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SportsBreak NOVEMBER 2008 E-NEWSLETTER FROM ISSA |
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LOVE SOFTBALL? VIRGINIA WAS THE PLACE TO BE IN 2008
MANASSAS, VIRGINIA – In 2008 the senior softball players got to compete at the City of Champions, play in the Senior Softball Capital of the World and have some year-end fun at the Fun City......all in Virginia. Teams from Florida, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania played in all three events and from what we hear, several others plan to do the same in 2009. The 7th ISF Senior World Cup was held on June 20-22 at Salem, Virginia. Nestled in the Roanoke Valley, Salem and the surrounding jurisdictions combined forces to host the World Cup of Senior Softball sanctioned by the International Softball Federation, the worldwide governing body for the sport. Salem has long been a favorite destination for softball players of all ages and the senior participants were not disappointed. The reputation of the event is now circling the globe and promises to bring the sports top athletes to the Blue Ridge Mountains in 2009. Those that were there this year know why they are now called the City of Champions. On August 15-17 the 14th ISSA World Championships returned to Manassas and Prince William County. This event has become a tradition for many senior teams as they vie for the right to wear one of the coveted championship rings. Teams again journeyed to Manassas from coast to coast this year to compete and renew old friendships. Nestled on a quiet side street in historic Old Town Manassas is the ISSA World Headquarters where plans are underway tor the 2009 event and seven other ASA senior tournaments throughout the year. This year the ISSA introduced another senior event, on October 3-5 the 2008 ISSA Winter Nationals was hosted by the world-class resort City of Virginia Beach. Senior teams from up and down the East Coast arrived at The Beach to Experience the Fun at the Fun City. Softball officials in Tidewater Virginia plan to make this one an annual October event for the Senior and Masters teams. With some outstanding new softball facilities and a world-class beach resort community, this event will undoubtedly become a favorite for senior players and their wives over the ensuing years. Log on today to the ISSA website to stay on top of senior softball and see all we have to offer for 2009! Remember VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS, softball lovers. STILL YOUNG AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Born in Syracuse, New York, on February 9, 1926, in the days when Calvin Coolidge was president and Babe Ruth still in his prime, Gordie's family was forced to move frequently because his dad, a sale's manager for Philco, had been frequently transferred from city to city. Gordie grew up and lived for a time in such places as Boston, Massachusetts and Hartford, Connecticut. Hoping to provide a more stable upbringing for his family, Gordie's dad bought a poultry farm in South Edmonton, New York. While at the farm, Gordie attended New Berlin High where he had his first taste of organized sports. There, he made the Basketball and Football teams, but his best sport was baseball, where he was named to the league's All Star Team, and, as a result, gained enough recognition to be offered a tryout with the Philadelphia Phillies. Unfortunately, the tryout did not go well that day, but Gordie enjoyed the fact that he had an opportunity to meet Wally Schang, the ex-major leaguer who ran the tryout. Schang, who was a catcher for the old Philadelphia Athletics, began his career in 1913, playing for 19 seasons including the Yankees in 1923, the year they opened that new stadium in the Bronx. Gordie joined the army when he turned 18 in 1944. Stationed at Fort McLellan in Anniston, Alabama, Gordie became an MP which set the tone for his later years when he was a deputy with the Broward County Sheriffs' Office in Florida. There, he served with distinction until his retirement in 1991. In 1980, Gordie fit very nicely into a new kind of softball league, one for seniors who were at least 50 years old. They played mostly in and around Fort Lauderdale, but they soon began to travel to other areas to play against men of the same age in different parts of the state. The league formed then and became known as the Florida Half Century Amateur Softball Association. Gordie played first base for Bigham Insulation, a strong team out of Fort Lauderdale that won a number of tournaments in the early 1980's. Later, he switched over to Tommy's Diner, a team run by everyone's favorite manager, Bud McCormick. Tommy's Diner was a standout of the period, winning a number of tournaments including one of the first regional World Series ever held. This was way back in 1989, As most of us enjoy doing, Gordie will get out his stash of old photos and lovingly go over each one, carefully naming all the players. He would say, "There's Bobby Rush; he was signed by the Dodgers. There's Gene Cobaugh, we called him: Gene, Gene, the hit machine," There's Lou Palmisiano, he's still a great player, even after all these years, and there's Bud McCormick, everyone loved him." Gordie still plays in a local day league in Pompano, and he still patrols first base in his old, familiar style, still hoping for every ball to be hit his way. He practices in the same old way trying to coax his infielders to throw it low so he can practice scooping it out of the dirt. The years may have taken their toll on his hitting, but not his fielding, where he still looks agile enough to play. He likes to boast of his fielding, gladly counting the number of games in which he hasn't made an error. And, where he has made an error, he shuns talk of it, not wishing to dwell on negatives. Gordie still plays with the same joyful enthusiasm, and his love for the game remains strong, even to this day. Other things may have lessened, or even vanished from his life, but never count softball as one of them. Today, when he steps on the field, it's as if the clock has never moved beyond the days of his youth. There are those who would deny such a thing, but what difference does it make, anyway? In his heart, in this setting, Gordie, and every other senior player, is still playing the game they love, and for this moment in time, while they are playing, the clock has indeed been turned off. In the stands, we can easily see through this illusion just by looking at these players, but if you close your eyes and listen, you will hear the sounds of young people. playing a game they all love. For them, the clock has returned to a day long gone and has been momentarily stilled in its relentless pursuit of the future. The face of the clock reads, "Still Young, after all these years." And, Gordie? Why there he is, as usual, out there among the Boys of Summer, perhaps the youngest kid of all. You better hit it to him, or throw it in the dirt so he can practice. He'll be sore as heck if you don't.
$$$$$ MONEY $$$$$
Dave Yinger was born and raised in Frederick Md and still lives there with his wife of 40 years. He is the son of a disabled veteran from World War II (his dad lost both legs when he was 19). “He was one of my heroes. I was born in 1948 and played baseball as a kid in Little League, Babe Ruth League and American Legion. I was always a role player, just wanted to fit in,” Dave told SportsBreak recently. He graduated from Frederick High School went to Frederick Community College and “started playing this new game of slow pitch softball. I played about 160 games a year for the first few years (that is where my wife got tired of it). I was on a couple of decent teams from the Frederick area like RF Kline, Md National Bank, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Potts Callahan. We went to USSSA Worlds in Tullahoma, TN and finished 10th out of about 80 teams.” Later, he helped coach/head coach his son’s son's baseball teams and the softball playing slowed down. Like many senior players today, once the youth sports coaching was done Dave started playing senior ball. Like most Maryland senior players, he started playing with Dick Barratte on the Joe B's senior teams. “What a gentleman of the game. This is where I found out that seniors practice all year and I met some very good players that helped me and really taught me the game. These players were the likes of Tommy Dommel, Andy Zitnay, Don Clatterbough, Ray Wimbrough, Jim Beasley and many others to numerous to name. My level of play seemed to go up when I played with these guys as well as my expectations.” “Shortly thereafter I met Jack Spicer and I began coaching his team after a few years. What a great sponsor, fun loving guy ,and good hitter when he puts his mind to it. I like the challenge of managing good teams but I also love being an underdog and enjoy upset victories over teams that are supposed to beat us. Honestly, I like playing better than managing and it is hard to do both well. Some of the championships that Spicer's won that I remember the most are the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh in 2005, ISF World Cup 2007 & 2008, ISSA Winter Nationals 2008, NSA 55 Major Plus in 2007, 2007 SSWC Atlantic Champions and without a doubt the most memorable win was the 2007 ASA 55 Major Plus win over Sportsplex from Connetticut. They were heavily favored and we just would not give up. The last couple years have been great, memorable and fun playing with some of the Virginia. guys like Tom Tudor, Bill Cameron and Randy Lewis just to name a few. They are great players that always seem to lead our team in hitting.” Friend and teammate, Dale Collis had this to say about “Money,” “Many people play softball. From time to time there comes along someone who gives back to the game more than they take. Dave Yinger is one of those. Dave is not only a good hard working player, but also the force behind the team. He enters the tournaments, gets the rooms reserved, handles roster problems, sets up batting practice so the rest of us can just show up and play. The last day of the tournament you'll find Dave on the bench (a 700 hitter) with the scorebook so he'll be ready for All World selections.” Dave is currently a sales/design engineer for a mechanical equipment company in the Metro DC area and loves his job so is not planning on retiring anytime soon. And this is one serious senior whose family plays an important role in his life, “I have a wonderful wife of 40 years who lets me pursue my hobby of softball and a son Reggie who I play with on Friday nights in a young man's league and a daughter who is the brains of the family.” Still wondering where the name “MONEY” came from? Dave once showed up for practice for a new team years ago and somebody said “they must of payed “big money” to get you on this team.” The name Big Money stuck and today the seniors just call him Money. And don’t ask Dave for one of those special design batting practice T-shirts, you got to be out there shagging balls for months before you earn one of those babies. SIXTY-SEVEN AND STILL CLEARING THE FENCES
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - Jerry S. Conner moved into the senior division of softball in 1994 when he joined the newly created Thomas Engineering 50+ Team and along with fellow Richmonder Ralph Godwin immediately bolstered The Engineers onto the National scene in senior softball. Now fifteen years later, Conner’s achievements in the sport are remarkable and a testament to his commitment to the game and a “work ethic” that demands perfection. He grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia and attended public schools through his junior year at Oscar Smith High School. (He finished his senior year at Garfield High School in Prince William County, home of the ISSA World Championships). Jerry played football, baseball, and basketball at Oscar Smith and lettered in all sports. He became a starter as a freshman on the baseball team and was a member of the 1958 team that was District runner-up in the Virginia High School Summer League. He was a starting defensive cornerback on the varsity football team as a sophomore. He was a member of the Smith Varsity Monogram/Letterman’s Club. Due to the job relocation of his family to Northern Virginia, he completed his senor year at and graduated from Garfield High School, Woodbridge, Virginia, where he was elected the captain of the football and baseball teams and inducted into that school’s varsity monogram/letterman’s club. He was offered a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians following his senior year in High School. He attended the University of Louisville, Colorado State University, Virginia State University and Virginia Commonwealth University, completing the requirements for the following degrees: Associate Degree in Public Administration Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice Master of Science Degree in Public Administration Conner is employed by the Virginia State Police, serving as a Trooper in Winchester; a Sergeant and First Sergeant in West Point; a Lieutenant in Richmond; a Captain in Chesapeake in charge of the State Police Division headquartered on Military Highway; and is currently a State Police Major, Deputy Bureau Director, on the Superintendent’s staff at State Police Headquarters in Richmond. Conner currently plays softball, golf and racquetball, staying active in sports participation. He started playing softball at the Class A/Super/Major level in his late 20s and has continued to play at this level in Senior Softball. Jerry has been on 40 World Championship teams with the Thomas Engineering Softball Club. He has been on 24 additional World Championship teams with other softball clubs on which is has played. In his career, he has played on teams that have won a total of 64 World Championships, at all age levels, at the Class A and Super Major levels. He has been on teams that have won multiple National Softball Championships in the 40 age bracket; 45 age bracket; 50 age bracket; 55 age bracket; 60 age bracket; and now the 65 age bracket. He has been selected as a First Team All-American 72 times during his softball career and has been selected as the Most Valuable Player in a National Championship Tournament 19 times. His lifetime batting average is approximately .735 with longball power. Perhaps best known for his power hitting, he has been presented with the award for being the leading homerun hitter in numerous National Championship tournaments. He was inducted into the National Softball Players’ Hall of Fame in 1996 and was inducted into the Central Virginia ASA Softball Hall of Fame in 2000. He was inducted into the Oscar Smith High School Athletic Hall of Fame in November 2004 for his football and baseball achievements. Jerry attributes his success in sports to great genetics from his parents, growing up with two brothers who were outstanding athletes and being given the opportunity and support by his parents to participate in sports from a very young age. He also commented that he was fortunate to grow up in a community that provided athletic programs for young people that permitted them to participate and develop their skill levels in competitive athletics at a very young age. Jerry’s two brothers were also pursued by professional baseball scouts and given the opportunity to sign a baseball contracts. At 67 years of age Jerry continues to work at perfecting his game and lifts weights three times a week at his local gym. He also takes batting practice four times a week, year round, with Don Clatterbough and other players in the Richmond area. Only snow on the ground and/or when temperatures drop below the 36 to 40 degree level prevent this group from taking their “cuts.” And today he continues to be one of the outstanding competitors for Thomas Engineering in the 65 Major Plus Division of Senior Softball where he roams the outfield in right center. THE FUN TEAM, WILD ROVERS 35+ COED TEAM FROM IRELAND
One of the players, Alacoque McMenamin shared their experience with SportsBreak. “All of the players that signed on had played mixed slow-pitch in Ireland for at least 10 years. We come from six different teams, the Usual Suspects, the Flyers, Dodder Dynamos, Oddsox and the Castkenock Wildcats. We had all played against each other at some time or another. Practices were held in wet and rainy Dublin twice a month from September 06 until February 07 and we trained in the mud, cold and freezing weather all thinking of sunny New Zealand. Niall Perry was going to join the team from Australia, he had originally played in Dublin but a canny Aussie girl snatched him for our shores in 2005. Wade Burrell from the UK would also join as the UK was not putting in a team. He was cycling from Christchurch to Rotarua. We all came separate ways and arranged to meet in Auckland on St. Patrick’s day, the 17th of March, spend two days there then drive up to the tournament. Adrian, Alacoque, Marian, Cora and Sam went to Australia first for five days of vacationing. Derek and Janice stopped off in Hong Kong on the way down. Brian, Nadia and Rasheeda flew directly to Auckland. We found some wonderful apartments, the Princes Wharf Apartments on the waterfront. We met in an Irish Pub and watched the final game of the Rugby Six Nations where Ireland beat Italy. We then flew, drove or cycled to Rotarus. We all arrived in Rotarus on the Sunday evening ready for the opening ceremony. The Opening Ceremony was fantastic and we were very impressed with the wonderful welcome we received. We played nine games and ended up second in the round robin only losing one game to the Public Missiles. We then played the Easy Riders in the semi-finals and lost out. We were voted the Fun Team of the tournament. We really enjoyed every game, every event and every team in Rotarus. We departed on our separate ways after the tournament.” The Wild Rovers are now looking forward to playing in the 2009 World Vintage Games in Hawaii. For more information about the team, contact Alacoque at alacoquem@elrcom.net 2008 ASA HALL OF FAME CLASS INDUCTED OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) inducted 11 members on Wednesday evening to its National Softball Hall of Fame while also announcing the eight members nominated to be inducted in 2009. The Class of 2008 included five players and six others for dedicated service to the ASA. The newly inducted members include Mitch Munthe, Modesto, Calif. (Fast Pitch Player); Jim Marsh, Yukon, Okla. (Fast Pitch Player); Jenni Harp Oliver, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Slow Pitch Player); Roberta (Robbie) Mulkey, California (Fast Pitch Player); Kermit Lynch of Oklahoma City, Okla. (Fast Pitch Player); Jerry Stewart, Arcola, Ill. (meritorious service); Freddie and Virginia Ezell, Midland, Texas (meritorious service); Garland Thompson of Wilmore, Ky. (commissioner); Kevin Ryan of Stanley, NC (umpire) and Ron Galemore of Gaithersburg, Md. (umpires). The 2009 Class includes eight people that were selected at the 77th ASA National Council meeting this week in Oklahoma City, Okla. The eight people will be enshrined next year in Reno, Nev. when the ASA celebrates its 29th Annual Hall of Fame Induction celebration. The four players selected include Leah O’Brien Amico, Corona, Calif. (Fast Pitch Player); Al Yeager, Seymour, Conn. (Fast Pitch Player); Allyson Rioux, (Deceased)-Stamford, Conn. (Fast Pitch Player); Jeff Seip, Boyertown, Pa. (Fast Pitch Player). Four people were elected in the non-playing category and include Ben Bunch, Enid, Okla. (Meritorious Service); Tony Walsh, Memphis, Tenn. (Umpire); R.B. Thomas, Manassas, Va. (Manager); and Newton Buchner, Brooklyn, NY (Umpire). The ASA National Softball Hall of Fame was established in 1957 and honors players and non players during annual induction ceremonies held at the ASA National Council Meeting each year. With these eight inductees, the Hall of Fame will have 340 members. About ASA The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s largest sports organizations and now sanctions competition in every state through a network of 84 local associations. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in the early days to over 240,000 teams today, representing a membership of more than three million. For more information on the ASA, visit www.asasoftball.com.
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POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA - When Gordie Warner is not at home, his answering machine kicks in with a message that asks callers to show an act of kindness to someone in need. Such a message reveals the character of this 82 year-old first baseman who, by his generous and gentle nature, has endeared himself to all who have come to know him over the years. 
FREDERICK, MARYLAND - The State of Maryland has always been a “hot-spot” for some very competitive softball teams. Maybe it was the steamed crabs, beer and those money softball tournaments that kept the serious players going for the next big tournament victory. Over in southern Maryland playing softball became a way of life.....right up there with hunting and fishing for the real men. Just ask the guys like Joe Albert, Dick Busick, Bubby Mills and a few dozen more like them, they will tell you some real “war stories” about the old bat wars on the field when the stakes were high. And today that serious softball has even migrated to the western part of the State. Out in the Frederick area there is this serious senior player by the name of Money who is out all year long organizing batting practice for whoever he can get out. Dave “Money” Yinger is a softball organizer and he has learned that practice makes perfect (or at least improves your game). Dave’s Spicers 55+ Senior Team has evolved into one of the top ranked senior teams in their age classification in the Nation. 
Adult slowpitch softball in Ireland is “almost unique in the fact that it is played as a mixed team game. It is a sociable sport to play on a long hot Summer’s day or evening, preferably with a few cold drinks at hand on the sideline with friends or family cheering you on. You can take part irrespective of your athletic ability and gradually become fit over the Summer while meeting new people and generally having a good time” advises their Federations’s website. In 2006 some of the Irish players decided it was time to take “the fun” on the road so when they heard about the 2007 World Vintage Games planned for New Zealand, the idea spread. The requirement to get on the roster was simple, if you had the money to pay for the travel you were on the team. Expenses were estimated to be $5K per person, what with flights, tournament costs and accommodations. It did not take long and the Wild Rovers were organized and in training and looking forward to the trip down under.