HALL OF FAME PITCHER AC LINDE DIES

Oct. 1, 2011 – Giovanni Crotti

Alfred ‘AC’ Linde, a member of the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame, died Nov. 20 at age 69 from a brain aneurysm.

Alfred “AC” Linde was voted into the Senior Softball Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a player in 2002 and later became a member of the National Advisory Board to the National Senior Softball Summit.

“AC” as he was affectionately known in the softball circles, was born on December 31, 1941 in Pittsburg, California.

Growing up, AC was a very well rounded athlete. Once in a basketball game, AC scored 60 points -- ironically on the same night that Wilt Chamberlain had his infamous 100-point game.

In the late 1960s, AC was the lead singer of the San Francisco band named Salvation. His band produced two albums and even performed as the opening act for Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Doors.

Widely considered one of the best pitchers in Senior Softball, AC was an integral part of the Old As and their championship reign. As part of the Old As, AC and his teammates won more than 40 titles during an unbelievable 10-year stretch.

“He’ll never be forgotten for what he’s done, he was that good of a pitcher.” former teammate and close friend Robert Rohatch said. “He was definitely one of the best ever at his position”

Alfred ‘AC’ Linde is survived by his wife Julia and his two sons