California Spirit softball team repeats triple grand slam win

The California Spirit 55 women’s senior softball team became the first women’s team ever to win the Senior Softball Association’s Triple Grand Slam at the Senior Softball World Championships in Phoenix in late Sept. 2002. Then, by defeating a strong Cal Express team from Northern California, at the National finals in Las Vegas in Sept. 2004 they recaptured the Triple Grand Slam crown. Thus, they became not only the first women’s team to win the title but, also, the only senior softball team, men’s or women’s, to be Triple Grand Slam Champions twice.

Fallbrook resident Diane Hein plays catcher and rover with the California Spirit, and is a charter member of the team. This 63 year old caries a career batting average of .528, which includes 274 RBI’s and 2 grand slam in national competition. Diane is a five time MVP and has been selected for several “all tournament” teams. In the 8 years she has been playing senior softball at the national level her teams, Second Wind and California Spirit, have won four gold medals in Senior Olympic competition, and 23 first place medals or championship rings in National and International competition.

When not commuting to Orange County for Spirit practices, Diane plays with the Fallbrook Senior Softball League as catcher and fielder on the Blue Team. She is the only female member presently playing in the Fallbrook league.

The California Spirit Softball Team is an Orange County based women’s senior slow pitch softball team. The team was formed in 1999 and is presently comprised of over 18 “girls” of diverse backgrounds, form Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino and LA counties plus Long Island, New York. The team members range in age from 55 to 77 years of age. When national tournament rules allow it, the basic roster is augmented with several women between 53 and 55. The team competes annually in the 55+age bracket in local, national and international tournaments throughout the United States and Canada.

California Spirit has an enviable record. In 1999, their first year of national competition, they won the Senior Softball World Series in Tallahassee, FL, defeating The Sportaculars, a strong Canadian team. In 2000, Spirit won the World Championships in Winnipeg, Canada by beating the Arizona Queen Bees; placed second in the World Series in Detroit, MI, and took first place in the USSSA Women’s World Championships in Gallatin, TN.

The California Spirit women’s softball team, representing California in the 55+ age bracket in the 2001 Nation Senior Olympic Games in Baton Rouge, LA, went undefeated to win the Gold Medal in their age bracket. Initially defeating teams in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and Orange County, CA, in the preliminary games, they competed in the final game against a strong Michigan team and brought home the fold with an 8-2 victory. They also were undefeated to take the gold medal at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, UT, and placed second in the SSWC in Phoenix, AZ. Overall, during 2001, Spirit competed in eleven tournaments completing the year with 4 wins and 4-second place finishes.

In January of 2002, Spirit committed to a rigorous practice and tournament schedule for the year with a goal of winning all the major championships in their age division. They achieved this goal and more by participating in a total of 9 tournaments placing first 7 times. By beating a strong Michigan team in Phoenix, AZ in September they became the first women’s team to win the prestigious Senior Softball Triple Grand Slam. This required them to be West Coast Champions and National Champions, as well as the SSWC champions all in the same year; a feat which only two men’s teams had accomplished previously. In October, 2002, they were again victorious and undefeated in the Huntsman Senior Games, brining home the gold medal for the second year in a row.

Entering their fifth year of international competition in 2003, California Spirit competed in thirteen tournaments in the 55+ bracket. They again had earned the honor of representing California in the National Senior Games. The Senior Games (Senior Olympics) were held in Virginia Beach, VA. Spirit won the gold for their age bracket once again. They also won the Senior Softball World Series in Des Moines, IA, the WSSA Championship in Palm Springs, CA and Huntsman Senior Competition in St. George, UT. In St. George they had 6 wins and no losses, going undefeated in this event for the third consecutive year. They participated in 6 National tournaments in 2003 winning 5 and placing 2nd in the 6th. Overall they participated in thirteen local and national tournament in 2003 comprising 77 games, winning 65 and losing 12 for an amazing .844 winning percentage.

In 2004, California Spirit really hit their stride playing in 17 tournaments including 7 National Championships. Of these national tournaments Spirit placed 1st in 6 and 2nd in 1; and, by defeating a strong Cal Express Team from Northern California, at the national finals in Las Vegas, September, 2004, they once again captured the Triple Grand Slam crown. For the fourth consecutive year Spirit was undefeated at the Huntsman Games in October winning the gold, and giving them a 22 wins and no losses record for their four years. Their overall record for 17 tournaments in 2004 was an amazing 11 first and 5 second place finishes. In total during 2004 California Spirit played a total of 95 games in their 17 tournaments winning 79 and losing only 16 for an enviable .832 winning percentage for the year. Three of these 17 tournaments were in the 60+ bracket with tow 1st and one 2nd place finishes in those competitions.

Winning ways do not come easy, even in senior softball. California Spirit, a team with one of, in not the best record in Senior Softball in the U.S. and Canada, works hared to maintain their dominant position. Starting in the spring of 2002 Spirit instituted a rigorous practice schedule consisting of a weekly voluntary 2 hour evening session and a 3 hour practice the Saturday before each major tournament. At each practice the girls first do warm-ups, stretching and a little running, followed by batting practice hitting off both a batting “T” and live pitching. They do 45 minutes of offensive drills, primarily batting and base running skills followed by another 45 minutes of defensive drills, including throwing to the cut off and turning double plays. In addition to the practice sessions most Spirit team members play ball at least twice a week in community recreational senior leagues.