Legendary Softball Amateur, Jeff
Herz, Announces Long Awaited Retirement
Teammates wonder why it took this long.
Stamford CT – February
3, 2021 – With a packed room of teammates, members of the Stamford Jewish
Community Center, the Stamford Recreation Department and anyone else who had
nothing else to do, Jeff Herz announced his retirement from recreational softball.
Most recently playing for the Chicos and Casey’s Tavern, Herz’s career spanned
22 years of solid below average mediocrity on the field. The Friday night beer
will be a little more plentiful and Sunday mornings will be a little brighter without
Herz on the bench.
Herz broke onto the Stamford softball scene in 1998, playing, fittingly, with the Rookies. Over the course of his career, Herz moved from team to team, the only time he really showed fast movement on the field. In addition to the Rookies, Herz spent time with The Gamblers (rebel league), Orange, Blue, Purple/Vikings, Chicos, Loose Nuts, Fiddler’s Green and Casey’s Tavern.
“I remember the first time he took the field with the Rookies,” said former Rookies player & Gamblers manager Marc Leferman. “Jeff was a lot younger back then, but it was clear he would never be a breakout player. I’m honestly shocked to find out that he was still playing.”
While Herz never broke team or league records, he is proud of his many accomplishments on the field. In addition to turning some impressive double plays for a short, stocky man, Jeff never hit into a triple play and in his final year, he turned a bunt into a homerun. He once ran himself into a double play when he was on second base and Matthew Lipson hitting a shot into the gap, that was miraculously caught. Not waiting for the ball to drop, Herz took off for home with the speed of a rocket, only to arrive at 3rd with the base coach furiously waving him back to 2nd, after attempting to retreat, he was easily thrown out at 2nd to end the rally and the inning.
Known more for his fielding capabilities than his bat, Herz was a decent utility man, who was willing to play anywhere on the field but often played left out.
“When I think of Jeff playing the infield I picture a handheld vacuum, or as some call it a Dustbuster, not a lot of range but if it’s hit right at him that ball is getting pulled into his glove every time,” said Mo Concepcion, JCC league commissioner.
When asked about his best play, nothing came to mind, but Herz commented on his worst play, noting “I blew out my hamstring running to first base.” Clearly stretching was not something Herz was known for either. While abilities were limited, Herz was known for giving it his all on the field.
“The first thing that comes to mind thinking of your softball prowess would be that you were the 'Charlie Hustle' of the JCC Softball League,” said Lindsay Rosenberg, Orange Team Captain (2006-2008). Jeff was always there giving his best, was an unselfish and supportive teammate - and one of the nicest guys I know! It was friends like him that kept me playing for a few decades.”
Teammates from throughout the years agree that what Herz lacked in talent, he tried to make up for in effort.
“As I come to the end of my softball career, I look forward to spending more time with my family, but I want to thank all my teammates and captains from my more than 20 years of playing,” said Herz. While I may not have broken any records on the field, the friendships I have made off the field are unbreakable.”
When the time comes, Herz has been asked to be buried at the JCC field, next to his wife’s grandfather
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