The 2016 Softball Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2016 Softball Hall of Fame Inductees
The eight new members of the National ASA/USA Softball Hall of Fame.
The National Softball Hall of Fame has a total of 371 inductees, honored for their contributions to the sport in various categories. They may have been a standout player, an umpire, a sponsor, manager, commissioner, or someone who served the sport meritoriously.
This year, eight legends were inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame. Let's take a look at who they are and what they have done to impact the sport of softball.
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Jennie Finch, Fastpitch Player
Here is Jennie striking out Albert Pujols:
Ken Eriksen, Meritorious Service
Harry Haroian, Fastpitch Player
Peter Meredith, Fastpitch Player
John Nelson, Umpire
Tom Penders, Fastpitch Player
Mick Rennesien, Meritorious Service
Terry Petersen, Sponsor
This year, eight legends were inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame. Let's take a look at who they are and what they have done to impact the sport of softball.
***
Jennie Finch, Fastpitch Player
Let's be honest, we don't need to tell you who she is. But we will. Jennie Finch is a two-time Olympian, two-time Pan American Gold Medalist, and three-time World Champion. She is a former California Cruiser club ball player who led her 12U team to an ASA National Title. Jennie played pro for the Chicago Bandits from 2005-2009, finishing the 2009 season with a 1.76 ERA. She played college ball for the Arizona Wildcats from 1999-2002, where she won the Honda Award for the Nation's Best Player. Currently, Jennie conducts camps all over the nation and runs her own softball academy in New Jersey.
Here is Jennie striking out Albert Pujols:
Ken Eriksen, Meritorious Service
Ken Eriksen was the Assistant Coach of Jennie Finch, Lisa Fernandez, Crystl Bustos, Kelly Kretschman, Cat Osterman, Natasha Watley, and other legends at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. The team (obviously) took Gold. Ken became the Head Coach of the USA Women's National Team in 2011 and will oversee the upcoming USA Softball Women's National Selection Camp in Clearwater, Florida. In 1991, Ken was a catcher for the United States National Fastpitch Team that won the Pan American Games Silver Medal. This year was Ken's 19th season as Head Coach for the University of South Florida.
Harry Haroian, Fastpitch Player
Harry Haroian is a four-time ASA All American and was a premier men's fastpitch player in the '60s and '70s. He was both an outstanding catcher and utility player.
Peter Meredith, Fastpitch Player
Peter Meredith is a twelve-time ASA All American and four-time member of Team USA. He was the pitcher for the USA team that took silver at the 1998 World Championship and took silver at the 1995 Pan American Games. Peter holds the record (55-27) for the most wins in ASA/USA Championship play. Peter Meredith has coached at BYU since 2014.
John Nelson, Umpire
With more than 45 years of officiating experience and 14 ASA/USA games umpired under his belt, it's no surprise John Nelson is a member of the Elite Umpire Program. He holds silver status in the ASA Umpire Medals Program, which has four levels--the third of which is silver.
Tom Penders, Fastpitch Player
Tom Penders created the game we all love to watch. At the 1983 National Tournament, he led his team to victory after a one-out, four-run rally. He is a two-time ASA All American (1975, 1976) and five-time ASA Men's Major Fastpitch Champion between 1969 and 1984. And he doesn't just love softball. Tom was the Head Coach of Men's Basketball at the University of Houston from 2004-2010, at George Washington University from 1998-2001, the University of Texas from 1988-1998. Before Texas, Penders coached at Rhode Island, Tufts, Columbia, and Fordham.
Mick Rennesien, Meritorious Service
Mick has been involved in leadership roles for ASA/USA softball on the local, state, and national level. He has served as the Indiana ASA/USA Commissioner since 2011. He served on the ASA/USA Board of Directors from 2005-2013 and served as the ASA/USA Tournament Director eight times. Mick played slow pitch softball for more than 25 years.
Terry Petersen, Sponsor
Terry Petersen's 13 teams were formed more than 34 years ago. His teams have competed at a USA/ASA National Championship every year since 1982. Terry has 14 Top 10 Class A Slow Pitch National Championships and two national titles under his belt.
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