News story

Fresno to Host California State Championships

Nov. 20, 2003 – Jack Sirard contributing writer

FRESNO ˆ For the first time in more than 15 years, California will be hosting its state championship in senior softball.

Fitting enough, the Senior Softball California State Champions will be played in this central California city, which promises to attract dozens of teams from up and down the Golden State.

The games will be played Aug. 10-15, 2004, at the new four-field Fresno Sports Complex. Not only are the diamonds at the complex in pristine condition, but players and coaches will find that the dugouts are luxuriously large, a rarity at most ballparks.

California teams playing in Senior Softball World Championship Qualifiers will be invited to the state championships as well as the Western Nationals in Seattle and the World Championships in Las Vegas in September.

Those in the 60, 65 and 70 age divisions will play their games from Aug. 10 to Aug. 12. Those playing in the 40 Masters, 50, 55 and Women's divisions will compete from Aug. 13 to Aug. 15.

For a list of California qualifiers, see page 27.

The first and only other California State Championships was held in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988 and it was one of the first tournaments put on by Senior Softball-USA founder Bob Mitchell.

"We are re-introducing the state championships to give California teams a chance to find out who is the best team in the most populous Senior Softball state in America," said Bill Reinecke, national director of Senior Softball USA.

"We chose Fresno because of its central location and its excellent facilities. In addition, the city has a tradition of welcoming teams and their families," said Reinecke.

Pam Bradshaw, director of convention sales for the City of Fresno, said her city welcomes the tournament and promises to put on a terrific tournament.

"On behalf of the hospitality industry of Fresno and our business community, it brings me great pleasure to welcome the first annual Senior Softball State Cup to Fresno.

"We are proud that our city has been selected for your first annual State Cup and we pledge our assurance of every cooperation in serving you.

"During your visit, I hope you will have an opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of our people and all that our community has to offer. To all the participants, families and friends, we are proud and honored to welcome you here and wish you a memorable stay."

And a memorable stay it should be for the players and coaches. Fresno is the only city in the United States with three national parks in its backyard: Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite.

First time visitors to Fresno no doubt will want to start their exploration of the city at its famous Water Tower, located at 2430 Fresno Street. It is Fresno's premier civic symbol ˆ a 19th century architectural marvel. The Water Tower was built in 1894 based on a design by Chicago architect George Washington Maher, who patterned it after a medieval water tower in Worms, Germany.

It stands 100 feet high and in its glory days held 250,000 gallons of water. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places and has been declared an American Water Landmark.

The Water Tower is handicap accessible and admission is free. Inside you will find information about local lodging and dining, Fresno attractions, and a gift shop filled with unique reminders of your time spent here.

Other sites that are popular with visitors include:

The home of confederate surgeon Dr. Thomas R. Meux, which is a historical landmark in Fresno. It serves as a lovely reminder of past days.

Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater, the home to the Good Company Players, who have produced live theater in Fresno for over 25 years.

The Chaffee Zoological Gardens which offers one of the most intimate zoo experiences in California. The zoo, located on 18 acres inside Roeding Park, exhibits more than 700 animals. It includes a tropical rain forest, reptile house and the Sunda forest exhibit representing the natural habitat of Indonesia.

Beiden Field where visitors can watch the formidable Fresno Grizzlies take on another baseball opponent.

Shinzen Japanese Garden and Tea House in Woodward Park, which offers waterfalls, streams a colorful Koi fish pond.

Lewis S. Eaton Trail. Also located in Woodward Park, the paved trail is five miles long and accessible by foot, bike or wheelchair. In addition a four-mile long dirt horse trail originates in the park and parallels the paved trail north of the park.