Hinsdale Softball Tournament Raises Money For Local Charities In Honor Of Firefighter

HINSDALE, IL — The Hinsdale Professional Firefighter's Association will try to raise $10,000 for local Hinsdale charities by hosting "Big's Seventh Annual Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament." The event was created to honor Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson, known as Big, who lost his life in the life of duty in September 2010.

According to a release, the event will take place Sunday, Sept. 24 at Veeck Park in Hinsdale. Throughout the years, the fire department has raised more than $60,000 for local charities through this event in honor of Johnson.

The association said residents are encouraged to attend this one day tournament, which starts in the morning and will end in the early evening hours on Sunday. The village of Hinsdale will field three teams this year. The Village Hall Staff entered a team for the second year in a row, and will be playing in the first game of the day against the Hinsdale Police Department at 8 a.m. Hinsdale Fire Department will face off against the Westmont Fire Department at 11 a.m.

According to the release, neighboring fire departments including Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Westmont, La Grange Park, and the Pleasantview Fire Protection District will also be playing that day.

The association said the tournament is a charity event to help raise money for Hinsdale’s own Safety Village and the Food Pantry. Raffle prizes, such as tickets to Chicago sporting events, gift cards to local businesses and a ride to school in a Hinsdale fire truck, will be drawn near the end of the tournament. Tickets for these prizes will be sold at Veeck Park during the softball tournament. For more information on the tournament or to make a donation, contact Hinsdale firefighter Jim Nichols at 630-789- 7060.