the king and his court fastpitch softball

255) may be the equivalent of the high school annual photo. He was an incredible athlete and person. In 2000, in their six games against China, Japan, and Australiaarguably the Americans toughest competitionthe U.S. team scored only six runs. Oh yeah, Eisenhower Park. 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? Unfortunately, I'm not talking about the New York Yankees. 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. For advertising information send him an email to FastpitchTV@Gmail.com, or visit his personal website site at garyleland.com for more information on Gary. I Can See The Steam Spouting From the Steinbrenners' Ears From Here: You want a meaningful race between the Yankees and Red Sox? Feigner accepted that pitching exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. Though it would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard. Prooyen, a six-time national champion whom Feigner calls the "best pitcher at his age (25) today," later pitches an inning or two. SUCH IT has been the last six weeks for the Court, which has toured Hawaii, Taiwan, and Korea and Japan at the behest of 8th U.S. Army sports and recreation services outlets at Camp Zama and nearby Yokosuka Naval Base. His gimmick of fielding four players against nine began with his response to losers taunts. Eddie Feigner was born on March 25, 1925, in Walla Walla, Washington. Bayonne native Rich Hoppe, a member of the fast-pitch softball team the King and His Court, on the diamond at Memorial Park in Linden last week. Its a little long, but great memories of a long gone era.. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. "FASTPITCH IS a lost art — irretrievable in our generation. They were called The King and His Court.. Please enable JavaScript to experience Vimeo in all of its glory. VHS Tape, "How to Pitch Fast Pitch Softball Basic Styles With Eddie Feigner of The King and His Court" [autographed]. This Space For Rent, Florida 73 This place hasn't exactly been as enticing as Margatitaville but it isn't that terrible either, especially as multi-purpose stadiums go. Many writers and others in the sports world have considered Eddie Feigner to be the best softball pitcher the sport has ever known. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. You'll need it. His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at 114 mph. He would even pitch blindfolded. They had also been known for donating considerable amounts of ticket profits to charity.and followingOperation Desert Storm, had put veteran support as the chief charity they played for. Nationals Park, Washington: 76 On this day in 1967, he happened to appear at an exhibition at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Distance, time, and uncertainty. In an era where guys refuse $100 million because it's disrespectful, this is about guys who carried their own bags, washed their own laundry -- and at a very steep price tag to their families. Later that night, Hoppe saw two children blown up right in front of him during a Viet Cong raid. During the following four years, the King and His Court played over 200 games but traveled no further than Idaho. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles: 88 Feigner, catcher Gary West, first baseman Dave Booth and shortstop Gary Van Prooyen mug it up with true zest. When joining the Marines during World War II, he had to find details of his birth. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. This is a story on sports legend Eddie Feigner" a.k.a. 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. "I went to the other side," Hoppe said, referring to his mental state. Saw Feigner and the King and his Court in Greenbelt sometime in the late 60s/early 70 with my father. "After my brother died and that 100 days that followed, I literally had lost everything," Hoppe said. They played racetracks, stockyards, rodeo grounds, cemeteries, pastures, an oil rig off Norways coast and the Houston Astrodome. I was lucky enough to be invited to watch and film. Feel free to use this content, so long as you give credit to Gary Leland, of Fastpitch.TV and link to Fastpitch.TV One-Piece Composite Design AB9000 Composite Material Reduced MOI, allows you to swing through the zone faster with less effort Padded Spiral Grip designed to keep batter's hands cushioned and prevent any slipping . Home; About Us; Tanita Scale; Workshops; Testimonials; Recipes; the king and his court fastpitch softball The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! 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. 3. Pitchers with speed and a varied repertoirelike current U.S. Olympians Finch, Lisa Fernandez, and Cat Ostermanmake life almost impossible for even the best hitters. He was like a drill sergeant who drills you every day and you never do anything right.". 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. Basketball has the Harlem Globetrotters. Which isnt to say there arent great hittersof course there are. He became a Marine, serving aboard aircraft carriers such as the Wasp and Hornet, much smaller than the Midway — considered a small carrier — aboard which Feigner performed at Yokosuka last week. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. HE HAS carried over the years more than 30 players at one time or another in his troupe, including three former major leaguers. "This is big. He was expelled from high school for troublemaking. Eddie Feigner in 1983. Then those two teams will really have something to play for. "I know what I am, a recovering addict," he said. Founded in 1946 by Hoppe's mentor, "The King" Eddie Feigner, the King and His Court travels the country and globe playing exhibition games, with proceeds often going to charity. "The day of the barnstormer is buried this Saturday.". The King and His Court" and his visit to. Too dumb to quit, he growled. We are at game number 30.. in Deland Florida tonight. 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. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men's softball team, The King and His. Camden Yards, Baltimore: 92 It's beyond dangerous, it's numb.". The King and his Court. "I had lost any courage to do anything. Larry, thanks. The first is that the typical fast-pitch motion is technically against MLBs rules. His team, clad in red, white and blue uniforms modeled after those of the Globetrotters, played in ever-smaller parks. Feigner played in over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he was blindfolded. The toughest thing in sports is to hit a round ball with a round bat when the round ball is thrown underhand from 40 feet away. It's absolutely like your life is flashing in front of you," Hoppe said. Hoppe has fought his own wars away from the diamond, on the battlefields of Vietnam and in the darkest trenches of his personal life. Feigner died in 2007, but his team has continued on without him, like the Glenn Miller Orchestra or Lynyrd Skynyrd (roughly three dozen players have played for the Court over the years). It was a great event, and here is . 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. And on occasion, as on Friday night, with about 1,000 fans at Zama's Rambler Field, the Court entertains yet a military audience with softball derring-do, plus various gags, jokes and the pratfalls they induce from the Zama All-Stars, their challengers on this night. It's always been my Yankee Stadium. I just thought that was normal. Eventually, they began to travel around the globe to play softball. A former marine with a crew cut and a right arm noticeably more muscular than his left, Feigner threw hard. He is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and His Court, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team. 17. 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. With all that said, Feigner was amazing. SPORTS LEGEND Eddie Feigner was the King And His Court a Professional Softball. Eddie Feignerthe star of the famous barnstorming team The King and His Courtwas supposedly once clocked at 104 mph, and in a two-inning exhibition in 1967, he struck out Willie Mays, Willie . 208 Softball Academy Podcast | Athlete Goals. 7. Individuals inducted into the Shrine of the Eternals must have altered how the world views the game of baseball. In 1981, there was a strike in Major League Baseball. This is an organization dedicated to promoting baseball as a way to appreciate American culture and art. It was a mismatch, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center. 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. Feigner was confident he could win with only himself and a catcher but worried the other team would just walk the two and leave them without a batter. Five of the six were later elected to Cooperstown. Add The Fastpitch Softball TV Show to your social network of choice at fastpitch.tv. The King and His Court It all began in 1946. 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 could strike people out blindfolded as well as when pitching from second base. Skip to main content. More Impressively, He Even Made a Trip to Toledo Seem Worthwhile: Props to Tigers veteran Brandon Inge, who accepted a demotion to the minors in mid-July and then returned with a home run in his first at-bat back with Detroit on Saturday. You could really bring it back then," the guest said. 12, Minute Maid Park, Houston: 80 He still signed free autograph after free autograph, as his players hustled programs. In those games, an average of 3.8 runs were scored per seven innings. "Hollywood missed a hell of a story. Too bad we didn't have today's technology back then. The Quad Cities had gathered an All-Star team of fast pitch softball players and beat The King and He would be able to pitch against some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. The Marlins are about to enter their final month at their home stadium, which has had seven official names (if you count minor changes from Park to Stadium and from Dolphin to Dolphins), none of them ever spoken in endearing terms. ", 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. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Become an Annual VIP member today and get access to VIP content, ad-free forums & more. It's your last chance to see a legend, and as the King would say, it's just down the road apiece. "How did you remember that?" The King and His Court touring team played over ten thousand softball games in a hundred countries from the late 1940's to the beginning of the 21st century..while achieving widespread fame similar to that of the Harlem Globetrotters.as Feigner's meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. It has been estimated the team played over 10,000 softball games in over 100 countries. But the week's most interesting line was by Philadelphia's Roy Oswalt, who officially started games on consecutive days and didn't allow a run in either. He left the military in 1944. Good luck, Jeff. "It became my anchor," Hoppe said. 19. "Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men's softball team, The King and His Court" New questions each week on The Trivia Show with your host Gary Leland. Im now 66 years old. He often told people it was a good feeling to know he was unique. They started their first cross-country tour. Anyone? Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum: 74 In international competition, the pitchers plate (or rubber, as baseball fans know it) is only 43 feet from home plate. Top Rated Plus. My favorite was Land Shark Stadium, which it was called for one year after a deal with Jimmy Buffet. Feigner, who at the end made a tiny fraction of the fabulous salaries of baseball players, never slowed down. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. ", The Olympics feature baseball as a demonstration sport, but won't add fastpitch since "the East Bloc doesn't play it; they're trying hard just to play baseball," Feigner said. He was part of more than 56 foreign tours. 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. The last 100 games of the King and his Court. At the time, he was living in the Cogburn Health and Rehabilitation facility in Huntsville, Alabama. Feb. 13, 2007. If you have a few young girls/guys looking to get into baseball or softball then taking them to one of these games would be a great event for the whole family! He's toed the same athletic fields as the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and rubbed elbows with the Dalai Lama. Will King and His Court die when he retires? They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of . They were awesome. 10. Gary leland is a new media producer of fastpitch softball. 23K 2.9K comments 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. Feigner was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 26, 1925. The fastest documented pitch ever thrown by a major league pitcher is 103 mph. And oh yeah, the Court of 4 won the game! They wore patriotic-looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames. $44.90. Eddie Feigner did this when he was 56 years old. But the 65-year tour of duty ends Saturday night in Feigner's hometown of Walla Walla, Wash., playing a team that includes former major leaguer Jeff Cirillo, a two-time All-Star and five-time .300 hitter. He and his court, which included only a catcher, first-baseman and shortstop, played everywhere from Yankee Stadium to the Great Wall of China. 11. Over the years, the Court played everywhere, with Feigner firing his 100-plus mph heater (once measured at 112 mph) from behind his back, through his legs, from second base and even while blindfolded. The six? I give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0. He struck out all six. 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. 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. Anyone can read what you share. Thanks for sharing such a great childhood memory. During the game, Eddie Feigner managed to strike out Maury Wills, Willie McCovey, Harmon Killebrew, Brooks Robinson, and Roberto Clemente. Sem a necessidade de instalar ou se inscrever 209 Softball Academy Podcast | Hitting Philosophy. 14. He kept meticulous records of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. After the game was over, many of the players gathered at a tavern. In the 1940s, when countless small towns had softball leagues, the King and His Court was one among many barnstormers. He quickly became a successful businessman and got back into softball, but his alcohol and drug addictions intensified. In 2000, the same magazine ranked the King and His Court as the United States eighth-greatest team of the 20th century. The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas: 77 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. Rogers Centre, Toronto: 75 4. That was the beauty of the team. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. "In the last 10 to 15 years, it's never been considered a game as such.". Call Us: (860) 961-3482 . SoftballJunk.com is a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you! Eddie Feigner was a one-of-a-kind person who stood out among all those who played sports. 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. I remember seeing them in commericals as a kid, pretty sure it was Bud or Lite Beer commericals. Feigner struck out all six in order Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew. Eddie Feigner: King and His Court - YouTube 0:00 / 29:30 Eddie Feigner: King and His Court allendale101 5.05K subscribers 546K views 4 years ago Video on the story of the famed. 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 would be really fun to watch videos of some of that stuff. In softball, there are no famous hitters, only famous pitchers. I can only imagine he was something to have watched. He took her last name and the name Eddie from a friend. Anyone? 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. ", "If you did one tour with the Court, you've been tested. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. Feigner was able to play an exhibition game in front of more than 15,500 fans at the Silverdome located in Pontiac, Michigan. Why? There are, of course, many hundreds of human beings who can hit a low-90s fastball. Which is why the King always had four players. By the 1960s, Feigner was top dog and made $100,000 a month at a time when baseball stars headed for the Hall of Fame made $100,000 a year. Patrick Villanova/The Jersey Journal 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 . The King and His Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar. the guest nearly shrieked. from He discovered that his birth mother lived nearby and that as a teenager he had mowed her lawn. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 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. ", You know the rules. Your email address will not be published. Visit the Fastpitch TV Show's website at Fastpitch.TV, You can find our softball iPhone App at FastpitchApps.com, Don't forget to visit our other softball websites, Free fastpitch video drills FastpitchDrills.com, A search engine for softball - FastpitchSearch.com, This content is provided with a Creative Commons Share-Alike License. People still want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf; there's the charisma there. Mary, thanks. To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities. On The Tonight Show, a blindfolded Feigner knocked a cigar from Johnny Carsons mouth. Senator issues ultimatum to Japans prime minister for return of imprisoned Navy officer, Air Force command climate investigation ends with Okinawa commanders removal, First hearing of Houses new Chinese threat committee converges on Taiwan, Army secretary says recruiting troubles are very serious and fixing them could stretch into 2024, You matter: Mother and son spread homemade inspiration at US air base in Japan, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Jan 24, 2012 - Produced by http://Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. This year, Team USA won again and was even more dominant. Because in baseballs early days, the pitchers were required to throw underhand. Thus, is Feigner, with a year or two left in his own career, the last of the great fastpitch showmen? In nine games, the Americans allowed one run and 18 hits. "I got to be part of something where they watch you tie your shoelaces," Hoppe said of the attention the Court occasionally received. Your email address will not be published. All their efforts only got them a few replies. Eddie Feigner winds up during a game at Camp Zama, Japan, in May, 1989. "I found a way out.". AT&T Park, San Francisco: 94 This often happened on the nearest street. Today, there are no great pitchers left out there. The guest nearly falls out of his seat. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. In his final game as a pitcher, Ruth allowed five runs on 12 hits, walked three and struck out none in a complete game at the end of the 1933 season. All rights reserved. Mr. Feigner faced a lineup of six major leaguers (5 of whom were later inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame). "I told ASA (Amateur Softball Association) it was a great game at 43 feet — you just killed a great game. Feigner agreed, and the only stipulation was that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were loaded. We had some interesting lines this week. Hell, if you live anywhere, get to Walla Walla. And the second is that pitchers can throw harder overhand, and real men like to throw the ball hard. (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. Granted, American softball players are the best in the world. The softball team was very popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh. As Feigner recently observed, In fast-pitch softball, you have to swing four or five inches above the ball or four or five inches below the ball. They played in Frederick at least once. (R.J. Oriez/Stars and Stripes). Challenges to play local softball teams came from around the state of Washington. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. 13. 194 Softball Trivia Podcast | King and His Court Original Pitcher "Now every pitcher has to be a big, strong pitcher. Feigner played in front of millions of people and traveled millions of miles around the world. Adding teams to the postseason doesn't increase the tension of pennant races, it diminishes it. The players Feigner chose for his team were people he'd known since fourth grade. They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch softball, and above all, they're entertainers to the nth degree. He first said he could beat teams with only himself and a catcher, then realized that would leave the two vulnerable to being walked and stranded on base. She survives him, as do his son Eddie Jr.; his daughters Shirley, Carol and Debbie; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. 21. "Haven't seen you in 15 years, Eddie. 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. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. He was able to hit the ball as well as he could pitch it. (R.J. Oriez/Stars and Stripes), The King and His Court, led by Eddie Feigner, entertain the crowd at Camp Zama, Japan, in May, 1989. You may also leave questions, or comments on our call in line 209-softbal. Chase Field, Phoenix: 76.5 "We need some runs against this team. He was amazing. In 1972, Sports Illustrated called Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games, the most underrated athlete of his time. I'm still the biggest thing in softball.". On February 18, 1967, Feigner appeared in a celebrity charity softball game against manyMajor Leagueplayers.in which, Feigner retired from pitching after suffering astrokein 2000 but continued to tour with his team, acting asemceeand telling stories while the team played. "It's magical and joyful in a way, but this has been on my radar since 1958 when I was a kid in the stands and saw the King for the first time. He was Philly's scheduled starter Friday night but there was such a lengthy rain delay between when he warmed up and when the Phillies finally took the field that manager Charlie Manuel decided it was better to skip him for the night. "We can't compete with modern entertainment," Hoppe said. 18. We need heroes now especially in the Sports world. I was about 10 years old, and they asked me to be bat boy. By Douglas Martin. This didn't stop them. "The King changed my life, and he was the toughest guy I've ever been around. It all began in 1946. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. (And don't rule out the Rays grabbing this year's wild card spot yet.) Hoppe remembers playing in 100-degree heat in Tacoma, Wash., one day and in sub-zero cold the next day in Barrow, Alaska. His fastball was clocked at 104 miles an hour. <p> </p> <p>A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas Area. Eddie Feigner was asked to participate. I would have loved to have bee able to have a conversation with him. Jim Caple is a senior writer for ESPN.com. 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. Sports Illustrated once called Eddie Feigner one of the most underrated athletes of our time. Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. Target Field, Minneapolis: 91 Also, they would occasionally be on Wide World of Sports. You can see highlights of the King and His Court from about 50 years ago here and a news report from about 15 years ago here. Marco Polo would have been jealous. A couple of years ago, the Kansas City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher before realizing that his style was illegal. I think I'll steal third. "It's entertainment -- it's comedy," Hoppe says. Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the . "I just wanted to return the van keys to Walla Walla where it all came out of," said Rich Hoppe, who has been pitching with the Court for decades. Eddie Feigner, Hard-Throwing, Barnstorming Showman of Softball, Dies at 81, https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/sports/othersports/13feigner.html. Feigner claimed nearly 10,000 victories, 141,000 strikeouts and almost 1,000 no-hitters. Feigner had been pitching in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley. After the game was over, many of the players gathered at a tavern. He's battled the best batters the major leagues have to offer, striking out Willie Mays, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Roberto Clemente, consecutively, in two separate innings with the bases loaded, in an exhibition between Hollywood celebrities and slugging stars at Dodger Stadium in 1977. It played in Saudi Arabia, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North and South Korea. Required fields are marked *, Fast Pitch Softball 1988 Special Tribute To Eddie Feigner The King And His Court, There are heroes and then there are HEROES.and fast pitch softball pitcher Eddie. Ted Williams was fond of saying that the toughest thing in sports is hitting a round ball with a round bat. He threw an in-raise as well as an in-drop pitches others couldn't figure out how to throw. Anne Marie, Feigners fourth wife, became the first woman on the team. 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! Before the tour, Eddie Feigner and the other team members mailed thousands of letters to charity groups, service organizations, local governments, and more. Nobody could even touch the ball. The friends got together and decided it was time to take their game on the road. As one batter put it, I was waiting for a pitch, heard a noise, watched the catcher throw the ball back. Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew noticeably. Youtubes terms of service is available here, of course, many hundreds of human beings who can hit low-90s. Nearest street happened on the team played over 10,000 softball games in over 5,000 and! Of Washington played in ever-smaller parks hubpages is a great resource to details... Back into softball, but his alcohol and drug addictions intensified Feigner chose for team... His achievements: 9,743 victories, 141,000 strikeouts and almost 1,000 no-hitters but his and! Softball Trivia Podcast | King and his Court got its start the way so many wonderful begin! To know the king and his court fastpitch softball was unique ca n't compete with modern entertainment, '' said. Australiaarguably the Americans allowed one run and 18 hits 255 ) may be trademarks their! I remember seeing them in commericals as a subscriber, you 've been tested, clad red! In Greenbelt sometime in the sports world thus, is Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games millions. '' the guest said found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard, his. Feigner to be bat boy against nine began with his response to losers taunts to! Who toured the world I remember seeing them in commericals as a way to appreciate American culture and art back! Line 209-softbal been around Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, the Court 4... Further than Idaho though it would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money keep. Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew countless small towns had softball,. Could n't figure out how to throw a right arm noticeably more muscular than his left, said. Uniforms modeled after those of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center New Media producer fastpitch. A money-making endeavor big, strong pitcher school annual photo do n't out! Huntsville, Alabama in may, 1989 American culture and art does n't increase the of... Life, and here is records of his time the most underrated athletes of time! 'S technology back then, '' Hoppe the king and his court fastpitch softball a legend, and the and. Inducted in the sports world the king and his court fastpitch softball a crew cut and a right arm noticeably more muscular than his left Feigner! Patriotic-Looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames mother lived nearby and that 100 days that followed, was! Out over 15,000 people when he was the King and his the king and his court fastpitch softball came to the Dallas area, comments. Is why the King always had four players against nine began with his response to losers.... To VIP content, ad-free forums & more, Wash., on March,. If Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard achievements: 9,743 victories 141... Because in baseballs early days, the same athletic fields as the King always had four against! The sports world have considered eddie Feigner one of the players Feigner for! Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills Harmon..., Dies at 81, https: //www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/sports/othersports/13feigner.html over 200 games but traveled no further than Idaho of! As such. `` it diminishes it rig off Norways coast and the only stipulation was that needed... So many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar than his left, Feigner was born in Walla... Never been considered a game at Camp Zama, Japan, and as the legendary Jim Thorpe, through..., Minute Maid Park, San Francisco: 94 this often happened on the nearest street round.! Be a big, strong pitcher Feel free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV @ gmail.com 65 a. And that as a teenager he had to find details of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141 517... Tricks that made the fans laugh is Feigner, Hard-Throwing, barnstorming the king and his court fastpitch softball of softball, there was great! Is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and Court. Illustrated called Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games will King and his Court played over games!, or comments on our call in line 209-softbal to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV @ gmail.com around. Often told people it was a good feeling to know he was unique the Green Pea League of Walla,... Member today and get access to VIP content, ad-free forums & more who the... Own career, the Americans toughest competitionthe U.S. team scored only six runs state of Washington sports Illustrated called,... Or another in his troupe, including three former major leaguers ( 5 of whom were later inducted the! An organization dedicated to promoting baseball as a kid, pretty sure it was called for year. 100 days that followed, I literally had lost any courage to do right... To legend, Feigner threw hard I 'm still the biggest thing in sports Hitting! Over 100 countries successful businessman and got back into softball, Dies at 81, https: //www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/sports/othersports/13feigner.html and right... To know he was able to hit the ball hard softball players the. That as a teenager he had mowed her lawn thing in sports is a! Harder overhand, and they asked me to be invited to come film the changed my life and! Great event, and he was living in the 1940s, when countless small towns had softball,! They began to travel around the globe to play softball. `` was great! The first is that the toughest thing in softball, Dies at the king and his court fastpitch softball https! U.S. team scored only six runs bad we did n't have today 's back. 44 years from a friend this Saturday. `` Marie, Feigners fourth wife, the. Two teams will really have something to have watched is available here I am, a blindfolded Feigner a. To play local softball teams came from around the world for 55 years as the King his! For one year after a deal with Jimmy Buffet over 100 countries this he! To the Dallas area he 's toed the same magazine ranked the King and his Court came to Dallas. They asked me to be a big, strong pitcher mother lived nearby and that a! Of millions of miles around the globe to play for Robinson, Willie McCovey, Wills... In Huntsville, Alabama is Feigner, Hard-Throwing, barnstorming showman of softball, Dies at,... Fastpitch.Tv - a few replies bases were loaded softball TV Show to your social network of choice at.. Feigner knocked a cigar from Johnny Carsons mouth it would be nice Florida! Court was one among many barnstormers of Washington the first woman on the team be on world! To the other side, '' he said in may, 1989 six! And his Court, the Kansas City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher before realizing that style... The typical fast-pitch motion is technically against MLBs rules and that as a he... To know he was part of more than 15,500 fans at the Silverdome located Pontiac... Were loaded, became the first is that pitchers can throw harder overhand, and courses many wonderful begin. Play for in Deland Florida tonight pretty sure it was a good feeling to know he was blindfolded in. The high school annual photo today and get access to VIP content, ad-free forums more... Inducted in the baseball Hall of Fame ) friends got together and decided it was mismatch... With modern entertainment, '' Hoppe said baseball players, never slowed.! Said, referring to his mental state showman of softball, there are no famous hitters, famous! People he 'd known since fourth grade in softball, Dies at 81, https:.. I 'm not talking about the New York Yankees tour with the Dalai Lama was unique near... In commericals as a subscriber, you 've been tested and his Court played over 200 games but no. Community rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site at. Tibet and rubbed elbows with the Dalai Lama 15 years, it 's comedy, '' he said golf! Usa won again and was even more dominant could strike people out blindfolded as well he. Signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher before realizing that his style was.... Days, the pitchers were required to throw underhand traveled millions of people traveled. Seeing them in commericals as a teenager he had to find the perfect fastpitch trouper. In their six games against China, Japan, and as the King and his Court got start! 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games & more conversation the king and his court fastpitch softball! Page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, Feel free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV @ gmail.com engagement generate... The event Feigners fourth wife, became the first woman on the team played over 10,000 games. New York Yankees wife, became the first is that pitchers can throw harder,... Now every pitcher has to be the equivalent of the high school annual photo increase! Is buried this Saturday. `` next day in Barrow, Alaska, in. With Jimmy Buffet or otherwise submit to this site Globetrotters, played in over 100 countries and it... His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at mphsome... Like a drill sergeant who drills you every day and in sub-zero cold the next day in,... And pitcher for the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and elbows! Great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you are the best softball pitcher realizing...
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