Story by Jeff Long, Fox Valley Park District press release

It’s official: ‘Harvey Sterkel Field’ at Stuart Sports Complex

Legendary pitcher Harvey Sterkel was joined by more than 100 friends, family, former teammates and local dignitarieson Tuesday night at Stuart Sports Complex, where a dedication ceremony was held to officially christen “Harvey Sterkel Field.”

Sterkel is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of fast pitch softball. From 1956 to 1977, he starred for the Aurora Sealmasters and Home Savings & Loan teams.

During his 21 years as an active player in Aurora, he was the most dominant pitcher of his time, earning international acclaim. From 1956 to 1969, Sterkel posted a 345-33 record (91%) that included 60 no-hitters and 15 perfect games. In 2,599 innings pitched, Sterkel struck out 5,212 batters (2 per inning) and posted an ERA of 0.34. During a three-year span from 1965-68, he won 52 consecutive games.

A member of the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame, Sterkel led his teams to four national fast pitch championships and earned All-America honors eight times.

Recognized worldwide by fast pitch softball fans, Sterkel, 80, continues to bring pride and prestige to the communities he represented so admirably for three decades. He and his wife, Gloria, currently reside in North Aurora, the parents of three sons (all former pitchers as well) and a daughter.