USA Softball Region 9

Gary was one of the premier Men’s Fastpitch Softball players in the Northwest. After a successful college baseball career at Southern Oregon University, he played MFP for 16 years (1978 to 1983). 

He played in the Jackson County MFP Association out of Medford, Oregon. It was a time when you had to finish in the top 6 in the ASA State Tournament to go to
the Regional Tournament and in the top 2, at Regionals, to go on to the National Tournament. He played most of his MFP career on the Blitz Weinhard team which later became Batzer Construction. The team would average 70 games per year. Gary was selected for the All-League Team 15 out of the 16 seasons he played missing only the 1st year in 1978.

Gary was a feared hitter and usually batted 3rd in the line-up. His overall career batting average was over .500. His best year was in 1987 when he hit 35 home runs, in a 71-game season, and batted .643 for the year. Gary helped take Blitz to 8 Regional Tournaments and 5 National Championships highlighted by a 2nd place finish in the MFP A National in Oswego, NY, in 1980 and a 5th place finish in the MFP A National in Redding, CA, in 1981. Gary was selected as a 1st Team All American for both tournaments. The team played in 8 Regional Championships and 5 National Championships.

Over the 16 years, besides being selected 15 years on the Jackson County League All Star Team, he was a 2- time league MVP, 3 time league batting champion, made over 60 All Tournament Teams, was an 11 time Tournament MVP, 8 time ASA State Tournament All Star, 2 time State MVP, 8 time All Northwest Region All Star, 1 time Regional MVP, and 2 time National 1st Team All American.

One of his greatest memories was of playing on the Mr. Sport team in 1979 with his dad Clovis and his brother Greg. He was able to play most of his softball career with his brother Greg who was also on the Blitz team.

In 1983, the last year Gary played MFP Softball, he helped his team go 23-0 in the Jackson County MFP League. He helped them win the State Tournament and go on to the Regional Tournament in Olympia. Gary was selected to the All-Tournament team in both the State and Regional Tournaments.

He will never forget playing with his dad Clovis and his brother Greg. A family of one doing what they loved. Playing the game of Fastpitch Softball.