1979-2007

"You don't stop playing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop playing!"

Original league organizers
First field
Who hit the first home runs
How far were the fences
Where were the fields
Hall of Fame
1998-2002 Update
Guys & Gals

There would be no history without the generosity and thoughtfulness of Del Webb and the Recreation Centers of Sun City and Sun City West.  All of the softball players will surely keep this in mind as they enjoy some of the finest facilities in the country…right here at home.  Sun Bowl Field and Kuentz Field are continuing reminders to the players and the entire community that the Sun Cities aim to please their residents.   Thank you!

And special thanks to our sponsors.  They’re our kind of people.

Part 1…1979-1998

An inherited and wonderful Senior Softball League provides genuine pleasure to all of its participants.  This didn’t happen by accident. The early boards, managers and players did a lot of hard work to prepare and perfect the league for all comers.  There were growing pains.

 It all started early in 1979 when a Del Webb Development Co. public relations executive received a letter.  A Sacramento, CA league official inquired if Sun City had a Senior Softball team they could challenge.  The response was no.  However, the Del Webb PR department immediately requested information and assistance to establish a team.  Within months, a resident organizing committee was established.  Generous Del Webb not only sponsored the organization and the league, but also supplied a liaison man and allowed use of its office for meetings.
 

Del Webb thought senior softball was a good idea for the community and for business.   So did Al Reznik, sports editor, in his column “This ’n Data” in the Daily News-Sun paper in the June 22, 1979 issue.  This resulted in prospects age 50-plus showing up at Sun City Stadium on 111^th and Grand where they met with the organizing committee. They discussed whether to play 12”, 14” or 16” softball.  Through a general vote, the decision went to 12”. This was the same size used by the Sun City Saints women’s team that played at the Stadium.  The Saints won the 1979 national championship. 

Prospects played ball for a week during which time they were evaluated by the league organizing committee.  Ultimately,110 players who paid $5 each were assigned to 6 teams.  Wally Henninger was the grandpa of the group at 81.  Each team had about 16 men and 2 women.  By the end of the season, all but 3 women quit.  The following year, the women wanted to remain as a part of the league, so they became umpires, unsuccessfully.  Aside from this short stint when the women umpired, the Club has been organized so that the players umpire and score keep for each other.  

There were several weeks of team practice starting on July 24.  The first official games began on August 7 at the Sun City Stadium at 6:00 P.M.  Each team played every other team once until September 6.  Then there were two weeks of twilight playoffs.  The short, fledgling season concluded with a September 19^th championship attended by 250 fans in the 4500-seat stadium built in 1971.  The 7-inning twilight game ended with the Apaches scalping the Sinners 10-7. The umpire was Rose Sorace, a popular 60-year old grandma who umpired 19 games in 1979.

The appointed league organizers were Hank Anemone, Gene Downing, Tom Eastburn, Milt Radesky and Andy Wagner (chairman).  They did a great job. The lucky managers of the first 6 teams were:  Ollie Brown, Tom Eastburn, Dick Michalski, Charles Michel, Milt Radesky and Bill Wadell.  The championship that first year went to Ollie Brown.
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The teams were not evenly balanced because the players and managers were unfamiliar with each other.  It took several years to resolve this by using the draft. 

There were no uniforms.  Each team decided on its own shirt color.  Players paid for their shirts which became part of their personal property.  

Most participants had not played for 30 or 40 years.  There was not much senior ball in those days.  In a typical play, a grounder might go through the short stop and then through the left fielder to the fence. The return throw might go only half way to the infield. It was obvious that everyone had to practice and get in shape. Only wood bats were used as aluminum bats were not made then. Standard soft balls were later replaced by restricted-flight balls because of the short fields.  

There were no home-plate mats. Strikes were called on the batter as in baseball or fast-pitch softball, that is, from the shoulders to the knees.  Umpires needed experience or good judgment. After a couple of years, the league learned about home-plate extension mats used in California.  The mats could not be found here in sporting goods stores.  The league had no idea what length they should be.  By trial and error with adjustable pieces of carpet, our league developed a length similar to today’s mat.  Rubber mats became available in local stores after several years, 

Ball was played at the Sun City Stadium, the same field used by the Milwaukee Braves (Brewers) until they left after 1982.  The Braves played spring practice  until April 15^th each year.  Our season could run only 4-1/2  months from April 15^th to the end of August. To make the field usable for softball,  the baseball hard mound had to be removed, the grass infield scrapped, baseball paths shortened, and an outfield fence erected at 225 feet.  The players maintained the field, stands and restrooms so that the Sun City Saints women’s fast-pitch team could also use the field. The men had to cut the grass and lay out the field for each game.  Men played twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday. The women’s fast-pitch league played at night and on the weekends.  
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Starting with the summers of 1982 and 1983 at the Sun City Stadium, only early morning and late games were played to avoid afternoon heat.  The morning games began at 8:00 and ended around 10:30.  The night games began around 7:00 after the sun got below the left field stands, and finished by 9:30.  Orange balls were used for night games only at first.  It was easier to see the orange ball at night under the lights. The league quickly switched to orange for both day and night games.  The orange ball could also be seen better during the day because of the light color of the surrounding stands.

 In 1980, the players’ wives formed a Ladies Auxiliary to raise money through various enterprises.  The  first president was Bette Kouffman, wife of Ev Kouffman.  The Auxiliary paid for the annual Awards Dinner Dance at a location like Crestview where there would be dinner, trophies, live dance band, etc.  The ladies had cake and rummage sales, 50/50 tickets plus soft drink sales at all league games.  This later evolved into a league picnic where each player’s wife brought a food dish for several people.  Today (late 1997), the league pays for the Beardsley area picnic in Sun City West.  It is catered because there are so many attendees. There is also an annual league recognition dinner that is partially subsidized, at a local restaurant.  The Ladies Auxiliary also aided the players in cleaning the rest rooms, stands and dugouts.  They even kept score for many of the games. What a helpful group!

 Playing summer ball was not enough for the men to stay in shape.  Retired players had time on their hands plus good weather to play winters. The Sun City Stadium could not be used in winters, so winter play was planned for the El Mirage Field on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A pickup league started with 2 or 3 teams, depending on how many people came. When there were enough for 4 teams, a winter league was started.  It evolved into 6 teams, the same as the summer league. Today the winter league has more teams than the summer league because summer is hot.  Many players leave for all or part of summer.

 In 1981, the league managed to get sponsors for jerseys only. Players  paid about $5-10 per person each year to cover the cost of equipment (bats, balls, bases, etc.) for the season.  Later, sponsors donated money for complete uniforms for each player.  Each team had its own uniform colors. In 1985, the pants, socks and hats were standardized.  Therefore, players could keep their uniforms and avoid uniform sizing problems when changing teams every year.  In 1982, each new sponsor would pay about $300 per year.  The league would use this to buy replacement uniforms as necessary.  Sponsor renewal each season was $150.

 The softball board consisted of the team managers each year.  A President and a Secretary were elected from that group.  A Treasurer was later needed to track funds from both sponsors and players.

 In the beginning, the managers and teams would stay unchanged every year unless players left for some reason.  Teams would be supplemented by new players in a draft.  This caused inter-team rivalries and problems as players did not get to know players from other teams. The feelings about individual team solidarity were so strong that there sometimes were fights on the field between players.  Some players even abused the umpires.

 The managers were omnipotent. They would select the players for their teams, then determine who played or sat on the bench. There was no rule, as we now have, stating that each player had to play a certain number of innings or that each player had to bat. The weaker players would play only if someone did not show or was hurt.  If the substitutes did not play, they did not get a time at bat.   Consequently, many subs quit the teams as they got little or no playing time. Today, everyone must play at least 5 innings and bat all 7 innings.

 In 1983, the league took steps to solve the above problems.  Teams, including managers and players, would be changed every year.  This was a critical rule change as the managers and players would become league oriented as opposed to team oriented. A rule was also instituted that managers could serve only one year.

 Because of the importance of, and demand for, good short stops and pitchers, each of the six team managers first picked players for these two positions.  Other positions were then filled.  The managers used the draft.  The worst team would get  first choice of players, the best team the last choice. This was instituted to balance the league in both summer and winter.

 Special rules helped to avoid injuries.  Sliding into bases and metal shoe cleats were never permitted.  Collisions between a runner and catcher were avoided as follows:  Instead of stepping on home plate when scoring, there was a scoring line that simply had to be stepped over.  Between 1987 and 1988, a second home plate replaced the scoring line and a double first base bag was added to further reduce collisions.  Over-running the bases was permitted for a short time in the early 1980’s, but was soon stopped due to injuries.  The “commit” line between third base and home plate was introduced around 1983 at the Surprise field.

 Each team was expected to field 10 players (usually 4 outfielders).  In 1989 the number changed to 11 by adding a short fielder behind the pitcher.

 Players were age 50 or older from the beginning.  In 1989, the age increased to 55.  This was due to Del Webb’s requirement of age 55 plus to own a home. 

Who hit the first home runs?  Charlie McKasson hit the first HR at the Grand Avenue Field in 1985;  Bob Rentner at Kuentz in 1989;  Hal Noonan hit the first in-the-park homer and Gene Carara the first out of the park at Sun Bowl in 1995.
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 How far were the fences?  Sun City Stadium, 225 feet; Grand Avenue Field near Sun City West, 240 feet; Kuentz Field in Sun City West, 250 feet; Sun Bowl in Sun City, 265 feet.  Before the Grand Avenue Field in 1985, mainly wood bats were used.  It was more demanding to hit homers or long balls.  At Grand Avenue, most players bought their own aluminum bats.
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 Over the years, there have been hundreds of ball players who have made significant contributions to the league by volunteering their time and talent in a multitude of capacities.  All these generous, ball-loving people cannot be named here.  Past and current players thank them and owe them a great deal of gratitude.

 This group of past league Presidents deserves special recognition:  Andy Wagner 1979;  Milt Radesky 1980-81;  Ev Kouffman 1982;  Howie Mullica 1983;   Bob Vosbrinck 1984;  Chuck Riffle 1985;  Charlie McKasson 1986;  Don Goble 1987-88; Bob Audsley 1989 (died in office), replaced by Axel Olson 1989-90;  Joe O’Toole 1991; John Winterhalter 1992-3;  Lou Hurley 1994;  Matt Szydlowski 1995-6;  Steve Griswold 1997-8.

 Where were the fields?  From 1979 through 1998, six different fields have been used.

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The following players were instrumental in working with the Recreation Center to get the latest two new fields:   Kuentz Field in Sun City West,  Don Goble played the major roll with assistance from Charlie McKasson;  Sun Bowl in Sun City,  Doug Wright was the prime mover with help from Ray Keller, Ralph Snyder, Ed Morgan, Bob Millslagel and Charlie McKasson.  Many can now enjoy the fields due to these fine efforts and persistence. For example, it took 5 years to get Sun Bowl from concept, neighbors’ approval, zoning, drawings, bids, meetings and more meetings, etc. to the final beautiful field with surrounding track, gazebo, fountain, etc.  All the ball players are indebted to you movers and shakers!

 How many teams were there?  There were 6 in 1979 and 23 in 1998.  There may have been some variation in the number of teams within any year, depending on the playing season.

 The “Green Team” farm team was founded by Loran Swanson in 1997.  This concept allows new, unassigned players to practice until there are openings.  It provides an opportunity to evaluate players for assignment to the American or National leagues. The games are played on the same fields, under actual conditions so the players know what to expect. And, it’s a great opportunity to get the kinks out of “dem ole bones.” 

 The $25 membership fee began in 1983.  Great teams, great facilities…what a bargain!

 The Club was chartered by the Recreation Centers on March 9, 1987 under Don Goble.  The league was incorporated in April,1993. The  Senior Softball Club is the only chartered club that covers both Sun City and Sun City West.  Other clubs operate independently in the two cities.  

 Phil Batow takes the honor of being the most seasoned current player at age 86.  He beats the runner up, Norm Dermody, who is a mere 83.  Both were, and still are, infielders. 

 The following original 1979 players are still on the fields:  Phil Batow, Ray Case, Norm Dermody, Ev Kouffman, Joe Marco and Fred Schwetje.  We salute you!

 Today the softball board consists of 5 members each from Sun City and Sun City West.  Board prospects are nominated by the incumbent board members or an appointed committee, and then elected for two-year terms in April by the players.  President, VP, Secretary and Treasurer are elected by the board membership.  The remaining 6 board members are Directors.

The team Managers are selected by placement committees according to who is willing to manage at the time.  

The team players are selected by the Managers as follows:
In the American league, players are rated from one (high) to five by manager consensus  according to hitting primarily, plus other abilities.  This list is given to the managers.  Which manager chooses first or last is determined by lot.  Then the players are selected by draft.  Currently, early 1998, there are 12 players on each team.

In the National league, the players are assigned to a team by a committee.

In 1997, Virgil Kozlowski founded our Hall of Fame to honor those who have made significant contributions to betterment of the Club.  The first five members will be inducted in 1998.
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Club membership is about 320 early in 1998.  This number varies, even within any year.

The purpose of this document is to present an informational review of the 19-year history of the softball Club.  It is not meant to cover the Sidewinders teams or tournament play.

The idea of an updated history started while I was talking to Ev Kouffman after a ball game.  As a new-comer, I was unfamiliar with background of the league’s development.  Ev told me some fascinating facts, as only he could, since he was there when the league started in 1979.  Then Steve Griswold, our league President, came by.  I asked if any of the league’s interesting history had been written down for appreciation by posterity.  Steve said there had been no recent updates.  “John, why don’t you take that as an assignment?”  And so the story goes.

My thanks to all the players who contributed to this document, especially Ev Kouffman, Charlie McKasson, Ray Case, Ken Stewart, Don Goble and Dunc Jewell.  It was fun listening to and  learning from some real pros.

Part 2…1998-2002 

This is a 5-year update in May, 2002. 

Here is a typical schedule referencing the 1997 playing year.  It still applies in 2002, but now there are 26 teams instead of 20, with 12-13 players per team.  Between October 21, 1997 and December 23, each team played about 18 games.  Then new teams were chosen. Between January 8, 1998 and April 16, each team played 29 games, for a total of 47 games on average for both the American and National League teams during regulation season play.  Since 2000, the National League has had three sessions in the allotted time instead of the two played by the American League.  During the summer of 1998, May 5 to September 29, 43 games were scheduled for teams from the combined American and National leagues.  In 2001 (and probably for the summer of 2002), the League played four summer sessions, three as separate Leagues and the last one combining the Leagues.
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For years, a 47 COR white ball was used.  In 1998, the league changed to a 40 COR, white, restricted-flight ball as too many home runs were disturbing the neighbors, and the players would be safer too.  Later that year, a 44 COR ball was used as the 40 COR was too dead.  In 2000, a Dudley 44 COR, 525 compression, non-restricted flight ball was favored.  In 2002, the same ball was used, but yellow and leather-covered to improve visibility and increase ball life.  The new balls last about three times longer, but the price is only moderately more per dozen.  In addition, considerably longer life is gained from balls in the practice barrel.

The Cover Story of the September, 1998 issue of “Sun Life Magazine” was written about our Club.  

Prior to October 1998, the National and American Leagues would play on the same field.  After that, instead of intermixing play, the two Leagues would alternate play at the SC and SCW fields. 

In October of 1998, a white “touch line” was added between the batters box and the runners home plate.  A runner from 3^rd base has a choice to step on or over this line instead of stepping on a slippery runners base, depending on the weather. 

The number of members, which vary from beginning to end of the year, were approximately as follows:   1997, 227;   1998, 333;   1999, 336;    2000, 340;    2001, 360;    2002, 370.

In the American League, players used to be rated from 1-5 (1 highest) by the managers for the draft.  In 1999, the ratings were 1-3 plus designated “Star” players, one of which had to be on each team. The Star rating caused problems with substitutions, so it was dropped.  Since  2000,  a straight 1-3 rating was used.  There is no formal rating system in the National League.

The Softball Hall of Fame was proposed and ushered in by player Virgil Kozlowski in 1997.  All members have a chance to nominate candidates who must have been in the league at least 7 years and have made significant contributions to the good of the Club.  A committee selected by the League board then chooses the inductees.  They are:   1998 -- Don Goble, Alex Olson, Charlie McKasson, Lloyd “Red” Thomas, Ralph Snyder;  1999 -- Duncan Jewell, Ray Keller, Ev Kouffman, Joe O’Toole, Ken Stewart.   2000 – Bud Herren, Lou Hurley, Steve Letko, Matt Szydlowski, Doug Wright;  2001 – Steve Griswold, Bob Millslagel;   2002 – Bob Morgan and Bud Peek.  A maximum of two more per year will be inducted.  These men set an outstanding example for all of us. 

An annual Umpiring School is conducted by our ASA umpire Ken Skinner.  It takes place at  Kuentz field where players are taught the basics and beyond.  “Tie does not go to the runner.  There are no ties.”

A Club web site (www.azsrsoftball.com) was introduced by Ken Skinner in October 1999.  Since then it has had many thousands of hits.  Look what it features:  standings, rosters, schedules, newsletters, message board, bulletin board, photos of players, by-laws, member applications, league rules, calendar, Hall of Fame, board of directors, club history, minutes and code of ethics.  Everything can be downloaded anywhere in the country or internationally.  This club has gotten pretty sophisticated since those early, start-up days of softball in 1979.

For the first time in many years, several female players joined the guys in the fall of 2000.

In 2000, a wider mat was added to change the strike zone width from 17” to 21”.  This enables pitchers to make more strikes and speed up the games.  No warm-up pitches after the third inning also speeds the games which last from one hour to one hour and 15 minutes.

 Here’s an update of the number of teams since last reported in 1998 above.  Bear in mind that the number may vary slightly depending on the session or season.  Six teams started in 1979.

1999, 24 teams, 10 American League, 14 National League

2000, 24 teams, 10 American League, 14 National League

2001, 24 teams, 11 American League, 13 National League

2002, 26 teams, 13 American League, 13 National League

Here’s an update of the Club Presidents.  Note separate Presidents of SC and SCW started in 2000 when the league had to split with separate boards and finances.

Matt Szydlowski, 1998-9;   Earl Bell, 1999-2000;   Ken Skinner* (SCW),  Steve Griswold (SC), 2000-01;   Matt Szydlowski* (SCW),  Steve Griswold (SC), 2002.    *Also League President.   These men are the very heart of the League. 

 Softball players from SC and SCW have commingled teams and used each others fields on Tuesdays and Thursdays for years.  In February 2000, League President Earl Bell received notice from the SCW Rec Centers that our Charter might be revoked as non-association members were using SCW facilities.  Our 340 members were strongly against this. After numerous meetings and intensive discussions with Earl Bell, Dave Rinderknecht, Pete Roque and Ken Skinner, the Rec Centers agreed to a waiver on May 25.  A new charter was issued to the “Sun City West Softball Club.”  The Sun Cities Senior Softball League was no longer a chartered club with the SCW Rec Centers.  And Sun City rewrote its by-laws to form the “Sun City Senior Softball Club”.  After 20 years of being essentially one organization, the league was split into two distinct clubs.

 Our appreciation goes to Earl Bell in particular, and to the executive committee, for great  tenacity in seeing this issue resolved satisfactorily.  We likewise thank the SCW Rec Board members and General Manager for their patience and understanding.  You probably heard the loud cheers all over the Sun Cities when players learned of the agreement.

In the summer of 2000, a transition committee made up of members from SC and SCW met monthly to reorganize the Sun Cities Senior Softball League and set up new rules and regulations.  The committee distributed funds still in the old League treasury plus sponsor uniforms, etc. based on a ratio of the number of members.  SC got one-third and SCW two thirds.  Each Club was then responsible for its own funds.  This includes buying uniform shorts, pants, socks and hats to be distributed to the Club’s players.  The balls used in League play are purchased in one batch and the cost divided 1/3 and 2/3.

 In September 2000, the two separate Clubs elected Steve Griswold as SC Club President and Ken Skinner as SCW Club President.  A newly formed League board, consisting of four board members of each Club,  then elected Ken Skinner as the first new League President.  The League board is  responsible to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Tuesday-Thursday league play and answers to the two chartered softball Clubs.

 In 2001, a softball Club logo was designed and implemented in SCW.

 Outside play with surrounding senior communities was initiated in 2001.  The 1^st Annual SCW Softball Club Spring Fling tournament was organized.  Benefit games with the SCW Firemen began.  For the first time, organized play with our new neighbors at Sun City Grand started up with the formation of the “Tri-Cities League.”  All of the above was organized under President Ken Skinner’s SCW Softball Club board.  Club members had more opportunities to play ball other than on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Everybody’s happy!   (Also under Skinner’s  regime... new  bleacher covers, fence height extension, new club house proposal, web site, Angels in the Outfield, new logo, to name a few.)

 In 2001 and 2002 players were able to get personal baseball cards/pictures,  magazine cover pictures or team pictures. These are great to send to grand children, relatives, etc.   Bob Stouthamer made arrangements with a professional photographer so the guys were pictured in uniform on the fields (posed batting or fielding—with great smiles of course).  Joe Rottmann made up an album for all to see.  “I’ll trade you one of my Ray Keller cards for a Jim McGuire.”  Starting in 2001, then in 2002, each of our 26 sponsors was given an 8x10” team photo.  This  will continue as a way of thanking each sponsor. 

 “Angels in the Outfield” they are called, and we love every one of them.  In 2001, these sensitive and loving ladies formed a group of spouses who react fast when softball members or their close family are hurting in some way.  It all started when a player died on the field and some of our ladies wondered what they could do to help.  Dick LeMoine brainstormed the idea with his wife.  He then called Nancy Durrer, who contacted Ida Aprea.  They brought in Joyce Fano and Gail Stouthamer (who does those artful bulletins).  And then others volunteered.  Now it’s history.  If anyone is hurt, sick, hospitalized, having surgery, dies, etc., these ladies get the details, report to all of us on the bulletin boards, send cards and keep in touch with the family until all is resolved.  They even tell us whether to call, send cards, visit, or whatever is appropriate. 

 If that’s not enough, these Angels assisted with a Toys for Kids fund raiser sponsored by the SCW women’s club and supported two Firemen’s benefit softball games (after 9-11-01) by their delicious baking and supply of all sorts of mouth-watering goodies. Then they manned the food tables.  We can’t think of enough kind words to thank you thoughtful, generous ladies. 

For a number of years, the sponsor cost has been $350 (only $50 more than the original sponsor cost in 1982) the first year, and $150 each successive year.  In 2002, this changed to $400 and $175.  Speaking of sponsors of our 26 teams, we have a dedicated member who works with them, makes them happy and keeps them informed.  Another two members of the National and American Leagues assure our sponsors company names get in print in the local newspapers when our games are covered.  It’s a win-win situation for the sponsors and the softball club.  Go team!

The current average cost for a reasonably good aluminum bat is in the $100-180 area, with some costing up to $300. 

The strike zone:  The ball must hit home plate or the mat extension and be, at some point, a minimum of 6 feet high and a maximum of 12 feet high.  These height requirements present the most difficult ball and strike calls for the players acting as umpires. 

What’s the fence distance?  The chain link fence in Sun City is 265 feet.  In Sun City West, it used to be 250 feet, but the fence height was increased to 12 feet from 5 feet in 2001.  This means the ball must fly about 275 feet to clear the higher fence.  Dick LeMoine was the first to blast one over the new fence in SCW.   

Flexible bleacher covers were added to the stands behind first and third bases in Sun City West in 2001.  This is really appreciated by spectators on those hot Arizona days.  The Rec Centers paid 2/3 and the Club 1/3. 

Our oldest player is still Phil Batow in the National League.  He was 91 on 3/29/02.  In the American League, Ed “Toast of the Town” Sullivan is still playing a hot third base at age 77.  He’ll be 78 on 6/27/02.

Fred Schwetje, Ev Kouffman and Phil Batow are members of the original 1979 group who are still playing.  And they keep punching out those hits…wouldn’t know how to stop!

Some team managers never fade away or get fired.  Take, for example, Bob Morgan who has managed 22 consecutive teams in the last 11 years.  Mr. “Yes” is very popular with the players because, win or lose, its always fun to be around him. 

In the last few years,  the catered Annual Luncheon has taken place in April, indoors, at one of the Rec Centers, alternating in SC and SCW.  There used to be an outdoor picnic and/or a restaurant lunch prior to this.  Our own funny man Al Benedict has produced, directed, and emceed the stage show in 2001 and 2002. The program is highlighted by the announcement of the latest inductees into our softball Hall of Fame.   Entertainment is provided by the ball players and their spouses in addition to special guest talent.  In 2002, the cost per member was only $8.00, partially funded by the League.  About 250 attend. 

The annual cost per player remains at a bargain $25 per year. This includes uniforms, field use, etc. In SC, new members will pay $35 the first year only starting in the fall of 2002.  In SCW, an added $50 initiation fee starts for new players in 2002. 

There are five special teams that play on Mondays and Fridays. The Green Team breaks in new players by facing the Gals and Guys on Mondays. The Mavericks, Rinky Dinks, Retreads, and Gals and Guys play on Fridays.  This creates lots of “unofficial” softball fun on days other than Tuesdays and Thursdays.   

In January of 2002, the Rec Centers board approved blue prints submitted by Treasurer Dick LeMoine for a new SCW clubhouse.  In replacing the  Kuentz Field scoring tower, the new two-story structure will feature an equipment storage room, his and hers rest rooms, concession area with kitchen, meeting room, scoring area and soft-drink/snack machines.  In February, President Matt Szydlowski attended a meeting where the Rec Centers Governing Board agreed with a proposal from the SCW Softball Club to permit advertising on the softball complex and field fencing to generate revenue for construction. 

In March, Club members agreed to pay for the structure within three years of start up.  In April, a member fund drive was initiated as one-half of the structure cost (in ad contracts or cash) must be on hand before the Governing Board allows building to begin.  As of May, over $15,000 of the $20,000 goal had been donated by only 115 players in SCW.   Major revenue will come from selling bill-board space at $2500 per year (3 years minimum) on 6x12-foot mats on the inside of the outfield fencing. These 2” thick mats will provide protection for the players too.   A new score board costing between $10,000 and $18,000 will be paid for by an advertiser.   It will be located in center field and have large, 24” LED numbers for much easier reading from a distance compared to our current score board.

Dick LeMoine has been, and continues to be (if his wife lets him), the real ram-rod and Project Facilitator of this important and time-consuming effort.  All of the members thank him, Matt Szydlowski, and others who are contributing personally and financially.   If all goes well, the structure will be ready later this year.  There is a lot of work and selling to do in the meantime.

Names, names…Special thanks to the following for their memories on Part 2 of this history:  Ken Skinner, Matt Szydlowski, Steve Griswold, Dick LeMoine and Loran Swanson.  There are  so many members who quietly go about making heavy contributions to this League which has blossomed unbelievably since its inception in 1979.   We wish they all could be mentioned as they rarely get thanked personally.   But these fine workers know that the players appreciate their generosity and selflessness in giving time, effort, organization, hands on, indeed soul and spirit.   We  all admire you.   We thank you.   You are our personal All Stars!

HISTORY OF
 THE SUN CITIES GUYS AND GALS
AND
THE SUN CITIES CO-ED LEAGUE

In the 1980's when the men were playing softball on the Sun City field at 111th and Grand, at the fields in Surprise and El Mirage, and at the Del Webb field just west of Grand avenue across from Sun City West, there were about thirty women who also played regularly.

When Kuentz Field in Sun City West was finished in 1989, the women organized a women's league with two teams, the "Late Bloomers" and the "Sun Beans.”  But they did not have enough players turn out to actually play games.  Instead twice a week the ladies just practiced their hitting and fielding skills.  Leaders of this group included Joanie Kongsvik, Freddie Herren, Lennie Wilcox and Delores Warrick.

In the fall of 1990, with the help of some of the men, they organized a co-ed team.  Barney Trapp was highly involved.   Since he was their manager, the team became known as Barney's Gals.  Members of the team were: Doris Burger, Lavonia Carroll, Rosemary Eppley, Dee Goodwin, Barbara Greene, Freddie Herren, Julie Marzluf, Betty Mason, Margaret Morgan, Beverly Sugar, Delores Warrick and Lennie Wilcox.   On January 19, 1991, these ladies, with the help of four men, played a game and won against the "Rinkydinks," a team organized from members of the men's league by Ken Stewart (manager), Wally Maund and Ernie Mueller. 

By the fall of 1992, the co-ed team consisted of seven gals and seven guys decked out in bright gold jerseys bearing the new name "Barney's Guys and Gals."  They played a regular schedule against the Rinkydinks on every other Friday. This schedule continued through the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.

In the fall of 1994, Don Williams organized another team known as "Rinkydinks II to play the Guys and Gals on the alternate Fridays. In the fall of 1995 Dominic Reilly became manager of the Rinkydinks II and the name was changed to "Retreads."  Through the efforts of Ernie Mueller, Lund Cadillac began providing jerseys for the Rinkydinks and the Retreads. 

Through 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98 the schedule of Guys and Gals versus Rinkydinks and Retreads on alternate Fridays continued with a season ending picnic in the spring. During these three seasons the league was growing and the Guys and Gals were also getting more gals.  This was the only opportunity for women to play.

By the fall of 1998 there were 11 gals on the roster.  Jerry Pivovar and Ron Smith were taken from the Retreads to organize another team which they named the “Mavericks.”  So the present four-team co-ed league was formed.  Two gals from the Guys and Gals were assigned to each of the other three teams with Karen Hill and Joan McKenna to the Mavericks, Jan Carino and Juli Marzluf to the Retreads, and Karen Laviola and Maryann Palmquist to the Rinkydinks. Two games were scheduled to be played each Friday at Kuentz Field (now Liberty Field)                                       

In the fall of 1996 and again in 1997, there was some agitation to deny the Guys and Gals use of Kuentz Field on Friday mornings.  The main issue was that several members of the team were not residents of either Sun City or Sun City West.  However when the league charter was considered with a representative of the Sun City Recreation Center, it was determined the non-residents could play as guests.  So the league board voted to okay the use of the field on Friday mornings. 

Prior to the formation of the co-ed league, around the summer of 1996, Loran Swanson organized a "Green" team.  Each Monday morning the Guys and Gals played one or two games against the Green team at the Sun City field.  This provided more playing time for the Guys and Gals and an opportunity for new players to get some practice and game experience before being assigned to a team. The program is on going, but since women are now included in the league with men, no new gals have been added to the Guys and Gals in the last few years.

Barney Trapp died in 2000.  In the summer of 2001, The Madison of Sun City West became at least a partial sponsor of the team.  "The Madison's Guys and Gals" were supplied with complete new uniforms having white pin stripes with blue lettering.  In 2003, The Madison discontinued sponsorship so the name was changed again.  The team is now the "Sun Cities Guys and Gals" with new purple and white pin stripes thanks to Dolores Warrick who has been the manager since the early years.  In addition to Dolores, original Guys and Gals still playing are Lavonia and Glenn Carroll, Maryllin Miers, Duane Newkirk and Vic Antink.

Since January of 2005, the co-ed league expanded to six teams that now compete on Fridays. .  The two additional teams are sponsored by Farrar Chiropractic and Bakkens.

Special thanks go to Steve Griswold of Sun City for this history.  Contact John Doherty for any changes.

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