1998 Male Player: Jim Cushing

Jim Cushing

Jim Cushing batted lead-off and played left field for the 1996 and 1997 USSSA Master’s 35 & Over Major World Champions. His teams have won four other National & World Titles in both the ASA and NSA programs. Cushing was also named to three USSSA All-World teams at the 1995, 1996 and 1997 USSSA Master’s 35 & Over Major World Tournaments, as well as four more All-World/National teams in other national associations.

Three times, he was voted MVP of a National/World Tournament, including the 1997 USSSA Master’s 35 & Over Major World Tournament. Also, he was twice named MVP of Illinois USSSA State Tournaments, Men’s Class B in 1995 and Open Fall State in 1994.

Cushing has won three Gold Gloves at the 1986 Men’s Class B Qualifier, 1994 USSSA Men’s Class B State and 1995 Ottawa 14-inch Open.

Nine times, Cushing was named to a USSSA All-State Tournament team for his play at these tournaments, where his teams accumulated seven Illinois USSSA State Titles.

Known as a singles hitter, he once hit three consecutive home runs in a USSSA World Qualifying tournament with the last one coming in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game.

“Cush” has been named to the All-American Touch and Flag Football Team four times. He is currently passing along some of his knowledge of softball by helping his good friend and head coach, Ron Havelka, as a part-time assistant for the girls’ varsity softball team at Downers Grove South High School.