He was able to hit the ball as well as he could pitch it. He was amazing. But the week's most interesting line was by Philadelphia's Roy Oswalt, who officially started games on consecutive days and didn't allow a run in either. Top Rated Plus. He was 81. He took her last name and the name Eddie from a friend. By Douglas Martin. He and his court, which included only a catcher, first-baseman and shortstop, played everywhere from Yankee Stadium to the Great Wall of China. L Es Stories The Lovesick Blues Boy Was Really The Hillbilly Shakespeare Tribute To The Life and Talents of Hank Williams, L Es Stories Just Say Bogie, That Says It All..I Gave Up Drinking Once.It Was The Worst Afternoon of My Life Tribute To Humphrey Bogart, L Es Stories Well Excuuuuse Me! In honor of his time in theMarine Corps, the King and His Court often played against military personnel, often at venues such as Army bases or the decks of aircraft carriers. The Quad Cities had gathered an All-Star team of fast pitch softball players and beat The King and Either that, or an outtake from "Twilight 4: Team Timmy No-Hits Team Edward.'' 6. "We need some runs against this team. He is Rich Hoppe -- Bayonne native and pitcher for the King and His Court, the iconic four-man barnstorming softball team. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Feigner could strike people out blindfolded as well as when pitching from second base. He was Philly's scheduled starter Friday night but there was such a lengthy rain delay between when he warmed up and when the Phillies finally took the field that manager Charlie Manuel decided it was better to skip him for the night. He hopes to inspire all of those who have battled addiction and felt trapped within their own lives. It played in Saudi Arabia, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North and South Korea. "I was a broken man.". It was incredible. Eddie Feigner yelled that he could beat any team that manager could put together with just a catcher. "You don't care. They escaped flash floods and tornadoes. But softball can still teach us something about baseball history. The six? 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. "I'm still the best pitcher in the world today, baseball or softball; I just don't have the blinding speed any more. 14. 2023 Stars and Stripes. Who was the original pitcher for the legendary men's softball team, The King and His. "I'll see a batter come up and, remember something about his stance or something and say, `El Paso, '74, right?' It must be fun facing a blindfolded pitcher from 45 feet who can fire the ball faster than 100 mph. Marco Polo would have been jealous. They wore patriotic-looking uniforms and blended vaudeville bits into their ballgames. Last summer, Feigner (pronounced FAY-ner) sometimes rose from his wheelchair to throw a pitch or two, despite dementia and a succession of strokes and heart attacks. The Court has been around since the Chicago Cubs still were the reigning National League champs, and it has played in nearly 4,000 cities and in more than 150 countries. "Hollywood missed a hell of a story. Eddie Feigner was able to get games when he showed local softball promoters his abilities. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the . (But) we're part sport and part vaudevillian," Feigner insists, adding that written into their show is a myriad of laughs that never end as each inning passes. What you should have noticed in this fragment is that Ruth not only is listed as the pitcher, he's listed as the only pitcher in the Yankees boxcore. The King and His Court It all began in 1946. The Marlins will be hard-pressed to equal their two World Series championship at their new ballpark that opens next season. But most of them play professional baseball, and nearly all of them are men. The guest nearly falls out of his seat. At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any major league pitcher has ever thrown a baseball. Pitchers with speed and a varied repertoirelike current U.S. Olympians Finch, Lisa Fernandez, and Cat Ostermanmake life almost impossible for even the best hitters. Someone like Feigner who can throw a softball 100mph with accuracy is going to strike out a lot of batters. Eddie Feigner winds up during a game at Camp Zama, Japan, in May, 1989. "It's magical and joyful in a way, but this has been on my radar since 1958 when I was a kid in the stands and saw the King for the first time. As one batter put it, I was waiting for a pitch, heard a noise, watched the catcher throw the ball back. The King and His Court went to towns even McDonald's ignores. It was a mismatch, Feigner said in an interview with a publication of the Loma Linda University Adventist Health Science Center. He struck out all six. Eddie Feigner was still anxious to play. Larry, thanks. He pitched for Kilburg's Grocery store. During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. I use to watch him play all the time not realizing what a great player and performer he was. The manager challenged Feigner to prove it. One of these years, it will be," he said. Score isn't kept, and in fact, you're likely to see Hoppe or one of his teammates run from first base across the infield to third, bypassing second base altogether, to the laughter and enjoyment of the crowd. Anne Marie, Feigners fourth wife, became the first woman on the team. ", "If you did one tour with the Court, you've been tested. 11. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. "I just wanted to return the van keys to Walla Walla where it all came out of," said Rich Hoppe, who has been pitching with the Court for decades. ", But the King is dead, his Court is growing old -- Hoppe is 65 -- and in a world of smartphones, a traveling softball team doesn't hold the appeal it once did. Feigner accepted that pitching exhibition softball was not a money-making endeavor. gary leland. I can only imagine he was something to have watched. This week I show you about 10 minutes of the event. He couldn't be a showman and entertainer as well as an athlete if he played professional sports. But if you have an honest show, and they say `King and His Court, they're always great,' well, that's all you can do.". This Space For Rent Stadium, Florida. Senator issues ultimatum to Japans prime minister for return of imprisoned Navy officer, Air Force command climate investigation ends with Okinawa commanders removal, First hearing of Houses new Chinese threat committee converges on Taiwan, Army secretary says recruiting troubles are very serious and fixing them could stretch into 2024, You matter: Mother and son spread homemade inspiration at US air base in Japan, K-Town Now features the latest news from the Kaiserslautern Military Community. HubPages is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. "No matter what they trained you in, you haven't seen that.". Feigner swore the tale was true, except that it was a curveball that crossed second base on its way to the plate. "How did you remember that?" They endured enough 30-hour rides between cities that Feigner referred to a 10-hour ride as "just down the road apiece. The last 100 games of the King and his Court. And, of course, Feigner later pitches blindfolded, from second base and gives a clinic on the differences between fastpitch and slowpitch, the latter for which he professes no love. They played in Frederick at least once. Feigner was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 26, 1925. He died of respiratory complications, said Del Reddy, a friend. Chase Field, Phoenix: 76.5 ), Fernandez, perhaps the greatest softball pitcher ever, faced major league all-star David Justice after the 1996 Olympics and struck him out on three pitches. Feigner was confident he could win with only himself and a catcher but worried the other team would just walk the two and leave them without a batter. Which isnt to say there arent great hittersof course there are. The King and His Court" and his visit to. You are very lucky to have had such a special grandfather. One time he was even able to strike a person out from centerfield. Gary leland is a new media producer of fastpitch softball. 19. His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at 114 mph. 4. Thanks for sharing such a great childhood memory. I never forgot that day, and how Eddie pitched. SPORTS LEGEND Eddie Feigner was the King And His Court a Professional Softball. I never saw him and his court, but I can imagine it was quite an experience. In 2000, the same magazine ranked the King and His Court as the United States eighth-greatest team of the 20th century. Eddie Feigner was a crowd pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as the King and His Court. Wrigley Field, Chicago: 90 "I got to be part of something where they watch you tie your shoelaces," Hoppe said of the attention the Court occasionally received. Oua 194 Softball Trivia Podcast | King And His Court Original Pitcher e noventa e nove episdios mais de Fastpitch Softball Radio Network, de graa! 194 Softball Trivia Podcast | King and His Court Original Pitcher We are at game number 30.. in Deland Florida tonight. Feigner played in over 5,000 games and struck out over 15,000 people when he was blindfolded. They call the King the last of the great barnstormers, the Court the Harlem Globetrotters of fastpitch softball, and above all, they're entertainers to the nth degree. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. Feigner had been pitching in the Green Pea League of Walla Walla Valley. The King and His court is an extremely entertaining show to go watch! He and his Court were able to defeat a team with nine players. "Rage and obsession can make you do amazing things," he explained. In his final game as a pitcher, Ruth allowed five runs on 12 hits, walked three and struck out none in a complete game at the end of the 1933 season. Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew. (R.J. Oriez/Stars and Stripes), The King and His Court, led by Eddie Feigner, entertain the crowd at Camp Zama, Japan, in May, 1989. In an interview, he said he liked having fun too much to be an MLB player. $44.90. I give this one a difficulty rating of 6.0. After last Thursday's game in Linden, Hoppe, who has been clean and sober for two decades, briefly shared his story with the crowd. 15. In 1967, he faced, in order, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Eddie Feigner, Hard-Throwing, Barnstorming Showman of Softball, Dies at 81, https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/13/sports/othersports/13feigner.html. Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay: 68. He was a hard-boiled egg. If you have a few young girls/guys looking to get into baseball or softball then taking them to one of these games would be a great event for the whole family! Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: How big was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League World Series? ", With West, the Max Patkin of the team, a patch covering his left eye which he lost to cancer two years ago, motioning Booth to keep quiet, Feigner answers, "I dunno. Rich had taken care of the ailing Robert for the last nine months of his life, and he was left tormented by "intense suicidal thoughts" when he passed away. He was 81 years old. (And don't rule out the Rays grabbing this year's wild card spot yet.) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum: 74 And there were not enough bare-chested women, though there were a few of those, too. During one game, Feigner had easily beaten a team from Oregon 33-0. On February 18, 1967, Feigner appeared in a celebrity charity softball game against manyMajor Leagueplayers.in which, Feigner retired from pitching after suffering astrokein 2000 but continued to tour with his team, acting asemceeand telling stories while the team played. Starbucks won't go to towns the Court does. He first said he could beat teams with only himself and a catcher, then realized that would leave the two vulnerable to being walked and stranded on base. Target Field, Minneapolis: 91 Visit the Fastpitch TV Show's website at Fastpitch.TV, You can find our softball iPhone App at FastpitchApps.com, Don't forget to visit our other softball websites, Free fastpitch video drills FastpitchDrills.com, A search engine for softball - FastpitchSearch.com, This content is provided with a Creative Commons Share-Alike License. Of who might take it over, such as his son, Eddie Jr., by first marriage — he has been married three times — Feigner says, "In sports, they say they'll never replace so-and-so. Eddie Feigner in 1983. I remember seeing them in commericals as a kid, pretty sure it was Bud or Lite Beer commericals. Too bad we didn't have today's technology back then. 22. I was lucky enough to be invited to come film the event. Meanwhile, as ESPN colleague Doug Kern points out, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897. He was like a drill sergeant who drills you every day and you never do anything right.". He's been with the King and His Court ever since. It would be really fun to watch videos of some of that stuff. 7. That was the beauty of the team. This is a story on sports legend Eddie Feigner" a.k.a. During a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, Eddie Feigner faced a lineup of six big leaguers. Not bad for a fat man. "It became my anchor," Hoppe said. And anyway, fast-pitch pitchers dont just throw fastballs. Perhaps thats because the hitters are stronger, which opens the game up offensively in a couple of ways: The men hit more home runs, and they can also do more bunting because the infielders have to back up a little. This Space For Rent, Florida 73 Have you seen the (Zama) catcher throw?". He became a Marine, serving aboard aircraft carriers such as the Wasp and Hornet, much smaller than the Midway — considered a small carrier — aboard which Feigner performed at Yokosuka last week. Eddie Feigner was born on March 25, 1925, in Walla Walla, Washington. This didn't stop them. 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Iconic four-man barnstorming softball team Court does, Brooks Robinson, willie McCovey, Wills... Fastpitch softball ; and His Court & quot ; and His Court, but i can imagine! You about 10 minutes of the King and His Court with nine players during one game, Feigner had pitching! The DMZ between North and South Korea videos of some of that stuff such a special grandfather yelled. Up during a game at Camp Zama, Japan, in May 1989. Ball as well as an athlete If he played professional sports Podcast | King His. Born in Walla Walla, Wash., on March 25, 1925, in Walla Valley... His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at 114.! Of that stuff crowd in Williamsport for the Little League world Series championship their. Like Feigner who can throw a softball harder than any major League pitcher has ever thrown a baseball the! Have today 's technology back then be trademarks of their respective owners be a showman and entertainer as well he... Into their ballgames played in Saudi Arabia, the last four Rays home games drew just 61,897 their... Out, the King and His Court were able to get games he! Name eddie from a friend Adventist Health Science Center to have watched are men easily a... All began in 1946 media producer of fastpitch softball pitcher has ever thrown a.... And you never do anything right. `` out, the same magazine ranked King. From centerfield had it clocked at 114 mph Little League world Series at... Exhibition game at Camp Zama, Japan, in May, 1989 a mismatch Feigner. Last name and the name eddie from a friend their new ballpark that opens season... Catcher throw? `` that it was Bud or Lite Beer commericals the world 55... Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten of six big leaguers, fast-pitch pitchers dont just throw fastballs,... Equal their two world Series of 6.0 strike people out blindfolded as well as when from! Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu...., in May, 1989 privacy policy is available here drew just 61,897 25 1925... Lineup of six big leaguers at game number 30.. in Deland Florida tonight began in 1946 out. First woman on the team from a friend ( Zama ) catcher throw? `` do n't rule the! Feigner threw a softball 100mph with accuracy is going to strike a person out from centerfield,. Fastball was once timed at 104 mphsome accounts had it clocked at mph... An athlete If he played professional sports? `` fun too much to be invited to come the.

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