Wyandot Sports Hall of Fame

A 1954 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School, Rosemary Austin grew up long before organized female athletics existed. She instead made her mark as a senior softball player and was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Austin’s love for sports started at an early age. She played softball and basketball with her siblings and neighbor kids growing up on a farm north of Upper Sandusky. During warm weather, softball was played in the cow pasture and during winter, basketball was played in the hay mow.

She retired in 2000 and began playing senior softball in Florida in the winters. “Ro,” as her teammates nicknamed her, enjoyed the competition, camaraderie and travel associated with her softball career. In addition to other regional tournaments, she played in six consecutive National Senior Games, which are held every other year. Austin also played in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah, three times. She had a large fanbase of children, siblings, nieces and grandchildren who travel to those tournaments.

During her tournament play, she was named an All-American seven times, received all-tournament honors twice and once was tabbed the best defensive player. In 2018, Austin was named the most valuable player in a tournament in Lakeland, Florida, when she hit .600 with two doubles and turned two double plays.

Austin spends her winters in Florida where she still plays softball on an 80-plus team. She has five children, eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. While in Ohio, she enjoys cheering on her great-grandchildren in their athletic activities.