Softball has been around Akron since early 1920’s. Those early days saw the rise to stardom of many fine fast-pitch players, some of whom were “good enough to play in the major leagues.” Many of these players played both hardball and softball and indeed were of superstar status.
Some say softball has come a long way from those days, but those 60-plus years have seen the demise of fast-pitch and the rise and partial decline of slow-pitch. Many problems began to develop in the 1960s with the emergence of slow-pitch, and participation steadily rose to unbelievable numbers. Fast-pitch was still a force, but its inevitable, sad decline in popularity was not far off.
The top facility for softball, Firestone Stadium, could not accommodate all the teams every night of the week, so the City of Akron made available as many fields as possible, 95 at one time. This led to maintenance, safety and availability problems, for in 1979, 518 men’s teams alone were vying for a place and time to play.
Those problems and others were addressed in many ways, some successful, some not. Then in the winter of 1981, Bob Anderson, the new manger of the Akron Recreation and Parks Bureau, met with concerned parties involved with softball and began formulation the ground work for the Akron Amateur Softball Commission.
The Commission became a reality on Tuesday, February 3, 1981, when officers were elected. The officers: – President Bernie Factor, Vice President Bob DeStefano and Secretary/Treasurer Ken Cicora – and fellow charter members began work “to advise and assist the Akron Recreation and Parks Bureau to provide, promote and advance amateur softball and encourage good sportsmanship; foster competition; and review, develop and recommend policies for the use of city softball facilities.”
Commission activities have led to numerous well-needed changes in permits, field availability, player and spectator safety and field improvements. The Commission, a non-profit organization, also has instituted a City Softball Tournament, made available funds for fencing and other improvements, served as a link between teams and the city and established a Softball Hall of Fame