Softball History USA

1955 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1955 held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Champion – Lang’s Pet Shop, Covington, Kentucky
Runner Up – Tresler’s Comets, Cincinnati, Ohio

Lang’s Pet Shop defeated Tresler’s Comets 6-1 in the winners bracket final and watched as the Comets beat Rhodes-Garden Club of Pennsylvania 11-5. Rhodes had previously eliminated last year’s champ, Waldeck’s Tavern by a 13-6 score.

Tresler’s Comets then eliminated Rhodes-Garden 5-1 to get another crack at Lang’s. The Comets defeated Lang’s 7-6 behind the big bat of Jack Carmichael and then forced another game.

Lang’s prevailed in the final championship game 19-13. Paul Zembrodt was 3-4 with a triple, 2 HR and 5 RBI for Lang’s. Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, Jack Nie and Gene Dittoe (2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI), also collected 3 hits apiece. Bill Zeigler smacked a 3-run homer to chip in for Lang’s. Ed Reuter (HR, 4 RBI) and Art Merten (3B, 3 RBI) led Tresler’s with 3 hits each. Jack Carmichael added 2 more hits, including a double and 2 RBI to complete an outstanding tournament performance. Lang’s pitcher Tom Infield won 5 straight including the winner’s bracket final giving up only 9 runs, he hurled 3 consecutive 1-Run games to the King Seat.

Tresler’s Comets played in the same league as Shield’s Realty, Waldeck’s Tavern, and the Cincinnati Firefighters.

  • MVP – Jack Carmichael, Tresler’s Comets
  • HR Leader – Jack Carmichael, Tresler’s Comets
  • Batting Leader – Gene Dittoe, Lang’s Pet Shop – .667
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Tom Imfield, Lang’s Pet Shop

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Tom Imfield, Lang’s Pet Shop (6-1 record, gave up only 5 runs in the first 5 games)
C – Francis Scumaci, Continental Can
1B – Art Merten, Tresler’s Comets
2B – Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, Lang’s Pet Shop
3B – Joe Ober, Tresler’s Comets
SS – Bob Trainor, Waldeck’s Tavern
SF – Ed Rueter, Tresler’s Comets
OF – Jack Carmichael, Tresler’s Comets
OF – Walt Wherry, Lang’s Pet Shop
OF – Albert Tankosh, Rhodes-Garden Club
OF – Gene Dittoe, Lang’s Pet Shop (16-24, .667)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Lang’s Pet Shop, Covington, KY (6-1)
2. Tresler’s Comets, Cincinnati, OH (6-2)
3. Rhodes-Garden Club, McKees Rocks, PA (4-2)
4. Continental Can, Pittsburgh, PA (5-2)
5t. Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, OH (4-2)
5t. Perry Social, Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
7t. Sheffield Bronze, Cleveland, OH (3-2)
7t. Oscar’s Alleys, Islip Terrace, NY (3-2)
9t. Delco DIAA, Dayton, OH (2-2)
9t. Jackie’s Bar, Detroit, MI (2-2)
9t. Maltese Drug, Wantagh, NY (2-2)
9t. Homestead Café, Hamilton, OH (1-2)
13t.Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (2-2)
13t. Blue Grass Athletic Club, Louisville, KY (1-2)
13t. Fire and Police, Rossville, GA (1-2)
13t. Victory Club Rainbows, Middleton, CT (1-2)
17t. Oscar’s Boys, Louisville, KY (1-2)
17t. Packard Electric, Warren, OH (1-2)
17t. Steve Master’s Grill, Rochester, NY (0-2)
17t. Twin City Automatics, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
17t. Slovak Club, Glassmere, PA (0-2)
17t. First Baptist Church, Frankfort, KY (0-2)
17t. Baldwin Piano, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
17t. McAdenville Reds, McAdenville, NC (0-2)

1955 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1955 held at Portland, Oregon.

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

The Orange Lionettes captured their fourth National championship to move within one of the all time record held by the New Orleans Jax Maids in the 1940’s. The tournament was a one women show as Bertha Ragan-Tickey pitched all five Orange triumphs, 4 of them shutouts (2-0, 3-0, 1-0, 1-0) and the final game, which was a 4-1 victory in which the only run scored by the Ramblers was unearned. This is the 6th straight year that a team from California has won the championship. On another note, this year would mark the last time that Betty Evans Grayson of Erv Lind Florists would play in a National Tournament as she retired after the season. She pitched the Florists over the defending champs, Fresno Rockets 4-1 and then lost the semi-final game to the Ramblers 6-1.

The legendary Nina Korgan of New Orleans Jax Maids fame in the 1940’s, who came out of retirement last year, hurled for the Jurisich Transfer team of New Orleans, LA. She went 1-1 and struck out 25 batters in 18 innings. She pitched last year for the New Orleans team and although lost the Southwestern Regional Final, She was named regional MVP. This year, she led her team to the Regional championship and once again was named Regional MVP. She pitcher in her first ASA National Championship Tournament back in 1935 for the Syracuse, Nebraska Blue Birds.

Carol Nelson, Fresno Rockets (3-2, including a no-hitter).

Erger, Bank of Denver went 5-17, .294, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 Runs.

  • MVP – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes
  • HR Leader – Erger, Bank of Denver – 2
  • Batting Leader – Kay Rich, Leach Motor Rockets – .611

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Margie Law, PBSW Ramblers (4-2, 31 Ks, 42 IP, including a 7-0 no-hitter,  and 6-19 at the plate with a .316 batting average)
P – Norma Jean McDaniel, KC CIO-AFL Dons (2-2, 20 Ks, 28 IP), She also went 7-13, .538 batting.
P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (5-0, 4 shutouts, 1 Unearned Run, 35 IP, 52 K), won final 4-1, her triple drove in 2 runs. She had a no-hitter and a 1-hitter.
C – Dot Wilkinson, PBSW Ramblers (9-20, .450, 3 RBIs, 4 Runs)
1B – Gloria May, Fresno Hacienda Rockets (8-18, .444)
2B – Beverly Cox, Erv Lind Florists
3B – Jeanne Contel, Fresno Hacienda Rockets
SS – Kay Rich, Fresno Hacienda Rockets (11-18, 10 RBI, which set the tournament RBI record, 6 Runs, and she had 5 hits, including a grand slam and 6 RBI in one game)
OF – Jerry Pollard, Fresno Hacienda Rockets
OF – Zada Boles, PBSW Ramblers
OF – Thelma Eisen, Orange Lionettes
UTIL – Harriet Leeke, PBSW Ramblers

HONORABLE MENTION

1B – Virginia Bickle, PBSW Ramblers
3B – Margaret Dobson, Erv Lind Florists
SS – Kay Rohrer, PBSW Ramblers
OF – Carolyn Thome, Caterpillar Dieselettes.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (5-0) (South Pacific Coast)
2. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (4-2) (Cactus)
3. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (4-2) (Host)
4. Hacienda Rockets, Fresno, CA (3-2) (Defending Champ)
5t. Bank of Denver, Denver, CO (3-2) (Rocky Mountain)
5t. Tilden U-Drive It, Vancouver, BC (3-2) (West Canada)
7t. RH Hall, St. Petersburg, FL (2-2) (Southern)
7t. CIO-AFL Dons, Kansas City, MO (2-2) (Western)
9t. National Cash Register, Dayton, OH (1-2) (East Central)
9t. Caterpillar Dieselettes, Peoria, IL (1-2) (West Central)
9t. Jurisich Transfer, New Orleans, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Arcade Pontiac, Washington DC (1-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. Texas Motorettes, Fort Worth, TX (0-2) (Texas)
13t. Airflytes, Seattle, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
13t. Muirhead Transfer, Toronto, ON (0-2) (East Canada)
13t. Jet Girls, Alameda, CA (0-2) (North Pacific Coast)

NOTES

North Atlantic – Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT could not attend. Mid-Atlantic – Pandoras, New York City, NY did not attend. Northern – Shaper Sales, Minneapolis, MN did not attend. Texas Motorettes, Fort Worth, TX went in place of Texas Champ – Tandy Leatherettes, Forth Worth, TX, who could not attend.

1955 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1955 held in Clearwater, Florida.

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

After being so close for a while now, the Raybestos Cardinals finally reached the summit. They won their first National Crown and defeated the Clearwater Bombers in doing so. The Bombers were knocked into the loser’s bracket and had to win three straight to claim the crown. They defeated the Trenton Democratic Club of Baltimore 2-0 in 10 innings. Then in the first final, the Bombers won another 2-0 battle behind John Hunter’s 3-hit shutout and Harry Hancock’s double. But, when it came down to the Final game for the title, Howie Wieland hurled the 10 inning 2-0 victory and for good measure, he delivered the double that produced the two runs. Hunter went 9 innings in the final game and Eddie King came in to pitch the 10th inning and gave up the winning runs and was charged with loss.

  • MVP – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Marion Cook, Standard Parts – .500
  • Home Run Leader – Ben Karrless, Lackland AFB War Hawks – 1
  • Home Run Leader – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Jim Ellis, Clearwater Bombers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Frank Binkley, State Farm Insurance – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Palmer, Coca Cola – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Perry, Yellow Cab Merchants – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Tony Pagluica, Raybestos Cardinals – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals (3-1, 36 IP, 34 K, 3 Shutouts)
P – Harvey Sterkel, Merchants
P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (4-0, 44 IP, 47 K, pitched the winners bracket final, winning 1-0)
C – Ernie Bertolini, Trenton Democratic Club
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Don Miles, State Farm Insurance
3B – Billy Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers (.318)
OF – Bob Sprentall, Clearwater Bombers (.304)
OF – Frank Binkley, State Farm Insurance
OF – Jim Ellis, Clearwater Bombers
UT – Tony Pagliuca, Raybestos Cardinals

HONORABLE MENTION

P – Clarence “Buck” Miller, Standard Parts (2-2, 24 IP, 41 K)
P – Howard Wieland, Raybestos Cardinals (2-0, 17 IP, 18 K, pitched 2-hit shutout and drove in both runs in 2-0 championship)
P – Eddie King, Clearwater Bombers (2-1, 10 IP, 15 K)
C – Marion “Rabbit” Cook, Standard Parts (8-16, 3 RBI)
2B – Jerry Curtis, Clearwater Bombers
SS – Jack McLeod, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Bill Baroff, Raybestos Cardinals
OF – Ray Gawerecki, Hanley’s Real Estate
OF – Ben Karass, Lackland AFB

OTHERS

Herb Dudley (1-0, 12 IP, 12 K)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (6-1) (North Atlantic)
2. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (6-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Trenton Democratic Club, Baltimore, MD (4-2) (Central Atlantic)
4. State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL (4-2) (West Central)
5t. Standard Parts, Memphis, TN (3-2) (Southwestern)
5t. Haney Real Estate, Omaha, NE (2-2) (Western)
7t. Yellow Cab Merchants, Denver, CO (2-2) (Rocky Mountain)
7t. Coca Cola, Sacramento, CA (2-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. Roth’s Rangers, Clearwater, FL (2-2) (Host)
9t. Hilliard’s Cafe, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
9t. Canton YMCA, Canton, NC (1-2) (Southern)
9t. Lackland AFB War Hawks, San Antonio, TX (1-2) (Air Force)
13t. McAllister Studebakers, Albuquerque, NM (0-2) (Cactus)
13t. Hispano Americana, Manzanillo, Cuba (0-2) (Cuba)
13t. New Bar, St. Paul, MN (0-2) (Northern)
13t. Flame Show Bar, Detroit, MI (0-2) (East Central)
17t. Shamrock Tavern, Longview, WA (0-2) (Northwestern)
17t. Kodak Park AA, Rochester, NY (0-2) (Mid Atlantic)

NOTES

South Pacific Coast Champ – Anderson Furniture, San Diego, CA did not attend. Fisher Brothers, Montreal, Quebec were supposed to go in place of Canada Champ – Lew Kanes, Windsor, ON but could not attend. US Army Champ – First Army, Fort Monmouth, NJ did not attend. US Navy Champ – Submarine Bs, New London, CT did not attend.

1954 NSC Women’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1954 held at Phoenix, Arizona

Champion – A-1 Queens, Phoenix, Arizona
Runner Up – Georgia Peaches, Atlanta, Georgia

The A-1 Queens won the last ever NSC Women’s Championship by defeating the Atlanta Peaches 5-3 in the final.

Alma Wilson won her 5th game out of the 6 games the Quuens played. She was relieved in the 6th inning with a (5-1) lead.

Rosemary Urtuzuastegui, who previously won a game in the tournament for Phoenix surrendered 2 runs and then pitched out of another jam in the last inning with the tying runs on base to preserve the 5-3 Championship game victory. Urtuzuastegui was 1-0 in the tournament, hurling 13 innings and gave up 4 runs.

Alma Wilson, former Oklahoma City Hurler now pitching for the Queens was (5-0) and surrendered 13 hits and 7 runs in the 41 innings she pitched.

Shortstop Bev Cox was named the MVP as she came through with hits when needed and played a tremendous defense. Her bat got the Queens off and running in the opening game of the tournament as she was 3-3 with a HR and 3 RBIs in the 6-2 win.

The Queens outscored their opponents 38-11 in the 6 games.

Queens Dodie Nelson swung a hot bat and was named the batting champ.

In 1955 the National Softball Congress (NSC) disbanded the Women’s portion of their National Championship Tournament.

  • MVP Award – Beverly Cox, A-1 Queens (Great defensive play at shortstop position led Queens to the title. She also had a good tournament at the plate driving in runs and also hit a HR)
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Alma Wilson, Phoenix (5-0), 41 IP, gave up 13 hits and 7 runs)
  • Leading Hitter – Dodie Nelson, A-1 Queens (12-24) – .500
  • Miss Softball Award – Jan Newman, A-1 Queens (Second Basemen, had 2 RBIs in Final and also drove in a run in the semi-final series)

1954 NSC ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Alma Wilson, Phoenix A-1 Queens (5-0)
P – Dorothy Dean, Georgia Peaches (3-3)
P – Lucy Munoz, Tempe Arizona Debs (3-3)
C – Goldie Darby, Georgia Peaches
C – Charlene Woodward, Phoenix A-1 Queens
1B – Catherine Rochelle, Georgia Peaches
2B – Louise Hamrick, Georgia Peaches
3B – Gerry Pomeroy, Oklahoma City Ramblers
SS – Beverly Cox, Phoenix A-1 Queens
OF – Jeanna Hernandez, Tempe Arizona Debs
OF – Dixie McCarty, Phoenix A-1 Queens
OF – Dodie Nelson, Phoenix A-1 Queens
UTIL – Stretch Lopez, Oklahoma City Ramblers
UTIL – Betty Sipe, Tucson Rancherettes

FINAL STANDINGS

1. A-1 Queens, Phoenix, AZ (6-0)
2. Georgia Peaches, Atlanta, GA (3-3)
3. Tempe Debs, Tempe, AZ (3-3)
4. Tucson Rancherettes, Tucson, AZ (2-3)
5t. Oklahoma City Ramblers, Oklahoma City, OK (1-2)
5t. Childress All Stars, Childress, TX (0-2)
7. Rhor Jewelers, West Allis, WI (0-2)

* Winners bracket semifinals and finals were best of 3 series.

HONORS

  • All Time MVP – Dodie Nelson
  • All Time Outstanding Pitcher – Charlotte Armstrong

Pos – Player, team AA Awards and Other Accolades
P – Charlotte Armstrong 6x AA, 3x MV-Pitcher (23-4 NSC Championship Record)
P – Carolyn Morris 4x AA, 2x MV-Pitcher, 1x Miss Softball (13-1 Record)
P – Lottie Jackson 3x AA, 1x MV-Pitcher (9-4 Record)
P – Betty Evans 2x AA, 1x MV-Pitcher (9-2 Record)
C – Lois Williams 6x AA, 1x MVP, 1x Miss Softball
1B – Flossie Ballard 3x AA
1B – Robbie Mulkey 3x AA
2B – Margie Yetmen 4x AA, 1x MVP, 1x Leading Hitter
2B – Hazel Gill 2x AA
3B – Mildred Dixon 2x AA
3B – Margaret Dobson 2x AA, 1x Miss Softball
SS – Kay Rohrer 4x AA
SS – Bev Cox 2x AA, 1x MVP
OF – Dodie Nelson 8x AA, 2x MVP, 2x Leading Hitter, 1x Miss Softball
OF – Dottie Myers 3x AA
OF – Mearle Keagle 2x AA
OF – Elizabeth Locke 2x AA, 1x MVP
UTIL – Alma Wilson 5x AA, 1x MVP, 1x MV-Pitcher, 2x Leading Hitter
UTIL – Alice Jorgensen 4x AA, 1x Leading Hitter
UTIL – Shirley Topley 2x AA
UTIL – Bonnie Martin 1x AA, 1x MVP

All Time Team – A-1 Queens, 5x Champ, 2x runner-up, 1x 4th
HM – Erv Lind Florists 1x Champ, 1x runner-up, 1x 3rd
HM – Funk Gems/Mesa Premiums 1x Champ, 1x runner-up, 1x 3rd
HM – Jax Maids 1x Champ, 1x 3rd

1954 ISC Men’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1954 held at Selma, California on August 28-September 6.

Champion – Hoak Packers, Selma, California
Runner Up – Condors, Dinuba, California

  • Cleo Goyette Memorial MVP Award – N/A
  • Leroy Zimmerman Memorial Pitching Award – Dana Exum, Condors
  • Leading Hitter – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks – .500
  • Most RBI – N/A

1954 ISC FIRST TEAM ALL WORLD

P – Dana Exum, Condors
P – LeRoy Zimmerman, Hoak Packers
P – Bryan Voigt, Condors
C – Stan White, Nitehawks
C – Hal Britton, Hoak Packers
1B – Bob McTeer, Condors
2B – Cleo Goyette, Nitehawks
3B – Clint Herron, Nitehawks
3B – James Abbot, Lyons
SS – Bruce Stone, Condors
OF – Ray Meagher, Hoak Packers
OF – Les Ratzlaff, Condors
OF – Ted Fuchs, Hoak Packers
OF – Abe Klassen, Condors
UTIL – Weldon Haney, Lyons
UTIL – Ray Unruh, Condors

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Hoak Packers, Selma, CA
2. Condors, Dinuba, CA
3. Nitehawks, Long Beach, CA
4. Lyons, Lorenzo, TX
5t. Elites, New Bedford, IL
5t. Merchants, Plattville, CO
7t. VFW, Ft.Madison, IA
7t. Yerger Insurance Co., Fresno, CA
9t. Douglas Aircraft Co., Tulsa, OK
9t. Harsch Lumber Co., Longmont, CO
9t. Toy of the Month Club, Salt Lake City, UT
9t. Ingating, Covington, KY
13t. Mathes Coolers, Arlington, TX
13t. Blocks, Norristown, PA
13t. Motors, Cochituate, MA
13t. National Cash Register, Dayton, OH

1954 ASA Men’s Open Slow Pitch Nationals

1954 held at Bonneycastle Field and Brown & Williamson Field in Louisville, Kentucky on September 4-6.

Champion – Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, Ohio
Runner Up – National Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Waldeck’s Tavern won 6 straight games to capture the title, outscoring their opponents 82-36 along the way. They defeated Peerless Woolens of Georgia 32-7 in the winners bracket final behind the hitting of Jerry Huber, Fred Heimkreiter and John Drees, all of which had five hits. Drees getting a couple homers.

Waldeck’s collected 38 hits in the contest. Waldeck’s then sat back and waited as last year’s runner-up, Pittsburgh National Fruit eliminated defending champs, Shields Contractors 5-4 and then disposed of Peerless Woolens 15-11 in the losers bracket final to get back to the finals.

Waldeck’s Tavern proved to be too strong as it won final 13-7 hitting 8 HR, John Drees went 4 for 4 and hit 4 straight homers while Frank Hiemkrieter, Jim Trainor, Bob Trainor, and Frank Kramer each had 1 to back the pitching of Malio Valvano (Valvano surrendered only 31 runs in 6 games for Waldeck). Drees ended the tournament getting 9 straight hits, including 6 HR.

Pittsburgh pitcher Tony Bova had 2 home runs in a losing cause for the National Fruit Merchants. Mike Sabbio and Bruce Gilbert also hit HR for Pittsburgh. James Caldwell of Shields went 13-18 to lead the tournament in hitting.

Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, delayed due to work commitments, only played the last two games for Shields, yet still made the all-tournament team as he went 6-9 with 3 HR and 2 doubles.

Donnie Key of the Louisville Stars started the tournament with 8 straight hits, before going 2-4 with 2 HR in the third game.

Some sources say the MVP would have been Waldeck’s pitcher, Malio Valvano, pitching Waldeck’s to the title.

  • MVP – N/A
  • HR Leader – John Drees, Waldeck’s Tavern
  • Batting Leader – James Caldwell, Shields – .722
  • Outstanding Pitcher Award – Malio Valvano, Waldeck’s Tavern

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Malio Valvano, Waldeck’s Tavern (6-1)
P – Tony Bova, National Fruit Merchants (6-2)
C – Fred Heimkreiter, Waldeck’s Tavern
1B – Don Heilman, Shield’s Realty
2B – Ralph Bo Stuntebeck, Shield’s Realty (6-9, .667, 3 HR)
3B – Charles Geyer, Peerless Woolens
SS – Bob Trainor, Waldeck’s Tavern
OF – Myron Reinhardt, Shield’s Realty
OF – John Drees, Waldeck’s Tavern (9-9 with 6 HR in last 2 games)
OF – Walt Wherry, Keeneland Bar
OF – Donnie Key, Oertels Stars Brewers (10-15, .667, 2 HR)
MGR – Mike Waldeck, Waldeck’s Tavern

OTHERS

  • James Caldwell, Shield’s Realty (13-18, .722)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Waldeck’s Tavern, Cincinnati, OH (6-0)
2. National Fruit Merchants, Pittsburgh, PA (6-2)
3. Peerless Woolens, Rossville, GA (3-2)
4. Shield’s Realty, Newport, KY (4-2)
5t. Keeneland Bar, Covington, KY (2-2)
5t. Fire Fighters, Cincinnati, OH (2-2)
7t. Oertels Stars Brewers, Louisville, KY (3-2)
7t. Delco, Dayton, OH (2-2)
9t. Klug Trucking, Hamilton, OH (2-2)
9t. Sterling Sters, Louisville, KY (2-2)
9t. Early Times Distillers, Louisville, KY (1-2)
9t. Continental Can, Pittsburgh, PA (1-2)
13t. Boisel Tire, Springfield, OH (0-2)
13t. Forks of Elkhorn, Frankfort, KY (0-2)
13t. RBM, Knoxville, TN (0-2)
13t. Engineers, Chattanooga, TN (0-2)
17t. Twin City Automatics, Minneapolis, MN (0-2)
17t. Schwedes/Charley Geigers, Lakewood, OH (0-2)

1954 ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1954 held at Orange, California.

Champion – Leach Motor Rockets, Fresno, California
Runner Up – Orange Lionettes, Orange, California

Carol Nelson shut out the Lionettes twice to win the title. She beat Bertha Ragan 1-0 on a 3 hitter in the Winner’s Bracket Finals and then after the Orange Lionettes squad survived a 14 inning battle with the Phoenix Ramblers, winning 4-0, Nelson once again got the better of Ragan and the Orange, defeating them 2-0 on a 2 hitter to win the championship for the Rockets. Bertha Ragan got one of the two hits Nelson surrendered This is the second straight year that Carol Nelson was pitched the final championship game for Fresno and won both of them by the identical score of 2-0.

The Lionettes had to defeat the Phoenix Ramblers in the semifinal game to get to the championship round. Bertha Ragan pitched a 14 inning shutout and won 4-0 with the Lionettes scoring 4 times in the top of the 14th off a tired Margie Law of Phoenix.

Lorene Ramsey, Kutis Funeral Home (3-1, 2 Shutouts)

Eloise Bielefeld, Buena Park Lynx (3-1, including a 16 inning no hitter)

Marge Grant, Cannerettes (.500, 6-12, 2 RBI, 2 Runs)

  • MVP – Kay Rich, Leach Motor Rockets
  • HR Leader – Dot Wilkinson, Ramblers – 1
  • Batting Leader – Marge Grant, Cannerettes – .500

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – Bertha Ragan-Tickey, Orange Lionettes (5-2, 4 shutouts,  also 19 K in her 7 inning game perfect game)
P – Margie Law, Phoenix Ramblers (5-2, 56 IP, 65 K), she also pitched a perfect game and her ERA was 0.63.
P – Carol Nelson, Fresno Leach Rockets (6-0, 40 IP, 31 K, 0.35 ERA; 3 Shutouts, gave up only 2 runs – pitched a 2-0 shutout in the championship game)
C – Dot Wilkinson, Phoenix Ramblers (10-22, .455, 1, HR, 5 RBI, 10 Runs)
1B – Ruth Sears, Orange Lionettes
2B – Carolyn Brown, Buena Park Lynx
3B – Phyliss Drikow, Kutis Funeral Home
SS – Kay Rich, Fresno Leach Rockets (6-19, .316, 2 RBI, 3 Runs) was 1-3 in the championship with an RBI single that gave the Rockets a 1-0 lead.
OF – Joanne Moore, Buena Park Lynx
OF – Yvonne Anderson, Fresno Leach Rockets
OF – Joann Kammeyer, Orange Lionettes
UTIL – Barbara Prather, Fresno Rockets

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Leach Motor Rockets, Fresno, CA (6-0) (Defending Champ)
2. Orange Lionettes, Orange, CA (5-2) (Host)
3. PBSW Ramblers, Phoenix, AZ (5-2) (Cactus)
4. Nutrilite Lynx, Buena Park, CA (3-2) (South Pacific Coast)
5t. Kutis Funeral Home, St. Louis, MO (3-2) (Western)
5t. Tandy Leatherettes, Fort Worth, TX (2-2) (Texas)
7t. Cannerettes, Olympia, WA (2-2) (Northwestern)
7t. Crowhurst Motors, Vancouver, BC (2-2) (West Canada)
9t. Dabdoub Motors, New Orleans, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
9t. Marchant Calculators, Berkley, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
9t. RH Hall Girls, St. Petersburg, FL (1-2) (Southern)
9t. G&W Construction, West Allis, WI (1-2) (West Central)
13t. Kalyx Cups, Toronto, ON (1-2) (East Canada)
13t. Victor’s Market, Minneapolis, MN (1-2) (Northern)
13t. Navy Skyraiders, San Diego, CA (0-2) (US Navy)
13t. Raybestos Brakettes, Stratford, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)
17t. Arians, Linden, NJ (0-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
17t. Bank of Denver, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)

NOTES

Central Atlantic Champ – Columbia Girls Club, Washington DC did not attend. East Central Champ – Advance Fireplace, Detroit, MI did not attend. Northwestern – Cannerettes, Olympia, WA went in place of Northwestern Champ – Portland Pennant Shop, OR, who could not attend. West Canada – Crowhurst Motors, Vancouver, BC went in place of West Canada Champ – Govins, Regina, SK, who could not attend.

1954 ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch Nationals

1954 held at Parade One in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 18-23.

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

Clearwater’s Bombers, halted thrice at the very doorstep of the ASA World championship in the last six years, crashed the barrier for the second time as they gained revenge on defending champion Briggs Beautyware 4-0, before 6,100 fants on the magnificent one-hitter by southpaw-firing Johnny Hunter.

Bounced into the losers’ bracket when Hunter slammed the door shut on them with a ho-hitter, the Detroiters roared back by defeating State Farm Insurance of Bloomington, IL, 3-0, only to discover Hunter waiting for them again with the same diet of zero pitches in the finale.

The triumph was the fifth in a row without a loss for manager Eddie Moore’s Floridians and they won it like true championship since they twice KO’d Briggs Beautyware which had been aiming for its third consecutive title and fifth in ASA history.

En route to the championship, Clearwater defeated Naval Air Station 7-6, De Jur Amsco 1-0, Penridge Athletic Club, 3-2 and Briggs Beautyware by 1-0 and 4-0.

The Bombers previously won the ASA crown in 1950. In 1949 they dropped an 18-inning final to Tip Tailors of Toronto; in ’51 they lost a double final to Dow Athletic Club of Midland, Mich., with hunter sidelined by an arm injury, and last year Briggs Beautyware came out of the loser’s bracket to hand them a double defeat.

The Bombers were held in check for four innings before uncorking a four-run shower in the fifth against relievers Gerry Deerfield and Al Wierzbicki to bag the championship.

Until the fateful fifth the Bombers were handcuffed by Johnny Spring, hero of Brigg’s title march when he pitched three shutouts on the final day. Spring once against had sparked Briggs through the early rounds with some superb hurling and showed a 5-1 record going into the showdown game.

The umpire in chief for the tournament was George Dickstein who appointed Art Solz, Minneapolis umpire in chief, as the assistant umpire in chief.

  • MVP – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers
  • Batting Leader – Al Martin, Denver NAS (5-11) – .455
  • Home Run Leader – Tom Brown, Penridge AC (3-14, .215, 4 RBI) – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Don Miles, State Farm Insurance- 1
  • Home Run Leader – George Adams, Briggs Beautyware – 1
  • Home Run Leader – Williams, Babbitt Realty – 1

FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS

P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers (3-0, 21 IP, 33 K, no-hitter and 1-hitter in last 2 games)
P – John Spring, Briggs Beautyware (5-1, 43 IP, 60 K)
P – Clarence “Buck” Miller, Standard Parts (3-1, 36 IP, 59 K).
C – Marion Cook, Standard Parts
1B – George Adam, Trenton Democratic Club
2B – Don Miles, State Farm Insurance
3B – Ed Antolini, Naval Air Station Denver
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers
LF – Thomas Brown, Penridge AC
CF – Ken Sommers, De Jur Amsco
RF – Al Martin, Naval Air Station Denver
UT – Frank Harvey, Penridge AC

OTHERS

Herb Dudley, Clearwater Bombers (2-0, 15 IP, 22 K)
Ollie Johnston, DeJur (3-0, 22 IP, 29 K)
Bill Gourley, Penridge AC (3-0, 21 IP, 22 K)
Paul Hoke Wilson, Bloomington Chiefs (2-0)
Wayne Ward, Bloomington Chiefs (2-1)
Howie Wieland, Raybestos Cardinals (1-1)  set a national softball record in the North Atlantic Regionals as he hurled 6 consecutive no-hitters to win the crown.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (5-0) (Southern)
2. Briggs Beautyware, Detroit, MI (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. State Farm Insurance, Bloomington, IL (4-2) (West-Central)
4. Penridge AC, Cincinnati, OH (3-2) (East-Central)
5t. Standard Auto Parts, Memphis, TN (3-2) (Southwestern)
5t. De Jur Amsco, Long Island, NY (3-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Babbitt Realty, Houston, TX (2-2) (Texas)
7t. Trenton Democrats, Baltimore, MD (2-2) (Central-Atlantic)
9t. Naval Air Station, Denver, CO (2-2) (Rocky-Mountain)
9t. Renton Cowboys, Seattle, WA (1-2) (Northwestern)
9t. New Bar, St. Paul, MN (1-2) (Northern)
9t. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (1-2) (North-Atlantic)
13t. Broekers Cigars, St. Louis, MO (1-2) (Western)
13t. Jersey Ice Cream, Minneapolis, MN (1-2) (Host)
13t. Casino Espanol, Havana (0-2) (Cuba)
13t. Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX (0-2) (US-Air-Force)
17t. Roughriders, Napa, CA (0-2) (North-Pacific-Coast)
17t. S-Site, Los Alamos, NM (0-2) (Cactus)

NOTES

South-Pacific-Coast Champ – Pepsi Cola Bottlers, San Diego, CA did not attend. East-Canada Champ – Steinberg’s, Montreal, Quebec did not attend. West-Canada Champ – McLean Motors, Vancouver, British Columbia did not attend. US-Navy Champ – US Navy Patrol Squadron 22, Kodiak, AK did not attend.

1954 Clearwater Bombers

1953 NSC Women’s Fast Pitch World Tournament

1953 held at Portland, Oregon.

Champion – Erv Lind Florist, Portland, Oregon
Runner Up – Utah Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, Utah

Despite the heroic effort of Shamrocks pitcher, Wilma Freston, who pitched every single inning for the Utah squad, 8 games (one win was via forfeit). She hurled all 70 innings, had 51 Strikeouts ad only gave up 6 runs.

Shortstop Bonnie Martin made some incredible stops at her shortstop position and even though she only had 7 hits, most of them accounted for a run. But, they didn’t just face any ordinary pitcher in the championship games.

Future ASA Hall of Famer Betty Evans was hurling for the Erv Lind squad. She was virtually unhittable as she led the Portland girls all the way to the best of 3 final championship series. Evans tossed a 15 inning 1-0 shutout in the first game.

Robbie Mulkey won the game with a dramatic HR to centerfield in the 15th inning. That was only the second hit Freston surrendered in the game.

Doris Barrett came into pitch the second game as Evans injured her ankle. Barrett pitched a 1-hit 2-0 shutout to win the game and the series.

The only hit the Shamrocks could muster off Barrett was from the bat of MVP Bonnie Martin.

Evans finished the tournament with a 6-1 record, including 67 strikeouts in the 57 innings she pitched. All 6 of her wins were shutouts.

By the way, the A1 Queens came into the tournament a heavy favorite as they had 96-12 record. They finished the season 99-16.

It is noted that Charlotte Armstrong pitched until May and then took off for the remainder of the season, as she went to business school in Michigan.

Nancy Vandeventer pitched for the Queens the remainder of the season in Armstrong’s absence and did a great job.

  • MVP Award – Bonnie Martin, Shamrocks (Shortstop, played great defense and was 7-28, .250 average)
  • Outstanding Pitcher – Betty Evans Grayson, Erv Lind (6-1, 57 IP, 67 Ks, 6 shutouts, including 1-0 15 inning win in first final)
  • Leading Hitter – Nancy Vandeventer, Phoenix (6-18, also 3-3 as a pitcher) – .333
  • Miss Softball Award – Dixie McCarthy, A-1 Queens (Left Fielder)

1953 NSC ALL WORLD TEAM

P – Wilma Freston, Utah Shamrocks (5-3)
P – Betty Evans Grayson, Erv Lind Florist (6-1)
P – Alice Jorgensen, Seattle Nash Airflytes (4-3)
C – Beverly Wadsworth, Erv Lind Florist
C – Pat Whitmore, Utah Shamrocks
1B – Shirley Topley, Crowhurst Motors
2B – Sue Sharpe, San Diego Slick Chicks
3B – Jan Newman, Phoenix A-1 Queens
SS – Bonnie Martin Heuser, Utah Shamrocks
OF – Shirley Soggie, Seattle Nash Airflytes
OF – Robbie Mulkey, Erv Lind Florist
OF – Dodie Nelson, Phoenix A-1 Queens
UTIL – Beverly Cox, Phoenix A-1 Queens
UTIL – Margaret Dobson, Erv Lind Florist

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Erv Lind Florists, Portland, OR (7-2)
2. Shamrocks, Salt Lake City, UT (6-3) *
3. Seattle Air-Flytes, Seattle, WA (4-3)
4. A-1 Queens, Phoenix, AZ (3-4)
5t. La Mesa Slick Chicks, San Diego, CA (3-3) *
5t. Crowhurst Mutual, Vancouver, BC (2-3)
7t. Friedman Clothiers, West Allis, WI (1-2)
7t. Tulsa Merchantettes, Tulsa, OK (0-2)
9t. Cincinnati All Stars, Cincinnati, OH (0-2)
9t. Industrial Bank, Denver, CO (0-2) (forfeit)

NOTE: Semi-Finals and Finals were best of 3 series

* includes 1 forfeit win

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