On The Sly

Dear Foxy:

Fine story about the greatest softball pitcher of all time! I saw him in 1952 in Lynn, Mass. and he was more than unbelievable. I had the pleasure many years later to have dinner with him and his wife Queen Ann Marie. Since I write sports songs, I gave him a copy of my song From an Orphan to a King which is now on my CD Baseball Songs Sports Heroes. The song lyric for those interested is below:

FROM AN ORPHAN TO A KING

AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE LAND OF DOWN UNDER
THE KING GATHERED ALL HIS STRENGTH AND PITCHED THUNDER
EDDIE FEIGNER THREW THE VERY BEST PITCH OF HIS LIFE
CAUGHT BY QUEEN ANNE MARIE HIS TEAM MATE WIFE

THE BALL BROKE EIGHT INCHES SO SAID HIS QUEEN
THE KING GOT A STANDING OVATION AT THAT OLYMPIC SCENE
EDDIE FELT THE TEARS IN HIS EYES OF HIS ANNE MARIE
HOW FAR HAD HE COME? HE WAS ONCE AN ORPHANED BABY!

LEFT AT ST MARY’S HOSPITAL WHEN HE WAS ONE DAY OLD
EDDIE FEIGNER’S LIFE IS WORTHY OF BEING TOLD
NO MAN SHOULD BE JUDGED FROM THE HEIGHTS HE’S SCALED
BUT FROM THE DEPTHS HE’S COME AND HOW HE’S PREVAILED

CHORUS

FROM AN ORPHAN TO A KING HE’S MET EVERYONE, DONE EVERYTHING
EVEN ELVIS PRESLEY CALLED HIM THE KING
THROUGH THE LOVE OF HIS QUEEN
EDDIE FEIGNER FROM AN ORPHAN TO A KING

HE’S LEFT MILLIONS OF SMILES ON MILLIONS OF FANS
TRAVELED MILLIONS OF MILES TO SO MANY LANDS
STARTING IN NINETEEN FORTY SIX AS A SOFTBALL DARE
HIS FOUR MEN BEAT NINE MEN FAIR AND SQUARE

OVER NINE HUNDRED NO HITTERS AND TEN THOUSAND GAMES WON
THE KING STANDS ALONE IN HIS HALL OF FAME OF ONE
FASTER THAN SANDY KOUFAX OR NOLAN RYAN
EDDIE FEIGNER IS THE KING! THE VERY TOP LION

CLINT EASTWOOD PLAYED WITH THE KING. THE KING MADE HIS DAY
IN THAT CHARITY GAME HE PUT SIX HALL OF FAMERS AWAY
THOUSANDS OF GAMES LATER IN SERVICE TO THE LORD
HE RECEIVED THE VICTOR SPORTS LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

REPEAT CHORUS

MORE THAN FIFTY MEN PLAYED FOR THE KING AND HIS COURT
THEN HE ADDED A LADY WHO BECAME HIS CONSORT.
THE LAST OF THE BARNSTORMERS STILL ON THE ROAD
HIS BELIEF IN THE LORDS’ KEPT HIM ON THE RIGHT ROAD

NOT ONLY AN ENTERTAINER, THE KING’S A COMMITTED MAN
OVER THREE SCORE YEARS HE’S TAKEN STAND AFTER STAND
HE STOOD WITH PRESIDENT KENNDY SUPPORTING CIVIL RIGHTS
PROTESTED THE EVIL DEEDS OF THE KLAN’S TARNISHED KNIGHTS

WHILE ALLIED PLANES AIRLIFTED SUPPLIES TO BERLIN
THE KING AND COURT WERE THERE PLAYING FOR AMERICA TO WIN
THANK YOU KING THANK YOU COURT FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE
YOUR FANS HAVE NEVER LOST BECAUSE OF YOU, WE’VE WON!

REPEAT CHORUS AND LAST LINE IN CHORUS ONE MORE TIME

Joe Pickering Jr. Songwriter King of the Road Music BMI Performed by Phil Coley

www.kingoftheroadmusic.com
Copyright 2005

does anyone no what happened to bobby manice ? from flat iron or the sobar softball teams in philadelphia played alot at max myers field in northeast philly

Good Story. I grew up in Walla Walla and my Dad (Bernie Janke) was somewhat of a rival to Eddie. But he didn't do any tricks, he just threw hard with lots of stuff. Meade Kinzer was his mentor and a good friend - you could probably ask any of the original members or those up through the late 70's about the battles my dad had with Eddie. One was when Eddie came up with the bases loaded and no outs. Bernie ended up striking him out 3 straight times.

My father took my brother and I to see the Kings play in Brooklyn N.Y. in the early sixties and to this day i haven't seen a more amazing display of talent on any baseball diamond including the MLB. It's been more than forty years and I still remember every minute of it. If i didn't see it with my own eyes i wouldn't of believed it. He belongs in the baseball hall of fame.

Foxy,
Like others, I remember seeing the King as a kid, watching my dad, a local City of Flint, MI AA city league pitcher, get a chance to hurl an inning or two every year or two when he came through town and played the local all-stars at the old Atwood Stadium. As I recall, Eddie did all the 'magic' he was known for, and never ceased to amaze. My younger brother who was not old enough to see these games back in the early 60's got a chance to talk to the King in the 80's when he began to pitch only occasionally, and the King remembered my dad, which was a thrill to all our family. Although Men's fastpitch has always been a strikeout game (most of my dad's games were those 1-0 or 2-1 games), it was still impressive to see the king fan Flint's best all-star player afer all-star player, with maybe 1 good hit off him per game, and then watch the Court scurry into the outfield to retrieve the ball!
My dad was recently inducted posthumously into a local sports hall of fame last year, and I got a chance to see and talk with other well known pitchers and players of that era (after some 40 years), and they were all sad to see men's fastpitch wane in popularity to other forms of softball: maybe it will come back to popularity some day: yes they were low scoring games where only the very best could hit the ball, but, it sure made for some intense and exciting ball playing as I recall as a youngster sitting on the bench as a bat/ball boy.
Just my 2 cents.

(Foxy's note: Mike, thanks so much for contributing to the blog. Interesting stuff!)

I saw the King and his Court in Tyler, Texas in 1961. Tyler won 1-0 with a home run hit down third base line while Eddie was pitching blindfolded. He slows it down when pitching that way. Little doubt he was the greatest sofball pitcher of all time. I tried to learn to pitch using his brochure on how to hold the ball, etc. but only had two memorable experiences. One was to strike out my next door neighbor who was on the varsity high school baseball team and the other was to black the eye of my catcher with a ball that broke down and outside and then broke back to the right and up. I was never able to duplicate that pitch but I'm sure Eddie did may times. He was an inspiration to many, many of us high school kids.

I cannot believe that i was related to the best softball player of all time. My name is Anne Feigner. i am related to Eddie through my dad. Eddie is my dad's cousin.

I watched Eddie Feighner and "Little" Joe Mason (Catcher 1963-64) bowl while blindfolded in Simi Valley, CA. They put on a great show and everyone loved them there.

In the late 1960's I was the President of the Atlanta Softball Association. We had a few very good fastball teams and decided to put together an all-star team and invite the "King and His Court" to accept our challange. They came, and only because Eddie & Company fulfilled their usual crowd pleasing antics of blindfold pitching, then from second base, from the outfield, behind the back, on his knees, etc., our all-stars won by a lucky run or two. Eddie and his team were all gentlemens' gentlemen on the field and with the fans. His shows were always clean, family fun, and awesome. Eddie Feigner, the King and his Court" were softball's "show of shows." The passing of Eddie and these exhibitions create a very real void in sports.
Bob Stem.... The Villages, FL

I played with the King and His Court in 1968 and part of the 1982-83 seasons.

I will contact J.R, for you Fred (as we both live in San Diego) and let him know you are trying to get in touch with him.

With the passing of Eddie it is an end of an era. At one time, the King and His Court was the best show in town, any town.

I'll never forget one play at a game I saw in the late 80's in Long Beach, CA. One hitter (I think they were Little League coaches in a benefit game) smashed the ball to the outfield fence. This huge body-builder guy he had as shortstop rover ran from shortstop to the wall like he was a computer generated special effect. He picked up the ball maybe 300 feet out there and by this time the hitter was rounding third. The ball came in to the catcher's hand on the fly exactly where it needed to be for the tag to be applied without moving the glove hand an inch as the guy came in. Surreal. .

I played against Eddie Feigner in the mid 70s. The game ended in a 4-4 tie. Fans overheard Eddie get upset because we were hitting him. He growled at his teamates on the bench that they should smarten up and beat these bunch of farmers. He got really upset on the mound. He threw at best, 75 mph that day. I have clocked other pitchers in their early 50s and they had lost about 5 mph compared to their prime. Only a handful of world top men pitchers throw in the low 80s today. With all due respect, I would be extremely surprised if any sofball pitcher ever reached 90mph (perhaps Feigner) let alone the ridiculous speed of 104mph. Secondly, I have seen top world pitchers for many years and I would say the 2 fastest pitchers I have ever seen threw mid 80s at best and were at least 10mph faster than Feigner was when he was 53. There's no way Feigner lost 30 mph from age 35 to 53. There's no doubt he was a phenom but at least keep the sensationalism within reality. By the way, pitching blindfolded is a lot easier than people think plus pitching from second base is even easier. Speed wise, it would be like saying there was a baseball pitcher back in the 50s who threw 130 mph when you consider the fastest today could be as much as 102mph. A few years ago, I spoke to a pitcher who was considered by many old time fans to be the fastest they had ever seen in Men's Major fastpitch. He told me he was clocked at 109mph but had lost about 5 mph since then. I clocked him that day and he threw 78mph. So much for the speed gun that was used a few years prior. Again, Feigner was awesome and I truly respect his abilities which were far superior to most but at least try to keep things within reason.

I too regret the news of the "Kings" death. I spent a couple of years working with his son J.R. and got to hear many stories of the days when the team toured around the U.S. and Canada. J.R. played with the Court for several years before retiring and settling down in San Diego. In my travels, I frequently run in to people who know of Eddie Feigner or who have actually seen him play. He left a legacy that will surely live on for many, many years. And J.R. if you read this, I would love to re-connect.
Fred Kerr

I was a college softball pitcher and lived in Ca and remember that I was introduced to The King and his court when I was about 11 or 12, 1979 and was so inspired that I went on to play and love it to this day !!! Now he has died how sad !!!

Does anyone know what happened to Wayne McGill?

Yes Eddie is my Step Dad. He is no saint. Mike was on the team. I loved Mike, Gary West and Al Jackson, still do. Don't much care for the so called King, but thank God for the Guys on the team who watched out for me, you two JR.
C

(Foxy's note: Thanks for your contribution to the blog! Interesting!)

By the way. I'm pretty sure that Eddie's fastest ball was thrown at 109 mph. clocked. If I'm not mistaken, I think that is the fastest ball ever thrown in either softball or hardball. Correct me if I'm wrong. Marvin (Mark) Armstrong

Gentleman. I'm responding to your question about the King And His Court team members back in Walla Walla, Wash. where I grew up. Actually most of the members at that time were from College Place, Wash. Eddie was, of course, the pitcher. This was right around 1957 to 1960. In those days Meade Kinzer was the catcher. Jerry White played first base and Gordon Meilicke (Correct spelling) played field. Gordon lived right down the street from me in College Place, Wash. His daughter Billie Jean was my classmate through grade school and High school. I pitched softball in grade school and high school during the school year, and baseball in the summer. Eddie gave me many tips in windup pitching, but warned me that I would ruin my arm if I tried to do both windup and hardball pitching back to back. He was right, of course, and I gave up windup in my senior year of high school. Not only were the team members of the Court the best of the best but they were also wonderful mentors teaching many of us how to build good characters in life. I was very pleased to see that Eddie has kept the team together and entertaining so many thousands of his fans. Best Regards. Marvin (Mark) Armstrong

(Foxy's note: Thanks for the interesting update!)

Mike Bevans, also known on the King and His Court as Mike Meileke, was an original member. and played about 10 years. He now lives not far from his old stomping grounds - Walla Walla WA

I grew up with a guy named Mike Bevans (aka Gordon Mieleke) I think that's how you spell it, he claimed he was one of the original members of the king and his court. he always talked about playing for the king. Can anyone confirm Gordon as a player?

Hey, Hey hawk....Mannix is the only one who decides who "eats crow"...good luck at your 60th reunion!

Hey Fox, have not been on in a while, but the last time I checked you spell Connecticut with one t on the end. I thought you were an English teacher. Don't be afraid to come down and cheer on the Plattsburgh Cardinals at Lefty Wilson on Sundays @ noon...might find some guys that could probably give the "King" a run for his money.

Mike Mannix is right, Foxy. McGee's beat the King. I batted against Eddie Feigner. Not sure if I even saw the ball. My brother Timmy got a double off him as did Tommy Herilhy and he was definitely upset. As he wanted to wager a lot of $$$ that they would beat us. Also, I believe my High School Baseball coach Dick Perry hit a home run off him the first time they were here and Plattsburgh beat the Court 1-0 but I am getting on in age and the memory may be a little shot. John Bateman was on the last team to come here I think. Keep up the blogs.
Crusher O'Connell

(Foxy's note: John Bateman played major league baseball from 1963-1972 ... was with the Montreal Expos from 1969-1972 ... Crusher is right, because Sal Righi gave me an autographed 1977 program and it has Bateman's signature on it.)

You may recall an individual, in a previous blog, stating my softball/ baseball activities on ‘Copeland Field’ on Cumberland Ave. back in the day were ‘bush’ league. Everyone grows up emulating heroes and one of mine was Eddie Feigner. I tried for weeks to get my brother to bat against me blindfolded, after seeing The King and His Court play at Bailey Avenue, to no avail. I probably couldn’t have reached the plate from second base, much less strike out an opponent as Eddie did from his knees. I remember vividly playing with Bob & Lou Buck, Bruce Copeland, Mike Conley, Joe Proctor, Gus Angelos, and Bobby Grant and never complained about not having a right field to hit to or enough to field a full team. And now Foxy brings back the memory. Click on my name, for his theme song & enjoy your dinner of crow, Carver.

It’s been said that the older we get, the better we were - did Mr. M. really win against the King? I remember playing donkey basketball and winning, but beating Eddie Feigner - come on!!

Foxy:
I can vividly remember a night at Bailey Avenue when our local Softball team played the King and His Court. I would have to check with Johnny Fountain to get more of the particulars or maybe the Press Republican has something on it. We had Ricky Messier from Montreal as our pitcher. He pitched so hard that night that he was never the same. As you might expect the whole night was magic, Eddie Feigner was all that he was billed as being. The only real magic of the evening was we won the game and the King was very upset to say the least. I believe the final score was 4-2 for the local guys. This would be fun to research.

(Foxy's note: I knew there would be guys out there who would recall playing against "The King." Thanks for the comments, Mike!)

I remember watching Eddie Feigner in a few exhibitions while growing up in Pittsburgh. Once they played against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think Franco Harris got a hit that day. Eddie was fun to watch. He would strike out batters from second base.