In his twenty-five years playing sixteen-inch softball, Dave Ruehl played with some of the top teams
of his time, including the Meister Brau Taggers, Whips, Lettuce, Red Dog, and Licorice. As a shortstop, Dave was selected as an All-Time Team shortstop in the Mt. Prospect League. He was the 1990 Forest Park No Glove Nationals MVP and was named the 1992 Sun Times Player of the Year.
He was selected to the ASA Major
Nationals All-American 1st Team in
1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1998.
He was a 2nd Team selection in 1987, 1994, and 1997.
He was a member of eight ASA Major National championship teams: Whips (1988 and 1990), Lettuce (1992, 1993, 1996, and 1998), and Licorice (2000 and 2002). Additionally, he played for two USSSA National
championship teams: Whips in 1988 and Lettuce in 1994. He played on six Forest Park No Glove Nationals championship teams – 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, and 2002.
Dave and his wife, Val, live on Chicago’s Northwest Side. They have three children – Sammy, Alyssa, and Justin. Dave played college basketball at Northeastern Illinois University and is a Chicago Police Officer. Dave found his love for softball when he was ten years old and his father would take him to the local games and tournaments.
Dave would like to give special thanks to Richard Melman, who was not only the best manager he ever played for but someone who mentored him on and off the field to become the player and person he is today.