Quinn is ready to run home from 3rd base, with encouragement from Grandpa/Coach Terry Mihora. Photo by Jim Smith.
Coach Janice Mihora offers some guidance to young Travis. Photo by Jim Smith.
Jim Smith
The SaddleBrooke Senior Softball Association (SSSA) sponsored its annual Spring Break Grandkids’ Games on Saturday, April 15, at the Softball Complex. Games Director Steve Garceau, apparently in his swansong appearance, was assisted by coaches Pat Tiefenbach, Roy Stigers, Ron Quarantino, Joe Sanders, Janice and Terry Mihora, Jeff Stolze, Jim Westerberg and Charles Hendryx. Jim Smith and John Triebe photographed the event. Jim’s photos are available on the SSSA website, www.saddlebrookesoftball.com, while John’s images were displayed on the large TV screens in the MountainView Bistro bar.
Seventeen grandkids participated ranging in age from Quinn (3) to Charlotte (15). The children participating in the Games were Colton, Isaac and Zachariah “Z” Smith; Marina Vujasinivic; Charlotte, Cole and Cora Wickert; Jenevieve, Julianna and Joseph Meyers; JJ, Lorelei and Travis Baber; Levi and Quinn Mihora; and Anthony and Vincent Jackson.
The younger grandkids hit softballs either off a tee at home plate or pitched by SSSA pitchers Roy Stigers and Ron Quarantino. The hitting, throwing, fielding and base running was matched only by the beautiful SaddleBrooke weather. While one group of grandkids was batting, others were being coached on throwing and fielding ground and fly balls. After each of the younger children had a turn at batting, all the grandkids, parents, grandparents and coaches gathered in front of the center field scoreboard for a group photo. This was followed by the older grandkids, fathers and grandfathers taking the field for their turn at bat.
The warm, sunny weather made the ice cream, provided by the Community Church of SaddleBrooke and served by church members Ed and Lynne Donovan and Jim and Joanne Fairweather, a welcome treat. Any SaddleBrooke or SaddleBrooke Ranch resident interested in joining SSSA should either contact Stu Kraft at [email protected] or come by the ball field to see a game. Games start by 8:00 a.m. The schedule of games and practice sessions, usually held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, can be found on the SSSA website.