If longevity were a stat in softball, John A. Copier would lead the league. He’s been playing the game since shag carpeting was cool, disco ruled the airwaves and nobody knew what a “streaming service” was. Now, after six decades of line drives and dugout banter, the 79-year-old Bluffdale resident is officially part of the Utah Softball Hall of Fame. 

“I started playing softball right after Little League,” Copier (79) said, who grew up in Murray and now lives in Bluffdale. “First with church league and then County Rec. I’ve been playing ever since.”

John Copier being inducted into the Utah Softball Hall of Fame. (Photo courtesy Wanda Copier)

Copier was honored Aug. 1 at the Larry H. Miller Cottonwood Complex, where he joined 22 other inductees including players, coaches, umpires and administrators. Of course, if a banquet is held on a softball diamond, they were going to provide food to match the occasion.

 “They gave us hot dogs, drinks—just an all-American thing. My family and some friends came out, and we had a good time.”

Born in Holland and the oldest of 12 children, Copier moved to Utah as a young boy. He credits his family for sparking his love of the game. “Six of my seven brothers and I all played County Rec ball at the same time—sometimes on different teams,” he said. “And my dad always showed up in his painter overalls, cheering us on.”

Over the decades, Copier played for a string of memorable teams, including Second Wind, Harper Material Handling and Dodge Appliance Fast Pitch. “They were all good teams, full of wonderful people,” he said. “We had a lot of fun and made so many friends. That’s the best part of softball; you meet great people.”

Copier taught automotive at Skyline High School and Hunter High School, and even coached Skyline’s girls fast-pitch softball team for several years. 

Copier, and his wife of 43 years, Wanda, raised their kids Jon, Nathan and Amanda, and took up the softball lumber. “My kids supported me when I played, and I supported them when they played,” Copier said. His son Nathan even carried the family tradition overseas, playing in the UK and making its European All-Star team. Now, Nathan is moving back to Utah, much to Copier’s delight.

John Copier practices for the Huntsman World Senior Games. (Photo courtesy Wanda Copier)

As for the game itself, Copier has seen plenty of changes since the 1970s. “The biggest is the home run rule,” he explained. “You used to be able to hit as many as you wanted. Now it depends on your level—sometimes they don’t even let you hit one.” Safety features have also evolved. “There’s a safety base at first now and a separate home plate line to avoid collisions. They didn’t have those back in the day.”

Despite these changes, one thing has remained constant: Copier’s love for the sport. He has competed in tournaments across Utah and beyond, including the Huntsman World Senior Games, where he earned multiple medals. 

“We mostly played AA ball and a little AAA,” he said. “Lots of good experiences.”

When asked what advice he’d give to newcomers, Copier’s answer was simple: “Play. It’s a lot of fun. You get good exercise, meet great people, and sometimes even travel for tournaments. It’s been a huge part of my life.”

His wife Wanda added, “He’s made very special friends through softball. And most of his family played, too—it was just part of who we were.”

After six decades of swinging bats, sliding bases and collecting stories, Copier remains modest about his Hall of Fame induction. “Honestly, it’s just been fun,” he said. “Playing with my brothers, my kids, my friends—it’s been enjoyable all the way through. I never thought about awards. I just love the game.”

From church league to senior tournaments, John A. Copier has truly lived softball. And now, his name has a permanent home in the Utah Softball Hall of Fame; a fitting tribute to a lifetime spent on the diamond.