Softballers left their uniforms at home and dressed for the “red carpet” during a recent appreciation event. The evening began with the Sun City president Steve Oberg addressing 269 attendees, including members from the RCSC board and sponsors of the club. An ongoing video of past recipients and their biographies rolled on the screen throughout the evening. A dinner was also served by The Personal Touch catering company.

After dinner, past president Dan Braddock invited the six nominated hall of fame inductees to the stage to speak and receive their awards. The nominees were Larry Chapman, Tim Heenan and Ron Wiebold, from Sun City, and Nick Missos, Jimmy Montgomery and Gary Scapito, from Sun City West. There were speeches of spiritual quotes, thanking those that helped them in their careers, including parents and spouses, and stories of their time on the field with their buddies.

“One of my favorite quotes,” stated Tina Prosenick, “was ‘I disagree with we are just out here having fun; we still have the fire of competitiveness in us and want the win!’”

One of the recipients showed off a team picture of a championship that someone gave to him as he found it at an estate sale. There was also a softball player on the phone as he was in the hospital and wanted to be a part of the event. Many of the recipient’s families and friends came from all over to honor their loved ones in this honor.

Mary Dellopoulos received an award from Chuck Wittreich for her contributions to the club as a non-player. This award will be posted in the clubhouse. Dellopoulos is the first recipient of this award and she and her husband Tom take care of the food service for the club.

“We laughed, we cried and we hugged a lot of our old friends,” added Prosenick. “Sun City and Sun City West commingled again.”