Blanchard parlays softball passion to Hall of Fame

Bill Blanchard's journey began on the sandlots of Iowa City.

The next stop for the longtime softball player and administrator is a hall of fame.

Blanchard, 63, is one of three individuals being inducted Saturday into the ASA Iowa 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame during the 16-inch men's slow pitch Major Open and A state tournaments at Tait Cummins Softball Complex. The ceremony is 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.

“You can't really put words to it,” Blanchard said. “I'm speechless on one hand and greatly appreciative on the other.”

If there was a bat and a ball, Blanchard was game. His started as an 8-year-old playing baseball on sandlots. It evolved into a love for softball and ultimately the 16-inch variety.

His career began in 1966, playing every slow-pitch style and fast-pitch. He took up 16-inch in 1975.

“I just love playing any kind of ball,” Blanchard said. “I just fell in love with baseball and have been doing some kind of ball almost every summer since.”

Blanchard, ASA president and deputy state commissioner, devoted the majority of the last 43 years to amateur softball. Officials usually go unnoticed, but his contribution was undeniable.

“He was the backbone,” said Iowa 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame Chairman Bob Fasbender.

Also in the induction class are former player Jeff Puffett of Carroll and Marshalltown administrator and player Joe Cordt.

Action begins at 7 Friday in both tournaments. The first of two possible championship games for each is Sunday at 1:40 p.m.