Dick Germain

Elected : USSSA New York Hall Of Fame in 2008
Inducted : March 2009, Islandia, NY

Dick Germain was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. As a teenager and young adult, Dick spent his summers on Long Island playing organized baseball. He was a three-letter athlete at Brooklyn Prep High School, where he excelled at baseball. As a hard throwing southpaw, Dick regularly made headlines with his pitching prowess throwing numerous no-hitters, and once leading the league in homeruns during his high school career. Although drafted by the Washington Senators and Philadelphia Athletics, Dick realized his chances of making it in the Big Leagues were slim and turned his attention toward college.

After serving in the Army and fighting in Korea, Dick returned to New York where he married Diana and they started their family of six children. Dick began teaching at Riverhead High School and eventually became the first Superintendent of Recreation for the Town of Smithtown. Under his direction, the Recreation Department started programs for all residents of Smithtown, including a Senior Citizen Program, a Girls' Athletic League and programs for children with special needs.

During his tenure as Recreation Superintendent, Dick started a Men's Softball league. As a player, manager, umpire, and league director, Dick traveled from ball field to ball field recruiting players from local men's baseball leagues to play softball. Smithtown's and Long Island's softball programs grew exponentially, and it wasn't long before teams were traveling across the country to play in tournaments.

In 1974, the decision was made to affiliate with the USSSA which was still in its infancy on Long Island. Dick, along with a group of local directors aligned leagues under the USSSA organization where Dick served as Umpire in Chief. It was these men who were instrumental in Smithtown hosting four World Tournaments in five years. Over the next decade Dick worked tirelessly to improve and expand the USSSA across Long Island. Dick's insight, direction and dedication can still be felt today in Long Island USSSA softball.