The Illinois ASA will be hosting the Hall of Fame Tournament Qualifier for 16 & 18 Under Division on June 13 – 15 at Rotary Park in Decatur, Illinois.
The greatest show on dirt is coming to Decatur, is your team a part of it?
If your team is interested in playing one of the top tournaments in the state, with an opportunity to advance and play at the prestigious Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma there is still time to register. Registration deadline is May 30, 2008. Register your team online today, and give the girls an opportunity of a lifetime.
If you have any questions about the HOF Qualifier in Decatur, Illinois on June 13-15, please contact Bob Adams at 309-697-1422 or Todd Strubhart at 618-410-0187 they will be more then glad to assist you with your tournament questions.
The cost of the tournament is $300 entry fee and a $100 gate/parking fee per team.Teams traveling to Decatur for the tournament; the host hotel is the Decatur Conference Center Hotel. This is the closest hotel to the ball fields just a short 5 minute drive to beautiful Rotary Park. Teams can stay at the Decatur Conference Center Hotel for 69.00 per night and a cont breakfast.
Please contact Susan Keene at 217-422-8800 for room reservations. Coaches and parents please take note the other hotels are a twenty minute drive to Rotary Park ball fields.
You couldn’t blame Tom O’Neill, Chicago ASA commissioner, for being a little uneasy in recent weeks, or at least until January 21st had passed.That’s when O’Neill’s son, Tom Jr., had brain surgery.
This was the second time Tom Jr. had surgery.The first was in January of 2004 when was he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The surgery took eight and one-half hours with the tumor benign.Following the first surgery, Tom Jr. underwent radiation therapy and several MRI’s, hoping the tumor wouldn’t return.
But a recent MRI told him and his family the news that they didn’t wantto hear--the tumor had returned.So on the 21st, Tom Jr. had the second surgery at the University of Chicago Hospital, lasting five hours.Tom Jr., 37, is a graduate of Andrew High School (1988) where he played baseball and basketball. He played three years of college baseball at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before finishing up at Northern Illinois in 1991. He eventually signed a professional baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants and played two and a half-years in their farm system. An infielder in college, Tom Jr. lettered at NIU in 1992 after lettering three years at University of Wisconsin-Madison.Tom’s father also lettered at NIU in 1966-67 and also was an infielder. A bachelor, Tom Jr. is staying with his parents “for at least a couple more weeks” before he is back on his own again. Tom has a landscaping business with his brother, Michael, 31, in addition to following in the footsteps of his father officiating NCAA Division 1 basketball.
To help Tom Jr. with his mounting costs, because some of the bills aren’t covered by his insurance, Future for Kids, a non-profit organization, and Tom’s family and friends have scheduled a “Together 4 T Benefit” on June 14th to raise money to help Tom Jr. pay for some of his expenses.
Those wanting to donate items, gift cards, certificates, cash or checks should mail them to Together 4 T Benefit
P.O. Box 2118
Orland Park, IL 60461
There will be an auction, too and those wanting to send memorabilia should forward the items to: Tom Lorent
9131 West 178th Street
Tinley Park, Ill., 60487
There also will be a grand raffle the evening of the 14th, with only 500 tickets sold, ($100.00 each). The grand prize is $10,000 with $5,000 for second and $1,000 for third.
If interested contact Tom (Luna) Lorent at (708) 532-8268 or email him at
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The U.S. women's softball team begins a 62-game, cross-country trek next week that softball aficionados should view as rock 'n' roll fans do the Van Halen reunion tour with David Lee Roth.
The following persons were voted into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame for 2008:
Tony Romolo, Peoria Tony was associated with fastpitch softball in Peoria for over 60 years. He was a player, sponsor and ASA Commissioner. He was selected for induction in the Meritorious Service Category.
Barry Pepper, Wyoming Barry is the only umpire in this years Hall of Fame Class. He has umpired for over 20 years and has worked 15 State Tournaments, 5 Regional Tournaments and 7 National Tournaments.
Rich Tillitt, Murphysboro Men’s fastpitch pitcher who has won over 800 games in a 36 year career. His Arcola S&K team won the Men’s Class A National Championship. Tillitt made 1st team all-state 9 times and was named 1st team All American in the 1978 and 2004 National Tournaments. An excellent hitter, Rich had a .300 career batting average with 200 plus home runs.
Fran Prochaska, Moline Fran was selected to the Coach/Sponsor category. He sponsored a Men’s Slowpitch team since 1984. In 22 years of State Participation, his teams finished 4th or better 11 times, second twice, third twice and won one state championship. His team also participated in senior division slowpitch where they placed second in the 35 and Over Category three times.
Leo Sasatelli, Taylorville After 35 years of supporting fastpitch softball, Leo will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a sponsor. His Sassatelli Blues youth teams won 7 state championships and 2nd and 3rd place at the Nationals. He also sponsored a Junior Blues team that won 2 state titles and also sponsored a successful men’s fastpitch team for many years.
Dave Scott, Greenup Men’s fastpitch player from 1978 – 2003. Played for 8 teams that between them won 3 Class A State titles and appeared in 15 National Tournaments. As an outfielder, Scott made first team All State 3 times. A perennial .300 plus hitter, Scott batted leadoff and stole 268 bases in his career. Scott also managed 6 years for Bonutti Orthopedic and Nokomis Budweiser and won 277 games with only 91 losses.
The following Teams were voted into the Illinois ASA in the team category:
CONGRATULATIONS TO ILLINOIS ASA ASSOCIATE STATE COMMISSIONER Jerry Stewart on his selection to the ASA National Hall of Fame. Jerry will be inducted next November at the ASA National Convention in Oklahoma City. Way to go Jerry !!!!!
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