1998 Pioneer Player: Nancy Stark Shirley

Nancy Stark Shirley

Nancy Stark-Shirley was a defensive mainstay who patrolled left-center field for her eight-year USSSA career. No one who knew her would try to run on her arm because they knew she would throw them out if they tried. She was a singles hitter who knew the value of moving the runners on base along to set the table for the big RBI hitters in the line-up.

Stark Shirley was named to two USSSA All-Tournament teams at the 1981 USSSA Women’s Class A World Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas and at the 1982 USSSA Women’s Class A NIT in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Stark Shirley’s team never won a USSSA World Title (they did win the ASA Women’s Class A once), but they finished with the top teams five times, including two second place finishes in 1979 in Petersburg, Virginia and in 1981 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Her team also finished fourth at the USSSA Women’s World Tournament in 1980 in North Carolina.

Her teams collected three USSSA Women’s Class A State Titles in Illinois. Stark Shirley was named Best Defensive Player at the 1982 USSSA NIT at Sunset Park in Geneva, Illinois. She also played co-rec softball as both an outfielder and as a first baseman.

Stark Shirley’s teams included: Stroh’s Lassies, EDS, Precision Erectors and Scotties (co-rec).