Utah Softball Hall of Fame
to Induct Nine New Members
Friday July 13th at Larry H. Miller Softball Complex - 6:00 p.m.
The Utah Softball Hall of Fame will recognize the contribution and achievements of nine Utahans by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. These men and women played a major role in the growth and development of softball in the state of Utah.
The 2012 inductees are: Carol Browning, Annette Cottle, Kaarren Covili, Ronald Hansen, Dean Jensen, Steve Leishman, Al Peterson, Toni Marie Rodda and Bill Sartor.
Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation administers the Utah Softball Hall of Fame in an effort to help bring attention to the widespread value and interest in the game of softball by honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the game.
All individuals considered for nomination to the Utah Softball Hall of Fame must have played a minimum of ten years of softball in the state of Utah or have reached 50 years of age. Junior players must be a Utah resident and have played a minimum of five years of softball in the state of Utah.
Carol Browning made an impact on the Utah women’s slow-pitch program early in her career. As a stand out short stop, she played on several teams including Intermountain Employment, Miller Time, Tri Arc and SOS temporary services. With her strong defensive, hitting and leadership skills, the teams she played on won numerous Salt Lake County leagues, and several State and Regional tournaments from 1978 to 2003. These teams also attended many national tournaments from throughout the Country, placing as high as 5th and 9th nationally. Carol was named to many all-tournament teams, during her career, often as the most valuable player. She was also honored in 1982 as a USSSA All- American. It is fitting that she be inducted to the Hall of Fame the same year as her long time teammates, Annette Cottle and Toni Marie Rodda. Welcome to the Utah Softball Hall of Fame Carol! Your contributions to the women’s softball program in Utah have been amazing!
Annette Cottle started playing fast pitch at Cottonwood High and for the Belco Flyers from ‘73-‘77 before making the switch to women’s slow-pitch in 1978. Playing third base alongside Carol Browning, opposing players did not get many base hits on the left side of the field! Annette also played for Intermountain Employment, Miller Time, Tri Arc and SOS. Coach Tony Rodda said of these two premier softball players, “I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to coach and be associated with these outstanding ladies. Annette continued to play in Salt Lake County Softball leagues, until 2006, diving for grounders and legging out inside the park homeruns as many of the younger players watched in awe… Annette won several leading hitting awards and most valuable player awards throughout her career. She was selected to several all-tournament teams and joined team mate Carol Browning as a USSSA All- American in 1982! Annette is truly deserving of this award!
Kaaren Covili was a scorekeeper for many Salt Lake County Softball leagues and tournaments for nearly 30 years. Kaaren scheduled scorekeepers for many tournaments and worked closely with Wasatch Scorer’s association to make sure each game was covered. She was often the last scorekeeper to leave the press box even if the game on her field was done. She worked with many managers, including Fred Tamagawa who called Kaaren, “the glue” for the Salt Lake County Softball program”. Larry McKinney, another Sports Manager who worked with Kaaren said “ Employees with her level of dedication and expertise do not come along often. Anyone that every worked with Kaaren would consider her to be a cornerstone of the Sports Office Function…” Kaaren was a friend to the umpires, other scorekeepers, directors, players and fans. She was a scorekeeper with the highest level of professionalism and the players in her leagues were most appreciative of the special attention they received from her. Kaaren, thanks for all you have done as a scorekeeper and softball administrator!
Ron Hansen began playing softball at age 19 in 1958 with Manwill Plumbing. He played in the Utah Metro Softball League for over 25 years. He also played for Federated Security and in later years with the Rebels. Ron was one of the top hitters in the league for many years. He was also considered to be one of the best outfielders in the area. Besides being an outstanding hitter and outfielder, he was dedicated to the game of softball and to his teammates. He was selected to many All Star Teams throughout his career. He is well respected by many of his peers and his induction into the Softball Hall of Fame is long overdue.
Dean Jensen also played in the Metro league for 25 years. He played for several teams, including Manwill Plumbing, Don Blair Photography and he played for Page Brake until 1986. He was an outstanding 3rd baseman handling the hot corner with skill and courage. Along with his defensive prowess, Dean was a great hitter. Having played softball for 25 year, Dean contributed to the game in many ways. Larry King, a teammate of Jensen’s said “Dean was very dedicated to his sponsor, his teammates and his fellow competitor”.
Steve Leishman was the ultimate competitor on the softball field. Anybody who can pitch 50 Plus innings in a weekend, and be the only pitcher on a travel league team for 10 years that travels 40 miles from Wellsville to Ogden once per week and 90 miles once a week to play in SLC deserves to be in the Utah Softball Hall of Fame. He started playing church ball at age 13 and quickly become one of Utah’s Premier Pitchers. He pitched competitively for 27 years from 1966 to 1995. He played for many teams including Cache Valley Cheese of Wellsville, which qualified for three ISC World tournaments in ’66, ’69 and ’71 and Swift and Shaw from Ogden which competed in national tournaments in Arizona and California. He was picked up by in 1979 for a national tournament in Midland Michigan and played in his last national tournament in 1985 Coors of Salt Lake. In 1974, Steve pitched in a tourney in Havre Montana and threw 8 games in two days including 28 innings on Saturday to bring his team back through the loser’s bracket. He could not raise his arm to brush his teeth for a week… Steve remembers four perfect games, to go along with dozens of no hitters and shut outs. His resume is packed with Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Pitcher Awards throughout his career, along with all-tournament team selections. Steve has given back to the sport by conducting numerous pitching clinics, and serving as the pitching coach for the Utah State Women’s Softball from 1980 to 1995, which he truly loved. Steve is a MOST deserving selection for the Utah Softball Hall of Fame!
Al Peterson is a name we all revere. For those of us fortunate enough to work with one of the true gentlemen in the Umpire Ranks, Al was a mentor to many young umpires and current umpire and UIC Ray Salazar says he would not be an umpire today if it were not for Al Peterson. Al was always kind and even tempered, even when a player or manager was toe to toe with AL, red faced, pleading their case. He had knowledge of the game that is unrivaled. He was very involved in ASA for over 25 years, as a local, regional and national representative. He formed the Central ASA District many years ago. He umpired in many local tournaments and also represented Utah as an Umpire in several National Tournaments over the years, including a girls 18 & Under Gold in Oklahoma City and 2 AAU Nationals in Salt Lake City in 1996 and 1998. He also umpired year after year at the prestige Men’s Fast Pitch Pioneer Days tourney in Salt Lake City. He was the UIC for many of Salt Lake County tournaments, and ASA State and Regional Tournaments He helped many coaches navigate the ASA sanction process and was always available, day and night to answer questions, or provide a ruling or advise on a situation. We all miss Al and wish this award could be given with to him along big thanks for a lifetime of dedicated service as an umpire and champion of Utah Softball.
Toni Marie Rodda, affectionately known by most her friends and family as TM! At age 15, she began playing on her father Tony Rodda’s women’s slow-pitch team.. an adult league playing against adult competition.. Toni Marie did not just play, she excelled right from the beginning. Before reaching 19 TM had won numerous league and tournament leading hitter awards and MVP honors. Having been so successful as a youth in adult leagues, TM inadvertently contributed to the Salt Lake boy’s fast pitch program, by proving teens could compete with adults. Tony was also highly respected by all the scorekeepers and league and tournament directors because of her gracious attitude and her desire to grow the sport of women’s slow pitch softball. Carma Pederson, a long time scorekeeper, said TM was the first to volunteer to help out with a batting and fielding competitions at the June Classic and Pioneer Days tournaments. She is also well loved by her teammates for her leadership and unselfish nature. As a pitcher, somewhat small in stature, TM never backed away from a line drive or sharp grounder up the middle. Toni Marie’s induction into the Utah Softball Hall of Fame is a well-deserved tribute to a very talented and dedicated athlete. She also becomes one of five Father- child Hall of Fame Combinations.
Bill Sartor started playing fast pitch softball at age 12 and did not formally retire until he was 48. For those of you keeping track at home, that is 36 years! He played for Pehrson GE, FMA Leasing, Kenny Thompson Rebels , Valley Bank and Ed and Nellie’s. He was a pitcher in the Metro League and played with and against the likes of Doug Borg, Bob Mosteller, Bobby Ward, Val Peterson, Spence Thugood and Larry H Miller. He was also an outstanding outfielder. He was active in 9 World Tournaments, and 5 All church tournaments. He was selected to the All American Team in the 1978 World Tournament in Long Beach , California with a batting average over .650. He received the Dale Bain RxAll award and won various all-star awards and batting titles throughout his career, including a leading hitter trophy in a major tournament in Colorado where he hit 3 home runs in a single game! Bill deserves the recognition of “Hall Of Famer” for his skill, love and dedication of the game!
Larry H. Miller Softball Complex
4400 South 1300 East
Diamond #2
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