A graduate of Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, Bill Finnegan played basketball and baseball, earning all-conference honors in baseball his senior year. He began his softball career in 1978 with the Magicians, a Park Ridge team made up of a group of young high school friends. During the summer of 1980, after …
Chicago resident Mike Flynn’s softball career began back at Sherman Park at 55th and Racine. Flynn went on to play with some of the best teams in Chicago, including the Gage Park Bulls, the Scramblers, the 49er’s, Vis-men, The Big Banjo Bruins, Silver Streaks, Strikers, and Touch. Most of his career, though, was spent with …
After graduating from Richards High School in 1973 (where he was an All-Area basketball player), Ken Flaws started his softball career with Scotch Mist, a team sponsored by a local tavern. Ken’s career really took off in 1975 when Ed Zolna saw him play in Dolton, and recruited him to play with the Bobcats. A …
Wally Filkins began his 16” softball career in the playgrounds of his Burnside neighborhood. In 1975 he entered the “big leagues” when he joined the Eastsiders where he was to play until 1978. In 1978 he joined Mr. Lucky’s, where he teamed up with fellow Hall of Famer, Larry Kelly. Together they formed one of …
Jim Fuller started a 43 year softball career in 1959 that would bring him successes that few players ever dream of: he would play with some of the most notable teams of his era, including the Dwarfs, Lyons 45s, and American Rivet, he would be a part of teams that would win numerous league championships, …
Softball critics from the 60’s and 70’s claim that Willie Frencl, a clutch left-handed hitter and pitcher, was considered by to be the toughest single out from the left hand side of the plate during his era. His baseball and softball career began after graduating from Reavis High School in 1957 where he was selected …
Beginning his baseball career at Austin High School from 1952-1953, Ken Furlanetto went on the play softball for the Trojans and Interstate in the early 1950s and for the Cherry Lounge in the 60s and 70s with Moose Camillo as manager. He played all over the Chicagoland area at Kell’s Park, Kedzie and Chicago and …
A 1943 graduate of St. Rita High School, Emil Flerick played 10″, 12″, and 16″ softball in the Herald – American Tournaments in the late 1930 and early ’40s. Like many men of his era, he entered the Navy but played basketball and softball during his years of service. He was discharged in 1946 and …
A veteran of many “softball wars” during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Bobby Fallon began his career playing left field for teams as Jack’s Men’s Wear, Slow Freighters, Nudo’s Dugout, and Bondies. He switched to the other side of home plate in 1949 when he began umpiring for the Jim Allen Group. Robert Fallon probably …
This sports writer for the Chicago Herald American had a vision that the sport of softball was going to be important to people of all ages if promoted. His local tournament organizing efforts in the 30s eventually developed into the City Championship and the finals were held at Wrigley Field. Backed by William Randolph Hearst, …
