2013 Female Player: Jackie Fischer
/Jackie Fischer
The word destiny would be the best way to describe Jackie Fischer, as she was destined to find success in the sport of softball. With God-given talent and her parents’ support and guidance, she began playing softball in 1976 with the Blue Lick Optimist team from Bullitt County, Kentucky.
This was the beginning of Jackie’s success, which led her to play in the Kentucky High School State Tournament with her North Bullitt High School team from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, which was soon followed by Division II success with Kentucky Wesleyan College, where she was named to All-Great Lakes Valley Conference teams.
After finishing her master’s degree at Indiana State University in Terra Haute, she took a teaching position at St. Mary’s of the Woods College while living in the small community of Kansas, Illinois. This move allowed her to begin playing with such notable adult teams as, Duggan’s Softball of Terre Haute, Indiana (94-98), Prime Time Softball of Paris, Illinois (99-05), Absolut Softball of Decatur, Illinois (06), and Stage II of St. Louis, Missouri (07-11).
Recently, she departed her position at St. Mary’s Of The Woods College and assumed the position as Dean of Student Affairs at Moberly College in Moberly, Missouri. These teams have provided her numerous championships at many National Inv., State Tournaments, and at the 2008 Class B World Tournament, where she was named to the All-World Tournament team. This Stage II team was by far the most athletic team that she played for in her 40 years of softball participation, as she described it as an amazing degree of camaraderie among its members.
Jackie’s best offensive year at the plate occurred with Stage II in 2007, as she hit .714, while serving as EH and filling in at 1st base. Her countless number of all-tournament selections is highlighted by being named Dudley “Class C” NIT Most Valuable Player in 2002. Among her most memorable softball experiences she listed winning the 2008 Women’s B World Tournament, winning the 1999 Triple Crown Tournament, winning the 2002 Dudley NIT at Rockford, and traveling to Russia to conduct softball clinics.
She also listed other outstanding players that she has shared the diamond with over the years beginning with Lisa Harvey, Dee Lake, Bobbi Mattingly, Jenn Jackson, Amanda Brown, Diana Chalfant, Sandy Fletcher, and Cindy Johnson. Her favorite coaches as, Chico Embry, Jerry Rhodes, Garvin Fehler, Ken Ayers, Diana Chalfant, Clyde Muncy, and Dee Lake.
Jackie wants to be remembered as a person that always contributed to her team’s success in a positive way, encouraged others to do their best, while showing respect for the game and everyone involved.
In explaining the opportunities that the USSSA has provided her over the years, she reflected on the opportunities that her parents have also provided her over the years, beginning with the 1990 USSSA Tour of Russia, Tallinn, Estonia, and Finland. As an assistant tournament director in Kentucky, she had the opportunity to interact with some great coaches, players, umpires and field personnel over the years. Her most meaningful however has revolved around the relationships that have been built over the years with teammates and opponents, as they reflect on specific tournaments, games, and plays that have made up their history together. The many years of softball travel has created a bond that runs deep among all that have contributed to Jackie being named to the Illinois Softball Hall Of Fame.