In over a quarter of a century of USSSA softball, Roscoe’s John Wood was able to quench his thirst for competition.  Wood played with against and with some of the most talented players in the state of Illinois during the early 70’s through the middle 90’s.  Park Town Hall, Club 51, and Rogers Drywall were a few teams he played for over those years.

A right handed pitcher, Wood really has no idea how many games he has won and lost over his career, but suffice to say the wins probably vastly out number the defeats.  The modest Wood approximates he hit .475 with 25 to 30 home runs over his 25 years of playing, both of which are most likely lower that the actual numbers.

The first state championship for Wood was in 1977 when his team Schlichting Excavating won the “B” state title.  Two years later, Wood and his Club 51 teammates brought home a top 10 finish at the divisional tournament at St. Louis.  It was 1981 when Wood may have had his finest season when his team won the class “B” divisional at Milwaukee in a year they may have played over 150 games.  In that tournament Wood was named to the all tournament team, which for most players would be their fondest memory.  Wood however had another highlight in mind.

“Scoring the winning run in the divisional championship game was a great thrill,” said Wood.  “It was raining all morning, but we played anyway to determine a winner.  I tagged from third base and slid head first into home plate.  I went between the catcher’s legs and slid all the way to the backstop.  I was covered head to toe with mud, but SAFE.”

In 1987 Rogers Drywall won the class “B” state championship in Champaign with Wood on the mound.  Wood lists that he retired in 1996, but notes “still playing a little” on his hall of fame information form.  He also comments on how the USSSA gave him an opportunity to play the game he enjoyed.

“Illinois USSSA was my highway to play a game I loved to play,” said Wood.  “I would play any kind of ball, but I was competitive and wanted to play against the best.   USSSA ended up being the game to play in that regard.”

The Illinois USSSA takes great honor in returning the accolade tonight, as we welcome John Wood into a elite class of people, its Hall of Fame.