By Kevin Haskin
Traveling the world and coaching teams to championships at that level took Steve Kooser into Canada this weekend.
But while he is there, in Ontario, to be inducted into the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame, his recollections will probably touch on his Topeka upbringing.
Those memories involve a different time here, when fast-pitch softball ruled.
Maybe Kooser will recall watching a game at old City Park as a kid, racing away with a foul ball he and his buddies could use to play catch. Or, perhaps, thoughts will center on bustling Santa Fe Park and the hotly contested games there between teams split into three leagues.
“Every small town had a team, remember, too back then,’’ Kooser said.
For men, the sport vanished. Slow-pitch softball gained popularity. It was easier to play, took less time and required less travel. Also, bashers could feel the rush of crushing a homer, then pop the top on a beer can.
Kooser, however, never gave up fast-pitch. His father sponsored a team, Kooser Auctioneering, so it only seemed natural to play, particularly after Kooser grew up in baseball. Soon, he was making out a softball lineup and learning to strategize.
“Eventually you get to a place,’’ said Kooser, “where somebody says, ‘Well, I want to play, but I don’t know who we can get to manage.’
So Kooser stepped into the coaches box … and never left. Click here to read the entire article by Kevin Haskin at the Topeka Capital Journal.
Editor’s note: A great article, one that is worthy of your time to read the entire piece. Our heartiest congratulations to Steve Kooser on a well-deserved honor. The ISC Hall of Fame Inductions takes place Sunday, August 10, 2014 at Kitchener Ontario, Canada. You can watch it live on the ISC Network.