A devastating high-average hitter with plenty of power, John Brown will be inducted into the Trenton Softball Hall of Fame at its banquet this Sunday afternoon.
Brown’s softball career lasted from 1986 through 2019 and his resume is of truly legendary stuff. As a result, he easily goes down as one of the greatest players in the history of the area.
Playing for powerhouse teams such as Villecco Menu, the Gamecocks, Lotierzo’s, Clark’s, Flex Gym and Dadz, Brown was on teams that won over 150 tournament titles.
These included 10 New Jersey state championships, seven Trentonian Tournament titles and eight national crowns. Brown was named to 11 all-world teams and over 40 all-tournament teams. By the time his amazing career was finished, the hard-hitting Brown had been named the Most Valuable Player in tournaments a staggering 29 times.
In addition to all the tournament championships and individual honors, Brown played on over 50 teams that won league titles. These leagues included the Mercer American, Mercer National, Mt. Holly, Medford, Hamilton, New Egypt and Florence.
The fact Brown was one of the most visible and accomplished players in the area for three decades resulted in him being named The Trentonian’s Player of the Night a record 30 times. And he did it against the best competition as Brown played with or against 70 players who have already been inducted into the Trenton Softball Hall of Fame.
Brown’s reputation as a power hitter and star player resulted in a famous incident in Florence when the police showed up prior to a game and informed Brown that he would not be allowed to play.
He was banned from the game because he had previously launched home runs that sailed over a street that ran adjacent to the left-field fence and smashed windows in a house. The police showed up after the home owner complained about Brown busting out his windows with his massive home run blasts.
There simply haven’t been many players more deserving to be inducted into the Trenton Softball Hall of Fame than John Brown.
The dinner will be held on Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m. at Stone Terrace in Hamilton Township. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at the door or by calling Art Kearns 609-771-6143 or Ed Fedorko 609-226-6648.
The following is a list of this year’s inductees as well as the scholarship winners: Men’s Division: Willie Turner, John Brown, Jim Peterson and Bobby Haines (Veteran); Player/Coach: Jim Billings; Sponsor: Marty Derr; Umpire: Tom Pihokken.
Women: Danae Pesce, Kathy Rizzo, Peggy Howell (Manager); Scholarship Winners: Dylan Parsons (Hamilton), Joey Gmitter (Steinert), Kailey Pacifico (Robbinsville), Emily Zuppa (Allentown), Cierra Acevado (Hamilton), Emma Fleming (Lawrenceville Prep).