Danine grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago, where sports were a way of life. From a young age, she could be found competing alongside the boys in the neighborhood, with Hansen Park serving as her second home. It was there that Danine discovered her passion for 16-inch softball, especially excelling on defense at
Shelley’s passion for 16” softball began at a 1977 family gathering in LaGrange Park, where a “friendly” game was played with tournament-level intensity. Watching relatives dive, slide, and compete for bragging rights sparked her love for the game. Growing up on Chicago’s North Side in Jefferson Park, Shelley first played 16” softball at age 10
I am a 56-year-old married mother of 2 sons with Arthur. I am also a retired Cook County Deputy Sheriff, having served for 30 years. I’m from the south side, low end of Chicago. I have been loving softball for as long as I can remember, starting in fifth grade when I played on the
Shirley never played in high school, as Cooley Vocational HS did not have it for girls; her skill was just natural. Her story began at the age of 10 on a Sunday, on the way home from church. Shirley was walking across a park district field house and noticed men playing. She asked if she
The Lushes are one of the well-known women’s 16” softball team on the northwest side. The Lushes began playing in 1990 and dominated in the late 1990’s throughout the 2000’s. They had repeat championship years at Riis Park, Franklin Park, Shabbona Park, Oriole Park fall ball, Norridge Park and Melas Park. They began playing at
The CHAOS team was a Northside team that started playing together at Oriole Park in the 1990s. They came to be one of the premier women’s teams on that side of the city. Behind a core of 8 players who played over 20 years together– each year they would have a team that would go out and
Softball has been in Laura’s blood from birth, she started playing 12 inch at the age of 5 with her mom coaching her. She pitched 12 inch for Richards High School. At 18, she started playing 16 inch with her mom and friends in Chicago Ridge. She was picked up by the Misfits and her
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Cecilia was born on the west side of Chicago, IL in 1965. Her parents were Robert and Mattie Redditt. Cecilia started her 40- year career in 1979 at Franklin Park with a team called The Lady Strokes whose coach was Mattie Smith. She played with Lady Strokes from the years 1979-1984. She later played with
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Joanie grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago right across from Athletic Field, a Chicago Park District facility, so this was where her story began. As a young girl and a typical Chicago kid she spent a fair amount of time at the park and outside in the neighborhood. As luck would have it,
Growing up on a block full of boys on the north side of Cicero, Kim played baseball and softball in a corner yard, learning quickly to hit the ball straight up the middle to avoid breaking windows. This skill was handy in her career as she was able to control where she hit the ball
