1974 - Francis “Lefty” Scumaci, Continental Can/Pittsburgh Firemen - Catcher
Member of 5 ASA Metro Pittsburgh Industrial Champions; (1954, 55, 56, 57 & 60- Continental Can). ASA National All-America Selections in 1955-open & 1957 Industrial, both for Continental Can. Also went to Nationals with the Pittsburgh Firemen in 1959. He played for Norwood AC in Fast Pitch from 1945-1949. He was a first basemen for Musman's Bar for the next three years and was selected to the all star team. During the span from 1954-1962, Lefty played for the Continental Can Company. He played in eight straight world tournaments and was selected three times to the all world all star team with a batting average of close to .600.

1974 - Frank Thomas, Jim's Sports Shop - First Base
Inducted because of his success with the Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball. But upon retiring, he did play slow pitch softball with Jim's Sport Shop and was became a good fielder with power, but learned how to get line drive base hits as wll.

1975 - Lou “Nozza” DelMastro, Hogan AC/Skip & Hogan AC/Skip AC/Jim’s Sport Shop/BYM Club- Pitcher
Member of 4 ASA of Metro Pittsburgh titles (1960-Hogan AC, 1962- Skip & Hogan AC, 1964- Skip AC and 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop). Also won ASA Region-12 title in 1967 with Jim’s Sports Shop. Member of 4 ASA National Championship teams (1962-Skip & Hogan AC, 1964 & 1965- Skip AC & 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop and one National Runner-up in 1963 to the legendary Gatliff Auto squad of Kentucky). ASA National All-America Selections in 1962, 63, 64 and 1965. He won the 1965 National Tournament MVP Award. Also won the 1969 USSSA World Championship with Jim’s Sports Shop. He garnered USSSA All-World Selections in 1968 with BYM Club and 1969 with Jim’s Sports Shop). He was inducted into the ASA National Hall of Fame in 1992.

1976 - Jim DiIorio - Jim's Sport Shop/Jim’s Hardhats - Sponsor/Administrator
Jim’s Sports Shop won (4) ASA Metro Pittsburgh ASA titles in 1958, 1967, 1973 & 1974. The team was known as Jim’s Hard Hats in 1973 & 1974. They won the ASA Region-12 title in 1967 & 1974. Won 1967 ASA National title. Jim’s Sports Shop was 3rd in the 1968 USSSA World Championship and won the title in 1969. Jim’s Hardhats also was an original member of the American Professional Slow Pitch League (APSPL) and had a team entered in the league from 1977-1980. They then joined the United Professional Softball League (UPSL) from 1981-1982. The Hardhats made it to the Professional World Series in 1980 losing to Rochester 5 games to 4 in a thrilling best of 9 game series. He was also a USSSA director for a while.

1979 - Angie Capuano -Brookline Young Men's Club (BYMC)/The Saloon/ Gregg Security - Sponsor
BYMC won (9) ASA metro Pittsburgh titles in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978 & 1979. They also won (7) ASA Region-11 and/or Region-11 titles in 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977 & 1979. He sponsored the famous Pittsburgh Debs Women’s Slow Pitch teams when they won ASA Metro Pittsburgh titles in 1974 & 1975 as well as ASA Regional titles in 1975 & 1976. He also sponsored and Managed the Saloon team that won the USSSA 1982 Class-A World title. He was named to the USSSA All World team as a Manager. (diseased)

1980 - Paul “Superman” Tomasovich - Hogan AC/Skip & Hogan AC/Skip AC/Jim’s Sport Shop - OF/SS/3B
Member of 4 ASA of Metro Pittsburgh titles (1960-Hogan AC, 1962- Skip & Hogan AC, 1964- Skip AC and 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop). Also won ASA Region-12 title in 1967 with Jim’s Sports Shop. Member of 4 ASA National Championship teams (1962-Skip & Hogan AC, 1964 & 1965- Skip AC & 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop and one National Runner-up in 1963 to the legendary Gatliff Auto squad of Kentucky). ASA National All-America Selections in 1960, 1962, 63, 64 and 1965. He won the 1964 National Tournament MVP Award. Also won the 1969 USSSA World Championship with Jim’s Sports Shop. He garnered USSSA All-World Selections in 1968 & 1969 with with Jim’s Sports Shop. He won the USSSA World MVP ward in 1969. He went on to manage Jim’s Hard Hats in 1974. He was inducted into the ASA National Hall of Fame in 1992.

1982 - Ted Stepien - Cleveland Competitors/Nationwide Advertising Services (NAS) - Sponsor
Stepien, born and raised in Pittsburgh, was an All-City basketball and football player at Schenley High School in Pittsburgh. Sponsor and owner of the Cleveland “Steptien” Competitirs in the profrssional Softball Leaues in 1979- American Professional Slow Pitch League (APSPL, lost in playoffs to eventual Champion, Milwaukee) & 1980- United Professional Softball League (UPSL, lost in playoffs to Detroit). Also Sponsored Nationwide Advertising Services (NAS) in the National Slow-Pitch Conference (2nd place in regular season and National Championships). Built “Softball World” in brook Park, OH and became the owner in 1985. Also bought the NBA franchise Cleveland Cavaliers and was the sole owner until he sold them in 1983. (diseased)

1983 - John Haskins - BYM Club - Player/Coach
Member of the Brookline Young Men's Club (BYMC) softball team. He played when he had to and was very good. He also helped out Manager Angie Capuano with many different responsibilities. Led BYM to many Pittsburgh Metro titles and ASA Region-12 Titles and appeared in five ASA National Championships.

1984 - Billy Hopkins - Colucci Tile/Bill Elliots/Skip & Hogan AC/Skip AC/BYM Club - Catcher/Manager
Member of the Colucci Tile team in 1959 that won the Pittsburgh Metro and went to the ASA Nationals. Also a member of 3 National Championship teams (1962-Skip & Hogan, 1964 & 1965-Skip AC). Also led Bill Elliots to the 1963 ASA Metro Pittsburgh title and subsuquent national championship appearance where they won three games before being eliminated. He went on to Manage the Brookline Young Men’s Club (BYMC) starting in 1971. He was the manager of the Pittsburgh Champions of the NASL Professional Softball League team in 1980.

1984 - Andy Dugo - Pittsburgh Metro- Administrator/Commissioner/Sports Reporter Covering Softball
Involved in ASA Metro Pittsburgh, becoming Commissioner in 1971 taking over the position from Stan Noszka. Only held the position for one year, before Sam Riggio took over the job and held it until ASA Metro Pittsburgh was bought out by the ASA of Pennsylvania in 1986. A very well respected sports reporter in the Pittsburgh Area who covered Softball.

1985 - Billy Caye - Hogan AC/Skip & Hogan AC/Skips AC/Jim's Sports Shop/BYM Club - OF/Manager
Played on the 1962 Hogan AC National Tournament team as an Outfielder and then took over the Managerial reigns after the 1963 season when Hogan AC finished Runner-up to the legendary Gatliff Auto squad of Kentucky. The team really took off with Billy Caye at the helm as Skip’s AC won the 1964 & 1965 ASA National Championship along with the 1967 ASA National Championship as manager of Jim’s Sports Shop. He was inducted into the ASA National Hall of Fame in 1984. he also led Jim’s Sport Shop to the 1969 USSSA World Championship.His career managerial record at the ASA Nationals Championships was 34-9. He later went on to lead the Brookline Young Men’s Club (BYMC). And then became the ASA Metro Pittsburgh Player Rep and also the East Central Regional Player Rep.

1987 - Mike Kovach - Hogan AC/Skip & Hogan AC/Skips AC/Jim's Sports Shop - Shortstop
Member of 4 ASA of Metro Pittsburgh titles (1960-Hogan AC, 1962- Skip & Hogan AC, 1964- Skip AC and 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop). Also won ASA Region-12 title in 1967 with Jim’s Sports Shop. Member of 4 ASA National Championship teams (1962-Skip & Hogan AC, 1964 & 1965- Skip AC & 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop). ASA National All-America Selections in 1962 & 1964). He was inducted into the ASA of PA Hall of Fame in 1993. 13 open class Softball World Tournaments. Played 1955­1982. Coached St. Mark’s CYO Basketball for 7 years -6 section titles and one diocese championship -1962. Stowe High School -4 year starter pitcher, record 20-4. Won 4 section titles. Managed Pittsburgh Hardhats 1976-77. Manager and commissioner Little League Baseball 12 years. Manager Whitehall American League. Member of Greater Pittsburgh Umpire Association. Played shortstop World Champion Softball Teams 1962, 64, 65, 67, 69, 82. All World 62, 64, 69, 82.in 1965 and 1966 had 102 game hitting streak. Lettered football and baseball at Stowe High School. Coach St. Mark’s Diocese Championship Team 1962 (30-1 record).

1988 - William “Bucky” Buchanan - Independent Club - Pitcher (Fast-Pitch)
He was a charter member of the Independent Club and played on the softball team. He reportedly could throw a softball 95 miles per hour. Mr. Buchanan attended Washington High School and served in the U.S. Army 258th Engineers during World War II. Buchanan, after military service in Europe in 1946, pitched for the Independent Club, which won seven city championships in succession. He pitched eight no-hit games and was named to seven All-Star teams.  He later pitched for Washington Moose from 1954 through 1958 with the team winning three consecutive city titles and the Western Pennsylvania Moose Association championship.  Buchanan's career as a pitcher in fast pitch ranks spanned 25 years with more than 300 wins. He was employed at the former Brockway Glass Plant 2 for 15 years and later worked for PennDOT and the Independent Club. He was also inducted into the Washington-Green County Chapter of Pennsylvania Softball Hall of Fame in 1988.

1989 - Denny Brown - Sol Mintz/Joe's Army & Navy/Fairfield Supply/Pittsburgh Hard-Hats/Gregg Security/The Saloon/Maroadi Transfer/Caesar's Tavern - Shortstop/Second Baseman
Denny Brown played played 20 years and played in 19 World Tournaments. He was a member of an all world team 11 times as a second basemen. His Sol Mintz team of Washington, PA won six world titles: (1972 & 73 Class-B and 1974 Class-A Eastern Worlds). Sol Mintz also finished runner-up three times (1969 & 71 Class-B and 1975 Class-A). Sol Mintz added a third place finish in the 1970 Class-B world’s also. He won an Industrial Championship with Fairmont Supply of Washington in 1974. Fairmont was the runner-up in the 1975 Industrial Worlds also. He played for Joe’s Army & Navy of Kittanning in 1976 when they finished runner-up in the Class-A Eastern World’s and 1976 World Series. Also won World titles with Gregg Security (1985 Class-A) and Caesar’s Tavern (1989 Class-AA). His 1988 Maroadi Transfer team was runner-up in the 1988 Class-A World Series. Denny Brown was a seven time USSSA all-world selection (1970, 71, 73, 74, 75, 85 and 88), including being awarded the 1985 MVP at the Class-A World Series. He also played for the Pittsburgh Hardhats of the old American Professional Slo-Pitch League from 1978 through 1980, being named to the All-League team each year. He also captured the 1978 APSPL All-Star game MVP award and was selected as a member of the All-Time Pro team. He also was an ASA All-American selection for Greg Security in 1982 and 1986 where he was the ASA national championship batting leader (20-26, .769 average). Denny Brown is widely considered the best hitter to come out of Western Pennsylvania carrying a .700+ batting average in World Championship play. Rated in the top 20 of baseball in the U.S. Bentworth H.S.: All-Section Team 1965, 66. California University of PA: All-American honorable mention NAIA 1969, All-American NAIA 1970. Kansas City Royals Farm System 2 years.

1990 - Joe 'Bull' Yimin - Hogan AC/Skip & Hogan AC/Skips AC/Jim's Sports Shop - First Base
Member of 4 ASA of Metro Pittsburgh titles (1960-Hogan AC, 1962- Skip & Hogan AC, 1964- Skip AC and 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop). Also won ASA Region-12 title in 1967 with Jim’s Sports Shop. Member of 4 ASA National Championship teams (1962-Skip & Hogan AC, 1964 & 1965- Skip AC & 1967-Jim’s Sports Shop). He started out with Club 30 and then went to Colucci Tile. Never made an ASA All-American team, but was selected to honorable mention status by local papers in 1964, 1967 and 1970. He won three Gold Glove awards in his career. He always was recognized as a clutch hitter and with tremendous power. Could play any position. Many people believe “Bull” was the best 1st Baseman of his time. He also played these other sports; Baseball – Aspinwall Vets, Oakmont, Ned Mellons and U.S. Army. 1953 Korean Baseball Division Champs. Football -Sto-Rox Cadets and Washington Social Club. Boxing -Heavy­weight Champion Korea 1953.

1992 - Bruno 'Spot' Riccardi - Hogan AC/Skip & Hogan - Manager
Manager of the Hogan AC that went to the nationals in 1960 and finished fifth. They could have done better, but they were so enraged over an umpire’s call that was obviously wrong, they walked off the field rather than play with a bad umpire, that’s how competitive this team was and it started with Spot Ricardi. The team also went to the 1962 ASA National Championship and that’s where Skip & Hogan won their first national title. Spot was a War Hero as he was a World War II veteran who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his accomplishments as a B-26 tail gunner.  he played Football and basketball at Duquesne for 3 years. Sandlot sports 4 yrs. and amateur boxer I.K.S. He was with Stan’s Cafe 4 yrs. Manager Skip & Hogan Slo­Pitch softball teams 3 yrs. Manager of Skip-Hogan’s 1st World Championship team. Managed Local 211 softball team 11 yrs. His teams competed in 10 World Tournaments, finished in top 5, 5 times. Received Dapper Dan Award 1969 for contributions to softball. Enshrined in Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall of Valor. 56 combat missions in ETO. as tail gunner Dist. Flying Cross.

1994 - Sam 'Skip' Schipani - Skip & Hogan AC/Skips AC - Sponsor
Part of legendary sponsorship of Skip & Hogan AC and later Skip AC that won ASA national titles in 1962 (Skip & Hogan), 1964 & 1965 (Skip’s AC) and finished national runner-up in 1963 (Skip & Hogan). The team started out as Colinger’s Café in 1958 and then became Red’s Café in 1959, before a man named John “Hogan” Didinato became the sole sponsor and the team became Hogan AC, Hogan joined forces in 1962 and the team became the now famous Skip & Hogan AC. In 1964, the team split up some to make the Greater Pittsburgh League more even and Skip’s AC became the more dominant team and in 1967, when team expenses became too much, Jim DiIorio tok over the team sponsorship.  He also Sponsored boxing and football. he was an Amateur and Pro boxer and High School football player. Golden Gloves Committee. Sponsored boxing 1956-59. President Model City Program -1st Ward early ’70’s. U. S. Air Force Boxing Champ 1943. Co-sponsored Hogan’S Softball Team 1960-62. Sponsored Skip’s Softball Team 1963-67. Pittsburgh Merchants Football team won 2 Honus Wagner league Heavyweight Championships, 4 National World Slo Pitch Championships.

1995 - Susan Stead - East End Debs//Brookline BYM Debs/M&M Debs - Shortstop
Member of 14 ASA Pittsburgh Metro titles, 3 ASA Regional titles. Also a member of 2 USSSA World Championship teams (1969 & 1970-East End Debs). Selected to the 1969 USSSA All-World Team as well as National USSSA Tournament MVP. She was a shortstop and first basemen who played for the Debs Softball Team from 1965 to 1986, Susan is considered by many to be the best women’s softball player to come out of Pittsburgh. Played in 22 women’s open national championships and was a member of the 1970 and 1971 USSSA World Championship Teams. Individual National Honors includes hers election as the MVP of the 1970 USSSA World Championship; 3-time USSSA All-World Shortstop (1969, 1970, 1971); and 1978 ASA All-American. A clean-up hitter who could hit with power to all fields. She was a member of 19 Greater Pittsburgh league championship teams and is a member of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

1995 - June Schaut - DaBaldo's - Pitcher
MVP -USSSA Slo-Pitch Softball Tournament in 1973, Altoona, Pennsylvania. She single handily won the 1973 Keystone Amateur Softball Association (KASA) State title. She pitched 6 straight games (48 innings) and won them all to clinch the State title for DaBaldo's. She was the first female to participate in all male bowling league at Robert Morris in 1967­-68. First woman to bowl 700 series in history of Pennsylvania State Women’s WIBC Tournament. Elected to Greater Pittsburgh Bowling Hall of Fame in 1990. Pennsylvania State Women’s WIBC All Events Champion in 1976.

1999 - Carol Sprague - - East End Debs//Brookline BYM Debs/M&M Debs - Outfielder/Coach
Member of 14 ASA Pittsburgh Metro titles, 3 ASA Regional titles. Also a member of 2 USSSA World Championship teams (1969 & 1970-East End Debs). A “Deb’s” team member for 22 years. After playing career ended, became a coach, she led the Debs to five national top-20 finishes. She was inducted into the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and was the 1993 recipient of the Women in Sports Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. She was the former head Basketball Coach at Penn Hills High School and is currently the Pittsburgh University Athletic Director (AD). Carol was a member of the USSSA World Championship Softball Teams in 1970 and 1971; and from 1975-86 she was coach of the Pittsburgh Debs Softball team, leading them to five national top twenty finishes. She was the Senior Associate Athletic Director at the University of Pittsburgh, responsible for facilities and stadium operations, equipment services, and the administration of 15 varsity sports teams. She has served as a member of the NCAA Council and Management Council as well as on numerous Big East Conference Committees. In 1993, Carol won the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Sports Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Penn Hills Hall of Fame in 1992.

1971 BYM Club

OTHER WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AREA HALL OF FAME SOFTBALL CHAPTERS

Washington-Green County Sports Hall of Fame – Softball

1986 - SOFTBALL - TEAM OF YESTERYEAR (1973 Sol Mintz Team)
Team won the 1973 USSSA Class "B" Men's World Championship at St Louis, MO.
First Row (Left to Right): Sam Rocca, Don Devore, Jim Eneix, Mike Kusturiss, Sam Parisse, Stan Majesky, Jack Eneix, George Taylor
Standing (Left to Right): Gary Smith, Joe Kern, Chuck Yesenchak, Earl Tustin, Bill Christy, Denny Brown, John McKay, Ed Osborne
All-World Team: Gary Smith (MVP), Denny Brown, Sam Rocca, George Taylor

1986 - SOFTBALL - TEAM OF YESTERYEAR (1972 Sol Mintz Team)
Team won the 1972 USSSA Class "B" Men's World Championship at Baltimore, MD.
First Row (Left to Right): Earl Tustin, Don Roberts, Mike Kusturiss, Sam Parisse, Joe Kern, Ed Osborne
Standing (Left to Right): Denny Brown, John McKay, Gary Smith, Jim Furda, Bill Cristy, Chuck Yesenchak, George Taylor, Jack Eneix
All-World Team: Gary Smith (MVP), George Taylor, Chuck Yesenchak, Joe Kern

1987 - SOFTBALL - Thomas Porter
Thomas Porter of Washington was an outstanding pitcher on softball teams in various Washington area leagues for many years. Porter, who attended Trinity High School, was a member of such teams as Jessop Club, Moose Lodge, Court Billiards, Gardner's and the Hazel Atlas No 2 Fruit Jar League. His other sports activities included playing sandlot football in Washington's West End. Porter estimates he was a member of approximately 18 softball teams which won championship trophies and says being selected to the Hall of Fame is the highest individual honor he has received

1987 - SOFTBALL - Syl H. Wrubleski
Syl H. Wrubleski of Washington started his softball career in the late 1930s when he organized, managed and played for the West End Dachshunds and played for Duncan Miller Glass. He then started, managed and played for City League championship teams representing Court Billiards and Gardner Packard. He built and maintained a field at Log Pile in an old cow pasture called "Cox Flappers Stadium." He acted as liason between the city and the City Softball League and was instrumental in starting the Industrial Softball League, serving as its first president. Wrubleski finished his career with Drakenfeld after 35 years of competing in fast and slow pitch softball. He also played sandlot and semipro football and sandlot baseball. He has served as a Washington Pony League manager and coach and as a member of the ground crew and Pony League World Series host committee; assistant director of Brownson House, area scout for Wyoming and Nebraska football; and has been active in programs such as Boy Scouts, Junior Achievement, Citizens Advisory Council, Retarded Children board member and South Strabane Parks & Recreation Commission.

1988 - SOFTBALL - William H. (Bucky) Buchanan
William H. (Bucky) Buchanan of Washington will be honored for contributions to softball in the Washington area.  Buchanan, after military service in Europe in 1946, pitched for the Independent Club, which won seven city championships in succession. He pitched eight no-hit games and was named to seven All-Star teams.  He later pitched for Washington Moose from 1954 through1958 with the team winning three consecutive city titles and the Western Pennsylvania Moose Association championship.  Buchanan's career as a pitcher in fast pitch ranks spanned 25 years with more than 300 wins. He was also inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1988

1988 - SOFTBALL - Earl Tustin
Earl Tustin of Claysville will also be honored for softball contributions. Tustin played softball from 1963 through 1986 for Claysville Legion, Union Grill and Sol Mintz. While with Sol Mintz from 1967 through 1976, the team won two world titles and three second places.  Tustin managed the Claysville American Legion team for 15 years, winning two district titles and five state Legion championships.

1991 - SOFTBALL - Harry C. Antill
Harry C. Antill, a 1933 graduate of Washington High School, was active in district softball for a number of years and also played basketball and semipro football.  He played softball for Blue Bird Cafe, Gardner Packard, Court Billiards, Jessop Club and Hazel Atlas No. 2 during a 34-year career.  Antill, a Washington resident, was a member of the Poundstown football team and played basketball in Hazel Atlas and City Industrial leagues.

1991 - SOFTBALL - Richard O. Wise
Richard O. Wise, a native of Scenery Hill who is now a resident of Houston, pitched 12 no-hit games in a 25-year fast pitch softball career.  After graduation from Centerville High School, he played for a Fifth Army Division fast pitch squad and later pitched for Penn Commercial College, Washington Street, Alpine Club and Country Charcoal.  Wise, who was named several times to City and Industrial League all-star teams, had a 325-75 career pitching record with approximately 1,800 strikeouts, and played in tournaments in Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland. He also pitched three games against the famed King and his Court squad.

1994 - SOFTBALL - George R. Hildebrand
George R. Hildebrand. Nearly half a century as an outstanding player, coach, administrator, sponsor and Manager, with over 2500 Victories, including 55 tournament titles.
In his illustrious career, his teams won 10 Ten Mile Valley Championships, 2 North East American Open Titles, 1 North East World 2nd. Place Finish and 1 Top 20 World Finish.

2005 - SOFTBALL - Gary Smith
Gary Smith. Graduate, Trinity High School, played baseball, basketball and football for Trinity High School. He had a very successful slo-pitch softball career playing softball for Lone Pine, Etna Hotel, Ten Mile, Club Forty and Sol Mintz. During his eight year stay with Sol Mintz, Gary and his teammates gained World Wide recognition for their team and the Greater Washington area. His Individual Honors include: 1970 USSSA All Tournament Team, 1972 USSSA Tournament Most Valuable Player and member of the All World Team, 1973 USSSATournament Most Valuable Player and member of the All World Team, 1975 USSSA All Tournament Team. His teams have accomplished these great feats: 1969 Sol Mintz Class B Men's USSSA World Runner-up; 1970 Sol Mintz Class B Men's USSA 3rd. Place; 1971 Sol Mintz Class B Men's USSSA World Runner-up; 1972 Sol Mintz Class B Men's USSSA World Champions; 1973 Sol Mintz Class B Men's USSSA World Champions; 1974 Sol Mintz Class A Men's USSSA Eastern Champions; 1975 Sol Mintz Class A Men's USSSA World Runner-up

1986 - MERITORIOUS SERVICE - Joe Manfredi
Joe Manfredi - Manager of the S.A. Meyer, Scott Motor and Alpine baseball teams and coach of both semi-pro and pro football and basketball teams. He was the first ASA District Commissioner for District-7 (Washington/Greene and Fayette Counties).

2010 - ATHLETE OF DISTINCTION - Roger Snatchko - Softball

Ford City Sports Hall of Fame – Softball

2005 - Thomas “Big” Miller
Thomas Miller, known in the Ford City area simply as “Big,” is the son of Ralph and Doris Miller of Ford Cliff. From 1963 through 1965, Tom demonstrated his athletic ability on Ford City High School football, basketball, and track teams, lettering in each sport multiple times. To this day, he holds the record for the longest javelin throw in FCHS history. But it was in softball that “Big” earned recognition as the most dominant player from Ford City. In each of the five years from 1972 to 1976, he was named to the All World Softball Team. He won the home run title at the World Softball Tournament every year from 1973-1975. He played in the USSSA World Series of Softball in 1975 and 1976, won its home run title in 1975, and was honored both years with selection to its All Tournament teams. He also played on the Negrich Brothers team that won the World Series of Softball Tournament in 1975. Tom’s softball prowess earned him a professional contract with the Pittsburgh Hardhats in 1977. He played for two years with the Hardhats, leading them in homeruns and runs batted in both years. In 1977, he was selected to the Pro League All Star Team and also named the Hardhats Most Valuable Player by Softball Magazine. He played in the Ding-a-Ling Tournament in Rural Valley nine times between 1969 and 1983. During this span, he was on the tournament champion team five times, was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament twice, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the first 25 years of the Ding-a-Ling Tournament. After retiring from softball in 1983, Tom took a position as a chemistry and health technician at Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, where he worked until 2001. He and his wife Suzanne live in Quarryville. They have three sons, Brian, Bruce, and Brandon.

Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame – Softball

INDUCTEES
1987 - Joe Embroski - Fast Pitch Hurler for Future AC and New Castle Eagles
1992 - Allan Joseph - Slow Pitch Player for Iron Dukes
1992 - Edward A. DeCarbo - Slow Pitch Softball Sponsor
1995 - Steve Tarnoci - Slow Pitch player for Crescent Cafe
1996 - Terry Watters - Slow Pitch player for Stan's Auto
1998 - Pete “Figo” Carvella - Administrator/Commissioner for New Castle Softball
2000 - Luann Grybowski - Slow Pitch player for Stan's Auto
2001 - Anthony Guiliano - Slow Pitch player for Iron Dukes
2006 - Fred “Bull” Ryan - Slow Pitch player for Iron Dukes
2010 - Don Stoner - Commissioner/Director of New Castle Softball
2011 - Guy Demaio - Commissioner of Western Pennsylvania for over 40 years
2011 - John "Juggo" Frank - Slow Pitch player for Iron Dukes
2013 - Anthony Aven - Slow Pitch Player for Croten Dukes
2016 - John Quahliero - Slow Pitch Player for Iron Dukes
2016 - Lou Quahliero - Slow Pitch Player for Iron Dukes

East Boros Sports Hall of Fame – Softball

INDUCTEES

Ed Adams - NSA State Commissioner

1972 and 1973 Sol Mintz Teams

ASA of PA Slow Pitch Softball History Home Page

©1998 Steve Dimitry, all rights reserved.

Email: sdimitry@verizon.net