
Ron Whittleton - Manager/Player
The
Best Of The West
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Here is a typical celebration at home
plate after Elby "Boom Boom" Bushong lets out one of his patented growls
and send the ball flying orbit bound.
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The Capitol Insulation Story
By: Ron Whittleton
Capitol Insulation was sponsored by Don Webster and the late Bob Edminston from 1974 until
1988. Over that period of time the team made 13 appearences in the USSSA
Men's Major World Series. During this stretch the teams won-loss record
was 1132 - 328. Although never winning a World championship, Capitol
put together some memorable performances.
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Ron Whittleton MGR.
USSSA Hall Of Famer
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Hank Kosmala with a head first slide into
a Howard's player in Lakewood, Ohio in 1976 at Madison Park.
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The sponsors didn't pay any of the players in those days, so when we
beat any of the Big Power House teams it was very gratifying. The Capitol
teams played very well in Big Games and displayed the ultimate in team
unity. The team went into the finals in the USSSA World Series in 1985.
Only to get beat twice by Elite Coatings. In the 1983 USSSA World Series
while being out manned, we beat Howard's, Jerry's Catering, and Elite Coatings
in our first three games. The amazing thing about that little run was that
during the year those top three teams had not lost a game to any other
team other than themselves. Unfortunately we ran into Steele's who brought
us back to Earth by soundly defeating us. We ended up third.
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Rick Wheeler
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Kenny Dain
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Cruz Martinez
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Ron Parnell
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Mike Cellura
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Elby Bushong
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"Boom Boom"
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Elby Bushong
with the Big Leg Kick
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Over the years we have had a few players leave and go on to some of
the Bigger teams and do quite well. Mike Cellura (Campbell's, Jerry's,
Howard's), Elby Bushong and Dennis Myers (Campbell's), Rick Wheeler (Jerry's,
Elite, Smythe Sox), Ken Dain (Steele's), Ron Parnell (Steele's, Ritch's,),
Brian Greer (Bell Corp). Cellura, Bushong, Parnell, Wheeler, along with
our sponsor Don Webster , and manager Ron Whittleton have been inducted
into the USSSA Hall Of Fame. Richard Wilborn who played with the team near
the end of his career is in the ASA Hall Of Fame.
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USSSA
Hall Of Famer Elby Bushong
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Look
At The Arm Extension By Elby Bushong
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In 1987 Mike Cellura, Cruz Martinez, and Brian Greer all hit over 100 Hr's. In 1983 Rick Wheeler had his breakout year by leading the team with 128 Hr's, in 1985 Ken Dain hit 105 Hr's, in 1988 Ricky Albiso hit 103. But over the years the team most people talk about is the 1978 team. Which is featured here in the photos. It was the first year that ASA teams were allowed to play USSSA teams, so there was some great rivalries developed and a certain amount of curiosity. Especially for that Crazy team wearing purple from California. Free spirits I think it was what they called us. Whatever it was the team had a certain flare about them on and off the field.
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Dennis
Myers
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Dennis Myers
/ Swing
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Dennis Myers
/ Second Base
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The team only hit 539 home runs for the season and only had a .569 batting
average, but the record for the year was 112-25. Our outfield had Bo Webber
playing left field, Hammering Hank Kosmala played right center. Mike Lynch
played left center field and Elby "Boom Boom" Bushong held down the right
field area. Big Dennis Myers was at third base, Don Furnald short
stop, Butch Nickoloff was at second and Steve Rayburn and Frank Rodrigues
platooned at first base. Frank would also handle behind the plate duties
also. Bob Woodroof pitched, and these players were backed up by Bob
Meldahl, Barry Watkins, Jerry Hamilton, and Richard Fisher.
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"Hammering"
Hank Kosmala
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Here Goes Anothe
One
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Bo Webber On
Deck
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This team found
more ways to win ball games than you can think of. They truly had a passion
for the game and each other. In 1978 Elby Bushong had 127 Hr's and a .709
batting average, Dennis Myers was hitting .638 with 119 home runs, Don
Furnald was hitting a cool .611 but what was more important was his ability
to lead the team with his defensive abilities. He played a great short
stop. Bo Webber led the team in doubles with 67. Anytime that Webber, Lynch,
or Nickoloff reached second base they could score from second on a fly
ball. They were that fast and talented. The scored from second at will.
Frank Rodrigues and Hank Kosmala backed up Elby and Dennis with the power
supply.
The team was very
exciting to watch, and Elby Bushong was the most exciting player to ever
play for Capitol Insulation. Through the 1970's and 1980's Capitol Insulation
was the team that carried the Banner for the West Coast teams.
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Big Frank Rodrigues
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Frank / Catching
Wilborn / Swinging
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