2012 - Tacoma ~ Pierce County - Old~Timers Baseball~Softball

OLDTIMERS
Tacoma-Pierce County Old-Timers
2012
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Baseball-Softball
featuring
Reunion
Sunday, May 6
Tacoma, WA
Co-Sponsored by
Hall of Fame
Inductees
Dill Howell
Award
Marv Scott
Coaches Award
Cy Greenlaw
Oldtimer’s
Salute Award
Meritorious
Service Award
A Tribute to
Clay Huntington
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Schedule
Suds ‘n Stuff.......................... 2:00 p.m.
Dinner................................... 3:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony............. 3:45 p.m.
Committee
Ken Laase
Chairman
Marc Blau
Master of Ceremonies
Marc Blau & Gary Brooks
Publicity
Gary Brooks, Nick Dawson,
Tyler Scott, Joyce Wolf,
Doug McArthur &
Marc Blau
Souvenir Program
Bob Young
Advertising
Ted Lopat & Ron Staples
Raffle
Oscar Larsen & Mac Olsen
Registration
Joe Stortini & Ken Laase
Ushers
Oscar Larsen
Program Distribution
Other committee members:
Frank Colarusso
Ken Deforrest
Don Gustafson
Gayle Hazen
Shannon Heinrick
George Karpach
Pat Kelly
Aaron Pointer
Dave Wilsie
Kellie Ham Type & Graphics
Program Layout & Design
COVER PHOTO:
On the Job, Rain or Shine!
This photo of umpire Ken Murrie was used
in the souvenir program in 1974 when the
Western Washington Umpires Association
hosted the First Annual AA Slowpitch Invitational
Tournament at Sprinker Recreation Center. The
photo was likely taken by either Gary Lindgren
of the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma or
by Clarence Seman of the Pierce County Parks
& Recreation Dept.
Check Us Out at
www.oldtimerbaseball.com
Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball
Old-Timers Association
Welcomes You To The
Annual Hall Of Fame Banquet
The Tacoma Pierce-County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Association is
dedicated to recognizing and honoring the many players who have been
instrumental in the growth of baseball and softball in this community over the
years. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Columbia Bank, and the
Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Club, an annual banquet is held each spring which
honors various teams and individuals who have made significant contributions
in their sport.
In the past, these get-togethers have been very informal gatherings of
fans, pros, amateurs, duffers and all people interested in America’s favorite
pastime-BASEBALL! One of the first meetings was held in the mid-fifties at the
old “Firs” nightclub out on Pacific Avenue. Dill Howell and John Heinrick were the
heads of this occasion. Then, in the sixties, with a great assist from the T.A.C.,
the next banquet was held at the Top of the Ocean Restaurant in Old Town. The
get-togethers were held there until it burned down (no fault of the Oldtimers).
The gatherings then moved along with the T.A.C. to the 9th and Commerce
location for about ten years. Here, Frank Ruffo, Rudy Tollefson, Harold Smith,
Dan Walton and others, joined Heinrick to organize the affair. A lapse of four
years followed until a committee again organized a get-together in 1985 at the
Poodle Dog Restaurant in Fife, led by the hard-working Joe Hemel.
With a turnout of over 175 in 1990 at the Tacoma Elks Club, the Oldtimers made the move to accommodate more fans by hosting the banquet from
1990–98 at the Puyallup Elks. From 1999-2009 the banquet was held at the
Tacoma Elks Club with the continued support of our sponsors, in particular the
Tacoma Athletic Commission, Columbia Bank, Pierce Commercial Bank and
the Tacoma Rainiers.
A new home for the annual get-together was secured in 2010 with a move
to the Afifi Masonic Center. A brief interruption in the usual festivities occurred
in 2011 when the Oldtimers paid tribute to the history of baseball and softball in
our community by hosting the first-ever Fan Go-Round at the newly remodeled
Cheney Stadium. Fans enjoyed an elaborate display of memorabilia dating back
to 1896 and many former players were in attendance including Hall of Famer
pitcher and former Tacoma Giants hurler Gaylord Perry and former Tacoma
Cubs pitcher Don Larsen, the only pitcher in history to throw a perfect game in
the World Series, a feat accomplished in 1956.
We resume the 2012 banquet at the Masonic Center and welcome some
of the finest individuals ever to play, coach, umpire and sponsor baseball and
softball. For some the recognition is long overdue. We are grateful for the
continued support of the TAC, Columbia Bank, and the Tacoma Rainiers, and
are pleased to announce the addition of two new major sponsors into the
fold--Heritage Bank and Joeseppi’s Italian Ristorante
Gary Petersen is receiving the coveted Dill Howell Award, and Jeff Buhr
and Dick Pollen, fixtures when it comes to supporting athletics in Tacoma-Pierce
County, will be honored with the Marc Blau Meritorious Service Award for their
dedication and devotion over the years to sports in the community. It is with
great honor we bestow upon Andy Helling the prestigious Marv Scott Coaches
Award. You will be amazed to hear about his extensive coaching background
at Puyallup High School and about the many fine players he had a hand in
their development. A special “Oldtimers Salute” will be accorded Vern Kohout,
a longtime player in the City League who also played professionally for the
Salt Lake City Bees, San Francisco Seals, Spokane Indians and Bremerton
Bluejackets among others. Our list of talented Hall of Fame inductees with their
outstanding list of achievements can be found in this souvenir program and
will make for good reading. Including the 1975-81 BJ’s All Stars slowpitch team
and the Tacoma Firefighters men’s slowpitch teams of 1976-1980, we have
an impressive array of individuals to recognize this evening—honors that are
most appropriate.
In closing, remember… May continuing good health be your lot until the Great Umpire in
the Sky dismisses you to the Clubhouse.
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Mission Statement
Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball
Oldtimers Association
The Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball
Oldtimers Association was conceived and organized
to recognize and honor those participants whose
commitment and dedication has resulted in a significant contribution to the history of those sports in the
Tacoma-Pierce County community.
The Association shall conduct an annual awards
ceremony for the purpose of inducting worthy members into the organization’s baseball, fastpitch, and
slowpitch “Halls of Fame” and other related categories.
In addition, certain special wards created to recognize
and appreciate efforts “above and beyond” shall also
be presented at the ceremony.
The Association shall establish the necessary
criteria to determine nominations for the respective
honors, and the Association shall elect inductees from
those nominations.
Other goals of the Association shall be to establish a site, or sites, for its Hall of Fame (s) and the
displaying of appropriate recognition for all inductees.
The Association pledges cooperation with the Shanaman Sports Museum in developing its Hall of Fame
plans to be certain of not conflicting with their alreadyestablished public displays.
The perpetuation and recognition of the sports of
baseball, fastpitch, and slowpitch remain #1 priorities of
the Association, and all efforts of the organization shall
be directed toward enriching the phrase, “Play Ball”!
Nominations for
Awards Encouraged
If you know of someone who is worthy of consideration for recognition at next years banquet,
please complete and return this form.
Hall of Fame Baseball 1._ _______________
2.________________
Fastpitch
1._ _______________
2.________________
Slowpitch 1._ _______________
2.________________
Umpires
1._ _______________
2.________________
Sponsors 1._ _______________
2.________________
Executive/
Meritorious1._ _______________
2.________________
Dill Howell Award
1._ _______________
Marv Scott Award
1._ _______________
Meritorious Award
1._ _______________
Cy Greenlaw
Oldtimer’s Award
1._ _______________
Name of person
making nomination: _______________________
Phone:__________________________________
Mail to: Old-Timers Banquet,
9908-63rd Ave. Ct. E., Puyallup, WA 98373
2012
HallJesse
of Fame
Inductees
Baseball­—
Baker, Denny Brand,
Fastpitch—
Ken Jones and Con Starkel
Trish Hackett, Mike Healy,
Darvee Olsen, and Bill Potthoff
Dan Lowery and Rich Van Dyk
Ken Murrie
Slowpitch—
Umpires—
Broadcasters/
Sports Writer—Karen Westeen
Sponsor: Malcolm Soine, Soine’s Shoes
Remembering Clay Huntington
As this history illustrates, the media has been a
crucial partner in the development, promotion, and
even the invention of sports. Through newspapers,
then radio and television, local fans are now vicariously
linked to their favorite sport in ways inconceivable one
hundred years ago. Tacoma’s Clay Huntington experienced it all as sports journalist and announcer. He
did more, however, than just broadcasting, for he led
various efforts to make sure that Tacoma-Pierce County
had the facilities needed for local sports.
Clay Huntington’s model was undoubtedly his
grandfather, Samuel Adams Huntington, who was both
journalist and the promoter of sports facilities during
the early years of the 20th century. Samuel brought
his family from British Columbia to the City of Destiny,
published a promotional weekly called The Sound,
and in 1910 helped lead the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce’s effort to fund the construction of Stadium Bowl,
the city’s first sports arena.
The family returned to
Canada at the beginning of
World War I, but Clay’s father returned to Tacoma later
on. In a 2004 interview Clay
recalled, “ I got my start in
broadcasting at the age of 10
or 11. The neighborhood gang
would play games in a vacant
lot that we converted into a
football and baseball field and
we attached a hoop to an old
barn at the end of the lot for
basketball. When I wasn’t playing, I’d climb up into a
tree and sit on the branches overlooking the field and
practice my play-by-play of the games. Jerry Geehan,
Tacoma’s first sports broadcaster, was an idol of mine
and so I followed his broadcasting of events throughout
the 30’s. The first sportscast that I ever did was in the
fall of 1941 on KTBI. It was a 15-minute show sponsored
by Kreme Krust Bread and Bert’s Mens Wear and my
two guests were Vic and LaVerne Martineau. I’ve been
involved in the business ever since.”
While attending high school just before Pearl
Harbor, Clay launched his journalist career by writing
and editing the Lincoln High School newspaper. By
1942 he was a journalism student at the University of
Washington while also reporting the results of local
high school games. He must have made an impression on local sports enthusiasts, for just before his war
service in the Navy this teenager approached Mayor
Harry Cain about arranging a football game in Tacoma
between the 2nd Bomber Command and March Field
(Orange County, Calif.). The mayor called together a
group for a meeting in his office. “Here was I a kid in
high school meeting with the mayor and other community leaders.” The result was a decision to form
the Tacoma War Athletic Commission (re-named the
Tacoma Athletic Commission in 1946), which raised
money to buy athletic equipment for local servicemen.
“ The TAC really isn’t a commission. It is an athletic
roundtable. But the name stuck,” said Clay.
By war’s end, Clay was certain that a combination of sports writing and radio announcing was his
calling. He became the Saturday sports editor for the
Tacoma Times while also taking journalism courses
from Murray Morgan at the College of Puget Sound.
He remained at the Times while attending C.P.S. until
the News Tribune purchased the newspaper in 1949.
Gradually he shifted from the printed sports page to
radio and television announcing, a career that lasted
into the 1990s.
Throughout the years his radio voice could be
heard reporting local football, basketball, and baseball
games for KMO, KTBI, AND KTNT. His Tacoma Tiger
baseball broadcasts from 1946-1951 are well remembered by old Tiger fans. With two out and two on at the
count two—and—two on the batter, Clay would utter
his trade-mark and favorite description “the dueces
prevail. All of those who listened would wait for that
and will never forget it!
In the 1950s, before the time of on-site play-byplay broadcasting, he re-created major league baseball games with Rod Belcher over a 14-station network
that covered Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. In 1953,
he entered the realm of television announcing for both
channels 11 and 13. Along the way, he also encouraged
Deuces Prevail—Back row l. to r.: Art Popham, Stan Naccarato, Clay
Huntington, Rod Belcher, and Bob Robertson. Front row l. to r.: Don
Hill and Doug McArthur
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Clay Huntington continued
other sports broadcasters, including Bob Blackburn,
who was the voice of the Oregon State Beavers, as well
as the Pacific Coast League Portland Beavers, before
moving to Seattle.
Sports broadcasting is not, however, all there was
to Clay Huntington. Like his grandfather before him,
he had a sense of community that took
him from behind the mic to center stage.
Indeed, when asked what his proudest
sports moment was, he pointed to his
grandfather’s efforts to fund the Stadium
Bowl and compared his own role 50 years
later in helping to fund the construction
of Cheney Stadium in 1960 and bringing
Triple A baseball back to Tacoma. His was
rightfully proud of his effort, one that has
led to over 50 years of Pacific Coast League
baseball in Tacoma.
He also helped fund other sports
facilities, including Heidelberg Park, an endeavor
pointing to the realization that Clay’s and Tom Cross’s
efforts worked hand in hand. Tom created the sports
programs and Clay rousted local donors into providing
the funds needed to create the facilities.
When talking to Clay, you would encounter a
walking textbook of early Tacoma history and stories
that went beyond the realm of sports. It is no wonder
therefore that his contributions to the community also
include the promotion of sports history. He initiated
the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame in 1957,
and in 1960 expanded this honor roll – with the support of then Governor Albert Rosellini – to include the
State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame. Clay was
also a co-founder of the Shanaman Sports Museum
of Tacoma-Pierce County.
This city’s sport’s treasure continued his broadcasting career through his own radio station-KLAY-one
that continues to provide coverage of local sports be
it high school, college, or professional. Because he
started sports writing and sportscasting as a youth, he
had his eyes and ears turned and tuned to the future
generations of talent. To make sure that today’s best
youngsters can proceed, the Tacoma Athletic Commission, in 2000, established the
Clay Huntington
Sports Communication Scholarship Award to
help high school
graduates in their
pursuit of sports
broadcasting and
journalism. Today, Earl Hyder (second from right) receives
plaque for hitting the first home run in
boys and girls Heidelberg Park. Watching on are l. to r.: Tom
from throughout Cross, Clay Huntington and Stan Naccarato
Tacoma-Pierce (far right). Heidelberg Park came into
C o u n t y h i g h existence in 1956 because of the efforts of Clay
schools are well Huntington, whose “Friends of Kids’ Baseball”
organization was the driving force behind the
on their way to- creation of the baseball complex.
ward continuing the traditions begun by Clay Huntington some 65 years ago.
A sports icon in our community, Clay Huntington
passed award on June 1, 2011 at the age of 89. On
April 21, 2012, on what would have been Clay’s 90th
birthday, the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the City of
Tacoma and the Tacoma Rainiers celebrated Clay’s life
and accomplishments in the renaming of Cheyenne
Street, a key access off 19th Street leading into Cheney
Stadium, to Clay Huntington Way.
The TAC supports sports and
the youth of Pierce County,
And the TAC Needs You
If supporting youth and sports  in Tacoma-Pierce County
is appealing to you, joining the Tacoma Athletic  Commission should be a “priority”. No other sports-oriented
organization in Pierce County ever has done more for our
kids and their sports, and 2012 is the TAC’s 70th year of
doing just that.
Nearly $5 million has been donated to schools, recreation
departments, boys and girls clubs, deserving teams and
individual athletes during that time thanks to TAC dues
and special events staged by Commission members.
Among the fund-raisers which the TAC supports or sponsors
are the Banquet of Champions, the Shanaman Sports Museum of Tacoma-Pierce County, the annual Golden Gloves
amateur boxing show, and a TAC Golf Tournament.
In terms of honors and awards, the TAC conducts the High
School Athlete of the Month Award ceremonies  three times a
year, selects both a male and female Athlete of the Year  from
those ranks (each receive TAC college scholarships) and
awards the  Clay Huntington Sports Communication Scholarship. The Dick Hannula Award is another TAC honor, given
to the Amateur Athlete of the Year in Pierce County. Tonight’s
induction of new members into the Tacoma-Pierce County
Old Timers Hall of Fame is another TAC tribute to sports in
our community.
If the TAC is destined to continue its efforts of  support,
it needs the help of civic-minded, sports-minded citizens  like
you. A TAC individual membership or a TAC Corporate/Business Membership is the ideal way to assist this worthwhile
cause. An application below will enable you to join now.  Or
you may locate an application form on line at  www.tacomaathletic. com. For information, contact TAC  membership
chairman Doug McArthur at 253-759-1124 or via email  at
dougmc@nventure.com.
——————————————————————-———
TAC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Name _____________________________________________
Phone_______________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
E-mail address______________________________________
Individual Membership - $100, Corporate Contributions $250, $500, $1000, $2500, $5000. Enclose check.
Mail to: Tacoma Athletic Commission,
Box 11304, Tacoma, WA 98411
Previous Hall of Fame Inductees
Baseball—Morry Abbott, Harold Adams, Roy Archer, Primo Artoe, Rick Austin, Sonny Bailey, Jesse Baker, Cy Ball, Lou
Balsano, Otto Balmer, Tony Banaszak, Jr., Rick Barnhart, Art Berg, Ron Billings, Earl Birnel, Les Bishop, Dale Bloom, Frank
Bonaro, Ray Brammer, Denny Brand, Jack Bratlie, Jess Brooks, Dick Browse, Frank Brozovich, Gordy Brunswick, Luther Carr,
Frank Cey, Ron Cey, Vern Champagne, Jim Claxton, Gene Clough, Dick Colombini, Howard Davis, Bob Dawson, Sr., Mike
Dillon, Fred “Buzz” Doane, Richard “Butch” Dunlap, Ozzie Edwards, Cliff Ellingson, Jim Ennis, Les Faulk, Bob Fredricks, Bill
Funk, Maury Galbraith, Jim Gallwas, Holly Gee, Ron Gee, Bill Geppart, Skip Gillis, Ron Goerger, George Grant, Dick Greco,
Al Greco, Sr., Cy Greenlaw, Merle Hagbo, Dave Hall, Don Hansler, Ed Hardenbrook, John P. Heinrick, Andy Helling, Joe
Hemel, Ron Herbel, Garry Hersey, Gordy Hersey, Bill Hobert, Bob Houston, Glenn Huffman, Earl Hyder, Floyd “Lefty” Isekite,
Jack Johnson, Rick Johnson, Bob Johnson, Ken Jones, Arley Kangas, Frank Karwoski, Joe Keller, Rod Keogh, Andy Ketter,
Dave Ketter, Horace “Pip” Koehler, Bob Kohout, Vern Kohout, Vic Krause, Earl Kuper, Ocky Larsen Sr., Tony Lavorato, Rick
Lewis, Al Libke Jr., Bob Lightfoot, Bryce Lilly, Chuck Loete, Larry Loughlin, Bob Maguinez, Mel Manley, Harry Mansfield, Al
Manter, Floyd Marcusson, Larry Marshall, Vic Martineau, David Mathews, Allan Maul, Neil Mazza, Doug McArthur, Frank
McCabe, Ed McCoy, Barney McFadden, Bob McGuire, Art McLarney Sr., Jack McStott, Pete Mello, Lornie Merkle, John Milroy,
Dave Minnitti, Phil Misley, Joe Mlachnik, Bill Moe, Gary Moore, Vern Morris, Frank Morrone, Dave Molitor, Jimmy Mosolf,
Ford Mullen, Bill Mullen, Bill Murphy, Stan Naccarato, Jim Neeley, Bruce Nichols, Harry Nygard, Clyde Olson, Marion Oppelt, Gus Paine, Dick Palamidessi, Bill Parker, Craig Parks-Hilden, Don Paul, Roger Peck, Jim Pelander, Al Pentecost, Cap
Peterson, Aaron Pointer, Gilly Portmann, John Pregenzer, Bill Ralston, Larry Rask, Jim Rediske, Fred Rickert, Marv Rickert, Jim
Robinson, Rance Rolfe, Pat Rooney, Duane Rossman, Ernie Ruffo, Frank Ruffo, Pete Sabutis, Joe Salatino, Cliff Schiesz, Hal
Schimling, Dick Schlosstein, Ken Schulz, Marv Scott, Don Semmern, Hank Semmern, Bill Sewell, Doug Sisk, Otto Smith, Bob
Snodgrass, Joe Spadafore, Ray Spurgeon, Ron Staples, Con Starkel, Wes Stock, Ron Storaasli, Jack Tanner, Morry Taylor,
Elmer Thiel, Frank “Bush” Tobin, Erling Tollefson, Rudy Tollefson, Bill Turnbull, Art Viafore, Chuck Viafore, Heinie Vogel, Stan
Wallace, Carl “Kak” Wasmund, Pat Weber, Phil Westendorf, Russell White, Russ Wilkerson, Ray Wing, George Wise, Steve
Whitaker, Mike White, Paul “Doc” Wotten, Roy Young, and Ed Yusko.
Fastpitch Softball—Doug Adam, Don Anderle, Mickey Bartels, Keith Bauer, Ken Bauer, Jay Beach, Gordy Bendick, Betty
Rowan Bland, Lloyd Blanusa, Hal Blumke, Bill Boyer, Wally Brebner, Glen Collins, Mary Jane Bramman Cooper, Merle “Butch”
Corbin, Frank Davies, Glen Davis, Esther Deuel, Marian Ricono Dubois, Bill Dunham, Ron Fawcett, Bob Frankowsky, Vern
From, Lloyd Glasoe, Trish Hackett, Mike Healy, Jack Hermsen, Les Holtmeyer, Gene Horan, Hank Jarvits, George Karpach,
Pat Kelly, Tom Kenyon, Mike Koppa, Art Lewis, Fran Luhtala, Kermit Lynch, Earl Mahnkey, Don Maitland, LaVerne Martineau,
Louise Mazzuca, Roger McDonald, Dick Milford, Darron Nelson, Lowell Nelson, Shirely “Mac” Olsen, Dan Oliver, Darvee
Olsen, Dean Pitsch, Bill Potthoff, Woodrow Red, Lou Rickenbacker, John Rockway, George Roket, Bill Ruehle, Peggy Moran
Ruehle, Harry Rush, Ed Sabol, Delores “Dee” Sagmiller, Larry Slovek, Ken Stancato, Pat Strachan Stavig, Gene Thayer, Leonard
Thomas, Tommy Thomas, Bud Thomsen, Cleon Tungsvik, Ron Vandegrift, Alec Watt, Dick Webster, Gertrude Wilhelmsen,
Joyce Jones Wolf, Phil Yant, Dick Yohn, Cot Zehnder, Margaret Zepeda, Bob Zurfluh, Don Zurfluh, and Tom Zurfluh.
Slowpitch Softball—Dave Benedict, Kay Bentley, Earl Birnel, Dave Bishop, Carlos Canty, Jan Chase, Ken Deforrest, Bill
Fleener, Cal Goings, Dick Halleen, Margaret “Maggie” Heinrick, Kathy Hemion, Whit Hemion Jr., Jerry Henderson, Nancy
Jerkovich, Ken Jones, Joe Kilby, Joe Kreger, Ken Laase, Jim Lane, Lynn Larson, Lloyd Livernash, Peg Loverin, Dan Lowery, Dan
Luhtala, Marco Malich, Ron Mattila, Art McLarney, Sandy Molzan, Dick O’Brien, Trena Page, Vicky Panzeri, Butch Pasquale,
Jim Petersen, Darleen Peterson, Gordy Pfeifer, Louise Rota, Linda Rudolph, Dick Samlaska, Jack Scott, Steve Shackett, Joe
Stortini, Jerry Thacker, Ken Schulz, Margaret Steeves, Alice Textor, Phyllis Textor, Terry Trowbridge, Rich Van Dyk, Sue Vincent,
Bill Wheeler, Dave Wilsie, Bill Winter, Jan Wolcott, Jim Wolcott, Joyce Wolf, Bob Young and Dick Zierman.
Broadcasters & Sportswriters —RRod Belcher, Stan Farber, Jerry Geehan, Don Hill, Ed Honeywell, Nelson Hong, Clay
Huntington, Gary Lindgren, Earl Luebker, Elliott Metcalf, Tom Page, Art Popham, Bob Robertson, Art Thiel, Dan Walton,
and Karen Westeen.
Umpires—Ron Adams, Joe Bailey, Hal Berndt, Bob Corbin, Clarence Dean, Rick Fox, Ron Grassi, Paul Gustafson, Dick Hassan, John Heinrick, John Holliday, Bob Huegel, Joey Johns, Dave Kerrone, Ken Laase, Rick Lewis, Steve Liptrap, Ted Lopat,
Lornie Merkle, Dave Minnitti, Frank Morrone, Ken Murrie, Jim Oleole, Fran Pinchbeck, Gerald Redburg, Chuck Ruth, Ron
Shaw, Clarence Stave, David Van Hulle and Jerry Woods.
Sponsors—Jim Bartle & The Haven Pub, Frank Baskett/
Baskett Lumber Co., B & I Sports and Ron Irwin, Darold Billings/Billings Electric, Cammarano Bros., Inc., Ben B. Cheney/
Cheney Lumber Co., Rufus “Boots” Christian/Pacific Mutual
Fuels, Harry Esborg/Hollywood Boat & Motor, Jerry Foss
& Wested Tire, Ples Irwin/Irwin-Jones Motors, Don & Rita
Kitchen/ Schooner Tavern, Spud Hansen/Spud’s Pizza Parlor, St. Ritas’s Church/Sons of Italy, Len Manke & Cloverleaf
Tavern, Malcolm Soine & Soine’s Shoes, Tacoma Elks Club,
Mike Tucci/Tucci & Sons, Washington Hardware, and Alden
Woodworth/Woodworth Co..
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2012 Previous Hall of Fame Inductees continued
TEAM RECOGNITION:
2008
Teams not honored in: 2011, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1997, 1996,
1987-1989.
Wilson High School (1977) State Championship Baseball
Team-Bob Lightfoot (head coach), Hank Jarvits (Assist. Coach),
Henry Bender, Mike Cheesman, Howard Kimura, Jim Koenig,
Ken Lamb, Tab Lively, Mike Maxwell, Fred Minniti, Don Pratt,
Dennis Randall, Rich Rhoads, Alan Stoops, Mike Wiese, Greg
Wooldridge, and Kari Rein (statistician).
2012
1975-81 BJ’s All Stars Women’s Slowpitch Team: Joyce Wolf
(coach), Nancy Craig (assistant coach), Sue Carter, Mary
Dengler, Melodie Fox, Debbie Gray, Wendy Hawley, Denise
Hoober, Diane Irish, Pat Kearney, Linda Kays, Sandy Molzan,
Suzy Neuman, Trena Page, Vicki Panzeri, Darleen Peterson,
Sue Ray Harding, Louise Rota, Ardi Schrag, Sue Showalter,
Alice Textor, Phyllis Textor, Yvonne Via, and Sue Vincent.
1976-80 Tacoma Firefighters Men’s Slowpitch Team: Ken DeForrest (coach), Bob Bender, Dave Carr, Tim Chandler, Dave
Deskins, Ralph Guelfi, Jim Hook, Mike Krueger, Dick Moore, Bob
Schierman, Gary Schiesz, Ron Stephens, and Dave Wilsie.
2010
1979 Polar Bears Fastpitch Team: Dick Pollen (coach), Mike
Konda (Assistant Coach), Connie Bridges, Margaret Cassidy,
Peggy Ellis, Elaine Folgers, Jody Grace, Trish Hackett, Kris Lemon,
Cindy Miller, Darvee Olsen, Debbie Osada, Kathy Pandrea, Terri
(Pollen) Koberstein, Margaret Steeves, Vi Stewart and Lorie
Timberman Mulhern.
1966-1983 Tony’s Wahzoos Women’s Slowpitch Team: Judy
Alexander, Jan Chase (coach), Julie Christensen, Nancy
Craig (Player/Coach), Karen (Hanson) Pelton (Player/Coach),
Margaret Heinrick (Player/Coach), Gail (Adler) Carlson, Leslie
Albert, Michelle (Armstrong) Foran, Lynda (Butt) Hodgkiss, Dar
Cartwright, Meredith (Fry) Doran, Nancy Goodwin, Mary Hause,
Sandy (Hanson) Lucich, Gayle Hazen, Shannon Heinrick, Paulette Hoover, Nancy Jerkovich, Laurie Jones, Kris Kade, Gretchen
Kade, Teresa Kade, Patti Knight, Barb Kuni, JoAnne McCaffrey,
Sheila Samuelson, Stephanie (Stiltner) Pinard, Lynette Tallman,
Vicky Thompson, Sandy Turnley, Terry Veitz, Debbie Viafore, Patti
(Vogel) Moffett, and Fran Wax.
2009
1949 K Street City League Championship Team: Earl Birnel, Frank
Bonaro, Frank Cey, Vic Martineau, Pete Mello, Dave Minnitti,
Frank Morrone, Al Otto, Gus Paine (Mgr), Joe Paine (batboy), Larry Rask, Gene Ribar, Fred Rickert, Pete Sabutis, Dick Salatino, Joe
Salatino, Cliff Schiesz, Hal Schimling, Ed Yusko, and Art Viafore.
1991 People’s Church USSSA Men’s Church A World Champions:
Ron Coder, Tim Cutter, Dave Glenn, Jerry Henderson, Ivy Iverson,
Dave Nusser, Owen Shackett, Steve Shackett (coach), Darrell
Shively, Mike Stevens, Scott Stolzenberg, Dan Valentine, Ralph
Van Dyk, Rich Van Dyk, Kurtis Wells, and Doug Weston.
2007
Manke & Sons (1974) Men’s Fastpitch Team-Lowell Nelson
(mgr), Keith Bauer, Jay Beach, Bill Boyer, John Collins, Lloyd
Glasoe, George Hunter, Hank Jarvits. Tom Marshall, Darron
Nelson, Gene “Chico” Thayer, Ken Thomas, Tommy Thomas,
and Ron Vandegrift.
Lakes High School (1974) State Championship Baseball Team-Ed
Hardenbrook (coach), Steve Anderson, Joe Betzendorfer, Scott
Brunick, Jim Carberry, Jim Charboneau, Larry Corbin, Richard
Hassan, Richard Hendrickson, John Higginbotham, George Hilbish, Tom Mann, Richard Martin, Jeff Mitchell, Gary Olson, Mike
Reffner, Richard Rodewald, Bruce Roth, and Mike Wholey.
2006
1972-74 McKnights Foods Women’s Slowpitch Team
2005
1964 Tucci & Sons Men’s Slowpitch Team
1948-1952 Parkland Mutual Fuels Women’s Fastpitch Team
2002
1947-1952 Edgewood, K Street and Olde Pilsner Baseball
Teams
2001
1940s-50s Spanaway Baseball Teams
1999
1946 Sportsman Club Baseball Team
1998
1950 Midland Baseball Team--Valley & Sunset League Champions
1995
1948 Pacific Lutheran College Baseball Team
1994
1954 Ben’s Truck Parks Fastpitch Team
1969 Tacoma Cubs Pacific Coast League Champions
1993
1957-1958 Woodworth Contractors Baseball Team
1992
1937 Johnson Paint Baseball Team
1952 Irwin-Jones Dodgers Fastpitch Team
1991
1956 Stanley Shoeman AABC National Champions Baseball
Team
1990
1945 Todd-Pacific Stores Machinists State and NW Region
Fastpitch Champions
1961 Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League Champions
❦
In Memoriam
❦ ❦
Comrades who have passed since our 2010 Banquet:
Bob Christofferson
Walt Clifton
Wes Drake
Marian Ricono Dubois Jerry Foss
Ron Goerger
Clay Huntington
Pat Kearney
Art Lewis
Fran Luhtala
Groundskeeper at Cheney Stadium during the Tacoma Giants era
Fastpitch
Moose Lodge
Sponsor
Wes’ Super Mart
Fastpitch
Lincoln Electric
Slowpitch
Wested Tire, Foss Tire
Baseball
Cheney Studs, Salt Lake City Bees, Portland Beavers
Baseball
Broadcaster, Tacoma Tigers 1946-51
Slowpitch
Creekwater Dispensary, B & E Tavern, BJ’s All Stars
Fastpitch
Coast Guard team
Fastpitch
Sumner AC, Wood Realty,Spring Air, The Haven Slowpitch Team
Vern Martineau
Fastpitch
Irwin Jones Dodgers and Wood Realty
Bill McFarlane
Slowpitch
Villa Bowl
Dick Palamidessi
Baseball 26th & Proctor, Head coach at Wilson HS
Larry Pentecost
Baseball
Stadium HS, City League
Cliff Schiesz
Baseball
1949 K Street, House of David, Olde Pilsner
Gene “Chico” Thayer
Fastpitch
Mueller-Harkins, Wood Realty, Spring Air
Mattress, Manke & Sons, Clearview Nursing Home
Thomas, Tommy
Fastpitch
Mueller-Harkins, Manke & Sons
Don “Jeep” Trower
Baseball
1940 Tacoma Tigers, San Francisco Seals
Yvonne Via
Slowpitch
Pizza Pete and The Cage slowpitch teams
Bob Zurfluh
Fastpitch
Ben’s Truck Parts
9
Gary Petersen—
Dill Howell Award Recipient
10
Dill Howell Award
Named after longtime sport
enthusiast, Dill Howell, the award
in his honor is
given an individual who
exemplifies Dill
Howell’s passion, commitment, and continued support
for baseball in
the TacomaPierce County
community.
Dillard
(Dill) Howell
was one of the
original founders and directors of
the Tacoma Athletic Commission
which was established in 1943 to
promote sports and civic betterment. And, the TAC is the longtime
sponsoring organization of the
annual Tacoma-Pierce County
Baseball-Softball Oldtimer’s banquet, an event that Dill worked on
regularly.
Dill began his career in the
sporting goods business in 1922 as
a salesman at Kimball’s Sporting
Goods and later became the store
manager. In 1936 Kimball’s was
sold and Dill founded Howell Sporting Goods which he operated until
retirement in 1978. Howell Sporting
Goods handled most of the athletic
equipment and uniform needs for
the area high schools as well as
CPS and PLC and Dill was always
very supportive of all local sports in
the community.
Dill was very instrumental in
keeping semi-pro baseball alive in
the area and was actively involved
in the organization and operation
of the Tacoma City League, Industrial League, and Valley League
over the years. In many respects,
he was the glue that kept these
leagues going, always helping
the teams out with baseballs,
uniforms, bats, gloves and much
more. It was a commitment to the
sporting community that he made
on a consistent basis and it is because of this commitment that the
Tacoma-Pierce County BaseballSoftball Oldtimers Association
proudly recognizes Dill Howell on
an annual basis with this award
named on his behalf.
Born Jan. 28, 1951, Gary Petersen grew up in
Tacoma and has spent his entire adult life working with youth athletics in the South Puget Sound
region. Petersen graduated from Charles Wright
Academy in 1969 after playing varsity football,
basketball and baseball all four years.
After graduating from the University of Wyoming in 1973 and earning his masters from the
University of Utah in 1975, Petersen returned to
Western Washington and served on the Western
Washington Umpires Association. As a member
of the association to this day, he has worked as
an assigning secretary for umpires in the area
and took charge as umpire trainer and assigner
for Metro Parks Tacoma in 1992. This includes
games from T-ball through boy’s 18 & Under
baseball and girls 16 & under fastpitch.
Petersen conducts several training sessions,
including practice games, and assigns umpires
to games on a weekly basis between late April
and early August. His average number of umpires is between 15 and 20, and he also
does evaluations and works games himself.
Dill Howell Award Recipients
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
Gary Petersen
No Banquet
Tony Anderson
Frank Colarusso
Kevin Kalal
Jim Kittilsby
Doug McArthur
& Baseball
Tacoma Inc
Roy Murphy
Don Danielson
Joe Stortini
Dick & George
Pease
Marv Scott
Holly Gee
Bob Robertson
The Gottfried &
Mary Fuchs
Foundation
Marc Blau
Brad Cheney
Spud Hansen,
Spud’s Pizza
Parlor
Washington
Hardware
Tom Cross
Ray Spurgeon
Clay Huntington
& Stan Naccarato
Steve Orfanos
Bob Tourtillotte
Cammarano Bros., Inc.
Prior to 1992, Gary was an assigning secretary for the
Western Washington Umpires Association starting in
1980. He worked with Steve Orfanos and Craig Lowery
and dealt with the apprentice umpires who worked the
youth games in Pierce County.
Beyond umpiring, Petersen has devoted many years
to the athletic department at his alma mater. From
1981 to 2001, he served as the varsity softball coach.
Meanwhile, he coached the varsity girls’ basketball
team from 1982-90 and worked as a football assistant
coach from 1981-85. He also worked in the athletic administration at Charles Wright for more than 20 years,
serving as the athletic director from 1987-2000 and as
an assistant athletic director from 2001-08.
Marv Scott
Coaches Award
Little did Tacoma City League fans know
that they were in for a rare treat indeed, with the ball
diamonds of
the 40’s and
50’s influenced by
Marv Scott
whose positive coaching style
affected
numerous
athletes.
A
graduate
of Stadium
High School,
Marv toiled
at the hot
corner for the Tacoma Tigers of the Western International League for the 1946 season, compiling
a .283 batting average but Marv’s calling was to
teach and coach and the next year he was back at
his alma mater, serving as head coach for the Tigers
of Stadium from 1947-57.
Scott then moved on to Wilson high to
coach the Rams when that school opened up in
1958 and he remained the varsity coach through
the 1967 season with several City League titles under
his belt. Already involved as a part-time scout, Marv
then went into it fulltime, spending 25 years as a
scout with the New York Mets, earning World Series
championship rings from 1969 and 1986.
Joe Stortini who played against Marv and
later coached with him at Wilson recalled, “I really
admire how he managed his time. If it rained he
never wasted a turnout opportunity. We’d go into
the gym and he’d spend an hour explaining the
finer points of the game. He was a real perfectionist
when it came to baseball. Coach also felt that the
first thing players needed to do was to learn how to
hold a bat and bunt. He always said that if you could
learn to bunt you would be a better hitter. In fact, a
lot of his teams would win games even though they
would not get the ball out of the infield.”
“Marv would have been a great National
League coach because he loved the small ball concept of moving the players along with the short game.
His teams were always well drilled and they loved
to bunt,” said Stortini.
Joe concluded, “What impressed me the
most was not only how well-prepared he was, but
that he made sure his boys were, too. He was pretty
even-tempered and he would never embarrass a
player. If he was mad, he would take the player aside
from everyone, have a one-on-one conversation,
and create an understanding between both of them.
I marveled at how he dealt with the players.”
Denny Brand played for Marv at Wilson in
the mid-60’s and vividly recalled, “Coach could spot
talent better than anyone I ever knew. He was what
I would call ‘a man’s man’ and you just wanted to do
well for him, play hard, hustle, and not let him down.
He shared his knowledge and taught us to respect
the game. If we made an error we still came off the
field with our head up. If we struck out, we hustled
back to the dugout. He taught us to be glad for the
opportunity to be playing baseball and to realize that
no one was bigger than the game. We were in awe
of him,” commented Brand.
Joe Stortini, still actively playing Senior
Softball summed it up appropriately when he said,
“When I look back at high school coaches, I realize
how lucky I am that I got to play for Bill Mullen and
coach with Marv Scott. Without a doubt they were
the best and they certainly don’t make coaches like
Marv Scott anymore.”
Andy Helling — Marv Scott
Coaches Award Recipient
11
Andy Helling was born on January 27, 1928
and graduated from Sumner High School in 1946.
Following a tour of duty with the Marines he enrolled
at Pacific Lutheran College and graduated in 1956 with
a degree in Education. He subsequently taught Industrial Arts at Puyallup high with an emphasis on woodworking and carpentry.
While at Sumner, Andy earned three letters in football along with the team’s
Most Inspirational Award, one letter in basketball and just one in baseball since
his senior year was the first year baseball was offered again following the war
years. “Although I was more of an infielder, in high school I caught most of the
games because nobody else wanted to do it. And, I ran too slow to earn a
letter in track, but I did participate anyway”, recalled Andy.
While in the Marines, Andy helped organize and played for the Pearl Harbor Marines team on Kwajalein that played in a 13-team Naval Base League. He
the team’s third sacker and got a chance to play in Honolulu Stadium when his
club faced SubPac for the island’s
14th Naval District championship,
the winner traveling to Brooklyn to
play in the All-Service championships in Ebbets Field. In the battle
for the District crown Andy went
5-6 and played flawlessly at the
hot corner to help his team qualify
for the trip back East with an 18-hit
attack as they edged SubPac, 1615. With only two days left of his
military commitment, Andy was 2003 Half Century Plus Slowpitch Team­—Front row l. to r.: Dave
unable to join his teammates in Gray, Greg Muntsier, Cott Zehnder, Ben Heeb and Andy Helling. Back
New York so he headed home and row l. to r.: Jerry DeLaurenti, Jim Rice, Dick Halleen, Paul Gray, Gerald
Turner and Jerry Duris.
enrolled at PLC.
Andy played third base and
was a member of the Lutes’ Evergreen Conference championship team in
1953. His exposure to football and basketball coach Ed McCoy at Sumner and
baseball coach Bob Wiley helped him realize that coaching was a great way
to stay involved in the game and help others but, it was playing under Coach
Marv Tommervik and then under Coach Marv Harshman at the Parkland school
that really helped him develop a passion for coaching and led him to spend 23
seasons as head coach of the Puyallup Vikings baseball team.
“I started out coaching when I was in the third grade. I formed a baseball
team at Mt. View, Near Edgewood, to play the nearby grade schools from
Edgewood, Jovita and Milton. Later I held to from and coach a 16 & under
team from Edgemont and then I coached and played on a fastpitch team in
Sumner,” Andy recalled.
He continued, “Baseball was only offered my last year in high school and
so I helped Bob Wiley, our coach, when he was unable to be at practice. It just
came natural to me.”
During his tenure at the help of the Viks, they won
Marv Scott Coaches
three
Puget Sound League championships and Andy
Award Recipients
was named Coach of the Year three times as well. His
2012 Andy Helling
first Regional crown was claimed in 1967 led by pitcher
2011 No Banquet
Tom Horne. Horne joins Jim Streleski, Doug Theriault,
2010 Merle Hagbo
and Scott Hohensinner as Viks under Helling’s tutelage
2009 Roy Anderson that went on to play professionally. Additionally, pitcher
2008 Barry Crust
Steve Sand went on to play college baseball at the
2007 John Heinrick
University of Southern California where he garnered
2005 Bill Mullen
All-Star honors under legendary coach Rod Dedeaux,
2004 Marv Scott
himself a former Tacoma Tigers infielder in 1938.
12
2012 Marv Scott Award Recipient continued
Coach Andy Helling—
by pitcher Steve Sand
Asked about the greatest baseball player he
coached and Andy responded, “ I had a lot of outstanding players but Dan Thurston was a heck of a
player. He only played one season for me because I
think Coach (Bob) Ryan wanted him to run track and
get ready for football but
had he played I think he
probably would have been
the best ever because he
was blessed with natural
God-given talent.
Helling also coached
the Puyallup entry for two
years in American Legion
General Chester Pullar (left), competition and in the
the most decorated Marine, 1950s he played in the Valcongratulates Andy Helling on ley League for Puyallup
behalf of his team on a great
baseball season in 1948 at and for McKinley Hill, and
also played one season of
Pearl Harbor.
fastpitch for the Sumner A.C.
where he was an All-Star selection.
Little did Andy know however, that when he
retired from coaching at Puyallup he would resurrect
his old position by coaching a contingent of former
Puyallup/Sumner area coaches and players (such as
Jerry DeLaurenti, Dick Halleen, Cott Zehnder) in the
Half Century Slowpitch League hosted by Pierce County
Parks and Recreation Department.
Clearly, Helling’s contributions to baseball locally are worthy of presenting him with the Marv Scott
Coaches Award.
“Our uniforms hadn’t arrived at Kwajalein, Pearl Harbor in 1947
so we made do until they came,” according to Helling (back row,
second from left).
Coach Andy became the head
coach for baseball at Puyallup High
School beginning with the 1965 season, which was my junior year. He
was replacing a Puyallup coaching
icon, Dean Nicholson, who coached
both baseball and basketball at
Puyallup for years and was leaving to
become the head basketball coach at
Central Washington College.
I was fortunate to be part of
the Viking teams Andy coached for
two seasons and always felt that he
was sincere in his efforts to make us
better as both a team and individually. His coaching style was very supportive
and positive. While he had no problem
in pointing out mistakes and surfacing behavior issues, it was always done in a constructive way and
that was appreciated. I also liked the fact that Coach Andy was
approachable in terms of any concerns or issues that we had as
players. This style of coaching resonated well with our team as
we could focus on becoming better ball players and knew that we
wouldn’t have other issues interfere with that.
During our first season with Andy we weren’t sure what to
expect in terms of his coaching style. I remember our first practice
in the spring of 1965, he announced that we were gong to begin
with some drills he had learned in the Marines using a baseball
bat. I looked around at our team and other than Jerry Henderson,
I didn’t see much Marine-type material. I feared I was about to become involved in a Marine boot camp-type experience. At the end
of the day, they were great drills that helped us to become better
conditioned ball players.
At the end of the 1965 season we were playing Lakes High
School and facing Rick Austin, an outstanding ball player who would
make it to the “show”. As the game was drawing to a close, and our
team behind due to a terrific pitching performance by Rick, Coach
Andy decided to let a senior, who had seen very little action during
the year, come to bat in the last inning with two outs. I know that
many on the team felt this was a great thing to do for a player that
had stuck it out all year and there just had not been many opportunities for him to play. The first two pitches were blazing fastballs for strikes that
didn’t elicit one swing. Coach Andy evidently felt there was a better option and looked down the bench and asked me to pinch-hit
for the senior with two strikes and facing Rick Austin. All of sudden,
this didn’t seem like a good idea to me. My emotions went from
concern, to wonderment, to being nervous about meeting Coach
Andy’s expectations. The first pitch to me was a fastball, that I didn’t
even see, but heard it hit the glove. Fortunately it was a ball. The next pitch was a curveball, the likes of which I had never
seen as it crossed the plate for strike three - game over. Kind of
relieved that this at-bat was over, I headed back to the dugout and
was greeted by Coach who gave the sage advice that “ with two
strikes you need to be swinging”. During my senior season, I still
struck out from time to time, but with two strikes, I swung at the next
pitch even if it was in the dirt or over my head.
It was great to play for Coach Andy as I learned and benefitted from the experience. I am pleased that Coach Andy is getting
this recognition as it is deserved and well-earned.
Steve Sand, Puyallup Viks ‘66
CY GREENLAW
OLD-TIMER’S
SALUTE AWARD
Vern Kohout — Cy
Greenlaw Oldtimer’s
The “Cy Greenlaw Oldtimers
Salute Award” is named after one
of our area’s most
gracious
and kindhearted
individuals to
ever set
foot in a
ballpark.
And, as
the first
recipient of the
Oldtimer’s Salute
Award in
2003 it is only fitting to honor one of
Tacoma’s true pitching legends!
A three-sport star at Kapowsin High School, Cy made a name
for himself in the old Tacoma City
League and played nine seasons in
the minor leagues. In 1935 he was a
member of the Tacoma City League
champion Superior Dairy team
coached by Ocky Haughland. In
1937, Greenlaw pitched for Johnson
Paint of Tacoma which finished firth
at the National Baseball Congress
tournament in Wichita, KS.
In 1940 he played for Vancouver, B.C., in the Western International
League before the he joined the
U.S. Army in 1941 and after the
war ended he joined the Tacoma
Tigers of the Class B Western International League and was an
18-game winner in 1946, winning
a 3-0 seven-inning no-hitter against
the Yakima Stars at Tiger Park. In
fact, Greenlaw is one of only 14
pitchers to ever throw a no-hitter in
local professional baseball history.
But his career was on the decline.
After three seasons with Tacoma,
he played three more seasons with
Wenatchee before retiring from
baseball in 1951.
Born August 13, 1927 in Tacoma, Vern Kohout developed into a standout pitcher for the Lincoln High Abes
from 1943-45 under head coach Phil Sorboe. As a
senior, Vern was captain of the team and was touted
as one of the top pitchers in the state and participated
in the All-American game between the State all-stars
and the Seattle-Tacoma all-stars at Sick’s Stadium.
He was joined on the team by Tacoma’s Jim McGoffin
(SS), Stadium high outfielder Orv Harrelson, and Len
Kalapus, Lincoln high infielder.
In 1947, after serving in the Navy, Vern was courted the by Brooklyn, St. Louis, Chicago
Cubs and the San Francisco Seals clubs. His older brother Bob was a pitcher in the
Brooklyn organization and told him to sign with the Seals of the Pacific Coast League
and make sure that they put into his contract that he were ever sold to a Major League
team that he would get a percentage of his sale price.
Vern did just that.
Little did he know that he would enjoy the experience of a lifetime
as Seals owner Paul Fagan flew the players to his 10,000-acre
ranch on Maui for spring training. The closest Vern got to the Major Leagues were 10 games played against the New York Giants
during the 1947 spring training with the Seals. Vern remembers
playing the Giants five games in Honolulu and five games in San
Francisco. Off the field, Vern got to meet Giants stars Mel Ott,
Johnny Mize, Erne Lombardi, Walker Cooper, Buddy Kerr and
many others.
Elliott Metcalf, venerable Tacoma Times Sports Editor, kept in touch
with Vern while monitoring his career and received the following
letter from Vern while the southpaw was training in Hawaii.
Dear Elliott:
At last I have some free time, so I thought I would drop you a few
lines.
Our spring training camp at Hana, Maui, was out of this world. We Lincoln HS-1945
were fifty miles from civilization but that was the least of our worries. Around us there were
a few old shacks the island people lived in, a theater, a general store, and a barbershop. In
the middle of this, down near the beach, Mr. Fagan has built a beautiful rest resort he calls
Hotel Hana Ranch.
It is a place that would take honors among any of the hotels or auto courts here on the mainland.
After turnout, which was from 9:00am to 12:00 noon, there was horseback riding, swimming,
tennis, ping pong, pool and hiking.
The local people were very friendly to us. As you would walk down the street there was always
a friendly hello. They stood around while we were practicing and were quite amazed. On Lefty
O’Doul’s 50th birthday they gave us a big luau. It’s a huge feast where they bake a pig in the
ground with potatoes around it.
CY GREENLAW OLD-TIMER’S
SALUTE AWARD RECIPIENTS
The course also includes poi, which tastes like cement, raw fish, things that look like crickets
and a coconut candy, so they call it.
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
While in Hawaii we stayed at the Moana hotel, bettered only by the Royal Hawaiian. The
beach of Waikiki was only about 100 feet from my room. And the swimming and weather
was perfect.
Vern Kohout
No Banquet
Cliff Schiesz
Dick Greco
Pete Sabutis
Dick Milford
Pat Rooney
Walt Jutte
John Milroy
Cy Greenlaw
The Seals, while in spring training, lived like no other club in the history of baseball. We were
treated like kings at all times. Mr. Fagan is a very generous person.
Vern Kohout
Kohout was farmed out to the Salt Lake Bees for the 1947 season. In 31 games as
a 19-year-old, Vern finished 13-10 with a 4.53 ERA. That earned him the nod as Salt
Lake’s opening day pitcher for the 1948 season. Also playing in the Pioneer League
13
14
2012 Cy Greenlaw Recipient continued
that season was another Tacoman, Stan Naccarato, who
went 13-7 with 10 complete games and a 4.55 ERA in 182
innings for Ogden. Vern bested Stan in the hitting department
with a .286 average compared to Naccarato’s .141. Boise’s
Harry Nygard, another Pierce County native, led the league
with a 1.97 ERA in 16 games. During the 1948 season, Vern developed an elbow ligament problem that
would have been fixed by “Tommy
John” surgery if it had happened 30
years later. The 1949 season took Vern
to the Chicago Cubs farm system at
Visalia in the California League but
ended with the Bremerton Blue Jackets
in the Western International League.
The 1950 season found him in Spokane
to start and then LaMesa in the West
Texas/New Mexico League.
After the 1950 season with LaMesa,
Vern returned to finish his education
and lined up a row of diplomas. He
earned Bachelors (’52) and Masters
(’55) degrees at the College of Puget
Sound. In 1963, he completed his PhD
in Education at the University of WisBremerton Blue
consin. Vern spent 25 years overseas
Jackets
with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools. He worked at schools in
Verona, Italy; Karlsruhe, Germany; London, England (twice);
Athens, Greece; Naples, Italy; Madrid, Spain and Okinawa,
Japan. He also worked in the Raymond, Olympia and Tacoma schools.
Back in Tacoma, Vern played and managed in the Valley
League and City League for several years including championship seasons with Busch’s Drive-In (1952), Stanley Shoemen (1955), Western State (1955) and Cheney Studs (1957).
The Valley League was started in 1925 and drew teams
from throughout Pierce, Thurston, and Lewis counties as a
rule. In 1951 Vern Kohout managed the Busch’s Drive-In club
and his players included Art Viafore, Dick Colombini, Jack
Grader, Jerry Beardsley, Dave Schneider, Dick Schlosstein,
Bill Bridges, Garry Hersey, Gordy Hersey, Don Rasmussen,
Glenn Huffman, Bill Funk, Bill Geppert, Doug McArthur, Don
Hansler, Dale Platt, Bob Robertson, Cam Haslam, and Dave
Mesler.
Teams that season included Mineral, Spanaway, Mor-
ton, the Flea Club, Nisqually, the
Boilermakers and Rainier in the
Southern Division and Puyallup,
Orting, Madigan, the Drive-Inns,
Midland, South Prairie, and the
597th Engineers of Ft. Lewis in the
Eastern Division.
Following playoff games between
the first-half and second-half winners in each division, The DriveInns and Spanaway emerged
with the Eastern and Southern
Division crowns, respectively. The
Drive-Inns defeated Puyallup 7-3
behind the six-hit pitching of Dick
Colombini and Spanway notched
a 7-3 triumph over Mineral behind
the pitching of Art Thiel. The two
clubs then met a week later with
Thiel earning a 5-2 victory over San Francisco Seals
Colombini as the Spanaway nine
defeated The Drive-Inns for their first Valley League crown
in a decade.
Although the City League had to shut down in mid-summer
of 1950 due to financial difficulties, they were back in action
in 1951 with McChord, The Drive-Inns, 38th Street, PortlandPuyallup Avenue, Midland and the Woodworth Contractors,
a team composed mainly of members of the Lincoln high
school team including Larry LaBounty, Al Featherstone, Earl
Hyder, Jim Olson, Russ Wilkerson, Ron Schiesz and Ray
Boen.
Vern Kohout, who piloted McKinley Hill in 1950, moved over
to take the reigns of The Drive-Inns who were composed
mainly of past and present College of Puget Sound players
include Garry Hersey, Bill Bridges, Don Rasmussen, Dave
Schweinler, Jerry Beardsley, Jack Grader, Dale Platt, Dick Colombini, Art Viafore, Doug McArthur, Bob Robertson and Cam
Haslam along with Husky Don Hansler. As soon as Stadium
high completed their baseball season they added Gordon
Hersey, Dick Schlosstein and Dave Mesler to the list.
Marion Oppelt, a former Tacoma Tigers pitcher, managed the
38th Street nine and former Tiger catcher, Earl Kuper, handles
the chores behind the plate. Three other ex-Tiger mainstays
Marv Scott, Bernie Hargadon and Bob Johnson, the Tigers
manager in 1949 and a former Philadelphia A’s slugger in
the 30’s, also played for 38th Street. Other team members
included Don Paul, the ex-WSC football and baseball star
and PLU players Ron Billings and Frank Karwoski.
Under manager Les Herzog, the Portland-Puyallup Avenue
club will battle with Pete Sabutis and Fred Rickert of the former Kay Street team, along with Tom Absher, the leading hitter in the Pacific Coast northern division where he competed
earlier in the year for the University of Washington.
The Drive-Inns proved to tough to beat during the season
as they won both the first-half and second-half titles, thus
eliminating the need for a playoff to determine the overall
winner and thus the clu claimed the 1951 Valley League
crown when the downed Midland, 10-0, to clinch the secondhalf championship behind the pitching of Jack Grader.
“Most of all, the highlights of my baseball career from junior
leagues to the pros to coaching center around all of the
great people that I had the privilege to get to know along
the way,” Vern said.
Marc H. Blau
Meritorious
Service Award
Ask any of our “Old-Timers” and
they will say – Nobody in Tacoma or
Pierce
County
has
done
more to
perpetuate the
organization
than
Marc
Blau. It
is fitting
that a
Meritorious Service Award should
bear his name. His volunteer
efforts have gone above and
beyond.
 
A TAC member since the 1980s,
Marc has channeled his passion
for sports by focusing on working
on several projects that help to
embrace the history of sports in
our community and highlight the
athletic achievements of our past
sports heroes.
 
He teamed up with Clay Huntington as the driving force behind
the creation of the Shanaman
Sports Museum of Tacoma-Pierce
County which opened in 1994
at the Tacoma Dome; he was
chairman for over 10 years of the
Tacoma-Pierce County BaseballSoftball Oldtimers Association
and instrumental in numerous
team reunions; he is chairman
of the Tacoma-Pierce County
Sports Hall of Fame: he is the
Assistant Executive Director for
the State of Washington Sports
Hall of Fame; and he is chairman
of the Banquet of Champions.
He also authored, with co-author
Doug McArthur, “Playgrounds to
the Pros: An Illustrated History of
Sports in Tacoma-Pierce County”,
a book that captures the history of
over 35 sports.
 
He is relentless in his pursuit to
preserve our sports history and
his volunteer efforts in doing so
were the basis for renaming the
Meritorious Service Award on
his behalf.  Upon further review,
he’s been more than relentless!
“Driven” might be a more appropriate word.
Jeff Buhr and Dick Pollen —
Marc H. Blau Meritorious Service Award Recipient
Gerhart “Jeff” Buhr aka Jipper
Jeff was born in Tacoma on April 28, 1920 and graduated
from Bellarmine Prep in 1938 where he played end on the
football team.
In 1949 he helped form the Catholic War Veterans
fastpitch team that competed in the local City League for
three years. It was a family affair of sorts as the team included
brother Al and his two brother-in-laws, Orval Weber and Bob
Berthiaume, who had married his twin sisters.
Jeff then played second base for 10 seasons with the
Spring Air Mattress fastpitch team that included Al and Bob.
They played against many of the top fastpitch teams in the 50s
including against fellow Bellarmine Prep alum and fastpitch
standout, George Karpach.
In the mid 1950s Jeff coached St. Leos’ grade school
teams in football, basketball, baseball and softball. He also umpired little league softball
games for 13 years in the 60s and 70s and at the request of Steve Orfanos, he started assigning
apprentice umpires to youth softball and baseball games.
His final fling with fasptitch was as co-coach for the Teamsters fastpitch team in the
70s. Jeff was a bakery salesman for Jordan-Lagendorf Bakery and his friend, Smitty, drove a
truck for Wonderbread. They corralled bread truck drivers, all Teamsters, from both companies
and played for five years.
Perhaps Jeff’s greatest contribution, however, was serving as Athletic Director for all
of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) sports programs throughout Tacoma, Puyallup,
Olympia and Bremerton for 34 years—a position he started with back in the 50s. He did it all
back then including creating programs; promoting and publicizing them; preparing schedules;
recruiting, training and scheduling umpires; and working with the local agencies to get access
to the necessary recreational facilities.
Most of the programs were geared to 5th, 6th, 7th and
th
8
graders
and they covered everything from football,
Marc H. Blau Meritorious
basketball, baseball, and softball to swimming, volleyball,
Award Recipients
soccer and track and field meets. Jeff devoted countless
hours to the CYO program all to provide youngsters with a
2012 Jeff Buhr &
place to participate and for the first 29 years it was all on a
Dick Pollen
volunteer basis. Ask Jeff and he’ll tell you, “It was something
2011 No Banquet
to do and I enjoyed it. I even got to coach Ron Medved in
2010 Tony Milan
football when he was an 8th grader at Holy Rosary. I met a
2009 Harland Beery
lot of good kids and it was an lot of fun back then.”
2008 Bob Christofferson
Jeff Buhr truly touched the lives of many boys and
2007 Gary Nicholson
girls during his years as CYO Athletic Director and it was
2006 Clarence Seman
only fitting that in 2010 he was the first recipient of the
2005 Walt Jutte
2004 Jack Murphy
2003 Tony Anderson
2001 George Quigley
2000 Ken Wilson
2000 Bob Maguinez
1996-99Not Awarded
1995 Joe Hemel
1994 Jerry Geehan,
Don Hill, and
Clay Huntington
1993 Tak Ikeda and
Pat Steele
1992 Dr. Sam Adams,
Dr. Robert Johnson,
and Dr. Robert
O’Connell
1991 Maurice Turnbull,
Bill Turnbull,
1949 Catholic War Veterans Fastpitch Team—City League
Dave Turnbull,
Top row l. to r.: Joe Raquer, Dick Hermsen, Walt Tretton,
Donald Turnbull,
and Tom Kornell Bottom row l. to r.: Orval Weber, Bob
and Doug Turnbull
Berthiaume, Jeff Buhr, Al Buhr, and Rocci Spadafore.
15
16
2012 Marc H. Blau Meritorious Service Award Recipient continued
Jeff Buhr Award for Outstanding Volunteerism, an honor given
annually by the Bellarmine Boosters that recognizes an exemplary
and dedicated Booster volunteer.
We are pleased to add to Jeff’s list of community activism,
the Tacoma-Pierce County Baseball-Softball Oldtimers Marc Blau
Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to baseball and
softball throughout a long and illustrious career.
Dick Pollen
D i c k Po l l e n , k n o w n
affectionately as “Big Daddy” by
his teams, grew up in the Puget
Sound area, playing and coaching
sports for many years. Even into
his 70s, after moving to Oregon,
he continued to mentor youths
in baseball because of the high
regard his players and their parents
had for him. He died in July 2008
while residing at the Washington
Soldiers Home in Orting, but not
before having a positive impact
in the lives of his own and other
children through his involvement as a youth sports coach.
Pollen was born in Tacoma on March 27, 1927, and
graduated from Lincoln High School. He later attended Pacific
Lutheran College, but before graduating got a job at West Coast
Grocery where he worked for more than 40 years. He started
there as a warehouseman but eventually moved up to become
Communication Director. He was given a retirement party by
the company in 1988.
Described as a “natural athlete,” Dick was a wrestler and
also a center on a state football championship team while at
Lincoln High.
His future athletic endeavors included basketball and
fastpitch, playing the latter while in the Armed Forces at the end
of World War II. Upon his return to the Puget Sound area he
played for B & I into his 30s before retiring from the sport.
Starting in 1961 and going for the next two decades, Dick
coached baseball, softball and fastpitch teams in University Place.
After coaching baseball from 1961-65, he coached his daughters
in softball from 1965-70. In the early 1970s he coached the
University Place Red Sox and the Roadrunners fastpitch teams,
and from 1974-80 he led the Polar Frozen Foods “Polar Bears”
fastpitch squad. Two of those Polar Bears teams advanced to
national tournament competition.
His coaching wasn’t limited to youth baseball and
fastpitch, however, as he led the Neighborhood Assembly of
God’s slowpitch and basketball teams for about five years in
the 1980s.
After he was remarried, Dick coached his stepson’s
basketball and baseball teams in the Salem area. Even after his
stepson quit playing baseball, Dick continued on as a respected
coach, and for several years as the league president, until finally
stepping down at the age of 72. By that time, he had invested
almost 40 years of his life coaching youth sports.
HELP!
The Tacoma-Pierce County Old-timers Baseball-Softball Association is in need of a few good people.
Won’t you consider membership on the executive committee
which helps promote the annual get together?
The committee meets quarterly, beginning in October, and needs
members willing to help sell ads, obtain prizes donated for the
annual raffle, mail banquet flyers and put together the program.
If you are interested, contact Bob Young, 253-759-8127 or Marc
Blau, 253-848-1360 or marc@tacomaathletic.com.
1979 Polar Bears Team-ASA Women¹s Class A National Fastpitch Tournament—Front row l. to r.: Margaret Cassidy (C), Kris Lemon (RF),
Kathy Pandrea (OF), Lorie Isaac Timberman (P), Terri Pollen (C/UTIL), Jody Grace (SS), Debbie Osada (C/OF), and Darvee Olsen (2B).
Back row l. to r.: Dick Pollen (Coach), Elaine Folgers (DH/OF), Connie Bridges (P), Margaret Steeves (CF), Vi Stewart (P), Cindy Miller (LF), Peggy
Ellis (1B), Trish Hackett (SS/3B), and Mike Kondra (Assistant Coach).
17
18
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees
Baseball­—
Jesse Baker—Jesse Ormand Baker
was born June 3, 1888 in a log cabin
on Anderson Island and his family
moved to Steilacoom before his teen
years.
Jesse was playing baseball in the City
League when then-manager Mike
Lynch of the Tacoma Tigers of the
Northwestern League, saw him pitch
at the old College of Puget Sound grounds, now the site of
Jason Lee Middle School. Baker fanned 18 in that game and
Lynch hired him on the spot—no bonus and not much pay.
Jesse started his pro career with a two-hit shutout and had
a fine season finishing 10-14 with the Tigers. Baker was 10-23
with Tacoma before being traded to Spokane with a month
and a half left in the 1909 season. Despite 14-26 record Baker
still led the Northwestern League with 249 strikeouts.
Trading Baker was a mistake because 1910 was Jesse’s best
year as he compiled a record of 28-10 with the Indians. Not
only that but he led the league with 227 strikeouts, games
pitched in with 45, and innings pitched with 335 1/3 innings.
He also tossed seven shutouts and on June 14 he drove in
the winning run and fanned 15 to beat Tacoma, 2-1, in 15
innings.
It was during that season that Jesse became known locally
for his “Iron Man” feat in a series against Tacoma in which
he pitched a total of nearly 47 innings in four days. He defeated Tacoma 4-1 with a two-hitter on a Friday afternoon
and was given the day off. However, on Sunday he pitched
both ends of a double header, the games going nine and
12 innings. Then on Monday Baker was called in for relief in
the third inning and proceeded to pitch 16 2/3 innings before
Spokane won 5-1 in the 19th. All in all, Jesse racked up 46
2/3 innings of hurling in a four-day span.
During the off-season, the following assessment of Jesse’s
blossoming career appeared in the local newspaper on
February 13, 1911 as penned by Charles Dryden who wrote,
“Steilacoom Jess is 23 years of age, nearly six feet tall, displacement of 168 pounds, bats, eats and throws left-handed,
married and the father of one child, stole on base in 1910,
can sleep in an upper berth if necessary, played last year
with Spokane and batted .187, is sober, industrious, devoted
to his family and a credit to any league.”
He continued, “Mr. Baker’s best fooler is the Fog Ball, developed early in life along the shores of Puget Sound. This
masterpiece comes up softly and stealthly, like the fog at
Western State Hospital team—Jesse Baker is bottom row, second
from left.
early dawn, dissolves before the noonday sun and passes
the batsman at a given point somewhere between his nose
and belt. The said batsman never sees it at all, any more
than the mariner can observe a fog where it is not.; this
Fog Ball certainly should bring home the kale to Mr. Baker.
Nothing to it.”
“To keep himself in condition this winter, the ambitious Jesse
cleared 16 acres of land one and a half miles from Steilacoom. Until a fellow gets a peek at rough land in these parts
he can gain but a dim idea of Mr. Baker’s training system.
From daylight till dark Jesse pulls up large fir stumps with
his left hand, chops trees, rolls logs and does other light
exercise. To preserve his control of the Fog Ball he sails clam
shells at hell divers in the Sound. That mysterious something
the southpaw puts on the ball is imparted to the clam shells
and it is said more than one hell diver broke its neck trying
to dodge the missiles,” reported Dryden.
At the end of the 1910 season Pittsburgh offered $4,500 for
him but the Indians opted in favor of a $3000 bid and two
ballplayers from the White Sox—a deal reportedly the biggest in Northwest baseball history up to that time.
On March 31, 1911 White Sox President Charles Comiskey
announced that, “I have wired President J.P. Cohn of Spokane that the deal for Baker is closed and I am sending my
check for the balance of the purchase price of $2000 offered
last summer for the Spokane boy. Baker looks like the most
promising pitcher any minor league club has picked up in
years. His work yesterday was simply phenomenal.”
Jesse reported to the Mineral Wells, TX training camp of the
White Sox the following February, pitched briefly and was
promptly promoted by Manager Hugh Duffy to the regulars.
Duffy liked Baker’s big windup and follow-through from the
rookie as well as his control and forkball and was optimistic
about Jesse’s major league future.
Duffy, however, was too optimistic and Baker major league
career never materialized. As soon as the hot weather hit
the Midwest, so different from cool Anderson Island, Baker
broke out with a serious case of “prickly heat”, spoiling
his only major league season. The club kept him around
for two full seasons hopeful that the top prospect would
become acclimated but he never did and the “prickly heat”
never stopped bothering him until he crossed the Rockies,
heading for home.
On Sept. 26, 1911 the Tacoma Daily News reported that,
“two Tacoma boys are destined to make good in the major
leagues in the opinions of major league experts in the East.”
Charley Dooin [a former catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies]
was quoted as saying that “it won’t be too long before Bert
Hall’s “fork ball” will have the National League batters at his
mercy and Billy Sullivan [White Sox catcher] is firm in his belief
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
that Jesse Baker is gong to make good with a vengeance
in the American.”
The Daily News continued, “Word comes from Chicago that
Jesse has changed his entire delivery and that he now looks
like a renovated piece of pitching machinery, with brand new
wind-up and all. Any time Jesse
drops back into his old delivery
it will bring forth a “belch” from
Sullivan. “Cut it out, Jesse” he will
shout and the Steilacoom flinger
will immediately get back into his
new stuff again.”
Jesse received $2400 a season
with the Chisox and he also picked
up about $900 as his share of the
annual White Sox-Cubs City Series.
During his second year with Chicago, Baker begged management
to sell, trade or reassign him and
so a deal was arranged for him to
join the San Francisco Seals of the
Pacific Coast League.
Baker played well for the Seals as Jesse Baker, Steilacoom
a pitcher and a pinch-hitter and baseball team.
finished the 1912 season with a
12-15 record. There was one memorable game in 1913 with
Oakland leading the Seals 6-2 in the ninth when Baker was
sent in to pinch-hit with the based loaded. He hit a grand
slam home run to tie the score and then pitched the rest
of the way, leading San Francisco to a 7-6 victory over the
Oaks. The papers carried a big picture of Jesse on page 1
superimposed over Market Street and retouched street signs
to read Baker Avenue. He finished the season with an 11-13
record and a .421 batting average.
Baker finally convinced the Seals to ship him back to Spokane
in 1914 but the ballclub was unable to pay him so he returned
to Tacoma and finished the 1914 season with the Tacoma
Tigers under manager Joe McGinnity, who eventually would
land baseball’s Hall of Fame.
He worked for the Terry & Baker Real Estate and Wood &
Coal Company in 1919 and later as a logger for the Aloha
Lumber Company. Baker died at the age of 84.
Denny Brand— Denny
Brand went from not being
allowed to play junior high
football because they said
he was too small to being
inducted in the Old-timers
Hall of Fame as a baseball
player. Denny, born January 14, 1948, is in the Wilson
High School Hall of Fame
for his performance on the
diamond. Playing for coach
Marv Scott, Brand was AllCity in 1966. He also played
in the Pierce County All-Star
feeder game and was an all-state selection for the Seattle
P.I. City vs. State game. Denny played for the Cheney Studs
in Babe Ruth, Colt and Connie Mack leagues and the StaGreen Nursery semi-pro team.
19
Denny went on
to the University
of Washington
and played
three seasons of
Varsity baseball
for the Huskies
and was a twotime captain under Coach Ken
Lehman. As a
senior, he led
the UW in hits in
1970.
The 1958 Pot & Kettle Rookie League team
was the first baseball team Denny ever played
on. Bud Thomsen was the coach. Front row
l. to r.: Joe Price, Denny Brand, Wayne Hoff,
Jim Anspaugh, Denis Nadeau, and Ray
Mosier. Back row l. to r.: Steve Gegorich, Nick
Perovich, Craig Cameron, Tim Thomsen, Mike
O’Conner, Lew French, and Mark Cameron
was the batboy.
Brand also displayed talent on
the basketball court. In 1962-63, he was a member of the
Cheney Stud Courteers that traveled up and down the West
Coast performing at half time shows of high school, college
and professional basketball games. He later played varsity
basketball for Dan Inveen at Wilson.
“I made so many friends through sports and was the luckiest person to have had such fantastic coaches and mentors,” Denny said. “My first coach was Bud Thomsen when
I played for the Pot & Kettle team in the Rookie, Pee Wee
and Bantam leagues. What a fantastic coach and great role
model. When I played Babe Ruth , Colt and Connie Mack
baseball it was Bob Maguinez
who showed me how to respect the game and of course
Marv Scott gave me the tools
to be able to compete at the
higher levels. Their love and respect for the game is engraved
in everything I live for.”
“I was so fortunate to have
lived in Tacoma and was able
to enjoy all that Tacoma sports
and recreation had to offer.
Because of that opportunity
I am everyday reminded to
never take myself to seriously
and always remember where
I came from.”
1963 Cheney Studs Awards Banquet—
L. to R.: Johnny O’Brien, Ben Cheney, Brad
Cheney, Jim Stewart, Denny Brand, Willie
McCovey, and Bob Maguinez.
Ken Jones— Born March 18, 1938 in
Tacoma, Ken was a left-handed pitcher and occasional first baseman for
Portland Avenue, Clothiers, Criswell’s
and Day’s Clothing from 1956-64.
Jones, who graduated from Tacoma’s
Lincoln High in 1956, spent five of those
seasons with Criswell’s and posted
one undefeated season (10-0) that included a no-hitter against the perennially tough Woodworth
Contractors team. That season, Criswell’s, a nursing home
near Lincoln Park, qualified for the Pacific Coast Regional
Tournament which led to participation at the AABC National
Tournament.
The pitching staff was loaded with talent that season. Joining Jones were Dale Bloom, Phil Misley, and Bob Woods,
a member of the San Francisco Giants organization who
“C.J.” JOHNSON
BAIL BONDS
20
Past President
Serving the Community
Since 1951.
620 South 11th Street
Tacoma, Washington 98405
Call Anytime
BASEBALL MEMORABILIA
WANTED!
Photos, gloves, programs, uniforms, caps, bats, balls, schedules, tickets,
contracts, and any other memorabilia relating to Western International
League, Pacific Coast League, and Tacoma-area semi-pro teams.
Also interested in other Tacoma-Pierce County area artifacts for other sports such as
basketball, football, hockey, tennis etc. Items will be considered for display purposes
in the Shanaman Sports Museum of Tacoma-Pierce County.
253-272-1208
Nationwide 24-Hour Service
Superior • Federal
Municipal • District
Across from Courthouse
behind the Library
CONTACT: Marc Blau at
(253) 848-1360 (home) • (253) 677-2872 (cell)
blaumarc@qwest.net
Congratulations
to this years
Inductees!
253-843-9436
e-mail: khgraphics@aol.com
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
was stationed at McChord AFB at
the time. Ken pitched the first game
in the regional qualifier but lost to
Dr. Bernard’s of Portland, led by
Terry Baker. Baker would go on to
quarterback the Oregon State Beavers and win the Heisman Trophy
in 1962.
Over the years Ken was fortunate
to play for some of the areas top
coaches including Bill Mullen, Bill
Funk, Rance Rolfe, Dick Webster,
Dale Bloom, and Frank Karwoski
all whom had outstanding playing
careers as well.
Although Ken was starting a new career in slowpitch softball
he had one last fling in baseball with Day’s Clothing. Booth
Gardner was the financial comptroller for Day’s Clothing,
and he wanted the company to sponsor a baseball team
in the City League. Booth approached Doug McArthur and
asked him if he knew of anyone that might be a great coach
for the team and Doug recommended Ken. Jones agreed
and so Booth arranged for several players to get jobs at the
company and then he set up a checking account for Ken
to cover incidental expenses. Ken and Booth then went up
to Seattle and purchased uniforms, bats and balls from the
Ernie Rose Sporting Goods store to get the team started.
Among his players were Schultz, Bill Parker and Bob Abelsett from Wilson high and Steve Bramwell from Bremerton.
Abelsett enjoyed a nice basketball career at CPS and Parker
and Bramwell were football teammates for the Huskies. That
team featured a teenage Ron Cey who went on to hit 316
major league home runs from 1971-1987.
How did Cey end up with the club? Earlier Ron had played
in the Babe Ruth baseball program from age 14-16 under
the watchful eye of coach Ken Jones. The second year of
the team, Frank Cey had sponsored the team with his son
as perhaps the best shortstop in the league. However, Ken
suggested to Ron that if he really wanted to make it to the
big leagues he would more likely be successful as a catcher
or shortstop. Frank was furious with the suggestion and approached Boy’s Club Director, Don Danielson, threatening to
pull his sponsorship. Cooler heads prevailed and Ron gravitated to the hot corner with ease and the rest is history.
Jones later played slowpitch softball for 15 years for McKnights Foods, Lucky Lager, Wested Tire and Foss Tire among
others. During an extensive slowpitch career he was selected
to the All-Star team in eight invitational tournaments and
one Regional tournament and received one tournament
MVP award as well.
In 2010 “Jonesie” was inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Hall of Fame as a
basketball official. Ken served as the Executive Secretary for
the Western Washington Basketball Officials Association for
21 years and also as the Washington Officials Association
(WOA) Executive Board President for 12 years. He refereed
eight high school basketball state championship games.
Con Starkel—Conrad “Con” Starkel
was born on November 16, 1880 in Red
Oak, IA and passed away on January
19, 1933 in Tacoma, WA. For years
Con operated a cigar business in the
Perkins Building at 11th and A Streets
in downtown Tacoma but it was on the
sandlots of Tacoma, in particular at the
11th and K Street ballpark, that he learned about the
game of baseball.
A strapping right-handed pitcher at 6’, 200 lbs, Con’s
last wish was to be known as “a good baseball player”
and even in his retirement years his enthusiasm for
the game never waned.
A chronological summary of his career is as follows:
1901—Joined the Northern Pacific ships team of Tacoma, his first effort in organized baseball.
1902-03—Played at Walla Walla, WA, Wallace, ID and in four
games for Olympia of the Southwest Washington League
finishing with an 0-3 record.
1904—Played in Idaho for the Boise Fruit Pickers, the Pacific
National League champions where he fashioned a 21-10
record and finished the season with a 3-8 record for Portland
of the Pacific Coast League.
1905—Drafted by the New York Yankees club but was
“farmed out” to Montgomery, AL where he was 15-7 and
then for three games with Indianapolis.
1906—Con made his major league debut on April 19th,
1906 with the Washington Senators of the American League.
Unfortunately, he saw little action with the Senators, pitching three innings in just one game, and gave up six runs on
seven hits and recording two walks and one strikeout. He
completed the season appearing in 27 games for Albany of
the New York State League and in seven games for Baltimore
of the Eastern League.
1907-09—With his pitching arm starting to weaken, Con
joined up with the Aberdeen Black Cats of the Northwestern
League in 1907 and 1908 and then the Grays Harbor entry in
1909. Starkel compiled a 20-17 record for the Black Cats in
1907 and went 15-21 his second year with the club. One of
his teammates was 18 year-old Jack Fournier, a native of Aberdeen, who went on to enjoy a 15 year major league career
with the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Browns and Brooklyn
Dodgers where he lead the National League in home runs in
1924 with 27. As a member of the Grays Harbor Grays in 1909
the team won the Northwestern League championship.
1910—Starkel’s next journey took him north of the border where
he played for the Moose Jaw Robin Hoods of the Western
Canada League where he appeared in 35 games while amassing a 9-8 record before moving closer to home to play briefly
for the Chehalis Gophers of the Washington State League.
1911-13—Con was back up in Canada in 1911 as a member
of the Victoria Bees of the Northwestern League and finished
with a 5-12 record. Starkel then gave professional baseball
one final fling playing for the Tacoma Tigers of the Northwestern League in 1912 under manager Mike Lynch and
alongside notable teammates Ten Million of Seattle and Bert
Hall and Cy Neighbors of Tacoma. When Con finally hung
up the cleats, at age 31, he had endured 10 seasons in the
minor leagues and finished with a 103-111 won-lost record
Determined to remain in the baseball world as long as physi-
21
22
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
cally possible, Con turned to umpiring and for two seasons
umpired in the Western Tri-State League.
An interesting bit of trivia is that Con is a member of the very
exclusive “No At-Bats & A Perfect On-Base Percentage (OBP)
Club”, meaning that he had no official career at-bats and
at least one walk in the major leagues. In Con’s case, in his
one game with the Washington Senators he had one at-bat
but walked and thus his OBP is officially 1.000.
Fastpitch­—
Trish Hackett—Trish Hackett enjoyed a
25-year fastpitch softball career before
shifting to slowpitch. She played fastpitch for Lakewood Rotary, Lakewood
Engraving, Dick Pollen’s Polar Bears,
Jock Shop, Tacoma Subaru Lasers
and Sam’s Tire (Lacey). In that time,
she earned several honors including a
tournament MVP award in 1975 while
playing with Lakewood Rotary, being
an All-Star at the 1998 state tournament and winning tournament MVP honors in a women’s 35+ state tournament in
2002 – her the last competitive fastpitch tournament.
Trish was a key figure in the Polar Bears 1979 season that
included a trip to the national tournament in Bay City,
Michigan. She ended her softball career with the Mosquito
Squad slowpitch team in 2001. At that time, the Mosquito
Squad was the top ranked women’s team in the state for
four straight years. In 2000, Mosquito Squad won state,
placed second at Nationals and 14th at Worlds. Trish was
a nominee for the Washington State USSSA Softball Hall of
Fame in 2001.
Trish won the Pierce County Hoop Shoot for her age division
in 1974. At Lakes High School, she lettered in volleyball,
basketball, softball and track. As a senior, she was awarded
the female athlete of the year and was a Women’s Sports
Foundation High School All-Star.
Trish walked on to the basketball team at the University of
Washington and earned a full-ride scholarship. At UW, she
was named “Most Improved” player for 1978-79 season,
received the “Hustle and Desire” award from the coaches
for the 1980-1981 season and was named Co-Captain for
1980-81 season.
“Being able to play for Dick Pollen is something I am truly
thankful for. He was an incredible coach who loved the
game of fastpitch and believed, even back then, that girls
could play the game – and play it well. I always remember
Mr. Pollen’s incredible memory and ability to recall a specific
game, out, batter, etc”, recalled Trish.
“Having incredibly supportive parent’s
like I did made me feel extremely lucky.
The friends I made throughout the years
and experiences I had playing sports
helped shape who I am today, Trish
continued.”
“Playing fastpitch was a wonderful time
in my life,” Trish said. “I can’t imagine
what it would have been like without it.
Summers weren’t summers unless I was
playing softball.”
Mike Healy—Mike Healy started his
fastpitch playing career as a church
league outfielder in 1948, but after
learning how to pitch in 1951 he went
on to become one of the best fastpitch
pitchers seen in these parts for the next
three decades until retiring from the
sport at age 54.
Healy, born Feb. 15, 1933 in Washougal, graduated from Clover Park High School in 1951. After a
stint in the Navy, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Pacific
Lutheran University in 1963 and a master’s degree from the
University of Washington in 1969.
While still in high school, Healy was a church league outfielder until learning how to pitch in 1951. One year later he
joined the U.S. Navy, and as a pitcher he led his squadron to
the league championship and a berth in the Navy’s regional
tournament where they took third place.
Upon his return to the Puget Sound area in 1956 and for the
next 12 years he pitched for several teams in the industrial
league. He was the Litehouse Tavern MVP in 1960, the Educators Mfg. MVP in 1962 and 1964, and the Manitou Fuel most
valuable player in 1968. That same team won the 1968 city
league championship. Healy also pitched for the West End
Tavern and the Cloverleaf Tavern.
Throughout the 1970s there were many more tournament
titles and MVP awards for Healy. Pitching for Manitou and
later Puget Sound Bank, Healy and his teammates won
tournaments in Tacoma, Lacey, Everett and Lake Oswego,
Ore., among other locations. He was the Tacoma Invitational MVP in 1975 and that same year Manitou garnered
a second-place regional tournament finish.
Pitching for B&I in 1982, Healy helped the team qualify for
the national tournament, though player injuries prevented
the team from attending.
Throughout his 35-year pitching career Healy never had
a losing record, while at the same time earning many alltournament honors.
“I thoroughly enjoyed all the years I was able to play and
the numerous friendships that were formed playing the
game,” Healy stated.
Darvee Olsen—If ever an individual
grew up around a ballpark, it was
Darvee Olsen. That’s because Darvee
was introduced to fastpitch, literally, as
an infant. She was born in March 1957
and that summer her mother played
softball. From age 9 through 13, at the
same time that she was a bat girls
for women’s fastpitch teams, Darvee
played the game for various youth teams at fields around
Des Moines, SeaTac, Burien, West Seattle and surrounding
communities.
While in junior high school and later at Tyee High, she participated in gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, basketball,
track & field and cheerleading.
Still, fastpitch is where she shined, and her ability became
apparent at an early age. When she was just 8 years old
Darvee caught her mother’s pitching practice in the back yard.
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
When she was 14, playing with her mom as
a regular member of a women’s fastpitch
team, she was the all-star third baseman
alongside her all-star utility player mom,
Mac Olsen, at the Portland Rose tournament
at Erv Lind Park. At the time, Mac and Darvee
may have been the first mother-daughter
combination in women’s fastpitch.
sive numbers is that she often missed games while working
on-call as a brakeman for Union Pacific Railroad.
Following in the footsteps of her mother, her first coach and
biggest supporter, Darvee served as a volunteer coach for
her daughter’s Kent Parks/Blue Thunder 12-and-under team
that went to the 1995 national tournament in Colorado.
Earning all-tournament recognition at the
Portland Rose Tournament was the beginning of many such league and tournament
awards for Darvee. She won several Golden
Glove and Golden Bat awards for her prowess with the glove
and bat. She won the “best catch” award a regional tournament in Idaho, was an all-star in numerous tournaments,
including events held in Shelton and Lacey, and at the Class
A regionals in Kennewick. That year, 1979, the Polar Bear
Frozen Foods team won the regional title and participated
at the national tournament in Bay City, Michigan.
She says that the best part of her career came while playing
for Dick Pollen as a member of Polar Bear Frozen Foods and
then into the mid 1980s with the Tacoma Lasers, with many
of the players from the former team participating for the
latter after a sponsor and name change. “I am so grateful
for playing for this team, this coach,” she said. Darvee was
the team’s leadoff batter and an excellent contact hitter,
a proficient bunter and base runner. Defensively, whether
playing second or third base, she was well known for her
cat-quick reflexes and ability to turn some of the quickest
double plays in the league.
The only thing that kept her from having even more impres-
Bill Potthoff—Bill Potthoff was a Lutheran pastor who could deliver an impassioned sermon to the unsaved from the
pulpit on a Sunday morning, and later
that week toss no-hitters and strike out
opposing batters at a rate that earned
converts to his status as one of the
area’s best fastpitch hurlers.
Born on March 20, 1934, in Emporia,
Kansas, Bill began pitching a softball while attending a
one-room country grade school. He eventually graduated
from Hillsboro (Ore.) High School in 1952 and then earned
a degree from Concordia University in Portland in 1956. He
graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1960,
and came out west to start a new congregation in the Puget
Sound area.
Upon his arrival at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Milton,
the new pastor put together a fastpitch team that rivaled
the best in the area. Led by its “pitching preacher” who
also served as coach, Beautiful Savior won the 1962 church
league championship, rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the final
inning to beat St. Rita’s, 3-2. Beautiful Savior finished with a
perfect 20-0 record. That season, he recorded several no-
1.
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24
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
hitters and a perfect game.
The following year the talented team was asked to move
out of the church league and into the city league where it
again won the championship game, this time by a 1-0 score.
Starting in 1964, the team expanded beyond a church team,
was renamed Lutheran Merchants, and started participating
in tournaments in numerous cities throughout Washington
and also in Portland. Potthoff was the team’s only pitcher,
and for many years the team played at least 50 games per
year, winning more than 80 percent of those contests.
In 1967 he was picked up by a Tacoma team for a tournament in Everett. On a Friday night, Potthoff shut out the
opposing team, much to the delight of the team that had
just defeated a regional pitching legend named Bob Fesler.
“I hadn’t grown up in this area so I didn’t even know who
Fesler…was, otherwise I probably would have been too
nervous to pitch,” Potthoff stated.
In the 1970s and 80s, players came and went, but the heavy
schedule of games continued. The team added another
player who played outfield and pitched on occasion, but
Potthoff handled most of the pitching duties, even during
seasons where the team played in excess of 100 games.
Potthoff estimates that he pitched an average of at least 50
games per year between 1962-82, which equates to pitching
more than 1,000 games.
His interest in sports rubbed off on his family, as evidenced
by 12 grandchildren all playing sports at a high level.
“Softball was important, but it was not my life,” Potthoff
stated. “”My 50 years in the ministry were my calling and
vocation. Softball was my avocation.”
Slowpitch—
Dan Lowery—For those who have spent
a spring or summer weekend watching
a local softball tournament, Dan Lowery
is know as the man who operates inside
the batter’s box. Dan’s clutch performances at the plate have won numerous ball games for his teams.
Born May 1, 1952 in Morton, Washington, the 1970 Lincoln high grad played
basketball, football and tennis for the Abes and many
sports in the Air Force before crushing softballs on the local
LAKEWOOD VILLA STEREO SLOWPITCH TEAM­­—Back Row l. to r.:
Wayne Mangum, Dan Lowery, Bob Farrell, Royce Adams, Don ??,
Denny Snell, and Dave Carlisle. Front Row l. to r.: Scott ??, Gary Wells,
Jim Schaffer, Rick ??, and George Wofford. Missing:L Larry Suher.
slowpitch diamonds.
Dan’s slowpitch career
started with Lakewood Villa
Stereo in 1978 and over the
years he has played for
38th Street Shell, Slo-Pitch
News, Long Pest Control
and Peoples Church, the
Tacoma based team that
won the Church World ‘A’
Championship title in 1993.
And, Lowery is still going
strong 35 years later in his
current player/coach role
with NW Legends.
Dan was inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame in 1994 and
for good reason as his career features over 1,000 home runs
and a .650+ batting average. He was the Washington state
Class A MVP in 1992 and won many other all-star and MVP
awards along the way.
In addition to the world championship with People’s Church,
Dan played on three national championship teams and one
world championship team with Ruth Realty Seniors. Dan also
slugged LPC/Tacoma Dodge, Red’s Softball and Slowpitch
News to trophy-earning finishes in national tournaments.
Rich Van Dyk—Richard Van Dyk
graduated from Sumner High School
in 1973 where he played guard on the
basketball and shortstop on the baseball before later moving into slowpitch.
As a shortstop on the diamond, he
has earned numerous all-tournament
honors to go with several basketball
awards from his playing days at Centralia Community College.
Van Dyk earned the Defensive MVP award at the Church
World tournament in 1982 and 1991, and he was the overall
MVP at the 1993 tournament. He has been a member of
three Church World tournament championship teams and
was inducted into the Washington State USSSA Hall of Fame
in 1995. He started out playing for the Van Dyk Dairy team
but achieved most of his honors with People’s Church, a
nationally-known powerhouse ballclub.
Beyond his playing achievements, Van Dyk also coached
various basketball and baseball teams while his sons
Church Nationals (circa 1982-83)—Front row l. to r.: Mark Wagner,
Jerry Henderson, Steve Shackett, Aaron Shackett (ballboy), Rich Van
Dyk, David Troup, Owen Shackett, and Darrell Bowie. Back row l. to
r.; Dave Carlisle, Dick Samlaska, Chuck Hagstrom, Dan Valentine, Kurt
Frederick, Ralph Van Dyk, Bob Spellmeyer, & Ivy Iverson.
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
25
Memories of a Pitching Preacher Told by Bill Potthoff
I was born on March 20, 1934, in Emporia, Kansas and
began pitching softball while attending a one-room country
grade school. I eventually graduated from Hillsboro (Ore.)
High School in 1952 and then earned a degree from Concordia University in Portland in 1956. I graduated from Concordia
Seminary in St. Louis in 1960, and came out west to start a
new congregation in the Fife-Milton area.
seasons where the team played in excess of 100 games. I
pitched an average of at least 50 games per year between
1962-82—more than 1,000 games in that span.
During one of my early membership classes at Beautiful
Savior Lutheran Church in Milton we discussed sports.
When several of the class members learned that I pitched
softball, they decided we should enter a team in the church
league, and we won the church league championship our
first season.
The year the World Softball Tournament was held in Tacoma
at Cheney Stadium, Governor Dixie Lee Ray asked me to
give the opening prayer. Before the prayer she took the
microphone, walking to the mound to welcome all of the
teams. It had rained that morning but was beautiful at game
time. In her welcome, the governor told the crowd she had
promised everyone good weather by game time, and she
always kept her promises.
I especially remember the 1962 championship game against
St. Rita’s which we won, 3-2. We were behind 2-0 entering
the bottom of the seventh when we hit a single followed by
two home runs to win. I will never forget the St. Rita’s pitcher,
Pat Kelly, throwing his glove over the backstop in disgust.
After the game the wife of one of our players jokingly commented, “They had their priest cheering for them, but we had
ours pitching for us.” Beautiful Savior finished with a perfect
20-0 record. That season, Bill recorded several no-hitters
and a perfect game.
In 1963 the Tacoma softball league requested that our team
play in the city league instead of the church league. We
weren’t sure we were good enough, but we agreed and
won our division in our first year. Our championship game
was against a good pitcher. We managed to score a run in
the top of the first, before their pitcher really got warmed up.
Dave Hall, our third baseman, came up to me prior to my
first pitch in the bottom of the inning saying, “There is your
offense, now hold them.” We won 1-0. I believe we didn’t
get a hit after the first inning.
During our first years, we didn’t play tournaments. However, I
recall that in 1967, a team from Tacoma asked me to pitch for
them as a pick-up player in an Everett tournament. I pitched
on Friday night and we won, 1-0. After the game, our team
was really excited. They exclaimed, “We beat Fesler.” I hadn’t
grown up in this area so I didn’t even know who Fesler, a
local softball pitching legend, was. Otherwise I probably
would have been too nervous to pitch.
Being a pastor and a pitcher created some unusual, and
sometimes even humorous circumstances. In 1971, Gary
Lindgren wrote an article in the News Tribune Sunday sports
page. My picture appeared with me wearing a clerical collar
which caught people’s attention. The article was entitled, “Is
He the Pitching Preacher?, or “The Preaching Pitcher.” After
that, several of my fellow pastors and friends began referring to me as the “Pitching Preacher.”
One day, my wife went shopping and used her credit card
with the name Potthoff on it. When the clerk saw the name,
he asked her, “Is your husband the Pitching Preacher?” That
is when she told me that maybe I was playing too much
softball.
In the 1970s and 80s, players came and went, but the heavy
schedule of games continued. The team added another
player who played outfield and pitched on occasion, but I
continued to handle most of the pitching duties, even during
When I retired from the ministry in 1999, the Puyallup paper
had an article titled, “Pitching Preacher Retires.” The article
included a picture of me in the pulpit wearing my clerical
robes.
Now it was my turn for the opening prayer. I could not resist the opportunity to set the record straight and to inject
some humor. I began my prayer, “Lord, even though there
are others who would take credit for this beautiful evening,
we give you praise and thank you for it.” Upon returning to
the dugout, the governor assured me she was only joking,
attempting to apologize. I responded that I understood
and was likewise joking. I am unsure whether she actually
believed me.
Softball did indeed teach me that you cannot always win.
There are high points and low points. I remember some of
our greatest wins and also a few last-minute defeats. Toward
the end of my career, I recall throwing three consecutive
shutouts one weekend, thus winning a very competitive
tournament. At the same time, I also remember losing a
championship game in Yakima, 1-0, in 15 innings, after having our lead off batter on third with no outs in the bottom of
the 14th. I also remember losing 2-1 in a game to qualify for
the National Softball Tournament. We led 1-0 entering the
seventh and lost when the other team scored two runs. Our
loss turned out to be a blessing in disguise since our sponsor
did not have the money to finance a trip to Florida.
My interest in sports rubbed off on my family. I have a
daughter who was a 12-letter varsity sport athlete and also
Scholar/Athlete of the Year in high school. She went on to
play college basketball and still holds both high school and
college records. I am a grandpa to 12 grandchildren, 10 boys
and two girls. All of them have played or are still playing
sports at a high level. Three grandsons played hockey on
various traveling league teams. The other seven grandsons
played a variety of high school sports, making a number of
all-league and all-state teams.
I made a lot of friends playing softball and especially enjoyed
my years playing in Tacoma. Softball was important, but it
was not my life. My 50 years in the ministry were my calling
and vocation. Softball was my avocation. Webster defines
avocation as, “something one does in addition to his vocation or regular work, usually for pleasure; a hobby.”
Today I continue in my calling as I minister to a small, mission
congregation in the McMillan/Orting area.
26
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
competed in each sport. He is a retired dairy farmer and
currently lives in Des Moines, Wash.
Umpires—
Ken Murrie—Ken Murrie was a member of the Western Washignton Umpires
Association for 28 years. He umpired
baseball from Little League to college
and semipro ball for over 30 years. He
also umpired fastpitch and slowpitch
softball in addition to serving as a board
member and president of the Western
Washington Umpires Association.
A 1958 graduate of San Francisco’s Lincoln High, Ken umpired tournaments and championship games at state and
regional levels as well as a national women’s slowpitch
championship in Jacksonville, Florida. When the ball fields
were wet in the winter, Ken put in some time as a volleyball
referee also.
Born May 30, 1939 in Mukskogee, Oklahoma, Ken was a
tackle on the football line in high
school and played at bit of ball at
McCleland Air Force Base during
his 20-years of service.
“I am honored to be nominated
for this award,” Ken said. “I am
stunned to hear of it as I do not think I did anything to deserve it.”
Sports Writers—
Karen Westeen—Karen
Westeen’s journalism
career spans nearly
40 years, with the past
19 focusing on sports
in the Puget Sound
area. Westeen began
writing as a stringer for
the Bakersfield Californian in 1974, covering
Branch Rickey III, President of the Pacific local education and
Coast League, and Karen Westeen Edwards and Mojave
check out the newly remodeled Cheney
Air Force Bases. Her
Stadium.
sports career began in
1993, when she started
working for the Tacoma Monthly.
Early on at the Tacoma Monthly, Westeen covered sports
ranging from hockey, basketball, lawn bowling, soccer
and kite flying, while her first story for the Monthly was a
feature on local resident and then-Mariners third baseman Mike Blowers. In addition to the various Mariners and
Triple-A baseball players Westeen has worked with, the list
of famous sports figures she has interviewed include Pacific
Coast League president Branch Rickey III, Joe Theismann,
Marcus Trufant, Tommy John, Michelle Akers, Doug Sisk,
Mike Sweeny and her all-time favorite, Buck O’Neill.
Throughout Westeen’s travels she typically stops by local
baseball parks, giving her the opportunity to meet such
notables as Mike Veeck, owner of the St. Paul Saints, and
former MLB first baseman Sid Bream. She attended the 1997
All-Star Game in Cleveland and the 2001 Mid-Summer Classic in Seattle, along with the 1997 Triple-A All-Star Game in
Des Moines, Iowa.
Working at the Tacoma Monthly/Weekly pushed Westeen to
serve in numerous roles, including copy editor and sports
editor/writer. Most weeks she puts together the local events
calendars, and she has also written numerous book reviews
and articles about local non-profit agencies.
“Open at 11 am Every Day
“Sponsoring Teams
for over 30 Years”
Drink of Your Choice
Served in Trophy Room
Trophy Room 475-6555
Over the years I have found the Shanaman Sports Museum
to be a great resource, and I fondly remember my first trip
there. Although it wasn’t open to the public yet, Marc Blau
was giving a guided tour to two ladies who had stopped in
to see the items on display from their father Jimmy Mosolf’s
career. They were his daughters and one of them was the
mother of future Rainiers’ manager Dave Brundage. What
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
serendipitous timing!
Now a self-employed freelance writer, Westeen has written
articles for MLB.com, the Tacoma Rainiers’ website and the
hometown papers of local athletes. She has also edited several
books for local authors, including Babe Lehrer, Val Dumond
and Mike Endicott. She has never missed a deadline throughout her career, even conducting phone interviews when pneumonia prevented her from getting to the stadium.
Looking forward, one of Westeen’s longtime goals is to do a
radio interview show. She plans to continue covering sports
for several seasons to come.
Sponsor—
Malcolm Soine, Soine’s Shoes—Often
the unsung hero in Pierce County
slowpitch and fastpitch leagues are
the team sponsors, because without
their financial backing, many aspiring
players wouldn’t have the opportunity
to play. Malcolm Soine, president of
Soine’s Shoes, Inc. has been one of
those unsung heroes as a major sponsor of local softball teams.
Soine provided financial backing for many teams for more
than three decades starting in 1961, and even today his
company sponsors the Tacoma Longshoremen’s bowling
team. From 1961-76, Malcolm served as both sponsor and
Front row l. to r.: Linda Lucas, Cathy Wiitala, Robin Buck, Danielle
Hart and Lynne Soine. Middle row l. to r.: Dikka Schnackenberg
(Berven), Karen Vance Bell, Sylvia Wilkins, Karen Faulk, Janet
Reynolds, and Carol Jacobs. Back row l. to r.: Malcolm Soine
(Coach), Denise ???, Carol Christensen Palm, Molly Stuen, Betty
Unkrur, and Linda McGrath.
1962 TRINITY LUTHERAN LASSIES
SPONSORED BY SOINE’S SHOES
The Trinity Lutheran team was formed in 1961 by a new parish
worked at the church and Lynn Soine played on this team, the first
of five Soine children to become involved in organized summer
sports. Mal offered to help and by mid-season Soine’s Shoes was
lending financial support and in 1962 Malcolm coached the team
to the Lassie League championship. From 1963 thru the mid-70’s,
Malcolm coached or sponsored teams through the store.
As for the Trinity Lutheran Lassies, player Molly Stuen remembers
that “He provided us all with fancy gold tennis shoes, hauled us
around in the back of his station wagon, stopped at some drive-in
for ice cream after the games, and was a great coach whom we
simply called Mr. Soine!”
coach of girl’s fastpitch teams, all of which won at least one
league title. Several were multiple-time champions.
He started with the Trinity Lutheran Lassies from 1961-62,
and he led that team to the league championship in 1962.
That team was formed in 1961 by a new worker in the parish,
and Soine’s first-born daughter, Lynn, was a team member.
Soine helped develop the team, and that year his shoe store
first provided financial support to the program.
From 1963-69 he sponsored Soine’s Sockers, who won the
Senior League title in 1969. His second Sockers team, playing
in 1969-70, won the Junior League title in 1970. There was
a three-year run of Senior League championships for the
Soine’s Loafers from 1970-72, and from 1969-76 he sponsored and coached Soine’s Sneakers, which won the Fillies
title in 1972 and the Junior League crown in 1974.
All of the above-mentioned teams were able, through Soine’s
support, to participate in a large number of invitational
tournaments locally and throughout the region.
Later, he sponsored Red Wing Shoes in the Lidford Athletic
Association from 1983-92.
Fastpitch wasn’t the only sport to benefit from Malcolm’s generosity, however, as he also sponsored teams in women’s
slowpitch (Soine’s Shoes 1973-75), girls basketball (Soine’s
Loafers 1970-72, including a league title in 1972), boys
baseball (Red Wing Shoes 1980-88), men’s 6-foot-and-under
basketball (Red Wing Shoes 1980-81), and men’s 30-and-up
soccer (Red Wing Shoes 1983-85).
1972 SOINE’S SNEAKERS—PIERCE COUNTY PARKS FILLE LEAGUE
AMERICAN CHAMPIONS—Front row l. to r.: Kathy Tuttle, Debbie
Eager, Christie Cinotto, Debbie Bush, Deanne Jay, and Shandi
Palmer. Middle row l. to r.: Viola Stewart, Unknown, Unknown,
Carla Edman, and Lori Estes. Back row l. to r.: Rex Edman,
Unknown, Jolene Clevenger, Unknown, Sue Brannock, Jayne Soine,
and Malcolm Soine.
27
28
2012 Hall of Fame Inductees continued
1974 SOINE’S SNEAKERS—PIERCE COUNTY PARKS JUNIOR LEAGUE
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS—Front row l. to r.: Lori Bush, Unknown,
Shandi Palmer, Debbie Gore, Christie Cinotto, Jayne Soine, Unknown,
and Debbie Bush. Back row l. to r.: Rex Edman, Carla Edman, Sue
Brannock, Shanley O’Leary, Stacey Westering, Jolene Clevenger, Viola
Stewart, Unknown, and Malcolm Soine.
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1972 SOINE’S LOAFERS—PIERCE COUNTY PARKS SENIOR LEAGUE
CHAMPIONS—Front row l. to r.: Debbie Denney, Gwen Soine, Bonnie
Ando, Peggy DeVany, Linda Kays, and Sue Jay. Middle row l. to
r.: Carol Severeid, Patty Jacobsen, Gail Bowman, Denise Diamond,
Unknown, Kerry Chapman. Back row l. to r.: Dave Van Hulle, Mary
Jo Harvey, Janet Kerns, Cara Sue Cross, Cindy Van Hulle, Deby Van
Ohlen, Barb ?, and Malcolm Soine.
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2012 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued
29
1975 BJ’s ALL STARS—trophies—Back row l. to r.: Trena Page, Sue Vincent, Alice Textor, Terri Riffe, Ardi Schrag, Dar Peterson, Vicki Panzeri,
and Joyce Wolf (coach). Front row l. to r.: Louise Rota, Phyllis Textor, Sandy Molzan, Diane Irish, Pat Kearney, and Nora Underwood.
BJ’s All Stars Women’s Slowpitch Team 1975-1981
Joyce Wolf had played fastpitch and slowpitch for 25 years
for some of the best teams in Pierce County, and she learned
the game playing for some of the best coaches in the area.
So when Pizza Pete disbanded after the 1971 season and
several teammates nominated her to help start and coach
another team, it ended her playing career and began a new
chapter as coach.
Even though she had never coached, Joyce felt ready to
lead. The foundation of the 1972 team was eight players
from Pizza Pete, and others were recruited and added to the
roster. With B&E Tavern as the initial sponsor, the team was
ready for the 1972 season. That club won five tournament
championships and the Western Washington League title
with a record of 10-2. The season ended in the regional tournament championship game when B & E lost to Hamilton’s
of Bellingham on a questionable play at the plate.
Wolf boosted the 1973 lineup and the re-named Creekwater
Dispensary had an even more prolific season. The team
finished 66-5 overall with seven tournament championships and its second straight Western Washington League
crown, this time with a perfect 12-0 mark. The season
ended at regionals with a third-place finish, but two years
of experience at the level paid off during the 1974 season
when Creekwater won the region title at Sprinker Field. With
the regional first place trophy in hand, the team traveled
south to the national tournament in Elk Grove, Calif., where
it finished 17th. By season’s end, the team finished 66-7 with
eight tournament titles, including regionals, and its third
consecutive league hardware.
Through three seasons, that core group of players won 19 of
the 22 tournaments it entered – apart from regional and national play – and was a three-time league champion. Joyce
believed that every player on those teams was recognized,
at one tournament or another, with all-star or most valuable
player status. “They were highly skilled athletes,” she said.
During its first four years of existence, the team won 235
games and lost only 29, qualifying for three national tournaments and playing in two of them.
With a new sponsor for the 1975 season, B.J.’s All Stars
continued, in various forms and with players coming and
going, playing until 1981. Though she lost the later years’
team records in a move, Wolf recalls that “winning was
second nature to this team.”
B.J.’s had five different catchers during its existence – Yvonne
Via, Judy Bickenbach, Sue Ray Harding, Phyllis Textor, and
Debbie Gray. Via set the course, working well with pitcher
Pat Kearney and in late innings calling timeout to confer with
Pat as to which tavern they would visit following the game.
“She kept things loose and fun and made that catcher’s
position worthy of recognition,” Wolf said.
Harding played catcher and outfielder until 1979 and as
a leadoff hitter hit in the low .400-range and flashed her
great speed on the base paths. Phyllis Textor, a Western
Washington graduate, joined all-star sister Alice on the team
and was a force behind home plate. She hit .713 and was
named tournament MVP in leading B.J.’s to its first regional
title and national tournament appearance. “Winning all-star
30
2012 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued
and MVP recognition was a given for Phyllis,” Wolf recalled.
“She was that good.”
Gray caught one year and the team won the regional title
and participated at the national tournament in Tennessee.
Pitcher Pat Kearney came to the team as an experienced
third baseman, but with Sandy Molzan entrenched at the hot
corner, Kearney became an ace pitcher for B.J’s, throwing
every game. She learned to pitch by measuring off the distance from the pitching rubber to home plate and every night
after work lobbing softballs into a bucket. At one invitational
tournament in Aberdeen she pitched a perfect game, an
amazing accomplishment for slowpitch softball. Additionally,
the team was not scored on in that tournament.
First baseman Sue Vincent came from Aberdeen when she
had had earned state tournament MVP honors playing for a
team that placed fourth. After moving to Tacoma in 1971 she
played for B & E Tavern, Creekwater Dispensary and B.J’s All
Stars and earned Regional all star honors in both 1971 and
1973. She had a career average of .450 range and was an
outstanding fielder with a strong arm.
Among the team’s second baseman was Louise Rota who
moved from the outfield to become an excellent infielder.
She played for B.J.’s until 1981, and during her extensive
slowpitch career was named to seven state all-star teams
and six regional all-star squads.
Rota currently resides in Saint Cloud, Fla., and does volunteer
work at Give Kids the World in Kissimmee, Fla., a part of the
Make a Wish Foundation.
Vicki Panzeri played second base and shortstop during her
B.J.’s career, “owned the infield,” said Joyce and sprayed
the ball all over the field. Many times an all-star, she played
in both of the team’s national tournament appearances.
She later learned racquetball and eventually was ranked
third in the nation. Darleen Peterson was another of the
team’s shortstops and earned MVP honors in at least two
tournaments. Later playing for JAE Awards of Seattle, she
helped that team place fourth at the national tournament,
the highest-ever finish by a Puget Sound area team at the
national level.
Sandy Molzan played her entire career at third base, first
playing fastpitch, and then transitioning to slowpitch. She
helped the Cage Tavern reach the national tournament
before switching over to Pizza Pete and then to B & E,
Creekwater and finally B.J.’s. She was on four regional
championship teams.
Among the team’s outfielders was Trena Page, an outstanding multi-sport athlete while a student at Western Washington University. She hit in the .590 range, according to Jones
Wolf, and was versatile enough to play different positions
until making left field. She won all-star honors at two 1973
tournaments and was the all-star left fielder on the 1974 regional title winner. Wolf said she was “a very popular player
and the team leader. Her fair and intelligent responses to
any team problems” helped settle issues before they could
escalate, which was a major reason for the team’s success,
according to the coach.
Alice Textor excelled as a short fielder, covering lots of
ground and cutting down opponents’ rallies while playing
through the 1975 season. Regularly hit over .500 and one
year finished with a .620 average while pulling in numerous
all-star honors.
Ardi Schrag was a member of the original B&E sponsored
team in 1972 and stayed with the group through the Creekwater and B.J.’s years. An all-star right fielder, she helped
the team win its nine Western Washington League titles
and four regional championships while also playing in two
national tournaments.
Outfielder Denise Hoober came on board in 1978 after play-
1975 BJ’s ALL STARS—gloves—Back row l. to r.: Sue Ray, Suzy Newman, Ardi Schrag, Sue Vincent, Phyllis Textor, Nora Underwood, Vicki
Panzeri, and Joyce Wolf (coach). Front row l. to r.: Trena Page, Louise Rota, Alice Textor, Pat Kearney, Sandy Molzan, and Diane Irish.
2012 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued
ing for such teams at New Frontier Lanes, McKnight’s Food,
B&I and Gusto Grannies. She was a long ball threat and a
consistent hitter.
Among the other team members who helped out during
B.J.’s glory years were utility players Melodie Fox, Susie
Showalter, and Diane Irish, second baseman Wendy Hawley, and infielder Suzy Neuman. Nancy Craig, who coached
several other slowpitch teams in the area, came to B.J.’s in
1978 to help coach.
31
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The South Tacoma
Tigers played for
the World Amateur
Championship
in 1915 in San
Francisco. This trophy
is inscribed: South
Ta c o m a Ti g e r s World Amatuer
Champions of Pacific
Coast-1915.
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SUPERIOR LINEN SERVICE
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Providing Rental Services and
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In Tacoma call 252-383-2636
Fax 253-383-1061
In Western Washington
Call 1-800-232-1012
32
2012 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued
1980 TACOMA FIREFIGHTERS—Back row l. to r.: Dick Moore, Ken DeForrest, Dave Wilsie, Gary Schiesz, Dave Carr, Jay Hook, and Tim
Chandler. Front row l. to r.: Mike Krueger, Bob Schierman, Dave Deskins, Ralph Guelfi, Bob Bender, and Ron Stephens.
Tacoma Firefighters Slowpitch Team
Tops In State From 1978-1980
The Tacoma Firefighters slowpitch softball team was the
product of a childhood friendship between Ken DeForrest
and Dave Wilsie, carried out years later when the duo reunited as members of the Tacoma Fire Department. After
growing up playing sports with various boys clubs in Tacoma, both joined the TFD in the mid-1970s and expressed
a desire to form a slowpitch team with members of the
department.
DeForrest and Wilsie began organizing the team in the fall
of 1976, contacting firefighters for the TFD to gauge interest
and experience. While they found very few players with any
previous baseball or softball experience, they built a team
comprised entirely from professional firefighters at TFD and
worked quickly to improve and become competitive.
Starting in the spring and summer of 1977, the team played
mostly state firefighters tournaments on several weekends,
participating in both 12-inch and 14-inch slowpitch. That first
year the team sponsored itself, donning a simple “TFD” on
its jerseys.
With the rotating schedules of firefighters, the team faced
numerous challenges in terms of finding practice times.
DeForrest praised the TFD supervisors and officers for offering tremendous help in scheduling to allow the players
a chance to practice and travel out of town for weekend
games and tournaments.
The team dominated the regional firefighter slowpitch circuit
throughout the late 1970s and early ‘80s, winning state and
local tournaments in both 12- and 14-inch slowpitch from
1977-80 and winning berths to the ASA National Tournaments five times between 1977 and 1985. In 1978 the team
traveled to the International Firefighters’ Tournament in
Bowie, Md., and placed fifth out of 49 teams, with two losses
to the tournament champions from Detroit, Mich.
The Tacoma Firefighters played in the first slowpitch games
ever held at the Tacoma Dome in 1984. Called the “Fireball
Classic I,” the series pitted TFD against the Seattle Firefighters team in two seven-inning games with a three-inning
tiebreaker. The Seattle Firefighters prevailed in the tiebreaker,
but TFD returned the favor the following year in “Fireball
Classic II,” defeating SFD at the Tacoma Dome. In 1986, TFD
defeated the Bellevue Firefighters in “Fireball Classic III.”
Over the years the team was sponsored by Foss Tire and
B&I Sports, and Mac Northwest helped promote the three
Fireball Classic series at the Tacoma Dome. Working as
professional firefighters and playing sports together as a
team helped the players and their families come together
as a team family.
Ken DeForrest (coach) was born in Tacoma in 1947 and
graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965, where he
played baseball and basketball. At age 11, he began playing
organized rec baseball, football and basketball for the East
Side Boys Club, and he continued playing rec sports until
1991. Ken joined the Tacoma Fire Department in 1976 and
retired as a Lieutenant in 1998.
Ken organized the Tacoma Firefighters team in 1977 and
was a player/coach throughout the team’s existence. He
2012 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued
also played in regional, state and national tournaments with
other teams in 1982, ’85 and ’90. In all, he has played in
seven national slowpitch tournaments and received all-star
and MVP trophies in each decade from the 1960s through
the ‘90s. He and his wife Adele live in Tacoma.
Bob Bender was born in 1947 in Tacoma and graduated
from Wilson High School in 1965, where he played football
and basketball. He attended Olympic College in Bremerton
and joined the Tacoma Fire Department in 1970, working
there for more than 28 years.
Bob traveled to four national tournaments with the Tacoma
Firefighters and also played in the Fireball Classic games at
the Tacoma Dome. He was primarily a pitcher and infielder
for the team. He now lives in McCall, Idaho, with his wife
Nancy and enjoys golf and snow skiing.
Dave Carr was born in Bellingham in 1948 and graduated
from Franklin Pierce High School in 1966, where he played
varsity basketball and earned all-conference honors as a
senior. He attended Pacific Lutheran University and played
basketball for two years at PLU. He joined the Tacoma Fire
Department in 1972 and retired from the department in
1995.
Dave played outfield for the Tacoma Firefighters and was
selected for the All-World team at the International Firefighter
Tournament in 1978, among the numerous honors he received as a member of the team. In addition, he played rec
basketball, flag football and golf. Dave lives in the Tacoma
area.
Tim Chandler was born in 1947 in Brush, Colo., and graduated from Brush High School in 1965, where he played
football, baseball and basketball. In 1965 his basketball
team won the Colorado State Championship, and Tim was
a first-team all-tournament selection. He went on to attend
Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland, playing football and
basketball at PLU and graduating in 1970. He was a 1969
all-Northwest Conference performer for the Lute football
team, also garnering third-team All-American honors that
season.
Tim joined the Tacoma Fire Department in 1974 and retired as
a safety officer after 30 years. He was a long-time member of
the Tacoma Firefighters slowpitch team, earning numerous
individual all-star awards over the years. He and his wife
Nancy live in Spanaway.
Dave Deskins was born in 1954 in Tacoma and graduated
from Wilson High School in 1972, where he played football
and basketball. He attended Pierce College in Lakewood,
where he played basketball for two years and served as a
team captain in 1974 before graduating that year. He joined
the Tacoma Fire Department in February 1978.
Dave earned numerous slowpitch all-star tournament
awards and was named MVP of the first Fireball Classic
series in 1984. He also participated in numerous rec sports,
including basketball and flag football, and he also enjoys
running.
Ralph Guelfi was born in Tacoma in 1934 and graduated
from Bellarmine High School. After graduation, he served
Sophie’s Story
Comfort Mats for training, home and travel
We also make dog beds with duvets, reversible collar bandanas,
dog tug ropes, fleece blankets, key chains and more!
We are proud to be in the FC Paw Prints store in
Gig Harbor and all Mud Bay stores.
We also do custom orders for the discerning pet owner!
Contact: Trena Page @ (253) 970-9405
Email: sophiestouch@att.net
Website: www.sophiestouch.com
Sophie’s Touch Is
inspired by our
beloved goldendoodle
Sophie. She was a dog
with a huge heart and
a passion for living.
Unfortunately. Her
life was short-lived
but not before she
touched the hearts of
those around her. The
merchandise we have
crafted is a reflection
of Sophie. We hope
you will enjoy them
with your special pet
as they are gifts of
Sophie’s heart and
our opportunity to
share her spirit and
love.
33
34
2012 Hall of Fame Team Recognition continued
in the Navy before joining the Tacoma Fire Department. He
worked for the department for nearly 30 years, retiring as
a Lieutenant.
Ralph was a catcher and utility infielder for the Tacoma
Firefighters, and as the oldest player on the team he was
affectionately referred to as “Pops.” As a member of the firefighter’s union executive board, he played an instrumental
role in helping the team members arrange trading days to
allow for tournament travel. He and his wife Nancy hosted
many of the team parties over the years.
Jim Hook was born in Bremerton in 1946 and graduated
from Lincoln High School in 1965 and was an all-state athlete in basketball and track. He joined the Air Force in 1969
and served four years before returning to college at Pierce
Community College. He joined the Tacoma Fire Department
in 1974 and retired in 2002.
Jim played for the Tacoma Firefighters throughout the team’s
existence as a pitcher, catcher and outfielder. He earned several all-star awards during that stretch and was a member
of the All-World Team in the 1978 International Firefighter
Tournament. He and his wife Judy live in Orting.
Mike Krueger was born in Tacoma in 1950 and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1969, where he ran cross
country and track under coach Dan Watson. He joined the
Tacoma Fire Department in 1976 and retired as Captain of
the Hazardous Materials Unit and Engine 12 after 28 years
with the department.
Mike was a longtime third basemen for the Tacoma Firefighters, and his speed on the basepaths allowed him to score
from second on fly balls to turn long outs in to run-scoring
sacrifice flies. He was named to several tournament all-star
teams during his playing career. He and his wife Denice live
in Tacoma.
Dick Moore was born in 1947 in Portland, Ore., and moved
to Tacoma
in 1951. He
graduated
from Franklin Pierce
High School
in 1966 and
joined the
Tacoma Fire
Department
in June 1966.
He retired
from the
department
in February
2000 and
became the
chief of the
Sumner Fire
Department
from BOB YOUNG
until his final
2008 National Senior Softball
retirement
Hall of Fame inducteein 2003.
Thanks to all
who have contributed
to the rich tradition of
baseball and softball
in our community.
Slow Pitch Softball
Dick spent
several
years with
the Tacoma
Firefighters,
typically playing as a pitcher and outfielder. He and his wife
Robin live in University Place.
Bob Schierman was born in Tacoma in 1951 and graduated
from Wilson High School in 1969, where he played football,
basketball and baseball. He attended Green River Community College in Auburn and played baseball there for two
years. He joined the Tacoma Fire Department in 1973 and
retired as a captain in 2003.
Bob had earned all-star honors in baseball as a senior at
Wilson H.S., and he pitched the second game of the annual
City-County All-Star game that year. As a member of the
Tacoma Firefighters team, he earned several tournament
all-star honors. He and his wife live in Tacoma.
Gary Shiesz was born in Bremerton in 1953 and graduated from Mount Tahoma High School in 1971, where he
played junior varsity baseball and basketball. He joined
the Tacoma Fire Deparmtnet in 1976 and retired as Deputy
Chief in 2003.
Gary was a member of the Tacoma Firefighters from 197880, playing first base for the squad. He stays active hunting
and fishing and enjoys traveling with his wife Johnette. The
two live in rural Pierce County.
Ron Stephens was born in Port Huron, Mich., in 1953. After
high school he enlisted in the Army and served for four years.
He joined the Tacoma Fire Department in 1977 and recently
retired as the Fire Chief for the City of Tacoma.
Ron joined the Tacoma Firefighters in 1978 and primarily
played catcher and outfielder. He and his wife Martha live
in Tacoma with their family.
Dave Wilsie was born in 1947 in Tacoma and graduated
from Lincoln High School in 1965, where he lettered in basketball and baseball. He served in the Army from 1966-68
and joined the Tacoma Fire Department in January 1973,
retiring as a Lieutenant in March 2000.
Dave was a key proponent in the creation of the Tacoma
Firefighters team, and in 2001 he was voted into the TacomaPierce County Old Timers Baseball/Softball Hall of Fame. He
played many years of rec basketball and flag football and
now focuses on golf, where he is a four-handicap, seventime Senior Club Champion at Meadow Park Golf Course
and 12-time Tacoma Firefighters Golf Club Champion.
35
Banquets - Catering Deli - Lounge - Community Fundraisers
Joe Stortini
Founder
2207 N. Pearl Street • Tacoma, WA 98406 • 253.761.5555 • 253.761.1606 fax
www.joeseppisristorante.com
36
THE
EXPERIENCE
OF
ALWAYS
CLOSE TO THE ACTION
NEVER
FAR FROM COMFORT
At the Tacoma Rainiers we believe the
experience is what matters. Our Dugout
Club seats are the closest in baseball,
and even from Cheney Stadium’s back
row, you are still right on top of the
action. And with our boys ready to burst
into the Big Leagues, that action can get
intense. To help you catch your breath,
we provide tasty food and drink options,
using as may local brands as we can.
It’s all part of the experience.
For tickets call
(253) 752-7707
or visit
tacomarainiers.com
3 3/8 x 10 2/8
3 3/8 x 5 1/16
3 3/16 x 2 3/8
6 5/16 x 10 2/8
6 5/16 x 5 1/16
6 5/16 x 2 3/8
37