7/5/1997

Following is my Fast pitch Softball life experiences, as I remember them.

Played as a backup utility/pitcher player for Sully Merchants team in 1949 through 1952. Served in U.S. Army and played on the Recon Company team in the 10th Army in 1953 and 1954. Played for Sully Merchants again in 1955 through 1957 in which time we went to the State tournament twice. I then pitched for the Prairie City Lions in 1958 through 1963 in which time I believe we went to the State Tournament six times. I then sponsored, managed and played for the Newton, Sinclair Softball team in 1964 through 1966.

After moving to Pella and a new job, I did not play ball for two years. After that layoff I played for the Marion County Bank Team, as pitcher for another six years through 1973.

For several years, while playing with prairie City I had an earned run average of 1.40. I am not sure of my lifetime E.R.A. but I always had fun playing the game and I think we as a team back then rated with the best of them!

If I think of something else by next Tuesday, 1111 call you. The enclosed clippings I would like to have back sometime.

Thanks and keep on chuckin' as us old pitchers always say!

Leo D Nikkel

1404 Hazel

Pella, IA 50219-1002

Phone: 628-2262

LEO STARTED HIS FAST PITCH SOFTBALL CAREER WITH THE SULLY MERCHANTS IN 1949. HE WAS ALWAYS A GREAT COMPETITOR WHO PUT ,.

AN EMPHISIS ON SPORTMANSHIP AT ALL TIMES. DURING HIS TIME THERE WERE PITCHERS LIKE LeROY CARLSON, PAUL REBERRY, MEL

STARK, ECT. AND LEO RANKED RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE BEST OF THEM.

HE PLAYED FOR SULLY FROM 1949 THRU 1952. THEN HE WAS

IN THE SERVICE IN 1953-1954 AT WHICH TIME HE PITCHED FOR THE 10TH ARMY. THEN IT WAS BACK TO THE SULLY MERCHANTS AGAIN IN

1955 THRU 1957 AT WHICH HE PITCHED THEM INTO THE STATE TOURNAMENT BOTH YEARS.

HE THEN JOINED THE POWERFUL PRARIE CITY LIONS TEAM FROM 1958 THRU 1963 AND THEY WERE IN THE STATE TOURNAMENTS ALL SIX YEARS.

HE THEN MOVED TO PELLA ON A NEW JOB AND WAS INACTIVE FOR TWO YEARS. STARTING BACK HE PITCHED AND MANAGED A MARION COUNTY BANK TEAM UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT IN 1973.

ONE OF THE HIGHLITES OF HIS CAREER CAME WHILE PITCH- ING IN A TOURNAMENT AT KILLDUFF IOWA HE FACED A TOUGH NEWTON CONOCO TEAM IN WHICH HE FANNED 35 BATTERS IN A 17 INNING GAME. HIS NEXT OUTING WAS IN A TOURNAMENT AT ADELPHIA AND HE FANNED

18 BATTERS.

LEO HAD A GREAT ATTITUDE AS WELL AS A GREAT CAREER.