Tomorrow is Opening Day at Big Sky Park
Girls' softball will begin second year at new facility

Simi Valley Girls' Softball and the Amanda McPherson Foundation will kick off its second annual Opening Day ceremonies at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 23, at Big Sky Park, 2251 Lost Canyons Drive, Simi Valley.

More than 500 girls ages 5 to 15 are expected to participate.

Festivities will begin with an annual team parade and ceremonies honoring last season's victorious AllStars, including two national contenders, Simi 12-U and 14-U Gold.

The teams finished second and third, respectively, in the state championships.

Special guest speakers include Phil McPherson, president of the Amanda McPherson Foundation, which raised $300,000 toward the Big Sky facility, and Kelly Lovato, former Western State Conference Most Valuable Player who played professionally in Europe for four years.

Lovato also coached Royal High School to a Marmonte League co-championship and to the CIF Division I Quarterfinals. She is beginning her first year as head coach at Moorpark College.

Opening Day activities include a team bat-athon, raffles, laser tag, rock climbing wall, Toddler Town, super combo bounce house, as well as sports and local vendors.

Breakfast and lunch foods will be sold at the SVGS snack bar.

To aid with parking, free shuttle service will be available from the east parking lot of the Simi Valley Town Center all morning and afternoon.