ISC Hall of Fame – 2012 Inductees Announced
By John Thompson
On Tuesday August 16, the ISC Hall of Fame Board of Directors announced the Class of 2012 Inductees for the ISC Hall of Fame. Next year’s induction ceremony will held in August in Midland MI.
Six inductees are being recognized for their careers as players and/or accomplishments as builders of the sport.
PLAYERS
Of the six inductees, four players are being inducted for outstanding on-field careers. .
PAUL ALGAR, Lexington IL – Pitcher
Originally from New Zealand, Paul Algar made his ISC debut in 1982 as a seventeen year old pitcher Hubbard Construction of Bishop CA and has carved a sterling career spanning 25 ISC World Tournaments.
Currently, Paul is competing in the 2011 Championships in Moline IL as a member of the host Quad Cities Sox of Davenport IA.
Paul was named ISC All-World on five occasions, four as a member of the Madison WI Farm Tavern for whom he led his team-mates to two world championships in 1997 and 1999.
Paul entered this year’s tournament with 39 career wins, two shy of Todd Martin and Doug Middleton who are tied for 5th at 41 career wins each.
Paul has pitched five no-hitters including a pair of perfect games in 1999 and 2003.
TODD BUDKE, Lancaster CA – Infielder
A native of Mason City IA, Todd Budke made a successful transition from baseball to fastball in Palmdale CA. His first taste of ISC competition was in 1994 at Summerside PEI as a member of the Long Beach CA Painters, with whom he also played in 1998.
Following a one-year stint with the Ballston Lake NY Heflin Builders in 1999, Todd joined Rod Peterson’s Madison WI Farm Tavern in 2000, where be became a fixture for seven seasons. In the ensuing decade, Todd was selected ISC All-World five times.
Todd captained the Team USA to a gold medal in the 2002 Pan-Am games qualifying tournament in Guatemala.
SHAWN RYCHCIK, North Andover, MA – Outfielder/Infielder
Shawn Rychcik was first introduced to fastball in 1985 in Salamanca NY as a 16 year old and joined New Martinsville WV for his ISC debut in 1989.
In the ensuing 18 consecutive seasons of ISC competition, Shawn was named ISC All-World ten times, equally at home patrolling the outfield as well as providing defensive efficiency at infield positions. His two-way proficiencies helped lead his teams to ISC World Titles on five occasions with teams in Green Bay WI, Tampa FL, Decatur IL and his last two in back-to-back seasons with County Materials in Marathon WI in 2005-06. He achieved 198 total bases, including 21 home runs, tied for 4th in career dingers.
ADAM SMITH, Ontario – 2nd Baseman
Starting in 1987, Adam Smith, a native of Hagersville ON provided solid defensive skills while waggling a lethal bat that resulted in his playing 109 ISC games and being recognized as an ISC All-World player on five occasions between 1994 and 2003. In 1995, he was the ISC World tourney rbi leader (11), and was the tournament’s leading hitter in 2001 (.583).
During his career, teams that benefitted from his two-way prowess finished in the top three positions eight times, including World Championships in 1993 and 1995 with the renowned Toronto Gators.
ADMINISTRATOR
DICK MASON, Littleton CO – Past President
Born in Quincy IL, Dick Mason commenced playing fastball in the early 1970s which has resulted in his evolution to a coach, manager and administrator in men’s and boys’ teams and programs. In the mid 1990’s he assisted in coaching the U.S.A. Olympic Festival Gold medal team, and followed with assistance to the 1996 U19 and 1998 Men’s selection camps.
In 1996, Dick was appointed as ISC Commissioner for the Colorado/Kansas area, advanced to the executive role of Treasurer in 1999 and was elected President of the ISC in 2001, a position he held for six years.
RECOGNTION OF SERVICE – BOB WELBY MEMORIAL AWARD
JOHN MILLER, Green Bay WI - Sponsor
Wisconsin loves John Miller. More specifically Wisconsin fastball teams, players and fans really love John Miller. His resources, generosity and passion for the small diamond sport have made indelible marks on cheese state teams for close to a half century, including the Denmark Dukes, Denmark Circle Tap, and the myriad of squads in the stable of “Bar” teams. His support has also been significant for the Circle Tap tournaments for twenty years as well as thirty years of community involvement for the Knights of Columbus Denmark tournaments.
The Class of 2012 induction will be held as part of the ISC 2012 Championships returning to Midland MI, building on the successful event hosted there in 2010.
The Hall of Fame inductions have been held annually since the inaugural event in 1965.
