Renney, Jr., Robert

Robert Renney, Jr. – (2005)

 

At the early age of eight, Bob Renney began to display outstanding skill as a baseball player, with recognition as one of the top players each season. While at Southview High School, he played shortstop and third base, and led his team in RBI’s.

In 1976, Bob discovered fast-pitch softball, a sport that was omnipresent during the “glory days” of softball in the 40’s and 50’s. He had a natural interest since his dad Bob Sr. (a ’84 inductee) had excelled as a pitcher during this era. In his first season at age 19, Bob Jr. led the Lorain City League in home runs. After playing locally for four years, he was honored with the distinction of being the first walk-on player in 30 years to make the roster of Ashland Faultless Rubber, particularly impressive since they were one of the most prestigious teams in the nation. Bob made an immediate and positive impact, as he homered in his first at bat, while Faultless captured the Open State Tournament his first season, and placed second in the Open National Tournament the next year. During this period, Bob also found time to run the Lorain Invitational, a tournament that attracted two former world championships teams, and raised more than $20,000 for needy children.

The honors and success continued. With national Class “A” powerhouse Orrville Orr Park, Bob established himself as one of the state’s most feared hitters, leading the team in hitting from ’81-84. With Orr Park he was named East-Central Regional Most Valuable Player, and First-Team ISC Open All-Ohio. In ’85-’86, he was recruited by Wooster, winners of 11 tournaments with Bob as one of their top hitters. Locally in ’86 with Sam’s Sunoco, he displayed remarkable versatility by guiding them to a City Championship as a player-manager, while leading the league in every major hitting and pitching category. From ’84-’88, his pitching record was 62-8, and was the league’s most productive hitter. He played full-time with Sam’s in ’87, and as player-manager won 69 games while batting .375 with 27 homers and 93 RBI’s. Signing on with the Class “A” Lorain Merchants, Bob served as player-manager from ’88-’93, and as one of the team’s top hitters, helped them compile a 279-153 record against top-notch competition. Winning 21 tournaments, they competed in the National Tournament four times.

Bob joined state-powerhouse Kidron in ’94 and as a player-manager led them to the ASA Class “B” State Championship, contributing a three-run homer to seal the title game. He joined Sycamore in ’95 and during a three-year stay made two trips to the National Tournament, including a third place finish in ’96 where he was named to the All-American Team. He finished his career in ’98, organizing the Lorain City Club, and helped them finish third in the Class “C” Nationals. During the period from ’86-’97, he played in more than 1,000 consecutive games, and posted a 588-279 record as a player manager. As one of the state’s top power hitters Bob clouted 295 career home runs while batting .348.

Bob’s sports accomplishments extend well beyond the playing field. Over a 26-year period, he coached girl’s basketball and volleyball at his Southview High School, and numerous highly successful youth softball and basketball teams. Serving for more than 20 years in various management positions, he has guided the Lorain Parks and Recreation Department programs, organizing over 100 tournaments in six sports. He was the founder and president of the Ohio Tradition Fastpitch Association, and organized the largest fastpitch league in the state. Presently, he occupies the position of Lorain Parks and Recreation Director.

Over a 23-year period Bob played on two City Championship teams, five State Championship teams, and competed in the National Tournament 12 times. Excelling as a hitter, pitcher, and manager, Bob Renney’s distinguished career firmly establishes him as one of the area’s greatest fast-pitch softball players. A life-long resident of Lorain, Bob has two daughters Meghan and Alexis.

*WELCOME, BOB RENNEY JR., INTO THE LORAIN SPORTS HALL OF FAME*