9th Annual Chicago 16" Hall Of Fame Dinner
22 Individuals & 3 Teams
Inducted At Hawthorne Park
9th Annaul Chicago Sixten Inch
Hall of Fame Induction Group Photo - photo
by David Hagen
CICERO: The 9th Annual Chicago Sixteen
Inch Hall of Fame Induction Dinner was held on Saturday January
8th at the Hawthorne Race Course's, Gold Cup Room in Cicero with
Hall of Fame President Gary Thorsen saying, "It was a very
successful night."
Hall of Fame Vice President, Tony Reibel opened the evening festivities
by welcoming everyone and than he introduced recording artist
Tristen who sang our 'National Anthem'. Reibel concluded his remarks
by introducing Hall of Famer George Bliss of the Chicago Softball
Hotline as the evening's master of ceremonies.
The evening first award went to Walter Payton College Prep who
Varsity Boys Softball team captured the Chicago Public League
championship with a 5-4 win over defending champion Lane Tech.
High School to cap off a perfect 15-0 season.
Bliss introduced Eddie Currie from the Chicago Public Schools
who present the team with a plaque in honor of their city championship.
Bliss added that Connie Payton had called extend her personal
congratulation to the team that bears her late husband name.
Walter Payton College Prep coach, Valerie Gemskie (daughter of
Hall of Famer Jim Gemskie) said, "I'd like to thank the Hall
of Fame for recognizing high school softball and also Eddie Currie
for his support and work to improve sixteen inch
The Hall of Fame inducted four from in the Pioneer Era with starting
with umpire James C. Canna. Bliss said, "Canna was a knowledgeable
umpire who was always prepared for every game." In accepting
his award the veteran of eighteen softball seasons of arbitrating
games Canna said, "It been a real please to see faces that
I umpires for twenty five years."
Bliss introduced Emil Flerick next by saying, "He helped
the First National Bank of Chicago to become the only team to
retire the traveling Erickson Trophy by winning the Grant Park
tournament three years in a row."
Flerick said, "I like to thank the committee for allowing
this to happen and also thank all former my teammates."
Bliss next brought Casey LaRocco to the podium by saying, "He
was one of the best short center fielders of all-time."
LaRocco in accepting his award said, "I want to thank all
you people for being here to honor us and I especially want to
thank you to my wife Annie who has stayed with me for fifty eight
years."
Bliss than brought Tony Norka nephew Kevin Kruszka who spoke about
the line drive hitting middle infielder to by saying this about
him, "My uncle could not attend because of a minor traffic
accident in Florida. He sends his thanks and his congratulation
to all the other inductees tonight, Thank you."
(L) Walter Payton College Prep
- photo by David Hagen
& (R) Pioneer Era
Continued:
