Gary Richter
Gary Richter (born June 14th, 1951), nicknamed "The Legend" & "The Mayor," is an American former softball player and businessman. Gary was born and resided in Sunnyside Queens, NY for 22 years. He has been playing softball since he was 14 years old. In 1967 his team, Queen of Angels Royals, won the NYC Softball Championship. In 1969 the Queen of Angels Royals won the USSSA Church Worlds in York, PA. Gary was the MVP, Homerun Champ, and led in batting average. He then moved up to “big time softball” with County Sports. In 2001, he joined the Senior Softball Circuit, as a pitcher for Thermco. In 2004, Thermco won the USSSA Nationals, and again, Gary was named MVP. In total Gary was a part of 7 National Championship tournament teams during his illustrious softball career, which was very fitting as throughout his career he wore No. 7 as a tribute to his boyhood idol Mickey Mantle. Gary is married to Maureen and they have seven children; Jason, Christopher, Peter, Allison, Michael, Richard, and Robert. He currently lives a few miles from Cooperstown, NY. Gary has had his own plumbing business for over 35 years.
Early Life
Gary has devoted his entire life to playing sports and softball began at the early age of 14 for him. Growing up in NYC there were no dirt fields to play and practice on, so instead of using baseballs he would use softballs because they did not get beat up as badly on the asphalt. In school, however, Gary played baseball and football for the Holy Cross High School Knights, winning All-City Award nominations in 1968 and 1969 for baseball as a 3B. In 1969 he was invited to Yankee Stadium to play in a futures game and then he was subsequently drafted by the NY Yankees, but instead opted to attend college at St. John’s University on a baseball scholarship. During these early years his softball career was already beginning to blossom, however. In 1967 his team, Queen of Angels Royals, won the NYC Softball Championship and in 1969 the Royals would go on to win the USSSA Church Worlds in York, PA where Gary was named the MVP, Best Defensive Player, Homerun Champ, and he won the batting title.
American Pro Slow Pitch League
Gary played four years (1977-1981) in the APSPL (Pro Softball League) with the NY Clippers and Trenton Statesmen. In his rookie season Gary hit .587, 24 HRs, 71 RBIs, and 61 Runs, and also won a "player of the week" honors. During his pro career he made two All-Star appearances and batted in the top five, three of his four years in the league. He was later named second team 3B for the Robert Brown's All Time Pro Softball Team list.[1]
Notable Tournaments/Games
- In 1981, County Sports won the USSSA “A” National Championship, with Gary being named MVP (17-24, .708, 11 HR, 18 RBI) and the Best Defensive Player. Playing in the World Series, in Oklahoma City, and coming back from three runs down, with two outs in the bottom of the 7th inning Gary hit a dramatic 3 run walk off HR to win the championship, helping secure his title of MVP and being named to the 1981 Class "A" All World Team. During the course of the regular season Gary had an astonishing BA of .673 to lead the team.
Hall of Fame
In 1999 Gary earned his first career recognition, as he was inducted into the Long Island Softball Hall of Fame[2]. In 2011 he was inducted into the Senior Softball Hall of Fame and the following is the write up given in his honor. “Gary has been a premier softball player for most of his career. Since joining Senior softball, he has continued his excellence on the playing field while playing for three Major Plus teams, the NY Statesmen, Thermco, and CT Sportsplex. During his tenure, these teams have won over ten national championships.” “It is no surprise that Gary’s play has been a big part of his team’s successes. Clutch hitting, a perennial high average, and the knack to ignite the big inning are just some of the aspects that Gary brings to a team. His defensive skills include terrific hands and anticipation to be in the right place to make the play. However, all of Gary’s teammates will tell you that his carefree attitude, which helps keep everyone loose, is as big an attribute to his team as his bat and his glove. He is always using humor to relax a tense situation. It is that and more that has enabled Gary to rise above and do what others cannot accomplish.”[3] During his tenure on the three 50 Major + teams he accumulated 4 All-American awards and a staggering 6 All-World awards. The following year, in 2012, he was inducted into the New York wing of the USSSA Hall of fame[4] and then in 2016 he was inducted into the FSSA Legends Hall of Fame. The FSSA released the following statement in regards to his induction. "Gary Started Playing softball with the famous County Sports team back in the 70 s. He entered the senior ranks with the New York Statesmen one of the best teams in the Northeast, along with Thermco ,Connecticut Sportsplex. Gary started his career as a left fielder and as the injuries took their toll he now leads his teams as a pitcher. During his softball career he has won over 75 world titles, 30 All world nominations and 8 MVP awards." All time great softball player John Davide says, "Garys biggest asset is his enthusiasm on the field. I love the way he plays the game."[5]
References
- ↑ "Professional Slow Pitch Softball History". www.angelfire.com. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
- ↑ "about". www.lissasoftball.com. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
- ↑ sshof.org http://sshof.org/Classof2011.aspx. Retrieved 2021-06-09. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "Male Players - Hall of Fame | New York State USSSA". nyusssa.com. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
- ↑ "FSSA Legends Hall of Fame". www.floridassa.com. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
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