Vada Primous grew up on the South Side of Chicago at 59th and Prairie and 73rd and South Shore. He attended Senn High School on the North Side of Chicago where he played football and baseball. He was named Most Athletic his senior year. After high school, he attended Triton Junior College, leaving after one year to work to support his family.
In the early 1980s, he began his sixteen-inch softball career at Rainbow Beach, which was on Chicago’s South Side. With raw talent and keen interest in the game, he was asked to join Deathwish in 1986, coached by Carey Goins. During his time with the team, Deathwish won two Blue Island Class “A” championships. In 1993, they finished third in the USSSA State Tournament and took sixth in the USSSA “A” Nationals. Vada earned All-Tournament honors. He then played with other highly competitive teams across the city.
While a member of the Flamingos in the 75th and Jeffery League, they won two league titles. He was named league MVP in 1990 for his outstanding play and sportsmanship. He was named to the USSSA State Title First Team in 1990 and 1998. The Flamingoes placed fourth at a tournament in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Vada received First Team honors.
Vada played with California Gold in the pro league at Forest Park and won a Garfield Park title. He played with the Untouchables in the Forest Park / Hodgkins Pro League. He was considered a top player in the league and helped the team win a Garfield Park title in 1998. He led the team in home runs, RBIs and batting average. That year they finished in the top six in Cedar Rapids and Vada received All-Tournament honors.
He then played for the co-ed team Sloan and helped them win the Broadview League title in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008. He led the league in home runs and RBIs in three of those years. Defensively, he played all infield positions.
His commitment to softball lasted many years and through all those year he respected his teammates and opponents, whether his team won or lost. He thanks his wife, Renea, and their three sons, Jerome, Tyrone, and Daniel for being his biggest fans.
Vada and his family live in Lynwood, Illinois. He is currently a deputy with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.