John Abbatacola began his softball career at 17 and continued playing until he was 40 with Malzie’s and later with Cherry Lounge, a team managed by Moose Camillo. During his 23 years in the game, Abbatacola’s teams recorded many championships – Garfield Park champions eight times, LaFollette Park champions six times, and they even beat the legendary Bobcats for the Chicago and Kedzie championship. A line drive hitting short center, Abbatacola remembers winning some dramatic money games between Camillo’s Cherry Lounge and Zolna’s Bobcats. John Abbatacola owned Mario’s Restaurant for thirty years. He is the father of four boys. He and his wife, Wendy, live in La Grange Park, Illinois.
