Huff-N-Puffers to begin fast-pitch play June 1
The Ashland Fast-pitch Chapter of the Huff-N-Puffers Senior Softball Organization will begin its 15th season of play at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Brookside Main and continue every Wednesday prior to Labor Day barring rainouts.
The Senior Division (ages 65 and over) game will be followed by the Junior Division (ages 55-64) at 6:40 p.m. To be eligible to play, a player’s birthday must fall within the current calendar year.
Senior Division players are Dave Barr, Don Beecher, Wayne Bloodhart, Doug Cellar, Doug Culler, Rick Goss, Jeff Haldeman, Chuck Henley Jr., Rich Hess, Tom Collins, James House, Erv Howard, John Maiken, Lorin Martin, Ron Motil, Gene Pence, Greg Perry, Barry Pringle, Jeff Pryor, Rick Ramirez, Jim Reed, Bill Shilling, Vern Vore and Bob Young.
Junior Division players are Bob Andress, Gary Aukerman, Rick Bowerize, Terry Chronister, Larry Coombs, Brian Culler, Steve Goon, Bob Halblaub, Brad Helenthal, Ed Kozich, Gary Marshall, Don McCracken, Mitch Metzger, Robbie Obrecht, Shane Queer, Jeff Smith, Kent Snyder, Don Stump, Glen Wittman and Ed Yetzer.
Donna Rae Maiken will be the scorekeeper. Janet House will be the announcer/scoreboard operator. Tim Hershey and Rod McMichael will share umpire duties.
Generous contributions were received from Goss, Bowerize, Haldeman and House.
Miscellaneous HNP news: Howard, of Ashland, led both divisions in batting average last summer; Reed, a Shelby native, will turn 93 years old May 29; longtime players Dennis Edwards and Sam Rogers announced their retirements due to health reasons.
The Senior Division is presently closed at 24 players per roster; however, due to attrition, interested applicants will be put on a waiting list. The Junior Division presently has four openings. For details about how to join, text or leave a voicemail to 419-651-6697.
In memoriam: Bob Pettit Sr., Dale Hershey, Mike Altman, Clark Repp, Chuck Griffith, Stan Bloodhart, Sherman Jones, Mark Hamilton and Gary Wallace.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Huff-N-Puffers to begin fast-pitch play June 1
