Joe’s 16-inch softball journey began in 1977 when he started playing with Mike’s PVI at Memorial Park in Calumet City and Lansing Floral at Schultz Park in Lansing. He had marvelous career playing for Mac’s Shack, and major teams including SPATS, Condor J’s, Cougars, Coopers, Jynx and Sports Station. The Cougars were loaded with exceptional talent and enjoyed tremendous success, winning 13 of 15 Major tournaments and establishing themselves as one of the premier teams of the era. In 1985, the Cougars continued their success at the ASA Nationals in Marshalltown, Iowa. After a stint with Coopers in Mt. Prospect, he returned to the South Side and reunited with former teammates to play for Sports Station in 1987 and won nearly every major tournament entered and went undefeated and captured the ASA Major National Championship. From 1984 through 1987, he was a member of teams that finished among the Top 3 at the ASA Major Nationals every year. He batted in the heart of the lineup, and over the years he played outfield, third and pitched until retiring in the late 90s.
