2004 Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame Induction
Banquet
Ladies and gentleman what you see
here tonight is the finished product. You did not see all the
preparation for the many weeks leading up to tonight."
Smith in accepting her award thanked the Illinois USSSA for this
honor as she also told several personal stories about her life
behind the scene in softball. She said, "I want to thank
the USSSA Hall of Fame Committee for nominating and electing me
for this very great honor, it is a very humbling experience."
As Paulson present her Hall of Fame plaque she said this about
Smith, "Smitty, Was always able to do anything that I needed.
Run an errand, pick something up, take something there, check
in the softball teams…" She concluded her remarks by
adding, "But Smitty you did have one vice, you were never
where you were suppose to be on time!"
(L) Ken Franzen & (R) Bill
Brom
Brown took the podium next to introduce
Ken Franzen to those in attendance by saying, "Shortly after
winning the 1976 USSSA World Title Ken stopped running the base
paths and started to chalking them. He spent the next quarter
century creating one of the special places anywhere to play softball,
Forest Hills Diamonds." He added, "In 1999 Forest Hills
was bestowed with the highest honor that a softball complex can
receive when it was named as the USSSA National Complex of The
Year."
Franzen thank all those that had worked with him over the years
at Forest Hills Diamonds from the owner John Summers to the grounds
keepers (many of who were in attendance). He wondered out load
about being a member of the Illinois USSSA Hall of fame Committee
yet he does not remember any vote (it was done in secrete without
his knowledge by the other committee members) about his name being
considered for induction. Franzen closed by thanking Brenda Paulson
by saying, "The first five years that the USSSA was in Rockford
they had five different directors. I do appreciate all the time
and all the services that you have done, Brenda for softball in
this area and for all that you have done for me. I do appreciate
it. Thank you."
In presenting Franzen his award Paulson said, "Kenny you
have put Forest Hills and the city of Rockford on the map. Forest
Hills was where everybody wanted to play; it's the player's field."
Bill Bromenschenkle a pitcher from Mendota who has pitched five
one hit ball games to his credit and with a lifetime batting average
of over .650 was inducted next with Fischer saying, "He was
a member of the LT's ball club that won the 2001 USSSA Men's Class
C National Tournament in Fort Knox, Kentucky and he was named
as the 'Outstanding Offensive Player' of that tournament."
as he introduced Bromenschenkle.
Mike Peura his longtime friend and team's manager than had this
to say about Bromenschenkle, "In 1999 our team won the USSSA
Men's Class C State Tournament, the Fall State Tournament, A state
tournament in another organization and Bromo was also a member
of the 40 & Over USSSA State champion team. In all four of
these state tournaments that year he was named as the MVP."
Peura also said "The last couple of years Bromo has tried
to help out different players at the plate and guys who have tried
to pitch. He has really become a great teacher of the game of
softball."
In his acceptance speech Bromenschenkle speaking of his family
said, "I'd like to apologies to them for all the things I
missed while they were growing up and I was playing softball,
but I think they understand what it meant to me." He closed
by saying, "I'd like to congratulate all the inductees tonight
and last I'm very honored to be a member of my new team which
is the Hall of Fame Team with all guys who are in there now. Thank
you very much."
Paulson in present Bromenschenkle his Hall of Fame Plaque recollected
how she first saw 'Bromo' playing shortstop with the old La Salle
Clippers ball club some twenty years ago and who would have thought
that you would still be playing the game of softball today. She
closed by saying, "You are so deserving of this honor. Welcome
to our Hall of Fame."
Continue:
