Harry Kraft’s career in softball started as a teenager in 1929 when he hurled a no-hitter in his first start as a pitcher in the Kenosha, WI City League. Between 1931-33 Kraft won 89 games and lost 17 for Miller’s of Kenosha. He wins included nine no-hitters and in 1933 had a 47-7 record. Although his career lasted into the 1940s, the highlight of it came in the 1934 national championship in Chicago, IL where Kraft dazzled the Newport, KY team, striking out a then record 38 batters in a quarter-final 2-1 win. It was a dazzling display of pitching class and endurance as Kraft bested Cannonball Bailey, allowing only six hits. It was the only game Kraft hurled in the tourney as the Ke-Nash-A’s of Kenosha went on to win the national title. Kenosha finished the year 64-10 but was unable to repeat in the national the next year. From 1931-1935 Kraft compiled a 132-34 record with 14 no-hitters before joining Bendix Brakes of South Bend, IN. Kraft won 18 of 19 games in 1937 as Bendix compiled a 59-6 record. Kraft had a win against Hall of Famer Shifty Gears in the national tournament that year, which was another highlight of his career. He had a 2-1 record in the nationals. Kraft continued to play until 1945, then umpired from 1946-1961. He compiled a 525-75 won-loss record in his career with three perfect games and 32 no-hitters. He estimated he averaged 15 strikeouts per games. Kraft passed away May of 2000 at age 87.
