Publisher’s Comments

I'm sure most of the league and tournament teams that have played softball at Pastime Park the last nine years thought they'd never hear of the Herbert family again after they sold the park last August. But if any of the park's patrons were among the 100 million viewers who watched Super Bowl XLIII or local or network news the next few days following the game, chances are that news of this southeastern Indiana family found its way into their homes after brothers Dave and Joe Herbert walked away with one of the ad world's top honors in the Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” contest. In case you had your head in the sand on Sunday, Feb-ruary 1st, or most of the following week, Dave Herbert, who was assistant manager at Pastime, and his brother Joe, who developed the park's website and frequently helped out at the Harrison sports complex, stunned Madison Avenue by winning a million dollars for producing the top Super Bowl commercial of 2009. The self-described “two nobodies from nowhere” parti-cipated in the Doritos sponsored contest in which ordinary Joes submit homemade commercials for Doritos. The top entries aired during the Super Bowl, and because the Her-berts' ad was voted the most popular ad during the game, Frito-Lay paid the brothers a million-dollar bonus prize. That meant the ad dethroned brewing giant Budweiser, the decade-long king of USA Today's “Ad Meter,” which monitors the response of a focus group to ads aired during the Super Bowl. The unemployed 30-something brothers from Batesville, In., made marketing history with a funky, 30-second slapstick spot called “Free Doritos!” It featured a Dilbert-looking guy shattering a vending machine with his crystal ball after predicting free Doritos for everyone in the office. And just in case you thought USA Today's “Ad Meter,” which is regarded as the most influential Super Bowl ad rating in the industry, needed a recount, consider this. More TiVo customers replayed the Doritos snow globe ad than they did Steelers linebacker James Harrson's 100-yard dash for the end zone. Doritos got the biggest image boost in a Super Bowl research survey by comScore. And the ad won YouTube's “Ad Blitz 2009.” You have to be blown away by the creativity of these two brothers, who showed they could compete with the best in the business on the biggest advertising stage of the year, and on a shoestring budget. The duo beat out 51 big-budget advertisers with an ad that cost only $2,000 to produce! Family members and friends were probably not surpris-ed when this year's commercial was aired on the Super Bowl. Two years ago, Joe and Dave produced an ad for the Doritos contest called “Duct Tape” that was one of five finalists at Super Bowl XLI. But the ad was not aired during the game.

Still, the two brothers knew they were on the right track. They spent the last two years researching what it would take to get the number one spot on the “Ad Meter,” and tailoring their commercial to what they thought would generate the kind of audience reaction they would need to win. After a nationwide consumer vote made “Free Doritos” one of five finalists from among 2,000 entries, the ad was one of two picked to be aired during the Super Bowl. The rest, as they say, is history. For the next week, the Herbert brothers' story of fame and fortune that came from trumping Madison Avenue spread like wildfire. The Monday morning after the Super Bowl, they were featured on the front page of USA Today and on the Today Show. That evening they were guests on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Bill O'Reilly designated the duo as “Patriots” of the day on the O'Reilly Factor Monday night for “making us laugh.” There were countless other newspaper, television and radio inter-views. The week after the Super Bowl, the brothers were given a heroes' welcome in Batesville, In., where a parade and reception were held in their honor at the Batesville YMCA. Doritos took advantage of the function to present Joe and Dave with their one million dollar check. So many people turned out in the tiny city of 6,000 that buses were required to shuttle well-wishers from off-site parking lots. The next day, the Herberts were off to New York for a toy fair, where they would introduce their new board game, Triviathon. The game is scheduled to hit store shelves in July. Joe and Dave plan to focus their efforts on that and how to break into filmmaking now that they have the financial resources to pursue their dreams. “Right now, we're living our dream and we're going to go wherever that dream takes us,” Joe Herbert told Jay Leno on the tonight show. “This is a dream come true,” he said. “It's not an end, but a beginning. We're excited to walk through this open door that Doritos created for us.” You don’t need to peer into a crystal ball to know the future looks bright for Joe and Dave Herbert. In My Opinion by Ron Jeffers

Of all the people who have worked for the Amateur Softball Association in their offices in Oklahoma City I have had no respect for some and some respect for others, but no one has ever gained my respect and admiration as much as Bill Plummer. Many of the people working for the Amateur Softball Association have taken advantage of this wonderful man, and he has never received the pay nor the credit he deserves for

the countless hours he has spent promoting the game of softball and the Amateur Softball Association. I can remember when he went years without a pay increase, and yet he burned the midnight oil on countless evenings when everyone else in the office was long gone. I can never remember Bill ever saying one bad word about anyone else in ASA or even USSSA, and I should have learned that wonderful trait from him; but I didn't. The biggest coup and hiring the ASA ever pulled off was hiring Bill away from his newspaper position in New York, and getting him to come on board with the ASA group. Bill has forgotten more about the game of softball than any of us will ever remember, and he is always ready to sit and chat with anyone about the game he loves with all his heart. As editor of ASA's “Balls and Strikes” newspaper and past magazine, he has written about all the great teams, players, umpires, tournaments, sponsors and characters that make up the game. Bill always had a special place in his heart for the game of fast pitch, but he gave all the games of softball equal respect and coverage in the ASA publications. He has had to work for and with some of the biggest ego maniacs I have ever known, and yet his love for his job, softball and the ASA organization kept him going when most people with half his talent and work ethic would have packed their bags and left for greener pastures years ago. Mark Linnemann sent me his personal beautiful leather bound book titled “The Game America Plays” written by none other than my dear friend, Bill Plummer. I read the book in one night, and couldn't lay it down. With every page I read it was if I was sitting and listening to Bill talk about the vast history of the game of softball and the Amateur Softball Association. The book has many stories about how the game of slow pitch softball got much of its illustrious beginning right here in Cincinnati at Schmidt Field. You can read about how Cincinnati ruled the Women’s Slow pitch game for years with their many National Championship teams. We even had a local team, dressed in pink uniforms, beat the best men’s major slow pitch teams in the world, and they didn't have a home run hitter on the team. You can even read about the man who was both the umpire-in-chief of ASA and USSSA, Ray Ernst of Greater Cincinnati. I could even tell you the real reason why he deserted ASA for the new USSSA program. Bill could have written a real best seller by divulging all the dirty tricks and back room politics that have taken place over the years in the operation of the ASA program, and the things that have happened to truly shape the game. But as I said earlier, Bill has far too much class to ever say anything bad about the game and organization he loves. Bill probably still doesn't want to believe or admit that softball will not be in the Olympics any more, or that the game is diminishing in size and prestige. He loves the game far too

much to even believe this is indeed happening. The age old baseball story where it was once said “Say it isn't so, Joe” is something that Bill Plummer could have said. He is the ultimate eternal optimist,and the standard bearer in an organization that has not always been as true to him as he has been to them. “The Game America Plays” is a great read even for those that do not love the game of softball as much as he does, but then no one loves this game as much as Bill Plummer. The book is full of great historic photos of the game’s growth and development, and if you have any interest in the game at all you will want to get a copy of this outstanding work. Bill Plummer in undoubtably the most knowledgeable man to ever be involved in the game of softball, and his book brings it all out in a style only he can deliver. When I first became a baseball and softball umpire I not only wanted to know the rules of the game better than any umpire in the game, I wanted to know the history of the rules, and why the rule was written. Bill's book makes the illustrious story and history of softball intriguing for the most casual softball fan, and is a great read for those of us who have a real love and interest in how and when it all came to pass. As great a writer as Bill Plummer is, I have even more respect for him as a man and a human being. Bill is a man’s man, and the ASA organization can thank God that he came to Oklahoma those many years ago to write about the game of softball for the countless thousands of us who have so enjoyed his many stories. When Bill tells you it is Easter you can color the eggs. He is a man of honesty and integrity in a sport that is not overly blessed with many men of his ilk in leadership and management roles. “The Game America Plays” by Bill Plummer is a great read and would be a fantastic addition to any library. It’s a great book written by an even greater guy. That is my opinion, what is yours? What’s Your Gripe by Ron Jeffers

Q. Ron, you commented last fall on the use of replay in the World Series. I just got

done watching the Super Bowl and it seemed like every other call had to be

reviewed, which dragged the game on forever. Were the officials having a bad

night, were there that many close plays, or are they simply abusing the use of

replays in the NFL?

A. The use of replay is a great tool to help the officials get the more important or difficult calls in a big game like the Super Bowl right. But I, like you, thought it caused the game to drag. I think the players would have some trouble getting back in the rhythm or flow of the game when play is suddenly halted and delayed for several minutes while the referree views countless replays, then meets with the other officials, and coaches before the game can get back to action.

I have mixed reactions about this new phenomenon called replay. I want every call to be gotten correctly, but then I hate the lull in the action at the most exciting times in the game. I think if they are going to have replay, it must be limited to a select few times in any game, and we just live with the calls the officials make at all other times in the game. Baseball will be the last sport to truly adopt the replay rule, for they are slow to change anything, and replay is too expensive for the game of softball. Softball is forced to try and keep their games on an hour time limit and or schedule, and replay would just not work for them. Q. Mr. Jeffers, I’m an umpire, and you’ve mentioned in the past that you work for

an income tax service this time of the year. Could you tell me what kind of

deductions I need to be conscious of in filling out my income tax forms?

A. I am a Senior Tax Adviser for the HR Block Co., and I have been doing tax preparations for them for the past fourteen years. First of all, you will need to report all your umpire income on a Schedule C, and don't try and hide some of your income, for you will have ample expenses and deductions to wipe out most of, if not all, your umpire income in a very legal manner. You should have an office in home, and keep a log of all your mileage going to your games, meetings and clinics. The mileage starts from the time you leave home and continues until you return home. At fifty plus cents per mile, using standard mileage, you can eat up a lot of your umpire fees in a hurry. All your dues, association fees, uniforms and equipment, and the cleaning of them, is a legal deduction as well. The expenses of an office in home with a representative portion of your utilities, home maintenance, mortgage interest, property taxes, garbage service and cell phone expenses will all help to more than offset any income you will earn in umpiring. If you take a loss from your umpiring activity on the Schedule C, you can take that loss off on the front page of your 1040, and that is good. If you have any further tax questions as it pertains to your umpiring, you can call me between 9AM and 5PM, at 513-583-0555, and ask for the “Old Umpire.” Umpiring baseball and softball is the greatest part time job I know of, and if you haven't tried it before, give it a chance, and I believe you will love it as I have.

Q. I saw that Amateur Softball Association Deputy Supervisor of Umpires Julie

Johnson of Alexandria, In., will be the guest clinician at the ASA Metro Rules Clinic

this year on February 28-March 1 in Evendale.

I know you have some ties with the ASA program in Indiana. Can you give us some

idea of what to expect from Julie?

A. I personally have known Julie for many years, and she is indeed a class act. I have only heard her do a portion of a clinic on a couple of occasions, but she can flat out umpire, and she can teach it as well as do it. Julie did the high school clinics for softball in the state of Indiana for several years, and she was long considered one of the top two female umpires in the world. She and Emily Alexander of Arizona were considered the top two female umpires for considerably more than a decade. She umpired for me at more than one National Championship, and she was by far the best umpire I had at the tournaments where she worked. Julie has been a high school teacher in Indiana for years, and has worked every big game there is in softball. She can walk the walk and talk the talk, and this should be one of Jerry's best clinics in years. Don't come and sit in the back of the room and read the newspaper at the clinic either as some idiot did the one year I came. You can learn a lot from this outstanding umpire if you are not too dumb to listen.

Q. Ron, I have not heard you talk about Pat Adkison, the past president of ASA, for

awhile. He used to come up here for the Cincinnati Metro Tournament and umpire

a few games. He was a great guy and we missed seeing him at Rumpke this year.

A. I have been calling Pat for the past few months and the operator tells me his phone has been disconnected or is no longer in service. I just pray that he is okay, but I am worried sick about him. Some consider him a lose cannon, but he was like a brother to me, and he is one of the most honest men you will ever meet in all of ASA or softball. CRC News by Ron Odenbeck

The 2009 Cincinnati Recreation Commission Adult Softball Program registration for all teams - old and new - continues this month until all leagues are filled. Lighted Leagues and Sunday Afternoon Leagues will begin play the week of April 5th. These leagues will play at various fields around Cincinnati and will use an eight game season format. The fee for all lighted leagues is $350 (8 games). The fee for Sunday afternoon (unlighted) leagues is $285 (8 games). Twilight Leagues (unlighted) will begin the week of April 19th. These leagues will play at various fields around Cincinnati and will use a ten game season format. The fee for twilight leagues is $345 (10 games). APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENTS

Applications and payment will be accepted at the CRC Athletic Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM. Payment may be made with cash (in person only), check, money order or Visa/MasterCard. Credit card payments for applications that are faxed in (352-1605) require that you phone the Athletics Division with your credit card number and expiration date to complete the registration process.

Teams withdrawing prior to completion of league schedules will be assessed a $25 service charge for clerical and material fees. Teams withdrawing after completion of schedules will be assessed $50 plus a prorated game fee. Teams withdrawing after the second game will not receive a refund. Registration is not complete until you have made the full payment. ROSTERS

Rosters are due in the Athletic Office before the first game is played. Rosters and CRC rule book are available on the web site. The manager's signature is required for the roster to be acceptable. THREE SEASON FORMAT

Our three season (spring, summer, and fall) format at Schmidt continues to meet the needs of the teams that participate in those leagues so we will continue that program in 2009. Also, all CRC Softball field locations will again offer the one fee covers everything (USSSA registration fee, umpire fees, balls, bases, scorebook, rule book and Cincinnati Softball News subscription for each manager). FIELD UPDATES

The Athletic Division will continue to offer field and weather condition updates at all field locations for the 2009 season. Please listen to the entire message when calling the rainout line (684-4908 or 684-4915) for detailed information on each field's status. This will provide better game day communication and help to prevent unnecessary trips to the fields when necessary. ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

An organizational meeting for team managers will be held in March. Look in future publications of the Cincinnati Softball News or on the Cincinnati Recreation Commission's Athletics Division website at www.cincyrec.org for meeting date & times. We highly recommend that all team managers attend. ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Anyone interested in serving on the email Advisory Committee please contact Bill Bailey at 352-1627. This is your chance to help CRC improve the softball program. UMPIRES

Umpires will be assigned by the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. The CRC Athletic Division will be holding an umpire training clinic in January. CRC is looking for ex-

players and current umpires who are professional, on time, know the rules, hustle, and believe in GREAT customer service. Contact Bill Bailey at 352-1627 for further information. Ohio USSSA Awards Twenty-Four 2009 State Tournaments

Ohio USSSA has awarded twenty-four state tournaments for 2009, including fifteen men’s, five mixed and four women’s championships. Men’s summer “open” championships awarded include the Men’s “B”, which will be held on August 15th at Expressway Park in Milford, the Men’s “C,” “D,” and “E,” which will be held on August 22-23 at Expressway Park, Kettering Fields in Dayton, and Pastime Park in Harrison, respectively, and the Men’s “E Rec,” which has been scheduled for August 29th at Expressway. Men’s Fall State Tournaments have been scheduled for October 10 (Men’s “C” at Armco Park in Lebanon and Men’s “D” at Expressway Park) and October 3 (Men’s “E” at Armco). State tournaments for six men’s specialty programs are tentatively slated for June 20th at Armco Park in Lebanon (Men’s Corporate/Industrial), August 2-3 (Men’s “B” and “C” Church), July 25-26 in Marietta (Men’s 35-Over), May 9th in Beavercreek (Men’s Tavern Competitive and Recreational) and August 9th in Harrison (Men’s C-D-E One-Pitch. Five Mixed Couples State Tournaments have been earmarked for Riverstar Park in Cincinnati. They include the Mixed “C,” “D,” “E” and “E Rec” on August 29-30, and the Mixed Fall on September 12th. Women’s Class “B,” “C” and “D” State Tournaments are scheduled for August 15-16 at Expressway Park. A Women’s “E” State will be held on July 25-26 at Marietta, Oh. Last year, over 250 teams competed in Ohio USSSA State Tournaments. Seventeen state champions were crowned. PRI/Easton captured the Men’s “B” title, rallying for eight runs in the top of the 7th to stun Team Mojo/Elite/Worth 16-14 at Expressway Park in the deciding game. EAP/Wessel/Real Estate Title/Queen City Nutrition/Tiger Fitness/Longshots/Easton held off Elk & Elk/Combat 30-17 in the second championship game to capture first place in the Men’s “C” State, posting a 5-1 record at Kettering Fields in Dayton. In the Men’s “D” State, also held at Expressway Park, Cousin Construction/Quality Sports double-dipped Cincy Trailblazers 9-6 and 8-7 to outlast a 26-team field.

Cobra Force polished off O. C. Softball 6-1 in the second championship game of the Men’s “E” state to compile a 6-1 mark behind the pitching of tournament MVP Donnie Deaton. Deaton held his team’s six victims to only 33 runs. The champions topped a monster 50-team field at Pastime Park in Harrison. While in the Men’s “E Rec” State at Expressway Park, Showtime needed a double finals to fend off Tribe 14-7 in the championship game and complete a 4-1 effort. In the Mixed “C,” “D” and “E” State Tournaments, High Octane captured the “C” division, eventual World Champion Ohio Onslaught took the “D,” and J & M Outcasts/Clayton Homes claimed the “E” title. High Octane won their last two games in their final at bat to successfully defend their “C” title, battling past runner-up Crosley’s Sports Bar 12-9 in the championship game. In a tune-up for their World Tournament win six weeks later, Ohio Onslaught brushed aside Hartman & Smith 21-13 in the championship game of the Mixed “D” State to complete a five game sweep. While in the Mixed “E” State, J & M Outcasts/Clayton Homes held off Steel Softball 8-6 in the second championship game to finish the 23-team event with 5-1 record. In Women’s State Tournament action, Ty-1-On rallied from an opening round setback to knock off D & S Engineering 12-6 and Shooters 18-11 to successfully defend their title in the “B” division, while Crosley’s capitalized on a bases-loaded, two-out single by Sarah Melvin in the bottom of the 8th to escape with an 11-10 victory over Chuck’s Chicks in the “D” division. The win gave Crosley’s a four-game sweep of the 14-team affair. Other state championships were captured by: HLS/UFAX/Harper’s (Men’s “C” Fall), Team Longshanks (Men’s “D” Fall), Down-N-Dirty (Men’s “E” Fall), Agape Church (Men’s Church), Clark County Merchants (Men’s Tavern), Cincy Trailblazers (Men’s One-Pitch), and Team Drama (Mixed Fall). 2009 OHIO USSSA SLOW PITCH

STATE TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

Men’s Class B August 15 Expressway Park, Milford Men’s Class C August 22-23 Expressway Park, Milford Men’s Class C Fall October 10 Armco Park, Lebanon Men’s Class D August 22-23 Kettering Field, Dayton Men’s Class D Fall October 10 Expressway Park, Milford Men’s Class E August 22-23 Pastime Park, Harrison Men’s Class E Fall October 3 Armco Park, Lebanon Men’s Class E Rec August 29 Expressway Park, Milford Men’s Corporate/Industrial* TBD TBD Men’s Church B July 18 Beavercreek

Men’s Church C July 18 Beavercreek Men’s 35-Over* July 25-26 Marietta Men’s Tavern Competitive June 20-21 Kettering Field, Dayton Men’s Tavern Recreational June 20-21 Kettering Field, Dayton Men’s One-Pitch C-D-E August 9 Pastime Park, Harrison Mixed Couples Class C August 29-30 Riverstar Park, Cincinnati Mixed Couples Class D August 29-30 Riverstar Park, Cincinnati Mixed Couples Class E August 29-30 Riverstar Park, Cincinnati Mixed Couples Class E Rec August 29-30 Riverstar Park, Cincinnati Mixed Couples Fall September 12 Riverstar Park, Cincinnati Women’s Class B August 15-16 Expressway Park, Milford Women’s Class C August 15-16 Expressway Park, Milford Women’s Class D August 15-16 Expressway Park, Milford Women’s Class E* July 25-26 Marietta * - Dates and sites are tentative Five NIT’s, State Tournaments Anchor Local Women’s Program

Five National Invitational Tournaments, the Ohio State and Great Lakes Women’s National Championships will be the marquis events on an eleven-weekend USSSA Women’s Tournament calendar for Greater Cincinnati in 2009. USSSA State and National qualifiers will also be held at Expressway Park in Milford, Mid-America Ballyard in Colerain Township, Pastime Park in Harrison, Springdale Recreation Center and Triple Creek Park. NIT’s are slated for Expressway Park, Kolping Park in Mt. Healthy, and Pastime Park. The Ohio USSSA State Tournaments will be played at Expressway, and USSSA Great Lakes National Tournaments in Columbus, In. State and national qualifiers will be on May 17th at Expressway, May 23-24 at at Mid-America Ballyard, June 7th at Pastime, July 11th at Triple Creek Park, and July 18-19 at the Springdale Recreation Center. Five National Invitational Tournaments, each offering direct berths to the USSSA B, C and D World Tournaments, are also scheduled. These will include the Bash For Cash NIT on March 13-14 at Kolping Park, the 4th Annual Worth-Bud Light-Bernie Dickman Memorial-Women’s Spring Classic on Saturday, April 18th at Expressway Park in Milford, the Worth-Bud Light-Commie Currens NIT on Saturday, May 2nd at Kolping Park, the 26th Annual Worth-Bud Light-Blue Chip Classic on June 6-7, also at Expressway Park, and the 31st Annual Worth-Bud Light-Queen City Classic on June 20-21 at Pastime Park in Harrison. In addition to trophies and travel expense, teams will receive USSSA ranking points, which can be tracked throughout the season at usssa.com, the USSSA’s offical website. Participants are ranked at the State, Divisional and National level. The teams with the

most points receive the best seeding at USSSA post-season events, and often receive first round byes. Also, winning team photographs will be posted at www.usssa.com, and tournament highlights will be published in the Cicinnati Softball News and posted at www.cincysoftball.com, throughout the season. Last year’s Bernie Dickman Memorial “C” Division was won by eventual USSSA World Champion Dented Bats, while Hill & Griffith captured the “D.” Dented Bats cashed in again in the “D” division of the Commie Currens Memorial USSSA Women’s NIT, while the Shooters claimed the “C” title. Then in June Fraley’s/Low Bob’s polished off the Shooters 6-4 in the championship game of the Blue Chip “C” division to wrap up a 4-1 weekend, while ITAM30/K & G held off Hill & Griffith 12-11 in the “D” finals. Finally in the Queen City Classic, Dented Bats bested Fraley’s 12-7 in the championship game of the “C” division to rack up their fifth title of the year, while in the “D” division, SOS Softball successfully defended their title, drilling Hill & Griffith 10-3 in the finals to wrap up a 5-0 outing. Championship play will commence with the Ohio USSSA State Tournaments for class B, C and D teams on August 15-16 at Expressway. Action moves to Columbus, In. three weekends later with the Great Lakes B, C and D National Tournaments on September 5-7. Teams must compete in their respective State and National Tournaments in order to advance to the World Tournaments, which will be held this year on September 24-27 in conjunction with the U-Trip Men’s Major World Series and Men’s “D” World. A complete list of local USSSA Women’s state and national qualifiers, National Invitational Tournaments, and State, National and World Tournaments appears below. For information regarding USSSA Women’s NIT’s outside the Cincinnati area, visit the USSSA national website at usssa.com.

2009 GEATER CINCINNATI USSSA WOMEN'S

SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

USSSA STATE-NATIONAL QUALIFIERS

May 17 (Sunday) USSSA Women’s C-D-E (Expressway Park) May 23-24 USSSA B-D-C (Mid-America Ballyard) June 7 USSSA D-E (Pastime Park) July 11 USSSA D-E (Triple Creek) July 18-19 USSSA B-C-D (Springdale Recreation Cener) USSSA NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

March 14-15 USSSA C-D National Invitational (Kolping Park) April 18 USSSA B-C-D National Invitational (Expressway Park) May 2 USSSA B-C-D National Invitational (Kolping Park) June 6-7 USSSA B-C-D National Invitational (Expressway Park) June 20-21 USSSA B-C-D National Invitational (Pastime Park) OHIO USSSA STATE TOURNAMENTS

August 15-16 USSSA Ohio B State (Milford, OH) August 15-16 USSSA Ohio C State (Milford, OH) August 15-16 USSSA Ohio D State (Milford, OH) USSSA GREAT LAKES NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

September 5-7 USSSA Great Lakes B National (Columbus, IN) September 5-7 USSSA Great Lakes C National (Columbus, IN) September 5-7 USSSA Great Lakes D National (Columbus, IN) USSSA WORLD TOURNAMENTS

September 24-27 USSSA B World (Lake Buena Vista, FL) September 24-27 USSSA C World (Lake Buena Vista, FL) September 24-27 USSSA D World (Lake Buena Vista, FL) Four NIT’s, Ohio State Tournament Again Highlight 2009 USSSA Mixed Couples

Slate

Four National Invitational Tournaments and the Ohio State Tournament will again be the featured events on a 23-weekend USSSA Mixed Couples Tournament calendar for Greater Cincinnati in 2009. USSSA State and National qualifiers will be held at Expressway Park in Milford, Mid-American Ballyard in Colerain Township, Pastime Park in Harrison and Triple Creek Park in Cincinnati. A 2009 USSSA mixed couples tournament schedule appears below. A total of sixteen USSSA Mixed Couples State and/or National qualifiers are scheduled for area parks in 2009. Each event will award berths to the Ohio State and Great Lakes Division National Tournament and travel expense based on entries. “The awards will be made in the form of certificates which can be redeemed towards State, National or World tournament entry fees,” explains USSSA District IX (Cincinnati) Director Bob Owens. The Ohio State and National Tournament entry fees are $250, and World Tournament entry fees are $300. Tournaments with three to seven teams will award $50, eight to

eleven teams $100, twelve to fifteen teams $150, sixteen to twenty teams $200, and tournaments with more than twenty teams will award $250. In addition to the travel expense money awarded, teams will receive USSSA ranking points, which can be tracked throughout the season at usssa.com, the USSSA’s offical website. Participants are ranked at the State, Divisional and National level. Also, throughout the season, winning team photographs will also be posted at usssa.com, and tournament highlights will also be published in the Cincinnati Softball News and posted at cincysoftball.com. In addition to the state and national qualifiers, there will be four National Invitational Tournaments. Those will be on April 25 at Riverstar Sportsplex, May 9 at Kolping Park, May 17 at Pastime Park, and August 1 at Expressway Park. These events will also feature national ranking points and other elements of the State and National qualifiers, plus offer direct paid (based on entries) berths to the USSSA Mixed World Tournaments. The USSSA Mixed Major World, D World and E Co-World Tournaments will be held in Lake Buena Vista, Fl, and the Mixed C World and E Co-Worlds in Lexington, SC. Each event will be October 16-18. The local NIT slate will get underway on April 25, when Riverstar will host the 10th Annual Worth-Bud Light-Mike Adler Memorial Mixed NIT for Mixed C, D and E teams. Last year in the “C” division of the Mike Adler, High Octane successfully defended their 2007 title by outlasting eventual USSSA Great Lakes National champion Crosley’s. While in the “D” division, 2006 U-Trip World Champion Dented Bats bested Speed Kills. The following month on May 9, the 9th Annual Worth-Bud Light Mixed NIT will be held at Kolping Park. Then two weekends later on Sunday, May 17, the 27th Annual Worth-Bud Light Mixed Couples NIT is slated for Pastime Park. Crosley’s stunned Thornton’s 13-12 in the “C-D” division finals last year on the strength of a five-run rally in the bottom of the 7th. D’s Restoration swept past three opponents for the “E” title. Next up will be the 13th Annual Worth-Bud Light-Mid-Summer Classic NIT at Expressway Park on August 1st. Steel Softball went 5-0 last year, winning their last three games in their final at bat. Championship play actually gets underway on August 29-30 when the Ohio USSSA Mixed State Tournament is held at Riverstar Sportsplex and Expressway Park. With some forty C, D, E and E Rec teams participating last year, it is believed to be one of the largest mixed tournaments in the nation. Like the Mixed NIT’s, the Ohio State Tournament offers direct World Tournament berths. The Mixed Couples National Tournament, which attracted twenty three teams in its seventh year last fall, is scheduled for September 26-27 at Kettering Fields in Dayton. The event offers direct berths to the USSSA World Tournaments to the highest finishing C, D and E teams.

A complete list of local USSSA Mixed Couples state and national qualifiers and National Invitational Tournaments appears below. For information regarding USSSA Mixed Couples NIT’s outside the Cincinnati area, visit the USSSA national website at usssa.com. 2009 GREATER CINCINNATI USSSA MIXED

COUPLES TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

April 5 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) April 5 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Pastime Park) April 11 State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) April 19 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) May 17 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) May 25 (Monday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) May 30-31 State-National Qualifier (Mid-America Ballyard) June 21 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) June 27 State-National Qualifier (Triple Creek Park) July 5 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) July 12 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) July 19 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) July 26 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) September 7 (Monday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) September 26 State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) September 27 (Sunday) State-National Qualifier (Expressway Park) USSSA NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

April 25 National Invitational World Qualifier (Riverstar Park) May 9 National Invitational World Qualifier (Kolping Park) May 17 National Invitational World Qualif. (Pastime Park) August 1 National Invitational World Qual. (Expressway Park) USSSA STATE TOURNAMENTS

August 22 Kentucky State Tournament (Rivershore Sportsplex) August 29-30 Ohio C State Tournament (Riverstar Park) August 29-30 Ohio D State Tournament (Riverstar Park) August 29-30 Ohio E State Tournament (Riverstar Park) August 29-30 Ohio E Rec State Tournament (Riverstar Park) September 12 Ohio Fall State (Riverstar Park) USSSA GREAT LAKES NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

September 26 USSSA Great Lakes C National (Dayton, OH) September 26 USSSA Great Lakes D National (Dayton, OH)

September 26 USSSA Great Lakes E National (Dayton, OH) USSSA WORLD TOURNAMENTS

October 16-18 USSSA Major World (Lake Buena Vista, FL) October 16-18 USSSA C World (Lexington, SC) October 16-18 USSSA D World (Lake Buena Vista, FL) October 16-18 USSSA E Co-World (Lake Buena Vista, FL) October 16-18 USSSA E Co-World ( (Lexington, SC) 9th Annual Wayne Rust Memorial-Mid-Summer Park Championship Returns To

Expressway Park

Milford, Oh.--Expressway Park has announced that the 9th Annual “Wayne Rust Memorial-$3,000 Mid-Summer League Championship Series” will be held at the park again in 2009. This year’s event will be held the week of August 3-9. Only Expressway Park league teams not competing in the ASA Cincinnati Metro will be eligible to participate. Regular league games will not be played the week of August 3rd. Last year’s “Mid-Summer Championship Series-Wayne Rust Memorial” drew a record 44-team field. A three-run bomb in the bottom of the 6th by Adam Bollinger lifted Tri-State Air Filter/By Golly’s to an 11-8 victory over Design Concepts in the second championship game of the Platinum Division. Design Concepts had forced an “if” game by spanking Tri-State 19-8 in the first finals. Jeff Tonges of Arsenal (5-0) provided the heroics in the Gold Division finals, delivering a two-run double that broke a 7-7 tie and led to an eventual 10-7 victory over Dixon Softball/Putter’s in the championship game. Arsenal swept past five opponents. There was drama in the Silver Division as well, where Outkast rallied for three runs in their final two at bats to outlast Putter’s 9-8 in the second round. Outkast went on to mercy-rule Switch Hitters 14-4 in the championship game to complete a four game sweep of the twelve-team field. Meanwhile in the sixteen-team Bronze Division, 3M Precision used a formidable offense to mercy-rule three of five opponents as they swept past The Game 21-11 in the finals. 3M escaped with a narrow 6-5 victory over Brew Crew in a key third round game. Each of the champions made away with $500 in cash, while the runners-up collected $150. The format will once again be a three game round robin Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with all teams from each round robin division advancing to a double elimination tournament on the weekend. The “Series” will feature $3,000.00 in cash awards.

Teams can obtain eligibility rules and requirements and other details by picking up a tournament packet at the park pro shop. Tom Taylor Elected To Ohio Softball Hall Of Fame

Tom Taylor, a member of the Greater Cincinnati Softball Hall of Fame and All-Century team, and the National All-Decade team of the sixties, has been elected to the Ohio Softball Hall of Fame. Taylor will be inducted during a banquet ceremony on Saturday, March 21st in Findlay, Ohio. Taylor, a Milford resident and Cincinnati native, was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and will be inducted into the Kentucky Softball Hall of Fame and Honor on October 17th, 2009. Taylor learned the game from ASA Hall of Fame manager Al Brausch, who guided Gatliff Auto Sales to ASA National Championships in 1956, 1957 and 1963. Taylor played with Gatliff Auto Sales/Stroh’s/Sports Center teams in 1966, 1967 and 1969, sharing the dugout with such towering figures as ASA National Hall of Fame members Myron Reinhardt, Hal Wiggins, and Raymond “Whitey” Brown. During the seventies he played for the Rolling Hills Lakers teams of 1973 and ’74. But Taylor spent most of his career playing in Ohio, most notably with such legendary teams as Century Tire, the 1970 and ’71 ASA Regional Champions, Eddie’s Café, Stan’s Roofing, Lefty’s Tavern and the Cincinnati Suds professional slow pitch team. A six-time tournament MVP, Taylor was known for his power and throwing arm. He is considered to be the greatest power hitter of his era and won eighteen home run crowns, including at the 1968 and 1969 USSSA World Tournaments. During his storied career, Taylor has been named to eighteen All-Tournament teams, was named the Greater Cincinnati “Player of the Decade” for the seventies in 1980, and a member of the Greater Cincinnati All-Century team in 2000. In 1988 he was inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Softball Hall of Fame, then in 2002 became the first softball player to be inducted into the Hamilton County Sports Hall of Fame. Taylor told the Cincinnati Softball News that he credited his selection to the Ohio Softball Hall of Fame to being a member of the National All-Decade team of the sixties, letters of support from members of the softball community, and the support of ASA officials. “I am humbled by becoming a member of the Ohio Softball Hall of Fame & Honor,” said Taylor. “As a member of the National Team of Honor, I thought I might qualify for membership to the state softball hall of fame. Also, this would not have happened without recommendations from my friends Mark Linnemann and Myron Reinhardt, the first slow pitch softball player in the ASA national hall of fame. Also I was greatly aided in this effort by Rob Robinson, who supervises six counties, including Clermont, my residence for over 20 years.

“I want to thank my coaches, sponsors, and teammates for all of the incredible honors I have received for just doing what I loved,” added Taylor. “I know that you only receive individual honors when you are a member of a great team organization. It’s been twenty years since I retired, but the memories still remain.” Taylor lives with his wife, Doris, in Milford. The couple are the parents of two grown children, Tom and Debbie. Six Enshrined Into Norwood Sorrento’s-Greater Cincinnati Softball Hall Of Fame

At Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront

Springdale, OH.--Six more area softball greats were inducted into the Nor-wood Sorrento’s Softball Hall of Fame during a ban-quet ceremony held in their honor on January 25th at the Radisson Hotel Cincin-nati Riverfront in Coving-ton. The ceremony, attended by a robust crowd of 220, brought to 134 the total number of people who have been enshrined into the Hall of Fame since its in-ception in 1985. Inducted into the Nor-wood Sorrento’s Softball Hall of Fame of Greater Cincinnati were Dan De-Claire of Sardinia, whose sponsorship of the DeClaire Insurance team has spanned three decades; senior player Dick Ernst of Dillsboro, In., a nine-time All-Ameri-can selection; Amateur Softball Association Mid-west Region Umpire-In-Chief Jerry Fick of Cincin-nati, who has umpired for 37 years and held clinics in 18 states and Europe; short-centerfielder Marsha Fried-hoff of Cincinnati, who competed in eight national tournaments and won titles with Dana Gardens and Es-cue Pontiac; catcher Randy Lewis of Rising Sun, In., a prolific home run hitter who was named “Player of the Decade” for the nine-ties; and Dale Overman of Ft. Wright, Ky., who star-red for Universal Insurance during the seventies and went on to win several na-tional titles in the senior program. WCPO-TV sports anchor Dennis Janson served as Master of Ceremonies at the banquet for the fifth consecutive year. The afternoon program commenced with a cocktail hour featuring a slide show and memorabilia display. After a buffet dinner, ban-quet sponsors and past in-ductees were recognized. Marsha Friedhoff Induction

Marsha Friedhoff only played softball until she was 22, but she made the most of her short career. After catching the eye of National Hall of Fame manager Lee Rutenschroer as an 8th grader in 1961, Friedhoff was asked to play in the first ASA Women’s National Tournament ever held at only 14 years of age. The following year she helped lead Ruten-schroer Florists to a runner-up finish in the nationals. In 1965 she joined Dana Gardens, which placed 4th, 1st and 2nd over the next three seasons.

Friedhoff finished her career with Escue Pontiac, winning her second natio-nal championship in 1968 in Cincinnati. In all, she played in eight national tournaments during her nine year career at the open major level, winning two nationals and finishing second twice. Both times Friedhoff won national tournaments, her team came out of the losers’ bracket, and Friedhoff caught the final out of the tournament. A short cen-terfielder, she had a life-time batting average of .450. Ed Friedhoff, Marsha’s brother, was the first testi-monial speaker of the after-noon. Friedhoff said he and his sister were raised in an “idyllic” hard-working family by parents who were florists and operated a green house in Delhi. “It only seemed fitting that Marsha’s first team was Rutenshroer Florist,” quipped Friedhoff. “Marsha was the athlete in the family and she honed her softball abilities as she grew up. I still have visi-ons of our father and Mar-sha tossing ball in the backyard and Marsha wear-ing that bright red uni-form.” Friedhoff then spoke about his sister’s schooling at Oak Hills High School and Eastern Kentucky Uni-versity, where she played intercollegiate basketball and volleyball. After ob-taining a Masters degree at State University College in New York, she returned Cincinnati, where she spent the next thirty years teach-ing before retiring after a 30-year career. Friedhoff said he regret-ted not seeing his sister play in her early years, but said he now enjoys watch-ing her play Senior ball with the Ohio Cardinals. “I was impressed,” said Friedhoff. “These ladies play the game aggressively, and have won their league championship and several out of town tournaments. We’re looking forward to the 2009 season and Mar-sha’s continued play in or-ganized softball.” “Thank you for your kind reception and thoughtful introductions,” said Marsha Friedhoff when she rose to the podium. “Before I be-gin, I would like to thank Norwood Sorrento’s, all the sponsors and the Hall of Fame board members for your support. I would also like to thank my family and friends. I’m glad that you are here. “This has been quite a year,” continued Friedhoff. “Because of my election, I have received messages of congratulations, have re-connected with past friends and formed new friend-ships. Perhaps most surpri-sing of all, I have started to play the game again.” Friedhoff then recalled several memories from her career, reflecting on special experiences involving op-ponents, teammates and tournaments. “To all of you as players and friends who shared those times with me and were part of the story, I thank you,” said Friedhoff.

Friedhoff concluded by sharing some thoughts she had journaled in a scrap-book she had compiled in anticipation of her induc-tion. “What an exciting pro-ject this has been, I wrote. It's been fun to bring back to life a reflection of so ma-ny memories. We have hundreds of pictures and articles, old programs and patches, jackets and those small souvenir bats. They all provided vivid remem-berances. And I'm so grate-ful for knowing the people along the way,” said Fried-hoff. “I feel honored to have walked the path and I feel honored to be here to-day. Thank you so much.” Dale Overmann Induction

Inducted next was Dale Overmann, whose exposure to upper level softball came while serving his country in the United States Army. After starring for the All-Army team, Overmann was selected to compete for the All-Service team in the ASA Major Nationals in 1972. After being dis-charged from the service, he became the shortstop for Universal Insurance, one of the top ranked teams in Greater Cincinnati. He led Universal to a USSSA Cen-tral Division title and World Series berth in 1977, then to an Ohio Valley Classic championship in 1979, when he was named tournament MVP. Also during this period, Overmann’s Dixie Nove-lty/Covington Turners team won four national titles, and he was named tourna-ment MVP in each event. He later starred in the Mas-ters program, winning four consecutive Kentucky ASA 35 and over State Champ-ionships with Newport Steel. Finally in the Senior program, Overmann won three national titles with Florida Crush, then in 2001 earned tournament MVP honors while leading Jo-seph Chevrolet to a Na-tional title. Overmann was presented by his brother, Doug. “The first time I heard about Dale and his softball prowess was from my bro-ther-in-law, Mike,” said Overmann. “After marry-ing my sister, he decided to take a trip down to Ft. Ben-ning, Ga., to visit Dale while he was serving in the army. And while he was there, he had an opportuni-ty to watch Dale play. “When Mike came back, all he talked about was Dale, and he hit the nail right on the head about his game,” said Overmann. “For the next 20-plus years I played alongside Dale, and his ability never ceased to amaze me. If he gets his glove on it, he’ll throw you out. His accura-cy was uncanny, and his height and agility were among his biggest assets. “And I think everyone who has ever played with or against Dale would would attest to these final three statements,” conclud-ed Overmann. “The guy could hit, hit, hit.”

After ascending to the podium, Dale Overmann thanked Norwood Sorren-to’s for sponsoring the hall of fame and the hall of fame committee, and con-gratulated his fellow in-ductees. He then acknow-ledged some of the spon-sors, coaches and team-mates from his lengthy ca-reer, including John Ham-ilton and Wayne Victory with Universal Insurance, Bob Fennell with Newport Steel, and Fred Terry, Dan-ny Trame and the late Ray Bosse with Covington Tur-ners and Dixie Novelty. “This was my neighbor-hood team - friends, bro-thers and relatives that I grew up with,” said Over-mann. “It was kind of a team that passed from gen-eration to generation.” Overmann recalled how he started out as a bat boy for the team, then began playing “with some of my boyhood idols” while he was in high school. Then as he finished his career, another generation had grown up and were now his teammates. “I’ll always have a soft spot for these guys because they always kept a spot open for me when I was playing with Bob’s teams or Universal.” Overmann also thanked senior sponsors Florida Crush and Dave Neiheisel of Joseph Chevrolet. “It was quite a thrill to watch Bruce Meade hit some 400 foot home runs that I had heard about with Florida Crush. And Joseph Chevrolet was very loyal to its players,” said Over-mann. “They always won and lost with class and showed well for Dave.” Overmann then recogniz-ed his family, including his wife, Melody, his mother, Mary Ruth, his sisters, bro-thers Denny and Doug, sons Justin and Kevin, daughters-in-law Lauren and Kelly, and grand-daughter Carly. “Thanks for being here to share this today,” said Ov-ermann. “In closing, I would like to say to the current mem-bers of the Hall of Fame, I had the privelege to play with several of you as friends and teammates, and against a lot of you as com-petitive rivals,” said Over-mann. “I'm surely proud, humbled and honored now to be part of your select group. I thank you very much.” Dick Ernst Induction

Dick Ernst, the third inductee, didn’t pick up a softball bat or glove until he was 55 years old, but quickly made up for lost time. Two years later in 1989 his Masters 12 team captured the first of five 55-over national titles, and Ernst won the home run title and was named to the All-American team. Since then he has been named to ten All-American teams in the 55-over, 60-over, 65-over and 70-over programs. Ernst was selected into the Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 1996. The middle infielder boasts a lifetime batting average of .650.

In addition to his playing career, Ernst has also en-joyed success as a manager and administrator. As a player-manager, he guided the Whitewater Senior Cen-ter team to a record of 243 wins and only 36 losses, in-cluding a string of 51 straight wins from 2002 un-til 2004. Ernst has also served as league commis-sioner for ten years. With his induction, Ernst joins his father, Ray, who wrote the first ASA and USSSA slow pitch rule book, as a member of the Hall of Fame. Speaking on Ernst’s be-half was Joe Glascock, who was co-founder of the Whitewater Senior Center softball program with Ernst, and Ernst’s team-mate for the last 17 years. Glascock said he first met Ernst through a mutual friend, Loyd Smith, who was organizing a 55-over team. “I quickly discovered he was a darn good ball play-er,” recalled Glascock. “He was someone you could start a team with and really be happy to have him.” Glascock noted that Ernst had played football at Ohio State with Woody Hayes and was captain of the Buckeye baseball team. After a tour of duty in the navy, he played minor league baseball, then re-turned to Cincinnati, where he took up teaching. Even-tually Ernst became princi-pal and later Athletic Di-rector at Oak Hills. Before he retired, Ernst moved to Dillsboro, In., which help-ed lead to his involvement in senior softball. “In addition to being a pretty good ball player, Dick is also a very good organizer and promoter of senior ball,” commented Glascock. “He spends countless hours writing, calling and talking about senior ball. He also likes winning, but is always con-sidering the best interests of the players, coaches, managers and leagues.” Glascock then talked a-bout how Ernst’s enthusi-asm for playing has helped encourage innumerable seniors from “sitting on the couch and doing nothing. “He’s usually the first one to be at practice, and one of his famous sayings is ‘let’s hit,’” said Glas-cock. “In early March he says ‘time to start outside, let’s hit.’ And if it rained the previous night, he says ‘that’s okay, we can hit on the grass.’ “When Dick says we’re gonna hit, everybody’s rea-dy to go,” said Glascock. “Over the years, I’ve found Dick to be one of the finest gentlemen I have ever had the opportunity to be associated with, both on and off the field,” conclu-ded Glascock. “It is indeed an honor and my pleasure to introduce Richard ‘Dick’ ‘let’s hit’ Ernst.” After thanking the Hall of Fame selection commit-tee and sponsors, and ac-knowledging his friends and other guests present at the ceremony, Ernst made special mention of Richard Zureick for nominating him. “He asked me to get some information together, and the rest is history, and it’s been wonderful for me,” said Ernst.

Ernst said that his soft-ball career “was short. “I didn’t play my first game until I was 56-years old,” he said. “After retir-ing from Oak Hills, I was asked if I’d be interested in playing softball. It didn’t take long for me to realize that seniors are very serious about playing.” Soon Ernst was recruited by Loyd Smith to play in the ASA National Tourna-ment, and the team met with immediate success, winning the nationals in 1994. “I knew from that mo-ment on that I loved that game,” recalled Ernst. “It was a wonderful experi-ence.” Ernst said that he was particularly proud to be in-ducted in view of his fa-ther’s “very prominent role in softball. “Many of you know he wrote the original softball rule book,” said Ernst. This provided umpires with a great opportunity and helped develop the rising popularity of the slow pitch game, pointed out Ernst. “My father became ASA Umpire-In-Chief and was Umpire-In-Chief at many national tournaments. He was one of the original in-ductees into this honored group and I’ve always been proud of that,” said Ernst. “It’s a remarkable feeling. As a kid, I’ve always want-ed to be like my father. Now in this way, at least I’ve had that opportunity.” A very special highlight of his career, said Ernst, came between 2002 and 2004 with his Ohio Tile & Gravel team. “In 2002 our team started a remarkable winning streak. I don’t think it’s ever been equalled. We won 51 straight games. I don’t think there are too many teams who can say that at any level. We came back in the last inning and won nine different times and won in extra innings. We’re so proud of that, and I think that’s something that will always be remem-bered. “That was the highlight of my career and something I’ll always cherish,” re-marked Ernst. “And now again, I want to thank Sorrento's and all the committee members and everyone for this won-derful opportunity, and ex-perience for me,” he con-cluded. Jerry Fick Induction

Jerry Fick is best known locally as the Umpire-In-Chief for the ASA Cincin-nati Metro Tournament for the past 31 years. After four years officiating youth softball, Fick joined Queen City umpires and quickly became one of their busiest and most respected offici-als. In 1979 he was select-ed to work his first Nation-al Tournament. Three years later

he officiated in the US Olympic Festival, then in 1989 he worked the ASA Super Major Nation-als. Also that year, Fick’s ca-reer took a dramatic turna-bout when he began serv-ing as an administrator and umpire trainer. He joined the ASA National Umpire Staff in 2002, and in 2006 was assigned to teach um-pires for the U. S. Military in Germany and Italy. In 2008 he served as the U-I-C for the two largest na-tional tournaments the ASA has ever held. In all, Fick has been U-I-C for over 20 national championships, served as instructor for o-ver 20 national umpire schools, and conducted clinics in 18 states plus Europe. His Metro Umpire Clinic is the longest run-ning in the nation. ASA Cincinnati Metro Commissioner Danney Saylor, who is also the Park Manager of Rumpke Ball Park. spoke on Fick’s be-half. Saylor spoke of the close relationship he and his wife, Gayle, had developed with Fick and his wife, Dee, during the 24 years Saylor has served as ASA Commissioner. Saylor said he made many changes during his 31-year tenure at Rumpke Park and two-plus decades as Commissioner. “I’m happy to say that not changing my Umpire-In-Chief was probably the best decision of my career,” said Saylor. Saylor described Fick as “bring, witty and charming. “He’s also tremendously organized and clear in pur-pose and he has a unique ability to define a goal and to put methods in place to achieve that goal,” said Saylor. Saylor said that Fick “has become one of the finest clinicians in the nation today. “With his enthusiasm, his humor, and his knowledge, he keeps his clinics excit-ing year after year,” said Saylor. “I’ve been to 25 or 30 of Jerry’s clinics and I still enjoy going to them to this day. “There’s no magical ex-planation to Jerry’s suc-cess,” continued Saylor. “He’s just an honest, clear-thinking man with a pur-pose, a plan, and he puts a heckuva lot of hard work into it.” Saylor also praised Fick “for all the contributions he’s made to our sport.” “Jerry is aware of how much he means to us and how tremendous he’s been to our program and how much we appreciate all the contributions he’s made to our sport and how much we treasure him for that and as a friend,” said Saylor in closing. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t say it once in awhile.

“So I say it today. On behalf of my wife, the en-tire ASA program, the en-tire staff at Rumpke Park, and the literally thousands of officials that have cross-ed your path, congratula-tions on a job well done.” “First, I want to congra-tulate the other inductees,” said Fick. “They excelled in a variety of roles, are male and female, and play-ed our game while both young and old - proof that our game is a game for everyone. “I also want to recognize past inductees who I work-ed with over the last 42 years and impacted my ca-reer,” he continued. “They include Ray Ernst, the first to head up the ASA umpire program and who wrote two rule books. His contri-butions show the impor-tance of our town on the national softball map from day one. Also Russ Cupito, who was known for his professionalism and ap-pearance. He always wore a tie. Dan Romanello was the Treasurer and CFO when I started with Queen City. Les Treitel was someone we could all learn from. His determination and dedication to umpiring were unmatched. Richard Zureick was my sponsor at Queen City. He helped me get started at the age of 18. Working at some of the levels I did at that age was tough. And finally Ron Jeffers. I started with Ron when I was 14 and he held classes in his basement. I worked for him during my college years while he assigned umpires for Queen City out of his home office. It was a great experience, as Ron continued to mentor me as I got involved early on in umpire training and sports programs and administra-tion.” Fick also thanked others who contributed to his ca-reer, making special men-tion of former ASA Metro Commissioner Ed Clott, league organizer Ray Feld-haus, youth team manager Roger Grein, and Sorren-to’s Willie DeLuca. “I speak of these past in-ductees because it is an ho-nor to be in the Hall of Fame with them as well as with the players and mana-gers who are too numerous to mention,” said Fick. “It’s also important that I recognize the ASA - Dan-ney Saylor, Dave Maury, Patty Amrein and the hun-dreds of umpiresthat I have worked with over the years. Only through their efforts is this possible,” remarked Fick. “I am especially happy today to receive this honor, because I get it for doing something I love,” contin-ued Fick. “First, my years on the field, and the chance to work national champ-ionships at the highest le-vel. At times, I wish that I had actively umpired long-er, but my time spent in game administration and umpire training have taken me across the country and overseas. “I hope to continue to contributed by working in tournament administration, improving the simplicity of our rule book, the safety of the game, in the ASA’s Strategic Planning process, and especially helping the umpires who really want to improve their skills,” said Fick.

“Lastly,” he added, “I want to thank the many who make this event possi-ble - Norwood Sorrento’s, Mark and Diane Linne-mann, the Hall of Fame Committee, the sponsors who contribute to the e-vent’s success, and my friends here today. “In closing, I also want to thank my wife Dee. She is not a softball or a sports fan, but has allowed me to do what I do and helps with much of the work. “Thank you all very much.” Dan DeClaire Induction

DeClaire Insurance is be-lieved to be the longest run-ning sponsor in Greater Cincinnati softball history. Beginning in 1979, De-Claire began sponsoring a USSSA “C” team that still remains together today competing in the senior program. After moving to class “B” in 1980, the team compiled an 1,865-996 won-lost record over the next 16 seasons, averaging 116 wins a year through 1995. They were consis-tently ranked in the top ten in the state of Ohio. In 1987 DeClaire Insur-ance began to compete in the Masters program, and they won the first of fifteen 35-over or 40-over state championships that year. Ten years later they cap-tured a USSSA 35-over World title, and in 2000 a 40-over world crown. Through 2008, DeClaire Insurance has competed in 138 leagues and over 570 tournaments, compiling a 2,450-1,259 won lost re-cord. The 3,709 games played under one sponsor may be unsurpassed in all of slow pitch softball. Mike Hanselman, an ori-ginal member of the De-Claire Insurance team and the team manager for the last fifteen years, was the first testimonial speaker of the afternoon. Hanselman credited the longevity of the DeClaire Insurance team to “team chemistry. “If you play this much softball, it’s important that you have teammates that you like to be around,” said Hanselman. “And Dan tried to assemble teams with players that got along well with each other. We didn’t win as many tourna-ments as some other teams, but we certainly enjoyed playing more than most did.” Hanselman noted that DeClaire’s involvement in softball had “run the gamut. “He was an excellent third baseman for our team and a clutch hitter. He owned an operated a softb-all park, and served as a USSSA director for several years. “But he’s being honored today for his role as a long-time sponsor, and he con-tinues to be a great sponsor as we go into the 2009 sea-son,” said Hanselman in closing. “I know I speak for all his current and for-mer players when I say ‘thank you, Dan, for al-lowing us to enjoy softball for all these years. And we congratulate you on being selected to this hallowed institution.”

After congratulating his fellow inductees and thank-ing Sorrento’s and the ban-quet sponsors, DeClaire remarked that his teams always enjoyed themselves and played hard. “Today is a good day for DeClaire Insurance soft-ball,” said DeClaire. “We weren’t always as compe-titive as we’d like to have been, but we always had a good time and we always played hard. And as much as everybody enjoys it, we would play again tomor-row.” DeClaire commented that Cincinnati was the hotbed for softball, and during the thirty years he has been involved, there were a few people who had really made a difference. “First of all, without Mark Linnemann’s contri-butions I don’t think any of us would be here today. He’s kept everybody inter-ested in the game and it’s been nice to be involved with Mark,” said DeClaire. “Also Bob Owens. Our home park for the last 20 years has been Expressway Park, and Bobby, I think everyone in this room knows what a good job you do,” he continued. “And Danney (Saylor) on the other side of town, any-body that’s ever played there and didn’t like the Metro, there’s something wrong. It was always a good experience and we had a good time,” he said. DeClaire then thanked all his players, “past and pre-sent. “They are DeClaire In-surance softball, they’re what it’s all about in De-Claire Insurance softball. And like Mike said, he’s the only guy I have who’s been involved in every game.” “There are two people I would like to mention that aren’t here today,” contin-ued DeClaire. “My father, Don DeClaire, founded the insurance agency, and he was our first sponsor. He made it possible for me to chase my dreams and what I really enjoyed. Also my current partner is my bro-ther, Dennis DeClaire, and he has allowed me as we’ve moved on with the busi-ness, to continue to sponsor the softball teams. So I thank both these guys and I really appreciate them. DeClaire then acknowl-edged his wife and chil-dren. “I have three other peo-ple here that I want to say thank you to,” he said. “That would be my son Dan, my daughter, Dawn, and my wife Gail. They're still here after 38 years of this too. There's a lot to be said for that, and nobody knows more than me, all the things I missed, that I probably shouldn't have missed. But thank you for letting me enjoy my years, and thank everybody for being here today.” Randy Lewis Induction

The final inductee of the afternoon, Randy Lewis, found his way onto the Cin-cinnati Softball News home run leader board with 95 home runs when he was on-ly 21 years old in 1989. Four years later in 1993 he joined Watanabe Optical and had a breakout season, powering Watanabe to an ASA “A” National title and earning All-American hon-ors. He also clubbed 139 home runs that year and was named to his first Major All-City team. A year later, Lewis earn-ed the first of two “Player of the Year” awards after belting 149 home runs. He would hit 481 home runs over the next three seasons, earning Major All-City honors each year. Then in 1998, Lewis turned in his finest season, as he power-ed Watanabe to an ASA Men’s Major Metro title and was named tournament MVP. He also slugged 145 home runs en route to his second “Player of the Year” award. In his final season in 1999, Lewis belted 124 home runs as Watanabe successfully defended their title. A year later he was named co-”Player of the Decade” and to the Greater Cincinnati All-Century team. Presenting Lewis was Dave Watanabe, Lewis’ manager and sponsor from 1993 through 1999, and the Greater Cincinnati Softball “Manager of the Decade” for the nineties. Watanabe began his needling Lewis about his many nicknames. “For the decade of the nineties, Randy was the premiere hitter in the tri-state,” said Watanabe. “But I don’t think anybody knew who he was because he had so many nicknames, and I just want to bring up a few of those. “There was Creek Joe, there was Chubbs, there was Big Country, and there was Country, just to name a few,” joked Watanabe. “Once in the late nineties I ran across a coach from Louisville, and he asked if ‘Big Chubby’ was still playing with me. “But for all those years, Randy could dominate the game with just one swing of the bat,” said Watanabe. “He was a no frills guy, ve-ry humble and unassuming. Just a great, coachable player. Teammates, coach-es, rival players - they all respected and loved Randy. He was just a super guy. “Congratulations, Ran-dy.” In his brief acceptance remarks, Lewis thanked the Hall of Fame Committee and congratulated the other inductees. “I also want to thank my friends and fam-ily for being here today, and Dave Watanabe for sponsoring us all those years,” said Lewis. Lewis also thanked the staffs of Rumpke Park, Eg-gleston Park and Pastime Park, where he played much of his league and tournament ball. “I also want to thank my wife Joy for taking care of everything to prepare for the induction ceremony,” said Lewis.

“Thank you very much,” he concluded. Each inductee received a plaque courtesy of Sor-rento’s Norwood, Hall of Fame rings through the support of some thirty plat-inum, gold and silver ban-quet sponsors, and medal-lions from the Cincinnati Metro Amateur Softball Association. Approximately fifty past inductees attended the function, including Jim An-aruma, Ron Baird, Dave Beamer, Bev Beck, Kevin Birkofer, Marilyn Booher, Whitey Brown, Mike Burns, Ron Cutter, Jan Det-ers, Ken Ewald, Bob Fen-nell, Denver Gabbard, Bill Goedde, Roger Grein, Butch Hays, Gloria Hill, Mark Huber, Don Johnson, Jenny Johnson-Kappes, Dick Jones, Galan Kelly, Mike Kinnett, Carol Kirad-jieff, Jim Kuhn, Mike La-Fever, V. K. Lehmann, Rick Linz, Bob Long, Jerry Meyer, Sam Monterosso, Marty Monterosso, Jimmy Nageleisen, Colleen Need-ham, Dave Neiheisel, Leo Osterday, Walt Roeckers, Dan Romanello, Tom Row-an, Brenda Ryan, Lee Sledge, Clyde Stafford, John Steele,Tom Taylor, Dick Thielmeyer, and Richard Zureick. Deceased Hall of Fame member Ray Ernst was rep-resented by his son, Dick, and Willie DeLuca by his brother Ralph.