Covering the Bases - A Long List of Lives Remembered

June 1, 2013 – Terry Hennessy CEO

This edition of Senior Softball News is particularly sad because of the unusually high number of death notices.

These are players, managers, directors and pioneers of the sport who are known to many – but their influence has touched all who play the sport.

Consider Wes Weddle, principal founder of the Kansas City Metropolitan 50+ Softball League, whose efforts allowed hundreds of seniors to play ball.

Or Arden Siegendorf, who helped launch the first national senior tournament in 1980.

Or Doc Metcalf, who promoted the sport throughout the Southwest with a unique brand of humor that endeared him to hundreds of players.

Or Bob Honda, who helped launch the Asian softball leagues in Sacramento that produced many outstanding players.

Or Steve Duga, who looked like an artist at shortstop, or Pete Rendina who led the Delaware Diamonds and played throughout the Northeast, or Billy Kaleikuaiwa Lyman – the humble Hawaiian giant of a man who died after winning his first championships at the Winter Worlds in Phoenix.

There is a silver lining: these seniors were able to enjoy the sport we all love and they made it a bit more fun to play – and to watch.

We will miss them.

Terry Hennessy is chief executive officer of Senior Softball-USA and you can reach him at terryh@seniorsoftball.com