Bob Young

Tacoma native Bob Young has enjoyed a long and successful career in the men's slowpitch softball ranks. Born on Oct. 17, 1939, Young was a 1957 Lincoln high graduate who later earned his degree in business from the University of Puget Sound in 1976.

Young started his slow-pitch career in 1964 with the Pine Tavern and then with the Players Tavern in 1965-66. He was a standout on the powerful Heidelberg slow-pitch team from 1967-1975 and developed a reputation as one of the states' top pitchers. Heidelberg won seven Northwest Regional Championships and competed in seven consecutive national tournaments. In 1968, Bob earned All-American honors at the 1968 national tournament in Jones Beach, N.Y., after Heidelberg finished in fifth place, losing their final two games by a total of three runs.

Young began playing Senior Softball in 1996 and since then has participated on six national championship teams in the 55+, 60+ and 65+ age group divisions. Among the highlights: In 1996, he hit .700 to help the Ruth Realty 55+ team to the ISA national title; in 1999, he hit .836 to help the Sea-Tac Giants 60+ to a third place finish at nationals; in 2005, he hit .822 and was an all-tournament selection as First American Title won the 65+ national title. In 2005 and in 2006 he was a key figure in First American Title's victories at Winter Worlds. At the 2006 Winter Worlds he hit .909 (20-for-22) with 19 consecutive hits. He hit for the cycle and drove in eight runs in the team's semifinal loss.

When he was named to the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 2007, he became the first senior softball player from Pierce County and only the second individual from the State of Washington to be so honored. In addition to pitching, Young also played outfield and all of the infield positions during his slow-pitch career.

In addition softball, Young played basketball and A classification handball, and he also served as a high school and college basketball (1965-81) and football (1966-76) official.