Tim Decker started his softball career in 1967 playing in local leagues around the Bensenville, Wood Dale, and Franklin Park areas with his high school buddies and his brothers, Gary and Bob. When they moved out of state in the mid ‘70s, Tim made the move to some more notable teams beginning with the Pacers and the Lords and then moving to Otto’s, Giraffe, and the Stray Cats. He was fortunate enough during these years to play with such great players of that era as Mike Tallo, Rich Urbanski, the Kellys, the Kellehers, Eggs Czarnik, Ron Zieman, Paul Brezinski and many others. In 1983, after capturing a second place finish at the Major Nationals with the Stray Cats and the Forest Park championship with Otto’s, Tim’s softball career came to a temporary halt because of back problems. He “retired” in 1984 by playing in only forty or fifty games. His retirement was short – lived, however, and a second career was launched when he received a call from Terry Moran and Dick Cooper asking him to play for Meadows. He helped Meadows to a second place finish at the Major Nationals and the championship of the classic league before moving on to play with Magic, the 45s, Splinters and March Manufacturing. During his five decades of play, Tim was selected to all – star teams at numerous North Side parks and to several 1st and 2nd ASA All – American teams; he was voted to the Mt. Prospect Classic League First Team by his peers, and was the recipient of the Terry Moran Sportsmanship Award. Tom and his wife, Grace, live in Elk Grove Village and have three children, Aubrey, Jessica, and Jennifer. He works in the food industry.
