UNTIL THE EARLY 1980s, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA), which is the national governing body of softball in the United States, prohibited its sanctioned teams from participating in ISC competition. Through the 1950s and early 60s, the International Softball Congress (ISC) was comprised of teams mostly from the Midwest to California. There were very few, if any teams from the East Coast to participate in its competition.

In 1963, the Allentown Patriots won an ISC qualifying tournament and accepted a bid to participate in the ISC's championship tournament. The Patriots were led by a 22-year-old-phenom from Coplay, PA, Ty Stofflet, who threw hard but hadn't as yet learned the intricacies of pitching. Nevertheless, some people within the ISC recognized the star power that Stofflet projected because he was voted the most popular player in the ISC Tournament two years in a row. In a few short years that star power was evident for all to see because, in 1967 and again in 1969 Ty was selected as the MVP of the ISC World Tournament. In 1969, his team, Sal's Lunch, scored a total of seven runs over five tournament games, yet won the ISC World Tournament because Ty Stofflet didn't allow the opposition to score while striking out 86 in 42 innings.

At 28, Stofflet was just coming into the prime of his fast pitch career. But, because of the ASA restrictions, Ty would not pitch another game in the ISC until 1984 when he was 43-years-old. When he returned he picked up right where he left off and was selected to the ISC All-World Team. Even more amazing is that in 1992, at age 51, Ty won four games in the ISC World Tournament and was once again selected to the ISC All-World Team. Ty is sixth on the all-time list for wins in the ISC World Tournament with 38. It's hard to imagine what that number could have been.

On a more personal note, I've known Ty for more than 30 years. My perspective on him comes from the opposing dugout (for many years) as a manager in his later fast pitch career and as a catcher and teammate for several years in the "Over 40" division of play. Ty is one of the best ambassadors ever for men's fast pitch softball. Having been with him in cities across the United States, I have seen fans approach him and introduce themselves. Often these people would have their son or daughter with them. They would say they had seen Ty pitch in such and such a tournament in such and such a year and would strike up a conversation with him He had a natural way of making that brief exchange a very enjoyable experience. Most of the time they would request that he sign a ball or some other article for them. Ty never missed a beat with these people. He treated them as if they were old friends, although he didn't know many of them prior to that conversation. Ty would shake their hands, sign their items and talk to them with a smile. They would walk away talking with their children and in some cases their grandchildren, and all left with a greater appreciation of the game and the man.

When it comes to talking about all-time greats, it is always a very subjective discussion. If in some mythical world I had to choose one pitcher at the height of his career to win one game, I wouldn't hesitate. Ty Stofflet would be my pitcher.

Preface
Foreword - by Ron Radigonda
Introduction - by Bill Howell

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