NORTH CANTON OCTARIAN ELECTED TO NATIONAL SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME

 

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Terry Hennessy, CEO, Senior Softball-USA announced that North Canton, Ohio resident Jack Hudson was recently elected into the Senior Softball-USA Hall of Fame.

 

The 84-year young Hudson, who resides with his wife Christine in North Canton, has a portfolio that could fill a Canton phone book.

 

“When you play as long as I have, “ the softball Octarian said, “you should have a few accomplishments but to me the biggest things are the numerous friends I have made both locally and nationally.”

 

Although he started playing fast pitch in the adult leagues as a teenager his accomplishments in Senior Softball (age 50 and up) are what earned him his recognition. This is also not his first induction into a softball Hall-of-Fame. He is currently enshrined in the National Softball Players Association Hall of Fame (SPA senior softball); Greater Stark Fumbleball Hall of Fame and the Greater Stark County Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame.

 

As a senior softball player he has been part of FORTY-EIGHT National World Championships both as a player and manager. He has managed teams in Venice and Englewood, Florida; Akron Silver League and served as president of the Venice, Florida senior league for 13 years.

 

Known for his fielding, Hudson has also been honored with numerous MVP Defensive Player of the Year in both tournament and league play awards. Championship tournament teams he has played on were not small mom-and-pop tournaments . He has rings and awards from SSUSA (Senior Softball USA); Huntsman Senior Games; .Senior Olympics; SPA and ISSA (International Senior Softball Association) National and World Series championships.

 

“Jack was inducted into the SPA Hall of Fame in 1997,” SPA president Ridge Hooks said, “Induction into any of the senior softball Hall of Fame is the highest honor a senior softball player can receive and Jack Hudson is well deserving of that honor.” .

 

The former SPA, SSUSA and ISSA Senior Softball All-American and Manager-of-the-Year still plays a mean first base in the Silver League's Blue Division as a starter and number six-hole hitter on the Peninsula Python team.

 

“I am just thrilled to still be able to play softball at my age,” Hudson said, “I really believe my constant involvement as a softball player all these years is what has helped keep me in good health. That and with the grace of the Lord is why I am still able to participate.”

 

As to Hudson's thoughts on receiving the new of his induction into the Hall of Fame, he replied “This is unbelievable, I still can't believe it. It is a great feeling when you realize what you have contributed to senior softball has been appreciated. But I owe this honor to my wife, my teammates and especially the Lord.”

 

The induction ceremony will take place at the annual SSUSA/ISA Convention in Mesquite, Nevada November 30.