Steve Culp started playing 16” softball in 1976 when Jack Kelly put a team together right after they graduated from Oak Lawn High School. That team would become the Ironmen. In 1982, Steve began playing with the Bucks and manager Bob O’Malley. The Bucks won the Tinley Park Metro that year and advanced to the A.S.A. Nationals in South Dakota. Steve joined this team with Hall of Fame teammates – Frank Mioni, Mike Clifford, and Matt Gillen. The Bucks finished second that same year to the Taggers in the La Crosse tournament. In 1984, the Cougars were formed from the nucleus of the Bucks again under the leadership of Bob O’Malley. The Cougars finished third in the A.S.A. Nationals that year, and Steve was named First Team All-American. The Cougars finished 3rd in the USSSA Nationals that same year. Steve was selected to represent the South in the annual North vs. South All-Star game. In 1986, Steve joined Touch and played with them through the 1988 season, during which they finished in 3rd, 4th, and 6th place in the A.S.A. Nationals. From 1992 to 1996, Steve played with Caribou. Steve appeared in 3 more A.S.A. Nationals with Caribou, earning another 2nd team All-American selection. Steve also played in one “A” Nationals with Caribou. Additionally, Steve played in 1987 with Normandy Crush, finishing 2nd to the Whips in the USSSA Nationals, and earned 2nd Team All-American honors in that tournament. From 1995 to 2012, Steve played in leagues in Mt. Greenwood and St. Christina. In 1995, Steve was named MVP of the St. Christina Holy Name League, winning three championships in that league. In 1996, Steve played with Swingtown in the A.S.A. Nationals. Steve then continued his career with the Lobcocks and later finished it with the Ironmen, the Doctors, and Crush. Steve was a feared left-handed hitter who could hit to all fields with power. All told, Steve played against the highest level of competition in 13 A.S.A. Nationals and was selected to the 1st team All-American and 2nd team All-American multiple times. Steve continues to play softball and resides in Monee with his wife, Joann. His legacy and love of the game have been passed on through his daughter, Valerie, her husband, Justin, who coaches travel baseball, and his grandson, Asher Bragg, who has inherited his ability to hit to all fields with power; unfortunately, he’s not a lefty.
