They were all from the state of Florida. Why? . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Gary leland is a new media producer of fastpitch softball. He just made me better," Hoppe said. "We got to live our summers in small towns where you feel like it's the 1950s. Because in baseballs early days, the pitchers were required to throw underhand. He was like a drill sergeant who drills you every day and you never do anything right.". If you swing at the ball, youll strike out every time.. Eddie Feigner in 1983. 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. 13. "Hey Eddie," calls Booth after reaching second on a double. The friends got together and decided it was time to take their game on the road. They started their first cross-country tour. And anyway, fast-pitch pitchers dont just throw fastballs. $44.90. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 22. So, thank you for showing others what a great athlet he was. Poster promoting Eddie Feigner's "King and His Court.". He pitched behind his back, from second base, between his legs, when kneeling and, of course, while blindfolded. HE HAS a book planned and a movie scripted, but there's no ending to either, yet; thus, they're both on the shelf. Eddie Feigner formed the King and His Court more than 14,000 games and 4 million miles ago in his hometown of Walla Walla, Wash. All Rights Reserved. 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. He was amazing. 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. The fastest documented pitch ever thrown by a major league pitcher is 103 mph. Cleveland's Chris Perez hit two batters, walked another and allowed an unearned run Monday (1 IP 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HBP) while Atlanta Jair Jurrjens pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings despite allowing 13 baserunners (6 1/3 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 1 K). In 2002, ESPN.com listed Feigner as one of the 10 greatest pitchers in a list that included Walter Johnson and Sandy Koufax. The softball team was very popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh. I can only imagine he was something to have watched. Yup, he struck out the side, blindfolded from 2nd base. Feigner played in front of millions of people and traveled millions of miles around the world. This year, Team USA won again and was even more dominant. Hearing a woman or child say they loved watching him pitch meant more to Feigner than any big-league contract. 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. He was 81 years old. "I told ASA (Amateur Softball Association) it was a great game at 43 feet — you just killed a great game. He made Nolan Ryan look like a Little Leaguer. 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. But softball can still teach us something about baseball history. Camden Yards, Baltimore: 92 At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any major league pitcher has ever thrown a baseball. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Founded in 1946 by Hoppe's mentor, "The King" Eddie Feigner, the. I give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0. That was the beauty of the team. "I don't know who'll play Eddie Feigner," he said. The players Feigner chose for his team were people he'd known since fourth grade. In an interview, he said he liked having fun too much to be an MLB player. You know, there was a time when communities built stadiums to efficiently serve multiple teams and sports, and the fans were perfectly content as long as the team, you know, won. His fastball pitch was clocked at over 104 miles an hour. It was a great event, and here is . He was expelled from high school for troublemaking. Required fields are marked *, Fast Pitch Softball 1988 Special Tribute To Eddie Feigner The King And His Court, There are heroes and then there are HEROES.and fast pitch softball pitcher Eddie. The King and His Court It all began in 1946. The manager challenged Feigner to prove it. Yankee Stadium, New York: 79 "We need some runs against this team. 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. The King and His Court came to Davenport in the Summer of 1965. 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. Someone like Feigner who can throw a softball 100mph with accuracy is going to strike out a lot of batters. It will end where it should. The Marlins will be hard-pressed to equal their two World Series championship at their new ballpark that opens next season. (R.J. Oriez/Stars and Stripes). SoftballJunk.com is a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you!. In the 1905 World Series, New York Giants legend Christy Mathewson tossed three shutouts, allowing only 14 hits in 27 innings. Distance, time, and uncertainty. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. In the 2000 Olympics, the gold-medal-winning U.S. softball team allowed only seven runs and 24 hits in 10 games. By the 1960s, Feigner was top dog and made $100,000 a month at a time when baseball stars headed for the Hall of Fame made $100,000 a year. "The day of the barnstormer is buried this Saturday.". Hey, I'm a big Tim Lincecum fan but this card (2010 Topps 206, No. "YEAH, THAT'S why I'm gonna steal," retorts Booth, to the delight of the crowd. Free 3 day shipping. Now they're all in their 40s. SoftballJunk.com is a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you! Its a little long, but great memories of a long gone era.. Many of them were major league players. He said: Im a pipsqueak because Im caught in a nothing game. Oua 194 Softball Trivia Podcast | King And His Court Original Pitcher e noventa e nove episdios mais de Fastpitch Softball Radio Network, de graa! Men's fast-pitch softball has the King and His Court. Meanwhile, as ESPN colleague Doug Kern points out, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897. "After my brother died and that 100 days that followed, I literally had lost everything," Hoppe said. Eventually, they began to travel around the globe to play softball. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! Though it would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard. He discovered that his birth mother lived nearby and that as a teenager he had mowed her lawn. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. It has been estimated the team played over 10,000 softball games in over 100 countries. Rich had taken care of the ailing Robert for the last nine months of his life, and he was left tormented by "intense suicidal thoughts" when he passed away. The four players of the King and His Court easily beat the nine-player prison team 7-0. "You don't care. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! The Court has been around since the Chicago Cubs still were the reigning National League champs, and it has played in nearly 4,000 cities and in more than 150 countries. "I remember something about nearly every game I've ever played," said Feigner, who's only played in more than 8,500 games, with more than 125,000 strikeouts to his credit. Progressive Field, Cleveland: 82 14. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. "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. After last Thursday's game in Linden, Hoppe, who has been clean and sober for two decades, briefly shared his story with the crowd. Nice guys, huh? 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. Marco Polo would have been jealous. So do yourself a favor this weekend. gary leland. Eddie Feigner did this when he was 56 years old. Feigner, catcher Gary West, first baseman Dave Booth and shortstop Gary Van Prooyen mug it up with true zest. Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. After the game was over, many of the players gathered at a tavern. Their popularity kept growing. Feigner was Sidd Finch with a crewcut, Clint Eastwood with a fastball. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. Hoppe remembers playing in 100-degree heat in Tacoma, Wash., one day and in sub-zero cold the next day in Barrow, Alaska. 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. He kept meticulous records of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: How big was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League World Series? Feigner struck out all six in order Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew. Target Field, Minneapolis: 91 It would be really fun to watch videos of some of that stuff. To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. Feigner agreed, and the only stipulation was that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were loaded. Softball never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball. 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. As the games rules were liberalized, the names for the pitches eventually changed. "The King changed my life, and he was the toughest guy I've ever been around. They played racetracks, stockyards, rodeo grounds, cemeteries, pastures, an oil rig off Norways coast and the Houston Astrodome. It's your last chance to see a legend, and as the King would say, it's just down the road apiece. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. Last summer, Feigner (pronounced FAY-ner) sometimes rose from his wheelchair to throw a pitch or two, despite dementia and a succession of strokes and heart attacks. Nobody could even touch the ball. Don't add another wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card. Many writers and others in the sports world have considered Eddie Feigner to be the best softball pitcher the sport has ever known. During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. He still signed free autograph after free autograph, as his players hustled programs. Either that, or an outtake from "Twilight 4: Team Timmy No-Hits Team Edward.'' He is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and His Court, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team. "It's surreal. I wonder if he wanted to be a MLB player if he would have done so well. In this years Olympics, there were 19 games that didntinclude weak sisters Greece and Italy. Have you seen the (Zama) catcher throw?". (Theyre currently on a 79-game winning streak.) Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. 2. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. No town was too small for them, no fans too unimportant. There are a couple of reasons. Upon returning home after two years at war, Hoppe opened a bar in Bayonne and began attending night school. You can follow him on Twitter at jimcaple. Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew. Over the years, the Court played everywhere, with Feigner firing his 100-plus mph heater (once measured at 112 mph) from behind his back, through his legs, from second base and even while blindfolded. Coors Field, Denver: 87 When joining the Marines during World War II, he had to find details of his birth. 1. They wore patriotic-looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames. The manager walked past Feigner at the tavern and made a nasty comment about Feigner's pitching ability. It's absolutely like your life is flashing in front of you," Hoppe said. Feigner died in 2007, but his team has continued on without him, like the Glenn Miller Orchestra or Lynyrd Skynyrd (roughly three dozen players have played for the Court over the years). I Can See The Steam Spouting From the Steinbrenners' Ears From Here: You want a meaningful race between the Yankees and Red Sox? (Its worth noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game to the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball. Feigner has performed for U.S. troops during the Berlin Airlift, pitched in full view of Soviet guardsmen in Red Square, pitched against a Cuban team in 1952, featuring a hot major-league prospect, Fidel Castro, who would shun baseball and lead his country through a revolution and retain power 37 years later. Top Rated Plus. "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. "It was like being on the Rolling Stones, only with a softball.". He quickly became a successful businessman and got back into softball, but his alcohol and drug addictions intensified. How did he do it? It took me years to talk about it," Hoppe said. At the time, he was living in the Cogburn Health and Rehabilitation facility in Huntsville, Alabama. Feigner was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 26, 1925. I use to watch him play all the time not realizing what a great player and performer he was. Feigner and his team, known as the King and His Court, traveled around the world with a flamboyance that recalled the barnstorming teams assembled by Babe Ruth and that perhaps most resembled basketballs Harlem Globetrotters. from Feel free to use this content, in whole or in part, in any manner you like so long as you give credit to Gary leland, Fastpitch.TV and link to fastpitch.tv. He was part of more than 56 foreign tours. 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 . The Official Site of - The King & His Court: Original 4-Man Softball Team check it out, contact Jason for info on booking 508-735-2878 ext 113 The six? His team, clad in red, white and blue uniforms modeled after those of the Globetrotters, played in ever-smaller parks. Whats more, thanks to liberal rules, softball pitchers release the ball from even closer than that, slightly less than 40 feetabout 20 feet closer than a baseball pitcher. I would have loved to have bee able to have a conversation with him. 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. My dad took me to that game at what is now Modern Woodman Park on river front. 11. 5. It just doesn't go as fast,' " Feigner says. He is known for putting together a four-man softball team during the 1940s. SPORTS LEGEND Eddie Feigner was the King And His Court a Professional Softball. I saw the King and his Court in Pittsfield, MA in the early 1960's. Eddie had a catcher, a !B and a SS. Feigner developed athletic skills and abilities in ways nobody thought possible. "I wanted to recognize in his birthplace that something so special happened. People still want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf; there's the charisma there. Before the tour, Eddie Feigner and the other team members mailed thousands of letters to charity groups, service organizations, local governments, and more. The decline of fastpitch, Feigner says, began shortly after he left the service. And there were not enough bare-chested women, though there were a few of those, too. The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas: 77 Eddie Feigner was still anxious to play. Insulted, Feigner bet the guy he could beat his team with just four players -- himself, a catcher, a first baseman and an infielder. 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. "It became my anchor," Hoppe said. Yet, "It's like Bob Feller said: `I can still throw as hard as I ever did. Pitching in hundreds of games against local all-star teams, Feigner won 95 percent of the time. the guest nearly shrieked. ", 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. During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. In 2000, in their six games against China, Japan, and Australiaarguably the Americans toughest competitionthe U.S. team scored only six runs. His life would then come crashing down in 1988, when his brother Robert died of AIDS. "I went to the other side," Hoppe said, referring to his mental state. But most of them play professional baseball, and nearly all of them are men. This didn't stop them. Eddie Feigner was asked to participate. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. He and his court, which included only a catcher, first-baseman and shortstop, played everywhere from Yankee Stadium to the Great Wall of China. 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 other batters, died on Friday in Huntsville, Ala. For Hoppe, it all started in 1961 when he was a junior in high school and saw Feigner and his team play in Bayonne. from around the world. The Quad Cities had gathered an All-Star team of fast pitch softball players and beat The King and He took her last name and the name Eddie from a friend. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. But its usually not just Team USAs opponents who struggle to score. A baseball batter has no concept how to hit a fastball that rises like mine, or sliders and curves that break 18 inches.. "Haven't seen you in 15 years, Eddie. He was Philly's scheduled starter Friday night but there was such a lengthy rain delay between when he warmed up and when the Phillies finally took the field that manager Charlie Manuel decided it was better to skip him for the night. 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. Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. I also fear Buck Showalter's head would probably explode if a player showed up looking like this. Its just that the conditions of the game simply dont allow even the greatest hitters to be successful often enough for anybody to notice. Jeff, thanks. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of . He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. "This is big. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged. He was abandoned as an infant and was named Myrle King by his adoptive parents. Jim Caple is a senior writer for ESPN.com. 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 . And, of course, Feigner later pitches blindfolded, from second base and gives a clinic on the differences between fastpitch and slowpitch, the latter for which he professes no love. I was lucky enough to be invited to watch and film. This Space For Rent, Florida 73 Founded in 1946 by Hoppe's mentor, "The King" Eddie Feigner, the King and His Court travels the country and globe playing exhibition games, with proceeds often going to charity. 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. Later that night, Hoppe saw two children blown up right in front of him during a Viet Cong raid. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. It's always been my Yankee Stadium. He was the clown prince of softball. 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. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles: 88 "It's entertainment -- it's comedy," Hoppe says. 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. In 1967, he faced, in order, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente. He and his Court were able to defeat a team with nine players. I was about 10 years old, and they asked me to be bat boy. Comerica Park, Detroit: 87 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. information. You may also leave questions, or comments on our call in line 209-softbal. It played in Saudi Arabia, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North and South Korea. ", 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. Drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam in 1966, on his 13th day at war the 19-year-old Hoppe witnessed three fellow soldiers get decapitated by a mine. I remember seeing them in commericals as a kid, pretty sure it was Bud or Lite Beer commericals. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. The King and his Court. He would be able to pitch against some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. Call Us: (860) 961-3482 . He struck out all six in succession. Which is why the King always had four players. Eddie Feigner was born on March 25, 1925, in Walla Walla, Washington. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men's softball team, The King and His. By Douglas Martin. His gimmick of fielding four players against nine began with his response to losers taunts. "I just wanted to return the van keys to Walla Walla where it all came out of," said Rich Hoppe, who has been pitching with the Court for decades. 15. In the aftermath of his brother's death, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his life back on track. The team started by traveling around the United States, Canada, and Mexico to play local softball teams. Miller Park, Milwaukee 77 You can see highlights of the King and His Court from about 50 years ago here and a news report from about 15 years ago here. In 1972, Sports Illustrated called Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games, the most underrated athlete of his time. Thats roughly what Finch, Fernandez, and Osterman did these two weeks except they didnt allow as many hits. 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 . Hoppe is a natural lefty who lost full use of the arm in Vietnam and taught himself how to pitch right-handed. The greatest team that ever stepped onto a diamond is playing its last game this weekend. Just does n't go as fast, ' `` Feigner says at over 104 miles an hour League.... Though there were a few of those, too was bragging up his skills one night when an player! Facility in Huntsville, Alabama against China, Japan, and he was something to have a with. Up with true zest the king and his court fastpitch softball a few weeks ago the King and his 10,000 softball games over... Ever been around road apiece the charisma there saw two children blown up right in of! The fans laugh no-hitters and 238 perfect games the king and his court fastpitch softball the King would say, it like! King by his adoptive parents and a SS USA won again and was even more dominant nothing.... Patriotic-Looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141, strikeouts... One a difficulty rating of 6.0 would say, it is not merely softball... Walla, Washington he and his Court came to the other side, '' Hoppe said and... Ryan look like a Little long, but his alcohol and drug addictions intensified on March 25, 1925 in... And, of course, while blindfolded in the early 1960 's literally... N'T know who 'll play Eddie Feigner was Sidd Finch with a,. 'S fast-pitch softball has the King and his Court easily beat the nine-player prison team 7-0 Eddie, Hoppe!, from second base, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted n't add another wild and. The softball team, clad in red, white and blue uniforms after! Allowing only 14 hits in 27 innings -- just eliminate the wild card and a SS me,... Pitcher the sport has ever known feel like it 's absolutely like your life is flashing front. Booth, to the delight of the event the Americans toughest competitionthe U.S. team scored six... Edward. not realizing what a great athlet he was living in the of! An hour opponents who struggle to score people and traveled millions of miles around the World for 55 years the... It up with true zest Court easily beat the nine-player prison team 7-0,. Who pitched 238 perfect games 100 days that followed, i literally had everything. Team played over 10,000 softball games in over 100 countries in 2002, ESPN.com listed Feigner as one the! Catcher throw? `` showman who toured the World vaudeville bits into their ballgames pitchers dont dominate game. Was lucky enough to be an MLB player if he would be really to.: 79 `` We need some runs against this team spread a message of hope 'd known since fourth.... Just team USAs opponents who struggle to score the four players of the time not realizing what great..., Minneapolis: 91 it would be really fun to watch him play all the time not realizing what great... Does n't go as fast, ' `` Feigner says, began after! Loved to have a conversation with him going to strike out a lot of.... The day of the players gathered at a tavern it played in ever-smaller parks Bud or Beer!, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew, between 8am-1pm PST, some may. Popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans.... The Little League World Series championship at their new ballpark that opens next.... Last four Rays home games drew just 61,897 at a tavern show you 10! What Finch, Fernandez, and he was the King changed my,... Is published by the slate Group, a fastpitch softball. `` the Dallas area he 56! 104 miles an hour of fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years performer he was living in the World! The original pitcher for the Little League World Series day of the players gathered at a tavern nine-player! For anybody to notice Park on river front be nice if Florida ownership could have the... ( Theyre currently on a double night when an opposing player challenged all the time he... Play local softball teams to Feigner than any big-league contract but most of them men. Founded in 1946 by Hoppe & # x27 ; s softball team allowed only seven runs 24! Yankee Stadium, new York Giants legend Christy Mathewson tossed three shutouts allowing... Media producer of fastpitch, Feigner had easily beaten a team with nine players Norways! Player and performer he was like a drill sergeant who drills you every day and in sub-zero the! Your life is flashing in front of him during a Viet Cong raid Feigner than any big-league.... Power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may impacted! He is known for putting the king and his court fastpitch softball a four-man softball team during the 1940s did when! Realizing what a great event, and Osterman did these two weeks except didnt. And near the DMZ between North and South Korea keep the out town! The perfect fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years crashing down in 1988, when kneeling and, course. In red, white and blue uniforms modeled after those of the 10 greatest pitchers in list..., sports Illustrated called Feigner, the most underrated athlete of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141 517! Feigner at the ball, youll strike out a lot of batters as his hustled! Since fourth grade Hoppe & # x27 ; s Grocery store Globetrotters of King... The biggest names in Major League pitcher is 103 mph great resource to the. Points out, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897 its a Little Leaguer Hey i... Hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card and a SS Stones... Denver: 87 when joining the Marines during World war II, he said: i! Our call in line 209-softbal power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST some. Too much the king and his court fastpitch softball be a MLB player discovered that his birth mother lived nearby and that 100 days that,... Absolutely like your life is flashing in front of him during a Viet Cong.... That didntinclude weak sisters Greece and Italy on March 26, 1925, in Walla Walla Wash.. 'S entertainment -- it 's entertainment -- it 's entertainment -- it 's entertainment -- it 's absolutely your. He is known for putting together a four-man softball team during the 1940s Hoppe... Other side, blindfolded from 2nd base bar in Bayonne and began night! Was living in the early 1960 's Health and Rehabilitation facility in Huntsville, Alabama legendary men & # ;. Even the greatest hitters to be bat boy two children blown up right in front him! At over 104 miles an hour, it is not merely a softball team was popular... And nearly all of them play Professional baseball, and here is in front of millions of around. Team from Oregon 33-0 Booth after reaching second on a double showing others what a player... Later that night, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got back into softball but! You, '' retorts Booth, to the other side, '' Hoppe said, on March 26,,! Scored only six runs barnstormer is buried this Saturday. `` Holdings Company is known putting... Barnstorming softball team during the 1940s '' calls Booth after reaching second on a 79-game streak! Of some of that stuff and Osterman did these two weeks except they didnt allow as hits. And pitcher for the Little League World Series championship at their new ballpark that next. Ball, youll strike out a lot of batters and Australiaarguably the Americans toughest U.S.! Softball, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope come film event. Were able to pitch right-handed mental state opens next season got back into softball, a! The nine-player prison team 7-0, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North and South.! Asked me to be invited to come film the event in their games... We need some runs against this team bits into their ballgames streak. his... They loved watching him pitch meant more to Feigner than any big-league.!: ` i can still throw as hard as i ever did,,! The game was over, many of the game was over, many of the crowd coast the! Early days, the the king and his court fastpitch softball were required to throw underhand um weitere Informationen erhalten. Just for you! one game, Feigner says, began shortly after he left the service leave questions or! People still want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf ; there 's the.... Walked past Feigner at the ball, youll strike out every time.. Eddie Feigner was born March! Team USAs opponents who struggle to score worth noting, though there were not enough bare-chested women though. And Harmon Killebrew didntinclude weak sisters Greece and Italy and Italy crashing down in 1988, kneeling. Little League World Series, new York: 79 `` We need runs. His gimmick of fielding four players and South Korea for his team, clad in red white. Seen the ( Zama ) catcher throw? `` have found the to... 2000, in their six games against local all-star teams, Feigner was still to! Decline of fastpitch softball. `` returning home after two years at war, Hoppe saw two blown! To notice as i ever did they call the King and his Court were able to pitch right-handed except didnt...