Mark was introduced to the game through the Chicago Park District while in grammar school. His first tournament win was the Sen. Richard M Daley tournament in 1973, when he was 12 years old. He would compete as a young adult through various Bridgeport leagues. He was recruited for Wallace Softball by a group of […]
I started playing 16-inch softball in 1980, in my hometown of Marshall town. I had an immediate love for the game and could not get enough of it. For many years, I played 3 nights a week and every weekend. In the early years, being the best team in Iowa was the goal. Competing with
Raised in Brookfield, IL, Jimmy “Junior” McCarthy began playing 16” softball at age 15 and quickly became one of the most feared leadoff hitters in the game from 1994–2002. Known for his ability to hit the ball anywhere, his cut ball, and his fearless base running, Junior was a nightmare for defenses and a spark
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After returning from Vietnam in 1971, Mark luckily bumped into Dan Fogarty, a high school friend who needed an infielder for his team, the United Retail Workers (URW). They were a top-tier team in the Elmhurst league who beat the Chiefs in extra innings at the DuPage Tournament. He also played softball with the Pirates who played in Melrose
After playing ball in the 80s with Grand Theft and LA Posse and Peacemakers Mo started umpiring in 1998 at Hamilton Park and Washington Park on the Southside and Garfield Park on the Westside of Chicago, and Blue Island. He worked for Umpires INC. (ASA), BASI (NSA) and USSSA. During his 21 year umpiring career
Nick was one of the most outstanding outfielders of his era with speed and had a cannon arm. He played every outfield position for some the top teams in his career including the Laborers 714, Blues, Lettuce, Hollywood Casino, Dollhouse, Red Dog, Licorice, Flash, Miller 45s, Woodpeckers, Hangers, Helots, Gamblers, Ice, Maxime and Paragons. He
Joanie grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago right across from Athletic Field, a Chicago Park District facility, so this was where her story began. As a young girl and a typical Chicago kid she spent a fair amount of time at the park and outside in the neighborhood. As luck would have it,
Mike “Q” McCune first started playing 16” softball the summer of 1988 after his freshman year at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa where he played both NCAA Division II football and baseball. His first exposure to 16” softball was with LASH Softball in Carlisle, Iowa where he started to learn the game. Soon after
Softball has changed my life. Through the years I have experienced some of the most intense competition anyone could ever be involved in. The friends are the very best part! Friendships that have lasted forever. They did not always start off as “friendships”, but the shared desire to win made it easy. My respect for
Warren “Mertz” McFeely was born in Chicago and grew up in Noble Square, where he could often be found playing at Eckhart Park. An avid athlete, he began playing 16-inch softball at the Talcott School yard. At 16, he was recruited to play for the O.T. Club, starting in left field. During his years with
