Warken, Norb

NORB WAS ONE OF THE BEST SOFTBALL PITCHERS IN AMERICA. AS A 16-YEAR-OLD, HE PITCHED A 1-0 TWENTY-SEVEN-INNING VICTORY IN THE COVINGTON JUNIOR LEAGUE.

IN 1937, PITCHING FOR MAYFIELD CURLEE CLOTHIERS IN THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT, NORB STRUCK OUT 64 IN FOUR GAMES, PITCHED TWO NO-HIT GAMES IN THE SAME DAY (ONE NO-HITTER WAS A PERFECT GAME), AND DID NOT ALLOW A WALK.

IN 1938 NORB PITCHED COVINGTON TO THE STATE TITLE BY WINNING THREE STRAIGHT ONE-HITTERS AND WINNING THE FINAL GAME 1-0 WITH A HOME RUN. IN THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT THAT SAME YEAR, NORB WON TWO GAMES (ONE A NO-HITTER) AND LOST ONE. IN THE THREE GAMES, HE ALLOWED 3 HITS AND TWO RUNS.

IN THE 1939 STATE TOURNEY, HE PITCHED AND WON 5 GAMES, STRIKING OUT 62, ALLOWING 10 HITS, AND WALKING 2 TO LEAD COVINGTON TO THE STATE TITLE. IN THE 1939 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, NORB PITCHED AND WON ALL SIX GAMES, GIVING UP ONLY ONE RUN (UNEARNED) IN THE FINAL INNING OF THE FINAL GAME.

IN 1946, NORB PITCHED NEWPORT TO THE RUNNER-UP OF THE NATIONAL REGIONALS. HIS WINS INCLUDED NO-HITTERS.

IN 1947, HE PITCHED COVINGTON BOCKWEG CAFÉ TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, AND TO THE NATIONAL REGIONAL RUNNER-UP SPOT DROPPING A 21-INNING LOSS TO SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, 2-1. NORB PITCHED MANY NO-HIT GAMES AND WAS VOTED ON MANY ALL-STAR TEAMS.

IN 1986, HE WAS ELECTED TO THE HUDEPOHL SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME. IN RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING ABILITY AS DEMONSTRATED IN FAST PITCH SOFTBALL COMPETITION, THIS CITATION BEARS WITNESS THAT HIS NAME SHALL FOREVER BE IN THE KENTUCKY SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME.