Fast-pitch legend dies

Herb Dudley was a star with the Clearwater Bombers.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published March 20, 2007

Herb Dudley, a former Clearwater Bomber who crafted one of the greatest pitching careers in men's fast-pitch softball, died Friday at Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, Va., of congestive heart failure. He was 88.

Standing on a rubber 46 feet from home plate, Mr. Dudley could windmill the ball 90 mph and was practically spoon-feeding the catcher by the time he was finished with his stride.

"I'd find (the opposing team's batters') weakness and place in that zone," Mr. Dudley said.

In a Hall of Fame career spanning five decades (1940-81), Mr. Dudley hurled at least 100 no-hitters and won at least 1,000 games.

The preeminent player of his sport was so renowned the annual award for the most outstanding pitcher in men's major fast-pitch softball bears his name.

"(Herb) is considered one of the 10 greatest pitchers in the history of men's fast-pitch softball," said Bill Plummer III, manager of the ASA National Hall of Fame. "Some may even consider him the greatest because he played in an era that was highly competitive."

Mr. Dudley started his career with a Clearwater team known as the Blackburn Bombers, named after the Blackburn Lumber Co.

In 1948, the team gained community sponsorship and changed the name to the Clearwater Bombers.

Throughout the next four decades, the area became a fast-pitch hotbed with the Bombers playing in front of big crowds at Jack Russell Stadium.

The biggest star was Mr. Dudley.

In 1949, he set a tournament record when he struck out 55 batters during a game with Oklahoma that went 21 innings. The same day, he fanned 12 against Texas.

During the six games Mr. Dudley hurled in the tournament, he struck out 130 batters, including 89 in 46 innings the last two nights.

That season was part of a five-year run in which Mr. Dudley won 142 games and lost only 10 for the Bombers, striking out 2,475 batters and hurling 110 shutouts and 45 no-hitters.

Pitching, though, did not pay the bills. Players worked day jobs, spending their evenings at practices or games.

Mr. Dudley coached and taught at Clearwater High for 30 years.

"Herb was such a wonderful man," former Clearwater volleyball coach Anne Balderson said. "He always had stories and could tell a joke like no one else."

After retiring as a player and a teacher, Mr. Dudley conducted pitching clinics and gave lessons to local girls fast-pitch players.

"I have a great amount of respect for Herb," Palm Harbor University coach Chuck Poetter said. "He taught about 15 of my pitchers, and I learned a lot about the game from him."

Mr. Dudley is survived by his wife, Lucille, two sons, David and Tommy, and three daughters, Susan, Becky and Sharon.

The funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Clearwater.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,000 Estimated games he won.

100 Estimated no-hitters he threw.

61 Age when he pitched his last game.

55 Strikeouts in a 21-inning game.

10 ASA national championships he won.

5 ASA All-America honors.

2 MVP awards in national championships.

[Last modified March 20, 2007, 01:20:00]