| I.S.C. Graydon's Grumblings |
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Hackmeister: " Utah's Mr. Softball"
He never closes down.
Hackmeister doesn't have a clock. He's has gone sleepless in Salt Lake City.
Now, he's doing the same in Orlando, Florida.
Mention slow-pitch to him. And you're looking ugly in the face. It would crack the mirror. His eyes would widened as if someone had cursed his family.
The 57-year-old has given his life to fastpitch softball. It's been an unrivaled love affair.
"Let's put it this way," said his longtime friend and Larry H. Miller Toyota Manager Wes Haymond. "He put Salt Lake City on the map in both men's major fastpitch, and the youth softball programs.
"He was the instigator, in conjunction with the Salt Lake County Recreation Department, in hosting the ASA National Tournament (1985), the ISC World Tournament (1992), and the NAFA tournaments (1995-96). And since he left for Orlando, there is nothing on the horizon as far as men's major fastpitch tournaments. World or otherwise."
It's that simple.
And Hackmeister created the Pioneer Days Tournament each July, which is one of the top four tournaments in the world. And that includes the the ISC, ASA, and Canadian National tournaments.
The Pioneer Days' Tournament has had a long run. Like a broadway hit play. His Camelot. Which has had many curtain calls. This is year's event is the twenty-ninth year. That's right, 29-years.
Some marriages don't last that long. I know.
Said Larry Miller, "Kenny is the best in the world at what he does for fastpitch softball. He's a promoter, was our team's business manager, a great teacher, and such a carrying person, not only for the sport, but in life, too. Utah's fastpitch softball programs took a major hit when he left for Florida. I've always respected him. But best of all, he's a great friend."
From Miller, the Utah Jazz owner, to a grounds-keeper, everyone has cherished their time in life working with Hackmeister.
"The first thing about him is that never wanted to be called, 'Mr. Hackmeister,'" said Bryan Pattison, who worked the grounds at the Cottonwood Complex, and is currently a law-student at the University of Oklahoma.
"I tried. He didn't appreciate it. So, we felt like he was one of us, and that we were on the same page. We knew the pressure he was under during the ISC Tournament (1992). Still, he was never rude. If the field wasn't done to his satisfaction, he would just grab a rake and help. We really appreciated him."
And this coming from a young man, who graduated Cum Laude from Westminster College last year.
Salt Lake City's fastpitch softball wounds run deep.
But no one can blame Hackmeister for reaching for the brass ring. You see, Hackmeister never earned any loot or green in Salt Lake City working for his beloved sport.
So, when Disney World wanted his services, he went goofy.
In Hackmeister's way of thinking, "I finally got my dream job."
It was as if Cinderella herself had sprinkled magic dust on him. And the glass slippers fit his size tens.
But for Hackmeister, his dream became a nightmare. And he began thinking that his entire fastpitch softball legacy had turned to mush.
Hackmeister knows fastpitch softball from "A" to "Z."
Oh, sure. . . Hackmeister sometimes beats to a different drummer. Don't we all. But he is well respected in the fastpitch softball world. He is an ISC At-Large Commissioner. And when he was in Salt Lake City, he was the ISC Western Vice-President.
Hackmeister is a very well respected fastpitch softball man. Some say, "he never seen a fastpitch softball game he didn't like."
But Disney World wasn't keeping the same step. Or beat. Disney World broke the drum. They threw away the drum sticks.
Promises were broken.
Disney World shame on you.
They weren't chiming Hackmeister's bells. Shades of bombast. They weren't listening to him.
Goofy, Mickey and company wanted slowpitch. And didn't cater their park to fastpitch. Disney World's ABC's Wide World Of Sports mecca wasn't worldly.
And even worse, it was like "Big Brother" was watching his every move.
The marriage didn't last.
Oh, well. . .
It's like, the late Dr. Martin Luther King once said, "I'm free at last! Great God! I'm free at last!"
For Hackmeister, no truer words were spoken.
He didn't need a speech writer.
He simply said, "I quit!"
The split was mutual. After all, their marriage rings were like a noose around Hackmeister's neck.
Hackmeister is happy, now.
Well. . .I can say, semi-happy.
Disney World is finally listening to him. But this time, he has the upperhand. He is a paid consultant. He can work at the greatest place in the world -- his home.
Now, Hackmeister has one eye on Disney World, and the another one on a one-way trip to Salt Lake City.
"That would be the greatest thing to ever happen to Salt Lake City, and fastpitch softball if Hackmeister returned," said Billy Hillhouse, a pitcher for Page Brake, and an ISC At-Large Commissioner. "I'm truely indebted to him. He got me started in the sport.
"Actually, I can't wait. It would be like Utah's 'Mr. Softball' has returned."
Indeed. A wonderful dream for Salt Lake City. And Hackmeister.
This time, however, the retired insurance man, will know when to hold 'em. And know when to fold 'em.
Editor's Note:
DAN PATTISON has been a sports writer and columnist for over 30 years with
The Deseret News, Salt Lake Tribune, Las Vegas Sun, The Sporting News,
Basketball Times & USA Today. He is currently enjoying his
association with men's major fastpitch and as an ISC Commissioner.