The Pittsburgh Champions were a professional softball team based in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania that played in the North American Softball League (NASL) in 1980.
35-804: Pittsburgh was represented by the Pittsburgh Hardhats in the first professional league, the American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL), beginning with the founding of that league in 1977. After three seasons, Ted Stepien , owner of the Cleveland Stepien's Competitors , left to form a new league, the NASL, with the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears and the Milwaukee Schlitz , APSPL champions from 1979. The Hardhats continued in
70-553: A Chief of Police and two divisions made up of the Detective and Patrol/Traffic department. The department has a new K-9 officer, Patrolman Rodgers, and his K-9 partner, Buc. Lower Burrell is served by two volunteer fire companies. Lower Burrell Fire Company 1 is located in the Kinloch section of the city. Lower Burrell Fire Company 3 serves the Bon Air, Central City and Gladeview neighborhoods,
105-470: A female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.90. In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
140-795: A football player from near-by Allegheny College who had been in-camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers and had played previously with the Hardhats. Lazar would play briefly for the Champions. The Champions struggled in 1980, finishing in last place of the Eastern Division with a record of 25-39 (.391), 11.5 games behind the division-winning Detroit Auto Kings . The Milwaukee Schlitz won the 1980 NASL World Series 5–2 over Detroit with Ken Parker (.586 BA) of Milwaukee honored as Series MVP. Ron Olesiak (.555, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs) of Chicago Nationwide Advertising
175-612: Is bounded on the north and southwestern corner by the Allegheny River . Jacks Island , a river island approximately 0.96 km (0.60 mi) in length, is located near the Braeburn neighborhood. As of the census of 2000, there were 12,608 people, 5,133 households, and 3,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,091.8 inhabitants per square mile (421.5/km ). There were 5,324 housing units at an average density of 461.0 per square mile (178.0/km ). The racial makeup of
210-579: Is located was originally part of the hunting reserves of the Iroquois . Permanent European settlement began in the 1760s, and Westmoreland County was created in 1773. In 1852, due to an increase in population in the area, Burrell Township was carved out of Allegheny Township on court order of Judge Jeremiah Murry Burrell. In 1879 Burrell Township was divided into two separate townships, Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell . The present-day cities of New Kensington and Arnold were once part of Lower Burrell Township. In
245-740: Is water. Informally, the city is divided into different neighborhoods and areas including Bon Air, Braeburn, Braeburn Heights, Central City, Edgecliff, Gladeview, Indian Fields I & II and Kinloch. Lower Burrell's central Business District overlaps Bon Air-Central City-Gladeview neighborhoods. Lower Burrell is located in the Appalachian Plateau , the western portion of the Appalachian Mountain range. The landscape varies greatly, with large swaths of flat land (typically in Bon Air, Central City and Gladeview) to areas with gentle slopes, and even steep cliffs and hillsides in certain areas. The city
280-566: The Burrell School District . The district consists of Bon Air (K-3rd) and Stewart elementary schools (4th-5th), the Charles A. Huston Middle School, and Burrell High School . On a post-secondary level, Lower Burrell was once home to Newport Business Institute and Oakbridge Academy of Arts, both located in the Kinloch neighborhood. The for-profit schools shut down in the middle of a school day on December 16, 2013. Penn State New Kensington
315-537: The Fort Wayne Huggie Bears and Milwaukee broke away from the APSPL to form a new league (North American Softball League) in 1980, under the leadership of Cleveland owner Ted Stepien , while the Hardhats continued in the reduced numbers of the APSPL. Stepien placed NASL teams in several APSPL markets, including Cincinnati, Kentucky and Pittsburgh, starting a team called the Pittsburgh Champions . Stepien owned many of
350-639: The Rochester Express . Several Hardhats made the all-league team - Greg Birko (29-13 pitching), Jim Foxy Nelson (17 HRs, 68 RBIs), Denny Brown (.492 BA), Pat Benzing and Randy Elliott (.470 BA). Bill Gatti of Kentucky was honored as league MVP in the last APSPL season. The North American Softball League (NASL) lasted for only one season, and the APSPL then merged with the NASL to form the United Professional Softball League (UPSL) in 1981. The NASL Pittsburgh Champions had disbanded with
385-763: The poverty line , including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over. Lower Burrell is a third class city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It has a commission form of government where the mayor of the city only has one vote and no veto power. The mayor heads the City's Department of Public Affairs, which oversees the Lower Burrell Police Department, City Clerk, Solicitor, Health Department, Ordinance Officer, Animal Control Officer, Emergency Management Department, Auxiliary Police, Fire Code Enforcement Officer and School Crossing Guards. In addition to
SECTION 10
#1732884972710420-595: The 1978 season at Munhall Municipal Stadium in Munhall , Pennsylvania ; finishing the 1978 season at Morrell Field in Aliquippa , Pennsylvania , where the team remained throughout the 1981 season; and ending its playing life at LaRussa Field, Sokol Club, Lower Burrell , Pennsylvania in 1982. After the APSPL disbanded after the 1980 season, the Hardhats joined the United Professional Softball League (UPSL), where they played through 1982 when professional softball came to an end in
455-514: The 1980s. Like many communities in Western Pennsylvania, Lower Burrell suffered economic and population stagnation with the collapse of local heavy industry. Since the early 1990s, Lower Burrell experienced slight growth, though one of its only large shopping centers remains mostly vacant. Preliminary data from the 2010 census shows that Lower Burrell has lost about 5 percent of its population since 2000. The Allegheny River Lock and Dam No. 4
490-519: The APSPL in 1980, and NASL teams were formed in Cincinnati and Lexington, Kentucky as well to compete with existing APSPL franchises there. Stepien owned many of the NASL teams, including the Champions. The Champions played at LaRussa Field, Sokol Club in Lower Burrell, just outside of Pittsburgh . The Hardhats owner Jim DiIorio brought a challenge in federal court in an attempt to prevent splitting
525-463: The Hardhats had a strong season as did Gary Smith (.419, 6 HRs, 37 RBIs), Lou Abel (.438, 1 HRs, 32 RBIs) and Greg Birko (.465 BA, 65 runs scored). Pittsburgh struggled again in 1978, finishing in 4th place in the Central Division, 29–35, and 11 games back of division winning Cincinnati Suds . Hardhat Denny Brown (.608, 1 HRs, 46 RBIs, 101 runs scored) made the al-pro team and Ron Ford won
560-452: The Hardhats previously. That lawsuit was withdrawn as a salary amount was not specified in the Hardhat contract. Snatchko would lead the Champions but tensions with Stepien remained as he tried to lure talent away from the APSPL teams, including the Hardhats. The Champions added Chuck Lazar, a local football stand-out from Allegheny College , who had spent the previous two seasons playing with
595-484: The Hardhats. Lazar would play briefly for the Champions before leaving for the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Meanwhile, the Hardhats had their best season in 1980, finishing with a 44-19 (.698) record, trailing only the Kentucky Bourbons . Pittsburgh upset Kentucky in the first round 3-2 (5-10, 7–5, 4-10, 5-14, 4–1) to advance to their first APSPL World Series, where they were swept 3-0 (2-3, 11–3, 12–9) by
630-447: The NASL teams, including the Champions. The Champions played at LaRussa Field, Sokol Club in Lower Burrell, just outside of Pittsburgh . The Hardhats owner Jim DiIorio brought a challenge in federal court in an attempt to prevent splitting the young professional sport. The Hardhats also brought a legal challenge against new Champions player and General Manager Roger Snatchko for breach of contract as he had been under contract with
665-569: The UPSL folded after the 1982 season, bringing an end to the professional softball era for men in the United States. Pittsburgh Hardhats (softball) The Pittsburgh Hardhats were a professional softball team that played in two men's professional softball leagues from 1977 through 1982. The Hardhats, Cincinnati Suds and the Kentucky Bourbons were the only franchises to play all 6 seasons of professional softball. Pittsburgh began playing in
700-626: The United States. The Hardhats came in 3rd place in the Eastern Division of the 1977 APSPL Eastern Division with a record of 17–37, 16.5 games behind the Baltimore Monuments . Tom Miller (.544, 52 HRs, 124 RBIs) of the Hardhats made the 1977 all-pro team, Benny Holt of the Chicago Storm won the league MVP with the Detroit Caesars taking the first ever professional softball World Series title. Jim Nelson (81-166, .488, 41 HRs, 100 RBIs) of
735-456: The World Series winning Milwaukee Schlitz was the league MVP with the series being the first live broadcast on the start-up network ESPN . Making the all-APSPL team in 1979 from Pittsburgh were Barry Glaser (.527 BA) and Denny Brown (.504 BA). First-baseman Joe Aversa made the mid-season All-Star team and Greg Birko (.478 BA) has another strong campaign. Cleveland Stepien's Competitors ,
SECTION 20
#1732884972710770-436: The business district, Braeburn and Braeburn Heights. Fire Company 4 used to serve the Braeburn and Braeburn Heights areas in the city. Fire Company 2, was formerly located in Braeburn and merged into Company 4 in 2005. Company 4, in turn, was closed in 2009. Lower Burrell's EMS coverage is provided by Company 3. The city has approximately 100 volunteer firefighters. Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell Township are jointly served by
805-401: The city was 97.95% White , 0.93% African American , 0.03% Native American , 0.36% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.10% from other races , and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population. There were 5,133 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had
840-462: The inaugural 1977 American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) season. The APSPL was formed by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne , who would go on to form the Women's Professional Basketball League . Former New York Yankees player Whitey Ford was brought on to serve as league commissioner. The team changed venues twice during its existence, playing the 1977 season and part of
875-452: The last professional softball title. Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania Lower Burrell is a city in northern Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania , United States, along the Allegheny River . Located approximately 18 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh , it is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area . The population was 11,758 at the 2020 census . The region in which Lower Burrell
910-492: The league MVP for the repeating champion Caesars Hardhats have a strong season included Roger Snatchko ( .578, 6 HRs, 81 RBIs), Barry Glaser (.550, 2 HRs, 59 RBIs) and Fred Ryan (.393, 21 HRs, 67 RBIs). Pittsburgh took a step forward in 1979 with a 33–31 record, advancing to the playoffs where they lost in the first round 3-2 (6-7, 0–4, 10–9, 10–3, 5–1) in a best of five series to the Rochester Zeniths . Rick Weiterman of
945-498: The mayor, Lower Burrell has four councilmen. Each councilman heads a different department including the Department of Accounts and Finance, Department of Parks and Public Property, Department of Public Safety and the Department of Streets and Improvements. The current mayor is Chris Fabry, a Republican elected in 2023 and sworn in on January 3, 2024. The Lower Burrell Police Department is staffed by 17 full-time police officers, including
980-528: The merger. Pittsburgh struggled in the first year of the new league in 1981, finishing in last place of the Western Division, 23-35 (.397), 20 games behind the Cincinnati Suds. John Regent (21 doubles) of Pittsburgh made the all-pro team. Bill Gatti of the World Series winning Kentucky Bourbons was the league MVP. Jim Nelson (16 HRs, 64 RBIs) and Greg Birko held down the mound with an 11–21 record on
1015-466: The playoffs to advance to their first APSPL World Series, where they were swept 3-0 by the Rochester Express . After the season, the leagues officially merged, but only the Milwaukee Schlitz would go to the new United Professional Softball League (UPSL) and the Champions disbanded. The Hardhats moved to the Champions stadium, LaRussa Field in Lower Burrell in 1981, where they continued to play until
1050-484: The year. The team would move to the Champions former home for 1982, LaRussa Field, Sokol Club, Lower Burrell , Pennsylvania . The Hardhats had worse fortune in 1982, finishing with a record of 8-52 (.133), 36.5 games back of the division winning Cleveland Competitors . No Hardhats won league honors, Dana Andry of Cleveland was the league MVP and the Milwaukee Schlitz defeated the Detroit Auto Kings to win
1085-466: The years that followed, Lower Burrell transformed from a quiet, rural farm community to a residential and commercial area while Upper Burrell stayed primarily rural. Upper Burrell Township is still somewhat rural, though it has experienced some suburban growth and sprawl in recent years. In 1959, in the midst of the growth of their community, township residents voted to make Lower Burrell a third class city. Lower Burrell continued to grow substantially until
Pittsburgh Champions - Misplaced Pages Continue
1120-420: The young professional sport. The Hardhats also brought a legal challenge against new Champions player and General Manager Roger Snatchko for breach of contract as he had been under contract with the Hardhats previously. That lawsuit was withdrawn because a salary amount was not specified in the Hardhat contract. Tensions with Stepien remained as he tried to lure talent away from the APSPL teams, notably Chuck Lazar,
1155-406: Was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 41,000, and the median income for a family was $ 50,036. Males had a median income of $ 38,900 versus $ 25,706 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 20,143. About 4.3% of families and 6.5% of the population were below
1190-571: Was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Lower Burrell is located at 40°35′2″N 79°43′19″W / 40.58389°N 79.72194°W / 40.58389; -79.72194 (40.583966, -79.721948). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 11.8 square miles (31 km ), of which 11.6 square miles (30 km ) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km ) (2.28%)
1225-420: Was the NASL league MVP. Outfielder Roger Snatchko (.478 BA) was the only Champion to make the all-NASL team. Fred Ryan hit 29 home-runs for Pittsburgh, 7th most in the NASL, and Jim Picard, Ed Zalewski, Mark Johnson and Roger Snatchko made the mid-season All-Star team. Across town, the Hardhats had their best season, finishing with a 44-19 (.698) record, trailing only the Kentucky Bourbons who they upset 3–2 in
#709290