More Kenosha Softball

This is the foreword from my second book, More Kenosha Softball. The current Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman wrote it. He is also a member of the Kenosha Softball Hall of Fame.

Foreword

Kenosha, like a lot of cities in these United States, has always held sports activities in high regard. But, here in Kenosha, there was a time when the game of slowpitch softball enjoyed a popularity that could only be called “biblical.”

One could argue that the Golden Age of Kenosha Softball began in 1962 when Tirabassi’s Excavators won the World Industrial Softball Tournament in Pittsburgh. The resultant publicity from that triumph peaked the interest of ballplayers in Kenosha to the relatively new game of slowpitch softball. In the years that followed, players either wanted to play for Tirabassi’s or tried to assemble teams to compete with Tirabassi’s.

Slowpitch softball was an attractive alternative to playing baseball. Most baseball player’s careers were done certainly by the time they finished high school. Slowpitch softball did not require the ability to hit a curveball nor did it require a pitcher to throw a curveball. The version that used the 12-inch ball required many of the same skills as hardball, but it was a game that many more people had the level of skill to play and still enjoy the competition. Slowpitch softball was an opportunity for friends to get together and socialize and it only took one hour to play a game. Then it was on to the serious socializing.

For somewhere around thirty years, slowpitch softball was the game of choice for Kenoshans.

I had the opportunity to live through much of that era, from watching Tirabassi’s play in the ‘60s and reading about their tournament exploits, to playing hundreds of games and dozens of tournaments over a twenty-year career, from 1968 to 1988.

Paul Vagnoni has witnessed, firsthand, Kenosha Softball over the years. From his many years in the booth at Finney’s West and his long association with the 400 Club, he has direct personal knowledge of the teams and the characters that made up the Golden Age of Kenosha Softball. To his credit, he has taken the time to put his observations in this book.

More Kenosha Softball is not only full of times, dates, places and who won and who lost, but we also hear from many of the legendary players, managers, umpires and characters that made the era so special. This book will take a reader though a time in Kenosha when thousands of people were playing the game of softball on hundreds of teams. An era when there were as many as 72 teams were participating in the City Tournament and managers would have to get in line at the Recreation Department at 4:00AM just to make sure that they got a spot in a league.

It was a special time in Kenosha. Paul Vagnoni’s More Kenosha Softball chronicles that special time.

Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman

More Kenosha Softball and Some Kenosha Softball are both available at RK News Hallmark in Kenosha, You can also purchase them by contacting me at 262 671-4251 or by email vag57@wi.rr.com.

Until next time…from the booth.

They Made Balls and Strikes Their Business

From my book, More Kenosha Softball:

Over the years, Kenosha has had a multitude of teams competing against one another. Some teams were very good, playing at a high level. There were also teams that were playing merely to justify getting together with the guys for a couple of beers in the middle of the week. Some teams were able to accomplish both. But regardless if a team was playing in the Classic League at Finney’s West or in the Continental Division on Tuesday nights in the city, all of them had one similarity. There was a common denominator. All of these teams needed umpires.

That is why I felt the need for a set of umpires to adjudicate the games being played by the Most Popular Kenosha Softball Team I Ever Saw. Here are the results from the poll used to select that duo:

Ernie Pascucci – 28%

Dick Cairo – 21%

Jerry Herrick – 17%

George Pflueger – 6%

Ron Soulek – 5%

George Becker – 3%

Jim Steinhoff – 3%

Don Newport - 3% 

Imagine that, Ernie Pascucci and Dick Cairo garnering the most votes! Kind of fitting. Why you ask? Here is an excerpt from Some Kenosha Softball that will explain why:

The #1 duo was Dick Cairo and the distinguished and colorful Ernie Pascucci. When Pascucci decided to cut back on the amount of games he worked, Cairo had to choose a new partner. His choice was long time Kenosha schoolteacher George Becker. With Cairo’s many years of experience and Becker’s “George Hamilton-like” good looks, Finney’s West had a new top crew.

It should be noted that Cairo will join Pascucci, Soulek and George Chromcik in the Kenosha Softball Hall of Fame on July 12. Not bad company.

If you would like to read more about the Golden Age of Kenosha Softball, you should read my books. Both Some Kenosha Softball and More Kenosha Softball are available at the Kenosha History Center and RK News. Live outside the Kenosha area? More Kenosha Softball is available online at Amazon.com. If you would like a signed copy of either book, contact me at (262) 671-4251.

Until next time…from the booth.

More Kenosha Softball

Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman

Foreword 

Kenosha, like a lot of cities in these United States, has always held sports activities in high regard. But, here in Kenosha, there was a time when the game of slowpitch softball enjoyed a popularity that could only be called “biblical.”

One could argue that the Golden Age of Kenosha Softball began in 1962 when Tirabassi’s Excavators won the World Industrial Softball Tournament in Pittsburgh. The resultant publicity from that triumph peaked the interest of ballplayers in Kenosha to the relatively new game of slowpitch softball. In the years that followed, players either wanted to play for Tirabassi’s or tried to assemble teams to compete with Tirabassi’s.

Slowpitch softball was an attractive alternative to playing baseball. Most baseball player’s careers were done certainly by the time they finished high school. Slowpitch softball did not require the ability to hit a curveball nor did it require a pitcher to throw a curveball. The version that used the 12-inch ball required many of the same skills as hardball, but it was a game that many more people had the level of skill to play and still enjoy the competition. Slowpitch softball was an opportunity for friends to get together and socialize and it only took one hour to play a game. Then it was on to the serious socializing.

For somewhere around thirty years, slowpitch softball was the game of choice for Kenoshans.

I had the opportunity to live through much of that era, from watching Tirabassi’s play in the ‘60s and reading about their tournament exploits, to playing hundreds of games and dozens of tournaments over a twenty-year career, from 1968 to 1988.

Paul Vagnoni has witnessed, firsthand, Kenosha Softball over the years. From his many years in the booth at Finney’s West and his long association with the 400 Club, he has direct personal knowledge of the teams and the characters that made up the Golden Age of Kenosha Softball. To his credit, he has taken the time to put his observations in this book.

More Kenosha Softball is not only full of times, dates, places and who won and who lost, but we also hear from many of the legendary players, managers, umpires and characters that made the era so special. This book will take a reader though a time in Kenosha when thousands of people were playing the game of softball on hundreds of teams. An era when there were as many as 72 teams were participating in the City Tournament and managers would have to get in line at the Recreation Department at 4:00AM just to make sure that they got a spot in a league.

It was a special time in Kenosha. Paul Vagnoni’s More Kenosha Softball chronicles that special time.

Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman

*     *     *     *     *

That’s the foreword that Mayor Bosman wrote for More Kenosha Softball. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book, call me at 262 671-4251.

Until next time…from the booth.

From The Booth

The reason I call this blog “From The Booth” is because of the multitude of stories that emanated from the rickety old structure located at the corner of Highways E and 31 in beautiful Somers, Wisconsin. The booth wasn’t always rickety and old. But it got that way in a short amount of time. It took a beating. Just check out the photo at the top of the blog.

Occupying the historic booth in that photo from left to right are: Bruce Heide (barely visible in the shadows) Kurt “Sonny” Jorgensen, myself, Rick “Cardo” Bloomquist and Leon Rosko. Conservatively speaking, that’s about 1500 pounds of beef. And that’s with only five of us up there. You would easily double that number for tournament final games or on an all-star night.

You can understand that wooden floors that doubled as a ceiling for the concession stand creaked and squeaked with a good amount of regularity. I always felt that the ladies down below serving concessions should have been issued hardhats and received hazard pay.

Now, not all of crew that worked upstairs in the booth was as hefty as the bunch in the photo, but you get my point. Here is a fairly comprehensive list of the regular people:

The Booth Announcers
Jason Cruezinger
Randy Donais
Bob “Jocko” Harrison
Paul “PJ” Johnson
Bob Nyberg
Joe Perry
Jill Perry
Leon Rosko
Gregg Sinnen
Paul “Puddles” Vagnoni
Jim “the Screamer” Webber

The Booth Scoreboard Operators
Rick Anderson
Dave Fleming
Joe Ganero
Bruce Heide
Dave Mann
Mike Murphy
Alexander Sadowski III
Glen Skendzl
J.J. Steinhoff
Sam Steinhoff
Danielle Webber

Much chicanery took place in that booth. So much so, I wrote an entire chapter about it in my second book, “More Kenosha Softball.” Here is a short excerpt:

“The announcer’s booth soon became a major attraction at Finney’s West. With a clubhouse-like atmosphere, the booth was the place to be. Sports were discussed, hot dogs, popcorn and beers were consumed, cigarettes, cigars and what have you were smoked, farts were farted and nasty remarks were made on a nightly basis. Oh ya, and softball games were announced. All in that wooden booth that sat high atop the concession stand.”

Needless to say there were more than announcers and scoreboard operators up in that booth. We weren’t the only ones up there eating, drinking, farting and making nasty comments. Not by a long shots. Players and fans loved to stop upstairs if only to enjoy the view. Most of the time they stayed long enough to enjoy more than the view.

Characters like Rick “Cardo” Bloomquist, Kurt “Sonny” Jorgensen, John “Kool Papa” Schwarz and Craig “Hands” Tabbert made the booth an interesting and hilarious place to be. I have many tales from the booth that didn’t make my book that need to be told. I just need to figure out which ones are suitable to share. Hmm…

Until next time…from the booth.

The Big Picture

It’s been quite awhile since I have posted a fresh original blog. I’m not going to make excuses, but there have been several reasons. It is amazing how much there was, and is, to do after my book, More Kenosha Softball, was finally published. That has kept me quite busy. Also, much of my time was occupied trying to raise money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and their efforts to fight childhood cancer. I could throw in a few other more personal reasons, but I won’t. It’s time to quit making excuses and time to take a look at the big picture.

For many of us, the big picture is something we seem to avoid at times. After all, isn’t much easier to concentrate on the little things in life? You know, the every-day, run of the mill things that face us all.

Thing is, this morning I came to the realization that these so-called “little things” have much to do with the big picture. The big picture is a thing I really can’t put into words. It has to do with something much larger than me. (Insert your own fat joke here.) Let’s just say, I adhere to the thinking that you have to have faith in something bigger.

Hmm, isn’t that the title of a Who song?

Seriously, I feel that what we do with our time here on Earth is important. Not only to us, but also more importantly, to the other people we have in our lives. Therefore it obviously makes sense to do the most with this time. This is an area in which I need improvement.

To make this happen, I need to have a routine. A routine of positive activities. For me this begins with getting my day going at a certain time with productive undertakings. For me, this has to include praying. After that, I need projects that will not only benefit me, but also others.

Hopefully I can figure out exactly what these projects are.

I do know that writing is a positive undertaking for me. At the very least, writing makes me think, which is always a good thing. Therefore, I am going to make an effort to do a blog each day. I am sure some blogs will be longer than others, and I know they will definitely differ in content and style.

Okay, day one is in the books. Speaking of books, mine are available to you at various different outlets. If you are in Kenosha, they are at the Kenosha History Center at 220 51^st Street. If you are outside of Kenosha, there are several ways to pick them up. Online you purchase them at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Also, whether you are in Kenosha or not, you can obtain a personalized copy by calling (262) 671-4251.

Until next time…from the booth.

Coming Soon…

For my forthcoming book "More Kenosha Softball” I took a look at some of the top speed merchants, shortstops, pitchers, etc. in Kenosha. I focused on one individual in each category and provided an “all-time” list of the others. In this excerpt, I interviewed Tim Georno and discussed what made managing Tirabassi’s so special.

While Georno enjoyed playing in tournaments outside of Kenosha in places like Watertown and Manitowoc, he said that there was nothing better than playing in the Final 8 at Simmons Field. He said nothing compared to that atmosphere, “It was the best!” With that in mind, it is a given that his fondest memory occurred when his Tirabassi team not only played in the Final 8, but in the City Championship at Simmons Field.

And to think, Tirabassi’s nearly didn’t make it that far.

That’s right. After winning their first two games of the tournament, Tirabassi’s was knocked into the losers’ bracket when tournament favorite Stanich Realty crushed them by the slaughter rule, 13-1. That occurred the first weekend of the tournament! Because there were 60 teams entered in the tournament, it had to be played over a two-weekend period. Losing so early in a tournament of that size meant that Georno and the rest of Tirabassi’s had a very daunting task ahead of them.

Remarkably, with some unforeseen inspiration, they were up to the task.

On the Saturday night of the first weekend of the tournament, members of the Tirabassi team had assembled at the Sunnyside Club, a popular Kenosha watering hole. Among those discussing the team’s future with Georno were Rocky Tirabassi, Larry Carbone and Carmen Pillizzi. Having won all of their games since being destroyed by Stanich, the group was cautiously optimistic. They realized that it wasn’t going to be easy, but they were determined to get to Simmons Field.

Overhearing the Tirabassi group, a local Kenosha News sportswriter decided to join in the discussion. No shrinking violet, the writer brazenly announced that he didn’t know why they were so fired up, they didn’t have a chance to win it. Evidently he didn’t think it was likely that Tirabassi’s was going to be able to continue winning. Tirabassi outfielder Larry Carbone thought otherwise. He challenged the Kenosha News scribe boldly with, “What the hell do you know?”

Carbone was right. After that little exchange at the Sunnyside Club, Tirabassi’s turned it up a notch. Or, as Georno put it, “T’s got hotter than hell!”

The next day, Tirabassi’s stayed alive, winning its games. They had made it to the second weekend; their quest to get to Simmons Field was still within their grasp. The following Saturday they fulfilled that mission. At Lincoln Park, Tirabassi edged out Finney’s Snowblind Oasis 1-0 on a controversial home run in the 6th inning by Rich Salisbury. They had secured that trip to the Final 8 at Simmons Field. And, when they got there later that evening, they kept the train rolling by knocking off Sorensen Mfg.

The next day, Tirabassi’s beat Matador Lounge 6-3, fourth-place Oriental Inn 13-4 and third-place Finney’s Lounge 2-0. For their efforts, Tirabassi’s earned the privilege of battling their nemesis, Stanich in the finals for the City Championship. Stanich, the defending champions, roared into the finals by demoralizing a strong Finney’s Lounge team 22-7 in the undefeated game. All they had to do to repeat was win one game against Tirabassi’s.

Tirabassi’s, although on an inspired mission, still had to do the unthinkable and knock off Stanich twice. To a man, they knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Maybe that’s why sponsor Domenick Tirabassi did something that Georno doesn’t remember him ever doing before. He spoke to the team. This caught the young Tirabassi manager totally by surprise.

Georno said that Domenick Tirabassi was the best sponsor you could ever ask for. He never intervened and would always show up for the finals of big tournaments. That’s why it was so unexpected when he spoke to the team between games of the City Tournament finals. It wasn’t a fire and brimstone sermon. That wasn’t his style. With his team gathered around him, Domenick Tirabassi simply said, “I don’t care what happens in this game. Win or lose, I just want you to know that I’m so proud of you guys.”

Evidently, those two heartfelt sentences from the sponsor must have hit home with Georno’s squad, because they proceeded to do the unimaginable. Tirabassi’s, before a huge crowd at Simmons Field, upset the defending champ Stanich Realty in two championship games, 7-4 and 6-5 in 12 innings to win the 1982 Men’s City Slowpitch Championship.

I anticipate “More Kenosha Softball” being available for Holiday gift giving. If you are interested in picking up a copy of my first book, “Some Kenosha Softball”, it is currently available only at the Kenosha History Center located at 220 51st Place down by the harbor. Until next time…from the booth.

Rewards of the Writing Process

The graphic is to illustrate the basics of the writing process. I chose this particular graphic because it illustrates the steps in a concise and simple manner. Planning, drafting, editing, revising and publishing—the one word conspicuous by its absence is “writing”. Kind of of ironic, huh? Sometimes writing just doesn’t get the respect it deserves.

Currently, I am in between the revising and publishing steps of the writing process of my second book, More Kenosha Softball. Today, the Publisher Lady and I finished putting chapter 4, “Rick Flocker, Speed Merchant” into book form. That makes a total of 28 pages complete. Only 19 more chapters to go…

This book has been a lot of work, much more than my first effort, Some Kenosha Softball. But you know what? It’s going to be worth it. In fact, it already has been.

I first realized this when Gregg Hansen made a comment on Facebook regarding how much time I had been spending on the book. He told me that he hoped that I am rewarded for all of my hard work. I found that very kind of Gregg.

It also made me think about the whole writing process. The more I thought about it, the more I recognized that this process was much different than with the first book—much different. And, it was also much more rewarding.

That is what I told Gregg on Facebook, that I was already being rewarded.

The first book I wrote was made up of a lot lists with several short stories. Most were very short. Each chapter averaged only 540 words. There were only three over 1,000 words, the longest being 2,143. By comparison, chapters or stories in my second book average 1850 words with six over 2,000, two of which are over 4,000 words.

Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of my first book, very proud. I learned so much about writing, about the writing process. That is why this second book is going to be so much better, because of what I had learned from the first.

The most important thing that I learned from the first book was the manner in which I gathered the information. I’m not sure which part of the writing process this falls in, maybe somewhere between planning and drafting. Wherever it fits in, I discovered it is a continual thing. It’s an ongoing part of the process.

Most importantly, this step is best done in person. That’s the rewarding part.

Having Jack Zimmerman sitting on the couch for two hours telling colorful tales about his wild playing days and then having him call me back the next day and sharing 45 minutes more going over what he forgot to tell me the previous day. That’s the rewarding part.

Meeting with Ernie Pascucci, Tom Blaziewske and Larry Keating to exchange old photos and newspaper clippings. Having my friend Bruce Meyers, who was also greatest ballplayer I ever managed, come over and spend the better part of a Thursday night reminiscing. That’s the rewarding part.

Talking on the phone with Kenosha Softball Hall of Famers Gary “Wizard” Petersen and Chuck Lange to hear their tales about the good old days. Speaking on the phone with young stars, Travis Clark and Mike Umscheid as they traveled to Michigan for a Major Level Tournament, so that I could get their view on today’s Kenosha Softball. That’s the rewarding part.

I’ll never be rewarded financially for all of the time and effort I am putting forth while writing More Kenosha Softball. I knew that going in. The average writer, actor, artist or musician is never compensated the same way an auto mechanic, assembly line worker, plumber or dental hygienist is. Sad, but that’s just the way it is.

What isn’t sad is all of the gratifying experiences that I had while engaged in the writing process. That truly is the rewarding part. Until next time…from the booth.

It Won’t Be Long Now

No, that’s not the punch line to a bad joke; it’s the status of the progress for my book, “More Kenosha Softball”. All that’s left is to finish up the “chapters” on Tim Georno, Stanich Realty and Strang Siding. After that, all I need to do is scan one, maybe two more photographs. Then I start proofreading the “chapters” and sending them to my publisher, Sari B.

When she has all 24 chapters, she will produce a manuscript. Then I will proofread it and indicate where I want the photographs to be placed. After that, the foreword, introduction and acknowledgements will be written. Then Sari B will work her magic and… voilà! The finished book will be printed.

Actually, the real magic became about six weeks ago when I was writing the introduction bios for the 2013 Kenosha Softball Hall of Fame inductees. The distinguished Ernie Pascucci stopped by to drop off some info for me. He brought with him an album chock full of old photographs. He sat on the couch for an hour, reminiscing with me about the Golden Age of Kenosha Softball.

That seemed to get the ball rolling. After Pascucci, it was Jack Zimmerman, Larry Keating, Jimmy Gentile and Bruce Meyers each taking a turn on the couch. It was wonderful shooting the shit with these softball luminaries. Not only did it provided additional information for the book, it also kicked me into overdrive when it came to writing.

While the guests that appeared on the couch had me feeling like Johnny Carson, I also had several phone conversations that helped immensely. Check out these softball bigwigs: Pat Hegewald, Gary “Wizard” Petersen, Mike Umscheid, Travis Clark, Gregg Hansen, Tim Georno and Chuck Lange. Sweet, huh?

Oh, ya. I made about a zillion phone calls to Sari B, the publisher lady. Barring some unseen interference, I should be done writing by the end of August. Then, hopefully, “More Kenosha Softball” should be available well before holiday gift shopping starts. It won’t be long now.

Until next time…from the booth.

Randomness

Waiting and writing. That’s what I’ve been up to lately. There are only 4 or 5 chapters left to be written. Then all that remains for More Kenosha Softball is scanning some photos, massive amounts of editing, writing an introduction and acknowledgements and then doing whatever Publisher Lady tells me to do. I can’t wait to read this book…

So, I figured that I might as well spit out a few random thoughts while I wait for a few final bits of information necessary for the book to hit my email box. Here goes…

It’s a good thing Bobby Cox, Billy Martin and Earl Weaver won’t be managing in 2014 when MLB implements its new instant replay scheme. What is Allan H. “Bud” Selig thinking? With instant replay, managers will have very little reason to argue with the umpires. Well, I guess there are still balls and strikes. For now…

Watching the Packers play their first two-preseason games on Telemundo has taught me a couple of things. Mexican people really do say, “Ay yi yi!” That, and, “No senor” when a kicker missed a field, were the only things I really understood. The thing I learned was the preseason football sucks. A lot…

Baseball play-by-play commentator Brian Anderson irritates me whether he is doing a national game on TBS with John Smoltz and Ron Darling or a Brewers game with Bill Schroeder. He’s not nearly as clever as he thinks he is. I wish one of these ex-jocks would punch him one. Just once…

When I see the Pittsburgh Pirates wearing their 1971 throwback uniforms on Sunday games I immediately think of their World Series team – Manny Sanguillen, Bob Robertson, Dave Cash, Richie Hebner, Gene Alley, Willie “Pops” Stargell, Al Oliver and Roberto Clemente with Dock Ellis on the mound. The sad part is that I can also remember most of their jersey numbers. It’s a sickness…

I would rather watch any show on Antenna TV than any of the “Wives of…” shows or anything with the Kardashians in it. Give me Barney Miller, WKRP in Cincinnati, All in the Family or Married with Children any day. Even Maude. Did I really just say, “Even Maude”? Crap…

Speaking of questionable TV viewing decisions, I watch way too many shows with “Pawn” in the title. With Pawn Stars, Hard Core Pawn, Hard Core Pawn: Chicago and Cajun Pawn Stars already in the rotation, I’m trying not to get hooked on any of the new ones. But Cash Dome doesn’t really have “Pawn” in its title and one of the clerks “motor-boated” a busty customer…


Although I have countless more random thoughts in my ginormous melon, I will stop there. I concentrate on this new episode of Bar Rescue as I wait for my emails to get here so I can get back to writing my book.

Until next time…from the booth.

Another Update

As I begin to write this there are less than five hours left of July and I only have six blogs this month. Because I have been working on my next book, “More Kenosha Softball”, a whole bunch, I really don’t feel like writing a blog. Sorry. Or maybe you couldn’t care less. I guess it doesn’t really matter. Anyhow, I thought that I would post another update of where I’m at with the book.

Since my last scintillating update 10 days ago, I have completed two more chapters and more than halfway done with a third. Plus, I went back and added a little intro to the other 12 chapters that are done. I think readers will really enjoy this extra little special feature. I know I’m having a lot of fun doing it.

Right now, if I stick to the outline below, I am looking at 28 total chapters. However, I am considering doing a chapter about a couple current Kenosha Softball greats – Travis Clark and Mike Umscheid. The idea was brought suggested to me by good friend and Kenosha softball wonk, Pat Hegewald. I’m working on it.

Currently, I am just over 26,000 words. To give you an idea, most of the blogs I write are between 700-1000 words. So, that’s the equivalent of about 30 blogs. Two of the chapters are over 4,300 words and two others are over 2,200. And it’s a blast.

I hate to do this, but now that things are really rolling, I am shooting for having the book done by Thanksgiving. Hopefully my publisher, Sari B doesn’t see this and tell me I’m crazy. Oh well, we shall see.

Here’s an updated outline. The check marks ( √ ) indicate the chapters that are completed.

More Teams
5th Amendment √
Snowblind Oasis √
Infusino’s Construction √
Team Export √
Sorensen Mfg.
Matador
Strang Siding
Ruffolo’s
Finney’s Lounge
Stanich Realty

More Players
Kenosha Softball Bad Boys √
Kenosha Softball Shortstops √
Kenosha Softball Speed Merchants √
Kenosha Softball Gypsy √
Kenosha Softball Free Spirit √
Kenosha Softball Big Boys
Kenosha Softball Long Ballers
Kenosha Softball Managers
Kenosha Softball Pitchers

More Tales
Umpires √
Hall of Fame √
Dream Game √
Rest in Peace √
Bobby Douglass
Finney’s West Booth
An Unheralded 14-inch Star

More Stuff 
City Champs √
Rotary Champs √

One last thing before I finish. I received the following message on the Kenosha Softball Hall of Fame page. It came from Jon Atkins and was a great inspiration to keep writing.

I just picked up and read “Some Kenosha Softball” today and I loved it. It was really interesting reading about the high demand of softball back in the “Golden Age”. It took my mom back some years when I read some snip-its and she began to reminisce about the days when her and my dad played. It was also interesting seeing familiar names, including some of my friends’ dads, guys that played with my brother Scott (late 1990’s-early 2000’s Tirabassi teams), people I know in general, and some guys I play with from time to time now (Blade and Swammy to name a couple). Great job on the book and I look forward to reading “More Kenosha Softball”.

Pretty nice, eh? I’m proud of my first book and if anyone is still interested in picking up a copy, let me know. However, I guarantee that my second effort will be even better. I promise. Until next time…from the booth.

Quick Update

I know it must be getting old by now, but I have been busy working on my book, “More Kenosha Softball”. I had the privilege of interviewing Hall of Famer Jack Zimmerman in person the past week. What a hoot! It was tremendous and has kept me inspired. Another inspiration was the news that friend and longtime journalist, Gary Schneeberger has completed the chapter he promised me on Bad Boy Steve “Blade” Hess. I can’t wait to see it. Speaking of seeing it, here is an outline of where I am with the book. A √ indicates that the chapter is completed.
More Teams
5th Amendment √
Snowblind Oasis √
Infusino’s √
Team Export √
Sorensen Mfg.
Strang Siding
Ruffolo’s
Finney’s Lounge
Stanich Realty
Matador
Kenosha Kings?

More Players
Bad Boys – Steve “Blade” Hess √ (Schnee)
Softball Gypsy – Jerry Ruffolo √
Jack Zimmerman √
Big Boys – Bill “Mountain” Griffiths
Long Ballers – Chuck Lange
Managers – Tim Georno
Pitchers – Gary “Wizard” Petersen
Short Stop – Bruce “Hollywood” Meyers
Speed Merchants – Rick Flocker
Jim Darula (14-inch)

More Tales
Umpires √
Hall of Fame (Fulmer) √
Dream Game (Hegs) √
Rest in Peace √
Bobby Douglass (Allen)
Finney’s West Booth

More Stuff 
City Champs √
Rotary Champs √

You probably noticed the ? following the Kenosha Kings. Help! I am at a loss finding information about this great team. If you have anything at all, please let me know. I have to get back to writing. Until next time…from the booth.

Whazzup?

In my last blog I apologized for being somewhat lax about posting anything. I thought I would update you and let you know whazzup. Previously, I mentioned that I was occupied with writing my book and doing a column for the Kenosha News. Well, things haven’t changed very much. I finished the “My Turn” column and it will appear in the Monday July 22nd edition of the local paper. I am just about done writing a chapter about umpires for my book. 

I would have completed it by now, but this past Monday night something came up. I had a phone conversation with Jim Fulmer, president of the Kenosha Softball Hall of Fame. The 2013 induction ceremony for the Hall is Sunday July 14th at 2:30 at Lincoln Park during the Rotary Tournament and Jim needed help. The 15 inductees had to be notified about the ceremony and bios needed to be written for each of them.

Being the dutiful committee member, I sighed and told him that I should be able to take care of 10 of the 15. I knew it would be time consuming and take me away from writing my book, but these individuals deserved to have something written for them. So, I sucked it up and got to work.

I was right. I didn’t finish the last bio until late Thursday night, but it was worth it. Heck, it was even a bit rewarding.

I had the opportunity to personally speak with Howie Latshaw, Bill Johnson, Tom Blaziewske, Gene Willems, Kris Allison, Jack Zimmerman, Ernie Pascucci, Bruce “Hollywood” Meyers and the wife and son of the late Sam “Finney” Perry. The only person I struck out with was Richie Baumgarten. Seems he was “otherwise occupied”. Oh well…

The reason I said it was a bit rewarding is that it was a joy talking to these Hall-of-Famers. Not just because they were great ball players, undoubtedly, they all were. It was also gratifying to hear how excited they were to receive this honor. Finney’s widow, Carmella Perry couldn’t stop crying the first time I spoke to her.

Another reason that this was beneficial was that I was able to gather additional valuable material for my book, courtesy of Ernie Pascucci and Jack Zimmerman.

It was pure bliss to sit and reminisce for an hour about the “old days” with 86-year-old Pascucci at my house. The icing on the cake was when the “Distinguished One” loaned me an album chock full of photos and newspaper articles. You can rest assured that several pieces of this memorabilia will make it into my book.

I can’t begin to describe how anxious I am to interview Zimmerman in the very near future. This guy was not only one of the most talented softball ballplayers around, he was also one of the most colorful characters there was. He told me can’t wait for me to call him back so he can tell me some of the stories from his days of not only playing softball but also the years he starred with the semi-pro Racine Raiders football team.

One final reason this project was worthwhile was that it gave me cause to get in touch with other Kenosha Softball luminaries, such as Glenn “Rock” Evenson, Jimmy Gentile, Leon Rosko, and fellow HOF committee members, Gary “Wizard” Peterson and Pat Hegewald. When it comes to bullshitting about softball, it doesn’t get any better than Jimmy G and Hegs. These two guys are the best, bar none.

Well, that’s whazzup. Tomorrow I will hopefully finish the umpire chapter. I believe Sorensen’s Mfg. will be next up. Then it has to be Jack Zimmerman. Man, I can’t wait. Until next time…from the booth. 

My Apologies

I must apologize for not having posted a blog in over a week. I have been busy working on my book, “More Kenosha Softball” this past week and plan on doing the same for the foreseeable future. Oh ya, I have do a column for the Kenosha News this week as well. Hopefully, this chapter from my first book, “Some Kenosha Softball” will hold you over. Again, I apologize.

Be Careful What You Ask For
 

On a warm Tuesday evening in late June, I watched my 400 Club softball team warming up near the tennis courts at spacious Roosevelt Park. As I made the lineup for our 6:45 pm contest with Pasquali’s Bar, I noticed Matt Montemurro making his way from one teammate to the next. It was obvious that the young outfielder was the one doing most of the talking and all of the conversations ended with a mutual nod of the head and often a pat on the back. When it became evident what Matt was doing, a smile broke out on my chubby face and I went back to working on my batting order.

The reason I was smiling was because Matt had taken the advice I had given him in a phone conversation we had had earlier that afternoon. Based on our discussion, the talented young ballplayer was apologizing for what he had done the previous weekend.

Let me explain what Matt had done.

The Thursday before that eventful weekend, our 400 Club team had decided to play in a tournament in Whitewater at the Hawk’s Nest. When Matt heard that we were playing, he begged off saying he was getting “burned out” and needed a weekend off. I said fine, we would find someone to take his place.

If that was all that had happened, there would be no story.

 Our first game of the tournament had just finished and our team was making its’ across the parking lot to the bar for some “lunch” when Matt’s flashy sports car suddenly appeared. Screeching to a halt, Matt hopped out of the car and cheerfully asked, “How did you guys do?”

Not too many of us heard Matt’s question. We were too busy staring at the Tirabassi uniform he was sporting. Evidently he wasn’t too “burned out” to play in a tournament in Janesville with the archrival Tirabassi Excavators.

After the initial shock wore off, the response from his 400 Club teammates was less than cordial. After the burly Munk Ekern menacingly blurted out, “Get the fuck out of here!”, I suggested to Matt that he had better heed Ekern’s advice. He did so, and what could have been a very ugly scene was avoided.

Those are the events that led to Matt making that phone call to yours truly prior to our Tuesday game with Pasquali’s Bar.

The first words out of Matt’s mouth were, “That was pretty stupid of me. Am I still on the team?” After I reassured him that he was indeed still on the team, his next question was, “Is it fair to assume that I am not starting tonight?” After chuckling, I told him that was an accurate assumption and then suggested he apologize to the rest of the team before the game.

With the apologies and all the drama behind us, the game proceeded as most of our games with Pasquali’s Bar typically did…we were kicking their ass, only with Matt on the bench. Matt being a good soldier, eagerly coached third base and enthusiastically cheered on his teammates.

With our team preparing to bat in the bottom of the fourth inning, a well-intentioned Bruce Edmark approached me, pleading emphatically, “Puddles, Mattie has learned his lesson.” With chewing tobacco dripping down his chin, he added firmly, “Now get him in the game!”

It was then that I thought to myself, “Eddie, be careful what you wish for”…

With the emotional Edmark staring at me, I nodded in agreement and said, “Bruce you are right, Matt has learned his lesson. He should be in the game!” I then turned toward Matt  and bellowed, “Matt get in there. You’re batting for Eddie and playing left-center.”

Edmark, realizing that he had in effect just taken himself out of the game, slapped himself in the forehead and doing his best Homer Simpson, uttered a loud “Doh!”  Montemurro then hit a double in the gap, while a shaken Edmark was relegated to coaching third as the 400 Club went on to defeat Pasquali’s Bar by a rather embarrassing margin.

What could have been a potentially tumultuous situation was resolved and the topsy-turvy world of the 400 Club softball team was now back to a state of normalcy. Well, as close to normal as it could possibly be.

Until next time…from the booth.

What’s Happening!!

Sorry if the title and the accompanying graphic were deceiving and got your hopes up, but this blog is not about Rerun, Raj, Dwayne and Shirley. While it might be fun to write about that iconic sitcom that ran from 1976 to 1979, I did not go in that direction. In this case, the title refers to the status of this blog. Don’t panic, it’s not going away any time soon. However, you might notice a few subtle changes taking place over the next few months. That’s why I wanted to let you know “What’s Happening!!”

As some of you may know, I have decided to write another book. It will be a follow up to my first book, “Some Kenosha Softball”. This book will be titled “More Kenosha Softball”. Pretty clever, eh? See, I’m not just another pretty face.

I have been in discussion with my publisher, Britton Road Press and I am quite enthusiastic about the project. Softball luminaries Gary “Wizard” Petersen, Pat Hegewald, Ernie Pascucci, Dr. Jim Fulmer, Glenn “Rock” Evenson, Jerry Ruffolo, Paul Pulera, Craig Stewart, Cindy Herr and Rick Flocker have agreed to provide information and memories.

Those ten VIP contributors are just the tip of the iceberg; more are being added almost daily. With the rapid rate that MKS is progressing, I am spending a significant bit of time on it. Because of this I will be spending less time on this blog.

I still plan on posting something a couple times a week, but they will occasionally be a “best of” type of thing. Let me know if there are any in particular that you would like to see again. I might post the Burger King trilogy starting this weekend.

Speaking of trilogies, please rest assure that the Official Survivor Recap Trilogy will make its triumphant return on September 19. Jamie and Mary Beth are back on board and are chomping at the bit for season 25 of the greatest reality show of all time to begin.

There will still be regular updates with the Poll Questions and Boobs of the Week. I will do as much as I can with the blog, but my main concentration has to be on my book.

One last thing on the topic of books. “Some Kenosha Softball” is still available at the Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Street and Sister Act Painting and Creative Treasures, 3816 Roosevelt Road.

Sister Act will be the place to be this weekend. In addition to their regular hours on Saturday, they will be open from 11 am to 2 pm on Sunday to accommodate the Kenosha Cash Mob. It promises to be a wild scene with all kinds of sales and excitement.

Kenosha Cash Mob started in January. The group recognizes and supports locally owned businesses that give back to the community and turns it into a fun social event. Mob members pledge to spend at least $20 at these events. Each mobbing is followed by a visit to a watering hole near the business chosen that was mobbed.

The owner of Sister Act, Sharon Buege definitely qualifies as someone that gives back to the community. And I’m not just saying that because she has been my good friend for over 35 years, she deserves your patronage.

So, that’s what’s happening!! Go over to Sister Act, buy some stuff, a book and tell Sharon I sent you!

Until next time…from the booth.