Peter Turner Jr. played almost every position in fast pitch with the exception of shortstop during his two decade career and was humbled by his election in 2007. “I am flattered that I have been elected to the Hall of Fame. To share this award with some of the greatest names in our game, is by far one of the most humbling experiences in my life,” Turner said.”This honor gives me an opportunity to acknowledge those who have made the sacrifices that have allowed me to continue to play this game; my sponsors, the ASA, my teammates, as well as my family deserve the recognition for their support and sacrifices along the way. I have received far more than I ever expected from this game as softball has enriched my life, both on and off the field.” Turner earned All-America honors five times: 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999 and 2000 playing for some of the nation’s top major fast pitch teams including Guanella Brothers, Nava Brothers, Seafirst Bank and Larry Miller Toyota. He was a member of Guanella’s national championship team in 1991 and was a member of other teams that finished runner-up in 1990, third in 1999, fourth in 1996 and 2000, fifth in 1989 and tied for seventh in 1998. In 13 ASA national championships Turner batted .262 with a personal best of .563 in 1989. Four other times he batted .333 or higher in national championship play. Besides the ASA national championships, he played in five U.S. Olympic Festivals and batted .294 (25-for-85). In 1993, he batted .350 (7-for-20) to help Guanella’s win the gold medal. He twice was a member of the USA Pan American qualifying team (1989 and 1993) and in 1995 he batted .320 (8-for-25) to help the USA Men’s Team win a silver medal in the Pan American Games in Argentina. After retiring from major competition in 2001, Pete turned his attention toward managing and was an assistant coach for the Junior Men’s Team in 2001 before being named the head coach of the Men’s National Team. He led the Men’s National Team to a silver medal in the Pan American Games qualifier in 2002 and to a silver medal in the 2003 Pan American Games. In 2007, he led the USA Men’s National Team to a runner-up position in the ISF World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic. A graduate of Sacramento State, Turner has a Master’s degree from Hamilton University. He was an assistant coach at Delta College for 11 years before being named head coach in 2004. That same year he was named head coach at San Jose State University, San Jose, CA. Born October 19, 1956, Turner grew up around fast pitch softball because his father, Peter Turner Sr., was an accomplished player in his own right, and was Pete’s idol. Pete started playing fast pitch at 16 years-old on his Dad’s teams and was a standout football and baseball player in high school.
