Bob is a pioneer of 16 Inch No Glove Softball, playing in eight decades. Bob began playing softball in gravel lots, playing line ball in the late 1940s. Bob played on numerous teams during his career, including JJ Crispo, Bakers, and the early Sobies to name a few. And played with the likes of Bill …
Edward “Juice” Douglas started his 4-decade career at 13 with his family team the Gypsy Stars in Englewood. He was an excellent athlete at Englewood High. After their break up he joined the Wild Bunch. He was the MVP of the Black World Series held at Comiskey Park witnessed by Mayor Washington. He went on …
The Dennis Donnelly Memorial 16-Inch Softball Tournament began in 1972 and has been held annually on Memorial Weekend since then. Dennis “Denny” Donnelly was a Superintendent with Yuma Parks & Recreation. Denny started his work in Yuma in 1975, a few years after the creation of what has become an annual event, but was instrumental …
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The Ducks were created in the early 70’s by teacher and varsity baseball coach Skip Borkowski as a local Oak Lawn area team. Many of the original players were either Oak Lawn Community HS graduates or teachers. The Ducks won over 75% of their games over the years, but win or lose, could always be …
“Timmy” grew up in Beverly / St Cajetan Parish, and like many city kids at the time, fell in love with 16-inch softball. From the early 1970’s through 2000, Tim was the face of 16-inch softball at Kennedy Park. He built a reputation as a pitcher who would pull out all the stops to build …
In 1961, Jim Donato started playing 16” softball with the Emil Colts in Melrose Park for 2 years before being called to serve his country. After returning from 2 years in the Army and Vietnam, he played Outfield and Pitcher with The Relatives, Merchants, Sportmens Lounge, Nocturms, Originals, Bruins and Olympians for 10 years in …
At the age of 10, a broken arm prevented Chicago born Ed Durica from playing baseball, setting in motion a new passion. He began to hang around nearby Harrison and Dvorak Parks watching softball, eventually taken in by the Gaffers men’s team, given a jersey and becoming their Batboy for two years. By the age …
Wally Dziewinski grew up in Brighton Park where he played 16” soft-ball with the Southwest Stags Social Athletic Club and Southwest Side out of Chicago. After an injury, he became manager of Jackson Mov-ers, later known as Bat N’ Brew. Bat N’ Brew won 11 championships in the BMSA and La Grange Park Leagues, before …
What became a lifetime passion, began as a fun pastime playing with family and friends. After wrapping up successful Varsity Baseball and Football careers at Leyden Township High School, Joe developed a serious interest in 16” Softball in the mid-1980s. To this day, he treas- ures his early Schiller Park “Shot” and Brooks Park “Shooters” …
Tom Duff started playing 16-inch softball in 1975 in the Oak Park leagues with Clockwork, a team he formed. Duff also coached and/or organized most of the teams he played on, including his Leo Burnett and Optimus teams that won many Ad League Championships at Grant Park. These teams included longtime Clockwork teammate and HOF …
