Rich Catezone

   

Holmes “Daddy O” Daylie

He started out starring on the basketball team at Morgan Park High School and briefly enjoyed a short career with the Harlem Globetrotters, but to many Chicagoans he was known as one of the top radio personalities in the city.  He was well known and loved for the great jazz music he played on his radio show and for the rhythmic monologues he used to describe the music. Holmes "Daddy - O" Daylie was also known as a major figure in Chicago 16" softball with his Southside Cocktail League from 1962 to 1967.  He played in the league until he broke his leg sliding into second base.  The Cocktail League was well known for attracting players from all over the city, many of whom went on to become softball Hall of Famers. One highlight of the league occurred when Hall of Fame inductee Hank Curie pitched what might be the first no hit, no run 16" softball game. Holmes Daylie passed away in 2003.  He is survived by his wife, Marcheta and is missed by many lovers of jazz music and 16" softball.

Ken Doktor

As a kid growing up in Mt. Prospect, Ken would ride his bike to Meadows Park and became hooked on 16" softball when he would spend the day watching teams like the Bobcats, the Sobies, the Strikers, the Bruins, Flamingos, Lyons 45s and the Scrappers play in Winston sponsored tournaments. In 1972, at eighteen, he started his own team with his brother Ed and Terry Rohan of the Ironmen. He took over as manager in 1974 and by 1976 the Ironmen were playing in the “A” Leagues at Rolling Meadows and Mt. Prospect, winning both leagues. In 1977, they joined the Mt. Prospect Invitational and won the tournament, beating the Scrappers twice. In 1978, they won the Rolling Meadows League, which featured such teams as Frank Holan’s Taggers, Dick Cooper’s Meadows, and the Cannons. The Ironmen folded in 1984, but Don Cooper introduced Ken to J.D. Gilmer who brought Frank and Danny Mustari, Bill Nicholas, Jim Carroll, Ralph Liquori, Sam Pappas, and Rick Gancarz with some of Ken’s veterans from the Ironmen, forming the Kings and a collection of young talent that debuted at Rolling Meadows and in the Classic League and dealt Cooper’s one of their two losses that year. 1984 was also the year that the Kings went to Ellinwood, Kansas to showcase 16" softball at Ellinwood’s Harvest of Wheat Festival. They were featured as ambassadors of Chicago’s game on local television and radio stations, appeared in a parade, and played exhibition games against a local 12" team. J.D. Gilmer left the team in 1986, due to a job transfer, and Ken kept the team together with the help of Don Cooper, Bill Tiechert, and John Lima. During the past years, the Kings have recorded an admirable series of accomplishments. In 1986 they finished 19th of 56 teams at the USSSA Nationals in Muncie, losing in a 1-0 game against the Lords, who finished third overall. In 1996, the Kings finished 4th at the “A” Nationals in Brookfield, Wisconsin. In 2004 they took 8th place at the “A” Nationals in Prescott, Arizona. In 2005, they won the State Consolation bracket over Punch in a thirteen-inning game. In 1999 and 2000, Ken played with the Rage, helping them to a 13th place finish at Marshalltown, Iowa in 1999. In 2001, he played with Nectar in the Classic League and finished 13th in the Major Nationals in Schaumburg with the Cannons. Ken’s years of playing and managing were recognized in 1995 when the Rolling Meadows Park District presented him with a plaque for his twenty years of service. A highlight of Ken’s career was pitching to Kevin Lund at Comiskey Park’s homerun hitting contest; that day Ken was glad he was hit hard because Kevin won the contest. Ken is still playing at the major level and also umpires. He plans to officiate more in the future. He credits his long relationship with Frank Holan as an inspiration for his playing and managing. He and his wife, Kristine, live in Mt. Prospect with their two cats.

Dean Pritt

Dean Pritt began his softball career at the age of 18 when he and sev-en of his friends started playing on a team run by neighborhood legend Joe D’Argenio. After several successful seasons at Blackhawk Park, the younger players started their own team and kept the Traffic name. From 1986-2003, Dean managed the Traffic team to an overall record of 638-410. They won 25 league and tournament championships. The early years saw a lot of success in all the northwest side top leagues, including Riis Park, Oriole Park and Indian Road. In 1989 the team went 67-17 and won four league championships. That season they also started competing in USSSA “A” tournaments and found out they could compete at that level. In 1992, the Traffic team won the 150 team Grant Park tournament. From this point forward, until Dean retired in 2003, Traffic was a consistent top 15 team They played in every top league and tournament, including 4 USSSA “A”, 1 USSSA Major, 8 ASA Ma-jors, 3 ASA “A” and 11 Forest Park Invitationals. Their accomplish-ments included 2 ASA Metro Championships and a 2nd Place finish at the 1999 ASA “A” Nationals. Dean took great pride in being able to compete against all the top teams with his strong nucleus of players who never lost their identity as a neighborhood team. Though he was never a top player himself, Dean held his own on the mound and as a catcher against all of the top teams. He also takes great pride in all of the championships and great times he was a part of with neighborhood teams - Green Onions and Edge. Dean currently lives in Elmwood Park with his wife Tracy and has two children, Sarah and Matthew. He enjoys coaching both chil-dren in all sports.

Sally Gregory

Most of us can point to one or two people in our lives who helped shaped the direction we were taking. For many ball players on the Southside, including Hall of Fame members Bobbie Blackstone, Henry Curie and Dan Dumas, that person was Sally Gregory. Her family came to Chicago in the early 1900s. She demonstrated an interest and talent for sports early in life, playing both softball and basketball in college. Unfortunately, while attending Alabama State College, she sustained a serious knee injury that hampered her ability to run, but that didn’t end her desire to remain active in sports. “Miss Sally”, as everyone affectionately called her, returned to the Southside of Chicago to coach young boys and girls on the play lots and schoolyards of the city. She found sponsors for her teams and drove her teams to and from games in her 1941 Ford pickup truck. She also took teams to watch games in the Windy City softball league. As a member of St Marks Methodist Church, she developed and coached basketball and softball teams. In 1949 the St Marks softball team became community champions of the Southside. In 1951 the St Marks Apaches won the Chicago Herald American junior softball championship. In 1952 and 1953 the St Marks basketball team won the church league championship. Miss Sally also coached a young ladies baseball team that gave the legendary Bloomer Girls and Music Maids some competitive games. Unfortunately, Miss Sally Gregory became ill and died in 1972. Shortly after her death, St Marks created the Sally Gregory Memorial Fund to honor her twenty-five years of unselfish dedication towards the betterment of the young men and women of St. Marks Methodist Church. She will always be remembered for the positive impact she had on the lives of many young people from Chicago’s Southside.

Joe Mercadante

The Frank C. Holan Award honors those who show passion for the game on and off the field. Passionate about the game of softball, or all other sports for that matter, is an understatement for Joe Mercadante. He grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball in Chicago; and his love for sports stayed with him throughout his life. As a fan, player, and coach; Joe was involved with 16-inch softball playing/coaching at various parks throughout the city of Chicago for over 30 years. In the 1980’s, along with his brother Vince Mercadante, they started the Stallions. This team consisted of neighbors and friends who won countless championships in Hanover Park. While coaching the Stallions, he was introduced to a pitcher named Fritz Zimmerman. Fritz and Joe spent the next fifteen years together winning regular season championships in Glenview, Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows, and Hoffman Estates, as the March Manufacturing team. March went to the USSSA in Muncie (IN) in 1986. After that, weekends were dedicated to softball; playing in tournaments anywhere from Trevor (WI), Tucson (AZ), Cedar Rapids (IA), Lacrosse (WI), and all over the city of Chicago with his favorite tournament being right here in Forest Park. The March Manufacturing team featured many great players including a few good friends; Pat Heraty, Rick Olson, and Jack Dipuma. In the early 90’s Joe played an important part with the merge of Splinters March, a merge of Splinters and March Manufacturing teams. Splinters March has some of the best playing in the game including, Frank and Danny Mustari, Ken Cooper, and Rick Gancarz. In the mid-90’s, he was part of the 45’s with Bob Rascia. With a little encouragement, Mustari and Gancarz joined him making the 45’s dominate for years. Joe had a true passion for the game and only thing that surpassed his love of the game was his devotion to his family; his wife Carla daughters Julie and Nancy, and son Pat. When Joe left softball; he was able to travel the world and spend time with his grandchildren Alex, Donny, Zach, Luke, Joey, and Olivia. Unfortunately for all of us, Joe passed in 2011, but he will never be forgotten.

Grace Kenney

Grace Kenney has been playing sixteen-inch softball in women’s leagues around Chicago for most of her adult life. She played for the team Beer Nuts for over thirty years in leagues at Monroe and Kennedy Park.  They won the championship in both leagues.   Grace started at the Park District of Forest Park as a scorekeeper for the sixteen-inch league. When the position of league director opened up, there was no one else thought of to fill the position, so she was hired. When she first took the position, the league had started to falter, but her efforts reestablished the Forest Park league as one of the top leagues in the Chicago area.   Grace has worked for the Forest Park District as league director for sixteen years. She has been instrumental in running the prestigious No-Glove Sixteen-inch Tournament. She was the co-director for many years but was named tournament director in 2015. During time leading up to the No-Gloves Tournament, Grace regularly scouts teams playing in other leagues and tournaments to see if they will be a good fit for the tournament.

Walter Kuczwara

Every softball player has a great story about being late to a game due to a traffic jam or arriving at a game and changing in the car. Well, this year’s Holan Award winner was a great player who also became one of the greatest statisticians of softball. The catch? He never drove a car and traveled by public transportation to most of his games. Walter Kuczwara started his eight-decade softball career at St. Catherine Grammar School and in parks around Roseland. He served two years in the navy during World War II and started playing sixteen and twelve-inch softball upon his return in 1946. He played outfield, first base, and catcher with such teams as American Legion Post 49, Flea’s Tap, Rainbow Lounge, Michigan Lounge, Three Aces, Kenneth Allen, and the Dwarfs. During the 1954 season he hit for a .595 average with 176 hits, seventy-six doubles, twenty-one triples, and nine homeruns. He played for Burnside Steel the year they boasted a record of forty-five straight wins. In 1967, while playing for Pat’s Coiffure, the team won the Andy Frain Tournament and the “B” Tournament at Clarendon Park on the same day. Statistics show that Walter hit .545 at Clarendon that year. That same year he organized an All-Roseland Tournament that featured the champions of Pullman, Gately, and West Palmer parks. Fittingly, his West Palmer team won the tournament. During his playing career, he won four team-batting titles and played on teams that won twenty-five championships. After twenty-eight years as a player/manger of numerous teams and after recording over 3000 hits, Wally Filkins convinced Walter to keep stats for the Whips during their great championships runs in the ‘80s, for Sports Station in 1987, and for Lettuce in 1993. His efforts have made him a legend in major softball with teams that he kept stats for winning twenty-five championships and eight national titles. Besides keeping stats for softball, he spent thirteen years researching lost or unreported RBI stats of minor league baseball teams of the late 1900s, 1920s, and 1930s. He used the library inter-loan program to meticulously examine microfiche newspaper stories of minor league games. His efforts uncovered 139 missing RBIs Lou Gehrig had while playing for Hartford in the Eastern League. The corrections have been noted in baseball magazines. Walter worked for Burnside Steel for twenty-five years. He lives on Chicago’s Southeast side.

Jimbo Levato

Three things come naturally to Jimbo Levato; 16" softball, socializing and working. And few people have mixed in the things they value as well as Levato. Perhaps because of that, Levato, who turned 67 three days after his induction to the Hall of Fame, has the demeanor and physical movement of a much younger man. "I've had a great life," he smiles. "And softball was so big in it. That was my first love." The lifelong Bridgeport resident recalls going off with a softball and bat to the park while all his friends were out swimming. He'd hit the ball and chase after it. Then hit it again and chase it again, over and over. By the time he was 16 years old, he was playing big time softball with Tracy's. A left handed singles and doubles hitter, Levato prided himself on his consistency. "Didn't make very many outs," he says proudly, looking at his wife, Joyce. "I was always on base." "Always," Joyce nods. Much of his time was spent at McGuane Park at Halsted and 28th (then called Mark White Park) where Tracey's won nine championships, and at Armour Square Park, where they won three titles. He also competed on such legendary softball battlegrounds as Kelly Park and Donovan Park. In 1973, he was on the undefeated Diamond Oaks squad at Kelly Park.  Levato recalls playing weekend round robin money tournaments against such top teams as the Amalgamonsters, and Bill Bonnetts. "They had uniforms, bats and everything. We had nothing," he says.  "We wore these little dago-t's. But we knocked down a lot of those big teams." Levato retired nearly four decades later, at 55. He played center field until he was 49, then switched to pitcher. Along the way, he notes with satisfaction, he got to play with not only his five brothers, but all three of his sons as well. In 1985, while still playing ball, Levato opened Jimbo's. Situated directly across from Armour Square Park, and within sight of Comiskey, Jimbo's seems not so much a bar as an extension of the neighborhood and it's people. As he moves about the lounge and on the street outside, it's apparent Levato is at home among the people around him. Levato came to the bar business rather late in life at age 48, following an adult life working on trucking docks. He was approached by the lounge's previous owner, who was planning a move to Florida. The man asked Levato if he would be interested in taking over the place. "I said, y'know, I'm good with people. Let me try it,"  Levato recalls. "What have I got to loose?" He clearly relishes his role in providing a welcoming place for softball players to gather. Over 16 years, Jimbo's has sponsored local men's and women's teams and has served as the host bar for Bridgeport Crush manager Mick Ballestri's popular annual spring and fall 16" tournaments. He also sponsored the 1989 and 1995 Bridgeport Crush USSSA National 16" champions. "They all come here after the games," Levato says , smiling. "While they're playing ball they hardly talk to each other. After the games, they all come in here, they drink together, they laugh together, they sing with the jukebox. Just have a good time." Like a blue collar version of the famous Pump Room, over one hundred 8 X 12 photos of past and present patrons mix with the likes of the Three Stooges ("They come in here once in a while," Jimbo cracks), Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony LaRussa and other assorted major leaguers. "I found out that people would rather have their picture up there than the ball players," says Levato. "And it's worked out great." Of all the people he's known in softball over the years, he thanks Ballestri, along with brothers Carmen and Santo. "Mickey Ballestri's excellent," Levato offers. "And he devotes a lot of time to it. It's not easy getting 29 teams to come out for a tournament." Levato credits older brothers Carmen and Santo with impressing on him the values that would guide him through his life. "Never give up, and always give one hundred percent," he says, grinning. "And play hard," he continues. "And I always did." Still, Levato has at least one small regret. "It's still hard to watch and not play."     

Art Lurie

For over forty years, Art Lurie has been involved in 16” softball. Growing up in Albany Park on Chicago’s Northwest side, Lurie got the taste for 16” as a bat boy for his father, Irv, who played in the legendary Windy City League. Art moved on to Roosevelt High School, where he played with the club teams; Aristocrats and Jovens as a shortstop who was not only a defensive specialist, but one who most often lead is team in hitting. He picked up his nickname “Toro” while at Roosevelt. Art went on to play for Manor Drugs at Wells and Horner Parks, the original Shooters at Clarendon and Kelly Parks, and with the Wharfrats, Registers, Rabbits and Over the Hill Gang, which won over the over 40, 1990 City Championship by beating the Bobcats at Blue Island! Art’s next move led him to the Molex team, and resulted in a longtime friendship and collaboration with Al Maag. When Al explained his ideas for a 16” Softball Hall of Fame to Art, his love and passion for the game made him jump at the opportunity to help make the dream a reality. Since that time Lurie has been instrumental in keeping the “behind the scenes” action moving efficiently. From obtaining silent auction items for the Hall of Fame dinner, to selling Hall of Fame promotional items, to providing useful insights at the monthly meetings, Art Lurie is a major contributor to the success of the 16” Softball Hall of Fame. With his strong history of playing experience and his invaluable contributions to the Hall of Fame, Art Lurie is truly a “friend of softball.”

Al MacFarlane

Although Al MacFarlane was born in Eugene, Oregon, Chicago softball and sports in general benefitted when his family moved east and settled on Chicago's northwest side. He attended Taft High School from 1957 to 1961, where he played baseball, football and ran track. As a quarterback, halfback and defensive back football proved to be his dominant sport. He was a key member of the 1960 City Championship team, was selected All-City and State in 1958, '59 and '60, was picked as the Sun Times Player of the Year in 1960, and was named All-American the same year. After high school, Al went south to the University of Louisville from 1963 to 1965. Once again he assumed a key role as a halfback, defensive back, punter and kick returner. These efforts earned him 1st Team Missouri Valley All Conference honors in 1965. In addition to these honors, Al was also named Back-of-the-Week three times in the Missouri Valley All Conference. In 1966 he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and spent the remainder of that year on the reserve team of the Chicago Bears. When his football career was over, Al MacFarlane made the plunge into the restaurant business in 1968. He is the present owner of the Spinters Sports Club, and has been sponsoring 16" softball for 30 years. Al cites two strong memories of his softball career; winning three National titles and being associated with many new friends and tremendous athletes, who are unique talents and true ambassadors of the game.    

Jim McCabe

Jim McCabe played softball in Glenview during high school from 1973 – 1974. He was with Phoenix from 1978 – 1982 as manager. His team won the league in 1978 and 1979 against such teams as the Railbirds, the Rat – Pack, and Jack Daniels. Phoenix became the Scorpions and competed in the Classic League from 1982 – 1987. He then led the Spiros from 1988 until 1996 winning the Old Style Classic at Grant Park in 1994 and 1996. From 1997 – 2001 he managed Overtime, Quest and Sage. Jim joined the Bucketheads in 2002 and helped them place 2nd in the ASA Major Nationals in 2005. The Bucketheads became Windy City in 2010, and as manager Jim was a part of the win in the Major National Championships. In 2011 Windy City once again played in the National Championship placing 2nd in the country. Jim also enjoys managing a co-ed team at work which he has been a part of since 1998.    

Richard Melman

The Frank C. Holan Award has been established to honor a person for their deeds on and off the field. The person who best represents our game on the diamond and behind the scene and mirrors Frank’s passion for the game is Richard Melman in 1997. In fact, he is by far the most important person to impact the game in the last two decades. Rich Melman has been a softball player all his life and still plays today on the Over The Hill league. The past seven years he and Joel Zimberoff have managed the Lettuce team to 3 ASA National titles and has been runner up twice. His team has won every major championship in the game. They are the Yankees of the sport. In between games he is one of the most famous restaurant executives in the world. His influence has allowed the game to flourish the past six ears. His marketing strategy for his favorite game has been based on simple television exposure, team uniforms, and encouraging more teams to compete at the major level. The Grant Park Classic (6 years) and Pro League (3 years) that are televised were co-founded by Rich and producer David Hynes. The exposure of the game across the Midwest by the Sports channel crew of Mike North, Steve Kashul and George Bliss has been a boom to the game. The ASA reports more teams signed up more women and co-eds, and more tournaments played each year. He started the Windy City Classic which attracted A teams to set up and play the top teams. His ploy worked and the Major division has most teams competing each week in many years He is actively involved in the Hall of Fame and he and his wife Martha consistently support the community in many charitie, a few benefiting children to play 16 softball and has used celebrity softball games to raise money. He has also influenced his 3 children to play the game. His company vision at Lettuce Entertain You follows him and his team on and off the field, “Our vision is the Best We Can Be, realizing that we can always improve, we are constantly striving for excellence. Working to achieve this goal has been our ultimate reward.” If his pace and work continues, no one will be surprised if he has the most influence in the history of the sport. Frank would be pleased that Rich is the first recipient of an award in his honor.

Joe Mercadante

The Frank C. Holan Award honors those who show passion for the game on and off the field. Passionate about the game of softball, or all other sports for that matter, is an understatement for Joe Mercadante. He grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball in Chicago; and his love for sports stayed with him throughout his life. As a fan, player, and coach; Joe was involved with 16-inch softball playing/coaching at various parks throughout the city of Chicago for over 30 years. In the 1980’s, along with his brother Vince Mercadante, they started the Stallions. This team consisted of neighbors and friends who won countless championships in Hanover Park. While coaching the Stallions, he was introduced to a pitcher named Fritz Zimmerman. Fritz and Joe spent the next fifteen years together winning regular season championships in Glenview, Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows, and Hoffman Estates, as the March Manufacturing team. March went to the USSSA in Muncie (IN) in 1986. After that, weekends were dedicated to softball; playing in tournaments anywhere from Trevor (WI), Tucson (AZ), Cedar Rapids (IA), Lacrosse (WI), and all over the city of Chicago with his favorite tournament being right here in Forest Park. The March Manufacturing team featured many great players including a few good friends; Pat Heraty, Rick Olson, and Jack Dipuma. In the early 90’s Joe played an important part with the merge of Splinters March, a merge of Splinters and March Manufacturing teams. Splinters March has some of the best playing in the game including, Frank and Danny Mustari, Ken Cooper, and Rick Gancarz. In the mid-90’s, he was part of the 45’s with Bob Rascia. With a little encouragement, Mustari and Gancarz joined him making the 45’s dominate for years. Joe had a true passion for the game and only thing that surpassed his love of the game was his devotion to his family; his wife Carla daughters Julie and Nancy, and son Pat. When Joe left softball; he was able to travel the world and spend time with his grandchildren Alex, Donny, Zach, Luke, Joey, and Olivia. Unfortunately for all of us, Joe passed in 2011, but he will never be forgotten.

Jack Olson

      In August of 1970, Jack Olson started the Scrappers. They played their first game in the Ed Kelly Fall Classic Tournament held at Clarendon Park. They beat three "A" teams from Clarendon's League and then lost 9-7 to the Dwarfs of Clarendon's "A" League. Because of their success, they were asked to play in the Clarendon "A" League the following year. They played there for twelve years and finished second or third each year. Besides playing at Clarendon, they usually finished second at Portage Park, always finished first in the Mather "A" League, and always took first in the Mt. Prospect Classic League and in the City tournament. One year they took second place at the state tournament at Rand Park in Des Plaines. That year they also beat the Sobies in the Andy Frain Tournament at Clarendon and in the Western Metro Tournament and they beat the Runts to make the semi-finals at Forest Park. In 1973 the Scrappers won the Northbrook Fall Tourney of Champions. Jack won the batting title for hitting .765 during the tournament. In 1974 he won the batting title with a .773 average for the Windy City Classic Tournament in Mt. Prospect. The Scrappers won three games during that tournament before losing to the Bobcats. In 1983 Jack was a USSSA Director and hosted a regional tournament in Mt. Prospect. The Scrappers qualified and played in the USSSA Nationals World Tournament. They ranked fourth in the final rankings after the tournament. In 1974 Jack started the Windy City Softball Magazine out of his offices. Jack Olson played first and third base during his playing career. But his primary value to his teams was his organization and his ability to get on base. Jack formed a women's sixteen-inch team and his wife, Sandy, a tremendous athlete herself, pitched for the team. They finished fourth, third, and second in the ASA Women's World Tournament in Harvey. Each year they lost to the Hall of Fame honored team, Rose and Crown. Jack and Sandy Olson live in Palatine. Illinois and spend half the year in Florida playing golf. They have three children - Jodi, Jake, and Kelly.    

Robert Pagorek

Bob Pagorek’s softball career began in 1953 when he was a seventh grader and lasted until 1995. During that time he played the game and managed some of the great teams of the ‘70s and ‘80s. He played in many Chicago Park District leagues, primarily on the Southeast Side, at Calumet City and Dolton and in Whiting, Indiana. He attended St Frances de Sales High School where he played varsity basketball for four years. He got his first taste of organizing in 1958 when he organized a team, bought the shirts and solicited a sponsor for an 18 - and under league at Calumet Park. From 1961 to 1978 he played five nights a week (sometimes playing two games at different parks the same night) and on weekends in senior park leagues, CYO ball and tournaments with such teams as Maggie’s, Honey’s Inn, Van Club, Jack’s Club, Ed’s Sports Club, Continental Bank, ERV and Jenny’s. He played first base for thirty-one years before alternating between first base, pitcher or extra hitter during the last ten years of his career. During those days the season ended on Labor Day at Trumbull Park with thirty-two teams in a single elimination tournament. The entry fee was thirty dollars and the prize was a team trophy and an individual trophy for each player (besides the money bet on the side during each game) and no one left until the champions were crowned. Around 1975 the Eastside team was formed and the team expanded outside its neighborhood to play in tougher competition. Their effort paid off when they won the 1976 Windy City “AA” Tournament. The victory came at a cost, though, because they lost some key players to the “big teams” because of the exposure they received. This setback didn’t stop them, however, because they called upon the young local talent of the Southeast Side and some veteran players to form the Eastsiders. They took the league crown for three years at Bessemer, Calumet and Dolton parks. They then moved on to competing in leagues at Harvey, Blue Island and Kelly parks, along with playing in tournaments all over Chicago and suburbs. In 1982 after losing some players, the Eastsiders and the Condors combined ranks to form the ERV Condors, playing at Harvey, Blue Island and Kelly parks. That year they won the July 4th Holiday Tournament in Calumet City, the thirty-two team Lacrosse Tournament and the ASA Chicago-area Championship in Blue Island. In 1983 he was back with the Eastsiders, playing less and coaching more. From 1976 to 1995 they had some great sponsors - ERV, the 10th ward, Pete’s Hideaway, Lakeside Inn and O’Hara’s. Since his retirement from active softball in 1996, Bob Pagorek likes watching local softball teams play or watching his grandchildren play their sports. He is involved with the Knights of Columbus and has served as Grand Knight for two years. One of his most rewarding moments was volunteering to help with the Special Olympics. He is a retired mechanical supervisor for the Rock Island Railroad (twenty years) and Metra (twenty-one years). He and his wife, Mary Ann, have two children, Bob and Cheryl, and four grandchildren.

Dean Pritt

Dean Pritt began his softball career at the age of 18 when he and sev-en of his friends started playing on a team run by neighborhood legend Joe D’Argenio. After several successful seasons at Blackhawk Park, the younger players started their own team and kept the Traffic name. From 1986-2003, Dean managed the Traffic team to an overall record of 638-410. They won 25 league and tournament championships. The early years saw a lot of success in all the northwest side top leagues, including Riis Park, Oriole Park and Indian Road. In 1989 the team went 67-17 and won four league championships. That season they also started competing in USSSA “A” tournaments and found out they could compete at that level. In 1992, the Traffic team won the 150 team Grant Park tournament. From this point forward, until Dean retired in 2003, Traffic was a consistent top 15 team They played in every top league and tournament, including 4 USSSA “A”, 1 USSSA Major, 8 ASA Ma-jors, 3 ASA “A” and 11 Forest Park Invitationals. Their accomplish-ments included 2 ASA Metro Championships and a 2nd Place finish at the 1999 ASA “A” Nationals. Dean took great pride in being able to compete against all the top teams with his strong nucleus of players who never lost their identity as a neighborhood team. Though he was never a top player himself, Dean held his own on the mound and as a catcher against all of the top teams. He also takes great pride in all of the championships and great times he was a part of with neighborhood teams - Green Onions and Edge. Dean currently lives in Elmwood Park with his wife Tracy and has two children, Sarah and Matthew. He enjoys coaching both chil-dren in all sports.

Rick Pyle

     Rick Pyle first became involved in softball during 1964 by organizing and playing on an intramural team at Glenbrook High School in Northbrook and continuing that summer in the Park District Teen League. He continued playing on and managing various teams into the early 1980s, but his real love for the game was in organizing all levels of play while working for park districts. In 1970 thru 1972 he was the Tournament Director for the Northbrook Park District Annual Tournament of Champions. He moved to the Mt. Prospect Park District in 1972 and met local team managers Frank Holan, Jack Olson, Herb Teichert, Ken Doktor, John Ewert and Scott Rossi. They collectively had aspirations to raise the level of competition to a higher level and Rick was "all in" to make this happen. He created a local Classic League, increased team opportunities and along with Jack Olson started offering several competitive tournaments. With this success, the search was on for additional opportunities and new facilities were required. Fellow staff member Bob Ancona (HOF) and Rick worked tirelessly, and with the tremendous help of the park district attorney, Mike Hogan, identified property of the Metropolitan Sanitary District, where a new sewage treatment plant was under construction. After eighteen months of back and forth negotiations, the park district received a lease for the desired property. Bob and Rick measured out the fields during a snowstorm and designed the conceptual complex on a cocktail napkin at a local sandwich shop. That facility is now known at Majewski Metro Park and is adjacent to the Northwest Tollway. The softball/soccer complex couldn't have been completed without a generous donation from Everett Weaver of the American Colloid Corporation, which provided funding for lighting the fields. Jack Olson, Bob and Rick met in 1981 to set in motion a series of meetings with the top teams to form a top flight "Classic League" for the 1982 season. And the rest is history. Rick ended his park district career after nearly forty years. His career included new softball complexes at Mt Prospect, Freeport and Streamwood. Getting paid to help organize a sport he loved made all the odd hours of work all worthwhile. He spends his retirement years between Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin.    

John Reglein

   

Milan “Mr. Stats” Stevanovich

Since 1992, Milan Stevanovich, better known as “Mr. Stats,” has been keeping stats for the Forest Park No-Glove Nationals 16-inch Softball Tournament . He is in charge of compiling and recording player and team stats for each game during the five - day event. Soon after each game, Mr. Stats posts the results of each team’s hits, runs, and each player’s batting average. These stats help the fans stay up to date on their favorite players and teams. Keeping the stats for all twenty-seven teams and some sixty games is not a small job. His job starts early in the day and lasts sometimes-through midnight. Through his efforts, the fans have a lasting historic and accurate record of each  No-Gloves Tournament. Mr. Stats has also recorded statistics for many ASA and SSA National Tournaments and for the Hawthorne Park District Tournaments. Because of his dedication to the game, he has given the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame the tools to evaluate future inductees, and he has given softball aficionados everywhere a lasting record of Chicago’s great game.

Jack “Just One More Shot” Stout

With video camera to his eye and his trusty Nikon at the ready, Jack Stout can be found prowling the first base fence at many championship softball games. As the official photographer of the 1997 Nationals and 16 inch Softball Hall of Fame dinner and unofficial photographer at legions of other games, Jack has been recording games since he got a camcorder in 1985, as well as taking team photos during that time.  After playing 12 inch ball in Pennsylvania and in the Air Force, Stout took up the 16 inch game when he moved to Chicago in 1953. He developed a love for the game after playing in industrial and church leagues. His involvement increased twenty years ago when his sons began playing Chicago's game (Mike, HOF 2005). Jack's library includes videotapes of thousands of games, audiotapes of Tim Maher's Softball Report radio show for seven years, as well as thousands of team and individual pictures, many which have appeared in the Illinois Softball Report and grace many a player's trophy shelf.  He retired his camera in 2009 after some health issues, but still loves the game.  Jack Stout is truly a friend of the game.

Rich Wagner

Rich Wagner played 16-inch softball with Sim's Bowl during the 1970s. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious knee injury while playing that forced him to switch to managing softball instead of playing it. He managed the Turtles from 1982 to 1990 before rejoining them for the '92 through the '95 seasons. During his time with the Turtles, he managed them to runner-up finishes in the ASA 'A' Nationals in 1985 and '86. He coached Splinters in 1991 and led them to the ASA National title in Kingman, Arizona. Rich managed March Manufacturing in 1994 and 2002 - 2005 until they became Flash. He managed the Diamond Dogs in 2000, Bats in 2001, Maxim Mortgage in 2006 and 2007, and Flashback in 2008-'09. Rich managed March to a 2nd place finish at the ASA Nationals in 2004 and 2006. He coached Flashback to the 2005 Forest Park championship and to ASA Major titles in 2008 and 2009.

Fritz Zimmermann

Teams that Fritz Zimmermann has sponsored (Splinter’s March, Meadows, Stallions, Lumber Jacks, and others) have competed in and have won league championships in parks in Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, and at national tournaments during the 80s and 90s. The first taste of victory came in 1983 when they won the Thillen’s Tournament. In 1987 they took their first trip to the USSSA Nationals in Highland, Indiana. They won the AA bracket at Mt. Prospect in 1988, took second place at the Forest Park Tournament in 1990, captured fourth at the ASA Nationals and second at the USSSA Major World Championship in Wisconsin. 1992 saw Zimmermann’s string of accomplishments broaden to capture second and fourth place at the ASA Nationals, third at the USSSA Wisconsin Major World Championship, first at the Windy City Challenge, and first at Forest Park. In 1992 his teams took second place at the ASA Major Nationals, fourth at the USSSA Major World, and first at Dale Lee in Iowa. 1994 saw them capturing fourth at the ASA Major Nationals and first at the ASA State Tournament. Finally, his team took fourth at the ASA National Tournament in South Dakota. Besides sponsoring teams, Zimmermann also was a quality pitcher on many of his clubs. Fritz has been a vital sponsor of the Hall of Fame's progress. Fritz Zimmermann is truly a “friend of the game.”

Jayne Zolna

So what do you do during the summer when you’re the daughter of one of softball’s great players? Well, you go to a lot of softball games, of course. Jayne Zolna started attending her dad, Eddie’s, games when she was ten. She was the batgirl when her brother wasn’t there. When she got older, her dad gave her the cardboard top of the softball box so that she could keep score. She saw and scored many great games at Clarendon and Kelly Parks. She never received perfect attendance honors at school because of the Labor Day national tournaments the Bobcats played in. They won thirteen of them, so her father would let her stay home on the Tuesday following Labor Day to celebrate these Bobcat victories. At Kennedy Park her duties expanded when her dad taught her how to chart the hitting tendencies of opposing batters. Jayne had the privilege of watching the children of many great players turn into great players themselves. She also saw some of softball’s greatest characters. She once had to wash Jeff Hornacek’s (before his basketball days) Bobcat’s jersey because his father wouldn’t let him bring it in the house. His father, John (HOF), played first base for the Cat’s legendary foe, the Sobies. She watched future White Sox pitcher Kevin Hickey play the outfield and she traveled on Ron Olesiak’s (HOF) motorcycle from Kennedy Park to Lake Shore Park for Sunday double-headers. Ron would become an NBA referee. She also found two friends in Rich Melman (HOF) and Joel Zimberoff during the heyday years of the Lettuce Entertain You teams. In 1976, when her father was hospitalized, she helped Bobcats manager Bo Joens when they won the nationals in South Dakota. Jayne graduated from Providence High School. She lives in Frankfort with her parents, Ed and Lorraine, and works at a market research firm in Mokena. She thanks the Holan family for this honor. With this award, she joins her father and her uncle Eddie Zaitz as members of the Hall of Fame.