Chicago Storm

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. APSPL history 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. The American Professional Slo-Pitch League (APSPL) was the first such league, launching in an era of experimentation in professional sports leagues. 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. Former New York Yankees star Whitey Ford was the first league commissioner. Chicago Storm The Chicago Storm began play in the inaugural APSPL season in 1977, finishing with a record of 22-34 (.393), in 4th place in the Midwestern Division, 20 games behind division-winners Detroit Caesars. The Storm were managed by former Chicago Cub Milt Pappas. 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. 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. 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. Former Cub Gene Hiser played for the Storm in 1977.