Fred Dresser
They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Well, for the ladies that played for the PCSSA Women’s Team, their diamond was located on the Robson’s Field of Dreams.
The PCSSA Women’s Softball League was formed in 1999. The league consisted of two teams sponsored by Desert Rose and Cavanaugh Realty. It all started when Earl Smith who was president of the PCSSA at the time was contacted by Sun City West about putting together a women’s team so that play could happen between the two communities. Jim Muck was tasked with recruiting women to play and agreed to be the coach. Chuck Seidel, Bill Thorn, Don Heron, Jim Muck, Chuck Seidel and Ted Ingalls helped with coaching duties for both teams, as their wives all played. However, Sun City West never fielded a team, so PebbleCreek women were on their own. They practiced and developed their skills playing against each other. They also played a highly skilled team from Robson’s sister community, Sun Lakes, twice a season.
Eventually, they joined a league along with Sun City West, Sun City Grand and Arizona Traditions. In 2005 the PebbleCreek Team (Lady Tigers) sponsored by Desert Rose won the league championship with wins over the teams from Sun City West, Sun City Grand and Arizona Traditions.
The league followed PCSSA rules and played games on Saturdays only as many of the players were still working. Jim Muck, Don Heron, Ted Ingalls and Chuck Seidel coached the teams as their better halves were players.
Not sure how long the league was in existence, however, a good number of the players are still residents here at PebbleCreek.
If there are any ladies that would be interested in fielding a women’s team, contact Ted Ingalls at 623-476-7179 or [email protected].
My thanks to Jane Petersen, Ted Ingalls and Monte Shriver for their input.