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For more than 60 years, 16" softball has left a lasting, positive mark on countless Chicago residents.
William Witherspoon, who played 16" softball for more than 30 years, said the sport is similar to baseball but, naturally, "the ball is bigger and softer."
"The game has been going since 1940ish," Witherspoon told the Suburban Marquee. "You have recreational, co-ed, corporate and majors, which would be all the best players from around Illinois. 16" softball is all through the Midwest and out West some."
One of the most iconic players of the sport is Percy Coleman, a contemporary of Witherspoon and member of the 16" softball hall of fame as a pioneer of the game. Coleman played for one of the best teams, the Flamingoes, beginning in 1964, and coached the team to three championships.
"[Coleman] is like the Godfather of black 16" softball. He has been around since the inception of the game. He began playing when he was a teen and played up until his 70s," Witherspoon said.
Coleman, also known by the nickname "Bobo", told one of his teammates that the team "would be the best-dressed team in any tournament." They later played in the first Black World Series at Comiskey Park attended by 5,000.
According to the 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame, "Under the expert coaching and organizing of Percy Coleman, the Flamingos became such a force in softball on the South and West Sides of Chicago that they were barred from playing in many local leagues and tournaments, including the popular Southside Cocktail “Money League."
Witherspoon said that while many older players are now retiring, the game is still going strong as younger people have started joined local teams.
"It is a great sport. We have a lot of guys that are playing right now from the ages of 17 to 30ish. That is the age group that we are trying to reach to keep it going because a lot of the older guys are retiring so we need more of the younger guys to come in and play.," Witherspoon, now an umpire, said.
Witherspoon said that 16" softball is also benefits the community and local families.
"It is definitely a great way to get people off the streets and you can meet diff people from diff walks of life," Witherspoon said. " If you want to play at different levels, you can, or whatever you want to play. If you want to play for fun, join recreational or co-ed. If you have a job, join corporate. If you want to play more serious, do majors."
Witherspoon said that while 16" softball is not professional, it is the closest one can get to a professional softball team.
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