1998 Pioneer Player: Pierre LaBounty

Pierre LaBounty

Pierre LaBounty’s softball career pre-dates the USSSA in the state of Illinois. It goes back to the very first park district league ever formed in Rockford back in 1961. He played USSSA softball for eight years until he retired from the game of slow pitch softball in 1981. His main position was pitching and he played for early Illinois USSSA teams such as Diamond Bar, RMA, Schlichting Construction, Pabsts and Country North.

During his eight-year playing career, his teams went to eight USSSA State Tournaments and six USSSA World Tournaments. He was twice named MVP of a USSSA tournament and was also named to numerous USSSA All-Tournament teams. During his career, he played softball in 16 different states.

LaBounty’s love of the game always made him give everything he had to his team in an effort to win. He loved to play against the best, so playing in the USSSA softball program was a natural fit for him. He believes the USSSA has always attracted the best teams in the Midwest to its tournament program throughout the year and especially on Labor Day weekend when the Divisional and World Tournaments are held.

The Bible starts out with the words, “In the beginning…” USSSA softball in Rockford started out with Pierre LaBounty and has not been any worse off from that beginning.