IN MEMORY OF LEE BASSO
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame mourns the loss of a great amateur baseball advocate and contributor with the passing of Lee L. Basso. Lee passed away on Sunday, March 21 at the age of 98. Lee was a long time baseball coach and contributor in the St. Louis area. He was inducted in 1995 as a contributor at the age of 72. His induction bio read:
A sandlotter from Staunton, IL, where high school ball was not played, he played third base for Illinois College until 1943. At age 35, he moved into team organizing and managing, including Pine Lawn - Normandy Legion Team. His T. A. McGuires, named for an ardent supporter, made the Legion playoffs 11 of 13 years. Won six American Legion league titles and seven in Khoury League competition, helping players get college scholarships.
He served his country in World War II as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the William-Owen-McGuire American Legion Post 161 for 47 years. He was a tireless worker as a member of the board of directors for the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame for 15 years. Lee was a remarkable man and a great friend.
A sandlotter from Staunton, IL, where high school ball was not played, he played third base for Illinois College until 1943. At age 35, he moved into team organizing and managing, including Pine Lawn - Normandy Legion Team. His T. A. McGuires, named for an ardent supporter, made the Legion playoffs 11 of 13 years. Won six American Legion league titles and seven in Khoury League competition, helping players get college scholarships.
He served his country in World War II as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the William-Owen-McGuire American Legion Post 161 for 47 years. He was a tireless worker as a member of the board of directors for the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame for 15 years. Lee was a remarkable man and a great friend.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2020 INDUCTION CEREMONY
RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
Due to current and ongoing restrictions placed on large gatherings by St. Louis County, the 2020 Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is postponed to September. The ceremony originally planned for April 15, 2021 will now be held Thursday, September 9, 2021. The STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors, working with the Sheraton Westport Hotel and St. Louis County, have determined it best to move the event to September in hopes of holding a full and normal ceremony.
This pre-emptive decision allows the Board of Directors to secure a preferred date with the host hotel and provides a better chance to hold the event at full capacity. The Board deeply regrets another postponement of this amazing celebration of St. Louis amateur baseball, but the board's first priority is the health and safety of the inductees, their families and supporters.
Any questions related to the postponement of the ceremony related to event tickets, program ads or other concerns related to the event can be addressed by sending e-mail to stl.abhof@gmail.com.
This pre-emptive decision allows the Board of Directors to secure a preferred date with the host hotel and provides a better chance to hold the event at full capacity. The Board deeply regrets another postponement of this amazing celebration of St. Louis amateur baseball, but the board's first priority is the health and safety of the inductees, their families and supporters.
Any questions related to the postponement of the ceremony related to event tickets, program ads or other concerns related to the event can be addressed by sending e-mail to stl.abhof@gmail.com.
UPDATE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
APPLICATIONS
The Board of Directors of the Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame will not induct a new class of members in 2021. Our 2021 Induction Class will be those individuals who were elected in 2020. On April 15, 2021 we will hold our induction ceremony and banquet featuring the Class of 2020. There will not be a 2021 Class. All applications currently being held from previous submissions and any new applications received by November 1, 2021 will be considered for the Class of 2022. Hopefully, that is clear for everyone.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHANGES
The executive officers met to address the open Treasurer’s position as vacated by the tragic passing of our good friend Brian Richardson. With Brian’s loss, the officers have reorganized the Executive Board to better reflect the duties of each position. The Executive Board has designated the following leadership positions effective immediately, The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Communications Director positions will remain the same. Two new positions were created to better reflect the duties of the officers. The new positions are Secretary/Treasurer and Events Director. With this reorganization, Ron Edgar will continue to serve as Chairman, Brian Korbesmeyer will continue to serve a Vice-Chairman, Larry Donovan will now serve as Events Director and we’re pleased to announce that Larry Shikles will serve as our new Secretary/Treasurer. Mike Stewart will continue as Communications Director. All other board members continue in their current capacity.
The Board of Directors of the Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame will not induct a new class of members in 2021. Our 2021 Induction Class will be those individuals who were elected in 2020. On April 15, 2021 we will hold our induction ceremony and banquet featuring the Class of 2020. There will not be a 2021 Class. All applications currently being held from previous submissions and any new applications received by November 1, 2021 will be considered for the Class of 2022. Hopefully, that is clear for everyone.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHANGES
The executive officers met to address the open Treasurer’s position as vacated by the tragic passing of our good friend Brian Richardson. With Brian’s loss, the officers have reorganized the Executive Board to better reflect the duties of each position. The Executive Board has designated the following leadership positions effective immediately, The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Communications Director positions will remain the same. Two new positions were created to better reflect the duties of the officers. The new positions are Secretary/Treasurer and Events Director. With this reorganization, Ron Edgar will continue to serve as Chairman, Brian Korbesmeyer will continue to serve a Vice-Chairman, Larry Donovan will now serve as Events Director and we’re pleased to announce that Larry Shikles will serve as our new Secretary/Treasurer. Mike Stewart will continue as Communications Director. All other board members continue in their current capacity.
2020 HALL OF FAME AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Photo Courtesy Upper Deck
The 2020 Bob Burnes Award recipient is two-time AL All-Star and former Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and KC Royals MLB player and 3rd Round Draft Pick from Pattonville High School - SCOTT COOPER.
Photo Courtesy InsideSTL
The 2020 Jack Buck Award recipient is veteran broadcaster and voice of the SLU Billikens – BOB RAMSEY
Photo Courtesy STL Today
The 2020 Bob Broeg Award recipient is 4-time state champion Head Baseball Coach at Francis Howell High School – TONY PERKINS
Photo Courtesy Wayne Crosslin STL P-D
The 2020 Hall of Fame Legacy Award recipient is St. Louis Icon and owner of The Pasta House Company –
the late J. KIM TUCCI
the late J. KIM TUCCI
All awards will be presented at the 47th Annual Induction Ceremony for the Greater St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame on April 15th, 2021 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel. For ticket information, e-mail - stl.abhof@gmail.com
ANNOUNCING THE 2020 CLASS
PLAYERS
TERRY COCHRAN (57) – All-Conference Second Baseman at Jefferson CC, SIU-Edwardsville
CHUCK CURRY (62) – Former SF Giants farmhand and OF/1B at SIU-Carbondale.
STEVE HACKER (45) – Former Atlanta Braves Farmhand and slugging 1B for Missouri State University.
CHARLIE HILLEMANN (53) – Former San Diego Padres farmhand and Outfielder SIU-Carbondale.
JIM LAWS (67) – NAIA All-American Shortstop at Harris Teachers College.
RICK MUNDY (50) – Former Chicago Cubs farmhand and Mon-Clair League All-Star
MIKE POTTHOFF (54) – Former LA Dodgers farmhand and All-Big 8 Pitcher at Mizzou.
CHRIS ROBERTSON (47) – Former Mizzou Starting Pitcher with four Top Ten pitching records.
DAVE SLEMMER (57) – Slugging OF Maryville University and St. Louis Sotolar Pointers (CYC Sr Major League)
LEONARD TOMS (69) – Star IF/OF Langston University, Arkansas State University and Tandy League.
BOB WILSON (69) – Outstanding OF/DH for Meramec CC, STL County League and St. Louis Sotolar Pointers.
MANAGERS/COACHES
WILLIE T. MAYES (Posthumous) – Owner/Manager/Mentor of the St. Louis Wildcats (Tandy Lg., Coal Belt Lg.)
STEVE MILLER (69) – Veteran Manager/Coach (36 years) at Hazelwood Central, Lafayette, Metro and SLABA
STEVE PFUND (59) – Veteran Manager/Coach (29 years) at Lutheran South, St. Dominic High Schools
JOHN SAPPINGTON (57) – Veteran Manager/Coach (30 years) Mathews-Dickey, Brentwood HS and Metro Lg.
UMPIRES
MATT MALONE (54) – Veteran professional umpire, MLB umpire observer and instructor.
CONTRIBUTORS
DARIN CISSELL (45) – Veteran Asst. Coach Francis Howell, Howell North and former CF for Saint Louis Univ.
JIM CRANE (64) – Owner/Chairman - Houston Astros and Outstanding SP at Central MO State University.
TERRY COCHRAN (57) – All-Conference Second Baseman at Jefferson CC, SIU-Edwardsville
CHUCK CURRY (62) – Former SF Giants farmhand and OF/1B at SIU-Carbondale.
STEVE HACKER (45) – Former Atlanta Braves Farmhand and slugging 1B for Missouri State University.
CHARLIE HILLEMANN (53) – Former San Diego Padres farmhand and Outfielder SIU-Carbondale.
JIM LAWS (67) – NAIA All-American Shortstop at Harris Teachers College.
RICK MUNDY (50) – Former Chicago Cubs farmhand and Mon-Clair League All-Star
MIKE POTTHOFF (54) – Former LA Dodgers farmhand and All-Big 8 Pitcher at Mizzou.
CHRIS ROBERTSON (47) – Former Mizzou Starting Pitcher with four Top Ten pitching records.
DAVE SLEMMER (57) – Slugging OF Maryville University and St. Louis Sotolar Pointers (CYC Sr Major League)
LEONARD TOMS (69) – Star IF/OF Langston University, Arkansas State University and Tandy League.
BOB WILSON (69) – Outstanding OF/DH for Meramec CC, STL County League and St. Louis Sotolar Pointers.
MANAGERS/COACHES
WILLIE T. MAYES (Posthumous) – Owner/Manager/Mentor of the St. Louis Wildcats (Tandy Lg., Coal Belt Lg.)
STEVE MILLER (69) – Veteran Manager/Coach (36 years) at Hazelwood Central, Lafayette, Metro and SLABA
STEVE PFUND (59) – Veteran Manager/Coach (29 years) at Lutheran South, St. Dominic High Schools
JOHN SAPPINGTON (57) – Veteran Manager/Coach (30 years) Mathews-Dickey, Brentwood HS and Metro Lg.
UMPIRES
MATT MALONE (54) – Veteran professional umpire, MLB umpire observer and instructor.
CONTRIBUTORS
DARIN CISSELL (45) – Veteran Asst. Coach Francis Howell, Howell North and former CF for Saint Louis Univ.
JIM CRANE (64) – Owner/Chairman - Houston Astros and Outstanding SP at Central MO State University.
INDUCTION CEREMONY/TICKET INFORMATION
Bob Ramsey, Voice of the SLU Billikens will serve as master of ceremonies at the 47th Annual Induction Ceremony for the Greater St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame on April 15th, 2021 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel. For ticket information, e-mail - stl.abhof@gmail.com