Document text
Sizemore, White inducted into Hall of Fame By KEVIN GOFF Recognition wasn�t something Ron Sizemore and John White set out for when they took up fastpitch softball. But after both enjoyed long playing careers and were involved in the sport in some form or another since the 1960s, it was hard to ignore their accomplishments. On Feb. 17, Medford resident White and Eagle Point�s Sizemore were inducted along with three other Oregonians into the Oregon State ASA Softball Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Wilsonville. Some of the criteria Hall inductees must achieve are 10 years of playing in Oregon, having played in the state, national or regional tournaments and receiving all-tourney consideration. White�s playing accomplishments more than fulfilled the requirements. He was a two-time first-team All-American, regional MVP in 1978 and was named to the all-regional team five times along with all-state recognition seven times. White made 120 all-star teams over 20-plus years of playing. While he didn�t initially seek recognition, it was something he couldn�t ignore in the twilight of his playing career. "It was something I kind of hoped for after a couple of years (of playing)," White, 49, said. "In the early 80s there was an induction and it was a nice thing to see some local guys go in. "They hadn�t had one in about eight years. They are hoping to do one every year now." Sizemore�s softball career began in the mid-60s. As a sophomore at Butte Falls High, he dabbled in a fastpitch league and, following his graduation in 1965, played in the Jackson County Softball Association. Sizemore, 53, was a member of several successful teams, including a national champion B level squad from Olympia, Wash., in 1986. Soon thereafter, he put his playing days behind him. "I quit in 1988 so I could watch my kids play sports," said Sizemore. "It (fastpitch softball) was starting to die out anyway. "I�ve played in quite a few sports but I don�t think I�ve had more fun in any of them than I had in softball." As for his induction, Sizemore was a little taken back by the experience. He, along with White, was nominated five years ago but hadn�t heard from the committee since. "I had forgotten all about it," he said. "It had been about four or five years since I sent all my stuff in and I hadn�t thought about it since then." Sizemore now has his attention focused on rebuilding the Butte Falls High softball program. The program was cut three years ago, leaving Sizemore � an assistant coach �and the rest of the coaching staff in a rebuilding process. "I enjoy coaching," said Sizemore. "I miss playing too. You get to go to different tournaments and meet a lot of people." White hung up his baseball cleats after four All-Rogue Conference years at Eagle Point High and then a brief stint with the Southern Oregon University team for a men�s fastpitch softball squad in the late 1970�s. With White on the squad, the Rogue Valley team, known as Blitz, went on to garner a second-place finish at regionals in 1980 and fifth place the following year. "It was big back in those days," said White of his fastpitch playing days. "Twenty years ago we had some of the best teams in the country." Once his playing days came to an end, White moved into the coaching ranks. He coached baseball and softball at Eagle Point for seven years and, for the past five years, has been running a baseball school. He also started a softball school in September. "I really enjoy coaching," said White. "I like to keep my hand in it and teach the kids." White and Sizemore�s fixture in the game will soon be recognized and available for public view at the Wallace Marine complex in Salem. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.