Softball History USA

1969 USSSA Women’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1969 held at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Champion – Hi-Landers, Louisville, Kentucky
Runner Up – East End Debs, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The East End Debs forced the final game by edging out the undefeated Hi-Landers by a 3-2 score. The Championship game was a 5-0 shutout victory for the Louisville squad. Both teams defeated such outstanding teams as the Louisville FOP Majorettes, Toledo Misfits and the Pittsburgh Orioles. There was limited information on this tournament

  • MVP – Janet Childress, Hi-Landers
  • Batting Leader – N/A
  • HR Leader – Debbie Lesesne, Orioles

1969 ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Mary Jane Magel, East End Debs
C – Mary Bumgardner, Highlanders
1B – Patty Eubank, FOP Majorettes
2B – Donna Hall, Highlanders
3B – Joan Thomas, Highlanders
SS – Sue Stead, East End Debs
OF – Jerri Reidel, East End Debs
OF – Janet Schmitt, East End Debs
OF – Lynda Penick, Highlanders
OF – Janet Helfich, Georgetown Village

FINAL STANDINGS (Incomplete)

1. Hi-Landers, Louisville, KY
2. East End Debs, Pittsburgh, PA
3. FOP Majorettes, Louisville, KY
4. Georgetown Village, Toledo, OH
5. Pittsburgh Orioles, Pittsburgh, PA
Toledo Misfit Girls, Toledo, OH
Muxworthy’s Ski Haus, Rochester, NY
Huntz Tavern, Pittsburgh, PA
Ducker Girls, Cincinnati, OH
Finkleman Furniture Girls, Cincinnati, OH

1969 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1969 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California (61-10)
Runner Up – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (61-8)

The Orange Lionettes defeated Raybestos 1-0 in the winners bracket as Nancy Welborn pitched a 14 inning no hitter. Welborn also scored the winning run. Joan Joyce was the losing pitcher as she struck out 20 batters. The Brakettes then bested the Yakima Webb Cats as Donna Lopiano outdueled Billie Harris 1-0 in the semi finals for the right to get another crack at the Lionettes. Once again, it was Welborn who was the deciding factor as she pitched a 4-1 rain-delayed victory. She surrendered only 2 hits. The Lionettes Rosie Adams came up with the bases loaded and cleared them to give the Orange a 3-1 lead in what turned out to be the big blow of the game.

  • MVP – Billie Harris, Yakima Webb Cats
  • HR Leader – Sylvia Holly, Tucson Roadrunners – 1
  • Batting Leader – Carol Lichtenberger, NJ Schaeferettes – .600
  • Bertha Tickey Pitching Award – Nancy Welborn, Orange Lionettes
  • Erv Lind Defensive Award – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Nancy Welborn, Orange Lionettes (5-0, 3 shutouts, 35 K, 40 IP, 1 ER, 14 inning 1-0 no-hitter vs Brakettes and then 4-1 final game win)
P – Billie Harris, Yakima Webb Cats (4-1, 26 K, 35 IP, 3 shutouts; 8-20, .400 average, 1 Run, 2 RBI)
P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (2-2, 34 IP, 58 K)
C – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes
C – Ieva Sijats, Indianapolis Anchorettes
1B – Cathy Benedetto, Yakima Webb Cats (1-1, 14 IP, 15 K) pitched the other 2 games for the Webb Cats
2B – Wanda McCargar, Yakima Webb Cats
3B – Toni Swartout, Orlando Rebels
SS – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes
OF – Carol Lichtenberger, Schaeferettes (9-15, .600, 2 Runs)
OF – Mary Taylor, Yakima Webb Cats
OF – Darlene May, Orlando Rebels
OF – Willie Roze, Raybestos Brakettes
UTIL – Joy Peterson, Utah Shamrocks

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Donna Lopiano, Raybestos Brakettes (3-0, 21 IP, 20 K, 3 shutouts)
P – Donna Schwenk, Indianapolis Anchorettes
P – Jean Daves, Orlando Rebels (4-1, 32 K, 31 IP, 2 ER)
C – Peggy Kellers, Raybestos Brakettes
C – Maggie Bean, Yakima Webb Cats
1B – Shirley Topley, Orange Lionettes
2B – Rose Marie “Rosie” Adams, Orange Lionettes
3B – Dorothy “Dot” Dobie, Yakima Webb Cats
SS – Sharron Backus, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Snookie Mulder, Orlando Rebels
OF – E. Louise Albrecht, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Mary Lou Adams, Orange Lionettes
OF – Mickey Davis, Orange Lionettes
UTIL – Sandra Koelsch, Schaeferettes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (5-0) (South Pacific Coast)
2. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Yakima Webb Cats, Yakima, WA (5-2) (Northwestern)
4. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (5-2) (Southern)
5t. Anchor Fence Anchorettes, Indianapolis, IN (2-2) (West Central)
5t. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
7t. Schaeferettes, Plainfield, NJ (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (2-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Lakers, Lake Jackson, TX (1-2) (Texas)
9t. Wooster Lumber Girls, Wooster, OH (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Telford Wanderers, Telford, PA (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Teamsterettes Local 696, Topeka, KS (1-2) (Western)
13t. Kropp Realty, Shakopee, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. Manero’s Waltham Drifters, Waltham, MA (1-2) (New England)
13t. Santa Clara Laurels, Santa Clara, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Universal Dynamics, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Tucson Roadrunners, Tucson, AZ (0-2) (Host)
17t. Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA (0-2) (South Atlantic)

NOTES

Alaska Champ – Anchorage Gold Nuggets, Anchorage, AK did not attend. Hawaii Champ – no representative was listed. Canada Champ – Saskatoon Imperials, Saskatoon, SK did not attend.

1969 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

1969 held at New Kensington, Pennsylvania.

Champion – Jim’s Sport Shop, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Runner Up – Floyd Warren’s, Irwin, Pennsylvania

Jim’s Sports Shop did something no other softball team has ever done. They have now won the ASA and USSSA National/World Softball titles. They won the ASA title in 1962, 1964, 1965 and 1967. Last year they switched over to the USSSA organization and finished 3rd in the first USSSA World Series ever held. This year, they ran through the tournament undefeated with the help of the tremendous defense they have.

Pitcher Louie Del Mastro is considered the best in the business. He made the All World Team for the second year. They have an incredible middle defense of Mike Kovach at SS and Ray ‘Corky’ Kruel at 2B. In the OF, they have Andy Zilka and Miller Adams catching everything in sight. Third Basemen Paul Tomasovich is considered one of the best Softball players in the world. He made his 2 straight USSSA All World team as well and also was named the Tournament MVP.  He won the ASA MVP in 1964.

Floyd Warren’s from Irwin, PA los the winner’ bracket final to Jim’s. They sat back as Milwaukee Electric Tool came through the losers bracket to eliminate National Lanes 9-7 and Brookline YMC 11-4. But they could not get past Warren’s as they lost 17-12.  In the Championship Game, Del Mastro held the Warren bats to just two runs and with the help of Tomasovich’s 6th inning Homer to break the game open, they breezed to a 6-2 Championship victory.

  • MVP – Paul Tomasovich, Jim’s Sport Shop (15-21, .714, 3 HR)
  • Home Run Leader – Tom Taylor, National Lanes – 5
  • Batting Leader – Paul Tomasovich, Jim’s Sport Shop – .714

USSSA MAJOR WORLD SERIES ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

  • P – Lou Delmastro, Jim’s Sport Shop
  • C – Lou Quahliero, Crescant Café
  • 1B – Terry Loughner, Floyd Warren’s
  • 2B – Jim Mortl, Milwaukee Electric Tool
  • 3B – Paul Tomasovich, Jim’s Sport Shop (15-21, .714, 3 HRs)
  • SS – Tom Taylor, National Lanes (5 HRs)
  • OF – Bill Cepige, BYM Club
  • OF – Ted Budny, Milwaukee Electric Tool
  • OF – Red Kowalski, Floyd Warren’s
  • OF – Andy Smoky Zilka, Jim’s Sport Shop
  • OF – Miller Killer Adams,  Jim’s Sport Shop

FINAL STANDINGS (top-10 only listed, 50 teams played, standings incomplete)

1. Jim’s Sport Shop, Pittsburgh, PA (6-0)
2. Floyd Warren’s, Irwin, PA (4-2)
3. Milwaukee Electric Tool, Milwaukee, WI (5-2)
4. BYM Club, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
5. Crescant Café, New Castle, PA (5-2)
6. National Lanes, Cincinnati, OH
7. Mueller Pipe Liners, Milwaukee, WI
8. Sports Center, Covington, KY
9. Kendall Lounge, Detroit, MI
10. Robert’s Lounge, Milwaukee, WI

Crescent Café, New Castle, PA
Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV
Main Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA
Mitch’s, Baltimore, MD
Black Martini, IL
SNA, Toledo, OH
Home Readers, Cincinnati, OH
Kenosha, WI
Parkmode AC, Detroit, MI
North Kentucky Merchants, Covington, KY
Marble Homes, Hamilton, OH
Capitol, Charleston, WV
Piqua Merchants, Piqua, IA
Gus’s Manor Inn, Dundalk, MD
Glorioso

1969 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1969 held at Meador Park in Springfield, Missouri.

Champion – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut
Runner Up – Fairchild Falcons, Mountain View, California

Dick Norenburg of the Raybestos Cardinals pitched a 7-0 shutout in final championship game. The final game was forced after Roy Burlison of Mountain View won his 7th straight game to grab a 4-3 decision. But Burlison finally tired and was beaten in the final game. Dick Norenburg, an imposing figure at 6 foot 8 inches tall, led the Raybestos pitching staff as they alternated pitchers and kept everyone fresh. Norenburg was 2-0, Al Lewis was 1-0, Pete Carlson was 1-0 and Metro Szeryk was 1-1 with 26 K in 13 innings pitched.

  • MVP – Roy Burlison, Fairchild Falcons
  • Batting Leader – Charles Acklin, Armed Forces – .353
  • Home Run Leader – Ray Phillips, Fairchild Falcons – 3
  • Most Outstanding Pitcher Award – Roy Burlison, Fairchild Falcons

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Roy Burlison, Fairchild Falcons (7-2, 108 K, 62 IP, gave up only 26 hits and 11 runs)
P – Ron Peterson, Peninsula All-Stars (3-2, 39 IP, 47 K)
P – Joe Lynch, Aurora Sealmasters (3-1)
C – Don Benedict, Raybestos Cardinals
C – Dick Zuccato, Larry Lange Ford
1B – Ed Loveless, Fairchild Falcons
2B – Ray Phillips, Fairchild Falcons (8-28, .286, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
3B – Don Dungee, Armed Forces
SS – Frank Hurtt, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Bob Christensen, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Charles Acklin, Armed Forces (6-17, 3 RBI, 1 Run)
OF – Earl Turnure, Larry Lange Ford
OF – Glenn Beamon, Fairchild Falcons
UT – Carl Walker, Raybestos Cardinals

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Dick Norenberg, Raybestos Cardinals
P – Richie Stephen, Larry Lange Ford
P – Bonnie Jones, Nothdurft Tool (2-2, 33 IP, 48 K)
C – Larry Wiseman, Aurora Sealmasters
C – Dave Timok, Fairchild Falcons
1B – Joe Swanson, Larry Lange Ford
2B – Jess Kersey, Peninsula All-Stars
3B – Chuck Caldera, Fairchild Falcons
SS – John Anquillare, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Al Yaeger, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Stan Baker, Armed Forces
OF – Bill Lovato, Fairchild Falcons
OF – Fred Hopgood, Nothdurft Tool
UT – George Giles, Armed Forces

OTHERS

Harvey Sterkal, Aurora Sealmasters (1-1)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-1) (New-England)
2. Fairchild Falcons, Mountain View, CA (8-2) (North Pacific Coast)
3. U.S. Armed Forces, USA (3-2) (Armed Forces)
4. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (4-2) (West-Central)
5t. Nothdurft Tool, Detroit, MI (3-2) (East-Central)
5t. Portland Lakers, Portland, OR (2-2) (Northwestern)
7t. Peninsula All Stars, Fox Hill, VA (3-2) (Central-Atlantic)
7t. Larry Lange Ford, Cedar Falls, IA (2-2) (Western)
9t. Oxnard Kings, Oxnard, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
9t. F.E. Bailey Contractors, Mesa, AZ (1-2) (Cactus)
9t. Whitaker Buick, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
9t. General Plumbing, Birmingham, AL (1-2) (Southern)
13t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (1-2) (Defending Champ)
13t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (1-2) (South-Atlantic)
13t. Masterbilt Motors, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. West Construction, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2) (Rocky-Mountain)
17t. Reilly’s Rebels, Refugio, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Empire Bank, Springfield, MO (0-2) (Host)
17t. Little Brauhaus, Poughkeepsie, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)

NOTES

Alaska Champ – Wildwood Air Force Station, Kenai, AK did not attend. Hawaii Champ – Midas Muffler, Oahu, HI did not attend. Saskatoon Merchants, Saskatchewan did not attend.

1969 USSSA Men’s B Slow Pitch Worlds

1969 held at Toledo, Ohio.

Champion – Hub’s, New Kensington, Pennsylvania
Runner Up – Sol Mintz, Washington, Pennsylvania

  • MVP – Larry Ondako, Hub’s
  • HR Leader – Domnavant, Rams Den
  • Batting Leader – N/A

Hubs beat Sol Mintz 6-5 in the championship game.

Fred Hanlin and Bernie Kubiak had 2 RBI each.

1969 USSSA B ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Art Falsetti, Golf Oasis
P – Wally Szlachetka, Hubs
C – A. Lane, K&D
C – Domnavant, Rams Den
1B – J. Marinello, Berger Chef
2B – D. Spaulding, Ulrich’s
3B – L. Ternouth, Pat Ehler’s
SS – Stan Majesky, Sol Mintz
OF – Earl Hawkins, B&W-187
OF – Haefner, Jerry & Earls
OF – F. Schmitt, Sol Mintz
OF – Jimmy Underhill, Cavaliers
OF – Jerry Bussard, Hub’s

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hub’s, New Kensington, PA (6-0)
2. Sol Mintz, Washington, PA (5-2)
3. Pat Ehler’s, West Allis, WI (5-2)
4. Golf Oasis, Arnold, PA (4-2)
5t. Ulrich AC, Sheperdsville, KY (4-2)
5t. K&D Tap, Waukesha, WI (4-2)
7t. Burger Chef, Janesville, WI (4-2)
7t. Cavalier AC, Petersburg, VA (4-2)
9t. Morell’s, MI (3-2)
9t. Universal, Covington, KY (3-2)
9t. Rams Den, Richmond, VA (3-2)
9t. Joyce’s, Dayton, OH (2-2)
13t. Mike’s, Milwaukee, WI (2-2)
13t. Levisville, Granville, OH (2-2)
13t. Queen City Pattern, Miamitown, OH (2-2)
13t. Ramsey’s Lounge, Rochester, NY (2-2)
17t. Cullen-Gunner Ins., Toledo, OH (1-2)
17t. Geislor Tool, Dayton, OH (1-2)
17t. Logan’s, MI (1-2)
17t. Chatterbox, Hamilton, OH (1-2)
17t. B&W Local-187, Richmond, VA (1-2)
17t. Jerry Earls Ent., Rochester, NY (1-2)
17t. Knights of St. John, Louisville, KY (1-2)
17t. Doehler-Jarvis, Toledo. OH (1-2)
25t. Marvin’s, Dayton, OH (0-2)
25t. Hogan’s, KY (0-2)
25t. Massey, Granville, OH (0-2)
25t. Shriner Realty, Toledo, OH (0-2)
25t. Allied Chemical, Toledo, OH (0-2)
25t. Rudy’s, Dayton, OH (0-2)
25t. Hick-Boon, KY (0-2)
25t. Ted’s, Hamilton, OH (0-2)

1969 Women’s College World Series (DWGS)

1969 held at Moeller Field in Fremont and Boyd Field in Omaha, Nebraska on May 16-18.

Champion – John F. Kennedy College Patriettes
Runner Up – Illinois State Redbirds

The first Women’s College World Series of softball was conducted in 1969. It was organized by the Omaha Softball Association and recognized by the Division for Girls’ and Women’s Sports (DGWS) as a championship tournament. Softball teams from nine colleges met on May 16–18 in Omaha and Fremont, Nebraska.

Far Eastern University from Manila, Philippines encountered a aircraft issues and forced their plane to reroute to Tokyo and would miss the tournament.

The first day of games was rained out, causing the 16 games to be played in two days. Connie Claussen, the chair of the physical education department at the University of Nebraska–Omaha, was a driving force in organizing and directing that first tournament, as well as the next ten while the series was held in Omaha.

The John F. Kennedy College Patriettes won the first college softball championship by winning all five of their games, defeating Illinois State in the final, 2–0. Patriettes pitcher Judy Lloyd was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Curiously John F. Kennedy College no longer is in existence. They would win the first three WCWS.

  • MVP – Judy Lloyd, John F. Kennedy College (4-0, 1 hit shutout in the final)
  • Batting Leader – Kay Sharr, John F. Kennedy College (9-18, .500)
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Outstanding Coach – Carmen Imel, Illinois State

1969 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Marilyn Mosier, Illinois State
Tudy Schmied, Illinois State
Dot Melvin, Illinois State
Karen Roppa, Illinois State
Cathy Buell, John F. Kennedy
Kay Sharr, John F. Kennedy
Judy Lloyd, John F. Kennedy
Cindy Thompson, John F. Kennedy
Mary Shaffer, Southwest Missouri State
Dayna Aust, Southwest Missouri State
Gaylynn Ecton, Colorado State
Kay McDaniel, Colorado State
Betty McGee, St. Petersburg Junior College
Diane Davidson, St. Petersburg Junior College

FINAL STANDINGS

1. John F. Kennedy College Patriettes (5-0)
2. Illinois State Redbirds (4-2)
3. Southwest Missouri State Bears (2-2)
4. Colorado State Rams (2-2)
5t. St. Petersburg Junior College Lady Titans (1-2)
5t. Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (1-2)
7. Kearney State Lopers (1-2)
8t. Creighton Blue Jays (0-2)
8t. Nebraska-Omaha Maverettes (0-2)

SCORES

  1. John F. Kennedy 19 Black Hills State 0
  2. John F. Kennedy 3 Illinois State 2
  3. St. Petersburg JC 9 Kearney State 7
  4. Southwest Missouri State 11 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  5. Colorado State 12 Creighton 3
  6. Kearney State 8 Creighton 5 (Creighton eliminated)
  7. Illinois State 12 Kearney State 1 (Kearney State eliminated)
  8. Black Hills State 8 Nebraska-Omaha 4 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  9. John F. Kennedy 6 St. Petersburg JC 2
  10. Southwest Missouri State 14 Colorado State 2
  11. Illinois State 2 St. Petersburg JC 0 (St. Petersburg JC eliminated)
  12. Colorado State 10 Black Hills State 0 (Black Hills State eliminated)
  13. John F. Kennedy 9 Southwest Missouri State 0
  14. Illinois State 4 Colorado State 0 (Colorado State eliminated)
  15. Illinois State 5 Southwest Missouri State 0 (Southwest Missouri State eliminated)
  16. John F. Kennedy 2 Illinois State 0 (Illinois State eliminated)

1969 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1969 held at Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Champion: Converse Dots, Hialeah, Florida
Runner Up: Satellite Beach Comets, Satellite Beach, Florida

After The Comets came through the losers bracket and beat the Dots 9-8, this set the stage for the winner take all final championship game. The Dots Scored 3 runs in top of 13th to win the final game 6-3. MVP Nancy Oldham of Satellite Beach set a record by being named to the ASA all-tournament team for the 5th straight year. Oldham’s defense at Shortstop combined with her clutch hitting made her an easy choice for MVP. Judy Hedgecock pitched all eight games for the Dots (7-1) to get them the championship.

  • MVP – Nancy Oldham, Satellite Beach Comets (17-34, .500, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 11 Runs)
  • Home Run Leader – Wanda Evans, Escue Pontiac (8-23, .348, 11 RBI, 8 Runs) – 4
  • Batting Leader – Kay Smith, One-Eyed Jacks (9-15, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs) -.600
  • Batting Leader – Emma Pope, Bill’s Restaurant (9-15, 6 RBI, 3 Runs) -.600

1969 FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Judy Hedgecock, Satellite Beach Comets (14-32, .438, 1 HR, 12 RBIs)
C – Erma Richardson, Escue Pontiac (7-19, .368, 2 RBIs)
C – Margaret Humphrey, Satellite Beach Comets
1B – Karen McGrath, Satellite Beach Comets (13-30, 2 RBIs, .433)
SS – Nancy Oldham, Satellite Beach Comets
OF – Donna Wolfe, Escue Pontiac (9-24, .375, 2 RBIs, 5 Runs)
OF – Charlene Larrick, Carter’s Rebels
OF – Sandy Hamilton, Converse Dots (12-27, .444 3 RBIs)
UTIL – Karen Vickers, Satellite Beach Comets (12-36, .333, 7 Runs)
UTIL – Betty Raddick, Carter’s Rebels
UTIL – Fran Howell, Satellite Beach Comets (12-28, .429, 1 HR, 1 RBI)
UTIL – Sharon Harris, Satellite Beach Comets (10-27, .370, 1 RBI)
UTIL – S.Jones, Cox Shell Service

OTHERS

Jenny Johnson (SS), Escue Pontiac (10-24, .458, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 11 Runs)
Wanda Evans, Escue Pontiac (8-23, .348, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 8 Runs)
Kay Smith, One-Eyed Jacks (9-15, .600, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 Runs)
Emma Pope, Bill’s Restaurant (9-15, .600, 6 RBI, 3 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Converse Dots, Hialeah, FL (7-1)
2. Satellite Beach Comets, Satellite Beach, FL (7-2)
3. Escue Pontiac, Cincinnati, OH (6-2)
4. Carter’s Rebels, Jacksonville, FL (5-2)
5. One-Eyed Jacks, Little Rock, AR (5-2)
6. Glen Manufacturing, Columbus, MS (4-2)
7t. Fansler Tires, Garden City, KS (4-2)
7t. Soul Sisters, Detroit, MI (4-2)
9t. Metro Buicks, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
9t. Robinettes, Springfield, OH (4-2)
9t. Mavericks, Lexington, KY (3-2)
9t. Backers, Butler, WA (3-2)
13t. Cox Sell, Macon, GA (3-2)
13t. Blue Notes, St. Louis, MO (3-2)
13t. Haas-Davis, Mobile, AL (3-2)
13t. Grace Rebels, Atlanta, GA (3-2)
17t. Bill’s Restaurant, Virginia Beach, VA (3-2)
17t. Royals, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
17t. Elmer’s Dog House, Aurora, IL (2-2)
17t. Zukies, Indianapolis, IN (2-2)
17t. Scotties, Richmond, VA (1-2)
17t. Park Pontiac, Charleston, WV (1-2)
17t. Draft Builders, Waynesboro, VA (1-2)
17t. Ridge Maintenance, Cleveland OH (1-2)
25t. Rebels Drive-Inn, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
25t. Potproff Standard, Columbus, IN (1-2)
25t. P.A.L., Lynn, MA (1-2)
25t. Oak Creek, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
25t. Jennings Red Coat Inn, Minneapolis, MN (1-2)
25t. Henrietto, Rochester, NY (1-2)
25t. Huntington YMCA, Long Island, NY (1-2)
25t. Cardinals, Thomasville, NC (1-2)
33t. Oregons, Toledo, OH (1-2)
33t. Devilettes, Jacksonville, KY (1-2)
33t. Kings, STratford, CT (1-2)
33t. Tinkerettes, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
33t. Mr. Arthurs, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
33t. Holy Cross, Santo Cruz, NM (0-2)
33t. Westvaca, Charleston, SC (0-2)
33t. Lucky Lager, Butte, MT (0-2)
33t. St. Anthony Parks, St. Paul, MN (0-2)
33t. Carpenter Furniture, Santa Rosa, CA (0-2)
33t. Rainbows, Rutland, VA (0-2)
33t. Elk Grove, Sacramento, CA (0-2)
33t. Schrieber, Granite City, IL (0-2)
33t. Sparks, Sprader, LA (0-2)
33t. Monroe Royals, Monroe, MI (0-2)

1968 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1968 held at Rock Island, Illinois on August 23-September 1.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Bombers, Rock Island, Illinois

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Dick Brubaker, Bombers
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Art Bunge, Bombers
  • Leading Hitter – Larry Lucht, Nitehawks – .533
  • Most RBI – N/A

1968 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Ty Stofflet, Sal’s Lunch (3-1, 0.20 ERA, 71 K, 4 BB)
P – Art Bunge, Nitehawks (4-0, 0.00 ERA, 12 K 4 BB)
P – Dick Brubaker, Bombers (Bombers) (5-2, 0.60 ERA, 67 K, 6 BB)
C – Milt Stark, Nitehawks C .250
C – Lex Little, DerWienerschnitzels C .214
C – Dick Zuccato, Bombers C .176
IF – Ray Wheeler, Cotter Corp IF .462
IF – Bill Unger, Bon-Air IF .438
IF – Bob Herr, Parris Tap IF .421
IF – Frank Trejo, DerWienerschnitzels IF .357
IF – Manny Ortega, Nitehawks IF .238
OF – Larry Lucht, DerWienerschnitzels OF .533
OF – Bill Lovato, DerWienerschnitzels OF .357
OF – Gary Dobereiner, Bombers OF .333
OF – Hal Mertinez, Nitehawks OF .304

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Bombers, Rock Island, IL
3. DerWienerschnitzels, LaMesa, CA
4. Sal’s Lunch, Philadelphia, PA
5t. Bon-Air, Moline, IL
5t. Teamsters, Tulsa, OK
7t. Cotter Corp, Cannon City, CO
7t. Condors, Dinuba, CA
9t. Parris Tap, Davenport, IA
9t. Sports Shop, Rock Island, IL
9t. Highland Shell, Baytown, TX
9t. Bob Neal Ford, Rock Island, IL
13t. Bob’s American Grill, Ogden, UT
13t. All Indian Champions, Tulsa, OK
13t. Bill’s Trim Shop, Ft. Worth, TX
13t. Patterson Motors, Mesa, AZ
17t. Nevada Test Site, Las Vegas, NV
17t. Hawks, Columbia, SC
17t. Morris Hopson Insurance, El Reno, OK
17t. Erie Stone Inc., Markle, IN
17t. Elway Express, Van Wert, OH
17t. Schure’s Sporting Goods, Sterling, CO
17t. Chiefs, Hammond, IN

1968 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1968 held at Jones Beach State Park in Jones Beach, New York.

Champion – County Sports, Levittown, New York (72-4)
Runner Up – Jo’s House of Pizza, Milton, Florida (104-18)

Jo’s House of Pizza beat County Sports 7-5 in winners bracket final, County Sports then came back and beat Jo’s twice 11-7, 17-12 to win the crown. Bert Smith hit HR in his first two at bats to ignite County Sports in the final championship game. Smith came up big the Long Island team every game getting 23 hits and 24 RBI in the teams 8 games.

County Sports’ Jim Galloway chipped in with 6 HR and11 RBI, and along with Bill Malloy (9 HR, 19 RBI), Lou Russo (5 HR, 13 RBI) and Pitcher Bill Brown’s 5 HR, led an explosive offense.

HT Waller was a one man machine for Jo’s House of Pizza as he led them going 13-21 (.619) with 9 HR and 17 RBI. Jo’s Pitcher Gerry Martello and Outfielder Luther Ates played outstanding defense for Jo’s.

County Sports pitcher Bill Brown fractured a bone in his hand and Don Burns was called on to pitch the final two games to win the title.

Jo’s House of Pizza received a special sportsmanship trophy for staying the extra day, waiting out the rain to play. At the time of the postponement, Jo’s was the only undefeated team and could have left and been declared the National Champion. They opted to stay and play. And as mentioned, County Sports defeated them twice to win the title.

County Sports will receive an automatic berth to the 1969 Nationals as the defending National Champs and the ASA of Long Island Tournament committee also awarded Jo’s Pizza an automatic berth in the 1969 Nationals as the defending National Runner-up for what they did. Had Jo’s won the tournament, HT Waller probably would have been the MVP as he was Jo’s leading hitter and also had the most HR in the tournament at the time.

  • MVP – Bert Smith, County Sports
  • HR Leader – Bert Smith, County Sports – 11
  • Batting Leader – Bill Goedde, Dick Luken Volkswagen – .813

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jerry Martello, Jo’s House of Pizza (4-2 Pitching and 5-19, .263, 2 RBI, 4 Runs)
C – Bill Malloy, County Sports (21-33, .638, 9 HR, 19 RBI, 14 Runs)
1B – Lou Russo, County Sports (20-35, .571, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 15 Runs, 10 Doubles)
2B – H.T. Waller, Jo’s House of Pizza (13-21, .619, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 11 Runs)
3B – Bill Goedde, Dick Luken (13-16, .813, 9 RBI, 3 Runs)
SS – Tom DeLanzo, Hudepohl Beer (12-21, .571, 2 RBI, 7 Runs)
OF – Bob Schugman, County Sports (19-38, .500, 2 RBI, 12 Runs)
OF – Jerry Booher, Wilsman Trucking (16-26, .615, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 13 Runs)
OF – Bert Smith, County Sports (23-37, .622, 11 HR, 24 RBI, 19 Runs)
OF – Luther Ates, Jo’s House of Pizza (10-22, .455, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 8 Runs)

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Ron Ritter, Jiffy Club (3-2 Pitching and 10-16, .625, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 Runs)
C – Mark Chandler, Erie Sheet Metal (10-16, .625, 4 HR,11 RBI, 8 Runs)
1B – Cal Bodenstein, Jo’s House of Pizza (9-19, .476, 3 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Runs)
2B – Jim Galloway, County Sports (19-35, .543, 6 HR, 11 RBI, 17 Runs)
3B – Mac Stalcup, Kobax Corporation (9-13, .692, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 Runs)
SS – Roy Hill, Kobax Corporation (8-17, .471, 3 RBI, 5 Runs)
OF – Larry Harbin, Anderson Shell (13-22, .591, 11 RBI, 7 Runs)
OF – Gordon Pfeiffer, Heidelberg Beer (10-12, .833, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 Runs)
OF – Junior Riggs, Jiffy Club (8-13, .615, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 Runs)
OF – Otto Knowles, Jo’s House of Pizza (10-18, .556, 5 RBI, 5 Runs)

OTHERS

Jim Sibert, Gene Angelos (10-13, .769, 2 RBI, 9 Runs)
Jack Goodrich, Gene Angelos (8-12, .667, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs)
Steve Loya, Gene’s Sunoco (6-10, .600, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
Preston Powell, Erie Sheet Metal (10-17, .588, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 10 Runs)
Bill Brown, County Sports (12-21, .572, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Runs)
Rocky Salice, County Sports (15-30, .500, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 12 Runs)
Chester Dungan, Jo’s House of Pizza (10-21, .476, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 Runs)
Andy Loya, Gene’s Sunoco (5-11, .455, 1 HR. 7 RBI, 3 Runs)
Ron Annotico, Gene’s Sunoco (5-11, .455, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs)
Steve Shurina, County Sports (13-33, .394, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 10 Runs)
Stan Harvey, Kobax Corporation (5-14, .357, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 Runs)
Howie Krause, Erie Steel (6-20, .300, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 6 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. County Sports, Levittown, NY (7-1)
2. Jo’s Pizza House, Milton, FL (4-2)
3. Dick Luken Volkswagon, Cincinnati, OH (5-2)
4. Wilsman Truckers, Hamilton, OH (5-2)
5t. Erie Sheet Metal, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
5t. Heidelberg Beer, Tacoma, WA (2-2)
7t. Anderson Shell Misfits, Anderson, SC (4-2)
7t. Hudepohl Beer, Springfield, OH (3-2)
9t. Jiffy Club, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. Twin Cities Construction, Meriden, CT (3-2)
9t. Kobax Corporation, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
9t. Ragu Foods, Rochester, NY (2-2)
13t. Climatic Air Rams, Maspeth, NY (2-2)
13t. Bayer & Mingola, Millbury, MA (2-2)
13t. Kutis Funeral Hone, St. Louis, MO (2-2)
13t. Playboy Tavern, Kennewick, WA (2-2)
17t. Central Brevard Merchants, Cocoa, FL (1-2)
17t. Shakey’s, Rockville, MD (1-2)
17t. Colonial Inn, Richmond, VA (0-2)
17t. Mahan Ford, Columbus, IN (0-2)
17t. Gene’s Sunoco, Cleveland, OH (1-2)
17t. Countryside Realty, Hopkins, MN (0-2)
17t. S.M. Pisut, Joliet, IL (1-2)
17t. Buck Moore’s Service Station, Macon, GA (0-2)
25t. Wamble Realty, Virginia Beach, VA (0-2)
25t. Del Campo Baking, Wilmington, DE (0-2)
25t. Coast Wholesalers Supply, Long Beach, MS (0-2)
25t. Kilberg-Grochran, San Carlos, CA (0-2)

1968 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1968 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (69-6)
Runner Up – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California

Bertha Tickey, who retired after the 1967 National, came back in 1968 to pitch one last year.  She only pitched two games, but made them memorable.

In the fist game she hurled, she pitched a 8-0 perfect game and struck out 14 batters, 11 of them in succession to start the game.

In her next and last game in her illustrious career, she pitched a 13 inning no-hitter in the winner’s bracket final to beat Fresno 1-0. Donna Hebert doubled in Donna Lopiano with the games winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning.  Tickey struck out 19 batters in the game. She finished the tournament with a 2-0 record, pitched 20 innings, struck out 33 batters, walked none and gave up no hits.

What an incredible way to end a career. For the second straight year, the Brakettes ran the table, going 6-0. They did not give up a run until the final game. They surrendered 10 hits in 6 games and struck out 76 in 48 innings. In the past 2 years, their pitching staff has been 12-0, 11 by shutout. They have struck out 151 batters in 91 innings. They only surrendered 17 hits and 1 run, which was unearned.

The Women’s Pitching Award would forever be known as the Bertha Tickey Pitching Award.

  • MVP – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Pat Harrison, Raybestos Brakettes – 1
  • Batting Leader – Toni Swartout, Orlando Rebels – .500
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes
  • Erv Lind Defensive Award – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (4-0, 3 shutouts, 25 IP, 42 K, won 3-1 final; also 10-23, .435, 6 RBI, 5 Doubles)
P – Bertha Ragan Tickey, Raybestos Brakettes (2-0, 20 IP, 33 K, gave up 0 hits, 1 no hitters, 1 perfect game)
P – Pat Whitman, Perkasie Glenettes (4-2, 3 shutouts)
C – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes
C – Peggy Kellers, Raybestos Brakettes
1B – Shirley Topley, Orange Lionettes
2B – Veronica Maurek, Perkasie Glenettes
3B – Toni Swartout, Orlando Rebels (6-12, .500)
SS – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes (2-0, 2 shutouts)
OF – Pat Harrison, Raybestos Brakettes (7-19, .368, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 Runs, 2 RBI)
OF – Marlene Piper, Raybestos Brakettes (9-22, .409) – 2-run Double in final game was key in 3-1 victory.
OF – Pat Walker, Orlando Rebels
OF – Mickey Davis, Orange Lionettes
UTIL – Donna Lopiano, Raybestos Brakettes

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Jean Daves, Orlando Rebels
P – Gloria Helms, Fresno Rockets (3-2)
P – Jackie Rice, Orange Lionettes (4-2)
C – Linda Izatt, Utah Shamrocks
C – Mary Jane Boyd, Perkasie Glenettes
1B – Pat Lynch, Perkasie Glenettes
2B – Sue Gunter, Brentwood TN Sportettes
3B – Carol LaRose, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Phyllis Shaak, Perkasie Glenettes
OF – Willie Roze, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Judy Stine, Wooster Lumber
OF – Sheila Patterson, Fresno Rockets
OF – Nera “Sally” White, Brentwood TN Sportettes
UTIL – Gerry Murphy, Fresno Rockets

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (6-2) (South Pacific Coast)
3. Fresno Valley Rockets, Fresno, CA (3-2) (North Pacific Coast)
4. Perkasie Glenettes, Perkasie, PA (4-2) (Central Atlantic)
5t. Brentwood Sportettes, Nashville, TN (2-2) (South Atlantic)
5t. Ohse Meat Company, Topeka, KS (2-2) (Western)
7t. Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (2-2) (Rocky Mountain)
7t. Wooster Lumber Girls, Wooster, OH (2-2) (East Central)
9t. Anchor Fence Anchorettes, Indianapolis, IN (1-2) (West Central)
9t. JH Rose Truckline Comets, Houston, TX (1-2) (Texas)
9t. Bridgeport Co-Eds, Bridgeport, CT (1-2) (Host)
9t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (2-2) (Southern)
13t. Schaeferettes, Plainfield, NJ (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Panza Const. Superiorettes, West Haven, CT (1-2) (New England)
13t. Yakima Webb Cats, Yakima, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Superior 400, Bloomington, MN (1-2) (Northern)
17t. Hull-Dobbs Ford, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Sun City Saints, Sun City, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)

NOTES

Alaska Champ – Anchorage Gold Nuggets, Anchorage, AK did not attend. Hawaii Champ – no representative was listed. Canada Champ – Toronto Carpetland, Toronto, ON did not attend.