Blue Island’s Centennial Park was dedicated in the 1930s by the Park District. In 1939 the Citry of Blue Island opened a new ballpark at 123rd and Western in front of three thousand spectators. In 1963 the Blue Island Park District purchased the ballpark and renamed the stadium Hart Park after Mayor John M. Hart. …
Roger Babilla has been involved in sixteen-inch softball for thirty-six years as a player, coach, and sponsor. He grew up in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. Like many Chicagoans before him, he played softball first in the street and then moved to a more organized level at many parks, including Lincoln, Hamlin, Horner, River, …
The B’ Athletes softball team was formed in the Fall of 1992 as an alternative to the negative influences experienced in the neighborhoods where the players lived. The team was comprised of baseball, basketball, football, and track stars from high school and college. For many years, the team played in parks on the South and …
Since starting his softball career at Armour Park in Chicago, Mick Balestri has been one of softball’s top players, managers, and tournament organizers for the past twenty years. Mick Balestri started his playing days at short stop and center field, but switched to pitcher in the late 70s, a position he would master during the …
During the late 60’s and early 70’s, many softball experts considered Bob Bernstein to be one of the best all around third basemen in the city. He was a star, leader and anchor for the great Shooter teams of that era. Not only did Bob hit for average (.550 to .600 each year), but …
The Buffalo Grove Bruins were the first northwest suburban powerhouse and enjoyed great success from 1969 thru 1974. The Bruins won two Illinois State Championships, 1973 and 1974. They were runner-up in 1971 and 1979. The Bruins won two Chicago ASA Metro titles in 1972 and 73. The Bruins played in 2 ASA National tournaments …
If you played big time softball during the 1980s, odds are you played the Takers at various times during your season. And win or lose, you probably gained a deep respect for the type of softball they played. Like the Stooges and Taggers and a dozen other teams that were competitive but not always championship …
The Bobcats are considered one of if not the best team in 16 Inch softball history. A mixture of power, great hitters and defense. Widely known in softball lore, their era was from 1951 to 1980. Led by Hall of Fame pitcher Ed Zolna they won more events than we have room for…but the key …
Howard Boy has been a member of the board of commissioners of the Forest Park Park District for twenty-eight years. During that time he has been a major force in making the park district one of the top recreational facilities in the Chicago area. But perhaps the greatest moments of excitement came because of where …
John started playing softball in 1960 at the age of eight at the Neighborhood Boys Club (NBC) on Chicagos North side. It was at the NBC that John fell in love with the game of 16” softball. His love of the sport continued through high school at St. Benedict’s and in college at DePaul University. …
