Rollo Kuebler’s love of softball began early when he was in grade school at Audubon School on Chicago’s Northside. He started playing fast-pitch with teams during the late 1930s, but switched to playing sixteen-inch ball with Witt’s Audubon’s, a group of neighborhood kids playing at Welles Park. They won numerous championships during the early ‘40s. He was a top defensive player at third base and left field who consistently hit over .500. In November of 1945 he entered the Army and served until May, 1947. Once he was discharged, he joined Hub Vagabonds, a team made-up of older players from the Damen and Addison neighborhood. They played in many profitable money games throughout Chicago. He then joined Martin Jewelers and Spalter Finance at Northtown Stadium where they competed in many wonderful seasons. After leaving these teams, he played with the legendary Alderman Hoellen’s at Welles and Waveland Parks. He also played club softball with North Center A.C. and with the Alderman Charlie Fleck All Stars at Hamlin Park during the 1950s, where they won numerous championships and Rollo batted over .500. He later played with a team comprised of bowlers from Arlington Lanes. He helped them to win the championship at Arlington Heights Park District. He finished has career with his son’s team. After suffering through a losing season, shifted player positions and the next year won numerous titles, including one at Mt. Prospect. During his many years playing softball, Rollo played with some of the games great players, including Tony Reibel, Don Dulbis, Joe Neuman, Bob and Joe Campbell, Joe Hutmacher, and Bud Gehrke. Rollo played basketball at Lakeview High School from 1941 to 1945. He then played at Loyola from 1947 to 1951. In 1949 Loyola (with Hall of Famers Joe Hutmacher and Eddie Earle) were runners-up in the N.I.T. Tournament, losing to San Francisco 49-48. Rollo worked in the metal industry as a salesman who supplied metal to stampers and spring makers. He and his wife, Golden, live in Arlington Heights, IL. They have three children and nine grandchildren.
