Softball History USA

Softball USA Team of the Decade – 1980’s

Jerome Earnest, editor of Softball USA selects his team of the decade

1980’s Player of the Decade – Rick Scherr

1980’s Team of Decade – Howard’s/Western Steer of 1981 with an 160-15 record won the ASA, USSSA and NSPC titles.

First Team

P- Buddy Slater
C- Craig Elliott
1B- Rick Scherr
2B- Mike Macenko
3B- Charles Wright
SS- Steve Williams
LF- Doug Roberson
LC- Cecil Whitehead
RC- Clyde Guy
RF- Bruce Meade
EH- Billy Blake
Util- Bill Gatti

Second Team

P- Rick Weiterman
C- Greg Fuhrman
1B- Dennis Graser
2B- Doug Brown
3B- Mike Bolen
SS- Ron Parnell
OF- Ron Ford
OF- Dick Bartel
OF- Mike Nye
OF- Rick Wheeler
EH- Stan Harvey
Util- Greg Whitlock

Honorable Mention (players also receiving votes)

Mike Cellura
Fred Trice
Don Arndt
Joe Young
Jim Fuller
Rich Plante
Ricky Huggins
Cliff Carpenter
Dave Steffen
Mark Heirlmeier
Don Clatterbaugh
Harold Kelley
Britt Hightower
Monty Tucker
Denny Jones
Richard Wilborn
Curtis Williams
Tom Beall
Bill Pollock
Mike Parrott
Russell Bradley
Chic Downing
Herman Rathman
Tim Rhinehart
James Washington

Softball USA Jerome Earnest All Defensive Team of the Decade – 1980s

P- Dave Elder
C- Craig Elliott
1B- Dennis Graser
2B- Steve Howard
3B- Charles Wright
SS- Greg Whitlock
OF- Richard Wilborn
OF- Ronnie Ford
OF- Cliff Carpenter
OF- Doug Roberson

Slo-Pitch News Team of the Decade – 1970’s

Jerome Earnest, editor of Slo-Pitch News selects his team of the decade

1970’s Co-Players of the Decade – Mike Nye and Ron Ford

1970’s Co-Teams of Decade

  • Nelson’s Painting/Nelco Mfg. of 1979 with an 80-10 record (USSSA, NSPC and ASA titles)
  • Warren Motors of 1976 with a 94-2 record (ASA title)

First Team

P- Buddy Slater
C- Herman Rathman
1B- Stan Harvey
2B- HT Waller
3B- Rick Scherr
SS- Russell Bradley
LF- Ron Ford
LC- Mike Nye
RC- Bert Smith
RF- Bruce Meade
EH- Tex Collins
EH- Steve Loya
Util- Bill Gatti
Util- Craig Elliott
Util- Denny Hogan
Util- Jim Galloway

Second Team

P- Don Arndt
C- Elby Bushong
1B- Al White
2B- Jorge Millan
3B- Bill Ferguson
SS- Rick Trudeau
OF- Richard Wilborn
OF- Phil Higgins
OF- Joe Young
OF- Denny Jones
EH- Mike Parrott
EH- Ron Patterson
Util- James Boyett
Util- Roger Brown
Util- Curtis Williams
Util- Jerry King

Honorable Mention (players also receiving votes)

Ray Fleetwood
Dick Bartel
Mike Cellura
Mike Axelson
Greg Fuhrman
Mike Foley
Chic Downing
Mike Gouin
Frank Sorrells
John Davide
Denny Brown
Clyde Guy
James Washington
Charles Pierce
Rick Pinto
James Abercrombie
Cobbie Harrison
Ed Finnegan
Joel Todd

Jerome Earnest Team of the Decade – 1960’s

  • ASA
  • November 13, 2018

1960’s Player of the Decade – Jim Galloway

1960’s Team of Decade – Skip Hogan AC of 1964 with an 69-11 record won the ASA title.

First Team

P – Lou DelMastro
C – Tex Collins
1B – Mike Axelson
2B – H.T. Waller
3B – Paul Tomasovich
SS – Mike Kovack
OF – Mike Gouin
OF – Hal Wiggins
OF – Luther Ates
OF – Mort Weinberg
EH – Ron Patterson
EH – Steve Loya
Util – Jim Galloway
Util – Bill Cole
Util – Ed Finnegan

Second Team

P – Sam Minniti
C – Chester Dungan
1B – John Stone
2B – Don Rardin
3B – Whitey Brown
SS – George Caloia
OF – Myron Rheinhardt
OF – Jim Puckett
OF – Miller Adams
OF – Bert Smith
EH – Ron Annotico
EH – Dick Polgar
Util – Steve Massong
Util – Tom Taylor
Util – Don Arndt

Honorable Mention (players also receiving votes)

J.D. McDonald
Bob Auten
Lou Russo
Jim Becker
George Siford
Bob Harrison
Bob Bier
Bill Malloy
Hudson Knock
Bob Malicki
Bob Schugman
George Caloia
Oscar Steadman
Gene Gedeon
Bernie Roeckers
Dan Vlahovic
Jim Wessell
Walt Roeckers
Paul Nutley
Ron Cutter
Harry Phillips
Frank Matoh
Steve Shurina
Jim Mortl
Joe Konicki
Joe Gauci

Jerome Earnest Team of the Decade – 1950’s

  • ASA
  • November 13, 2018

1950’s Player of the Decade – Myron Reinhardt

1950’s Team of Decade – Gatliff Auto of 1957 won the ASA title.

First Team

P- Walt Wherry
C- Dick Luken
1B- Frank Panski
2B- Don Rardin
3B- Whitey Brown
SS- JD McDonald
OF- Myron Reinhardt
OF- Hal Wiggins
OF- Ron Annotico
OF- Earl Berryman
Util- Joe Gauci
Util- Andy Massetta
Util- Gene Dittoe

Honorable Mention (players also receiving votes)

Al Cornett
Bo Stuntebeck
Ish Cornett
Bob Trainor
Chuck Jacobs
Don Heilman
Denny Braun
Milt Kress
Jack Carmichael
Don Whitford
Lenny Roth
Donnie Key
Mason Leeper
Bill Campo
Jack Biggerstaff
Vern Roberts
Tom Infeld

2018 USSSA Men’s Major Slow Pitch World Series

2018 held at Viera, Florida.

Champion – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton, Winter Haven, Florida
Runner Up – Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken, Rochester, New York

This was the first year for the Major World Series to be held at USSSA Space Coast Stadium.

  • MVP – Bubba Mack, Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto (19-25, .760, 13 HR, 25 RBI, 15 Runs)
  • HR Leader – Ryan Harvey, Smash It/Thunder (30-26, .833, 34 RBI, 23 Runs) – 17
  • Batting Leader – Mike Brambilla, Nightmare/Miken (23-26, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 22 Runs) – .885
  • Offensive MVP – Ryan Harvey, Smash It/Thunder (30-26, .833, 17 HR, 34 RBI, 23 Runs)
  • Defensive MVP – Steele Lewis, Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto

USSSA MAJOR WORLD SERIES ALL WORLD TEAM

  • Brian Wegman – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • Bryson Baker – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • Andy Purcell – Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken
  • Greg Connell – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • Jeremy Yates – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • Travis Clark – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • David Kessler – Precision/3rd Street/Bull Dawg
  • Johnathon Williams – Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken
  • Cory Briggs – Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken
  • Andrew Collins – Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith
  • Buddy Wolf – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • Filip Cabell Washington – Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken
  • Jason Matusik – TDB/FAI/Klutch/Miken
  • Josh Riley – Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken
  • Tyler Wilson – TDB/FAI/Klutch/Miken
  • Kyle Pearson – Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken
  • Davis Bilardello – Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith
  • Benjamin Dunn – Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith
  • Brandon Traylor – Newbreed/Steel Sports/DeMarini
  • Ryan Stovall – Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith
  • Neil Haglund – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton
  • Manager – Brett Helmer – Resmondo/RDD/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi/Easton

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Resmondo/Rdd/H.Auto/All In/Sprizzi Winter Haven, FL (5-1)
2. Smash It/Thunder/Backman/TDB/Miken Rochester, NY (6-2)
3. Dan Smith/Menosse/Steven Smith San Jose, CA (3-2)
4. TDB/FAI/Klutch/Miken Charlotte, NC (3-2)
5t. Precision/3rd Street/Bull Dawg Chicago, IL (3-2)
5t. Newbreed/Steel Sports/Demarini Tukwila, WA (3-2)
7t. Rack’s/Worth Astros/Klutch/Troupe Indianapolis, IN (2-2)
7t. Pure Sports/Monsta Charleston, SC (2-2)
9t. Nightmare/Miken Branson, MO (3-2)
9t. Xtreme/Miken/ASP/Athlon Medina, MN (1-2)
9t. Premier/Easton/HDLNS Morrow, OH (1-2)
9t. Riot Sports/Broughton/Beckham/Worth Tampa, FL (1-2)
13t. La Famiglia/Easton/Elite Sports Pittsburgh, PA (2-2)
13t. Rapid Fire Athletics/Bad Draw Gainesville, VA (0-2)
13t. All Out/A&A/Steel Sports/ASP/Miken Gladewater, TX (0-2)
13t. Baugh Ford/Pure Sports/Kincaid Clanton, AL (0-2)
17t. Pauer Sports/JBL/Tailgaters/B&E Kent, OH (0-2)
17t. Govt Issue/A&S/Premier San Diego, CA (0-2)

USSSA WEBSITE LINK = http://www.usssa.com/slowpitch/teamHome/?teamID=2597079

ISA Men’s 70 and Over

  • ISA
  • November 12, 2018

Year	Class	Champions
2005	Gold	Florida Investment Properties, Lantana, FL
2006	Major	N/A
2007	Major	N/A
2008	Major	N/A
2009	Maj+/Ma Suncoast Orthopaedic Surgery Florida, FL
	AAA/AA 	Hamel Caveliers, VA 
2010	Major+ 	Suncoast Orthopedics Surgery Florida, FL
	AAA 	Michiana Merchants, MI
2011	Major 	N/A 
2012	AAA 	Direct Employers, IN 
	AA 	Dayton Legends, OH 
2013	Major	N/A
2014	Major	N/A
2015	Major	N/A
2016	Major	N/A
2017	Major	N/A

ISA Men’s 65 and Over

  • ISA
  • November 12, 2018


Year – Class – Champions
2000 – Major – Florida Investment Properties – Lantana, FL
2001 – Major – Florida Investment Properties – Lantana, FL
2002 – Major – N/A
2003 – Major – N/A
2004 – Upper – Pompano Beach Bums – Fort Lauderdale, FL
2005 – Gold – Florida Legends – Nokomis, FL
2006 – AA – Budweiser, MO
2007 – AAA – Hamel Builders – Reisterstown, MD
2008 – AAA/AA – Indianapolis Classics – Indianapolis, IN
2009 – AAA – West Michigan Carelinc – MI
2009 – AA – Jim and Joe’s 65’s – KY
2010 – AAA – West Michigan Carelinc – MI
2010 – AA – Jim and Joe’s 65’s – KY
2011 – AAA – N/A
2012 – Major – Marian Maitland/Boys of Summer – MI
2012 – AAA – Midwest Express, NE
2012 – AA – Jim & Joe’s, KY
2013 – Major – High Five, MN
2013 – AAA – Michaels, WI
2013 – AA – US Jobs, IN
2014 – Major – N/A
2014 – AAA – N/A
2015 – Major – Declaire Orthopaedic – Troy, MI
2015 – AAA – US Job/Indy 65 – Indianapolis, IN
2015 – AA – Indiana Legends/Columbus – Seymour, IN
2016 – Major – Minnesota Masters/Ancell – MN
2017 – 65/70 – Kentuckiana 65s – IN
2017 – Major – N/A
2017 – AAA – N/A

ISA Men’s 60 and Over

  • ISA
  • November 12, 2018

Year	Class	Champions
1999	Major	Emerald City Masters, Seattle, WA
2000	Major	Florida Crush Legends, Melbourne, FL
	AAA	Pompano Beach Bums, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
	AA	Galyans Geezers, Illinois
2001	Major +	Florida Crush Legends, N. Ft. Myers, FL
	Major	Akron Silver Masters, Akron, OH
	AAA	Bandits, Walnut Creek, CA
2002	Super	Florida Legends/Dan Sports, Nokomis, FL
	AAA	Port St. Lucie Ramblers, Port Saint Lucie, FL
2003	Major + Florida Legends, Nokomis, FL
	Major 	Florida Crush, Ft. Meyers, FL
2004	Upper	Florida Legends, Nokomis, FL
2005	Gold 	Human Kinetics, FL
	Silver 	Lazy Days/Chadwell, FL
2006	Major + Tharaldson Enterprise, Las Vegas, NV
	Major 	Fire
2007	Major	CC Red, Chicago, IL
	AAA 	Miken Fossils, Rock Island, IL
2008	Major	Michael's Force, IL
	AAA 	Michigan Express, MI
2009	Major+	Miken/Tanel, FL 
	Major 	Morris Farm, FL 
	AAA 	Carriage Homes, AR 
	AA 	Dayton Legends 60's, OH
2010	Major 	Wild Bunch, AL 
	AAA 	Job Central/Indy 60, IN 
	AA 	Dayton Legends 60's, OH 
2011	Major 	N/A 
	AAA 	South Florida Heat, FL
	AA 	Pat's Sports/Levin Financial, FL
2012	Major 	Handeland Flooring, WI 
	AAA 	Indiana Legends/Campbell Tire, IN 
	AA 	Kentuckiana, KY
2013	Major+	Line Drive Salsa Bombers MI 
	Major 	Handeland Flooring, WI 
	AAA 	Dayton Legends 60, OH
2014	Major+ 	? 
	Major	?
	AAA 	?
2015	Major 	Kinnco Services, Traversa City, MI
	AAA 	Minutemen/Pepco SFS, North Royalton, OH
	AA 	Indy Fog, Indianapolis, IN
2016	Major+ 	Kinnco Services, Traversa City, MI
	Major	Kentuckiana Legends, IN
	AAA 	Cincinnati 60s, Cincinnati, OH
	AA 	Indy Fog, Indianapolis, IN
2017	Major 	? 
	AAA 	?

ISA Men’s 55 and Over

  • ISA
  • November 12, 2018

Year	Class	Champions
1996	East	Classic 50's, PA
	West	W.E. Ruth Realty, Seattle, WA
1997	Major	Thomas Engineering/Dudley, Manassas, VA
1998	Major	Pompano Beach Bums, Pompano Beach, FL
1999	Major	Florida Crush, Melbourne, FL
2000	Major	Thomas Engineering, Manassas, VA
	AAA	Pittsburgh Gold 55's, Pittsburgh, PA
	AA	Akron Silversmiths, Akron, OH
2001	Major	Thomas Engineering, Manassas, VA
	AAA	Penn Hills 55's, Pittsburgh, PA
2002	Super	Old A's, Walnut Creek, CA
	AAA	Ted's Montgomery, Brookeville, MD
	AA	Heat Wave, Naples, FL
2003	Major	Gulf Shore Insurance, Naples, FL
	AAA 	Office Products Warehouse, St. Petersburg, FL
2004	Upper	Bell Corp./Dan's Sports/Miken, Naples, FL
	Lower	Florida Storm, Florida
2005	Gold 	Bob's Transmission, FL
	Silver 	Sun Coast Sun Rays, FL
2006	Major +	All State/Miken, FL
	Maj/AAA	WE Ruth Realty, Renton, WA 
2007	Major +	N/A
	Maj/AAA	Williams Food Service, Louisville, KY 
	AA	Zeppelin, Louisville, KY
2008	Major +	N/A
	Maj/AAA	Rhinos, IL
	AA	Zeppelin, Louisville, KY
2009	Major+	Kittrell Acoustics, AL 
	Major	N/A 
	AAA 	Birmingham 55's, AL 
	AA 	Dayton Legends 55's, OH 
2010	Major+	Hendricks Sports Texas 
	Major 	Kinnco Services, IN 
	AAA 	Pat's Sports, FL 
	AA 	Zeppelin, Louisville, KY
2011	Major 	N/A 
	AAA 	Pat's Sports/Levin Financial, FL
2012	Major 	Windy City, IL 
	AAA 	Smith Laminating, KY 
2013	Major 	Kinnco Services, IN 
	AAA 	Central Illinois Chiefs, IL 
2014	Major 	? 
	AAA 	?
2015	Major+ 	Doc’s, Pickerington, OH
	Major 	The Softball Club, Munster, IN
	AAA 	Milwaukee Merchants, Greenfield, WI
2016	Major 	Doug & Don's Auto Care, MI
	50/55 	Antique Roadshow, IN
2017	Major 	? 
	AAA 	?

ISA Men’s 50 and Over

  • ISA
  • November 12, 2018

Year	Class	Champions
1996	A	Robbie's, Portland, OR
1997	A	Carolina Cobras, Burlington, NC
	B	Express, Glen Burnie, MD
1998	Major	Sawtre Texas Legends, Garland, TX
	A	Fairfield Unknowns, Pembroke Pines, FL
1999	Major	Florida Crush/Easton, Melbourne, FL
	A	Florida Crush, Melbourne, FL
2000	Major	Florida Crush-Brevard, N. Ft. Myers, FL
	AAA	Carolina Cobras, Raleigh, NC
	AA	Roseville Gateway, Sierra, CA
2001	Major +	California Rebels, Sacramento, CA
	Major	Akron Silversmiths, Cuyahogo Falls, OH
	AAA	W.E. Ruth Realty, Seattle, WA
	AA	Doc Martens, Martin, MI
2002	Super	California Rebels, Sacramento, CA
	Major	Joseph Chevrolet, Ft. Thomas, KY
	AAA	Team Worth Eagles, Boca Raton, FL
	AA	Sunshine Boys, Sebring, FL
2003	Major +	Pineknobs, Warren, MI
	Major 	W.E. Ruth Realty, Seattle, WA
2004	Major	JAH Masters, Atlanta, GA
	Upper	Al Estes Bail Bonds, Pinellas Park, FL
	Lower	Topps Softball
2005	Gold	Al Estes Bail Bonds, FL (Gold Division)
	-Red	Kittrell Acoustics, AL (Red Division)
	Silver	Broward Bunch, FL (Green Division))
	-White	Southern Softball, AL (White Division)
2006	Major +	Pine Knob, Mt. Clemens, MI
	Major	Travelodge Bears, Columbus, IN
	AAA	Metro Coors Light, Belleville, IL
2007	Major +	Hollis Appraisal, Jacksonville, FL
	Major	Travel Lodge, Columbus, IN
	AAA	Barons, Kansas City, MO
2008	Maj+/Ma	Hendricks Sports, TX
	AAA	Brickyard, IN
2009	Major	Windy City, IL
	AAA	Kayson's Grill, GA 
2010	Major 	Kayson's Grille 50's, GA 
	AAA 	Monster Softball II, TN 
2011	Major+ 	South Florida Renegades, FL
	Major	N/A 
	AAA 	Harbortown Marina, FL 
2012	Major 	OKI, IL 
	AAA 	Twin City, IL 
2013	Major+	OKI, IN 
	Major 	Chicago Prime, IN 
	AAA 	WC Thunder, IL 
2014	Major	?
	AAA	?
2015	Major 	Pope Transport, FT Atkinson, WI
	AAA 	Team 050, Alorton, IL
2016	Major	Big Ten Softball/DLB, IL
	AAA 	Team Illinois, IL
2017	Major	?
	AAA	?