Slowpitch - Softball Nation

By Fred Jeter

 

Some wonder why Russell Robinson would travel so far every   Memorial Day Weekend to play softball. The answer’s easy: it’s his annual homecoming.  Robinson grew up in Highland Springs but for the last 31 years has been managing and roaming the outfield for Russell’s Paint & Body (his own business) of Longwood, Fla., near Orlando.

      

Russell’s hopes to contend for the Gold Division title in this year’s Softball Nation Beast of the East.

Time will also be reserved for socializing.  “I’ve got an older sister and younger brother still living in the area – and a lot of good friends,” said Robinson.   “I always look forward to this trip.”

      

For 23 years, Robinson brought his talented teams to central Virginia to play in the ASA Richmond Round Robin (aka “World’s Largest).

His teams won “Largest’s” top division on three occasions.

More recently, he’s been doing business with Softball Nation director Butch Tiller.

A year ago, Russell’s squad made a solid run and finished seventh  in the strongest classification.  “This tournament gives us a sense of where we are – while facing national-caliber competition,” said Robinson.  “It’ll help us get better by showing our weaknesses … we’re still kind of trying out some players.”

Russell’s has won more than 20 national titles over the decades and Robinson estimates he spent “$40 grand” on his team a year ago.      “I don’t drink or do drugs – softball is my release,” he explained.       On the Virginia trip, he covers all his player’s flight and rooming expenses.

Robinson is the Johnny Cash of softball – he’s “been everywhere, man.”   “We’ve played in 24 states; we’ve been everywhere,” he said.

Robinson treats his players well, but there are limits.   “I’ve never paid a player,” he said.   Russell’s won the ASA Class C national title in 2005 and the USSSA Class C nationals in 2001.  “If I’d been willing to pay ‘em, we’d have won a lot more (nationals),” he said. “We’ve done it the right way … you start paying and that takes the fun out of it.”

Robinson, still a strong player at age 52, started small in suburban Orlando and gradually built a juggernaut.  “I’ve still got my original schedule and roster from the very first year,” he said. “We started with a group of friends and then began picking up.” Robinson began his slow-pitch career at age 17, while a junior at Highland Springs High.

His first team was Montrose Baptist in the East Mile High League of Eastern Henrico. His teammates included Junie Loving and Warren Maynard.  Robinson is an old friend of Highland Springs legend Kip Coughlan (“I remember Kip gave me a bat,” he said) and a cousin of Snooks Floyd, the former George Wythe High All-State star.  His current Florida outfit has been built more on speed, defense and base-hitting than raw power.

Russell’s is comfortable playing with just a handful of allowable homers, but chooses the Gold “because that’s where the best competition is,” says Robinson.   

“If we let him (Robinson) in the Silver, he’d definitely win it,” said Tiller.  The Softball Nation founder agrees with Robinson’s assessment of his club’s physical stature.

“When I first heard of Russell’s, I thought they would be big, towering guys,” said Tiller. “But they’re not at all … they’re not an overpowering team in terms of size.”

Robinson lists CIA/Gordon Haab, Sons of Legion and MFI (formerly 4UFloors) as the Virginia squads he figures to battle for Gold supremacy.  Thus far this spring, Russell’s has won one of the four tournaments it’s entered while battling injuries.

Robinson is optimistic about the upcoming visit home because all but one of his standouts will be available.

“I know everyone will want to beat us (due to reputation), but we’re going to give it a shot,” said Robinson.

 “A lot has changed over the years, but I still consider the Richmond area the capital of softball.”

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