"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:46:17 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:


Did you play in any Chicago parks?

Avalon Park. 83rd and Avalon.
That's a bit east of Stony Island Ave.
Like I said though, "fieldhouse champ."
Nothing organized.
The only other parks I used was Jackson Park, where
I went to day camp as a small kid, Russel Square for swimming
as a kid (83rd and S. Shore Drive), and later as an adult Kozcuiusko
Park on Diversey near Pulaski. Swimming, watching League softball,
and setting off fireworks on the 4th.
Played pickup softball at some other north side parks, but don't
remember the names.

--Vic

I played a lot of ping pong in the 60s at Jefferson Park on the far NW side,
Irving and Central (?).. We only had about half a dozen regulars, not
really enough for a tournament. We played mostly doubles. I really enjoyed
it, but caliber of play was not *quite* up to the Chinese. 8).

About the same time I got pretty heavily involved in racket ball at the YMCA
in Park Ridge. Again no tourney stuff but lots of fun and a terrific
workout. My BIL was State amateur champ some time in late 60s.