Tournament wrapup

These Senior Stars Shone in the South

Nov. 20, 2003 – Senior Softball-USA

Sometimes, stars come pout in the daytime. Here is a sampling of some of the stars of the 2003 Senior Softball World Championships in Mobile:

John Meeden

Seven years ago, John Meeden, 62, was near the bottom.

"I had been in the hospital, had a hard time getting a job and had been living in my van," Meeden said.

That's when a Southern Illinois team that was down to 8 players approached Meeden, who was in the parking lot. The players loaned him a glove and shoes and asked him to play on their team.

"I hadn't played softball in 20 years, but I always loved the game," he said.

He began playing with the league team and later joined the Chicago Classics, one of the top AAA national tournament teams in the country.

Today, Meeden is a star on the Classics, who won the 2003 Senior Softball World Championships in the 60 Division in Mobile.

"He is a great natural athlete," said Joe Yacono, manager of the Classics. "John plays shortstop and the outfield and averages between .600 and .800 batting in major tournaments.

On a much deeper level, the Classics ˆ especially Meeden's best friend Jim Welsh ˆ have helped to give him the confidence and support to get back on his feet and have given his life new meaning.

Today, John Meeden is not only a national senior softball star, he is a trusted and beloved member of a close group of friends.

Andy Harbin

Andy Harbin was inducted into the Senior Softball Hall of Fame Friday

during opening ceremonies at West Mobile County Park for the 2003 Senior

Softball World Championships.

Harbin, 54, has played organized softball for 32 years. In the past

five years, Harbin -- an outfielder -- has maintained a 700 plus batting

average and has been named to 9 National and World All Star Teams.

Harbin, of Dore, Al., currently is playing with the Alabama 50s.

Dee Canadas

Dee Canadas, the player-manager of the California Express from Half Moon Bay, California, guided her 55 Women's team to its first US National Championships with solid pitching.

Her team put on a hitting clinic in the third and fifth innings, scoring 5 runs in each frame, to lock up the championships over the Eastern National Champion Michigan Medical Miracles, 11-4.

Al Salem

Al Salem is a rookie at age 80 on the Tremont Hotel team. Salem plays shortstop with a fluid motion and confidence that belies his age. Salem, who bats third, went 2 for 4 in the first game and 2 for 3 in the second game Monday.

"I love the game of softball and I've been playing it since I was in the Air Force in World War II," said Salem, "and I hope to be playing it until I'm 100."

"The team has become like family because we have played together for so many years," said Salem.

The team sponsor, Bill Smith, 81, of Washington DC, agreed with Salem.

"The camaraderie of the team and the sport is great," said Smith, "that's why we have been supporting senior softball teams since 1991."

Smith said the team last won a World Championships in 1998 in Chicago as a 75+ team and is looking forward to winning it this year as an 80+ team.

"Competition keeps us young," said Smith.

Jennings ŒSmitty' Smith

Like the legendary Babe Ruth, Jennings "Smitty" Smith of Southern California is a threat as pitcher and a power hitter for the 75+ Southern California Chiefs.

Smith, 79, is the oldest Southern California Chief, and an inspiration to his teammates.

"His hustle, versatility and attitude are a manager's dream," said Chief's manager Paul Ross.

The owner of an upholstery shop in Long Beach, California, Smith goes to work every day he isn't on the softball field.

"Smitty's popularity with his teammates and opponents alike is legendary," said Ross.

In addition to his athletic and financial talents, Smith strums the guitar and sings country ballads.

Larry Carlisle

Larry Carlisle, 74, of the Louisville, Ky., 70s hit the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the quarterfinals against a strong Houston Golden Eagles team.

Carlisle, who plays second base, went 4-4 during the game and brought his team into the semi-finals with a 17-16 victory over Houston.

Carlisle has been named to All Star teams in 2000, 2002 and 2003.

Bob Kaump

In the 65 Major-Plus Championship game, Bob Kaump hit a sacrifice fly with one out in the bottom of the seventh with bases loaded to bring in the winning run -- and the championships -- for Fairway Ford of California.

Kaump has been playing senior softball for 16 years and has reached his goal of winning a Softball Championship ring for each of his 9 grandchildren.

Poke Stiers

Poke Stiers, 57, has been playing softball on the West Slope of the Colorado Rockies for more than 40 years.

Stiers, born and raised in Rifle, Colorado, is the left field starter for Master Collision of Denver and is batting 676 in the 2003 Senior Softball World Championships. Master Collision has taken two first places and two second places in National Qualifying Tournaments this year in the 50 Major Division.

"I love the camaraderie of competing in senior softball," said Stiers. "We play in national tournaments once or twice a month somewhere in the country and we look forward to seeing our friends from other teams," he said.

Phyllis Hurst

Local power hitter Phyllis Hurst of Mobile hit the only two over-the fence home runs in the women's divisions. Hurst, who plays first base for the Legends 50 of Mobile, hit her first home run Saturday against the Tennessee Thunder, sparking a late 6-run rally that gave the Legends a 18-16 victory.

The 48-year-old Mobilian hit her second home run in the Legends' quarter-final game against the Aches & Pains from California.

"Aches & Pains were up 3-2 in the second inning when Phyllis hit a three-run homer," said Mary Berg, manager of the Legends 50s. "We went on to beat the Aches & Pains 14-7."

Hurst hit both home runs over a 275-foot fence.

Ron Pearce

Ron Pearce has spent a lifetime building a extremely successful auto dealership in Southern California ˆ and he has spent several years sponsoring and playing on one of the perennial favorites in senior softball ˆ Fairway Ford.

His Fairway Ford team has won several national and world championships over the past decade and is competing in the 2003 World Championships in Mobile in the 65 Major-Plus Division.

While it is usually his team that gets the attention, Pearce became the hero in the quarterfinal game at West Mobile County Park Wednesday when he hit in the winning run.

Pearce, who plays third base for Fairway Ford, got the hit that capped a 7-run comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat Dixie Gas from Florida.