[15][16][17] The powerhouse reputation of Lima Steele's got off to an early struggle as the team tried to find a home.
[18] Lima Steele's struggled with the jump to professional play, finishing the 1982 USPL season 20-38 (.348), 4th in the Western Division, 16.5 games behind the Kentucky Bourbons.
[21] Milwaukee would defeat Detroit Softball City 5–1 in the finals behind the hitting of World Series MVP Dick Laba (16-24, .667 BA).
[22] Amateur softball legend, Andrew "Mighty Joe" Young (.476, 40 HRs, 106 RBIs) of Lima, lived up to the hype and made the all-pro team for 1982.
[23] Lima also featured Eric Thornton, brother of Major League Baseball player Andre Thornton,[24] pro softball veterans Mike LaFever and Cardell Collins,[25] along with former MLB player Ralph Garr.