ISC Saddened by Passing of Hall of Famer Jim Doyle

Blair Setford • April 16, 2023

Jim Doyle Inducted into ISC Hall of Fame in 2021

The ISC is saddened by news this morning of the passing of Hall of Famer Jim Doyle.

Doyle, who was inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 2021, was the epitome of longevity in softball. Commencing his at age nine in 1943, the octogenarian displayed his pitching prowess at various levels of fastpitch competition primarily in and around his birthplace of Flint, MI for more than five decades.

Jim’s first league start was at age nine at the strong encouragement of his father Jim Doyle Sr. who inserted him into the lineup of an adult league team – McDonald’s Dairy Boys in Flushing, MI. It would be 36 more years when, in 1979 at age 45, Jim made his inaugural ISC appearance in Bakersfield CA. That was the first of six World Tournaments (others included Tempe AZ 1980, Saginaw MI 1981, Bakersfield CA 1983, Kimberly WI 1985 and Victoria BC 1990) spanning a dozen summers. All of the teams he competed with in the ISC were there only because Jimmy Doyle was pitching for them.

In his final ISC WT in Victoria, Jim established a record as the oldest pitcher, at age 56, to post a victory in an ISC WT game. Jim tossed a tidy five-hitter as his Ludington MI Schoenherr Investments team shut down the Shelbyville IN Sting 1-0 in eight innings. During Jim’s half-century of toeing the rubber, and competing in a variety of levels of fastpitch from local leagues to ASA Class “C” to the ISC and ASA national championships, Jim pitched in excess of 2,000 wins along with more than 200 no-hitters (his first one in 1956 in league play in Flint) and a very impressive 26 perfect games, including one in 1958 on the day that his son Jimmy was born. Losses totaled about 200, which resulted in a winning average hovering around .900!

At one time, Jim, the oldest of a family of ten athletic boys, played on the same Class AA team in Flint as his brothers Bill, Bob, Chuck, Ed and twins Joe and John. The team’s manager was their father Jim Doyle Sr. of course!

Jim also excelled in boxing, winning the middleweight championships of Flint and the state of Michigan in both 1955 and 1959. Another competitive outlet was driving stock cars on racetracks throughout Michigan.

We extend our condolences to the Doyle family at this time.


By Blair Setford July 29, 2025
The International Softball Congress is pleased to announce the three players, one administrator, one manager and one sponsor that have been nominated for induction into the ISC Hall of Fame at the 2026 ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, ON. Congratulations to Canadian players Jeff Ellsworth and Ian Fehrman, Argentine pitcher Lucas Mata, manager Jeff Borror, former ISC President Dean Oscar and long-time Gremlins sponsor Bruce Tanski in the Bob Welby Memorial Award category. Jeff Ellsworth, Albany, PEI, combined the gifts of speed, power, batting average and elite fielding over a 17-year career. He was selected to six All-World teams, twice to the first All-World team and four times to the second All-World team. Jeff was the Cleo Goyette MVP of the 2014 ISC World Tournament, winning one of his five ISC championships. Ian Fehrman, Townsend, ON, made every team that he played on better. In a game blessed with premier athletes at shortstop, Ian was a rock in the middle of the infield. Every one of his six All-World selections was to the first team – a huge accomplishment considering the quality of shortstops in the game. Lucas Mata, La Pampa, Argentina, was a trailblazer, among the first of the Argentine players to play in the ISC, paving the way for the multitudes to follow. Lucas was named to six ISC All-World teams, four to the first team and twice to the second team. He pitched his teams to five straight ISC championship games between 2003 and 2007 and was the Leroy Zimmerman Most Outstanding Pitcher in 2012. Dean Oscar, Reedsburg, WI, was the longest-tenured ISC President in the history of the organization, serving from 2007 and 2022. His clear thinking and calm demeanor helped him to lead the organization toward being leaner and more efficient. Dean always led the ISC to ensure that the organization was focused on meeting the best interests of players, sponsors and administrators. He can always be found at the ballpark on summer weekends enjoying the best game in the world. Jeff Borror, Shoreline, WA, had a storied softball career as player and coach, and was an outstanding leader on the diamond his whole career. He took over the managerial duties of the powerful Seattle franchise in 1989 when sponsorship changed to Seafirst Bank. In just two years under Jeff’s leadership, Seafirst won the 1990 ISC World Championship. Jeff managed the team until 1996 and the team was a perennial top contender in the powerful Norwest ISC Travel League and at the World Tournament during his tenure. Bruce Tanski, Clifton Park, NY, was the long-time sponsor of the Gremlins organization from 2007 – 2024, resulting in a tremendous run of success with three ISC World Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2023, five second-place finishes and a record-breaking 14 consecutive Final-Four finishes. A softball sponsor since 1970, Bruce also co-sponsored the Heflin Gremlins, Broken Bow Gremlins and Chicago-NY Gremlins. The 2025 ISC Hall of Fame Breakfast and Induction Ceremony will be held August 9, 2026 on the opening Sunday of the 2026 ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, ON.
By Brian Eradus July 27, 2025
🏆 The 2025 ISC World Tournament kicks off today in North Mankato, Minnesota! 🥎 As the action gets underway, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible athletes who help build the legacy of this tournament. Today we’re featuring exclusive Player Profiles from teams hitting the field tomorrow — the Georgian Bay Giants , Midland Explorers , and Southside Stingers — highlighting the stories, dedication, and talent behind the players who make the ISC what it is. 🔦 Georgian Bay Giants – Yuya Yamawaki 👉 Precision and Persistence on the Mound 🔦 Southside Stingers – Corie List 👉 Leading the Charge for the Southside Stingers 🔦 Midland Explorers – Tony Wark 👉 From Little League to the Big Leagues of Men’s Fastpitch 📲 Stay tuned each day as we continue to share their journeys, insight, and passion for the game — one player at a time. The #ISC2025 tournament starts now!  🔗 Visit iscfastpitch.com for full schedules, live streaming info, and tournament coverage. #ISCWorldTournament #Fastpitch #SoftballLegends #NorthMankato #PlayerSpotlight #ISC2025