Larry Wolfe

Okay, I’m impressed if you know what a “conspectus” is! If you don’t, Google it!

At press time, the winter seasons in both the Sun and Lakes Divisions were nearing their conclusions. In the Sun Division, the State Farm Insurance team, managed by Ron Carmichael, had clinched the title with a sterling record of 15-1. They held a seven-game lead over the second place Farmers Insurance squad with only two games remaining. In the Lakes Division, the Young Realty crew, managed by Dave Rinaldo, had also clinched first place with a 12-2 record and a six-game lead with four games remaining on their schedule. Four players in each division sported batting averages of over .700. Steve Hilby paced the Sun Division with an impressive .805 mark. Reyes Gonzales (.777), Dan Melosi (.742) and Bob Wicks (.724) joined Steve in the “Over 700 Club.” Dave Boone was leading the Lakes Division with a .735 average, followed by Gary Alexander (.709), Doug Warwick (.704) and “Big Al” Grefsheim (.703).

The regular seasons were followed by three-day double elimination tournaments. You’ll find wrap-ups for both the regular seasons and tournaments in next month’s softball news column.

Our Spring Session is now underway and will continue through mid-April. Come by the Field of Dreams and enjoy our great spring weather by watching senior softball at its best.

Our Lady Sluggers softball team wrapped up their season in late February after the press deadline for this edition of the Splash. We’ll recap their season in next month’s column.

We are pleased to welcome Chandler Air as our newest advertising sponsor at the Field of Dreams. Chandler Air is a full-service HVAC installation and A/C repair company serving Chandler, Sun Lakes and the entire S.E. Valley. Check out their website for more info: www.chandlerair.com. In addition, the Flooring Gallery & More, located at 9666 E. Riggs Road, next to Ace Hardware, renewed their banner. The Flooring Gallery has been a loyal supporter of our program since 2007.

Our annual banquet will be held in the IronOaks Ballroom on Wednesday evening, March 20. Invitations and RSVP cards have been mailed to all current Sun Lakes Senior Softball Association members. In addition to our regular program, this year’s affair will feature entertainment by T.A. Burrows of Act Two Productions. He’ll be performing “Rockin’ the Classics.” Former “retired” members are also invited to attend the banquet and show. If you’d like to join us, call 480-802-2748 for more information. The RSVP deadline is March 11.

We were all saddened to learn of the passing of former Association member Gene Ekholm. Both Gene and his twin brother Dene were longtime Sun Lakes softball players. Our condolences go out to Gene’s wife Sue, brother Dene and all of Gene’s family and friends. A Memorial Service was held in early February with many of his former teammates in attendance. RIP, Gene.