Harry Hannin was the main organizer and president of the Windy City Softball and Basketball Leagues from 1934 to 1949. His 1925 team, the Hannin Did Its, won fifty-five games in a row. These victories inspired the rush to play sixteen-inch softball. Hannin coached legendary DePaul Coach Ray Meyer. Twenty-six future major leaguers, including Lou …
Christine Hurrins began her softball career in 1969 when she organized the Flaming Stars. In the mid-70’s she then went on to play with the Lady Sluggers and the Lady B C Handlers championship teams, receiving MVP honors. From 1979 to 1983 she was a member of the First Chicago Corporation’s Industrial and Inter-Bank championship …
Denise Hancock was one of those rare softball players who showed extraordinary talent from her first day on the diamond. Bev Dagenais, who would become Hancock’s coach, mentor, and lifelong friend, spotted her playing catch with a neighborhood friend when Hancock was just thirteen. Dagenais asked her if she wanted to play softball and the …
Ken Hairston played softball for twenty-seven years and competed in ‘Major’ softball for fifteen of them. During that time he played for the Wild Bunch, Villains, Flashes, the B Athletes, California Gold and Solutions in the most competitive parks in Chicago and the suburbs. As a shortstop and short center, he had a career batting …
One of the top leadoff hitters of his era, Pat Heraty was known for his precision hitting, a skill that frustrated infielders and outfielders alike. He started his career in 1975 playing for Dino Franch on the Franch & Sons Trucking Team. In 1981 he joined fellow College of DuPage baseball teammate Bob Fogarty’s Magic …
Odell Humphrey was an exceptional athlete who was also blessed with a gift that made him one of 16″ softball’s great first baseman; big soft hands. Odell started playing basketball in his native South with Dallas Cowboy great Ed “Too Tall” Jones. After high school, Odell moved to Chicago and started playing 16″ softball in …
The year that “Sweet Billy” Holford began his 16″ career in 1972 with the Strikers and the Kelleher brothers at Foster Park, they entered the Kelly Park league, where they were routinely beaten by most of the teams. With determination and pride however, they returned in 1973 and won a few more games. 1974 proved …
Ben Holt is recognized by softball experts as one of the greatest power hitters of all time. A 347 foot homerun at Clarendon Park, and another, hit during the Hamms Homerun Hitting Contest at Comiskey Park, that eventually landed in the upper deck, are just two examples of his legendary hitting power. Holt originally played …
A veteran of over 2,500 games, with a batting average near 700, Bob Hobson hit over 1,200 home runs in his distinguished career. Hobson began big time softball with the Spartans, playing with the likes of Jerry Witrey, Jerry Dowling and Jim Madden. They won 10 championships and twelve tournaments on the Southeast side. Hobson …
Like thousands of others before him, John Hornacek began his 16″ softball career at the age of 17 in the parks of Chicago. However, unlike most of those thousands, John went on to become one of the top first basement with one of the legendary teams in softball – the Sobies. John began his playing …
