Fastpitch Softball - 1990

Dave Blackburn is a six-time World Maccabiah Games medalist as a member of the Maccabi USA Fast-Pitch Softball Team. He pitched his USA teams to gold medals in 1985, 1989, 2005, and 2009, while also capturing a silver medal in 1993, and bronze medal in 1997. Dave also pitched in 5 Pan American Maccabiah Games held in: Caracas, Venezuela (87); Buenos Aires, Argentina (95 & 07); Mexico City, Mexico (99); and Santiago, Chile (03).

At the 12th World Maccabiah in 1985, Blackburn pitched the first no-hitter in Maccabiah history, fanning 15 (of 21) Venezuelan batters. In 35 innings, he struck-out 54 batters, finishing with an ERA of 0.20, and pitched a 3-0 shutout victory over Maccabi Canada in the Gold medal Game. 4 years later, Dave again threw a shut-out against Mccabi Canada in the Gold medal game. At the conclusion of the 13th World Maccabiah, the 400-athlete USA contingent named Dave the outstanding U.S. athlete at the Games. He was rewarded his on-field excellence with the honor of carrying the U.S. flag, in the closing ceremonies parade of athletes, through the streets of Jerusalem, to the wailing wall.

While the American fastpitch team achieved only silver and bronze medals in the next two Maccabiahs, Blackburn’s performances continued to dominate the competition. At the 1997 Games, he threw back-to-back no-hit games, and came within one out of tossing a third. This achievement set an all-time maccabiah games record for 16 2/3 consecutive no-hit innings in Men’s fast-pitch softball.

After missing the 16th World Maccabiah Games in July 2001, due to the Intifada, Blackburn returned to Israel in July 2005 for the 17th World Maccabiah Games. At the age of 45 Dave posted an 8-0 won-loss record, including a string of 29 consecutive shutout innings, among his 43 innings pitched. In the Gold Medal Game, Blackburn posted a 9-2 victory over Maccabi Canada, giving his Maccabi USA team a 12-0 record, and the distinction of being the first undefeated men’s fastpitch team, in the history of the World Maccabiah Games.

In 2009, Blackburn pitched on the first Maccabi USA Master’s Fastpitch team at the 18th World Maccabiah. Again he pitched the Championship Game victory for the Gold Medal, a 9-2 victory over Maccabi Canada.

Dave is a University of Illinois graduate ('82) who moved to Southern California to pitch for the ISC World Champion Camarillo Kings Fast-Pitch Softball Club in 1982. In his 34 year pitching career, he has played for southern California ball clubs such as the Kings, San Fernando Raiders, Camarillo Rebels, Lakewood Brewers, Long Beach Painters, Santa Barbara Instant Replay, Northridge Sunset Life, All American Masters, Burbank Cowboys, and the Long Beach Black Sox. Dave was named to the Pacific Coast Softball League All-Star Team in 1983-85; was selected Most Valuable Pitcher in the Western Softball Congress League in 1988; led his 1988 and 1989 Brewers to the Southern California Fast-Pitch State Championship; and, in 1989, was selected All-League Pitcher in the Western Softball Congress League.

At the l992 ASA National Finals, Dave posted a 3-0 record, including a no-hitter. He was named to the All American team at the conclusion of the 1998 National Championships.