2011 Male Player: Burgess M. Watts

Burgess M. Watts

Being recognized as a team player perhaps is Burgess Watt's biggest reward, as this fiercely competitive shortstop/pitcher demands 100% from his teammates and has little interest in individual awards. Even though he has hit over 800 home runs in his 18-year career, he considers his defensive prowess and on-field leadership as his most contributing factors to his team's success stories.

After graduation from Wheaton Central High School, he went to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL to play football, but after just one season, it was clear that his love for baseball was his true passion. This is when he transferred to the College of DuPage and following 2 great seasons with the Chaparrals on the diamond, it resulted in him being drafted in the 19th round of the 1990 MLB draft by the LA Dodgers.

This notoriety resulted in him being asked to begin his slow pitch participation with The Thunder from Aurora in 1993. This team only lost 5 games during the 1994 season that resulted in The Thunder capturing the Class C State Championship and finishing 2nd in the Divisional.

Following this success, Burgess found himself playing major with the Joe Black's team for the next 6 seasons, before stints with Home Run Inn, Ken Adams and Shenanigans. He presently is a member of the Ken Beverage squad that captured the Joliet National Invitational this past season.

Burgess has played with some very outstanding players and names Al Van Gampler, Joe Ambrose, Dan Prater, Scott McDaniel, Larry Sheppard and Brian Schultz as just a few that he has shared the diamoned with. He also thanks Irv Porter, Tom Stark, Ken Adams and Dan Catalcini for being his managers.

Burgess's most memorable experience was participating in the USSSA Men's Major World Series with Joe Blacks, even though they did not play as well as they had hoped. He, however, realizes the USSSA has provided him the ability to travel and meet some of the best players in the game, while also blessing him with many friends that he hopes to keep for along time. In addition, he thanks God for his abilities, his wife (Pamala) and the kids for their understanding why he was gone every weekend during the spring and summer, and his mother and father for introducing him to the game of baseball as a kid and support to this day.

2011 Male Player: Ronnie L. Bievenue

Ronnie L. Bievenue

Ronnie Bievenue played every game as it was a title game and inspired his teammates to excel above and beyond their capabilities many times. Without a doubt, Ronnie was a dominating force in Southern Illinois USSSA softball for 20 seasons.

Ronnie began playing softball in 1965 with the Bill James Tavern team and continued to do so until joining the competitive Braun's Annie's Army squad in 1974 through 1978. In 1978, Ronnie joined the best team in Southern Illinois, the Southern Illinois Dons, which captured many league and tournament titles. This is where Ronnie gained recognition as a terrific shortstop and second basemen, as he posted personal season high batting marks of .740 and a lifetime BA of .650 with 300+ home runs.

His slick fielding abilities placed him on two all-state teams, while sharing the diamond with many hall of fame greats from the Southern Illinois area.

Among several of Ronnie's most memorable experiences were victories over Forest Hills of Rockford, Jerry's Bigger Jiggers of Centralia and East St. Louis Stars. His funniest experience happened at the 1978 World Tournament in Louisville, KY as he attempted to score from 2nd base on a single. The throw to home was perfect and Ronnie was called out by an exuberant umpire shouting, "You're out of there big man!" The name stuck and forever Ronnie was referred to as "Big Man" on ball diamonds everywhere.

Some of the best players that Ronnie played with were: Dennis Albert, Leon Kreher, Mike Kreher, Matt Myers, Dan Helfrich, Dwayne Laws and Steve Walker. His best coaches included: Bill Regan, Anna Braun, Rich Kaiser and Stan Wallach.

Ronnie's abilities on the diamond were many, his desire to win was unmatched, his enjoyment of sharing victory with family and friends was unbelievable. He was a "Big Man" from a small town that will always be remembered as one of the best!

2011 Male Player: Shane Amwoza

Shane Amwoza

When Shane was a youngster watching his dad (Jack) playing softball, he never dreamed that he would someday enter the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame. His impressive 19-year resume proves that he belongs among Illinois' finest.

Being chosen a Most Valuable Player four times of a state tournament is a career highlight in itself, but add three more all-state honors and Best Defensive Player recognition, including a National MVP honor to make his resume truly impressive. Playing on six state championship teams with The Illusions, LT's, Snap-On, Creative Design and Ken's Beverage, along with national champion LT's in 200L, he has had a very rewarding career as not only an outstanding outfielder, but a productive pitcher as well.

Shane began playing softball in 1991 with the Bob Salvage team of Plano. Several years later, he reached the state Class B championship game with Mid-America Concrete in 1994 and with Home Run Inn during the 1995 season. In 1998, Shane experienced his first state championship with the Illusions and followed it up with state titles with LT's in 2000, Snap-On in 2002, Creative Design in2005 and Ken's Beverage in 2007 and 2008.

When Shane was asked who was his best coach, his answer was quick and lengthy as he answered "my dad and all my softball coaches." He also stated that the best players he played with are Scott Hill (#6), Jim Cushing (The Cush), Brian Schultz (Hobbs) and Jim Kersten (Tank).

Shane's most memorable softball experience was winning the 1998 State Championship, winning the 2001 National and playing in the 2007 World Tournament at Disney. At the 2007 World Tournament, he had his funniest experience when the sprinklers came on in the middle of a 1 a.m. game.

Shane's speed was perhaps his greatest overall asset and possesses a lifetime batting average of .585. His best tournament performance came in the 2001 South National Tournament when he batted .857.

Shame hopes to be remembered as a player that gave 100% every game and as a great teammate and friend on and off the field. He thanks all the sponsors and coaches that made it possible for him to play the game he loves, all his teammates, his parents (Jack and Carlene), family (wife- Sarah and children- Ty and Teaghan), and God for giving him the ability. He also thanks the Illinois USSSA for providing the competition that allowed him to make friendships that will last forever, along with all the memories.

2012 Male Player: Jeff Ott

Jeff Ott

Jeff has never been one that would seek the spotlight, but always wanted to be the one with the bat in his hands with the game on the line. He loves to win and hates to lose, which is expected from a person that plays the game with total passion. He always hopes to gain the respect of his teammates and his opponents through his total effort on the field.

With the countless accolades that Jeff has been awarded, his only regret is not playing an entire season with one of the super teams, but credits the USSSA program with allowing him to travel the country, meet great people, and play with some great teams. He states, “The friendships that I have gained through softball will last a lifetime.”

In his 24 years of softball participation, which began in 1986 with the Peoria based Hulick Electric team, Jeff has found state, NIT, and world tournament success with such teams as Bunca Car Wash (1990 Class A World Champions), Sunnyvale (2nd in Class AA World in 1998), and perhaps the best team that he had played for in Long Haul Trucking (1999 & 2000 Class AA World Champions & Runner-up at the Major World Series).

As a primary hot corner player (3rd base), Jeff captured many all-world selections and defensive MVP awards, while also receiving numerous NIT MVP awards at A & AA classifications.

It was evident during Jeff’s early years, that he would find success on the diamond, as he played baseball at East Waterloo High School before taking his talents to the University of Iowa, where he earned all-conference recognition his junior and senior years, before being drafted by the New York Yankees where he played 2 seasons, while reaching the AA level.

Looking back at his quarter of century participation, he wants to be remembered as the guy that always came to play by playing hard and was the clutch player that got that hit when it meant the most.  For the teams that played against Jeff over the years, they will testify that he has accomplished his goal.

2012 Male Player: Mike Kreher

Mike Kreher

After 25 years of softball participation, Mike Kreher has only one regret. That he is, no longer able to compete competitively in a sport that brought him so much enjoyment, success, and friendships.

After a very successful high school baseball career at St. Henry’s High School and a state championship with the Belleville Legion program, Mike received a college baseball scholarship, while also playing soccer collegiately.

He began his softball playing days in the summer of 1969, after being asked to participate by Jim Scheibe with the 59’S team, prior to Rich Kaiser steering him to competitive softball with the Loggers in 1974.  This led him to the Budweiser team, which won the state title in 1984, prior to finishing second in the world tournament.

With a .600 plus lifetime batting average and over 500 homeruns, while playing mostly third base during his career, he earned all-state and all-world honors.

His most memorable softball moment occurred during the Worth Invitational Tournament at Tullohama, Tennessee, when he and his brothers Leon and Larry hit back to back to back home runs. He also recognizes his two brothers along with Mike O’Conner and Denny Albers as the best players that he had the opportunity to play with.

He also recognizes the USSSA as a great avenue to competitive softball through their well-run tournaments.

Mike hopes to be remembered as a player that always hustled and never gave up, no matter what the score!

2012 Male Player: Kurt Kozlowski

Kurt Kozlowski

Being a champion, always seems to have found its way into Kurt Kozlowski’s resume of sports success stories. It could be in football where he was quarterback for Sycamore High School’s undefeated conference champions, or shortstop on another high school championship squad.

Being All-State also became the norm, as he was a two-time junior college all-state selection at shortstop prior to playing Division I baseball at the University of New Orleans.

This early success laid the groundwork for future softball success stories over the next 32 years of participation, as Kurt earned several all-state and all-NIT selections while playing Class B, prior to being an all-world team selection with the world champion Ken Beverage team in 2002.

While swatting over 1000 homeruns during his career, he played mostly leftfield for outstanding teams like Joe Danials, Illusions, DeKalb Chiefs, Joe Blacks, Tron Piping, and Ken’s Beverage. 

Kurt states that he has been very blessed to have played alongside some really great players. While mentioning, Dave Shortz, Al VanGampler, Jim Cushing, Brian Schultz, Danny Prater, Dave Villareal, and Larry Hayse to name a few.  He also sighted Dave Shortz and Dave Campuzaro as two of the best coaches that he had played for.

Kurt says he wants to be remembered as a player that loved every part of the game. Kurt don’t worry, with your induction into the Hall of Fame class of 2012, you will be remembered as such. 

2013 Male Player: Mike "Oatie" Oates

Mike "Oatie" Oates

The Boyzz from Illinois, Stroh’s, The Bank of Westmont, Burla Construction, and Joe Black’s. These are legendary names in Illinois softball filled with Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame inductees and these are the teams that were fortunate enough to have Mike Oates play for them.  Talk about a storybook career …

When his minor league baseball career as a pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos organizations came to an end Mike returned home and began his softball career playing in local leagues. In 1978 Mike met Bob Raikovich, became friends, and began playing with teams Bob coached the following year. That friendship lasted 35 years, 19 of which Mike anchored those famous Illinois teams.

Bob and everyone else recognized that the powerful six-foot four Oatie was truly a five tool player, he could run, field, throw, hit for average, and hit for power. He was a star and batted cleanup all through his playing career. His consistency was such that he kept a high career batting average of .620 plus and was top three in batting average and home runs every year on every team he played .  Mike was the consummate player, the steady cleanup hitter always could be counted on in clutch situations

Forever a winner, Mike was on Illinois State Championship teams with Stroh’s, The Bank of Westmont, Burla Construction, and Joe Blacks. He made the State  All Tournament team with both The Bank and Burla. He competed in USSSA tournaments for 17 years. The 1986 Burla team finished fourth in the USSSA “A” World Tournament in Kalamazoo, MI.

Oatie was an original member of Joe Blacks, the team formed in 1988 that competed in USSSA softball until 2002.  In his 5 years with Joe Black’s they won one State title and competed in the prestigious 1989 USSSA Men’s Major World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. . In 1990 they finished fourth in the USSSA Men’s “AA” World Tournament, coincidentally in Kalamazoo again.

Mike took pride in his ability to balance his softball career with both his family life and his successful business career. Mike knew of his induction in the IL USSSA Hall of Fame Class of 2013 and was very pleased. His time on this earth ended May 29, 2013, but his spirit and accomplishments live on.

2013 Male Player: Scott Klein

Scott Klein

Scott Klein has played over 30 years of USSSA softball, while participating on 13 State Championship teams, 10 National Invitational teams, 3 National Championship teams and 1 World Champion.

While playing primarily 3rd base, he has a lifetime batting average of .640 and has smacked over 300 homeruns in his career.

He has earned numerous individual all-state, all national, and all-world honors while participating with Illusions, Snap On/Kluever, Safecar, Precision, Ken Beverage, and K A Softball teams. Scott says, I loved all of our coaches, from Smiley, to Kluever, Dave C, and Ken Adams.

Scott also states, “ I have been lucky to play this game for a long time with guys that respected the game and knew how to play together. I think that is why we have won so much, as we actually care for each other. I have gained some great friendships that will last a lifetime.” He also reflected on how the Illinois USSSA has provided opportunities by saying, “I think the Illinois USSSA has always been great, because the best players play there and it has allowed me to compete against the greatest players across the country.”

2013 Male Player: Dan Helfrich

Dan Helfrich

During a 1--year period from 1972 through the 1982 season, Dan participated for two of the finest teams ever to play the game from Southern Illinois. He started playing USSSA softball with the Belleville Shamrocks in 1972, which was the first team to play USSSA ball in Southern Illinois. They were a powerhouse team that went to two "Class B" world tournaments, finishing second in Baltimore in 1973. This is where Dan earned All-World team honors while playing right field.

During world tournament play, he swatted 7 home runs and batted .711. The following year, Dan was the state tournament Most Valuable Player prior to the team folding at 1974’s end.

“I think the USSSA was the best thing for slow pitch softball in southern Illinois. It brought uniformity to the game and the different classifications allowed it to be fair for all players.”

— Dan Helfrich

This was when Dan began playing for manager Rich Kaiser who was building a team called the Loggers, which became Southern Illinois’ new power team. During his years with The Loggers, Dan made numerous all-tournament teams, while setting a career .610 batting mark, while swatting 560 home runs. He played over 100 games every year for the Logger team, which expected to go to the world tournament each year. And they did.

Dan was an excellent defensive outfielder that possessed a great arm, which allowed him to throw out many unsuspecting runners that tried to take that extra base.
When Dan was asked about the Illinois USSSA organization he said, “I think the USSSA was the best thing for slow pitch softball in southern Illinois. It brought uniformity to the game and the different classifications allowed it to be fair for all players."
The Illinois USSSA welcomes “Mad Dog” to the Hall of Fame.

2013 Male Player: L.T. Graham

L.T. Graham

The initials L. T. must stand for “Long Time,” as longevity best describes L. T. Graham’s 45 years of softball participation. He began playing softball at the age of 22 for Deacon Davis at Booker Washington Center and everything has flourished for him since then.

With tremendous speed, he roamed the outfield for the 1976 Class B World Championship Forrest Hills team, which propelled him to individual notoriety. L.T. over the years has posted a lifetime .650+ batting average, while hitting over 800 homeruns.
In 1973 he earned MVP honors in the City Championship, which started a string of numerousAll-Tournament Team selections.

According to New Milford Tap manager Jerry Fiordelisi, “I had the honor to be his manager, as it was a pleasure to watch him chase down fly balls and surprise opponents with his power.”

“Softball is the greatest game of summer. It brings out sportsmanship between teammates and teams, while bringing out competitive spirit. It has allowed me to travel to many different venues and has allowed me to age gracefully, despite the numerous muscle pulls, sprains, and scrapes.”

— L.T. Graham

2001 Hall of Fame inductee Kurt Steger reflected on L.T.’s abilities by saying, “I have had the privilege to play against and with him for the past 30 years. In recent years, we have participated in the Senior Olympics in Springfield together. He is a man of great work ethic and is a man of great character and a role model to all of us.”

When L.T. was asked to describe his years of participation he said, “Softball is the greatest game of summer. It brings out sportsmanship between teammates and teams, while bringing out competitive spirit. It has allowed me to travel to many different venues and has allowed me to age gracefully, despite the numerous muscle pulls, sprains, and scrapes.”

L. T. Graham’s initials L. T. G. comes to light again, as he states, “Isn’t softball great, I just (Love The Game.)”

2014 Male Player: Michael Werle

Michael Werle

Playing for great teams became the norm for this Belleville resident for 24 seasons. Mike Werle participated with teams named Chick Fritz, Stags, Metro East Softball Club, Loggers, Magicians, Belleville Budweiser, St. Clair A's and St. Louis Rockets. Along with those teams' success stories, so were his individual accolades, as he was a Class B All World selection 4 times, while participating with Belleville Budweiser.

The big first baseman smashed over 650 home runs over his career, while batting over .600. An All-State Most Valuable Player in 1984 propelled him to future all-tournament selections over the years.

He admits Belleville Budweiser was the best team he played for as they won a lot and were best of friends. He identified teammates Mike O'Connor, Denny Albert, Mike Kreher, Dirk Androff, Leon Kreher, Al Studt and Larry Mohme as some of the finest players with whom he shared the diamond.

For Mike, what made his softball journey the best was that he shared it with those that he went to school and grew up with, while getting better at the game. He always wanted to be known as the guy his teammates could count on.

He has no regrets in his outstanding career, as he feels he had more fun and won more games than most. He credits the Illinois USSSA program as being the best organized and competitive oriented organization, which always provided his teams the best competition. With his induction into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame, Mike's journey continues.

2014 Male Player: Don Vlcek

Don Vlcek

Don began playing softball in 1986 with the Stickmen, which led to his participation with the more competitive Kings and KA Softball teams. These teams captured 6 state titles and 2 Class B National Championships, while finishing 2nd in the 2004 and 2005 Class B World Tournaments.

Other team accolades include a 1997 35 and Over World Championship with Tron and a 40 and Over National title with Ken's Beverage.

Being an outstanding outfielder and situational hitter provided Don with Class B All-State selections in 1995, 1996, 2006 and 2008. NIT selections in both A and B Classes on six occasions, while being All-World five times in Class B, 35 and Over and 40 and Over tournaments.

These honors mean little to Don, as he is satisfied to be remembered as a great teammate that gave his all for the guys he shared the dugout with over the years. Don states, "Ken Adams was my best coach because he always wanted to win." While identifying Jim Cushing, Billy Shahagian, Scotty Klein and Jim Walsh as some of the best players he had played with over his 24-year softball career.

Don chose his wife's new car being picked up and carried off by his teammates at a tournament in Indiana as his funniest softball experience. It seems his wife, Andrea, did not share in the laughter. His biggest regret is that his playing days had to end. He thanks the USSSA and everyone that has supported him, while he played the sport he loves.

2014 Male Player: Jerry Pietryk

Jerry Pietryk

If you see a truck full of sod circling the hotel parking lot following tonight's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, think nothing of it because it's just Pietryk's teammates sodding one of the guest rooms.

This would be a reenactment of one of the funniest experiences Jerry recalls in his 20 years of playing softball with teams like the Hurricanes, Home Run Inn, Extreme Easton, Ken Adams, Ken Beverage and Creative Design. Of those teams, Jerry sites the Ken Adams team as being the most fun and competitive.

From 2001 through 2006 the Ken Adams team captured 6 state titles, 5 NITs, 2 National Championships and 2 second place finishes at world tournaments.

While playing most infield, Jerry posted an estimated .650 plus batting average and hit over 600 dingers. That kind of production landed him on many state, national and world all-tournament teams.

After a high school baseball career at De LaSalle High School, Jerry played college ball at North Central College. His softball career began in 1990 when he was asked to participate in a Sunday League at Country Club Hills, which led to him being recruited by Larry Scott and John Kramer of the Hurricanes.

Even though he has many success stories, Jerry wants to be remembered as being a player that never quit and was always a good person to his teammates and to his opponents.

As he reflects on his great career, his only regret is not winning a Class B World Title, as two seconds leaves a bad taste in your mouth. He also recognizes that the USSSA has allowed him to play competitively in a well-organized environment, as he was always supported by his wife Lee Ann and his two children Blake and Hailee.

2014 Male Player: James "Tank" Kersten

James "Tank" Kersten

Tank began playing USSSA softball with the Comets from Downers Grove in 1994 after being asked by Guy Altier, Kurt Stepina and Jim Bonnamy to participate with them in the Northern D State Tournament. That was the beginning of an exceptional twenty-year run, as he has accumulated a lifetime batting average of .685, while hitting over 1,000 home runs. His best season batting average was .740 in 2005, while playing for KA Softball.

Jim mostly participated behind the plate and received All-National selections in Class C during 2013 season and Class B during 2005. He also has received numerous all-NIT and All-State selections during his competitive playing career.

Jim sites the 2006 KA Softball team as being the best team he has played for due to their team chemistry, which made winning easy. He also recognizes Scott Opels, Dave Shaff, Ken Adams, Steve Hardy, Dennis Muth, Todd Ankney, Dave Catalini and Gary Lofton as the best coaches for whom he played.

As he reflects on his great career, he wants to be remembered as a teammate that would always give his time to help another and thanks the USSSA for providing him the opportunity to compete at a high level.

His most memorable softball experience occurred while playing in his first Class B NIT with the Wombats in Toledo, Ohio. He explains, "Our first game was against Harlow Printing from Michigan. I walked my first at bat and when I arrived at first base the first baseman began trash talking. Blabbing on how Harlow Printing was this great team and that we did not have a chance. The Wombats ruled them in 3 innings 30 to 3."

His funniest experience happened this year at the USSSA Class D World Tournament when his teammate, Bill Bernabei, bet him that he would not slide down the kiddy slide at the Chick-Fil-A restaurant. Tank secretly asked the manager if he could slide down the kiddy slide. She gave him the go-ahead, as long as he paid for any damages. The slide and the kids on the slide all survived.

Tank would like to thank all of his teammates, friends, sponsors, umpires and officials over the years for making his softball playing "A ROADHOUSE" experience.

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.

2015 Male Player: Jim Walsh

Jim Walsh

Jim began playing softball in 1986. His first team was Kenneth Allen in 1986 and the next 29 years he played with One Hour Cleaners, Home Run Inn, Belcher Construction, The Kings, Tron Piping, Wombats, Screwballs, Ken Adams Softball and Ken’s Beverage. He cites The Kings/Screwballs squad as probably the best team he played for. He also thinks that Tom Piping and Ken’s Beverage were right there in talent. Jim was named All State in 1993 with HRI, in 1995 and 1996 with The Kings and with Tron Piping in 1996 and 1999. He earned All World/Offensive MVP in the 1997 Masteres World Tournament with Tron. He mostly played outfield with a lifetime batting average of over .640 and over 500 home runs.

In high school Jim played baseball for four years at Hinsdale Central. He continued playing baseball at Lewis University for the next three years and was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the fifth round in 1980. The best players Jim considers playing with are Hall of Famers Jim Cushing, Art Rebolletti and Brian Schultz.He has had many good coaches through the years and thinks Mike Koch, who got him started playing softball, Ken Adams and Don Loid as the best. The USSSA has allowed him to meet and play with gifted athletes and players. It has provided every level of competition that a player could ever want.

Jim is still actively playing in the Senior program for the last four years. He has participated in Law Enforcement softball for the past 20 years. Softball runs in the family – Jim’s wife, Sue, played and helped coach for many years in the leagues and tournaments. Jim would like to be remembered as a great competitor and teammate. He will join many of these teammates tonight in the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

2017 Male Player: Scott Spoolstra

Scott Spoolstra

In 1993, Scott “Spooly” Spoolstra started playing softball with his buddies on the Kamikazees during which time they won the Class C Illinois State Championship. They went on to capture the Divisional Championship in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Scott was named MVP for both of these tournaments. That same year, they placed fifth in the World Series in Las Vegas. Over the next 12-year span, Scott played on teams such as Ken’s Beverage, Tron Piping, Extreme Easton and Kings. He also played for Belcher’s Construction, his favorite sponsor. In the course of those years, Spooly made multiple All-Tournament selections. Scott learned from and was honored to play with such outstanding teammates as Brian Schultz, Jim Cushing, John Kramer and Brian Floeckher, just to name a few.

One of Scott’s most memorable experiences was beating Hague, the defending Major World Series Champions, twice in the same year when he was playing with Belcher’s. We were getting shut out and a no hit going into the fifth inning, needing to score a run to avoid slaughter. Coming back, scoring runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to defeat Hague, helping the team win that tournament in Springfield, Ohio. That same year, Belcher’s played Hague in Milwaukee and beat them in extra innings.

While playing outfield, Scott posted an estimated batting average of .650 and hit over 500 home runs. That kind of production landed him on many state, national and world tournament teams. When asked, “How would you like to be remembered as a player?” he answered, “That I gave 110% every time I stepped on to the field, my leadership and how I treated my teammates with respect.”

2017 Male Player: Matt Myers

Matt Myers

Matt Myers was raised on a farm in Southern Illinois. He says, as a boy, he didn’t have anybody to play ball with so he spent hours throwing the ball in the air and catching it. “I also improvised using a chicken house roof for a pitching machine. As the ball rolled off of the roof, I hit it against the wall destroying many balls,” he said.

Matt played slow pitch for over 20 years, 12 of those years with the Hecker Loggers, a Southern Illinois powerhouse team during the 70s and early 80s. Matt was an integral part of the success of the Loggers team. The Loggers played in USSSA Divisional and World Tournaments every year from 1975 to 1982, finishing in the top five several times. In the Cincinnati, Ohio Central Divisional Tournament in 1979, Matt hit .700 while his team battled back to a fourth place finish after losing their first game. Also, in Milwaukee in 1980, Matt hit .690 to help his team finish fifth in the Divisional Tournament. In 1978 at a very competitive Worth Invitational Tournament in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the Loggers finished in the top ten where Matt hit .650. In 1980, Matt was picked for the All-Tournament Team after hitting .650 with seven home runs in the Taylorsville, Illinois USSSA World Tournament Qualifier.

Matt was an outstanding right center fielder making very few errors in his USSSA career. He batted .590 over his career and pounded out over 600 home runs. He was an All Star in several leagues, receiving awards for batting average and home runs.

This new Hall of Famer contests that playing USSSA softball with the Loggers was the best experience of his softball career. “I loved the competitiveness of the teams, leagues and tournaments and how the whole USSSA organization was run,” Matt stated. “I ow my softball success to the Loggers’s Manager Rich Kaiser and my teammates.

2017 Male Player: Terry Dunn

Terry Dunn

Terry began playing softball in the early 80s, but would like to recognize Brian Campbell for getting him started in USSSA softball in 1988 when he joined the Steamers. A few years later, Terry would join Home Run Inn in 1990, which produced USSSA B State titles in 1993 and 1994, and a fourth-place finish in the Great Lakes National Tournament in 1995. Home Run Inn would also finish runner-up in the 1997 Class B State Tournament.

While he continued winning USSSA B State tiles with Creative Design in 2005 and KBI in 2008, Terry would add a 40+ USSSA Would Series in 2010 in Arizona.

Former teammate Alex Wanless added, “Terry stood out in many ways: he was a fierce competitor and in over 25 years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him make a mental error in the outfield. He was a player with an abundance of physical tools; could hit for power and average and was extremely fast with great instincts.”

Terry says that USSSA softball has given him the ability to play with and against the best players in the game. In addition, great friendships and memories have been built over the years. Today, Terry enjoys playing Senior softball and hopes to continue playing for many years to come.

2015 Male Player: Dave Shaff

Dave Shaff

When evaluating individual honors, David Shaff might rank near the top with numerous All-Tourney awards for his exceptional outfield play and most recently as a pitcher. With five All-World/National selections, numerous Class B picks, and a Class C All-State MVP selection, David was a huge asset for some great teams during his 19 years of USSSA participation.

Dave began playing slow pitch for Home Run Inn in 1997 and found instant success, as the team captured the runner-up spot in the Class B State during his first year. This success was only the beginning of three Class C State Championships and five Class B State titles, followed by four Great Lakes National victories, two second place Class B World placements and a Class D World Championship in 2014, while playing for Ken’s Beverage.

David recognizes Alex Wanless for getting him started in USSSA softball and has high praises for coaches Ken Adams, Dave Catalani, and Bill Wax in providing guidance. He also recognizes fellow teammates Jim Cushing, Al Van Gampler, Burgess Watts, Lincoln Adams, and his HOF presenter Jerry Pietryk as some of the best he has played with, which he states is only the beginning of the numerous friendships that have been created through participation in the USSSA program.

Former Coach Ken Adams added, “There was no one, but no one, who gave more, on the playing field and off, than Dave Shaff.  Without his efforts off the field, there would not have been KA Softball - his continuing efforts as a confidante to the players and a conduit to me as manager allowed us to keep it going for seven years, which is quite a testimony to Dave as a person as well as player.  He and Jerry Pietryk turned down all-tourney recognition many times to honor a teammate instead. I consider Dave to be one of my best friends in life, not just softball”.

Dave also added that he feels fortunate to have participated with 26 members of the Illinois Hall Of Fame, who have taught him a tremendous amount about playing the game the right way. He feels that because of them, he is joining them in the HOF.
When asked, “How would you like to be remembered as a player?” He answered, “I hope they remember me for my effort, my leadership and how I treated my teammates with respect.”

Dave, we do appreciate your efforts and welcome to the IL USSSA Hall of Fame!