Fred Dresser
Opening Day for the PebbleCreek Senior Softball Association (PCSSA) was October 20. What a beautiful day for an opening day as 168 players, family members and friends gathered under a clear blue sky for the opening ceremonies.
Opening day is a special day for PCSSA players. The opening ceremonies start with an introduction of the individuals that took up the challenge of managing one of the fourteen teams that make up this great league. Following the manager introductions, the PCSSA Board was introduced followed by the playing of our National Anthem. One hundred sixty plus players as well as those in attendance turned and faced the American flag. New this year was the placement of fifteen American flags around the outfield fence.
A moment of silence was observed for the eighteen PCSSA players whose names are affixed to the memorial bench. These players played this game and have now gone on to the big diamond in the sky. They will be missed.
Opening Day means just that: it’s time to shake off the rust, lubricate the joints and get down to playing the game. As is customary prior to the first game being played, the traditional first pitch is thrown. Two players that have played twenty or more years (Bob Quaratino 24 years and Richard BlomBerg 20 years) were recognized and performed the traditional opening pitch. Then the following words that every ball player yearns to hear were spoken by the umpires.
“Play Ball!”
If you’ve never attended a game at the ball field, come on down and enjoy a competitive game as well as seeing the camaraderie and respect the players have for each other. Games are played on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday starting at 9:00 a.m.