Many softball historians will tell you that Lewa Yacilla was one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He was the pitcher you wanted on the mound in money games. Lewa started playing softball in the Granada League at Polk and Halsted. He played for the city champ Adducci’s and many others. He was best known for being on eight Windy City League championship teams and five runners-up teams, including Fewer Boilers, Kool Vent Awnings and the Witt Hanley Yankees. He pitched the only no-hitter in the history of the Windy City League for Salerno in 1939. He is credited with over 3.000 wins. Lewa, who earned the nickname “Mr. Softball,” was also a Gompers Park director who fiercely promoted the sport he loved. He was also a community leader who helped physically challenged children. Lewa was inducted in the 1963 Chicago American Softball Hall of Fame and the Italian- American Sports Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife Marge and three children. He is since deceased.
