Over 31 years of softball at every level from Class C to major, Orfordsville’s, Dennis Muth has played on some of the best teams around the Rockford area, including Jumbos Pub, Legends, Back Bar, Chipper's Pub, and Shockers. Over that time, he’s played on 27 state championships in two states, 35 NITs, two world titles and finished in the top ten in many other World events.

Along the way he’s been named All-Tournament more than 30 times and has earned six Most Valuable Player awards. His most recent MVP was at the USSSA 35 & Over World in 2003  Asked to give his over all won-lost record, Muth can only say, thousands of wins, hundreds of losses. Muth retired three years ago from the mound, but still sponsored Shockers, a very competitive B team until 2003.

“He was going to semi-retire,” said USSSA state director Brenda Paulson. “But it he couldn’t stand it. It was too much for him. I’m pretty sure he’s coming back this year with another competitive team.”

So Muth continues to play highly competitive softball despite turning  50 years old this past spring.

It’s good that the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame doesn't require people to retire before they’re eligible for induction, because it’s unclear whether Dennis Muth will ever truly hang up his softball spikes. What is clear is that he is one of those people who is most happy with those spikes on his feet, most alive on a softball field.

“We need more people like Dennis Muth who really love the game of softball,” said Paulson.