Rich Hoppe tosses a ball behind his back during an exhibition on Friday at Southside Park.

Softball hasnt been the same since Eddie The King Feigner picked up a ball and bat more than 60 years ago. Feigner, an orphan, has lived a dream, traveling the world, entertaining people and revolutionizing the game of fast-pitch softball. The King and his court put on a show for fans at Southside Park on Friday and although Feigner can no longer play because of his health, it hasnt stopped him from being part of the spectacle. Now, Feigner is much like a ring announcer, making jokes and calling the shots with a microphone just a few feet away from home plate. This is as close as I can get because Ive had a couple strokes and heart attacks, Feigner said. Feigners wife, Anne Marie, Jack Knight and Rich Hoppe are the actual court. While the team no longer plays competitively, as it did for more than 67 years, they do put on a circus-like show on the diamond that has fans laughing at their every move. Feigners life will be told in his autobiography, From an Orphan to a King, and may even hit the silver screen in the near future. Feigner says he is in the process of working out a contract that will bring his life story to Hollywood. Feigner started off the show by instructing the fans, Whoever has not seen the King and his court raise your hand. After nearly everyone in the crowd raised their hand, Feigner shouted Why not?Good question, considering the show has been going on since 1946. Feigner has put on shows across the globe, playing for more U.S. troops than even Bob Hope. The last pitch Feigner threw was at the 2000 Olympics, tossing out the first pitch before one of the softball games. The next day, Feigner had a stroke. And on this Fourth of July, the patriotic trio, with their bright red, white and blue uniforms graced with stars and bars, put on yet another memorable show. We were honored to be invited here on the Fourth of July, being as patriotic as we are, Anne Marie Feigner said. Everything we own is red, white and blue. Coming out here today, this is America. From pitching behind the back, under his legs and from second base, Hoppe gives fans a picture of what made Feigner famous. At one time, Feigner was considered the best pitcher in the world, and he wasnt even a baseball player. When Feigner started the King and his court in 1946, they competed against the best fast-pitch softball teams in the country, playing with just four players. There was Feigner at pitcher, a first baseman, a shortstop and catcher. With less than a handful of players, the team was nearly unbeatable, besting teams from coast to coast. One of the things I hope that people remember me for is keeping the game alive, Feigner said. We would beat all the national champions, state and regional champs. Feigner has actually pitched to the likes of Pete Rose, Willie Mays, Willie McCovy and Harmen Killabrew. The results were all the same strikeouts for the King. Throwing at an average speed of over 104 miles an hour, Feigner says he was just blessed with a great arm. I knew God give me the fastest pitch. He never owed me an arm like that, Feigner said. Now Feigner is trying to concentrate his effort on what he says he hopes will be his biggest legacy of all Kingball. Having seen fast-pitch softball change so much over the past 50 years due to high-tech equipment, Feigner wants to create a game that gets back to the sports roots. Kingball is going to be something the kids are really going to enjoy, Feigner said. Some of Kingballs rules include each batter having three strikes and three balls, the only players who can field a bunt will be the catcher and the pitcher and the length from home plate to first will be increased by four feet. I know what it takes in softball to beat a pitcher. Were going to put the rules in there so theres every way in there to beat the pitcher, Feigner said. You cant go back and start fast-pitch softball because its already died. Feigner hopes to reach the younger kids so that the game can take off with a younger generation and last for years.