2009 Male Player: Randy Torgerson
/Randy Torgerson
Randy began his playing career right out of high school in 1973 with the Prairie Moon team from Rockford, followed by participation in the “Classic A League” at Churchill Park with the competitive team of Ken Becker in 1974.
In 1975, he joined the ranks of another outstanding team, Diamond Bar, before finding success with the Class B World Championship Forest Hills team in 1976. The next season, he participated with Bullards before playing with what Randy says was the best team he ever played on, the Rockfod Stars, from 1978 through the 1982 season.
In 1985, as a member of the RMA squad, Randy was selected to the All-World team as the leadoff batter for the Class B Divisional Champions.
In 1986, he began playing for Rogers Drywall, which finished as state runners-up prior to becoming State Champions in 1987 where he earned an All-Tournament selection and Gold Glove award as the best defensive player while playing right-centerfield.
“None of this would have been possible without the USSSA organization. They always put on the best tournaments and they always had quality umpires at all of their events.”
In 1993, he again received the best defensive player award at the B state tournament, while continuing to make the Forest Hills Thursday Night “Challenge Cup” League All-League team for the 11th time.
Randy was always the type of player that set the table for those behind him in the batting order as he did what it took to either move runners or get on base for the big hitters behind him.
He admits that he played with some very terrific players over the years, as he mentioned a few Hall of Fame inductees such as Yeager, Shives and Horn, while also admitting, “None of this would have been possible without the USSSA organization. They always put on the best tournaments and they always had quality umpires at all of their events.”
When it comes to great softball memories Randy says, “It would have to be beating the defending national championship team (Snyder’s) and winning the World
Championship.”
There is no doubt that his strong accurate arm propelled him into the Illinois Hall of Fame.