2021 USA Softball of Illinois Hall of Fame Inductees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2021

2021 USA SOFTBALL OF ILLINOIS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
The following individuals will be inducted into the USA of Illinois Hall of Fame in Ceremonies to be held October 2nd , 2021, in Decatur IL.

Dan Binkley
Catcher, Blue Mound, Illinois
Dan was considered one of the best catchers in the game when in his prime. Also was known in his earlier years of fastpitch softball as a key contributor for the HOF Taylorville Blues boys team. During his career, he also played for the Taylorville Rookie Club, Decatur A’s, Bloomington Hearts, Decatur ADM, Taylorville Bob Ridings, and the Decatur Pride. He was a three (3) time all American selection for the Pride, a four (4) time Olympic Festival participant and a career .300 hitter.

Jon Hand
Umpire, Maple Park, Illinois
A 25-year veteran, Jon has umpired at the very highest level in USA Softball. That includes the 2019 Women’s Olympic Team Tryouts in 2019 and the Men’s WBSC World Championships in Prague, Czecoslavakia in 2019. Is still active in the game today and undoubtedly is considered by many as the best umpire of his generation, perhaps the best of all time on the amateur level.

Clay Brewer
Catcher/Utility, Murphysboro
Played 14 years for state A champ Italian Village, Carbondale Ikes, and the Southern Illinois Merchants (A and AA). Also, in Major men’s fastpitch played four years for the Pinckneyville Celtics and made first team all-state for three of those years. Played 32 games in 1989 season for the Decatur Pride filling in for catcher Dan Binkley. In 1993, while playing in the Kokomo, Indiana Midwest Regional for the SI Merchants, he hit two home runs off pitcher Darrell Bender to help the Merchants and pitcher Mike Combs qualify for the Major National tournament in Decatur a week later.

Bob Mueller
Fastpitch pitcher, Millstadt, Illinois
Currently a member of the St. Louis Softball Hall of Fame and the Belleville Southside Hall of Fame. Primarily an A pitcher most of his career, but “Melonhead” did play some for major teams United Van Lines, and Beelman GMC, both out of St. Louis. He also pitched in three (3) Class A Nationals, was the MVP in the 1991 Midwest Regional, had eleven (11) career no hitters and four (4) perfect games. In 1994 his record was 37 wins and 6 losses.

Larry Fowler
Fastpitch Manager, Taylorville
Coach/Manager for the 1979-80 Taylorville Blues teams, which have been inducted into the Illinois Team Category Hall of Fame. Those two teams finished as runner-up in the boy’s youth fastpitch national tournaments that were held at that time. Larry progressed from youth softball (while using many of the same players) to manage the Taylorville Rookie Club, Decatur A’s, and Springfield Brandts. Highly regarded by his softball peers with seemingly strong support for
his pending induction into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame.

Bob Hogan
Men’s Fastpitch Pitcher, Kincaid
One of the forgotten premier pitchers in men’s fastpitch softball for 30 years, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Pitched against the best teams available during that time including Decatur, Maroa, Bloomington, Rileys, Perfect Windows, Venetian Blinds, Springfield Saputos, and many others. His career spanned 1949-1975 and during that time pitched approximately 1,000 games. Those games were both for and against teams like Decatur Smokehouse, Rileys, Decatur Merchants, Aleco Fetilizer, Roason Buick, One Day Cleaners and a few others. Some stats were not verified but it was said with some certainty by old timers that Bob threw at least 100 no hitters and it was not unusual for him to strike out 12-15 batters a game.

Helen Mast, (deceased)
Women’s Fastpitch Pitcher/Slo-pitch Player, Decatur
An outstanding slingshot pitcher for Morehouse and Wells, Jarvis Wildcats, Leway Lassies, and Gentrys Carpets. No stats were available, but it was documented that she turned down an opportunity to pitch professionally in California. Due to declining number of women’s fastpitch teams, she turned to women’s slo-pitch and was a key member of the Decatur Challengers. The challengers are an Illinois ASA Hall of Fame recognized team with at least two women’s major slow pitch state championships to their credit and Helen was all state for both of those championship teams.

Blake Martin
Men’s Fastpitch Player, Cisco, Illinois
Blake played for Taylorville Bob Ridings, Bloomington Stix, Cerro Gordo Broncos, Villa Grove, Teutopolis, Decatur Pride and Peoria Rage. He made first team all-state in the ASA tournaments in 2005, 2008 and 2009. Played for five (5) state championship teams. Best year for Blake was 2009 for the Decatur Pride when he batted .364 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI’s.

HALL OF FAME TEAMS ALSO TO BE INDUCTED

English Brothers (Champaign/Urbana) Men’s Slo-pitch Team for 38 years with 1700 victories
Springfield Streder Mechanical State Champion Men’s Slo-pitch State Champion Team
Metamora Ricks Choice/Whiteys Tip Top Women’s Slo-pitch State Champion Team (4 times)

ILLINOIS ASA SPECIAL AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED