Tom Emde Sr.
Elected : USSSA New York Hall Of Fame in 2014
Inducted : 2015, Islandia, NY
Tom started playing slow pitch softball in the early 50’s, after playing baseball like every other kid. Tom loved the game of slow pitch softball because everyone would hit and play defense, and Tom loved playing defense as much as hitting, unlike baseball which he thought was slow and boring at times, especially when a team had a dominating pitcher.
Tom remembers playing against Eddie Feigner of the King and His Court, in the late 50's in an All Star Game. What an experience
Tom took a long break from ball, got married to Ann (the love of his life for over 50 years), raised three amazing children, and had a great career, as a Captain in the New York City Fire Department
In the mid 90’s he started what he calls his real softball career, as a player/manager for team Dawg Worth. Within a couple years Team Dawg developed into one of the top teams in the Northeast. Within a few years, they won 8 Nit’s, 7 States, top 10 in the Worlds 4 times, top 10 in the Nationals 5 times, winning over 35 tournaments, and over 1500 wins. In 2001 Tom was named NYS USSSA manager of the year.
After leaving Team Dawg, Tom played Senior Ball on Long Island. In 2008 he joined the N.Y. Streaks 65’s senior softball tournament team, as a player and asst. coach. The Streaks were led by his friend and fellow hall of framer Tony Prettitore. In the next 3 years the Streaks won the Atlantic Coast Championship, The Northeast Championship, the SSUSA Winter Nationals in Ft. Myers, the ISSA Winter Nationals in Virginia Beech, and the SSUSA Tournament of Champions in Lakeland Florida in 2011.
Tom has been a member of the Blue Jays team in the Over 60 Brookhaven league, as a starting first baseman and assistant manager. Last year, he helped lead that team to the Playoff Championship.
Tom is proud of the fact that he has never been thrown out of a game as either a Player or Manager, and that most players who have played with him, will tell you that he is the ultimate teammate.
Tom would like to thank Bobby Fortier (Bobby Dawg) not only for being a great player and the founder of Team Dawg but for all his hard work and support over the years.
Tom would also like to thank his son Thomas. Thomas was the heart and soul of Team Dawg, and he hopes someday he is standing beside him in the hall as a Manager/Coach, because he and Team Dawg Worth (The Team of Distinction for 2015) would not be in the hall today without him.
