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In a fast pitch career that spanned only seven years, Gary Dobereiner made
good use of his time. Inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 2000 (he
played from 1962-1968), Dobereiner was named to the ISC All-World Team five
times including his first year in fast pitch with Hamm's Beer (Rock Island,
Ill.). The left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing Dobereiner was an
outstanding outfielder during his playing days in Illinois. In 1962, while
playing for Hamm's Beer he was just a young kid on the fast pitch scene,
but helped carry his team to second place finish in the ISC World
Tournament. "That was probably one of my greatest moments to go all the way
to the finals and be named All-World", Dobereiner recalled.
His fastpitch career was preceded by professional baseball where Dobereiner
played in the minor leagues (1959-1961) in the St. Louis Cardinals and
Detroit Tigers organizations. "One thing I remember is that Brent Musberger
was an umpire in the Midwest League when I played", Dobereiner
chuckled. Dobereiner was named to the All-Star Team all three years while
playing in the minor leagues. Best known for his hitting, Dobereiner was
once called "the best hitter I ever faced" by 1984 Hall of Famer Ty
Stofflet. That's high praise coming from Stofflet, who is the sixth
winningest pitcher in ISC fastpitch history and a two-time ISC Most
Valuable Player. Similar high praise was found in the 1998 ISC World
Championship Guide (p. 40), when Art Cashion's All-Time ISC Roster was
published and included Gary Dobereiner as one of the three outfielders on
the team. "I felt honored when I read this in the guide", Dobereiner said.
Despite all the praise and awards, Dobereiner was just one of the good guys
in the fastpitch world. Asked what one word he would use to describe his
playing days Dobereiner did not hesitate, "fun". Dobereiner was also known
for being congenial with the fans. "I liked talking to them. It added to
the fun of the game", he added.
Dobereiner was a tough competitor and was a dependable teammate during his
playing days. Playing with the Disco Bombers (Rock Island. IL.) and
Harrelson Motors (Moline, IL.), Dobereiner was a top performer. In 1967,
he was playing for Harrelson Motors when they won the ISC World
Championship. "That was the other great thrill of my career", Dobereiner
said. He played his final year with the Disco Bombers in Illinois and was
named All-World once again. His career highlights include three second
place and two third place finishes in the World Tournament. Dobereiner and
2000 Hall of Fame inductee Dick Zuccato played together in his final season
with the Rock Falls (Ill.) Disco Bombers. "We went undefeated in the
winner's bracket, but lost two straight to the Long Beach Nitehawks to
finish second", Dobereiner recalled.
Dobereiner was asked if he keeps in touch with his former teammates and
said, "As a matter of fact I got a call from one this morning. Chuck Thome
(father of Philadelphia Phillies 1B Jim Thome) called and we're trying to
firm up arrangements to go to the World Tournament this year." Chuck and I
played together with Harrelson Motors", Dobereiner explained. It was a
memorable year for both as Harrelson Motors was crowned World Champions in
1967. "We only lost three games all year", Dobereiner explained.
When you talk to "Dobie" you get the impression that he had a lot of fun
because he made his own fun. His short career was filled with All-World
awards and a World Championship, but you get the impression talking with
him that having fun was the real key to his success. "It was just a lot of
fun and I met a lot of nice people", Dobereiner said.
Today, Dobereiner and his wife Pat are living comfortably in Avon Park,
Florida where "Dobie" plays golf, exercises regularly and well, has fun.
Jeff S. Reich
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