David Diegoli

Male Player - Presented by Deb Diegoli

Dave first broke into USSSA softball back in 1985 with Weiser Painters. In 1989 Dave joined the Casey Homes team with Bill McCluskey and stayed with him on Bill’s Thermco Softball Junkies team where he continued to play until his retirement in 1998. His career average with Thermco was over .750+ and was a major cog in Thermco’s success. 

Softball was Dave’s first love, and his performance on the field was even more remarkable due to the fact that he had been diagnosed with diabetes. As the years progressed, balancing blood sugar levels was difficult, but coupled with back to back games in summer heat, it became almost impossible. Dave never let his personal health problems interfere with the best interests of the team. Later in his career, Dave made a successful transition from left field to first base, and as time went on he would also DH. All Dave ever really wanted was to be part of the team.
Dave missed one entire softball season because of a ruptured disk in his back and his diabetes took its toll, continuing to accelerate the aging process. He finally hung up his bat in 1998 at the age of 38, mostly because he felt he could no longer be the player he once was, and wanted to retire with dignity. He loved the game and all of the players that he had played with over the years. 

While playing with Thermco, the team won 2 State Championships, 2 Northeast Divisional Championships, and 5 National Invitational Championships. They also were the Triple Crown Champions in 1995 and World Champions in 1996. 

Dave’s personal accomplishments include 8 Time All Tournament Team Player, 5 Time Tournament MVP and was the Home Run Champion at Triple Crown Championship in 1995. 

“Softball provided a lot of fun for me over the years. The chance to play with and against some remarkable people and players was something I re-ally enjoyed. It enabled me to travel to different regions of the country and compete against great opposition. The enjoyment and competition I experienced every weekend is something that I will always remember.” - Dave Diegoli​