Encyclopedia Dubuque
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DUBUQUE FAST PITCH HALL OF FAME
Being researched
DUBUQUE FAST PITCH HALL OF FAME. Successor, in 1989, to the Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame started in 1976 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
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 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, Morocco, Hilldale Dairy, and the Dubuque Pack.
Chet Hayes was remembered for his fine skill as an umpire.
Mark Kinney, remembered for his pitching skills, played for Beck's, Art's, and Black and White.
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 Indy League with Farley's where he was chosen for the league all-star team seven times. He also played for Art's, 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.
Gerald "Red" MCALEECE was inducted for the many ways he boosted sports including the years he spent as a coach and sprtscaster. 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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 to Rafferty Field.
1979
Source: "Softball Hall Adds Four New Inductees," Telegraph Herald, April 16, 1979, p. 7
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 play with 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 lay 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 Leage 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
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 toournament 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.
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 9 as an outfielder. He moved to pitching in the Boy's League and continued in the Majr, 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
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 Cengral Cafe, Roehl Phillps 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 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 sotball 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 Klubs twenty-five years later. One of the highpoints 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, Apine Tap and Cavalier.
1981
Bob Didesch
Terry Harris
Kay Jackson
Bill Meyer
Harry New
George Winders
1982
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. Art's Grocery won over 95% of its games with Hall of Famer Mart Kinney once pitching 55 consecutive victories.
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. He 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 founded of the Dubuque Softball Hall of Fame and helped organize the Dubuque Recreation and Hall of Fame softball clinic. In 1983 he was still active in promoting softball in Dubuque.
1983
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.
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.
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
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, Whalens, Kall Inn, and Bob's Recreation. He was an umpire in the major softball league, sponsored a championship team i the Twilight League, and managed Kall Inn and Whalens.
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
T.J. Gaynor
Mert Kaiser
Ray Nicks
Ozzie Schnorenberg
1985
Hub Huber
Pat Sullivan
Elmer Voels
George Zugenbuehler was a charter member of the board of directors of the Hall of Fame in 1976. He 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
1986
Frank Bowen
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 in 1877. He served as president of the Dubuque Fast Pitch Association for seven years. He 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
Jerry Thalhamer
1987
Denny Blosch
Jim Hosch
Robert Kelleher
Pete Welbes
1988
Terry Boleyn
Mrs. Joe Buol
Joe Clancy
Bill Kaufman
Mike Dillon
1989
Jim Field
Ray Grant
Dave Hammel
Jim Koob
Jim Welu
1990
Jack Schultz
Choc Wegner
Lyle Whalen
1991
Maurice Reed
Barney Rudiger
Bill Schmit
Bob Voels
1992
Jim Kramer
Dave Massey
Ron Matz
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. He was inducted into both the Dubuque the Dubuque Fast Pitch Hall of Fame and the Dubuque Kiwanis Hall of Fame. He was also a well-recognized arts and sold many of his works. (Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, June 18, 2010, p. 6)
1993
Dave Juergens played competitive fast pitch for many years winning many state tournaments and competing a number of time in the World Fast Pitch Tournaments. He was also inducted into the Kiwanis Hall of Fame. (Source: Obituaries, Telegraph Herald, October 12, 2017, p 26)
Ron Palm
Bob Splinter
Ed Welu
1994
Mike Hutton
Bob Gatena
Leon Gaul
1995/Telegraph Herald, June 2, 1995, p. 21
Dave Felderman, Sr. spent his softball career as a shortstop. Among the teams of
which he was a member were A.Y.MCDONALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, Rich's White
House, Bob's Recreation and the Kall Inn.
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 He for ROSHEK'S DEPARTMENT STORE,
FARLEY AND LOETSCHER MANUFACTURING COMPANY and the TELEGRAPH HERALD.
1996
Louie Avenarius
Dave "Mick" Hauber
Dick Maahs
Dave Meyers
1997
Dave Baker
Dave Felderman, Jr.
Gary Kremer
Leon Schultz
Joel Sturm
1998
Herb Trapp
Billy Meyer
Mike Schetgen
Jim Gulyash
Denny Leibfried
Tom Feipel
1999
Keith Behlke
Ray Braun
Lenny Rhomberg
Dave Wegmann
2000
Carl Einwalter
Steve Kaiser
Jerry Rapp
Rich Rapp
Rick "Harmon" Schmit
2001/Telegraph Herald, May 6, 2001, p. 43
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 ays 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 Happys 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 CONPANY]], 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
Rick Ahmann
Clarence "Butch" Hochberger
Bill Kennedy
Ron Volkert
2003
Don Coleman
Jack Grutz
John Hall
Wayne Rudiger
2004
Jack Breitbach
Russ Hefel
Mike Kilgore
Carl Kleeman
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 the large physical target at first base, was a regular .300 hitter. He planed 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. He played all positions and even pitched a no-hitter, but specialized in playing second base.
2006
Rich Buckley
Wayne Ellerman
Larry Feipel
Milt Reisen
Mike Tranel
Vern Van Cleve
Jerry Westemeier
2007/Telegraph Herald, May 30, 2007, p. 40
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 planed 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 leadoff hitter and runner, he played on 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. He played in four world tournaments.
2008/Telegraph Herald, May 27, 2008, p. 10
Keyes played fast pitch from 1964 to 1994 for several times. He played with the Kiwanis Tournament Champions (Belmont Dairy) in 1976, RING'S ISC Champions and World Tournament in 1985. Keyes played catcher and outfield. He was a left-handed lead-off hitter who enjoyed bunting.
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.
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 champions in 1952 and 1953. His Club Esquire team won the first Kiwanis Tournament. He played second base and was a .300 hitter.
2009
Mel Hocking
Rick Hoerner
Larry Timpe
2010
Mark Delaney
Jim Mueller
Paul Watters
2011
Jim Coleman
John Harry, Sr.
Jim Paradiso
Mark Pillard
Wayne Stewart
2012
Clete "Blackie" Cashman
Jerry Close
Tom Kilburg
Dale Wiederholt
2013
2014
2015
2016
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. He pitched in many ISC State Tournaments and three ISC World Tournaments. He pitched many no-hitters and four perfect games.