With Grant Park Softball Dead Where Should Play Move?
Northerly Island, Chicago, IL (above) By Don DeBat Second of two articles on the future of softball on Chicago’s lakefront. It appears that “Chicago’s Game,” 16-inch slow pitch softball, is officially dead at Grant Park after anchoring the historic lakefront location for nearly 100 years. Following the four-day and night “Lollapalooza” concert event, Grant Park’s cherished softball diamonds were trampled into utter destruction by a total of 400,000-plus concert attendees. Whe
Don DeBat
Aug 17
Remembering Sam Sianis: The Billy Goat Proprietor Who Sponsored Chicago’s Top Softball Dynasty
(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
Don DeBat
May 24
