Women’s Committee Members
LeAnne Blackerby
Highlights:
- Began 1977 officially with umpire registration and work at County Stadium.
- Began Umpiring for Rick Gilbert at Lincoln Park. Worked Men’s, Women’s, Coed. Worked these leagues 30+ years, approximately 9600 games. More than 10,000 games over my career.
- 80+ state tournaments for Indiana ASA, 30-40 at Lincoln Park in Columbus. UIC’d (Umpire-in-Chief) 40+ state tournaments.
- 14+ ASA National Tournaments in Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona, Iowa, Virginia. GSP, WSP, MSP, CoEd, 16″ MSP.
- Charter member CSA, CSA Umpire-in-Chief 20+ years
- CSA Board of Directors 20+ years
- Indiana ASA Umpire Instructor 20+ years
- Indiana ASA Region VP 20+ years representing Columbus
- Inducted into CISSHOF 2021
Bev Crussell
Highlights:
- Started playing softball in Columbus in 1971 in the womens league on a good Indiana Veneer team .
- Played in Columbus leagues for 48 years.
- Played in the 1st Coed league created in Columbus and first womens and coed league created at County Stadium .
- Was successful on numerous State women’s and coed teams with Margie’s Munchkins team . This team won many women’s and coed league titles and were tourney champs repeatedly.
Cathy Brummett
Highlights:
- Started playing when I was 10.
- Played until I was 8 months pregnant with my daughter at age 39.
- Played at County and at Lincoln. Womens and coed ball.
- Highlight would be Coed Nationals in Kansas when Lou Giovanni got male MVP of the tournament and I got female MVP. He batted first and played SS, I batted second and played 2nd base.
- Probably best known for hitting behind runners and my speed and aggressiveness on the bases.
Maci Bennett Cox
Highlights:
- I’ve played since 1989, for 37 years.
- Started at the age of 9. Mostly leagues at county stadium and Lincoln.
- I played on an all star team as kids 12 U coached by Ed Loweth.
- I played 2nd base when I was little, as an adult Left and Left Center and Pitched a lot.
Stacey McCarthy
Highlights:
- Been playing since 1982
- Played on several different women and coed teams
- Coached women, coed & mens teams
- Mostly play outfield, sometimes catcher
- Am a solid base hitter, onbase percentage is very good
- Get along with everyone
Maria Stack
Highlights:
- Played for over 25 years
- Played for the Ponytails, KFC and GB Wilcher
- These teams won over 300 tournaments and leagues
- Won All-American honors and MVP’s through the years
- Lifetime batting average of over .500
- Had a rocket arm and threw out many baserunners from the outfield- including throwing runners out at first base
- A tenacious baserunner
- Inducted into the CISSHOF 2019
- One of the best female players in Columbus In.
Diana Daeger
Highlights:
- Began playing at the age of 7 in 1977 and continues to play in Senior Softball tournaments in Las Vegas and Phoenix. Plays an occasional Friday night co-ed game in Scipio.
- Began umpiring at age 16 at Lincoln Park under the guidance of Leanne Blackerby and other amazing veteran umpires.
- Played and coached league and tournaments with Wilson Concrete Women’s team.
- Played many seasons in tournaments with Wilson Concrete Co-ed team.
- Traveled out of state many times over the years for women’s and co-ed.
- Played many seasons in the Lincoln Park women’s and co-ed leagues and tournaments.
Julie Zeigler (Ziggy)
Highlights:
- A rare feat. Played one position for over 20 years—“catcher”
- Hardworking softball catcher who was dedicated and passionate to play catcher.
- Started playing softball the inaugural season when I was 9 years old at the county stadium.
- Played at the County Stadium and then the city league.
- Also, played on co-ed teams for over 5 years.
- Won state tournaments with Dairy Queen and participated in the National Tournament.
- Won many tournaments and leagues with various teams.
- Enjoyed playing and watching softball through the years. I was fortunate to play with great players and great teams throughout my playing days.
- At the end of my playing days knowing I made a difference and tried my hardest keeps a smile on my face.
- Softball Rocks and I am looking forward to being a committee member for Columbus Indiana Slow Pitch Softball Hall Of Fame!
Kelly Kellems
Highlights:
- Started playing slow pitch softball at the age of 9. Played till I was 26.
- Then on and off from time to time to present. I played fast pitch from 1991 -1995.
- I was a varsity catcher at Columbus North
- Played Slow Pitch Softball for over 25 years total.
Linda Roberts
Highlights:
- Participated in slow pitch softball in Columbus In for 48 years from 1975-2023
- She could play any position
- Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023
- Was a student of the game and a great ambassador. Always gave 100% and displayed the best sportsmanship
- Considered one of the best first Baseman to ever play the game
Paula Foster
Highlights:
- Started playing in 1982 for Mary Drive.
- 2 years later I played for Big Mack(Jim McMillan) left fielder for a year then to shortstop, got hurt, then I started pitching.
- Played 6 years then moved to Jerry Freeman’s team as the pitcher.
- Played co-ed, men’s in Indy, as a Pitcher.
- Was an umpire, score keeper and on the board for CSA for years.
- Started coaching men’s and coed.
- Played high league every year but the 1st two.
- Won several MVP Awards in tournaments.
Trina Jones
Highlights:
- I’ve played slow pitch softball since I was 9.
- Played on several different women and coed teams.
- I played one year of college softball. 88-89 at grace college in Winona lake Indiana.
- I played Slow Pitch softball in Columbus Indiana for 20-25 years.
- Currently I keep score and play on a coed team and sometimes with the senior league.