Softball History USA

1973 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1973 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (61-7)
Runner Up – Santa Clara Laurels, Santa Clara, California (63-17)

Raybestos Brakettes won their record setting 10th championship by defeating the Santa Clara Laurels twice in the finals. They had to defeat both Orange Lionettes and Sun City to get to finals. They won the first final 1-0 in 9 innings as Joan Joyce pitched a 1-hitter and struck out 20 batters. In the final championship, Joyce came back to pitch a 2-hitter as Raybestos won 2-0. She struck out 14 batters in that game. Charlotte Graham was the losing pitcher in both game for the Laurels. Joyce was 2-4 in the first game and scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning, after hitting a double into the trees in left field. Cece Ponce drove her home with the game winning hit. In the second game, Joyce was 1-3, with an RBI single to drive in Peggy Kellers to give the Brakettes a 1-0.

Santa Clara pitcher Charlotte Graham (4-2 with a shutout) and surrendered only 6 runs in the 6 games. She beat the Sun City Saints and pitcher Paula Noel 1-0 in 11 innings to win the winner’s bracket final game. She also pitched both finals and gave up only the 3 runs, 8 hits and had 9 strikeouts, but was the losing pitcher in both games.

  • MVP – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Sue Guenzler, Kutis Funeral Home – 1
  • Batting Leader – Judy Jungwirth, Rimnac-Hanson Benjos – .438
  • Bertha Tickey Pitching MVP Award – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Erv Lind Defensive MVP Award – Kathy Fraser, Bloomington Benjos

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (8-1, 7 Shutouts, 2 no hitters, 1 ER, 70 IP, 134 K; batting stats- 12-29, .414, 2 Runs, 6 RBI – drove in winning runs in 2-0 final) (1-0, 9-inning, 1-hit shutout/20 K in first game, then, a 2-0, 2-hit shutout/14 K in final game). She set the all time record for innings pitched (69 2/3) and total strikeouts (134). She had games of 22, 20, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 12 and 10 strikeouts to reach her 134 total. She averaged close to 17 strikeouts per game.
P – Charlotte Graham, Santa Clara Laurels
P – Nancy Welborn, Orange Lionettes (4-1 pitching, 3 shutouts)
C – Marilyn Rau, Sun City Saints
C – Peggy Kellers, Raybestos Brakettes
1B – Sis Zollinger, Orlando Rebels
2B – Rose Marie “Rosie” Adams, Raybestos Brakettes
3B – Irene Shea, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes (9-21, .429 batting, 6 runs scored)
OF – Cecilia Ponce, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Barbara Thomas, Sun City Saints
OF – Mary Ann Ruedrich, Sun City Saints
OF – Diane Kalliam, Santa Clara Laurels
UTIL – Judy Jungwirth, Rimnac-Hanson Benjos (7-16, .438, 5 runs, 1 RBI and 1-1 pitching)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Paula Noel, Sun City Saints (3-2, 1 shutout)
P – Sue Beyer, Bally Cardinellas
P – Cathy Benedetto, Dave Lee Sports
C – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes
C – Judy Martino, Orlando Rebels
1B – Kay Lewis, Lorelei Ladies
2B – Pat Adams, Lorelei Ladies
3B – Brenda Gamblin, Santa Clara Laurels
SS – Stephany Tenny, Orlando Rebels
OF – Betty Weighknecht, Bally Cardinellas
OF – Marlene Piper, Dave Lee Sports
OF – Paula Slease, Fort Worth Rebels
OF – Willie Roze, Raybestos Brakettes
UTIL – Sandra June Wells, Lorelei Ladies

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (8-1) (Defending Champ)
2. Santa Clara Laurels, Santa Clara, CA (4-2) (North Pacific Coast)
3. Sun City Saints, Sun City, CA (3-2) (Cactus)
4. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (4-2) (South Pacific Coast)
5t. Forth Worth Rebels, Fort Worth, TX (2-2) (Texas)
5t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (3-2) (Southern)
7t. Rimnac-Hanson Benjos, Bloomington, MN (3-2) (Northern)
7t. Dave Lee Golden Nuggets, Portland, OR (2-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Kutis Funeral Home, St. Louis, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Marion May Peppers, Indianapolis, IN (1-2) (West Central)
9t. Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA (2-2) (South Atlantic)
9t. Bally Cardinellas, Pottstown, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. Ed Meir Ford Mustangs, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Souhwestern)
13t. Bridgeport Co-eds, Bridgeport, CT (0-2) (Host)
13t. Waltham Drifters, Waltham, MA (0-2) (New England)
13t. East Lansing Laurels, Lansing, MI (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Breski Building Corporation, Buffalo, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
17t. Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)

NOTES

Alaska Champ – Robert’s Sundancers, Anchorage, AK did not attend. Canada Champ – Vancouver Green & Louie, Vancouver, BC did not attend.

1973 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1973 held in Seattle, Washington.

Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – LeBlanc Barons, Sunnyvale, California

Ray Truluck of the Bombers hit a 2-run homer in the 4th inning to give winning Pitcher Bobby Quinn all the support he would need as the Bombers cruised to a 4-1 victory to win the Championship. The Barons defeated Clearwater earlier to force the final championship. The home run chased starter Guy French and brought on Rich Hull to pitch for Sunnyvale. Hull defeated the Bombers in the first final.

  • MVP – Bob McClish, Gaslight Reality
  • Batting Leader – Terry Muck, Whitaker Buick – .467
  • Home Run Leader – Bob McClish, Scenic Gaslight – 5
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award – N/A, not awarded or no mention of it – (Bobby Quinn, Clearwater Bombers 3-0)

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bobby Quinn, Clearwater Bombers (3-0, shutout, won championship 4-1 with a 4-hitter)
P – Guy French, LeBlanc Barons
P – Bill McNelis, Little Brauhaus
C – Dick Paparo, Clearwater Bombers
C – Bill Leffler, LeBlanc Barons
1B – Bob McClish, Scenic Gaslight (9-20, .450, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 5 Runs, he also hit 3 HR in one game)
2B – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Don O’Connor, Whitaker Buick
SS – Angelo Veronesi, Little Brauhaus
OF – Ron Weathersby, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Terry Muck, Whitaker Buick (7-15, 3 Runs)
OF – Glenn Beamon, LeBlanc Barons (11-30, .367)
OF – Mike Summerbell, LeBlanc Barons
UT – Ron Benevides, LeBlanc Barons

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Dick Christensen, Pay ‘n Pak
P – Joe Lynch, Clearwater Bombers (2-1, shutout)
P – Al DeWall, Whitaker Buick
C – Butch Batt, Pay ‘n Pak
C – Junior Williams, Scenic Gaslight
1B – George Nokes, Pay ‘n Pak
2B – Hal Steinbeck, LeBlanc Barons
3B – Sam Potter, Scenic Gaslight
SS – Roger Bledsoe, Pay ‘n Pak
OF – Bill Cooper, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ray Truluck, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Larry Hale, Scenic Gaslight
OF – Al Frei, LeBlanc Barons
UT – David Grimes, Clearwater Bombers

OTHERS

Ken Williams, Scenic Gaslight (3-0).

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (5-1) (Southern)
2. LeBlanc Barons, Sunnyvale, CA (7-2) (North Pacific Coast)
3. Little Brauhaus Brewers, Poughkeepsie, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
4. Scenic Gaslight, Springfield, MO (4-2) (Western)
5t. Masterbilt Motors, Oklahoma City, OK (2-2) (Southwestern)
5t. Pay ‘n Pak, Seattle, WA (4-2) (Host)
7t. Whitaker Buick, St. Paul, MN (3-2) (Northern)
7t. Sizzler Steakhouse, Salt Lake City, UT (2-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Home Savings & Loan, Aurora, IL (2-2) (West Central)
9t. F&M Bankers, Hampton, VA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Kardamis Club, Taunton, MA (1-2) (New England)
9t. U.S. Armed Forces, USA (1-2) (Armed Forces)
13t. Plains Cooperative Oil Mill, Lubbock, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Hubbard Company, Bremen, GA (0-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. Sure-Brake, Lakewood, CA (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
13t. Light Crete, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Petschi’s Quality Meats, Seattle, WA (0-2) (Northwestern
17t. Mueller-Stevens Chevrolet, Prescott, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (0-2) (Defending Champ)
17t. Midas Muffler, Oahu, HI (0-2) (Hawaii)

NOTES

Alaska Champ – Uncles Pizza-ABC, Fairbanks, AK did not attend. Hawaii Champ – Oar House, Kauai, HI listed as champ, but Midas Muffler, Oahu, HI attended. Canada Champ – Richmond Hill Dynes, Ontario did not attend.

1973 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1973 held at St. Louis, Missouri.

Champion – Sol Mintz, Washington, Pennsylvania
Runner Up – Etna Hotel, Arnold, Pennsylvania

  • MVP – Gary Smith, Sol Mintz
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Batting Leader – N/A

1973 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

Chuck Yesenchak, Sol Mintz (2 HR in 16-10 final)
George Taylor, Sol Mintz
Sam Rocca, Sol Mintz
Denny Brown, Sol Mintz
Tom Miller, Etna Hotel (13 HR)
George Talsma, Douglas Auto
Dan Helfrich, Shamrocks (16-24, .667)

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Sol Mintz, Washington, PA
2. Etna Hotal, Arnold, PA (10-2)
3. Douglas Auto, Racine, WI
4. Shamrocks, Belleville, IL (6-2)

OTHER TEAMS

Belle Vernon, Fayette County, PA
Harding Supply, Rochester, NY
Empire Boat Sales, Rochester, NY
Alexander Inn, Saxonburg, PA
Mayer Zukonik Ecorse, MI
Eagles Aerie 545, East St. Louis
Stags, Caseyville, IL
WJIG, Tullahoma, TN
Campbell Construction, Louisville, KY
Spirit of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Avis Rentals, Rocky Mount, NC
300 Pro Shop, Detroit, MI

1973 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1973 held at Dill Softball Center, in Omaha, Nebraska on May 17-20.

Champion – Arizona State Wildcats
Runner Up – Illinois State Redbirds

The 1973 Women’s College World Series was contested among 16 teams on May 17-20 in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the first series held under the auspices of the AIAW, which had recently been established by the Division of Girls’ and Women’s Sports (DGWS) for the purpose of conducting national championships.

Arizona State repeated as champions in the 5th Annual Women’s College World Series Tournament Sunday by defeating Illinois State 4-3 in 16 innings.

The winning run was scored with two out when centerfielder Judy Hoke hit a long single scoring Jean Killingsworth who had walked and advanced on an error.

Earlier Illinois State forced a playoff game by blanking Arizona State 4-0 after eliminating Southwest Missouri 5-0.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – Kris Meyer, Northern Iowa (.417)
  • HR Champion – N/A

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. Arizona State 4 Western Illinois 2
  2. Northern Colorado 8 North Dakota State 1
  3. Kansas 4 Nebraska-Omaha 3 (9 innings)
  4. Weber State 7 South Carolina 0
  5. Illinois State 2 Iowa State 1
  6. Wayne State 3 South Dakota State 1
  7. Michigan State 9 Northern Iowa 2
  8. Southwest Missouri 12 Ball State 0
  9. Northern Iowa 7 Ball State 3 (Ball State eliminated)
  10. South Dakota State 7 Iowa State 4 (Iowa State eliminated)
  11. Nebraska-Omaha 8 South Carolina 4 (South Carolina eliminated)
  12. Western Illinois 5 North Dakota State 0 (North Dakota State eliminated)
  13. Arizona State 9 Northern Colorado 1
  14. Kansas 5 Weber Sate 2
  15. Illinois State 10 Wayne State 0
  16. Southwest Missouri State 7 Michigan State 2
  17. Northern Iowa defeated Weber State (Weber State eliminated)
  18. Northern Colorado 5 South Dakota State 1 (South Dakota State eliminated)
  19. Nebraska-Omaha 7 Michigan State 6 (Michigan State eliminated)
  20. Western Illinois 14 Wayne State 4 (Wayne State eliminated)
  21. Arizona State 1 Kansas 0
  22. Illinois State 5 Southwest Missouri State 1
  23. Northern Colorado 5 Northern Iowa 0 (Northern Iowa eliminated)
  24. Western Illinois 3 Nebraska-Omaha 1 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  25. Northern Colorado 2 Kansas 1 (Kansas eliminated)
  26. Southwest Missouri State 3 Western Illinois 2 (Western Illinois eliminated)
  27. Arizona State 9 Illinois State 2
  28. Southwest Missouri State 5 Northern Colorado 1 (Northern Colorado eliminated)
  29. Illinois State 5 Southwest Missouri State 1 (Southwest Missouri State eliminated)
  30. Illinois State 4 Arizona State 0
  31. Arizona State 4 Illinois State 3 (Illinois State eliminated in 16 innings)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1)
2. Illinois State Redbirds (5-2)
3. Southwest Missouri State Bears (4-2)
4. Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-2)
5t. Northern Colorado Bears (3-2)
5t. Kansas Jayhawks (2-2)
7t. Northern Iowa Panthers (2-2)
7t. Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks (2-2)
9t. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (1-2)
9t. Weber State College Wildcats (1-2)
9t. Michigan State Spartans (1-2)
9t. Wayne State College Wildcats (1-2)
13t. Iowa State Cyclones (0-2)
13t. Ball State Cardinals (0-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. North Dakota State Bison (0-2)

1973 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1973 held at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Champion: Sweeney Chevrolet, Cincinnati, Ohio (70-3)
Runner Up: Hialeah Fotochrome Dots, Hialeah, Florida

The Cincinnati Girls of Sweeney’s defeated the Hialeah Dots 9-0 in the final. In 7 games, Sweeney’s outscored their opponents 82-19. The Dots did not have one player hit over .500 during the tournament, which shows how impressive Princess Carpenter’s stats were. Ruth Michal of the Independence Rockettes of Cleveland finished second in batting with a .733 mark (11-15). The closest after that was over .150 points away.

  • MVP – Princess Carpenter, Sweeney Chevrolet (18-21, .857, 2 HRs, 20 RBIs)
  • Batting Leader – Princess Carpenter, Sweeney Chevrolet – .857
  • Home Run Leader – Princess Carpenter, Sweeney Chevrolet – 2

1973 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Marsha Replogle-Ehler, Sweeney Chevrolet
P – Sadie Nelson, Avantis
C – Sharon Tice, Sweeney Chevrole
C – Bonnie Hensley, Raney Tire
1B – Princess Carpenter, Sweeney Chevrolet
2B – Donna Wolfe, Sweeney Chevrolet
3B – Ruth Michal, Rockettes
SS – Jenny Johnson, Sweeney Chevrolet
OF – Jan DuBois, Avantis
OF – Marilyn Busse, Rubi-Otts
OF – Marty Gordon, Rubi-Otts
OF – Linda Ares, Hialeah Dots
UT – Chris Padgett, Hialeah Dots
UT – Carol Smith, Hialeah Dots

1973 SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Kay Yow, Rubi-Otts
P – Millie Medina, Hialeah Dots
C – Judy Lockhart, Rubi-Otts
C – Diane Hinkle, Rutemschroer
1B – Sandy Patton, Hialeah Dots
2B – Lewannee Fenty, Hialeah Dots
3B – Anita Rieskamp Gardner, Sweeney Chevrolet
SS – Ruth Patterson, Boatmart
OF – Mildred Lovelace, Boarmart
OF – Bonnie McVey, Raney Tire
OF – Sue Stoddard, Stretch Motel
OF – Irene Dill, Sweeney Chevrolet
UT – Charmon Odle, Hamiltons
UT – Janet Childress, Hi Landers

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Sweeney Chevrolet, Cincinnati, OH (7-0)
2. Hialeah Dots, Miami, FL (5-2)
3. Avantis, Minneapolis, MN (7-2)
4. Raney Tire, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
5t. Rubi-Otts, High Point, NC (3-2)
5t. Cleveland Rockets, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
7t. Rutenschorer, Cincinnati, OH 4-2
7t. Hi-Landers, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. Boat Mart, Chattanooga, TX (4-2)
9t. Hamilton’s, Bellingham, WA (3-2)
9t. York Barbellettes, York, PA (2-2)
9t. Stretch Motel, Fond Du Lac, WI (2-2)
13t. Bob Paul’s, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
13t. Progrssive Printers, Dayton, OH (2-2)
13t. Waymire Motors, North Little Rock, AR (2-2)
13t. Vaughn’s Electric, Murfreesboro, TN (2-2)
17t. Oxford Sports Center, Oxford, OH (1-2)
17t. Motown Soul Sisters, Detroit, MI (1-2)
17t. South Park Saints, Santa Rosa, CA (1-2)
17t. Westwood Concrete, Bloomington, MN (1-2)
17t. Browne’s, Hays, KS (1-2)
17t. Groman’s Sports Shop, Manchester, CT (1-2)
17t. Aristocrats, Portsmouth, VA (1-2)
17t. Hounds and Foxes, Brookhaven, NY (1-2)
25t. Alamo National Bank, San Antonio, TX (1-2)
25t. Dixie Demons, Richmond, VA (1-2)
25t. American Legion Post #90, Los Alamos, NM (0-2)
25t. Lucky Boy, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
25t. Allain’s Gems, Lafeyette, LA (0-2)
25t. Little Big Men, Billings, MT (0-2)
25t. Tucker Road Community Center, Oxen Hill, MD (0-2)
25t. PAL All-Stars, Lynn, MA (0-2)
33t. St. Augustine Volunteers, St. Augustine, FL (0-2)
33t. Montgomery Generals, Montgomery, AL (0-2)

1972 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1972 held at Kimberly, Wisconsin on August 18-27.

Champion – Comets, Burbank, California
Runner Up – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Bob Wills, Nitehawks
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Ed Bentley, Comets
  • Leading Hitter – Bob Wills, Nitehawks
  • Most RBI – N/A

1972 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

Bobby Guy, Comets
Gene Peerenboom, Jack’s
Joe Avila, Cowboys
Joe Seifried, Comets
Mark Rice, Pages Raiders
Bob Wills, Nitehawks
Jerry Flory, Nitehawks
Jim Steger, Jack’s
Don Frazier, Comets
Ed Daniels, Cowboys
John Rodriguez, Nitehawks
Ed Bentley, Comets
Ed Klecker, Warner Electric Jets
Roger Teske, Nitehawks
Jerry Ralfs, Hynes & Howes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Comets, Burbank, CA
2. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
3. Hynes & Howes, Rock Island, IL
4. Warner Electric Jets, Lakewood, CA
5t. Shad’s Lounge, Sterling, CO
5t. National Cable, Logan, WV
7t. Pages Raiders, Phoenix, AZ
7t. Carolina Hawks, Columbia, SC
9t. Cowboys, Clovis, CA
9t. Jack’s Rosehill, Little Chute, WI
9t. Town & Country, Rock Falls, IL
9t. Teamsters, Tulsa, OK
13t. Cavaliers, Dubuque, IA
13t. American International, Las Vegas, NV
13t. Savon, Ogden, UT
13t. Brothers Furniture, Washington, DC
17t. Dean Puccinelli, Milwaukee, WI
17t. Beavers, Granite Falls, NC
17t. Pepsi Cola, Pueblo, CO
17t. First National Bank, Bedford, PA
17t. Oregon Clothing, Oshkosh, WI
17t. International Harvester, Ft. Wayne, IN

1972 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1972 held at Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

1971 East World Champ played the 1971 West World Champ in the 1972 World Series best of 7 series Marasco Variety Faire of Milwaukee, WI defeated the Big Apple of Phoenix, AZ (4 games to 1).

The big story in this World Series is that the West managed to win a game. Vero McKinn hurled a brilliant 5 hitter to defeat Marasco’s 2-1 in the sceond game. He helped his own cause by going 1-3. Other than that, it was all Marasco’s on Offense. They out scored Big Apple 48 to 10 in the four games they won. The hitting of Dick Polgar, Jim Mortl, John Wegner, Ted Budny, George Mortl, Daryl Greenmeier and Carl Bruce was jus too much for Big Apple to deal with. These seven players were a total of 66-97 for a .680 clip. They also drove in 34 of the total 49 runs scored by  Marasco’s in the five games. Big Apple’s Team Batting Average was .276 (40-145).

  • MVP – Dick Polgar, Marasco’s (10-19, 526, 5 RBI)
  • Home Run Leader – none were hit
  • Batting Leader – George Mortl – Marasco’s (9-14) – .643

USSSA ALL WORLD TEAM

No All-World Team was selected – just a best of 7 series between 2 teams. The East and West selected All World Teams in their respective Tournaments.

Game Scores

  • Game 1 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 13 vs. Big Apple 5 – Darryl Greenmeier and Ted Budny were both 3-3 for Marasco; Pitcher Vero McKinn was 2-4 for Big Apple.
  • Game 2 – Big Apple 2 vs. Marasco’s Variety Faire 1- Vero McKinn was 1-3 and pitched a 5-hitter for Big Apple. Pitcher Jack Moser drove in the only run for Marasco.
  • Game 3 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 12 vs. Big Apple 3 – Greenmeier, Jim Mortl, Dick Polgar and Jack Baird all had 3 hits for Marasco. Vero McKinn had the only RBI for Big Apple.
  • Game 4 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 12 vs. Big Apple 1 – Once again, it was Jim Mortl and Dick Polgar with 3 hits apiece. McKinn and Calderon each had 2 hits for Big Apple
  • Game 5 – Marasco’s Variety Faire 11 vs. Big Apple 1 – George Mortl and Carl Bruce were both 3-3 and combined for 5 RBIs. Richard Lopez was 3-3 for Big Apple.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Marasco’s Variety Faire, Milwaukee, WI (4-1)
2. Big Apple, Phoenix, AZ (1-4)

1972 World Series Stats (at least 10 AB)

George Mortl, Marasco (9-14, .643, 6 RBIs, 6 Runs)
Ted Budny, Marasco (7-11, .636, 6 RBIs, 4 Runs)
John Wegner, Marasco (8-14, .571, 7 RBIs, 6 Runs)
Dick Polgar, Marasco (10-19, .526, 4 RBIs, 5 Runs)
Jim Mortl, Marasco (10-20, .500, 4 RBIs, 8 Runs)
Sal Martinez, Big Apple (5-10, .500, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs)
Daryl Greenmeier, Marasco, (6-14, .429, 1 RBI, 5 Runs)
Carl Bruce, Marasco (6-15, .400, 6 RBIs, 2 Runs)
Alex Calderon, Big Apple (6-17, .353, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs)
Vero McKinn, Big Apple (5-16, .313, 1 RBI, 1 Run)
George Leon, Big Apple (4-13, .308, 2 Runs)
Dennis Meadow, Big Apple (3-11, .273, 1 Run)
Richard Lopez, Big Apple (4-15, .267, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – Also 1-4 Pitching
Jack Baird, Marasco (4-16, .250, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs)
Joe Conteras, Big Apple (3-14, .214, 1 Run)
Birdie Murillo, Big Apple (2-10, .200, 2 Runs)
Vince Peralta, Big Apple (1-14, .071, 1 Run)
Jack Moser, Marasco (2-1 Pitching)
Jim Cody, Marasco (2-0 Pitching)

1972 East Worlds – Petersburg, Virginia.

Champion – Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Rolling Hills, Covington, Kentucky

Rolling Hills of Kentucky lost to Dino’s and was sent to the loser’s bracket. Snyder’s of Detroit and Dino’s of Detroit (both play in the same league incidently) Squared off in the Winner’s Bracket final. The two teams combined for 14 HRs as Dino’s defeated Snyders 24-15. Rolling Hill’s eliminated Mertz Bake Shoppe of Oak Park Michigan in a defensive struggle 3-1 to advance to play Snyders with the winner getting another crack at Dino’s. Rolling Hills prevailed 16-9 to advance to the Championship game. Jerry Johnston of Dino’s was 3-4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs to lead Snyders to a 13-10 title clinching victory. Jim Haislip and Joe Theison both went 2-4 with homers to help Pitcher Cal Carman nail down the victory. Rolling Hills was led by Sonny Rider’s 3-4 performance.

  • East MVP – Cal Carmen, Dino’s Pizza (.740, 8 HR)
  • East HR Leader – Tom Louria, Snyder’s – 10
  • East Batting Leader – Cal Carmen, Dino’s Pizza – .740

1972 USSSA EAST ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Cal Carmen, Dino’s Pizza (.740, 8 HRs)
Catcher – John Hinds, Snyder’s (.627, 9 HRs)
First Base – Hudson Knock, Rolling Hills
Second Base – Jerry Johnson, Dino’s Pizza
Third Base – Dave Holt, 5&10 Tap
Shortstop – Jim Taliseky, Dino’s Pizza
Infield – Hank Cluess, Pinters Net
Outfield – Joe Thiesan, Dino’s Pizza
Outfield – Bill Schlessinger, Century Tire
Outfield – Jim Haislip, Dino’s Pizza
Outfield – Tom Louria, Snyder’s (.654, 10 HRs)
Utility – Dave McLanger, Mertz Bake Shop
Utility – Jim Gum, Rolling Hills

FINAL STANDINGS (top-10 listed only, 58 teams played)

1. Dino’s Pizza, Detroit, MI (7-0)
2. Rolling Hills, Covington, KY (7-2)
3. Snyder’s, Redford, MI (7-2)
4. Mertz Bake Shop, Oak Park, MI (7-2)
5. Century Tire, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
6. Pinter’s Nets, Long Island, NY (4-2)
7. Builders Hardware, Milwaukee, WI (6-2)
8. Iron Dukes, New Castle, PA (4-2)
9. Knights of St. John, Louisville, KY (4-2)
10. Milwaukee Commandos, Milwaukee, WI (3-2)

1972 West Worlds held at Sun City, Arizona.

Champion – Gonzales Mexican Food, Richmond, California
Runner Up – Blinky’s, Fullerton, California

Gonzales ran through the Western Worlds with speed and power. They had six players hit at least .500 and banged out 11 HRs total as a team. They defeated Blinky’s twice; 17-9 in the winner’s bracket final and then in the Championship game, Gonzales prevailed by a 9-6 score. Larry Sheppard of Gonzales had an incredible tournament at the plate as he was 20-22 and scored 15 runs to earn the Most Valuable Player Award.

  • West MVP – Larry Sheppard, Gonzales (20-22, .909, 15 runs)
  • West HR Leader – Leonard Bowen, Bemco – 4
  • West Batting Leader – Larry Sheppard, Gonzales Mexican Food – .909

1972 USSSA WEST ALL WORLD TEAM

Pitcher – Mike Matthews, Gonzales (over .500)
Catcher – Leonard Bowen, Bemco (over .600, 4 HR)
Infield – Frank Coppa, Gonzales (over .500)
2B-Larry Sheppard, Gonzales (20-22, .909, 15 Runs, also walked 5 times)
Infield – Rancy Rozati, Blinky’s (over .500)
Infield – Dan Derch, Blinky’s (over .500)
Outfield – Mike Edwards, Bemco (over .500)
Outfield – Amata Sotelo, Bemco over (.600)
Outfield – Bob Woodriff, Blinky’s (over .600)
Outfield – Charles Pierce, Gonzales
Utility – Ed Green, Gonzales

FINAL STANDINGS (top-10 listed only, 16 teams played)

1. Gonzales Mexican Food, Richmond, CA (5-0)
2. Blinky’s, Fullerton, CA (4-2)
3. Bemco, Industry, CA (5-2)
4. Goettl’s Metals, Mesa, AZ (3-2)
5. CBAC, San Gabriel Valley, CA (3-2)
6. Little Big O, Downey, CA (2-2)
7. Carpetbaggers, Las Vegas, NV (2-2)
8. Maloof Rockets, NV (2-2)
9. Spot and Blotter (1-2)
10. Buccaneers (1-2)

1972 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1972 tournament held at Drew Memorial Softball Complex in Jacksonville, Florida on September 2-4.

Champion – Jiffy’s Club, Louisville, Kentucky (80-12)
Runner Up – Triton Petroleum, Wichita, Kansas

Jiffy Club of Louisville, Ky., completed a 6-0 record Monday to win the national slow pitch softball tournament.

Jiffy defeated Triton Petroleum of Wichita, Kan., 24-14, in the finals after winning by 23-15 over the same team in the winners’ bracket finals or the double-elimination event.

It was Jiffy’s first title after many national appearances.

Warren Motors of Jacksonville finished third, suffering both losses to the surprising Triton team which was competing in its first national tourney.

Triton dumped Warren, 16-14, in the third round, then clipped the Jacksonville power by 19-17 in the losers’ bracket finals after Warren got past such teams as Long Island, N.Y., Empire Astros, 21-20, Little Ceasar’s of Detroit, 27-26, and Howard’s Furniture of Denver, N.C., 19-15, along with Mr. D’s of Seattle, Wash., 17-5.

in the Warren-Little Caesar’s game, the Jacksonville team jumped out 15-0 in the first three innings only to see the Detroit giants come back with 19 runs in the next two innings. Warren rallied for eight runs in the top of the seventh on four home runs and held on.

Howard’s finished in fourth place while Mr. D’s and Shaeffer Post of Trenton, N.J., tied for fifth and Little Ceasar’s and Stauffer of Warren, ID., tied for seventh. Shaeffer won six straight in the losers’ bracket before falling to Howard’s, 11-8.

Defending champion Virginia Beach, Va., was only 1-2, losing first to Jo’s-Smith of Milton, 33-31, and then to Rudder Construc-tion of Knoxville, Tenn. Jo’s-Smith tied for ninth while Valley Merchants of Phenix City, Ala., tied for 12th along with Rudder. Jerry’s of Miami, another Southern entry, was down the list at 1-2, losing both of its games to Little Ceasar’s.

H. T. Waller’s national home run record survived an early onslaught. He hit 16 while playing with runner-up Jo’s in 1969. Don Arndt of Howard’s, after hitting 12 in his first four games, ended up with 15 while Bill Gatti of Jiffy, who hit six in one game, and Al White of Warren both hit 14. Wailer played with Virginia Beach this year, hitting seven in the three games while going 12 for 13. Toby Harrison was the top hitter of the tournament (on 15 or more at bats) with an .827 mark for Jiffy.

  • MVP – Don Arndt, Howard’s Furniture
  • HR Leaders – Bill Gatti, Jiffy Club – 14
  • HR Leaders – Al White, Warren Motor’s – 14
  • Batting Leader – Cobbie Harrison, Jiffy Club – .906

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Don Arndt, Howard Furniture (21-28, .750, 13 HR, 23 RBI, 19 Runs ) – won the MVP award, even though his team finished 4th.
P – Bob Auten, Little Caesars (12-21, .571, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 12 Runs)
C – Van Jenkins, Warren Motors (22.34, .647, 10 HR, 20 RBI, 21 Runs)
C – Randall Elser, Stauffer’s Realty (14, 23, .609, 8 HR, 20 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Cobbie Harrison, Jiffy Club (29-32, .906, 13 HR, 22 RBI, 24 Runs)
2B – Ron Yates, Howard Furniture (13-23, .565, 6 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
3B – Doug Majhers, Triton Petroleum (20-27, .747, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 15 Runs)
SS – Mike Casey, Jiffy Club (15-29, .517, 0 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
OF – Jack Davis, Mr. D’s (16-23, .696, 8 HR, 18 RBI, 15 Runs)
OF – Bill Gatti, Jiffy Club (20-28, .714, 15 HR, 28 RBI, 22 Runs)
OF – Reggie Soehlig, Warren Motors (24-37, .649, 11 HR, 21 RBI, 21 Runs)
OF – John Spadaccino, Schaefer Post (23-32, .719, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 16 Runs)
UT – Jim Galloway, Empire County Astros (16-23, .696, 7 HR, 15 RBI, 15 Runs)
UT – Stan Patykula, Schaefer Post (20-30, .667, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 15 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Dennis Parrish, Warren Motors (17-33, .519, 6 HR, 14 RBI, 13 Runs)
P – Joe Sims, Jiffy Club (no info)
C – Dan King, Jiffy Club (19-30, .633, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 17 Runs)
C – Preston Powell, Non Ferrous (12-19, .632, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 12 Runs)
1B – Al White, Warren Motors (30-36, .833, 14 HR, 33 RBI, 26 Runs)
2B – Frank Sorrells, Jo’s-Smith (10-15, .667, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 9 Runs)
3B – Bill Malloy, Empire County Astros (17-23, .739, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 16 Runs)
SS – Steve Dixon, Warren Motors (no info)
OF – Joe Lowry, Jiffy Club (22-32, .688, 8 HR, 15 RBI, 20 Runs)
OF – Steve Shurina, Empire County Astros (17-23, .739, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 14 Runs)
OF – Larry Migliaccio, Schaefer Post (18-31, .581, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 16 RBIs)
OF – Ron Kasa, Schaefer Post (19-31, .631, 11 HR, 23 RBI, 20 Runs)
UT – Mac Richardson, Howard Furniture  (14-22, .636, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 11 Runs)
UT – Larry Berger, Triton Petroleum (19-28, .679, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 14 Runs)

OTHERS

H.T. Waller, Piledrivers (12-13, .923, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
Phil Higgins, Copper Hearth (6-8, .750, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs)
Bill Cole, Little Caesars (18-25, .720, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 12 Runs)
Bert Smith, Piledrivers (10-14, .714, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 11 Runs)
Phil Schroer, Jiffy Club (19-27, .704, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 24 Runs)
Ron Potter, Jiffy Club (19-28, .679, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 14 Runs)
Roger Brown, Howard Furniture (17-26, .654, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 17 Runs)
Mike Foley, Empire County Astros (17-27, .630, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 15 Runs)
Mike Gouin, Little Caesars (17-27, .630, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 14 Runs)
Artie Kearns, Schaeffer Post (15-24, .625, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 14 Runs)
Gary LaDue, Little Caesars (15-24, .625, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 11 Runs)
Tony Mazza, Little Caesars (17-29, .586, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 14 Runs
Tex Collins, Little Caesars (14-24, .583, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 12 Runs)
Rick Scherr, Copper Hearth (7-12, .583, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 7 Runs)
Gene Fisher, Howard Furniture (15-26, .577, 6 HR, 10 RBI, 15 Runs)
Gary Richter, Empire Astros (12-21, .571, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 6 Runs)
Mike Nye, Warren Motors (21-37, .568, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 22 Runs)
Jim Puckett, Little Caesars (10-18, .556, 2 HR, 5 HR, 6 RBI)
Randy Gorrell, Howard Furniture (15-27, .556, 6 HR, 16 RBI, 16 Runs)
James Washington, Jerry’s Caterers (6-11, .545, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 6 Runs)
Darrell Leake, Warren Motors (21-38, .533, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 19 Runs)
Lou Russo, Empire County Astros (13-26, .520, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 15 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (6-0)
2. Triton Petroleum, Wichita, KS (5-2)
3. Warren Motors, Jacksonville, FL (6-2)
4. Howard Furniture, Denver, NC (4-2)
5t. Mr. D’s, Seattle, WA (3-2)
5t. Schaeffer Post 458, Trenton, NJ (6-2)
7t. Little Caesars, Detroit, MI (4-2)
7t. Stauffer’s Realty, Warren, OH (4-2)
9t. Greenbelt Shell, Fulton, MD (2-2)
9t. Non-Ferrous Metals, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
9t. Empire County Astros, Levittown, NY (3-2)
9t. Jo’s Pizza-Smith Plumbing, Milton, FL (2-2)
13t. Valley Merchants, Phoenix City, AL (2-2)
13t. Virginia Doors, Chesapeake, VA (2-2)
13t. Turner Welding, San Antonio, TX (2-2)
13t. Rudder Construction, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
17t. Cee Bass Realty. Portsmouth, VA (1-2)
17t. Copper Hearth, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Hauck’s Cafe, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
17t. Pizza Hut, Wichita, KS (1-2)
17t. Jerry’s Caterers, Miami, FL (1-2)
17t. Ronnie’s, Greenwich, CT (1-2)
17t. Downtown Ford, Sacramento, CA (1-2)
17t. Indian Lake Piledrivers, Virginia Beach, VA (1-2)
25t. Brookline Young Men’s Club, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
25t. Priced Rite Trophies, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)
25t. Stroh’s Beer, Springfield, OH (0-2)
25t. Maplewood Plumbing & Heating, Maplewood, MN (0-2)
25t. Village Inn Pizza, Bozeman, MT (0-2)
25t. M&C Trucking, Worcester, MA (0-2)
25t. T.A.O., Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)
25t. Armed Services All Stars, USA (0-2)
33. Lakeshore Sands, Euclid, OH (0-2)

1972 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1972 held at Rochester, New York.

Champion – Muxworthys Ski Haus, Rochester, NY (64-4)
Runner Up – Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Stan’s Auto was the big talk of this tournament. They came out of nowhere (actually New Castle, PA) and after winning their first game 19-2, lost 2nd round game to FOP Majorettes 4-3, then won 6 in a row outscoring their opponents 69-13 along the way, before being eliminated by the Pittsburgh Orioles by a 5-1 score. Orioles then beat Muxworthy 11-3 in the first final, setting up the winner take all game where Muxworthy prevailed 9-3. Pat Schmitt came into the tournament with an incredible season under her belt. She batted .507 and hit 21 Home Runs. Muxwortthy’s was 5-1, The Orioles were 5-2, in third was Stan’s Auto at 7-2 and the Louisville Majorettes were fourth. There were 36 teams entered in this years event.

  • MVP – Jenny Bellavia, Muxworthy
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • HR Leader – Veronica Funera, Stan’s Auto – 5

1972 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Carol Aselin, Muxworthy
P – Luann Grybowski, Stan’s Auto (7-2 pitching, gave up 23 runs in 9 games)
C – Pat Schmitt, Muxworthy (11-20, .550)
1B – Veronica Funera, Stan’s (20-36, .556, 5 HR)
1B – Sue Dixon, Pittsburgh Orioles
2B – Linda Donofrio, Muxworthy
3B – N/A
SS – Debbie Cecere, Pittsburgh Orioles
OF – Jenny Bellavia, Muxworthy
OF – Sharon Kowalski, Muxworthy
OF – N/A
OF – N/A
Manager – Duane McCoy, Muxworthy

OTHERS

Lynn Runyon, Stan’s Auto (14-27, .519)

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete – 36 total teams)

1. Muxworthy’s Ski Haus, Rochester, NY (6-1)
2. Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, PA (5-2)
3. Stan’s Auto, New Castle, PA (7-2) 100-11 season record
4. FOP Majorettes, Louisville, KY
5. Penn Hills, Pittsburgh, PA

1972 ASA Men’s A Slow Pitch Nationals

1972 held in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Champion – Vernhardt’s Inn, Levittown, New York
Runner Up – Jolly Bar, Detroit, Michigan

Jolly Bar won their first couple games then lost their first game on Monday and had to deal with the rain delay schedule. Vernhardt’s Won their first three games and then the rain delays started, and they won all three on the last day to win the championship. Tom Back was said to have won 4 of the 6 games Jolly Bar played with either a game winning hit or game saving catch to earn MVP honors.

  • MVP – Tom Back, Jolly Bar

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Rick Leek, Vernhardt’s Inn
C – Ron Fitanor, Travelers
1B – Joe Gagliardi, Pepsico
2B – Larry Johinovotch, Jolly Bar
3B – Junior Riggs, Travelers
SS – Bob Hummer, Jolly Bar
OF – Bobby Mercer, Jolly Bar
OF – Ray Klett, Vernhardt’s Inn
OF – Guidici, Henco Builders
OF – Tom Back, Jolly Bar

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Vernhardt’s Inn, Levittown, NY (6-0)
2. Jolly Bar, Detroit, MI (6-2)
3. Pepsico, Valhalla, NY (4-2)
4. Rantoul, Illinois (4-2)
5t. Steinhafel, Wisconsin (5-2)
5t. Tino’s, Chicago, IL (4-2)
7t. Travelers, Louisville, KY (4-2)
7t. Henco Builders, Rochester, NY (4-2)
9t. Jay’s AC, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
9t. Johnny Mac, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
9t. Colonel’s Retreat, Thibodaux, LA (2-2)
9t. Minnehaha Bowl, St. Paul, MN (2-2)
13t. Troy Redmen/Holy Name, Troy, MI (2-2)
13t. Conti Brothers, Providence, RI (2-2)
13t. Bridgeport Men, Bridgeport, NE (2-2)
13t. Solway Hardware, Oak Ridge, TN (2-2)
17t. Corner Distributors, Bronx, NY (1-2)
17t. Hunts Tavern, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
17t. Dubois Chemical, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
17t. Mack Truck, Cincinnati, OH (1-2)
17t. Eagles, Minnesota (1-2)
17t. Maria’s Pizza, Grand Rapids, MI (1-2)
17t. Dino’s, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
25t. Prudential, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
25t. Strosh’s Place, Kansas City, MO (0-2)
25t. Sports Bar, Fargo, ND (0-2)
25t. Phi Lamda Chi, Fayetteville, AR (0-2)
25t. Jumbo’s, Hepzibah, WV (0-2)
25t. Samuel’s Grocery, Richmond, VA (0-2)
25t. Gerres Construction, Elkton, DE (0-2)