2015 Tacoma-Pierce County Old-Timers Baseball & Softball

OLD-TIMERS Tacoma-Pierce County Old-Timers1

Baseball-Softball Reunion

2015 Sunday, May 31 • tacoma, wa

featuring Hall of Fame Inductees Dill Howell Award Marv Scott Coaches Award Cy Greenlaw Oldtimer’s Salute Award Meritorious Service Award

Co-Sponsored by

Prospects Tradition Fireworks

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is for

When you visit Cheney Stadium, be sure to bring your smile.

You’ll need it when you grab autographs from top-ranked prospects and share popcorn with friends in seats close to the action. You’ll wear it proudly while watching the innings of excitement linked with dances on dugouts and stretches in the seventh.

You need your smile for having fun, so have a few ready when you spend this spring and summer with the Rainiers.

Fun

Action Friends Memories Autographs Cheering Family Summer Hot Dogs History Home Runs

For tickets call 1-800-745-3000 or visit tacomarainiers.com

Excitement Rainiers old Timers Program Ad 021615.indd 1

2/17/15 1:04 PM

Schedule Suds ‘n Stuff.......................... 2:00 p.m.

Dinner................................... 3:00 p.m.

Awards Ceremony............. 3:45 p.m.

Committee Ken Laase Chairman Marc Blau & Frank Colarusso Master of Ceremonies Marc Blau & Gary Brooks Publicity Gary Brooks, Nick Dawson, Tyler Scott, Arnold Lytle & Marc Blau Souvenir Program Bob Young Advertising Ken DeForrest, Pat Kelly & Marc Blau Sponsors Shannon Heinrick, Ted Lopat & Ron Staples Raffle Gayle Hazen, Tina Russell, Linda Shelton, Mollie Robertson, Ardi Schrag & Kristy Schwartz Registration Joe Stortini & Ken Laase Ushers Don Gustafson Program Distribution Other committee members: George Karpach Oscar Larsen Doug McArthur Aaron Pointer Dave Roller Dave Wilsie Kellie Ham Type & Graphics Program Layout & Design

Check Us Out at www.oldtimerbaseball.com

Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Old-Timers Association

Welcomes You To The Annual Hall Of Fame Banquet The Tacoma Pierce-County Baseball-Softball Old-timers Association is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the many players who have been instrumental in the growth of baseball and softball in this community over the years. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Heritage Bank, and the Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Club, an annual banquet is held each spring which honors various teams and individuals who have made significant contributions in their sport.

In the past, these get-togethers have been very informal gatherings of fans, pros, amateurs, duffers and all people interested in America’s favorite pastime-BASEBALL! One of the first meetings was held in the mid-fifties at the old “Firs” nightclub out on Pacific Avenue. Dill Howell and John Heinrick were the heads of this occasion. Then, in the sixties, with a great assist from the T.A.C., the next banquet was held at the Top of the Ocean Restaurant in Old Town. The get-togethers were held there until it burned down (no fault of the Old-timers).

The gatherings then moved along with the T.A.C. to the 9th and Commerce location for about ten years. Here, Frank Ruffo, Rudy Tollefson, Harold Smith, Dan Walton and others, joined Heinrick to organize the affair. A lapse of four years followed until a committee again organized a get-together in 1985 at the Poodle Dog Restaurant in Fife, led by the hard-working Joe Hemel.

With a turnout of over 175 in 1990 at the Tacoma Elks Club, the Oldtimers made the move to accommodate more fans by hosting the banquet from 1990–98 at the Puyallup Elks. From 1999-2009 our annual banquet was held at the Tacoma Elks Club, in 2012 and 2012 were hosted the banquet at the Affifi Masonic Center and in 2013 we held our biggest function ever with the 60th anniversary of the Cheney Studs baseball teams. The event was held at the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood where we return in 2015 for another grand affair. We are indebted for the continued support by our major sponsors, in particular the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Heritage Bank and the Tacoma Rainiers. All three have been helpful in our efforts and deserve to be recognized for their community service. Tell them about it and how much you appreciate it the next time you have the opportunity.

Today’s banquet promises to be another outstanding recall of the great moments in both baseball and softball in Tacoma and Pierce County. We are welcoming some of the finest athletes every to play, coach, umpire, and sponsor here. For some the recognition is long overdue.

Nash Bishop and Ed NIehl are receiving the coveted Dill Howell Award, and Craig Lowry, a fixture when it comes to supporting athletics in Tacoma-Pierce County, will be honored with the Marc Blau Meritorious Service Award for his dedication and devotion over the years to youth baseball in the community. It is with great honor we bestow upon Holly Gee and Marco Malich, the prestigious Marv Scott Coaches Award. You will be impressed to read about their extensive coaching background and development of players over the years.

A special “Old-timers Salute” will be accorded Earl Birnel, Harry Nygard and Hank Semmern, longtime players in the City and Valley Leagues in addition to starring in high school.

Our list of talented Hall of Fame inductees with their outstanding list of achievements can be found in this souvenir program and will make for good reading. Be sure to take time to read about the incredible generosity of Wes and Dodie Drake, longtime sponsors of the Wes’ Super Mart teams from 1966-1976.

It’s a great story and indicative of the many former players who will be on hand this evening. Include the 1978-79 Cody’s Tavern men’s slowpitch team and the Coach House/Tacoma Office Supply men’s slowpitch teams from the 1970’s to the long list of honorees and you’ll agree that we have an impressive array of individuals to recognize—honors that are most appropriate.

In closing, remember… May continuing good health be your lot until the Great Umpire in the Sky dismisses you to the Clubhouse.

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Mission Statement

Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Association

The Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Association was conceived and organized to recognize and honor those participants whose commitment and dedication has resulted in a significant contribution to the history of those sports in the Tacoma-Pierce County community.

The Association shall conduct an annual awards ceremony for the purpose of inducting worthy members into the organization’s baseball, fastpitch, and slowpitch “Halls of Fame” and other related categories. In addition, certain special awards created to recognize and appreciate efforts “above and beyond” shall also be presented at the ceremony.

The Association shall establish the necessary criteria to determine nominations for the respective honors, and the Association shall elect inductees from those nominations.

Other goals of the Association shall be to establish a site, or sites, for its Hall of Fame (s) and the displaying of appropriate recognition for all inductees. The Association pledges cooperation with the Shanaman Sports Museum in developing its Hall of Fame plans to be certain of not conflicting with their already-established public displays.

The perpetuation and recognition of the sports of baseball, fastpitch, and slowpitch remain #1 priorities of the Association, and all efforts of the organization shall be directed toward enriching the phrase, “Play Ball”!

2015 Hall of Fame Inductees Baseball—Mike Larson, Kevin Stock, Dave Voss, Bill Zenk Jr. and Mike Zenk Fastpitch—Dave Demick, Tony DeRosa, Pete Guthrie (dec), Bobby Howard and Bill Zenk Sr. Slowpitch—Doug Armstrong, Mel Burrell, Todd Cooley and Dan Valentine Umpires—John Everett Broadcasters/Sports Writers—Ed Bowman Sponsors—Wes & Dodie Drake—Wes’ Super Mart Team Recognition— 1978-79 Cody’s Tavern/Justus Cedar Homes Men’s Slowpitch Team: Dick Zurfluh (manager-deceased), Jerry Archer, Jim Archer (batboy), Doug Armstrong, Mark Belvin, Mel Burrell, Dale Failey, Dan Greco (dec.), Jim Hadland, Tim Thonpson, Greg “Lumpy” Johnson (dec), Gary “Rhino” Jones, Wayne Knippel, Dan Luhtala, Larry Lynott (co-sponsor), Cody Miller (co-sponsor), Dave Roller, and Skip Thiel.

1970’s Coach House/Tacoma Office Supply Men’s Slowpitch Team: Bob Allen, Clay Angle, Russ “Odie” Baker, Rusty Bass, Brian “Butch” Brenno (dec), Mark Bender, Mike Brown, Carlos Canty, Dave Carlisle, Al Carlson, Bob Cason, Dennis Collers, Steve Curran, Jim Darland, Bob Fagering, Scott Hanson (dec), Jerry Henkel, Marco Hernando (coach), Mike Holland, Bob Hyppa, Ron Jakes, Larry Johnson, Larry Joy, Dave Kancianich, Joe Kilby (dec), Ed Lowery (dec), Larry Marshall, Dick Marzano, John Marzano, Ed McGrath, Denny Miller, Tom Miller, Bob Mitchell, Bill Murphy, Monte O’Brien, Vern Olin (owner, Coach House Restaurant), Gerry Perrin, Dale Reese, Mark Ross, Jim Ryan, Howard Schantz (owner, Tacoma Office Supplydec), Art Scheetz, Denny Snell, Don Stewart (dec.), John Thoma, Bob Tibbits, Dick Tomko, Dave Vossler, Jim Warter, Frank Welcome (dec) and Rick Welfringer (dec)

HELP

The Tacoma-Pierce County Old-timers Baseball-Softball Association is in need of a few good people.

Won’t you consider membership on the executive committee which helps promote the annual get together?

The committee meets quarterly, beginning in October, and needs members willing to help sell ads, obtain prizes donated for the annual raffle, mail banquet flyers and put together the program. If you are interested, contact Ken Laase, 253-380-1840 or Marc Blau, 253-848-1360 or marc@tacomaathletic.com.

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The TAC supports sports and the youth of Pierce County, And the TAC Needs You

If supporting youth and sports in Tacoma-Pierce County is appealing to you, joining the Tacoma Athletic Commission should be a “priority”. No other sports-oriented organization in Pierce County ever has done more for our kids and their sports, and 2015 is the TAC’s 72nd year of doing just that.

Nearly $5 million has been donated to schools, recreation departments, boys and girls clubs, deserving teams and individual athletes during that time thanks to TAC dues and special events staged by Commission members.

Among the fund-raisers which the TAC supports or sponsors are the Banquet of Champions, the Shanaman Sports Museum of TacomaPierce County, the annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing show, and a TAC Golf Tournament.

In terms of honors and awards, the TAC conducts the High School Athlete of the Month Award ceremonies three times a year, selects both a male and female Athlete of the Year from those ranks (each receive TAC college scholarships) and awards the Clay Huntington Sports Communication Scholarship. The Dick Hannula Award is another TAC honor, given to the Amateur Athlete of the Year in Pierce County. Tonight’s induction of new members into the Tacoma-Pierce County Old Timers Hall of Fame is another TAC tribute to sports in our community.

If the TAC is destined to continue its efforts of support, it needs the help of civic-minded, sports-minded citizens like you. A TAC individual membership or a TAC Corporate/Business Membership is the ideal way to assist this worthwhile cause. An application below will enable you to join now. Or you may locate an application form on line at www.tacomaathletic. com. For information, contact TAC membership chairman Doug McArthur at 253-759-1124 or via email at dougmc@nventure.com.

Nominations for Awards Encouraged

If you know of someone who is worthy of consideration for recognition at next years banquet, please complete and return this form.

Hall of Fame Baseball 1.________________

2.________________ Fastpitch 1.________________ 2.________________

Slowpitch 1.________________

2.________________ Umpires 1.________________

2.________________ Sponsors 1.________________

2.________________ Executive/ Meritorious 1.________________ 2.________________ Dill Howell Award 1.________________ Marv Scott Award 1.________________ Meritorious Award 1.________________

——————————————————————-——— TAC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Cy Greenlaw Oldtimer’s Award 1.________________

Name _____________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________ Address____________________________________________ E-mail address______________________________________

Name of person making nomination: _______________________

Individual Membership - $100, Corporate Contributions $250, $500, $1000, $2500, $5000. Enclose check.

Mail to: Tacoma Athletic Commission, Box 11304, Tacoma, WA 98411

Sports officials wanted to referee youth and adult recreation league and interscholastic athletic games. Training provided. Earn money and provide a much needed service to the youth of the Tacoma-Pierce County community.

Phone:__________________________________ Mail to: Old-Timers Banquet, 9908-63rd Ave. Ct. E., Puyallup, WA 98373

Baseball BJ Aea 253-589-5741 bjaea@aol.com Boy’s Basketball Steve Brown 253-405-6977 wwboa@mac.com www.wwboa.org Girl’s Basketball Al Perez 253-223-5800 al.perez2@netzero.com Football Jan Wolcott 253-826-2460 jswol@comcast.net Softball Ken Laase 253-380-1840 wwuaken@cs.com Volleyball Marc Blau 253-677-2872 mhblau@comcast.net www.tpcvob.com Wrestling Daryl Eygabroad 206-300-7660 Deygabroad@gmail.com

Previous Hall of Fame Inductees

Baseball—Morry Abbott, Harold Adams, Roy Archer, Primo Artoe, Rick Austin, Sonny Bailey, Jesse Baker, Cy Ball, Lou Balsano, Otto Balmer, Tony Banaszak, Jr., Rick Barnhart, Art Berg, Ron Billings, Earl Birnel, Les Bishop, Dale Bloom, Frank Bonaro, Ray Brammer, Denny Brand, Jack Bratlie, Jess Brooks, Dick Browse, Frank Brozovich, Gordy Brunswick, Luther Carr, Frank Cey, Ron Cey, Vern Champagne, Jim Claxton, Gene Clough, Dick Colombini, Howard Davis, Bob Dawson, Sr., Mike Dillon, Fred “Buzz” Doane, Richard “Butch” Dunlap, Ozzie Edwards, Cliff Ellingson, Jim Ennis, Les Faulk, Bob Fredricks, Bill Funk, Maury Galbraith, Jim Gallwas, Holly Gee, Ron Gee, Bill Geppart, Skip Gillis, Ron Goerger, George Grant, Dick Greco, Al Greco, Sr., Cy Greenlaw, Merle Hagbo, Dave Hall, Don Hansler, Ed Hardenbrook, John P. Heinrick, Andy Helling, Joe Hemel, Ron Herbel, Garry Hersey, Gordy Hersey, Bill Hobert, Bob Houston, Glenn Huffman, Earl Hyder, Floyd “Lefty” Isekite, Jack Johnson, Rick Johnson, Bob Johnson, Ken Jones, Arley Kangas, Frank Karwoski, Joe Keller, Rod Keogh, Andy Ketter, Dave Ketter, Horace “Pip” Koehler, Bob Kohout, Vern Kohout, Vic Krause, Earl Kuper, Ocky Larsen Sr., Tony Lavorato, Rick Lewis, Al Libke Jr., Bob Lightfoot, Bryce Lilly, Chuck Loete, Larry Loughlin, Bob Maguinez, Mel Manley, Harry Mansfield, Al Manter, Floyd Marcusson, Larry Marshall, Vic Martineau, David Mathews, Allan Maul, Neil Mazza, Doug McArthur, Frank McCabe, Ed McCoy, Barney McFadden, Bob McGuire, Art McLarney Sr., Jack McStott, Pete Mello, Lornie Merkle, John Milroy, Dave Minnitti, Phil Misley, Joe Mlachnik, Bill Moe, Gary Moore, Vern Morris, Frank Morrone, Dave Molitor, Jimmy Mosolf, Ford Mullen, Bill Mullen, Bill Murphy, Stan Naccarato, Jim Neeley, Bruce Nichols, Harry Nygard, Clyde Olson, Marion Oppelt, Gus Paine, Dick Palamidessi, Bill Parker, Craig Parks-Hilden, Don Paul, Roger Peck, Jim Pelander, Al Pentecost, Cap Peterson, Aaron Pointer, Gilly Portmann, John Pregenzer, Bill Ralston, Larry Rask, Jim Rediske, Fred Rickert, Marv Rickert, Jim Robinson, Rance Rolfe, Pat Rooney, Duane Rossman, Ernie Ruffo, Frank Ruffo, Pete Sabutis, Joe Salatino, Cliff Schiesz, Hal Schimling, Dick Schlosstein, Ken Schulz, Marv Scott, Don Semmern, Hank Semmern, Bill Sewell, Doug Sisk, Otto Smith, Bob Snodgrass, Joe Spadafore, Ray Spurgeon, Ron Staples, Con Starkel, Wes Stock, Ron Storaasli, Jack Tanner, Morry Taylor, Elmer Thiel, Frank “Bush” Tobin, Erling Tollefson, Rudy Tollefson, Bill Turnbull, Art Viafore, Chuck Viafore, Heinie Vogel, Stan Wallace, Carl “Kak” Wasmund, Pat Weber, Phil Westendorf, Russell White, Russ Wilkerson, Ray Wing, George Wise, Steve Whitaker, Mike White, Paul “Doc” Wotten, Roy Young, and Ed Yusko.

Fastpitch Softball—Doug Adam, Don Anderle, Mickey Bartels, Keith Bauer, Ken Bauer, Jay Beach, Gordy Bendick, Betty Rowan Bland, Lloyd Blanusa, Hal Blumke, Bill Boyer, Wally Brebner, Glen Collins, Mary Jane Bramman Cooper, Merle “Butch” Corbin, Frank Davies, Glen Davis, Esther Deuel, Marian Ricono Dubois, Bill Dunham, Ron Fawcett, Bob Frankowsky, Vern From, Lloyd Glasoe, Trish Hackett, Mike Healy, Jack Hermsen, Les Holtmeyer, Gene Horan, Hank Jarvits, George Karpach, Pat Kelly, Tom Kenyon, Mike Koppa, Art Lewis, Fran Luhtala, Kermit Lynch, Earl Mahnkey, Don Maitland, LaVerne Martineau, Louise Mazzuca, Roger McDonald, Dick Milford, Darron Nelson, Lowell Nelson, Shirely “Mac” Olsen, Dan Oliver, Darvee Olsen, Dean Pitsch, Bill Potthoff, Woodrow Red, Lou Rickenbacker, John Rockway, George Roket, Bill Ruehle, Peggy Moran Ruehle, Harry Rush, Ed Sabol, Delores “Dee” Sagmiller, Larry Slovek, Ken Stancato, Pat Strachan Stavig, Gene Thayer, Leonard Thomas, Tommy Thomas, Bud Thomsen, Cleon Tungsvik, Ron Vandegrift, Alec Watt, Dick Webster, Gertrude Wilhelmsen, Joyce Jones Wolf, Phil Yant, Dick Yohn, Cot Zehnder, Margaret Zepeda, Bob Zurfluh, Don Zurfluh, and Tom Zurfluh.

Slowpitch Softball—Dave Benedict, Kay Bentley, Earl Birnel, Dave Bishop, Carlos Canty, Jan Chase, Ken Deforrest, Bill Fleener, Cal Goings, Dick Halleen, Margaret “Maggie” Heinrick, Kathy Hemion, Whit Hemion Jr., Jerry Henderson, Nancy Jerkovich, Ken Jones, Joe Kilby, Joe Kreger, Ken Laase, Jim Lane, Lynn Larson, Lloyd Livernash, Peg Loverin, Dan Lowery, Dan Luhtala, Marco Malich, Ron Mattila, Art McLarney, Sandy Molzan, Dick O’Brien, Trena Page, Vicky Panzeri, Butch Pasquale, Jim Petersen, Darleen Peterson, Gordy Pfeifer, Louise Rota, Linda Rudolph, Dick Samlaska, Jack Scott, Steve Shackett, Joe Stortini, Jerry Thacker, Ken Schulz, Margaret Steeves, Alice Textor, Phyllis Textor, Terry Trowbridge, Rich Van Dyk, Sue Vincent, Bill Wheeler, Dave Wilsie, Bill Winter, Jan Wolcott, Jim Wolcott, Joyce Wolf, Bob Young and Dick Zierman.

Broadcasters & Sportswriters—Rod Belcher, Stan Farber, Jerry Geehan, Don Hill, Ed Honeywell, Nelson Hong, Clay Huntington, Gary Lindgren, Earl Luebker, Elliott Metcalf, Tom Page, Art Popham, Bob Robertson, Art Thiel, Dan Walton, and Karen Westeen.

Umpires—Ron Adams, Joe Bailey, Hal Berndt, Bob Corbin, Clarence Dean, Rick Fox, Ron Grassi, Paul Gustafson, Dick Hassan, John Heinrick, John Holliday, Bob Huegel, Joey Johns, Dave Kerrone, Ken Laase, Rick Lewis, Steve Liptrap, Ted Lopat, Lornie Merkle, Dave Minnitti, Frank Morrone, Ken Murrie, Jim Oleole, Fran Pinchbeck, Gerald Redburg, Chuck Ruth, Ron Shaw, Clarence Stave, David Van Hulle and Jerry Woods.

Sponsors—Jim Bartle & The Haven Pub, Frank Baskett/ Baskett Lumber Co., B & I Sports and Ron Irwin, Darold Billings/Billings Electric, Cammarano Bros., Inc., Ben B. Cheney/ Cheney Lumber Co., Rufus “Boots” Christian/Pacific Mutual Fuels, Harry Esborg/Hollywood Boat & Motor, Jerry Foss & Wested Tire, Ples Irwin/Irwin-Jones Motors, Don & Rita Kitchen/ Schooner Tavern, Spud Hansen/Spud’s Pizza Parlor, St. Ritas’s Church/Sons of Italy, Len Manke & Cloverleaf Tavern, Malcolm Soine & Soine’s Shoes, Tacoma Elks Club, Mike Tucci/Tucci & Sons, Washington Hardware, and Alden Woodworth/Woodworth Co..

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2015 Previous Hall of Fame Inductees continued TEAM RECOGNITION:

2008

Teams not honored in: 2011, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1987-1989.

Wilson High School (1977) State Championship Baseball Team-Bob Lightfoot (head coach), Hank Jarvits (Assist. Coach), Henry Bender, Mike Cheesman, Howard Kimura, Jim Koenig, Ken Lamb, Tab Lively, Mike Maxwell, Fred Minniti, Don Pratt, Dennis Randall, Rich Rhoads, Alan Stoops, Mike Wiese, Greg Wooldridge, and Kari Rein (statistician).

2012 1975-81 BJ’s All Stars Women’s Slowpitch Team: Joyce Wolf (coach), Nancy Craig (assistant coach), Sue Carter, Mary Dengler, Melodie Fox, Debbie Gray, Wendy Hawley, Denise Hoober, Diane Irish, Pat Kearney, Linda Kays, Sandy Molzan, Suzy Neuman, Trena Page, Vicki Panzeri, Darleen Peterson, Sue Ray Harding, Louise Rota, Ardi Schrag, Sue Showalter, Alice Textor, Phyllis Textor, Yvonne Via, and Sue Vincent.

1976-80 Tacoma Firefighters Men’s Slowpitch Team: Ken DeForrest (coach), Bob Bender, Dave Carr, Tim Chandler, Dave Deskins, Ralph Guelfi, Jim Hook, Mike Krueger, Dick Moore, Bob Schierman, Gary Schiesz, Ron Stephens, and Dave Wilsie.

2010 1979 Polar Bears Fastpitch Team: Dick Pollen (coach), Mike Konda (Assistant Coach), Connie Bridges, Margaret Cassidy, Peggy Ellis, Elaine Folgers, Jody Grace, Trish Hackett, Kris Lemon, Cindy Miller, Darvee Olsen, Debbie Osada, Kathy Pandrea, Terri (Pollen) Koberstein, Margaret Steeves, Vi Stewart and Lorie Timberman Mulhern.

1966-1983 Tony’s Wahzoos Women’s Slowpitch Team: Judy Alexander, Jan Chase (coach), Julie Christensen, Nancy Craig (Player/Coach), Karen (Hanson) Pelton (Player/Coach), Margaret Heinrick (Player/Coach), Gail (Adler) Carlson, Leslie Albert, Michelle (Armstrong) Foran, Lynda (Butt) Hodgkiss, Dar Cartwright, Meredith (Fry) Doran, Nancy Goodwin, Mary Hause, Sandy (Hanson) Lucich, Gayle Hazen, Shannon Heinrick, Paulette Hoover, Nancy Jerkovich, Laurie Jones, Kris Kade, Gretchen Kade, Teresa Kade, Patti Knight, Barb Kuni, JoAnne McCaffrey, Sheila Samuelson, Stephanie (Stiltner) Pinard, Lynette Tallman, Vicky Thompson, Sandy Turnley, Terry Veitz, Debbie Viafore, Patti (Vogel) Moffett, and Fran Wax. 2009 1949 K Street City League Championship Team: Earl Birnel, Frank Bonaro, Frank Cey, Vic Martineau, Pete Mello, Dave Minnitti, Frank Morrone, Al Otto, Gus Paine (Mgr), Joe Paine (batboy), Larry Rask, Gene Ribar, Fred Rickert, Pete Sabutis, Dick Salatino, Joe Salatino, Cliff Schiesz, Hal Schimling, Ed Yusko, and Art Viafore.

1991 People’s Church USSSA Men’s Church A World Champions: Ron Coder, Tim Cutter, Dave Glenn, Jerry Henderson, Ivy Iverson, Dave Nusser, Owen Shackett, Steve Shackett (coach), Darrell Shively, Mike Stevens, Scott Stolzenberg, Dan Valentine, Ralph Van Dyk, Rich Van Dyk, Kurtis Wells, and Doug Weston.

2007 Manke & Sons (1974) Men’s Fastpitch Team-Lowell Nelson (mgr), Keith Bauer, Jay Beach, Bill Boyer, John Collins, Lloyd Glasoe, George Hunter, Hank Jarvits. Tom Marshall, Darron Nelson, Gene “Chico” Thayer, Ken Thomas, Tommy Thomas, and Ron Vandegrift.

Lakes High School (1974) State Championship Baseball Team-Ed Hardenbrook (coach), Steve Anderson, Joe Betzendorfer, Scott Brunick, Jim Carberry, Jim Charboneau, Larry Corbin, Richard Hassan, Richard Hendrickson, John Higginbotham, George Hilbish, Tom Mann, Richard Martin, Jeff Mitchell, Gary Olson, Mike Reffner, Richard Rodewald, Bruce Roth, and Mike Wholey.

2006 1972-74 McKnights Foods Women’s Slowpitch Team 2005 1964 Tucci & Sons Men’s Slowpitch Team 1948-1952 Parkland Mutual Fuels Women’s Fastpitch Team 2002 1947-1952 Edgewood, K Street and Olde Pilsner Baseball Teams 2001 1940s-50s Spanaway Baseball Teams 1999 1946 Sportsman Club Baseball Team 1998 1950 Midland Baseball Team--Valley & Sunset League Champions 1995 1948 Pacific Lutheran College Baseball Team 1994 1954 Ben’s Truck Parks Fastpitch Team 1969 Tacoma Cubs Pacific Coast League Champions 1993 1957-1958 Woodworth Contractors Baseball Team 1992 1937 Johnson Paint Baseball Team 1952 Irwin-Jones Dodgers Fastpitch Team 1991 1956 Stanley Shoeman AABC National Champions Baseball Team 1990 1945 Todd-Pacific Stores Machinists State and NW Region Fastpitch Champions 1961 Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League Champions

Check Us Out For The Latest Info & Great Photos www.oldtimerbaseball.com

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In Memoriam

Jim Bartle Carl Benson Nikki Blevins Luther Carr Jim Cozad Mike Dillon Marian Ricono Dubois Bob Fredricks Dick Greco Pete Guthrie Dick Hansch Garry Hersey Ken Jones

Craig Maul Dick Minice Frank Morrone Peggy Moran Ruehle Don Shepherdson Bill Turnbull Art Viafore Ozzie Williams

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Haven Tavern men’s slowpitch sponsor Coach of Louise Mazzucca Cloverleaf Tavern women’s slowpitch Cheney Studs (1954-56) Woodworth Contractors and Spanaway baseball teams Stanley Shoemen Blue Streaks and Lincoln Electric women’s fastpitch Midland baseball team and Woodworth Contractors baseball team Tacoma Tigers of the Western International League Manitou Fuel, Cloverleaf Tavern and B & I fastpitch teams 1950s Spanaway baseball teams Sportsmen’s Club, Busch’s Drive-In, 26th & Proctor Criswell’s and Day’s Clothing baseball teams and Wested Tire and Lucky Lager slowpitch teams.

Cloverleaf Gremlins slowpitch team Cheney Studs (1955) K Street, Madigan and Edgewood baseball team and longtime umpire Blue Streaks and Lincoln Electric women’s fastpitch Cheney Stadium hotdog and souvenir program vendor Played in the Shipyard, Valley and City Leagues K Street baeball team and longtime umpire Cheney Studs (1954-57)

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“C.J.” JOHNSON BAIL BONDS Serving the Community Since 1951.

620 South 11th Street Tacoma, Washington 98405 Call Anytime

253-272-1208 Nationwide 24-Hour Service Superior • Federal Municipal • District Across from Courthouse behind the Library

Nash Bishop and Ed Niehl— Dill Howell Award Recipients Dill Howell Award Named after longtime sport enthusiast, Dill Howell, the award in his honor is given an individual who exemplifies Dill H o w e l l ’s passion, commitment, and continued support for baseball in the Tacoma-Pierce County community.

Dillard (Dill) Howell was one of the original founders and directors of the Tacoma Athletic Commission which was established in 1943 to promote sports and civic betterment. And, the TAC is the longtime sponsoring organization of the annual Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Old-timer’s banquet, an event that Dill worked on regularly.

Dill began his career in the sporting goods business in 1922 as a salesman at Kimball’s Sporting Goods and later became the store manager. In 1936 Kimball’s was sold and Dill founded Howell Sporting Goods which he operated until retirement in 1978. Howell Sporting Goods handled most of the athletic equipment and uniform needs for the area high schools as well as CPS and PLC and Dill was always very supportive of all local sports in the community.

Dill was very instrumental in keeping semi-pro baseball alive in the area and was actively involved in the organization and operation of the Tacoma City League, Industrial League, and Valley League over the years. In many respects, he was the glue that kept these leagues going, always helping the teams out with baseballs, uniforms, bats, gloves and much more. It was a commitment to the sporting community that he made on a consistent basis and it is because of this commitment that the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Association proudly recognizes Dill Howell on an annual basis with this award named on his behalf.

Nash Bishop

Have you heard of Nash Bishop? You probably have if you ever needed to know something about women’s classifications in the Washington chapter of USSSA. Bishop, a Clover Park High School alum (1947), Army veteran (1948-53) and graduate of Central Washington University (1956), has attended and kept notes on every state women’s classification meeting since the early 1990s.

He has updated the state office of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) from his notes, and over the years he created and kept up to date records for every team that participated in the women’s program. Now in his 80s (born May 19, 1929, in Blytheville,Ark.), Bishop is a walking encyclopedia of state women’s slow-pitch softball.

After playing basket-

Dill Howell Award Recipients 2015

Nash Bishop & Ed Niehl 2014 No Banquet 2013 No Banquet 2012 Gary Petersen 2011 No Banquet 2010 Tony Anderson 2009 Frank Colarusso 2008 Kevin Kalal 2007 Jim Kittilsby 2006 Doug McArthur & Baseball Tacoma Inc 2005 Roy Murphy 2004 Don Danielson 2003 Joe Stortini 2002 Dick & George Pease 2001 Marv Scott 2000 Holly Gee 1999 Bob Robertson 1998 The Gottfried & Mary Fuchs Foundation 1997 Marc Blau 1996 Brad Cheney 1995 Spud Hansen, Spud’s Pizza Parlor 1994 Washington Hardware 1993 Tom Cross 1992 Ray Spurgeon 1991 Clay Huntington & Stan Naccarato 1990 Steve Orfanos 1989 Bob Tourtillotte 1988 Cammarano Bros., Inc. 1987 John P. Heinrick

ball in high school and college, Bishop went on to a 31-year career as an elementary teacher in Sumner (Wade Calvin and Daffodil schools). During that 1957-87 span, he also worked for Sumner Parks and Recreation (1960-72), was an Area Director for Pierce County Parks and Recreation in the 60’s and 70’s, and was a director of Sumner Youth Baseball (meaning he wrote schedules, maintained fields and umpired, and was so active in the Sumner 20-30 club that he gained lifetime member status.

After leaving education, Bishop coached USSSA women’s softball teams from 1988-2008, twice leading teams that included his daughter to runner-up finishes (1998 and 1999) in the state tournament. His teams also finished third (2003), fourth (2000) and fifth (2002) in state.

Somehow, Bishop also found time for league bowling, adult rec league basketball and volunteering at Puyallup Parks and Recreation, where he was twice named Outstanding Volunteer (2000-01).

In short, the low-profile Nash Bishop has for decades lived up to the Dill Howell ideal by being a good citizen, a good coach and a tremendous asset to Pierce County recreation activities in Sumner and Puyallup.

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2015 Dill Howell Award Recipients continued

Ed Niehl

Ed Niehl, Pennsylvanian by birth (Pittsburgh, March 5, 1924) and Washingtonian by choice (Washington State College, now WSU, 1951), built the foundation for decades of athletic success at Bethel High School after he joined the newly consolidated district in its infancy.

An all-around athlete at Highline High School in Des Moines, Wash., he was a running back and defensive back from 1942-44, including an all-league selection at running back in 1944; a forward and guard in basketball; an outfielder in baseball; and a record-setting pole vaulter in track, clearing a leaguerecord 10 feet, 6 inches.

In the Army at Fort Sill, Okla., in 1946, he played running back and defensive back. He was a quarterback and defensive back in college for the Cougars from 1948-50.

While finishing up his degree in early 1951, Niehl was recruited to join the new 220-square-mile Bethel district in southeast Pierce County.

His first task as football and baseball coach was to bring together the athletes from Kapowsin and Roy high schools, 18 miles apart, to create competitive teams representing one school. Niehl drove the bus that took the athletes from Kapowsin to Roy for practices. The Braves rented Cheney Stadium, then located at 38th and Lawrence streets, for football games, and used Breseman Park, on the grounds now covered by Lake Spanaway Golf Course, for baseball.

Ed Niehl, up to bat, played for the Highline Athletic Club in 1948.

Bethel opened in the fall of 1952, bringing all the students under one roof. But Niehl, the shop teacher and coach for football and baseball, lacked suitable fields for competition, so he formed the first Bethel Booster Club in 1954. The aim was to bring the Braves back from Cheney Stadium and Breseman Park for games.

Under Niehl’s leadership, agriculture and shop teacher Robert Anderson and his students surveyed and planted the field. Money raised built concession stands, ticket booths, a cinder track, bleachers and other improvements at what came to be named Art Crate Field.

On the gridiron, Niehl built a powerhouse. The 1955, the Braves outscored opponents 146-0 while going 6-0-2 in the West Central League. Later in the ’50s, the Associated Press declared the Braves state champions, back in the days before playoffs.

While Niehl was hip-deep in organized athletics at Bethel – including 15 years as football coach, five years as baseball coach and seven years as a basketball assistant, along with a stint at athletic director from 1956 until he retired in 1981 – he also helped provide recreational opportunities as the Bethel Area Director for Pierce County Parks and Recreation. Later he organized, coached and played for various 55-and-over slowpitch softball teams at Sprinker Recreation Center, including Grandpa’s Lighting and R&B Plumbing.

As an administrator, coach and player up to age 80, Ed Niehl earned recognition as a Dill Howell Award winner.

Marv Scott Coaches Award Little did Tacoma City League fans know that they were in for a rare treat indeed, with the ball diamonds of the 40’s and 50’s influenced by Marv Scott whose positive coaching style affected numerous athletes.

A graduate of Stadium High School, Marv toiled at the hot corner for the Tacoma Tigers of the Western International League for the 1946 season, compiling a .283 batting average but Marv’s calling was to teach and coach and the next year he was back at his alma mater, serving as head coach for the Tigers of Stadium from 1947-57.

Scott then moved on to Wilson high to coach the Rams when that school opened up in 1958 and he remained the varsity coach through the 1967 season with several City League titles under his belt. Already involved as a part-time scout, Marv then went into it full-time, spending 25 years as a scout with the New York Mets, earning World Series championship rings from 1969 and 1986.

Joe Stortini who played against Marv and later coached with him at Wilson recalled, “I really admire how he managed his time. If it rained he never wasted a turnout opportunity. We’d go into the gym and he’d spend an hour explaining the finer points of the game. He was a real perfectionist when it came to baseball. Coach also felt that the first thing players needed to do was to learn how to hold a bat and bunt. He always said that if you could learn to bunt you would be a better hitter. In fact, a lot of his teams would win games even though they would not get the ball out of the infield.”

“Marv would have been a great National League coach because he loved the small ball concept of moving the players along with the short game. His teams were always well drilled and they loved to bunt,” said Stortini.

Joe concluded, “What impressed me the most was not only how well-prepared he was, but that he made sure his boys were, too. He was pretty even-tempered and he would never embarrass a player. If he was mad, he would take the player aside from everyone, have a one-on-one conversation, and create an understanding between both of them. I marveled at how he dealt with the players.”

Denny Brand played for Marv at Wilson in the mid-60’s and vividly recalled, “Coach could spot talent better than anyone I ever knew. He was what I would call ‘a man’s man’ and you just wanted to do well for him, play hard, hustle, and not let him down. He shared his knowledge and taught us to respect the game. If we made an error we still came off the field with our head up. If we struck out, we hustled back to the dugout. He taught us to be glad for the opportunity to be playing baseball and to realize that no one was bigger than the game. We were in awe of him,” commented Brand.

Joe Stortini, still actively playing Senior Softball summed it up appropriately when he said, “When I look back at high school coaches, I realize how lucky I am that I got to play for Bill Mullen and coach with Marv Scott. Without a doubt they were the best and they certainly don’t make coaches like Marv Scott anymore.”

Holly Gee and Marco Malich—­ Marv Scott Coaches Award Recipients Hollister “Holly” Gee

Hollister “Holly” Gee was born on February 21, 1923 in Russell, Minn., a small town tucked away in the southwest corner of the state. After moving to Washington, he played two years as an outfielder for Lincoln High School before graduating from the school in 1942. He spent three years at College of Puget Sound, where he played for school’s baseball team, and then graduated from the University of Washington in 1949.

Holly played six years in the Tacoma City League for 6th Avenue, Western State Hospital and McKinley Hill, managed the Western State Hospital team for two years, and then played another two years in the Valley League.

During a four-year stint as head baseball coach at Clover Park High School he directed his teams to three South Puget Sound League championships and one Puget Sound League crown. During this period he helped develop several outstanding players who went on to professional careers: Cap Peterson, who played for the San Francisco Giants, Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians; Bill Murphy, who played for the New York Yankees and New York Mets; and Duane Rossman who played for the Tacoma Tigers. Many other players went on to outstanding college careers.

Merle Hagbo was the junior varsity baseball coach at Clover Park during Holly’s stint as head coach. “I have great memories of working with Holly and always felt he was a good coach. He was blessed to have some great players,” says Hagbo, mentioning Peterson, Murphy, Rod McDonald, Jim Pelander and Harry Hokanson.

“Those were the days that baseball was fun at Clover Park. We were always a contender.”

One of his former players, Barry Crust, remembers Holly’s awkward-butaccurate shooting during basketball practices, and that many on the baseball team would swing at the air while facing Holly’s left-handed batting practice deliveries. A teammate, Bill Barrett, recalls the pride Holly had in demonstrating the left-handed drag bunt to a bunch of right-handed players who couldn’t quite match the skill that their coach had mastered.

After four years as Clover Park’s baseball head coach and basketball junior varsity coach, Holly Marv Scott Coaches switched roles Award Recipients after a move 2015 Holly Gee to Lakes High

Marco Malich School. He re2014 No Banquet turned to Clo- Lakes High School coaches were Holly Gee, JV team, and Ron Storaasli, the varsity.

2013 No Banquet ver Park as 2012 Andy Helling 2011 No Banquet athletic director 2010 Merle Hagbo from 1969-72.

Holly also coached American Legion and Stan 2009 Roy Anderson Musial baseball for five years, served two years as 2008 Barry Crust 2007 John Heinrick president of the Western Washington Baseball League 2005 Bill Mullen (Casey Stengel Baseball), and developed, coached, 2004 Marv Scott and managed the Lakewood Royals for 10 years. That

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2015 Marv Scott Coaches Award Recipient continued Team Recognition semi-pro league featured teams comprised of either collegiate or ex-professional players. Doug Sisk, who Team wouldRecognition—Wilson go on to pitch High School (1977) State Championship Team— for the New York Mets, was Baseball a Henry Bender, product of this program that won Mike Cheesman, Howard Kimura, Jim numerous league championKoenig, Ken Lamb, Tab Lively, Mike Maxwell, shipsFred in addition to placing Minniti, Don Pratt, high in state tournaments.

Dennis Randall, Rich Rhoads, Alan Stoops, “AfterWiese, playing the SeniorKari Rein (statistiMike GreginWooldridge, Babecian), Ruth leagues there really was nowhere to (Asst. play,”Coach), Sisk and Bob LightHenryelse Jarvits foot“I(Head recalls. foundCoach). myself getting a chance to play for the Lakewood Royals, which was my first time Holly Gee to play ball with the big boys in a highly competitive program.”

Before signing with Mets scout Marv Scott, Sisk asked to start one more game for Holly’s Royals

against a bitter rival. “Marv and Holly explained to me that it was time to move on as I had nothing more to prove,” says Sisk, who had a nine-year major league career split between the Mets, Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves. Sisk later would coach Holly’s grandson, Dillon, who along with Holly’s son, Ron, carried on the Gee family baseball tradition.

Holly, who umpired high school, college and recreational softball and baseball for 10 years, was one of the organizers and the first director of Lakewood Recreation, which developed a baseball program for Lakewood that involved more than 1,000 boys each year.

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Banquets - Catering Deli - Lounge - Community Fundraisers Joe Stortini Founder 2207 N. Pearl Street • Tacoma, WA 98406 • 253.761.5555 • 253.761.1606 fax www.joeseppisristorante.com

2015 Marv Scott Coaches Award Recipient continued

Marco Malich

Marco Malich bleeds green.

Just ask his longtime friend and fellow coach Leland Smith.

He said so.

That’s what happens when you play with distinction for four years at Peninsula High School (graduated in 1959), then go on to a 33-year career as coach of your alma mater, including a state runner-up finish and 435 victories.

That’s just part of what makes Marco Malich, born in 1941 in Tacoma, a Marv Scott Coaches Award winner.

Start with the high school resume: Four years of baseball, including a .350 batting average and 11 home runs as a senior captain playing pitcher, catcher and outfielder; four years of basketball, including a senior season as captain; and three years of football for the Seahawks.

Add to that a year of playing semi-pro baseball in Alaska with the Ketchikan All-Stars, 10 years of batting .450 for the Heidelberg slow-pitch softball team and a fifth-place finish at the 1968 ASA (Amateur Softball Association) nationals at Jones Beach, N.Y., and so many all-star selections that Malich loses count.

Stir in his community involvement: five years with Peninsula Athletic Association; six years with Peninsula Youth Football, including four years on the board of directors; four years of coaching baseball at Goodman Middle School; and 20 years as an assistant football coach at Peninsula High School.

All that adds up to a WIAA Hall of Fame coach (inducted in 2013) who took his team to the playoffs 15 times and was named state coach of the year in 2006, when the Seahawks played at Safeco Field and finished second.

Malich start coaching with that stint at Goodman,

a volunteer in charge of seventh and eighth graders.

“The final year they paid me,” he told Ric Hallock of the Kitsap Sun for a story published in 2013.

He got the opportunity to coach Peninsula because Gig Harbor High School opened in 1979 and all the Peninsula coaches moved to the Tides. His first team was filled with kids he had coached in middle school. “The second year we won one game,” Malich said. The team improved to .500 in his third season and every year after until 2008 they were .500 or better. His teams reached regionals 16 times and won 15 league championships.

Now he finds it difficult to stay out of the dugout.

But he looks forward to playing on the Heidelberg senior team when he turns 75.

Meanwhile, retirement gives him and Sandi, a fellow Peninsula grad and his companion of more than 50 years, time with their four grown children and “tons of grandchildren.”

They now have time to attend fastpich games at Gig Harbor High School, where two granddaughters play.

But, “He said there’s no way he’s not wearing his Peninsula hat,” Sandi said.

That’s what happens when you spend decades at one school shaping a Marv Scott Coaches Award career.

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CY GREENLAW OLD-TIMER’S SALUTE AWARD The “Cy Greenlaw Old-timers Salute Award” is named after one of our area’s most gracious and kindhearted individuals to ever set foot in a b a llpark. And, as the first recipient of the Oldtimer’s Salute Award in 2003 it is only fitting to honor one of Tacoma’s true pitching legends!

A three-sport star at Kapowsin High School, Cy made a name for himself in the old Tacoma City League and played nine seasons in the minor leagues. In 1935 he was a member of the Tacoma City League champion Superior Dairy team coached by Ocky Haughland. In 1937, Greenlaw pitched for Johnson Paint of Tacoma which finished firth at the National Baseball Congress tournament in Wichita, KS. In 1940 he played for Vancouver, B.C., in the Western International League before the he joined the U.S. Army in 1941 and after the war ended he joined the Tacoma Tigers of the Class B Western International League and was an 18-game winner in 1946, winning a 3-0 seven-inning no-hitter against the Yakima Stars at Tiger Park. In fact, Greenlaw is one of only 14 pitchers to ever throw a no-hitter in local professional baseball history.

But his career was on the decline.

After three seasons with Tacoma, he played three more seasons with Wenatchee before retiring from baseball in 1951.

Earl Birnel, Harry Nygard and Hank Semmern—Cy Greenlaw Old-timer’s Salute Earl Birnel

Born in Tacoma in 1926, Earl learned baseball as a youth at Tacoma’s Jefferson Park. He was an accomplished infielder at Stadium High School, graduating from the school in 1944. Later, he played four years of baseball, including two seasons as team captain, at College of Puget Sound.

He earned graduate and post-graduate degrees from the school and went on to a career as a teacher, coach and administrator in the University Place School District.

During his college years, he played summer baseball for Kay Street in the City League and for Madigan in the Valley League, and from 1953-56 he participated in Alaska’s Midnight Sun League.

Earl comes by his ability from an outstanding career as a baseball player, including a five-year minor league journey through such Chicago Cubs minor league affiliate stops as Visalia, Calif., Sioux Falls, S.D., Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Des Moines, Iowa.

He was team MVP at Visalia in 1951 and a year later at Cedar Rapids.

While playing for Sioux Falls in the Northern League in 1952 Earl had a chance to play with an 18 year-old Hank Aaron who was making his professional debut with the Eau Claire, Wisconsin team. The two were teammates in the league All-Star game with Earl playing third base and Aaron played shortstop. “I remember that Henry used to throw the ball from way below his waist which was a bit unusual. He was a real skinny guy and I tried to strike up a conversation with him on the bench but he was just a kid and pretty shy at the time,” recalled Earl.

In 1954 I also played against Roger Maris. He was just 19 and in his second year of pro baseball at Keokuk, Iowa in the Three-I League.

After a long break from the diamond and at the urging of Joe Stortini and Bob Maguinnez Earl starting playing slowpitch softball in 1991. Earl was 65 and just getting started as a senior player. In 2001, he CY GREENLAW OLD-TIMER’S helped Emerald City win the 70 & Over national championship, and in 2004, with Earl as playerSALUTE AWARD RECIPIENTS manager, the team won the national and world 2015 Earl Birnel titles in the 75 & Over category. Throughout his

Harry Nygard softball career he has earned numerous tourna Hank Semmem ment all-star and MVP awards.

2014 No Banquet 2013 No Banquet Since 1990, Earl Birnel has flashed his out2012 Vern Kohout standing talent in local senior slowpitch circles.

2011 No Banquet In 2004, the state Senate honored Earl and the 2010 Cliff Schiesz Northwest 75s with an official resolution follow2009 Dick Greco ing their Triple Grand Slam—Western, National 2008 Pete Sabutis and World championships. Starting in the sum2007 Dick Milford mer of 2009, Earl plans to play regularly in the 80 2006 Pat Rooney & over slowpitch leagues throughout the Pacific 2005 Walt Jutte Northwest. At 80 he was still going strong and 2004 John Milroy looking forward to another season.

2003 Cy Greenlaw

2015 Cy Greenlaw Recipients continued

Harry Nygard

When the 1946 Stadium High School Tigers went to Walla Walla to play for the state championship, they carried with them a hard-throwing righthander who would lead them to the title.

Harr y Nygard was born May 10, 1928 in Rochester, Wash., and started turning heads while playing baseball for Sportsman Club as a Jason Lee Junior High School student. A two-year baseball team captain at Stadium High, Nygard was a one-man pitching crew in leading the Tigers to the state title as a junior.

In a four-game period over eight days, Nygard threw 36 innings to win all four contests. He threw nine innings to beat Bellarmine on a Friday and 9 more innings in a state-qualifying win over Renton on the Tuesday prior to the state tournament. There, he oneupped himself. In a Friday night state semifinal game he fanned 16 batters in nine innings as Stadium topped Bellingham, 14-0. The following evening in the title game, he struck out 17 more in nine innings of Stadium’s 4-0 whitewash of Spokane’s Rogers High School.

While the pitching performance was remarkable, throwing between 500 and 600 pitches over an eight-day period took a toll on Nygard’s arm and perhaps led to a premature end to a promising baseball career.

Nygard finished high school early, graduating in January of 1947 in order to begin his pro career, signing first with the Tacoma Tigers in January of 1947 and then with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. He played four

professionally four seasons with El Centro, the Medford Dodgers, Boise Pilots, Idaho Falls Russets, and finally with the Vancouver Capilanos in the Western International League. While in Boise, Harry pitched 73 innings across 16 games, posting a 1.97 earned run average that fell short of qualifying for the league ERA title based on his innings total. The highlight of his pro career came when he was named the starting pitcher in the 1949 Pioneer League All-Star Game played in Salt Lake City.

Nygard is retired from a successful career—one he credits to his competitive spirit in sports—as a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner distributor.

HARRY NYGARD Stadium High School 1946 State Baseball Champions Pitching Records for the 1946 Season ERA was 0.214 runs per game

Averaged 13.4 K’s per game

SCHEDULE Stadium 14, Sumner 1 Bremerton 2, Stadium 1 Stadium 13, Bellingham 0 Bellingham 2, Stadium 0 Stadium 14, Lincoln 1 Stadium 5, Seattle Prep 0 Stadium 2, Everett 1 Stadium 13, Bellarmine 0 Stadium 2, Renton 1 Stadium 14, Bellingham 0 Stadium 4, Spokane 0

HITS IP 0 3 4 9 1 6 2 7 4 9 2 7 2 7 8 9 3 9 8 9 4 9

ER 0 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Ks 7 5 14 10 14 9 14 14 17 16 17

TOTALS 11 Games Runs Scored 82 Runs Against 8

38 84 2

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BASEBALL MEMORABILIA WANTED! Photos, gloves, programs, uniforms, caps, bats, balls, schedules, tickets, contracts, and any other memorabilia relating to Western International League, Pacific Coast League, and Tacoma-area semi-pro teams.

Also interested in other Tacoma-Pierce County area artifacts for other sports such as basketball, football, hockey, tennis etc. Items will be considered for display purposes in the Shanaman Sports Museum of Tacoma-Pierce County.

CONTACT: Marc Blau at (253) 848-1360 (home) • (253) 677-2872 (cell) mhblau@comcast.net

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2015 Cy Greenlaw Recipients continued

Hank Semmern

Hank Semmern was born in Tacoma on June 6, 1927 and played football and baseball at Stadium high, graduating in 1945. The following year he played baseball with his brother, Don, for the Sportsman’s Club.

Hank went on to earn a scholarship to College of Puget Sound, where for three years he starred as a right-handed pitcher. He graduated from CPS in 1951 and went on to careers in real estate and auto sales.

Semmern played well enough at College of Puget Sound to earn a tryout with the Wenatchee Chiefs (he called it a cup of coffee without the coffee) of the Western International League, but an arm injury

brought him back to Tacoma, which b e c a m e fortuitous for several teams in the local City a n d Va l l e y leagues.

Among the teams he played for were K Street, Olde Pilsner Beer, 38th Street, Madigan (managed

by Hal Schimling), 26th & Proctor, Phil’s Place and the Left to Right: Brothers Hank and Don Semmern.

Timbermen, managed by Marv Rickert. One of his teammates on the Timbermen was former Philadelphia A’s star “Indian” Bob Johnson.

In addition to Rickert, Semmern counted Bob Johnson and Marv Scott among the outstanding managers for which he played.

Hank tossed a no-hitter while in the City League where he twice earned all-star honors and was selected to the Valley League all-star team once during his career.

Semmern served as Tacoma Athletic Commission president in 1973-74 and for many years served as a public address announcer at the local Golden Gloves boxing tournament.

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Trophy Room 475-6555

Craig Lowry—Meritorious Service Award Recipient If he wasn’t at his desk making up schedules for baseball, football or basketballs games, forming teams, finding coaches, conducting clinics, or ordering uniforms he was probably outside dragging the field, moving the line, installing bases or taking out the garbage. No job was too big or too small for Craig Lowry because

Marc H. Blau Meritorious Service Award Ask any of our “Old-Timers” and they will say – Nobody in Tacoma or Pierce County has done more to perpetuate the organization than Marc Blau.

It is fitting that a Meritorious Service Award should bear his name. His volunteer efforts have gone above and beyond.

A TAC member since the 1980s, Marc has channeled his passion for sports by focusing on working on several projects that help to embrace the history of sports in our community and highlight the athletic achievements of our past sports heroes.

He teamed up with Clay Huntington as the driving force behind the creation of the Shanaman Sports Museum of Tacoma-Pierce County which opened in 1994 at the Tacoma Dome; he was chairman for over 10 years of the TacomaPierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Association and instrumental in numerous team reunions; he is chairman of the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame: he is the Executive Director for the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame; and he is chairman of the Banquet of Champions. He also authored, with co-author Doug McArthur, “Playgrounds to the Pros: An Illustrated History of Sports in Tacoma-Pierce County”, a book that captures the history of over 35 sports.

He is relentless in his pursuit to preserve our sports history and his volunteer efforts in doing so were the basis for renaming the Meritorious Service Award on his behalf. Upon further review, he’s been more than relentless! “Driven” might be a more appropriate word.

he never considered those responsibilities work.

He was just doing what needed to be done to enhance the experience of participating in sports and other recreational activities.

Craig Lowry was born April 4, 1931 in Sac City, Iowa, graduated

In 1971 the NWBC Colts won the City League with a 9-2 record under the direction of Coach Craig Lowry, top row far right.

Marc H. Blau Meritorious Award Recipients 2015 2014 2013 2012

Craig Lowry No Banquet No Banquet Jeff Buhr & Dick Pollen 2011 No Banquet 2010 Tony Milan 2009 Harland Beery 2008 Bob Christofferson 2007 Gary Nicholson 2006 Clarence Seman 2005 Walt Jutte 2004 Jack Murphy 2003 Tony Anderson 2001 George Quigley 2000 Ken Wilson 2000 Bob Maguinez 1996-99 Not Awarded 1995 Joe Hemel 1994 Jerry Geehan, Don Hill, and Clay Huntington 1993 Tak Ikeda and Pat Steele 1992 Dr. Sam Adams, Dr. Robert Johnson, and Dr. Robert O’Connell 1991 Maurice Turnbull, Bill Turnbull, Dave Turnbull, Donald Turnbull, and Doug Turnbull

in 1949 from Junction City HS and then attended Kansas State University before completing his college education at the College of Puget Sound in 1956.

Craig was a dedicated and loyal employee of the local Boys and Girls Club organization in Tacoma having operated the Northwest Boys and Girls Club from 1960-1980 out of his basement until a small building was purchased at North 37th & Cheyenne in the early 1970’s. He then became the Branch Director of the Gonyea Boys and Girls Club form 1980-1991.

For many years Craig trained and assigned umpires for all of the youth games organized by Metro Parks before retiring in 1991.

Craig enjoyed playing baseball and golf but he really loved officiating football, basketball, baseball and softball. Craig also cherished 39 years he and Joyce were married and loved the time he spent coaching his three children—Cathy, Craig and Cher— and then later on his grandchildren as well. Coaching little leagues is what made Craig happy and he could usually be found on the diamond at any given moment offering help to a struggling child.

When asked about her dad, daughter Cheri said, “Dad’s whole life was involved with sports either playing, coaching or being an umpire. His passion for children led him to be a mentor for a lot of children in his position at the Gonyea Boys and Girls Club. He was a hero to a lot of people including myself. “ “Our father was our hero”, continued Cheri. “ He was a wonderful inspiration to many young children and older adults and our family is honored to have this award given to him.” Craig Lowry passed away in 2006.

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2015 Hall of Fame Inductees Baseball­— Mike Larson—Mike Larson has enjoyed success at multiple levels of baseball and fastpitch. The 1979 Lakes High graduate led the Lancers to the state championship game that Spring after homering in the semifinal game.

He went on to be a record-setting power hitter at Pacific Lutheran University. Mike graduated from PLU in 1983 with the career record of 19 home runs (now 2nd in school history). He was a two-time All-Norhwest Conference selection at catcher.

In 1982 Mike was touring with Athletes in Action when he was “loaned” to the Swedish National Baseball Team after Sweden’s catcher broke his ankle. Mike played for Sweden in the European Cup. He hit a home run in the title game and was named tournament MVP. Mike spent spring training in the Seattle Mariners camp in 1984.

He was released the final day of camp. Thereafter, he shifted to modified fastpitch and fastpitch.

Mike played fastpitch for Tisdales (1984-85), B&I Sports (1986-87), Tacoma Modified (1988-91) and the Cheney Studs (1992-95). He participated in five modified fastpitch national tournaments (Atlanta, GA, 1985; Spokane, WA 1986; Decatur, AL, 1987; Marietta, GA, 1988; Miami, FL, 1989). In the 1987 tournament, he hit three HRs in one game.

Mike also served as an assistant baseball coach at Willamette University (1984-85) and PLU (1986-91).

Kevin Stock—One of the top prep baseball players to come out of Stadium High School, Kevin Stock was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the seventh round of the 1982 Major League Baseball amateur draft.

Stock was born in Auburn on January 12, 1964 and excelled on the baseball diamond as a third baseman and pitcher in high school. He earned various league honors as a three-year letter winner for Stadium before graduating in 1982 and heading to the minor leagues.

Stock played three years in the Texas Rangers’ minor Kevin and brother Jeff with Brooks Robinson.

21 league system and one year with the Oakland Athletics’ minor league affiliate in Modesto.

There he roomed with Mark McGwire and was voted to the California League All-Star team as the starting second baseman in 1985. He batted .285 with eight home runs and 65 runs batted in from the two-hole in the lineup that season.

Throughout his playing days, Stock also played on various Tacoma summer league teams. The most successful team was the 1980 Tacoma Longshoremen coached by Joe Stortini, as the team posted a perfect 32-0 record.

Stock literally came from good “Stock”. His Dad, Wes, pitched for eight years in the major leagues starting with the Baltimore Orioles and later with the Kansas City Athletics and older brother, Jeff, played professional soccer for the Seattle Sounders and Tacoma Stars. Kevin lives in Tacoma and works for Pierce County as the Clerk of the Superior Court.

Dave Voss—One of the great threesport stars to come out of Wilson High School, Dave Voss excelled on the baseball field, on the gridiron and on the basketball court.

Born in Tacoma on January 3, 1949, Voss grew up playing baseball and football for the 6th Avenue Colts from 1951-1961; baseball for the Cheney Studs at the Babe Ruth, Midget, and Connie Mack levels from 1962-1966; baseball, basketball and football at Mason Jr. High in 1962 and 1963: and baseball and basketball in 1964 at Truman Jr. High, By the time he reached high school (1965-67) Voss was a bona fide three-sport stud (literally). He earned all-city honors on the gridiron as an offensive and defensive end, second-team all-state honors on the basketball court and was nominated to play in the State All-Star baseball game. Dave was elected to the Wilson Hall of Fame in 2000.

As a senior at Wilson, Dave batted .820 and led the City League in runs batted in. His success garnered interest from numerous top colleges in the region

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2015 Hall of Fame Inductees continued in both baseball and football. Meanwhile he signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1967 and spent time in their system playing in Salt Lake City, Medford, Ore., and Decatur, Ill. Dave reflected, “Looking back on this time I am amazed with the quality of all the youth programs that were provided and all the quality coaches that excelled in teaching us much more than just sports. Coaches like my Dad (Clyde Voss), Bob Maguinez, Ron Billings, Doug MacArthur and my high school baseball coach Marv Scott were just exceptional role models and great coaches. Thank you also to the Tacoma SportsRecreation Federation and all the people that made this work so we kids could just go play and have FUN. And, we learned a few life lessons, too, along the way.

Voss graduated from University of Washington in 1972 and lives in Hailey, Idaho, where he is a sales consultant for Food Services of America.

1966 CHENEY STUDS CONNIE MACK—Front row l. to r.: Dave Lewis, Bill Taylor, Jon Paul, Tom Smith (batboy), Denny Brand, Dave Demick and Ray Moshier. Back row l. to r.: Lonnie Davis (coach), Gary Diel, Dave Voss, Rich Mayo, Ed Brewster, Allan Berg and Craig Mukai.

Bill Zenk Jr.—Bill Zenk Jr. has an accomplished history of great sports diversity. He was a firstteam all-state football selection, a state championship wrestler and all-state baseball player.

After graduating from Wilson High School in 1960 he played baseball at Yakima Junior College – where he was teammates with long-time New York Yankee pitcher Mel Stottlemyre. Bill also coached baseball for the Cheney Studs Babe Ruth and American Legion teams in the 1960s. Ron Cey was one of the Studs players Bill coached.

W h e n n o t w e a ring baseball spikes, Bill laced up another spiked shoe – mountain climbing boots. He has reached the summit of Mount Rainier four times (last on the 62nd birthday) and every other Cascade Mountains peak at least twice.

Bill also has an exceptional resume in handball having won numerous tournaments on the West Coast.

Mike Zenk—Mike Zenk, a 1965 Wilson High grad, so excelled for the Rams and Cheney Studs that he was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 1965. Primarily a catcher and first baseman, Mike spent two seasons in the Giants organization but broke a finger in both seasons limiting his play before he was released.

Before pro baseball, Mike earned seven varsity letters at Wilson and several captain and inspirational awards. In football he was all-City and all-Capital League as a center and defensive tackle. In wrestling, he placed third in state at 191 pounds. He led the Rams to two City and Capital League championships. He is also a member of the Wilson sports hall of fame.

After returning to Tacoma from his stint in the Giants’ organization, Mike played two years for the Heidelberg slowpitch team. He recalls winning “just about all the tournaments we entered.” He played in two slowpitch world series tournaments – Jones Beach, NY and Parma, Ohio. In 1968 at Jones Beach, Heidelberg placed fifth.

After Heidelberg, Mike played for Cornell Plumbing (1970-71) and Sons of Italy (72-73).

“I was very lucky to have grown up in a town that had so many great sponsors for youth sports and the people that loved to teach kids to play the games,” Mike said. “I was first coached in baseball by my father Bill Zenk and then Bob Maguinez and Larry Loughlin, Joe Stortini, Marv Scott, and football by Mr. Naubert and Harry Bird. They were all inspiring leaders.”

Fastpitch—

Dave Demick—Tacoma born and raised, Dave Demick displayed his glove work and batting skills on diamonds all around the area for more than 30 years. A 1966 Wil-

son High grad, Dave played semi-pro baseball after high school then fastpitch softball for years before returning to baseball in the over-30 league.

Mostly playing first base and the outfield, Dave played baseball

2015 Hall of Fame Inductees continued for the Cheney Studs in 1964 and 1966, Stay Green semipro in 1967 and Lakewood Royals in 1968-70. On the softball field, he played for Puget Sound Bank 1971-75 and ‘78, Achilles Heel 1977, Jackson Reality 1976 and Cloverleaf Tavern 1978-83. There were other teams but time has obscured the details.

He remembers batting over .300 every year with many home runs, usually batting 3, 4 or 5 in the lineup. Dave was selected for several all-star teams at fastpitch invitationals throughout the region.

Tony DeRosa—Tony was a star athlete at Stadium High School (Class of 1960). He was part of a league championship football team, state championship basketball team (1959) and was also chosen to play in the all-state baseball game, in which he had two hits.

Tony was a left-handed hitter who was a star for the St. Rita’s Church fastpitch team for seven years.

He played shortstop and St. Rita’s had only one loss in

Original Sons of Italy Sports Hall of Fame members: Joe Munizza, John Messina, Frank Paul, Tony DeRosa, Joe DeRosa.

Original team, St. Rita’s 1958: Front Row L to R: : Ramo Natalizio, Al Rettura, Tony DeRosa, Joe DeRosa, Ken Schwab, John Messina.

Back Row L. to R.: Daryl Zadow, Joe (Ross) Munizza, Bob DeRosa, Pat Kelly, Bob Dickson, Rev. Anthony Baffaro, S. J.

church league play over Tony’s first four seasons. Later, Tony played fastpitch for the Longshoremen, adding more league and tournament accolades.

According to coach John Messina, in 130 games over 10 years, Tony made just 15 errors at shortstop.

He had good range, sure hands and a strong arm.

Tony batted .301 with 67 RBIs. Tony also played softball for Pete Lovey VW and the Sons of Italy slowpitch teams.

Pete Guthrie (dec)—Charles “Pete” Guthrie had one of the longest stretches of success you’ll ever see in fastpitch softball. He played 35 years, from 1958 through 1993, and was a dominant pitcher for a third of a century.

Pete averaged 20 wins per season and won better than 75 percent of the over 1300 games pitched. He started his career playing softball while serving in the Air Force and his team won the WDAF and 25th Air Division tournaments before finishing second in the ADC tournament as Pete pitched six games back-to-back, coming from the loser’s bracket to win the next four before losing in the finals, 2-1. Guthrie was the workhorse that season racking up 41 wins.

He played for numerous teams, including St. Regis, McKinley Hill Merchants, Lutheran Merchants of Puyallup, Manitou Fuel, Bud’s Corner Tavern, the Cloverleaf Tavern and B & I Sports.

Guthrie’s pitching success included a number of no-hitters and even more one-hitters. His teams won several city league championships and countless tournaments, garnering Guthrie multiple All-Star honors.

MANITOU FUEL—Top Row l. to r.: Cleon Tungsvik, Jay Huston, Pete Guthrie, Skip Weaver, John Reines, Ken Bauer, Keith Bauer. Front Row l. to r.: Al Macoy, Kim Kenyon, Chuck Ellis, Jim Kenyon, Tom Kenyon, Ron Vandegrift, Jim Bauer, Bill Potthoff. Missing: Jim Bauer and sponsor Burt Anderson.

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2015 Hall of Fame Inductees continued When he wasn’t pitching he played outfield and designated hitter and steadily contributed in the batter’s box. A little known fact was that Guthrie was blinded in his left eye in 1960 yet he was still a threat at the plate. And, in 1963 he cut a tendon in his pitching arm and but still re-learned how to throw a rise ball, curve, drop and three different change-ups.

One of Pete’s career highlights was striking out 22 batters in a seven-inning game and his favorite coach was Bill Potthoff, the pitching preacher.

An engraver and pressman foreman professionally, Pete was born May 28, 1939 in Cumberland, MD and passed away on January 22, 2015 in Tacoma, WA. Bobby Howard—Bobby Howard may have spent most of his life in Texas, but for a 10-year stretch he was a fastpitch softball star in the Pacific Northwest.

Born in Atlanta, Tex., on February 12, 1951, Howard graduated from Bright Star High School in 1969 and attended Texarkana College. After moving to the South Sound, he played for McChord Air Force Base and the Tacoma Merchants from 1970-74. From 1975 through 1980 he played with Cloverleaf Tavern, Manke & Sons Lumber, B&I Sports and Colonial Cedar in the Puget Sound Fastpitch League at Peck Field.

Able to move around the diamond, Howard played shortstop, catcher, third base and outfield. With double-headers scheduled for multiple days during the week, Howard recalled playing as many as 167 games in a summer. He received numerous honors throughout his career, including the best defensive player trophy in 1977.

Bobby also played for Manke Lumber and B&I Sports in the Northwest Major Fastpitch Softball League. One of his career highlights occurred in 1977 while playing shortstop for Manke Lumber in a double-header against Seattle’s Peterbuilt nine.

Howard went 4 for 6 at the plate. In the first game, he went 2 for 3 against Gram Arnold, scoring once with 2 RBI’s. In the nightcap, he again went 2 for 3 against Ty Stofflet with a home run and 2 RBI’s in a 2-0 win with Rich Nation pitching the shutout. In 1977 Arnold was arguably the best right- handed pitcher in the world and left-hander Stofflet is still considered one of the greatest pitchers to ever throw a ball.

In 1978, while playing for B&I Sports in the Seattle Invitational Tournament, Howard went 3 for 4, scored twice against Stanley Kern, the fastest pitcher in the world at the time, in a 4-0 win over Victoria, B.C. (the

former Canadian National Champions). In the two-day tournament against Victoria Budget Rents, Seattle Peterbuilt, Boondox of Longview, and Yakima Coca-Cola Bobby went 11 for 15. All teams were in the Northwest Major Fastpitch Softball League.

After leaving the Tacoma area, Howard coached baseball in Texas for 19 years. His teams won the city championship every year and claimed regional titles eight times. He also served 10 years as president of a youth basketball league.

Howard refers to his time playing fastpitch in the Pacific Northwest as “a dream come true,” saying that he played fastpitch in three other states after leaving Tacoma, but that “no other place in the world played fastpitch like the Pacific Northwest.” He lives in Queen City, Tex., and retired from the US Army as a Quality Assurance Specialist.

Bill Zenk Sr.—Born Sept. 19, 1920, Bill Zenk predates organized sports in the Tacoma schools. He recalls there wasn’t a competitive team to play for until he was in 9th grade at Mason Junior High. That didn’t stop him from building skills that served him very well on the varsity teams at Stadium High. Bill earned six letters (3 basketball and 3 baseball), graduating from Stadium in 1938. The Tigers were state champs in 1937, going 18-0. Bill was the team captain in 1938. His triple and run scored won the league championship 1938.

Working as a machinist apprentice in 1940, Bill played basketball and baseball on shipyard teams. He joined the Navy in 1941. After the war he returned to the shipyard and played fastpitch for the Stores-Machinists and the Teamsters.

The Golden Era of fastpitch softball in Tacoma was clearly from 1943-45 with the Tacoma Teamsters, the Eagles, Stores-Machinists, the Coast Guard and the Elks all fielding highly competitive teams that we always in the race for district and state crowns and a trip to the Nationals.

Bill was right in the thick of the action when he patrolled left field for the Teamsters in 1943. Newspaper accounts indicate that early in the season Zenk cracked a homer against the legendar y hurler Woodrow Red of the Eagles in a 3-2 loss. That was no easy feat as “Woody” was Back row l. to r.: Bill Zenk and Joe Katich one of the all- Front row l. to r.: Jim Martin and Bill Stocklin

2015 Hall of Fame Inductees continued

Front row l. to r.: Jack Tanner, Nathan Hale, Ed Turner, Harry Werbisky, Fred LeVeque and Bill Stocklin. Middle row l. to r.: Coach John Heinrick, Doug Turnbull, Tom Hall, Bill Zenk, Mal Stevens, Vince Lucich, Maurice “Mo” Turnbull, and Dick Pease. Back row l. to r.: Bob Knesal, Arnold Schurb, Mel Gillespie, Al Libke, Marion Scott and Paul Barragar. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Public Library.

1936 Stadium Tigers

The 1936 Stadium High School Tigers went undefeated in the Southwest Washington League with an 11-0 season record. Home games were played in Stadium Bowl.

After a lapse of seven years, baseball was making a comeback as a major sport at Stadium, brought back by Coach Heinrick in his first teaching year at Stadium. time great pitchers in Tacoma softball history.

With teammates Bob Heugel, George Roket, Sonny Baily and pitcher John Rockway the Teamsters edged the Eagles,1-0, to win the District title. The club then competed in the World Series softball championships in Detroit where they lost of pair of 2-1 games to the Cincinnati, OH and Rochester, NY entrants.

In 1944 Zenk moved over to play left field for the Stores-Machinists nine but once again they were victims of another Woodrow Red gem as his Coast Guard team prevailed 1-0 to with the annual district championships at Jefferson Field before nearly 1000 fans.

Bill adds 94 years worth of baseball/softball memories in Pierce County to the Old-timers Hall of Fame.

Slowpitch—

Doug Armstrong—A three-sport star out of Franklin Pierce High School, Doug Armstrong was a dominant offensive player for numerous slowpitch softball squads during a career spanning 1970 through 1985.

Born December 15, 1949 in Seattle, Armstrong lettered in base-

ball, football and basketball for six straight years at Ford Junior High and Franklin Pierce High School before graduating in 1968. During his prep career he helped lead the Cardinals to a pair of football and basketball South Puget Sound League championships.

Armstrong joined the Lucky Lager slowpitch team in 1970, playing games in the Western Washington League at Sprinker Recreation Center and in his firstever tournament he helped the Lagermen to a secondplace finish at the Othello Invite behind the power Heidelberg club. At season’s end, Heidelberg added Armstrong as a pickup player for the ASA Regional tournament in Corvallis where the squad claimed the title thus earning a trip to the ASA National Tournament in Michigan.

A First-Team All-Star selection in his first season foreshadowed the stellar career to come. Armstrong played with the Lucky lager squad for two more seasons before joining the Cloverleaf Tavern team in 1973 and ’74. He teamed with Cody’s Tavern from 1975 through ’79, garnering countless All-Star awards along the way, with the highlight coming in 1977 and ’78 when the team qualified for consecutive trips to the ASA National Championships. The team finished ninth out of 50 teams at Houston, TX in 1977 and placed fourth in 1978 in Burlington, NC, the highest national tournament finish for a Tacoma-Pierce County team to date.

Armstrong’s bat helped lead the way throughout, as he earned National Tournament Individual All-Star honors in 1978 with a .611 tourney batting average.

That closely matched his .600 career batting average.

Doug closed out his slowpitch career with the Black Horse Tavern (1980-81) and three seasons with the Kline Music team (1982-84).

Mel Burrell—Mel Burrell excelled on both the ball field and the gridiron growing up, and he carried that talent into a stellar football career in high school and college and an equally impressive slowpitch career.

Born in Puyallup on December 31, 1947, Burrell was a twotime All-State lineman on the football field at Franklin Pierce High School. He also garnered All-American recognition on the gridiron before continuing to play at Washington State University. He graduated from Franklin Pierce in 1966 and WSU in 1971.

Even before he was finished in high school, Burrell was competing on the slowpitch circuit. He was an All-Star baseball player at Franklin Pierce, and those skills translated to the slowpitch diamond as well. He began his career in 1965 with the Lillywhites, winning several County League titles from 1965-69.

Burrell spent time with Lucky Lager (1971), Wested Tire, (1972-73) and the Cloverleaf Tavern (1974-75) before wrapping up his career with Cody’s Tavern teams from 1976-79. He played outfield and remembered joining his classmates to frustrate older players in the

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2015 Hall of Fame Inductees continued league with their success, with each earning his fair share of home run and battle titles, along with All-Star and MVP trophies.

Reflecting upon his induction into the TPC Old-timers Slowpitch Hall of Fame category Mel commented, “Looking back at all the good athletes that have come and gone from our area I am honored to be considered in the same league as them.”

Todd Cooley—Todd Cooley was a dominant force in the batter’s box through a prolific career that included state and world championships on the slowpitch softball diamond. He was destined for success as he was introduced to the sport at an early age as a batboy for the Spanaway Exchange Tavern slowpitch teams of 1973-76.

Born in Tacoma on August 8, 1963, Cooley played right field for the Franklin Pierce baseball team from 1979-81. The Cardinals won the league, district and regional championship and played for the state title in the Kingdome in 1981, losing 4-0 to Eastmont for the 3A crown.

He spent time playing basketball at Eugene Bible College and earned his degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 1988, where he batted leadoff and played left field for the Lute baseball team.

During that time Cooley embarked on an extraordinary slowpitch career with Spanaway Assembly of God (198284), People’s Church (1984-92) and Slo-Pitch News ((1992-93) before retiring. Todd was mainly an outfielder, but played anywhere he was needed. He could hit for power at will and put up a career batting average around .700 and crushed more than 1,000 home runs while earning multiple State MVP honors, All-World honors and West Coast All-Star recognition.

Todd was a member of the People’s Church team that won the Church “A” World Championships twice in addition to multiple state titles. These accomplishments earned Todd induction into the USSSA Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

Professionally Todd served as the athletic director at New Hope Christian College in Eugene, OR and works as a Hotelier for Crescent Hotels and Resorts.

Looking back at his career Todd stated, “I have been so blessed to play with and against some of the best athletes on the West Coast and in the United States in my softball career. Softball has afforded me the ability to travel the and become the successful husband,

father, athlete and businessman I am today. I could not have been more fortunate to grow up at Sprinker and SERA sports complexes and owe many thanks to the men who paved the way for me as mentors.”

Dan Valentine—Dan Valentine’s slowpitch softball career lasted more than two decades, and he made the most of that time as a three-time world champion with People’s Church and multiple-time All-World honoree.

Born in Tacoma on January 11, 1956, Dan graduated from Clover Park High School in 1974. He played baseball and basketball in high school and extended his basketball career at Ft. Steilacoom College and Pacific Lutheran University. He actually continued to play Men’s Rec basketball from 1977 until 2000, but his greatest achievements came on the slowpitch diamond.

Valentine played for Liberty Real Estate & Little Vic’s from 1976-81 and capped his career with a long stint with People’s Church, lasting from 1982-97. He received numerous All-Star and MVP awards while winning tournaments at the Washington State Men’s A & B classifications and the Men’s Church A level.

One particularly memorable stretch included finishing the 1992 season (league play, Men’s A Church State, Men’s A State and the Church World tournament) with an .820 batting average (82/100) as he drove base hits through third base-shortstop hole with uncanny precision.

Valentine initially planned to retire at the end of the 1996 season but with the unexpected death of longtime friend and teammate, Owen Shackett, who was the main pitcher on the People Church teams, Dan was coaxed out of retirement for one final season with the club. As a tribute to “Onie,” Dan’s only condition was that he bat 11th, his friend’s spot in the batting order.

In addition to being named the Ft. Steilacoom College Athlete of the Year in 1976. Dan was inducted to the USSSA Hall of Fame in 1997.

Commented Dan, “While it was an honor to be inducted into the 1997 USSSA Hall of Fame, this is even

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2015 Hall of Fame Inductees continued more special because it is where my slowpitch softball career started and ended.”

Umpires—

John Everett—John Everett’s career as an umpire began half a world away while he was stationed in Italy in the U.S. Army in 1958. As his assignments took him to Germany and Korea he continued umpiring and refereeing.

In 1963 he was stationed at Ft. Lewis and started working softball and baseball games on the post and later joined the Western Washington Umpires Association.

He eventually became the WWUA president and a long-time board member. During his career he has worked numerous softball, basketball and volleyball games at the recreation, high school and college level in the ASA, USSSA and NSA programs. He has also worked several high school district and state fastpitch tournaments, USSSA state and world softball tournaments and has served as the Umpire-in-Chief at various tournaments over the years.

In 2000, John became the USSSA softball Umpirein-Chief for Pierce County.

In 2010, John was inducted in the USSSA Hall of Fame. He began with USSSA Washington in 1991. John was one of the original umpires that fully supported USSSA in Washington, and along with a few others, was willing to risk losing his association with the Tacoma Umpires Association by working and supporting USSSA Washington in the area.

Retired from the Army since 1973, John has worked national and world tournaments throughout the West and has been active in recruiting and training new umpires in the state of Washington.

Born in 1935 in Hanover, NH, John grew up in Manchester, Connecticut before joining the Army and finding his way to Tacoma.

Since then, John has been an integral figure in

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the Tacoma area softball scene.

Broadcasters/Sports Writers— Ed Bowman—Ed Bowman enjoyed a 25-year sports broadcasting career in Tacoma, calling action ranging from Cammarano Brothers-Double Cola Little League Caravan baseball (featuring future major leaguer Ron Cey), all the way through high school, college and professional sports.

Bowman’s broadcasting career got its start in 1955 while he was a student at College of Puget Sound.

“Clay Huntington gave me the opportunity to do radio play-by-play of six or seven games at the Washington State High School Class B Basketball Tournament at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse,” Bowman recalls.

For the next 25 years until he moved out of the Puget Sound area, Bowman did radio and television broadcasts of hundreds of sports at all levels.

Bowman worked with long-time Tacoma Cubs play-by-play man Don Hill on the broadcasts of the team’s run to the 1969 Pacific Coast League championship. The Cubs defeated the Eugene Emeralds three games to two in a five-game series. “We had to win the final two games of the series in Eugene for the championship,” recalls Bowman, who for three years handled public address and public relations duties for the Cubs, in addition to writing game stories for Associated Press and United Press International.

When Hill took a group of Tigers boosters to Honolulu for games against the Hawaii Islanders, Bowman slid into Hill’s chair doing local re-creations of those games based off of wire reports. “I remember signing off the air at 2 or 3 a.m. on those re-created live broadcasts from Honolulu,” Bowman says.

The Islanders’ play-by-play man at the time was Al Michaels, who would go on to a long and distinguished career as a national sports broadcaster.

When Michaels came with the Islanders to Tacoma, he provided Bowman with “one of my most interesting interviews. He was a real nice guy.” Another broadcasting highlight for Bowman came at the 1976 NCAA Division II basketball championship tournament, where the University of Puget Sound defeated Tennessee-Chattanooga, 83-74, in the national title contest. Bowman worked alongside Doug McArthur calling the action as the Loggers topped Old Dominion in the semifinals before beating Chattanooga in the championship game.

The national basketball tournament action was just a small part of a broadcasting partnership shared

by Bowman and McArthur. The duo worked together on many radio and television broadcasts of college and high school football, baseball and basketball games,

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2015 Hall of Fame Inductees continued along with some swim meets.

Once, when McArthur became ill and couldn’t travel to Bellingham for a collegiate football contest between Puget Sound and Western Washington, Bowman pulled an unusual broadcasting doubleheader.

He did the television broadcast opening and closing from the stadium roof, with a radio play-by-play sandwiched between. Following the game he took the television game tape back to KTNT Channel 11 and, while seated in front of a monitor, did the play-by-play for the 9 p.m. telecast.

Among the broadcasting luminaries with whom Bowman had the privilege to work were Huntington, McArthur, Hill, Bob Robertson, Walt Brown, Rod Belcher, Jerry Howarth, Art Popham, and Bill Doan.

While all of those men earned great reputations as this region’s best sports broadcasters, one of Bowman’s partners for a college football game had national renown – as a Hollywood star. While handling

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Puget Sound football play-by-play, Bowman welcomed actor James Garner, seated in front of him, into the Baker Stadium broadcast booth as a color commentator. Bowman had met Garner at a University of Puget Sound college night in Los Angeles while recruiting Garner’s daughter, Greta, to matriculate to UPS. Garner attended the game while visiting his daughter, and soon he joined Bowman in the booth.

Bowman’s broadcast career ended in 1980 when he and wife, Kathy, moved to the San Francisco Bay area where he became an executive in international transportation, trade development and marketing.

Marc Blau 253-677-2872 • mhblau@comcast.net John Wohn 253-272-8543 • jwohn@yahoo.com

2015 Hall of Fame Sponsor Inductee­ Wes & Dodie Drake, Wes’ Super Mart

Wes’s Super Mart Youth Baseball Dynasty

By Megan Bostic

Preamble by Al Burmester There is no doubt that Wes Drake is a man to be worth because, as teammate Tim Mercurio stated, he remembered. Not only because of his boisterousness was a “cool dude.”

The Drakes went above and beyond the usual and colorful appearance, but for his kindness, philanthropy and dedication to youth baseball. He and wife sponsorship. The team had a pitching machine – a Dodie were among the best sponsors in youth athletics. rare thing in youth sports in those days. The boys didn’t They were cheerful, humble, and generous, and made have to pay for the many tournaments they traveled to, nor did they have to pay for their uniforms. And what extraordinary role models for their baseball family.

Dodie, who had been with Wes since high school, uniforms they were! said that they always loved sports. Wes excelled in both football and basketball while attending Kapowsin High School.

The Drakes attended many sporting events together, their favorites being football, basketball, and of course, baseball.

So it made sense that when Wes opened the Super Mart, he chose youth athletics as his advertisement of choice.

Wes enlisted Al Burmester in 1967.

He was a twenty-one year old with a love for baseball that volunteered to coach at the South End Boy’s Club in Tacoma.

They shared the same vision in what they wanted to accomplish with their teams and together they established the Super 1968 Colt League—Front Row Left to Right: Larry Kennedy, Coach, Skip Rowland, Ed Mart team, which would commence play- Zamira, Marty Stevens, Gary Peterson and Al Burmester. Back Row Left to Right: Paul Kingsley, Rick Guild, Terry Margenson, Tom Cromie, John Fode, Hank Whitehead ing the summer of ‘68.

Wes’s commanding air and con- and Warren Pietras. fident attitude would have you think he owned a professional baseball team The Super Mart boys were the best-dressed team instead of being a youth baseball sponsor. He’d show up in his flashy, fast Cadillac, cigar extending from his on the field. This may seem superficial to some, but lips, sporting white shoes and a red suit (which hap- having stylish, new uniforms was important in many pened to be one of the team’s colors). For the boys, ways. As former opponent and eventual Super Mart simply being in his company gave them a sense of player Gary “Rhino” Jones stated, “…they seemed special with their nice uniforms. They presented well and were intimidating.” Being the best-dressed team on the field also instilled pride and confidence in the boys.

This team didn’t just look good, they were talented as well, which Burmester attributes to practicing the fundamentals repeatedly. The Super Mart team won around 85% of their games and the Tacoma City League Championship for seven of nine seasons. Words that former players used to describe the team included top notch, winners, dynasty, excellence, and competitive. Super Mart was the team to play on.

1969 Colt League Champions­—Front Row Left to Right: Bill Rice, Earl Conklin, Skip Player Jim Fode’s widow, Karen, Rowland, Terry Olsen, Thom Ashiem, Jim Eckley, Greg Mashburn. Back Row Left to Right: Al Burmester, Jim Fode, Tom Cromie, Tom Dickson, Wayne Burki, Hank Whitehead, who was also his high school sweetheart, remembers that “One of the biggest Les Bennett, Marc Guild, Marty Stevens.

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2015 Hall of Fame Sponsor Inductees continued 30

By Coach Al Burmester

Imagine it’s 1968, and a boy growing up in South Tacoma from a working class family is day-dreaming about playing baseball. Few quality, organized teams are available, especially because money is tight for so many families. It’s a hopeless feeling shared by more than a few local boys.

Enter Wes Drake: A man who loved athletics and competition with a vision to form a baseball team. Not Wes with Orlando Pena of the St. just any team, but one that would develop skills and creLouis Cardinals. ate an opportunity for boys to become proud members of a high-caliber ball club. In 1968, Drake formed the first Wes’s Super Mart baseball team for 15 and 16 year-old boys that would be built on his generous spirit, commitment to excellence, and hard work.

League, Area, and State Championships mounted as the boys from South Tacoma achieved unrivaled success. To be sure, stories of those glory days still warm the hearts of those junior athletes – now grown men.

In light of their accomplishments as sponsors and mentors for these young men, along with the triumphs of the teams, Wes and Al Burmester and Wes Drake.

Dodie Drake are being honored by the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Old-Timers Association. It’s an honor richly deserved.

The common thread for all of Wes’s Super Mart teams was the goal to perform as well or better than the previous team. The 16 year-olds knew the rewards of hard work and the high expectations set by Wes Drake, and they encouraged the 15 year-olds to buy in. This family atmosphere and desire for excellence inspired many award-winning performances by these young men.

Wes and his wife, Dodie, provided everything the boys would need to become confident, exceptional athletes and young men. Equipment and uniforms were first class; pitching machines and batting cages were an integral part of the program. Competition of the highest caliber was included in the 40game schedule, which always included the much-anticipated father/son camping trip after playing the Yakima Beetles. When the team qualified for the sectional tournament in Provo, Utah, Wes provided blue blazers with matching ties as travel attire. The team looked sharp! In addition, if the boys could not purchase expensive personal baseball gear (mitts and cleats), he provided work opportunities for them so they could afford all of their equipment. Dodie added her personal touch by individually painting ceramic baseball statues in the team colors with each boy’s number and name on the back as a Camping trip on the way home from Yakima remembrance of their time with the team. in 1973.

The type of program Wes and Dodie provided the boys in South Tacoma was very unique. The boys were part of a quality team with excellence and hard work their top priorities.

Each team was extremely successful, and these young men grew tremendously as teammates and individuals under the generous and outstanding leadership of Wes Drake. I coached Wes’s team from 1968 to 1975, and I am honored that he chose me to help put the Wes’s Super Mart vision together. Dodie and her family will be here to see and feel the gratitude of their efforts. My only wish is that Wes could be Left to Right: Unknown, Mike Bryant, Jon Anderson, Mark Young, here, too.

Larry Girk and Al Burmester.

things for the boys in the south end was to make Wes’s Super Mart team.

It was like hitting the jackpot! If you were selected to play on this team, it meant you were one of the best. I truly think it was more important than making the high school team. Jim was very proud to be on this prestigious team.” Comprised mostly of the best baseballers from Baker and Gray junior highs and Mount Tahoma High School, they were exceptional players and a formidable opponent to all who crossed their path.

Player Wynn Loiland said, “When you played for Super Mart, you knew you were playing for a quality team.”

Wes expected the best and he got it because the boys respected him and their coaches and wanted nothing more than to make them proud. The Super Mart teams were first-rate, and Wes was genuinely excited to see them succeed.

Being on the Super Mart team was about more than just being an excellent player, you also needed to be a steadfast person, much of which they learned through playing ball. The boys learned commitment.

When it was time for practice or the game, you were always there and you were always on time. Even the parents were committed to the team, attending games and out-of-town

Back row l, to r.: Wes Drake, Al Burmester and Tom Dickson. Front row l. to r.: Greg Guild, Bob Barkley and Mark Butts.

tournaments in support. The boys learned work ethic. They worked hard at practices to become the best team they could be. They were taught respect. Their coaches made sure they didn’t get down on each other for making mistakes. They

2015 Hall of Fame Sponsor Inductees continued

1969 Tournament Team—District & Sectional ChampionsRegionals (3rd Place)­—Front Row Left to Right: Marty Stevens, Tom Thompson, Earl Conklin, Skip Rowland, Tim McDonough, Marc Guild, Jim Eckley. Back Row Left to Right: Wes Drake, Jim Fode, Tom Cromie, Tom Dickson, Hank Whitehead, Wayne Burki, Larry Lien, Al Burmester. Missing: Bill Rice.

were taught to respect the umpires by holding their tongues when they disagreed with a call and to let their coaches handle it. They were also taught to respect their opponents. Mo Lakin stated, “We defeated many, but considered them equals. An attitude instilled in us by coach Al Burmester.” Coach Al Murch remembers

1970 Colt League Champions—ront row l. to r.: Earl Conklin, Jim Eckley, Tim Mercurio, unidentified, Ron Curley, Chris Christianson, unidentified, Richard Jordan. Back Row Left to Right: Marc Guild, Robert Brynteson, Wayne Burki, Tom Dickson, Les Bennett, Jim Ehlers, Fred Strege, Al Burmester.

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1970 Tournament Team (District Colt Champions)­—Front Row Left to Right: Jim Ehlers, Jeff Carbone, Ron Curley, Jack Petrinovich, Chris Christianson, Richard Jordan, Earl Conklin, Rick Shoenrock.

Back Row Left to Right: Al Burmester, Robin Lavergne, Gary Jones, Wayne Burki, Tom Dickson, Les Bennett, Jim Eckley, Marc Guild.

mussen recalls playing poker in what they called “the pit” (a sunken living room) at Wes and Dodie’s home.

The Drakes took the boys on fishing and camping trips. Mark Swofford and many other players say the Drakes treated them like family. Many of the players became lifelong friends. Hank Whitehead said “…that four years of our lives is a time none of us will forget.”

1971 Colt League­—Front row l. to r.: Braxton Rawls, Buddy Horton, Mike Shaw, unidentified, Bob Haynes, Bobb Absten and Steve Meier.

Missing: Mike Berger and John Mello. Back row l. to r.: Ron Curley, Mike Dickson (dec.), Tim Mercurio, Jim Ehlers, Fred Strege, Morgan Lakin, Dennis Hatton Al Burmester.

the players being, “…a group of well-behaved young men in the dugout and on the field at all times,” and “…a quality group of young adults.”

Hard work and commitment made these boys successful. Having fun made them friends. Rick Ras-

Marc Guild reminiscences that his time on the team was some of the most fun he’s had in his life. These tight bonds the boys formed also helped create a great amount of trust and confidence in each other, which showed on the ball field.

When asked who they felt were the best players on their team, most of the men interviewed didn’t know

1970 Connie Mack Team Front row l. to r: Tim McDonough, Marty Stevens, unidentified, Tom Cromie, unidentified, Hank Whitehead. Back row l. to r.: Al Murch, unidentified, Jim Fode, unidentified, unidentified, unidentified, Steve Griewe and Larry Lien.

1971 Connie Mack League Champions—(2nd Place-West Coast Regional)—Front row l. to r.: Wes Drake, Rich Jordan, Tom Dickson, Mike Schwab, Bill Hansen, Marc Guild, Marty Stevens, Tim McDonough, Chris Christiansen. Back row l. to r.: Al Murch, Hank Whitehead, Les Bennett, Rick Rasmussen, Steve Jones, Jim Fode, Larry Lien, Dennis Franklin, Jerry Cozad, Tom Burmester.

2015 Hall of Fame Sponsor Inductees 32 how to answer. That mindset wasn’t part of who they were when they played ball together. Greg Guild said it best, “I believe that we were a true team. No one was singled out as ‘best’ or ‘better,’ as that wasn’t how we were coached.” No player or position was more important than another according to Burmester. This demonstrates the true meaning of the word “team,” and shows what inspirational leaders the coaches and Wes and Dodie Drake were to these boys.

Wes, Dodie and the coaches of the Super Mart

1974 League Champions—Front Row Left to Right: Jon Anderson, Tim Cole, Gus Carlson, Greg Cole, Lindsey Kanesta, Mark Swofford, Rick Haavik. Back Row Left to Right: Al Burmester, Doug Cey, Mark Young, Mike Bryant, Larry Girk, Gene Frazier, Steve Matzen.

team — brothers Al and Tom Burmester, Al Murch and Tom Dickson — had a tremendous impact on many of these boys who played ball for them. So much so that player Wayne Burki calls his time with the team, “a gift.”

Being chosen for the Super Mart team made the boys feel special and gave them a sense of honor. They felt

1973 League Champions—Front Row Left to Right: Tom Shearer, Bryan Sutherland, Mark Butts, Pat Tobin, Bob Barkley, Gus Carlson, Greg Cole, Steve Schnieder. Back Row Left to Right: Gus Carlson, Tom Dickson, Mark Swofford, Scott Bowman, Doug Cey, Steve Matzen, Greg Guild, Al Burmester, Wes Drake.

1974 Tournament Team—Front Row Left to Right: Greg Firn, Mike Bryant, Doug Cey, Roy Young, Larry Girk, Gus Carlson. Middle Row Left to Right: Al Burmester, Cliff Johnson, Rick Haavik, Mark Swofford, Bill Whitton. Back Row Left to Right: Wes Drake, Gus Carlson, Greg Cole, Steve Matzen, Gene Frazier, Jon Anderson, Lindsey Kanesta, Tom Dickson

thankful and lucky to have had the opportunity to play for the Drakes and the wonderful coaches. Structure and training that was provided them led to other opportunities and advantages. The many lessons learned they took with them into adulthood. Tim Mercurio says of Wes and his coaches, “…they made you realize that

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1974 Colt Regional Tournament Team—Front row l. to r: Greg Firn, Mike Bryant, Doug Cey, unidentified, Larry Girk, Mark Swofford, Gus Carlson and Bill Whitton. Back row l. to r.: Wes Drake, Gus Carlson, Al Burmester, Rick Haavik, unidentified, Greg Cole, Lindsey Kanesta, Jon Anderson, Steve Matzen, Doc Johnson’s son and Gene Frazier. Sitting in front: Randy Drake.

2015 Hall of Fame Sponsor Inductees continued

1975 League Champions­—Front Row Left to Right: Rick Haavik, Wynn Loiland, Jon Anderson, Keith Pickett, Jeff Meek. Middle Row Left to Right: Ralph Heard, Mike Bryant, Mark Young, Larry Girk.

Back Row Left to Right: Al Burmester, Rick Absten, Tony Gengl, Wayne Collins, Grant Asplund, Tom Dickson.

you could do anything you wanted to do. They made you realize the power of confidence at a young age.”

The boys, when they grew to be men, gave back.

They held dinners to recognize the couple who meant so much to them during their teen years. The Drakes were happy to see their boys all grown up and as Dodie noted, see them turn out to become such good men.

It’s no wonder this sponsorship award will be bestowed upon Dodie, for her and in honor of her late husband, Wes. This kind-hearted, selfless and benevo-

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1976 League Champions—Front Row Left to Right: Rick Absten, Don Moore, Lew Estabrook, Stew Miller, Lane Hobbs, Bob Morgan, Wayne Collins. Back Row Left to Right: Tom Dickson, Keith Pickett, Mike Hauser, Wynn Loiland, Jeff Meek, Grant Asplund, Steve Schneider.

lent couple gave more than their money. When player Rick Guild thinks of the name Wes Drake, he thinks of passion, commitment and giving. What Dodie and Wes gave these boys, now men, was a wonderful example to follow, a second family, lifelong friendships, and memories to last a lifetime. It is evident by their actions and generosity that they truly cared about not only the game of baseball, but the people inside the uniforms.

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2015 Hall of Fame Sponsor Inductees continued Wes’ Super Mart Team Members: Al Burmester (coach), Tom Burmester (coach), Al Murch (coach), Tom Dickson (player-coach), Steve Schneider (playercoach), Gus Carlson (trainer), Robert Loiland (business manager), Bobb Absten, Rick Absten, Jon Anderson, Glenn Ashiem, Tom Ashiem, Grant Asplund, Bob Barkley, Les Bennett, Mike Berger, Scott Bowman, Mike Bryant, Robert Brynteson, Wayne Burki, Mark Butts, Jeff Carbone, Gus Carlson, Doug Cey, Chris Christianson, Greg Cole, Tim Cole, Wayne Collins, Earl Conklin, Jerry Cozad, Tom Cromie, Ron Curley, Mike Dickson (dec.), Ken Driscoll, Jim Eckley, Jim Ehlers, Lew Estabrook, Greg Firn, Jim Fode, Gene Frazier, Larry Girk, Greg Guild, Marc Guild, Rick Guild, Rick Haavik, Bill Hanson, Dennis Hatton, Mike Hauser, Bob Haynes, Ralph Heard, Lane Hobbs, Buddy Horton, Tony Gengl, Cliff Johnson, Gary Jones, Steve Jones, Rich Jordan, Lindsey Kanesta, Larry Kennedy, Paul Kingsley, Morgan Lakin, Robin Lavergne, Larry Lien, Wynn Loiland, Terry Margenson, Greg Mashburn, Steve Matzen, Tim McDonough, Mark McGowan, Jeff Meek, Steve Meier, John Mello, Tim Mercurio, Stew Miller, Don Moore, Bob Morgan, Terry Olsen, Gary Peterson, Jack Petrinovich, Keith Pickett, Warren Pietras, Rick Rasmussen, Braxton Rawls, Bill Rice, Skip Rowland, Mike Schwab, Mike Shaw, Tom Shearer, Rick Shoenrock, Mick Stephens, Marty Stevens, Alan Stoops, Fred Strege, Bryan Sutherland, Mark Swofford, Tom Thompson, Pat Tobin, Hank Whitehead, Bill Whitton, Mark Young, Ed Zamira.

1976 Colt Tournament Team Front row l. to r: Keith Pickett, Lew Estabrook, Stew Miller, Mick Stephens, Bob Morgan, Lane Hobbs, Wayne Collins, Rick Absten and Grant Asplund. Back row l. to r.: Gus Carlson, Mike Hauser, Allan Stoops, Wynn Loiland, Jeff Meek, Mark McGowan, Ken Driscoll, Steve Schnieder and Tom Dickson.

Marc Guild on the mound for Wes’.

1974 Regional Tournament at Cheney Stadium

2015 Hall of Fame Sponsor Inductees continued

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Recollections

by Al Murch, Wes’ Super Mart Coach The first thing I remember about coaching Wes’s new Connie Mack team was the interview, conducted

by Wes and brothers, Al and Tom Burmester. They were trying to find out if I knew anything about baseball. I wasn’t sure how to answer their questions, but I must have convinced (or fooled) them that I knew a thing or two about the game because they brought me aboard. I told Wes that his team would live up to his expectations, which I think we exceeded during the two seasons I coached.

The quality of the young men who were chosen to play for the team was exceptional! I don’t just mean on the field. When I needed to talk to a player and they weren’t home, the parents would usually direct me to one of the other player’s houses. The teammates were becoming fast friends. Every time I called where they were supposed to be, they were there, doing exactly what they said they were going to be doing. If you know teenagers, that’s rarely the case.

I remember a time in which an umpire made a bad call which didn’t follow the rules of the game.

The players started yelling at them. I quieted them down and showed them how the problem should be handled. I walked out to the field umpire to discuss the call and explain the rule. The other umpires joined us. After discussion, the call was reversed in our favor.

Back in the dugout, the boys were surprised to see that I didn’t have to yell at the umps to get the call. I respected the umpires and expected them to do the same. At the same time, I earned their respect. They were a group of well-behaved young men in the dugout and on the field at all times.

Not only did I teach them to respect the game, I taught them a thing or two about listening to direction.

There was a pitcher who wanted to play for us. I told

him he could be on the team if his work ethic improved and he followed direction. A couple weeks into practice he went back to his bad habits of not running and not listening. We scheduled a practice game against the Fort Lewis team and I had this kid pitch. At one point, the bases were loaded. The next batter swung, but only tapped the ball which rolled a few feet up the first base line. The batter didn’t take a step toward first base, assuming the ball would go out of bounds.

I yelled at the pitcher to get off the mound and field the ball before it went foul. There were already two outs, so we could get out of the inning, plus it wasn’t a good idea to risk another hit with the bases loaded.

He didn’t listen, didn’t run, and he let the ball go foul.

I’d told him before, if that situation ever happened, the next pitch could cost him. Sure enough, the batter swung at the next pitch and hit it hard and over the center fielder’s head. It was a grand slam home run. I applauded. It was a good lesson for all the boys, but a hard lesson for the pitcher.

The boys were also taught to respect each other.

In one of our playoff games, a batter hit the ball to our short stop, Tim Mercurio. He made an error on the play, which was totally out of character. Pitcher Jim Fode starting yelling at him. I jumped from the dugout and got to the mound as fast as possible to read Jim the riot act. I told him not to treat his fellow players like that and to apologize to Tim for yelling at him when he got the chance. More importantly, I told him that Tim could make a great play on the next pitch and get us out of the inning. On the next pitch, the batter hit the ball to Tim, in the hole, and he made a great play to get to the ball and throw him out to end the inning. Jim stayed on the field until Tim reached him and gave him a big hug and apologized for his actions. Jim then came

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2015 Hall of Fame Team Inductees continued to me and apologized, promising he would never do that again....and he didn›t!

After taking over the reins of Wes’s Connie Mack team, a parent called and asked me to stop by his office. When I got there he told me that his son would not be playing if a certain boy was on the team, which he was. This boy had been in some trouble in the past and he didn’t want his son around him. I told him that was a big mistake and if there were a problem between the two boys, I would take care of it. At first the boy didn’t show up, but after a week of practices, he came and asked if he could still try out. He said he and his dad had talked about the situation and it was his choice and he wanted to play for the team. I told him to let me know if there were any problems, either at home or with any of the other players. Of course, there weren’t. Both players had a fun summer playing with Wes’s Connie Mack team. Sometimes kids know best. And the boy who had been in trouble? He was a great teammate, player and person and I would take a hundred just like him anytime!

The only problem I had while coaching the Super Mart boys was losing two years in a row to Jack McGee and his Seattle team in the finals of the regional playoffs. Our team was every bit as good, but Jack’s team seemed to get that one break when they needed it. However, our guys never backed down from the challenge. I hope they learned something about life and baseball from the two years I got to coach them. They were a quality group of young adults with great parents!

There are many more stories and many more reasons as to why this just might be the best group of young adults I have ever had the privilege of being around. As for Wes and Dodie, they were as good a sponsor as there has ever been in youth athletics. They have my respect. Wes had that great smile and Dodie was always giggling. There have never been better people, nor better role models, than those two.

Wes, Dodie, Al and Tom were wonderful people to know and Super Mart was a great team to coach. I thank them for the opportunity and for putting their trust in me.

2015 Hall of Fame Team Inductees continued

COACH HOUSE & TACOMA OFFICE SUPPLY SLOWPITCH TEAMS WERE A RECKONED FORCE IN THE EARLY 1970’S From unlikely beginnings that started 5,000 miles south of the City of Destiny, the Coach House slowpitch softball team rose to prominence in Tacoma in the early 1970s.

Marco Hernando had trouble even throwing a softball but the bright lights illuminating Peck Field for evening softball attracted him from the Tideflats. The enthusiasm of the recreational teams and fans inspired Marco.

Born into the soccer-only culture of Lima, Peru in 1941, Marco came to the U.S. in 1959 and to Tacoma via the U.S. Army in 1963.

After the Army, he worked at Brown and Haley but took shifts on off days as a casual for the Longshoreman’s Union. 1970 COACH HOUSE SLOWPITCH TEAM—Front row l. to r.: Butch Brenno, Dale From the Tideflats he saw the Tacoma Reese, Rick Welfringer, Ed Lowery and Marco Hernando. Back row l. to r.: Gerry hilltop lights and thought it might be a Perrin, Denny Snell, Larry Joy, John Thoma, Al Carlson, and Dave Kancianich. soccer stadium. He investigated and was Coach House won six consecutive games to capture immediately enchanted by a game he had never seen before. Cheering, yelling and oh, the the Tacoma Invitational. They beat Sump’s New York home runs. He liked to see the ball hit over the fence. Life of Olympia twice for title. The two losses were the The longshoremen already had a fastpitch team first two losses for Sump’s after winning 30 in a row. and Marco was more drawn to the offensive action of Bob Cason, picked up from Western Washington slowpitch instead. Since longshoremen often gathered League to join Coach House for the tournament, was at the Coach House Restaurant on Pacific Avenue after MVP. He hit 5 home runs and had 19 RBI in six games. work, Marco asked the owner, Vern Olin, if he would In the first of the championship games vs. Sump’s, sponsor the team. Marco was now the general man- catcher Don Stewart won it with a bottom-of-theager for an upstart team in a sport that not long ago seventh grand slam.

In 1972, the TNT noted that Ed McGrath was had been foreign to him.

In 1968 and 1969, Coach House was made up entirely of Tacoma longshoremen. They played 14-inch slowpitch. They were the Industrial League champions both years and won several tournaments.

Before the 1970 season, the team added players to their roster who were not Tacoma longshoremen and thus were not eligible to compete in the industrial league. The team played in the open-division league at Peck Field and continued to be outstanding.

1971 COACH HOUSE SLOWPITCH TEAM—Back row l. to r.: Dave Kancianich, Jerry

TACOMA INVITATIONAL PROWESS Henkel, Denny Miller, Monte O’Brien, Ed Lowery, Denny Snell, Mike Holland, Larry Joy From 1970 through 1972, Coach and Bob Cason. Front row l. to r.: Mark O’Brien, Rick Welfringer, Al Carlson, Don House won the open-division title and the Stewart, Brian “Butch” Brenno, Marco Hernando and John Thoma. prestigious Tacoma Invitational Tournanamed the Tacoma Invitational MVP after going 14ment three consecutive years.

This was in an era when the Sonics were the only for-18 with 12 home runs and 19 RBI. Coach House major pro sports team in the area and recreational beat ITT Rayonier of Hoquiam 15-2 for the men’s title. sports still drew the attention of the local newspa- It was also noted in the paper that: “Dick Marzano, per. Articles in The News Tribune noted that, in 1971 whose Coach House team earned the Metro League

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2015 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued THE SPRINKER YEARS In 1969, Pierce County Parks and Recreation built the Sprinker complex in Spanaway and offered 12-inch (small ball) to comply with the national ASA standard. The Sprinker leagues and tournaments appealed to a lot of players and soon became not only the best place to play but one that attracted the greatest level of daily competition in the Northwest.

In 1972 1975 Tacoma Office Supply-Northwest Class A Regional Champions— Front Row l. to r.: Jim Darland, John Marzano, Howard Schantz (Sponsor), a n d 1 9 7 3 , Ron Jakes and Dick Marzano (Coach). Back Row l. to r.: John Thoma, Coach House Rusty Bass, Russ Baker, Larry Marshall, Dick Tomko, Larry Joy, Bob Tibbits, played sevand Bob Mitchell. eral 12-inch tournaments title, will coach the Metro stars against Pierce County at Sprinker and it in exhibition game at Cheney Stadium prior to Tacoma created a probTwins Triple-A game.”

Coach House players joining Marzano on the lem for the team Coach Dick Marzano takes a mighty cut as Dick Tomko surveys the action in a Western All-Star team were catcher Al Carlson, first baseman as they were not Washington League game at Sprinker Russ Baker, second baseman Mike Holland, shortstop being invited back Recreation Center.

Ed McGrath and outfielder Jim Darland. Marzano was to play as many 14-inch slowpitch also at third base.

2015 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued tournaments. The 14-inch tournament directors did not want 12-inch teams to play in their tournaments – especially the Coach House team that was so dominant in earlier years.

Before the start of the 1974 softball season, several Coach House team members decided to join the Schooner Tavern team. The remaining Coach House players formed a new team – Tacoma Office Supply – sponsored by owner Howard Schantz. Dick Marzano continued as player-coach.

1n 1975, the Tacoma Office Supply team had a very good 12inch Class A league reg- 1976 TACOMA OFFICE SUPPLY—Front row l. to r.: Russ Baker, Bob Hyppa, ular season Ron Jakes, Bob Mitchell and Ed McGrath. Back row l. to r.: Mark Ross, John at Sprinker Thoma, Larry Joy, Rusty Bass, John Marzano, Dick Marzano and Jim Darland. and won the finals. Other All-Stars for TOS included Jim Darland, postseason tourney. Led by Larry Joy and Bob Mitchell.

The regional win qualified the team for the natournament MVP tional tournament in Providence, Rhode Island where John Thoma, who Tacoma Office Supply finished ninth out of 62 teams. hit .500 (13-26), Coach Marco Hernando is the team The team even was written about in the Boston Globe. five round-tripcheerleader for the Coach House club.

In 1978, Tacoma Office Supply traveled to repers, scored 12 gionals in Butte, Montana but a plane crash killed times and finished five players from another Tacoma team making for a with 15 rbi’s, TOS won the 12-inch ASA Class A regional somber affair. tournament beating a Montana entry 24-13 in the

1970’s Coach House/Tacoma Office Supply Men’s Slowpitch Team: Bob Allen, Clay Angle, Russ “Odie” Baker, Rusty Bass, Brian “Butch” Brenno (dec), Mark Bender, Mike Brown, Carlos Canty, Dave Carlisle, Al Carlson, Bob Cason, Dennis Collers, Steve Curran, Jim Darland, Bob Fagering, Scott Hanson (dec), Jerry Henkel, Marco Hernando (coach), Mike Holland, Bob Hyppa, Ron Jakes, Larry Johnson, Larry Joy, Dave Kancianich, Joe Kilby (dec), Ed Lowery (dec), Larry Marshall, Dick Marzano, John Marzano, Ed McGrath, Denny Miller, Tom Miller, Bob Mitchell, Bill Murphy, Monte O’Brien, Vern Olin (owner, Coach House Restaurant), Gerry Perrin, Dale Reese, Mark Ross, Jim Ryan, Howard Schantz (owner, Tacoma Office Supply-dec), Art Scheetz (dec), Denny Snell, Don Stewart (dec.), John Thoma, Bob Tibbits, Dick Tomko, Dave Vossler, Jim Warter, Frank Welcome (dec) and Rick Welfringer (dec).

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2015 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued

1979 CODY’S TAVERN/JUSTUS CEDAR HOMES SLOWPITCH TEAM—Front row l. to r.: Skip Thiel, Dan Luhtala, Dale Failey and Jerry Archer. Middle row l. to r.: Mark Belvin, Dan Greco, Mel Burrell, Tim Thompson, Gary Jones, Wayne Knippel, Doug Armstrong, Greg “Lumpy” Johnson, Brad Huffman and Dick Zurfluh. Back row l. to r.: Jim Hadland, Larry Lynott and Dave Roller.

CODY’S TAVERN/JUSTUS CEDAR HOMES—1978–79 In its powerhouse 1978 and 1979 seasons, the Cody’s Tavern/Justus Cedar Homes squad started in early April in Pierce County and didn’t end their season until Labor Day a long way from home in a national tournament.

The team was sponsored by Cody Miller of Cody’s Tavern (and Crescent Realty) and Larry Lynott of Justus Company of Lakewood. The team was coached by the late Dick Zurfluh of Spanaway.

Cody’s-Justus fielded talented players with a variety of backgrounds as college football, basketball, track and soccer athletes who turned to their “diamond skills” for the summer. Cody’s-Justus played 90 to 100 games per season with a winning percentage of 81%.

In 1978, they advanced to the Class A national tournament in Houston, finishing 9th. In 1979, they qualified for the national tournament in Burlington,

North Carolina, finishing fourth.

Cody’s-Justus evolved primarily from south Pierce County, many with ties to Franklin Pierce and Bethel high schools. Having grown up in the shadow of the “marquis” Heidelberg teams of the early 1970s, Cody’s was a combination of former team members from the Spanaway Furniture and the Lucky Lager teams—both competitive recreation league mainstays.

The entire team proved to be a tough out. The team batted .515 in 1978 and .538 in 1979.

Team standouts included Dan Luhtala, the batting average leader both years; Dan Greco and Mel Burrell, the team’s most prolific home run hitters; and Gary “Rhino” Jones and Doug Armstrong, who were named “All‐World” at national tournaments. Jones, a first baseman, went 16-for-24 to win the 1979 national tournament batting title.

2015 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued At the 1979 national tournament in North Carolina, Cody’s fourth place finish was the best placing of any local competing nationally at the sport’s highest level. They beat Hancock Sports of Jonesburg, Ark by a score of 10-3 with Dan Luhtala going 3-for-3 and Gary Jones hitting a home run. The club then won three of four the following day to remain in title contention.

They lost 12-2 to Brothers Athletic Club of Yonkers, NY, then rebounded to eliminate M.K. Realty of Merced, CA, 13-8, Hans Taylor Plumbing of Bargaintown, NJ, 10-5, and Candish Realty of Logansports, Indiana 10-4 to reach the final four. In the three wins, Doug Armsmtrong was 4-for-6, Larry Lynott had three pinch hits and Gary Jones went 8-for-10 including another round-tripper.

On the final day, Cody’s-Justus lost 8-4 against host Atwater Ford to finish fourth.

This group of athletes competed at a recreational level, but at the same time, pursued the best opponents they could find. It was an unusually talented group of young men playing for fun, representing their community, and honing their athletic skills.

The roster included: Jerry Archer, Doug Armstrong, Mark Belvin, Mel Burrell, Dale Failey, Dan Greco (dec.), Jim Hadland, Tim Thompson, Greg “Lumpy” Johnson (dec.), Gary “Rhino” Jones, Wayne Knippel, Dan Luhtala, Larry Lynott, Dave Roller, Skip Thiel and Dick Zurfluh (mgr-dec.).

41 Team Recognition— 1978-79 Cody’s Tavern/Justus Cedar Homes Men’s Slowpitch Team: Dick Zurfluh (manager-deceased), Jerry Archer, Jim Archer (batboy), Doug Armstrong, Mark Belvin, Mel Burrell, Dale Failey, Dan Greco (dec.), Jim Hadland, Tim Thompson, Greg “Lumpy” Johnson (dec), Gary “Rhino” Jones, Wayne Knippel, Dan Luhtala, Larry Lynott (co-sponsor), Cody Miller (co-sponsor), Dave Roller, and Skip Thiel.

Congratulations to this years

Inductees!

253-843-9436 e-mail: khgraphics@aol.com

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1973 PUGET SOUND NATIONAL BANK—Front row l. to r.: Unknown, Mickey Bartels, Darron Nelson, Bob Brown, Ken Stancato, Jim ???, Dan Oliver and Lloyd Glasoe. Back row l. to r.: Gene Horan, Steve Oliver, Jay Beach, Don Anderle, Hank Jarvits, Dave Demick, Vince Horan and Mike Nielson.

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