By Staff
NILES - Eddie Feigner was born in 1924, not knowing that someday he would be known as “The King of Softball.”
After serving his country in the Marine Corps, the King began pitching successfully with amateur teams. In 1946, after pitching his team to a 33-0 victory, Feigner was taunted by the losers. He retorted that he could beat them with nothing but a catcher and two other guys to handle the base runners “if there were any.” The result of the second game was a 7-0 win, giving birth to the concept of “The King and His Court.”
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Feigner's fame grew, boosted by appearances on ABC's Wide World of Sports and other TV shows. In a 1967 exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, the KIng struck out, in succession, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Robert Clemente, all in their prime.
Even a heart attack in 1990 and a stroke in 1998 didn't keep the King off his thrown. Feigner fully recovered and resumed his pitching exploits to the thrill of audiences around America and the world.
In fact, Feigner holds the distinct place of having entertained more U.S. troops than even the beloved Bob Hope. If there's still any doubts in your mind about whether Feigner rightly holds the title as “King of the Softball,” feast your eyes on these stats: 3.5 million miles logged; 132,070 strikeouts; 10,000 plus games pitched; 238 perfect games; 1,916 shutouts; 930 no hitters; and 8,270 victories.
The King's visit to Niles will be to play in a fundraising event at Thomas Stadium. The next generation of “The King and His COurt” will be playing a collection of “Niles Notables,” including Charlie Adams.
The cost is $5 per ticket with all proceeds going to Polly's Place, a local shelter where women and their children can go to be safe from domestic violence.
The game will be played on Memorial Day, May 29, immediately following the annual Memorial Day Parade (approximately 12 p.m.)
For more information, please call Pastor Jeff Whittaker at Michiana Christian Embassy at 683-3518.