OKLAHOMA CITY – USA Softball welcomed seven new members to the National Softball Hall of Fame tonight at the 44th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
In the Softball Capital of the World, USA Softball joined over 300 fans, friends, family and administrators at the Oklahoma City Convention Center to honor the accomplishments and milestones of the seven inductees who have played a pivotal role in making the sport of softball what it is today.
Members of the Class of 2025 include:Charlotte Cates (Slow Pitch Player), Christina Drumm (Umpire), Hank Garris (Slow Pitch Player), Jason Kendrick (Slow Pitch Player), Kelly Kretschman (Fast Pitch Player), Chris Miljavac (Fast Pitch Player) and John Miller (Meritorious Service).
Below is a breakdown on USA Softball’s 2025 Hall of Fame Class.
Charlotte Cates // Slow Pitch Player
Charlotte Cates built one of the most successful careers in ASA slow pitch history, earning more than 10 All-America honors during a career that spanned from 1981 to 1997. Competing in 14 consecutive ASA Major Women’s National Championships, she was selected as an All-American 11 times, including nine first[1]team honors, while helping her teams win six national titles. In 1985, she was named MVP of the ASA Major Women’s National Championship. At Florida State, Charlotte was an AIAW College All[1]American and led the Seminoles to the 1981 National Championship, where she also earned All-Tournament Team honors. Known for her dominant and consistent pitching, she closed her career with a 79–19 record in ASA Nationals and ranks among the top four in slow pitch history for All-America selections.
Christina Drumm // Umpire
Christina Drumm has made her mark on USA Softball through decades of leadership and umpiring at the sport’s highest levels. Currently serving as the USA Softball of Southern California Commissioner, she has also contributed on numerous national and international committees, including the USA Softball International Committee and the Umpire Manual Committee. In 2013, her dedication was recognized with the USA Softball Region 14 Award of Excellence. Christina has umpired on the biggest stages in softball, including the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, seven WBSC World Championships and qualifiers, and six Women’s College World Series. Since 1994, she has officiated more than 40 district, state, and regional championships while also serving as UIC in multiple national tournaments. Her expertise and leadership have set a standard for excellence in umpiring across the sport.
Hank Garris // Slow Pitch Player
Hank Garris enters the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest home run hitters the game has ever seen. With a career batting average of .740 and more than 2,000 home runs, Hank left his mark on slow pitch softball as a true power threat. He was a nine-time ASA Super National All-American and helped lead his teams to six Super National Championships, including two Grand Slam titles in 2001 and 2003. From 1998–2001, Hank hit an incredible 762 home runs while batting .770, earning multiple Player of the Year honors from Supreme Softball, Softball Today, and The Old Scout–Gordie Heagle. Named to both the All-Decade and All-Century Teams, he was also a three-time Softball Today Player of the Year. In 2010, his legendary bat was honored with induction into the USSSA Hall of Fame.
Jason Kendrick // Slow Pitch Player
Jason Kendrick established himself as one of the finest defensive outfielders in softball history while also excelling at the plate. A two-time Men’s Slow Pitch National Team member (2009, 2010), Jason earned 18 All-World selections in other Associations, collecting MVP, Offensive MVP, and Defensive MVP awards along the way. Jason was named to 13 All-Annual Teams by USA Softball, Supreme Softball, and Old Scout, while also receiving major honors such as the 1997 Softball Today Player of the Year, the 2004 WSL Defensive Player of the Year, and the 2007 Old Scout Player of the Year. His dominance both offensively and defensively secured him a place on the 1990s Supreme Softball All-Decade Team, the 2000s Old Scout All-Decade Team and the prestigious Jerome Earnest All-Century Team, as well as an inductee in the USSSA and WSL Hall of Fame.
Kelly Kretschman // Fast Pitch Player
Kelly Kretschman is one of the most accomplished players in USA Softball history, bringing Olympic success, professional dominance, and collegiate excellence to the Hall of Fame. A gold medalist in 2004 and silver medalist in 2008, she was also an alternate for the 2020 Olympic Games and represented Team USA in multiple international events, including the Pan American Games, World Cup of Softball, and Canada Cup. At the University of Alabama, Kelly was a four-time NFCA All-American, a four-time All-SEC selection, and remains one of the most decorated hitters in program history. She went on to a professional career where she was a nine-time NPF All-Star, seven-time NPF Champion, and the first player ever to win the Triple Crown in 2016. From 2015–2017, she was named NPF Player of the Year three straight seasons. Today, Kelly continues to impact the game as part of the Women’s National Team coaching pool.
Chris Miljavac // Fast Pitch Player
Chris Miljavac played 18 years at the highest levels of ASA/USA Softball, competing in major championships and earning multiple All-America honors. A five-time Men’s Major All-American, Chris helped his teams capture five ASA Men’s Major National Championships and twice earned first-team recognition. Chris represented the United States on the Men’s National Fast Pitch Team from 2001–2008 and again from 2012–2015, winning gold at the 2002 Pan American qualifier and silver at the 2003 Pan American games. His international career also included appearances in the ISF World Championship, Pan American games, and Men’s World Cup. Chris was also an ISC World Champion and MVP, earned ISC All-World honors four times and was a 2021 ISC Hall of Fame inductee. After retiring from play in 2015, Chris continues to give back to the sport as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team Selection Committee.
John Miller // Meritorious Service
John Miller has dedicated more than 36 years to USA Softball of Northern California, leaving a legacy of leadership and service that shaped the sport at every level. Beginning as Assistant District Commissioner in 1976, he went on to serve as District Commissioner until 1999, then as Northern California Commissioner overseeing 28 counties from 1999–2008. John’s leadership earned him the James Farrell Award of Excellence for Top National Tournaments and the Benchmark Registration Award for eight straight years. On the national stage, he served as Western Territory Vice President, chaired the Membership and Commissioner Committees, and worked at the USA Softball National Office as Chief Operating Officer. His decades of service on national committees, including equipment testing, insurance, and tournament organization, reflect his lifelong commitment to growing the game.
To learn more about the National Softball Hall of Fame, click here.
USA Softball Welcomes 2025 Class To National Softball Hall of Fame
