BIO:

Jim Wessel was the legendary centerfielder for Wilsman Trucking of Hamilton for 14 years.  He played in his first ASA Open Major National Tournament at the age of 18 in 1955.  Over the next 14 seasons, Wilsman won 10 Ohio State championships, and was State runner-up 3 times.  Jim was named to 9 All-State teams and was State Tournament Most Valuable Player 3 times.  He possessed blazing speed and was a pioneer in the use of the three-man outfield.  Jim’s success in the Open Major program earned him inductions into four local and state Halls of Fame.  After a 16-year hiatus from the game, he came out of retirement in 1992 to spend 13 years leading 7 different teams to a dozen Senior Softball National titles, including several Greater Cincinnati teams.  Along the way, Jim was named to 14 All-American teams, won two national home run titles, and a national tournament Most Valuable Player award.  Sandwiched between first place national titles with Joseph Chevrolet in 1992 and 2004, he captured championships with Miami Valley Merchants, Nothdurft, Wopac, Papa John’s and Florida Investment Properties.  For these accomplishments, Jim became a charter member of the Senior Softball National Hall of Fame in 1996.