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  ORIGINAL STORY by Christine Rivest
KITCHENER — Humble and efficient, John Thompson never met an event he couldn't emcee, a sport he couldn't promote or a tournament he couldn't organize.
Through nearly five decades of volunteering, the longtime Waterloo resident has served as everything from fastball coach to tournament director.
Thompson, 65, finally took his bows when he and six others were enshrined in the International Softball Congress hall of fame over the weekend.
Sunday's hall of fame breakfast also recognized Kitchener Hallman Twins manager Steve Kooser, of Topeka, Kansas.
Kooser helped lead Nebraska's Broken Bow Travelers to ISC titles in 2001, 2003 and 2004 and Ontario's Jarvis Travelers to the ISC's first three-peat in 55 years (2010-2012).
Glenn Verge, of Newmarket, Ont., a fastball coach, manager and sponsor for nearly 50 years in his hometown and in Owen Sound, was also inducted.
Verge was instrumental in paving the way for Canada's softball players to play in the ISC as well as Ontario and Canadian championships, having an initial ruling by the sport's governing bodies on this side of the border overturned.
He helped lead the charge, through the court system. And some three decades later, Ontario-based teams have won the ISC tourney the past six years.
Others welcomed into the ISC's hall this weekend include: field manager Chris Santos, of Aurora, Colo.; and former players Denny Delorit, of Egg Harbor, Wis.; Lou M. Ferrero (posthumously), of Hanford, Calif.; and Trent Rubley, of Clearwater, Fla.
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What's old is new again
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Three long-ago Kitchener Twins strolled through Peter Hallman Ball Yard looking resplendent in enemy colours Sunday.
Former Twins field boss Larry Lynch, 59, along with 40-something ex-Twins sluggers Dale Levy and Craig Crawford are sporting Hill United pinstripes at this week's International Softball Congress world tournament.
Hill United Chiefs, the ISC's defending champs, got off to a blistering start with a 10-0 five-inning romp over the Waterdown Hammer in the Six Nations-based team's opener Sunday.
Starter Adam Folkard scattered three hits, striking out seven, through three innings to post the win.
Levy blasted an insurance two-run double in the fifth.
Hill United convinced Crawford, 42, of Kitchener, a former national team member, to come out of retirement this season following a three-year retreat.
"Craig's had a phenomenal year for us. He's spanked the ball all over the park. He's like a kid out there," said Lynch.
"The old guys are having fun. And I'm just happy somebody is letting me wear a uniform again."
Hill United's next action is Monday at 8 p.m. at Peter Hallman Ball Yard against Colorado's Pueblo Bandits.
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Sharp-dressed men
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The tournament's umpiring crew was presented by organizers with the best-dressed team award during opening ceremonies Sunday.
The 30-plus member blue crew features several local umps as well as some from as far away as the United States, the Czech Republic and New Zealand.
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