• Saturday, March 17th, 2018
BIO:
Under the Freeze Concrete banner, Jim Freeze sponsored local teams for over 20 years, including some of the premier Men’s Class B teams in Greater Cincinnati during the 1990’s and early 2000’s. It was a time when teams were required to win a National Invitational or National Tournament to qualify for World Tournament play. From 1996 to 2007 in NSA and USSSA play, Freeze Concrete teams won 52 National Invitational Tournaments, three City Slam titles, six B State Championships, four B National crowns, and a World Tournament. They also enjoyed a .600 winning percentage against A-AA teams, winning a pair of A-AA NIT’s, and finished ranked nationally as a top five team in the country for five consecutive years from 1999 to 2004. Jim also contributed to his team in the batting lineup, winning several all-tournament awards. In 2001 he batted .933 to lead Freeze to a USSSA B State title, and in 2004 when he was named the Outstanding Offensive Player in the USSSA B Nationals. With Jim’s induction, Freeze Concrete teams will have produced five members of the Sorrento’s Pizza-Greater Cincinnati Softball of Fame.
• Wednesday, February 01st, 2017
BIO
Under the EMR banner, Don Holden has sponsored men’s and girls’ youth slow pitch softball teams for the last 30 years in Greater Cincinnati. During that time, the name EMR has become synonymous with championship softball, producing some 150 league and tournament titles. That legacy included 52 league and league tournament championships, 75 open and National Invitational tournament titles, eight Cincinnati Metro crowns, three state championships, and six National and World Championships in ASA, NSA and USSSA play. Those championships came in girls youth play, adult men’s play and in the men’s masters program. EMR/Worth’s breakout tournament came in the year 2000, when they won the first of two ASA Cincinnati Metro Major titles. A month later they captured a USSSA “B” National Tournament. In 2001, EMR won back-to-back USSSA NIT’s, bagging both an Early Bird and Louisville Slugger A-AA title. Later that spring they followed up with a victory in the ASA Super Shootout. A year later in 2002 they captured the inaugural USSSA City Slam, then in 2003 traveled to Atlanta Georgia to win the USSSA Peachtree Classic “B” NIT. 2004 brought their second ASA Major Metro crown, and NSA “B” and 35-Over World titles. EMR notched another World Championship in Panama City Beach in the NSA 40-Over in 2005, then won USSSA Girls Youth Worlds in 2007 (12-Under) and 2009 (14-Under). In 2014, EMR won a Men’s “A” and “Open” Metro, then successfully defended that “Open” title in 2015. Sponsor Don Holden says he will always treasure the sportsmanship and lifelong friends he experienced during his 30-plus years sponsoring teams.
• Saturday, February 13th, 2016
BIO:
Bob Shad has been sponsoring men’s softball teams under the EAP name for the past 28 years, which is believed to be the longest, continuously running softball sponsorship in Greater Cincinnati. During that time he has been involved with his teams in the role of player, coach, sponsor, statistician, travel agent and father figure. Over the last three decades, his teams have played almost 2,900 games ranging from the lowest level all the way to the highest. EAP has captured over 40 National Invitationals, five State Championships, two National Championships, and three Metro Championships, including one Major title. Though still chasing that elusive World title, EAP has recorded six top-five finishes in World Tournaments. But more importantly, Bob and his teams are known for much more than wins and losses. Bob has always taken pride in the fact that EAP is recognized for setting the gold standard for good sportsmanship, fair play and honesty. Bob is also widely known in the softball community for helping any team that is running a fund-raiser and for promoting the game through his service on numerous committees and panels. Three years ago Bob was the recipient of the John Earls Memorial Award, the highest honor in local softball aside from being inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Softball Hall of Fame.
• Friday, February 06th, 2015
BIO:
George Young sponsored softball teams in Greater Cincinnati from 1982 through 1994 through his business, Weber’s Café, which he purchased some 26-years ago. Playing as Weber’s, Treb-de-Fox, and Joe & George’s, Young’s team left its mark on local softball, winning several prominent league and tournament titles. They accomplished a three-peat in Rumpke Park’s Wednesday night major league in 1985, 1986, and 1987, and also won the Expressway Park Monday night major league in 1986. In 1983, despite being over-matched against some of the area’s top-ranked teams, Young’s Joe & George’s stunned a field that included area powerhouses like Jay’s, Bushelman Construction, VIP and Avoca Park to capture the ASA Major Metro title at Rumpke Park. Hall of Fame manager Don Schachleiter managed the team. The 1990 season was the most successful for Young, as his Treb-de-Fox team won the prestigious Thoroughbred Classic National Invitational Memorial Day Weekend in Lexington, Ky. behind Hall of Fame pitcher Mark Huber. Then in August, Treb-De-Fox defeated three former World champions – Bunca Car Wash of Michigan, Maroadi Transfer of Pittsburgh, and VIP Limousine of Cincinnati – en route to a runner-up finish in the Hudepohl Classic at Northside K of C. Softball was a big part of Young’s life from 1954 through the ‘90’s, and he forged many life-long friendships through sponsoring teams and attending games. Weber’s Café served it’s last cold beer and last hot mett in 2013 after serving the South Cumminsville area for 122 years. Young says he has crossed paths with over 75 Hall of Fame members during the nearly thirty years he operated his bar.
• Tuesday, January 28th, 2014
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 4th in the Great Lakes Division, and have only been ranked worse than 7th 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 (9th). 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.
