Print, Photographic

Photograph

-

Shanaman Sports Museum

Name/Title

Print, Photographic

Entry/Object ID

2006.10.1

Description

Gene “Chico” Thayer, left, and John Rockway, president of the Tacoma Sports and Recreation Federation, stand next to trophies won by the federation. The TSRF began in 1970 after Thayer had already established himself as a dominant fastpitch pitcher in the Tacoma area. An Anacortes native who graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1953 began playing for the Tacoma Moose in 1951 and qualified for the state tournament in Walla Walla. Thayer played for several teams in the Tacoma area, participated in 29 regional and invitational tournaments and earned nine MVP awards, some of which are pictured with him and Rockway. At the 1972 regional tournament, Thayer pitched five games, won five, and compiled a 41-14 record which included four no-hitters and one perfect game. Thayer had another gem of a day at the ASA regional in Spokane when he pitched 17 shutout innings, was named the tourney MVP and helped Manke & Sons win the tournament and earn a trip to nationals. He is a member of the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame. Rockway was also an exceptional fastpitch pitcher who eventually became an ambassador of sorts for the sport and other recreational athletics in Tacoma and Pierce County. Rockway’s reputation as an ace began with his great curveball and he used that when playing for three different teams over the years. Rockway pitched a duel with ace Woodrow Red in a thrilling no-hitter. Rockway went on to become the first Metro Tacoma Softball Commissioner and was instrumental in the sport’s growth, which included slowpitch, in the county. Rockway was elected president of the TSFR in 1960 and served leadership roles with the Amateur Softball Association of America for 20 years. Rockway was also involved with Golden Gloves boxing and in 1974 he was recognized with the Member of the Year Award from the TSRF. He is a member of the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame.

Lexicon

Search Terms

baseball, Professional/Semi-Pro, Recreational

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Thayer, Gene "Chico"

Person or Organization

Rockway, John

Person or Organization

Amateur Softball Association

Person or Organization

Washington State Sports Hall of Fame

Person or Organization

Walla Walla

Person or Organization

Tacoma Moose

Person or Organization

Lincoln High School

Person or Organization

Tacoma

Person or Organization

Tacoma Sports and Recreation Foundation

Person or Organization

Thayer, Gene "Chico"