Thursday, May 2, 2013
"If you build it, they will come," the movie says. Last year, Batavia's premier Wiffle Ball field had 731 visitors—with great things expected in 2013.
"People will come, Ray. They'll come to Batavia for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past." —Terence Mann, from Field of Dreams OK, the original quote said Iowa, but Batavia is the real field of dreams for two young entrepreneurs who are making their own little bit of history by creating "a high class of wiffle ball field right here in Batavia, IL." Ryan Pawlowski and Andrew Martinez—both 18-year-old students at Batavia High School—are the co-owners of Wifflot. And unlike some baseball owners recently in the news, they're not asking for a Jumbotron or city contributions or threatening to take their …
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Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Take a look at images from U.S. Cellular Field as the Chicago White Sox kicked off the 2013 season, and see if you recognize a neighbor or two.
The smell of brats cooking on grills made its way through parking lot C off Shields Avenue. By 11 a.m. the beer was flowing. It was opening day on the southside. Chicago White Sox baseball is deep in traditions for southside families. With a growing number of baby bears in the south suburbs, it wasn't hard to find Sox fans from the North side. "I've been a lifelong Sox fan," says Dan Kochevar from Glen Ellyn. Brothers Tim and Dan Bergin from Chicago Heights hold a lifelong love for the Chicago White Sox. "We have been coming to the park since 1967," said Tim Bergin. "Of course it was Old Comiskey across the street. We have had some great memories. Remembering the 2005 season when the team beat Boston in the division." Dan Bergin …
Monday, April 1, 2013
Depth in the starting rotation and power arms in the bullpen lend credence to the belief the Sox can contend in the AL Central. Patch Editor Ron Kremer outlines three reasons to keep your eyes on the Sox this summer.
The Sox open at home Monday (3:10 p.m.) vs. the Kansas City Royals. The game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet. The forecast calls for temperatures in the upper-30s. Snow flurries are possible. What do you think? Will the Sox finish higher than the Cubs this year?
GM Theo Epstein begins the second year of a rebuilding process. Just don't expect to see huge gains in 2013. Patch Editor Ron Kremer outlines three reasons for the Cubs' faithful to give up the faith—an in a hurry.
The Cubs open at 12:35 p.m. Monday in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. The game will be televised on WGN-Channel 9. What do you think? Will the Cubs have a plus .500 season?
Sunday, March 31, 2013
What is it that has the president so pessimistic as spring unfolds? Oh ... that.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
A current gay NFL player could come out in a few months and continue to play in the league, according to an online columnist. His biggest concern? Harm from homophobic fans. How would you react if he played for your favorite team?
In the same week the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage case, a CBS Sports online columnist says a current gay NFL player could come out publicly within the next few months. This player would become the first athlete in one of America's major team sports to be openly gay and continue to play. READ: Check Out the Full CBSSports.com Column for More Details But the obstacle keeping this unidentified player from revealing his sexual orientation isn't the fear of how teammates or even opposing players will react, writes CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman, citing former and current NFL players as sources for this information. It's a worry of what fans might do, Freeman …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Geneva resident/model/talk-show host/columnist Jenny McCarthy says thanks to former beau and former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher "for being Chicago’s Hulk."
Geneva's most-famous resident made her usual splash in her Sun-Times column a couple days ago when she gave some spirited well-wishes to her former beau Brian Urlacher. Writing in her Sun-Times Splash column, Jenny McCarthy said goodbye and good luck to Brian following the news that Urlacher and the Bears couldn't come to a contract agreement and the all-pro linebacker would be taking his talent to the free-agent market. McCarthy said an earlier Urlacher quote about Chicago fans was taken out of context, because everywhere she went with Brian last summer (ah, those halcyon days), "he stopped and signed every autograph and took pictures with fans." When Urlacher's career is over and he's in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, McCarthy predicted…
Sunday, March 24, 2013
The star linebacker claims he got a raw deal as his career in Chicago ends.
Monday, March 18, 2013
You'll have a chance to learn more and share your opinion at a School District 101 hearing at 6 p.m. March 19.
Batavia School District 101 will discuss an application for a controversial online charter school proposal during a meeting at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, March 19, 2013) at the Rosalie Jones Administration Center. Batavia public schools, along with 17 other school districts, recently received a proposal from an Illinois not-for-profit corporation called Virtual Learning Solutions, Inc., to establish an online, virtual charter school serving grades K-12. Virtual Learning Solutions is seeking to create the Illinois Virtual Charter School at Fox River Valley, which would open this fall. The company contracts with K12 Inc., a for-profit company, to provide the online instruction. The district said in a release on its website Monday that no …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The winner will compete for the international title in Akron, Ohio.
A Tri-Cities service club has been granted permission to host a Soap Box Derby that will be a qualifying event for the legendary international title run in Akron, OH. At Monday night's Geneva City Council meeting, aldermen voted unanimously to close streets and provide support for the six-hour event, scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 22, during Swedish Days. The Geneva Kiwanis Club is seeking use of the public right of way and street closure of Second Street between Fulton and Campbell streets. In a soap box derby, boys and girls ages 7 to 13 compete in gravity powered cars that travel at speeds of 10 to 15 mph. Local kids are invited to participate. "The purpose of the event is to foster a positive community environment that …
maureen jankowski
7:33 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013
Wonderful idea, something fun and positive for the Batavia young people to participate in while bringing the community together! Such a great business ownership experience; never too young to pursue your dreams with the opportunity to create income! more ›