Francisco is one of the most culture and community driven people in our sport’s history. He grew up in Chicago’s Little Village and started playing in Piotrowski Park in 1992, where he found a sense of belonging and camaraderie. In 1992, he joined Cook County Juvenile Probation, dedicating over 31 years to helping young people navigate challenging circumstances, including coaching a youth and adult team in New Life Center’s Playing for Peace 16-inch softball league. Similar involvement continued in other neighborhoods. In 1997, he co-founded the Creators Softball team with Josh Sias and began competing in LaGrange Park, winning 10 league championships. From 2009 to 2024 he played and coached on a variety of teams. In 2017, he joined the SSA board and helped establish the SSA Class B National Championship series, aiming to provide opportunities for emerging teams eager to experience the joy of competitive softball. The inaugural tournament in 2017 welcomed 29 teams. Through our collective love for 16-inch softball, he has helped build a tapestry of community, demonstrating that we can heal the world and strive for a better future, one game at a time.
