Caterpillar Claims 2025 Summer Championship in Research Park League

The Research Park Summer Softball League concluded its season with an exciting championship game on August 4, 2025. The Caterpillar Innovation Center triumphed, securing its second consecutive championship title. This victory underscores the team’s consistent performance, having dominated the league through a competitive tournament-style format.

Throughout the summer, employees from various companies within the Research Park participated in weekly games, fostering teamwork and camaraderie. The league featured a total of ten teams, showcasing a mix of seasoned players and newcomers who were still adapting to the rules of the game. Caterpillar’s back-to-back titles reflect not only their skill on the field but also the dedication and teamwork that have become hallmarks of their participation.

“This year’s league was a blast,” said Bryan Goode of the Research Park. “Beyond the fun on the field, it created friendships across Research Park companies, gave interns a chance to build relationships outside their own teams, and strengthened camaraderie within companies. It’s more than just a game — it helps employees old and new connect, encourages collaboration across organizations, and builds the kind of trust and teamwork that carries back into the workplace.”

The league has seen significant growth in recent years, attracting participants from a wide range of Research Park tenants. Games are held on summer evenings, providing employees the opportunity to engage with colleagues from different organizations outside their usual work environments. This initiative has not only enhanced workplace relationships but also fostered a sense of community among the participants.

The Research Park Summer Softball League has become a staple of the summer season, with numerous companies contributing to its success. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the organizations that participated in this year’s league, including Caterpillar Innovation Center, Motorola Solutions, University of Illinois Community Credit Union, Littelfuse, Synchrony Emerging Technology Center, Electric Power Engineers, Center for Energy Innovation, University of Illinois Research Park, John Deere Technology Innovation Center, COUNTRY Financial, and Mondelez International.

As the season wraps up, the camaraderie and connections forged on the field promise to have lasting impacts, ultimately benefiting the collaborative spirit within the Research Park community. With Caterpillar leading the way, the future of the league looks bright as it continues to unite employees through the spirit of competition and teamwork.