SSUSA and National Hall of Famers were Inducted During Session 2 of 2025 Worlds

Sept. 1, 2025

Softball News Report

     LAS VEGAS – Seven outstanding people were inducted into the Hall of Fame in late September: Four into the National Hall of Fame and three into the Senior Softball USA Hall of Fame.

     In addition, for only the second time, an Outstanding Service Award was bestowed on Joe Lecak for establishing the 40 Masters Division in the sport.

Joe Lecak while batting.

     Joe Lecak, 68, of Texas, helped launch the popular SSUSA 40 Masters Division in 2006, which increased from nine teams that year to more than 145 teams this year in the World Championships.

     “Thousands of 40 Masters players can thank Joe for his insight and drive to establish the program,” said Fran Dowell, SSUSA’s executive director.

     The seven people inducted into the Halls of Fame included six players and a manager:

     Senior Softball USA only inducts three outstanding people each year into its Hall of Fame. Two players and one manager have been elected this year under a new system in which past inductees, directors, umpires in charge and staff vote.

     One player and one manager were inducted in Las Vegas:

Joe Hensley, 72, Player

Photos by Clover Schultz - https://cloverschultz.smugmug.com/SSUSA-2025-Hall-of-Fame-Las-Vegas-NV

     Joe Hensley has been a driving force in nine World Championships over more than two decades of outstanding play in the outfield on some of the top teams in the sport, from Top Gun to Timberworks.

     Joe has been recommended by almost a dozen of the best players and managers in the sport, who cited his mastery of all aspects of the game, and his quiet leadership.

Red Simmons, 87, Manager

Richard (Red) Simmons, manager of Top Gun Blue Angels of California (center), accepts his SSUSA Hall of Fame award along side SSUSA CEO Terry Hennessy (left) and Executive Director, Fran Dowell.

     Red Simmons’ teams have won more than 1,000 tournament games, including World Championships in every age group from 65 to 85.

     Red has been inducted into four Halls of Fame: The National Senior Softball Hall of Fame, Top Gun Hall of Fame, Valley Wide Hall of Fame and the Redlands High School Hall of Fame for his work with the school.

One elected SSUSA Hall of Fame player was not able to attend:

Jake Wood, 88, Player

     Jake Wood is soft-spoken and extremely talented. Jake played for seven years in Major League baseball from 1961-1967– four years with the Detroit Tigers and three years with the Cincinnati Reds. Jake has been inducted into the Negro Hall of Fame.

     Jake Wood remained active and has played Senior Softball since 2007 with some of the top teams in the Southeast, helping to lead Florida Investment Properties to three World Championships, including two Triple Crowns, and 10 TOC titles.

     National Hall of Fame Inductions:

     The National Senior Softball Hall of Fame was founded by the nine national Softball Associations in 1999 to recognize those people who have contributed to the sport in extraordinary ways….as players, managers, umpires or directors.

     We have four distinguished players to induct into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame:

Jim Davidson, 78, Player

     Jim Davidson, 78, of Sarasota, FL. and Evergreen, CO., has played primarily with Venom 70-75+ Major-Plus teams and numerous Colorado-based Scrap Iron teams.

     Jim credits Senior Softball with changing his life. After playing in recreational leagues for 15 years, he was thinking of retiring when a friend asked him to join his senior team.

Clyde Smith, 78, Player

     Clyde Smith, 78, of Jacksonville, FL., is best known for playing with Venom 70-75+ teams and Senior Moments 60-65+ teams.

     Clyde is a top pitcher, excellent hitter and shows impressive sportsmanship.

Phil Farmer, 78, Pioneer Player

     Phil Farmer, of Melbourne, FL., also plays with Venom.

     Talent-wise Phil has all five tools. He plays outfield with passion; he’s a great fielder with a fantastic arm. He’s fast but most of all he’s known as a great teammate.

Carroll Shook, 90, Pioneer Player

     Carroll Shook, who plays with the Top Gun Blue Angels 85s is from Wenatchee, WA. and Mesa, AZ. 

     He has played with the Top Gun Blue Angels 85+, Sidewinders 80+ and the 2^nd and 3^rd annual 90s Game at the past two World Championships in Las Vegas.

     Carroll Shook's illustrious senior softball career began over 20 years ago. Born in Kiowasses, Ga., he has played with several successful teams winning several championships and amassing multiple MVP and All-Tournament selections. Carroll is also a member of the Central Washington Hall of Fame.

     For more Hall of Fame and Opening Ceremony photo, please visit Clover Schultz's site: https://cloverschultz.smugmug.com/SSUSA-2025-Hall-of-Fame-Las-Vegas-NV