When injuries riddled the Aurora, IL Sealmaster lineup in 1955, manager Leroy Hess knew what to do. He moved outfielder Don Ropp to the hot corner. Ropp did such an outstanding job playing third base that he remained there the remainder of his softball career, retiring in 1966. Ropp joined the Sealmaster organization in 1951. Records are not available prior to that time, but during the last 13 years with the team Ropp compiled a .325 batting average, continually facing the best pitchers in the United States. Ropp played 912 games, collected 864 hits and hit 131 homers. He was one of only two players on the team to have more walks (377) than strikeouts (275). His highest batting average was .365 in 1961. Respected by his teammates, Ropp was team captain 11 years and appeared in 11 consecutive ASA national championships and was a member of three national championship teams (1959, 1961 and 1963). He batted .320 in his first national championship in 1959 and had a .193 average (41-for-212) in national tourneys. Twice he was a first-team All-America, 1956 and 1959, and four times he earned second-team honors, 1959, 1961, 1964 and 1965. He was named All-West Central Regional nine times and was a member of the 1966 ISF World Championship. R opp contributed a pair of homers to the Sealmasters’ gold medal-winning effort. Although known for his hitting, Ropp was also a good defensive player, making only 57 errors from 1955-1966. Ropp was born October 30, 1929.
