Inductees

BILL “CAV“ CAVANAUGH

“Cav” began playing 16-inch softball in the mid 50’s when he was 7 years old in the alleys of Chicago at 71st & Racine. Like most kids, he progressed to playing on the street corners at 72nd & Ada using the 4 cornered manhole covers as bases. They played from early morning to late at …

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TIM WALKER

It did not take long for Tim to fall in love with the game when he started playing 16-inch softball in the Marshalltown, Iowa area with many of his high school friends. He played his first major National Tournament in 1987 with the Des Moines Merchants in Mt. Prospect. In order to compete at a …

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NICHOLAS MARCHESE

Nick was a champion, he was one of the most outstanding outfielders of his era with speed and cannon arm. He played every outfield position for some the top teams in his career including the Laborers 714, Blues, Lettuce, Hollywood Casino, Dollhouse, Red Dog, Licorice, Flash, Miller 45s, Woodpeckers, Hangers, Helots, Gamblers, Ice, Maxime and …

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KIMBERLEY MIONI

Growing up on a block full of boys on the north side of Cicero, Kim played baseball and softball in a corner yard, learning quickly to hit the ball straight up the middle to avoid breaking windows. This skill was handy in her career as she was able to control where she hit the ball …

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KATHY APOSTOLOVICH

Kathy started playing 16-inch softball in the summer of 1984 in Bellwood / Hillside, Illinois with high school friends on the Jynx team. After moving to Berwyn, she played with the Tappers, Banshees and Phillies, which helped her sharpen her skills. Eventually, she helped organize and play on Break-A-Ways, which became one of the top …

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ROY COTTERMAN

Roy started his career at 16 years old with John Aggens Alsterda Construction team in Oak Lawn. They won the title in his 1st year as starting left fielder. In 1970-72, they played in Mt Greenwood with several Major teams and players in Metros every year. But 1974 was a breakout year. In the 4th …

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Antone Thrash

Better known as “Hero” or “Thrash,” #21 Antone Thrash excelled in 16” Softball for two decades. Small in stature, he played the game with sheer heart, leadership and determination, and all out hustle, grit and desire that few could match. Starting as an outfielder with Jack’s Family / Dunbar Park, he moved into the infield …

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Kennedy Park

Kennedy Park was originally created by the Calumet Park District, one of 22 independent park commissions that were eventually consolidated into the Chicago Park District. The park was named for Dennis J. Kennedy, a member of the Calumet Park District Commission who served from 1910 to his death in 1932. The Chicago Park District took …

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Steel Gold

Andrew (Bay Bay) Patterson was looking for a deterrent for the young men living in the Rockwell Gardens Housing community. In 1984, he decided to build a 16inch softball team. In collaboration with existing teams, 340 Invaders and Altgeld Invaders, created a team called California Gold. California Gold played competitively throughout the local park district …

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Bandits

The Bandits were formed in 1976 in Washington Park with players from the Citywide Post Office League. They played in the More Softball League, sponsored by Budweiser Beer, which had 26 teams participating. In their first year they played for the championship, and the following season were undefeated in 22 games to win the championship. …

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