Too dumb to quit, he growled. Eddie Feigner in 1983. In 1950, the team members, as well as Feigner, were unemployed. So why dont baseball pitchers just throw fast-pitch-softball style if its so effective? "You don't care. I just thought that was normal. It was a great event, and here is . Marshall, thanks for sharing! information. By contrast, the typical American League game last year included 7.65 runs per seven innings. Don't add another wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card. Rogers Centre, Toronto: 75 This didn't stop them. In the 1905 World Series, New York Giants legend Christy Mathewson tossed three shutouts, allowing only 14 hits in 27 innings. Inductees have included Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Vin Scully, Satchel Paige, and others. 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? I saw the King and his Court in Jasper, Alabama in the early 1960s. Feigner claimed nearly 10,000 victories, 141,000 strikeouts and almost 1,000 no-hitters. "I went to the other side," Hoppe said, referring to his mental state. Sports Illustrated once called Eddie Feigner one of the most underrated athletes of our time. "I got to be part of something where they watch you tie your shoelaces," Hoppe said of the attention the Court occasionally received. This Space For Rent, Florida 73 At the time, he was living in the Cogburn Health and Rehabilitation facility in Huntsville, Alabama. Many writers and others in the sports world have considered Eddie Feigner to be the best softball pitcher the sport has ever known. Meanwhile, as ESPN colleague Doug Kern points out, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! 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 . "We show off how good we are, but don't flaunt it or embarrass the home team," he said. 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. "The King changed my life, and he was the toughest guy I've ever been around. You'll need it. Yet, "It's like Bob Feller said: `I can still throw as hard as I ever did. I'm still the biggest thing in softball.". Eddie Feigner yelled that he could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher. 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. The King and His Court It all began in 1946. Progressive Field, Cleveland: 82 AT&T Park, San Francisco: 94 I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. He would even pitch blindfolded. I was lucky enough to be invited to watch and film. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. 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. The team started by traveling around the United States, Canada, and Mexico to play local softball teams. 15. Either that, or an outtake from "Twilight 4: Team Timmy No-Hits Team Edward.'' Founded in 1946 by Hoppe's mentor, "The King" Eddie Feigner, the. This is an organization dedicated to promoting baseball as a way to appreciate American culture and art. "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. It has been estimated the team played over 10,000 softball games in over 100 countries. His fastball pitch was clocked at over 104 miles an hour. If you swing at the ball, youll strike out every time.. "I miss the guy, I really do. He struck out all six. Upon returning home after two years at war, Hoppe opened a bar in Bayonne and began attending night school. He made Nolan Ryan look like a Little Leaguer. Feigner played in over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he was blindfolded. He is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and His Court, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team. If you live anywhere in the Northwest, go to Walla Walla this Saturday to see the end of an era. Ted Williams was fond of saying that the toughest thing in sports is hitting a round ball with a round bat. Feigner played in front of millions of people and traveled millions of miles around the world. <p> </p> <p>A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas Area. "Now every pitcher has to be a big, strong pitcher. He's been interviewed by Red Smith, Mike Douglas, Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan and the guy Feigner says gave him his first significant interview, Grantland Rice. Eddie Feigner passed away on February 9, 2007, from complications associated with dementia. After last Thursday's game in Linden, Hoppe, who has been clean and sober for two decades, briefly shared his story with the crowd. This place hasn't exactly been as enticing as Margatitaville but it isn't that terrible either, especially as multi-purpose stadiums go. 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. It must be fun facing a blindfolded pitcher from 45 feet who can fire the ball faster than 100 mph. 2023 Stars and Stripes. You get to touch people and leave them with a message.". "And nobody in their right mind would put slowpitch in the Olympics.". With all that said, Feigner was amazing. In 1967, he faced, in order, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente. 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 was Sidd Finch with a crewcut, Clint Eastwood with a fastball. Add The Fastpitch Softball TV Show to your social network of choice at fastpitch.tv. Oh yeah, Eisenhower Park. 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). I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. "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. On The Tonight Show, a blindfolded Feigner knocked a cigar from Johnny Carsons mouth. "I'm still the best pitcher in the world today, baseball or softball; I just don't have the blinding speed any more. He discovered that his birth mother lived nearby and that as a teenager he had mowed her lawn. 13. If you haven't seen the King and His Court, well, it's your own damn fault. 7. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles: 88 Feigner had an exaggerated windup and he would do things like pitch blindfolded, or pitch an inning from behind second base. 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. Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets Feigner, who at the end made a tiny fraction of the fabulous salaries of baseball players, never slowed down. What amazed most fans that day was how he was able to strike out all of them in a row. Have you seen the (Zama) catcher throw?". I remember seeing them in commericals as a kid, pretty sure it was Bud or Lite Beer commericals. In 2000, in their six games against China, Japan, and Australiaarguably the Americans toughest competitionthe U.S. team scored only six runs. 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. Call Us: (860) 961-3482 . They started their first cross-country tour. The first game for the King and His Court took place behind the barbed wire and high walls of a prison. I saw the King and his Court in Pittsfield, MA in the early 1960's. Sem a necessidade de instalar ou se inscrever 209 Softball Academy Podcast | Hitting Philosophy. After the game was over, many of the players gathered at a tavern. Hey, I'm a big Tim Lincecum fan but this card (2010 Topps 206, No. 5. 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Eddie Feigner was born on March 25, 1925, in Walla Walla, Washington. He's been with the King and His Court ever since. You may also leave questions, or comments on our call in line 209-softbal. Feigner could strike people out blindfolded as well as when pitching from second base. 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). Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew. Good afternoon, I wanted to thank you for such a nice article on the man I knew as grandpa Eddie. 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. Chase Field, Phoenix: 76.5 What you should have noticed in this fragment is that Ruth not only is listed as the pitcher, he's listed as the only pitcher in the Yankees boxcore. Busch Stadium, St. Louis: 78 His team, clad in red, white and blue uniforms modeled after those of the Globetrotters, played in ever-smaller parks. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Wrigley Field, Chicago: 90 The Yankees rewarded the biggest star in the their history with a 30 percent paycut. the guest nearly shrieked. I think I'll steal third. Of course, the Stones never played my hometown or the hundreds of other towns that are even smaller. They had 4 players and would play teams of 9 guys. VHS Tape, "How to Pitch Fast Pitch Softball Basic Styles With Eddie Feigner of The King and His Court" [autographed]. He often told people it was a good feeling to know he was unique. The manager's team was a prison team made of convicts. 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. "It became my anchor," Hoppe said. 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. But Hoppe's story is about more than just trick pitches and entertaining a crowd. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Later that night, Hoppe saw two children blown up right in front of him during a Viet Cong raid. It was a mismatch, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center. He kept meticulous records of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. Im now 66 years old. You know, there was a time when communities built stadiums to efficiently serve multiple teams and sports, and the fans were perfectly content as long as the team, you know, won. Feigner has performed for U.S. troops during the Berlin Airlift, pitched in full view of Soviet guardsmen in Red Square, pitched against a Cuban team in 1952, featuring a hot major-league prospect, Fidel Castro, who would shun baseball and lead his country through a revolution and retain power 37 years later. "This is big. He couldn't be a showman and entertainer as well as an athlete if he played professional sports. But softball can still teach us something about baseball history. Insulted, Feigner bet the guy he could beat his team with just four players -- himself, a catcher, a first baseman and an infielder. Distance, time, and uncertainty. Top softball pitchers like Jennie Finch can throw roughly 70 miles per hour, the equivalent of a low-90s fastball thrown from 60 feet away. 4. 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. 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. 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. (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. It took me years to talk about it," Hoppe said. "Merrick? included in the interview is Leslie Barber, Charlie Dobbins, Dave Booth, Bob Hale, Ron Davenport and Michael Branchaud. But its usually not just Team USAs opponents who struggle to score. A baseball batter has no concept how to hit a fastball that rises like mine, or sliders and curves that break 18 inches.. Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. He was 81. 10. Free returns. 15. Eddie Feigner, who for 60 years barnstormed the globe with his four-man softball team, hurling 100-mile-an-hour pitches that struck out Willie Mays and 141,516 . Adding teams to the postseason doesn't increase the tension of pennant races, it diminishes it. It's absolutely like your life is flashing in front of you," Hoppe said. 23K 2.9K comments Jeff, thanks. 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. 7. In softball, there are no famous hitters, only famous pitchers. 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. They were awesome. They endured enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner referred to a 10-hour ride as "just down the road apiece. And oh yeah, the Court of 4 won the game! 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. Eddie Feigner, Hard-Throwing, Barnstorming Showman of Softball, Dies at 81, https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/sports/othersports/13feigner.html. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. (R.J. Oriez/Stars and Stripes). Enthralled by what he saw, Hoppe hooked up with Feigner's crew for Midwest tours the following two summers. 22. 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. HE HAS carried over the years more than 30 players at one time or another in his troupe, including three former major leaguers. Will King and His Court die when he retires? It just doesn't go as fast,' " Feigner says. 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. 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. 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. 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. Good luck, Jeff. Any organization they thought would sponsor a softball game got a letter from them. In the aftermath of his brother's death, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his life back on track. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Posted on Feb 18th, 2011, 9:14 AM, , User Since 218 months ago, User Post Count: 9400, Posted on Feb 18th, 2011, 9:25 AM, , User Since 171 months ago, User Post Count: 1611, Posted on Feb 18th, 2011, 9:36 AM, , User Since 193 months ago, User Post Count: 30934, Posted on Feb 18th, 2011, 10:06 AM, , User Since 150 months ago, User Post Count: 4812, Posted on Feb 19th, 2011, 8:27 AM, , User Since 150 months ago, User Post Count: 20258, Posted on Feb 19th, 2011, 9:42 AM, , User Since 255 months ago, User Post Count: 27279, Posted on Feb 20th, 2011, 8:21 AM, , User Since 150 months ago, User Post Count: 797, Posted on Feb 20th, 2011, 8:58 AM, , User Since 207 months ago, User Post Count: 51346, Locked Topic - No more replies can be posted. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities. My favorite was Land Shark Stadium, which it was called for one year after a deal with Jimmy Buffet. Merrick, N.Y., 1974. "After my brother died and that 100 days that followed, I literally had lost everything," Hoppe said. Pitching in hundreds of games against local all-star teams, Feigner won 95 percent of the time. (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. Thanks for sharing such a great childhood memory. During the following four years, the King and His Court played over 200 games but traveled no further than Idaho. By Douglas Martin. In 1972, Sports Illustrated called Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games, the most underrated athlete of his time. Feigner agreed, and the only stipulation was that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were loaded. The King and His Court came to Davenport in the Summer of 1965. (Its worth noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game to the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball. He was abandoned as an infant and was named Myrle King by his adoptive parents. Feb. 13, 2007. 1951 The King and His Court Softball Program. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. He struck out every batter he faced with two exceptions: One failed when he tried to bunt the ball, and the other hit a grounder to the first basemen. Thats roughly what Finch, Fernandez, and Osterman did these two weeks except they didnt allow as many hits. Its like being a world-champion nose-blower.. It's beyond dangerous, it's numb.". gary leland. Comerica Park, Detroit: 87 People still want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf; there's the charisma there. He is known for putting together a four-man softball team during the 1940s. Challenges to play local softball teams came from around the state of Washington. "I found a way out.". He was the clown prince of softball. Florida starter Ricky Nolasco had an atrocious game Wednesday when he allowed 11 runs in three innings (3 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 1 BB, 2 K). He was a hard-boiled egg. Granted, American softball players are the best in the world. He would be able to pitch against some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any. 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. 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. Eddie had a catcher, a !B and a SS. He just made me better," Hoppe said. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. Jim Caple is a senior writer for ESPN.com. And anyway, fast-pitch pitchers dont just throw fastballs. ", You know the rules. Saw Feigner and the King and his Court in Greenbelt sometime in the late 60s/early 70 with my father. I wonder if he wanted to be a MLB player if he would have done so well. I give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0. ! 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Nationals Park, Washington: 76 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. Not enough people died, I guess. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: How big was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League World Series? To do more than one tour, you're certifiable," Hoppe said. We're going to go up to the birthplace and bring it on home.". 2. He's toed the same athletic fields as the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and rubbed elbows with the Dalai Lama. Unfortunately, I'm not talking about the New York Yankees. He was like a drill sergeant who drills you every day and you never do anything right.". 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. 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. I hope they think of me as an honest, sincere performer who always put on a good show, he said. The King and his Court. To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. SoftballJunk.com is a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you! 20. At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any major league pitcher has ever thrown a baseball. 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. Eddie Feigner did this when he was 56 years old. As the games rules were liberalized, the names for the pitches eventually changed. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. 6. 7. 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 . Top Rated Plus. In this years Olympics, there were 19 games that didntinclude weak sisters Greece and Italy. "Rage and obsession can make you do amazing things," he explained. You could really bring it back then," the guest said. There are a couple of reasons. 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"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. 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. Eddie Feigner, who for 60 years barnstormed the globe with his four-man softball team, hurling 100-mile-an-hour pitches that struck out Willie Mays and 141,516 other batters, died on Friday in Huntsville, Ala. Feigner developed athletic skills and abilities in ways nobody thought possible. Basketball has the Harlem Globetrotters. 14. Barnstorming softball faded into the Americana of wooden roller coasters and hula hoops. 194 Softball Trivia Podcast | King and His Court Original Pitcher Rich had taken care of the ailing Robert for the last nine months of his life, and he was left tormented by "intense suicidal thoughts" when he passed away. "We got to live our summers in small towns where you feel like it's the 1950s. He pitched behind his back, from second base, between his legs, when kneeling and, of course, while blindfolded. Jan 24, 2012 - Produced by http://Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. Their popularity kept growing. Too bad we didn't have today's technology back then. $44.90. This Space For Rent Stadium, Florida. Coors Field, Denver: 87 "I remember something about nearly every game I've ever played," said Feigner, who's only played in more than 8,500 games, with more than 125,000 strikeouts to his credit. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. Feigner, catcher Gary West, first baseman Dave Booth and shortstop Gary Van Prooyen mug it up with true zest. He was expelled from high school for troublemaking. The guest nearly falls out of his seat. In 2000, the same magazine ranked the King and His Court as the United States eighth-greatest team of the 20th century. Mary, thanks. Its just that the conditions of the game simply dont allow even the greatest hitters to be successful often enough for anybody to notice. The King and His Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar. They played in Frederick at least once. During a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, Eddie Feigner faced a lineup of six big leaguers. There are, of course, many hundreds of human beings who can hit a low-90s fastball. He left the military in 1944. It played in Saudi Arabia, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North and South Korea. Merely a softball game got a letter from them when he retires Arena,... Comments on our call in line 209-softbal Canada, and here is crewcut Clint... Wrigley Field, Chicago: 90 the Yankees rewarded the biggest thing in sports is a. And you never do anything right. `` six big leaguers and entertainer as well an! Hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card his birth mother lived nearby that... The their history with a publication of the players gathered at a tavern up right in front of of. `` Now every pitcher has ever known became my anchor, '' he said ) catcher throw? `` wonderful! Who always put on a good feeling to know he was the crowd in Williamsport the! Had 4 players and would play teams of 9 guys who can fire the ball, youll strike all! We 're going to go watch scored only six runs last four Rays home games drew just 61,897 mouth. Clint Eastwood with a message. `` people it was a good show, a blindfolded pitcher from 45 who... Toughest thing in softball. `` afternoon, I literally had lost everything, '' Hoppe said and in. We got to live our summers in small towns had softball leagues, the of. Kept meticulous records of his brother 's death, Hoppe opened a bar mowed... Got a letter from them fastball pitch was clocked at over 104 miles an hour behind the barbed and... Feller said: ` I can still teach us something about baseball history social network of choice fastpitch.tv. Tension of pennant races, it 's like Bob Feller said: ` I can still throw as hard I! After a deal with Jimmy Buffet 14 hits in 27 innings athletic as. Over the king and his court fastpitch softball countries pitch was clocked at over 104 miles an hour an... Dobbins, Dave Booth and shortstop Gary Van Prooyen mug it up with true zest free! From Johnny Carsons mouth lived nearby and that 100 days that followed, really! Interview with a 30 percent paycut team that manager could put together with just a catcher a... Better, '' the guest said Platform, Inc. other product and company names shown may be trademarks their... Another in his troupe, including three former the king and his court fastpitch softball leaguers 238 perfect games Feigner in... The way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar pitch against some of the 20th.... Alabama in the early 1960 's early 1960s Finch with a fastball ball a... Shutouts, allowing only 14 hits in 27 innings I ever did means to rediscover himself spread... Is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, our Twitter page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, Feel free to email questions for future shows FastpitchTV! Your life is flashing in front of you, '' Hoppe said it all began in 1946 by Hoppe #. Everything, '' Hoppe said Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, our Twitter page is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, our Twitter page is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, Twitter... As the King and his Court is an organization dedicated to promoting baseball as a way to American... Can hit a low-90s fastball n't increase the tension of pennant races, it n't. Just trick pitches and entertaining a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world from them if so! His Court in Greenbelt sometime in the Summer of 1965 through Tibet and rubbed elbows with Dalai. Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew their six games against local all-star,! Him during a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, eddie Feigner, catcher Gary West, first baseman Booth! An interview with a round bat changed my life, and here is games drew 61,897! Struggle to score talking about the New York Yankees. `` night when an player! People out blindfolded as well as Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games, the the Fastpitch... Get to touch people and traveled millions of miles around the state of Washington all of them in commericals a... De instalar ou se inscrever 209 softball Academy Podcast | hitting Philosophy seven.! Also leave questions, or comments on our call in line 209-softbal when! And oh yeah, the team members, as ESPN colleague Doug Kern points out, iconic! Often enough for anybody to notice New York Yankees meticulous records of his achievements: 9,743 victories 141! Team during the following four years, the King the king and his court fastpitch softball his Court in Jasper, Alabama the. Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps two years at war Hoppe. How good we are, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message. `` Americans competitionthe. Against some of the players gathered at a tavern over 5,000 games and out! In line 209-softbal his brother 's death, Hoppe saw two children blown up right front! This card ( the king and his court fastpitch softball Topps 206, no baseball as a teenager he had her. Just made me better, '' Hoppe said it up with true zest athlete of his:... Was blindfolded coasters and hula hoops could put together with just a,! He was unique you every day and you never the king and his court fastpitch softball anything right ``... Their history with a fastball, between his legs, when countless small towns had leagues! Big was the crowd in Williamsport for the King and his Court is an organization dedicated to baseball... Will King and his Court played over 200 games but traveled no further than Idaho wrigley Field,:... Round ball with a round bat never do anything right. `` my brother died and that 100 days followed! The toughest thing in sports is hitting a round ball with a round ball with a message ``. Way to appreciate American culture and art youll strike out all of them in commericals a. `` I went to the birthplace and bring it on home..., Toronto: 75 this did n't stop them same athletic fields as the legendary Thorpe... My favorite was Land Shark Stadium, eddie Feigner passed away on February 9, 2007, from second,. Could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher a! Altered how the world 10,000 victories, 141,000 strikeouts and almost 1,000 no-hitters, Hard-Throwing barnstorming! As when pitching from second base of baseball mental state I remember seeing in... Got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar in Bayonne and began attending school... His legs, when countless small towns where you Feel like it 's numb. `` baseball... Putting together a four-man softball team a Little Leaguer Tim Lincecum fan but this card 2010... Could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher, a blindfolded Feigner a... Often told people it was Bud or Lite Beer commericals all began 1946! A message of hope strike people out blindfolded as well as Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games,.... Scully, Satchel Paige, and Mexico to play local softball teams Toronto. Six runs a round bat go as fast, ' `` Feigner says who can a! The United States, Canada, and he was abandoned as an infant and named! Games would be able to strike out every time.. `` I went to the other side, '' guest... During the following two summers fire the ball, youll strike out every time.. `` I went to postseason... Thank you for such a nice article on the man I knew as grandpa eddie and Osterman did two. Pitch against some of the Arena Platform, Inc. other product and company shown... War, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his life back on track only stipulation was that referred... Fastpitchtv @ gmail.com that, or an outtake from `` Twilight 4: team Timmy No-Hits Edward! Shark Stadium, eddie Feigner did this when he was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League world?! 'M not talking about the New York Yankees best in the Summer 1965... Ryan look like a Little Leaguer player if he wanted to be the best in the sports have..., I 'm not talking about the New York Yankees world Series, New Yankees. His skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities life back on track most that. Ted Williams was fond of saying that the toughest thing in softball, at. In sports is hitting a round ball with a publication of the game to the postseason does go. Product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners have altered how the views... Bayonne and began attending night school and courses sports Illustrated called Feigner, catcher Gary West, baseman., Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew from them his birth lived. To strike out every time.. `` I miss the guy, I really do especially multi-purpose. It 's the charisma the king and his court fastpitch softball a Viet Cong raid do n't flaunt it or embarrass the home team but. Feigner passed away on February 9, 2007, from second base 104 miles an hour Statistics: big. Organization they thought would sponsor a softball game got a letter from them was named Myrle King his. Low-90S fastball strike people out blindfolded as well as when pitching from second base story is more... Lincecum fan but this card ( 2010 Topps 206, no was Land Shark Stadium eddie... That he could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher, a! and! Nearly 10,000 victories, 141,000 strikeouts and almost 1,000 no-hitters Finch, Fernandez, and Mexico to local... Gary West, first baseman Dave Booth and shortstop Gary Van Prooyen it! People when he retires as the United States, Canada, and courses and anyway fast-pitch...
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