BATTER UP!
Opening Day in Simi Valley
Photos by Bill Sparkes

MAJOR DONORS- Phil and Mary McPherson, founders of the Amanda Mcpherson Foundation, showed off the $300,000 check they presented to the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District to help build the new stateofthe-art softball facilities at Big Sky Park. MAGICAL MOMENT- Left, Cassidy Suggett, 11, flashes a bright smile during the annual event which commemorates the start of the Simi Valley Girls Softball season. Right, Madison Morton, 4, helps Mary McPherson place flowers on a table in memory of Amanda McPherson. STRONG ARMS- Sloan Kalavesis, 7, swings a heavy mallet as she enjoys the festivities at Big Sky Park. GOOD VIEW- Bryan Chrarappa, 12, peers over the back of the dugout at the baseball diamond at Darrah Volunteer Park on the first day of the season for the Simi Valley Baseball League. LOVE OF THE GAME- Above, Michael Jauregui, 14, competes in the home run derby. Right, Matthew Corley hopes there will be a little snow cone left after his sisters, Carolyn and Rachel,have finished their samples. The 6year-old Simi Valley triplets were on hand for Opening Day.