Second to none
Softball's biggest celeb makes surprise appearance for Opening Day at Big Sky Park
By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com

Jennie Finch

Rumors started swirling just about midweek, carrying word from one ecstatic parent to the next that a special guest was in store for Opening Day of the Simi Valley Girls Softball League.

Rather than run the risk of disappointing more than 400 players, however, organizers kept mum on announcing the appearance, afraid that a last-minute cancellation could derail their plans.

So it wasn't until she stepped out of her parents' minivan Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. that players saw just who would join the unveiling of their new softball complex at Big Sky Park: Olympic gold medal winner and Sports Illustrated cover girl Jennie Finch, widely considered the most recognizable U.S. female athlete.

"I'm sure it just blew them away," said Phil McPherson, who met Finch for the first time that day despite the fact that she'd been donating to his nonprofit- the Amanda McPherson Foundation- for nearly two years.

"She is the face of softball, period. This is their Babe Ruth," McPherson said.

Finch, who brought along her parents, Doug and Beverly, and her 10-month-old son, Ace Daigle, gave a short speech to the crowd of players before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Finch is married to Casey Daigle, a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and makes her home in Tucson, Ariz.

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers DRAWING A CROWD- Receiving an autographed baseball from Olympic gold medalist and Sports Illustrated cover girl Jennie Finch was a high priority for many of the young softball players gathered at the new Big Sky Park on Saturday for the start of Simi Valley Girls Softball season. Finch, who is considered by many to be the most popular female athlete in the United States today, stayed around signing autographs and being photographed for more than two hours until the large crowd of more than 500 fans dwindled down to no one.

The former University of Arizona pitcher with the patented "windmill" windup then proceeded to sign autographs and take pictures with the hundreds of starstruck fans on hand. Despite gusty winds that blew dirt from the four infields all over the new facility, causing many to seek cover, for nearly two hours Finch maintained a bright smile to go along with her bright-pink outfit.

"She couldn't have been any more gracious if she tried," said SVGS co-vice president Gina Gooding. "Here she is sitting at a table covered in dirt from all the wind and she just kept signing autographs and smiling for pictures. She was there until nobody was left in line."

Finch, who reportedly received no compensation for her visit beyond the cost of transportation, said she was touched by word of the accomplishments of the league and especially of the Amanda McPherson Foundation, which donated $300,000 toward the completion of Big Sky Park. The foundation was formed in 2005 in memory of McPherson's 8yearold daughter, who lost a battle with a rare genetic disorder known as velo-cardio-facial syndrome.

"Being a mother I cannot even imagine what they've been through and what they go through on a daily basis," Finch said of the McPhersons. "Just to see them relive Amanda's spirit in these other girls' smiles and dreams, it means a lot and it tells you what kind of family they are. They really care about the community and about keeping Amanda's spirit alive."

Finch shared her memories of starting her career on an old T-ball diamond and, when asked about the new facility, replied, "It's beautiful."

Her mother, Bev, said her daughter truly appreciates the opportunity to inspire other young female athletes with her story.

"She doesn't get to do as many as she would like to do, but when it works out, she enjoys it," Bev said. "It's so much fun for her to visit with the girls. She likes that."

It was SVGS parent Renee Reynolds who was responsible for arranging Finch's impromptu trip to Simi Valley for Opening Day.

Reynolds, a longtime employee of the TV game show "Jeopardy," said one of the program's directors knew Finch's father, Doug, and arranged to have the two speak.

Doug Finch, an Orange County resident, put Reynolds in touch with his famous daughter, who late last week confirmed she would make the appearance.

Reynolds, like the others, was taken aback by Finch's humble approach to stardom.

"In my job I've met a lot of celebrities, but I've never met anyone who was as gracious and as kind as Jennie was," said Reynolds, whose daughter, Rylee, plays for the league's 10-and-under Rock Starz.