ASA HALL OF FAME
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Eight individuals from
throughout the United States were selected for induction into the ASA National
Softball Hall of Fame during the 75th ASA National Council Meeting. These eight
inductees will be enshrined next November at the 76th ASA National Council
Meeting in Louisville, Ky.
The eight inductees include five players and three non-players. The players
selected were Peter Turner, men’s fast pitch, (Stockton, Calif.); Louise Mazzuca,
women’s fast pitch, (Portland, Ore.); Dave Grimes, men’s fast pitch, (Lakeland,
Fla.); Mike Macenko, men’s slow pitch, (Brunswick, Ohio) and Brenda Smith
Foster, women’s slow pitch, (Mechanicsville, Va.).
The non-players selected were Hank Bassett, manager, (Monticello, Ky.); Jack
Mowatt, Washington, D.C. (meritorious service) and Dave Epperson, umpire,
(Wichita, Kan.).
Brief bios on each member of the Class of 2007 are listed below.
Peter Turner, Stockton, Calif. - Earned ASA All-America honors five times.
Played in five U.S. Olympic Festivals and batted .294 overall. Member of 1995
USA Pan American team and batted .320 during the Games in Argentina. Was twice a
member of the USA Pan American qualifying team. Has served as head coach of USA
Men’s National Team for the past six years. Played for Guanella Brothers, Nava
Brothers, Seafirst Bank and Larry Miller Toyota. Very versatile player who could
play just about any position in softball.
Louise Mazzuca, Portland, Ore. - Pitched in six nationals compiling a record of
17-11. In 240 innings she fanned 382 batters and had an ERA of 0.64.Was a
four-time ASA All-America selection. Played twice on teams that finished
runner-up in the ASA national championship plus fourth in 1961, 1962 and 1966
and fifth in 1958. Also played in three Women’s Major Fast Pitch All-Star
Series.
David Grimes, Lakeland, Fla. - Named ASA All-American five times and had a .321
lifetime batting average with 126 homers. Played in 12 ASA nationals, one
Olympic Festival (1979), one Men’s Major Fast Pitch All-Star Series (1982) and
was member of 1979 USA Men’s Pan American Team. Member of 1973 ASA National
Championship team (Clearwater, FL Bombers).
Mike Macenko, Brunswick, Ohio - One of the greatest players in slow pitch
history who batted .702 from 1983-1997, hitting 4,411 homers and driving in
7,958 runs. Was named ASA All-American 11 times and was twice selected MVP (1987
and 1990). Played in 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival and batted .568 (21-for-37). In
1987 and 1988 batted .744 and .745 hitting 844 homers in 1987 and 830 the
following year.
Brenda Smith Foster, Mechanicsville, Va. – This second baseman was an eight-time
ASA All-American during her career. In 1982 was named MVP of ASA Women’s Major
Slow Pitch National Championship. Also named ASA SportsWoman of the Year in
1982. Was member of three ASA national championship teams. Only the 10th female
slow pitch player elected to Hall of Fame. Former outstanding basketball player
at Virginia Commonwealth.
Jack Mowatt, Gambrills, Md. - Is Washington, D.C.-Maryland commissioner and has
been involved in ASA since 1968. Has been Washington D.C. commissioner since
1983 and was named Maryland commissioner earlier this year. Is a life member of
ASA and also a member of the National Indicator Fraternity. Active in community
affairs and extremely civic minded. Is chair of the Umpire Committee.
Dave Epperson, Topeka, Kan. - Has been involved in ASA since 1973. Was named to
National Umpire staff in 1984 representing the Mid America Region. Has been UIC
at 70 ASA nationals and one U.S. Olympic Festival. Has conducted schools and
clinics in 45 states and has been instructor at 49 national umpire schools and
five advanced fast pitch camps. In 2000, was elected to Kansas Hall of Fame. Is
second Kansas umpire elected to the National Softball Hall of Fame.
David (Hank) Bassett, Monticello, Ky. - Outstanding slow pitch manager
(1971-1991) who led teams to 1,060 wins and only 381 losses for a 73.6 winning
percentage. His teams competed in five ASA Major Slow Pitch Nationals, compiling
record of 26-8, and in four Super Nationals (15-6 record). In Major and Super
Nationals, his teams won 41 games and lost 14 for a winning percentage of 74.5.
In 1989, led West team to a gold medal in U.S. Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City
when slow pitch was on the program as a demonstration sport.
The ASA National Softball Hall of Fame was established in 1957 and honors
players and non players during annual induction ceremonies held at the ASA
National Council Meeting each year. With these eight inductees the Hall of Fame
will have 324 members.