Softball History USA

1962 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1962 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California (41-11)
Runner Up – Whittier Gold Sox, Whittier, California (33-14)

Orange Lionettes defeated the Pekin-Lettes 5-0, then lost to the Brakettes 2-1, putting them in the losers bracket. It was there that this team did the improbable, reeling off 7 straight wins to capture the title. They won 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 4-1, 3-0, and then beat the Whittier Gold Sox 2 straight in the finals 3-2 and 1-0. By winning this championship, the Lionettes won their 6th championship, most amongst women’s teams. Ginny Hanselman hurled the 3-2 win in the first final.

Carol Gilmore outdueled MVP Louise Albrecht in a 13 inning 1-0 classic. The championship winning run was scored in the bottom of the 13th as Ricky Caito led off the inning with a triple, the next 2 batters were intentionally walked. Gilmore his a ground ball and the force play at home was good, but the catcher’s throw to first to try to double up Gilmore was late and then Johanna Moore, walked intentionally earlier, raced home with the winning run.

Ricki Caito, Orange Lionettes (started off the big 13th inning with a triple, then Johnna Moore and Sally Carman were intentionally walked to load the bases. Carol Gilmore came up and grounded to first, the throw to home was on time to get Caito, but the catcher tried to get Gilmore at first, but overthrew the bag allowing Moore to race home with the championship winning run.

Bertha Ragan-Tickey went 1-0, 16 IP, 27 K.

Ginny Hanselman (3-1, 25 IP, 10 K, 4 ER, including a no hitter and a perfect game).

  • MVP – E. Louise Albrecht, Whittier Gold Sox
  • HR Leader – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes – 1
  • Batting Leader – Janet Dicks, Reading Crystalettes – .429
  • Outstanding Pitcher – N/A

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (3-2, 31 IP, 63 K, 6-17, .353, 1 HR 2 Runs, 3 RBI)
P – E. Louise Albrecht, Whittier Gold Sox (5-2, 5 consecutive shutouts, 59 IP, 35 K, lost 3-2 and 1-0 in the 13 inning final)
P – Carol Gilmore, Orange Lionettes (5-0, 44 IP, 21 K, 5 Shutouts, WP in final game)
C – Arlene Eischens, Minneapolis Comets
C – Carol Lee, Whittier Gold Sox
1B – Shirley Topley, Orange Lionettes
2B – Carolyn Fitzwater, Erv Lind Florists
3B – Joan Paulson, Minneapolis Comets
SS – Carol Spanks, Orange Lionettes
OF – Janet Dicks, Reading Crystalettes (6-14, 3 Runs, 1 RBI)
OF – Darlene May, Whittier Gold Sox
OF – Chris “Pettina” Miner, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Audrey Betz, Reading Crystalettes
UTIL – Sharron Backus, Whittier Gold Sox

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Pat Whitman, Reading Crystalettes
P – Marion Fox, Filtro Electric Perks
P – Jan Berkland, Minneapolis Comets
C – Rosemary “Micki” Stratton, Raybestos Brakettes
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers
1B – Betty Cahill, Filtro Electric Perks
2B – Chris Ambord, Whittier Gold Sox
3B – Kay Williamson, Orange Lionettes
SS – Mildred Dixon, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Mary Thompson, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Beverly Ebbecke, Minneapolis Comets
OF – Colleen Riley, Whittier Gold Sox
OF – Joyce Moxley, Filtro Electric Perks
UTIL – Nancy Ito, Orange Lionettes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (8-1) (South Pacific Coast)
2. Whittier Gold Sox, Whittier, CA (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (4-2) (Host)
4. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (4-2) (Northwestern)
5t. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
5t. Reading Crystalettes, Reading, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. Takashimaya Department Store, Osaka (2-2) (Japan)
7t. Filtro Electric Perks, Toronto, ON (2-2) (East Canada)
9t. Old Dutch Brewerettes, Lorain, OH (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Cochituate Motors, Cochituate, MA (1-2) (New England)
9t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (1-2) (Southern)
9t. Minneapolis Comets, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Northern)
13t. Marauders, Elizabeth, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Pekin-Lettes, Peoria, IL (1-2) (West Central)
13t. Rebecca Methodist Girls, Memphis, TN (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Arnold Taylor Girls, Dallas, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. Ohse Meat Company, Topeka, KS (0-2) (Western)
17t. Tennessee Belles, Nashville, TN (0-2) (South Atlantic)
17t. Fresno Rockets, Fresno, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)

NOTES

Rocky Mountain Champ – Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT could not attend due to financial reasons. West Canada Champ – Premier Steelers, Edmonton, Alberta did not attend.

1962 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1962 held in Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
Runner Up – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut

The Bombers swept past 6 straight opponents outscoring their opponents 28-8 to win their sixth championship. They beat the Cardinals 3-2 in the winners bracket final as Weldon Haney outdueled Bill Massey. Then after Stratford eliminated Detroit and star hurler Bonnie Jones 3-1 in the losers bracket final, behind the great pitching of John Spring.

The Rayestos team got what they wanted, another crack at the Clearwater squad. John Spring started for Raybestos and they spotted him with a 1-0 lead after scoring a run in the top of the first, courtesy of George Adam’s single that scored Frankie Williams. Then Doug Mason slapped a single to score Jerry Curtis to tie the score in the 6th inning. Bill Massey came in to pitch in relief of Spring. The score was tied 1-1. In the top of the 8th, Raybestos scored a run as Bill Massey’s hit scored Frankie Williams to take a 2-1 lead. Clearwater came up and in the bottom of the 8th, Doug Mason’s single tied the score at 2 apiece. Ray Mink then hit a looping single to score Mason with the championship winning run. Haney was the MVP with a 5-0 record. Eddie King won the other game for the Bombers.

  • MVP – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers – .444
  • Home Run Leader – Frankie Williams, Stratford Cardinals – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Weldon Haney, Clearwater Bombers (5-0, 52 K, 42 IP)
P – Harvey Sterkal, Aurora Sealmasters (3-0, 39 K, 22 IP, 0 ER, 3 shutouts; also 4-10, .400 hitting)
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (3-0, 33 K, 29 IP, 1 ER)
C – Bobby Kuykendall, Clearwater Bombers
C – Jake Farland, Portland Bucks
1B – George Adams, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Frank Williams, Raybestos Cardinals (8-24, .333, 5 RBI, 7 Runs, 2 Doubles, 1 Triple)
3B – Jim Rubbelke, Whitaker Buick
SS – Eddie Mathias, Whitaker Buick
OF – Howard Johnson, Club 500
OF – Ned Wickersham, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Bob Butler, Portland Bucks
OF – Ben Breskovich, Mary All Stars
UT – Bill Massey, Raybestos Cardinals

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bonnie Jones, Club 500 (3-1, 25 IP, 28 K)
P – Jack Hutchinson, Portland Bucks
P – George Ulmer, Flat Iron Athletic Club (2-2)
C – Don Drake, Aylco Club
C – Clifford Smith, Aurora Sealmasters
1B – Herm Taggert, Flat Iron Athletic Club (5-12, .417, 2 2B, 3B, 4 RBI)
2B – Tommy Moore, Clearwater Bombers (8-18, 1 RBI, 2 Runs)
3B – Doug Mason, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Ricky Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Paul Delgobbo, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Phil Gatto, Portland Bucks
OF – Billy Parker, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Ron French, Raybestos Cardinals
UT – Al Thompson, DeJur Cameramen

OTHERS

Ed Johnson, Club 500 (1-1, 9 innings, 21 K)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-0) (Southern)
2. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-2) (Host)
3. Club 500, Detroit, MI (4-2) (East Central)
4. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (4-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Aylco Club, Decatur, IL (3-2) (West Central)
5t. Whitaker Buick, St. Paul, MN (4-2) (Northern)
7t. Portland Bucks, Portland, OR (3-2) (Northwestern)
7t. DeJur Cameramen, Long Island City, NY (2-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Flat Iron Athletic Club, Philadelphia, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Bayou Bombers, Lake Charles, LA (2-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Maddox Ice, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Mary All Stars, San Pedro, CA (2-2) (Couth Pacific Coast)
13t. Ralph Motors LTD, Calgary, Alberta (0-2) (West Canada)
13t. Champion YMCA, Canton, NC (0-2) (South Atlantic)
13t. JH Rose Truckline, Houston, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. YMI, Stockton, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
17t. Fleck’s Falstaff, Cedar Rapids, IA (0-2) (Central)
17t. Local 57 Engineers, Providence, RI (0-2) (New England
17t. Sabourin Mountain Park, Hull, Quebec (0-2) (East Canada)
17t. Bicardi Club, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico (0-2) (Puerto Rico)
17t. Whitthorne’s Glass House, Tucson, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)

1962 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1962 held at Cincinnati, Ohio.

Champion: Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio (45-1)
Runner Up: Rutenschrorer Florist, Cincinnati, Ohio

Dairy Cottage came back to defend their crown. During the 1961 season, Jean Shaffer was the leading hitter with a .531 average. She was followed by Connie Cash (.493), Cindy Winedurn (.471). Dana Gardens, which until tournament time was known as Tappass Musical Bar won the Cincinnati Metro ASA title over the same team they beat here in the National, Rutenschrorer. Last year (1961), they were known as Heidel’s Hall as they won the consolation flight in the 1961 Womens National Championship. In this year’s championship game, Dana Gardens Pitcher Dot Bailey got Rutenschrorer out with no runs after they loaded the bases in the first inning. The Dana Gardens defense turned the first of their 4 double plays in the game. Norma Eschenbrenner and Alberta Kohls had back to back hits to ignite Dana and get them started as they scored 6 runs in the first inning as they rolled to a 7-0 Championship game win. Dana Gardens previously had shutout the Covington Dukettes 8-0 in the Semi-Finas. . Dot Bailey surrendered only 5 runs in her 5 pitching victories, three of them by shutout.

  • MVP – Not awarded – (newspaper accounts all said it would have been Dot Bailey by virtue of her pitching and hitting)
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens (5-0 pitching, including shutout in both semi-final 8-0 and final 7-0, she surrendered only 3 runs in 5 games.)
  • Batting Leader – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens (11-16) – .688
  • Home Run Leader – Donna Moulton, Omaha Royals – 3

ASA MAJOR WOMEN’S SLOW PITCH ALL AMERICANS FIRST TEAM

P – Dot Bailey, Dana Gardens
C – Lavern Zurick, Dana Gardens
1B – Betty Dvorak, Dairy Cottage
2B – Marlene Menchen, Rutenschroer Florist
3B – Carol Zimprich, Windy Tap
SS – Nancy Oldham, Hickory Grove
SF – Jean Shafer, Dairy Cottage
OF – Betty DeSanto, Ohio Furniture
OF – Phyllis Robinson, Monroe Merchants
OF – Alberta Kohls, Dana Gardens (7-17, .412)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH (5-0)
2. Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH (4-1)
3t. Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY (2-1)
3t. Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY (2-1)
5t. Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE (2-1)
5t. Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH (1-1)
5t. BPW Hoosers, Louisville, KY (1-1)
5t. O’Jay Mills, Gordon, GA (1-1)

-Consolation Teams-

9. Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS 0-1 (4-1)
10. South Carolina State, SC 0-1 (3-2)
11t. Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 1-1 (3-2)
11t. Hickory Grove Redettes, Hickory Grove, NC 0-1 (1-2)
13t. Windy Tap Girls, Milwaukee, WI 0-1 (1-2)
13t. Hill Top Bar, Pittsburgh, PA 0-1 (0-2)
13t. Hillbillies, Clay, WV 0-1 (0-2)
13t. Nile Straight, TN 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Michigan State, MI 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Detroit, MI 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Ford Girls, St. Louis, MO 0-1 (0-2)
17t. Pinewood Park, West Palm Beach, FL 0-1 (0-2)

SCORES

Single Elimination

First Round
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 7 Pinewood, FL 1
Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 8 St. Louis, MO 5
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 5 Detroit, MI 0
Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE 11 Michigan 0

Second Round
Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH 2 Hickory Grove, NC 1
BPW Hoosers, Louisville, KY 4 Hillbillies, Clay, WV 2
O’Jay Mills, Gordon, GA 5 Hill Top Bar, Pittsburgh, PA 4
Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY 11 Nile Straight, TN 6
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 10 Windy Tap, Milwaukee, WI 6
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 14 Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 1
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 10 South Carolina 2
Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE 11 Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS 8

Quarterfinals
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 5 Ohio Furniture, Cleveland, OH 3
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 4 BPW Hoosers, Louisville, KY 2
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 11 O’Jay Mills, Gordon, GA 3
Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY 6 Omaha Royals, Omaha, NE 3

Semifinals
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 8 Covington Dukettes, Covington, KY 0
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 3 Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 2

Championship
Dana Gardens, Cincinnati, OH 7 Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 0

Consolation Bracket

First Round
Windy Tap Girls, Milwaukee, WI W – Pinewood Park, West Palm Beach, FL L
South Carolina State, SC W – Michigan State, MI L
Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH W – Ford Girls, St. Louis, MO L
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 13 – Detroit Metro, MI 2

Second Round
Hickory Grove, NC W – Windy Tap Girls, Milwaukee, WI L
South Carolina State, SC W – Hill Top Bar, Pittsburgh, PA L
Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH W – Hillbillies, Clay, WV L
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 18 – Nile Straight, TN 8

Semifinals
South Carolina State, SC W – Hickory Grove, NC L
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 3 – Monroe Merchants, Middleton, OH 2

Consolation Final
Aughinbaugh Canning, Biloxi, MS 2 – South Carolina State, SC 1 (Kathleen Bilicko was Winning Pitcher as Branda Babuchuna’s Walk Off HR in 7th won the Game)

1961 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1961 held at Rock Island, Illinois on August 26-September 4.

Champion – Dautrich Realty, El Paso, Texas
Runner Up – Manning, Maxwell, & Moore, Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Bob Naab, Hamms Beer
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Paul Lopez, Dautrich Realty
  • Leading Hitter – Dude Ausmus, Dautrich Realty – .500
  • Most RBI – Mel Montz, Hamms Beer – 6

1961 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Paul Lopez, Dautrich Realty (4-0, 0.51 ERA, 33 K, 4 BB)
P – Bob Naab, Hamms Beer (5-0, 1.07 ERA, 40 K, 8 BB)
P – Howard Heuston, Manning, Maxwell, & Moore (4-2, 1.08 ERA, 38 K, 4 BB)
C – Jack Palmore, Dautrich Realty .429
IF – James Kennimer, Manning, Maxwell, & Moore .471
IF – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks .314
IF – John Kipp, Hamms Beer .391
IF – Mel Montz, Hamms Beer .304
IF – Jelly Hayes, Manning, Maxwell, & Moore .278
UTIL – Dutch Ausmus, Manning, Maxwell, & Moore .250
OF – John Plummer, Cotter Corp .400
OF – Jim Aversing, Hamms Beer .385
OF – Dude Ausmus, Dautrich Realty .500
OF – Roger Hull, Nitehawks .357

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Dautrich Realty, El Paso, TX
2. Manning Maxwell & Moore, Tulsa, OK
3. Hamms Beer, Rock Island, IL
4. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
5t. Fred M. Nye Co., Ogden, UT
5t. Merchants, Arlington, TX
7t. Val-Po’s, Valparaiso, IN
7t. Wilson D-X Oilers, East Moline, IL
9t. New Westminster, BC
9t. Cotter Corp, Canon City, CO
9t. All-Indian Champion’s, Ft. Cobb, Ok
9t. Condors, Dinuba, CA
13t. Grittons, Durant, IA
13t. McCord Music Co., Dallas, TX
13t. Snow Jewelry Co., Clinton, OK
13t. Chucks Grill, McKeesport, PA
17t. Rockets, Sandusky, OH
17t. St. Michael’s Political Club, Gary, IN
17t. Harold’s Club, Reno, NV

1961 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1961 held at Louisville, Kentucky

Champion – Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Plateau Athletic Club, New York City, New York (68-9)

Hamilton Tailors eliminated Gatliff’s 11-1 behind Sam Minitti’s Pitching. Then the Tailors had to win both games in the finals to repeat as ASA Open National Champions.

Sam Minnitti pitched a 5-2 victory in the first game and also hit a 3-run home run to win the game in the 7th inning. Then he came back and pitched 3-hit shutout against the powerful New York City team to clinch the championship 2-0. Minnitti gave up only 7 total hits in both games. He also went 7-1 overall as a pitcher and in 8 games, only gave up 22 runs, including a shutout and three 1-run games. Somehow he was not named the MVP.

Jim Harper of 4th place Ready-Mix from Knoxville was named MVP. Minnitti was named Most Valuable Pitcher. Counting the 1960 Nationals where he was 9-1, Minniti had a 16-2 pitching record in the back to back titles. Becoming only the second team to perform this feat.

Gatliff’s of Kentucky won two straight in 1956 and 57. Plateau AC won its first 5 games, defeating The Tailors along the way 9-8 to send them to the losers bracket. Plateau’s stars were Bob Beier and George O’Neill, who both started off the tournament with 8 straight hits and Morty Weinberg, who excelled in short field and hit 2 HR also.

  • MVP – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete
  • Most Valuable Pitcher Award – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors
  • HR Leader – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto – .650

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors (7-1, pitching and 2 HR)
C – Jim Harper, Ready Mix Concrete – won award, even though his team finished 5th.
1B – Harry Phillips, Wilsman Trucking
2B – Bob Beier, Plateau AC
3B – Virgil Hoffman, Duffy’s Tavern
SS – Ron Cutter, Hamilton Tailors
SF – Mort Weinberg, Plateau AC (2 HR)
OF – Leo Wilham, Gatliff Auto Sales
OF – Ron Annotico, Sheffield Bronze
OF – Hal Wiggins, Gatliff Auto Sales (13-20, .650)

OTHERS

Joe Okruhlica, Wilsman Trucking (11-21, .524, 10 Runs)
Jim Wessell, Wilsman Trucking (10-24, .417, 1 HR, 5 Runs)
Dick Bonar, Wilsman Trucking (10-24, .417, 3 HR, 8 Runs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (7-1)
2. Plateau Athletic Club, Maspeth, New York, NY (5-2)
3. Gatliff Auto Sales, Newport, KY (5-2)
4. Krivian Club, Springdale, PA 4-2
5t. Ready-Mix Concrete, Knoxville, TN (5-2)
5t. Wilsman’s Trucking, Hamilton, OH (5-2)
7t. Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, KY (4-2)
7t. Daly Drive-In, Detroit, MI (3-2)
9t. French Town Bar, Monroe, MI (4-2)
9t. Kelly’s Jet System Hamburger, Richmond, VA (4-2)
9t. Knights of St. John, Louisville, KY (3-2)
9t. Johnson Construction Company, Macon, GA (2-2)
13t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
13t. Al’s Green Tavern, Rochester, NY (2-2)
13t. Mike’s Bar, Minneapolis, MN (2-2)
13t. Freightways, Toledo, OH (2-2)
17t. Seawall Restaurant, Bridgeport, CT (3-2)
17t. Mobile All-Stars, Mobile, AL (2-2)
17t. Otto Candies, New Orleans, LA (2-2)
17t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (1-2)
17t. Mt. Carmel, Worcester, MA (1-2)
17t. 5 and 10 Tap, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Carter Sporting Goods, Tallahassee, FL (1-2)
17t. Field Shop, Miami, FL (1-2)
25t. Olden A.A., Trenton, NJ (2-2)
25t. Burch’s Blue Note, Hopkins, MN (1-2)
25t. Antonelli’s Restaurant, Warwick, RI (0-2)
25t. V&M Foods, Pass Christian, MS (0-2)
25t. Gold Bond Stamps, Atlanta, GA (0-2)
25t. U.S. National Bank, Omaha, NE (0-2)
25t. South Bend Merchants, South Bend, IN (0-2)
25t. Tip Toe Inn, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
33t. Peterson’s, Big Bend, WI (0-2)
33t. Stan’s Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
33t. Reno County, South Hutchinson, KS (0-2)
33t. Charlies Mustangs, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
33t. Dougies Restaurant, San Antonio, TX (0-2)
33t. Indiana Avenue Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)

1961 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1961 held at Portland, Oregon.

Champion – Whittier Gold Sox, Whittier, California
Runner Up – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, Connecticut (60-9)

Joan Joyce hurled a 2-0, 1-hit shutout to beat the Gold Sox and vault the Brakettes into the final “if” game show down. After 14 innings of scoreless ball as Joan Joyce and Louise Mazzucca hurled inning after inning of shutout ball. In the top of the 15th inning.

The Brakettes’ Mary Dowling drove in Joan Joyce to make the score 1-0. But in the bottom of the 15th, Sherry Noland came up to pinch hit and worked Joyce for a walk. She scored on Sharon Backus cluth hit to tie the score again, this time at 1-1.

Both pitchers kept throwing, Joyce registering 40 strikeouts in the game. In the bottom of the 19th inning with 2 outs, Colleen Riley got her second hit of the game. Up came Sherry Noland and she stood on the batters box as Riley stole second and third.  Noland and the Whittier squad shocked the world with a squeeze bunt and before the ball could be fielded cleanly. Riley raced the third base line and slid across the plate into history.

Whittier’s Sharon Backus had two hits in the game. The hitting stars for the Brakettes were Mickey Macchietto-Stratton (13-38, .342, 2B, 6 Runs), Joan Joyce (10-37, .284, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI and 4 Runs) and Millie Dixon (8-35, .205, 2 3B and 5 Runs).

Bertha Ragan-Tickey was 2-1 with 41 strikeouts in 27 IP for the Brakettes, she also pitched a shutout.

Gena Adams of Spud-Nut Shamrocks went 3-9, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .333, 3 RBI.

  • MVP – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes
  • HR Leader – Joyce Moxley, Filtro Electric Perks – 1
  • HR Leader – Gena Adams, Spud-Nut Shamrocks – 1
  • Batting Leader – Pam Kurrell, Lock Drug Jets – .571
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Joan Joyce, Raybestos Brakettes (6-1, 130 K, 61 IP, 4 shutouts, no hitter, perfect game, including 40 K in 19 inn. title game 2-1 loss, 32 IP/67 K on final day; Joyce was also 10-37, .270, 4 RBI, 4 Runs)
P – Louise “Chris” Mazzuca, Erv Lind Florists (4-1, 4 Shutouts, 73 K, 40 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits)
P – E. Louise Albrecht, Whittier Gold Sox (4-0, 2 ER, 39 IP, 17 K, beat Joan Joyce 2-1 in 19 inn final game)
C – Micki Macchietto-Stratton, Raybestos Brakettes (set record with 13 hits; 13-38, .342, 6 Runs)
C – Joy Collict, Filtro Electric Perks
1B – Shirley Topley, Vancouver Queens
2B – Mildred Dixon, Raybestos Brakettes
3B – Marie Ottaviano, Raybestos Brakettes
SS – Beverly Mulonet, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Pam Kurrell, Lock Drug Jets (8-14, 2 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 Doubles, 2 Triples)
OF – Darlene May, Whittier Gold Sox
OF – Joyce Moxley, Filtro Electric Perks (5-15, .333, 6 RBI)
UTIL – Angela Blasse, Burry Biscuit Marauders
UTIL – Elsa Wernonen, Erv Lind Florists

SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Marion Fox, Filtro Electric Perks (3-2, 3 shutouts)
C – Bobbie Bertini, Lock Drug Jets
1B – Audrey McComsey, Reading Crystalettes
2B – Chris Ambord, Whittier Gold Sox
3B – Marie Stout, Burry Biscuit Marauders
SS – Roma Menold, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Diane Kalliam, Lock Drug Jets
OF – Hap Beryl-Piper, Erv Lind Florists
OF – Pat Walker, Orlando Rebels

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Whittier Gold Sox, Whittier, CA (5-1) (South Pacific Coast)
2. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (8-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Filtro Electric Perks, Toronto, ON (3-2) (East Canada)
4. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (5-2) (Host)
5t. Pekin-Lettes, Peoria, IL (2-2) (West Central)
5t. Orlando Rebels, Orlando, FL (2-2) (Southern)
7t. Reading Crystalettes, Reading, PA (3-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. Lock Drug Jets, Redwood City, CA (2-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Bryant Builders Tomboys, Atlanta, GA (2-2) (South Atlantic)
9t. Minneapolis Comets, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Northern)
9t. Yakima Webb Cats, Yakima, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. VFW Merchants, Adrian, MI (1-2) (East Central)
13t. Spud-Nut Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. South Hill Queens, Vancouver, BC (1-2) (West Canada-British Columbia)
13t. Burrey Biscuit Marauders, Elizabeth, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Falstaffettes, Houston, TX (0-2) (Texas)
17t. West Bend Lionettes, New Orleans, LA (0-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Oshe Meat Company, Topeka, KS (0-2) (Western)
17t. Cochituate Corvettes, Cochituate, MA (0-2) (New England)

NOTES

West Canada-Alberta Champ – Premier Steelers, Alberta did not attend.

1961 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1961 held in Clearwater, Florida.

Champion – Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, Illinois
Runner Up – Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, Michigan

Aurora Sealmasters ace Harvey Sterkal pitched a 2-0, 3-hit shutout in the championship game to defeat the Detroit squad and Tournament MVP Bonnie Jones. Detroit won their first game 5-2 over Homestead, FL, then were defeated 3-0 by Stratford Cardinals. Bonnie Jones then reeled off 7 consecutive shutouts to lead the Burch Gage into the finals. He beat Dutch Elbers and his 7-Up team of St. Paul, MN 1-0 in the loser’s bracket finals before his magic arm wore out against the Sealmasters in the 10th straight game he pitched. He surrendered 5 hits and only had 5 strikeouts in the final.

  • MVP – Bonnie Jones, Burch Gage & Tool
  • Batting Leader – Leroy Hess, Sealmasters – .462
  • Home Run Leader – Bill Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Bill Parker, Homestead – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Rick Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers -1
  • Home Run Leader – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers -1
  • Home Run Leader – Howard Johnson, Burch Gage & Tool – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Paul Ruggerello, Burch Gage & Tool – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Dick Furrer, Thurmer’s Bar – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Ben Harrison, Jackson Sporting Goods – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Bob Farney, Aurora Sealmasters – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Red Bert, Standard Oilers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Jim Ivey, Combustion Engineers – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters (3-0, 42 K, 21 IP, 1 ER, pitched 2-0, 3-hitter in championship game, had 2 shutouts total)
P – Chuck “Carlie” Richards, Aurora Sealmasters (2-0, 21 K, 18 IP, 0 ER, 2 shutouts).
P – Bonnie Jones, Burch Gage & Tool (8-2, 7 shutouts, 77 IP, 88 K, 7 runs, 5 ER, lost final game to Harvey Sterkal 2-0)
C – Leroy Hess, Aurora Sealmasters (6-13, 3 RBI, 1 Run)
C – Ed Ketterer, Burch Gage & Tool
1B – Sam Lombardo, Burch Gage & Tool
2B – Jerry Schaber, 7-Up
3B – Bill Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals
SS – Ricky Tomlinson, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Howie Johnson, Burch Gage & Tool
OF – Paul Ruggurello, Burch Gage & Tool
OF – Bob Farney, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Jim Duncan, Raybestos Cardinals
UT – Cy Phelps, Burch Gage & Tool

SECOND TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Dutch Elbers, 7-Up (3-2, 38 IP, 27 K)
P – Ritchie Stephen, Gardenia Merchants
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals
C – Dick Furrer, Thurmer’s Bar
C – Harry Hancock, Standard Oil
1B – Bill Dickson, Aurora Sealmasters
2B – Bob Barren, Clearwater Bombers (4-13, .308, was 2-3 with a run scored in the championship game)
3B – Don Ropp, Aurora Sealmasters
SS – George Caloia, Burch Gage & Tool
OF – Med Walsh, Aurora Sealmasters
OF – Jim Ivey, Combustion Engineers
OF – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Phil Portell, Thurmer’s Bar
UT – Tom Moore, Clearwater Bombers

OTHERS

Gene Barr, Clearwater Bombers (1-0, no-hitter)
Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers (2-1, no-hitter)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Aurora Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (5-0) (West Central)
2. Burch Gage & Tool, Detroit, MI (8-2) (East Central)
3. 7-Up, St. Paul, MN (3-2) (Northern)
4. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (3-2) (New England)
5t. Thurmer’s Bar, St. Louis, MO (4-2) (Western)
5t. Standard Oil, Clearwater, FL (3-2) (Host)
7t. Gardenia Merchants, Gardenia, CA (3-2) (South Pacific Coast)
7t. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (3-2) (Defending Champ)
9t. Combustion Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (2-2) (South Atlantic)
9t. DeJur-Amsco Camera, Long Island City, NY (1-2) (Mid Atlantic)
9t. Homestead, Miami-Dade, FL (2-2) (Southern)
9t. Ponce Cement, Ponce, Puerto Rico (1-2) (Puerto Rico)
13t. Jackson Sporting Goods, Pasadena, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Independent Merchants, Opelousas, LA (0-2) (Southwestern)
13t. Zeb Pearce, Mesa, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Flat Iron AC, Philadelphia, PA (0-2) (Central Atlantic)
17t. Park National Hotel, Sudbury, Ontario (0-2) (East Canada)
17t. Calgary Orioles, Calgary, Alberta (0-2) (West Canada)
17t. Our Chapel of Memories, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Burgermeister Burgies, Stockton, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)

NOTES

U.S. Navy Champ – West Coast Packers, Pacific Fleet did not attend.

1961 ASA Women’s Major Slow Pitch Nationals

1961 held at Cincinnati, Ohio.

Champion: Dairy Cottage, Covington, Kentucky (29-1)
Runner Up: Cleveland Jets, Cleveland, Ohio

Dairy Cottage got 5 runs in 7th inning highlighted by Kathy Walz’s 3rd hit of the game, a 3-run home run, leading the 11-hit attack that gave Dairy Cottage pitcher Sandy Conway the 9-6 victory over the Cleveland Jets in the Women’s first official Slow Pitch National Championship. Conway was 3-0 pitching for the champs. Her teammates had her back scoring 30 runs in the 3 games Dairy Cottage won, Conway surrendered eleven runs.

The 7th inning uprising was highlighted by Cindy Windburn and Joyce Mason, both delivered 2-run singles breaking a 4-4 tie in the top of the 7th, making the score 9-4. Mason had 3 RBI in the game. Jean Lenzer collected 2 Doubles.

The Cleveland Jets tallied 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th, but it wasn’t enough. Gloria Weiss belted a triple for the Jets in that game to tie the score at 4 earlier in the game. Cleveland Jets Ruth Poole was the losing pitcher, but she did hit a home run for the Jets. In the semifinals, Ruth Poole came through with a clutch single in the 10th inning to clinch the victory for the Cleveland Jets.

In the other semifinal, Kathy Walz and Sandy Conway both hit a home run and accounted for 5 RBI in the Dairy Cottage 13-3 win over Rutenschorer.

Although she did not make the All America Squad, Rutenschroer’s Norma Eschenbrenner is reported to have had a .602 average during the course of the season.

Dairy Cottage won the first Women’s ASA Slow Pitch Northern Kentucky Championship to qualify for the National. They defeated Vater Playground 17-3 in the final. Donna Clousterman hit 3 HR for Dairy Cottage in the event.

Winning pitcher Sandy Conway backed by the hitting of Kathy Walz, 3 hits, including a 2-Run HR; Jean Lenzer, 2 2B and Joyce Mason, 3 RBI

  • MVP – Not awarded (Newspaper accounts say it would have been Sandy Conway for her pitching and hitting)
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Sandy Conway, Dairy Cottage (3-0 pitching record)
  • Batting Leader – Kathy Walz, Dairy Cottage – Most Hits
  • HR Leader – Kathy Walz, Dairy Cottage – 3

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – Sandy Conway, Dairy Cottage (3-0 pitching including a HR in the semi-final)
C – Rose Scheutzow, Cleveland Jets
1B – Betty Dvorak, Dairy Cottage
2B – Kathy Walz, Dairy Cottage (HR in semifinals and 3-3 with a HR in the final)
3B – Nancy Margrath, Heidel’s Hall
SS – Barbara Klicka, Cleveland Jets
OF – Betty DeSanto, Cleveland Jets
OF – Jean Lenzer, Dairy Cottage
OF – Carol Smith, Rutenschroer Florist

HONORABLE MENTION

3B – Connie Cash, Dairy Cottage

FINAL STANDINGS (Single Elimination)

1. Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY (3-0)
2. Cleveland Jets, Cleveland, OH (2-1)
3t. Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH (2-1)
3t. Louisville Has-Beens, Louisville, KY (1-1)

— last 6 teams went to consolation flight —

5. Heidel’s Hall, Cincinnati, OH 1-1 (3-1)
6. Zee’s Nite Club, Perrysburg, OH 0-1 (2-2)
7. Fin ‘N Feather, Milwaukee, WI 0-1 (1-2)
8. Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS 0-1 (0-2)
8. Ellisvile Girls, St. Louis, MO 0-1 (1-2)
8. Interstate Life Insurance, Chattanooga, TN 0-1 (0-2)

SCORES

First Round
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 4 Interstate Life Ins., Chattanooga, TN 1
Heidel’s Hall, Cincinnati, OH 5 Fin ‘N Feather, Milwaukee, WI 0

Quarterfinals
Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 7 Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS 0
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 8 Zee’s Nite Club, Perrysburg, OH 2
Louisville Has-Beens, Louisville, KY 4 Ellisville Girls, St. Louis, MO 3
Cleveland Jets, Cleveland, OH 6 Heidel’s Hall, Cincinnati, OH 5

Semifinals
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 13 Rutenschorer Florist, Cincinnati, OH 3 — Cathy Walz and Sandy Conway both hit home runs for Dairy Cottage.
Cleveland Jets, Cleveland, OH 2 Louisville Has-Beens, Louisville, KY 1 — Ruth Poole had a single in 10th inning drove in winning run for Cleveland

Championship
Dairy Cottage, Covington, KY 9 Cleveland Jets, Cleveland 6

CONSOLATION STANDINGS

1. Heidel’s Hall, Cincinnati, OH (2-0)
2. Zee’s Nite Club, Perrysburg, OH (2-1)
3. Fin ‘N Feather, Milwaukee, WI (1-1)
3. Ellisvile Girls, St. Louis, MO (0-1)
5. Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS (0-1)
5. Interstate Life Insurance, Chattanooga, TN (0-1)

CONSOLATION SCORES

First Round
Fin ‘N Feather, Milwaukee, WI 14 Interstate Life Ins., Chattanooga, TN 1
Zee’s Nite Club, Perrysburg, OH 12 Aughinbaugh Canning Company, Biloxi, MS 1

Semifinals
Heidel’s Hall, Cincinnati, OH 4 Ellisvile Girls, St. Louis, MO 2
Zee’s Nite Club, Perrysburg, OH 1 Fin ‘N Feather, Milwaukee, WI 0

Consolation Final
Heidel’s Hall, Cincinnati, OH 11 Zee’s Nite Club, Perrysburg, OH 0

1960 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1960 held at Long Beach, California on August 27-September 5.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Sertoma Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Howard Heuston, Sertoma Club
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – LeRoy Zimmerman, Nitehawks
  • Leading Hitter – Jerry Branson, Lucky Lager – .500
  • Most RBI – N/A

1960 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – LeRoy Zimmerman, Nitehawks (4-0, 0.17 ERA, 52 K, 2 BB)
P – Kenny Wycoff, Dautrich Realty (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 26 K, 3 BB)
P – Howard Heuston, Manning, Maxwell, & Moore (4-2, 1.08 ERA, 38 K, 4 BB)
C – Stan White, Nitehawks .241
C – Jack Palmore, Dautrich Realty .222
IF – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks .314
IF – Larry Silvas, Nitehawks .441
IF – Don Jordan, Dolphins .385
IF – Jim Hosch, Sertoma Club .314
OF – Jerry Branson, Lucky Lager .500
OF – Lucky Humiston, Nitehawks .485
OF – Dude Ausmus, Sertoma Club .455
OF – Steve Kennedy, Merchants .455
UTIL – Bert Williams, Dautrich Realty .384

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Sertoma Club, Tulsa, OK
3. Dolphins, Escondido, CA
4. Dautrich Reality, El Paso, TX
5t. Monty’s Resturant, Ft. Wayne, IN
5t. El Paso Gas Products Co., Farmington, NM
7t. All Indian Champions, Fort Cobb, OK
7t. Thompson’s, Longmont, CO
9t. Lucky Lager, New Westminster, BC
9t. Dautrich Reality, El Paso, TX
9t. Hays Roofing, Phoenix, AZ
9t. US Navy Rockets
13t. Temco Aircraft, Dallas, TX
13t. Nye’s Florsheim, Ogden, UT
13t. Merchants, Taft, CA
13t. Griffey’s Donuts, Las Vegas, NV
17t. Falstaff, Macomb, IL
17t. Casablcionals, Tiajuana, MX

1960 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1960 held at Toledo, Ohio

Champion – Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, Ohio

After being dropped to the loser’s bracket by losing to Sheffield 12-9, Hamilton Tailors had to win five straight games and did so with the pitching of Sam Minniti, defense of Third Baseman, Don Sawyer (who made diving grabs to rob Sheffield of at least 4 hits). Sheffield defeated Buckhorn Cafe of Toledo in the winners bracket final 16-7. Hamilton Tailors came back to eliminate Buckhorn 16-5 in the semi-final to set the stage for the championship against Sheffield Bronze. With Sam Minniti on the mound, The Tailors defeated Sheffield twice; 12-4 and then 17-2 to claim the title.

Bernie Roeckers was 4-5 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI in the final game. Sam Minniti surrendered 14 runs in the five straight wins to the title after the loss to Sheffield. Including the 12 runs he gave up to Sheffield in the loss, Minniti gave up just 41 runs in the 10 games. He was 9-1 in the tournament.

  • MVP – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors
  • HR Leader – Denny Braun, Sheffield Bronze – 6
  • Batting Leader – Paul Nutley, Hamilton Tailoring – .667

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Sam Minniti, Hamilton Tailors (9-1, pitched 5-hitter in championship, gave up only 43 runs in 10 games)
C – Ed French, Hamilton Tailors
1B – Jim Desmond, Buckhorn Cafe
2B -Bernie Roeckers, Hamilton Tailors
3B -Don Rardin, Yorkshire Restaurant
SS -Paul Tomasovich, Skip Hogans
OF – Paul Nutley, Hamilton Tailoring (18-27, .667)
OF – Ron Annotico, Sheffield Bronze
OF – Denny Braun, Sheffield Bronze (6 HR)
OF – Charlie Conley, Yorkshire Restaurant

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hamilton Tailoring, Cincinnati, OH (9-1)
2. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (5-2)
3. Buckhorn Cafe, Toledo, OH (4-2)
4. Nassau Merchants, Maspeth, NY (5-2)
5t. Hogan A.C, Pittsburgh, PA (4-2)
5t. Textile Workers TWUA, Leaksville, NC (4-2)
7t. Yorkshire Restaurant, Newport, KY (4-2)
7t. Gatliff Motors, Newport, KY (4-2)
9t. Maizie’s Gasiorowski’s, Toledo, OH (2-2)
9t. Sox Inn, Detroit, MI (2-2)
9t. Duffy’s Tavern, Louisville, KY (2-2)
9t. Buddies Sporting Goods, Tallahassee, FL (2-2)
13t. Sill’s Sport Shop, Miami, FL (2-2)
13t. St. Louis Park Drug, St. Louis Park, MN (2-2)
13t. Cantwell Home Improvement, Knoxville, TN (2-2)
13t. Star Drive-In, New Orleans, LA (1-2)
17t. Black Bear Beverages, Milwaukee, WI (1-2)
17t. Schroeder’s Bunny Acres, Hutchinson, KS (1-2)
17t. Tobin’s, Rochester, NY (1-2)
17t. Krivian Club, Springdale, PA (1-2)
17t. Olden A.A., Trenton, NJ (1-2)
17t. Sunbeam Bread, Springfield, OH (1-2)
17t. Northern Scrap Iron, Minneapolis, MN (1-2)
17t. Pagliacci, St. Louis, MO (0-2)
25t. New-Mo Tavern, Oakland, CA (0-2)
25t. Schubert Garage, Indianapolis, IN (0-2)
25t. Richmond Rebels, Richmond, VA (0-2)
25t. Smithfield Fire Company, Greenville, RI (0-2)
25t. Edgemere Lodge, Edgemere, MA (0-2)
25t. Bud and Al’s Service, Waukesha, WI (0-2)
25t. Wesley UM Church, Oklahoma City, OK (0-2)