The Rebels emerged as one of the most competitive women’s teams of the late 1970s and early ’80s, playing in park district leagues as well as countless tournaments on Chicago’s North and South Sides. One of the most memorable moments in team history occurred in the Women’s National Softball Tournament in 1977. When the tournament began, Manager Ron Hill and Coach Stan Powenski knew they were at the helm of a team comprised of young, talented and athletic rookies and a few seasoned veterans. After losing their first game, the Rebels fought their way up through the loser’s brackets to take on the mighty Rose N Crown. They used a powerful offense and skillful defense to beat them twice to capture the national championship. This championship served as a springboard for many of the players who went on to become some of the best 16″ inch softball players of their day.
