The Lushes are one of the well-known women’s 16” softball team on the northwest side. The Lushes began playing in 1990 and dominated in the late 1990’s throughout the 2000’s. They had repeat championship years at Riis Park, Franklin Park, Shabbona Park, Oriole Park fall ball, Norridge Park and Melas Park. They began playing at Chopin Park under Michael (Mushroom) McFall and were sponsored by EB Deppens. They were first known as the Mush’s Lushes. Our first rivals were the Shady Ladies of Chopin Park. From there the Lushes went on to play any league they could find on the northwest side. After Mushroom stopped managing the team, the team was managed by Kelly Russ and then Erin Stanton. The Lushes slogan was win or lose we booze. The Lushes had some big-name sponsors such as Mike North & the Score Radio and the Joseph Mularkey distributors. Their tournament wins include Grant Park Sno-ball, St. Jude’s and the Y-me (where we were combined with Chaos) The core group of Lushes are still to this day best friends.
