| Presenter:
Steve Srnka
On a visit to Chicago in 1950, a local reporter took Joe Kane on a ride to the North Side of the Windy City, where the pair happened across a game of Big Ball played amongst local factory workers at lunchtime. Joe immediately bought balls, bats and shirts and organized an Eastside Slo-Pitch League in 1950. To ensure a grand start, Joe organized the four teams to be escorted on Opening Day to the playing field by a 110-piece drum and bugle corps with starting pitchers and umpires driven to the field in brand-new Kaiser Automobiles. Joe Kane, now 95 years old, describes his fondest memories of Slo-Pitch to include the friendships he shared and the family-like atmosphere he felt from the league. He is proud to have brought the game to Erie and compares the excitement he felt in seeing the game flourish to the birth of a brand new baby. Thank you to Joe Kane…founder of Erie Big Ball in 1950.
Congratulations Joe Kane
2009 Big Ball Hall of Fame
Inductee
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| Jim Fischer - Class of 2009 |
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Presenter:
Jack Canavan
Jim Fischer began playing Big Ball in 1977 and played for 30 years until 2007. Jim played for over 15 different team sponsors over the years primarily at first base. Jim’s greatest moment in Big Ball was diving over the catcher in a game to score the winning run and his favorite memory was the City Tournament when he and his wife Debbie returned to find their RV covered in Anniversary cards from all of their friends. Big Ball always meant the chance to let the kid out of him and the opportunity to be “back on the block”. Jim always encouraged fellow Big Ballers to be competitive inside the fences and good friends outside the fences. Jim’s signature around the game was his “Fish” hand shake. Starting with a gentleman’s hand shake and ending with a tickle from the fish’s tail reminding people to have fun! Jim thanks Big Ball for allowing him to make some of the best and closest friends in the world. He sends a special thanks to Geno Ferrara and Butch Farris for starting him in Big Ball, Doug Robinson for his hardwork and his two number one fans, Chris Brown and his wife, Debbie.
Congratulations Jim Fischer
2009 Big Ball Hall of Fame
Inductee
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| John Whitby - Class of 2009 |
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Presenter:
Bob Hess
John’s first year in Big Ball began in 1971 and ended 25 years later in 1996. John played on many teams including Cannavans Café, Nel-Dors Café, Mama Rosas, Morse Shoe, Cousins Rendevous, and Uthmann Core. His teams received many Tournament wins and were City Champs in 1986 and 1987. John feels fortunate to have played ball with and against some of the city’s best players. His fondest memory was at the Union City Tournament, where his team lost their first game, then came back from the loser’s bracket to win it all, beating the Sport’s Page team back to back. John is a huge supporter of Big Ball attending games all season long year after year. John would like to thank all of those who are responsible for awarding him with this great honor.
Congratulations John Whitby
2009 Big Ball Hall of Fame
Inductee
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| Mark Szymanski - Class of 2009 |
| Presenters:
Mike Miller & Jim Gillespie
Mark’s involvement in Big Ball began in 1980, where he participated as a player, manager, organizer and supporter for 25 years. He managed for 17 years with the On Deck and Star Club teams and first played for Foresters Club then Rohrer Trucking and Yaples Vacuum teams. His awards and accomplishments include ten all star appearances, eight League Championships, and four City Tournament Championships. He played in the Championship game 14 times. His teams won 1st place trophies for the regular season, City Tournament and Playoffs four times. Mark spent 40 years around the ballpark, beginning as a batboy while his dad played. Mark has played in every league in town, including Glenwood, adult baseball, fast pitch and modified, but feels nothing compares to Big Ball. His fondest memories are of a 28 and 1 season and the many good people he has met through the years.
Congratulations Mark Szymanski
2009 Big Ball Hall of Fame
Inductee
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| Rick Kraus - Class of 2009 |
| Presenter:
Dominick DiPaolo
Rick Kraus’ first year in Big Ball began in 1977 and continued for approximately 16 years. He held various roles that included player, fan, umpire and father to a playing son. Rick played on the Miller’s South Erie Beer team and Warsaw Café team as a 3rd baseman and on the Sport’s Page team as a 3rd baseman and catcher. The teams Rick played for received many League Championship titles and City Rec Tournament championships. Rick will always have the honor of mentioning he played for the Sports Page team who was named as the “Dynasties of Softball” from the 70’s to the 90’s by the Erie Times-News in the year 2000. He played a good number of years for the Sports Page and helped them earn numerous victories with his hitting and fielding. He also made one of the hardest transitions in the game moving from player to umpire for two years. Rick enjoyed the good times with family and friends while playing Big Ball and remembers hitting in the game-winning run at the Girard Tournament as his fondest memory only to find that Jim Miller had drank all of the beer!
Congratulations Rick Kraus
2009 Big Ball Hall of Fame
Inductee
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| Rudy Stravinsky - Class of 2009 |
| Presenter:
Jason Stravinsky
Rudy Stravinsky spent 20 years playing and supporting City Rec Slo –Pitch. His accomplishments include City Rec Tournament Championships with the Cousins Rendezvous team, 4 straight Tournament Championships between the On Deck and Star Club teams, along with numerous other league titles. Rudy always enjoyed the competitiveness of Big Ball and feels some people think it is easier than it actually is. Rudy primarily played shortstop over the years and has been referred to as the best to ever play the position in Erie. In his later years he stepped aside from shortstop to play second base as his presenter tonight and son Jason moved to shortstop. The two of them combined for one of the best combinations to play the middle of the infield in Erie Big Ball history. Rudy has enjoyed the people he has played with and against over the years. He has been thrilled to meet so many players and their families. He has enjoyed friendships from playing Big Ball that will last forever. Rudy says he has played ball with a lot of great players, but being able to play ball with his son was the greatest!
Congratulations Rudy Stravinsky
2009 Big Ball Hall of Fame
Inductee
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