2017 Tacoma-Pierce County Old-Timers Baseball & Softball

Tacoma-Pierce County

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Old-Timers B aseballSoftball Reunion

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

Sunday, June 4 • Lakewood, wa Co-Sponsored by

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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 Master of Ceremonies Gary Brooks Publicity Gary Brooks, Nick Dawson, Tyler Scott, Arnold Lytle & Marc Blau Souvenir Program Bob Young Advertising Ken DeForrest & Pat Kelly Sponsors Pat Kelly & Dave Demick Raffle Ken DeForrest Research Department Shannon Heinrick, Linda Shelton, Gayle Hazen, Mollie Robertson, Ardi Schrag & Joyce Wolf Registration Joe Stortini & Ken Laase Ushers Don Gustafson Program Distribution Other committee members: Russ Baker, George Karpach Frank Colarusso, Doug McArthur, Ed McGrath, Aaron Pointer, Dave Roller, John Thoma, George Wolford, Steve Zamira Kellie Ham Type & Graphics Program Layout & Design

Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Old-Timers Association

Welcomes You To The Annual Hall Of Fame Banquet The Tacoma Pierce-County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers 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, Columbia 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 Oldtimers).

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.

In 2015, and now again in 2017, we return for another grand affair. We are indebted for the continued support by our major sponsors; in particular the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Columbia Bank, Heritage Bank, the Tacoma Rainiers, Joeseppis and newcomers Heidelberg and TurnKey Real Estate. All have been very generous supporters and deserve to be recognized for their community service. Please be sure to let them know 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.

Jim Nettles and Bill Ralston are receiving the coveted Dill Howell Award, and super-fans, Whit & Shirley Hemion, along with Owen Shackett, a fixture within the USSSA Church Slowpitch scene, will be honored with the Marc Blau Meritorious Service Award for their dedication and devotion over the years to slowpitch in the community. It is with great honor we bestow upon Bob Lightfoot and Bruce Nichols 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 “Oldtimers Salute” will be accorded Ted Lopat and Bud Thomsen, for their contributions as an umpire and fastpitch player, respectively, during their outstanding careers.

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 incredibly talented Tacoma Tugs baseball team and the success they have enjoyed on the national scene year after year. It’s a fascinating story and we are pleased to have many of the team members with us today. We are confident that you’ll agree that we have an impressive array of individuals to recognize— honors that are all most appropriate.

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

ON THE COVER Top Photo: Umpire Ken Murrie wallows in the mud during a typical Pacific Northwest day at Peck Field.

Middle Photo: Through the eyes of a catcher at Peck Field.

Check Us Out at www.oldtimerbaseball.com

Bottom Photo: Heidelberg’s Butch Pasquale gets ready to unload another mammoth round-tripper at Sprinker Recreation Center as the affable umpire, Joe Bailey, is poised to make the call.

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Mission Statement

2017 Hall of Fame Inductees

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 TacomaPierce 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”!

Fastpitch: Bosco Reopelle

Tacoma-Pierce County BaseballSoftball Oldtimers Association

Baseball: Jim Lopez, Phil Misley Sr., Randy Peterson and Mic Stump Slowpitch: Nancy Craig, Brett Kreuger Umpires: Bruce Ledbetter Sponsor: Charlie Thomas (The Wolfpack) Team Recognition: Tacoma Tugs 55+ (Baseball)

INVOCATION

Tim Kuykendall, Athletic Director at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, has served as Chaplain for the Tacoma Rainiers, the AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners since 2004.

Playing under the legendary coach Bobo Brayton at Washington State University (WSU), Tim was selected as an All Pac-10 outfielder and 1989 Pac-10 North Player of the Year. He was honored in 2010 to be part of Bobo’s “All Legends Team”, as one of the L. to R.: Tim Kuykendall and top 50 players in Bobo’s illustrious coaching career. Coach Bobo Brayton.

Tim coached baseball for two years at WSU as an assistant, 12 years at Auburn High School, and four years at Curtis High School. While at Auburn high, he helped build the baseball program into a state power, seeing his teams play in the State’s Final Four, four times. He was voted by the coaches in his league as the South Puget Sound League (SPSL) Coach of the Year four times during his tenure. He is also a co-founder of Reality Sports , a sports ministry organization in the greater Puget Sound area.

Past President

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, 253-677-2872 or mhblau@comcast.net.

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Helping our community comes with the territory.

Find out more at columbiabank.com or call 253-305-1900.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

Around here, “business as usual� means giving back to the community. It means leading by example. Paying it forward. And doing good, where good is needed most.

Our commitment to local philanthropy is as important as our commitment to our customers.

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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 2017 is the TAC’s 75th year of doing just that.

Over $6 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 Tacoma-Pierce 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 Year 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.

——————————————————————-——— TAC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Name ________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ E-mail address_________________________________________ Individual Membership: $100, Corporate Contributions: $250, $500, $1000, $2500, $5000.

Enclose check.

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

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.____________________

Cy Greenlaw Oldtimer’s Award

1.____________________

Name of person making nomination: _______________________________ Phone:__________________________________________ Mail to: Old-Timers Banquet 9908-63rd Ave. Ct. E. , Puyallup, WA 98373

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

Previous Hall of Fame Inductees 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., Mike Larson, Tony Lavorato, Rick Lewis, Al Libke Jr., Bob Lightfoot, Bryce Lilly, Chuck Loete, Jim Lopez, 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 Jr., 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, Randy 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, Kevin Stock, Wes Stock, Ron Storaasli, Mic Stump, Jack Tanner, Morry Taylor, Elmer Thiel, Frank “Bush” Tobin, Erling Tollefson, Rudy Tollefson, Bill Turnbull, Art Viafore, Chuck Viafore, Heinie Vogel, Dave Voss, 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, Ed Yusko, Bill Zenk Jr. and Mike Zenk.

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, Dave Demick, Tony DeRosa, Esther Deuel, Marian Ricono Dubois, Bill Dunham, Ron Fawcett, Bob Frankowsky, Vern From, Lloyd Glasoe, Pete Guthrie, Trish Hackett, Mike Healy, Jack Hermsen, Les Holtmeyer, Gene Horan, Bobby Howard, 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, Bosco Reopelle, 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, Bill Zenk Sr., Margaret Zepeda, Bob Zurfluh, Don Zurfluh, and Tom Zurfluh.

Slowpitch Softball—Doug Armstrong, Dave Benedict, Kay Bentley, Earl Birnel, Dave Bishop, Mel Burrell, Carlos Canty, Jan Chase, Todd Cooley, Ken Deforrest, Bill Fleener, Cal Goings, Nancy Craig, Dick Halleen, Margaret “Maggie” Heinrick, Kathy Hemion, Whit Hemion Jr., Jerry Henderson, Nancy Jerkovich, Ken Jones, Joe Kilby, Joe Kreger, Brett Kreuger, 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 Panzari, 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, Dan Valentine, 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, Ed Bowman, 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, John Everett, Rick Fox, Ron Grassi, Paul Gustafson, Dick Hassan, John Heinrick, John Holliday, Bob Huegel, Joey Johns, Dave Kerrone, Ken Laase, Bruce Ledbetter, 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., Wes & Dodie Drake/Wes’ Super Mart, 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, Charlie Thomas/ The Wolfpack, Mike Tucci/Tucci & Sons, Washington Hardware, and Alden Woodworth/Woodworth Co..

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2017 Previous Hall of Fame Inductees continued TEAM RECOGNITION:

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

Ralph Guelfi, Jim Hook, Mike Krueger, Dick Moore, Bob Schierman, Gary Schiesz, Ron Stephens, and Dave Wilsie.

2010

2017 2002-1016 Tacoma Tugs 55+ Baseball Team: Jim Lopez, Dave Mathews, Marse McNaughton, Jim Moore, Marc Mullins, John Olerud, Bill Ralston , Steve Rapkoch, Dave Reynolds, Mike Slattery, Ron Staples, Mic Stump, Par Weber and Dan Wombacher.

2015 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), Dale Reese, Mark Ross, Jim Ryan, Howard Schantz (owner, Tacoma Office Supply-dec), Art Scheetz, Denny Snell, Don Stewart (dec.), John Thoma, Bob Tibbits, Dick Tomko, Dave Vossler, Jim Warter, Frank Welcome (dec) and Rick Welfringer (dec)

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.

2012

2008

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.

Wilson High School (1977) State Championship Baseball TeamBob 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).

1976–80 Tacoma Firefighters Men’s Slowpitch Team: Ken DeForrest (coach), Bob Bender, Dave Carr, Tim Chandler, Dave Deskins,

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.

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

Metro Parks Tacoma unveils plaque honoring Tacoma baseball ambassador Bob Maguinez

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A man who as a boy found joy in athletics and as an adult recognized its catalytic power to bring people together, was honored May 13 when Metro Parks unveiled a plaque recognizing the late Bob Maguinez.

Maguinez, who passed away at 71 in 2000, worked for Metro Parks for about 20 years, including about a dozen as the first supervisor of the People’s Community Center. Before he went to the center, he oversaw Metro Parks youth athletics.

In 1999, the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association honored Maguinez for his contributions to the sport. In 2002, Metro Parks dedicated the baseball field at the Heidelberg-Davis Sports Complex in his honor.

“We are very proud of the legacy left by Bob,” said Shon Sylvia, Metro Parks Tacoma executive director. “He set an example of how hard work and love for your community can positively affect the world.”

Born in San Francisco, Maguinez was a Stadium High School graduate who began playing city league ball at 16 and later was a starring performer on two Tacoma-area teams that won national amateur baseball championships in 1956 (Stanley Shoemen) and 1960 (Cheney Studs).

At what was then the College of Puget Sound, Maguinez L. to R.: Grandson Dominic, wife Patricia and daughter was a three-sport athlete. He Lisa view plaque recognizing the late Bob Maguinez at served in the Army; played ball in Heidelberg Park.

Europe; was a scout for the New York Yankees and later the Minnesota Twins; umpired regionally and coached youth baseball.

His uncle was the legendary Jimmy Claxton, a black American-Canadian baseball player who broke the color barrier in 1916 when he pitched two games for the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. Claxton was living in Tacoma when he died in 1970.

As an adult, Maguinez’s greatest joy came from helping kids. He viewed baseball as more than a sport or even a path to personal development. Rather, he recognized baseball’s potential John Pregenzer and Bob Maguinez were as a universal language.

“Bob was not just a local sports icon and community leader, but was also known as an umpires on the field and fishing buddies international and cultural ambassador with Kitakyushu and and Takuma, Japan,” said Tony off the field.

Anderson, a member of the Sister Cities International Honorary Board and past president of Tacoma Athletic Commission. Anderson first encountered Maguinez as the coach of his Little League baseball team.

Anderson said Maguinez was instrumental in the creation of Tacoma’s Sister City Baseball Exchange program with Kitakyushu, Japan.

The program made it possible for high school athletes to participate in life-changing cultural exchanges featuring exhibition tournaments in Japan and at Cheney Stadium.

Sports Websites To Keep You Informed Tacoma Athletic Commission www.tacomaathletic.com Shanaman Sports Museum of Tacoma Pierce County www.tacomasportsmuseum.com

www.oldtimerbaseball.com Tacoma South Sound Sports www.tacomasports.org Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Club www.tacomarainiers.com

State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame www.washingtonsportshalloffame.com

Tacoma Stars www.tacomastars.com

Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Association

West Central District www.wiaadistrict3.com

WIAA www.wiaa.com Seattle Mariners www.seattle.mariners.mlb.com Seattle Seahawks www.seahawks.com Seattle Sounders www.soundersfc.com Seattle Storm www.storm.wnba.com

Jim Nettles and Bill Ralston Dill Howell Award Recipients

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Dill Howell Award Named after longtime sport enthusiast, Dill Howell, the award in his honor is given an individual who exemplifies Dill Howell’s passion, commitment, and continued support for baseball in t h e Ta c o ma-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.

Jim Nettles

Jim Nettles had a five-decade career in professional baseball as a player, manager and coach. A fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Twins out of San Diego State in 1968, Jim had 587 at bats spread over six seasons in the major leagues. The outfielder / first baseman hit 16 home runs and drove in 57 runs in the majors for the Twins, Tigers, Royals and A’s.

Jim and his brother Graig each homered in the same game September 14, 1974 when Graig was with the Yankees and Jim was with Detroit. They rank tenth all-time among brother combinations in HR with 406.

His longevity in the minors stretched into the mid-80s as a player and then into the mid-2000s as a manager and coach.

Dill Howell Award Recipients I n 1 97 3 , J i m 2017 Jim Nettles & Bill played for the Tacoma Graig Nettles (left) with brother Ralston Twins, batting .262 with Jim. 2016 No Banquet 15 home runs. That club 2015 Nash Bishop & featured two other players who would go to manage World Ed Niehl Series champions (Tom Kelly—Twins and Charlie Manuel 2014 No Banquet —Phillies). Later, Jim returned to Tacoma after the team 2013 No Banquet had become the Tigers and the Oakland A’s triple-A club.

2012 Gary Petersen He played the outfield for the Tigers in 1981. In 1982, when 2011 No Banquet he was the hitting coach under manager Ed Nottle, Jim got 2010 Tony Anderson in 10 at bats as a DH. All told, he had over 4,000 at bats in 2009 Frank Colarusso the minors (including a stop in Japan).

2008 Kevin Kalal Jim 2007 Jim Kittilsby managed 2006 Doug McArthur in the Ath& Baseball l e t i c s o rTacoma Inc ganization 2005 Roy Murphy (1981–89), 2004 Don Danielson Mariners or2003 Joe Stortini ganization 2002 Dick & George Pease (1990–91), 2001 Marv Scott Blue Jays 2000 Holly Gee organiza1999 Bob Robertson tion (1992– 1998 The Gottfried & Mary 95), and for Fuchs the Amarillo Foundation Dillas in the 1997 Marc Blau Indepen1996 Brad Cheney dent Texas1995 Spud Hansen, Spud’s Louisiana Pizza League in Parlor 1996. He 1994 Washington Jim Nettles hits a grand slam scoring Steve was a coach Hardware Braun (4), Tony Oliva (6) and Harmon for Spokane 1993 Tom Cross Killebrew (3).

Indians in 1992 Ray Spurgeon the North1991 Clay Huntington west League in 2005 and 2006. & Stan Naccarato Eventually, Pierce County became his full-time home.

1990 Steve Orfanos He has continued as a hitting instructor working with local 1989 Bob Tourtillotte youth for many years.

1988 Cammarano Bros., Inc. 1987 John P. Heinrick

2017 Dill Howell Award Recipients continued

Bill Ralston

Originally from Whittier, California, Bill Ralston was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of Cal-Poly Pomona in 1966.

He had over 3,000 minor league at bats as he worked his way up to Triple-A for several seasons.

After seven years in the Dodgers organization—playing with Tacoma’s Ron Cey, Davey Lopes, Tom Paciorek, Joe Ferguson, Steve Yeager, Geoff Zahn, Larry Hisle, and Charlie Hough—he finished his pro ball career with two seasons in Tacoma, then the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Playing second and third base, he batted .277 with 57 RBI for the Tacoma Twins in the Pacific Coast League in 1974 and hit 4 homers and drove in 43 runs for Tacoma in 1975. He hit .273 with 31 home runs and 369 RBI over nine seasons in the minors.

Perhaps his more substantial legacy in baseball came after his playing career, however. Bill 1971—L. to R.: Steve Yeager, Ralston settled in Tacoma with his wife JoAnne and served and Larry McDowell.

28 years as the chapel leader for the Tacoma PCL franchise (Twins, Tugs, Tigers, Rainiers) and for visiting teams. He also was a board member and active participant in Reality Sports, a nonprofit sports ministry with a mission to teach excellence in sports skills and one’s faith in God. One mission trip took young athletes to New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi to clean up houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The athletes had the opportunity to work, share their faith with others, and play exhibition games against local teams. Another trip to the Dominican Republic brought food and fellowship to impoverished families, along with gifts Tacoma Twins 1974–1975. for orphans and the opportunity to play ball against Dominican teams.

Bill also stayed involved in the game locally as a clinic instructor and youth coach. He still plays in the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League today for the Tacoma Tugs.

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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.”

Bob Lightfoot and Bruce Nichols—­ Marv Scott Coaches Award Recipients Bob Lightfoot

Bob Lightfoot coached the Wilson Rams to a 327–147 record in more than 20 years (1977–1997) in charge of the baseball team, reaching his pinnacle when his 1977 squad won the state 4A baseball championship. That 6–5 victory over Redmond was the final time the state title game was played at Seattle’s Sicks Stadium. One national prep magazine ranked that team, which finished with a 23–6 record, as sixth-best in the nation.

After his fast start, Bob sent another nine teams into the playoffs, including the 1981 state 3A runner-up and the 1988 third-place 4A team. Lightfoot always attributed his success to having great mentors such as Dick Palamidessi and Bob Maguinez; great players including Henry Bender, Kenny Bender, Mark Wiese, DJ Ostrander, Justin Maloof and Brad Jensen; and great continuity, with Henry Jarvits serving as JV coach throughout his 21 years of coaching at Wilson.

In addition, Bob was involved as pitching coach and head coach of the Tacoma-Pierce County team in the Sister City high school baseball exchange series with Japan. A six-time Narrows League baseball coach of the year, Lightfoot was inducted into the state Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000 and into the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Lightfoot, born in Auburn, was a three-sport letterman at Fife and an all-league linebacker for the 1967 state Class A champion Trojans. He matriculated to Western Washington, where he lettered as a center on the Vikings football team.

Mike Cheeseman, who was part of Lightfoot’s championship team in 1977, called his coach a “dreamweaver”, who created a positive atmosphere for kids from varying backgrounds to bond as teammates and friends for the purpose of becoming champions in baseball and life.

“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.”

1977 WILSON HS STATE CHAMPIONS BASEBALL TEAM—Back Row: Mike Maxwell, Mike Cheeseman, Alan Stoops, Don Pratt, Dennis Randall, Rich Rhoads, Henry Bender and Head Coach Bob Lightfoot. Front Row: Mike Wiese, Brian Sonneman, Jim Koenig, Fred Minniti, Ken Lamb and Greg Wooldridge.

Marv Scott Coaches Award Recipients 2017 Bob Lightfoot Bruce Nichols 2016 No Banquet 2015 Holly Gee

Marco Malich

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

No Banquet No Banquet Andy Helling No Banquet Merle Hagbo

2009 2008 2007 2005 2004

Roy Anderson Barry Crust John Heinrick Bill Mullen Marv Scott

2017 Marv Scott Coaches Award Recipient continued Team Recognition

ball, basketball and baseball) for the Thunderbirds, with his All-City performance in basketball drawing the most attention.

Bruce Nichols Summers were spent playing baseball and winning tournaBruce Nichols is thoroughly Tacoman, from his 1944 birth at Fort Lewis, to ments with the Cheney Studs and coach Joe Stortini.

Team Recognition—Wilson High School Shortly after his high school graduation, Nichols signed a his athletic exploits at Wilson and Mount (1977) State Championship Baseball Team— Tahoma high schools, to his adventures professional baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers under the Henry Bender, in pro baseball and his coaching career supervision of West Coast scout Bernie Devieros. In doing so, he Mike Cheesman, Kimura, Jim to his left behind a scholarship offer to play baseball for Bobo Brayton at Rogers Howard High School, all leading Koenig, Ken Lamb, Tab into Lively, Maxwell, County at Washington State. But he did not leave his education behind. induction theMike Tacoma-Pierce Fred Minniti, Don Pratt,Hall of Fame.

After a short minor league stint in the Detroit organization, Sports Dennis Randall,As Rich Stoops, a Rhoads, child, heAlan spent time at the Bruce was drafted to the major league roster of the Kansas City Mike Wiese, Greg Wooldridge, (statisti- by Don Athletics.

South End Boys Kari Club,Rein supervised cian), That move took him to the Danielson.

Henry Jarvits and Bob LightLewiston Broncos of the Northwest N i c(Asst. h o l Coach), s (Head Coach).

League, where he played with such creditsfoot Danielson with inspiring future luminaries as Tony LaRussa, him to enter coaching and share Marcel Lachemann and John Donhis experience with young people. aldson, who played infield with the His first two years in high expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969. school were at Wilson, where he After another season in Kansas was catcher for coach Marv Scott’s City’s minors league system, where City League and Capital League he played in the Midwest League championship Rams. Notable with Sal Bando, he was drafted by teammates included Terry and the San Francisco organization.

Bill Parker, Bob Abelsett, Dean For the next two seasons at Cherbas and Gary Dyer.

Waterbury in the Class AA Eastern His next stop was Mount League, Nichols was teamed with Tahoma, where as an involuntary Damaso Blanco, Al Stanek, Bobby transfer he became part of its first graduating class (1962) while Nichols makes the play at home plate in 1967 with the Bonds and Dick Estelle.

He spent his final pro season excelling as a three-sport star (foot- Waterbury Giants.

Congratulations to all Baseball and Slowpitch Oldtimers In Tacoma-Pierce County

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2017 Marv Scott Coaches Award Recipient continued in 1969 with Class AAA Phoenix, where teammates included Bonds, Ollie Brown, Bob Burda, Don Bryant, Tito Fuentes, Bob Garibaldi, Hal Haydel and Ken Henderson. In fact, 22 of the 28 players on that roster played in the majors.

The end of his playing days in 1969 coincided with the completion of his undergraduate days at Pacific Lutheran, and soon Bruce was on to a 30-year career teaching chemistry in the Puyallup School District.

Recreationally, he spent a season with the 2121 slowpitch softball team Bruce Nichols (second from right with arms folded) with his Rogers Rams ballclub. coached by Foister Bruce also coached community Ambury.

Bruce spent 22 season as organizations for more than 25 years, coach at Rogers, first as an as- from T-ball through American Legion.

Said Dave Tate, Nichols’ former sistant to Jim Tevis, then a 10-year stint as head coach, and then as assistant at Rogers: “Bruce Nichols symBruce with wife Kristan in JV coach for his former assistant bolizes why so many great coaches were 1965 while playing for the Dave Tate. former catchers. He saw and coached Burlington Bees of the Class He coached both of his sons baseball with unique perspective and A Midwest League. at Rogers: Tom in the mid-80s went clarity. Fundamentals were taught, but on the play four years at the Univer- so too were intangible ideals for which sity of Washington for Bob McDonald; and Trenton in the mid-90s sport is intended: love of the game, had a college career at Yakima Valley Community College and San responsibility, camaraderie, teamwork Nichols played for and respect with integrity.”

Francisco State.

Coach Joe Stortini while “Countless players were chal- with the Cheney Studs.

Nichols was named the South Puget Sound baseball Coach of the Year in 1987. Other notables who went on to coach or to play lenged by Coach Nichols through the in college included Kirk Van Natta, Joe DeRosier, Todd Moseson, years. Through Bruce’s tutelage they also became better men. I consider myself one of them.”

Todd Stotlzenburg, Paul Sopak and Brian Jackson.

❦

In Memoriam

❦ ❦

May 31, 2015–May 15, 2017

Dave Benedict Earl Birnel Nash Bishop Dick Brown Fred Brown Chico Canty Nick Engels Holly Gee Gene Harkness Ken Higdon

Slowpitch Baseball Slowpitch Fastpitch Slowpitch Slowpitch Fastpitch Baseball Baseball Baseball

Gerald “Bud” “Doc” Hoff Bill Jarmon Frank Karwoski Oscar Larsen Steve Liptrap Don Maitland Stan Naccarato Hank Semmern Ken Still Debbie Viafore Jim Wolcott

Slowpitch Slowpitch Baseball Baseball Baseball Fastpitch Baseball Baseball Baseball Slowpitch Slowpitch

Lucky Lager and Cloverleaf Tavern K Street, Old Pilsner, Edgewood USSSA women’s team coach Wes Hudson AC Dean’s Freaks Dean’s Tavern Longshoremen Coach at Clover Park HS & Lakewood Royals FLEA Club Clubhouse attendant—Tacoma Yankees 1978, Clubhouse and Equipment Manager—California Angels 1994–2009 Little Jim’s Pub, Evergreen Excavation, and Cloverleaf Tavern Umpire and Hollywood Boat Tacoma Athletics, 38th Street, Shoemen, Portland Avenue Baskett Lumber Co. & Oldtimers Committee.

Assignor, Western Washington Baseball Umpires Association Ben’s Truck Parts, Mueller-Harkins Buick, Spring Air Mattress Stanley’s Shoemen and Baseball Tacoma Inc K Street, Edgewoood Super Fan and 1B coach for Tacoma Twins in 1975 for one game Tony’s Wahzoos Emry Motors, Lucky Lager, and Glenco

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 kind-hearted individuals to ever set foot in a ballpark.

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.

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

Ted Lopat and Bud Thomsen— Cy Greenlaw Old-timer’s Salute Recipients Ted Lopat

Ted Lopat was born May 16, 1929, in New York City, 11 years after his well-known brother.

Like Ed Lopat, who gained fame as the “Junkman” of the New York pitching staff when the Yankees won five consecutive pennants from 1949–1953, Ted Lopat wanted to play high-level baseball. His brother got him a tryout with the Chicago White Sox. “The White Sox (offered me) $90 a month and I jumped at it,” Ted told a writer on the occasion of his 32nd birthday in 1961.

An 18-year-old third baseman, he was assigned to Madisonville, Ky., in the Kitty League for the 1947 season, where he roomed with Bob Buhl, a pitcher who had a 15-year major league career mostly with the Braves and Cubs.

But Ted was injured after a month and went home.

The next year he played infield in the Eastern League umpires-Lopat is third from the left.

Virginia League, and the following season he hit .270 in the Cotton States League.

When the Army came calling, Lopat answered, and he was assigned to Fort Lewis for basic training in 1951. He was later stationed at Camp Hanford in Eastern Washington. He met Marie, his future wife, while he was based at Fort Lewis. They have been married since 1955.

After he came out of the service he thought he was too old to get going in professional baseball again, so he thought he might try umpiring.

“My brother talked to me about it,” Ted told writer Ralph Morrow in 1961, “and I decided to give it a try. You don’t know if you’ll like something unless you try it. And that’s what I’d tell anybody who is considering being an umpire.”

Ted Lopat attended Art Passarella’s umpiring school in 1953 in St. Augustine, Fla. As a graduate he was assigned to the Class D Georgia-Florida League.

“My first game was actually the first I’d ever umpired anywhere,” Ted said. “Thought it would be a snap. But I learned quickly that there’s a lot to learn.”

One day he was in Brunswick, GA, where the Pittsburgh Pirates had spring training. Before the daily exhibition, he attended mass with the O’Brien twins—Eddie and Johnny, who were star athletes at Seattle University—and another fellow Catholic, light-hitting catcher Vic Janowicz. Later that day, Ted was CY GREENLAW OLD-TIMER’S behind the plate with Vic catching and the O’Briens on SALUTE AWARD RECIPIENTS the field.

After two 2017 Ted Lopat ye a r s i n t h e Bud Thomsen Georgia-Florida 2016 No Banquet League, Lopat 2015 Earl Birnel spent a season

Harry Nygard in the Piedmont

Hank Semmem League, two in 2014 No Banquet the Northwest 2013 No Banquet League and 2012 Vern Kohout a three in the 2011 No Banquet Eastern League.

2010 Cliff Schiesz “When 2009 Dick Greco I’m leaving the 2008 Pete Sabutis (ballpark), fans 2007 Dick Milford of ten yell at 2006 Pat Rooney me,” Lopat told Manager Hub Kittle of the Yakima 2005 Walt Jutte Morrow. “I just ballclub argues to no avail with umpire 2004 John Milroy keep thinking, Ted Lopat 2003 Cy Greenlaw

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2017 Cy Greenlaw Recipients continued “Mister, when you’re punching that time clock at 8 in the morning, I’ll just roll over and go back to sleep.”

Though he had to travel by train or airplane six or seven months of the year, while his wife was back home in Tacoma, he never thought of his job as lonely.

“If you call not fraternizing with the players as being lonely, then I have a lonely job,” Lopat said. “But even though we stay away from the players, we make our own friends in the cities around the league. I play golf, love to go to the movies. I’m happy in my job.”

His working day consisted of three hours Monday through Saturday, but longer for Sunday doubleheaders.

“The hours are great,” he said. “But it’s a job with a real challenge, too. You have to gain the respect of the players and sometimes that’s a big job.”

Ted Lopat was an active Catholic, who often served as an usher. One Sunday he noticed future Cardinals catcher Tim McCarver sitting in the front row with teammates. When it came time to pass the collection plate, Ted started at the front row and put the basket in front of McCarver’s group. When none of them contributed, Ted shook the basket a little harder until they all reached into their pockets for donations. Later that day, Ted was behind the plate and McCarver was catching. Tim came up to bat and got a hit. When McCarver returned to defense, Ted leaned over the crouched catcher and calmly said, “See what happens when you make a little donation?”

In the off-season, Ted Lopat built an insurance business in Tacoma. He was a Farmers Insurance agent for 35 years and worked many years as a district manager for Farmers.

After he quit umpiring, Lopat played slow-pitch softball for the B&I Bullets from 1963–66.

Lopat’s umpiring gear, complete with insect repellant, deodorant and Bayer aspirin, is on display at the Shanaman Sports Museum at the Tacoma Dome.

Umpire Ted Lopat makes the call.

Bud Thomsen— A man for all seasons

Name a sport and there aren’t too many that this spry 90 year-old hasn’t tried, let alone excelled at over the years. Football? Check. Basketball? Check? Handball and racquetball? Double check! Baseball, fastpitch and slowpitch softball? Triple check! Ping pong, golf, swimming, running and marbles? You bet. And we haven’t even talked about coaching and umpiring baseball or officiating basketball.

A Tacoman since arriving on the scene on December 23, 1926, Bud Thomsen attended Sherman Elementary School where he captained his summer league baseball team and fondly remembered going to school with six marbles in his pocket and coming home with over 100. “I don’t know why this is but for some reason I was always just really good with anything done with a round ball—marbles, golf, softball and more.”

Bud attended Mason Junior High and Stadium High School where he was a yell leader and a member of the reserve football and swim teams.

“I wore out the seat of my pants sitting on the bench so much, but I really didn’t start to develop my athletic skills until I entered the service,” he recalled.

Five days after graduation Bud was on his way to Camp Roberts in California for basic training and spent one year in Korea. After a two-year stint in the Army Thomsen returned home and earned his Business degree at the College of Puget Sound.

It didn’t take long for Bud’s coaches to realize that his ability to judge and catch fly balls was non-existent and thus his career as a catcher was born. From 1945–47 Bud played for the Hudson AC baseball team that competed in the City League. Named in honor of high school teammate Wes Hudson, who was killed while serving in the military, George Pease rounded up high school classmates to play on the team and convinced local 6th Avenue merchants to sponsor the boys.

Thomsen continued his fastpitch softball career playing for Wood Realty from 1947–50, the Young Men’s Business Club (YMBC) from 1950–52 with pitcher Tom Cross and infielder Russ Soper, and finally with Ben’s Truck Parts during the 1953–54 seasons.

In 1954, Ben’s Truck Parts became the first Metro Tacoma championship team to compete in the Pacific Northwest regional fastpitch tournament. Held Labor Day weekend and sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the tournament matched eight teams from Washington, Oregon and Idaho competing at Peck Field for a berth in the national tournament in Minneapolis.

Ben’s was represented by manager Stan Stowe, Mack McAl-

2017 Cy Greenlaw Recipients continued lister, Duane Siehl, Bob Zurfluh, Al Herzog, Howard Hanson, Jack Fabulich, Gordy Bendick, Tom Zurfluh, Dean Seabeck, Phil Yant, Vern Morris, Don Messo, Don Maitland and Thomsen.

Thomsen recalled, “I was pretty talkative as a catcher and Tom Zurfluh tossed a no-hitter in the first game against Rubenstein’s (Eugene, OR). Lorne Merkle was behind the plate and I remember telling him, “c’mon Lorne, you gotta give him that inside pitch! We won, 1–0, but eventually lost in the finals, to the Renton Cowboys, 2–0, behind the 18 strikeouts by Bob Fesler. Of course I still don’t understand what all the hoopla was about Tom tossing that nono. Heck, I called the game. They should have been congratulating me!”

Armed with his degree from CPS, Bud began working for Washington Steel, a company that dealt in builder’s and kitchen hardware, first in the order department and later as a sales representative. It was at Washington Steel where he picked up ping pong 1958 Pot & Kettle Rookie League team. Bud Thomsen was the coach. Front during lunch. The next thing he knew he had entered row l. to r.: Joe Price, Denny Brand, Wayne Hoff, Jim Anspaugh, Denis Nadeau, a tournament with a borrowed paddle but lost in the and Ray Mosier. Back row l. to r.: Steve Gegorich, Nick Perovich, Craig Cameron, semis to one of Pierce County’s all-time elite players, Bud Thomsen (coach), Tim Thomsen, Mike O’Conner, Lew French, and Mark Paul Lucien.

Cameron was the batboy.

After the 1954 softball season Bud decided he wanted to give back to the community by coaching a Langlow were all members of the Elks Club and found a way to boy’s baseball team. The kitchen housewares department at work sneak me in so I could join them playing handball. Gary and I were needed a rep for their Pot & Kettle division and Bud volunteered, doubles partners for over 20 years and I won the Elks handball championship in the old Elks building and the new Elks facility,” he recounted.

His other athletic endeavors include winning the Pierce County Decathlete of the Year competition in the 50 & over division in the mid-70s and running in the Sound-to-Narrows Race for the first 30 years it was offered (son Mike has run in all 43 as of 2016).

Married to Audrey for 22 years and Sylvia for the next 33, he is the proud father of four children— Tim, Janet, Bob and Mike.

Bud Thomsen is certainly one of the youngest 90 year-olds that this community has come to know and love and we are so happy that he still does not know how to act his age. Congratulation you not-soOldtimer!

BEN’S TRUCK PARTS—Back row l. to r.: Unknown, Jack Fabulich, Gordy Bendick, Tom Zurfluh, unknown and Phil Yant. Front row l. to r.: Unknown, unknown, Bud Thomsen, Stan Stowe, Bob Zurfluh, and Al Herzog.

found some old P&K uniforms in the attic to outfit his team and they were ready to compete. For the next 15 years Bud took three groups of boys from ages 8–13 and developed them both on and off the field and cherishes that more than any of his other accomplishments. When asked why he stopped coaching them Bud smilingly said, “At age 13 I didn’t want them anymore because they started looking at girls right about then!”

In the late 60s Bud turned to playing slowpitch softball in the local recreation leagues and he continued playing in his later years in Palm Springs and subsequently won a Senior Softball National Championship in the 70s division with the Anaheim Pirates before retiring at age 81 due to a leg injury.

Not one to be inactive, Thomsen turned to handball during the 50s-70s. “My good friends, Gary Hersey, Earl Birnel and Stan

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Whit & Shirley Hemion and Owen Shackett, Jr.— Meritorious Service Award Recipient

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Whit & Shirley Hemion

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 TacomaPierce County which opened in 1994 at the Tacoma Dome; he was chairman for over 10 years of the Tacoma-Pierce 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.

Think of a couple with a passion for competition--be it golf, bowling, tennis or bridge. Add four children who grew into multi-sport athletes with boundless appetites for achievement. Stir in a large helping of hospitality, a yearning to bond with others involved in games regardless of allegiance, and leven with a tincture of even-handed temperament, and what you have is Whit and Shirley Hemion.

Through decades of following their children to literally hundreds of competitions in all parts of the country they earned reputations as supportive fixtures in the athletic community. For their efforts they have earned the Meritorious Service Award from the Tacoma-Pierce County Oldtimers Baseball-Softball Association.

Both came from hearty Midwest stock and lived into their 90s. Shirley was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, while Whit was a native of Algona, Iowa. Both spent some of their early years on Mercer Island. They married and started their family shortly after the end of World War II, and they moved to Lakewood in 1961.

That’s where their Marc H. Blau Meritorious children, Whit, Dave, Award Recipients Jack and Kathy, excelled 2017 Whit & Shirley Hemion in high school sports Owen Shackett, Jr. and moved on to other 2016 No Banquet levels of competition.

2015 Craig Lowry Mom and Dad were behind them at every step, always offering 2014 No Banquet encouragement.

2013 No Banquet On the sidelines they could be forceful advocates for their 2012 Jeff Buhr and children, though officials Dick Pollen never had to ask them to 2011 No Banquet leave. After games, they 2010 Tony Milan played host to “tailgate” 2009 Harland Beery parties where both teams 2008 Bob Christofferson were welcome. Whit always 2007 Gary Nicholson brought a cooler of beer, 2006 Clarence Seman and he also had a travel 2005 Walt Jutte case with contents to help 2004 Jack Murphy boost the spirits of guests.

2003 Tony Anderson Newcomers were warned 2001 George Quigley that Whit’s mixtures could 2000 Ken Wilson be a bit stiff.

2000 Bob Maguinez From innumerable 1996-99 Not Awarded trips up and down the I-5 1995 Joe Hemel corridor, to cross-country 1994 Jerry Geehan, trips to such places as MarDon Hill, and ietta, Georgia; Pensacola, Clay Huntington Florida; Austin, Minnesota, 1993 Tak Ikeda and and back to their native Pat Steele Heartland in Springfield, Illinois, the Hemions were a ubiquitous 1992 Dr. Sam Adams, and welcome presence at their children’s competitions.

Dr. Robert Johnson and Dr. Robert O’Connell 1991 Maurice Turnbull, Bill Turnbull, Check Us Out For The Dave Turnbull, Latest Info & Great Photos Donald Turnbull, and Doug Turnbull www.oldtimerbaseball.com

2017 Meritorious Service Award Recipients continued

Owen Shackett, Jr.

Owen (Onie) Shackett Jr. was an energetic man who spent most of his life as a Pastor at Peoples Church and became a slowpitch softball legend after being an outstanding athlete at Puyallup High School.

He pitched for the Peoples Church/ Worth Sporting Goods team, which won multiple championships, and he became a leadership fixture in USSSA Washington State programs, both at the Church level and Open level. He helped establish the state USSSA Church program and was its director from 1980–92. Owen worked to improve the rules and guidelines for the National Church program, then played for and helped coach the Church “A” World champions in 1991 and 1993.

His work as a softball administrator was so admired that he twice won the National Church Director award, received the 1989 Executive Board award and the 1994 Special Service award—that he was invited to become a USSSA national official.

19 He had to decline simply because his professional life was already so busy.

As the Pastor in charge of missionary work at Peoples Church where his father was the Senior Pastor, Owen traveled frequently outside North America, including to Asia.

In fact, on his multiple trips to Southeast Asia he was exposed to numerous illnesses w h i c h l i ke l y led to his premature death in 1996 at the early age of 43.

As a player, Owen traveled with the team up to 15 weekends a year over a 25 year time span. Remarkably, Owen was named MVP of the 1996 World tournament in Virginia Beach, VA, as a member of the runner-up team. His brother Steve, also an outstanding athlete at Puyallup High and coach of the Peoples Church team, said Owen developed a cough the night the tournament ended and tragically passed away the next week.

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2017 Hall of Fame Inductees

21

Baseball­—

Phil Misley Sr. Jim Lopez

Jim Lopez was born in Colorado on April 30, 1949, and since his father was serving in the United States Air Force, the family moved about every three years. That included two separate stints in Panama when Lopez was a child, giving him an opportunity to play baseball year-round.

Lopez first played organized baseball at seven years of age, earning all-star honors in various little leagues as his family continued to move. He graduated from Holy Cross High School in Delaware in 1967 and Adams State College in Colorado in 1972. He earned his law degree from University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1978 and practiced law in Tacoma for 37 years before retiring in 2015.

While Lopez’s success in the courtroom was tremendous, his dominance on the mound may have even been more impressive. He has played with the Washington Senators, Tacoma Cardinals and Tacoma Cascades in the Pierce County Roy Hobbs Senior Baseball Leagues in selected years spanning 1990–2014, including 17 Roy Hobbs World Series appearances. He has also played in the Seattle Puget Sound Senior Baseball League in selected years spanning 1999–2014 with the Seattle Rainiers, Silver Foxes and Tacoma Tugs.

Overall, Lopez compiled a 164–48 record between 1990 and 2014, including three nohitters. Perhaps his three best years came in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2004 he went 15–0 with 12 complete games, four shutouts and a 1.38 earned run average.

Somehow he improved on that the following year with a record of 18–0, seven complete games, five shutouts, one save, a 1.23 ERA and a 32 2/3-inning scoreless streak. In 2006 he compiled a 13–3–1 record with one save, a 1.92 ERA and a 3–0 mark and a .095 ERA in the Roy Hobbs World Series.

Lopez has also served as a pitching coach for the baseball teams at Puyallup and Curtis High Schools and published a book about the mental aspects of pitching called Here’s the Pitch.

his own right.

Born on September 29, 1933 and a 1952 graduate of Oregon City High School, Phil “Flip” Misley took a four-year tour of baseball’s minor leagues before he settled in Pierce County for many years.

But the motivation to pursue a professional career is credited to Phil’s older brother, Bud, who was an outstanding athlete in

Bud was a tremendous hitter and third baseman throughout his high school career and had eight major league clubs pursuing him with contract offers. His talent earned him a tryout with the Yankees and off he went. Due to falling ill, he returned home and what they thought was tuberculosis turned out to be leukemia and Bud passed away at age 18.

“My brother and I were very close and I looked up to him and was so proud of his accomplishments. When he passed away I dedicated myself to playing for my brother— that was the inspiration I carried with me every day during my career,” acknowledged Phil.

Misley was a Milwaukee Braves farmhand from age 22 through 25, advancing to Double-A Austin in the Texas League. He pitched, starting 60 games and relieving in many others. Despite walking six batters per nine innings, he still sported a winning career record 25–24.

At Jacksonville in the Sally League in 1957 the big league club broke from Spring Training and made a stopover to play an exhibition game against their Jacksonville farm club. Because Phil had pitched the day before he didn’t get into the game but he did toss batting practice and vividly remembers a young Hank Aaron “going yard” more than once during BP. “Aaron definitely lived up to his nickname, ‘Hammerin’ Hank”, because he crushed a couple of balls. He was a very disciplined hitter with tremendous wrists and those balls just jumped out of the ballpark,” recalled Misley. A teammate of his in Jacksonville was Roger Jongewaard who became a Seattle Mariners executive and lead scout responsible for drafting Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez.

Misley stayed involved in athletics well past his professional career. He coached at St. Martin’s College and for many years in local youth leagues. Phil was also one of the most well-respected basketball and football officials in Pierce County for decades. He worked many regional and state tournaments over 30 years and also found time for a little slowpitch softball action along the way as well.

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2017 Hall of Fame Inductees continued Mic Stump

Randy Peterson Randy Peterson’s success on the baseball diamond carried him from league titles in junior high all the way into the minor leagues in the New York Mets system. Born Jan. 25, 1955, in Tacoma, Peterson graduated from Clover Park High School in 1973. He went on to attend Green River Community College and Pacific Lutheran University.

As a two-year captain of the Lochburn Junior High baseball team, Peterson helped lead the Lions to the 1969 Lakewood Midget League title with a 14–0 record. Once he reached high school, he was an SPSL All-Star in 1972 and 1973 and MVP of the Tacoma AllStar feeder game in 1973. He also helped lead Clover Park to a second-place finish in the 1973 state playoffs.

Scout Marv Scott signed Peterson to play in the New York Mets organization in 1974 when Peterson was a 6-foot, 3-inch 19-year-old. He spent the 1974 season with the Batavia Trojans in the Class A High Rookie League, where he was a teammate with World Series-winning Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost. In 1975, Peterson played with Visalia of the Class A California League.

Peterson also spent time playing baseball at Green River Community College and with the Lakewood Royals (1976–81) and Rotary squads, helping attain several championships.

He has played with countless well-known local players over the years between his time with Clover Park HS, the Lakewood Royals and Lakewood Rotary teams.

He played for coach Chris Cherbas at Lochburn, Merle Hagbo at Clover Park and Ron Hopkins at Green River.

Peterson came from a baseball family, with his father Charles playing semiprofessionally and his older brother Charles “Cap” reaching the Major Leagues with the San Francisco Giants after signing out of high school. Cap played for the Giants (1962–66), Washington Senators (1967–68) and Cleveland Indians (1969), all while his younger brother Randy was growing up and aspiring to be a ballplayer himself.

Mic Stump’s baseball resume is about as impressive as they come. He is a 2014 inductee into the Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame, a 16-time medalist while participating in the Roy Hobbs World Series 22 out of the last 25 years. That participation has come as a member of the Washington Titans, consisting of all of the Tacoma Tugs combined with premier Seattle Puget Sound Senior Baseball League players.

That squad has won seven gold medals/national championships in three different age brackets—55, 60 and 65 and over.

They’ve also claimed four silver and five bronze medals, while Stump was named the 2007 Series Co-MVP. For the past 14 years, Stump has been the manager, general manager and a player with the Tacoma Tugs squad in the PSSBL. In his first three years, the Tugs accumulated a 71–3 division record, and in 14 years they’ve won eight division crowns and four league championships. Stump was named the Division MVP in 2014.

Stump boasts a combined managerial league and tournament record of 518–189 and said that “I have been blessed and fortunate to become associated with a group of talented, committed and dedicated athletes from the Tacoma area. The lessons I’ve learned regarding not only baseball, but interpersonal and life, are innumerable, the friendships and camaraderie immeasurable.”

fastpitch— Francis “Bosco” Reopelle Bosco Reopelle was born in Red Lake Falls, MN on July 24, 1931.

Bosco was always playing sports and as a 16 year-old in 1947, he met Jack Hermsen who got him interested in fastpitch softball. Bosco practiced and played hard and loved pitching. In fact, it was Jack Hermsen who taught him how to throw a change-up and according to his wife, Vi, who accompanied him to many games, “ he had a really good changeup—even Jack couldn’t hit it.”

Bosco and Jack remained friends for their entire lives. They both worked together and played together on the Tacoma Longshoremen’s team through 1968. Prior to that Bosco played for Oswald Flying Service, the Dug-Out Drive-In, Lincoln Tavern, Ray C Roberts VFW, Tacoma-St. Paul Lumber, and Pederson’s Fryer Farms. Among his teammates were Ron Fawcett, Jay Beach, Ed and Dave Huntington, Vern Morris, Nick Engels, Jim Patnode, Roy Bagnell, Bob Reed, Roger Coleman and Neal Slavic.

He also played for the West Coast Grocery Company basketball team.

2017 Hall of Fame Inductees continued

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slowpitch— Nancy Craig A Roosevelt High School graduate of 1955, Nancy was an avid basketball and field hockey player and caught on several fastpitch softball teams before moving over to play slowpitch for the Spud’s Pizza Pete team until 1972.

When the Spud’s team broke up, Nancy along with Jan Chase, turned to the coaching ranks, took half the team and played under the McKnight’s Food Sales banner. The 70s were the glory days for McKnight’s and the rivalry with the Creekwater Dispensay/BJ’s teams was as good a competitive rivalry as any in the state. Nancy also coached the Wahzoos’ Senior Girl’s team as well.

Nancy was always volunteering to coach teams regardless of what level and these included junior high and high school rec basketball and softball teams, as well as her Regence Blue Shield work team and later on the Evergreen Maintenance team.

1 97 2 M C K N I G H T ’ S F O O D S S L O W P I T C H T E A M — B a c k r o w l. to r.: Kathy Hemion, Nancy Jerkovich, Darlene Car twright, Sylvanna Walker, Peg Loverin, Sally Grandquist, and Sandy Bickford. Front row l. to r.: Jan Chase, Pat Bortner, Denise Hoober, ________________, Sandy Turnley, Judy Gray, and Nancy Craig.

Kneeling: Cherry Goudeau

Check Us Out For The Latest Info & Great Photos www.oldtimer baseball.com 1967 NEAA WAHZOOS SLOWPITCH TEAM–Pierce County Senior Girls Champions Back row l. to r.: Nancy Craig, Teresa Kade, Patti (Vogel) Moffett, Karen (Hanson) Pelton, Sheila Samuelson, Nancy Goodwin, and Jan Chase. Middle row l. to r.: Stephanie (Stiltner) Pinard, Mary Hause, unknown and Gayle Hazen. Front row l. to r.: Sandy (Hanson) Lucich, Meredith Fry, Lynda (Butt) Hodgkiss, Joanne McCaffrey, and unknown.

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2017 Hall of Fame Inductees continued Brett Kreuger Brett Kreuger has Arnie Ikel to thank—and he does thank him—for getting him started on an illustrious slow pitch softball career that has included world championship trophies and several world championship tournament most valuable player awards.

Born in Sumner on Jan. 11, 1963, Brett was a multi-sport standout at Sumner High School. He starred on the football field as a receiver and second team all-league punter, was an honorable mention all-league performer in basketball, and placed fifth in the pole vault at the state meet at Lincoln Bowl. Baseball? Nope. He stopped playing that game at 12 years of age.

A couple of years out of high school, received an invitation from Ikel to play in a church league softball game for Mt. Tahoma Baptist Church. The rest, as they say, is history. And it’s an impressive history.

Starting in 1983 and continuing for more than three decades, Brett would go on to play outfield, first base and pitcher for more than a handful of teams—RAX Softball, Sunset Cement, Schooner Tavern, Tacoma Dodge/Long Pest Control, Touch of Gray (a travel team based out of Oklahoma City), and Northwest Legends. Since 2015 he has played for Doerflinger, essentially and all-star team that draws players from around the state, but mostly from the Tacoma area.

Like most of his contemporaries, Brett cut his softball teeth on the field at Sprinker Rec Center. He was better than most, however, and earned Pierce County All-Star honors. All-tournament and MVP awards started piling up, and in 2003 he earned MVP honors while hitting .704 to lead (Tacoma Dodge or Long Pest Control) to the state title. A year later he earned all-tournament honors while

helping his team win the A World Championship in Muncie, Indiana. The following season, Brett and his teammates again finished among the top 16 at the A Worlds, making them the only team to repeat the trip to the A World Series.

There was more to come, and it all happened on an even grander stage.

Playing for Touch of Gray, he earned MVP honors at the Men’s 40 World Championships in 2010, and a year later was on the ASA World title team in the 40 and 45 divisions. The following year, Brett earned MVP honors in leading Doerflinger to the NSA world crown. In both 2015 and 2016 he was MVP as Doerflinger won ASA world titles, and he was MVP on the Senior Softball World Tournament-winning team.

The young man who hung up his cleats and baseball glove back when he was a 12-year-old would eventually go on to become a standout performer on eight world championship softball teams.

And Brett, and the slow pitch softball world, have Arnie Ikel to thank for that.

Umpire: Bruce Ledbetter

Bruce Ledbetter has long been involved in softball as a player, coach and umpire. A 1962 graduate of Lincoln High School, he joined the Army that summer and played slow pitch softball on several men’s recreation teams for about 20 years.

He also coached football, basketball and softball, serving as a volunteer football coach at Puyallup High School for 20 years. He began officiating in the mid-1980s and has worked basketball, volleyball and softball. On the softball diamond, he has umpired four national, three regional and more than 12 state tournaments in men’s, women’s and coed softball games throughout his career. He served on the Executive Board of the WWSUA from 2000–02 and 2006–08.

Bruce is known as one of the most reliable and well-respected umpires in the organization due to his professionalism and ability to manage a game, ensuring that the integrity of the sport is maintained at all times 1984 RAX RESTAURANT SLOWPITCH TEAM—Front Row l. to r.: Unknown, Jan Wolcott, Todd Deck, and that the participants will have an Ron Medlock and Art Seeley. Back Row l. to r.: Gary Andrews, Dave Dykes, Jim Montgomerie, enjoyable experience.

Brett Kreuger and Russ Aldrich.

2017 Hall of Fame Inductees continued Sponsor: Charlie Thomas (The Wolfpack) In March Of 1970 The Weyerwolves Softball Team Was Having Their First Softball Practice At The Wilson High School Baseball Field. Every One Returning On The Team And Any New Members Were All Weyerhaeuser Employees.

Charlie Thomas was supposed to be the new shortstop. By the end of four practices Charlie was their shortstop AND he was also the new coach, taking over for Bill Ehreth who had been the coach for approximately eight years.

Charlie was somewhat tricked into coaching but it soon became and fun and happy assignment for him. Charlie also became coach of approximately 13 women that worked for Weyerhaeuser that year and they all wanted to play ball.

Both the men’s and women’s teams were known as the Weyerwolwes–the original name of the team. But, the women’s team protested a year later as they did not want to be known as the Shewolves and the men as the Weyervolves, thus the entire name was changed to the Wolfpack–a name which stuck for both teams and then a coed team that was started in 1981.

The teams got better as the years went on and the players stayed and opponents looked forward to playing the Weyerwolves because the teams were both competitive but a lot of fun as well.

The rule became that if you wanted to be on the co-ed Wolfpack team you had to also be a permanent member of the men’s or women’s teams.

That rule was enforced forever. This enabled the three teams to plan out their entire season without any problems or conflicts for weekend tournaments.

The Wolfpack players often camped together at tournaments and they had fun dancing and singing karaoke. And if children came to the tournament one male and one female would take turns watching the kids at the campsite while everyone else was out having fun.

Congratulations to this years

Inductees!

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Every year we had an awards banquet and gave out homemade trophies for 10–12 different categories including MVP, Play of the Year (on and off the field), highest batting average, worst fielder, animal of the year, Golden Glove and many others. It was a great way to end the season with good memories and much laughter.

In 43 seasons the Wolfpack men’s team won over 2600 games and won five state tournaments (one USSSA and two each ASA and NSA) and five men’s ASA Senior Slowpitch national crowns as well.

In the early years, the team won four regionals earning the right to advance to the national tournament. The first was in 1974 they won the Industrial Regional in Portland and advanced to nationals in Lancaster, PA where they lost two straight. The team subsequently finished eighth and tenth at nationals back in the days when only two teams from each of the 32 regions qualified for the 64-team field.

Players on the men’s Wolfpack team, in addition to coach Charlie, included Loren Zimmerman, Bill Elliott, Larry Fulton, Rick Elmer, Bill Ehreth, Paul Weymouth, Jim Klassen, Paul Mercado, Chris Plumb, Aaron McConnell, Phil McConnel, Fred Bassi, Henry Musgrove, Dan Luhtala, Rick McLaughlin, Jerry Crawford, Mic Calhoun, Dave Hobert, OJ Moe, Jim Dyrdahl, Steve Pribnow, Jim Nichols, Tom

Patnode, Tom Shaw, Tommy Thompson, Bill Dunger, Ian Larry, Stan Bardoni, Scott Mattan, Joe Breer, Rick Breer, Shawn Breer, Dan Reichl, Todd Blake, Gary Thomas, John Kramer, Gene Bushaw, Rich Cook, Kevin Carothers, James McAdams, Shawn Krehbiel, Mike Flynn, Joey Patnode, Steve Pudists, Mike Cordry, Terry Delikat, Tony Delikat, Tom Gilardi, Greg Pellegrini, David Dutcher, Tim Tierney, Eddy Nelson, Andy Nelson and Johnny West.

The women’s Wolfpack team played for 35 years and won over 1600 games during that time. They won a USSSA national title in Lake Tahoe and ASA crowns in Minnesota and North Dakota.

They also won five “C” state championships.

Players on the women’s Wolfpack team included Lori Martell Nelson, Anne Thomas, Erin Erb Harris, LeeAnn Harper Klippert, Linda Thomas, Ruby Kelly, Lori Plumb, Any Curran, Lisa Murela, Lisa Endrizzi, Stephanie Musgrove, Penny Bridges, Tippi Mattan,

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2017 Hall of Fame Inductees continued Lana Gamble, Vanitha Carter, Vanitha Hitchcock, Shandi Simelten, Pam Erb, Gwen Higginbotham, Faye Kitna, Betty Codute, Karen Pribnow, Sharon Hecker, Lola Morrone, Helen Balabanis, Cathy Thomas, Samantha Anderson, Linda Stortini, Clara Northrup, Cindy Northrup, Jackie Calhoun, Paula Schmitt, Margaret Rush and Debbie West.

The coed Wolfpack team competed for 18 years (1981–1998) and won over 700 games during that span while capturing four state championships and one national crown. In one memorable tournament in Long Beach, WA only two home runs were hit over the fence-both by LeeAnn Harper of the Wolfpack.

Players on the coed Wolfpack team included Charlie Thomas, Rich Newman, Ruby Kelly, Steve Pribnow, Karen Pribnow, Joel Klippert,

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LeeAnn (Harper) Klippert, Lori Plumb, Chris Plumb, Bill Elliott, Lori Nelson, Eddy Nelson, Lisa Munelaga, OJ Moe, Lisa Endrizzi, Henry Musgrove, Shandi Simetten, Aaron McConnell, Joe Breer, Jackie Calhoun, Anita Dunger, Vanitha Hitchcock, Helen Balabanis, Samantha Anderson, Dan Reichl, Gary Thomas, Todd Blake and Mic Calhoun.

“Playing for the Wolfpack was both fun and challenging thanks to the great competition we faced regularly. Being able to coach the three Wolfpack teams was so much and the fun times and great memories will be with me forever, observed Charlie.

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Tacoma Tugs 55+ (Baseball) TACOMA TUGS AND WASHINGTON TITANS In 1988, two senior baseball leagues (30 & over) were formed in the Puget Sound region: the Mickey Mantle league in Puyallup and the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League (PSSBL) in Seattle. As a result, baseball in the area became relevant again

with player/coach Mic Stump, the initial TUG players included Dr. Dave Mathews, Jim Lopez, Steve Rapkoch, Marc Mullins, Ron Staples, John Moelhman, Cary Harlow and Dr. Bob Jarrett.

Eventually, that core group expanded to also include Bill Ralston, Dr. Marse McNaughton, Dan Wombacher, Mike Slattery, Dave Reynolds, Dr. John Olerud, Dr. Dan MacDougall, Jim Moore, Doug Springford, Randy May, Wayne Bauers and Harry Basil.

These players have won at every level, including the Mickey Mantle league, the Pierce County league and the PSSBL. Other various championships include the Washington State Games, the Las Vegas Kick Off Classic, the San Diego Memorial Day Tournament and the Men’s Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix, Arizona, (MSBL), as well as just missing the medal round at the NIKE World Master Games in Salem, Oregon.

The TUGS now play exclusively in the PSSBL out of Seattle, which overall includes 65 teams and 1,100 players in various age groups and talent ability. The PSSBL also represents the third-largest TACOMA TUGS-2014—Front Row l. to r.: Marse McNaughton, Randy May, Wes Davis, Senior Baseball program in the country, behind Marc Mullins, Bill Ralston, Jim Moore and Harry Basil. Back row l. to r. Ron Staples, New York and Washington, D.C. The TUGS initially started with the PSSBL Doug Springford, Dan Wombacher, Mic Stump, John Olerud Sr., Dave Reynolds, Scotty Hohensinner, Dave Mathews and Pat Weber. Not pictured: Dan MacDougall, Steve in the 45-year-old Smokey Division. As they aged Rapkoch, Mike Slattery and Jim Lopez. they moved up to the 55-and-over Everest Division. During the past 14 years the TUGS have won nine league titles and four postseason league and allowed adult players to once again play the sport they loved tournament titles, with their worst finish coming in 2016 when while growing up. they finished in third place with a record of 14-5-1. In 2015, they In 1989, the Roy Hobbs World Series, named after the mythi- won the league title with a record of 18-2. The team’s average cal player in the movie The Natural, began operations in Orlando, age in 2016 was 68.

Florida, at the spring training sites of the Kansas City Royals and Upon completion of their league season, the TUGS bolster the Houston Astros. Under new ownership in 1991, the World Se- their roster for the Roy Hobbs World Series by adding other premier ries was then moved to Fort Myers, Florida, at the spring training players from the PSSBL, thus forming the nucleus of their national sites of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, where 24 manicured fields including the stadiums are available for use. Over time, that World Series has had tremendous growth, and now upwards of 235-245 teams make the trek annually to compete for various age group championships. That includes International teams as well.

At the inaugural World Series in 1989 the Puyallup Paradise Travel team of the Mickey Mantle league finished third in the 35-and-over division. Three of the players (future Tugs) made the All-Tournament team that year. While at the World Series, this Puyallup team also played an exhibition game with the Russian National Team (18 & over). Puyallup Washington Titans—Front Row l. to r.: Dan Wombacher, Dave Vincent, Wayne Bauers (deceased), Sam Ceci, Mike Slattery, Jim Moore, Bill Williams, Mic Stump (mgr.), Marse lost the game 5-2 but batted all the roster McNaughton, Tom Krause and Dave Mathews. Back Row l. to r.: Pat Weber, Ron Staples, players in the lineup and utilized a different John Olerud Sr., Gerry Slick, Ken Ellerbeck, Marc Mullins, Bob Jarrett, Dan MacDougall, pitcher in every inning.

Bart Waldman, Bill Ralston and Dave Reynolds.

Overt time, the TACOMA TUGS players have evolved from other Pierce County teams such as: Puyallup Paradise Travel; Washington Senators; Tacoma team, the WASHINGTON TITANS. Those additional players include Knights, Puget Sound Rainiers and the Tacoma Cascades.

Bart Waldman, Sam Ceci [San Diego], Tim Tucker, Bill Williams, Under the organization and leadership of Pat Weber, con- Rick Parks, and Terry Tweedy [Canada]. sidered the “Godfather of Senior Baseball in Pierce County,” along Since 2005, while competing at the Roy Hobbs World Series,

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Team Recognition continued the TITANS have won seven of the past 12 World Series Championships under the various age groups (55-60-65), along with three second-place and two third-place finishes. Great pitching, team speed, air-tight defense and solid hitting makes this team tough to beat. This is certainly a testament to the talent level in this area.

Reflecting the balance of talent on the team, nine different players have won MVP or co-MVP awards in those championship years. Ten of the players have also been recognized and inducted into various Baseball Hall of Fames, including the Tacoma-Pierce Pierce County Baseball-Softball Old Timers Hall of Fame, the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League Hall of Fame (PSSBL), the Roy Hobbs Hall of Fame and the Men’s Senior Baseball League Hall of Fame (MSBL).

The TITANS team has also been highlighted over the years by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Tacoma News Tribune, the Tacoma Weekly, the University Place Periodical and the Seattle Mariners organization, where on three different occasions the players have been celebrated with individual introductions and by throwing out the first pitch.

While the player’s backgrounds vary, they are all bonded together by their love of baseball, the competition and their respect for each other. Most of the players were multi-sport athletes in high school, while some were even two-sport athletes in college. Even today, these players continue with other sports as well as baseball, including basketball, squash, tennis, handball, racquet-ball and golf. Age is just a number.

Four team members – Bill Ralston, Dr. John Olerud, Sam Ceci, and Wayne Bauers (deceased) – all have had professional baseball backgrounds having been drafted in order by the Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, Minnesota Twins and the New York Mets. All were in AAA when they eventually decided to try a different career.

When drafted, John Olerud was an All-American catcher out of Washington State University; Sam Ceci was an All-American catcher out of Southern California University, while also part of three consecutive College World Series championships with the school in the early ‘70s. Bill Ralston was drafted out of high school while living in California, and eventually he and Sam Ceci played together on the Tacoma Twins. Bill even played on the Albuquerque Dukes with Tacoma native Ron Cey. Their manager was Tommy Lasorda. Wayne Bauers was drafted out of high school while living in New Jersey.

Other TITANS players have played college baseball in such places as the University of Oregon, Oklahoma State University, Harvard and Whitworth College, along with various junior colleges and years of Semi-Pro baseball as well. Overall, the players average some 50-60 years of playing some form of ball, which also includes fast pitch and modified fast pitch softball along with a touch of slow pitch.

Some of the player highlights over the years are: Dave

Reynolds throwing batting practice to the Seattle Mariners, which included the very first pitch ever in the major leagues to Edgar Martinez. Dave also coached basketball as an assistant at Franklin High School, winning a state tournament with Jason Terry. Bill Williams coached baseball at Liberty High School in Issaquah, where one of his players was Tim Lincecum. Dr. Marse McNaughton was a star track athlete at Brigham Young University, and he represents the fastest player in Senior Baseball with the stolen bases to reflect that talent. Bart Waldman, for 20 years, has been a vice president and club attorney for the Seattle Mariners having negotiated the baseball contracts of current and former Mariners, including Ken Griffey, Jr., Randy Johnson, Jay Buhner and Martinez. Dan Wombacher played college football at the University of Nebraska.

Jim Lopez was a “Who’s Who” among students in American Universities and Colleges. Dr. David Mathews played youth baseball with the actor Tom Selleck and is also a UCLA alum. Marc Mullins has played consecutive baseball seasons for 51 years beginning in Houston, Texas. Mic Stump has an overall coaching record of 518 wins and 189 losses. Ron Staples and Harry Basil represent the only local high school players on the team, having played for Clover Park and Wilson, respectively.

For 20 years and at various times, Dr.’s Dan and Lindsay MacDougall have volunteered their medical services around the world, including in Africa, South America, Haiti, Albania, and Polynesia. Recently, they were in the Dominican Republic, where they also taught English and baseball to the local kids. Dr. Bob Jarrett was a former National Advisor to the President’s Health Council.

When requested, Bill Ralston conducts ministry services for the Tacoma Twins and visiting teams. Rick Parks, for many years, has been a Sea-Fair Pirate in Seattle, providing laughter and comfort throughout the year to kids at all the local hospitals. Dr. John Olrerud, in July 2016 before 25,000 Seattle Mariner fans, was the recipient of the Presidential George H.W. Bush award for distinction in college baseball as well as his personal and professional life. (The 2015 winner was Vin Scully, the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers for over 60 years) Several of the players have also been involved in youth coaching all the way up to high school, including local schools Curtis, Puyallup, Bellarmine, Liberty, Yelm, Franklin, Christian Faith and even the University of Puget Sound. One player even ran a youth baseball program.

Overall, chemistry, character, respect, team cohesiveness and great coaching, along with strength and conditioning, plus amazing talent and a passion for the game and life describes this group as they have been on top of their baseball world for several years now with a desire to see it continue as they get ready for the 2017 season.

The team motto is “YOU DON’T STOP PLAYING BECAUSE YOU GROW OLD…YOU GROW OLD BECAUSE YOU STOP PLAYING” Go Tugs!! Go Titans!!

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

FROM THE DESK OF AARON POINTER Athletic Supervisor, Pierce County Parks & Recreation Dept. 1973–2000 Here are a few of my thoughts regarding slowpitch in Pierce County.

Slowpitch is a game that everyone can play (men, women and youth). A player does not need to have exceptional athletic ability or stature to be successful and have a fun experience. Players do not necessarily need to practice regularly in order to compete.

There are many different levels of leagues according to ability. But, of course, everyone wants to be in a league where their team would win or lose games by one or two runs. If that didn’t happen they would petition to get in another league.

Behind the scenes, it is not all fun and games. The weather, last minute cancelations because of a myriad of reasons (i.e. the team’s best player was not able to play a scheduled game, or a team wanted to change to a different field so that they could hit more homeruns, etc.). This caused those doing the scheduling a nightmare and many sleepless nights. I spent more time rescheduling games than putting the original schedules together.

Some team players and coaches thought that I was Al Roker in disguise. Games would be rained out on a Monday and some coaches or players would call to ask if their scheduled game on Friday was also rained out! Go figure.

For anyone that enjoys baseball and would like to try playing, slowpitch is the game for you. Behind the scenes, it’s a different story.

Editor’s Note: Aaron was being nice. He forgot the headaches of teams submitting a roster one day and the next day submitting 12 roster changes that had to be made. Or when a team won the league championship and the coach ordered 5/S, 5/M and 5/L t-shirts only to pick them up and say that he really meant he needed 2 XLs and 14 XXL’s. Or when coaches called in scores and left messages such as, “We play in the Harbor League and we won!” Oh to be an athletic supervisor again.

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SLOWPITCH IN TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY—HOW IT ALL STARTED

Thacker, Bob Young, Dick O’Brien, Ron It all began in 1956 when Tom Mattila and Bill Meyer among others.

Cross, then Tacoma Metropolitan The first slowpitch games in Park District Assistant SuperintenTacoma were played in the highly comdent, saw a softball game played petitive Metro League at Peck Field with a 16-inch ball while on a trip using a 14-inch softball, which was to Chicago. necessary due to Peck Field’s short Cross brought this sport back fences.

With the opening of the Harry to the Pacific Northwest, and slowSprinker Recreation Center in 1969, pitch softball was introduced to the Western Washington league was Pierce County. The new sport, he created.

With Sprinker’s much bigger reasoned, would increase action fields, teams could choose between and participation when compared to leagues using either the 14-inch ball fastpitch softball, a game dominated or the 12-inch ball, which was used by outstanding pitching. at the national level.

Howell’s Sporting Goods, The number of teams mushWylie’s Café, and the Tacoma Ath- L. to r.: Clay Huntington, Tom Cross and Joe Stortini. roomed with the opening of the South letic Commission were original team End Recreation Area complex in sponsors, and players on the How1980.

At the same time the Pierce County Parks and Recreation ell’s team read like a who’s who in Tacoma sports history: Frank Department hosted the Gillihan, John Heinrick, Marv Harshman, Marv Tommervik, George Wise, Sonny Bailey, Cross, Chuck Gilmur, Robert O’Connell, Charles first ever United States Slo-pitch Softball AssociaGalbraith, Lornie Merkle, Steve Orfanos, and Al Maul.

Turned out that Cross was clairvoyant as slowpitch teams tion (USSSA) tournament and leagues blossomed in ever-increasing numbers through the in Washington.

John Rockway, much like Cross, had a big impact on slowpitch softball as the one responsible for Pierce County gaining its own ASA Metro sta- John Rockway, ASA Commissioner. tus, as well as serving as the first Metro Tacoma-Pierce County ASA Commissioner from 1953–1974 The Metropolitan Park District hosted the first Northwest Region Slowpitch Tournament at Peck Field in the late 1950s. Over the years, both Metro Parks and the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Department have been active in hosting numerous state, regional, and world ASA, USSSA, and NSA tournaments each summer in a continuous effort to promote and highlight the game.

SLOWPITCH OLDTIMERS—Front Row l. to r.: Don Hannula, Steve Orfanos, Doug McArthur, Ben Fawcett and Buck Meacham. Back Row l. to r.: Bill Funk, Dick Hannula, Dale Bloom, Phil Jordan, Ed Tingstad and Rich Brines.

1960s. Not only were there numerous leagues for men, they also existed for what, at the time, was called the “Housewives League” , men 35 and over, senior boys and girls, as well as various industrial, commercial, government, and church organizations.

The first “co-rec” slowpitch programs were introduced by the Pierce County Parks & Recreation Department in the summer of 1973, and at one point in the 1980s more than 500 teams throughout Pierce County alone competed at various levels.

In 1991 the Pierce County Parks & Recreation Department offered the first Half Century Plus slowpitch league for men and women ages 55 and over and in 2003 the program had over 200 players representing 12 different teams.

The masters slowpitch program also blossomed considerably since 1997 and Tacomans who have participated on Senior Softball National Championship teams include Joe SLOWPITCH OLDTIMERS—Front Row l. to r.: Bud Thomsen, Dick Hannula, Stortini, Bill Winter, Chip Cipriano, Lynn Larson, Jim Peter- Dean Nicholson, Wayne Zimmerman and Steve Orfanos. ______________ son, Bill Fleener, Bill Wheeler, Earl Birnel, Jack Scott, Jerry (batboy). Back Row l. to r.: Lornie Merkle, Rollie Neilson (Umpire), Jerry

Goerger, Tom Cross, Ed Bowman, Ed Tingstad and __________________.

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued WOMEN’S SLOWPITCH Fastpitch softball was the name of the game in the late 40’s through the 50’s dominated by such tea m s a s L i n c ol n Electric, Sumner A.C. Maids, the Tacoma Fuelerettes, Pacific Mutual Fuels, and Hollywood Boat and Motor led by the A.S.A. Hall of game pitching great Louise “Chris” Mazzuca. But women’s slowpitch softball proved as popular with both the young and old L. to R.: Dorothy Miskar, Patsy Strachan as the game was with Stavig and Dee Sagmiller. the men, and it wasn’t long before women were achieving national recognition through tournament competitions.

The first great women’s slowpitch team in the area, Cage Tavern, was formed in the spring of 1965 by tavern owners Spud Hansen and Harley Otis. Spud and Harley vowed that if the team went undefeated and qualified for the national tournament they would finance the trip, even if it meant selling the business. The Cage finished the regular season with a perfect 22–0 record, and Spud and Harley sold the tavern to Louise “Chris” Mazzuca, help pay expenses for the trip. Cake Hollywood Boat & Motor sales and car washes, along with a pitcher. donation from the Carling Brewing Company, also helped. The team hired Bill Hesselgrave and his new single-bus charter service to

won seven consecutive state championships.

Laura Herbert, Sandy “Sam” Turnley, Joyce Wolf, Charlene Miller, Jeanine Eshpeter, and Nancy Craig led the roster of players. Many of these women went on to play on or coach other softball teams.

I n 1 97 2 , t h e Pizza Pete club split into two teams with Jan Chase taking part of the team and Joyce Wolf Spud Hansen, sponsor of Spud’s Pizza Pete womens’s slowpitch team. taking over the balance of the club. Many top players participated in the program including Pat Kearney, Tammy Skubina, Judy Gray, Nancy Jerkovich, Peg Loverin, Kay Bentley, Mary Haavisto, Linda Rudolph, and Margaret Steeves.

After playing with The Cage and Pizza Pete, Wolf began coaching the B&E Tavern team, which later became the Creekwater Dispensary. When that sponsor was lost, Betty Jean Orrick stepped up to back the BJ’s All Stars team.

In 1972, Wolf’s B&E hosted the Northwest Region 31 Slowpitch Tournament at Peck Field, losing to Hamilton’s Towing of Bellingham in the finals. The following year, B&E won seven tournaments, finished third at regionals, and ended the season with a 66–5 record. Creekwater Dispensary became the sponsor

“Open at 11 am Every Day “Sponsoring Teams The Miss-Fits won the Housewives Slowpitch League in 1963.

get them to Omaha, Nebraska, for the tournament. While Cage Tavern lost both of its games, it was honored for being the first West Coast team to play in a women’s national tournament and for traveling the furthest—1,700 miles.

Hansen’s Pizza Pete became the new sponsor in 1966 and continued Cage Tavern’s success story. Between 1965 and 1971, the team compiled an unbelievable 381–20 record and

for over 30 Years” Drink of Your Choice Served in Trophy Room

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Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County women’s slowpitch softball. B&I Sports, along with Ron Erwin, first provided the financial backing. In later years, Whit Sr. and Shirley Hemion sponsored the team.

The Hemions enjoyed a long relationship with slowpitch, watching their sons Whit Jr., Jack, and David all play on top local teams along with daughter Kathy. A tragic airplane crash en route to the regional championships in Montana took the life of Whit Jr., one of the most feared long-ball hitters in Tacoma. Though Jack and David retired from the sport, Kathy, a 1970 Lakes High 1966 SPUD’S PIZZA PETE SLOWPITCH TEAM—Front row l. to r.: Rick Turnley, Sandy Molzan, School graduate, continued with her winShirley Mazzuca, Sam Turnley, Virginia Gilson, Yvonne Via, Norma Vittori, Laura Herbert ning ways on the field, culminating with a and unknown. Back row l. to r.: Spud Hansen, unknown, Jan Chase, Della Meyers, Joyce Wolf, unknown, Jodi Bisak, Alice Jacobson, Nancy Craig, Maggie Heinrick and unknown.

USSSA State of Washington Hall of Fame induction in 1994. in 1974, and by the end of that season the team had a three-year While it won numerous tournament combined record of 151–19 with wins in 19 out of 22 tourna- championships, 1991 was B&I Sport’s best season. It placed ments. Creekwater won the 1974 regional championships at Sprinker Recreation Center to become only the second team in Tacoma women’s slowpitch history to qualify for the national championships.

Top players that season included sisters Alice and Phyllis Textor, Sue Vincent, Ardi Schrag, Darleen Peterson, Vicki Panzeri, Louise Rota, Trena Page, Pat Kearney, Sue Carter, Sandy Molzan, Terri Riffe, Sue Ray, Melodie Fox, and Bev Risner.

The players of The Cage and the Spuds paved the way for women slowpitch competitions throughout Pierce County.

Other top women’s teams included McKnight’s Foods, Bowen Logging, The Haven and Tony’s Wahzoos among others. In 1980, Tacoma’s South End Recreation Area was host to both the state high school tournament in June and the Northwest 1972 B & E Tavern—Back row l. to r.: Sue Vincent, Alice Jacobson, Pauline Thompson, Regional Major Tournament in August.

Bev Smith, Marilyn Calkins, Ardi Schrag, Darlene Peterson, and coach Joyce Wolf.

Even though its name has changed Front row l. to r.: Terri Riffe, Yvonne Via, Pat Kearney, Vicki ______?, Sandy Molzan, and over the years, the B&I team has lasted the Judy Bickenbach. longest when it comes to Pierce County

1974 Creekwater Dispensary (night photo)—Back row l. to r.: Joyce Wolf, Ardi Schrag, Darlene Peterson, Sue Vincent, Trena Page, Melodie Fox, Sue Carter and Phyllis Textor.

Front row l. to r.: Lou Rota, Pat Kearney, batgirl Kena Weiss, Alice Textor, Vicki Panzeri and Sandy Molzan.

third in the ASA national tournament held in Salem, OR and then followed that up by winning six straight games to capture the USSSA Western Regional “B” Championship also in Salem. After competing in those tournaments, Hemion, Lisa Barron, Carol Auping and Vicki Miller were named to all-region and All-America teams. Other standouts were Teddi Bottinger, Alesha Williams, Stephanie Renendez, and Tina Campbell.

As a final “tip of the cap” to the their successes on the field and to the game of slowpitch a number of local players combined with other Hall of Famers to form OMT (One More Time) where they proceeded to win the 1995 National Championship. Pretty impressive!

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued

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1973 TONY’S WAHZOOS—Back Row l. to r.: Vicky Thompson, George Hilliard, Judy Alexander, Gayle Hazen, Michelle Armstrong, Kathy Sisko, Fran Wax and Jeff Hilliard.

Front row l. to r.: Paulette Hoover, Karen Hanson, Sandy Hanson, Patti Vogel, Lynda Butt, and Julie Christensen.

Kathy Hemion batting.

1974 The Haven Tavern-Women’s Slowpitch—Front row l. to r.: Liz Walker, Jan Strong, Mary Haavisto, Margaret Steeves, Linda Rudolph, Kay Bentley, and Cynthia McCoy. Back row l to r.: Kathy Phillips, Janie Tomaro, Rita Oster, Lynn Asplund, Myrna Clevenger, Becky Heath, Debra Gray and Rita Johnston. Missing: Pam Pederson and Kris Erickson.

1995 OMT SLOWPITCH TEAM—Back row l. to r.: Shirley Hemion, Donna “Yaki” Kerns, Vicky Miller, Rhondi Adair, Lisa Barron, Alesia Williams, Julie ?, Trena Page, Cathy Swanson, Chris Phillips, Stephanie Rezentes, Teddi Bottiger, Patty Blanford and Whit Hemion.

Front row l. to r.: Unidentified, Kathy Hemion, Becki Wetli, Kathy Kinnaird, Laurie Callahan, Cathy Percy, Wendy Tibbs and Carol Auping.

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SLOW BUT SURE! TUCCI & SONS LEAD THE WAY

By Doug McArthur

The sport of Slow Pitch and this “old timer” arrived at Metro rare distinction of being a professional baseball hurler with major Parks in Tacoma about the same time, in 1960 I believe. Hard to league credentials, only to suffer an arm injury which ended his realize that was almost 60 years ago. Tom Cross was headed for pro career. A 1944 grad of Stadium high, Funk attended CPS the top spot in Pierce County Parks and they called on me to fill and played in the St. Louis Browns minor-league organization his Supervisor of Athletics role at the MPD. Recalling before pitching for the Tacoma Tigers of the Western International events, scores, and stories from that era can be demand- League and for the Woodworth Contractors from 1957–58. Funk ing enough…but now toured the Far East with the Marc Blau’s of the the Major/Minor League world demand accuracy All-Stars in 1946 and as well. Can’t promise while on injured reserved, that, but here’s what was the Brown’s batting I do recall from those practice pitcher. “good old days.”

A National handTom, a veteran ball champion, Pfeifer fast pitch player, had had a professional basediscovered a new game. ball tryout but it was in It was softball all right slow pitch where he bebut they were playing came a standout perit with a 14-inch ball! former. His home-run in With my baseball backextra innings gave Tucci ground, a regulation 12a trip to nationals with inch softball and a 14a 5–4 victory over Tainch one both seemed coma’s Pine Tavern in the too big but I decided to regional finals. Sporting humor him a little. The a 36–2 record it was on first thing I remember is to Springfield, Ohio, the a 4-team league which TUCCI & SONS—Tucci & Sons recently copped the Northwest Regional Slow Pitch Tucci team faced a new Tom had put together, Softball Championships to qualify for the World Tournament in Springfield, Ohio. challenge. Funk could not and talk about Old Tim- Front row l. to r.: Dick Webster, Joe Stortini, Ken Young, Ron Storaasli, Bill Funk and make the trip, leaving the ers? Our Metro Parks Doug McArthur. Back row l. to r.: Gordy Pfeifer, Jim Gallwas, Dale Bloom, Marty team without its pitching team competed against Erdahl and Jack Johnson. ace, and the Tacomans Tacoma’s legendary had to switch from a 14coach, John Heinrick, hockey star Joey Johns, baseball’s George inch ball to a 12-inch ball (one they had not used all season).

Wise and City Manager Dave Rowlands among others. Peck Field In their first tournament game, McArthur was called on to was the ideal site for the “new” game because the fences weren’t move from third base to the mound and he responded with a rare that distant (225 I recall) for fast pitch but it took a healthy swat three-hit shutout win (10–0 over Rhode Island’s champions). Pfeifer to get that 14-inch ball “outta there.” hit two homers and a double in the winning effort. The Tucci team It didn’t take long for the slow pitch game to catch on, then lost a 4–3 decision to Louisville, Kentucky and an 8–5 contest particularly as the majority of interested athletes began to age. to Wisconsin for elimination. The ice was broken, however, and Swimming legend Dick Hannula was the first of the slow pitch the stage was set for a younger wave of contenders from Tacoma. players to establish himself as a “natural”. His swing was ideal Dale Bloom, a Lincoln high grad, helped lead the Shoemen for the game and the result was line drive after line drive. We to their national title in 1956 as the winning pitcher in the state, counted early on and he had 23 (or maybe 26) consecutive base regional, and national championship games and two years later hits in our league play. It wasn’t long before some other slow pitch joined the Woodworth Contractors as they finished second at the “sluggers” emerged. Jack Johnson and Al Maul called it “quits” in national championships under coach Marv Scott. Bloom pitched baseball (they not only made it professionally but they starred in in the Detroit Tigers organization for several years, played for the amateur ranks locally) and they both pounded them out of Peck Tri-City Braves of the Western International League from 1953–54 with regularity. Johnson once hit 17 fly balls out of Peck in succes- and after three season with the Cheney Studs retired after pitchsion, all foul except for the final one—a homer. ing and managing Criswell’s to the city league crown in 1960. He That was the cue for a fellow basketball official, Marty Er- also refereed high school and college basketball for over 25 years. dahl, to form a team and secure Tucci and Sons to sponsor it. In Erdahl, the manager, was Director of Utilities for Pierce 1961 the Tucci team claimed the first of four straight Northwest County and officiated local high school and college football and Regional Championships. About that time the 1956 national ama- basketball games for 28. He also served a 14-year stint as a Pacteur baseball champions from Tacoma, the Stanley’s Shoemen, 10 football official. had decided to “graduate” from baseball and take up slow pitch.

Jim Gallwas graduated from Bellarmine in 1950 and Ron Storaasli, Jim Gallwas, Jack Johnson, Dale Bloom and Doug played baseball for the Lions as well as at Seattle University. A McArthur switched to slow pitch and Bill Funk, Joe Stortini and standout for the Shoemen and the Woodworth Contractors, he Dick Webster also left the ranks of baseball to join them. Gordy pitched a no-hitter against Ft. Lewis during his career. Gallwas Pfeifer and Ken Young added youth to the lineup after proven signed a minor-league contract with the St. Louis Browns. performances in slow pitch competition.

Jack Johnson was a three-sport star in baseball, basketFunk became an accomplished slow pitch pitcher with the ball, and football at Pacific Lutheran College and signed a contract

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued with the Seattle Rainiers. A catcher for the Shoemen, he hit .512 for the club in the regional tournament in South Dakota. The first National Football League officials to come out of Tacoma, Johnson worked many AFC and NFC championship games as a Line Judge during his career from 1976–91. He also served as athletic director at Green River Community College from 1968–85.

Maul, who hailed from Bremerton, had an outstanding minor league baseball career including a stint with the Bremerton Bluejackets of the Western International League from 1947–48. A first baseman by trade, he also hit .344 with 20 homers and 130 runs batted in during a season in Albuquerque. The “Mauler” was known for his ability to hit the long ball.

McArthur has had a huge impact on Pierce County athletics. The Tacoma native and graduate of Lincoln High School and the College of Puget Sound, McArthur started his baseball coaching career in the amateur Sunset and Valley leagues with three league titles to his credit but the highlight was guiding the Shoemen to the 1956 national amateur championship. He also served as athletic director at the University of Puget Sound from 1969–78, highlighted by the Loggers’ 1976 NCAA division II national basketball title. A member of the UPS Hall of Fame, Doug led the successful Tacoma Dome bond issue campaign in 1980.

Ron Storaasli was an all-city league basketball played at Lincoln high where he graduated from in 1952. He attended PLC before finishing up at Western Washington College while playing baseball. Another member of the 1956 Shoeman club, Storaasli was the leading hitter on the national title team and was also MVP of the state tournament. Storaasli was baseball coaching at Lakes

High School for 10 years where he won seven league titles and he was also a highly regarded high school and college basketball official.

An all-league selection as shortstop at Lincoln high and later an All-Evergreen Conference shortstop at the College of Puget Sound, Joe Stortini consistenty hit over .300 while playing in the City and Valley Leagues for Stanley’s Shoemen, the Cheney Studs, the Woodworth Contractors, Western State Hospital, and Portland Avenue. A member of the UPS Athletic Hall of Fame, Joe enjoyed a successful football coaching career where his Mt. Tahoma T-Bird team won the 1974 state championship. Joe played on the 1998 and 2000 Senior Softball 65 and Over World Championship teams and in 2002 his team won a gold medal at the World Games as the 70 and over champions.

A three-year varsity player in football and basketball at Lincoln high where he graduated from in 1948, Dick Webster played shortstop and second base for the 38th St. team in the City League, the Irwin-Jones Dodgers fastpitch team from 1950–53, Wood Realty and Criswell’s. “Webby” was also an outstanding baseball, basketball, and football official.

Pfeifer, long-time athletic facilities coordinator at University of Puget Sound, was arguably the region’s best slowpitch player between 1963–71. He joined the Players Tavern/Heidelberg team following the ’64 season and the youthful club dominated Northwest play for many years thereafter and slowpitch blossomed around the Puget Sound region. In 1968, he led Heidelberg to a fifth-place finish at the world championship tournament in Long Island, N.Y with an .833 average and became the only player from the West Coast selected to the All-World Team.

The Many Faces of Stan the Man Stan Naccarato (May 3, 1928–May 25, 2016) Stan Naccarato died May 25 at age 88 closing the book on a life that made him a Tacoma icon.

Stan grew up in Spanaway with his eye on a baseball career. His pitching talent led to a contract in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He won 28 games for Ogden over two years in the Pioneer League but that’s where it ended due to an arm injury.

The tough luck turn of events was a great gain for the future of Tacoma.

Stan returned to his beloved home and applied decades of effort to civic betterment, improved opportunities for youth athletes and a lifeline for professional baseball in Tacoma.

He sponsored the Stanley’s Shoemen baseball team in 1956. The team was one of the first to put Taacoma on the national stage when it won the Amateur Baseball Congress national title providing a great thrill to Stan and Tacoma.

Stan was significantly involved over the years with the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Boys and Girls Clubs, Golden Gloves boxing, the campaign to build the Tacoma Dome and many other events that have shaped the landscape of Tacoma sports.

But it was back to baseball where Stan left perhaps his most lasting mark. Tacoma has the longest tenured team in the Pacific Coast League largely because of Stan’s effort and ability to rally investors to keep AAA baseball at Cheney Stadium.

In 1971, the Chicago Cubs surprisingly decided to move their triple-A affiliation. Overnight, Stan convinced 20 investors to keep pro ball in Tacoma. For 20 years, Stan was president and general manager of the Tacoma Tigers. In 1975 he was named The Sporting News minor league General Manager of the Year.

Stan’s life-long efforts were acknowledged by induction The Fab Five—L. to R.: Tom Cross, into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 Clay Huntington, Doug McAr thur, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Ben Cheney and Stan Naccarato.

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Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued

IF IT’S SLOWPITCH WE’RE TALKING ABOUT— IT MUST BE HEIDELBERG! When it comes to slowpitch softball in the late 1960s, one team stood above the rest: Heidelberg.

In 1965, slowpitch softball was just beginning. Teams used wooden bats and 14-inch balls, significantly limiting the power game and emphasizing speed and defense. Heidelberg’s exceptional defense and ability to knock the ball all around the field made it one of the most balanced teams anyone will ever see and established it as a Pacific Northwest dynasty.

“They talk about chemistry, and we really had it,” pitcher and assistant coach Bob Young said. “Gordy Pfeifer was the coach and our best player, and I was the assistant coach, and we were very selective on who we added each year, and we all got along so well and had a great competitive spirit.”

1966 PLAYERS TAVERN SLOWPITCH TEAM—Front row l. to r.: Gordy Pfeifer, Beginning play as The Players’ Tavern in Bob Young, Denny Larsen, Terry Martin and Jim Lane.

1965–66 and resuming as Heidelberg the follow- Back row l. to r.: Dave Bishop, Bill Royne, Dick Dahlstrom, Dick Zierman, Bob Hause, ing five years, the squad won seven consecutive Terry Trowbridge and Ken Schulz.

Northwest Regional Slow Pitch titles from 1965 Tournament, following two straight big victories with back-to-back through 1971 and advanced to the Nationals each year. Seven narrow losses by a combined total of three runs. Heidelberg reyears certainly qualifies for longevity, while the 1968 squad pro- ceived a bye in the first round, defeated Joliet, Illinois, 8–4, and vided an emphatic peak.

Cincinnati, Ohio, 10–3. But the Milton, Florida, team scored late That year, Heidelberg finished the season with an 80–9 to hand Heidelberg a 10–9 loss and the Cincinnati team bounced record and won tournaments in Tacoma, Kent, Centralia/Cheha- back to take a 9–7 elimination victory. Pfeifer batted .833 with four lis, Magnolia, Aberdeen, Bremerton and Salem before winning home runs to earn all-tournament honors, with Young and second the Northwest Regional Championship in Richland. A 7–1 run baseman Jim Lane also garnering recognition. through the championship tournament paved the way for a trip to “That was tough to lose, because we felt it was within our Nationals in Jones Beach, N.Y., with coach/outfielder Gordy Pfeifer reach to win nationals,” Young said. “We were that close with two earning MVP honors after compiling 23 hits in 27 at bats. Pitcher tough losses.”

Bob Young and outfielder Marco Malich also earned tournament Pfeifer, Young, Lane and Terry Trowbridge proved to be All-Star honors.

Heidelberg’s “Core Four” throughout the team’s seven-year run Heidelberg finished the season in fifth place at the National of Northwest dominance as the only four players to compete for the team all seven years. Joining that quartet over the years was a group of 37 players and batboys who each contributed to a historic run of success: Ken Alban, Doug Armstrong, Dave Bishop, Jerry Brodigan, Ed Burmester, Dick Dahlstrom, Jerry Ehnat, Jerry Foss, Bob Grant, Bill Hain, Bob Hause, Bill Herbert, Ken Laase, Wayne Lange, Denny Larsen, Don Leaf, Don Kitchen, Marco Malich, Don Martelli, Terry Martin, Ron Moseson, Butch Pasquale, Mike Prentice (batboy), Bud Reed, Al Reil, Bill Royne, Dick Samlaska, Steve Sand, Ron Schmidtke, Ken Schulz, Scott Schulz (batboy), Bob Sonneman, Tom Sonneman, Jerry Thacker, Ted Whitney, Mike Zenk and Dick Zierman.

Heidelberg won more than 50 1968 HEIDELBERG SLOWPITCH TEAM—Magnolia Invitational tournament champions major tournaments, played approximately Front row l. to r.: Jerry Thacker, Gordy Pfeifer, Al Reil and Mike Zenk.

600 games and won about 80 percent of Back row l. to r.: Dick Samlaska, Terry Trowbridge, Don Leaf, Dave Bishop, those contests. The 1965 team began Ken Schulz and Bob Young. Missing: Jim Lane, Jim Betz, Mike Thompson, Bill Hain and the dynasty with the squad’s first trip to Ted Whitney.

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued pitch. Pfeifer competed nationally on the pro handball tour and won numerous national tournaments, while Young played senior softball into his mid-70s and played for 10 Senior Softball National Championship teams. In 2008, he became the first Pierce County resident—and only the second from the state of Washington—to be inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame.

“We were just a bunch of guys every year getting together and playing, and now looking back I’m more impressed with what we achieved than we ever were at the time,” Young said. “The amazing thing to me is we did it for so many years. We had a target on our chest every year; every 1968 HEIDELBERG SLOWPITCH TEAM—Olympia Invitational tournament runnerups team was gunning for us, and we prevailed Front row l. to r.: Gordy Pfeifer, Jerry Thacker, Bob Young, Jim Lane, Al Reil and Mike Zenk. seven years in a row.”

Back row l. to r.: Dick Samlaska, Marco Malich, Dave Bishop, Ron Moseson, Don Leaf, Dave Bishop graduated from LinKen Schulz and Terry Trowbridge. coln High School in Tacoma and University of Washington. He grew up playing basenationals, placing 22nd. The next three years saw progressively higher finishes for the team, as Heidelberg placed 16th in 1966 ball and began gaining recognition for his slow pitch prowess in and 13th in 1967 before that peak of fifth place in 1968. The the mid-1960s. He was a six-year standout with Heidelberg and final three years of the run also featured top-15 finishes at the earned selection to several all-tournament teams. He was a connational tournament. And while the team was capable of shuting sistent hitter and one of the best defensive players in the region. the door with its dominance, Heidelberg also had a tradition of Along with his abilities on the diamond, Bishop won a state diving rallying back from defeats in tournament play. Five of the seven championship while attending Lincoln.

Jerry Foss competed several years for Heidelberg playing in regional tournament titles required Heidelberg to run through the the outfield and as thei team’s backup pitcher. He later coached losers’ bracket to win the crown.

“One of the reasons we believe we were so successful was and played on the Wested Tire slowpitch club before sponsoring our strong mental game,” Young said. “Every player coached or the Foss Tire team.

Jim Lane was born Aug. 31, 1940 in Tacoma. He graduated officiated baseball and other sports. There was so much leadership on our teams with a bunch of take-charge guys and great from Wilson High School in 1959 and spent time at Washington State University before graduating from University of Washington in chemistry.”

One of the best examples of that confidence and that strong 1966. He played both fastpitch and slow pitch, including a lengthy mental game came at the 1970 Northwest Regional Tournament in tenure with Heidelberg that included player/coach duties from Corvallis, Oregon. Heidelberg suffered a 13–12 loss in the opener 1972–77. He also coached baseball at Federal Way High School but bounced back with eight wins in two days to win the title. from 1978–84 and basketball at Fife High School from 1979–84.

Marco Malich was born June 14, 1941, in Tacoma. He Heading into the finals Heidelberg needed two victories over Gene played baseball and basketball at Peninsula High School before Lobe of Bremerton, while graduating in 1959. the other team could He competed for sevclaim the championship eral teams during with only one win. When his slowpitch career, Pfeifer and Young met including a 10-year with Gene Lobe coach stint with Heidelberg Ed Fein at home plate that featured a .450 to discuss ground rules batting average and for the contest, Pfeifer numerous all-star congratulated Fein on selections, and was his team’s performance the head baseball and said, “second place coach at Peninsula is not bad.” After Fein f ro m 1 9 8 0 u n t i l commented that there 2012. During that was no way Heidelberg time he led the team would win twice, Pfeifer to 435 victories and repeated his comment one state runner-up and the team went on to finish, earning WIAA prove his statement corHall of Fame honors rect with a pair of wins in 2013 and the Marv and a sixth straight title.

Scott Coaches Award.

Most of the Heidel- 1970 HEIDELBERG SLOWPITCH TEAM—5 Time Northwest Regional Champions Gordy Pfeifer berg nucleus continued Front row l. to r.: Jerry Ehnat, Jerry Foss and Ken Laase. Middle row l. to r.: Dick playing for other teams Samlaska, Butch Pasquale, Terry Trowbridge, Jim Lane, Al Reil and Jerry Thacker. Back was the head coach before retiring from slow- row l. to r.: Gordy Pfeifer, Dick Zierman, Marco Malich, Bob Young, Dave Bishop and of the Heidelberg Ken Schulz. Missing: Ted Whitney.

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Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued squad and arguably the team’s top player. He garnered numerous tournament MVP and all-star honors and helped lead the team to its seven consecutive championships before going on to a championship pro handball career.

Al Reil was the ultimate utility player taking stints are third base, shortstop and second base as needed. And when he was on the bench he was supportive and encouraging and an integral team member.

Ken Schulz was born in Tacoma on Jan. 28, 1941. He was an all-state pitcher at Lincoln High School, where he graduated in 1959 before earning all-conference honors at Western Washington. He played for Heidelberg from 1967 through 1975 and coached baseball and softball at Mt. Tahoma High School while working as a teacher in the Tacoma School District.

Jerry Thacker was born Feb. 28, 1937, in Portsmouth, Ohio, and graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1956. He was a football and baseball standout at University of Puget Sound before graduating in 1961. He played several years with Heidelberg and was a perennial all-tournament and MVP selection and won a slowpitch national title in the master’s ranks with First American Title in 2005.

Terry Trowbridge was a Heidelberg mainstay during the seven-year run of dominance. A Lincoln High School graduate, he was a shortstop and third baseman on the softball field and continued his career into his 50s. He is also an excellent golfer who at one time carried a 5-handicap and has scored two holes in one—including a double eagle on a par 4.

Bob Young was born Oct. 17, 1939 in Tacoma. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957 and graduated from the University of Puget Sound. An avid baseball, basketball and handball player, Young enjoyed a slowpitch career of 45 years as one of the game’s premier pitchers. He was an assistant coach for Heidelberg and played In 2008 Bob Young became the first person from Pierce County to be inducted into on all seven championship teams and went on to the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame. win 10 national Senior Softball titles prior to his reL. to R.: Jacob Dusek (grandson), Sharon Dusek (daughter), Senior Softball tirement from the game at age 73. In 2008 Young representative Terry Hennessy, Bob Young, Patti Young and John Dusek (son-in-law). was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame, the first person from Pierce County to be so honored.

Dick Samlaska was born in Tacoma and played football Dick Zierman was born on January 22, 1938 and graduand baseball at Mt. Tahoma High School in the early 1960s. In ated in 1956 from Lincoln High School where he played football, 1963 he was named the Kiwanis Athlete of the Year while playing basketball and baseball. The first slowpitch team he played for catcher at MTHS, and by the end of his prep career he had earned was a 16” team in 1958 called Vern’s Café and coached by Bob all-star MVP and first-team all-state honors. He played slowpitch Maguinez. Dick was co-owner of the Players Tavern and sponsored from 1968 to 1986 for numerous teams, and he played third base those early years of the team that eventually became the Heideland catcher during his time with Heidelberg. berg dynasty in softball. During his five-year stint with Heidelberg “Ziggy” was named to 14 allstar teams as a player, where he pitched, caught and played in the outfield. Along with the Players and Heidelberg, he played for Glo-Worm, Dean’s Tavern and Hi Hat Cabaret and was player-coach for the 1976 Western Washington League Champion Wested Tire team.

1974 Heidelberg Slowpitch Team—Front row l. to r.: Unidentified, Jim Lane, Buddy Horton, Ken Laase, Joe Parker and Dick Samlaska. Back row l. to r.: Jerry Henderson, Marco Malich, Dave Wilsie, Gary Diel, Tom Brown, Bruce Phair, Bob Marsden and Ken Schulz.

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued

PEOPLE’S CHURCH (1968-2008) Over the course of four decades, the Peoples Church softball team emerged as probably the most recognized Church Softball Program in the entire nation. Formed in 1968, it developed a consistent widely regarded reputation as a winner at every level. It has also been acknowledged as one of the longest running softball team programs in Washington State history.

Started by brothers Steve and Owen (Onie) Shackett, the Peoples Church team won every conceivable award possible during its historic run including three World Church Tournaments, 17 Church “A” State PEOPLE’S CHURCH-circa 1978—Back row l. to r.: Chuck Hagstrom, Ivy Iverson, Championships, 2 Men’s Open “A-AA” Levi Edgcombe, Pat Donahue, Mike Moore, Doug Cowan, Bob Spellmeyer, and State Championships, and over 160 Scott Hohensinner. Front row l to r.: Owen Shackett, Greg Garnett, Chuck Marsh, Steve Shackett, USSSA Tournaments throughout the Wayne Hammer, Bill Heckert, Dave Rastovski, and Jim _____. country including 14 N.I.T. National Tournaments. Over a 30-year time Tupelo, Mississippi and Pine Bluff, Arkansas as well as Bossier frame, Peoples established a winning percentage of .769 pct. City, Louisiana and Moore, Oklahoma. Overall Peoples ended with playing against some of the best competition in the United States. an incredible 81 wins and 38 losses in World Tournament play, Softball played a significant part in the lives of the players including three World titles, three second place finishes and three committed to this team. It was normal for everyone to bring their third place endings. wives and children to the ballpark for almost every game. Each The Peoples Church team is represented in the USSSA player’s entire family was generally present and picnics, BBQ’s and Washington State Softball Hall of Fame by nine members. Led by pot-lucks were the common themes of the day. Traveling from state coach Steve Shackett, the list includes his brother pitcher Onie to state and ballpark to ballpark was a significant time for building Shackett, pitcher and utility-man David Nusser, catcher and desrelationships, developing family ties, and making memories that ignated hitter Jerry Henderson, shortstop Rich Van Dyke, second would last a lifetime. baseman and designated hitter Dan Valentine, outfielder Todd Peoples played in 21 consecutive Church World “A” Tourna- Cooley, designated hitter Doug Weston and infielder Dan Cooley. ments which meant visiting incredible vacation spots like Myrtle Among the many highlights over a 30-year timeframe, two Beach, South Carolina; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Ft. Walton stand out. The first was the World Tournament in 1979 held in Beach, Florida, as well as Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida. Orlando, Florida. In three different games the club had to come Also, they had the unique experience of playing in “hotspots” like off the field because of tornado and lightning strikes. They even had to hide behind an equipment shack to avoid getting hit with lightning.

Another memorable moment was in 1996 at the Church N.I.T. held in Salem, Oregon. The title game went 10 innings and they ended up having four different starters injured on various plays. Creativity became a necessity and they actually finished the game with two 18 year old “kids” playing in their first N.I.T. They were rookies on the team simply there with their dads to experience the opportunity of playing on a nationally recognized team. Aaron Shackett and Colin Henderson, combined, went 11 for 12 helping to gain a come from behind 46–45 win! Recognizing that the four veteran players were injured, these two “rookies” had the games Church Nationals (circa 1982–83) —Front row l. to r.: Mark Wagner, Jerry Henderson, of their lives.

Steve Shackett, Aaron Shackett (ballboy), Rich Van Dyk, David Troup, Owen Shackett, and The 1991 Peoples Church USSDarrell Bowie. Back row l. to r.: Dave Carlisle, Dick Samlaska, Chuck Hagstrom, Dan Valentine, SA World Church Champions were an Kurt Frederick, Ralph Van Dyk, Bob Spellmeyer, & Ivy Iverson.

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Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued awesome team with many heroes.

However, there are two players from this 1991 World Tournament Championship Team that have passed away and no longer with us. Pitcher Owen “Onie” Shackett and 1st baseman Darrell Shively played significant roles in the team securing this particular World Title. Onie Shackett pitched 5 brilliant games and big Darrell Shively was the tournament MVP stroking 7 HR’s and 15 RBI’s. Peoples went through this Tournament undefeated virtually destroying everyone in their path.

Peoples opened the tourney with a 26–11 victory over Central Free Methodist out of Minneapolis, MN. Catcher Kurtis Wells led the way with three mammoth home runs and seven RBI’s. Peoples next defeated 1991 PEOPLES CHURCH WORLD CHAMPIONS SLOWPITCH TEAM— HHGF LDS of Salem, OR 19–4 with 1st Back Row l. to r.: Ralph Van Dyk, Scott Stolzenburg, Ron Coder, Kurtis Wells, Darrell Shively, baseman Darrell Shively going 4–4. Doug Weston, Dan Valentine, Tim Cutter, Mike Stevens, Dave Glenn, and Ivy Iverson. Front Row Mission Hills of El Toro, CA was the next l. to r.: Norm Bryan (National Church Director). Rich Van Dyk, Jerry Henderson, Steve Shackett victim, succumbing 18–3 with Shively (coach), Dave Nusser, Onie Shackett, and Pastor Owen E. Shackett. hitting two more HR’s and outfielder tourney MVP Darrell Shively. Manager Steve Shackett completed David Glenn adding two more.

In the winner’s bracket finals Peoples defeated Houston this All-World Team.

The Peoples Church Softball team became one of the most First Baptist 28–18 with offensive slugger Scott Stolzenburg leading the way going 5–6. Philadelphia Church out of Seattle came prominent softball programs of its kind ever to play the game in the back through the loser’s bracket to challenge for the title. Under United States. The longevity of the team is so unusual considering bright sunny skies and temperatures hovering at 85 degrees, the movement of athletes in today’s society. Peoples didn’t always Philadelphia jumped out to a 6–4 lead before Peoples responded have the best players but as manager Steve Shackett professed, with an Ivy Iverson double and a Mike Stevens long ball. Doug we generally were the best “TEAM.”That camaraderie and close Weston added another HR and Peoples found itself with a thrill- bond of the individuals involved year in and year out became ing 14–12 win and a World Title. Peoples members of the 1991 the glue that made this program so successful. It’s all about the World “A” Church Champions All-World Team were Ralph Van Dyk, “Team” became their motto!

Mike Stevens, Kurtis Wells, Scott Stolzenburg, Doug Weston, and

Old School Sports Programs Now Available For Viewing Flip Book Project Displays Complete Content Of Programs The Shanaman Sports Museum currently has 1,252 sports programs in its collection spanning multiple sports. This includes auto racing, baseball, basketball, boxing, figure skating, figure skating, football, golf, hockey, fastpitch and slowpitch softball, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball, wrestling and much more for high school, collegiate, semi-professional and professional sports played throughout Tacoma and Pierce County. The goal of the Old School Sports Program Flipbook Project is to make the contents of every page in each program accessible to the public.

The content in programs often include a history of the event, the location, team rosters, biographical profiles of athletes and coaches, results of past events, awards, photographs and in some instances information about the host institution and the event sponsors. It is not unusual for individuals working on their genealogy to contact the museum staff to find out when a family member might have participated in a certain sport. This project is a valuable research tool for the public to enjoy.

Grants from the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Association helped in the initial phases of the project.

A Heritage Project Grant from the City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission will help further our efforts but help is always needed.

If you have old sports programs hidden in boxes in the attic, garage or scrapbook please consider donating them to Shanaman Sports Museum for the public’s enjoyment. Financial contributions are also welcome to help this labor-intensive effort come to fruition. Contact Marc Blau at 253-677-2872 or mhblau@comcast.net.

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued

St. Rita’s Church—Sons of Italy Slowpitch Teams

Few teams in any sport in Tacoma have had the long history and continuity of players as the softball teams of St. Rita’s Catholic Church and the Sons of Italy. In a thirty-year span, the core of the teams began as the St. Rita softball squad in 1958, was transformed into the Sons of Italy teams about ten years later and then returned to the St. Rita’s banner in the late 1980’s.

In 1958, St. Rita’s Church was headed by a sports-minded priest, Father Anthony Baffaro. He asked an 18-year old parishioner, John Messina, to form a softball team to play in the Tacoma Church League. John did not have to look very far to pick up his players. They all lived within walking distance of the church on South SONS OF ITALY—-1974 Metro League champs. ­Front row l. to r.: Dood Manning, (3B-RF), John Bilski (LF), Jim Thaut (P), Joe DeRosa (OF/Co-Coach), Joe (Ross) Munizza (Util) and 14th and Ainsworth.

The youngest players, Joe (Ross) Mu- Tony DeRosa. (INF). Back row: Jerry Macaluso (1B), Rocky Familton (OF), John Mazzuca (OF), Frank Paul (C-1B), Don Falk (SS-LF), Mike Turner (2B), Frank Messina (P), John nizza and Tony DeRosa, had to wait until their Messina (C/Co-Coach, superfan) and Ramo Natalizio. Missing: Darrel Prentice (LCF), Stadium High School baseball season was over Mike Zenk (RF) and John Storino (OF). in order to play. The oldest, 35-year old Pete Rettura, was in the middle of a distinguished and Tony Winmill. career with the post office. The players were all Italian, married In its first year, St. Rita’s made it to the Church League Fastto Italians, or lived in the Italian section of Tacoma, such as the pitch finals, only to lose a heartbreaker by one run. The highlight of DeRosa brothers (Joe and Bob), Al Rettura, and the late John that season was playing the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Storino. Many names, not yet mentioned, are familiar: Natalizio, team, the reigning league champ. It was a well publicized battle Minniti, Doria, Maruca, Rovai. But they also included Dickson, Kelly, between the Greeks and the Italians. Peck Field #1 had standing Norris, Paul, and Zadow, as well as half-breeds like Ken Schwab room only. The Italians won, 9–7.

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Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued St. Rita’s continued in the Church League for three more years, winning virtually every title. At the beginning of the 1962 season, Metro Parks Athletic Director, Steve Orfanos, also a player on the St. Nicholas team, mandated that the team move to the City League, the strongest softball league in Tacoma. He believed St. Rita’s was too good for the Church League and would have more fun in the City League. The young team embraced the challenge and moved up. They were the only team in the league without uniforms. They played in their jerseys, caps, and jeans.

It its first year in the City League, St. Rita’s was guided by John Messina and the fiery Sam Minnitti. That year the team won the post-season tournament and qualified for the regional championships, the top two teams of which would go the national tournament in Stamford, Connecticut. As a big underdog, St. Rita’s drew the number one seed, Auburn Elks. The Elks won in extra innings, 1–0. The bitter pill to swallow was the fact that St. Rita’s outhit the Elks, 11–3, and stranded nine men on base. Still, led by the pitching of Joe DeRosa and Pat Kelly, the team went St. Rita’s 1958: L to R: Front Row: Ramo Natalizio, Al Rettura, Tony DeRosa, on to place third and established itself as a regional power. Joe DeRosa, Ken Schwab, John Messina. L ro R: Back Row: Daryl Zadow, However, after four years, the players quit or scattered to Joe (Ross) Munizza, Bob DeRosa, Pat Kelly, Bob Dickson, Rev. Anthony other teams. They would return to the fold in 1970 as a Baffaro, S. J. slow pitch team.

St. Rita’s played slow pitch softball for two years and then Melody TV. All teams jointly made extra money sponsoring dances came under the sponsorship of the Tacoma Lodge of the Sons of and Reno Nights, and all played under the Sons of Italy mantle.

The top quality athletes played on the “A” and “B” teams, Italy. The team enjoyed great success on the field and traveled a lot to play in out-of-town tournaments. It became so popular and but the “B” team simply could not beat the “A” team, until a reso many wanted to play on the team that it expanded to a “B” team gional tournament, in which the Sons of Italy beat Pete Lovely and and then even to a “C” team. New sponsors were needed. The “A” knocked them out of a state tournament berth. Thereafter, the team became Pete Lovely Volkswagen and the “C” team became teams played in parity.

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued Soon the wives wanted to get in on the act. A ladies’ pretty flight attendants to take care of them.

In its last season, 1988, the church team once again team was formed and called the Purr Pets (the English spelling of qualified for the nationals, but declined to go. It was apparent that the Italian word for “meatballs”). The women had fun for quite a few years. Also, for a couple years the Sons of Italy sponsored a most teams were not just collections of guys who attended the same church, but recruited athletes. That took a lot of fun out of co-ed team. the game.

New faces appeared on the three men’s teams. Jerry Macaluso, Mike Turner, Mike Thompson, Denny Smith, Jim Thaut, Brian VanBlommestein, John Mazzuca, Denny Anderson, Mike Zenk, Dan Thurston, Don Falk, John Cologerou, Darrel Prentice, John Bilski, Roger Schlosstein, Pat Furman and his dad, Ron, Dave Bufalini, Frank Messina, Tony DeRosa, Jr., Robert LoFranco, Sonny Achziger, Don Martelli, Jim Lavick, John Moceri, Pat Manza, Terry Johnson, Ed Colleran and Bob Maguinez. Sets of brothers played a major role: the Manning’s (Dood, Morry and Dave), the Viafore’s (Rich, Bruce and Pat) and the Lewis’ (Russ, Denny and Greg). There were many others, too, who made appearances The first of all our teams to go to a national tournament: St. Rita’s in the Church Nationals on the teams, too many to list here.

In 1985, St. Rita’s re-appeared in the in 1985 in Midland, TX. Front row l. to r.: Joe Guzzo, Bruce Viafore, Jim Aquino, Dennis Church League, and played four more seasons. Klarich, Tony DeRosa Sr., Tom Stucker, George Baird and Tony DeRosa Jr. Back row l. to r.:Don Greco, Jim Catalinich, Jerry Macaluso, John Messina, Dave Bufalini, Frank This came about because of a rule change al- Messina, Robert LoFranco, Greg Lewis and Jim Keogh. lowing men to play on a regular team and on their church team also. The new team drew By the 1990’s, those who had been associated with the players from all three slow pitch teams, as well players from other teams, like Dick Marzano and Kevin Smith. Members of the church various St. Rita’s-Sons of Italy teams had hung up their cleats. who played on no other teams joined too, such as Don Greco, Tim They left behind a memorable legacy of fun, camaraderie and Eakin, Jim Catalinich, Tom Stucker, Joey Guzzo, and George Baird . athleticism in Tacoma softball history.

What started out as fun became very serious. St. Rita’s qualified for the national church tournament all four years the team was in existence. In 1985, the team went to Midland, Texas.

It won a game but lost two. The highlight of that tournament was Jim Aquino, age 70, getting a base hit— that had to be a record.

In 1986, the team traveled to the nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There again, it won one and lost two. The highlight of that trip was driving to the family homestead farm of Greg Lewis’ grandmother, and John Messina’s grandmother–in-law, in the Ozark—Ouachita mountain range. The players were treated to a feast of real southern cooking and learned the art of “leaning.”

Those who went can tell you what that is. The next week the little weekly newspaper in Shady Point, Oklahoma, had a story on the Catholics who visited Gussie Goff’s home.

In 1987, again a repeat of 1–2 in the national tournament in Gadsden, Alabama. The highlight of that trip was taking an earlier flight out of Atlanta on a red-eye that was deadheading an Original Purr Pets team circa 1975. aircraft to Sea-Tac without passengers. The players had the plane to themselves, seats to stretch out on, unlimited free drinks, and

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THE HAVEN TAVERN–A STORIED HISTORY The original tavern was a log cabin that was owned and operated by Leon and Freida Haven who lived on property next to it. To this day their home still stands on the property that is now a used car lot. When customers walked inside, the ceiling was so low that people would reach up and write their names and comments on the ceiling.

Len Knecht purchased the log cabin-style tavern from Leon and Freida and decided to modernize it in 1967. In doing so he tore down the building and constructed the current cinder block building that exists today and named the business “Len’s Haven”. In 1973 Jim Bartle purchased the tavern and returned the name to the original “The Haven Tavern.”

Jim’s nicknames of Beetle, Beet, or Dizzy Beetle came from his association with the Kingsmen Car Club in Parkland. Everybody had a nickname in the car club and most people knew him 1977 Haven Pub Slowpitch Team— as Beetle, the cigar-smoking bartender.

16th Place-Men’s Open National Championships-Parma, OH Beetle’s first involvement with slowpitch Back row l. to r.: Tony Roseli (mgr), Mike Holland, Tim Thompson, Mark Belvin, Mike began when games were played at Peck Field Williams, Steve Luhtala, Gary Jones, and Jim Frame. Bottom row l. to r.: John Moran, in Tacoma with a 14” ball. In the county, before Joe Kilby, Dan Luhtala, Fran Luhtala, Skip Thiel, Sandy Sessler, and John Bilski.

Sprinker Recreation Center opened up in 1969 under the direction of Vern Morris and Denny Temple. games were played at Breseman’s Park (later “Slowpitch has been a wonderful and exciting part of my renamed Spanaway Park), Gonyea Playfield in Parkland, Dawson Playfield at 90th & Portland Avenue, and at Western State Hospital life since the late ‘60’s, first as a player and then as a sponsor. My first four years in slowpitch were as a left fielder for Len’s Haven

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Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued and as the tournament director for the Len’s Haven Tavern Invitational Tournament which started in 1969”, recalled Beetle.

Besides sponsoring a men’s team in the top Western Washington League at Sprinker, in the early 70’s, Jim also sponsored a top level women’s slowpitch team and for two years he sponsored a team made up of PLU students that were coached by John Zamberlin who went on to play linebacker for the New England Patriots.

Beetle also gave monies to help little league sports in the community when approach by their coaches.

Under Jim’s sponsorship the “Haven” team flourished and played 1973 Len’s Haven—Back row l. to r.: Denny Connolly, Jim Furlong, Mark Belvin, Elton Schmitt, their way to Regional competition Rollie Moore, Dale Failey. Front row l. to r.: Kennie Barrett (botboy), Mic Calhoun, Cal Goings, and in 1977 they participated at the Jerry Nelson, Dave Holme, Gary Christiansen, Curt Goings (batboy). Not pictured: Lonnie Weir, AA Nationals in Parma, OH. The club, Jerry Brodigan, and Tim Chandler. under coach Fran Luhtala, won the spots on the regional All-Star team were Mark Belvin, Gary Jones, Northwest AA Regional championships in Spokane winning five straight games enroute to the title. Earning Steve Luhtala and Mike Holland.

Carol Bartle remembers that “Beet always felt strongly about his team and on more than one occasion he would go nose to nose with an umpire. I remember one particular game at Sprinker when Jim was so mad about a call that he threw down his glove and jumped up and down while telling the umpire what he thought.

He didn’t stick around however as the umpire promptly tossed him out!” In this day and age of players jumping from one team to the next on a regular basis, amazingly enough, all of Beetle’s years involved in slowpitch were with one team and ONLY one team—The Haven Tavern.

Dan Luhtala, who played on Jim’s teams, briefly owned the tavern but on December 1, 2004 Annette Smith took over ownership of what is now called The Haven Pub. She and sister, Anita, offer great food, lots of fun, and a friendly atmosphere just like the good old days and they have continued a tradition of being supportive of community programs and sponsoring slowpitch teams.

Joe Kilby

Joe Kilby

Dan Luhtala

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COACH HOUSE & TACOMA OFFICE SUPPLY SLOWPITCH TEAMS WERE A RECKONED FORCE IN THE EARLY 1970’S The Coach House slowpitch softball team rose to prominence in Tacoma in the early 1970s when Marco Hernando, drawn by the bright lights illuminating Peck Field for evening slowpitch games and the enthusiasm of players and fans, decided to form a team.

Since longshoremen often gathered at the Coach House Restaurant on Pacific Avenue after work, Marco asked the owner, Vern Olin, if he would sponsor the team. Vern agreed and in 1968 and 1969, Coach House was made up entirely of Tacoma longshoremen. They played 14-inch 1971 COACH HOUSE SLOWPITCH TEAM—Back row l. to r.: Dave Kancianich, Jerry Henkel, slowpitch. They were the Industrial Denny Miller, Monte O’Brien, Ed Lowery, Denny Snell, Mike Holland, Larry Joy and Bob Cason.

League champions both years and Front row l. to r.: Mark O’Brien, Rick Welfringer, Al Carlson, Don Stewart, Brian “Butch” Brenno, Marco Hernando and John Thoma. Photo courtesy of Kancianich and McGrath. won several tournaments.

Before the 1970 season, the and continued to be outstanding. team added players to their roster who were not Tacoma longFrom 1970 through 1972, Coach House won the openshoremen and thus were not eligible to compete in the industrial division title and the prestigious Tacoma Invitational Tournament league. The team played in the open-division league at Peck Field three consecutive years.

Slowpitch in Tacoma-Pierce County continued to join the Schooner Tavern team.

The remaining Coach House players formed a new team—Tacoma Office Supply—with Dick Marzano continuing as player-coach.

1n 1975, the Tacoma Office Supply won the regular 12-inch Class A season at Sprinker and the postseason tourney led by tournament MVP John Thoma, who hit .500 with five round-trippers and 15 rbi’s, TOS then proceeded to win the 12-inch ASA Class A regional tournament beating a Montana entry 24–13 in the finals. The regional win qualified the team for the national tournament in Providence, Rhode Island where Tacoma Office Supply finished ninth 1975 Tacoma Office Supply-Northwest Class A Regional Champions Front Row l. to r.: Jim Darland, John Marzano, Howard Schantz (Sponsor), Ron Jakes and out of 62 teams.

Dick Marzano (Coach). Back Row l. to r.: John Thoma, Rusty Bass, Russ Baker, Larry Marshall, Dick Tomko, Larry Joy, Bob Tibbits, and Bob Mitchell.

In 1971 Coach House won six consecutive games to capture the prestigious Tacoma Invitational. Bob Cason, picked up from Western Washington League to join Coach House for the tournament, was MVP. He hit 5 home runs and had 19 RBI in six games. In the first of the championship games versus Sump’s, catcher Don Stewart won it with a bottom-of-the-seventh grand slam.

In 1972, Ed McGrath was named the Tacoma Invitational MVP after going 14-for-18 with 12 home runs and 19 RBI as Coach House beat ITT Rayonier of Hoquiam 15–2 for the men’s title.

In 1972 and 1973, Coach House played several 12-inch tournaments at Sprinker and it created a problem for the team as they were not being invited back to play as many 14-inch slowpitch tournaments.

Before the start of the 1974 softball season, several Coach House team members decided

1976 TACOMA OFFICE SUPPLY—Front row l. to r.: Russ Baker, Bob Hyppa, Ron Jakes, Bob Mitchell and Ed McGrath. Back row l. to r.: Mark Ross, John Thoma, Larry Joy, Rusty Bass, John Marzano, Dick Marzano and Jim Darland.

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SHAUB-ELLISION-VERN’S TRANMISSIONWHITE HORSE TAVERN-BERGY’S TAVERNTHE STRAP/PIERCE COUNTY MERCHANTS-PC MERCHANTS Rizz, Buster, Loff, T-Dub, Easy, Alice, Kahuna, Mongo, Pinky, Brew, Wayne Cody, Heanius Erectus, Sparky, Shaubie, “C”, Foo, Taz, Mouse, Sut, Slash, Rain, Shine, Big Al, The Inspector, Flake, Stewy, Dubie, Bosko, Fast Eddie, Fab, Geno, Hot Corner Bake, Cornfield, Dunzy, TK, Crow, Moose, Goremahn, Liener, Gumby, Skimo, Sorey, Rat, Zam, Juanie, Panama Jack, Jaws, Laws, Little Man, Fridge, Whitey, Magpie, Cordon Jackson, Gu, Hagman, Nellie, Mitchell, Doc, Scotty, Wags.....

WHO ARE THESE GUYS? Well, the team started out in 1971 as Simon’s Tack ‘n Togs and they struggled to a 4–6 record playing on outlying fields in Tacoma.

Thanks to the owner of Shaub-Ellison Tire, whose son Dave was the starting shortstop, they took on sponsorship of the team that enjoyed a successful run from 1972–1980 under the same banner. 1976 Shaub-Ellison—Front row l. to r.: Frank Zderic, Randy Sherman, Don Stewart, Eddie Rose, Dave Shaub and Bill Holland. Back row l. to r.: Larry Suhrer, Jim “Soupy” Nine seasons of winning records with a successful Sayles, Denny Callaghan, Dan Sherman, Marc Blau and Lee Burhre. transition to the 12” game.

A one-year stint as the White Horse Tavern another Westin Buckley resulted in a 51–23 record, their best in over 35 years ern World of competition. That was followed by three years as Vern’s Transtourney where mission Service thanks to Vern Keister, a longtime ballplayer in the trying to figure area, whose son, Terry, patrolled left field and ended his career out where to as the all-time home run hitter. drink was A couple of seasons as Bergy’s Tavern were followed by The more chalStrap/Pierce County Merchants and finally just the P.C. Merchants lenging than (we were older and this was easier to remember). th e g am es.

The team was sprinkled with vets along the way who counPerhaps the selled the young guys on the correct way to play the game. Ken pinnacle of Vogt, Don Stewart, Jack Mattoni, Dick Zierman, Gary Diel and Ken success was Laase were among these oldtimers. in 1984 when The team played in the first USSSA tournament in Washingthe underdog ton in 1980 finishing second and earning a trip to the USSSA WestVern’s Trans- Dancing in Salt Lake City. ern C Worlds in Sparks, NV. They also competed in Salt Lake City in mission team finished third in the ASA Western National Class B tournament at SERA. In their later years, the team also won several USSSA State Masters championships.

The team was defined by a family atmosphere that saw moms in stands regularly cheering on their men, kids in uniform, epic team parties complete with hilarious and embarrassing award ceremonies, pool and hot tub parties, drinking beer out of cleats to celebrate a walk-off HR tournament title and over 35 years of team, individual season and career stats that left guys constantly checking to see if they had moved up on the all-time list.

That all-time list wasn’t necessarily desirable as it included the career leader for errors 1984 Vern’s Transmission—Front row l. to r.: Bob Sutphin, Scott Logan, Steve Laughlin, made and most fines paid. Other highlights Ron Hansen, John Sandusky and Buster McGehee. Back row l. to r.: Vern Keister, included scoring 15 runs in one inning, scoring Terry Keister, Tracy Wolcott, Butch Williams, Larry Lien, Mark Smith and Marc Blau.

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The “Farm” team.

24 in a losing cause, scoring 40 runs in a winning cause, getting 11 consecutive singles in one game, having our pitcher toss a nohitter and having our sons join us on the field in our waning years.

WHO ARE THESE GUYS? The cast of characters included, but is not limited to, Dave Shaub, Eddie Rose, Rick Fabiani, Denny Callaghan, Ken Heany, Chuck Hagstrom, Larry Suher, Soupy Sayles, Dan Sherman, Terry Keister, Tracy Wolcott, Steve Laughlin, Rick Rasmussen, Scott Shaub, Mike Dunbar, Lee Buhre, Mike Brewer, Buster McGehee, Mike Maiuri, Bill Hanson, Doug Cail, Al Cail, Ron Hansen, Lee McGehee, Bob Sutphin, Tim Whitehouse John Sandusky, Scott Logan, Mark Wagner, Mason Elvrom, Phil Sorenson, Butch Williams, Larry Lien, Bill Melton, Mic Calhoun, John Mello, Dick Arneberg, Dale Arneberg, Kevin Dykman, John Zamberlin, Dave Lawson, Scott Hall, Jack Nelson, Don Gustafson, Mike Scott, Eric Guenther, Randy Nixon, Denny Snell, Bob Lee, Jerry Crawford, Rick McLaughlin, Rob McAvoy, Brian McAvoy Bernie Gorman, Bob Sonneman, Nick Dawson and coach/general manager/stats freak Marc Blau. Those were the good old days.

Skimo looks on as Rizz, Mouse snd Sparky enjoy the fruits of a walk-off victory!

2010 Pierce County Merchants—Front row l. to r.: Jeff Logan, Chad Blau, Brian McAvoy, Nick Dawson, and Scott Logan. Back row l. to r.: Dave Lawson, Eric Guenther, Doug Cail, Marc Blau, Don Gustafson, Denny Snell, Bob Lee, Jack Nelson, Greg Logan, Mike Scott and Chuck Hagstrom.

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Nicky’s Tavern and Tacoma Truss The team that was known as Tacoma Truss in the mid to late 70’s was started by a group of guys from Fife and friends in 1973. This group liked to play ball and have fun. This passion continued throughout their existence.

In 1973 they played for Nicky’s Tavern, a favorite “watering hole” in Fife. The following year, the same group of guys played for Jasmer’s Texaco, a gas station in Spanaway. Bill Jasmer was the sponsor, as his brother’s, Steve and Dennis, were team members.

From 1975 to 1979 the team played under the sponsorship of Tacoma Truss. The highlight of this team was 1975. After compiling a 27–17 record, they qualified for the Northwest Class A Slowpitch Tournament. Although they didn’t place in this tournament, the team enjoyed success throughout their existence. Though most of the games were played in the Tacoma area, throughout the years the team did participate in tournaments in Ferndale, Yakima, and Longview.

NICKY’S TAVERN—Front Row l. to r.: John Hansen, Lou Ulrich, Bob Lightfoot, Rick Thomas and Terry Gustafson. Back Row l. to r.: Larry Hutchnson, Mick Spane, Gary Reiersgard, Steve Jasmer and Russ Lightfoot.

1975 TACOMA TRUSS SYSTEMS—Front row l. to r.: Dennis Jasmer, Lou Ulrich, Rick Thomas, Bob Lightfoot, Terry Gustafson, Russ Lightfoot.

Back row l. to r.: Larry Hutchinson, Ted Sorenson, Gary Reiersgard, Mick Spane, John Hansen, Steve Jasmer.

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Little Vic’s Midland Tavern

By Dan Caramandi

In 1976 the old Midland Tavern team folded and a new team “Little Vic’s Midland Tavern” was formed, coached by Dan Caramandi and sponsored by Vic Eshpeter. The team was predominately made up of Washington and Franklin Pierce High School graduates, over the years adding a player or two.

In that first season together; 1976, Little Vic’s went 57–13 with four first place tournament finishes and a 10–0 league record.

From 1977–1981 while still playing for Little Vic’s Midland Tavern the team amassed over 275 victories and won 18 more tournaments.

Vic’s was known for its great defense, timely hitting and never beating themselves. Never known as a “power” team, that didn’t keep them from going to Fort Dent and playing against the big boys.

They thrived on the competition.

In 1981, their last year as Little 1980 Little Vic’s Midland Tavern after winning the first of two championships at the Moses Vic’s, they went to Las Vegas to play in the Lake Invitational. L. to R.: Tim Martin, Ric Shadle, Jim Ehlers, Dan Kitts, Dan Valentine, Jim USSSA B Western World tournament with Rouse, Dan Caramandi, Alan Ketter and Ron McLaren. over 100 teams. They lost their first game of the tournament and came back through the loser’s bracket to place fourth.

What made their comeback even more remarkable was they only hit two home runs the entire tournament—back-to-back solo shots in that losing first game.

While the team was made up of 12 individuals they all knew their role and did what was needed to win. As Coach Dan Caramandi put it, “we had 10 huge egos on the field at a time and nobody wanted to be the reason for a loss. That’s what made us so good.”

In 1982 Little Vic’s folded and became Wilson Homes for one season and then became M&R Lighting in 1983.

Even with the new sponsorships the team was always known as “Vic’s”. Their brand of slowpitch was unique in those days...

Coach Dan Caramandi and sponsor Vic Eshpeter hoist another 1st Place Trophy in Puyallup Eagles invite. The new Little Vic’s under the managing of Dan Caramandi went 57–13 in 1976 capturing 1st Place in 7 Invitational Tournament. They won the same tournament in 1977.

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1977 Little Vic’s Midland Tavern—Front Row l. to r.: Ron McLaren, Dan Caramandi, Marc Guild, Tony Corso and Bryan Gaume. Back Row l. to r.: Jim Rouse, James Groh, Jim Ehlers, Dave Hofner, Kenny Stevenson and Rick Guild.

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The Family

By John Ladenburg

The Tacoma slow-pitch team “The Family” was started in 1976 by John and Frank Ladenburg and became one of the best-known teams in Washington State. The Ladenburgs started a sports non-profit group and started raising money through gambling fundraising then only available to non-profits. They did this so they could control the team, its finances and it’s play. They didn’t want the usual business sponsor. The result was a team that was funded at about $7000.00 a year, giving them more equipment, uniforms, and travel than most.

The Family was named so because John and Frank wanted to have their brothers, cousins and close friends on the team. Remarkably, they had seven other brothers besides themselves. The nine Ladenburg brothers, several cousins and two friends formed The Family.

The Family played in several softball formats, the first being 14-inch ball slow pitch which was actually invented in Tacoma for Peck Field. The Ladenburgs grew up several blocks away. In 1981, The Family became the only Tacoma team to win the Washington State 14-inch slow-pitch championship.

They went on to play in eight State Championship tourneys, win Tacoma championships six times, and play tournaments all over the State. The team begin to play 12-inch slow pitch, collecting four City titles there and also winning three modified fast pitch Tacoma titles. All together, they collected 96 trophies over 15 years of play. In 1983, the Tacoma News Tribune did an article about the unusual team of nine brothers.

Besides the nine brothers, the Ladenburg fam- The Ladenburg Family l. to r.: Mike, Dan, George, David, Dale Frank, Alan, Barry, and John with parents Frank and Lucille. ily had seven sisters (yes, 16 in all). Naturally they formed a women’s team that went on to win four co-ed team that won three city championships.

Tacoma city championships. The two teams also combined for a In 1988, The Family became the only slow pitch team featured in an article in Sports Illustrated, and they were also featured on the Good Morning, America show along with a show on National Public Radio. In 2011, the Tacoma Rainiers featured The Family at a special night at Cheney Stadium to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of their State Championship and remarkable success.

The Ladenburg brothers are in the white pinstripes. Front row l. to r.: Barry, Frank, and Dale. Second row l. to r.: John, father Frank and mother Lucille, George and Mike.Third row l. to r.: David, Dale and Dan.The Ladenburg sisters from the women’s team in the green and white uniforms are left to right: Barbara, Kathy, Mary Jane, Marlene, Lissa and Nadine.The guys in the green jackets are additional Left to right: Barry (0), John (13), Mike (11), George members of the men’s team, some friends and cousins. The rest are Ladenburg (3), Frank (8), Dan (5), David (15), Dale (9), Alan (12). family nieces, nephews and cousins.

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CODY’S TAVERN/JUSTUS CEDAR HOMES—1978–79 In its powerhouse 1978 and 1979 seasons, 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.

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.

Team members on the Cody’sJustus team had many 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 clubs.

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, 1979 CODY’S TAVERN/JUSTUS CEDAR HOMES SLOWPITCH TEAM—Front row l. to r.: Skip Thiel, who were named “All-World” at national 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, tournaments. Jones, a first baseman, Brad Huffman and Dick Zurfluh.Back row l. to r.: Jim Hadland, Larry Lynott and Dave Roller. went 16-for-24 to win the 1979 national tournament batting title.

Belvin, Mel Burrell, Dale Failey, Dan Greco (dec.), Jim Hadland, At the 1979 national tournament in North Carolina, Cody’s Tim Thompson, Greg “Lumpy” Johnson (dec.), Gary “Rhino” Jones, fourth place finish was the best placing of any local team compet- Wayne Knippel, Dan Luhtala, Larry Lynott, Dave Roller, Skip Thiel ing nationally at the sport’s highest level. and Dick Zurfluh (mgr-dec.).

The roster included: Jerry Archer, Doug Armstrong, Mark

The Men in Blue—and Two Women We’d be remiss by not giving tribute to the many umpires who tolerated and/or enjoyed umpiring slowpitch games in the 70s and 80s. They hustled, were in position and many of them not only handled the good-natured complaining by coaches and players but they welcomed it. Why? Because if was fun and entertaining a vast majority of the time.

Ron Adams, Joe Bailey, Clarence Edwards, John Everett, Rick Fox, Ron Grassi, Paul Gustafson, Dick Hassan, Don Herron, John “Doc” Holliday, Earl Hyder, Lee Jones, Dave Kerrone, Ken Laase, J.B. Layne, Bruce Ledbetter, Craig Lowry, Bob Maguinez, Jim Mashburn, Lornie Merkle, Frank Morrone, Ken Murrie, Don Norrell, Bob Nugent, Jim Oleole, Fran Pinch b e c k , J o h n P r e g e n z e r, J o e R a c q u e r, G e r r y Re d b u r g , Hal Rios, Chuck Ruth, Dave Van Hulle, Art Viafore, Dick Webster, Bill Wetzler, Milt Jones, Bob Royal, Aaron Pointer, Tom Slee…and Umpire Joe Bailey make the call as Earl Hyder gets ready to Melodie Fox and Lola Morrone.

“turn two” as shortstop Ken DeForrest looks on during the 1972 Northwest Region 27 tournament played at Sprinker Recreation Center.

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Slowpitch Players Die in Plane Crash On Friday, August 18, 1978, five members of the Tacoma Slo-Pitch softball team lost their lives when their twin engine Cessna 320 light plane crashed near Anaconda, MT, 22 miles short of their destination in Butte. The players were on their way to compete in the Northwest Regional Men’s Major Slowpitch tournament that weekend.

Dead were Whit Hemion, 31; Steve B r e b n e r, 2 3 ; Ron Oughton, Mike Birchler, and Jeff Boness, all 27 and all from Tacoma.

Hemion graduated from Lakes high and was the head basketball Whit Hemion, Jr. coach the previous year at Clover Park High School. Oughton, a Clover Ron Oughton Park high grad, played basketball at

USSSA State of Washington Hall of Fame Members YEAR 1993 1994 1994 1995 1995 1997 1997 1997 1998 2001 2003 2006 2006 2006 2008 2008 2010 2010

HONOREE Steve Shackett Kathy Hemion Dan Lowery Rich Van Dyk Ken Laase Steve Kitchen Dan Valentine Owen Shackett Rob Davis Aaron Pointer Dan Luhtala Jerry Henderson Joe Bailey Steve Bull Todd Cooley Marc Blau Dan Cooley John Everett

CATEGORY Manager Female Player Male Player Male Player Umpire Sponsor Male Player Special Male Player Special Male Player Male Player Umpire Male Player Male Player Special Male Player Umpire

Tacoma Community College and was a two-year started at the University of Puget Sound in 1971–72 and 1972–73.

Birchler competed in track at Lincoln and Brebner was a varsity wrestler at Wilson. Boness was a graduate of Mt. Rainier high and played baseball at Green River CC. Other members of the Tacoma Slo-Pitch team that drove to Butte included pitcher Joe Kreger, Gary Lakin, Dick Samlaska, Jerry Henderson, former Tacoma Twin Mike Brooks, and scorekeeper Gary Holt.

Another player, Butch Pasquale, was Mike Birchler scheduled to be on the plane but at the last minute decided not to fly.

The Tacoma Slo-Pitch team was one of the top softball teams in the Northwest and was expected to compete for top honors. Two other Tacoma-area teams in the tournament included defending champions The Haven Tavern and Tacoma Office Supply.

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TACOMA FIREFIGHTER SLOWPITCH TEAM TOPS IN STATE FROM 1978–1980 The Tacoma Firefighters slowpitch softball team was the product of a childhood friendship between Ken DeForrest and Dave Wilsie, carried out years later when the duo reunited as members of the Tacoma Fire Department. After growing up playing sports at the various Boy’s Clubs in Tacoma, both joined the TFD in the mid-1970s and expressed a desire to form a slowpitch team with members of the department.

DeForrest and Wilsie began organizing the team in the fall of 1976, built a team comprised entirely from professional firefighters at TFD and worked quickly to improve and become competitive.

In 1977 the team played mostly in state firefighters 12-inch and 14-inch tournaments. With the rotating schedules of firefighters, it proved challenging to schedule practice times our travel 1980 TACOMA FIREFIGHTERS—Back row l. to r.: Dick Moore, Ken DeForrest, out of town for weekend tournaments but TFD su- Dave Wilsie, Gary Schiesz, Dave Carr, Jim Hook, and Tim Chandler. pervisors and officers were helpful in that regard. Front row l. to r.: Mike Krueger, Bob Schierman, Dave Deskins, Ralph Guelfi, Bob The team dominated the regional firefighter Bender, and Ron Stephens. slowpitch circuit, winning state and local tournathe Tacoma Dome. In 1986, TFD defeated the Bellevue Firefighters ments from 1977–80 and winning berths to the ASA National in “Fireball Classic III.” Tournaments five times between 1977 and 1985. In 1978 the Over the years, the team was sponsored by Foss Tire and team traveled to the International Firefighters’ Tournament in B&I Sports, and Mac Northwest helped promote the three Fireball Bowie, Md., and placed fifth out of 49 teams.

Classic series at the Tacoma Dome..

The Tacoma Firefighters played in the first slowpitch games Team members included Ken DeForrest, Bob Bender, Dave ever held at the Tacoma Dome in 1984. Called the “Fireball ClasCarr, Tim Chandler, Dave Deskins, Ralph Guelfi, Jim Hook, Mike sic I,” the series pitted TFD against the Seattle Firefighters team Krueger, Dick Moore, Bob Schierman, Gary Shiesz, Ron Stephens in two seven-inning games with a three-inning tiebreaker. The and Dave Wilsie.

Seattle Firefighters prevailed in the tiebreaker, but TFD returned the favor the following year in “Fireball Classic II,” defeating SFD at

38th St. Shell The 38th Street Shell slowpitch team morphed from the early 1980s as North’s Chuckwagon to the EZXpeditors from 2001–2012. In between they played under the moniker of Rhinos and the White Spot but their greatest success came as the 38th Street Shell ballclub playing ASA, USSSA and NSA tournaments on a regular basis and averaging over 80 games a season.

Primarily a tournament team, 38th Street Shell played in the top league at SERA “for practice”. The doubleheader league was one of the top leagues in the area with the keen competition a perfect test to prepare for weekend supremacy on the softball fields throughout the state. 1984 was a dominant year for the team as they won the preseason and post-season tournaments to go along with claiming a championship in the top league at SERA. Throughout the 80s they also earned multiple state and regional berths.

38th Street Shell—1984 Post-Season Tournament Champions Back row l. to r.: Gary Wilbur, Pat Lambert, Bob Lambert, Paul Stabbert (44), Joe Fox, Mike Wilson (player-sponsor), Andy Hill. Terry Genow (24), Wayne Egbert (22) and Chris White (5). Front row l. to r.: Chris Fox, Dan Lowery, Troy Rasmussen and Jay Rothermel.

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Half Century Plus Slowpitch League In 1991 the Pierce County Parks & Recreation Department offered the first Half Century Plus slowpitch league for men and women ages 55 and over and in 2003 the program had over 200 players representing 12 different teams.

Over a five-year period, starting in 1996, the most dominate team in the program was Meridian Center Electric with a record of 97–1 This team played no tournam ents, however several players on this team played senior softball at the highest level for a number of years. Norm Reed coached and was versatile enough to play wherever he was needed and pitcher Bob Young was the

assistant coach. Other players included Jan Wolcott (3B), Jerry Thacker (SS), Hank Jarvits (2B), Bill Zimmerman (OF), Bill Meyer (C), Lyle Montgomery (1B), Butch McCuaig (OF), Dale Harris (3B), Jim Warter (OF), Rob Davis (P-INF) and Rudy (C) .

The masters slowpitch program has continued to flourish since the mid-90s and Tacomans who have participated on Senior Softball National Championship teams include Joe Stortini, Bill Winter, Chip Cipriano, Lynn Larson, Jim Peterson, Bill Fleener, Bill Wheeler, Earl Birnel, Jack Scott, Jerry Thacker, Bob Young, Dick O’Brien, Ron Mattila and Bill Meyer among others.

2002 Half Century Plus League

GRANDPA’S-1992 PIERCE COUNTY LEAGUE CHAMPIONS HALF-CENTURY PLUS SLOWPITCH LEAGUE— Front row l. to r.: Ed Niehl, Nick Takacs Doug Howard, Jack Kennedy, Dick Hansch and Lyle Arkell. Back row l. to r.: John Ostrander, Oscar Springsteen, Earl Kuper, Bob Kuper, Ken Kuper, Don Summers and Gene Williams. Missing: Joe Peyton, Ron Anable and Patti Graham.

BULL’S EYE-1997 SLOWPITCH TEAM HALF-CENTURY PLUS SLOWPITCH LEAGUE Front row l. to r.: Louie Sanquirico, Ken Olive, Eldon Chadwick, Dick Hansch, Doug Howard and Ed Niehl.Back row l. to r.: Clyde Byrd, Loyd Johnson, Oscar Springsteen, Phil Milton, Ken Kuper, Nick Takacs and Don Summers.

Call now to register… first meeting is August 24th.

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

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JOESEPPI’S SYNONYMOUS WITH CHAMPIONS Reprinted from 2008 Oldtimers program If Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante served breakfast, Wheaties would be on the menu, no doubt.

Talk about a Breakfast of Champions?

Joeseppi’s 70+ softball team is one championship machine to talk about as well. . They won 10 tournaments all over the country in 2007 while racking-up 82 wins and 28 losses. 110 games is quite an undertaking when your players are all 70 years of age or more.

Those 28 losses are a bit misleading, too.

Most of them came in league competition against teams as young as 55 years of age. When it came to Senior competition, however, the champs were among the best in the entire country. The tourna-

1970 JOESEPPI’S—Back row l. to r.: Jack Scott, Al Brotherton, Bon Lycan, Bill Wheeler, Jim Petersen, Tom Davis, Lynn Larsen, Jim Douglas and Norm Hultez.

Front row l. to r.: Stafford Jones, Bill Winter, Frank Perdue, Joe Stortini, Jim Downs, Al Schell and Bill Brotten.

ments they won provide the evidence. They defeated New Jersey 8–2 to capture the Senior World Series (70+) in Mankato, Minnesota. They won the National Senior Championship in Phoenix, Arizona and took the Gold Medal at the Huntsman Games in St. George, Utah.

In tuning-up for those achievements, Joeseppi’s swept all opposition in winning the Washington State Senior Games in Shelton, the Northwest Senior Championships in Portland, and the Western Nationals in Reno, Nevada.

A half-dozen Pierce County athletes form the nucleus of the Joeseppi’s team.

They are Lynn Larson, Jim Petersen, Jack Scott, Joe Stortini, Bill Wheeler and Bill Winter. Combined they represent more than 200 years of experience in America’s favorite pastime.

Stortini (former UPS and Lincoln high football and baseball star) is the playercoach and one of the team’s top hitters. Winter has 15 national or world championship rings (and two watches). Larson, a retired Civil Engineer with the City of Tacoma, Joltin Joe Stortini. has starred in softball locally for 48 years. Wheeler has played softball for 50 years and retired from the Washington State Patrol and the New York City Police Department. Peterson is a retired Air Force Colonel and a member of the Fresno State Baseball Hall of Fame. Scott, the former basketball coach at Fort Steilacoom C.C. and Seattle’s Garfield high, has been one of the top softball players in the country for many years.

That sixsome has shared a lot of “Senior Moments” together, and most of them have been championship ones.

2004 Half Century Plus LeagUe

Scrapbook–Looking back

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GREAT TEAMS, GREAT PLAYERS There have been many great slowpitch teams, players, coaches, and umpires involved over the years. The top league in Tacoma in 1966 was the Metro League and the competition was keen amongst the Player’s Tavern, McKnight’s Foods, Pee Wee Tavern, Lake City, Frisko Freeze, Cloverleaf Tavern, and Shorty Rheas, Alfred’s Café was the 1966 Commercial League champions, Ben Dew’s won the Rainier League title, the 48th Street Tavern was crowned the Cascade League champs, Frank & Mike’s won the Municipal League title over the B&I Sparkle Cleaners entry, the Gig Harbor Merchants took top honors in the County American League, North End Merchants bested Schwinn Bikes for the Evergreen championship, and Knights of Columbus took top honors in the Commercial League.

Many of the players were household names following starstudded high school, college and even pro careers such as Dale Bloom, Dave Kerrone, Jim Van Beek, Art Viafore, Chris Cherbas, Dick Palamidessi, Merle Hagbo, Vern Morris, Al Brisbois, Lynn Larson, John Pregenzer, Monte O’Brien, Dean Haner, Bill Hain, Phil Jordan, Rod Keough, Bob Maguinez, Stan Naccarato, Vic Cozzetti, Jack Stonestreet, Bob Corcoran, Mel Manley, Roger Iverson, and even “Irish” Pat McMurtry who traded in his boxing gloves for a baseball glove with the Bernies & Stanley’s club.

The 1970’s era included noteworthy teams such as the Heidelberg, Lucky Lager, Wested Tire, Cloverleaf Tavern, Emry Motors, Durobilt Furniture, The Haven Pub, Murrey’s Garbage Service, Hi Hat, Coach House, People’s Church, Home Plate Tavern, Sons of Italy, Little Jim’s Pub, Poodle Dog, Jerry’s Tomboy, Back Forty Tavern, Dean’s Tavern, Champions’s Athletic Supply, Schooner Tavern, Spar Tavern, 2121 Tavern, Villa Bowl, Lakewood Villa Stereo, Waller Road Exxon, Cody’s, Spanaway Furniture, Spanaway Exchange Tavern, Evergreen Excavation, Michael’s 11–11 Tavern, El Hutchos, Kopey’s Restaurant, Gremlins, Magoo’s Pub, and the Puyallup Eagles and the list continued to rapidly expand.

1965 EMRY MOTORS Champions of the Pierce County Men’s Slowpitch League Front row l. to r.: Gary During, John Carnino, Jack Ross, David Baker and Russ Rudolph. Back row l. to r.: Bobby Knick, Scott Waddell, Jim Wolcott, Jan Wolcott, Gene Emry and Lloyd Livernash.

1973 OLDTIMERS SLOWPITCH TEAM—Back row l. to r.: Bob Ross, Al Maul, Marty Erdahl, Gene Lundgaard, Bill Hain, Jack Johnson and Tom Cross. Front row l. to r.: Dick Webster, Joe Stortini, Phil Misley, Ron Storaasli, and Merle Hagbo.

1967 EMRY MOTORS—Participated in the Metro League at Peck Field. Advance to the Regionals but did not place.

Front row l. to r.: Joe Van Hoof, Russ Rudolph, Dave Brewer, Gary Schilling, Chuck Hobbs and Tracy Wolcott.

Back row l. to r.: Paul Martin, Gary Gregg, Jim Wolcott, John Roney, Black Backman and Jan Wolcott.

1969 EMRY MOTORS—Competed in the Western Washington League at Sprinker Recreation Center.

Advanced to the Regionals in Bremerton but did not place.

Front row l. to r.: Ken Laase, David Baker, Earl Hyder, Russ Rudolph and Gary Schilling. Back row l. to r.: Mike McKay, Dave Brewer, Jim Wolcott, Tom Adams and Jan Wolcott.

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1970 EMRY MOTORS— Western Washington League co-champions at Sprinker Center.

Third Place-Regional Tournament in Salem, OR. Front row l. to r.: Jim Wolcott, Jim Pelander, Russ Rudolph, David Baker and Mike McKay. Back row l. to r.: Don Stewart, Gary Schilling, Tom Adams, Ken DeForrest, Jan Wolcott and Earl Hyder.

1971 LUCKY LAGER —Front row l. to r.: Dick Webster, Jerry Archer, Carlos Canty, Jim Pelander, Chico Canty, Ken DeForrest and Earl Hyder. Back row l. to r.: Gary Schilling, Dave Voss, Dave Wilsie, Tom Adams, Doug Armstrong, Dave Carr and Jim Wolcott.

1972 HARMON RENTALS—Front row l. to r.: Jim Baurichter, Tom Westbrook, Mike McKay, Jan Wolcott and John Hansen.

Back row l. to r.: Bob Hyppa, Mark Ross, Aaron Pointer, Jim Wolcott, Mick Spane and Tracy Wolcott.

1965 Lillywhite Slowpitch Team—Front row l. to r.: Al Kollar, Mike O’Neal, Ed Imhoff, Ken Christenson and John Seldon.

Back row l. to r.: Dan Greco, Bob Lucey, Mel Burrell, Sully Hester, Dave Roller and Jerry Archer.

MCKNIGHTS FOODS SLOWPITCH TEAM—Back row l. to r.: Ken Jones, Jerry Foss, Bud Reed, Ron Moseson, Butch Pasquale, Bobby Grant, and Bill Royne. Front row l. to r.: Skip Gillis, Lee McKnight, Jim McCuen , Ken Alban and Bill Thomson.

1972 WESTERN WASHINGTON LEAGUE-ALL STAR FIRST TEAM Top row l. to r.: Vern Morris, Dave Benedict, Jan Wolcott, Tom Brown, Bill Murphy, Dick Zierman, Bob Grant, Brian Zacharias, Butch Pasquale, Dave Carr, Ken Schulz, and Art McLarney.

Front row l. to r.: Jerry Thacker, Gene Rasmussen, Dick Samlaska, Earl Hyder, and Don Stewart.

Scrapbook—Looking back continued

1972 WESTERN WASHINGTON LEAGUE ALL STARS-2ND TEAM Front row l. to r.: Gary Schilling, Ed Burmester, Fran Luhtala, Jerry Archer and Jerry Brodigan. Middle row l. to r.: Carlos Canty, Joe Kreger, Mel Burrell, John Peterson and Jerry Nelson.

Back row l. t r.: Dick Halleen, Doug Armstrong, Don Yakovich and Ken DeForrest.

1973 DUROBILT FURNITURE—Front row l. to r.: Brian Meidinger, Paul Gustafson, Dennis Cartwright, Al Scott (coach), Mark Wojohn, Art McLarney and Tom Lester. Back row l. to r.: Jack Mattoni, Gary Fultz, Larry Fejfar, Chuck Hagerman, Doug Cail, Dave “Chief” Brewer and unidentified (brother-in-law of Meidinger).

1973 WESTED TIRE SLOWPITCH TEAM—Back row l. to r.: George Turner, Cap Peterson, Dick Halleen, Ron Herbel, Bill Royne, and Don Yakovich. Front row l. to r.: Steve Frazer, Jerry Hoxsey, Ken Jones, Jerry Foss and Bob Gagnon.

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1973 CLOVERLEAF TAVERN—Front row l. to r.: Randy Nixon, Greg “Lumpy” Johnson, Jim McCuen, Ron Schmidtke, Ed Burmester and Jerry Archer. Back row l. to r.: Mel Burrell, Wayne Knipple, Doug Armstrong, Dave Roller, Dave “Coyote” Benedict, Ken Stevenson and Dave Carr.

Congratulations to all of the players that competed over the years representing Foss Tire.

Thanks for the memories Sharlene Foss

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Scrapbook—Looking back continued

1973 SCHOONER TAVERN—Front row l. to r.: Mike O’Shea, Don Martonik, Frank O’Leary, Don Kitchen, Bob Foster, Rick Welfringer and Bob Elvrom. Back row l. to r.: Doug Wenk, Don Stewart, Dave Carlisle, Ed McGrath, Ron Oughton, Larry Lynott, Ken DeForrest, Mason Elvrom and Dennis Oughton.

Rita and Don Kitchen

Don Kitchen

Scrapbook—Looking back continued

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Ziggy zeroes in on the batter.

1970’s DEAN’S TAVERN—Front row l. to r.: unidentified, Carlos Canty, Rick Rasmussen, Chico Canty, Dick Zierman, Dave Roller and Bruce Brebner. Back row l. to r.: Tim McDonough, Gene Rasmussen, Herb Lutter, unidentified, Jim Schaefer, Ed Burmester and Ken Alban.

Dick & Bev Zierman Owner

Hours: 9am to 5:30pm (Monday–Saturday)

22225 Mountain Highway East, Suite F Spanaway, Washington 98387

253-875-7732

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Scrapbook—Looking back continued

1970s LAKEWOOD VILLA STEREO—Front row l. to r.: Jim Schaefer, unidentified, Gary Wells, Larry Suher and Don Wilsie ?. Back row l. to r.: unidentified, Royce Adams, John Owens, Dave Wilsie, Jim “Soupy” Sayles and unidentified.

LIBERTY REAL ESTATE—Back Row L. to R.: Bill Houck, Don Gustafson, Sid Tompkins, John Watson, Gary Tipton.

Front Row L. to R.: Skip Baebler, Dave Corey, Jack Miller, Al Albertson, and Terry Liefson.

VILLA BOWL—Front Row kneeling L. to R.: Bob Jacobson, Mike Krueger, Jay Kitner, George Wolford, and coach Lonnie Davis.

Back row standing L. to R.: Fred Howerton,, Bob Schierman, Dick Moore, Ken DeForrest, Jim Hook, Bob Bender and Dave Carlisle.

1980 LAKEWOOD VILLA STEREO SLOWPITCH TEAM Back Row l. to r.: Wayne Mangum, Dan Lowery, Bob Farrell, Royce Adams, Don Allen, Denny Snell, and Dave Carlisle.

Front Row l. to r.: Scotty Winfield, Gary Wells, Jim Schaffer, Rick ??, and George Wolford.

Built-Up • Waterproofing • shingles • tile • commercial & industrial

George Wolford, Superintendent email: georgew@bosnickroofing.com

Scrapbook—Looking back continued

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1971 WESTED TIRE—Front row l. to r.: Jerry Hoxsey, Bob Gagnon, Skip Gillis, Mike White, Bud Reed and Bill Murphy.

Back row l. to r.: Ken Jones, Ken Kelly, Mel Burrell, Mike Arkell, Dick Halleen, Don Stewart, Jerry Foss and coach Vern Morris.

THE HEEL SLOWPITCH TEAM-1982—Participated in the USSSA Men’s Class B National Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Front Row l. to r.: John Thoma, Dick Marzano, Henry Bender, Dan Luhtala and Ken DeForrest. Back Row l. to r.: Joe Kreger, Russ Baker, Denny Snell, Dave Wilsie, Doug Cail, Kevin Smith and Gary Holt.

1975 SENATOR JOE’S—Back row L. to R.: Loren Ballew, Dick Esser, Dan Leach, Bill Smith, Jim Olson and Bruce Ledbetter. Front row L. to R.: Doug McArthur, Tom Lizotte, Joe Stortini, Ken Stortini and Dave Baker.

ERICKSON’S AUTO BODY Front row l. to r.: ___________, ___________, _____________, ______________ and ____________. Middle row l. to r.: Joe Kilby, ________________, __________, _____________ and Doug Marzano. Back row l. to r.: _______________, ______________. ______________, ____________ and Tony Phillips.

Umpires

Paul Gustafson

Fran Pinchbeck

Clarence Dean

Lornie Merkle

Frank Morrone

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Scrapbook—Looking back continued

Dave “Coyote” Benedict, Lucky Lager (1970s).

Dan Lowery, Don Long Pest Control.

Ken Jones, Wested Tire (1970s).

Dan Lowery, The Haven Tavern (1970s)

Jerry Henderson, Heidelberg (1970s).

Ken “Slash” Laase, Heidelberg (1970s).

Scrapbook—Looking back continued

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Chuck Hagstrom, People’s Church (1970s).

Gordy Pfeifer, Player’s Tavern (1960s).

Phil Jordan and Ernie Reda, Cloverleaf Tavern (1960s). A 6’10” center who played at Whitworth, Jordan played seven seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Cincinnati Royals and St. Louis Hawks averaging 10.9 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. He drowned after a rafting accident in 1965 at the age of 31.

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Ronda Haase

Craig Tuttle

TJ Tuttle

• We market your home, to sell your home • Committed Team of experienced professionals (just look at our picture • The power of the Turn Key Real Estate brand on your side • Turn Key clients are clients for life

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