John Stratton is synonymous with excellence, garnering over 40 years with the Raybestos/Stratford Brakettes program where he totaled over 2,300 wins and a dazzling .917 winning percentage paired with 16 national championship titles. Stratton’s career with the franchise and the Brakettes’ legendary success are interwoven over decades. Leading many standout athletes over the years, Stratton coached various Hall of Famers, including Joan Joyce and Sue Enquist – both of which have made their mark on the sport of softball across the globe. A true ambassador of the game of softball, Stratton’s service to the sport goes far beyond his managerial achievements with over 50 years of instructional clinics and coaching advice. The epitome of an exquisite legend of the sport, Stratton earned the respect of coaches, players and parents for both his knowledge and respect of the game while demonstrating the ability to encourage his players to maximize their mental and physical talents to overcome the competitive pressures and challenges of the game.
“I have always loved and respected this game, as a fan, a player, a coach, a mananger, and a teacher for over eighty years.To be inducted into the National USA softball Hall of Fame is an incredible honor. To me it feels like the completion of a long and wonderful softball life and it shows that someone cared.”