The Home Front

Bird’s-eye view of the aftermath of Lollapalooza concert after one memorable weekend in Chicago’s 2026 summer festival season. Chicago Sun-Times photo. By Don DeBat First of two articles on the future of softball on Chicago’s lakefront. While Rock music blasted from multiple stages during the recent epic “Lollapalooza” event, Grant Park’s historic and cherished 16-inch softball diamonds were trampled into utter destruction. Was this the final toll of the death knell for Grant

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