Sun City’s Veterans Memorial Field’s season continued on three Monday nights as ladies took to the diamond to continue their interest in the sport.
Sue Meyers of Sun City organized the Sun City Women’s 14-inch Softball Group for its second year. The group is open for Sun City residents only.
“We’re a group, not affiliated with the Sun City Softball Club, but we would like to thank Sun City Softball Club President Chuck Hund and the entire men’s softball club for supporting us for the second straight year. We really appreciate it.”
It was a warm October 12 night and a good-size crowd gathered. They watched an entertaining game when the Maroon Team took on the Silver Team. As the sun set behind home plate, the final out was recorded. The Silver Team led 2-1 through six innings but the offense was about to come alive. The teams combined to score seven runs in the seventh inning and the game ended in a 5-5 tie.
There were sharp defensive plays, too, including a double play and a run-down.
“It was a perfect ending,” Maroon Team’s Kay Osborn, who played college softball, said. “It was fun, great.”
Sue Meyers mentioned after the game of a tie result.
“It was an awesome game. They had beaten us 5-2 in the first game, so I thought maybe they would score one run in the seventh,” Meyers said.
Both teams were smiling when it came for fun team pictures afterward.
Team Silver players were: Sue Meyers; Mary Kay Monaghan; Susie Flerlage; Angie Little; Connie Caraher; Pat Brice-Pruett; Diana Moles; Sharon Smith; Deb Aurand and Gigi Grob.
Team Maroon players were Shari Clark; Julie Crittenden; Kay Osborn; Jeanne Bartels; Candi Campise; Cheryl Ross; Kris Bottleny; Sharon Johnson; and Delight Davenport.
Also, Diane Schneider played on both squads. Helping out Maroon team was Cindy Allen as pitcher. Sally Papak was a pinch runner for all players and base coach was Carolyn Floss. Susan Levels was the National Anthem singer.
Fun at practice
Players gathered on Sept. 27 for a practice before the first game. The Maroon and the Silver squads had fielding drills as Shari Clark hit the ball to various positions.
“The 14-inch mush ball is much easier for the ladies to handle,” Clark said.
There are also some unique rules, such as relay throws when the ball is hit into the outfield.
Players came with a variety of softball backgrounds. Many started playing before girls’ sports were official in the Illinois High School Association.
“I used to play softball with the Hurricanes’ men’s team,” Monaghan said. “I played 16-inch softball all the time and 12-inch travel softball all over on the south side of Chicago.”
She is especially proud of a softball accomplishment.
“I was inducted into the Illinois Softball Hall of Fame in its second year,” Monaghan said.
Meanwhile, the shortstop for the Maroon team, Osborn played college softball.
“I played mostly the outfield positions at Illinois State University,” she said. “Marjorie Wright, our coach, was the US Women’s softball coach.”
After the 90-minute practice session, Clark said it was a success.
“It’s all about having a good time, being comfortable playing softball and being accepted,” Clark said.
That was the same sentiment after the final game Oct. 12, on Columbus Day, when games at Veterans Memorial Field probably called it a season. See you back next fall for another Sun City Women’s 14-inch Softball Group games.
Next year
Ladies interested in playing in the Sun City Women’s 14-inch Softball Group next year should contact Sue Meyers at 847-927-7769 or suemeyers60@gmail.com.
