Although Al MacFarlane was born in Eugene, Oregon, Chicago softball and sports in general benefitted when his family moved east and settled on Chicago’s northwest side. He attended Taft High School from 1957 to 1961, where he played baseball, football and ran track. As a quarterback, halfback and defensive back football proved to be his dominant sport. He was a key member of the 1960 City Championship team, was selected All-City and State in 1958, ’59 and ’60, was picked as the Sun Times Player of the Year in 1960, and was named All-American the same year. After high school, Al went south to the University of Louisville from 1963 to 1965. Once again he assumed a key role as a halfback, defensive back, punter and kick returner. These efforts earned him 1st Team Missouri Valley All Conference honors in 1965. In addition to these honors, Al was also named Back-of-the-Week three times in the Missouri Valley All Conference. In 1966 he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and spent the remainder of that year on the reserve team of the Chicago Bears. When his football career was over, Al MacFarlane made the plunge into the restaurant business in 1968. He is the present owner of the Spinters Sports Club, and has been sponsoring 16″ softball for 30 years. Al cites two strong memories of his softball career; winning three National titles and being associated with many new friends and tremendous athletes, who are unique talents and true ambassadors of the game.
