James Robert Williamson

I am saddened to hear the news of the passing of Jim Williamson ("JRW") Few people have had a bigger impact on me, or for that matter, the game than Jim Williamson. Jim was a pioneer in the game of men's fastpitch softball. He was all about the players and making it a good experience for all. I had the privilege to get to know Jim back in the 1990´s, some thirty (30) years ago. We traded hundreds of emails over the years, everything from his Christmas cards to tournament news and announcements, and of course, the ubiquitous brackets that he was a master at. We will all miss him. More at https://www.fastpitchwest.com/?p=44280

My deepest sympathies on the passing my fastpitch friend Jim Williamson. We worked together in the ISC from 2004-2012 and stayed in touch for the past 12 years via email and his annual Christmas card/email was always something to look forward to receiving.

This may come as a shock to most who were involved in fast pitch softball the last 50-60 years coming from me...as "JIM BOB" and I had differences of opinion on a semi-regular basis concerning a multitude of issues...I must state that he always faced a constant uphill battle to keep a once revered sport in the Yakima valley above water and afloat for decades after it should have evaporated on its own ... for lack of the proper attention it so justly deserved...Some would say he was abrasive at times,maybe he was "exacting" and rallying his troops again...
he played it close to the vest ...Aces or a pair of 4's...???? He was like Sinatra...he did it his way...The last time I saw him at LANDMARK he was stunned to see me as a visitor...last person he expected...My first question was...who was the fastest pitcher you ever saw...less than a second he said...reconfirming my personal belief as well...as we had hooked up with these CANADIANS many times in my prime years...he weighed between 280 and 300 lbs. depending on what he had for lunch that day...Played for Bate Construction out of Victoria B.C./were 5 time Canadian National Champions and World Champions in 1975 or 1976...old school,stayed close to the rubber, great guy on and off the field...his speed was at just a bit over 106 mph when he was really on...Stan"THE COLONEL"Kern...and we would say the KERNELS POPPIN TONITE...Jim... enjoy the forever fields in the sky...and tell them to ban illegal pitches from the wicked umpires bible...xoxoxo "PINKEYE""