Fast pitch career spanned 33 years and included 19 years as a player and 14 years as a manager for various Illinois teams. He was a member of national championship teams in 1959 and 1960 and twice was named an All-America catcher (1962 and 1963). Was a coach for Aurora, IL Sealmasters when it won the ISF World Championship in 1966. In 1967, he managed the Sealmasters to the national title and a year later to the ISF World title. In 1969, he managed the team to a fourth place in its last year of sponsorship. In 1970, Smith led the Aurora Blue Seals and in 1971 managed the Anixter (Skokie) Bombers to a third place in the national championship. In 1973, Smith managed Home Savings and Loan to an eighth place in the national tourney and between 1974-1977 led the team to four consecutive second place finishes. Smith’s last year as a field boss was 1978 when he led Home Savings and Loan to a 14th place in the national tourney. In 1979, when softball was add to the Pan American Games as an official sport, he was named head coach of the USA Men’s National Team and led team to a silver medal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, losing a 1-0 14 inning decision to Canada in the finals. Smith also managed the Major Fast Pitch All-Stars four times (1972, 1975, 1976 and 1977). Smith passed away May 29, 1999. He was 72. His nickname was Joker because of his good sense of humor. He was employed by Stephenson-Adamson for 35 years.
