Click here to hear Hall of Famer Tim Maher recites his legendary Poem that I call the National Anthem of 16 Inch Softball. This is from an archive tape in 1992 as Tim Broadcast on WKKD FM 95.9 Each and Every Sunday Night.

16" Softball History - Chicago's Game
Written by Al Maag

Chicago is well known for many reasons- its architecture, museums, beautiful open lakefront, rich social and political history, blues music, a storied professional sports history, and its diverse ethnic mix. There is a unique sport, though, one that's been played by thousands of men and women of for generations for both fun and glory for over eight decades, a game that is truly unique to Chicago…16-inch softball.

Chicago softball is played barehanded with gnarled fingers and knuckles that tell stories of errors and victories in games long past. It's safe to say that most Chicagoans have played the game in school, at a picnic, or in a league play. It's a fabric of our generations.

16-inch was a perfect game for Chicago's small neighborhood ball fields and cinder covered school playgrounds-the ball didn't travel as far as the smaller balls. And the absence of gloves benefited everyone in the tough economic times of the '30s. Teams had only to chip in ten cents a man for a new ball, and women took to the sport because it was less dangerous baseball. The sport was all-the-more appealing due to its being organized by family, community and ethnic background at first, then sponsored by the companies its players worked for…a tradition that is still largely followed today.

The game of softball is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. This sport for all ages is played with different size diameter balls and with and without gloves. In Chicago the most prevalent game played is slow pitch 16" softball with no gloves. Many who have played different brands of softball feel 16" is the best game of softball, because it demands that every fielder must play defense (anyone can catch a ball with a glove) well or become a team liability. Offense play is like baseball; few runs are due to homeruns and it's basically hit'em where they ain't and moving runners is a normal strategy. It's a great game with a unique history.

Farragut Boat Club 1887

The game of softball started on Thanksgiving Day in 1887 at the farragut Boat Club in Chicago when Yale and Harvard grads were killing time waiting for the tickertape results of the annual football game between both schools. Instead of sitting around they wrapped up a boxing glove, making a soft ball and then played baseball in the gym with a broom. They enjoyed the activity so much they began to formalize rules and game basically became an indoor sport for years.

At the end of the century Lt. Roby from the Minneapolis Fire Department took the sport outdoors by playing the game with a 14" ball next to the department building for exercise. The sport became popular and leagues began to spring up around the Midwest. Softball became a national sport when army used it for recreation and basically without gloves and pitched underhanded and fast. Balls ranged from 12" to 17" in size. The first 16" balls were made by Frederick DeBeer and was named the Cincher when the stitching was reversed to protect from the rough ground and gravel the games were played on in schoolyards and parks.

Softball was very popular in Chicago especially indoor action in armories. The reason that the ball was 16" in size was based on one main reason. The parks and schoolyards were so small 14" balls flew out into the street. The 16" ball worked perfectly and also because of the depression, no one could afford gloves. The sport was accepted and enjoyed by all. The game was very popular way ethnic groups competed. One team of Italians (the Nut House Café) was sponsored by the architect of the St. Valentines Massacre, "Machine Gun" Jack McGurne. He was known to bet $10,000 on his team (value of $100,000 today)!

The first national championship was played at the 1933 Worlds Fair in Chicago thanks to sponsorship of William Randolph Hearst. Due to the fact most teams that entered the tournament all played with different rules and size balls they finally agreed to play with 14" ball. Future City titles would be played at Wrigley Field.

Hanin, Elson, Divito and Burns in awards ceremony

Because of the game's popularity shown at that event, 16" no glove softball took on a professional level, when Harry Hanin started the Windy City League the next year and lasted into the 1950. Teams had their own stadiums and charged admission. They attracted thousands of people each night. Remember there were no TV and only two racetracks. Not only were these teams and players infamous representing their areas, but also gambling was the real game outside the lines. Many times they attracted over 10,000 each night and had more attendance than at the Cubs and/or Sox games that day. A few parks included Bidwell Stadium, Thillens, and Lane Tech Stadium by Riverview.

1949 Champions Kool Vent

This was the "Golden Age" of the sport, making teams like the Whitt Hanley Yankees, Brown Bombers, Kool Vent, and Angels of Broadway famous and on every front page of the city sports papers. Players became legends; like no hit pitcher, Lewa Yacilla and Red Hurter was the Babe Ruth of their sport. Two stars of the game were Kool Vent's Moose Skowron of the N Y Yankees and the Brown Bombers Sweetwater Clifton from the Globetrotters and one the first black athletes to play in the NBA.

 

Willie Davis Brown Bombers

One unique part of the game was 10th player was the short center covering the area around second base. (There was no need to play in the outfield) The bases were moved from 45' to 60' and ball pitched with a higher and slower arch. Most Chicago citizens in park districts played the no glove game after World War II and the Korean conflict, but not with flair of the Windy City League.

It finally became a national sport in 1963 when the first ASA event was played in Chicago. The first venue was won by the soon to be famous Bobcats who win 11 more titles. The game's greatest rivalry was Bobcats versus the American Rivet Sobies in the 60's-70's. The game was still played bare handed until 1973 when local 16"ASA Commissioner Reid, felt out of state teams could not compete with Illinois because they were used to playing with gloves in 12" and 14" play. He was right and attracted 13 out of state teams, but the gloves never made a difference in the score and Chicago teams still dominated the national tournaments. Because of that fewer out of states played the game seriously other than in the Midwest. The one state with an excellent program is Iowa and their patience paid off in 1995 when the Carpet Country Rollers won the only title in 30 years by a team not from Chicago. They did it in the last inning scoring 3 runs with two outs and winning by one run. What an upset!

No glove softball is still played by all Chicagoans and the best of the best have played at Forest Park's No Glove Nationals in front of thousands of fans for over 30 years, without a doubt the premier event each year. The few of the best leagues have been played at Clarendon Park, Portage Park, James Park in Evanston in the North and Washington Park and Kelly Park on the Southside to name a few. The best ball today is played in Mt Prospect/also the site of many National Tournaments.

Many Nationals have been played out of Illinois. In 2004 both the Major and A Nationals were played in Arizona and attracted the most states to compete in 20 years. The sport has traveled to different cities due to Chicagoans moving, but the reality is when men and women play the sport they realize it takes more skill, is safer, less time to play, and more fun than 12".

Lettuce

There have been games; leagues and tournaments on radio, television and even on the Internet live the past decades. Household names like Ed Zolna, Mary Pat McGuire, Bill Bereckis, Willie Simpson, Champ Surma, Bobbie Blackstone, Eggs Czarnick and Larry Kelly have joined 300 peers inducted in the Chicago 16" Softball Hall of Fame. Since 1996 over 600 people have attended the dinner/ceremonies each year to honor the best of the best organizers, players, umpires and sponsors. The legendary Whitt Hanley Yankees, Kool Vent, Brown Bombers, Bobcats, Sobies, Lettuce, Whips and now the 45's as the greatest teams of all time.

 

Schurz High School 1st Public School Champs

The Game today is popular with co-eds, college programs and men and women of all ages. It is still the only sport by every Chicagoan plays in school, at picnics, and league play, even if handicapped or blind. In 1999 the sport became a lettered sport in the Chicago Public High Schools which most 16" fans feel will keep the game alive. Kids today are involved in so many other sports and digital activities the old game is losing visibility, until again when it's played the kids love it and begin to learn their Moms and Dads played the game too. It's a bond they all learn it has been Chicago's game since 1887…now it's becoming known nationally and we would expect it also becomes popular with foreign countries who can't afford gloves and enjoy an easy game to play that everyone will enjoy…. Chicago's love affair with a sport.

Click here to go to Softball - America's Game; Invented in Chicago from OnePennySheet.com

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Champions by Year
 

ASA Men's Major 16" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up		MVP
1964		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Ken Allen, Chicago, IL		?
1965		Ken Allen, Chicago, IL		Miller Insurance/Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Henry Currie Jr., Kuppenheimner Clothes
1966		Sobies, Chicago, IL		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Ed Surma, Sobies
1967		Sobies, Chicago, IL		Miller-Zolna's, Chicago, IL		Lynwood Earl Creech, Ritz Restaurant
1968		Sobies, Chicago, IL		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1969		Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats, Fox Lake, IL		Sobies, Chicago, IL		Eddie Zolna, Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats
1970		Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats, Fox Lake, IL		Dwarf's, Chicago		Jake Jacobi, Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats
1971		Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats, Fox Lake, IL		Sobies, Chicago, IL		Eddie Zolna, Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats
1972		Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats, Fox Lake, IL		American Rivet, Chicago, IL		Frank Centire, Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats
1973		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Kerr Sporting Goods, Phoenix, AZ		Eddie Zolna, Dr. Carlucci's Bobcats
1974		Strikers, Chicago, IL		Danan's Inn, Pell Lake, WI		Len West, Strikers
1975		Josef's Restaurant, Chicago's		Danan's Inn, Pell Lake, WI		Mike Marchinski, Josef's Restaurant
1976		Republican Bank Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Amalga Monsters, Chicago, IL		Willie Simpson, Republican Bank Bobcats
1977		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		American Rivet, Chicago, IL		Willie Simpson, Bobcats
1978		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Big Banjo Sports Pub, Wheaton, IL		Larry Kelly, Bobcats
1979		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Monsters, Chicago, IL		Ron Olesiak, Bobcats
1980		Har-Crest Whips, Chicago, IL		Monsters, Chicago, IL		Mike Glab, Muskets
1981		C&K Old Style Bobcats, Harvey, IL		Budweiser Whips, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1982		Park Avenue Spats, Chicago, IL		Motherlode Runts, Des Plaines, IL		Jim Fanta, Park Avenue Spats
1983		Budweiser Whips, Chicago, IL		Stray Cats, Hanover Park, IL		Jack Kelly, Budweiser Whips
1984		Budweiser Whips, Chicago, IL		Safari Tigers, Chicago, IL		Jack Kelly, Budweiser Whips
1985		Touch, Chicago, IL		Safari Tigers, Chicago, IL		Randy Lee, Safari Tigers
1986		Ducks, Oak Lawn, IL		Coopers Sporting Goods, Meadows, IL		Tom Czarnick, Coopers Sporting Goods
1987		Sports Station, Blue Island, IL		Whips, Chicago, IL		Larry Kelly, Sports Station
1988		Whips, Chicago, IL		Auto Mart, Mt. Prospect, IL		Mark Wilson, Whips
1989		Whips, Chicago, IL		Bud North, Mt. Prospect, IL		Wally Filkins, Whips
1990		Pete's Hidaway Whips, Chicago, IL		Splinter's Sports Club, Mt. Prospect, IL		Jack Kelly, Pete's Hidaway Whips
1991		Splinter's Sports Club, Mt. Prospect, IL		Lettuce Entertain You, Chicago, IL		Tom Czarnick, Splinter's Sports Club
1992		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		Moran Manufacturing, Mt. Prospect, IL		Matt Biondic, Lettuce
1993		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		Moran Manufacturing, Mt. Prospect, IL		Frank Mustari, Lettuce
1994		Hollywood Casino, Mt. Prospect, IL		Prime Time, Mt. Prospect, IL		Dello Bianchini, Hollywood Casino
1995		Carpet Country, Marshalltown, IA		Life-Prime Time, Hodgkins, IL		Brad Van Meter and Rick Barnes, Carpet Country (Co-MVPs)
1996		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		Splinters Sports, Hodgkins, IL		Tom Czarnick, Lettuce
1997		Miller Lite-Splinters, Hodgkins, IL		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		Rich Vila and Keith Filkins, Miller Lite-Splinters (Co-MVP's)
1998		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		MVP - ?
1999		Puglise Softball, Riverside, IL		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		David Bischoff and Keith Filkins, Puglise Softball (Co-MVP's)
2000		Licorice, Mt. Prospect, IL		Bucks Softball, Mt. Prospect, IL		Randy Russ, Licorice
2001		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		Bucks Softball, Mt. Prospect, IL		MVP - ?
2002		Licorice, Mt. Prospect, IL		Stover Softball, West Des Moines, IA		Randy Russ, Licorice
2003		Golden Tee 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		Stover Softball, West Des Moines, IA		Mark Holstein, Golden Tee 45's
2004		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		Flash, Des Plains, IL		Jeff Berger, Miller 45's
2005		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		Bucketheads, Mt. Prospect, IL		Rick Gancarz and Jim Matlock, Miller 45's (Co-MVP's)
2006		Miller 45's. Mt. Prospect, IL		N/A		N/A
2007		Miller 45's. Mt. Prospect, IL		Stovers		N/A

ASA Men's Class-A 16" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up		MVP
1984		Golden Q, Mishawaka, IN		Woodrow Wilson, Whiting, IN		MVP - ?
1985		Last Chance, Aberdeen, SD		Turtles, Des Plains, IL		MVP - ?
1986		Edison Park Inn, Chicago, IL		Turtles, Des Plains, IL		MVP - ?
1987		Aces, Chicago, IL		Touch of Class, Chicago, IL		Mike Brady, Aces
1988		Doctors, Chicago, IL		Bridgeport Crush, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1989		Aces, Chicago, IL		Saints, Chicago, IL		Team MVP-Aces
1990		Chicago Gamblers, IL		Bridgeport Crush, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1991		Stickmen, Chicago, IL		Doctors, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1992		Ice, Cecero, IL		Saints, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1993		Galeswood, Chicago, IL		Panthers, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1994		Rebels, Chicago, IL		Gators, Chicago, IL		Tom Neputy, Rebels
1995		Jynx, Chicago, IL		Scooters, Chicago, IL		Mark Munnizzi, Jynx
1996		Trojans, Mt. Prospect, IL		Flash, Melrose Park, IL		MVP - ?
1997		Splinters, Chicago, IL		Crush, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1998		Men From Uncle, Blue Island, IL		Candelight Shooters, Chicago, IL		Mike McKenna, Men from Uncle
1999		Lemonheads, Chicago, IL		Traffic, Mt. Prospect, IL		MVP - ?
2000		Trojans, Mt. Prospect, IL		Storm, Whiting, IN		MVP - ?
2001		Rebel's, Chicago, IL		Crush, Chicago, IL		John Pellegrino, Rebels
2002		Mudville, Cicero, IL		Storm, Whiting, IN		John Doss, Mudville
2003		Outsiders, Chicago, IL		Lobcocks, Chicago, IL		Kenny Keselica and Tim Laughlin, Outsiders (Co-MVPs)
2004		Binge, Chicago, IL		Lemonheads, Chicago, IL		Chuck Wiggington, Binge
2005		Steel Gold, Chicago, IL		Lugnuts, Whiting, IN		Gary Johns, Steel Gold
2006		Woodpeckers		Crush		N/A
2007		Thunder		N/A		N/A

ASA Men's 45 & Over "No Glove" 16" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up		MVP
2005		Raiders		Magic

USSSA Men's Major 16" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up		MVP
1970		Wild Mustangs, Torrance, CA		?		MVP - ?
1971		Redondo Beach AC, Redondo Beach, CA		?		MVP - ?
1972		Redondo Beach AC, Redondo Beach, CA		?		MVP - ?
1973		not held
1974		not held
1975		not held
1976		The Beacon, Racine, WI		?		MVP - ?
1977		K-CLUB, Phoenix, AZ		Moe Allen, Phoenix, AZ		Kurt Nielson, K-CLUB
1978		not held
1979		not held
1980		Hiller & Hamm, McHenry, IL		?		MVP - ?
1981		C&K Old Style Bobcats, Chicago, IL		?		MVP - ?
1982		Budweiser Whips, Harvey, IL		C&K Old Style Bobcats, Chicago, IL		Mike Tallo, Budweiser Whips
1983		Budweiser Whips, Harvey, IL		Rat Pack Runts-Rollers, Chicago, IL		John Kelleher, Budweiser Whips
1984		Budweiser Whips, Harvey, IL		?		MVP - ?
1985		?		?		MVP - ?
1986		J-Birds, Mt. Prospect, IL		?		MVP - ?
1987		Apple Chevrolet Whips, Harvey, IL		?		MVP - ?
1988		Apple Chevrolet Whips, Harvey, IL		Meadows, Rolling Meadows, IL		Dave Brishoff, Apple Chevrolet Whips
1989		Bud Light Blues, Mt. Prospect, IL		Pete's Hideway Whips, Chicago, IL		Gary Mariano, Blues
1990		Miller Taggers, Mt. Prospect, IL		Aces, Chicago, IL		Ken Butzen, Miller Taggers
1991		Miller Taggers, Mt. Prospect, IL		March Manufacturing, Glenview, IL		Mike Stout, Miller Taggers
1992		Old Style Rabbits, Chicago, IL		Stickmen, Chicago, IL		Rich Ladewig, Old Style Rabbits
1993		Ice Softball, Cicero, IL		L.A. Peacemakers, Chicago, IL		Mike Stout, Ice Softball
1994		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		Ice, Mt. Prospect, IL		Don Mustari, Lettuce
1995		Thrashers, Mt. Prospect, IL		Ice House, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1996		N/A

USSSA Men's Class-A 16" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up		MVP
1989		Hometown Crush		Irving's Red Hots, Broadview, IL		Mickey Balestri, Hometown Crush
1990		Irving's Red Hots, Broadview, IL		?		MVP - ?
1991		Revere Electric Longshots, Chicago, IL		Falco's Pizza Unknowns, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1992		Luciano's Gamblers, Cicero, IL		California Gold, Cicero, IL		MVP - ?
1993		Jokeman, Palos, IL		Pandas, Downers Grove, IL		MVP - ?
1994		DLD, Dolton, IL		Mudcats, Calumet City, IL		MVP - ?
1995		Jimbos Crush, Boyce Park, IL		Kennedy Park Problems, Chicago, IL		MVP - ?
1996		N/A

NSA Men's 16" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up		MVP
2000		Jynx, Chicago, IL		Rebels, Hickory Hills, IL		Tom Balek, Jynx
2001		McDivots, Palos Heights, IL		Fat Sam's, Chicago, IL		Darren Neputy, McDivots
2002		Storm, Whiting, IN		Iron Men, Chicago, IL		Mickey Balestra, Storm
2003		Out There, Berwyn, IL		Smitty's, Bensenville, IL		Wayne Wenke, Out There
2004		Gator Aid, IL		Storm, Whiting, IN		Ron Risden, Gator Aid
2005		Lugnuts, Whiting, IN		Fiasco, Palatine, IL		MVP - ?

NSA Women's 16" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up
2002		Blaze, Chicago, IL		Sloan Value, Broadview, IL
2003		Blaze, Chicago, IL		Brat Pack, Normandy Park, IL
2004		?
2005		?

Forrest Park "No Glove" National Champions

Year		Champion		Runner-up		MVP
1970		Bruins		?
1971		Chiefs		?
1972		The Cabin		?
1973		Strikers, Chicago, IL		?
1974		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		?
1975		Sobies, Chicago, IL		?
1976		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		?
1977		American Rivet, Chicago, IL		?
1978		Bobcats, Chicago, IL		?
1979		Mr. A Lucky		?
1980		Stompers		?
1981		Ottos		?
1982		?		?
1983		Budweiser Whips, Chicago, IL		?
1984		Budweiser Whips, Chicago, IL		?
1985		Budweiser Whips, Chicago, IL		?
1986		Bud Chicago, Chicago, IL		?
1987		Bud North, Mt. Prospect, IL		?
1988		Bud North, Mt. Prospect, IL		?
1989		Bud North, Mt. Prospect, IL		?
1990		Pete's Hideway Whips, Chicago, IL		?
1991		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		?
1992		Splinters Sports, Hodgkins, IL		?
1993		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		?
1994		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		?
1996		Bud 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		?
1997		Lettuce, Chicago, IL		?
1998		Rizza Rockers, Hinsdale, IL		?
1999		Puglise Softball, Riverside, IL		?
2000		Bucks Softball, Mt. Prospect, IL		?
2001		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		?
2002		Licorice, Mt. Prospect, IL		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		Bobby Russ & Randy Russ, Licorice
2003		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		March Manufacturing/Flash, Des Plains, IL		Jim Matlock, Miller 45's
2004		Miller 45's, Mt. Prospect, IL		Paragon, Mt. Prospect, IL		MVP - ?
2005		Flash, Des Plains, IL		Sage, Mt. Prospect, IL		John Scimone, Flash
2006		Miller 45ís, Mt. Prospect, IL		Mudville, Mt. Prospect, IL		Israel Sanchez, Miller 45's