RADIO ADVERTISING TELEVISION

RAT League
History

1983 - 2016
1

1983 San Diego Rod Smith pitching at Phoenix teams debut

at Advertising World Series.

RAT League History

Advertising Softball World

Introduction

n 2007, I took over responsibilities for organizing and operating

the Radio Adverting Television softball league. I made my league
playing debut in 1985 with Duval Advertising. Later, I played with
Full Bleed, Owens & Associates, Dinos Kachinos, Grip It and Rip it
and the last 10 years with Last Call.

I handled printing of the 1985 program book for the Adweek

Advertising Softball World Series in Scottsdale. and became
more involved with the league as a player. After reviewing the
programs Rod Smith saved I decided to compile this league
history. I have many memories of games, parks and some
parties. My Thanks to Rod for the reference material he provided
and editing.
The records included are sketchy based on memories over 30
years and not to be relied on.
This booklet will summarize the more than 33 years of history of the
RAT League. I have fond memories of many who played over these
decades. I want the current players to get a feel of where this league
has come from as the next decade unfolds. Radio Advertising and
Television are changing as digital, Internet and mobile have evolved.

The Phoenix RAT League is a Co-Ed softball league where 6 men

and 4 women play using modified ASA rules. The league began
in 1983-1984 and continues today. The 2014 Fall League begins
in September.
The Advertising Softball World series energized the early years of
the Phoenix RAT League
The 1983 World Series in Palm Springs seemed to motivate he
locals to organize a league.
Terry Sorensen of Telemation, Mary Kuzma of Winters Francesci
Callaghan and Mark Motta of Evans/Motta coordinated the first
RAT league in 1983. Three Advertising Agencies: PhillipsRamsey, WFC & Evans Motta, three TV stations: KPNX, KTVK &
KPHO plus Telemation Studio and Gannet Outdoor were charter
members. First League location was Madison Park or El Prado

PhillipsRamsey BW
team photo
was taken at
El Prado).

First RAT League standings from 1983-84

KTVK
7-0
Gannet Outdoor
5-2
Phillips-Ramsey 4-3
KPNX
3-4
Telemation 3-4
Evans/Motta 2-5
W.F.C.
2-5
KPHO
2-5

League Champions
KTVK
Phillips Ramsey
in extra innings

14
12

The Phoenix RAT league quickly grew to 16 teams. Teams varied

greatly in skill, but uniforms were designed, rosters were filled
and beer was consumed before, during and after games. Gannett
& KTVK had talented teams. Phillips-Ramsey lost their first
game by 20 runs and then rebounded to become a Cinderella
story. I remember thinking those huge guys from Gannett must
lift the billboards up
by themselves. KTVK
had several excellent
female players who
could field and hit.
Teams with great
female players are key
to Co-Ed softball.

y 1985, the league had grown to 20 teams and Scottsdale was

selected to host the Advertising Softball World Series with teams
from ad agencies nationwide competing. The league rolled out the
welcome/door mat as Phoenix finished in last place in the 1984 World
Series but came in first as host. Maybe we played too many games.
Spring 1985 tournament results
Champion KTVK
2nd Place Phillips-Ramsey
3rd place Four Dimensions
4th Place New Times
Regular Season
Western Division
Phillips-Ramsey
Telemation 8-3
New Times 8-6
MKA
Gannet Outdoor
Owens
KTSP
KOY/KQYT 3-7-1

12-2
5-7
5-7
4-7
3-7-1

Eastern Division
KTVK
Four Dimensions
Clair Sennett
Austin
Boyd-Farmer
KPNX
Premier Talent

14-0
10-4
7-5
5-7
3-7-1
3-7-1
1-10

All Time RAT records (first 3 seasons)

KTVK
Phillips-Ramsey
Telemation
MKA
KPNX
Four Dimensions
Gannett Outdoor
Huttlemeyer/Lavidge
New Times
Clair Sennett
Republic/Gazette
Austin & Associates
Owens & Associates
Boyd-Farmer
KTSP
Evans/Motta
WFC
KOY/KQYT
KPHO
Premier Talent

29-4 .878
27-8 .771
18-11 .620
14-9 .608
17-15-1 .515
12-12 .500
14-16 .466
7-3
.700
8-6
.571
7-5
.538
4-5
.444
5-7
.416
8-13 .380
7-15-1 .304
6-14 .300
8-19-1 .285
2-5
.285
3-7-1 .273
3-13 .187
1-10 .090

Seasons
3
3
3
2
3
2
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1

League Results

1986 Spring RAT League

Results

Playoff Champion - KTVK

National League
Lamar Owens
KTVK

7-1
6-2

Moses-Anshel
Phillips-Ramsey
Gannett Outdoor
KPNX
KPHO
Telemation

5-3
4-3-1
4-4
3-5
2-5-1
2-6

1990 Softball World Series

Co-Ed Champions in Tucson

2nd Place
Owens & Associates
American League
LImage
Owens & Associates
Duval Advertising
New Times 5-3
KTSP
KDKB
WFC
Austin & Associates

6-2
5-2-1
5-2-1
4-4
2-6
2-6
0-8

By 1986 the league had moved to

Papago Park.

1987 Spring Rat League

Results
Tournament champion - Gannet outdoor
(8-1 in tourney)
Runner Up - Phillips-Ramsey
(4-2 in tournament)
National League
Owens & Associates 6-2
LImage 6-2
KTVK 6-2
Moses-Anshel 5-3
Phillips-Ramsey 4-4
KDKB
1-7
W.B.O.L. 0-8

10

American League
KPHO
New Times
KAET
Telemation
Patchen-Brownfeld
KLZI
KTSP

7-1
6-2
5-3
4-4
2-6
1-7
1-7

All Time RAT records as of 1987

(listed by total career wins)

Seasons
KTVK
74-10 7
Phillips Ramsey
54-24-1 7
Telemation
38-33 7
Gannett Outdoor
44-36 7
LImage
41-22 5
Owens & Associates 35-33-2 6
Moses-Anshel
34-31 6
New Times
31-26 5
KPNX
28-26-1 5
W.B.O.C.
21-18-1 4
KDKB
16-24 4
Four Dimensions
12-12 2
KTSP
11-39 6
Evan-Motta
9-29-1 4
Hutlemeyer- Lavidge 7-3
1
Boyd-Farmer
7-15-1 2
Duval
6-3-1
1
KAET
6-14
2
KOY
3-7-1
1
Patchen Brownfield
2-8
1
Plaza
3 2-8
1
Pointe Comm.
1-9
1
Cramer-Krasselt
1-8
1
KLZI
1-9
1

11

1988 Spring RAT League

Results

Tournament Champion
KTVK
Runner up Gannet Outdoor
National League
KPHO
8-0
KTVK
7-1
Gannet Outdoor
6-2
Owens & Associates 5-3
Moses Anshel
5-3
AD
2 2-6
Phillips Ramsey
2-6

12

American League
Kool Radio
KTSP - TV
Y-95
Pollick & Assoc
Petersen Comm
Telemation 2
Sun Sounds Radio

7-2
10
4-4
4-5
3-5
-6
2-6

13

1989 RAT League Spring

results

Tournament Champion
KTVK
Regular Season
champion
Phillips Ramsey
Philips Ramsey
KTVK
KPHO
KUTP
The Free Agents
Evans/Artigue
Full Bleed
KOOL FM

results

Gannet Outdoor
Phillips Ramsey
KOOL Radio
KTVK TV3
KTAR Radio
Owens & Associates
KTSP TV 10
9-4 KOY/Y95
9-4
7-3
6-5
5-5
4-8
2-8
2-8

Rod Smith was selected to the

Advertising World Series Hall Of
Fame in 1989

14

1990 Spring RAT League

9-0
8-1
7-3
7-3
3-6
2-6
2-7
0-9

1992 Spring RAT League

1993 Spring RAT League

KTVK TV 3
Gannett Outdoor
Media Mix
KDKB 93.3 FM
KPHO TV 5
System Error
New Times
KOOL FM
SRO Comm
Y-95 Radio
KTSP TV 10

Media Mix
System Errors
KOOL Radio
KTVK TV 3
KPHO TV 5
KTAR/KKLT radio
Lavidege/Heigel AD
Outdoor Systems
New Times
SRO Comm
KDKB Radio

results

7-0
7-1
7-1
5-4
5-4
5-4
4-4
4-4
1-7
1-7
0-7

In 1990 league played at

Encanto Park
watering hole was Dirty Drummer
John Johnson and
Rod Smith were
commissioners in 1992

results

10-1
9-0-2
7-4
7-4
6-4-1
6-5
5-5-1
4-7
3-7-1
1-9-1
0-9-2

John Johnson &

Rod Smith were
commissioners
Gathering spotsDirty Drummner &
Original Hamburger
Works

15

1994 Spring RAT League

1995 Spring RAT League

Del Webb Media Mix

KOOL Radio
System Error
KTAR
Cramer-Krassalt
Lavidge Heigel ADV
Channel 17
AD 2
KMLE Radio
New Times
KUPD Radio

Del Webb Media Mix

KOOL Radio
Pamoramic Press
System Error
Metro Traffic
Lavidge Heigel ADV
KZON Radio
Ad 2
Hoskyns & Assoc

results

League played at
Encanto
Commissioner was
John Johnson
Notable rules:
Unlimited number of DH &
Womens walk rule
11 games this season
must have been a
scheduling challenge.

16

10-0
9-0
7-3
7-3
6-4
5-5
4-6
3-7
2-9
2-9
0-10

results

10-0
7-3
6-4
6-4
4-6
4-6
3-7
3-7
3-7

John Johnson and

Rod Smith were
commissioners

1996 Spring RAT League

results

1996 Spring RAT League

results

Summer Season
Summer Season
Monday division
Wednesday Division
Lavidge Heigel
5-0 Del Webb Media mix
KOOL-FM
4-1 Dinos Kachinos
KSLX
Phoenix Suns /Amer West
4-1 K-HITS
SRO Communications 3-2 SGL Design
AD 2
2-3 Great Scott Prod
Channel 15
0-5 KZZP
Stone Soup
0-5
Holiday Season
Del Webb Media Mix
Panoramic Press
Lavidge Heigel
Metro Traffic
Channel 15

3-1
3-1
3-1
2-2
2-2
1-3
0-4
4-0-1
3-2
2-2-1
2-2-1
1-4

Playoff Champion
Dell Webb Media mix
Runner up
Panoramic Press
League played at Pierce Park
Gathering spot Dirty Drummer
Commissioners Jay Taylor & Steve Cannon
John Johnson was selected to the Advertising
World Series.

17

Do I Need Cheese
This is excerpted from the 1995 Advertising Softball World Series program

ts simple The RAT league is about fun. Co-Commissioners

John Johnson and Rod Smith make sure everyone stays
loose and keeps things in the proper perspective. Rod does
this through his easy going demeanor and by fielding a team that
everyone else can actively root against. Thats because his Media
Mix team has not lost in four seasons. John does it by bringing
not one but two fully stocked coolers to every game. They are
easily the best organizers this side of Jimmy Hoffa.
Another thing that fosters camaraderie around the league is the,
how shall we say loose enforcement of roster regulations.
During the spring league Burt Brownell of Skyview traffic was
enraged that someone from another teams roster would play
for his opponent. In the second game of the season, Burts team
was represented by no fewer than five different clubs.
But thats what makes the RAT League what it is. No one takes it
too seriously, except maybe Tom Domschke of KOOL Radio. But
hes still young and hasnt achieved the same level of inner peace
as the rest of the leagues players. He also didnt grow up during
the 60s and 70s like most of the rest of the league. But thats a
story for another league.
I guess some things never change! (this is an excerpt written by
Jay Taylor for the Adweek program)

18

1997 RAT League

1998 RAT League

Del Webb Media Mix

14-1
Lavidge Heigel ADV
13-2
Dinos Kachinos
12-3
The Party Squad 103.9 FM 10-4-1
Phoenix Intl Raceway 10-5
KSLX Radio
9-5-1
KZON Radio
8-7
K-HITS Radio
7-7-1
U Haul Marketing
7-8
Fox Sports Arizona
6-9
Stone Soup
5-10
Channel 15
2-12-1
Moses Anshel
2-13
New Times
2-13

KZON/KYOT
Del Webb Media Mix
Grip It & Rip IT
Phx Suns
Amer West Arena
Virgo Publishing
Lavidge Heigel Baumayr
Cramer Krasselt
Ad 2
Cable Rep

results

results

8-0
7-1
7-1
6-2
5-3
4-4
3-5
2-6
2-6

Tournament Champion Dell Webb

Media mix
Runner up Grip It & Rip It

League & Tournament Champion

Del Webb Media Mix
League Fields Pierce Park
Watering hole Dirty Drummer

19

1999 RAT League

results

Winter Spring season

The Zone
Party Station 103.
Del Webb Media Mix
Grip It & Rip It
Lavidge Heigel Baumayr
Phx Suns/AW Arena
Cramer Krasselt
Fox Sports Arizona
106.3/100.3 The Edge
U Haul Marketing
Arizona Production
Fox 10
Stone Soup
EB Lane
KFYI Big Ballers

20

13-1
9 9-1-3
10-3-1
10-3-1
9-5
9-5
8-6
8-6
6-8
5-9
5-9
3-10-1
3-11
2-12
1-13

By 2000 the league continued with 14-15 teams per season.

Dave Mees and Steve Cannon were commissioners.
We had moved to Pierce Park in 1996 and stayed for 18 years.
Pierce Park became the longest running location continuing until
2014.
The RAT League was supported by Agency teams from CramerCrasselt, Lavidge-Baumayr, EB Lane, Moses Anshel
Television: Fox 10 & Fox Sports AZ & Cox Communicatuions.
Radio: KEDJ, Party 103.9 KFYI, KZON & Powerzone, Hispanic
broadcasting had a team for one season
Teams were being formed by graphic designers- Grip It & Rip it
and Stone Soup
Video production & Photography- Arizona Production Assn,
Monorchid, Brews On First
Corporate- U Haul, Phoenix Suns Video Production
Del Webb transitioned to Media Mixed Drinks
A few teams had fun names and I dont remember who they
were: Hodge Podge Lodge. Belopalooza
Allied Vaughn, Misfits and Goodeye
By 2006 the economy was tanking agency teams dropped, radio
teams dropped, Global threats increased as instead of seaching
for Osama we had a few beers at Dirty Drummer.
Dennis Ross became commissioner in 2007 because no one
else wanted the job.

21

The league was supported by Dave Mees, Travis Agenter, Tara

Trzinski, Garret Midkiff and was barely getting enough teams to
play. Each season we had one agency and all the media teams
were gone. We played only 6 teams in Spring 2009. Gould, Cox
Communications, Chapter 2, US Airways Center.
Last Call & Lavidge put teams on the field.
It didnt seem to matter as much who won or lost. But we still
bickered and fought through each season.
Garrett Midkiff once put together 2 teams to keep us going. (Thanks
my friend!)
Brews On First picked up players from video production and Cox
Communications.
Last Call had printers, graphic designers and sales people.
Chapter Two/Smokehouse/ was formed from agency and printing
companys.
By 2010 we were back on the upward path. The economy was
improving. Something called a Digital Agency started to form. Now
Phoenix had Riester, Sitewire, Martz & Zion & Zion as agencies on
the rise.
Agencies like Ethology,
Serendipit ,eagency are
large enough to field
teams. Cramer & EB
Lane are back.

Garett Midkiff

22

Champions since 2010

Spring 2010-America West Arena
Fall 2010 - Brews On First
Spring 2011 - America West Arena
Fall 2011 - Smokehouse Grill
Spring 2012 - Last Call ( I finally played on a winner!)
Fall 2012 - US Airways Arena
Spring 2013 - US Airways Arena
Fall 2013 - Brews On First
Spring 2014 - US Airways Arena
Fall 2014- US Airways Arena
Spring 2015 - Brews On First
Fall 2015 - Mixed Veggies
Spring 2016 - Mixed Veggies
US Airways Arena
five time champions

23

1971 MLB MVP and Cy Young Award winning pitcher Vida Blue at
Advertising Softball World Series in Lake Tahoe

Some sacrifice their body for

their team.

24

Professional Athletes
to play in the RAT League:
Chris Arnold San Francisco Giants (Phillips-Ramsey)
Bill The Spaceman Lee Boston/Expos (New Times)
Ben Ogiilvie Red Sox/Brewers/Tigers Moses-Anshel
Shedrick Bonner Rattlers (America West Arena/Suns)
Dan Majerle Suns/ Cavaliers (America West Arena/Suns)
Dan Saleaumua Lions/Chiefs/Seahawks
Richard Incognito Rams/Dolphins (Martz)
Mechelle Lewis Freeman 2008 Olympics Bejing (Lane)

Smokehouse Grill 2011 Fall Champions.

25

Local media Celebrities

who have played in
the RAT League
Bill Mosely KTVK Sports
Dave Cooper Coyote Dave
Tim Hatrick KDKB & Camel Country
Jodi Jackson Fox Sports Arizona
Ladmo, KPHO TV5

Radio On-Air Personalities

Coyote Dave Cooper KZON
John Holmberg KZON KUPD
Brady Boger KZON KUPD
Jim Sharpe KZON KTAR
Joel Grey The Peak
Bill Shedd KJZZ
Danny Davis KOOL FM
Charle Huero KOOL FM
Eddie Webb KUPD
Mountain Man Jay 95.5 The Mountain

26

Field location history

of the RAT League
1984 El Prado Field (renamed Cesar Chavez)
Southern & 19th Ave
84-86 Madison Park 16th St Indian School
Papago Park 52nd St & McDowell
87- 89 Encanto & Papago
Esteban Park 32nd St & Roeser
Perry Park 32nd st Thomas
90-95 Encanto Park 15th Ave & Thomas
Cesar Chavez 51St Ave & Baseline
96-2015 Pierce Park 44th St & Oak
2015-2016 Madison & Pierce
Gun shots were heard at Esteban and wafting aromas at
many parks.
If you remember a year let me know. Im the only one
who remembers playing at Chavez.

27

Former & current RAT League Commissioners

Rod Smith, Terry Sorensen & Dennis Ross

28

Chris Poisson
In 1984 I played in the Adweek
Softball World Series in Palm Springs
California. I shared a room with Chris
Poisson who was Creative Director
at Phillips Ramsey then a leading
Phoenix and regional Ad Agency.
Chris was both a highly regarded
professional and a down to earth guy.
Not a great player but who enjoyed
playing the game. At one point in a
game I slid head first into second.
My vision was blurred after but I kept
playing. I remember driving with Rod
Smith who asked if I could see the
stop Sign I had just run. Later my eye
doctor made me stop wearing my contact lenses so my scratched
cornea could heal or I might lose my vision.
Softball is not a life and death activity. Often we take it to seriously.
Chris had the right approach to play for fun. Poisson in French
means Fish. And we often called him by that nickname.
Chris designed the first RAT League logo. There have been at least 3
others including a second one designed by Chris. You can see them
in the previous pages. He often helped companies in the industry
including Woods Litho with Ads.
Chris Poisson passed away to young in 1910. In a lot of ways Chris
represented the best of the RAT League. RIP Chris. (Sept 19, 1950Dec 24 2010)

29

The Rat League

Date Unknown

Last call Spring 2012 Champions

30

Phoenix R.A.T. Original League Rules

Since there seemed to be some confusion about several of the rules last year, we have
decided to put them on paper. These rules will also be given to the umpires, so hopefully
we can avoid any controversy.
Walk rule. Any time a male batter walks, he goes to second base. If he walks on four
pitches without a strike being thrown, and a female batter is following him, the batting team
has the option of either 1) allowing the female to take her regular at-bat, or 2) allowing the
female to take first base. ,
Batting order. Teams may bat as many players as they like, with one condition: a team may
only have a maximum of 3 more male batters than female batters. For example, a normal
lineup is 6 men and 4 women, but an additional designated hitter may be added -- this may
be a man. Any additional hitters must then be added one man and one woman at a time.
So teams may have 7 men and 4 women, 10 men and 7 women, etc.
In addition, there may be no more than 3 consecutive male batters in the lineup. This includes
situations where there is a man at the end of the order and three at the beginning, etc.
Picking up players. Teams may pick up players from other teams in order to fill out their
lineup. We encourage this because it helps us reduce the number of forfeits. However, if
your team has 10 players, you may NOT add extra players to stack your lineup. If you
have a full team of your own, you must play with that team.
Game times/forfeits. Games obviously are supposed to start at the scheduled time.
However, we ail know this is sometimes a problem. We encourage the coaches of the two
teams to work this out between them. The league gives a five-minute grace period; after
that a coach whose team is ready to play may call the game forfeited. If the teams decide
to wait for players to arrive, any time they do wait comes off their scheduled game time.
Games are scheduled for 1 hour, 5 minutes; no new inning will begin after 1 hour. There are
no exceptions to this rule, so we encourage you to play fast!
A team must have a minimum of 8 players to start the game; 4 of them must be women.
Beer permits. Buy them. If the city decides to check for them and you dont have one, it
will be expensive. They are available for $3/week at any Phoenix Parks & Recreation office.
Substitutions. The R.A.T. League uses a free substitution rule. This means players may
enter and leave the lineup as often as they like. If you are going to be doing so, however, we
recommend that you let the opposing team know so there are no questions.

32

Published by Ross Marketing Group

Dennis Ross dennis@rossmgroup.com