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Three to be inducted into Eastman
Fast Pitch Hall of Fame
Many people in Eastman and the surrounding area consider
Eastman to be the "Fast Pitch Softball Capital of
Wisconsin."
Three former players who were instrumental in promoting
fast pitch softball in Eastman will be the first to be
inducted into the Eastman Fast Pitch Softball Hall of
Fame during a ceremony in Eastman on July 4. A brief
description of these men's softball careers follows:
Art Fisher started pitching in the service. He was the
first "windmill fast pitch" pitcher in the area. Young
boys from Eastman saw him pitch, and learned from him.
As you know, more pitchers came from the Eastman area
than any other place. Art not only pitched fast pitch
for Eastman but for many other teams in the area. He was
also one of the best hitters around. Art also helped get
softball legal in Eastman.
Sherwood Matti started softball in the area. He was
instrumental in getting lights to the Eastman ballpark.
He was the first manager to organize a team that played
in Eastman and other leagues in the area. He played
third base and was a relief pitcher for his team. They
won many games including the championship of the Prairie
du Chien League.
Dick Slama (deceased) was Art Fisher's first catcher.
And, for many other kids, he caught their first fast
pitch games. He was a clutch hitter and a very great
team player. He also helped in getting softball lights
in Eastman. Like the rest of the Hall of Famers, he
played baseball before fast pitch started and was a
great player then also. Many fast pitch pitchers said he
was the best catcher that ever caught for them.
These three men will be inducted into the inaugural Hall
of Fame class before the start of the championship game
on the Fourth of July at the Eastman Ballpark. |
Art Fisher
Sherwood Matti
Dick Slama |
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Build it and they will come - A poem by Leonard Zabel
Fathers of Eastman gathered. Decide there's a chance to
get lights.
Floyd, Dan, Walter, Frank, Ivan, Bernard, Paul,
Sherwood, Francis, youngsters Lloyd, LaVerne and Leonard
to name a few. If we build it, their kids can play ball
nights.
Volunteers arrive-haul in the poles, they were a gift.
Now we must get them installed, power company gave us a
lift.
Ed strings up the wires and climbs the poles, now we're
all ready to throw the switch.
Little League, 4-H, women and men's fast pitch.
Most farm kids do farm work during the day.
Night time is when they get a chance to play.
Wauzeka, Seneca and Steuben too, they all have a team
and a name.
Fast pitch softball, that's the name of the game.
They all came to Eastman, you see the best!
Don't forget the fans. There's Agnes, Maggie, Mel,
Willard, Darrel, Chet, Elder, Dan, Orvile, Walter,
Floyd, Jack, Paul, Duck, Ted and Nicki, Bernard,
Charlie, Lyle and August, Edmond and brother-in-laws
Frank watching from the stands.
Fourth of July just wouldn't happen without a
tournament, at least a grudge match from a nearby town.
When all is over they all shake hands, very few leave
with a frown.
Pitching is the best, with the Fishers, DuCharmes, the
Walls, Hollenberger, Grooms, McCarthy's, Zabel, Biggin,
Kramer and Trautsch.
Along came Lessard, Strams, Pintz and many second
generations, and a few you probably knew.
Many good ones from out of town have toed the rubber
too.
Not to name all the hitters, there were many, probably
you!
On rare occasion, as we drove through the town late in
the fall, my kids would say, "Look Dad, no game of
ball."
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