BIO:

John Tomlinson has sponsored Men’s C and D softball teams in Greater Cincinnati under the “Saints” banner every year since 2000.  And no team in the tri-state has a more recognizable “brand” or has played more games.  It is estimated that Saints Softball has played over 2,000 games, and Tomlinson has spent between $8,000 and $15,000 a year sponsoring the team.  Early on the Saints had co-sponsors, like Moe’s Southwest Grill, Mizuno, Mike Foulks and Schmidt Plumbing, but since 2008, the Saints have been primarily funded out of Tomlinson’s pocket.  Tomlinson typically pays for all of his team’s uniforms and entry fees.  During the team’s heyday in the mid-to-late nineties, it was not uncommon for the Saints to play two or more tournaments every weekend.  For eleven seasons (2002-2011), the Saints have accrued at least 1,270 points playing USSSA softball, and as many as 2,470 (2009).  They have been the top-ranked team in their class in either Kentucky or Cincinnati nine times and second twice.  Six years they were ranked no lower than 4^th in the Great Lakes Division, and have only been ranked worse than 7^th once.  Nationally, they have been ranked among the top fifty teams in the country eight of eleven seasons, with their highest ranking coming in 2009 (9^th).  In 2009 the Saints won an unprecedented sixteen tournaments and finished second five times.  In addition to coaching or managing all of the teams he has sponsored, Tomlinson has also been active as a player too.  He has played every position, compiled a lifetime batting average of .685, and is believed to have hit more home runs – 5,000 –plus – than any player in Greater Cincinnati softball history.  Tomlinson’s teams also have a long-standing reputation for sportsmanship, as the team does not tolerate players arguing with umpires, teammates, fans or opponents.