SMSBL Hall of Fame

Bruce grew up in Roseville, CA playing in Roseville Little League from 7-8 year old minors all the way through American Legion. He attended Oakmont high school where he played and lettered in 3 sports (football, basketball, and baseball), earning All-City Honors in both basketball and baseball. Bruce was first team All-Northern California his senior year in basketball and an Optimist selection for baseball. His high school athletic career culminated with his varsity baseball team winning the school’s first section championship where he was named the tournament’s MVP. Following high school, Bruce played baseball at both Sac City (State Finalists) and Cosumnes River College (Second team All- State). This led to him being offered a full scholarship to the University of Pacific where he played his final 2 collegiate years. The highlight at UOP was hitting a homerun off the Nation’s leading strikeout pitcher from Fresno State University. During that time, he also played many seasons of Night League, Stan Musial’s Semi-Pro and he spent one summer in the Collegiate Alaskan All-Star league playing for the North Pole Nicks. Bruce continued playing in the Stan Musial League until the age of 31, even coaching and managing his own team for 2 years. He represented and participated in the first ever Sacramento area team in the Stan Musial World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan. After a short baseball break, Dave Painter introduced him to the SMSBL, where he became a Royal…. for the 1st time. He joined that team in 1996 and participated in his first world series that same year. Bruce has been playing in the league now for 22 years as a Royal, Oriole, Rivercat, Giant, and back to a Royal again! He has participated in many tournaments such as Woodland-Davis, Tri-Valley, Las Vegas, Monterey, Arizona and Florida. He has been honored and blessed to have participated on several tournament winning teams, many league winners, and 9 World Series Championship teams. Bruce has a love for the game, his family, and his faith. He was encouraged throughout his entire life by his father Bill and mother Laura, who never, ever, ever missed a game. He has a beautiful, wonderful and supportive wife Shari and 4 awesome children: Matthew, Jacob, Rebekah, and Daniel. To his family, coaches, teammates, and GOD he gives thanks every day for all the blessings in his life, who without their love and support receiving this honor would not be possible.