[Deathwatch] Lorenzo "Larry'' J. Ponza Jr., pitching machine creator, 86

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Another from a reader - Ed.

Larry Ponza, pitching machine creator, dies at 86
Dec. 18, 2004

Lorenzo "Larry'' J. Ponza Jr., who developed and perfected the modern
pitching machine, has died. He was 86.

Ponza died Wednesday at his home of cancer-related illness, his nephew
Jim Duimstra said Friday.

Ponza grew up in Santa Cruz County on a farm-sawmill operated by his
immigrant parents. He later operated a fix-it shop where many of his
baseball products were created, Duimstra said.

"He'd no sooner get one developed than he'd have a new idea,'' he said.
"It was ongoing.''

Ponza's 1952 invention, the "Power Pitcher,'' became the prototype for
pitching machines he and others later built. His 1974 machine, "The
Hummer,'' became a batting practice staple for players from Little
League to the majors because it could be set to imitate fastballs,
grounders and pop-ups.

But Ponza kept tinkering with his designs, producing the "Casey'' in
1983, the "Ponza Swing King'' in 1987 and the "Rookie'' in 1988. He
sold his company in the early 1990s to Athletic Training Equipment Co.,
of Sparks, Nev.

"He was a pioneer in our industry,'' said Gene Grant, president of the
company. "He is going to continue to have a lasting impact.''

A 1934 graduate of Santa Cruz High School, Ponza liked telling people
he furthered his education at the University of HK&E _ the University
of Hard Knocks and Experience. In 1941, he moved to Pearl Harbor, where
he worked as a senior civilian supervisor for the Navy's Production
Control Office.

Ponza is survived by his nephews, Jim and Larry Duimstra.