2015 16 Inch Softball Hall Of Fame Inductees announced 
  • Women: Sharen Olmstead, Renette McCurry
  • 1993 to Current: Tommy Duddleston, Tony Prochenski
  • 1981 to 1992 ERA: Mike Anast        
  • 1964 to 1980 ERA: Jim Martin, Dennis Andristis    
  • Pioneers: Jack Flynn,William Abbatacola
  • Organizers: Tommy Thompson         
  • Umpires: Larry Danley
  • Managers: Percy Coleman,Tony Valosek   
  • Frank C. Holan Award: Grace Kenny
  • Richard J. Daley Award: Ray Czarnik
  • Wall of Fame:  Alvin Robinzine, John Gregerson, Ernest Millsap, Charles Martinkus and Craig Wente
  • Presidential Service Award: Bill Wadington
  • Teams to be Honored:  Legends of the Game , The Dukes, Thunder, Northern Trust, Carpet Country , LA Posse 
  • Field of Dreams: Westchester Park District

For more information, please call Rachell Entler at (708) 522-1070 ext 17 or visit www.16inchsoftballhof.com
Pride In Chicago's Game Flyer

Click Here to Print Flyer PrideInChicagosGame
Our Bricks Make Great Holiday Gifts and Special Memories! 

Hall of Fame bricks are still available for purchase! If you ordered now, you can purchase donor bricks online by clicking here . 

Grand Opening Books Also Available for Purchase!

Available for purchase are Hall of Fame Grand Opening books. The book feature pictures, highlights, and information about the Grand Opening. Books are six dollars each, paid in check to Rachell Entler. Please send checks to 7501 W. Harrison St. Forest Park, IL 60130.

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Donating to the Hall of Fame doesn't only mean you will place your mark in history, it can also benefit you in many other ways. As a 501c3, all donations you make to the Hall of Fame are tax writes offs! It's easy enough to do online, or you can send in a check. Our federal tax ID number is: 36-4188157.
 
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Please send any checks to: 
 
 
Rachell Entler
7501 W. Harrison St.
Forest Park, IL 60130
Cell 630-234-2398
Office 708-366-7500 Ext 17.
E-mail rentler@pdofp.org
1998 Inductee Willie Frencl Passes

Softball critics from the 60's and 70's claim that Willie Frencl, a clutch left-handed hitter and pitcher, was considered by to be the toughest single out from the left hand side of the plate during his era. His baseball and softball career began after graduating from  Reavis High School in 1957 where he was selected as Outstanding Senior Athlete. Willie Frencl was signed by t he Chicago White Sox as a pitcher and outfielder. He lasted in the minor leagues for two years before he was released. During that time he struck out 17 batters in a 7-inning game, 21 batters in a 9-inning game, and 12 batters in 4 innings of relief pitching. 

Frencl began his softball career with the Mice in the Normandy Park League. In 1959 they won the park championship where Frencl played against Eddie Zolna of the Bobcats. After that game Zolna convinced Frencl to play for the Bobcats, a partnership that spanned some 16 years and produced a plethora of titles and championships. In 1962 Frencl was the Batting Champion of the Daddy-O Daily League. He was selected to the ASA All American Team in 1970 where he also received the Slugger Award for total bases. Once again in 1972 he was picked to the ASA All American Team and was awarded honors as their top catcher. In 1976 Willie Frencl switched to the Amalgamonsters where his team won the Windy City League and took runner-up honors in the ASA Nationals. Frencl was also selected as Ist Team Catcher that year in the Windy City League with a batting average of .506. Willie Frencl was retired from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
Our condolences to the family.

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John Hie 2000 inductee passes

It's been said that great umpires were once great players, and John Hie is no exception. He began his softball playing career at Clarendon Park in 1951. While continuing at Clarendon, his team started the money league at Chicago and Kedzie in the early 50s. John played at Clarendon until 1974, when he switched to the other side of the plate as an umpire, who worked exclusively with Hall of Famer Dominick Paparato. When Dominick retired, Hie took  over as chief umpire until his retirement. He was a member of the Umpire Protective Association, and ran clinics and interpretation meetings for fellow umpires. While umpiring at Clarendon, John Hie introduced the "no crash rule" that was later adopted into other softball leagues. In the fall of 1999, John took on a new challenge when he was asked to put together rules and interpretations for the fledgling 16" softball league in the Chicago Public School System. The program was so successful that the league has expanded to include public and parochial high schools. Besides his 16" duties, John has also worked as a high school and college fast-pitch umpire, and has been the chief umpire for Chicago Federal Officers 12" slow pitch league. John's umpiring skills have also landed him spots in two Hollywood movies; A League of Their Own and Rookie of the Year. In 2000, John lived on the Northwest side of Chicago. He had an tremendous impact on our sport and the Hall of Fame. Our prayers are with his family.

Do you have a great story or photos you would like to share send them to  Tiffany.Hoffman@Maagcommplus.com for a chance to be featured in our next newsletter.


Hall Of Fame Museum Fall Schedule

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Sincerely,

The Chicago 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame

Rachell Entler
7501 W. Harrison St.
Forest Park, IL 60130
Office 708-366-7500  x 17 
Email rentler@pdofp.org