Ken Lipinski Testimonials

July 1, 2018

Ken Lipinksi, 75, of Huntington Beach, Calif. died on July 9 from Parkinson’s Disease.

A Class of 2012 inductee into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame (NSSHOF) in the Manager category, Lipinski managed Seacrest Mavericks, now Sommerville Softball.

Below are some testimonials on Mr. Lipinski:

From Mike Adair

Ken Lipinski, Manager of the Seacrest Mavericks for 17 years and a 2012 inductee of The National Senior Softball Hall of Fame passed away July 9, 2018. The Mavericks won 19 World or National titles over 17 years with a win loss record of 715-345. There are 162 former Mavericks with 13 currently inducted into the National Senior Softball of Fame. If Ken was writing this, that would have been the full extent of it, but he isn’t so he will just have to deal with it.

Ken roamed the sidelines of ballfields throughout the country leading his teams to World or National Championships in every association. His teams included some of the sports’ most premier athletes and their unique personalities. Ken would look upon the field with a solemn face and somewhat disconcerting stare. Behind that look was a mind that was constantly looking for a competitive edge and evaluating the situation. His teams were innovative, competitive, and dominating.

He was in constant talent observation mode. If he heard about a player in a league he could get to, he would go check him out. If he could not get there then he would ask one of his inner circle of advisors to observe and report back. IF he asked you to come out and play with the team he was going to give you a legitimate chance to prove your worth. He did not see color, creed, religion, economic status, sexual preference, or insert name of prejudice here! He judged you on character and performance. If your skill set did not fit within the team needs, he would not just release you, he would try to find a fit for you with another organization. Even when you were no longer on the active Maverick roster, you were still a Maverick.

The Mavericks have always been a close family oriented team. Ken and Melinda encouraged the players to have their entire family accompany them to every tournament whether local or away. When the games were over, win or lose, you went out as a group. It was not uncommon to have 30+ people at dinner and for Kenny to pick up the check. He did so without reservation and absolutely refused to allow anyone to help with the bill. He did not do this because he felt obligated, but simply because he loved the comradeship of the team interaction on the field and off the field. During the game, he focused on the team and winning, after the game he was with the families as much as was with the players.

The team experienced great joy and great loss. We lost to cancer, a teammate in Greg Garrett and Ken lost a beautiful wife and partner in Melinda. Each was a valuable contributing member to our team. Greg on the field, hitting bombs, Melinda with the ladies, cheering and sometimes jeering from the stands. Greg passed away in 2003 after his 2^nd bout with cancer. When Melinda was diagnosed with cancer, the news was devastating to Kenny. The Mavericks and softball was his respite. Kenny made the decision to step away from softball for a year to focus on Melinda and her care. She convinced him that he needed to return to the Mavericks and softball. I think it was because he was driving her crazy, but it was probably her way of helping him cope. The team accomplishments in 2006 and 2007 were a testament to the effect it had on our team focus and commitment. We started and ended each game with a team huddle and broke saying Melinda’s name. We did this to honor both.

When Melinda passed away we all were worried about Ken, but the Lord had another plan and her name is Bunny. He met Bunny at church and married her on July 8, 2009. The spark in his life returned and with her by his side he again approached life with vigor, determination, and joy.

In his final letter to the Maverick family Kenny said it best:

For 17 years, I have been privileged to have teams that had great talent, competitive and dynamic personalities and success on the field. But I have never had a better team of athletes with such diverse personalities that have accomplished more in the last 3 years than those prior teams accomplished collectively in the preceding 14 years. And topping all those wonderful traits is the fact that I have had the privilege of travelling with the loudest, funniest and classiest group of supporters, aka the MAVERICKS FAMILY, than ever before.

In that letter, Kenny said he did not like to single out anyone since they are a family but, emotionally, he needed to say a few things to a number of them. Kenny never lacked for confidence or an opinion, but had no problem in letting his coaches’ coach and his players play.   

You now know of his on-field accomplishments, but this is what we remember:

• From Jill - Ken was an extremely precise and competitive person.  With all the softball goings on and him being an accountant, he liked to do stats.  Stats on everything!  I had to learn Excel so I could do the stats he wanted. 
• When Greg was dealing with cancer, Kenny made sure he was taken care of when he was unable to work.
• Kenny was significant in arranging and paying for Greg and Michelle’s wedding at our tournament in Las Vegas.
• Kenny’s financial commitment to the Mavericks was substantial. He continued to sponsor the Mavericks even as his own personal income declined. He told me, that he did so because there were many good players that would not have been able to play at that level if he did not help them.
• Kenny helped players, spouses and their relatives obtain employment.
• He used his extensive network of friends to steer clients to players, spouses and their relatives when he thought there was a valued common interest. Just Kenny’s recommendation was enough to get that individual hired.
• When the team funds were reduced significantly, he would pay for the players, but asked that they pay for their family at away tournaments. More times than I can count, he would then continue to buy tickets because the spouse wanted to go, but could not afford it. He knew how important it was to have family around you.
• One player needed knee surgery and he did not have medical insurance; it was affecting his ability to work. Kenny sent him to his doctor and ultimately bought him a specially made brace to allow him to continue to work and play.
• For over 2 years, Ken could barely walk because of the pain in his knees. Ultimately, he had both knees replaced so he could regain a decent quality of life. He put off the surgery until a time that it would not affect his schedule with the Mavericks. He also paid out of pocket for a week of care at a short-term care facility. He did so, because he did not want to put any stress on Melinda and her treatment while he was recovering.

This list could go on, but the story would be the same just different names.

Ken Lipinski was a Christian family man of integrity, honesty, and character. He put the interest of others ahead of himself even to his own detriment. He has never shied away from a challenge on or off the softball field. The only blemish on his otherwise stellar career was because some selfish players deceived him and their teammates regarding their age. Their deceit hurt him deeply and he felt he had let the rest of the team down. The team accomplishments were then questioned and they were all labeled cheats because he had not discovered the truth. He not only took responsibility publicly, but personally.

Kenny is the finest manager and sponsor I have ever played for, but more importantly, I considered him a dear friend that I Love, Respect, and Admire. Words are words and actions are FACTS. His love of family, respect for others, dedication to team, and love of the game is something I will always remember.

From Wayne “Torre” Harper

The Softball world lost a good man. Ken Lipinski fought a gallant battle during his final years of dealing with Parkinson’s.  I miss my friend.  He was a tremendous mentor and leader in both this sport and life.  He brought a focus and intensity to his Maverick teams that created years of championships at the Super Major level.  He always wanted the best, wanted to play at the highest level and wanted the finest of players for his teams.  His devotion and dedication toward softball was “off the chart” as he remained focused on presenting the best product for the sport.

We nicknamed him “Steinbrenner” for his incredible leadership and caring for his “family” of players.  Once you were invited into that group you were blessed.  It was an honor to be a part of his team each year.  His philosophy when he asked me to be a part of his prestigious organization, was; “Just give me 70 minutes,” which he required with all his players. The multitude of uniforms, sponsored bats, dinners and meetings were just a small part of the huge financial contributions he devoted to his softball family.  With all those material elements, Ken never lost sight of his devotion his God, family and to his players.  He lived for the game, a game that brought incredible success to his teams over the years.  Yes, the game has lost a good one, but we know that his memories are seared into the hearts of his “family” of players and never diminish.  If there is softball somewhere else…well, I can assure you Ken has already started a team and asking each them to just give me 70 minutes.

Farwell my friend.

From Jill Martin

When I started working for Ken in May of 1994 as his Executive Assistant, he was managing the “Classics” I believe.  In the job interview, he hinted that he was involved with softball a little – but who would have guessed that softball was to become such a major part of his life.  He had only been involved with softball since 1991, but I saw the immense passion he had for this game that I kept calling baseball and he kept correcting me on that it was SOFTBALL!  Ken lived and breathed softball, and his family. 

I found out early on that Ken did not like to lose – whether it was the Wednesday night Anaheim/Orange leagues or a full-on tournament.  No matter if we won or lost, he always took the time to talk about the highs and lows of each game with the team and individual players.  He was so positive all the time.  It took a lot to get him down. 

Ken was an extremely precise and competitive person.  With all the softball goings on and him being an accountant, he liked to do stats.  Stats on everything!  I had to learn Excel so I could do the stats he wanted.  I’m so glad I did because I use it almost daily now. 

We soon evolved to the area of softball called “senior softball” and the team he developed was the Seacrest Mavericks.  He wanted the cream of the crop for this team.  The rest is history for the Mavericks.  As of 2010, the Mavericks had won 19 National Championships across the United States.

Ken also had a deep love and concern for his fellow man and his integrity was unmatched.  He put others first.  Whatever the situation, he was always the first to call, send flowers, cards, words of encouragement, congratulations, sympathy, etc. to others.  When my mom became ill, Ken decided we could close the office and I could work out of my home so I could take care of her full time.  How many bosses would do that!  My family is, and will be forever, grateful to Ken for giving me that opportunity.   

He will truly be missed.