Jim Acanfora was born and raised on Chicago’s West side where he attended Quigley North High School, graduating in 1966. He lettered in baseball, basketball, football, track, and wresting and was also involved in choir and debate. He then went on to Loyola University and in 1971 earned his degree in Public Accounting (CPA) with
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In his notes to his biography, Bob Ancona says this about 16-inch softball “The greatest thing is that this is a Chicago game. Anyone who grew up in Chicago has played the game. It’s a great game whether it’s played at a picnic, recreational park district league or at the highly competitive national championship level.”
Frank Afable earned his induction with George Morse at Clarendon Park. Frank started his softball – facilities management career at the ripe old age of fourteen when he started keeping score at third base and- center field at Clarendon Park. In 1972 he was promoted to Park Supervisor, a position he held from 1972 to1982.
Angelo Alesia has played softball for thirty-one years and counting. He started playing softball in 1980 with a team of friends and relatives in Addison, the town he grew up in. He attended Glenbard North High School and played basketball and tennis. He then attended Triton College where he also played tennis. During his softball
Dave Arnoux began his softball career on the northwest side, playing second base for the Spartans at Winnemac Park. He soon switched from second base to shortstop, where he remained until a stint in the Army interrupted his career. He continued to hone his skills while in the Army, playing first base for the 5th
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
Born in 1930, “Cy” started playing softball at Taylor and Racine and at Sheridan Park. He began his softball career in 1944 with the Kings, a neighborhood team. He was rookie of the year in the 1948 Windy City League with the Happy Hour Yankees. He played on the Midland Motors 1949 and Kool Vent
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