What was to one day become The King And His Court all began in 1946 when Eddie Feigner, an energetic strong-armed young man who had excelled as a softball pitcher before the war and in the Marines, was home again buzzing his fast ball by home town batters.
Playing in an early spring league, Feigner was pitching for a local team of 9 men in a game in Pendleton, Oregon. Eddie's team won the game by a whopping score, but afterwards his skill as a "hot shot" softball pitcher was challenged. This was too much for the "King" who brazenly announced, "I would play you with only my catcher but you would walk us both." The other team's manager said, "OK, you bring your catcher, shortstop, and first baseman down here and we will play you." On the way back home, the four wondered what they should do to get ready.
Because it was early spring and the local ball parks were unavailable to practice on, the 4 men requested permission to play some of the teams inside the Washington State Prison. The request was granted. With high walls as a backdrop, and the curious inmates looking on, The Four-Man Softball Team came into being. That same week, the name "The King and His Court" was chosen.
A week later 400 fans were on hand to view the unpublicized, initial 4 versus 9 game. Feigner rose to the occasion. In 7 innings, he pitched a perfect game and struck out 19 batters. One ball was hit to the shortstop, and one to the first baseman. The final score was 7-0 in favor of the Court.
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