Bill Massuci played during some of softball’s most competitive decades, with some of the best teams of the era. In the ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s, Bill played with top teams such as the Stompers, Rogues, Sobies and Otto’s. He earned a reputation as one of the best shortstops and short centers of his time, […]
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Like many men his age, Jack “Whitey” Johnson’s softball career began after a two year stint in the Army. Unlike many players, however, he started his softball career after playing with the Chicago White Sox in 1959, and with the old Washington Senators in 1960. A softball second baseman who also played third and first,
Ben Holt is recognized by softball experts as one of the greatest power hitters of all time. A 347 foot homerun at Clarendon Park, and another, hit during the Hamms Homerun Hitting Contest at Comiskey Park, that eventually landed in the upper deck, are just two examples of his legendary hitting power. Holt originally played
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In the highly competitive and closely knit world of championship 16” softball, players destined for greatness are quickly noticed. This was the case with Bob Warnock when he began playing with the Crusaders. His talent was noticed, and he was soon playing with Ed Zolna’s Bobcats. It was a perfect match, and Warnock played with
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A graduate of St. Rita high school, Joseph “Jake” Schmitz began his softball career at the age of thirteen with the Vipers at Ogden Park and at Byrne Field. He moved to the Blie Hawks in 1953 to ‘54, before he settled into a twelve year stint with the Whips Moaners Club. A short stop
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With a career spanning four decades, Hank Kemp, Jr has played with such great players as Dan Dumas, Terrell Jackson, and Streetwater Clifton. He started playing 16” softball in 1949 and quickly moved to play with the Van-Dyces, Kuppenheimer Globe Trotters, and as Kemp states, one of the best teams of all times – the
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Ken Kamradt, a five time All-American at the National Tournament level, and twenty year veteran of the softball wars, epitomizes excellence in 16” softball. As a shortstop with the ERV Strikers, Kamradt helped them win the 1974 ASA National Championship and the 1975 World Series of Softball at Soldier Field. In 1976 he switched to
A veteran of over 2,500 games, with a batting average near 700, Bob Hobson hit over 1,200 home runs in his distinguished career. Hobson began big time softball with the Spartans, playing with the likes of Jerry Witrey, Jerry Dowling and Jim Madden. They won 10 championships and twelve tournaments on the Southeast side. Hobson
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A veteran of the Korean War where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with three Battle Stars, the U.N. Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Republic of Korea Unit Presidential Citation, Clyde Stary returned to the States to take part in the softball wars of Chicago. During these softball wars, Starry, an
Jerry Schmitt was a standout at Leo High School (1958) in track and in basketball where he was named Catholic League All Star in 1957 and 1958. He also played baseball with Elks Lodge 1596 in the Connie Mack League because Leo did not have a baseball team. Softball became a lifestyle for Jerry for
