ForestPark_NoGloves_072226 by Wednesday Journal

No Glove NATIONALS

58th Annual Forest Park InvitationalJuly 23-26, 2026

Welcome back players, visitors, and volunteers to the 58th Annual 16” No Gloves National Softball Tournament!

As we celebrate our 58th year, we are excited to welcome everyone back for another unforgettable tournament and to continue the tradition of one of the most prestigious events in 16” softball.

First and foremost, we want to thank our incredible volunteers. Each year, nearly 100 volunteers dedicate their time to making this tournament a success. They pour your first beer, serve up a delicious beef sandwich after a long day at the ballfields, and greet everyone with a smile as we celebrate the teams, fans, and the spirit of the game. Their commitment and enthusiasm truly bring the National Softball Tournament experience to life.

We would also like to thank our Board of Commissioners. Their support extends far beyond gover nance—they spend countless hours volunteering throughout the tournament, assisting with logistics, operations, and event coordination. They are true champions of this event, helping provide the leadership, safety, and financial support necessary to ensure the Tournament continues to thrive and remain a source of pride for Forest Park.

Olivan gears up successful outlook with Big Red Machine

Pharoahs depending on team bonding in No Gloves

possible, and we couldn’t be grateful.

We also want to recognize our outstanding Park District staff. Every time you step into the park, you see the results of their hard work and dedication. Each summer, we hire more than 200 seasonal employees who work tirelessly to keep the fields in pristine condition, serve great food and treats at our concessions, and ensure our Aquatic Center remains a safe and enjoyable place for families

When tournament week arrives, it truly becomes an all-hands-on-deck effort. Our Maintenance team prepares the fields and event grounds. Concessions staff coordinate orders, organize supplies, and prepare to serve some of the best food around. Camp counselors finish a full day with campers before volunteering to help serve food and

Our Honor Wall will once again be on display this year. Along the Harrison Street pathway, you’ll find banners recognizing the individuals, organizations, and sponsors whose support and dedication have helped shape and strengthen this great tournament over the years.

We are also proud to recognize our generous sponsors. Their contributions help make this event possible and allow us to continue offering an outstanding tournament while keeping food, beverages, and other event costs affordable for everyone

It is truly an honor to host the premier 16” No Gloves National Softball Tournament. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for another unforgettable weekend filled with great softball, delicious food, and even better company.

See you in the Park!

Jackie Iovinelli Executive Director/ Co -Tournament Director Park District of Forest Park

General Manager

Max Reinsdorf Senior Audience Manager

Stacy Coleman

Contributing Editor

Donna Greene

Contributing Reporters Melvin Tate, Bill Stone, Lauren Recchia, Gregg Voss

Editorial & Digital Design Lead

Javier Govea

Design and Production Associate

De Sergio Villalona

Designer

Susan McKelvey

Senior Media Strategist

Lourdes Nicholls

Marketing & Adver tising Associate

Emma Cullnan

Circulation Manager

Jill Wagner

Operations Associate

Susan Liss Babin

Social Media and Digital Coordinator

Maribel Barrera

Senior

Advisor Dan Haley

Executive Director Jackie Iovinelli

Superintendent of Business Je Murphy

Superintendent of Recreation Danette Krajewski

Superintendent of Buildings and Parks

Andrew Doss

Marketing and Communications Manager

Adam Cumbee

Recreation Supervisor Ryan Vilanova ■ Board of Commissioners

President Kristen Lyons

Vice President Roy Sansone

Treasurer Cathleen McDer mott

Commissioner Tim Gillian

Commissioner Maria Alzamora

Brackets

2025 No Gloves

Courtesy of the Park District of Forest Park

Pulido shows passion and dedication to 16-inch softball

Longtime fan is in the Hall of Fame

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Whenever there’s a major 16-inch softball tournament taking place in the Chicago area, chances are that Joe Pulido will be there watching the action. It speaks to the passion, love, and dedication he has had for the game since he started playing in his younger days.

“I grew up in the Pilsen neighborhood and at the age of 17 I played at Harrison Park,” Pulido told Forest Park Review in an interview. “On weekends, there were a bunch of guys who would get together for some games. I never got on a team, I just played with them.

“As I got older, I was working for a company called A.G. Becker, a financial institution. They had a company team that played at Grant Park every Monday. My manager was Dick Cooper, and I played with Ken Flaws, both of those guys eventually made the (Chicago 16-Inch Softball) Hall of Fame.”

Many of the guys Pulido played with got transfer red to Des Moines, Iowa, and for med a team. They invited him to come out to watch, and he accepted. But as soon as he arrived, he saw something drastically different from what he had been accustomed to.

“A friend and I drove out there and noticed they were playing with gloves. We were fascinated by that, and we asked what they were doing with gloves,” Pulido said. “Also, a pitcher had a mask on and we wondered why. It was kind of funny.”

Pulido’s Iowa fascination became a dedication as he started going there for tournaments each year, something he still does to this day.

“Once or twice a year, I go to tournaments out there,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of people there and in talking with them, they started coming to Chicago to play our game.”

As a player, Pulido never played in a major tournament. But that was where his passion grew

“I just love the game of softball,” he said. “I wasn’t very good and played with just

Joe Pulido sits in the stands and watches a game at the Park District of Forest Park’s so ball elds.

neighborhood and company teams. But I started meeting a lot of people at softball games and it grew.”

Among those Pulido met is Pat Caputo, a Hall of Famer who is widely re garded as one of the best all-time Chicagoland players.

“We’ve become friends and to this day I still see him,” Pulido said.

After he retired as a player, Pulido continued to go to games. He said his wife Patricia kept count on how many games he

attended in his first year of retirement, and she told him it was 127.

“I don’t know a lot of ballplayers personally,” Pulido said, “but I know who’s on which team. It’s almost like being a scout.”

For his unwavering loyalty and commitment to softball, Pulido was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024. He received the Richard J. Daley Friend of Softball Award that year. Named after the late Chicago mayor who was a passionate advocate for softball, the award reco gnizes those who,

according to the Hall of Fame website, “have demonstrated over the years his or her passion and love for the game not as a player but as a sponsor, business owner, politician, or one of the leaders in their community. Through their passion, they have helped advance the game of 16-inch softball.”

To say Pulido was surprised by his induction is an understatement.

“One day, I was coming home from Harri-

See PULIDO on pa ge B6

STEVE JOHNSTON

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Congratulations to the Park District of Forest Park on 58 years of the longest running softball tournament in the nation!

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Most nights you can nd Joe Pulido taking in the so ball action at one of the area so ball elds.

PULIDO

son Park and my phone rang,” Pulido said. “I wasn’t going to pick up since I was on the expressway. So I got home and called, and it was the president of the Hall of Fame (Paul Rowan). That’s when he gave me all the infor mation about my induction.

as Patricia had passed away in 2018.

“She was the first person I thought about,” he said. “I was like, “God, I wish she was still here.” She would’ve been so proud of me.”

Pulido, who turns 80 this month, has no plans of slowing down. He attends 100 to 120 games each year, and he again plans on being at this year’s No Gloves, which he first attended in the mid-70s.

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“I almost fainted and I was shocked. I told him wasn’t a great ballplayer. He said my name was brought up as a supporter of the game, and we decided to put you in.”

While Pulido was gracious about his induction, there was also a tinge of sadness

“That’s the granddaddy of softball,” Pulido said. “Guys don’t care about trophies or money. They care about winning the No Gloves championship. You never know, some teams might come out of nowhere and get upsets going. It’s possible, anything can happen in softball.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Ray and Scott Czarnik

We’re Recruiting Wheelchair Softball Future Hall Of Famers

If you have a permanent physical disability and want to play Chicago’s great game of 16” softball, come join our wheelchair softball programs for youth and adults.

For more information, contact :

Dan Ferreira @ 312-745-2055 or daniel.ferreira@chicagoparkdistrict.com

For more information, contact :

If you have a permanent physical disability and want to play Chicago’s great game of 16” softball, come join our wheelchair softball programs for youth and adults.

Larry Labiak @ 312-742-5097 or larry.labiak@chicagoparkdistrict.com

Larry Labiak @ 312-742-5097 or larry.labiak@chicagoparkdistrict.com We’re Recruiting Wheelchair Softball Future Hall Of Famers

Dan Ferreira @ 312-745-2055 or daniel.ferreira@chicagoparkdistrict.com

Larry Labiak @ 312-742-5097 or larry.labiak@chicagoparkdistrict.com

Winslow proud of Fizz for history in No Gloves tournament

By LAUREN RECCHIA Contributing Reporter

While the Fizz will not be in this year’s No Gloves tournament in Forest Park, manager Dave Winslow has fond memories of his team’s participation and his team’s success in previous years.

Winslow, who took over managing Fizz three years ago and has been a member of the team since 2013, got into managing for the first time when he took over for Mike Carroll, who had founded the team in 2010.

“I took over for (Carroll) when he decided to take a step back,” Winslow said. “Many of the guys here have played together for 20 or more years

in major softball. On and of f the field camaraderie and chemistry is what makes this team so special.”

The Fizz started as a pick-up team of “A” ball players for the Algonquin tournament, which they won three times. They then moved on to the 50 and over league at Janura Park and won four consecutive championships (six in eight years) there, including the championship in 2025.

“We’ve had a great mixture of former major and rec league players such as Mickey Balestri, Scott Koenig, Dave Braedel, Ray Prokaski, Big Mills and Donny Baker,” Winslow said. “We were an old-school softball team sponsored by Cordial Inn. Many of the guys have played in multiple No Glove national tournaments.”

Winslow always enjoys playing in

the No Gloves tournament in Forest Park and knows how great it is to bring softball players together in the community.

“Forest Park tournament weekend gives everybody a chance to get together and hang out, and watch the younger guys go at it,” he said. “Forest Park has always put on a firstclass tournament and is a great time for all softball players to get together and reminisce.”

The Fizz will be playing in the A Glove national tournament this season and look to continue their success.

PROVIDED Mike Carroll (le ) and Dave Winslow of Fizz.

Glove Nationals 2026

Olivan gears up successful outlook with Big Red Machine

Long-time player part of third-generation team at No Glove Nationals

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

While in high school, Jonathan Olivan appeared on his way to baseball success as a left-handed pitcher and hitter.

After suffering a partial tear to the rotator cuff in his dominant shoulder as a sophomore, Olivan began the search for another sport.

“Trying to do too much too soon made me realize that wasn’t going to be the path for me, especially the rehab that was going to be needed,” Olivan said.

“That’s why I gravitated toward softball. It was low stress on my arm. The game was a lot slower pace so I was able to be active while I was still rehabilitating.”

Olivan, 32, hasn’t stopped playing softball since and continues with as much enthusiasm as those early days.

Big Red Machine, the 16-inch softball team Olivan joined in 2015, is among the invited field for the No Glove Nationals July 23-26 at the Park District of Forest Park

Last year, Big Red Machine was among the four play-in teams but didn’t advance to the final 24-team field.

“The team is really excited. I’m really, really excited because of how long it’s taken us to get this invite,” Olivan said. “You have to really operate on all cylinders just to be in consideration. Just to get the invite straight up is very humbling, very gratifying as well.”

Olivan usually contributes as a first baseman but still plays center and right field like his old days “in emergency situations.” He’s among a veteran group of five to six players for manager Francisco Arenas that has made some key additions.

Big Red Machine represents the third generation of Creators Softball, which began in 1997 at Little Village’s Piotrowski Park

“This (No Gloves berth) is an honor that we are deeply thankful for and feel truly blessed to have earned,” Arenas said. “We view it not only as a milestone for this cu rrent group, but also as a reflection of the le gacy and perseverance of everyone who came before us.”

Big Red Machines’ Jonathan Olivan connects for a base hit during a league game at Bulger Park.

This season’s team has finished second in Forest Park’s A Division and at Clyde Park in Chicago and top three in the Melrose Park League. Earlier this month, the team had a top-six finish at the A No Glo ve Nationals in Schaumburg.

“I think (I’ve learned) to enjoy the journey. People tend to focus on winning championships, winning tournaments. I’ve learned to enjoy little moments any given season and appreciate moments for what they are,” Olivan said.

“I’ve also learned to be not only persistent but resilient. The seasons we play are

long and can grind on the body but it really takes resilient passion for the sport to keep you going the day you don’t feel like playing but you know you have to be there for your teammates.”

When Olivian was a student at Lane Tech High School, his first softball teammates were neighborhood friends in the 16-inch Playing for Peace League in Little Village They won the championship. Olivan became enamored with the sport.

“One (memorable moment) that’s near and dear to my heart is when we won the championship. My first year,” Olivan said.

“That was a lot more special because it was with guys I grew up with in the neighborhood looking for something to do and stay out of trouble. We were able to accomplish our goal. Even though we were young at the time, we were able to play at a competitive level.”

Olivan played in the league for about 10 years and at age 18 also began playing with his father, Gerardo Olivan, on the Furies in a recreational league based at Archer Park During the summer of 2015, Olivan was

STEVE JOHNSTON

BRM

from page B15

scrimmaging at Hawthorne Park and had a chance meeting with Arenas, who approached Olivan about possibly joining Big Red Machine.

van’s character and leadership now has him occasionally running and guiding Big Red Machine in Arenas’ absence.

“Jonathan is a true team player who consistently reco gnizes the importance of sacrificing personal opportunities for the benefit of the group,” Arenas said. f the field, Jonathan is one of the friendliest and most intelligent players on the team. He brings a positive presence and a thoughtful approach that othavitate toward.”

van focused on playing only for Big d Machine after joining during a busy juncture in his life. He had just graduated from the University of Illinois at

STEVE JOHNSTON

Chicago and was beginning his career as a youth development professional.

Olivan’s Little Village background has helped his experience in working directly with youth on Chicago’s West and South Side neighborhoods for more than a decade.

When it’s time for softball, Olivan finds the sport and human connections “therapeutical” in all aspects of his life.

“I made the time commitment by focusing on my career and using softball to navigate through whatever issues I’m dealing with mentally, physically and spiritually,” Olivan said.

“People just view (softball) as a sport, but it’s more than that. It’s about developing genuine relationships with your teammates but also the other people in softball and the community buying into the sport. (Arenas) is the one in charge but he also tries to instill how we should act on the field – good sportsmanship and approaching the game the right way.”

Big Red Machines’ Jonathan Olivan poses for a photo prior to a league game at Bulger Park

PHOTO S PROVIDED BY THE PARK DISTRICT OF FOREST PARK

Legendary Brown Bombers 1940s

Pharoahs depending on team bonding in No Glo

Solid up the middle and to win 58th tour

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

No matter what happens on the field for the Pharoahs, they win as a team and lose as a team.

Sherman Martin Jr. likes that.

“Nothing is going to come between that,” said the 2017 Fenwick graduate and Pharoahs shortstop. “That’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed the past couple of years.”

Martin and his Pharoahs’ cohort, including co-owners Clarence “C.C.” Woulard and Clif f “Sport” Perry, will throw it all out there July 23-26 in the No Glove Nationals 16-inch softball tour nament at the Pa District of Forest Park

How serious are these guys about winning?

They rented a nearby Airbnb so they can

youngest major team in all of softball. But it oozes with talent, starting with Martin.

“He can hit with the best of them and he makes plays that on one hand you can name the players who can do that,” he said.

“One of his better attributes is you can move him around where you’re weak. He’s that good of a player.”

But Martin is just the beginning.

The outfield corners are solid. Right fielder Lavell Harris is 21 years old and Woulard calls him the baby of the bunch.

James Hopson checks in in left field and plays the game with a lot of emotion, Woulard said.

The Pharoahs are tough up the middle with Shavontae Samuels as the short-centerfield roamer, while third baseman Justin Mack and Martin anchor the left side of the infield. Veterans Mike Long and T.J. Reidel are the team’s top utility players.

“We’ve got a bunch of players on that threshold of being at the same level like Sherman,” Woulard said, and his co-owner Per ry ag reed.

No Gloves “is the biggest tournament in softball and everyone’s goal is to compete in this tournament and win this tourna-

PHAROAHS on pa ge 21

STEVE JOHNSTON

Pharaohs’ coach Clarence “C.C.” Woulard watches the action dur ing a league game at the Park District of Forest Park’s so ball elds.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Pharaohs’ pitcher Cli “Sport” Perry warms up his teammates by throwing batting practice before their league game. Follow us

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ment,” Harris and James Hopson, forward those guys. Justin Mack can ha dous impact at any tim

But it’s Martin that might be the catalyst.

“He has an unbelie player who has been playing for five skill set defensi a different team when he’s on the field. It been leadership.”

Martin, who also pl land League me 16-inch softball is teammates might ma shortstop on a example.

“You’ defense,” he said. “You’ infield so you ha is in place, and if they aren’t, then it’s on you.”

That’s defense. What about hitting?

“I think the hardest part is going up with a plan,” Martin said. “If you’re indecisive, nine times out of 10 you’re out.”

Motivational speeches might work, Wou-

Pharaohs’ Ken Green keeps score

and proper preparation preventing poor performance,” he said.

And then there’s that team bonding piece, Perry added, hence the Airbnb.

“It keeps us close together,” he said.

“The laughs don’t stop. It’s a comedy show.

“Win or lose, we’re going to have fun.”

STEVE JOHNST

STEVE JOHNSTON

Forest Park Highlights

The 16” Hall of Fame Museum celebrated its 30th anniversary at a reunion of inductees recently.

The Chicago 16 Inch Softball Hall of Fame was founded in 1996. It is a 501(c)3 nonproﬁ t dedicated to preserving the history, recognizing the best of the best on and off the ﬁ eld, and to fostering the growth of the 16 inch game.

The 16 Inch Hall of Fame is located in Forest Park, IL. at the corner of Des Plaines and Harrison. Inductee Park was unveiled in 2009 and the museum opened in 2014. Since its inception, the HOF has inducted over 700 former and current softball men and women players, umpires, managers, fans, teams and organizers at annual dinners averaging 500 attendees. Come see our historical photos, videos, uniforms, artifacts and interactive displays on Saturdays from noon to 4pm; with extended hours during the Forest Park Tournament. Always looking for memorabilia, sponsors, and donors; support will allow us to add displays and be open longer.

Legendary Brown Bombers 1940s

3.99% APR is a promotional fixed rate for the first 12 months. APR will then adjust monthly based on changes in the Index, which is the highest Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal, currently 6.75% as of 12-11-25. APR will never be lower than 3.99% or higher than 18%. HELOC has a 30-year term, with a 10-year draw period and a 20-year repayment period. During the draw period, monthly interest only payments are required. After the draw period, the outstanding balance will be amortized over 20 years, and monthly payments of principal and interest will be required. Payments are subject to change based upon changes in the APR. An annual fee of $50 will be assessed during the draw period. Third party closing costs paid by Forest Park Bank are limited to those for appraisal, credit report, flood determination, document recording, tax monitoring, and title services. These third-party costs typically range from $750 to $2,000. If HELOC is closed within the first 3 years, all closing costs paid by Forest Park Bank must be repaid at payoff. Terms and conditions are subject to change at any time. Offer limited to new customers and existing customers who have not received a promotional rate within the past 3 years.