Michigan Travelers

Eastern Division

505 – 11 Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan 48071

313.544.1333

Director: Sally Johnson

General Manager: Bud Hucul

Field Manager: Bud Hucul

Home Field: East Detroit Memorial Field, Detroit, Michigan

Starting Time: 7:00 p.m.

Team Colors: orange, royal blue, white

The Travelers played only the first year the league was in existence. The Travelers finished last in the Eastern Division with a record of 42 wins and 77 losses. At the December 1976 league meeting it was announced that the Travelers did not meet their financial obligations to the league and and forfeited their franchise rights.

The following are excerpts from the 1976 San Jose Sunbirds (Reprint 1) and 1976 Santa Ana Lionettes (Reprint 2) programs.

Reprint 1 – “We’re the dark horse team,” says Carrie Lonero, part owner of the Travelers. “We’re building on youth and speed. We’ve got kids who can get from home to first in 2.7 seconds.” Wanda Milbrath and Fay Perkins comprise one of the more interesting batteries in the loop. Milbrath’s pitching record at Iowa State University was 119 wins against 9 losses. Thirty of her victories were no-hitters. Perkins was her collegiate catcher. Outfielder Mary Nutter says, “I can hit Joan Joyce.” Her naming to the 1975 All-American team lends credence to the claim. Linda Muehler, first to sign her Traveler contract, coaches high school softball, volleyball, and basketball in the off season. She hit .575 last year for Little Caesars of Royal Oak, Michigan. Georgia Gomez adds depth to the pitching staff.

Reprint 2 - The Travelers will be counting heavily on the pitching of Georgia Gomez and Wanda Milbrath this season. Gomez played for the Atlanta, Georgia Lorelei Ladies for several years before joining the Orlando, Florida Suns in 1975. Milbrath is a 19-year old who pitched 30 no hitters in a 3-year period in high school. Outfielder, Mary Nutter, formerly with the Lansing Laurels, will be adding some offensive punch to their lineup while infielder Linda Mueller will show why she was Michigan's number one draft choice.

1976 Highlights

There's an old adage in softball that a team has to be strong up the middle to be strong. Based upon that premise, the Michigan Travelers have a good nucleus to build their IWPSA future around.

Although finishing in the East cellar, the Travelers own some talent at catcher in Carole Myers, shortstop Nancy Fedea, centerfielder Kathy Irvine and pitchers Cindy Henderson and Wanda Milbrath.

Myers, Irvine and Henderson were all-star members in the East while Fedea, a home-grown product who hadn't played on the national level previously, and Milbrath showed ability while adjusting to the rigors of top-quality softball.

The Travelers, inconsistent as young teams will be, handed Connecticut's Joan Joyce one of her two defeats as Henderson bested her 2-1 in Connecticut. Henderson was also impressive in the IWPSA All-Star game, pitching three and two-thirds innings of two-hit ball and striking out six West hitters.

Irvine, a near .300 hitter, and Myers, possessed with a strong arm, gave Henderson and Milbrath support up the middle. And that's a good place to start.

To view the 1976 Travelers Official Souvenir Program, see below.