Frank Mioni began playing 16-inch softball in the 1970s when he and some friends got a team together for something to do during the summer. Little did he know then how softball would allow him to make friends, establish connections, and open important doors in his life. In fact, he met his wife, Kim, while …
Gary Thorsen’s love for baseball began in back yards and school grounds when he was just eight years old. He moved on to play neighborhood pick-up games and was named a high school All- American. His move to 16-inch softball began in 1970 when he met up with Fritz Zimmerman of March Manufacturing. Besides March, …
From 1969 to 1974 Pat Caputo played softball with neighborhoods teams. In 1975 he started a 12-year partnership with the Pirates and also played with the Stompers (‘80 –‘85), the Lords (‘82 –‘84), and with the Stooges (‘88 –‘90). These teams won tournaments at Westchester, Broadview, LaGrange and many other Western and Northern suburban leagues. …
Ken Butzen began playing softball in 1978 after graduating from Forest View High School. He played baseball there four years and also played four years at Western Illinois University. After a couple of years playing with local teams, Frank Holan invited him to play with the Taggers, a team that featured a lot of guys …
Michael Coleman was eighteen when his father asked him to practice with his tavern team, Boss Larry’s Hustlers. It was during this run that Michael began to hone his softball skills and to prepare himself for his movement into softball’s “major” leagues. The Hustlers played money games against other lounges on the weekends and played …
Don Magnuson grew up on the Northside of Chicago and attended Amundsen High School where he excelled in athletics. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 before returning to Chicago to continue his softball career. He played for the Ravenswood Merchants and Cheri-Ami Lounge at Winnemac Park, helping lead them to several championships. …
Ben Reilly’s softball career began in 1948 when he was invited to join the Westfield Legion Post team for games at Murray Playground at 73rd and Wood Streets. He played mostly outfield positions but also spent some time playing infield. As a left-handed hitter who threw with his right-hand, he remembers many great moments of …
Jerry started playing softball in the seventh grade with Leo Priebe’s after school program. After transferring to St. Benedict’s in the eighth grade, he continued playing softball in school leagues around the North side of Chicago. He graduated form St. Gregory’s (where he played basketball and baseball) and joined the Flying Circus, a team comprised …
After a record-breaking baseball career at Illinois State University and two professional seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Frank Mustari focused his talents on 16-inch softball when he joined his neighborhood friends on Custom Tape. His talents were quickly noticed and Ken Cooper added him to the Cooper’s Sporting Goods roster. With Frank at shortstop, …
One of the top leadoff hitters of his era, Pat Heraty was known for his precision hitting, a skill that frustrated infielders and outfielders alike. He started his career in 1975 playing for Dino Franch on the Franch & Sons Trucking Team. In 1981 he joined fellow College of DuPage baseball teammate Bob Fogarty’s Magic …
