“Timmy” grew up in Beverly / St Cajetan Parish, and like many city kids at the time, fell in love with 16-inch softball. From the early 1970’s through 2000, Tim was the face of 16-inch softball at Kennedy Park. He built a reputation as a pitcher who would pull out all the stops to build […]
As a player, Pat started playing 16-inch Softball at the young age of 16. He started playing with his older brother’s Buc’s and Right-On’s teams in Mt Greenwood Park, filling in for absent players. It didn’t take long for him to earn a regular spot and playing time. Soon, he was being recruited by other
Known by his colleagues as Bang or Big 50, Anthony brings laughter, joy, passion, and a strong sense of loyalty to Solutions that can’t be matched. One of the “founding fathers” of Solutions in 2004, Bang coaches 1st base, helping the team on their way to 30 championships: 5 ASA / VSA National Championships, 7
ANTHONY “BANG” BALDWIN Read More »
Better known as “Hero” or “Thrash,” #21 Antone Thrash excelled in 16” Softball for two decades. Small in stature, he played the game with sheer heart, leadership and determination, and all out hustle, grit and desire that few could match. Starting as an outfielder with Jack’s Family / Dunbar Park, he moved into the infield
Herb Sweetow grew up in Chicago and learned the game in Chicago Park District’s Jensen Park. He was also captain of his high school basketball team at Roosevelt High School and was awarded All-City honors. In 1942, World War II was demanding the full attention of our country. Many of the men who played 16-inch softball
Steve Heinol has been playing big ball since the 1970’s. He played the game before he could drive and needed a ride from his dad Dennis to get to his games. He was known to play hard and loves the game with all his heart. Even a heart attack on the field never stopped him
In 1961, Jim Donato started playing 16” softball with the Emil Colts in Melrose Park for 2 years before being called to serve his country. After returning from 2 years in the Army and Vietnam, he played Outfield and Pitcher with The Relatives, Merchants, Sportmens Lounge, Nocturms, Originals, Bruins and Olympians for 10 years in
Ron “Joker” Muller’s 45 years playing 16” softball sum up his passion for the game. He played Short Center, Third Base, Second Base, Short, and First Base and was an adept #2 Hitter. Relying on keen sit-uational skills to make plays, he had exceptional hands with a quick re-lease and soft throws. His career included
One of eleven children growing up in Oak Park, IL, Phil played all sports. As quarterback and halfback at North Austin Boys Club football at Amundsen Park, he led each team to a Pop Warner championship. Phil started high school at Oak Park & River Forest where he quarterbacked an undefeated freshman team. After his
Jim grew up in the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. In grammar school, Jim, along with a number of his friends from St. Peter Canisius, began playing 16” softball at La Follette Park. During his high school years, Jim’s team finished second or third each year. The Sunday afternoons of Jim’s youth
Jim “Steiner” Stein Read More »
