Mick Balestri

Mick Balestri - Player, inducted in 1999

In 1989 his team, Bridgeport Crush, captured the first ever USSSA Class A Sixteen Inch World Title in Sturdevant, WI and in 1995 his Bridgeport Crush team also won the last USSSA Class A Sixteen Inch World Title in Joliet, IL as he pitched a one hitter in the title game. Mick Balestri was named MVP of both of those USSSA Class A Sixteen Inch World Tournaments. In between, in in 1992, his Luciano's Gamblers team also won the USSSA Class A Sixteen Inch World Title and again, Mick was name MVP of the tournament.

A pitcher, manager and number three hitter in the lineup who drives the ball into the opposite field and uses his bat control to execute the hit and run as well as any sixteen inch player in the game to help give his team an advantage over their opponent in a game.

In 1992 at the USSSA Class A World Tournament, Mick pitched four shutouts for his Luciano's Gamblers ball club as they captured the World Title that season. In 1993 he was named MVP of the USSSA Men's Sixteen Inch Major State Tournament in Orland Park. Two times Mick was named MVP of a Major Sixteen Inch League and two times he was named MVP of a Class A Sixteen Inch League. His teams have also finished in the top eight teams at four USSSA State Tournaments and in the top three teams at two other USSSA Sixteen Inch World Tournaments.

In 1989 at the USSSA Class A Sixteen Inch World Tournament he was also named as the manager of the All-World team. He has played in a total of nine USSSA Sixteen Inch World Tournaments and eight USSSA Sixteen Inch State Tournaments. He describes his greatest thrill in softball as winning the first ever USSSA Class A Sixteen Inch World Tournament and being named MVP of the event.

As a player he always took pride in his defense and field leadership. He has enjoyed being able to play USSSA softball at the different stadiums and complex's all over the Midwest. A back injury in 1994 has limited his playing time but he remains an active manager to this day.