This year’s lineup, back row left to right: PebbleCreek Steve led by Jim Rains (15th year), AZ Royal Landscape led by Monte Page, West Valley Golf Cars led by first year manager Derry Davison and Augies Sports led by former major league player Jack Hogan. Second from back row: AZ Orthopedics (in bright red) led by Dan Rea, Dunton Health and Wealth led by multi-year manager Ed Schneider, Anazasi Pools led by first year manager Bill Pardue and Osborne Jewelers led by Kevin Bentson. Third row from back: Questar Capital led by Paul Zuckerbrow (former league president), Desert Golf Cars led by multi-year manager John Spencer and American Solar led by first year manager Jan Hangen. Second from front row: Bright yellow Spooners led by the Boss Gary Jensen and KM Advisory Group led by first year manager Doug McFarland. Front row: Umpire Gary Frenz, Doug Wainwright (Events Chairman), Manny Maciel (vice president), Monte Page (Director of League Personnel), Rich Christiansen (secretary), Frank Pierce (Director of Marketing), John Brown (treasurer), Steve Ward (president), Chuck Johnson (Director of Field Maintenance), Greg Clymer (PebbleCreek HOA Vice President) and Umpire Gary Page.
An absolutely fabulous day it was on October 22 at the PebbleCreek Field of Dreams. After months of preparation recruiting team managers, registering over 175 returning and new players, running multi-week new player evaluations, conducting a draft for thirteen teams, soliciting team and league sponsors, laser-leveling the infield and grooming the outfield, purchasing new equipment and finally, organizing Opening Day ceremonies it all came together to start the 2016 – 2017 season.
In the chill of our first morning longtime PCSSA player Jim Jarvis gave a heartfelt invocation to remind us of why we play and for whom we play. League President Steve Ward outlined the coming year and highlighted two major activities the league sponsors – the Captain Jeremy Chandler Memorial Fund and the Vision Walk. The league supports these two to recognize the sacrifice our servicemen and women make for us by provided assistance to their education and supporting research to fight genetic and age-related blindness. Together they are our way of providing for a better future. A third important recognition was the unveiling of the PCSSA Commemorative Bench recognizing past and recent passing of PCSSA players. The wives, family and friends of Carlton Lee, Andy Mandala and Barney Farley attended the unveiling.
Steve Ward also recognized the valuable contributions of Steve Fletcher, Opening Day Chairman and Dick Gwilt (Team Lead for Beverages). Leading up to the first game of the season, Pat Ingalls (PC resident and friend of PCSSA) gave an outstanding rendition of the National Anthem. This was followed by the ceremonial First Pitch with Dick Bloomberg (starting nineteenth season of play) and Kaz Koziara (starting his eighteenth year). Games for this season start at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays and last until 4:00 p.m. – join us!