In bridge there’s an expression, “When in doubt, lead trump.” In fast pitch softball the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons would say, “When in doubt, pitch Bill West.”More often than not the 6-foot-2, 225-pound West would win. He had some outstanding years for the Pistons, winning 28 games and losing four in 1947, going 34-7 in 1948, 36-2 in 1949 with 452 strikeouts in 285 innings and allowing 93 hits, 32-4 in 1950, 24-2 in 1951 and 24-4 in 1952, with 350 strikeouts and 18-4 in 1954, his final year with the team. After joining the Pistons, West was named MVP of the National Fastball League in 1948 and to the league’s all-star team four consecutive years (1946-1949). In national championship play, West won five games and lost none, allowing six hits after joining the team in 1946 after serving a four-year hitch in the Army. Before joining the Army, West pitched in Kentucky. He moved there when he was five after being born in Cincinnati . He started his career in 1938 with Koelkel Norge of Covington before playing for Ken-Mac of Louisville, KY in the 1941 ASA national championship. West lost in the first round, 1-0 in 14 innings despite striking out 26 batters and allowing two hits. West had been a pick-up player after losing 1-0 on a no-hitter in the state tournament. In 1942, West hurled Newport to the Kentucky State title, winning three games with 46 strikeouts, and not allowing any hits. West passed away October 14, 1972 at 51.
