Prior to Little League Baseball’s official 1952 establishment with the dedicated help of volunteers like Roy Overholt, children in Brookfield utilized whatever makeshift equipment they could find to play the game on empty lots.
Today, the league has eight playing fields including the historic Overholt Field that was named in honor of Roy Overholt and renovated last year. There’s also Hull Field, named for softball coach Dan Hull who was influential in Brookfield’s softball program, according to Daniel Kissel, president of Brookfield Little League.
The Kiwanis Park field was built with volunteer labor and donations. In 1953, the Brookfield Kiwanis Club donated the dugouts for the players.
“Overholt Field is located in Kiwanis Park right by Village Hall,” Kissel said. “Roy Overholt was an historical figure with Brookfield Little League, a prominent figure that helped start the league and brought a lot of attention to the league in Brookfield. So the field in Kiwanis Park is named after him. It’s one of the premiere league fields in the Chicago suburbs.”
Honored as the most productive Brookfield Little League volunteer, born in the Hollywood section of Brookfield on May 1, 1924, Overholt got involved in the Little League, as a baseball buff and because of his sons, according to the Landmark.
He served as manager from 1956-61 in both the Bedford Park minor league and the Summit-Argo-Bedford Park-Bridgeview Little League.
Overholt was first a coach of the Buresh’s Lobster House team, and a year later, in 1961, became the team’s manager in mid-season, winning many championships, his name, synonymous with baseball in Brookfield.
Overholt “retired” from the Little League in 1969, but was named a lifetime member.
Hull Field is also considered one of the premiere softball fields and not just for little league- the high school team plays there as well, Kissel explained.
“It’s a really nice field,” he added. “So, we’re very fortunate to have great fields, and we work to continually improve the fields.”
Made up of players from Brookfield, Illinois as well as students attending Brookfield Schools, the Brookfield Little League hosts an active Spring and Fall season as well as All-Stars and the Official Overholt Little League Tournament.
“The mission statement from Little League International believes in the power of youth baseball and softball to teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities,” Kissel said.
The all-volunteer, non-profit organization serves more than 600 players with the help of sponsors. In 2024, the league hosted several All-Star Tournaments, Clinics, Fall-Ball, Hot Shots Tournament, and The Overholt Tournament. Support from the business community made upgrades to some of the fields possible.
“Little League is a community-based organization,’ Kissel said. “I think that’s one of the great marks of Little League in general.”
“Little League is a great way for people to get involved with their community and give back to Brookfield and give back to the kids that are participating in the Brookfield community and mentor those young individuals not just as baseball players but as young men and women who are going to grow up and contribute to their community as well.”
The Brookfield Little League season kicks off April 18 for Majors baseball and April 25 for Majors softball divisions.
For more information, visit brookfieldlittleleague.org.
