Baker was one of the game’s top hitters during a 20 year career (1963-1983) playing for teams in Providence, RI, Worcester and Taunton, MA, Portland, ME, Stratford, CT, Long Island, NY and Poughkeepsie, NY. Baker estimated he hit more than 300 homers during his career. He participated in 13 ASA national championships and shared the batting title in the 1975 national with a .545 batting average. His batting average in 10 of the tourneys was .275. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990 Baker said was “his greatest thrill in softball” while not winning a national title was his greatest disappointment. He played on teams that finished in the top four five times. Three times (1965, 1966 and 1975) he was named an ASA All-American and was the MVP in the 1966 national tourney when he batted .346 (9-for-26) and drove in eight runs. It was the first time a non pitcher won the MVP award. He also played in the 1967 Men’s All-Star Series. Baker was born October 5, 1937.
