The Detroit Auto Kings were a professional softball team that played in the North American Softball League (NASL) in the 1980 season at Memorial Field in East Detroit, Michigan .
47-756: Detroit was represented by the Detroit Caesars , who played in the first professional league, the American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) , beginning with the founding of that league in 1977. The Caesars disbanded after the 1978 season and the APSPL continued, but 1980 was a year of division in professional softball as the Cleveland Stepien's Competitors , the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears and
94-700: A dominating 4–0 victory (22–16, 50–12, 24–16, 26–12) as Detroit's Bert Smith hit 15–16 (.940) with 5 home-runs and 16 RBIs to earn the series MVP. Smith's only out was a base hit that was disallowed when Bert was called for stepping on the plate. Seven Detroit players were all-league - Ron Ford (.645, 80 HRs, 201 RBIs), Mike Nye (.654, 33 HRs, 110 RBIs), Doug Gerdes (53 HRs, 112 RBIs), Gary Geister (45 HRs, 106 RBIs), Mike Gouin (.601 BA), Jack Roudebush (.579 BA) and newcomer Chuck Drewicz (25-5 pitching record). Larry Elkins (.488, 27 HRs, 76 RBIs) and Bert Smith (.529, 42 HRs, 104 RBIs) had productive campaigns as well. The mid-season 1978 APSPL All-Star game actually featured
141-499: A dominating weekend. Detroit would advance to the playoffs, winning the semifinals 4–1 over Cleveland (6–4, 8–7, 19–4, 5–10, 14–5) with a Mike Taylor grand-slam leading the way to an Auto King victory in the 5th game. Next up was Milwaukee, the 1979 APSPL champion, in the NASL World Series. Detroit would return to their home-field down 2-3, but Milwaukee would come to Detroit and sweep a double-header, with two home-runs in
188-546: A large softball complex on the grounds of the Michigan State Fair , played in the UPSL and were led by Charlie Mitchell and Braxton Speller, along with former Caesars Rick Trudeau, Doug Gerdes, Chuck Drewicz, George Birch, Gary Geister and manager Gary Vitto, along with former Auto Kings Matt Partridge and Mike Turk. Detroit Softball City finished second in the division to Cleveland with a record of 36–20, advancing to
235-730: A new logo. Since 2005, the organization has run the World Cup of Softball . Devon Park also hosts the NCAA Women's College World Series and the Big 12 Conference softball championship. In 1978, the United States Olympic Committee named USA Softball the national governing body of softball in the United States. Due to this designation, USA Softball is responsible for training, equipping, and promoting
282-495: A triple-crown performance by league MVP Chicago Storm catcher Benny Holt (.690, 89 HRs, 187 RBIs) could overshadow the individual performances by various Caesars. Ilitch made the team even better for 1978, adding Rick Trudeau, Larry Elkins and Chuck Drewicz from Snyder's, a Detroit amateur softball power who had won the 1975 and 1976 USSSA national title (runner-up in 1977). Cleveland manager Tom Bruening said before their season opener, "we'll be overpowered by Detroit. There
329-714: Is a member of the United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame. The APSPL and the NASL then merged to form the United Professional Softball League in 1981, although only Milwaukee came to the new league from the NASL as the other franchises, including the Auto Kings, disbanded. No Detroit team played in 1981 in the UPSL. In 1982, Detroit Softball City , playing at and named for
376-631: Is a not-for-profit organization. The USA softball youth program began in 1974. Over 80,000 teams, 1.3 million players, and 300,000 coaches participate in USA Softball's youth division on an annual basis. The USA Softball adult program began in 1934. With over 170,000 teams, 2.5 million players, and 500,000 coaches involved on an annual basis, the adult program is the largest USA Softball program. USA Softball provides programs of competition for adults including fast pitch, slow pitch and modified pitch for men and women. The National Softball Hall of Fame
423-730: Is no way you can stop them." The Caesars rolled again in 1978 with another league best record, 49–15 (.766), 9 games ahead of the Minnesota Norsemen in the Midwestern Division, and received a first-round bye in the playoffs. In the APSPL semifinals the Caesars again faced Cleveland, winning 2–0 (27–22, 30–24), and advancing to face Minnesota, with the second-best league record, in the World Series. The Caesars would repeat as professional softball champions with
470-707: Is the governing body for the United States national softball team . It is a member of the sport's international governing body, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). In addition, it oversees more than 150,000 amateur teams nationwide. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization . USA Softball was founded in 1933 as the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) with a tournament held in Chicago that
517-632: The Milwaukee Schlitz broke away from the APSPL to form a new league, the North American Softball League, under the leadership of Cleveland Stepien's Competitors owner Ted Stepien . The Cincinnati Suds continued in the reduced numbers of the APSPL. Stepien placed NASL teams in several APSPL markets, including Lexington , Pittsburgh , and Cincinnati . Stepien owned 6 of the 8 teams in the NASL, with only Milwaukee and Fort Wayne having local ownership. The owner of
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#1732798552465564-645: The Pittsburgh Hardhats of the APSPL brought an unsuccessful challenge in federal court in an attempt to prevent splitting the young professional sport. Stepien went into the APSPL markets trying to lure talent away as well. He hired Donnie Rardin, former Kentucky Bourbons player, to play and serve as General Manager for the Lexington Stallions , did the same in Pittsburgh with Roger Snatchko, former Pittsburgh Hardhat, who would lead
611-607: The United States Slowpitch Softball Association (USSSA) Hall of Fame. In 1977, Detroit dominated the league with a league-best record of 42–14, two games ahead of the Kentucky Bourbons ' 40–16 mark. The opening series against the Chicago Storm got attention in the league as the Caesars hit 49 home-runs in winning 3 of a 4-game series in Chicago (28-21, 25–27, 31–18, 46-24). Chicago owner Lou Knudston said of
658-498: The APSPL to form the North American Softball League (NASL) under the leadership of Cleveland owner Ted Stepien. The APSPL continued with just 6 teams (down from 12 in each of the previous 3 seasons). The Detroit Auto Kings , owned by Stepien, were formed as part of the new league and also played at Memorial Field. Several Caesars, including Mike Gouin, Dan Murphy, Tony Mazza and Gary Geister, played for
705-509: The All-UPSL team. That was the last year for professional softball in the US as players once again returned to amateur leagues. Detroit Caesars The Detroit Caesars were a professional softball team played in the American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) from 1977 to 1979. Prior to formalized professional play, Detroit was a hotbed for softball, with some of the top players in
752-544: The Auto Kings along with former Detroit Tiger Mickey Stanley . The Auto Kings advanced to the playoffs with a 34–23 record winning the semifinals 4–1 over Cleveland Stepien's Competitors . Detroit would advance to the NASL World Series and lose to the Milwaukee Schlitz 5–2. Ken Parker of Milwaukee would take the World Series MVP trophy while Ron Olesiak of Chicago was the league MVP. Mike Turk of
799-611: The Auto Kings featured former Detroit Tigers outfielder Mickey Stanley . The Auto Kings advanced to the playoffs with a 35-26 (.574) record, 1st in the Eastern Division. The team catapulted in the standings in August with a 6-game, 3-doubleheader sweep of the Cincinnati Rivermen with strong hitting from Matt Partridge, Dan Murphy, Mike Turk and Gary Geister. The team clinched a playoff berth and first place in
846-520: The Auto Kings was the sole Detroit representative on the 1980 NASL All-Pro team. The NASL and the APSPL merged after the 1980 season to form a new league, the United Professional Softball League (UPSL) , and the Auto Kings disbanded. There was no Detroit team in the 1981 UPSL season. In 1982, Detroit Softball City , playing at and named for a large softball complex on the grounds of the Michigan State Fair , played in
893-539: The Caesars backed up and the rival Milwaukee Schlitz , led by APSPL star Phil Higgins and league and eventual APSPL World Series MVP Rick Weiterman, were ready. Detroit would finish second in the Midwestern Division behind Milwaukee and advanced to play the Cincinnati Suds in the first round of the playoffs winning 3–2 (18–8, 7–8, 11–14, 3–1, 7–6) when the Suds 5-run 7th inning rally came up one run short of tying
940-442: The Caesars had their home games carried by WBRB radio (AM 1430 and FM 102.7) in 1978. Early season injuries to Ron Ford, Mike Nye and Bert Smith had the Caesars off to a less than dominant start in 1979. Rick Trudeau, Charles Mitchell and Mike Gouin were hurt as well, missing 26 games among them. The Caesars also switched radio stations, as WMZK (FM 97.9) carried the club's home games in 1979. A summer hot streak aside,
987-402: The Caesars playing a team of all-stars chosen from all the other teams. The Caesars took the double-header (14-9, 8-3). Ron Ford of Detroit was edged out in the last game of the season by teammate Mike Nye in batting percentage (.654 to .645) to prevent his taking of triple-crown honors, but still took home league MVP. Manager Gary Vitto offered to sit the two Caesars stars in the last game of
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#17327985524651034-476: The Caesars, "they've got a bunch of guys who stand 6'4" and weigh about 280, and they walk up there and whack it out of sight." He proposed modifying stadiums and deadening balls after that first weekend. In the post-season, Detroit and Kentucky received first-round playoff byes and the Caesars beat the Cleveland Jaybirds 2–1 (4–7, 22–5, 8–6) in a tight series as Jaybird pitcher took advantage of
1081-406: The Caesars. Showing his financial commitment to winning, Ilitch even signed Ford and Nye to personal service contracts with Little Caesar's, employing them through the company, and did the same for Cash and Northrup. In 1977, Ford and Nye would make $ 25,000 a year with the Caesars as a result; Northtrup and Cash $ 30,000. The Major League Baseball minimum salary in 1977 was $ 19,000. The team
1128-546: The Detroit NASL team, naming it in honor of the history of Detroit auto manufacturing. Former MLB players Mudcat Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for the league, with Pepitone serving as team President and playing for Chicago Nationwide Advertising . Pepitone was a former player for the Trenton Champales franchise in the APSPL. The NASL would last just one season. The Auto Kings played at
1175-606: The UPSL World Series to Milwaukee 5–1 with the Schlitz led by World Series MVP Dick Laba. Dana Andry of Cleveland was the UPSL MVP and Charles Mitchell of Detroit made the All-UPSL team. That was the last year for professional softball in the US as players once again returned to amateur leagues. American Softball Association USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) and ASA/USA Softball)
1222-505: The UPSL and were led by Charles Mitchell, along with former Caesars Rick Trudeau, Chuck Drewicz, Doug Gerdes, Gary Geister and manager Gary Vitto. Detroit Softball City finished second in the division to Cleveland Competitors with a record of 36–20, advancing to the playoffs against the South Jersey Athletics , winning 3–0 in the first round, and then defeating Cleveland 3–2 in the semi-finals 3–2. Detroit would lose in
1269-416: The World Series MVP. Ron Olesiak (.555, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs) of Chicago Nationwide Advertising was the NASL 1980 MVP. The only two Auto Kings to appear in the top-ten categories were Gary Geister (5th, 31 HRs) and Jerry Gadette (10th, 24 HRs). 3B/SS Mike Turk (.518, 27 HRs, 115 RBIs) was the only Auto King to receive all-league honors in 1980. Matt Partridge (22 HRs) and Gary Geister (31 HRs, 80 RBIs) added to
1316-448: The base paths to 70 feet from 65, moving the pitcher's mound to 49-feet and several of the fields lengthened their dimensions to 315–330 feet from 300-feet in an effort to promote a less power-oriented game. The league also had Detroit and Cleveland use a different ball in home games. Offensive production dropped as a result league wide. On Detroit, Ron Ford's home run total dropped from 80 in 1978 to 43 and RBIs fell from 201 to 122 in
1363-498: The cause. The NASL lasted one season before combining with the APSPL to form a new league, the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). That league disbanded in 1982, bringing an end to the professional era of men's softball in the US as players once again returned to the amateur leagues. Auto King Mike Gouin is a member of the American Softball Association Hall of Fame. In addition, Cal Carmen
1410-465: The country playing in competitive local leagues and for national softball championships. A major sponsor of softball in the Detroit area was Little Caesar's Pizza , whose team had won the 1970 Amateur Softball Association national title with future Caesars Mike Gouin, Tex Collins, and Tony Mazza. Little Caesar's was founded and owned by Mike Ilitch , a former Detroit Tigers farmhand and later
1457-428: The first game by Schlitz Jim Dillard. In the seventh game, Detroit fought back from an early Milwaukee lead on a home-run by Gary Gesiter to take a late, lead, but then a two-run inning from Milwaukee in the 8th inning, with a sacrifice fly by Ken Parker, gave Milwaukee the 9-8 series-clinching win. The series would go to the Schlitz 5–2 (19–11, 10–12, 12–16, 22–13, 13–4, 12–3, 11–9) with Ken Parker (.586 BA) of Milwaukee
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1504-638: The game. Detroit advanced to the semifinals, losing to the surging Schlitz 3–0 (11–5, 7–4, 5–1). Milwaukee went on to beat the Kentucky Bourbons 5–3 in the APSPL World Series, broadcast nationwide on the new start-up sports network ESPN . Detroit Caesar and former Detroit Tiger Jim Price was part of the broadcast team for the series. ESPN Broadcast, 1979 APSPL World Series, Game 8, Milwaukee at Kentucky The APSPL had also instituted several rule changes in 1979, including moving
1551-723: The highest level of college softball competition between the disbandment of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women in 1982 until the NCAA started sanctioning the sport in 1985. The University of South Florida won the National Championship in both years under the ASA. On June 30, 2016, the Amateur Softball Association of ASA/USA Softball announced that it would be changing its organizational and trade name to "USA Softball", effective on January 1, 2017, along with
1598-534: The larger Trechter Stadium in Cincinnati to negate the power-game of Detroit in the opener. Gary Geister hit a pair of 3-run homers to lead a blowout in the second game, and then delivered a 2-run home-run in the 4th inning of the 3rd and deciding game to take the series. Detroit advanced to the first professional softball World Series against the Baltimore Monuments and hosted the series with
1645-648: The league-best record. The Caesars would dominate the series and win 4–0 (18–16, 13–8, 25–16, 28–11) with Mike Nye (.600, 2 HRs) taking the MVP trophy. Six Caesars made the all-league team - Mike Gouin (.561 BA, 35 HRs, 124 RBIs), Ron Ford (.607, 85 HRs, 184 RBIs, 150 runs scored), Mike Nye (.659, 36 HRs, 104 RBIs), Bert Smith (.512, 53 HRs, 122 RBIs), Tony Mazza (23-6 pitching record) and Doug Gerdes (.599, 60 HRs, 124 RBIs). Caesars Jim Mitchell (.603, 37 HRs, 77 RBIs), Al Gibson (.527, 26 HRs, 60 RBIs) and Tex Collins (.569, 61 HRs, 119 RBIs) had excellent seasons in support. Only
1692-536: The new Pittsburgh Champions and much the same in Cincinnati with former Cincinnati Sud Mike LaFever as player and General Manager. Detroit was much less contentious as the Detroit Caesars had folded after the 1979 season, allowing the NASL Detroit Auto Kings to take over as the professional softball team, with former Caesars outfielder Mike Gouin managing the team. Stepien formed and owned
1739-662: The owner of the MLB team, one of several professional sports teams he was eventually to own. The Caesars were his first independent step into professional sports ownership. Ilitch has previously been part-owner of the Detroit Wheels , a football team that played in the World Football League for the 1974 season, and a member of a 33-person ownership group that included Motown singer Marvin Gaye . The APSPL
1786-413: The playoffs against the South Jersey Athletics , winning 3-0 in the first round, and then defeating Cleveland 3–2 in the semi-finals. Detroit would lose in the UPSL World Series to Milwaukee 5–1 with the Schlitz led by World Series MVP Dick Laba (.667 BA). Dana Andry of Cleveland (.618, 65 HRs, 128 RBIs, 125 runs scored, 46-17 pitching) was the UPSL MVP and Charles Mitchell (59 HRs, 133 RBIs) of Detroit made
1833-484: The same field as the Detroit Caesars , Memorial Field in East Detroit, and the Auto Kings roster featured several members of Detroit Caesar teams including outfielder Dan Murphy, third-baseman Gary Geister, outfielder Mike Gouin, first-baseman Cal Carmen, and pitcher Tony Mazza. Mike Gouin also served as team manager. Continuing the Caesars tradition of former Detroit Tigers turning to play professional softball,
1880-625: The same number of league games and Ford still led the league in both categories, even with missing 21 games due to injury. Ford batted .617, but was not officially recognized as the batting champion due to not having enough at bats for eligibility, missing out on the triple crown as a result. Four Caesars took all-league honors - Ron Ford (.617, 43 HRs, 122 RBIs), Mike Nye (.503, 78 runs scored), Doug Gerdes (.500, 31 HRs, 97 RBIs) and Rick Trudeau (.549 BA). Cal Carmen (.511, 4 HRs, 32 RBIs) and Gary Geister (.464, 28 HRs, 78 RBIs) had good seasons as well. Despite strong attendance and fan interest, Ilitch
1927-475: The season as they were essentially tied for the battle title, but they elected to play and compete on the field. Ford went 2-5 and Nye 6–6 with two grand slams to take the batting crown. Detroit owner Ilitch made news in 1978 when he offered $ 30,000 for the contract of former MLB player Joe Pepitone of the Trenton Statesmen . The offer was rejected. After having no broadcast coverage in 1977,
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1974-564: The six USA softball national teams that compete in events such as the Olympics, Pan American Games, World Championships and other international and domestic events. In 1996, the USA softball women's national team became the first American softball team to compete in the Olympics. Team USA has 15 players and 3 replacement players currently on roster. USA Softball registers over 120,000 softball teams adding up to about 2 million players. USA Softball
2021-542: Was dedicated May 26, 1973, in Oklahoma City. It has 337 members, including players, managers, umpires, and other suitable individuals. USA Softball publishes an updated rule book for softball each year which is widely used by adult and youth recreational leagues in the United States and abroad. The USA Softball rules were also used for the softball competition when it was an Olympic sport between 1996 and 2008 . The most recent Olympics to feature softball, in 2021, used
2068-779: Was formed by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne , who would go on to form the Women's Professional Basketball League . Former New York Yankees player Whitey Ford was brought on to serve as league commissioner. The Caesars would play at Memorial Field in East Detroit , a small suburb of Detroit, and with promotions tied in with the pizza chain, Ilitch signed former Detroit Tiger stars, Jim Northrup , Mickey Stanley , Jim Price and Norm Cash to play part-time and promotional roles to boost attendance. Amateur all-world softball players Mike Nye, Ron Ford, Bert Smith, Mike Gouin and Tex Collins were signed to play for
2115-909: Was led by manager Gary Vitto, and the Caesars would win two World Series titles before disbanding after the 1979 season. Vitto would go on to serve as General Manager of the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League and then served in the front office of the Detroit Tigers until his death in 2001. Five members of the Detroit Caesars are in the American Softball Association Hall of Fame - Mike Gouin, Carl "Tex" Collins, Mike Nye, Ron Ford and Bert Smith. In addition, former Caesars Cal Carmen, Gary Vitto and Chuck Drewicz are members of
2162-522: Was losing money on the team. Cleveland owner Ted Stepien intended to split the young professional sport, forming a new league, which Pittsburgh Hardhats ownership challenged in court. Stepien even offered to buy the Caesars from Ilitch for $ 100,000, but Ilitch would not sell the team with the Caesars name. Weary of the in-fighting, Ilitch disbanded the Caesars after three seasons. Instability in other markets and internal political fighting saw three teams (Fort Wayne, Cleveland and Milwaukee) leave
2209-457: Was organized by Leo Fischer and Michael J. Pauley. The following year, the 1934 National Recreation Congress recognized the ASA. Shortly afterward, the ASA was located in Newark, New Jersey . A world amateur softball tournament was held by the ASA at Chicago's Soldier Field on September 7, 1939. The ASA relocated to its new headquarters in Oklahoma City on January 1, 1966. The ASA sponsored
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