Don’t miss your chance to be on WGN this Friday.
The Park District of Forest Park is inviting everyone and anyone to the softball fields, 7501 Harrison St., at 7 a.m. on July 20. At that time, the team from WGN will be flying over the fields in their helicopter to promote the 50th annual No Gloves Nationals softball tournament, July 26-29.
“We’re excited about this flyover. I know it’s early morning, but I thought it would be fun if we had a whole bunch of people on the ball fields, waving to rep Forest Park,” said Larry Piekarz, director of the park district.
Attendees can enjoy free coffee and donuts and marvel at the new stencil on the fields, which will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tournament. Those who aren’t able to attend can watch the flyover live on WGN from 7 to 7:30 a.m. that day. It will be the first time WGN has done a flyover for the tournament.
“It’s a great tournament; the best of softball plays here. It’s very cool,” Piekarz said.
John Doss, president of the park board, reached out to WGN a few months ago about doing the flyover, after reporter Ana Belaval came to Forest Park to talk up the 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame in late April.
“The stories are endless; guys, come check it out in Forest Park,” Belaval said in her report.
The WGN crew liked the idea of coming back to Forest Park, realized the helicopter was free that day and penciled the village in, Piekarz said.
“I’d love to see hundreds of people there,” Piekarz said. “I know it’s early but everybody who wants to come out can have their 15 seconds of fame.”
Nona Tepper
