January 2009

Before there was Dan Nessler, there was Jeff

January 19, 2009

Yucaipa, CA

Before there was Dan Nessler, there was Jeff
By Bob Otto
Yucaipa, CA

MANKATO, MN – Picture this scenario, it’s the latter-1970s to about
the mid to late ‘80s: The Mankato Happy Chef shortstop bends over
slightly at the waist, his feet shoulder width apart, his glove down
and open – at the ready. He’s calm and relaxed, but his eyes are
focused hard on the batter.

Right-hander, Leroy Jolstad, goes into his windmill and unleashes an
explosive drop ball aimed for the outside corner of the plate to a
right-handed power hitter.

But on this particular pitch, Leroy misses by four inches. The ball
comes screaming into the hitting zone. And our batter swings sending
the ball bounding by Jolstad jettisoned to hop over second base. But
just before the bat spanks the ball, our Happy Chef shortstop has
already started his glide toward second.

Effortlessly, he scoops up the ball and with a twist of his body, and
flick of his wrist, our shortstop - who happens to go by the name of
“Nessler” - has saved Mr. Jolstad a base hit.

Nessler?

Surely you mean Dan Nessler, who will be inducted into the
International Softball Congress Hall of Fame in August 2009.

No. Not Dan. Before Dan there was “Jeff.”

Mention the name Jeff Nessler to veteran fastpitch players of the
1970s and ‘80s of the upper Midwest states of Minnesota, Iowa, North
and South Dakota, and Wisconsin, and they’ll most likely nod their
heads in recognition. And in respect.

Now, Jeff’s younger brother Dan – as many know – will be inducted
into the ISC Hall of Fame during the ISC World Tournament. His skills
in the field, at the plate, and his managerial decisions in the
coaching box, place him deservedly with the greatest men’s fastpitch
softball players of all-time.

But Jeff, oh Jeff was special too. And he will certainly be
remembered as one of the great shortstops of all time – especially in
the upper Midwest. For years, he was the mainstay at shortstop for
the great Mankato ASA and ISC open-level teams.

But before he was recruited away to Mankato, he played for some very
good St. James teams. In 1976, I had the good fortune to pitch for
the St. James Band Box. Behind me covering my butt, was Jeff Nessler.

Jeff won’t be remembered for his speed. But what he lacked in speed,
he made up for with the one attribute that all great shortstops have:
The intuitive ability to anticipate where a ball will be hit. Just
before the bat met the ball, Jeff was on the move. Everything about
the way he handled his position was smooth.

While some shortstops’ legs propel them like explosive pistons, Jeff
seemed to glide effortlessly to the ball. And like all good
shortstops, he made the plays that had to be made. And in those
tense, game-deciding moments, he came up with the great play to pull
his pitcher and team out of trouble.

When I close my eyes I can see Jeff scooping up a ground ball headed
for left-centerfield. I believe it was at the 24-team Owatonna (Minn)
Tournament in 1976. We were playing a team from Scandia, or maybe
Stillwater (Minn) in the championship game. Scandia hit the ball hard
off me all game long. But the Band Box defense turned in one big play
after another.

But there was this one play in particular. Scandia had runners at
first and third with one out when a ball was hit and scooted by me
headed for centerfield. In my mind, I had already conceded the run.
But when I spun around there scooping up the ball was Jeff. He
stepped on second base and fired to first for the double play.

Just like that we were out of the inning and we went on to win the
game, and the tourney title.

Jeff didn’t say much. He wasn’t a cheerleading type shortstop. But
when he strolled toward the mound, I listened.

In another game, I had trouble with my landing foot. I kept slipping
and sliding and I couldn’t find the plate. Jeff walked in to the mound.

“What’s the matter?”

“I keep slipping with my front foot.”

He gave me a look that said, well, maybe you had better quit slipping.

Then he said something calming like, “just throw strikes and we’ll do
the rest.”

There are some ball players, who give their teammates more confidence
than their ability deserves just by the way they handle themselves.
Just by the way they go about their business. Just because they have
that innate ability to lead by example. Just because they are great.

Jeff Nessler was that kind of ball player.

Without a doubt in my 34-year pitching career, he was by far the best
shortstop that I had the good fortune to have fielding all those hard-
hit ground balls I gave up.

Dan Nessler, a Hall of Famer? You bet.

Jeff Nessler? Right there with his brother.
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