Illinois ASA Hall of Fame 2010

Quincy Jets Softball Club - Quincy

The Quincy Jets organization emerged from a 4-H team in 1970. Formerly known as the Melrose Victory 4-H team then the Adams Angels women's team, Frank Bockhold and Harold Phillips started the team with 15 young ladies ranging in age from 17-22. The team played home games at Soldiers Home and drew crowds of nearly 750.

From the beginning, Bockhold and Phillips wanted to make Quincy famous for its fine softball team. And, they succeeded. The women's team played for five years with an overall record of 164-78. The team finished second in the state in 1972 and 1973.

The Junior Jets team for girls ages 13-15 was organized during the last summer of existence for the women's team, as Phillips took over the organization. He coached them for 10 years. The Junior Jets were 316-110 during that span and reached the national tournament nine consecutive times, placing second in the nation twice, along with two fourth-place finishes, a fifth and a sixth.

The Junior Jets eventually grew into the Jets, the 16-18 year-old team which was formed in 1976. Phillips coached the Jets until 1983 and took them to three national tournaments, where they finished fifth, 13th and 17th. The Jets were 261-69 in eight years.

A Mini Jets program for girls 9-12 was also developed in the early 1990s.

Phillips was assisted by Coaches Jack Deters, Gary Vogel, Dan Miller, Bev Bockhold and others through the years. Nearly 200 players participated in the organization before it disbanded in 1985.

ASA Commissioner Bob Adams presented the Quincy Jets ball club for induction into the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame by saying, "The Quincy Jets taught me a lot about girls fast-pitch softball." He added, "Over the years they represented a quality program, they did things the right way." He closed by saying, "one of the best Junior Olympic teams, that helped start the Junior Olympic program in Quincy … The Quincy Jets."

Bev Bockhold from the Quincy Jets spoke and she said, "The Jets organization encompassed two hundred young ladies playing softball." She accepted their place in the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame for the Quincy Jets by saying, "The Quincy Jets organization, we a re deeply honored by the Amateur Softball Association to accept our invitation into the Hall of Fame. Thank you very much."

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