Tickey & Feigner tops with
the windmill pitching style
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| Bertha Ragan Tickey |
Fastpitch softball was played in major cities throughout the early 20th century. (CLICK HERE for the blog post about the history of softball.)
However, the first full "windmill" pitch was not thrown until 1922.
It was Mike Lutomski, a Detroit school principal, who first tossed the underhand windmill pitch. It was not ruled a legal pitch until 4 years later.
Softball Hall of Famer Bertha Ragan Tickey (1923-2014) is considered the first great women's windmill softball pitcher.
Tickey, a native of Dinuba, California, dominated wherever she played, ultimately being recruited to join Connecticut's legendary Raybestos Brakettes.
Tickey pitched for nearly 40 years from 1929 and won 757 games and threw 168 no-hitters.
It was Eddie Feigner (1925-2007) who drew the most 20th century publicity as a windmill pitcher.
Feigner led a four player barnstorming softball squad called "The King and His Court" for 55 years. The team played against opponents with regular nine player lineups.
By mastering windmill pitching, Feigner and his four member team recorded 9,743 victories and 930 no-hitters between 1946 and 2001. His top pitch was once clocked at 104 miles per hour. Feigner pitched in all 50 states and 98 countries.
During a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, Feigner struck out six major league stars in succession--Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew.
However, the first full "windmill" pitch was not thrown until 1922.
It was Mike Lutomski, a Detroit school principal, who first tossed the underhand windmill pitch. It was not ruled a legal pitch until 4 years later.
Softball Hall of Famer Bertha Ragan Tickey (1923-2014) is considered the first great women's windmill softball pitcher.
Tickey, a native of Dinuba, California, dominated wherever she played, ultimately being recruited to join Connecticut's legendary Raybestos Brakettes.
Tickey pitched for nearly 40 years from 1929 and won 757 games and threw 168 no-hitters.
 |
| Eddie Feigner |
Feigner led a four player barnstorming softball squad called "The King and His Court" for 55 years. The team played against opponents with regular nine player lineups.
By mastering windmill pitching, Feigner and his four member team recorded 9,743 victories and 930 no-hitters between 1946 and 2001. His top pitch was once clocked at 104 miles per hour. Feigner pitched in all 50 states and 98 countries.
During a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, Feigner struck out six major league stars in succession--Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills and Harmon Killebrew.
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BELOW is a newsreel (circa 1959) of Feigner demonstrating his amazing skill. Watch as he strikes out batters while blindfolded, throwing behind his back, and tossing from a kneeling position.
BELOW are Wesley Wolverine softball pitchers 2014, top-to-bottom: sophomore Lindsay Siok, sophomore Devin Mackay, sophomore Lily Engel, and junior Sarah Saunders.
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