Joe Cuddy

Special - Presented by Jay Denver

Joe was involved in USSSA softball for 28 years. He played softball for 34 years until he retired from playing in 2001. He pitched for Shel-Don’s (Holyoke, MA) from 1981 to 1991 and competed in a minimum of 10 USSSA events every year, usually finishing in the top 3 every weekend. In 1984, ShelDon’s was ranked 10th in the nation at year’s end. 

Joe also spent time umpiring. He attended the National Umpire’s Clinic for the last 20 years. In his early years umpiring, his most exciting times were umpiring the B finals in the New England Regionals and in the same weekend umpiring the D finals. 

He also served as the following:

Western Mass District 4 Area UIC

Western Mass District 4 Area Director

Western Mass District 4 Umpire Assigner

Western Mass District 4 Treasurer

Western Mass District 4 Tournament Director

Joe also ran the Shel-Don’s Open for 26 years, usually having the most teams in-volved outside of the States or NIT’s. He had a co-ed summer league and a men’s and a co-ed fall leagues. 

Joe was an ambassador for USSSA, convincing several leagues to make the switch from ASA to USSSA. One was a 15 team men’s league in Holyoke that switched to USSSA after being with ASA for 30 years. Three Youth (Girls U-12/U-14) fast pitch leagues with a total of 38 teams that are now playing under USSSA due to Joe’s efforts. 

‘I’ve played since 1968 and stopped in 2001 in a game that no matter your level of play, there is a place for everyone. USSSA gave all teams a place to go every weekend to play against travel teams and get an idea of competition. All USSSA events are very organized from start to finish.’