Tony’s Wahzoos (1966-83)
TONY’S WAHZOOS—THE REAL STORY
By Patti (Vogel) Moffett
If the true intent of playing the game is fun and companionship, Tony’s Wahzoos ranks in
the upper echelon of all-time successes. For a span of two decades from 1966 to about
1987, sponsor Tony Milan (Uncle Tony was actually Karen and Sandy Hanson’s
uncle—the rest of us just called him that) and his band of women wreaked havoc upon
the area both with their play and their approach to the game.
According to the players, Uncle Tony was a fantastic sponsor, making sure that they
never had to worry about the money it took to enter tournaments, bats, balls or uniforms.
They played a lot of different sports over the years but he was always there to lend his
support.
Over the years the team had the same core group with others joining our FUN from time
to time.. Those teammates were - Karen Hanson, Sandy Hanson, Lynda Hodgkiss,
Paulette Hoover, Michelle Armstrong, Vickie Thompson, Barb Kuni, Patti Moffett,
Debbie Viafore, Gayle Hazen, Shannon Heinrick, Lynn Tallman, Fran Wax, Gretchen
Kady, Kris Cady, Theresa Kady, Stephanie Stiltner, Nancy Jerkovich, Mary Hause,
Nancy Goodwin, Dar Cartwright, Sandy Turnley, Judy Alexander, Cathy Ciscoe, Laurie
Jones, Sheila Samuelson, Julie Christensen, Meredith Fry, JoAnn McAffrey, Cheryl
Doton.
Tony’s Wahzoos was a self-proclaimed “excellent group of athletes who loved playing
together – friends on and off the field of play.” In an article written by members of the
team, they wrote, “Some may have thought of us to be irreverent, incorrigible, or
underachieving, but we always played our hearts out.” That included the time they
switched positions and batted from the opposite side of the plate in order to make sure
they were allowed to continue playing games at Peck Field rather than being forced to go
out to Sprinker and play in the top women’s league.
We had some great coaches over the years such as Jan Chase, Nancy Craig, Bea Kade,
and Margaret Heinrick to name a few, but we drove them all crazy and finally decided it
was better for all if we coached ourselves.
Some stories related by members of the team will likely never be matched by another
collection of athletes. A Yakima hotel once kicked the team out because they thought the
athletes were prostitutes. The team played against BJ’s All Stars on McNeil Island and
used the inmates as umpires. “We were very intimidated and didn’t even want to get on
base or coach our runners when we did.”
The level of athletic ability on the team was only surpassed by the athletes’ desire to have
fun, as they participated in various sports ranging from slowpitch and modified fastpitch
to basketball and volleyball. They even had one year of soccer that did not go so well,
according to their recollections.
Various news clippings detail the athletic success of the Wahzoos on the field of play, as
the team won the Joe Stortini Invitational Slowpitch Tournament and Tacoma
Invitational Class “A” and “B” crowns, among other victorious tournament appearances.
In the words of the Wahzoos themselves, “When we look back, it is done with big smiles
on our faces. We have friendships that have lasted forever. The only thing we regret is
that we can’t remember more details, because those surely would lead to more fun
memories!
“Once a Wahzoo, always a Wahzoo!”
Jan Chase (coach): Jan graduated from Stadium High School in 1951 and attended the
University of Puget Sound for a year. She played for Spud’s Pizza Pete and McKnight’s
Foods and coached the Wahzoos slowpitch team for quite a few years. During a lengthy
playing career Jan won several batting crowns and is an accomplished bowler which led
to her induction into the Greater Tacoma Women's Bowling Association’s Hall of Fames
in 1997. Jan, who retired to Reno where she works for the Reno National Bowling
Stadium, was inducted into the Tacoma-Pierce County Hall of Fame for slowpitch in
2004.
Nancy Craig (player/coach): Nancy graduated from Roosevelt High School and
attended the University of Washington in Seattle. She played outfield, pitched and
coached for the Wahzoos and worked at Regence Blue Shield before retiring. She also
coached the McKnight’s Foods slowpitch team that played in the Western Washington
League.
Margaret Heinrick (player/coach): Margaret graduated from Stadium High School in
1950 and the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. She enjoyed a successful fastpitch
career starting at age 13 with the Lincoln Electric team and later pitched against the
traveling Phoenix Queens and Her Court. After playing for Hollywood Boat & motor she
switched to slowpitch and played for the Cage Tavern. Maggie eventually elected to go to
play with the Tony’s Wahzoos team as a Player/Coach, offering her veteran experience to
a very young group of athletes She worked as a teacher and coach for University Place
Schools prior to her retirement.
Michelle (Armstrong) Foran: Michelle graduated from Lincoln High School in 1965
and attended Tacoma Community College and the University of Puget Sound. She played
various positions for the Wahzoos from the time they formed until the team dissolved,
and now works as a Para educator for the Tacoma School District.
Lynda (Butt) Hodgkiss: Lynda graduated from Wilson High School in 1969. She was an
avid basketball, volleyball, fastpitch and slowpitch player and was a valued Wahzoos
team member as she played virtually every position on the diamond for the Wahzoos. She
works as a production manager for Alaffia.
Lynda shared that “playing for Tony’s Wahzoos was a great time in my life. Even when I
think back today, I still laugh. We were like The Bad News Bears. Our team consisted of
players with little or no experience compared to those that had been playing since grade
school. That’s what made it so much fun as you never knew who would come through
with a great play or hit and help win a game or tournament. I want to thank Uncle Tony
Milan for his sponsorship and for my teammates for lasting friendships and fun. Thanks
for the Memories!”
Dar Cartwright: Darlene graduated from Renton High School in 1964 and Washington
State University. She played volleyball, basketball and slowpitch (for Spud’s Pizza Pete,
Tony’s Wahzoos, and McKnight’s Foods) and spent 30 years at Mann Jr. High in
Lakewood coaching track, gymnastics, volleyball, basketball and softball. She lives in
Lakebay, WA and is self-employed as a Mountainman Distributor.
Karen (Hanson) Pelton: Karen graduated from Wilson high in 1967 and pitched for the
Tony’s Wahzoos teams for 15 years. She now works in the Puyallup School District.
Mary Hause: Mary graduated from Wilson High School in 1969 and from Central
Washington University in 1973. Mary was an original member of the Wahzoos team
having started in 1966 and played right field before retiring upon her high school
graduation. She is a registered certified pediatric nurse at Mary Bridge Children’s
Hospital.
Mary recalled that, “The highlights for me were playing on a team with such incredible
athletes! My favorite position was warming the bench while they played their hearts out!
There were very few highlights that I can remember other than an occasional spectacular
fly ball catch! I was luck the team didn’t fire me! The majority of the players for Tony’s
Wahzoos were great athletes! I wasn’t one of those but I loved playing with them before,
during and after the games.”
Gayle Hazen: Gayle graduated from Wilson High School in 1969 and the University of
Puget Sound in Tacoma. She played shortstop for the Wahzoos and worked as a math and
reading teacher in Tacoma until retiring in 2007. Her favorite Wahzoos memory are the
good times they enjoyed at the Yakima tournaments.
Shannon Heinrick: Shannon graduated from Stadium High School in 1970 and the
University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, as well as Western Washington University. She
played slowpitch, volleyball and basketball for the Cloverleaf Tavern and Tony’s
Wahzoos and worked as a coach and teacher for Tacoma Public Schools prior to her
retirement. She is an active member of the Tacoma Athletic Commission and is a loyal
crew member with the Tacoma Dragon Boat Association.
Nancy Jerkovich: Nancy graduated from Aquinas Academy in 1971. She played outfield
and the corner infield positions for the Wahzoos and then continued her slowpitch career
with McKnight’s Foods and B&I. She works in the commercial fishing and sales field
and resides in Gig Harbor.
Laurie (Hunt) Jones: I played with these wonderfully talented girls for a few years and
was awed by their extraordinary talent. They could throw and hit so well and had such a
grasp of the game. Watching Sandy and Karen Hanson hit was so much fun--watching
Gayle Hazen's quick arm was really something. Lynda Hodgkiss was so tiny and yet so
powerful and quick. I continued to play softball until about eight years ago when I turned
50. The Wazoos had tons and tons of talent. I often wonder how great they might have
been with the coaching and knowledge that is out there now. And yet they excelled and
enjoyed it--truly a love of the game.
Barb Kuni: Barb graduated from Wilson High School in 1969 and attended Tacoma
Community College and Western Washington University. Barb played with the Wahzoos
team throughout most of the ‘70s as a second baseman and catcher. She also enjoyed
volleyball and basketball. She works in accounting and lives in Grapeview, WA.
Barb said, “I remember having fun no matter which sport we were playing. We were a
close team with many friendships that have lasted to this day—over 30 years. There were
teams that thought we had TOO much fun and weren’t “serious” enough. I have to
admit—there WERE those times However, it is probably one of the reasons that we were
together for so many years.”
Stephanie (Stiltner) Pinard: Stephanie graduated from Wilson High School in 1969 and
now works in food services for the Tumwater School District. Stephanie was an original
member of the Wahzoos team and played three years as the team’s second baseman.
Stephanie shared that “Karen Hanson came up with the name 'Wah Zoos'—I can't even
remember if it's 2 words or 1....but, apparently, she had good information that it meant
'shit' in Swahili....sooooo of course, we all just loved the name! We didn't even need to
vote on it....I can't remember if we told our coaches what it meant....I know I didn't tell
my folks....they would've been upset (at least my mom)...
Lynette Tallman: Lynette graduated from Peninsula High School in 1973. She played
catcher for the Wahzoos during the ‘70s and works for Talmo, Inc., in Gig Harbor.
Sandy Turnley: “Sam” graduated from Stadium High School in 1957 and added a
veteran presence during her years with the Wahzoos where she caught for the team. She
also played catcher for the Cage Tavern that went to the nationals in 1965 and also played
for Spud’s Pizza Pete and McKnight’s Foods over the years. “Sam” now works as a sales
representative for Little Nickel News and resides in Lakebay WA.
Debbie Viafore: Debbie graduated from North Thurston High School in 1970 and the
University of Puget Sound. She played shortstop for the Wahzoos from 1977-1983 and
also played for Hank’s Tavern, Bimbo’s Restaurant and the Classic Restaurant during a
16-year career. Debbie is a Pierce County probation work crew chief.
Patti (Vogel) Moffett: Patti graduated from Wilson High School in 1969 and attended
Tacoma Community College and Western Washington University. She played first and
second base for the Wahzoos from 1967-1987 and now lives in University Place.
As a 20-year Wahzooer, Patti recalled, “Thinking back to our Wahzoo years always puts
a smile on my face. I can't remember much about records, averages and all-star
selections, etc, but what I do remember is that - we always had fun, we were very
competitive and won most of the time, we didn't practice much, we drove most of our
coaches crazy, and again, we always had FUN. We also made it to the Regionals in
Idaho in 1985.
As a sophomore (1966) at Wilson High School, playing quarterback of our Powder Puff
football team, we beat the "senior women" for the first time in school history. Wahzoos
on that team were Lynda Hodgkiss, Theresa Kade, Stephanie Stiltner, Barb Kuni, and
Nancy Goodwin. The Wahzoos also played rec league basketball, volleyball, and one
year of soccer (when the ball goes out of bounds WE have to go get it??!) Again, we
usually ended up near or at the top of our leagues.
I have played sports for as long as I can remember (actually longer than I can
remember!). One of my first coaches in baseball was my Dad. I believe I was 6 years
old. Some future Wahzoos played our Fircrest Parks teams - Gayle Hazen, Nancy
Goodwin, Gretchen, Kris &Theresa Kade to name a few. Mr. & Mrs. Kade also coached
us. Girl’s sports in those years were not promoted like they are now--we were very
fortunate to have parents and coaches involved. Without sports I probably wouldn't have
met the fantastic circle of lifelong friends that I have today.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The included player profiles were the only ones submitted.
ONCE AROUND THE PARKS
with Gary Lindgren
Published August 15, 1973-Tacoma Review newspaper
An over-all record of 56-5, three tournament championships, an undefeated league slate and five
most valuable player awards add up to a pretty fair seasons work.
That rather imposing list of accomplishments has prompted many to pronounce Tony’s Wa-
Zoo’s one of he city’s finest women’s slow pitch teams. The only drawback to that high rating is
the team’s competing in the recreation, or “mush ball” leagues rather than the Western
Washington “hardball” circuit.
Team members will wholeheartedly agree that they seek no comparison with the Western
Washington league, nor do they have intentions of stepping out of the recreation class. They play
the game for the fun of playing, and they do it quite well.
Team spokesman George Hilliard, who doubles as third base coach and has been with the team
since its days in the girls’ softball program, leads the cheers for the Wa-Zoo’s. “This is the finest
group of girls I’ve ever seen,” he says with pride. “They get along fine, they play to win and they
enjoy what they’re doing. I’m as proud of them as I could be if they were my own girls,” he
adds.
Hilliard points out that despite its many accomplishments, the Wa-Zoo’s are a team without a
real “star. Probably the closest player to star billing is pitcher-coach Karen Hanson, husky blond
who combines sharp pitching with a wicked bat and surprising speed.
Karen finished the season with an undefeated pitching record, two tournament most valuable
player awards and three invitational all-star team selections. In the annual County-City all-star
game at the Sprinker Recreation Center, Karen collected three hits---two triples and a double--
and knocked in the winning runs in the city’s first win of the series. Is there any doubt why she
earned the city’s MVP honor?
First baseman Patty Moffett also won two most valuable player awards in invitational
tournaments and out-fielder Paulette Hoover on two select squads and third baseman Julie
Christiansen, second baseman Sandy Hanson, centerfielder Michelle Armstrong and short fielder
Kathy Sisko each were tabbed once for all star recognition.
In addition to capturing the city’s Metro League women’s title, the Wa-Zoo’s won the 2121
Tavern, Magoo’s Pub and Tacoma Invitational tournament titles---the latter for the second
straight year---took second in the Joe Stortini Invitational and Yakima Hardball tourneys and
came in third in the city’s pre-season tournament.
And the success story may only be starting. Next year the Metropolitan Park District’s Midgette
girl’s championships will be designated as Tony’s Little Wa-Zoo’s.
TONY’S WAHZOOS STORIES BY KAREN HANSON PELTON
YAKIMA TOURNAMENT MEMORIES
In 1973 and 1974 the Tony’s Wahzoos slowpitch team played in the Rainier Beer
Invitational Tournament in Yakima. Both years we played in these tournaments we lost
our Saturday night games (too much sun, swimming, and refreshments at the Holiday
Inn!). That meant we had to play six games to get to the championship game on Sunday
and both years the Santos team from Renton won the title.
Even though these were the only times we ever played or saw Santos (they were an upper
level team while we were a mushball team), when they were asked to play an exhibition
game in Hawaii before a Hawaii Islanders Pacific Coast League baseball game, and most
of their players could not go, they called our team and asked if any of us could join them.
A few Wahzoos players went and to me that was just another compliment about our
team—not just talent-wise but personality-wise.
I also remember when members of the Park Board in Yakima would bring us salt tablets
and water as the temperatures soared into the 90’s on those long Sundays. We walked
from field to field all day long and they just kept replenishing the tablets and water.
On the way from the Holiday Inn to the field for the first Yakima tournament in 1973 I
(Karen Hanson) was leading the way and made a wrong turn. A cop pulled me over and I
remember telling him that my team was following in a bunch of different cars and that he
would probably be pulling all of them over, too!! Ha Ha Ha—one by one they all drove
by. Thank goodness, no ticket!!
For most of us those Yakima tournaments were our vacations and all of our kids,
boyfriends, fans, and sponsor Tony Milan and his family would stay at the Holiday Inn.
Tony was almost always at every championship game—not only did he love all of the
girls but he loved going to the middle of the field to accept the trophies which, by the
way, were made of empty Rainier Beer cans.
STORY ABOUT SPONSOR TONY MILAN & BUFF’S TAVERN
Tony, being the good guy that he was (and still is), and realizing how hard it was for a
family of eight to have money for their dental bills, made different payment arrangements
with Buff, the owner of Buff’s Tavern. In this instance the payment plan was to just give
the Wahzoo’s team 10 pitchers of beer after each of their ballgames and he’d call it even.
Thank goodness for family and friends to help Buff pay his dental bill!!
ADDITIONAL SHORT RECOLLECTIONS
…….I remember winning the Little Jim’s Pub tournament, then dancing with players
from the Little Jim’s Pub men’s slowpitch team until closing. Then it was off to the
Towers Bowling Alley to bowl for breakfast—the men paid!!
……..There was a game where Paulette and Michelle came dressed to play ball in their
old lady outfits—flowered hats and all!!
……..There was the game we played on Vicky Thompson’s 21 st birthday and a signing
telegram interrupted the game—not only singing but presenting her with flowers.
……..There was the tournament that Sandy pulled her hamstring but played not only
Saturday but six games on Sunday. We lost the tournament but Joe Stortini had to present
two MVP trophies because even though she was handicapped she outplayed us all!!
……..We had the greatest sponsor in dentist Tony Milan. Being girls and so fashion-
conscious, we were always ordering new uniforms—he couldn’t say no! Being one of the
most prominent dentists in Tacoma, girls from many other teams were his patients. They
would tease him that every year we got new uniforms it seemed like they needed more
dental work and so they kind of felt like they were buying the uniforms for us. One year
we decided to give Tony a break and make our own uniforms. Imagine a room filled with
sewing machines, a girls baseball team, and beer. Surprisingly enough they turned out
okay.
……..There was a 2121 Tavern tournament and after we won we all went over to the
tavern for the awards ceremony. One team member was not 21 and so we had to squeeze
her in the middle and put a hat on her—we weren’t a very good influence—but we had
fun.
……..We were famous for losing our Saturday night tournament games and having to
spend Sunday playing 5-6 games to get into the championship game. We used to say that
we always got our monies worth at tournaments. One year following the Joe Stortini
Invitational tournament, it was so hot so some of us just walked across the street from
Peck Field to the King Plaza Apartments where we proceeded to the diving board and
jumped into the pool—cleats and all!!
-----The stories go on and on as the best group of friends and players spent many years
together. So, to Uncle Tony and the Wahzoos I say “Thanks for the Memories!”
1967 TONY’S WAHZOOS SLOWPITCH TEAM--Pierce County Senior Girls Champions
Back row l. to r.: Nancy Craig, Teresa Kade, Patti (Vogel) Moffett, Karen (Hanson) Pelton, Sheila
Samuelson, Nancy Goodwin, and Jan Chase.
Middle row l. to r.: Stephanie (Stiltner) Pinard, Mary Hause, unknown and Gayle Hazen.
Front row l. to r.: Sandy (Hanson) Lucich, Meredith Fry, Lynda (Butt) Hodgkiss, Joanne McCaffrey,
and unknown.
1973
Back Row l. to r.: Vicky Thompson, George Hilliard, Judy Alexander, Gayle Hazen, Michelle
Armstrong, Kathy Sisko, Fran Wax and Jeff Hilliard.
Front row l. to r.: Paulette Hoover, Karen Hanson, Sandy Hanson, Patti Vogel, Lynda Butt, and Julie
Christensen.
1974
Back row l. to r.: Barb Kuni, Karen Hanson, Kathy Sisko, Michelle Armstrong, Paulette Hoover, Judy
Alexander, Jeff Hilliard, and George Hilliard.
Front row l. to r.: Shannon Heinrick, Sandy Hanson, Patti Vogel, Julie Christensen, Lynda Butt, and
Fee (?).
TONY’S WAHZOOS-1977
In 1977 these five players all worked at the Pierce County Medical Bureau.
Top row l. to r.: Lynda Butt Hodgkiss, Lynette Tallman, and Vicky Thompson
Bottom row: Paulette Hoover and Patti Vogel Moffett