View source for DUBUQUE FAST PITCH HALL OF FAME

DUBUQUE FAST PITCH HALL OF FAME. The organization was the successor, in 1989, to the Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame started in 1976. The recognition was given to promote fast pitch baseball in Dubuque. The organization has for many years sponsored a youth fast pitch clinic in addition to recognizing many of the finest local ball players.


Information Courtesy: Jim Leitner, Ray Grant, Hank Wernke


'''1976'''

Source: "11 Men Picked for Dubuque's Softball Hall," ''Telegraph Herald'', July 19, 1976, p. 7

[[ELLSWORTH, Theodore Richards|Theodore Richards ELLSWORTH]] was remembered for getting behind the sport when it began to slip locally and assembling one of the best softball teams for its time, Lange's Insurance.

"Lefty" Enos, when inducted into the Hall of Fame, was remembered as one of the finest pitchers in the history of local baseball. Playing with such teams as Truckers, Art's Grocery, Dubuque Pack, Morocco and Hilldale, Enos was also regarded as a fine hitter.

Bucky Harris began playing baseball in the 1930s. Playing catcher or first base, Harris played for Star Brewers, Black and White, Art's Grocery, Morocco, Hilldale Dairy, and the Dubuque Pack.

Chet Hayes was remembered for his fine skill as an umpire.

Mark Kinney played for Beck's, Art's Grocery, and Black and White and was remembered for his pitching skills.

Ray Leuschner began his career in baseball as a pitcher, but switched to second base and became one of the finest in the area. He played in the Industrial League with Farley and Loetscher where he was chosen for the league all-star team seven times. He also played for Art's Grocery, Black and White, Star, Morocco, and Hilldale Dairy.

Bill Kelly was initiated into the Hall of Fame for his fine play as a defensive outfielder. A left-handed batter, he played for Black and White and Art's Grocery.

[[MCALEECE, Gerald "Red"|Gerald "Red" MCALEECE]] was inducted for the many ways he boosted sports including the years he spent as a coach and sportscaster. He was also honored for his work by the Iowa Sportscasters.
	
Rich Miller, one of the three fine pitchers inducted into the first class of the Hall of Fame, had a "drop" ball remembered by those against whom he pitched. He played for Central Cafe, Dubuque Pack, and the Boys' Club Boosters.

Ray Schmit was named to the Hall of Fame for his pitching, but was also known for his hitting. He played for Lange's Insurance and John Deere.

George Tressel directed the Industrial Softball League from 1949 through 1960 and worked with [[SUTTON, Nicholas|Nicholas SUTTON]] in the City Recreation League. He was the chief groundskeeper at [[RAFFERTY FIELD]] and also worked with the older Boys League at the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]].


'''1977'''

Source: "Pitching Keys Hall of Fame Softball," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 7, 1977, p. 7

Midge Delaney was named to the Hall of Fame for his play as an outfielder. Midge was an outstanding athlete, excelling at baseball, fast pitch softball, bowling, basketball and golf. He played for the legendary Lange Insurance fast pitch softball teams that dominated Dubuque softball in the 1950s and 1960s. Midge was inducted into the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. An accomplished bowler, he won the all-events championship at the 1976 and the Iowa State Bowling Association tournament--the first person in Dubuque history to do so. (http://iagenweb.org/boards/dubuque/obituaries/index.cgi?read=673236)

Leon (Barney) Gabriel was remembered for his work as an umpire.
	
"Doc" Hipchen was inducted in 1977 for his skill as a first baseman.

Rich Jahn, a celebrated pitcher-outfielder, was honored with his induction.
	
Lionel McAleece was a manager honored with induction into the Hall.


'''1978'''

Source: "Dubuquers Gain Softball 'Hall,'" ''Telegraph Herald'', May 30, 1978, p. 9

[[Image:blosch.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]






Bob Blosch pitched softball for years and threw many no-hitters and led his teams to many city championships. He was known for a windmill-style motion that gave him great speed and control. Playing in the 1940s, Blosch was a member of such teams as the Trick Drivers, Nick's Tavern, Brookside Dairy and the Bel Du Inn. He pitched and batted Nurre Glass to the 1949 Industrial League title and earned recognition as most valuable player and a place on the all-star team.













[[Image:bbuelow.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]





Bob Buelow played for Central Cafe, Art's Grocery, Iowa Egg, Amvets, Zemanek's Insurance and Sweetheart in the City League, Carr's in the Industrial League, and St. John's Lutheran in the YMCA Church League. After retiring from play, he umpired for fifteen years in the Industrial and City leagues and for tournaments.






[[Image:kellerb.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]















Mel Keller began his baseball days in the Dubuque playground system and then with Sid's Recreation as an outfielder in the Minor League. He began his Major League play with the King of Clubs and continued with Becks Drug, Zemanek's Insurance, Central Cafe and the Dubuque Boys' Club Boosters. When the Club Esquire won the first title in the Kiwanis, he was a player-manager.














[[ZEHENTNER, Robert|Robert ZEHENTNER]] owned the King of Clubs in the late 1930s and early 1940s and sponsored teams in both the City Major and Minor Leagues. He played second base for the teams that won the 1940 Major League championship and played in the 1941 state tournament.  He helped bring some fine traveling teams to the [[FOURTH STREET BASEBALL FIELD]] and after returning from the Air Force in 1946 supplied an electric scoreboard to the park. He also furnished a scoreboard for Rafferty Field.

	
'''1979'''

Source: "Softball Hall Adds Four New Inductees," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 16, 1979, p. 7

[[Image:1979classa.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1979classb.png|right|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]




Meyer began playing softball in the 1930s with Holy Trinity in the Parochial League. He was playing for the Social Center by the late-1930s and Iowa Egg in the Midwest League. He later added played for the Morocco Inn, Hilldale Dairy, Lange's Insurance and Arenz Shoes in the Major League. He organized, managed, and played for the first John Deere team in the Industrial League in 1947 and continued playing until 1962 when Deere won the championship. In 1966 he returned to manage and play for the Lux Club Old Timers in the Kiwanis tournament. He was remembered for his work on third base.

Williams was an all-around player for Farley and Loetscher, A.A.McDonald, Bird Chevrolet, Brown Publishing, Morocco Inn, Hildale Dairy and Lange's Insurance.

In his 16-year career, Tangeman helped with ten championships for such teams as Zemanek Insurance, Iowa Egg, Elks Club, Kraft's. and Potosi Beer. He was named to all-star teams in the Industrial, Church, Major and Fraternal League teams and was recognized as an outstanding "whip' pitcher capable of pitching both games in a double-header.

Joe Young had a career as an outfielder that stretched thirty years. He played for Star Brewery, King of Clubs, Farley and Loetscher, and Metz Truck Drivers.











'''1980'''

Source: "Six More Names Added to Softball Hall of Fame," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 27, 1980, p. 11

[[Image:1980class.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]




George Peterson, a dominant member in the Kiwannis Softball Tournament for twenty years and a charter member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame, achieved from 1953 to 1976 a record of 81 wins against 4 loses. His record also included pitching in 14 consecutive Kiwanis championship victories, a string of 65 consecutive tournament wins, and eleven shutouts over a period of three tournaments. During his career, he pitched for A.Y. McDonalds, Ready-Mix, Lux Club, King of Clubs, Whalen's, Lange's Insurance and Hilldale Dairy.

Bob Bowen was listed in the Hall as one of the all-time top right-handed hitters. He later sponsored many softball teams.

Duke Defendi played for the Central Cafe team which won the City Centennial tournament in 1946. He played and managed for the Dubuque Pack when the team won the Industrial League championship nine years in a row and batted over 300 each of those seasons. 
	
[[WEBER, Merlyn "Spike"|Merlyn "Spike" WEBER]], owner of King of Clubs for many years, sponsored many teams especially in bowling and softball.

Fritz Justman began his playing days with the Audubon playground and Immanuel Church teams in the Church League as a short-stop. He later played with teams sponsored by Iowa Egg, Morocco Inn, Hilldale Dairy, King of Clubs, and Star Brewers.  He was co-manager of Morocco Inn and Hilldale Dairy teams and helped Iowa Egg reach the state tournament. He played many years for Farley and Loetscher in the Industrial League and was team captain in 1942, 1943, and 1944.
	
Ed Matous started playing softball at the age of nine as an outfielder. He moved to pitching in the Boy's League and continued in the Major, Minor and Industrial leagues until 1972. He had a pair of no-hit/no-run games in 1948 and was on the all-star team in the Industrial League in 1959. He played for such teams as General Dry Battery, Dubuque Pack, Wright's Tap, Mushroom Tap, and King of Clubs.














'''1981'''

Source: "Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame Adds Six New Members in July," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 24, 1981, p. 16

[[Image:1981aclass.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1981bclass.png|right|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]




Bob Didesch began pitching in the early 1940s and his Marine team was the company championship. He was selected for the Marine All-Star team that played Army and Navy teams. Returning to Dubuque, Didesch played for the Nativity Youth Organization and then with Central Cafe, Roehl Phillips and Peru Tap--a team for which he hurled a no-hitter against Dutch Inn. He pitched for the Amvets to the Major city softball title. Moving to A.Y. McDonald's team in 1950, he was named the most valuable player of the Industrial League in 1951 and was a member of the all-star team in 1951-1954. 
	
Terry Harris began pitching in the Church League and started in the Major League in 1952 at the age of thirteen. Playing with such teams  as Interstate Power, Ruprecht's, Flexsteel, Dubuque Pack, Farley and Loetscher, Hall's Haven, Lux Club, Plaza 20, and Dubuque Pack, he was named to many Industrial League all-star teams and was selected as the most valuable player in several tournaments. He played in the Iowa state tournament with Ruprecht's and Lange's Insurance.

Kay Jackson began his softball days as a pitcher in 1928 at Jackson and Franklin schools and went on to play with the championship DeMolay team as a catcher. In the mid-1930s, he joined the Star Brewers as an outfielder. He then played with the Truck Drivers and the championship Iowa Egg team. For several years he played for Art's Grocery and also Farley and Loetscher's Industrial League team and Star Brewers. He won the Industrial League batting championship one season with a .425 average. While playing with the Truck Drivers team in the Major League, he was the a member of the league's all-star team as a third baseman. In the same season, he was named to the Industrial League/s all-star team. He was a member of the Iowa Egg team that won the 1944 championship in the Northeast Iowa tournament.

Bill Meyer began playing softball at the age of sixteen and excelled at first base. As a fielder, he earned a career batting average of .320 and seldom struck out--enabling runners to advance. Beginning his career with the Swiss Inn, he played for such teams as Bel-Du-Inn, General Dry Battery, Hilldale Dairy, Ruprecht's, and Club 15. 

Harry New first played for Scerr's Grocery in the 1930s and ended his career with the King of Clubs twenty-five years later. One of the high points of his career was winning the first Kiwanis tournament as a member of the Club Esquire and playing with the 1954 Dubuque Pack team in the Indy League. He played for several Industrial League all-star teams and for Central Cafe, John's Cafe, and Meadow Gold.
	
George Winders, an outstanding defensive third baseman and hitter, was named to the several Lange's Insurance teams that won the ISC state tournaments and played in the ISC World Tournament. A perennial all-star, he was named to the select team in 1952-1959 and 1960. In 1958 he won the batting championship while playing on the Industrial League championship team and was the team's most valuable player in 1954. Among the teams on which Winders was a member were A.Y. McDonald, Ready-Mix, Bunker Hill, Alpine Tap and Cavalier.




'''1982'''

[[Image:pins.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]





Art Pins was one of the early sponsors of fast pitch softball with Art's Grocery. He played with the Jackson Playground Senior League and pitched and won the city title in 1935. He played second base for Federal Bakery and pitched for Sibbing's Jewelry. 













		
[[OTTAVI, Carl "Cuz"|Carl "Cuz" OTTAVI]]
	
[[SUTTON, Nicholas|Nicholas SUTTON]]
	
[[SKEMP, Charles R.|Charles R. SKEMP]]
	
Charlie Spielman played twenty-four years in the Industrial League--major and minor--and sponsored softball teams for twelve years. He also managed and coached softball for five years. Spielman managed seventh and eighth graders at Resurrection and Sacred Heart schools for seven years. He helped start the Tri-State Softball tournament and the Dubuque Invitational tournament. He was also the founder of the Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame and helped organize the Dubuque Recreation and Hall of Fame softball clinics. In 1983 he was still active in promoting softball in Dubuque.


'''1983'''

[[Image:clem.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]





Abbie Clemens began in the playground leagues in the 1930s. He went on to play on such teams as Mullen Brothers, Star Brewers, Black and White, Federal Discount, Meadow Gold, and Central Cafe.








	
[[Image:gant.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] 










Earl Gantenbein joined the organized leagues with Potosi Beer in the 1930s. Capable of playing all positions, he focused on outfield for the Star Brewers, Black and Wh8te, Art's Grocery, Hilldale Dairy and Immanuel Church. He once coached the Muscatine high school to the boys' state championship.














[[Image:freib.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]





Don Mueller and Clete Freiburger, owners of [[HILLDALE DAIRY]], sponsored many fine fast-pitch teams in the area which earned them membership in the hall of fame in 1983













[[Image:hou.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]




Dick Hough participated in baseball as a player, organizer, sponsor and manager. Beginning in the Midget Church League, he helped set up league and umpire schedules for all YMCA church teams as a freshman in high school. He went on the play for Hall's, King of Clubs, Plaza 20, Dubuque Stamping, Dubuque Pack, Whalen's, Kall Inn, and Bob's Recreation. He was an umpire in the major softball league, sponsored a championship team in the Twilight League, and managed Kall Inn and Whalen's.





[[Image:jan.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]














Vern Jansen, known as the "Mississippi Hustle," played with outstanding teams in Dubuque before joining the armed forces and playing some service ball. Returning to Dubuque, he played with Plaza 20, Kall Inn, and Dubuque Pack as a third baseman. In 1983 he was still active in the sport as a sponsor and owner-operator of a softball field.









	
'''1984'''

Source: "Three Ex-Players, Umpire, Sponsor Join Dubuque Softball Hal of Fame," ''Telegraph Herald'' March 25, 1984, p. 16

[[Image:1984class.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]

T.J. Gaynor began his baseball career in 1938 playing first base for Lynn's Grocery. He played for Federal Discount before joining the armed forces. Returning home, he played for Club Esquire and Central Cafe.
	
Mert Kaiser began playing ball as a sixteen-year-old playing for the King of Clubs in the Major League and Farley and Loetscher in the Industrial League. Often playing shortstop, he was considered a good long-ball hitter. An injury ended his playing career after thirty years, but he continued in the sport as an umpire for ten years.


Ray Nicks sponsored his first softball team in the late 1930s while in partnership in the Nicks & Herber Tavern. He continued supporting the game in the Major A and Minor A leagues as the owner of Ray Nicks' Tavern. He played on his team as a catcher. Nicks sponsored the Old Timers which won the championship from 1950-1956.

Ozzie Schnorenberg, a fine softball player, was best known for his years of umpiring beginning in the Church and Industrial leagues (1952-1967) and for the City League (1955-1970). For ten years, he worked both the Tri-State and the Iowa State tournaments. A member of the Kiwanis Softball Hall of Fame, Schnorenberg umpired their tournaments from 1950-1973 and was in charge of all umpiring from 1954-1969.
	
[[WERNKE, Henry "Hank"|Henry "Hank" WERNKE]] began his baseball career in 1952. During his thirty-year career, he played in six World tournaments and managed in another. He was named the Most Valuable Player in the 1961 Kiwanis Softball Tournament and became a member of the Kiwanis Softball Hall of Fame. His work at shortstop and ability to make double plays made him a valuable member of teams sponsored by Ruprecht's, Lange's Insurance, Ready-Mix, Lux Club and King of Clubs. Considered a great clutch hitter, he averaged over .300 during his career. In 1984 he was serving his third term as president of the group that sponsored the Youth Softball Clinic and the Dubuque Fast Pitch Invitational softball tournament.

	
'''1985'''

Source: "Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame Adds Five New Members in June Ceremonies," ''Telegraph Herald,'' April 28, 1985. p. 18

[[Image:1985aclass.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1985bclass.png|right|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]Huber was involved in softball as a player, umpire, and manager from the early 1930s through 1977. As a catcher, he played for the Truck Drivers, Freddie's Tap, Iowa Egg, Nuree Glass and the John Deere Crawlers. He was a member of the Dubuque Umpires' Association from 1951-1955 and served as vice president in 1954 and was elected president in 1955. He managed the Industrial League All-Stars in 1953, guided the Crawlers to second place in the Industrial League in 1963, and steered the same team to the league championship in 1964. In 1972 he was voted City League Manager of the Year and guided Ring's to the 1977 Iowa State Tournament championship. It represented Iowa in the World Series of Softball in Phoenix, Arizona.

[[PETRAKIS, John|John PETRAKIS]] began his baseball career in 1933 and pitched for twelve years on several teams. In 1934 he teamed up with a friend to put on the first night softball game in the Tri-State area and Iowa. Admission was ten cents and the city wanted $7.50 in advance for the use of the lights. He managed and coached the Central Cafe softball team from 1941-1950 capturing eighteen trophies. Petrakis was named to the Recreation Commission in 1951, organized the Boys Club Boosters in 1951 and was honored by that group as the "Man Behind the Boy" in 1958. The Fourth Street Baseball Park was renamed in his honor in 1961.
	
Pat Sullivan played catcher from 1964-1979 for many teams including Kopper-Schrader, Lux Club, Arenz Shoes, Janlin Plastic, Ring's Fine Foods, and White House Tap. He was a member of the championship team in nine Tri-State tournaments, nine Kiwanis tournaments, and 11 ISC state tournaments. He also played in 12 ISC World Softball tournaments. He was voted the All-America catcher in the 1969 ISC World Tournament with a batting average of .300 and the Most Valuable Player in the 1977 Iowa ISC State Tournament with a batting average of .42. In 1979 Sullivan was appointed the Iowa ISC State Softball Commissioner--a position he still held in 1985.

Elmer Voels began his career in baseball in 1936 at the age of 17 with Blumers Beer of Monroe, Wisconsin. He joined the Nicks and Herber team in the major league in 1938 where he played four years. In 1940 he led the league with a .500 batting average and also in runs scored earning him all-star status. He batted .356 in 1941 and 362 in 1942 playing for Art's Grocery. Returning to Dubuque on leave, Voels played for A.Y. McDonald in the Industrial League in both the title-tying and Industrial League championship game in 1944. After the war he joined the Knights of Columbus team in the Major League for three years. He managed the team in 1947-1948. He switched to Brookside Dairy in 1949 which won the city championship in 1950. In 1951 the team played under Bel-Du-Inn sponsorship and again won the title. He played with Oakland Dairy in 1952-1954 managing the team his last season.

George Zugenbuehler, a charter member of the board of directors of the Hall of Fame in 1976, was the first umpire inducted into the Kiwanis Softball Hall of Fame in 1981 after serving as an umpire from 1956 to 1992. He served as president of the Boys Club Boosters in 1961 and was a past member of the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union. (Source: ''Telegraph Herald,'' July 2, 2009, p. 18) From 1950-1960 he played in the Industrial League for Carr-Adams-Collier usually as a third baseman. He began umpiring in 1956 and worked the Kiwanis Tournament from 1962-1982 and the men's fast pitch state tournament for ten years.

	

'''1986'''

Source: "Five Join Softball Hall," ''Telegraph Herald,'' May 18, 1986, p. 20


[[Image:1986aclass.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1986bclass.png|right|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]


Frank Bowen began pitching for the NYO in the early 1930s and at one time considered joining one of the Chicago White Sox farm teams. Around 1940 he began the fast pitch softball career that included playing for Iowa Egg, Oak's Tavern which went to the state tournament one year, Art's Grocery and Koolmotors. "No-Hit Bowen," a nickname he earned for his pitching prowess retired to start coaching the Nativity Holy Name baseball team.

Sherman "Skip" Hutton signed up with the White Sox organization after high school as a pitcher. During his service, he played on a winning baseball team for the 7th Army in 1958-1959. Locally he often played for Lange's Insurance but also Kall Inn, Interstate Power and the Lux Club. He participated in four World Fast Pitch Softball Tournaments and the Kiwanis Softball Tournament. He served as president of the Dubuque Fast Pitch Association for seven years. Hutton worked as a ranger at The Meadows Golf Course for seventeen years and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year by [[HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES]] for his sixteen years of volunteer work at Reflections in the Park. (Source: Obituaries, ''Telegraph Herald'', October 28, 2018, p. 22)

Merle Mathis began softball at the age of ten on the Holy Ghost eighth-grade team. Accomplished as a hitter, third baseman, and pitcher, he played for many clubs including the King of Clubs, Klauer Manufacturing, Nick's Tavern, and the Brookside Dairy. He pitched Ruprecht's to the championship of the Kiwanis Tournament and played with the two-time City League champions, Tappa Keggas. His skill in pitching resulted in five no-hit, no-run games. Mathis worked with many youth organizations including the Holy Name baseball league and coached the girls' after school sports at [[BRYANT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL]].

Jerry Thalhamer, a physical education teacher with the [[DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT]], began his career in softball in 1954 playing with St. John's Lutheran of the Church League and such Major League teams as Klauer Manufacturing, White House, Finale, Montgomery Ward, and the Dungeon. Thalhammer was an All-Tournament catcher in the 1976 Iowa State meet and an All-Star catcher five times performing in the softball clinic All-Star game. He played with teams that included an Iowa State championship in 1975, two second-place teams, two third-places and a fourth-place finish. He played with the 1980 Kiwanis champion team and finished second three times. 

[[TRUEBLOOD, Terry|Terry TRUEBLOOD]] played every position in the field although primarily third base. It was in the field of parks and recreation that he made his greatest contributions and was one of the organizers of the first fast pitch clinic in 1980. He served on the broad of the Dubuque Fast Pitch Invitational and worked hours recruiting teams for the competition.


'''1987'''

Source: "Fast Pitch Hall of Fame Adds Five Stars," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 3, 1987, p. 19

[[Image:1987a.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1987b.png|right|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1987c.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1987d.png|right|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1987e.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]










Denny Blosch began fast pitch playing for King of Clubs in 1941. He moved to Farley and Loetscher before entering the Navy and then returned to Dubuque to play for Brookside Dairy, Nurre Glass, Bel-Du-Inn and finally Nick's Tap. During the 1950 season he was an Industrial League All-Star third baseman. He was a member of such championship teams as Farley and Loetscher in 1943, Nurre Glass in 1949, Brookside Dairy in 1950 and Bel-Du-Inn in 1951 and 1952. His last four seasons of play were with Nick's Tap which claimed the city championship each year. He batted over .300 with each team.
	
Jim Hosch, affiliated with fast pitch for twenty-five years, played infielder-outfielder in 12 World Tournament teams. He never played on a losing team in any of 30 appearances in the Kiwanis Tournament. He was a member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame with a batting average close to .400 for his career. He was named three times to the All-World Tournament team and twice to the All-El Paso Tournament team. Hosch was all-tournament at Allentown, Pennsylvania and an ISC All-America. In Dubuque he played for the Lux Club, Ready-Mix, and Lange's Insurance.

Robert Kelleher	began his softball career in 1941 playing in the Industrial League with Morrison Brothers, A.Y. McDonald, Caradco, Flexsteel, and John Deere. In 1958 and 1959 he was an All-Star catcher for Flexsteel and in 1961 was an All-Star and batting champion for John Deere. He set a record of three home runs in one game at Rafferty Field in 1959. Kelleher competed in the City League for Amvets, Lange's, Plaza 20, Bar X and Kall Inn. During the [[KOREAN CONFLICT]], Kelleher won the All-Army Championship in 151 for the 25th Division Medical Battalion. He helped with the Kiwanis Tournament in 1957 and 1958 and helped Lange's claim the Major League championship in 1958 and 1960.

Pete Welbes was a versatile fielder in the 1960s and 1970s and also played first base and catcher. Playing for many teams including Lux Club, King of Clubs Janlin Plastic Ring's Fine Food and Greenhouse Tavern, Welbes played in nine Kiwanis tournaments, seven Tri-State tournaments, and eight ISC World Softball Tournaments. He finished fourth with the Lux Club in the 1971 tournament.

[[WINNER, Clifford|Clifford WINNER]] played first base for Carr-Adams-Collier and A.Y. McDonald. In 1944 as a member of the latter team, he hit two doubles and scored two runs to help the team to the Industrial League championship. He led the league that year with a batting average of .359. He was chosen as the all-tournament team and the all-star team as first baseman.















'''1988'''

Source: "Six More Inducted into Hall," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 22, 1988, p. 13

[[Image:1988class.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]







Terry Boleyn was considered a fine hitter and fielder during his fifteen years as a third baseman and shortstop for such teams as King of Clubs, Pickett's, Janline Plastics, Whalen's, Finale Lounge and Ring's. A member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame, Boleyn batted .440 in 1974 for Janlin Plastics leading the team to winning the Kiwanis and ISC state tournaments. In the latter tournament he batted .526 and was on base his last 14 times at bat.

Joe Buol was remembered for his pitching although he also played first base and outfield. Be played for Tom's Tap, King of Clubs, Idle Hour, Bowen's Tap and Dubuque Stamping. In 1961 he was a member of Lange's Kiwanis championship team. This was two years after winning the Independent League batting championship and being a member of league all-star teams in 1955, 1958, 1959 and 1961.
	
Paul Clancy began his playing career on the playgrounds of Franklin and Cathedral schools. While playing all positions well, he was best known as a catcher for such teams at Art's Grocery, Western Auto, and Hilldale Dairy.

Bill Kaufman was a catcher and with pitcher Merle Mathis had the honor of being the youngest pair (at the age of 15) to play in the Dubuque Major League (1940) and in 1941 the youngest to play in a major Cedar Rapids tournament. Kaufman began playing with the King of Clubs junior team in 1940, but was asked by Ray Nicks to join the Major League to play with his team.

Mike Dillon played for many teams in his fifteen-year career. An all-around player, he reached his peak with Dubuque Ready-Mix as an outfielder who compiled a near .300 career batting average.

[[STECKLEIN, Richard|Richard STECKLEIN]] was initiated in the Hall through his role as a club sponsor. Between 1961 and 1976 Stecklein's sponsorship of teams had a major impact on softball.

	






'''1989'''

Source: Lagerstrom, Hal, "Five Inducted into Fast Pitch Hall," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 21, 1989, p. 16

[[Image:1989aclass.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1989bclass.png|right|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]

Jim Field had a twenty-five career as a catcher for such teams at King of Clubs, Pickett's, Takos Realty, Walser Crane, IOCO, Spielman's Lounge and Mai Realty. Selected to many all-star and all-tournament teams including the International Softball Congress all-state tournament twice, he also played in two ISC World tournaments. He and his son Mike became the first father/son combination ever named to the ISC state tournament team in the same year and Jim was inducted into the Kiwanis Softball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Ray Grant, a valuable contributor for years to this encyclopedia, was one of the spirited sponsors of local softball as the owner of the [[LUX CLUB]] during the 1960s and 1970s. Many of his teams won tournaments including the Kiwanis (1967, 1968), Tri-State (1967, 1968), East Dubuque (1967), Dickeyville (Wisc.) League and tournament titles (1967, 1968) and finished third in the ISC State Tournament (1968). Grant's team won the 1967 State ISC tournament and finished fifth in the World Tournament at Rock Island. His team won the state tournament in 1971 and finished fourth in the World Tournament held in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Dave Hammel in a twenty-year career in softball averaged a home run each 15 times at bat and maintained an average of .377. His peak year was 1970 when he batted .348 with 57 home runs and 262 runs batted in. He played on many state and World Tournament teams and made the ISC state all-tourney team in 1973 and 1975. Hammel was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1981. A third baseman and later first baseman, he played for Whalen's, Windsor Tap, Finale Lounge, and Don's Meats.
	
Jim Koob pitched for ten teams between 1960 and 1984 and participated in four ISC World Tournaments. He also pitched for Midwest Galleries from Cedar Rapids. The team was runner-up in the 1980 Amateur Softball Association National which resulted in an invitation to play in the 1981 World Sports Festival in Syracuse, New York. He was a member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame.

Jim Welu began playing softball in the Playground League and at St. Mary's grade school. He continued at [[LORAS ACADEMY]] before entering the Navy during [[WORLD WAR II]]. Usually an outfielder, Welu was a switch hitter known for excellent bunting. He was a member of several all-star teams in the Industrial and City leagues.


'''1990'''

Jack Schultz

Choc Wegner

[[WHALEN, Lyle|Lyle WHALEN]]




'''1991'''

Source: "Fast Pitch Hall Adds Five Members," ''Telegraph Herald'', March 23, 1991, p. 7

[[Image:1991class.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]

[[KAHLE, Wayne J.|Wayne J. KAHLE]] was an important sponsor of teams from 1964 to 1975. His Kall Inn teams reached the quarter-finals seven times and the semi-finals five times in the Kiwanis tournaments. 

Maurice Reed was known for his power hitting and defense and played shortshop for twenty-eight years. In the Industrial League, Reed played for the Battery factory and Dubuque Packing. He won the 1949 batting crown with a .429 average and was a league All-Star fro 1949 to 1953. In the City League, Reed played for Art Heber's Mushroom Tap, Clemens Olds Rockets and Bill's 5&10. He also sponsored teams in the tri-state area.

Barney Rudiger, a player and manager, had a career which stretched from 1932 to 1983. A pitcher and first baseman, he played in the state tournament for United Grocery of Creston in 1938. In 1965 he played for the All-City League champion John Deere in Monterrey, Mexico and was cited for being the only American there. In addition to John Deere, Rudiger managed John Deere, Arenz Shoes, and King of Clubs.
	
Bill Schmit played for Interstate Power Company in the Industrial League. His play with Carr's and John Deere title teams led, while on the Deere team, to him being elected twice to the All-Star team. In the City League, Schmit played for Central Cafe, Hilliard Tap, Hilldale Dairy, Lange Insurance, Plaza 20 and Kall Inn. He played on many league and Kiwanis championship teams and in 1960, while playing for Lange Insurance, finished second in the State A.S.A. tournament. In 1990 he was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame. With his brother, Ray, Schmit became the fourth brother combination in the Hall of Fame

Bob Voels and his brother Elmer was another brother combination in the Hall. Playing short center field, he was often was able to throw hitters out at first. He also played second base and catcher. Voels was elected to all-star teams five times with a batting average always above 300. In 1952 he was second in the league batting and in the top ten in three other years. Playing in the City Major League, Voels played for Brookside Dairy, Morocco Inn, Iowa Egg, and Johnny's Cafe. He played on three league championship teams and in the Inter-City League often played double-headers.



'''1992'''

Source: "5 Receive Fast-Pitch Hall of Fame Nods" Telegraph Herald, March 29, 1992
[[Image:1992a.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:1992b.png|right|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]

Jim Kramer, a pitcher, played over thirty years beginning his career in 1960 with Gib's Tap. He was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1986 and played on Kiwanis championship teams in 1969, 1980 and 1988. He coached Little League in eleven years in East Dubuque.

Pat Reiter was well known as a fast pitch softball pitcher for Don's Meat's from 1965 to 1969 and for Whalen's Inc. from 1970 until his retirement. He won many Iowa State fast pitch tournaments and also pitched in several World Fast Pitch tournaments. In sixteen years, he recorded more than 300 wins with his best season in 1975 when he compiled a 25-3 record while striking out 209 opposition batters. Reiter was a member of the Kiwanis Championship team in 1973. He pitched in the 1973 and 1975 state tournament and in the latter threw a no-hitter. He completed his career with a .280 batting average. Reiter was inducted into both the Dubuque Fast Pitch Hall of Fame and the Dubuque Kiwanis Hall of Fame. He was a well-recognized artist and sold many of his works. (Obituaries, ''Telegraph Herald'', June 18, 2010, p. 6)

Between 1962-1980 Dave Massey was involved in fast-pitch as a player, manager, sponsor or umpire. In 1968-1970 he was a member of the United States Air Force and Armed Services teams and was a member of the all-Strategic Air Command (SAC) teams in 1968 1969, and 1970. He played in the 1969 and 1970 American Softball Association (ASA) World Tournament and International Softball Congress (ISC) World Tournaments in 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975. He began his career as a bat boy for the Dubuque Packers.

Ron Matz began his career in softball at the age of fourteen in the Church League. A catcher, Matz maintained a .465 batting average for five years in the Industrial League. He was a member of Lange's Insurance team, the 1963-64 ISC state championship team and earned MVP honors in the 1968 ISC state game. While playing for the Rock Island (IL) Bombers, he was named to the all-state team in the Metro League.

[[SABERS, Edwin "Red"|Edwin "Red" SABERS]] umpired for many years in the Industrial and Major City leagues, Kiwanis Tournament and other tri-state tournaments. In his seventeen-year career, he played for A. Y. McDonald, Knights of Columbus. Wright's Tap. Ray Nick's Tap, and American Optical Company. In 1939, Sabers pitched a no-hit, no-run game for American Optical and drove in one run and scored another.

	
'''1993'''

Source: "Hall Taps Five," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 30, 1993, p. 7

[[Image:colbertx.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]





[[COLBERT, Edward|Edward COLBERT]] managed such powerhouse teams as Ready-Mix, Cavalier, and Lange's Insurance to numerous Kiwanis and state tournament titles. He managed more state championship teams that any other manager in the Hall of Fame and was voted into the Iowa State Fast Pitch Hall of Fame.

[[Image:juergens2.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]















Dave Juergens played competitive fast pitch for many years winning many state tournaments and competing a number of times in the World Fast Pitch Tournaments. He played for such teams as Kall Inn, Lux Club, Whalens, Rings, Janlin, Windsor Tap and Bar X. In the 1973 state tournament he was named the MVP. Juergens, inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame, batted over .300 in his career. 


[[Image:palm.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]














Ron Palm with more than forty years of experience in local softball managed such teams as Tom's Tap, Kall Inn, Lux Club, Takos Realty, Whalen's and Bar X. Teams he managed won titles in the Kiwanis; Tri-State; Platteville and Madison, Wisconsin; and ISC championship tournaments. One of his teams played in the 1980 National Over-40 Tournament. Inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame, he was a past president of the Dubuque Fast Pitch Hall of Fame.

[[Image:splinter.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]















Bob Splinter, known as "Sox," in a twenty-three year career pitched for eight different teams. He participated in world tournaments and on teams that won more than 25 league and 50 tournament titles, two state titles, five Kiwanis titles, and two tri-state championships. In 1977 he was the state tournament MVP playing for Spielman's and for Ring's in 1985. He also played first base and the outfield and would log as many as 200 games annually.

[[Image:lo.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]















Ed Welu played and managed for thirty-three years. He managed Rich's White House, Spielman's Lounge, Dave's Point After, Weber Excavating, White House and Old Timers. He managed several city championship teams and tournament title teams at the Tri-State, Kiwanis and Dubuque invitationals. For many years he managed in the ISC State Tournament and was named to the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1989,












'''1994'''

Source: "3 Receive Fast Pitch Top Honor," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 8, 1994

[[Image:1994aclass.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]


Mike Hutton played outfield for the John Deere Crawlers, Lange's, Hall's Bar X, East Dubuque, Arenz Shoes, and the Lux Club. In his 10-12 years of play, he participated on many championship teams and played in the ISC World Tournament in 1967 and 1968.

n his thirty-five year career, Bob Gatena played every position except catcher. He was a member of such teams as Tom's Cabin, Beecher Oil, Kall Inn, Lux Club, Henry's, Spielman's, Finale, Whalen's Windsor Tap and Sport Print. A member of five state championship teams and six world tournaments, he also played on five Kiwanis championship teams. With a batting average of .300, he was also one of the area's best hitters and was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1987.
	
Leon Gaul played the role of player, sponsor and manager in a career reaching from 1967 to 1993. A good-hitting shortstop/first baseman, Gaul played for Tri-State Auction, Windsor Tap, Cue Masters, Choral Club, Town and Country and Whalen's among others. He was inducted into the 1987 Kiwanis Hall of Fame.





















'''1995'''/''Telegraph Herald,'' June 2, 1995, p. 21

Source: "Four to Enter Softball Hall of Fame," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 2, 1995, p. 21

[[Image:1995class.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]



Dave Felderman, Sr. spent his softball career as a shortstop.  Among the teams of which he was a member were A.Y. McDonald, Rich's White, House, Bob's Recreation and the Kall Inn.

[[FITZGERALD, James C.|James C. FITZGERALD]] played more than thirty-five years for teams including Beecher's, Lux Club, Kall Inn, Walser Crane Service, and Spielman's.

Norbert "Buzz" Imhoff began playing fast pitch in the 1930s and stayed active in the sport for two decades. He played for Nick's and the Knights of Columbus.
	
Don Kubitz pitched for thirty-four years and played for Roshek's, Farley and Loetschers, and the Telegraph Herald. He was a member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame.



'''1996''' "Softball Hall of Fame to Add Four Members," Telegraph Herald,



[[Image:LL 17.png|left|thumb|50px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]




Louie Avenarius had a thirty-one year career in fast-pitch softball. He was a lifetime .300 hitter who played outfield and second base for such teams at the Dubuque Pack, Blue Moon, Lange's Insurance, Lux Club and Idle Hour.
	

[[Image:LL 3.png|left|thumb|50px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]












Dave "Mick" Hauber in a twenty-eight year career proved to be an outstanding pitcher and hitter. Inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame, Hauber played on such teams as Kuepers' Bar, Gil's Shell, Ben Franklin, Belmont Dairy, Dave's Point After and Ring's.



[[Image:LL 15.png|left|thumb|50px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]












Dick Maahs was a pitcher for twenty-eight years. He played for such teams as 10 Pin Tap, Mobil Oil, Spielman's Lounge, Bar X Lombardi's and Antonio's. He was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame and played in the ISC World Tournament in 1975.



[[Image:LL 26.png|left|thumb|50px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]








Dave Meyers pitched most of his career and threw several no-hitters. He was also an outstanding fielder and hitter. Inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame, Meyers played for Don's Meats, Rich's White House, Kopper Schroeder Ford, Spielman's, Tschiggfrie, Ioco and Billy Bucks.












'''1997'''

Source: "Five Named to Fast Pitch Hall of Fame," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 18, 1997, p. 19

[[Image:1997class.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]















[[BAKER, David|David BAKER]] from 1984 to 1993 was a sponsor for fast pitch softball with his Windsor Tap teams winning second, third and fourth-place finishes in the Iowa State Tournament. One of his teams won the city league title eight times.

Dave Felderman, Jr. played for Windsor Tap, Billy Bucks, Go Bananas, and Holland Plumbing which he led to the Class A state title and a place in the national tournament in Redding, California. He was a high-average hitter with more than 160 home runs to his credit.
	
Gary Kremer, considered one the finest pitchers during his twenty-five year career, played for Windsor Tap, Weber Excavating, Janesville Merchants, Billy Bucks, and Holland Plumbing. He was named the outstanding pitcher in the 1980 and 1982 ISC State tournaments and led Weber Excavating to many city titles. He was named the tournament MVP when he helped Weber's to titles and was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1992.

Leon Schultz began his career as a shortstop for John Deere in 1958 and player for Muller Cafe and Tennyson Athletic Club when he started coaching. Rated among the area's top catchers, he retired in 1982.

Joel Sturm starred as a power-hitting shortstop for Weber Excavating from 1974-1986. He was named outstanding hitter of the 1980 ISC State Tournament where he hit seven homers in five games. He was also named the outstanding hitter of the 1985 Kiwanis Tournament when he batted over .700 while leading Weber's to a second place finish.























'''1998'''



Source: "Softball Hall of Fame Set to Add Six New Members," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 26, 1998, p. 9

[[Image:ZCLASS.png|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:Z2CLASS.png|right|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]




Herb Trapp, a shortstop, played with Amvets, Chief's Tavern, and several others. He was recognized as one of the best bunters and defensive players as well as a top base stealer.

Billy Meyer for many years was a fast pitch sponsor and promoter. He had one world tournament appearance and many top finishes in the Iowa State Fast Pitch Tournament. His Billy Bucks team won many tournaments in many cities.

Mike Schetgen played shortstop for teams like Walser Crane, Janlin Plastic, Ring's and Modern Piping. He played on two state-championship teams and two world-tournament teams.
	
[[GULYASH, Sr. James J.|James J. GULYASH, Sr.]], an infielder and outfielder, played with the Dubuque Pack, Bands Tap, Blue Moon Idle Hour, and the Lux Club. He had a .300 career average.

Denny Leibfried	had a thirty-year career with a perfect game with Blue Moon Tap. Considered a good hitter and fielder, he played for Krueger's, Tennyson Athletic Club, Bob's Recreation, Beecher Oil and King of Clubs.

Tom Feipel played for Chappy's. Eleanor's Tap, Dubuque Stamping Company, John Deere, Arenz Shoes and The Slver Tap as an outfielder and power hitter.








'''1999'''

Source: "Fast Pitch Hall of Fame Adds Four Members," ''Telegraph Herald,'' June 4, 1999, p. 13

[[Image:1999.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

Keith Behlke in an over 20 year softball career played with such teams as Rings, Prairie du Chien, Happy Joe's Pizza, Galena Merchants, Bar-X and Holland Plumbing and Heating. Rotating between catcher and outfielder, he was named to many all tournament teams and received several Most Valuable Player awards. He played in several world tournaments and was named to the third-team all-American in the 1998 Over 40 League. He also played on two winning Kiwanis teams.

Ray Braun started in fast pitch in the 1930s and made many contributions as an outfielder and manager. In 1945 he was named MVP in the Industrial League for his power hitting abilities and for his speed on the bases. 

Lenny Rhomberg played fast pitch for close to twenty years and excelled as an outfielder for Webers, Finale, and Whalen's. Rhomberg was named to many all-star teams and played in three world tournaments. He also played on teams that won the Kiwanis, Tri-State, and State.

Dave Wegmann in his eighteen years in fast pitch softball excelled as a pitcher in the area and state. He played for such teams as Henry's, Lux Club, Dave's Point After, Whalen's, Tegelers, and East Side Maid Rite. He pitched in six world tournaments and one AA national tournament and one ASA national all-star game. He had four career perfect games and many no-hitters. He played on many all-star teams and was named MVP several times.

	


'''2000'''

Source: "Dubuque's Softpitch Hall to Grow by Five," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 27, 2000, p. 17

Carl Einwalter was considered an outstanding pitcher and organizer of events including tournaments. He played for a number of teams in Farley and the Dubuque areas.
	
Steve Kaiser played more than twenty-five years for many teams including Greenhouse Tavern, Billy Buck's, Rings, Jim's Corral, Butter's Bar, Teleconnect, and Decatur Pride. Considered one of the finest pitchers in the area, he played for the United States softball team in the 1991 Pan-American Games and managed the U. S. team in 1995. In 1996 he played for an International Softball Congress and in 2000 managed the softball coach at the Cuba City High School.

Jerry Rapp was considered one of the area's best hitters when he played for A.Y. McDonald, Dubuque Stamp, Kall Inn and Lange's Insurance. He played on seven all-star teams and was also a member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame. Rapp participated in two ISC world tournaments and two state championship teams.

Rich Rapp, considered one of the area's top catchers, played for Do Drop Inn, Holland Plumbing, Happy Joe's, Cue Master, Windsor Tap and Bar-X. He played fast pitch for thirty years and was a member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame.

Rick "Harmon" Schmit had a twenty-eight year career playing for many teams including Rebel's Ranch, Ring's Windsor Tap, Butter's Bar and Dave's Point After. He played or managed in twenty-five Kiwanis tournaments and was a member of the Kiwanis Hall of Fame


'''2001'''/''Telegraph Herald'', May 6, 2001, p. 43 
[[Image:2001.png|left|thumb|150px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]


Dave Bakey began playing fast pitch in 1975 for Dubuque area teams, but also for teams in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Freeport, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa. He played in an estimated 15 world tournaments and his team won a bronze medal in the National Sports Festival in Syracuse, New York. He ended his playing days in 1996, but maintained about a .300 batting average.

John Boleyn began playing fast pitch with local teams in 1984. His record includes MVP for the 1986 Dubuque Open, 1990 Iowa ISC state tournament MVP, and the 1992 ASA Class A state tournament all-tournament team. He led teams to the Iowa state finals in 1990, 1992, and 1995.

Don Curley began playing fast pitch in 1952 and played while serving in the U. S. Marines from 1953-1955. He was selected to play in the 2nd Marine Division All-Star Game in 1954. Over 47 years he played for sixteen teams and in several over-40 national tournaments. He played center field, second base, third base, and catcher and carried a .300 batting average.

Jack Hancock, a member of the [[DUBUQUE BOWLING ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME]] played fast pitch for twenty years and sponsored many teams to local and state tournaments as the owner of Happy's Place. He played second base, pitched, and managed. He also played ball for two years in the Army.

Fr. Jack Kissling played third base and short stop from 1944-1949 for the [[DUBUQUE PACKING COMPANY]], [[BROOKSIDE DAIRY]], and [[GENERAL DRY BATTERIES]].
	
Jesse Miles pitched and played for thirty years. Playing for Arenz Shoes one season he went 23-0. He played on many all-tournament teams. Miles pitched seven no-hitters and once had a span of 49 scoreless innings.















'''2002'''

Source: "Fastpitch Hall of Fame by Four Members," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 01, 2002, p. 11

[[Image:2002class.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

Rick Ahmann had a softball career spanning from 1970 to 1982. Considered a fine pitcher and hitter, he played for King of Clubs, Walser Crane Service, Wilwerts, Finale Lounge and Dixies Rebel Inn among others. In 1981 he made the ISC All-Tournament team.

Clarence "Butch" Hochberger played softball for Nurrie Glass in the late 1940s in the Industrial League. In 1949 and 1950 he made the All-Star team and from 1952-54 played outfield for the Bell-Do Inn. From 1954-1959 he played outfield for the General Dry team and then switched from 1960-62 to play first base for Fleck's Tap. Hochberger ended his career in 1963 playing for the Atom Tap. With his softball batting average of over .300, he was part of three league championships.
	
Bill Kennedy played first base and batted .280 and played in all of the area tournaments. He played for such teams as Dubuque Stamp, John Deere, Hall's Haven and Kall Inn. He passed away in 1966 at the age of 32.
	
Ron Volkert began playing fast pitch in 1962 with Oakland Dairy in the Twilight League. He later played for Whalen's, Finale Lounge, Billy Bucks, East Dubuque Merchants, White House, and Don's Meat. Around 2002 he entered the ASA 40-and 45-and Over National Tournaments. Known as a very good defensive infielder, he also played second base, third base, and catcher. Volkert played on two Kiwanis champion teams, two ISC State champion teams, and many top four ISC State Tournament finishers.


'''2003'''

Source: "Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame to Induct Four Men," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 7, 2003, p. 7

[[Image:2003class.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

Don Coleman returned from the [[KOREAN CONFLICT]] and joined the Dubuque Pack team making the all-star team every year. He later played for King of Clubs, Bowen's Lounge, Bill's 5&10, Whalen's and Club 15. He played center field for seventeen years and averaged fifteen home runs per season.
	
Jack Grutz had thirty-five years of pitching experience in Dubuque and Cedar Rapids. He played in the ISC for twenty-six years ad the ASA tournament for six years. He was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1993. As a player, Grutiz was a member of such teams as Takos Realty, Fireside Credit, Windsor Tap, Butter's Bar, Murph's South End Tap. He taught in the Bellevue schools and coached varsity softball and served two years as the pitching coach for the [[LORAS COLLEGE]] softball team.

John Hall was one of the principal sponsors of fast pitch around Dubuque for twenty-five years. Some of the teams he sponsored included Bar-X, Lux Club, Hall's DX, and Hall's Heaven.

Wayne Rudiger began playing fast pitch with the John Deere team in the early 1960s and later played for such teams as King of Clubs, Takos Realty, Kopper Schroeder Ford, and Tennyson, Wisconsin. Known for clutch hitting and a steady second base, he career spanned eighteen years.


'''2004'''

Jack Breitbach	

Russ Hefel

Mike Kilgore

Carl Kleeman

[[STACKIS, Emil "Mike"|Emil "Mike" STACKIS]]

George Stackis
	

'''2005'''/"Hall Grows by 7," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 4, 2005, p. 11

Dan Felderman played baseball for twenty-one years and was in the state tournament each year finishing runner-up twice. He also played in a World Tournament and a National Tournament. He hit over .300 for his career.
	
Del Gavin played for [[FARLEY AND LOETSCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY]] from 1938 until the start of [[WORLD WAR II]]. After military service, he played for Bel Do Inn where he managed and played catcher four years. He also played for the [[JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS]]. In 1951 he was the batting champion and was chosen for the 1952 All-Star Team.

John Moran played from the 1930s to the 1940s for such teams as Beck's Drugs and the original Art's Grocers. He excelled at third base and was a solid hitter who batted .325 most of his career.

Larry Pauly began his baseball career in the early 1960s playing for the ''Telegraph Herald'' in the YMCA Industrial League. He played first base and outfield and managed until the early 1990s. One of his best seasons was 1975 when he batted .337 in 48 tournament games. He appeared in the World Tournament in 1976 and batted .429 in seven games. In 1992 he was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame.

Tim Stephenson played for five decades beginning in 1969. He co-managed Galena Fast-Pitch the first Galena-based team to qualify in an ASA National Tournament. He played in Dubuque leagues throughout his career and captured several league titles. Stephenson played in 50 combined Hall of Fame and Kiwanis tournaments as well as five National Championship Tournaments. He was a career .300 hitter and was recognized for his speed and defense.

Harold Strohmeyer, often referred to as "Stretch," because of his large physical presence at first base, was a regular .300 hitter. He played on many championship and all-state teams throughout his career.

Eric Wernke played on four Iowa state championship teams and three state runner-up teams. He also played on six ISC World Tournament teams and three ASA World Open Tournament teams. Wernke played all positions and even pitched a no-hitter, but specialized in playing second base.
	
	
'''2006'''

Source: "7 to Join Hall," Telegraph Herald, May 28, 2006, p. 25

[[Image:2006a.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:2006b.png|right|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

Rich Buckley, an active player for thirty-eight years, played for the Irish Inn of Savanna, Illinois, Thomson Area Merchants, Bar-X and Holland Plumbing. A catcher most of his career, he was also a player/manager with a high point being winning the Kiwanis Tournament in 1987. He was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1993. Buckley appeared in over 2,000 games.

Wayne Ellerman began his fast pitch career with Business Supply at the age of fifteen. He went on to play for A.Y. McDonald, Farley and Loetscher, and John Deere as a player, manager and umpire.

Larry Feipel played fast pitch for twenty-seven years with such teams as the Walnut Tap, Do Drop In, Wilwert's, King of Clubs, and Cue Master. He was the starting pitcher on five city All-Star teams and played on four city league championship teams. He had an ERA under 3.00 and a batting average around .300. 
	
Milt Reisen played on league championship teams in the Church, City, Major and Industrial categories.
	
Mike Tranel split his twenty-four career in fast pitch equally between Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. He played on the 1987 Teleconnect team that won the ISC World Tournament, several ISC state and world tournament teams, and several ASA state, regional and national teams. Starting pitching in 1990, he compiled a record of 175 wins in eight seasons and pitched in five ISC World tournaments. He ended his career with a .320 batting average with over 20 home runs.

Vern Van Cleve played during the 1950s and 1960s for such teams as Sand's GTap, Lange's Insurance, Shamrock Grille, and Chateau. He usually played outfield and was acknowledged as a master base stealer. He held a .325 batting average.

Jerry Westemeier played fast pitch for thirty-four years for such teams as the Galena Gazette, Paradise, Rockford Reds, and the Galena Merchants. He had two years of experience on the Marine Corps team. Westemeier played on several national tournaments including the 40-, 45- and 50-and Over tournaments and maintained a .300 batting average.

	












'''2007'''/''Telegraph Herald'', May 30, 2007, p. 40
[[Image:2007.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] 

Paul Anthony was the sponsor for [[RING'S]] teams that won the ISC championships in 1978-79 and 1982-83. He took teams to six world tournaments and sponsored a women's team that won state championships in 1984 and 1985. In the 1960s, he played with the Galena State Bank team.

Bob Howard, a veteran with 15-years of experience, played on state tournament winning teams in 1967, 1970, 1971, and 1972. He hit a home run in his first state tournament game in 1967 against a Columbia, South Carolina pitcher who had not been scored on for 40 innings. Howard played first base.

Jerry Kaiser was a steady .300 hitter during a career stretching from the 1940s to the 1950s.

Jim Nebel once turned down a contract to play for the Chicago White Sox. Generally a shortstop, Nebel played on several all-star softball teams. While stationed in Japan, he taught baseball to children.

Vince Scardino began his softball career playing in the Industrial League in 1948. A top lead off hitter and runner, he played on the [[NURRE COMPANY (THE)]] 1949 league championship team and later played in the City League.

Gil Spence, manager of the Dubuque Leisure Services since 1986, was instrumental in the development of the McAleece Complex and assisted in the planning of the first Hall of Fame Tournament and many youth clinics.

Dale Timpe was a veteran of fast pitch baseball for thirty-five years. A pitcher for four teams, he threw many perfect games and no-hitters and played in four world tournaments.


'''2008'''/''Telegraph Herald'', May 27, 2008, p. 10

Source: "Fast Pitch Hall to Welcome Trio," ''Telegraph Herald,'' May 27, 2008, p. 10

[[Image:keyes.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]




Keyes played fast pitch from 1964 to 1994 for several teams. He played with the Kiwanis Tournament Champions (Belmont Dairy) in 1976, and [[RING'S]] ISC Champions and World Tournament competitors in 1985. Keyes played catcher and outfield. He was a left-handed lead-off hitter who enjoyed bunting.






[[Image:martin6.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] 











Craig Martin's career began in 1967 and ended 32-years later in the Over-40 National Tournament. He played every position except pitcher and was a ,300 hitter. Among his accomplishments were MVP of the ISC State Tournament in 1976, member of the 1977 State
Tournament team, and MVP of the Stoughton, Wisconsin tournament in 1971. In the 1977 World Tournament he hit a 300-foot home run.

Following his playing days, Martin coached Al's TV 12-and-under fast pitch team which won many state tournaments and went to the Junior Olympic National Tournaments. In 1988 the team became Team USA in the 18-and-under Junior Olympics.






[[Image:meyer1.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]




 
Clete Meyer played fast pitch for over thirty years for many teams. He played in the Industrial League for the [[DUBUQUE PACKING COMPANY]] team which were league championsin 1952 and 1953.  His Club Esquire team won the first Kiwanis Tournament. He played
second base and was a .300 hitter.














'''2009'''

Source: "Dubuque Hall Inducts 3," ''Telegraph Herald'', May 30, 2009

Mel Hocking was a local fastpitch player for fifteen in the position of pitcher.
		
Rick Hoerner played fastpitch softball for sixteen years as an outfielder.
	
[[Image:timpe.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Galena Gazette]]
Larry Timpe had a forty-one year career in fast pitch softball starting while he was a member of the Pleasant View 4-H club. Over the years he played on many teams including the Galena Gazette, Galena State Bank, Dutch & Kate's, The Paradise, Snookers, Holland Plumbing and Heating, Stockton Area Fast Pitch Thomson, and Keg & Cask. He also played on such Iowa teams as Billy Buck's, Bakes Windsor Tap, Champs, South Side Tap, The Coliseum, and the Quad City Sox. 

Timpe played in national tournaments held in Sacramento, California; Marietta, Georgia; Hutchison, Kansas, Kimberly, Wisconsin; Waterloo, Iowa; Mankato, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; St. Joseph, Missouri; Rockford, Illinois, and Madison, Wisconsin where his team finished third.












'''2010'''

Source: "Trio Enshrined into Fast Pitch Hall," Telegraph Herald, June 5, 2010, p. 11

Mark Delaney played fast pitch for more than forty years and often as pitcher. His Holland Heating and Plumbing team in 1987 won the Iowa ASA Class A state championship and went on to win the national tournament in California. He was named MVP at the 1981 Fennimore Booster Tournament. 

Jim Mueller starred as a pitcher in the 1970s and 1980s and threw countless shutouts, no-hitters and a perfect game. After his teams won many tournaments, he became active in the Dubuque Girls Independent League.

Paul Watters starred in the 1940s and 1950s as an excellent pitcher with several no-hitters and shutouts. He played shortstop and batted .300.


'''2011'''

Source: "Class of 2011 Joins Hall This Weekend," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 3, 2011, p. 11

[[Image:2011a.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
[[Image:2011b.png|right|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]






Jim Coleman earned the distinction of being a utility player by his experience at every position except pitcher in his nineteen year career. Known best as a catcher, he led every team on which he played for--in walks. He went on to manage such teams as Spielman's Lounge and Bar-X

John Harry, Sr. during his 20-year career in fast pitch, played on teams which won league championship 75% of the time. He also started the John Harry Class B Tournament.

Jim Paradiso was involved in fast pitch for over forty years as a catcher and later a coach. With his playing career cut short by an industrial accident, he became a mentor working with softball youth clinics in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He also helped run the Dubuque Invitational Fast Pitch Tournament.

Mark Pillard played well into his fifties with a forty-year record of pitching for a dozen National Tournament teams. He threw several perfect games and no hitters.

Wayne Stewart sponsored Dubuque fast pitch teams for over thirty years--a record for any sponsor up to that time.














'''2012'''

[[Image:cashman.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]






Clete "Blackie" Cashman played for twenty years in the 1950s surrounding his service in the United States Marines. He received all-star recognition several times as a left fielder who compiled a career batting average of .300. 










[[Image:close.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy; Jerry Close]]










Jerry Close played organized softball from 1959 through 1980 as a pitcher, catcher, and third baseman. Teams upon which he played included Home Heating, Greenhouse Tavern, Johnnie on the Spot Cleaners, Bar-X Tavern, Spielman's Lounge and Tschiggfrie Construction. Throughout his playing years, he was known for his good defensive skills and consistent batting, His teams regularly placed in Tri-State, Kiwanis, and Iowa State Tournaments. Close played in the 1973 World Series with Spielman's Lounge, made two All-Star teams and was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1992.












[[Image:kilburg.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]






Tom Kilburg began his baseball career in the early 1960s playing in Bellevue. He played for nearly twenty seasons and reached the World Series with Spielman's. A powerful hitter and shortstop, he was also a long-time coach and teacher at the Western Dubuque High School.






[[Image:dwiederholt.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]











Dale Wiederholt started umpiring in 1981 at the age of eighteen and continued until 2010. He worked at least twenty Hall of Fame tournaments as well as several state tournaments and world qualifiers. The Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2010.














'''2013'''

Source: Pair Inducted to Softball Hall," ''Telegraph Herald'', June 2, 2013, p. 31

[[Image:2013.png|left|thumb|300px|Photo courtesy of Telegraph Herald]]











Dave Ludovissy played fast pitch for more than forty years and worked the center field for such teams as Jack Noel's Tap, Fireside Credit, Dave's Point After, and Antonio's. He played in several national tournaments for Holland Plumbing.










Dave Parochetti owned Dave's Point After from 1974 to 1983 and sponsored several fast pitch teams. These consistently contended for local tournaments and had success as well at regional and state levels.










'''2014'''

Source: "Fastpitch Hall Makes Room for 3 More Players," ''Telegraph Herald,'' May 29, 2014, p. 11

Jerry Bardon played fast pitch in the 1970s and 1980s for such teams as Antonio's, Bar-X and Spielman's. He consistently hit .300 in the leadoff spot and was known for fine play in right field. He played in the 1973 ISC World Series.

Mark Place

Dave Saeugling played most of his thirty-five year career as an outfield for such teams as Windsor Tap, Butter's Bar, Spielman's, Dillon's Cue Master, and Keg & Kask. He played in five ISC World Series and consistently maintained a .300 batting average.


'''2015'''

Source: "Fastpitch Hall Adds Quartet,"  Telegraph Herald, May 28, 2015, p. 11

John Fitzgerald played fastpitch for twenty-five years beginning at the age of sixten. He competed as a member of such teams as the East Dubuque Merchants, Tri-State Merchants, Stewart Costruction and the Thomsen (Ill) Meerchants and won several ISC state and Kiwanis tournaments.

John McQuade began playing fast pitch at the age of twenty-eight and played a catch with such teams as Ben Franklin, Ring's Restaurant, Flecks, Miller, Tri-State Merchants and Billy Bucks. He played in four world tournaments.

Tom Mitchley played middle infield for twenty seasons with such teams as Lux Club, Point Lounge, Idle Hour, Happy Joe's and Spielman's. His career included several state Kiwanis and area tournaments.

Jim Schulz played fast pitch between 1954-1984. For fifteen years he served as a shortstop, outfielder, pitcher, and player/manager. His Hilldale Dairy team won four consecutive Kiwanis tournaments, but he also played for Walnut Tap, A.Y. McDonald, Idle Hour, Farley and Loetscher and John Deere.


'''2016'''/Telegraph Herald and Tom Pfeiler

Joe Lent played for or managed Whalen's Bob's Rec, Walser Crane, Wilwert's, Finale, and Ring's between 1966 and 1979. He played outfield, first base, and designated hitter.  His performance on many winning tournament teams highlighted in 1997 by winning the Kiwanis and ISC Tournaments with Rings Restaurant. Lent was inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame in 1992 and served as Assistant Iowa ISC Commissioner from 1982 through 1984.

Terry Loso, one of the tri-state's most consistent pitchers and hitters, played nineteen years. He pitched for Home Heating Company, Gib's Tap, Junnies, Kay Tap, Jim Corral, The White House Tap, The Greenhouse Tavern, East Dubuque Merchants, The Galena Merchants and Spielman's. Loso pitched in eighteen Kiwanis tournaments, nine Tri-State tournaments and eleven state tournaments.

[[Image:Baldwin.png|left|thumb|250px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]Tom Pfeiffer had a career that began in 1958 with the Blue Moon Tavern. He also played for The Alpine, Beechers, The Silver Tap, The Point Lounge, Lux Club, B & G Sheet Metal, and Lombardi's. Pfeiffer began as an outfielder, but soon found his niche as a third baseman. In his twenty-eight year career, he was a consistent .280 hitter with teams that played in many local and state tournaments. Toward the end of his playing days, he managed the Lombardi team.

Rich Timpe had a career spanning from 1973 to 2011. He played for The Galena Gazette, Dutch & Kates, The Galena State Bank, Snookers, The Paradise, Keg & Cask, Bake's Windsor Tap, and Billy Buck's. An excellent catcher, he was also a fine player in all the infield positions and maintained a .300 batting average. He once threw out five runners in one game. In a career that saw him in many state tournaments, the highlights were the World Tournaments held in Victoria, British Columbia and Kimberly, Wisconsin.















'''2017'''/''Telegraph Herald'', June 4, 2017, p. 25

Jim Zeal sharpened his pitching skills in the Air Force during the [[VIETNAM WAR]]. He returned to Galena and played for several teams. On one Kiwanis Tournament, he pitched 32 consecutive innings to lead his team to a fourth-place finish. He was also involved in many national and world tournaments.

Jerry Schliem had a career of 32 years as a player and sponsor in the tri-states. A strong pitcher in the 1970s and 1980s, he was involved in many local leagues and tournaments and was a member of many all-star teams and all-tournament teams. Schliem pitched in many ISC State Tournaments and three ISC World Tournaments. He pitched many no-hitters and four perfect games.

'''2018'''

Jack Dunwoody

Danny Weber


'''2019'''

Dan Hammel

Lenny Thielen



'''2020'''

Randy Gerardy

Greg Kuhle

Larry Portzen


'''2021'''
Being researched


'''2022'''

[[Image:ZAHREN.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] 


 
[[ZAHREN, Michael E.|Michael E. ZAHREN]]





	



[[Category: Organizations]]
[[Category: Athletics-Baseball]]