Jay Smith

 

Player

 

Inducted 1996

 

Jay Smith played softball from 1970 through 1995 for a total of twenty-six years.  Early in his career, he played for Cee Bass Realty, C. Roy Kelley and Book of Knowledge.  Each year, he led his team in batting.  In 1977 and 1978, he played for the Baltimore Monuments of the American Pro Slow-Pitch League that was the first every pro softball league.  He had the distinction of getting the first hit (a double) and scoring the first run for that league.  During the 1980s when Tidewater did not have a Major program, Jay chose to play with the teams in North Carolina and Richmond, Virginia.  He played in five National tournaments making the All-American Team in 1995 in the Men’s 40 & Over Masters and had a lifetime batting average over .650.  At his time of induction, Jay was recognized in Tidewater as the best defensive pitcher of all time.