Del Webb Sun Cities Museum officials expected a surge in attendance during spring training.

The brand new “Play Ball” display was in place with its multiple panels occupying the entire north wall of the museum’s new addition. Unfortunately, only a few dozen visitors had viewed the display when the pandemic hit, shuttering the museum. The good news is that history has an infinite shelf life and the display waits for a return to normal.

Space limits how much history can be shared. The “Play Ball” display summarizes the history of both baseball and softball through the years in both Sun City and Sun City West. Part of the exhibit features the two-decade history of the Sun City Saints, a women’s softball team and their success after success in the world of women’s fast pitch softball from 1966 to 1985. Only the highlights can be shown, but there is more to their story. The remainder of this article will spotlight three weeks of the Sun City Saints 20-year history that began in early February 1975.

The Saints moved from Phoenix to Sun City after their 1965 season with three world championship trophies won while playing there. Their success continued and not without notice. Team representatives were contacted in late 1974 regarding possibly representing the U.S. State Department on a three week “Good Will Tour” of South Africa, where interest in softball and improving skills of female participants became known. The U.S. government offered the Saints help with expenses and team members acquired the balance of funds needed.

The trip consisted of 11 flights covering 37,000 miles before returning 22 days later. On each flight the pilot introduced the Saints and described their mission. Team members aged 18-35 were an affable group and highly skilled on the diamond but equally adept in the area of social skills and entertainment. Two team members brought their guitars and one her banjo to accompany the “Singing Saints.” The team loved performing. Singing for fellow passengers on the long flights became a ritual.

Once on the ground in South Africa, every day produced surprises. There were a few constants, like playing a daily doubleheader with a local team followed by a large community celebration. Games were played on rugby pitches turned into make-shift diamonds. Foul lines were made from tape, and a variety of items were used for bases. Team warm-ups were limited to 2-3 minutes and were followed by introductions of players from both teams and all the area politicians. National anthems were absent. With less than 2,000 registered women softball players in the entire country, it was not surprising the competition was weak. The Saints had to learn some new skills of their own, like how to keep the scores close without being obvious.

There were some unusual memories for Saint players. One involved gently threatening a team strike after being on the road for two weeks and only being served two hot meals. The travel schedule had the team arriving at their daily new destination at times locally designated for hors d’oeuvres. After their protest, the ladies got a hot meal daily, but their beverage choice remained limited. Having signed abstention from alcohol agreements for the trip and not trusting the drinking water, the beverage of choice became Coca Cola. To remain hydrated, players consumed six to eight bottles daily.

Part of the routine at each community reception was fielding questions. Usually, the first question was directed to Billie Harris, the only African American woman playing for the Saints. The South Africans wanted to know how Billie was treated back home. She would answer with a chuckle and assure them everything was just fine. Billie had an easy-going manner and was adept at reading crowds and winning them over. She repeatedly was requested to demonstrate how to deliver a pitch using the windmill windup, something not seen previously in South Africa. The crowds were awed by the speed of her pitches.

Billie also had great vocal skills, and she starred when the “Singing Saints” performed. A show stopper at every event was Billie’s solo of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.”

Team members brought home a lifetime of memories, but their work was not quite done. A few years later a similar State Department offer turned into a European trip for the team and an opportunity to host the Japanese national team in Sun City as well.

New exhibits at the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, 10801 W. Oakmont Drive, Sun City are in the planning process. Visit often when the museum reopens.