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over 60 years The King & His Court have introduced the talents
of some of the best softball players in history. The following players
have played a historical part of helping The King & His Court
gain worldwide fame.
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Anderson,
Doug
(Tour: 1971-1973)
An ex-Dodger and Red Sox, pitcher, Doug first met Eddie on a
golf course. Doug could drive a golf ball 350 yards. Eddie
encouraged him to join the team as a catcher. He hit 79 home
runs in four months with the court. |
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Anderson,
Wes
(Tour: 2001)
Wes joined the court as a part time player in 2001 and has toured
with the team playing shortstop, first base and catcher. Wes
is very active in the community.and supports many charities.
By trade he is a substance abuse counselor and carries a strong
message against drugs to the youth. |
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Aucoin,
Eddie
(Tour:
1998-2000)
Senior baseball at Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL. All-Star
infielder and hitter. Resigned from the Court to continue
his college education. |
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Bailey,
Mark
(Tour: 1965-1969)
Mark has punted a football over 80 yards and was invited to
play for the New York Yankees baseball club. Marks great arm
once threw a man out at home while leaning off-balance with
his back against the center field fence! He is now a high-school
teacher in California. |
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Barber.
Les
(Tour:
1975-1977 & 1981-1982)
Les was a hand-picked catcher from the pro-leagues of Western
Canada. |
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Barnett,
Dave
(Tour:
1981-1984, 1988)
Dave played centerfield for the University of North Carolina
when they finished 3rd in the 1978 College World Series.
He is now the head baseball coach and athletic director at Flager
College, St. Augustine, Florida. |
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Bateman,
John
(Tour: 1977-1980)
Now Deceased
John hit 190 home runs for The Court in 1980. The Court's third
ex-major leaguer. John played baseball for Montreal, Houston,
and the Philadelphia Phillies. He learned to hit a softball
playing for the Texas State Amateur Softball Champions, the
Houston Bombers. |
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Berger,
Floyd
(Tour:
1967-1968 & 1971-1977 & 1986)
Floyd is one of five left-handers who has played on The Court.
He played Softball at Virginia Tech. and now teaches school
in California. |
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Booth,
Dave
(Tour:
1986, 1991-1997, 2005-2007)
Body builder and natural athlete. He could be a stunt man and
actor for TV films. He is a painting contractor in Middletown,
PA |
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Branchaud,
Mike
(Tour: 1994-1997, 2007-2010)
Fire balling MVP Pitcher from Ontario, Canada. We call
him Mike Daly on the golf course. He can hit the long drive
with the best of them. |
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Cooper,
Ron
(Tour:
1958-1959)
Ron hit the most home runs for the White Sox farm team in the
minors. He gave up the majors to join the Court and went
on to play for "local 57" team out of Providence, R.I. The redhead
could sing like Marty Robins and entertained along the tour
for several seasons- a truly funny and talented man.
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Dobbins,
Charlie
(Tour:
1990- 2010)
Charlie's career spanned over 34 years as a men's major fastpitch
player. Head Softball Coach for Peace College, head Softball
Coach in 2006 for USA Softball vs. Spain and France, a member
of the NFCA National Fastpitch Coaches Association and Atlantic
Region Representative for the NCAA.. |
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Feigner,
Anne Marie
(Tour:
1998- 2006)
25+ years organizing women's softball and ASA Jr. Olympic Chairman.
The true Queen of Eddie's Court. |
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Feigner,
Eddie Jr.
(Tour:
1965, 1978-1984, 1990-1991, 1998-1999)
J.R. gained valuable experience in handling all the varied situations
that arise during the long tour by living and traveling with
the King since childhood. We hope he tries to golf on the Senior
Tour. His #6 is retired! |
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Feigner,
Eddie
"The King"
(Tour
and KHC Founder: 1946-2006)
What was to one day become The King And His Court all
began in 1946 when Eddie Feigner, an energetic strong-armed
young man who had excelled as a softball pitcher before the
war and in the Marines, was home again buzzing his fast ball
by home town batters.
There was one thing about Feigner, he had a world of confidence
in himself and his ability to pitch a softball. Whenever anyone
hurled a challenge at this lad in his early 20's, he had an
immediate taker.
Playing in an early spring league, Feigner was pitching for
a local team of 9 men in a game in Pendleton, Oregon. Eddie's
team won the game by a whopping score, but afterwards his
skill as a "hot shot" softball pitcher was challenged.
This was too much for the "King" who brazenly announced, "I
would play you with only my catcher but you would walk us
both." The other team's manager said, "OK, you bring your
catcher, shortstop, and first baseman down here and we will
play you." On the way back home, the four wondered what they
should do to get ready.
Because it was early spring and the local ball parks were
unavailable to practice on, the 4 men requested permission
to play some of the teams inside the Washington State Prison.
The request was granted. With high walls as a backdrop, and
the curious inmates looking on, The Four-Man Softball Team
came into being. That same week, the name "The King and His
Court" was chosen.
A week later 400 fans were on hand to view the unpublicized,
initial 4 versus 9 game. Feigner rose to the occasion. In
7 innings, he pitched a perfect game and struck out 19 batters.
One ball was hit to the shortstop, and one to the first baseman.
The final score was 7-0 in favor of the Court.
The players of the opposition team deserve much praise. Sometimes
during our games they are subjected to a little of what is
called "horseplay." The intention is never to make a player
look bad. After all, when a man offers his services to play,
we have nothing but respect for him.
Eddie
passed away on February 9, 2007.
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Fisher,
Jason
(Tour 2006) |
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| Talented
athlete with a strong arm. Pitched two H.S. no-hitters and passed
for a single game record of 339 yards in football. |
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Fittje,
Russ
(Tour 2006, 2009)
Russ
was a four sport all-star in High School and starting pitcher
(4 years) at Hastings College. A talented ball fielder with
quick feet. |
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Gorman,
Scott
(Tour:
1995-1997)
Scott Gorman began his KHC career in 1995. "Traveling the
country with Eddie, Rich and Gary was an amazing, life changing
experience. I always thought I drank away my chance at playing
ball professionally. After sobering up in 1982, I never let
go of that dream...being allowed to put on the red, white and
blue for the first time in Winnemucca, Nevada is forever etched
in my memory. God enabled me to live my dream!". During
Scott's tenure with the KHC, he helped Rich Hoppe with the King
of Diamonds program all over the United States in schools, rehab
facilities and jails carrying their strong message of hope.
"The places Rich and I went to share our experience, strength
and hope was truly a gift. The connection we felt with audiences
around the country through athletics, laughter and tears has
helped shape me into the husband, father, and son I always wanted
to be...and for that I am eternally grateful." After his
KHC career, Scott went on to work with athletes, actors and
musicians as a sobriety coach. Then Scott went on to work in
the NFL as The Chief Aide to the Owner of the Indianapolis Colts
for the last 9 seasons. "I was fortunate to be able to
work with world class people like Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning,
and that culminated with winning a Super Bowl in February of
2007. I may be the only KHC player with a Super Bowl ring"!
"Winning that Super Bowl and having that ring is special,
but it pales in comparison to the gratification of being one
of the handful of Court members over all these years."
Scott has now moved on to his own recovery consulting business.
Scott resides in Zionsville, IN with his wife Courtney and son
Grey. |
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Herrick,
Jim
(Tour:
1965-1966 & 1969-1970)
A good catcher and hitter, famous for his belly slides, Jim
developed into one of the most laugh provoking comedy stars
on the Court. After two years in Vietnam, Jim returned to teach
high school in Southern California. |
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Hill,
Bob
(Tour:
1967-1968)
Bob traveled as P.R. advance man for the Court and was one of
the funniest Ad Lib players the court ever had. An incredibly
successful public relations man, he once booked the Court into
Puerto Rico for nine games, however they stayed to play 57 days!
He is now a stock broker in State College, Pennsylvania.
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Hoppe,
Rich
(Tour:
1988, 1990-2010)
Rich pitched baseball, softball style, for the Phillies and
was offered a contract. He devotes his time in the off season
talking with gangs about the awareness of choice. |
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Horwitz,
Jon
(Tour:
2007-2010)
Jon joined the King and His Court in 2007. He was an all-conference
center fielder at UC Irvine where he posted a .388 batting average.
He attended Notre Dame High School is Sherman Oaks, CA where
he not only lettered in baseball but is the all-time career
leader is goals scored in water polo.
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Jackson,
Al
(Tour:
1958-1980)
A basket ball star in school, Al started with the Cincinnati
baseball farm system before joining the Court. This Super Star
hit 94 homers in 1973. The original team's first replacement,
Jackson also holds the Court record of over 400 consecutive
times at bat without a strike-out. His #1 is retired.
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Jones,
Jerry
(Tour:
1949-1964)
Jerry joined Eddie in 1948. He could catch fly balls against
the outfield fence after starting from the shortstop position.
The fastest runner ever to play on the team, he could run the
infield in less than nine seconds! |
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Kehrer,
Bill
(Tour:
1962-1965 & 1970-1971)
Bill once hit a shot over the fence at the 386 foot mark in
Columbus, Ohio. An extremely funny man on the field.
Eddie encouraged him to try his hand at television comedy.
Bill enjoys life with his wife and children at their home in
Texas. |
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Kinzer,
Meade
(Tour:
1946-1958)
Meade was the original catcher for the King and his Court, having
caught for Eddie from grade school on. He was a full power hitter
and could have caught for Eddie from a rocking chair. Meade
spent his final years in College Place, Washington. |
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Knight,
Jack
(Tour:
1981-1989, 1992-1997, 1999-2001)
Pitched for the Hollywood All Stars before joining the Court.
A native of Somerville Massachusetts, served in the U.S. Army
and did some teaching before going to work in New York. In New
York, Knight appeared on Broadway in "The Prime of Miss Jean
Brodie" and in musical revivals at Lincoln Center and The City
Center. He relocated to California in 1972. In television, he
had a recurring role on "Cheers", starred with Dom Deluise in
"Lotsa Luck", was a regular on "James at 16" and the variety
shows of Garry Moore, Susan Anton and Peter Marshall. He twice
guested on the "Tonight Show". He most recently appeared in
"JAG", "NYPD Blue", "Spin City", "All That" and "Nick Cannon"
on Nickelodeon.
In films, Knight appeared as a detective in "L.A. Confidential",
as an investigating patrolman in "Rosemary's Baby", an NYPD
detective in "The Sicilian Clan", and as Sheriff Wyatt in "The
Class of 1999 II". He will appear as a railroad worker in Stephen
Spielberg film "Catch Me If You Can".
Off-screen, Knight is an avid softball player. He has pitched
in 12 National Championship Tournaments and was named a 1st
Team All American in 1988. He has posted 44 no-hit games, including
a perfect game in league play. He is a member of the world-famous
4-man Softball Team, The King and His Court.
Highlights in his memory are traveling with the Ball club, chatting
with JFK in the Rose Garden, being touched by the Pope in Luxembourg,
meeting the father of one of the girls killed in the Birmingham
Sunday School bombing, standing on Pad 39 where three astronauts
died in a training accident, watching John Glenn go into space
in 1962 at Cape Canaveral, waving back to Queen Elizabeth in
Hyde Park and being present at the birth of his sons David and
John.
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Mackin,
Tim
(Tour:
1984-1988)
Tim is one of the greatest fast fastpitch hitters of all time.
He holds the Court record for one season of 321 home runs in
220 games. He is now Recreation Director for the city of Kelson,
WA. |
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McGill,
Wayne
(Tour:
1966-1967)
Wayne hit well against the King during a game in Orlando, FL.
and was invited to join the team when Bill Kehrer had to return
home. A master mechanic who loves cars, McGill retired when
he discovered he had a blind spot when hitting an in-raise.
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Meilicke,
Mike
(Tour:
1946-1958 & 1960-1961)
Mike, according to Eddie, was the Ted Williams of softball.
He hit 86 homers in the 1953, 1954 season against the greatest
pitcher softball could produce at the height of its popularity.
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Moore,
Glen
(Tour:
1991)
Glen was the best pitcher for his age in the U.S. He is the
head coach for Baylor University in Waco, TX. looking forward
to the 2004 Olympics. |
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Potts,
Doug
(Tour:
1968 & 1983)
Doug played Short Stop on the Court for one season and now has
his own Insurance Agency in California. |
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Prooyen, Craig
(Tour:
1989)
Craig pitched in Six National and one World tournament.
He pitched relief for the King one season. |
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West,
Gary
(Tour:
1969-1977, 1981-1985, 1989-1996)
Gary was the funniest Sports Comedian on the circuit.
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White,
Ken
(Tour:
1946-1951)
Ken was the Court's original first baseman, and truly a great
power hitter. He once hit a ball down the third base line
so hard that when the 3rd baseman tried to catch the ball in
front of him, his hat went flying and both shoes were knocked
off his feet. Ken now lives in Longview, WA. |
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