PCSSA Then and Now

Fred Dresser

Five letters represent a group of individuals who participate in and enjoy the game of baseball. What do these five letters actually mean? For those of you who are fairly new to the PebbleCreek community, they stand for the PebbleCreek Senior Softball Association.

This entity started back in 1995 when a group of residents approached Ed Robson.

Let’s take a trip back to how it all began.

September 1995:

A group of guys got together at the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse to discuss interest in playing softball. As a result, Jim Snyder was appointed to spearhead resident interest in playing softball, and Pebble Creek softball began to take shape. Two teams were formed, with a total of 21 players from PebbleCreek. Tuesdays and Saturdays were selected as play days. Games were played at the Old Litchfield Park field, across from the fire station on Old Litchfield Road.

November 1997:

Games began on a field that became known as the “Rock Pile” in PebbleCreek. The field was located north of where the current tennis courts in Eagle’s Nest are located. The field received its name due to the players needing to pick up small rocks to avoid an injury to a player.

1998:

The league consisted of six teams, two teams from PebbleCreek, along with teams from Sun City Grand, Rosie’s Restaurant, Happy Trails, and El Mirage.

1999:

Arizona Traditions joined the league, raising the number of teams to seven.

As the popularity of the sport grew, the Robson organization was contacted about the possibility of a ball field being constructed that would accommodate the growing interest for softball in PebbleCreek.

January 2000:

The Field of Dreams was then a reality. The backstop and bleachers were moved from the infamous “Rock Pile” to the new field. Seven teams played on our field, four teams from PebbleCreek and three outside teams.

2001 to 2003:

The league grew to six teams that are made up of exclusively PebbleCreek residents.

2004:

The league expanded to ten teams, with 16 players per team. The league continued to grow with two more teams added, bringing the total number of teams to 12.

2016/2017:

The league grew to 13 teams and 156 players.

2017/2018:

The league grew to 14 teams and 168 players.

2019/2020:

This season marked the 25th year of play for PCSSA, and, once again, the league grew, now to 15 teams.

The PCSSA, from its humble beginning at Old Litchfield Park, to the “rock pile,” to our current Field of Dreams, could not have happened if it were not for 21 players who had a vision of what could be.

Now you have the history of this proud league. A memorial wall was also erected at the field to remember those players who played the game and have passed on. The memorial wall is located next to the visitor’s dugout.

Play ball!