Delbert "Del” Buss was born April 4, 1944 and has resided in Nazareth, Pennsylvania his entire life. While a student at Nazareth High School, he was an avid wrestler where he was a four-time district runner-up and still holds the Pennsylvania state record for fastest pin - six seconds. After graduating from high school, Del went to work for his father in the family auto service business and eventually took ownership of the company where he continues to work today as an auto mechanic.

Del developed a passion for race cars and competed as a driver in stock car races from 1968 to1983.During this time, he was a mainstay Saturday evenings at Orange County Speedway in New York and Sundays afternoons at the Nazareth Speedway. When his driving career came to an end, Del turned his attention to his previous passion of baseball.

His baseball career which began with a Little League season in 1953 was rekindled in 1984 as he joined a local softball league. Softball soon led to baseball as Del welcomed the opportunity to play baseball along side his oldest son and did so as a player on the Nazareth Blue Mountain baseball team. In 1990, he joined the Lehigh Valley Men’s Baseball league.During his career in MSBL, Del has competed at all age levels typically playing alongside those much younger than him. He played 18 seasons with the Diamonds and has spent the past 3 years playing for the Braves, Indians, and Phillies. For the past 20 years, he has competed annually in the MSBL World Series in Phoenix, Arizona as a representative of the Lehigh Valley on locally sponsored teams as well as other National teams.Del has had the honor of playing on the Lehigh Valley Men’s Senior Baseball All-Star team at Coca-Cola Park.At 66 years young, Del has no intention of hanging up his spikes.Not only does he enjoy playing America’s favorite past-time, but he enjoys teaching the game to his two grandsons who have inherited his passion for the game.

I have been blessed just to be able to play sports, as I was a polio victim at 9 months old. Doctors never thought I would ever walk without a brace, let alone play sports. Thanks to Dr. Albert Gabrielli, and my father, keeping me active was the way to go. I started playing sports at 8 years old, and have never stopped. Although I've played every sport there is, baseball has always been my favorite. I joined the Lehigh Valley MSBL in 1994, and was put at shortstop, by manager Tim Boland, and batted 2nd, behind my brother, Roger.After our Mets team suffered through a dismal season, I decided to form my own team, which was the Giants. In 1995, we won the championship, with Rich Sipos, and Cy Young winner, Ron Schinstine as our front line pitchers. As I said, I was blessed, and in 2000, Gino Vincent joined our team, and in 10 years, he carried us to 8 division titles, and 3 championships. 2012 will be my 18th year of managing a team, now called the Widow's Tavern Indians. I have managed the Arizona World Series teams for 11 years. In 1996, I was our catcher, and stopped catching complete games in 2006. My lifetime average was .347, and my great group of players over the years, have amassed 221 wins for me. I hope to stick around to get 300 wins. Currently, I'm a Board Member, and I've been a Dream Come True Committee Member, which is a very worthy Charity Event for children with terminal cancer. Once I retire, everyone knows that I will be watching hardball games at Hacketts Park, which has been our home field for 16 years. God Bless each and every one of our past and present members, and thanks for the wonderful memories. Especially, my Hall of Fame induction in 2011.