Nick Camillo began his softball career in 1937 at the age of twelve. His teammates elected him player/manager of the Imps, a team organized from St Thomas and Spencer Schools. Camillo continued in this capacity until his retirement from 16” softball in 1970, a career that spanned 33 years. Throughout this span Camillo played for teams sponsored by Malizzia’s Lounge, Phil’s Lounge, and the Cherry Lounge. His teams won numerous championships at LaFollette and Garfield Parks and Kells Field. Nick grew up on Chicago’s West Side in the Austin area. He attended Austin High School where he lettered in football for four years. Nick graduated in 1943 and was immediately drafted in the Army where he served with the First Infantry Division (The Big Red One) in Germany and other areas. Camillo was honored with two Purp1e Hearts when he was twice wounded in battle. When he returned from fighting in WorldWar II, Camillo began to do battle on the pitaching mounds of Chicago. He remembers one of the greatest pitchers, James “Sheik” DiNardi and other notables from that era, and pitching before the “drag” step was instituted, but his was the time of battles with Zolna and Reibel. Camillo’s team regularly won championships at Kells’ Field before the appearance of the Sobies. After that they played in some classic matches. Nick also remembers a particularly satisfying win ovet the Bobcats in a big pot game in Melrose Park. Nick also believes that someone at Clarendon and Chicago- Kedzie Parks must have put the softballs in freezers in order to deaden them. Nick’s interest in playing ball did not end with his retirement. Starting in 1072 and continuing for several years, he coached the little League teams at St.Juliana’s and Edison Park, leading them to many championships. .Camillo has been married for 42 years to June. They have four children and one granddaughter. They reside on the Northwest side of Chicago where Nick enjoys plenty of leisure time since his retirement from the City of Chicago Revenue Department.
