Professional softball leagues
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, several professional softball leagues were formed in the United States to build on the growth and talent in the booming men's amateur game during this period.
The American Professional Slow Pitch League (APSPL) was the first such league, lasting from 1977 to 1980. In 1981, it merged with the North American Softball League (NASL), which had played only one season (1980), to then create the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). The merged league competed for two seasons, before disbanding after the 1982 season, ending the pro era of men's softball.
Pro Softball World Series games
APSPL World Series
- 1977 - Detroit Caesars, 4-0 over Baltimore Monuments
- 1978 - Detroit Caesars, 4-0 over Minnesota Norsemen
- 1979 - Milwaukee Schlitz, 5-4 over Kentucky Bourbons
- 1980 - Rochester Express, 5-4 over Pittsburgh Hardhats
NASL World Series
- 1980 - Milwaukee Schlitz, 5-2 over Detroit Auto Kings
United Professional Softball League World Series
- 1981 - Kentucky Bourbons, 5-3 over New England Pilgrims
- 1982 - Milwaukee Schlitz, 5-1 over Detroit Softball City
1977 World Series umpire crew: Terry Watt, Barry Daniels, Butch Parnes, Charles Johnson, Tom Matte.