Calvin E. ‘Sonny’ Bass

 

Meritorious Service

 

Inducted 1991

 

Sonny Bass entered our Hall of Fame under the Meritorious Service category.  To receive this award, you must be multi-talented and Sonny certainly qualified. Sonny started playing softball in 1960 with the Blue Jackets in the Norfolk Rusty Dusty League.  For five consecutive years, they were the league champions.  Each year, Sonny made the league All-Star team and twice received the MVP award in their annual All-Star game.  In 1966, he was recruited by Leonard Hamburger (one of Tidewater’s most successful managers) to play for Ahab’s.  Sonny was proud of the fact that he was the first black person to play on an all-white softball team in the Tidewater area.  Sonny played for some of the better teams in our area such as River Oaks Shell and Robo’s.  He made the Tidewater All-Star team twice representing those teams.  He played in three State tournaments and three Regional tournaments.  Sonny also played with Robo’s in one National tournament.  In 1978, he started umpiring and, at the time of his induction, was still active.  Sonny umpired in seven Metro tournaments, two Regional tournaments, two Eastern Area tournaments and two National Qualifier tournaments.  Sonny was the Norfolk District ASA Commissioner for one year.  Sonny Bass was very dedicated to Tidewater Virginia ASA and was very worthy of this honor.