Comments for Chicago Design League Forum http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:36:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Jeff Wilkens http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-170 Jeff Wilkens Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:36:49 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-170 While not a member of the Design League, my team Wild Bunch, dates back to 1973 in the old Iliinois Bell league. Back then we had 4 additional diamonds where the new Petrillo band shell is located and all 22 diamonds were full every day. Heck, we could even park on Columbus Drive and practice by the old band shell. As tastes and opportunities for recreation have changed over the years, I have seen 16 inch lose popularity. Since the park district, like other governmental organizations is always looking for funds, Lolla is one way to do it, unfortunately at the cost of fields and team seasons. I am uncertain how to make it for ball players. It will be a shame if the games is forced to leave the park. I cannot count how many times a visitor to the city would look in puzzlement and ask us what we were doing without gloves. While not a member of the Design League, my team Wild Bunch, dates back to 1973 in the old Iliinois Bell league. Back then we had 4 additional diamonds where the new Petrillo band shell is located and all 22 diamonds were full every day. Heck, we could even park on Columbus Drive and practice by the old band shell.
As tastes and opportunities for recreation have changed over the years, I have seen 16 inch lose popularity. Since the park district, like other governmental organizations is always looking for funds, Lolla is one way to do it, unfortunately at the cost of fields and team seasons.
I am uncertain how to make it for ball players. It will be a shame if the games is forced to leave the park. I cannot count how many times a visitor to the city would look in puzzlement and ask us what we were doing without gloves.

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by suzanne http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-117 suzanne Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:36:50 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-117 I have been enjoying summers playing 16" softball in the CDL for 8 years now. For me, many teammates and competitors, there no better — nor traditional — way to enjoy Chicago's beautiful Grant Park than playing softball in the heart of the city where the game was created. Each winter we anticipate opening day. Every spring we reunite, battling chilly and sometimes wet nites to get out there and play ball. All summer long we play, we bond, we celebrate victory, we endure defeat. Come fall we squeeze out the last few games under fading daylight and we gather one final time to celebrate another great season together and crown a Tournament Champion. There has to be a way to keep our parks and traditions intact, while finding solutions for the problems an event on the scale of Lollapalooza creates. The destruction, waste and displacement of many Leagues cannot be tolerated. I have been enjoying summers playing 16″ softball in the CDL for 8 years now. For me, many teammates and competitors, there no better — nor traditional — way to enjoy Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park than playing softball in the heart of the city where the game was created. Each winter we anticipate opening day. Every spring we reunite, battling chilly and sometimes wet nites to get out there and play ball. All summer long we play, we bond, we celebrate victory, we endure defeat. Come fall we squeeze out the last few games under fading daylight and we gather one final time to celebrate another great season together and crown a Tournament Champion. There has to be a way to keep our parks and traditions intact, while finding solutions for the problems an event on the scale of Lollapalooza creates. The destruction, waste and displacement of many Leagues cannot be tolerated.

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Neil Mc http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-116 Neil Mc Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:27:01 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-116 Grant park is the epicenter of 16" softball....recognize CPaD!!!! Grant park is the epicenter of 16″ softball….recognize CPaD!!!!

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Jason Bramhall http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-115 Jason Bramhall Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:53:29 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-115 Gettys has had the opportunity to be a part of the Chicago Design League for the last four seasons after an opening in the league finally became available. It is a privilege as a Chicagoan to be able to play softball downtown on such amazing fields with such a serene view of the city each and every week we have the opportunity to play. Lollapalooza is a fantastic venue for concert-goers each and every year, but at the same time, I would like for there to be a level of consideration taken into account so that everyone who looks to enjoy our parks has the opportunity to do so…especially given our relatively short summer season. Gettys has had the opportunity to be a part of the Chicago Design League for the last four seasons after an opening in the league finally became available. It is a privilege as a Chicagoan to be able to play softball downtown on such amazing fields with such a serene view of the city each and every week we have the opportunity to play. Lollapalooza is a fantastic venue for concert-goers each and every year, but at the same time, I would like for there to be a level of consideration taken into account so that everyone who looks to enjoy our parks has the opportunity to do so…especially given our relatively short summer season.

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Marina Panos http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Marina Panos Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:16:28 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-114 music, sport, skyline and lake. a harmonious existance in a city unlike any other. finding balance will be a challenge for the city and visitors to the city. 'forever free,' needs a solution. lolla in the fall, perhaps? after the respective softball season, when the grass is dying, and when the city needs to breath the life of more visitors. music, sport, skyline and lake. a harmonious existance in a city unlike any other. finding balance will be a challenge for the city and visitors to the city. ‘forever free,’ needs a solution. lolla in the fall, perhaps? after the respective softball season, when the grass is dying, and when the city needs to breath the life of more visitors.

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Bill Cielinski http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Bill Cielinski Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:38:16 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-113 It was depressing to see the images of "our" parks torn to shreds by a for profit organization. Hopefully in the future a plan can be put in place to avoid these circumstances. The parks are a great escape from the hectic way of city life and unfortunately no one has been able to use them for the past month. It was depressing to see the images of “our” parks torn to shreds by a for profit organization. Hopefully in the future a plan can be put in place to avoid these circumstances. The parks are a great escape from the hectic way of city life and unfortunately no one has been able to use them for the past month.

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Mandy http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Mandy Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:10:08 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-112 I've been in the CDL for three years now. This is the first year I've started a team and held a captain position. Honestly, it's been very hard to communicate all of these inconvenient changes to the team and my team (as well as other members of the league) have been disappointed that we had to cancel a game due to not having a location. My team was chomping at the bit to play after the long break, so this has been quite heart-breaking. Fortunately, Nic has been very persistent in finding another location for the league and tradition to continue. Obviously, to have a back-up plan already in place would be much less of a headache for everyone. Hopefully a resolution can be reached that will accommodate everyone that wants to enjoy Grant Park before the season begins next year. I’ve been in the CDL for three years now. This is the first year I’ve started a team and held a captain position. Honestly, it’s been very hard to communicate all of these inconvenient changes to the team and my team (as well as other members of the league) have been disappointed that we had to cancel a game due to not having a location. My team was chomping at the bit to play after the long break, so this has been quite heart-breaking. Fortunately, Nic has been very persistent in finding another location for the league and tradition to continue. Obviously, to have a back-up plan already in place would be much less of a headache for everyone.

Hopefully a resolution can be reached that will accommodate everyone that wants to enjoy Grant Park before the season begins next year.

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Matt http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Matt Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:52:13 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-111 the design league is made great by the teams, the camraderie and the setting. There has to be a way to coexist on these fields so that everyone can enjoy them. No one is asking for Lollapalooza to be moved or displaced, were not naive enough to think an event that brings in that much money to the City would be sacrificed for a measely softball league, but i think its fair to say that we have just as much a right to these parks and deserve some consideration..... the design league is made great by the teams, the camraderie and the setting. There has to be a way to coexist on these fields so that everyone can enjoy them. No one is asking for Lollapalooza to be moved or displaced, were not naive enough to think an event that brings in that much money to the City would be sacrificed for a measely softball league, but i think its fair to say that we have just as much a right to these parks and deserve some consideration…..

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by MamaHill http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-110 MamaHill Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:41:59 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-110 Grant Park is an institution in Chicago, and playing 16” softball there is an amazing tradition. I grew up watching my father play on the same fields that I have the privilege to play on now. My company has been a part of the Chicago Design League for the past 8 years, and we hope to continue for many more. Over the years, we’ve not only developed working relationships with our competitors, but actual friendships. I hope that this tradition continues to grow, but after this summer’s events that’s in doubt, what a shame. Grant Park is an institution in Chicago, and playing 16” softball there is an amazing tradition. I grew up watching my father play on the same fields that I have the privilege to play on now.

My company has been a part of the Chicago Design League for the past 8 years, and we hope to continue for many more. Over the years, we’ve not only developed working relationships with our competitors, but actual friendships. I hope that this tradition continues to grow, but after this summer’s events that’s in doubt, what a shame.

]]> Comment on Traditions in Jeopardy at Grant Park by Mark Johnson http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/2011/08/traditions-in-jeopardy-at-grant-park/comment-page-1/#comment-109 Mark Johnson Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:19:47 +0000 http://chicagodesignleague.com/forum/?p=414#comment-109 Having played years of softball with Chicago Sport and Social and overpaying for 6 week leagues it was like a gift from the Softball Gods to find a laid-back softball league in Grant Park no less! I think we are one of the few teams in the league that are not work-related, we are just a bunch of friends that love softball. Several of our teammates leave work early and drive in each week from the Suburbs just to play softball in Grant Park. These parks are for everyone to enjoy, not just to host massive events. With more and more parks/fields rented by CSC and Player's Sports to lose the Design League in Grant Park would be a travesty. Having played years of softball with Chicago Sport and Social and overpaying for 6 week leagues it was like a gift from the Softball Gods to find a laid-back softball league in Grant Park no less! I think we are one of the few teams in the league that are not work-related, we are just a bunch of friends that love softball. Several of our teammates leave work early and drive in each week from the Suburbs just to play softball in Grant Park. These parks are for everyone to enjoy, not just to host massive events. With more and more parks/fields rented by CSC and Player’s Sports to lose the Design League in Grant Park would be a travesty.

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