2015 Male Player: Steve Schwartz

Steve Schwartz

After playing USSSA softball for 23 years, Steve Schwartz retired having amassed 575 home runs while hitting .600. Spook, as his friends called him, played for perennial winners such as First National Bank of Waterloo/Miller Lite and 1st State Bank of Red Bud.

Primarily a shortstop during his career, Steve was versatile enough to also play outfield and first base. He grew up playing against Hall of Famers Dwayne Laws, Greg Jones, Roy Brockmeyer, Mike O’Connor, Mike Kueker and Denny Albert. Only a year out of high school he was named MVP of the Red Bud league while playing against some of the previously mentioned players.

He considers joining them in the Hall of Fame to be a great honor. Some of his fondest memories include winning the Co-Ed State Tournament with a no name team and being named the MVP. Ranking high on his list is the fifth-place finish in the C National in Louisville, a tournament he feels they could have won.

Steve thinks the game of softball is a great game, but the bats and ball shave diminished the importance of defense and hitting. His team placed in 12 straight tournaments due to timely hitting and great defense. He considers himself and average player and loves the competition while not striving for individual accomplishments. He was considered a team player with winning being the most important statistic.