Tony Valosek grew up in Cicero, so he was in familiar territory when he started running a neighborhood team in the Cicero Men’s League. Like most teams of that era, his team was sponsored by local taverns. They were first sponsored by Triners Lounge in Cicero and then later by S & S Lounge, Cabin, …
Growing up on Chicago’s Northwest Side as a Sox fan, Sal Vasta experienced first-hand the taunts of cross-town rivalry. But his introduction to 16″ softball through the CYO program quickly made him realize the unity of playing Chicago’s great game. He began the Blues softball team in 1969, playing in various parks around Chicago. Year …
Louis attended Crane Technical High School. He played organized softball from 1950 to 1958 at Garfield Park. He also played industrial softball for Dole Valve where he was an employee. He played with the Golden Keys at Kels Park at Chicago and Kedzie from 1958 to 1959. He then joined the Beetle Bombers with Ron …
When considering the all time greats in the history of 16″ softball, Paul “Pee Gee” Van Meter and his teams; the Gas House Gang and the Brown Bombers would have to be placed near the top of the list. A graduate of DuSable High School in 1937, Van Meter was born in 1918. He began …
Playing for the Bill Rands in the Windy City League at the ripe old age of fifteen, Frank Vodicka began his softball career as the youngest player on that team and possibly in the entire league. Vodicka’s entry into 16-inch softball seemed preordained when he was born directly across from Cornell Square at 50th and …
