SIXTH "POLISH-AMERICAN NIGHT AT
CELLULAR FIELD"

Chicago, Illinois - On Tuesday evening, July 26, 2011, the four Polish Fraternal Organizations, PNA, PRCUA, PFA, and PWA united once again for an evening to host Polish-American Heritage Night at U.S. Cellular Field (Sox Park).

Members of the Polish National Alliance, Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, Polish Women's Alliance, Polish Falcons of America and local Polish Americans cheered on the Chicago White Sox who hosted the Detroit Tigers There was six large sections representing all the groups that attended the evening baseball game. In the six years of hosting the Polish American Night, it was picture perfect weather for this event, the sky was blue, the sun was bright and a cool breeze that from came in the lake made it comfortable.

Prior to the start of the game Vice President of PNA, Paul C. Odrobina,  Vice President of the PWA, Sharon Zago, Vice President of the PFA, Robert Gorny, and Secretary Treasurer of the Polish Roman Catholic Union, James Robaczewski, were greeted  by South Paw, the White Sox Mascot and Brian Bruney, a pitcher for the Sox team who joined the Fraternal leaders on the field and had their photos taken with them. Young and old Sox fans had an opportunity to walk in a pre-game parade around the playing field. They had a chance to see the players warm up and see the stadium from a players view. There was also pre-game Polka music provided inside and outside the park played by Tony Blazonczyk's New Phaze Band. The National Anthem was sung by Laureen Jancezek-Wysocki, who is from the Lyric Opera as a regular chorus member. The biggest cheers that evening came from the crowd when the fraternal leaders were introduced on the field and when Vice President of the PWA, Sharon Zago threw out the first pitch to Sox Pitcher Mark Buehrle to officially start the game.

Throughout the evening, we learned about many of the current and former White Sox players who were Polish and played for the club. We never knew that so many players were Polish from just one team. What a history lesson we learned that evening. Polka music and Bobby Vinton played between the innings to have the fans dancing in their seats and in the aisles. Those who celebrated a birthday at the game had "Sto Lat" played for them as well.

After the final inning the Sox fell short of a win, but kept the game exciting throughout the evening.  This concluded the sixth Polish-American Heritage Night of 2011. The four fraternal organizations would like the thank the Sox and their staff for a wonderful evening and hope the members and fans join us again next year.

Story and Photos by Robert M. Jadach

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