Eddie Feigner did this when he was 56 years old. "I was a broken man.". Starbucks won't go to towns the Court does. Which isnt to say there arent great hittersof course there are. Don't add another wild card and a hokey one-game playoff -- just eliminate the wild card. 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. They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of . Feigner agreed, and the only stipulation was that Feigner needed four players to bat in case the bases were loaded. And, of course, Feigner later pitches blindfolded, from second base and gives a clinic on the differences between fastpitch and slowpitch, the latter for which he professes no love. "It's entertainment -- it's comedy," Hoppe says. 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). ", 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. They had 4 players and would play teams of 9 guys. In 2000, the same magazine ranked the King and His Court as the United States eighth-greatest team of the 20th century. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged. 21. "YEAH, THAT'S why I'm gonna steal," retorts Booth, to the delight of the crowd. All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. Anne Marie, Feigners fourth wife, became the first woman on the team. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. Sports Illustrated once called Eddie Feigner one of the most underrated athletes of our time. 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. He and a changing supporting cast that included only a catcher, first baseman and shortstop eventually logged more than 4 million miles, covering 50 states and more than 100 countries to play in front of 200 million people. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. 22. Bueller? Eddie Feigner, Hard-Throwing, Barnstorming Showman of Softball, Dies at 81, https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/sports/othersports/13feigner.html. Basketball has the Harlem Globetrotters. "Rage and obsession can make you do amazing things," he explained. "Now every pitcher has to be a big, strong pitcher. I'm still the biggest thing in softball.". "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. You get a fragment from an old box score and the challenge of determining what game it is from and why it is significant. Camden Yards, Baltimore: 92 He threw an in-raise as well as an in-drop pitches others couldn't figure out how to throw. HE HAS carried over the years more than 30 players at one time or another in his troupe, including three former major leaguers. 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. The toughest thing in sports is to hit a round ball with a round bat when the round ball is thrown underhand from 40 feet away. In 1950, the team members, as well as Feigner, were unemployed. "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. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. Eddie Feigner, who for 60 years barnstormed the globe with his four-man softball team, hurling 100-mile-an-hour pitches that struck out Willie Mays and 141,516 . ), Fernandez, perhaps the greatest softball pitcher ever, faced major league all-star David Justice after the 1996 Olympics and struck him out on three pitches. Anyone? The players Feigner chose for his team were people he'd known since fourth grade. "In the last 10 to 15 years, it's never been considered a game as such.". "Merrick? <p> </p> <p>A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas Area. Yes, he faced the Cubs. 4. 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. Individuals inducted into the Shrine of the Eternals must have altered how the world views the game of baseball. If you swing at the ball, youll strike out every time.. He quickly became a successful businessman and got back into softball, but his alcohol and drug addictions intensified. And maybe he deserved it. Either that, or an outtake from "Twilight 4: Team Timmy No-Hits Team Edward.'' This place hasn't exactly been as enticing as Margatitaville but it isn't that terrible either, especially as multi-purpose stadiums go. Their popularity kept growing. My favorite was Land Shark Stadium, which it was called for one year after a deal with Jimmy Buffet. Bayonne native Rich Hoppe, a member of the fast-pitch softball team the King and His Court, on the diamond at Memorial Park in Linden last week. ", 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. His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at 114 mph. Eddie Feigner was asked to participate. 5. Eddie Feigner knew he would never receive the glamour or recognition of well-known star athletes. He died of respiratory complications, said Del Reddy, a friend. During the game, Eddie Feigner managed to strike out Maury Wills, Willie McCovey, Harmon Killebrew, Brooks Robinson, and Roberto Clemente. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Eddie Feigner was still anxious to play. Any organization they thought would sponsor a softball game got a letter from them. (And don't rule out the Rays grabbing this year's wild card spot yet.) 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. What amazed most fans that day was how he was able to strike out all of them in a row. After decades of popularity, fast-pitch mens softball lost ground to slow pitch (a sissy game, Feigner said) and to womens fast pitch. (R.J. Oriez/Stars and Stripes), The King and His Court, led by Eddie Feigner, entertain the crowd at Camp Zama, Japan, in May, 1989. 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. (Its worth noting, though, that pitchers dont dominate the game to the same extent in mens fast-pitch softball. Eddie Feignerthe star of the famous barnstorming team The King and His Courtwas supposedly once clocked at 104 mph, and in a two-inning exhibition in 1967, he struck out Willie Mays, Willie . With all that said, Feigner was amazing. Softball never had the following or respect of Major League Baseball. Many writers and others in the sports world have considered Eddie Feigner to be the best softball pitcher the sport has ever known. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. This Space For Rent, Florida 73 "I went to the other side," Hoppe said, referring to his mental state. 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. It's always been my Yankee Stadium. I wonder if he wanted to be a MLB player if he would have done so well. If you live anywhere in the Northwest, go to Walla Walla this Saturday to see the end of an era. Miller Park, Milwaukee 77 This didn't stop them. Because he had already been in starting lineup though, Oswalt went into the box score with this award-winning line: Oswalt started the next night and threw eight scoreless innings. "It was like being on the Rolling Stones, only with a softball.". "It became my anchor," Hoppe said. It took me years to talk about it," Hoppe said. Larry, thanks. For softball training videos, training aids, softball equipment, or softball bats visit softballjunk.com/. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum: 74 They started their first cross-country tour. He stands blindfolded, some 40 feet from home plate, gleefully hurling pitch after pitch at weary batters as fans in Linden's Memorial Park cheer on the peculiar feat. He still signed free autograph after free autograph, as his players hustled programs. I saw the King and his Court in Jasper, Alabama in the early 1960s. Feb. 11, 2007 12 AM PT From the Associated Press Eddie Feigner, the hard-throwing softball showman who barnstormed for more than 50 years with "The King and His Court" four-man team, has. The guest nearly falls out of his seat. During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. He was abandoned as an infant and was named Myrle King by his adoptive parents. He couldn't be a showman and entertainer as well as an athlete if he played professional sports. In the aftermath of his brother's death, Hoppe faced down his addictions and got his life back on track. He's been with the King and His Court ever since. He was Philly's scheduled starter Friday night but there was such a lengthy rain delay between when he warmed up and when the Phillies finally took the field that manager Charlie Manuel decided it was better to skip him for the night. this page was set up to honor the best pitcher in the history of men's fastpitch softball.Eddie was the "King" in his own right.With a list of achievements that will never be topped.In his. Feigner was able to play an exhibition game in front of more than 15,500 fans at the Silverdome located in Pontiac, Michigan. NO MAS NO MAS Tribute To Sugar Ray Leonard, L Es Stories He Talks Black, Lives White and Thinks Green.Cuz Even Crooks Can Be Patriotic The Story Of Boxing Promoter Extraordinaire Don King, L Es Stories From Humble Beginnings To Being The Marvelous One The Story Of Marvin Hagler, Boxing 1987 Larry Merchant Claims Judge Joe Guerra Saw A Fight Nobody Else Saw Leonard Vs Hagler, L Es Stories From The New Bethel Baptist Church To The Queen Of Soul Tribute To Aretha Franklin, L Es Stories Lonesome George & Spooky Old Alice The Story of George Gobel, Music 1986 The Shmenge Brothers Cabbage Rolls And Coffee With John Candy + Eugene Levy, L Es Stories A Kid Called Pork Chop Becomes A Beloved And Revered Legend Of The Highest Order Called Hammerin Hank The Story Of Henry Aaron, Comedy 1978 Skit Roseanne Roseannadana On Unwanted Things In Your Food Order. He would be able to pitch against some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball. My dad took me to that game at what is now Modern Woodman Park on river front. I give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0. Hoppe said he relied on a mixture of Vietnamese marijuana and black tar heroin to cope with the emotional and psychological damage that the incident and the war had on him. He made Nolan Ryan look like a Little Leaguer. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The King and His Court got its start the way so many wonderful sagas begin -- in a bar. In 1972, Sports Illustrated called Feigner, who pitched 238 perfect games, the most underrated athlete of his time. 194 Softball Trivia Podcast | King and His Court Original Pitcher Nobody could even touch the ball. At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any. Distance, time, and uncertainty. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. To Hoppe, it is not merely a softball team, but a means to rediscover himself and spread a message of hope. In nine games, the Americans allowed one run and 18 hits. During a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, Eddie Feigner faced a lineup of six big leaguers. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. But Hoppe's story is about more than just trick pitches and entertaining a crowd. The Court has been around since the Chicago Cubs still were the reigning National League champs, and it has played in nearly 4,000 cities and in more than 150 countries. Hearing a woman or child say they loved watching him pitch meant more to Feigner than any big-league contract. The King and His Court touring team played over ten thousand softball games in a hundred countries from the late 1940s to the beginning of the 21st century..while achieving widespread fame similar to that of theHarlem Globetrotters.as Feigners meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. The four players of the King and His Court easily beat the nine-player prison team 7-0. The Marlins will be hard-pressed to equal their two World Series championship at their new ballpark that opens next season. He even pitched blindfolded from second base for one inning. The Official Site of - The King & His Court: Original 4-Man Softball Team check it out, contact Jason for info on booking 508-735-2878 ext 113 Enthralled by what he saw, Hoppe hooked up with Feigner's crew for Midwest tours the following two summers. "The King changed my life, and he was the toughest guy I've ever been around. Anyone? During the following four years, the King and His Court played over 200 games but traveled no further than Idaho. Saw Feigner and the King and his Court in Greenbelt sometime in the late 60s/early 70 with my father. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The team started by traveling around the United States, Canada, and Mexico to play local softball teams. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Feigner was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 26, 1925. Yankee Stadium, New York: 79 The softball team was very popular with audiences because they performed funny tricks that made the fans laugh. Feigner accepted that pitching exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor. Hey, I'm a big Tim Lincecum fan but this card (2010 Topps 206, No. So do yourself a favor this weekend. Over the years, the Court played everywhere, with Feigner firing his 100-plus mph heater (once measured at 112 mph) from behind his back, through his legs, from second base and even while blindfolded. "This is big. All rights reserved (About Us). Hoppe is a natural lefty who lost full use of the arm in Vietnam and taught himself how to pitch right-handed. Feigner died in 2007, but his team has continued on without him, like the Glenn Miller Orchestra or Lynyrd Skynyrd (roughly three dozen players have played for the Court over the years). Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: How big was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League World Series? 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. Jan 24, 2012 - Produced by http://Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. Power your marketing strategy with perfectly branded videos to drive better ROI. You can see highlights of the King and His Court from about 50 years ago here and a news report from about 15 years ago here. (Theyre currently on a 79-game winning streak.) 2023 Stars and Stripes. Not bad for a fat man. 1951 The King and His Court Softball Program. It just doesn't go as fast,' " Feigner says. On February 18, 1967, Feigner appeared in a celebrity charity softball game against manyMajor Leagueplayers.in which, Feigner retired from pitching after suffering astrokein 2000 but continued to tour with his team, acting asemceeand telling stories while the team played. He struck out all six in succession. 3. Patrick Villanova/The Jersey Journal He stands blindfolded, some 40 feet from home plate, gleefully hurling pitch after pitch at weary batters as fans in Linden's Memorial Park cheer on the peculiar . Im now 66 years old. Though it would be nice if Florida ownership could have found the money to keep the out of town scoreboard. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Poster promoting Eddie Feigner's "King and His Court.". Progressive Field, Cleveland: 82 Will King and His Court die when he retires? She survives him, as do his son Eddie Jr.; his daughters Shirley, Carol and Debbie; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. According to legend, Feigner was bragging up his skills one night when an opposing player challenged his abilities. Now they're all in their 40s. Because in baseballs early days, the pitchers were required to throw underhand. This episodes trivia question is a simple one, so now its time to play! No town was too small for them, no fans too unimportant. As the team ate and slept in their station wagon, they discovered something in El Paso, TX. Score isn't kept, and in fact, you're likely to see Hoppe or one of his teammates run from first base across the infield to third, bypassing second base altogether, to the laughter and enjoyment of the crowd. He pitched behind his back, from second base, between his legs, when kneeling and, of course, while blindfolded. Visit the Fastpitch TV Show's website at Fastpitch.TV, You can find our softball iPhone App at FastpitchApps.com, Don't forget to visit our other softball websites, Free fastpitch video drills FastpitchDrills.com, A search engine for softball - FastpitchSearch.com, This content is provided with a Creative Commons Share-Alike License. I also fear Buck Showalter's head would probably explode if a player showed up looking like this. Marco Polo would have been jealous. I use to watch him play all the time not realizing what a great player and performer he was. Hell, if you live anywhere, get to Walla Walla. 7. Then those two teams will really have something to play for. But its usually not just Team USAs opponents who struggle to score. Become an Annual VIP member today and get access to VIP content, ad-free forums & more. Of the entertainment factor, Feigner says, "The difference between us and the Globetrotters is, they have to hire their opponents, call them the Washington Generals or the California Chiefs. This Amateur Softball Association (ASA) had forbidden its members to play against Eddie Feigner and his team. Add The Fastpitch Softball TV Show to your social network of choice at fastpitch.tv. Though the Americans did much better this time around with 51 runs in nine games, when great players face off, softball is clearly a pitchers game. 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 In softball, there are no famous hitters, only famous pitchers. He's been interviewed by Red Smith, Mike Douglas, Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan and the guy Feigner says gave him his first significant interview, Grantland Rice. He left the military in 1944. Busch Stadium, St. Louis: 78 Free 3 day shipping. Eddie Feigner passed away on February 9, 2007, from complications associated with dementia. 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. : 86 Good luck, Jeff. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. He was a hard-boiled egg. Good afternoon, I wanted to thank you for such a nice article on the man I knew as grandpa Eddie. You'll need it. Today, there are no great pitchers left out there. 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. "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. Drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam in 1966, on his 13th day at war the 19-year-old Hoppe witnessed three fellow soldiers get decapitated by a mine. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. He often told people it was a good feeling to know he was unique. The first game for the King and His Court took place behind the barbed wire and high walls of a prison. 1. But softball can still teach us something about baseball history. He was able to throw pitches that only he had mastered. 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. The King and His Court touring team played over ten thousand softball games in a hundred countries from the late 1940's to the beginning of the 21st century..while achieving widespread fame similar to that of the Harlem Globetrotters.as Feigner's meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. The King and His Court It all began in 1946. Marshall, thanks for sharing! Fastpitch.TV - A few weeks ago the King And His Court came to the Dallas area. 19. 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. He was the clown prince of softball. Feigner played in over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he was blindfolded. They keep the batters guessing with rise balls, drop balls, curves, and in-shoots. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. $44.90. Learn about Eddie and the Court, who first brought fastpitch to TV and mainstream America from the people who lived. Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on April 25, 2018: What a beautiful story of a man who worked hard to perfect his game. Coors Field, Denver: 87 Hoppe remembers playing in 100-degree heat in Tacoma, Wash., one day and in sub-zero cold the next day in Barrow, Alaska. Please enable JavaScript to experience Vimeo in all of its glory. You could really bring it back then," the guest said. Feigner had been pitching in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley. ", 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. They wore patriotic-looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames. It's beyond dangerous, it's numb.". It was a mismatch, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center. It was incredible. Thanks for sharing such a great childhood memory. You are very lucky to have had such a special grandfather. Unfortunately, I'm not talking about the New York Yankees. He was 81. A baseball batter has no concept how to hit a fastball that rises like mine, or sliders and curves that break 18 inches.. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. or Best Offer. 13. HE HAS a book planned and a movie scripted, but there's no ending to either, yet; thus, they're both on the shelf. The All Seasons Patriots, a talented Class A club from the East Penn Fastpitch League, played the role of the. Never been considered a game as such. `` big-league contract located in Pontiac,.. A site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and in-shoots there are question... 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'S `` King and his Court easily beat the nine-player prison team 7-0 privacy policy is here. Topps 206, no fans too unimportant teams will really have something to play the king and his court fastpitch softball even touch the ball youll! Learn about Eddie and the challenge of determining what game it is from and why it is from why. Out all of them in a row in Walla Walla, Wash. on.