The Home Front

(Above) Sam Sianis (center) holds the 1974 tournament trophy won by the Chicago Daily News 16-inch softball team he sponsored. The legendary lineup included Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Mike Royko (top row, second from right). The photo was taken at the Hubbard Street Billy Goat Tavern next to the “VIP Room” sign. Photo provided by Don DeBat. By Don DeBat Chicago-style 16-inch softball managers might tell you losing a good sponsor is worse than losing a brother. With the

1985 JETS- BOTTOM ROW: (kneeling L-R): Dale Hopkins, Bradely Trychta, Bobby Glover, Clarence "Boots" Cass, Pat Carroll and Keith Dickens. TOP ROW: (standing L-R): Ricky Lewis, Chris D'Agostino, Robert Placek, Kenny Dower, John Zullo, John Clausen, Joey Alvinito and Gene O'Keefe. By Don DeBat The Chicago 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame will recognize the Class of 2025 Inductees and Honorees at its 29 th annual dinner on October 25 th . The HOF includes more than 700 of the be

Chicago Joe's exterior (above) By Don DeBat Classic 16-inch Chicago-style softball teams are holding a memory-vigil and experiencing a mourning-moment this month for the future of a now-vacant site on the northeast corner of Oakley Ave. and Irving Park Rd. in the North Center neighborhood. A building permit has been issued by the City of Chicago allowing Landrosh Development to erect a 38-unit masonry apartment building at 4009 N. Oakley at a projected cost of $7.7 million. T