No Glove NATIONALS 54th Annual Forest Park Invitational
July 28-31
2022 F O R E S T PA R K
REVIEW
www.pdofp.org
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
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ON THE COVER: Thunder’s Dominic Stacey fires the ball back to the infield during a game against Dynasty during the 2021 No Glove Nationals hosted by the Park District of Forest Park. ALEX ROGALS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
CONTENTS CONTENT No clowning around when Circus comes to town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4 Hall of Famer ponders future of Chicago’s game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B7 Softball is all in the family for Russ clan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B8 Winner/Loser Brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B10-B11 Signature a favorite to win 2022 tourney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B14 Hall of Fame induction ceremony set for July 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B17
Welcome players and visitors to 2022 No Glove Nationals
W
e are thrilled once again to be hosting the 16-Inch No Glove Softball Tournament this year! After the year off in 2020, we were so excited to see everyone last year and we look forward to another successful event this year. Once again, the teams are very excited to be invited to this prestigious tournament. Maintaining that standard continues to be a priority. Our staff are working extremely hard to continue to accomplish our normal success with this event. We faced a few challenges this year with supply shortages and price increases, but our goal is to maintain lower fees with the highest of standards at this event. We are also very excited to welcome back our committed volunteers and new volunteers. Staff shortages are something most are facing. We are fortunate to have so many wonderful volunteers who make this event a success. Along with committed volunteers, our staff put this weekend aside, always looking forward to helping. Thank you to all who help make this event what it is! Working for this wonderful community and providing the greatest tournament is an honor. We cannot wait to see everyone come out this year. Look forward to great softball, good food and great company on the best softball fields! See you in The Park!
Jackie Iovinelli, executive director/co-tournament director Park District of Forest Park
REVIEW Senior Editor Bob Uphues Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins Contributing Reporter John Rice Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck, Kamil Brady Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
www.pdofp.org
Executive Director Jackie Iovinelli Superintendent of Business Jeff Murphy Superintendent of Recreation Danette Krajewski Superintendent of Facilities Andrew Doss Recreation Supervisor Ryan Villanova Communications and Marketing Manager Adam Cumbee ■
Board of Commissioners President John Doss Vice President Kristen Lyons Commissioners Timothy Gillian Cathleen McDermott, Roy Sansone
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
No clowning around when Circus comes to town
The 2021 No Gloves champion looks for repeat performance By JOHN RICE
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Contributing Reporter
here’s been a major shift in the game of softball, which is why Kevin Duff started Circus in 2019. In “old-school” softball, teams played games almost every weeknight and competed in tournaments on the weekends. Duff used to play a similar schedule for Signature, winning the No Gloves tournament three times. But now that he has three children under the age of 5, he wants to spend more time with his family. Circus plays just one night a week. “The old contingent gets mad about a lack of commitment,” Duff said. “But we want to formulate a different lifestyle.” Like several players on the team, Duff coaches his kid’s teams. Players also involve their families with the games. “It’s like a circus,” Duff said of the atmosphere. “We do our best to be there for the
games. Then we think, ‘We’re here, we might as well win.’” That’s exactly what happened at last year’s heart-pounding No Gloves tournament. Circus was down five runs to Flash in the seventh Inning. They came back with six runs in the final frame to beat Flash and advanced to the championship games. They lost the first one but won the next two to take the title. Not bad for a team that was only in its fourth year of existence. “I have a very deep appreciation for the game,” said Duff, who plays second base and bats second. He grew up in the Oak Park area and learned the game from his Hall of Fame father, Tom Duff. One of his proudest moments came when he played alongside his dad. “I want to play with my son someday,” he said. When he was with Signature, Duff was playing about 100 games per season. “Signature was up there with the 45’s. We finished in second and third place until we finally broke See CIRCUS on page B6
No Glove Nationals 2022
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
CONGRATULATIONS ON 54 YEARS OF THE ANNUAL “NO-GLOVE NATIONALS” 16” SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT!
©2 02 2 L E T T U C E E N T E R TA I N YO U ® R E S TAU R A N T S
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
CIRCUS Congratulations No Glove Congratulations No Glove ‘Ready to roll’ Nationalson on 54 Nationals 53Years! Years! from page B4
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through.” Signature went on to win the No Gloves tournament three times. “The Saturday night games are the key,” Duff said. “They are biggest games of the No Gloves. You’re under the lights with the biggest crowds. The pressure is on. You’re one bad hop away from ruining your whole weekend.” Duff ’s teammate, Tim Koronkowski, has great memories of last year’s No Gloves. He also has some painful ones. On Friday night, the shortstop was fielding a grounder when he broke a finger on his left hand. “A teammate pulled it back into position,” Koronkowski said. “I was in a different zone for the tournament. I was running on adrenaline and Busch Light.” The broken finger didn’t keep Koronkowski from hitting a two-run homer during the championship series. Video of the homer was posted on the Slow-Pitch Softball Association Facebook page. It’s
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been viewed over 50,000 times. Koronkowski’s softball career began at Hoyne Park at 35th Street and Archer Avenue in Chicago. A park employee nicknamed Bimbo recruited him to play left field. “I spent every waking hour playing sports at the park,” he said. “I was 17 years old and I got hooked.” Before he joined Circus, Koronkowski was playing 10 games a week. Now, he plays once or twice a week. “Circus was started how our families want it. It’s not just a softball game, we combine families,” he said. “The majority of the players have young kids. All the kids and moms get along.” Koronkowski has a young son and daughter with a third child coming in December. Duff compared the transition from two kids to three, as shifting from man-to-man defense to zone. Koronkowski agrees, noting they will soon be in “nickel coverage.” Both players would also agree that the No Gloves tournament is the one they want to win. “I’ve won it three times,” Koronkowski said, “I’m hoping for a fourth. All our gunners are out. We’re ready to roll. If we lose, it won’t be for lack of effort.”
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Circus, the 2021 No Glove Nationals champion, was led by Kevin Duff and Tim Koronkowski.
No Glove Nationals 2022
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
Hall of Famer ponders future of Chicago’s game Mark Frighetto’s softball career included seven No Gloves titles
which is no easy feat in a game where the bases are only 60 feet apart. “It was the best ever when the runner was coming to get you,” he said. “The game was more serious and intense back then.” Frighetto still plays softball in a 65-andover league in Elk Grove Village. He noted By JOHN RICE that the suburb has become a “mecca for Contributing Reporter older softball players.” He also faithfully attends the No Gloves tournament every ud North was a softball team for year. the ages, with more than 10 play“It’s fun to see the people you played for ers inducted into the 16-Inch Softand against,” Frighetto said. “It was even ball Hall of Fame. They were a bigger 20 years ago. There was a big Northpowerhouse in the 1980s, winning South rivalry. Kudos to the park district the No Gloves tournament in and Forest Park businesses for 1987, 1988 and 1989 -- the first putting on such a great tournasoftball team to three-peat. ment.” The team consisted of mostly He is especially grateful that players from the North Side, the park district donated a forwhile the Whips were the South mer gas station that was transSide power. Their manager, Bud formed into the Hall of Fame O’Malley, is being inducted into Museum. As a board member, the Hall of Fame this year. he is trying to instill the same Mark Frighetto, 67, was passion he feels about softball a longtime member of Bud in younger members. North. He has played in the No “The best softball players MARK FRIGHETTO Gloves numerous times. are in their 30s and 40s. Guys “We won the No Gloves seven Hall of Fame board member in their 20s are not playing the times over a span of four degame,” he said. “The challenge cades,” Frighetto said. “In 1987, is to keep the game going.” I was the No Gloves MVP.” DePaul University has a Not bad for a scrappy singles “Welcome to Chicago” class hitter. He was still playing mafor freshmen that includes a jor softball in his late 50s, when 16-inch softball clinic at The his team “put him out to pasPark. For the past 10 years, Hall ture” in 2007. of Fame members have demonstrated the Frighetto grew up on the North Side sport to the students. of Chicago and attended Lane Tech High “When they first see a Clincher, they School when it was still an all-boys instituwonder ‘What is this?’” Frighetto said. tion. He liked Lane Tech so much, he con“They learn the ball is very hard at the betinued to attend it after his family moved to ginning of the game.” Edison Park. Frighetto believes the future of the sport “I took three busses to get to school,” he lies in conducting clinics and other joint said. ventures like the DePaul partnership. He Part of the attraction was playing on also noted that co-ed softball is increasthe baseball team. Frighetto played second ingly popular. base and helped Lane Tech become city “We’ll take whatever comes,” he said. champs in 1972. He went on to play baseIn the meantime, he is dedicated to keepball at the University of Illinois. In 1977, ing the Hall of Fame financially sound and Frighetto switched to playing short center is thankful for their rent-free museum. in softball. The glory days of Bud North may be “I batted toward the bottom of the order passed but the game endures. To quote Hall and I was primarily a defensive player,” of Fame member George Bliss, “Play softFrighetto said. ball, it’s the greatest game in America!” His specialty was turning double plays,
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“The challenge is to keep the game going.”
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
Softball is all in the family for Russ clan Randy Russ reflects on the sport in that’s ‘in our family’s blood’ By JOHN RICE
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Contributing Reporter
he Russ family is steeped in softball. Bob Russ Sr. is in the 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame. His sons, Randy and Bob, Jr., also have plaques. Randy’s nephew, Ryan Russ, plays left field for Flashback. “We’ll be there for the induction ceremony,” said Randy Russ, 54, “Our whole family loves coming to the tournament. It’s like a reunion.” The No Gloves tournament is an annual reunion for players and spectators alike. For four days, they gather at The Park. There are former teammates and rivals and plenty of kids. “When I was 10-11 years old,” Russ re-
called, “I was shagging flies before the games.” Before starting his softball career, Russ played baseball at Lewis University during the late 1980s. One season, he was named NCAA Division II Player of the Year. “I played shortstop and batted leadoff. I got the party started,” he said. After he made the adjustment to softball, Russ became a left fielder. “All the little fast guys played the outfield. I played on the Splinters, Lettuce and Licorice,” Russ said. “It was the same core of players with different sponsors. I had different weapons, offensively and defensively. I was a cutter but I could also drive the ball.” Russ became good friends with one of the sponsors, Mike North. The sports radio personality was instrumental in getting Chicago public high schools to make 16inch softball a varsity sport. Russ grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago and played softball in the alley. “If you hit it into a yard, you were out,”
Retired 16-inch softball legend Randy Russ outside of Wrigley Field on Chicago’s North Side. He grew up on the city’s Northwest Side and learned to play softball in the usual fashion – in the alley.
Randy Russ (center) with his sons, Randy and Ricky
he said. “Older guys taught us how to play. Hall of Famers taught us how to win.” Win they did, as Russ’ teams captured several No Gloves titles. “We used to play two, three times per week,” Russ said. “The millennials don’t want to play in league games. … I don’t regret a day of it. I met my wife, Kelly, at a park at Addison and Cicero. She played for a team called the Lushes.” The couple recently celebrated their 23rd anniversary. They went on to have two boys and a girl. “Sports keeps them out of trouble,” Russ said. “I quit softball to coach my sons on a traveling baseball team.” His daughter is on a traveling soccer team. Russ’ boys went on to play baseball for Notre Dame High School. Russ recalled making the transition from hard ball to softball, and he’s witnessed celebrities struggle to hit the 16-inch softball in charity games.
“I played with Michael Jordan, Brian Urlacher and Carlton Fisk. Fisk couldn’t hit it out of the infield,” Russ said. Russ was recently involved in another charity event, the 8th Annual Papa Hops Tourney, featuring 36 teams along with thousands of spectators at a packed Kennedy Park on July 8. The tournament is a fundraiser for the Tom Hopkins Foundation, which supports families battling cancer. The tournament is played in one day and the championship game took place close to midnight. Russ sometimes hears that 16-inch softball is a dying sport. It’s mostly Chicago’s game, so out-of-state strangers are startled by the size of the ball. Russ refuses to believe the game is on its last legs. Tournaments like the Papa Hops and the No Gloves restore his faith in the future of the game. “Softball is in our family’s blood,” Russ said. “We’ve made a lot of close friendships. It’s a big part of our lives.”
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
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7/28 (Thurs.) 6:00 p.m. Field #2
FAT KIDS
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IRON
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7/28 (Thurs.) 8:30 p.m. Field #2
CHUCKS
BALL BUSTERS
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IMPACT
CHICAGO DYNASTY
7/28 (Thurs.) 7:15 p.m. Field #2
HoF CONCESSIONS
7:15 p.m. Field #2
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6 p.m. Field #1
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6:00 p.m. Field #1
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45’S
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FLASHBACK
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CIRCUS
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WINNERS BRACKET
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
MENACE
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7/28 (Thurs.) 9:45 p.m. Field #2
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BRICK
7/28 (Thurs.) 9:45 p.m. Field #1
OLD TIMERS
Winners advance to the right
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No Glove Nationals 2022
LOSER 16
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LOSERS BRACKET
7/31 (Sun.) 42 12:30 p.m. Field #2
7/31 (Sun.) 41 12:30 p.m. Field #1
L-G43 TO G45
L-G46 TO G47 (if 1st loss)
47 (if nec.)
No Glove Nationals 2022 Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
2021 HIGHLIGHTS The 2021 No Glove Nationals brought the crowds back out to The Park after a year's hiatus due to COVID-19. Clockwise from top left, Thunder third baseman Anthony Stacey fields a throw during a game against Chicago Dynasty; the 45's Billy Petrick smacks a fly ball during a game against Hexx; Adam Hoss, the first baseman of the 45's, prepares to record an out as Hexx's Jim Moretti tries to beat the throw; Hexx second baseman Billy Steiner catches a pop fly in short right field.
No Glove Nationals 2022
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
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The Park District of Forest Park would like to wish all of the teams good luck!
A special thank you to our volunteers for helping make this event possible!
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
Signature a favorite to win 2022 tourney Team enters No Gloves with a 30-8 record By JOHN RICE
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Contributing Reporter
at Caputo, 70, has had a long illustrious career in softball. The 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame pitcher is the current manager of Signature, one of the favorites to win the No Gloves Tournament this year. Caputo has already won the No Gloves five times, while playing for top teams like Licorice, Traffic and Windy City. This season, Signature has won 30 games while losing only eight. Caputo grew up in Bellwood and started playing softball in a church league in 1969. “Bellwood is a great place to live,” Caputo said. It’s also a great place to work. Caputo has only had two jobs in his life. Working at a liquor store on St. Charles Road and working for the village of Bellwood. He now lives in Elmhurst.
When he wasn’t working, Caputo was pitching. He pitched for the Rockers, who won the No Gloves in 1998. “I wasn’t the greatest hitter,” Caputo confessed, “but I played good defense.” He continued to play until 2010, when he suffered two torn rotator cuffs. Now, besides managing Signature, he runs the Melrose Park softball league. “All the big teams play in Melrose Park,” Caputo said. They also compete in the Forest Park league. “The No Gloves is the ultimate tournament,” Caputo said, “Many players have never won it. But the big crowds make it a
once in a lifetime experience.” This year, Signature has a bye for the first round and will play their first game on Friday evening. Signature Limousine is owned by Sal Milazzo, who is a big sponsor of 16inch softball. Caputo is in his 11th year of running the team. Many softball teams are sponsored by bars, which is where teams go after their games. “We use limos instead of going to bars,” Caputo said. Besides his involvement with the No Gloves, Caputo is a board member for the Slow-Pitch Softball Association. As a member of the SSA, he runs softball tourna-
ments. The SSA is hosting a Glove Nationals in Joliet this year. Caputo’s teams have won the national tournament many times, but he is partial to the Forest Park tournament. “Everyone remembers who won the No Gloves,” Caputo said.
‘Get to Sunday’ Spencer Mahoney, 29, is one of softball’s up-and-coming stars. He plays shortstop for Signature and bats second in the lineup. Mahoney didn’t start playing softball until last summer. This year will be his second opportunity to win the No Gloves tournament. “Our goal is to get to Sunday,” Mahoney said. Mahoney may be a newcomer to softball but he has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old. He grew up in LaGrange
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No Glove Nationals 2022 Park and attended Lyons Township High School. He went on to Valparaiso University, where he also played shortstop. Then he made the transition to softball. “I had to get used to no gloves and the fast pace of the game,” Mahoney said, “I had to learn a new swing, but I’ve done well this year.” His team won the Rosemont Dome League and had decent success in the North-South Tournament and the Westchester Tournament. At Westchester, Mahoney hit a spectacular home run that cleared the fence at a field designed for 12-inch softball. “My dad was a softball player, so I grew
up with it,” he said. Mahoney played in the No Gloves tournament last year. “It was very different with the level of energy -- the way the park district workers keep the fields in shape, the ‘human fence’ of spectators on Sunday,” he said. Mahoney’s day job as a strength and conditioning coach keeps him in shape for softball. He likes Signature’s chances in the No Gloves tournament. “We have some previous No Gloves winners on the team,” Mahoney said. “We’re in much better position to win this year.”
John Rice
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Former Rockers stalwart gets call to Hall of Fame Greg Ziegler is retired from softball now, but he played short center for the Rockers during their heyday. He also batted in the top five of their lineup. Zeigler recalled the Rockers – the team Pat Caputo pitched for and won No Gloves in 1998 -- winning the No Gloves tournament in the early 1990s. He was named MVP of the tournament. Ziegler played softball from age 17-40 and the bulk of that time was with the Rockers. “The No Gloves is the best tournament in softball,” he said. Ziegler is originally from Berwyn. After high school he spent two years in the Atlanta Braves minor league system as a right-handed pitcher. He made the adjustment from hardball to softball and became a power hitter. Ziegler’s playing credentials were good enough to earn him a plaque in the 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame. He will inducted on July 26. After his playing days ended, Ziegler devoted himself to coaching his son’s traveling baseball team and his daughter’s soccer team. “My son is a center fielder for Michigan State,” he said. “My daughter played Division II soccer.” Like many children of former players, they also enjoy softball.
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
Hall of Fame induction ceremony set for July 26 Effort to recruit younger, more diverse players to help lead By JOHN RICE
P
Contributing Reporter
aul J. Rowan was elected president of the 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame in December 2021 and is serving a three-year term. He is looking forward to the Annual Inductee Day on Tuesday, July 26. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. and the unveiling of plaques will be at 5:30 p.m. Seven players, six teams and one manager are among those being inducted. Following the awards, the legends game will begin at 6 p.m. The three-inning exhibition will be followed by the No Gloves play-in games. Two teams will square off at 8 p.m. for a shot at qualifying for the No Gloves. The winner will play a second game at 9:15 to secure a tournament berth. The Hall of Fame Museum will be open and stay open throughout the tournament. Rowan noted that the Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization. “My responsibilities include continuing to raise funds to preserve the game and keeping up the museum,” he said. “I also want to expand the game to more city parks. We need to get the game to the African American and Hispanic communities.” Rowan is pleased that there are more Black members of the board, which includes the newest one, Kendall “P-Funk” Greene. “We also need more women and Hispanics on the board,” he said. Each board member takes their turn at manning the museum on Saturdays, in addition to raising funds for the Hall of Fame. “We’re forming an Ambassador Board to promote the Hall of Fame,” Rowan said. “We’re recruiting younger members, who can relate to the younger players.” A case in point would be one of the newest members, Jeremy Lofrano. He becomes the youngest board member at the age of 42. “My goal is leave a good board in place for the next president,” said Rowan. Rowan grew up in the Beverly neighbor-
hood of Chicago and started playing softball in eighth grade. He went on to Mount Carmel High School, where he played football. After graduation, he continued to play at Kennedy Park, the site of the recent Papa Hops Tournament. “I started the Ringers in 1983 and played for the next 20 years,” Rowan said. “We played league games five days a week and in tournaments on the weekends.” Rowan played short center and batted toward the bottom of the lineup. “I was a better defensive player than offensive,” he said. “I’m not very fast.” Rowan organized his first tournament in 1985 and has been running tournaments ever since. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an organizer in 2005. He later was inducted in 2014 as a member of the Ringers. In 2008, Rowan retired from playing softball, after receiving his second hip replacement. Rowan is not seeing teams stick together as long as his old Ringers team. “Teams prefer to play in their park leagues,” he said. “There are not as many major teams now.” He is seeing more women playing softball and noted there were close to a dozen co-ed tournaments this season. There has been an increase in tournaments across the country, including in California, Arizona and Iowa. In 2019, there were 51 tournaments nationwide. In 2022, there were 76 tournaments. This is an encouraging sign that the game is growing. More and more Americans are embracing 16-inch softball outside the Chicago area. “Softball has stayed at the same level in Chicago,” Rowan said. “It’s already in the CPS schools, but we need to expand to the Catholic League. We want tournaments for younger players. We need to get young kids interested at an early age. South Side softball remains strong. The parks are filled on summer nights. “The No Gloves is still the premier tournament for major teams. We also have three, four teams from Iowa coming in. The game is growing there. It’s not enticing when the same four, five teams dominate the No Gloves.” Rowan is pleased that this year there are no clear-cut favorites.
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
HEADING HOME Thunder’s Chris Miller rounds third base during a game against Chicago Dynasty in the No Glove Nationals 16-inch softball tournament at the Park District of Forest Park last year.
ALEX ROGALS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Village of Forest Park welcomes the players and fans of this year’s 54th Annual No Glove Nationals 16” Softball Tournament! Mayor Rory Hoskins Mayor Rory Hoskins You’ll hit a home run shopping and dining in Forest Park!
Commissioner Ryan Nero
Commissioner Joe Byrnes Commissioner Jessica Voogd Commissioner Maria Maxham Commissioner Ryan Nero Commissioner Joe Byrnes Commissioner Jessica Voogd Commissioner Maria Maxham
517 517Desplaines DesplainesAvenue Avenue• •Forest ForestPark, Park,IL IL 60130 60130•• 708-366-2323 708-366-2323• •contact@forestpark.net Fax 708-488-0361
517 Desplaines Avenue • Forest Park, IL 60130 • 708-366-2323 • Fax 708-488-0361
No Glove Nationals 2022
Wishing the players, volunteers, and staff a fun and successful
53rd Annual No Gloves Nationals Tournament Emanuel “Chris”
WELCH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE 7th District
STATE REPRESENTATIVE www.emanuelchriswelch.com
Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
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Forest Park Review, July 20, 2022
No Glove Nationals 2022
PRESERVE THE STORIES AND HISTORY * HONOR THE BEST * PROMOTE THE GREAT GAME NATIONALLY
Forest Park Highlights Follow Us on Facebook to learn who these people and teams are.
The Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame was founded in 1996. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to preserving the history, recognizing the best of the best on and off the field, and to fostering the growth of the 16 inch game. The 16 Inch Hall of Fame is located in Forest Park, IL. at the corner of D e s P l a i n e s a n d H a r r i s o n . I n d u c t e e P a r k w a s u n v e i l e d i n 2 0 0 9 a n d t h e m u s e u m o p e ne d i n 2 0 1 4 . Since its inception, the HOF has inducted over 600 former and current softball men and women players, umpires, managers, fans, teams and organizers at annual dinners averaging 500 attendees. Come see our historical photos, videos, uniforms, artifacts and interactive displays on Saturdays from noon to 4pm; with extended hours during the Forest Park Tournament. Always looking for memorabilia, sponsors, and donors; support will allow us to add displays and be open longer. SPECIAL TEAM TOURS: 16SOFTBALLHOF@GMAIL.COM
ANNUAL INDUCTEE DINNER OCTOBER 29TH DRURY LANE - OAK BROOK
LEARN MORE OR SHOP AT 16INCHSOFTBALLHOF.COM