February 18, 2023 Season Record. He lives in Benicia. He pitched a perfect game, striking out 19 of 21 batters.In 1950, he dubbed his traveling team The King and His Court, and they became the Harlem Globetrotters of softball, complete with gaudy red-white-and-blue uniforms. He was like a drill sergeant who drills you every day and you never do anything right.". Please enter your email and password to sign in. He and his "court," which included only a catcher, first baseman, and shortstop, played everywhere from Yankee Stadium to the Great Wall of China, with countless military bases, rodeo arenas, and cow pastures in between. I just (foul) tipped one off. Nobody believes him, and he becomes increasingly paranoid before stealing a tank from a military base and using it to shoot down a satellite. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 81. The Quad Cities had gathered an All-Star team of fast pitch softball players and beat The King and At his peak, in the 1950s and 1960s, he threw a softball harder than any major league pitcher ever threw a baseball. I was a pitiful, screwed-up person with no home, no father and no real mother I knew about. Onsite Spanish translators. Being Myrle King was a disgraceful, sleazy existence, and I wanted it over. More Impressively, He Even Made a Trip to Toledo Seem Worthwhile: Props to Tigers veteran Brandon Inge, who accepted a demotion to the minors in mid-July and then returned with a home run in his first at-bat back with Detroit on Saturday. The year: 1946. They were barnstorming across America like the Harlem Globetrotters. AP Photo Eddie Feigner formed the King and His Court more than 14,000 games and 4 million miles ago in his hometown of Walla Walla, Wash. People in my own sport know who I am. He also covers men's and women's basketball and many other Stanford sports. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the barnstorming softball team started by the late Eddie Feigner some 65 years ago. The game was big enough news that it earned a write-up in the local paper at the time, then a retrospective on its 50th anniversary. His underhand fastball was once timed at 104 miles per hour or, according to some accounts, 114 miles per hour. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. "He just blew it by everybody.". Scotty and Jarfly traveled as a team playing for Rawl Coal Company in Matewan, West Virginia. This is a story on sports legend Eddie Feigner" a.k.a. Round it out afterward with a look at his website, where the keepers of his legacy are working to get a documentary made about him. He was really something. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. 12, Minute Maid Park, Houston: 80 In an era where guys refuse $100 million because it's disrespectful, this is about guys who carried their own bags, washed their own laundry -- and at a very steep price tag to their families. At his peak in the 1960s, he made $100,000 a month. TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) -A man accused of domestic abuse withdrew his not-guilty plea Monday. But Feigner, intrigued by the concept hed proposed, selected three players a catcher, first baseman and shortstop that hed known since fourth grade and scheduled a game against a nine-man contingent of convicts on a field inside the Walla Walla state pen. Learn more about managing a memorial . You can always change this later in your Account settings. It must be fun facing a blindfolded pitcher from 45 feet who can fire the ball faster than 100 mph. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? 4. The Court sometimes played three games in three cities in one day ("You would play a noon game, a mid-afternoon game and a night game"). But the letter campaign failed. He previously worked for publications in Washington, New York, North Carolina and Florida. Which is why the King always had four players. On Aug. 3, 2000, the famed Eddie Feigner and his 4 man softball team ("King and His Court") came to Jamestown N.Y. and Diethrick Park, Here are vignettes from his event and an interview. Press Esc to cancel. Feigner had an exaggerated windup and he would do things like pitch blindfolded, or pitch an inning from behind second base. ?? Jarfly could throw a fastball, a riser, a super drop pitch, a curveball and the best change up you would ever see. Feigner's meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. Feigner often appeared on television, including The Today Show, Ive Got a Secret, Whats My Line? and CBS Sports Spectacular. On The Tonight Show, he knocked a cigar out of Johnny Carsons mouth throwing blindfolded. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. ", He was pitching on adult softball teams by the time he was 9. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. In 1946, after he finished his service, he got into an argument over a softball game back in Walla Walla. At his peak in the 1960s, Mr. Feigner made $100,000 a month. Amazing. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. She was a great basketball player as well as softball. It played in Saudi Arabia, the jungles of Thailand and near the DMZ between North and South Korea. He had a curveball that would dip 18 inches. WASHINGTON -- Eddie Feigner, a crowd-pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as The King and His Court, died Friday from complications of dementia at Cogburn. He pitched in almost all major and minor league parks, including Yankee Stadium. ", "I'm a pipsqueak because I'm caught in a nothing game," Mr. Feigner said in 1972. A system error has occurred. Over the years, the Court played everywhere, with Feigner firing his 100-plus mph heater (once measured at 112 mph) from behind his back, through his legs, from second base and even while blindfolded. Its enough to entertain those kids up in the stands and maybe do something theyll remember.. Jarfly could throw a fastball, a riser, a super drop pitch, a curveball and the best change up you would ever see. According to court records, Montrice Hughes withdrew his not-guilty plea and pleaded guilty to domestic . "During the 1981 Major League Baseball strike, before 16,000 fans at the Silverdome in Pontiac Michigan, he and his Court beat a nine-man team that included several major league players. The one thing he could do well was throw.He was pitching on adult softball teams by the time he was 9. Four years later, at the Olympics in Sydney, Feigner threw out the honorary first pitch before the first game of the womens softball tournament. 11. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Appellant Justin King was charged with evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle and with theft of a firearm. Miller Park, Milwaukee 77 @Justin_Malik2 /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/Q4YFloNIHk, @SunDevilTFXC Justin Robinson closes hard to win the @usatf indoor 400m national championship in 45.40! Jarfly also became a movie star, playing beside Mel Gibson in the movie, The River, where Jarfly did the pitching for Gibson. Id play you with two, but youd walk us both.. Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics: How big was the crowd in Williamsport for the Little League World Series? Sports Illustrated once called him "the most underrated athlete of his time. Beyond the staggering numbers, Mr. Feigner created his most lasting impressions with a series of remarkable pitching stunts. Sadly, I'm talking about the King and His Court, the . He threw behind his back, through his legs.". As for the others, yes, they all struck out against Feigner in the exhibition, which was staged for TV at Dodger Stadium in the offseason. Sports, as The Simpsons are not-so-subtly suggesting, might be an opiate of the masses. The game, held at Dodger Stadium, was pretty outrageous. In 1980, Jarfly was voted the craziest of the craziest. Ultimately, Feigner and the Court played in front of more than 11 million people. He spent his life bringing people together and creating transcendent, memorable moments for them. Those days are long gone -- now luxury suites and revenue streams are all-important -- and based on the vast expanses of orange, empty seats always visible at Marlins games, those days may have never existed here. Former major leaguer Jim Northrup said "no man alive" could hit him. Not bad for a fat man. The only run came on an inside-the-park homer that would have been a single had there been any outfielders on Feigners team. He just made me better," Hoppe said. I dont holler at the girls if I have something to say; only me and her hear it, you dont embarrass a girl. Drag images here or select from your computer for Eddie Feigner memorial. : 86 Cleveland's Chris Perez hit two batters, walked another and allowed an unearned run Monday (1 IP 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HBP) while Atlanta Jair Jurrjens pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings despite allowing 13 baserunners (6 1/3 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 1 K). I used to throw strikes from center field. In 1946, after beating an Oregon team 33-0, he responded to a taunt by saying, "I would play you with only my catcher. Hes even helped some Unaka Elementary girls prepare for softball at the high school level. Slowly but surely, the tour gained traction. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Entdecke DER KNIG UND SEIN COURT 1980 PROGRAMM - EDDIE FEIGNER'S EINZIGARTIGES SOFTBALL TOURING TEAM in groer Auswahl Vergleichen Angebote und Preise Online kaufen bei eBay Kostenlose Lieferung fr viele Artikel! Some of the things he did was strike out two batters while wearing a blindfold, another while pitching from second base and another with a fantastic triple windup.. You can see highlights of the King and His Court from about 50 years ago here and a news report from about 15 years ago here. I once struck out a man on one pitch; he swung and missed three times at the same changeup., On the field, he was a master showman, a brilliant pitcher, and the creator of the most popular softball attraction in history, longtime friend and teammate Jack Knight told The Associated Press. AT&T Park, San Francisco: 94 Caple: King and His Court softball team retiring, Predicting when this year's top prospects will make their MLB debuts, Tatis: Shoulder, wrist '100%' in return to play, Machado envisions 'great things' with Padres, Ohtani 'satisfied' with pitches, clock in spring start, O's, Pirates play ump-less bottom of ninth inning, Song, in Phillies camp, knows challenges ahead, Dodgers' Lux to miss 2023 season with torn ACL, Rays' Glasnow out 6-8 weeks with oblique strain, 'It's about being smarter': How Carlos Correa is approaching his future after wild offseason, Fantasy baseball: Impact of bigger bases on steals, Fantasy baseball rankings for 2023 points leagues, Fantasy baseball rankings, projections, strategy and cheat sheets, Pads' Musgrove drops kettlebell, fractures toe, Sources: MLB says Bucknor-Marmol spat is over, NYC road sign misspells Jackie Robinson's name. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. While that was Jarflys softball career, he also shined at his job at United Telephone. During the 1981 Major League Baseball strike, before 16,000 fans at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich., Mr. Feigner and his Court beat a nine-man team that included several major league players. "We can't compete with modern entertainment," Hoppe said. It will end where it should. Clad in red, white and blue uniforms, the team consisted of a. He came up with the name Eddie from a friend. We are spying on you pretty much around the clock., Do you want to know the terrifying truth? McGwire answers. I don't know how anybody ever hit the guy.". Busch Stadium, St. Louis: 78 Search above to list available cemeteries. Instead of throwing to his catcher, Feigner slammed the ball into his own mitt, creating a loud smack. He could strike out players while blindfolded (8,698 times) or while pitching behind his back or between his legs. Far as we can tell, the grudge rematch never happened. the State relied on TVI's charitable solicitations to prove each of its claims at the trial court. Chase Field, Phoenix: 76.5 Florida starter Ricky Nolasco had an atrocious game Wednesday when he allowed 11 runs in three innings (3 IP, 11 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 1 BB, 2 K). If you haven't seen the King and His Court, well, it's your own damn fault. Try again. The pitcher found her Dec. 16, 1945 after a long search that began at the Walla Walla Municipal Hall of Records. The King and His Court barnstormed for 55 years, Feigner ultimately achieving fame as the greatest softball pitcher who ever lived. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. 19. It was incredible. great writing. Radio station WQUT promoted Crazy Thursday, a day set aside to ease the burden of the everyday working person. They were roving troubadours, riding in their van from town to town, putting on a show, and then moving on. Feigner not only threw more than 1,000 doubleheaders, he tossed more than 200 tripleheaders. I was also an uncouth, uneducated, arrogant, belligerent, no-good, miserable excuse for a human being. Who else pitches from second base? Add to your scrapbook. The Marines finally threw him in the X Ward. Mryle King called it the rubber room., The X Ward was a place for wackos, and I belonged, the future softball whiz told Sports Illustrated. My favorite was Land Shark Stadium, which it was called for one year after a deal with Jimmy Buffet. But the week's most interesting line was by Philadelphia's Roy Oswalt, who officially started games on consecutive days and didn't allow a run in either. Feigner never shied away from tooting his horn. He was my toughest coach, Dugger said, adding he inspired Dugger to pursue pitching. Eddie Feigner understood this. Notice: Your use of CourtCaseFinder.com is conditioned on your full compliance with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Eddie "The King" Feigner, perhaps the greatest men's softball pitcher to ever live, and his "Court" of three players a catcher, first baseman and shortstop came to town to take on a. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. In his career, he threw an astounding 46 no-hitters and an untold number of one-hitters. which was 814 ft. ts all his power. If I earn just one star Ill be a happy man., Many of the historic images published on Sportspress Northwest are provided by resident Northwest sports history aficionado David Eskenazi. Anyone? He and "his court", which included only a catcher, first-baseman. Eddie Feigner was born March 25, 1925 in Walla Walla, soon became separated from his unwed mother, and was adopted by a woman named Mary King, who had already raised four sons after her husband deserted her during the Great Depression. He was just phenomenal. The floods in the film were supplied by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers with water from the Fort Patrick Henry Dam. Anyone can throw the out-drop or out-raise, but everywhere I travel pitchers ask me how to throw the others. It just pleases me to look out there and see these girls play and in all the years Ive only had one thats gone, Jessica Robinson. Great subject, great research. I have perfect control. Bradley is one of my favorite (relatively unsung) magazine writers and also the author of a great memoir about his days playing football at Louisiana State University called It Never Rains in Tiger Stadium. Anyway, here he is describing Feigner in 1983: Then go ahead and read Feigners New York Times obituary. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. The following is for information purposes only. He said Feigner could play with the plumber, the maid and grease monkey and still win. Yankee Stadium, New York: 79 At his peak, Mr. Feigner threw a softball harder than any major league pitcher has ever thrown a baseball. The official 2023 Softball schedule for the Arizona State University Sun Devils. Target Field, Minneapolis: 91 In 2000, Mr. Feigner threw out the first pitch before the women's softball competition at the Olympic Games in Sydney. He has written, illustrated, and self-published roughly one hundred zines. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. pic.twitter.com/CXJdmIdKgw. Nationals Park, Washington: 76 Usually they played against local teams that were simply overmatched. Corey Schuettler is at Cloudland, now back teaching what she learned in softball. After Feigners four-man team routed the convicts 7-0, regional newspapers picked up the story and spread it throughout the Pacific Northwest. The King, 74, spends most of the game on a chair giving commentary and funny remarks regarding the game. For reasons that require footnotes, which we eschew, Seventh Day Adventists didnt play baseball, so King took up softball as a grade schooler. The teams Feigner and his Court played routinely failed to cooperate with stunts and comedic interruptions. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. In 2000, Mr. Feigner threw out the first pitch before the women's softball competition at the Olympic Games in Sydney. He had a curveball that would dip 18 inches. You understand and agree that full search reports will only be available after you register for an account or purchase a report. He also covers motor sports in the Bay Area and wrote about the America's Cup regatta in San Francisco in 2013, during which Oracle Team USA made one of the greatest comebacks in sports history to beat Emirates Team New Zealand. If I got nine together, the game would be a farce. Undeterred, Feigner and the Court struck out for the South in a pair of station wagons, receiving a nasty surprise when they arrived in El Paso, TX. The King and His Court went to towns even McDonald's ignores. Underneath all the corruption and cynicism and spy satellites operated by Major League Baseball, there is our resilient capacity to be amazed and there is our enduring desire to be amazed together. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. "Hollywood missed a hell of a story. Think of the King and his Court as sort of like the Harlem Globetrotters but for softball. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Besides his son, survivors include his fourth wife, Anne Marie Feigner, who played first base for The King and His Court; three daughters; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. How did he do it? Softball pitching legend Eddie "King" Feigner and his three-man "court" graced the Iverson Park diamond as they took on a full team of area celebrities and talented players. The cast of characters around Feigner would change, but the result would be more or less the same. ball In four parks, the longest o! I pitched fast-pitch in Alabama -- we didn't have baseball in high school. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Feigner loved to tell stories about how many times umpires called his phantom pitches for strikes rather than admit they didnt see them. He made millions, and was generous to a fault.. 7. When he returned home, the story of a legend began. Eddie Feigner, was a crowd-pleasing softball pitcher and showman who toured the world for 55 years as The King and His Court, He was with out a doubt the greatest softball pitcher who ever lived. Since the standard softball mound is only 46 feet from home plate, he would often give his opponents a chance by pitching from second base or, on occasion, from center field.He appeared on television and once knocked a cigar out of Johnny Carson's mouth with a pitch while wearing a blindfold. I would have gone back to see Mrs. King more. It's your last chance to see a legend, and as the King would say, it's just down the road apiece. "Rage and obsession can make you do amazing things," he explained. Check Feller. Feigner was a legitimately spectacular pitcher. He was 56 at the time. But the 65-year tour of duty ends Saturday night in Feigner's hometown of Walla Walla, Wash., playing a team that includes former major leaguer Jeff Cirillo, a two-time All-Star and five-time .300 hitter. The Marlins will be hard-pressed to equal their two World Series championship at their new ballpark that opens next season. Put up or shut up, the manager replied. Born in the Eastside community, Dugger attended Elizabethton High School before joining the Navy. Top Employment Background Checks . He also pitched a one-hitter against Dyersburg in the Tennessee State Tournament. Jarfly played in the National Tournament where he won four games, losing only to Federal Lock and Key, who won the National Title. Sure, I pitched against Frank, and Deano, too, and Sammy Davis. But thats enough. For example, in 1969, a club in Bradford, Pennsylvania defeated the King and His Court 1-0 in front of a crowd of 1,200 people. I cant tell you how many times I have been in South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia, when people would ask me where I lived. Theres a 1999 episode of The Simpsons that I think about sometimes. While Feigner and his Court became softballs equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters, there was one key difference. During his career, he spoke frequently about his desire for softball to be recognized as an Olympic sport. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Tempe Criminal Records Searches and State Repository Arizona Department of Public Safety Criminal History Records Section P.O. He struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente consecutively. Camden Yards, Baltimore: 92 Then it was over.. You further agree not to use the information provided for any unlawful purposes and you understand that we cannot confirm that information provided below is accurate or complete. Hes also been drawing a musician every day for the last year and a half. Coors Field, Denver: 87 Ken was a very smart player. He discovered that his birth mother was living nearby and took her last name. We're going to go up to the birthplace and bring it on home.". Insulted, Feigner bet the guy he could beat his team with just four players -- himself, a catcher, a first baseman and an infielder. Thanks for your help! Mryle King was so good that one of the leagues banned him from the mound. 2. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. The cast and their families moved to the area a month before the start of production, to connect with the local people and learn farming skills. I dont know how anybody ever hit the guy., You could never hit him, Roy Thurman told Pendletons East Oregonian. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18089855/eddie-feigner. To use this feature, use a newer browser. ", You know the rules. He struck out all six -- Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Brooks Robinson, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills, and Harmon Killebrew all in succession.His records include 9, 743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters, and 238 perfect games. He supported himself as a dock worker, crane operator, ditch digger, streetcar conductor, vegetable and prune picker, gas station attendant, stand-up comedian, and paid tenor at funerals. For the next few years, Feigner continued to barnstorm with His Court, serving as an emcee. A tick of the clock later, the catcher slammed his fist into his own mitt, creating another loud smack, as though hed caught the ball. Jarfly would become a renowned pitcher and travel the world playing softball. Meters are available, but there is no validation for these locations: Directions: The Court is located in downtown Tempe, two blocks east of Mill Avenue on Fifth Street between Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and the Tempe Transportation Center. My fastball was clocked at 104 mph. By that time, he had a new name. If I had it to do over, I wouldnt have moved in with my real mother. There was no way to get the bat off my shoulder before the ball got there. Reports of Feigner's death, in Huntsville, Ala., on Feb. 9, mentioned that during a 1967 exhibition, he struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente in succession. He was thrown out of school in his teens and joined the Marine Corps during World War II but was discharged after a nervous breakdown. I was not a real hard thrower like him. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. More than 66,000 fans attended the four games Friday, including a LLWS single-game record of 41,848 for a game with a Pennsylvania team. Goshen Valley Road heads south from Highway 11W in Church Hill, Tennessee. One day Feigner never could recall the date his team obliterated a club from Pendleton, OR., 33-0, after which players from both squads repaired to a watering hole, where the Pendleton manager, seething at the days humiliation, tossed a snide remark in Feigners direction. Feigner pitched through more than five decades. There was a problem getting your location. He pitched on military bases and rifle ranges, in rodeo arenas, on cow pastures and parking lots.