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In an effort to recognize members of the Sun Cities Senior Softball League members who have unselfishly given of their time and talents to the betterment of the League and their Clubs has created a HALL OF FAME. Each year a minimum of one member is recognized and inducted into the SCSSL Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Committee may choose to recognize and induct as many members as they may feel appropriate.
Nominations for the Hall of Fame are submitted to the Hall of Fame Committee. The committee will then select members for induction into the Sun Cities Senior Softball League Hall of Fame.
Guidelines for Induction into the Hall of Fame & Nomination Form
Current members who are elgible for nomination (7 Years)
Hall of Fame Inductees by Year
About the Hall of Fame Inductees
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Axel Olson -
Axel Olson is a mere 73. He started playing in 1983 as a very fine shortstop and third baseman. He later pitched and continues to pitch to this day. Axel has been president, board member and team manager. "He was always available for committee work, always there to help. And he is one of the nicest persons you could meet." He has played an important roll in developing new comers ball playing abilities. Skills...oh yes. Even at age 71, Axel played on the Del Webb 70's Sidewinders team that won the World Series. Humility. yes. On receiving the Hall of Fame award Axel said that others deserved it more than he. "I'm the luckiest guy to play softball--all the wonderful things that happened while playing." Well guess what Axel---you deserve it, and it wasn't luck! |
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Chuck McKasson -
Chuck joined the league in April 1980. Since then he has served as Director of Player Personnel, Chief of Umpires, purchase uniforms, supplies and equipment. He also was a manager, Secretary, Treasurer and organized a summer league. He was League President in the 1985-86 Season
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in April 1998. Chuck was a member of a league sponsored team that won the World Championship in 1984 in the 55+ bracket. He was also a member of the Sidewinders 70+ team that won the World Championship in 1998.
(A much younger Charles) |
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Don Goble -
The oldest inductee into the hall of fame at 73, Goble still pitches in the National League. He began play in 1982 at age of 57 and played for a traveling team, traversing the country for 14 years. He's up in the air as to whether he prefers pitching or hitting. "I led the league in hitting for a while," Goble said. "I always hit it well, and I was the best pitcher on the traveling team. I could throw strikes. That's one thing I could do."
Don Goble is known as the father of senior softball in the Sun Cities. He worked for five years on securing a spot for a softball field at Kuentz Field.
The Indiana native reigned as president of the league. During his reign he instituted numerous changes in the league. He initiated safety features with separate bases at home plate for the runner and catcher. As well as the fourth man in the outfield.
Don Goble was honored for his efforts by being one of the first five people inducted into the Sun Cities Softball Club Hall of Fame. |
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Red Thomas -
Assistant Manager of the Amazing 60's Softball Club. As we pass through life's walkway, we meet on occasion a special person who has that radiant personality, charm and with to make you feel he is a truly good friend. Red Thomas was just that sort of person to all the members of the Amazing 60's traveling teams, as well as to the members of the Sun Cities Senior Softball League.
Missed always will be his humorous remarks that filled the air from the bleachers and the dugout. He certainly did enjoy softball and was a dedicated player and fan of the game. Our games are not quite the same now without the "Big Red". |
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Ralph Synder - |
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Duncan Jewell -
Retired from the U. S. Marine Corps and other government service in January 1979. Move from Phoenix to Sun City in September 1979, and joined the softball league in the spring of 1980.
Over period of 17 years played on all the tournament teams from the 55 age group through the 75s. "Another year or so and I will probably quit softball in favor of lawn bowling or maybe bird watching." |
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Ray Keller -
1949-1986 Played organized fast pitch softball league.
Named Wisconsin State – 1955, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1968, 1972, 1974, 1982, 1983, 1984
All regional – 1970 – 1971
Named Madison Sportsman of the year – 1969
Elected all time Madison softball all stars
Inducted into the Wisconsin ASA Hall Of Fame as outstanding pitcher – 1992
Served 2 terms on the Sun Cities Senior Softball League Board – Treasurer 1st term
President of the league – 2003-2004
Member of the committee to get softball field in Sun City
Manager for many years
Buyer for the equipment and uniforms
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999
Named to the Sun City Bowling Hall of Fame 2001 |
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Ev Kouffman -
Ev started playing in the league in 1979 and has not missed a season. During that time he has served as a board member for a several years and president for one year. He has been instrumental in steering the league to its present format.
He played and managed the travel team in its early years. He organized and scheduled many members from the league to umpire all the games of the Surprise T-Ball League. By the way he wrote this...
Good work Ev, you definitely are Hall of Fame material. |
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Joe O'Toole -
Joe moved to Sun City West in July 1986. He heard about the softball league and started to attend the games, which were played at a field on Grand Ave. He got to know the players and one day Axel Olsen asked him if he would keep score. Every week after that he keep score for all of the games. He did the write ups for each team and brought them to the Daily News Sun. After a while he was made the official scorekeeper of the league. He took care of the summer leagues, scorekeeping and also umpired, took care of marking the field and putting away the equipment. He also was president of the league in 1991. He was involved with the league until 1992.
Joe had been involved with softball on Staten Island, NY until moving to Sun City West. He had played, umpired, managed, coached, and scorekeeper. He was also the scorekeeper for the Amazing 60’s and traveled with them to tournaments.
After Kuentz Field was opened, with the scoreboard, Joe ran the scoreboard and kept score. |
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Ken Stewart -
A long time member of the softball club Ken has been part of or helped with many duties relating to the running of the club. He has helped in the maintenance of the old field on Grand Avenue. He has also been a member of the field maintenance crew at Kuentz Field during the Del Webb tournaments. He helped form the "Barney's Gals and Guys" league which became the "Rinkydinks" in later years. Of course we can't forget that Ken help bring the softball club into the computer age by creating a database of all the players. Making it easier to keep track of addresses and other information pertinent to running the club.
Ken, thank you for all the hard work you have done for the club. |
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Bud Herren - His 16 years associated with the league is the longest tenure of any of the 2000 Hall of Fame honorees. The life-long softball player moved to Sun City 16 years ago from Irving, Texas. In addition to his playing and managing duties, Herren has served on the league's board of directors and he built the trophy cases for the ball fields in Sun city and Sun City West. |
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Doug Wright -
At the time of his induction, Doug, had been a resident of Sun City for 20 years and playing in the softball league for 11 years. When he began his play in the league there were only 6 teams and their games were played on a somewhat primitive ball field located on Grand Ave.
He has served on the board of directors, for the league and while doing so wrote the first edition of the league’s newsletter and continued writing publishing and distributing this newsletter for the next three years.
He worked for five years with the Sun City Recreation Centers Board of Directors to facilitate the construction of the Sun Bowl Softball Field in Sun City. During this time he canvassed all the homes in the immediate neighborhood of the proposed field to determine the feelings of the residents about the proposed field. A General meeting was also held to obtain further attitudes toward this project. He attended countless numbers of meetings with members of the Recreation Centers Board of Directors and finally met with the Maricopa County Zoning Commission on two occasions to facilitate the re-zoning of the property for recreational purposes.
When the Field became a reality, and it was necessary to charter the Softball Club under the umbrella of the Recreation Centers, he became the first president of that club and continued in that capacity for six years. |
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Lew Hurley -
The only new inductee who is not still active in the league. Hurley played and managed for eight years, and held the office of league president and treasurer. He was responsible for introducing Saturday games in Sun City and Sun City West. A stroke in 1996 ended his softball career, and eventually led to his move from his Sun City home, where he lived for 20 years, to Southern California. Morrie Lane accepted the plaque on Hurley's behalf. |
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Matt Szydlowski -
He has been active in the softball league since moving to Sun City West 10 years ago from Williamsville, N.Y. (a Buffalo suburb), where he was an athletic director at Maryvale High School in neighboring Cheektowaga.
Syzdlowski has played and managed, and been very involved with the board of directors during his tenure with the league, including serving three stints on the board and two terms as league president. He remains athletically active, refereeing high school football in addition to his softball playing. |
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Steve Letko -
A 14-year resident of Sun City, Letko has played and managed, as well as served on the league's board of directors, for the past nine years. He plays a prominent role in maintaining the Sun Bowl softball field in Sun City. Letko never played softball until moving to Sun City from Waukesha, Wis., and he is "still improving," he pronounced |
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Steve Griswold -
Born, September 3, 1922, and reared on a farm in Montana. After graduation from college was drafted in 1944 and served two years in the US Army. 18 months of that in McArthur’s headquarters in the Philippines. After the service spent three years at home in Montana and in 1949 married Betty Hespen, a local gal, and following two more years of schooling at Ganado on the Navajo Reservation in Northern Arizona, continued in Idaho, back in Arizona, then in California, and concluded in Salome, Arizona retiring in 1989. The coaching career was carried and exciting and included 6 , 8, and 11 man football, junior an senior high school boys and girls and independent basketball, little league and high school baseball, track and often busy driving. Through those years Betty and I reared three boys and three girls. The youngest boy and girl were adopted. In January 1987 Betty died – a cancer victim. After retiring in 1989 I traveled around the US and Canada for a year and half (looking for a home)_ visiting relatives, army buddies, former students, college classmates, etc. Managed to be in every state of the US abut found no place better to line in than the Phoenix area so settled here where I met and eventually married my present wife, Lois, in 1993. , and that summer we moved to our present home in Sun City.
Over the years I had some softball experience (fast pitch) in college, the service, league and/or church tournaments in Montana, Arizona, Idaho and California. At one time or another played every position. Never did I dream of a place like Sun City where I could play five or six days a week year around and even beginning at age 71. Beginning in December 1993 I practiced and played at every opportunity and was assigned to a team in January 1994 and haven’t missed many games since. I soon got involved in managing, scheduling, team assignments, directed the summer league for 4 years. Was president of the league 1996-1998 while it was Sun City and Sun City West combined and after we had to reorganize as separate clubs I was president of the Sun City Club for the 2000-2002 seasons. In the fall of 1994 I was a charter member of the Rinkydinks II which was organized to play Barney’s Guys & Gals and which the next year became the Retreads. I was Manager of the Retreads in 1998 when the Friday co-ed league was organized.
Since 1999 I have played with and managed most of the time with the league, played with the Guys and Gals every Monday and Friday. Played with the Sun City - Sun City West 70’s on Saturday, and in a variety of tournaments. It has been a real privilege to play and also to meet and get to know a few hundred great guys and gals. I plan to quit as soon as the body wears out or it ceases to be fun, whichever comes first! |
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Bob Millslagel -
Started to play softball and hardball with Calvin Coolidge grade school teams in 1936. Joined a softball team that was sponsored by Durgues Squirt bottling company in 1939 , coached by A. J. Robertson the basketball coach at Bradley U. in Peoria, Illinois. Went undefeated the next three years and was Illinois sate champions those three years. Went to Manualhigh school and graduated in 1944 and went into the navy. Got out in 1946 and got married in January 1947. We had three children, Jeanette; Roberta; and Michael. Retired from the post office in 1979 after being with them for 30 years. Moved to Sun City . Started to play softball same year. Joined the traveling league the following year. Have played with the 55's 60's 65's 70's and now with the 75's. While with the 70's on the world title with a bunch of the best fellow's playing. When the Sun Bowl field was opened they ask me to take care of the field and I said yes if I could get some help and Steve Letko and a lot more came aboard to help. Still am helping out., five years later. Thanks to all of those that have helped. It made for a lot of fun. |
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Bud Peek -
A member for 12 years Bud has served on the board of directors for 2 terms and was instrumental in forming training teams for new players entering the league. He was instrumental in having the board purchase a pitching machine for batting practice. He assisted our sister community Sun City Grand in organizing their softball club. Working with others Bud organized and played in tournaments at Dysart High School and Luke field in March when other fields were not available to National League players. His leadership was also evident when he helped set up organized work days and crews at the field to handle routine maintenance chores that insure dour playing field remained 1st class. We all owe Bud a huge thank you for making the Sun cities Senior Softball League a great place to play. Welcome to the Hall of Fame. |
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Bob Morgan -
A member of the league for 12 years Bob served as a board member 2 times and was Vice President for one year. He just completed his 11th year as a team manager. He has managed 22 teams and won 8 league championships. Bob helped in developing and inaugurating the idea of a Sun City vs. Sun city West all star game and picnic the last 2 years. Bob exudes enthusiasm, he is one of the most upbeat people you could ever meet. YES! Welcome to the Hall of Fame. |
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Loran Swanson -
Loran, a member for 9 years, epitomizes the word giver. He not only enjoys playing senior softball, and playing it well, but when he realized how much fun he was having, he knew he wanted to give something back. Has he ever given back!
He was the Kuentz Field Manager in 1995, a tasked he still assists with today. He has been a team manager numerous times, always willing to help.
In 1997 Loran began to organize information that was necessary to conduct player drafts for our leagues. He assisted in conducting the drafts, prepared team rosters and schedules for both American and National League play. He registered all new players and maintained personnel records for the entire league. Loran has more information on us than we can possible imagine. These are tasks that he not only did but continues to do to this day.
Also in 1997 with assistance from Steve Griswold and Dolores Warrick's Gals & Guys teams serving as the opposition, Loran was instrumental in forming the Green Team, which still serves as the instructional organization, preparing new players to participate on our regular league teams.
He has graciously served with the board through six administrations. Although he had the title of Administrative Assistant, he has served as Secretary, Treasurer, and News Reporter for the results of games and even produced the Newsletter when club and league officers were on vacation or absent for various reasons. Of his own initiative he developed a special hand out entitled "Welcome To Softball In The Sun Cities". This piece is given to the all new arrivals interested in playing in our leagues. He continues to tinker with our score sheets as well a member applications to insure they provide information in an accurate and concise manner.
Along with the many other things Loran does behind the scenes to make our league better he has worked on the By-Laws and Rules committees. If that is not enough hew was a valuable contributor working as a committee member to upgrade our present uniforms.
Today Loran's title is "League Coordinator", he has been and continues to be a tireless worker. I don't believe Loran has ever said no to anyone that was looking for help in making our league better. Of all the jobs he does I think the one he enjoys and finds the most rewarding welcoming new members to softball in the Sun Cities. |
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Bill Bromley -
Born August 31, 1933 in Danville, Illinois.
Pitched baseball and softball in grade school, high school and the Air Force.
He also pitched softball in summer and church leagues in Sterling, Illinois.
A member for 15 years Bill’s contributions to the league have been many!
Bill was responsible for the food, entertainment and MC for the first 2 indoor league banquets.
He served 2 terms on the softball board. On his first term he was responsible for uniforms and their distribution, Bill also made schedules for both umpires and scorekeepers. He ordered and assisted in the installation of the mats that are under the batters box which prevent us from digging holes when we all step in to hit.
He was the field manager at Sun City West and was instrumental in having additional doors put in each dugout. Prior to this each dugout only had one opening. Along with others Bill helped to start the National League. he made the motion for a trial and needless to say the rest is history.
During Bill's second tour of duty on the board he once again had responsibility for the condition of the field as well as serving as the Special Events Director, examples being assisting in setting up the Fireman's Day Charity games, All Star Games, etc. He has always been and continues to be willing to help make our league and club better.
His true claim to fame however is in his abilities as an inventor. Yes, Bill Bromley, invented the spare ball holder that is used to accommodate the infield ball as well as the extra ball behind the plate |
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Gene Chervinko -
Gene has been a member of the league for 13 years and has managed for 9 of those years. Under his management and with his knowledge of other players capabilities, the teams he has drafted are consistently in the upper division vying for the championship. Gene served as a director on the league board three years and has served on the Hall of Fame selection committee. |
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Tait Douglas -
Tait has been a member of the league for 14 years serving on the board in 1991 and 1992.
In 1992, his proposal to the board that tournament for non-traveling players be played at Kuentz Field each spring was adopted.
In 1994, Tait served on the committee to build a softball field in Sun City.
Tait currently serves as treasurer for the Sun City Senior Softball Club board and is on the Awareness Committee to make people in Sun City aware that softball is available to play and watch. |
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Ken Skinner -
Ken joined the league in 1996.
With a background as an ASA umpire he conducts clinics for all players who are interested in improving their umpiring skills. He also serves as Umpire-In-Chief for the league.
In 1999 he created our softball web site and serves as Webmaster of www.azsrsoftball.com.
In 1999 he was elected to the league board. His first action was to enlarge the strike zone mat from 17' to 21" wide.
Ken was a member of the negotiating team that secured a waiver from the SCW recreation centers to allow the SCW softball club to continue commingling with the SC softball club.
Ken chaired the transition committee to help reorganize the league into two clubs and help rewrite the league rules.
In 2000 he was elected as the first president of the reorganized Sun City West Softball Club and was also the president of the newly reorganized Sun Cities Senior Softball League.
In 2001 he started the Tri-Cities League, this brought competitive organized play for the first time between the 3 Sun Cities; help organize charitable softball games with the Sun City West Fireman; instrumental in having the outfield fence at Kuentz Field heighten from 5' to 12'; instrumental in having the recreation centers install covers over the bleachers; organized the first spring fling tournament which involved for the first time teams from our neighboring cites; Help design the SCW Softball Club logo. Commissioned a local artist, Frank Bray, to build a Kachina in the likeness of the SCW logo. Reinstituted the spring fling tournament for the National League players; involved in the first meetings with the recreation centers relevant to the new clubhouse building.
Instrumental in organizing and managing the SCW 60s tournament team. Played in a few local tournaments and participated in the 2002 & 2003 Senior Olympics.
In 2002 Ken was active in a membership fund drive for the new SCW softball clubhouse and served on the Hall Of Fame committee. |
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Bob Rentner -
On February 12, 1987 Bob played his first game in the Sun Cities Senior Softball League on the Mull Realty team. In 1988 Bob was elected to the Board of Directors for three years. During that period he served as vice-president for two of those years. Other duties included writing the rules of play and keeping them updated. In those days, there were only seven teams, we met with each team before each half season and went over the rules, especially new ones. He was also the chief umpire which involved assigning umpires for each game. He also helped out in the purchasing of equipment, uniforms, etc. During this period we decided to use a more scientific approach to assigning players to teams. Dick Martin and Bob spent a good month watching all the games in an effort to evaluate each player on a scale of 1 to 10 in various categories. They were not sure if the end product was any better but we did give it a lot of effort. Another Board project at this time was the moving the League into Kuentz field. We had many meetings with the Recreation Center especially involving a club charter. Seems because we had Sun City players they didn't want to charter our club. In the early 1990's Bob wrote a memo to the existing Board, headed by John Winterhalter, concerning dividing the League into two parts. It was apparent the League was growing and a single League was becoming cumbersome. Secondly, new equipment and younger players was making the game dangerous. If memory serves, it was 1992 when the League finally divided into the National and American divisions based solely on player safety. From 1993 to 1997 he wrote articles for the American League reporting game scores and players exploits. These articles were sent to each of the local papers as is done today. Over the years he tried to manage several teams but found he was not a very good manager. |
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Carl Johnson -
Carl moved to Sun City in 1996. He joined the Softball Club in the fall of 1997. He had never played baseball or softball, so at age 62 he started a new adventure. With the help from fellow players and by attending all available practice session, he learned ot play the game. He started playing on the Green Team and became team mananger of 3 years. He helped develop the process for bringing new palyers into the softball programs and getting them assigned to the correct league and team. He also put together and information package for new plaers. Carl managed several National League teams and was the first manager to draft a female player onto a Sun Cities Softball team. He was elected to the Sun City Softball Board of Directors in 2003 and served as club secretary for 2 years. As a Board member he helped to organize work crews for field improvements. He organized and managed special game teams, such as the SCW Field Dedication game and the SC/SCW All Star Games. He helped organize and managed league tournament teams for the spring fling, Sun City Grand and Arizona Traditions Tournaments. Carl managed the National League summer sessions for 2 years, he did this as an individual effort, doing all team assignments, all game schedules and all field maintenace. He aslo helped organized the American and National Leagues combined teams for summer play. In 2003 Carl initiaged and organized the National League Committee, and served as Committee Chairman. He establihed a 6 man committee to conduct all National League Guidelines, Developed the process for assinging players to teams and established leauge schedues. He assigned committee members to responsibilites fro rules, team player selections, news paper coverage, player rosters, schedules, internet, torunament organizingh and reporting player information to Angels in the Outfield. These committee members corrected short comings that Carl and others had realized wer not being correctly addressed to teh National League. This committee has had an outstanding record of overseeing the National League. Most Notable has bee adjustments to the rules to keep on field arguements to a minimum and has an achievement of keeping leauge teams exceptioally well balanced. As a Testimony to the effectiveness of Carl's and the committee's efforts, the American Leauge has adopted the National League's Committee concept and has used parts of the National League Guiodelins for the 2006 Spring Session. Carl has always been a spokesman for promoting the League as a recreational activity and has made a major effort to promote fair play and insure Sun Cities Softball is and enjoyable experience for all players. |
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Earl Bell -
While serving as president of the Sun Cities Softball League, an attempt was made to separate our two communities from playing our game together. In negotiations with our Recreation Centers, Earl ably provide the leadership necessary to keep our playing status as it had been for the preceding twenty years with old friendships still in tact. This probably would not have happened without his professional diplomacy in representing our Sun City West Softball Club. As a member on the Sun City West Club Board, Earl served as the field maintenance manager helping to bring the field to the standards we enjoy today and later as the safety director, making sure the condition of our entire facility, field and all of our equipment provided a safe environment for all of ur players. Earl has always been willing to help in any way he could for the betterment of the league. In his quite and reserve manner, he also served as team manager in the National League for a number of times, giving new players encouragement in their play. |
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John Doherty -
For seven years, while serving as the editor of our softball newsletter, John rarely missed any of the board meetings, Sun City West and Sun City Senior Softball League meetings. Although not a board member, his contributions were so welcomed and valuable because of the information he gleaned from each meeting. This brought continuity to our softball program. His newsletters provided accurate and timely information to all of the softball players. As if that were not enough, John researched and interviewed many players so the history of our softball league could be documented with accuracy of all to enjoy. He continues to update our history and that can be found on our softball web site. So that our players are not forgotten John has recently assumed the responsibility of maintaining a record of deceased players. This list goes back to the early years of our softball league. His monthly articles in the SCW Rec News gets the attention of prospective new players more effectively than any other means of getting new players into our softball program. |
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Dick LeMoine -
Beginning his senior softball career in the Sun Cities in 1996, he immediately caught the eyes of many with the power he exhibited with his bat, but almost as quickly the organizational skills and his ability to accomplish projects that were only a dream for most of us defined the real Dick LeMoine. Some of the projects he is responsible for are Angels in the Outfield, The SCW clubhouse, billboards to finance the clubhouse, new foul poles, new foul lines, batting mats, new score board, first base warm-up area, Liberty Field sign on the score board, the big cement yellow softball, Ramada picnic area soon to be built and a new flag pole in the future. While working on these projects Dick has found time to be club president, club treasurer, and American league representative, player placement member, team manager, field maintenance manager and purchasing agent for equipment, uniforms and supplies. One of his more ambitious projects is the Tin Cup Golf Tournament which raises huge amounts of money that flows into the softball scoffers. With his vision and the desire to always improve our softball program his achievements have given us the opportunity to take our softball program to another level. |
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Paul Turley -
Two things that Paul enjoys are softball and working with his computer. His enjoyment of softball has given him the opportunity to give back by doing design work that is softball related. His finger prints are all over our SCW complex. Billboard signs on the outfield fence were designed by Paul at no expense to our club and sponsors, saving both thousands of dollars. Professional brochures for prospective advertisers are also his work. The initial design of the clubhouse, including the weather vane on top, are his. Most of the t-shirts and many of our uniforms we wear were designed by Paul. The ramada/picnic area, soon to be built near the third base dugout, has been a project very close to his heart. He has also been responsible for the graphics for the softball related Tin Cup Golf Tournament. Even with all the countless hours he has given back he still finds time to play the game of softball. For a number of years he played in the American League and with the Sidewinder 70's, 75's and Mesa 80's. traveling tournament teams. More recently, his play has been in the National League but to watch him hit is appears he could still play an any level. For all
of his contributions, he seeks no recognition or compensation but deserves so much. |
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Glen Carroll -
As member for 13 years Glen managed the National League summer session 2 years; Member of the National League committee; Currently Naitonal League chairman; Team manager for several years; Current manager of the Brenda's Kitchen; Served on various committees including field maintenance, Spring Fling, Sponsor Pancake Breakfast. His goal is that everyone has the opportunity to play and enjoy the games regardless of their skill levels, SAFELY. |
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Jim McGuire -
Jim became a manager in the National League in 1998 while serving as player rep for the National League. Jim then moved to the America League in 2000, served as manager for the next 8 years. He was also elected to the club board in 2000 and 2004 serving as secretary, 2002-2002 and VP, 2004. Jim as served as the Annual Spring Banquet chairman for 4 years. |
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Bob Stouthamer -
Among his many contributions, Bob served as President of the Club and the League and made major improvements in team sponsorship.
After playing a half season in the National League, the next several years I tried to compete in the American League, notice, I said tried to compete. Oh well, they tolerated me anyway. I'm a big believer in giving back in anything I do. All too often we find it easy to take, abut we neglect to give back and contribute, where we might try to make a good situation even better, Over the years I have had the good fortune of being able to work with so many dedicated caring people on numerous issues at both the Club and League level. In addressing the many opportunities, we didn't always agree on problem solving approached, but we always worked together for the betterment of the individual Clubs and the League we represented. A lesson learned many years ago was that no one accomplishes anything without the help of others. Believe me then I tell you that because of all the exceptional support I received from so many of your for such a long time, I have taken away much more that I could have ever given back to our Sun City West Softball Club an the Sun Cities Senior Softball League. |
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Ernie Mueller -
Ernie started playing in 1990. He was field maintenance manager for Liberty Field for 2 years. Board Secretary under Lou Hurley for 2 years; Board Secretary under Matt Szydlowski, 2 years; Board Director under Bob Stouthamer for 1 year. He, along with Ken Stewart, put together a team, the Rinkydinks to play the girls on Fridays, The Barney Guy and Dolls, and later added the Mavericks and Retreads. That was the beginning of the Friday League in 1993. He also worked with Bud Peek to start the Spring Fling Tournaments in 1995. He still manages a team that tournament
In 1994 he contacted Lund Cadillac and they agreed to sponsor the Rinkydinks and later the Mavericks, retreads, Green Team the Saturday over 70 teams and Sun City Grand Over 70;s for 2 years. ernie and Paul Baumhardt got together a team for the Senior Olympics, also sponsored by Lund. Thanks to Ernie, Lund has been furnishing caps and shirts for the Summer League since its beginning. All together, Ernie has persuaded Lund to contribute more than $30,000 to support us over the years. Most of us know the he has been active in Sun Cities Softball for along time, but few realize how much he has really contributed.
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George Karras -
When I was elected to the Sun City West Board of Directors, I wanted to show my appreciation to the club for all the years of being able to play the game. Helping to take care of our field has been one of my ways of doing this. I have enjoyed the work we have done to make our field one of the best in the area. As Field manager, George has spearheaded many significant facilities improvements. He has been a member of the league for 17 years. George was instrumental in starting the artifical turf infield project at Liberty Field in SCW. Unfortunately the project was just getting started when George passed.
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Ray Early -
Born and raised in Topeka Kansas, he attended Washburn University, graduating with a BBA degree. He went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, holding various positions in purchasing and materials departments. After working for the railroad for 29 years, he took early retirement and three years later he moved to Sun City West, following his parents who moved to the Valley of the Sun in 1976.
Always interested in sports he played baseball, football, basketball and golfed growing up. Upon moving to Sun City West he found that there was an active softball program here and although he had not played for over 20 yrs, thought it would be fun to play again. He has become involved in the softball club acting as purchasing agent for uniforms and equipment for over 7yrs. When we started the women’s program he was a coach and reporter for ladies teams.
He is also the voice of Liberty field during American League games and special events handling the public address duties. When told of his election to the Hall of Fame his comments were “I wanted to get involved in the club and to give something back. I’ve never been involved in this kind of “fraternity” before. It’s the greatest group of men and women in which a person could hope to be involved.”
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Lyle Bakken -
Born in Drake, North Dakota in 1934, Lyle attended Drake High School. He entered the Army and served a 3 year duty, of which 18 months were spent in Korea. After being discharged with the rank of Sergeant he attended Fargo Business College in Fargo, North Dakota
After graduation he was employed as a brakeman for the Great Northern Railroad, a surveyor for the North Dakota Highway Department. He started his banking career with the American State Bank in Minot, North Dakota. After 4 years he joined the 1st National Bank in Drake, purchasing a 1/2 interest in 1975. He joined the Walhalla State Bank in 1987 and spent 10 years there before retiring in 1997.
During his banking career he found time to get married in 1958 to Maren, and they are the proud parents of 4 children. Their extended family 5 granddaughters, 1 grandson, 2 step-grandchildren, and 4 foster grandchildren.
Lyle joined the Sun City West Softball Club in 1998. He has served on the board as Treasurer. He was also responsible for all the record keeping and accounting functions for the Liberty Field projects. He has also served as a manager for the Edward Jones team, and was instrumental in the creation of the Friday Co-ed League and was a manager for 2 years. He is currently serving as the club accountant for the last 2 years.
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John Winterhalter -
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Mike Graham -
Mike has been actively involved in the league since he joined in 2001. Some of his contributions are:
- Served on the Sun City board as President and Vice President
- Served on the League board as Vice President and Secretary
- Created and maintained the league database
- Supported the draft process with draft lists, rosters and schedules
- Created formalized processes for the Sun City club, league board and American League placement and draft committees
- Helped with field maintenance at the Sun City Field in the summer
- Relieved umpires of the first game on all American League games days so they could warm up
- Filled in for missing umpires or scorekeepers whenever needed
- Umpired or kept score at many special events
- Did American League write ups when the reporter was absent.
- Created and maintained the write up and standings web site.
But most importantly he has promoted a philosophy of enjoyment first and competition second to softball in the league by encouraging others and being a friend to all
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Art Nelson -
In 1998 he joined the Sun City West Softball Club and became involved with the Sun Cities Softball League, now the association serving 2 years as President and Vice President for 1 year. He managed for 9 consecutive years for the Lund Cadillac, Heritage Traditions, and Rosie’s Italian Café. He also served on the on the American League rules committee for 3 years and the draft committee for 3 years.
He has also been involved with the Sun City West Softball Club as Vice President for 1 year, President for 1 year and served on the Tin Cup Golf Tournament committee for 5 years and served as the Treasurer for 4 years. |
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Wayne Mitchell -
In 1998 he joined the Sun City West Softball Club and became involved with the Sun Cities Softball League, now the association serving 2 years as President and Vice President for 1 year. He managed for 9 consecutive years for the Lund Cadillac, Heritage Traditions, and Rosie’s Italian Café. He also served on the on the American League rules committee for 3 years and the draft committee for 3 years.
He has also been involved with the Sun City West Softball Club as Vice President for 1 year, President for 1 year and served on the Tin Cup Golf Tournament committee for 5 years and served as the Treasurer for 4 years. |
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Tex Wells -
Join Sun City West Softball Club May 2002
Coaching American league summer sessions 2001, Stop coaching spring 2007
Ran for SCW board 2003. Became chairmen of Summer American league 2003. Started managing winter ball 2003 /Heritage Tradition, 2004 Arrowhead Honda. Worked two years with Loren with new players. Started cooking, ordering food and set up for all field tournaments and events 2007 to Ran for SCW board 2008, elected treasurer for 2008, 2009
Elected to Sun Cities league board 2008, 2009, 2008/2009 American League Rules Chairman
Helped with Annual Softball Banquet 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
File manager for SCW club 2008 to Inventory manager of Jersey's 2009 to
Hall of Fame Committee fall 2010. |
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Bill Buxton -
Not being retired when he moved to Sun City in 1994, he didn't begin playing senior softball until late 2000 with the Ray Murphy team in the Friday co-ed league. He began playing in the National League in January 2001 and moved to the American League two months later.
He became a manager in 2003 and is still one in 2011. He was elected to the Sun City Senior Softball board in 2005 and became president in 2006, and was elected to the SCSSA board again in 2011. At the present time serves on the American League committee. Come on out to the Sun Bowl field and most likely this is where his is at he tries to keep it in the best of playing conditions. |
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Mike Hester -
Mike served on the board for the SCW Softball Club as vice president for two years and two years as president of the SCSSA.
He worked to build softball in the Sun Cities area by wroking to bring women's softball here, and vintage baseball to Sun City West, along with displaying our great facility to other clubs and creating a home and home series with Palm Desert Sun City which started in 2011.
He was also involved in the Tin Cup Golf Tournament as chairman for two years. |
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Larry Kuberka - Larry served 2 years on Sun City Senior Softball Club board. During those 2 years, he chaired every committee at some time. He also served 1 year on the SCSSA board and 1 year on the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. His main goal during his tenure was to get the ball field a new scoreboard. He started a scoreboard fun and then became know as the Can Man collecting aluminum cans from both cities and anything else aluminum to supplement the fund. With the help of a scoreboard committee and donations help from many individuals, the Can Man was informed that the Sun City club could now buy a new scoreboard.
While chairing the field maintenance committee, he built the new batter boxes and with the help of 2 Hall of Fame players , Steve Letko nd Paul Vitale, installed them.
Larry has run both he American and National League election days for the past 5 years.
Larry has also been a team manager for 5 sessions. When cancer hit Larry and had him begging for mercy. he wanted to do one more thing and with the help and support of many players and their spouses, plus the many sponsors and friends, Sun City's "Cancer Survivor's Day" was held, Donation of over $2500 to fight cancer was presented to the Lymphoma Foundation. |
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Arvid Peterson - In the SCSSA he has been a manager, sponsor coordinator, club secretary, SCSSA president, and many committee's including rules, Hall of Fame, ratings, team sponsor for the American League, women's HOt Flashes/Flames, and 5 Sidewinder Tournament Teams, Also sponsored charity tournament, Cardiac Kids, Bosom Buddies, Tin Cup and Larry Kuberka Cancer, Also sponsor two billboards, He absolutely loves playing softball and associating with his softball friends. |
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Carol Bowden - My first contact was with Loran Swanson. Knowing my background, he coaxed me into helping establish a viable women's program. Loran was my first softball mentor. My learning curve for softball grew with 2 other mentors, Mike Hestor and Art Nelson, and I got more involved. I have managed teams, represented the women to the SCW Softball board, chaired the women’s program, attended Ken Skinner's umpiring school, was vice president of the SCW softball board and president of the Sun Cities Senior Softball League, helped Rick Fish implement the database, got our food bank donation drive stared with the help of Julie McGlynn, arranged for team pictures, managed a co-ed team during the Saddlebrook challenge, worked on the Tin Cup, worked to get women to play in our "hit & giggle" group for the Tin Cup, and even cooked with Tex! I have relearned my batting skills things to Bob Dobbins and have had Frank Coumont scrutinized my pitching. I still am a coach at heart ( I'm sure that’s no surprise to everyone), so I volunteer coach at the Nadaburg Desert Oasis school in their middle school softball program. |
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Linda Graham -Born in Grand Island, Nebraska, but spent most of my school years in Wyoming. By the time I was 15, I had met my future life partner and it soon became very obvious that being at the ball field was going to be a huge part of that future. Whether it was traveling to tournaments, coaching t-ball games for our son or spending most Tuesdays and Thursdays at the field as we do now, it has been a real joy.
Most of my career was spent trying to understand computers and then explaining them to others. That still remains a hobby of mine. Another interest of mine is almost anything medical. Unfortunately until recently, I had way too many opportunities to advance my knowledge in that area. My partner and I enjoy visiting our golfer son in California as well as trying to keep up with our daughter and 3 super grandkids.
Since my retirement, my passion relating to the softball league has been:
Blind acceptance to what is "NOW" (Few of us have the same skills we remember having in earlier times)
Appreciation for the opportunity to enjoy playing a game or just spending time with friends.
Long for ways to give back ( I highly recommend this!)
Love and compassion for those who are struggling themselves or enduring the struggles of their loved ones.
In an attempt to follow the previously listed passions, I became a student, learning all I could about how the clubs and the league worked. Learning as much history as I could from visits with “Old-timers” as well as reading available documentation. Many hours were logged at Mike’s elbow as he served on the Club and League Boards. As I discovered how many opinions I had, it seemed a natural progression to serve on the Club and League Boards as well. It was my pleasure to work with club board members to acquire a new scoreboard. (Thank you Larry Kuberka) The next exciting accomplishment was getting our grandstands remodeled, making them much more user-friendly. I especially enjoyed organizing the league Spring Banquet as a potluck, tasting the favorite dishes of the players and their spouses with NO outlay of Sun City Club funds. Art Nelson and I had great fun putting together the first Christmas Holiday fun games. Membership on the new IT Committee may have seemed a little rocky, but progress has been made, hopefully with the understanding of club members, which is very important to me. There have been many recent changes to the structure of the League. Not all were supported by me as I strongly believe in giving notice, allowing discussion and assessing input from those who will be impacted by the decisions the “Powers that Be” make. Time marches on. I have no regrets and I still have plenty of opinions to share and yes, I will still be happy to keep score or run the scoreboard or retrieve ice packs when the need arises.
Member of the Sun City Board for 4 years, 2 years as president; Member of the League Board. Served as back-up reporter for the American League. Maintained the previous joint database and posted write-ups and standings when Mike was unable to.
Lastly, although not an official function of the softball clubs, being a member and chairperson of Angels in the Outfield had a huge impact on me. It was a sometimes not so gentle reminder how blessed each of us is to be able to go to enjoy this game we call softball. |
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Rich McAndrews - Born in Butte, Montana in 1944 the second of two children. My brother and I spent our earlier years living in Anaconda with our parents and our summers with our Grandparents on a cattle ranch in southwestern Montana. While we never got an opportunity to play baseball or softball we had a rewarding, educational, and hard working experience spending our summers and any time off from school on a ranch. Where else can you learn to cuss, chew tobacco, smoke a cigarette, milk cows, birth and brand calves, and break colts to lead and ride but on a ranch. Prior to graduating from Anaconda High School in 1962, I was hired as a service clerk (box boy) for a new grocery store that was coming to town. (Buttrey later to be known as Buttrey Food and Drug.) I started that job on April 12, 1961 and continued working for Buttrey until September 30, 1998. Thirty seven and a half years later.
During that time I attended night school at Butte Business College, spent six years in the National Guard, moved seventeen different times in eight different cities in two states. While with Buttrey I held the following positions box boy, produce clerk, produce mgr. Lead grocery clerk, Assistant store manager, Store Manager, Assistant District Manager, District Manager, and Regional Director. Back in April of 1961 Buttrey had 10 stores and one small warehouse with some office space. We grew the business to fifty three stores located in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and North Dakota. A food distribution, corporate office center and mail order pharmacy in Great Falls Mt., a general merchandise warehouse in Payson, UT. a produce distribution center in Sparks, Nevada and a produce warehouse in Salt Lake City, UT. Buttrey grew to be the second highest employer in the state of Montana.
My wife Sharon and I met in Cheyenne, Wyoming and we will be married twenty five years this July. We have three children and three grand children. We moved to Sun City West in March of 2003. I joined the Sun City West Softball club in 2004. Since joining the club I have been a player, manager, Sun City West board member, and currently a National League Committee member, and joined the IT Committee in 2009. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found such a wonderful place to retire, to associate with so many great friends, and to be part of a wonderful softball family. |
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Bob Williams - Bob has played in the National League for 7 years and been a manager (for Southwest Golf and Farrar Chiropractic ) for 6 years, and has had 3 championship teams. He has served as the National League newspaper and website reporter and standings keeper for 5 years. This has entailed reviewing over 2300 score sheets. In 2009 and 2010 he has served terms on both the Sun City West Board and SCSSA Board and served on various committees. For 4 years he organized the National League Summer Sessions. For 5 years he has organized the National League Spring Fling Tournament and was the first to invite an all women's team to participate. He also managed teams in the Spring Fling for 4 years and won it twice. He has played in the I-10 Challenge against Palm Desert 3 times.
He has played for the Guys and Gals team on Monday mornings providing training and live competition for the Green Team, several years. Still playing with Guys and Gals in the co-ed Friday League.
He managed a team in the 2010 Cardiac Kids Tournament.
Bob would like to be remembered as a good glove man! He considers being the league reporter a wonderful opportunity to promote our softball club and community. He says his biggest satisfaction comes from putting players in positions to succeed, especially those whose skills may be waning. |
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