Thomas ‘Speedy’ Rouse *

 

Inducted 1987

 

‘Speedy’ Rouse was a man of many physical talents.  He had the power-hitting ability of a Don Mattingly, the hard throwing arm of a Dave Wingfield, and the blinding speed of the great Willie McGee.  But, he was not a baseball player, he was one of the finest softball players in the game.  For 18 years prior to his induction, Speedy had been ‘the Man’ on the Tidewater softball diamonds.  He was a coach’s dream because when he came to bat in the last inning with the score tied ,or if he was in the field and a ball was hit in his direction, he would not choke, he was a winner all the way.  During Speedy’s career, he played for seven years with the Hall of Fame Virginia Door team.  For those seven years, Speedy was a great part of winning more than sixty-five major tournaments and participating in seven ASA National tournaments.  In addition to the ‘Door,’ Speedy played with the Bobcats, O&R Construction, Holland Construction and the Chesapeake Tamers.  Some people playing ball have a hard time maintaining greatness, but this was not the case with Speedy with a lifetime batting average of over .600.

 

* Deceased