The Arizona Softball Foundation was founded in 1973 when several prominent retired softball players decided something should be done to ensure softball would continue to be strong in Arizona. Their mission was to start a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and recognizing the accomplishments of teams, players, coaches, umpires, and sponsors who had participated in Arizona softball. Membership was only five dollars a year, and in a few short year's membership grew from a small number to hundreds.
The group's first order of business was to select a Board of Directors. It was decided the Board should represent all of Arizona and members should be selected from different areas in Arizona. The original Board of Directors included President, Ford Hoffman representing Maricopa County and Secretary, Rose Mofford representing the Southern District.
The second order of business in 1973 was to start a Softball Hall of Fame and decide who and how the members would be inducted. The Foundation decided the first person to be inducted into the Hall would be Art Funk. The chairman of the Board of Greyhound Parks of Arizona and sponsor of the legendary Funk Jewels, which included many of the great Arizona softball players. The team was a dominant force in 16 national championship tournaments held in Phoenix at softball fields which he built. This included the famous Phoenix Softball Park, a $100,000 stadium and field at 17th Avenue and Roosevelt.
