HISTORY
The Texas Senior Softball Hall of Fame (TSSHOF) was established in 2001 — thanks to the commendable efforts of Ridge Hooks — to recognize and honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the success of senior softball in the great state of Texas. Through 2011 only players were inducted into the TSSHOF. Effective in 2012, we added managers, umpires, sponsors, and tournament directors as eligible categories, as well as creating a new category — “special achievement” — which recognizes any individual the relevant Area Committee selects as worthy of TSSHOF recognition for his/her contributions to the sport.
In Ridge’s absence, the TSSHOF unfortunately went dormant from 2008-2010, with no activity or inductions. Fortunately, it was “re-awakened” in 2011 when Howard Hill stepped up to serve as statewide Senior Director, which he continued through most of 2023, implementing the changes in the previous paragraph and resuming statewide inductions into the TSSHOF.
NOMINATIONS and INDUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Going forward, members may be selected from the following categories.
Categories:
– Players
– Managers
– Tournament Directors
– Umpires
– Sponsors
– Special Achievement
PROCESS:
1. Those meeting the eligibility requirements must be nominated. Nominations may be initiated by oneself or by others and consist of submitting an application form with a portfolio of supporting materials to the Area Texas Senior Softball Hall of Fame Committee. The most common approach is for another person to submit a Nomination Form and then for the nominee to provide additional details by submitting an Application Form. (Both forms are available from this website.) Eligibility requirements are listed below.
2. The nomination portfolio will be reviewed by the Area Committee who will then vote on whether to accept the nominee for membership.
The requirements to be eligible for consideration for induction in each category are as follows.
CATEGORY DETAILS:
Players:
– Must have played tournament senior softball for at least ten years with five or more of them being on a Texas team.
– Must be a minimum of 65+ years old.
– Must have earned a minimum of 10 points to qualify for nomination.
Points are earned in National Championship tournaments sponsored by summit-member senior softball organizations by being named to All-American, All-World, or All-Tournament teams and/or by being a member of a National Championship team. Eligible tournaments also include Regional and Seasonal Championships (e.g., Winter Nationals). Texas State Championship tournaments sponsored by summit-member senior softball organizations (e.g., SSUSA, SPA) are considered to be Regional Championships.
All members of a Championship Team earn 1 point.
In addition, All-American, All-World, or All-Tournament Selections earn as follows:
Major Plus – 1 point
Major – 1 point
AAA – 1/2 point
AA – 1/2 point
Managers:
– Must have managed a Senior Softball team for at least ten years with five or more of them in the state of Texas.
– Must be a minimum of 65+ years old.
Tournament Directors:
– Must have directed Senior Softball Tournaments for at least ten years with five or more of them in the state of Texas.
– Must be a minimum of 65+ years old.
Umpires:
– Must have umpired Senior Softball for a minimum of ten years in the state of Texas or
– Must have umpired in a Senior Softball National Tournament for a minimum of five years.
– Must be a minimum of 65+ years old.
Sponsors:
– Must have sponsored a Senior Softball team for a minimum of ten years in the state of Texas.
Special Achievement:
– Any individual the relevant Area Committee deems worthy of TSSHOF recognition/induction for his/her significant contributions to the sport over a number of years, helping organizations make Texas a leader in Senior Softball.
*** Submit nominations to your Area Coordinator listed in Contacts.