ARE YOU READY FOR ELECTION 2024? WHY THE PUSD ELECTIONS MATTER TO ALL SIERRA MADREANS........Page 13


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024

VOLUME 18 NO. 39VOLUME 18 NO. 39

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides 
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CITY COUNCIL HONORS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS - 
SIERRA MADRE SOFTBALL TEAM

September 24, 2024 – Another Fall season 
is opening at Heasley Field, where priceless 
memories touch every human sense. Its that 
chill in the air, a thrill in every cheer, and 
the Heasley Diner grill spreading Taylors 
prime meat aromas across the whole park. 
Amidst all that stimulation, you’ll find next 
generation out on the field building their 
skills and confidence…in baseball, softball, 
and for life. 

This Fall there is an added feeling of 
inspiration around Heasley, given by the 
group of girls who just graduated from Sierra 
Madre Softball as National Champions. You 
see, it all started for them 8 years ago when 
they were 5 and 6, picking up a glove for the 
first time and giggling their way through 
their first clumsy practices on the upper 
“Tball field”. For at least half of that first 
season their games didn’t resemble a sport 
at all – and then suddenly it starts to click. 
Whether as spectators or helping as a coach, 
many of us parents remember that magic 
moment while watching our little ones 
play. We look at each other and say, “that 
sorta looked like they knew what they were 
doing!” And from there the years fly by.

Well, this particular group of girls was 
blessed by an amazing set of parents, who 
were not only willing to volunteer for their 
own daughters’ teams as coaches through the 
years, but they also helped to raise the whole Softball league to new 
levels of success, and to bring their positive culture out to represent 
Sierra Madre across the whole region. 

Years of dedication by this special group first became evident as Sierra 
Madre started to match up squarely in competition against the top 
California leagues – Chino Hills, Santa Monica, Glendora, and the 
great Rancho Trabuco. But winning was not the most remarkable 
thing.

During the Summer of 2021, a call came in from a USA Softball regional 
director to the newly installed President of Sierra Madre Softball, 
Russ Meek. The official wanted to discuss an incident involving a 
Sierra Madre All Star team who was playing a tournament in the city 
of Walnut. Meek braced himself for bad news. Instead, the Official 
shared that the opposing coach behaved badly, making a terrible scene 
that interrupted the game and discouraged his own girls on the field. 
The Official said that the game could not have continued if not for the 
grace of our Sierra Madre coaches who kept player and family spirits 
high on both sides, and for the sportsmanship of our Sierra Madre girls 
who set an equally positive example. 

The next Summer, another call came in from a top USA Softball 
Official, trying to find out who was coaching the All-Star team playing 
out in Simi Valley at the time. Meek shared that it was Coach Vinny 
Pagan, and he again braced himself for unfortunate news. Apparently, 
the Umpire had made a series of the terrible calls 
against Sierra Madre. Quoting the Official, “these 
were some of the worst calls he had ever seen, and 
they could have cost Sierra Madre the game.” The 
Official said that if he had been coaching, he would 
have argued, protested, and probably would have 
gotten himself kicked out of the game.

Instead of arguing, complaining or making a scene, 
Coach Pagan turned right back to his team and said, 
“with the very next pitch we get another shot, so let’s 
put ourselves back in the driver’s seat and try to win 
this game.” Focusing the the girls, he said “Let’s go, 
I want to hear you all cheering for our next batter. 
Get behind her, this game is not over!”

More email commendations quickly followed this call, from more 
Officials across the region. They spoke with reverence for Coach 
Pagan and his staff, but they also noted that Sierra Madre teams were 
repeatedly seen rising above similar, tough situations - often in the heat 
of the most competitive moments. Sierra Madre had become the clear 
example for all others, for keeping their composure, keeping games 
positive, and more and more they were just flat-out winning.

Nearly all those who have served on recent Sierra Madre Little League 
and Sierra Madre Softball boards know what the core mission is, when 
we are really volunteering for the kids. For every child of every age and 
skill level - make sure they are building confidence, having fun with 
their team, and that they are excited and inspired to come back again 
tomorrow.

Coach Vinny, Lacey Shaver, Tom Sullivan and Tom Acker, and each of 
their respective families behind them, carried out that mission at the 
highest level for nearly a decade. They inspired a group of girls who 
started on a dusty little T-ball field years ago, and this year that group 
engaged in an unprecedented campaign as the “Sierra Madre Threats.” 
Their consistency, togetherness and positivity were unmatched and 
unbeaten by any other team in the land. This Tuesday, City Council 
recognized The Threats’ historic achievement on the field, and on 
the Heasley Field Diner you will soon see an indelible brass plaque 
commemorating the success of these girls and their families, and even 


Our National Champs with Coaches and City Council Story & Photo Courtesy SMGSA

Eileen Benson626.278.0187CalRE# 01880650Barbara Rogers626.484.8135CalRE# 01169115Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker. Affi liated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All 
Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offi ces which are 
owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offi ces which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing 
Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
We AreBringing Out The Big Dogs To 
Help Make Your 2024/25Real Estate Dreams Come True.
Fall Is The Perfect Reminder OfHow Great Change Can Be.
Is It Time To Sell Your HomeAnd Make The Move You’ve Always 
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We Want To Help You 
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Real Estate GoalsInterest Rates are down. This is a GREAT time to SELL and BUY!
SAVE THE DATES

SIERRA MADRE

COMMUNITY 
CONVERSATIONS:

PUBLIC SAFETY - 10/8/2024

PUSD CANDIDATES 
-10/9/2024

Details on Page 3

InSIDE THIS WEEK

Sierra Madre News Pages 1 - 4

PasadenaPage 5

Surrounding Cities....... Page 6

Around SGV Page 7

Education & Youth Page 8

Puzzles For YouPage 9

Food - Wine & Fun Page 10

Best FriendsPage 11

Good Life Page 12

Opinion Page 13

2024 Election: Page 14

 PUSD BOARD DISTRICT 6 CANDIDATES

Legal NoticesPage 15

Sports and Fitness Page 16

 SIERRA MADRE ADULT SOFTBALL

 FITNESS FOR LIFE

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