Growing up on the Southside of Chicago, Victor Kostecki developed the skills that would ultimately lead to his playing 16″ softball during the Golden Years of softball with one of the premier teams in the game. He graduated from St. Rita High School in 1948 where he lettered in football. He played one year of college football before he was drafted into the Army and was eventually sent to Korea. Upon his return, he played for Ford Aircraft in the Industrial Leagues and then joined Frank Holan’s Rocky Stars. After the Rocky Stars, he played at Chicago and Kedzie, with the Treiners. From Treniers, Vic and teammate Clyde Starry went on to a long and fruitful career with Ed Zolna’s Bobcats. From 1956 to 1973, Kostecki played center field for the Bobcats. A left handed hitter, Vic was never known as a long ball hitter. His job was to “set the table” for the big hitters that came after him. Besides the Bobcats, Kostecki also played with the Chicago Fire Department. He considers playing with some of the legendary Bobcats players, at some of the top Chicago softball parks to be one of the great honors of his life. He also honors his opponents who inspired all players to play their hardest. A retired Chicago firefighter, Victor Kostecki and his wife, Jeanette, now live in Payson, Arizona.
