In Memorium

Players who gave their heart and soul to be at the Monday and Thursday games, but who are no longer with us.

Jim Keelan

 April 23, 2023 

(Written by Dave Messner)

 Jim Keelan, a former board member of the Treasure Coast Senior Softball Association, passed away. He was 84 years old. He was still playing softball last fall, but cancer took him out of the game we love. Although he had slowed down, he refused to use a designated runner. When I first started playing in 2014, Jim was the TCSSA historian and treasurer. In 2017, he guided the league into a new era. Jim made sure that the players in our league had choices when voting on the players to lead the organization. At the time, I told Jim that I would serve on the board if they could not fill all of the positions. He said, "We do, but I want to ensure that all of our players have a choice in who they select to serve on the board. That was a healthy decision for the league. I became the treasurer taking Jim's place. He guided me through the first year making sure things were done "right". Jim remained involved and was responsible for securing a defibrillator at Langford Park and annually training players on how to use the device. The league owes Jim a huge debt of gratitude. We will miss him in our lineup.  

BILL HOTALING

 August 26th, 2021 

Bill was a tremendous pitcher who played on several Treasure Coast Senior Softball championship teams including the 2021 champs: Shuckers on the Beach team. He was one of the 1st players to arrive at Langford Park and always had a kind word for those that joined him. Bill injured his shoulder while playing basketball at the University of Miami. Bill was left-handed, but he learned to be a right-handed pitcher. He always pushed off the pitching rubber with the wrong foot. The players enjoyed it when Bill's his granddaughter would accompany him and they would both play softball with the group. Bill was a fierce and friendly competitor who loved playing softball.  During a game he often would shout encouragement to his teammates: “Way to pick me up!” or “Way to get it back”. This coming season, only the echoes of his words will be heard above the fray. 

JOE GRAZIOSI  

July 20, 2020

Joe Graziosi (aka Joe Graz) came to softball late in life and was the epitome of a "late bloomer". His softball career began at age 70. He was a natural and picked-up the game quickly. He even played on a national championship senior softball team. Later he played on an 80 and over travel team from Cape Cod. He jokingly once told me, "It is becoming harder for our team to travel because the number of our players who can drive keeps dwindling." He was still demonstrating his love for softball last season at age 89; despite having to use a portable oxygen concentrator in the dugout between innings. His smooth glove and sweet swing were the envy of most players. He was a lion-hearted man who will be missed.

October 30, 2019

It is with a heavy heart that we must report to you that Kevin Schaaf passed away this morning. He is the third senior softballer to pass in less than a month. 

Kevin was a super friendly player who, despite his many medical challenges, was always upbeat and ready to greet you with a smile and a handshake. He was a great teammate who was always open to a discussion about the team. If you ever felt sorry for yourself, all you had to do was look at Kevin sitting in his chair and that thought was immediately erased from your mind. 

October 1, 2019

Eddie was one of the most determined athletes who gave his all each day he played. His reserved and humble demeanor was admirable, and his quiet comments were more clearly heard than those made by individuals who continuously shouted. Eddie, you will be missed.

October 1, 2019

Ralphie's passion for the game was infectious and he freely shared his sage insights. Davey Messner, current Treasurer, stated that the way he plays 3rd base was greatly influenced by his recommendations. Ralphie will be missed. 

After his playing days were over Tony demonstrated his love for softball by managing teams in the TCSSA League and the Butcher Boys in the St. Lucie Senior Softball League. He was a great hitter while he played and loved evaluating potential players for his beloved  "Boys". You could see him pulling into the Langford or Lyngate parking lots at around 10:00 a.m. and head for the field with his evaluation folder in hand. I miss his late morning salutations, insights, and assessments. 

Asking a number of players what they remembered about Swede, the phrase "fun-loving" was stated by most. With the exception of pitching, you could find him anywhere else on the field with a smile on his face. I don't want to say he had a hard head, but one day Jimmy Chalupa and Swede crashed into each other slamming their heads together and falling to the ground. Everyone held their breath, but to their surprise, both players jumped up and carried on as if nothing had happened.  We miss his smiling face and fun-loving spirit.    

When I first started playing senior softball I noticed a swift-moving, solid-hitting and smooth glove-wearing Michigan man, Doug Horning. Having come from Ann Arbor, I had an affinity for Doug's beloved Maize and Blue and a long-standing admiration for the store that he owned with his devoted wife, The M Den. Doug had a quiet intensity and a strong affinity for the players and our game. His wife attended every regular season and pick-up contest. Their girls, when visiting, would play in the pick-up games. Doug's focused passion for the game he loved was evident and shared by his family. He is missed. 

Don "Kingfish" Weiner was a fixture in Treasure Coast senior softball in Martin and St. Lucie Counties. After his playing days were over, you could still find him at the fields each day even after he could no longer drive.  He would even show up at the Sunday morning batting practice at Spanish Lakes. 

Kingfish drafted me (Davey Messner) the first year I played even though I was recovering from knee surgery. I did live up to his assessment while others doubted that I could play. After that season, we agreed that he was my agent from that point forward. Each time we would see each other he would inquire as to where his cut of my bonus was. Invariably I would say, "The checks in the mail" or "Let's see 10% of zero is still zero." He was a pillar of Treasure Coast senior softball and the TCSSA all-star game is named in honor of Tony Kryshak and the Kingfish.