"You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing!" September 2006 Your 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee CARL JOHNSON ENTERS THE HALL OF FAME C The BATTER UP Newsletter is published for the Sun Cities Senior Softball League, and is made possible through our sponsors. arl moved to Sun City in 1996. He joined the softball club in the fall of 1997. He had never played baseball or softball, so at age 62 he started a new adventure. With some help from fellow players and by attending all available practice sessions, he learned to play the game. He started playing on the green team and became team manager for 3 years. He helped develop the process for bringing new players into the softball programs and getting them assigned to the correct league and teams. He also put together an information package for new players. Carl has managed several National League teams, and was the first manager to draft female players into the Sun Cities Softball Clubs. He CARL JOHNSON was elected to the Sun City Senior Softball Board of Directors in 2003 and served as club secretary for 2 years. As a board member he helped to organize work crews for field improvements. He organized and managed special game teams, such as the Sun City West field dedication game and Sun City/Sun City West all star games. He helped organize and managed league tournament teams for the spring fling, Sun City Grand and Arizona Dennis Farrar Editor Email: editor@azsrsoftball.com Traditions tournaments. He managed the National League summer sessions for 2 years. He did this as an individual effort, doing all teams assignments, all game schedules and all field maintenance. He also helped organized the American and National League combined teams for summer play. INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2006 Hall of Fame Inductee... p 1 Are You Ready To Play Some Softball?... p 3 As I See It... p 7 Comments On The Hall Of Fame... p 5 Fields Over-seeding Schedule p 5 Liberty Field Clubhouse Paid For.. p 2 Make Sure You Lock It!..... p 4 New Storage Building.... p 3 Paid In Full... p 2 Pancake Breakfast.. p 2 Retirees: Just Some of the Truth more later... p 7 SC Board President Comments.. p 4 SCW Board President Comments.. p 4 SCW Softball Club Elections... p 2 Special Thank You!... p 5 Sponsors. p 8 Sun City West General Meeting Notice. p 7 The Rose Garden... p 3 Umpires Corner. p 3 Welcome New Players.. p 4 Women s Invitational Softball Tournament.. p 5 Word Search.. p 6 Word Search Solution p 7 Carl s wife, Sylvia shares in his celebration. In 2003 Carl initialized and organized the National League Committee. As committee chairman, he established a 6 man committee to conduct all softball league functions related to the National League. He wrote the National League guidelines, developed the process for assigning players to teams and established league schedules. He assigned committee members to be responsible for rules, team player selections, news paper coverage, player rosters, and schedules. Carl also reported tournament organizing, and player information to Angels in the Outfield. These committee members corrected short comings that Carl and others had realized were not being correctly addressed for the National League. This committee has had an outstanding record overseeing the National League. Most notable has been adjustments to the rules to keep on the field arguments at a minimum and the achievement of keeping the league teams exceptionally well balanced. As a testimony to the effectiveness of Carl s and the committee's efforts, the American League has adopted the committee concept and has used parts of the National League guidelines for the 2006 spring session. Carl has always been a spokesman for promoting the league as a recreational activity and has made a major effort to promote fair play and insure Sun Cities Softball is an enjoyable experience for all players.
PAID IN FULL LIBERTY FIELD CLUBHOUSE IS FREE & CLEAR! The regular season ended in April, but on March 28, 2006 the Sun City West Softball Club presented their final payment for the Liberty Field Clubhouse to the Sun City West Recreation Center. This is a great milestone and a dream come true for many softball players. After a lot of hard work, commitment and staying focused we have a beautiful clubhouse that is PAID IN FULL!! Thank you to all our sponsors who have made our dream come true. PANCAKE BREAKFAST George Karras The Sun City West Softball Club will be putting on a pancake breakfast on Saturday, October 28, 2006. This event is to show our appreciation for our sponsors support of our softball program. Our sponsors will be invited to attend to meet and talk to the players and their fans. We are inviting players from Sun City West, Sun City and Sun City grand along with their fans to attend this event. In order to make this a success your support is needed. Plan to attend this breakfast and bring along all your fans. Advance tickets are available and are only three dollars each. Also we are asking all softball players to help sell tickets to the breakfast. Contact Ken Skinner or George Karras. We need a big turnout to show our sponsors how much we appreciate their support. The breakfast will consist of pancakes, bacon, orange juice and coffee. All you can eat for only $3.00. This event will be held Beardsley s Park from 8 a.m. till noon. Plan now to attend along with your friends and neighbors. Matt Szydlowski left and Dick Lemoine with the new Recreation Activities Manager Cindy Knowlton, left, and the retired Recreation Activities Manager Linda Murray receiving the final payment to the Recreation Center for the loan that financed the Liberty Buick Clubhouse. SC & SCW SOFTBALL CLUB ELECTIONS Just a note to let you know that the Sun City & Sun City West Softball Club Boards will be having their elections. SCW will be on November 9th and 14th. If you are interested in running for the board and serving the next two years please let someone on the election committee know. The committee consists of Dennis Farrar, Bob Latzo, Ernie Mueller and Jim McGuire. You can also check the website or the next Newsletter for details as they become available. Don t miss this opportunity to vote. Page 2 of 8
THE ROSE GARDEN Hotflashes Go 20-0! Carol Bowden ARE YOU READY FOR SOME SOFTBALL? Bill Nyblade ATTENTION ALL NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYERS Check the bulletin board to see if your name is on the list to play ball Oct 24, 2006. If not, Contact one of the National League Committee members by Oct 4, 2006 if you are in town to start play on Oct 24, 2006. Sponsor, Arvid & Kay Peterson Realty presented each Hotflash player with a red rose after their final game of the season. The Arvid & Kay Peterson Hotflashes are standing tall and proud. They finished their inaugural season with a 20-0 record which included just squeezing by the renowned Mesa Queen Bees. Next season should prove to be an even better year. If you haven t been at the ballparks to enjoy their high energy games, you are really missing out on a lot of fun. Great season and we ll see you in the fall. NEW STORAGE BUILDING George Karras There is now a new storage building located down by the left-field line. It replaces our old building which was falling apart. This building is larger and is built to last us a long time. The Sun City West Softball Club purchased this building. It is built on a concrete base and has a sidewalk which ties in with the existing walkways. We were able to complete this project due to the people who volunteered their time, and expertise. All the work done to complete this project was done by softball club players. I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the people who worked on this project for a job well done. Bill Nyblade - 974-6382 Glen Carroll - 546-0684 Rich McAndrews - 544-2837 Roy Nelson - 974-2050 The 2006 Fall League will start October 24th. If you are out of town you will need to contact your league representative to let them know you will be available to play October 24th. UMPIRES CORNER Ken Skinner I will be organizing an umpire s crew to work tournament and league games. Rules and mechanic clinics will be conducted on a weekly basis. This crew will be made up of active and inactive players. So if you have hung up your shoes and glove but want to still stay involved in senior softball this may be for you. If you are interested there will be an information meeting Thursday, September 28, 2006, at 4 PM at Liberty Field. For further information contact: Ken Skinner 623-546-8983 umpire@azsrsoftball.com Page 3 of 8
GREETINGS FROM SUN CITY BOARD Bill Buxton, President As we know it is about time to get the kinks out of the ole body and get ready to begin winter league play at the Sun Cities. Listed below are some of the items that might be of interest to everyone. (1) Re-seeding is to be done on the last few days of September at the Sun Bowl Field and an effort should be made not to interfere with the process. In the past it has been completed a few day before the season begins so we can get a little of practice in on it. We will let all know. (2) Rear sun screens have been placed on the back of the two bleachers, and are for everyone's comfort. (3) A new bulletin board is being put up and will be operational soon. (4) Nomination and the election of Board Officers is upon us and will be done quickly. Those going off the Board are; Bill Button, Arid Peterson, Del Stop and Ira Mallory. (5) A lot of discussion has been made on a new scoreboard but the money is in short supply. (6) Enclosing the scorers booth has been submitted for 2007 and should be in the works. AS ALWAYS THE BOARD WILL TRY TO IMPROVE PLAY AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT A CONSCIENCE. WELCOME NEW LEAGUE PLAYERS Loran Swanson Dennis Hagerty Bill McCrea Marg McCrea Calvin Shirey Ben Zeppa GREETINGS FROM SUN CITY WEST BOARD Dick LeMoine, President Now that summer is nearing its end, I thought I would take this opportunity to straighten out a few of the rumors floating around the Sun City West Clubhouse. No, the foul poles are not going to be auctioned off as scrap. The Recreation Center has agreed to install the poles during the fields down time for reseeding in October. Next rumor is no, it did not cost us $900.00 to paint the concrete softball yellow. The acceptable bids were near $900.00, but Albrecht and Son Painting donated their services at no charge. Next rumor is yes, the foul lines will no longer be fire hose painted white. What they will be has yet to be determined. Next, yes, we are going to replace the bulletin boards in our dugouts prior to fall season. For the exact location ask George Karras. Finally, yes work will be done to finish the look of our scoreboard. A grillwork in Pepsi Blue will be added to the top along with red 16 inch letters --- Liberty Field. MAKE SURE YOU LOCK IT! Dennis Farrar I have been to the Liberty Field Clubhouse on several occasions to post notices and such and have found the Clubhouse unlocked. Please, if you are using the field for practice please check with the other players as to who will lock up. To lock the clubhouse all you need to do is 1) make sure that the front sliding windows are shut & locked, and then 2) make sure that the two bolt locks on the north door are securely locked and then 3) go out the south door and close the door tightly behind you. When this door is tightly closed it locks automatically, then 3) make sure you can t open it from the outside. Also make sure that the upstairs door to the score board is pulled shut. THAT S IT! Remember, this is our clubhouse. Let s all take an active role in taking care of it. Your cooperation is gratefully appreciated. Page 4 of 8
FIELDS OVER-SEEDING SCHEDULED Liberty Field in Sun City West will be closed starting October 2 for over-seeding the outfield with winter grass, laser leveling of the infield installing new fair poles and any other field maintenance needed. This time frame may be subject to change. This means that the field will be off limits for playing, and practice. Sun Bowl Field in Sun City will be closed starting September 14 for over-seeding the outfield with winter grass, and any maintenance that needs to be done and will not reopen until approximately Oct 2. Again, these dates are subject to change. Thank you for your cooperation during this time period. Because of these field closures, there may be practice at Bicentennial Field in Surprise. Check the bulletin boards in the dugouts at the fields to verify. COMMENTS ON THE HALL OF FAME Carl Johnson This newsletter is the first opportunity I have had to publicly comment on my selection to the Softball Hall of Fame. I am extremely honored to have been voted into this group. I would like to thank all the players, who have congratulated me. I have received a lot of great positive comments. I will make a major effort in future to insure that the Hall Of Fame selections are fair, deserving and a pleasant experience for new selectees. As I stated at the banquet, my success was achieved as a member of the National League Committee. Also at banquet I acknowledged the members of this committee, who helped run the National League. They all did a great job. I want to publicly apologize for leaving Bill Nyblade s name out. Bill put in a lot time helping me. I strongly believe in the National League Committee. Here again are the members, Bill Nyblade, Del Stolp, Bill Allen, Fred Suess, Glen Carroll and Dutch Walton. Thanks again to these guys. Bill Nyblade will be taking my place as committee Chairman. Please give Bill the same cooperation as all you managers and players gave me. Page 5 of 8 Dennis Farrar I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chuck Cain for making and installing the newsletter boxes in the dugouts at Sun City West. Chuck also made and installed a newsletter box located beside the bulletin board. Having a box by the bulletin board will make it convenient for those who may be interested in playing our game and a way to take something with them to read about our activities. Thank you again Chuck for all you are doing for our club, and I know others appreciate your work as well.
WHAT STREET DO YOU LIVE ON? AROUND SUN CITY WEST ANTELOPE ASHWOOD BEARDSLEY BLUE VERDE BUTTONWOOD CAMINO DEL SOL FLAGSTONE GREYSTONE HERITAGE HUTTON MEEKER OPAL PARKWOOD RH JOHNSON SENTINEL SKY HAWK SPANISH GARDEN STAR DUST SUNRISE VIA MONTOYA WHITE ROCK WHITEWOOD Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved Ed Eckardt is ready to pitch in the rain but stops in the middle of the windup to pose. Photo by Dennis Farrar In the rain, third baseman, Spud Miller and short stop, Mike Graham are ready and waiting for Ed to pitch the ball. Photo by Dennis Farrar Page 6 of 8
AS I SEE IT! Dennis Farrar Well, after a summer of softball and a month trip to Colorado I m sure I m like many of you; ready for another season of play. I m also ready for another year to serving you as well as playing the game. A lot has happened over this past year as I m sure most of you are aware of. My wife, Terese and I have gone though a home remodeling adventure that is finally completed. A lot of stress and not so pleasant conversations and jumping rope with contractors but we are finally are able to enjoy the benefits of our remodeling project. Now that our journey is over, I think it would have been easier to have just purchased another house for all the problems we had to face. Thank you all for you concerns and kind words during this undertaking. Your encouragement was a great help, and Terese and I made it through and we re still married. Those of us who live here year-round enjoyed playing summer ball. Even the heat couldn t keep us off the fields. I think I d rather play in the heat of our summers than have to battle the humidity, mosquitoes and other crawling things even if the temps are cooler. Also those of you who are new to our game be sure to check out our web site at www. azsrsoftball.com. The ye ole webmaster himself, Ken Skinner does a great job keeping us up to date with all the latest. You can also sign up to receive the on-line news. This is a great way to get notices of the latest newsletter, club minutes, team scores and other information. These notices are sent right you your email address. Try it. If you don t like it, you can opt out anytime. As we start the new season remember, do your best, keep your head in the game, play safe, and above all HAVE FUN! Finally, the next newsletter will probably be November so if you have anything to put in the news letter put it in writing by paper or email. This newsletter will be printed and in the dugouts as well as in the box beside the bulletin boards. I will be out of town from October 27 thru November 6 but will be on email so you can still get in touch with me. Consequently, the November newsletter will be a little late getting into the boxes. Thank you for your understanding. That s how I see it. Have a great game and get home safe. Editor Retirees: Just some of the Truth, more later Q: When is a retiree's bedtime? A: Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch. Q: How many retirees does it take to change a light bulb? A: Only one, but it might take all day. Q: What's the biggest gripe of retirees? A: There is not enough time to get everything done. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE SOLUTION NO CHEATING? Page 7 of 8
A HUGE Thank You to all of our wonderful sponsors who have continued to sponsor our recreation again this season! Without your ongoing support our league would not exist as we know it. You are truly a blessing that has helped us more than you will ever know. WE SUPPORT YOU! A.E. Lewis & Sons Builders Arrowhead Honda Arvid & Kay Peterson, Realtors Axberg Heartburg Willis Bashas Bell Lexus Bosom Buddies Brenda's Kitchen Capital Title Agency Daily News Sun Denny's TV Desert Rose Concrete Coating Edward Jones Farmers Ins. Paul Tone Farrar Chiropractic & Acupuncture Florencia Pizza Golden Eagle Distributors (Budweiser) Gonstead Family Chiropractic Grandview Terrace Ken Meade Realty Liberty Buick Newton's Automotive Northern Trust Bank Peoria GMC Pepsi Cola Bottling Group Piper / Jaffrey Rosie's Italian Café Sanderson Lincoln Mercury Saturn of West Phoenix Southwest Golf Cars Sue Pahlke Realty Sun Country Credit Union Sunshine Irrigation The Exterminator TruGreen Chem Lawn Van's Pro Shop / Ping VFW Post 10695 Wells Fargo Bank Wester News Windermere Realty Page 8 of 8