I started playing softball in 7th grade during recess; then in day camp, where my skills and knowledge of the game were honed by playing with and against players 3 or more years older than me. It was during my early teens that I first saw men’s organized 16” softball being played at 71st and […]
I started playing 16-inch softball in 1978 while interning for my company team, Sergeant & Lundy, in Grant Park. I was immediately hooked. Once I completed college in 1979, I put together the Assassins which played out of Hiawatha, Norridge, and Indian Road Parks. We played in the neighborhood leagues for a few years while
Sylvester “Sly” Hoey started playing with The Family in 1989. He was considered one of best defensive 2nd baseman in the game. He was also an outstanding clutch hitter and base runner. That combination landed him 7 MVP’s and 8 All-American awards in different leagues and tournaments over his 26-year career. He played for excellent
SYLVESTER “SLY” HOEY Read More »
Bob is a pioneer of 16 Inch No Glove Softball, playing in eight decades. Bob began playing softball in gravel lots, playing line ball in the late 1940s. Bob played on numerous teams during his career, including JJ Crispo, Bakers, and the early Sobies to name a few. And played with the likes of Bill
Ed began playing softball in 1962 and played all over the South Side of Chicago and suburbs of Hodgkins, Bedford Park, Summit, LaGrange, etc. I began playing with the Doctors team in the late 1970s. We were very successful and won several league championships at the local level and developed into a powerhouse “A” team.
John Littau (b 1937) has been happily married for 59 years, has 4 children and 8 grandchildren. He is a lifelong resident of the northside of Chicago, currently residing in St. Margaret Mary (SMM) Parish, less than 3 miles from his childhood neighborhood. He is also a lifelong White Sox fan! John has played softball
Ed was born in 1942 to Jim and Louise Walz on the Southside of Chicago in Bridgeport. He started his softball career at seven years old. He first played with the older boys in the neighborhood at Healy schoolyard across the street from his house. He would continue to play softball with a few of
William “Sugar Bear” Robinson started playing 16-inch softball at ten years old after school in a vacant lot between two vacant houses. After a few broken windows, off to the park they went. His passion for softball carried him through high school. Playing chosen teams and paying fifty cents each for clinchers. This passion went
WILLIAM “SUGER BEAR” ROBINSON Read More »
Warren “Mertz” McFeely was born in Chicago and grew up in Noble Square, where he could often be found playing at Eckhart Park. An avid athlete, he began playing 16-inch softball at the Talcott School yard. At 16, he was recruited to play for the O.T. Club, starting in left field. During his years with
Lee grew up on Chicago’s South Side neighborhood of Auburn Gresham. He excelled as a sprinter on the track team at Brother Rice High School and earned a full athletic scholarship at Loyola, with numerous Division 1 titles during his career. After college, softball became his passion and his athletic talent helped him excel at
