J. LARRY PALMER

ELECTED: NOVEMBER, 1984

EL PASO, TX

INDUCTED: NOVEMBER, 1985

BOSTON, MA

J. LARRY PALMER, RESPECTED GENERAL LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE USSSA, WAS INDUCTED INTO THE USSSA HALL OF FAME IN THE SPECIAL CATEGORY.

PALMER WAS APPOINTED USSSA GENERAL COUNSEL IN 1971. IN THE EARLY 1970’S HE LED THE USSSA THROUGH A SERIES OF BATTLES IN FEDERAL COURT AGAINST THE AMATEUR SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION. THE MAJOR LAWSUIT, WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE VICTORY FOR THE USSSA, OPENED THE DOOR FOR THOUSANDS OF TEAMS TO BECOME MEMBERS OF THE USSSA.

THE ASA LAWSUIT TOOK OVER 3 ½ YEARS OF VERY CONCENTRATED LEGAL TIME AND A MEASURE OF PERSONAL DEVOTION THAT TOOK MUCH TIME FROM PALMER’S PRIVATE LAW PRACTICE.

PALMER SERVED WITHOUT COMPENSATION AS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 YEARS. HIS LOVE OF THE USSSA AND ITS LEADERS AND HIS BELIEF THAT IT WAS THE FINEST ORGANIZATION FOR AMATEUR SOFTBALL PLAYERS LED HIM TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME OF SOFTBALL THAT HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL IN OTHER AREAS OF THE USSSA BUSINESS AS THEY RELATED TO LEGAL ISSUES.

THE ATTORNEY FROM HOPEWELL, VIRGINIA WAS AWARDED THE COVETED USSSA PRESIDENT’S AWARD IN 1975.

AS A MEMBER OF THE USSSA EXECUTIVE BOARD, PALMER HAS HELPED TO GIVE DIRECTION TO THE GROWTH OF THE USSSA PROGRAM, HAS ACTED AS AN ARBITRATOR FOR DISPUTES, HAS ASSISTED WITH PUTTING TOGETHER AN EFFECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE INSURANCE PROGRAM, HAS SERVED ON MANY COMMITTEES AND HAS ACTED AS ASSOCIATION PARLIAMENTARIAN. PALMER WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH NATIONAL SPORTING GOODS MANUFACTURERS.

IN NOVEMBER OF 1985 PALMER WAS ELECTED TO SERVE A TWO-YEAR TERM AS NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE USSSA.