Morris has worked for the Chicago Park District and Chicago Board of Education. He is the oldest ISHA official in the state of Illinois at 67 years young…retirement is not an option…he is addicted. He has umpired significant tournaments and leagues including the Clarendon major league and Ed Kelly Tournaments and outstanding James Park event …
James was born in 1961 in St. Louis Mo.,but after going to Concordia University in River Forest where he played baseball, football, and basketball and graduated with a BA in education. He started working for the Chicago Transit Authority in 1987 and worked until 2006 when he played 16 inch softball winning the Grant Park …
While serving his country, Tom repeatedly requested that his mother send him a fresh 16-inch clincher softball, because he missed the game so much. When he finally returned from the Korean War in 1953, he went on to play 42 years of softball. In the 50’s, he played for the Knights of Columbus, Comets, Sincere …
At the age of 10, a broken arm prevented Chicago born Ed Durica from playing baseball, setting in motion a new passion. He began to hang around nearby Harrison and Dvorak Parks watching softball, eventually taken in by the Gaffers men’s team, given a jersey and becoming their Batboy for two years. By the age …
Hank began his 16-inch Chicago-style softball career in 1977 in California when he and three colleagues (Rich Collins, Oren Cobb and Bob Gouveia) founded the OB Phils Softball Club and joined the Men’s A Division Ocean Beach Chicago Style Softball League. Hank was the primary starting pitcher for the team for over thirty –five years. …
THE BEGINNING My love for softball started in the early 70’s by going from park to ark with my dad to watch my brother Tom “Eggs” Czarnik play this great game of sixteen-inch softball. I remember my first time watching him play at Clarendon Park and was intrigued by the number of people surrounding the …
As a kid, Sal Milazzo remembers watching his dad, Nick Milazzo, play sixteen-inch softball at Saint Bonaventure Elementary School in Chicago. Sal had the opportunity to play softball in the intramural program at Northern Illinois University. After the championship game his senior year, he was asked to pitch for the Willoughby Elrod Raiders at …
Charles Bidwill’s pioneering spirit, his continued enthusiasm for the game of professional football, and unyielding support place him as one of the guiding lights of the early years of the National Football League. His financial support enabled George Halas to retain ownership of the Chicago Bears in the early days of the Great Depression. He …
In 1989, Virginia Rugai was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the following months, friends and neighbors provided an incredible network of support for Rugai and her family as she waged a difficult battle with this horrible disease. Like so many other survivors, Ginger had an ongoing desire to continue the fight beyond her personal …
Howie Fagan has had a tremendous impact on the Hall of Fame from its inception. In fact, one could argue that it was his generosity that led to the first public display of softball memorabilia. Italian Sports Hall of Fame director, George Randazzo, suggested that Howie and Al Maag meet. From that first meeting, Howie …
