Reunion remembering fastpitch heydays Saturday in Towanda

Posted on August 31, 2018
The reunion begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at Kicks Bar & Grill in Towanda. (Pixabay)

 

By Greg Halbleib

TOWANDA -Men’s fastpitch softball was huge in Bloomington-Normal in the 1970s and 1980s, and a reunion is planned for this holiday weekend for former players and fans.

The event begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at Kicks Bar and Grill in Towanda. No admission is charged and everyone is welcome.

Organizer Jeff Collins said those new to the area might be surprised to hear how popular games and tournaments were a generation ago.

“I think in 1988 or 1992 when the national (tournament) was here, the (Bloomington) Hearts played Decatur and there was like 6,000 people at O’Neil Park,” Collins recalled.

WJBC broadcast many men’s games during that time, especially during tournament play.

Collins said the event coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1988 Amateur Softball Association at O’Neil Park and the International Softball Congress World Tournament in Decatur.

Collins says many photos and items from the era will be on display. A similar reunion four years ago attracted about 300 people.

All are welcome and there’s no admission.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…