William Ridgeway (Ridge) Hooks Tribute

April 1, 2020

William Ridgegway "Ridge" Hooks
December 22, 1945 - April 5, 2020

Ridge Hooks, a Hall of Fame softball player, the man who inspired the Senior Softball Summit, and leader of the sport for more than two decades as executive director of the Softball Players Association (SPA), died after a prolonged illness on April 5 at age 74.

Hooks joined the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War as a Scout Dog Handler. He was attached to the 101^st Airborne (Green Berets), with his K9 partner, Bliss, and finished his service as an MP at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Hooks purchased SPA in 2000 and was previously involved with ASA, USSSA, and NSA in various positions - from Umpire to Director. He also oversaw the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame (NSSHOF).

Hooks was inducted into the NSSHOF in 1997 in the Player Category.

“Ridge was an excellent player on several top-level teams before buying SPA more than two decades ago,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA CEO. “Ridge brought all eight (8) national softball associations together in 1999 for the first of many National Senior Softball Summits, which created a foundation for open discussion among competing associations. He was a close personal friend and a good man. Senior Softball players and teams will miss him.”

During his professional career, Hooks was employed with M&M/Mars Candy Company for 25 years as a Sales Manager and Customer Relations Manager. He was known and referred to as "The Candy Man."

Visit SPA's website to read more on Ridge's life.

Remembering Ridge

Bobby Graham (SPA Assistant Executive Director): “I first met Ridge Hooks in the late 1970’s, and we spent the next 40 years working in the world of softball for all ages. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that the softball world has lost one of its greatest influences, and one the best Christian men I have ever known. Ridge was like a brother to me and I will miss him very much.  It sounds like a corny old cliché, but he truly was that guy that ‘never met a stranger’, and he honestly would give someone that he didn’t even know, the shirt off his back, even if he couldn’t pay the bills.  That was just Ridge.

Many were not aware, but he had been hospitalized and battling serious illness for months. We know that he will rest in peace now with no more pain or suffering. Ridge will absolutely be missed by all that knew him. It is a very sad day for the senior softball world everywhere. His logo was always 'To God Be The Glory' and he meant every word of it!”

Don Ward (Former SPA North Carolina UIC/Current SPA Executive Committee Member): “Ridge was a kind-hearted man that put God first, and your goal was try to match his hard work. He was my second Dad, we talked almost every week about life and softball. He would pray for me and my family each time we talked. He was always there for everyone. When we were going to work a tournament, he would be there 12 hours right beside. I still play softball and he worked around my schedule where I could help SPA in the Worlds and Nationals. He set a goal for me now to be more like him so I will be able to see him again in heaven.”

Tonya Cash, aka Ms. Blue (SPA North Georgia UIC): “Ridge will be missed. One of my most favorite memories is when he showed up at my work place (grocery store) to show not only did he support me on the field, he supported me at work. He gave me his business card and said to call him anytime. He loved to talk about the grocery business.”