A staple in the game, Colleen grew up on the Southwest side. She attended Grimes Elementary School and graduated from Lourdes High School. She began playing softball at 7 years of age in the Clearing neighborhood. At the age of 17, she began coaching. She formed a neighborhood team of close friends in the Lawler […]
In 1976, John “Muggs” Mirabelli, a veteran softball player, decided to start a softball team to introduce his brothers, Gar and Todd, to the game. They started out as Little Ray’s Bar, playing in leagues at Cal, Wolfe, and Bessemer Parks. After some success in 1976, Mirabelli brought in new players, expanded his goals, and
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Bob Eskew started playing 16-inch softball for the Calumet City Park District while in high school. After graduating, he went into the Army. Once he returned to civilian life, he enrolled at Chicago State University and quickly became friends with many of the members of the women’s softball team. After graduation, they asked him to
“Special thanks to my two greatest fans , Mom and Dad (Doris and Bob Ellerby).” Mike Ellerby started his softball career at 17 playing with his uncle, Joe Legner, and his Babe Ruth baseball coach, Fred Ballatine. After playing first base and making the league’s all-star team, Mike headed west to Carol Stream to play
Ed Earle started his softball career in 1949, playing shortstop for the Chi-Kings in the Father Jerry League where they won the league three years in a row. They also were champions in the Rockola Stadium League and the Chicago Herald-American Tournament. Ed later switched teams and played for Spalter Finance where they won the
Softball in Chicago owes much to Jim Edgeworth who worked for many years with gusto and with characteristic good humor to promote it, especially in the industrial leagues. Jim grew up in Beverly at 91st and Pleasant Avenue. He attended St. Margaret of Scotland Grammar School and Mount Carmel High School in 1922. Sports were
