Carolyn Fitzwater - Softball

Carolyn Fitzwater played her way into the state’s sports landscape as an infield with the Erv Lind Florists, and continued to a memorable teaching and coaching career.

Born in 1935, Fitzwater graduated from Portland’s Washington High School in 1953, but had already reached the top of the softball world by then. She moved up to the Florist team in 1950 and remained on the roster until the team disbanded following the 1964 season. Fitzwater played a significant role in the infield as second baseman in the 1950s, and shortstop in the ‘60s. She played shortstop on the 1964 National Championship squad, and was selected for the ASA Softball All-Star series in 1963-65. She toured with the team when it visited the Far East in 1959.

Fitzwater continued playing on summer teams in California and Oregon until 1974.

Having earned a degree from Oregon State in 1958, Fitzwater became a teacher at Gresham High the same year and taught until 1990 when she retired. She coached softball teams for most of those years.

In 1979, the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association named her softball coach of the year in honor of her years of service and having led Grant High to the semifinals of the first softball state championships.

Fitzwater served on state, regional and national committees regarding rules and physical education and was a long-time basketball official.

She was inducted to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and the ASA Hall of Fame in the same year, 1992.