2013 Male Player: Dan Helfrich

Dan Helfrich

During a 1--year period from 1972 through the 1982 season, Dan participated for two of the finest teams ever to play the game from Southern Illinois. He started playing USSSA softball with the Belleville Shamrocks in 1972, which was the first team to play USSSA ball in Southern Illinois. They were a powerhouse team that went to two "Class B" world tournaments, finishing second in Baltimore in 1973. This is where Dan earned All-World team honors while playing right field.

During world tournament play, he swatted 7 home runs and batted .711. The following year, Dan was the state tournament Most Valuable Player prior to the team folding at 1974’s end.

“I think the USSSA was the best thing for slow pitch softball in southern Illinois. It brought uniformity to the game and the different classifications allowed it to be fair for all players.”

— Dan Helfrich

This was when Dan began playing for manager Rich Kaiser who was building a team called the Loggers, which became Southern Illinois’ new power team. During his years with The Loggers, Dan made numerous all-tournament teams, while setting a career .610 batting mark, while swatting 560 home runs. He played over 100 games every year for the Logger team, which expected to go to the world tournament each year. And they did.

Dan was an excellent defensive outfielder that possessed a great arm, which allowed him to throw out many unsuspecting runners that tried to take that extra base.
When Dan was asked about the Illinois USSSA organization he said, “I think the USSSA was the best thing for slow pitch softball in southern Illinois. It brought uniformity to the game and the different classifications allowed it to be fair for all players."
The Illinois USSSA welcomes “Mad Dog” to the Hall of Fame.

2013 Male Player: L.T. Graham

L.T. Graham

The initials L. T. must stand for “Long Time,” as longevity best describes L. T. Graham’s 45 years of softball participation. He began playing softball at the age of 22 for Deacon Davis at Booker Washington Center and everything has flourished for him since then.

With tremendous speed, he roamed the outfield for the 1976 Class B World Championship Forrest Hills team, which propelled him to individual notoriety. L.T. over the years has posted a lifetime .650+ batting average, while hitting over 800 homeruns.
In 1973 he earned MVP honors in the City Championship, which started a string of numerousAll-Tournament Team selections.

According to New Milford Tap manager Jerry Fiordelisi, “I had the honor to be his manager, as it was a pleasure to watch him chase down fly balls and surprise opponents with his power.”

“Softball is the greatest game of summer. It brings out sportsmanship between teammates and teams, while bringing out competitive spirit. It has allowed me to travel to many different venues and has allowed me to age gracefully, despite the numerous muscle pulls, sprains, and scrapes.”

— L.T. Graham

2001 Hall of Fame inductee Kurt Steger reflected on L.T.’s abilities by saying, “I have had the privilege to play against and with him for the past 30 years. In recent years, we have participated in the Senior Olympics in Springfield together. He is a man of great work ethic and is a man of great character and a role model to all of us.”

When L.T. was asked to describe his years of participation he said, “Softball is the greatest game of summer. It brings out sportsmanship between teammates and teams, while bringing out competitive spirit. It has allowed me to travel to many different venues and has allowed me to age gracefully, despite the numerous muscle pulls, sprains, and scrapes.”

L. T. Graham’s initials L. T. G. comes to light again, as he states, “Isn’t softball great, I just (Love The Game.)”

2014 Male Player: Michael Werle

Michael Werle

Playing for great teams became the norm for this Belleville resident for 24 seasons. Mike Werle participated with teams named Chick Fritz, Stags, Metro East Softball Club, Loggers, Magicians, Belleville Budweiser, St. Clair A's and St. Louis Rockets. Along with those teams' success stories, so were his individual accolades, as he was a Class B All World selection 4 times, while participating with Belleville Budweiser.

The big first baseman smashed over 650 home runs over his career, while batting over .600. An All-State Most Valuable Player in 1984 propelled him to future all-tournament selections over the years.

He admits Belleville Budweiser was the best team he played for as they won a lot and were best of friends. He identified teammates Mike O'Connor, Denny Albert, Mike Kreher, Dirk Androff, Leon Kreher, Al Studt and Larry Mohme as some of the finest players with whom he shared the diamond.

For Mike, what made his softball journey the best was that he shared it with those that he went to school and grew up with, while getting better at the game. He always wanted to be known as the guy his teammates could count on.

He has no regrets in his outstanding career, as he feels he had more fun and won more games than most. He credits the Illinois USSSA program as being the best organized and competitive oriented organization, which always provided his teams the best competition. With his induction into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame, Mike's journey continues.

2014 Male Player: Don Vlcek

Don Vlcek

Don began playing softball in 1986 with the Stickmen, which led to his participation with the more competitive Kings and KA Softball teams. These teams captured 6 state titles and 2 Class B National Championships, while finishing 2nd in the 2004 and 2005 Class B World Tournaments.

Other team accolades include a 1997 35 and Over World Championship with Tron and a 40 and Over National title with Ken's Beverage.

Being an outstanding outfielder and situational hitter provided Don with Class B All-State selections in 1995, 1996, 2006 and 2008. NIT selections in both A and B Classes on six occasions, while being All-World five times in Class B, 35 and Over and 40 and Over tournaments.

These honors mean little to Don, as he is satisfied to be remembered as a great teammate that gave his all for the guys he shared the dugout with over the years. Don states, "Ken Adams was my best coach because he always wanted to win." While identifying Jim Cushing, Billy Shahagian, Scotty Klein and Jim Walsh as some of the best players he had played with over his 24-year softball career.

Don chose his wife's new car being picked up and carried off by his teammates at a tournament in Indiana as his funniest softball experience. It seems his wife, Andrea, did not share in the laughter. His biggest regret is that his playing days had to end. He thanks the USSSA and everyone that has supported him, while he played the sport he loves.

2014 Male Player: Jerry Pietryk

Jerry Pietryk

If you see a truck full of sod circling the hotel parking lot following tonight's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, think nothing of it because it's just Pietryk's teammates sodding one of the guest rooms.

This would be a reenactment of one of the funniest experiences Jerry recalls in his 20 years of playing softball with teams like the Hurricanes, Home Run Inn, Extreme Easton, Ken Adams, Ken Beverage and Creative Design. Of those teams, Jerry sites the Ken Adams team as being the most fun and competitive.

From 2001 through 2006 the Ken Adams team captured 6 state titles, 5 NITs, 2 National Championships and 2 second place finishes at world tournaments.

While playing most infield, Jerry posted an estimated .650 plus batting average and hit over 600 dingers. That kind of production landed him on many state, national and world all-tournament teams.

After a high school baseball career at De LaSalle High School, Jerry played college ball at North Central College. His softball career began in 1990 when he was asked to participate in a Sunday League at Country Club Hills, which led to him being recruited by Larry Scott and John Kramer of the Hurricanes.

Even though he has many success stories, Jerry wants to be remembered as being a player that never quit and was always a good person to his teammates and to his opponents.

As he reflects on his great career, his only regret is not winning a Class B World Title, as two seconds leaves a bad taste in your mouth. He also recognizes that the USSSA has allowed him to play competitively in a well-organized environment, as he was always supported by his wife Lee Ann and his two children Blake and Hailee.

2014 Male Player: James "Tank" Kersten

James "Tank" Kersten

Tank began playing USSSA softball with the Comets from Downers Grove in 1994 after being asked by Guy Altier, Kurt Stepina and Jim Bonnamy to participate with them in the Northern D State Tournament. That was the beginning of an exceptional twenty-year run, as he has accumulated a lifetime batting average of .685, while hitting over 1,000 home runs. His best season batting average was .740 in 2005, while playing for KA Softball.

Jim mostly participated behind the plate and received All-National selections in Class C during 2013 season and Class B during 2005. He also has received numerous all-NIT and All-State selections during his competitive playing career.

Jim sites the 2006 KA Softball team as being the best team he has played for due to their team chemistry, which made winning easy. He also recognizes Scott Opels, Dave Shaff, Ken Adams, Steve Hardy, Dennis Muth, Todd Ankney, Dave Catalini and Gary Lofton as the best coaches for whom he played.

As he reflects on his great career, he wants to be remembered as a teammate that would always give his time to help another and thanks the USSSA for providing him the opportunity to compete at a high level.

His most memorable softball experience occurred while playing in his first Class B NIT with the Wombats in Toledo, Ohio. He explains, "Our first game was against Harlow Printing from Michigan. I walked my first at bat and when I arrived at first base the first baseman began trash talking. Blabbing on how Harlow Printing was this great team and that we did not have a chance. The Wombats ruled them in 3 innings 30 to 3."

His funniest experience happened this year at the USSSA Class D World Tournament when his teammate, Bill Bernabei, bet him that he would not slide down the kiddy slide at the Chick-Fil-A restaurant. Tank secretly asked the manager if he could slide down the kiddy slide. She gave him the go-ahead, as long as he paid for any damages. The slide and the kids on the slide all survived.

Tank would like to thank all of his teammates, friends, sponsors, umpires and officials over the years for making his softball playing "A ROADHOUSE" experience.

2015 Male Player: Steve Schwartz

Steve Schwartz

After playing USSSA softball for 23 years, Steve Schwartz retired having amassed 575 home runs while hitting .600. Spook, as his friends called him, played for perennial winners such as First National Bank of Waterloo/Miller Lite and 1st State Bank of Red Bud.

Primarily a shortstop during his career, Steve was versatile enough to also play outfield and first base. He grew up playing against Hall of Famers Dwayne Laws, Greg Jones, Roy Brockmeyer, Mike O’Connor, Mike Kueker and Denny Albert. Only a year out of high school he was named MVP of the Red Bud league while playing against some of the previously mentioned players.

He considers joining them in the Hall of Fame to be a great honor. Some of his fondest memories include winning the Co-Ed State Tournament with a no name team and being named the MVP. Ranking high on his list is the fifth-place finish in the C National in Louisville, a tournament he feels they could have won.

Steve thinks the game of softball is a great game, but the bats and ball shave diminished the importance of defense and hitting. His team placed in 12 straight tournaments due to timely hitting and great defense. He considers himself and average player and loves the competition while not striving for individual accomplishments. He was considered a team player with winning being the most important statistic.

2015 Male Player: Jim Walsh

Jim Walsh

Jim began playing softball in 1986. His first team was Kenneth Allen in 1986 and the next 29 years he played with One Hour Cleaners, Home Run Inn, Belcher Construction, The Kings, Tron Piping, Wombats, Screwballs, Ken Adams Softball and Ken’s Beverage. He cites The Kings/Screwballs squad as probably the best team he played for. He also thinks that Tom Piping and Ken’s Beverage were right there in talent. Jim was named All State in 1993 with HRI, in 1995 and 1996 with The Kings and with Tron Piping in 1996 and 1999. He earned All World/Offensive MVP in the 1997 Masteres World Tournament with Tron. He mostly played outfield with a lifetime batting average of over .640 and over 500 home runs.

In high school Jim played baseball for four years at Hinsdale Central. He continued playing baseball at Lewis University for the next three years and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round in 1980. The best players Jim considers playing with are Hall of Famers Jim Cushing, Art Rebolletti and Brian Schultz.He has had many good coaches through the years and thinks Mike Koch, who got him started playing softball, Ken Adams and Don Loid as the best. The USSSA has allowed him to meet and play with gifted athletes and players. It has provided every level of competition that a player could ever want.

Jim is still actively playing in the Senior program for the last four years. He has participated in Law Enforcement softball for the past 20 years. Softball runs in the family – Jim’s wife, Sue, played and helped coach for many years in the leagues and tournaments. Jim would like to be remembered as a great competitor and teammate. He will join many of these teammates tonight in the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2017 Male Player: Scott Spoolstra

Scott Spoolstra

In 1993, Scott “Spooly” Spoolstra started playing softball with his buddies on the Kamikazees during which time they won the Class C Illinois State Championship. They went on to capture the Divisional Championship in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Scott was named MVP for both of these tournaments. That same year, they placed fifth in the World Series in Las Vegas. Over the next 12-year span, Scott played on teams such as Ken’s Beverage, Tron Piping, Extreme Easton and Kings. He also played for Belcher’s Construction, his favorite sponsor. In the course of those years, Spooly made multiple All-Tournament selections. Scott learned from and was honored to play with such outstanding teammates as Brian Schultz, Jim Cushing, John Kramer and Brian Floeckher, just to name a few.

One of Scott’s most memorable experiences was beating Hague, the defending Major World Series Champions, twice in the same year when he was playing with Belcher’s. We were getting shut out and a no hit going into the fifth inning, needing to score a run to avoid slaughter. Coming back, scoring runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to defeat Hague, helping the team win that tournament in Springfield, Ohio. That same year, Belcher’s played Hague in Milwaukee and beat them in extra innings.

While playing outfield, Scott posted an estimated batting average of .650 and hit over 500 home runs. That kind of production landed him on many state, national and world tournament teams. When asked, “How would you like to be remembered as a player?” he answered, “That I gave 110% every time I stepped on to the field, my leadership and how I treated my teammates with respect.”

2017 Male Player: Matt Myers

Matt Myers

Matt Myers was raised on a farm in Southern Illinois. He says, as a boy, he didn’t have anybody to play ball with so he spent hours throwing the ball in the air and catching it. “I also improvised using a chicken house roof for a pitching machine. As the ball rolled off of the roof, I hit it against the wall destroying many balls,” he said.

Matt played slow pitch for over 20 years, 12 of those years with the Hecker Loggers, a Southern Illinois powerhouse team during the 70s and early 80s. Matt was an integral part of the success of the Loggers team. The Loggers played in USSSA Divisional and World Tournaments every year from 1975 to 1982, finishing in the top five several times. In the Cincinnati, Ohio Central Divisional Tournament in 1979, Matt hit .700 while his team battled back to a fourth place finish after losing their first game. Also, in Milwaukee in 1980, Matt hit .690 to help his team finish fifth in the Divisional Tournament. In 1978 at a very competitive Worth Invitational Tournament in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the Loggers finished in the top ten where Matt hit .650. In 1980, Matt was picked for the All-Tournament Team after hitting .650 with seven home runs in the Taylorsville, Illinois USSSA World Tournament Qualifier.

Matt was an outstanding right center fielder making very few errors in his USSSA career. He batted .590 over his career and pounded out over 600 home runs. He was an All Star in several leagues, receiving awards for batting average and home runs.

This new Hall of Famer contests that playing USSSA softball with the Loggers was the best experience of his softball career. “I loved the competitiveness of the teams, leagues and tournaments and how the whole USSSA organization was run,” Matt stated. “I ow my softball success to the Loggers’s Manager Rich Kaiser and my teammates.

2017 Male Player: Terry Dunn

Terry Dunn

Terry began playing softball in the early 80s, but would like to recognize Brian Campbell for getting him started in USSSA softball in 1988 when he joined the Steamers. A few years later, Terry would join Home Run Inn in 1990, which produced USSSA B State titles in 1993 and 1994, and a fourth-place finish in the Great Lakes National Tournament in 1995. Home Run Inn would also finish runner-up in the 1997 Class B State Tournament.

While he continued winning USSSA B State tiles with Creative Design in 2005 and KBI in 2008, Terry would add a 40+ USSSA Would Series in 2010 in Arizona.

Former teammate Alex Wanless added, “Terry stood out in many ways: he was a fierce competitor and in over 25 years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him make a mental error in the outfield. He was a player with an abundance of physical tools; could hit for power and average and was extremely fast with great instincts.”

Terry says that USSSA softball has given him the ability to play with and against the best players in the game. In addition, great friendships and memories have been built over the years. Today, Terry enjoys playing Senior softball and hopes to continue playing for many years to come.

2015 Male Player: Dave Shaff

Dave Shaff

When evaluating individual honors, David Shaff might rank near the top with numerous All-Tourney awards for his exceptional outfield play and most recently as a pitcher. With five All-World/National selections, numerous Class B picks, and a Class C All-State MVP selection, David was a huge asset for some great teams during his 19 years of USSSA participation.

Dave began playing slow pitch for Home Run Inn in 1997 and found instant success, as the team captured the runner-up spot in the Class B State during his first year. This success was only the beginning of three Class C State Championships and five Class B State titles, followed by four Great Lakes National victories, two second place Class B World placements and a Class D World Championship in 2014, while playing for Ken’s Beverage.

David recognizes Alex Wanless for getting him started in USSSA softball and has high praises for coaches Ken Adams, Dave Catalani, and Bill Wax in providing guidance. He also recognizes fellow teammates Jim Cushing, Al Van Gampler, Burgess Watts, Lincoln Adams, and his HOF presenter Jerry Pietryk as some of the best he has played with, which he states is only the beginning of the numerous friendships that have been created through participation in the USSSA program.

Former Coach Ken Adams added, “There was no one, but no one, who gave more, on the playing field and off, than Dave Shaff.  Without his efforts off the field, there would not have been KA Softball - his continuing efforts as a confidante to the players and a conduit to me as manager allowed us to keep it going for seven years, which is quite a testimony to Dave as a person as well as player.  He and Jerry Pietryk turned down all-tourney recognition many times to honor a teammate instead. I consider Dave to be one of my best friends in life, not just softball”.

Dave also added that he feels fortunate to have participated with 26 members of the Illinois Hall Of Fame, who have taught him a tremendous amount about playing the game the right way. He feels that because of them, he is joining them in the HOF.
When asked, “How would you like to be remembered as a player?” He answered, “I hope they remember me for my effort, my leadership and how I treated my teammates with respect.”

Dave, we do appreciate your efforts and welcome to the IL USSSA Hall of Fame!

2015 Male Player: Denis L. Fisher

Denis L. Fisher

After 23 years of participation in the USSSA program, “The Fish” remains competitive in the sport that has provided him numerous All-State and All-National honors. 

While playing for the Class B National Championship, Kluever’s Snap-On team in 1999, Denis received All-Tournament honors at the Great Lakes National in Milford, Ohio, Most Valuable Player honors at Kalamazoo, Michigan and All-Tournament honors at the Joliet, Illinois Class B National Invitational and Class B State Tournament. This was only the beginning of the notoriety “The Fish” would receive as he played shortstop, third base and first base for not only Kluever’s but the 2004 Montarra team. In 2005, he participated with Men’s Major team, Team Combat, followed by the Class A Team Illinois squad in 2006. In 2007 through the present, Denis has participated on such outstanding Class B and C teams as TCP Fieldhouse, TCP Easton, HRD, Full Tilt, KBI and Precision.

Denis remarked, “The KBI team and Coach Dave Catalani was very special. He is perhaps one of the most entertaining coaches I have played for as he is always making jokes and wants everyone to have a good time.” That KBI Class C team captured the Great Lakes National Tournament in Minnesota in 2013.

Presently, Denis is participating with the nation’s end of the season’s #1 ranked Class A team Precision and was also ranked #1 in 2014 as a Class B team with Coach Bill Wax. “What a great team this is,” he said as they became the first Class B team in 2014 to beat Laser Vision, the #1 nationally ranked Major team 35 to 34 in the Windy City Major Conference tournament and later run ruling Backman/Shoppe, another Major team in 6 innings. They ended up in 3rd place after losing to Resmondo and then losing to Backman/Shoppe, 36-33 after they came back thru the loser’s bracket to knock Precision out of the tournament.

Denis also feels that there is no finer sanction of softball than USSSA, as you have to be able to be solid offensively and defensively to be a top team. He also noted that many of his best friends have come from playing USSSA softball and he expects that to continue.

His career batting average of over .700 and over 800 home-runs against some of the best teams in the country clearly explains why he is now a member of the Illinois Softball Hall Of Fame.

2015 Male Player: Brian Benning

Brian Benning

Brian began his softball career playing local church league softball as a teenager. He then started playing with Pabst based out of Freeport, IL. They travelled locally in Illinois and Wisconsin and were usually regarded as the team to beat in most tournaments. Pabst played one year in the Thursday night league at Forest Hills Diamonds in Rockford and the end of the season Brian was picked up by Rockford’s RMA to attend the Class A National Tournament.

BB played competitively for Pabst and RMA teams for over 10 seasons, the last five playing at the Class A/B level. In 1985, Kelley’s RMA won the Great Lakes Class “B” National Championship. Brian led the tournament in home runs and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Brian was among the home run leaders in many of the tournaments in which he played and was selected to many National Invitational Tournament All-Star teams. By the end of 1986, Brian Benning was named a Major Player by the USSSA - one of 150 players in the country to receive that designation. Only two players in the State of Illinois had made that list at that time. Brian’s best attribute was the ability to hit with power to all fields and was considered to be a threat from foul line to foul line.

In 1986 Steele’s Silver Bullets, a Major team from Cleveland, Ohio played an exhibition game at Marinelli Field in Rockford against an Illinois All-Star team. After the game, Owner/Coach Dave Neale asked Brian if he was interested in playing Major softball with Steeles. Brian graciously declined this great opportunity to do what he loved best, coach youth.

Brian’s competitive softball career ended in 1986 when he began teaching and coaching at Orangeville High School. He was head football and basketball coach until 1993. He inherited a football program that hadn’t had a winning season for 25 years and led them to a Final 4 appearance in the 1988 IHSA Football Playoffs and a State Championship in 1989. In 1991, as head basketball coach, the team reached the State Finals in Champaign where he became the only coach in IHSA history to coach a State Football Champion and coach a Basketball team to the State Finals.

BB left Orangeville in 1993 to become the head football coach at Harlem High School in Machesney Park, IL. He inherited a program that had the state’s longest losing streak, not having won a game in the previous five seasons. He coached there for 10 seasons, the last six making the IHSA playoffs including the 1997 NIC 9 conference champions, the only time in school history. Brian left Harlem to take the head basketball job at his alma mater, Dakota High School in Dakota, IL. In 10 seasons, he accumulated a 202 – 75 record, including 4 regional titles and 4 sectional appearances. He was also a football assistant on their 2005 and 2007 State Title teams. His career record in basketball was 315 – 121 in his 16 years at Orangeville and Dakota, where he never had a losing season in his basketball coaching career.

Brian’s teaching and coaching career was cut short on Feb 1, 2011 while traveling to school with his youngest son, Brett. Their van was hit head on by a semi-tractor trailer a mile from school in a bad snow storm. Brett sustained injuries that resulted in a hospital stay of three days, but Brian’s injuries were much more severe. He was in a coma 3 weeks and the hospital for 5 months. He had 14 major surgeries and almost 300 trips to physical therapy after his release from Van Matre Rehab Hospital. Miraculously, Brian has resumed playing one of his favorite pastimes, golf.

Brian is married to Kathy and will celebrate 25 years of marriage next year. Brian’s oldest son Kyle (22) is married to Sara. They have 2 children Aubrey (3) and Carter (6 weeks). Brian’s other son Brett (19) is playing college basketball at the University of Southern Indiana on a full scholarship. Brian also has one brother Don (wife Sue) and sister Bonnie (husband Merle).

Welcome BB to the IL USSSA Hall of Fame you are truly a winner in life and on the field!

2015 Male Player: Joe Ambrose

Joe Ambrose

When it comes to state championships, Joe Ambrose may be the poster child for the Illinois USSSA, as he may be one of very few that has been a member of a state championship at every level A thru E. Along with his team successes, “Jammer” captured numerous individual All-State, All-NIT and All-National awards in several different classes.

He found early success with The Steamers and Home Run Inn teams during the late 80s and early 90s. In 1993, he began play with the Men’s A/AA team Joe Blacks where he played hundreds of games at the AA/Major level. As an example of his contribution to the Joe Black’s team success, he averaged a home-run in less than every four at bats, while compiling well over 800 dingers in his career.  

When asked about one of his most thrilling moments playing softball he stated, “Playing on ESPN in the Major World Series in 1997 and I hit a home-run over dead centerfield fence at the Cubs minor league stadium. Even though our team got killed, it was quite a moment.” Former coach and IL Hall of Famer, Tom Starck, added this regarding his former teammate, “Joe Ambrose was a great player for us and one of the best ever to wear the Joe Black’s uniform. I’m so glad to see him take his place with so many other fine players in the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.”

In his 22 years of USSSA play, Joe provided a .675 batting average, while playing with other numerous Hall Of Fame players, such as Tom Starck, Burgess Watts, Brian Schultz, Roy Ambrose, Mike Oates, Dave Villarreal, Kurt Kozlowski, Ken Adams and many, many, more.

As an example of his long ball prowess, Jammer finished in 3rd Place out of 150 home run derby participants at the A/AA World Series and finished in 2nd Place at the Men’s Major contest.

Joe commented about the Illinois USSSA program, “I really like what the Illinois USSSA has done with the 50 plus program, which has allowed many of the guys that I played with to remain active in the game. I am looking forward to coming out of retirement and joining them at some point.”

We are looking forward to seeing Joe return to the field as a Hall Of Famer in the near future.

2016 Male Player: Michael Spencer

Michael Spencer

Mike began his softball playing career with Lannings of Beloit in 1983. He played for Ken Lanning for 5 seasons, which saw the team finish 2nd in the Wisconsin State Tournament. Softball success seemed to follow him in his early years, as he played on the Class “A" State Championship team, Chipper’s Pub and was awarded the Golden Glove for his efforts; “Spence” says this was his most favorite team. The Chippers team spring boarded him to play with other talented squads like: Ingrassia, Ralston-McLaren, Pope Transport, Shockers, PDR and Wood Law, and presently with Team Arkansas.

The talented shortstop that played his high school ball at Hononegah in Rockton has accumulated an outstanding .730 lifetime batting average, while swatting over 700 homeruns. His best season by far was in 1991, when he posted an unequaled .820 BA.
With all these years of experience, Mike says his most memorable moment was when he was up to bat and could hear a guy saying “Watch This Guy!” and heard his daughter reply, “That’s My Dad!”

“Spence” has mentored many kids and younger players who reach out to him for advice and hopes he has improved their talents, behaviors and created a positive environment for growth.

Funny moments also occur over the years and his most memorable was watching Dennis Muth do a face plant into the baseline after rounding 1st base, while attempting to take 2nd.

His favorite coaches were Harrison Jones and Mike Carroll, while he sites some of the best players to share a diamond with are Jim Cushing, Brad Lindmark, Steve Stull, Brian Cunningham, Mike and Dave Carroll, and Don Klarner.

He states that if he has any regrets, it is not giving more respect to opposing players and he wishes he would have talked more to them over the years.

In his final statement, he said that he has been blessed and provided with a talent to play the game of softball. USSSA has provided the avenue to achievement and is most appreciative of his selection to the Hall of Fame.

2016 Male Player: James Phad

James Phad

Jimmy Phad had been involved with softball for over 40 years, starting with tournaments  on the United States Marine Corps National team. Jimmy has been able to see all phases of USSSA softball play from the beginning of his career with his hometown team, "Lost Acres" in 1981 and with longtime C USSSA Team "The Outsiders" winning 2 C State Titles and multiple NITs, all with a tremendous group of teammates.

Jim played B with the Easton group. Getting some great opportunities with his Rope Club team travel at the C and then B level, that had what became some of the most elite players from Illinois. He then joined his 2nd softball family of Full Tilt softball. More C State Championships were won, but more importantly a softball family.

With USSSA and GSL combining, Jim was on the No Ego/Next team that won the Nationals in Blaine, MN as well as the GSL World Series.

Jim began as an outfileder, then moved into 3rd base and finally landed in his desired home of the pitcher's mound. There he kept playing with his trademark curve and screwball until this year at the National level, finishing 9th pitching in the C worlds at the age of 60 with his ISS family.

Along the way, Jim has won some incredible tournaments including many 35+ and 40+ with one of his favorites being the 40+ USSSA World Series in 2010 in Arizona. There he earned the MVP award.

He always achieved a lifetime batting average in the .650 area with his trademark right filed line hits. But where the fun really began was 12 years ago with his Full Tilt family, that included his son Michael when he was 18 years old. After having 3 incredible daughters, the last child was a boy that Jim was able to watch grow and excel as a centerfielder, and then a middle infielder.

USSSA has given him the ability to travel to incredible venues with amazing players. Lifetime friends and family brought him joy and continue to give him incredible fun with his 50+ and 55+ teams that roam the country to play this amazing game.

2016 Male Player: Kevin Mattson

Kevin Mattson

Kevin began playing USSSA softball in 1979 and has continued to enjoy the game to this day.  The 55-year-old has maintained his love of the game over the years, due to finding success at the competitive level of play and through the making of lifelong friendships.

The outstanding first baseman boasts an impressive .670 career batting average and has hit over 650 dingers, while receiving countless All-Tournament and MVP honors. His participation with RMA, Franks Sports Page, and Mary’s Place has provided him with additional team success stories. All-Tournament recognition in Divisional Class B tournament play at Milwaukee, Steeles Sports Invitational and Little Caesar’s Qualifier has put Kevin in a class of his own.

He has played in state and divisional tournaments from 1981 through 2000 and was a member of the 1985 Class B Divisional Championship team of RMA. He was also a member of 2 state championship squads.

Kevin recalls that his most memorable softball moment was when he hit a 3 run home run in the 6th inning to put RMA up 4, after they intentionally walked Brian Benning in front of him. His timely blast aided the team to the divisional tourney game victory 14 to 13!

2016 Male Player: Tim Fetters

Tim Fetters

Tim was nicknamed “Pig Pen” appropriately by fellow teammate Jim Yeager. Even though the story of how he acquired this name is not exactly clear, it has stuck throughout his playing career.

Tim began playing the game in 1975 right out of Harlem High School and remains on the field today, while still playing in the 50-and-over classification. The 59-year-old third baseman/pitcher began play with Schlichting Excavating and soon became noticed as one of their leading hitters, and recognized with best offensive player accolades during Class “A” N.I.T. play in Memphis and Milwaukee.

He was also a contributing team member of the 1976 Class B World Championship team, Forest Hills Lanes, at the ripe old age of 19 where he joins fellow Hall of Famers: Clancy Horn, Jim Rumple, LT Graham , Rod Shives, Ken Franzen, Don Cox and Randy Torgerson.
He boasts an impressive .585 life-time batting average, while swatting over 650 home runs in USSSA play.

Also, Tim has coached his daughter’s Slow Pitch team and was the Women’s State Director for 4 years. Tim states, “I have been to so many places due to great sponsors and the outstanding USSSA program over the years as a player. That is why I coach and sponsor, so to give back to the program and so my daughter and her teammates get the same opportunities that I did.”