From the
When Joe Moses puts pen to paper and asks for your attendance at an event, the general response is positive.
By Rick McCorkle
That’s why nearly 80 former local men’s fastpitch softball players, sponsors, umpires, commissioners and sportswriters have responded to Moses’ request to be honored at the first induction of the Southwest Washington Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Lower Columbia College Student Center.
Moses, who graduated from Castle Rock High in 1932 and is considered one of the best athletes and coaches to come out of Southwest Washington, is intent on making sure his softball peers get their due while they’re still around to enjoy it.
“We want everyone to feel welcome,” Moses said. “There were a lot of great players from our area through the years, and we want to recognize as many as we can.”
Earlier this year, Moses planned to hold the event at the Merk Building in downtown Longview but as the Hall of Fame inductee list continued to grow, he determined a larger room was needed.
It’s estimated that another 400-500 family members and supporters of local fastpitch softball during the 1940s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s will attend the free event.
Moses is no stranger to assembling large gatherings. In 1998, he was the mastermind behind the all-sports high school reunion that attracted more than 600 former athletes who participated in local prep sports between 1923-1960. The event was so memorable that many attendees still talk about it.
Local historian Clyde Shadiow will have a photo display at the event of memorable teams and individuals who played softball locally through the years.
“If at all possible, we’d like all former ASA (American Softball Association) players to please attend, as we’re all getting older and this may be our last hurrah,” said Shadiow, who is also the caretaker of the historical room at the Merk Building.
Each Hall of Fame inductee will be announced at the reunion with biographical information and will receive a framed certificate commemorating their honor. Free souvenir programs will also be available listing the names of every inductee.
In addition, a photographer will get a picture of each inductee that will hang on an official Hall of Fame Wall at the Pacific Barber Shop in Kelso, along with a group snapshot. Former softball commissioner Bill Ammons, who is also working with Moses on the event, has donated space in his barber shop for the endeavor.
“So many people come through Bill’s place,” Moses said. “We thought it would be a great place for the Hall of Fame wall.”
Former players, coaches, sponsors and support staff who will honored include Archie Amadon, Cliff Andrews, Darold Bangs, Henry Bechtold, Don Belding, Jerry Bergquist, Vern Bergquist, Pete Bettineski, Delmar Bighaus, Scott Bighaus, Don Bowen, Loren Bowen, Ken Boydstun, Primo Brusco, Roland Brusco, Gene Burke, Bob Butler, Gene Carlson, Bill Cheatley, Dick Christensen, L.O. “Ty” Cobb, Meade Cobb, Jerry Daggy, Hugh Davies, Bob Davis Sr. and Bob Davis Jr.;
Gary Earnest, Mickey Earnest, Earl Enos, LeRoy Faling, Jake Farland, Eddie Feigner, Tony Fernandez, Jack Fix, Tru Fones, Jim Forbes, Dr. James Ford, Don Fulgham, Bob Gambold, Bob Geissler, Rex Gray, Fred Grendon, Dick Groce, Delmar Grumbois, Gene Grumbois, Cliff Guard, Lonnie Hage, Wayne Hardy, Bob Hart, Al Heath and Frank Heniges;
LeRoy Hibberd, Jack Hutchinson, Bob Jessen Sr., Bob Jessen Jr., Boos Johnson, Johnny Johnson, Don Jones, Monte Jones, Bob Jordan, Larry Juell, Russ Kallwick, Ed Karnofski, Warren Kemper, Will Kemper, Larry Kessinger, Al Koenig, Bob Koenig, Otto Kofler, Deb Laws, Bill Lehning, ILWU Local 21, Marv Mackey, Tim Mackin, Fink Mason and Pete Mason;
Jack McCoy, Roy McIntyre, Dean McKinnis, Marv Melville, Jerry Miller, Bill Moore, Richard Moore, Joe Moses, John Navalinski, Whitey Nelmark, LeRoy Nelson, Ron Nelson,, Tom Nelson, Tim Norton, Howard O’Connell, Dwayne Olson, Chet Oxford, Dick Oxford, John “Bud” Parks, Jack Parks, Mancil Peterson, Roy Poler, Mike Polis, Ed Pugel and Dave Rarey;
Clint Reese, Ted Rigney, Jim Rogers, Ben Rongey, Frank Rorek, Vic Rorek, Mal Rose, Bob Salte, Ron Satcher, Ray Satterlee, Ernie Schaffran, Bob Schlecht, Dale Schweitzer, George Shermer, Dale Smith, Charlie Snead, Don Sparks, Stan Sparks, Frank Spellmeyer, Jack Spellmeyer, Jim Stiles, Clair Sunnell, Jim Torrance, Dr. Bill Watkins, James Watson, Ken White, Ed Willis, Howard Willis, Tom Willis, Dan Woodman and Ed Worrell.
In addition, special recognition will be made to longtime local radio broadcaster and athletic supporter Kirc Roland, who will also serve as one of the Hall of Fame presenters.
Doors will open at noon, with the ceremony to be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Cake and coffee will be served during the event.
Rick McCorkle is a sportswriter for The Daily News. He can be reached at 577-2529 or rickmc@tdn.com.