Stan Zajac began his 16″ softball career at the age of sixteen as a left fielder with the Rabbits at Douglas Park. Zajac also played with the Second Federal League, the Spartans, and the Rocky Stars, who were managed by Hall of Famer and legendary manager Frank Holan. When the Rocky Stars and Capital Federals …
Members of the Kool Vent Awning team would have been very surprised to find out the age of the kid they often called on to fill in for missing players. Dennis Migala was only 15 when he played for one of the top teams in 16″ softball history. He started playing sandlot baseball at age …
Vic Kariolich began his softball career with Jimmie Rose’s Loafers at Roby Field at 59th and Damen. In 1947 he played with Joker’s from Harper High School. They competed against such Southside teams as Bonetti’s Liquors, Chesty’s Spartans and Valerie Florist. His softball career was interrupted, like so many others, between 1951 and 1953 when …
Born in 1929, Veto “Vic” Jasaitis has played with some landmark teams during his sixteen year softball career. As a left fielder, shortstop, and a pitcher, he has helped his teams capture twelve championships including; Fewer Boilers and Midland Motors (two chapionships), Bill Bonnetts (six championships), Diaper Gange (one championship), Bill Rose’s (one championship), and …
Dave Arnoux began his softball career on the northwest side, playing second base for the Spartans at Winnemac Park. He soon switched from second base to shortstop, where he remained until a stint in the Army interrupted his career. He continued to hone his skills while in the Army, playing first base for the 5th …
Bobby Perna began playing 16″ softball when he was fourteen years old in park leagues at Sheridan, Garfield, and Riis. In 1954, after being noticed by some older players, Bobby was asked to play on one of Chicago’s great teams – Kool Vent Awnings. He played with Kool Vent off and on for three years. …
Wally Mader is considered to be one the top pitchers in the game during the 1950s and early 60s. To bolster this claim, Mader’s statistics show that he had more wins at Clarendon Park than any other pitcher during the 60s and early 70s. In 1956 he played with the championship Alderman Laskoski’s 36th ward …
Educated at De Paul Academy and Loyola University, Joe Hutmacher’s athletic career started as a basketball player at DePaul Academy where his team took second to Marshall High School in the 1948 City Championship game. He then went on to player for three seasons at Loyola University. His 16″ softball career took him to Thillens …
Getting a penny for every ball he and his brother caught. Driving around the South and Southeast side of the city in the sponsor’s coal truck looking for games. Sewing softballs back together with a darning needle. Driving a nail into a broken bat. These are just a few of the Depression era memories of …
A 5′ 8″ centerfielder with good speed, Al Oziemkowski played for the Bonnets before playing for the legendary Bobcats in the 1950s and 60s. As a lead off hitter, he could bunt his way on base but could also hit a long ball. Players of his era showed their respect for his prowess by dubbing …
