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 off 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 first-class 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.