The King and his Court

Besides true royalty over the centuries in various countries, others have been referred to as the "King". In years past, there was the king of swing, the king of pop, Lebron is often called King James, and of course, there was the one and only Elvis, to mention but a few.

But this is about another King. Old timers will fondly remember Eddie Feigner, the King, and his Court. Feigner was likely the greatest fast-pitch softball pitcher that ever lived -- and ever will. He and his Court were a travelling road show. And, oh my, what a show they would put on.

Feigner's team only consisted of him on the pitcher's mound, a catcher, one infielder, and one outfielder. While travelling around the country, they would give advance notice of what towns they were heading to, and dare them to put together the best softball team they could. Get whoever you can, they would say. It doesn't matter. Put the best 10 players you can find from wherever on the field, and the 4 of us are going to roll into your town, on whatever field you want to play on -- and not only beat them -- but humiliate them.

And they would. The King and his Court were that good. Some have likened them to the Harlem Globetrotters, but that's not really a good comparison. For the most part, the Globetrotters games were scripted, complete with the referees knowing what was going to happen -- and playing their parts. Most of the Globetrotters' game were against a team called the Washington Nationals, and though they never came right out and admitted it -- few would doubt the Nationals knew what the script was too, and played along as the "straight" men in a comedy act.

Sure, the Globetrotters possessed various amazing talents, but they likely would have been crushed if they'd taken on an NBA, or maybe even a top college team that was serious about playing.

On the other hand, the teams that faced the King and his Court wanted nothing more than to win the game. They played to the best of their ability. But it was never enough. Usually not even close. Thing is, besides Feigner being virtually unhittable when he wanted to, the other guys on his team could flat-out hit. While the local opposing pitcher might have been used to dominating batters from other teams he had faced, the Court would make it look like he was throwing up batting practice. They'd hit one rocket after another.

As part of the show, Feigner would put on a blindfold while pitching. Of course, the infielder had to stand next to him for two reasons. First, in the unlikely event a batter hit a pitch back at the King, he would have been defenseless. And second, he needed somebody to catch the ball his own catcher was throwing back to the mound. Normally, after putting on the blindfold, the first pitch would be a fastball whistling behind the head of the opposing batter. That would not only get his attention, but strike a bit of a fear factor. Where's the next one going to go? But Feigner had that down to a science. Even with the blindfold on, he knew exactly where he throwing the ball. Typically the next 3 pitches would be strike one, strike two, and yer out. Whiff, whiff, whiff.

Sometimes he'd even pitch from second base, though when he did that, the other batters would at least be able to hit the ball. They might even score a few runs, but that was all part of the plan.

Occasionally, given the King's team had only one infielder, an opposing batter would lay down a bunt. Anything to get on base. What always happened next was comical. Neither Feigner, his catcher, nor his infielder would even make a move toward the ball. When the bunt finally stopped rolling in the infield, they were more than happy to let the opposing batter circle the bases for a home run, while pointing at him and laughing the whole way.

Oh yeah, those guys could talk some serious smack. They'd not only ridicule the other players, but get after people in the crowd. But it was always in a playful fun-loving sort of way. Nobody ever got mad. Far from it. It was funny, and just part of the show.

Afterwards, they'd head to a local bar somewhere and yuk it up, before heading to the next town.

Yours truly had the pleasure of not only seeing those guys and their amazing talents on a few occasions, but having a few post-game beers with them, back in the 70's. What a bunch of characters they were, and the stories they would tell. I never knew whether all that stuff was true -- though I didn't doubt it -- but oh man, talk about laughing until you cry....

So OK. The King of Swing (Benny Goodman) is gone. The King of Pop (Michael Jackson) recently went to Neverland, Elvis Presley is presumably still resting comfortably beneath Graceland, and who knows what heights and glory await King Lebron James?

But I'll never forget King Eddie Feigner and his Court.

They put on a show of all shows -- for decades. They were probably in a town close to you somewhere along the line, and I hope you got to see them. Because like the Flying Wallendas, such an act will never come around again.

And what a hoot they were.

Especially after the game.