Updated: 12/21/2011

2011 Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame

2012 is 125th Anniversary of Softball which began in Chicago

CHICAGO-December 18th --Today the Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame announced its 16th annual list of inductees and honorees to be celebrated at an annual dinner. The list includes some of the best male and female athletes in the sport since the 1920s, when softball began to take off in Chicago. This year will also feature the wheelchair World Series champions, Rehabilitation Institute Cubs.

In fact, the game of softball started at the Farragut Boat Club in 1887 between Yale and Harvard alumni while waiting for ticker tape football score between the two schools. They wrapped up a boxing glove and started hitting it with a broom stick, and began to play “baseball”.

This year's dinner event will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 14th at The Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook, Ill. "The voting gets tougher and tougher each year because the competition is so great, but these inductees are another superb class to honor," stated Ron Kubicki, president of the Hall of Fame. We will also recognize Lane Tech High School for winning the Chicago Public Schools 16" Softball Championships, their 9th title in 13 years".

Co-founder of the Hall of Fame Al Maag said, "Over 600 people are expected to attend the HOF awards event again. It is always a wonderful night to congratulate the winners and network with past friends, teammates and competitors. This year we will also highlight the plans for our indoor museum."

THE 2011 INDUCTEES
Woman: Mary Walz
Pioneers: Al Brocious
1950-1963 Era: Louie Vine, Jack Marcoline, Raymond Ray
1964-1979 Era: Rock Waldo, Rich “Chopper” Knorowski
1980-1992 Era: Rich Lasky, Mark “Shu” Schuler
1993-current Era: Mike Lopez, Angelo Alesia
Organizer: Gary Kasanders
Media: Larry Randa
Umpire: Joe Manza
Manager: Sherman Martin Jr.
Field of Dreams: Washington Park, Chicago
Wall of Fame: Phillip Williams, George Sherman
Teams: Splinters, Buffalo Grove Bruins, Smoke, The Eastsiders and RCI Cubs


Event Details:
Tickets are $100.00 and are available by calling Donna Levy 630-544-5049. Tickets can also be bought at the door for $125; however, advance reservations are preferred. Tables of 10.

Ads in dinner book range from $100-250 each and sponsorships start at $500. For more information go to the website or call Donna Levy.

The Chicago 16" Softball Hall of Fame is the premier organization for supporting and recognizing the game of 16" softball since 1996. 16inchsoftballhof.com.