Watch any softball game and you’ll see fans marveling at the base clearing homerun, the split second calls at first base, and the diving grab that stifles a late inning rally. What you won’t see, however, is much attention being played to the organizer, the person who recruited the team, entered the tournaments, and made […]
A three sport star at Mt. Carmel, George went on to play basketball for Marquette University and professionally for the Sheboygan Redskins and the Chicago Bruins. George’s true love, however, was 16” softball. He played for such notable teams as the Golden Clothes and the Jimmy Rose Shamrocks during the 1939 season that included championships
Tim’s 16” softball career began at Visitation Grammar School. Besides playing in his younger days, Tim also organized teams at the farm club level. In 1970 he was the captain of the St. Rita High School Football Championship team. He also coached the Dobbers softball team for many years in the 70’s. Maher began his
A graduate of Budlong Elementary and Amundsen High School on Chicago’s northwest Side, Lynn Miceli went to the University of Illinois when it was at Navy Pier. She graduated with a degree in physical education from the U. of I. after it moved to the Circle Campus. She then went to work at Hiawatha Park
Pam Michalski-Vidovic’s career began humbly in Calumet Park at age nine, when she played on neighborhood teams organized by neighborhood blocks. Talent like hers would not go unnoticed for long. By age twelve, she had moved into citywide tournaments, playing with Chicago’s West Pullman and winning the City Championship twice. She was attracted to pitching
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Considered by many to be the best defensive shortstop in the game, Pat McGuire could make unbelievable plays look easy, whether it was throwing a runner out from deep in the hole, turning a double play or gunning down a runner with a cut off throw from the outfield. A feared hitter, she could hit
Jim Matlock played wide receiver for Hinsdale South High School, so it made sense that when he started playing softball, he would become a natural left fielder. He started his thirty-four year softball career with some friends in a Sunday morning league at Shabonna Park when he was nineteen. As is true for all
Tim McManigal started playing softball in 1977 in the Worth Park District with the Players when he was fifteen years old. He then moved to the Hot Shots in the Worth Men’s League. In 1984 and ‘85 he played for Barrel of Fun. They took fifth place in the ASA National tournament both years. He
Frank Mioni began playing 16-inch softball in the 1970s when he and some friends got a team together for something to do during the summer. Little did he know then how softball would allow him to make friends, establish connections, and open important doors in his life. In fact, he met his wife, Kim, while
Don Magnuson grew up on the Northside of Chicago and attended Amundsen High School where he excelled in athletics. He served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946 before returning to Chicago to continue his softball career. He played for the Ravenswood Merchants and Cheri-Ami Lounge at Winnemac Park, helping lead them to several championships.
