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National Senior Softball "Women's Hall of Fame" The National Senior Softball Hall of Fame was founded in 1995 in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. Its' purpose is to recognize players, managers, umpires, directors, and sponsors, who have achieved the highest honors in Senior
Softball. Welcome Class of 2008 Woman Player Category Mary Arndt Mary started playing slow-pitch softball at the age of 28. Mary played fast pitch from 1956-1959 with Hall of Famer Nero White in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as playing basketball with her traveling all over the U.S. She was part of a Mom’s group that played in the neighborhood. Having two (2) children, Mary played in the "Mom’s league" for 10 years, she was voted All-Star each year.
In 1996, some senior women asked her to play with their team. Going to Tucson, AZ, the team won the Gold Metal. Also, the team played in the USSSA Senior Games and was undefeated for five years. Mary was voted MVP each year.
In October of 2007, Freedom Spirit of Florida asked Mary to play with their team as a 70 year old in St. George, Utah, the team went on to win the Gold.
Mary has received many awards during her years of playing senior
Softball. Best Defensive, MVP, Offensive and certificates from
The State of Tennessee.
Ethel Lehmann Born in Hicksville, Long Island, NY, she was one of 12 children. Ethel married George Lehmann and had 5 children in 5 years (1 set of twins). They are now grandparents to 9 teenagers.
In 1977, Ethel started playing slow-pitch softball with the young girls in the Dunedin and Clearwater Ladies League as a recycled athlete.
In 1990, with the desire to play softball, led her to the 3-Score men’s 60+ League. Ethel participated as the only woman for five (5) years, and helped establish the first Florida Senior Women’s Softball team.
In 2004, along with her husband George, she became a member of the famous 75+ Men’s Kids & Kubs Softball Club. Being the first woman and first husband/wife in the sevent-five year old history, resulted in a segment on NBC TV “TODAY SHOW”.
She has been a member of the men’s 3-Score Club, the Women’s Florida Spirit 55+, Women’s Freedom Spirit 65+, and presently 70+
Teams, plus the Men’s 75+ Kids & Kubs Softball Club.
Frances Mellott Frances Mellot is a native Hustontown, Pa. lady. Frances’ softball career began in 1954 at Hustontown High School, and she has played organized softball for 55 years.
In 1995 she began playing Senior Ball and went to the Senior Games Nationals in San Antonio, Texas. Later she attended the Senior Games Nationals in Orlando, Fl, where she pitched a “no hit game.” Frances is the only person to have pitched a no-hitter in softball at the National Senior Championships
Frances is still playing with the PA Fillies 65+. She has been married
for 52 years to Ret. US Air Force Colonel Jerri Millett and is the
Mother of 2 sons and a daughter.
Frances Mellott urges girls and women to never stop playing. It keeps you mentally alert and young.
Judy Lee Schreiber Judy Lee Schreiber comes from St. Mary’s, PA, and now resides in
Hendersonville, Tennessee. Not only is she involved in senior softball, she
Is a former Grand Ole Opry performer.
Judy started playing softball in her neighborhood and then played in high school as a pitcher. She started playing Senior Softball in 1994 in Hendersonville, TN, and after winning the Tennessee Senior Games she was hooked on playing senior ball.
Judy started the USSSA Senior Women’s World Championship with only six (6) teams, and developed the tournament to 46 teams from all over the United States and Canada. Judy continues to play with the Tennessee Senior Stars 70+.
Not only does Judy play, she has received many awards for being a
Director, promoter, and a pioneer in the growth of Women’s Senior
Softball. In 2007, Judy Lee was made the Softball Players Association’s Women’s National Director. She will be holding her first Judy Lee’s SPA/Worth Women’s National Tournament in Gallatin as SPA’s Women’s National Director.
 Fran Ebert Graduating from LaCrosse University in 1952, with a BS in Physical Education and a minor in Math, Fran went on to graduate from Indiana University with a MS in Physical Education. From 1975-1985, she was Head Softball Coach at Western Michigan University. While there, her record was 270 wins, 116 losses, and 1 tie. Fran was an Associate Professor, in the Department of Health, and Physical Recreation for 27 years, in 1977 published a book, "Basketball-Five Player." Coaching for many years, she won the World Series Championship in Des Moines, IA in 2002, as well as 2003-2004. In 1999, Fran retired from coaching the men's teams, but continued coaching senior women.
Katherine Oswalt Katherine Oswalt was born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania.
Kay started playing fast pitch then played a modified fast-pitch and from there she started playing slow pitch softball. Kay’s playing positions have been pitcher, catcher, and outfield.
In 1989, Kay began playing senior softball, and won the gold medal with the Michigan Mavericks. She has managed and played despite some major health problems. She has battled cancer for several years and her belief is that there are others worse off than she.
Unfortunately her record of attending the senior events continuously was interrupted in 2007 when she fell and broke her femur bone/hip.
She now manages the Michigan Mavericks’ 75+ and her motto is
“You can’t worry about sitting around the house, because you’re not getting anywhere, you’ve got to get out and do something with your life”. She is one of the pioneers that paved the way for all of the younger players.
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