Fred Budnarowski has passed
Hello All, I hope things are going well for all you fellow softball players across America!
It is with a saddened, bummed out heart to tell everyone that Freddy has passed away last night. He most definitely hung in there throughout the spring and summer as I thought his time would be up around April but valiantly battled the cancer he had then wore down and peacefully passed away last night in his sleep.
Personally, I saw him quite a bit throughout the spring and summer especially when he was in the hospital. I truly enjoyed his company even up to the end when he could barely talk or focus. Just being in his presence was comforting as he was by far my man!!! To say the least…
Making a long story short, he got me into the game back in 1991-2, showed me the Michigan Major tournament and played rec league together for about 10 years. Freddy was a great pitcher, I mean great!!! He had a great knuckle ball, curve ball, and some ASA high arc slider curve and of course he shared his strategic in-sight and scouting methods that inspired me and changed my life for the better. I was hooked and I am not sure if I would have known you guys the way I do if it wasn't for Freddy… Thanks Lala!
Freddy didn't have any kids, the players on all the teams he coached were basically kids of his as we know how much time and devotion he put into every team he was with and how he established deep relationships with you and many others.
I know there are many guys from Michigan mainly the 'Tarz Nation' crew that have been concerned, visiting & staying with Freddy throughout his trying time and I'm sure posting the upcoming details about funeral arrangements will come soon…
All the best to everyone out there and one last thing, my kids and old dog Maggie loved Freddy when he would come by…
RIP Lala and Thank You for your time, effort and friendship…
Billy B
Fred Budnarowski
Fred Budnarowski the longtime manager of top Michigan slow pitch teams like USSSA 'B' champion Bud Light (2008) and Line Drive Sportz 'A' 2014 has passed away after a battle with cancer today 10/13/2017. Fred was a true student of the game, renowned for his background checks on players he wanted to pick up, his thorough statistical analysis of opposing hitters, and his game management. He will be missed. Tarz Nation is in mourning today. Tarz told me that he hooked up the smart tv for Freddie to watch the USSSA Major in HD a few weeks ago when Freddie wasn't able to do much of anything, and that Freddie said "Tarz, I think I just died and went to heaven".
Send pictures or comments to dw@softballcenter.com and I will add them to this tribute page.
2016 LinedriveSportz AA
2014 LineDriveSportz A
2014 LineDriveSportz A
1997 'A' Worlds, Prestige Construction
2008 Bud Light B champs
2006 Northwest Pipe A Champs
thoughts and prayers! You will be missed. A class act and even better person.
Freddie loved you guys and enjoyed coaching very much. Softball and sports in general was a huge part of his life and he was the love of my life. He hated the Cowboys for the record and I would always tease him when they were playing. I’m from Texas. He was a Spartans football fan and when they beat Michigan in the last few minutes of the game, it was epic! Freddie and I went and saw many Tigers and Rays games. Tarz Nation and his softball family was introduced to me in Florida at Mystic Dunes in 2012 and my life was forever changed. We dated until January 2017 and he told me he had cancer saying he couldn’t believe this was happening but he had a good life and did what he wanted to do.
Angie, thank you for your post and I am sorry for our loss.
At this years USSSA Convention it was determined that the 2nd Team All Conference Manager Award would now be called the Fred Budarowski Manager of the Year Award to honor his contribution to the game which was unprecedented.