National Senior Softball Hall of Fame (NSSHOF) Officially Unveils Class of 2017

Oct. 1, 2017

MUSTANG, Okla. – The National Senior Softball Hall of Fame (NSSHOF) officially announced its 20-member Class of 2017.

Twelve of the 20 members of the Class of 2017 were inducted into the NSSHOF during the 2017 LVSSA/SSUSA World Masters Championships.

The remaining eight members (listed below) will have their induction ceremonies held at a later date in a location of their choosing.

Pioneer Director Category

William Altman

William “Bill” Altman is Chairman and President of the San Antonio Senior Softball League Board of Directors. He also holds the positions of Director for the 70+ division and Commissioner for the 70/75 divisions. He enters the NSSHOF in the Pioneer Director Category.

Cathy Pottorf said of Altman: "Without his determination, drive, and time, we would not have 700+ active seniors, ages 40-86, males and females, playing on 42 softball teams, in seven different age brackets from March – November each year in San Antonio.  He currently manages and plays on three different teams himself while providing leadership to the entire city senior softball league."


Pioneer Manager Category

Ron Hangland

A longtime member of SSUSA, Ron “Red” Hangland has been a mainstay at the Rock ‘N Reno Challenge Cup with his Oregon City Sports team. He enters the NSSHOF in the Pioneer Manager Category.

"Red has been instrumental in the development of senior softball organization in Portland, Oregon.  He has been acknowledged as a key individual by the Portland Parks and Recreation for the area," said John Barham.

Pioneer Player Category

Lawrence Deschaine

Lawrence Deschaine has been a longtime member of SSUSA playing on numerous teams, such as New York Statesmen, Barracudas, Edge Technology, and Clearwater. He enters the NSSHOF in the Pioneer Player Category.

Dick Clark, manager of New York Statesmen, said, "I have been a teammate of Larry for over 10 years and can attest to his outstanding playing ability and love of the game."  "He is truly an ambassador for senior softball and personifies all the attributes one would strive for. He is a feared hitter and known for the long ball.  However, it is his manner and decorum on and off the field that sets him apart.  He is the epitome of a senior softball player and a true sportsman in every sense of the word."


Pioneer Player Category

Lloyd Harper

Most recently playing with Arizona Prospectors in SSUSA, Lloyd Harper enters the NSSHOF in the Pioneer Player Category.

"As our center fielder and leadoff hitter, he was consistently the team’s leading scorer as well as the foundation of our defense.  He is very dedicated to his extremely large as well as his faith, and spent over 50 years working for the same company," said Ted Sparks.

Pioneer Woman Player Category

Donna Clark

Donna Clark enters the NSSHOF in the Pioneer Woman Player Category.

"Donna has what is considered ‘true grit’," said Karen Cambell.  "I have watched this woman pitch through scorching temperatures and blistering sun perhaps throwing three games in a day, which is no mean feat for a now 81-year-old gal.  She has pitched through her back and hip pain when a lesser determined and dedicated player would have long called it quits.  It is truly amazing to watch her and I’ve been so lucky to be on the receiving end of her accuracy."


Player Category

Baer Chandler

Baer Chandler, who has played on numerous teams in the Mid-Atlantic area, including Diamond Fever, Metro Stars, High Street Bucs, and Combat/Next Level, among others, enters the NSSHOF in the Player Category.

Audie Hollis said of Chandler: "He is known throughout the Southeast and now all over the country and is truly one of the hitting machines in senior softball."


Player Category

John Scruggs

John Scruggs enters the NSSHOF in the Player Category following an impressive career playing with Superior Senior Softball 60 and 65, as well as Carolina Cobras and Northern Virginia Force among others.

"His defensive abilities are among the best in the game. John is a clutch hitter who, on many occasions, has lifted our team with a big hit," said John Davide.


Woman Player Category

Cyndi Kelly

Cyndi Kelly enters the NSSHOF in the Woman Player Catergory.

"Good sportsmanship is in her blood and respect for others is at her core," said Cheryl Metter of Kelly. "She is quick to compliment an opponent on their play and consistently displays her gratitude to the directors, umpires, grounds crew, and others working the tournament. She is such a positive force in the dugout as well as on the field.  There is seldom a game in which she does not display some kind of defensive dazzle."

Congratulations to all of the inductees.

CLICK HERE to view the entire NSSHOF Class of 2017