1966 Faultless Rubber
Softball Team
Nominator was Jack Purtell, Sr.
Row One (L to R): Trainer Stan Robitski, Mel Provost, Rip Riley, Bill Thomas, Jack Purtell, Dean Sterling, Herb Dudley, Dave Dudley. Row Two (L to R): Jack Kehl, Gary Lawrence, Ron Bowie, Manager Chuck Smiley, Tom Moore, Mike Arcure, Skeet Harlah, Doug Mason. Standing: Statistician Larry Brewer.
Record 82-17
Won Erie Tournament
Won Warrow Gerber Tournament
Won Ashland Firecracker Tournament
Won Ashland Memorial (Ed Farris) Tournament
Won Regional Tournament
Won State Championship
Third in World Tournament Championship
Head Coach: Chuck Smiley
Assistant Coaches: Ken Windsor, Larry Brewer
The Faultless Rubber Fastpitch Softball Team was the first class AAA fastpitch team in Ashland, the first Ashland area team to win a regional and state tournament, and the first team to represent Ashland in a World Tournament, where they finished third. They were the smallest city/town team entry in the 22 team world tournament. They paved the way for many more. This team went through the chairs of tournaments when there was only one tournament and if you lost you were out.
Ron Bowie was the first Ashlander to be named "All-World" and was followed by Wes Ivy, Dave Dudley, Herb Dudley and Jack Purtell.
Faultless Softball Team 1966
(photo by John Maurer Photography, 34 East 2nd St. Ashland, Ohio)
Front row, left to right: Jack Purtell, Billy Joe Thomas, and Mike Arcure.
Back row: Loren Green, Bonnie (Thomas) Vona, and Dean Sterling.
