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UPDATED - April 04 - 2008
HELP WANTED !!!
If You know of a Player that is not listed below or the first name
of a Player below, Please send Your Info to Me by typing Your
Info on the Comment Box above and Please Include Your Name
and then Click on to the Send Button at the Lower Right Corner
of the SHOUTBOX above. Your Info is Very Appreciated !!!
You may also just enter a Comment or Suggestion or anything
that You would like Us to know about the Pekin Lettes.
Thanks,
Scott Shults - Pekin Lettes Announcer
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Our Current Listings - 1939 to 1988 - Missing 19891992 to Present
250 + names thus far
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Players from the Past 75 +Years
Plus Managers & Coaches
of the Pekin Lettes - 1959 to Present
includes the Caterpillar Dieselettes 1933-1955
and the Sunnyland Lettes 1956-1958
Check back for Further Additions
1991 Lettes Roster Names Added Recently
1987 Lettes Roster Names Added on 11/18/2006
Name of Player & First Year with the Lettes
Adolph Fisher - Coach - 1943 to 1944 - Record of 47 & 17
Adrienne Berry - 1969 to 1970
Allyson Carter - Hattermann - 1994 to 1997
Althea Fitton (Knoll) - 1939
??? Ames - 1941
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Amy Irene Applegren - 1941 to 1942 (P) - 28 Wins & 8 Loses (.778)
After the Dieselettes with the
"Girls Professional Ball League" Rockford Peaches
 AMY APPLEGREN
Amy Applegren was getting a paycheck for playing professional baseball before she was out of high school.
Graduating from Peoria Manual in 1945, Applegren had already played one full season in the All-American Girls Baseball League in 1944, the second year the league, founded by late Chicago Club owner Phil Wrigley, was in existence.
The league lasted for a dozen seasons, from 1943 through 1954 and Applegren, a lefthanded pitcher and first baseman who earlier had pitched for the Caterpillar Dieselettes, played in all but the first and last seasons.
This was major league baseball for women and only a few played as long as Applegren or saw as many changes in the game. Over the years the pitching rules were changed nine times while she was hurling: the size of the ball was reduced four times and the mound was moved back five times.
She began playing for the Rockford Peaches in 1944, one year after the team that was featured in the hit movie "A League
Of Their Own". Later she was with Muskegon, went back to Rockford and ended with South Bend in 1953. And during her
eight-year pitching career they kept changing pitching rules. In 1944 the ball was 12 inches in circumference, pitchers pitched
underhand and the distance to home plate was 40 feet. In her final years the ball was 10 inches, pitching was overhand and the distance was 55 feet.
In all, she pitched in 205 games, played in a total of 386, had a 94-91 pitching record with an ERA under three her first three years and then two of 1.06 and 1.76.
Peoria was part of the league from 1946 through 1951 but Applegren never had a chance to play for her hometown, just against it.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
Amy Bishel - 1985
Amy Gordon - 2004
Amy West - 2006
Angie Gouldschaal - 1991 (P)
Angie Wolfe - 1987
...................................................................................................
Ann Elliott - (P) - 40 Wins & 25 Losses (.615)
Ann Martin (Glaub Aleksich) -
...................................................................................................
Anne Irwin - 1971
(New) Annie Gregory - 1998--2000
...................................................................................................
Ann Tindall (Mullins) - 1963 to 1970 & 1972
 Ann Millins Tindall
You name the sport and Ann Mullins Tindall has played or coached it.
The list seems not to end: major women's softball, college and MU basketball, volleyball, tennis, track, field hockey, soccer.
A native of Butler, Illinois who attended Hilisboro High School and Carthage College, Mullins began her major impact on the local scene when she became the Number 1 catcher of the Pekin Lettes when that team, with Lorene Ramsey as one of the nation's top pitchers, was in its prime.
Rated by Ramsey "the best catcher in the country between 1964 and 1970", Mullins was extremely quick on her feet, had a brilliant throwing arm and hit with great power. Her 27 home runs is second on the all-time Lettes list despite her comparatively short eight-season career with the team.
She batted .295 for the Lettes and produced 282 hits. She was chosen to numerous all-tournament teams and inducted into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame in 1976.
She played AAU basketball in Peoria and Pekin from 1963 through 1971 and was a seven-time all-stater. A top scorer and rebounder, she advanced to the last cut in the Olympic Development Training camp for the selection of the 1967 United States Pan-American team.
Once she scored 50 points in a basketball game for Carthage against Southern Illinois. She is a member of the Central Amateur Athletic Union Hall of Fame and the Carthage College Hall of Fame.
She was a third team Midwest selection in field hockey, coached girls tennis and track at Central High School and coached soccer in the Peoria Parochial League. She also has served as president of the Peoria Soccer Club......................................................................................................................................... |
Anne Ross - 1942
Anne Elliott (Ross) - 1943 to 1946
Anne Meyer (Osterman) - 1958 to 1959
Annelle Griffin - 1975
Annie White - 1991 - (OF-2B)
Ashley Birdsong - 2008
Ashley Quick - 2004
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Barbara Arrowsmith - 1949-50
Arrowsmith DECATUR - Barbara Lee Arrowsmith, 70, of Decatur died 4:15 p.m. Saturday (July 27, 2002) in St. Mary's Hospital.
There will be no services. Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial will be at a later date in Fairlawn Cemetery. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741-5000.
Barb was born March 3, 1932, in Decatur. She was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and worked for A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. for 18 years. She later worked for St. Mary's Hospital as a licensed practical nurse, retiring after 13 years. She was an ASA Softball player. At age 17, she was picked by Pekin Caterpillar Dieselettes for tournament play. She was an all-state pitcher and player for several Decatur area teams, including Jarvis Wildcats, Butterfield, Merchanetts and Perfect Windettes. In 1965, the Perfect Windettes won the ASA Women's State Softball Tournament and Barb was the Tournament's Most Valuable Player. She served as organist for many years at Church of the Brethren and Northwest Christian Church. At Northwest Christian Church, she directed the children's choir musicals. She was a volunteer at Scovill Zoo and loved to drive the train.
Surviving are her aunts, Geneva Thornell of Marion, Ind.; Kathleen Arrowsmith of Alton; several cousins in Marion and Ohio; her faithful companion, Shadow; and many other friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, stepfather and two uncles.
A special thank-you to all the doctors, nurses and staff of the second floor of St. Mary's Hospital, her loving caregivers and Dr. Harriett Held.
She was a generous and caring friend who will be missed by all her friends and family
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Barbara Fuller - Dieselettes 1945 to 1956
( Lettes Manager - Coach 1974 - 1980 ) 249 Wins - 124 Loses
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Barbara Waddell - 1959 to 1963
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Hometown:
Pekin, Ill.
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Experience:
1963
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A 1963 Illinois State graduate who played in national tournaments in three sport:
field hockey, basketball and softball ..
an outfielder with the Pekin Lettes from 1959-63 ...
twice co-captained the basketball squad at Illinois State ...
later became chairman of girls physical education at Pekin Community High School.
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Becky Mohn - 1976
Becky Zuspann - 1987
Belle Craig - 1983
Bernice Piffner - 1978
Bernie Burns - 1983 - 1987
Bernie Coffman - 1988
Betty Brown -
..................................................................................................
Betty Rldred (McCarty) - 1940 to 1941 (P) 51 Wins & 8 Losses (.864)
..................................................................................................
Betty Tipton - 1949
Betty Wanless - 1944 to 1947
Beulah Rosenberg (Belcher)
..................................................................................................
Beverly Brown - 1948 to 1964
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
..................................................................................................
Beverly Litweiller (Pleines) - 1960
Bobbi Mattingly - 1984
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Bonnie Swanson - 1965 - 1972 (.268 ) 4 Home Runs - Chillicothe, Illinois
Name: Bonnie Swanson
Email: ybjs89@a5.com
Date: Sat Mar 22 22:01:10 EDT 2008
WOW! What a great site. Thanks. And hi to all from over the years. 1965-72
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Bonnie Welch - 1946
Bree Milnes - 2007
Brenda Gilles - 1984
Brittany Dehler - 2004
Brooke Benson - 2004
Burdella Stilley - 1939
Burdella Cunningham (Stilley) - 1939 to 1940
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Carol Springman (Swettenham) - 1952 to 1956 (P) - 12 Wins & 4 Loses (.750)
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Carolyn Thome Hart- 1947 to 1962
CAROLYN THOME HART
MORTON -- Carolyn R. Hart, 65, of 1208 S. Main St. died at midnight Sunday, March 10, 1996,
at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
Born Nov. 12, 1930, in Peoria to Charles A. and Lois A. Mason Thome, she married
Raymond E. Hart on Dec. 31, 1959, in Peoria. He survives.
Also surviving are one son, Mike of East Peoria; two daughters, Mrs. John (Teresa) Allred
and Mrs. Jeff (Michelle) Cottingham, both of Morton; two brothers, Art and Chuck Thome,
both of Peoria; one sister, Cheryl Diegel
ASA National Softball Hall of Fame Member
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Year Inducted: 1966
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Category: Women's Fast Pitch
Division: Women's Fast Pitch |
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If there was one thing that made Carolyn Hart more than just another player, it was her hustle. “I learned from coach Chuck McCord that if you didn’t hustle all the time, you would be just average,” said Hart. “ He was a great coach and I learned a great deal from him.” Hart was anything but average. Five times she earned ASA All-America honors: 1950, 1951, 1952, 1959 and 1955. She had a lifetime batting average of .301 after retiring in 1962 to devote more time to her family. She was born November 20, 1930 and passed away March 10, 1996 at age 65 after battling MS for more than 20 years. Known as Cotton Top or Cotton because of her striking blonde hair, Hart was the youngest player ever to play for the Caterpillar Dieselettes (1947-1955) at 16. After the Dieselettes folded, Hart joined the Pekin Lettes and played until retiring. In 156 games, Hart batted 1,873 times, scored 460 runs (leading her team eight times), hit 171 doubles (leading the team five times), 31 triples, 68 homers (leading her team seven years) and stole 160 bases (leading her team six years).
Carolyn Thome, a member of the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame and the Illinois State Softball Hall of Fame, produced 561 base hits with the Caterpillar and Pekin Lettes from 1947 through 1962 and had 26 more in 10 national tournaments.
Carolyn was the Aunt of Peoria Illinois' Professional Baseball Player
of the Chicago White Sox Jim Thome
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Caryl Moehring - 1985
Casey Westermann - 2008
Charlie Brown - 1991 - Manager |
Charlotte Daniel - 1944 to 1947
Chele Maynard - 1991 - (1B)
Cheryl Forgason - 1984 to 1987
Chris Ward - 1991 - (P)
Chrissy Fisher - 2006
Christine Rodriques - 2006
......................................................................................................
Chuck McCord - Coach - 1947 to 1972 - Record of 886 & 201
CHARLES MCCORD
CHILLICOTHE - Charles L. ''Chuck'' McCord, 79, of 218 W. Elm died at 5:45 p.m. Monday,
March 19, 2001, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
Born June 4, 1921, in East Lynn to Frank and Mabel Luxton McCord, he married
Wilma Lee Fitzpatrick on June 17, 1967, in East Lynn. She survives. Also surviving
are three daughters, Kimberly McCord-Truniger (and Greg Truniger), Tena (and Garwin)
Shane and Jodie Armstrong, all of Chillicothe
ASA National Softball Hall of Fame Member
Charles L. McCord
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Softball Slow and Fastpitch - Book
by Chuck McCord & Marian Kneer
Book, Wm. C. Brown Publishers - January 1991
ISBN: 0697152553 DOI: 10.1036/0697152553
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Year Inducted: 1977
Hometown: Chillicothe, IL
Category: Meritorious ServiceDivision:
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Distinguished himself as women’s fast pitch manager, Illinois ASA commissioner and ASA president. As a manager, won 886 games and lost 201 in 26 years. Teams competed in 18 ASA nationals and 26 regionals. Team’s best finish in national tourney was third three times. In 1951, was named Illinois ASA commissioner after being interim for one year. Served as 24th president of the ASA from 1984-85. A 1944 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, he is a member of the University’s Hall of Fame. Won seven letters at EIU competing in track, baseball and basketball. Former chairman of the National Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Was appointed first chairman in 1957 and served until 1992. In 1983 was elected to Peoria Hall of Fame. Instrumental in starting Illinois ASA Hall of Fame. Also honorary member of Indiana and Indianapolis ASA Halls of Fame. Served as Illinois ASA commissioner for 50 years before passing away March 19th, 2001 at age 79. Only one of three people to have served as a commissioner for 50 years.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
Cindy Diamond - 1972
Cindy Eggemeyer - 1984 to 1987
Cindy Stein - 1983
Colleen Byrnes - 1960 to 1961
??? Cornelius - 1943
Corky Duhlstine - 1975
Cyndi Hoffman - 1983
Cynthia Adams Butkovich - 1963 to 1966
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Darlene Wenner - 1956 to 1966 (P) - 13 Wins & 10 Losses (.565)
.................................................................................................
Deanna Hacker - 1983
Debbie Becker - 1985
Debbie White - 1985
Debbie Zoss - 1970
Dee Dee Fay - 1987
Diane Manley - 1964 to 1966
Donna Stewart - 1987
Donna Whittington - 1976 |
Dorothy Maple (Adams) - 1947
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Dorothy (Rogy) Hutt- 1939 to 1943
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PEORIA - Janet E. Rogy, age 86, of Peoria passed away at 6:20 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008, in Mountain Home, Ark.
She was born July 26, 1921, in Lincoln, Ill., to Frederick R. and
A. Josephine (Sheley) Franz. She married Willis E. Rogy Sr. on Oct. 4,
1941, in St. Louis, Mo. He passed away Sept. 19, 1988, in Peoria.
She was also preceded in death by three sisters; one grandson,
Billy Watt; and one great-granddaughter, Hannah Watt.
Survivors include three daughters, Barbara (Robert) Kelsh of Mountain Home, Ark.,
Lora (Dave) Morse of Mountain Home, Ark., and Karen (Jack) Rohde of Oak Leaf,
Texas; one son, Willis E. "Bill" (Becky) Rogy Jr.; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren;
one sister, Dorothy Castle of Morton; and one brother, John R. (Shirley) Franz of Peoria Heights.
Janet worked for Caterpillar Inc. for five years and was a player for the
state championship Caterpillar Dieselettes softball team from 1937 to 1941.
She was very active at Tyng and Trewyn schools when her children were young, also serving
as a Girl Scout leader. She was a member of the Manual High School Parent and Boosters
Club for 28 years. She was president of the South-Towners Homeowners Association and
a precinct committeewoman for District 1 in Peoria for 35 years. She also served on the
Peoria Redevelopment Committee. She was chairman for the March of Dimes in the First
District for several years.
Janet was a permanent member of the Women's International Bowling Congress, a past
director of the Peoria Women's Bowling Association and bowled for many years in several
leagues. She was inducted into the Greater Peoria Bowling Association Hall of
Fame in 2006.
She was also an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. She loved fishing, bowling, card playing
and gardening.
She was of the Baptist faith.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel.
The Rev. Kirk Moser will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.
Memorials may be made to the Peoria Area USBC Youth Association Scholarship Fund, in care of
Pat Sphar, 4606 N. Weaver Ridge Blvd., Peoria, IL 61615.
Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.mem.com. |
| Published in the Peoria Journal Star on 1/9/2008. |
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Notice • Guest Book
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Dorothy Stewart - 1940
Dorothy Tipton - 1949
Edith Tallman -
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Edna Louise Albrect - 1954 to 1957 (P) 63 Wins & 9 Losses (.875)
ASA National Softball Hall of Fame Member
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Year Inducted: 1985
Hometown: Illmo, MO
Category: Women's Fast Pitch
Division: Women's Fast Pitch |
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Bio
Starring as a pitcher and outfielder during a 24-year career, E. Louise Albrecht played for some of the top women’s Major Fast Pitch teams. An outfielder and a pitcher she had a 304-83 pitching record for a .785 winning percentage. Among the teams she played for were the Whittier, CA Gold Sox, Orange, CA Lionettes, California Chaparrals, Dieselettes, Sunnyland Lettes and the Raybestos Brakettes.A native of Illmo, MO, Albrecht had her best season in 1952, winning 56 of 58 games and batting .300. She had a .258 lifetime batting average. In eight ASA national championships, she won 17 games, lost seven, allowed 77 hits, struck out 82 and allowed only 16 earned runs in 160 1/3 innings for an ERA of 0.70. Her six All-America selections were evenly divided between first and second team with first-team selections in 1961, 1962 and 1965 and second-team honors in 1963, 1964 and 1969. In 1962, she also won the tourney’s MVP Award and compiled a 5-2 pitching record.The 5-foot-8, 140-pound Albrecht was a member of national championship teams in 1961 and 1965 and three runners-up: 1966, 1969 and 1972. She was born November 19, 1934. She retired from Southern Connecticut State University in 1992 and was associate athletic director at that time. She was appointed to that position in 1984. She joined the university's athletic staff in 1970. She was born November 19, 1934.
........................................................................................................................................................................................
Elaine Nitz - 1974
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Elanor Frank (Hinton) - 1939 to 1942 (P) - 6 Wins & 1 Loss (.857)
..................................................................................................
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Eleanor Rudolph - 1946 to 1964 - Lettes Team Captain 1951 to 1962
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
..........................................................................................................
Elanor Towels - 1946
Ellen Jonas -
Elizabeth Shaner - 1965
Emaliene Owens - 1942 to 1946
Emilee Goad - 2008
Erin Schlofeldt - 2008
Erylene House - 1942
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Esther (Lyman) Kelly - 1946 to 1949 & 1974
(P) - 10 Wins & 2 Losses (.833)
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Esther Torry (Graiff) - 1955 to 1963
Eugene Wilson - Coach - 1940 to 1942 - Record of 92 & 28
.................................................................................................
Eulalia Smith - 1946 to 1948 (P) 5 Wins & 0 Losses (1.000)
.................................................................................................
Evelyn Starcevic (Burdette) - 1939 to 1940
Evelyn Swanson (Stringham) - 1940
Evelyn Swanson - 1940 to 1942
Faye Heppard -
Florence Beck (Burdette) - 1938
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Florence Root - 1951 (P) - 16 Wins & 4 Loses (.800)
..................................................................................................
Fran Seketa - 1963 to 1967
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
..................................................................................................
Frances Morelock - 1940 to 1946
Fred Reader - 1992 ( Coach & General Manager to Present Day )
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Gary Brecher - Pekin Times Sports Reporter & Pekin Lettes Fan
Softball - Lettes memorial tonight
PEKIN - The Pekin Lettes will pay tribute to long-time supporter Gary Brecher before
tonight's game against the Washington Cobras at Mineral Springs Park.
Brecher was a former fast-pitch softball player, an umpire in the IHSA and the American
Softball Association for many years and had been involved with the Pekin Lettes in various
aspects for nearly 40 years before passing away at age 62 earlier this spring. Brecher, who
worked in the sports department at the Pekin Daily Times
.................................................................................................................
Gena Strang - 1988
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Gene Zoss - Coach - 1973 - Record of 37 & 13
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George Molek - Coach - 1945 to 1946 - Record of 42 & 19
.................................................................................................
Georgena Irwin - 1985
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Gerry Hammerstrand - 1957 & 1963 to 1972
(P) 108 Wins & 25 Losses (.812)
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
GERALDINE HAMERSTRAND
GALVA -- Geraldine M. "Gerry" Hamerstrand, 62, of 218 S. Exchange St. died at 2:38 p.m.
Thursday, April 21, 1994, at her residence.
She was born April 27, 1931, in Galva to Maurice and Evalyn Jones Hamerstrand.
Surviving are two brothers, Earle Hamerstrand of Peoria and Don Hamerstrand of
Victoria; three nieces, Cathi Roberts of East Peoria, Julie Barker of Peoria and
Traci Meacham of Princeville; two great-nieces; and one great-nephew.
................................................................................................
Gerry McCormack (Troth) - 1939 to 1940
Gertrude Wooters (Milton) - 1939 to 1940
Gigi MacIntosh - 1985
Gladys Mayer (Williams) -1945 to 1946
??? Glenn - 1944
Glenda " Doc " Simmering - 1979
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Gloria Bonali - 1950 to 1952 - (P) - 31 Wins & 5 Losses (.861)
..................................................................................................
??? Graham - 1944
Gwen Seputis - 1985
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??? Harlan - 1933 (P) - 7 Wins & 2 Losses (.773)
..................................................................................................
Heather Fenton - 1991 - (3B)
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Helen Connors -
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Helen Fehl - 1943 to 1944 (P) - 0 Wins & 1 Loss (.000)
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Helen Hilig - 1947 to 1950
Helen Nesbitt (Lyman)
Ida Rae (Albright) - 1940
Irene Thibault (Koeppel) - 1944
......................................................................................................
Irene Kerwin - 1956
 IRENE 'Pepper' KERWIN
A member of the 1965 Pekin Lettes softball team enshrined in the Hall of Fame, Kerwin holds 13 single-season and career records for the Lettes. The infielder competed in 12 national tournaments (49 games) and played five seasons as a professional - starting in 1949 with the Peoria Redwings - to finance her education at Illinois State University.
Kerwin has won 75 Senior Olympics gold medals in 20 sports - with at least one gold in every sport. An elementary physical education teacher for 30 years, she coached two unbeaten teams at Oak Grove School in Bartonville.
Kerwin played a total of 31 softball seasons, spending time at every position except pitcher. Her career started at age 14 with Farrow Chix. She was player-coach for the Peoria Pekin Independents, twice Illinois AAU basketball champions, and played in three national AAU tournaments.
She also starred in basketball for four seasons at Academy of Our Lady High School, then was high scorer for the Caterpillar Dieselettes from 1942-47. She led Illinois State University in scoring four years and also played collegiate volleyball, softball and field hockey.
Kerwin is a member of the ISU and the ASA Illinois Halls of Fameo................................................................................................................................................................
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Ivany Esch (Faubel) - 1939 to 1940
Jamie McGrath - 2004
...................................................................................................
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
...................................................................................................
Jan Christiansen - 1983
Jan Cusac - 1978
Jan (Isonhart) Breitbarth - 1950 to 1955
Jan Smith - 1974
Jan Winkler - 1976
Jane Alden - 1985
Jane Grebner - 1978
Jane Klitzing -
Janet Rogy (Franz) - 1940 to 1941
.............................................................................................................
Janet Gocker - 1957 to 1958
Janet Gocker
WASHINGTON - Janet L. Gocker, 62, of 110 E. Jefferson St. died at 5:55 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2002,
at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.
She was born July 21, 1939, in Peoria to Roy and Vivian Israel Gocker. Surviving are her mother
of Washington; two sisters, Emma Jean Bachman of Washington and Jackie Gocker of Peoria;
one niece; and two nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father.
A member of American Legion Post 100 and its Auxiliary, she served in the U. S. Navy.
.............................................................................................................
Janice Hannerhoff - 1988
Jean Dietrich - 1967 to 1968
Jean Hubbert - 1951
Jean Livengood - 1946
Jean Jones (Platte) - 1939 to 1941
Jean Neuser - 1959
Jenny Beckman - 1991 - (SS)
Jenny McElmeel - 2006
Jenny Shupryt - 1984 to 1987
Jessi Harris - 2006
Jessica Laley - 2006
Jessica Webb - 2007
Jill Pomeranke - 1976
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Joan Nelson - 1951 to 1966 (P) 96 Wins & 23 Losses (.807)
Lettes Team Captain 1963 to 1965
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
.......................................................................................................
Joan Woloszyk -1974
Joanna Pettit - 2004
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JoAnne Beckmann - 1961 to 1967
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
......................................................................................................
JoAnne Irwin - 1971
Jon Johas - 1939 - Coach - Record of 8 & 4
Jonnie Learned (Wadlow) -
Joy Belsley - 1976
Joyce (Conrad) Bills - 1949 to 1950
...................................................................................................
Joyce Conway (Opper) - 1953 to 1958 - (P) - 3 Wins & 0 Losses (1.000)
...................................................................................................
Joyce Meyer (Reinhardt) - 1957 to 1958
Juanitta Fothergill (McNeill) - 1942 to 1945
...............................................................................................
Judy Johnson - Coach - 1st. Year - 1974
...............................................................................................
Judy McKinney - 1987
Julia Mapps (Boucher) - 1944
Julia Rhodes - 2004
Julie Gutz - 1947 ( A League of Their Own)
Julie Michiletti - 1983
Julie Schaith - 1991 - (DH-1B)
Kaitlyn Kegley - 2008
Kaitlyn Dyche - 2007
Kallie Walczak - 2006
Karen Friedrich -1971
Karen Guthmiller - 1975
....................................................................................................
Karen Harris - 1969 (P) - 6 Wins & 3 Losses
....................................................................................................
Karen Marie Pena - 2004
Karen Ramsey - 1976
Karen Roppa - 1971
Karin Richter - 1988
Kate Simmons - 2006
Katey Weber - 2004
Kathy Argo - 1976
Kathy Dollinger - 1985
Kathy Schappaugh - 1977
...............................................................................................
Kathy Veroni - 1968 to 1970
Kathys' Website : http://www.kathyveroni.com/
Kathy Veroni's next-door neighbor heard every ball the little girl threw against the brick house on Huffman Boulevard
in Rockford. When Veroni tired of that activity she would go to the park and act as the batting practice catcher for the
boys playing baseball. She had no chest protector and no mask and was never allowed to do anything but catch,
but she kept coming back. Those games Veroni played initiated a life-long grip between the Western Illinois
University head coach and the game of softball.
In 34 years at the helm of the Westerwinds' program, Veroni has established herself as one of the premier coaches
in college softball. After taking three out of four games from UMKC last weekend, Veroni increased her career
record to 863-592-2 (.593). Veroni is 11th in career Division I wins among active coaches and 14th all-time.
She has led Western to 26 winning campaigns including 18 consecutive 20-win seasons and trips to the NCAA
Tournament in 1992, 2000 and 2001.
Ironically, with all of her success at Western, Veroni entered the coaching game almost by accident. After finishing
a Hall of Fame career as a three-sport standout at Illinois State University (she was inducted by Illinois State in 1980),
Veroni took a teaching position in Pekin and was given an opportunity to try out with the Amateur Softball
Association's Pekin Lettes by her supervising teacher, Pekin Lettes' pitcher Lorene Ramsey.
...............................................................................................................
Kaye Cram - 1968
Kaye McDonald -
Kelly Waldrup - 1986
Kelsey Musselman - 2006
Kerri Donis - 1988
Kim Rosenbohm - 1985
??? Knowles - 1958
Kris Hasty - 1976
Kristy Brod - 2004
..................................................................................................
Laura Gisinger - 1949 to 1950 (P) - 9 Wins & 4 Losses (.692)
..................................................................................................
Lauren Snopek - 2007
Leanne Bonifas - 1987
Lee Smith -
Leigh Farina - 2004
Leslie Friedrich - 1971
Leslie Miller - 1983
Lillian Goll - 1947 to 1952
Linda "Fuzzy" Clough - 1978
Linda Marks (Rinkenberger) - 1959 to 1962
Linda Wells - 1988
Lindsay Bauer - 2004
Lisa Bourazak - 1987
Lisa Cantor - 1985
Lisa Peterson - 1985
Liz Ryan - 1988
Lora Gisinger - 1949
.....................................................................................................
Lorene Ramsey - 1955 to 1972 (P) - 401 Wins & 90 Losses (.886)
ASA National Softball Hall of Fame Member
Lorene Ramsey
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Year Inducted: 1987
Hometown: Pekin, IL
Category: Women's Fast Pitch
Division: Women's Fast Pitch |
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It didn’t matter to Lorene Ramsey, a member of the National Softball Hall of Fame since 1987, if she was playing a game of softball or practicing for one. “I loved to play the game. I even loved practice,” said Ramsey. In a career that spanned more than two decades, Lorene established herself as a Hall of Fame pitcher as the mainstay for the Chuck McCord Pekin, IL Lettes. Between 1955-1972 Ramsey played for the Caterpillar Dieselettes, Sunnyland Lettes and Pekin Lettes, compiling a won-loss record of 401-90 and a winning percentage of .816. Before 1955, she achieved a pitching record of 82-32 for amateur teams in St. Louis. She was 21-1 in 1951, 7-21 in 1952, 20-5 in 1953 and 34-5 in 1954. She played in the first of 13 ASA national championships in 1954 and compiled a 3-1 record for the fourth-place Orange, CA Lionettes. In national championship play, Lorene won 22 games, lost 23 and four times was named an ASA All-American (1959, 1960, 1965 and 1970). She also participated in three ASA Women’s Fast Pitch All-Star Series. In 18 years Ramsey fanned 3,811 batters in 3,460 innings, allowed 1,793 hits, 277 runs and 616 walks. Her lifetime ERA was 0.56. In 1955 and 1956 she was named MVP of the Houston, TX Warren Paine Tournament, annually one of the top women’s tournaments then. In 1956, Ramsey pitched 93 1/3 scoreless innings for the Pekin Lettes, breaking the old mark of 59 held by Hall of Famer Marie Wadlow. Ramsey was born July 10, 1936. Retired April 1, 2003 from Illinois Central College. Is also a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, TN.
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Lorene Ramsey |
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Hometown:
Union, Mo.
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Position:
P
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A 1959 graduate who was first team All-American in women's softball in 1960 and 1965, and second team All-American in 1959 and 1970 ... she joined the Caterpillar Dieselettes (later Pekin Lettes) in 1955 ... her lifetime pitching career record is 401-90 for 18 years, and she played in 13 national tournaments ... in 1965, she had a scoreless string of 98.1 innings.
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 LORENE RAMSEY
Ramsey compiled records as an athlete and a coach which may never be equalled.
Ramsey, the first woman to make the Hall, was the mainstay of the Lettes pitching staff for many years, finishing with a 401-90 record. She was named an All-American in major fast pitch softball four times and took part in many national tournaments in an era when the Lettes were ranked with the top teams in the country. After retiring as an active player, she became softball and basketball coach at Illinois Central. Her basketball teams appeared in nine consecutive national junior college tournaments and had a 12-season record of 276-83 while her ICC softball team won a national championship last spring in Rockford.
On the international scene, Ramsey was assistant coach of the United States Women's softball team that won the gold medal in the Pan American Games in Puerto Rico in 1979, and in 1981 she was assistant coach of the United States basketball team that won the Silver Medal at the World University games in Romania. | |
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Lori Pankratz - 2007
Lorraine McManus -
Lucille Eslinger - 1942 to 1950 (P) - 84 Wins & 26 Loses (.764)
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Lucy Lootens - 1975
Lynn Hippensteel - 1967 to 1970
Lynn Rochester - 1991 - (OF)
Mable Berry Ryner Stevenson- 1943 to 1944
Madeline Dotta - 1951 to 1956
Mae Finney - 1939
Mae Summers - 1942 to 1943
Mandy (Keen) Anderson - 1993 to 1994 (New )
East Peoria, IL
Marcia Burroughs - 1977
Margaret Bozsoki - 1948
Margaret Hoffman -
Margie Eckhoff - 1974
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Margie Wright - 1984
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Margie Wright |
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 Margie Wright - Center
Former Pekin Lettes Player (1984) and Fresno State head softball Coach Margie
Wright meets with her pitcher during one of the Bulldogs' games this year.
Wright guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA Championship this season.
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Marie Ballard - 1973
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Marilyn Bradley - 1967
Name: Marilyn Bradley
Email: leemare@airbits.com
Date: Fri Feb 16 00:14:17 EST 2007
As a former Pekin Lette, I think this is wonderful!!
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Marilyn Whitman - 1969
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Marilyn Harris - 1972 & 1973
Name: Marilyn Harris
Email: mcharris24@wi.rr.com
Date: Thu Feb 15 22:54:07 EST 2007
Friend and former teammate Marlys Taber sent your site address and info to me
Played two years with the Lettes.
It was a great priviledge to play with the Lettes during McCord's and Ramsey's last year '72.
Enjoyed the site--and will pass the info onto others.
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Marian Kneer - 1942 to 1951
Softball: Slow and Fast Pitch
by Marian Kneer, Charles L. McCord Book, Wm. C. Brown Publishers (January 1991)
ISBN: 0697152553 DOI:10.1036/0697152553
Pub. Date: 1994-07-2001 Copyright: 1995
 Marian Kneer
Marian "Gabby" Kneer has devoted her life to athletics and education. Now a resident of Western Springs, a Chicago suburb and a retired professor from the University of Illinois-Chicago, Kneer was called the "world's greatest softbaIl catcher" in the late 1940's. And for a long time, people didn't even know her first name, just calling her "Gabby" Kneer - maybe because of the way she continually chirped encouraging words to her teammates.
A graduate of Woodruff High School and Illinois State University with a doctorate in physical education from the University of Michigan, Kneer was a tireless promoter of sports for girls in Illinois high schools, and was a co-founder and leader for permitting competitive interscholastic sports.
Marian taught at East Peoria High School from 1949 until 1968, going from there to the University of Illinois-Chicago. She gave up sports to concentrate on her teaching career. Her sports honors included membership in the Illinois State University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Illinois Softball Hall of Fame, and Illinois Coaches Association for Girls and Women Hall of Fame. A catcher for ten years, her sports career also included basketball, field hockey, and coaching girl's basketball.
A .323 lifetime hitter, she caught for five state and three world championship teams as a member of the Caterpillar Dieselettes. Kneer played basketball locally for the Dieselettes and Gipps Brewery teams. Her professional experience includes numerous publications pertaining to physical education on the State, National, and International levels. She co-authored "Softball-Fast and Slow Pitch" with Chuck McCord, previous Hall of Fame Inductee - now in its fifth edition.
Kneer served in every elective position of the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation as well as with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Currently a Professor Emeritous from the University of Illinois-Chicago, she is a consultant for Physical Education..
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Marian Kneer |
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Hometown:
Peoria Heights, Ill.
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Honors graduate of 1949 ... member of the Illinois State Amateur Softball Hall of Fame, having caught for five state champion teams with the Peoria Caterpillar Dieselettes ... had a distinguished amateur basketball career ... was on the Illinois-Chicago Circle Faculty ... has held every elective office in the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, including that of President in 1972.
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Marion Phillipson - 1944
Marjorie Grundy (Frye) 1936 - 1939
Martha Irby (Bahnfleth) - 1961 to 1967
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Marlys Taber - 1964
Name: Marlys (Taber) Watts
Email: mkwatts@iowatelecom.net
Date: Thu Feb 15 22:03:59 EST 2007
Love the sight and looking up myself and former teammates in the pictures,articles, etc.
Glad to see the team is still ongoing. Thanks for setting up the site.
1965-1976?
ASA National Softball Hall of Fame Member
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Year Inducted: 1991
Hometown: Paw Paw, IL
Category: Women's Fast Pitch
Division: Women's Fast Pitch |
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Marlys Taber’s major fast pitch career started at 14 years-old in 1958 for the Earlville Victorians of Earlville, IL and concluded in 1983 when she was forced to retire because of acute tendonitis resulting from a shoulder injury. Five times Taber was selected an ASA All-American. She was a first-team choice in 1978 and 1980 and a second teamer in 1965 (.385 batting average), 1966 (.250 BA) and 1976 (.238 BA). Besides being an All-American, Taber played in three ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch All-Star Series, 1966, 1969 and 1977, and batted .389 in the 1966 Series to lead all hitters. In 1979, she received an invitation to try out for the 1979 USA Pan American team. After her playing career, Taber taught physical education plus coached basketball, soccer, volleyball and golf. She retired in 1995 and finds herself “extremely busy golfing, making craft projects and participating in community activities,” living in Dows, IA.Taber is a 1966 graduate of Illinois State University and was elected to the university’s hall of fame in 1982. In 1989, she was elected to the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. She calls her election to the ASA Softball Hall of Fame in 1991 “the greatest thrill of her career.” She was born March 4, 1944.
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Maryls Kay Taber |
A 1966 graduate, played field hockey, basketball, volleyball, and softball at Illinois State ... she also made her mark in the record book of the Amateur Softball Association in her 2 years of summer fastpitch softball competition ... she was an all-state shortstop, first and second team All-American and has played for the nationally ranked Pekin Lettes and the Greater Milwaukee Bankettes ... she taught and coached at Golf Junior High School in Morton Grove and coached at Niles North High School.
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Marty Green - 1965 to 1966 |
Mary Roberts (Dodge) - 1949
Mary E. Frank -
Mary Hammond - 1949 to 1950
Mary Moak - 1948 to 1949
Mary Ann Schmied - 1971
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Mary Marie Wadlow - 1941 to 1950 (P) - 77 Wins & 17 Losses (.819)
ASA National Softball Hall of Fame Member
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1917 - 1979 |
Year Inducted: 1957
Hometown: Peoria, IL
Category: Women's Fast Pitch
Division: Women's Fast Pitch |
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Bio
The first female inductee into the National Softball Hall of Fame, M. Marie Wadlow compiled a pitching record of 341 wins and 52 defeats between 1929 and 1950. In seven years with the Caterpillar Dieselettes of Peoria, IL Wadlow compiled a record of 107 wins and only 18 losses. Former manager Chuck McCord called Marie “one of the greatest competitors I’ve seen anywhere.”Growing up playing softball on the sandlots of St. Louis, Wadlow said her greatest thrill in softball came in the 1950 ASA national championship. She had a 2-2 record in the tourney, striking out 26 batters. “We had a 17-inning 1-0 loss to the Phoenix Ramblers, giving us third place in the national tourney at San Antonio,” said Marie. “The thrill was watching the Ramblers come back in the evening after that more than three-hour struggle in the intense heat of the afternoon. We had about two hours rest, then beat the undefeated Orange Lionettes 1-0 in 11 innings. We then took a half hour rest, then lost a heart-breaking 15 inning game to Orange, 3-1, for the championship. “It was 43 innings in about 11 hours,” continued Wadlow. “ Bertha (Ragan) Tickey pitched 26 innings in the last two games for Orange. She was knocked to the ground by a vicious line drive in one of the games, only to get up and finish the game and the tournament.”Wadlow retired from the Caterpillar Tractor Company in February of 1977. She also is a member of three other Halls of Fame.Wadlow passed away April 6th, 1979 at age 61. |
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| Mary Stull - |
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Marzella Litwiller - 1948 to 1949
Maxine Shute (Crump) - 1947 to 1948
??? McDowell - 1944
Meaghan Bauer - 2008
Megan Harper - 2006
??? Meir - 1944
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Melanie (Maynard) Rice - 1987 to 1991 - (OF)
I.C.C. Under Lorene Ramsey & then to E.I.U.
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Merry Anne Schmied - 1971
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Hometown:
East Peoria, Ill.
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A standout in softball and basketball at Illinois State for four seasons
and in field hockey for three seasons through 1970 ... she played in
national softball and basketball tournaments, and was named to the
Omaha College World Series all-star team at first base her junior and
senior years ... she captained both of those sports ... she also was
selected to AAU All-State basketball teams and to the Midwest College
Field Hockey Association All-College second team ... played for the
Pekin Lettes softball team for a season after graduation, and later
taught in the Tri-Valley school system at Downs.
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Michelle Dedin - 1988
Michelle Mihalakis - 1976
Michele Turner (Simpson) - 1990 to 1997
Mickey Schallau - 1968
Mildred Ross -
Mildred Scheffel
Minnie Pyell -
Monya Renner - 1946
??? Mote - 1944
Nadine Hoffman (Frazee) - 1944 to 1945
Nancy Nelson -
Nancy Rist - 1971
Nancy Roth - 1979
Nancy Sipek - 1975
Nancy Shay - 1973
Nelda Waddell - 1949 to 1951
Nicki Lockwood - 1985
Nicole Buse - 2006
Norma Harlan (Fox) - 1939 to 1940
Norma Harden - 1951 to 1956
Norma (Humphrey) Noske - 1941 to 1948
Ona Winkler (Chaney) - 1953 to 1955
Olivia Rosa - 2004
Pam Aurbeck - 1979
Pam Brown - 1987
Pam Casper - 1985
Pam Ernst - 1985
Pam Towery - 1977
Patti Russo - 1985
Paula Buscher - 1983
Pat Alexander - 1964 to 1969
Pat McSwegin (Campobello) - 1965 to 1966
Pat Truckenbrod - 1977
Pat Wiss -1974
Patty Busby - 1987
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Patty Cutright - 1976
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee' 2000
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Pauline Meier - 1944
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Pauline (Schlicher) Stauch - 1950 to 1967
Lettes Team Captain 1963 to 1967
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
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Peggy Schad - 1974
Priscilla Welch - 1994
Rachel Muller - 1991 - (C-1B)
Rachael Sinks - 2006
Rachael Smith - 2006
Raye Gordon - 2007
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Robbie (Price) Andrews - 1942 to 1944 (P) - 1 Win & 1 Loss (.500)
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Rosalie Pritchard (Kucavich) - 1939
Rosa Linsley (Fisher) - 1941 to 1944
Rose Yocum - 1979
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Ruth Elston (Bockhold) - 1966 to 1969 (P) 1 Win & 0 Losses (1.000)
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Ruth Carwile -
Ruth Schwartz (Messer) 1941 to 1943
Ruth Witt - 1950
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Sandy Lambur - Manager - Coach 1981 - 1989 ( 203 Wins & 127 Loses )
Sandy Lambur has found success at every level she has coached. In eight seasons at Dunlap High School,
she was 144-91 and took the Eagles to a fourth place finish in the 1992 Class A state tournament.
In major women’s fastpitch, she coached the Pekin Lettes into the National Tournament
and took the Fresno (Calif.) Force to a final four appearance in 1990. .........................................................................................................................................................................................
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Sandy Manchee - 1969
SANDRA MANCHEE
METAMORA - Sandra K. Manchee, 51, of 1620 Burdette St. died at 3 a.m. Wednesday,
Sept. 27, 2000, at her residence.
She was born Feb. 13, 1949, in Abilene, Kan., to Ralph and Twila Engelhardt Manchee.
Surviving are her parents of Ocala, Fla.; one sister, Penelope (and John) Graves of
Kent, Ohio; Debra Lasater of Metamora, with whom she made her home for the past
18 years; Michael Lasater at home, whom she helped raise; and two nephews.
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Sandy Piccoli - 1987
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Sarah Halloway - 2006
Sara Loete - 2007
Sarah Marting - 2006
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Saralee Storts - 1943 to 1945 (P) - 1 Win & ) Losses (1.000)
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Sharon Sipp (Mankle) - 1960 to 1962
Shayna Bradford - 2004
??? Shaw - 1944
Shelley Chouinard - 1985
Sherri Grant - 1974
Sherry Armstrong - 1974
Sherry Diegel (Thome) - 1957
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Shirley Burch (Coney Vrell) - 1949 to 1954
A.S.A. Illinois State Hall of Fame 'Inductee'
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Shirley Horwedel - 1961 to 1963
Shirley Kent (Muller) -
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Skip Penning - Lettes Coach - 2002 to 2005 Record - 81 Wins & 62 Loses
Skip Penning - Illinois Central College Assistant Softball Coach
Coach Penning is in his fourth year the I.C.C. Cougar assistant softball coach.
Skip coached the Pekin Lettes for four Seasons , a storied Women's Major
Open softball team. In August of 2003, the Pekin Lettes hosted the ASA
Women's Open National Tournament.
He has previously coached summer travel teams such as the Pekin Lil Lettes
16-Under and the Illinois Impact 18-Under. Skip played softball for Hanks Hardware
of Pekin. While coaching and playing 3rd base in their 1998 State Championship year,
he made the all tournament team. His team also placed 4th in the Nationals that year.
A life-long resident of Pekin, Skip works for Chicago Contract Cleaning as a supervisor
in the East Peoria Grade Schools. He and his wife, Stephani, have two children,
Amanda (ICC '01) and Colton.
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Stacey Strack - 2004
Stephanie Johnson - 1984
Stephanie Miller - 2007
Stephanie Ramsey - 2006
Sue Polson - 1985
Sue Wagoner - 1983
Sunne Bea Thomas - 1959 to 1965
Susan Lonergan - 1974
Susie Barrett - 1985
Tammy Breitbarth - 1977
Teresa Morgan - 1977
Teresa Norris - 1974
Teri O'Brien - 1983 to 1987
Terry Becker - 1985
??? Thompson - 1942
T. J. Matheny - 2007
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Tom Gilles - Coach 1983 - 26 Wins & 29 Loses
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Toni Aden - 1972
Tonya Gilles - 1979
Toone Gisinger - 1953 - 1954
Torie Bunzell - 2008
Tracy Gilmore - 1986
Trish Kowalewski - 2006
Tudy Schmeid - 1971
??? Vaughn - 1946
Valerie List - 1975
Velma Doty - 1939
Velma White (Harris) - 1939 to 1942
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Vera Gutz Toney - 1947 "A League of Their Own"
Name: vallie toney
Email: vallie3@columbus.rr.com
Date: Sat Mar 22 23:39:39 EDT 2008
My mother was Vera Gutz Toney. She played for the team in 1947, four years before I was born.
The movie "A League of their Own" was losely based about her and her sister, Julie Gutz and their
experience on the team. She died when I was nine of cancer. I would love to know more about her
and this time as well as the scedule now of the current ball team so that I can visit and watch the
team sometime. Thanks
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Vera Hillers (Vicic)
Veronica Weaver -2003
Virginia Luciana - 1941 to 1945
Virginia Laible (Tiezzi) - 1947
Wendy Smith - 1979
Whitney Gregory - 2007
Zami Mogill - 1985
Through 1988 | 
Inductee of 
