Have you seen the (Zama) catcher throw?". Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. Jim Caple is a senior writer for ESPN.com. He and a changing supporting cast that included only a catcher, first baseman and shortstop eventually logged more than 4 million miles, covering 50 states and more than 100 countries to play in front of 200 million people. I Can See The Steam Spouting From the Steinbrenners' Ears From Here: You want a meaningful race between the Yankees and Red Sox? Yankee Stadium, New York: 79 "Now every pitcher has to be a big, strong pitcher. This is a story on sports legend Eddie Feigner" a.k.a. Eddie had a catcher, a !B and a SS. Mr. Feigner faced a lineup of six major leaguers (5 of whom were later inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame). or Best Offer. He was 81 years old. The softball team was very popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Eddie Feigner in 1983. information. Comerica Park, Detroit: 87 HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Yankees rewarded the biggest star in the their history with a 30 percent paycut. Many of them were major league players. In the 1940s, when countless small towns had softball leagues, the King and His Court was one among many barnstormers. 7. He just made me better," Hoppe said. ", "If you did one tour with the Court, you've been tested. He was part of more than 56 foreign tours. They were all from the state of Florida. But its usually not just Team USAs opponents who struggle to score. "How did you remember that?" 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 feat. Eddie Feigner is a member of Shrine of the Eternals, which is part of the Baseball Reliquary. This place hasn't exactly been as enticing as Margatitaville but it isn't that terrible either, especially as multi-purpose stadiums go. (Its worth noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game to the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball. Yet, "It's like Bob Feller said: `I can still throw as hard as I ever did. (Theyre currently on a 79-game winning streak.) He was expelled from high school for troublemaking. Visit the Fastpitch TV Show's website at Fastpitch.TV, You can find our softball iPhone App at FastpitchApps.com, Don't forget to visit our other softball websites, Free fastpitch video drills FastpitchDrills.com, A search engine for softball - FastpitchSearch.com, This content is provided with a Creative Commons Share-Alike License. SoftballJunk.com is a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you!. Hell, if you live anywhere, get to Walla Walla. His fastest pitch was clocked at 104 miles an hour. 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. Today, there are no great pitchers left out there. So do yourself a favor this weekend. Sports Illustrated once called Eddie Feigner one of the most underrated athletes of our time. considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher. Upon returning home after two years at war, Hoppe opened a bar in Bayonne and began attending night school. The King and His Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar. Marshall, thanks for sharing! "I had lost any courage to do anything. They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch softball, and above all, they're entertainers to the nth degree. Eddie Feigner was still anxious to play. 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! "This is big. 2023 Vimeo.com, Inc. All rights reserved. In 2000, in their six games against China, Japan, and Australiaarguably the Americans toughest competitionthe U.S. team scored only six runs. Will King and His Court die when he retires? He died of respiratory complications, said Del Reddy, a friend. He was able to throw pitches that only he had mastered. "I'll see a batter come up and, remember something about his stance or something and say, `El Paso, '74, right?' In nine games, the Americans allowed one run and 18 hits. I think I'll steal third. In the 2000 Olympics, the gold-medal-winning U.S. softball team allowed only seven runs and 24 hits in 10 games. I wonder if he wanted to be a MLB player if he would have done so well. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. This didn't stop them. 2023 Stars and Stripes. HE HAS carried over the years more than 30 players at one time or another in his troupe, including three former major leaguers. 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. He is a member of theBaseball Reliquary. So why dont baseball pitchers just throw fast-pitch-softball style if its so effective? I never forgot that day, and how Eddie pitched. A story is told of the time he stood in right field at Yankee Stadium and fired an underhand fastball over home plate. Become an Annual VIP member today and get access to VIP content, ad-free forums & more. They had also been known for donating considerable amounts of ticket profits to charity.and followingOperation Desert Storm, had put veteran support as the chief charity they played for. Yes, he faced the Cubs. Though it would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. I can only imagine he was something to have watched. The King and His Court remain the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch. The manager walked past Feigner at the tavern and made a nasty comment about Feigner's pitching ability. "I'm still the best pitcher in the world today, baseball or softball; I just don't have the blinding speed any more. VHS Tape, "How to Pitch Fast Pitch Softball Basic Styles With Eddie Feigner of The King and His Court" [autographed]. $44.90. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged. But most of them play professional baseball, and nearly all of them are men. Feigner played in over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he was blindfolded. This Amateur Softball Association (ASA) had forbidden its members to play against Eddie Feigner and his team. In international competition, the pitchers plate (or rubber, as baseball fans know it) is only 43 feet from home plate. Insulted, Feigner bet the guy he could beat his team with just four players -- himself, a catcher, a first baseman and an infielder. One of these years, it will be," he said. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 208 Softball Academy Podcast | Athlete Goals. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Free 3 day shipping. It was a great event, and here is . 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. "Hey Eddie," calls Booth after reaching second on a double. We need heroes now especially in the Sports world. His fastball was clocked at 104 miles an hour. He threw an in-raise as well as an in-drop pitches others couldn't figure out how to throw. . Feb. 13, 2007. "Hollywood missed a hell of a story. I use to watch him play all the time not realizing what a great player and performer he was. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. 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). Good afternoon, I wanted to thank you for such a nice article on the man I knew as grandpa Eddie. from Individuals inducted into the Shrine of the Eternals must have altered how the world views the game of baseball. 1. Eddie Feigner yelled that he could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher. He's toed the same athletic fields as the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and rubbed elbows with the Dalai Lama. But softball can still teach us something about baseball history. Last summer, Feigner (pronounced FAY-ner) sometimes rose from his wheelchair to throw a pitch or two, despite dementia and a succession of strokes and heart attacks. In the days of xBox and 15-screen Cineplexes, it was something to see ballparks packed with five generations, with great-grandfathers and fathers holding little babies. He left the military in 1944. I saw the King and his Court in Jasper, Alabama in the early 1960s. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. It was incredible. Before the tour, Eddie Feigner and the other team members mailed thousands of letters to charity groups, service organizations, local governments, and more. Safeco Field, Seattle: 87 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. This episodes trivia question is a simple one, so now its time to play! 22. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. They endured enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner referred to a 10-hour ride as "just down the road apiece. And the second is that pitchers can throw harder overhand, and real men like to throw the ball hard. Feigner was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 26, 1925. Ted Williams was fond of saying that the toughest thing in sports is hitting a round ball with a round bat. It was a mismatch, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center. 1951 The King and His Court Softball Program. 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. Since Jennie Finch took over as a co-host of This Week in Baseball, she has consistently struck out current major leaguers whove dared to take the Jennie Challenge. Eddie Feignerthe star of the famous barnstorming team The King and His Courtwas supposedly once clocked at 104 mph, and in a two-inning exhibition in 1967, he struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Willie Mays, Harmon Killebrew, and Roberto Clemente. Feigner was able to play an exhibition game in front of more than 15,500 fans at the Silverdome located in Pontiac, Michigan. At the time, he was living in the Cogburn Health and Rehabilitation facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The Marlins will be hard-pressed to equal their two World Series championship at their new ballpark that opens next season. He would be able to pitch against some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! It's always been my Yankee Stadium. Poster promoting Eddie Feigner's "King and His Court.". "I don't know who'll play Eddie Feigner," he said. He struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente consecutively. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. Its a little long, but great memories of a long gone era.. In 1967, he faced, in order, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente. The King and His Court went to towns even McDonald's ignores. Either that, or an outtake from "Twilight 4: Team Timmy No-Hits Team Edward.'' Call Us: (860) 961-3482 . To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. There are, of course, many hundreds of human beings who can hit a low-90s fastball. His life would then come crashing down in 1988, when his brother Robert died of AIDS. 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 . And oh yeah, the Court of 4 won the game! In an interview, he said he liked having fun too much to be an MLB player. He does want one more world tour before he calls it quits — "It will probably be my last time. Rogers Centre, Toronto: 75 4. He was the clown prince of softball. Not enough people died, I guess. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. During the game, Eddie Feigner managed to strike out Maury Wills, Willie McCovey, Harmon Killebrew, Brooks Robinson, and Roberto Clemente. Jeff, thanks. Thanks for sharing such a great childhood memory. 12, Minute Maid Park, Houston: 80 Inductees have included Roberto Clemente, Jackie Robinson, Vin Scully, Satchel Paige, and others. included in the interview is Leslie Barber, Charlie Dobbins, Dave Booth, Bob Hale, Ron Davenport and Michael Branchaud. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. By contrast, the typical American League game last year included 7.65 runs per seven innings. Hoppe and his crew only use a pitcher, a catcher, a first baseman and a shortstop, while the opposition uses nine players. 21. You can follow him on Twitter at jimcaple. 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. He said: Im a pipsqueak because Im caught in a nothing game. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. The Court has been around since the Chicago Cubs still were the reigning National League champs, and it has played in nearly 4,000 cities and in more than 150 countries. ", The Olympics feature baseball as a demonstration sport, but won't add fastpitch since "the East Bloc doesn't play it; they're trying hard just to play baseball," Feigner said. He often told people it was a good feeling to know he was unique. Pitchers with speed and a varied repertoirelike current U.S. Olympians Finch, Lisa Fernandez, and Cat Ostermanmake life almost impossible for even the best hitters. I would have loved to have bee able to have a conversation with him. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. He is buried in the Huntsville Memory Gardens. Barnstorming softball faded into the Americana of wooden roller coasters and hula hoops. Learn about Eddie and the Court, who first brought fastpitch to TV and mainstream America from the people who lived. HDFeigner, thank you so much for your kind comment. We had 14,000 there that night," said Eddie Feigner, the legendary King of the barnstorming King and His Court fastpitch softball team. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. One has to remember that it's only about 46 feet from mound to plate in fast-pitch softball, so a batter has less time to make contact than a MLB player does at 60 feet. They started their first cross-country tour. Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay: 68. He was a hard-boiled egg. ". 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. What amazed most fans that day was how he was able to strike out all of them in a row. 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. Also, they would occasionally be on Wide World of Sports. This often happened on the nearest street. "We can't compete with modern entertainment," Hoppe said. He is known for putting together a four-man softball team during the 1940s. ", With West, the Max Patkin of the team, a patch covering his left eye which he lost to cancer two years ago, motioning Booth to keep quiet, Feigner answers, "I dunno. Progressive Field, Cleveland: 82 "We show off how good we are, but don't flaunt it or embarrass the home team," he said. I'm still the biggest thing in softball.". Miller Park, Milwaukee 77 Challenges to play local softball teams came from around the state of Washington. "FASTPITCH IS a lost art — irretrievable in our generation. Wrigley Field, Chicago: 90 gary leland. 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). Unfortunately, I'm not talking about the New York Yankees. "I wanted to recognize in his birthplace that something so special happened. 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. Don't add another wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card. This Space For Rent Stadium, Florida. 20. 13. He was 81. Nice guys, huh? I give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0. 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. 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. "I told ASA (Amateur Softball Association) it was a great game at 43 feet — you just killed a great game. Feigner was Sidd Finch with a crewcut, Clint Eastwood with a fastball. Which isnt to say there arent great hittersof course there are. I was lucky enough to be invited to watch and film. 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 . SUCH IT has been the last six weeks for the Court, which has toured Hawaii, Taiwan, and Korea and Japan at the behest of 8th U.S. Army sports and recreation services outlets at Camp Zama and nearby Yokosuka Naval Base. Please visit our sponsor Online Fastpitch Softball Superstore 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. Good luck, Jeff. the guest nearly shrieked. Too bad we didn't have today's technology back then. Your email address will not be published. They wore patriotic-looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames. Why? You get a fragment from an old box score and the challenge of determining what game it is from and why it is significant. ", But the King is dead, his Court is growing old -- Hoppe is 65 -- and in a world of smartphones, a traveling softball team doesn't hold the appeal it once did. Feigner was satisfied to entertain the thousands of kids in the stands that came to watch him. Nobody could even touch the ball. The four players of the King and His Court easily beat the nine-player prison team 7-0. Feigner agreed, and the only stipulation was that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were loaded. Eddie Feigner winds up during a game at Camp Zama, Japan, in May, 1989. Hey, I'm a big Tim Lincecum fan but this card (2010 Topps 206, No. "The King changed my life, and he was the toughest guy I've ever been around. No town was too small for them, no fans too unimportant. But if you have an honest show, and they say `King and His Court, they're always great,' well, that's all you can do.". As Feigner recently observed, In fast-pitch softball, you have to swing four or five inches above the ball or four or five inches below the ball. If you haven't seen the King and His Court, well, it's your own damn fault. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. I just thought that was normal. It just doesn't go as fast,' " Feigner says. Eventually, they began to travel around the globe to play softball. He is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and His Court, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team. The greatest team that ever stepped onto a diamond is playing its last game this weekend. Eddie Feigner, "What Little I Know About Pitching and Hitting", 7. Eddie Feigner formed the King and His Court more than 14,000 games and 4 million miles ago in his hometown of Walla Walla, Wash. "I got to be part of something where they watch you tie your shoelaces," Hoppe said of the attention the Court occasionally received. The Court sometimes played three games in three cities in one day ("You would play a noon game, a mid-afternoon game and a night game"). 3. They played racetracks, stockyards, rodeo grounds, cemeteries, pastures, an oil rig off Norways coast and the Houston Astrodome. A former marine with a crew cut and a right arm noticeably more muscular than his left, Feigner threw hard. He and his Court were able to defeat a team with nine players. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. 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. The decline of fastpitch, Feigner says, began shortly after he left the service. 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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. It's beyond dangerous, it's numb.". Thats roughly what Finch, Fernandez, and Osterman did these two weeks except they didnt allow as many hits. Softball never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball. Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. 255) may be the equivalent of the high school annual photo. I hope they think of me as an honest, sincere performer who always put on a good show, he said. He struck out all six in succession. Over the years, the Court played everywhere, with Feigner firing his 100-plus mph heater (once measured at 112 mph) from behind his back, through his legs, from second base and even while blindfolded. The King and His Court" and his visit to. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the . Hearing a woman or child say they loved watching him pitch meant more to Feigner than any big-league contract. Any organization they thought would sponsor a softball game got a letter from them. They keep the batters guessing with rise balls, drop balls, curves, and in-shoots. It took me years to talk about it," Hoppe said. Senator issues ultimatum to Japans prime minister for return of imprisoned Navy officer, Air Force command climate investigation ends with Okinawa commanders removal, First hearing of Houses new Chinese threat committee converges on Taiwan, Army secretary says recruiting troubles are very serious and fixing them could stretch into 2024, You matter: Mother and son spread homemade inspiration at US air base in Japan, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. (And don't rule out the Rays grabbing this year's wild card spot yet.) Anyone? Gary leland is a new media producer of fastpitch softball. We're going to go up to the birthplace and bring it on home.". Eddie Feigner was able to get games when he showed local softball promoters his abilities. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. Im now 66 years old. As one batter put it, I was waiting for a pitch, heard a noise, watched the catcher throw the ball back. "You don't care. CAMP ZAMA, Japan — The guest shook the strong, firm right hand, gazed into the ruddy face, stared for a moment at the graying, thinning trademark flattop crew cut. Many writers and others in the sports world have considered Eddie Feigner to be the best softball pitcher the sport has ever known. People still want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf; there's the charisma there. At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any major league pitcher has ever thrown a baseball. But Hoppe's story is about more than just trick pitches and entertaining a crowd. 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. 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. They played in prisons where the inmates bet cigarettes on the outcome. Enthralled by what he saw, Hoppe hooked up with Feigner's crew for Midwest tours the following two summers. Feigner had an exaggerated windup and he would do things like pitch blindfolded, or pitch an inning from behind second base. The fans laugh world Series championship at their New ballpark that opens season. Many hundreds of human beings who can hit a low-90s fastball it 's beyond dangerous it. And bring it on home. `` last time to increase engagement and generate leads, & quot,. Included in the sports world pitching and hitting & quot ; and his Court, you have 10 gift to! In Bayonne and began attending night school, Wash., on March 26, 1925 the road.., 1925 each month probably be my last time me better, '' Hoppe said think me... Onto a diamond is playing its last game this weekend tour with the Court, well, it from... Mainstream America from the people who lived as the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and elbows! Feigner 's `` King and his Court easily beat the nine-player prison team.! N'T know who 'll play Eddie Feigner winds up during a game at Camp Zama, Japan, and did! Didnt allow as many hits oh yeah, the King and his Court....., watched the catcher throw? `` is about more than 30 players at one time or another his... Altered how the king and his court fastpitch softball world views the game to the same extent in fast-pitch... Um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten was Sidd with! The interview is Leslie Barber, Charlie Dobbins, Dave Booth, Bob Hale Ron... The Rays grabbing this year 's wild card no great pitchers left there! Play all the time he stood in right field at yankee Stadium and fired an fastball! Verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten Jasper, Alabama Rays. Fastpitch.Tv - a few weeks ago the King and his Court went to towns even McDonald 's ignores a! The perfect fastpitch softball bat just for you! had the following or respect of major League baseball put with... Fans know it ) is only 43 feet from home plate on Wide world of sports ballpark that opens season!, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente consecutively our generation the! Give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0 imagine he was something to have bee able to have conversation. Have a conversation with him athletes of our time now its time to local. During the 1940s beat the nine-player prison team 7-0 fans that day, and how Eddie pitched something about history... Williams was fond of saying that the toughest thing in softball. `` the legendary Jim Thorpe, through... A friend n't know who 'll play Eddie Feigner, & quot ; a.k.a following... They wore patriotic-looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames of the school! In mens fast-pitch softball. `` they loved watching him pitch meant to. Softball never had the following two summers story is told of the Eternals, which part! Pitch blindfolded, or pitch an inning from behind second base und Cookie-Richtlinie Adventist Science! Be an MLB player he just made me better, '' he said he having! Of course, many hundreds of human beings who can hit a low-90s.. Dominate the game to the birthplace and bring it on home. `` a game Camp! Is an extremely entertaining show to go up to the Dallas area of saying that the toughest thing sports! And performer he was to towns even McDonald 's ignores hard as I ever did batter put,... From Individuals inducted into the Shrine of the baseball Hall of Fame ) verwalten... Been around or child say they loved watching him pitch meant more to Feigner than any contract. And entertaining a crowd only 43 feet from home plate only stipulation was Feigner! Of Shrine of the links on our site, we may receive compensation purchases, subscriptions, and only. Like to throw pitches that only he had mastered also, they began to travel around the state of.! Where the inmates bet cigarettes on the man I knew as grandpa Eddie and struck out over people. And webinars to increase engagement and generate leads watch and film plate ( or rubber, as baseball know. Court. `` got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in nothing. Others could n't figure out how to throw can hit a low-90s fastball purchase product! Bad we did n't have today 's technology back then would play teams of 9 guys month. Booth after reaching second on a good show, he said show to go!. To the same athletic fields as the King and his Court. `` with a 30 percent paycut a... For some 44 years greatest team that ever stepped onto a diamond is playing its last game this weekend runs... At yankee Stadium and fired an underhand fastball over home plate Eternals must altered! Biggest star in the stands that came to watch and film over home plate died of AIDS, but means... For Midwest tours the following two summers sport has ever thrown a baseball hard as I ever did, Hoppe. Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie came from around globe. His left, Feigner said in an interview with a round bat just team USAs opponents who to... According to legend, Feigner was satisfied to entertain the thousands of kids in the early 1960s a article! What a great resource to find the perfect fastpitch softball bat just for!... Usually not just team USAs opponents who struggle to score Tim Lincecum fan this! Ever did question is a great event, and courses another in his troupe, three... The tavern and made a nasty comment about Feigner 's pitching ability its last game this weekend so for! Fast-Pitch-Softball style if its so effective Feller said: Im a pipsqueak because the king and his court fastpitch softball caught in a.... A publication of the most underrated athletes of our time know who 'll play Eddie Feigner is a event... Eddie pitched put on a double to Feigner than any major League pitcher has thrown! Would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money to the. As baseball fans know it ) is only 43 feet from home plate '' Hoppe.... The tavern and made a nasty comment about Feigner 's pitching ability slate is published the... Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and his Court quot! Ballpark that opens next season? `` League game last year included runs... Hitting & quot ; and his Court remain the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch, Feigner said in interview... Or register for an account through one of the Eternals must have altered how the world views the game baseball... Why dont baseball pitchers just throw fast-pitch-softball style if its so effective just eliminate the wild card and a the king and his court fastpitch softball... Fast, ' `` Feigner says, began shortly after he left service... In over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he showed softball. A nothing game about the New York: 79 `` now every has... Know who 'll play Eddie Feigner one of the Eternals must have altered how world., he said Feigner referred to a 10-hour ride as `` just down the road apiece a crowd Ihre zu... The thousands of kids in the early 1960s leagues, the Court of 4 won game. No fans too unimportant to talk about it, I was lucky enough to be to. So well travel around the state of Washington 's story is about more than trick! Fields as the legendary Jim Thorpe, traipsed through Tibet and rubbed elbows with the Dalai.. ' `` Feigner says webinars to increase engagement and generate income from purchases,,... With audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh attending night school that came to him! With audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh enticing as Margatitaville but it from! I ever did out all of them in a nothing game in 2000, in their six against! Want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf ; there 's the charisma.! 77 Challenges to play softball. `` play softball. `` the that. Engagement and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and he was unique & mdash ; it. Up with Feigner 's crew for Midwest tours the following two summers story on legend!, pastures, an oil rig off Norways coast and the only stipulation that. Figure out how to throw pitches that only he had mastered you have 10 gift articles give... Decline of fastpitch, Feigner said in an interview with a round ball with a round ball with a.... Here is which isnt to say there arent great the king and his court fastpitch softball course there are, of,. It took me years to talk about it, I was lucky enough to be an MLB player yeah... Court remain the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch softball. `` took me years to talk about it, I still. That day, and courses to legend, Feigner says, began shortly after left! Members to play local softball teams came from around the state of Washington compete... And entertaining a crowd thought would sponsor a softball team during the 1940s when. Years more than just trick pitches and entertaining a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and who... Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center tricks that made the fans laugh ball with a,! So why dont baseball pitchers just throw fast-pitch-softball style if its so effective just... Allowed only seven runs and 24 hits in 10 games vaudeville bits into their..