Robbie is the Richard J. Daley Award winner for his superb support of our sport and community behind the scenes. His comments follow. I began playing softball at the age of 18 at Dunbar Park, joining a team called the Cobras. Over the next 35 years, I had the privilege of playing with several talented […]
At 6’4” and 250 pounds, Willie “Chip” Holmes was known throughout Chicago’s softball community as a gentle giant, admired not just for his imposing presence but for his extraordinary talent and humble spirit. His love for softball took root in the late 1960s in the Robert Taylor Homes projects, one of the city’s most storied
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Bob is the sole reason women’s softball has not died on the Northwest side of Chicago. After three decades, he continues to organize leagues, find parks to host them, and ensure the games have quality umpires. He has personally been involved in every women’s league on the northwest side over the past two decades. He continues to run
Kirk “Cracky” Huehn’s name has become synonymous with excellence, resilience, and longevity in the world of 16-inch softball. A fierce competitor and beloved teammate, Kirk’s career as a pitcher spans nearly four decades beginning in 1986 and continuing strong into 2025 with the the National Champs Chucks. Over the years, Kirk has built an extraordinary
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50 years ago Phil Coronado the organizer of the first Harrison Park Tournament would not have guessed it would last 5 decades, the park would boast turf fields, and the park being the epicenter of the growth of the 16 inch game for Latino community. In the Pilsen neighborhood is Harrison Park consisting of all
Mark will go down as one best power hitters in 16 inch softball history. He started his career in 1997 at Bulger Park with friends. The next 2 years playing with the Penguins and Flash and then 3 years with the Bats. In 2002 he played for the 45s until 2009 and then he played
Spring early 1980’s…Russell Grande gets together a group of his High School buddies from Steinmetz to play 16” Softball, a Chicago specialty, this is when the High Lites began. The inspiration to play came when Russell and Geno Grande as teenagers would hangout at their brother-in laws games in the dugout and around the field
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Sylvester “Sly” Hoey started playing with The Family in 1989. He was considered one of best defensive 2nd baseman in the game. He was also an outstanding clutch hitter and base runner. That combination landed him 7 MVP’s and 8 All-American awards in different leagues and tournaments over his 26-year career. He played for excellent
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Rich is the perfect example of a Holan Award winner due to his passion for the game as a player, organizer, manager, umpire, sponsor, HOF committee member, and ambassador of the sport since 1977. He even was one of the painters on Wally Filkins’s crew that painted the interior of the HOF Museum. He has
In the spring of 1982, Joe Umana Jr., the son of the late Joseph I. Umana (2004 HOF) organized a 16” softball team consisting of his wife Rose and a group of her Forest View High School and work friends. Being a longtime resident of the Mt. Prospect Park District, they joined the Mt. Prospect
