2019 Hall of Fame Class Announced
Please welcome the following members into the 2019 Police Softball Hall of Fame:
The inductees will be formally introduced on Friday night during the opening ceremony of the World Series in Las Vegas.
Ralph Hamlin / Mid Atlantic Lawmen – Ralph has played Police Softball for the past 46 years. Ralph started playing in the outfield but was capable of playing anywhere defensively. Ralph wasa power hitter who also hit for a high average.
Mike Valente / New York Metro – Mike played over 20 years with several teams based out of New York. Mike could play anywhere on the field and was a lock down defender. Mike was a team first player and always hit for a high average, with New York Metro.
Mike Ryan / New York Metro – Mike played for 13 years at the highest of levels with New York Metro. Mike played mostly in the outfield and hit for a high average along with very good power. Mike was an integral part of many Championships with the New York Metro team.
Ken Fry / Minnesota Lawmen – Ken played for the Minnesota Lawmen for 14 years and is still currently playing. Ken has always hit for a high average along with excellent power. Ken has been named to many all- tournament teams and has been part of numerous Championships.
John Sanzo / Connecticut Lawmen – John has been playing Police Softball for the past 30 years, mostly in the Northeast Region. John was very versatile on defense and a solid hitter. Approximately 20 years ago he started a softball tournament in Orlando, Florida for Brian Asleton, a fallen brother Police Officer. This tournament is still going strong due to John’s dedication.
Rafael Trinidad Jr.- San Antonio Law -Trini is known for his positive influence, perseverance and love of his teammates. Rafael has led SA LAW to several monumental accomplishments which include 2 Gold Medals in the Texas Police Games (2010 and 2012). Most notably, Rafael led the SA LAW team to the 2016 Police World Series Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada where he hit a walk off homerun in the bottom of the 7th inning. This epic play by Trini not only capped off the title but also marks the same celebratory timeframe he learned he had conquered his first battle with cancer. Trini has received the following honors for the 2016 Pat Hill Inspirational Award, 2017 Shevy Wright West Conference Sportsman of the year award, and recently was a 2019 inductee into the Texas Police Softball Hall of Fame.
Danny (O) Ornelas- LAPD BLUE / DEA Combo - Danny O made his mark on the softball diamond as a power hitting first baseman. Danny O was a slick fielding first baseman with tremendous power. Danny O utilized his many attributes on the field to enable LAPD Blue / DEA Combo to compete for many tournament championships. Danny O was a staple in the middle of the order for LAPD Blue and DEA Combo for years and earned countless MVP / All tourney awards over the years. While a member of the DEA Combo the team won every tournament that played in for two consecutive seasons, collecting numerous gold medals and first place trophies. Danny O was a big bat in the middle of the DEA Combo lineup that racked up about 40 plus gold medals during his time in police softball.
Tyson Becker-Sac Probation/HardCor/DEA Combo -Tyson is a four time World Series Masters Champion, 2016 World Series Masters MVP, 2018 Shevy Wright Award. Not only does Tyson play police softball, but he also is very involved in the behinds the scenes aspects of PS. He is currently a member of the Competition Committee and Hall of Fame Selection Committee. During the World Series, you will see Tyson at the PS booth from sun up to sun down. Tyson also cofounded the Band of Brothers. This league works in conjunction with PS. They run several softball tournaments in the NorCal area. These tournaments have brought new up and coming teams into the Police Softball circuit. Additionally, Tyson is always helping Fallen Officer’s Families and other officers in need.
Keith Burgoon-Sac Pd Combo-Keith was a longtime stalwart for the Sac PD Softball club. Keith played for over twenty years, and played a variety of positions. As an outfielder in his early days, Keith played hard and always hustled. He had a strong and accurate arm. But most importantly, Keith was a monster with the bat. In his early days when Home runs were unlimited, Keith could hit Home runs on command. He also could hit vicious line drives from gap to gap. This ability allowed Keith to adapt to Home run limits and hitting backside to move runners along. Keith helped lead Sac PD into the new era and was a very well respected staple of there deep World Series runs as a Combo team. Keith was a great teammate who never quit and would always lay it on the line on the field. He was a winner with his team, on and off the field.
Ed Hano - Warpigs, Lockdown, Team Galvez. Ed began playing softball with the Vernon Police Department softball team in the late 1990’s and then the Downey Police Department softball team in the 2000’s. Ed joined the Warpigs and won a Gold medal in the Nevada Games in 2010.
Between 2010-2013 while playing with the Warpigs Ed showed consistent power along with the ability to hit the ball from foul pole to foul pole. Ed gained the reputation from his teammates as a natural leader and made a name for himself on the circuit with his competitors as a consistent hitter and like able guy. Ed had a consistent batting average north of .700 every tournament and as “The Old Guy” on the team he would be the top 1 or 2 homerun leader on the team every tournament. Between 2013-2015 Ed joined Lockdown and again solidified himself as a top hitter among the games best players. For Galvez, although joining a new team, Ed was again a proven leader and consistent hitter among the major division.
Thanks goes out to Dennis Leonard and Big Tone Anthony Costanzo for their tireless work and managing this process. Thanks also goes out to all the committee members who took time to vote on the nominees.
