Ten people will enter the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame during the 30th Annual Induction Ceremonies on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 in Shreveport, La. Although they are in different categories, there is one common bond they will share for life. They all went above and beyond in their dedication to contribute and support amateur softball, whether on or off the field.
The ten people include five players and five non-players. The players include four from fast pitch and one from slow pitch. The fast pitch players are Jody Hennigar, Suzy Brazney, Norbert “Cyclone” Warken (old timer, deceased), and Carl Solarek while Mike Shenk is the slow pitch selection. The non-players are E.T. Colvin (commissioner), umpires Cheryl Simmons and Richard Ribby and Guy DeMaio and Ronnie Isham in the meritorious service category.
Jody Hennigar
A southpaw, Hennigar is a native of Nova Scotia and now resides in Hudson, Fla. He was a standout double threat throughout his career, earning eight ASA All-American selections between 1985 and 2005. He compiled a 19-9 pitching record in seven ASA Nationals and batted .351, smashing 14 homers, which is the second best in ASA history. He twice led the ASA Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championship in batting and won the Dudley Award as the outstanding pitcher in the 2002 National Championship.
Suzy Brazney
Brazney leads the class of 2010 with a record 20 All-America selections during her 25-year career. She could play just about any position on the field but more often than not was found behind the plate as a catcher. She was a member of three ASA National Championship teams, three USA Softball Pan American teams and played in seven U.S. Olympic Festivals.
“It is an honor to be able to add my name to the list of great ball players that have preceded me into the Hall of Fame. They are the ones that played because they loved the game. I always tried to keep them in mind while I played. This induction is shared with all the great teammates and coaches I had over the years. Obviously, I couldn’t have done this without them.”
Norbert “Cyclone” Warken
Warken, who is deceased, got his nickname “Cyclone” from a Chicago sports writer after he blew through the 1939 ASA Fast Pitch National Championship in Chicago. In six games, Warken hurled six shutouts, hurling 51 innings, allowing 12 hits and striking out 99 batters. Warken compiled a record of 12-4 in ASA National Championship play with 11 shutouts and four no-hitters.
Carl Solarek
A native of Freeland, Penn., the 63-year-old Solarek gave fast pitch a try after playing professional baseball in the Detroit Tigers organization for five years. Starting his softball career in 1972, Solarek earned first-team All-American honors four times and was a member of three ASA National Championship teams, one runner-up and one third-place finisher. He joins former teammates Jim Brackin, Jeff Seip and Ty Stofflet in the Hall of Fame. He is the seventh male catcher elected to the Hall of Fame.
Mike Shenk
The first slow pitch player from Pennsylvania elected to the Hall of Fame, Shenk made the most of his 11-year career, earning All-America honors nine times and being a member of six ASA National Championship teams. He played in two ASA Major Nationals and seven Super Nationals. He batted .700 or higher five times and clouted 1,098 homers before retiring after the 2002 season.
E.T. Colvin
Colvin, who is the 40th ASA commissioner selected, has had quite a year. In a span of 21 days he was elected as the International Softball Federation (ISF) North American vice president, ASA president-elect and to the Hall of Fame. He has done an outstanding job as Mississippi commissioner and has served on numerous ASA committees in addition to serving as ASA president from 2004-2005.
“The honor of being in the Hall of Fame is the peak of anyone’s career,” said Colvin. “To me it means a connection with friends and others that had the same passion for the game as I did, long after we have all gone. By being in the Hall of Fame, I hope my love of the ASA and the game of softball will be remembered.”
Richard Ribby
Ribby, who is nicknamed the “Ice Man” because of his cool demeanor in pressure-packed games, worked some of the top events in softball during a 35-year career, including five Men’s Major Fast Pitch National Championships. Ribby got his ISF certification in fast pitch in 1983 and is also a member of the National Indicator Fraternity. He is the 39th ASA umpire elected to the Hall of Fame.
Cheryl Simmons
Simmons is the second female umpire and 40th overall elected to the Hall of Fame during a career that spans more than 30 years. She served as the Santa Clara, Calif. Umpire-In-Chief for 16 years, is a member of the National Indicator Fraternity (1986) and is ISF certified in fast pitch.
Guy DeMaio
DeMaio, who some consider the backbone of the ASA of Pennsylvania, has been a member of the ASA National Council since 1982 and was the first at-large player representative elected as the Central Atlantic regional Director. A graduate of Geneva College, he has chaired or been vice chair of various ASA committees and is a member of the ASA of PA Hall of Fame (1984).
Ronnie Isham
Isham, ASA’s Director of National Teams, has just about touched all the bases in his lengthy softball career, ranging from player to manager to commissioner. As a manager, he compiled a record of 1,016 wins and 310 losses for a winning percentage of 76% in winning seven regional fast pitch titles as his teams appeared in seven ASA National Championships. He also has served as a district commissioner, Texas ASA Vice President and Texas at-large player representative. In 1992, he was named to the USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Committee and has served as the team administrator through the 1996 (Atlanta), 2000 (Sydney), 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijing) Olympic Games.
The class of 2010 increases the membership in the ASA Hall of Fame to 363 since it was established in 1957 to honor the former players and non-players for their contributions to softball. The formal Hall of Fame ceremonies were started in 1981 and since 2001 the ceremonies have been held in conjunction with the ASA Annual Council Meeting. The class of 2010 is the second largest group of inductees since the Hall of Fame was established in 1957.