Tierra Canyon Girl’s Fast Pitch Softball’s Opening Day, Bat-A-Tude 2009

“Wait I want to say just one more thing…..”, echoed Stacey Nuveman, 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist Catcher for the US Olympic Softball Team; The Western Region Navy Color Guard had just marched back through centerfield after listening to local Tierrasanta resident Billy Fallon beautifully perform the Star Spangle Banner.

“….I have probably heard that anthem more than anybody here from all the games I have played in, to every country I have been to, but that song always reminds me of how special our lives are and how grateful we should be for the few that serve the many of us to keep our lives free and safe.” At that moment, Nuvey, as she is known to her teammates and friends, delivered a strike to Tierra Canyon player Brooke Russell and Tierra Canyon’s Opening Day was officially underway.

In a carnival like atmosphere complete with rides, food booths, jumpy’s for the kids, and oh yes softball games, the annual event known as Bat-A-Tude 2009 was a huge success. Radio station 93.3 provided the music and the San Diego Padre “Swinging Friar” provided the amusement among 700 plus attendees.

Nuveman’s impromptu opening day remarks followed her practical and motivating speech about dreaming big and what it takes to be a success. Rich Singley, this year’s opening day emcee and chairperson led the girls in the annual singing of the Sponge Bob Theme Song and the Tierra Canyon Board including Tierra Canyon League President Laura Bartolome, all pitched in to make this event better than ever. The presentation of the most active board member called the Scott Simmons Award, in honor of the late Tierrasanta Little League President, went to Johnny Graves who was well deserving of this honor.

Thanks and appreciation goes out to all of the many Bat-A-Tude sponsors including, Round Table Pizza, Baskin Robbins, Albertson’s, Vons, Stadium Golf, Charlie Rose, SCP Pool Supply, Dr. Miles Bodzin, and many others.

If the smell of hotdogs, popcorn, and pizza and the sound of bats pinging and sunflower seeds cracking on a 70 degree plus day make for a perfect day, then this was a perfect day.