Larry Ward

 

Inducted 1987

 

Larry was a thirty-year veteran of the annual softball wars of which he spent twenty-four in Tidewater.  During these years, Larry proved to all that a power-hitter can also be a team player and a great defensive player.  While showing off his homerun power at the plate, Larry also showed that he is a team player first.  This was demonstrated by Larry not shooting for that homerun each time at bat, but doing what his coaches asked including opposite field hitting, sacrifice flies and even routine singles.  On defense, it did not take Larry very long to get the attention of the opponents and on-lookers.  This was accomplished for years when Larry made a catch at the fence and then threw out a runner at the plate who thought he could score from third.  Larry played on such teams in Tidewater as Ahabs, River Oaks Shell, The Cambric Inn and Azalea Baptist Church.  Included in Larry’s trophy case were thirteen major tournament championship trophies, five MVP awards and six All-Star Team selections.  Also noted is that he was involved with helping girls’ softball grow by coaching since 1983.