Gildo “Gil” Coldebella started playing softball at Riis Park when he was a teenager. He played third base for the Lobos when they won the state title in 1955. He played with the Rogues at Clarendon and Kelly Parks and with the Big Banjo Bruins and the Lobos at Kosciusko Park. He primarily played third base […]
Michael C. Kirksy Sr. was born on April 29, 1933 to Ethel and Edmon Kirksy in Homer Louisiana. They relocated to the Summit-Argo area when he was eight years old. As a youth Michael loved to play all different sports. Some days he would be playing so hard he would forget to go in for
Michael C. “Iron Mike” Kirksy, Sr. Read More »
Like many young people growing up in the inner city of Chicago, Dennis Colucci sought activities that were affordable and could be played in the streets and parks of Chicago. Sixteen-inch softball fit that requirement perfectly. He started playing organized softball in 1956 with the Jokers, a neighborhood team from Chicago Avenue. He became their
In his 2001 biography of Mike Royko, Richard Ciccone quotes Tim Weigel saying that he was disappointed that Royko became a pitcher because according to Weigel “there’s no such thing as a good pitcher.” Although Weigel was a Yale graduate, starting halfback on their football team, and a legendary local sportscaster, apparently he hadn’t been
Jack “Swifty” Flynn Read More »
Don Savage has been a member of a sixteen-inch softball team for seventy- eight years, from 1935 to the end of the 2013 season. His teams have won more that forty championships and Don has played in or managed in approximately thirty-five senior leagues at parks throughout Chicago and the suburbs Don attended St.
Al Brocious started playing softball for the St Laurence fifth grade team. He started playing third base and stayed at that position throughout his career. They played at “Moochers” Field at 73rd and Kimbark and competed for a nickel a man and the ball. From there they branched out to Grand Crossing Park, Grant Park,
Gene Mozdzierz grew up in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago around Bloomingdale and Hermitage. He started his sixty-two year plus softball career when Father Jim Grzybowski from St. Mary’s of the Angels, who also played in the Windy City league, started teams for students in the seventh and eight grades. When is was time to
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Floyd Berrien grew up at 31st and Calumet. He attended Douglas Grammar School and Wendell Phillips High School, class of 1944. Floyd started playing softball in 1942 with two teams: the Pepsi Cola Aces at 33rd and Wentworth and at 62nd and Calumet and with the Gaylords at Madden Park. He also played with the
In nominating Roy Kindt to the Hall of Fame, fellow Hall of Famer, Bob LaMont, describes Roy as someone who was never in the limelight but was someone who had a profound effect on the popularity of 16-inch softball. As one of softball’s great managers, he played with some of Chicago’s great athletes during the
Charles Wilson was born on December 24, 1918 in Chicago. He attended Francis Willard Elementary School, Lane Technical High School (graduating in 1938) and Herzl Junior College. As a four-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball and softball), he played with a variety of legendary teams in all these sports. He played football for the Pepsi Cola
Charles “Pee Wee” Wilson Read More »
