Truck
drivers travel many, many miles during a career. Sooner or later they
reach their final destination.
Harvey Sterkel reached his final destination in 1956. That's when
he came from Denver, CO largely unknown to Aurora, IL to pitch fast
pitch softball for the fames Aurora Sealmasters. Than 22, Sterkel
had been driving a truck to support his family, which included the
first of his three sons and his wife Gloria.
"I was going to be paid to work, not paid to play," said
Sterkel, 67, now vice president of the company he was originally hired
to work for by than president Charles Hurd. "He (Hurd) told me
I was being given an opportunity and it would be up to me to make
the most of it."
Strong words, but not for Sterkel who had learned the value of hard
work and determination growing up in Denver, CO where his older brother
Robert taught him how to pitch.
Originally Robert. Who died of a heart attack at 45, was a figure-eight
hurler and taught Harvey the same pitching style.
"But the pitching distance was changes from 40 to 43 feet, my
brother changes to being a slingshot hurler and also taught me how
to pitch that way," Sterkel said.
Sterkel, who started pitching in the fifth grade, appeared at his
first ASA national championship at 16 and in the years that followed
established himself as one of the greatest fast pitch hurlers of all-time.
Already a member of the ASA National Hall of Fame, Sterkel will now
be enshrined next year in the ISF (International Softball Federation)
Hall of Fame at the annual meeting in Reno, NV.
 Almost
speechless when informed of his election, Sterkel is the second USA
player elected and the first male player. Sterkel admitted, "this
award is certainly right at the top" of the honors he's received
during his career.
Sterkel twice hurled the Sealmasters to ISF World championships, 1966
and 1968, and was unbeaten (7-0) in ISF World competition. In 1966,
he was 4-0 and two years later 3-0. In 45 1/3 innings he struck out
74 batters, walked 15 and allowed only three runs (two earned). In
the 1966 World championship he hurled the gold metal game and was
named MVP of the championship.
Besides the two World Championships, Sterkel had another highlight
when he single-handed pitched Aurora to its first ASA national championship.
The Sealmasters lost their first game and won nine in a row to cop
the crown. Sterkel won eight games in a row including 24 scoreless
innings in three games on the final day of the championship. In 60
2/3 innings Sterkel struck out 84 allowed four runs, walked 11 and
allowed 28 hits. He beat the famed Clearwater, FL Bombers twice on
the final day by identical 1-0 scores, the first two runs allowed
by the Bombers after five shutouts. Sterkel and Hall of Fame pitchers
Bobby Spell and Bill Massey in the two Clearwater games allowing nine
hits.
"The game (softball) has been great to me," said Sterkel,
who likewise has been good to softball.
After retiring as an active player in 1977, Sterkel continued
to stay involved by giving numerous clinics or helping the Aurora
fast pitch team where necessary.
His three sons also became pitchers. None reached the level of their
famous dad.
Sterkel pitching was a picture of controlled power and grace and he
had tremendous control.
He pitched anyplace, anytime, against any team with never a complaint,
and he did it at times with an arm so sore that a less of a man would
have thrown in the towel. Not Sterkel, who was respected for not only
his abilities as a world-class athlete but as a world-class human.
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