Brad Rona, Todd Twachtmann, Richard Helmuth, Craig Donaldson, Dean Kane, and Bob Nydick.
Moline, IL August 16, 2022 – The International Softball Congress has elected six new nominees to its Hall of Fame at its annual Board of Directors meeting today.
Brad Rona, Auckland, NZ, was a seven-time ISC All World Player and the MVP of the 2016 ISC World Tournament. A feared hitter from the time when he broke into the ISC with County Concrete, Marathon, WI in 200x, Brad was an imposing figure in the right-side batter’s box. A power hitter who also hit for a high average, Brad was a five-tool player who was just as impressive on the defensive side of the game at third base and later at first. He was a five-time ISC World Champion, once with County Materials, three times with Jarvis Travelers in 2010-2012 and with the Toronto Gators in 2016.
Todd Twachtmann, Cedar Rapids, IA, was a four-time ISC All World Player, once with St. Joseph, MO Meierhoffer and three times with The Farm Tavern of Madison, WI. Todd was admired for his professional mannerisms both on and off the field. During his 17-year ISC career, he was a strong defensive catcher, and also put up strong offensive numbers. Todd was also an ISC player representative for nine years.
Richard Helmuth, Dinuba, CA, was selected to All World teams twice with the Dinuba Condors in 1955 and 1958, playing in the World Tournament in 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1968. The Condors played in the strong California league and playing in the World Tournament meant competing with perennial powerhouse Long Beach Nitehawks. Dick caught for the Condors while winning 18 tournaments or league championships from 1954 until 1970. He passed away in 2006.
Dean Kane, Denmark, WI, has been a manager/coach for the Circle Tap Dukes organization for over 20 years. Dean has coached, managed, scorekept and puts together the schedule for the Dukes, who play one of the best schedules in the game annually. With Dean’s contributions, the Dukes have enjoyed success at the national level and in the ISC, finishing a best-ever second in 2018.
Craig Donaldson, late of Vancouver, BC, was an ISC commissioner for Canada West for 20 years before his untimely passing in 2021. Craig streamlined and updated the ISC by-laws in the mid 2000s. In more recent years, Craig served as the Vice-President of the ISC World Tournament from 2016-2020, handling scheduling, team recruiting, managed disputes, worked with umpires, kept score and maintained stats. Craig led the introduction of Pointstreak in 2015, bringing digital scoring to the ISC. Craig’s dedication and passion to continue to promote fastpitch on a local, regional, national and international level was unsurpassed with his behind-the-scenes work.
Dr. Bob Nydick, Miami Beach, FL, is the recipient of the Bob Welby Memorial Award for contributions to the game. Bob enjoyed an enviable run of success since he first entered his fisrt team into the ISC in 2004. His teams have never finished out of the top 10 and, since 2008, has teams have been in the top six and he’s won four ISC World Tournaments, two with Kitchener Rivershark Twins and two with New York Gremlins. Bob has been a sponsor, coach, talent evaluator, team builder and master recruiter.
The ISC Hall of Fame Breakfast and Induction Ceremony will be held on the opening Sunday of the 2023 World Tournament in Denmark, WI.
From the official ISC Website (Hall of Fame)
The International Softball Congress Hall of Fame was opened in 1965 and annually honors players, managers, sponsors & contributors, umpires and administrators.
The ISC Hall of Fame Breakfast and Induction Ceremony takes place on the opening Sunday of each ISC World Tournament.
In 2023, the ISC will honor players Brad Rona, Todd Twachtmann, Richard “Dick” Helmuth, manager Dean Kane, along with Bob Welby Award recipient Bob Nydick. Craig Donaldson was elected in the administrator category and will be posthumously inducted in 2024 in his hometown of Vancouver.