Men’s Committee Members

Men’s Committee Members

John DeJarnette

Highlights:

  • Played softball in Columbus 1987 – 2002
  • Athletic Director Ceraland for 5 years
  • CSA Committee Member 1 year
  • NSA Director for 5 years
  • USSSA Director for 5 years
  • Umpired since 1990
  • Coached for 25 years
  • Still actively playing/Traveling Senior Softball
  • On Board of Directors CISSHOF Inc.

Russell Wilhoit

Highlights:

  • 14 national championships
  • 7 national runner-up finishes
  • 4 times “coach of the year”
  • Made 6 all-American teams
  • Made several att-tournament teams
  • 3 MVP awards in national tournaments

Ron Turnbow

Highlights:

  • 6 National Championships
  • 2001 ASA -Tupelo Ms – Indy Legends
  • 2002 SPA – Plano Tx – Indy Legends
  • 2004 NSA – Cullman Al – Riverside Paving
  • 2005 LVSSA – Las Vegas – Riverside Paving
  • 2005 SSWCS – Phoenix Az – Indy Legends
  • 2006 SPA – Tampa Fl – Columbus Classics
  • 2011 Inducted to Ind Softball Hall of Fame

Steve Pavey

Highlights:

  • Played in Columbus from 1976 – 1992 (16 years)
  • Member of DECO’s 1980 Class A State Champs
  • 1989 State ASA Runner-up
  • Played on 10 Columbus league championship teams
  • Solid defensive player w/good speed and softball IQ
  • Great hitter for high average (Lefty)
  • Great teammate & Ambassador for Columbus Softball

Jim Norris

Highlights:

  • Inducted into the US Army in 1966 and played softball while serving.
  • After being discharged from the Army in 1968 the first time I played slow pitch softball for a team called the
  • Independents in Seymour, Indiana.
  • In 1983 I played on a National Championship team from Brownstown called the Brewers.
  • In 1999 I played for Coach Rabbit Wilhoit and the Indiana Classics and we won the 50 SPA national
  • championship.
  • In 1999 I also played for Winchells Chiropractic from Evansville In. we played in the Senior Olympics at Disney
  • and finish 2nd.
  • In 2007 I started playing for the Indiana Legends and Coach Dan Reynolds. We won the ISA and SPA national
  • Championships as well as the Tournament of Champions .
  • I am currently playing on a 75 age group team Indy 70s.
Sam Simmermaker wearing a black hat and glasses.

Sam Simmermaker

Highlights:

  • Provided slo-pitch softball coverage as a Radio Announcer for a “few” years.
  • Played Old-Timers slo-pitch softball for many years.
  • Winner of the Dwayne Grooms Award.
  • Had one career game-winning hit and received game ball from coach Lynn Montgomery.
  • Could not outrun Fred Darling.

Jerry Littrell

Highlights:

  • Started playing softball in Columbus at age 15.
  • Won King of Slow Pitch tournament in North Vernon 1976.
  • Won National Seniors AA 55 and over Championship in Las Vegas, 2001.
  • Asst. Coach for Major Plus team that won National Championship in Alabama
  • Coached and played on Cummins Engine Company State Industrial Champs and State runner-up.
  • Played in Columbus Park and Rec. Senior softball league, 40 and over, 50 and over , and 60 and over from 1989 until 2018.
Dewey Whitis with glasses.

Dewey Whitis

Highlights:

  • Known for his rifle arm and quick speed
  • Was also a major contributor at the plate where he hit for high average and displayed awesome power
  • Won several National Tournaments and State Tournaments
  • Won many All-American Awards

Mike Gehring

Highlights:

  • 1974-2007 played continuously in Columbus Softball Association (CSA) leagues. Also played in various regional and state tournaments for a few years
  • 1984 – Umpired girls softball at County Stadium
  • 1985-1992 – Coached a girls and a co-ed softball team in Columbus
  • 1985-2018 – Umpired continuously 2-3 times per week in CSA leagues
  • 1990s (don’t remember specific years) – Umpired several Indiana regional and state tourneys.
  • Early 2000s (don’t remember specific years) Member of CSA Board for 3-4 years
  • 2018 – Retired after 45 years of playing, coaching, and umpiring softball

Tom Wetherald Consultant

Highlights:

  • Started playing in Columbus 1982, with local teams
  • In 1985 started playing travel softball, with CG sports, and later with Golf core supply.
  • played mostly outfield, with very good team mates,
  • Won numerous rewards from Columbus softball leagues
  • After playing ended, started coaching fast pitch for next 12 years

Randy Lawson

Highlights:

  • Started his softball career in Columbus, In. in 1985
  • Has been playing softball in Columbus for 36 years
  • Played competitive travel ball for 30 years
  • Has won numerous State, National and World tournaments
  • Coached travel team for 10 years
  • Coached daughters team for 8 years
  • Asst Girls Fast-Pitch Coach at Columbus East H.S. for 4 years
  • Played in many County Community Softball tournaments held in Kentucky every year and won the tournament a couple of times. His team is one of the favored teams to win.

Derck Engelbert

Highlights:

  • Started playing Softball in Columbus, Indiana in 1976
  • Played in the Columbus leagues for 17 years
  • Won several league and league tournament Championships
  • Won several individual awards including “Best Shortstop”, MVP’s and “Best Hitter” awards
  • Had along career playing baseball in Indianapolis after Softball
  • One of the best Shortstops to ever play softball in Columbus
Rob Likens smiling at the camera.

Rob Likens

Highlights:

  • Played and coached competitively for over 30 years
  • Played in the Columbus leagues for over 25 years
  • Won multiple state and National tournaments
  • Won 3 World championships with different teams
  • Love the game and camaraderie from his all teammates, most of them today are still good friends
Rob Likens smiling at the camera.

Tim McNealy

Highlights:

  • Columbus Softball Player 1974- Current
  • CSA Board Of Directors 4 Years
  • Boyer Machine Team member 31 Years
  • SPA National All Tournament Team Twice
  • 2 ISA World Championships in Columbus
  • SPA “Mr Pitch” Champion 2013 & 2018, Dalton
  • Played for The Indiana Classics, Indy Fog and Indiana Legends.
Jeff Turnbow

Jeff Turnbow 

Highlights:

  • Played softball in Columbus for 28 years from 1977 to 2005.
  • One of the top fielding 3rd basemen in Columbus. 
  • He was a very consistent hitter with power and good average.
  • Played on several top teams and contributed to their success with his overall gamesmanship. 
  • He was a great teammate who made others around him better. 
  • Won several league titles with various teams and league tourneys. 
  • A member of the 1980 ASA State Champs Deco team. 
  • Played in the Industrial Nationals in Midland Texas with his COSCO team. 
  • Played in the A State with Countryside pools. A hard nose competitor with a passion to