[7][8][9] The Chicago Storm began play in the inaugural APSPL season in 1977,[10] finishing with a record of 22-34 (.393), in 4th place in the Midwestern Division, 20 games behind division-winners Detroit Caesars.
Detroit would repeat again as APSPL champions, defeating the Minnesota Norsemen with series MVP Bert Smith hitting 15-16 (.940).
[27][28] Pepitone would get a suspension during the year for "conduct detrimental to professional softball" when NASL Commissioner Robert Brown suspended him for 6 games[29] and then was lost to the season in August with a thigh injury.
Former Chicago Storm star Benny Holt was now with Cleveland, but Ron Olesiak (.555, 34 HRs, 124 RBIs) of Chicago won the league MVP trophy, and Chicago added all-pro seasons from Mike Krolicki (27-6 pitching record), Buddy Haines (.518, 27 HRS, 115 RBIs), Tommy Spahn (.527, 15 HRs, 97 RBIs), Curt Dusek (.413 BA), Willie Simpson (.506, 23 doubles, 13 triples) and Jake Jakobi (.520 BA).
Olesiak, Dusek, Simpson, Spahn represented Chicago at the mid-season All-Star game and Zolna managed the West team.
[34][35] The Chicago Nationwide Advertising team featured two members of the American Softball Association Hall of Fame - manager Eddie Zolna and catcher Willie Simpson.