THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 4, 1996 TAG: 9610030194
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 82 lines
THE TIDEWATER Virginia Amateur Softball Association will hold its 14th annual Hall of Fame awards banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at Lake Wright.
Several area players, teams and sponsors will be inducted.
Tickets for the dinner and awards are $20.
Being inducted this year are players Bob Freeland, Dewey Fussell, Melva Grimstead, Gina Sivells, Jay Smith, Al Walke and Billy White. Philly Fellion is being inducted for his role as a sponsor.
The Tiller's Taxi will enter the hall as a team.
Linwood Manning will receive the meritorious service award, Ed Tyree will get a special recognition award, and John Haney is the Commissioner's Selection.
The honors are strictly for action in ASA-sponsored events and leagues.
Freeland, a Portsmouth resident, has played softball for 32 years and played in three national Class A industrial and one Class B industrial tournaments. In 1977, he hit .800 in a Class A national to earn All-American status. He played in three national church tournaments and has won more than 15 tournament MVP honors.
Fussell, also of Portsmouth, has been playing since 1975 and earned All-American honors at last year's men's masters 40-over national - playing for the winning Harrison's team. He was selected to the All-Tidewater team three straight years and has won at least one MVP honor each season for the past 21. Fussell, who still plays, usually averages more than 40 home runs a season, with a batting average above .600.
Grimstead (Chesapeake) began her career in 1953 and retired in 1979. She played in six national events and was inducted several years ago as a member of the Travelers.
Sivells (Virginia Beach) began her career in 1974 and is a current player. She has played in eight national events and made the All-Tidewater team three consecutive years. Her average is consistently over .400.
Smith (Chesapeake) began playing in 1970 and has played in five ASA national and twice as many more for other organizations. He played with Fussell on the national 40-over championship team, and was also an All-American, and is currently in Florida playing in the U.S. Slo-Pitch Softball Association's men's 45-over world tournament.
He has the distinction of getting the first hit and scoring the first run in the American Professional Slo-Pitch League in Baltimore in 1977. Smith did most of his playing for men's majors teams that traveled and averaged over
Walke - a Virginia Beach resident affectionately known as ``Big Al'' - played 12 years locally and, like Smith, played mostly for major teams that hit the road. Walke played in two ASA nationals and won more than 20 MVP awards. His 12-year batting average was .615.
White (Chesapeake) began his career in 1979 and is still currently playing. White averages just under .600 and 60 home runs a season. He has more than 20 MVP awards and has attended one national. He is a four-time All-Tidewater selection.
Fellion - the Virginia Beach founder of the Tidewater Amateur Sports television show - sponsored three teams from 1972 through 1992. During that time, Fellion also played on his teams and competed in more than 100 tournaments.
The Tiller's Taxi team out of Norfolk actually played under six sponsors. Tiller's won seven state championships and played in two nationals. The team's 11-year record was 703-222. Inducted members are Tom Beck, George Carty, Larry Jones, Ernie Spainhour, Eddie Walsh, Mike Zongolowicz, Whitey Cooper, Dalton Wilson, Henry Cooper, Emory McCoy, George Miller, C.J. Zongolowicz, Wesley Walker, Dickie Stocks, Worth Heath and David Beck.
Manning (Chesapeake) has more than 30 years ASA service as a player and manager.
Tyree of Norfolk played for 19 years and was the first player in the 1950s to hit four home runs in one game - a common occurrence these days.
Haney died last year at 41 and is being honored for his 12-year career as a coach. He was a Norfolk resident. MEMO: For more information, call Marilyn Burgess at 545-4524. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Al Walke of Virginia Beach played 12 years locally, including two
ASA nationals and won more than 20 MVP awards. He batted .615.
Jay Smith of Chesapeake has played since 1970, including five ASA
nationals and a national 40-over title. He has batted .650. by CNB