1999 Male Player: Mick Balestri

Mick Balestri

In 1989, Mick Balestri’s team, Bridgeport Crush, captured the first-ever USSSA Class A 16-inch World Title in Sturdevant, Wisconsin, and in 1995, the Crush also won the last USSSA Class A 16-inch World Title in Joliet, Illinois as he pitched a one-hitter in the title game.

Balestri was named MVP of both of those USSSA Class A tournaments. In between, in 1992, his Luciano’s Gamblers team also won the USSSA Class A 16-inch World Title, and again, Balestri was named MVP.

A pitcher, manager and number three hitter in the lineup was known to drive the ball into the opposite field and use his bat control to execute the hit and run. He would use any 16-inch player in the game to help give his team an advantage over their opponent in a game.

In 1992 at the USSSA Class A World Tournament, Balestri pitched four shutouts for Luciano’s Gamblers, and they captured the World Title that season. In 1993, he was named MVP of the USSSA Men’s 16-Inch Major State Tournament in Orland Park, Illinois. Two times, Balestri was named MVP of a Major 16-inch league and twice he was named MVP of a Class A 16-inch league. His teams have also finished in the top eight teams at four USSSA State Tournaments, and in the top three at two other USSSA 16-inch World Tournaments.

In 1989, at the USSSA Class A 16-inch World Tournament, he was named as the manager of the All-World team. He has played in a total of nine USSSA 16-inch World Tournaments and eight USSSA 16-inch State Tournaments. He describes his greatest thrill in softball as winning the first ever USSSA Class A 16-inch World Tournament and being named MVP of that event.

As a player, he always took pride in his defense and leadership. He has enjoyed being able to play USSSA softball at the different stadiums and complexes all over the Midwest. A back injury in 1994 has limited his playing time, but he remains an active manager.