Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 2 members: Steehler7, TABLE SETTER 11; 167 anonymousDiscussion: Sad News in Indy
| Posted | Discussion |
| Aug. 13, 2014 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | Sad News in Indy If you had told me at New Year's that we would lose 2 people who were so integral to senior softball in Indy this year, I would not have believed it. We lost Bill Allen in February, but we also lost our good friend Denny (Dennis) Niendorf unexpectedly last Saturday; he was only 66 (67 in senior softball years). Denny owned historic Metro Stadium for many years which was Bill's and my favorite park and the hub of senior softball in Indy. We grew to know and love Denny, and when his father, who took care of the park, passed away, we decided that we would help him. So Bill made a career change and worked as the grounds keeper for many years at the park that we loved so much. It was at Metro that Bill saw his first senior softball tournament that made him want to play it so badly. So Bill started a 45 and over team at the park, and Denny was on that team. When Bill started his senior softball team in 1998, we were called the Indy Metros after Denny's park, and Denny was the first baseman; we changed the name to INDY FOG the next year. He was on the team until 2001 with us that year when we had to fight 9/11 to get to the Worlds and was playing first when we were able to finish third in Las Vegas; so it was a good softball year for both of them. When Bill decided that he wanted a senior softball tournament in Indy, he talked with his friend Denny first. Denny helped him to realize that our beloved Metro would probably not be able to handle the tournament as it grew. So Denny had a big part in the Brickyard too. He has been very supportive to me this year since we lost Bill and was very touched by the service that we had at Metro. Denny was a good man, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and team mate. I know that the 2 of them are playing right now with all of the players that called Metro their home park. It was opened the year after WW II; so I know that there are a lot of teams. There is supposed to be information on the arrangements that will be later this week at www.indystar.com under obituaries tomorrow. God bless Denny and his family. I am only glad that we had some time with him here on Earth. |
| Aug. 13, 2014 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I forgot to add that Denny's mother is still alive. He was always a good son too. |
| Aug. 14, 2014 Perl 212 posts | Anytime we lose a member of the senior softball fraternity it's a sad day. |
| Aug. 14, 2014 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | For whatever reason the actual arrangements did not show up in paper; so here is the link to funeral arrangements http://flannerbuchanan.tributes.com/obituary/read/Dennis-Ryan-Niendorf-101592976. |
| Aug. 18, 2014 StevenL.Imlay Men's 60 174 posts | Nancy, Dennis was a great person who treated everyone the same. He helped Indy softball tremendously and he will be missed. Unfortunately had seen him in years but very positive memories of Dennis. SLi |
| Aug. 18, 2014 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | There's that kid from Columbus. Denny looked better than he probably had in 20 years. He came out to Bill's celebrations of life at Metro and Midwest. He was at a convention in Texas when he collapsed. We lost him and Bill 6 months and 1 day apart. At Denny's service the word softball came up a lot. The team picture of INDY FOG in Roseville, CA SSUSA Worlds was displayed, and there was Coachie sitting in front of the team cheesin' it. Yes, I was crying for 2, but I was in the right place for it. I know they are playing softball in Heaven right now. |
| Aug. 18, 2014 StevenL.Imlay Men's 60 174 posts | Great memories for us all!!! Hang tough and hope to see you on my next trip home. SLi |
