MOV Softball Selects 2024 Hall of Fame Class | News, Sports, Jobs

PARKERSBURG – The Mid-Ohio Valley Softball Hall of Fame inductees will reach 22 more individuals during a ceremony Saturday at Moose Lodge 1118.

According to MOVSHOF Board Chairman Jimmie Bee of Parkersburg, this year’s hall of fame class will include nine players, three coaches, two referees, one director, one legend, one team and five sponsors. Additionally, the late Terry Lazear will be elevated to Legend.

The events will begin with a meet-and-greet at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and an induction ceremony at 7 p.m. By the end of the evening, the hall of fame will have more than 180 members, according to Bee.

Legends

Terry Lazear: A longtime member of the Hall of Fame in the Players category, Lazear will be posthumously elevated to Legend, the highest honor the MOVSHOF bestows on an individual. The MOVSHOF’s Draft Tournament Women’s Home Run Derby is named in her honor and memory.

Donna Newberry: It would be hard to find anyone who accomplished more in sports than the late Newberry, who was an excellent center fielder and all-around player before becoming a nationally recognized college coach. A 1969 graduate of Parkersburg South High School, Newberry coached women’s softball at Muskingum University for 36 years. During that time, her teams won 18 Ohio Athletic Conference championships, made 18 NCAA postseason appearances and made eight appearances in the NCAA Division III World Series. Newberry’s 2011 Muskies won the Division III World Series.

Newberry’s 907 wins at Muskingum are the most by any Division III women’s softball coach, and she is the only person to be named National Coach of the Year in two different sports (softball and basketball).

Players

Tony Burke: Before the days of limited springs on the courts, Burke, “Come back Tony”It may be said that, “to make it rain”who would make shots high into the air and then knock them into the strike zone (i.e. the bucket). Also known for his fielding skills, the late Mr. Burke of Parkersburg was a standout on some of the great Walker Parkersburg teams, including the 1971 state champions.

Larry “Ordeal” Butler: The second major league power hitter at Cowgill Chevrolet in Caldwell, Ohio. Butler hit 80 home runs in 35 games with three teammates in one season. He also starred on the Port men’s 35-and-over teams, which were full. Butler is one of several players from that powerhouse to be inducted into the MOVSHOF. Butler’s nickname is reportedly a reference to Major League Baseball home run champion Hank Aaron.

Amy Grady: Also known as “Senator” Fruth Pharmacy during her playing days on championship teams. A native of Leon, West Virginia, Fruth joins several of her Fruth teammates in the hall of fame. Fruth won the 2010 WSL world championship.

Greg James: One of the finest all-rounders to have played for the county, the late Mr. James was a superb batsman and runner. “Boss”this magnificent athlete starred for powerhouse teams such as Royal Crown, Foodland and Baron Men’s Shop (Athens, OH), among others. James’ hometown was Bidwell in southeastern Ohio.

Deanna McKenzie: Better known as: “Also”A native of McConnellsville, Ohio, he was a great all-around player with great power. McKenzie is still active in the senior leagues. He began playing in the Ohio Power League in Beverly at age 14.

Ron Merritt: A star pitcher for the legendary Parkersburg Independents, Merritt excelled at both shortstop and shortstop for more than 20 years. He hails from Washington, W.Va., and has enjoyed a long career in leadership roles off the field.

Freddie Scott: Known as a great hitter with speed to burn on the basepaths. He usually played first base. Scott was a top player on Walker Parkersburg’s 1971 state championship team as well as on the mighty Jimbo’s teams.

Jessica Trippett: An accomplished multi-sport athlete at Parkersburg High School, Trippett was the star pitcher and power hitter of several highly praised women’s and co-ed league teams.

Dick Wigal: First baseman from Washington, West Virginia. Starred on the Parkersburg Independents’ great teams.

Coaches/Managers

John Badgley: A baseball player at Parkersburg South, Badgley was a power hitter as a player (Eastern Electric and others) and also excelled as a coach, especially with Compact II teams that won two state championships in the pitching division. Badgley’s St. Ambrose teams were strong in the church league for many years. “Badge” He also gained fame as a sports promoter and athletic official who organized hobby events.

Bob Dye: Spent more than 30 years coaching teams in the Marietta area, winning more than 200 championships. Dye’s teams won the 1977 Marietta City League upper and lower division titles on the same night. He retired from coaching in 2010.

John Workman: Coached Tyler Trucking teams and two world championship teams. Also coached one of only two West Virginia men’s teams to appear in a men’s major (fifth place at the 2011 Cincinnati major). Workman is a native of Charleston.

Referees

Dean Brannon: A versatile umpire from Vienna, West Virginia, who officiated youth fastpitch, slowpitch and high school games. He was a member of the Ohio-West Virginia Baseball/Softball Association for more than 210 years. He also officiated football from youth through high school and college ranks.

Rocky Morris: He’s been a referee for 46 years. He’s officiated at the Music City Major in Nashville and at Universal Studios. He was a big-time player before he became a referee.

Manager

Joe Muscati: The late Mr. Muscati ran Waverly leagues and tournaments from the 1940s to the 1970s. He donated tournament money to the local Little League baseball program. Prominent Justice of the Peace. He died in 1990.

Set

PM Keiser: Earlier this year, the girls won the world championship in the under-13 category.