Jim Sherman, Bob Mitchell First in SSUSA Hall of Fame - Founder of SSUSA and Top National Player Honored

Sept. 1, 2009

SACRAMENTO – Jim Sherman, 71, has been chosen as the first player to be inducted into the Senior Softball-USA Hall of Fame. Sherman, who won three Triple Grand Slams in a row and 40 major championships, is known as an outstanding hitter.

Sherman joins Bob Mitchell, founder of Senior Softball-USA, as the first SSUSA Hall of Famers. Mitchell will be inducted in the Special Category for his lifetime achievements promoting senior softball around the world.

“These first two SSUSA Hall of Fame inductees set an exceptionally high standard,” said Terry Hennessy, SSUSA chief executive officer. “They epitomize the best parts of our sport.

“Bob Mitchell built the framework for playing senior softball not only nationally, but internationally and Jim Sherman is not only a great player, but has been the moving force behind SSUSA’s program to provide defibrillators and CPR training at tournaments that has saved four lives,” said Hennessy.

Sherman, a native of Seattle, was the chief safety officer for the Seattle Fire Department for 30 years. He was in charge of training firemen in first aid, CPR and the use of defibrillators until he retired.

After retiring, he continued offering classes and CPR training to several groups throughout the Seattle area and four years ago proposed establishing training and providing defibrillators at SSUSA tournaments.

For the past three years, Sherman has trained scores of SSUSA officials, umpires, players and managers at no charge. That training – and the defibrillators – has resulted in the saving of four lives during SSUSA tournaments since the program began.

On the field, Sherman has been a key force in his teams winning more than 40 major championships. The cap of his career, however, was winning three Triple Grand Slams in a row.

“The Triple Grand Slam crowns meant the most,” said Sherman. “We won in Mobile in 2005 with the Emerald City Masters, then in 2006 with the WE Ruth Realty 60s and in 2007 with Joeseppi’s.”

Sherman said of his selection: “It’s the dream of everybody’s life to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It is quite an honor to win it.”

Mitchell, who is being inducted because of his vision and dedication in creating the most successful senior softball program in America, is also an excellent player.

Mitchell played third base on championship teams competing in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Tasmania, Ireland, Great Britain and numerous other countries.

In addition – before regional restrictions existed – Mitchell was named most valuable player on top Arizona and Texas teams. He played first base and was named Most Valuable Player when his team, the Sacramento 70s, won the World Championships in Winnipeg, Canada, in 2000.

“Bob Mitchell’s vision – and his ability to make that vision a reality – has given thousands of seniors the opportunity to play senior softball,” said Hennessy.