Fourth Annual Softball Tourney To Honor Late Deputy Fire Chief 'Big'

Caption: Hinsdale Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson died during training exercise after answering emergency call in 2010. Johnson was considered an “icon” in Hinsdale.

The Hinsdale Professional Firefighters Association announced it will be raising money for Hinsdale’s HCS Family Services with it’s fourth annual Big’s Softball Tournament in Hinsdale at Veeck Park on Saturday, September 20th.

Over the past three years this charity event, which honors the Line of Duty death of Deputy Chief Mark Johnson, also known as “Big,” has raised close to $35,000 for local charities such as Hinsdale’s Safety Village, The Hinsdale Wellness House and Illinois burn camp, Camp “I Am Me.”

“This event is always well attended by local firefighters and their families, but we would love to see more residents and local businesses get involved,” said event planner and Hinsdale firefighter Jim Nichols.

Deputy Chief Johnson was an icon in this Village, having worked at the Soukup’s Hardware Store (now called Fuller’s), the Hinsdale Hospital and the Fire Department over the course of 40 years. It’s only fitting that his spirit of giving back to our community is kept alive through this event.

The Softball Tournament consists of a single-game elimination one-day competition. There will be eight teams competing for the Championship, which has been won by the Hinsdale Department of Public Works for the past three years. Fire Departments from Maywood, Lisle-Woodridge, Western Springs, LaGrange Park, Westmont, Pleasantview, and Hinsdale are registered to play this year. The first pitch will be begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept, 20 at Veeck Park at 701 E. Chicago St. in Hinsdale.

If you would like to donate an item to be raffled off at the tournament or to donate money on behalf of Deputy Chief Mark Johnson, please contact Jim Nichols at 630-742-9420 or jnichols@villageofhinsdale.org.

In the past, raffle items included signed baseball, hockey and basketball memorabilia by several Chicago legends, gift certificates to local businesses, a family dinner at the Hinsdale Fire Department, free airline tickets, and much more. The event is only a few weeks away, so please consider making a small donation.

The Hinsdale Professional Firefighters Association is a non-for-profit organization that raises money for local charities. All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated on behalf of Deputy Chief Mark Johnson to the designated charities Safety Village, Camp “I Am Me” and HCS Family Services.