Roger Wilson, Sponsor Category

As the owner of Goofy’s for the last 20 years Roger has sponsored nearly 200 different teams in a variety of sports. Since sponsoring his first USSSA team in 1981, countless men’s, women’s and mixed teams have benefited greatly from Roger’s generosity. “It hasn’t had a thing to do with winning,” Roger said. “I’ve enjoyed seeing the teams have the opportunity to play and have fun while representing myself and my business.” While some sponsors would rather relish the exposure his/her team receives from piling win upon win, Wilson, a 1963 graduate of Seattle’s Ballard High School, takes a different approach in regards to his intentions for sponsoring the various teams. Instead, he stresses the importance of the quality of the player as a person, not as a left-handed hitter needed in the lineup. As a participant or spectator of a softball tournament, you see so much great competition that all else seems to take a back seat. Wilson also spent 15 years playing softball for Goofy’s, which he has recently sold. 

Ed Haugen, Umpire Category

Roughly two decades ago Major League Baseball adopted the instant replay and ump-haters from across the country figured that the men behind the masks would finally be proven to be the sightless bats they were alleged to be. However, the thankless job of being an umpire was finally given its proper due when the instant replays revealed that Major League umps had an amazing 98 percent accuracy record. Now Ed Haugen, one of the original eight umpires of USSSA, after 22 years of umpiring softball games, is receiving his proper due and has been inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame. “To me, it’s very special,” Ed said on his recent induction. “It’s the ultimate goal for any umpire to be honored by his peers in the state of Washington.”  Now that Ed has reached the umpire’s spiritual holy land, he is perhaps best qualified to reflect on the effort put into being a member of the game’s elite. He remains acutely aware of the ditch laden path he took in reaching this status. “I would not start umpiring again because of some of the stuff I went through at the beginning,” he said. “The teams aren’t very forgiving, but after 22 years you get fairly good at it.” “Fairly good” is a nice, polite way of saying well-respected. Fairly good describes several umpires out there today, but only a well-respected umpire would be offered the opportunity to officiate the Women’s ‘A’ World Series in Concord, Calif., in 1990. “I love the ballplayers, working with the other umpires and watching good softball,” Ed said.

Gene Johnson, Manager/Coach Category

When people think of Gene Johnson and his involvement with softball, the first thing that comes to mind is his dedication to the game, particularly to the youth program. Gene’s dedication to youth softball is a model all managers/coaches should use when striving to put together a winning program. His respect for others and his ability to bring out the best in his players are traits that personally, make him a winner. During the mid 1980’s, Gene coached a girls youth team, the Coasters, that claimed three second place finishes at the Youth World Championships in that era. His respectful approach to coaching and his ability to develop maximum performance from his players are two aspects of Gene’s character that made him such a successful coach and leader. Although Gene mainly coached youth teams, as recently as 1993 he guided The Bandits, a women’s ‘A’ team that claimed fourth place at the Women’s ‘A’ World Championships. Despite the success that the Johnson-led teams attained on the field, “having the chance to be a part of all the young ladies’ lives and making the friendships,” is what make his memories of coaching special.

Joe Jucha, Executive Director Category

Joe Jucha became involved with USSSA at the administrative level in 1982, but his trip down the thoroughfare began immediately after graduating from high school 40 years ago. He joined the U. S. Air Force in 1955 and stayed there 22 years.  Twenty-nine years ago Joe umpired his first softball game and has been dedicated to the sport ever since. Joe has done it all for USSSA Washington; umpire, tournament director, and Assistant State Director since 1985. Joe is the recipient of several state and national awards including the 1989 State Director’s Award and the 1993 Western Region “Dwight Hall” Spark Plug of the Year award. In 1993 he helped establish the USSSA Washington Hall of Fame.  His efforts have helped make USSSA softball the ever growing successful organization it is today. “When you piece something together and see it grow, it’s always rewarding,” Joe said.  “I want to see USSSA continue growing within Washington State. I know it can and will with our dedicated people.”

Ozzie Boyle, Special Category

With the success that Ozzie Boyle has enjoyed in softball, it is hard to imagine that there was a time when he may not have had the tenacious grasp of the game he has today. Ozzie has done it all for USSSA since 1983; Team Sponsor, Manager, Tournament Director, Asst. State Director, Men’s Classification Chairperson and the driving force for the USSSA Washington Newspaper, Slo-Pitch News. When those who know Ozzie think of him, words come to mind like respect, class, integrity, skill… Ozzie personifies all the good that USSSA has to offer. Recipient of the State Directors Award in 1998 and the Special Service Award in 1991, Ozzie has given USSSA his all. He believes the key to his success is surrounding himself with successful people. Unquestionably, Ozzie and his peers have fed off each other. Names like Dan Lowery, Gene Moser, Dick Calvo and Liner Flaten all have something in common: Each is a Hall of Fame inductee.

Kathy Hemion, Female Player Category

Back when Kathy Hemion should have been a high school sports star, there were no organized sports for girls at Tacoma’s Lakes High School. But that didn’t deter the 1970 graduate from pursuing an athletic career. She as a storied 23 year career in softball playing left center field, which reached its apex in 1990 when Kathy’s B & I team won the ‘B’ Western Regional Tournament in Salem, Oregon. With Kathy in left-center field, B & I’s 5-0 record earmarked her illustrious journey. “It was wonderful,” Kathy said. “I love the game and I’ve met wonderful people that I’ve played with or against.” Many defensive players have groaned as she knowingly steps up to the plate, as do base runners who try to outrun the cannon she fondly refers to as her right arm.

Kathy Unser, Female Player Category

Getting off to an early start in life can help give one an advantage over his or her peers for a short while, but to stay ahead, the individual must truly possess a talent that is intangible to the rest. One icon in the world of women’s softball who may fit this mold as well as anyone is Kathy Unser, who began playing softball at the ripe age of 8 and went on to star at Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines, graduating in 1980. Since then Kathy has continued her success on the diamond, playing for four years with Peterson’s Fryer Farms. But the apex of Kathy’s career came in 1992 while playing with the Seattle Express, qualifying for the Women’s ‘A’ National Tournament in Garland, Texas. “Winning the national tournament was a lifelong dream, not only for me but the others, too,” Kathy said. “Just watching people make incredible plays was special.” A hit up the middle is a rare sight when Kathy is pitching. Kathy’s defensive prowess has made her one of the finest pitchers to have ever played the game in Washington State.

Gene Moser, Male Player Category

In the late 1970’s, some friends from work convinced Gene to play on their team and he decided to give it a shot, truly a decision about which the Marysville resident would hold no regrets.

To those who have followed softball here in Washington over the last 15 years or so, the Hall of Fame career of Gene Moser will surely stand out in their memories. As a player for Ruth Realty 35 and over, Ruth Realty 40 and over, Slo-Pitch News and Varsity Inn, people remember Gene’s versatility in the field; playing infield and outfield positions, in addition to his ability to hit the long ball and slap the single to the opposite field. As shortstop, his quickness gives him the defensive edge needed to come up with the “big” plays and his unselfish attitude at the plate push him to hit for whatever the situation calls for. “I just like being out there with the guys,” Gene said. “I’m honored because I feel like there are a lot of great players that are better then me.”

Philip Lund, Male Player Category

Philip Lund’s passion for playing ball on the diamond was kindled at an early age and increased as a high school standout for Queen Anne and Edmonds high schools. Baseball was always his favorite sport. Philip went on to excel for the Diamond Dawgs at the University of Washington as a Pac-8 honorable mention selection his senior year. But in 1970, he received a taste of the other flavor on the diamond, softball. Phil has played for many of the top level teams in Washington including Northshore Merchants, Ruth Realty and ending his competitive career with Price Enterprises. Phil was the main ingredient for the Price team winning the 1984 Men’s ‘A’ World, pitching all seven games and being named to the All World team. As a USSSA pitcher, Phil was the first to use a variety of trick pitches. For the first few years of his USSSA career, batters never saw the same pitch twice! Phil is an intense competitor who loves to play defense.  

Dan Lowery, Male Player Category

For those who have spent a spring or summer weekend watching a local softball tournament, Dan Lowery is know as the man who operates inside the batter’s box. Dan’s clutch performances at the plate have won numerous ball games for his teams. Beginning his softball career in the mid 1970’s, Dan has played for many great teams including 38^th Street Shell, Slo-Pitch News, Long Pest Control and Peoples Church, the Tacoma based team that won the Church World ‘A’ Championship title in 1993.  Winning doesn’t come easy to anybody, but to those with their priorities in line, the victories seem to accumulate faster. It was in Dan’s days with Slo-Pitch News/Worth ‘AA’ that he, along with his teammates, experienced that camaraderie took precedence over destroying the opposition. “We were more than a team,” Dan said. “Ozzie Boyle, Slo-Pitch New head coach, got people that were pretty good players but were great people. To be considered one of the elite players in this state and accepted by my peers makes being inducted into the Hall of Fame special,” said Dan, “and being inducted with Gene and Ozzie makes it more special.”

Pili Kisena, Male Player Category

Pili started his career in his native country Samoa, playing a game called Mountain Ball. This is where he developed his skills to be one of the best Slow-Pitch pitchers to play the game. He began playing softball in the United States in 1978, where Pili was already a leg up on the competition in his new sport. He has played for some of the top teams in Washington including the Pacific Blues/Dudley ‘A’ Squad and Ruth Realty. Pili has been named to many State and National All-Star teams over the years. Playing on 3 (and sometimes 4) softball teams a year shows Pili’s true passion for the sport of softball. One of the most feared left-handed hitters to play the game, it is nothing for him to hit 400’ shots to all fields and although he has played all positions, Pili is most noted for his outstanding pitching abilities.