2023 Male Player: Ryan Thiede

This North Aurora first baseman/Additional Hitter started playing slowpitch after playing college baseball. In 2002 he started participating in local leagues. In 2003 he played C/D with Icehouse Dogs and the Fury. By 2004 Ryan made the jump to Class B with a local team, Creative Design. After one season with Creative he joined the Rope Club.  

After the 2005 season he was asked to play with KA Softball where he stayed for two seasons. This was the turning point in his USSSA Conference career. 

In 2008 Ryan joined Rope Club (A/B) in which he was 5th in the nation with a .773 on base percentage earning him All Conference honors. After the 2008 Men’s Major World Series Ryan was approached by John Daniels of Long Haul Softball Club a Major team. After one season with Long Haul, he was asked to play for one of the most premier teams in Major ball at the time, Dan Smith Softball out of California. With Dan Smith he represented Louisville Slugger and marked a .763 on base percentage earning him first team All-Conference honors.  

After an unexpected split Ryan transitioned back to Class A playing for long time sponsor (2018 IL USSSA Hall of Famer in the Sponsor Category), Eric Weller of EWS. In that year this slugger hit .750 placing him in the top ten in the nation once again.  

After putting up those numbers Ryan was asked to play Major softball once again by National USSSA Hall of Famer, Brett Helmer of Laser Vision Softball. There Ryan played two years winning a Major World Series in 2013.  

2014 would mark his last season of Conference softball and local team, Precision of Joliet, ran by fellow 2017 IL Hall of Famer William Wax. In his last season Ryan would win his second World Seies Championship earning All World Tournament honors. 

From 2006-2014 Ryan was a 16-time All-Tournament Team member and a two time All World Tournament selection. Ryan also served as a player representative for bat manufactures, Louisville Slugger, Miken Sports, and Easton Sports.   

2023 Male Player: Don Schlenbecker

Don Schlenbecker from Elk Grove Village played USSSA softball for 10 years, starting with Players INC in 1998. He joined KA Softball in 2001 and quickly jumped into the 2 spot in the lineup where he would remain for the next 7 seasons roaming the outfield with Dave Shaff and Lincoln Adams for 99.9% of the games. In his time with KA, he regularly hit over .700 en route to winning multiple All-Tournament Team selections and Offensive MVPs at the State, NIT, and National levels.  

Between 2001 and 2007 KA placed in the top 3 of over 50% of all tournaments they played in, and Don credits this to the type of players that embodied KA Softball. “We always knew that we would compete at the highest level, because when you prepare like our players did, your confidence remains high and steady even in the challenging times. Our guys just worked harder at their craft and stepped into their roles with more confidence than most of the teams we played.”  

Don greatest memories are the relationships that were built with the many players that came and went during his time on the field. He is extremely grateful for Pete Digioia and Players Inc Softball for introducing him to the game. “Pete is a lifelong friend, and a true leader in the softball community.” He appreciates the opportunity that was given to him to play for KA Softball by Ken Adams and Dave Shaff, and he feels blessed to have been a part of a group of guys who became family on the road, and to have been a little piece of Illinois softball that helped lay the foundation for where the younger players have taken it. 

2023 Male Player: Mike "Mac"McCormick

Mike "Mac" McCormick began playing USSSA Softball in its infancy in 1976 in the USSSA Class C program. Two of those teams were USSSA Class C State Champions. He would move to the Class B level with Hollywood, Body Language, and Rogers' Drywall, participating in A and B tournaments. 

“Mac” also played in the two best leagues in Rockford, one being the Thursday Night Challenge Cup League at Forest Hills Diamonds which was considered one of the top softball leagues in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. He had a career batting average of .610 and played in numerous All-Star Games.

His first Class C State Title came in 1981 with Whalen Construction, followed by the 1983 Class C State Title with Lithuanian Club, when he received defensive and All-Tournament honors. In 1984, he played the outfield for the Mixed Competitive NIT Co-Rec team, "Port-o-Let", which went on to defeat Steeles' of Ohio for a NIT title, collecting All-Tournament honors. Mac said, “The Co-Rec tourney was memorable because the team was put together in a few short weeks. We wanted to field a team that would be competitive.” 

Mac’s biggest thrill came in 1987 while playing with Rogers' Drywall and winning the Class B State Title against a tough and scrappy St. Claire “A’s” team from Southern Illinois. Mac went on to receive All-State and All-Tournament honors. 

“Being selected and inducted into the Hall of Fame would not be possible if not for my family, friends, and teammates that surrounded me all those playing years. I am truly honored to be part of the USSSA Slo-Pitch Hall of Fame. Without the USSSA Softball Organization and its people, us ex-high school and college players would not have had a place to go and retire. It was a great alternative to this game we loved to play.” 

2022 Male Player: Curtis Stewart

Curtis Stewart, Plainfield, IL

Curt “Stew” Stewart was born and raised in Joliet, IL. He spent much of his childhood at the ballfield, playing little league and watching his dad Jim Stewart, play softball for teams like Malnar’s Tap and the FOP. Curt learned early on that there is no substitute for hard work. His upbringing taught him the importance of preparation and effort, things that helped him earn a scholarship to play NCAA Division I baseball at the University of Louisville and later became a nationally renowned softball player.

Dave Catalani (Cat), the manager of Ken’s Beverage, Inc. (KBI) and fellow Hall-of-Famer, first asked Stew to play for his softball team in 2010. That invitation led to a ten year run that saw Stew go from playing locally at the D level to being classified as a Major Player and competing nationally at the highest level. After beginning his career as an infielder, primarily playing first base, he moved to catcher in recent years. Cat described Stew’s approach to the game as “100% commitment” and “always prepared”.

An imposing offensive player with excellent base hitting ability and prolific power, Stew has accumulated a lifetime OBA of .725 and over 1000 home runs in tournament and league play. He has numerous All-Tournament and MVP accolades at the conference level, following All-State and All-National honors earlier in his career. Stew has been recognized as an All-World Series team member at the A, AA, and Major levels and is a two-time All-Conference USSSA honoree. Beyond the awards, Stew was recognized by Bryan Voss, a Conference USSSA umpire, as “One of the genuine players I have ever met and umpired. He has a respect for the game and those around him. A flat-out gamer!!! Plays big when it’s big. Period”.

Over the years Stew has played for teams such as KBI (IL), H-Auto, LLC (MN), Precision (IL), Eurotech (MN), OA Apparel (IL), TDB (NC), and Xtreme (MN). He recognizes his managers and sponsors for giving him the opportunity to compete at this level. In his opinion, KBI is the premier sponsor in Illinois USSSA history. Ken Reimer’s generosity has provided countless players - many of whom are now Hall-of-Famers - a place to play for decades. To simply thank Ken and Cat would be a massive understatement. Stew might not be speaking about his IL USSSA Hall of Fame induction today.

In addition to the franchises that helped him to thrive in the softball world, Stew is thankful for his wife Jen, and mom Amy, who offer unwavering support in all he does. He is especially appreciative of HOF’er Jim “Tank” Kersten for endless hours of batting practice, advice, and encouragement. Tank is the best teammate a player could ask for. After years spent together on and off the field, Tank calls Stew “[a] true professional from his preparation to game performance Curt Stewart exemplifies the embodiment of what every athlete strives to become: A Player!”

Stew looks forward to making the next decade of softball even more successful than his first.

2022 Male Player: Jamie Mackert

Jamie Mackert, Minooka, IL

Jamie Mackert played USSSA softball for 11 years, beginning with the Grim Reapers in 1997. He played shortstop and batted in the middle of the lineup for KA Softball from 2001 through 2007. He compiled a batting average of over .650 and hit over 500 home runs. At shortstop, he anchored the defense with his sure-handed fielding. He won MVP awards at the National, State and National Invitational level, as well as numerous All-Tournament Team selections including Class B All-World Tournament Team in 2004 and 2006.

Jamie recalls playing with many great players over the years and learning the game from fellow IL USSSA Hall of Famers, like Larry Shepard, Bill Sahagian, Jim Cushing, Jerry Pietryk, and Al Van Gampler. He recalls being part of “The Four Horsemen”with KA Softball along with Lincoln Adams, Don Schlenbecker and Bruce Rhines plus other close teammates Dave Shaff and Don Vleck. Jamie’s biggest memories were finishing second in the USSSA B World twice (2004 & 2006) and winning both the Illinois B State and Michigan B State Tournaments in the same year. “We were invited to play in the Michigan B State in order to add to the competition and we ended up winning it!”

For Jamie, the most satisfying part of the USSSA competition was the national respect gained in the KA Softball years. Plus, “We always felt that somehow we would manage to win!”

2022 Male Player: Steve Lane

Steve Lane, Johnsburg, IL

“One of the most feared number two hitters of his time. Steve “Laner” Lane hit seond for such great teams as Hiller and Hamm, Pit Stop, Joe Black’s, and many others. His automatic ability to hit to the right side enabled many a leadoff man to reach third base; “setting up great starts to games” said Tom Starck, manager, Joe Black’s Softball Club.

Steve started his 40-year USSSA career in 1977. Having played for Joe Black’s, Hiller & Hamm, Dill Brothers, Second Federal Savings, and Monkeys. Steve spent most of his time playing second base and showing his strength in the batter’s box. With over 4,000 home runs and countless number of RBIs, Steve could always be counted on to put the ball in play and make things happen on the base paths. He ended his career with a lifetime batting average of .675. Over the years, Steve won many All-Tournament and MVP awards. With the Monkeys, he received MVP in a Class D Tournament, in his years with Hiller & Hamm he received an All-Tournament in Class B and an All-Tournament in Class A. While playing with Dill Brothers, he received an All-Tournament in Class C, earned the team MVP, and another MVP in Class C. Over his years with Joe Black’s, he received 5 All-Tournament Awards.

Steve played in ten Divisional and National Tournaments between Joe Black’s, Pit Stop and Hiller & Hamm. The most exciting event in his USSSA career was in 1992 with the Hiller & Hamm Team winning the World Championship Class B in Detroit, Michigan. Steve also recalls beating the Men of Steel in the Major NIT in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to qualify for the AA World Tournament.

On September 3, 1983 the Sheboygan Press said that runs were easy to come by for Dill Brothers of Zion, Illinois and shared a picture of Steve receiving congratulations from his coach for the first of three homers on the day. This one, a three-run blast in the first inning.

On August 20, 1998 the News Sun reported the New Champion is a Real Powerhouse. “Steve Lane of the Grover/Bud Light/Harbor House team smashes one of his two home runs over the fence at Belvidere Park’s south diamond on Wednesday night in the Championship game of the Waukegan City Softball Playoffs. Lane drove in seven runs in his team’s 39-14 victory.”

These articles are just a small portion of the accolades that Steve has accumulated throughout his career. Steve is grateful for being inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame. He believes that USSSA is a great organization for promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and character building throughout the game. His love for the game is unmatched and is passed along to future generations throughout his family; who he holds as his greatest treasure.

2019 Male Player: Art Reboletti

Art Reboletti

Art Reboletti has played over 25 years of USSSA softball starting at the age of 20. His tournament career started with The Gamblers, and moved quickly landing a spot on The Kings the following year. Art first saw The Kings playing against them in a Bensenville league. He knew that was the team he would get himself on and was achieved by the end of that season. He spent the remainder of his career playing with the nucleus of that team moving to other teams such as the Screwballs, Rogers Drywall, Shockers, Tron Piping, Ken Adams Softball, and Ken’s Beverage.

Art is an incredible athlete and absolutely dominated on the pitcher’s mound. His glove was unmatched up the middle. He would cover second on force plays allowing his defenders to play a deep infield. His love of competition and devotion to making himself a better player never diminished. “I was so fortunate to play on the teams that I did, we all had the same dedication to the game never missing a weekend to play. We all made sacrifices to play, missing family events, weddings and so on… but that’s what it takes to excel!”

He was a part of 5 State Championship wins, several runners-up, numerous Regional and World Tournaments with exceptional finishes. He has several All Tournament and MVP awards to back his game up. He boasted a .650 plus average with over 500 home runs. One year with Rogers Drywall hitting over .750 for the season. 

Bill Sahagian will be the first to tell you how hard Art worked at his game taking countless rounds of batting practice. (Although he would not shag balls before games because he did not want to get his feet wet in the morning and evening dew!) Bill was my mentor and I owe so much of my success to him teaching me how to play and love this game the right way. “I was blessed to play with Bill, his brother Jeff Sahagian, Jim Walsh, Jim Cushing, these are some of the finest players and was an honor to be on the field with them.”

2019 Male Player: Ron Funderberg

Ron “T-Bird” Funderberg

Written by Pete Williams – Manager/Coach Lilly Air Systems (1996 IL USSSA HOF Inductee) 

Ron Funderberg is THE softball player from Waukegan, Illinois. He specializes in two things; hitting and pitching. I first saw him play when my team from Deerfield, the Hilltoppers, started playing in the Waukegan house league, says Pete Williams, former manager and coach.

Waukegan was probably the most competitive league in Illinois although some people from Rockford might doubt that. Anyway, there are a lot of great players in the league, but it did not take me long to figure out that Ron ‘T-Bird’ Funderberg was the best. He would regularly hit high fly balls over the fence and above the adjacent building. Over the years, I have seen many home run hitters, but none that provided the defence in the field like T-Bird.

T-Bird was a pitcher who could throw high arc in an ASA league and keep the ball at the 3-foot level when playing USSSA. His skills as a defender was that he would back up quickly after pitching the ball and get in the crouched position ready to field ground balls heading his way. This, along with his wide body stance, would almost eliminate all the players that would try to hit the ball up the middle. In fact, when playing ASA, he would go back so far that often he would take the throw from middle infielders on force plays at second base.

In the years we played in the Waukegan League as the Hilltoppers and later as Lilly Air Systems, I continued to try and recruit him to play with our team. But he was loyal and continued to play with his team Big Al’s and with his buddy, John Foster. However, when John Lilly decided to sponsor and play for a team on a National level, T-Bird was one of the first players we selected to help us win tournaments on weekends all over the country.

In 1980, Lilly won enough tournaments to qualify the play in the USSSA World Series in Concord, California. With the help of T-Bird and others of his skill, we were able to finish fourth in the country. In 984, we were one of the 80 teams to qualify for the ASA Men’s Major World Tournament in Dallas, Texas. With T-Bird pitching and timely hitting and the rest of the talented team members, Lilly went 7-0 and captured the World Championship at the Major Level.

T-Bird’s playing days didn’t end with Lilly Air Systems, however. The Bird then joined Joe Black’s Softball Club and continued his prowess on the mound, helping them attain National success as well. Softball has been a big part of T-Bird’s life and he deserves the honor given to him tonight, inducting him into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2019 Male Player: Lincoln Adams

Lincoln Adams

Growing up, Lincoln Adams used to watch his brothers play for the Rockford Lithuanian Club. He never imagined that he would one day play softball at an elite level, traveling the country playing softball… for free! He was just a kid playing basketball for Aurora University when he started playing softball with his brothers on the Bulldogs out of Crystal Lake. He next received an opportunity to play with Steve Lane, Jim Phad and Terry Speed on Team Easton from Joliet.

Linc’s most exciting memory was how he got his start on Ken Adams Softball team. Dave Shaff tells the story that Ken wanted him to “take a look” at Linc, a centerfielder. Dave told Ken, “I’m the centerfielder for Ken Adams Softball.” After Dave watched Linc play a few innings, Dave told Ken to get Lincoln and that he would be okay moving to right field. 

Linc also remembers the first time he played in a USSSA World Tournament with Ken Adams Softball, He was playing with a lot of future Hall of Famers, while learning the game of softball. He remembers going in to run for Jimmy Walsh (HOF 2015) and finishing the game in centerfield. Linc learned a lot from the likes of Dave Shaff (HOF 2015), Bill Sahagian (HOF 2005), Don Vlcek (HOF 2014), and Jim Cushing (HOFF 1998).

Over the time Linc spent with KA Softball, he felt it was awesome to play in some of the biggest tournaments in the country each year. He especially remembers the Dudley in Minnesota and the Music City in Nashville, and numerous trips to Liberty Park in Michigan. One of the big thrills was playing in the USSSA Major World Series in the stadium at Disney ESPN Wide World of Sports. Linc remembers when KA traveled out of state, other teams couldn’t believe that everybody on the team was from the same area, as most teams had players from multiple states. 

Unfortunately, Linc missed a lot of family weddings over the years, but had a great time spending those weekends with some great groups of guys, many of whom are still good friends. Those friendships played a big part in Lincoln turning down an opportunity to play with a Major team. It was an easy decision when he knew how much his teammates relied upon and had invested in him.

Lincoln recalls that the USSSA was always regarded as the cream of the crop organization, one that everyone looked forward to playing at the end of the season in the USSSA World Tournaments. He wishes he could have played the years earlier, prior to the advent of the super bats. He believes that would have made playing centerfield a lot more fun with a good ball and single wall bats. Linc says the game has taken on a false identity for some over the years.

2018 Male Player: Joe Speaker

Joe Speaker

Joe Speaker’s love of softball was created at an early age, right out of high school. He began playing in the Joliet Park District Church League.

“I lived for Monday nights back then,” Speaker said.

This team, in a few short years, played in the championship game of the Prestigious Joliet City Tournament.

“Even though we got beat, my desire to get better and play better competition grew,” he said.

In the 1980s, Speaker played with Jim’s Peppers (C Level) and Brown and Lambrecht (A/B Level), where he was introduced to the USSSA game. He played with many of the best players in Illinois, and team and individual success followed.

In 1989, Speaker began playing for the Fraternal Order of Police in Joliet. He played on eight city championship teams in the 90s. That winter, he was invited to join the Bank of Westmont.

“I credited the players and managers on the Brown and Lambrecht, FOP and Bank of Westmont teams for teaching me the game of softball,” Speaker said. “Keeping the team involved and playing well was much more important that individual play.”

Playing on the Bank of Westmont, Mid-America Concrete, Belchers, Kings, Illusions, Tron Piping and Ken’s Beverage, Speaker was on numerous State Championship teams. While enjoying much success at the World Tournament level, mostly in A and B divisions, there was never a National Championship.

In 1994, Speaker began playing in the USSSA 35 & Over division. Numerous State Tournaments were won with great sponsors like the Bank of Westmont, Mid-America Concrete, Tron Piping and KBI. Then, in 1996 and 1997 they won back-to-back World Series titles in the 35 & Over division.

“The ‘95 win was by far my greatest softball memory,” Speaker said. “To come back and beat Mountain Top twice was unbelievable.”

Speaker hit over .600 in his USSSA career with over 700 home runs. He was also an excellent defensive first baseman.

“The USSSA is the big leagues of softball,” Speaker said. “Tournaments were always organized and well run.”

“I was blessed to play for great sponsors, great coaches, with great teammates and a great family,” he said. “Team success had to come before individual honors, and wow, did I play for some great ones.”

You’re still winning, Joe, by being inducted into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame. Congratulations!

2018 Male Player: John Van Gennep

John Van Gennep

My name is John Van Gennep. I have played softball and coached since 1984. USSSA has always been my favorite organization. In fact, I am at the USSSA Girl’s USA Elite Select World Fast Pitch Tournament in Kansas City writing this in between games.

After playing professional baseball with the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox, I was introduced to the game of 12-inch softball. For the next 24 years, I played on some great teams. Calumet Lift Truck and Lorenzetti’s were the two main teams, but early on I played for the Sticks, Desperados and one year with Class AA Lansing Glass.

A few years when I was single, we played as many as 200 games a summer. It was my life at that time and I loved it. I won many awards over the years including MVPs, All-Tournament Team and Most Home Runs in a State Tournament in Rockford in 1989. I also received numerous All-Tournament teams at other State Championships as well as National Championships. I still have a trophy case filled with awards from softball both playing and coaching. I also won several home run titles in the leagues we played. I never kept track of exactly how many home runs I had, but I have to say it was well over 800. I figured in 24 years of playing, I know I averaged well over 30 home runs a year, so it could be well over, but it does not matter really. What really matters is that I left my mark in the game I loved.

My main position was outfield as I always had a good arm and could through people out from the outfield especially when I was young. I also played third base for a while but really loved the outfield as I was blessed with having good speed. Toward the end of my career, I also played co-ed softball and that was fun as well. We won the State Title and NITs several times while playing in that program.

I had a great career and played with some remarkable athletes over the years. When softball was starting to be a reason to go to the bar instead of winning, I decided it was time to get into coaching.

For the past 11 years, I have been coaching and now live in the kids that I coach. I have run the Lincoln-Way Storm girls softball program for past 11 years and coach the Dirt Devil Elite Girls Fast Pitch Team, which is why I am in Kansas City at the Nationals. We have helped each girl on our team get a college offer to play at the college level. That is very exciting to give back to the kids and watch them go on and play at the collegiate level, and know I have helped others achieve their dreams. I also coach high school softball at Lincoln-Way East and prior to that at Providence Catholic High School.

My favorite tournaments were in Rockford. We always loved playing USSSA softball at Brenda’s tournaments. We always had the time of our life there, and they always put on great tournaments and treated everyone with the hospitality above and beyond what any other tournaments had.

I had the luxury of coaching my daughter for a while, and she went on to get a full ride to play ball in Florida. I will tell you that she is even better than I ever was as a player, and has broken many records both hitting and pitching in college. I always told my kids as well as players, “Leave your mark wherever you go. How do you want to be remembered when it’s all said and done?”

I am not here to brag about my daughter, but I promise you one thing, if you ask her what her favorite tournaments were, she would say without a doubt the Rockford tournaments. That is tribute to all that Brenda has done for the game of softball, and we cannot thank her enough for all they have done for the game.

USSSA is where I played the majority of my softball, and now I get to coach the kids in the same organization that I loved to play in. I always loved hitting in USSSA because it had the lower arch and always had two umpires and was just a class organization. Softball is a great game and I am blessed to be a part of a great organization. I hope to continue to coach if I am physically able. It keeps me young and I just love giving back to the kids and helping them achieve the greatness that I once had.

It is an honor to be chosen to be a part of the Hall of Fame in the USSSA organization. I know that I practiced what I preach to everyone, and that is to go out and leave a mark at whatever you do in life.

This award makes me proud and proves that hard work does pay off. It’s an honor and I am forever grateful for being a Hall of Famer with the greatest organization in the world.

“John, you’ve been a great competitor as a player and as your daughter’s coach and continuing as the Devil’s coach, still competitive yet always the gentleman. Thanks for all you’ve given as a player and coach. You are most worthy of this award and welcome to the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame,” Brenda Paulson said.

2018 Male Player: Scott Opels

Scott Opels

Scott Opels softball career started while he was playing with his two cousins, Jeff and Rick Wulbecker. It was there he started to learn the game of softball and the importance of teamwork and being a great teammate. These things would stay with him for his whole career.

Opels was lucky enough to play on some very talented teams in his career: Sports Page, The Page, Y Not Inn, HRI, Ken’s Beverage, KA Softball, Creative Design and KBI. While on these teams, Opels got to play with some great teammates, who became lifelong friends. He was also able to play against some for the best players, not only in Illinois, but the entire country.

Opels’s career was a two-part act. He started as a second baseman and then moved to shortstop to try to fill the shoes of Timmy Hart. Then, when he moved to play with HRI, he became a pitcher for the rest of his career.

Being a physical education teacher and coach, Opels understands the importance of the people in charge of running teams. He feels very lucky to have been able to play for: Harvey Foster, Greg Marek, Brian Nielsen, Keith Taylor, Alex Wanless, Ken Adams, Don Loid, Dave Catalani and Massimo Piazzolla.

Besides the games and tournaments, Opels recalls all the work that went into getting ready to play, whether it was batting practice in Joliet before a league game, meeting Pete Mulligan after to work at some open field to hit, hitting whiffle balls with Jim Kersten and Shane Nelson or talking his wife Janet into pitching to him or hitting him ground balls. All these things were done to be ready to play his best in tournaments.

Opels probably batted in the neighborhood of .650 for his career and may be one of the few softball players who can remember every home run he has ever hit.

Some of Opels’s favorite game memories are: winning his first State Tournament in O’Fallon beating HRI and being named MVP, finishing second in the Class B World with KA Softball and being named Defensive MVP and finally winning the 40 & Over Worlds with Ken’s Beverage. He was named to the All-Tournament team.

2018 Male Player: Dave Shortz

Dave Shortz

“Shortzy,” a DeKalb native, has spent 30 years participating in USSSA play, catching behind the plate in numerous Worlds, National and State Championship contests. His individual home run count of over 2,000 is unequaled by few within the Illinois USSSA program. His numerous All-World, All-National (NIT) and All-State honors provides a resume that reaches as far as some of his long home runs.

His contributions to the game and to the teams he has participated with are numerous, as he is the definition of camaraderie and leadership on such outstanding AA, A and B teams such as RMA, Joe Black’s, The Lantern and Burla Construction. He has also contributed to outstanding play on co-ed and senior softball teams in World Tournament play.

“The USSSA has enhanced the game of softball over the years,” Shortz said.

He has also participated on the Chicago-based team, The Chicago Storm. He feels that his association with the good teams of the USSSA has helped land him in the Illinois Hall of Fame. The participation with great ball players has helped him get better over the years.

It may be hard to believe, but Shortz had controversy with an umpire after he was caught leaving first base early in a game in Wisconsin. It seems his tone of disapproval created a double pump ejection and a cry of “You’re out of here!” from the umpire. As Shortz removed himself from the field of play, he remarked, “That was one of the best throw outs I have ever experienced!”

Dave now gets to experience getting thrown into the Illinois Hall of Fame!

1996 Male Player: Jim Yeager

Jim Yeager

The 270-pound line drive hitter averaged .650 with 750 home runs over his career. Jim Yeager, a third baseman, was All-State three times, All-World twice and MVP of three NITs.

1996 Male Player: Tom Spahn

Tom Spahn

Called by some “the best all-around player in the 12-inch professional league,” Tom Spahn played at a level that would be considered “major” today. The line drive hitting left center fielder hit over 600 home runs to go with a .637 lifetime average.

1996 Male Player: Clancy Horn

Clancy Horn

A second baseman, Clancy Horn hit .686 with a 1,840 home runs over his 17-year career. His ball sense and clutch hitting made him the most exciting Rockford player to watch in the 70s and 80s.

1996 Male Player: Curt Dusek

Curt Dusek

Considered the prototype leadoff hitter, the left center fielder possessed speed and base running prowess to go with a .715 lifetime batting average. His speed allowed his team the option of using a three-man outfield. Besides playing for many 12-inch teams, Dusek played on four National Championship Bobcat 16-inch teams.

1997 Male Player: Al Van Gampler

Al Van Gampler

A shortstop whose defensive abilities were recognized by all who knew the game of slow pitch softball, Al Van Gampler also filled in as both a pitcher and outfielder over a 16-year career. A career .675 hitter, Van Gampler hit more than 300 home runs.

He played ball for Malnars Tap (Joliet), Lilly Air Systems (Itasca) and Joe Blacks (Highland).

Van Gampler played in five USSSA Major World Series. His 1985 Lilly Air Systems team, arguably the best ever from the state of Illinois, was ranked as high as fourth in the country by the National USSSA.

He twice won the Best Defensive Player award in USSSA Major NITs and was named to numerous USSSA Major NIT All-Tournament teams. A five-time Illinois Class A All-State team member, Van Gampler was named MVP of both the 1984 and 1987 Open A State Tournaments.

In 1996, he came out of retirement to play with Tron Piping, winning the USSSA 35 & Over Major World Title and again earning USSSA World All-Tournament team honors.

1997 Male Player: Dan Prater

Dan Prater

An outfielder with a lifetime batting average over .600, Dan Prater was a power hitter with more than 1,000 home runs hit during his 17-year USSSA career.

Prater played for Crowther Roofing/Buske Electric (1978), Burla Construction (1979-1986), Brown & Lambrecht (1987), Joe Blacks (1988), Acutron (1989), Bank of Westmont (1990-1991), Joliet Merchants (1992), Belchers Constructions (1993-1994) and his last year with Mid America Concrete (1995).

Prater was named to two All-World teams, played on five Illinois State Championship teams, named State MVP three times, named All-State six times and was once named USSSA Open All-Regional.

Prater once hit eight consecutive home runs at the Milwaukee USSSA Major Qualifier, winning the home run title with 11 in just four games. He is a member of the 1996 Men’s Major 35 & Over World Championship team Tron Piping, as well as an All-World selection.

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.