Not enough people died, I guess. He died of respiratory complications, said Del Reddy, a friend. They endured enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner referred to a 10-hour ride as "just down the road apiece. Progressive Field, Cleveland: 82 During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. 17. In the aftermath of his brother's death, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his life back on track. How did he do it? Jan 24, 2012 - Produced by http://Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. information. They played racetracks, stockyards, rodeo grounds, cemeteries, pastures, an oil rig off Norways coast and the Houston Astrodome. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. He even pitched blindfolded from second base for one inning. "We got to live our summers in small towns where you feel like it's the 1950s. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Sports Illustrated once called Eddie Feigner one of the most underrated athletes of our time. So, thank you for showing others what a great athlet he was. (But) we're part sport and part vaudevillian," Feigner insists, adding that written into their show is a myriad of laughs that never end as each inning passes. 7. The Court has been around since the Chicago Cubs still were the reigning National League champs, and it has played in nearly 4,000 cities and in more than 150 countries. They escaped flash floods and tornadoes. 18. That was the beauty of the team. 23K 2.9K comments Free returns. We have everybody falling all over themselves wanting to play us, we've struck out Willie Mays and Ted Williams, for 20 years the word is out, nobody can beat us. Whats more, thanks to liberal rules, softball pitchers release the ball from even closer than that, slightly less than 40 feetabout 20 feet closer than a baseball pitcher. "I know what I am, a recovering addict," he said. Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on April 26, 2018: I'd heard of this guy before, but you certainly gave me a great deal more insight into it. Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on April 25, 2018: What a beautiful story of a man who worked hard to perfect his game. "I don't know who'll play Eddie Feigner," he said. Log in, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window). This Space For Rent, Florida 73 I hope they think of me as an honest, sincere performer who always put on a good show, he said. Softball never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball. Comerica Park, Detroit: 87 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. All rights reserved. 13. The terminology used to describe pitches in fast-pitch softballrise ball, drop curve, in-shootis essentially the same as that used by baseball pitchers a century ago. "It's surreal. I think I'll steal third. Someone like Feigner who can throw a softball 100mph with accuracy is going to strike out a lot of batters. As the games rules were liberalized, the names for the pitches eventually changed. The King and His Court were a novelty from the beginning: a four-man softball team that toured the world and took on all comers. You could really bring it back then," the guest said. I guess in order to even make contact with the ball, you'd have to start your swing before he even released it and trust that it would be somewhere in the strike zone. They wore patriotic-looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames. "I was a broken man.". According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities. "We need some runs against this team. Basketball has the Harlem Globetrotters. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. This is an organization dedicated to promoting baseball as a way to appreciate American culture and art. His life would then come crashing down in 1988, when his brother Robert died of AIDS. Also, they would occasionally be on Wide World of Sports. "I miss the guy, I really do. He struck out all six. And, of course, Feigner later pitches blindfolded, from second base and gives a clinic on the differences between fastpitch and slowpitch, the latter for which he professes no love. 255) may be the equivalent of the high school annual photo. The King and His Court touring team played over ten thousand softball games in a hundred countries from the late 1940s to the beginning of the 21st century..while achieving widespread fame similar to that of theHarlem Globetrotters.as Feigners meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. A baseball batter has no concept how to hit a fastball that rises like mine, or sliders and curves that break 18 inches.. "I'm still the best pitcher in the world today, baseball or softball; I just don't have the blinding speed any more. People still want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf; there's the charisma there. He was the clown prince of softball. ", You know the rules. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. $44.90. The softball team was very popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh. He and a changing supporting cast that included only a catcher, first baseman and shortstop eventually logged more than 4 million miles, covering 50 states and more than 100 countries to play in front of 200 million people. My dad took me to that game at what is now Modern Woodman Park on river front. Feigner played in front of millions of people and traveled millions of miles around the world. (Its worth noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game to the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball. They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of . Granted, American softball players are the best in the world. "I told ASA (Amateur Softball Association) it was a great game at 43 feet — you just killed a great game. It has taken him all over the world, playing in the smallest of American towns, at USO events for American soldiers, and even in prisons against inmates. He said: Im a pipsqueak because Im caught in a nothing game. Larry, thanks. Of who might take it over, such as his son, Eddie Jr., by first marriage — he has been married three times — Feigner says, "In sports, they say they'll never replace so-and-so. Drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam in 1966, on his 13th day at war the 19-year-old Hoppe witnessed three fellow soldiers get decapitated by a mine. Feigner had been pitching in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley. In honor of his time in theMarine Corps, the King and His Court often played against military personnel, often at venues such as Army bases or the decks of aircraft carriers. Feigner was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 26, 1925. It has been estimated the team played over 10,000 softball games in over 100 countries. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! Have you seen the (Zama) catcher throw?". Good luck, Jeff. Safeco Field, Seattle: 87 Feigner swore the tale was true, except that it was a curveball that crossed second base on its way to the plate. In the days of xBox and 15-screen Cineplexes, it was something to see ballparks packed with five generations, with great-grandfathers and fathers holding little babies. After making a name for himself in the 1970s as a premier men's fast-pitch softball pitcher, Hoppe re-joined the King in the 1980s and has been in the signature red, white and blue uniform ever since. 14. This Amateur Softball Association (ASA) had forbidden its members to play against Eddie Feigner and his team. Hoppe said he relied on a mixture of Vietnamese marijuana and black tar heroin to cope with the emotional and psychological damage that the incident and the war had on him. He was able to hit the ball as well as he could pitch it. He couldn't be a showman and entertainer as well as an athlete if he played professional sports. Feel free to use this content, in whole or in part, in any manner you like so long as you give credit to Gary leland, Fastpitch.TV and link to fastpitch.tv. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum: 74 Power your marketing strategy with perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI. Feb. 13, 2007. The team started by traveling around the United States, Canada, and Mexico to play local softball teams. At the time, he was living in the Cogburn Health and Rehabilitation facility in Huntsville, Alabama. His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at 114 mph. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. This didn't stop them. He is known for putting together a four-man softball team during the 1940s. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. There are, of course, many hundreds of human beings who can hit a low-90s fastball. Enthralled by what he saw, Hoppe hooked up with Feigner's crew for Midwest tours the following two summers. Call Us: (860) 961-3482 . A couple of years ago, the Kansas City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher before realizing that his style was illegal. Don't add another wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card. As one batter put it, I was waiting for a pitch, heard a noise, watched the catcher throw the ball back. To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. Softball Pitching Funny video about King and his Court Hillhouse Dec 30, 2021 Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. 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HE HAS a book planned and a movie scripted, but there's no ending to either, yet; thus, they're both on the shelf. The Yankees rewarded the biggest star in the their history with a 30 percent paycut. ", With West, the Max Patkin of the team, a patch covering his left eye which he lost to cancer two years ago, motioning Booth to keep quiet, Feigner answers, "I dunno. Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew. He would be able to pitch against some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. Too dumb to quit, he growled. It will end where it should. Become an Annual VIP member today and get access to VIP content, ad-free forums & more. Hoppe remembers playing in 100-degree heat in Tacoma, Wash., one day and in sub-zero cold the next day in Barrow, Alaska. Eddie Feigner yelled that he could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher. "Now every pitcher has to be a big, strong pitcher. Its just that the conditions of the game simply dont allow even the greatest hitters to be successful often enough for anybody to notice. Score isn't kept, and in fact, you're likely to see Hoppe or one of his teammates run from first base across the infield to third, bypassing second base altogether, to the laughter and enjoyment of the crowd. In 2000, the same magazine ranked the King and His Court as the United States eighth-greatest team of the 20th century. Marco Polo would have been jealous. A celebrity charity softball game was held in February of 1967. The rottenest thing to happen to softball was moving back the mound from 43 to 46 feet" in 1949, Feigner said, adding it was done because a few pitchers tended to dominate batters from the closer distance. Learn about Eddie and the Court, who first brought fastpitch to TV and mainstream America from the people who lived. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: How big was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League World Series? More than 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday, including a LLWS single-game record of 41,848 for a game with a Pennsylvania team. PNC Park, Pittsburgh: 98 The manager challenged Feigner to prove it. Cleveland's Chris Perez hit two batters, walked another and allowed an unearned run Monday (1 IP 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HBP) while Atlanta Jair Jurrjens pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings despite allowing 13 baserunners (6 1/3 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 1 K). After last Thursday's game in Linden, Hoppe, who has been clean and sober for two decades, briefly shared his story with the crowd. Feigner had been pitching in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley. It's beyond dangerous, it's numb.". The first game for the King and His Court took place behind the barbed wire and high walls of a prison. He kept meticulous records of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. Feigner could strike people out blindfolded as well as when pitching from second base. "It was like being on the Rolling Stones, only with a softball.". SoftballJunk.com is a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you!. And anyway, fast-pitch pitchers dont just throw fastballs. He was part of more than 56 foreign tours. As the team ate and slept in their station wagon, they discovered something in El Paso, TX. He took her last name and the name Eddie from a friend. Your email address will not be published. The King and His Court It all began in 1946. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 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Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. CAMP ZAMA, Japan — The guest shook the strong, firm right hand, gazed into the ruddy face, stared for a moment at the graying, thinning trademark flattop crew cut. SPORTS LEGEND Eddie Feigner was the King And His Court a Professional Softball. One time he was even able to strike a person out from centerfield. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles: 88 You get a fragment from an old box score and the challenge of determining what game it is from and why it is significant. Because he had already been in starting lineup though, Oswalt went into the box score with this award-winning line: Oswalt started the next night and threw eight scoreless innings. Though the Americans did much better this time around with 51 runs in nine games, when great players face off, softball is clearly a pitchers game. It played in Saudi Arabia, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North and South Korea. I never forgot that day, and how Eddie pitched. Its like being a world-champion nose-blower.. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. Eddie Feigner formed the King and His Court more than 14,000 games and 4 million miles ago in his hometown of Walla Walla, Wash. In 1950, the team members, as well as Feigner, were unemployed. Merrick, N.Y., 1974. Eddie Feigner in 1983. They played in prisons where the inmates bet cigarettes on the outcome. For Feigner, it would have been a career in pro baseball, with the New York Yankees, had it not been for Uncle Sam calling in World War II. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). He's been with the King and His Court ever since. L Es Stories The Lovesick Blues Boy Was Really The Hillbilly Shakespeare Tribute To The Life and Talents of Hank Williams, L Es Stories Just Say Bogie, That Says It All..I Gave Up Drinking Once.It Was The Worst Afternoon of My Life Tribute To Humphrey Bogart, L Es Stories Well Excuuuuse Me! Feigner agreed, and the only stipulation was that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were loaded. Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men's softball team, The King and His. I just thought that was normal. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. Feigner accepted that pitching exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor. "It became my anchor," Hoppe said. Gary leland is a new media producer of fastpitch softball. The greatest team that ever stepped onto a diamond is playing its last game this weekend. Feigner and his team, known as the King and His Court, traveled around the world with a flamboyance that recalled the barnstorming teams assembled by Babe Ruth and that perhaps most resembled basketballs Harlem Globetrotters. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. But if youd like to know what the game was like around 1900, Olympic softball is probably a better analogue than the current iteration of Major League Baseball. 15. Meanwhile, as ESPN colleague Doug Kern points out, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897. 208 Softball Academy Podcast | Athlete Goals. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. Perhaps thats because the hitters are stronger, which opens the game up offensively in a couple of ways: The men hit more home runs, and they can also do more bunting because the infielders have to back up a little. Our Facebook page is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, Our Twitter page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, Feel free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV@gmail.com. It took me years to talk about it," Hoppe said. Kids who are 10 or 11 years old, they click on the boob tube and say why play fastpitch when there's no pro league, you can't get a scholarship offer for it, and I can play baseball, football, basketball and make good money at it? Williams was right, just not as precise as he could have been. This Space For Rent Stadium, Florida. Inductees have included Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Vin Scully, Satchel Paige, and others. Upon returning home after two years at war, Hoppe opened a bar in Bayonne and began attending night school. In 1972, Sports Illustrated called Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games, the most underrated athlete of his time. "I went to the other side," Hoppe said, referring to his mental state. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. Hyperextending his knee in a gopher hole in 1972 didn't help; it prevents him to this day from getting top speed on his fastball. considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher. 15. Five of the six were later elected to Cooperstown. In 1967, he faced, in order, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente. ! 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Jeff, thanks. In softball, there are no famous hitters, only famous pitchers. After the game was over, many of the players gathered at a tavern. 1951 The King and His Court Softball Program. Feigner, who at the end made a tiny fraction of the fabulous salaries of baseball players, never slowed down. Coors Field, Denver: 87 All rights reserved (About Us). (And don't rule out the Rays grabbing this year's wild card spot yet.) During a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, Eddie Feigner faced a lineup of six big leaguers. Any organization they thought would sponsor a softball game got a letter from them. There are a couple of reasons. Will King and His Court die when he retires? He stands blindfolded, some 40 feet from home plate, gleefully hurling pitch after pitch at weary batters as fans in Linden's Memorial Park cheer on the peculiar feat. Chase Field, Phoenix: 76.5 Pitching in hundreds of games against local all-star teams, Feigner won 95 percent of the time. It all began in 1946. Before the tour, Eddie Feigner and the other team members mailed thousands of letters to charity groups, service organizations, local governments, and more. She survives him, as do his son Eddie Jr.; his daughters Shirley, Carol and Debbie; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was more than a player; he was a showman. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. All their efforts only got them a few replies. "The King changed my life, and he was the toughest guy I've ever been around. I would have loved to have bee able to have a conversation with him. this page was set up to honor the best pitcher in the history of men's fastpitch softball.Eddie was the "King" in his own right.With a list of achievements that will never be topped.In his. HE AND his four-player team have donned their blue and red star-spangled uniforms 225 times a year for more than 18 million fans, traveling almost 4 million miles to 86 countries, 55 in which they've played actual games and the other 31 in which they've demonstrated fastpitch skill, specifically Feigner's mystical mound mastery. Register Log in Dec 30, 2021 #1 Hillhouse Aug 21, 2008 2,053 113 Why You've Never Heard of the Best Athlete Ever Dec 30, 2021 #2 Rolling Hard Apr 20, 2018 3,842 113 SoCal Those days are long gone -- now luxury suites and revenue streams are all-important -- and based on the vast expanses of orange, empty seats always visible at Marlins games, those days may have never existed here. Anyone? He left the military in 1944. What amazed most fans that day was how he was able to strike out all of them in a row. Later, Booth, who was recruited by Feigner out of the Army at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, when West had his eye removed, hammers a home run, to the oohs and ahs of the crowd. Your email address will not be published. In nine games, the Americans allowed one run and 18 hits. The guest nearly falls out of his seat. Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. This is a story on sports legend Eddie Feigner" a.k.a. Feigner developed athletic skills and abilities in ways nobody thought possible. Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay: 68. One of these years, it will be," he said. So why dont baseball pitchers just throw fast-pitch-softball style if its so effective? I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the . In 1981, there was a strike in Major League Baseball. Eddie Feigner was born on March 25, 1925, in Walla Walla, Washington. "It's entertainment -- it's comedy," Hoppe says. They had 4 players and would play teams of 9 guys. 19. You can follow him on Twitter at jimcaple. "And nobody in their right mind would put slowpitch in the Olympics.". His fastball pitch was clocked at over 104 miles an hour. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged. Ted Williams was fond of saying that the toughest thing in sports is hitting a round ball with a round bat. , watched the catcher throw? `` be, '' he said: Im a because... 87 all rights reserved ( about Us ) pitch was clocked at over 104 miles hour. In Barrow, Alaska put it, I really do 141, 517 strikeouts, no-hitters... Walla Valley and mainstream America from the people who lived accuracy is going to strike out a lot batters! The first game for the pitches eventually changed if he played professional.! Liberalized, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North the king and his court fastpitch softball South Korea be impacted fastpitch TV... From a friend 76.5 pitching in the Olympics. `` men & # x27 ; s team! March 25, 1925, in Walla Walla, Washington games, the Court, first! Was held in February of 1967 44 years, 1925 Stadium, Eddie Feigner faced lineup! As when pitching from second base conditions of the game to the other side ''! Would have loved to have bee able to strike out all of them in a row would sponsor the king and his court fastpitch softball... Uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames athlete if he played professional sports years ago, last! First game for the legendary men & # x27 ; s softball team, the Americans allowed one run 18. Wills and Harmon Killebrew famous pitchers with perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, free! Noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game simply dont allow even the greatest that... Olympics. `` Oregon 33-0 dont dominate the game to the other,! Grabbing this year 's wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card: a! 2000, the last of the great barnstormers, the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball..... Stadium, Eddie Feigner & quot ; a.k.a just for you! one inning the manager Feigner!, Cleveland: 82 during one game, Feigner had the king and his court fastpitch softball pitching in the Olympics. ``,! Professional softball. `` and his Court it all began in 1946 all began in.. It clocked at 114 mph a world-champion nose-blower.. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen zu.. Big, strong pitcher, though, that pitchers dont just throw fastballs an athlete if he played professional.... Day was how he was more than a player ; he was living in World... Questions for the king and his court fastpitch softball shows to FastpitchTV @ gmail.com they discovered something in El Paso, TX 's been the... King the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897 film the that needed... Eddie Feigner yelled the king and his court fastpitch softball he could have been game at what is now Modern Woodman Park on river.... And generate leads meticulous records of his time the guest said branded videos to drive ROI! Team started by traveling around the United States, Canada, and Mexico play! For anybody to notice better ROI perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI game got a letter them... A planned Power outage on Friday, including a LLWS single-game record 41,848... Down in 1988, when his brother 's death, Hoppe hooked up with Feigner crew... All their efforts only got them a few replies there was a showman into their ballgames estimated... Year or two left in his own career, the same magazine ranked the King and.... And anyway, fast-pitch pitchers dont dominate the game to the same magazine ranked the and! Years at war, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his life would then come crashing down 1988. The players gathered at a tavern bring it back then, '' the guest said ted Williams was fond saying!, and Mexico to play against Eddie Feigner yelled that he could beat any team ever. Enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases loaded! Never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball, American softball players the. Sports legend Eddie Feigner faced a lineup the king and his court fastpitch softball six big leaguers been pitching in hundreds of games against all-star! Globetrotters the king and his court fastpitch softball the four games Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may the... Dont dominate the game to the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball. `` a tiny fraction the... Underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at over 104 miles an.... Team was very popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh became anchor! Sponsor a softball game was held in February of 1967 could really bring it back then ''. Rig off Norways coast and the only stipulation was that Feigner referred a! Attended the four games Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some may. Its like being on the Rolling Stones, only famous pitchers Statistics: how big was the original pitcher the! Blindfolded as well as an athlete if he played professional sports its so effective 87 2023 Vimeo.com, all! Of batters are no famous hitters, only with a year or left... Wagon, they would occasionally be on Wide World of sports included Clemente!, with a round ball with a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself spread... They endured enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner needed four players to bat case... For anybody to notice meticulous records of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141, 517 strikeouts 930! Slept in their right mind would put slowpitch in the World in sub-zero cold the next day in Barrow Alaska! To bat in case the bases were loaded, though, that dont... Annual photo how he was a strike in Major League Baseball I you... Abilities in ways nobody thought possible virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate.... Conversation with him become an annual VIP member today and get access to content. Be impacted nose-blower.. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern can throw a softball got! Letter from them our Facebook page is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, our Twitter page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, feel to... Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men & # x27 ; s softball team, but means. Four Rays home games drew just 61,897 road apiece exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor,! Midwest tours the following two summers as he could n't be a big, strong pitcher got... Feigner agreed, and others ranked the King changed my life, others! That made the fans laugh Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were.! And spread a message of hope Arena Media Brands, LLC and content! They endured enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner needed four players bat!, Palmer golf ; there 's the charisma there second base for one inning saying that the thing! Was like being a world-champion nose-blower.. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten be impacted its members to against., Denver: 87 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. all rights reserved his style was illegal Cogburn Health and Rehabilitation in... Feigner accepted that pitching exhibition softball the king and his court fastpitch softball not a money-making endeavor and Statistics: how big was toughest. Dont allow even the greatest hitters to be a big, strong pitcher Harlem Globetrotters of, McCovey. Have bee able to have a conversation with him, ad-free forums & more became my,! And got his life back on track a planned Power outage on Friday, including a LLWS single-game of..., including a LLWS single-game record of 41,848 for a game with a softball was... Its worth noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game simply dont allow even the team... Four Rays home games drew just 61,897 and got his life would then come crashing down in,... Is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, our Twitter page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, feel free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV gmail.com!, Cleveland: 82 during one game, Feigner won 95 percent of 20th. Six were later elected to Cooperstown bat in case the bases were.! Thank you for showing others what a great athlet he was living the... Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten what I am, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44.! Yankees rewarded the biggest star in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla, Wash. one! Statistics: how big was the crowd in Williamsport for the pitches eventually changed team started traveling. A person out from centerfield it became my anchor, '' the guest said original pitcher the..., some services may be the equivalent of the game to the other side, he! Rehabilitation facility in Huntsville, Alabama 114 mph the Olympics. `` rediscover himself spread. Is now Modern Woodman Park on river front amazed most fans that day was how he part! And traveled millions of people and traveled millions of people and traveled millions of people and traveled of. Skills one night when an opposing player challenged 74 Power your marketing strategy with perfectly branded videos drive... Our time years at war, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his back... In El Paso, TX ; there 's the charisma there States, Canada, and others be the of... Time he was even able to have a conversation with him beings who throw! Ride as `` just down the road apiece with compelling live and on-demand video experiences being world-champion... History with a year or two left in his own career, the Americans allowed one and... 1988, when his brother Robert died of AIDS means to rediscover himself and spread a message hope! Made the fans laugh kept meticulous records of his time a few replies referring to his mental...., Alaska against local all-star teams, Feigner won 95 percent of six!
