Our History

1887
1887

Game invented at Farragut Boat Club Chicago. Make-shift “softball” was fashioned from a pair of boxing gloves.

1888
1888

Through the years, the game moved outdoors – the 16 inch size ball was perfect for the small parks and schoolyards of Chicago.

1889
1889

First leagues played in Minneapolis and rules made during winter league.

1895
1895

West Division High School in Chicago first women’s team organized.

1897
1897
  • First international teams organized in Toronto, Canada.
  • Rawlings make first glove.
  • Premier publication on the game Indoor Baseball Guide is created and lasts 10 years.
1906
1906

Spalding publishes first infoor rules; bases 27′ apart.ย 

1925
1925
  • Smaller balls travel too far out of playgrounds – 16 inch ball is determined best suited and and no glove needed to play.
  • Games are 9 innings with 9 players
1926
1926

Name of Softball agreed upon – described by Walk Hankanson at the YMCA in Denver

1928
1928

Architect of St Valentines Day Massacre โ€œMachine Gunโ€ Jack McGurn sponsor team at his bar Nutt House Cafeย 

1930
1930

Chicago Herald American Tournament organized. Title games played at Wrigley Field.

1933
1933
  • Century Progress first national softball tournaments played in Grant Park.
  • The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) is formed.
1934
1934
  • Windy City League organized by Harry Hannin
  • Clincher ball created by DeBeer
1943
1943

Women’s Professional Baseball league organized with Chicago softball players from Windy City League

1950
1950

Windy City League closes

1952
1952

Brown Bombers 1st Basemem, 6’7″ “Sweetwater” Clifton first black man in NBA NY Knicksย 

1957
1957

Washington Park and Southside Cocktail League are best leagues on South and West sides

1959
1959

Rules change game to 7 innings and 60′ bases

1962
1962

Hall of Fame organized for short time by journalist Bill Gleasonย 

1964
1964

First National 16 inch softball tournament in Chicago at Thillens Stadium and won by Bobcats… televised on the “Wide World of Sports.”

1965
1965

Melbourne, Australia site of first international women’s softball tournament. (won by Australia)

1965
1965

Melbourne, Australia site of first international women’s softball tournament. (won by Australia)

1968
1968

Forest Park Invitational no gloves nationals begin.

1969
1969

The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) is formed.

1973
1973

First time gloves are allowed in ASA 16 inch Nationals by Ferris Reid.

1974
1974
  • Windy City Softball magazine published by Tom Bonen, Bob Campbell and Jack Olson.
  • Winston sponsors $10,000 in prize money and Sobies win World Series title at Hart Park.ย 
1975
1975

World Series played at Soldier Field and won by Strikers

1976
1976

Windy City League re-organized by Tom Bonen and Bob Campbell.

1976-90
1976-90

Women’s Professional Softball League (WPSL) is organized.

1978
1978

Rose & Crown win first of 10 National and Metro titlesย 

1980
1980

Whips capture first of 7 ASA and 5 USSSA National titles.

1983
1983

Mayor Harold Washington starts first Black World Series at Comiskey Park. 11,000 see Wild Bunch win it.

1987
1987

George Bliss introduces the Hotline

1990
1990

Tim Maher starts first radio softball show and writes the softball anthem.

1991
1991

Hynes brother/ Rich Melman and Old Style start Old Style Classic softball tournament for a variety of teams. Finals are on televised by Sports Channel.

1992
1992
  • Old Style League organized and played at Forest Park. Games are televised by Sports Channel and hosted by Mike North, Steve Kashul and George Bliss.
  • Lettuce wins first of 4 ASA Nationalsย 
  • First Onesti Super Show
1994
1994
  • Chicagoโ€™s Game 16 Inch Softball documentary hosted by Jack Brickhouse released by Tom Tillisch and Al Maagย 
  • First ASA Nationals held at Mt Prospect by Bob Anconaย 
1995
1995
  • Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame holes first exploratory meeting at Hawthorne Park. Led by Al Maag and Tony Reibel. First meeting at Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame in Rolling Meadows.
  • Carpet Country Rollers from Iowa win ASA major championship. The first from a non Chicagoland team.
1996
1996

Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame holds first awards dinner at Hawthorne Park – attended by 700 people.

1999
1999

Thanks to Mike North and Hall of Fame the Chicago High School Public League begins in the fall – Schurz H.S. is first title winner.

2001
2001

The 45โ€™s win first of 6 ASA Nationals

2007
2007

First Hall of Fame website created.

2007
2007

First Hall of Fame website created.

2009
2009

Inductee Park is opened at Forest Park, IL

2011
2011

The Slow-Pitch Association (SSA) is organized.

2012
2012

Construction begins on the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame Museum in Forest Park, IL. The museum opened in the summer of 2014.

2012
2012

Social Media starts to be a significant marketing tactic

2014
2014

16″ Softball Hall of Fame Museum Opens

2020
2020

Signature Team

2021
2021