2005 Sixteen Inch Hall of Fame

January 14th At Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero

The Tenth Class of the Chicago Sixteen Inch Hall of Fame

CICERO: The tenth Annual Chicago Sixteen Inch Hall of Fame Banquet was held at the Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero on January 14th with over five hundred fifty people in attendance at the buffet style diner induction ceremony. Along with the induction dinner those in attendance were treated to a silent auction for various items plus the opportunity to participate in several raffles for cash and prizes.
Master of Ceremonies George Bliss who was assisted by Tony Reibel opened the evening by introducing recording star Tristen who sang the 'Star Spangle Banner' with an assist by many in the audience who sang along with her.
A slide show that was put together by Jack Stout of the over two hundred previously inducted member from the previous nine banquets was show next in a year by year formatted screening.
Bliss than introduced the Lane Tech, Indians champions of the forty-eight team 2005 Chicago Sixteen Inch Public League. Manager Brent Bradish accepted a plaque from the Chicago Sixteen Inch Hall of Fame and said this about his ball club, "Hopefully all of them will get involved after high school and continue in this great sport and maybe one day get inducted into the Hall of Fame too. So, congratulation guys!"
The Pioneers of sixteen-inch softball were inducted first with Larry Coutre leading off this group. Coutre was a clutch hitting, speedy center fielder. Coutre who now resides in Florida could not make the induction dinner and Bliss accepted his award on his behalf.
Tom Cramsie a sure handed shortstop with an outstanding on base percentage was inducted next and said, "My congratulations to all my fellow inductee's tonight and also my congratulations to all people who are in the hall. It is a privilege for me to be a member of that prestigious group. Thank you again."
Alex Kuhn a Catcher/first baseman who hit with power was next to be inducted with his award being accepted by his son, Steve who said; "On behalf of my father and my family we'd like to thank you for this wonderful honor. I know he'd be very proud if he was here and he probably like to know when his next money game was. Thank you!"
Julio Sachetti a catcher with bulging forearms that would always tell he team mates "Never look afraid." And would cheer his team on by saying "Let's single them to death." was the final pioneer player to be inducted and his wife accepted his award saying, "He still playing ball! I know he is! I just want to thank you for this award. It's very, very nice. Thank you so much."
Pitcher Del Cecchini-Centanni, a left handed pitcher for the McSchnapps ladies ball club who was know for defensive play in the field was inducted next as a female player but she could not attend so she asked her former teammate Linda Sikowski to accept her award and read a statement that she had prepared for her. In Cecchini-Centanni statement she said "All of those car rides from one side of the city to the other, to the suburbs and back, all the games, all the beers and all the memories…we were a team in every sense of the word."
Jim Holan presented the prestigious Frank C. Holan Award, which as named to honor his late father to Ken Doktor. Doktor organized his first team in 1972 and is still at it today as he manages the Kings. Holan who held a paper mask of his late father's face in front of him as he presenting the award saying, "It is very painful every year when this date rolls around without my dad being here.' He concluded by saying, "Kenny Dok, you are one terrific competitor to play against and I certainly think that you are well deserving of this award and God bless you buddy, and God love you."
In accepting his award Doktor said, "I am especially proud to receive an award named after one of my best friends I ever met through softball. I can assure you that Frank is smiling down on me this evening."

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