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.
30-442: Pittsburgh Hardhats can refer to: Pittsburgh Hardhats (softball) - a defunct professional softball team Pittsburgh Hardhats (basketball) - a defunct professional basketball team Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Pittsburgh Hardhats . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
60-716: A Division III All-American 4th-year starting QB for the Saxons. The APSPL and the NASL then merged to form the United Professional Softball League in 1981, although only Milwaukee came to the new league from the NASL as the other franchises disbanded. The Express finished with a record of 30–28 (.517), second place in the Eastern Division behind the South Jersey Athletics . New England beat Rochester 3–1 in
90-653: 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
120-561: 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
150-585: The Rochester Zeniths franchise in the Continental Basketball Association . The Zeniths softball team played at Harris Whalen Park in Penfield, New York for the 1978 and 1979 seasons in the APSPL. The Zeniths built a roster from the area amateur teams, including former San Francisco Giant minor-leaguer Joe Costello. The team then added the colorful Cal Carmen from Detroit before
180-595: 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
210-463: 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
240-504: 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
270-545: 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
300-503: 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
330-607: The Softball Centre in Scottsville, NY . The Express limped to a 30–34 (.469) record and would make a managerial change mid-season to try to stir the team, with Manager Mike Decillis returning full-time to playing field and second-baseman Don Fazio moving taking the reins. The team advanced to the playoffs, defeating New England 3–0 in the first round to move to the APSPL World Series against Pittsburgh. Rochester upset
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#1732877014677360-682: 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
390-456: 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 ,
420-540: The city of Rochester. Rochester struggled to a 24–40 (.375) record, finishing 22.5 games behind the division-winning Cleveland Competitors . No Express player made the 1982 all-league team although Pete Castle (50, 38 HRS, 74 RBIs) had a solid year. Milwaukee defeated Detroit Softball City in the 1982 World Series, with Dick Laba of the Schlitz taking the Series MVP trophy and Dana Andry honored as league MVP. The UPSL and
450-405: The final inning in game 7. Rochester rallied in the bottom of the 7th as Jerry Lasponara, with two out in a now tied game, capped the rally by driving home Don Fazio for the 7-6 win to force another game. The Express rode the momentum to a 9-1 blowout victory in game 8, and with Steve Re belting his 5th home-run of the series, Zaccarado tripling in 3 runs, and a triple from Rich Brown launching
480-845: The first round of the playoffs where the Pilgrims lost to Kentucky 5–3 behind the bat of World Series MVP Greg Whitlock. Bill Gatti of the Bourbons was named the 1981 UPSL MVP. Tom Zaccarado (.474, 15 HRs, 62 RBIs) of Rochester made the all-league team. Steve Re (.414, 15 HRs) and Rick Page ( 23 HRs, 64 RBIs) had productive seasons for the Express and Mike DeCillis went 16–12 pitching. 1980 home-run leader Bob Schuster played sparingly, having taken an out-of-state job after graduating college. The Express returned to Harris Whalen Park in Penfield for 1982 UPSL season and also played some home games at Silver Stadium in
510-406: The heavily favored Hardhats 5–4 (2-8, 8-7, 10-4, 2-5, 7-9, 15-16, 7-6, 9-1, 8-2) in the 9-game series, behind strong hitting from Tom Zaccarado (.500, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs) and Steve Re (.444, 5 HRs, 9 RBIs), and series MVP Don Brown on the mound (5–4 pitching). The Express came back from a 2-4 deficit in the series and Pittsburgh was one win from the title with a 3-run lead heading to the bottom of
540-462: 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
570-650: The last professional softball title. Rochester Express The Rochester Express , originally named the Rochester Zeniths, were a professional softball team that played in two professional softball leagues from 1978 through 1982 at various locations in the Rochester, New York area. The Rochester Zeniths were organized in the fall of 1978 to play in the second year of the American Professional Slow-Pitch League (APSPL) . The APSPL
600-433: 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
630-418: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pittsburgh_Hardhats&oldid=933057547 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Pittsburgh Hardhats (softball) Pittsburgh began playing in
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#1732877014677660-528: 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
690-526: The mid-season All-Star team. Zeniths manager Mike DeCillis served as a coach for the Eastern All-Star team. Rick Weiterman of Milwaukee was both the World Series and league MVP in 1979. The rival North American Softball League (NASL) formed in 1980, splitting professional softball, but Rochester continued play in the APSPL. The Zeniths had been sold to new owners who renamed the team the Rochester Express in 1980. The team changed their home stadium to
720-456: The new start-up sports network ESPN . Zenith Rick Page (482, 24 HRs, 94 RBIs) made the 1978 all-APSPL team with Bob Goodlow (.558, 20 HRs, 59 RBIs) and Pete Castle (.493, 18 HRs, 59 RBIs) had solid seasons in support. Don Brown (.536, 38 RBIs, 43 runs scored, 30–21 pitching) of the Zeniths was named to the all-APSPL team for 1979, with Brown, Rick Palmiero, Rick Page and Jerry Lasponera making
750-471: The offense, the Express took the series with an 8-2 series winning victory in the 9th game, capping an improbable come-back and title run. Express players Pete Castle (435, 9 HRs, 57 RBIs,) Rich Brown (.494, 2 HRs, 22 RBIs) and, rookie of the year Bob Schuster (.421, 21 HRs, 59 RBI) made the all-league team in 1980. Schuster missed the playoffs as he was with the Alfred University football team as
780-419: The season began. Carmen played first-base and would often come within 10-feet of the batter during the pitch and taunt and whistle at the batter. Even with the trickery, Rochester struggled in the 1978 season, finishing with a record of 22–42 (.344), 16 games behind the Eastern Division winning New England Pilgrims . The Detroit Caesars won their second APSPL World Series with Bert Smith of Detroit winning
810-455: The series MVP. Ron Ford of the Caesars won the league MVP. Rick Page of the Zeniths was named to the all-league team. Bob Goodlow (.578, 6 HRs, 81 RBIs) and Pete Castle (.493, 18 HRs, 59 RBIs) had solid seasons for Rochester. Carmen (.307, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs) struggled in the adjustment to professional play, despite being the highest paid Zenith, and was released on July 31 when Rochester when
840-549: The team was eliminated from the playoff picture. The Zeniths improved greatly in 1979, winning the Eastern Division with a 35–27 (.565) record, advancing to the playoffs. Rochester beat the Pittsburgh Hardhats in the first round 3–2, but were defeated by the Kentucky Bourbons 3–1 in the semi-finals. The Milwaukee Schlitz would then beat the Kentucky Bourbons 5–3 in the APSPL World Series, broadcast nationwide on
870-544: 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
900-403: Was formed in 1977 by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne , who would go on to found the Women's Professional Basketball League . Former New York Yankees player Whitey Ford served as the first league commissioner. The Zeniths were owned by Dick Hill who owned Hill TV, a Rochester electronics store that sold Zenith brand televisions, hence the team name. Hill also owned
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