1998 Male Player: Ben Holt

Ben Holt

Ben Holt played USSSA softball for 15 of his 36-year playing career. He was a catcher and power hitter who would keep people in the stands just to see him take one more swing.

Bill Veeck, the late owner of the Chicago White Sox, once held a home run hitting contest at the old Comiskey Park. The contestants hit 16-inch softballs from second base between the games of a double header. Taking his turn in front of thousands of people, he put a 16-inch softball into the upper deck in left-centerfield. A hit that Veeck often marveled about until his death.

The Professional Softball league had a Chicago entry in the late-70s and promptly signed Holt to a contract. In his first year, he became the only player in the Professional Softball League’s history to win the Triple Crown.

His greatest thrill in softball came in North Carolina when he stroked a game-winning home run for Steele’s at the USSSA Men’s World Series.

Three times, he was named to the USSSA All-Tournament team at the Men’s Class A level (the highest level at the time), including the 1979 World Tournament in North Carolina.

Holt’s teams included: Hillcrest Tavern, The Lantern, Taylor Brothers, Chicago Storm, Steele’s, Jerry’s Catering and Lilly Air Freight.