It’s all but impossible to have played serious softball in Illinois for any period of time and not have crossed paths with Ken Franzen. It’s nearly as difficult to pick a category in which to place Ken for induction. As a player, coach, umpire, USSSA official, tournament director and facility director, Franzen has played most every role you can play in softball over the past  30 years, and played them all exceptionally well, with dedication and attention to detail.

A star athlete in high school, Ken was a guard on an Elite Eight basketball team. He took that drive and athleticism into the USSSA slowpitch game, helping to bring back a World Championship to Rockford.

As a facility director he managed a wide range of leagues and tournaments over the years, in the process creating one of the very special places anywhere to play and watch softball, Forest Hills Diamonds.

“During his long tenure at Forest Hills, he would spend countless hours grooming his fields,” said Illinois USSSA Hall of Famer Bob Papich. “The outfield was mowed to perfection. The infield were smooth and flat.”

A die hard Cubs fan, Franzen also graced the outfield fences of Forest Hills Diamonds with Wrigley Field-like ivy.

“What Ken has done for over 30 years is create a garden spot where men and women could play softball,” said Papich.

As an umpire, Franzen has served as State Umpire in Chief, and has conducted numerous innovative and informative clinics  that have helped bolster the professionalism of USSSA umpiring.

“He approached his umpire clinics the same way he approached sports,” said Papich. “With knowledge and hard work. His knowledge of the rules and how to apply them will always stand out in my mind. If you had a rules question, you went to Ken.”

Finally, as a USSSA official, Franzen has consistently been the type of go-to guy that makes organizations run well. He has been a fixture at USSSA National meetings, bringing his exceptional grasp of the game to the rules committee. In addition, he continues to provide statistical services for the Men’s Major World Series.Rockford is a much better softball town, and the USSSA is a much better softball organization thanks to love of the game, and the hard work and dedication of Ken Franzen.