Detroit Auto Kings and Softball City
The Detroit Auto Kings were a professional softball team that played during the 1980 season in the North American Softball League (NASL), one of three men's professional softball active in the pro softball era. The Auto Kings played at Memorial Field in Eastpointe, Michigan and took over as the Detroit professional team when the Detroit Caesars disbanded after their 1979 season in the American Professional Slow Pitch League (APSPL). The Auto Kings roster featured several members of the Caesars - Dan Murphy, Chuck Drewicz, Gary Geister, Mike Gouin, Cal Carmen and Tony Mazza. Gouin also served as manager of the Auto Kings.
Three teams came to the newly formed NASL from the APSPL - the Cleveland Competitors, owned by Ted Stepien (also owner of the Auto Kings) who served as NASL President, the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears, and the APSPL champion Milwaukee Schlitz. Former MLB players Mudcat Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for the league. Pepitone was a former player for the Trenton franchise in the APSPL. Continuing the Caesars tradition of former Detroit Tigers turning to play professional softball, the Auto Kings featured former Detroit Tigers outfielder Mickey Stanley. The only two Auto Kings to appear in the top-ten categories were Gary Geister, who finished 5th in the NASL with 31 home-runs, while teammate Jerry Gadette finished 10th with 24. 3B/SS Mike Turk was the only Auto King to receive all-league honors in 1980.
The Auto Kings advanced to the playoffs with a 35-26 record winning the semi-finals 4-1 over Cleveland. Detroit would advance to the NASL World Series and lose to the Milwaukee Schlitz 5-2. Ken Parker of Milwaukee would take the World Series MVP trophy while Ron Olesiak of Chicago was the league MVP. The Auto Kings folded after the season and the NASL would merge with the APSPL to form a new unified pro league, the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). There was no Detroit team for the 1981 season.
Softball City was a park complex at the State Fairgrounds on 8 Mile in Detroit. Detroit Softball City was formed by Stepien to play in the 1982 UPSL season featuring former Caesars Gary Geister, Chuck Drewicz, Doug Gerdes, George Birch, Rick Trudeau and manager Gary Vitto, along with former Auto Kings Matt Partridge and Mike Turk.
Detroit beat the South Jersey Athletics in the first round of the playoffs and then upset Cleveland, who had the best regular season record, 3-2 in the semi-finals. Softball City then lost to long-time Detroit rival Milwaukee Schlitz in the 1982 UPSL World Series 5 - 1. Mitchell made the all-UPSL team. That league folded after 1982 ending the men's professional softball era. Manager Gary Vitto would go on to serve as General Manager of the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League and then served in the front office of the Detroit Tigers, owned by Caesars owner Mike Ilitch, until his death in 2001.
Three teams came to the newly formed NASL from the APSPL - the Cleveland Competitors, owned by Ted Stepien (also owner of the Auto Kings) who served as NASL President, the Fort Wayne Huggie Bears, and the APSPL champion Milwaukee Schlitz. Former MLB players Mudcat Grant and Joe Pepitone served as PR officials for the league. Pepitone was a former player for the Trenton franchise in the APSPL. Continuing the Caesars tradition of former Detroit Tigers turning to play professional softball, the Auto Kings featured former Detroit Tigers outfielder Mickey Stanley. The only two Auto Kings to appear in the top-ten categories were Gary Geister, who finished 5th in the NASL with 31 home-runs, while teammate Jerry Gadette finished 10th with 24. 3B/SS Mike Turk was the only Auto King to receive all-league honors in 1980.
The Auto Kings advanced to the playoffs with a 35-26 record winning the semi-finals 4-1 over Cleveland. Detroit would advance to the NASL World Series and lose to the Milwaukee Schlitz 5-2. Ken Parker of Milwaukee would take the World Series MVP trophy while Ron Olesiak of Chicago was the league MVP. The Auto Kings folded after the season and the NASL would merge with the APSPL to form a new unified pro league, the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). There was no Detroit team for the 1981 season.
Softball City was a park complex at the State Fairgrounds on 8 Mile in Detroit. Detroit Softball City was formed by Stepien to play in the 1982 UPSL season featuring former Caesars Gary Geister, Chuck Drewicz, Doug Gerdes, George Birch, Rick Trudeau and manager Gary Vitto, along with former Auto Kings Matt Partridge and Mike Turk.
Detroit beat the South Jersey Athletics in the first round of the playoffs and then upset Cleveland, who had the best regular season record, 3-2 in the semi-finals. Softball City then lost to long-time Detroit rival Milwaukee Schlitz in the 1982 UPSL World Series 5 - 1. Mitchell made the all-UPSL team. That league folded after 1982 ending the men's professional softball era. Manager Gary Vitto would go on to serve as General Manager of the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League and then served in the front office of the Detroit Tigers, owned by Caesars owner Mike Ilitch, until his death in 2001.
1980 NASL Regular Season Final Standings
Eastern Division
Detroit Auto Kings (DET) 35-26 .574
Cleveland Competitors (CLE) 31-32 .492 5.0
Cincinnati Rivermen (CIN) 25-37 .403 10.5
Pittsburgh Champions (PIT) 25-39 .391 11.5
Western Division
Milwaukee Schlitz (MIL) 47-13 .786
Chicago Nationwide Advertising (CHI) 43-19 .694 5.0
Lexington Stallions (LEX) 30-32 .486 18.0
Fort Wayne Huggie Bears (FTW) 11-49 .183 36.0
NASL Playoffs
Detroit beat Cleveland 6-4, 8-7, 19-4, 5-10, 14-5; (4-1)
Milwaukee beat Chicago 9-13, 10-7, 17-12, 16-12, 10-17, 22-17; (4-2)
NASL World Series
Milwaukee beat Detroit 19-11, 10-12, 12-16, 22-13, 13-4, 12-3, 11-9; (5-2)
World Series MVP - Ken Parker, Milwaukee
Eastern Division
Detroit Auto Kings (DET) 35-26 .574
Cleveland Competitors (CLE) 31-32 .492 5.0
Cincinnati Rivermen (CIN) 25-37 .403 10.5
Pittsburgh Champions (PIT) 25-39 .391 11.5
Western Division
Milwaukee Schlitz (MIL) 47-13 .786
Chicago Nationwide Advertising (CHI) 43-19 .694 5.0
Lexington Stallions (LEX) 30-32 .486 18.0
Fort Wayne Huggie Bears (FTW) 11-49 .183 36.0
NASL Playoffs
Detroit beat Cleveland 6-4, 8-7, 19-4, 5-10, 14-5; (4-1)
Milwaukee beat Chicago 9-13, 10-7, 17-12, 16-12, 10-17, 22-17; (4-2)
NASL World Series
Milwaukee beat Detroit 19-11, 10-12, 12-16, 22-13, 13-4, 12-3, 11-9; (5-2)
World Series MVP - Ken Parker, Milwaukee
1980 NASL League Leaders
Batting Average |
Home Runs |
RBIs |
.555 - Ron Olesiak, CHI |
42 - Benny Holt, CLE |
124 - Ron Olesiak, CHI |
.548 - Don Rardin, LEX |
34 - Dana Andry, CLE |
115 - Buddy Haines, CHI |
.533 - Benny Holt, CHI |
34 - Mike LaFever, CIN |
98 - Dennis Graser, MIL |
.527 - Tom Spahn, CHI |
34 - Ron Olesiak, CHI |
98 - Mike Krolicki, CHI |
.520 - Jake Jakobi, CHI |
31 - Gary Geister, DET |
97 - Tom Spahn, CHI |
.518 - Buddy Haines, CHI |
30 - Dennis Graser, MIL |
95 -Phil Higgins, MIL |
.517 - Ken Kamradt, CHI |
29 - Jim Bizzell, CLE |
95 - Benny Holt, CLE |
.514 - Paul Campbell, CIN |
29 - Fred Ryan, PIT |
88 - Mike LaFever, CIN |
.510 - Rick Weiterman, MIL |
27 - Buddy Haines, CHI |
87 - Jim Bizzell, CLE |
.506 - Willie Simpson, CHI |
24 - Jerry Gadette, DET |
85 - Dana Andry, CLE |
1980 NASL All Pro Team
Ron Olesiak, Chicago (MVP), Dennis Graser, Milwaukee, Phil Higgins, Milwaukee, Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee, Jim Dilliard, Milwaukee, Mike Turk, Detroit, Benny Holt, Cleveland, Don Rardin, Lexington, Jake Jakobi, Chicago, Mike Krolicki, Chicago, Roger Snatchko, Pittsburgh, Willie Simpson, Chicago, Buddy Haines, Chicago, Dana Andry, Cleveland, Tom Spahn, Chicago, Mike LaFever, Cincinnati
Ron Olesiak, Chicago (MVP), Dennis Graser, Milwaukee, Phil Higgins, Milwaukee, Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee, Jim Dilliard, Milwaukee, Mike Turk, Detroit, Benny Holt, Cleveland, Don Rardin, Lexington, Jake Jakobi, Chicago, Mike Krolicki, Chicago, Roger Snatchko, Pittsburgh, Willie Simpson, Chicago, Buddy Haines, Chicago, Dana Andry, Cleveland, Tom Spahn, Chicago, Mike LaFever, Cincinnati
1982 UPSL Regular Season Final Standings
Eastern Division
Cleveland Competitors (CLE) 46-17 .730
Detroit Softball City (DET) 39-20 .661 5.0
South Jersey Athletics (SJA) 35-25 .583 9.5
Rochester Express (ROC) 24-40 .375 22.5
Pittsburgh Hardhats (PIT) 8-52 .133 36.5
Western Division
Kentucky Bourbons (KEn) 38-23 .623
Cincinnati Suds (CIN) 34-28 .548 4.5
Milwaukee Schlitz (MIL) 32-32 .500 7.5
Lima Steele's (LIM) 20-38 .348 16.5
1982 UPSL Playoffs
1st Round
Detroit beat South Jersey 18-11, 16-15, 18-14; (3-0)
Milwaukee beat Cincinnati 11-4, 11-8, 13-4; (3-0)
Cleveland and Kentucky (both received a 1st Round Bye)
Semi-Finals
Detroit beat Cleveland 14-7, 6-11, 9-7, 0-11, 17-10 (3-2)
Milwaukee beat Kentucky 10-7, 4-7, 9-21, 14-10, 23-22; (3-2)
USPL World Series
Milwaukee beat Detroit 9-8, 8-3, 7-10, 13-11, 12-7, 39-6; (5-1)
World Series MVP - Dick Laba, Milwaukee Schlitz (16-24, .667)
Eastern Division
Cleveland Competitors (CLE) 46-17 .730
Detroit Softball City (DET) 39-20 .661 5.0
South Jersey Athletics (SJA) 35-25 .583 9.5
Rochester Express (ROC) 24-40 .375 22.5
Pittsburgh Hardhats (PIT) 8-52 .133 36.5
Western Division
Kentucky Bourbons (KEn) 38-23 .623
Cincinnati Suds (CIN) 34-28 .548 4.5
Milwaukee Schlitz (MIL) 32-32 .500 7.5
Lima Steele's (LIM) 20-38 .348 16.5
1982 UPSL Playoffs
1st Round
Detroit beat South Jersey 18-11, 16-15, 18-14; (3-0)
Milwaukee beat Cincinnati 11-4, 11-8, 13-4; (3-0)
Cleveland and Kentucky (both received a 1st Round Bye)
Semi-Finals
Detroit beat Cleveland 14-7, 6-11, 9-7, 0-11, 17-10 (3-2)
Milwaukee beat Kentucky 10-7, 4-7, 9-21, 14-10, 23-22; (3-2)
USPL World Series
Milwaukee beat Detroit 9-8, 8-3, 7-10, 13-11, 12-7, 39-6; (5-1)
World Series MVP - Dick Laba, Milwaukee Schlitz (16-24, .667)
Batting Average |
Home Runs |
RBIs |
.618 - Dana Andry, CLE |
65 - Dana Andry,CLE |
140 - Mike Macenko, CLE |
.572 - Phil Higgins, MIL |
63 - Mike Macenko, CLE |
133 - Charles Mitchell, DET |
.566 - Paul Wright, CLE |
59 - Charles Mitchell, DET |
128 - Dana Andry, CLE |
.565 - Dick Laba, MIL |
47 - Ron Dorsey, SJA |
125 - Phil Higgins, MIL |
.560 Derek Gallagher, MIL |
46 - Mike Kolb, SJA |
122 - Dennis Graser, MIL |
.558 - Steve Blanchette, CLE |
43 - Dennis Graser, MIL |
120 - Steve Blanchette, CLE |
.554 - Bill Gatti, KEN |
42 - Steve Blanchette, CLE |
114 - Mike Kolb, SJA |
.547 - Ron Dorsey, SJA |
40 - Phil Higgins, MIL |
109 - Bill Gatti, KEN |
.540 - Ken Parker, KEN |
40 - Joe Young, LIM |
107 - Ken Parker, KEN |
.535 - Greg Whitlock, KEN |
39 - Gary Geister, DET |
106 - Marty Rolnick CLE |
1982 UPSL All Pro Team
P- Dana Andry, Cleveland - LEAGUE MVP; P- Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee; C- Charles Mitchell, Detroit; 1B- Dennis Graser, Milwaukee; 2B- Mike Macenko, Cleveland; 3B- Bill Gatti, Kentucky; SS- Greg Whitlock, Kentucky; SS- Paul Wright, Cleveland; OF- Steve Blanchett, Cleveland; OF- Ken Parker, Kentucky; OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee; OF- Derek Gallagher, Milwaukee; OF- Ron Dorsey, South Jersey; OF- Joe Young, Lima
P- Dana Andry, Cleveland - LEAGUE MVP; P- Rick Weiterman, Milwaukee; C- Charles Mitchell, Detroit; 1B- Dennis Graser, Milwaukee; 2B- Mike Macenko, Cleveland; 3B- Bill Gatti, Kentucky; SS- Greg Whitlock, Kentucky; SS- Paul Wright, Cleveland; OF- Steve Blanchett, Cleveland; OF- Ken Parker, Kentucky; OF- Phil Higgins, Milwaukee; OF- Derek Gallagher, Milwaukee; OF- Ron Dorsey, South Jersey; OF- Joe Young, Lima
