, 8 3Bs)
OF- Tom Spahn, Chicago (137-260, .527, 15 HRs, 97 RBIs)
OF- Doc Booker, Cleveland ( .483, 23 HRs, 70 RBIs, 19 2Bs)
OF- Mike LaFever, Cincinnati ( 34 HRs, 88 RBIs)
OF- Roger Snatchko, Pittsburgh (129-270, .478)
OF- Curt Dusek, Chicago (109-264, .413)
Utility- Jim Dillard, Milwaukee ( 22 2Bs)
Utility- Willie Simpson, Chicago (127-152, .506, 23 2Bs, 13 3Bs)
Utility- Jake Jakobi, Chicago (127-244, .520)
Utility- Paul Campbell, Cincinnati ( .514)
OTHERS Having Good Seasons: Matt Partridge, Detroit ( 22 HRs) Jim Bizzell, Cleveland ( -261, 29 HRs, 87 RBIs) Mike LeFever, Cincinnati ( 34 HRs, 88 RBIs) Gary Geister, Detroit ( 31 HRs, 80 RBIs Fred Ryan, Pittsburgh ( 29 HRs, Jerry Gadette, Detroit ( 24 HRs, Dick Laba, Milwaukee ( 10 3Bs) Chuck Sidewind, Cleveland ( 8 HRs, 24 RBIs) Derek Gallagher, Milwaukee ( Ken Parker, Milwaukee ( Cal Carmen, Detroit (
The NASL and the APSPL merged leagues after the 1980 season and formed a new league called the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). Many of the NASL and APSPL teams joined in the re-formation of the new league. Many teams also disbanded operations and some new teams were formed in previous cities where the APSPL and NASL once existed
UPSL Franchise Information:
Disbanded Teams:
Detorit Auto Kings (from the NASL)
Pittsburgh Champions (from the NASL)
Cincinnati Rvermen (from the NASL)
Chicago Nationwide Advertising (from the NASL)
Fort Wayne Huggie Bears (from the NASL)
Cleveland Competitors (from the NASL)
Lexington Stallions (from the NASL)
Teams coming from the NASL:
Milwaukee Schlitz
Teams coming from the APSPL:
Cincinnati Suds
Pittsburgh Hardhats
New England Pilgrims
Kentucky Bourbons
Rochester Express,
Name Changes:
South Jersey Athletics (from APSPL Philadelpiha Athletics)
New Teams:
Syracuse Salt
1981 UPSL Regular Season Final Standings
Eastern Division Record Pct. GB
South Jersey Athletics 35-21 .625 -
Rochester Express 30-28 .517 6.0
New England Pilgrims 24-36 .400 13.0
Syracuse Salt 4-52 .071 31.0
Western Division Record Pct. GB Cincinnati Suds 43-15 .741 - Milwaukee Schlitz 37-21 .638 6.0 Kentucky Bourbons 36-24 .600 8.0 Pittsburgh Hardhats 23-35 .397 20.0
Top three teams in each division made the playoffs, 3rd played 2nd , with the winner playing 1st for the division title. The two division winners then met in the World Series.
1981 UPSL Playoffs
1st Round - South Jersey and Cincinnati (both received a 1st Round Bye)
New England beat Rochester 5-6, 8-7, 3-0, 17-7; (3-1)
Kentucky beat Milwaukee 5-4, 13-4, 11-10; (3-0)
Semi-finals
New England beat South Jersey 4-8, 12-7, 0-5, 5-3, 16-6; (3-2)
- Note (New England) - Ralph Calitri (3-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs in final game), (3 HRs total), Len Larabee (2 HRs)
- Note (South Jersey) - Ron Dorsey (4 HRs), Bobby Bryant (3 HRs), Sam Sapienza (HR, 2-3 Pitching)
Kentucky beat Cincinnati 2-10, 6-7, 13-12, 4-3, 6-5; (3-2)
- Note (Kentucky) - Dave Whitlock (9-19, .474), Bill Gatti (3 HRs, 7 RBIs), Greg Whitlock (7 RBIs, 5 Runs)
- Note (Cincinnati) - Brad Farrar (10-16, .625), Hal Ward (9-15, .600), Tony Salamone (.550), Butch Whitaker (4 HRs, 8 RBIs)
World Series
Kentucky beat New England 12-17, 11-7, 12-6, 16-5, 10-11, 14-11, 6-8, 14-11; (5-3)
World Series MVP - Greg Whitlock, Kentucky (18-31, .581, 5 RBIs, 3 2Bs, 14 Runs)
World Series MVP - Bill Gatti, Kentucky (14-26, .538, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 12 Runs, 2 3Bs)
* Note- I have conflicting reports on who the MVP was, Both of these players are mentioned.
-Note (Kentucky) - Dave Whitlock (15-26, .577, 2 HRs, 18 RBIs, 13 Runs), Nick Nikitas (12-24, .500)
- Rick Wilson (3 HRs, 12 RBIs, 10 Runs), Cobbie Harrison (12-27, .444, 6 HRs, 13 RBIs, 10 Runs)
-Note (New England) - Joe Martone (15-26, .577, 6 HRs, 18 RBIs, 11 Runs), Ralph Calitri (6 HRs, 15 RBIs)
- Len Larabee (.500, 5 2Bs, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs, 11 Runs), Gary Bello (.375, 12 Runs), Pat Paulson (12-28, .429)
1981 UPSL League Leaders
Batting Home Runs RBIs
Bill Gatti, Kentucky .622 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 38 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 99
Hal Ward, Cincinnati .524 Ron Dorsey, So. Jersey 34 Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati 83
Dennis Graser, Milw. .516 Dennis Graser, Milw. 32 Dennis Graser, Milw. 76
Ron Dorsey, So. Jersey .511 Mike Kolb, South Jersey 29 Ron Dorsey, So. Jersey 75
Ralph Calitri, New Eng. .505 John Spadaccino, SJ 26 Mike Kolb, South Jersey 74
John Spadaccino, SJ .500 Rick Page, Rochester 23 Pete Castle, Rochester 66
Dick Laba, Milwaukee .485 Joe Martone, New Eng. 20 Dave Whitlock, Kentucky 65
Jim Kuhn, Cincinnati .480 Ralph Calitri, New Eng. 20 John Spadaccino, SJ 64
Greg Whitlock, Kentucky .474 Bobby Bryant, So. Jer. 20 Rick Page, Rochester 64
Tom Zaccardo, Roch. .474 Dave Whitlock, Kentucky 19 Bobby Bryant, So. Jer. 64
Joe Martone, New Eng. .472 Pete Castle, Rochester 19 Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh 64
Tony Salamone, Cinn. .469 Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati 17 Joe Martone, New Eng. 62
Bob Bryant, So. Jersey .464 Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh 16 Tom Zaccardo, Roch. 62
Mike Kolb, South Jersey .456 Steve Re, Rochester 15 Ralph Calitri, New Eng. 60
Tom Zaccardo, Roch. 15 Steve Rogers, Cinn. 60
1981 UPSL All Pro Team
P- Black Ron Jones, Cincinnati ( .424, 26-10 Pitching, 5.54 ERA)
P- Steve Stewart, Kentucky ( 48-136, .353, 0 HRs, 25 RBIs, 30 Runs, 35-20 Pitching)
C- Joe Martone, New England ( .472, 20 HRs, 62 RBIs)
1B- Dennis Graser, Milwaukee ( 87-174, .500, 26 HRs, 76 RBIs, 19 2Bs)
2B- Tony Salamone, Cincinnati ( 84-179, .469, 62 Runs)
3B- Bill Gatti, Kentucky - LEAGUE MVP (110-177, .622, 38 HRs, 99 RBIs, 85 Runs, 37 BBs) - Triple Crown
SS- Greg Whitlock, Kentucky (100-211, .474, 2 HRs, 37 RBIs, 63 Runs)
IF- Tom Zaccardo, Rochester ( 92-194, .474, 15 HRs, 62 RBIs)
LF- John Regent, Pittsburgh ( 21 2Bs
LCF- Hal Ward, Cincinnati -TOP ROOKIE ( .524, 11 HRs, 11 2Bs, 3 3Bs)
RCF- Ron Dorsey, South Jersey ( 89-174, .511, 34 HRs, 75 RBIs, 73 Runs)
RF- Dave Whitlock, Kentucky ( 82-185, .443, 19 HRs, 65 RBIs, 59 Runs, 10 3Bs)
OF- Bob Bryant, South Jersey ( 78-170, .464, 20 HRs, 64 RBIs)
OF- Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati ( .434, 17 HRs, 83 RBIs)
EH- Ralph Calitri, New England ( .505, 20 HRs, 60 RBIs)
Manager- Cobbie Harrison, Kentucky (10 HRs, 51 RBIs)
Rookie - Hal Ward, Cincinnati
OTHERS Having Good Seasons: John Spadaccino, South Jersey ( 84-168, .500, 26 HRs, 64 RBIs) Jim Kuhn, Cincinnati ( .480, 4 HRs) Mike Kolb, South Jersey ( 82-180, .456, 29 HRs, 74 RBIs, 70 Runs) Rick Linz, Cincinnati ( 83-186, .446, 67 Runs) Steve Re, Rochester ( .414, 15 HRs, 12 2Bs) Mike O'Brien, Kentucky ( 70-171, .409, 8 HRs, 44 RBIs, 38 Runs) Dick Laba, Milwaukee ( 94-194, .485) Jim Kuhn, Cincinnati ( 84-175, .480) Rich Brown, Rochester ( 87-?? 9 2Bs Tony Salamone, Cincinnati ( 84-?? Rick Linz, Cincinnati ( 83-?? Rick Page, Rochester ( 23 HRs, 64 RBIs) Pete Castle, Rochester ( 19 HRs, 66 RBIs) Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh ( 16 HRs, 64 RBIs) Jack Collins, Cincinnati ( 13 2Bs) Doug Fortune, New England ( 12 2Bs) Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee ( 11 2Bs, 36-21 Pitching) Steve Rogers, Cincinnati ( 60 RBIs, 9 2Bs) Sam Sapienza, South Jersey (19-17 Pitching Mike DeCillis, Rochester (16-12 Pitching Bob Laemel, New England (15-15 Pitching John Coory, Cincinnati (11- 3 Pitching Don Brown, Rochester (11-13 Pitching Greg Birko, Pittsburgh (11-21 Pitching Joe Arszyla, New England ( 8-14 Pitching
1981 -> 1982 UPSL Franchise Changes
Disbanded Teams:
New England Pilgrims
Syracuse Salt
New Teams:
Detroit Softball City (recruited some of the 1981 NSPC/USSSA Snyder’s Softball Club players)
Cleveland Competitors (recruited some of the 1981 NSPC/ASA Nationwide Advertising Services players)
Lima Steele’s (recruited some of the 1981 ASA/USSSA Steele’s Sports players)
1982 UPSL Regular Season Final Standings
Eastern Division Record Pct. GB
Cleveland Competitors 46-17 .730 -
Detroit Softball City 39-20 .661 5.0
South Jersey Athletics 35-25 .583 9.5
Rochester Express 24-40 .375 22.5
Pittsburgh Hardhats 8-52 .133 36.5
Western Division Record Pct. GB Kentucky Bourbons 38-23 .623 - Cincinnati Suds 34-28 .548 4.5 Milwaukee Schlitz 32-32 .500 7.5 Lima Steele's 20-38 .348 16.5
Top three teams in each division made the playoffs, 3rd played 2nd , with the winner playing 1st for the division title. The two division winners then met in the World Series.
1982 UPSL All-Star Game (Willoughby, OH) - Game was cancelled due to financial hardships
1982 UPSL Playoffs
1st Round
Detroit beat South Jersey 18-11, 16-15, 18-14; (3-0)
Milwaukee beat Cincinnati 11-4, 11-8, 13-4; (3-0)
Cleveland and Kentucky (both received a 1st Round Bye)
Semi-finals
Detroit beat Cleveland 14-7, 6-11, 9-7, 0-11, 17-10 (3-2)
- Note (Detroit) - Ed Collins (11-15, .733), Gary Geister (11-18, .611), Rick Trudeau (.579)
- Note (Cleveland) - Dana Andry (7 HRs), Mike Macenko (5 HRs)
Milwaukee beat Kentucky 10-7, 4-7, 9-21, 14-10, 23-22; (3-2)
-Note (Milwaukee) - Derek Gallagher (10-17, .588), Kevin Delimat (10-18, .556, 4 HRs, 9 RBIs)
- Phil Higgins (9-17, .529, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs), Dennis Graser (3 HRs, 7 RBIs)
-Note (Kentucky) - Dave Whitlock (11-16, .688, 7 HRs, 11 RBIs), Greg Kemp (11-17, .647),
- Bill Gatti (8-13, .615, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs), Ken Parker (12-20, .600, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs)
World Series
Milwaukee beat Detroit 9-8, 8-3, 7-10, 13-11, 12-7, 39-6; (5-1)
World Series MVP - Dick Laba, Milwaukee Schlitz (16-24, .667)
-Note (Milwaukee) - Dennis Graser (12-17, .706, 5 HRs, 19 RBIs), Phil Higgins (2 Grand Slams, 22 RBIs)
- Final Game: Dennis Graser (6-6, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs), Phil Higgins (6-6, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs), Rick Weiterman (3 HRs)
- Phil Higgins (8-10, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs in final 2 games)
-Note (Detroit) - Braxton Speller (13-21, .619, 5 HRs), Charles Mitchell (.389, 6 HRs)
- Manager Gary Vitto - directed 2 different teams to the finals (Detroit Caesars won title in 1977 & 1978)
1982 UPSL League Leaders
Batting Home Runs RBIs
Dana Andry, Cleveland .618 Dana Andry, Cleveland 65 Mike Macenko, Clev. 140
Phil Higgins, Milwaukee .572 Mike Macenko, Clev. 63 Charles Mitchell, Det. 133
Paul Wright, Cleveland .566 Charles Mitchell, Det. 59 Dana Andry, Cleveland 128
Dick Laba, Milwaukee .565 Ron Dorsey, So. Jersey 47 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 125
Derek Gallagher, Milw. .560 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 46 Dennis Graser, Milw. 122
Steve Blanchette, Clev. .558 Mike Kolb, So. Jersey 46 Steve Blanchette, Clev. 120
Bill Gatti, Kentucky .554 Dennis Graser, Milw. 43 Mike Kolb, So. Jersey 114
Ron Dorsey, So. Jersey .547 Steve Blanchette, Clev. 42 Bill Gatti, Kentucky 109
Ken Parker, Kentucky .540 Phil Higgins, Milwaukee 40 Ken Parker, Kentucky 107
Greg Whitlock, Kentucky .535 Joe Young, Lima 40 Marty Rolnick Cleve. 106
Gary Trumm, Milw. .530 Gary Geister, Detroit 39 Joe Young, Lima 106
Mike Kolb, So. Jersey .521 Marty Rolnick Cleve. 39 Doc Booker, Cleveland 100
Doc Booker, Cleveland .515 Pete Castle, Rochester 38 Ron Dorsey, So. Jersey 95
Rick Weiterman, Milw. .514 Ken Parker, Kentucky 36 Gary Geister, Detroit 86
Bobby Reid, Cleveland .512 Bob Bryant, So. Jersey 32 Braxton Speller, Det. 74*
Braxton Speller, Det. * Jim Bizzell, Cleveland 31 Pete Castle, Rochester 74*
Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati * Braxton Speller, Det. 29* Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati 72*
* Numbers are incomplete
1982 UPSL All Pro Team
P- Dana Andry, Cleveland - LEAGUE MVP (139-225, .618, 65 HRs, 128 RBIs, 125 Runs, 46-17 Pitching)
P- Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee ( .514, 7 HRs)
C- Charles Mitchell, Detroit ( 59 HRs, 133 RBIs)
1B- Dennis Graser, Milwaukee ( 43 HRs, 122 RBIs)
2B- Mike Macenko, Cleveland (110-250, .440, 63 HRs, 140 RBIs, 122 Runs)
3B- Bill Gatti, Kentucky ( 97-175, .554, 46 HRs, 109 RBIs, 97 Runs)
SS- Greg Whitlock, Kentucky (125-236, .535, 5 HRS, 57 RBIs, 80 Runs)
SS- Paul Wright, Cleveland (105-185, .566, 1 HRs, 31 RBIs, 66 Runs)
OF- Steve Blanchett, Cleveland (134-240, .558, 42 HRs, 120 RBIs, 115 Runs)
OF- Ken Parker, Kentucky (114-211, .540, 36 HRs, 107 RBIs, 84 Runs)
OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee ( .572, 40 HRs, 125 RBIs, 24 2Bs)
OF- Derek Gallagher, Milwaukee ( .560)
OF- Ron Dorsey, South Jersey ( .547, 47 HRs, 95
OF- Joe Young, Lima ( .476, 40 HRs, 106 RBIs)
OTHERS Having Good Seasons: Dick Laba, Milwaukee ( .565) Gary Trumm, Milwaukee ( .530) Mike Kolb, South Jersey ( .521, 46 HRs, 114 RBIs) Doc Booker, Cleveland (100-194, .515, 25 HRs, 100 RBIs, 76 Runs) Bobby Reid, Cleveland (111-217, .512, 30 HRs, 74 RBIs, 105 Runs) Pat Paulson, Kentucky (100-199, .503, 4 HRs, 50 RBIs, 91 Runs) Mick Dwyer, Cleveland ( 95-192, .495, 27 HRs, 81 RBIs, 71 Runs) Bob Bryant, South Jersey ( .493, 32 HRs, 66 RBIs) John Spadaccino, South Jersey ( .481, 27 HRs, 55 RBIs) Dave Whitlock, Kentucky ( 92-193, .477, 18 HRS, 77 RBIs, 61 Runs) Hank Gibson, Cleveland ( 65-139, .468, 15 HRs, 34 RBIs, 65 Runs) Pete Castle, Rochester ( .450, 38 HRS, 74 RBIs) Nick Nikitas, Kentucky ( 92-207, .444, 0 HRS, 29 RBIs, 77 Runs) Marty Rolnick, Cleveland ( 93-217, .429, 39 HRs, 106 RBIs, 83 Runs) Jim Bizzell, Cleveland ( 80-180, .426, 31 HRs, 77 RBIs, 72 Runs) Rich Petrunyak, Cleveland ( 59-157, .376, 25 HRs, 54 RBIs, 51 Runs) Cobbie Harrison, Kentucky ( 12- 35, .343, 4 HRS, 15 RBIs, 2 Runs) Gary Geister, Detroit ( 39 HRs, 86 RBIs) Braxton Speller, Detroit ( 29 HRs, 74 RBIs) Jim Tuttle, Cincinnati ( 74 RBIs) Mike Turk, Detroit ( Jim Kuhn, Cincinnati ( Jim Nelson, Pittsburgh ( Steve Stewart, Kentucky (35-20 Pitching Ron Jones, Cincinnati (24-12 Pitching
The UPSL decided to take 1983 off and reorganize to make a better league in 1984. They had Franchise requests from Florida, New England, North Carolina and St. Louis.
This never happened and the league ended up folding. – This was the Last Professional Slow Pitch Softball League.
Robert Brown’s All-Time Pro Softball Team (1977-1982)
Position- First Team Second Team Pitcher- Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee (79-MVP, 79-WS MVP) Dana Andry, Cleveland (82-MVP) Catcher- Bill Gatti, Kentucky (80-MVP, 81-MVP) Benny Holt, Chicago-Cleveland (77-MVP) First Base- Doug Gerdes, Detroit Dennis Graser, Milwaukee Second Base- Donnie Rardin, Cincinnati-Kentucky-Lexington Doug Czaplewski, Milwaukee Shortstop- Rick Trudeau, Detroit Denny Brown, Pittsburgh (78 All Star MVP) Third Base- Buddy Haines, Chicago-Milwaukee Gary Richter, New York-Trenton Outfield- Ron Ford, Detroit (78-MVP) Gene Parrish, Minnesota Mike Nye, Detroit (77-WS MVP) Ken Parker, Milwaukee-Kentucky (80-WS MVP Phil Higgins, Milwaukee (80 All Star MVP) Fred Miller, Kentucky-Cleveland Mike Gouin, Detroit Ron Olesiak, Chicago (80-MVP) Utility- Rick Petrunyak, Cleveland Lawrence Hutcherson, Baltimore-Philadelphia Jim Dillard, Milwaukee John Spadaccino, New Jersey-Trenton-South Jersey Bert Smith, Detroit (78-Series MVP) Manager- Gary Vitto, Detroit (2 Titles) Mike Basile, Milwaukee (3 Titles)
All-Time Greatest Pro Softball Team - 1978 Detroit Caesars
- 49-15 regular season record, Division Champs (Mid-West)
- Undefeated in Playoffs (55-15 overall record ), World Series Champs
- HR, RBI and Batting Leader, league MVP and World Series MVP
- 7 Players on APSPL 1978 all-league team
- 6 Players and Manager on All-Time Pro Softball Team
All-Time Greatest Pro Softball Player - Bill Gatti
- 1980 APSPL MVP, 1981 UPSL MVP
- 6 time member of the All-Pro Team
- 1980 APSPL HR and RBI Champion
- 1981 UPSL Triple Crown winner (HR, RBI and Batting Average Champion)
- Stat Totals for 6 years:
Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB Avg 1977 54 180 95 97 7 5 48 127 35 .539 1978 62 214 131 125 9 5 54 132 38 .584 1979 56 165 80 88 9 3 20 79 46 .533 1980 63 186 74 90 9 1 21 81 48 .483 MVP 1981 56 177 85 110 8 3 38 99 37 .622 MVP - Triple Crown 1982 59 175 102 97 8 1 46 109 47 .554 TOTALS 350 1097 567 607 50 16 227 627 281 .553
All Time team compiled by former league commissioner Robert Brown, who saw more games than anybody. I’d like to take a second to thank Robert for helping me with this page. If it wasn’t for him, 90% of the information wouldn’t have been found. – Thank You Robert.
All Time Home Run Leaders
1. Bill Gatti (1977-82) – 217
2. Ron Ford (1977-79) – 208
3. Benny Holt (1977-78,80) – 189 (played end of year 1979 with Cleveland)
4. Gary Geister (1977-82) – 165 (missing 1981)
4. Doug Gerdes (1977-79) – 144
5. Dana Andry (1979-80,82) – 130
. Phil Higgins (1977-82) – (missing info) (played 1981 end of year)
. Jim Foxy Nelson (1977-82) – (missing info, close to 200 HRs)
. Mike Nye (1977-79) – 77
All Time RBI Leaders
1. Bill Gatti (1977-82) – 627
2. Ron Ford (1977-79) – 506
3. Doug Gerdes (1977-79) – 333
4. Gary Geister (1977-82) – 406 (missing 1981)
5. Dana Andry (1979-80,82) – 213+ (missing 1979)
All Time Batting Leaders
1. Ron Ford (1977-79) – 410-657, .624
2. Mike Nye (1977-79) – 421-683, .616
3. Phil Higgins (missed most of 1981)
4. Mike Gouin (1977-79) – 336-598. .563
5. Bill Gatti (1977-82) – 607-1097, .553
. Rick Weiterman (1979-82) – (missing info)
All Time Runs Scored Leaders
1. Bill Gatti (1977-82) – 567
2. Ron Ford (1977-79) – 390
3. Mike Nye (1977-79) – 384
4. Doug Gerdes (1977-79) – 313
5. Dana Andry (1979-80,82) – 213+ (missing 1979)
Professional Softball Team History
Team (Year -League) Home Field Location Baltimore Monuments (1977 APSPL) Rips Memorial Stadium, Bowie, MD
Chicago Storm (1977-1978 APSPL) Windy City Stadium, Bridgeview, IL
Chicago Nationwide Advertising (1980 NASL) Lou Boudreau Field, Harvey, IL
Cincinnati Suds (1977-80 APSPL, 81-82 UPSL) Trechter Stadium, Cincinnati, OH (1977-78) Old Crosley Field, Union, KY (1979-80) Ross Field, St. Bernard, OH (1981-82)
Cincinnati Rivermen (1980 NASL) Newport Recreation Center, Newport, KY
Cleveland Jaybirds (1977-1978 APSPL) Rose Field, Brookside Park, Cleveland, OH (1977-79) Cleveland Stepien's Competitors (1979 APSPL) Daniel's Field, Willoughby, OH (1980, 1982) Cleveland Stepien's Competitors (1980 NASL) Cleveland Competitors (1982 UPSL)
Columbus All-Americans (1977 APSPL) Franklin County Stadium, Columbus, OH
Detroit Caesars (1977-1979 APSPL) East Detroit Memorial Field, E. Detroit, MI
Detroit Auto Kings (1980 NASL) East Detroit Memorial Field, E. Detroit, MI
Detroit Softball City (1982 UPSL) East Detroit Memorial Field, E. Detroit, MI
Kentucky Bourbons (1977-80 APSPL, 81-82 UPSL) Bishop David Stadium, Louisville, KY
Milwaukee Copper Hearth (1977 APSPL) Wilson Park Stadium, Milwaukee, WI (1977-78) Milwaukee Schlitz (1978-1979 APSPL) Wildwood Field, Milwaukee, WI (1978) Milwaukee Schlitz (1980 NASL) Lannon Field, Milwaukee, WI (1979-82) Milwaukee Schlitz (1981-1982 UPSL)
Minnesota Goofys (1977 APSPL) Midway Stadium, St. Paul, MN Minnesota Norsemen (1978-1979 APSPL)
New York Clippers (1977 APSPL) Mt. Vernon Stadium, Mt. Vernon, NY
Pittsburgh HardHats (1977-80 APSPL, 81-82 UPSL) Munhall Municipal Stadium, Munhall, PA (1977-78) Morrell Field, Aliquippa, PA (1978-1980) LaRussa Field, Sokol Club, L. Burrell, PA (1981-82)
Pittsburgh Champions (1980 NASL) LaRussa Field, Sokol Club, Lower Burrell, PA
New Jersey Statesmen (1977 APSPL) Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ (1977-78) Trenton Statesmen (1978 APSPL) Wetzel Field, Chambersburg, NJ (1979) Trenton Champales (1979 APSPL)
New England Pilgrims (1978-80 APSPL, 81 UPSL) Quigley Stadium, West Haven, CT (1978) Blake Field, New Haven, CT (1978-1980) Oakdale Sports Complex, Montville, CT (1981)
Philadelphia Athletics (1978-1980 APSPL) Veterans Stadium,Philadelphia, PA (1978) South Jersey Athletics (1981-1982 UPSL) Dyer Field, Wlimington, DE (1979-1980) Cjonacki Sports Complex, Berlin, NJ (1981-82)
Rochester Zeniths (1978-1979 APSPL) Harris Whalen Park, Penfield, NY (1978-79, 82) Rochester Express (1980 APSPL, 81-82 UPSL) Softball Centre, Scottsville, NY (1980-1981) Silver Stadium, Rochester, NY (1982)
Fort Wayne Scouts (1979 APSPL) Tah-Cum-Wah Field, Fort Wayne, IN (1979)
Fort Wayne Huggie Bears (1980 NASL) Tah-Cum-Wah Field, Fort Wayne, IN (1980)
Lexington Stallions (1980 NASL) Southland Park, Richmond, KY (1980)
Syracuse Salts (1981 UPSL) Hopkins Park, North Syracuse, NY
Lima Steele's (1982 UPSL) Vic Lyons Field, Dayton, OH (1982) Ohio St. Univ.-Lima Campus Field, Lima, OH (1982)
Check out Norm Beeker's Detroit Caesars Page. It has some nice information and Photos
Norm Beeker's Detroit Caesars Page
Also Check out Cincinnati's Dennis Hasty who has a wonderful page on Pro Softball Memorabilia
Dennis Hasty's Pro Softball "Flickr" Page