Jo Ann Herrera-Zynsky

Career Overview

Jo Ann Herrera Zynsky was inducted into the NBBA Hall of Fame in 2016 as a Spotter, recognizing her foundational role with the Albuquerque Tru Sight from 1980 through 1987. In the early days of beep baseball, Jo Ann first coached and then took on spotting responsibilities, helping shape one of the most dominant teams of the 1980s.

During her tenure, Albuquerque captured six NBBA Championships and appeared in seven championship games, establishing a dynasty in the formative years of the league.

Spotting Excellence

Jo Ann was the sole spotter for a defense that featured Hall of Famer Ray Marshall and other elite players. Her command of defensive positioning and communication helped anchor one of the most successful defensive units in NBBA history.

She utilized the 1-5 numbering system and was among the first spotters to perfect the short, choppy call for short balls, a technique that became widely adopted. Drawing from her background in softball, she emphasized watching the batter’s feet and tracking the ball off the bat to anticipate direction and speed.

Her precision and preparation contributed directly to Ray Marshall earning six World Series All-Tournament MVP honors during that championship run.

Early Involvement

A Telephone Pioneer, Jo Ann was encouraged to get involved in beep baseball by her friend Arty Morrow of the Denver Rocky Mountain Eagles. Her first World Series appearance came when Albuquerque finished second to the Fort Worth Roadrunners. From that point forward, she became a central figure in Tru Sight’s success.

Her final tournament was at Ithaca in 1987. That same year, she met and later married John Zynsky, a fellow beep baseball volunteer with the Rocky Mountain Eagles.

Legacy

Work commitments eventually took Jo Ann away from Albuquerque and the sport, but her contributions during the league’s early years remain deeply appreciated. She demonstrated the critical role that coaches, spotters, pitchers, and catchers play in building championship teams and empowering blind athletes to compete at the highest level.

Her Hall of Fame induction honors not only her championships and innovation, but also her leadership and dedication during a transformative era of beep baseball.