The King

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EDDIE FEIGNER, THE KING OF SOFTBALL, FOUNDER AND PITCHING STAR OF THE WORLD FAMOUS 4-MAN SOFTBALL TEAM, THE KING AND HIS COURT, PASSES AWAY

Eddie Feigner
Born: Myrle Vernon King
"The King of Softball"
U.S. Marine Corps.
March 26, 1925 to February 9, 2007

FEBRUARY 9, 2007: Eddie Feigner, arguably the greatest softball player of all time, the amazing pitcher who led his four man team around the world playing conventional nine man teams for 61 years, died February 9th at the age of 81 in Huntsville, AL.

Feigners wife, Anne Marie, said: "Eddie dedicated his life to entertaining people around the world and with the leadership and guidance of the North American Booster Club Association (www.boosterclubs.org), Eddies legacy and The King and His Court will continue touring for generations to come."

Under Eddies leadership the King and His Court received worldwide attention. In 1999 Sports Illustrated magazine ranked its top 20 favorite teams of the 20th Century based on "how much fun they had playing the game and how much fun we had watching them." The King and His Court ranked 8th, ahead of such fan favorites as the 1985 Super Bowl champs Chicago Bears (11th) and the 1955 World Series champs Brooklyn Dodgers (#19).

In 61 years of playing conventional nine-and-ten-man teams while fielding just a pitcher, catcher, first baseman and shortstop, Eddie lead The King and His Court around the globe as they traveled more than 4,000,000 miles to win more than 10,000 of its more than 11,000 games before more than 20,000,000 spectators on six continents and in all 50 states.


The rest of the article is at www.kingandhiscourt.com

I saw Eddie Feigner pitch twice. The first time was in 1968 when he was still in his prime. He struck my dad out on 3 straight rising fastballs. My dad took 3 big swings but hit nothing. After the game the King put on a pitching display that was unreal. One of the things he did was put 2 softballs in his hand. The catcher would have a glove on both hands and the King would throw both balls together and the catcher would catch a ball in each glove. The catcher hardly had to move either glove.

The other time I saw him was in 1988. He toured through NJ and my friends team was going to play against him. When my friend got up the Kings first pitch hit him in the foot. The King was past his prime by then but still put on a good show. Afterwards I talked to him but I really don't remember much of the conversation. Only that the King told me he had always been very accurate. I will miss him.
 
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