2024 Inductees

John JC Carrillo

 

John “JC” Carrillo (posthumously)

Contributor

John began his softball career at age six at Fulton Heights School. His team was sponsored by Flores Groceries and was coached by John Arellano and Ben Arguello. John also played on numerous teams like Acosta Groceries and Hill Top Groceries in his early playing days.

He was well known for his athletic skills in softball. He was a versatile player but was exceptional at both 3rd base and shortstop. After suffering a broken arm while playing football, John was forced to develop an unusual throwing style.

John held his own against some of the elite players in Pueblo. Some of these elite players he also played with include PSHOF inductees Clem Aragon, Bobby Bonner, Fred Espinoza, and Bobby Armijo. John was well known on the softball diamond, playing in the Pueblo Softball Association, Independent League, El Rey, City Park, Avondale, CF&I Leagues, and numerous church leagues. He served as the President of the CF&I League during the mid-70s.

John received numerous MVP, All-Tournament, Golden Glove, and Best Hitter awards throughout his playing career. He played for Pepsi-Cola, El Sombrero, Tia Maria, Blue Lady, El Nopal, Capritta’s, Pueblo Merchants, Foundation Installers, and the CF&I Rail Mill.

Those who knew John on the field knew that his abilities were superior to your average player. He was such a diehard player that would continue to play with injuries that would limit most players. John continued to play in Old Timer tournaments at Bessemer Park when he got older and while battling cancer. After having both knees replaces, John was not able to continue playing at the level he did while a young man. He began coaching and playing with his wife Gloria and son John in the Pueblo area Co-Ed Slow-pitch leagues and tournaments.

John dedicated his later years to being an integral part of the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame Committee. He was an active member for five years during the last years of his life. After losing his battle with cancer, John was honored by having the big field at St. Joseph Catholic Church named in his honor.

The Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame Committee would like to welcome John “JC” Carrillo into the Class of 2024.

 

June Juna Duvall

 

June “Juna” Duvall

Player

Also known as “Juna”, June grew up in the Salt Creek Community and started playing ball for an 8 and under Pueblo City summer league team. She eventually ended up playing women’s fastpitch under the coaching of Ben Arguello.

June was a fierce competitor both offensively and defensively, receiving many awards for All-Tourney and Golden Glove while playing shortstop.

In the later years of her playing career, June was a standout on the Slo-Pitch diamond in the City’s Recreational Co-ed and Women’s Leagues and two years in the Women’s Slo-Pitch Church league.

While staying active in her church community for over the past 45 years, June loves to help her fellow inductees conduct and coordinate the Annual St. Joseph Softball Tournaments and is always looking for ways to stay involved in the game. Her passion for the game is contagious to all those who surround her. Whether it is watching softball or cheering for her very talented grandsons play baseball, you will be sure to find June at the ballpark!

The Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame Committee would like to welcome June Duvall into the Class of 2024.

 

Larry Romero

 

Larry Romero

Coach/Contributor

A proud Central High School graduate, Larry Romero was in his early 20s when he began his long, successful coaching career. After graduating from Pueblo Community College, Larry decided to coach a boys fastpitch team. He dedicated his time and energy to these young men and travelled throughout the western United States playing in tournaments whenever and wherever.

He spent countless hours at Bessemer Park (now known as Santos Field at Ray Aguilera Park). Larry pitched for the Pueblo Shocker men’s fastpitch team for over a decade beginning in the late 1980s. During this time, he also managed the team which meant he recruited, fundraised, purchased uniforms, and did whatever he could to field a competitive team. Larry’s teams travelled the U.S. and qualified for NAFA World Series several times while creating lifelong relationships in the fastpitch softball community.

After years of playing, Larry retired his glove and turned his focus on coaching. Larry mentored, fathered, fundraised, supported, and aided creating strong young women. Many of his players have moved on to become successful mothers, professionals, and community members. He taught his players the importance of family, grit, passion, and a strong work ethic. During his 17 years as the coach of Central High School Girls Softball, he coached two teams that made it to the State Finals. He also made it to the post season all 17 years and has been recognized as:

  • Colorado High School Activities Association’s “Coach of the Year” three times
  • Colorado High School Activities Association’s “Coach of the Decade”
  • Coached Colorado High School All-State six times
  • USSSA “Coach of the Year”
  • USSSA Coach five times

Larry had the opportunity to play one of his USSA teams against the Russian National team. The accomplishment Larry is most proud of is the fact that 92 of his players went on to play at the collegiate level.

Larry’s current chapter has him serving as the General Manager of the Runyon Sports Complex and one of the partners in the Abriendo Softball and Baseball Academy (ASBA). He continues to mentor young coaches to give back to the sport that has been so special to him. Larry’s daughter, Lita Sanders (current coach of Central HS), said that her father’s impact on the Pueblo softball community cannot be measured in years, wins, or awards. It is measured in the lives he has changed, the relationships he has built, and the legacy he will leave behind.

This evening, it is the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame Committee’s honor to induct Larry Romero into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

 

Roger Samuels

 

Roger Samuels

Contributor

Roger Samuels was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado. He graduated from Central High School and went on to graduate from Western State College in Gunnison. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Roger played all sports growing up and decided to become a physical education teacher. He taught PE for thirty-seven years where he could teach young people the love of sports. Today he is a family man with a wife, five children, eleven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren with one more expected soon.

Over the years, Roger coached many youth softball teams, winning state championships with a boys 12 and under squad and won several state and regional championships with boy’s teams 14-16. Later, he started girls’ softball teams before girls were supposed to be playing sports.

Roger played fastpitch softball in the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s and in the summers of ’64 – ’66, slow-pitch softball was just beginning. He played for one year for another team then began managing his own team while playing short stop for about twenty years. Early on, the game was played with a 16-inch ball, then the 14-inch ball was introduced. His teams won the league championship twice, plus won numerous tournaments in Canon City and Boulder.

After a couple of years of playing, Roger was elected the president of the Pueblo Men’s Slow-pitch League, taking over for fellow PSHOF inductee, john Rivas. He ran the league as a volunteer for ten years and was later hired by the Parks and Recreation Department to run the leagues for another ten years. The league grew from eight teams to fifty-five and was played on five different fields around the city, including the infamous “Hole” in City Park along with the two other fields in City Park, Freed Junior High School, and the Colorado State Hospital Field. Roger hired field directors and umpires, collecting fees, purchasing equipment, and scheduling all games.

Roger retired from running the slow-pitch leagues after twenty years, although he continued to play in church co-ed until his sixties. During those years of slow-pitch, Roger refereed high school football and basketball for over thirty years and RMAC football for ten. He worked six state championship high school games, eight Bell games and a couple of Cannon games. He also worked the Colorado State High School playoffs for both boys and girls and was elected to the Greater Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. A true patriot of sports in Colorado!

It is with great pride that the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame Committee welcomes Roger Samuels into the Class of 2024.

2019 Inductees

Ken AlgienKen Algien
As a youngster, and growing up on Pueblo's Eastside, Ken Algien was the young kid in the neighborhood that everyone wanted him to be on their team.
During summer mornings you could find him on an Old Timers baseball field, while the afternoons were filled with Cub Scouts competitions, and his evenings spent competing in the Pueblo County Softball Recreation League on the Risley Junior High School field.
After playing Varsity Baseball for Pueblo East High School and graduating in 1970, he became associated with notable softball teams in Pueblo such as El Nopal, Capritta's Oasis, James Bond Insurance Agency, Blue Knights, Pueblo Suns, and the Pueblo Aztecs. This competition was centered at the El Rey Field, Bessemer Park Independent Leagues, and the Pueblo Softball Association playing at City Park.
His membership on the Blue Knights team lead to a State Championship and his first appearance in a world tournament in Kimberly, Wisconsin.
Playing for the Pueblo Aztecs, his team won another State Championship and garnered a seventh-place finish in the World Championship Tournament in Bakersfield, California. As a member of the Pueblo Suns, that notable team won two State Championships and appearances in World Tournaments held in Wisconsin and Iowa.
As a recipient of numerous All-Tourney and Most Valuable Player awards, Ken was more focused on being a team leader, good citizenship characteristics, and most importantly, a team player.
To quote a statement in one of his PSHOF recommendation letters, "As a foe, Ken was always a hitter that you did not want to see at the plate, and as a fielder, you were much better off hitting the ball somewhere else."
These are the kinds of details that make Ken Algien special. The kind of details that earn a man a spot in the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame.

 

Timmi Jo Miller-LisacTimmi Jo Miller-Lisac 
Joining her fellow high school teammate into this year's softball hall of fame class is Timmi Jo Miller-Lisac, who along with Tia Morenz enter the 2019 Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame. She began her softball career at a very young age and progressed to playing for the prestigious Pueblo Stingers softball team. It is noted that her coaches for this team consisted of her father Tim along with 2011 Hall of Fame inductee Lee Poteet.
She began her high school playing days as a freshman at Pueblo County High School where she lettered in both softball and basketball and was named to the South-Central League's All-Conference Second Team in softball. At the start of her sophomore year, she moved on to play at South High School where she lettered in both softball and basketball and earned First Team All-Conference and All-State honors in softball. Her most prolific achievements occurred during her junior and senior years where she helped the Colts win the 1994 Colorado State Softball title playing for the late 2015 Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame coach Jim Maldonado. Both years were rewarded with First Team All-Conference and All-State selections along with being named the 4A "Pitcher of the Year" by the Denver Post.
Upon her graduation, she enrolled at Colorado State University-Pueblo where she earned the Female "Athlete of the Year" award in 1996. Timmi Jo was recognized by the Greater Pueblo Sports Association in 1995 by receiving the Brian McCartney Award for the Most Outstanding Pueblo High School Female Athlete.
After college, she gave back to her community by coaching the Pueblo Stingers girls' softball team for nine consecutive seasons.
Timmi Jo was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2017.

 

Tia MorenzTia Morenz 
The majority of the top female athletes to come from Pueblo began their athletic careers at a very young age. This can be said about Tia Suzanne Morenz who started playing at age four in the Pueblo Parks and Recreation t-ball program. As she grew older, she became one of a very few girls to play in the city-wide Old Timers Baseball League, playing mostly with boys. As she progressed into softball, she played catcher and outfield from l 988-1994 with the Pueblo Stingers and the Denver Diamonds club softball team along with playing on Pueblo South High School's girls softball team.
As a member of the Pueblo South High School girls softball team, she earned four varsity letters, twice named to the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post Defensive Player of the Year award, earned the Colorado Women's Sportsman of the Year award, led the South Colts to the 4A State Girls Softball Championship in 1993, and tied a national record for most stolen bases (76) a single season. Tia was also a member of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 South High School Girls Basketball team that won consecutive State titles under the direction of Coach Jim Harrison. Tia was also recognized by the Greater Pueblo Sports Association in 1994 by receiving the Brian McCartney Award as the Most Outstanding Pueblo High School Female Athlete.
Upon graduation from South High School, she signed a full-ride scholarship to play softball at the University of Hawaii. While playing at Hawaii, she earned multiple awards, including batting average, hits, runs, doubles, stolen bases, fielding percentage, put outs, and assists. The percentages, which are too numerous to list, led to her selection as a member of the Louisville Slugger Division I All­American Second Team. This selection was only the second one in the school's history. She also received many accolades in the Big West and Western Athletic Conferences, along with several Most Valuable Player awards to add to that In 1998, she was drafted by the Georgia Pride of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League and was invited to a trial for the 2000 Olympic team. She was inducted into the University of Hawaii's Athletic Hall of Fame where her number 24 jersey was retired.
Today, Tia is a teacher and the Activities Director at Platteville Middle School in Greeley where she founded the FEVER Fastpitch Softball Organization which works with 10-18 year old girls to help them gain skills to play at a higher level including college softball.

 

Joe ScaleseJoe Scalese
Joe Scalese enters this hall of fame in three categories that depict the contribution that a person makes to the sport of softball. Those categories are as a player, a coach, and an umpire.
Joe's involvement with the sport began when he started playing in the C.F.&I. League and the Catholic Church League, at various fields around Pueblo. Most notably, the El Rey Field, Giadone's Field, and the memorable "Hole" in City Park. Along with the period of playing the sport, he also found time to serve as an umpire.
Upon his exit as a player, he decided to put together a group of young rag-tag athletes who blossomed into being very excellent softball players. In fact, several of these players have already been enshrined into the Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame and the American Softball Association Hall of Fame.
Playing under the sponsorship of teams such as Stifino's Blue Lady, and Hole in the Wall, Joe led his teams to several City League Championships, six Colorado State Titles, and appeared in six International Softball Congress World Championship Tournaments. Participating in the Colorado Traveling League, this team would play five or six games on any given weekend in cities like Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and El Paso. I.S.C. World Championship Tournament play took them to Kimberly, Wisconsin; Bakersfield, California; and Aurora, Illinois.
Through his individual generosity of raising money to fund all this travel, his dedication to the sport, and his tenacity as a coach created one of the finest men's fastpitch teams to ever come out of the City of Pueblo.
Throughout this ten-year span, Joe accomplished all of this along with running a very successful business by the name of T &S Excavating.

 

 

 

2018 Inductees

Robert "Bobby" Pechek (Posthumously)
Robert "Bobby" Pechek was one of fifteen children, born to Slovenian immigrants in 1923.
Pechek had to quit high school to help support his family. After receiving his GED, the next chapter in his life was to serve in the United States Marine Corp during World War II.
His softball career began in 1946 playing for the VFW Post 61 team. The following year he signed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Browns, where he played for Duncan, Oklahoma in the Sooner State League.
Returning to Pueblo in 1949, Bobby once again helped VFW Post 61 to a fourth-place finish in the ASA World Tournament in Austin, Texas earning All-American honors.
Playing with well known Pueblo players such as Tony Andenucio, Sam "Rabbit" Ferraro, Jim Ranson, Mickey Giarrantano, and John Corsi, the VFW Post 61 team won three consecutive National Championships in 1950, 1951, and 1952. Bobby earned All-American honors in 1950 and 1952.
Pechek played in the !SC World Tournament with the Pueblo Boosters in Rock Island, Illinois. He ended his softball career playing for Pepsi­Cola in the !SC World Tournament in Fresno, California. Fellow Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame members, Joel Morenz and Alan Colglazier were teammates of Bobby on that Pepsi-Cola team.
Bobby Pechek was one of the greatest fast pitch sluggers ever to come out of Pueblo. He was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame in 1989.

 

Tony AndenucioTony "Nuch" Andenucio (Posthumously)
Tony Andenucio was not only honored for his outstanding baseball and softball abilities, but also for his contributions as a sponsor to Pueblo youth baseball.
"Nuch" has he was called, attended Pleasant View High School and in 1942 earned a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, playing second base. The U.S. Army drafted him in 1942. He served on the fields in Tunisia. Normandy France, and Belgium.
In 1944, Andenucio was the second baseman on a very talented VFW fast pitch softball team. When opposing teams first saw him, they had a tendency to underestimate him. Tony was quick, fast on the field and on the bases. He. along with teammate Bobby Pechek were considered to be the best power hitters ever to come out of Pueblo. He helped lead VFW Post 61 to three consecutive National Fast Pitch Championships in 1950, 1951, and 1952.
His fellow teammates included well known players such as Dick Simms, Jim Ranson, John Vidic, Otto "Tink" Snapp, Dan Milusnic, and Bob Pobst.
Tony became a very generous sponsor of youth baseball, the Old Timers Baseball Association, and many other youth sports organizations. "Nuch" was, indeed, old school. He prided himself as a family man who took care of his wife and three children. Andenucio passed away at an early age, but his legacy lives on through the hard work of his family in putting on the annual "Nuch" Baseball Tournament every June on Father's Day weekend.
This tournament started in 1978 and was named in his honor. One of the baseball fields at the Runyon Field Complex is named "Andenucio Field." His son Joe is the Tournament Director. Tony was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame posthumously in 1990.

 

Pat McGrawPat McGraw 
Pat McGraw graduated from Pueblo South High School in 1961 where he was a letterman on the Colts track team for three seasons specializing in distance events. McGraw went on to Southern Colorado State College here in Pueblo where he was recognized as an Empire Conference Champion in the two-mile event and was a runner-up in the mile event.
After college graduation and a successful intercollegiate track career, Pat entered the realm of fast pitch softball in 1966 and continued playing for thirty-years. As a fast pitch player, he could be found playing any position but excelled in the catching and pitching positions. During his playing days, McGraw was also a well ­respected teacher and coach for the Pueblo East High School Eagles.
Pat played for many notable fast pitch teams such as the Hi-Fi Club, El Sombrero, Canon City Merchants, First National Bank, and the Pueblo Aztecs. He participated in the El Rey League, the City Park League, and the Rocky Mountain Congress Travelling League and was named to numerous All-Tournament teams. While playing for the Pueblo Aztecs, he was the catcher for fellow Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame pitcher, Alan Colglazier.
From 1969 through 2002, McGraw was a football referee working both high school and college games. He spent twenty-two years working Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football games and was selected to work in 10 Colorado High School State Championship games.
As a basketball official for 27 years, Pat refereed both high school and college games including twenty-two years with RMAC. He was Crew Chief for officials for twelve years in the RMAC and six each for the NCAA Division I Western Athletic and Big Sky Conferences. McGraw is also well known in Colorado as the starter for track and field meets held around the state.
Pat was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

 

Ken AdairKen Adair 
Ken Adair grew up in New Hampshire and was an outstanding three sport letterman exceling in football. baseball, and ice hockey.
Adair found his way to Pueblo by way of the U.S. Army in 1957. After beginning work at the Colorado State Hospital in 1959, He took on the task of rebuilding the hospital's 17th Street softball field. When this three-­year project ended, Ken directed his attention to adding another field on the hospital grounds.
During his early years he managed the Local 2102 CF&I team which was made up of young players in their early teens. Ken became associated with Slow-Pitch softball by organizing and hosting tournaments for over 20 years. During this time Adair also helped run the Pueblo Independent Softball League. Along with his work in the Independent League, he was also involved with running the popular El Rey League.
It was only a matter of time before Ken began to venture out into umpiring softball games. He worked with many of the most well-known umpires such as Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame members Marion Hernandez and Joe Santos as well as Frank Dagnello.
Ken also found time to squeeze in officiating duties in local basketball, football, and baseball contests. Adair's Slow-Pitch career consisted of playing for Coors Tavern and the Pueblo Merchants through the 1970s and 1980s.
The Pueblo economy always benefited from the numerous tournaments that Ken spear-headed. He would use the tournament entry fees to pay for local officials and purchase gigantic colorful trophies.
He took pride in any project that he was involved in and he always understood the importance of family who supported him faithfully throughout the years.
Ken passed away on Nov. 7, 2021. Click HERE to see Adair's Obituary.

 

Jerry MartinezJerry Martinez (Posthumously)
Jerry graduated from Pueblo Central High School and continued his education at Southern Colorado State College here in Pueblo.
He worked as a Sales Executive at Pepsi-Cola in Pueblo until 1990, when he and his wife Nancy moved to Aurora, Colorado.
Martinez is best known as being the Player Manager on the renown Pepsi-Cola team. Through the decade of the 1970s his teams participated in many state and National tournaments. Jerry led Pepsi-Cola to the !SC World Tournament playing in Fresno, California in 1970; Kimberly, Wisconsin in 1972; Rock Island. Illinois in 1973; and Phoenix, Arizona in 1974.
Jerry joins fellow teammates Alan Colglazier, Rich Yivoda, "Chico" Aragon, Brent Ward, Jim Ranson, Jim Bond, and Joel Morenz who have all been inducted into this respected Hall of Fame.
During his time in Pueblo, Martinez was involved in many civic organizations where he received recognition for his unselfish and devoted community involvement.

 

Joel MorenzJoel Morenz
Growing up on a farm in Iowa, Joel started playing baseball at the age of 8. This included Linle League. Babe Ruth, and High School baseball. He attended Pueblo Junior College on a baseball scholarship where he played third base.
Morenz began his fast pitch softball playing days in 1963 playing for, most notably, Martin Moore Insurance. Colorado City, Sam's Club, Gregory's Electric, CB Builders of Lamar, and Canon City Pepsi-Cola. But he is best known for his outstanding play with the Pepsi-Cola team from 1965 through 1973
Joel was known as a great left-handed hitter with remarkable quickness playing in the infield. Even though he batted left, he threw right.
Morenz was selected to twenty-three All-Tournament teams and received five MVP awards. He participated in four World ISC tournamen: beginning in 1970 in Fresno, California; Kimberly, Wisconsin in 1972; Rock Island, Illinois in 1973 and Phoenix, Arizona in 1974.
Most importantly, his summers not only revolved around softball but the enjoyment he received from playing with his teammates as well as the respect he had for his opponents.

 

 

 

2017 Inductees

Patrick GomezPatrick Gomez (Posthumously)
Pat Gomez has always cared about youth softball and was an important part of the numerous leagues in the City of Pueblo for over fifty years. He raised two sons, who in their own right, became outstanding softball players.
As an active member of the Eastside Community, Pat began his playing days in the Pueblo Church Softball League. Gomez was not only a player but he also coached various teams and was the President of Church League. He donated his time and effort to keep kids headed in the right direction. Pat coached the softball teams at St. Leander's Church, the football teams at Bradford Fields, and the basketball programs at St. Leander's and Risley Gyms.
Gomez was part of the committee that was responsible for bringing back middle school sports in Pueblo School Dis­trict #60 in 1985. In his later years, Pat worked closely with Pueblo Parks and Recreation on numerous youth activities as well as keeping score and announcing games for over 30 years at the Runyon Field Sports Complex. His notoriety was not only as a player, but also as an umpire, field director, coach, and supporter of numerous youth and adult sports programs throughout the community.

 

 

 

Manuel Rincon (Posthumously)
Manuel Rincon is recognized for his contributions to the sport of softball in Pueblo, Colorado. He was a player, coach, field director, umpire, and valued contributor.
Rincon began his career in 1962 as a baseball manager for the successful semi-pro club, Ramirez Restaurant. In the mid-1960s, Manuel became a player/manager of the state runner-up Ramirez Tigers fast pitch softball club. After a few years at the helm of the successful Tigers, he became a successful ASA umpire and was the head of his crew. Even though he umpired at the El Rey C.F.&I League, most of his time umpiring at that time was spent in the Independent League at Bessemer Park, which he was also one of the founders.
Manuel was instrumental in beginning a women's fast pitch league at Stauter Field before the field had lights for night games. Once lights were installed in the early 1970s by crews from Fort Carson, his women's fast pitch leagues grew into three separate divisions which numbered over 30 teams playing ball Monday through Thursday evenings. During the next twenty plus years, Rincon had Stauter Field hopping seven days a week with women's fast-pitch and Co-ed slo-pitch leagues and tournaments. All this while still working full-time at the Pueblo Army Depot.
Manuel dedicated his life to baseball and softball in the community of Pueblo, which he loved. It is safe to say that his legay is alive and well at Stauter Field.

 

Amber Garrett 
Amber began her journey into girls' softball as a fourth-grade student. She eventually moved on to play on two of the most prestigious girls youth softball.
programs in Pueblo; the Pueblo Stingers and the Pueblo Flyers. Playing on these teams gave her the opportunity to travel throughout the country and play against some of the best competition possible.
As a high school stand-out at Pueblo County High School, she excelled as a three­-sport letter winner in softball, basketball, and golf. As a four-year starter at pitcher/utility, Garrett was named All-South Central League three times and All-State twice. In 2002, she was named Pueblo County's Female Athlete of the Year.
Moving on to the college ranks at Otero Junior College, she became an academic and athletic All-American along with ranking first in her E.R.A., second in strikeouts, and second in all time wins. She was the 2004 National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX Player of the Year.
Following her career at Otero, Amber moved on to North Dakota State University and was named Division I Independent Pitcher of the Year as well as ESPN Magazine's pick as an academic All-District VII first team player. Her shining moment came when she pitched a perfect game against Drake University in 2006.
Today, you can find Amber in Highlands Ranch, Colorado as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional overseeing youth and adult sports as well as special events for the community's recreation district. She conducts pitching lessons in Littleton and Highlands Ranch and currently is the assistant softball coach at Thunderridge High School in Highlands Ranch.

 

Tony Tortessi 
Tony began his softball career at age 12 in the St. Joseph Junior League. As a high school junior, he moved up to the St. Joseph Men's team, which played in the Pueblo Catholic Men's Softball League.
During summer evenings, Tortessi played a full schedule with the Pueblo Elks in the American Legion Baseball League. From that period until 1991, he played fast pitch softball in the Pueblo Softball Association, the Independent League, and spent four years in the Rocky Mountain Softball Congress Traveling League.
Tony was a member of five notable Pueblo softball teams including the Pueblo Suns and the Pueblo Aztecs. Tortessi went on to play in three ISC National World tournaments and two ASA National Fast Pitch tournaments.
Tony received numerous Most Valuable Player awards, All-Tourney awards during the span of 1977 through 1989. He excelled as an elite hitter usually hitting in the three to five spots because of his ability to drive in runs. Tony was known and feared as a catcher with a cannon arm and if you chose to steal a base on him, you would probably be running into an out. For ten years, Tortessi was the catcher for renown pitcher and fellow Pueblo Softball Hall of Farner, Alan Colglazier.
Today, he continues to generously volunteer his time and expertise with young men and women from numerous schools on the various aspects of the game.

 

 

 

Karen Macaluso
Karen was introduced to the game of softball as a five-year old girl while participating in local t-ball programs. She progressed to the women's fast pitch leagues as a talented infielder and catcher.
Some of the notable teams that Macaluso played for were Centennial Bank, Colorado Excavating, Taravella's Hydr-Turf, and Miller·s Girls. She also was named to numerous All-Tourney, M.V.P., and Gold Glove Awards.
The Pueblo County High School graduate played fast pitch softball before high school girls teams were formed in 1989. It was during that period, Karen played catcher for numerous slo-pitch softball teams and played in a National Slo-Pitch tournament in Steamboat Springs, Colorado which she considers as one of the highlights of her softball playing career.
It is well noted that she currently serves as the Head Girls Softball Coach at  Pueblo County High School and is giving back to the sport that she very much loves.

 

 

 

 

 

George Dasko
George was an outstanding high school baseball player at Central High School. Dasko played under, most notably Ed Lesar and Jim Ranson from 1963 until he graduated in 1966 then moved on to play for the Southern Colorado State College Indian's baseball team from 1967 to 1971. George ended his base­ball career as a semi-pro player with the Jones Mortuary team and the Pueblo Diablos.
In 1971, Dasko moved into the realm of fast pitch softball while playing in leagues in Walsenburg, El Rey Field, and at the Bessemer Park Independent League. Some of the notable teams he played on were Gregory Electric, C.B. Builders of Lamar, Blue Lady, and he also participated in the Rocky Mountain Travel League. George participated in two World Fast Pitch tournaments in Tempe, Arizona and Bakersfield, California. George was an All-League player in the Rocky Mountain Travel League and appeared in nine State Tournaments with all the fast pitch teams he was a member of. Dasko is probably best known for his consistency as a left-handed home run hitter.
After moving to Trinidad, he became a well-known and respected boys and girls high school basketball coach. He continues to be an assistant football coach with his two sons, Gabriel and Michael at Hoehne High School.

 

 

 

2016 Inductees

Jim Bond (Posthumously)
Jim Bond spent his boy­hood and teen years grow­ing up in Los Alamos, New Mexico. His pitching tech­niques were polished by the tutorship of long-time pitching guru, Bun Ryan.
The New Mexico junk­baller played fastpitch softball during his formative years and became very well known in that state's playing annals.
Upon his move to Pueblo in the early 1970's to work at the Pueblo Army Depot, Jim was picked up by Pueblo's renown Pepsi-Cola fastpitch softball team. Bond played in two International Softball Congress World Tournaments with Pepsi-Cola in Kim­berly, Wisconsin in the 1970 and 1972 tournaments.
In 1985, he joined the Pueblo Suns team and pitched in the ISC World Tournament in Kimberly, Wisconsin.
This humble pitcher played in big tournaments and small, local tournaments. It did not matter to Jim as long as he got to play the game he loved.
In his later years you could have seen Bond pitch for such notable teams as State Inc., Pueblo Custom Cash Registers, and the Perfect Image team spon­sored by his good friend Tony Aguilar.
Working for Pioneer Mutual Insurance Agency, Jim became that company's sponsor of its softball team.

 

Edward "Homer" Benavidez 
Playing and coaching softball in the Avondale and Pueblo communities for over fiye decades, Edward "Homer" Benavidez is the epitome of Pueblo Softball.
Edward's career began as a youngster in Avondale playing on recreational baseball teams as a catcher, then moving on to Excelsior Junior Higll School and Pueblo County High School. He helped the Hornets to the State High School Baseoill Championship in 1959.
Moving on to fastpitch softball, Homer played first base in the many leagues in Pueblo including the Independent, El Rey, City, and Church Leagues. His nickname is derived from his powerful hitting skills. Each time Benavidez came to bat, it was expected that he would take the ball out of the yard.
Some notable teams that he played on were North Avondale Bar, Pueblo Lounge, Lawrence Club, Bamboo Night Club, El Nopal, and Del Rios.
You could always find Homer playing slow-pitch softball at the Sports Garden. Edward's passion and dedication for the game was passed on to his fellow teammates and family members.
Discipline, teamwork and friendships that were formed are said to last a lifetime.

 

 

Ruth Hulsey 
Ruth Hulsey's athletic career began at the elementary and junior high school recreation programs. As there were no organized women's sports teams when she entered the halls of Centennial High School in 1944, she gained notoriety as a member of the school's R.O.T.C. Rifle Team. She was the fifth place medalist in the 1947 National Rifle Association's Meet in Denver, Colorado in both men's and women's divisions.
Ruth began playing softball as a young teenager and was recruited by the Pueblo Army Depot's women's softball team named the "Podettes". She was the catcher and the team traveled throughout the state to tournaments by way of an old Army bus.
Many area teams picked Hulsey up to pitch in big tournaments and she later became a first baseman. After playing in one World A.S.A. Tournament in Toronto, Canada, she turned to the professional ranks playing for the Salt Lake City Shamrocks for two seasons in 1953 and 1954. The Shamrocks played the Western United States circuit. Upon graduation from Colorado State Teachers College in 1951 and Denver University, she began her teaching career with Pueblo School District No. 60. Ruth was a Physical Education teacher at Keating and Freed Junior High Schools and then moved on to Centennial High School.
When Title Nine girls' sports began competition in 1971, she began coaching girls swimming, girl's tennis, and girls track. She was the first girl's gymnastics coach at Centennial High School when the sport was introduced in 1971.
An inductee into The Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame in 1983, today Ruth remains an avid runner, jogger, golfer, and a firm believer in physical fitness. Ruth passed away on Nov. 4, 2021. Click HERE to view Hulsey's Obituary

 

Pat Whitmore-­Allsup
The daughter of military parents and moving around the country numerous times, Pat Whitmore-Allsup settled in Pueblo in 1941. Her softball career started in 1944 playing catcher for the Thatcher School boy's team.Pate then became a member of Pueblo's first organized girl 's softball team, Pueblo Rollerland, in 1945.
While attending Centennial High School, Whitmore-Allsup played first base on the 1946 freshmen boys' baseball team. After high school graduation, She played with Denver's Tivoli Brewers and later with Capitol Chevrolet. Both teams qualified for national tournaments in Portland, Oregon and San Antonio, Texas. In 1953, Pat was named to the All-American team following the national tournament in Portland Oregon.
Along with fellow inductee and teammate Ruth Hulsey, she played on the professional circuit with the Salt Lake City Shamrocks.
A career spanning eight years with the Amateur Softball Association, Whitmore-Allsup was a mainstay on the "Podettes" team from the Pueblo Army Depot. Her mother Catherine was the team manager leading the "Podettes" to State Championships in 1948, 1949, and 1952.
Pat went on to become a physical education teacher, Counselor, and Dean of Students with Pueblo School District No. 60 over a thirty-year span. A talented volleyball referee and Director of Programs at Pueblo Community College, she was inducted into the Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame in 1985.
Along with teammates Ruth Hulsey, Pi Sanford, and Shirley Paige, they became the spark that ignited organized women's softball in Pueblo.

 

Art Escobado Art Escobado
Art Escobado's athletic career found him playing running back on the Huerfano County High School football team. Upon graduation he joined the United States Air Force. Escobado excelled as a pitcher and infielder on the Air Force baseball team and as a starting pitcher on its fastpitch softball team. Art was named to the All-Pacific Air Force Team and he played in the military's Softball Championship Tournament in Nagoya, Japan.
Upon his return to Pueblo in 1951, he played semi­professional baseball on the Broderick and Gibbons team and also found time to pitch for numerous fastpitch softball teams in the Pueblo area.
Escobado became the first president of the newly formed Independent League which played its games at Bessemer Park.
In 1980, along with his sons Artie, Michael, anci Phillip, Art formed the Aztec Fastpitch Softball Club. Over a span of ten years, the Aztecs played in five International Softball Congress World Tournaments. His teams brought Pueblo National acclaim as a contender on the national level.
His sponsorships and community activities are numerous including the Latino Chamber of Commerce, the Eastside Community Center, G.I. Forum, and Bishops Diocesan Financial Committee.
Today, Art owns the Azteca Apartments in Belmont which aids the elderly with their housing needs. Art passed Away on jan. 21, 2022. Click HERE to view Art's Obituary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Copyright © 2023 Pueblo Softball Hall of Fame. All Rights Reserved.    Design and content setup by John Barker, Jr.