2024 Associate: Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown of Machesney Park, Illinois truly grew up in the game of softball. When he was old enough to walk, he began tagging along to watch his Dad, Hall of Farner Paul Brown, umpire softball games all over Northern Illinois. Then, in his pre-teens, Hall of Farner Brenda Paulson noticed he was always hanging around at her tournaments and put him to work keeping score. During high school, Hall of Farner Ken Franzen put him to work on the grounds crew at Forest Hills Diamonds. When Jeff wasn't mowing outfields, chalking foul lines or burning hot dogs, Ken occasionally let him and his co-worker, Kevin Croft, head to the press box and serve as the announcers for some of the major tournaments and all-star games that happened at Forest Hills Diamonds.

During college and law school, Jeff's primary involvement with softball was as an avid player in Chicago and Rockford. However, in 1993, a chain of events came to pass that changed Jeff's involvement with USSSA softball forever. Forest Hills Diamonds was chosen as the host facility for the 1993 USSSA Women's Sia-Pitch World Series and Jeff and Kevin took to the press box to serve as the announcers for a weekend that featured the top women's softball players in the country. The USSSA Executive Director, Mr. Al Ramsey took a liking to "the two boys from Illinois". Al was so impressed with them and how they were using a computer program to have the updated stats for the All-World Team in a few minutes after the last out was called. Al had to have these guys and invited then to serve as the stadium announcers for the 1994 USSSA Men's Major World Series in Florida. It was a perfect fit and now, 31 years later, Jeff has served as the stadium announcer for every Men's Major World Series since 1994. At the 2004 World Series, Jeff and Kevin called their 1,000th career Men's Major World Series game. Things have come full circle, as Jeff resumed announcing the Women's Major World Series a few years ago.

Jeff has also served as the Master of Ceremonies for the USSSA National Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the last 15 years. He first learned how to be a MC by serving as a co-host of the inaugural Illinois Softball Hall of Fame ceremony in 1996 with his friend, Hall of Farner Chuck Fischer from Louisville, Ky. Jeff then served as the Master of Ceremonies for a number of Illinois Hall Fame induction banquets. When Chuck was inducted into the USSSA National Hall of Fame in 2008, Jeff took over serving as the MC of the annual National Hall of Fame induction ceremony from Chuck and has continued to do so ever since.

In reflecting on his USSSA experience, Jeff noted, "I have had a front row seat to watch more than three generations of the finest softball athletes in the world compete at the USSSA Major World Series. The honor of describing the fantastic play of those incredible athletes has been an amazing part of my life. I have had the privilege to announce every World Series that many USSSA National Hall of Famers have played in and then been able to shake their hand on stage upon their induction into the National Hall of Fame. I have watched the game of softball and the USSSA organization go through many transitions and achieve incredible growth, and it has been an honor to be a small part of that."

"The long days and late nights in press boxes - ranging from Daytona Beach to Fredericksburg to 20 years at the Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando to the incredible new USSSA facility in Viera, Florida - are some of my most cherished memories. From players to coaches to fans to USSSA staff, the countless number of friends I have made in softball have made my life a lot richer - and the fact that I have been able to share the ride with my family and dearest friends has made it even more special."

Outside of the press box, Jeff is the father of three children, Alex, Riley and Zoey, and has been married to his wife, Dr. Tracy Cole (a former scorekeeper and concession stand worker at Forest Hills Diamonds), for 33 years. Jeff has also had a successful career as a corporate attorney. He graduated with degrees in Industrial Engineering and Economics from Northwestern University and received his J.D. from the Law School at the University of Chicago. After starting his legal practice at Winston & Strawn, a multinational law firm in Chicago, he joined the corporate law department at Motorola, where he handled corporate governance and securities law for over a decade. In 2010, he became the Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Activision Blizzard, which was the largest independent video game company in the world until Microsoft acquired the company for $75 billion in 2023.

Thanks, Jeff, for all you've have done for the Illinois USSSA and the National USSSA for over 40 years and continue as" the voice" of the National Hall of Fame and the Major World Series.

Paul brown, jeff brown, kevin croft & Ken franzen

Forest hills ground crew @ 1984, kevin croft, jeff brown, todd wyatt and scott markley

2024 Associate: Rockford Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau (RACVB)

Rockford Peach-bobby thompson, cheryl burggrass-Rockford peach-Sis Waddell, lindsay arellano, -vp of sales and services

In 1984 the Rockford community was looking to promote and support growth in the Rockford region. The RACVB was created to do just that, support what already existed and promote new growth through tourism and positively impact the residents who live in the region and those who visit.

Wendy Perks Fisher joined the RACVB as its first PresidenUCEO in 1986 and began coordinating all the amateur sports programs including Slo-Pitch, Fastpitch, soccer, etc. She put together a team which included the above and integrated the newly formed Rockford Area Hotel/Motel Association.

Ms. Fisher's leadership was the driving force in developing the tourism industry. Her vision led to affiliation with the IL USSSA. The RACVB was involved in many tournaments and promotions with IL USSSA including the "On the Waterfront" festival held downtown Rockford over Labor Day Weekend, and the RACVB & Waterfront committee provided Championship & Runner-up awards to those top teams in the Men's & Women's Sic-Pitch Divisional Championships for many years. Also, in the 11th hour the RACVB put in a bid with IL USSSA and the Rockford Park District for the USSSA Women's Sic-Pitch World Series which was awarded to Rockford in 1993. This was just a couple of the numerous events promoted by the RACVB.

Wendy retired in 2006 after 20 years of establishing a great partnership with the IL USSSA and leaving a legacy in the Rockford area. After a couple of interim directors, John Groh was hired as the new PresidenUCEO in 2009. John and his staff improved on Wendy's vision. John and his staff became physically involved with hosting Fastpitch State Tournaments and World Series events. John's "A Team" handled registration at each tournament site, including 22 diamonds at 4 different facilities, providing welcome gift bags for each fastpitch player and coach and keeping the umpires supplied with water on their fields. They provided all the necessary items to make a visitor feel welcome playing in the Rockford region. The RACVB also sponsored Fastpitch World Series Manager meetings and breakfasts and coordinated the Opening Ceremonies for the Fastpitch World Series held in the metro Rockford area each July. Also, attending the USSSA National Convention and making their presence known to host future National/World Series events.

The RACVB is involved in so much more than sporting events i.e. Midway Village, The Laurant House, Stroll on State, CREIV, arts initiative and murals painted on downtown buildings, Rockford City Market, etc. If the event is coming to the Rockford community the RACVB is no doubt involved.

The RACVB has been recognized receiving the Award of Merit and the Distinguished Service Award from the IL USSSA and tonight we welcome the RACVB into the IL USSSA Hall of Fame. Their efforts along with the playing facilities in the area has most definitely put Rockford on the map as a destination and as a great place to play, and for local residents, a great place to live and work. Thank you, Wendy Perks Fisher, John Groh and Lindsay Arellano, VP of Sales & Service for your support in our 28-year partnership!

2012 girl’s fastpitch world series opening ceremonies

“a” team

2023 Associate: Rockford Park District

In 1982 Clarence Hicks, Superintendent of Recreation of the Rockford Park District attended the annual USSSA National Convention at Nashville, TN. After attending the ASA convention, the week prior, he introduced himself to Brenda Paulson and said he was there to observe what governing body would be best suited for the 8-diamond complex under construction. In 1983 the Rockford Park District registered all their league teams and umpires USSSA. (eventually registering over 300 Adult Slow Pitch teams and 70 umpires)

This new complex was called the Sportscore. At the time this was Illinois’s only multi-diamond facility with 300’ fences, ag-lime infields all at the same location. And Bob “Pappy” Papich (2002 IL Hall of Famer) took over as administrator of this huge win for USSSA softball!

The 8 diamonds at the “Core”, three and eventually four diamonds at Forest Hills and the six diamonds at Harlem Sports Complex led the USSSA to host numerous Slow Pitch and Fast Pitch Qualifying, State, NIT’s, National, Divisional, World, and World Series events. Illinois USSSA held the largest State Tournaments in the Men’s Slow Pitch programs.  In all, over 450 USSSA tournaments were held at the Sportscore from 1983 thru 2014.

Not any of this would be possible without the support and sponsorship of the Rockford Park District Board and the Executive Directors over the years include Webbs Norman, Tim Dimke and currently, Jay Sandine. Sportscore Managers, Bob “Pappy” Papich 1983 – 2000 and Marianne Larson (2002 – 2019) and Louis Mateus, General Manager of the Sportscore complexes.

The Sportscore I diamonds were dedicated as “Pappy’s Fields” in 2011 after the man who spent almost every minute of every day at the diamonds for 17 years.

When you played at the “Core” you were regarded by the entire staff including concessions and grounds keepers. The Umpires were also treated very well. Thanks Marianne!

In addition, numerous Manager meetings and Umpire Clinics were hosted at the Park District facilities.

The Rockford Park District was awarded the IL USSSA Award of Merit in 1987 and the Distinguished Service Award in 1991 for their outstanding efforts.

Thank you, Rockford Park District, and staff, for making softball an enjoyable experience at the Sportscore and for helping advance a sport many people love and the IL USSSA programs for 36 years.

2022 Associate: Sarah Armantrout

Sarah Armantrout, Tampa, FL (formerly of Buffalo Grove, IL)

Sarah Armantrout’s introduction into the USSSA program began as an illegal player at the Women’s C Divisional in Iowa in the late 1980s. Sarah and two other players were picked up by an Illinois team to play in that tournament. Unaware they were playing under assumed names, the team was eventually ejected from the tournament. None of this was reported to the IL State Director, however.

In the early 1990s, Sarah was hired by Spalding/Dudley Sports as their Illinois Territory Sales Manager. Her diligence converted northern Illinois to the Dudley softballs in just a few years. At the time, the Yellow Tournament Plus ball played very well on the numerous white, aglime fields that many complexes were using.

When Spalding/Dudley had a reorganization, Sarah became a Sales Rep for Worth/DeBeer Sports. Illinois USSSA followed her. When you have a great partnership, you certainly try to keep it.

One of the most knowledgeable persons in the bat and ball industry at the time, Sarah was not just a Sales Rep, but she helped sponsor many of the Illinois State, National, NITs, and World Series events during her years of partnership. Sarah gave away many items at these events including All Tournament Team awards, Individual Championship, MVP awards, and bats and later with Rip-It, shoes, jackets, and other soft goods.

Many fundraisers were initiated by Sarah at these events, which included the Walter Payton Foundation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness for Dottie Ferguson Key (Rockford Peach), and a fundraiser for IL USSSA Lifetime Achievement member (2004), Laurie “Smitty” Smith who also lost her battle with breast cancer in 2005.

Many of these fundraiser events were held on the deck of the bowling alley at Forest Hills Diamonds during/after the tournaments. Retired Chicago Bears Jim Morrissey, Mark Green, Neal Anderson, Thomas Sanders, and Wendell Davis participated with a Dudley Team for a few Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame fundraisers. Memories were made and, according to Sarah, one of her most memorable was a “very pregnant woman who jumped the fence to chase Neal Anderson playing right field!”

Sarah not only hosted the parties, but she also set up her tent at tournaments and sold and demonstrated her merchandise at slo-pitch and later, fastpitch events. Doing so while she often played with her team in the slo-pitch tournament. As a legal player, of course.

Her partnership with the Illinois USSSA and eventually the National Office grew over the years. She attended many State meetings and USSSA National Conventions. Sarah also brought Olympian fastpitch players to Rockford with autograph sessions for the fastpitch programs.

When Sarah joined Rip-It in 2009, she was a natural to become their National/International Sales Manager. Sarah attended many fastpitch events all over northern Illinois promoting Rip-It with the many fastpitch team organizations. Again, giving product to teams and players and sponsoring awards at the various local, State, and National levels.

Sarah has received many accolades from her companies in the Sales and Development areas. In 1995, she was honored with the Award of Merit and in 2003 the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois USSSA. Tonight, we honor Sarah with induction into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame in the Associate Category. This is the first time in 26 years this category has been recognized. Not bad for a 16 year old who had to fight her local park district to allow “a bunch of girls” to play travel softball. After a park district meeting was held, the Chicago Tribune ran the article: “Girls plea to play softball”. Sarah had learned an early lesson about tenacity and perseverance that would benefit her in business and life. And the park district did initiate a travel program for the “bunch of girls”, the following season.

Congratulations Sarah for your many years of involvement in the Illinois USSSA program, for a job well done, a partnership of over 25 years, and a friendship that started on the ballfield and has lasted over 30+ years. Well, maybe not a good friendship in the beginning, but a great friendship over the years.