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Chicago Storm (softball)

January 01, 1970

For the MISL soccer team, see Chicago Storm (soccer).

The Chicago Storm were a professional 12-inch softball team that played in the American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) during the 1977 and 1978 seasons. They played their home games at the Windy City Softball Complex in Bridgeview, Illinois in 1977 and then at two different parks in 1978 - Lions Park in Mt. Prospect, Illinois and Community Park in Addison, Illinois.[1][2]

APSPL history edit

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, several men's professional slow-pitch softball leagues were formed in the United States to build on the growth and talent in the booming men's amateur game during this period.[3][4] The American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) was the first such league, launching in an era of experimentation in professional sports leagues.[5] The APSPL was formed in 1977 by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne who would go on to form the Women's Professional Basketball League.[6] Former New York Yankees star Whitey Ford was the first league commissioner.[7][8][9]

Chicago Storm edit

The Chicago Storm began play in the inaugural APSPL season in 1977,[10] finishing with a record of 22-34 (.393), in 4th place in the Midwestern Division, 20 games behind division-winners Detroit Caesars.[11][12] The Storm were managed by former Chicago Cub Milt Pappas.[13][14][15][16] The Caesars would go on to win the first pro softball World Series 4–0 over the Baltimore Monuments with Mike Nye of Detroit honored as the series MVP.[17] But Benny Holt (.690 BA, 89 HRs, 187 RBIs, 144 runs scored, 25 walks) of Chicago was the talk of the league in winning the triple crown and the league MVP trophy.[18][19] Holt and Buddy Haines (.605, 42 HRs, 100 RBIs, 101 runs scored) made the all-pro team for 1977. Storm players Ron Olesiak (.581, 55 HRs, 112 RBIs), Tom Spahn (.541, 49 HRs, 129 RBIs), Mike Krolicki (.511, 22 HRs, 75 RBIs) and Dave Shortz (.506, 33 HRs, 56 RBIs) had stellar seasons for Chicago.[20][21] Former Cub Gene Hiser played for the Storm in 1977.[22][23]

1978 was no more kind to the Storm as they ended the season with an abysmal 11-53 (.172) record, 4th in the division and 38 games behind Detroit. Detroit would repeat again as APSPL champions, defeating the Minnesota Norsemen with series MVP Bert Smith hitting 15-16 (.940). Ron Ford of Detroit was the league MVP. Benny Holt (.526, 50 HRs, 130 RBIs) was again outstanding for the Storm and was the team's sole representative on the all-pro team. Tommy Spahn (.539, 34 HRs, 101 RBIs), Mike Krolicki (.511, 13 HRs, 59 RBIs) and Ron Olesiak (.509, 20 HRs, 47 RBIs) again performed well in support. The team suffered with poor attendance[24] and financial instability led to the league taking over the Storm in 1978. The team would be without a home and played home games on the road by the end of the season, and the team disbanded at the end of the year.[24][25]

Chicago Nationwide Advertising edit

Professional softball returned briefly to Chicago in 1980 when a rival league, the North American Softball League (NASL), was formed by Cleveland Stepien's Competitors owner Ted Stepien, who put forward a team called Chicago Nationwide Advertising, named after the advertising company owned by Stepien. The team played at Lou Boudreau Field[26] in Harvey, Illinois and former Chicago Cub Joe Pepitone served as team president and played first-base.[27][28] Pepitone would get a suspension during the year for "conduct detrimental to professional softball" when NASL Commissioner Robert Brown suspended him for 6 games[29] and then was lost to the season in August with a thigh injury.[30] The team was managed by local softball legend Eddie Zolna.[31]

It was an excellent regular season for CNA as Chicago finished 43-19 (.694), 2nd in the Western Division to the Milwaukee Schlitz. The Schlitz would defeat Chicago in the playoffs 4-2 and go on to win the NASL World Series in 1980 over the Detroit Auto Kings 5-12 behind the hitting of Ken Parker (.586, 16 RBIs) in the series. Former Chicago Storm star Benny Holt was now with Cleveland, but Ron Olesiak (.555, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs) of Chicago won the league MVP trophy, and Chicago added all-pro seasons from Mike Krolicki (27-6 pitching record), Buddy Haines (.518, 27 HRS, 115 RBIs), Tommy Spahn (.527, 15 HRs, 97 RBIs), Curt Dusek (.413 BA), Willie Simpson (.506, 23 doubles, 13 triples) and Jake Jakobi (.520 BA). Olesiak, Dusek, Simpson, Spahn represented Chicago at the mid-season All-Star game and Zolna managed the West team.[32] The NASL lasted one season before combining with the APSPL to form a new league, the United Professional Softball League (UPSL). That league disbanded in 1982, bringing an end to the professional era of men's softball in the US.[33] Many players returned to the competitive leagues in the Chicago area, especially the 16-inch game in the region.[34][35]

The Chicago Nationwide Advertising team featured two members of the American Softball Association Hall of Fame - manager Eddie Zolna and catcher Willie Simpson.[36]

Chicago year-by-year record edit

Year Team Name Record Pct Finish Division Playoffs League
1977 Storm 22-34 ..393 3rd Midwest - APSPL
1978 Storm 11-53 .172 4th Midwest - APSPL
1980 Nationwide Advertising 43-19 .694 2nd Midwest Semi-Finals NASL

References edit

  1. ^ "American Professional Slo-Pitch League (1977-1980)". 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. February 22, 1978. p. 47 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Feinstein, John (July 29, 1977). "Slow-Pitch Pros Fast Becoming Favorites" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  4. ^ Carter, Russell (May 26, 1977). "Pro Slo-Pitch Softball Debuts Sunday" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  5. ^ "Ludington Daily News - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com.
  6. ^ "Clipped From Valley News". Valley News. May 25, 1977. p. 42 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Clipped From The Courier-Journal". The Courier-Journal. September 3, 1978. p. 8 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Softball challenge - OOTP Developments Forums". forums.ootpdevelopments.com.
  9. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. March 29, 1977. p. 51 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Clipped From Southend Reporter". Southend Reporter. June 30, 1977. p. 22 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Hannon, Kent. "It's easy come, easy go". Sports Illustrated Vault | SI.com.
  12. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. May 29, 1977. p. 70 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Clipped From The Baltimore Sun". The Baltimore Sun. July 6, 1977. p. 29 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Clipped From The Baltimore Sun". The Baltimore Sun. July 6, 1977. p. 33 – via newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. May 18, 1977. p. 57 – via newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Clipped From Arlington Heights Herald". Arlington Heights Herald. June 6, 1977. p. 30 – via newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Detroit Caesars". Detroit Caesars.
  18. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 1, 1977. p. 49 – via newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 1, 1977. p. 51 – via newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Professional Slow Pitch Softball History". www.angelfire.com.
  21. ^ "Clipped From The Daily Herald". The Daily Herald. April 22, 1977. p. 25 – via newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Clipped From The Capital Times". The Capital Times. June 23, 1978. p. 19 – via newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 6, 1977. p. 71 – via newspapers.com.
  24. ^ a b "ASPSL – Softball History USA". www.softballhistoryusa.com.
  25. ^ "Clipped From The Cincinnati Enquirer". The Cincinnati Enquirer. August 14, 1978. p. 27 – via newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Clipped From Southtown Star". Southtown Star. May 18, 1980. p. 14 – via newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Clipped From The Tampa Times". The Tampa Times. June 29, 1978. p. 27 – via newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. May 14, 1980. p. 57 – via newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. July 20, 1980. p. 50 – via newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. August 11, 1980. p. 56 – via newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. January 23, 2015. pp. 2–7 – via newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. July 8, 1980. p. 47 – via newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "NASL – Softball History USA". www.softballhistoryusa.com.
  34. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 13, 1980. p. 59 – via newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Clipped From Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. June 13, 1980. p. 62 – via newspapers.com.
  36. ^ . 31 May 2019. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

External links edit

  • APSPL on Fun While It Lasted
  • Softball History Data
  • Softball History USA
  • Detroit Caesars Online Home

January 01, 1970
chicago, storm, softball, misl, soccer, team, chicago, storm, soccer, chicago, storm, were, professional, inch, softball, team, that, played, american, professional, pitch, league, apspl, during, 1977, 1978, seasons, they, played, their, home, games, windy, ci. For the MISL soccer team see Chicago Storm soccer The Chicago Storm were a professional 12 inch softball team that played in the American Professional Slo Pitch League APSPL during the 1977 and 1978 seasons They played their home games at the Windy City Softball Complex in Bridgeview Illinois in 1977 and then at two different parks in 1978 Lions Park in Mt Prospect Illinois and Community Park in Addison Illinois 1 2 Contents 1 APSPL history 2 Chicago Storm 3 Chicago Nationwide Advertising 4 Chicago year by year record 5 References 6 External linksAPSPL history editDuring the late 1970s and early 1980s several men s professional slow pitch softball leagues were formed in the United States to build on the growth and talent in the booming men s amateur game during this period 3 4 The American Professional Slo Pitch League APSPL was the first such league launching in an era of experimentation in professional sports leagues 5 The APSPL was formed in 1977 by former World Football League executive Bill Byrne who would go on to form the Women s Professional Basketball League 6 Former New York Yankees star Whitey Ford was the first league commissioner 7 8 9 Chicago Storm editThe Chicago Storm began play in the inaugural APSPL season in 1977 10 finishing with a record of 22 34 393 in 4th place in the Midwestern Division 20 games behind division winners Detroit Caesars 11 12 The Storm were managed by former Chicago Cub Milt Pappas 13 14 15 16 The Caesars would go on to win the first pro softball World Series 4 0 over the Baltimore Monuments with Mike Nye of Detroit honored as the series MVP 17 But Benny Holt 690 BA 89 HRs 187 RBIs 144 runs scored 25 walks of Chicago was the talk of the league in winning the triple crown and the league MVP trophy 18 19 Holt and Buddy Haines 605 42 HRs 100 RBIs 101 runs scored made the all pro team for 1977 Storm players Ron Olesiak 581 55 HRs 112 RBIs Tom Spahn 541 49 HRs 129 RBIs Mike Krolicki 511 22 HRs 75 RBIs and Dave Shortz 506 33 HRs 56 RBIs had stellar seasons for Chicago 20 21 Former Cub Gene Hiser played for the Storm in 1977 22 23 1978 was no more kind to the Storm as they ended the season with an abysmal 11 53 172 record 4th in the division and 38 games behind Detroit Detroit would repeat again as APSPL champions defeating the Minnesota Norsemen with series MVP Bert Smith hitting 15 16 940 Ron Ford of Detroit was the league MVP Benny Holt 526 50 HRs 130 RBIs was again outstanding for the Storm and was the team s sole representative on the all pro team Tommy Spahn 539 34 HRs 101 RBIs Mike Krolicki 511 13 HRs 59 RBIs and Ron Olesiak 509 20 HRs 47 RBIs again performed well in support The team suffered with poor attendance 24 and financial instability led to the league taking over the Storm in 1978 The team would be without a home and played home games on the road by the end of the season and the team disbanded at the end of the year 24 25 Chicago Nationwide Advertising editProfessional softball returned briefly to Chicago in 1980 when a rival league the North American Softball League NASL was formed by Cleveland Stepien s Competitors owner Ted Stepien who put forward a team called Chicago Nationwide Advertising named after the advertising company owned by Stepien The team played at Lou Boudreau Field 26 in Harvey Illinois and former Chicago Cub Joe Pepitone served as team president and played first base 27 28 Pepitone would get a suspension during the year for conduct detrimental to professional softball when NASL Commissioner Robert Brown suspended him for 6 games 29 and then was lost to the season in August with a thigh injury 30 The team was managed by local softball legend Eddie Zolna 31 It was an excellent regular season for CNA as Chicago finished 43 19 694 2nd in the Western Division to the Milwaukee Schlitz The Schlitz would defeat Chicago in the playoffs 4 2 and go on to win the NASL World Series in 1980 over the Detroit Auto Kings 5 12 behind the hitting of Ken Parker 586 16 RBIs in the series Former Chicago Storm star Benny Holt was now with Cleveland but Ron Olesiak 555 34 HRs 124 RBIs of Chicago won the league MVP trophy and Chicago added all pro seasons from Mike Krolicki 27 6 pitching record Buddy Haines 518 27 HRS 115 RBIs Tommy Spahn 527 15 HRs 97 RBIs Curt Dusek 413 BA Willie Simpson 506 23 doubles 13 triples and Jake Jakobi 520 BA Olesiak Dusek Simpson Spahn represented Chicago at the mid season All Star game and Zolna managed the West team 32 The NASL lasted one season before combining with the APSPL to form a new league the United Professional Softball League UPSL That league disbanded in 1982 bringing an end to the professional era of men s softball in the US 33 Many players returned to the competitive leagues in the Chicago area especially the 16 inch game in the region 34 35 The Chicago Nationwide Advertising team featured two members of the American Softball Association Hall of Fame manager Eddie Zolna and catcher Willie Simpson 36 Chicago year by year record editYear Team Name Record Pct Finish Division Playoffs League 1977 Storm 22 34 393 3rd Midwest APSPL 1978 Storm 11 53 172 4th Midwest APSPL 1980 Nationwide Advertising 43 19 694 2nd Midwest Semi Finals NASLReferences edit American Professional Slo Pitch League 1977 1980 24 September 2022 Retrieved 24 November 2023 Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune February 22 1978 p 47 via newspapers com Feinstein John July 29 1977 Slow Pitch Pros Fast Becoming Favorites via www washingtonpost com Carter Russell May 26 1977 Pro Slo Pitch Softball Debuts Sunday via www washingtonpost com Ludington Daily News Google News Archive Search news google com Clipped From Valley News Valley News May 25 1977 p 42 via newspapers com Clipped From The Courier Journal The Courier Journal September 3 1978 p 8 via newspapers com Softball challenge OOTP Developments Forums forums ootpdevelopments com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune March 29 1977 p 51 via newspapers com Clipped From Southend Reporter Southend Reporter June 30 1977 p 22 via newspapers com Hannon Kent It s easy come easy go Sports Illustrated Vault SI com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune May 29 1977 p 70 via newspapers com Clipped From The Baltimore Sun The Baltimore Sun July 6 1977 p 29 via newspapers com Clipped From The Baltimore Sun The Baltimore Sun July 6 1977 p 33 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune May 18 1977 p 57 via newspapers com Clipped From Arlington Heights Herald Arlington Heights Herald June 6 1977 p 30 via newspapers com Detroit Caesars Detroit Caesars Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune June 1 1977 p 49 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune June 1 1977 p 51 via newspapers com Professional Slow Pitch Softball History www angelfire com Clipped From The Daily Herald The Daily Herald April 22 1977 p 25 via newspapers com Clipped From The Capital Times The Capital Times June 23 1978 p 19 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune June 6 1977 p 71 via newspapers com a b ASPSL Softball History USA www softballhistoryusa com Clipped From The Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Enquirer August 14 1978 p 27 via newspapers com Clipped From Southtown Star Southtown Star May 18 1980 p 14 via newspapers com Clipped From The Tampa Times The Tampa Times June 29 1978 p 27 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune May 14 1980 p 57 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune July 20 1980 p 50 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune August 11 1980 p 56 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune January 23 2015 pp 2 7 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune July 8 1980 p 47 via newspapers com NASL Softball History USA www softballhistoryusa com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune June 13 1980 p 59 via newspapers com Clipped From Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune June 13 1980 p 62 via newspapers com Members 31 May 2019 Archived from the original on 31 May 2019 Retrieved 24 November 2023 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link External links editAPSPL on Fun While It Lasted Softball History Data Softball History USA Detroit Caesars Online Home National Softball Hall of Fame Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chicago Storm softball amp oldid 1210901372, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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