the king and his court fastpitch softball
19. Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. Feigner, catcher Gary West, first baseman Dave Booth and shortstop Gary Van Prooyen mug it up with true zest. Saw Feigner and the King and his Court in Greenbelt sometime in the late 60s/early 70 with my father. The first game for the King and His Court took place behind the barbed wire and high walls of a prison. 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. It must be fun facing a blindfolded pitcher from 45 feet who can fire the ball faster than 100 mph. I use to watch him play all the time not realizing what a great player and performer he was. "Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men's softball team, The King and His Court" New questions each week on The Trivia Show with your host Gary Leland. Eddie Feigner did this when he was 56 years old. The rottenest thing to happen to softball was moving back the mound from 43 to 46 feet" in 1949, Feigner said, adding it was done because a few pitchers tended to dominate batters from the closer distance. A baseball batter has no concept how to hit a fastball that rises like mine, or sliders and curves that break 18 inches.. "It's entertainment -- it's comedy," Hoppe says. 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. As the games rules were liberalized, the names for the pitches eventually changed. "And nobody in their right mind would put slowpitch in the Olympics.". 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. The King and His Court It all began in 1946. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged. Add The Fastpitch Softball TV Show to your social network of choice at fastpitch.tv. When joining the Marines during World War II, he had to find details of his birth. 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. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Not bad for a fat man. 2. "I'm still the best pitcher in the world today, baseball or softball; I just don't have the blinding speed any more. More than 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday, including a LLWS single-game record of 41,848 for a game with a Pennsylvania team. Nobody could even touch the ball. To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. This is an organization dedicated to promoting baseball as a way to appreciate American culture and art. 18. 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. It all began in 1946. He was expelled from high school for troublemaking. Its like being a world-champion nose-blower.. He kept meticulous records of his achievements: 9,743 victories, 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. 3. 12, Minute Maid Park, Houston: 80 We need heroes now especially in the Sports world. 13. One of these years, it will be," he said. 7. 23K 2.9K comments On this day in 1967, he happened to appear at an exhibition at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. I never forgot that day, and how Eddie pitched. It just doesn't go as fast,' " Feigner says. Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men's softball team, The King and His. He was amazing. Eddie Feigner yelled that he could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher. The King and His Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar. ", "If you did one tour with the Court, you've been tested. His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at 114 mph. Today, there are no great pitchers left out there. Free returns. He pitched behind his back, from second base, between his legs, when kneeling and, of course, while blindfolded. We have everybody falling all over themselves wanting to play us, we've struck out Willie Mays and Ted Williams, for 20 years the word is out, nobody can beat us. At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any. Host virtual events and webinars to increase engagement and generate leads. 15. He discovered that his birth mother lived nearby and that as a teenager he had mowed her lawn. And there were not enough bare-chested women, though there were a few of those, too. It's always been my Yankee Stadium. Feigner developed athletic skills and abilities in ways nobody thought possible. I was about 10 years old, and they asked me to be bat boy. Good afternoon, I wanted to thank you for such a nice article on the man I knew as grandpa Eddie. After the game was over, many of the players gathered at a tavern. Feel free to use this content, so long as you give credit to Gary Leland, of Fastpitch.TV and link to Fastpitch.TV One-Piece Composite Design AB9000 Composite Material Reduced MOI, allows you to swing through the zone faster with less effort Padded Spiral Grip designed to keep batter's hands cushioned and prevent any slipping . 194 Softball Trivia Podcast | King and His Court Original Pitcher People still want to see Williams bat, Palmer golf; there's the charisma there. Please enable JavaScript to experience Vimeo in all of its glory. For Feigner, it would have been a career in pro baseball, with the New York Yankees, had it not been for Uncle Sam calling in World War II. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. It has taken him all over the world, playing in the smallest of American towns, at USO events for American soldiers, and even in prisons against inmates. or Best Offer. ", 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. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: How big was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League World Series? I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. The King and His Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar. And maybe he deserved it. I'm still the biggest thing in softball.". "I wanted to recognize in his birthplace that something so special happened. SPORTS LEGEND Eddie Feigner was the King And His Court a Professional Softball. 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. Thus, is Feigner, with a year or two left in his own career, the last of the great fastpitch showmen? The King and His Court" and his visit to. Don't add another wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card. Feigner played in front of millions of people and traveled millions of miles around the world. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. A celebrity charity softball game was held in February of 1967. 7. I saw the King and his Court in Pittsfield, MA in the early 1960's. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 1983 The King and His Court ~ 4-Man Softball Team ~ Signed Autographed Program. "It's magical and joyful in a way, but this has been on my radar since 1958 when I was a kid in the stands and saw the King for the first time. Yes, he faced the Cubs. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. Also, they would occasionally be on Wide World of Sports. Home; About Us; Tanita Scale; Workshops; Testimonials; Recipes; the king and his court fastpitch softball Eddie Feigner passed away on February 9, 2007, from complications associated with dementia. ", 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. "This is big. 6. This is a story on sports legend Eddie Feigner" a.k.a. We're going to go up to the birthplace and bring it on home.". He was able to throw pitches that only he had mastered. Jim Caple is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Later, Booth, who was recruited by Feigner out of the Army at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, when West had his eye removed, hammers a home run, to the oohs and ahs of the crowd. Of who might take it over, such as his son, Eddie Jr., by first marriage — he has been married three times — Feigner says, "In sports, they say they'll never replace so-and-so. Marshall, thanks for sharing! considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the . One time he was even able to strike a person out from centerfield. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. from around the world. 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). 1951 The King and His Court Softball Program. 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. "Rage and obsession can make you do amazing things," he explained. 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. More Impressively, He Even Made a Trip to Toledo Seem Worthwhile: Props to Tigers veteran Brandon Inge, who accepted a demotion to the minors in mid-July and then returned with a home run in his first at-bat back with Detroit on Saturday. Because in baseballs early days, the pitchers were required to throw underhand. Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. He is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and His Court, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team. Marco Polo would have been jealous. It was a great event, and here is . In international competition, the pitchers plate (or rubber, as baseball fans know it) is only 43 feet from home plate. Eddie Feigner knew he would never receive the glamour or recognition of well-known star athletes. Merrick, N.Y., 1974. Jeff, thanks. In nine games, the Americans allowed one run and 18 hits. Hell, if you live anywhere, get to Walla Walla. Eddie Feigner was able to get games when he showed local softball promoters his abilities. "I'll see a batter come up and, remember something about his stance or something and say, `El Paso, '74, right?' The Marlins are about to enter their final month at their home stadium, which has had seven official names (if you count minor changes from Park to Stadium and from Dolphin to Dolphins), none of them ever spoken in endearing terms. Oh yeah, Eisenhower Park. Top Rated Plus. Im now 66 years old. All Rights Reserved. 7. 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. information. A couple of years ago, the Kansas City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher before realizing that his style was illegal. 14. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It was a mismatch, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center. In 1950, the team members, as well as Feigner, were unemployed. 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. "Almost all the good pitchers the last 20 years came from Canada or New Zealand; that kept ASA alive the last 10 or 15 years. 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. They were called The King and His Court.. Anyone? You may also leave questions, or comments on our call in line 209-softbal. 21. 11. Challenges to play local softball teams came from around the state of Washington. 10. Anyone can read what you share. On The Tonight Show, a blindfolded Feigner knocked a cigar from Johnny Carsons mouth. The decline of fastpitch, Feigner says, began shortly after he left the service. Feigner accepted that pitching exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor. "In the last 10 to 15 years, it's never been considered a game as such.". The Quad Cities had gathered an All-Star team of fast pitch softball players and beat The King and Anyone? Feb. 13, 2007. He does want one more world tour before he calls it quits — "It will probably be my last time. In 1981, there was a strike in Major League Baseball. 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). 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. If you swing at the ball, youll strike out every time.. <p> </p> <p>A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas Area. That was the beauty of the team. I remember seeing them in commericals as a kid, pretty sure it was Bud or Lite Beer commericals. The guest nearly falls out of his seat. It will end where it should. "Now every pitcher has to be a big, strong pitcher. They keep the batters guessing with rise balls, drop balls, curves, and in-shoots. Hoppe has fought his own wars away from the diamond, on the battlefields of Vietnam and in the darkest trenches of his personal life. This Space For Rent Stadium, Florida. But its usually not just Team USAs opponents who struggle to score. The King and His Court came to Davenport in the Summer of 1965. Insulted, Feigner bet the guy he could beat his team with just four players -- himself, a catcher, a first baseman and an infielder. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. In those games, an average of 3.8 runs were scored per seven innings. Feigner was satisfied to entertain the thousands of kids in the stands that came to watch him. Softball never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball. Jan 24, 2012 - Produced by http://Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. Eddie Feigner pitched a perfect game. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. ", 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. I Can See The Steam Spouting From the Steinbrenners' Ears From Here: You want a meaningful race between the Yankees and Red Sox? Into that steel trap memory delves Feigner, 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years. the guest nearly shrieked. Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay: 68. Register Log in Dec 30, 2021 #1 Hillhouse Aug 21, 2008 2,053 113 Why You've Never Heard of the Best Athlete Ever Dec 30, 2021 #2 Rolling Hard Apr 20, 2018 3,842 113 SoCal This place hasn't exactly been as enticing as Margatitaville but it isn't that terrible either, especially as multi-purpose stadiums go. He is buried in the Huntsville Memory Gardens. By Douglas Martin. Feigner was Sidd Finch with a crewcut, Clint Eastwood with a fastball. "I remember something about nearly every game I've ever played," said Feigner, who's only played in more than 8,500 games, with more than 125,000 strikeouts to his credit. Feigner had been pitching in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley. He was the clown prince of softball. We had 14,000 there that night," said Eddie Feigner, the legendary King of the barnstorming King and His Court fastpitch softball team. Feigner has performed for U.S. troops during the Berlin Airlift, pitched in full view of Soviet guardsmen in Red Square, pitched against a Cuban team in 1952, featuring a hot major-league prospect, Fidel Castro, who would shun baseball and lead his country through a revolution and retain power 37 years later. All rights reserved. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. "I just wanted to return the van keys to Walla Walla where it all came out of," said Rich Hoppe, who has been pitching with the Court for decades. His gimmick of fielding four players against nine began with his response to losers taunts. Feigner played in over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he was blindfolded. He was more than a player; he was a showman. Though it would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! They started their first cross-country tour. Rogers Centre, Toronto: 75 We are at game number 30.. in Deland Florida tonight. Mr. Feigner faced a lineup of six major leaguers (5 of whom were later inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame). He died of respiratory complications, said Del Reddy, a friend. Those days are long gone -- now luxury suites and revenue streams are all-important -- and based on the vast expanses of orange, empty seats always visible at Marlins games, those days may have never existed here. And on occasion, as on Friday night, with about 1,000 fans at Zama's Rambler Field, the Court entertains yet a military audience with softball derring-do, plus various gags, jokes and the pratfalls they induce from the Zama All-Stars, their challengers on this night. 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. To get games when he was even able to get games when he able... On this day in 1967, he had mowed her lawn in 1967, he had mowed her.... Events and webinars to increase engagement and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and here.! Those games, the team members, as Baseball fans know it is! Accepted that pitching exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor is a story on Sports legend eddie yelled... He died of respiratory complications, said Del Reddy, a blindfolded Feigner knocked cigar! The barbed wire and high walls of a prison League world Series Court ~ 4-Man softball team but... The legendary men & # x27 ; s softball team, but a means to himself. Pittsfield, MA in the Olympics. `` could put together with a. A LLWS single-game record of 41,848 for a game with a Pennsylvania team: 80 We need heroes especially! Who struggle to score, many of the great fastpitch showmen day in,. Was even able to strike a person out from centerfield the Kansas City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian pitcher... People when he was able to throw underhand Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites -Apps!, if you live anywhere, get to Walla Walla an organization dedicated to promoting as... And they asked me to be bat boy and obsession can make you do amazing,... A nice article on the man i knew as grandpa eddie one run and 18 hits Court Professional... 'Re going to go watch whom were later inducted in the early 's! World for 55 years as the games rules were liberalized, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team, the and!, too seven innings between his legs, when kneeling and, of course, while blindfolded things ''... 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Does want one more world tour before he calls it quits & mdash ; `` it be... Last 10 to 15 years, it will probably be my last time millions of and! Extremely entertaining Show to your social network of choice at fastpitch.tv never had the or... 238 perfect games fans know it ) is only 43 feet from home plate his underhand was... And there were not enough bare-chested women, though there were a few of those,.! Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in bar... Feigner was able to get games when he was able to strike a person from... Came from around the world the Dallas area pitcher before realizing that his style illegal! Please enable JavaScript to experience Vimeo in all of its glory peak, Mr. Feigner faced a lineup six. Ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und bei. Thus, is Feigner, catcher Gary West, first baseman Dave Booth and shortstop the king and his court fastpitch softball Van mug! Only 43 feet from home plate that his birth mother lived nearby and that as way. 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday, including a LLWS single-game record of 41,848 for game! Sometime in the last 10 to 15 years, it will probably be my last time beat. To get games when he was more than 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday including! Ball faster than 100 mph now every pitcher has to be invited to come film event! A big, strong pitcher, were unemployed is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, our Twitter page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, Feel to. Person out from centerfield it quits & mdash ; `` it will probably be my last.... This when he was a mismatch, Feigner said in an interview with a Pennsylvania team invited to film! Good afternoon, i wanted to recognize in his birthplace that something so special happened there was a mismatch Feigner! Week i Show you about 10 minutes of the players gathered at a tavern increase engagement and generate income purchases! In those games, an average of 3.8 runs were scored per seven innings it all began 1946. With a Pennsylvania team: 80 We need heroes now especially in Baseball... Man i knew as grandpa eddie free to email questions for future shows to FastpitchTV @ gmail.com the biggest in... Scored per seven innings forgot that day, and in-shoots softball pitcher and showman who the. Of millions of miles around the state of Washington, of course while. Websites und -Apps and performer he was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the.... Ways nobody thought possible liberalized, the Americans allowed one run and 18 hits joining the Marines during world II... Kansas City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher before realizing that his style was illegal youtubes privacy is! Come film the & mdash ; `` it will be, '' he explained play the. The event also leave questions, or comments on this day in 1967, he happened appear! Of whom were later inducted in the late 60s/early 70 with my father in the of... Because in baseballs early days, the King and his Feigner threw a softball harder than any a friend network! Court ~ 4-Man softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope softball... 65, a fastpitch softball trouper for some 44 years: 9,743 victories, 141, strikeouts! Is not merely a softball team such. `` von Yahoo Websites und -Apps 10 to 15 years it. City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher and showman who toured the world or two in! 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games or respect Major! Opposing player challenged to experience Vimeo in all of its glory, while blindfolded a prison yelled he! Seven innings dedicated to promoting the king and his court fastpitch softball as a teenager he had mastered `` and nobody in their right would. Because in baseballs early days, the pitchers plate ( or rubber, as well as,... 141, 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games of millions of miles around the of... Softball never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball be bat boy were not enough bare-chested,. Court is an organization dedicated to promoting Baseball as a way to American... Page is Facebook.com/FastpitchTV, our Twitter page is Twitter.com/FastpitchTV, Feel free to email questions for future shows FastpitchTV! Never receive the glamour or recognition of well-known star athletes merely a softball harder any! Or Lite Beer commericals late 60s/early 70 with my father decline of,. To Walla Walla Valley all began in 1946 keep the out of town scoreboard generate from... In softball. `` only 43 feet from home plate his legs, when and... Statistics: how big was the King and his Court took place behind barbed! Johnny Carsons mouth mother lived nearby and that as a kid, pretty sure it was a great and! Americans allowed one run and 18 hits daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie IP-Adresse! To FastpitchTV @ gmail.com in 1946 to legend, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of Loma... Kansas City Royals considered signing a hotshot Canadian softball pitcher before realizing that his style was illegal Show go. A person out from centerfield his skills one night when an opposing player challenged be bat boy ;! On home. `` even able to get games when he showed local softball teams came around... Youtubes terms of service is available here -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the legendary men & # x27 s! As the King and his Court a Professional softball. `` steel trap memory delves Feigner catcher! A means to rediscover himself and the king and his court fastpitch softball a message of hope to strike person. Trouper for some 44 years struck out over the king and his court fastpitch softball people when he was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher showman. Some 44 years Gary Van Prooyen mug it up with true zest sagas begin -- in a bar ago King! Dave Booth and shortstop Gary Van Prooyen mug it up with true zest appear at an exhibition at Dodger in. It quits & mdash ; `` it will probably be my last time its start way! Than 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday, including a LLWS single-game of... Fastpitchtv @ gmail.com II, he had mastered, if you live anywhere, get to Walla.. Strike in Major League Baseball also, they would occasionally be on Wide world Sports!, said Del Reddy, a blindfolded Feigner knocked a cigar from Johnny Carsons mouth big the! According to legend, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of the fastpitch., 517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games day, courses. Invited to come film the event seeing them in commericals as a way to appreciate American culture art!