Ron Amazzalorso

Ron Amazzalorso grew up at 96th and Avenue N, a street referred to as “Goat Street” because goats were once raised there. Avenue M was referred to as “Cow Street” for the same reason. Many discussions at local bars debated which of these nicknamed streets produced the better athletes.

Ron and his friends were gym rats and everyday weather permitting, they would gather at Piotrowski Park, to choose sides for a 16-inch softball game. Mr. Janess, the park supervisor, would distribute the softballs and bats for the pickup games. Everyday Ron and his friends hoped that Mr. Janess would hand out the new softballs. Because Ron would hang around each day after the games to help with cleanup, he became Mr. Janess’ favorite and was often able to score a new softball with Mr. Janess telling them “this is the last time I do this.”

Their lives revolved around sports at the park and at other sites around the city. They would load-up Mr. Janess’ car (sometimes putting guys in the trunk if they couldn’t fit inside the car) and compete at other parks, winning championships and making positive memories. These days inspired Ron to become a park supervisor, a position he held for thirty years with the Chicago Park District.

Ron graduated from George Washington High School in 1965, received his draft notice six months later, and ended up in Viet Nam. He returned home in 1968 and started his softball career with neighborhood teams and then competed at Calumet Park when it formed a league that featured some of the best team on the South Side. Bobby Mantai, a top player on the South Side, recruited Ron to play with his team 3 Star Erector for a tournament the following Saturday. They were undefeated through the weekend as was the softball team E.R.V. These two powerhouse teams entered the seventh inning with one out and Ron on second base. Bob Bradich, a power hitter, hit a long fly ball to right field, Ron tagged-up, and beat the throw home to score the winning run. From that day forward, 16-inch softball ran through Ron’s veins.

His career with the Eastsiders began when his team was playing them in the Calumet Park League championship game when Ron impressed their manager John Maribelli with a couple of hits, a homerun, and a throw to second that ended the game, securing the championship by one run. He went on to play five decades for the Eastsiders.

In 1978, the Eastsiders needed a pitcher, so Ron switched from centerfield to pitcher. He honed his skills and learned the tricks of the trade and defensive skills. The Eastsiders began playing in leagues and tournaments throughout the South Side and suburbs. They went on to win the championships of many leagues and won over one hundred tournaments. He started playing five days a week in two games a night on Tuesday and Thursday with late games in Blue Island and Harvey. He also played in tournaments on weekends. Besides the Eastsiders, Ron also played for Pete’s Hideaway, Huns, Lakeside Inn, T.J.’s, Speed, Indios, O’Hara’s, Little Rays, and ERV 10th Ward.

Ron played centerfield because he was fast and had great hands. He batted fourth behind Tom Newman. (HOF) He hit for power but could also hit to all fields for a high average. He played at Calumet Park in the Veterans Tournament in 1976 and hit three home runs to help his team win the championship. He received the MVP award for his efforts. He was also named to All Star Team in the men’s league in Harvey in the 80’s.

Ron played on a great team, never let the team down, and formed many long-lasing relations. Five decades later, the core of the team still gets together to rehash old memories. Ron thanks his wife, Fran, for the many sacrifices she made and his daughter, Nikki, for coming to his games when his wife worked weekends. He thanks God for his health. Ron is a retired supervisor for the Chicago Park District. His wife, Fran, is a retired nurse.

Antone Thrash

Better known as “Hero” or “Thrash,” #21 Antone Thrash excelled in 16” Softball for two decades. Small in stature, he played the game with sheer heart, leadership and determination, and all out hustle, grit and desire that few could match. Starting as an outfielder with Jack’s Family / Dunbar Park, he moved into the infield as a defensive specialist at second base wth Poison / Washington Park, Big Dogs / Harrison Park, Solutions / Blue Island, Solutions / Oak Lawn, and Grand Theft / Garfield Park, respectively. However, it was as a Pitcher with Solutions that Thrash made his mark as they captured over 20 championships under his reign: 3 ASA Nationals, 5 Heritage Classics, 4 Washington Park Sunday, 1 Oak Lawn title, ASA and SSA Qualifiers and a host of other titles. In 2011, ASA Nationals at Cedar Rapids, Solutions captured it’s first of 3 Na-tional titles and Thrash was named MVP for his outstanding play. When his team wasn’t playing, Thrash could usually be found studying team tendencies and doing everything possible to gain an advantage or prepare to compete at the highest level. Thrash had a reputation as a true extension of a coach on the field, holding him-self, players and coaches responsible for doing the right thing. Considered among his peers as one of the best pitchers of his generation, Thrash was al-ways quick to mentor his own teammates and the opposition, giving encour-agement and sharing pitching tips and positive suggestions. Before taking the field, Thrash reminded the team about playing with PHD: Pride Hustle and De-sire, his personal motto for every game.

John C Barrett

John started playing softball in 1960 at the age of eight at the Neighborhood Boys Club (NBC) on Chicagos North side. It was at the NBC that John fell in love with the game of 16” softball. His love of the sport continued through high school at St. Benedict’s and in college at DePaul University. In 1968, students at St. Benedict’s formed the “Aces”, a softball team that played at Paul Revere Park. John and another friend, Tom Wenholz, joined the team in 1969 and have played for the Aces ever since. In 1971, John reorganized the Aces when he picked up members of the Alpha Chi fraternity and other friends from DePaul University. John has played, coached, and managed the Aces for every season since 1971. He has coached approximately 1400 games in the last 36 years. While the Aces remained John’s main team, he was also the pitcher, coach, and manager of the Allstate Insurance Northwest Metro softball team. They played during the mid 70s and early 80s in the Lincolnwood Industrial Park League. In addition, John played for the Howard family team, the Sunshine’s, and pitched for the team that won the Eugene Field title in 1977. The Aces were very competitive and played almost every evening either at Paul Revere, Clarendon or Portage Parks on the Northwest side of Chicago and played tournaments on weekends. Over the years, they accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments: 1971 Clarendon Park Saturday League Champs, 1972 and 1973 Paul Revere Park Champs, 1976 and 1977 Paul Revere 2nd pl, 1978 Portage Park B League Champs, 1982 Paul Revere Champs, 1983 River Park Champs, and 2000 Horner Park Champions. Some of the team’s greatest memories included the invitation to play in the 1976 Andy Frain tournament at Clarendon Park. The Aces drew the reigning city champions, Murderer’s Row, in the first round and won by a score of 3 to 2. The Aces next faced the “Bobcats.” Although the Aces lost, it was quite an experience playing one of the most legendary teams in softball history. Another great moment occurred when the team won the prestigious Ed Kelly Tournament at River Park in 1977. The Aces faced four “A” league teams to win the tournament, beating the Silver Streak in the semi finals and the Circus in the championship game. Other great moments include the great rivalry against the Lifters and Blues in the 70s and 80s. Other than the longevity and the success on the field, John’s legacy is that nine players with more than thirty-five years experience continue to play as the Aces enter their fortieth season. The players are John and Bill Abplanalp, Mike Burke, Jim Kartheiser, John Mackin, Jim Mazukelli, Tom and Tim Seiwert, and Tom Wenholz. In addition, Tom Krier and Wally Johnson have played for fifteen-plus years. While no longer playing, John Kosick, Herb W A L L O F F A M E John C. Barrett 50 C H I C A G O 1 6 " H A L L O F F A M E Freundt, and George Ristau played for more than twenty years. Perhaps John’s greatest moment is being fortunate enough to coach his son, John Patrick, and the children of three other players. Currently, there are four father/son combinations on the Aces (John Barrett and son, John Patrick; Mike Burke and son, Paddy; Tim Seiwert and son, Tim Jr; and Mike Vesper and son, Chris). John has also influenced many boys and girls in sports through volunteering and coaching at St. Thecla Grade School and Edison Park Youth, Inc on Chicago’s Northwest side over the past twenty years. John is currently the president of Edison Park Youth, Inc and an active alumni of the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club. John is married to his wonderful wife of 30 years, Maureen. They have three beautiful children (Sheila, a special ed teacher with the Chicago Public schools, Katie, a graduate student at St. Xavier University, and John, a sophomore at St. Norberts College). John has worked at Allstate Insurance Company for the past thirty-three years and is currently a Senior Claim Manager in Northbrook. John passed away in March 2008...just missing his 40th season with the ACES at Indian Road.

Danny Brichetto

Danny Brichetto started playing softball in the late 70’s on the North Side of Chicago at Kelvyn, Kosciuszko, Indian Rd., and Portage Parks. He was a center fielder who could hit to the gaps with power. Playing in a Sunday league at Kelvyn Park, the umpire, Al Hensel, asked him to play on his team at Hanson Park, a team that would evolve into the Wings that played at Kosciuszko and Indian Road. In addition to this team, Mike Gruber formed the Drillers with players from Brichetto’s college team, OFF. They played at Portage Park against the top competition like the Stones, Playboys, and Rollers. He also played with the Extras in the Wednesday Night James Park League, a league that featured top teams as well.

After playing against the Rollers at Portage and James, Tom “Eggs” Czarnik (HOF) and Hugh Carmichael asked him to play tournaments with the Rollers. In 1982, the Runts were formed from a merger of the Rollers and the Rat-Pac of Des Plaines. He played left field in an outfield with Mark Schuller (HOF) and John O’Connor (HOF). This was the best team he ever played on. For the next three years, the Runts placed second and third in the ASA Nationals in 1982 and ’83 and the same in the USSSA Nationals in 1983- 84. They won many tournaments in those three years, one being the North Shore Tournament where he was voted MVP.

In 1986 and 1987, Danny played with Sal Vasta’s Blues at Clyde Park in Cicero. He helped them win many class “A” tournaments. He played in an outstanding outfield that included Hall of Fame inductees Angelo Alesia and Jim Matlock. In 1987, “Eggs” asked him to join Bud North for the first of their three straight Forest Park wins. He played center field between Paul Brezinski (HOF) and Mark Schuller (HOF). They finished third in ASA Nationals. He finished the 80’s playing for Meadows during Mr. Cooper’s last season. He was teamed up with Mike Gruber again along with Jerry Rhea (HOF) and Bill and Terry Moran (HOF). In addition to playing at Mt. Prospect in the Classic League in the 80’s, he continued to play at Kosciuszko with the Wings and with his brother Larry’s team, the Critters.

As the 90’s began, he reunited with former Runt teammate, Glenn Miller, on the Turtles. The Turtles competed in the Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Franklin Park leagues along with all ASA and USSSA tournaments from 1990 to 1996. They finished ninth in ASA Major in Cedar Rapids and fourth in 1992 USSSA Major. In 1991 he played with Steve Jansen and Larry “Bass” Schumacher on the Flames in LaGrange. They finished fourth in ASA A and Danny was selected as a 1st team All-American.

Rich Mellman (HOF) brought softball back to Grant Park with many classic tournaments in the 90’s. This was special since Danny and his brother used to watch their father, “Motts” Brichetto, play center field for the Merchandise Mart back in the 60’s. Former Wing teammate, Tony Dudek, asked Danny to play on the Sun-Times team that won the Industrial Division in 1993. The team featured Tom “Bomber” Horn (HOF), the Placek brothers and Dan Cahill (HOF). In the Championship game he tore his bicep tendon swinging the bat. He had surgery that week but was back playing the following year. Luckily that was his only serious injury in forty years of competition.

In 1997, at the age of forty, Danny formed the Bugs that played in the Forest Park League. The league winner received a bid to the No Glove National. He was reunited with Mark Schuller in the outfield. They added power hitters Tim O’Neill , Jim Gierek, John Carey with Tommy Thompson (HOF) on the mound. They were the first team from the local league to win at least two games in the No Glove Nationals, losing to the eventual runner up Gamblers 9-8.

In 1998, “Eggs” asked him to play on a young Shooters team that featured Chris Downes, Michael Simpson, Tony Grillo, the Dooley brothers and of course two younger Czarnik brothers, Ray (HOF) and John. They finished second in the ASA Class “A” and tenth the following year in ASA Major. In the ‘90s, he also played at Merrimac Park for Ron “Suds” Czarnota’s Full House team.

In 2001 and 2004 he played with Bob Balzanos March teams that placed fifth in Aberdeen and ninth at Prescott. In between those stints, he played with Ralph Reporto’s Leinenkugel team in 2003-04. They placed fourth in ASA Class “A” in Bourbonnais where he was named a Second team All American and led the team in homeruns for the tournament. He played in his last two ASA tournaments in 2005 at the age of forty-nine year old lead off man for Wally Pec’s (HOF) Registers and in 2006 with Charlie Lowy’s Craftsmen.

Danny still plays softball today. He has enjoyed the camaraderie and competition over those forty-plus years.

Danny and his wife, Ellen, Have three children: Lauren, Matt, and Billy. They live in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

Dan “Sheik” Carmody

   

Danny Brichetto

Danny Brichetto started playing softball in the late 70’s on the North Side of Chicago at Kelvyn, Kosciuszko, Indian Rd., and Portage Parks. He was a center fielder who could hit to the gaps with power. Playing in a Sunday league at Kelvyn Park, the umpire, Al Hensel, asked him to play on his team at Hanson Park, a team that would evolve into the Wings that played at Kosciuszko and Indian Road. In addition to this team, Mike Gruber formed the Drillers with players from Brichetto’s college team, OFF. They played at Portage Park against the top competition like the Stones, Playboys, and Rollers. He also played with the Extras in the Wednesday Night James Park League, a league that featured top teams as well.

After playing against the Rollers at Portage and James, Tom “Eggs” Czarnik (HOF) and Hugh Carmichael asked him to play tournaments with the Rollers. In 1982, the Runts were formed from a merger of the Rollers and the Rat-Pac of Des Plaines. He played left field in an outfield with Mark Schuller (HOF) and John O’Connor (HOF). This was the best team he ever played on. For the next three years, the Runts placed second and third in the ASA Nationals in 1982 and ’83 and the same in the USSSA Nationals in 1983- 84. They won many tournaments in those three years, one being the North Shore Tournament where he was voted MVP.

In 1986 and 1987, Danny played with Sal Vasta’s Blues at Clyde Park in Cicero. He helped them win many class “A” tournaments. He played in an outstanding outfield that included Hall of Fame inductees Angelo Alesia and Jim Matlock. In 1987, “Eggs” asked him to join Bud North for the first of their three straight Forest Park wins. He played center field between Paul Brezinski (HOF) and Mark Schuller (HOF). They finished third in ASA Nationals. He finished the 80’s playing for Meadows during Mr. Cooper’s last season. He was teamed up with Mike Gruber again along with Jerry Rhea (HOF) and Bill and Terry Moran (HOF). In addition to playing at Mt. Prospect in the Classic League in the 80’s, he continued to play at Kosciuszko with the Wings and with his brother Larry’s team, the Critters.

As the 90’s began, he reunited with former Runt teammate, Glenn Miller, on the Turtles. The Turtles competed in the Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows and Franklin Park leagues along with all ASA and USSSA tournaments from 1990 to 1996. They finished ninth in ASA Major in Cedar Rapids and fourth in 1992 USSSA Major. In 1991 he played with Steve Jansen and Larry “Bass” Schumacher on the Flames in LaGrange. They finished fourth in ASA A and Danny was selected as a 1st team All-American.

Rich Mellman (HOF) brought softball back to Grant Park with many classic tournaments in the 90’s. This was special since Danny and his brother used to watch their father, “Motts” Brichetto, play center field for the Merchandise Mart back in the 60’s. Former Wing teammate, Tony Dudek, asked Danny to play on the Sun-Times team that won the Industrial Division in 1993. The team featured Tom “Bomber” Horn (HOF), the Placek brothers and Dan Cahill (HOF). In the Championship game he tore his bicep tendon swinging the bat. He had surgery that week but was back playing the following year. Luckily that was his only serious injury in forty years of competition.

In 1997, at the age of forty, Danny formed the Bugs that played in the Forest Park League. The league winner received a bid to the No Glove National. He was reunited with Mark Schuller in the outfield. They added power hitters Tim O’Neill , Jim Gierek, John Carey with Tommy Thompson (HOF) on the mound. They were the first team from the local league to win at least two games in the No Glove Nationals, losing to the eventual runner up Gamblers 9-8.

In 1998, “Eggs” asked him to play on a young Shooters team that featured Chris Downes, Michael Simpson, Tony Grillo, the Dooley brothers and of course two younger Czarnik brothers, Ray (HOF) and John. They finished second in the ASA Class “A” and tenth the following year in ASA Major. In the ‘90s, he also played at Merrimac Park for Ron “Suds” Czarnota’s Full House team.

In 2001 and 2004 he played with Bob Balzanos March teams that placed fifth in Aberdeen and ninth at Prescott. In between those stints, he played with Ralph Reporto’s Leinenkugel team in 2003-04. They placed fourth in ASA Class “A” in Bourbonnais where he was named a Second team All American and led the team in homeruns for the tournament. He played in his last two ASA tournaments in 2005 at the age of forty-nine year old lead off man for Wally Pec’s (HOF) Registers and in 2006 with Charlie Lowy’s Craftsmen.

Danny still plays softball today. He has enjoyed the camaraderie and competition over those forty-plus years.

Danny and his wife, Ellen, Have three children: Lauren, Matt, and Billy. They live in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

Rich DelGiudice

Rich DelGiudice’s softball career spans many memorable years as a player and later as a manager who was fortunate enough towards the end of his career to have managed three of his sons - George, Nick and Joe - as manager of the Flames. He started playing softball with the Hawks at Garfield Park and Grant Park. As an outfielder who played mostly right or left field, he carried a .500 - plus batting average and was twice selected as the MVP at Grant Park in the 1960s and also earned MVP honors at Garfield Park during that same era. In 1974 he turned his skills to managing softball. During his twenty-six years managing, he accumulated a record of 1100 wins against 700 losses, numerous league and tournament titles, four Metro titles and made two appearances in major national competition. He managed the Hawks for 1974 to ‘79 at Garfield and Grant Parks in Chicago. He then started a twenty-year partnership with the Flames in 1979 at Villa Park and Addison and at all tournaments. They won the title at Villa Park four times - in 1983, ‘85, ‘93 and ‘96. In 2000 he led Flash as they played in the Pro League at Forest Park and in the Classic League at Mt. Prospect. In 2001 he and Rich Hennessey coached Nectar softball to a third place finish in the Classic League at Mt. Prospect. That same year they won the Metros at Mt. Prospect to qualify for the ASA “A” Nationals In 1983 the Flames took second place at the Forest Park “No Gloves” Nationals, losing to the Whips in the title game. In 1985 they took fourth place at the Forest Park tournament. They won two Metros at Woodridge and two at Mt. Prospect. His teams made appearances at the A Nationals for twelve years, taking fourth place in 1988 and 1993. He and his wife, Sandy are deceased, they have seven children, Lynne, Rick, Joe, Vicki, Jan, George and Nick, and fifteen grandchildren. Rich DelGiudice lived in Lombard, Illinois.

Jim Donato

In 1961, Jim Donato started playing 16” softball with the Emil Colts in Melrose Park for 2 years before being called to serve his country. After returning from 2 years in the Army and Vietnam, he played Outfield and Pitcher with The Relatives, Merchants, Sportmens Lounge, Nocturms, Originals, Bruins and Olympians for 10 years in many Chicago area leagues. While playing in the Majors from 1975 - 1991, he played the ASSA Na-tionals and was on the Josephs 1975 ASA National Championship team, and was named to the 1975 and 1976 All Tournament Teams. In 1980, Jim started with the Lords as a player and eventually Manager for a total of 18 years. During this time, the Lords won 3 Metro champion-ships, numerous league titles, and 4 top 5 finishes in ASA and USSA Nationals. Since his retirement from the majors in 1995, Jim continued to play sen-ior softball through 2017. During his 20 years with the Chicago Clas-sics, they won 9 national titles, 26 regional titles, and Gold medals at the Illinois State Senior 16 inch Softball Olympics for 3 years. Throughout these title wins, Jim earned 2 MVPs at nationals, one at the Olympics and numerous All Tournament honors. Jim continues to enjoy the game, remaining active in local play. He credits much of his success to his own MVP - Eula - his wife of 44 years. www.16inchSoftballHOF.com

Jerry Duchen

Jerry Duchen’s baseball career started in 1949 at age seven when he joined a little league program. His fifty-three year softball career began two years later when he joined his first team at Humboldt Park. In 1953 he was selected to the JYC All Star Softball Team, but his big break occurred in 1957 when he was fifteen. He was selected from a school yard to join the Evanston Adult Classic League. The problem was that the games started at 9:15 and his mother wouldn’t let him stay out past curfew, so the team captainhad to pick him up and drive him home after the games. From that point on, Jerry Duchen’s career was off and running. During his career he played in over ten thousand games at all levels of softball. He credits his longevity to adapting his abilities to his age. When he was in his twenties and thirties, he relied on his speed and power and for a small man he hit his share of triples and homeruns. He played left field and hunted down many long balls. After age and surgeries began to take their toll, Jerry Duchen pitched or played the infield, but despite his age he is still able to get out and play the game that he loves , 16" softball.

Tom Duff

Tom Duff started playing 16-inch softball in 1975 in the Oak Park leagues with Clockwork, a team he formed. Duff also coached and/or organized most of the teams he played on, including his Leo Burnett and Optimus teams that won many Ad League Championships at Grant Park. These teams included longtime Clockwork teammate and HOF inductee, Dan “Sheik” Carmody. Duff finished his thirty-year career in the 2005 Hamlin Park tournament.

Duff was recruited to play with the Takers and Rox and helped them win additional park leagues and tournaments at the Major “A” level. Tom Duff was considered to be one of the finest defensive first basemen of his era. In addition to having great hands and stretching ability, he had tremendous range, quickness and softball “smarts.” His large, still mutilated fingers are a testament to his ability to catch everything thrown or hit his way.

In addition to his defensive prowess, his great leadership and strong desire to win inspired many of his teammates. He often channeled this “hot-headed” nature to get into opponent’s heads. One of his longtime teammates said, “Tommy never played for the recognition or pats on the back. He was the real, I love this game, deal. He respected the game, he loved the game, and he loved to win.

He was sought after by the best teams, and could have played “A” level ball exclusively if he chose to. But his first loyalty remained with his neighborhood Clockwork team, which competed at a high “B” level.

Tom Duff played 16-inch softball from 1975 to 2005 with the peak years from 1980 to 2004. During these peak years, his teams won many tournament championships and league titles. Clockwork won the Hamlin Park in 1987, 2003, and 2004; Rox won it in the 1990’s. Additionally, his teams won league titles at Oak Park (1987 and 1989), Kosciuszko Park, Riis Park, Clarendon Park, Kelly Park, and they won the Berwyn Tournament.

Tom grew up in Oak Park and graduated from St. Ignatius High School. He earned his undergraduate degree at Loyola University and his graduate degree at DePaul. Tom and his wife, Pam, live in La Grange Park. They have four children: Kevin (already a two-time 16-inch Nationals winner), Liz, Kelly, and Maggie. Tom is the President of Optimus, an Advertising Creative Services company in Chicago.

Joe “Moms” Firneno

Joe Firneno has been playing sixteen-inch softball for more than fifty-five years (and he just recently turned sixty-five). Some players say he still plays with the enthusiasm and passion of a twenty-five year old. Joe began playing softball in the alleys and streets around 80th and Peoria on the South Side of Chicago. In 1964, he started playing with the Rebels, older guys from the neighborhood who recognized his talent. He helped them win leagues titles in 1964 and 1965. In 1966, he played with IRA and helped them win the Ridge Park championship.   Joe’s playing days were interrupted when he served in the Marine Corps for several years, Besides the usual “grunt” duties associated with the Marine Corps in Vietnam, Joe played on their twelve-inch softball travelling team, a team made up of talented athletes. When he returned to civilian life, he played for the Marauders in Bridgeview’s Major League against some of the top teams in softball. In 1975, they took second at Kelly Park. They followed with a third place finish in 1976 and won the title in 1977.   He subsequently played with the Frogs at numerous parks on Chicago’s South Side. They won the league championship at Cornell Park four years out of five from 1975 to 1979, the Donovan Park title in 1976, the Gage Park Tournament in 1974, 1975, and 1976, the Davis Square championship from 1974 to 1978, the McKinley Park Tournament championship in 1975 and 1977, and were Strohacker Park champions in 1995.   He also played in the 14th Ward Alderman Burke Tournaments for several years. His team beat the Banjo Bruins and then lost to the Bobcats in 1977. He played for the Saxon Lodge in 1979 when they finished fifth at the ASA Nationals in Harvey. Joe was selected as a 2nd Tem All American that year. He also played with them in 1983 when they won the Illinois state title. He then played with the J’s in the USSSA Nationals in Joliet and was again selected as a 2nd Team All American.   In 1985, he played with the Stompers at the USSSA Nationals. They beat the Whips twice to win the title, and Joe was selected as a 1st Team All American and was named tournament MVP. Joe then played with the Normandy Crush and People’s Choice. They dominated in leagues and tournaments all over the South Side of Chicago. They also played in Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights, Bensenville, Itasca, Roselle, Schaumburg, and Wood Dale where they won numerous championships.   In his later years, Joe played with Out of Touch in the 39-and-Over League in LaGrange. There they lost only two games in three years. He then joined Doctors in the 50-and-Over Leagues at LaGrange and Cicero. He helped them dominate those leagues for several years. He then played with Takers at Clyde Park where they won championships in 2012 and 2013. When Takers folded, Joe reunited with Mickey Ballestri and Crush. They won the league title in 2014. He also played on Monday and Wednesday nights with the Rebels and in Sunday doubleheaders in Orland Hills where he joined Hall of Famers Jack Kelly and Mike Clifford.   Throughout his career, Joe was well know for delivering the clutch hit, great catch, or accurate throw to help and inspire his teammates.

John “Duke” Gregerson

Duke Gregerson’s sixteen-inch softball career started at fifteen when the game captured his heart. He has played more than five thousand games during his forty-four year career.  He played with thirty-five different teams. The High Flyers, Coach’s Corner, Slammers, Brentano’s, Wallace Softball, Doctors, Warhawks, Hooligans, and Goons are all teams he played on that won championships. At Schurz High School, he played baseball, wrestled, and was on the speed skating team. Duke played in four national tournaments (one finished in the top five) and played in three USSSA World Tournaments with a second place finish. He has been named to four all-tournament teams, and has played on league all-star teams twice. One of his fondest memories was playing for the Berwyn Like All-Stars. He played shortstop (and was known for his excellent arm) but finished his career at third base and short center. He was a great hitter who could always be counted on to deliver a clutch hit. His lifetime batting average was over .600. Duke played in the top parks and leagues throughout Chicago and the suburbs. He played in the WCKG Tournament at Mather Park, the Oriole Park Tournament, the Alderman O’Connor Tournament at Mather Park, and at Proesel Park in Lincolnwood.  Besides playing softball, he also umpired for twelve years. Duke coached little league baseball until his son Lucas started high school. Lucas is currently the closer for the Houston Astros. Besides Lucas, the Gregersons have four other children – Amy, Scott, Lisa, and Heidi. They have two grandchildren – Zoe and Logan. John and his wife, Cindy, live in Park Ridge, Illinois. Duke has a true passion for the game. When asked why he never played at Mt. Prospect, he replied that he always favored playing without gloves and loved playing in the parks across Chicago with his close friends.  

Gary S. Goldberg

Gary Goldberg grew up on the North Side of Chicago. He has played sixteen-inch softball since he was six years old. He attended Sullivan High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and bowling. After high school and college, he started a softball career that continues to this day. He combined his softball skills with his talents as a musician on keyboard, guitar, and as a songwriter. His “garage band” the Cave Dwellers achieved fame for their song “Run Around” (written by Goldberg) on the Jim-Ko Label out of Chicago. In 1980, Gary and Chuck Martinkus (HOF) co-founded Smoke (a Hall of Fame honored team and mentioned by WBEZ as a well-known Chicago team). Like so many players before him, Gary and Smoke played almost every night of the week, often travelling across town to play in a second or third game or tournament. He pitched a perfect game in 2008 and in 2014 bowled a perfect game in league play. Of all his accomplishments in softball, Gary most treasures his time with Smoke. They gave him a lifetime family of friends and teammates, all dedicated to the great game of sixteen-inch softball.

Sal “Buddy” Ganir

Buddy Ganir grew up on the North side of Chicago in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. He is a 1960 graduate of Lake View High School where he was captain of the football team and a three-year starter at fullback. Buddy began his softball career in 1957, playing playground softball against other neighborhood teams. Two years later, he joined one of the greatest North side teams of the era - the Dwarfs. Through the '60s and most of the '70s, the Dwarfs kept the same neighborhood nucleus as they moved-up in competition at Clarendon and Kelly Parks against such great teams as the Bobcats and the Sobies. Buddy was known as a hardnosed pitcher with a big personality and distinctive style. From 1968 to 1973, he pitched the Dwarfs to twenty-five park district titles. Bedsides pitching, he also played catcher and third base. As a hitter, he could hit "from line to line." Over his long career, he drove in over 2500 runs and hit more than 200 homeruns. He carried a lifetime batting average of .500. Buddy was instrumental in keeping the Dwarfs team together. They continued to play at Clarendon Park and Mt.Prospect through the '80s and into the 2000s. Through his efforts, the Dwarfs were the first team to win the Clarendon Park title in five different decades - from the '50s into the '90s. In the late '90s through 2003 (he retired in 2003), the Dwarfs reached a milestone in softball when many of the sons of the original members began playing next to their dads, extending the legacy of the Dwarfs to six decades. In 1997, Buddy pitched the Dwarfs to championships at Hamlin Park in both the Tuesday and Thursday night leagues. Buddy also played for Peoples Gas from 1968 until his retirement from the company in 1999. During those years, the team won so many yearly league championships that they earned an almost standing invitation every year to the Grant Park Industrial Tournament of Champions. In 1998, Buddy pitched Peoples Gas to the final game of the tournament, beating such great teams as the Sun Times, Northern Trust, and Continental Bank. They beat the team from Conrad Hilton 14-12 in the final game to secure the title. Buddy and his wife, Sandy, have two sons, David and Darren and three grandchildren: Madison, Jacob, and Dominic. He retired from Peoples Gas after thirty-five years of service. Buddy now spends his time playing golf and watching his granddaughter and sons play softball. They live in Rosemont, Illinois.

Curtis Granderson, Sr.

Curtis Granderson was born in Tchula, Mississippi. He developed a love for baseball at a young age watching his older brothers play. He began playing the game once he was old enough to swing a bat. He graduated from Tchula Attendance Center High School where he played baseball and basketball. He then attended Coahoma Junior College and played basketball for them before transferring to Mississippi Valley State University, where he earned a degree in physical education.  

Steven Heinol

Steve Heinol has been playing big ball since the 1970’s. He played the game before he could drive and needed a ride from his dad Dennis to get to his games. He was known to play hard and loves the game with all his heart. Even a heart attack on the field never stopped him as he continued to play as soon as he recovered. He was known to his teammates as Moe, Hien-dog or Stevie - and there were many teammates during his 40 years of 16” softball! Before retiring in 2017, Steve played for Molex, Playboys, Masterbatters, Jake’s Pizza, Penguins, both the old and new Woodpecker’s, Green Onions, Crabs, Fat Kids, March MFG, Bucket Heads and Bat’s. A versatile player, he started at all infield positions, especially 3rd. Three of his teams have already been honored by the Hall of Fame, Molex, Playboys and March. His appearances in Major and National tournaments are too numerous to list, but his career was highlighted by the Playboys Chicagoland Championship, two Industrial Chicagoland titles with Molex, a First Team All American with March MFG at the Prescott ASA Nationals in the late 90’s and Iowa ASA Nationals Second Team All American with the Fat Kids in 2009. One of his biggest impacts on the sport is running the Lorden-Heinol Memorial Tournaments raising close to $1 million for cancer research. Players sign up as individuals and play on teams in Mt Prospect each Sepetember.

Bob Hockenbrough

Bob Hockenbrough started playing softball when he was boy growing up in Brookfield. Today, at seventy-four and two knee replacements later, he’s still playing softball in Berwyn. He played baseball at Lyons Township and played softball for the Bruins. He then joined the Army where he played baseball and basketball. After his discharge, he played for Rado’s in the Brookfield League, and later played for Al’s Radiator, Al’s Sports Shop, and Shakey’s Pizza. He currently plays for Al’s in a fifty-and-over league in Berwyn. In fact, he has so much experience that some young players asked him to pitch for their team. Besides playing the game that he loves for 60-plus years, Bob also started a 39-and-over and a 50-and-over league in La Grange. He convinced park officials in La Grange to alter their rules on playing by allowing players to move in and out of the game. Players will play a few innings sit and inning and then re-enter the game. This rule change lets older players continue to play the game that they love. Throughout his career, Bob played mostly all positions, but the last few years he switched to pitcher. He and his wife, Karen, live in Brookfield, Illinois. He is a retired machinist for Reynolds Aluminum and can’t wait for the new softball season to start.

Tom “Bomber” Horn

   

Odell Humphrey

Odell Humphrey was an exceptional athlete who was also blessed with a gift that made him one of 16" softball's great first baseman; big soft hands. Odell started playing basketball in his native South with Dallas Cowboy great Ed "Too Tall" Jones. After high school, Odell moved to Chicago and started playing 16" softball in the Industrial League at Marquette Park in 1970. Humphrey's skills were immediately noticed and he then went on to play with Ten Most Wanted and later with Toro's. People's Choice and Hall of Famer Rick Monday at Kely Park. Humphrey moved to the suburbs in the early '80's to play with the Connectors, who later became Irving's Red Hots. While with the Red Hots, Humphrey hit some tape measure home runs and made stellar plays at first base to help the Red Hots capture championships at Broadview and LaGrange. That year they also finished second Crush at Kelly Park. In 1989, Odell and the Red Hots again finished second to Crush, but this time it was at the USSSA World Tournament where Humphrey and four other teammates earner first team All Tournament honors. Besides the second place finish to Crush, Humphrey and the Red Hots took fourth in 1989 and second place in 1988 at the Lite Classic Tournament. In 1990 the Red Hots and Humphrey won it all when they captured the USSSA World Tournament in Merrillville, as Humphrey was named both Offensive Player and MVP of the tournament.  In the '90's Odell hooked up with Stooges and helped them take first place at the Clyde Park League in Cicero. He also played with the Rockers in the Pro League and with the Knockouts for over 20 years at Forest Park, winning that league and numerous play-offs. Humphrey's quote about softball sums up what many great players feel about the game. "Friendships made that last a lifetime." Odell Humphrey works for Kraft Foods in Chicago, where he live with his wife, Thelma. They have a daughter, Theresa.

Herb Sweetow

Herb Sweetow grew up in Chicago and learned the game in Chicago Park District’s Jensen Park. He was also captain of his high school basketball team at Roosevelt High School and was awarded All-City honors. In 1942, World War II was demanding the full attention of our country. Many of the men who played 16-inch softball in the Chicago area were valiantly fighting and defeating the Nazis. For those 18 years and older, the game needed to be put on hold. Yet, during this year, the Chicago Park District sponsored what is believed to be the largest 16-inch soft-ball tournament in the history of the game. There was an astounding original field of 400 teams vying for this prestigious citywide title; The Chicago Parks Junior Championship. Herb Sweetow, was the captain of the Jeeps of Jenson, from Jenson Park, playing Shortstop and Pitch-er, leading the team to victory throughout the tournament.16-inch softball was the premier sport at that time, but opposing teams were not friendly to each other. During this tournament, there was fierce competition as winning was on everyone’s mind – win the war, win your sport, just win! As a result, when the Jeeps of Jenson team inad-vertently came to an elimination game without a bat, the opposing team refused to loan one of theirs. Herb’s team was not deterred as they played the first 5 innings with a child-sized bat borrowed from a boy at the park, scoring enough runs to take the lead. When the boy had to re-turn home with his bat and the opposing team still refused to lend them a bat, they used a tree branch - allowing them to finish the game within the rules and win. On June 30, 1942, the Jeeps of Jenson won the 16-year-old division of the tournament! In 1945, the team also won the 18-year-old division. Upon return from his honorable service in WW2, Herb came back to the game he loved; 16-inch softball. His adult athletic career as a pitcher was mostly with Old Menn at Terminal Park (conveniently located across the street from his home), dominating the Terminal Park League, along with games at Clarendon Park and Thillens Stadium. As a pitch-er, Herb was in a league of his own. Famous for his knuckle ball, he could underhand the pitch with absolutely no spin. His curve ball, be-tween the legs pick offs to first and second, and even a fastball from time to time, successfully confused and frustrated the batters. At the age of 83, he moved away from the park. A lifelong athlete, now he bowls, and continues at the age of 90, to work on his game and im-prove his score. Herb Sweetow, was an astonishing softball player, a veteran, and an athlete of the utmost integrity. He was amongst the best of his generation; a group of athletes that not only grew up with the sport, but were responsible for growing the sport.  

Jim Donato

In 1961, Jim Donato started playing 16” softball with the Emil Colts in Melrose Park for 2 years before being called to serve his country. After returning from 2 years in the Army and Vietnam, he played Outfield and Pitcher with The Relatives, Merchants, Sportmens Lounge, Nocturms, Originals, Bruins and Olympians for 10 years in many Chicago area leagues. While playing in the Majors from 1975 - 1991, he played the ASSA Na-tionals and was on the Josephs 1975 ASA National Championship team, and was named to the 1975 and 1976 All Tournament Teams. In 1980, Jim started with the Lords as a player and eventually Manager for a total of 18 years. During this time, the Lords won 3 Metro champion-ships, numerous league titles, and 4 top 5 finishes in ASA and USSA Nationals. Since his retirement from the majors in 1995, Jim continued to play sen-ior softball through 2017. During his 20 years with the Chicago Clas-sics, they won 9 national titles, 26 regional titles, and Gold medals at the Illinois State Senior 16 inch Softball Olympics for 3 years. Throughout these title wins, Jim earned 2 MVPs at nationals, one at the Olympics and numerous All Tournament honors. Jim continues to enjoy the game, remaining active in local play. He credits much of his success to his own MVP - Eula - his wife of 44 years. www.16inchSoftballHOF.com

Jim “Steiner” Stein

Jim grew up in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. In grammar school, Jim, along with a number of his friends from St. Peter Canisius, began playing 16” softball at La Follette Park. During his high school years, Jim’s team finished second or third each year.

The Sunday afternoons of Jim’s youth were spent playing teams from other neighborhood parks. The games were important for two reasons: bragging rights and a money pot. They also helped everyone become better softball players and teammates. Jim graduated from De Paul Academy in 1967. He is a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the Americal Division of the U.S Army from January 1968 until August 1969.

Upon his return to civilian life, Jim attended college, entered the business world, and was fortunate to meet another West Sider, his wife Anne. In the late 1980s, St. Francis Xavier parish in La Grange started organizing 16” softball pickup games on Sunday afternoons. The Sunday routine of church and softball reminded Jim of the Sundays of his youth and just how much he enjoyed both the game and the camaraderie.

In 1992, Jim Quinn (HOF) asked Jim to play for the Leftovers in the 39 and over the league in La Grange. The Leftovers have never won a championship but have been competitive. The team still plays in that league, which is now at Janura Park. Jim hopes this will be their lucky year.

In 1998, Jim began playing in the inaugural Monday night 50 and over the league in La Grange with the Old Strokes. With Jim catching and playing 3rd base, the Old Strokes won the championship in 1998 and 2003 and still play in that league, also now located at Janura Park.

In the late 1990s, the Strokers began playing in the fall league in LaGrange. They won the championship in 1997 and, again, in 2013, despite their players being nearly twenty years older than their nearest competitors.

By the early 2000’s, Jim was playing softball 3 nights a week. Jim played with the Leftovers on Fridays, the Old Strokers on Mondays and the legendary Gillette Strokers at Grant Park on Thursdays. The Gillette Strokers began playing at Grant Park in the 70’s. Jim considers himself fortunate to have played with them during their championship seasons of 2006 and 2008. The highlight of every season is the annual Strokerfest, a barbecue held after a game in June. Members from other teams stop by to enjoy the festivities and camaraderie.

In addition to playing softball, Jim has served as the league commissioner for the 50 and over the league at Clyde Park from 2013 - 15 and at Janura Park from 2016 - 18.

When not playing softball, Jim volunteers at the Edward Hines VA Hospital. He is the Veterans Food Pantry Coordinator responsible for ordering, pantry set up and distribution. The pantry distributes food products to over 6,500 veterans per year. Jim also volunteers at the Hines VA Hospital Fisher House, an organization that provides no-cost housing to the families of veterans who are receiving medical treatment.

Jim never thought he’d still be playing softball at sixty-nine, but whenever he gets a hit or drives in a run, he remembers being thirty-nine again and all the good times he’s had playing softball. Jim is grateful for the many lasting friendships he has made over the years, a great many of these might never have crossed his path if it weren’t for the GREAT game of 16 - inch softball.

Mike “Kam” Kamenjarin

Mike Kamenjarin started playing sixteen-inch softball when he was fifteen with the Tonti Playground CYO team. They won the city championship that year in their age bracket. Mike and his neighborhood friends formed the Group to play at Archer Park and at Wentworth Park. They won the Wentworth championship and won the Archer Park title three years in a row. Those victories gave them to right to play at Kelly Park.   When Mike returned from college, he played semi-pro football. Through his football friends, he started playing Major softball all over the Chicago area with the Registers and Wally Pecs (HOF) and the Stompers with Sal Oliver (HOF). He played with Jynx for the remainder of his career but also played with his neighborhood friends in local leagues. He was the player / manager for Jynx from 1996 to 2005. He briefly coached Entourage and Maxim but later rejoined Jynx. When they disbanded in 2014, he joined up with Flashback and helped them win the 2015 Major Nationals.   Mike played right field, pitcher, and catcher. He was an ASA and USSSA All-American and was the March of Dimes Homerun champion. He was the MVP of the Arizona Spring Classic. He played softball for forty-six years with a handicap –one functioning eye. He lost his left eye when he was a sophomore at St. Rita High School. Someone accidently threw a rock that knocked out his eye while he was playing softball. Besides softball, Mike also played semi-pro football. He played for the Chicago Hellcats in 1974 and helped them win the CCFL championship. He helped the Chicago Raiders win the CCFL title in 1976. The Chicago Chargers were the 1981 IFL champions. They won the American Football Association title in 1986.   Mike and his wife, Michelle, have two children – Katherine and Tara. They live in Naperville, Illinois.    

John Lee

Starting in grammar school, John C. Lee spent nearly half of his life playing his favorite sport:  softball. By age fifteen, he was learning the art of six-teen softball by serving as a bat boy for teams in the Pro Windy City League. In 1949, he played for the Alcott Aces, and helped them win the Alcott League Championship. He won the League MVP following the 1949 season and received the MVP trophy from Chicago Mayor Martin J. Kennely. In 1951-1952, he joined the Taylor Street All Stars and helped them win the Washington Park League championship. From 1949 to 1960 he played on the Santa Fe Railway team in the Commercial League where he made the Commercial League All Star Team every year, and where the team qualified for the Grant Park Tournament of Champions each year. His team reached the semifinals four times. In 1950 he played for St. CYR, in the Knights of Columbus Northside League, along with Hall of Famer Eddie Kelley, staying with them until 1960. He made the Northside All Star team every year. He also played in the Knights of Columbus Championship at the Back of the Yard Field. In 1955, he was named the MVP of the tournament and received the trophy from Mayor Richard J. Daley at the Knights of Columbus Sports Dinner. He also played for Nickey Chevrolet and Lyster Bakery at Clarendon Park from 1950 to 1959. In 1960, his company, Santa Fe Railway, transferred him to work as an office manger in St. Louis, but he returned in 1963 and rejoined his company team in the Grant Park League. He played at many parks in the Chicago area, including Thillens, Chase, Welles, Kelly, Marquette, and Forest Park. He played two years at Hart Park in Blue Island with the Erv’s team along with Hall of Famer Eddie Surma. They won the championship both seasons. His last softball game was in 1978, when he played for the Railroad All-Stars in the E.I. DuPont League in Wilmington, Delaware. Throughout his career, John played pitcher, catcher and outfield positions. He was known for his lefthanded power hitting, his speed, his strong throwing arm and his on-base percentage. In 1996, John C. Lee retired from Santa Fe Railway after forty-seven loyal years of service. He currently lives in Oak Brook, Illinois. He is the patriarch and proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather of nineteen children. He has three daughters, Linda, Marianne, and Nancy; three sons, Steven, Kevin and Cliff, eleven grandchildren, Chrissy, Tony, Johnny, Jocie, Jesse, Brynn, Brando, Bryce, Shayne, Chandler, Mya and two great grandchildren, Gavin and Luke. Since deceased.

Charles Martinkus

Charles Martinkus grew up in Chicago's West Lawn area and attended Bogan High School. He graduated in 1963 and was awarded “Most Physically Fit Senior”. While at Bogan, Charles won an intramural softball championship, which ignited his love for sixteen-inch softball and led to his playing in various Southwest side park leagues the next two years. He played on a team that won a championship in Lawler Park. After enlisting in the Air Force in 1965, he played one season of twelve-inch fast pitch softball for the Air Force.  Charles spent eighteen months in Vietnam as a security policeman. Upon discharge in 1969, he went to work at Continental Bank in Chicago, which developed two very good softball teams. One competed as a Major team and one played as a “B” team. Charles played on this team for seven years. That Continental “B” team recorded a sixty-four game regular season plus playoff win streak while winning six straight titles in the Grant Park Industrial League. Charles also played for the Mini Brutes softball team, playing in a number of leagues in parks on the Southwest Side of Chicago. In 1975 Charles Joined the Gamma Photo team in the Grant Park Advertising League, helping them win a Championship in 1985. He was voted to three League All Star teams during his eleven years there. Also during this period Charles helped form the “SMOKE” softball team that won nine fall league championships and one summer league championship at Terminal Park in Skokie. The “SMOKE” team also won a “B” league championship at Dee Park in DesPlaines, two championships at Beherns Park in Elmhurst, and one fall league title at Lions Park in Villa Park. Charles was also a member of the Gannons team that won the league title at Horner Park in Chicago in 2005 and the Waterworks/Mother Hubbards team that won Lake Shore Park championship in Chicago in 2006. A lifetime 600 – plus average spray hitter and outfielder who primarily played left field, Charles was known for going all out for any ball in the air and often made spectacular diving catches. He is retired and lives in Elmhurst with his loving and understanding wife, Susan.    

Ernest “Ernie” Millsap

Ernest Millsap began playing sixteen-inch softball when he was just sixteen. He played with his older brothers R.V. and Vern, and friends Rob Kubicki (HOF) and Tim Kovel at Hodgkins Park District. He was hooked after his first season of play. As a younger kid, he had dreamed of playing in the major leagues, so one could say that sixteen-inch softball fulfilled his wishes. He played on three or four teams five nights a week throughout the Chicago area and in tournaments on the weekend. He played semi-pro baseball in Chicago and sixteen-inch softball everywhere else.   Ernest played on several teams in the past thirty-three years. He played for Kovel’s, Ledo’s Touch of Class. Coor’s Bombers, Busters, Connectors, Vee Pak, the Doctors, Static, and Bucks. In 1987 and 1988 he played in the “A” Nationals. In 1987 Ledo’s finished second to the Aces. In 1988 Doctors won the “A” Nationals. He batted leadoff in both tournaments and carried a .700 batting average.   In 1988 he was selected MVP of the USSSA “A” State Tournament with the Doctors. In 1997 he was named MVP in the USSSSA Twelve-inch State Championship with Vee Pak. He has hit more than five hundred homeruns and has driven in more than 1500 runs while carrying a .600 batting average.   In October of 1987 (in the off season of course) Ernie and Joan were married. The next year they welcomed their first child and Ernie’s playing days were shortened. By 1997, they had four children.  As soon as his children were old enough to hold a bat, he taught them the fundamentals of the game. He has coached their softball and little league teams for many years, while still sneaking in four games a week for himself.   Ernie has been a police office for thirty-two years and has been a DARE Officer for twelve of those years. Being a DARE officer, he has met many people through fundraisers and his own charity work. He has raised over $200,000 for Special Olympics, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and the 9/11 Relief Fund. He has organized fundraisers to help fallen police officers, injured police officers, and handicapped children whose financial needs are greater than their families can afford. Ernie and his wife raised $40,000 to purchase a new electric wheelchair for a child with special needs. Because of his charity work, Ernie and his wife were awarded the Positive Impact Award from the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce. In 2006, he received the Medal of Merit from the Countryside Police Department. For over the past 3 years Ernie has been the Police Chief in the Village of Hodgkins.   He still plays in the Berwyn 40-and-over-league and the Cicero 50-and-over-league with the Doctors. A lifelong resident of Hodgkins, Illinois, Ernie and Joan have four children – Tiffany, Stephanie, Michael, and Thomas and twin grandsons, Declan and Austin.

Donald Martina

     Don Martina began playing softball in the '60s and continues playing today for a career spanning over forty years. While serving in the Army, he played softball and basketball overseas and along the East Coast. He returned to Chicago in 1968 and joined several local teams playing at Lawndale (now Piotrowski) Park on Chicago's Southside. He played outfield for one of those teams, the Centaurs, leading them to many championships in the '70s at Lawndale and Pasteur Parks. In the '80s, Don switched from outfield to short center and started playing on teams throughout the Western Suburbs, including the Angels in Lyons, Static in LaGrange, Rizza Rockers in Cicero, Warhawks in North Riverside, and Bat and Brew in Brookfield. He helped lead these teams to much local success. Don started what would be a twenty-five-year partnership when he joined the Doctors in the mid-'80s. He helped lead them to league titles at Bedford Park, Summit, LaGrange, Hodgkins, Brookfield, Berwyn, and Cicero. Additionally they won the 1984 Suburban Life Classic title in Pleasantdale, the 1988 Hawthorne Park Tournament title, the 1988 USSSA Illinois State title in Orland Park, the 1989 NSA National title in Grays Lake, and the 1989 Suburban Life Classic in North Riverside. Their most exciting win came with the 1988 Class "A" National title in Indianapolis. He continued his success with the Doctors into the '90s. He helped them capture a third place finish in the 1990 ASA "A" Nationals in Iowa and a second place finish in the 1991 ASA "A" Nationals in Blue Island. He holds a lifetime batting average over .600, has tallied three hundred homeruns, and registered over 1,000 RBIs. He was named to the All Tournament team at the Suburban Life Classic in 1984, 1988-1991, and 1993. He was selected MVP in that tournament in 1989, an honor he truly cherishes. But his best memories are the great times, friendships, and camaraderie he has shared with his teammates. Don retired from Lucent Technologies as an R/D Manager in 2001 after thirty-seven years of service. He continues to play in various "Over - 39" and "Over 50" leagues in LaGrange, Berwyn, and Cicero.  He is also a respected umpire in the Western Suburbs. Don and his wife, Carol, live in Lemont, Illinois. The have two daughters, Kristen (David) Kowalski, and Bonnie (Michael) Eichinger and three lovely grandchildren, Grace, Nathan, and Daniel.    

Dale “Dale Dog” Mitchell

     Dale Mitchell started playing softball on a CYO team in 1966. From 1971 to 1986 he played at Boyce, McGuane, Donavan, and Armor Parks. In 1987 Dale and the Aces won the ASA "A" Tournament in Portage, Indiana. That victory launched a career in Major Softball that would last for another twenty-one years. He would play for the Aces, Crush, the Unknowns, Miller Taggers, Jinx, and the Stickmen, along with at least fifteen other teams. During those twenty-one years, teams Dale played on would compete in and win titles at parks and tournaments around Chicago and the nation. Crush took third place at the USSSA Nationals in Merriville, Indiana in 1990 and took second at the ASA "A" Nationals in Aberdeen, South Dakota. All totaled, his teams won thirteen championships in league and tournament play and were runners-up nine times. In 1994 Dale was selected MVP of the Washington Pak League while playing with Grand Theft. In 1994 he was an All-American player at the ASA Nationals while a member of Crush. Dale played softball seven days a week. When his team didn't have a game, he would find a team that needed an extra player. His high energy and love of the game made him an exciting player to watch. He played mainly left or right field and was such a tenacious fielder that his teammates gave him the nickname "Dale Dog" because he could always chase the ball down. He batted in the top of the order and led his teams most years in doubles and triples. Dale worked for the Chicago Tribune filling newspaper boxes. On Saturdays he would complete his route as early as possible so that he could make the game. When they played in the suburbs, his team would always be on the lookout for that Tribune truck because it meant that Dale was ready to play. He could always be counted on to show up and to play his heart out every game. The softball community lost a real star when Dale passed away in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Irene, five children: Steve, Charlotte, D.J., Robert, and Melanie and five grandchildren - Zachary, Samantha, Sara, Maggie, and Matthew.    

Ronald Muller

Ron “Joker” Muller’s 45 years playing 16” softball sum up his passion for the game. He played Short Center, Third Base, Second Base, Short, and First Base and was an adept #2 Hitter. Relying on keen sit-uational skills to make plays, he had exceptional hands with a quick re-lease and soft throws. His career included seasons with Circus, Monsters, Bucks, Bobcats, Silver Streaks and Mt. Prospect (Bobcats) and he was able to play at Clarendon, Kelly, Portage, Blue Island and Mt. Greenwood. From 1979 - 1984, his teams earned trips to USSA Major Tournaments, taking second place in 3 of those years with the Monsters at Mar-shalltown in 1979-80 and with the Bobcats at Harvey in 1984. His Bucks teams also played in South Dakota and Harvey in 1982 and 1983. Along the way, Ron earned many MVP awards: Portage Park 1977; Northshore 1983; Lacrosse 1984; and Northshore All Tournament 1984. Along with those honors were many team wins: 1977 Portage Park champions (Silver Streaks); 1979 Kelly Park League champions (Monsters);1983 Northshore Champions; and 1983 USSSA All World (Bucks). Ron still lives in Chicago and has two children, Alina and Martin.

Phil Tondelli

One of eleven children growing up in Oak Park, IL, Phil played all sports. As quarterback and halfback at North Austin Boys Club football at Amundsen Park, he led each team to a Pop Warner championship.

Phil started high school at Oak Park & River Forest where he quarterbacked an undefeated freshman team. After his family moved to Texas, they returned to Chicago, where he attended and played his senior year at Taft High School. His team won the Public League Championship in 1972- 73 and played in the City of Chicago Prep Bowl. This championship team was just elected into the Taft High School Hall of Fame. He graduated from Elmhurst College where he played football and was co-captain. He played safety and punter. He led the team with a single season of 111 tackles and seven interceptions, both school records at the time.

Upon graduation, he started playing 16 – inch softball with his college buddies on the Den and Alley teams. They played at Amundsen & Kosciuszko Park. He then helped start the “Titans” with Tom Eukovich. They started playing at Sayre Park, Berwyn and later at Kelly Park. He then went on to play for ten years with the Blue Max team led by (HOF) Frank Holan Award winner Jimmy Giblin. His teams won the Amundsen, Bellwood and La Grange leagues and placed at Portage Park. They also played in the tough Kelly Park and Clarendon Park leagues. The Blue Max won the Andy Frain tournament championship at Clarendon Park beating a (HOF) Billy Bereckis led team. Phil led the team in hitting when the Blue Max won the tournament championship at the Cicero Clyde Park Suburban Life tournament. Another highlight was playing with the Blue Max in the Berwyn tournament where the Blue Max lost to the Bobcats 8-7. The Blue Max played in the Metro Championship at Lou Boudreau Field where they eventually lost to the champion Stickman. Phil also played with his brother Tony on the Jets in Hamlin and Wells Parks with (HOF) Carl Maniscalco.

Concurrently, Phil played on the Blue Max infused team called Spirit in the Forest Park House League where they won three championships and automatic bid entries into the prestigious 16 - inch No Glove Tournament. He also played on the Clan that won the league three years later. He played on the highly ranked Josephs team, which included the (HOF) Jimmy Krause. Josephs went on to league championships at Melrose Park, Bensenville. The Josephs team placed fourth in the Forest Park tournament and also participated in many tournaments up at Trevor, WI.

Phil then hooked up with (HOF) Manager – “Chubbs” Polfus and the HOF team Takers from Oak Park. Also on the team were (HOF) Stan Bachaus and Wall of Fame player Jimmy Walsh. The Takers went on to win Kosciuszko and Oak Park, leagues. Currently, Phil is still playing three nights per week in the over 50 leagues. Phil played on The Takers with (HOF) Angelo Alesia in the Clyde Park 50 - and – over – league where they won four consecutive championships.

Phil now plays with the Crush team run by Mickey Ballestri (HOF) at La Grange and won the 50 - and – over – league and championship. Phil also plays with the March Manufacturing Doctors in the Berwyn 39 and over - league where they won the Berwyn league and championship in 2016 and 2017. The team was run by (HOF) Ray Topps. Phil plays with the team “Still Cruisin” in the Glenview league with HOF players Wally Pecs, Mark Frighetto, Tim Decker, Jerry Rhea and Stan Bachusz. They finished tied in the regular season for first place in 2016.

Phil would like to thank his teammates and his brother Tony for their competitiveness and friendships. He would like to thank his bride, Jan, for forty years of support, patience and love! Phil and Jan live in Elmwood Park. They have two terrific sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel (Anna) and Jason (Jen) and are blessed to have three terrific grandchildren, Tessa, Lukas, and Joseph.

Jim Quinn

Jim Quinn embodies what the game of sixteen-inch softball is all about. Originally from the Chatham neighborhood on Chicago's South side, Jim and his family moved to the North side in 1956. That year Jim and the "Rods" won the 12-14 year old Sauganash Park Sixteen-inch softball title. Two years later, Jim Quinn, Jim Voss and their teammates won the eighth grade Chicago CYO baseball championship for Queen of All Saints School. These victories ignited a passion for softball and for the next fifty-five years, Jim has played, managed, and organized the game he loves. Jim played football at Loyola Academy and graduated from Loyola University. He served his country in Viet Nam as a member of the Marine Corps. In 1969 he began working for the Gillette Company and in 1970 started playing left field and managing the Gillette Strokers softball team. After nearly winning the Grant Park title numerous times, they struck pay dirt in 2005 and 2008 when they won the Grant Park League title. During those forty-plus-years at Grant Park, Jim attended countless meetings, arranged for sponsorships, scheduled practices and recruited players to compete in leagues along Chicago's picturesque lakefront. Jim and many other players (many from competing teams) have forged some lifelong friendships as a result of their years competing at Grant Park. Every year they still celebrate Grant Park softball by participating in the annual Strokerfest at Grant Park. Jim also played for many years with the Mulligan's team at Wildwood, Dunham, and Mather Parks. He also played with the Stormers at Hermosa and other parks and played in some union tournaments with the Local 17 Pipe Coverers. When he realized that many of his teammates were approaching the "end of the line" for their playing days, Jim, Larry Grabowski, and Bob Hockenbrough (HOF) convinced the La Grange Park District in 1991 to allow "old guys" of 39-and-over to play softball. With that move, the Old Strokes, consisting of players from Gillette, Peoples Gas, and Comm Ed, and Sears was born. In 1992 the league became so popular that Jim and Larry Grabowski found themselves with too many players. Rather than "cut" some of them, they split the team and created the Leftovers. They still play at Cicero on Monday nights in the 50-plus League and in the Berwyn 39-and-over League on Friday nights. Both leagues are still NO GLOVES. In 1998 he organized a team in the inaugural 50-and- Over League at La Grange (also NO GLOVES). The Leftovers played in it and Jim, Kenny Zuncic, Jim Stein and others led them to the tournament championship. Today, Jim manages and plays a bit with the Strokers at Grant Park on Thursday nights, the Leftovers on Friday nights in Berwyn, the Old Strokes on Monday nights in Cicero and with the Strokers in the LaGrange Fall League. Jim and his wife of forty-four years, Patt, live in LaGrange, Illinois. They have four children and nine grandchildren. He retired from Local 17 Heat and Frost Insulators in 2006.

Alvin “The Doctor” Robinzine

Alvin “The Doctor” Robinzine (“Doc”) was known for his white cap and unique pitching style which consisted of various fakes used to keep the batters off balance. Some say he threw a high pitch, but what he actually pitched is called the Hump. Doc was named “The Doctor” by his teammates who admired how he operated on the pitcher’s mound. Doc’s pitching style frustrated many teams.  Opponents would frequently complain to umpires asking … “how many fakes can he make?” and whether he could wear wristbands and tape while pitching. Due to Doc’s pitching style, some leagues even adjusted their pitching rules. Not only was Doc’s success attributed to his unique pitching style, but Doc was a versatile player who could play every position. Doc was feared for his pitching, defense, and clutch hitting. Doc has played on league championship teams spanning over five decades:  70’s, 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s. Doc began his major league softball career in 1974 playing for the Kings on the South side of Chicago at Bensley Park. In 1979, while playing with the World Famous Flamingos, Doc pitched a no-hitter. Doc also played seven positions: left, center, and right fields; shortstop; second base; pitcher; and catcher, helping the Flamingos to win the 1979 Chicagoland World Series of Softball, which was held at Lou Boudreau Stadium in Harvey IL. The Flamingos defeated the Whips 10-8 for the title. In 1983, while a member of the World Famous Flamingos, Doc compiled a perfect 21-0 pitching record. Doc’s performance aided the Flamingos in winning the Best West Championship, along with titles at Avalon Park, Dawes Park, Rosenblum Park, and the Chicago Metro. In 1984, while playing on the Flamingos team that included Hall of Famers Billy “Sweet” Johnson, Steve Kirby, Sammy Taylor, Dennis “Punchy” Wallace, and Percy “Bobo” Coleman, Doc was named the Winston Major Sports League Most Valuable Player. In 1986, while playing with the Gamblers team, Doc pitched and helped the Gamblers win nine straight games, including six in one day. With two outs in the bottom of the tenth inning, Doc delivered the game-winning hit to capture the 1986 Heritage Cup Classic, which was played at the Lou Boudreau Stadium. Doc was a valuable contributor for the Hall of Fame Senators team. Under the guidance of Hall of Fame Manager Floyd Glover, Doc helped the Senators win championships in various leagues and tournaments, including the Cocktail League and Washington Park. Doc is known as a legend in the Allstate Softball League, which is played in North Brook, IL at Winkleman Park. Over the years, Doc has led his team to fourteen league titles. Doc has played in leagues at Avalon Park, Blue Island, Dawes Park, Hamilton Park, Mount Prospect, Franklin Park, Tuley Park, Ogden Park, Washington Park, Grant Park, Columbus Park, Garfield Park and Clyde Park. In addition, Doc played in the Best West League, the Cocktail League, and the Rosenblum Park 75th & Jeffrey League. Doc has been an all-star player and on championship teams in almost every league he has played in.   Doc has played with some of the greatest softball teams of his time, including two Hall of Fame teams: The Senators and The World Famous Flamingos. Other top teams that Doc also played with were The Gamblers, The Gambling Flashes, and The Kings.   Doc has been fortunate to have played with and against some of the all-time greats. Doc’s teammates  consisted of some of the best players to ever play 16-inch softball … Hall of Famers: Billy “Sweet” Johnson,  Hank Kemp, “Wicked Willie Pool” Kemp, Dennis “Punchy” Wallace, Sammy Taylor, Rick “Monday” Ligon, Steve Kirby,  Jesse Mack, Larry “La La” Washington, Drake Jones,  Lee “Donny” Gardner, Henry “Hawk “ Curry and Percy ”Bobo” Coleman.   The Doctor also had the honor to play for Hall of Fame managers Floyd Glover, Lee “Donny” Gardner and Dan Dumas.   Married since 1981, Alvin and his wife Verna Robinzine currently live in Hazel Crest, IL, where they raised their son, Ronnell Robinzine, and their daughter, Chanelle Robinzine.  Doc is honored to be recognized for his softball achievements and earning the distinguished honor of being inducted into the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame.

Ron Amazzalorso

Ron Amazzalorso grew up at 96th and Avenue N, a street referred to as “Goat Street” because goats were once raised there. Avenue M was referred to as “Cow Street” for the same reason. Many discussions at local bars debated which of these nicknamed streets produced the better athletes.

Ron and his friends were gym rats and everyday weather permitting, they would gather at Piotrowski Park, to choose sides for a 16-inch softball game. Mr. Janess, the park supervisor, would distribute the softballs and bats for the pickup games. Everyday Ron and his friends hoped that Mr. Janess would hand out the new softballs. Because Ron would hang around each day after the games to help with cleanup, he became Mr. Janess’ favorite and was often able to score a new softball with Mr. Janess telling them “this is the last time I do this.”

Their lives revolved around sports at the park and at other sites around the city. They would load-up Mr. Janess’ car (sometimes putting guys in the trunk if they couldn’t fit inside the car) and compete at other parks, winning championships and making positive memories. These days inspired Ron to become a park supervisor, a position he held for thirty years with the Chicago Park District.

Ron graduated from George Washington High School in 1965, received his draft notice six months later, and ended up in Viet Nam. He returned home in 1968 and started his softball career with neighborhood teams and then competed at Calumet Park when it formed a league that featured some of the best team on the South Side. Bobby Mantai, a top player on the South Side, recruited Ron to play with his team 3 Star Erector for a tournament the following Saturday. They were undefeated through the weekend as was the softball team E.R.V. These two powerhouse teams entered the seventh inning with one out and Ron on second base. Bob Bradich, a power hitter, hit a long fly ball to right field, Ron tagged-up, and beat the throw home to score the winning run. From that day forward, 16-inch softball ran through Ron’s veins.

His career with the Eastsiders began when his team was playing them in the Calumet Park League championship game when Ron impressed their manager John Maribelli with a couple of hits, a homerun, and a throw to second that ended the game, securing the championship by one run. He went on to play five decades for the Eastsiders.

In 1978, the Eastsiders needed a pitcher, so Ron switched from centerfield to pitcher. He honed his skills and learned the tricks of the trade and defensive skills. The Eastsiders began playing in leagues and tournaments throughout the South Side and suburbs. They went on to win the championships of many leagues and won over one hundred tournaments. He started playing five days a week in two games a night on Tuesday and Thursday with late games in Blue Island and Harvey. He also played in tournaments on weekends. Besides the Eastsiders, Ron also played for Pete’s Hideaway, Huns, Lakeside Inn, T.J.’s, Speed, Indios, O’Hara’s, Little Rays, and ERV 10th Ward.

Ron played centerfield because he was fast and had great hands. He batted fourth behind Tom Newman. (HOF) He hit for power but could also hit to all fields for a high average. He played at Calumet Park in the Veterans Tournament in 1976 and hit three home runs to help his team win the championship. He received the MVP award for his efforts. He was also named to All Star Team in the men’s league in Harvey in the 80’s.

Ron played on a great team, never let the team down, and formed many long-lasing relations. Five decades later, the core of the team still gets together to rehash old memories. Ron thanks his wife, Fran, for the many sacrifices she made and his daughter, Nikki, for coming to his games when his wife worked weekends. He thanks God for his health. Ron is a retired supervisor for the Chicago Park District. His wife, Fran, is a retired nurse.

Ronald Muller

Ron “Joker” Muller’s 45 years playing 16” softball sum up his passion for the game. He played Short Center, Third Base, Second Base, Short, and First Base and was an adept #2 Hitter. Relying on keen sit-uational skills to make plays, he had exceptional hands with a quick re-lease and soft throws. His career included seasons with Circus, Monsters, Bucks, Bobcats, Silver Streaks and Mt. Prospect (Bobcats) and he was able to play at Clarendon, Kelly, Portage, Blue Island and Mt. Greenwood. From 1979 - 1984, his teams earned trips to USSA Major Tournaments, taking second place in 3 of those years with the Monsters at Mar-shalltown in 1979-80 and with the Bobcats at Harvey in 1984. His Bucks teams also played in South Dakota and Harvey in 1982 and 1983. Along the way, Ron earned many MVP awards: Portage Park 1977; Northshore 1983; Lacrosse 1984; and Northshore All Tournament 1984. Along with those honors were many team wins: 1977 Portage Park champions (Silver Streaks); 1979 Kelly Park League champions (Monsters);1983 Northshore Champions; and 1983 USSSA All World (Bucks). Ron still lives in Chicago and has two children, Alina and Martin.

Steven Heinol

Steve Heinol has been playing big ball since the 1970’s. He played the game before he could drive and needed a ride from his dad Dennis to get to his games. He was known to play hard and loves the game with all his heart. Even a heart attack on the field never stopped him as he continued to play as soon as he recovered. He was known to his teammates as Moe, Hien-dog or Stevie - and there were many teammates during his 40 years of 16” softball! Before retiring in 2017, Steve played for Molex, Playboys, Masterbatters, Jake’s Pizza, Penguins, both the old and new Woodpecker’s, Green Onions, Crabs, Fat Kids, March MFG, Bucket Heads and Bat’s. A versatile player, he started at all infield positions, especially 3rd. Three of his teams have already been honored by the Hall of Fame, Molex, Playboys and March. His appearances in Major and National tournaments are too numerous to list, but his career was highlighted by the Playboys Chicagoland Championship, two Industrial Chicagoland titles with Molex, a First Team All American with March MFG at the Prescott ASA Nationals in the late 90’s and Iowa ASA Nationals Second Team All American with the Fat Kids in 2009. One of his biggest impacts on the sport is running the Lorden-Heinol Memorial Tournaments raising close to $1 million for cancer research. Players sign up as individuals and play on teams in Mt Prospect each Sepetember.

George “Sherm” Sherman

George Sherman began playing softball in 1963 for Durty Nellies in Palatine. He was nineteen at the time and was playing football for Northern Illinois University, so he could not fully commit to the travel necessary to play full-time for Nellies. After college, he became the quarterback for the Lake County Semi-Professional Football Team, further limiting his softball playing time. Even so, besides Nellies, he played for ten other teams, including the Nomads, Bakers, Scrappers, and the Bruins. He also played in tournaments with many North and Northwest suburban teams. But he never forgot his first team and often came back to Palatine to help Nellies win the Palatine league title thirteen times in eighteen years. Many former players think he played first base and hit to right field better than most players in the game. During the first eighteen years of play, he never hit below .500 and had seven seasons of .600 and three at .700. He led the team in homeruns and RBIs for fifteen and eighteen seasons. He was an All-Tournament player in 1979 and was team MVP with Nellies, Corkers, and Dodge Boys five teams. Besides playing softball, George has also organized, managed, and sponsored teams. He organized sixteeninch and twelve-inch leagues for the Schaumburg Park District. He created a senior indoor program (they played from October through April) for fifty-andolder players. He also helped the Palatine Park District organize their softball programs. As a sponsor, his Bars and Volleyball Club has sponsored more than seventy teams of all levels of softball in leagues throughout the Northwest suburbs. George is a member of Round Lake High School's Hall of Fame. He played varsity baseball all four years (all-conference his senior year); football three years (all-conference junior and senior years and all-area and honorable mention all-state his senior year), and two years basketball (all-conference senior year). He was a member of the first Round Lake championship team in any sport – basketball in 1962. He coached boys and girls volleyball at Maine South High School (coached Tom Hoff who would become the captain of the USA Olympic Gold Medal Team in China). He also coached girls volleyball at Elk Grove High School, at Palatine High School (five conference championships and two third place finishes in state competition, and boys and girls volleyball at Lake Park High School (six conference championships and two trips to the state semi-finals. He also was the director of Circus Boys Volleyball Club for eighteen years before retiring. He now plays softball for the So Cal, North County Senior Softball Association. George taught mathematics for thirty-six years before retiring in 2002. He now lives in San Diego, California. He has three daughters – Jodie, Betsie, and Katie.

Toncie Siriscevich

   

Jimmy Spidale

As a young boy Jimmy Spidale often ventured to Kells Field to watch the greatest softball teams of the 50s and 60s duel it out in some classic matches. Little did he know that some day he would join the ranks of softball’s elite players and managers. He joined the Nocturnes in 1965 playing second base and short center for them and launching a thirteen-year partnership. During his tenure, the Nocturnes won numerous league and tournament titles. Many consider them to be one of the best teams of that era. In 1981 Spidale’s career took a twist when he became the manager of the Stooges, the neighborhood team that was consistently ranked among the top ten teams in Chocagoland 16” softball. During Jimmy Spidale’s sixteen-year association with the team, the Stooges won over fifty tournaments, captured the Broadview League championship for six years in a row, won the tough Clyde Park A League, clinched eight Metro championships as well as the Hawthorne Park championship and the Life Newspaper Tourney. With 1,000 plus wins against only 200 losses, the Stooges were always a threat in the Forest Park Tournament and in the Labor Day A.S.A. championship series. They were always known for their excellent defense, great team speed, consistent roster, and superb pitching. In fact, in August, 1993, the Chicago Sun Times called them “The neighborhood team that plays big time ball.” Jimmy Spidale is an attorney living in Broadview, Illinois. He and his wife, Mary, have two children, Mike, who plays centerfield for the Winston-Salem Warthogs, a White Sox minor league team and a daughter, Julie.

Jim “Steiner” Stein

Jim grew up in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. In grammar school, Jim, along with a number of his friends from St. Peter Canisius, began playing 16” softball at La Follette Park. During his high school years, Jim’s team finished second or third each year.

The Sunday afternoons of Jim’s youth were spent playing teams from other neighborhood parks. The games were important for two reasons: bragging rights and a money pot. They also helped everyone become better softball players and teammates. Jim graduated from De Paul Academy in 1967. He is a proud Vietnam Veteran and served in the Americal Division of the U.S Army from January 1968 until August 1969.

Upon his return to civilian life, Jim attended college, entered the business world, and was fortunate to meet another West Sider, his wife Anne. In the late 1980s, St. Francis Xavier parish in La Grange started organizing 16” softball pickup games on Sunday afternoons. The Sunday routine of church and softball reminded Jim of the Sundays of his youth and just how much he enjoyed both the game and the camaraderie.

In 1992, Jim Quinn (HOF) asked Jim to play for the Leftovers in the 39 and over the league in La Grange. The Leftovers have never won a championship but have been competitive. The team still plays in that league, which is now at Janura Park. Jim hopes this will be their lucky year.

In 1998, Jim began playing in the inaugural Monday night 50 and over the league in La Grange with the Old Strokes. With Jim catching and playing 3rd base, the Old Strokes won the championship in 1998 and 2003 and still play in that league, also now located at Janura Park.

In the late 1990s, the Strokers began playing in the fall league in LaGrange. They won the championship in 1997 and, again, in 2013, despite their players being nearly twenty years older than their nearest competitors.

By the early 2000’s, Jim was playing softball 3 nights a week. Jim played with the Leftovers on Fridays, the Old Strokers on Mondays and the legendary Gillette Strokers at Grant Park on Thursdays. The Gillette Strokers began playing at Grant Park in the 70’s. Jim considers himself fortunate to have played with them during their championship seasons of 2006 and 2008. The highlight of every season is the annual Strokerfest, a barbecue held after a game in June. Members from other teams stop by to enjoy the festivities and camaraderie.

In addition to playing softball, Jim has served as the league commissioner for the 50 and over the league at Clyde Park from 2013 - 15 and at Janura Park from 2016 - 18.

When not playing softball, Jim volunteers at the Edward Hines VA Hospital. He is the Veterans Food Pantry Coordinator responsible for ordering, pantry set up and distribution. The pantry distributes food products to over 6,500 veterans per year. Jim also volunteers at the Hines VA Hospital Fisher House, an organization that provides no-cost housing to the families of veterans who are receiving medical treatment.

Jim never thought he’d still be playing softball at sixty-nine, but whenever he gets a hit or drives in a run, he remembers being thirty-nine again and all the good times he’s had playing softball. Jim is grateful for the many lasting friendships he has made over the years, a great many of these might never have crossed his path if it weren’t for the GREAT game of 16 - inch softball.

Herb Sweetow

Herb Sweetow grew up in Chicago and learned the game in Chicago Park District’s Jensen Park. He was also captain of his high school basketball team at Roosevelt High School and was awarded All-City honors. In 1942, World War II was demanding the full attention of our country. Many of the men who played 16-inch softball in the Chicago area were valiantly fighting and defeating the Nazis. For those 18 years and older, the game needed to be put on hold. Yet, during this year, the Chicago Park District sponsored what is believed to be the largest 16-inch soft-ball tournament in the history of the game. There was an astounding original field of 400 teams vying for this prestigious citywide title; The Chicago Parks Junior Championship. Herb Sweetow, was the captain of the Jeeps of Jenson, from Jenson Park, playing Shortstop and Pitch-er, leading the team to victory throughout the tournament.16-inch softball was the premier sport at that time, but opposing teams were not friendly to each other. During this tournament, there was fierce competition as winning was on everyone’s mind – win the war, win your sport, just win! As a result, when the Jeeps of Jenson team inad-vertently came to an elimination game without a bat, the opposing team refused to loan one of theirs. Herb’s team was not deterred as they played the first 5 innings with a child-sized bat borrowed from a boy at the park, scoring enough runs to take the lead. When the boy had to re-turn home with his bat and the opposing team still refused to lend them a bat, they used a tree branch - allowing them to finish the game within the rules and win. On June 30, 1942, the Jeeps of Jenson won the 16-year-old division of the tournament! In 1945, the team also won the 18-year-old division. Upon return from his honorable service in WW2, Herb came back to the game he loved; 16-inch softball. His adult athletic career as a pitcher was mostly with Old Menn at Terminal Park (conveniently located across the street from his home), dominating the Terminal Park League, along with games at Clarendon Park and Thillens Stadium. As a pitch-er, Herb was in a league of his own. Famous for his knuckle ball, he could underhand the pitch with absolutely no spin. His curve ball, be-tween the legs pick offs to first and second, and even a fastball from time to time, successfully confused and frustrated the batters. At the age of 83, he moved away from the park. A lifelong athlete, now he bowls, and continues at the age of 90, to work on his game and im-prove his score. Herb Sweetow, was an astonishing softball player, a veteran, and an athlete of the utmost integrity. He was amongst the best of his generation; a group of athletes that not only grew up with the sport, but were responsible for growing the sport.  

Tom Duff

Tom Duff started playing 16-inch softball in 1975 in the Oak Park leagues with Clockwork, a team he formed. Duff also coached and/or organized most of the teams he played on, including his Leo Burnett and Optimus teams that won many Ad League Championships at Grant Park. These teams included longtime Clockwork teammate and HOF inductee, Dan “Sheik” Carmody. Duff finished his thirty-year career in the 2005 Hamlin Park tournament.

Duff was recruited to play with the Takers and Rox and helped them win additional park leagues and tournaments at the Major “A” level. Tom Duff was considered to be one of the finest defensive first basemen of his era. In addition to having great hands and stretching ability, he had tremendous range, quickness and softball “smarts.” His large, still mutilated fingers are a testament to his ability to catch everything thrown or hit his way.

In addition to his defensive prowess, his great leadership and strong desire to win inspired many of his teammates. He often channeled this “hot-headed” nature to get into opponent’s heads. One of his longtime teammates said, “Tommy never played for the recognition or pats on the back. He was the real, I love this game, deal. He respected the game, he loved the game, and he loved to win.

He was sought after by the best teams, and could have played “A” level ball exclusively if he chose to. But his first loyalty remained with his neighborhood Clockwork team, which competed at a high “B” level.

Tom Duff played 16-inch softball from 1975 to 2005 with the peak years from 1980 to 2004. During these peak years, his teams won many tournament championships and league titles. Clockwork won the Hamlin Park in 1987, 2003, and 2004; Rox won it in the 1990’s. Additionally, his teams won league titles at Oak Park (1987 and 1989), Kosciuszko Park, Riis Park, Clarendon Park, Kelly Park, and they won the Berwyn Tournament.

Tom grew up in Oak Park and graduated from St. Ignatius High School. He earned his undergraduate degree at Loyola University and his graduate degree at DePaul. Tom and his wife, Pam, live in La Grange Park. They have four children: Kevin (already a two-time 16-inch Nationals winner), Liz, Kelly, and Maggie. Tom is the President of Optimus, an Advertising Creative Services company in Chicago.

Antone Thrash

Better known as “Hero” or “Thrash,” #21 Antone Thrash excelled in 16” Softball for two decades. Small in stature, he played the game with sheer heart, leadership and determination, and all out hustle, grit and desire that few could match. Starting as an outfielder with Jack’s Family / Dunbar Park, he moved into the infield as a defensive specialist at second base wth Poison / Washington Park, Big Dogs / Harrison Park, Solutions / Blue Island, Solutions / Oak Lawn, and Grand Theft / Garfield Park, respectively. However, it was as a Pitcher with Solutions that Thrash made his mark as they captured over 20 championships under his reign: 3 ASA Nationals, 5 Heritage Classics, 4 Washington Park Sunday, 1 Oak Lawn title, ASA and SSA Qualifiers and a host of other titles. In 2011, ASA Nationals at Cedar Rapids, Solutions captured it’s first of 3 Na-tional titles and Thrash was named MVP for his outstanding play. When his team wasn’t playing, Thrash could usually be found studying team tendencies and doing everything possible to gain an advantage or prepare to compete at the highest level. Thrash had a reputation as a true extension of a coach on the field, holding him-self, players and coaches responsible for doing the right thing. Considered among his peers as one of the best pitchers of his generation, Thrash was al-ways quick to mentor his own teammates and the opposition, giving encour-agement and sharing pitching tips and positive suggestions. Before taking the field, Thrash reminded the team about playing with PHD: Pride Hustle and De-sire, his personal motto for every game.

Phil Tondelli

One of eleven children growing up in Oak Park, IL, Phil played all sports. As quarterback and halfback at North Austin Boys Club football at Amundsen Park, he led each team to a Pop Warner championship.

Phil started high school at Oak Park & River Forest where he quarterbacked an undefeated freshman team. After his family moved to Texas, they returned to Chicago, where he attended and played his senior year at Taft High School. His team won the Public League Championship in 1972- 73 and played in the City of Chicago Prep Bowl. This championship team was just elected into the Taft High School Hall of Fame. He graduated from Elmhurst College where he played football and was co-captain. He played safety and punter. He led the team with a single season of 111 tackles and seven interceptions, both school records at the time.

Upon graduation, he started playing 16 – inch softball with his college buddies on the Den and Alley teams. They played at Amundsen & Kosciuszko Park. He then helped start the “Titans” with Tom Eukovich. They started playing at Sayre Park, Berwyn and later at Kelly Park. He then went on to play for ten years with the Blue Max team led by (HOF) Frank Holan Award winner Jimmy Giblin. His teams won the Amundsen, Bellwood and La Grange leagues and placed at Portage Park. They also played in the tough Kelly Park and Clarendon Park leagues. The Blue Max won the Andy Frain tournament championship at Clarendon Park beating a (HOF) Billy Bereckis led team. Phil led the team in hitting when the Blue Max won the tournament championship at the Cicero Clyde Park Suburban Life tournament. Another highlight was playing with the Blue Max in the Berwyn tournament where the Blue Max lost to the Bobcats 8-7. The Blue Max played in the Metro Championship at Lou Boudreau Field where they eventually lost to the champion Stickman. Phil also played with his brother Tony on the Jets in Hamlin and Wells Parks with (HOF) Carl Maniscalco.

Concurrently, Phil played on the Blue Max infused team called Spirit in the Forest Park House League where they won three championships and automatic bid entries into the prestigious 16 - inch No Glove Tournament. He also played on the Clan that won the league three years later. He played on the highly ranked Josephs team, which included the (HOF) Jimmy Krause. Josephs went on to league championships at Melrose Park, Bensenville. The Josephs team placed fourth in the Forest Park tournament and also participated in many tournaments up at Trevor, WI.

Phil then hooked up with (HOF) Manager – “Chubbs” Polfus and the HOF team Takers from Oak Park. Also on the team were (HOF) Stan Bachaus and Wall of Fame player Jimmy Walsh. The Takers went on to win Kosciuszko and Oak Park, leagues. Currently, Phil is still playing three nights per week in the over 50 leagues. Phil played on The Takers with (HOF) Angelo Alesia in the Clyde Park 50 - and – over – league where they won four consecutive championships.

Phil now plays with the Crush team run by Mickey Ballestri (HOF) at La Grange and won the 50 - and – over – league and championship. Phil also plays with the March Manufacturing Doctors in the Berwyn 39 and over - league where they won the Berwyn league and championship in 2016 and 2017. The team was run by (HOF) Ray Topps. Phil plays with the team “Still Cruisin” in the Glenview league with HOF players Wally Pecs, Mark Frighetto, Tim Decker, Jerry Rhea and Stan Bachusz. They finished tied in the regular season for first place in 2016.

Phil would like to thank his teammates and his brother Tony for their competitiveness and friendships. He would like to thank his bride, Jan, for forty years of support, patience and love! Phil and Jan live in Elmwood Park. They have two terrific sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel (Anna) and Jason (Jen) and are blessed to have three terrific grandchildren, Tessa, Lukas, and Joseph.

Craig “Duck” Wente

Craig “Duck” Wente played, managed, and sponsored sixteen-inch softball teams for forty-two years. He started playing at eighteen with Durty Nellies and Runyon’s. He was an excellent second baseman and always betted over .500. As he matured, he became one of the top defensive pitchers in the game. He managed and sponsored Wente Trucking, later changed to the Wheelers. They played in Palatine, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Mt. Prospect, Barrington, Crystal Lake, West Dundee, and Wheeling. The Wheelers still play in fifty and sixty-and-over- leagues.   The Wheelers were perennial league champions at all the parks they played in. Playing as Splinters / Wheelers, they captured the 1997 ASA “A” Nationals, defeating Crush for the title. Craig was named to the All-Tournament team as their pitcher. He continued as player / manager when Al MacFarlane became the sponsor of the Splinters.

Jimmy Walsh

“If I got asked, I played. Anytime. Anywhere.”   This simple approach to playing the game of softball defined Jimmy Walsh’s 25-year career. Walsh was known throughout Chicagoland as one of the top utility players of his era because he could contribute not only with his bad but with his ability to play every position on the field. His reputation as a hitter was solidified when he once hit two homeruns off Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Tallo and helped him to be picked up by some of the top “a” teams of that time, including the Stompers, the Saints, the Blues, Thee Doll House, and Ice. Despite his play with some of the top teams, however, Jimmy remained true to the Taker out of Oak Park as his neighborhood team. Starting in high school, he played with Donny Baloon, Jerry and Joe Leahy, Mark Schultz, and Rick Spehn, and long-time player/ manager, Rich Polfus. Though the Takers never took a major title in softball, they were well known as a powerful neighborhood team that was not to be taken lightly. Besides the five Oak Park titles they won, the Takers also won titles at Calendon, Amundsen, and Kosciusko Parks. Especially pleasing was the 1982 championship at Clarendon when the Takers defeated Fusion, the Aces, Rocks, and Scorpions enroute to the title. He also competed in the industrial league at Grant Park and once played in a winter tournament at Hanover Park. Jimmy Walsh’s passion for softball was best demonstrated when he played nine games on a Sunday in the early ‘80’s. He competed in seven games in the loser’s bracket in the state tournament in Orland Park and then he drove to Oak Park to play with the OJs in the championship series, ending his day at midnight. He remembers playing in some classic games against the Whips and Otto’s. One game against Otto’s was particularly memorable because the Takers were beating Otto’s until Hall of Famer Paul Brezinski hit a two run homer to beat them. Except for missing too many family vacations at the lake, Jimmy has few regrets because of all the great teammates and competitors he to play with and against.

Phillip S. Williams, Jr.

Phillip Williams, Jr. was born and raised on the South side of Chicago. His father (and namesake) played softball at Ogden Park in the 1940s, so Phillip spent a lot of time as a seven and eight year old watching his dad play. He started playing softball on the street corners of his Englewood residence until the streetlights came on. In the 1950s he moved from the street corner to the ball fields at Bass and McCosh Elementary Schools. He then moved to the parks and playgrounds near his house. In high school, he played at Washington Park. He joined the Army in 1957 and was lucky enough to play with his Army team, stationed in Arlington Heights, Illinois. After his discharge from the Army in 1961, he joined the Postal Service in Chicago. They formed a twenty-five-team softball league where Phillip played on competitive teams from 1962 to 1968. He then became an all-star third baseman for a championship team called the Feather Merchants. In 1975 he formed the Bandits. They went undefeated in a thirty-team-league at Washington Park. They also played in several other leagues from the late '70s to the '90s. They qualified for national tournaments in Iowa and Blue Island. For the past twelve years, he was the lead representative in forming the Old Timers Softball Day at Grand Crossing Park. They play Old Timers games and enjoy sharing the camaraderie and memories of softball's "golden days." Along the way, he and his wife, Gloria, raised five children: Demetri and Demetrius (twins), Rosiland, Patricia, and Phillip who became cheerleaders for the teams he played on or managed. From 1985 to 1992, Phillip was the Mail Processing Manager for the main post office in Chicago. He retired in 1992 but was a consultant for the Postal Service for two years. He helped them plan their move to their new facilities. Phillip lives in Dolton, Illinois and still attends softball events throughout Chicago and the suburbs.