County Sports Mice / LI Tides

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

In the 1960's, the late Mickey Norton started the Mice as a fast pitched team. In the early 1970's, the Mice changed to slow pitch playing in their first USSSA tournament in 1976. In 1978, Mickey Norton retired to Florida. As Mickey's Assistant Coach, Bob DeAngelis didn't want the team to disband so he agreed to coach them for one more year. With his passion for the game, Bob has continued coaching for over 30 years. In 1982, the team was very fortunate to develop a relationship with late the Doc Lenahan & his two sons, George & Billy of County Sports and they agreed to sponsor the Mice. They provided the team with uniforms and equipment until 2002. One of the most rewarding & memorable experiences the Mice have had was the opportunity to play in the very first USSSA Women's World Series in 1988. In that tournament, the Mice finished 2nd in the country to powerhouse Empress Chili who had dominated Women's Softball for years.

For many years the Mice played together with the same core of players and when in 2002 most of them decided to retire, Bob took the 3 remaining players and formed the Long Island Tides. The County Sports Mice/Long Island Tides have played a minimum of 8-10 tournaments a year and have been very fortunate to have had great success. The Mice also have three of their players, Debbie Brajevich, Lisa Stellato & Gail Wasmus inducted in the NY State USSSA Hall of Fame.

If it wasn't for the commitment and dedication of all the players over the past 30+ years the County Sports Mice/Long Island Tides would not have continued with its winning tradition. It is an honor to be recognized as the 2009 Team of Distinction by the NY State USSSA.