Willard native inducted into USA Softball Hall of Fame

By Valorie Brecht A Willard native has “hit a home run” in terms of softball accolades, demonstrating his commitment to a sport that has given him much more than trophies and plaques.

Larry Stremikis, 80, was recently inducted into the USA Softball of Piedmont VA Hall of Fame.

To be inducted, a player must receive the votes of at least seven of the nine Hall of Fame committee members. The purpose of the organization is “to honor those who have played a major role in the growth and development the game of softball into one of the greatest sports in the U.S. today.”

Stremikis, a pitcher and outfielder, was one of six inductees in the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

“I wasn’t seeking it (the award) out, but it sought me out,” said Stremikis, who had a coaching friend urge him to apply for the award, knowing all of Stremikis’ accomplishments.

Those accomplishments date back to as early as 2003 and include playing on several senior championship teams; winning the Mr. Stix batting accuracy competition; being named three times to the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) All-American Team and four times to the All-World Team, including twice as the All-World MVP; and being named the Offensive Player of the International Senior Softball Association 80+ AAA National Championship in the last year.

“I’ve always played softball,” said Stremikis, who grew up in the Tioga area near Willard.

He attended the one-room Blackberry for school for grades 1-8. He then went to Greenwood High School for four years.

Although he didn’t play for the high school team, Stremikis was constantly playing softball or baseball on neighborhood teams along with his brother, Jerry (who later served as the longtime Greenwood postmaster). They would face off against other local teams such as Hixton or Humbird.

“As long as I didn’t have to bale hay, I’d be out playing ball on the weekend,” said Stremikis.

After graduating from high school in 1961, Stremikis spent four years in the Air Force. He then was employed by United Air Lines for 35 years, starting as a fighter mechanic and working his way up to a high-level supervisory role. He spent 20 years living in San Francisco, nine years in Honolulu and seven in Indianapolis.

As he advanced in his career, he continued to keep softball a big part of his life.

“In Honolulu, I put a team together from our department at United. All the departments had their own teams, so the mechanics and the pilots would play against each other, for example. And it really helped to bond the mechanics and the pilots. Because then when they would see each other during the day, the pilot could be like, ‘Hey, that’s that guy I played ball against last night.’ So it really was a trust thing,” said Stremikis.

After retiring in 2000, Stremikis and his wife moved to Charlottesville, Va., where Stremikis started the Charlottesville Retreads senior softball team, open to any man 55 or older, or woman 40 or older. The team has twice-weekly morning practices, with weekly games from April through September. It would have never gotten off the ground if it wasn’t for Stremikis’ brother, however.

“After I retired, my brother Jerry from Wisconsin called me one day and asked me to play on his Milwaukee team. I had never heard of senior softball before, so that was how I heard about it. I agreed to play on Jerry’s team. We traveled to Salem, Oregon, for a tournament,” said Stremikis.

That got Stremikis hooked and he joined a travel team out of Richmond, Va., which he has played on for more than 20 years. He is now part of the 80+ AAA team. Divisions are separated by five-year increments, starting at 50+ and going all the way to 85+, and into four skill levels, AA, AAA, Major and Major-Plus (for Men’s 50+ through 70+).

Being on a travel team has given Stremikis the opportunity to visit other parts of the country and meet new people with a shared interest. He’s traveled to the Carolinas and as far south as Georgia, and went to Las Vegas for a World Masters Championship. In 2013, his 70+ AAA travel team played in the Softball Players Association National Championships in Dalton, Ga. One of the contests at the event is the Mr. Stix batting contest. Cones are set up on the field and the batter has to hit softballs between the cones. Stremikis won the 70+ age bracket. At that event, he recognized longtime Loyal resident and softball player Darrell Laschen, who was there with a team from Minnesota. Laschen won the 75+ bracket.

As a senior softball player, Stremikis has been able to maintain an active lifestyle and develop his game, showing a person can continue to grow as an athlete, no matter their age.

“I’m not trying to boast when I say this, but I can honestly say that now in my 80s, I am one of the best players on the team — not so when I was younger. At 80 years old, I feel really healthy,” he said.

He has found fulfillment in being able to help others in their health journey as well. The Retreads softball team has become an opportunity for social connection, whether through games or practices, or shared meals and picnics. Some of the team members have started bowling and golfing together as well. For Stremikis, it’s been rewarding to see.

“I started the Retreads because I really enjoy the sport,” said Stremikis. “But I’ve also always been interested in staying healthy. I read health books all the time… There’s so much research to show that people who have a good diet, regular exercise and friendships – relationships with people – tend to live longer. So I get to see people who live longer and have a healthier life.

“Being in a softball league is bonding, just being around people. I still really enjoy the sport, but I like to get people on board and show them, if you eat healthy and have good relationships, you’ll live longer.”

Larry Stremikis of Willard was one of six individuals inducted into the USA Softball of Piedmont VA Hall of Fame this year.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO