Softball History USA

1953 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1953 held at Selma, California on August 31-September 7.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Merchants, Tampico, Illinois

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – N/A
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Ted Carlsgaard, Nitehawks
  • Leading Hitter – Al “Cotti” Cutruzzula, Hoak Packers – .500
  • Leading Hitter – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks – .500
  • Leading Hitter – Bill Doten, Navy Skyraiders – .500
  • Most RBI – N/A

1953 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Ted Carlsgaard, Nitehawks
P – Les Haney, Nitehawks
P – Roy Zimmerman, Hoak Packers
P – Bryon Voigt, Merchants
C – Stan White, Nitehawks
C – Hal Britton, Hoak Packers
1B – Al “Cotti” Cutruzzula, Hoak Packers
2B – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks
2B – Ed Heizenreader, Hoak Packers
3B – Bill Doten, Navy Skyraiders
SS – Nick Guarascio, Blatz
SS – Charles Blackstone, NAS Pointers
OF – Joe Kipp, Merchants
OF – Al McCoy, Lions
OF – Ray Meagher, Hoak Packers
UTIL – Lyle Underwood, Wright Cooler Kings
UTIL – Les Warden, Nitehawks

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
2. Merchants, Tampico, IL
3. Lions, Lorenzo, TX
4. Hoak Packers, Fresno, CA
5t. Berry Carter Plumbers, Tulsa, OK
5t. Navy Skyraiders, South Pacific
7t. Technicolor, Hollywood, CA
7t. Blatz, Kenosha, WI
9t. Doodlebug, Calgary, AB
9t. NAS Pointers, Barbers Point, HI
9t. Wright Cooler Kings, Phoenix, AZ
9t. Elites, New Bedford, IL
13t. Legion, Windsor, CO
13t. Army Navy Club, Massillon, OH
13t. Wyoming Angus, Johnstown, CO
13t. Snow Jewelers, Clinton, OK

1953 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1953 held at Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Champion – Betsy Ross Rockets, Fresno, California
Runner Up – Orange Lionettes, Anaheim, California

The Rocket’s Carol Nelson pitched the 2-0 championship game victory behind the hitting of Betty Schlegal who went 2-2. Kay Rich drove in the first run with a single and then Terry Urrutia’s deep fly to Center Field scored Gloria May to gave the Rockets an insurance run. Nelson gave up four hits and struck out 6. The Lionettes were gunning for their 4th straight championship which would have set a record. The Rockets had a strong pitching staff as Joan Alsup (2-1, shutout), Carol Nelson (3-0, 2 shutouts) and Vera Miller pitched very well in relief

Nonnie Hoehn, Orange Lionettes (2-0, 16 IP, 13 K)

Joy Collicut, Gartens (5-11, .455, 1 RBI)

Jeanne Contel (3 run HR)

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes
  • HR Leader – Bobby Jordan, Orange Lionettes (7-29, .241, RBI, 7 Runs) – 2
  • HR Leader – Bev Mulanet, Raybestos Brakettes (4-15, .267, 3 RBI, 4 Runs) – 2
  • HR Leader – Ann Edmondsen, Raybestos Brakettes (5-14, .357, 4 RBI, 3 Runs) – 2
  • Batting Leader – Mary Baker, Canadian Legion (8-16, 1 RBI, 3 Runs) – .500

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Margie Law, Phoenix Ramblers
P – Joan Alsup, Betsy Ross Rockets
P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (6-2, pitched a 1-0 11 inning shutout in the first final and then lost 2-0 in the final game, she struck out 10 in that game, she had 29 K in 24 IP on final day and 91 K total in 58 innings pitched. Ragan also struck 20 batters in a 7 inning game, falling just one strikeout short of a striking out every batter.)
P – Marion Fox, Gartens Furniture, (3-1, 30 IP, 19 Ks)
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers (7-18, .389, 2 Runs)
1B – Ruth Sears, Orange Lionettes (12-35, .343, 1 RBI, 4 Runs)
2B – Mildred Dixon, Orange Lionettes
3B – Jeanne Contel, Betsy Ross Rockets
SS – Kay Rich, Betsy Ross Rockets (6-18, .333, 3 doubles, 2 triples) and
OF – Gloria Barnes, Denver King Soopers
OF – Dena Kuczo, Raybestos Brakettes
OF – Laura Malesh, Regina, Canada Legion
UTIL – Mary Archer, Kalyx Cups

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Betsy Ross Rockets, Fresno, CA (5-1) (North Pacific Coast)
2. Orange Lionettes, Anaheim, CA (8-2) (Defending Champ)
3. King Soupers, Denver, CO (3-2) (Rocky Mountain)
4. Garten’s Furniture, Tornoto, ON (5-2) (Host)
5t. Raybestos Brackettes, Stratford, CT (2-2) (North Atlantic)
5t. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (2-2) (Cactus)
7t. Canadian Legion, Regina, SK (3-2) (West Canada)
7t. Dabdoub Motors, New Orleans, LA (2-2) (Southwestern
9t. Kalyx Cups, Toronto, ON (2-2) (East Canada)
9t. Arians, Linden, NJ (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
9t. Greenwood Electric, Des Moines, IA (1-2) (Western)
9t. G&W Construction, West Allis, WI (1-2) (West Central)
13t. Green Jackets, Bremerton, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Construction Hornets, Fort Worth, TX (1-2) (Texas)
13t. Advance Fireplace, Detroit, MI (0-2) (East Central)
13t. Nutrilite Lynx, Buena Park, CA (0-2) (South Pacific Coast)
17t. KIHO Cubs, Sioux City, SD (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA (0-2) (Southern)
17t. Garvin’s Grill, Washington, DC (0-2) (Central Atlantic)

NOTES

Dabdoub Motors, New Orleans went in place of Southwestern Champ – Baton Rough Solitaires, who could not attend. U.S. Navy Champ – Women Marine Recruit Depot, Pearl Harbor, HI could not attend. U.S. Air Force Champ – Lackland AFB Women Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, San Antonio, TX could not attend.

1953 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1953 held at Miami, Florida.

Champion – Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida

John Spring, Briggs Beautyware (5-1, 41 IP, 47 K, 3 shutouts on final day, including 1-0 losers bracket final victory over State Farm and then; 2-0 and 1-0 shutouts over Clearwater in the finals, Spring only surrendered 5 hits total in the two championship games. He pitched 5 games in 24 hours). In the final 2 games, he defeated two of the greatest pitchers in the game in John Hunter and Herb Dudley.

Paul Hoke Wilson led State Farm Insurance to a third place finish, lost a 1-0 losers bracket final to John Spring and the Briggs team.

  • MVP – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
  • Batting Leader – Joe Morecraft, Trenton Democrats (6-16, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 Runs, the 6 RBIs were in one game) – .375
  • Home Run Leader – Joe Morecraft, Trenton Democrats – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (3-1, 35 K, lost 1-0 one-hitter in the final for first defeat in national play after 10 straight wins)
P – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
P – Paul Hoke Wilson, State Farm Insurance (4-0, 27 IP, 24 K) – led them to a third place finish, lost a 1-0 losers bracket final to John Spring and the Briggs team. Howie Wieland was 1-1 for State Farm with a no hitter.
C – Jack Sweeting, American Industrial Flyers
1B – George Adam, Trenton Democratic Club
2B – Joe Everett, Clearwater Bombers
3B – Knobby Rosa, American Industrial Flyers
SS – Otto Salzman, State Farm Insurance
OF – Al Linde, Dow Chemical (5-14, .357, 1 Run)
OF – Dave Sayyae, Briggs Beautyware
OF – Bobby Forbes, Clearwater Bombers
UTIL – Jerry Zarick, Briggs Beautyware

OTHERS

Howie Wieland, State Farm Insurance was 1-1 with a no hitter.
Arno Lamb, AIS Miami Flyers was 3-1.
Herb Dudley, Clearwater Bombers hurled a 3-0 no hitter and then lost a 2-0 game to finish 1-1.
Rocco Palmeri, Briggs Beautyware, solo HR in 4th inning of final championship was only hit off John Hunter to give Briggs a 1-0 win and the title.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, MI (6-1) (Defending Champs)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (4-2) (Southern)
3. State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL (5-2) (West Central)
4. American Industrial Sales (AIS), Miami, FL (4-2) (Host)
5t. Dow Chemical AC, Midland, MI (2-2) (East Central)
5t. Jersey Ice Cream, Minneapolis, MN (2-2) (Northern)
7t. Elmendorf AFB Rockets, Anchorage, AK (2-2) (US Air Force)
7t. Trenton Democrats, Baltimore, MD (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
9t. Kenny Poe Plumbers, Boise, ID (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. Gators, Lake Jackson, TX (1-2) (Texas)
9t. Phillips 66 Oilers, Okmulgee, OK (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Kroszer’s Restaurant, Bridgeport, CT (1-2) (North Atlantic)
13t. Chapel-of-the-Oaks, Oakland, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Rochester Radio, Rochester, NY (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Heart-of-America Tobacco, Kansas City, MO (0-2) (Western)
13t. Naval Air Station, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)

NOTES

Kenny Poe Plumbers, Boise, ID went in place of Northwestern Champ Tacoma, WA, who could not attend. Cactus Champ – Peterson Brothers, Mesa, AZ who could not attend. South Pacific Coast Champ, Palemar Foods, San Diego, CA did not attend. US Army Champ, Green Hornets, Fort Lee, VA could not attend. US Navy Champ – US Navy Patrol Squadron 42, Kodiak, AK could not attend. East Canada Champ – Northern Electric, Verdun, Quebec could not attend. West Canada Champ – Giorday Fruits, Vancouver, British Columbia could not attend. Casino Espanol, Havana, Cuba did not attend.

1953 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1953 held at Deer Creek Common in Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport Recreation Field in Newport, Kentucky on September 3-5.

Champion – Shield’s Contractors, Newport, Kentucky (45-3)
Runner Up – Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Shield’s Contractors beat Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants 13-12 in winners bracket finals, Myron Reinhardt was 4-5, HR, double, and 4 RBI. Also leading Shield’s attack were Ted Stegeman (3-5, 3 doubles), John Henry (3-5), Al Rinehard (3-5, HR, 2B, and 4 RBI) and Don Heilman (double, triple, 3 RBI). The Merchants came back and beat Wolf’s Cafe of Cincinnati 6-1 in the loser’s bracket final to get another crack at the Kentucky squad.

Shield’s then beat Pittsburgh 13-1 in the championship game. Myron Reinhardt’s HR and 4 RBI led the way for Shield’s to capture the very first ASA Slow Pitch National Championship. Shield’s pitcher Roland Vorhees gave up only 5 hits and one run. Al Rinehard  (2 Doubles) and Bo Stuntebeck each had three hits in the title clincher.

Most of the teams entered were from the Ohio River Valley and Northern Kentucky. For the Merchants, Mike Sabbio was 4-8 with a HR and 3 RBI in the final two games Pittsburgh played, both losses to Shields.

The MVP was not awarded by many say Myron Reinhardt would have won easy, leading the tournament in average, home runs, and leading Shield’s to the title by going 11 for 16, .688 with 4 home runs.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Contractors – 4
  • Batting Leader – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Contractors – .688

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

N/A

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Shield’s Contractors, Newport, KY (4-0)
2. Pittsburgh Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, PA (3-2)
3. Wolf’s Café, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
4. D&G Café, Newport, KY (3-2)
5t. Baldwin Piano, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
5t. Club 42, Louisville, KY (2-2)
7t. Soddy Daisy Merchants, Chattanooga, TN (1-2)
7t. Prestonia Athletic Club, Louisville, KY (1-2)
9t. Homestead Café, Hamilton, OH (0-2)
9t. Schwedes Furniture/Charley Geigers, Lakewood, OH (0-2)

1952 NSC Women’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1952 held at Phoenix, Arizona.

Champion – A-1 Queens, Phoenix, Arizona (127-29)
Runner Up – Erv Lind Florist, Portland, Oregon

Erv Lind won winners bracket 3-1 over the A-1 Queens on Betty Evans 2-hitter and Margaret Dobson’s 2 hits, the Queens then eliminated the Mesa Premiums (the Old Funk Gems) 1-0 on a brilliant 12 inning performance by Charlotte Armstrong.

The A-1 Queens then had an insurmountable task at hand. they had to defeat the former ASA Champ Erv Lind Florist and their superstar pitcher, Bullet Betty Evans.

Charlotte Armstrong had just enough left in the tank to defeat the Florists and Doris Barrett 3-1 in the first final and then 3-1 over Betty Evans in the final championship game. Armstrong finished up 6-1 in the tournament and was the obvious choice for the Outstanding pitcher Award.

Erv Lind Florist didn’t exactly help themselves either as they committed 8 errors in the two games.

The Queens 5-3 championship game defeat was sparked by Lois Williams, who singled in Dodie Nelson with a run.

Charlotte Armstrong then came through with a big hit to drive in Williams to give the Queens a (4-2) lead.

Marge Yetmen later drove in an insurance run to make the final score 5-3.

The Florists won two of the big awards as left fielder Elizabeth Locke was named the MVP as she saved a countless number of runs from her left field position.

Margaret Dobson made the all-tournament team as the third basemen and also won the Miss Softball Award as well.

Seattle’s Marie Jull was the leading hitter as she went 7-14 and batted .500.

  • MVP Award – Elizabeth Locke, Erv Lind Florist (played a great left field for the Florists; singled, stole second and scored tying run in final)
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Charlotte Armstrong, A-1 Queens (6-1, won both championship games)
  • Leading Hitter – Marie Jull, Seattle (7-14) – .500
  • Miss Softball Award – Margaret Dobson, Erv Lind (Third Baseman, played defense like a champ and had a big part in the Erv Lind offense)

1952 NSC ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Charlotte Armstrong, Phoenix A-1 Queens (6-1)
P – Betty Evans Grayson, Erv Lind Florist (3-1)
P – Lottie Jackson, Mesa Premiums (3-1)
C – Dottie Moore, Erv Lind Florist
C – Lois Williams, Phoenix A-1 Queens
1B – Robbie Mulkey, Erv Lind Florist
2B – Margie Yetman, Phoenix A-1 Queens
3B – Margaret Dobson, Erv Lind Florist
SS – Jamie Deckard, Mesa Premiums
LF – Elizabeth Locke, Erv Lind Florist
CF – Dodie Nelson, Phoenix A-1 Queens
RF – Thelma Parrish, Erv Lind Florist
UTIL – Shirley Topley, Seattle Epicures
UTIL – Kay Rohrer, Mesa Premiums

FINAL STANDINGS

1. A-1 Queens, Phoenix, AZ (6-1)
2. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (4-2)
3. Passey-Bond Premiums, Mesa, AZ (5-2)
4. Seattle Epicures, Seattle, WA (2-2)
5t. Posten Tillage Sweethearts, Glendale, AZ (2-2)
5t. Franklin Sports, West Allis, WI (1-2)
7t. Blakley Rockettes, Mesa, AZ (2-2)
7t. Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (2-2)
9t. Motorettes, Culver City, CA (1-2)
9t. George Murphy Chevrolet, Los Angeles, CA (1-2) *
9t. Westerners, San Fernando, CA (1-2)
9t. Nut House Kids, Vancouver, BC (0-2)
13t. Vita-Gro Chicks, Mesa, AZ (0-2)
13t. Taplin’s Slick Chicks, Lamesa, CA (0-2) forfeited 2nd game

* includes 1 forfeit win

1952 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1952 held at Plainview, Texas on August 24-September 1.

Champion – Nitehawks, Long Beach, California
Runner Up – Navy Pointers, Barbers Point, Hawaii

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – N/A
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – LeRoy Zimmerman, Hoak Packers
  • Leading Hitter – Rip Sewel, Primm Drug
  • Most RBI – N/A

1952 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – LeRoy Zimmerman, Hoak Packers
P – Ted Carlsgaard, Nitehawks
P – Jack Randall, Nitehawks
P – Bill Horstmann, Hoak Packers
C – Hal Britton, Hoak Packers
C – Stan White, Nitehawks
1B – Al “Cotti” Cutruzzula Hoak Packers
2B – Ed Heizenrader, Hoak Packers
2B – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks
SS – Elmer Todd, Pointers
3B – Don Montague, Pointers
OF – Lou Novikoff, Nitehawks
OF – Phil Crage, Pointers
OF – Rip Sewell, Primm Drug
UTIL – James Abbott, Murrell Furniture
UTIL – Paul “Scat” Harrah, A.F.of L.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hoak Packers, Fresno, CA
2. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
3. Navy Pointers, Barbers Point, HI
4. Wyoming Angus, Johnstown, CO
5t. Primm Drug, Brownfield, TX
5t. Murrell Furniture, Plainview, TX
7t. A.F.of L., Coldwater, OH
7t. Phillips 66, Borger, TX
9t. Creamery Industry, Calgary, AB
9t. Boosters, Colidge, AZ
9t. Mancini Hardware, Cranston, RI
9t. Bollman Oilers, New Bedford, IL
13t. Clough Furniture, Greeley, CO
13t. Snow Jewelry, Clinton, OK
13t. Natural Gas, El Paso, TX
13t. Farmer, Ralls, TX

1952 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1952 held at Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Champion – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California
Runner Up – PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, Arizona

The Lionettes became the first team since the famous New Orleans Jax Maids to win 3 consecutive world championships. The Jax Maids performed the feat in 1945-1947.

The Rambler’s Amy Peralta-Shelton highlighted the first inning with a run scoring double and later scored. Dot Wilkinson and Locha Diaz also had hits and scored runs in the inning as well. This ignited the fireworks over the Fresno Rockets in the semi-final game. The Ramblers scored 4 in that first inning and won the game 8-2 behind the pitching of Margie Law to advance them into the finals against the Lionettes. The Rockets finished third as they lost their first game, then won 5 straight before the loss to the Ramblers. The Ramblers then defeated the Lionettes in the first final 3-2 behind Margaret Dobson’s 2-run homer. Bertha Ragan then came through with the 2-0 pitching gem in the final game, despite 2 hits by Amy Peralta-Shelton. Margie Law hurled the final two games for the Ramblers winning the first and losing the final. Amy May-Peralta-Shelton was 3-6 in the final two games to lead the Ramblers offense. Dot Wilkinson batted .360 for the Ramblers during the tournament.

Amy Peralta Shelton (9-23, .391, 2 RBI, 4 Runs, 1 2B, 2 3B)

Jean Contel, Fresno (9-21, .429, 4 RBI, 1 Run)

Vera Miller, Fresno Rockets (3-0, pitched 2 shutouts and gave up 1 ER in 27 IP)

Carolyn Broady, Buena Park (7-15, .467, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 Runs).

Bea Sanderson, Nortowns (10-22, .455, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 Runs).

Loretta Chushuk, Kansas City Dons (5-10, .500, 1 RBI, 1 Run) – .500

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes
  • HR Leader– Carolyn Broady, Buena Park – 1
  • HR Leader  – Bea Sanderson, Nortowns – 1
  • HR Leader  – Kay Rich, Fresno Rockets – 1
  • HR Leader  – Carolyn Thome, Dieselettes – 1
  • HR Leader – Fortune, NY Pandoras – 1
  • HR Leader – Breen, Nortowns – 1
  • HR Leader – Richmond, Rockets – 1
  • HR Leader – Ray, Buena Park Lynx – 1
  • Batting Leader – Loretta Chushuk, Kansas City Dons – .500

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (6-1, 51 IP, 65 K, 4 shutouts, including a 2-0 championship game win in which she struck out 6)
P – Terry Hiltz, Toronto Nortowns (4-2, 37 IP, 50 K)
P – Margie Law, PBSW Ramblers (5-2, 47 IP, 58 K, 3 Shutouts, no-hitter and two 1-hitters)
C – Dot Wilkinson, PBSW Ramblers
1B – Newlyn Greer, Carpenters Local 1098
2B – Jake Duncan, KC Dons
3B – Lu Mahoney, Buena Park Lynx
SS – Kay Rich, Fresno Rockets (8-20, .400, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 Runs, 17 Total Bases)
OF – Carolyn Thome, Caterpillar Dieselettes (4-18, .222, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 Runs)
OF – Irene Huber, Fresno Rockets
OF – Elaine Harris, Orange Lionettes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange Lionettes, Anaheim, CA (6-1) (Defending Champ)
2. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (5-2) (Cactus)
3. Betsy Ross Rockets, Fresno, CA (5-2) (North Pacific Coast)
4. Nortowns, Toronto, ON (4-2) (Host)
5t. Caterpillar Dieselettes, Peoria, IL (3-2) (West Central)
5t. Merchants, Metamora, OH (2-2) (East Central)
7t. Phoenix Clothier Rockettes, Allentown, PA (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
7t. Nutrilite Lynx, Buena Park, CA (2-2) (South Pacific Coast)
9t. Carpenters Local #1098, Baton Rouge, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Goss ON Ross, Dallas, TX (1-2) (Texas
9t. KC Dons, Kansas City, MO (1-2) (Western)
9t. Pandoras, New York City, NY (1-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
13t. Kalyx Cups, Toronto, ON (1-2) (Canada)
13t. Hanes Hosiery, Winston-Salem, NC (1-2) (Southern)
13t. King Soupers, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
13t. Green Jackets, Bremerton, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
17t. Victor’s Market, Minneapolis, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Wallingford Owlettes, Wallingford, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)

1952 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1952 held at Stratford, Connecticut.

Champion – Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, Michigan
Runner Up – American Industrial Sales Flyers, Miami, Florida (113-11)

John Spring of Briggs Beautyware was 5-0, 35 IP, 57 Ks, the 22 year old Spring pitched a perfect game in the winners bracket-finals to defeat Buck Miller and his Memphis squad and then came back with a 2-1 three-hitter in the finals.

Buck Miller of Memphis Corbitt Motors Independents went 3-2, 44 IP, 55 K.

Al Linde of Dow AC was 5-14, .357, 1 RBI, 4 Runs.

George Adam, Briggs went 7-17, .412, 3 RBI, 1 Run.

Miami Flyers Eddie Feigner went 3-1, 30 IP, 47 Ks, 3 shutouts and Arno Lamb 2-1, shutout, lost final game 2-1. Eddie King also pitched for the Flyers in relief.

Eddie Feigner and the Miami Flyers shutout Memphis 3-0 in the semi-finals. The win allowed Miami to play Briggs in the Championship game. Miami started the scoring as Mike Meilecke doubled into left center and scored when Joe Lewis ripped a sharp single to left field to lead 1-0. Raybestos came back as Dave Sayre (2 hits in the game) beat out an infield single. Roy Palmieri hit a sharp grounder that Miami’s second basemen let go off his leg into the outfield, allowing Sayre to score. Palmieri, who went to third on the error, then scored when Miami catcher Jack Sweeting let a pitch go through him for a passed ball in what proved to be the winning run in the 2-1 championship game. Johnny Spring struck out 6 and gave up 4 hits to get the win. Losing Pitcher Arno Lamb struck out 5 and surrendered only 3 hits.

  • MVP – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
  • Batting Leader – Joe Overfield, Lackland AFB (6-11, 2 Runs) – .545
  • Home Run Leader – Johnny Marsden, Lackland AFB – 2

FIRST TEAM ALL AMERICANS

P – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware
P – Clarence “Buck” Miller, Independents
P – Harvey Sterkel, Denver Public Service
C – Ernie Bertolini, Trenton Democratic Club
1B – George Adam, Briggs Beautyware
2B – Whitey Campbell, American Industrial Flyers
3B – Dick Duzik, Dow Chemical
SS – Albert Gaub, Mt. Carmel Guild
OF – Dave Sayyae, Briggs Beautyware
OF – Loren Dinkle, Dow Chemical
OF – John “Buster” Ziegler, American Industrial Flyers
UTIL – John Marsden, Warhawks (5-13, 5 RBI, 5 Runs – also went 1-0 pitching 11 IP, 12 K)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, MI (6-0) (East Central)
2. American Industrial Sales (AIS), Miami, FL (5-2) (Southern)
3. Corbett Motors Independents, Memphis, TN (3-2) (Southwestern)
4. Trenton Democrats, Baltimore, MD (4-2) (Central Atlantic)
5t. Dow Chemical AC, Midland, MI (4-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Mt. Carmel Guild, Jersey City, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Goss ON Ross, Dallas, TX (2-2) (Texas)
7t. Steinberg’s, Montreal, QC (2-2) (Canada)
9t. Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX (2-2) (US Air Force)
9t. Public Service, Denver, CO (1-2) (Rocky Mountain)
9t. Sterling Beer, Louisville, KY (1-2) (West Central)
9t. Jersey Ice Cream, Minneapolis, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. Napa Merchants, Napa, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Irwin-Jones Dodgers, Tacoma, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Jones Ranchers, Eloy, AZ (0-2) (Cactus)
13t. Casino Espanol, Havana (0-2) (Cuba)
17t. Columbus Auto Body, New Haven, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)
17t. Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Sioux City, IA (0-2) (Western)
17t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (0-2) (Host)

NOTES

South Pacific Coast Champ – Plymouth Mo-Parts, San Ysidro, CA did not attend.

1951 NSC Women’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1951 held at Phoenix, Arizona.

Champion – A-1 Queens, Phoenix, Arizona
Runner Up – Phoenix Lettuce Gems, Phoenix, Arizona

The A-1 Queens waited a full year for the chance to win back the NSC title from the Gems. They defeated the powerful Erv Lind Florists team from Portland 3-0 in the winners bracket final.

The Gems then eliminated the Florists and star pitcher Doris Barrett 3-2 in a 15-inning classic as Marge Lang won her third straight game in the losers bracket. She had just posted back to back 1-0 wins over Atlanta and Oklahoma City. But, in the finale, it was all the A-1 Queens as Charlotte Armstrong twirled a 1-hit shutout to earn a 3-0 victory in the championship.

MVP and Leading Hitter, Dodie Nelson had two hits in the final game, scored 2 runs and drove in a run.  She finished up 9-19 for a .473 batting average.

Betty Luna won the Miss Softball Award as she was either getting a base hit, making a play in the field or finishing up a game in relief to give Charlotte Armstrong a rest.

Armstrong won the Outstanding Pitcher award as she was 5-0.

After the tournament was over, the Queens played an exhibition game against an all-star team from the Oklahoma City and Portland players and won that game 2-1.

Charlotte Armstrong went all the way for the Queens who won in the bottom of the 7th innings on Lois William’s triple, Betty Luna’s double and Ethel Fuller’s game winning hit.

Alma Wilson pitched scoreless ball for 6 innings for the All Stars, only to see Doris Barrett come in relief in the seventh inning and lose the game.

  • MVP Award – Dodie Nelson, A-1 Queens (9-19, .473, played a tremendous outfield)
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Charlotte Armstrong, A-1 Queens (5-0, Hurled 10 inning 1-hit shutout in the final)
  • Leading Hitter – Dodie Nelson, A-1 Queens (9-19) – .473
  • Miss Softball Award – Betty Luna, A-1 Queens (Outfielder/Pitcher, did everything, hit, play the field or finish a game in relief)

1951 NSC ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Charlotte Armstrong, Phoenix A-1 Queens (5-0)
P – Doris Barrett, Erv Lind Florist (2-2)
P – Alma Wilson, Downtown Chevy Sooner Queens (3-2)
C – Jo Martin, Downtown Chevy Sooner Queens
C – Lois Williams, Phoenix A-1 Queens
1B – Flossie Ballard, Phoenix A-1 Queens
2B- Irene Mass, Erv Lind Florist
3B – Betty Luna, Phoenix A-1 Queens
SS – Dorothy “Snookie” Doyle, Phoenix A-1 Queens
OF – Marie Burris, Phoenix A-1 Queens
OF – Dodie Nelson, Phoenix A-1 Queens
OF – Eva Jo Sheever, Downtown Chevy Sooner Queens
UTIL – Alice Jorgensen, Seattle Epicures
UTIL – Robbie Mulkey, Erv Lind Florist

FINAL STANDINGS

1. A-1 Queens, Phoenix, AZ (5-0)
2. Phoenix Lettuce Gems, Phoenix, AZ (5-2)
3. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (2-2)
4. Downtown Chevy Sooner Queens, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2)
5t. Lorelei Ladies, Atlanta, GA (3-2)
5t. Martin Maids, West Allis, WI (2-2)
7t. Eagle Markets, Quint-Cities, IA (1-2)
7t. Epicures, Seattle, WA (1-2)
9t. Imperialettes, El Centro, CA (0-2)
9t. Webster Dairy Girls, Glendale, AZ (0-2)
9t. Cincinnati Comettes, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
9t. Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2)

1951 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1951 held at Phoenix, Arizona on September 7-19.

Champion – Softball Club, Calvert, California
Runner Up – Fike Plumbers, Phoenix, Arizona

This was the first NSC tournament held after Carrol Forbes left the NSC and formed the ISL. There was certainly a battle for the big-name teams between the two
organizations. The Hanford Kings stayed with the NSC in 1951 while the Hoak Packers from Fresno went to the ISL tournament in Greeley, CO.

The Calvert club breezed throught the winner’s bracket, outscoring their opponents 21-4 in their first three games. Meanwhile, Fike Plumbers of Phoenix were in a dog fight for their first three games, winning each one by a 3-2 score, including an eight inning win over Sapulpa. However in the winner’s bracket final, Fike cut loose and clobbered Calvert, 7-2 to remain in the driver’s seat.

Hanford, who had lost their first game, 5-1 to Calvert went into the loser’s bracket and built momentum with each game they played, winning 5 games and outscoring their
opposition, 30-7 including 3 shutout games. This set them up for a rematch with Calvert in the loser’s bracket final. Calvert knocked them out of the tournament with a 4-3 win and then met the Plumber boys from Phoenix in a rematch.

Calvert were victorious, 1-0 in a 10-inning match and won the final and the 1951 NSC championship with a 5-0 shutout in the 9-inning game. George Walker with Salt Lake City got into a 15-inning match with Paul Woods of the OS Stapley team from Phoenix. The Street Department swept them up, 2-1.

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – Bill Deloach, Softball Club
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Weldon Haney, Softball Club
  • Leading Hitter – Larue Savage, Colonials – .462
  • Most RBI – N/A

1951 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Kenny Law, Fike Plumbers
P – Weldon Haney, Softball Club
P – Les Haney, Kings
C – Charles Morris, Kings
C – George North, Street Department
IF – Dick Gonzales, Softball Club
IF – Bill Deloach, Softball Club
IF – Lyle Glenn, Kings
IF – Larue Savage, Colonials
OF – Lou Ferrero, Kings
OF – Bob Neeley, Fike Plumbers
OF – Buddy Storer, Softball Club
UTIL – Clyde Woods, Stanford Home Builders
UTIL – Bill Heard, Kings

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Softball Club, Calvert, CA
2. Fike Plumbers, Phoenix, AZ
3. Kings, Hanford, CA
4. Colonials, Springfield, MO
5t. Street Department, Salt Lake City, UT
5t. Fisher-Hess Pontiac, Ogden, UT
7t. Double Seven Corp., Phoenix, AZ
7t. Stanford Home Builders, Oklahoma City, OK
9t. Bartlett-Collins Glass, Sapulpa, OK
9t. Cassidy Chevrolet, Kentland, IN
9t. Holloman AFB, Los Cruces, NM
9t. Merchants, Tampico, IL
13t. O.S. Stapley, Phoenix, AZ
13t. Tony’s Famous Foods, Fort Dodge, IA
13t. General Depot, Ogden, UT