Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony Cancelled and Rescheduled (Again) 

2020 USA SOFTBALL OF ILLINOIS HALL OF FAMERS

Meeting in Decatur, Illinois in December of 2019,  the Illinois Amateur Softball Association Executive Committee voted to induct eight individuals and three teams/organizations into their Illinois Softball Hall of Fame.  Due to the virus pandemic, the induction ceremony has been rescheduled twice and is now on the calendar for October 2, 2021.  The banquet will be the highlight of the Illinois Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame ceremony at the Decatur Hotel and Convention Center.  Selected for induction in the individual category were the following:

Dan Binkley,  Catcher, Blue Mound. Illinois.    Dan was considered one of the best catchers in the game when in his prime. Also was known in his earlier years of fastpitch softball as an excellent pitcher as proved by his performance for the HOF Taylorville Blues boys team.  During his career, he also played for the Taylorville Rookie Club, Decatur A’s, Bloomington Hearts, Decatur Pride/ADM, Taylorville Bob Ridings, and the Decatur Pride.  He was a 3 time all American selection for the Pride, a 4 time Olympic Festival participant and a career .300 hitter.

Jon Hand.....Umpire, Maple Park, Illinois.  A 25 year veteran, Jon has umpired at the very highest level in USA Softball.  That includes the 2019 Women’s Olympic Team Tryouts in 2019 and the Mens WBSC World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 2019.  Is still active in the game today and undoubtedly is considered by many as the best umpire of his generation, perhaps the best of all time on the amateur level.

Clay Brewer, Mens fastpitch player (primarily catcher), Murphysboro. Played for approximately 14 years including several outstanding Class A teams such as state winner Italian Village of Carbondale, Carbondale Ike Buick State runner up and several years for the Southern Illinois Merchants.  On the major (Class AA) level of mens fastpitch he played four years for the Pinckneyville Celtics and made first team all state for three of those years.   He also played the last half of the 1989 season for the Decatur Pride filling in for catcher Dan Binkley.  Late in his career, while back with the Southern Illinois Merchants, he hit two home runs off Indiana pitcher Darrell Bender to win the Midwest Regional and qualify pitcher Mike Combs and the Merchants for the Mens Major National Tournament in Decatur a week later. 

 Bob Mueller, Fastpitch pitcher, Millstadt, Illinois……Currently a member of the St. Louis Softball Hall of Fame and the Belleville Southside Hall of Fame.     Primarily an A pitcher most of his career, but “ Melonhead”did play some for Major teams United Van Lines, and Beelman GMC, both out of St. Louis.  He also pitched in 3 Class A Nationals, was the MVP in the 1991 Midwest Regional, had 11 career no hitters and 4 perfect games.  In 1994 his record was 37 wins and 6 losses.

Larry Fowler, Fastpitch Manager. Taylorville……..Coach/Manager for the 1979-80 Taylorville Blues teams, both of which have been inducted into the Illinois Team Category Hall of Fame.  Those two teams finished as runner ups in the boys youth fastpitch national tournaments that were held at that time.  Larry progressed from youth softball (while using many of the same players) to manage the Taylorville Rookie Club, Decatur A’s and Springfield Brandts. Highly regarded by his softball peers with seemingly strong agreement and support for his pending induction into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame.
Bob Hogan, Mens Fastpitch Pitcher, Kincaid……..One of the forgotten premier pitchers in mens fastpitch softball for 30 years 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.  Pitched against the best teams available during that time period including Decatur, Maroa, Bloomington, Rileys, Perfect Windows, Venetian Blinds, Springfield Saputos and many others.  His career spanned 1949-1975 and during that time pitched over 1,ooo games, pitching 70-80 games a year.  Those games were pitched for teams like Decatur Smokehouse, Rileys, Decatur Merchants, Aleco Fertilizer, Roason Buick, 1 Day Cleaners and a few other teams.  Some stats were not verified but it was said with some certainty by some old timers that Bob threw at least 100 no hitters and regularly struck out 12-15 batters a game.

Helen Mast, (deceased) Women’s Fastpitch Pitcher/Slopitch Player, Decatur….An outstanding slingshot pitcher for More House and Wells, Jarvis Wildcats, Leway Lassies,  and Gentrys Carpets. No stats were available but it was documented that she turned down an opportunity to pitch professionally in California.  Due to declining number of women’s fastpitch teams, she  opted to turn to women’s slopitch and was a key member of the Decatur Challengers.  The challengers are an Illinois ASA Hall of Fame recognized team with at least two women’s major slopitch state championships to their credit and Helen was an all stater for both of those championship teams.

Blake Martin, mens fastpitch player,  Cisco, Illinois….Blake played for Taylorville Bob Ridings, Bloomington Stix, Cerro Gordo Broncos, Villa Grove, Teutopolis, Decatur Pride and Peoria Rage.  He made first team all state in the ASA tournaments in 2005, 2008 and 2009.   Played for 5 state championship teams.  Best year for Blake was 2009 for the Decatur Pride when he batted .364 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI’s. 

OTHER AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

HALL OF FAME TEAMS
English Brothers Mens Slopitch Softball Team
Springfield Streder Mechanic Women’s Slopitch Softball Team
Metamora Ricks Choice/Whiteys TipTop Women’s Slopitch Softball Team

CHUCK MCCORD/JOHN ROWE MERITORIOUS SERICE AWARD
Janie Pownall

DON PLARSKI UMPIRE AWARD
Doug Humphrey

MORELAND J. FINK JO AWARD
Teri Hammel

NOTE: 2020 Team and Individual inductees should hold the October 2 date open.  Additional information will be sent to you sometime next Spring by the Decatur Area CVB and the USA Softball Association of Illinois.  Nomination deadline for the 2021 HOF Class has been extended to April 10, 2021.   

Don Brewer___________________Date_____________
Illinois ASA State Commissioner
Cell:  618-525-1986