2004 Meritorious: Ken Franzen
/Ken Franzen
It is all but impossible to have played serious softball in Illinois for any period of time and not have crossed paths with Ken Franzen. It’s nearly as difficult to pick a category in which to place Ken for induction into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.
As a player, coach, umpire, USSSA official, tournament director and facility director, Franzen has played most every role you can play in softball over the past 30 years, and played them all exceptionally well with dedication and attention to detail.
A star athlete in high school, Ken was a guard on an Elite Eight basketball team. He took that drive and athleticism into the USSSA slow pitch game, helping to bring back a Divisional championship to Rockford.
As a facility director, he managed a wide range of leagues and tournaments over the years, in the process creating one of the most special places anywhere to play and watch softball –Forest Hills Diamonds.
“During his long tenure at Forest Hills, he would spend countless hours grooming his fields,” Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame inductee Bob Papich said. “The outfield was mowed to perfection. The infield was smooth and flat.”
A die-hard Cubs fan, Franzen also graced the outfield fences of Forest Hills Diamonds with Wrigley Field-like ivy.
“What Ken has done for over 30 years is create a garden spot where men and women could play softball,” Papich said.
As an umpire, Franzen has served as State Umpire in Chief, and has conducted numerous innovative and informative clinics that have helped bolster the professionalism of USSSA umpiring.
“He approached his umpire clinics the same way he approached sports, with knowledge and ahrd work,” Papich said. “His knowledge of the rules and how to apply them will always stand out in my mind. If you had a rules question, you went to Ken.”
Finally, as a USSSA official, Franzen has consistently been the type of go-to guy that makes organizations run well. He has been a fixture at USSSA National meetings, bringing his exceptional grasp of the game to the rules committee. In addition, he continues to provide statistical services for the Men’s Major World Series.
Rockford is a much better softball town, and the USSSA a much better softball organization thanks to the love of the game, the hard work and the dedication of Ken Franzen. We formally recognize that hard work and dedication as we welcome Ken into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.