A Little Gray Just Adds Color
By Graydon Johns

At 73 years old Heath has been involved with the ISC since the 1950's. Heath has been a man of all trades. Playing, managing, umpiring, sponsoring and maintaining the field of play among his many roles. As a player Heath was a catcher, first baseman and outfielder or as he put it he played, "where ever they needed me."

Heath, who has been retired from the automobile business since 1991, is 100% Texan. Born and raised on a farm in a little town south of the Fort Worth- Dallas area called Venus, he spent a majority of his time playing sports "like the other kids." He played football, basketball, and baseball and ran track. After high school he spent time in Arlington where his athletic experienced turned to intramural activities in college. Heath attended North Texas Agricultural College that is now called the University of Texas-Arlington and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Heath is also a very proud veteran of World War II. He served two years in the South Pacific as a sweeper in the Navy. Heath has been married for 52 years to his wonderful and beautiful wife Dixie. They met while playing in a local softball league in their community and were married in 1947. They have four kids, two boys and two girls who also played or continue playing softball. They currently live in a small town of 339 people, mostly retirees. They have lived in Iredell, about 60 miles north of Waco, since 1996 after spending nearly 45 years in Arlington. They love the seclusion of their small community and the reasonable access to the big city.

Heath has seen the International Softball Congress take "leaps and bounds" since his initial involvement in the early 1950's. In the past "we were lucky to get around sixteen teams. Now we have 48." Although there has not been substantial growth in Texas, Heath has seen the biggest growth in the eastern United States, namely Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Alabama and Illinois. He also witnessed the development and growth of the sport in Canada. "Fast-pitch softball used to be in every little community. They all had their own teams. Now-a-days just the big metropolitan cities have teams," said Heath as he talks about his fears. "I wish the little communities still had teams. It seems the bigger teams are getting better and the smaller teams are getting weaker. I hope the trend doesn't continue because the weaker teams may fade out." Heath has been a stalwart with the sport of fast-pitch softball. He is a prime example for any young aspiring player to model his life and demeanor after. His attitude and emotions are still as strong as they were 45 years ago. Heath could hardly hold back the excitement in his voice when he mentioned that, "I just enjoy fast-pitch softball. The competitiveness of the game is what brought me to it in the first place. I loved hitting the 90 mile-an-hour pitch. I loved running the bases and beating the throw to second base. I just love the competitive nature of the game." But his heart is looking to the future. If the game is going to continue to grow and expand "it's got to come back with the youngsters. Us old guys have had out hay-day." Maybe on the playing field, but the influence off the field is as strong as ever.

Graydon Johns
mailto:hgj2@earthlink.net