Softball History USA

1989 NSA Men’s Super Slow Pitch World Series

1989 held at Fort Worth, Texas.

Champion – Steele’s Silver Bullets, Grafton, Ohio
Runner Up – Houston Sweepers, Houston, Texas

The Sweepers scored 23 runs in the 7th inning to defeat the Number 1 ranked team in the country, Superior-Apollo of Windsor Locks, CT 64-56 to advance into the finals against Steeles. Steele’s defeated Sweepers 7-0 via forfeit and won the Championship. Steeles had previously sent Ken Michael’s (47-6) and Superior/Apollo (62-34) to the losers bracket with a 62-34 victory. Steele’s
averaged 37 Runs per game. Steele’s also sent the Sweepers to the losers bracket earlier in the tournament by a 43-18 score. The Sweepers consisted of some Bell Corp and Starpath players. Due to the losers bracket taking so long, the Sweepers had to forfeit the final to Steele’s 7-0 to catch their planes home. Steele’s hit an amazing 96 HRs in the four games they played.

  • MVP – Monty Tucker, Steele’s (20-21, .952, 12 HRs, 20 RBIs)
  • HR Leader – Jon Meyers, Sweepers – 20
  • Batting Leader – Monty Tucker, Steele’s – .952
  • ODPA – Jon Meyers, Houston Sweepers

1989 NSA All-World Team

  • Monty Tucker, Steels’s Silver Bullets (20-21, .952, 12 HRs, 20 RBIs)
  • Jon Meyers, Houston Sweepers (20 HRs)
  • Ron Parnell, Steele’s Silver Bullets (21-25, .840, 12 HRs)
  • Craig Elliott, Steele’s Silver Bullets (15-21, .714, 11 HRs, 23 RBIs)
  • Bill Blake, Steele’s Silver Bullets (16-20, .800, 10 HRs)
  • Dirk Androff, Steele’s Silver Bullets (19-23, .826, 10 HRs)
  • Mike Ambers, Houston Sweepers (13 HRs)
  • Britt Hightower, Houston Sweepers (11 HRs)
  • Danny Williams, Houston Sweepers (11 HRs)
  • Jim Fuller, Superior-Apollo (22-28, .786, 15 HRs)
  • Doug Roberson, Superior-Apollo (22-26, .846, 14 HRs)
  • Rich Plante, Superior-Apollo (20-23, .869, 15 HRs)
  • Ted Cox, Ken Michael’s (14-16, .875)

OTHERS

Cecil Whitehead, Steele’s Silver Bullets (16-23, .696, 8 HRs)
Todd Joerling, Steele’s Silver Bullets (16-24, .667, 10 HRs)
Scott Virkus, Steele’s Silver Bullets (11-16, .687)
Larry Fredieu, Steele’s Silver Bullets (9 HRs)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Steele’s Silver Bullets, Grafton, OH (4-0)
2. Houston Sweepers, Houston, TX (6-2)
3. Superior-Apollo, Windsor Locks, CT (3-2)
4. Ken Michael’s, Rockville, MD (3-2)
5t. Century/Worth, Atchison, KS (2-2)
5t. CDI, Oklahoma City, OK (3-2)
7t. Williams Stars, Houston, TX (2-2)
7t. Dixie Carpets, Houston, TX (2-2)
9t. Coils Plus, Longview, TX (1-2)
9t. Texas Capitols, Austin, TX (1-2)

*No info available on the remaining teams, records and their finish

1988 NSA Men’s Super Slow Pitch World Series

1988 held in Austin, Texas.

Champion – Steele’s Silver Bullets, Grafton, Ohio
Runner Up – Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, North Carolina

Steele’s defeated Larry’s Used Cars in the winner’s bracket final by a close 14-13 score. Meanwhile, Howard’s after losing their first game against the Austin Capitals, had to fight through the losers bracket where they met the Austin Caps again. This time, it was a different story as the Steermen came out on top 27-15. Howard’s then eliminated Larry’s 41-20 to get another shot at Steele’s in the finals. In a slugfest, Steele’s won the title by a 50-36 score. They scored 21 runs in the first inning.

  • MVP – Doug Roberson, Steele’s (15-19, .789, 6 HRs, 18 RBIs)
  • HR Leader – Jim Fuller, Howard’s/Western Steer – 15
  • Batting Leader – Greg Schulte, Auston Capitols (17-21) – .810
  • Defensive MVP – Ron Parnell, Steele’s Silver Bullets

1988 NSA All-World Team (incomplete)

  • Doug Roberson, Steele’s Silver Bullets (15-19, .789, 6 HRs, 18 RBIs)
  • Ron Parnell, Steele’s Silver Bullets
  • Mike Macenko, Steele’s Silver Bullets
  • Bill Blake, Steele’s Silver Bullets (9 HRs)
  • Ken Loeri, Steele’s Silver Bullets (15-19, .789)
  • Bruce Meade, Steele’s Silver Bullets (9 HRs)
  • Jim Fuller, Howards (15 HRs)
  • Steve Jackson, Larry’s Used Cars (14-21, .667., 4 HRs, 10 RBIs)
  • Greg Pyke, Austin Capitols (17-22, .773)
  • Freddie Johnson, Austin Capitols (15-20, .750, 8 HRs, 23 RBIs)
  • Greg Schulte, Austin Capitols (17-21, .810, 8 HRs, 18 RBIs)

    *No info available on remainder of all-tournament team, missing some players (Howard’s players)

OTHERS

Scott Virkus, Steele’s Silver Bullets (13-19, .684)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Steele’s Silver Bullets, Grafton, OK (4-0)
2. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC (4-2)
3. Larry’s Used Cars, Grand Praire, TX (2-2)
4. Austin Capitols, Austin, TX (3-2)
5t. William’s Stars, Houston, TX (2-2)
5t. Superior Softball, Windsor Locks, CT (1-2)
7t. Purdys, Fort Worth, TX (1-2)
7t. South Texas Lightening, Houston, TX (1-2)
9t. Pittsburgh Hot Links, Pittsburgh, PA (0-2)
9t. Villain Sports, Seguin, TX (0-2)

1987 NSA Men’s Super Slow Pitch World Series

1987 held in Houston, Texas.

Co-Champions – Smythe Sox, Houston, Texas and Athletic Shop, Hammond, Louisiana – (Declared co-champs due to rain)

MVP – Cecil Whitehead, Smythe Sox
MVP – Hal Harlan, Athletic Shop
HR Leader –Bill Blake, Smythe Sox – 14
Batting Leader – no info available
Defensive MVP – Paul Drilling, Athletic Shop

Smythe Sox and Athletic Shop were declared Co-Champs in this rain-shortened event. Both teams suffered one loss. Smythe (had defeated Starpath in their first game) coming from losers bracket beat Athletic Shop in the first final 19-18 on 2 run homer by Bruce Meade. The “if” game was never played. Athletic Shop sent Smythe Sox to the losers bracket initially with a 24-15 victory. To reach the championship, Smythe beat Howards 45-12 in losers bracket final. Athletic Shop won a 7-0 forfeit over Superior Bombats in winners bracket final due to Superior having to catch their plane due to the long rain delays. Defending champ, Steele’s defeated Howards 37-12 in their opening game, were eliminated in back to back losses ; 29-28 to the Bombats and then to Howards 45-25. In the win over Howards, Smythe hit 21 HRs. Mike Parrott and Mark Heirlmeier hit 3 each, while Doug Brown was 5-5. Trailing 17-8, Athletic shop scored 10 in top of 7th to take a 18-17 lead. Larry Fredieu and Mark Lewis hit homers in that rally. Paul Drilling chipped in with a bases loaded double. In the bottom of the 7th, Cecil Whitehead got a base hit and then Meade hit his game winner. For Smythe in the game. Brown hit 3 HRs, while Meade, Parrott and Blake each hit 2. Blake was the tournament HR king with 14.

1987 NSA All-World Team (incomplete)
Cecil Whitehead, Smythe Sox
Hal Harlan, Athletic Shop
Paul Drilling, Athletic Shop
Bill Blake, Smythe Sox (14 HRs)
Bruce Meade, Smythe Sox
Doug Brown, Smythe Sox
Mike Parrott, Smythe Sox
Larry Friedieu, Athletic Shop
Greg Schulte, Athletic Shop
Mike Macenko, Steele’s Sports (15-21, 13 HRs, 20 RBIs)
*No info available on remainder of all-tournament team (Superior Bombats and Howards Players)

1987 Standings (incomplete) – 24 teams total
1. (Tie) Smythe Sox, Houston, TX
1. (Tie) Athletic Shop, Hammond, LA
3. Superior Bombats, Windsor Locks, CT
4. Howard’s/Western Steer, Denver, NC
5. Steele’s Sports, Grafton, OH
?. Starpath, Monticello, KY
?. Texas Capitols, Austin, TX
?. CDI, Oklahoma City, OK
*No info available on the remaining teams, records and their finish, tournament cut short due to rain

TPS Power Ratings – Final 2017

– Must have sixteen (16) or more games. Information is provided in the following order:
– Team Name.
– Team Class.
– Team’s Home Base.
– TPS Power Rating.
– Number of Eligible Tournaments participated in.
– Wins & Losses (in eligible games only).
– Won-Lost % (in eligible games only).
– SoftballCenter.com Rank.

Place Team Class City TPS Events W L PCT SC
1 Smash It/Scene/TDB/Miken/Worth Major Rochester, NY 149.350 12 65 5 .929 1
2 Resmondo/OA Apparel/H. Auto/SPTank Major Winter Haven, FL 120.600 14 62 22 .738 2
3 Smash It/Thunder/Miken/Worth/Louisville Major Wading River, NY 108.734 11 43 18 .705 3
4 Dan Smith/Menosse Major San Jose, CA 106.820 12 42 22 .656 4
5 Backman/S&S/Dr.Pepper/Louisville Slugger Major Aurora, IN 106.727 4 15 8 .652 NR
6 Newbreed/GTS/DeMarini Major Tukwila, WA 104.275 11 40 22 .645 6
7 Racks/Sonny’s/Athlon/Easton/Cutter Major Casper, WY 96.916 11 40 21 .656 7
8 Worth Astros/K&G/Klutch AA Indianapolis, IN 86.694 13 39 24 .619 8
9 Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon AA Medina, MN 86.302 12 33 23 .589 10
10 Precision/3rd St./GBrand/Easton AA Chicago, IL 85.964 12 37 22 .627 5
11 The Scene/HDLNS/BHR/Easton AA Hamilton, OH 85.429 10 30 20 .600 9
12 Classic Glass/Easton AA San Jose, CA 81.899 10 27 20 .574 15
13 OA Apparel/Broughton/KBI/Easton AA Gladewater, TX 80.924 14 33 28 .541 13
14 Steel Sports/PowerhouseSportz/Miken A Corpus Christi, TX 80.401 10 34 15 .694 11
15 Myautojack.com/Tunie Sports B Glendale, AZ 80.079 5 15 10 .600 NR
16 Bay Area Legends/Miken A Castro Valley, CA 77.811 12 30 21 .588 17
17 Nightmare/Miken AA Branson, MO 77.574 14 38 28 .576 16
18 Killbombers/Demarini/GS Sports AA Frisco, TX 76.798 10 22 20 .524 NR
19 Bad Draw/B&B/Broughton/BAF/Worth A Greenville, NC 75.572 10 25 18 .581 12
20 Baugh Ford/Adiktiv/Worth/Miken A Peachtree City, GA 74.807 10 30 17 .638 18

2020 Team USA Women’s Slowpitch Teams

2020 Women’s Slow Pitch National Team

  • Patrika Barlow*, Louisville, Kentucky, Swings: Worth
  • Savannah Brown, Inola, Oklahoma, Swings: Easton
  • Chelsea Davis, Sarasota, Florida, Swings: Easton
  • Christan Dowling, Rochester, New York, Swings: Easton
  • Shelby Engle, Orlando, Florida, Swings: Monsta
  • Fiana Finau, Chula Vista, California, Swings: Easton
  • Stephanie Hartness*, Mobile, Alabama, Swings: DeMarini
  • Tara Licuana, Bellflower, California, Swings: Easton
  • Ashley Mack*, Jacksonville, Florida, Swings: Worth
  • Kelly Park, Aurora, Illinois, Swings: Easton
  • Sara Poteat, Marietta, Georgia, Swings: Miken/Worth
  • Terri Ross, Louisville, Kentucky, Swings: Worth
  • Kristen Shifflett, Charlottesville, Virginia, Swings: Easton
  • Tawna Williams, Amarillo, Texas, Swings: Louisville Slugger

Coaching Staff

  • Don Cooper, Kent, Washington, Head Coach
  • Tammy Higginbotham, Assistant Coach
  • Shannon Cooper, Kent, Washington, Assistant Coach

2020 Women’s Futures National Team

  • Tyquilla Abdoo*, San Antonio, Texas, Swings: Easton
  • Marisa Basham*, Ft. Madison, Iowa., Swings: DeMarini
  • Stephanie Call*, Lake Worth, Florida, Swings: DeMarini
  • Kelley Cash*, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Shayna Finley, Spartanburg, South Carolina, Swings: Monsta
  • Megan Higginbotham*, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Mandy Hollman, York, Pennsylvania, Swings: Easton
  • Amber Parrish, Wilson, North Carolina, Swings: Worth
  • Melanie Pfeiffer*, Vancouver, Washington, Swings: Easton
  • Annie Rardin*, Lexington, Kentucky, Swings: Miken/Worth
  • Wendi Reed*, Little Rock, Arkansas, Swings: Worth
  • Kristina Sherriff, Everett, Washington, Swings: Easton
  • Kylee Studioso, Edmonds, Washington, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Victoria Toplikar*, Kansas City, Missouri, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Dani Wayt*, Orange City, Florida, Swings: Louisville Slugger

Coaching Staff

  • Cara Coughenour, West Des Moines, Iowa, Head Coach
  • Marieo Foster, Assistant Coach
  • Tina Amfahr-Parris, Assistant Coach
* Indicates rookie

2020 Team USA Men’s Slowpitch Teams

2020 Team USA Men’s National Team

  • Kevin Bazat, Columbia, Missouri, Swings: Easton
  • Cory Briggs, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Swings: Miken
  • Dale Brungardt, Vancouver, Washington, Swings: DeMarini
  • Daniel Cayton*, Redding, California, Swings: Easton
  • Travis Clark, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Swings: Easton
  • Andrew Collins, Largo, Florida, Swings: Monsta
  • Greg Connell, Moultrie, Georgia, Swings: Easton
  • Ben Dunn, League City, Texas, Swings: Easton
  • Ryan Harvey, Clearwater, Florida, Swings: Worth
  • Bubba Mack, Milton, Florida, Swings: Easton
  • Kyle Pearson, Stonewall, Louisiana, Swings: Miken
  • Andy Purcell, Rockledge, Florida, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Filip Washington, Rochester, New York, Swings: Anarchy
  • Brian Wegman, Hamilton, Ohio, Swings: Easton
  • Jeremy Yates, Lake City, Florida, Swings: Easton

Coaching Staff

  • Brett Helmer, Cicero, New York, Head Coach
  • Todd Ankney, Lake Villa, Illinois, Assistant Coach
  • Tim Barnes, Gladewater, Texas, Assistant Coach

2020 Team USA Men’s Futures National Team

  • Colin Baartman*, Golden Valley, Minnesota, Swings: Miken/Worth
  • Joseph Bennett*, Statenville, Georgia, Swings: DeMarini
  • Patrick Ellwanger, St. Paul, Minnesota, Swings: Easton
  • Chente Granados, Chino, California, Swings: Worth
  • Alex Hovey*, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Swings: Monsta
  • Jared Hunt*, El Cajon, California, Swings: Monsta
  • Tyler Marshburn*, Clayton, North Carolina, Swings: Easton
  • Phil Matte*, Radcliff, Kentucky, Swings: Demarini
  • Jason Matusik*, Umatilla, Florida, Swings: Miken
  • Ryan McClanahan, El Cajon, California, Swings: Miken
  • Zane Migues*, Broussard, Louisiana, Swings: Louisville Slugger
  • Brett Rettenmeier, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Swings: Monsta
  • Josh Riley, Berea, Kentucky, Swings: Worth
  • Adam Ussery, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Swings: Monsta
  • Johnathon Williams, Chicago, Illinois, Swings: Anarchy

Coaching Staff

  • Rob Humphrey, Burlington, Iowa, Head Coach
  • Denny Crine, Henderson, Nevada, Assistant Coach

* Indicates rookie

ASA Pitching Height Arc History

  • ASA
  • February 24, 2020

From the start of ASA Slow Pitch in 1953 the pitching arc 3 feet from release (pitcher’s hand) to 10 feet. Sound familiar?

In 1975 at the ASA National Convention they voted to go to an unlimited arc. This lasted for two seasons.

  • Mike Nye hit an incredible .769 at nationals in 1976 with an unlimited arc.
  • Umpires would call anything that didn’t land within 6 inches of the back of home plate a ball.
  • Zinn’s Diner fielded a team with 10 small people and a pitcher that could throw a 25 foot arc for strikes. The were beating national powers like York Barbell and Howard’s Furniture.

In 1977 they switched to a 6 foot to 12 foot arc from the ground.

For the 2010 season ASA switched to a 6 foot to 10 foot arc from the ground.

Other changes to field dimensions:

  • In 1982 the bases moved from 60 feet to 65 feet.
  • In 1989 the pitching plate was moved back from 46 feet to 50 feet.
  • In 2010 the bases were moved from 65 feet to 70 feet.

2010-2019 All Decade Team

  • Co-Player of the Decade – Andy Purcell
  • Co-Player of the Decade – Brian Wegman
  • Offensive Player of the Decade – Greg Connell
  • Defensive Player of the Decade – Don Dedonatis
  • Team of the Decade – 2017 Smash It/Scene/TDM/Miken/Worth – (69-7) – Won the Conference USSSA regular season and USSSA Major World Series

ALL DECADE FIRST TEAM

P – Travis Clark
P – Andy Purcell
C – Brett Helmer
EH – Ryan Harvey
1B – Kyle Pearson (LA)
2B – Greg Connell
3B – Bubba Mack
SS – Don Dedonatis
MI – Bryson Baker
OF – Brian Wegman
OF – Jeremy Yates
OF – Andrew Collins
UT – Dennis Rulli
UT – Kevin Filby
UT – Luis Reyna
Manager – John Rector
Sponsor – Travis Resmondo

ALL DECADE SECOND TEAM

P – Andrew Vitcak
C – BJ Fulk
EH – Dale Brungard
1B – Scott Kirby
2B – Steven Lloyd
3B – Shannon Smith
SS – Kevin Bazat
MI – Kevin Kennington
OF – Brandon Dillon
OF – Brian Zirkle
OF – Cory Large
OF – Jason Branch
UT – Chris Greinert
UT – Mike Umscheid
UT – Chris Larsen
UT – Jeff Flood
Manager – Steve Shortland
Sponsor – Brett Helmer

ALL DECADE HONORABLE MENTION

Geno Buck
Lee Powers
Nic Santana
Ben Dunn
Cory Briggs
Jeremy Isenhower
Neil Haglund
Brad Reckart
Brian Rainwater
Filip Washington
Rick Baker
Adam Rockoff
Josh Riley
Orlando Castillo
Steve Whaley
Brett McCollum
Brett Rettenmeier
Brian Logan
Chad Mullins
Daniel Kirkwood
David Kessler
Faron Miller
Keith Laski
Kyle Pearson (FL)
Patrick Ellwanger
Ryan Parfitt
Jimmy Salas
Chente Granados
Donovan Pokraka
Johnathon Williams

Mike Nye

Mike Nye – USA Softball Hall of Fame class of 2019.

Year   	ABs	Hits	HRs	Avg.	Team
1970			53	.718	Warren Motors
1971			71	.641	Warren Motors
1972			106	.651	Warren Motors
1973			103	.660	Warren Motors
1974			 	.680	Warren Motors
1975				.673	Nelson's Painting
1976	424	326	65	.769	Warren Motors  (scored 297 Runs, had 216 RBI, 73 Doubles and 13 Triples)
1977					Nelson's Painting (Amateur, before going Pro)
1977	258	170	36	.659	Detroit Caesars (Pro)
1978	246	161	33	.654	Detroit Caesars (Pro)
1979	179	 90	 6	.503	Detroit Caesars (Pro)
1980					Jerry's Caterers
1981				.711	York Barbell/Ken Sanders
1982			32	.696	York Barbell/Ken Sanders
1983				.712	Jerry's Caterers
1984				.650	Jerry's Caterers
1985	393	266	17	.677	Steele's Sports
1986					Vernon's
1987				.678	Marlton Trucking			
1988	116	 78	 4	.672	Marlton Trucking and Apollo East Side
1989	277	194	18	.700	Ritch's Salvage
1990	 63	 89	10	.708	Vernon's
1991					Vernon's & Florida Mulch 40+ (MVP ASA 40+ Nationals)
1992	109 	162 	 9	.673	Vernon's & Florida Mulch 40+

INCOMPLETE – Estimated to have a Career Batting Average of .725 with over 500 HR.

ASA Girls’ 10-Under A Fast Pitch National Champions

1998 – California Crunch, Chino, CA (held at Chattanooga, TN)
1999 – Invasion, Placentia, CA (held at Broken Arrow, CA)
2000 – San Diego Renegades, San Diego, CA (held at Stockton, CA)
2001 – USA Athletics, Cypress, CA (held at Moreno Valley, CA)
2002 – Minors Gold, San Jacinto, CA (held at Tulsa, OK)
2003 – Lakewood Ladies, Lakewood, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2004 – American Athletics, Orange County, CA (held at Tulsa, OK)
2005 – Corona Angels, Corona, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2006 – 95 Texas Glory, Mesquite, TX (held at Moline, IL)
2007 – Indiana Thunder, Goshen, IN (held at Auburn, AL)
2008 – Team Smith Blue, Chino Hills, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2009 – Victory USA, Cypress, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2010 – Firecrackers 99, Cerritos, CA (held at Chattanooga, TN)
2011 – Team Watley, Santa Ana, CA (held at Johnson City, TN)
2012 – Firecrackers 01, Cerritos, CA (held at Bloomington, IN)
2013 – So Cal Athletics, Lakewood, CA (held at Bowling Green, KY)
2014 – Tennessee Mojo 03, Cookeville, TN (held at Johnson City, TN)
2015 – Birmingham Vipers 04, Odenville, AL (held at Normal, IL)
2016 – Universal Fastpitch, Fairfield, CA (held at Stockton, CA)
2017 – Lasers Silver, Miamisburg, OH (held at Findlay, OH)
2018 – Knockout Divas 07, Montgomery, AL (held at Montgomery, AL)
2019 West – KC Storm 08, Lee’s Summitt, MO (held at Broken Arrow, OK)
2019 East – Atlanta Vipers Stewart, Loganville, GA (held at Johnson City, TN)