
The Alley

The Alley Softball Team was formed in 1973 and consistently played at a high level of competition for more than 25 years. The team’s roots however date back even further to 1965. The team was formed as an outgrowth of Our Lady of Victory Parish’s youth sponsored softball program. Many of the original players started playing in the 5th grade in the youth League at Wilson Park and later participated in C.Y.O. as 7th and 8th graders finding modest success ( two city wide 2nd place finishes). The original members continued to play C.Y.O. Softball throughout their High School Years and beyond. The Alley played for the City wide C. Y. O. finals as seniors winning three Championships(1977,78,79).
The team was made up of various High School athletes who competed in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. They attended Lane Tech H.S. , Weber H.S., Gordon Tech H.S., Loyola Academy, Fenwick H.S. and St. Patrick H.S.. Some members went on and played College Football.
In 1973, The Alley played at Wilson Park and Indian Road Park winning both League Championships. The following year they were invited to play at Clarendon Park’s 21 and under Saturday League and played in the championship game losing to the Aces. The following year they won the Clarendon Park Saturday League.The team played at Riis Park winning the Friday League in 1974. Also in 1974, The Alley played at Independence Park winning their respective division and participated in the Tournament of Champions. They continued to play at Independence Park winning their Division as well as the Park’s Tournament of Champions in 1976.
In 1977, The Alley was invited to play in the following: Clarendon Park Tuesday and Thursday League (League Championship in 1978), Clarendon Park’s Midwestern Tournament ( 2nd place) and Kelly Park Tournament (Semis). They also played in the Portage Park Monday and Wednesday league.
In 1979 The Alley moved to Kosciuszko Park’ Monday and Wednesday League. They won their respective league championships and put together a streak of four consecutive Tournament of Championship titles (79, 80, 81, 82).
In 1980 The Alley moved up in competition by playing in the Portage Tuesday and Thursday League where they played against some very good teams and made the playoffs each year. They also played in the Clarendon Monday and Wednesday League and won the league championship in 1986. They continued to play at Portage and Clarendon into the early 90’s. They also played at Dunham Park winning the Championship in 1989 and the Hiawatha Park Friday League winning the Championship in 1982. In the early 90’s the team played at Dee Park in Des Plaines until 1998.
The Alley played in many tournaments throughout the years including The City of Chicago Metro Tournament, the Andy Frain Tournament and the Midwestern Tournament at Clarendon Park, (finished 2nd in the Midwestern Tournament in 1977) Windy City Tournaments at 95th and Harlem (Championship in 1979), James Park’s North Shore Tournament in Evanston(semis 1985), Forest Park(semis 1985), Trevor, Wisconsin (Championship 1986) , Elk Grove (Championship 1978), Paul Revere Park and Hansen Park (Championship in 1981).
Through the years, this group became a close knit family sharing many significant family events from Weddings, Births of Children, Road Trips, Holiday Celebrations, and any thing else that occurred in every day life. Many original members continued to play together in various Recreational Leagues including the Elk Grove 50 and over and currently the 60 and over Leagues.
Team members include: Player/Managers: Russ Schulberg, Dan Zittnan, Mike Chiaramonte, Billy Mueller, Charles Hagstrom, and Mike Amato.
Also: Bob Laskowski, Jim Gorski, Bob Sobczewski, Steve Citko, Ron Buzinski, Pete Brown, Tom Shoewe, Carl Mucha, Jim Lobus, Mike Huber, Mike Swiatowiec, Al Grember,Jim Hielscher, Bill Schretter, Gary Machjer, Dave Musolf, Roger Musolf, Billy Green, Gary Palicki, Jim Bolger, Jim Maraviglia, Bobby Cook, Gene (Gator), Dan Hennessey, Jerry Shaw, and Tom Levar.

Team Angels


Bidayos

Bidayo Players Throughout the Years | ||||
Adams-Annolino | Linda | Nelson | ||
Ruth | Aider | Angie | Opel | |
Denise | Amraen | *Kim | Panozzo | |
Michelle | Bernier | Elisa | Pereiro | |
Kym | Campin | Karen | Rook | |
Lisa | Chibe | Allison | Roth-Bernier | |
Ruthie | Eiker | Laura | Rucinski | |
Julie | Folliard | Julie | Rucinski | |
*Rosie | Geraci | Barb | Schaaf | |
Linda | Gruchot | Gwen | Seputis | |
Sheryl | Hurry | Mary Ellen | Shermulis | |
Laurie | Hurry | *Monica | Skrowronski | |
Sue | Hyzny-Miller | Debbie | Stolfe | |
Marie | Jordan | *Renee | Strasser | |
Cyndy | Kadich-Huntrods | Cheryl | Szurgot | |
Laura | Kane | Ann | Thatcher | |
Nancy | Kickert-Geldean | Nancy | Thrasher | |
*Betty | Kollar | Coni | Treantafeles | |
*Chick | Lillis | Connie | Varga | |
Chrissy | Londos-Lombardino | Laura | Wadas | |
Erin | Maloney | Laura | Wadzuma | |
Lynn | Monair | Jenna | Weller | |
Laura | Morrow | Sandi | White | |
Pat | Murphy | Gloria | Zager | |
Amy | Nebel | Rhonda | Bolda |

B’ Athletes

Javon Austin | Freddie Hopkins | Michael McToy |
Dorian Bolton | Anthony Jackson | Michael Price |
Howard Bowling | Cody Jackson | James Rodgers |
Vernon Cade | Garland Jackson | Walter Rodgers |
Carl Carter | Renard Jackson | John Smith |
* Michael Coleman | * Clayton Jones | Cornelius Spencer |
Percy Coleman | Eric Jones | Keith Stallings |
Michael Colvan | Ernest Jones | Darren Stewart |
James Daniels | * Michael Lee | Pierre Walker |
Curtis Durns | * Randy Lee | * Austin Ware |
Nathaniel Earley | Westley Lee | Raymond Warren |
Randy Ellis | Ricardo Ligon | Tracy Watkins |
* Floyd Glover | Ron Mack | William Weatherspoon |
* Ken Hairston | Marvin Martin, Jr. | Michael Webb |
Michael Hamilton | Maurice Martin, Sr. | Leroy White |
Robbie Harris | * Sherman Martin, Jr. | Jeffrey Henry |
Gregory McGinnis |

Bandits


Blues

Sal Vasta (HOF), founder and manager of the Blues softball team, was introduced to 16-inch softball in 1969 on Chicago’s Northwest Side through the CYO program. His involvement in the program made him realize the unity of playing Chicago’s great game. He began the Blues softball team in 1969, playing in various parks around Chicago. Year after year they honed their skills until they eventually made it into the “A” and Major leagues of softball.
The Blues won numerous league championships at Wells Park, Paul Revere Park, Portage Park, Indian Boundary Park, Addison Park District, Villa Park, Clyde Park, James Park, Clarendon Park and in the Mt. Prospect Champions League. The Blues played over four decades with over one hundred different players. During the 1970s, the Blues had a North Team that played at Clarendon Park and a South team that played at Kelly Park. Both teams won numerous tournaments and games.
They retooled each year and kept improving. The Blues finished in several Final Fours in the ASA and USSSA National Tournaments. The team’s hard work paid off in 1989 when they won the USSSA World Tournament. From 1969 thru 1994, The Blues won over fifteen hundred games and numerous tournaments at the league, metro, state and national levels, including league titles at Mt. Greenwood, New Castle and Mather Parks.
In 1994, the Blues entered into a sponsorship with Hollywood Casino. That year they won the 1994 ASA National Tournament. In 1995, many Blues team members played with, and their new sponsor, Doll House won the 1995 No Glove Forest Park Nationals. In 1996, a nucleus of Blues players won the Grant Park Classic playing as Sports Channel.
It would be difficult to mention all of the players that have contributed to the Blues Softball team over those twenty-seven years. There are sixteen former players and coaches that are presently in the 16 – inch Softball Hall of Fame more will certainly be added in the future.
16 - inch softball was a great part of Sal Vasta’s life and the lives of his Blues teammates. Their twenty-seven year partnership generated many great friendships. Above all else, the Blues teams were always competitive and champions at heart.
Team Members
Front Row: Carl Maniscalco, Cesar Milan, Jack Maniscalco, Sal Vasta,Anthony Maniscalco, Jeff Dohnal, Bob Lopez, Bobby Lopez,
Back Row - Len Nuzzo, Angelo Alesia, Steve Avino, Jimmy Devito, Jim Matlock, Bob Prenner, Dan Coco, Gary Maiorano

Team Bobcats


Team The Bruins


Team BudTakers


Butch McGuires


Carpet Country


Team Chicago Daily News


Team Commonwealth Edison


Team Continental Bank


Team Crush


People’s Choice

For many years, the Doran brothers, Rich, Jerry and John, and Vito Povilaitis of Mt. Greenwood were the nucleus of many youth baseball teams until they began their softball careers by assembling a softball team called the Trumbullies. They played at Mt. Greenwood in 1972 and 1973. Like many young teams, they weren’t as competitive as they hoped, so they set out to recruit new players. John Doran attended Western Illinois University and it was there in September of 1973 that he met Dave “Jake” Jacobson from Park Ridge. Jake suggested they form a union of top players from the North and South Sides of Chicago. Jake recruited top talent from the North Side with Tony Reibel (HOF), Derek Singleton, Bill Spicer and Ron Ziemann (HOF) of the Amalgamonsters. In 1974, they began competing as the People’s Choice.
Both Rich Doran and Sam Taylor of the Flamingos attended Chicago State University, where they were stars on the nationally ranked wrestling team. After Rich saw Sam on the intramural softball field, he knew he had to have him on People’s Choice! It took some time, but eventually Sam joined the team in 1976 and overnight the “Choice” became a force to be reckoned with now that they had one of the best 16 - inch softball players in the City of Chicago!
Sam Taylor also had a pipeline of talent that brought Drake Jones and Stanley Brown from the Flamingos and Odell Humphries into the fold in 1977. These players added to a solid nucleus that consisted of players from other teams: Gary Ringhofer, added in 1979 from the Condors, Angelo Moca (Tahoe), Rich Ladewig and Frank Mioni (Whips), Ron Peltz and Bob Steadman (Renegades), Tom Kevin, Joe Moms and Tom O’Malley.
John Doran landed their first sponsor: the Chicagoland Plumbing Council, a sponsorship that would last from 1976 to 1981. They would make Mt. Greenwood their home park. They would also be sponsored by Tally’s Pub in Ford City Shopping Center and Klehm Nurseries of Arlington Heights.
An integrated team, with a strong desire to win, People’s Choice played all over the city and suburbs and always fared well. Though not always welcomed wherever they went, they thrived on winning and being the enemy. They dominated Mt. Greenwood Park from 1974 to 1992. They won championships in three different decades (70’s, 80’s and 90’s) to go along with numerous championships in Mt. Greenwood. They also won league championships in Arlington Heights, Bensenville, Itasca, Mt. Prospect, Roselle, Schaumburg, Wood Dale and Hamlin Park. Other team highlights include:
1.1979- Record: 83-9
2.1980- Six players named as Mt. Greenwood All-Stars
3.1982- Won all four leagues in Mt. Greenwood (first grand slam in park history)
4.1982- Twelve players nominated for the All-Chicago All-Star Team
5.Won three of four league titles in Mt. Greenwood Park three times
6.Won the Mt. Greenwood Sunday League title fourteen times in a fifteen year stretch
Softball legends and future Hall of Famers Ron Ziemann, Benny Holt, Jack Kelly, Mark Frighetto, Ken Flaws, Steve Prostran and Ken Cooper all played with People’s Choice through the years when their schedules permitted. In 1992, the People’s Choice ended their years of competition by winning the league titles at Mt. Greenwood and Hamlin Parks.

Dukes S.A.C. Softball


Deathwish


Team Doctors


Team Dog’s Bite


Team Dwarfs


Team Eastsiders Softball


Team Flames


Flamingoes

* Willie "Sweet" Johnson | Andrew "Chin" Page, | Gene “Geno” Gerald | |||
* Sam "Gilbo" Taylor | Carl "Carlos" Hilliard, | Roy Culter | |||
* Drake "DJ" Jones | Vincent "Vince" Sterling, | Norman Gordon | |||
* Larry "Lala" Washington | Robert "Bobby" Crosby, | Jimmy Weatherspoon | |||
* Dennis "Punchy" Wallace | Cleophus "Big Juice" Davis, | Joe Jackson | |||
* Steve Kirby | Mitch McCullough, | Danny Jackson | |||
* Anthony "Tony" Ward | Randy Webb, | Angelo Mooring | |||
* Vada "Buddha" Primous | Roland "Rock" Kemp, | Brian Bennet | |||
* Jessie Mack | Robert "Lefty" Johnson, | Cody Jackson | |||
* Willis Miles | Alphonso "Puncho" Davis, | Leory "Whitey" White | |||
* Sylvester “Vesmo” McKinnon | Jonnie Hodges | Howard "Sco" Blakley | |||
* Willie "Wicked" Poole | Dwayne "Sonny Simms" Spivey | Vernon Cade | |||
* Tom Bonen - | Edward "Lil Juice" Douglas, | Richard Hopkins | |||
* Ricardo "Rick Monday" Ligon | Andrew "Rookie" Johnson | Wayne Jaskwerski - RIP | |||
* Raymond Johnson | Papa "Joe" Stratton | Al Skorupa - RIP | |||
* Donnie Gardner | John "Lil John" White | Chip Holmes - RIP | |||
Percy "Bobo" Coleman | Mike Brown | Jerry Jones | |||
Alvin "Doc" Robinzine | Michael "Dyke" Johnson | * Clayton Jones | |||
Ralph "Dirty Harry" Love, | Ike "Pike Screw" Stratton | Jessie "Shady Jake" - Rip | |||
Eddie "Tyke" Taylor, | James Earl, | Samuel "Bump" Woodson | |||
Stanley "Stan" Brown, | Leonard "Lenny" Woodson | James "Crow" -Rip | |||
Lionel "Fish" Tally, | James Earl | Ron "Dede" Pitts | |||
Rod "Carew" Johnson, | Monroe "Cosack" Banks | Donald Woods - RIP | |||
Alvin "Duke" Jones, | Michael "Dyke" Johnson | Robert "Blue Carter -RIP |

FORCE

Allen Jenkins | Leo Richmond | Willie Harrington |
Juan Gayden | Henry Barber |
Jackie Anderson | Tracey Barber | Joanie Bass |
Tracy “TJ” Booker-Black | Donna Floyd | Vickie Ivory Harbin |
Johnnie Gains Hairston | Rosetta Henderson | Tara Huff |
*Christine Hurrins | Faye Lola Jenkins | Connie Johnson Jenkins |
Regina Towers King | Patty Lindsey | Sherry Lipscom |
Renette McCurry | Robin Moore | Bridgette Nesbitt |
*Margaret Olawoye | Gwendolyn Twig Polk | Jan Pope |
*Lisa Pugh | Rachelle Richmond | Janice Roberts |
Tamieka Roberts | Sherrick Robinson-Smith | Darnita Spragg |
Chiquita “ChiChi” Thomas | Earnestine Walker | Shirley Wilbourn |
Charlene Davis Williams | *Popati Wing | Francine |

Peoples Gas


Steel Gold


Hangovers

While the members of the Hangovers didn’t grow-up exclusively playing 16 – inch softball (they played t-ball for two years starting when they were six), they did play it for twenty- six plus years. They started at Lawler Park in the 70’s in the Pigtail, Ponytail and then Junior Miss leagues. From there they went on to coach in the Ponytail and Junior Miss leagues. That is when Melissa Wojciechowski and Colleen Elliott decided to start their own women’s 16-inch softball team.
Wojciechowski and Elliott found some players from the neighborhood and also recruited some of the moms from the teams that they were coaching. They played on Monday nights at Lawler Park and won that league the first four years they played.
They then decided to venture out and started playing in more competitive leagues at McKinley Park and in Bridgeview. They played three nights a week and found success. They took first place at Bridgeview and second place at McKinley. Unfortunately, the leagues folded, so they had to move to other parks. They played at Normandy Park (‘97-‘04), Commissioners Park (‘05-‘06), New Castle Park in Burbank (‘07-‘09), Durkin Park (‘10-‘11), Rainey Park (‘12-‘14) and Martin Park in Hickory Hills, where they still play today. Over these many years of playing, they won numerous leagues and championships.
Throughout these years, they played in as many tournaments as they could. They played in the Grant Park tournament, USSSA tournaments, the Best of Western, the Bucks for Burn, the Y-Me Breast Cancer, the St Jude Tournament, and the A & E tournament. They finished in the top five in each of these tournaments. They won Y-Me tournament eight times, the Bucks for Burn seven times, and the Best of Western six times. By playing against such great competitors in these tournaments, the Hangovers improved their play for league competition.
Over these past twenty-six years, the women that played on the Hangovers have proven themselves to be some of the most amazing women that anyone could ever know. Time will only tell how long they will continue to play, but they do know that the friendships they have formed will last a lifetime. Each of these women that have played in the past, and that are still playing today are amazing athletes who love this crazy game of 16-inch softball!.
A special thanks to each of these ladies:Linda Annolino, Pam Abney, Christine Baldwin, Tricia Benedetto, Lupe Buttliere, Gina Corso, Maria (Billie) Campos, Colleen Cassiani, Kelly Cusick, Susie Cusick, Mary Deppert, Erin Dzieka, Colleen Elliott, * Rosie Geraci, Becky Honan, Jamie Honan, Vicki Hart, Lisa Hovel, * Betty Kollar, Becky Koenig, Beth Ann (Boo) Kaczorowski, Donna LoDuca
Diane (Dee Dee), LaPorte. Lisa Lorenz, Amy Marek, Christine Miernicki, Sarah McCarthy, Terry O’Boyle, Pattie Prokaski, Nikki Pietras, Mary Radek, Mary Reagan, * Elvira (Babe) Sanfilippo, , Melissa Sizemore, Wendy Skrocki, Dawn Sadorf, Paige Stryczdk, Wendy Taylor, Jennifer Tuider, Melissa Wojciechowski, Lillian Warrington, Teresa White
* Indicates women that have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Team Hot City Travelling All-Stars


Hot Shots (Women)


JYNX


Team Kuppenheimer


Team Lettuce

We showed up; we played hard. We won our fair share; we had a good time.These words by Hall of Fame manager Rich Melman summarize Lettuce softball during the 1990s. Melman and Joel Zimberoff managed Lettuce to one USSSA title in 1994, three ASA runners-up finishes (‘91,’97,’99), and four ASA National titles (‘92,’93.’96,’98). They also placed second in the Forest Park Tournament three times (‘92,’96, and ‘99) and won it four times (‘91, ‘93, ‘94, and ‘97). Lettuce has won every major championship in the game and is considered by many to be the Yankees of sixteen-inch softball during the 1990s. The stats will also say that Lettuce was the most successful team in Mt. Prospect’s storied softball history. Rich and Joel were instrumental in attracting some of the best players in the game, including Hall of Famers as Pat Caputo, Ray Topps, Ken Flaws, Matt Biondic, Ken Cooper, Kurt Uidal, Frank Mustari, Tim McManigal, John O’Conner, the Kelly brothers, John Kelleher and others. It is a safe bet a few more players will be added to that stellar list in the next few years. Lettuce was seen on television more than any team as well. The Grant Park Classic that was televised for six years and the Pro League that was televised for three years at Forest Park was co-founded by Melman

Team “45” Lyons

The Lyon's 45's forged an impressive record that places them high in the annals of softball's top teams. Beginning as a CYO team from St. Pascal's Grade School, the 45's competed under long time manager Roy Kindt in the early years at Kosciusko Park. In the late 60's and early 70's they moved into the "A" leagues at Clarendon, Portage, and James Parks. With the addition of John Staley, Big Lou, and Zeke, they became one of the most prolific long ball hitting teams in 16" softball history. With Speedy and Bobby Clark on base ahead of the big three power hitters, and with Dinks, Louie Z, Ed Schaeffer, and long ball hitting Eddie Whitman in the lineup, the 45's created many big run innings. Defensively the 45's countered with some defensive standouts: Chopper on the mound, first basemen Billy Shipbaugh and Jimmy Fuller, second basemen Bobby Russ and Mike Christoi, shortstop Mike Levar, outfielder Gino Jozwiak, catcher John Gola, and reserve pitchers Bernie Horne and Tom Kimdt. The 45's will long be remembered as crowd favorites with their long ball prowess and defensive skills, which paid big dividends. In just six years of playing together they accumulated six Portage Park titles, two first places finishes in Racine, Wisconsin, one Clarendon championship, and a City of Chicago championship and runner-up finish. In addition, they took second place twice in the Andy Frain Tournament and at James Park and a third at bForest Park. A trademark of the 45's was their loyalty to existing players; they never picked up players once the season started. Thirty years later they still attend the weddings, birthdays and baptisms of teammates.

Magic

Hilde Diaz | Frank Batura | John “Sweet Daddy Wojtasik | |
Ron “Orca” Michaowicz” | Mike Stawski | Paul Zaitz | |
Pete Zaitz | Keith “Breeze” Rehr | Bob “Jaws” Jaworski | |
Joe Fabian | Gary Klonowski | Rick Regep | |
Tommy Tomlinson | Bob Bellany | Bob “Croc” Crokenower | |
Aleco Julius | Brad Kerzich | Eddie Zambo | |
Robert Wojtasik | Kerry Mecca | Scot “Wesco” Wesolowski | |
Lupe Diaz | Paul Volk | Chuck Bedlow | |
Ray Bedlow | Dan Telford | Jason “Lil Orca” Micvhalowicz | |
John Bagel | Rich “Pup” Bagel | Mark Scharlow | |
Jack Kamin | Tom Mazurski | Charles Richardson | |
Tony “Ozzie” Giglio | Tony Davis | Danny Athern | |
Jack Hogan | Larry Lenz | Nate “Dino” Brown | |
Kenny Menke | Bryan Fry | John Pelagrino | |
Tony Kabella | Bill “Rookie” Lang | Ron Risden | |
Dave Plesha | Tom Neputy | Darren Neputy | |
Brain “Coach” Udaykee | Eddie Chibe | Brad Moriaity | |
Kevin Salkeld | Paul Wetzig | Mike “Doc” Snell | |
Mark Munizzi | Jim Homa | Rolan Czik | |
Dennis Strzelczyk | “Big Dave” Sramek | Bobby Rehr | |
Gary Lewis | Mark Perecich | John Strxelczyk | |
Rich Hennessey | Bill Hickey | Mick Malmon | |
Chuck Gach | Buddy McFadden | Korky Wesolowski | |
Dean Folcar | Dan Gernatis | Don Schultz | |
Bobby Alquist | Louie Delfiacco | Allan Tomnitz | |
Mark Ksiondra | Pat Strossner | Nino Perovich | |
“Pappa Joe” Zaitz | Joe Winnek | John Svetich | |
Bob Barta | Jimmy Glorioso | Ed “Rocko” Rokosic | |
Bob Habel | Howard Habel |

March Softball


Team McSchnapps

In the late 1970s, a chance meeting at a recently opened North Side bar led to the creation of McSchnapps, a women’s neighborhood team that would win many championships during the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s and create lifelong friendships along the way. During their heyday, McSchnapps played at Touhy, Paul Revere, Wells, Lake Shore, and Horner Parks. A North Side team from Clark and Rosemont that played without a coach, they regularly battled North Side teams the Baton and OJ’s and South Side rivals the Angels and Rose N Crown in tournaments at Grant Park and Trevor, Wisconsin. As a result of teamwork that was created over decades of playing softball, the women of McSchnapps remain friends to this day. They credit their continued success to the sponsorship and friendship of McSchnapps owner, Jeff Olsen, and the many fans who supported them every season. Like many softball teams that draft other players and form new teams, players from McSchnapps became the Stray Cats and Lyon’s Den, but the girls of McSchnapps will always remember the memories they created playing as a neighborhood team from Clark and Rosement. Mary Defiglia Bebe McBride Linda Iussa Vicky Avers Susan Boeck Donna Sokolowski Sharon King Pam Levar Linda Husby Denise Mallas Del Cecchini Bridget Coleman Linda Holowicki Sara Cirincioni Katherine Kern Sponsor: Jeff Olsen

Team Mixed Company

What do you get when you take female players from five different softball teams, add some colorful coaches, and mix in some banquet circuit rap and stepping? Well, you get the softball team Mixed Company. Pam Black and Popati Wing are given the credit of naming this eclectic group of ball players. They were a mixture of Mama’s Family, the Spoilers, the Rookies, the Force, and the Trey Nine Slims. Coached by Juan (Swan) Gayden with help from Allen Jenkins, Irby Dunn, and Mike Burns, Mixed Company called Dunbar Park their home. One of their trademarks occurred at banquets when they performed their written routine of step, sharp, and rap, explaining their championships through music and dance. Printed copies of the script can still be found in Chicago today. Like true champions and friends, the members of Mixed Company remained friends throughout the years even after playing against each other in leagues or tournaments. The wonderful memories created at 31st just off Martin Luther King Drive keep them connected today, years after they played their last game as a team.

Molex Team

The Molex team is considered the best team to play in the Western suburbs in the 80's and 90's. They were recognized by the HOF for their longevity, tenacity, and ability. Organized by Jim Geiser in the 70's for employees of the Fortune 500 global connector manufacturer. Joined by new employee and future HOF founder Al Maag in 1978, he helped change the culture of team to be competitive with employees and eventually a few ringers. The Molex brand became well known as they played and won over 30 events/leagues in Naperville, Lisle, Wheaton, Lemont and Woodridge. Instead of playing it safe the team took on the big boys in 90's in Mt Prospect, Clyde and TV Pro League...and all tournies here and in 5 states, even in domes and in the snow. They came in 4th twice in A Nationals and in top ten in 2 Major Nationals. They always finished in top 15 by year's end. They were on a Chevy Truck TV commercial with Ron Santo. They stopped in 2000. They were lead by Bill Stech, Richard Black, Steve Heinol and Al Maag most of those years. Mgr. Maag missed one season. Their teamates who loved to party at White's Tavern were in the 80's and early 90's: John Haase, Mike Miskin, Jim Segredo, Larry Kossack, Duke Orlandino, John Klein, Lee Andrejewski, Dino Petrin, Joe Gucwa, Kevin Muck, Steve Sleboda, Russ Krause, Don Davies, Don Gushurst, Bill Morrow, Jerry Last, and Brian Rhoades. In 90's: John Duraski, Dave Yozze, Danny Mueller, Art Lurie, Kevin Klabor, Dean Colutta, Gino Mardegan, Ron Matriscano, AJ Bevilacqu, Anthony Menolascino, Mike Bellis, Lou Rizzi, Scott Burdick, Gary McLaughlin, Tom Fredrickson, Bob Jost, Rob Schwigert and Bryan McWherter. HLM was a key sponsor over the years.

North Western Railroad Chicago

When the history of industrial teams is written, Chicago and North Western Railroad will certainly rank as one of the greatest teams because of its record and its longevity. Started in the 1920s, a 1925 photo of the team shows a twenty-three year old Abe Saperstein as the team’s shortstop and manager, the year before he founded the Harlem Globetrotters in 1926. During the 1930s, despite the ravaging effects of the Depression, the team held together because employees were retained (regardless of their work skills) until season’s end. The records of those days are gone, but the legends of the many victories and hundreds of dollars won in money games lives on. In the 1960s the team entered Chicago’s “golden age” of softball when Joe Umana (HOF) entered the team in the Clarendon Park Industrial League in 1965. The team won the title. From 1965 to 1992 “Joe’s Team” won twenty-six Industrial League and Men’s League Park Championships, two Grant Park Tournament of Champions City-wide first place titles, and one City-wide Industrial title at Thillens Stadium. They also placed second in the Grant Park Tournament of Champions, and recorded seven final four finishes in the Grant Park Industrial Tournament of Champions from 1969 to 1977. Of all the great games that Chicago and North Western played, perhaps two standout as the most memorable. In 1990 the team won four out of five games in come-from-behind fashion before losing to the U.S. Postal Service in the City-wide Industrial Tournament at Thillens Stadium. They later defeated that team in the championship game, 11 - 6. In 1976 they played their most memorable game against the powerhouse Daily News team (and 1975 champions) at Grant Park with Mike Royko on the mound and Tim Weigel in left field. But 1976 was to be different when Chicago and North Western shutout the powerful Daily News team, 10 - 0. Over the years, the Chicago and North Western team developed classic rivalries against such teams as the First National Bank of Chicago, Commonwealth Edison, Illinois Bell, the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, and other memorable teams. The strength of the team was credited to the lack of turnover at the railroad. It was not uncommon for them to field a team of players who had worked and played together for fifteen years. But many also credit Joe Umana’s leadership for their success. During his tenure, they won twenty-nine championships from 1965 to 1992. Joe Umana (HOF) Sal Pantano Jeff Liggett Mike Coyne (HOF) Tom May Roy Kramer Billy Haig Ted Lambrakis Rich Ginger Wally Friese Vince Flanagan Paul Blazek Sy Berman Tony Handzel Joe Collins Bud Allen Jim Hallgren Al Long Joe Jurkisatis Bob Franzen Howard Schulman Ron Ambroziak Gary Ogurek Joe Hill Jack Walter Ed Lydiksen Zig Wejman Noel Julian Tim O’Brien Dennis Brauner Denny Zeri Bob Madsen Pat Fiege Jerry Steigerwald Gary Kolbe Nick Poulos Clif Edington Denny Madison Larry Prince Larry Thompson Sylvester Bobo Bill Boukas Dick Stewart Lee Bellman Don Napen Don Kalinsky John Plebanek Tom Tinerella

Team North Shore Congregation

Long before cable television, internet, and air conditioning occupied our modern world, Chicagoans beat the summer’s heat by walking outside, sitting on the front porch, or watching a new sport that was sweeping Chicago : 16-inch softball. In 1937 North Shore Congregation of Chicago defeated Federal Auto Supply 9 to 2 in the first inter-city 16-inch softball game on record. Judy Rankin of North Shore held Federal Auto Supply to three hits, two of them in the first inning. He also hit a home run to help seal the victory. North Shore Congregation is the church division champion of the Chicago Evening American tournament. They won the playoffs among the title-holders in the various classes.

OutCast


Team OJs

The OJ’s , a team that will go down as one of the top women’s teams in 16” softball history, began its ten year run in 1973 when player/coach Linda “Boom Boom” Parker-Trapp and manager Joe Gerage combined their top teams from the Wells Park League. The team derived it’s name from the initials of Ozzie Babilla and John Wong, proprietors of OJ’s bar, located at Clark and Diversey in Chicago. The OJ’s went on to dominate tournaments at many Chicagoland parks, including River, Horner, Touhy, Paul Revere, Clarendon and Shabonna. They also dominated play in the Ed Kelly Tournament at Thillins’ Stadium, and at Hart Park in Blue Island. Many players continued playing with Ozzie and John when they gave up the OJ’s name in 1985, in favor of Buffoon’s Saloon. The OJ’s embodied all that was great in 16” softball; loyalty to a winning program, hard work at practice and during games, and lots of fun and friendship after the games. Unfortunately time has taken sponsor John Wong and superfans John “Duke” Schnagel and Bob Souski. But the roar of the summertime crowd can still be heard from the softball diamond at Lincoln and Montrose where the OJ’s racked up a winning percentage in the 900’s. Not bad for a team from Chicago’s North side. Coach; Joe Gerage Dodo Kaspar-Brait Erin McGuire Sandy Campofiore Kim McKeel Fran Diaz Mary Kay Monaghan Denise Kaspar-Dziedzic Anna Moraitis Sonya Fabiankovits-Krey Toni Paolini Karen Foley Pam Ransom Prissy Shepard Karen Reykjalin-Kraus Mary Kaspar Nancy Strohmeyer Chick Lillis Linda Trapp Tina Maglaya Debbie Whitfield

LA Posse


People’s Choice

For many years, the Doran brothers, Rich, Jerry and John, and Vito Povilaitis of Mt. Greenwood were the nucleus of many youth baseball teams until they began their softball careers by assembling a softball team called the Trumbullies. They played at Mt. Greenwood in 1972 and 1973. Like many young teams, they weren’t as competitive as they hoped, so they set out to recruit new players. John Doran attended Western Illinois University and it was there in September of 1973 that he met Dave “Jake” Jacobson from Park Ridge. Jake suggested they form a union of top players from the North and South Sides of Chicago. Jake recruited top talent from the North Side with Tony Reibel (HOF), Derek Singleton, Bill Spicer and Ron Ziemann (HOF) of the Amalgamonsters. In 1974, they began competing as the People’s Choice.
Both Rich Doran and Sam Taylor of the Flamingos attended Chicago State University, where they were stars on the nationally ranked wrestling team. After Rich saw Sam on the intramural softball field, he knew he had to have him on People’s Choice! It took some time, but eventually Sam joined the team in 1976 and overnight the “Choice” became a force to be reckoned with now that they had one of the best 16 - inch softball players in the City of Chicago!
Sam Taylor also had a pipeline of talent that brought Drake Jones and Stanley Brown from the Flamingos and Odell Humphries into the fold in 1977. These players added to a solid nucleus that consisted of players from other teams: Gary Ringhofer, added in 1979 from the Condors, Angelo Moca (Tahoe), Rich Ladewig and Frank Mioni (Whips), Ron Peltz and Bob Steadman (Renegades), Tom Kevin, Joe Moms and Tom O’Malley.
John Doran landed their first sponsor: the Chicagoland Plumbing Council, a sponsorship that would last from 1976 to 1981. They would make Mt. Greenwood their home park. They would also be sponsored by Tally’s Pub in Ford City Shopping Center and Klehm Nurseries of Arlington Heights.
An integrated team, with a strong desire to win, People’s Choice played all over the city and suburbs and always fared well. Though not always welcomed wherever they went, they thrived on winning and being the enemy. They dominated Mt. Greenwood Park from 1974 to 1992. They won championships in three different decades (70’s, 80’s and 90’s) to go along with numerous championships in Mt. Greenwood. They also won league championships in Arlington Heights, Bensenville, Itasca, Mt. Prospect, Roselle, Schaumburg, Wood Dale and Hamlin Park. Other team highlights include:
1.1979- Record: 83-9
2.1980- Six players named as Mt. Greenwood All-Stars
3.1982- Won all four leagues in Mt. Greenwood (first grand slam in park history)
4.1982- Twelve players nominated for the All-Chicago All-Star Team
5.Won three of four league titles in Mt. Greenwood Park three times
6.Won the Mt. Greenwood Sunday League title fourteen times in a fifteen year stretch
Softball legends and future Hall of Famers Ron Ziemann, Benny Holt, Jack Kelly, Mark Frighetto, Ken Flaws, Steve Prostran and Ken Cooper all played with People’s Choice through the years when their schedules permitted. In 1992, the People’s Choice ended their years of competition by winning the league titles at Mt. Greenwood and Hamlin Parks.

Peppers


Ray’s


Rebels


Team Rebels

The Rebels emerged as one of the most competitive women’s teams of the late 1970s and early '80s, playing in park district leagues as well as countless tournaments on Chicago’s North and South Sides. One of the most memorable moments in team history occurred in the Women’s National Softball Tournament in 1977. When the tournament began, Manager Ron Hill and Coach Stan Powenski knew they were at the helm of a team comprised of young, talented and athletic rookies and a few seasoned veterans. After losing their first game, the Rebels fought their way up through the loser’s brackets to take on the mighty Rose N Crown. They used a powerful offense and skillful defense to beat them twice to capture the national championship. This championship served as a springboard for many of the players who went on to become some of the best 16" inch softball players of their day.

Team RIC Cubs

In 1981, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) established the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program, a community-based adaptive sports program for youth and adults with physical disabilities. Thirty years later, it has become one of the longest running adaptive sports programs in the country offering a wide range of competitive and recreational sports opportunities for people of all ages and ability levels including, wheelchair rugby, basketball road racing and softball, sled hockey, golf, skiing, archery, power soccer, bocce, cycling, and military programming for injured service men and women. The Wirtz Sports Program along with partner program the Helen M. Galvin Health and Fitness Center, experience more than 40,000 program visits annually. With wheelchair softball quickly growing in popularity among athletes, the sport was one of the earliest offered within the RIC Wirtz Sports Program. Playing in parking lots across the region, the newly developed RIC wheelchair softball team found little success playing against the more established teams in the region. But the spirit of the game did not abate. And the in following years, the athletes honed their skills and drew Chicago's most talented players. In 1993, the RIC Rollers became the RIC Cubs when Cubs Care, the charitable arm of the Chicago Cubs baseball organization and part of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, came on board as the first National League organization to sponsor a wheelchair softball team. The team's performance became worthy of National League status when in 2002 the RIC Cubs won their first National Wheelchair Softball Association title and repeated as champs in 2005. The RIC Cubs have had great success in national tournaments: taking third and fourth place twice, and second place four times. In 2000, Major League Baseball (MLB) established the Major League Baseball Tournament in New York City. The annual tournament is popularly referred to as the "World Series" of wheelchair softball and offers the top MLB-affiliated wheelchair softball teams a chance to compete each September in this exclusive 16-INCH tournament sponsored by the New York Mets. The RIC Cubs have proudly won the title eight of the past ten years. And, with nearly thirty years of experience, the RIC Cubs wheelchair softball team continues a tradition of excellence and camaraderie on the field bringing home the MLB "World Series" title again in 2011.
RIC Cubs Players
Larry Labiak – Catcher Kurt Smith – Right Center Field Paul Moran – Left Fielder Jorge Alfaro – Short Stop Dave Lewis – First Base Alex Parra – Pitcher Dino Ramirez – Right Field Juan Ortiz – Second Base Angelo Cruz – Third Base Curtis Lease – Right Center Field Maurice Reynolds – Rover Dan Palmer – Designated Hitter Ramon Canellada – Infielder Hector Bruno – Infielder Trent Thenhaus – Team Manager Brian O'Dell – Coach Corey Hug – Coach Kelley Hayn –Equipment Manager

Ringers


Team Rizza Rockers

The Rizza Rockers, a team made up of public service employees from North Riverside and Riverside - Brookfield High School graduates, started playing in 1986 in the North Riverside Fall Ball Rec. League. The next year they struck gold when they won the North Riverside Summer League. With confidence firmly in hand, they started playing some softball tournaments. Because of their great play, they won an “A” bid to the ASA Nationals in Indiana, taking fourth place in their first “A” Nationals despite having only two players who had played in a national tournament before. They were led by pitcher (Chops) Chiappetta and First-Team All- American Jeff Berger at shortstop. Fresh from their success at the “A” Nationals, the Rockers looked to challenge themselves to be as good as teams like the Blues, Jinx, and Touch, so they started playing in the toughest leagues around Chicago, including Forest Park, Bensenville, and Mt. Prospect. In 1993 they won the Suburban Life Tournament. That year they played in the No Gloves Nationals, the Hawthorne Tournament, the Grant Park Tournament, and in the ASA Nationals. They appeared in the ASA Major and “A” Nationals from 1987 to 1999. They also played in the short-lived Sports Channel Television League. As many teams climb the ranks of competitive softball, they often abandon the players they started with in favor of stronger players from other teams. The Rockers believed in an opposite formula - stick with younger players. This strategy paid off because they were able to develop their talent. It often failed, however, when some of the top teams would recruit these younger players. For a number of years, the Rockers seemed to be a farm team for some of the top teams. Their strategy of sticking with younger players and playing in the toughest leagues began to pay off as the Rockers started to hold their own with the era’s top teams, the Whips, Sports Station, Bud North, Dollhouse, Primetime, Splinters, and Bucks. In the late-90s, they went head-to-head with Lettuce and were able to hold their own against this legendary team. In 1998 they won the No Glove Nationals, beating Lettuce in the semi-finals and Pugliese in the finals. That year they were led by short center and Forest Park MVP, Greg Ziegler. Ziegler also played with the Rockers the longest and formed a bond with the Rockers’ manager that will last a lifetime. Many fine young players wore the Red & Black of the Rockers. It was said that manager Lane Neimann had the biggest phone book in the game. With a great sponsor like Joe Rizza Ford, the Rockers were always well stocked with players and looked sharp on the field. Joe Rizza continued his sponsorship during the entire time the Rockers played softball. His only requirement was that they looked good. And they did.

Team Rollers

The Chicago Rollers 16-inch softball team team was formed at the end of the 1976 season. It was a team that merged players from Niles, Edison Park and Notre Dame High School. The original team started with the following players – Tom Czarnik, Hugh Carmichael, Ed Murray, Craig Christiansen, Bill Maurer, Tom Jones, Mike Fragale, John Egart, Steve Everhart, Bill Byron, Kevin McGrath, and Jim Lannon. Several other players played key roles in the early success of the team. These players were Jim Boysen, Bob Bastone, Jeff Adams, Ken Walters, Buddy Eckholm, Kevin Kachan, and Tom Hohenadel.
During the next several years the Rollers played in several highly competitive leagues throughout the Northwest Suburbs and at Chicago Park District venues. The Rollers initial season was pretty good. They won several league championships and topped off a successful season by winning the City of Chicago Championship. Along the way the Rollers played almost every weekend and most of the time at least two games a night.
At the end of 1978, the Rollers added several key players from Murderer’s Row: Denny Hull and Warren (HOF) & Byron Johnson. We had a great year finishing in fourth place in the ASA Nationals in Prescott, AZ. Just getting through an ASA Metro was at the time a very difficult tourney to win, so the fourth place finish was a great step forward. During the 1979 season the Rollers won the Andy Frain Tournament, the Kelly Park championship and the North Shore Tournament (both won on the same night and played with a split squad). We won the Midwest Invitational in La Crosse and finished near the top in several Forest Park tournaments.
Unlike many teams that formed in the mid-‘70s, the Rollers accomplished a great deal of success in a relatively short period of time. Players that the Rollers competed against will always say that there was an intangible factor that the Rollers played with. They were driven by the desire to compete with the elite of the softball greats – not only the great players but also the great teams. They were fortunate to be able to play against some of softball’s great teams: the Bobcats, the Sobies, Big Banjo Bruins, Amaglamonsters, and Whips to name just a few. The players on those teams were truly great players and inspired the Rollers to be as good as they were.
In 1980 several players moved on. Some retired from the game to raise families, several moved out of state and several left to play for other teams. The Rollers added several players from the Des Plaines area: John O’ Conner, Chris Bouche, Jim Venard, Glenn Miller, Mark Ackerman, and Rick Wolfgram. They continued to play in Clarendon Park, Portage Park, and Evanston. In 1981 they merged with the Bobcats and finished second in the ASA Nationals in Harvey.
The Rollers became the Runts in 1982. Along the way, they added Mark Frighetto (HOF), Mark Schuler (HOF), Bill Finnegan (HOF), Ron Zieman (HOF) and Tim Howser. They finished second in the ASA Nationals that year in South Dakota, beating the Spats after the Spats came out of the losers’ bracket to beat them twice. . The Runts continued playing in Mount Prospect and Portage. They won the Illinois State tournament in 1984 and came in second in the USSSA in Iowa.
The team evolved into Auto Mart and Bud North in the late 80’s. Although the Rollers only played together for five seasons before merging with the Bobcats in 1981, they packed a lot of great softball into those years. Most team members would admit that playing 16-inch softball as a member of the Rollers was one of the best times of their lives.

Team Rolling Dice

It was approximately the summer of 1973 when Louis "Butch" Whiters and Richard "Bro" Mason were sitting on a porch near 58th and Ada discussing how the neighborhood kids had nothing constructive to do because there were no health centers of recreational facilities available. So they decided to help the neighborhood kids by forming softball teams that would compete against each other. Later they would play teams from other blocks. This simple idea grew became so successful that they joined leagues at Sherman and Ogden Parks. At first they lost a lot of games because they weren't used to the high level of competition. Rather than give up (and as the oldest siblings in their families), they followed the pattern that all successful teams follow - they recruited better players from the neighborhood. Success followed and Rolling Dice built a strong team bond and family-like atmosphere. The next step was to find sponsorships. Most teams head to the local tavern or lounge and convince the owner to pick up the tab for uniforms and registration fees. But the members of Rolling Dice were too young to get a lounge sponsorship, so they had parties and raffles with team members and family friends at banquet halls to raise money. They also received a sponsorship from Alderman Shirley Coleman as an honorarium for their participation in the local backto- school parade. With uniforms and tournaments fees paid for, they developed into a team to be reckoned with. They weren't always successful but always gave the opposing team a tough fight. After ten years of playing, Louis Whiters stepped away to devote more time to his family and job, so Richard Mason took over a continued the strong legacy they had started together. In 1981 Rolling Dice competed in seven leagues and played every day. That year they won championships at 75th and Jeffrey, at Dawes Park, and at Washington Park. In 1993 they won the Blue Island league by defeating the Villains and the Washington Park league by defeating the Alpha Giants. In 2000 and 2001 they took second at Washington Park. In 2004 they won the titles at Blue Island and Washington Park. That same year they came in second in the Black Nationals in Wisconsin. In 2006 and 2007 they were cochampions at Blue Island and were co-champions at Rainey Park in 2006. In 2009 they were co-champions of the Fall League at Garfield Park. Throughout their history, Rolling Dice has played at many parks throughout Chicago and the suburbs. And they always played with that never-say-die attitude ingrained in them from the very beginning of the team by Lois Whites and Richard Mason.

Stover

- 2001: 4th at Schaumburg, Illinois All-American players: Jay Polson, Mike McCune, Tim Walker, Cory Coppola, Tony Coppola
- 2002: 2nd at South Bend, Indiana All-American players: Joe Coppola, III, Chuck Coppola, Jr., Sean McMurray, John Spinner, Mike McCune
- 2003: 2nd at Marshalltown, Iowa All-American players: Tim Walker, Jay Polson, Marty Freese, Joe Coppola, III
- 2004: 3rd at Chandler, Arizona Mike McCune, Jay Polson, Marty Freese, Joe Coppola, III, Tony Coppola
- 2005: 3rd at Mt/ Prospect, Illinois All-American players: Jay Polson, Mike Wood, Joe Coppola, III
- 2006: 5th at Mt. Prospect, Illinois All-American players: Joe Coppola, III, Tim Walker, Jay Polson, Chris Coppola
- 2007: 2nd at Marshalltown, Iowa All-American players: Joe Coppola, III,
- 2008: 2nd at Crystal Lake, Illinois All-American players: Joe Coppola, III, Tony Coppola, Ben Happel, Mike McCune, Mike Kruse, Pat Kruse
- 2009: 13th at Marshalltown, Iowa All-American players: Ben Happel, Joe Coppola, III

Gillette Strokers /Old Strokes/Leftovers


Team Safari Tigers


Saints


Shooters


Team SloPokes


Team Smoke


Team Smooth Over


Team Splinters


Team The Stompers


Team Stooges


Team Sulky Inn Favorites


Northern Trust


Thunder

- 1015 wins
- Won thirty-seven league championships
- Won the Mt Prospect Classic League in 2012
- Won ASA Class “A” Nationals in 2007
- Won ten tournaments
- Finished third in ASA Class “A” Nationals in 2000, and 2004 after losing winners bracket final
- Finished third in ASA/SSA Major Nationals in 2009 and 2011 after losing winners bracket final
- Seven other top-ten finishes in Nationals for a total of eleven top-ten finishes in seventeen years
- Seventeen top-ten finishes in Major tournaments
- One of only four teams who played in Forest Park No Glove Nationals every year since 2007. Thunder had two top-ten finishes in that time span
- Finished third in ASA State Championships in 2007 and 2009
- Fourth in total number of wins in Mt Prospect Classic League history
- Team manager Frank Stella ranked fourth in total number of wins among managers in Mt Prospect Classic League history
- Thirty-nine players with All-American awards at Nationals
- Two players win the batting championship at Nationals
- Two players win the most home runs award at Nationals
- Two players win the most home runs award at Forest Park No Glove Nationals
- One player won the MVP at ASA Class “A” Nationals

Team Rollers

The Chicago Rollers 16-inch softball team team was formed at the end of the 1976 season. It was a team that merged players from Niles, Edison Park and Notre Dame High School. The original team started with the following players – Tom Czarnik, Hugh Carmichael, Ed Murray, Craig Christiansen, Bill Maurer, Tom Jones, Mike Fragale, John Egart, Steve Everhart, Bill Byron, Kevin McGrath, and Jim Lannon. Several other players played key roles in the early success of the team. These players were Jim Boysen, Bob Bastone, Jeff Adams, Ken Walters, Buddy Eckholm, Kevin Kachan, and Tom Hohenadel.
During the next several years the Rollers played in several highly competitive leagues throughout the Northwest Suburbs and at Chicago Park District venues. The Rollers initial season was pretty good. They won several league championships and topped off a successful season by winning the City of Chicago Championship. Along the way the Rollers played almost every weekend and most of the time at least two games a night.
At the end of 1978, the Rollers added several key players from Murderer’s Row: Denny Hull and Warren (HOF) & Byron Johnson. We had a great year finishing in fourth place in the ASA Nationals in Prescott, AZ. Just getting through an ASA Metro was at the time a very difficult tourney to win, so the fourth place finish was a great step forward. During the 1979 season the Rollers won the Andy Frain Tournament, the Kelly Park championship and the North Shore Tournament (both won on the same night and played with a split squad). We won the Midwest Invitational in La Crosse and finished near the top in several Forest Park tournaments.
Unlike many teams that formed in the mid-‘70s, the Rollers accomplished a great deal of success in a relatively short period of time. Players that the Rollers competed against will always say that there was an intangible factor that the Rollers played with. They were driven by the desire to compete with the elite of the softball greats – not only the great players but also the great teams. They were fortunate to be able to play against some of softball’s great teams: the Bobcats, the Sobies, Big Banjo Bruins, Amaglamonsters, and Whips to name just a few. The players on those teams were truly great players and inspired the Rollers to be as good as they were.
In 1980 several players moved on. Some retired from the game to raise families, several moved out of state and several left to play for other teams. The Rollers added several players from the Des Plaines area: John O’ Conner, Chris Bouche, Jim Venard, Glenn Miller, Mark Ackerman, and Rick Wolfgram. They continued to play in Clarendon Park, Portage Park, and Evanston. In 1981 they merged with the Bobcats and finished second in the ASA Nationals in Harvey.
The Rollers became the Runts in 1982. Along the way, they added Mark Frighetto (HOF), Mark Schuler (HOF), Bill Finnegan (HOF), Ron Zieman (HOF) and Tim Howser. They finished second in the ASA Nationals that year in South Dakota, beating the Spats after the Spats came out of the losers’ bracket to beat them twice. . The Runts continued playing in Mount Prospect and Portage. They won the Illinois State tournament in 1984 and came in second in the USSSA in Iowa.
The team evolved into Auto Mart and Bud North in the late 80’s. Although the Rollers only played together for five seasons before merging with the Bobcats in 1981, they packed a lot of great softball into those years. Most team members would admit that playing 16-inch softball as a member of the Rollers was one of the best times of their lives.

Team The 45’s


Touch












Traffic


Untouchables

Chuck Anderson
Dee Bedenfield
Frank Bellmon
Lewis Bledsoe
James “JB” Bishop
Lloyd Boyd
Ricardo Chalk
Lee “Sonny” Clark*
Rick Coleman
Larry “Butch” Danley*
Dodd Davis
Chuckie Dunn
Nate Early
Steve Ellerson
Vincent Frierson
Caleb Glover
Tim “Ace” Leverston
Otis Goodman
Chuck Gordon
Sheldon Grey
Marcus Green
Leroy “Popeye” Harris
Carol Harris
Danny Houston
William “Bean” Howard
Anthony Jackson
Dwayne Jamison
Garvin Johns
Gary “Bay” Johns
Joe Johnson
Kevin Jones
Sonny Kirkwood
Ira Kirkwood
Dwayne Lawrence
Howard Bowling*
Ron Mack
Larry “Super” Mapp
Kelvin McDonald*
Lacy Moore*
Derrick Moses
Randy Nelson
Rod Parker
Greg Pearson
Mike Phillips
Vada Primous (HOF)
Kevin Purdimon
Thurmond Reed
Charles Richard
Leo Richmond*
Mike Ross
Otha “Champ” Simmons
Walter Smith
Larry “La La” Washington (HOF)
Stephan Smith
Willie “Floyd” Smith
Dwain “Sonny” Spivey
Darryl Stewart
Winfred Street
Lorenzo Swift
Charlie Talbert
Bobby Thomas
Mike Walker
William Weatherspoon
Melvin Whispers
Richard Williams
Dave Williams*
Derrick “Skeet” Williams
Edgar Wright
James Wright
Darnell “Dubie” Smith
Tony Pearson (Manager)
*Deceased

Team Whips
