Hall of Fame pitcher Jean Daves didn’t have the benefit of individual pitching lessons or clinics to develop as a fast pitch softball hurler and ultimately earn enshrinement into the ASA Hall of Fame. Daves taught herself growing up in Canton, NC. “I used to throw a ball into a blanket strung over clothesline. My mother never wanted me to play, but my dad always did,” said Daves. “I taught myself most of the different pitches. But I was a finesse pitcher, not an overpowering one.” Daves played for teams in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL and Washington, DC before joining the Orlando Rebels in 1964. She spent the last eight years of her 20-year career with Orlando and set team single-season records for wins, 40 in 1970; shutouts, 30 in 1966; strikeouts, 485 in 1967; most consecutive wins, 21 in 1966; most consecutive scoreless innings, 95 in 1965; most no-hitters, nine in 1967 and most innings pitched, 344 in 1970. She was born April 7, 1934. Daves won 255 games and lost 59 with 41 no-hitters and 197 shutouts. She struck out 2,944 batters in 2,370 innings and was a first-team All-America in 1966, 1970, 1971 and a second-team choice in 1967, 1968 and 1969. She had a 25-15 record in national championship play, retiring in 1971.
