Pacifica’s happy softball history

Continued from page 8 as the best softball pitcher in the world as a senior, throwing five perfect games.

At UCLA she was on a team that won a national title and was runner-up twice. In 2004 she was on the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. She later played professional softball, did some coaching and TV color commentary.

Those are tall Nikes to fill. But there is certainly a path blazed by others to follow.

Sports Retorts: baseball vs. football

Continued from page 8

Upon reflection, the reasons are easy to see. Football, unlike baseball, is an event sport. Every game is a big game. There’s the run-up where sportswriters, broadcasters and the average fan speculates on what the game will portend.

Then there’s the game itself, followed by the post-mortem and the cycle begins again to reboot the anticipation.

Baseball, with its 162-game season, can’t compete emotionally. A baseball manager who starts the season 0-3 is just getting started; a football coach with an 0-3 record better start looking for a new job.

We love baseball stars like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, but they cannot carry a team like a Tom Brady or a Patrick Mahomes. One new star – like a blind date with looks, money and personality – can change everything.

So I’ll keep an eye on my Halos all season long … at least until football season starts.