2015 — Hall of Honor Inductees — Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame

Indiana Slammers

To say the Indiana Slammers Women’s Fast Pitch was an accomplished team would be an understatement. Representing 46 universities/colleges with player accolades to include: All American Awards, various College Awards, Cowles Cup and numerous USSSA All State Tournament Team, All World Team, MVP’s, Best Offensive, Best Defensive and Out-Standing Pitchers in State and World Series competition.

7 Players have played in the National Professional Fast pitch (NPF) program and 5 are currently participating to include: Shanna Diller and Jamie Davison retired from the Rockford Thunder. Whitney Arion is currently playing for PA Rebellion and Kelsi Jones, Kirsten Verdun, Natalie Hernandez and Sammy Marshall currently playing for the Chicago Bandits.

In 1985 Bob Zivic, Dick Wilson, Dave Safstrom and Dave Zagorski brought this self-sponsored team together after a very successful 16U Youth team finished 5th in a 234 team National Tournament. Girls that started with the 12U, 14U & 16U Slammer teams that went on to play on the Women’s teams include: Angela Grabczak, Kelli Zivic, Danielle Zagorski, Abby Wilhelmi, Mandy Wilhelmi, Jessica Wilson, Cassie Dixon, Amy Atteberry, Sarah Ward and Jeanette Piehl. A total of 13 coaches gave their knowledge and skills to establish this team as a dominant force in all Women’s Fast Pitch in the Midwest. Unfortunately, Coach Dave Zagorski and Coach Jim Kresl have passed away. In addition to Bob Zivic, current coaches include Kirk Piehl since 2000 and Dave Wilson joined the team in 2003.

Having no Women’s Program in Indiana and 80% of their players living in Illinois, the Slammers started playing most of their tournaments in Illinois. The Indiana Slammers won the Illinois Women’s State Championships (an unprecedented 6 times) in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014. And were crowned USSSA World Series Champions in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and were Runners-up in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The Slammers finished 3rd in 2010 and in 2013. When Coach Zivic was asked his biggest win as a coach he replied, “In Women’s Ball, winning our first USSSA World Series in 2008”.

The Indiana Slammers not only play teams in the Midwest but have also played the Chinese Taipei National Team in 2004 and lost by a 2-0 decision. At the time Chinese Taipei was ranked 3rd in the World.

In USSSA Women’s tournament play since 2008 the Slammers have a very impressive 123-20 record. And they are still self-sponsored!

To sum up the Indiana Slammers (by former State Director, Brenda Paulson), “They’re a first class organization! Obviously very competitive but their players, coaches and fans are one the most professional groups I have dealt with over my many years in Fast Pitch or Slow Pitch. It gives me great pleasure that this is the very first Fast Pitch team to be honored by the Illinois USSSA selection committee and elected into the IL USSSA Hall of Honor." Thirty-two past and current players, 13 current and former coaches are represented and approximately 65 additional family members are here tonight to support this great organization!"

Good Luck Indiana Slammers in all future endeavors and welcome into the IL USSSA Hall of Honor, all of your members are most deserving of this honor!