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VOLUME 2010
SEPTEMBER 2010 EDITION 2 47th Year GREATER WASHINGTON FASTPITCH SOFTBALL
HALL OF FAME COMMISSION INFORMATION NEWSLETTER
EIGHT
SELECTED FOR 2010 INDUCTION
In April, the Commission met and inducted six new members to the Greater Washington Fast Pitch Softball
Hall of Fame. Also, eleven from the “Old Timers” Division will be inducted into the Greater
Washington Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame. The selection was the culmination of an annual process that included nomination
and selection by ballot of names taken from the Commission’s Library of worthy candidates for the honor.
The inductees will be formally inducted at our 47th Annual Awards Banquet to be held on Saturday November 6, 2010,
at the Holiday Inn in College Park, Maryland. The new inductees are:
Alvin
Evans, Thomas R. (Tom) Hankinson, Jim Herndon, Barbara King, Ron Perry, Aaron “Ron” Sheffield
2010
Old Timers Division (Prior to 1964) Joe Crisafulli, Richard Grim, Robert G. Krop,
"Reds" Kuker, Johnnie Mandes, Pete Mastrodoanto,
Don Mathies, Larry Mills, Dave Singer, Ernie Sullivan, Samuel
“Buck” Turner
Alvin Evans- Coach / Manager
Alvin began his fastpitch career in 1955 as a player in the military while stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland. After
being discharged, he played for teams in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alvin’s
Managing/coaching career began in 1966 with the Jets in the Taft league, the D.C. Sunday League and the Prince Georges Park
and Planning league (Fletcher’s), and the Pioneers in the D.C. Sunday league and the prestigious
Guy Mason league. Mr. Evans served as the league commissioner for the Sportsman’s league. He also managed the Metro
Bucs from 1997-2007. Mr. Evans’ accomplishments with the Bucs, include winning seven D.C. Sunday league Championships,
second place, three times and third place, once. His teams won six MNCPPC (Fletcher’s Field) Championships with the
Jets Athletic Club & the Metro Bucs.
His Metro Bucs team finished in ninth place out of sixty four teams At the World “A” Championships. Additionally,
he served as commissioner of the ten team D.C. Sportsman League for five years. Mr. Evans’ career extends over
55 years as a player/coach/manager. He has managed several excellent teams in the past, i.e. The Jets AC,
The Pioneers, and The Metro Bucs.He is a truly dedicated individual who has a great love
for the game of fast pitch softball.
Thomas R. (Tom) Hankinson – Pitcher
Tom began a fifteen season career in the Wheaton (MD) League
in 1981 with Metro Transmission. In 1982 Tom played for WSSC before moving to Rockville Pike Shell in 1983
where he played for six seasons. He later played for the ROOS Fast Pitch Club for five seasons, and the
Ashton A’s for two seasons. While with
Pike Shell, in addition to league games and invitational tournaments, Tom pitched in the ISC Travel League and the ISC qualifying
tournaments. Also, he pitched for the ROOS in ASA Regional ‘A’ Tournaments. In his five seasons with the ROOS, Tom enjoyed his greatest success.
In addition to winning numerous invitational tournaments, in 1989 the team won ASA Central Atlantic Regional ‘A’
Tournament and participated in the ASA National ‘A’ Tournament in Highland, IN. In 1990 the
team won a qualifier for the ASA National ‘B’ Tournament and finished 11th in the tournament in Las
Vegas, NV. Tom won 31 games that season, including three in the national tournament. In
1993 the ROOS participated in the ASA National ‘A’ tournament in Las Cruces, NM. More significantly,
that year the ROOS won The National Softball Association World Series in Drifton, PA.
Tom was the winning pitcher in the championship game. With the Ashton A’s in 1994-95, the team won the ASA ‘B’
Regional Tournaments and participated in the ASA National ‘B’ Tournaments in Dallas, TX and Atlanta, GA.
In the 1994 regional tournament Tom pitched in all but one of the team’s wins, including the championship game.
In 1995, Tom was the winning pitcher in the final two games of the regional tournament.
Jim Herndon - Catcher - Wilson Powell Lincoln Mercury
Jim Herndon was
born and raised in Culpepper, Virginia. He played in his first men’s softball game at the age of
11. He graduated from Shepherd College with a degree in Health, Physical Education and Driver Education.
He was a catcher on the Shepherd baseball team. Upon graduation in 1973 he became a teacher and
later an administrator at Osbourn Park High School where he coached football, baseball, and his favorite sport to coach softball.Ann Herndon, sister and 1965 Softball Hall of Fame Inductee, was Jim’s inspiration to become
an athlete. Jim started playing softball in Washington in 1975. In 1976 he began a six
year career with Wilson Powell Lincoln Mercury. He mainly caught but played other positions on occasions.
He enjoyed playing both at Guy Mason and in Salisbury, Maryland. Wilson Powell won four city championships and in 1978
and 1979 won the Central Atlantic Regional’s and went to the National Tournament.
1979 was Jim’s best year at the plate batting .339 playing for Wilson Powell who recorded three National Tournament
victories before being eliminated by York Barbell and Guanella Bros. In 1982 Jim played for Wilson Powell during the week and Heineken-Finneran on weekends.
As a member of Heineken-Finneran he was one of four team players selected by Reading Sunners to attend the National
Sports Festival. That year Reading took the Silver Medal at 1982 games. Jim caught some of the best in the region including Gene Green, Dave Trail, Joe Louis Abney, Jimmy
Dove, Art Bratcher, Barry Ashton, Elvin Hold, Billy Bissett, Charlie Slavens, and Bobby Thayer. The demands of teaching and coaching prevented Jim from having time to play
and his playing career ended in 1985. Retirement allowed Jim to return to coaching women’s softball at Shepherd University,
West Virginia, with his good friend and Hall of Famer, Dave Trail. In 2007 they led Shepherd to the WVIAC
championship for the first time. Jim returned to Osbourn Park High School to coach girl’s softball
where they set a school record of 22-2 in 2010, securing the district championship for the first time in 16 years. Jim now resides in Pawleys Island, South Carolina in Willbrook
Plantation on the golf course with his wife Linda. Between the two of them they have 78 years of experience in the field of education. Linda just retired after 40 years.
Barbara King- Coach
Barbara began her fast pitch softball career playing for Magruder High School from1976-1978. After two years at Salisbury
State College an injury ended her player career.In 1989, after one year of JV softball coaching, she was named the Varsity Softball coach for Damascus
High School. Her career began with the coaching of Marci Whitehead, National High School record holder in multiple categories
and inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 2006. In these first 4 years her team made the state tournament 3 years, had
an undefeated season with 1 state title and a 38 game winning streak. Throughout her 21 year career at Damascus, each year
she has had 2 to 3 players selected to the all-area teams for the Gazette, Journal, Frederick Post, Washington Post Extra
and 5 to the Washington Post All-Met team. Over 20 of her players have participated at the college level. She was named as coach of the year in the Journal
in 1990, the Frederick Post in 1992, the Washington Post All-Met in 1998&the Washington Post’s Montgomery Extrain
2007. She has had the opportunity to work and coach with some very talented people as Max Whitehead, Gene Morgan, George Dix,
Steve Linger, Joe Wyatt & Dave Nagy. Barb ended her career in 2009 with a record of 330 and 60, 15 Division Titles, 10 Regional titles, 7 of those were state final appearances and 2 State Championships.Barbara has prided herself on providing an environment for
her student/athletes to developed good skills, knowledge of the game and a competitive experience while maintaining the expectation
of being responsible for their grades, attitude and commitment to the team. Her players know that she will not compromise
her morals or the rules to win therefore, providing them with high expectations for responsibility and success.
Robert "Bob" G. Krop – Pitcher Bob started his softball career at Langley Playground at 1stand T Streets, N. E.
in 1938. He was a 1943 Graduate of McKinley Tech, and went to work at the Naval Research Lab as a mechanist. While working
there he met Walter Smith, who was managing the Club Kavakos Team and immediately became one of their pitchers who in 1945
pitched the deciding game in the city playoffs sending them to their first Central Atlantic Regional Tournament in Norfolk,
Virginia and on to their first World Tournament and repeating this achievement in 1946 and 1947. He then played for Thrifty
Beverage who won the ASA City, Central Atlantic Regionals and played in the World Tournaments in 1948 and 1949. Bob completed
his Fastpitch career in 1958. He now spends his time traveling and playing golf. Samuel D. "Buck" Turner, Jr. - 1st Baseman/Catcher A native born Washingtonian and a graduate of the old Western High School. Sam served his
country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Buck was a product of the Georgetown environment which over the years
has produced many exceptional athletes. He played 16 years of fastpitch softball, spanning the years from 1944-1959. His versatility
and agility enabled him to perform at first base and as a catcher. Many Georgetowners’ considered Buck as one of the
best hitters to ever come out of their area. Over the years his predominate play was with the Georgetown Haberdashers. Buck
was considered an inspirational leader. Sam passed away August 8, 2009 Aaron “Ron” Sheffield - Outfielder
Ron
was born and raised in Washington, D. C. and attended Mackin High School. He started his competitive fastpitch softball career
in 1980 and played for 26 seasons. He played for the ROOS Fastpitch Club (20 years),
the Saints (2 years), and the Bucs (4 years). Ron
was an outstanding outfielder and a versatile hitter who could bunt for hits or hit with power, while maintaining a high batting
average. He had exceptional speed on the base paths and was nicknamed ‘Magic’ by his ROOS teammates for his ability
to steal a base or attain an additional base when it did not appear possible Magic
played most of his career with the ROOS and it was there he enjoyed his greatest success and played an instrumental role in
the teams many accomplishments. In addition to winning numerous league championships and invitational tournaments, they captured
six METRO Amateur Softball Association championships, and participated in thirteen ASA Central Atlantic Regional Tournaments.
His team participated in 3 ASA National Tournaments, one in Highland, Indiana (1989), one in Las Vegas, Nevada (1990) and
Las Cruces, New Mexico (1993). More significantly, the 1993 team won the National Softball Association World Series in Drifton,
Pennsylvania. Ron played five seasons in the ISC Travel League. Ron joined the
Saints in 1999 and in 2001 he joined the Bucs who participated in the NSA National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas. He played
four seasons with the Bucs before retiring from competitive fastpitch softball.
Ronald Perry-Shortstop
After lettering for three years at Eastern High School, Washington, D. C. and four years at Rutgers University, New
Brunswick, New Jersey in baseball, Ronnie began his Fastpitch career in 1979, playing in the D.C. Sunday League (10 years)
with teams such as the Twangers, Monarchs, Pioneers and Bucs. Ron helped the Metro Bucs win 5 D.C. Sunday regular season
titles and 4 post-season titles. He played with Kitty Hawk
from 1982 thru 1985. Ronnie was instrumental in the success of the team. During that time the team had over 200
victories, winning the Metro Championship, participating in the Central Atlantic Regional Tournaments, ISC Regional Qualifier
and ISC World Tournament. Ronnie was an outstanding shortstop, excellent hitter, and seemed to always come through in
clutch situations, both in hitting the ball and in base running. He was invited to try-out for the U.S. Olympic Fastpitch Softball team in Colorado
Springs, Colorado.Ron Perry played
for the Kitty Hawk Team from 1982-1985. In 1982 he helped the Kitty Hawk team accomplish a 65 and 22 record, a Washington
DC Metro Championship, and become an ISC World Tournament participant. In the World Tournament, his inside
the park home run against The Pueblo Colorado Knights, allowed the Kitty Hawk team to play the longest game of the entire
tournament before succumbing 3-2 in the 13th inning. His effort was a highlight of the tournament for the Kitty Hawk team.
In 1983 Ronnie’s skills and abilities helped Kitty Hawk accomplish a 64 –
31 record and finish as Runners – Up in The Wheaton (City) League, The Washington DC Metro Championship,
The ISC Regional Qualifier, and ASA Central Atlantic Regional Class A Tournament. These
Runners – up experiences, all over the region, and at the highest levels of play, set the stage for the 1984 season
thanks to Ronnie’s help.The 1984 Kitty Hawk team amassed a 67-38 record, and with
Ronnie playing shortstop, the team won five tournaments across the region, and finished in the top four, five other times.
In two other tournaments, Kitty Hawk was eliminated by the teams that advanced to The World and National tournaments.
Ronnie kept his team competitive at all times and at all levels. Ronnie helped the Kitty Hawk team to a
“Perfect Game” in the opener of the Central Atlantic Class A Regional tournament in Strassburg Pa...
That year, with Ron’s help, the team won the Regular Season Wheaton League Championship, The Post Season League Tournament Championship, The DCASA
Metro Championship, and were participants in the ASA Regionals.The 1984 team established
an area record in that no other team in DCASA history had advanced to regional and national play as often. In
its seven year history Kitty Hawk advanced five times to Regional, National or World Tournament competition in an era where
you had to win to advance to the major tournaments. Ron Perry was a big part of that success. Kitty Hawk
regularly averaged more than 60 wins a season. Ronnie passed away August 13, 2001.
12th
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING A SUCCESS
The GWFSHFC held its 12th Annual Golf Outing at
Bowie Golf and Country Club in Bowie, MD, on June 8, 2010. The outing was originally scheduled for May
18 but was postponed and rescheduled due to inclement weather. June 8 was sunny and warm and eleven teams
competed under the ‘Scramble’ or ‘Captain’s Choice’ format. Teams were divided
into two flights. The winning
team in Flight A, at 11 under par, included Randy Baker, Ronnie Mann, Dick Clark, and Lou Reynolds. The
winning team in Flight B, at 7 under par, included HoF Commissioner Kerry Joseph (HoF 2008) and William Asmond.
Plans are already underway for the
13th Annual Golf Outing, tentatively scheduled for June 2011. More information will be available
in the 2010 Awards Banquet program and in the Spring 2011 newsletter. In addition, detailed information
will be posted in early 2011 on the HoF web site at: http://www.washingtondcmetrofastpitchhalloffame.com
The HoF Commission thanks the businesses and individuals that sponsored holes at this year’s outing.
Their support enables the commission to keep the cost of the outing reasonable while providing an enjoyable day for
participants. Businesses sponsoring holes this
year were: David M. Snell (HoF 2003) & Son. Inc., Heating and Air Conditioning; David Payne (HoF 2008), CPA; United Consumers,
Inc. (Andy Burrell – HoF 2001); McCrea Equipment Company, Inc. (Jim Birch – HoF 2005), Cobert Consulting LLC (Joe
Coco – HoF 2008); and Sportsplex Clinics (Dr. Joseph A. ‘Doc’ DeBenedictis – HoF 2005).
Also thanks to Bob (HoF 1993) and Jim Wilkinson, Mary Hutton (HoF 1993), and Jack Collins (HoF 2000), on behalf of
the ROOS Fastpitch Softball Club, who sponsored holes. Please think about joining us next year for our 13th annual outing!
Hall of Fame Web Site
From the Chairman’s Desk
Congratulations
to the new 2010 Inductees. It is always a pleasure to welcome new members to our organization and I feel you will find this
to be a pleasurable and gratifying experience.Our 47th Annual Awards Banquet
will be Saturday, November 6, 2010in the Grand Ballroom at the Holiday Inn, College Park,
Maryland,from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m...I encourage you
to invite your family and friends to share in your induction. This is always a memorable and satisfying event. I’m looking
forward to greeting you at the induction. ........Jack Collins, HOF Commission Chairman
Do you have contact information for any of the following Hall of Famers?
Denise Ambrose, William Baldwin, Joseph Baumann, William Endress, Ralph Gordon,
Martin “Reds” Green, Melvin Holloway,
William Jones, George Perry, Kelly Shipman, Thomas Thayer
Deseased HoF
Temple Jarrell-1964,Freddie Kramer-1977,Donald Phillips-1985,Gene Marshall-1986,Bertha Bell-1982
In MemoryFreddie Kramer The Greater Washington Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame
Commission and the highly competitive game of fastpitch softball lost one of the most recognized legends of the game on April
17, 2010. An outstanding hurler for many years, Freddie was a product of the Parkview Playground in N.W.
Washington, D. C. Freddie was inducted into the Hall of Fame ranks in 1977 and served as a Commissioner
of the GWFSHOF for 26 years beginning in 1971.
Pictures
needed
Jim Brackin-
1996, Jack Blank-1968, Jack George- 1976, Earl McKeown- 1992, Wally Walker- 1997, Larry Potts- 1998, Avon Meachem- 2002, Joe
Betrtolini- 2009, George Boswell- 2009, Charles "Brother" Elman- 2009
HOF selection criteria
For
players—one who has played a minimum of 10 years, and has excelled in organized, high caliber softball competition in
the Greater Washington DC area.For Manager/Coaches—one who has achieved outstanding
local performance for a minimum of 10 years, eligible at retirement.For umpires—one
who has a 15 year minimum of outstanding local performance.Hall of Fame members and friends
are encouraged to submit biographies to the Library of those who might be considered by the Commission for future selection
to the Hall of Fame. Contact a Commissioner for a biography form.
THE
HALL OF FAME COMMISSION
Jack Collins..................ChairmanP.O.
Box 45Upper Marlboro, Md. 20773-0045(301) 627-8633
jackannc@comcast.net
Kevin Wetmore........................Treasurer17705 Globe Theatre
DriveOlney, MD 20832(301)
774-8316 JKSManor@comcast.net
Kerry Joseph…Commissioner
at Large6500 Greenfield CourtLanham, MD
20706(301) 552-4736 kmjoseph@verizon.net
David
Gould…Commissioner At Large13906 Edgecomb Ct.Centreville
Va. 20120 301-921-0084 dbgould@erols.com
Jim Kibbe….Commissioner at Large9716 Huntmaster RoadGaithersburg, MD 20882(301)921-0907 gottabecaught@aol.com Jackey Brown......Commissioner
At Large6831 Mountain Lake PlaceCapital Heights, MD 20743(301)404-4352 jackeybrown@aol.com
J.A. “Doc”DeBenedictis…...Commissioner At Large14005 Zeigler WaySilver Spring,
MD 20904(301) 384-1452 Drd9800@hotmail.com
See you
at the Banquet! November 6 Holiday Inn at College Park 10000 Baltimore Avenue College Park, MD 20740
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