WBSC Softball Hall of Fame welcomes 15 new members following 2025 Congress

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has announced the induction of 15 new members into the WBSC Softball Hall of Fame, honouring their outstanding contributions to the global growth and success of the sport. The ceremony took place during the 6th WBSC Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Class of 2025 features a distinguished group of seven players, three umpires, three coaches, and two administrators whose achievements have left an enduring mark on international softball.

Class of 2025 Inductees

Players

• Kris Kiefel (AUS)
• Natalie Titcume (AUS)
• Tao Hua (CHN)
• Marty Grant (NZL)
• Melisa Tupuivao (NZL)
• Billy Boyer (USA)
• Michele Smith (USA)

Umpires 

• Javier Peñaroya (ARG)
• Andrew Rindfleish (AUS)
• Shao Nian (CHN)

Coaches 

• Julio Gamarci (ARG)
• Song Qiuyuan (CHN)
• Tommy Wagner (USA).

Administrators 

• Jacinto Cipriota (ARG) 
• Danilo Velasco (PAN)

Established in 1981, the WBSC Softball Hall of Fame recognises athletes, coaches, umpires, and administrators who have made exceptional contributions to the development of softball around the world. Inductions occur biennially, reflecting the sport’s continued evolution and global reach. The WBSC Softball Hall of Fame now includes 281 members representing 38 countries and territories: 119 players, 73 administrators, 47 coaches, 36 umpires, and 13 individuals recognized for their meritorious service -some members were inducted in two different categories at the same time.

Players

Natalie Titcume (AUS)

Natalie Titcume is one of Australia’s most accomplished softball players, with a distinguished international career playing over 330 games for Australia, including at three Olympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008) and two World Championships (1998 and 2006). Natalie is a three-time Olympic medallist (silver and two bronzes) and World Cup medallist (silver and bronze) and has been inducted into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame. Her performances, leadership and commitment on and off the field have had a profound impact on the success of Australian softball.

Kris Kiefel (AUS)

Kris Kiefel is widely regarded as one of the finest male softball players in Australia’s history. From 1995 to 2013, he represented Australia in 135 games at the Open Men's level. He was a trailblazer, becoming the first Australian male player to play professionally overseas, with stints in Canada, the USA, and Japan. Domestically, he was a five-time National Champion, Reid Shield award winner—earning Best Pitcher honours in 1999 and 2000, and Tournament MVP in 2001, 2004, and 2005. His exceptional playing career has been recognised with inductions into both the Softball Australia Hall of Fame (2017) and the Softball Victoria Hall of Fame (2019).

Tao Hua (CHN)

Tao Hua began her national team career in 1988 and went on to represent China at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic Games, as well as in multiple World Championships and Asian Games. She served as captain of the national team,known for her leadership and ability to rise in critical moments. At the Atlanta Olympics, she played a pivotal role in helping China secure the silver medal, delivering strong performances both offensively and defensively. After retiring as a player, Ms. Tao transitioned into coaching, including a role on the national coaching staff at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

Marty Grant (NZL)

Marty Grant stands among the true legends of our game — a world-class pitcher, a fierce competitor, and a man whose contribution to softball has been felt far beyond the diamond. He made his debut for New Zealand in July 1990, starting a career that spanned almost two decades and winning two world championships and two silver medals. He attended World Championships in Manilla – Philippines 1992, Midland USA 1996, East London South Africa 2000, Christchurch NZ 2004 and Saskatoon Canada 2009. Internationally, he posted a remarkable 53-1 record which stands him amongst the greats of our game.

Melisa Tupuivao (NZL)

Melisa Tupuivao's international softball career commenced in 1990 at the young age of 15, becoming one of the youngest athletes ever selected for a New Zealand Women’s Softball Team. She represented her country at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and attended WBSC World Championship events in 1990, 1994, 1998 & 2006. She also participated in the Junior World Championship in 1991. In summary, Melisa has been one of the most outstanding athletes to ever represent the New Zealand Women’s Softball Team. Her legacy as a player, mentor, and leader is enduring and deeply respected.

Billy Boyer (USA)

Billy Boyer was as exciting a player with his outstanding speed on the base paths and his hustling outfield play. Three times Boyer played in WBSC World Championships (1988, 1992 and 1996) and had a .465 batting average with 46 hits in 99 at-bats, driving in 14 runs and scoring 35. He helped USA to win the world title in Saskatoon 1988. He played in his only Pan American Games in 1995 in Parana, Argentina and batted .306 as the USA came up short against Canada in the gold medal game losing 2-1. At a national level, he earned ASA All-American honors seven times: four first team, one second team and two third team. In 1989, in addition to being a first-team All-America, Boyer was named tournament MVP.

Michele Smith (USA)

Michele Smith was one of the premier two-way players in the United States and the world. A two-time Olympic Gold Medallist and three-time WBSC Women's Softball World Champion (1994, 1998 and 2002), she is one of the most recognizable and accomplished athletes in the history of the sport. At the Olympics, she totalled 60 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched, helping USA to win the gold medal in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. She played professionally both in the US and Japan, where she was named league MVP seven times and won seven championships. She finished her international career after the 2002 World Cup, batting .500 (5-for-10, one HR, 4 RBIs) and winning her only game on the mound.

Umpires

Javier Peñarroya (ARG)

Javier Peñarroya served as an international umpire for more than two decades, officiating at the most prestigious events in the sport, including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and seven WBSC World Cups: the 2010 and 2012 Women's Softball World Cups, the 2013 Men's Softball World cup; the 2007, 2012 and 2017 Junior Women's Softball World Cups, and the 2012 Junior Men's Softball World Cup. Recognized for his fairness, professionalism, and dedication, he became a role model for umpires across South America and contributed to raising the standards of officiating worldwide.

Andrew Rindfleish (AUS)

Andrew Rindfleish is remembered with great respect and admiration for his outstanding service as an international umpire. Over more than a decade of officiating at the highest levels—including multiple World Cups, Olympic qualifiers, and regional events—Andrew brought integrity, leadership, and professionalism to every field he stepped onto. He was a WBSC-certified umpire, renowned for his calm authority and technical excellence. His service was honoured with multiple accolades, including induction into the Softball Australia Hall of Fame and the Softball Victoria Hall of Fame. Andrew also received the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his contributions to softball, and the ASF (Australian Softball Federation) Umpire of the Year award. 

Shao Nian (CHN)

Shao Nian was engaged in softball umpiring from 1983 until 2016, and has continued to contribute to the community even after his retirement. Internationally, he served as an umpire at the 1998 Women's World Cup, 1999 Asian Women's Softball Championship and contributed to the Asian Games in 1990, 1994 and 2010. Furthermore, Mr. Shao has played an active role in softball umpire education, developing numerous elite umpires and advancing the standardization of softball rules in China. Throughout his career, he has remained dedicated to softball umpiring and technical commissioner work, committed to developing Chinese softball. 

Coaches

Julio Gamarci (ARG)

Julio Gamarci led Argentina to historic achievements at the highest level of world softball. As head coach, he guided the junior men’s national team to back-to-back ISF World Championships in 2012 and 2014. Later, he took the senior men’s national team to its first-ever WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship title in 2019 and the gold medal at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. Across more than 15 years, Gamarci inspired generations of athletes and elevated Argentina to the elite of international softball.

Song Qiuyuan (CHN)

Song Qiuyuan has devoted himself to softball since 1982, serving as a coach at both the national and grassroots levels for over four decades. Internationally, he played a pivotal role in leading the Chinese Women's National Softball Team to a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. He also coached the national team in two Women's Softball World Cups and three Asian Youth Softball Championships. Beyond international achievements, Mr. Song has made groundbreaking contributions to the development of softball in China. Mr. Song has been a key architect in China's youth softball infrastructure, establishing five major development bases across the country. His tireless efforts in youtl1 training have laid a solid foundation for the future of Chinese softball.

Tommy Wagner (USA)

Tommy Wagner coached USA to two WBSC Men's Softball World Cup titles in 1980 and 1988, as well as a silver medal at the Pan American Games 1995, losing a 2-1 decision in the gold medal game to champion Canada. One year later, he led the USA National Team to a fourth place finish in the World Championship in Midland. He also coached USA (represented by his Peterbilt Western team) to the gold medal at the inaugural edition of The World Games in 1981.Nationally, he won five ASA National Championships, including three in a row (1980,1982, 1985, 1986, 1987). 

Administrators

Jacinto Cipriota (ARG)

Jacinto Cipriota presided over the Argentine Softball Confederation from 2008 to 2024, leading the most successful era in the nation’s history. Under his leadership, Argentina won the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship in 2019, two junior world titles (2012, 2014), and a bronze medal at the U-23 World Cup in 2023. Internationally, he served as WBSC Softball Americas Vice President and member of the WBSC Men’s Softball Commission, while also organizing multiple Pan American and World Championships in his country. Cipriota’s vision and leadership elevated Argentina and South America to a prominent place in world softball.

Danilo Velasco (PAN)

President of the Panama Softball Federation since 2012, he broke new ground by promoting the creation of national teams and youth categories in both the women’s and men’s divisions, thus strengthening the overall structure of softball in the country. On the international stage, his leadership helped solidify Panama’s participation in Central American and South American tournaments, while also promoting the continuous training of umpires, officials, and athletes. His work was instrumental in the successful organization of a South American Championship in Panama, as well as in securing participation in Central American championships for both divisions, as well as multi-sport events like the Central American and Caribbean Games and the Central American Games.