Softball History USA

1976 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1976 held at Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Champion – Forrest Hills Bowling, Rockford, Illinois
Runner Up – California Eagles, California, Pennsylvania

  • MVP – Clarence Horn, Forrest Hills Bowling
  • HR Leader – Bob Wade, Thurmer’s Bar – 9
  • Batting Leader – N/A

1976 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

Dave Fortune, Etna Hotel
Sam Rocca, California Eagles
Jeff Lorenzotta, Al’s Cafe
Al Greiver, Horn’s Lounge
Rod Shives, Forrest Hills Bowling
John Paul, Al’s Cafe
Clarence Horn, Forrest Hills Bowling
Jim McManuc, California Eagles
Bob Wade, Thurmer’s Bar
Don Cox, Forrest Hills Bowling

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Forrest Hills Bowling, Rockford, IL (7-0)
2. California Eagles, California, PA (6-2)
3. Etna Hotal, Arnold, PA (9-2)
4. Al’s Cafe, Library, PA (4-2)
5t. Horn’s Lounge, Baltimore, MD (4-2)
5t. Lake-to-Lake Dairys, Sheboygan, WI (6-2)
7t. Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, MO (7-2)
7t. Rainbow Sports, Walled Lake, MI (5-2)
9t. Arrow Transfer, Chattanooga, TN (3-2)
9t. CFW Construction, Fayetteville, TN (3-2)
9t. Marylabd National Bank, Frederick, MD (3-2)
9t. Renton Firemen, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
13t. Audioland, Fraser, MI (4-2)
13t. Bruners Diamond Bar, WI (4-2)
13t. Ram Neuse Mobile Homes, Kinston, NC (5-2)
13t. Rule Construction, Maryville, TN (3-2)
17t. Irwin Construction, Farmersville, IL (2-2)
17t. Chamberlain Garage, Hampton, VA (2-2)
17t. Trimaldi Landscaping, Rochester, NY (2-2)
17t. Keller Chrysler-Plymouth, Tullahoma, TN (3-2)
17t. Gaze Realty, Brockport, NY (4-2)
17t. MM&S Stars, Maysville, KY (2-2)
17t. Honney’s Pizza, Niagara Falls, NY (3-2)
17t. Kynor Construction, McKeesport, PA (2-2)
25t. Chilly’s, Monongahela, PA (3-2)
25t. Rock Ridge Rockets, Kenley, NC (2-2)
25t. St. John’s Amoco, Columbia, MD (3-2)
25t. Larimore Lounge, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
25t. Smith Clayton Dodge, Dayton, TN (2-2)
25t. Commack Sports Center, Smithtown, NY (2-2)
25t. Thor’s U-Haul, Racine, WI (2-2)
25t. Anderson Drillers, Maumee, OH (3-2)
33t. Car Center, Baltimore, MD (1-2)
33t. Braun’s, Red Bud, IL (1-2)
33t. Wolverine Aluminum, Lincoln, MI (2-2)
33t. J&K Sales, Detroit, MI (1-2)
33t. Bob’s Bird Cage, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
33t. Kirby Sweepers, McKeesport, PA (1-2)
33t. Ralph’s Mobile Homes, Gaston, NC (1-2)
33t. Baron’s, Menomee Falls, WI (1-2)
33t. Right Spot, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
33t. Lake Shore House, Great Point Farms, MI (2-2)
33t. Wintonaire, Rochester, NY (1-2)
33t. Skillets Fine Foods, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
33t. Marsillio’s Light-Up, Detroit, MI (1-2)
33t. Loggers, Hecker, IL (1-2)
33t. Goins Janitor, Knoxville, TN (1-2)
33t. Clemente’s. Lincoln Park, MI (1-2)
49t. Alexander’s Inn, Cabot, PA (1-2)
49t. Moody’s, Smithfield, VA (1-2)
49t. Decora’s Restaurant, Towson, MD (1-2)
49t. Valley Sports, Syracuse, NY (0-2)
49t. Richie’s on Broadway, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
49t. Westside Athletics, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
49t. Smokey’s, Mason, OH (1-2)
49t. Les Langes Campers, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
49t. Dixon Music Company, Dalton, GA (0-2)
49t. Lendy’s, Lynchburg, VA (0-2)
49t. Heidel’s II, Jackson, WI (0-2)
49t. Jim’s Auto Body, Oaklynn, NJ (0-2)
49t. Deleware Chiefs. Muncie, IN (0-2)
49t. American Looking Glass, Los Angeles, CA (0-2)
49t. Stallings Oil, Rocky Mount, NC (0-2)
49t. Pep’s Steak House, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
65t. Smithfield Merchants, Smithfield, VA (0-2)
65t. South Milwaukee Arcade, Milwaukee, WI (0-2)
65t. Adray Appliance, Dearborn. MI (0-2)
65t. Robo Wash, Virginia Beach, VA (0-2)
65t. Factory Furniture, Winchester, TN (0-2)
65t. Velvet Textile, Blackstone, VA (0-2)
65t. Office Lounge, Muncie, IN (0-2)
65t. Insurance Corner, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
65t. Virginia Merchants, Newport, VA (0-2)
65t. Fredonia, Fredonia, TN (0-2)

1976 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1976 held at Dill Softball Center and Al Caniglia Field in Omaha, Nebraska on May 13-16.

Champion – Michigan State Spartans (24-4)
Runner Up – Northern Colorado (19-5)

The eighth Women’s College World Series (WCWS) was held in Omaha, Nebraska on May 13–16, with nineteen college softball teams meeting in the 1976 ASA/AIAW fastpitch softball tournament. Most of the teams had won state championships. This was the last WCWS before the adoption of regional qualifying tournaments. Because college softball had not yet been separated into competitive divisions, large and small colleges competed together in one overall national championship.

Michigan State, the third-place team a year ago, won the Women’s College World Series Sunday with a 3-0 victory over the University of Northern Colorado at Al Caniglia Field.

The final day’s games were moved from Dill Field to the Astro turfed stadium at the University of Nebraska at Omaha because of rain and wet grounds.

Gloria Becksford, who pitched and won all five Michigan State tournament games. allowed Northern Colorado. 5-2 for the tournament, only three hits, all singles, in the championship game.

The three Michigan State runs were all unearned and all scored in the top of the sixth inning. Right fielder Susan Law-son opened the inning with a single and scored one out later when shortstop Carol Hutchins reached on an error.

Centerfielder Nancy Green filed out, but first-baseman Gayle Barrons and left fielder Laury Ward followed with consecutive run-scoring singles.

Earlier in the afternoon, Michigan State and Northern Colorado each defeated the defending champion University of Nebraska at Omaha.

UNO finished third and Arizona State fourth. Both had 3-2 records. Michigan State shut out UNO, 1-0, with Miss Becksford pitching a four-hitter. Then Northern Colorado defeated UNO, 3-2. avenging an earlier 3-2 loss to the Maverettes Phyllis Schachterle, who relieved in the second inning, earned the victory.

Marlene McCauley pitched both games for UNO, dripping her tournament record to 2-2. In Sunday’s first game, Arizona State defeated Tarkio College, 5-4, in a completion of a game suspended in the second inning Saturday afternoon because of rain.

Northern Colorado then eliminated Arizona State with a 13-3 victory. Venus Jennings broke that game open with a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, the only extra-base hit all day.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Diane Spoelstra, Michigan State (7-15, .467)
  • HR Champion – N/A

OTHERS

Gloria Becksford, Michigan State (5-0, 3 straight shutouts)

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. Minnesota 5 Oregon 1
  2. Cal State-Sacramento 5 Utah 1
  3. East Stroudsburg 10 South Carolina 0
  4. Northern Iowa 3 Northern State 1
  5. Nebraska-Omaha 10 Mayville State 0
  6. Tarkio 3 Indiana State 0
  7. Illinois State 7 Northwestern Oklahoma State 0
  8. Northern Colorado 1 Texas-Arlington 0
  9. Michigan State 2 Minnesota 1
  10. Kansas defeated Cal-State Sacramento
  11. Arizona State 14 East Stroudsburg 4
  12. Utah 5 Northern State 1 (Northern State eliminated)
  13. Oregon 11 Mayville State 0 (Mayville State eliminated)
  14. South Carolina 5 Northwestern Oklahoma State 1 (Northwestern Oklahoma State eliminated)
  15. Cal State-Sacramento 6 Minnesota 1 (Minnesota eliminated)
  16. East Stroudsburg 4 Utah 1 (Utah eliminated)
  17. Indiana State 14 Oregon 6 (Oregon eliminated)
  18. Texas-Arlington 3 South Carolina 0 (South Carolina eliminated)
  19. Michigan State 6 Kansas 5
  20. Arizona State 2 Northern Iowa 0
  21. Nebraska-Omaha 3 Tarkio 1
  22. Northern Colorado 5 Illinois State 1
  23. Tarkio 3 East Stroudsburg 0 (East Stroudsburg eliminated)
  24. Illinois State 6 Cal State-Sacramento 3 (Cal-State Sacramento eliminated)
  25. Northern Iowa 10 Indiana State 2 (Indiana State eliminated)
  26. Texas-Arlington 2 Kansas 0 (Kansas eliminated)
  27. Michigan State 2 Arizona State 0
  28. Nebraska-Omaha 3 Northern Colorado 2
  29. Tarkio 5 Illinois State (Illinois State eliminated)
  30. Northern Iowa 6 Texas-Arlington 0 (Texas-Arlington eliminated)
  31. Arizona State 5 Tarkio 4 (Tarkio eliminated)
  32. Northern Colorado 1 Northern Iowa 0 (Northern Iowa eliminated)
  33. Michigan State 1 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  34. Northern Colorado 13 Arizona State 3 (Arizona State eliminated)
  35. Northern Colorado 3 Nebraska-Omaha 2 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  36. Michigan State 3 Northern Colorado 0 (Northern Colorado eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Michigan State Spartans (5-0)
2. Northern Colorado Bears (5-2)
3. Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks (3-2)
4t. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-2)
5t. Tarkio College Owls (3-2)
5t. Northern Iowa Panthers (3-2)
7t. Illinois State Redbirds (2-2)
7t. Texas–Arlington Mavericks (2-2)
9t. East Stroudsburg State Warriors (2-2)
9t. Cal State–Sacramento Hornets (2-2)
9t. Kansas Jayhawks (1-2)
9t. Indiana State Sycamores (1-2)
13t. Utah Runnin’ Utes (1-2)
13t. Oregon Ducks (1-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-2)
13t. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-2)
17t. Northwestern Oklahoma State (0-2)
17t. Northern State Wolves (0-2)
17t. Mayville State Comets (0-2)

1976 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1976 held at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Champion: Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, Ohio (92-8)
Runner Up: Rubi-Otts, Graham, North Carolina (72-8)

Sorrentos lost their very first game of the tournament to the Jacksonville Raiders, then came back through the loser’s bracket and won 10 straight, beating Rubi-Otts twice, 8-3 and 5-2 in the final championship games. Pitcher Shirley Patterson won all 10 games and had an amazing 1.76 ERA. Sorrentos was led by the hot bat of Sue Malcolm who had 18 hits (.545 average). Martha Kidd, Marsha Replogle Ehler and Vicki Stambaugh also contributed big hits and outstanding defensive plays to lead Sorrento’s.

  • MVP – Marylyn Busse, Rubi-Otts (9-22, .409, 2 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Batting Leader – Sue Malcolm, Sorrento’s (18-33, 10 RBI) – .545
  • Home Run Leader – Karen Krause, Warehouse Tapes & Records (5-14, .357) – 2
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher – Shirley Patterson, Sorrento’s (had a 1.76 ERA and led Sorrento’s through the losers bracket after losing their first game and then to the title winning 10 straight games)

1976 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Shirley Patterson, Sorrento’s Pizza
P – Judy Hedgecock, Dots
C – Linda Ares, Dots
C – Martha Kidd, Sorrento’s Pizza
1B – Marsha Replogle Ehler, Sorrento’s
2B – Linda Arford, Spooks
3B – Sue Malcolm, Sorrento’s Pizza
SS – Sheryl Chubb, Rubi-Otts
OF – Vicki Stambaugh, Sorrento’s Pizza
OF – Carol Smith, Dots
OF – JoAnn Avedisian, Sessions TV
OF – Marilyn Busse, Rubi-Otts
UT – Laura Roundtree, Blazers
UT – Beverly Shue, Rubi-Otts

1976 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Wanda Thomas, Spirits
P – Pam Clark, Rubi-Otts
C – Marlen Brice, Gremlins
C – Judy Lockhart, Rubi-Otts
1B – Sandy Patton, Dots
2B – Camille Talley, Warehouse Tape & Record
3B – Linda Wiemers, Spirits
SS – Sherri Amos, Playmates
OF – Nancy Brown, Gremlins
OF – Patti Green, Barbelettes
OF – Elaine Honig, Gremlins
OF – Marlene Gordon, Rubi-Otts
UT – Karren Newman, Dots
UT – Sue Bupp, York Barbelletes

NOTE: Pat Green, Barbellettes (11-19) – .579 (missed by one at bat at winning the batting crown)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Sorrento’s Pizza, Cincinnati, OH (10-1)
2. Rubi-Otts, Graham, NC (5-2)
3. Dots, North Miami, FL (5-2)
4. Gremlins, Tampa, FL (5-2)
5t. Blazers, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
5t. Spooks, Anoka, MN (3-2)
7t. Spirits, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2)
7t. Barbelletes, York, PA (4-2)
9t. Botkins Trophies, Muncie, IN (2-2)
9t. Donnettes, Cleveland, OH (2-2)
9t. Sessions TV, Rhode Island, RI (3-2)
9t. Budweiser, Cookeville, TN (3-2)
13t. Hadisco, Hutchinson, KE (4-2)
13t. BYMC Debs, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
13t. Unpredictables, Las Vegas, NV (1-2)
13t. Playmates, Sacramento, CA (2-2)
17t. Ami-Co Travel, Copiague, NY (2-2)
17t. Progressive Printers, Dayton, OH (1-2)
17t. Warehouse Tapes & Records, Houston, TX (1-2)
17t. Robinettes, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Reeder Sinco GMC, Fort Smith, AR (1-2)
17t. CP Dean, Richmond, VA (1-2)
17t. WFLI, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
17t. Pavers, Lexington, KY (1-2)
25t. Stars, Rome, GA (0-2)
25t. Spirit of 76, Cleveland, OH (0-2)
25t. Avantis, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
25t. BJs All Stars, Tacoma, WA (0-2)
25t. Auto Parts, Coeur d’Alene, ID (0-2)
25t. Brown’s Tire shop, Manchester, CT (0-2)
25t. Scott Rwuipment, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
25t. Fairway, Blair, NE (0-2)
33t. Fox Valley Lassies, St. Charles, IL (0-2)

Softball Associations Agree on Competition

Two national softball organizations have filed an agreement in U.S. District Court that would allow their 45,000 member teams to compete against each other.

The agreement, which has to be approved by U S. Judge L. Clure Morton, would allow teams to belong to both the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and the U.S. Slo-Pitch Softball Association (USSSA). Nearly one million participants are affected.

The pact resulted from a federal suit the USSSA and a Nashville team filed against the ASA last June. It challenged the MA’s suspension of the team for one year for playing in a USSSA tournament.

The ASA has 35,000 member teams and is headquartered in Oklahoma City. The USSSA, based in Petersburg, Va claims a membership of 10,000 teams.

Details of the accord were related by The Tennessean, Nashville’s morning newspaper, in a copyrighted story in its editions today.

The agreement would require members of each league to join the other in order to compete against each other. However, a team could compete in only one of the associations’ national tournament competition. It would have to decide by June 15 which com-petition it would enter. The agreement also would prevent governing officials from holding office in both groups.

The ASA uses a “restricted flight” ball, 275-foot fences in most parks and 60-foot bases and gives only trophies for tournament championships.

The USSSA uses a “live” ball, 300-toot fences and 65-toot bases. Sponsors of top finishers in its tournaments are awarded money, in some cases as much as $4,000 for a single tournament champion.

1975 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1975 held at Kimberly, Wisconsin on August 22-31.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Southern Truck Raiders, Sun City, Arizona

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Jerry Flory, Nitehawks
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Bob Todd, Nitehawks
  • Leading Hitter – Frank DeBois, Knights – .647
  • Most RBI – Denny Stilwell, Southern Truck Raiders – 6

1975 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Gil Aragon, Southern Truck Raiders (4-2, 1.10 ERA, 24 K, 7 BB)
P – Sam Beaver, Tarrant Glass Co. (3-1, 0.00 ERA, 37 K, 2 BB)
P – Bob Todd, Nitehawks (5-0, 0.60 ERA, 34 K, 1 BB)
C – Vic Munoz, Manny’s C .467
C – Butch Chambers, Southern Truck Raiders C .208
IF – Joe Siefried, Jets IF .462
IF – Tim Denson, Tarrant Glass Co. IF .417
IF – Manny Ortega – Manny’s IF .412
IF – Jerry Flory, Nitehawks IF .350
IF – Randy White, Southern Truck Raiders IF .290
OF – Frank DeBois, Knights OF .647
OF – Nick Whittaker, Tulsa OF .467
OF – Jack Johnson, Nitehawks OF .286
OF – Denny Stilwell, Southern Truck Raiders OF .250

1975 ISC SECOND TEAM ALL WORLD

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nighthawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Southern Truck Raiders, Sun City, AZ
3. Tarrant Glass Co., Ft. Worth, TX
4. Manny’s, San Bernardino, CA
5t. Turquoise Kings, Kingman, AZ
5t. Jets, Lakewood, CA
7t. F.M.A. Valley Bank, Salt Lake City, UT
7t. Golfland, Green Bay, WI
9t. Knights, Lakewood, CO
9t. Blues, Denver, CO
9t. Firebirds, Tulsa, OK
9t. Jay’s Carpets, Summerset, PA
13t. Hay’s Roofing, Prescott, AZ
13t. RKT, Fresno, CA
13t. A’s, Lamar, CO
13t. Tommy’s, Oshkosh, WI
17t. Whalens, Dubuque, IA
17t. Jack’s, Little Chute, WI
17t. Ft. Wayne Remodeling, Ft. Wayne, IN
17t. The Bar, Green Bay, WI
17t. Cowboys, Las Vegas, NV
17t. Mosenfelder, Rock Island, IL
17t. Martins Market, Bakersfield, CA
17t. Kristich Sports, Joliet, IL
25t. Gene’s IGA, Logan, WV
25t. All Indians, Cache, OK

1975 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1975 held at Rochester, New York.

Champion – Snyder’s, Novi, Michigan
Runner Up – Sol Mintz, Washington, Pennsylvania

Sol Mintz had to defeat two powerhouse teams in the loser’s bracket to get a crack at the championship game. Synder’s had beaten Sol Mintz 18-17 to send them tot he loser’s bracket. Sol Mintz then beat Uniroyal of Detroit 12-11 (former USSSA Champion Dino’s Pizza) behind the home run power of Big Tom Miller, then beat Copper Hearth 14-10 in the loser’s bracket final behind George Taylor’s four hits and homers from Chuck Yesenchak and Tom Miller. Gary Smith held the bats scoreless in the final to inning.  Now in the finals, Sol Mintz faced Snyder’s Softball Club of Michigan. Rick Pinto hurled a 5-hit shutout to give Snyder’s the championship via a 11-0 victory. Matt Partridge had 3 hits and Doug Gerdes made it look easy with a booming home run among his two hits and 3 RBIs. Jim Mitchell was 9-13 (.692) with 5 HRs and 10 RBIs to lead Snyder’s in hitting. Matt Partridge was 11-17 (.647). For Sol Mintz, Denny Brown was 15-22 (.681), with 13 Runs Scored. Don Matthews (15-23, .652) also had a big weekend.

This was the first All World Team was selected. The previous selections were East, West or Central.

  • MVP – Doug Gerdes, Snyder’s (10-16, .625, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Tom Miller, Sol Mintz  (12-18, .667, 15 RBI, 12 Runs) – 6
  • Batting Leader – Phil Higgins, Copper Hearth (12-16, 3 HR,11 RBI, 10 Runs) – .750

1975 USSSA ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Rick Pinto – Snyder’s Softball Club (5-15, .333, 1 Run) – also 4-0 Pitching
Pitcher – Chuck Drewicz – Copper Heath (7-15, .467, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 Runs)
First Base – Don Matthews – Sol Mintz (15-23, .652, 3 RBI, 13 Runs)
Second Base – Stan Brown – Snyder’s Softball Club (9-14, .643, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
Third Base – Doug Gerdes – Snyder’s Softball Club (10-16, .625, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 8 Runs)
Shortstop – Derek Gallagher – Builders Hardware (7-12, .583, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
Outfield – Phil Higgins – Copper Hearth (12-16, .750, 3 HR,11 RBI, 10 Runs)
Outfield – Stan Rocca – Sol Mintz (6-24, .250, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
Outfield – Matt Partridge – Snyder’s Softball Club (11-17, .647, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
Outfield – Dan Murphy – Uniroyal (8-14, .571, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Outfield – Dave Rhodes – Snyder’s Softball Club (8-15, .533, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 Runs)

OTHERS

Jim Mitchell, Snyders (9-13, .692, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 10 Runs)
Jim Yesenchak, Sol Mintz (13-19, .684, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8 Runs)
Denny Brown, Sol Mintz (15-22 . 682, 4 RBI, 13 Runs)
Tom Miller, Sol Mintz (12-18, .667, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
Tom Kaminsky, Uniroyal (9-14, .643, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 8 Runs)
Charlie Pierce, Capitol Insulation (5-8, .625, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)
Al Gibson, Uniroyal (8-13, .615, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)
Doc Nuebauer, Copper Hearth (9-16, .562, 5 Runs)
Rick Scherr, Copper Hearth (6-12, .500, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
Hank Kosmala, Capitol Insulation (3-6, .500, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Frank Tacone, Mazzola (3-6, .500, 1 Run)
Rick Trudeau, Snyders (8-17, .471, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
Chuck Drewicz, Copper Hearth (7-15, .467, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 Runs)
Lon Parker, Snyders (6-17, 353, 5 Runs)
Elby Bushong, Copper State (3-9, .333, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 Runs)
Jim Mortl, Copper Hearth (5-16, .312, 1 RBI, 6 Runs)
Larry Elkins, Snyders (2-13, .154, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 Runs)
Cal Carman, Uniroyal (1-14, .071)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Snyder’s Softball Club, Detroit, MI (4-0)
2. Sol Mintz, Washington, PA (4-2)
3. Copper Hearth, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
4. Uniroyal, Detroit, MI (2-2)
5t. Builders Hardware, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
5t. Copper State Nut & Bolt, Phoenix, AZ (1-2)
7t. Capitol Insulation, N. Hollywood, CA (0-2)
7t. Mazzola, Rochester, NY (0-2)

NOTE: By winning the 1975 World Series, Snyder’s qualified for the 1976 USSSA Major World Series.

1975 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals


1975 held at Cleveland, Ohio.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

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

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

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

OTHERS

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

FINAL STANDINGS

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

1975 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1975 held at Southgate, Michigan.

Champion – Real Estate One Stingers, Redford, Michigan
Runner Up – Enrico’s, Cincinnati, Ohio

Marilyn Cech held off the Enrico’s in the championship game and pitched the Real Estate Stingers to an 9-1 victory and the World Championship. Shirley Patterson pitched for Enrico’s. Cech surrendered 12 hits, but only 1 run. Sherry Crane was 4-4 in the Championship game. Cech helped her own cause with a 2-3 game. Six different players had at least 2 hits for the Stingers in the game.

  • MVP – Sherry Crane, Stingers (.619)
  • Batting Leader – Connie Carlson, Heales’ Mfg. – .667
  • HR Leader – Kimba Cornell, Washington Plastic – 3

1975 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Marilyn Cech, Real Estate One
C – Martha Kidd, Enrico’s (.563)
1B – Sherry Crane, Real Estate One (.619)
2B – Bev Beck, Enrico’s (.600)
3B – Ginny Belavia, Pace (.467)
SS – Supe Reidel, Real Estate One (.350)
OF – Pat Bryan, Kolesar, Ins. (.500)
OF – Kris Thompson, Enrico’s (.438)
OF – Bennie Jones, Kelly Tavern (.545)
OF – Connie Carlson, Heales Mfg. (.667)
UT – Evelyn Abell, Loungettes (.500)

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 35 total teams)

1. Real Estate One Stingers, Redford, MI
2. Enrico’s, Cincinnati, OH
3. Pace Electronics, Rochester, NY
4. Kolesar Insurance, Louisville, KY
5t. Kelley Tavern, Rochester, NY
5t. Stan’s Auto Sales, New Castle, PA (68-6)

1975 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1975 held in Providence, Rhode Island.

Champion – Levittown Legion, Levittown, New York
Runner Up – Dubois Chemical, Columbus, Ohio

  • MVP – Chan Baker, Levittown Legion
  • Batting Champion – H.E. Bonin, Houston Reds (.687)
  • HR Champion – Chan Baker, Levittown

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Chan Baker, Levittown Legion
Frank Balkasare, Red Carpet Inn
H.E. Bonin, Houston Reds
Angelo Galasso, Levittown Legion
Elmer Harbough, Conti Brothers
Mike Jacobs, Gainesville Merchants
Lee Kiger, Piedmont Steel
Phil Mason, Siegel’s Market
Joe McCabe, Levittown Legion
Jerry Pinoni, Dubois Chemical
Jimmy Purvis, Cannon Welding
Matt Verton, Levittown Legion
Charlie Walker, Dubois Chemical
Clyde Zachary, Reed Nuts

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

Steve Burrows, Conti Brothers
Jimmy Cannon, Collins Mfg. Co
John Evans, Piedmont Sheet Metal
Pete Fischer, Thielman’s Sausage
Larry Green, Siegel’s Market
Kerry Hirschy, Fix N’Fix
Jim Hopkins, Conti Brothers
Rich Isley, Levittown Legion
Jack Lambert, Cother Brothers
Shorty Lewis, Dubois Chemical
Roy Price, Stasiu’s Bar
John Sheridan, Levittown Legion
Jerry Sherrod, Cannon Welding
Jeff Williams, Gainesville Merchants

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Levittown Legion, Levittown, NY (7-1)
2. Dubois Chemical, Columbus, OH (5-2)
3. Siegel’s Market, Richmond, VA (6-2)
4. Red Carpet Inn, St. Petersburg, FL (7-2)
5t. Thielman’s Sausage, Sheboygan, WI (7-2)
5t. Conti Brothers, Providence, RI (4-2)
7t. Gainesville Merchants, Gainesville, FL (5-2)
7t. Piedmont Sheet Metal, Winston-Salem, NC (5-2)
9t. Collins Mfg. Co., Cleveland, TN (5-2)
9t. Cannon Welding, Jacksonville, FL (3-2)
9t. Fix N’ Fix, Orlando, FL (3-2)
9t. Tacoma Office Supply, Tacoma, WA (2-2)
13t. Cother Brothers, Tampa, FL (3-2)
13t. Houston Reds, Houston, TX (3-2)
13t. City Lumber, Fayetteville, AR (4-2)
13t. Old Time Inn, Milbury, MA (3-2)
17t. Duitsman Insurance, Rantoul, MI (2-2)
17t. Stasiu’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN (3-2)
17t. American Amusement, Lansing, MI (2-2)
17t. Smiley’s, Baltimore, MD (2-2)
17t. Reed’s Nuts, Macon, GA (3-2)
17t. Mission Valley Merchants, Ronan, MT (1-2)
17t. Muskie’s Grille, Rochester, NY (3-2)
17t. Roman Carosuel, Queens, NY (3-2)
25t. Union Carbide, Charleston, WV (1-2)
25t. Ward Forging, Louisville, KY (2-2)
25t. Hilltop Inn, Ephrata, PA (2-2)
25t. Brouders Bar, Detroit, MI (2-2)
25t. Aces, Atlanta, GA (2-2)
25t. Mr. Bob’s, Crystal, MN (2-2)
25t. Miami Merchants, Miami, FL (2-2)
25t. Citizen Club, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
33t. Snowden-Mize Athletic Goods, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
33t. KEDA, Metro San Antonio, TX (2-2)
33t. Paddy Wagon, East Providence, RI (1-2)
33t. Chris’s Restaurant, Washington, D.C. (1-2)
33t. Merchants Grill, Rochester, NY (1-2)
33t. Friar’s Tuck, Norfolk, VA (1-2)
33t. Liberty Rock Elk, Milford, CT (1-2)
33t. Gabe & Walken, Iowa City, IA (1-2)
33t. Susie’s Inn, Elkton, MD (1-2)
33t. Vagabound Club, Cleveland, OH (1-2)
33t. Bay Area Bombers, Seabrook, TX (1-2)
33t. Ander’s Tile, Greenville, SC (1-2)
33t. BB&C Electric, Baton Rouge, LA (1-2)
33t. Jo Jo’s Pizzeria, Toledo, OH (1-2)
33t. McIntyre Chevrolet, Shreveport, LA (1-2)
33t. SSC, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
49t. Sir Pizza, Lexington, KY (0-2)
49t. Hardwick Fence, Bangor, ME (0-2)
49t. Rausch’s, Milwaukee, WI (0-2)
49t. Franke Enterprise, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
49t. Warren’s Restaurant, Lynchburg, VA (0-2)
49t. Howard Savings Rank, Newark, NJ (0-2)
49t. Plywood Dakota, Grand Forks, ND (0-2)
49t. Richard’s Insurance, Brattleboro, VT (0-2)
49t. Trenton Capitals, Trenton, NJ (0-2)
49t. Frye’s Plumbing, Stapleton, NE (0-2)
49t. Linn Corriher, Landis, NC (0-2)
49t. Tri City Dodge, Nashua, NH (0-2)

No Shows – JJ Ferguson, Greenwood, MS and Bourbon Rat, St. Paul, MN.

1975 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1975 held at Salt Lake City, Utah.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (67-3)
Runner Up – Santa Clara Laurels, Santa Clara, California (58-18)

In what turned to be her final appearance in ASA Championship play, Joan Joyce captured both the MVP and the Bertha Tickey Most Valuable Pitcher Award. Joan batted .471 and drove in 8 runs. She pitched 36 total innings, had 4 shutouts, struck out 48 batters and gave up only 11 hits and 3 runs, only 2 of them were earned.

After this season, she joined the Connecticut Falcons of the Women’s Professional Softball League and led them to 4 straight championships (the league disbanded after the 4th season).

She won the 1976 League MVP award and the League’s Most Valuable Pitcher award as she went 39-2 with an ERA of 0.13. She had 13 shutouts, 4 no hitters and 2 perfect games. She also struc out 494 batters in 312 innings pitched. And if that wasn’t enough, she finished 8th in the league in batting (.286) and 4th in RBIs (49). In all, she won 3 total Most Valuable Pitcher Awards. After the first season where she set every pitching record that will stand forever in the history of that league, she had seasons of 24-2, 18-1 and 20-8. She led the league in Pitching Victories, ERA and Strike outs three times each. She made the All-Star team in both years that one was selected. She finished her career in the all time top 10 in batting (.295), Home Runs (16), RBI (137), Runs Scored (117). And in Pitching, she was the all time triple crown winner with a 101-15 record, along with an 0.52 ERA and 912 Strikeouts.

Diane Kalliam broke 25 year old record of .615 batting average record set in 1950 by Margaret Dobson.

  • MVP – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Marianne Cardillo, Buffalo Breski’s – 2
  • Batting Leader – Diane Kalliam, Santa Clara Laurels – .632
  • Bertha Tickey Pitching Award – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Erv Lind Defensive Award – Bethel Stout, Kutis Funeral Home

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (5-0, 4 straight shutouts, 2 ER, 36 IP, 48 K; 8-17, .471, 4 2Bs, 9 RBI batting, 6 RBI in one game)
P – Sue Sinovich, Kutis Funeral Home (4-0)
P – Paula Noel, Sun City Saints
C – Marilyn Rau, Sun City Saints
C – Kay Purves, Lansing Laurels
1B – Cindy Breski, Buffalo Breski’s
2B – Sherri Diamond, Sexton Ford Redbirds
3B – Irene Shea, Raybestos Brakettes (12-22, .545, 9 Runs);
SS – Diane Kalliam, Santa Clara Laurels (12-19, .632, 3 RBIs, 6 Runs)
OF – Pat Guenzler, Kutis Funeral Home – 14 hits broke record (14-32, .438, 2 RBI, 6 Runs)
OF – Skig Russell, Lansing Laurels
OF – Mary Nutter, Lansing Laurels
OF – Judy Hoke, Sun City Saints
UTIL – Val Strachan, Precision Plating Golddiggers

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Charlotte Graham, Santa Clara Laurels (2-2, 22 K in 27 IP)
P – Margie Wright, Sexton Ford Redbirds
P – Bonnie Johnson, Santa Clara Laurels (2-0, 14 IP)
C – Marilyn Carlson, Santa Clara Laurels
C – Janice Aubechon, Kutis Funeral Home
1B – Joyce Compton, Raybestos Brakettes
2B – Karen Ambler, Santa Clara Laurels
3B – Bitsy Dobby, Kutis Funeral Home
SS – Mary Ann Kluge, Buffalo Breski’s
OF – Kathy Elliott, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Diane Weiner, Santa Clara Laurels
OF – Denny Buchanan, Sun City Saints
OF – Sue Guenzler, Kutis Funeral Home
UTIL – Vickie Schneider, Kutis Funeral Home

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Santa Clara Laurels, Santa Clara, CA (4-2) (North Pacific Coast)
3. Kutis Funeral Home, St. Louis, MO (6-2) (Western)
4. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (3-2) (Cactus)
5t. East Lansing Laurels, Lansing, MI (3-2) (East Central)
5t. Sexton Ford Redbirds, Moline, IL (2-2) (West Central
7t. Buffalo Breskis, Buffalo, NY (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (2-2) (Southern)
9t. Perkasie Glenettes, Perkasie, PA (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Precision Plating, Bloomington, MN (1-2) (Northern)
9t. Lowry Construction, Memphis, TN (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (1-2) (South Pacific Coast)
13t. Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2) (Host)
13t. Houston Comets, Houston, TX (0-2) (Texas)
13t. Lilacs, Spokane, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Sunset Sports, Roy, UT (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Lorelei Lades, Atlanta, GA (0-2) (South Atlantic)
17t. Waltham Drifters, Waltham, MA (0-2) (New England)

NOTES

Canada Champ – Kitchener Kieswetters, Kitchener, Ontario did not attend.