When Tom Beall hit a homer fans would affectionately call it a “Beall ringer.” From 1979-1984, 995 “Beall” ringers were hit by Tom playing for slow pitch powerhouse Howard’s -Western Steer of Denver, NC. Besides the almost 1,000 homers, Tom drove in 2,065 runs and had an aggregate .662 batting average with 1,907 hits in 2,879 at-bats. He was named an All-American five times. He was a second-team choice in 1981, 1982 and 1983 and a first-teamer in 1979 and 1980. In the 1980 Major Slow Pitch National Tourney Beall smashed 17 homers to lead all hitters. Howard’s won three national titles during this span, 1981, 1983 and 1984. Tom’s best season with Howard’s was 1982 when he led the team in average (.702), home runs (303), hits (530), runs (507) and at bats (751). Beall was born March 12, 1953. Before joining Howard’s, Beall played for Reed’s Nuts of Pinehurst, GA from 1975-77 and one year for Howard & Carroll, Sherrills Ford, NC. In 1977, he batted .660 with 144 homers. In 1978, he smashed 250 homers—second best in the USA—and batted .626. Beall was born March 12, 1953 and passed away on December 24, 2017.
