The start of Tom’s 40 plus years of playing, managing
and organizing 16” softball in Chicago began in
1975 when he went to watch his older brothers play a
softball game in the Mount Greenwood Park League.
The team was short players and Tom was asked to play.
The rest, as they say, is history. Known mostly as TR’s
Master Batters, Tom be-came a Player / Coach in the
early 1980’s. He also ran the DON Ho’s softball team
in the Brother Rice Alumni League from 1979-1986.
Over the years, Tom also played for many teams. With
the Caribou from 1988-1992, he won championships
at Mount Greenwood Park, Kennedy Park and qualified
for the ASA Major Nationals in 1988 and 1989. With
the Posse from 1993 – 2005, he won Graver Park
League (1993-94-96-98-99), Mt Greenwood 2000,
and Kennedy Park 2003 and 2005.
After joining the Chicago Fire Department in 1990,
Tom was selected to the CFD All Stars for the 3 years
they ran a team. He also joined a traveling firemen
team and played across the midwest winning several
tournaments and being named MVP twice. He also ran
that team from 1995-2000.
After being hurt on the job and suffering burn injuries,
Tom learned of an organization that provides a free
camp experience for young burn victims. He quickly
recognized the healing opportunities this camp of-fered
and decided to volunteer. Tom became involved in
fundraising for “Camp I Am Me” and quickly realized
that he could use his softball experience as a player and
manager to help. In 2001, 20 men’s,12 women’s and
4 Co-ed teams participated in the initial 16” softball
tour-nament. Eighteen years later, Tom still runs this
popular annual tour-nament. Through the tournament
and other efforts, Tom is proud to have raised over
$2,000,000,000 for Camp I Am Me.
Tom resides on the Southside with his wife Jen and five
children: Da-vid, Mike, Madison, Tegan and Megan