2003 (Spring) Female Player: Marian Bell

Marian Bell

Since she first started playing adult competitive slow pitch as an eighth grader, Southern Illinois native Marion Bell has played every position in 20 years of softball, the last ten of them in USSSA.

A .650 lifetime hitter, Bell had power to all fields. That talent led her to be selected to the USSSA Class A All-State team in Rockford in 1985, and helped her teams qualify for several USSSA World Tournaments.

After starting out with Fred Bach Auto Body of Belleville, Bell moved to Miller Lite of Belleville (later “Hecker”). Towards the end of her career, she played two seasons with Coors of Champaign.

From the time she was 18, Bell has been a player to whom teammates have looked for support, guidance and leadership. In fact, Bell is remembered as much for her organizational and logistical skills as for her talent, particularly with the Miller Lite teams.

Bell retired in 1988 following her second back surgery to repair a cracked disc injured playing indoor softball.

“It’s kind of hard when you don’t get to pick your time to leave,” Bell said.

Still, Bell retains many friends from the sport.

“I probably consider five of the girls I played with my best friends,” she said.

Another four or five she sees several times a year. “I made lifelong friends, and had a lot of good times,” she said.

Among those good times were the years spent hitting softballs over the fence at Fox Valley in Rockford.

One of her fondest memories though is being utterly lost in Kingston, North Carolina. After flying in for the USSSA World Tournament, Bell and teammate Deb Germann took turns changing into their uniforms in their rental car and looking fruitlessly for the park where the tournament was being held. Finally, they spotted another car with rental plates and asked them if they were headed to the park. The car’s occupants, Brenda Paulson and her husband Ken smiled and said, “Follow us.” Brenda had the women run ahead while she parked their car. Bell and Germann got to the field as the first pitch was being tossed and looked up later to see Paulson walking up, smiling, with their purses and bags in her arms.

In her softball retirement, Bell’s thoughts sometimes turn back to the game she spent a vibrant youth playing.

“We’re getting a few women who played fast pitch in high school or college,” she said of the sport today. “[But] I don’t see slow pitch leagues [for kids] being organized here. We need to get more kids involved.”

While her thoughts will be with the people gathered in Rockford for the induction ceremony, Bell cannot be there physically. “It’s very special, I wish I could be there,” Bell said.

2006 Female Player: Carol Stack

Carol Stack

Player, coach and director – all these describe Champaign’s Carol Stack. Primarily a pitcher with some time at shortstop, Stack was a tough, gritty competitor. It’s a bit tricky compiling statistics on Stack’s softball career, however, because she was more worried about team goals and making central and east central women’s softball more enjoyable and competitive.

In 1980, Stack was a player and coach the first two years for the Alley Cats, a Class B team from Champaign which played at the World Tournament in California that Labor Day. That same year, she played on ZZZ Fasteners, who finished fifth at the co-rec nationals. In 1982, she played and coached Class A team, Pia’s, from Champaign, but retired from coaching after that season. That season was also her first of four years as a USSSA director, during which time she helped start the USSSA women’s softball in the middle of the state amidst many doubts of its endurance.

“Initiating USSSA in central and east central Illinois was by far the most exciting event I remember,” Stack said. “It raised curiosity and interest in this area with the 11-inch ball, but I don’t believe that anyone in this part of the state felt USSSA could survive.”

That area had been dominated by another association, but Carol brought USSSA to central Illinois and it prospered in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

“Quite to the contrary, USSSA has emerged to be the dominant softball program in this part of the state,” added Stack.

“USSSA softball provided an energizing lift to the game and in many ways challenged women in particular to play a faster-paced game with a smaller ball and lower pitched arc. I can say without a doubt 20 years later, USSSA is the program of preference in this area.”

— Carol Stack

Playing alongside Hall of Famer Debra Germann and Marion Bell in 1985 and 1986, Coors won back-to-back Class A State Tournaments. Stack was named the Most Valuable Player in both those tournaments, which were held in Rockford. Coors also had successful results at the World Tournament those years, finishing in the top four in both 1985 in Springfield and 1986 in Parma, Ohio.

One tournament sticks out in Stack’s memories, painful as it might be. “I remember taking a line drive off my ankle and watching the extreme swelling process begin to the extent that I could barely put any pressure on my foot,” Stack recalled. Being the only pitcher available and with her team in the loser’s bracket, she iced her ankle for four straight hours until game time.

“It was like dodging bullets all evening on the mound because I couldn’t back off the pitching rubber to set up on defense because of the pressure it put on my ankle,” Stack said.

Stack and USSSA softball were a great fit, as was the USSSA for central Illinois.

“USSSA softball provided an energizing lift to the game and in many ways challenged women in particular to play a faster-paced game with a smaller ball and lower pitched arc,” Stack said. “I can say without a doubt 20 years later, USSSA is the program of preference in this area.”

We formally recognize all of Carol Stack’s accomplishments by welcoming her into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2007 Female Player: Cheryl Snyder

Cheryl Snyder

During the 1980s, Springfield’s Cheryl Snyder forever put her name on the map in women’s and co-rec softball. A very talented outfielder, Snyder played in many State, National and World Tournaments with the Alleycats as well as a very good ZZZ Fasteners club in her ten-year career.

Cheryl lists her career batting average at .310, which is more than likely much lower than her actual numbers. As far as home runs she hit, she has no idea, saying it was too long ago.

In 1980 at the National Tournament, Snyder was named to the All-Tournament Team, and in 1984 she was a member of the Class A State Tournament All-Tournament Team.

“One of the most exciting moments of my USSSA softball career was stepping onto the field against two top men’s and women’s teams in the country during our first Co-Rec National Tournament,” said Snyder. “It was a thrill to be up against the likes of Howard’s Furniture and the Virginia Bells. The biggest thrill came from the fact that we could actually compete and win against the best teams in the country.”

The fact that the USSSA was always seeking to improve the game of softball for everyone involved was something Snyder said breathed renewed life into the women’s game.

“The addition of USSSA brought a new excitement to the game of slow pitch softball,” Snyder said. “Maybe it was the novelty of the 11-inch ball, maybe it was the energy and enthusiasm of the State Director Brenda Paulson, or maybe it was the idea that the organization [USSSA] was built on a philosophy of improving the game by seeking input from teams and the players at every level.”

“The addition of USSSA brought a new excitement to the game of slow pitch softball. Maybe it was the novelty of the 11-inch ball, maybe it was the energy and enthusiasm of the State Director Brenda Paulson, or maybe it was the idea that the organization [USSSA] was built on a philosophy of improving the game by seeking input from teams and the players at every level.”

— Cheryl Snyder

Snyder said just being thought of as a Hall of Famer is something very special. She adds the chance to compete against the nation’s elite was something she will never forget.

“It is an honor to be inducted into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame,” said Snyder. “I must admit, the statistics are long gone and somewhat of a distant memory. Although we enjoyed participating in several State, National, World and Co-Rec Tournaments, the most memorable aspect of my softball career was the opportunity to compete with and against some of the best softball players in the country. Of course, winning against those players and teams was even sweeter.”

We formally recognize all of Cheryl Snyder’s accomplishments and feats by welcoming her into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2008 Female Player: Jeri Siegfried-Mueller

Jeri Siegfried-Mueller

In her 29-year playing career, 12 of those participating in the USSSA, Evansville’s Jeri Siegfried-Mueller played on some talented women’s softball teams.

Siegfried-Mueller, a solid shortstop with some time at third and first base, played on Dashners of Red Bud and Plums/Bud Light out of Belleville before retiring in 1997. A line drive singles hitter with some power, Siegfried-Mueller boasted a .640 average over her years on the diamond. In USSSA tournaments or leagues, she was named Most Valuable Player seven times and was selected to five state All-Tournament teams. Also in 1992, she was awarded the Most Valuable Defensive Player at the State Tournament in O’Fallon.

She played on teams that were Class C State Champions four times. With Dashners, Siegfried-Mueller and her mates won the 1986 Illinois State Title at Evansville and also in 1989 at Columbia; however, her fondest moment was her first participation in the USSSA World Tournament in which her club finished in eighth place.

“The most exciting event was attending our first World Tournament,” said Siegfried-Mueller. “The opening ceremony followed by the overwhelming number of teams. The quality of play and the friendliness of the other players was great. The tournament was well organized and the umpiring was good.”

“While playing, I always tried to give 100 percent and be a team player. I never let playing the game of softball become a job. I enjoyed every game I played in.”

— Jeri Siegfried-Mueller

All the great players want to play against the best competition and, in the early years, women’s softball in southern Illinois was just beginning. But Siegfried-Mueller has thanks for those who got the ball rolling in her area although she feels the number of teams and players decreasing.

“USSSA softball in southern Illinois is very small and I feel women’s softball is decreasing every year,” said Siegfried-Mueller. “I’m thankful to Mike Reeves and Brenda Paulson for getting the USSSA started here.”

Most players forget from time to time that the game of softball is just that – a game. While being just a game, it is still a requirement for players to give everything they have for not only themselves, but for their team. Over the years, Siegfried-Mueller feels she left it all on the field and loved every minute of it.

“While playing, I always tried to give 100 percent and be a team player,” Siegfried-Mueller said. “I never let playing the game of softball become a job. I enjoyed every game I played in.”

We honor a player who did everything in her power to make herself and her teammates better. It is with great pleasure that we say congratulations to Jeri Siegfried-Mueller for her induction into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2008 Female Player: Vicky Brown

Vicky Brown

Even though the game of softball is deemed a “hitter’s game,” a good pitcher can play a key role in deciding if her team walks off the field with a win or a loss.

Over her 35-year career, Vicky Brown played with such teams as National Bank of Rochelle, Prairie Moon Saloon, Uniform Tooling and King Potter. She did her best to give her club an advantage from inside the pitching circle and she did that very well. Being a player/coach for 20 of those seasons also gave her another avenue to help her team meet their winning goals.

“Playing softball has been a wonderful, lifelong activity for me and my family,” said Brown. “I have gone from player/coach in Class B, to A, to C, to D and in 2007 a Rockford Park District player and team sponsor.”

Brown has compiled an impressive 800-300 pitching record spanning all levels over her illustrious career. She hit .360 with 40 lifetime home runs, but admits none were over the fence and they came early in her playing days when she was faster. She has to her credit a no-hitter, thrown in a USSSA-sanctioned tournament to go along with a pair of one-hit games in league play. She was once hit in the head by a line drive, which required 34 stitches to close, and she says some say she hasn’t been right since.

She was named to four Illinois State All-Tournament teams, twice in each the 1970s and 1990s. With King Potter, Brown was named All-Tournament at an NIT and later at the Divisional Tournament. In 1983, her club, Prairie Moon Saloon, finished seventh at the World Class A Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.

“Through the years I have made many lifelong friends, created a lot of great memories and learned many life lessons,” said Brown. “This includes fond memories of my dad, who kept score for my team for 25 years before his passing. I learned about leadership and teamwork through playing that I use today at work.”

“A special thanks goes to Brenda Paulson and the Illinois USSSA for offering a venue for women to play, coach and perform at their highest level. When I started in the ‘70s, there existed no organized sports for women except for the USSSA. Since that time, women have won the right to compete at all levels, but Brenda and USSSA were the first and have stayed at the forefront in getting girls and women involved in organized sports.”

— Vicky Brown

Her son Ryan, who grew up at the softball park, is taking over the reins from his mom as he pitches for his softball team now.

“I am very proud that he pitches, just like his mom, but he can also hit it over the fence, just like his dad,” Brown said. “Ryan plays four nights a week and weekends. I wonder where he gets it from.”

As for her thoughts on softball and the USSSA, Brown has special thanks for those who gave opportunities for women to reach their goals.

 “USSSA softball has been a positive part of my entire adult life,” Brown said. “A special thanks goes to Brenda Paulson and the Illinois USSSA for offering a venue for women to play, coach and perform at their highest level. When I started in the ‘70s, there existed no organized sports for women except for the USSSA. Since that time, women have won the right to compete at all levels, but Brenda and USSSA were the first and have stayed at the forefront in getting girls and women involved in organized sports. The numbers have fallen off the last few years, but I hope there will be renewed interest with the new professional women’s team in Rockford.”

We honor Vicky Brown’s great career in softball by welcoming her with open arms into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2009 Female Player: Denise “Dee” Susin

Denise “Dee” Susin

When Dee’s seventh grade softball coach asked, “Is there anyone that could catch a fly ball?” little did anyone realize that this was launching a 37-year softball career for one of the most outstanding women outfielders in Illinois softball history.

While playing left field for Class A Chicagoans, she earned several national All-Tournament team selections at Sheboygan, along with Milwaukee and Cincinnati with her .573 career batting average. Her career ended with her retirement in 1992.

Born, raised, and still living on Chicago’s northwest side, she was the youngest of five, with a mother that was a huge Cubs fan. This instilled a love of the games of baseball and softball at an early age.

Dee attended Mother Guerin High School in River Grove, where she experienced her first opportunity to play organized sports under the direction of her first high school basketball coach, Gloria Kolbusz, who introduced many of Guerin athletes to AAU basketball and travel softball.

After a stellar high school career, Dee received a full ride scholarship for basketball from the University of Illinois Chicago, where she also played softball. This is where many of Dee’s teammates also became longtime team members of the Chicagoans.

She began playing USSSA softball for Stingers of Aurora and played with them in a World Tournament in Virginia. Her second World Tournament experience occurred when she participated with the Chicago Wind at Hutchinson, Kansas.

“Softball has given me so many lifelong friends that I could never imagine my life without.”

— Denise Susin

Even though Dee’s 14 years of on field USSSA participation are ones to remember, perhaps her most memorable off field achievement took place at the Detroit World Tournament; in an attempt to amuse her teammates, she ran full speed into the inflatable Miller Lite bottle, nearly resulting in putting her on the disabled list. She never did anything half speed.

Dee admits, “My long-term commitment and fondest memories are the many years playing with the Chicagoans.”

Even though she played mostly left field, she also played all other outfield and infield positions. She even pitched some, resulting in one of her most outstanding softball accomplishments when she combined with teammates (Herbert and Malpede) to toss a complete game no-hitter at the State Tournament.

Dee summarized her participation in softball by saying, “Softball has given me so many lifelong friends that I could never imagine my life without.”

For the Chicagoans and the Illinois Hall of Fame, we cannot imagine what it would be without Denise “Dee” Susin.

2009 Female Player: Cinda Liefer

Cinda Liefer

Perhaps no one has hustled their way into the Illinois Hall of Fame the way Cinda Liefer has, as the speedy outfielder from Red Bud consistently turned routine singles into doubles for her Dashners team.

Cinda describes herself as a walking scab, due to the numerous scrapes and scars she has accumulated through her years of playing a sport she loves. Those on-diamond battle wounds define the success that she has found over her numerous years of participation, and she still plays with the same competitive spirit as she did during those years of 200 plus game seasons in the late ‘80s.

Cinda led her Dashners squad to several State Tournament titles during her 12 years of USSSA play from 1985 through 1997, while also earning a State Tournament Most Valuable Player nod prior. In 1989, she found her greatest softball thrill, as her beloved Dashners team finished eighth in the Class C World Tournament in Muncie, Indiana, which was their best finish in many visits to World Tournament play.

For Cinda, who batted over .600 during all 12 years of her USSSA competition, the game has always been about the team as she states, “I strive to do anything for my team and help my teammates succeed.”

“Softball is my life and I would not do anything differently if done over.”

— Cinda Liefer

At her softball peak, Cinda registered an outstanding season in 1988 with a .710 batting average and 206 doubles.

At age of 50, Cinda still competes, as her thrill of competition has not dwindled. She states, “Softball is my life and I would not do anything differently if done over.”

She is also very grateful to the USSSA organization, which provides opportunity to so many with their leadership and tournaments provided, while also praising the USSSA umpires for a job well done.

Cinda has shown us all what effort can provide, as she has successfully hustled and hit her way into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2010 Female Player: Denice "Toodie" Moss

Denice "Toodie" Moss

With six National Invitational All-Tournament team selections and five State All-Tournament team selections, Toodie undoubtedly ranks as one of the finest women outfielders ever to participate in the Illinois USSSA organization. With a career batting average of .825, her speedy left field performances provided Jaeger Saw, Box's BBQ, Kinney Shoes, 3-Hammer Construction, King Potter, Improv Press and Prairie Moon Saloon teams a quality all around team player. During her participation, her competing teams compiled top four placements in two State Tournaments and six NITs while placing 5th in a World Tournament.

Toodie chose Box's BBQ as her most favorite team, as they could hit the ball well and had unlimited speed at all positions in the batting order.

Her most memorable softball experience was while playing against a team in a Joliet Tournament and she was 5-for-5 prior to her hitting an inside-the-park grand slam in the bottom of the 7th inning to win the game.

She also realizes the opportunities that the Illinois USSSA has provided has allowed her to compete against some of the finest players in the game.

She hopes to be remembered as a player that participated well during her 15 years of competitive play, despite having limitations. She also wishes to be remembered for playing hard every game because of her love of the game.

2010 Female Player: Wendy Fudge

Wendy Fudge

When Wendy was asked, "What was your funniest softball experience?" she answered, "There are too many to write about." That provides the answer of why Wendy spent so many years playing a game she loves and a game that has seen her provide unending leadership on and off the field.

Her player bio has her beginning playing USSSA in 1976 with the Rockford Comets, which expanded to individual accolades with a National Invitational All-Tournament selection with the Class B Rochelle Bank team in 1978. The following year, she began play with her most favorite team, The Prairie Moon Saloon in 1979 through 1982. The "Moon" captured 2nd place in the A State Tournament and 5th in the World Tournament at Hutchinson, Kansas. In 1983 through 2000, Wendy provided countless hits and RBIs for the Improv Press, King Potter and Blackhawk Athletic squads, while winning the National Co-Rec Tournament at Rockford with Diamond Dave's and being selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Wendy credits her success as a player to several coaches that motivated and taught her how to do it the right way. They include Dick Hahn, Ken Paulson, Al Dahlmeier and Jess Fudge. She also recognizes several players that were outstanding players and teammates that made her better in Sheila Rheinhold Eversole, Vicki Brown, Mary Gifford, Denice Moss, Maureen Mosstocci, Mary Ann Englehardt and Pam Nichols.

Wendy also states that the USSSA was not only fun to play, but the friendships made along the way are priceless. When you meet someone 30 years ago while playing ball and they are still your friend, that's what it is all about. This outstanding 2nd and 3rd baseman has been named to All National and NIT teams 4 or 5 times, but nothing can compare to her selection and induction into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2011 Female Player: Glenda S. Junge

Glenda S. Junge

This self-taught softball veteran began playing softball 50 years ago while in grade school when she played against all the boys in the neighborhood. This experience provided her outstanding fundamentals and, most of all, confidence.

It is evident that Glenda has taught herself well, as she has a lofty lifetime .650 batting average and recorded over 1,500 round trippers in her career. She has acquired numerous state tournament accolades as well as NIT and World Tournament team selections.

Her resume of teams that she has played for reads like a book of Who's Who of Southern Illinois softball. She began her competitive career with Fults in 1966. After 9 years of success with Fults, she moved on to participate with the Class B State Champion and USSSA World Champion Hecker Miller Lite for 10 seasons. That led her to compete with Dashners from 1986 through 1991, where she captured another State Yitle and 9th and 10th World Tournament placements. Following that, she competed with the Co-Ed teams of The Marauders and Miller Lite Misfits before playing with Wells Fargo. She presently participates with two outstanding squads, the Arch Rivals and the 60+ senior team of Sho-Me.

With Sho-Me, Glenda had her most memorable softball experience as she met 4 ladies from "A League of Their Own" in Phoenix, AZ, while participating in the Senior World Tournament.

Glenda has participated with many great players over the years and mentions Deb Germann, Cinda Liefer, Linda Byron, Sandy Mason, Jeri Mueller and Judy Kaiser as only a few. Surrounding herself with such talent has allowed her to understand the word team, stating, "We win as a team, we lose as a team. It is always a team effort!"

That has always been her approach to the game, and she wants to be remembered as being a great teammate that gave 100%, got along with everyone and always tried to help others.

The Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame was created for those like Glenda who, after 50 years of softball participation, still has the burning desire to play the game without regret.

2011 Female Player: Mary Gifford

Mary Gifford

Mary Gifford's career highlights include several unexpected events, as she was the first Rockford woman softball player to hit a home run over the fence at Forrest Hills Diamonds and the first Rockford player to hit a home run over the fence at a World Tournament contest. She has coached both youth and adult co-rec teams and ran Boone County Fairgrounds Park for 8 years. She was also a USSSA director and was awarded the Illinois State League Director's Award in 1996.

Mary has a list of teams that she has played for as long as her leg and each holds special memories for the 43-year diamond veteran, whether they were competitive or just played the game for fun.

She began playing USSSA softball with the Betty Bremer Realty team from Belvidere in 1976, which launched her to a Class C state championship with the Northern Illinois Stars in 1982. After playing stints with 3C's and Town Hall, she hooked up with Prairie Moon Saloon to finish 2nd in Class A state and 5th in Class A world.

Other outstanding teams on her long term resume include Jerry's Garage, King Potter, Blackhawk Athletic Club, Hulsebus Chiropractic, Carters, Rainbow Separations, Northern Diamonds Concordia Lanes, Freedom Graphics and a present stop with Settimi Fetters with whom she captured a 2010 National Title.

While possessing a lifetime batting average over .600 and a best season mark of .782, she was always a threat at the plate, while being selected to several all-state teams.

Her many memories span from hitting numerous home runs over the fence, to playing in the middle of the night at the Class A World Tournament, to pitching a no-hitter. However, the most memorable was being selected MVP of the 2010 National Tournament, 30  years after capturing her first MVP selection in 1982.

Mary also listed Toodie Moss, Wendy Fudge, Sheila Eversole, Barb Beimal along with numerous others, as the best players she has played with. She credits her father in leading her to the game of softball and teaching her the fundamentals. She thanks Tim Fetters for giving her a chance to continue playing competitively.

As a younger player, Mary had all the softball attributes - speed, power, defense and offensive technique - but as she got older, she provided even more to her team through her knowledge and being a good teammate. That is what she wants to be remembered for when her playing days end.

Mary realizes that many friendships and memories that the game of softball has bestowed upon her over the many years can be traced to the efforts and support of the USSSA, Brenda Paulson, great coaches, fans, tournament directors and most of all her family. She also thanks the Hall of Fame Committee for this tremendous honor.

2012 Female Player: Laurie "Pizza" Guinta

Laurie "Pizza" Guinta

As a Rockford native, Laurie began playing softball in the late 70s at Rockford East High School, where she earned all-conference honors. This was only the beginning of a 36-year softball career, which has seen “Pizza” play for numerous state and national championship teams.

She began playing after high school with the Girogi Girls in 1980, but soon moved to more competitive teams as Prairie Moon Saloon, Kinney Shoes, John Slack, Ace of Diamonds, Sandy’s Amoco/Cubbys, Lithiuian/Blackhawk, and Add A Bath Demarini/Kaisers.
After 30 years of USSSA play, she reflects that she has been very fortunate to have played on so many great teams and with so many great teammates.

With a career batting average of .610 and a primary position as pitcher, Laurie earned numerous all-state and all-NIT honors. Highlighted by an MVP selection during the 1989 Class C State Tournament.

She recognizes teammates, Wendy Fudge, Toodie Moss, Vicki Brown, and Meghan Murray as a few of the best players she has shared the field with over the years, while mentioning Al Dalhmier, Tim Gifford, and Dick Hahn among some the great coaches that she has had the privilege to play for over the years.

She thanks the USSSA with providing her the opportunities to have met so many great people that have developed into so many great friendships that have lasted a lifetime. She also thinks it is great that she has had the experience to have played with the second generation of some of her teammates.

Even though Laurie’s funniest softball experience landed her on her butt, while pitching and falling backwards over the pitching rubber, she got back on her feet and dusted herself off to be honored as one of the newest members of the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2013 Female Player: Jackie Fischer

Jackie Fischer

The word destiny would be the best way to describe Jackie Fischer, as she was destined to find success in the sport of softball. With God-given talent and her parents’ support and guidance, she began playing softball in 1976 with the Blue Lick Optimist team from Bullitt County, Kentucky.

This was the beginning of Jackie’s success, which led her to play in the Kentucky High School State Tournament with her North Bullitt High School team from Shepherdsville, Kentucky, which was soon followed by Division II success with Kentucky Wesleyan College, where she was named to All-Great Lakes Valley Conference teams.

After finishing her master’s degree at Indiana State University in Terra Haute, she took a teaching position at St. Mary’s of the Woods College while living in the small community of Kansas, Illinois. This move allowed her to begin playing with such notable adult teams as, Duggan’s Softball of Terre Haute, Indiana (94-98), Prime Time Softball of Paris, Illinois (99-05), Absolut Softball of Decatur, Illinois (06), and Stage II of St. Louis, Missouri (07-11).

Recently, she departed her position at St. Mary’s Of The Woods College and assumed the position as Dean of Student Affairs at Moberly College in Moberly, Missouri. These teams have provided her numerous championships at many National Inv., State Tournaments, and at the 2008 Class B World Tournament, where she was named to the All-World Tournament team.  This Stage II team was by far the most athletic team that she played for in her 40 years of softball participation, as she described it as an amazing degree of camaraderie among its members.

Jackie’s best offensive year at the plate occurred with Stage II in 2007, as she hit .714, while serving as EH and filling in at 1st base. Her countless number of all-tournament selections is highlighted by being named Dudley “Class C” NIT Most Valuable Player in 2002.  Among her most memorable softball experiences she listed winning the 2008 Women’s B World Tournament, winning the 1999 Triple Crown Tournament, winning the 2002 Dudley NIT at Rockford, and traveling to Russia to conduct softball clinics.

She also listed other outstanding players that she has shared the diamond with over the years beginning with Lisa Harvey, Dee Lake, Bobbi Mattingly, Jenn Jackson, Amanda Brown, Diana Chalfant, Sandy Fletcher, and Cindy Johnson. Her favorite coaches as, Chico Embry, Jerry Rhodes, Garvin Fehler, Ken Ayers, Diana Chalfant, Clyde Muncy, and Dee Lake.

Jackie wants to be remembered as a person that always contributed to her team’s success in a positive way, encouraged others to do their best, while showing respect for the game and everyone involved.

In explaining the opportunities that the USSSA has provided her over the years, she reflected on the opportunities that her parents have also provided her over the years, beginning with the 1990 USSSA Tour of Russia, Tallinn, Estonia, and Finland. As an assistant tournament director in Kentucky, she had the opportunity to interact with some great coaches, players, umpires and field personnel over the years. Her most meaningful however has revolved around the relationships that have been built over the years with teammates and opponents, as they reflect on specific tournaments, games, and plays that have made up their history together. The many years of softball travel has created a bond that runs deep among all that have contributed to Jackie being named to the Illinois Softball Hall Of Fame.

2014 Female Player: Madelynn Herbert

Madelynn Herbert

For a person who had to endure the softball challenges behind the plate for the Chicagoans for many years, Herbie has never attributed her contributions to the game as physical. Even while playing on those hundred-degree days, getting run into and getting stuck in the mud behind the dish, she feels her personal accomplishments were driven by the camaraderie that she shared with her teammates, opponents and officials of the game.

Herbie's trip to softball success began at an all-girls Catholic school in Chicago in the late 60s and early 70s. There is no way that she could have thought it would end at the Illinois Softball Hall of Fame in Rockford in 2014.

Herbie says, "I was lucky to have played for the Chicagoans for my entire career. In the 1980s the team won 3 Class A State Tournaments and captured a team best 8th Place in the World Tournament."

During her playing years, she was named to two All-Tournament NIT teams and was named to the State All-Tournament team. She sites seeing the Chicagoans team inducted into the 2008 Hall of Honor as being her most thrilling softball event to present.

She contributes that the Chicagoans team was always there for each other, no matter what. The Chicagoans had no real sponsors and we actually had fundraisers, car washes, candy sales, candlelight bowls, whatever it took to raise money to be able to play ball with each other. That team was all about friendship that have spanned over 35 years and am sure those that will last forever.

Herbie states, "I have been fortunate to have played with Hall of Famers like Karen Foley, Jan Wilson, Mary Malpede, Dee Susin, Coach Gloria Kolbusz and the remainder of the Hall of Honor Chicagoans team."

2017 Female Player: Mary Ellen Buckley

Mary Ellen Buckley

Mary Ellen “Buck” Buckley loved the game, loved to compete and hated to lose. Her goal was always about what she could do to help the team win, and she was privileged to play with teammates who shared her passion. There were years when she played 5 nights a week and tournaments every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day when summer ball ended with the World Tournament. But her season didn’t end with summer as she played Fall ball into November.

Buck played in leagues from St. Charles to Milwaukee and countless ball parks in between. She didn’t care how far she had to travel in order to take the field, and she was elated to be playing with the best of the best on Precision Erecting that included Wisconsin Hall of Famer Mary Biondi Kasinski and Laura “Flip” Fillipp, a 1996 Illinois USSSA Hall of Famer and National Hall of Famer.

Buck started her USSSA career in 1978 with teams such as Lee’s Deli, Racine Royals and joined Precision Erecting in 1981, one of the best Class A teams in Wisconsin. Buck and Flip were the only two Illinois players on this Wisconsin-based team, so they not only became teammates but traveling companions and lifelong friends. For six consecutive years Precision Erecting won every league and Wisconsin State Tournament in which they played. They traveled to all the big NITs in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, usually winning or finishing in the top five and occasionally doing it the “hard way” – through the loser’s bracket.

Buck was Precision’s left fielder and lead-off hitter with a .600 batting average and .800 on-base percentage. She was known for taking an extra base whenever she could and lived up to her team’s name when she played for Head First, a league team out of Franklin Park.

Flip sums up her longtime friend, “Buck and Kathy Rile (teammate from Cannon Illusions) were the most competitive people I have ever played with.” That’s quite the compliment as Flip has played with many other National contenders including Steele Sports and Little Caesar’s with many talented athletes.

Mary Ellen also volunteered at numerous USSSA National Youth Clinics in Oklahoma and Virginia for Mildred Burrell, former USSSA Women’s and Youth National Director. It was at these clinics that buck realized how much she enjoyed working with kids, and years later she was able to realize her dream of doing it full time when she gave up working as a Medical Technologist and a medical sales rep to become a science teacher.

Always a competitor at heart, Buck took what she learned on the softball field and applied it to academic competition becoming a Science Olympiad coach during her first year of teaching. Her team won its first of six consecutive Illinois State titles in 2011 and went on to win back-to-back National Championships in 2016 and 2017.

Buck sums up her softball career, “The game of softball taught me about life and was my life in my 20s. I learned about responsibility, time management, organization and the value of friendships. The lessons I learned have shaped who I am as a person and who I am as a coach today.”

2015 Female Player: Meghan Murray

Meghan Murray

Meghan Murray started playing slow pitch softball at the age of five and converted to fast pitch when she entered Minnetonka High School in Minnesota. In her senior year, this starring high school shortstop was awarded a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.

While playing shortstop all four years at Notre Dame, Meghan was a two-time Academic All-American. Under her leadership, The Irish were the Big East Conference Champions three times and she was named the Big East Player of the Year. After graduation she played one year in the Fast Pitch Pro League with Tampa.

Following her fast pitch career she moved to Illinois in 1999 and started playing slow pitch again for such teams as Guervo Gold, Add-a-Bath and Blackhawk Athletic Club. Meghan always played shortstop and maintained a .500 batting average but she doesn’t remember how many home runs she hit over the years besides a couple memorable ones were on the “bigger fences” at Forest Hills Diamonds. 

On an individual level she was chosen to the All-Tournament Teams in National Invitational Tournaments in 2003, 2004 and 2006 while playing with Cuervo Gold and Add-A-Bath. In 2006, 2008 and again in 2009 she was selected to the All-Tournament Team at the Great Lakes National Tournaments. In 2007, while participating in the Mixed State Tournament, she was awarded All-State Team honors. 

Even though Meghan was a great player and a Field Director/Activities Director on and off the field, some of her most treasured memories are those post-game parking lot parties. One of her favorites included five teams (some from out-of-state), 10 umpires and circle of about 70 people - highlighted by a pizza delivery! Playing in front of her family in Minnesota at a Great Lakes National Tournament was another highlight and the “whole team going to her parent’s house for dinner after the game was amazing”. 

“I love softball. I have since I was a young girl. Fast pitch gave me the opportunity to attend and play at Notre Dame, slow-pitch gave me the opportunity to meet and forge lifelong bonds with friends. I’m committed to paying it forward." 

Meghan is now a volunteer coach for the Lake Forest Softball Program and co-chairs the Laurie Wilson Scholarship Fund started after the passing of her dear friend and teammate.  “The Fund raises money and invests it in young student athletes to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in athletics and learn the same life-lessons I’ve learned,” she added.

Meghan retired in 2012 but her name still appears on the Add-a-bath roster every year, just in case! You never know when you’re going to need a pretty good hitting, retired shortstop, a natural team leader and certainly an Activities Director at the ballpark.

Welcome to the IL USSSA Hall of Fame Meghan Murray, you certainly deserve this honor!

2016 Female Player: Casey Clutch-Creakbaum

Casey Clutch-Creakbaum

Remembering the journey is important to Casey Clutch, and staying the course enabled her to keep competing in Women's Fastpitch at the elite level for 11 seasons for the Indiana Slammers (inducted into the 2015 Illinois USSSA Hall of Honor).

Casey joined the Slammers in 2003 after her sophomore year of college as she wanted to feel the fun of playing summer ball again. She quickly became a leader of the team and eventually mentored the younger pitchers along the way. From 2007-2013, the Slammers had a record of 105-12 in USSSA tournaments and Casey's USSSA pitching record was 26-0, with a 1.03 ERA with 14 shutouts in 42 appearances. Her overall record for those same 7 years was 43-2, with a 1.07 ERA with 19 shutouts in 75 appearances.

In USSSA play, Casey is a five-time Women's Illinois State Champion (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), three-time Women's World Series Champion (2008, 2009, 2011) and a 2012 World Series runner-up. She also received numerous USSSA individual awards, including 2012 Illinois State Tournament MVP, 2011 World Series All-Tournament Team, 2009 World Series Outstanding Pitcher and 2009 Illinois State Tournament Team.

At 13, Casey started playing travel ball and was impressed with the pitchers at that level of play, including the ones she had caught that summer. She decided she wanted to learn how to pitch so her high school team could be competitive throughout her career, and she felt she would have more impact on the mound versus behind the plate. She and her dad, John, took their gloves down that journey together and sought pitching instructors and clinic opportunities to learn the craft. Casey learned quickly and handled half of the varsity pitching load her freshman year at Frankton High School in Indiana. In her junior year, she led the team to their first ever State Championship in 2000 (Class 1A).

In 2001, she was named Indy Star Metro North Softball Player of the Year with a high school career record of 64-16, 0.35 ERA, 44 shutouts, 900 K's, 10 no-hitters and 3 perfect games, along with a .431 batting average.

Casey's career continued as a 4-year starting D-1 pitcher at the University of Evansville with the team winning the 202 Missouri Valley Conference tournament and a trip to the NCAA regionals. In UE history, Casey is 4th in wins with 47, 3rd in shutouts with 16 and 4th in saves with 5. Casey was a two-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and named to the 2004 MVC All-Tournament Team.

In 2002, she was selected at an open tryout to attend the USA Women's National Team Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Pitching for and against Olympic players was an amazing experience and a spectacular opportunity.

Casey graduated cum laude in 2005 with a BS in exercise science from UE and graduated summa cum laude in 2007 with a MS in kinesiology from Texas Women's University with an emphasis in coaching. She is a 4-star NFCA Master Coach.

Even though she is retired from playing, Casey continues to be involved in softball by providing softball instruction through her business Clutch Athletic Performance, Inc.

Casey lives in Fishers, IN with her husband Eddie Creakbaum and their two sons Eli (5) and Alex (1).