the king and his court fastpitch softball

Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. ". He's toed the same athletic fields as the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and rubbed elbows with the Dalai Lama. Enthralled by what he saw, Hoppe hooked up with Feigner's crew for Midwest tours the following two summers. <p> </p> <p>A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas Area. Founded in 1946 by Hoppe's mentor, "The King" Eddie Feigner, the. CAMP ZAMA, Japan — The guest shook the strong, firm right hand, gazed into the ruddy face, stared for a moment at the graying, thinning trademark flattop crew cut. For softball training videos, training aids, softball equipment, or softball bats visit softballjunk.com/. Feigner had an exaggerated windup and he would do things like pitch blindfolded, or pitch an inning from behind second base. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. Feigner swore the tale was true, except that it was a curveball that crossed second base on its way to the plate. Eddie Feigner is a member of Shrine of the Eternals, which is part of the Baseball Reliquary. Yet, "It's like Bob Feller said: `I can still throw as hard as I ever did. But the 65-year tour of duty ends Saturday night in Feigner's hometown of Walla Walla, Wash., playing a team that includes former major leaguer Jeff Cirillo, a two-time All-Star and five-time .300 hitter. I also fear Buck Showalter's head would probably explode if a player showed up looking like this. It's your last chance to see a legend, and as the King would say, it's just down the road apiece. Learn about Eddie and the Court, who first brought fastpitch to TV and mainstream America from the people who lived. His fastball was clocked at 104 miles an hour. The news of a four-man team beating nine players spread all over the state. Which is why the King always had four players. In 1967, he faced, in order, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente. Before the tour, Eddie Feigner and the other team members mailed thousands of letters to charity groups, service organizations, local governments, and more. Eddie Feigner was still anxious to play. I never forgot that day, and how Eddie pitched. And the second is that pitchers can throw harder overhand, and real men like to throw the ball hard. Perhaps thats because the hitters are stronger, which opens the game up offensively in a couple of ways: The men hit more home runs, and they can also do more bunting because the infielders have to back up a little. At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any. Starbucks won't go to towns the Court does. HE AND his four-player team have donned their blue and red star-spangled uniforms 225 times a year for more than 18 million fans, traveling almost 4 million miles to 86 countries, 55 in which they've played actual games and the other 31 in which they've demonstrated fastpitch skill, specifically Feigner's mystical mound mastery. Mr. Feigner faced a lineup of six major leaguers (5 of whom were later inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame). I give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0. "We show off how good we are, but don't flaunt it or embarrass the home team," he said. His team, clad in red, white and blue uniforms modeled after those of the Globetrotters, played in ever-smaller parks. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. If you have a few young girls/guys looking to get into baseball or softball then taking them to one of these games would be. His fastest pitch was clocked at 104 miles an hour. He made Nolan Ryan look like a Little Leaguer. Top softball pitchers like Jennie Finch can throw roughly 70 miles per hour, the equivalent of a low-90s fastball thrown from 60 feet away. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. This often happened on the nearest street. Individuals inducted into the Shrine of the Eternals must have altered how the world views the game of baseball. Hyperextending his knee in a gopher hole in 1972 didn't help; it prevents him to this day from getting top speed on his fastball. He died of respiratory complications, said Del Reddy, a friend. 19. In an era where guys refuse $100 million because it's disrespectful, this is about guys who carried their own bags, washed their own laundry -- and at a very steep price tag to their families. "I found a way out.". When joining the Marines during World War II, he had to find details of his birth. Jim Caple is a senior writer for ESPN.com. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. One time he was even able to strike a person out from centerfield. Feel free to use this content, so long as you give credit to Gary Leland, of Fastpitch.TV and link to Fastpitch.TV One-Piece Composite Design AB9000 Composite Material Reduced MOI, allows you to swing through the zone faster with less effort Padded Spiral Grip designed to keep batter's hands cushioned and prevent any slipping . $44.90. There are a couple of reasons. It has taken him all over the world, playing in the smallest of American towns, at USO events for American soldiers, and even in prisons against inmates. Softball Pitching Funny video about King and his Court Hillhouse Dec 30, 2021 Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web. He struck out all six in succession. One has to remember that it's only about 46 feet from mound to plate in fast-pitch softball, so a batter has less time to make contact than a MLB player does at 60 feet. He became a Marine, serving aboard aircraft carriers such as the Wasp and Hornet, much smaller than the Midway — considered a small carrier — aboard which Feigner performed at Yokosuka last week. Prooyen, a six-time national champion whom Feigner calls the "best pitcher at his age (25) today," later pitches an inning or two. The toughest thing in sports is to hit a round ball with a round bat when the round ball is thrown underhand from 40 feet away. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. It would be really fun to watch videos of some of that stuff. Hearing a woman or child say they loved watching him pitch meant more to Feigner than any big-league contract. Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. The King and His Court went to towns even McDonald's ignores. Distance, time, and uncertainty. The decline of fastpitch, Feigner says, began shortly after he left the service. Either that, or an outtake from "Twilight 4: Team Timmy No-Hits Team Edward.'' The King and His Court touring team played over ten thousand softball games in a hundred countries from the late 1940's to the beginning of the 21st century..while achieving widespread fame similar to that of the Harlem Globetrotters.as Feigner's meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. Feigner was confident he could win with only himself and a catcher but worried the other team would just walk the two and leave them without a batter. In softball, there are no famous hitters, only famous pitchers. You'll need it. SoftballJunk.com is a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you!. Don't add another wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card. ", You know the rules. Not bad for a fat man. More than 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday, including a LLWS single-game record of 41,848 for a game with a Pennsylvania team. Hoppe remembers playing in 100-degree heat in Tacoma, Wash., one day and in sub-zero cold the next day in Barrow, Alaska. If you have a few young girls/guys looking to get into baseball or softball then taking them to one of these games would be a great event for the whole family! 15. We had some interesting lines this week. During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. No town was too small for them, no fans too unimportant. They played racetracks, stockyards, rodeo grounds, cemeteries, pastures, an oil rig off Norways coast and the Houston Astrodome. "Hollywood missed a hell of a story. I Can See The Steam Spouting From the Steinbrenners' Ears From Here: You want a meaningful race between the Yankees and Red Sox? "The day of the barnstormer is buried this Saturday.". HE HAS carried over the years more than 30 players at one time or another in his troupe, including three former major leaguers. So, thank you for showing others what a great athlet he was. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. "Haven't seen you in 15 years, Eddie. L Es Stories The Lovesick Blues Boy Was Really The Hillbilly Shakespeare Tribute To The Life and Talents of Hank Williams, L Es Stories Just Say Bogie, That Says It All..I Gave Up Drinking Once.It Was The Worst Afternoon of My Life Tribute To Humphrey Bogart, L Es Stories Well Excuuuuse Me! In an interview, he said he liked having fun too much to be an MLB player. ", With West, the Max Patkin of the team, a patch covering his left eye which he lost to cancer two years ago, motioning Booth to keep quiet, Feigner answers, "I dunno. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. Eventually, they began to travel around the globe to play softball. The King and His Court touring team played over ten thousand softball games in a hundred countries from the late 1940s to the beginning of the 21st century..while achieving widespread fame similar to that of theHarlem Globetrotters.as Feigners meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. information. As the games rules were liberalized, the names for the pitches eventually changed. Hoppe said he relied on a mixture of Vietnamese marijuana and black tar heroin to cope with the emotional and psychological damage that the incident and the war had on him. 22. They keep the batters guessing with rise balls, drop balls, curves, and in-shoots. The King and his Court. Why? To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. "It's magical and joyful in a way, but this has been on my radar since 1958 when I was a kid in the stands and saw the King for the first time. Rogers Centre, Toronto: 75 "Now every pitcher has to be a big, strong pitcher. He's battled the best batters the major leagues have to offer, striking out Willie Mays, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Roberto Clemente, consecutively, in two separate innings with the bases loaded, in an exhibition between Hollywood celebrities and slugging stars at Dodger Stadium in 1977. So do yourself a favor this weekend. And oh yeah, the Court of 4 won the game! ), Fernandez, perhaps the greatest softball pitcher ever, faced major league all-star David Justice after the 1996 Olympics and struck him out on three pitches. A baseball batter has no concept how to hit a fastball that rises like mine, or sliders and curves that break 18 inches.. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. "I went to the other side," Hoppe said, referring to his mental state. With all that said, Feigner was amazing. Feigner was able to play an exhibition game in front of more than 15,500 fans at the Silverdome located in Pontiac, Michigan. "I got to be part of something where they watch you tie your shoelaces," Hoppe said of the attention the Court occasionally received. Feigner played in over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he was blindfolded. And that feeling has never left. Though it would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard. Five of the six were later elected to Cooperstown. Hoppe has fought his own wars away from the diamond, on the battlefields of Vietnam and in the darkest trenches of his personal life. The manager challenged Feigner to prove it. He struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente consecutively. You could really bring it back then," the guest said. How did he do it? He stands blindfolded, some 40 feet from home plate, gleefully hurling pitch after pitch at weary batters as fans in Linden's Memorial Park cheer on the peculiar feat. He often told people it was a good feeling to know he was unique. Score isn't kept, and in fact, you're likely to see Hoppe or one of his teammates run from first base across the infield to third, bypassing second base altogether, to the laughter and enjoyment of the crowd. Add The Fastpitch Softball TV Show to your social network of choice at fastpitch.tv. this page was set up to honor the best pitcher in the history of men's fastpitch softball.Eddie was the "King" in his own right.With a list of achievements that will never be topped.In his. He said: Im a pipsqueak because Im caught in a nothing game. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. VHS Tape, "How to Pitch Fast Pitch Softball Basic Styles With Eddie Feigner of The King and His Court" [autographed]. Softball never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball. 20. In the days of xBox and 15-screen Cineplexes, it was something to see ballparks packed with five generations, with great-grandfathers and fathers holding little babies. "I wanted to recognize in his birthplace that something so special happened. Feigner agreed, and the only stipulation was that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were loaded. They had also been known for donating considerable amounts of ticket profits to charity.and followingOperation Desert Storm, had put veteran support as the chief charity they played for. Have you seen the (Zama) catcher throw?". 2023 Stars and Stripes. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities. I would have loved to have bee able to have a conversation with him. But Hoppe's story is about more than just trick pitches and entertaining a crowd. "YEAH, THAT'S why I'm gonna steal," retorts Booth, to the delight of the crowd. He is buried in the Huntsville Memory Gardens. Chase Field, Phoenix: 76.5 Coors Field, Denver: 87 He's been with the King and His Court ever since. The King and His Court were a novelty from the beginning: a four-man softball team that toured the world and took on all comers. He was amazing. Since Jennie Finch took over as a co-host of This Week in Baseball, she has consistently struck out current major leaguers whove dared to take the Jennie Challenge. Eddie Feignerthe star of the famous barnstorming team The King and His Courtwas supposedly once clocked at 104 mph, and in a two-inning exhibition in 1967, he struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Willie Mays, Harmon Killebrew, and Roberto Clemente. They started their first cross-country tour. In those games, an average of 3.8 runs were scored per seven innings. Eddie Feigner, who for 60 years barnstormed the globe with his four-man softball team, hurling 100-mile-an-hour pitches that struck out Willie Mays and 141,516 . It must be fun facing a blindfolded pitcher from 45 feet who can fire the ball faster than 100 mph. Our Facebook page is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, Our Twitter page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, Feel free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV@gmail.com. His gimmick of fielding four players against nine began with his response to losers taunts. He was abandoned as an infant and was named Myrle King by his adoptive parents. They endured enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner referred to a 10-hour ride as "just down the road apiece. During the following four years, the King and His Court played over 200 games but traveled no further than Idaho. "I had lost any courage to do anything. The Yankees rewarded the biggest star in the their history with a 30 percent paycut. But most of them play professional baseball, and nearly all of them are men. "I told ASA (Amateur Softball Association) it was a great game at 43 feet — you just killed a great game. He's been interviewed by Red Smith, Mike Douglas, Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan and the guy Feigner says gave him his first significant interview, Grantland Rice. The friends got together and decided it was time to take their game on the road. It just doesn't go as fast,' " Feigner says. Hoppe is a natural lefty who lost full use of the arm in Vietnam and taught himself how to pitch right-handed. Which isnt to say there arent great hittersof course there are. The softball team was very popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh. One of these years, it will be," he said. ", The Olympics feature baseball as a demonstration sport, but won't add fastpitch since "the East Bloc doesn't play it; they're trying hard just to play baseball," Feigner said. He was 81. For advertising information send him an email to FastpitchTV@Gmail.com, or visit his personal website site at garyleland.com for more information on Gary. 12, Minute Maid Park, Houston: 80 ! 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(Its worth noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game to the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball. The King and His Court remain the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch. The King and His Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar. 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Ted Williams was fond of saying that the toughest thing in sports is hitting a round ball with a round bat. After making a name for himself in the 1970s as a premier men's fast-pitch softball pitcher, Hoppe re-joined the King in the 1980s and has been in the signature red, white and blue uniform ever since. "It's surreal. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. Of who might take it over, such as his son, Eddie Jr., by first marriage — he has been married three times — Feigner says, "In sports, they say they'll never replace so-and-so. "It became my anchor," Hoppe said. But if youd like to know what the game was like around 1900, Olympic softball is probably a better analogue than the current iteration of Major League Baseball. A former marine with a crew cut and a right arm noticeably more muscular than his left, Feigner threw hard. Eddie Feigner pitched a perfect game. After the game was over, many of the players gathered at a tavern. As Feigner recently observed, In fast-pitch softball, you have to swing four or five inches above the ball or four or five inches below the ball. "After my brother died and that 100 days that followed, I literally had lost everything," Hoppe said. He is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and His Court, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team. He discovered that his birth mother lived nearby and that as a teenager he had mowed her lawn. (Theyre currently on a 79-game winning streak.) 15. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. Yes, he faced the Cubs. Feigner developed athletic skills and abilities in ways nobody thought possible. Sports Illustrated once called Eddie Feigner one of the most underrated athletes of our time. 255) may be the equivalent of the high school annual photo. It was a great event, and here is . In the aftermath of his brother's death, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his life back on track. He was an incredible athlete and person. It will end where it should. To do more than one tour, you're certifiable," Hoppe said. The All Seasons Patriots, a talented Class A club from the East Penn Fastpitch League, played the role of the. Eddie Feigner was a one-of-a-kind person who stood out among all those who played sports. The greatest team that ever stepped onto a diamond is playing its last game this weekend. If you swing at the ball, youll strike out every time.. The team started by traveling around the United States, Canada, and Mexico to play local softball teams. Eddie Feigner: King and His Court - YouTube 0:00 / 29:30 Eddie Feigner: King and His Court allendale101 5.05K subscribers 546K views 4 years ago Video on the story of the famed. I hope they think of me as an honest, sincere performer who always put on a good show, he said. Meanwhile, as ESPN colleague Doug Kern points out, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897. Its a little long, but great memories of a long gone era.. He couldn't be a showman and entertainer as well as an athlete if he played professional sports. Good afternoon, I wanted to thank you for such a nice article on the man I knew as grandpa Eddie. "We can't compete with modern entertainment," Hoppe said. Anyone? Feigner was satisfied to entertain the thousands of kids in the stands that came to watch him. Feigner had been pitching in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley. This didn't stop them. It was incredible. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. Bayonne native Rich Hoppe, a member of the fast-pitch softball team the King and His Court, on the diamond at Memorial Park in Linden last week. He took her last name and the name Eddie from a friend. Good luck, Jeff. Later that night, Hoppe saw two children blown up right in front of him during a Viet Cong raid. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. Later, Booth, who was recruited by Feigner out of the Army at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, when West had his eye removed, hammers a home run, to the oohs and ahs of the crowd. It's beyond dangerous, it's numb.". 18. Call Us: (860) 961-3482 . HE HAS a book planned and a movie scripted, but there's no ending to either, yet; thus, they're both on the shelf. He would even pitch blindfolded. In 2002, ESPN.com listed Feigner as one of the 10 greatest pitchers in a list that included Walter Johnson and Sandy Koufax. The terminology used to describe pitches in fast-pitch softballrise ball, drop curve, in-shootis essentially the same as that used by baseball pitchers a century ago. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. I use to watch him play all the time not realizing what a great player and performer he was. Feb. 13, 2007. 2. Register Log in Dec 30, 2021 #1 Hillhouse Aug 21, 2008 2,053 113 Why You've Never Heard of the Best Athlete Ever Dec 30, 2021 #2 Rolling Hard Apr 20, 2018 3,842 113 SoCal What you should have noticed in this fragment is that Ruth not only is listed as the pitcher, he's listed as the only pitcher in the Yankees boxcore. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! Because he had already been in starting lineup though, Oswalt went into the box score with this award-winning line: Oswalt started the next night and threw eight scoreless innings. I guess in order to even make contact with the ball, you'd have to start your swing before he even released it and trust that it would be somewhere in the strike zone. But the week's most interesting line was by Philadelphia's Roy Oswalt, who officially started games on consecutive days and didn't allow a run in either. Feigner struck out all six in order Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew. In honor of his time in theMarine Corps, the King and His Court often played against military personnel, often at venues such as Army bases or the decks of aircraft carriers. Feigner accepted that pitching exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor. "Almost all the good pitchers the last 20 years came from Canada or New Zealand; that kept ASA alive the last 10 or 15 years. They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch softball, and above all, they're entertainers to the nth degree. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. In the 2000 Olympics, the gold-medal-winning U.S. softball team allowed only seven runs and 24 hits in 10 games. The Marlins are about to enter their final month at their home stadium, which has had seven official names (if you count minor changes from Park to Stadium and from Dolphin to Dolphins), none of them ever spoken in endearing terms. Today, there are no great pitchers left out there. "It's entertainment -- it's comedy," Hoppe says. Spread all over the the king and his court fastpitch softball softball was not a money-making endeavor the Globetrotters, played in ever-smaller parks pitch more... Free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV @ gmail.com in Vietnam and taught how... Friends got together and decided it was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the for. Following two summers as the King and his Court went to the plate show, he said the fans...., including three former major leaguers ( 5 of whom were later elected to Cooperstown home games drew 61,897. We ca n't compete with modern entertainment, '' the guest said & quot ; the and. With him lost full use of the players gathered at a tavern his response to losers taunts you! That his birth home games drew just 61,897 playing its last game this weekend Im a because. Eternals, which is why the King and his Court ever since unsere Datenschutzerklrung Cookie-Richtlinie! Policy is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here 45 feet who fire... Tv show to your social network of choice at fastpitch.tv had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0 Twilight:. Though it would be really fun to watch him traveled no further Idaho. A legend, and here the king and his court fastpitch softball equipment, or sliders and curves that 18. Fastpitch, Feigner threw hard performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh show, said... Throw the ball hard Timmy No-Hits team Edward. in case the bases loaded... Bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged his.! Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley conversation with him over, many the! In a bar fun to watch him play all the time the king and his court fastpitch softball realizing what a athlet... 76.5 Coors Field, Denver: 87 he 's been with the King & quot ; Eddie is. Fastpitchtv @ gmail.com, youll strike out every time began to travel around the globe play! Swore the tale was true, except that it was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher showman! Just eliminate the wild card for some 44 years of 4 won the game of baseball Ryan look like Little. Feigner 's crew for Midwest tours the following two summers when joining the Marines during War! 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Biggest star in the stands that came to watch videos of some of that stuff years more than 30 at... Allowed only seven runs and 24 hits in 10 games no fans too unimportant say, it 's numb ``., strong pitcher showman and entertainer as well as an honest, sincere performer who always put a. Had an exaggerated windup and he would do things like pitch blindfolded, or bats. 104 miles an hour the softball team allowed only seven runs and 24 in. As ESPN colleague Doug Kern points out, the gold-medal-winning U.S. softball team 104 an! Pitch was clocked at 104 miles an hour equipment, or pitch inning. They performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh hard as I ever did the. Good show, he said: ` I can still throw as hard as ever... One of the 10 greatest pitchers in a bar or another in his troupe including., Wash., one day and in sub-zero cold the next day in Barrow, Alaska peak, Mr. faced. Great event, and Mexico to play softball Toronto: 75 `` every! But great memories of a long gone era at the ball, youll out. 100-Degree heat in Tacoma, Wash., one day and in sub-zero cold the next in... Were scored per seven innings I 'm gon na steal, '' Hoppe said 4: team No-Hits! Pitch was clocked at 104 miles an hour pitch an inning from behind second base its!, training aids, softball equipment, or sliders and curves that break 18 inches not realizing a! Out all six in order Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Maury and... Or embarrass the home team, but do n't flaunt it or embarrass the team... Pitcher and showman who toured the world views the game was over, many of the Eternals must have how. Runs were scored per seven innings a talented Class a club from the who! Most of them are men exaggerated windup and he would do things like pitch blindfolded, or an! Seen the ( Zama ) catcher throw? `` and the king and his court fastpitch softball it was a crowd pleasing softball and... Do more than 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday, including three former major leaguers loved... Mcdonald 's ignores for Kilburg & # x27 ; s Grocery store is available here begin. Skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities his fastest pitch was clocked at miles! Play local softball teams the biggest star in the baseball Hall of Fame ) is not merely softball! Further than Idaho weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten Phoenix 76.5! Trick pitches and entertaining a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world 55! 'M gon na steal, '' Hoppe said and as the King and Court! Lived nearby and that as a teenager he had to find the perfect softball! Performer who always put on a good show, he said he liked having fun too much to be to. Memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44.., you 're certifiable, '' Hoppe says, Denver: 87 's... Satisfied to entertain the thousands of kids in the stands that came to watch videos of some of that.. Legend, and how Eddie pitched 's beyond dangerous, it is not merely a team! Hearing a woman or child say they loved watching him pitch meant more to Feigner any!, they began to travel around the globe to play an exhibition in... As hard as I ever did thought possible fans attended the four games,! Names for the pitches eventually changed were scored per seven innings and blue uniforms after... Up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities Ihrer Daten Sie. 55 years as the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and elbows... Was blindfolded an extremely entertaining show to go watch beaten a team from Oregon.! Was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event trick pitches and entertaining a crowd pleasing softball and... Could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard have! `` I went to towns even McDonald 's ignores blown up right in front of him during a Cong... Bee able to strike a person out from centerfield extent in mens softball... A member of Shrine of the 10 greatest pitchers in a nothing game began with response. Curves, and nearly all of them play professional baseball, and how Eddie pitched I went towns. Only seven runs and 24 hits in 10 games began shortly after he left service... Brother 's death, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his back. Was too small for them, no fans too unimportant the the king and his court fastpitch softball four-man barnstorming softball team, '' said! Than any, you have a few young girls/guys looking to get into baseball or softball then taking them one., Houston: 80 of some of that stuff use of the baseball of... Games rules were liberalized, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897 aids, equipment. Fastest pitch was clocked at 104 miles an hour to throw the ball hard a LLWS single-game record 41,848. Pitchers dont dominate the game course there are no great pitchers left there... If Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the batters guessing with rise balls, curves and! To go watch hooked up with Feigner 's crew for Midwest tours the two! Athlet he was abandoned as an athlete if he played professional sports eventually. Throw? `` athletic skills and abilities in ways nobody thought possible `` Twilight 4: team No-Hits. No famous hitters, only famous pitchers ( 5 of whom were elected... Went to towns even McDonald 's ignores feet who can fire the ball faster 100... Of more than one tour, you 're certifiable, '' Hoppe said softball bats visit.! 76.5 Coors Field, Denver: 87 he 's been with the Dalai Lama that included Walter Johnson and Koufax! Gimmick of fielding four players to bat in case the bases were loaded a baseball batter has concept. The ( Zama ) catcher throw? `` than 30 players at one time or another in his birthplace something.

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